G-Brave fans come for fun on Play Day

LAWRENCEVILLE - Plenty of fans showed up under sunny skies Saturday at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville as the Gwinnett Braves hosted Play Day.

G-Braves General Manager North Johnson said it was a chance to see the new stadium and just have a good time as fans ran the bases, met Atlanta Braves alumni and shopped for ticket and souvenir discounts.

“It’s just an open day, people are coming out to walk around and tour the whole ball park, see the club house and the kids are having a great time today,” Johnson said. “ We’re looking forward to a great year and we’re all set to go.”

The Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves plays the first game of its 2010 season at Coolray Field Thursday, April 8th against the Charlotte Knights at 7:05 p.m.

Atlanta Braves former players Javy Lopez, Brian Jordan and Pete Smith were busy at the autograph table. Smith, who played for the Braves from 1984 to 1999, said Play Day was a great way to promote the team.

“We’re letting the people know we’re out here,” Smith said. “This is the second year they’ve been here and they had great success last year.”

Brian Andrews from Stone Mountain brought half the ‘Dekalb Diamondbacks’ little league team to see the ballpark and enjoy Play Day.

“They’ve always been Gwinnett Braves fans and Atlanta Braves fans,” Andrews said. “They ran the bases and they spent most of their time out on the field playing catch with each other. They also got a chance to get in the bull pen and get it across the plate from a Major League standpoint. They had a really good time and enjoyed themselves.”