Pelican Perch

Official Review by Garry Griffith, Stadium Journey Guest Correspondent

What do the Atlantic Ocean, seats from the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, and Sports Illustrated Magazine have in common? Myrtle Beach, S.C. is the answer.

First, let me explain the place of the ocean regarding a ballpark. Located approximately one mile from the crashing surf of the Atlantic Ocean is BB&T Coastal Field, home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. From 1999-2010 the Pelicans were the Class A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. 2011 is their first year as the Class A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. From the ocean you can drive straight up 21st Avenue to the corner of Bob Grissom Parkway and 21st Avenue and you will run right into this beautiful stadium that has been the site of professional baseball since 1999. (For the record, the Toronto Blues Jays fielded a minor league team in the late " 80s - early'90s called the Myrtle Beach Hurricanes. The Hurricanes played on the campus of Coastal Carolina University). BB&T Field was recognized by Baseball America in 2009 as the best ballpark in the Carolina League.

Second, the seats in the seating bowl are from the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, which was the home of the Atlanta Braves from 1965-1996. Fulton County carried the moniker, "The Launching Pad," because of the copious amount of home runs it surrendered during the years. BB&T will never be accused of being a "hitter's park" because of the soft (and steady) ocean breezes which blow in towards home plate.

Third, Myrtle Beach (Pines Lakes Country Club to be exact) claims to be the birth- place of Sports Illustrated Magazine. There is a plaque acknowledging the fact as you walk into BB&T Field at the gates by the Will Call window.

Food & Beverage    4

If you are hungry, thirsty, and looking for standard, " get-it-done' ballpark fare, you will not be disappointed with the menu at BB&T Field. It is, after all, a ballpark and as with most ballparks, I suggest you suspend any dietary restraint while enjoying the cuisine at BB&T Field.

What more compliments a day at the beach than a cold draft beer at the Home Plate Grille in the main concourse behind home plate. A large draft beer is $6.00 and goes well with either a Jumbo Hot Dog - $3.75 "" or a regular hot-dog - $2.75. A souvenir soda cost $4.00; a medium $3.25; and a small $2.50. The Home Plate Grille also has five different wraps for $8.00 "" Roast Beef & Swiss; Club; Italian; Turkey; and the Ever-roast Chicken. The wraps come with your choice slaw and chips or a vegetable tray. There is also pizza and two types of peanuts. "Yes," two types of peanuts. There are, of course, the typical salted peanuts in the shell. And then there are boiled peanuts for $4.00. This is the South, more particularly South Carolina, and boiled peanuts provide a southern treat not found at too many ballparks. Warning "" boiled peanuts are an acquired taste and there does not seem to be any neutral opinions about them. People seem to like them or not. They are somewhat slick with the consistency of mashed potatoes and a taste (in my opinion) similar to pinto beans.

For those who want to step away from the hot dogs and pizza, the Third Base Grille offers Crab Cake Baskets for $9.50; Crab Cake Sandwiches for $7.00 and Sweet Potato Fries for $4.00. There is also the Pepsi Grille down the first base side of the concourse where you may purchase Clam Strips and Fried Shrimp baskets, each for $7.50 and a Lobster Roll with chips and slaw for $9.00.

Atmosphere    5

There is not a bad seat at BB&T Field. A particularly welcomed baseball feature is the bleachers in left field. Added a few years ago, these seats provide a very Wrigleyesque feel to BB&T Field.

Make sure you notice a plague in honor of long time Atlanta Braves' minor league pitching coach, Bruce Dal Canton, located as you walk into the pro shop from the concourse entrance. Dal Canton was the pitching coach for the Pelicans from 1999-2008. A gentle man with a depth of pitching knowledge, Dal Canton's jersey "" 43- is retired and is on the left field wall and atop the home clubhouse in right field.

Also check out the Bob Grissom Plaza (Grissom was a former Myrtle Beach mayor) along the third base of the stadium. Engraved bricks are in the form of a baseball diamond and may be purchased with the proceeds going to the Youth Diamond Fund.

There is also a "Road to the Show" display on the first base side with the names of all former Pelicans' players who have played in the Major Leagues. The between innings activities are interesting enough to keep the fans' attention without being over the top trying to draw their attention away from the main attraction "" the game.

Neighborhood    5

Across 21st Avenue from the stadium is Broadway at the Beach, a large tourist complex that offers numerous restaurants and nightlife. Food choices range Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville to hamburgers at Johnny Rockets. Crocodile Rocks Dueling Piano Saloon is a popular nightspot where they have dueling pianos going at it into the wee hours. You can stroll through Broadway at the Beach and eat; catch a movie; (regular cinema and also IMAX); go the Ripley's Aquarium,; splurge on ice cream at Ben and Jerry's or Cold Stone Creamery; and outfit yourself in about any type of clothing you desire.

If you do not care to visit Broadway at the Beach for a pre or post game snack, then just wander down 21st Avenue to the Mello Mushroom for quality pizza and sandwiches.

If you desire to lodge close to the ballpark, literally within a quarter of a block is a La Quinta and a Courtyard by Marriott as well as several hotels around Broadway at the Beach. I could go on infinitum about restaurants and accommodations because, it is, after all Myrtle Beach - one of the most visited tourist destinations on the east coast - so there are as many restaurants and hotels as there is sand along the beach!

Fans    4

The fans are an eclectic mix of locals and visitors. The local fans have remained constant over the years. The fans at BB&T Field are enthusiastic and loyal. They are also very participatory and if there is a sports venue where the wave is at home, and still alive and well, it is at BB&T Field.

The fans are, most the part, an attentive crowd, fully aware of the game and cheer on the home team Pelicans throughout the evening. I think it is worth noting that they are an appreciative and determined crowd because they have chosen to be at the ballpark in a town where there are many other options for tourists.

Over the years I firmly believe the crowds have maintained a continuous level because people return to their homes and spread the good news to their family and friends who may be visiting Myrtle Beach. Trust me, you too will enjoy your evening at BB&T Field. And let me add that it is a perfect destination for visitors who by Thursday of their week long stay have checked off their "to do list," e.g. the usual items of sunning on the beach and eating at a local seafood restaurant. So, by Thursday it is time for something unique, and for some, something unexpected at the beach, that is, a game at BB&T Field.

Regardless of whether the fans are local people or visitors, how can they not be in a good mood. The common denominator among them is location, that is, they are at the beach and even Ebenezer Scrooge would loosen up at the beach.

Access    5

There is ample parking at the stadium "" and "" it is FREE. On busy evenings the parking attendants will direct you to overflow parking. It is a very short walk from the parking lot to the ticket windows. Parking truly is not a hassle at BB&T Field. Another option is to park across 21st Avenue at Broadway at the Beach.

Bathrooms are plentiful, clean and I do not remember waiting in line, even on busy nights. This alone rates five stars because we have all missed a home run or a three point shot at a sporting event because we were waiting in a bathroom line akin to a backup on the Washington, D.C. beltway.

Return on Investment    4

Ticket prices are reasonable but increase in cost as the season progresses. In April- May, Field Box seats are $11; Reserved Box seats $9; Grand Stand Reserved seats $9; and the Budweiser Thirst Inning Deck $7. In June- July prices increase one dollar per ticket and in August-Sept. tickets increase two dollars per ticket except for the Budweiser Thirst Inning Deck where the price remains at $8 per ticket.

Extras    5

1. Stop me if you have heard this: BB&T is at the beach.

2. How about these individuals:

Chris " Butter' Ball is the Senior Director of Sports Turf Management/Ballpark Operations for the Pelicans. BB&T is a very aesthetically pleasing ballpark. Ball has been recognized nationwide for his expertise in field maintenance. From 2006-2010 Myrtle Beach was awarded the Carolina League Field of the Year and in 2007 and 2010 Ball was named Class A National Sports Turf Manager of the Year by Minor League Baseball and the Sports Turf Managers Association.

Ray Wurm, John Glover, and Anne Frost.

Ray is a retired high school history teacher and coach from Long Island. He has not missed one Pelicans' game since the inaugural 1999 season and is approaching working his 900th game working the scoreboard. Ray and his wife even celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a few years ago while Ray worked at the ballpark. When you see the scoreboard at BB&T, Ray Wurm is working.

John Glover is the effervescent individual manning the information booth in the main concourse. Retired from 27 years in the Air Force, John is now in his 13th season working at BB&T Field.


Anne Frost is the Senior Director of Finance and has watched the budgets, and people. coming and going since 1999. She is the original staff member. You will not see Anne while you attend a game, but she is an integral part of BB&T Coastal Field.

Final Thoughts

The Myrtle Beach area had a pro baseball team with the aforementioned Myrtle Beach Hurricanes. They were a good idea, but perhaps were not appreciated coupled with the fact that they played twelve miles inland at Coastal Carolina University. Those factors evaporated in 1999 with the Atlanta Braves put their Carolina League affiliate in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Pelicans are very much appreciated and are located in a central location on 21st Avenue. BB&T is a clean, fan friendly ballpark to watch a baseball game. Reasonable ticket prices, plentiful food and drink offerings, and a great location make BB&T Coastal Field a stickpin on a baseball enthusiast's minor league map. If you attend a game you will galvanize with the other fans at America's favorite past time "" make that past times --- a baseball game, and the beach.