Batter Up: Tulsa Drillers Play Ball For First Time In Nearly 600 Days

For the first time in nearly 600 days, fans have filled ONEOK Stadium for the Tulsa Drillers' season opener.

Fans have been waiting so long for this, and everyone agrees: they'll never take this feeling for granted again.

Gates opened to hundreds of lined up fans waiting for their hotdogs, beer, and favorite spring sport, after 596 days without a Drillers game. The last time they skipped a season was during World War II.  

"We've been season ticket holders for a long time, we just love coming," said Debra White.

Debra and Robert White were first in line. The long-time baseball lovers said watching the players improve and seeing their friends makes the wait worth it.

"It's great, you watch these young players come in here and all the sudden they're in the world series," Robert White said.

Things are a little different now. The stadium has gone cashless, masks are required while waiting in line, and they're at 65 percent capacity, but General Manager Mike Melega said players and staff have been so ready for this day.

"To me, this night is summed up in one word and that is reunion," Melega said. "Reunited with fans, reunited with players, with staff."

"This year is even more exciting," said Debra Mohegan. "I'm expecting a lot of people to be coming here."

Debra Mohegan and her husband Perry said they think the Drillers are destined for a great season and they've been counting down each day until now.

With dancing, smiles, snacks and sun, baseball is back in Downtown Tulsa.

"It's going to be one of those days that will be the most special opening day we've ever had. We'll never take it for granted again," Melega said.

The team said it has a ton of exciting things planned for this summer and they hope to be at 100 percent capacity by the Fourth of July.