America’s pastime is alive and well in Oklahoma, and April 6 marks Opening Day for all minor league teams, including the Tulsa Drillers. The dedicated squad will put in long hours this season.
“A professional baseball player’s day is much longer and much more involved than most fans realize,” says Brian Carroll, vice president of public relations for the team.
He says that, along with arriving at 1 p.m. for a night game, players often train and practice for several hours before the first pitch and “all total … will spend anywhere from 9 to 12 hours at the stadium on most days.”
Despite the grueling schedule, past and present Drillers players embody numerous points of pride.
“The Drillers franchise has been fortunate in that we have seen a number of great players wear our uniform over the years: Sammy Sosa, Troy Tulowitzki, Matt Holliday, Corey Seager and Dexter Fowler,” Carroll says. “Even with all the great players, the one memory that really stands out is the opening of ONEOK Field in 2010. The new stadium has really transformed and improved the way fans take in a ballgame.”
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the Drillers’ atmosphere or have never attended a game, the experience remains entertaining because the sport is rooted in tradition.
“Professional baseball has been played in Tulsa since 1905, longer than Oklahoma has been a state,” Carroll says. “We take great pride in continuing to offer today’s families a fun, safe and affordable experience.”
For a full schedule of Drillers’ games, visit tulsadrillers.com.
