Opening Day 2016 Ballpark Photos

Are you attending an Opening Day ballgame? It doesn't have to be a game on Monday; it just has to be taken at the ballparks first home game of the 2016 regular season. Let’s see if we have Chasers attending Opening Day at all 30 Major League ballparks! Post your photos to this forum or tweet us your pics @ballparkchasers or use the hashtag #ballparkchasing.

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Permalink Reply by Craig (17) on April 9, 2016 at 8:06am

Thanks for posting, Rick!

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Permalink Reply by John (20 current MLB/11 old MLB) on April 13, 2016 at 7:00am

The Cubs home opener at Wrigley Field on Monday, April 11, 2016 was an instant classic.

As you may know, the Wrigley Field is in the throes of a massive renovation project that is expected to last for several more years. Part of the project includes the refashioning the exterior, exposing brick and ironwork that was long ago obscured with concrete panels and the addition of terra cotta roofing elements.

Wrigley was sparkling on a crisp, sunny afternoon and the game, itself, was incredible starting with the player introductions. Recently injured Kyle Schwarber probably got the loudest ovation, emerging from the dugout hobbling on a crutch following his devastating knee injury.

The Reds’ Brian Finnegan kept the Cubs hitless for 6 and 2/3 innings - not necessarily because he had no-hit stuff but more due to the Cubs simply hitting the ball right at the defenders, with a couple of spectacular diving catches thrown in. Through the first six innings the most exciting play was a ball that got under the third baseman’s glove allowing Kris Bryant to reach second base safely on the error. Meanwhile, the Reds had scored three runs in the first, third and fourth off of Jon Lester.

In the bottom of the seventh, with two outs and no one on base, light hitting catcher David Ross stepped to the plate and laced a sharp single to the outfield to break-up the no-hitter. The next two batters walked and coming to the plate with the bases loaded, Jason Heyward roped a clutch single to right scoring two.

After a scoreless top of the eighth, Ben Zobrist walked with one out and Jorge Soler worked a 1-2 count full, eventually getting hit by a pitch that bounced about ten feet in front of home plate.

Sensing danger, the Reds next called on (the appropriately named) Jumbo Diaz to face Addison Russell. On the first pitch, Russell crushed a no-doubter home run over the leftfield wall to give the Cubs a 5-3 lead. Wrigley Field erupted!

Cubs closer Hector Rondon came on in the top of the ninth and struck out each of the three Reds batters looking. The Cubs won the game scoring five runs on just three hits and after being no-hit for the better part of the night. An instant classic!

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Permalink Reply by Craig (17) on April 13, 2016 at 7:21pm

Great write-up, John. Thank you for posting. As a Reds fan, I am still hurt by this game. We needs every win we can get...haha!

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Permalink Reply by Charles O'Reilly on April 13, 2016 at 8:10pm

A nice crowd entering Citi Field on Opening Day, Friday 8-Apr-2016.

Mets captain David Wright greeting the troops after he's introduced, batting second.

The National League pennant flies alongside Old Glory in the second inning.