Ports shatter attendance mark
As Dobales stepped through the gates at Banner Island Ballpark, he broke an attendance record for the Ports that has stood strong since the 1947 baseball season.
The Ports' new home at Banner Island Ballpark and new Major League affiliation with the Oakland A's has paid dividends in a season that has pushed more fans through the ballpark gates than any other in Stockton history, dating all the way back to the Ports' first year in Stockton in 1941.
"This is a great day for not only the Stockton Ports, but for the entire Valley Region," said Ports general manager Mike McCarroll. "Breaking our all-time attendance record was goal No. 1 with the 2005 season, and this community accomplished that with 11 home games still remaining this season."
Dobalas was in complete shock upon entering the ballpark. He had heard that there was a chance the Ports would break the record Saturday, but never imagined that it would be him helping make history.
"I love it," said Dobalas, when asked how he felt about the accomplishment. A life-long fan of the Ports, he has attended close to 15 games this season and has been attending Ports games since he was a child in the 1960s.
The Ports are averaging 3,000 fans a game, up from an average of 1,500 a game in 2004.