It's the surest sign that spring is here: the season for the local baseball team, the West Michigan Whitecaps, opens this Thursday, April 9th. For those in Comstock Park (or the rest of West Michigan and the Greater Grand Rapids area), the opening day of the Whitecaps is the true beginning of the spring season.
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a minor league baseball team, considered a Class A minor league team. They've been a part of the culture in West Michigan since 1994, when they practiced and played at Old Kent Park. The park's name was changed in 2002 to Fifth Third Ballpark, after Fifth Third Bank purchased Old Kent Bank. Since then, the West Michigan Whitecaps and their mascots, Crash the River Rascal, Roxy the River Rascal and Franky the Swimming Pig have called the Fifth Third Ballpark on West River Drive their home.
The Fifth Third Ballpark has had its ups and downs just like any athletic team out there. Late last winter, a fire broke out in one of the suites in the ballpark, causing substantial damage to the facility including suites, the clubhouse, and the concourse. Ownership decided to use this as an opportunity to improve the facilities, and the 2014 season opened last year without a delay. This year, the park will feature The Budweiser Bowtie Deck, new construction, as well as
The West Michigan Whitecaps are five time Midwest League champions, most recently in 2007. They seem overdue for another championship, and this season might just be the one! They kick of their 2015 schedule on Thursday with a game against the Dayton Dragons. This season will also see the unveiling of another new feature of the ballpark: the Craft Clubhouse, sponsored by the locally famous Founder's Brewery, which will feature local craft beers.
If beer isn't your thing, check out the various food options, including the notorious Fifth Third Burger, which includes 5/3s of a pound of ground beef (1 and 2/3 pounds of patties). Those who are able to defeat the goliath burger in one sitting can win a special t-shirt, but be forewarned, this 4,800 calorie burger is labeled as a “dietary disaster” by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Between the game itself, the world-famous concession stand, the craft beers, and the show-stopping Famliy Fare Fireworks show after the game itself, there's something for everyone at the year opener for the West Michigan Whitecaps. There will be plenty of chances throughout the spring and summer to enjoy a ballgame, a beer, and a massive, coronary-inducing burger, but the first game of the season is always something special. The first 1,000 fans through the door on Thursday will receive special mittens in addition to an afternoon of great family fun. Tickets for the first and subsequent games are available for purchase online, with prices starting at $7 for lawn seats and $15 for premium seats located behind home plate. There are also season passes available for the die-hard Whitecaps fans out there. Here's to a great season of America's passtime!