First downtown ballpark seats installed, fans get to experience milestone

Plenty of excitement at the El Paso Chihuahuas’ ballpark Sunday as the first three fans got to take a seat inside the stadium.

It’s no longer just steel and concrete at the Minor League Baseball stadium. The construction site has really started to take shape as a ballpark.

The first people to buy season tickets and the man who came up with the team name got to sit back and marvel at what is to come.

First came the drills then the big sit.

“I never thought a name that I selected would make the finals but it did and it was really rewarding,” name-the-team contest winner Shae Vierra said.

When asked why Jill and Brent Michener decided to jump on the ball and purchase the first season tickets, they said, “We were just excited when we heard the possibility of a Triple-A team here and especially a new ballpark … for the entertainment value it can provide the community so we just felt like we wanted to be a part of it.”

The baseball diamond has taken shape while there’s less than 60 days before the first pitch.

“I see a tremendous amount of support being gained for the team. I think it’s going to be a great venue for people to do things, for young people, old people and everything in between to enjoy,” Project Manager Alan Shubert said.

The seats installed Sunday were the first of 7,500 to be installed. Owners hope they’ll soon be packed with fans.

The first Chihuahuas’ home game is set for April 28 against the Fresno Grizzlies. Team General Manager Brad Taylor said the stadium will have a capacity of about 10,000 fans.