Celebrating 50 Years Of Baseball With The Oakland Athletics #RootedInOakland

On Friday, March 30, a 50-year family tradition continued as the entire Turner family continued the legacy as descended upon the Oakland Coliseum to see our own hometown Oakland Athletics take to the field.

This was more than just another ballgame to us but a way to remember the good times and the memories that had been made there both when I was little and headed to the ballpark with my grandfather, through the generations and sneaking my kids out of school for a day of sunshine, fun and baseball, and honoring my daughter, a proud left-bleacher season ticket holder for many years who passed away unexpectedly last January but we knew she was with us on this picture-perfect Green Friday Opening Night.

There is nothing like being in the stands for a ballgame and when it’s Opening Night, you can feel the electricity in the air. The excitement is contagious.

From the peanuts and Cracker Jacks to the Stomper to the anticipation of the first pitch, it’s family-friendly fun at its very best and still the best value in town! A lot has changed over the last 50 years, but what has remained the same is the legacy and tradition that is synonymous with the Oakland Athletics.

The A’s are firm believers in the community and in 2016, with new ownership came a new commitment to the legacy that is the Oakland A’s and the result is increased dedication to Oakland and surrounding east bay cities, complete with the desire to build a new ballpark in Oakland. In the meantime, the club has spent millions of dollars the past two offseasons to improve the Oakland Coliseum.

New amenities include Championship Plaza (new in 2017), Shibe Park Tavern (new in 2017), and The Treehouse (new in 2018). But even with the changes, some things remain the same, most importantly for us, the family atmosphere that is a part of being at an A’s game.

The girls are proud members of the Oakland A’s Kids Club, a tradition started by their Auntie Heather, so of course, we were there as soon as the gates opened so we could check out all of the new fun in the Kid’s Zone.

From chances to test your pitching and hitting skills, to play areas, to opportunities to walk away with Oakland A’s swag, it’s the perfect place for kids to be kids, and for adults to be kids right along with them.

With the new ownership also game a new focus in bringing in bright, young players with that twinkle in their eyes that shows with every swing of the bat and with each hit,  the team on the field is improving and you can feel that the coveted World Series trophy will be ours once again.  Young, highly-ranked prospects are joining the club for their first full season at the Major League level.

These athletic, talented players are expected to lead the A’s into a new era of highly competitive baseball.

The March 30 Opening Night game showed just why the A’s are indeed Rooted In Oakland. With the pomp and circumstance reserved for the greatest of championship teams, the A’s took us for a ride down memory lane, reminding us of not only the days gone by but the history that will soon be written. 

The pregame ceremony celebrating the top 50 players in Oakland A’s history. It celebrated the players, past championship teams, and historic team moments throughout the season but the best part for us was when Coco Crisp took to the field once again. The look and excitement in Hailey’s eyes will stay with me for years to come.

This was the first of the ballpark-wide event known as “Green Fridays”  and yes we proudly represented in our own green.

The team on the field looked sharp in their newly unveiled Kelly Green jerseys with “Oakland” on the front, and throughout the season, every Friday when the A’s are home fans are encouraged to wear green and are invited to try out the new drink specials which will be available in our ballpark bars, and join in the fun with a live  DJ spinning in the brand-new area in left field called The Treehouse.

Complete with a redwood deck overlooking the field, this new area includes outdoor and indoor bars, the location of the Green Fridays’ DJ, and will often hold pregame and postgame TV and radio shows. The Treehouse is open every day of the season.

The fun of being at Oakland Coliseum means that the fun starts long before you enter the park. For the second-year, Championship Plaza is back. Located on the west side of the ballpark, the area is outside but considered part of the ballpark. The area is complete with games and a variety of food trucks from the community. Championship Plaza is open every day of the season and is not to be missed. Also new this year is The Farm.

The Farm, a unique garden on the south end of the Eastside Club near the right field flagpoles. The Farm will debut and be open during the 2018 season. The urban farm area consists of dozens of large redwood planters that will grow an assortment of produce and flowers, and it will feature picnic tables and benches for fans to enjoy during the game. The A’s have partnered with Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project to lead the work on the Farm. The East Oakland nonprofit is dedicated to creating safe and creative outdoor spaces for youth and families in the community.

For us, baseball is a time-honored tradition that has been handed down through 4 generations now, one steeped in memories, laughter, and fun. When was the last time you enjoyed a day or night at the ballpark?

With something for everyone or every age, the Oakland A’s are truly Rooted In Oakland and waiting for you and your family to create a lifetime of memories of your own. But don’t just take my word for it. Grab the family, put on your green and head out to the ballpark and check out the Oakland A’s for yourself. You’ll be glad you did. Finding tickets to the Oakland A’s games are as easy as 1-2-3! Simply head click on the Oakland A’s website and let the fun begin or better yet, become a season ticket holder and all of the perks that go with it because, at the end of the day, it’s not just about supporting the home team and watching the best baseball around but making memories for you and your family.

You can stay up to date with all of the latest from the Oakland A’s! Follow along on:

Twitter:  @athletics
Facebook: Athletics
Instagram:  @athletics
Website: Oakland Athletics

Disclosure: This post was written in partnership with the Oakland A’s, however, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are 100% my own.