SALT LAKE CITY — Shortly after the last out was recorded, the entire Salt Lake Bees team walked out of the dugout and toward the first base line, lifting their caps to the sky and waving to the crowd to thank them for their support this season — the team's last at Smith's Ballpark.
A crowd of 13,450 — a likely non-holiday Sunday afternoon record attendance for the stadium — responded with roaring applause, despite a 3-1 defeat to Oklahoma City Sunday afternoon.
Fans didn't seem to care much about the score, instead relishing the final moments at the 30-year-old ballpark before the team moves to a new stadium in South Jordan's Daybreak community next year. A few boos rained down when the new stadium was discussed in a postgame interview and when a video featuring Gail Miller — owner of the Larry H. Miller, the team's owner — played on the scoreboard.
But nearly everyone who came to the finale took advantage of the team's offer to run around the bases and collect stadium dirt from a cart parked by the third base line. It was their moment to say goodbye to the stadium, which still has an uncertain future.
Sunday's game had significant meanings for players, too.
Salt Lake Bees infielder Elliot Soto walked over toward his normal position at shortstop and kneeled down for a few moments, appearing to write a message in the dirt before pointing up to the sky. He previously opened up about a special moment hitting a go-ahead grand slam on Mother's Day at the ballpark not long after his mother's death, a moment that took place at Smith's Ballpark.
And as fans ran out around the bases, pitcher Adam Cimber stuck around to sign autographs for fans gathered around the first base dugout. He was charged with Sunday's loss, giving up a pair of runs in 1 2/3 innings, but the outing had much more significance for his career.
The righty sidearmer with seven years of big league experience immediately embraced Bees pitching coach Shane Loux and teammates in the dugout after he left the field. He told KSL.com after the game that he believes that was his last appearance and that he plans to retire, following a string of injuries that derailed his career in recent years.
Although he went into Sunday's game thinking about his last game as a baseball player, he understood what fans were also going through too as Smith's Ballpark played host to its last Triple-A game. Signing autographs for fans was a small gesture to give back to the game in the same way he fell in love.
"I remember when I was a kid going to Tacoma Rainiers games and I was one of these kids taking away special memories," he said, pushing back tears as he reflected on his career. "They last with you forever. This is bigger than baseball — it's family; it's love."
This is what the stadium's final season looked like.
Smith's Ballpark's final season in photos
The Salt Lake Bees crew prepares the field before the team's batting practice on March 27, days before the team's final season at Smith's Ballpark.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees infielder Hunter Dozier swings during batting practice on March 27 before the team's final home opener at Smith's Ballpark.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees first baseman Sonny DiChiara slaps hands with Salt Lake Bees mascot Bumble as the team runs onto the field for a game on April 6.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees pitcher Kenny Rosenberg, right, watches a Bees at-bat while walking around the Smith's Ballpark dugout on May 12.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees coaches observe a moment of silence for longtime Bees broadcaster Steve Klauke before the team's game against the Reno Aces at Smith's Ballpark on June 18. Klauke died in June, less than a year retiring.Carter Williams, KSL.com
A logo is painted onto the Smith's Ballpark infield to honor longtime Bees broadcaster Steve Klauke before the team's game on June 18. The logo remained a part of the field design the rest of the season after his death.Carter Williams, KSL.com
The sun sets beyond the Smith's Ballpark press box during a Salt Lake Bees game on June 18.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees mascot Bumble leads a cheer during a Bees game at Smith's Ballpark on June 23.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Fans walk through the Smith's Ballpark concourse during a game between the Salt Lake Bees and Tacoma Rainers on July 4.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Fans watch the Salt Lake Bees play the Tacoma Rainers at Smith's Ballpark on July 4.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Fans line up outside of the Smith's Ballpark gates before batting practice on July 23.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout signs autographs for fans before the Salt Lake Bees game at Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City on July 23. Trout made a one-game rehab stint with the team before reaggravating a knee injury.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Fans fight over a ball tossed into the crowd at Smith's Ballpark on July 24.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Members of the Salt Lake Bees grounds crew use rigid drags to clean the base paths between innings during a Salt Lake Bees game at Smith's Ballpark on Aug. 24.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees pitcher Kenny Rosenberg throws a pitch during the team's matchup with Round Rock on Aug. 25.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees outfielder Gustavo Campero steals a baseball during the team's 14-4 win over Round Rock on Aug. 25.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Fans watch a Salt Lake Bees game at Smith's Ballpark on Aug. 25.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees infielder Elliot Soto attempts to make a barehanded grab during the team's game against Sacramento on Sept. 2.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees relief pitcher Adam Cimber watches a Bees game from the Smith's Ballpark dugout on Sept. 6.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees pitcher Kenny Rosenberg hurls a pitch underneath the Smith's Ballpark lights on Sept. 6.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees mascot Bumble greets fans outside of Smith's Ballpark before the team's final evening game on Saturday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
The sun sets over Smith's Ballpark while the Salt Lake Bees and Oklahoma City Baseball Club during the team's final evening game on Saturday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
A line forms outside the Salt Lake Bees Store at Smith's Ballpark before the team's final game at the ballpark on Sunday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
The family of longtime Salt Lake Bees broadcaster Steve Klauke walk off the field after a special moment honoring Klauke at the final Bees game at Smith's Ballpark on Sunday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Carrot edges out Corn in the final Smith's Produce Race at Smith's Ballpark on Sunday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Former Utah Jazz coach Frank Layden is pictured on the video scoreboard leading fans in the last "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" singing during a Salt Lake Bees Smith's Ballpark on Sunday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees pitching coach Shane Loux hugs pitcher Adam Cimber after he is pulled from the Bees' game in the eighth inning of the team's 3-1 loss. Cimber said he plans to retire and his outing Sunday was the last of his career.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees players and coaches tip their caps and wave to fans after the last out is recorded in the team's 3-1 loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday. It was the last Bees game at Smith's Ballpark.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Salt Lake Bees infielder Elliot Soto kneels in prayer following the Bees' final game at Smith's Ballpark on Sunday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Fans run around the bases of Smith's Ballpark after the team's last game at the stadium on Sunday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Fans scoop up Smith's Ballpark dirt after the the team's final game at the ballpark on Sunday.Carter Williams, KSL.com
Carter Williams is an award-winning reporter for KSL.com. He covers Salt Lake City news, as well as statewide transportation issues, outdoors, environment and weather. Carter has worked in Utah news for over a decade and is a graduate of Southern Utah University.