COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Gates opened Saturday afternoon at the Braves’ SunTrust Park for the second test run at the new stadium in Cobb County.
The Georgia Bulldogs played an SEC game at the new stadium.
The Dawgs lost to Missouri 6-1.
The first pitch was set for 1:30 p.m., but the gates opened at noon so that fans could get inside and take it all in.
While this was the second baseball game ever played here, it’s the very first chance for the public to get a look inside.
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The Braves played their last exhibition game here two Fridays ago, but that was only for season ticket holders.
Only about half of the 41,000 seats were filled.
Saturday was a bigger test. While the game is not during a Friday-night rush hour, more than 30,000 fans showed up.
Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach spoke with Braves Vice President Mike Plant.
While this is technically not their game, the organization had all hands on deck to learn what they can so they can make any needed adjustments before the regular-season home opener that is now just six days away.
“You learn a lot from that, make a lot from that, make improvements … said to my team … three-hour session on Wednesday, a long list of items,” Plant said. “Small little items. No grenades in there. Little things we missed. Reason we’re doing this game today.”
2nd big test for Suntrust Park. Gates opening now due Georgia Bulldawgs game in new stadium pic.twitter.com/q774bMOE8c
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) April 8, 2017
A lot of "G"s here today to go along with the Braves "A" logo. First dawg fans now entering Suntrust Park pic.twitter.com/ul977MPXaB
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) April 8, 2017
Today's attendance: 33,025: second-biggest in @NCAA baseball history.
— Georgia Baseball (@BaseballUGA) April 8, 2017
THANK YOU, #DAWGNATION!! pic.twitter.com/vAomhLpBQH
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