By LORETTA FULTON

Possibly no one is happier about the Major League Baseball season finally starting than Dustin Tatro, organist at St. Paul United Methodist Church, who is doubling as organist for the Texas Rangers’ brand new Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Tatro was named to the position before the coronavirus shut down baseball and all other sports last spring. Some have been reopening in recent weeks. Major League Baseball opened Thursday and the Rangers’ first game was Friday. Even though there aren’t any fans in the stands, people watching on TV can get a somewhat realistic ballpark experience.

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) fills with the seats with fans for TV viewers, crowd noise is simulated, and yes, the traditional organ music is being played–thanks to Tatro. Before the season imploded, Tatro recorded more than 500 tracks, ranging from traditional baseball music like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” to Texas country to rock and hip hop. Those recorded tracks are what you are hearing if you’re tuning in to the games. When fans eventually are allowed into ballparks, Tatro will commute from Abilene to play live music for home games.

Click on the link below to read Loretta Fulton’s original story about Tatro’s selection as the Texas Rangers’ organist. It was posted April 27.

https://spiritofabilene.com/2020/04/27/st-paul-umc-organist-singing-take-me-out-to-the-ballgame/