Columbia, SC (WLTX) - On Tuesday night, the Columbia Blowfish may be playing their final regular season game at the Capital City Stadium, a bittersweet reality for fans and the team.
As the Assistant Manager to the Columbia Blowfish, Kelly Evans knows why people love baseball.
"It's just a way to relax," said Evans. "I think people get stressed out and it's just a fun thing to come and enjoy and you can bring your whole family and it's affordable."
Since her arrival to the Capital City Stadium in 2008, Evans has watched fan after fan come and enjoy something they love.
"The season ticket holders that come out every game, I love to see them and the smiles on their faces and they know more about this than I probably do."
Baseball fans that stretch back decades.
"This used to be an old minor league ballpark," explained Evans. "We were here when the Mets were here, then the Bombers, then the Bombers moved up to Greenville. Bill Shanahan brought back Columbia Blowfish baseball. "
After more than 80 years of pitches, and sliding into home, it will soon be lights out on Capital City Stadium.
This past year, the City of Columbia sold the stadium for $1-million to a developer. According to Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, the developer has promised a $40-million investment.
"It came as a shock to us. It's out last regular season home game, possibly. I think it's bitter sweet to be honest and I think everyone probably feels that way. "
According to Evans, the community has rallied around the Blowfish.
"The community's been great to us. They've shown their support, they've gone to meetings. We've had great attendance here this year and it just continues to grow and we're very appreciative of that."
The Capital City Stadium may be in the bottom of the ninth but there's always the next top of the first.
"We're sad to be leaving such a historic site but we're excited about the future and where that's going to go for us."
The Columbia Blowfish are still trying to figure out where their next venue will be.