40 Years of Baseball Glory: Relive the Huntsville Stars’ Historic Inaugural Game

The Legendary First Pitch That Started It All

Four decades ago, the crack of the bat echoed through Joe Davis Stadium for the first time as the Huntsville Stars took the field in their inaugural game. This wasn’t just another minor league matchup—it was the birth of a legacy. On that fateful day in 1985, the Stars brought professional baseball to Huntsville in a way that would forever change the city’s sports culture.

Why This Game Still Matters Today

• Community Transformation: The Stars turned a football-centric town into a baseball hotbed almost overnight.
• Future MLB Talent: Dozens of players who graced Joe Davis Stadium later became Major League stars.
• Economic Impact: The team generated millions in revenue for local businesses over their 29-year run.
• Generational Memories: Three generations of families have shared the experience of Stars baseball.

Inside That Historic Night

The atmosphere on April 15, 1985 was electric—6,217 fans packed the stadium, many arriving hours early just to soak in the moment. While the Stars fell 7-2 to the Charlotte O’s that night, the real victory was the beginning of Huntsville’s love affair with minor league baseball. The smell of fresh popcorn, the roar of the crowd on close plays, and the seventh-inning stretch became ingrained in the city’s identity.

Key Moments From the Inaugural Season:

1. The first pitch at 7:05 PM to Charlotte’s Sam Perlozzo
2. Huntsville’s first run scored by Mark Gillaspie in the 4th inning
3. The debut of future MLB manager Jeff Brantley as a Stars reliever
4. The record-breaking crowd of 10,112 later that season

What Happened to the Huntsville Stars?

After 29 seasons, the team relocated to Biloxi in 2015, leaving behind an empty stadium but a treasure trove of memories. Joe Davis Stadium, now primarily used for high school football, still stands as a monument to Huntsville’s baseball golden age.

What Do You Think?

• Should Huntsville push harder to attract another minor league baseball team?
• Was moving the Stars to Biloxi a smart business decision or a cultural loss?
• Could today’s Rocket City Trash Pandas ever match the Stars’ legacy?
• Does Huntsville need to preserve Joe Davis Stadium as a historic landmark?