Stockton Ports Open Season as A's Affiliate

The minor league team kicks off its 2026 campaign in downtown Stockton one day before the Athletics' home opener.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:48am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game in progress, with the field, players, and stadium broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.The vibrant energy and community spirit of the Stockton Ports' home opener is captured in a bold, fragmented cubist illustration.Today in Sacramento

The Stockton Ports, the Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, opened their 2026 season on April 2nd at Banner Island Ballpark in downtown Stockton. The team's home opener came just one day before the Athletics' own home opener at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Ports pitcher Grant Richardson, who was drafted by the A's last summer, expressed excitement about playing in front of the team's loyal fans after a productive spring training.

Why it matters

The Stockton Ports have a rich history in the city, with the ballpark serving as the inspiration for the famous poem 'Casey at the Bat.' The team's success is closely tied to the Athletics organization, so their opening day marks an important milestone for the A's minor league development.

The details

The Ports' home opener featured a number of fan-favorite traditions, including root beer floats and opportunities for fans to take photos with the team. Several families, like the Uchytils from Livermore, have made the Ports' opening night an annual tradition. For some, like Lakeal Morris and his son Judah, the game held deeper personal significance as Judah made his minor league debut as the Ports' first baseman.

  • The Stockton Ports opened their 2026 season on April 2, 2026.
  • The Oakland Athletics' home opener is scheduled for April 3, 2026 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

The players

Grant Richardson

A Stockton Ports pitcher who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics organization last summer.

Cory Braun

A Stockton Ports pitcher who greeted fans at Banner Island Ballpark on opening day.

Judah Morris

A first baseman making his minor league debut for the Stockton Ports.

Brian Uchytil

A fan who has been making the trip from Livermore to attend the Stockton Ports' opening night for the past two years.

Monica Uchytil

Brian Uchytil's wife, who appreciates the charm and atmosphere of Banner Island Ballpark.

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What they’re saying

“It means you're kind of part of the top 1%. Everybody works from that growing up. The dream is to play pro ball and then get into the big leagues.”

— Grant Richardson, Stockton Ports Pitcher

“You see some of the pictures like Rickey Henderson, some of the greats. So, it's nice to be where they once were...and hopefully this is just the first step to a long career.”

— Grant Richardson, Stockton Ports Pitcher

“Opening night for the Ports, we're super excited. A's left to Vegas, we got the Ports now... we love coming to Stockton.”

— Brian Uchytil, Stockton Ports Fan

“There's not a bad seat in the house.”

— Monica Uchytil, Stockton Ports Fan

“It's beautiful. It's what I wanted to do, but he's doing it at a higher level... even better.”

— Lakeal Morris, Parent of Stockton Ports Player

What’s next

The Stockton Ports will continue their 2026 season with a home series against the Modesto Nuts from April 4-6.

The takeaway

The Stockton Ports' home opener marks the start of an exciting new season for the Athletics' minor league affiliate, which has a long history of developing top talent and providing a beloved community gathering place for baseball fans in Stockton.