But the City of Springfield did and Thursday marked a day of celebration as the Cardinals opened up a new season and a new era of baseball at Hammons Field. The Cardinals aren't flying away.

But the City of Springfield did and Thursday marked a day of celebration as the Cardinals opened up a new season and a new era of baseball at Hammons Field. The Cardinals aren't flying away.

"I'm gonna quote our city manager (Jason Gage)," Springfield Cardinals General Manager Dan Reiter began. "This is really like the opening day for the next 15 years. I think that sentiment is so true.

Heavy rain moved into Covenant Health Park roughly an hour before the scheduled first pitch between the Knoxville Smokies and Chattanooga Lookouts, pushing the June 6 game to a Saturday ...