Russell Diethrick Park

Official Review by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

Diethrick Park is one of those old school neighborhood ballparks. Built in 1941, it has been primarily used for high school and community college baseball events over the decades, until the Niagara Falls Rapids of the New York Penn League were relocated to this venue beginning in 1994. Renamed the Jamestown Jammers, the franchise is one of three teams owned by the Rich baseball group, the other two being the AAA Buffalo Bisons and the AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

Food & Beverage    1

The one available concession stand sells nothing more than ordinary ballpark fare: cotton candy, slushies, soda pop, beer, hot dogs, fries and nachos. Portable vending carts or in seat food vendors are non existent. The concession area looks more like the type of operation one would find at your local movieplex.

Atmosphere    2

Even with the installation of a new scoreboard and sound system in recent seasons, this venue remains "old school". The team doesn't do much in terms of music bumps, between inning entertainment or other things to get the fans into the event. This is one of those simple grab a seat and a beverage, scorecard and watch the balls and strikes.

Neighborhood    2

Diethrick Park is sandwiched into a residential neighborhood just off of Buffalo Street, which is one of the main drags into the city running between Jamestown and Falconer. There is ample surface parking and street parking available. Pubs and eateries near the venue are scarce and/or non existent.

Fans    2

The stadium seats almost 4,200 patrons, but full houses here are rare. Jamestown is one of the poorest drawing teams in the NY Penn League. Interestingly, the Rich baseball group puts enormous resources into fan promotions and marketing for its AAA and AA teams. Here in Jamestown the energy and passion is lacking.

Access    4

Jamestown is sort of off the beaten path as far as access to cities go. From Buffalo one has to traverse about 30 miles of two lane highway to get there. The main east west thoroughfare is I-86 and that makes it easier to get west to Erie or east to Olean. Once in town it is a simple jaunt down Buffalo Street and onto Falconer Street, with directional signage in place. There are no public transportation options.

Return on Investment    3

Single tickets run from $4.50 - $6.50, which in sports parlance is a screaming bargain. Because of the total lack of venue amenities and a paucity of entertainment diversions, we knock the score down a few pegs. But this is professional baseball so take advantage of the price.

Extras    1

Jamestown is the proud home town of Lucille Ball, and every year the community stages a celebration called "Lucy Fest". The team takes part in this, with contests featuring Lucy and Ricky lookalikes and similar zany promotions tying into all this.

Final Thoughts

With the bar being raised in the New York Penn League in terms of spectacular new ballparks, large budgets for promotions and ancillary entertainment, expanded food offerings and even broadcast deals, one has to wonder how much longer a team can survive here in Jamestown. The stadium is a throwback to a bygone era in this league, and new venues, especially in the eastern part of the geographic footprint of this league, make it seem that the days of the Jammers in Jamestown are numbered.