Colorado Rockies 'Star Wars' Night Recap - Episode V: The Empire Strikes Out

Written by Zeke Perez Jr. 

It is a bright time for the Rebellion. The Colorado Rockies have evaded the initial game one attack from Imperial troops: the visiting Oakland Athletics of the AL Federation. However, a second battle is on the horizon.
 
A group of freedom fighters led by Nolan Arenado has established a new secret base on the remote rain world of Coors. The evil pitcher Lord Brett Anderson, obsessed with shutting down Rockies’ hitters, has dispatched further troops into the far reaches of Denver…

This past Saturday, the Colorado Rockies teamed up with Pop Culture Classroom and Denver Comic Con to host their fifth annual Star Wars Night. As has always been the case, the Force was again strong at Coors Field. 47,809 baseball fans, Jedis, princesses, wookies, droids, and X-Wing pilots showed up to watch the Rebellion (the Rockies) try to continue a strong start to the series against the Empire (the Oakland A’s). They would not leave disappointed.
 
The festivities kicked off pre-game with the always-fun cosplay parade. Families, kids, and kids-at-heart sported a wide variety of costumes from the Star Wars universe in their lap around the field. Even A’s pitcher Edwin Jackson hung out by the edge of the dugout, admiring the costumes and interacting with fans - a pretty nice gesture for a Sith Lord from the Imperial team. The good times rolled on - literally - as a hilarious Rockies-themed Star Wars crawl on the jumbotron set the stage for the game. Players pictures were updated with movie graphics, placing the stars in Jedi robes, Lando capes, and other galactic attire. The galaxy’s only purple triceratops Jedi emerged again, as Rockies’ mascot Dinger donned his robes and wielded a lightsaber.
 
After foreboding clouds and rain showers rolled their way through town for a 51-minute weather delay, the activities picked up again. The Star Wars opening theme blared and several clips were shown for the intro video. The scoreboard was decked out in related graphics and detailed touches. Fans tested their knowledge throughout the game, as the night’s promotions turned Star Wars themed as well.
 
As for the game itself, the Empire struck first as the Rockies’ first inning woes continued, albeit at a less painful rate this time. Some small ball and a sacrifice fly got the A’s on the board with one run. But the Rebellion would find its vengeance swiftly in the way of an RBI triple by Fleet Admiral Tom Murphy and an RBI single by Padawan Pat ‘Patty Barrels’ Valaika. The Rebellion left the second inning leading 2-1.
 
In the third, Commander Nolan Arenado’s powerful lightsaber swing would knock the ball into right field for a solo home run that would put the Rebellion up 3-1. Padawan Patty Barrels made his presence known again in the fourth with a solo home run of his own. The Empire would not strike back, but they certainly struck out, as the Rockies’ pitchers combined for 10 K’s throughout the game. With the good guys up 4-1, the Dark Side would not be heard from again. Newly acquired Jedi Knight Seung-hwan Oh would make sure of that. Making his Colorado debut after being acquired from Toronto, Oh worked through his jitters and out of a shaky situation to keep the scoreboard clean. The Rebel Alliance reigned victorious.
 
Star Wars Night continues to sell out and is easily one of the most fun theme nights of the year around the league. 15,000 fans walked out of Coors Field with a fuzzy Chewbacca drink koozie, but all 47,000-plus left having a great time. Pop Culture Classroom and Denver Comic Con will surely return to Coors Field with Episode VI of Star Wars Night next season. If you want in, be sure to check out the Rockies’ booth at the Con and look out for theme dates when the 2019 schedule is released. In the meantime, the Rebel Rockies push towards one common hope… Rocktober!

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