Despite some kinks still to be worked out, the Athletics' relocation is providing fans who might not go to games often a big new opportunity to see the big leagues live.

Asked to encapsulate his club’s first home series of 2025, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay paused and took a big sigh before formulating the words to articulate what took place. “Ooh,” Kotsay said. “Tough series all around.

The A's three-year stopover in Sacramento on their way to Las Vegas is unusual in the extreme, and that has meant some uncertain moments.

In their inaugural homestand at Sutter Health Park, the A’s were swept by the Chicago Cubs. It's a tough pill for fans trying to embrace the team’s temporary home.

The Chicago Cubs pounded the Athletics 18-3 on Monday night to spoil their first game in their new West Sacramento home.

Fans raise their rally towels during the first Major League Baseball game at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Monday. Julian Chavez of San Jose noticed a difference in vibe — and in logistics. He’s used to taking the BART public transportation to the Oakland Coliseum, now he has to drive a little more than three hours.

Sutter Health Park, home to the Sacramento River Cats, underwent several upgrades to accommodate MLB. The ballpark has new stadium lights, a 75-by-32-foot video board of center field, and new grass that's drone-monitored with an infrared scanner and real-time moisture censors in the outfield. Some fans traveled long distances to see the game.

Did you know West Sacramento has a booming little league scene? The arrival of the A's is expected to propel the league even further.

None of that concerned Hatfield, a season-ticket holder for the Triple-A River Cats, with his wife, Mallory, a Red Sox fan, who both sported green and gold Monday night for the first Major League Baseball game in Sacramento’s history.

When the announcement came last year that the Athletics would move to the capital region, conversations among local businesses started right away. That included pitching new ideas, increasing staffing, and more than a dozen businesses even took part in West Sacramento's small business accelerator program, which offers funding to expand.