"Once somebody wants to step up over here, play a little bit and show that they can play consistent ball with some pizzazz, then maybe we'll move somebody," Kelly explained.

The highlight of Minnesota's second appearance in Salt Lake was the return of Marty Cordova, who earned 1995 American League Rookie of the Year honors a season after playing for the Buzz.

"I don't mind coming here," Cordova said. "If we have to play somewhere, it might as well be here. This is the nicest facility in the minor leagues."

The stadium was showcased in 1996 when it hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game. Klauke ranks it as the No. 2 event in the ballpark's history. The venue was sold out for both the home run derby and all-star game, a first for the Triple-A gathering.

At No. 3, Klauke lists the stadium's first game on April 11, 1994.

Although Edmonton defeated Salt Lake 7-1 that night, if failed to dampen the excitement associated with the return of Triple-A baseball to Utah after a10-year absence. A packed house marked the occasion.

And fans have gone through the turnstiles with great regularity ever since. In less than 16 full seasons, the franchise has drawn more than eight million fans. It took Omaha, by comparison, 41 years to reach 11 million.

"It's a great ballpark," Klauke said. "Some other ballparks might have better amenities and some other things in their favor, but I think for 16 years it's weathered the storm pretty good."

Improvements such as auxiliary scoreboards and a video screen, he added, have been made as time has passed. The complex has undergone a couple of name changes as well, going from Franklin Quest Field to Franklin Covey Field to Spring Mobile Ballpark.

On the field, several notable players have passed through town. Klauke recalls a then 19-year-old Alex Rodriguez playing at the stadium in 1995.

Other standouts to play at the facility include David Ortiz, Torii Hunter, Eddie Murray, Raul Mondesi, Darin Erstad, Bartolo Colon, Hideki Nomo, Andres Gallaraga, Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar, Ervin Santana, Francisco Rodriguez and John Lackey, just to name a few.

Memorable plays are also in memory yet green for Klauke. He recalls a grand slam that became a three-run single when Salt Lake slugger Bernardo Brito passed a base runner in 1994.

Then there was the night when team owner Joe Buzas pulled the plug on the boy band "98 degrees" when a sellout crowd demanded that a fireworks show begin instead.

Although a few concerts and soccer matches have been held at the stadium, America's pastime is king at the facility. High school and college games, including a Mountain West Conference tournament, have taken place around the schedule of a professional franchise that moved to Salt Lake City from Portland, Ore.

The team's name may have changed — the Buzz became the Stingers and they were re-dubbed the Bees when Larry H. Miller bought the team in 2005 — but the primary tenant and game have remained a constant.

"I think for people who enjoy the sport of baseball and have seen some of the things that have gone on here and some of the players they have seen here, it's kind of special from that standpoint," Klauke said.

E-MAIL: dirk@desnews.com