PLAY BALL Here is what to expect when the Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Madison’s Toyota Field

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Here is what to expect when the Rocket City Trash Pandas return to Madison’s Toyota Field for their home opener on April 12

STORY BY BOB LABBE PHOTOS BY CRISTINA BYRNE/ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS

TThe excitement among the entire Tennessee Valley remained at a fever pitch for the second season of the Rocket City Trash Pandas. The team based at Toyota Field in Madison will take to the action of the Double-A South League earlier than in its inaugural season as the minor league franchise of the Los Angeles Angels will begin play on April 8 in Birmingham with the home opener set for April 12 against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

“The season started in May last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year we are starting earlier with a full slate of a 138-game schedule going through September,” said Garrett Fahrmann, who is in his second season as general manager of the Trash Pandas. “In 2022 we will play every team of the league in home and away series. Plus, the South League will host playoffs at the midway mark of the season and at the completion of the second half of the season schedule. Four teams will be involved in each series playoff.”

Baseball

The Trash Pandas play In the North Division of the South League. The remainder of the division teams and their Major League affiliations include: Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox), Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds), and Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs). The South Division is made up of the Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers), Mississippi Braves (Atlanta Braves), Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays) and Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins).

The Trash Pandas will also have a new coaching staff included by new manager Andy Schatzley. He’s in his third season in the Angels’ organization.

As the minor league players play their schedules attempting to elevate and showcase their baseball talents with the hopes and dreams of making their way to Major League Baseball, team management is well aware a good portion of its attending fans in some ways attend the baseball games as a social event. In 2021, the Trash Pandas averaged 5,726 in attendance for each game. The attendance was tops in the South League as was tenth among all Minor League Baseball.

So, let the party begin.

Toyota Field

Home of the Trash Pandas will operate as a 100-percent “cashless stadium.” Eliminating the physical transfer of

cash and coins will significantly cut down on contact between guests and employees providing a more sanitary overall experience at Toyota Field.

Credit and debit cards will be accepted at locales around Toyota Field. Mobile tap-to-pay will be available in all areas, excluding the ticket office. Trash Cash Cards, Toyota Field’s in-house form of payment, are available and can be purchased in advance or at the stadium with the balance of the cards able to roll over from game to game.

Parking at Toyota Field has also migrated to new technology as visitors can purchase through the “Clutch!” app and when doing so receive a discounted of $3.25 per vehicle. Pay as you arrive is set at $10 per vehicle.

A security reminder- clear-bag policy will be enforced.

Toyota Field Layout

What is being recognized as one of the newest firstclass and fan-friendly stadiums in America, Toyota Field and the Trash Pandas welcome everyone with open arms, smiling faces and plenty of options for positive experiences.

One of the most significant aspects of the new stadium is the fact there is a 360-degree concourse. Once you en-

ter the locale, you can maneuver completely around the stadium without leaving the facility. Besides the private concourse suites and other private areas within the confines of Toyota Field, there are numerous locations that are open, free and utterly fantastic places for the experience of attending a Trash Pandas game.

“One of the biggest changes for 2022 is the fact we will have raised protective nets extended down to the outfield as the nets will be tapered in height down the field,” said Fahrmann. “Near home plate, the nets will rise from 25-feet to a new height of 35-feet and tapper off to 12-feet down the foul lines.”

Fans Experience

“We will have new food options within our concessions,” added Fahrmann with a touch of excitement in his voice. “We’ll be adding a corn roaster, fried Oreos, and funnel cakes, especially to the outfield plaza. We’ll also have Conecuh dogs to the menu. Plus, Hard ICEE’s will be on the Rock Porch”

Additional fun things that will enhance the Toyota Field and baseball experience include a brand new fanfun MOJ O Speed Pitch Cage in the outfield. The threedimensional realistic batter and catcher provides fans with a true in-game pitching experience that includes accuracy and measuring their speed. Available for all ages.

The popular Kid’s Zone will be sponsored by Main Event of Bridgestreet. Look for lots of fun and new items within the kid-friendly area. The Rock Porch in right field will again be a very popular location to watch the game from an outfield position and next to that locale is the Bud Berm featuring an $8 general admission ticket lawn seating where fans can spread out a blanket and take in the game from a leisure sitting position.

Year-one was certainly an exciting time for the entire Tennessee Valley area. Year-two will be even better. Fahrmann added, “We have a lot of returning employees who will be better prepared to attend to all the aspects of a Minor League Baseball season. Our parking situation will guaranteed to be better.”

While those who cannot attend a game in person can still keep up with every pitch of the contest by listening to the play-by-play broadcast over 730AM and 103.9FM, The Ump (WUMP). All 138 season games can be heard with vivid game calls by Josh Caray.

Home games at Toyota Field will also be broadcast on a Channel 31 sub-station. The multi-camera production features instant replays, audio play by play via Josh Caray from his radio broadcast and exciting views of the attending crowds. Play ball! Party on!