Red Wings fans turn out for Baseball’s Back Bash

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester Red Wings Tuesday played their first game of the season in Toledo against the Mud Hens, but that didn’t keep fans from celebrating their return at Frontier Field with the Baseball’s Back Bash.

Live music, discount beer, free Zweigle’s hotdogs and mac & cheese drew out the crowds for something worth celebrating after a 2020 season of no ball at all and a 2021 season management describes as "weird" and sometimes "confusing" with fluctuating COVID rules.

All of those are gone this year, and General Manager Dan Mason says the team is celebrating what it’s hoping will be a real return to normal.

Mason: "It’s going to be a little more of a normal season, we feel, compared to where we started last year in May. Obviously, we didn’t play a game at all in 2020. So, we’re really hoping things will be closer to what they were in 2019 and we can’t wait to welcome our fans home to Frontier Field."

Charles Molineaux, News10NBC: "Any sense you’re getting from the fans?"

Mason: "Just a lot of excitement. People are thrilled to be coming back. We’ve got a full complement of the season ticket holders. Again, this year, baseball season is a sign of spring is around the corner and, after a long, long winter, everybody pops to get out here and cheer on The Wings."

Mason also pointed out that the team is currently tied for first place at this point.

The Wings will have the real home opener next Tuesday evening and they are guaranteeing it’ll be at least 50° out, or you get a free ticket to a future game.