There's a "big bird" at Cohen Stadium: the mascot "Kasey Chicken." Besides walking around the ballpark greeting everyone, especially kids, he's often found posing and opening up his mouth big and wide. Mischief is another one of Kasey's specialties. For example standing behind the military band conductor making fun of him.
One other "mascot" (of sorts) is "Chili D" the Diablo (Chile) pepper in the cap and other logos. The choice "Diablos," "devils" in Spanish, it meant to refer to the hot nature of the pepper and not something "demonic." The use of peppers showed up in the logo for the first AA All Star Game hosted by the team. This doesn't mean that some don't find amusement that when St. Paul comes to town fans get to watch the "Saints" take on the "Devils."
Cohen Stadium was originally built as the home of the affiliated El Paso Diablos (Milwaukee Brewers, AA) in 1990. Its basic design is not particularly outstanding at first but there are several details that make it stand out and memorable. The ballpark still has some pieces of that history including Texas League (championship) banners from 1986 and 1994.
Even before you get near the ballpark the signature element that makes Cohen Stadium unique is the huge white 5-gable canopy. Five tall steel poles carry the weight of the fabric. Unlike the skyboxes, which are a rather (almost claustrophobically) low the effect is quite airy and breezy. Whether sheilding fans from the hot desert sun, protecting them from the occasional rainstorm or illuminated by special lighting the canopy is both beautiful and functional.
Many other details add to the character of the ballpark, though they are more subtle and many require entering offices and skyboxes. One is the use of circular windows and porthole openings. Though it is not always running, there is an attractive water fountain near the office entrance.
Scattered all around the ballpark are palm trees. These are found all around the VIP parking lot, the sides of the stadium and rising beyond the tall outfield fence.
For all those who've heard the non sequitur "it's a dry heat" you truly find it here in the high desert. The days can be very hot, but unlike nearly any other location in the league they are dry and, as a result, much more tolerable. The best thing about the weather is how wonderfully it cools off. With the mountains causing an early sunset I find this to be one of the best ballparks in the league to watch a game.
Another rather obvious influence to the crowds is that Los Diablos are the club for two cities and two countries. With Ciudad Juárez (or just "Juárez")just a litle more than 20 miles away there's more than just a little Mexican flavor to the crowds here. Not only will you find the Diablos covered in the El Paso paper but those from Juárez too (though the St. Paul Saints are not translated into "Los Santos de San Paul"). Even so, you'll notice that all signs (even those in the parking lot) are fully translated and bilingual.
Because the stadium was built for affiliated baseball, it's a bit larger than needed for the American Association so often feels a bit "empty." But that only means there's a lot of "elbow room" and space to spread out. And it's not that the Diablos can't fill the place. In 2007 they drew a best ever (including during affiliated ball) attendance of 11,206 on July 5.
Another thing that gives character to the crowds is that the stadium is located, almost surrounded by Fort Bliss. The foot of the mountains just to the west is the Fort Bliss Castner Range. Three miles to the east and south is the military reservation and U.S. Army airfield. So it comes as no surprise that the Diablos have regular Military Apreciation Nights (with free admission to those in military service --with ID) as well groups coming on their own.
