ROCHESTER, N.Y. — When the super-rare total solar eclipse happens this spring, some of the best places to see it will be in various parts of New York state. 

In Rochester, which is in the path of totality, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit this April. Thousands of them are expected to see it at Innovative Field, where the Rochester Red Wings are swinging for the fences with the club’s latest promotion.

From the final pitch of the final out of the baseball season, there’s one day Dan Mason looks forward to most. This year it’s April 2.

“It never gets old,” said Mason, general manager of the Rochester Red Wings. “I mean, opening day, there's just something about it.”

Despite no baseball, the winter months are still busy at Innovative Field. The off-season is spent on sales, marketing, ballpark improvements like new clubhouse lockers, and other big things.

Now, the sun doesn’t always shine in Rochester. On the day we spoke with Mason the weather was grey and snowy. But the sun will be the ballpark’s main event, the day after the Red Wings' first homestand, on April 8. The day of the rare total solar eclipse.

“We want to celebrate the eclipse,” said Mason. “And the fact that Rochester is one of the best places to view the eclipse in the whole world.”

Smack in the middle of the path of totality, tourism officials expect 300,000 or more to come to the Rochester area to see it. Mason wants to fill the ballpark, which has a capacity of 13,000, for what the ball club is calling Solarpalooza.

“You know, it's obviously one of those kinds of events that you're going to remember where you were, and what you were doing and who you were with,” he said.

Ballpark concessions will have eclipse-themed names like Nebula Nachos, Rocket Red Hots and Solar Fries. Fans can buy special Solarpalooza gear. The Red Wings are selling ticket packages right now, including deals on suites and warning track viewing.

Sometimes, it takes more than a game to get folks to come out.

“I realize that there are people out there that aren’t fans of baseball,” said Mason. “I don’t understand that, but I realize it.”

Like the rare spring day, when Rochester will be a sunny destination.