Big League Traffic Jams Possible in Anaheim Tonight

With more than 50,000 Angels tickets sold for tonight’s long-awaited baseball season opener, and the Mighty Ducks battling at the same time for a playoff berth at the sold-out Pond, officials caution fans to go early.

“We’ve had this conflict in the past of getting people in and out of both venues,” said John Sevano, a California Angels’ baseball team spokesman. “There will be traffic problems on the freeways if everybody tries to make it at the last moment.”

The enticements of $1 seats and free prizes--including a new car--at the Angels’ 7:35 p.m. game against Detroit already has sold 51,000 tickets. Angels officials don’t know how many more people will buy their tickets at the gate, but they are anticipating a club record opening-day crowd of more than 50,000.

Last year’s season opener against Cleveland drew 37,285.

The largest attendance ever at a California home opener was 45,586 for a game against Oakland in 1988.

The Angels’ regular prices for games this season range from $5 to $13.

On any other night, it would be business as usual, but the Mighty Ducks are trying to put the San Jose Sharks on ice and earn a playoff berth. It is the Ducks’ 47th consecutive sellout crowd and that means 17,174 fans, said John Nicoletti, a Pond spokesman.

The hockey game starts at 8:05 p.m. at The Pond, and although it could mean 65,000 people funneling into both venues, Anaheim police are ready to handle traffic, said Anaheim Lt. John Haradon.

“Having two events going on isn’t something new. We’ve had them before,” Haradon said, referring to a Clint Black concert at The Pond and a California Angels baseball game in August, 1993. “I remember we had a minimum of problems for that night.”

On special occasions, Haradon said about 30 police and civilian traffic controllers handle traffic.

“For people at the stadium, a season-opener after the long strike is new,” Haradon said. “But for the people at The Pond, with so many sellouts, they already know their way around and how to get to the parking lots. But we do suggest that people expect an extra delay and so they should leave their homes earlier and allow more time going and leaving.”

Nicoletti said that those attending the hockey game should consider getting off the freeway at Ball Road and avoid Katella Avenue and Douglass Road.

“With the baseball strike, we’ve been the lone kid on the block here for some time,” Nicoletti said. “I think it’s fantastic to have baseball back, but unfortunately, it does create a traffic problem around the Anaheim Pond. My recommendation is to take a little extra time, try alternative routes and, if possible, car pool.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Traffic Games Fans should prepare for the worst tonight as the Angels open at home against the Detroit Tigers and the Mighty Ducks hit the ice against the San Jose Sharks. Best advice to beat the traffic? Arrive early. *

The Mighty Ducks The Pond: Avoid Katella Avenue. Try exiting freeway at Ball Road. Game time: 8:05 p.m. Parking: $6; lot opens 6 p.m. Tickets sold: Sold out at 17,174 *

California Angels Anaheim Stadium: Avoid Douglass Road. Try State College Boulevard or Orangewood Avenue entrances. Game time: 7:35 p.m. Parking: $6; lot opens 5:30 p.m. Tickets sold: 51,000* *As of Tuesday