Youngster 9 millionth to visit Cheney Stadium

"Casey Sheridan thought he was going simply to watch the Tacoma Rainiers play a little baseball Sunday afternoon.So when the streamers and confetti flew into the air around him, the 11-year-old from Federal Way was a little more than surprised.Shocked...I was like freaking out, Sheridan said.Sheridan and his father Kelly quickly learned that Casey was being honored as the 9 millionth fan to visit Cheney Stadium in Tacoma to watch a baseball game.The Sheridans bought their tickets through the Federal Way American Little League. Casey, 11, who attends Mirror Lake Elementary School, plays for the Angels in the majors division.We went to the game because of the Little League. We didn't know it was the 9 millionth fan day, the elder Sheridan said. That caught us by surprise. He just walked into the gate ahead of me and they had a bunch of streamers and confetti.Along with the paper, Casey was showered with gifts from the Raiders. He received a game jersey with the No. 9 on the back, a Tacoma Tigers clubhouse chair, other memorabilia and upgraded seats behind home plate. He also was presented with Rainier season tickets for next summer.Kelly said their family attends three or four Rainier games a season. They went to more in past years when the Mariners played inside the Kingdome. Now that Safeco Field offers outdoor baseball, they split their baseball viewing equally between the Rainiers and Mariners."

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