Springfield Cardinals players pause during the national anthem.

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Springfield Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Mura delivers a pitch to Frisco clean-up batter Chad Tracy. Mura pitched three innings, allowing two runs, prior to a lengthy rain delay.

Springfield Cardinals pitcher Elvis Hernandez waves to the crowd at opening day at Hammons Field on April 9.

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Springfield Cardinals' opening day starter Kyle Mura throws the season's first pitch to Frisco RoughRiders' center fielder Craig Gentry. The pitch – a called strike – kicked off the Cardinals' bid for their first opening day win. They had not won a season opener in the previous four seasons. The Cardinals took the lead early, but rain threatened their chances of recording a win. Despite enduring a two-hour-and-forty-five-minute delay, the Cardinals took home a 16-4 victory around 1:00 a.m. Friday morning.

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St. Louis Cardinals hall of fame pitcher Bruce Sutter chats with Springfield Cardinals Manager Ron "Pop" Warner after throwing out the first pitch during opening day festivities at Hammons Field on April 9.

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Springfield Cardinals Vice President Kirk Elmquist and Great Southern Bank's Theresa Chasteen Calhoun present a $100 check on behalf of Springfield's Best to outfielder Daryl Jones, the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league player of the year.

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The Springfield Cardinals kicked off their fifth season on April 9 at Hammons Field.

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Springfield Cardinals third baseman Brett Wallace laces a hit down the first base line to drive in the first run of the season in the bottom of the first inning on April 9. Wallace finished the evening with four hits – including two home runs – and six RBIs. Wallace was the Cardinals first round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft and is rated as the organization's second-best prospect by Baseball America.

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The Springfield Cardinals kicked off their fifth season on April 9 at Hammons Field.

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Springfield Symphony director Ron Spigelman leads the symphony brass quintet in the national anthem during opening day ceremonies.

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The 2009 Springfield Cardinals stand on the first base line during opening day festivities.

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Springfield Cardinals starting catcher Tony Cruz rides in the bed of a red Chevy pickup during opening day festivities at Hammons Field on April 9.

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The Springfield Cardinals 2009 team was brought out in red Chevy trucks during opening day festivities at Hammons Field on April 9.

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Springfield Cardinals clean-up batter Tony Cruz waits on a pitch from Frisco RoughRiders starter Omar Poveda.

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Springfield Cardinals right fielder Adam Brown steps in to face Frisco starter Omar Poveda in the bottom of the first inning.

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St. Louis Cardinals hall of fame pitcher Bruce Sutter throws the ceremonial first pitch - his signature split-finger fastball - to cap off opening day festivities at Hammons Field on April 9.