The countdown is on to opening day for St. Paul Saints baseball. Thursday, May 21 will not only mark opening day, it will mark the first official (non-exhibit) game played at CHS Field, the Saints new $63 million ballpark in Lowertown St. Paul. The Saints will play the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks at 7:15 p.m.
Because the “Saints Go Marching In to CHS Field,” there will be a souvenir hat giveaway, presented by CHS, and because it’s “Thirsty Thursday,” there will be $1 beers during the game.
With the most expensive ticket being a $18 home plate reserved ticket, and the least expensive being a $6 general admission bleacher seat ($5 for kids), watching a game at CHS Field, where “fun is good,” includes not only a reasonably-priced outdoor baseball experience, but lively between-innings races and contests and a memorable cast of characters roaming the bleachers to keep things interesting (the “entertainment team” includes everyone from The Nerd awkwardly dancing in the stands to Gert the Flirt leaving lipstick marks on fellows’ cheeks). I mean, how many baseball mascots are bright pink pigs (named Mudonna, no less)? It’s hard not to have a good time at a Saints game.
The new ballpark has a new menu with items from its catering company, Pro Sports Catering (the same company that does the concessions at Xcel Energy Center), as well as Polish and bratwurst sausages from local restaurant Heartland (found along the concourse at a concession aptly named “The Dog Park”), handcrafted malts from Snuffy’s, Memphis-style pulled pork, smoked beef short ribs, and BBQ chicken, burgers with Sriacha, burgers with blue cheese, burgers with five patties, burgers with grilled ham and smoked cheddar, and (for a little something on the lighter side) turkey or Cuban paninis. Beer options include Summit, 612 Brew, Insight, Third Street, Sociable Cider Werks, North Lake, Loon Juice Cider, and Bud Lite Lime-A-Ritas. If you’re not a fan of beer, order a glass of wine, a cocktail, or a Coke.
There are 7,000 seats in the new ballpark, including double the number of wheelchair spaces required by Federal law, 180 seats with extra leg room, seats with removable armrests, family unisex bathrooms (in addition to standard restrooms), and assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired. For a list of parking ramps in the area, visit saintsbaseball.com. You can also take the bus or green line to CHS Field for free. Download your free metro transit pass here.
