Norwich — Dodd Stadium, busier than Times Square all spring, finally opened for business Friday night for its primary tenant: the Connecticut Tigers. The rhythms of opening night, from the soothing voice of public address announcer Ed Weyant, to the crack (as opposed to that insipid ping) of the bat, provided perfect punctuation to the ballpark enjoying its 21st birthday this summer.

And it has never been more ours. Virtually every high school baseball player in the Eastern Connecticut Conference played here in the spring. The inclusive Tigers opened the place to the entire region. Funny how now that it's everybody's home ballpark, the isolated location atop an industrial park is a much duller ache.

We are very lucky to have the Tigers among us. Specifically, the outlook of the front office staff. They've turned Dodd Stadium into the village green for the region's baseball fans. Even after the postgame fireworks show ended Friday night, the place was still abuzz with an absolutely boffo idea that is sure to be mimicked next year:

Dodd played host to Bacon Academy's post-graduation party, complete with a DJ, inflatable slides, a video game truck, graffiti wall, and several games on the playing surface, including soccer and football. Come on. How cool is that?

"Our feeling is 'why let it sit idle for a minute?" Tigers director of sales and former Norwich American Legion coach Brent Southworth said. "If there's people here, we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. C.J. (senior vice president C.J. Knudsen) is very much about community."

It should be noted that Knudsen was seen walking about the concourse carrying two screwdrivers earlier Friday afternoon. Remember this one and write it down: Beware the boss with screwdrivers.

The community certainly showed up Friday. Great crowd. If you missed it, here's our annual walk around the yard on opening night:

It is still $3 to park. Keep in mind the two garages nearest Yankee Stadium are $35. Savings: $32. Tickets start at $8 with discounts for seniors, youth and military. As vice president and general manager Eric Knighton (also the UConn hockey public address announcer) said, "you can still sit behind the plate for 10 bucks."

Every Monday: kids eat free.

Every Tuesday: $1 hot dogs.

Every Wednesday: four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for $40.

Every Thursday: $2 drafts for "Thirsty Thursdays" with live music.

Every Friday: fireworks.

Every Saturday: a different giveaway.

Every Sunday: kids run the bases after the game, get a Ben & Jerry's coupon and a baseball.

Hot dogs are $3.50. So are sodas. Domestic draft beers are $5. (A 20-ounce Heineken at Yankee Stadium is $12). There are specialty stands all over the concourse. The personal favorite: The Retro Beer Bar with Ballantine (think Mel Allen and the Ballantine Blast), Pabst Blue Ribbon, Schlitz (think James Coburn) and Schaefer (the one beer to have when you're having more than one). Everything is priced between $3 and $4.50. It's like having the Dutch Tavern, Norwich chapter.

The Burger Barn down the left field line offers seven different burgers. There's a new deli with fresh sandwiches. A Philadelphia-inspired stand with cheesesteaks. A "Kids Zone" with moon bounces.

And there's baseball. No, it's not Fenway or Yankee Stadium (the prices alone suggest that). But there's four bases, green grass and an outfield fence. You get everything you want in the ballpark experience and don't need to take out a loan.

There's no denying that we all get to spend our disposable income the way we want. So here is a humble suggestion: Get to the ballpark one night this summer. Or more than one night. Lots to do. Great night out. Reasonable prices. And good people running the Tigers, who have opened Dodd Stadium to us in ways previous regimes did not.

Could be a fun summer around here. The experience here is wonderful. The Connecticut Sun are the WNBA's surprise team. The Mystic Schooners are winning with local guy Phil Orbe managing. The Speedbowl is under new management. And we'll have two youth baseball teams in Waterford trying to make the World Series again.

After the winter of 2015, let's enjoy it. Happy summer.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Twitter: @BCgenius