A GRAND OPENER DODGERS' 1ST HOME GAME FEATURES TRIBUTE TO TROOPS.

Byline: Amy Raisin  Staff Writer

There were home runs and hot dogs, peanuts and pop flies. But it was the emotional tribute to American troops during the opening-day ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Monday that had thousands of fans on their feet.

The biggest opening day crowd in Dodger Stadium history looked skyward before the Los Angeles Dodgers-Arizona Diamondbacks game and marveled as members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team made their spiral descent and skilled landing on the field.

``I thought it was a very moving ceremony, especially for the time (the country) is in right now,'' said Sugar Byron of Sherman Oaks, who with her husband has had season tickets since the Brooklyn Dodgers arrived in Los Angeles in 1958. ``There's such a tradition here. We wouldn't miss it.''

Even the release of 300 white doves - an opening day staple at the stadium - seemed to move the seasoned fans more than in past years.

Harvey Byron admitted that tears filled his eyes when four U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets roared over the stadium to salute American troops.

Despite security checks at every stadium entrance, 53,819 people found their seats to witness a game claimed by the Diamondbacks with a 12th-inning two-run home run.

And unlike New York Yankees fans, who were turned away on opening day when snow blanketed Yankees Stadium, Dodgers fans basked in temperatures in the 80s.

Greg Ayers knew from attending previous games not to bring bottles, cans or items that could be considered weapons.

While the checks made for a longer wait to get inside, the Tujunga resident said he was happy to let security inspect his bags.

``I travel quite a bit and the airport (security) is tighter, as it should be. But this seems appropriate,'' Ayers said. ``I know people say large sporting events can be a target (for terrorists), but I feel very safe here. I'd be more concerned if I was down at the stock exchange.''

After watching the pre-game festivities, former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, now a senior vice president with the organization, recalled a time when security's main concern was rowdy fans in the stands.

``The time we're in is different now and it probably will be for a long time,'' Lasorda said. ``But then I think about all those men and women wearing the (U.S. military) uniform, fighting over there in the heat and the desert, getting shot at.

``You think about them and you realize that they're putting themselves in harm's way to make America free. But baseball, it needs to be played. The people need to be able to leave their homes for a little while and enjoy a day like this.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Three hundred white doves are released before the Dodgers' 12-inning loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

(2) A security officer inspects a bag Monday at Dodger Stadium. The crowd was the biggest for an L.A. home opener in stadium history.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer