Oakland fans are No. 1

From left to right: Chris Woodcoff, Logan Anderson, Connor Koresky, Conor Thompson, Dee Delarosa, Jessica Park, Pamela Balmath, Mindy Lee, Thine Aang, Photo by Brache James
Fans party before a recent Saturday game: from left: Chris Woodcoff, Logan Anderson, Connor Koresky, Conor Thompson, Dee Delarosa, Jessica Park, Pamela Balmath, Mindy Lee, Thine Aang. Photo by Brache James

OAKLAND, Calif. —The Oakland A’s still sit on top of the American League West standing, and no one is more ecstatic than their fans. Many were camped out in the parking lot way before the game started on a recent Saturday when they took on the Tampa Bay Rays.

“The thrill of being under the lights, the crowd cheering, and the excitement for your team…nothing beats that,” Shanna Ratliff said. “That’s why we come out for the games.”

Also outside the Oakland Coliseum were members of the Kona Club, having a staff outing before the game. What did they think of the possibility of building a new stadium?

“Just put in some new bleachers or something,” Conor Thompson said. “I would rather the Raiders leave.”

“As far as commerce, Oakland needs the team,” Dee Delarosa added.

“It’s about the colors, not the players.” Thompson said about his dedication to the team. “So the stadium is not the best. No slides, no Build-a-Bear, no sushi … you come to watch baseball.”

Pamela Balmath said supporting the team — and being a part of their continued success — is good for the entire city. “It’s a sense of pride,” she said. “Especially for the people who have been with us for a long time.”