Friday marked the beginning of a new era in Southern Maryland – the opening of the region’s first professional sports stadium, Regency Furniture Stadium. The day also marked the first professional baseball home game for the Maryland Blue Crabs.
Tickets were hard to come by with even the standing room sold to capacity as 5,000 plus fans gathered in front of the gates beginning as early as 4 p.m. By the official ribbon cutting the crowd had spilled into the parking lot. Then it happened, the countdown, the ribbon cutting, and the gates opened.
Fans were surprised to find a beautiful stadium with no such thing as a bad seat in the house. Those in attendance were treated to a rock concert by Smithereens, in awe as magic act Quick Change seemingly pulled off the impossible in front of 5,000 people who all gasped in unison as one of the performers changed into a new clothing style right before their eyes.
There was a tribute to little league baseball, fife and drum corps, a grand flag celebration, and fireworks. The crowd was enthralled by The Third Dimension Parachute Team that landed on the field flying the Blue Crabs Flag, Crustacean Nation Flag and the Star Spangled Banner.
One fan, Max Pittman remarked, “Way to go, Hughesville. Don’t tell me we don’t need this!” alluding to the fact that the stadium was originally planned for Hughesville, but residents fought the effort.
Stadium announcer, Comcast Government Affairs Manager, Joe Lehan and Fox SportsNet celebrity, Brent Harris entertained the crowd, introduced the players and dignitaries. After McDonough High’s chamber choir led the crowd in the National Anthem, on field crazy man, John Roberts introduced the blue crew and drove the crowd wild with his hilarious antics.
After the 3-1/2 hour gala celebration the only thing left to do was to play the game. That was pretty cool, too. The Blue Crabs beat the Lancaster Barnstormers in the first home game, 3 to 2; not a bad start to the beginning of a new era in Southern Maryland!