Major League Baseball

Rangers highlight events

Published Oct. 8, 2010 10:22 p.m. ET

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Andy Black has suffered through 11 years of hapless Texas Rangers baseball, waiting for the chance to attend a home playoff game.

That moment - Saturday at 4:07 p.m. - is almost here. But the Texas A&M sophomore has a dilemma: His Aggies kick off earlier that afternoon in a game at Cowboys Stadium that will overlap with the Rangers' chance to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays.

"It's bittersweet," the Irving native said. "I'll probably be sprinting from Cowboys Stadium to the Rangers Ballpark at some point."

In addition to the Saturday doubleheader, Arlington on Sunday will host a Cowboys game and potentially another Rangers game - if the Rangers don't finish off the Rays on Saturday. And if that isn't enough, Six Flags Over Texas is in the midst of its annual Fright Fest.

The packed schedule is a bonanza for Arlington restaurants, shuttle services and parking attendants. But it could also pose logistical problems and traffic headaches as tens of thousands stream into the city's entertainment district.

"We've had multiple events before, but it is going to be a little bit more of a challenge just because of the size of the crowds," said Keith Melton, Arlington's assistant director of public works and transportation.

Here's the math: More than 65,000 fans are expected for Texas A&M's 2:30 p.m. matchup against Arkansas in the Southwest Classic at Cowboys Stadium. Pencil in another 50,000 baseball fans for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against Tampa Bay.

On Sunday, expect another sellout baseball crowd if the Rangers and Rays play Game 4 at 12:07 p.m. And then the 3:15 p.m. Cowboys game against Tennessee will bring in about 85,000 fans yearning for football after a bye week.

Adding to the crush will be Saturday's pregame parade featuring the A&M Corps of Cadets and the Arkansas marching band. The parade will close portions of Legends and Cowboys ways starting at 10 a.m.

There also could be other sports traffic passing through Arlington. Texas Tech plays Baylor at the Cotton Bowl at 11 a.m. in Dallas. TCU is hosting Wyoming at 2:30 p.m. in Fort Worth. And at the end of the day, SMU hosts Tulsa at 7 p.m. in University Park.

Best advice from the city and the Rangers: Leave early and allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

DMN

Weekend schedule

SATURDAY

9 a.m. - Cowboys Stadium parking lots open

10 a.m. - Pregame parade hosted by the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and the Arkansas Razorback Band

11 a.m. - Rangers Ballpark parking lots open

12:30 p.m. - Cowboys Stadium's doors open

1 p.m. - Rangers

Ballpark's gates open

1:25 p.m. - Rangers

batting practice

2:25 p.m. - Rays batting practice

2:30 p.m. - Kickoff for

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas

3:54 p.m. - National

anthem, sung by Charley Pride

3:58 p.m. - Ceremonial

first pitch by Johnny Oates

II, accompanied by former Ranger Mark McLemore

and caught by Rusty Greer

4:07 p.m. - First pitch of Game 3 between Rangers and Rays

SUNDAY*

7 a.m. - Rangers Ballpark parking lots open

9 a.m. - Rangers Ballpark gates open

11 a.m. - Cowboys parking lots open

11:54 a.m. - National anthem, sung by Neal

McCoy

11:58 a.m. - Ceremonial

first pitch by ex- Rangers John Burkett, Mike Henneman, Ken Hill and Mickey Tettleton

12:07 p.m. - First pitch

1 p.m. - Gates open at Cowboys Stadium

3:15 p.m. - Kickoff for Cowboys vs. Titans

* Rangers events occur only

if Game 4 is necessary

Traffic and parking links:

?www.dallascowboys

maps.com

? www.texasrangers.com/

directions

? www.parkwhiz.com

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