The River Cats know how to entertain a crowd with baseball and gimmicks in between innings. Photo/Kathryn Reed

By Kathryn Reed

WEST SACRAMENTO – The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd – those are the same at any ball field. It’s the antics between innings and the grass beyond right field that makes this park a little different.

While the game is the same, there is something special about a minor league stadium. It’s intimate, much like being at spring training.

The River Cats have been playing at Raley Field in West Sacramento since 2000. In 2015, they became the triple-A affiliate for the San Francisco Giants.

A fan in hopes of catching a foul ball. Photo/Kathryn Reed

Not a bad seat in the house. It’s all field level seating, with the second tier being the suites.

Plus, it’s much more affordable than going to a Big League game. It was comical seeing people with armloads of hot dogs. On Tuesdays they are only a buck, with 10 being the max one could buy.

On Wednesdays dogs are welcome in the grass area.

Based on the attire, most people were Giants fans. Still, many were there as fans of the sport – not necessarily the River Cats or visiting Aces from Reno, which is an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate.

Food goes well beyond the ordinary hot dog. Photo/Kathryn Reed

The quality of ball is sporadic, but then the same could be said of the Giants at this stage of the season.

This is where those who are on the edge of making it to the show are honing their skills, while those whose glory days are in the rearview mirror are hanging on to a fading dream. As a Giants fan, it was great to see Hector Sanchez behind the plate. Mac Williamson, who was called up last season, is back in right field for the River Cats.

Opening night last week was my first time to visit to this ball park. I’ll be back.