On April 11, 1994, the Texas Rangers played their first regular season game at The Ballpark in Arlington, their new home since the team began playing at Arlington Stadium (formerly Turnpike Stadium) in 1972.

Opening Day in 1994 saw 46,056 fans celebrating the new stadium, with its architecture and design mostly a “hit” with baseball fans. Though a nearly 60-minute rain delay and the Rangers losing 4-3 to the Brewers slightly dampened the festivities, it was still a memorable day for baseball fans in Arlington.

Though the stadium had many name changes over the years, for many, it will always be The Ballpark in Arlington. Known today as Choctaw Stadium, it remains an iconic venue in Arlington, offering a unique, retro juxtaposition against its neighbors, Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium. The stadium provided 25 years (1994–2019) of baseball memories and is a vital part of the Texas Rangers legacy in Arlington.

A diagram of The Ballpark in Arlington ahead it’s opening
Photo Credit: Fort Worth Star-Telegram – April 11, 1994
Newspapers.com

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 04-11-26