Fans flock to Raley Field

WEST SACRAMENTO, CALIF. -- Anyone who thinks a baseball game can't be won by the fans in the stands has never taken in a game at Raley Field.

Home to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, Raley Field routinely welcomes 10,000-plus fans a night and for good reason -- the River Cats have been a force to be reckoned with in the Pacific Coast League since the turn of the millennium.

But while the action on the field is both entertaining and an ongoing success story, part of the reason for the boisterous attendance numbers is the park itself.

Raley Field opened in May 2000, another in a long line of ballparks springing up across the country in primarily industrial areas. The stadium is situated in West Sacramento, a stone's throw from the Port of Sacramento and minutes from downtown.

The area wasn't traditionally the first place residents thought about taking the family out on a Saturday night, but Raley Field is changing all of that.

"I think it's going to build up West Sacramento," said Johnny Doskow, the River Cats' play-by-play broadcaster. "It's going to help the whole Sacramento region economically. How could it not?"

It most definitely will, and already has. More and more restaurants, gas stations and little shopping centers have popped up in the vicinity of the park, with no doubt more on the way.

But it is what is going on inside the park that is the most exciting for players, fans and River Cats staff members alike.

"It's a Minor League park, but it kind of has a Major League feel," said Gabe Ross, the River Cats' assistant general manager and director of media relations. "It's more between the big leagues and Minor Leagues as far as the entertainment. It's a good balance."

That balance can be seen all over the park.

The park capacity is around 14,000 people, but each and every fan can be sure that they will be buying a great seat with a unique perspective of the action on the field.

Seats along the hot corner perhaps provide the best view of Raley Field's scenic, cityscape backdrop. The twin supports of the Tower Bridge gleam golden in the sun during day games, while lights from downtown Sacramento's taller building illuminate the night.

And that's if you can stare past the River Cats' enormous tower straight-away in center field, which serves as home to the video screen, main scoreboard and a neon River Cats logo that lights up the night sky during late games.

For those looking to take out a group -- and not break the bank -- there is Home Run Hill, which for six dollars allows families to stake out some territory on the grass near the bullpens in right field and hope for a chance at a home run ball.

"It's a great, tight ballpark and every seat gives you a great perspective," Doskow said. "You're right on top of the action. Right behind the screen, behind the dugouts and even at the suite level, the seats are great."

The food available is also the perfect balance of traditional favorites and California-specific delights. For every hot dog and nacho basket available, there is local barbecue and frozen lemonade stands, too.

And the quality of service, which can be looked over or sacrificed at some parks, comes first with Raley Field representatives.

"The comments that I get from people is that our gameday staff is really friendly," Doskow said. "The ushers and the people working the concessions create a really friendly environment.

"People are treated really well when they come to the park."

The future will hold even more delights for fans with the completion of Home Run Terrace, which is under construction in left field.

The terrace will seat groups of 50 to 150 people comfortably and provide another unique perspective on the game. Because, as some players may say, you can never have enough support at home.