SEATTLE ¨C Before heading out to Seattle for Opening Day last week, the Athletics made a pit stop on their way back from Arizona, flying into Sacramento and taking a bus to Sutter Health Park, their temporary home for at least the next three seasons.
There was understandable trepidation when it was announced last April that the A¡¯s would be playing in West Sacramento from 2025-27. After all, Sutter Health Park -- while considered one of the nicer stadiums in the Pacific Coast League -- is still a Minor League park. That means Minor League facilities for a Major League ballclub.
Over the past five months, however, extensive renovations and upgrades have taken place to bring the Sutter Health Park experience as close to Major League quality as possible. From the brand-new two-story clubhouse to the renovated hitting tunnels to the enhanced and expanded dugouts and bullpens, Tuesday¡¯s visit to tour their new digs quelled any remaining concerns for A¡¯s players and coaches ahead of their home opener against the Cubs on Monday.
¡°It looks good,¡± A¡¯s slugger Brent Rooker said. ¡°They did a good job with the design, the layout and the execution of everything. We think we¡¯re going to be comfortable and happy. It feels homey. It feels like a place we can make our own for the next three years.¡±
Perhaps the most popular feature amongst players inside their new state-of-the-art clubhouse, which sits beyond the left-field wall, was the food room. Situated on the second floor, the dining area includes a modernized kitchen and patio deck that provides a view of the field and can serve as a lounging area for players before and after games. That deck will be accessible to fans during games.
¡°The cafeteria area is really nice,¡± Rooker said. ¡°It¡¯s an upgrade over what we¡¯ve had. I think that¡¯s going to be a good spot to hang out with teammates.¡±
Manager Mark Kotsay was impressed by the Player Training and Recovery Center, which is equipped with two hot and cold tubs, a cryo-chamber, an infrared sauna, a massage therapy room, a mental health and wellness space, and an on-site doctor¡¯s office with X-ray capabilities.
¡°Getting our feet on the ground and getting in the stadium was a big help,¡± Kotsay said. ¡°Not just from a preparation standpoint, but also just knowing our surroundings. The building itself is great. There¡¯s still work to do in terms of getting it to where it¡¯s just turnkey. But as far as the clubhouse and accessibility, everything seems to be laid out really well.¡±
From a stadium environment standpoint, the anticipation began building this winter for the A¡¯s. They partook in several events in the Sacramento area this offseason, both as a means of getting to familiarize themselves with their new home base as well as generating fan interest.
Earlier this week, the NBA¡¯s Sacramento Kings, who also own the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats and Sutter Health Park, provided royal treatment for Lawrence Butler, Max Muncy, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom and Max Schuemann with courtside seats for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and customized Kings jerseys. During the game, all five A¡¯s players were shown on the big screen and received a loud ovation.
¡°The Kings did a great job making us feel at home and excited to play there,¡± Muncy said. ¡°It was a super cool experience. The place was rocking. It was cool to see the fans that we could potentially have at our games in a sports atmosphere.¡±
Butler, an Atlanta native and longtime Hawks fan, has already adopted the Kings as his second team. He attended his first Kings game in January along with Rooker, JJ Bleday and JP Sears.
¡°I¡¯m going to be at every Kings game,¡± Butler said. ¡°If I can get to a Kings game, I¡¯m going to a Kings game.¡±
The community building is underway for many A¡¯s players and coaches. Kotsay and right-hander Mitch Spence have established their go-to coffee spots near the ballpark. Rooker is on his foodie quest to discover the best dining spots around the area.
As for the actual baseball, while Sutter Health Park only holds a capacity of 14,014, the expectation is that the energy in the stands will be electric on a daily basis. After all, season tickets for the A¡¯s 2025 inaugural season in West Sacramento sold out in January.
¡°I think there will be an energetic atmosphere with a lot of fans who are excited for us to be there,¡± Rooker said. ¡°We¡¯re hoping we get a combination of local longtime A¡¯s fans and people who are maybe new to the fan base we¡¯re hoping to bring on board. We¡¯re excited about it.¡±