MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas have opened the 2023 season and its toughest challenge was not from the visiting Chattanooga Lookouts, their opponent to open the schedule, but from Mother Nature. Cloudy skies mixed with rain and cool temperatures greeted the team’s first ever season-opening series at home.

After surviving rain prior to game time, the Trash Pandas lost in extra innings in the opening night contest before  a postponement in game two, which made for a double-header to make up for the rainout and completion of the three-game series against the Lookouts. The twin bill became historic as the Trash Pandas pitchers combined for a no-hitter in game one, but due to walks and errors lost the game 7-5. In game two, Trash Pandas threw a one-hitter against the Lookouts to earn a 3-0 victory and first win of the young season.

Madison’s Charlie Weaver, head groundskeeper at Toyota Field who was named Minor League Baseball’s Groundskeeper of the Year for the 2022 season, and his staff wonderfully maintained the playing field in their battle against the elements. One of Weaver’s biggest challenges during the off-season was to resod Toyota Field after hosting the Jacksonville State-North Alabama college football game last fall. The field was severely damaged, so Weaver had installed 91-thousand sq. ft. of new grass to completely redo the playing surface.

But that’s not all that is new at Toyota Field for 2023.

“Our expectations are high as we have a new playing field, new picnic areas, new rules within the game and many new players,” said Garrett Fahrmann, general manager of the Trash Pandas. “Let’s not forget our new All You Can Eat Wednesdays this season with selected food and drinks for one special price.”

Concessions have also been revamped with some new food selections, but Trash Pandas’ management have also attempted to better serve the fans with their goal of having faster service allowing lines at the concessions to move much faster in the cash-less facility.

With the recent establishment of the area’s Town Madison Arts & Entertainment District, fans are allowed to purchase alcoholic drinks inside Toyota Field and carry those drinks in a new designated green cups to other areas inside Town Madison.

“The new established area allows those who have alcoholic beverages to leave local restaurants or Toyota Field and walk among Town Madison,” said Lindsey Knupp, executive vice president of the Trash Pandas. “Fans are not allowed to bring those beverages into Toyota Field, but can leave our facility with them in their green cups.”

Fans who don’t have the required way of purchasing inside Toyota Field can exchange their cash for cards which can be used inside the facility.

“We feel our incredible staff can handle anything that arises,” added Knupp. “We want our fans to easily walk in and out the gates with an experience of great entertainment.”

The areas designated for pets when special nights allow dogs to be brought into Toyota Field will continue, and, “Yes, we have special ‘Pupsicles’ for your pets,” exclaimed Knupp.

Rickey Fernandez, who will handle the exciting duties of on-field games and promotions, said, “I feel like I have an idea on what the fans are looking for and we try to make sure all enjoy themselves. We want kids to come out to the ballpark and enjoy doing things they haven’t done before.”

The Trash Pandas have also unveiled its new six-foot tall Bubblehead. “It’s our way to do something different,” added Fernandez.

Team administration stressed the fact new security processes are in place that will expedite entrance to Toyota Field. The clear bag policy remains in place foe 2023.

“We have less of a learning curve in our third season and with clocks used during the game to speed up play, not to mention in between innings promotions are also on the clock,” said Fahrmann. “A lot of returning players is good for the fans. We look to an outstanding third season of Trash Pandas baseball.”

The Trash Pandas return to Toyota Field for a six-game home series beginning April 18.