Fans filled the Woodbridge side of Ryan Lemmon Stadium for Friday night’s game. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)
High school baseball fans in Irvine came out in big numbers Friday night for the Pacific Coast League opener between Woodbridge and Irvine at Ryan Lemmon Stadium.
Woodbridge defeated Irvine 2-0 in the entertaining game, which took under two hours to complete.
Woodbridge had played a few night tournament games at the facility this season. Coach Ryan Brucker is in favor of his team playing at night.
But in order for Friday’s game to be played under the lights, Irvine Coach Gabriel Cota had to agree. That’s a league rule.
Cota gave his OK and the fans and the players seem to benefit. Many parents have to work during the day, so night games are good for them. Players generally enjoy the excitement of playing at night.
However, as of now, it’s the only league game scheduled at night at Ryan Lemmon Stadium. The next one won’t be until Friday, April 30, when Woodbridge hosts Portola.
We understand the thinking of some coaches. Their teams don’t play at night on a regular basis, so it is an adjustment. We’ve seen more than a few balls lost in the lights at Ryan Lemmon Stadium. In addition, administrators have to clear the night games since they are the ones to have to staff the games.
Still, there are a lot of positives about baseball at night.
It was great to see fans from both teams enjoying a night at the ball park, stress fee, and having fun. The stands on the Woodbridge side were full and the Irvine side was nearly full.
It was a great atmosphere for a ball game.
It will be interesting to see what happens next year when the Pacific Coast League welcomes Laguna Hills into the league.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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