It was a bittersweet evening in Salt Lake City as the Salt Lake Bees played their final game at Smith's Ballpark, a venue that has been a cornerstone of local sports culture for decades. Loyal fans gathered to say their goodbyes on September 22nd, closing a chapter on the stadium that evoked nostalgia and heartfelt farewells from the community.
Long-time attendee Terri Drashner, whose bond with the stadium spans back to the 1960s, shared her sense of loss with Fox 13 Now, "I will miss this," she said. "This is part of my life." Michael MacDonald and Aubrey Baxter, who grew up going to games at Smith's Ballpark, as stated by FOX13, "50? Yeah, we've been to quite a few," reflecting on the numerous games they attended. MacDonald's sentiments about the move of the Bees to Daybreak were apprehensive, "I'm sure I'll go, but I don't know if I'll be going to as many games," noting the change might affect his attendance.
Among those paying their respects was Jill Anderson, who reminisced about her childhood memories tied to the stadium, "It’s been here since I was a kid from when it was Derks Field. It’s just so fun, you know you come and you see the beautiful mountains. It’s sad, sad day," Anderson said, as per ABC4. The park, known for its striking views of the Wasatch Mountains and significant events like the Triple-A All-Star Games, had reached beyond Utah, drawing fans such as Jake Pappas from Texas, who expressed his determination to visit the historic site before the team's relocation.
Emotions were high as even those who contributed to the ballpark's foundation felt the weight of the finale. Former Utah Jazz head coach Frank Layden, who was involved in the stadium's inception, was among the crowd, reflecting, "There’s nothing like baseball, it’s the best of games," he said, as noted by KSL News Radio. Adding to the sentiment, many fans claimed the panorama of the Wasatch Front as one of the most missed aspects of the ballpark experience.
