Oakland B's Aim To Top Oakland A's

By Dan Schlossberg

As Archie Bunker might say, “Whoop-tee-do!”

The historic home opener of the Oakland Ballers Tuesday is sold out. Not bad for a minor-league team in a minor-league ballpark playing in a city where the major-league franchise averages under 7,000 fans per game.

Raimondi Park, new home of the Oakland Ballers, hosts its first game next week.Photo byOakland Ballers

The new Pioneer League team will play in a 4,000-seat ballpark far better suited to host fans than the decrepit Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, home of the lame-duck Oakland (soon to be Las Vegas) Athletics.

According to the Ballers, the team has invested $1.6 million to bring the play area up to league standards and reactivate a historic ballpark once hailed for producing more baseball stars than any park in the country.

Infrastructure upgrades include new dugouts, a batter’s eye, netting, fencing, and a backstop. The 4,000 seats offer a comfortable viewing experience with convenient access to restrooms, food, and beverages.

More seats may become available depending upon decisions by holders of season tickets.

According to Ballers co-founder Paul Freedman, "Today marks an incredible milestone for the Oakland Ballers and all Oakland sports fans as we announce that our inaugural home opener at Raimondi Park on June 4th is sold out.

“The overwhelming demand for tickets reflects the excitement surrounding our team and its debut at Raimondi Park. As we put the final touches on our beloved Raimondi Park, we're not just preparing for a game—we're embracing a legacy.

“Raimondi Park has a storied history of producing baseball stars, and we're honored to revive that tradition in the heart of Oakland. We invite fans to join us not just for our sold-out opener, but for all of our opening week games so we can continue to show the world how we do it in Oakland.”

On game days, the Ballers will serve a variety of standard baseball fare, including hot dogs, nachos, burgers, fries, and vegetarian options, alongside beverages. Child-friendly menu options will be available, and popular food trucks will be on site on a rotating basis.

Families and children can enjoy the repaired playground area adjacent to the ballpark, providing a perfect retreat during Ballers' games and beyond. Additionally, the City of Oakland has ensured that all surrounding streets and sidewalks are undergoing or have undergone repaving ahead of the Opening Day, enhancing accessibility and safety for the neighborhood.

The Ballers are committed to ensuring fans are not reliant on personal vehicles to get to games.

A shuttle service from West Oakland BART to the field will operate continuously starting an hour before game time until half an hour after the game concludes.

In addition, a complimentary bike-and-scooter valet service will be stationed near Raimondi Park, with local bike groups facilitating cyclists' journeys to and from the park. On-site parking will be available, with three attended lots offering more than1,000 spaces, supplemented by a ride-share pickup lot and overflow options for peak volume days.

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, security personnel will be stationed around the park area, managing crowd control and providing assistance as needed.

The Ballers are part of the Pioneer League, founded in 1939, as its first West Coast franchise. Backed by almost 50 Bay Area sports fans who believe that the true value of a sports team is its power to bring people together.

The Oakland Ballers — called B’s for short — are dedicated to delivering a joyful, community focused experience for Oakland and the entire East Bay.

According to a team spokesman, “We vow to never leave town. Built by Oakland, for Oakland, and forever Oakland.

Additional information can be found at www.oaklandballers.com.