Fly, Fly Away

Official Review by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Co-Founder

The Schaumburg Flyers landed in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in 1999, and have made Alexian Field their home ever since. There is a small airfield within a mile or so from the park, so you may see the occasional puddle jumper zipping by in the distance while attending a game.

Entering through the main gate leads you to a lobby that feels like you have arrived at the doctor's office, rather than a ballgame. After getting lost in a stairwell, and passing another lost couple en route, I made my way into the main concourse, ready to experience another ballpark.

Food & Beverage    3

I asked three different staff what they would recommend that I try, and they all said the hot dog. I'm not sure if it's really the best item, or they were just playing it safe, but overall I thought the hot dog was pretty average.

There weren't any menu items that I noticed that jumped off the board as being interesting or unique. Pepsi products are served, and you can purchase a large souvenir cup for $4. There is also a restaurant found upstairs with a view over the first baseline, known as the Schaumburg Club.

Atmosphere    2

There's nothing sexy about this ballpark. It feels like a small town airport, which I suppose is the vibe they're going for, but it didn't really add much to the experience. The concourses are wide, but you can't do a full lap around the ballpark before you meet a dead end in centerfield.

The outfield walls look like they're made of plywood, and the field is full of brownish and patchy grass. I overheard one season ticket holder sitting nearby that the field has looked bad for years. The lack of pride on the grounds, and the flat theme leads to a dull ballpark experience that is noticeable through the seats.

Neighborhood    2

Your best bet for a good place to spend some time before or after a game is Village Tavern & Grill located at 901 W Wise. The menu consists of burgers, steaks, salads, and ribs, and they also have a children's menu. It's a good place for the adults to get a burger and a beer and a good place for the kids to get some mac and cheese.

Behind the Village Tavern is essentially a strip mall with some other dining options including Priya Indiana Restaurant, Devil Dog, and the Pizza Palace. I'll let you interpret what they serve based on their name.

Further down the road is Riccardo's. The place offers dry pizza, flat beer, and bad conversation. I will give praise to the attentiveness of the wait service, but overall you can skip this place on your trip to Alexian Field.

Fans    2

Fans at Alexian Field show only mild interest in the action on the field. It's easy to spot the season ticket holders who have been in the stands for years, but even that group seems to show less passion for the team than similar groups at more energized stadiums.

Access    5

There's a nice paved parking lot, with no cost to park. Inside the bathrooms are very clean and I didn't notice any lines at any point during the game.

Return on Investment    3

Everything is just about the right price. Tickets start at $5 for lawn seats and $10 for reserved seats. Food and Beverage is priced almost exactly where you would expect it to be. Parking is free.

Extras    0

I wasn't able to find anything unique about the experience at a Schaumburg Flyers baseball game. That doesn't mean it isn't worth checking out.

Final Thoughts

A baseball game is a baseball game. Which is to say, even if the experience leaves you feeling underwhelmed, you still can have a fine time attending a Schaumburg Flyers game.