OAKLAND — For all the pomp and circumstance, the Oakland Ballers dropped their inaugural game at Raimondi Park, falling to the Yolo High Wheelers, 9-3, in front of a sold out crowd of more than 4,000 fans. They did, however, win something much more important.
The night.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted, but it was the night we wanted,” said B’s manager Micah Franklin. “We wanted a special night for Oakland, and I think that’s what we gave them. Obviously, you want to come out and win games, and that’s our goal. We got the first one out of the way. Everyone was pumped up, a little too hyped up, but it was a fun, amazing night. We all enjoyed every minute.”
Every minute on this historic evening was certainly worth enjoying, and the B’s didn’t need to wait long before experiencing their first signature moment.
In the bottom of the first, Dondrei Hubbard, who already owns the first home run in team history, hit the Ballers’ first home run at Raimondi Park, a two-run shot headed straight for a group of firefighters who watched the game from the top of their truck. Hubbard emphatically flipped his bat before beginning his jog, a display of showmanship that perfectly played to the crowd.
“I felt like something was about to happen there,” Hubbard said with a smile. “I didn’t know I was going to hit a home run, but I felt like I was about to get a good pitch to hit and it just so happened to get out. I’m glad to be a part of history.”
Added Franklin: “That was off the hook. That was such a moment right there. You could see everyone like, ‘Yeah, it’s real. This is it right here.’ We were pumped up.”
Franklin wasn’t surprised by the lively atmosphere, though he did note that he expected the Oakland 68s to set off green and yellow smoke bombs after Hubbard’s home run. His players, by contrast, basked in the spectacle of it all.
“This night surpassed expectations,” Hubbard said. “Amazing crowd, amazing atmosphere. Probably the best atmosphere I’ve ever been in, and I’ve been in a lot of baseball.”
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“Sitting in the stands and hearing people talk about Oakland, how excited they are for this team to be here at Raimondi Park was next-level stuff,” said two-way player Tyler Davis. “The bleachers were buzzing all the way down on both sides. The food trucks were backed up all the way to the street. It was an awesome atmosphere, and if they keep doing this, it will be pretty cool.”
For Davis, the day was especially memorable.
Prior to the home opener, Davis signed a deal with the Chicago White Sox, pending a physical. Davis became the second Baller to sign with a major-league organization, joining right-hander Danny Kirwin, who signed with the Boston Red Sox.
Davis described the conflicting emotions of joining the White Sox at this specific juncture. Davis, without question, relishes the opportunity; few players in the Pioneer League get the chance to make the jump. That said, Davis looked forward to playing in The Town.
“I wanted to appreciate Oakland and what (the team) was doing for the town,” Davis said. “This is a big deal on social media, and you can see the impact it made tonight. I really want to come in and be a part of that, and whatever happened, happened. I wasn’t trying to look too far ahead.
“Obviously, (getting signed was) the goal, but I didn’t want that to be the main goal. I wanted to come here and play the best baseball I could for the city. I’m upset I couldn’t, but I’m happy for the opportunity I got.”
The B’s filled nearly every seat on Tuesday, but over at the Coliseum, the A’s had a sparse crowd of 5,624. At some point this summer, the B’s could realistically outdraw the A’s on a day where both teams are playing in Oakland. So far, there have been eight instances this season where the major-league team failed to draw at least 4,000. When asked about competing with the A’s, Franklin offered a wry smile.
“We don’t compare with the A’s. We don’t try to,” Franklin said. “We’re different. We’re the Ballers. We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere. Let them do their thing, and we’ll worry about us and the community. Come out and we’re here for you. … We’re going to come out here and give a show every night.”
