FRANKFORD � If one thing was clear on Monday night, it's that Sussex County has missed having a baseball team.With a line that started at around 4 p.m. for the Sussex County Miners first game at Skylands Stadium, and still extended into the parking lot 10 minutes after the first pitch, residents of the county spoke and the message was clear � baseball belongs in Sussex County.



By JOE CARLSON

jcarlson@njherald.com

FRANKFORD � If one thing was clear on Monday night, it's that Sussex County has missed having a baseball team.

With a line that started at around 4 p.m. for the Sussex County Miners first game at Skylands Stadium, and still extended into the parking lot 10 minutes after the first pitch, residents of the county spoke and the message was clear � baseball belongs in Sussex County.

Since the Sussex Skyhawks folded in 2011, the stadium has hosted numerous events, but not professional baseball.

Diane and Mike Hainzl, of Vernon, used to bring their sons Ryan, 14, and Chris, 12, to see the Sussex Skyhawks and decided Monday night to bring them to see the Miners.

�It's great to have some good family entertainment local once again,� Mike Hainzl said.

�It's affordable family fun,� Diane Hainzl said.

The 4,200-seat ballpark, known as Skylands Park until 2014, played host to the New Jersey Cardinals, a Single-A, New York-Penn League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1994 to 2005. That was followed by a five-year stint as the home of the Sussex Skyhawks.

With bounce houses for the children and the B-Street Band � a Bruce Springsteen cover band � for the adults, the Miners reached out to all demographics on Monday to bring fans into the stadium.

The team also held military appreciation ceremonies on the field, featuring Picatinny Arsenal Brig. Gen.Patrick W. Burden and veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War throwing out the first pitches.

A Delorean akin to the famous time machine from the �Back to the Future� trilogy circled the field before the game, but didn't get up to 88 miles per hour.

As he waited to get into the stadium, Ray Lines, of Wantage, reflected on seeing both the Cardinals and the Skyhawks play in the stadium and now being able to see the Miners.

�I still have shirts from the Cardinals' games,� Lines said. My sons still have cards signed by some of the guys that made it to the big leagues. It think it's great that baseball is back.�

According to the Miners, 3,819 people attended Monday's home opener.

Though a new team occupies the dugout, one tradition will remain at the Augusta ballpark, post-game fireworks.

The Miners are continuing the tradition that started with the Cardinals, with the first night of fireworks following Monday's game. The team will host a fireworks display following every Saturday home game this season.

The Miners are off today, Wednesday and Thursday, but return to Skylands Stadium to open up a four-game home stand against the Ottawa Champions.

The team will be at the stadium on Wednesday, hosting a �Meet the Miners� event from 4 to 6 p.m. where fans can meet, get autographs and take pictures with the players.

�This is the best thing happen to the county short of the fair,� Lines said. �It's someplace for the people to go at reasonable prices.�

Ticket prices range from $10 to $12 and can be bought at the stadium's box office or online at www.sussexcountyminers.com.