Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey State Farm Arena FANFARE Score: 3.86 State Farm Arena 1 State Farm Dr Atlanta, GA 30303 Atlanta Hawks website State Farm Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 16,888 True To Atlanta The latest hashtag campaign for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA pushes fans to be #TrueToAtlanta.  The Hawks have been part of the Atlanta sports landscape since 1968 when they moved from St. Louis.  The Hawks were founded as the Buffalo Bisons in 1946 and moved to Moline, Illinois to be the Tri-Cities Blackhawks after just 38 days.  In 1951 the team moved to Milwaukee and dropped the Black to become just the Hawks and stayed until 1955 when they moved to St. Louis.  Their only appearance in the NBA Finals saw them victorious in 1958 behind the massive scoring of Bob Pettit.  Key to the Hawks development was the purchase of the team by Ted Turner in 1977.  The Hawks were Turner’s first venture into sports and he owned them until 2004 when they were sold to Time Warner.  The Hawks had some success in the eighties with Dominique Wilkins, their best player in franchise history, but unfortunately they could not get past Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.  Currently the Hawks are mired in mediocrity under the ownership group led by Tony Ressler, who purchased the team in 2015. Home for the Hawks is State Farm Arena.  Built in 1999 as Philips Arena, it replaced the iconic Omni.  The arena is owned by the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority and after a couple of renovations has a current capacity of 16,600.  State Farm purchased the naming rights to the arena in 2018.  Taking in a Hawks game is a great experience, despite the woes of the Hawks. Food & Beverage 5 State Farm Arena offers a major league concession selection.  Zac Brown’s Social Club, Hawk Walk Market, Smoothie King and Chick-Fil-A are just the tip of the iceberg that fans can find at State Farm Arena.  State Farm Arena also offers seating areas, similar to a food court.  Some items that have been added to the menus this season include Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, Lemon Pepper Loaded Footlong, Smashburger and ATL Hot Chicken Tenders.  Coca-Cola is, of course, the soft drink of choice at State Farm Arena and there are a number of different bars that offer a host of mixed drinks as well as a variety of beer. Atmosphere 4 State Farm Arena offers a very unique exterior.  Since the area is seemingly built on platforms that facilitate parking facilities and infrastructure for the arena and stadium, State Farm Arena has a bit of an understated look to it, feeling low profile from the main entry on the southwest side.  The arena is renowned for the canopy in the front held up by support beams spelling Atlanta. Fans will no doubt want to check out the bronze statue of Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, which stands in front of the main entrance.  There is also a statue of Evander Holyfield that stands near the escalator from the MARTA. Inside State Farm Arena, the concourses are a bit of a maze which deftly drive traffic into key areas, such as the team store. There are a few large seating areas near concession stands that give the area a bit of a food court feel.  There are plenty of Atlanta and Hawks markings in the concourse and there are plenty of things to see for fans walking around. Inside the seating bowl, fans will find that the court is northwest to southeast oriented, and the best spot for the center court logo is from the southwest side.  Hanging in the rafters at the southeast is the 1958 NBA Championship banner as well as a banner signifying the twelve Division Titles (six from each of St. Louis and Atlanta).  On the northwest side are the banners for the retired numbers which include Bob Pettit, Lou Hudson, Pete Maravich, Dikembe Mutombo, Dominique Wilkins and owner Ted Turner.  Above center court is a huge, state-of-the-art, four sided videoboard.  Four other videoboards are found in the four corners of the arena and display ads and statistics throughout the game.  The lower bowl is a typical configuration with the Delta Sky 360 Club at floor level of the northwest end.  The upper and lower levels are split by luxury boxes.  The upper levels are also in four distinct areas, separated at the corners by videoboards.   The gameday production at a Hawks game is not dissimilar to that of other NBA teams.  There is near constant motion and stimulus, almost to the point of being overwhelming.  The mascot, Harry the Hawk, takes part in the pregame ceremonies and other promotions on the court.  The ATL Dancers perform in the pregame and during breaks in play.  An interesting aspect of the gameday production is a member of the ownership group, actress Jami Gertz, takes part in the Swag Surf where she dances and leads the crowd on the court with Harry the Hawk.  Neighborhood 5 State Farm Arena is located in Downtown Atlanta, an underrated tourist destination. Being Downtown in a major metropolitan city offers a number of options for pre or post-game food and drink. Some options close by include Max’s Coal Oven Pizza, The Food Shoppe, Sway, Polaris and Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint.  There are a bunch of other sporting options in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons  and Atlanta United FC  play right next door to State Farm Arena at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This is also the annual home of the Peach Bowl , now part of the College Football Playoff. The Atlanta Braves  play outside of the Atlanta city limits in Cumberland. Other options include the Atlanta Dream  and Georgia Swarm  and Gwinnet Stripers . College sports are also prevalent with Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football , basketball  and baseball  and Georgia State Panthers football , basketball  and baseball  among other sports. There are also a ton of other tourist options in Atlanta. Fans should consider checking out the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Olympic Park and College Football Hall of Fame. There are plenty of hotel options that are close. The Omni is an iconic Atlanta staple. Other options close by include Holiday Inn, Hyatt and Marriott. Fans 3 For an NBA team, the Hawks have not blown the door off of the turnstiles.  It is not surprising due to decades of mediocrity at best.  At the time of writing, the Atlanta Hawks averaged over 16,200 fans per game.  The previous season, 2023-24, the Hawks averaged 16,900.  Although both of these figures are close to capacity, the eye test shows a big difference between these figures and the butts in seats.  The Hawks are close to the basement in the NBA for attendance and have a fairly passive fan base.    Access 4 State Farm Arena is located in Downtown Atlanta, north of Centennial Olympic Park Drive and west of Marietta Street SW.  It is west of Highway I-85 and north of I-20.  Getting to the arena is not too difficult if sufficient time is given, but Atlanta traffic can definitely be an issue.  There are a number of surface lots and parking garages downtown.  Pre-purchasing parking using an appropriate app is probably the best idea for new fans.  The parking deck just southwest of the main entry at Centennial Olympic Park Drive is a very convenient option.  For fans wishing to take public transit, the MARTA station is right there.  Fans should check the MARTA website for fares, schedules and maps. Inside State Farm Arena, the concourses are a bit maze-like and confusing to get around, however the concourses do offer plenty of space.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility. Stadium Journey recognizes that the security protocols for major sporting events are in constant flux.  Stadium Journey strongly recommends consulting the Atlanta Hawks  and State Farm Arena  websites for the most up to date security information including prohibited items and bag policy. Return on Investment 3 NBA experiences are expensive and the Atlanta Hawks are no different.  The 2023 Fan Cost Index for the Hawks was $232, which is below league average, but still a steep price. This puts them as the 24th most expensive experience.  Tickets for the Hawks generally start at $43 for the upper ends going to $82 for other spots in the upper bowl.  For the lower bowl, tickets range from $125 to over $425.  Parking in the surrounding area will probably cost around $30 and concession prices are expensive, what one would expect for a major league experience.  The return for the investment is good, but the cost is prohibitive for fans to consider multiple games per season.  Extras 3 An extra mark for the beams in front of the State Farm Center spelling Atlanta. An extra mark for the homage to the iconic Omni over the MARTA escalator. An extra mark for the view of the Atlanta skyline from the interior of State Farm Arena. Final Thoughts Fans will definitely have a good time when taking in an Atlanta Hawks game.  The State Farm Arena is a solid sports destination and great spot to take in a basketball game.  More success on the court for the Hawks would definitely improve the experience but either way, the Hawks remain True to Atlanta. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Intuit Dome 3930 W Century Blvd Inglewood, CA 90303 Map It LA Clippers website Intuit Dome website Year Opened: 2024 Capacity: 18,000 The Return of Pro Hoops To The ‘Wood When it comes to hosting some of the big names of professional sports, the City of Inglewood, minutes from LAX, is no stranger. From 1967-1999 The Forum was the home to the Los Angeles Lakers  as well as the Los Angeles Kings . During that span much of The Forum’s glorious history would be provided by the 80’s Showtime Era Lakers , winning 5 of their 6 Forum era championships from 1980-1988 while attracting countless Hollywood celebrities, most notably Jack Nicholson and Dyan Cannon.  As both the Lakers and Kings would move to DTLA at the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), the Clippers, who would play their home games at the nearby L.A. Sports Arena from 1984 -1999 after moving from San Diego, would join these two powerhouses.  During their time at Crypto, the Clippers were often regarded as the third tenant, resulting in several occasions with unfavorable afternoon tipoff times. As the team was turning a corner, the Clippers would not be void of controversy due in large part to former owner Donald Sterling . Even with the Clippers recent run of success, try as they may, even going as far as to cover the Lakers championship banners with banners adorning current players, Crypto.com Arena would always be associated with the Lakers.  In comes present day owner Steve Ballmer. Ballmer would be the billion dollar mastermind   that would eventually give the Clippers a home they could truly call their own. Food & Beverage 3 For being a snazzy new venue in a city with various cultural palettes, the options here are somewhat underwhelming. Options include your basic burgers and hot dogs, double cheeseburger, the famous L.A. Street Dog, cheese or pepperoni pizza and chicken tenders.  Healthy options include a chicken Caesar salad, plant based burger, a spicy tuna or garden sushi dog and a buffalo cauliflower wrap. Some of the snack options offer soft pretzels, classic and butter toffee popcorn, nachos and spinach empanadas as well as a variety of chips, candy and ice cream bars.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink providers and can be bought in cans at any of the grab and go concession stands. Souvenir cups are also available and can be filled at the many self-serve stations throughout the concourses with unlimited refills. The souvenir cups can also be used for any future Intuit Dome events you may be attending.  Some of the domestic, import and craft beers available are Coors, Modelo, and Lagunitas IPA, as well as red and white wine and ready to drink cocktails. Atmosphere 5 Intuit Dome Pregame Intro, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey From the moment one sets foot inside the venue there is already a sense of excitement, starting from the outdoor plaza where fans can shoot some pregame hoops on a regulation basketball court, or admire the various artwork throughout , including the much talked Clipper ship .  The section that is one of the most talked about is The Wall. This section, located behind the visiting teams basket, rises vertically from the floor up with no luxury suites creating any separation, encouraging some of the most rabid fans to make their presence felt such as that in college venues. The first 13 rows provide safe standing rails to encourage those close to the action to provide an intimidating and distracting feel for the free throw shooters of visiting teams. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer spared no expense in making the team’s new digs quite a showcase. Intuit Dome View Atop the Wall, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Intuit Dome Public Artwork, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey As the sports and entertainment complex continues to thrive in Inglewood, aside from the Kia Forum and SoFi Stadium, the neighborhood surrounding these venues has not fully developed. Visitors to the Intuit Dome may find themselves disappointed in the fact there are not many pre and postgame dining options within the area. Along Century or Manchester Blvd you will find your usual chains such as McDonalds, Jack In The Box or Starbucks but not much else.  Cosm Los Angeles  is close by offering a high tech viewing experience of major sporting events giving fans the feel of being at a live event.  Fans 3 Much like the Staples/Crypto era, Clippers fans are a much different breed from the glitzy crowd the Lakers  attract. The majority of fans who attend Clippers games are family types along with the working class. They are still miles from totally capturing the vast L.A. fan base which  their crosstown rivals continue to enjoy. Though an occasional celebrity such as Billy Crystal can be spotted every now and then, for the majority of the fans the focus, bells and whistles, et al, is still on the game without much stargazing. Some of the most passionate fans are seated in the earlier mentioned Wall behind the visiting teams basket. Though Clippers fans now have a venue they can truly call their own, they haven’t exactly been filling the seats toward the rafters on a nightly basis. One can only guess the reasons for the nightly vast amount of empty seats. Costs that include a $68 parking fee? Could it also be the fans reluctance to give too much personal information on the Intuit Dome app? Or maybe the lack of a huge big name superstar aside from maybe James Harden? Could the venue’s Inglewood location also be a factor? After all, anyone familiar with L.A. will tell you Inglewood isn’t exactly in the most centrally located part of town. I’d have to guess it’s a combination of the aforementioned factors. Perhaps as the season approaches the playoffs more interest can be attained by the Clipper Nation.  Access 3 This is L.A. OK, their new home is in the city of Inglewood. I’m sure you get the point. When in L.A., chances are great you’ll be driving. And if you’re driving, you’re more than likely to encounter traffic issues. In some, or many cases, there’s no way around it. This is THE one category that will always be an issue here in Tinsletown.  There are two main garages as well as a VIP Players garage where fans can park. Though parking may be sufficient for the venue’s size, be prepared for your card to be dented with prices starting at $68.  If planning on driving, when in L.A., allow yourself ample time to arrive. Unless you are staying at one of the hotels at nearby LAX, you’re likely to be driving a fair distance along with our famous traffic. L.A. continues to be a sprawling city with no true central point so plan accordingly. You may also want to keep in mind the KIA Forum and SoFi Stadium are neighboring venues that can host events coinciding with Clippers games. To encourage alternate ways of arrival, free gameday shuttles  from various public transit park & ride hubs are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Return on Investment 4 Excluding the parking, which at the cheapest will be $68, tickets for most games are still reasonably priced. Prices from the Intuit Dome app start as low as $29 for seats in the upper terrace wall to as much as $250 for floor level seats via third party sites. If you have an account through the Intuit Dome app, you may be able to score some day of game deals for as low as $21. For games against prime opponents such as the Lakers, Warriors and Celtics expect a significant hike with prices starting in the triple digits at $150.    Regardless what outlet you decide to purchase your tickets you, as well as other attendees from your party will need to add the IntuitDome App  to your mobile device. Once the app has been downloaded each attendee must create their own profile as well as a GameFace ID (Selfie) or an Identity Pass that can be added to your Google or Apple Wallet.  Once a profile has been created the ticket purchaser can transfer the tickets to each attendee in their group. If bringing anyone 13 or under or anyone else needing assistance, a Teammate account can be set up for them.  Are you confused? Don’t feel so bad. What may seem as advanced technology has had its glitches since the venue's first event and should you still have any reservations or questions regarding the use of the app, an Answers Portal is located right at the entrance prior to entering the lower bowl concourse. Extras 4 The moment fans step inside the main outdoor plaza they will experience a vibrant atmosphere. The outdoor plaza, open to the public on non event days, offers a full length basketball court where fans can show off their hoops skills alongside an LED screen displaying an array of Artificial Intelligence based art .  Intuit Dome Art and Hoops, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Another unique work of art that fans will be attracted to is a Clipper ship displaying various basketball hoops , making for a great meeting point. Intuit Dome Clipper Ship, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Once inside the arena fans will notice a display of basketball jerseys from every high school in California located throughout the lower concourse. This is one of the more popular displays inside the arena as fans try to find the location of their high school jersey. Fans can find their high school jersey with the assistance of this link , also available on the display wall. Intuit Dome California High School Basketball Jersey Display, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Inside the seating bowl fans will notice a console that allows them to play games such as team trivia during breaks in the action. The interactive console consists of multi colored buttons allowing fans the chance to play along. The console also comes equipped with an in-seat outlet to charge your phone. Final Thoughts With just under 18,000 seats, the Intuit Dome just may be the most intimate of all NBA arenas. In its first season, like any new venue, its had its hits and misses. Could the Intuit Dome be the model for how any potential future NBA arenas are built? Will fans eventually be accepting of the so-called technological advances that come with attending an event inside this sparkling new venue? The only thing that’s missing that can be built over time is history such as that at Crypto.com Arena, now in its 25th year of service. Once you get past all the technical stuff required to enter the Intuit Dome, you are sure to be impressed with what the Clippers can finally call their own.  Click here  for more of my thoughts on the Intuit Dome game day experience and also check out my YouTube video below for more.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Columbia IceField Arena 220 Columbia St. W Waterloo, ON N2L 0A1 Waterloo Warriors website Columbia IceField Arena website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 680 Waterloo’s Barn They just don’t build them like this anymore.  Taking the ice in 1963 for the first time the Waterloo Warriors represented their fledgling school with pride.  The school was established in 1959 as an outgrowth of modern day’s Wilfrid Laurier University, located up University Ave, Waterloo ballooned into a huge school with over 40,000 students and one of the strongest reputations for engineering and computer science.  Success for the Warriors on the ice has been up and down in the ultra-competitive OUA conference of USports, culminating with Queen’s Cup Championships as conference champions in 1974 and 1996 and a University Cup as National Champions in 1974. Home for the Warriors since 1983 has been the Columbia IceField Arena.  Cheekily named after the natural phenomenon located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and its location on Columbia Street in Waterloo, the CIF is a throwback to a lost time.  The home of the Warriors, is essentially and affectionately a barn. Food & Beverage 1 In previous years a concession booth could be found inside the Columbia IceField, however, it seems those days are past.  The concession booth has been repurposed and a couple of vending machines are the entirety of the culinary selection.  In the recreation centre there is a Jugo Juice stand, but it is rarely to never open during hockey games.  Atmosphere 4 The Columbia IceField Arena was originally built in 1983 and is now part of a larger recreation centre for the University of Waterloo.  From the exterior it is clear where the additions have taken place as the arena roof with its brown shingles pokes up above the rest of the rec centre.  The main entry from the cul-de-sac is on the east side and the rec centre has an attractive silver and glass exterior.  Upon entry, fans are met with the main ticket booth and then head to the arena lobby.  Welcomed by the starkness of the black colouring of the lobby walls, fans are met with the ticket table and enter the small lobby.  The lobby has a number of interesting nuggets for fans of the program to examine.  The Warriors have done a very good job documenting their history.  The lobby is filled with pictures of Warrior Alumni who have gone on to play professionally.  Of particular interest is the group of alumni coaches, including NHL coaches Geoff Ward and Karl Taylor.  An encased jersey for Tyler Norrie, who passed away too young, while still a Warrior hangs with an inscription.  A large trophy case houses information about the current Warrior hockey teams. Upon entering the arena itself, fans are immediately struck with the sudden drop in temperature and the amazing architecture.  The eyeline is drawn to the gorgeous hardwood ceiling with arched supports that give the CIF that feeling of a throwback arena to a different time, when ice surfaces were in actual barns.  The arena is not very huge and feels more like an arena for youth hockey as one built for spectator sports.  The ice surface runs from west to east with the seating on the north side of the ice.  For video purposes, the main logo is oriented towards the south, where the media box and cameras are situated above the player benches.  The bleachers are a mere three rows giving fans a literal ice level view.  Hanging above the ice surface are the Waterloo championship banners which include the 1974 and 1996 Ontario championship banners along with the 1974 National Championship banner.  The honoured numbers of Warriors Mike Bishop, Don Langlois, John Wynne, Mike Zettel and Ron Hawkshaw also hang above the ice surface in an unusual nod to hockey history not normally found in the OUA.  Team photos of the championship teams are on the west wall, welcoming fans as they head towards the bleachers.  Hockey scoreboards hang above the southeast and northwest corners. The gameday production at a Waterloo Warriors hockey game is simple.  The PA system is good and it is easy for fans to understand the announcements.  At some games the Warrior band will be present, sitting in the northeast corner.  The band is pretty small, but adds to the overall atmosphere and has been around for decades. Neighbourhood 4 The Columbia IceField Arena is located at the north edge of the campus of the University of Waterloo.  The main campus is bordered by University  Ave and Columbia Street and the CIF is located just on the opposite side of Columbia.  There are a number of options for pre or post game meals in the area, but most would require a significant hike.  The University Club is located on campus, but has very limited, weekday lunch hours.  Heading east to the offerings of King Street or south to University Ave would be the best idea.  Some options include Morty's Pub, Ennio’s Pasta House, Games on Tap, Mel’s Diner and Molly Bloom’s. There are a number of other sporting options available in Waterloo.  The Warriors field a number of other athletic teams including football  and basketball .  Just up the street is Wilfrid Laurier University and the Golden Hawks also field football , basketball  and hockey  teams among others.  Junior B hockey is in Waterloo with the Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins.  Heading to the twin city of Kitchener, fans could take in the Kitchener Panthers  of Intercounty baseball, although the schedules will not match up, or the sporting centrepiece of the area, the Kitchener Rangers  of the OHL.  Kitchener-Waterloo is renowned for Oktoberfest, which is the largest Bavarian festival in the world outside of Frankfurt, Germany.  Other tourist spots would include The Museum, Jazz Room or nearby St. Jacob’s Market. For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Delta and Courtyard are short drives from campus. Fans 2 OUA hockey is a bit of a hidden gem that unfortunately, not enough people know about.  The Waterloo Warrior fanbase is not huge.  In the 2023-2024 hockey season, the Warriors averaged 140 fans per game, which was up from the previous year.  This ranked them 15th in the conference where only one school attracts over 1,000 fans per game.  The attendance is not too underwhelming for the OUA as a number of schools attract around the same number of fans.  Waterloo’s advantage is that the CIF holds a mere 680 people so it does not require a big crowd to add to the atmosphere.  That being said, there is plenty of room for the Warriors to improve.   Access 3 Getting to the Columbia IceField Arena is not too difficult.  Located at the north side of the University of Waterloo campus, the IceField is easy to get to by major Waterloo streets including Columbia Street and University Avenue.  The IceField is a fair distance from highway 85 and fans will have to drive a bit through the city to get to the arena.  Parking is available for free on weekends and in the evening behind the optometry building on the other side of Hagey Blvd, opposite the arena.  There are also cash lots in the Columbia IceField Athletic Centre lot and across Columbia Street on Ring Road.   For fans wishing to take public transit, Grand River Transit buses stop along Columbia St and at multiple points on the University of Waterloo campus.  The light rail also stops on the University of Waterloo Campus and beyond, but there is a bit of a walk from the stop to the CIF.  Fans should check out the   Grand River Transit  website for fares, maps and schedules.   The ticketing booth is immediately inside the Columbia IceField Athletic Centre entrance from the cul-de-sac off of Hagey Blvd.  Cash and credit cards are accepted.   Getting around the arena can be a chore.  With such a small space, a decent crowd can jam up the works quickly.  The lobby in the arena is not huge and a logjam trying to get in can slow things up significantly.  There are two small washrooms in the entryway of the arena, one for each gender.  Even a crowd of a couple hundred fans can put a real strain on the facilities. Return on Investment 4 Canadian university hockey is one of the last great bargains in sport.  Waterloo Warrior hockey tickets are available for $10 for adults.  Seniors and students pay only $8 and children go for $5.  University of Waterloo students have free entry.  Concessions are very limited and parking can be found for free.  Put this all together and the investment is very small.  The return for that investment is very good.  The product on the ice is solid and the building is very unique and offers a good atmosphere.  Some concession options would improve the return for sure, even the availability of coffee or hot chocolate to combat the cold temperatures would be welcome. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Waterloo Warriors ongoing rivalry with their neighbours up the street, the Laurier Golden Hawks.  The rivalry is tracked across all sports and the Battle of Waterloo trophy is awarded each year. An extra mark for the history on display at the Columbia IceField. An extra mark for the uniqueness of the CIF and the throwback architecture of the building. Final Thoughts Taking in a Waterloo Warriors hockey game is a great way to enjoy some hockey at a very low price and in a facility that is truly unique.  The Columbia IceField Arena is definitely not oversized and offers a different experience than all of the other OUA hockey facilities.  Hopefully, the Warriors can enjoy some more success at the barn and challenge in the OUA for another Queen’s Cup soon. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Raimondi Park 1689 20th St Oakland, CA  94607 Map It Oakland Ballers website Raimondi Park website Year Opened: 1947 Capacity: 2,500 You Can’t Take Baseball out of Oakland Baseball returns to Oakland via the B’s (Ballers) instead of the A’s (Athletics).  After the announcement that the Oakland Athletics would be moving out of Oakland at the end of the 2024 season, two former Oaklanders decided to build a baseball team to create an identity that unites the citizens of Oakland.   They envision the team and the stadium as a place to help heal the wounds of Oakland sports fans. It’s a remarkable story to hear about the team’s management reaching out to the fan base for assistance finalizing the ballpark’s renovation to make it usable for opening day.  Bringing the fans together and making them feel part of the team and organization helps the healing process. Raimondi Park opened in 1910 as Bayview Park and renamed in 1947.  It is dedicated to Ernie Raimondi, an Oakland native who played in the minors, who was killed in action in World War II.   A $1.6 million investment went into th e current re novation of historic Raimondi Park.  Crews built the stadium quickly (in two months or so).  It works as a first-year minor league stadium with upgrades on the list for future years. The Oakland Ballers are one of the newest independent Pioneer Baseball League members, beginning play in 2024.  Food & Beverage 3 The Oakland Ballers provide a decent choice of refreshments and an excellent choice of canned beers. Most concessions are behind the first base grandstand, with another small table behind the third base seats.  Traditional stadium fare is sold at the concession stands behind the first base grandstand.  Hot dogs, bratwurst (including a vegan option), nachos, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, fries, and more sell in the $9 - $14 range.  Sodas are Coca-Cola brands.  Beer choices are too numerous to list.  A local brewery, Almanac, created a special beer called Ballers Love just for the team.  It’s a hazy IPA and tastes pretty good.  Beers generally run $12 a can. Beer Choices at Raimondi Park, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The venue has rotating food trucks located near the right field entrance.  This area is probably your best bet for yummy food.  Be sure to visit this spot before getting something from the traditional concession area.  Atmosphere 4 It’s a fun time at a Ballers game.  With the game action, between-inning contests, Oakland 68s, and special themed nights, visitors will enjoy themselves. Almost every home game is a special event night:  Halloween in August, First Responders Night, BART Night, Rugby Night, Latino Heritage Night, etc. The seats are built and placed above the field.  It is similar to a temporary Formula 1 racetrack  setup. Premium reserved seats behind home are fold-down chairs with minimal width and legroom .  The other reserved seats (behind the dugouts) and GA (general admission) seating are bleachers. A f ew sections in the GA areas are net-free. Yeah!  The seating areas have handrails.  Ramps and an ADA lift are available for those unable to climb steps.  The first base side is more popular and has more seats.  The su n shines on  fans on the third base side for the first few innings.  The seating areas do not have shade, though most games are played in the evening.  Bring sunscreen if it’s an afternoon game.  Bring a jacket or sweatshirt for evening games, as it can get chilly when the sun sets. The press box and dugouts are manufactured from old shipping containers, a nod to Oakland’s Seaport just a few miles away.    A new video board sits in right-center field.  It displays the line score, home team player information, balls, strikes, and outs.  It only shows the lineup for the Ballers, not the visiting team.  A whiteboard with the starting lineup is something the organization is looking to do for next season. Apartments are beyond right field; an ivy-covered brick warehouse is beyond left field. Fans can see the city of Oakland in the distance beyond the third baseline.  The bullpens are adjacent to each other next t o the ri ght field foul pole. Raimondi Park Bullpens, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The gameday operations do a fantastic job at lowering the music volume when the PA announcer speaks.  Thankfully, there’s minimal ‘noise’ between the pitches, so fans get to enjoy the game and the Oakland 68s drums and cheers. Fun between-inning contests include a dizzy bat race, banshee boogie races, and more.  Kids get to run the bases, and the players sign autographs after Sunday games.  Good stuff and not overdone! Neighborhood 3 There is not much to see and do within walking distance of Raimondi Park. Kowbird is known for its spicy chicken sandwiches and is a block away. A few local Mexican restaurants are less than a half mile from the ballpark. The best place for food, drinks, and entertainment in Oakland is Jack London Square , a little over two miles from the ballpark.    Here you’ll find seafood restaurants (Scott’s Seafood and Seabreeze on the Dock), French cuisine (Left Bank Brasserie), American (Fat Lady Bar and Restaurant, Oakland Grill, Nation’s Giant Burgers and Pies), and much more. Several delicious breweries are in Jack London Square:  Line 51 Brewery (recommended), Oakland United Beerworks, Cellarmaker, and more. There are no hotels near the ballpark.  Downtown Oakland (two or so miles from Raimondi Park) has a Residence Inn, a Ramada, a Marriott, a Courtyard, and more. Other sports to see when in town include the Oakland Roots (USLC), Oakland Soul (USLW), and the San Francisco Giants (MLB).   Plenty of Pecos League baseball teams are within a 30-minute drive:  San Rafael Pacifics , Martinez Sturgeon , Vallejo Seaweed , and the Dublin Leprechauns .  Fans 3 You have to admire Oakland sports fans, still showing up for sporting events after losing three of its major league professional teams in the last decade.   First are the Oakland 68s , a group of loyal Oakland sports fans who bang drums, wave flags and banners, and cheer all Oakland sports teams (kind of like soccer supporter groups).  They visit Raimondi Park and embrace the Ballers as they did the Athletics.    The Oakland Ballers have the warmest, friendliest staff members who smile, make you feel welcome, and are willing to chat for a bit if desired.  The wonderful thing about the Oakland fans is the diversity and acceptance of other fans’ cultures and lifestyles.  Access 3 Raimondi Park is in West Oakland, not far off I-880.  Free parking is on the streets surrounding the ballpark.  The stadium has two lots that range from $8 - $20.  The team encourages fans to take the BART to the West Oakland station, and a shuttle will pick fans up.  I tried this and waited more than 45 minutes for a shuttle, but it never arrived.  Instead, I took the 29 bus, but it dropped me off in Timbuktu, and I had to hoof it back to the stadium anyway.  Taking the BART is a fantastic idea, but I wouldn’t count on the shuttle.  Maybe that’ll be an improvement for the 2025 season. Uber and Lyft are plentiful in the neighborhood. San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport is the closest commercial airport, 11 miles south of the ballpark. The stadium has two entrances, one at 20th St and Willow St, the other on 18th St.  Fans go through security first, then can purchase their tickets (no paper, they text you a link).  A sign says clear bags only.  I saw several fans with non-clear bags, so I’m unsure if it’s enforced.  I’d recommend bringing your items in a 14” x 6” x 14” clear sports bag. The venue has enough ramps for fans who can’t use stairs, and it has an ADA lift.  The restrooms are porta-potties, something I recommend looking at upgrading for future seasons.  Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $12 - $35.  These are on the high end for Pioneer League games. Premium Reserved Seat ticket + fees: $35.00 Bleacher Reserved Seat ticket + fees: $28.00 General Admission Seat ticket + fees: $24.00 Ballers Bargain Bleacher ticket + fees: $18.00   Concession prices are about average.  Fans can get free parking on the street (arrive early).  Once the shuttle is working, taking the BART is an excellent, affordable choice.  The game day experience is fun and worth the sports dollar entertainment expense. The team has plenty of theme night games, so look those up when planning a trip to West Oakland. . Extras 5 The Pioneer League and the Oakland Ballers are testing the ball-strike challenge, where the pitcher, catcher, or batter can question a ball or strike.  Kelsie Whitmore, a member of the Oakland Ballers, was the first female player to start a game in Pioneer League history in 2024.  She did it at Raimondi Park. The mascot, Scrappy, is a possum and is a tribute to the possums residing at the Oakland Coliseum.  The team has a ceremonial first batter instead of a first pitch. The stadium has a mural for four baseball players whose roots are in Oakland:  Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, Vada Pinson, and Ernie Raimondi. Built By Oakland, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Attending an Oakland Ballers game at Raimondi Park is an inclusive, community-oriented event, perfect for the entire family.  Kudos to the owners and team for developing a much more fan-based sports team to assist Oaklanders with the healing process of losing the Athletics.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 AutoZone Park 200 Union Ave Memphis, TN 38103 Memphis 901 FC website AutoZone Park website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 14,320 Playing In The Zone Memphis 901 FC was founded as an expansion team before the 2019 soccer season got underway. The team plays at the Championship level of play within the USL. The first two years of the franchise resulted in losing seasons, but the team posted winning records each of the last two seasons. The home pitch for Memphis 901 is AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis. It opened in 2000 as the home of the AAA Memphis Redbirds baseball team. The stadium cost a staggering $80.5 million, making it one of the most expensive minor league stadiums in the country. AutoZone Park is built to MLB standards so that it can easily be expanded to meet the requirements of a future major league baseball franchise. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 for baseball, but it is considerably less for soccer due to the pitch’s configuration on the baseball field. Food & Beverage 4 The concession stands at AutoZone Park offer a wide variety of food options. American Dog offers multiple types of hot dogs, including the Memphis Dog ($7.50) a Veggie Dog ($5), or a Jumbo Hot Dog ($5). It also offers the typical ballpark fare of cracker jacks ($4.50), peanuts ($5.25), and Coca-Cola brand sodas ($5). The Farm to Fowl stand offers Beale Street Burgers combos ($12), Cheeseburger combos ($7), Black Bean Burger combos ($9.50) a Chicken Tenders combo ($8.75), and a Fish N Chips combo ($12). All combos include a soft drink and fries. Fans with a sweet tooth can head to the Sweet Treats concession stand. It offers root beer floats ($8) ice cream in a bowl ($8) or a waffle cone ($7) and cotton candy ($5). Fans looking for an adult beverage can quench their thirst at the Brew House. It offers a wide variety of premium ($11.50 for a 24 oz can) and domestic beers ($10.50 for a 24 oz can) with a wide variety of craft beers ($10.50 for a craft draft or $8.50 for a craft can). The Brew House also sells cocktails ($9.25), margaritas ($11.25), and wine ($8.75). Atmosphere 0 AutoZone Park is a terrific place to enjoy a baseball game, a soccer match, or an outdoor concert. The developers spent more than $80 million to build the park, making it the most expensive minor league stadium in the country at the time. It is money well spent, as it offers a facility that feels more like a major league stadium. The exterior of the stadium is brick with lots of ornamental iron. There is a fan plaza outside of the main gates that feature several baseball statues and metal plates of art featuring a stylized stadium. The teams often have a band playing during the pregame or prematch periods. Once inside the stadium, you are behind the home plate for baseball games or a corner kick from the left side of the soccer pitch. The concourse splits in two ways, creating a Y-shaped seating bowl. There is also a second, club-level set of seats. All seats are close to the action, and the concourse is open to the field, so you will not miss any of the action if you head to the concession stand. The soccer pitch goes down the first base line, which offers the largest set of seats in the stadium. One end of the pitch is designated as the supporter group section, while the other end of the pitch features the Terminix Terrace, a group seating and party area. Towering over the Terminix Terrace is the giant videoboard, which provides event information, replays of the action, and fan contests during breaks in the match. A second, horizontal scoreboard is on the far side of the pitch, featuring sponsors’ information and other match-related info. Neighborhood 4 AutoZone Park is centrally located in downtown Memphis, with easy access to many of the city’s top tourist attractions. The stadium is located just east of the Cotton Row Historic District and just a few blocks over from Historic Beale Street. Memphis is the third-largest city in Tennessee and has plenty to offer visitors as far as accommodations, great BBQ, and tourist sights. Beale Street is within walking distance of AutoZone Park. It offers the best in Blues music in several nightclubs along the way. A must-see while in the area is the Memphis Rock N Soul Museum. It is curated by the Smithsonian Institute and offers an in-depth look at the origins of soul/blues music. Although not in the downtown area, no visit to Memphis can be complete until you have paid your respects to Elvis and visited Graceland. Memphis is known as one of the top BBQ destinations in the World. Restaurants especially known for their BBQ include B.B. King’s Blues Club and Corky’s. Fans 4 Soccer has been a popular sport in the Memphis area for years before it had a professional team. The youth soccer programs across Western Tennessee attract more than 8,000 participants on an annual basis. The University of Memphis has had very successful men’s and women’s soccer programs for a number of years. It is upon these foundations that Memphis 901 FC has built a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic fanbase. The primary fanbase is established around the team’s primary supporter group, the Bluff City Mafia. (The City of Memphis is built on a bluff that looks out over the Mississippi River) The group takes part in several aspects of the team’s operation. Its’ primary interest lies in supporting the team, and secondarily serves as a support to the individual players on the team. Many of the international players on Memphis 901 FC have no family in the USA during the segment of the year that they play in Memphis. The supporter group helps them to navigate the local area and create a sense of family by inviting them to group functions. The Bluff City Mafia also creates a tifo, or banner, for each home game. They also work to create signature chants or songs, which are unique to Memphis. They typically will have many drummers that are very active in the organization, as they provide rhythmic drumming throughout the team’s matches. The supporter groups also have a charitable purpose, as they often do fundraisers for a citywide charity or a more specialized set of fundraisers for members of the group that might be going through a serious illness. Of course, supporter groups are legendary for their socialization purpose. The Bluff City Mafia meets hours before each game at the Brass Door Pub, which is located several blocks from AutoZone Park. At the appointed hour they will march as a large and boisterous group to AutoZone Park through the streets of Downtown Memphis. Upon entering the stadium, they fill aisles 108-112 as the supporter section is located directly behind the goal at the enclosed end of the pitch. They make it very difficult for the opposing goalie to concentrate or communicate with his teammates. The remainder of the crowd is usually made up of college students and youth soccer organizations wearing their colorful kits. For detailed information on the supporter group meetings, please go to www.bluffcitymafia901.com Memphis 901 FC has four pub partners that host watch parties when the team has a road game. The watch parties take place at Aldo’s Pizza, Silky O’Sullivan’s, Celtic Crossing, and the Ghost River Brewing Company. Access 4 AutoZone Park is centrally located in the downtown area of Memphis. If you are staying in one of the downtown hotels or in a hotel along the Mississippi River, it is within walking distance of the ballpark. Memphis also has a Trolley car line that delivers you directly to AutoZone Park. The line has fourteen stops along its route, providing the opportunity to reach your hotel, attractions including Beale Street, the FedEx Forum, the National Civil Rights Museum as well as some terrific BBQ restaurants, all at just a $2.00 cost for a day pass. There are numerous parking lots surrounding AutoZone Park. They typically have security on-site on nights when an AutoZone Park event is scheduled. They typically charge $10 on match nights. Once at AutoZone Park, you will find it very easy to navigate. The stadium has an exterior plaza before you go through the security at the gate. This provides you with an excellent place to meet your friends prior to the match. There are multiple gates to enter the actual stadium without delay. The concourse area is atop the lower seating bowl of the stadium. Concourses are wide and are open to the field, so you will find them easy to navigate. The club level can be accessed via an elevator or stairs. Return on Investment 5 Memphis 901 FC games are very reasonably priced, which is why you see many families in attendance. Tickets start at $13 for General Admission seating behind the goal at the enclosed end of the pitch. The supporter section is considered General Admission seating as well. The lower-level seats along the side of the pitch are priced at $15. End of the field seats at the 200 level of seating cost $26. The most expensive seats are in sections 211-215, as they are priced at $65, but are also all-inclusive for food and beverage. Getting to a game can be very economical if you use the Trolley system that runs along the bluff and circulates past many of the tourism and lodging locations in the downtown area. A full-day ticket is just $2 for unlimited rides. There are three parking lots adjacent to the stadium. If you get there early, there are metered parking spaces nearby. Meters are free after 6 pm. Extras 3 AutoZone Park has hosted the AAA All-Star game as well as the AAA National Championship Game. The videoboard at AutoZone Park is the largest in the MiLB at 60 X 60. AutoZone Park has been selected as the Minor League Ballpark of the Year on two occasions. Final Thoughts AutoZone Park was the most expensive minor league sports facility in the country when it opened in 2000. It has been money well spent, as it offers a major league experience in a minor league park. The Memphis 901 FC opened shop in the USL in 2019 and have drawn very well in their home matches. The pitch alignment on the baseball field allows much of the seating bowl with a very close-up view of the action. In addition, AutoZone Park offers an excellent set of concession stands with a wide variety of food selections. The park also offers a huge scoreboard at the end of the pitch to provide a very clear view of replays and other valuable information. After the match, fans can head over to Beale Street and enjoy the many Blues clubs and the great BBQ restaurants that Memphis is so famous for.

Old Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Photo Courtesy of Baseball Digest Our next of several features on former Cactus League spring training facilities, some of which still exist and some do not. Old Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, AZ opened in 1936 and sat near the corner of South Central Ave. and Mohave St. 1959 Phoenix Municipal Stadium Aerial Photo, Photo Courtesy of Oldmapsonline.com Baseball athletes in assorted local baseball and minor league teams played games there as well as wrestling matches, dog racing and other entertainment. The New York Giants came to town in 1947 for spring training (the year the Cactus League was born). Horace Stoneham of the Giants and Bill Veeck of the Indians were instrumental in bringing the spring game to Arizona. Before the Giants During the May 1939 Arizona Cotton Festival (Six Full Days of Frolic and Fun!), the park was the end point of the Cotton Parade. The festival sponsors (cotton companies of the valley) donated then collected the loose cotton used on parade floats in the stadium at the end of the event. The cotton was returned to the mill at the end of the festival. Cotton and its byproducts were once a major cash crop in Arizona. The Williams Field Fliers and SCU (Service Command Unit) baseball of Fort Huachuca played nine innings at the park. Noted Negro Leaguer Thomas Turner of the Chicago American Giants is on a 1944 roster. Announcement Nogales International Aug 30, 1946 A January 31, 1947 Arizona Sun news article states “Face lifting operations on the Municipal Stadium in Phoenix are about completed, and the results closely resemble the transformation of an old witch to a beautiful lady.” The turf was uneven, dugouts were old, the home plate was too close to the grandstand. Fences needed taking down and replaced with new ones, the locker room facilities needed expansion and modernization. The Giants sent head groundskeeper, Matt Schwab, to supervise the work and make sure the crew put the diamond into proper shape. Horace Stoneham, then president of the New York Giants, expressed pleasure with the results. The Giants reported for spring training Feb 17, 1947. That season, the team drew 23,192 fans over eight games booked. Stadium Activity The park was certainly not dormant when the Giants went back home for summer. Barnstorming teams from San Antonio (Arizona Meets Texas! the headlines read). The ‘impregnable’ Thunderbirds, Arizona’s crack team. May 1947 Arizona Sun . The Phoenix Senators/Stars (Arizona Mexican League) and the Pacific Coast League (AAA) Phoenix Giants used the stadium. Records of Fourth of July celebrations and ‘meet the candidate’ events were held at the venue. In April 1949, Antoneo Ponce, pitcher for the Phoenix Senators got married at the ballpark, followed by some entertainment, and then a ballgame. Price of the seats: bleachers 45¢, grandstand 65¢, and boxes $1.25. Baseball parties to promote interest in local baseball and make a little money for the Beth-El’s Hebrew School occurred as early as 1954. “The City gained control of the stadium in October, 1954 through purchase of the lease from the Phoenix Municipal Stadium Corporation. It assured the New York Giants a permanent spring training site in Phoenix. The Giants signed a five-year contract with the City to return to Phoenix for spring training with an option for an additional five years. Possession of the stadium by the City was necessary to meet the requirements of the contract.” Arizona Sun , February 29, 1957. The Phoenix Suns, an all-valley professional football team played at Municipal Stadium in the fall of 1957. The city leased the stadium to the team for the season. The stadium was spruced up the spring of 1957 in anticipation of the returning New York Giants. Concession stands, bleachers and the grandstand seats were repainted. Maintenance staff refurbished the grounds with additional maintenance work completed at the other stadium facilities. It had an appraised value of $135,000 at this time. The New York Giants played their spring games at Old Phoenix Municipal Stadium from 1947 – 1950, 1952 – 1963. In 1951 they switched sites with the New York Yankees. The Giants played in St. Petersburg, FL. This was a one-year arrangement. In 1957, the MLB Giants team left New York for San Francisco and came back to Phoenix as the San Francisco Giants the spring of 1958. They moved their spring training to the new Phoenix Municipal Stadium in 1964. Today, truck trailers sit where the entrance, grand stand and infield were once. A Salvation army thrift store, and a water truck sales and parts equipment company sit across the street where the parking lot was. Where Old Phoenix Municipal Stadium Once Stood, Nov 2020, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey

Photos by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Simmons Field 7817 Sheridan Rd Kenosha, WI 53143 Kenosha Kingfish website Simmons Field website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 3,218 The Kings of Kenosha Simmons Field was originally constructed in 1920 when the Simmons Mattress Company built the ballpark. It would burn down by the end of the decade, but a new grandstand was constructed in 1930.   It was the home to clubs such as the Kenosha Comets of the All-American Professional Baseball League (1948-1951), the Kenosha Twins of the Midwest League (1984-92), the Kenosha Kroakers of the Northwoods League (1993-1999) and the Kenosha Mammoths of the Frontier League (2003). The ballpark underwent a major renovation in 2014, and minor updates have been made since then. The renovations included new seating (3,218 capacity), multi-level suites, field-level tabletop full-service seats, and the inclusion of kids and party areas to get the ballpark ready for the Kenosha Kingfish in the Northwoods League. Before the 2024 season, the Kingfish installed field turf, LED lighting for the field, a new LED scoreboard, and a digital scoring system. An upgraded netting system was installed behind the home plate which extends down the baselines, making it much easier to see through. Additionally, the Kingfish constructed new bullpens outside the field of play as well as resurfacing key group areas throughout the stadium.  The Bambino, a 43-foot-long by 13-foot-wide former commercial fishing boat, was installed in the left field corner and is used as a portion of the fence. It was refurbished and is used for private parties of up to 25 people, complete with concessions, drink rails, and stool seating during all home games. Simmons Field The Bambino, Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Some interesting tidbits about the park is the original grandstand of the stadium still exists, sort of.  The “twin suites” were built using wood and seat parts from the third base seating area from the Simmons Field from 1984 -2013. Blue seats in these suites were the original box seats from the grandstand and date back to 1930. In addition, the rest of the stadium seating was replaced with recycled seats from Baltimore’s Camden Yards. Food & Beverage 5 There are five (5) food stands/kiosks in the park. The lines do get long and don’t move very fast. However, the food at the Kingfish is really good. There are the usual walking tacos ($7.50), nachos ($5.50), tacos ($10), and elotes ($6.50). Hamburgers ($6), cheeseburgers (6.50), brats ($6.50), grilled chicken sandwiches ($7.25), pizza ($5), Philly cheesesteak ($7.50), Italian sausage ($6.50), cranberry-walnut chicken salad sandwiches ($7.50) and mac & cheese ($5) are a few of the other offerings. The Kingfish have a couple of choices for vegetarians too with the Beyond Burger and plant-based chicken tenders ($9.75). They have great sides such as ½ pound of fried cheese curds ($8), sweet potato fries ($6), and onion rings ($6). Popcorn is $3.50, peanuts $5 and chips are $3. In addition, they do have ice cream cones ($3.75-$6) depending on the size and cone. Ice cream sandwiches are $4-$5. An “Elvis” sundae (in a helmet) costs $7.50. Having been to the ballpark numerous times, there isn’t a bad food item. The beer selection is outstanding. Of course, being in Wisconsin, there is Miller, Coors, and Pabst ($6). Imports and Craft beer are $7; they have Modelo, Corona, Leinenkugel, and Blue Moon, along with a local microbrew, Kingfish Beer. Seltzers are available with White Claw and Vizzy ($7). Topo Chico, Cayman Jack, Twisted teas, hard lemonade, and Arnold Palmer Spiked tea are available for $6. If you are lucky and the designated hitter from the opposing team strikes out, beverages are 2 for 1 for the rest of the inning. Their soda selection is Pepsi products. Bottled sodas are $5 and water / Zoa energy drinks are $4. Atmosphere 4 The official mascot is King Elvis who is a fish dressed in a white jumpsuit.  He is found throughout the stadium and on the field; he delivers the baseballs before the game on an ATV. The official team store is decent-sized for the old stadium and houses a grand selection of swag from jerseys, shirts, and caps. Best of all, they’re all reasonably priced. The history of the park is on the outside of the stands on the first base side.  They have blown up old newspaper articles, pictures, and events that took place at Simmons Field throughout its history. Simmons Field History, Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey The staff is very friendly, welcoming, and helpful. If you have any questions, they will answer them and if they don’t know, they will find out for you. There are also postgame fireworks every Saturday night.   The concourse area of the first baseline is geared toward kids. There is a small play area that includes a bouncy house and other games for kids. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is located in a residential area with some commercial retail areas; there is a shopping center adjacent to the ballpark. For food, there is just about every chain restaurant down Route 50. However, there are many local institutions to eat at including the famous Brat Stop, located off of I-94 and Route 50 which has a great prime rib sandwich, beer cheese soup, and all kinds of cheese. Speaking of cheese, the Mars Cheese Castle is about 20 minutes from the ballpark. They have the biggest selection of cheese in the state. About 10 minutes from the stadium is Mason’s Eatery & Pub (7000 74th Place Kenosha) which has a good selection of craft beers and food that are very good and reasonably priced. The Spot Drive-In (2117 – 75th Street) is a local fast-food restaurant about 5 minutes from the ballpark that has been in business since 1945. It has hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, steak sandwiches, chicken/fish sandwiches etc. In addition, there are spicy bread green beans, and breaded pickles. If you want to do something else before the game you can go to the Lemon Tree Gallery and Art located about 2 miles north of the stadium. You could look at and/or buy art from local artists. Fans 4 The Kingfish have averaged about 2,000 to 2,500 a game since their inception. The fans have a good time, have an interest in the game, and enjoy the in-between inning activities such as t-shirt tosses, and toilet races (the Kingfish put 2 toilets on wheels and one person sits on the toilet and someone else pushes it. (It's kinda humorous.) At the games, you’ll find some of the parents of the players, however, I find that the Kingfish games are a place to hang out and spend some quality time with your family or significant other. Access 4 Getting to the park is very easy. It is located about 15 minutes from I-94 on State Route 50. There is plenty of free parking in the area and the neighborhood. In addition, tailgating is allowed in stadium lots. Small, hand-held clutches (4.5" x 6.5") are better options than large purses and are your best bet for an acceptable bag. Clear bags are better than opaque backpacks. Medical bags or kits are usually accepted at venues like Simmons Field but may be subject to inspection. Inside the ballpark, the stadium is very accommodating and there are plenty of spots to watch the game from. There is a large social area behind the main grandstand of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 You get a lot of bang for your buck with your tickets, which are $8, $12 (Dugout Box Reserved Seat), and $14 (Stadium Box Reserved Seat). The $8 tickets are in the Festival Foods Backyard Lawn area, which is down the right field line. Many times, during the season, the Kingfish have ticket deals where you buy a ticket, and you get a hot dog and a hat or t-shirt depending on the day's promotion. In addition, there’s the Miller Lite Fish Bowl which is a party area down the left field line and in left center, which features all-you-care-to-consume burgers, brats, hot dogs, walnut chicken sandwiches, coleslaw, chips, beer, soda and water for $37. Four-Top Tables are $50, and Suite tickets are $45. There are the special party and group areas that cost $27 (First Base Club) and $45 (the Bambino Party Boat). Both areas come with hamburgers, brats, hot dogs, appetizers, and beverages. Extras 3 The Kingfish earn an extra point for the history of the stadium and the use of parts from the former stadium in the current renovations. The players don’t have their locker rooms attached to the dugout so you will see players going out to the concourse before and during the game to use the bathroom, which I find funny. The Kingfish earn another point for their creativity with their game and/or between-inning promotions, i.e. the toilet bowl race. The Kingfish put 2 toilets on wheels and one person sits on the toilet and someone else pushes it - kinda humorous. Simmons Field Toilet Bowl Race, Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts The Kenosha Kingfish have regenerated life back into the old ballpark. The recent renovations greatly improve the ballpark. According to some fans, there are more renovations planned for the upcoming off-season. This ballpark is a place one should visit. There is history and fun all over the park. Simmons Field is one of my favorite parks on any level that I have been to.

Photos by Kirsten Richards, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.46 Sajik Stadium Sajik-dong, Dongnae-gu Busan, South Korea 607-121 Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 28,500 The Best of Busan and Baseball The Lotte Giants are one of the founding members of the Korean Professional Baseball League and moved in to Sajik Stadium when it opened in 1985. The Giants have been Champions twice – in 1984 and 1992 and are well-known for having an incredibly strong and vocal support base. Sajik Stadium is the largest baseball stadium in Korea and hosted the baseball part of the Asian Games in 2002. The city of Busan is the second biggest city in South Korea and the third busiest port in the world. It is famous for its popular calm beaches, beautiful seaside and mountain trails, and relaxed, friendly people. Food & Beverage 4 Sajik Stadium has all kinds of concessions, but they are very spread out and it is harder than expected to find the food you want. It is directly across the street from a popular entertainment district. As with all other baseball stadiums, you can bring in anything you like to Sajik Stadium, so you can choose to buy either from these shops, from the vendors that set-up outside the stadium close to game time, from the big Homeplus supermarket near the subway station, or to buy from the concession stands inside the stadium. There is a hot dog stand with hot dogs running $3-$6, the inevitable fried chicken and coffee stalls and concession stands selling Korean snacks, such as octopus, squid and dukbokki (fish cake). Soda and beer are the same price inside the stadium as outside the stadium, with beer running around $2/can. There are no queues on quiet nights at the stadium for the bathrooms or for the concession stands, but an evening with a full house requires substantially faster movement from the traveler. Atmosphere 5 Sajik Stadium has a very attractive swooping line from both the outside and the inside of the stadium. There are gorgeous views out of the stadium and over to tall buildings and the mountains from most places inside the stadium. The decoration above the scoreboard is a replica of the famous Gwangan Bridge. The Lotte Giants symbols, logo and decoration all make it clear that this team is from Busan. Fans are loud, very enthusiastic and Sajik has a couple of traditions which are extremely enjoyable to participate. One is making newspaper pom-poms, but far easier and hilarity-inducing is the wearing of orange shopping bags on one’s head between the 7th and 8th inning. The stadium itself is definitely showing its age in the state of the brown tile used throughout the concourse, the narrowness of the concourse itself and every bit of the stadium being blocked off by ushers from every other bit of the stadium. A wander through the stadium taking photos might require showing your ticket to several different ushers, most of whom will believe that you are lost and will helpfully direct you back to your section and seat. Most of the seating, including some of the pricier areas of the stadium are open to the elements. While the third base side gets the sun during the afternoon, by the time an evening game starts, the entire stadium is in welcome shade. The loudest part of the crowd is located directly above the cheerleading platform on the first base side. It’s a great place to quickly pick up the chants and cheers and really enjoy being part of the crowd. If you’d like a little more room, table-seating starts a little closer to the infield, but rapidly increases in price. Seating in the upper deck area behind home plate provides a great view of both the field and the surrounding countryside for a much cheaper price. The Lotte Giants provide plenty of entertainment between innings, with lots of Kiss Cam, including some gorgeous ‘kiss your kids’ shots. The cheerleaders perform some very interesting internationally inspired routines to a rousing response from the fans. Neighborhood 5 Sajik Stadium is part of a sports complex, but it is not cut-off from its surroundings at all. There is a restaurant/bar/café area directly across from the main entrance to the baseball stadium and this area is well served by buses. On the other side of the stadium, between the subway exit and the stadium is a large Homeplus. Busan is a very popular tourist destination with plenty to do and see. It’s easy to spend a week or so here and find something interesting and different to do every day. Haeundae Beach is Korea’s longest, most famous and most popular beach. It’s about a 40 minute bus ride from the stadium, or just under an hour on the subway. The beach is very busy both day and night, with rentable umbrellas and a non-stop festive atmosphere once the day cools down a little and people stop swimming. Bands, video DJs and buskers set-up all along the boardwalk and play until late into the evening on weeknights and weekends. There are pop-up bars and a seafood market where you can pick your dinner out of a tank and have it prepared on the spot. Shinsegae Centum City is also in Haeundae-gu and only a couple of stops away on the subway. It’s the largest department store in the world and home to SpaLand, where you can go for some serious relaxation time. Gwangalli Beach is another popular spot both day and night, with a lovely beach and the headlands perfectly frame the Gwangan/Diamond Bridge. Seeing the bridge lit up at night is one of the must-see sights of Busan and locals recommend seeing it from the mountains, rather than from the beach. The city meanders around mountains and along the coast, so there are easily accessible mountain hikes from nearly all parts of the city. The 1,300 year-old Beomgeosa Temple on Geumjeong mountain is accessible by public transport. There is also a wide variety of museums and art galleries throughout Busan as well. There are plenty of festivals held in Busan, the biggest of which is probably the Busan International Film Festival, but it’s always worth checking the Busan tourist information site for events being held in and around Busan. Busan is yet another very safe Korean city and there are no issues with walking or taking public transport alone at night. Fans 5 Lotte Giants fans are regarded as the most passionate in the league and they certainly cheer very hard for the team no matter what occurs during the game. Korea is fairly small and fans travel to baseball games, so there is always a strong representation of supporters of the visiting team at the ground. Lotte games sell out quickly. On a weeknight, you will likely be able to buy a ticket on the day, but this is less likely on the weekend. Tickets for the outfield can be purchased the day before the game from Busan Bank. Otherwise you will likely need the help of a Korean friend to acquire tickets from the website, as using the website requires the ability to speak Korean, a Korean credit card and a Korean phone registered in your name. If you are buying tickets on-site on the day, you must head up the ramp to the left of the team shop. There is nowhere to buy tickets at ground level. If you have been lucky enough to have made a reservation, you can print your tickets out at the machines on the ground level. Lotte supporters take the first base side and this is where the cheering platform is located. At this stadium, as at many others, seats just above the cheering platform are a great way to get involved and learn the team’s chants and songs very quickly. All parts of the stadium will join in the singing though, so you won’t miss out wherever you sit. This is another field where fans are very welcoming to strangers and your nearby neighbours in the crowd may surprise you with gifts of food and will definitely assist you to participate in some of the crowd rituals, such as tying a shopping bag on your head during the break between the 7th and the 8th innings. Access 4 Sajik Stadium is very easy to get to. The nearest airport is Gimhae International, which largely services flights to and from other parts of Asia. The airport is a stop on the green line of the Busan subway, as is the KTX train station and main express bus terminal. There are a number of other bus terminals in Busan, but all of them are connected to the subway, so it is easy to find your way around the city. Bus stops in Busan are also clearly marked and have a lot of information about the buses that stop at each stop, making it very easy to get around. Google Maps public transport is accurate for Busan and is probably the easiest way to plan your trip from your accommodation to and from the game. If choosing to travel via subway, you can use either Sports Complex or Sajik stations on the brown line – they are about the same distance from the stadium. If you want to go via Homeplus to buy snacks first, then Sports Complex is the station for you. Approximate travel times via subway to the stadium are as follows: Gimhae airport – 1 hour Haeundae beach – 50 minutes Downtown Busan – 30 minutes Busan KTX station – 1 hour 15 minutes Catching the bus is very easy and may be faster from some areas of Busan depending on the time of day and likely traffic conditions. There is free parking available at the sports complex. For the capacity of the stadium, the concourses are quite narrow and there are multiple choke-points. There are plenty of bathrooms, but it’s worth having a few napkins with you, as toilet paper does run out. Sajik Stadium also has the best viewing points for audience members in wheelchairs, with a large area on the infield first base sideline dedicated for wheelchairs. Return on Investment 5 A Lotte Giants game presents an excellent return on investment. Outfield tickets are about 6,000 won (about $6 USD) on the weekend and tickets are half-priced on weeknights, making table-seats and infield seats very affordable. The views from all parts of the stadium are lovely, the crowd is loud and good-humored and food and drinks are cheap and plentiful, should you choose to buy inside the stadium. Busan is also a lovely place to visit and it is well worth planning some non-baseball days and evenings to explore the city. . Extras 3 The Lotte Giants museum (free-entry) is worth a visit and includes some fascinating information about some of the Giants history. There are also interactive games and photo opportunities at the end of the museum. The path out of the museum puts you in the Giants merchandise shop, which contains a wide variety of merchandise options at all price levels. The fan traditions are particularly novel and enjoyable to participate in. The stadium also contains a nursing room and a playground.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Bank of America Stadium 800 S Mint St Charlotte, NC 28202 Carolina Panthers website Bank of America Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 75,525 Carolina Panthers – Bank of America Stadium Since 1995, the Carolinas have been home to the Panthers of the National Football League. Initially playing at Clemson University’s Frank Howard Memorial Stadium in their inaugural season, the Panthers would move to their permanent home, Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, the following season. Naming rights would change hands in 2004 when the stadium received its current name, Bank of America Stadium. Other than their brief stint at Clemson, Bank of America Stadium is the only home the Panthers have known in their nearly 30-year history. This puts the facility in prime discussions as needing significant renovations, or possibly a new stadium altogether. The Panthers do find themselves in a bit of a unique situation, where their current lease has expired while a new agreement is still being hammered out. Food & Beverage 5 A consistent theme the Panthers stay true to is their representation of the Carolinas, both North and South. This concept is seen in food and beverage options throughout Bank of America Stadium – a nacho stand dedicated to the Greenville, South Carolina native Duke’s BBQ sauces serves a variety of nachos and mac and cheese, while Charlotte-based fried chicken chain Bojangles is also represented with several locations around the 500 level. Carolina barbecue is also featured with pork sandwiches and wings slathered in the vinegar-based Carolina sauce. Fans also have several self-service options, from grab-and-go markets to self-pour mixed drinks and craft beer stations. Craft beer choices feature nearly 25 options, with high priority given to local breweries. The grab-and-go markets are found only on the 100 level; along the same line of self-service, fans can also order via QR codes posted around the stadium, and pick up their order when it is ready. Besides the regional foods, some real treats can be found in a handful of carts around the stadium. For 1 pm kickoffs fans can choose from a half dozen egg dishes from QC Breakfast, or even grab some Krispy Kreme donuts. La Caseta and Sabor Latin Street Grill both sell Mexican dishes, regional mac and cheese options can be found at State Line Mac & Cheese, and grilled cheese station Uptown Melts serves its unique creations. Bank of America Stadium does an excellent job of pulling together the tastes of the Carolinas. Though there are plenty of typical stadium options, they do seem to be average in their preparation. Possibly the best options are at the grill stations in Uptown Market, Mint Street Market, and Queen City Eatery, located just inside the main entry point on Mint Street. Stadium-wide, concessions prices are reasonable, which is a welcome relief when considering typical stadium price bumps. Atmosphere 3 Bank of America Stadium’s architectural design is very symmetrical with a completely enclosed, widened rectangle with rounded edges. It seems to have been created toward the end of the current design cycle, as many stadiums built after this used more of a segmented layout. Despite the bit of a dated design, the outside of the stadium does have a bit of a modern feel to it. The stadium incorporates a lot of black and Carolina blue, with dark glass to make the façade match the team color scheme. The three entry points into the main concourse are bookended with massive panther statues around the stadium, which fans line up to have their picture taken. During pre-game and throughout breaks in the action on the field, fans are entertained with pieces from the in-game host, interactive fan cams, and the Black and Blue Crew, the Panthers hype squad; along with Panthers mascot Sir Purr, the Black and Blue Crew tries to keep the enthusiasm of the fans up until play resumes. It is impossible to ignore the breathtaking view of the Charlotte skyline. The best views in the stadium come from the 500 level in sections running from the 550s to the mid-540s. Even though these seats are in the uppermost reaches of the stadium, there is not the feel of being completely removed from the action on the field. The large video board that runs along almost the entirety of the end of the stadium helps tie the skyline view to the stadium. The nearly 200-foot-long videoboard is matched by an identical one running along the top of the western end of the stadium, and the videoboards are complemented nicely by two ribbon boards that run above and below the 400-level of the stadium. The stadium itself keeps a consistent color scheme, as is evident with the sea of Carolina blue seats that almost fill the seating bowl. Carolina blue and black are prevalent throughout the stadium, and the two colors complement each other well. Night games highlight how impressive the blue is implemented into the game experience, however, when the stadium lights are dimmed and turned to a deep hue of blue that transforms the stadium – this is a particularly impressive sight to see. Despite talk of major upgrades, Bank of America Stadium gives fans a positive professional football experience. The atmosphere is hurt a bit by the recent struggles of the team in the win column. It is not that it is an overall disappointing time, but the stadium lacks a certain fervor that typically comes with teams who are either competing for division championships or have a historically passionate fanbase. On the whole, the stadium itself is easy to like; it just lacks an “IT” factor, which pushes the game-day experience at Bank of America Stadium toward the middle of the pack compared to other stadiums. Neighborhood 5 Bank of America Stadium is in the heart of Charlotte’s Uptown district, neighbored by Truist Field, home of the AAA Charlotte Knights , and is just a short walk to the Spectrum Center , home of the Charlotte Hornets . The NASCAR Hall of Fame is also within a mile. The neighborhood is also populated with several hotels and restaurants in the surrounding area, mostly concentrated to the east. In addition, a handful of bars along Morehead and Eldridge Streets host game day tailgating parties for fans to visit for pregame festivities. Fans 3 Fans of the Panthers are much like any typical fanbase – when things are going well the Panthers are the talk of the town, but if the team is struggling it shows in the actual turnout for games. Even though the Panthers have not had a great deal of success in recent years, they still rank in the top third of the NFL in attendance. Attendance numbers though are a count of tickets sold, not actual fans at the game, and there are a fair number of empty seats throughout a typical game. Fans are supportive and get loud during appropriate moments in the game, but the number of fans who are actively engaged from beginning to end is not nearly enough to make Bank of America Stadium an opposing environment that gives the home team a definite advantage. Outside of the Panther diehards, there does not seem to be an overwhelming frustration over the current win-loss situation that might be seen in some fanbases. This does seem to take something out of the atmosphere when it comes to fans being into the game. Access 4 Bank of America Stadium is conveniently located right off the junction of the I-277 bypass and Interstate-77, which runs north/south through North Carolina. The City of Charlotte also has an efficient light rail system that makes commuting to the stadium easier – the CLYNX Blue Line has stops at the Carson, Stonewall, and Convention Center stations, giving fans approximately just a five-minute walk to the facility. Stadium goers have two checkpoints of entry to the stadium; an outer perimeter security check screens fans before heading in to have their tickets scanned for entry. Each of these lines seems to move rather quickly, and fans do not have extremely long waits in line. Fans enter into the main level concourse, which passes under the seating area – this does get a bit packed during pre-game when fans are grabbing concessions and making their way to their seats, but it is no worse than would be found at other stadiums around the league. The field-level concourse is a bit narrow and can take some patience to navigate, but escalators also bring fans to the upper level of the stadium, which has a concourse that runs behind the seating area. Navigating the concourse is no better or worse than most other stadiums around the league. Lines can be rather long during the expected down periods of the game, such as between quarters and at half-time. The positive is that given its proximity to the interstate and public transportation options, getting to and from the stadium is much more palatable than might be seen at many other locations. Return on Investment 3 Before factoring in Ticketmaster fees, ticket prices start at around $56 for single tickets in the upper reaches of the top deck. The fees increase ticket prices by nearly 20%, and parking adds approximately $45. Ticket prices at face value are understandable, but when factoring in the additional fees, the investment quickly becomes an expensive endeavor. When looking to get the most affordable experience at Bank of America Stadium, the secondary market might be the best way to go for tickets. Downtown parking can get a bit expensive – garages just to the east of the stadium run $40. A handful of lots not considered official parking at Bank of America Stadium are more expensive, running $50 to $70, but are more conducive to tailgating. There is also parking within a mile available for as low as $10. As a whole, NFL games are not the most fan-friendly when it comes to the overall price for a day at the stadium, but using the secondary ticket market or being willing to walk a bit can make the game day experience much more affordable. Extras 4 A statue of the late Sam Mills memorializes the one-time Panthers linebacker and linebackers coach, outside of the main entry point into the stadium. Mills was signed as a free agent in the Panther's inaugural season and quickly became a fan favorite. Sam Mills, Jake Delhomme, Jordan Gross, Steve Smith, Wesley Walls, Mushin Muhammad, and Julius Peppers are also recognized in the ring of honor, along the top of the 500-level section of the stadium. The Play 60 Kids Combine is set up outside of the southern corner of the stadium, with several inflatables and a DJ providing entertainment. The “Keep Pounding” mantra is seen throughout the stadium and is an integral part of the pre-game festivities. Following the coin toss an honorary drummer unloads four blows to the large six-foot drum before kick-off – the “Keep Pounding” motto came from the aforementioned Sam Mills, who in a pre-game speech implored the team to “Keep Pounding.” "When I found out I had cancer, there were two things could do: quit or keep pounding. I'm a fighter. I kept pounding. You're fighters, too. Keep pounding!" – Sam Mills Final Thoughts The Panthers have continued to make upgrades to Bank of America Stadium to improve the fan experience, but previous improvements will pale in comparison to the projected $1 billion+ in upgrades the Panthers are looking to make. Future enhancements to Bank of America Stadium will likely look to provide visitors more of an entertainment destination than is currently being offered. These potential improvements will only add to the current positives that are already a part of the Carolina Panther football experience.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Heritage Financial Park 1500 Route 9D Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Hudson Valley Renegades website Heritage Financial Park website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 5,400 Yankee Baseball, Hudson Valley Style The quaint confines, nicknamed the “Dutch” by locals, obtained naming rights in March 2023 and was rebranded as Heritage Financial Park. The facility, located in Wappingers Falls, New York, became the NY Yankees High A affiliate in 2021 after being tied to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Renegades play in the High A South Atlantic League. Catcher Austin Wells and shortstop Anthony Volpe of the Yankees played at Hudson Valley and two more former Renegades (Jasson Dominguez and Oswald Peraza) are expected to join the Yankees later this season after rehabbing from injuries. The season runs from April 5 to September 8.  Saturday games typically start at 5:05 and Sundays begin at 2:05. Monday is dark with only two games scheduled all season. Gates open one hour before game time. The facility also hosts corporate events, weddings, fundraisers, and concerts.   The field received a major upgrade with new field turf being installed in the offseason.  The turf is the same quality as what is used in major league stadiums.  Other stadium upgrades for 2024 include: a new, state-of-the-art home clubhouse, and alongside the clubhouse there are new group spaces and seating options available. There is a new upper deck group area, outfield seating, and drink rail seating in left field, and a beautiful new group space that is available to rent out for events.  There are also newer and larger bathrooms.  The enhancements allowed capacity to increase to 5,400 up from 4,494.  HV averaged 2,870 in 2023. Food & Beverage 3 The food choices are somewhat limited but at the same time, there are more alternatives than some minor league venues.  There is a Mexican food stand with tacos and nachos.  The loaded helmet nachos are $13.50 and tacos (chicken, beef, or bean) are $4 each or 3 for $10.  Premium beers are $13 (25 oz.), Bud is $11 and cocktails are $9.50. There are of course ballpark staples such as hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, peanuts, and french fries. Pepsi products are the beverage of choice. Atmosphere 3 The park has a friendly vibe with plenty of people working and eager to greet. The stadium's main entrance is behind home plate and an entrance for season ticket holders is on the first base side. As you enter the stadium the concourse divides the lower and upper sections of seats.  There are nine rows of seats directly behind the plate in the 100s and 12 rows in the 200s. The music and announcements are not too loud and the between-inning contests are popular. The Renegades employ the same four-bell chimes (Westminster Quarters) heard at Yankee Stadium for years when the Bronx Bombers score.  The HV mascots are a family of raccoons with Rascal and Rosey the leaders of the pack. Neighborhood 3 There are places to hang out before or after the game a short drive from the stadium. There are a few restaurants on 9D as you approach the venue from the south. There is a pizza place (Leo’s Italian Restaurant) a Chinese place and a salad place (Green Bowl) in the mall across the street.  For local craft beers, there is Two Way Brewing and Hudson Valley Brewing (Thursday-Monday) which are located just south of the stadium in Beacon. 21 Burgers and Wings in Wappingers Falls is a good local sports bar. Sloop Brewing @ the Factory in Hopewell Junction is a popular location and only a 15-minute drive east of the stadium. Fans 3 The stadium gets a good mix of older, young people and families. There is a hearty group of season ticket holders who attend the majority of games. In May, the Renegades set an attendance record during a rare “weekday game”. Thirty years after the Renegades first played in Dutchess Stadium, 5,619 students, faculty, and staff from several area schools showed up on a partially rainy “Education Day” to watch the Renegades play the Jersey Shore Blue Claws. The Renegades Team Store can be accessed via the Renegades Offices, located between the main gates & the Renegades Box Office. On game days, the Renegades Team Store is only accessible to fans inside the ballpark through the entrance next to the 3rd Base Concession Stand & across from the Family Restroom. Access 4 The stadium itself is situated in Wappingers Falls, a village of about 6,064. The drive to Heritage Financial Park from New York City is serene and scenic, especially along Route 9 or 9D. The historic Hudson River is nearby and the ballpark is just off I-84 and minutes from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. The Taconic Parkway is also close by and with all of the parkway/highway access it is easy to make a Stadium Journey from upstate New York, Putnam and Westchester Counties, Connecticut, and Orange County on the west side of the Hudson. It is an hour’s drive from White Plains, only 40 minutes from Danbury, Connecticut, and 60 miles from Yankee Stadium. Return on Investment 4 General Admission tickets along the right and left field lines for weekend games are just $10.50.  Field-level, cushioned seats are $26. On our recent visit, a few of the cushioned seats were torn. Food prices are standard for the minor league but a bargain compared to the big leagues. Parking is $10 ($7 for pre-purchase). Extras 3 One point is for a host of promotions.  Renegades has 15 fireworks shows including most Friday nights, and two on Saturday nights and runs several other enticing promotions including Sunday Family Funday which includes fun for the whole family at the ballpark including the dog. Face painters and balloon artists will be on hand.  The other fantastic promotion is the Renegades/Yankee combo. Fans who purchase tickets online for any Sunday game excluding Father’s Day include a 2024 Renegades Hat and also a ticket to the Sunday, September 29th Yankee season finale at 3:05 pm against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Point two is for the Renegades Family 4-Pack: 4 Tickets, 4 Renegades Hats, and 4 Meal Vouchers for $99. The third point is for the new club in left field and drink rail seats and the new turf. Final Thoughts Heritage Financial Park is a solid venue to take in minor league baseball.  The scenery is picturesque, the ballpark is cozy and the new improvements make it even more worthy of a stadium journey. And there’s always a chance to witness a future NY Yankee.

Photos by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Allstate Arena 6920 N Mannheim Rd Rosemont, IL 60018 Chicago Wolves website Allstate Arena website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 16,692 Skating with Wolves Allstate Arena, formerly known as the “Rosemont Horizon,” was built for DePaul University basketball but is now a multi-purpose arena. In 1999 it was renamed the Allstate Arena after extensive interior and exterior renovations. Concerts and traveling events such as the circus, monster trucks, professional wrestling, and ice skating shows use the facility. Arena football, Chicago Sky (WNBA), and DePaul basketball used the stadium in the past. Now, the only regular tenant is the Chicago Wolves (AHL hockey). Many championship banners and retired numbers hang in the rafters for the Chicago Wolves. The Chicago Wolves have called the Allstate Arena home since 1994 Food & Beverage 3 In the past few years, the arena renovated and upgraded its concession areas. The names of the stands honor Chicago history (not Rosemont) by giving them Chicago / Rosemont related names, i.e., Lexington Tavern, Exchange Street Sausage Company. The food selection and quality have really improved over the years. They have the classic hot dogs for $4 and a slice of Connie’s pizza (cheese or sausage) for $9. Allstate Arena also added a premium sandwich stand called the Carvery that changes the sandwich each homestand; this game was a prime rib roast with spring mix and chips for $15. Four types of nachos are offered ranging from $7 to $15. A "large" (20 oz) lemonade will set you back $8 and bottled soda or Gatorade is $6. Cotton candy is $7 and candy is $4. A 32-ounce fountain soda is $8 and a 16-ounce fountain soda is $4. Bottled water is $5. Note, if you are looking for peanuts you can't find them here. Popcorn or nachos cost $7 and a soft pretzel is $6 with an additional $2 for a cheese cup. There is a Dunkin Donuts stand which has hot / iced coffee ($7), lattes ($10), hot chocolate ($8), cappuccino ($4), a 10 pack of Munchkins ($5) and ice cream ($6 or $10). Full bar service stands have mixed drinks ($9 to $15) and a selection of over 30 beers and craft brews, Vizzy hard seltzer ($13), and 16-ounce cans of domestic beer ($10). A 24-ounce can of domestic beer is $14 and premium beer is $15. They also have small bottles of wine for $10. The workers are friendly and provide a good service but can be very slow at times. I would suggest that you wait until the game starts before you get in line. Atmosphere 3 The first thing you will notice is the sightlines are not very good, especially on the lower deck. In addition, the seating area is cramped. However, you should get there for the pre-game fireworks / pyro show and video which is very entertaining. It should be noted, the fireworks are loud and many little kids start crying when the fireworks go off. In addition, you really can feel the heat from the flames which are used in the pre-game show, even in the upper deck. The stadium does the usual time out / commercial break entertainment stuff, such as kiss cam, throwing t-shirts into the crowd, and other on ice contests like musical chairs, a bozo buckets variation (throwing a foam puck into a garbage can), or a shoot the puck contest. Between the periods the Wolves also provide a Pee Wee hockey game. Fans seem to enjoy the Pee Wees especially when the kids can barely skate. The music at the arena is mostly pop music and for the most part, hasn’t changed much in the past ten or more years. The bad part of all the contests / videos of the crowd is if you are sitting in the upper deck you can forget about getting on the video board or getting a t-shirt. Yes, an occasional shirt goes up there but not many especially if you are in the corners. In addition, if you are on the south side of the stadium there is no chance for you to be “picked” for a contest and it is rare to be on the video board. Lastly, don’t expect to see their mascot “Skates” in the upper deck since he rarely goes up there. As you walk the hallways you will notice Allstate Arena has some banners with the names of some Chicago Wolves greats which is a nice touch. Neighborhood 2 The Allstate Arena is in a commercial area and adjacent to a commercial shopping center (Target is the anchor tenant), a strip mall, and a hotel. The adjacent shopping center has Chili’s, Longhorn Steak House, a sushi restaurant, and an IHOP. Across the street is La Cave, which is an upscale restaurant. Within a few miles, there is a T.G.I.F’s and Hooters. In addition, Rosemont Parkway Park is a few miles from the arena. This area is a bunch of restaurants and entertainment options if you are looking for something to do before the game. If you are looking to do some shopping, the Fashion Outlets of Chicago mall is about two miles from the arena. Fans 4 Most fans that attend games are friendly and are into the action. The crowd is mostly families, and there are lots of kids present. I found people in the upper deck know more about the team than people in the lower deck. In addition, I have noticed many of the same people at the games, so you know they are dedicated to the team. The Wolves are the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes however, you wouldn’t know it by looking at their jerseys or by jerseys worn by the fans. The Wolves do not have a patch of their parent club on the jersey nor do they have a jersey that reflects Carolina’s colors. Fans wear mainly Chicago Wolves jerseys (many game-worn), hats, shirts, etc. Of course, you will see some Chicago Blackhawk jerseys in the stands too. Wolves’ games are mostly played on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Wednesday games draw around 4,000 fans. The Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games average attendance before January about 6,000 and 8,000 and 6,000 respectively. But after January, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games average attendance is around about 7,000 and 11,000 and 7,000 respectively. The reason for the difference in attendance before and after January is the Wolves have many group nights (i.e., churches, Pee Wee hockey, boy scouts, and girl scouts). Access 4 There is no public transportation to the arena, therefore, you will have to drive there. The arena is located near O’Hare Airport so is it easy to get to, off of I-90. The main street by the arena is Mannheim Road and the traffic is controlled by Rosemont police. Onsite parking is available for $15. If you get here early enough, you can park at the adjacent shopping center. However, the police patrol the lot so if they see you park and walk over to the arena, they will ask to you leave (especially if you are wearing Wolves gear or hockey gear). If they don’t see you, there is still a risk of being towed if they notice your car there for a long time (unless you are parked near one of the restaurants in the adjoining shopping center). There is cheaper parking across the street in small parking lots and the exit is easier from these lots but they do fill up quickly. Return on Investment 3 Minor league hockey; major league prices (tickets range from $16 to $62 on game day). The Wolves rarely sell out, so fans are better off buying a cheaper ticket and sitting just about anywhere in the upper deck, especially before January. After January, the seating in the upper deck is limited except in the corners. The ushers in the lower deck usually check tickets, so fans can’t go there without a ticket. Extras 4 Wayne Messier (formerly with the Chicago Blackhawks) usually sings the National Anthem before each game. The Wolves have five championship banners (1998, 2000, 2002, 2008, and 2022) and retired numbers of their top individual players (Wendell Young and Steve Maltias), coach (John Anderson), general manager (Kevin Cheveldayoff), and two beloved players who have died (Dan Synder – car accident and Tim Breslin – cancer). As for giveaways, the Wolves have very few and if they do it is usually the first 500 to 1000 so you will have to get there early to get one. They do give out a “Breakaway” magazine every game. The problem with the magazine is that in every homestand edition only the middle story changes. The Wolves do get a bonus point for every 1st Saturday home game they have “Adopt a Dog” night. Usually every dog / puppy gets adopted. A dog will cost you about $100 but it has all the papers, shots and is fixed. Final Thoughts The Wolves do well with attendance considering there is a lot of competition for the entertainment sports dollar with many options. Since their inaugural season in 1994-95 the Wolves have only missed the playoffs a few times and only finished sub .500 once, so you know you will see some decent hockey.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Northwest Stadium 1600 Ring Road Landover, MD 20785 Washington Commanders website Northwest Stadium website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 85,000 Express Progress? Northwest Stadium (formerly FedExField) is located in suburban Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. It replaced the team’s longtime home RFK Stadium in 1997. The late Jack Kent Cooke, former owner of the Washington Redskins, spent the early 1990s looking for a new stadium. Finally, a location was found in the town of Landover. The former owner died before truly enjoying his team playing at their new home. The location of the team was also even known by the United States Postal Service as Raljon, Maryland to honor Cooke’s sons, Ralph and Jon, although it was always technically in the Landover area. Northwest Stadium has seen an amazing number of expansions and reductions in seating capacity in its short lifespan. Entire seating sections have been physically removed from the stadium to reduce capacity. Some seats have been removed to make standing-room-only “party” sections, while other seats have been covered by advertisements and tarps. There is talk every year about the team moving either back to the District of Columbia or to the Commonwealth of Virginia. At this point, there is no specific plan in place or motion. The fan support for the team has been on the downturn lately. It was announced that in 2022 the team would change its name to the Washington Commanders. The 2023 season was the first without divisive owner Dan Snyder. Food & Beverage 5 There are many decent concession stands around the stadium offering the usual stadium options. The prices are not cheap, but they are pretty much in line with most NFL venues. If you worry about high food costs, your best bet is to eat before game time. There have been changes to some options to make them cheaper and to offer discounts for season ticket holders. The team has been adding many interesting food options and keeping choices fresh and interesting. Chicken Guy, a Guy Fieri chicken finger stand is very tasty. The team has done a good job of enhancing the food offerings at both the Club Level and the main concourse. The upper concourse options seem a bit sparer, although that is common with large stadiums. Atmosphere 2 The fans are knowledgeable about all aspects of the game. Before you go into the stadium, you should spend some time out with the fans in the massive parking lots. There are some great and welcoming groups scattered around. I love to check out the Red Zone Tailgate Lot to see what some of the most extreme fans are cooking up in their pregame preparation. Once inside the stadium, you may be less impressed with some aspects of the physical structure. Some areas are just poorly designed. The stadium is not aging well. The addition of a fan zone on the main concourse, which includes areas where the fans can gather and still be in sight of the on-field action, is a welcome addition to the stadium. The new name has allowed the team to brighten up much of the stadium and keep it consistent with the new name. This is an improvement over previous years, although I am not sure it is being appreciated much yet. The upper deck seems incredibly too high to enjoy the game. Some seating sections in the upper deck require your having to go both up AND down a set of stairs to find your seat. A former walkway has been filled in with three rows of seating. Doing so has created some navigational issues, in that fans may need to go up and then back down a small set of stairs just to move from one area to another. It is weird to see entire seating areas in the Club Level that are blocked off and covered up. The upper deck also still has some audio issues. There are areas there where the sound is nearly inaudible. In addition, the lower deck still has some obstructed view seats. They do often go for quite low of a price but it is still incredible that a stadium built just one year before Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium has the severe design flaws that it does. Many other parts of the seating bowl are just a bit weird here at Northwest Stadium. It opened with 80,000 seats. A few years later, the Redskins added many temporary and permanent seating areas to bring the total seating to over 91,000. Now the stadium is getting smaller, with many seats changed over to those standing-room-only areas and/or tarp-covered areas to bring the official capacity down. The team has slowly been adding more of its extensive history into the stadium’s concourse wall along with making way for the new team name. The team also has a Season Ticket Holders Wall Of Fame. Names of those who have been season ticket holders for 20 years or more are displayed on a monitor beside some images of current players. Neighborhood 2 Suburban Landover is not the most exciting neighborhood. Northwest Stadium sits in an area surrounded by parking lots. That kind of setting can be good for tailgating but often means the area is lacking a bit. It would be nice if there could be food, drink, and entertainment options located in the area, such as at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Live complex. I would love to see something similar, even if they are temporary, game-only, locations. Currently, fans who are not tailgate types have very few pregame options. The closest thing really to the stadium is some newer housing developments. Luckily Washington D.C. is close by. If you are arriving by Metro, pregame activities are best spent there. The Foggy Bottom neighborhood is a good option in D.C. as there are still plenty of restaurants to choose from. Georgetown is another great option The choices there will astound you, but Martin’s Tavern will always be a good choice. Did I mention you are right near Washington, D.C.? The number of attractions, museums, restaurants, and other sights is astounding. Spend some time pre or post-game seeing the many things around this great city. Fans 4 The strength of the team has usually been their loyal fan, but lately, even those loyal fans were starting to turn away from the team. The fans do deserve better than the often lackluster team and stadium. New ownership has just now given the fans some light at the end of the tunnel. Non-rivalry games have far less excitement than when the team is playing an NFC East opponent. The best time to go to Northwest Stadiumis a nationally televised game against the Eagles, Cowboys, or Giants, but expect to see many visiting team fans. Access 3 Northwest Stadium’s location close to the Washington Beltway is not usually seen as a positive. This suburban location compounds the traffic nightmares in the area, especially on Monday night games. The stadium is located far from public transportation and with limited parking alternatives, the stadium can be hard to get to. The opening of the Washington Metro’s Morgan Boulevard Station in 2004 gave attendees at least one public transportation option. It is slightly less than one mile away, and there are decent walkways between the station and the stadium. Sure, it could be closer, but at least it is an option. The Largo Town Center Station, also on the same Blue line as the Morgan Boulevard Station, is another walkable option but is far less convenient. Just make sure you are aware of closing times for the Metro if attending a night game. The Metro system has experienced many problems and incidents in recent months, so it is not nearly as reliable as it should be. The team has no control over this, but it sure does not help the fans who want to find alternate means to attend the games at Northwest Stadium. There is plenty of parking available around the stadium. The problem has been that it is pricey and has been controlled strictly by the team. There are a few non-approved lots to the north of the stadium around Brightseat Road, but that is an exception. If all else fails a visitor can head to the official Gray Lot and get a space for $60 cash. This price may also vary depending on the opponent. In the last few years, the team made major strides in improving the operations of their lots. Fans are required to enter their designated lots from specific access roads. The idea was to allow for a more efficient entry and exit from the stadium. It seems to have worked. Return on Investment 4 The cost of an NFL game is expensive. There is no way around it. You do get a good deal, because of the high entertainment value and the extremely high level of competition. The one positive aspect of a bad team is the huge amount of available cheap tickets. The parking is costly at Northwest Stadium and you may not be able to find good options around that cost. Extras 2 The team has one of the few marching bands in the NFL. Make sure to catch them performing before the game. The group started in 1937. The cheerleaders also put on a good show. The group was second in the NFL to the Pittsburgh Steelers in having cheerleaders (the Steelers have since abandoned the cheerleading idea). Originally called the Redskinettes, they have cheered for the team since 1962. Final Thoughts Northwest Stadium is a purely functional stadium in a less-than-desirable location. The team is also in a transition phase that could go in many directions. Ultimately the fan experience is better than it looks on the surface but is still far from ideal in the modern NFL.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Excite Ballpark 588 E Alma Ave San Jose, CA 95112 San Jose Giants website Excite Ballpark website Year Opened: 1942 Capacity: 4,200 A Giant of a Gem Take a historic stadium that oozes memories of the past greats with architecture that harkens back to baseball’s golden age. Mix in a loyal fanbase that is among the best in the Bay Area. Sprinkle in some stellar weather and add a pinch of minor league magic. This may well be the recipe that one would use to create the magic that is the San Jose Giants. This gem of a ballpark features everything that makes minor league baseball the wonderful draw that it is. This single-A affiliate for the San Francisco Giants has seen over 200 players make it to the big leagues via their home in San Jose, which is part of what makes this team such a draw for locals. Food & Beverage 5 Tackling the menu at the home of the San Jose Giants means bringing a hefty level of hunger. As usual, the standard baseball stadium fare can be found, thanks to a menu of hot dogs ($7-$9), nachos ($7), chicken tenders ($12-$14), and the like. Drinks are also plentiful with water, soda, and Gatorade ($5) easily found. However, unique finds are also available, including wine ($14), local beers ($11), and even alcohol-infused ice cream ($12). But without a doubt, the biggest draw is the BBQ at Turkey Mike’s along the third base line. Fans line up for some of the best stadium food you will find. This world-famous offering includes special ticket packages that include reserved seating and a BBQ meal. Atmosphere 4 The stadium itself harkens back to baseball’s golden age. Simple in design and layout, it features one lower concourse with concessions and restrooms, with first and third-base line seating patios. A large trophy case greets fans who come through the main entrance, showcasing the rich history of success the Giants have had in San Jose. In the outfield, countless flags fly for the team’s numerous championship titles. It is hard to understate how great the aesthetic is here as it relates to old time baseball. While not modern in design, it remains a simple and clean place to watch baseball under the California sun. The outfield also features a large video scoreboard, ensuring nothing gets missed by the fans in the stands. Neighborhood 4 The area around the stadium features other sports facilities, including Sharks Ice at San Jose . Across the street is Kelly Park, featuring a zoo and gardens. The stadium is also not far from downtown San Jose, which features historic buildings, hotels, dining, and shopping. Not far to the north is San Francisco and Oakland, with San Jose Airport your closest airport of choice. Numerous state parks are in the mountains just to the west, featuring hiking and camping for those who want to experience the redwood forests of California. Fans 4 The fans at Excite Ballpark are among the best in the minor leagues. Routinely filling the stands on weekends and specialty nights, the Giants rank among the top of the California League. Even during midweek games, the fans who attend are loyal, knowledgeable, and absolute diehards. Without a doubt, the fans here make the game day experience as enjoyable as it is. Every range of fan can be found, from the longtime fans who record every play on a scorecard, to the youngest fans watching tomorrow’s stars. Access 3 To get to the stadium you have multiple options via the local freeways. Exits from US-101 and I-280 are nearby, and parking ranges from free at some home games to $15. Getting around the stadium itself is easy, as signage is plentiful. The downside is of course the Bay Area’s notoriously heavy traffic – a drive from San Francisco airport would normally take 30 minutes without traffic, but can take upwards of an hour and a half at times with the heavy congestion on the roads. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Giants games are inexpensive, ranging from $5 to $29. The season also features numerous themed nights, giveaways, and special packages for fans. The price of tickets and parking together make for an affordable night out with the family. Extras 3 The left field line features a team store that offers an impressively wide variety of items for a minor-league team. There is also a kids play area outside the stadium’s left field area that features bounce houses and games. Finally, a walk through the inner concourse might as well be a museum to baseball in the bay area, with trophies, stadiums, and photos all over. Final Thoughts Going to Excite Ballpark may be an exciting adventure into baseball’s history. While many still call it Municipal Stadium, this ballpark continues to impress regardless of the name. A must-see for any Giants MLB fan, or baseball diehards in general, the San Jose Giants have cultivated an atmosphere that is among the best in baseball. Quaint, cozy, historic, and full of character, a visit to this home of Bay Area baseball will not go unrewarded.

Photos by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 180 E Brooks St Norman, OK 73019 Oklahoma Sooners website Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 82,112 The Palace on the Prairie The almost century-old Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, also known as “The Palace on the Prairie”, opened in 1923, and following renovations in 2015, currently has a capacity of 86,112, making it the second-largest stadium in the Big 12. Home to the Sooners football team of the University of Oklahoma, the venerable facility is laid out in a bowl design, with both the north and south end zones enclosed; one of the most prominent features at the stadium is the clock tower built into the wall behind the north end zone, on the exterior of the venue. Come gameday in Norman, the Oklahoma Sooners put on quite a show, making Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium one of the better atmospheres in college football today. Tens of thousands of red-clad fans show up for tailgating hours before kickoff, the atmosphere inside the stadium is loud and raucous, and the staff pulls out all the stops to keep fans engaged, including twin mascots, appearances by the Sooner Schooner, jugglers, OU flags trotted out throughout the game, and even flame and fireworks to welcome the team onto the field. Food & Beverage 5 Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium’s concessions offer a wide range of the typical fare you would expect from a sports venue, in addition to some more unique items like smoked turkey legs and fried okra, from stands with football-themed names such as the Goal Line Grill and Midfield Favorites. Prices are in-line with costs at similarly-sized venues, but there are plenty of options for those on a budget, including free water from a variety of sources. Food options include nachos, hot dogs and brats, corn dogs, smoked sausage, several types of tacos, pizza, pulled pork, chicken tenders, chicken on a stick, smoked turkey legs, soft pretzels, peanuts, popcorn, fries, and fried okra, as well as packaged candy, several types of cookies (both generic and artisan), brownies, funnel cake, and Cracker Jack, plus Dippin’ Dots and Mini Melts ice cream; prices for these items start at $4 for certain individual selections, and go up to about $17 for combo meals. The drink selection at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is a lot more limited than the food selection, with only bottled water, Coke products, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and icees available. However, a unique offering that is beginning to make an appearance at sports venues across the country, most notably in Texas, is something called the “Grub Tub”, which is a cup of soda (or bottle of water) with a container built into the lid to hold food items – here at Oklahoma, this includes chicken tenders and fries, giving fans a beverage and snack in a single container, so they can hold it in one hand (see a photo of the Grub Tub in the picture gallery for this review). For those looking to stay hydrated, the staff at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium provide free water from a variety of sources. First, fans can bring empty containers for water into the stadium, and there are filling stations dotted all over the concourse for these. Second, there are plenty of water fountains around, including long troughs on the lower level which have over a dozen spouts each. Third, there is also a “Cool Zone” on the upper concourse, complete with box fans and giant containers of water (with cups), where game attendees can go and cool off during the game; this area was surprisingly less crowded than I would have expected, given the heat of the day, but perhaps this speaks to the plethora of other water/cooling options available. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium starts to become electric even several hours before kickoff, with tailgaters and red tents as far as the eye can see on your way into the stadium. In fact, there is a company called the Tailgate Guys, whom you can hire to set up your tailgate for you, so all you have to do is show up with your food and drinks and start partying; the Tailgate Guys will set up grills, tents, even TVs for you before your group arrives – they will even light the grill for you, so you can start cooking the minute you get there. After you finish tailgating, make your way into the stadium, and you will be treated to all manner of entertainment provided by the OU staff – they even hire jugglers to walk around the concourse to entertain fans before and during the game. You will also find plenty of Oklahoma-themed décor dotted around the facility, including giant pictures of past players, as well as a wall of honoree plaques at National Honors Plaza. Furthermore, as you make your way out to your seat, you will be treated to an appearance by the Sooner Schooner, get to watch the antics of the two OU mascots, Sooner and Boomer, and see flames fly and fireworks go off as the team comes onto the field, framed by over a dozen banners highlighting Oklahoma football’s past championships – you may even get to see a jet flyover. In addition, before the game or during halftime, watch as the 350-member OU band, the “Pride of Oklahoma” performs intricate maneuvers at midfield. And every time the Oklahoma Sooners score, flag bearers will tear across the field with flags spelling O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A and S-O-O-N-E-R-S, and the Sooner Schooner will make another of its dramatic appearances – pay particular attention to the antics of the guy in the back of the wagon. Lastly, participate in the famed OU cheer, as one side of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium yells “Boomer!”, and the other side answers with “Sooner!” Neighborhood 4 Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is located on the University of Oklahoma’s campus, so in the immediate vicinity you will find campus buildings, other athletics fields, apartments, dorms, and sorority and frat houses. There are plenty of restaurants, however, about 5-6 blocks directly north of the stadium, along Boyd Street. In this area you will find cuisine of all types, including Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Greek, Italian, American, Chinese, you name it – two of the most popular destinations are Louie’s Grill & Bar and The Mont, both of which offer a great selection of food and alcohol. Louie’s offers up classic American, while The Mont features both Mexican and American dishes; either of these would be a great place to hang out before or after the game to take in other football action on TV. If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, the town of Norman, while small, offers several interesting attractions to take in while in the area. Your first stop should be at the National Weather Center, where you can tour the facility and learn how meteorologists get their information – a fun and educational activity for weather geeks and non-geeks alike (note that you will need to make reservations in advance). And, if weather it not your thing, check out the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, which includes a zoo, dinosaur and insect exhibits, and displays of many other artifacts, which should delight both children as well as adults. Fans 4 Even for games against minor opponents, Oklahoma Sooners fans flock to Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in droves, with almost everyone garnered in red to cheer on their team. The crowd provides great energy from the start, and the stadium gets very loud when the team is being introduced, and of course every time the Sooners score. The atmosphere here is exactly what big-time college football is all about, with 80,000-plus screaming, rabid fans cheering on their team; the only downside in terms of fan support here is that the stadium empties out during the third quarter if the Sooners are up big, which is great if you want to move to a lower seat, or deal with less traffic on your way out, but not so great if you were enjoying the energy. As I mentioned earlier, the party gets started many hours before kickoff with tailgating outside the stadium as far as the eye can see. Check out the video below to get a feel for the scene: Access 4 Getting to Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is fairly easy as long as you get there early; there are plenty of places to park along Classen Boulevard for $20 (grass lots run by the local FFA, or run by student groups at OU). Note that these parking spaces are only 5-6 blocks from the stadium, but if you want to park closer you will need a parking pass, as all of the closer lots are reserved for season ticket holders and donors. If you are looking to tailgate, as I mentioned earlier you might want to hire the Tailgate Guys to set up everything for you before you arrive. Once you get inside Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, moving around is not bad, especially in the concourses on the upper level or behind the end zones, as those areas tend to be less crowded. That said, if you find yourself facing a long line at the concessions wherever you are sitting, try taking a walk toward one of the less crowded sections, where things should be moving a little faster. But no matter where you are sitting, there are plenty of restrooms, and plenty of water fountains and bottle filling stations. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to games at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium cost $65 for non-Big 12 opponents, and run between $85 and $115 for Big 12 matchups, depending on the opponent, and this is for tickets in the upper deck. On the plus side, the stadium doesn’t quite sell out anymore, thanks to the recent renovations which added a little capacity, so you should not have to overpay for seats, and you might be able to find them cheaper on secondary sites like Ticket Monster . Regardless, while $100 or so per ticket is certainly reasonable for college football of this caliber, you may want to choose one of the lesser opponents, so you can get all the same Sooner atmosphere, but at a slightly lower cost. Extras 5 The staff deserves a lot of credit for creating a stellar experience at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium; special mentions go to the numerous water bottle filling stations, the plethora of water fountains, the Cool Zone, and the jugglers moving around the concourse. The décor inside the stadium is also great, and few fans can help but enjoy the antics of the twin mascots, or fail to enjoy the Sonner Schooner rumbling around the field. Final Thoughts Watching an OU football game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or evening; this is college football at its finest. Come join 80,000 of your closest friends for a game here, and if you can, make time to also check out the town of Norman and all it has to offer; I guarantee you it will be good time.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.84 Gerald J. Ford Stadium 5800 Ownby Dr University Park, TX 75205 First Responder Bowl website Gerald J. Ford Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 32,000 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl In the landscape of college football bowl games, the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a relative newcomer - it began with the name Ticket City Bowl in 2011, changed its name to the Heart of Dallas bowl in 2013, before settling in with the current name in 2018. It was originally played in the venerable Cotton Bowl located in historic Fair Park before moving to its current location on the SMU campus, in the more upscale University Park neighborhood of Dallas. Gerald J. Ford Stadium opened on the SMU campus in 2000, on the site of former Ownby Stadium. Named after alum and donor Gerald J. Ford, the stadium was built in the collegiate-Georgian architectural style that is prevalent on campus. As part of its 32,000 seats, expandable if needed, there are over 2,100 club level seats plus 2,000 seats in 41 luxury suites. There is a giant HD video screen perched at each end of the stadium – all fans, regardless of their location, are able to see one of the scoreboards easily to view replays, advertisements, and up-close pictures of on field special recognitions. The sound system is clear, and can even be heard one block away at the parking garage. Seating for the stadium is in a horseshoe, with the south end zone open; this latter end zone houses the newest addition to Ford Stadium, the $100 million Garry Weber End Zone Complex and Armstrong Football Center. Built in 2022, largely through generous donations from donors Garry Weber, Bill Armstrong, and Liz Martin Armstrong, the three-story complex houses SMU’s football performance facilities, coach’s and administrative offices, hospitality and recruiting areas, and Letterman’s Lounge. In addition, there are 1,200 exclusive suite level seats inside.   Food & Beverage   4 Concession stands and kiosks serving general foods are plentiful – there are 10 full-service concession stands plus at least 10 more drink only portable stands and walk-thru lines. Bagged snacks, such as chips and peanuts, are also available at the walk-thrus to take some of the traffic out of the full-service lines. Most foods you would expect are available in the general concession stands – the all-beef hot dogs and nachos are the heartiest items, costing $7 each. Giant pretzels ($7), giant popcorn ($8), peanuts ($6), cookies ($5), candy ($5), and chips ($4) are all options, while a couple of unique offerings include Takis ($5) or a cup of melted cheese ($1). In addition to regular snack bar items, there are some Dallas centric choices available; Mi Cocina offers MiCoRitas frozen margaritas, while Ferris Wheelers  and Rudy’s  both serve barbecue items, and Nutty Bavarian Nuts  has a stand for their snacks. Coca-Cola products are offered in 32 ounce souvenir cups, which cost $7. Other drinks include Powerade ($6), Dasani water ($5), Smart water ($7), and domestic beers ($11). Beer options included Coors light, Miller light, Modelo, and Michelob Ultra, as well as a local brew, Pony Pils. Pony Pils is an American Golden Lager brewed by local brewer, Lakewood Brewing, specifically for SMU. Lakewood donates $1 per case to a scholarship fund to be used for a STEM scholarship given to future brewers. SMU has posted numerous concession maps on the walls in the concourse for fans to reference. For the First Responder Bowl, this map proved very helpful but not 100% accurate – there were some specialty offerings listed on the map that were unavailable during the bowl game.   Atmosphere   5 The two teams playing in the game go a long way in determining the overall atmosphere. Since moving from the spacious Cotton Bowl, which seats well over 90,000, to Ford Stadium, the game atmosphere has been improved with crowds ranging from 10,000-28,000. The First Responder Bowl Committee strives to invite at least one team that is either a service academy or located in Texas to ensure local fan interest. Teams chosen to play since the move to SMU have included North Texas , Texas State , UTSA , Rice , and Air Force . Directly across Ownby Drive from the west side of the stadium, in the parking lot of the Meadows Museum, there is a free public tailgating area set up. Here, fans are offered free food and drink with donations being accepted for nonprofit agencies that are represented. In addition to the food and drinks, there are also children’s games and other giveaway items available for fans to take home as souvenirs. At the most recent game I attended, two Texas teams played and the crowd was electric, even though both teams had records that were barely above .500. Split almost evenly, half the crowd roared after each play while the remaining fans groaned. Both schools were able to bring full bands, dance teams, and cheer squads to support their team as well. With such large numbers of alumni in attendance, each school hosted large tailgates on The Boulevard, 50 yards apart from one another. This made for a great scene as the tree-lined street was filled with green and white on one end and maroon and gold on the other. Upbeat dance music pumped from both locations, and laughter and conversation could be heard between drum beats as the smell of the grills wafted through the oaks.   Neighborhood   4 Ford Stadium is located on the campus of SMU, which is in the University Park neighborhood of Dallas. University Park is a stable, upper-middle class neighborhood with numerous restaurants and shopping areas along Interstate 75. There are also many food choices along Hillcrest Avenue, which forms the western edge of campus – restaurant options range from Jimmy John’s and Bubba’s Cooks Country  to Kyoto Sushi , Torchy’s Tacos , Desperado’s Mexican , and Campisi’s Egyptian Italian ; this list only represents a small number of the numerous options available within a short walk of the stadium. Hotel accommodations are plentiful within 2 miles of the SMU campus. There are several luxury choices including The Lumen  and The Beeman . Other options that are less expensive but still highly rated include DoubleTree by Hilton-Campbell Centre , Hyatt House/Lincoln Park , and La Quinta Inn-Uptown .   Fans   4 Crowds for the First Responder Bowl are dependent on the teams playing and the weather. Usually scheduled for the first week of January, Texas weather can be fickle. With average high temperatures in North Texas normally in the mid-50s and a 60% chance of sunshine on the typical winter afternoon, fans consider this ideal football weather. With good weather, regionally relevant schools, and the intimate setting that Gerald J. Ford Stadium provides, the crowd is typically engaged and involved in the game. The most recent game I was able to witness seemed more like a long-running rivalry game than a year end bowl experience, based on the fan reactions. Both fan bases were out in force and cheered their respective teams on as heartily as possible.   Access   3 The Southern Methodist campus is easily accessible using the Mockingbird exit off I-75 (North Central Expressway). It is a short drive from either major airport, only 20 minutes from Dallas Love Field and 30 minutes from DFW International Airport. However, if taking public transportation is your preference, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail Red, Orange, and Blue lines all stop at SMU/Mockingbird Station, which is within an easy half mile walk of the stadium. Traffic flow is marked with signage, which assists fans to find parking and entrances to the stadium. Prepaid parking passes are available for $20, which is a normal parking charge for parking in the DFW metro area. The neighborhood around SMU’s campus is fairly flat and well-marked which is beneficial for walking. Once inside the stadium there are many signs posted and friendly ushers available to help direct you to your seat, or assist with other issues if needed. There are also QR codes posted throughout the concourse with emergency access contact information should additional help be needed.  After dark, there is plenty of lighting in all public areas for safety.   Return On Investment   3 Tickets to the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl range in price from $33 to $177, but first responders can get up to 4 free tickets in appreciation for their service to their communities. Concession prices here are average for high-level college games such as this – light snacks and a drink can be taken care of for between $10 and $15, while heartier choices will cost more. Parking passes cost $20 if paid online prior to game day, increasing to $25 or more on game day. There is free parking available if you are willing to walk a few minutes, however, and public transportation has a stop within a half mile of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium. I would consider the cost of attending this event to be average for NCAA FBS college football, especially considering this is a bowl game in a Power 5 football stadium.                                                                                                                                                                                                           Extras   4 Thanks to generous sponsors, all first responders are eligible for up to four free general admission tickets to the game. During the game, first responders are also recognized and celebrated for their sacrifices and support of their communities. Special recognition, namely national honors, for individual first responders who have gone above and beyond the call of duty is an added bonus during the event. Having over twenty stations to purchase drinks and packaged snacks, including beer, water, and soft drinks is an extremely efficient usage of concourse space; this limits time in line and cuts down on time missing the action. The most recent SERVPRO First Responder Bowl I attended pitted two Texas Group of Five universities against one another – the battle that ensued created a rivalry-style game, which proved to be entertaining both on the scoreboard and for fans in the stands.   Final Thoughts The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a great game to attend, even for the casual sports fan – it checks the box for sports travelers who want to experience different festivities in the sports landscape. Taking place in a newly renovated college stadium, Gerald J. Ford also presents an intimate venue for the action. With the express emphasis to recognize and celebrate first responders, this game’s mission is evident from the coin toss to the final whistle blowing. Community helpers who are in attendance feel appreciated by being personally being applauded, and many of their peers are recognized on the field with state and national honors. I believe the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a game that should be on your bucket list. With unlimited activities available in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area to add to a multiday trip, this game becomes a great destination for a January weekend.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 James A. Rhodes Arena 373 Carroll St Akron, OH 44325 Akron Zips website James A. Rhodes Arena website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 5,500 Rubber City Hoops Long before Akron, Ohio was known for being the hometown of LeBron James, it was the rubber capital of the world. The headquarters of major tire manufacturers BF Goodrich and Firestone were found in Akron and the headquarters of Goodyear remain in Akron to this day. It is from this rubber heritage that the Akron Zips took their name. In 1925, a student contest for the University of Akron athletic teams was held. The winning entry was Zippers, which referred to a rubber overshoe that was manufactured by BF Goodrich in Akron. The Zippers were eventually shortened to Zips. The University of Akron is a public university with an enrollment of approximately 12,000 while the City of Akron maintains a population of over 190,000. Home for the Akron Zips basketball team is the James A. Rhodes Arena which is on campus. It was named after former Ohio Governor, Jim Rhodes who was in office from 1963 to 1971 and 1975 to 1983. Affectionately referred to as the JAR, James A. Rhodes Arena has been home to Zips basketball since opening in 1983. The Zips program dates back all the way to 1901 and has remained in the Mid-American Conference since 1992. Food & Beverage 3 Upon entering the JAR at the south end there is a main concession on the main floor. Hot dogs, bratwurst, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, Papa Johns Pizza and Chick-Fil-A items are all available. There are small concession stands at the south end up the stairs on the southwest and southeast sides. Pretzels, nachos, popcorn and candy are available at these sites along with soft drinks and water. Pepsi products are the soft drinks of choice at the JAR. Beer and seltzers are also available on the upper levels. Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Yuengling, Goose Island and Rhinegeist are the beers of choice. Concession prices are pretty decent, but the variety isn’t massive. Fans won’t go hungry, but there’s nothing here that will blow you away. Atmosphere 3 The James A. Rhodes Arena definitely looks like a circa 1980s building. Not an overly attractive exterior with brown brick and not much in the way of windows, the JAR’s main entrance is to the south off of Carroll Street. The exterior is best described as drab, however it is at the end of a nice enough courtyard that opens up to the east with views of other athletic facilities, including the football stadium. Once inside the JAR and past the ticket takers, fans are immediately struck with the prevalence of navy blue. The ceilings and walls are all painted navy blue and it gives the arena a dark feeling. There are some accents in the main entryway as well as a concession stand and what appears to be a window for merchandise sales, that was not open on the day of this review. A life-size, full colour, Zippy the Kangaroo statue is present for photo opportunities. Fans will ascend on either the east or west stairs to get to the main seating bowl entry. Fans will pass the modest display of the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame also, which may be of interest to those who enjoy that sort of treasure hunt. Inside the seating bowl, the basketball court is surrounded by separated lower and upper levels. The court runs from north to south and it is best to get the center court logo picture from the west side. The lower east and west seats are plastic arena seats as are the upper west. Benches are found in the upper north, east and south sides. The upper and lower sections are separated by a three lane running track which lends itself to functionality when games are not present, however, fans are not adverse to walking the track when the game is not going on. The cross shaped interior has definitive corners, which should be considered when choosing a seat. Four pillars in at the four corners of the court each have a vertical LED board which features either team stats or individual points and fouls. The ceiling, walls and just about everywhere else have all been painted navy blue, which makes the arena feel very dark. The west side banners commemorate Akron’s 4 MAC Tournament Championships, 7 MAC Season Championships and 13 other Conference Championships. The east side banners commemorate each individual year’s success in the NCAA Tournament. Above center court is a state of the art videoboard, which is just the right size and doesn’t overpower the fan. On either side of the videoboard hang the banners for the honoured numbers of past players, including: Romeo Travis, Eric McLaughlin, Joe Jakubick, Bill Turner, Jim Fenton, Alex Adams, Mike Harkins, Len Paul, Fritz Nagy and Larry Jenkins. The gameday experience is about what one would expect for a mid-major college basketball team. The band, which is excellent, can be found behind the basket in the north end. The cheerleaders and dancers take the floor and lead the crowd in cheers, perform dances or gymnastic stunts. The ZI - PS chant led by the cheer team gets the fans involved. The Zips mascot, Zippy, can be found traversing the JAR, interacting with fans and posing for pictures. Neighborhood 4 The James A. Rhodes Arena is located on the campus of the University of Akron, just east of downtown. There are a number of spots where fans can head for pre or post game libations that are within a very short drive or a bit more of a walk. Some options include the Thirsty Dog, Canal Place and Alexander Pierce. As far as other sporting options in Akron, the Zips field a host of athletic teams, most notably the football team which plays at nearby InfoCisionStadium-Summa Field. Akron is also home to the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, the Akron RubberDucks , which make their home at Canal Park, located downtown. Of course, Cleveland, with their vast array of professional teams, is just a 30 minute drive away. For other cultural and entertainment options, fans should consider the Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Children’s Museum or Cummings Centre for History of Psychology. For fans needing to stay close to the JAR, the Courtyard Akron Downtown and BLU-Tique Hotel Akron are not that far. Fans 3 Akron Zips basketball is averaging around 1,900 fans for the 2022-23 season, which is not abnormal for the program. The Zips rank 6th in the Mid-American Conference in attendance. There is a small student section in A and B at the southwest corner of the court that stands through the game and makes a bit of a ruckus. The band and cheerleaders also make some noise, especially when the visiting team has the ball. The rest of the fans are not loud or over the top or anything, but they know the right time to cheer and do a good job supporting their team. Access 4 Getting to the campus of the University of Akron is not that difficult. It is located just east of downtown, close to major outlets. It is north of I-77 and I-76 and just west of Highway 8. Getting to campus via Highway 8 will leave little of the city of Akron that will require traversing. There are a few parking options around the arena, which are more than enough for a basketball crowd. For fans wishing to use public transit, there are buses that run south of the athletic facilities along Exchange Street. Fans should consult the Akron METRO website for fares, schedules and maps. Inside the arena, the ticketing window and will-call are immediately to the right, through the south entrance. Fans will have to take some stairs to get to the main seating bowl entry, but there is an elevator available. Washroom facilities are okay at the JAR, but could be an issue for a full house. With the security protocols at spectator sports in constant flux, Stadium Journey recommends consulting the Akron Zips website before heading to the James A. Rhodes Arena to get the most up to date protocols regarding bags, procedures and prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 Getting to some MAC basketball to enjoy some MACtion can be very affordable. Akron Zips tickets end at $55 for lower courtside seats, but begin at $35. The west upper deck, with the chair seats, go for $25, but the General Admission benches can be had for $15. Concession prices are pretty decent and parking can be found for around $10 on campus. The return is highly underrated. Although not in a Power 5 conference, Akron floors competitive basketball teams and has a very good gameday atmosphere, which doesn’t try too hard. In the end, Akron Zips basketball is a great experience for not a huge investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for Akron’s rivalry with the Kent State Golden Flashes. They are only a few minutes apart and the rivalry brings out a full house every time. Akron embraces the rubber heritage and the best promotion at an Akron Zips game is the Chuck-A-Duck, which happens at the end of the game where patrons purchase rubber ducks to throw on the floor, at a target for a prize. An extra mark for the unique and local moniker that the Akron Zips enjoy. Final Thoughts A trip to Rubber City may not be high on the travel bucket list for most, however, the Akron Zips provide a solid product both on and off the court that basketball fans will enjoy. Taking a trip to see the James A. Rhodes Arena is worth it and will leave fans considering a return trip. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram . Akron Zips Mascot. Photo by Richie DeVotie, Stadium Journey.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Arute Field 1615 Stanley St New Britain, CT 06050 Central Connecticut State Blue Devils website Arute Field website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 5,500 Devil of a Time at Arute Field   Central Connecticut State University is the state’s oldest publicly funded university. Founded in 1849 as the State Normal School, CCSU has grown to an enrollment of almost 9,000 students. Today, students at CCSU pursue their degrees in four schools under the University umbrella. 96% of the school’s enrollment comes from Connecticut. Approximately half of CCSU’s students live off campus.   Jack Arute Sr. was the owner of one of Connecticut’s largest construction firms in the 1960s. He was also an active member of the New Britain community and became one of CCSU’s biggest boosters through interactions with school administration. Upset that the state government would not approve funding for a new football stadium, Arute took matters into his own hands, using his funds and manpower to build the original Arute Field. The present incarnation of Arute Field is the third stadium to bear his name. All three versions have been located on campus.   Central Connecticut fielded its first football team in 1935. Since 1993, the team has competed in the FCS subdivision and as a member of the Northeast Conference since 1996. The team has won six conference championships since joining the NEC. The Blue Devils have qualified for the NCAA tournament twice, losing in the first round in 2017 and 2019. One Central Connecticut alumnus, Joe Costello, has played in the National Football League.   Food & Beverage 2   There is one concession stand on the outer concourse of Arute Field. It offers a basic menu featuring hot dogs, burgers, and nachos. A variety of snacks are also available, including pretzels, chips, and assorted candy.   Pepsi products are sold at Arute Field. On chilly fall days, coffee and hot chocolate are popular choices. Alcoholic beverages are not offered at this on-campus facility.   Atmosphere 3   While the game day atmosphere at Arute Field will never be confused with the show put on in the Power Five conferences, Blue Devils staff and fans combine to make this a fun place to spend a fall Saturday afternoon.   Sections of the parking lot adjacent to the facility are set aside for tailgating, and Blue Devil fans fill these spots with grills, music, and décor. You’re likely to run into CCSU’s mascot, Kizer, who roams the facility throughout the afternoon. CCSU boasts an impressively large cheer squad, who set up shop on the near sideline and perform along with the school’s pep band and dance squad.   Blue Devil fans routinely fill the stands and are active throughout the game, adding to the festive atmosphere. There is a good sound system, with a PA announcer who adds game information along with the scoreboard located in the north end zone. Unfortunately, the scoreboard’s video board is only used sparingly and not for video replay. Banners honoring CCSU’s conference championships are posted on the façade of the grandstand at field level. Unfortunately, this makes them invisible to most fans in the stadium. Neighborhood 3     Central Connecticut State University is located in a residential neighborhood on the northeastern edge of New Britain, a suburban city of 73,000 people located 12 miles from Hartford, Connecticut. Arute Field is located on the eastern edge of campus, directly off Route 9. All of Central Connecticut’s athletic facilities, including the CCSU Baseball Field  and the William H. Detrick Gymnasium , are located nearby.   There are not many choices for dining or lodging immediately adjacent to Arute Field, but there is great diversity within a few miles of campus. Fans wanting a unique experience before or after a CCSU game should check out the East Side Restaurant, a German-themed pub complete with staff in traditional Bavarian gear and all the bratwurst you could desire.   For a twist on a traditional American dish, visit Ted’s Restaurant in nearby Meriden. Their method of cooking hamburgers in steam trays is unique to central Connecticut , and Ted’s has been featured on several travel shows such as Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.   Lodging options are plentiful in nearby Farmington. Connecticut’s capital city, Hartford, is a short fifteen-minute drive from Central Connecticut’s campus and offers additional dining, lodging, and entertainment options. If time allows, the National Iwo Jima Memorial is located just beyond CCSU's athletic fields on Ella Grasso Boulevard.   Fans 3   Central Connecticut averages around 3,500 fans per game, which is significantly above the Northeast Conference average. This figure has remained fairly consistent over the years, both before and after the pandemic. Stadium Journey visited Arute Field on a gorgeous October Saturday, with an announced attendance of about 3,200 fans. As mentioned before, fans at Arute Field are enthusiastic and vocal about the action going on down on the field.   While a good number of students turn out for Blue Devils games, they spread out throughout the stadium and don’t add a ton of energy to the festivities. They tend to blend in with the rest of the fans here. With many of Central Connecticut’s opponents located nearby, a good turnout from visiting fans can be expected.   Access 4     New Britain is located about a 15-minute drive from Hartford. Route 9 passes directly by the campus, connecting with interstates 84 and 91, a few miles away. With its suburban location, the great majority of fans drive to Central Connecticut. The parking lot directly adjacent to Arute Field is large enough for typical game day crowds. Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that CTTransit’s 128 and 144 buses access the campus on Stanley Street.   There is a spacious concourse located on the back side of the press box building, where the concessions and bathrooms are located. Restrooms are spacious and clean, and lines move quickly, even at halftime. Wide vomitories and walkways allow fans to access all parts of the facility, although fans will have to navigate stairs to access the visiting (west) side of the stadium. A standing room is available beyond both end zones.   Arute Field consists of two sets of grandstands. The east (home) grandstand is the larger of the two and is built into a hill. The first row is raised about ten feet above field level, ensuring excellent views from all seats. All seating consists of metal bleachers. General admission seats are located in the front rows of the grandstand due to the wide walkway in front of the seating area. It is recommended you choose a seat a few rows up from the front to avoid the distraction of the passing traffic that may disrupt your view at times. The top rows on the home grandstand consist of metal bleacher seating with seat backs and armrests, which are sold as reserved seating. Handicapped seating is located at the top of every section. Restroom facilities can be found on both sides of Arute Field.   Return on Investment 5   Tickets to Blue Devils games at Arute Field are an absolute bargain. Reserved chairback seats can be purchased for ten dollars, with general admission bleacher seating priced at eight dollars. Seniors and kids are admitted for just five dollars.   Parking is free in the lot adjacent to Arute Field. Concessions are also inexpensive, with all items priced less than $6. You can go to a Blue Devils game with a twenty-dollar bill and come home with something still in your pocket.   Extras 1   An extra point is awarded for the Blue Devils’ unique mascot, Kizer. He is named in honor of Harrison Kaiser, the “father of CCSU athletics.” Kaiser was the first coach of the CCSU football team, serving in that capacity from 1935-1947.                                                               Final Thoughts   Arute Field boasts a festive game day atmosphere, which belies its small size and simple design. Fans looking for a place to catch some quality football in an affordable setting should check out Central Connecticut State University, another quality under the radar, Stadium Journey.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Arnold Field 101 N College Ave Annville, PA 17003 Flying Dutchmen website Arnold Field website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 2,000 Valley Football Lebanon Valley College is a liberal arts college located in downtown Annville, PA. Annville is in Lebanon County, east of Hershey. Founded in 1866 Lebanon Valley has approximately 1,600 undergraduates. The Princeton Review has recognized the college as “A Best in the Northeast” and they have over thirty-five fields of study . Football was started in 1897 at Lebanon Valley College. Lebanon Valley College is a member of NCAA Division III, and competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference for football. The school has produced 11 all-Americans and were the 2009 and 2011 ECAC Southwest Bowl champions. The school’s teams are called the Flying Dutchmen, and its mascot is the Dutchman. The college is known as the home of the 1994 NCAA Division III National Champions in basketball. That 1994 championship victory over New York University was a controversial affair when a Dutchmen shot that won the game may or may not have been by the sound of the buzzer. But no matter what, the school hosts that championship proudly, as they should. Food & Beverage 3 There is no real official concession stand at Arnold Field. But the game I attended, which was Homecoming, had a great vendor called Williams that had some tasty Italian sausages for $7, hot dogs for $2.50, french fries for $2.50 and barbecue super dog that had pulled pork on a hot dog for a pretty amazing value of $7. There were two separate temporary trailers for Williams, one on each side of the stadium. There were also some students selling Philly style soft pretzels as well as a couple student groups having bake sales. I don’t know if all these offerings are the norm at non-Homecoming games, but the value and options were good. Atmosphere 5 The small college pride of Lebanon Valley College was in full effect at this game. The grandstands were packed and all sides of the field were filled with fans. The stadium is no more than a basic high school setup. A small grandstand on the home side of the field, with an even smaller set of stands on the other side for visiting team fans. There is a track between the stands and the field. Lebanon Valley has a mascot, the Dutchman, as well as the normal set of cheerleaders and band. Neighborhood 4 Annville is a great little town of a little less than 5,000 about 8 miles east of Hershey, PA. The college is right in the heart of downtown. Funck’s Family Restaurant, Corvette Grille and Bar and Harper’s Tavern are all local establishments that offer good food pre and postgame. The Pennsylvania chain, Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, is another option right in Annville. The food is good, cheap and certainly plentiful. J & S Pizza is a decent option within walking distance to campus. Fans 4 The crowds at Lebanon Valley do not disappoint. There is quite a bit of obvious school pride with fans attending in droves. The athletic teams here are supported well and have shown a great deal of ability for their fans. Access 4 Located on Route 422 between Lebanon and Hershey, Annville is easy to find and has no problem handling the crowds for such a small stadium. Expect that on busy game days you will hit some traffic on Route 422 and especially on Bellegrove Road by the athletic complex. There is a good amount of parking, but do plan ahead. On the homecoming game that I attended I had to park far across by the soccer and baseball stadiums and make the walk over Bellegrove Road by way of a nice pedestrian bridge. You can also try to park in downtown Annville and walk over the railroad pedestrian bridge to the athletic fields. The athletic fields are located north of the main campus, separated by a railroad. Return on Investment 4 Football tickets are roughly the same price as high school football, possibly even cheaper than some of those. Adult tickets are $5, with $3 seniors and $2 non-LVC students tickets also available. LVC students attend for free. Extras 3 Check out the John Zola statue on the east side of the stadium. This junior running back in 1961, was killed during a game at Drexel. His 1961 teammates donated the money for the statue. Make sure to stop into the nearby Arnold Sports Center and check out LVC Hall of Champions. This museum-like display space commemorates the great individual and team achievements of Flying Dutchman athletics. Peak into the Arnold Arena and see 1994 national championship basketball banner. Final Thoughts Arnold Field at Lebanon Valley College is not a fancy stadium but shows why small college athletics is such a treasure in this country. A sports fan visiting the central Pennsylvania owes it to themselves to see if a game is going on when they are in the area.

Photos by Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 ShoreTown Ballpark 2 Stadium Way Lakewood, NJ 08701 Jersey Shore BlueClaws website ShoreTown Ballpark website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 6,588 Down the Shore Everything’s Alright The Jersey Shore Blue Claws baseball team plays their home games at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, New Jersey. The team is the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and underwent a couple of key changes this past offseason (2020). One was a name change from Lakewood to Jersey Shore and the other was a change in the league from the South Atlantic League in Low-A to High-A East due to minor league’s realignment. The Blue Claws were founded in 2001 and have showcased some of the Phillies premier prospects over the years including Cole Hamels and Rhys Hoskins. FirstEnergy Park holds 6,588 fans plus additional space on the grass in the outfield and offers a truly unique game day experience. Food & Beverage 3 FirstEnergy Park has numerous concession stands serving both food and drink. The main stands are the Coors Light Food Courts located on the left and right field lines. Food is divided into entrees and snacks/sides. A hot dog costs $5, a burger costs $7, and a veggie burger costs $8. Offerings also include Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese (a local shore favorite) for $7 and chicken tenders and fries for $10. Sides include $6 onion rings, $5 popcorn and peanuts, and Cracker Jack for $4. Drinks are served at the food court as well as separate stands that serve alcohol and an ice cream stand for the kids. Ice cream comes in both cup ($6) and sundae ($8) form and has chocolate, orange, and vanilla flavors. Local breweries Toms River Brewing and Pinelands Brewing Company are represented with a stand on the concourse behind home plate. The sandbar in left field is another option for adult beverages. An alcohol stand in right field offers Coors and Miller for $7 and Corona, Blue Moon, and White Claw for $8. Coca-Cola is the stadium’s main soda and is served for $5 at the food court. Concession stands accept both cash and credit/debit. I tried the chicken fingers with fries and they were very good, not chewy or hard, well cooked, and the fries were crispy and tasty. Atmosphere 5 Whether named Lakewood or Jersey Shore, the Blue Claws have an unmatched atmosphere. FirstEnergy Park is laid out like most minor league stadiums, obviously way larger than a high school field but nowhere near as big as a major league park. Reserved seating is available along the left and right field lines and behind home plate. The outfield is a grassy area where people are welcome to sit. There are also fire pits in the outfield and oversized beach chairs where people of all ages can sit, although kids get more of a kick out of those than adults. Premium seats are located on the second deck. Everything is visible from any seat in the stadium; there are no seats that are obstructed. Any seat is prime foul ball territory as well, so bring a glove. One deficiency is that free WiFi isn’t available at the park. The Blue Claws mascot is Buster, a Philly Phanatic-inspired character that is of an unknown species. Despite his undefined genus, Buster elicits responses from kids that are akin to a Beatles concert in 1964, meaning they go absolutely bonkers for him. The PA announcer at the stadium has a clear voice and isn’t over the top; he doe his job without making a clown of himself. Music played between innings is classic rock. It is interesting to note that rap and country are not played at all despite being oft-played at other sporting venues. After weekend games live music is played in the Sand Bar in left field and special promotions include musical chairs to Dead tunes and the classic pork roll, egg, and cheese eyeball races. In terms of seating, there isn’t a bad seat in the house for a night game. However, for a day game, it may be better to sit further up due to the lack of cover from a second deck on most of the seats. Neighborhood 2 FirstEnergy Park is located in a fast developing corner of an increasingly overdeveloped town of Lakewood, New Jersey. Once a secluded resort amongst the pines, Lakewood has become a haven for the Orthodox Jewish community in the last twenty years. The stadium complex now features three office buildings, and across Route 528 a new housing complex and shopping malls have cropped up including a QuickChek convenience store. The night of the game Stadium Journey attended, downtown Lakewood was a ghost town due to it being the day of Shabbat or sabbath in the Jewish faith. That being said, it’s not like Lakewood is a hub of nightlife any other day of the week. Lakewood is a heavily religious community and excessive hedonism is not in the cards. However, the allure of attending a Blue Claws game is proximity to the shore. Blue Claws games take place in the summer and the summer population at the shore is swelled due to an influx of tourists from both the New York and Philadelphia metro areas. Attractions, entertainment, and food near Lakewood all fall to the communities on the shore like Belmar, Seaside Heights, and Asbury Park, which are all twenty or more miles away. Asbury Park features the legendary concert venue the Stone Pony as well as trendy restaurants like Porta and the Robinson Ale House. Six Flags Great Adventure is in neighboring Jackson, also about 15 minutes from the ballpark. In terms of hotel accommodations, there is a Hilton Garden Inn located on Route 70 in Lakewood, and a Ramada further down 70 in Toms River. Hotels are way more common at the shore with bed and breakfasts, motels, and upscale hotels like the Asbury in Asbury Park. Fans 4 The Jersey Shore Blue Claws have led the South Atlantic League in attendance almost every season since their inception. The game attended by Stadium Journey was packed, but a majority of the fans were deadheads, acolytes of the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead, at the game for the sole reason of listening to Dead cover band Splintered Sunlight. There was a large cluster of fans in left field at the concert who were not seated in their assigned seats watching the game. That being said, I’ve been to Blue Claws games in the past where the stands were full and fans were loud throughout the entire game, so this game was an anomaly and not the norm. Access 4 FirstEnergy Park is very accessible both in terms of getting to the stadium and moving around the stadium once inside. In terms of mass transit, the stadium is accessible by car from both major cities of New York and Philadelphia, it is a mere five minutes from the Garden State Parkway. However, the stadium isn’t on one of NJ Transit’s train lines. Technically the nearest airport to the park is the Lakewood Municipal Airport but the park is less than an hour away from Newark and Atlantic City airports, as well as a little over an hour away from Philadelphia International Airport as well as JFK and LaGuardia in New York. Parking options are immense and parking costs a mere $5. There was a line to get in before the game to get it but it moved extremely fast. Tickets can be bought online or in-person before the game and tickets are scanned both on phones and with hard copies. People with bags are subjected to a bag check as they enter the stadium. The concourse is crowded and concession lines are long at times but moved quickly and efficiently. The main concourse has a view of the playing field and features numerous sections of handicap-accessible seating as well as handicap-accessible parking spaces. Return on Investment 4 When you attend a Jersey Shore Blue Claws game, you are getting your money’s worth. The in-game entertainment, game atmosphere, and hospitality are well worth the price of admission. Reserved seats cost $16 each in advance and $18 on the day of the game, Diamond Deck club seating is $35 in advance and $40 the day of the game and private outfield fire pits are $90. $10 for chicken fingers or $5 for a hot dog is nothing compared to other college and professional stadiums. Programs are fully online and aren’t sold at the game. Extras 5 FirstEnergy Park features a nine-hole mini golf course in right field and a kids zone in center field with carnival style games like basketball for prizes, and a “test your pitch velocity” game. There is a bearded ticket taker in a red shirt with the name tag “Santa Claws.” The Claws Cove, a merchandise shop behind home plate sells jerseys, bats, and a plush of the team mascot, Buster. There is the retired number of former Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels in center field. The club wears Grateful Dead theme tie-dye jerseys. The friendly staff and ushers make an effort to make visitors feel welcome. Final Thoughts Bruce Springsteen once said “Down the Shore Everything’s Alright,” and the same can be said about the experience at a Jersey Shore Blue Claws game. If you’re visiting the shore for a week, a day, or the summer, be sure to catch a game in Lakewood.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Tiger Stadium W Stadium Rd Baton Rouge, LA 70893 LSU Tigers website Tiger Stadium website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 102,321 Saturday Night in Baton Rouge Louisiana State University’s Tiger Stadium is home to the Louisiana State University Tigers football team; the stadium opened in 1924 with an original capacity of just 12,000. However, the increase in “Geaux” Tigers fans through the years has forced the historic venue to its fair share of remodels and renovations. Tiger Stadium now becomes the fifth largest city in the state of Louisiana on game days due to the venue’s capacity of 102,321. Tiger Stadium is the second largest stadium in the Southeastern Conference behind Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. Tiger Stadium sits on the campus of Louisiana State University less than one mile away from the Mississippi River, just south of Baton Rouge. The most recent renovation to Tiger Stadium was completed in 2014 and included 66 luxury suites, 3,000 club level seats above the south end zone, and 1,500 public seats in the upper deck, making it the sixth-largest college football stadium in the nation – the 1,500 public seats are known as the Skyline Club. Purchase of a ticket in the Skyline Club (with beer garden) includes admission to the seating area, admission to a self-serve food buffet, and the ability to purchase beer and wine. In addition, starting in 2018 Tiger Stadium saw the appearance of an additional beer garden called The Chute; this new beer drinking area is located below the south end zone bleachers. Over the past 99 years, Tiger Stadium is one of the toughest venues for visiting teams to win in (as of this writing LSU has a 439-154-18 record at Tiger Stadium). In 2005 Tiger Stadium also served as the playing site for four New Orleans Saints games, due to the devastation by Hurricane Katrina, to New Orleans and the Louisiana Superdome.   Food & Beverage   4 There are plenty of great options outside Tiger Stadium for local Cajun flavors such as meat pies, boudin and alligator, red beans and rice, and even shrimp etouffee. However, the food and beverage operation inside the venue is a second chance to enjoy a little Cajun flavor – Triple B’s New Orleans Cajun Corner stands can be found throughout the stadium and offer three Cajun items: Zatarain’s Cajun jambalaya, grilled alligator sausage po’boys, and Creole crawfish pie. Or if you aren’t interested in the local cuisine there is the basic stadium fare, for example, Tiger Dogs (hot dog with chili and nacho cheese), Swamp Sausage (bratwurst), BBQ Bengal Burgers (cheese, BBQ sauce and pickles) and Grande Nachos. Besides these items the concessions stands are basic with hot dogs, nachos, bottomless popcorn, and Bavarian pretzels. The beverages at Tiger Stadium are Coca-Cola products. There are plenty of options when it comes to alcohol drinks, as the stadium has served a variety since 2019. The regional food menu, along with reasonable stadium prices, raises Tiger’s Stadium concessions to an above average ranking.   Atmosphere   5 There are plenty of great atmospheres in college football, and many fans have legitimate reasons to think their school has the best atmosphere. LSU fans are no different, and if creating a list of the top three college football atmospheres, it would be hard not to list Tiger Stadium as one of them. The LSU fan base is one of the best all-around in college sports, and obviously Tiger football fans are the harder core of the group. On game day in Baton Rouge, the reflection from the Mississippi River becomes a tidal wave of purple and gold. Just like every great college atmosphere, the atmosphere begins with tailgating – over two-thirds of Tiger fans tailgate for five or more hours before every game, and many begin more than 24 hours before kickoff. There are plenty of charcoal grills, tents, televisions, music, and other festivities for tailgaters. It seems like all the tents, vehicles, chairs, and tables are decorated in Tiger apparel, and the signs around the tailgating are a warning to visiting fans that their team is about to be Tiger bait. Tiger Stadium becomes the fifth largest population in the state of Louisiana on game day, so the tailgating scene is quite a sight to see while walking around LSU’s campus. But it wouldn’t be a trip to Tiger Stadium unless you visit Mike the Tiger’s exhibit and witness LSU’s Tiger Walk. The Tiger Walk begins on top of Victory Hill, from the top of the hill down past the basketball arena, next to and into Tiger Stadium. This is a huge moment in the game day experience for Tiger fans, as the crowd will be large, so get a spot on the barrier fence early – a good recommendation is to get there an hour before the Tiger Walk. The Tiger Walk starts about 2 hours and 15 minutes before kickoff and includes more than just the players walking from the buses to the stadium, but is also a celebration of LSU football. Past LSU players start the walk followed by the current team, LSU Golden Girls, marching band, and cheerleaders, all walking down Victory Hill. This is probably the best time to head into the stadium. The team begins warmups about 90 minutes prior to kickoff, and about half an hour before kickoff and right before the Tigers leave the field after practice, the PA system, along with the video board, presents Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge”, which adds more excitement as over 100,000 Tiger fans can join in the singing of the song. It is also hard to beat a night game in Tiger Stadium, especially before kickoff, when the public address announcer announces, “It’s Saturday Night in Death Valley…and here come your Fighting Tigers of LSU". LSU fans are engaged and loud throughout the game, with chants of “Geaux Tigers” and “Tiger Bait”, especially for an SEC rival. The LSU student section is the conductor in leading the charge, in making Tiger Stadium one of the loudest in college football.   Neighborhood   4 The LSU campus is a few miles south from downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The campus enrollment is close to 31,000 and consists of more than 250 buildings constructed in the style of Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio; the campus occupies a 650-acre plateau on the east banks of the Mississippi River. The area just off the interstate isn’t much to see, but on the north end of campus is Chimes Street – Chimes Street is a good place to find many local bars and restaurants to enjoy yourself. There are plenty of food options available here with Chinese food, sushi, BBQ joints, southern cuisine, and sports bars where you can watch other games. Obviously any options close to campus and the stadium will be crowded, so arrive and be prepared an hour or more before heading towards Tiger Stadium. The Chimes on the corner of Chimes Street and Highland Road is a good spot to begin the day, because a trip to Baton Rouge is worth eating at a southern cuisine restaurant. This restaurant offers delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine including gumbo, crawfish etouffee, po’boys, boudin balls, alligator, and some fantastic pasta options. There is also a Buffalo Wild Wings just up from The Chimes, if you just want an alcoholic beverage. But for fans who enjoy local breweries, try visiting Tin Roof Brewing Company near the Magnolia Mound Plantation – Magnolia Mound Plantation is a wonderful tourist spot to visit if you get a chance while in Baton Rouge, and on the south side of campus there is the Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, a good spot for pregame meet ups. Baton Rouge has plenty of lodging, but there are a couple of places within walking distance from campus. On the south side there is 3-star hotel, Staybridge Suites Baton Rouge off Nicolson Drive, while back on the east side of campus is Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU – these hotels will get full and pricey if not booked in advance. As a matter of fact, the Baton Rouge area lodging prices will be higher on football weekends, so planning to stay further out might save on your wallet. Baton Rouge, being the state capital, means it has tourist attractions. I mentioned the Plantation, but downtown has both the old and new capitol buildings, the latter being one of the tallest buildings in Baton Rouge. Or one of my favorites is the USS Kidd, a Fletcher-class destroyer from WWII, now a National Historic Landmark/museum ship berthed on the Mississippi River.   Fans   5 LSU fans are one of the loudest, most dedicated, and in a simple word, awesome, fan bases in the country. Tiger Stadium becomes the fifth largest population in the state of Louisiana during a Tigers home game. Tiger fans are very knowledgeable about their LSU history and are always willing to talk football with you. The southern hospitality is alive and well throughout the campus. However, there are always the cat calls of ‘TIGER BAIT’ to visiting fans wearing the other team’s colors. The atmosphere of Tiger fans tailgating is incredible; they are dedicated and love the purple and gold, but to hear the echoes of “Geaux Tigers” throughout the live oak tree campus is a credit to all LSU fans. Inside the stadium, just get ready for one of the loudest fan experiences of your life. There could be a moment that surprises you when the LSU marching band plays “Talkin’ Out the Side of Your Neck”, but this comes from the student section, and anyone that has been around college students in a hostile environment knows the students go beyond being politically correct.   Access   2 Tiger Stadium is on the campus of Louisiana State University; LSU is located just south of downtown Baton Rouge. There are exits off Interstate 10, so the access getting to the stadium is a breeze, especially if you go early to soak up the LSU game day atmosphere. The parking can be prepaid which costs between $20 and $40 for reserved lots around Tiger Stadium, but there is also free parking available in a multitude of places; the LSU golf course near Alex Box Stadium (LSU baseball) is really the best option for non-parking pass holders. Like most sports venues, the best thing is to plan in advance for your trip, and this is even more true when making a trip to Tiger Stadium. Parking maps and fan guides can be found on LSU’s website, which highlight the best areas to park on game day. All gates open 2 1/2 hours prior to kickoff, and waiting until the last minute can cause you to miss some of the pre-game activities, or part of the game itself. Although there are plenty of gates to enter Tiger Stadium, not every gate will allow access to your seat – Tiger Stadium can be a maze for finding your seat, as the stadium expansion over the years never created full access to other parts of the stadium in some areas. The best advice is to look at your ticket and use the gate printed on it to prevent frustration and time lost in entering Tiger Stadium. This is a good warning for buying your ticket because if you have an upper deck ticket, be aware that you do NOT have access to anywhere else in the stadium. This can be another frustrating fact in terms of Tiger Stadium access – many visiting fans want to go in early and watch the teams warm up or want to take pictures in other areas in of the stadium, so those that want to get the full experience may be quite disheartened, especially considering that other SEC stadiums such as Texas A&M  and Alabama  allow fans down near the field (or between the hedges in Georgia’s  case) not only during pre-game but during the ENTIRE game. LSU Athletics enforces a clear bag policy at Tiger Stadium, due to it being a conference-wide policy for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), meaning that clear bags measuring larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or non-clear wristlets/clutches/wallets/bags measuring larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″, are not allowed into the venue. The access at Tiger Stadium is probably not as bad for frequent visitors to LSU games as it is for occasional visitors, for whom it can really be a huge negative to an otherwise wonderful place to watch college football. All of this said, even leaving the stadium is a nightmare. There are 100,000+ fans being directed down one-way streets away from campus, so the problem is that trying to reach the highway can take an hour when campus is only four miles from the interstate. There hasn’t been a venue that can be more frustrating when it comes to access, but this should not keep any football fan from visiting Baton Rouge, the beautiful LSU campus, or taking in the incredible atmosphere of LSU’s Tiger Stadium.   Return on Investment   5 There are five tiers of seating prices inside Tiger Stadium, and of course, any SEC game will cost more than a non-conference game. Non-conference games against opponents such as Nicholls , South Alabama , or Louisiana Tech  will be between $20 and $70 when buying from the box office, and the atmosphere will still be a great experience for these games, but for a lot less money. The rest of the schedule is the SEC, so, there will be a higher demand, especially the years that Alabama  visits Baton Rouge. Expect ticket prices for premier games to range from $200 to $275 per ticket, which makes the other SEC games seem not as bad, since their ticket prices range from $50 to $85. The justification for all of this is that there is free parking and great food to offset the expense of the ticket. Compared to other big programs, LSU keeps their ticket prices cheap for football games, except for premier games. However, if you are a fan of bargains, then LSU’s Louisiana Fish Fry Products Skyline Club (south upper deck) is an area that may peek your interest – the Skyline Club is an open-air seating premium club area able to accommodate up to 1,500 fans in sections 650-658. Included in the ticket cost for this is an all-you-can-eat buffet of rotating menu items and one free beverage. Beer and wine are also available for purchase at an additional cost. LSU has a strong travel fan base, so there aren’t many atmospheres in college football that beat LSU football in Tiger Stadium. Parking can be free, concessions are reasonably priced, and the overall atmosphere is worth the price of admission.   Extras   5 The amazing history of Louisiana State University football is storied with success over 125 college football seasons, and Tiger Stadium has been named as one of the best college stadiums to visit by many media outlets throughout the years. In addition, the city of Baton Rouge is Louisiana’s state capital and the third-southernmost capital city in the continental US after Austin and Tallahassee, which are truly the definition of southern hospitality. There are also so many things to experience in and around the LSU campus, with the most popular on game day being Mike the Tiger’s habitat, one of the true highlights of traveling to LSU. The habitat has an Italianate tower (campanile) as a backdrop that creates a visual link to the Italianate architectural vernacular of LSU’s campus. The new habitat ranks among the largest and finest tiger preserves in the United States. Mike the Tiger is the official mascot of LSU – Mike is the name of both the live and costumed mascots. The current live tiger, Mike VII, was recently introduced on August 21, 2017, which was the first day of classes for LSU’s fall semester. LSU fans are also amazingly supportive as they travel to away games, but to see them line up for the Tiger Walk prior to games at Tiger Stadium illustrates the passion and loyalty that Tiger fans possess.   Final Thoughts For 130 seasons, LSU football has been bringing fans together to watch college football in Baton Rouge. There are many reasons that LSU is voted one of the best atmospheres in college football to watch a game, but the biggest reason is that LSU is more than a football game – for fans, students, and alumni, Death Valley on a Saturday (night) becomes a way of life.

Photos by Sean Rowland, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Maimonides Park 1904 Surf Ave Brooklyn, NY 11224 Brooklyn Cyclones website Maimonides Park website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 7,500 Maimonides Park– Brooklyn Cyclones Throughout the early 20th century, Brooklyn was one of the hotbeds of baseball in America. The Brooklyn Dodgers were the heart and soul of the borough for over 65 years until "Dem Bums” moved to Los Angeles in 1957. Brooklyn was without professional baseball for over 40 years until it returned in 2001, not in the Flatbush neighborhood where the Dodgers had played at Ebbets Field, but now on Coney Island, by way of the Brooklyn Cyclones. First members of the short-season New York-Penn League, the Cyclones survived the “Great Minor League Contraction” of 2020 and were also elevated from the NY-Penn League to the High-A, South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. Food & Beverage 3 Despite the food options at Maimonides Park being slightly above the status quo, they have a decent amount of better-than-average concessions when compared to what might be found at comparable minor league ballparks. Be on the lookout for the concessions stand selling knishes though – they are a definite treat. And would it be a true New York experience without a slice of pizza? There is a specialized pizza oven down the third base concourse; the only drawback is that it does not seem to be in use regularly. It just would seem wrong if a baseball stadium in Brooklyn served anything other than Nathan’s Famous hot dogs – the Coney Island staple is the hot dog of choice at Maimonides Park, and their flagship location is just two blocks away. Keeping with the taste of local indulgences, Coney Island Brewing’s Mermaid Pilsner and NY Mer Man IPA, as well as Brooklyn Brewery’s Pulp Art Hazy IPA and Summer Ale are served at the stadium. Those who are looking for more national beers or non-craft options have a selection from the Miller family of beers, Truly Seltzer, and Twisted Iced Tea to choose from. In addition, even more, alcohol choices are available through several frozen drinks, margarita popsicles, and boozy ice cream in many different flavors. Concession prices are a touch high for some items, rivaling those at many major league ballparks. Kosher options are available throughout the stadium; there are a handful of stands labeled with their kosher food choices. In all, even though there is no wow factor of anyone concessions item, the selection of adult beverages and local favorites does set Maimonides Park apart from most. Atmosphere 4 The neighboring carnival atmosphere of the area seamlessly flows into Maimonides Park. From the red and yellow alternating lights and neon of the ticket windows to the neon-colored hoops on each of the stadium’s lighting stanchions, along with the 262-foot World’s Fair-era Parachute Jump tower just beyond the right field wall, brings the visual components of the midway into the stadium. Screams from riders of the Thunderbolt roller coaster and the carnival barker personality of in-game host King Henry also add to the unique atmosphere of the stadium. One of the unique features of Maimonides Park is, other than the suites and themed gathering areas, the field level seating bowl has one price for all tickets. Fans on the first base side of the field tend to be a bit more rambunctious in their support of the Cyclones, while lower levels on the third base side of the stadium provide spectacular views of the grandstand, with its yellow and blue awning, colored accent lighting, and the parachute tower. In addition, seating in the upper levels of the suite area of the stadium provides views of the Coney Island boardwalk, pier, and Atlantic Ocean. Brooklyn puts on a well-orchestrated show for fans each night between several clever themed nights, well thought-out gate giveaways, and the mid-inning games hosted by King Henry. The Cyclones have been recognized as one of the top organizations in minor league baseball with numerous Golden Bobblehead Award nominations, awarded for top promotions and events. Given their New York City location, many promotions have centered around Seinfeld characters or popular scenes from the long-running sitcom. When it comes to the overall game experience at Maimonides Park, the Cyclones do an excellent job of bringing the fun and excitement of the surrounding area inside the stadium. Neighborhood 5 Maimonides Park is bordered by several high-rise residential buildings and the famed Coney Island boardwalk. The park is at the junction where urban residential meets New York City’s beaches. The culture from the Coney Island boardwalk and pier just outside the stadium feels at one with the ballpark. On busy weekends, Latin music coming from the boardwalk provides a beautiful musical backdrop as the teams warm up; the only drawback is the stadium speakers frequently drown out the nearby music. The Luna Amusement Park neighbors Maimonides Park for three blocks outside the outfield fences and sets the background for the stadium – it also provides a lot of thrills to experience before heading through the gates for a game. Just a short walk from the ballpark is legendary Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, world recognized for their Fourth of July hot dog eating competition. However, though Nathan’s is the most iconic of the food options in the area, there are a seemingly endless number of food shops serving fried clams, oysters, shish-kebob, Italian sausage, and assorted sweet treats. Fans looking for a pre-game craft beer need to, look no further than Coney Island Brewery, which is part of the outer side of Maimonides Park. If something a bit more lowkey than the excitement of the midway and beach is more up your alley, the New York Aquarium is a short walk down the boardwalk. Fans arriving hours before the gates open will find themselves with nearly an endless number of options to fill their time before entering the stadium, and this does not include the endless choices in Brooklyn or the rest of New York City. Fans 4 Cyclone fans remind you that Brooklyn still has a love affair with the game of baseball. Attendance numbers do fluctuate greatly throughout the season, but come the summer months attendance ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 on most nights, with weekend day games being the most popular. This is consistent with the success the Cyclones saw while members of the New York-Penn League when they were commonly the top attendance draw in the league. Now as a full-season affiliate, the crowds still show up, but early-season attendance can be a bit modest. It is just not the attendance that helps to add to the experience at Maimonides Park, but fans sit on the edge of their seats, ready to celebrate each Cyclone's run or outstanding play. What makes the fans in Brooklyn special though is not necessarily their passion for baseball, but the way they celebrate the team’s successes together – it is not uncommon for a whole section of fans to erupt in jubilation following a pivotal play in the game. Access 4 The ease of getting to Maimonides Park depends a lot on how you plan to get to the ballpark. If arriving by vehicle, it can be an adventure simply given the congestion of New York City’s highways and surface streets. On the other hand, New York is much easier to navigate via its subway system, which has a stop less than a half mile from the stadium. If just passing through New York and driving to the stadium, be prepared to deal with the city traffic. If possible, taking the subway to Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue stop is probably the best bet. Return on Investment 3 Many think of New York City and the exorbitant prices that can come with it, but the Cyclones offer several tiers of tickets that make attending games a steal. Grandstand tickets start as low as $9, before fees for bargain games, while games held on premium dates run $20. Typical game tickets begin at $15 with fees added to online sales, but which can be avoided if tickets are purchased at the box office. The affordability of pricing is relative to the location of the ballpark. Fans with proof of a game ticket can park for $10. This may seem to be a bit expensive for High-A baseball but is a good deal given the location of the ballpark and the fact that visitors to surrounding attractions are paying at least twice that rate. Concessions at Maimonides Park are a bit on the higher side compared to other minor league parks – they are more on par with major league stadiums, but there are a handful of less expensive options. Extras 4 A statue of Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese stands just outside the main gate. The statue memorializes the accounts of Reese supporting Robinson by putting his arm around his shoulder while Robinson was being tormented by hecklers early in his career. Though the exact account of the story is a bit inconsistent, the friendship between the two is well documented. The artwork atop the scoreboard replicates the wooden structures of the Cyclone roller coaster, which is the namesake of the team and is visible in the distance over the left field wall. Outside the stadium adjacent to the neighboring parking lot is the Wall of Remembrance which honors the 416 first responders who lost their lives when responding to the attack on the World Trade Center. The Cyclones have a few ways they recognize the historical significance of the Brooklyn Dodgers; the “B” of the logo replicates the one used by the Dodgers almost exclusively during their days in Flatbush. In addition, the iron art at the end of each row of seats also makes use of the “Brooklyn B”. Final Thoughts The Dodgers may have left Brooklyn over 65 years ago, but the impact they had in creating a baseball-loving community is still felt today. The passion Brooklyn has for baseball creates a fun and knowledgeable baseball community. Partnered with the work the Cyclones do in meshing fans with fun, and the carnival atmosphere from neighboring Luna Park midway and the Coney Island boardwalk, baseball at Maimonides Park is one of the true gems in minor league baseball.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium 255 Ferst Dr Atlanta, GA 30332 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets website Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 3,718 Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium The skyline of Midtown Atlanta drapes the outfield at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium, creating one of the most stunning backdrops in college baseball. Baseball has been played at the corner of Fowler Street and Ferst Drive for close to a century. Originally built in 1930 and known as Rose Bowl Field, the stadium was rebuilt in the early 70s with just aluminum bleachers, then upgraded in 1985 by donations from A. Russell Chandler II. While the official name became Russ Chandler Stadium, it garnered the nickname “The Rusty C” due to the rusting of the bleachers. The stadium received a full upgrade in 2002 when a full grandstand was built, and then again in 2021 when the Mark Teixeira Skyline Terrace was added down the third-base side of the stadium. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions are what would be expected at most baseball concession stands, highlighted by chicken fingers and fries ($10). Other choices include hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, and popcorn for $6 each. Peanuts, chips, and candy can also be purchased. Non-alcoholic beverages include 22 and 32oz Coke products, which are available for $6 and $7, respectively. There is a wide selection of beer, from domestics ($10) to premium beers ($12) that include the Georgia Tech branded “Helluva Lager” and “Ale of An Engineer.” New Realm Brewing Company also offers draft Hazy Pale Ale and Fruited Wheat Ale. Seltzers ($11) and wine ($12) are also available. Prices are in line with most stadiums, but are a tick high when compared with what the neighboring Hawks and Falcons have done by drastically cutting the price of their concessions. Atmosphere 4 The use of brick is prevalent throughout Russ Chandler Stadium. From the outer façade to the press box, to the backstop and the recently added Mark Teixeira Skyline Terrace, the use of brick really jumps out, and it complements the natural grass field perfectly. The field plays a bit to the advantage of left-handed hitters with the right field sitting 328’ and power alleys just 353’. The left field wall is 332’ from home with left center going 391’; it is 400’ to dead center. The distances are a bit lopsided, with a relatively short fence from right center to right field given the street that runs just beyond the wall. Georgia Tech does not do a lot when it comes to between-inning entertainment, and it is wonderful! This is not to say there is not occasional fan-cam, or fan contests, but those are kept to a minimum and the focus is kept on the game itself. Best of all, there are no sound effects following each foul ball, nor scoreboard messages prompting fans to clap. The chairback seats behind home plate are almost entirely shaded and covered to help eliminate the elements; they are a good investment when it comes to protecting against the sun. Or, if looking to take in the game solely as social event, the Teixeira Skyline Terrace is a great place to grab a drink, watch the game, and take in Atlanta’s skyline. Neighborhood 5 The Georgia Tech campus is in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood – Russ Chandler Stadium itself is surrounded by many of the Tech’s fraternity and sorority houses. Georgia Tech’s campus will never be confused as being a college town, but the stadium’s proximity to Greek housing helps create a campus game day atmosphere. Given Georgia Tech’s location, there is nearly an endless amount of food, lodging, and entertainment in the area. Just across the interstate is where much of the entertainment and restaurants are located, along Peachtree and Juniper Streets. Hotels in the area are also plentiful – the most convenient might be the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. Georgia Tech’s campus is also just over a mile from Centennial Olympic Park, which is surrounded by many downtown attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, and World of Coke. Fans 4 Georgia Tech fans pack the house for big games, and the Tech students are a big part of that. Students fill three of the four sections behind the visiting team’s dugout along the first base line. The student section is rather active with chants and cheers throughout the game. Georgia Tech baseball fans turn out to support the Ramblin’ Wreck, but it is not a highly intense atmosphere; the feel is simply one of a large number of fans turning out to support their team. Access 4 The Georgia Tech campus is located directly off Atlanta’s Downtown Connector, where interstates I-75 and I-85 merge. This can be quite a traffic nightmare when trying to get to the stadium for a weekday game. Once on campus, the parking deck that serves most of the baseball traffic is directly across the street from the stadium’s front gates. Atlanta’s subway system, MARTA, also has two stops close to Georgia Tech’s campus, one on North Street and the other at the Midtown transfer station. Both stops are less than a mile from Russ Chandler Stadium. Fans enter to a plaza area where they can access their seats or stop at some of the beer or apparel stands. A secondary entrance near the right field corner makes accessing along the first baseline easier for fans sitting on that side of the stadium. Trying to navigate the concourse can be a challenge as there is not one direct route around it. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are priced fairly, with chair back tickets behind home plate starting at $15, and both bench reserved and general admission seating for $10. Midweek series offer two general admission bench seats for $10. When it comes to concessions, Tech’s prices are not outrageously expensive, but when compared to the super low food prices at nearby State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium , concessions at Russ Chandler Stadium come in a bit high. There is a $5 charge to park in the garage directly across from Russ Chandler Stadium. Given its downtown location, Georgia Tech has to charge for parking, at a drive-up rate of $5. While there are many college baseball programs which do not charge for parking, given the location of Tech’s downtown campus, charging for parking here is unavoidable. Extras 4 Georgia Tech’s beloved mascot, Buzz, makes his way around the stands riling up fans, leading them in chants, and stopping for an almost endless number of selfies. Atlanta’s Midtown skyline provides for a fantastic visual from right center field around to behind the first base dugout. Fans go wild when Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Wreck makes an appearance and takes a lap around the warning track. The 1930 Ford Model A Sport Coupe also remains parked behind home plate for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing fans to snap a quick photo with the classic car. Much like their professional counterparts, Georgia Tech features several stadium giveaways and theme nights throughout the season. Final Thoughts Georgia Tech has a fabulous game day atmosphere – from the Greek housing just outside the gates to the chants and cheers from the student section, to the fact that Georgia Tech stays out of the way of the game and lets the contest on the field be the feature of the day. Russ Chandler Stadium might not be the largest stadium, it might not have tons of amenities, and the fans might be considered subdued by some standards (they defiantly are not), but it hard to beat the laidback atmosphere where baseball is kept as the center of attention.

Nearly four decades after its release, Vision Quest, the coming-of-age movie which tackles high school wrestling, still holds up - and then some. Vision Quest features a stellar cast, including Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, Daphne Zuniga, a then-unknown Madonna and Frank Jasper. Jasper plays Shute, the Goliath who Modine, the film's lead, seeks to beat. Jasper, who was making his film debut, nails the pivotal role, delivering an unforgettable performance. Jasper was kind enough to answer some questions. STADIUM JOURNEY: What prompted you to start printing Shute t-shirts? How can people get one? FRANK JASPER: I was asked to help promote a World Cup event in Los Angeles, which I, of course, said ‘hell yeah!’ to. Then my brother suggested that I create a Shute shirt to honor the film and have something tangible at our booth for people to purchase. You can order your Shute shirt and autographed photos from my site dedicated to Vision Quest at  shuteshirts.com .   STADIUM JOURNEY: Initially, you thought that you were auditioning for an extra role. When you learned that Shute was such a pivotal character with actual lines and lots of action, describe your mindset. FRANK JASPER: Because I was cast as an undefeated two-time state champ, I wanted to be not only impressive physically but also mentally super-intense and single-minded in my actions. I didn’t realize until after shooting that my character played such a pivotal role in the story arc. And quite honestly, if I had known that I had lines, etc., I probably wouldn't have auditioned.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Prior to shooting, you had to lose 16 pounds in two-and-half weeks, similar to what Matthew Modine's character, Louden Swain, does in the film. How difficult was that process? FRANK JASPER: I actually ended up dropping 25 pounds in two- and-half weeks. I was bodybuilding at the time and in a bulking phase, which consisted of five full plates of food to be consumed at each meal. I replaced that with a few egg whites in the morning and a can of tuna on a bed of lettuce with a squeeze of lemon for dressing for lunch. No dinner. Instead, I’d put on sweats and ride a stationary bike as hard as I could for an hour. It was brutal. My body was breaking down my muscles for energy, and my body truly ached from that process.  STADIUM JOURNEY: In one of the movie's most memorable scenes, you're climbing the stadium steps with a log on your back. How heavy was that log? How many takes did you do that scene in? FRANK JASPER: The day we filmed the stadium scene it was a sunny fall day that was so cold that everyone in the crew was wearing parkas, stocking hats and gloves in order to stay warm. The log was lightened up by the props team, so it really wasn’t so heavy. We only did a few takes, and Harold Becker, the director, got what he wanted. By the way, the sweat you see on my face is actually glycerine to make it look like I’m sweating. It was so cold that day. Nobody was going be actually sweating in that situation.  STADIUM JOURNEY: What stadium is that?  FRANK JASPER: That was Joe Albi Stadium, which was demolished recently.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Did you have any idea while shooting that music would play such a pivotal role in the movie? Madonna performs two songs on camera. During shooting, she was relatively unknown. Was there any talk whatsoever that a future global superstar was on set? FRANK JASPER: I was never on set unless I had a scene, and I was not there when Madonna did the bar scene. I had no idea who she was and neither did anyone else at that time. The movie took about a year to complete and during that time, she completely blew up. When the movie came out in Europe, it was advertised as “Crazy for You” starring Madonna. I have to say the soundtrack is amazing. STADIUM JOURNEY: There's no shortage of testosterone in Vision Quest. However, there are also some wonderful female performances. What was it like to work with Linda Fiorentino? FRANK JASPER: She absolutely nailed the role of Carla. I loved her character and her personally.  STADIUM JOURNEY: What's the latest, if anything, on the Vision Quest reboot? FRANK JASPER: I’ve been working with a producer for the last few years on a Vision Quest series similar to the Cobra Kai series, where we check to see where these characters are 30 years later and what happened to them after the big match, etc.. It’s a little more gritty and realistic than Cobra Kai, like Friday Night Lights.  STADIUM JOURNEY: I was surprised to read that you were quite a good tennis player, good enough to earn a college scholarship. How'd you get into tennis and are you still playing? Is pickleball part of your repertoire? FRANK JASPER: I started playing tennis during my sophomore summer and got hooked, so I played for 6-8 hours a day and sometimes at night. I love the sport, and I still play to this day. Pickleball looks fun, but I have not ventured there yet.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Besides tennis, what are you up to these days? FRANK JASPER: After going back to school to get a master’s degree in Oriental medicine, my wife and I ran a wholistic health clinic focusing on health, fitness and longevity for over 30 years in Pacific Palisades, California. We moved to Carmel, California about four years ago, and I’m now working with elite athletes, creating nutritional protocols for optimal performance. I do appearances across the country, and I’m producing and working on several projects for film and TV. I’m also a big fan of regenerative medicine, so I promote that as an influencer for the Integrated Pain Management clinic in Rutherford, New Jersey and Las Vegas. They’re using stem cells and exosomes, as well as many other cutting-edge technologies to heal athletes naturally.  Jon Hart is  @manversusball For those of you who would like to watch the movie now, you can (and should) watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC0bt7wJEV0

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Centennial Bank Stadium 2180 Aggie Rd Jonesboro, AR 72401 Arkansas State Red Wolves website Centennial Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 30,964 Home of the Arkansas State Red Wolves Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas is home to the Red Wolves football team at Arkansas State University. The venue opened in 1974, and currently has a capacity of 30,406 in grandstands on three sides, with the ASU Football Facility taking up the south end zone. The Red Wolves currently compete in the Sun Belt Conference. The playing surface at Centennial Bank Stadium is GEO Surfaces field turf, and was installed in 2010; the multi-use nature of the field allows it to be used by other teams at Arkansas State besides football. Other recent renovations include the construction of the aforementioned football facility in the south end zone, which was built in 2002, and the newly renovated press box on the west side. The press box is named after donor Johnny Allison, an A-State alum, and the renovation increased its size from ~7K square feet to ~36K square feet; the renovations to the press box were completed in 2016. Food & Beverage 5 Centennial Bank Stadium has a whopping 21 different concessions stands under the seats on the east and west sides. These stands sell almost anything you can think of, and the prices are very reasonable; the only hard part is deciding what to get! Main dishes include 3 different types of hot dogs, 5 different flavors of brats (for example mango habanero), and smoked sausage, all with a host of available toppings, as well as barbecued pork, barbecued chicken, or barbecued bologna sandwiches, brisket sandwiches, turkey legs, burgers with or without cheese, chili, and/or bacon, corn dogs, chicken tenders, Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches, 3 types of pizza from Godfather’s, nachos with several different types of meat, and rib tips. Other items include regular popcorn, kettle corn, packaged candy, snow cones, dill pickles, chips, pretzels, fries, and funnel cake. Prices for main dishes range from $4 to $10, while snack items cost between $1.50 and $7. For the most part, the different stands each offer different items, but there is a map at the entrance to help you find what you’re looking for. The drink selection at Centennial Bank Stadium is more limited than the food selection but is more than adequate, and most of the drinks can be found at all of the stands. Choices include bottled water, PowerAde, soda in bottles or from the fountain, sweet tea, hot cocoa, and coffee. All drinks are $3, except the fountain sodas and sweet tea, which are $5 for a large souvenir cup. There is no alcohol allowed in Centennial Bank Stadium. Atmosphere 3 At a typical game, Centennial Bank Stadium will draw a decent crowd, and the staff does some fun things to improve the experience. For starters, the mascot Howl leads the team onto the field riding a motorcycle, and later the Red Wolf's other mascot, Scarlet, also makes an appearance. Also, throughout the game, you will hear wolf howls in celebration of big plays. As mentioned above, the facility has regular seating on three sides, with only box seats in the south end zone, inside the ASU Football Facility. The press box is on the west side, along with additional boxes, while the students and band sit on the east side (the north end zone is general admission). The scoreboard/video board is above the football complex in the south end zone, so fans sitting anywhere in the stadium should have a great view of it. Most of the seats in the stadium are aluminum bleachers without chair backs, but there are plastic chairbacks in sections D, E, & F (in the middle on the west side), and padded chairbacks in sections CC, DD, R, & S (in the middle on both the east and west sides). You can also rent seat backs for $5 that attach to the bleachers. Two other interesting features to note about Centennial Bank Stadium are that, first, there is an arch above the sidewalk as you approach the main entrance, under which there are bricks inlaid into the sidewalk to commemorate ASU lettermen, which is a nice nod to players past. Second, there is a berm area in each corner of the venue (in the gaps between the stands), but no seating is allowed there; this may provide room to expand Centennial Bank Stadium, however, should attendance eventually get high enough. Neighborhood 2 Jonesboro, Arkansas is not a large town, so there is not a ton to do in the area if you come for the day or weekend. However, there are a few good places to eat, the most popular of which is JTown’s Grill, located practically across the street from Centennial Bank Stadium; you can even sit on the patio and see the field. Recently opened, JTown’s offers traditional bar & grill fare such as pizza, burgers, steak, nachos, and sandwiches, as well as local favorites like spinach and crawfish dip. If you are planning to be in town overnight, there are plenty of hotels south of campus along I-555. The options in this area range from higher-end accommodations like Holiday Inn to more budget-friendly choices such as FairBridge Inn & Suites. Fans 2 The average attendance at Centennial Bank Stadium is a little over 20K, or about two-thirds full. Depending on the opponent, of course, this number could increase or decrease quite a bit. Even though there is a decent amount of crowd noise here, however, way too many fans leave early, even during a close game, and the student section is a little lackluster, with very few students in attendance. The students that do show up are pretty diehard though, especially the ones who show up with chests painted in support of their team, the same group you might see at football stadiums all across America. This passion is not limited to body decoration; the students here also have a fun kickoff ritual. The way it works is that every time the Red Wolves kick-off, the students link arms and sway back and forth in unison. This is the same ritual that Aggies fans do every weekend at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field but on a much smaller scale. Access 4 Getting into and around Centennial Bank Stadium is a breeze – fans without passes can park at the nearby basketball arena for only $10, and enjoy a very short walk to the football field. Once you get to the stadium, there are entrances on three sides; two on the south end and the third in the northwest corner, and none of them are crowded. Moving around the concourse is easy as well, since there are so many concessions stands, and more than enough bathrooms to accommodate the crowd size, so lines are non-existent. Also, for those who need it, there is disabled seating at the top of the stands on each of the three sides, and there is a sidewalk with a gentle slope that connects them. The only oddity about access at Centennial Bank Stadium is that they seem to close some of the bathrooms early, so make sure you go early in the fourth quarter if you need one. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to conference games at Centennial Bank Stadium start at just $10, which is a great deal for college football, and you may even be able to get free tickets from “scalpers” outside the venue. Complement that with $10 parking and reasonably-priced concessions, and a day of A-State football is an awesome value for the money, even if you have a large group. If you would prefer a chair-back seat, you are probably better off sitting in the cheap seats and renting a seat back for $5, because the chair-back sections start at $35 per ticket. Also note that tickets to non-conference games are about $5 higher per ticket than conference games, so you can save money simply by picking a different game. Extras 3 The arch and bricks commemorating lettermen are a nice feature, and it is fun to watch the mascot tripping around on his motorcycle. Having a second, female mascot is also a plus, and it is nice to see so much school décor. Final Thoughts Visiting Centennial Bank Stadium would be a great way to spend a Saturday (or possibly a weeknight, as the Sun Belt often has games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The recent renovations have helped the venue become a little more modern, the tickets are very low cost, and there are plenty of great concessions to keep you satisfied while you cheer on the Red Wolves.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Regency Furniture Stadium 11765 Saint Linus Dr Waldorf, MD 20602 Southern Maryland Senators website Regency Furniture Stadium website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 4,200 Senators Baseball The Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League is a summer collegiate baseball league featuring eight teams in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The newest club in this league is the Southern Maryland Senators, who play their home games at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland, also home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League. At 4,200 seats, Regency Furniture Stadium is by far the largest ballpark in the Ripken League, although it is never even close to capacity. Food & Beverage 1 None of the concession stands at Regency Furniture Stadium that is open for Blue Crabs games are open for the Senators. Instead, there is a table on the concourse near home plate that offers only a few basic options. Chips, candy, soda, Gatorade, and bottled water are all you will find here. The good news is that nothing is more than $2. Payment is accepted via cash, PayPal, or Venmo, with QR codes you can scan for the latter two. Atmosphere 2 A Southern Maryland Senators game is a very basic experience, though at least it is in a sleek, modern stadium. All seats are chairbacks, and seating is general admission. Given the small crowds, you should have no problem sitting wherever you want. There is a board in right field that is capable of displaying video, but for Senators games, it simply displays the score. Smaller scoreboards are located on the top of the seating area and also show the count. There is a manual scoreboard in left field, but it is not in use for Senators games. Instead, it showed the score of the prior Blue Crabs games, with several of the panels missing. If a batter hits the ball through the gap created by the missing panel, it is a ground rule double. There is not much going on here besides the game. Music and sound effects are played between innings and even between pitches. Sound effects include things like the "Foul ball" audio from the Wii Sports baseball. They are also fond of playing SpongeBob songs while the visiting team is batting, for some reason. Neighborhood 3 Regency Furniture Stadium is located in a residential neighborhood in between Waldorf and La Plata. Many businesses are located along Route 301 in both towns, although they are mostly chains. You will have to drive a couple miles to get to either one as well. La Plata seems to have more non-chain options, including Marie's Diner and La Tolteca. Fans 1 The Southern Maryland Senators average only a few dozen fans a game in a ballpark that seats 4,200. As a result, it will barely be at 1% of capacity. Unfortunately, this low attendance, combined with a ballpark that is way larger than this team needs, are not conducive to the stadium experience. At most times, the ballpark will be almost completely silent other than whatever is playing over the sound system. At least this means you get to hear a lot of the chatter on the field. Access 4 Regency Furniture Stadium is located a few miles off of US Route 301. Parking at the stadium is in a spacious lot that is more than big enough for the few dozen fans the Senators draw. You should have no trouble finding a space close by. There are several sets of restrooms in the stadium, as well as a family/gender neutral restroom. Given the small crowds compared to Blue Crabs games, these are more than sufficient. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Senators games are $10, which certainly won't break the bank but is on the high end for the experience you are getting. Concessions, while limited, are very affordable, which helps this rating out. Extras 2 Free roster sheets are available at the entrance. Look for the team store selling Senators gear. Note that several extras for Blue Crabs games, including the kids' play area and bumper boats, are not open for Senators games, so we will not award those extras here. Final Thoughts At its core, a Southern Maryland Senators game is a very basic experience in a ballpark that is way too big for the crowds it draws. Hopefully as the team begins to establish itself, it can draw more fans, but for now, there is not much going on here.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Avista Stadium 602 N Havana Spokane, WA 99202 Spokane Indians website Avista Stadium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 7,162 Historic Avista Stadium Baseball has been played in Spokane, WA since the 1890s and was played in five stadiums before Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians are currently the Short Season A league of the in Texas Rangers . They play in the Northwest League. They play in a beautiful, history filled stadium. The stadium will be upgraded at the end of the 2012 season which will include safety updates to the administration building, the concourse, and other areas of the stadium. Food & Beverage 5 The stadium has a great variety of food options: Sweet Shack (ice cream, cotton candy, pop corn, cream pies, etc.), Teriyaki Bowls (chicken, vegetables, rice, noodles), Longhorn BBQ (chicken, beef, German dog, baked beans, potato salad), the Grill (burgers, chicken sandwiches, bratwurst, hot dog, peanuts, seeds, chips, cracker jacks, etc.), Bruchi’s (cheesesteaks and subs) and others. Pepsi products are offered here as well as bottled water, coffee, and hot chocolate. There are some local beers available such as Pyramid Brewery’s Hefeweizen and Curveball. Sam Adams and other domestic beers are also available. Recommendation: Concession stands only accept cash so come ready with dollar bills in your wallet. Atmosphere 5 There is a fantastic view of the mountains beyond the outfield walls. There is an operating train track beyond outfield wall, as well. The section leaders (ushers) motivate the crowd with dancing and clapping and high-fiving. They verify everyone in their section is fine by using the ‘thumbs up’ motion. Excellently done. Big red K cards are handed out and every time an opposing batter got a strike out, all fans would raise their K card. There is tons of history at Avista Stadium. There is a wall of history for the Spokane Indian tribe who originally inhabited this area of the Pacific Northwest. There is the Rim of Honor that pays tribute to individuals who have influenced the Spokane Indians, as well as a Hall of Fame Plaza at the entry way that recognizes former Spokane Indians players, managers, and owners’ with plaques in their honor. They did not play music when player changes were announced. They did play music or noise between pitches which got irritating after a while. Neighborhood 2 Avista Stadium is adjacent to the Spokane Expo Center. There are no restaurants or pubs nearby. It is in an industrial area. At the time I visited (June, 2011) there was so much highway and road construction going on it was hard to judge the nearby area. The city of Spokane does have a fantastic area to visit known as Riverfront Park. It has an IMAX theater, train rides, amusement park rides, miniature golf, trails to walk, and many other forms of entertainment. Fans 4 The fans were so into the game I attended. They hooted and hollered the entire time. They held up their K cards. They boo’d the umps when they disagreed with a call. The stadium was about full the night I attended. Access 3 Besides the road construction going on during my visit, access into and out of the stadium is relatively easy. Restrooms are fine and serve their purpose. Return on Investment 5 I paid $11 for a seat close to the action and it was well worth it. It appears they charge an extra $1 if you purchase tickets game day. Generally, ticket prices range from $6 – $10. Parking is free. Food and drink prices are average. Seeing a game in such a historic venue and having a fabulous customer service atmosphere makes attending a game here well worth the price of admission. Extras 4 The Spokane Indians website is fantastic (especially as it displays all the history of baseball in Spokane). The history displayed at the stadium, the food variety, and the trains passing by in the outfield are definite call outs. Final Thoughts When I’m asked what my favorite stadium is, I always state Avista Stadium as one of my two favorite minor league stadiums. I’d recommend catching a game at Avista Stadium if you want to enjoy a great evening out at a ballpark.

I must have been living under a rock the past few months because during a recent visit to a White Sox game, I discovered what many are calling viral milkshakes. These decadent, rich, and creamy concoctions would make most belt buckles pop just by looking at them, but they have become quite popular at Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Cantina at Rate Field. The Celebration Cake Shake and the Campfire Milkshake look more like a work of art than a sweet treat, but the lines are long with fans whipping out their hard-earned cash for a chance to try them. They are both served in commemorative milkshake glasses with the Sox 125th anniversary logo and assembled in front of them. The campire version, released last year to glowing reviews, consists of chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, toasted marshmallows, a piece of Hershey’s chocolate, and graham cracker crumbles. It sells for $15 and customers leave with a glass collectible. The Celebration Cake Shake is vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, birthday cake pieces, and pinwheel-shaped cookies that pay homage to the club's famous exploding scoreboard. This one sells for $19. I was surprised to see how many people were lining up for the shakes, and soon realized that the Sox had a hit at their concession stand. The cantina area is a perfect place to cool off from the torrid summer heat that has been gripping the Midwest this year, and how many parents are going to say no to their child wanting such a decadent treat? Well, my father would have said no. The Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Cantina is located across the concourse from Section 157 and has a vibe all of its own. Tables, chairs, and couches are designed for fans to escape the heat, and an outside patio provides plenty of shade and a unique view of the playing field.  However, the milkshake production line might keep many from leaving with a frosty mug in their hand. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Warner Family Stadium 3989 Buckeystown Pike Buckeystown, MD 21704 FC Frederick website Warner Family Stadium website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 400 Semi-Pro Soccer in Frederick FC Frederick is a a semi-professional soccer team competing in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a league consisting mainly of current and recently graduated college players, plus the occasional former professional who just wants to continue playing somewhere. FC Frederick plays their home games at St. John's Catholic Prep, in a stadium that is variously called Warner Family Field, Warner Family Stadium, and simply Warner Stadium. The FC Frederick website lists their venue as the school itself, without naming the stadium at all. Whatever you call the venue, it is home to several St. John's teams during the school year, and in the summer, FC Frederick calls it home. Like many teams at this level, the FC Frederick organization also includes several youth and academy teams of various ages. This review will focus on the NPSL experience, but be aware that the name can refer to other clubs as well. Food & Beverage 0 There is a concession window at Warner Family Stadium, but it was closed when we attended an FC Frederick game. The team website indicates it has been open in previous seasons, so perhaps it will be open again at some point. Fans can bring their own food and drink, with the exception of alcohol since this is a school. Atmosphere 2 There is a relatively large set of bleachers at midfield of Warner Family Stadium, plus several smaller sets of bleachers next to it. Even the larger set of bleachers is smaller than at many other high school stadiums, making for an intimate feel. There is no track lining the field like at some low-level stadiums, so you will be up close to the action wherever you sit. Since the stadium hosts several sports, there are a lot of lines on the field, not just soccer, and it can be somewhat confusing. A scoreboard in the far left corner shows the score and clock, and has a space to show the shots for each team, but did not actually do so when we visited. Signs on the back of the bleachers reference "Away", "Home", and "Student" sections, but these are for St. John's football games and can be ignored if watching FC Frederick. There is no student section, since this is not a school team, and the FC Frederick bench is actually on the side marked "Away", across the field from the bleachers. St. John's has their image on the stadium in other ways too. Midfield is adorned with the school's logo (actually a knockoff Minnesota Vikings logo) and the scoreboard refers to the home team as the "Vikings" regardless of who is actually playing. An FC Frederick game is an extremely basic experience. There are no player introductions, no music, no announcements, and not even a national anthem. There is nothing to experience other than what is going on on the field. The good news is you will be able to hear all the chatter between the players, coaches, and even referees. The bad news is that there's nothing else here. FC Frederick at dusk Neighborhood 3 Despite the club name, FC Frederick actually plays their home games in Buckeystown, just outside the city limits of Frederick. Although Buckeystown has some options, your best bet is to make the short drive into Downtown Frederick, which offers a range of different options, from Maxwell's Burgers and Shakes to the popular brewpub Brewer's Alley. Francis Scott Key's grave is also located in Frederick, and history buffs may want to check it out. Fans 3 FC Frederick draws a couple hundred fans to a typical home game, spread out throughout the bleachers, plus a few who stand along the fence surrounding the field for a closer view. Some of these fans are friends and family of the players, but there are also many locals, including families with young kids. These children have a tendency to run up and down the bleachers, which can be distracting, and there is no staff to stop them. Other than the sound of kids running and screaming, there is very little energy from the crowd. They may applaud after FC Frederick scores, but that is about it. Fans watch a game Access 3 St. John's Catholic Prep is located a few miles off I-270, just south of its intersection with I-70. Depending on which direction you are coming from, you may drive the last few miles along scenic but twisty and curvy back roads. Once you get to St. John's, you will want to pull around to the back of the school, where ample parking is available right next to the stadium. There is also a spacious lot in front of the school if this fills up, although you will need to walk a bit. Restrooms are located by the entrance next to the closed concession stand, and are sufficient for the crowds FC Frederick draws. Return on Investment 4 Admission to FC Frederick games is free of charge. There are no other costs associated with the game either. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 Warner Family Stadium is located on the west bank of the Monocacy River, and while you can't see the river itself from the stadium, you have scenic views of the hills overlooking it. That's about the only extra here, however. Final Thoughts Even for the NPSL, an FC Frederick game is a pretty basic experience. That being said, it's hard to complain about being able to watch a soccer game, up close to the action, for free, on a beautiful summer night.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Woodbridge High School Baseball Field 3001 Old Bridge Rd Woodbridge, VA 22192 D. C. Grays website Woodbridge High School Baseball Field website Grays on the Road Founded in 2005, the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League features eight teams in the Washington, D.C. metro area. One member, the DC Grays, is the second of two summer league teams by that name. The first Grays team played in the Clark Griffith League from 2006 to 2009 when the league folded, although they only played in the District for one of those years. After an absence in 2010, the second and current version of the Grays was founded in 2011 and joined the Ripken League for the next season in 2012. The Grays played their first two seasons at Hoy Field on the campus of Gallaudet University before moving to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy in Southeast D.C. in 2014. In 2024, the Grays temporarily moved out of the District entirely while they await a new home at Catholic University in D.C. In 2024, they played at the baseball field at Prince George's Community College (PGCC for short) in Largo, Maryland. In 2025, they moved across the river to Virginia, and play their home games at Woodbridge High School in Prince William County. The Grays nickname pays homage to the old Homestead Grays, a Negro League team that used to play in the District. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions are sold out of a window underneath the press box at Grays games, staffed by friendly volunteers. Meals include hot dogs for $3, smoked sausages for $5, cheeseburgers for $4, cheese quesadillas for $4, and chicken quesadillas for $5. Snacks include expected things like chips and candy as well as more unusual options like potato salad, tuna salad, cole slaw, and macaroni salad. Cash and credit are both accepted here. Concession window Atmosphere 2 There are two sets of bleachers at Woodbridge High School, one on either side of home plate. Fans tend to sit by their team's dugout - Grays down the third base line and visitors on first base. With the Ripken League covering such a small geographic footprint, many fans make the short trip to away games. Unfortunately, you will be watching the game through a metal chain link fence rather than netting. To compound the problem, the dugouts here are too small for the teams, so some players sit in a specially marked area on the field, which can partially block the view of fans in the bleachers. You just have to find a good spot and stick with it. A scoreboard in the outfield shows only the most basic information - score, count, and inning. One interesting quirk is that during the seventh-inning stretch, they will play the little-known long-form version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", including the obscure, long-forgotten original lyrics about Katie Casey being baseball mad. Overall, a Grays game is a simple experience, but that isn't always a bad thing. You will hear all the chatter on the field, and get to sit very close to the action even if it can be hard to see at times. Neighborhood 3 Woodbridge High School is located along Old Bridge Road, which is lined with shopping centers and many businesses, chain and otherwise. You will have to drive a bit to get there, and the options are typical of a suburban area. Brittany's Sports Bar and Mexican restaurant Hector's of Lake Ridge are both popular, although they will require driving a few miles to get there. Ultimately, you should find places to eat and ang out if you look hard enough, but you're going to have to drive a bit. Fans 2 The Grays only draw a few dozen fans to a typical game. These are typically locals, and many of them are host families to the players on the team. Players come from all around the country to play in the league, and stay at the homes of local families during the season. They make up the bulk of the crowd, although there are other locals as well. Access 3 Woodbridge High School is located a few miles off of I-95. If coming from closer to D.C., keep in mind traffic coming to Woodbridge can be absolutely terrible, especially at rush hour on a weekday but even on a Saturday night or Sunday. What would be a 40 minute drive without traffic can take two hours or more. You can bypass traffic by driving in the Express Lanes, but will pay an exorbitant toll that could easily exceed $50 at rush hour unless you have three or more people in your vehicle and an EZ-Pass Flex set to HOV road. Some GPS apps will route you into these lanes automatically - do not drive in them unless you want to pay an extremely large toll. Your best bet once you get close is to park in the lot in between the elementary and high school. This will likely require entering the elementary school into your GPS app, although the field is officially part of the high school. You will walk all the way to the back and down a flight of steps which will take you to the field. There are no restrooms on site, only a couple port-a-potties. The steps to the stadium. Walk down these steps to get to the stadium. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all Grays home games is free. While most clubs in the Cal Ripken League charge a small price for tickets, free is even better. Prices at the stadium are reasonable as well, making a Grays game an excellent value. Extras 2 Free roster cards are available by the press box. The team holds raffles every game for a chance to win a $50 gift cards to places like Five Guys or Wawa while raising money for the team, which functions as a non-profit. Final Thoughts A D.C. Grays baseball game at Woodbridge High School is a pretty simple experience. Unfortunately, moving out of the District has hurt the atmosphere and experience, but as of the time of writing, they are set to move back there in 2026 into a newly renovated stadium at Catholic University. This should drastically improve the experience when it happens.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Day Air Ballpark 220 N Patterson St. Dayton, OH 45402 Dayton Dragons website Day Air Ballpark website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 7,230 25 Years of The Streak   When local leaders make their case to build a new sporting facility in a city, they often make the claim that a ballpark, stadium or arena can be the impetus for economic development and growth in a neighborhood. We won’t engage in a debate of the merits or flaws in this argument, but in one case, there is no denying that a new ballpark has been a runaway success in revitalizing a city’s underdeveloped downtown area. That city is Dayton, Ohio, and that ballpark is Day Air Ballpark.   The Dragons franchise relocated from Rockford, Illinois, where they were known as the Expos, Royals, Cubbies and Reds over the years. Since moving to Ohio, the team has enjoyed a consistent affiliation with the nearby Cincinnati Reds. The Dragons have shattered all sorts of attendance records in Dayton. As of the writing of this review (mid-July 2025), the team has sold out every game they have ever played at Day Air Ballpark. That’s a total of 1,612 games and counting. Let’s put that in perspective. The previous record for consecutive sellouts was 814, set by the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers from 1977-1985. The Dragons have led all of Class-A in attendance in each of their 24 seasons, and have had the highest attendance of all teams below AAA since 2006. It is estimated that Day Air Ballpark has triggered over $3.5 billion in development in downtown Dayton since its construction in 2000.   Food & Beverage 4    Day Air Ballpark has an impressive variety of concessions for a ballpark at the single-A level.   Several concession stands line the outer edge of the concourse, offering up your typical ballpark fare (hot dogs, bratwursts, Donato’s pizzas) as well as a variety of ballpark snacks, including nachos, pretzels, popcorn and the like. Fans looking for something a little different can select a pulled pork or brisket sandwich. Augmenting the menus at the permanent stands are a variety of portable carts, serving up mac and cheese, coney dogs, sausages, cheesesteaks and other grilled items.   Pepsi products are featured at Day Air Ballpark. A good selection of beers are available throughout the ballpark, including at the Samuel Adams Pub along the first base side of the facility. Craft beers from local favorite Yellow Springs Brewery are sold at a dedicated location near the right field entrance.   Atmosphere 5   As you would expect in a ballpark that is packed to the gills night after night, there’s a ton of energy at Day Air Ballpark. The festivities begin before the gates open in Don Crawford Plaza, where vendors give away swag, music plays, and fans get psyched up for the game. Once the gates open up, fans are greeted by statues of Heater and Gem, the Dragons’ mascots.   There is plenty going on throughout the game that will feel familiar to veteran minor league baseball fans. The video scoreboard in left field is put to good use with graphics, stats and game information. Music plays over a good sound system, and the Dragons’ emcee keeps things going between innings without being too over the top. The PA announcer goes about his business without being too intrusive. It’s a nice departure from other parks, where there is noise between each pitch and the volume is turned up to eleven.   Dayton’s game day staff coordinate some of your standard promotions, but there are some unique aspects to the game day presentation. All the interns and mascots climb atop the dugouts late in the game for a choreographed dance – and we’re not talking about the Cotton Eye Joe or the YMCA – it’s a real dance routine. Also, the conga lines led by the mascots across the field during an inning break are pretty entertaining.   Neighborhood 4   Day Air Ballpark is located in the Water Street District in Downtown Dayton. The ballpark has become the anchor for development in the area, and there is no shortage of dining, lodging and sightseeing options in the area.   The AC Hotel Dayton and the Fairfield Inn and Suites are located right across the street from the Ballpark. Fans looking for a pre or postgame bite to eat will find no shortage of options within a few blocks of the ballpark. Brixx Ice Company, The Southern Belle Tavern, Local Cantina and Mudlick Tap House are just a few of the local eateries. For a unique setting, check out The Foundry, a rooftop restaurant located right across the street on the top floor of the AC Hotel Dayton. The view is almost worth slipping out of the game a few innings early. Almost.   Fans looking for other things to do in Dayton flock to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The museum welcomes over a million visitors annually. For a different way to look at our aviatory past, check out the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, which houses the infamous Wright Flyer III, which lifted off in 1905 courtesy of the Wright Brothers.   Fans 5   What can you say about a fanbase that has filled a stadium for every game for 25 seasons? Dragons fans have to be considered to be among the most passionate and dedicated in all the minor leagues. Having their Major League affiliate located just down the road in Cincinnati ensures that the fans will have a rooting interest and a lot of knowledge about the players on the field.   Of course, this is minor league baseball. Mixed in with some die-hard fans, you’ll find a bunch of families, groups and locals taking advantage of an affordable night of entertainment in a thriving downtown district.   Access 3   Day Air Ballpark is located in the Water Street District in Downtown Dayton, Ohio. Situated just a stone’s throw from where the Miami and Mad Rivers converge, the ballpark is easily accessible from Interstate 75 and State Route 35. There is ample parking in surface lots surrounding the ballpark, and several bus routes from the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority stop near the ballpark.   Most fans will enter the ballpark at the main entrance behind home plate via the Don Crawford Plaza. This area is a hub of activity before the game, with vendors setting up shop, music and free swag for fans. Other entrances are located in deep right field and along the first base side of the stadium. All entrances lead onto a 360-degree concourse which contains views of the field from most points. The concourse is not the widest, and can get quite congested at points, but is generally passable.   The seating bowl is split into two levels, evoking comparisons to triple-A ballparks from some fans. Berms and social gathering areas in the outfield give fans some room to spread out when a big crowd is in attendance (which is most nights). Construction of the Diamond Club Event Center, which will allow the ballpark to host events year round, has affected accessibility in parts of the ballpark on the third base side. Rest rooms are large enough to handle a typical Dragons crowd, although lines do form at times.   Return on Investment 4   Tickets for Dragons games begin at $13 for general admission lawn seating and top out at $25 for seats in the 100 sections. This is not something said often in a minor league baseball review, but it is advised that you check the Dragons’ website in advance for ticket availability before your visit to Dayton.   Parking in the lots surrounding Day Air Ballpark costs an additional $20. Concessions are priced in line with other venues in the area. Overall, a night at a Dragons game is an affordable entertainment option for southwestern Ohio sports fans, and a cheaper alternative to the big-league club in Cincinnati.   Extras 3   Although the legitimacy of the sellout streak in recent years may be questioned, it’s still worth another mention and an extra point. At over 1,600 games and 24 seasons, this is the baseball record that will never be touched.   An extra point is awarded for the Don Crawford Plaza, the main entry point to the ballpark. Mr. Crawford was a civil rights leader in the Dayton African-American community throughout his 29-year career, and the naming of the ballpark’s plaza is a most fitting honor.   Fans who are having a meal across the street from the ballpark at the Foundry, located on the rooftop of the AC Hotel Dayton have a great view right into the ballpark. These seats evoke visions of Wrigley Field rooftop seats.   Final Thoughts   Even if you consider the streak to be over, support for the Dragons in Dayton remains strong. Often cited as an example of a ballpark that spurred economic growth in an urban neighborhood, Day Air Park continues to be the center of activity in downtown Dayton. Recent and planned improvements will ensure the ballpark’s viability for another quarter century and beyond.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.