Hunter Pence's Stint With River Cats Exposes Parking Mess At Raley Field
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – You could feel the excitement in the ballpark a two-time World Series champ Hunter Pence took to the field.
The popular San Francisco Giants outfielder knows he's a big reason for this giant crowd.
"This really is a beautiful situation," Pence said. "Lot of fans and a lot of excitement for me."
He's such a big draw, fans didn't mind dealing with traffic to get here.
But even before Pence showed up this weekend, fans have been complaining about a lack of parking this year.
"They don't have enough spots because we had to park behind all the lots in the back," one driver said.
River Cats spokesperson Robert Barsanti says it's because lots people thought were owned by the team are actually private.
"It's not the first time we've run into this," Barsanti said.
So when the organization made its lots free this season, it seemed like there was less parking.
For their part, Barsanti said they are doing what they can to ease drivers' frustration.
"Just encouraging our fans to arrive early [and] showing them exactly where they can park and which lots are for free," Barsanti said.
The yellow lots are free. But since those fill up quickly, latecomers just have to be prepared to pay up for those premium lots – the same way they did in seasons past.
The Albuquerque Isotopes won Saturday night's game 3-1. At this point, the River Cats don't know how long Pence will be playing for them.
