75 Years of Baseball in Clinton, Iowa

Official Review by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Co-Founder

From Minneapolis to New Orleans, you'll find great baseball towns all along the mighty Mississippi River. Alliant Energy Field is home to the Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League. Formerly known as Riverview Stadium (I'll let you guess why), the ballpark was built in 1937 and has consecutively been home to a minor league baseball team ever since 1954. On Oct 1, 2011, the stadium name changed from Alliant Energy Field to Ashford University Field as the school teamed up with the LumberKings and will play 14 of their Saints baseball games at this historic venue in 2012.

The team is currently the Class A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, but has shifted alliances several times over the organization's history. In fact, Clinton has been affiliated with 11 different MLB ball clubs, meaning there's been quite a range of great players to call this field home. The team proudly displays the alumni who have moved on to the Majors. Some of the names that caught my eye included Denny McLain, Tom Kelly, Ron LeFlore, Mike Scioscia, Dave Stewart, Orel Hershiser, Matt Williams, and Ian Kinsler.

The stadium was built in an era when the stands were allowed to be closer to the field than what you'll find in more modern ballparks. The good news from this is that you can be incredibly close to the action. The bad news is that screens run from first base to third base in an attempt to protect the fans.

Nevertheless, you are in for a great baseball experience when you make the visit to Clinton, Iowa.

Food & Beverage    3

The food options are less than thrilling, but the prices should turn that frown upside down. I visited on a Monday night when the prices are particularly good. It is referred to as "Maniac Monday," where you can find hot dogs (75 cents), pizza (75 cents), and a roast beef sandwich with corn on the cob ($2). Soda is only $2. It was interesting that they offer neither Coke nor Pepsi as their soda vendor. Instead, you can choose from Dr Pepper, 7up, A&W Root Beer, and Sun Drop (which is sort like Mountain Dew).

Typical options when it is not Maniac Monday include hot dog ($2.25), burger ($3.25), brat ($3.25), Papa John's pizza ($2.25), and Uncle Woody's Caramel Corn ($3). Friday night is BBQ night ($5), and on Saturdays the menu includes Philly cheese steak ($4), Italian chicken sandwich ($4), boneless Buffalo wings ($4), and jalapeno poppers ($4).

The beer selection is pretty good with 10 beers offered on tap in three different sizes; $4 for 16-ounce, $5 for 20-ounce, or $6 for 32-ounce pours. Leinenkugel (three options including weiss, sunset wheat or summer shandy), Shiner Bock, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Coors Light, and Killian's were some of the offerings.

Atmosphere    5

Alliant Energy Field reminded me quite a bit of historic Bosse Field, but with slightly better amenities. There are a few rows of seats immediately behind the screen, followed by a concourse, and then the remainder of seats are bleacher seats, but with backs, which helps to make it a little more comfortable. To me, it is worth it to spring for the seats in front of the concourse, both because you won't have your view obstructed by fans, and you will be more comfortable. There's also above average leg room and cup holders unless you're in the very first row.

For private parties, you can reserve the Lumber Lounge past the right field wall, which feels like you're sitting right next to the right fielder. Out in left there are picnic tables and a unique left field wall, with a circular inlet that perhaps reminds you of the rolling Mississippi nearby. More importantly, it must make for some difficult caroms in left, which can be exciting and unique.

There's good shade in the stadium with the sun setting directly behind home plate, so even on a hot evening (it was 92 degrees at first pitch for my visit) you will remain relatively comfortable.

The scoreboard is very basic. No digital effects here, just what you need to know (time, balls/strikes/outs, and runs/hits/errors). Overall, the experience is very baseball-centric. It's easy to get into that zen feeling where you hear nothing but the wonderful sound effects of bat, ball, and glove.

Neighborhood    4

Just up the hill, past the centerfield wall, you will find the Mississippi River. There is a small park along the way with some interesting sculptures, and benches which have been purchased to memorialize loved ones.

At the river itself there is Bob & Jan's Candlelight Inn, where they proclaim to have the famous Chicken George. I'm a sucker for things that are purportedly "famous" so I tried some. It's essentially the breading that you would find on fish if you ordered fish & chips, except you have chicken inside. It's fine, but calling it famous is probably a bit of a stretch. The restaurant also offers an appetizing menu including steaks, ribs, seafood, salads, and burgers, with 8 beers on draft. They have some outdoor seating with great views of the river as well.

Next door, is the Clinton Showboat Theatre, which offers musicals and plays that seem to rotate every few weeks. I heard from a couple of fans who told me that their productions are pretty good, so it may be something worth checking out if you like community theatre.

If you venture towards the west side of Alliant Energy Field, you'll come to the tallest building in town, the Clinton County Courthouse. There's a very nice memorial, the Clinton County Vietnam Veteran's Memorial that I would recommend taking the time to peruse.

Down 2nd Street, is the brightly colored El Toro Mexican Restaurant. Their sign boasts that they are "Home of the Best Margaritas." I went inside to sample one, and asked for a qualification. Best in the city? Best in the county? The owner, Sheila, told me they were the best "anywhere." Again, that's a bit of a stretch, but they were very good. The food served is authentic Mexican, which was unexpected. I recommend trying the pork with guisada sauce as long as you like spicy food.

Fans    3

When you're nearly 2,000 miles from the parent MLB team (the Seattle Mariners) it is hard to feel like you have much of a stake in the future of the organization. The fans here don't seem to care if their guys make it to the big leagues, they just want to see a winning club in Clinton. For the most part, the fans obliged the action with half-hearted claps, and otherwise there was nothing much more than a dull murmur being produced. The fans may be quiet, but they are here to watch baseball, and they seemed to be appreciative, if not enthused about the national pastime.

Access    5

Parking is free, concourses are wide, and the restrooms are clean. That's about all you can ask for. Then they go and do something that is pure genius. In the restrooms there is a cup holder at every sink, urinal, and in every stall in the ballpark. Why every park doesn't do this I have no idea, but I certainly appreciated this luxury.

Return on Investment    5

Box seats are only $8 and all other seats are $7. To me, there is no doubt that it is worth the extra dollar to get a chair. I'd shoot for Box Y (near first base), where you are beyond the netting and have a clear view of the field. If you would rather have the netting in front of you, then just choose another letter section and you will be all set. Watching baseball in a 75 year old stadium, with a good beer and a hot dog as the daylight turns to twilight is a very, very good thing. Total cost for a ticket, something to eat, something to drink and parking is just $17. Doesn't get much better than that.

Extras    3

I'm giving one extra point for the cup holders in the bathroom. Now they just need to get some air conditioning in there.

Another extra point for all of the friendly people I met during my visit. There must have been a dozen people I had conversations with, and everyone was enthusiastic about their town and their team, and they made me feel very welcomed.

The semi-circle inlet in left field was a fun quirk that helps make the playing field itself unique as well.

Final Thoughts

I always have a hard time putting in to words that intrinsic feeling that comes from a great baseball stadium. Time slows down, all the stresses of the world go away, and everything just feels right. Alliant Energy Field gave me that feeling. I highly recommend a trip to this great beauty.