The Grizzlies had a big crowd last year as well as a sense of economic desperation started to set in, but take a look at these numbers:
If you compare unemployment rates from December 2008 to December 2009, things have just gotten worse in the entire Central Valley.
The numbers are hovering at around 17 percent, and even worse in Merced county. But with a new baseball season comes new hope.
Grizzlies managers have well over 1,000 applications to look through before they decide who will work this season.
It should be no surprise that with high unemployment rates in the Valley hundreds of people lined these side walks looking for work Saturday morning.
Finding a job in the Central Valley can be difficult. Pedro Hernandez said: "Hopefully I do have a good chance. You know I came here with a positive and I left with a positive attitude."
"I might just have to stay in this line just because I'm really committed to doing anything I put my mind too," said Denaya Shorter.
Saturday morning more than 800 people between work tried their luck at Chukchansi stadium. The Grizzles need to fill 350 jobs in food services, ticket sales and security.
"We start 'em off at $8/hr and move up depending on their experience," said media director Noah Frank with the Grizzles.
Frank said the Grizzlies are looking for people to work 72 games this season. "It's a great opportunity to be able to offer hundreds of jobs to Valley residents who maybe have had a rough year and are looking for some work," he said.
The Employment Development Department said nearly 17 percent of Fresno county's labor force is unemployed.
"What I worry about is unemployment running out and there is only so much you get," said Veronica Hernandez who needs this job to finish school and care for her 12 month old baby boy Noah. "The only thing right now is go to school. There's nothing that you can do without a college education," she said.
Finishing school is a priority for many here.
Applications can still be submitted through next week. Notifications will go out within the month to those who received jobs.
