San Jose Fans to Make the Most of Home Field Advantage
Robert Babcock
Thursday August 3, 2000
San Jose has not hosted a playoff game since their inaugural season in 1995 when they won the division, “We have been waiting for something like this for too long,” Mark Johnson of San Jose said, “We can’t wait to get the playoffs started.”
San Jose fans have taken a liking to their SaberCats (or at least the team’s dancers). “I love that I can reach out and basically touch the cheerleaders,” said Arnold Mills of Santa Clara, “In the [Raider] games in Oakland I am so far away, There is no way I can get as close to the players and the cheerleaders like the AFL.”
After the final game of the season against Buffalo, the SaberCat fans in attendance enjoyed fan appreciation night. The players and cheerleaders gladly signed plenty of autographs. “It is great to give back to the fans after a long season,” said DS/WR Jerry Reese, “We worked hard for this and it is great for the fans to enjoy this part of the time with us.”
One fan that has been around the AFL for a while is Darrel Bender of San Jose. Bender has been a follower of the AFL since day one with the Washington Commandos in 1987. Since moving to San Jose, He has been a fan of the SaberCats. There is no questioning his knowledge of the ‘Cats. “I predicted the team to go 12-2 and win the Arenabowl,” said Bender, “This is the best team I have seen. With this team, Wagner will lead them to the Arenabowl.”
 Shalon Baker was on hand to sign autographs after recovering from injury Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall |
The San Jose SaberCats and their faithful fans will get to experience a home playoff game again tonight against the Oklahoma Wranglers. And while Oklahoma was one of the two teams to defeat San Jose during the regular season, both the ‘Cats and fans expect this won’t be the last home game of the season.
Robert Babcock was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2000 season.
