Caption
Fuzzy, the Columbus Clingstones mascot, works the crowd before the Clingstones’ first-ever home game on April 15, 2025. The Clingstones were set to take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Credit: Mike Haskey/Ledger-Enquirer
Section Branding
Header Content
Columbus Clingstones sell out, win team’s first home game. What to know
Primary Content
The Columbus Clingstones debuted to a sellout crowd in Synovus Park Tuesday, defeating the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 3-0 in a game that saw several first-ever occurrences for the new team.
Much fanfare was made about the Clingstones’ first home game: the team scheduled a postgame fireworks show, fans got commemorative tickets, and Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson joined Atlanta Braves legend Tim Hudson as two of the several people who threw ceremonial first pitches.
The Clingstones confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer that the stadium, with a capacity of about 5,500 had sold out prior to the time the gates opened for fans to stream in.
Clingstones manager Cody Cabella told reporters Tuesday what the atmosphere of a sold out stadium would mean to him prior to the game.
“Coming off a two-week road trip, guys were talking on the bus and mentioned how excited they are to get home and open up in front of our fans,” Cabella said. “I’m sure some of them saw it on social media that it was a sellout. So it’s more incentive. You always want to play in front of as many people as possible.”
Players also were excited about having a big crowd. Clingstones outfielder Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. emphasized the importance of playing well in the home opener so fans will leave impressed.
“We want these guys to come to the game and actually feel what we feel out there, like the baseball players will bring it,” Kilpatrick said. “And we want the fans to be as in the game as we are on every pitch.”
The atmosphere Tuesday captured Hudson’s attention. The longtime Braves pitcher is a Phenix City native.
“This town, it’s a baseball town, and I’m proud to be from this area,” Hudson said.
Hudson was not the only longtime Braves pitcher to appear at Tuesday’s game. But the other was on the roster — and in the game in key moments.
Craig Kimbrel, an MLB all-star and once a dominant closer for the Braves, was announced as a new addition to the Clingstones’ roster Monday. Kimbrel warmed up in the bullpen while the Clingstones held onto a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning. After the Clingstones added two insurance runs thanks to an RBI single from center fielder Carlos Rodriguez and another RBI single from infielder Cal Conley, Kimbrel entered the game with a 3-0 lead.
After being greeted with a standing ovation from some fans, he pitched a hitless eighth. That proved to be his only action of the game, as it was Hayden Harris on the mound for the Clingstones in the ninth. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning for the save.
Blake Burkhalter, who attended Auburn University and is from Tuscaloosa, got the win. In 5 2/3 scoreless innings, he allowed three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.
Fans shared positive experiences before and during the game, remarking at the positive atmosphere in the stadium and the quality of amenities.
Shea Spencer and Jamie Spencer grew up in Columbus coming to Columbus Catfish and RedStixx games and said they were in high school when pro baseball left the area. “I was telling my oldest daughter the other day, we’ve been waiting 17 years to have pro ball, but to have it be the (Class AA minor league baseball affiliate of the Atlanta) Braves is even more special because this is Braves Country.”
The Spencers said they bought season tickets and the process was “super easy.” They arrived at the stadium early and said parking was simple. Jamie Spencer said the Clingstones group sales department is “great to work with, super easy, quick responses.”
“I think that everything that they’re offering ticket-wise is perfect for this region and this area,” Jamie Spencer said.
Shea Spencer said he was excited to see the stadium sold out.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen it probably going back to like ‘07 or ‘08,” he said.
Shea Spencer referred to the stadium as “brand-spanking new” after its $50 million renovation. He said, “We’ve never had anything like this. I feel very blessed to have this.”
Several first occasions for the Clingstones
Clingstones righthander Blake Burkhalter threw the first pitch in Synovus Park history. It was a ball to Pensacola leadoff hitter Jared Serna, who made the first out as Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. caught the flyout to right field. Then the Pensacola catcher, Joe Mack, notched the first hit, a single up the middle.
The first hit at Synovus Park for the Clingstones came in the second inning on first baseman Drew Compton’s one-out double to right field, which sent third baseman David McCabe (walk) to third, but they were stranded, and the game remained scoreless.
The first run for the Clingstones at Synovus Park came in the third inning as second baseman David Fletcher scored from third on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead.
The fan who went home with the first foul ball hit into the stands in Synovus Park history almost didn’t attend the game.
Cooper Savarese, 14, of Smiths Station told the Ledger-Enquirer he “kept begging” his father, Chris, to buy tickets.
“He couldn’t find any,” Cooper said, “but I did.”
They were two of only four remaining seats showing on his screen — just 3 hours before gametime — on a secondary market website. And they were $46 each for $30 seats on the third base side.
“It ended up coming to about $140 with all the fees,” said Chris, an Aflac manager of document control and training.
As he looked at his son’s beaming face, Chris added, “But it’s worth it. This is one of those moments where it’s like you can always have the memory of coming to the first day in this ballpark. I could tell how bad he really wanted it.”
Just ask Cooper.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
And it’s amazing that, like barely being able to attend the game, Cooper had a bit of a struggle to snatch the foul ball. It bounced off the window of a suite and ricocheted off another fan’s hands. While it rolled under a seat, Cooper prevailed over several other fans trying to secure it.
Cooper plans to write the date on the ball and keep it in his bedroom as a memento.
“We’re gonna come back,” Chris said when asked about their experience at Synovus Park. “We’re already looking at more tickets. I’m big on customer service, and the hospitality here has been just great, and the atmosphere is clean. I really hope it stays this way.”
This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
Secondary Content
Author
Bottom Content
