Randy Smith: A Special Opening Night

I've attended many opening days or opening nights in my career and that includes in April of 1976 when Lookouts baseball returned to Chattanooga and Engel Stadium after being dormant for a decade. That one was the most special until Tuesday night. Along with members of my family, I attended Opening Night 2024 for the Lookouts and we had a blast! First of all, the most improved students in Hamilton County were honored and they included my youngest grandson Boone.

Since the scheduled opening night was postponed on Tuesday night, the Lookouts combined their opening festivities so....in addition to opening the home portion of their schedule they also featured " Bring Your Dog " Night as well. Nobody loves dogs more than me so I was in canine heaven. There were beautiful Collies, several friendly Golden Retrievers and slick Labrador Retrievers There were fat dogs, skinny dogs, puppies and old dogs. And they were all well-behaved.

The food was good as always and very reasonably priced, especially when you consider how much it costs for a hot dog at a Major League Park. My treat of choice? Cracker Jacks. They no longer come in a small cardboard box but in a bag like potato chips and I had two of them. Of course I shared with my wife and grand daughter.

Rich Mozingo and his staff went out of their way to make it a special evening for everyone. They were friendly, cordial and they made themselves accessible for any one in attendance. However, the guys running the valet parking went far and beyond out of the way to assist this old, handicapped sports journalist. We always use the valet parking because you can get out of your car right at the gate, and the guys will park your car for you. The cost? Just two dollars. Of course they expect a nice tip and rightly so.

Because I have a hard time walking any distance at all, I have a mobility scooter I use when going to ball games and while I can usually get it off the ramp on the back of my car by myself, they wouldn't allow me to do that. They assisted me in unloading my scooter and then they helped me load it back up when we left. In addition to helping my wife and me, they were so friendly and willing to help in any way.

The staff at the ball park has a reputation of being friendly and cordial and you can always trust them to make sure you have a great time. Rich Mozingo has been doing this for thirty-one years and most of that time on the job has been spent in Chattanooga with the Lookouts.

Being a member of the Sports Authority Board that oversees the development and building of the proposed new stadium in the old Wheland foundry property, I am excited for those folks to take over and continue their work in the South Broad section of town. Hopefully all the " red tape " and obstacles will soon disappear to allow construction to begin and set up a date for a new special Opening Night!