Ripken Stadium, Home of the Aberdeen IronBirds

Official Review by Geoff Crawley, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

Ripken Stadium is located about 35 miles northeast of Baltimore in the town of Aberdeen, Maryland. Described as a baby version of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, it is home to the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds. As you read about the greatness of this place, bear that in mind. This is Single-A baseball. Single-A.

Blown. Away.

Food & Beverage    5

Look, I'm gonna say this up front: I don't like crabs. Sorry. They are like underwater bugs to me. (In their defense, crabs aren't really singled out; unless it's tuna, or, if I am feeling especially adventurous, tilapia, I don't like any seafood.) However, I know that I am in the minority here, ESPECIALLY here at Ripken Stadium, as literally every single item on the menu is crab related. (I might be exaggerating a little there.) More on the greatness of this joint's crabs later. You have all your standard ballpark fare, PLUS Rip's BBQ, which is very good.

They have deep fried Oreos.

DEEP. FRIED. OREOS.

You have a good choice of over a dozen different beers on tap for $4.50 or $6.00, cans or bottles (24 oz or a double-deuce) for $5.50. Wine is $6.00 a glass. And by "glass" I mean a plastic cup.

So, for me, this place is a five because of the Oreos alone. Then I get to Bo Brooks Crab Shack.

Like WHOA.

Now, again, I don't like seafood, and I don't like crabs, but this place was OFF. THE. CHAIN. Located next to the right field bleachers, you got "" at ridiculously low prices "" crab cakes, steamed shrimp and crabs at OUTRAGEOUS prices. A dozen is $24, two dozen for $36, and a bushel - 5 dozen - for $110. I'm told they are large and very, very good. I had to ask, because I'm not eating those things.

Seriously, it's worth buying a ticket just to get a bushel of crabs, they're so cheap.

Atmosphere    4

Packed. The stadium was PACKED. Normally, at minor league baseball, the team has to use activities and whatnot to get the crowd involved. Not here. They were into it here. They had rally towels, for crying out loud.

Single-A.

Unbelievable.

Neighborhood    1

Yeah, there's nothing here. There is a Courtyard by Marriott next to the stadium with a bar in it, but that's it. There's other stuff you can drive to in Aberdeen, but it's all chain places. If you must do one, do The Greene Turtle, just on the other side of Interstate 95.

Fans    5

Aberdeen is close enough to Baltimore that the Baltimore crowd fell is on display here. The fans are knowledgeable and passionate and LOUD.

Remember, Single-A.

I could not believe how loud and rowdy the crowd was. They were all over the umpire on bad calls, they heckled the opposing players, they were AWESOME.

I'm not sure if they were just that great or if I was just not expecting much because it was Single-A. But whatever, I was impressed.

Access    5

The stadium is right off I-95, the main interstate on the East Coast. It is easy to find. Free parking is plentiful, and the bathrooms are clean.

Return on Investment    4

A surprisingly good stadium. Everything is well-priced, including tickets, so you can bring a family of four here, eat well, and have a great time for around $60.

Extras    3

This place has a legit buzz. There is a kids area with a speed gun to measure. If you buy a shirt from the team store, you can get it personalized for 75¢ per letter and $1.00 per number. I am a huge fan of that. They have face painting. And, as mentioned before, Fried Oreos and Rally Towels.

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself in Aberdeen for some reason, it is highly likely you will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott anyway, so you need to make it your business to go to a game. Get a bushel of crabs and take it back to your room. Stay for the game first, though. You won't be disappointed.


Geoff Crawley is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Correspondent, moderator of The Voice of the Fan, and host of a weekly podcast.