‘The magic starts’: Wichita fans pack Riverfront Stadium for debut baseball game
A crowd of 7,509 fans poured into Wichita’s new downtown ballpark on a sunny Saturday afternoon for the first baseball game played at Riverfront Stadium.
The Wichita State baseball team provided the entertainment, winning their sixth straight game over Houston, 10-1, and the seventh-largest crowd to take in a Shockers’ baseball game was treated to the first experience at the $75 million stadium.
It was a bittersweet day for the Wichita Wind Surge, the Double-A minor-league baseball team the stadium was built for. The stadium experience drew rave reviews from fans, just like how Lou Schwechheimer envisioned when he decided to move his franchise from New Orleans to Wichita some three years ago.
Saturday was a debut that would have made Schwechheimer beam with pride. Schwechheimer died last summer from COVID-19 complications.
“All of this started with the dream of Lou Schwechheimer and we’re just so thrilled that today we finally got to see his dream come to life,” Wind Surge general manager Jared Forma said. “In Lou’s words, the magic starts today.”
For Wichita baseball fans used to walking up to the outdated entrance of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, the difference in arrival to the new Delano District stadium was stunning in comparison.
“For those of us who lived through and experienced the days at Lawrence-Dumont, it’s just exciting to walk up to a stadium that is state of the art,” said Wichita native Sergio Roman. “And then you go inside, and whether it’s the concourse or the amenities or the restrooms or the concessions, it really is amazing. I know I can bring my family here and have a good time.”
Everyone certainly seemed to be having a good time on Saturday.
Fans who bought tickets behind home plate and along the foul lines were pleased with the amount of leg room and width to the seats. Families with children enjoyed being able to sprawl out on the hill in the outfield. And for those who paid extra to sit in the Dillon’s Picnic Patio, Coors Light Party Porch, Fidelity Bank Bravely Onward Club or Emprise Bank Pavilion enjoyed an elevated view of the playing field.
“These are some of the best seats in the house,” said Wichita native Amy Caspari, who brought a blanket and was sitting on the hill in center field with friends. “We’ve got a great view out here. You can see anything. It’s not hard to get around out here and the everything is close by. It’s a great experience. This is one of the best ball fields I’ve ever been to.”
For those sitting with a bird’s eye view of the field, the lone complaint on Saturday was how chilly it was in the shade with the wind. But for the summer months when the Wind Surge play, those breezes will be welcomed on hot and sticky afternoons or nights under the sun.
“It’s a great view up here,” said Pratt native Rich Sanders, who brought his grandchildren to the perched seating in right field. “The wind’s a bit cold up here, but what a beautiful stadium. It’s a major-league stadium, second-to-none. It’s very well laid-out and it will be a great asset to Wichita.”
For families with children, the outfield seating was preferred. Not only was the berm grass seating a hit, but the spacious concourse behind center field provided room for kids to run around and play. In time, the Wind Surge plan to build a Kids Zone with inflatables in that space.
“The concourse is huge out there, which is important because kids aren’t going to sit still for nine innings,” Roman said. “And then kids are also going to want treats when they come to the ballpark and from what I’ve seen, there’s plenty of places to get those. So I think it’s a win-win for everyone. The adults will get to enjoy nine innings of baseball, then the kids will get to do other things and still get to enjoy the atmosphere.”
“It’s going to be a great place to bring the kids,” said Devin Slane, a Wichita business owner who operates Doc Green’s. “It’s a great baseball environment and I think Wichitans are going to be proud to call it their own. Hopefully Wichita really supports this baseball team because this is great.”
For those who paid to sit in premium hospitality areas, they were treated to a free 2-hour buffet with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and a full-service bar. They also had some of the best seats in the stadium, although a view of the game is only available along the railing in the Emprise Bank Pavilion. During Wind Surge season, in-house cameras will showcase the game on the televisions so people sitting down at tables can still watch.
As for concessions, there are plenty of options for fans walking anywhere in the concourse. The in-house Freddy’s was a popular option, while there were traditional concession stands and beer carts available throughout the stadium.
But with a near-capacity crowd (Riverfront Stadium can hold up to 10,025), the minor problems you would expect came up on Saturday. Parking in the Delano District was challenging for some, while others remarked on how long it took them to get through lines, whether that was entering the stadium, going to the bathroom or getting concessions.
“Getting into the park was kind of pain, but I’m sure that’s something they will get under control in time,” Slane said.
Fans said that was a small price to pay for enjoying baseball at the brand-new stadium.
And a glimpse at the economic impact it could have in the Delano District was on full display on Saturday, as near-by restaurants like The Monarch and Picasso’s Pizzeria were fully packed before, during and after the game.
Overall, it was a positive day all around for Wichita.
To the handful of fans that The Eagle spoke with on Saturday, they’re looking forward to making it a routine this summer at the stadium watching the Wind Surge play.
“I can’t wait,” Caspari said. “I’ve already got my tickets to opening day for Wind Surge.”
This story was originally published April 10, 2021 at 5:11 PM.
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