MADISON — The transition of the minor league Mobile BayBears to Madison was on a seamless track last year.

Opening day for the return of professional baseball to the Tennessee Valley was not far off, and the renamed Rocket City Trash Pandas were ready to open their inaugural season at a brand new Toyota Field.

Before the first pitch was even thrown the team smashed Minor League Baseball (MiLB) records for merchandise sold.

Then came the pandemic.

Major League Baseball shuttered MiLB seasons, presenting the first potential disaster for the City of Madison, which built the $46 million dollar stadium, and Trash Pandas ownership group Ballcorps.

The team, which could have turned to a force majeure clause that would have released it from having to pay its first $1 million dollar fee to Madison this year, chose instead to hold alternate events at Toyota Field and raised a reported $750,000 toward the first payment.

An ongoing audit will determine what the team will pay the city as part of the contract above what it already has.

Lindsey Knupp, Rocket City vice president of marketing, promotions and entertainment, said a week before the team’s home opener tonight that payments were up to date and taxes were satisfied.

“We’re in a great situation with (Madison),’’ she said.

“We’ve finished our city audit, we’re waiting to see what those numbers are,” said Trash Pandas Executive Vice President and General Manager Garrett Fahrmann. “And we’ll get the city what we’re obligated to pay them. We’ve got a strong foundation and a great relationship with the City of Madison and we’ll just keep climbing from there.’’

The club, which has now sold north of $4 million in merchandise in all 50 states and worldwide, faced more challenges. Team President and CEO Ralph Nelson, who brought the team to town, abruptly resigned two weeks ago to pursue a “new opportunity’’ to purchase another team and build a new stadium.

Meanwhile, there was brewing angst about an I-565 interchange that would feed into the stadium.

Madison Mayor Paul Finley announced April 30 the exchange was ready. With 7,500 fans expected for tonight, and with a fireworks show planned post-game, concerns about logjams leaving the park were not unfounded if the ramp wasn’t ready.

“It was important in getting people in, but more importantly getting people out,’’ Fahrmann said.

The team survived the lost season by hosting 175 events such as a Christmas Spectacular, beer and wine festivals and movie nights. The team plans to continue hosting alternate events.

“We have a summer camp already scheduled in June for kids ages 5-12 that’s on sale and available right now,’’ Knupp said.

Now, however, the time has come for the main attraction.

“The ballpark was built for baseball,’’ Fahrmann said.

Other notes from the May 3 Media Day:

In addition to opening night there will be fireworks following games Friday and Saturday.
As part of mandated rules from MLB, stanchions will be placed near the edge of the fields near where players will be since autographs are prohibited. “(The players are) going to probably feel like jerks maybe because they can’t give a little kid an autograph,’’ Fahrmann said. “That pains them. Those are the type of rules that we’ve got to follow.’’
Masks are required for all attendees except when eating or drinking.
While the seating will be 100 percent capacity, social distancing is expected when applicable.
“In the seating area, obviously they’re going to be elbow to elbow,’’ Fahrmann said. “But it’s a 360 (degree) concourse, so people can spread out.’’
All transactions at the stadium will be credit or debit card only because of the coronavirus.
Knupp said the club has been able to keep all employees hired since the pandemic began and that there were still positions open in “all departments.’’

Economics aside, baseball is finally back.

“We continue to stay afloat with all these events the community has supported us with, our sponsors have been wonderful and continue to come on board,’’ Knupp said. “We continue to pay our bills down, pay the city and work with all of the vendors.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have the support we’ve had this past year without Trash Pandas baseball.’’