Not since 2009, when Petco Park last hosted the USA 7s tournament, has the San Diego Padres' stadium seen an influx of rugby players through its gates. On Sunday, July 26, the Padres sponsored Rugby Day during the team's final game against the Miami Marlins. It was a good day for the home team – Padres won 3-2 to finish 3-1 in the series – but even more so for the local SoCal rugby clubs.

“Close to 400 members of SoCal Youth Rugby showed up in their respective team kit and helped to make the inaugural Rugby Day at Petco Park a great success,” SoCal Rugby Youth Executive Director Alex Williams enthused. “A highlight was the appearance by athletes from the Men’s and Women’s National 7s Teams, who stopped by from the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center to sign autographs, meet fans, and enjoy the baseball game. A terrific day overall and one we look forward to replicating with the Angels on August 9 and with both MLB programs next year!”

The Eagles are at the @Padres for #PadresRugbyDay! Stop by and hang out! #SDinHD #RugbyDay @Atavus_ @sluggo_a_go_go pic.twitter.com/zlto6DYRas

— USAWomens7s (@USAWomens7s) July 26, 2015

The opportunity for Rugby Day started with former rugby player Josh Targe. The UMass alum is now an account executive in the Padres' Group Tickets & Hospitality division, and Targe wanted to connect with the local rugby community. Targe organized discounted tickets and deals on hospitality suites, while more than 33,000 spectators attended the game. SoCal Youth is looking to repeat that success in Anaheim, when the Angels play the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, Aug. 9. Rugby Day tickets start at $6.

For more information, check out the flyer here.

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