North Port, Florida: First Game at Baseball's Newest Venue

The 2019 Spring Training trip wrapped up with something special: the first game ever played at the Braves new spring training home, CoolToday Park. This double-decked venue does an outstanding job celebrating Braves history.
Murals with Braves legends are displayed atop several outer walls. And large 3-D numbers are on the plaza outside the park.
Even more history awaits at the top of the staircases once you enter CoolToday (the naming rights holder is a local airconditioning and heating contactor).
Let's get to the field, where a pavilion seating area, reminiscent of Dodger Stadium is located just past the right center field fence.
 There's a berm for fans who prefer a different kind of seating area.
 It wouldn't be Florida without your quota of palm trees,
Time for the pre-game ceremony as both teams line up on the base lines. 1990s Braves favorite Terry Pendleton throws the ceremonial first pitch to longtime teammate Eddie Perez.
 Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox joins the on-field crowd to proclaim "Play ball!"
Finally, the players who made history: Rays outfielder Austin Meadows was the ballpark's first batter ever.
 And Braves righthander Kevin Gausman threw the park's first pitch.
The Braves won the inaugural game 4 - 2. So much for the Grapefruit League. The regular season begins on Thursday.

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