Stockton Ports open season as A's affiliate kicks off in downtown Stockton
The Athletics' home opener is Friday at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, but just one day earlier, their Single-A affiliate, the Stockton Ports, kicked off opening day in downtown Stockton.
CBS News Sacramento spoke with Ports pitcher Grant Richardson, who has been playing baseball since he was four and was drafted by the A's organization last summer. Richardson said he's been most excited about the fans supporting them after they've been working all spring.
"It means you're kind of part of the top 1%," Richardson said. "Everybody works from that growing up. The dream is to play pro ball and then get into the big leagues."
Richardson and teammate pitcher Cory Braun greeted fans at Banner Island Ballpark — the team's home filled with rich history, where Ernest Thayer is said to have drawn inspiration for the poem "Casey at the Bat."
"You see some of the pictures like Rickey Henderson, some of the greats," Richardson said. "So, it's nice to be where they once were…and hopefully this is just the first step to a long career."
For fans, opening night is about more than baseball — it's tradition.
The Uchytil family has been making the trip from Livermore for the past two years.
"Opening night for the Ports, we're super excited," said Brian Uchytil. "A's left to Vegas, we got the Ports now… we love coming to Stockton."
His wife Monica says the ballpark's charm stands out.
"There's not a bad seat in the house," she said.
Their kids have their own favorites. Their son, John, likes watching the games and their daughter, Kyla, likes the root beer floats on the weekends.
For others, the moment carries a deeper meaning.
Lakeal Morris drove from Sacramento to watch his son, Judah, take the field for his first minor league game as a first baseman.
Morris says his son's passion for baseball started early — choosing MLB games over cartoons — and now, he's watching that dedication pay off.
"It's beautiful," Morris said. "It's what I wanted to do, but he's doing it at a higher level… even better."
