Opening Day 2025: Isotopes Park is ready for its close up

Cue to action: The staffer pulls down on a metal lever and the lights flip on at the ballpark, the buzzing sound echoing throughout the cement hallway in the underbelly of the stadium. Cut scene to outside where large bulbs turn on one one at a time to illuminate the field below at dawn. By evening, the stands will be filled with cheering fans. Title card: Opening Day.

There’s a certain poetic, even cinematic charm to sights and sounds of that first day of baseball each season. For the Albuquerque Isotopes, Day One is Tuesday, but the crew at Rio Grande Credit Union Field have been working tirelessly for weeks, if not months, to get everything ready ahead of time for the organization’s 22nd Opening Day.

Of course, this isn’t a movie. And in 2025, the state-of-the-art LED lighting system at that ballpark at University and Avenida Cesar Chavez in southeast Albuquerque are turned on through the tap of an iPad.

But you get the point.

The hope and optimism of Opening Day isn’t lost on baseball fans in the Duke City, where Isotopes Park is one of the most highly attended minor league ballparks in the country thanks in part to a simple philosophy put forth by Vice President/General Manager John Traub: Make a day at the ballpark fun for everyone.

The popcorn machines have been tested and they all work; the grass is pristine; the mound is packed tight; and the infield dirt smooth as silk (thank you, manager of Field Operations Thomas Gallegos).

All that’s left to do now is play ball. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6:35 first pitch between the Isotopes and the visiting Salt Lake Bees.

Know the foe

The Isotopes (1-2, tied for sixth place in the 10-team Pacific Coast League, Colorado Rockies affiliate) host the Salt Lake Bees (1-2, tied for sixth, Los Angeles Angels affiliate) for a six-game series at Rio Grande Credit Union Field, Tuesday through Sunday.

Rent is due

Tuesday’s opening day game will bring with it the annual ceremonial handing over an oversized check to Mayor Tim Keller for rent and surcharge payments for use of the city-owned Isotopes Park for the 2024 season. The Isotopes are presenting a check just shy of $1.6 million on Tuesday and the cumulative amount the organization has paid since its first season in 2003 is $35.5 million.

Fast food

Let’s Tacobout the real stars of Opening Day (and every night at the ballpark) — the chile race held after the completion of the fifth inning in which fan favorite, though aerodynamically challenged, Taco will race against the spicy, speedy and sometimes mischievous Green Chile and Red Chile peppers (with the occasional additions of Salsa Jar running with them) in a food mascot race around the infield.

Who’s hungry?

The Isotopes have several new barbecue-themed food options — The Ballpark Sandwich (smoked brisket with all sorts of ballpark staples thrown in), Spicy Roasted Half Chicken and Hungarian Hot Smoked Paprika Chicken Wings — available at the Pecos River concession stand near Section 120 on the main concourse. There are also new desert options — ice cream nachos, a brownie sundae, a the Fanfare Milkshake and a Piña Colada Ice Cream Float — available at The Sweet Spot concession stand near section 117 on the main concourse.

Homestand highlights

Tuesday (Opening Night), 6:35 p.m.

• Orbit beanie giveaway (first 2,500 fans)
• Ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Monique Fragua, the first female president and CEO of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and member of the USA Archery Team

Thursday, 12:05 p.m.

• Day game

Friday, 6:35 p.m.

• Magnet schedule giveaway (first 3,000 fans)
• Pregame player autographs inside third base gate (5:30 to 5:50 p.m.)

Saturday, 6:35 p.m.

• Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico game
• Adult Mariachis-themed poncho giveaway (first 3,000 fans 16 and holder)

Sunday, 1:35 p.m.

• Bark in the Park/Dia de los Perros (bring your dogs to the game)
• On-field dog parade (1 p.m., lineup by section 118 and 120)