NASHUA – It was tough to sit behind home plate, or anywhere else, at Holman Stadium on Friday evening and consider opening night of the Nashua Silver Knights’ second season as something other than a success.

There was a line at the gate when the stadium opened at 6 p.m. The Jackson 5 pumped from the speakers and concessions workers had their hands full handing out hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas and beers to lines of people that seemed to fill up as soon as they thinned out.

By the time the first pitch was thrown by Mayor Donnalee Lozeau – preceded by the presentation of the 2011 Futures Collegiate League championship rings, which were delivered by helicopter landing in center field – the stands were full, and each hit was greeted by cheers, bells and what sounded suspiciously like a vuvuzela.

Paul and Kellie Danis, of Nashua, were there to see their daughter, Mount Pleasant Elementary School fifth-grader Samantha Kearns, sing the national anthem along with the rest of the school’s chorus. But they also appreciate that baseball is back in Nashua.

“It’s cheap family fun,” Kellie Danis said. “Let’s hope they can keep it going this time. People who can’t go to Fenway can come here.”

Paul Danis said that more than anything, he’s glad to see the old stadium put to good use again.

“It’s a beautiful stadium,” he said. “It’s awesome they’re using it again. That’s the best part.”

Ed and Carol Ecstrom have been attending games at Holman for many years, and they have season tickets to the Silver Knights. On Friday, Carol Ecstrom was decked out in a Silver Knights jersey signed by Boston Bruins defenseman Shawn Thornton.

“We’ve always enjoyed it, and it’s always been a good show,” Ed Ecstrom said. “This is my most favorite place in the world to watch baseball.”

Silver Knights Vice President Jon Goode said having more time to get the attention of more people – along with better weather than opening day last yea r – helped bring a healthy level of optimism to the park. More than 1,100 tickets were sold ahead of time, he said.

“I’m looking at the line,” Goode said. “There was a barrage of people coming in. There’s excitement here. There’s excitement on the field. What a difference a year makes.

“We wanted to take it to the next level in our second season. We feel like we’re doing that, and we’re excited.”

Lozeau, who got the first pitch to the catcher in single bounce, admitted Friday was probably the best night she’d had in a week fairly well packed with alderman and budget meetings.

“Look around. Families are here. Kids are here,” she said. “We too often sell short how great it is to have fun together. So you can come here and enjoy a ballgame. You can’t beat it.”

Joseph G. Cote can be reached at 594-6415 or jcote@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Cote on Twitter (@Telegraph_JoeC) .