(June 16, 2009)

ROBSTOWN--There's a new professional baseball team in the Coastal Bend. The Coastal Bend Thunder has taken over Fairgrounds Field in Robstown. Their home opener last night, drew a near capacity crowd.

The Coastal Bend Thunder are the latest team to try baseball in Robstown. The owners are promoting this team for the region, hoping it's right recipe for success.

It was a big crowd on opening night for the Coastal Bend Thunder. More than 3,700 fans showed up at the Fairground Fields. The Thunder are the new team in the United Baseball League playing in Robstown.

"I think people in the area, the community, were thrilled to have baseball back in the area again," said Nueces County Commissioner Oscar Ortiz, who represents the Robstown area. 

The United Baseball League is the third team to play at the county-owned Fairgrounds Field. While the others failed, the owners for the Thunder are marketing and promoting its team in a different way.

"We believe if we give good family entertainment and that includes good baseball game, that includes a good mascot," said Al Gallagher, who is the baseball manager for the Thunder.  "It includes a whole gamut in minor league baseball to make it successful."

The team also is trying to attract fans from the Coastal Bend, not just Corpus Christi. They believe this area is big enough for both the Hooks and the Thunder.

"Just come to one game and support your county," Gallagher said. "I'm sure you'll have a good time and we'll get enough of those people that will go a second time."

County leaders face much criticism for the past teams and their failures. They were even forced to sue one former owner in court for rent owed to the county. So this time around, county leaders made sure to pick a good league with good owners.

"This current tenants are both coming with rent money and they're coming in with good crowds," Commissioner Ortiz said. "So we look forward to doing business with them."

So far so good and now the county just hopes more fans keep coming to see the Thunder.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com