Columbus Clingstones sell out, win team’s first home game. Follow updates here.
Editor’s note: This story is no longer being updated. Please see additional reporting on the Clingstones’ win here.
The Columbus Clingstones officially kicked off a new era of baseball in the Fountain City Tuesday with the team’s first home game at Synovus Park.
The Clingstones, a Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, welcomed the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a Miami Marlins affiliate, who will be in town for a four-game series. The Clingstones defeated the Blue Wahoos 3-0.
The Clingstones’ ticket listing for Tuesday’s game encouraged fans to join them as the team makes history, playing its first home game. A fireworks display is planned postgame.
Stay tuned for updates.
Clingstones close it out
9:40 p.m. - Craig Kimbrel pitched the eighth inning, but it was Hayden Harris on the mound for the Clingstones in the ninth. And he pitched a 1-2-3 inning for the save. Clingstones win the first game in Synovus Park history, a 3-0 shutout.
Kimbrel time
9:25 p.m. - With the Clingstones clinging to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, closer and longtime MLB veteran Craig Kimbrel started warming up in Columbus’ bullpen. The team announced the acquisition of Kimbrel Monday.
After the Clingstones added two insurance runs, Kimbrel jogged out of the bullpen in left-center field to take the mound. And the crowd gave him a big round of applause, including some fans granting a standing ovation.
Kimbrel, averaging about 92 mph on his fastball — but still with his trademark chicken wing stance — pitched a scoreless and hitless eighth inning. He struck out two and walked one.
Another pair of runs for Columbus
9:13 p.m. - Center fielder Carlos Rodriguez gave the Clingstones an insurance run with an RBI single in the seventh inning for a 2-0 lead.
Clingstones infielder Cal Conley followed with another RBI single by slapping a grounder through the shortstop hole for a 3-0 lead.
Braves legend Tim Hudson speaks on Columbus baseball
9 p.m. - Former Atlanta Braves great and Phenix City Tim Hudson was in attendance and offered his thoughts on the Clingstones, the stadium and more.
“This town, it’s a baseball town, and I’m proud to be from this area,” Hudson said.
Hudson is a Glenwood School and Auburn University graduate.
“It’s awesome to see every seat packed in here and seeing the support for these boys,” Hudson said.
And he’s hopeful about the talent in Columbus.
“I think there’s gonna be some future Atlanta Braves in that dugout,” Hudson said.
The first foul ball souvenir
8:55 p.m. - The fan who will go home with the first foul ball hit into the stands in Synovus Park history almost didn’t attend the game.
Cooper Savarese, 14, of Smiths Station told the Ledger-Enquirer he “kept begging” his father, Chris, to buy tickets.
“He couldn’t find any,” Cooper said, “but I did.”
They were two of only four remaining seats showing on his screen – just 3 hours before gametime - on a secondary market website. And they were $46 each for $30 seats on the third base side.
“It ended up coming to about $140 with all the fees,” said Chris, an Aflac manager of document control and training.
Then, as he looked at his son’s beaming face, Chris added, “But it’s worth it. This is one of those moments where it’s like you can always have the memory of coming to the first day in this ballpark. I could tell how bad he really wanted it.”
Just ask Cooper.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
Just like barely being able to attend the game, Cooper almost had a bit of a struggle to snatch the foul ball.
It bounced off the window of a suite and ricocheted off another fan’s hands. While it rolled under a seat, Cooper prevailed over several other fans trying to secure it.
Cooper plans to write the date on the ball and keep it in his bedroom as a memento.
“We’re gonna come back,” Chris said when asked about their experience at Synovus Park. “We’re already looking at more tickets. I’m big on customer service, and the hospitality here has been just great and the atmosphere is clean. I really hope it stays this way.”
Clingstones take the lead first
8 p.m. - The first run for the Clingstones at Synovus Park came in the third inning as second baseman David Fletcher scored from third on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead.
Columbus mayor wants to welcome fans home
7:40 p.m. - Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson told the Ledger-Enquirer before the game he just wanted to tell people “welcome home.”
“It is such an incredible feeling walking in here and seeing the people milling around and seeing how many folks are lined up and ready to come in,” Henderson said.
Synovus Park firsts
7:30 p.m. - Clingstones righthander Blake Burkhalter (0-1, 3.00 ERA) threw the first pitch in Synovus Park history. It was a ball to Pensacola leadoff hitter Jared Serna, who made the first out as outfielder Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., playing right field, caught his flyball.Then the Pensacola catcher, Joe Mack, notched the first hit, a single up the middle.
The first hit at Synovus Park for the Clingstones came in the second inning on first baseman Drew Compton’s one-out double to right field, which sent third baseman David McCabe (walk) to third, but they were stranded, and the game remained scoreless.
Columbus Council history lesson
7:20 p.m. - As part of the opening ceremony, Columbus city manager Isaiah Hugley was among the speakers.
Hugley noted that this moment came the day after the one-year anniversary of the death of former Columbus Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes.
Although the 10-member council’s vote in December 2023 was unanimous to explore a $50 million bond issue to finance the renovation of Golden Park, which became Synovus Park, the council’s vote two months later in February 2024 for final approval was 6-4.
And it was Barnes who cast the decisive vote — from a hospital bed.
“We simply would not be standing here this evening (without Barnes’ vote),” Hugley told the crowd during his speech. “So I would ask that you join me. I believe it is proper and fitting that we give a hand clap of thanks to Pops Barnes . . . for being that sixth vote and making this place possible for us.”
Traffic issues leading up to first pitch
7:15 p.m. - At the time the game was scheduled to start, cars were still trying to get parked, with traffic backing up out of nearby parking lots.
The Columbus Civic Center was charging $5 for parking, and Sheriff Greg Countryman said the payment process was slowing cars down, causing a bottleneck of traffic. Countryman had deputies in the area around the time the game started.
Traffic maps, such as 511GA from the state transportation department, showed slow-moving traffic around the stadium.
Ceremonial first pitches
7 p.m. - Four dignitaries were given the honor to throw a ceremonial first pitch at the Columbus Clingstones home opener in Synovus Park:
- Synovus executive vice president Kevin Howard
- U.S. Army Brig. Gen, Chad Chalfont, commandant of the Armor School at Fort Benning.
- Phenix City native Tim Hudson, a retired Atlanta Braves star pitcher.
- Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson
Clingstones recommend favorite dishes at local restaurants
6:45 p.m. - They spent most of March in Florida for spring training, then they began the season with eight road games, so the Clingstones haven’t had much time to venture around the Columbus area yet. But some of them already have favorite local restaurants – and even favorite dishes on the menu – to recommend. Here’s a sampling:
Clingstones manager Cody Cabella recommends the wild boar at Mabella Italian Steakhouse. Outfielder Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. recommends the grits bowl with American cheese, bacon and chorizo at the Flying Biscuit Café. Pitcher Drue Hackenberg recommends the chicken hibachi at AJ’s Hibachi.
Clingstones infielder Cal Conley, however, was more eager to speak about the golf courses available in Columbus. He already has played Bull Creek Golf Course twice.
“We don’t get much time outside of this field,” Conley said, “but when we do, I like getting out in a new city. It’s a good feeling to be here.”
Kimbrel effect
6 p.m. - The Clingstones have a player most Atlanta Braves fans probably won’t need a program to recognize when they attend games at Synovus Park.
Nine-time Major League Baseball All-Star Craig Kimbrel, who ranks fifth in MLB history with 440 career saves, was added to the Clingstones roster Monday.
This is Kimbrel’s first appearance with a Braves Double-A affiliate since 2009. He was National League Rookie of the Year in 2011 with a rookie save record of 46. He won the 2018 World Series with the Boston Red Sox.
Kimbrel hasn’t pitched for the Braves organization since 2014. MLB.com reported Kimbrel, 36, posted a 5.33 ERA over 57 appearances for the Orioles last year before being designated for assignment in September. He reunited with the Braves last month, when he signed a minor league contract.
Cabella is looking forward to the impact Kimbrel could have on the Clingstones.
“It’s great for all parties included, whether it’s the pitchers on our staff or the position players on our staff, any insight that he can bring,” Cabella said. “And, you know, he’s a tremendous dude. I got to spend some time around him in spring training, and I talked to him a little bit yesterday. … Anytime a big-league guy comes down, whether it’s a rehab assignment or whatever, anytime that they can spend time around someone with that experience, it’s really good.”
Despite being a starter instead of a reliever, Clingstones pitcher Drue Hackenberg hopes to be among the players who learn from Kimbrel.
“You’re still gonna pick from that guy’s brain because he’s been there,” Hackenberg said. “He’s been in The Show. He’s been in that environment, which is a lot different. So just to pick from him, maybe learn some new stuff, maybe a new pitch. You never know.”
Kimbrel wasn’t available for an interview Tuesday.
Fan excitement leading up to game
6 p.m. - Jeremy and Kristin Turner are Braves and Clingstones fans. They both said they were super excited for the game.
“Been waiting on this for a long time. I can’t wait for the gates to open to get inside,” Jeremy Turner said. He said getting the tickets for the game was an “easy process.”
Jeremy Turner said he is a “lifetime Braves fan” and said he is excited for the possibility of seeing Craig Kimbrel pitch. He also expressed excitement for not having to travel to Atlanta to see a baseball game.
Shea Spencer, a fan who said he grew up in Columbus going to Catfish and Redstixx games, said he was excited for the sellout crowd.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen it probably going back to like ‘07 or ‘08.” Shea referred to the stadium as “brand-spanking new,” and said, “We’ve never had anything like this. I feel very blessed to have this.”
What sellout means to team
5:40 p.m. - As the Clingstones (4-4) prepared for Tuesday’s home opener against the Blue Wahoos (7-2), Cabella told reporters Tuesday what the atmosphere of a sold out stadium will mean to him.
“Coming off a two-week road trip, guys were talking on the bus and mentioned how excited they are to get home and open up in front of our fans,” Cabella said. “I’m sure some of them saw it on social media that it was a sellout. So it’s more incentive. You always want to play in front of as many people as possible.”
Clingstones outfielder Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. emphasized the importance of playing well in the home opener so fans will leave impressed.
“We want these guys to come to the game and actually feel what we feel out there, like the baseball players will bring it,” Kilpatrick said. “And we want the fans to be as in the game as we are on every pitch.”
Sights, sounds, food and drink inside the stadium
5:30 p.m. - Clingstones players took batting practice before fans filed into the stadium Tuesday, but several fan areas were ready to welcome attendees of all ages.
The stadium features a “W.C. Bradley Backyard,” with high top tables, picnic tables and concession stands. Other concession stands in the facility include grab and go markets that sell everything from popcorn to beer.
For fans curious about the alcohol options, beer options include Bud Light, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Heineken, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Seltzer options such as White Claw and High Noon are available as well.
The “Piedmont Kids Zone” features inflatables for children, including a pitching area with a radar gun.
Clingstones confirm sellout for first home game
5:15 p.m. - Sixteen months after the Columbus Council unanimously approved exploring a $50 million bond issue to finance the renovation of the city’s baseball stadium, the 17-year wait to again watch professional baseball along the east bank of the Chattahoochee River was about two hours from reality Tuesday.
The gates were a half hour away from opening for fans, but Columbus Clingstones broadcaster and media relations manager Jack Johnson told the Ledger-Enquirer the home opener already was a sellout.
That means approximately 5,500 people are expected to be in Synovus Park, previously named Golden Park before the renovation, when the Clingstones play the Blue Wahoos in this long-anticipated Double-A Southern League game.
Johnson put the moment in perspective when he described the significance of a sellout stadium welcoming the Clingstones who moved from Pearl, Mississippi, where they played for 20 years.
“It means everything to every single member of the organization that has put in more than their fair share of time, more than their fair share of effort, made more than their fair share of sacrifices,” Johnson said. “I think, and I hope, that seeing this place packed out tonight with people who have waited and have been as enthusiastic as any region of the country for baseball, to, it will tell them that their efforts were worth it, and it will tell them that this is the standard that we’re trying to set, and we’re trying to achieve it for the rest of these 68 home games after tonight and for years to come.”
This story was originally published April 15, 2025 at 5:20 PM.