SPORTS

Sounds ballpark has 'major league' look, fans say

Holly Meyer
hmeyer@tennessean.com
Nashville Sounds fans lounge in the lawn ticket section of the new First Tennessee Park on Friday night.

Nashville Sounds fans not only got to root for the home team Friday night, but they also were able to take in the brand new ballpark.

With an overwhelming consensus, the fans think First Tennessee Park is great from all angles.

Behind the Sounds dugout

A great view of the diamond is what led Zachary Appleby and his wife Desiree to snag season tickets in the seats just behind the home team's dugout. The Nashville couple, who are big baseball fans, have traveled to stadiums across the country, and on Friday night they were admiring the Sounds upgrade from their new seats.

"It has the major league look and feel to it," Zachary Appleby said.

The design of the ballpark's concourse was a big plus for Zachary Appleby, who appreciates being able to see the game even when he's not in his seat.

"You don't miss anything," he said.

Under the overhang

Jay Sexton and his 5-year-old son Jack sat in the back row of Section 110 covered by the second-story overhang.

"There's a good view pretty much anywhere you are," Jay Sexton said. "I think it's really well done, beautifully built."

The father-and-son pair, who are from Franklin, attended games at Greer Stadium, the Sounds' former ballpark, and were happy to see the return of the guitar-shaped scoreboard.

Patio seats

Adam Kruszynski, 14, said the table seats between center and left field looked like a comfortable place to watch the game, so he and his mother, Elena Cruz, grabbed one and settled in for the ballpark opener.

Cruz said the ballpark had a warm and inviting feel to it on Friday night.

"I think it feels like a family game," Cruz said.

Lawn seats

Kate Neff and her boyfriend, Jon Shoemaker, lounged on a blanket in the lawn ticket section. Shoemaker is a big baseball fan and hopes to return for many games this season. While Neff wasn't as interested in the game, she was enjoying a night at the ballpark.

"It's a fun experience just to hang out here on the grass," Neff said.

Outfield bar

Jim Heidman and Mike Noonan wore Chicago Blackhawks jerseys as they stood in the outfield bar section of the new stadium. In Nashville for the hockey playoffs, the Chicago friends decided to turn their Friday night into a sports doubleheader and stopped by the Sounds game before heading to Bridgestone Arena.

They praised the layout of the concourse and were especially impressed by the guitar-shaped scoreboard and big screen.

"That's the coolest scoreboard I've ever seen," Noonan said

Reach Holly Meyer at 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.