Inside the confines of Denes Field, a long wooden deck stretches along the first base line, where alongside the sounds like the pop of a glove and the crack of a bat, the sounds of students, alumni and fans can be heard socializing over burgers, beer and baseball.

The “Rally Alley” itself is a sight to be described. It contains an all-American set-up – tables and benches, concessions and the scent of the arrival of spring as it sits tucked beside the visiting team’s dugout.

Along with being $1 beer night, it’s also Greek Night, and the letters of many fraternities and sororities can be spotted on the chests and backs of students amid the bermuda shorts, ballcaps and sunglasses.

For the first time nearly all spring the temperatures are near 80 degrees in Bowling Green. The beer is proving to be a big draw -concession workers haul in more kegs of beer as the demand begins to exceed the supply.

“Usually no one really shows up for baseball,” Concession Area Supervisor Heather Bailey said. “… I think it makes the game go by a lot faster. Because when it’s dead, it’s dead.”

One of the more unassuming conveniences of Rally Alley is its location. It faces away from the evening sun, enabling fans to watch the game without the need to squint, avoiding any sight trouble.

Being along first base line and outfield, mere feet from the playing surface, players can get an ear-full from fans. Tonight, Western plays in-state rival Eastern, and amid announced crowd of 1272, no subject is out of bounds.

This time, Eastern’s Michael Garcia, No. 25 in right field, is the unlucky opposition recipient of the fan crowing.

“Number 25, you suck!” yells one fan toward the Eastern outfield, along with others who chime in with remarks unsuitable for print.

Some are here more for the social aspect of the scene than the actual game. While some stand, leaning along the railing to take in the game, a number of fans stand back, drinking and talking about the topics at hand. It’s a mixture of all who enjoy not just baseball, but enjoy being able to be outside in warmer weather.

For the baseball enthusiasts, this offers a chance to get back to their favorite pastime in many ways.

“I love heckling the (opposing) players,” Madisonville senior Lance Taylor said. “Just giving them a hard time. It’s really fun to be able to do that.”

For those who have been here since before the advent of this wooden oasis on the baseball diamond, it’s a giant leap forward from what they saw in the early days as students.

Kyle Mulloy, a graduate student from Brandenburg, remembers his days as an undergraduate student at Western and the days of chain-link outfield fences at field, which are now replaced by professional-quality walls.

“This is obviously a lot better,” he said. “The atmosphere is also a whole lot better. Even in normal games – this isn’t a normal game – but even in normal games it’s better than it used to be. Plus the team is better, so that helps a lot too.”

The sun gave way to the night and colder temperature, but the fans stayed, drinking beer and enjoying the night air with friends, with the crowd in Rally Alley slimming out slightly as conditions got cooler and more clothing would be needed to be comfortable.

But the days of spring are here, and with them, the welcome sight of baseball and warm weather at Denes Field.