Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Leary Field 175 Parrott Ave. Portsmouth, NH 03801 Leary Field website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 1,000 Baseball on the Seacoast Baseball has been played at the site of Leary Field in downtown Portsmouth, NH since the late 1800’s. Originally named South Playground, the field was renamed after Portsmouth mayor John J. Leary in 1956. Leary Field is located in a residential neighborhood within walking distance of downtown Portsmouth. Named one of “America’s Prettiest Towns” by ForbesTraveler.com and ranked fourth in Outside Magazine’s “Top 20 Towns in America”, Portsmouth is nationally recognized as a top vacation destination. The Mavericks are a charter member of the Futures League, having previously played their home games at Bert George Field on the campus of Spaulding High School in neighboring Rochester. The club moved to downtown Portsmouth for the 2013 season, investing $50,000 in Leary Field to build new dugouts, seating areas, and other improvements to the facility. Now in their fifth season, the Mavericks have yet to reach the playoffs. Food & Beverage 2 There is a concession stand located underneath the main grandstand, which offers your basic ballpark fare. Hot dogs ($2.50), pizza slices ($2.00/2.50), and nachos ($3.00) are the featured items. Local favorite Napoli Deli offers half-sandwiches ($3), and kids meals are sold here, served on a Mavericks Frisbee ($5). An extensive list of snacks are available, including popcorn ($1), peanuts ($2), caramel corn ($3), and cotton candy ($3). In addition, candy such as ring pops, freeze pops, and the like are sold, including the cheapest concession item this writer has ever seen at a ball game, a piece of double bubble gum sold for five cents. Thirsty Mavericks fans can choose from cans of Pepsi products ($1.50), Gatorade ($2), Red Bulls ($3), or bottled water ($1). Alcoholic beverages are not sold at Leary Field. Atmosphere 2 Fans used to the in your face, boisterous atmosphere present at most baseball games today will be surprised at the laid-back presentation at a Seacoast Mavericks game. The presence of the PA is limited to simple announcements of upcoming batters and lineup changes. Music is played between innings and batters, but unless you are sitting right near the PA announcer, you probably won’t even hear it. There is an emcee who handles what between innings contests are held for the children in attendance. Water balloon tosses and chase the mascot races are held, but distractions are held to a minimum here. Baseball purists will enjoy the atmosphere, but many fans will have to get used to the bare bones presentation. As is the case with most summer collegiate games, the crowd is made up primarily of families. Part of the fun at a Mavericks game is watching the children run around in the vast grassy areas of the first base side. Many of the children in attendance spend most of their day chasing foul balls around Leary Field, and can be as entertaining as the action taking place on the field. Neighborhood 5 Portsmouth is a small city of just over 21,000 residents located on the New Hampshire seacoast. This historic seaport and summer tourist destination is located about an hour north of Boston. Leary Field is located in a residential neighborhood just a short walk from downtown. This downtown area is loaded with restaurants, shops, and attractions. History buffs will enjoy attractions such as the USS Albacore Museum, which features one of the Navy’s first nuclear submarines, and Strawbery Banke, a historic museum featuring homes and exhibits from colonial times. Fans interested in culinary pursuits will undoubtedly enjoy downtown’s several eateries and brew pubs, with Portsmouth Brewery, among others, all located within a few city blocks. For visiting fans looking for a different kind of dining experience, The Friendly Toast features unique breakfast food all day long served in a kitschy setting. There are many lodging options downtown for fans wanting to stay in Portsmouth, but fans interested in saving a few dollars may opt for one of the hotels located away from downtown by the rotary. Kittery, Maine is located just across the Piscataqua River, and boasts many attractions of its own. Fans 1 Since moving downtown for the 2013 season, the Mavericks have averaged just shy of 400 fans per game, consistently ranking them near the bottom of the Futures League attendance rankings. Based on the crowd present for a Sunday afternoon game, these figures are greatly inflated. Access 2 Leary Field is located a couple of blocks from downtown Portsmouth, but can be difficult to find when driving. Most visitors to Portsmouth will arrive by Interstate 95. The Market Street exit will bring drivers downtown, where it will be necessary to navigate many of downtown’s narrow streets to find Leary Field. Portsmouth is a very walkable city, but can be tough to drive in for out of towners. Fans coming to Portsmouth for a Mavericks game can park on the streets that surround the field, or to better save your windshield, in the parking lot beyond the outfield next to the Library and Middle School. This lot is a short walk from the field, and also free of charge. Once inside Leary Field, fans can sit in the old covered grandstand, which sits close behind home plate and offers spectacular views of downtown in the distance. Fans not wishing to look through fencing often choose a set of metal bleachers on the third base side, which are not obstructed by any netting. There is plenty of room all around the field for fans to sit at one of many picnic tables on the first base side, or to spread out on their own blankets or lawn chairs. Fans should be warned that while the area behind the concourse is paved, access to much of the field requires navigating dirt paths or grassy areas. Fans with unsteady gait may wish to stay in the grandstand area. There is a pair of small bathrooms located behind the main grandstand. Return on Investment 4 The Mavericks charge $5 for admission, with seniors and children receiving a $2 discount. Children under age 6 are admitted for free. Parking is free either on the streets surrounding Leary Field (just be aware of time restrictions if parking on-street), or in the large lot next to the public library and middle school. With inexpensive concessions, a night at a Seacoast Mavericks game is a very affordable entertainment option for baseball fans in the Portsmouth area. Extras 1 There isn’t a whole lot going on at Leary Field that can be considered extra. The Mavericks deserve kudos for going the extra yard for young visitors who attend games. During birthday parties at Leary Field, a couple of Mavericks players take time out of their day to greet the young fans and play catch with the birthday boy or girl. It’s a genuine touch that you won’t ever see in bigger ballparks. Judging by the smile on the birthday boy’s face, it’s a memory he won’t ever forget. Final Thoughts Playing in a league full of old minor league parks, Leary Field simply doesn’t measure up in terms of amenities. If you enjoy old-school charms and proximity to one of the country’s best small downtown areas, then Leary Field is the place for you. The Futures League currently ranks behind their New England summer collegiate brethren in the Cape Cod and New England Leagues, but the play and caliber of talent is improving quickly. The league just celebrated their initial first round pick, and 30 Futures League alumni were selected in the 2015 Major League Baseball Entry Draft. Going to a Futures League game is an affordable, attractive alternative to minor league games in the area. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Brian Jones, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Theodore A. Wright Stadium 3219 College St Savannah, GA 31404 Savannah State Tigers website Ted Wright Stadium website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 8,500 The Wright Place For The Tigers Ted A. Wright Stadium has been the home of the Savannah State Tigers since 1967. However, Savannah State made major renovations in 2010-2011, which included improved locker rooms, ticket booths, concession areas and new FieldTurf. While the team has struggled to find wins over the years, Ted Wright Stadium is not a bad place to watch a college football game. It’s not a big stadium, and it looks more like it would be home to a big high school football team in Georgia. However, because of the fan support, which includes a lively student section and loyal alumni, the stadium is a fun place to take in football game in South Georgia. Food & Beverage 3 Because there are only two concession stands in the entire stadium, there isn’t a wide variety of food to choose from. That said, the food is not expensive, and that is never a bad thing. The most you will spend for an item is $5, which is the wings catered by Bojangles’. The stands also include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and candy, all ranging from $2-$4. Another good thing about the concession stands is the wait is never too long, as there are numerous people working in each stand. Atmosphere 2 Ted Wright Stadium looks like a field for a large high school football team in Georgia. One reason is that there is a track circled around the stadium, which has been around since the stadium was originally built. The other reason is the scoreboard, which does not have a screen to watch any replays or the game itself. When you add the two concession stands, the stadium just doesn’t have that Division I college football feel that it should. Neighborhood 4 Savannah State is located near the center of Savannah, so there is always something to do. With the city of Savannah featuring some of the best restaurants in the country, you will never go hungry. Elizabeth on 37th is a highly recommended place, as well as Sweet Spice. Since Savannah is located off the coast, the beach is another option for visitors. South Beach has been a fan favorite for years because it’s clean and peaceful. If the beach is not for you, there are various museums to visit, as well as churches that have been around since almost the beginning of time. If you go to Savannah, go to River Street. There are numerous shops, bars and restaurants to keep patrons occupied all day. Fans 4 I have to give the fans credit. For as much as the team has struggled in recent years, they are as lively of a crowd as you will find, especially the students. They wear the school colors with pride, they get to the game on time and they even start their own chants. In fact, they even start to do the wave, which is unusual, because the bleachers don’t circle around the stadium. The home bleachers are located on one side, and the away bleachers are located on the opposite side. The one thing that stands out is the endless amounts of tents set up in front of the stadium for tailgating. As many games I’ve been to, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s clear the fans love their team and will support them no matter what. Access 3 Parking at Ted Wright Stadium is accessible. as it only costs $10 to park on campus. Because the stadium is located near the end of the campus, there are buses to take fans to and from the stadium. Because the stadium is not like a normal college stadium, access from one side of the stadium to the other is not hard. With the stadium not being very big, getting to and from your seat is a breeze, and the concourse is not a maze like other college stadiums. Savannah State is located in one of the bigger cities in Georgia. If you want to drive or fly to watch a game, that is not an issue, since the university is located minutes from the airport, as well as Interstate 16. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for a game won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For a single-game ticket, it will cost around $20-$30, which is not bad, considering the team has not been a hot commodity in several years. The best place to sit is where the students sit, which is right near the middle of the home bleachers. They know how to have a good time, regardless of how the team is playing. Extras 3 Right near the home bleachers is a place where fans can get Savannah State gear. When I was there, fans were stocking up on the shirts and hats, and they were also getting free stuff like water bottles and seat cushions. The marching band is also a fun sight, as they keep it lively all game long. They played songs that ranged from TLC’s “Waterfalls” to Jay-Z “Holy Grail” on the day I visited. WHCJ is the radio station that broadcasts all the games for Savannah State. If fans want to listen to the game while they are in the stands, they have that option. Final Thoughts Ted Wright Stadium isn’t the best college stadium in Georgia, but it’s not a bad stadium either. From the loyal fans to the entertaining band, there is never a dull moment. If the team was in a better position in terms of success, the stadium would be a tremendous place for a game. Regardless, if you are in the Savannah area and want to take in some football on a Saturday afternoon, Ted Wright Stadium is a solid place to do just that.

Photos by Richard Smith, Douglas Wood and Matthew Clegg, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Memorial Stadium 1402 S 1st St Champaign, IL 61820 Illinois Fighting Illini website Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 60,670 Illinois Football: “Oskee Wow-Wow” Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, is home to the Illinois Fighting Illini football team, which competes in the Big Ten conference. Opened on November 3, 1923, Memorial Stadium sits at the south end of campus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and boasts a capacity of 60,670 seats. The stadium has been the home of national championship-winning teams and iconic players such as legendary Illini and Bears players like Dick Butkus and Red Grange. Food & Beverage 3 When visiting Memorial Stadium, fans can expect a pretty traditional concessions experience. The essentials like hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, and nachos are all covered but are not always the highest quality. I found the food to be dry, especially the chicken tenders, but about what you would expect from stadium food. The various food vendors will have long lines, as with any major sporting event. The wait times can get particularly bad at halftime, but while the game is ongoing, the lines are much more bearable. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at Memorial Stadium has been fantastic, coinciding with the team’s recent success. The Illini ranked for the first time since 2011, has begun to excite a fanbase that has been more used to witnessing disappointment than it has been to watching success. Memorial Stadium has a horseshoe design that loops around the field, with the student section placed separately from the rest of the seating at the north endzone. With students coming in droves to watch and support the team, the energy in the stadium is high, and the atmosphere is something special. The majority of the seats at the stadium are a basic bench design that doesn’t come with back support, and you will likely begin feeling the effects by the fourth quarter. Once the game kicks off, fans can expect to hear the signature ILL-INI chants in full swing. The giant jumbotron provides instant replays, score information, fan cam, and many other fun visuals during the experience, although it’s important to note that it is above the horseshoe seats at the south end of the stadium. It might be annoying to constantly turn around to see the giant screen behind you if you’re sitting in that section. Besides the game itself, a big draw for a lot of people coming to Memorial Stadium is to see the Marching Illini, one of the premier college bands in the country. The Marching Illini provides pregame and halftime entertainment and sits in front of the student section during the game. Expect to hear the signature ‘Oskee Wow Wow’ fight song played as well as a wide variety of songs in popular culture. You could go from hearing the alma mater ‘Hail to the Orange’ played to the famous ‘Imperial March from Star Wars. Even if things aren’t going so well on the field, the Marching Illini add a lot of extra enjoyment to the game day experience at Illinois. Neighborhood 4 Memorial Stadium is on campus, and the town is only a short drive away. While walking from the stadium into campus takes a little longer, it can be very well worth it due in large part to the scenery, especially if you visit in the fall. Taking a stroll through the main quad and passing by the statue of Alma Mater can top off a great day of Illini football (or calm the emotions in the case of a defeat). Green Street is a popular area that boasts a plethora of different places to eat and have a good time. There are many popular bars: Legends, Murphy’s Pub, and Joe’s Brewery, as well as KAMS and Red Lion, that are especially popular amongst the student population. There are a variety of choices, from sit-down restaurants to fast-food joints. Whether you’re in the mood for Chipotle or want to try some top-quality sushi at Sakanaya, the overall quality of food options nearby is high, and there will likely be something for you along Green Street. In terms of lodging, you have the typical hotels, such as Best Western or Hilton Garden Inn, that are nearby. If you’re looking to stay at an iconic location on campus, the Illini Union is a superb option. Located on the north end of the main quad, the Illini Union offers rooms and has numerous restaurants, shops, and entertainment located throughout the building. A personal favorite spot of mine in the Union would have to be the Illini-themed bowling alley. Fans 4 Illinois football has been on a tear in 2022, and the Illini fan base has rewarded the teams’ improvement by filling the seats of Memorial Stadium. While the football team doesn’t sell out games like the men’s basketball team at Illinois, the attendance numbers have still been growing. The Illini haven’t been able to fill all 60,000 seats so far, and it takes a lot to convince a fan base that they are the real deal. However, the stadium has been about 75 percent full as of late. Depending on the opponent, the atmosphere around Memorial Stadium can vary depending on the energy of the crowd; against a fierce Big Ten rival like Iowa, the atmosphere is hostile. As mentioned previously, expect to hear the ILL-INI chants throughout the night. The student section, in particular, is always engaged and extremely loud, maintaining the high energy felt around the stadium when the teams take the field. The fans are passionate, and while the frustration can be felt when things aren’t going to plan, the place goes berserk after when things go right. Access 4 The process of visiting Memorial Stadium is a smooth and straightforward experience. The inside of the stadium is not confusing to navigate, and for public transportation, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District serves as the primary bus service that takes fans to the stadium. While the buses are free to students and staff of the university, there is a $1 bus fee for everyone else. Parking fees typically range from $10-20 at Memorial Stadium. There are six lots that fans can go to for parking, and there are a limited number of handicapped spots (available on a first-come, first-served basis). Return on Investment 4 When the team is good, and the excitement around the program is as high as it is in 2022, fans can expect a high return on their investment when visiting Memorial Stadium. While still a long way from ever being known as one of the best college atmospheres in the country, Illinois football brings an exciting gameday experience that won’t disappoint. However, while the lowest-priced tickets may seem appealing at around $30 each, you must be sitting in the horseshoe at the south end of the stadium. The view isn’t as great in the horseshoe, you’ll be sitting pretty far away from the actual field, and the large jumbotron will be behind you. With parking and public transportation priced lower, it all comes down to how the team is playing. Illinois’ football program has been known to struggle in recent years, but during the special seasons like 2022, seeing the team at its best is truly something special. Extras 3 The first two bonus points are Dick Butkus and Red Grange-related. Make sure to glance up at the west side of the stadium to see the names of these two legendary players. Their numbers (50 and 77 respectively) are displayed above the press boxes. Butkus and Grange’s names loom far above anything else at Memorial Stadium as a constant reminder of the prestigious football history that exists at Illinois. Below, you can also find the years of the Illini’s national championship triumphs and their Big Ten championships proudly displayed. The second bonus point goes to the statues outside the stadium. If you’ve ever wanted to pose with Butkus or Grange, you can do so next to their larger-than-life statues. The Butkus statue is just outside the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center (slightly northeast of Memorial Stadium) and outside the entrance along Fourth Street. Grange’s statue is located outside the stadium on the west side, within Grange Grove. Grange Grove is the primary tailgate spot before Illini games and is a great place to hang out before kickoff. The third and final bonus point goes to the giant ‘Memorial Stadium: Home of the Fighting Illini’ sign that’s outside the stadium’s south end. It can’t be missed and is another fantastic photo spot where fans can go to capture their trip to Champaign in full Fighting Illini style. While standing by it, you can also look at State Farm Center, the arena where Illinois basketball plays its home games. Final Thoughts Memorial Stadium may not be the biggest in college football, but its rich history and strong culture make it a worthwhile visit. The fan base at Illinois is growing, and when the team is doing well, the atmosphere is something you can’t miss.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 David F Couch Ballpark 401 Deacon Blvd Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Wake Forest Demon Deacons website David F. Couch Ballpark website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 3,823 David F. Couch Ballpark – Wake Forest Demon Deacons Baseball has been played at Wake Forest University since 1891, but life at its current home, David F. Couch Ballpark, goes back to just 2009 when it was known as Ernie Shore Field. Wake Forest took control of the stadium when the minor league Winston-Salem Dash began transitioning to their new home in downtown Winston-Salem, the current Truist Stadium . Affectionately known as “The Couch” to the Wake Forest faithful, David F. Couch Ballpark received a major 41,000-square foot upgrade along the third base side in 2017 that would include suites, a new clubhouse, player amenities, and the Wake Forest Pitching Lab, which is possibly the most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the nation. The investments in the baseball program at Wake Forest have helped propel the Demon Deacs into not just the top tier of teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but also the nation. Food & Beverage 3 The in-house concessions are not necessarily going to knock your socks off, but the food and beverages are saved by the wide selection of craft beers, as well as the food truck which is brought in each game. For fans who would be satisfied by the typical concession fare, The Couch has got those bases covered – hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, pizza slices, along with all of the typical snack foods that are native to sports facilities, are plentiful at the two concession stands. The craft beers, food truck, and outside food vendors who set up along the concourse also help bolster the offerings, and bring a touch of the Winston-Salem community into the ballpark. When it comes to the beers offered, fans will not find the mass-produced lagers that are commonplace at most stadiums; the Wake Forest beer selection is exclusively from local breweries and features the Wake Forest branded, Demon Deacon Brew. Atmosphere 4 David F. Couch Ballpark is a historic stadium that first opened as Ernie Shore Field in 1963. Given the age of the facility it has undergone two significant renovations, one in 1993 and the most recent in 2016. The latest upgrade totally redid the third base side of the stadium – not only did it create a state-of-the-art player development center and spaces for Wake Forest’s baseball operations, but it also added suites, upgraded restrooms, and concessions. After passing through the brick, arched entry way through the security check at the front gates, fans enter at the top of the seating bowl and are greeted by a well-framed view of the playing area. With a double-sided press and game operations box, the first view fans have is of the field and the large, golden “WF” logo in short center field. The stadium sits down a steep hillside and, much as it was when first constructed, the hill down the right field side remains. The facility has a strong theme of brick throughout, with the backstop around and down each of the lines having a short two-to-three-foot wall. Wake Forest plays on a fully synthetic field, from its grass to its dirt. The oddity of the warning track is that a change in the color of the turf itself would not be enough to alert fielders of an impending collision with the outfield wall, but upon closer inspection the ground is slightly sloped, to give fielders the change of feeling as they approach the wall. Unlike many collegiate baseball stadiums, which have a nearly symmetrical curved wall, David F. Couch Ballpark has an outfield wall with several nooks and crannies, outcrops, and angles. The wall juts out at more than a 45-degree angle from both foul lines, and has four separate offsets from left center around to right center; this creates fantastic opportunities for awkward carroms and challenges for the outfielders to contend with. At one point, the short distances down the lines were balanced out by a large, 24-foot wall, but it has since been removed in favor of a more standard 8-foot wall. The field definitely plays to the advantage of pull hitters; left field measures just 310’, while the right field wall is an even shorter 300’ from home plate. The seating bowl runs from the cut of the left field grass to midway down the right field line. Seats from the third base side to the start of the visiting team dugout are black, individual seat backs, while seating from the visiting dugout down the right field line are aluminum bleachers. If staying shaded is your top priority, any of the seats under the canopy behind home plate stay shaded most of the game, while seats behind the dugouts provide practically no shade. Front row seats do have a wide walkway in front of them, which does have a good amount of traffic throughout the game. When it comes to the game presentation, for the most part it is not cluttered by an overload of sound effects encouraging fans to get involved – the Wake fans do a good enough job on their own of getting and remaining involved in the game. Overall, the combination of stadium aesthetics, the level of game production put on by the game day operations staff, and the quality of the baseball on the field makes a game at The Couch an enjoyable experience. Neighborhood 3 Wake Forest’s athletic facilities are split into two separate neighborhoods; soccer, track and field, and volleyball all play on campus, while the university’s football stadium, basketball arena , Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Wake Forest Tennis Center , and baseball stadium are all off campus, adjacent to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. Though this does take a bit of the college baseball feel away, it does not overly impact the excitement of the game. There are plenty of restaurants and hotels off University Boulevard, but the area does not give off a strong college community vibe. Wake Forest’s campus is just over a mile away, and downtown Winston-Salem is close to three miles. This section of Wake Forest’s athletics facilities is in a bit of limbo position between the two areas – even though the facilities are well concentrated off campus, the location does seem to impact the overall college feel. Fans 4 The fun of attending baseball at Wake Forest starts even before passing through the arched entry ways of the stadium – hours before first pitch, fans gather in the lower parking lot area for tailgating as younger fans organize a sandlot style baseball game. Inside “The Couch”, Demon Deacon fans are engaged with the game. Even a two-strike count in the first inning gets fans clapping, backing the pitcher to finish off the batter. Throughout the game, fans seem to be hanging on every big opportunity to get the go ahead run across the plate, or to will the team out of a jam. Wake fans are loud and passionate, and they remain that way from the first pitch strike and throughout extra innings. Access 3 The area around Wake Forest is just over three miles from downtown Winston-Salem. Greensboro is probably the most accessible airport to the area and is just a 30-minute drive. Winston-Salem and the surrounding metropolitan Greensboro area are well fed with interstate highways that make getting to Wake Forest rather easy. Once at the ballpark most fans park in the lower lot, which is a short walk to the front gates of David F. Couch Ballpark. The concourse is easy enough to navigate, but the first base side does tend to get a bit congested, mostly due to the concession lines backing up. The concourse along the third base side is more spacious, and the concession stand there is offset from the main walkway, so there is not the same issue with concourse congestion. Return on Investment 4 Weekday games are great deals, with tickets starting at $5 and concessions and Deacon Brews priced the same. Weekend series and conference games are reasonably priced at $10 for general admission seats and $15 for reserved seating. Ticket prices do increase by $5 the day of the game if purchased at the box office, so plan ahead when purchasing tickets. Extras 4 The manual scoreboard built into the left field wall is a nice touch; similar to Fenway’s Green Monster, the scoreboard has both the inning-by-inning line score and the current count, along with the number of outs (signified by colored lights). The Wake Forest Pitching Lab is one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the nation. While most facilities of its type would be exclusively for the team’s pitching staff, Wake Forest has made it accessible to the public – it is available for youth pitchers starting at age 12, all the way up to those in the professional ranks. The story of Kevin Jordan , former Wake Forest baseball player, and Coach Tom Walter’s donation of a kidney to him is chronicled on the concourse with a display on the back of the first base side press box. Just to the left of the front entry point is a monument recognizing inductees into the Greater Winston-Salem Professional Baseball Hall of Fame; some recognizable names include Wade Boggs, Mark Grace, Rico Petrocelli, and Earl Weaver. Final Thoughts Through their investments in stadium and facility upgrades, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have been building a baseball program that is not just one of the top teams in the gauntlet of quality teams in the ACC, but also one of the top teams in the nation. These investments have not just benefitted the players who have come through the Wake program, but go a long way in improving the overall fan experience here.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 George F. Bachman Sports Complex 570 East Ordnance Rd Glen Burnie, MD 21060 Baltimore Chop website George F. Bachman Sports Complex website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 100 A Baltimore Chop The Maryland Collegiate Baseball League is a summer collegiate league with players from many colleges but mostly from regional colleges and universities, such as Towson, Maryland, Penn State, UMBC, and Mount St Mary's. The Baltimore Chop team has played in the league for many years. They are named for the "Baltimore chop, " a chopper that takes a high bounce near home plate, allowing the runner to reach first safely. The Baltimore chop came from the Orioles of the late 19th century. With runs hard to come by in the dead ball era, the Orioles hatched a plan: They instructed their groundskeeper to pack the dirt in front of home plate (legend has it he once even put down a concrete slab) so that speedsters like John McGraw and Willie Keeler could leg out infield singles. The George F. Bachman Sports Complex is a 55-acre adult sports complex that contains 6 lighted softball fields, 1 lighted baseball field, and 1 lighted multi-purpose field. Food & Beverage 1 There are no actual concessions at Bachman Park, but the softball fields in the same complex have a food stand with good prices. The softball fields are seemingly in use more often than the baseball field, so getting food there should not be an issue. A good option is to bring your food. There are no restrictions in doing so, and the open areas around the baseball field would make an ideal picnic area. Atmosphere 2 There are only three small metal bleachers surrounding the field. Most fans bring their folding chairs. The smartest fans also bring a small sun shade or tent, especially for long daytime doubleheaders. The field lacks almost any amenity, although there is an announcer who also happens to distribute roster sheets. The park does not even have a scoreboard. The lack of a scoreboard is the biggest fault of this otherwise fine field. Well, that and some seating. And anything besides a porta-potty for bathroom trips. The atmosphere is still pretty good, as the quality of players in the league makes those in attendance realize they are watching a great level of play. The field is also in seemingly good shape. Neighborhood 3 Bachman Park is an intriguing place. Glen Burnie is not often considered the most exciting place around. It is a non-stop strip of shopping malls that run south along Governor Richie Highway from the Baltimore Beltway towards Severna Park or Annapolis. But this complex is tucked in a lovely wooded area that is next to the United States Army Reserve land and across from a Home Depot. The Curtis Bay US Coast Guard Yard is also right down the road. Being so close to shops and restaurants means that attending the game here will give a fan many pre and post-game options. All the normal fast food options are around, with a McDonald's being the closest, as they are in that Home Depot Center. For quick food, the best options are Wingstop at 6710 Governor Ritchie Highway, Checkers (1417 North Crain Highway), and Maria D's Sub Shop at 111 North Crain Highway. Mo's Seafood Factory (7146 Ritchie Highway) may be your best bet for a little higher level of dining. Cafe Bretton in nearby Severna Park (849 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard) may also be worth a drive for some fine French dining. Fans 2 There are not a lot of fans who attend games. The ones who do tend to be friends or family of the players involved. They are a knowledgeable bunch, and cheer and jeer at all the correct times. Access 4 Access is a strong part of Bachman Park. It is located near I-695, Route 10, and Governor Richie Highway. Please note that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was part of I-695, could make getting to the field from the north a little more difficult. You will need to use one of the Baltimore tunnels instead. Parking lots may fill quickly if there are softball games also going on. And it seems like softball games are always going on. You should still be able to find parking on a lot or in overflow grass areas. Just be careful to stay out of foul ball territory. A porta-potty is the only bathroom at the field itself, although full bathrooms are open at the nearby softball fields. There is currently construction going on for a real bathroom facility. Return on Investment 4 The games are free to attend. And the food at the nearby concession stand is cheap and of good quality. You will certainly not go broke at a night out here. The level of play of this summer college league is very good. The rosters are filled with players at high-level college programs, so you will see good baseball. . Extras 2 Stop at the nearby softball fields and watch a game at one of the six fields in the complex. The weekend warriors swarm the area and play some intense games. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association holds their girl's fast-pitch semi-final tournament at the complex yearly, so you may see some other softball players besides just the usual beer-league type. Final Thoughts The experience at Bachman Park is better than you would expect. The area nearby is the most exciting, but this tree-lined sports complex makes for an enjoyable day or night of baseball.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Campus Recreation Center 1 Old Ferry Road Bristol, RI 02809 Roger Williams Hawks men's basketball website Campus Recreation Center website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 1,200 Roger Williams Hawks Hoops   Roger Williams was a Puritan minister, theologian and author who founded Providence Plantations in 1636. This settlement eventually became the state of Rhode Island. Williams was a staunch advocate of religious freedom, separation of church and state, and fair dealings with the local Native Americans. His Separatist views and belief that the Church of England was corrupt were deemed too radical by the Puritan leaders of Plymouth and Boston, so they expelled Williams from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.   Roger Williams University was founded in 1956 and named for Rhode Island’s founder. The school actually began operations in 1919 as the Rhode Island branch of Northeastern University before receiving its own charter from the state. The school moved to its current location in Bristol in 1969. Today, RWU’s 5,000 students study in 50 academic programs, including one of the only Marine Biology programs and one of the only Historic Preservation programs in the country. Roger Williams offers the only Juris Doctor (law degree) in Rhode Island.   The first basketball team to represent Roger Williams played in 1973. Originally a member of the NAIA, today the Hawks compete in Division Three’s Conference of New England (formerly the Commonwealth Coast Conference). The men’s program made their first Division Three Tournament appearance in 2024. The women’s team has played in three postseason tournaments, most recently in 2022.   The Hawks play at the Campus Recreation Center, which features an 8,500 square foot fitness center, an aquatics center, two dance studios, squash and racquetball courts and a field house. The main gymnasium serves as home to the men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams.   Food & Beverage 1    The Hawk’s Nest in the Campus Rec Center serves up assorted drinks (Pepsi products are featured), specialty coffees, smoothies, pastries and bagels. During the semester the Hawk’s Nest is open until 8, but the hours are a bit more limited if you’re visiting Roger Williams on a weekend or semester break. Stadium Journey visited RWU on a Tuesday afternoon during Thanksgiving week, and the snack bar was closed.   Should the Hawk’s Nest be closed during your visit, there is a vending machine in the basement level of the facility. Alas, this machine was not working during Stadium Journey’s visit. At least it didn’t take our money.   On the plus side, it looks like fans are free to bring their own refreshments into the Campus Rec Center.   Atmosphere 2   The game day atmosphere at a Roger Williams basketball game will feel pretty familiar to anyone who has visited the small college gyms that dot the country. With the limited resources and meager fan support, there’s not a lot going on here at RWU that reinvents the wheel. That’s not to say that a Hawks game is a bland or boring experience. It’s just fairly typical.   There’s a decent sound system here that plays music during play stoppages, and a PA announcer who brings some energy to the proceedings. In this bandbox of a gym, it’s easy to imagine how loud it could get here if the bleachers were packed. Much of the energy here comes from the fans in the stands, most of whom have a personal connection with the players on the court. Small scoreboards on either end of the court display basic game information. Unfortunately, there were no cheerleaders or pep band present during Stadium Journey’s visit. That, and the lack of a strong student turnout, dampen the overall atmosphere.   Neighborhood 5   Roger Williams University is located in the colonial town of Bristol, Rhode Island, a town of just over 22,000 residents. A popular summer tourist destination, Bristol is best known as the site of the oldest continuously celebrated Independence Day festivities in the United States. The first mention of a Fourth of July celebration was noted by a British officer in 1777. The town has held a parade on the Fourth every year since 1785, which annually draws in excess of 200,000 visitors.     Roger Williams University is located at the southernmost point in Bristol, occupying the land at the top of a bluff that overlooks Mount Hope Bay. The views from campus are truly spectacular. To experience the best of Bristol, downtown is less than two miles from campus. Among the notable attractions here are the Town Commons, the Herreshoff Marine Museum (five America’s Cup-winning yachts were built here) and Colt State Park. The East Bay Bike Path, which runs approximately 16 miles all the way to Providence, begins in downtown Bristol. To quote my wife, Bristol has that “Hallmark Channel feel” to the downtown area. It’s a lovely place to explore if visiting during the holiday season.   Fans looking for a place to eat after a Hawks game will find no shortage of options in the downtown area, including Brick Pizza Company and Pivotal Brewing. As you might expect in a seaside town like Bristol, excellent seafood restaurants are plentiful, including The Lobster Pot, Aidan’s Pub and Leo’s Ristorante. Lodging options in town are scarce, with the Bristol Harbor Inn the primary choice near Roger Williams. Visitors should check out the many options along I-195, especially up near Providence, or down in Newport if looking to stay in the area. Explore Bristol has more detailed information about attractions in the area.   Fans 2   Crowds at Roger Williams basketball games are what we here at Stadium Journey like to call “friends and family” crowds. Generally numbering between 100-200 fans, most of the people in the stands are connected to the players on the court in some manner. As you might expect, they can be very boisterous and knowledgeable about the team.   With the majority of Roger Williams’ schedule consisting of games against other New England teams, it’s not unusual to see a good turnout by visiting fans. At this level, you will have no worries showing up in the opposition colors.   Access 3   Let’s make this simple: there’s no easy way to get to Bristol, Rhode Island and Roger Williams University. Located on a sprawling 143 acres featuring a spectacular view of Mount Hope Bay, there are no highways that directly serve the town and only a couple of roads leading in and out of town. Interstate 195 passes by the area about ten miles from campus. If driving to Roger Williams from the north, take Route 24 from Fall River. If arriving from Providence and points west, take Route 114. Ripta ’s 60 and 61 busses serve the campus on their routes between Newport and Providence.   The Campus Recreation Center is located in the middle of campus, with the school’s other athletics facilities located nearby. There is limited parking on the east side of the gym, along with additional parking on the opposite side of the baseball field. Just be aware that the parking is a bit of a walk from the rec center, and the campus is not lit as well as perhaps it should be at night.   All seating in the Campus Rec Center consists of molded plastic bleachers on either side of the court. Fans needing accessible seating will find plenty of room at the top of the bleachers on the south side of the gym. No matter where you sit in this tiny gym, you’ll have great views of the action. Surprisingly large, clean restrooms are located just outside the entrance to the court.   Return on Investment 5   Admission to a Hawks basketball game is free. Parking is also available at no charge in the lots around campus. Since concessions may or may not be available, it’s quite possible that you won’t even reach for your wallet once while visiting Roger Williams University. Even better, if you’re visiting during the conference schedule, you’ll get two games for the price of none.   Extras 1   Banners hang on the end of the Rec Center gym honoring Hawks conference championships and tournament appearances for the men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. Banners honoring all the 1,000-point scorers in Roger Williams basketball history are hung at the opposite end of the gym. The Rec Center lobby contains the trophies accumulated by the athletic program over the years.   Final Thoughts   Roger Williams features one of those small bandbox gymnasiums that dot the college basketball landscape across the nation. With downtown Bristol a short drive away, hoops fans who like a small-town atmosphere will love a trip to Roger Williams University.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Salt River Fields at Talking Stick 7555 N Pima Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85258 Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training website Salt River Fields at Talking Stick website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 11,000 Dbacks Spring Home The Arizona Diamondbacks play their spring ball at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. It is the beautiful spring training facility for the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks and celebrated its 10th season in 2021. Prior to the 2011 season, the Diamondbacks played their first three years in Tucson, AZ at Kino Sports Complex. Salt River Fields is the first MLB spring training park built on Native American Indian land. Its design uses Native American influence and regional-desert architecture and landscaping. It’s quite a remarkable sight. Visitors witness picturesque views of Camelback, McDowell, Superstition, and other mountains as they walk the complex area and stadium. It’s an impressive facility, and Diamondback fans are proud to call it their spring training home. Food & Beverage 5 Salt River Fields offers an outstanding choice of nourishment, snacks and drinks; some standard fare, others more elaborate. Permanent concessions line the infield concourse with a few more on the center field concourse. Each one sells something a bit different. The Show near the home plate entrance is known for the Shea Burger Basket (burger with cheese and bacon and a side of fries – $15.50) or the yummy Bee Line Chicken Club Basket on a pretzel bun. Rte 101 Pizza sells flatbread pizza and Southwestern chicken salad. Cattle 101 offers premium Mile High burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches. Home Plate Hot Dog … well, you get the idea. The concessions in center field include Cold Stone Creamery, Verde Grille Burgers, and an offering of tantalizing Dominican fare at a Yanikeke food truck. A unique food cart on the third base concourse sells gourmet ostrich, elk, rattlesnake, beef, and vegan hot dogs ($12). Delicious aromas from kiosks marketing kettle corn, lemonade, standard hot dogs, sausages, and brats permeate throughout the concourse. Mustache Pretzels and Chick-fil-A also have a presence. Party decks Ultra Terrace and Salty Senorita occupy areas down each baseline. Fans can get their margarita, nacho, and chips & salsa fix at Salty Senoritas (a local Scottsdale establishment). Fans looking for adult beverages will find beer carts throughout the concourse selling a plethora of canned domestic and craft beers, and seltzers ($14 – $15.50). A Home Plate Bar sells cocktails; other carts on the concourse provide adult frozen cocktails and smoothies in various bright fruit flavors. The Casino Arizona Bar in center field offers cocktails, TV screens turned to sporting events, indoor and outdoor seating and air conditioning. Pepsi brands are the soda of choice at SRF ($6 – $7.50). Bottled water runs $5. Certainly a remarkable number of choices for a spring training facility! Atmosphere 5 The facility is adorned with beautiful landscaping both inside and outside. This includes cactus gardens, desert terrain, scrubby hardy bushes, and lots of rocks which are all very attractive together. The structure fits in well with its surroundings and the environment. A traditional Native American ramada shade is incorporated into the venue as a way to shade fans from the hot Arizona sun. Green fold-down seats are plenty wide, have cup holders and legroom is superb at Salt River Fields. Sections 112 and 212 are directly behind home plate. Thin nets run to the ends of the dugouts so only the last few sections are net free. About 85% of the seating area gets the shade by the end of an afternoon game. The infield, especially behind home plate and the 200 level, gets shade the entire game. Handy drink rails are on concourse columns as well as some sections just above the seating. The entire design allows fans multiple observation areas. Fans enter from the top of the concourse and descend to the seating area (handrails are available), a small walkway is between the 100 and 200 levels. Step depths are odd, short in some spots, then all of a sudden, the step depth changes to ‘standard.’ So, be aware when walking up and down them. The grassy berm in the outfield is a popular seating choice for many families and visitors who bring blankets and spread out to enjoy the sun and delightful sounds of a baseball game. Peddlers sell beer, water, and peanuts in the berm areas. Berm Areas at Salt River Fields, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The music level isn’t too loud; the 100 level seats are further away from the speakers. Bobby Freeman, the long-time organist for the Arizona Diamondbacks, makes his presence at spring training games serenading fans with long ago forgotten organ music. An extremely crowded souvenir shop is down the third base concourse; there’s no room to move between the people and the racks and shelves. Our recommendation is to visit that store during the game to avoid the congestion. A smaller satellite merchandise area with mainly just clothing is on the concourse nearer the home plate entrance. Unfortunately, the team no longer provides handouts of starting lineups and rosters; instead, they are taped to an information table. The teams installed a greatly improved scoreboard on the left field grassy berm several years ago. It provides the lineup, current pitcher and batter names, line score, some video, etc. Neighborhood 4 If you do nothing else when spending time in Scottsdale, visit the USS Arizona Memorial Gardens right across Salt River Fields’ home plate parking lot. It is a memorial to and reminder of the WWII Dec 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and remembrance to those soldiers who served and gave their lives. Columns of light form the outline of the battleship which illuminates at twilight. The stadium is next to The Pavilions at Talking Stick shopping center. Plenty of chain restaurants and places before or after a Dbacks game are within the shopping area: Buffalo Wild Wings (wings and beer), Angry Crab Shack (seafood), Blazin’ Mongolian BBQ (Asian – create your own stir fry), Red Robin (burgers), Filiberto’s (Mexican), and more. Fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Chipotle, Blimpies, Arby’s, and Pizza dot the shopping area. The TapHouse Kitchen is 3 ½ miles from the ballpark and offers craft beers, cocktails, and diverse and delicious food dishes. And, it has happy hour specials during the week; good for visiting before an evening game at Salt River Fields. An escape room, indoor skydiving, and one of those movie theaters that serve gourmet movie fare are other entertainment found in The Pavilions. Several golf courses are within a few miles as is the Butterfly Wonderland which is America’s largest butterfly atrium. Besides butterflies, it has a 3D theater and various insect displays. The Talking Stick Resort and Casino is just across the Loop 101, less than a three-mile drive from the ballpark. For nearby lodgings, a Great Wolf Lodge (and water park) is across the parking lot. For rooms a bit more affordable, a Staybridge Hotel is within walking distance (less than ½ mile). A Hampton Inn & Suite is across the Loop 101 (near the casino). Keep in mind, lodging costs double during spring training. For other sports in the area, visit the Colorado Rockies spring training another day and other East Valley spring training stadiums: Scottsdale Stadium (SF Giants), Sloan Park (Chicago Cubs), Tempe Diablo (Los Angeles Angels, and Hohokam Stadium (Oakland Athletics). A trip to Phoenix, AZ and an ASU Sun Devil baseball game is a tad over 10 miles from the ballpark. Fans 4 The Diamondbacks have the shortest spring training commute in the majors, with their Cactus League park a scant half hour from their regular season home, Chase Field . And while the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and a shortened season because of the lockout in 2022 caused a downfall in attendance numbers, Dbacks fans still make a large presence at the ballpark. Weekend games draw more than weekday games and the stadium is full when the Cubs or Dodgers are the opponents. As with most Cactus League games, fans easily strike up conversations with their neighbors. You’ll see plenty of fans wearing red spread across the seating area. And, since it’s such a nice ballpark, many visiting team fans congregate near the visitor’s bullpen and dugout. Access 4 Salt River Fields is located just west of the Loop 101 Pima Fwy at the Indian Bend Rd or the Via De Ventura exits. Parking is available in three lots and costs $5, $10, or $25 for valet parking. Give yourself some extra travel time when attending an evening game during the week because of heavier rush hour traffic. When flying in for a spring training game, the closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (about 18 miles southwest of the stadium). Public transportation is somewhat available via Valley Metro (mostly bus route 81). If needed, the connecting light rail may not be operating after a night game. Check Valley Metro for fare, schedules, and maps. Three gates open an hour before the first pitch. Bags less than 16” x 16” x 8” are allowed. Fans who use clear stadium bags get through the security check quicker. Salt River Fields Homeplate Entrance and Security Check, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The concourse is wide open and fans can see all the playing action while walking it. The ease of moving around the stadium during a game is admirable, though be cautious of uneven step heights when walking up and down the seating aisles. Plenty of ramps are available throughout the complex for those using wheelchairs and strollers. ADA seating lines the top of the grandstand on the concourse. Many sets of clean and serviceable restrooms are open at Salt River Fields. Return on Investment 4 As with all spring training facilities, the prices have skyrocketed since days gone by. The Dbacks are no exception. In fact, ticket prices at Chase Field are on par with their spring training venue prices. Spring training tickets run $19 – $22 for berm tickets to $52 – $57 for higher priced seats, depending on game and opponent. The more popular teams like Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs have the higher ticket costs. Food concession prices are high. Nine dollars for a Chick-fil-A sandwich, $8.75 for a Cold Stone Creamery cup, or $15.50 for a beer is more than you’d pay outside the stadium. This is, unfortunately, typical with stadium fare at many sports venues. Five-dollar parking is common at Cactus League venues. Attendants offer a free spring training program which is helpful. Sign up for the designated driver program to get a free soda, bring in the two allowed bottles of water, and eat before or after the game to save a couple of bucks when attending a game. It is a remarkable facility and one that shouldn’t be missed if traveling for spring training in Arizona. Extras 5 Several additional items are worth noting about attending a Dbacks spring training game at Salt River Fields. First, each of the entrances is special in some way, with fountains and sculpture, and the two branded entranceways in the outfield have a Dbacks historic timeline and Rockies team concepts lining the respective ramps. Still outside the park are a nature walk around a small fishing lake, and a “Veterans Circle” (honoring Native American veterans). The extras continue once you enter the park. You can peer over the bullpens and watch the pitchers warm up which makes you feel up close and personal with the player (even though you’re really not). The organization provides free SPF 30 sunscreen in two areas in the outfield, a very courteous touch. Finally, a free small whiffle ball diamond offering pick up games for kids is in the right field concourse. It’s quite popular with the little ones and an attendant makes sure all kids get a chance to bat and play. Final Thoughts At eleven years old, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick continues to impress both local and visiting spring training fans. It has been honored with many awards such as ‘best spring training park’ or ‘best baseball experience’ by notable sports organizations. If you have not yet been, put it on the list to visit.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 epet ARENA Milady Horákové 1066/98 Prague, Czech Republic AC Sparta Praha website epet ARENA website Year Opened: 1917 Capacity: 18,887 The Crown Jewel of Czech Soccer epet ARENA, more commonly known as Letná Stadium, has been home to the most decorated club in all of Czechia, AC Sparta Praha. Established in 1893, Sparta has won 37 league titles, 15 Czech Cups (both being Czech records), and two Czech Supercups. Their decorated history doesn’t stop at the domestic level. In terms of European competitions, Sparta accumulated three Central European Cups, a UEFA Cup in 1973, and reached the European Cup (now known as UEFA Champions League) semi-finals in 1992. It is no surprise that winning ways bring high expectations, and the supporters that fill the Letná never cease to drop their standards. Food & Beverage 2 The matchday experience at the Letná Stadium is something memorable, but the food is something to be forgotten. We were in the stand along the goal line across from the Ultras section. Here are a few of the same concession stands, serving the fundamental stadium food you would anticipate; sausage, popcorn, chips, beer, soda, etc. The concessions are cheap though. Every item, food ,  or beverage is no more than $4. The sausage itself was not bad, but they ran out of buns before the match even started. But the drinks come with a take-home cup, so at the price you pay, that is a fantastic deal. Atmosphere 5 While hosting the most famous club in the Czech Republic, the Letná would not be described as a large stadium. Rather than providing a fancy stadium atmosphere like big clubs do, the Lenta utilizes its small capacity of just below 19,000 to create an intimate atmosphere. The stadium is split into four different stands, each one accompanying its sideline/end line. Like most European stadiums, you only have access to the stand where your seat is located, meaning if you are sitting in the north stand, you only have access to the north stand concourse. Worried that you do not have any Sparta apparel for your upcoming match, no worries because there is the team store outside of the stadium. It is an expansive shop with apparel, decor, and many other Sparta-branded items. Just be sure to check out the team store before heading to your entrance gate.    The seating itself is very comfortable, with chairs back at every seat and plenty of legroom provided by the rows. The cheapest tickets are located on the first level behind the goal opposite the ultras section, and I highly recommend sitting here. The views from there are great and unobstructed, you can easily see any display from the ultras, and you are close to the field, so it is fun to have the Sparta players celebrate goals right in front of you. If you sit here, be careful when the stadium gets upset, cups are prone to being tossed on the field from the second deck, and many of them miss short.  There is no shortage of pre-match festivities at the Letná. The ultras start buzzing when players come on the pitch to warm up. Two hype videos are projected on the video boards, one in Czech, and one in English giving visitors a brief overview of the club’s history. Then a massive flag display takes place on the pitch as the players make their way out of the dressing rooms and onto the pitch. Throughout the entirety of the match chants, tifos, and pyros are constantly going off, and the atmosphere always stays intense.  Two TV screens are serving as video boards located in opposite corners of the stadium, meaning every seat in the stadium can view one of them. These screens serve to display the score and time, the pregame hype videos, halftime promotions, and last but certainly not least crowd control prompts. For example, occasionally an away player will dive to the ground to draw a foul, leading a chant to break out from the crowd in Czech, visitors like us will not understand the point of the chant until a “do not use foul language” prompt appears on the video board, then we can use some context clues. My favorite is when the ultras light one stick of pyro, and then the video board pops up with an animation that tells the fans pyro is not allowed, which seems to only encourage the ultras to light more.   Neighborhood 5 Out of all the stadiums in Prague, Letná Stadium has hands down the best location. Situated in Prague 7, the stadium is an easy 20-minute walk across the Vltava River from Old Town Square. Meaning the stadium is minutes away from the many attractions of Prague, and close to limitless restaurant/bar options. In terms of pre/post-match food and drinks, I would point you in the direction of Lokal Dulka for a drink and traditional Czech food located close to the city center. Mr. Hot Dog is a very popular spot for hotdogs, sausages, burgers, and drinks right next to the stadium. It often has a lively pre-match atmosphere being that it is so close to the stadium. It is almost impossible to see everything in Prague in just one trip, but attraction highlights include Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, and St. George’s Basilica. Be sure to check out some of the other teams in Prague as well. Sparta HC is the most popular hockey team in town, but four other soccer clubs reside in Prague including first division sides Bohemians 1905 and Slava Praha.  Staying around the city center is highly recommended as you can find affordable options within walking distance of all of the attractions. For solo travelers, the city is loaded with cheap and clean hostels. Check out hostelworld.com as it is the most popular hotel booking site with quality reviews and prices.  For visitors looking for a hotel, Hotel Zlata Vaha is a great option and can be booked for around $70. If you book at the right time other affordable hotels in the area can be found for anywhere between $50-$90. Prague is one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world, and Sparta Prague plays right in the hub of all of it.  Fans 5 To put it simply, the fans are the ones who make the experience at the Letná Stadium so great. The big clubs in the world with legendary stadiums like Man United, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich get all the attention as passionate fanbases, which is something that I don’t believe to be true. However, after attending a Sparta match, I would put Sparta as one of the most passionate in the world.  In terms of general traditions, there are many. During the player walkouts, the fans hold their scarves high while all of the supporters gave a bone-chilling rehearsal of a club anthem. Scarves are waved like Pittsburgh's terrible towel while the celebration song plays in the background after every goal. The Sparta ultras are unbelievable, their section was packed before warmups, and from the time warmups started, to well after the match they stayed buzzing with songs, tifos, and two pyro displays. Most of the atmosphere in the stadium stems from the Ultras.  These might be general things that a lot of supporters do, but the reason why I would give them the title as one of the most passionate fanbases is what happens during the game. For reference, we saw a league match vs FK Teplice. At the time of the match, Sparta was about 6 points clear of first in the division and Teplice was in the bottom third, so not the most meaningful match in the world. It was a disastrous start for Sparta as they were quickly playing with 10 men and down 1-0 early. This prompted the away side to begin early time wasting, and when a player would dive to the sidelines, the fans answered by jeering the player and sometimes even throwing cups onto the field. The away club even scored a second goal, but upon review got called back for offsides, and instead of cheering for the offsides, the fans started verbally attacking the assistant referee for missing the call in the first place, little to say the first half was incredibly tense, and filled with anger. Just to be clear, we do not condone throwing cups on a field, or any form of reckless behavior from fans not local to the club and are rather just visiting. If you are visiting a team on vacation, please act with respect no matter what is happening in the stands.  To fast forward, Sparta came back to win 2-1 being down a man the entire match. Words cannot describe the noise from the crowd when the go-ahead goal connected. There was an older gentleman in front of me who was in tears as if Sparta just won the Champions League. When I try to think about what this team means to this fanbase, there is no better example than that gentleman sitting in the row below me.  Access 4 The stadium is more than walkable from the city center, but in case you do not plan on walking, the stadium has public transport access. There is a tram stop label, “Sparta” right inform of the team shop. This stop has many different trams that serve it, so check Google or Apple Maps for what route best suits your departing location. The team store does not require entrance into the stadium, allowing everyone to check it out before the match. There is a stadium map on the front of your PDF ticket if you purchase ahead of time. This will show you what gate you need to enter, and there is signage all around the stadium using arrows to point you in the direction of the gate your ticket desires. The concourse for each stand is shared between the upper and lower levels, but it is very spacious and has tables to grab a bite before heading to your seat. I was not able to find anything about handicap access, but the guest services at Sparta were very quick to respond to my ticketing emails, so I counsel you to reach out to them for information relating to handicap access. Return on Investment 5 In terms of activities on your to-do list in Prague, the return on investment of a Sparta Prague is greater than anything else on your itinerary. General tickets are priced anywhere from 300czk – to 450czk, and VIP ticket packages go up from there. This means tickets for Sparta start at $13. That is cheaper than the following Prague attractions: the National Museum, Prague Castle, Powder Tower, and St. Vitus Cathedral. As mentioned before, the food is basic but very cheap. Food and soda are anywhere between $2-$4, beer is $3 and comes in a souvenir cup. . Extras 3 The stadium does not have anything too fancy, but props to Sparta for an expansive team store on the outside of the stadium. English was well spoken by the staff, and drinks also came with a souvenir plastic cup without an upcharge, so that was neat. There are stadium tours available, and you have to go through the website to purchase.   Final Thoughts I have been to the World Series, seen my hometown Braves win the NLCS, attended major UGA Football games, and seen an NCAA Sweet 16 and an NCAA Frozen Four. Granted, seeing the Braves finally overthrow the Dodgers in game six was one of the greatest moments ever, there is nothing that compares to the value of a Sparta Prague ticket. For $13 to be a part of an atmosphere like this, you would be a fool not to attend if you’re visiting the area.

Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Bowen Field 2003 Stadium Dr Bluefield, VA 24701 Bluefield Ridge Runners website Bowen Field website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 3,000 Along the Appalachian League Trail: Bluefield Bowen Field has been the home for baseball in the Bluefield area since 1939. The original structure was built as a WPA project under President Franklin Roosevelt, but was nearly totally destroyed by a fire in 1970. The stadium was rebuilt and opened again for business in 1975. The reconstructed stadium has seating for 3,000 fans. Its teams have been affiliated with several major league organizations over the years, most notably the Baltimore Orioles from 1958 – 2010 and the Toronto Blue Jays from 2011 to the present. The Bluefield Jays play at the Rookie level of the Appalachian League. The Blue Jays are shared by the neighboring towns of Bluefield, Virginia and Bluefield, West Virginia, which are separated only by the VA / WV state line. Bowen Field is located within Peters Park, which is operated by the West Virginia city. However, the baseball facility itself is located within the boundaries of the state of Virginia. Food & Beverage 5 The concession stand at Bowen Field is aptly named the Birdfeeder. It serves one of the larger selection of foods in the Appalachian League. Among the items on the menu are hot dogs ($2.50), corndogs ($2.25), chicken sandwiches ($3.50), nachos ($2.50), hamburgers ($3.50), cheeseburgers ($4), candy ($2), ice cream ($2), brats ($3.75), cheese steaks ($4.50), popcorn ($2), peanuts ($2), pretzels ($2.50) and chips ($1). Ballpark beverages include bottled water ($2), Pepsi brand sodas ($2.25) and slushies ($2.25). Alcoholic beverages are sold within the Railyard at the Ballyard area along the third base line. Patrons have a front row view along a drinking rail within the area. Domestic canned beers are $3.50, craft beers are $4 and Shock Top and Bold Rock Cider sell for $4. Bowen Field offers a service found at few ballparks in the minor leagues. It has servers roaming the stands taking food orders from fans. While the Birdfeeder welcomes fans to place their orders at the concession stand this food service allows spectators to see every pitch. The service is extended to all fans, not just premium seat holders. Atmosphere 5 The beauty of West Virginia is on full display as Bowen Field is built in a valley between two mountains. Not only is this scenic, it also keeps the area shaded for most of the games in the summer and the temperatures in the very mild range. We have all heard the phrase “take ownership”…. in Bluefield they take it literally. The team is run by the community under the direction of a local board of directors. Locals help in virtually every aspect of the club… concessions, ticketing and even keeping the park spotlessly clean. The walls along the concourse are filled with plaques recognizing or remembering a local for donating funds toward some physical part of the stadium. In some cases, the money comes from a will or in other cases it comes as gifts in kind from a local business. Ballparks are nice, but what you put on the field is equally important. The Bluefield Jays can almost always be found atop the Appalachian League standings. Before the Jays arrived, the town had a nearly 50-year relationship with the Baltimore Orioles. Some of the top Baltimore Orioles ever got their start in Bluefield. Neighborhood 3 Even if you add the populations of the two Bluefield’s together they still add up to a small town. A lot of this is due to the surrounding mountains which surround the ballpark and the villages. Most of the dining establishments in town are fast food chains. Two exceptions are the Big Whiskey BBQ Co. and The Railyard. The only hotel in town is the Econolodge, but the Baker’s Hill Inn B&B has some nice accommodations at reasonable prices. As far as attractions, nature provides the most interesting sights for the visitors. There are several scenic viewpoints on surrounding roads that are worth checking out. Since you are in West Virginia, a stop at the Coal Heritage Interpretive Center can provide you with a great deal of information about the state’s largest industry. Fans 4 The fans at Bowen Field see coming to the games as a community event. Their parents and grandparents attended games there and so will the next generation. At the Rookie League level many of these fans will actually be housing a Blue Jay player during the short June-August season. The games give the fans an opportunity to see their friends and neighbors after an exhausting day at work and to relax. These fans know their baseball, as they have seen many valuable players get their start in professional baseball at this very facility. Visitors will often hear the locals sharing stories of a young Cal Ripken, Jr or Boog Powell making a great play right in front of them. The two Bluefield’s cheer as one, as they share in the civic pride and long history associated with baseball in the town. Bluefield’s main rival are the Princeton Rays, a neighboring town just a few miles down the road. When the two teams compete, there is some good-natured banter between the opposing fans. After the game is over, the two sets of fans head off to the Dairy Queen together. In this competitive world, this small town friendliness is refreshing. Access 3 Bluefield is very isolated from any major cities as it is located amidst the Appalachian Mountains at the Virginia / West Virginia border. However, it is located only four miles from I-77. To reach the ballpark take the Bluefield exit (#1) off I-77. This will put you on Rte. 290 going west. Follow Rte. 290 to Rte. 460 West. Take Rte. 460 to the third traffic light and turn right on Leatherwood Lane. Turn left when you get to College Avenue. You will stay on College Avenue until you reach Stadium Drive. (There will be a Shell Station at the corner.) Turn right on Stadium Drive and Bowen Field will be ¼ mile ahead on your left. Parking is available just outside of the stadium. The bleachers making up Bowen Field are built into a hillside and may be difficult for some persons with walking issues to negotiate. There is plenty of seating at field level for those who cannot manage the steps in the grandstand. Return on Investment 4 The Blue Jays games will not put much of a dent in your wallet. Tickets range from $11 for a box seat to $8 for general admission. Parking at Bowen Field is free and concessions are very reasonably priced. Accommodations are limited in town, but most people at the games are locals, so you should find very reasonable rates at either the Econolodge or one of the many B&B’s in the area. The town of Princeton, West Virginia is just 12 miles away and has a large selection of lodging choices. . Extras 4 Several famous players got their starts in professional baseball in Bluefield. These players include Cal Ripken, Jr, Boog Powell, Eddie Murray and Kevin Pillar. The seats at Bowen Field were salvaged from the old Anaheim Stadium, the original home of the California Angels. The at your seat food service deserves an extra. The Bluefield Jays and the neighboring Princeton Rays compete each year for the Mercer Cup. The team with the most wins in head to head competition during the season wins the cup and gets to hold onto it until the conclusion of the next baseball season. This is a friendly rivalry, but there is a lot of civic pride involved as well. Final Thoughts Bowen Field is one of the treasures of minor league baseball. Though it does not have many of the bells and whistles of more modern stadiums, it more than makes up for it in small town friendliness, a beautiful natural setting and a community and their ball team putting their best efforts to ensure you have an enjoyable night at the ballpark. It is definitely a park you should put on your baseball bucket list.

Even as civic leaders in Portland, Oregon, prepare a bid for an expansion Major League Baseball franchise, professional baseball in the city's suburbs now has a secure future.  On March 7, 2024, the Oregon State Legislature approved the final $15 million in funding for the Hillsboro Hops' new municipally owned stadium next door to the team's current home, Ron Tonkin Field .   “This news means that the Hops are staying in Hillsboro with a new, year-round ballpark, where our community will all be able to gather for decades to come,” said Hillsboro Hops President and General Manager K.L. Wombacher in a release. “On behalf of our team, I’d like to enthusiastically thank the Oregon Legislature, as well as our many business and community champions, and most importantly, our fans who raised their voices for the Hops. We are humbled by your support, and we can’t wait to kick off another season together on April 5 and celebrate our shared future.”   The new ballpark, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks' Class-A Northwest League affiliate, will cost approximately $125 million to build, with $82 million in private funding, $18 million from the City of Hillsboro, $8 million from Washington County (OR), and $2 million from the Explore Tualatin Valley visitors' organization.  The City of Hillsboro will own and manage the stadium, located approximately 14 miles west of downtown Portland.   Notwithstanding Tonkin Field's relative youth (it opened in 2013) and good reviews, the Hops needed to make significant renovations to comply with Major League Baseball's facility standards for its 120 affiliated minor league teams.  For instance, minor league stadiums must have women's locker rooms for players, coaches, and umpires.  Additionally, visiting teams do not have a clubhouse at Tonkin Field and must use a locker room at the neighboring football stadium.  Studies concluded that construction of a new stadium would cost approximately 15 percent less than renovating Tonkin Field.   The new stadium will be located just to the northwest side of Tonkin Field, in Hillsboro's Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.  It will be designed as a year-round entertainment venue, with a capacity of 6,000 for baseball and 7,000 for concerts.     Groundbreaking for the new stadium is scheduled to happen this summer, opening before the start of the 2026 season.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Wrigley Field 1060 W Addison St. Chicago, IL 60613 Chicago Cubs website Wrigley Field website Year Opened: 1914 Capacity: 41,649 The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field Very few major league ballparks can be described as “classic”. Wrigley Field certainly does fill that description. Wrigley Field opened as Weeghman Park in 1914, making it the second oldest ballpark still in use, trailing only Boston’s Fenway Park, which opened in 1912. While the ballpark has gone through several renovations over the years, it has retained many elements of the stadium's original design. It has a capacity of 41,649 within its very tight seating layout. Food & Beverage 4 The Cubs have realized the importance of food and beverages ever since Wrigley Field was built. In the early days, a cart carrying these items was pushed through the stands throughout the game. These carts also were topped with an umbrella to keep the food from spoiling in the sun. While convenient, these carts blocked the fan's view of the game action. Mr. Wrigley noted this issue and began to build permanent concession stands away from the action along these concourses. Today, fans do not even need to leave their seats to place a food and beverage order. They can use the MLB app to check out the menu and place an order with the concession stand nearest their seat location to pick up and pay for their items. Wrigley Field has a very broad menu that will satisfy every fan’s taste. While it includes items that are found at every MLB ballpark, Wrigley Field tries to include items that are unique to Chicago. This includes Chicago-style hot dogs, pizzas, and Garrett’s popcorn. While having a large and diversified menu is great for the fans, the concession prices at Wrigley Park are higher than most other MLB ballparks. Hot dogs are priced at $10 and higher; pizza slices are $14; pretzels are $8 and local craft beers are $16 for a 16 oz. cup. The Cubs sell Coca-Cola Brand sodas, and they offer a wide variety of both branded and craft beers. Brands include Budweiser, Pabst, Miller, and Coors. Fans are allowed to bring a limited amount of food and water into the stadium. You can bring an individual amount of food in a clear bag no larger than one gallon. Water can be brought in in a factory-sealed clear plastic bottle. Atmosphere 4 Attending a game at Wrigley Field is partially going to a sports event and partially visiting a history museum. In addition to hosting the ballgames, Wrigley Field is also a salute to the Cub's long history in baseball. Several Cubs have had their numbers retired by the team. Each of these retired numbers appears on the two foul poles in the ballpark, with a pinstriped pennant emblazoned with the number atop the foul pole. Players honored in this way are Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg, Greg Maddux, and Jackie Robinson. The Cubs have also preserved the tradition of changing the scores on the center field scoreboard by hand. The scoreboard dates to 1937. There are several statues saluting Cubs players around the exterior of the stadium. They include statues of the Cubs’ longtime announcer Harry Caray, Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo. One last tradition that is still present in the ballpark is the ivy-covered walls in the outfield. They were installed in 1937 to give a more parklike feel to the ballpark by Bill Veeck. They also serve to protect the outfielders against the brick walls that are under the ivy. As a result, Wrigley is the only ballpark in the MLB that is not required to affix padding to its outfield walls. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field is known as “Wrigleyville”. While many of the businesses around the ballpark cater to the baseball crowds, most of the blocks around the ballpark are devoted to the day-to-day needs of the residents who live in the area. The Cubs have been protective of the neighborhood, as they did not install lights in the ballpark until 1988, as they were afraid it would be disruptive to the residents in the area. The Cubs still play several day games during the week to minimize any harm to the neighborhood. The exception to this rule is the rooftop seats (www.wrigleyrooftops.com) across the street from the ballpark along Waveland Avenue. These bleachers are heavily regulated as far as number of participants and how much noise they can create by the Cubs. On gamedays, the neighborhood transitions to serve the needs of the fans attending the game. Several stores carry a full line of Cubs memorabilia, and the restaurants are filled with fans getting a bite to eat before the games. Several bars provide liquid entertainment for Cubs fans. Probably the most famous of these is Murphy’s Bleachers, which is located just beyond the outfield walls of Wrigley Field. Another area fans like to meet up with friends and enjoy before the games is the greenspace known as Gallagher Way located along the third base side of the stadium. There are a few games that fans can join in and enjoy, as well as musical entertainment. This is a ticketed area of Wrigley Field. Fans 5 The Cubs fanbase is more national in scale than most clubs in the MLB. This is due to the long history of its team, as well as the many stars who have worn its’ pinstripes over the years. A large portion of this fanbase has only been to Wrigley Field via the televising of its games over the years by superstation WGN. The fans who are at games in person have stayed loyal through thick and thin seasons for the team. Their loyalty was rewarded when the Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016 after a 106-year drought. Probably the most boisterous fans of the Cubs are the Bleacher Bums who sit in the general admission bleachers in the outfield. They never let their support of the team waver. A long-standing tradition is to throw back any home run balls hit by the opposition, as a sign of their disgust and hatred for the opposition. The fans in this section of the stands are so legendary that they even had a Broadway play written then about them. Access 3 In our neighborhoods section, we spoke about Wrigleyville and its presence as both a residential area and an area where small businesses are located to serve the day-to-day needs of the residents. Unfortunately, this makes it harder to drive to a game at Wrigley Park. Unlike most MLB ballparks, Wrigley does not have acres of parking just outside of the venue. Street parking is not allowed in Wrigleyville and the little parking at the stadium is reserved for players and season ticket holders. There is one large lot (3900 North Rockwell Street) available for night games and weekend games only. It is 2.2 miles from Wrigley Field, but it is served by shuttle buses to and from the stadium. We strongly encourage fans to utilize either public transportation or Uber/Lyft to get to Wrigley Field. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has rail service through its Addison Street station on the Red Line. The other CTA rail lines all intersect with the Red Line somewhere in the system. The Addison Station is a block from the ballpark. CTA bus routes 152 and 22 both have stops within a block of the stadium. Rideshare pickup/delivery is available on Addison Street between Broadway and Hals and at Irving Park Road between Clark and Seminary. Once at the ballpark, there are six gates into the venue. These gates open 90 minutes before the games, or two hours before the weekend games. The concourses are narrow and difficult to navigate, so it is best to enter at the gate that is closest to your seat location. Return on Investment 3 Attending a Cubs game can be an expensive proposition. The seating bowl is relatively small as the ballpark has a relatively small capacity in comparison to other MLB venues. A large portion of the seats are taken up by season ticket holders. This means the remaining seats are in high demand, driving up the average ticket price. Add to that cost is the Cub's use of a dynamic pricing system. This means that games involving Central Division games such as games with their greatest rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals or the Milwaukee Brewers, will be higher priced than for other opponents. Interleague games involving the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the White Sox will command a higher price. Visitors will typically have to go to the secondary market for tickets, which also features a higher face value price for tickets. Another area of high cost is for parking near Wrigley Field. The ballpark is surrounded by a residential/ small business neighborhood rather than a large parking lot. Finding a nearby parking spot can prove to be an expensive proposition. This cost can be avoided by using the excellent public transportation options to get to the ballgames. Rideshares can be another affordable option to reduce the cost of going to a game. Wrigley Field operates on a cashless basis. Extras 4 Wrigley Field has been the site of several of baseball’s greatest moments. They include Babe Ruth’s “called shot” during the 1932 World Series, Ernie Banks hitting his 500th home run, Pete Rose tying Ty Cobb for most career hits, and Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout performance in 1998. The Cubs ballpark also figures into one term that is frequently used in baseball still today. Mr. Wrigley included flags representing every team in the league on the large scoreboard in center field. The flags, or pennants, were arranged by divisions and were placed in the order of where that team was in the standings for their division. Mr. Wrigley was also a sailor who competed in nautical races on nearby Lake Michigan. This is the origin of the term “pennant race” when referring to the baseball standings. The flags are kept in the correct position each day during the season. While the Cubs do everything possible to keep Wrigley’s charm and historic elements, they have made some needed updates in recent years. The 1060 Project (Wrigley’s street number) has made several improvements to the stadium. These include several structural improvements to the 110-year-old facility, a remodel of both the home and visiting clubhouses, the addition of two videoboards, the addition of a food court to service the upper-level seating bowl, a widening of the concourses and the addition of Wi-Fi service within the park. One of the highlights of any Cubs game is the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch. For many years Harry Caray led this tradition from his announcing booth. Since his passing this honor has been passed on to celebrities from movies, Broadway, television, and the sports world. Final Thoughts Going to a baseball game at Wrigley Field is a bucket list item for any true baseball fan.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Peoples Natural Gas Field 1000 Park Ave Altoona, PA 16602 Altoona Curve website Peoples Natural Gas Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 7,210 No Trouble With This Curve When Major League Baseball expanded by two teams (Tampa Bay and Arizona) for the 1998 season, it meant that the minor leagues would also have to expand to accommodate these new organizations. At the AA level, the Eastern League added two new teams, in Erie and Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Altoona franchise beat out a bid from Springfield, MA to gain their franchise.   Altoona’s new franchise was christened the “Curve,” inspired by the nearby Horseshoe Curve. The team, which debuted in 1999, was affiliated with the nearby Pittsburgh Pirates, a relationship which continues to this day. The Curve have won two league titles (2010 and 2017) during their quarter-century existence.   Originally named “Blair County Ballpark” with a capacity of 6,176, the facility was expanded to its present capacity in 2003 and entered its current naming rights deal with Peoples Natural Gas Field in 2012. The ballpark is designed to resemble an old-fashioned railroad roundhouse, paying homage to the railroad industry that is so prevalent in the area. With the ridges of the Allegheny Mountains visible in the distance and Lakemont Park’s Skyliner roller coaster located just beyond the right field fence, PNG Field features one of the most picturesque backdrops in all of minor league baseball.   Food & Beverage 4   Peoples Natural Gas Field doesn’t push the envelope much with their concession offerings, but what they do, they do well. There are multiple concession stands on both concourses. These stands are augmented by several portable carts which offer some variety in the menu and help to keep lines down.   All your standard ballpark fare can be found throughout PNG Field, from hot dogs and burgers to pizza, chicken tenders, sausage sandwiches, and chicken sandwiches. Fans looking for something a little different can find pulled pork at selected stands. You can get it on top of your nachos or in a sandwich. Chicken wraps are also sold at some stands. A wide variety of snacks are sold throughout the ballpark, including homemade cookies. Adults and children alike flock to the Sweet and Boozy stand, where you can add unlimited toppings to your sundae, or make your ice cream part of an adult beverage.   Pepsi products are featured at PNG Field. Fans looking for an adult beverage will find wine, mixed drinks, and slushies sold throughout the park. Craft beer fans will find a pair of Curve-themed beers from Levity Brewing, Baseball Skies and Play the Song, sold at portable stands alongside an extensive list of local and national brews.   The team’s signature menu item is the Curve Burger, sold at the Kunzler Grill down the right-field line. While the burger doesn’t break any new culinary ground, many fans have regarded this 100% Angus Beef Burger as the best they’ve had in any ballpark. Unfortunately, this writer did not sample the Curve Burger, as I was saving my appetite for a visit to the local Primanti Bros.   Atmosphere 4   You would probably figure that any ballpark with a roller coaster as a neighbor would be a pretty fun place to hang out. You wouldn’t be wrong. Although the Skyliner is no longer in operation, that doesn’t affect the fun going on within the walls of PNG Field.   One of the biggest things this ballpark has going for it is its view. We’ve already mentioned the right field view, but beyond the left field wall is a giant berm, some additional bleacher seating, and the Budweiser Party Deck. It’s a fun place from which to take in the game.   The Curve staff put on a nice show with all the expected shenanigans. Look out for mascots shooting t-shirts into the crowd, giant bobbleheads on the concourse, friendly staff, and fans. Music plays over a crystal-clear sound system and the PA announcer goes about his job unobtrusively. The giant scoreboard in left-center field is put to good use throughout the game. Beyond this are spectacular views of the Allegheny Mountains. Sit in the upper deck and just enjoy the view of the field and beyond.   Peoples Natural Gas Field is 96 miles from PNC Park, so Altoona is situated firmly in Pirates territory. The fans who fill PNG Field night after night are diehard Pirates fans who are knowledgeable and passionate about the team. If you’re visiting with the whole family and the younger fans with you need a break from the game, there’s a play area in right field and even a play area on the upper deck concourse for smaller children.   Be sure you take a peek out to center field after every Curve run. Al Tuna (say it out loud, you’ll get the joke) emerges from a secret door in the outfield wall to run and dance around every time Altoona scores.   Neighborhood 3   There’s not much going on near Peoples Natural Gas Field but visiting fans should be able to find decent dining and lodging options a short distance from the ballpark. Historic downtown Altoona is just a few miles away.   Altoona’s history is tied to its iconic railroads, and visitors can visit the Horseshoe Curve National Landmark or the Railroaders Memorial Museum while in town. There is no shortage of lodging options in Altoona, with many just off Interstate 99. Route 36 downtown features many chain restaurants, including local legend Primanti Bros. Fans looking for more local options will find some excellent restaurants in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood.   Fans 4   Altoona ranks in the upper half of the Eastern League attendance rankings, drawing about 4,500 fans per game. Attendance has been on an upward trend since the pandemic season of 2020.   The crowd at Curve games will resemble those at other minor league parks. You’ll find a mix of diehard fans, casual fans enjoying an inexpensive night of entertainment, and families. As mentioned before, this is Pirate Country, and the fans enjoy watching the organization’s future stars making their way up to Pittsburgh.   Access 5   Ballparks don’t come much easier to find than PNG Field. Located right off Interstate 99 on Park Avenue, exit 32 drops you practically at the front door of the ballpark. VIP Parking is located to the north of the facility, with a parking garage just past the park on Park Ave. Fans using public transportation can take Amtran’s number 9 bus  right to the ballpark.   The main entrance to the ballpark, along with the ticket offices, is located on the third base side of the ballpark near the top of the structure. After a quick security check, fans will climb down a few stairs to the upper concourse or down many stairs to reach the lower concourse. The ballpark, built in 1999, is easily accessible for those who require such accommodation. Both concourses are easy to traverse, with multiple concession stands, restrooms, and easy entry to seating areas.   The grandstand stretches from first base around to third, with additional seating located beyond the main grandstand on both sides. There are social gathering areas, plenty of standing-room areas, and picnic tables for fans who would like to wander the ballpark seeking alternate viewpoints. PNG Field does not offer 360-degree access around the facility, but there is no shortage of areas to explore. The upper seating levels are steeply pitched, offering excellent views of the field and beyond.   Return on Investment 5   PNG Field’s double-decked grandstand allows for numerous vantage points to watch the game and for numerous price points for visiting fans. Tickets start at $10 for seats in the left field bleachers and top out at $16 for lower-level seats in the 100 sections. If attending on a weekday, you will find all prices discounted by one dollar. Waiting until the day of the game increases prices by two dollars. No matter what level ticket you choose, it’s a great deal.   Parking in the garage located beyond the left field fence will cost you another four dollars. Concession prices are comparable to other facilities in the area and are quite reasonable. Overall, a Curve game is a very affordable entertainment option for local sports fans.   Extras 3   An extra point is awarded for the Skyliner roller coaster located just beyond the right field fence. Although the coaster is not operating during the 2024 season, it is still a great part of the Curve experience. When running, the coaster features cars painted in the team colors with “Go Curve” written on the side of the cars. The roller coaster is still lit up at night.   Hanging from the rafters of the upper concourse are banners commemorating Curve championships, logo history, and opening day rosters from every season of the team's existence. Adam Hyzdu played for only two seasons in Altoona but made a big impact on the franchise. Hyzdu set many franchise records during his time with the team and was an all-star in both seasons in western Pennsylvania. His number 16 has been retired by the club. A display of all the players to play in the Major Leagues is located in left field.   Final Thoughts   There are many fantastic ballparks scattered throughout the AA level of minor league baseball. Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona has to be considered among the best. It’s a fun place to catch a game, filled with energy, enthusiastic fans and plenty of entertainment to distract you. Plus, it’s hard to beat the view!   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 3M Arena at Mariucci 1901 4th St SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s hockey website 3M Arena at Mariucci website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 10,000 GOpher the Unique Atmosphere at Minnesota's Mariucci Arena The fabric of a collegiate atmosphere transitions to sports in the same way groups of young people embrace campus life. So when a quaint sports venue is blended with the traditions of a passionate hockey community, it makes for something special. Since 1993, Mariucci Arena, named for John Mariucci, the "godfather of Minnesota hockey", has served as the Gopher's home rink and become something special. As you walk through the East gate, above your head reads, "Through these gates walk the greatest fans in college hockey" and it won't take a visitor much time to see why. Well-behaved, but highly passionate, is the best way to describe Gopher hockey fans. While the fans make up a huge part of the experience make no mistake, the venue and the university add a great deal to creating a magnificent live hockey experience. Food & Beverage 3 Unlike TCF Stadium where the football team plays, alcoholic beverages are not sold at Mariucci Arena. While credit and debit cards are accepted in many places in the arena, there are plenty of stands that only accept cash for payment. One thing you must do is visit GO NUTS, just across from sections 8 & 9. Greg and Mark Sullwold operate the stand, part of a local company known as Cindy's Cinnamon Roasted Nuts. Cindy is the mother of Greg and Mark-not only are the candied almonds, cashews, and pecans good, but you want to get there early to buy them. Make it your first stop and avoid the crowd. The overwhelming success of this stand is amazing. I know they have some special things on the to-do list for flavors and promotions. BBQ is also good and served at Famous Dave's across from sections 1 & 14. The Georgia Chopped Pork sandwich ($7) is excellent. Coca-Cola products are sold here. You can get a bottled soda for $4.75 or fountain soda in three sizes, $3.50, $5, and $6, the latter being a sturdy souvenir cup. Bottled water is $4.25 and hot cocoa and small coffee are $3.00, large coffee is $4.75. Entrees are plentiful with a hot dog at $5, bratwurst at $6, nachos with cheese at $5.25, and nachos supreme at $7. Snacks include a pretzel for $6.00, add a cup of cheese for another $1.50.Popcorn comes in two sizes, regular at $4.50 and bottomless at $6.50. Atmosphere 5 The single bowl design for a sports venue has long added uniqueness in viewing the playing surface. Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, and the Los Angeles Coliseum and Rose Bowl in Southern California immediately come to mind but those are much larger structures, built to accommodate a football field, which is nearly three times the size of a hockey rink. For hockey, the one-bowl design is perfect and Minnesota shows it off best. Yes, the long walk from the top row, #24, down to the glass can be long. The walk back up is a bit more difficult, but the magic of the steep pitch and the sound, which seems to nestle itself in the bowl instead of rising, is quite special. There is not one bad seat in the house. In never being more than 24 rows from the ice in a building that fills 10,000 fans (including the standing room), you are immersed in the action. For special private seating, the Club Room is above sections 10-14 while suites are above sections 14-22. If you are sitting at center ice, facing the benches with the penalty boxes closest to you, your seat is in section 19. To your right is section 18 and to your left is section 20. The benches are across the ice, the Gophers to the left in front of section 6, and the visitors to the right in front of section 8. Section 7 is across the ice on the red line. For those who like to get close to where the players walk on and off the ice to and from the dressing rooms, players enter the bench area and ice at about the center of the bench, just inside the blue line. For the Gophers, it is near the higher number of seats in section 6 (seats 12-14) and for the visitors, it is near the lower number of seats in section 8 (seats 1-3). The Gophers shoot twice at the goal in front of Section 13, which serves as the student section. There is a standing area behind every section, marked off with boundaries on the floor to make sure you stay in your place. The pitch in the rows puts you right on top of the ice, feeling like you are very much a part of the match. Row length is never more than 14 seats wide, narrower in corner sections at the lower rows. You will rarely find tickets available from the ticket office as all games sell out. The secondary market is the place to go. As for the atmosphere, gates open 90 minutes before the face-off. There are three entrances, but only one matters. Enter on the east side which has that famous slogan above your head and tons of memorabilia in cases. From there, it is escalators on both sides leading you to section 1. At the top, walk to your left and the sections are sequential, beginning at 2. Go to the right and at the top, sections begin at 24. Section 1 is in the middle. The concourse is full of different history displays on both sides of overhead flat spaces. Don't miss the US Olympic display case in section 5 and see the notable players and teams in Gopher hockey history detailed in photos and memorabilia. Take the time to see everything as you walk around the rink, all of which keep the ice fully visible from where you are walking and standing. Another thing to be mindful of is the brass and pep band at the top of section 14, and boy are they good! Make sure you witness the entire group marching a lap around the concourse as everyone makes a path a little more than an hour before game time. Pre-skate is about 45 minutes before puck drop and if you forget the band will provide a gentle reminder. Things start getting revved up now. Be in your seats 15 minutes before the first puck drop and watch the energy as both teams rush out onto the ice. Then take a look at the Minnesota end of the ice. With all helmets neatly displayed along the top of the dasher boards one by one, the home team is introduced as each player stands along the goal line, filling space from side to side. Starters head to the blue line when announced, receiving a high five from Goldie, the team's skating mascot. Neighborhood 4 Mariucci Arena is right on campus where bus lines run alongside the building and light rail lines just south and within a fraction of a mile. Also just south of the arena, is a bevy of shops and places to eat along University Avenue and alongside streets intersecting this main thoroughfare. TCF football stadium is east and just across the street from the arena. Fans 5 They are magnificent in every way. The build-up begins outside and if you are there on the day of a football game, across the street east of the arena at TCF stadium, it is an all-day affair. You can see maroon and gold for miles and miles on game day. Absorb yourself in the atmosphere leading up to game time and make sure you are not shy about engaging folks. Once you let them know you come from other parts, you can be sure and be welcomed by gracious hosts. The best way to take in the atmosphere and immerse yourself in Gopher fandom is to visit that student section which stretches from sections 12 through 14 at the arena's east end. Sitting on each seat with extras nearby is "The Ice Sheet", a collection of chants to learn on one side with game preview and rosters on the other side. The chants and cheers along with an engaged crowd make this a special place. There are no passive fans here as everyone is riveted to the action on the ice. Access 4 I always like an adventure when attending a game out of town and mass transit typically is the best and cheapest way to do it. If taking light rail, you need the green line and either the Stadium Village Station, which is near TCF Stadium, or East Bank which is a little closer to the arena, but just a little further south than the first stop. Light rail is just $2.25 during rush hour (3 AM - 6 AM and 3 PM - 630PM). Otherwise, it is $1.75. Transfers are free. Day passes cost $5. If you choose to drive and park, the cost is $10, goes into effect 2 to 4 hours before the event's scheduled start time, and typically includes the following lots: 4th street ramp, university Avenue ramp, Washington Avenue ramp, Lot 37, Gopher Lot and Victory Lot. Plenty of restrooms and the concourses are just wide enough to provide ease of movement throughout the building. Return on Investment 5 Outside of the rivalry games which carry a big ticket, prices are very good and highly affordable. Even if you drive to the game and park, $10 is a fair price to pay. To witness a game here at $25 a ticket and affordable food prices, you can't go wrong here. Extras 5 GAME PROGRAM - $2 gives you all you need to know, printed on heavy cardstock, and unfolds for an easy-to-hold and read process, only available once the gates open near sections 2 and 24. MERCHANDISE - good stuff, great variety, and available at multiple locations along the upper ring concourse, including the team store outside sections 11-12. I was disappointed there were no game pucks for sale, but they have lots of variety of souvenir pucks and other apparel. CHEERLEADERS & STUDENT BAND - the skating Gophers cheerleaders are quite good and offer a little more than your typical sideline cheerleaders as their skating prowess is on full display. And as for the band, they are good. They are so good that you will find yourself sometimes watching them when you should be watching the game. They have lots of personalities. Both groups play a role in keeping the energy level high. STANDING ROOM - while you might have a standing room ticket, you don't have a specific space, which is good if you like to move around and see the arena and the game from different perspectives. You do have a railing by which to lean in front of you and to leave, you just back out and go your way. You might even be able to find the fan next to you willing to save your space while you visit the restroom or concession stand. That the standing room is not multi-layered is a big plus here. CHANT AND PREVIEW SHEET - There is peace of mind if you immerse yourself in the atmosphere and be involved, like a choir book at church, just read and play along. Great stuff. Final Thoughts Get there to see a game, you will be talking about for weeks and months after your visit. Witnessing a game here is very special.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Hancock Stadium 211 North Main Street Normal, IL 61761 Illinois State Redbirds website Hancock Stadium website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 13,391 House Of The Cards Illinois State University was founded in 1857 as a school to train teachers. Today it has a student body of more than 21,000 students. 93% of the students are from the state of Illinois. The top degree programs are elementary education, business administration, and special education. The football program at Illinois State has been around since 1887. It is a member of the FCS level of NCAA competition as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Redbirds took home the MVC Championship in 1999, 2014, and 2015. They have gone on to play in the FCS playoffs eight times and were the runner-up in the 2015 National Championship game. Their rivalry game against Eastern Illinois has been played every season since 1901, and it is known as the “Mid-America Classic. The on-campus Hancock Stadium has served as the home field of Redbird football since 1963. Today it has a capacity of 13,391 seats divided between large grandstands that are on the sides of the playing field. Since its opening in 1963, the stadium has gone through several renovations. In 1969 the school installed an artificial turf field. They were one of the first FCS-level schools in the country to go with the new product. In 2010 the school replaced the original product with a new and improved version of artificial turf. Food & Beverage 3 There are three stadium concession stands servicing the east side of the seating bowl and two servicing the west side stands. In addition, both Avanti’s and Papa John’s have stood on the east side, while J & J’s supplements the ISU stands on the west side of the field. Concessions include BBQ sandwiches ($7), polish sausages ($4), hot dogs ($5), nachos ($7), pretzels ($4), popcorn ($5), cookies ($6), candy ($4), and chips ($3). Beverages include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($6), water ($4), coffee ($4), and Gatorade ($6). Atmosphere 4 The stadium you see as you enter on gameday is vastly different than the stadium before the last major renovation in 2013. This renovation saw the east side of the stadium demolished and then rebuilt with many more seats than it formerly had. Bleacher back seats were installed in the premium seating areas. Those with deep pockets can now sit in one of the 500 new stadium club seats or enjoy the game in the climate-controlled comfort club member’s room. Those with even deeper pockets can enjoy one of the seven suites added to the stadium. Both the student section and the Big Red Marching Machine have designated seating in the west side bleachers. This means the east side seats are mostly alums or townspeople who come to the games. This keeps both sides happy, as the alums prefer not to have to talk over the band or a group of students that are there for socialization, not the game. The scoreboard you see in the south end zone was installed as a part of the 2013 renovations. Below it is a small area known as the Heller Stores Touchdown Terrace. Fans can bring a blanket or a beach towel to sit on this small berm. Touchdown Terrace, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Bloomington-Normal is the quintessential Midwestern city. It has a strong economy, as it is the headquarters for State Farm Insurance and electric auto maker Rivian. The pair of cities feature very healthy downtown areas, which include both mom-and-pop stores, in addition to national chains. The Bloomington/Normal area has been recognized as one of the top 40 college towns in the country. The cities have an excellent relationship with Illinois State. This is based on the quality of life and the availability of arts and entertainment opportunities. It has also been cited as the most educated metropolitan city in the state of Illinois. If you are looking for cultural activities, the Children’s Discovery Museum is a great place to start. History buffs will find several attractions related to Rte. 66, which dissects the cities of Bloomington and Normal. In addition to ISU sporting events, sports fans can take in a baseball game at the Corn Crib, the home of the Normal Cornbelters . Like most towns with a major college presence, Bloomington-Normal offers some great eateries and watering holes, such as Cadillac Jack’s, and local favorites Pub II and Carl’s Ice Cream. Fans 5 The fan base at Illinois State mirrors what you would find at most college stadiums on a Saturday afternoon anywhere in the country. The alums and faculty sit on the east side of the stadium. The alums are more into the game, and often can be more vocal about what they see on the field. The parents of many of the team members also sit in this area. They tend to be loud, especially when their son makes a great play. The fans on the west side of the stadium are more vocal than the old-school fans on the other side. The ISU student section is several aisles wide and is known as the Red Alert. They coordinate their efforts with the spirit squads and the ISU band. The Big Red Marching Machine plays tunes from the early morning hours at the tailgates until the Alma Mater concludes the day after the game. Illinois State has several great traditions that fans look forward to on game days. The first of these is the antics of the Redbird’s mascot, Reggie. He is virtually everywhere on the campus before the kickoff – greeting tailgaters, opening Reggie’s Fun Zone for the younger set two hours before the game, and leading the Redbirds onto the field just before the kickoff. Another tradition is having the Victory Bell on site for games. The bell is mobile and accompanies the team onto the field before the game. It is rung whenever the Redbirds score or after the final whistle when the home team brings home a victory. The last tradition has the players rubbing the Battle Bird’s head before the game for good luck. A new tradition added for the 2022 season is the Redbird Row. This pregame experience will feature live music, performances by both the ISU cheerleaders and the school band, and large video screens tuned to other college football games going on around the country. The Bird Walk will come through this area 2.5 hours before the kickoff. Access 4 Getting to Hancock Stadium and your seat is easy on gamedays. The stadium is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of College Avenue and Main Street. The campus and the stadium are easily accessed from many different directions on I-55, which is only two miles away. Once you’ve parked, enjoy yourself! Tailgating in the parking lots is allowed after 7 am on Redbirds game days. As the game draws closer, you’ll use one of ten gates to get into Hancock Stadium. The gates open one hour before kick-off, so you have plenty of time to reach your seat. The concourses were widened as a part of the last stadium renovation project, so you should not have any problem navigating to your seat. Return on Investment 3 Attending a Redbirds game at Hancock Stadium does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. Let’s begin with your arrival at the ISU campus with your car. Parking in any of the campus parking lots on gamedays is $10. You can prepay for a parking pass when you purchase your tickets. The food at the concession stands is not flashy, but it is available for a reasonable price. Ticket prices can vary a little bit between each game. This is a reflection on the opponent, whether it is a special game (i.e., Homecoming or the first game of the season, etc.) Tickets in the club seating area along the 50-yard line cost $40-$50. Reserved seating costs $30-$40, and all other seating in the bleachers is considered General Admission, which runs $20-$30 for adults and $15-$20 for children aged 12 and under. Extras 2 Originally the Illinois State teams went with the moniker of the “Fighting Teachers” as a nod to the school’s original purpose. Even back then, the leadership of the university realized this was not an appropriate name for the school team. The team wore red and white uniforms, leading a professor to suggest the name “Cardinals” for the team. The team did decide to go with a bird name, but chose “Redbirds” instead of Cardinals, as they felt that this would reduce any confusion with the very well-established St. Louis Cardinals. In 2015 seven members of the Illinois State athletic staff and some of the school’s top boosters died in a plane crash near the Bloomington-Normal Airport. This could have been a crushing blow to the school’s athletic programs. Instead, the school decided to honor the deceased in a meaningful way, which would involve student-athletes in the school for years to come. A memorial was built near the north entrance to the Redbird Arena. It features a fountain with seven columns to represent the seven who perished on the flight. A Battle Bird sculpture was also built, and that sculpture is at Hancock Stadium for every game. Each player touches the sculpture before they take the field, using this inspiration to honor those who died too soon. Final Thoughts Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University is a great place to be on a crisp autumn afternoon. Gamedays begin with social activities along Redbird Row and are followed by some great football. The fans cheer on the Victory Bell after each Redbirds score and end the evening by singing the alma mater with the Big Red Marching Machine providing the music. Football in the Midwest doesn’t get better than this.

Photos by Paul Baker and Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 UC Health Park 4385 Tutt Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80922 Rocky Mountain Vibes website UC Health Park website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 8,500 The Rocky Mountain Vibes Adapt and Succeed in the Pioneer League Organized baseball in Colorado Springs has metamorphosed over the past eight years in a way that would have doomed many franchises to failure. In 2014, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox were in their 22nd season as the Colorado Rockies’ AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. This partnership made sense, as the parent club was only about an hour away. The altitude (6,531 feet above sea level) simulated the Coors Field experience for young pitchers. Fans came to see prospects such as Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, Carlos Gonzalez, and Nolan Arenado play before they became MLB stars. After the 2014 season, however, the Rockies elected not to renew their affiliation with the Sky Sox. The Milwaukee Brewers then affiliated with Colorado Springs, the team’s AAA farm club from 2015-2018. The Elmore Sports Group, which owned the Sky Sox, relocated the franchise to San Antonio after the 2018 season. In the Sky Sox’s absence, Elmore relocated another of its franchises, the Pioneer Baseball League’s Helena Brewers, to Colorado Springs for the 2019 season. The team began to play in 2019 in short-season Class A and was rebranded as the Rocky Mountain Vibes. “We realized that we didn’t want to be a thing, didn’t want to be an animal,” said General Manager Chris Phillips, announcing the team’s new name. “Being an attitude, a feeling, an emotion, that allows us to do a million different things. The possibilities are limitless. When you have that word, it means several different things to different people at different times of the day.” The Vibes’ mascot is an anthropomorphic s’more – perhaps the most important snack food at a campsite. Named “Toasty,” the mascot is a large marshmallow sandwiched by graham crackers with a tuft of flame atop his head in a small conflagration of “hair.” The Vibes played in 2019 as a Brewers’ Class-A affiliate. Then came significant hurdles. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled both the 2020 season and the Vibes’ status as an MLB affiliate. Major League Baseball’s reorganization of its minor leagues after the 2020 season left the Pioneer League and its teams without MLB affiliation. Instead, the league would play as an independent “partner league” of MLB. Partner leagues collaborate with MLB on initiatives to provide organized baseball to communities throughout the United States and Canada to expand baseball’s geographic reach. Turnover of franchise affiliations and then loss of those affiliations altogether in less than a decade, coupled with a 34-year-old ballpark oddly located in a suburban part of town might spell trouble for many franchises. Not the Vibes. With their new identity, Vibes merchandise has become some of the most sought-after in baseball. And the team’s front office has made noticeable changes around UC Health Park that highlight the Colorado lifestyle. Most impressively, the Vibes have converted the loss of MLB affiliation into a surprisingly enjoyable ballpark experience. Food & Beverage 4 The Vibes have upheld their promise to extend the “Vibes” moniker beyond the foul lines and to the concession stands. Fans can purchase s’mores kits ($3) consisting of a large marshmallow, graham crackers, and chocolate, and then toast the marshmallow at one of the firepits on the ballpark’s west concourse. Keeping with the camping-themed bill of fare is a “walking taco” ($8): a small Doritos bag filled with chips, ground beef, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. Not many teams can combine victuals and team identity like this. The team also has a concession stand, “Healthy Vibes,” on the third-base concourse, with a gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian menu. A vegan dog sells for $7, a black bean burger sells for $12, and a gluten-free turkey sandwich sells for $9. Fans can also dine on turkey burgers ($12) and turkey avocado wraps ($9). This is a nice alternative to a deep-fried panoply of stadium food that enables fans with differing diets to eat while watching the Vibes. Ballpark favorites can also be found. Foot-long corn dogs ($7), chicken tenders baskets ($11), hot dogs ($7/$4), Polish sausage ($9), and fries ($4) are available at concession stands along the first- and third-base concourses. Beer lovers won’t be disappointed. Local favorites Pikes Peak Brewing (Elephant Rock IPA and Belgian Gold) and Red Leg Brewing (Blood Orange Double Hazy IPA) are on tap, along with Bud Light and Michelob Ultra. Canned beer (Anheuser-Busch, Pikes Peak Brewing, and Breckenridge beers), canned cocktails, and hard seltzer are also available. Premium drafts sell for $12 and domestic drafts are $10. Alternatively, fans can purchase a large, bat-shaped beer glass bearing the Vibes’ “Toasty” logo with either premium beer ($25) or domestic beer ($22). UC Health Field has a more extensive concessions menu than most of its Pioneer League counterparts and the quality of food compares favorably to any other stadium in the league. The improved food at UC Health Field helps enhance the experience. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere is one of the best reasons to attend a Vibes game. The Vibes have combined Colorado’s outdoorsy sensibilities with baseball. This means that fans can make s’mores while watching the game, or while trying the team’s signature cocktail, the Springs Lemonade (pink lemonade and vodka) at the full-service bar that greets fans entering the stadium. The ballpark’s grandstand spans from third base to first base, with party areas and suites in the right-field corner. Box seats are chairbacks, with metal bleachers in the sections above the field boxes. Wind can be an issue, with the stadium mostly open. There’s no seating beyond the outfield fences. The best view in the ballpark is from the top of the grass berm, in the left-field corner. There, fans can watch the game with a nice view of Cheyenne Mountain beyond the ballpark. The only scoreboard in the ballpark sits beyond the left field wall. It displays lineups, stats, and facts about players. The quality is good but UC Health Field has a major flaw: it’s very difficult to find the balls/strikes/outs on the scoreboard. They’re at the bottom of the scoreboard, next to the line score. This is the only place in the stadium where this important information is shown so the team might consider making it more conspicuous. Neighborhood 3 UC Health Park, an oasis amid suburbia 10 miles northeast of downtown Colorado Springs, doesn’t have a “neighborhood.” The area around the stadium teems with housing developments, shopping centers, and chain restaurants. That’s not a bad thing, however, as a wide range of eating and drinking options are within a 5- or 10-minute drive from the ballpark. Those willing to drive a few minutes more can find In-n-Out and Whataburger. Downtown Colorado Springs is an approximately 20-minute drive from UC Health Park and downtown Manitou Springs is a few minutes farther. Downtown Colorado Springs has many good restaurants, as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. Manitou Springs sits at the base of Pikes Peak and serves as a terminus for the Broadmoor Manitou and Cog Railroad, which takes passengers to the 14,115-foot summit. Fans 3 The Vibes draw well, particularly on weekends. The fans aren’t raucous, nor are they subdued. The crowd befits a team trying to convey a sense of chill. Access 3 The Vibes have abandoned paper tickets in favor of electronic ones so plan accordingly. UC Health Park is not far from most points in Colorado Springs. Even from Denver, 70 miles to the north, it’s an easy drive down I-25 to Exit 153 (Interquest Parkway). Entering and exiting can be a challenge. The parking lines can back up onto Barnes Road, the east-west thoroughfare closest to the stadium. After games, the labyrinthine queue for egress can frustrate. Fans have just one gate through which to enter but staff quickly checks tickets and bags. Once inside UC Health Park, access is good for the most part. The concourses are sufficiently wide and there’s room in the stands to spread out. Two large restrooms are on the concourse behind home plate. Return on Investment 3 A Vibes game seems somewhat expensive for an independent team. Parking costs $10; tickets are subject to the much-derided “dynamic pricing” system, whereby the team adjusts ticket prices according to expected demand. Tickets to weekend ballgames and promotion nights tend to be more expensive, with mid-week games less so. For the August 2022, Saturday night game, tickets run from $2 (grass berm) to $30 (reserved seat in the first four rows). Fans aren’t allowed to bring their food or drink into the stadium. However, the quality of the experience compensates for any marginal cost. Both food quality and variety are surprisingly good. All seats have clear sight lines and a berm is a popular option for those not wanting to splurge on box seats. Although the Vibes have abandoned the hot tub that once was UC Health Park’s most famous feature, they’ve created a fun and high-quality atmosphere for baseball. Is a Vibes game a bit pricier than its PBL counterparts? Yes, but it’s worth it. Extras 3 The Vibes seem to permit dogs at UC Health Park, another manifestation of the Vibes’ vibe. Not only that, but the team has posted a pet refuse station along the first-base concourse for fans to get bags to clean up after their pups. Another point to the Vibes for their merchandise. It’s exceptional. The graphic design and logos are as good as any in baseball. T-shirts styled after vintage National Park signage and fly fishing shirts bearing the Vibes’ logos extend the Colorado theme in the team store. The Vibes’ merchandise has been not just a local success story, but a national one. The Vibes have had the best-selling minor league cap in 2019 and 2020, with another top-five finish in 2021 and an expected top-five finish again in 2022. This has enabled the Vibes to nearly triple their merchandise revenue from the Sky Sox’s final year, 2018. It also enables the Vibes to expand their retail space at UC Health Park, moving the team shop into vacant bar space on the third-base concourse. This new store doubled the team’s retail size and holds $200,000 more merchandise than its predecessor. The Vibes also opened a store that sells only the team’s hats, just inside the front gate. Not only are s’mores available at Vibes games, but so too are specialty marshmallows designed to resemble Toasty, the mascot. Grammie’s Desserts sells these along the first-base concourse, along with other baked goods and – best of all – cake in a cup. Not many teams have a bakery, let alone a good one, in their ballpark. The Vibes do. Curative insulin shots are not included. Final Thoughts The start of the COVID-19 pandemic and MLB’s reorganization, both in 2020, seemingly threatened the existence of not only the Vibes but also the Pioneer Baseball League itself. The Vibes have reemerged from those crises and reinvented themselves in a surprisingly effective way. Rather than institutionally bemoaning their loss of affiliation, the Vibes have based their success on thoughtfulness and creativity to produce an outstanding independent league experience.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 McGill Field 101 N College Ave Annville, PA 17003 Flying Dutchmen website McGill Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 500 Valley Baseball 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 . Lebanon Valley College is a member of NCAA Division III and competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference. McGill Field was voted the 2000 Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) College Baseball Field of the Year. 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. There is usually a small table set up with food offerings. We would expect the food sales might not happen on daytime, weekday games. 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 a simple affair but is situated nicely in a hollow so that everyone, from all angles, will have a great view of the action. The scoreboard is located past a bunch of hedges and is actually even across a small access road. 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 post-game. 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 of 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. You may have to park across the main road and walk over the pretty access bridge to the field. 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 Generally, games are free to attend, but there may be an occasional cost, especially for post-season games. Extras 3 The scoreboard being across the hedges and the small access road is such a great little extra on its own. 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. Take a peak inside the Arnold Arena and see the 1994 national championship basketball banner. Final Thoughts McGill Field at Lebanon Valley College is not a fancy stadium but it shows why small college athletics is such a treasure in this country. A sports fan visiting central Pennsylvania owes it to themselves to see if a game is going on when they are in the area.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Georgia State Baseball Complex 2819 Clifton Springs Rd Decatur, GA 30034 Georgia State Panthers website Georgia State Baseball Complex website Year Opened: 1986 Capacity: 1,092 Georgia State Baseball Complex – Georgia State Panthers In what might be the perfect pairing of neighborhood and university nickname, the Georgia State Panthers baseball program has called the Panthersville neighborhood of Atlanta, more precisely Decatur, home since 1986, when it opened the Georgia State Baseball Complex. Unfortunately, there is no connection between the neighborhood and the GSU mascot. Members of the Sun Belt Conference, the Panthers rank toward the middle of the conference when it comes to attendance per game. The Georgia State baseball facility itself does not lend to large crowds given its size, but the four to five hundred fans per game does create a cozy evening of baseball. Food & Beverage 3 There is not a vast selection of concessions, but there is just enough that it could be considered a variety. Fans can choose from hot dogs or sausages, or hamburgers or cheeseburgers, as a main entrée. Side items include fries and chips. Of course, with it being Atlanta Coke products abound, along with PowerAde and bottled water. Items are well priced and will not put a major dent in the wallet. Atmosphere 3 The Georgia State Baseball Complex is a rather simplistic, yet charming facility. Fans in their tailgate chairs and oak trees lining each side of the field creates a feel of a throwback-to-youth baseball days, when trees almost lining the field was more commonplace than a rarity. The grandstand is made up of roughly ten rows of aluminum bleachers, with a pair of half bleachers on the visitors side of the field. The home side consists of a handful of picnic tables that are shaded by the surrounding trees. Most fans choose to bring their own tailgate chairs to sit in along the left field line or around the backstop. Georgia State’s royal blue is featured prominently throughout the field – from the blue cinderblock backstop to the blue outfield wall, there’s no mistaking the colors of the GSU Panthers. The outfield wall was reportedly salvaged from the former Fulton County Stadium to be repurposed for the Panthers. Due to the woods that run behind the field, the fence is a hodgepodge of distances running 330’-375’-385’-360’-335’ from left field around to right. The short center field wall is made a bit more challenging with an outfield fence that is close to fifteen feet high. Neighborhood 2 The Georgia State Baseball Complex is in the Decatur neighborhood of Panthersville; the stadium itself is in a partially wooded, residential area, and is neighbored by the local school district’s bus depot and football stadium. While the Georgia State Baseball Complex is directly behind its Dekalb campus, the field is 10 miles from Georgia State’s main campus. Along with the Dekalb County football stadium and bus depot, the field is neighbored by several warehouses and the Dekalb Regional Youth Detention Center. To say the least, the area does not give off a lot of warm and fuzzy vibes. When it comes to amenities in the immediate area, the choices are a bit limited. There are a handful of restaurants, both chain and local, but when it comes to accommodations or points of interest there are not many options. The best bet would be to head to Atlanta or to Decatur town center; the latter is just under seven miles to the north. Fans 3 Considering the distance the field is from Georgia State’s campus, and the university’s modest number of on-campus residents, Georgia State baseball draws decently well relative to its size of enrollment. Even though the Panthers cannot compete attendance-wise with the handful of programs in the conference that average one to two thousand fans per game, there are enough fans to create a feeling of a comfortable and caring fanbase. Fans are a bit tame when it comes to giving the business to the opposition, but are actively supportive of their Panthers. This is a bit refreshing when it comes to simply enjoying the game and not having to worry about fans becoming irate over borderline calls, or even the occasional blown call. Access 3 Fans going to Georgia State baseball games are at the mercy of Atlanta traffic – the field itself is less than two miles from the Atlanta Perimeter, I-285, and 3 miles from I-20, which runs east to west though the metro area. Atlanta traffic is known to be rather finicky, where even the slightest traffic problem can cause significant backups, making getting to the field a bit troublesome. Traffic aside though, getting in and out of the area is rather straightforward. Access into the field is pretty simple – the only issue of significance tends to be with mid-week games and Friday games, when fans tend to arrive at the same time the school district buses are coming back from their afternoon runs. Return on Investment 4 With no admission or parking costs and concessions no higher than $5 per item, fans would be hard pressed to find a better deal in college baseball. When looking for ways to invest your time in the Metro Atlanta area, Georgia State baseball is an enjoyable experience, but might also rank low on the list of activities of interest around Atlanta for the average fan. Extras 2 The tree coverage is not something you will find at most southern college baseball fields, but it does provide a great deal of shade during bright, sunny afternoon games, and is a reminder of the simpler days of the game. The jersey number 30 of long-time head coach, and recently passed Mike Hurst, is retired on the right field wall. Final Thoughts In a time when college baseball programs are in a constant competition to outdo their foes by one-upping them when it comes to facilities, the simplicity of the Georgia State Baseball Complex is welcomed. Fans in their own tailgating chairs, or watching from the comfort of their vehicles, is definitely a unique experience. The days of the Georgia State Baseball Complex might be numbered, which is not necessarily a bad thing for the program. Since the university purchased the former Turner Field and surrounding property, which includes the site where Fulton County Stadium once sat, plans have been created to move Georgia State baseball closer to their downtown campus . The biggest feature of the new site will be how to properly honor the home run king, Hank Aaron – at the moment, the university is in the fundraising phase and planning with Billye Aaron to ensure that the legacy of her husband Henry is properly celebrated.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 MetLife Stadium 1 MetLife Stadium Dr East Rutherford, NJ 07073 New York Giants website MetLife Stadium website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 82,500 No Longer Just Giants Stadium MetLife Stadium was opened in 2010 as the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets to replace Giants Stadium. It is located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex just like its predecessor. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division. They have four Super Bowl championships and an additional 4 pre-Super Bowl league championships. The team began in 1925, first playing in the famous Polo Grounds. Over the years they have also called Yankee Stadium, Yale Bowl, Shea Stadium, and the previously mentioned Giants Stadium as their home stadiums. The Giants relocated across the Hudson to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to Giants Stadium in 1976. The swampland area is called the Meadowlands and is 6 miles from Manhattan's Penn Station. The sports complex features the Meadowlands Racetrack, the now-vacant IZOD Arena, and the American Dream shopping mall. MetLife Stadium opened in 2010. Food & Beverage 4 There are numerous food options within the surprisingly crowded inner concourses. Options are many as there with concession stands such as Bubba Burgers, Frank’s, BBQ Shack, Boardwalk Fryer, Wingman NY, and Momma Fusco’s Kitchen. Our personal favorite was Mr. Tot. Food prices are high, as likely expected for an NFL stadium within the New York City area. The combined Mrs. Field’s and Dippin’ Dots stands to seem to be very popular starting in the second half. There are also a few specialized bars and lounges, some of which may cost an additional admissions fee. MetLife sells Pepsi brand sodas. Atmosphere 5 When you enter the venue you start on an outside concourse that wraps around most of the stadium. There will be activities and events pre-game in this area. This area is also a good meet-up spot for pre and post-game. Once inside the stadium, there is a pretty small set of concourse walkways around the venue. It is a unique setup, but it is easy enough to navigate. The Giants do a decent job of providing atmosphere although they seem to try to keep things professional and somewhat subdued. It does not seem as raucous as some NFL games we have attended. Metlife Stadium tries to make the stadium awash in blue for Giant's games. The stadium seems to do a better job at making it feel like a Giants game than when the Jets take over the stadium. It is pretty interesting to try and pick out the areas where the stadium needs to change over from game to game. Neighborhood 3 The Meadowlands is a swamp. That is not some kind of put-down, but it is in a literal swamp. There is not a normal neighborhood nearby. Of course, New York City is a car or train ride away and offers many options for everyone. Parking lots surround the stadium. The addition of the recently opened American Dream Mall helps the place in the neighborhood score. While still not 100% open, it is home to many stores, restaurants, an indoor amusement and water park, an NHL-sized skating rink, an indoor ski slope, and an aquarium just to name a few. Please note that due to county laws, many stores in the mall are closed on Sundays due to existing blue laws. Fans 4 The Giants fans do feel like they are in a bit of a funk. The team has not provided consistent on-field quality for a few years and it does seem to be affecting things such as attendance. Even with that said, the team has a long history and a large dedicated fan base that provides good amounts of cheer for their team. Access 4 The Meadowlands is located off many major highways and has massive parking lots. You will not fight to find parking, although expect to pay $40 and up. There are train and bus options but expect long lines and a large number of fellow riders to fight through to use those services. The Coach USA bus service round trip to Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal is one of our favorite options, depending on where fans are coming from. We do not recommend using rideshares after games as the setup and operations are a major disaster. We tried for a rideshare for a bit of time and it kept saying our ride was arriving in three minutes for nearly 25 minutes, all the while we were harassed by taxi drivers offering their much more expensive services. We ended up taking the train to nearby Secaucus Junction Station and getting a much cheaper rideshare from there, and it only cost a fraction of our original ride choice. Return on Investment 4 This is the NFL so the prices can be high, coupled with pretty expensive parking, which means the game will not be cheap. But for the experience you will get, the price seems fair and reasonable. Extras 4 The 50-yard line seats are only 46 feet from the sidelines. This is the closest to the field of any stadium in the NFL. MetLife Stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, two Wrestlemanias, and concerts by artists such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Paul McCartney. The Meadowland Rail Station for New Jersey Transit is located right by the stadium and offers game-day transit. The American Dream Mall is a bit of a mess, having many business issues, but it is still an interesting spot to check out in the area. Final Thoughts A game at MetLife Stadium is a great way to cap a trip to New York City and is also great for locals. The stadium may not feel like it costs 1.6 Billion dollars, but that does not mean it isn’t a good place for a game.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Dominico Field at Christie Pits 750 Bloor St W Toronto, ON M6G 3K4 Toronto Maple Leafs website Dominicio Field at Christine Pits website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 1,000 The Leafs of the Pits On January 11, 2022, Toronto lost Jack Dominico after 82 years of life. Jack was a mainstay at Christie Pits, home of his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were founded in 1969 by Dominico and hockey’s Alan Stanley. Eventually, the team would be taken over by Jack and his wife Lynne. The founding of the Maple Leafs was in response to the Toronto Maple Leafs of Minor League Baseball relocating to Louisville, Kentucky. Jack was the driving force behind the Maple Leafs, a truly unique experience in big city Toronto, which is a mainstay at Christie Pits Park. The Leafs are a community team that does not sell tickets. It is free for fans to walk up and stay for a while. Sundays at 2 o’clock at Christie Pits was Jack’s time. The impact of Dominico on both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the amateur Intercounty Baseball League is so significant that the field at Christie Pits bears his name, as does the league’s championship trophy. The Leafs, as of this writing, remains owned by the estate of Jack Dominico and are run in his stead. The City of Toronto-owned Dominico Field at Christie Pits has been the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs since its inception in 1969. Truly a neighbourhood ballpark that you could find yourself playing on if you were lucky, Christie Pits Park offers the neighbourhood several facilities. The Maple Leafs provide the simplest of experiences that should be embraced by baseball purists. Food 2 The food options at Christie Pits are pretty limited. The green snack bar building is beyond the centerfield fence. A small selection of items can be found there including hot dogs, chips, ice cream, soda, Freezies, soda, water, and Powerade. Pepsi products are the soft drink available at Christie Pits. Concession prices are not out of line, but are also not overly cheap. The possibility of an ice cream truck or food truck parked on Christie Street is there. However, the public park nature of Christie Pits allows fans to bring their food to the park with no problems. Atmosphere 2 Dominico Field is a neighbourhood ballpark. It is pretty much bare bones and there is not much in the way of amenities. Dominico Field is named after former owners Jack and Lynne Dominico, who were driving forces behind the Maple Leafs for decades. The ballpark is located at the northeast corner of Christie Pits Park. The park is sunken at that corner of the park which offers some significant hills, which many fans use for seating. Some fans will sit on benches at street level and others will sit on the three rows of bleachers around the backstop. Other fans will sit on the lawn chairs they have brought with them beyond the outfield fence or on the other side of the foul territory fences. Attractive signs for the park are found at street level as well. There is a press box built into the hill, behind the plate which has a simple, digital scoreboard above it. Other than the sign dedicating the field to the Dominicos, there is nothing insinuating any history or the eight championships earned by the Maple Leafs. The gameday atmosphere is very simple. Players do have some walkup music and local radio host, Roger Lajoie takes care of the PA duties. There are some raffles where tickets are sold, but that seems to be the extent of the promotions. Fans should keep in mind that the Maple Leafs are a family-owned, volunteer-driven organization that does not have much in the way of bells and whistles. Hearing the sounds of the game is paramount and a Maple Leafs game is good for old-school fans who enjoy the purity of the experience. Neighbourhood 4 Christie Pits Park is located in the Christie Pits neighbourhood of Toronto, northwest of downtown. It is a very cosmopolitan neighbourhood and there are several options for pre-game food or drink within walking distance. Christie Pits is bordered by Koreatown and Palmerston–Little Italy on the south. Burdock Brewery, Seoul Shakers, La Bella Managua, and Daldongnae Korean BBQ are all within walking distance, on Bloor Street. For fans who can’t seem to find what they are looking for near Christie Pits, a quick hop on the subway will bring fans to Downtown Toronto which seems to have a near limitless number of selections. Toronto has a ton of sporting options which fans can also take advantage of. The Toronto Blue Jays of MLB play at Rogers Centre. Scotiabank Arena is home to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and Toronto Raptors of the NBA. Exhibition Place is the grounds where BMO Field, home of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and Toronto FC of MLS; and Coca-Cola Coliseum, home of the Toronto Marlies of the AHL can be found. The University of Toronto fields a full complement of varsity teams as does Toronto Metro University. Of interest may be the Varsity Blues’ football , basketball and hockey teams. Checking out Toronto Metro’s hockey and basketball teams at the former Maple Leaf Gardens is also a must. There are plenty of other things to do in the city that are a short subway ride away. Checking out Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum or the CN Tower is fun. The Hockey Hall of Fame is also downtown along with Ripley’s Aquarium. During the later part of the IBL season the Canadian National Exhibition is on and worth checking out. For fans wishing to stay near Christie Pits, The Annex is probably the closest, however, the best bet would be to stay at one of the many hotels downtown. Fans 2 It is very difficult to assess fans in any of the Intercounty Baseball League experiences as attendance figures are not published. Assessing the fans of the Maple Leafs is even more challenging due to the structure of Christie Pits. There are no tickets sold and no boundaries to keep fans in once they are at the ballpark. That being said, it seems that fan support for the Toronto Maple Leafs is on the low side. There are some hardcore fans and regulars. For the game that was reviewed, there was a group of fans who excelled at trash-talking the opponents. Access 3 Dominico Field is located at Christie Pits Park in the Christie Pits neighbourhood of Toronto. Christie Pits is located northwest of downtown Toronto and is on the subway line. Christie Pita is not the easiest place to get to by car. It is located a pretty significant distance from all major highways and traversing the city streets of Toronto will be required to get there by car. The parking situation is also a challenge. Street parking can be found in the neighbourhood and other options with a parking app may be found. The best way to get to the park is by taking the subway. The TTC, Christie Station is at the corner of Bloor and Christie, just steps from the park. Buses are also available along Bloor. Fans should check out the TTC website for fares, maps, and schedules. The sunken nature of the park can make it a little challenging for people with mobility issues to get to. The hill is quite steep and although there is a walkway behind home plate it is not the easiest to travel. Return on Investment 5 The investment at a Toronto Maple Leafs game is minimal at best. Tickets are not sold at Christie Pits. Fans can pick their spot to sit for free, whether it is on the bleachers or the berm. Extras 2 An extra mark for the significant contributions to Intercounty Baseball from former owners of the Maple Leafs, Jack and Lynne Dominico. The championship trophy is named in honour of the departed owners, the Dominico Cup. An extra mark for the true community nature of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the host of volunteers who make the team run. Final Thoughts The Toronto Maple Leafs of Intercounty Baseball is a truly unique experience in Toronto. It may be a little too simple for many, but for baseball purists who don’t enjoy all of the bells, whistles, and sirens, it could be just right. The price is perfect and it is still run today the way Jack Dominico would have wanted. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 .

A visit to Veterans Memorial Park in Downtown Pensacola on any particular day, expect to see many people jogging, walking dogs, or resting on one of the many benches in the park. The 5.5-acre park is one of the more popular of the City of Pensacola’s 93 public parks throughout the city, hosting thousands of visitors and countless events. The park’s many features include a man-made pond with a jogging track shaped like a diamond that circles the pond. View of the Lake and Jogging Path at Veterans Memorial Park; this would have been from Deep Right Field, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey The park also includes countless memorials dedicated to those who gave their life and service in different wars such as both World Wars, Korea, and Iraq. But its most famous feature includes the Vietnam Memorial Wall, which was installed in 1992 and nicknamed Wall South. It is an exact replica of the Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. that displays the names of the 58,217 Americans killed or missing during the Vietnam War. The wall is one of only two Vietnam Memorials of this size in the country. The park includes a salvaged Cobra Helicopter that actually flew in Southeast Asia as well. Vietnam War Memorial with a Salvaged Cobra Helicopter, along what once was the Outfield Fence at Veterans Memorial Park, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Korean War Memorial, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Some of the Many Statues in the Park, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Some of the Various Memorials throughout the Park, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Veterans Memorial Park remains a beautiful place and properly serves its purpose honoring those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom, and provides a great public greenspace for the City. But 60 years ago a visit to the park would have been a much different experience – when walking the path along the lake you are actually walking along the same path that baseball Hall of Famers like Stan Musial and Don Sutton once walked. From 1957-1974 that diamond shaped jogging track that circles the stormwater runoff was actually the site of a baseball stadium named Admiral Mason Park. Aerial View of Admiral Mason Park, Photo Courtesy of Baseball in Pensacola Sign at Admiral Mason Park Entrance, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Named after Charles Mason, a Vice Admiral in the U.S. Navy and two time Mayor of Pensacola, the 2,000-seat stadium opened in 1957 and replaced the aging Legion Field which was located on the west side of town. The stadium was built as the new home for the Pensacola Dons franchise that took part in the Class D Alabama-Florida Baseball League. The park was set up how Blue Wahoos Stadium , just a couple of blocks away, would be set up over 50 years later, with the outfield lining the water and beautiful views of the Pensacola Bay in the background. But other than the gorgeous view, Admiral Mason Park was actually a miserable place to watch baseball. A sewage treatment plant was located directly across the street which meant when the wind blew west it mixed with gulf air, providing an unpleasant smell that gave the park its nickname Stinko Stadium. In addition, the lone parking lot was small and the humid summer evenings mixed with a large body of water brought mosquitos to the park. But the Dons and later the Pensacola Senators would call the tiny park home at a time when the Florida panhandle was home to six professional baseball teams. Pensacola Dons in the late 1950s, Photo Courtesy of Frank Hardy Photo Named after the Spanish explorer and founder of Pensacola, Don Tristan de Luna, the Dons began play in 1957 and competed just blocks away where the site of the first settlement in the United States was discovered in 1559. Other baseball teams were located throughout the Florida panhandle and Southeastern Alabama in cities such as Dothan, Andalusia, Troy, Crestview, Tallahassee, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City. During the first year the Dons were not affiliated with a Major League team. Cal Ripken Sr. with the 1959 Pensacola Dons, Photo Courtesy of Baseball in Pensacola The Dons would later partner up with the Baltimore Orioles for the 1958-1959 season, with Cal Ripken Sr. playing 61 games on the 1959 team. Around this time the tiny park would get to see Major League action as well, as the Kansas City Athletics, the pre-cursor to the Oakland A’s , brought their minor league spring training here in 1958. Also in March of that year the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox met in an exhibition game at the park. Although he later got his 5,000th Major League hit two months later, Cardinals outfielder Stan Musial only had one hit during his first and only time playing in Pensacola. 1960 Kansas City A’s at Minor League Spring Training in Pensacola, Photo Courtesy of Baseball in Pensacola Admiral Mason Park also offered opportunities for youth leagues to utilize the ballpark for tournaments and such. Pensacola native Buck Showalter had great experiences playing here as a teenager – “I loved hearing my metal spikes click on the concrete of that old park, for me it was like being at Yankee Stadium ”. This was years before he was the skipper for the Yankees and Orioles and years before he made his famous appearance on Seinfeld when he switched the Yankees jerseys from polyester to cotton at the recommendation of George Costanza. In 1960, scouts were in attendance during the Babe Ruth All-Star tournament held at the park. On the mound that day was a curly headed, 16-year-old pitcher for the Pensacola team. The young boy pitching that game would be Don Sutton, who played in countless games at the ballpark as teenager. Sutton would later have a 23-year career with the Dodgers and multiple other teams, and be inducted into Cooperstown in 1998. On the opposing team that day was future NFL Quarterback Kenny Stabler, who had a standout baseball career while at nearby Foley (Ala) High School. Stabler would later win a National Championship at Alabama and have a 17-year NFL career that included one Super Bowl win with the Raiders, as well as four Pro Bowls. Hall of Fame Pitcher Don Sutton (5th from Right) Pitched in Countless Games as a Teenager Growing up near Pensacola, Photo Courtesy of Baseball in Pensacola Kenny Stabler (Top Row, 4th from Right) was a Standout Baseball Player at Foley High School in Pensacola, Photo Courtesy of Foley High School Athletics The Dons would switch affiliations and change their name to the Angels for one season in 1960; the next year they became a Washington Senators affiliate and become the Pensacola Senators before the league disbanded in 1962. When the league folded, Admiral Mason Park would get little use over the next decade. Ultimately the stadium would be demolished in 1974, and nature would take its toll until the city took over and dedicated a public park here in the 80s, with the Vietnam War Memorial being added in 1992 and a man-made lake serving as a stormwater runoff. View Today from about where Home Plate would have been, Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey It would be 50 long years until affiliated baseball would return to Pensacola after the folding of the league. The Blue Wahoos would begin playing in the Southern League in 2012 and have been affiliated with the Reds , Twins , and now the Marlins . The beautiful stadium has been voted the Best View in Baseball multiple times, and the team constantly finishes in the top half of the League in attendance, despite playing in the smallest ballpark in the Southern League. The next time you visit Pensacola for a Blue Wahoos game be sure to make a stop at Veterans Memorial Park. The park is located about a half mile east of the stadium in downtown Pensacola. The park is beautiful and well-maintained, and makes for a great place for a stroll before a Wahoos game; that sewage plant across the street is long gone as well. Blue Wahoos Stadium Opened in 2012 and Marked the Return of Affiliated Baseball to Pensacola after 50 Years, Photo Courtesy of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Special thanks to Scott Brown, author of Baseball in Pensacola, who assisted me with research for this article and who’s book I used as a reference guide. If you are interested in more of Pensacola’s unique baseball history, I highly recommend getting his book; the book goes into great detail about the history of baseball in the area and is a great reference to use: Baseball in Pensacola: America’s Pastime & the City of Five Flags by Scott Brown | The History Press Books (arcadiapublishing.com)

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Crypto.com Arena 1111 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 Los Angeles Sparks website Crypto.com Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 13,141 A Spark of Life The Los Angeles Sparks, one of the original eight WNBA teams founded in 1997, have entertained basketball fans from Inglewood to the center of Los Angeles for close to two decades. Though not as popular as the NBA brand, the fact that the WNBA has been able to maintain their product for close to 20 years is a true testament that basketball fans will come out to their venue to watch the lady ballers. Being in the L.A. market, the Sparks have always been one of the focal points of the WNBA. The Sparks have had a solid history of excellence during their WNBA tenure, qualifying for the post season 11 times, reaching the WNBA finals three times and winning the big prize twice in 2001 and 2002, while losing to Detroit in 2003. Prior to playing at the Staples Center, the Sparks played their home games at The Forum until the 2001 season. Note: The Staples Center name changed to Crypto.com Arena in 2021. Food & Beverage 3 During a Sparks game, the selections are not as varied as they would be for the other major teams. If the game should have a big enough crowd that the upper concourse is open, the majority of the stands open would still be in the lower level. If you’re hankering for a hot dog, the Skyscraper Dog at $7 is a good sized 12-inch beef dog that should more than satisfy your appetite. If you should bring your sweet tooth to the game, Popcornopolis has some large bags of sweet specialty popcorn from caramel corn to kettle corn at $6. Candy apples are also available for $6.25, as well as bottomless popcorn for $6.75. If it’s pizza you want, California Pizza Kitchen also has stands open that sell personal sized pizzas at a reasonable $10. The selections range from BBQ chicken pizza to your standard pepperoni pizza. For adult fans, the Harbor and Figueroa Bars are located by each of the main entrances. Not surprisingly, for a Sparks game, there are not too many patrons at either location. Atmosphere 4 Upon arriving to the Staples Center you should enter through the 11th Street plaza (the grand plaza to many who attend events here) where you will be greeted of statues honoring Lakers greats and Wayne Gretzky. However, the Sparks do what they can to let you know that they are the main attraction of the day by displaying a huge banner adorned in its purple and gold glory. The opening player introductions are nothing out of the ordinary with the lights being dimmed along with loud hip-hop music being played to pump the crowd up. A tradition here among the Sparks fans is for everyone to remain standing while making loud noise until the Sparks score their first bucket. Also of note, the P.A. announcer is also the in-game emcee, so don’t expect him to be like your typical P.A. announcer as he goes above his duties of just announcing in game information by revving up the crowd to get behind their team. The crowd here is anything but a typical NBA type crowd. Though crowds here rarely , if ever, fill up to the Staples Center rafters, the enthusiasm level here is at a fevered pitch, with the majority of the crowd consisting of young women and kids from various youth groups, as well as various church groups, which could be typical for a Sunday afternoon game. Nonetheless, the atmosphere is still impressive and the excitement with the crowd is something you may never experience among the elite crowds during Lakers games. Neighborhood 5 With the L.A. Live entertainment and dining complex across the street, there is no shortage of pre and post game dining and entertainment options such as the Grammy Museum or Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge for you upscale bowlers. Dining options at L.A. Live include Yard House, Wolfgang Puck, Rock N’fish, and Smash Burger. If you should opt to stay away from the L.A. Live Complex, a Hooters is located across the street from the Figueroa Street entrance. There are plenty of other entertainment and dining options in the Downtown L.A. area should none of the above mentioned be to your particular craving. Fans 4 The type of fans who come here to an L.A. Sparks game are a different breed as opposed to those who come out for Lakers games. The fans are a lot younger, especially female fans, and they are certainly in force. Plus you get that feeling that the fans are here for the entertainment aspect of watching a basketball game, unlike those of their NBA counterparts in purple and gold, whose fan base tend to be celebrities and those on a who’s who list, and have the reputation of going there to be seen. This is a refreshing change for the everyday fan who wants to simply enjoy a basketball game. Access 4 One of the nice things about attending a Sparks game is ticket availability. Tickets can pretty much be bought on a last minute, walk up basis for that casual fan who wants to see an entertaining basketball game at an affordable price. During most games, the upper bowl is closed off so all fans are close to the action. For those who opt to drive to the game, the Staples Center is really close to the major freeways, the 110, 10, and 101, with the 405 being about 20 minutes away pending traffic. Notice I said, pending traffic. This is L.A. after all. There are about 3,300 parking spaces within the Staples Center area including L.A. Live, as well as some various private spots scattered throughout the area ranging from a five to twenty minute walk. The spots can range from $3 to $15. If you should choose to be frugal, the walk to the Staples Center isn’t far from even the most distant spots. If you should opt to use public transit, the Metro Blue and Expo lines drop fans off across the street. For transit assistance to Staples Center and other transportation options, you can click on this Staples Center transit link or use the Metro Trip Planner . Return on Investment 4 L.A. Sparks basketball is the type of entertainment that is perfect for that type of fan who wants to see some great basketball action live without leaving a huge hole on the wallet. Tickets typically run from $15 to $65 as you venture closer to the floor. Third party sites are also a great option as you can generally get tickets far below face value. This is one of the few times the average fan can attend a professional basketball game and be as close to the action without breaking the bank. Extras 4 One aspect I really enjoy about attending a Sparks game is the energy felt not only among the fans but the in-game entertainment as well. The Sparks must be well aware of what fan base they are catering to for them to have a local dj/emcee act as the P.A. announcer as well. As for other in-game entertainment, the Sparks also provide two dance teams. The Sparks Kids and The Old Skool Crew, made up of a group of women dancers 30 and over who got some moves that even the younger kids would enjoy. Of course, let’s not forget that the Staples Center is the home to four professional franchises with a lot of history behind them. If you should enter the Staples Center through the 11th Street entrance you will pass through statues of Lakers greats Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as well as former L.A. Kings legend Wayne Gretzky. Championship banners from both organizations, as well as the Sparks banners, are on display on the upper south walls and the rafters. Final Thoughts Though the Sparks may not get the type of attention the other 3 tenants would get, they still provide quite an entertaining professional basketball experience. What often gets lost when observing a women’s basketball game is that the ladies play the game in its purest fundamental way. You won’t see many flashy plays, and you would be hard pressed to see any slam dunks. That is not to say that the ladies lack any excitement, as the Sparks have had such notable players from Lisa Leslie to Candace Parker. Hopefully, the Sparks and the WNBA will continue to expand their fan base and they will be around for many years to come.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Las Vegas Ballpark 1650 S Pavilion Center Dr Las Vegas, NV 89135 Las Vegas Aviators website Las Vegas Ballpark website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 10,000 We Bet You'll Love This Ballpark Las Vegas Ballpark opened in 2019, as the new home of the rechristened Las Vegas Aviators. The team is the AAA affiliate of the Oakland A’s, and they play in the Pacific Coast League. The stadium has two levels, a concourse level with the main seating bowl, and a club level, which includes 22 suites as well as a lounge and the press box. The capacity of the ballpark is 10,000, including 8,500 fixed seats, 500-600 spots on the berm, and 1,000 in the suites, club seats, and party decks. The team, the ballpark, and even the surrounding community are owned and developed by the Howard Hughes Corporation. This is important to remember, as nearly all aspects of the club and stadium relate in some way to the late billionaire Howard Hughes, who was heavily involved in the aviation industry. He was a designer of planes, raced planes as a hobby, and owned several airlines at some point in his lifetime. His company is also the largest developer in the Las Vegas Valley. The name of the team reflects Mr. Hughes’ passion for aviation. It is also a nod to Las Vegas being the home of the huge Nellis Air Force Base. Many design elements suggest a link to aviation. If viewed from the outfield, the stands around the infield form the general outline of a plane. The press box suggests the cockpit, with the stands going out to left and right fields serving as the wings. We’ll be pointing out the other aviation references in the appropriate sections of this review. Food & Beverage 4 Las Vegas is known as a foodie heaven, with many celebrity chefs setting up shop in the city. The lineup of food and beverage options at Las Vegas Ballpark reflects that, with a wider, and more diverse menu than you would typically find in a minor league ballpark. Fans with a taste for Latin foods can enjoy Crunch Time Nachos, BBQ Mexicana, and Home Run Tacos. The Grill on First and Third offers burgers, chicken tenders, club sandwiches, and veggie burgers. Custom Hog Dogs serves gourmet hot dogs with sophisticated toppings. Frozen treats are available at Chillout, while Lea Lara’s Bananas offers frozen banana creations. Finally, Flight Deck Burgers offers both gourmet burgers as well as gluten-free options. The Hangar bar is on the outfield concourse next to the pool. It serves a wide variety of craft brews. Fans are allowed to bring one sealed plastic water bottle into the park to deal with the hot temperatures. Atmosphere 4 Las Vegas Ballpark fits in seamlessly with its surroundings. The two backdrops to the park are the Red Rocks Mountains on one side and the lights of the Las Vegas Strip on the other. The exterior of the park and many of the interior elements come in hues of burnt orange and rust red. This reflects the colors of the mountains in the distance but also is suggestive of the brilliant sunsets the area experiences. On the other side, the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” mantra is reflected in the design of the signage on the stadium's interior and exterior. Other segments of the park salute the party image of the area, with numerous bars, group party areas, and even a pool perk that is available to large groups at the games. As you would expect, a stadium in Las Vegas would have a top-of-the-line electronics package. The lighting and sound systems at Las Vegas Ballpark will not disappoint you. In addition, the video board at the ballpark is the largest in the MiLB, measuring a whopping 31 feet tall and 126 feet across. Neighborhood 5 Las Vegas Ballpark is in the planned community of Summerlin. Parts of Summerlin are located within the Las Vegas city limits, while other parts lie in unincorporated Clark County. Like everything else associated with the ballpark, Summerlin is a product of the Howard Hughes Corporation. The ballpark is located next door to Downtown Summerlin, a shopping district consisting of 125 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Among the amenities in this area are Frankie’s Uptown, a bar/restaurant that is a popular postgame watering spot, Pieolgia Pizzeria, and Sports Town, which offers jerseys and other items from more than 100 sports teams in the MLB, NHL, NBA, and NFL. Summerlin is also home to the Red Rock Casino and Resort, which is two blocks from the ballpark. It is important to hold on to your digital ticket from the Aviators ballgame, as it gets you a discount at many of the merchants and restaurants in Summerlin. Fans 3 Las Vegas Ballpark offers several fan-friendly promotions regularly. This includes Bark in the Park once a month, Thursdays are $2 Beer Night, Fireworks occur on Fridays, and Sundays are Las Vegas Stars Throwback Days. Once a month the team becomes their alternate identity of Reyes de Plata (Silver Kings) to recognize the large Hispanic population in the Las Vegas area. By the way, Aviator season ticket holders are known as “Frequent Flyers.” Access 5 Summerlin and the Aviators ballpark are easily accessed from Las Vegas via Beltway 215. Once you arrive, there are three parking lots with 2,500 spaces surrounding the ballpark. There is also a regular bus service provided by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to the area from downtown Las Vegas. There is an RTC bus stop right outside of Las Vegas Ballpark. Bike racks are also available at the stadium. Once you arrive at the ballpark, it is easy to get into and around. There are three main gates located around the park, with multiple lanes at each gate. Gates open one hour before the first pitch. Las Vegas Ballpark has a 360-degree concourse, making it easy to get anywhere inside the venue. Signage for aisles and different services is excellent. The rideshare pickup and delivery area is located at the Dining Arroyo in Downtown Summerlin. Return on Investment 3 There are four main price points for tickets to an Aviator game. The lowest-priced tickets are $13 for the berm area in the outfield. There is a small seating area atop the outfield wall in the left field priced at $18. Infield seats are priced at $25. Seats behind the plate are $37 but are completely sold out for the season. Seats may be available in this section on the secondary market. The food and beverage prices vary depending on which stand you purchase your food at. The Classics stand offers your typical ballpark menu and has the least expensive food. It also offers a Hungry Hotshots package for kids that includes a hot dog, apple slices, potato chips, and a drink for $8. The chef-driven concessions are the most expensive. Parking is free in any of the ballpark parking lots. Extras 4 The seats at the ballpark are made of mesh material. This keeps the seats cooler than a solid material, as air can circulate through them. This is particularly important, as Las Vegas can experience extremely hot temperatures during the summer. 2023 is the 40th anniversary of professional baseball in Las Vegas. There are numerous events surrounding this anniversary throughout the season, with salutes to the Aviators’ predecessors, the Stars and the 51s, as well as the current team. The Aviators have two mascots, Spruce Goose, and the Aviator. The Goose is a reference to a wooden plane that Howard Hughes designed, built, and flew. It only flew once, as the spruce wood it was built out of was too heavy for the plane to gain any altitude. The Aviator is more symbolic, as he suggests an aviator in the military, with his crash helmet and reflective goggles. Among the ballplayers who have worn a Las Vegas uniform on the way to the MLB are Pete Alonso, Jacob DeGrom, Jesse Chavez, and David Ross. Final Thoughts The Aviators are taking Las Vegas’ elevated standards for hospitality seriously.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium 873 Long Drive Aberdeen, MD 21001 Aberdeen IronBirds website Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 6,300 Taking a Rip The Aberdeen IronBirds moved to the Baltimore area in 2002 after local legend Cal Ripken, Jr. bought the Utica Blue Sox of the New York-Penn League and moved them to his hometown in the New York-Penn League. This did displace the independent Atlantic League’s Aberdeen Arsenal, who were trying to get state and local funding to build a ballpark so they could move out of their temporary home at Harford Community College in nearby Bel Air, Maryland. That funding instead went to building a home for the Ripken organization, and that was what got Ripken Stadium built. The Arsenal was disbanded after one season with a record of 56-83. Today, the IronBirds are part of the High-A South Atlantic League. The team has had no problem filling the seats and acting as a proper entrance to young players within the Baltimore Orioles organization. Food & Beverage 2 Unfortunately, we must be pretty critical of the stadium and its operations here. The lines at all the concession stands are far too long and slow. We talked to quite a few fans that spent almost 3 innings of time to get their food. We were hungry but gave up and ate after the game. It seems like a staffing issue. The actual offerings are good, although not exciting, but you should plan on eating before a game until they fix this problem. The food prices are very similar to many minor league baseball stadiums. There is a club-level bar called the High-A Bar. Atmosphere 3 Upon entering the stadium, the seating bowl slopes down towards the field. It is divided into two main sections separated by a large walkway area. Beyond the fences, it is not obvious that a major highway is right there, as trees make it a pleasant view. The Birds Nest is an all-you-can-eat dining group option that sits between the press box and the 100-level home plate seats. This does take some of the better seating options away from the regular fan. Other group decks are available at the end of the concourses. The game presentation is pretty good here, with the usual between-inning activities. These are supplemented by longtime mascot Ferrous (think about it….Iron….) and his friend, Ripcord. Neighborhood 3 Ripken Stadium is located across I-95 from the rest of Aberdeen. Right near the stadium are the Ripken Experience Baseball youth fields, two hotels, and some newer housing buildings in the area. One should wander around the youth baseball complex to see the replica baseball fields designed after Fenway, Yankee, Wrigley, and Baltimore’s own Memorial Stadium. The centerpiece is Cal Sr.’s Yard. It is a near-scale replica of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and even has a replica warehouse building that houses two hotels (Residence Inn Aberdeen and Courtyard Aberdeen). Outside the exact stadium area is some new development that includes a Royal Farms gas station, All American Steakhouse, an axe throwing location, a mini golf location, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. A short drive away back over I-95 is an abundance of restaurants and hotels. Aberdeen, home to the Army’s massive Aberdeen Proving Grounds, is a center of business activity. Olive Tree is a better version of a well-known Italian chain, while Mamie’s Cafe is an old-school Baltimore-style restaurant that offers free desserts with all meals. The Greene Turtle, Panera Bread, and Super Chicken Rico are some other choices with which you can’t go wrong. Chap's Pit Beef is also located nearby and is. a good spot if you want to properly fill your belly before the game. Fans 3 The IronBirds sell out many of their games, but a bit less now that they are in a league that plays a longer season. Many of the ticket sales are from group sales, which means the fan base can be somewhat inconsistent. The group giveaways mean you will most likely see many fans wearing gear and other items at each game. There are some hardcore fans with seats around the home plate area. They will be loud and into all aspects of the game. You will also see Aberdeen apparel from various years of the team, as the look and feel of their uniforms and logo have changed a bit over time. Access 5 I-95 runs right next to the stadium, which means that access from there and State Route 22 (a major road across the ever-growing Harford County) is strong. Long Drive (which was named before the stadium was there, surprisingly) is a four-lane road that is the only way into the stadium area. It never gets too busy, as it is directed by staff and local police. Parking is free and plentiful. No traffic issues are leaving even busy games as the police handle the traffic flow well leaving the stadium. Expect traffic to take a bit longer on fireworks nights as those families who would have normally left early stick around to the end. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices are higher for the IronBirds than they are at most minor league stadiums, especially for this level. The team must be overcompensating for the lower prices of the many group tickets that are out there. If you know of a group attending, that is your best value. Plan for tickets, as they may not be available for walk-up sales. Extras 4 The view of the warehouse replica is a great extra and gives a bit more to the atmosphere of the stadium. A fan should also stop in and check to see if any youth tournaments are using the Ripken fields. There will be games played there all summer. Although not located at the stadium, Chap's Pit Beef is an extra all on its own. Final Thoughts Ripken Stadium is a very nicely designed stadium. It was designed while looking at what went right and what went wrong in baseball design in the late 1990s. The result has often been that the stadium has felt a bit impersonal. But it is still a strong baseball facility. The food operations need major help, but with good options in the area, we can forgive them a little.

Photos by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Kindrick Field 1300 N Ewing St Helena, MT 59601 Kindrick Field website Year Opened: 1932 Capacity: 2,100 Baseball under the Big Sky Kindrick Legion Field exemplifies all the positive qualities of Montana, and then some. Nestled under Montana’s famous Big Sky , the stadium is encapsulated by the picture perfect landscape that is Montana. While in attendance, a fan gets a glimpse of the glorious northern side of Mount Helena, a mountain that overlooks the southern side of the Queen City. Located in the heart of the capital city of Helena, Montana, Kindrick Legion Field is home to the Helena Brewers, the Rookie affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium is complemented by Memorial Park, a quaint place featuring a dome amphitheater, waterpark, and a recently renovated playground. If the fences of Kindrick could talk, they would tell the stories of former (and current) MLB and Brewer greats such as Ryne Sandberg, George Bell, Darren Daulton, Ricky Jordan, Gary Sheffield, Greg Vaughn, Dave Nilsson, Jeff Cirillo, Mike Matheny, and most recently Milwaukee’s National League MVP Ryan Braun. Built in 1932, the park holds approximately 2,000 people. While the stadium does not typically reach capacity, the crowd it does accommodate is always a passionate, friendly and respectful group. Food & Beverage 4 There are not any chain or corporate food stands around here, so hey independent consumer, Kindrick Legion is right for you! There are a plethora of eats available at the two concessions stationed inside of the stadium (a third concession area is reserved for private parties). Some of the treats for your liking are hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, brats, polish and cheddar dogs, kids, corn, jumbo and chili cheese dogs, chili cheese fries, nachos, super nachos with chili, large pretzels, pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and peanuts. Prices are typical, ranging from $2.75 for smaller items (kids dog) up to $7.50 for larger food (steak or pulled pork sandwich). Overall, it still beats your local movie theater. Drink-wise, you’re looking at 12, 16, and 24 ounce domestic beers ranging $3.75 to $6.75. The park also serves micro-brews from one of the local breweries, Lewis & Clark Brewing Company. Hey hey ladies, don’t feel left out, there are Twisted Tea and Bacardi available for $3.75. For the underage crowd, or if alcohol is not your forte, there are 22 and 32 oz. soda available for $3.50 and $4.50, respectively. Coffee and hot cocoa run $2, Powerade is $3.25 and a can of Red Bull costs $4.00. There is also an assortment of ice cream delicacies available; frozen goodies ranging from ice cream sandwiches to popsicles to ice cream sundaes with prices starting at $2 and going up to $4.50. Atmosphere 3 Atmosphere is jovial and welcoming – most of which can be attributed to the hospitable people Montana is known for. In Helena, everybody knows everybody, and if you’re visiting from afar, be prepared to meet some of the most pleasant people around. The atmosphere is not the richest in terms of history, but the scenic view of Mount Helena, under the flawless skies of Montana, makes Kindrick Legion a beautiful place to enjoy America’s pastime. The ushers and concession attendants are personable and timely with service. Neighborhood 3 Memorial Park lies due west of the park, and makes for an even greater family environment. As far as restaurants and bars go, the nearest venue is the aforementioned Lewis & Clark Brewing Company, which is about .5 miles away from the stadium. The tap room is a historical and classical looking building that makes for a great environment to check out before the game (tap room closes at 8). Other than that, the options for meandering around outside the stadium are limited. Fans 5 Easily the best part of your Helena, Montana visit will be the fans. Although their attendance figures might not be awe-inspiring, Brewers fans genuinely know what’s going on with their team and even early in the season are familiar with players’ strengths and weaknesses – a testament to the word fanatic. If you’re unaware what a 6-4-3 double play is, you won’t be uneducated for long. Seemingly every fan has grown up around the game. Montana is a traditional sports state, which makes for some of the more knowledgeable fans you’ll find anywhere. Despite the score, the Brewers faithful always maintained a positive attitude, and implored their hometown team for victory. Access 4 Parking is free, and spots seem endless all around the stadium. No problems here. Restrooms never have lines and are easily accessible to anyone. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are priced at $9 for box reserved seats, $7 for grand stand and $6 for general admission. Overall, the Helena Brewers experience is one worth having. Extras 0 There are no additional unique features worth noting.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Westwood Arena 90 Woodbine Downs Blvd Etobicoke, ON M9W 5S6 Toronto Patriots website Westwood Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 1,800 Sound The Charge The Toronto Patriots were founded as the Quinte Hawks in Deseronto, Ontario, between Belleville and Kingston.  They were part of the now defunct Metro Jr A Hockey League.  They unfortunately counted disgraced NHL Player Agent, David Frost, among their coaching staff.  Frost was charged with a number of counts of sexual exploitation and was part of a bizarre murder-for-hire plot involving player Mike Danton with Frost as the target. In 1998 the league folded and the Hawks moved from Deseronto to Bancroft and what would eventually become the OJHL.  In 2008, fully distanced from the Quinte days, the team moved to Toronto and became affiliated with the exclusive Upper Canada College private school.  Eventually, they were purchased by Everest Academy and settled in Westwood Arena as the Toronto Patriots, where they have remained since 2014. The current home for the Patriots is the privately owned Westwood Arena.  Located in the Rexdale neighbourhood of what used to be Etobicoke in Toronto, Westwood Arena opened its doors in 1996 and is a hockey hub complete with five rinks and offices for a number of local travel teams.  The main rink has a capacity of 1,800.  Westwood Arena’s parent company, Buckingham Sports Properties counts a number of facilities in Toronto, Cambridge, London and Quebec. Food & Beverage 4 The main concession at Westwood Arena, The Snack Bar, has a decent variety of options.  Hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, fries, grilled cheese, bagels, muffins, pizza, popcorn, and onion rings are all on the menu.  Breakfast offerings also on the menu hint at the business of the facility.  Coca-Cola products are the main soft drink options, and water, Powerade, milk, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are also all available.  Right beside The Snack Bar is the Fuel Up Smoothie Bar, which offers a number of blender beverage options.  For those looking for something a little slower, or some alcoholic beverages, The Penalty Box is a full service bar and grill and is right in Westwood Arena, with some seating looking out on some of the smaller rinks. Atmosphere 3 The exterior of Westwood Arena does not show the true size and scope of the facility.  Light brick and siding with blue trim with a fairly pedestrian main entrance highlights the exterior.  Maintaining one of the themes throughout the building, a large banner for the Patriots hangs near the entrance letting everyone know that this is the home of the team. Entering the lobby shows how deceptively large the facility is.  There is no massive and spacious atrium, but a functional lobby that leads to the entrances to the various rinks and shows offices for a variety of youth hockey teams as well as the Patriots.  A simple touch of note in the lobby is the seemingly endless number of framed pictures of NHL players who have all come through the GTHL.  A treasure hunter could spend quite a while going through these pictures that includes the likes of Mike Palmateer, Peter Ing, Mark Osborne, Paul Coffey, Pat Flatley, Mike Liut and John Tavares, to name but a few.  The entry to the main rink is quite obvious to fans as there are markings for the Patriots all over including the doors, floor and above the doors.  The Patriots debuted a new logo in the 2024-2025 season and they are definitely making the most of it. Inside the main rink, fans will find a bright and clean facility with huge, low profile support beams that cross over the ice.  It looks as if everything in this rink has benefited from a fresh coat of paint.  The ice is oriented from east to west with seating only on the north side.  Seating consists of 11 rows of contoured plastic benches on concrete steps.  There are some minor hockey banners hanging on the east side, but no banners hang for the Patriots.  However, fans will definitely know this is the home of the Patriots as the entire south wall is painted with Patriot markings, showing off that new logo and the “Sound The Charge” hashtag being pushed by the team.  Although the Patriots won the Buckland Cup in 2014 and 2015 and won their division in 2012, there are no banners commemorating the successes of the team.  A simple scoreclock hangs on the west wall. The gameday production for the Toronto Patriots is very simple.  Fans are provided with a simple, one page, printed program.  There are no promotions happening of note.  The PA system is decent and the Patriots employ an excitable announcer, who at times is too loud making announcements inaudible.  The Patriots also provide a massively wide variety of music, side-stepping the cliche of the same old songs and mixing it up and keeping it fresh. Neighbourhood 4 Westwood Arena is located in the Rexdale neighbourhood of what was once Etobicoke and is not part of Toronto.  The arena is in a fairly industrial area, so food or drink outside of Westwood Arena will require a trip with the car.  Some options that are not too far include Smash Pit, Little Hut Bar and Grille and a number of chain restaurants south of the arena on Finch Street. Being Toronto, there are a huge number of other sporting options.  OJHL teams in Toronto include the Toronto Jr. Canadians, North York Rangers and Markham Royals.  The Toronto Maple Leafs , Toronto Marlies , York Lions , TMU Bold  and Toronto Varsity Blues  are all other hockey options at different levels, in other parts of the city.  The Toronto Raptors , Toronto Argonauts , Toronto Blue Jays  and Toronto FC  are major league franchises in other sports.  Toronto also has a near infinite number of tourist options.  Most will gravitate downtown and take in the Hockey Hall of Fame and CN Tower, however, in the same area as Westwood Arena is Woodbine Racetrack and the Casino at the Great Canadian.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Great Canadian is right there. Fans 2 Fan support for the Toronto Patriots is not the greatest.  OJHL attendance can be a bit of a challenge to assess as reporting by teams can be a bit spotty.  For the 2024-25 season, at the time of writing, the Toronto Patriots were averaging 119 fans per game.  They ranked 16th in the OJHL, which easily puts them in the bottom third of the league.  The previous season, they averaged 136 fans per game.  The crowd is mostly friends and family and are generally pretty reserved.   Access 4 Westwood Arena is located in the Rexdale neighbourhood of what used to be Etobicoke and is now Toronto.  The arena is between Highways 401 and 407 and 427 and 27.  It is located on Woodbine Downs Boulevard and north of Carrier Drive. Rexdale is probably one of the neighbourhoods of Toronto that is the most easily accessible coming from the west or north.  That being said, Toronto traffic, even though Rexdale is not downtown, is a real thing and can be frustrating depending on the time of the game.  Leave a little extra time for traffic if traveling to Westwood Arena by car.  There is plenty of free parking on site.  For fans wanting to take public transit to the game, there are TTC buses that run on Carrier Drive.  Fans should consult the Toronto Transit Commission  website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around Westwood Arena is not too difficult, however, with five ice pads, it could get a bit crowded in the lobby if multiple games are beginning or ending at the same time.  Usually, the Patriots play during a bit of a slower time for the arena.  The washroom facilities at Westwood Arena are adequate for the facility. Return on Investment 4 OJHL hockey is very affordable and the Toronto Patriots are no different.  A ticket for the Patriots runs $15 with discounts for students and seniors.  Tickets must be purchased at the box office and they only accept cash.  Patriots tickets are on the high side for the league, but are still more than affordable.  Parking is free and concession prices are not terrible.  The level of play on the ice is high and fans will enjoy the simple production. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Patriots embracing their new identity and doing everything they can to show patrons that Westwood Arena is the home of the Patriots. An extra mark for the full service bar and grill on site, The Penalty Box. An extra mark for Westwood Arena as a hockey hub for the west end of Toronto. Final Thoughts Taking in OJHL hockey is a low-cost endeavor and a great way to check out some high calibre hockey.  The Toronto Patriots offer a strong product on the ice in a facility that, being privately owned, is a little different than most other OJHL venues.  Westwood Arena is a great place to catch a game and grab a bite to eat.  After taking in the Patriots experience, fans will definitely Sound The Charge! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Thomas & Mack Center 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Paradise, NV 89154 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball website Thomas and Mack Center website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 17,923 A Trip to Thomas & Mack Founded in 1958 and playing in the Mountain West Conference, the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Runnin’ Rebels basketball squad was a powerhouse back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, winning the ultimate NCAA championship in 1990. Their last tournament appearance was in 2013. The club plays their home games in the iconic Thomas & Mack Center, just a few blocks from the Las Vegas strip. Grand broad staircases (and escalators) take fans up to the main entry. The building’s facade has video boards on each side of the entryway. The plaza outside is wide open and ready for pregame festivities. The venue is adjacent to McCarran International Airport (now known as Harry Reid International Airport); fans see plenty of planes taking off and landing as they park their car and head into the venue. Thomas & Mack Center also hosts men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, Harlem Globetrotters, concerts, and other entertainment. The building is impressive, and the game day enjoyable. Food & Beverage 4 Thomas & Mack provides a good choice of stadium fare for sports fans. Even before entering the arena, a Sin City Wings food truck is in the plaza and is quite popular. The plaza has tables to eat with heaters (if needed) and a DJ provides music pregame. Inside, hot dogs (Rebel dogs – Nathan’s brand), pretzels, nachos, popcorn, and candy cost $5 - $7. Check for specials. The evening we visited the Rebel dog was half-priced . The South of the Border stand sells tacos, taco salad, and nachos grande ($9 - $11). The Mack Attack concessions sells a variety of hot dogs, chili dogs, and soup ($6 - $14). And another stand specializes in chicken fingers, burgers, fries, bratwurst, and fries ($6 - $11). Pizza & Brew offers three types of pizza ($10 - $11) and premium and light beers ($11 - $12). Several bars are on the concourse offering craft beer for $13. Beer choices include Fosters, Blue Moon, Hop Valley, Sapporo, Miller Light, and more. Hop Valley Brewing has a portable station on the concourse selling draft brews, and it is one of the few cash-only stands in the venue. Thomas & Mack is a Pepsi facility with bottled sodas, Gatorade, and water priced at $5. A few chairs and tables are near the bar areas to sit and enjoy food purchased, but they fill up fast. Atmosphere 4 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels provide an enjoyable game day experience at Thomas & Mack Center. The arena has two levels of seating. Handrails are available for climbing up or down the staircases. All fixtures are a bold red color: the seats, the piping, the handrails, and the banners. The seats are a tad narrow, and there’s not a lot of legroom. The court has an impressive Las Vegas city line silhouette design on the floor. A slew of championship and retired number banners hang from rafters along the sidelines, with the 1990 National Championship banner anchored in the middle. The temperature in the arena is comfortably warm. No need to bundle up. A crisp, clear center-hung, double-decker scoreboard provides video of the game, the score, quarter, time left, and player game day stats. The team provides an impressive introduction using smoke and fire, with the band playing and cheerleaders cheering as the Rebels run onto the court. During halftime, fans get to participate in a basket-shooting contest. Other entertainment includes the dance cam during time outs. The fans love it. One sponsor even has a contest to win a free semester of tuition. Nice prize. The concourse has one souvenir area that sells mostly UNLV Rebels shirts; they carry very few trinkets. Neighborhood 4 The arena is only two or so miles from the Las Vegas strip, even less from some resorts like the MGM Grand. Chain restaurants Buca di Beppo (Italian), Gordon Biersch Brewery, Fogo de Chao Brazilian (Brazilian), and Bahama Breeze (Caribbean) are a mile from the venue. Fast food choices like In-N-Out, McDonald’s, Popeye’s, and more are a few blocks away. The closest brand-name hotels include Virgin Hotel (Hilton), Embassy Suites, and Best Western McCarran Inn. Bear in mind that hotel prices may seem affordable at first, but when you tack on taxes and resort fees, they can double in price. And there’s usually a charge for parking a car. Las Vegas offers nearly unlimited entertainment options from dining, shows, people - watching, shopping, museums, and gambling. If you’re not a gambler, other things to see and do include a Pinball Hall of Fame, a Titanic Museum, and golfing. Other sports to visit in the fall and winter are UNLV’s women’s basketball or football, the NHL Vegas Golden Knights (at T-Mobile Arena), NFL Las Vegas Raiders (at Allegiant Stadium), or the NLL Las Vegas Desert Dogs (at Michelob ULTRA Arena). Fans 3 A good crowd is on hand supporting their team. It’s a mixed crowd of families with kids, retired folks, alumni, and students. The student section cheers the entire game, and the school’s band energizes the crowd with its tunes and songs. Fans stay till the end of the game. Attendance isn’t as high as it was in the team’s glory days or before COVID. The games still draw 6,000 – 7,000 fans. Access 4 Vehicle traffic in Las Vegas is gruesome. That said, getting into the parking lot of Thomas & Mack is painless. Parking attendants direct traffic out after the game, aiding the traffic flow. The arena is only a mile from the airport. Buses can take you to the arena from the airport or the strip with at least a ½ mile walk. Uber and Lyft are readily available in Las Vegas. Thomas & Mack Center’s outside entrance area has plenty of places to sit and wait for late-arriving friends. The box office is outside to the right of the grand entrance with plenty of windows open pregame. Getting through security is a breeze. Clear stadium bags 12” x 6” x 12” are allowed. The concourse is plenty wide, minimizing congested foot traffic at halftime. The bathrooms are icky but serviceable (at least in the ladies’ room). Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices run $16 - $137 with an additional $5 charge if purchased on game day. The price includes the parking fee. You may be better off trying to find a ticket on third-party sites. Students get in free. Food and drink prices are less than the major professional teams in Las Vegas, and if you’re lucky. you may get 50% off on a Rebel dog. It’s a pleasurable time and is priced as expected. Remember to check third-party sites for ticket deals. Extras 4 Customer service is exceptional; from the security to the ticket booth to parking lot attendees and concessions, all staff is polite, friendly, and helpful. I’m quite impressed. The banners hanging from the rafters deserve another mention, as does the student band. The concourse holds numerous historical displays on its interior wall. These include presentations of bankers Parry Thomas and Jerry Mack and their story of how they made the arena a reality. Other exhibits are for Coach Tarkanian, who led the 1990 team to the championship, and for the 1977 Final Four team. It’s well worth strolling the halls and viewing these exhibits. Final Thoughts At one point in time, UNLV was the only sport in Las Vegas. That, of course, has changed in the last decade or two. Thomas & Mack Center has served the basketball team admirably since it opened in 1983. If you’re headed to Sin City in the fall or winter, be sure to check out a Runnin’ Rebels game.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Doug Kingsmore Stadium 114 Baseball Dr Clemson, SC 29634 Clemson Tigers website Doug Kingsmore Stadium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 6,272 Where's that Tiger? Just a relay throw away from the banks of Lake Hartwell, Doug Kingsmore Stadium has been the home of Clemson Tiger baseball since 1970. Initially known as Beautiful Tiger Field, the stadium was dedicated to Doug Kingsmore, a former Clemson baseball star and three-time Clemson trustee, in 2003. Baseball at Clemson dates to before the 20th century, with the first games played in 1896 at Bowman Field, in the shadows of Tillman Hall – this is where football legend John Heisman served as the head of both the football and baseball teams. Later baseball moved to neighboring Riggs Field, which now hosts the soccer stadium, but occupied the area now used for intramural sports. Clemson baseball started as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1896 and would go on to be founding members of the Southern Conference in 1921. In 1953 Clemson was among the founding schools of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), where they have played ever since.   Food & Beverage   5 The concession options here are a mix of the usual fare like hot dogs and nachos, with a bit of an extended menu to include corn dogs, burgers, and smoked sausage, all available as combo meals. Additionally there are daily specials, which could feature items such as chicken tenders or iced coffee. For those looking for something different, secondary concession kiosks scattered around the stadium also offer kettle corn, Cheeto-dusted popcorn, Dippin’ Dots, and shaved ice. If standard concessions are not the call, the Tiger Bites stand along the left field line serves freshly grilled bacon cheeseburgers and chili cheese dogs. However, those in the general seating area might be a bit disappointed to find that the Cajun Cafe, offering a menu of Louisiana’s finest, is only accessible to those seated in the Cajun Cafe suites – this limitation may be understandable, considering the challenge of preparing a specialty menu for such a large crowd.   Atmosphere   5 Doug Kingsmore Stadium would give many minor league stadiums a run for their money, in terms of both practical amenities and entertainment value for fans. The facility offers a diversity of seating options for just about any seating preference, including up-close field level seats and more unique, non-traditional viewing areas. The seating closest to the action spans ten rows deep and is divided into premium and field level sections between each dugout, while upper grandstand seating extends from first base and wraps around behind home plate and up to third base. Additionally, there are also individual sections of outfield seating available. Many fans opt to stand along the fences down each line, or on an elevated walkway leading from left field down the third base line; even the cutout of the left-center field fence attracts a crowd. In addition, if hillside seating is your preference, Doug Kingsmore Stadium has you covered with a grassy hillside on the left field side, where many fans spread out blankets to watch the game.  Lastly, for those looking for more of an old school, Wrigley Field -type vibe, a handful of fans bring tailgating chairs and sit on the walkway of neighboring Jervey Athletic Center, which overlooks the baseball field. When choosing between any of the various seating options, it is hard to go wrong. The sun does set beyond the first base side of the field, however, so seats along the third base side and left field grandstand have a tough sun field to contend with in the early innings of evening games. The in-game presentation is built around fan engagement, keeping mid-inning events to a minimum other than ad reads and an occasional round of ball cap mix-up, finish the lyric, or name the year contests.  Clemson does use a lot of mid-at bat audio drops, but it is the combination of the drops paired with the player reactions that really garner the fan involvement – there are several of these musical insertions that elicit a reaction from the players in the dugout, but it is probably the Venga Boys “We Like to Party” clip that gets the biggest reaction. The song is played on repeat when the opposing pitcher is having difficulty finding the strike zone, and becomes so annoying it is difficult to hold back a smirk when it is played for the twentieth time in a half-inning, as it seems to rattle the pitcher enough to throw ball twenty-one. The stadium layout and wide variety of seating options are great, but from an entertainment standpoint the atmosphere created is so memorable that it becomes the backbone on which the fun of the whole game experience is built.   Neighborhood   5 Clemson, South Carolina is a quintessential college town where the university is the center of most of what goes on in the area. College Avenue, the hub of activity on weekends and the scene of much of Clemson’s nightlife, is located just under a mile from Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Situated near the northern edge of campus, the area is heavily populated with an array of bars and restaurants, making it a popular destination for both pre or post-game gatherings. During the spring, as days lengthen and temperatures rise, College Avenue buzzes with visitors exploring its shops, bars, and dining spots. While College Avenue has the highest concentration of popular establishments, The Esso Club, a renowned Clemson watering hole, is just a short stroll from Doug Kingsmore Stadium's home plate gates. On campus, Doug Kingsmore Stadium is part of the athletics complex, which includes softball’s McWhorter Stadium, beyond the left field confines and just across the street from both Littlejohn Coliseum  and Memorial Stadium .   Fans   5 Fans here seem to pack every nook and cranny of available space to the tune of 4,000+ fans per game, one of the highest in the ACC and in the top 20 nationally.  However, what sets Clemson's baseball experience apart is not just the sheer number of fans, but their active participation in creating an electric atmosphere that's among the best in college baseball. Give Clemson baseball fans a lot of credit, at a school with such a strong football  following their fanbase shows up dressed specifically to support Clemson baseball. Fans dressed in football t-shirts or jerseys are the exception rather than the norm, which is not necessarily the standard at many other schools in college football strongholds. Much of the credit for setting the tone of the fan involvement in the stands needs to go to the Flamingo Gang, or at least an offshoot of the 2017 student fan group that would express its fandom by waving plastic or inflatable flamingoes about. When Clemson fans show up for a weekend series they are prepared for the full weekend, populating Jervey Meadow with pull-behind campers, RVs, and even what some might consider a tour bus – while many weekend tailgating encampments are modest, a handful go all out with elaborate tent set ups, some even including satellite television and live bands playing. Clemson fans are a passionate group regardless of the sport; they show up in large numbers to support their Tigers and are extremely involved and ready to burst into a round of “Tiger Rag” at the drop of a hat.   Access   4 Located just about 15 minutes off I-85, Clemson’s campus is easily accessible for fans traveling from Charlotte or Atlanta, with a drive of about 2 to 2.5 hours from each. Once on campus parking is readily available around the stadium – for those parking in the handicap area, however, be alert for batting practice home runs that might leave the stadium. Visitors parking near McWhorter Stadium (softball) or in Jervey Meadow will likely access the stadium through the outfield gates, while those parking on the northern side of campus can easily enter through the home plate entrance. Regardless of the entry point, fans will find wide concourses that encircle the stadium. As you approach the grandstand the concourse splits into a field walkway and a concourse behind the grandstand, the latter which provides access to restrooms, concessions, and an apparel tent. With ample parking surrounding Doug Kingsmore Stadium and wide walkways, accessing the stadium is straightforward and hassle-free, limiting the size of crowds that might otherwise make the walkways difficult to navigate.   Return on Investment   4 Midweek game tickets typically begin around $5  for a get-in-the-door price, with weekend games starting at $15 for standing room only and $20 for outfield tickets. Although these prices may seem a bit steep, considering there is no parking fee and that the game offers great entertainment value, it is a worthwhile investment. It might be a good idea to check the secondary market for discounted ticket prices, as lower priced tickets are commonly available.   Extras   5 For fans of ballpark Easter Eggs, Doug Kingsmore Stadium has its fair share. A cluster of Crape Myrtles at the home plate entry are arranged in large planting beds designed to take the shape of the Clemson Tiger paw print logo. Also, a further inspection of the concourse pattern reveals striping reminiscent of tiger fur. As if any more hidden treats were needed, when you first look at the field there seems to be something off, but it might be tough to place a finger on it right away. Upon closer inspection, though, you may notice there is no warning track – much like the former home of the Cincinnati Reds , Crosley Field, rather than having a warning track, the outfield grass gently slopes to warn outfielders of a possible impending collision with the outfield fence. In yet another testament to the role the Tigers most passionate fans play in creating the elite baseball experience at Clemson, just beyond the right field foul pole are “The Cheap Seats”, a section of bleacher seating that was once a mobile fan club/tailgating set up, but has now become a fixture of outfield seating – the purple, orange, and white minibus has become synonymous with Tiger baseball fandom. The stadium is also a virtual history lesson of baseball at Clemson; Clemson greats Rusty Adkins, Seth Beer, Kris Benson, and Khalil Green, along with coaching legends Jack Leggett and Bill Wilhelm, are immortalized both with plaques at the entry point of the stadium, and with their numbers recognized on the outfield wall. The wall also boasts team championships and tallies of the number of MLB first round draft picks and players from Clemson who have gone on to reach the majors. The history lesson continues along the main entry concourse with displays of Clemson’s best teams, as well as the top players who have helped create the Clemson baseball legacy. It is always refreshing to see teams honoring the timeless traditions of their university – following the game’s last out, the Tiger players, coaches, and staff gather beyond first base to sing the Clemson alma mater, capping it off with the alma mater salute, extending their arms and shaking their hats as the song ends.   Final Thoughts Clemson baseball might be one of the most interactive fan experiences in the country; there is a symbiosis between the players in the dugout and the fans in the stands that infects the stadium with a fun air that it is impossible not to get caught up in. Baseball at Clemson offers a delightful blend of entertainment and high-caliber collegiate play. The atmosphere is also organically festive, built around the fun-loving nature of the Clemson Tigers in the dugout but with spirited fans in the stands contributing to the experience. It would be hard for even the most hardened of baseball purists not to appreciate the humor and fun of it all.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Garth Young Arena @ Mayfield Recreation Complex 12087 Bramalea Road Caledon East, ON L7C 2P9 Caledon Admirals website Mayfield Recreation Complex Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 350 The Admirals are the Head of the Arsenault Table In 1980, the Henry Carr Crusaders were founded.  Like many junior hockey teams of a previous era, the Crusaders were affiliated with a school, in this case, Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School in Toronto.  The Crusaders played at the Junior B level in the Metro Junior B Hockey League.  In 1991, the MJBHL declared itself as a Junior A League and became the MetJAHL.  At this point, the Crusaders were made independent and played in the same arena as the Weston Dukes.  In 1993, the Dukes franchise folded and was moved to Thornhill, Ontario.  David Arsenault came on the scene to rescue the flailing franchise, partnering them with Villanova College in Toronto to become the Villanova Knights. After a few stops along the way, the team would land in the OJHL and eventually the town of Caledon, where they would become the Caledon Admirals.  Along with the Junior B Caledon Bombers and the Junior C Caledon Golden Hawks, the Arsenault Hockey Group and David Arsenault can offer a unique linear affiliate system where all three teams play in the same building and support each other. Home for the Admirals since 2021 has been the Garth Young Arena @ Mayfield Recreation Complex.  Built in 1971, the complex is a community hub with a pool and other community rooms between the Town of Caledon and the City of Brampton.  The arena is named after Garth Young, a Caledon Parks and Recreation employee who worked tirelessly for 38 years. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small snack bar in the Garth Young Arena called The Crossbar.  Hot dogs, chocolate bars, popcorn, soup, pasta cups, and mini-donuts are available.  Gatorade, soda, water, coffee, and tea are the beverage options with Coca-Cola products featured.  There is enough here to get by, but no options will blow anyone away.  Team swag is also sold at The Crossbar. Atmosphere 2 The Mayfield Recreation Complex has a simple exterior with grey brick and blue siding.  It is clear from the outside how the complex is divided into two main parts, the arena and the pool, with the arena on the right upon entering.  Fans are welcomed to a bright, clean, modern lobby before making a right turn to the Garth Young Arena.  Temporary tables for ticket sales and the 50/50 draw will welcome fans before entering the inner lobby.  The inner lobby is climate-controlled and has windows that look into the arena, as well as The Crossbar concession window and trophy cases with minor hockey accolades.  The temperature change is significant upon entering the arena.  The ice runs from north to south, with the seating on the west side.  Above the benches on the east side are banners for the Arsenault Hockey Group, as well as minor hockey championship banners.  A simple score clock is found at the south end of the arena.  The seating area consists of four sections of three to five rows of plastic-covered benches.  The middle sections are raised above ice level to offer better sightlines. However, one of the sections is essentially taken up by the broadcast team and camera.  The arena does have the common gas heaters above the seating, which were not on for the game that was reviewed, which is not uncommon for arenas this size.  The area has a very low ceiling painted white with white siding to make it a bright facility.  Capacity is small, with room for 275 seated fans and 75 standing behind the benches. The gameday production at Admirals games is very simple.  The PA system in the Garth Young Arena is pretty terrible, and it is difficult to understand the announcements.  The microphone feedback was pretty bad, also.  Promotions are simple and centre around the 50/50 draw. Neighbourhood 3 The Mayfield Recreation Complex is located between the Town of Caledon East, proper and the City of Brampton.  It is in a fairly rural area between a secondary school and elementary school, so for pre or post game food and drinks, fans will have to hop in the car.  Heading south to Brampton will be the best bet to find chain and fast food restaurants.  Heading north to Caledon East will offer a few original options, including Tom’s Family Restaurant, Gabe’s Country Bake Shoppe and Gusto Resto Bar.  For fans looking for other sporting options, there are some options.  The Garth Young Arena is also the home to the Caledon Bombers and Caledon Golden Hawks, Junior B, and Junior C hockey teams respectively.  The Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL are relocating to Brampton for the beginning of the 2024-25 season.  The Brampton Honey Badgers of the CEBL also play during the summer months.  For those interested in golf, there are many courses in the area, including Mayfield and Banty’s Roost, which would be options very early in the hockey season.  Also worth consideration is driving north on Bramalea Road and taking a gander at the mansions and estates.  For those wishing to stay in the area, there are several hotels available in Brampton, including the Hyatt and Holiday Inn. Fans 2 The Caledon Admirals attract around 100 fans per game.  This ranks them in the bottom third of the OJHL.  As a barometer for the league, the top teams attract over 700 fans per game and the bottom is 60.  There is some room for improvement here, however, competing with the Bombers and Golden Hawks can’t help.  If the Admirals are playing a team from a close location the attendance will be higher.  Fans in the stands are relatively laid back, not uncommon for Ontario.   Access 3 Mayfield Recreation Complex is located in a rural area between the Town of Caledon East and the City of Brampton.  The complex is much closer to the northern edge of Brampton than Caledon East.  Getting to the arena is not too difficult.  It is 2 km northeast of Highway 410, which is the main artery from Highway 401.  However, Brampton and Greater Toronto Area traffic can be a real issue and the 410 can be quite slow.  There is plenty of free parking on site.  For fans wishing to take public transit, Brampton Transit has buses that stop at Mayfield Secondary School.  The schedule might not work for hockey, however.  Fans should consult the Brampton Transit  website for schedules, maps, and fares.  Getting around the arena is not difficult at all and the washroom facilities are adequate for the size of the facility. Return on Investment 3 Admirals tickets go for $15 with discounts for seniors, students and youth.  Parking at the Mayfield Recreation Complex is free and concession prices are good.  Although there are some difficulties with the PA system, the product on the ice is strong and fans should enjoy the experience overall.  It is hockey in a simpler form. Extras 3 An extra mark for naming the arena after long-time employee Garth Young. An extra mark for the vertical affiliation created by the Arsenault Hockey Group with the Admirals, Bombers, and Golden Hawks.  A unique situation in the OHA. An extra mark for the history of the Admirals and their time affiliated with Secondary Schools. Final Thoughts For fans looking for a simpler brand of hockey, the OJHL may be the ticket.  A Junior “A” league across the GTA and surrounding area, the OJHL provides a high level of hockey on the ice.  A trip to the Caledon Admirals at the Garth Young Arena @ Mayfield Recreation Complex offers cheap entertainment and allows fans to get their hockey fix in. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images I always love it when the Olympics arrive because it introduces us to many new sports and a few we don't get to see too often. My friends always ask me what is your favorite event during the summer Olympics, and I never have to think too hard about it. My favorite Olympic event is handball. Sure, you can enjoy beach volleyball in front of the Eiffel Tower, swimmers jumping into the Seine River, or a 50-year-old man from Turkey winning silver in pistol shooting, but handball has always captured my fancy every four years when it comes into prominence to most Americans. Team handball (most fans say handball)  is a sport that is not too hard to understand; it shares similarities to basketball, hockey, and soccer. It is played on a court 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. A group of 7 players, including the goalie, make up the two sides. The scoring is simple: throw a ball past the goalie and into the next, and you score a point. The team with the most points wins at the end of the game. This past January at the Men’s EHF Euros, a world-record crowd of 53,000 was on hand at Düsseldorf’s MERKUR Spiel-Arena to watch France take on Macedonia and Germany battle Switzerland. The tournament secured television agreements with over 30 broadcasters around the world. A record crowd of 53,586 showed up for a Euro '24 game in Germany, Photo Courtesy of the EHF I enjoy watching the high-scoring contests that feature body slamming, dribbling, jumping, and high-throwing action from beyond the semi-circular crease. I fell in love with the sport the first time I watched it in 1992, but now that events are easily accessible, it has become mandatory television the past week. Why hasn’t this game become more popular in the United States? "It's tough when it's a sport that's not on TV regularly and not a sport you can easily play as a kid, in high school, or college," says Minnesota Team Handball President Josh Hetterick. "You play  it in some gym classes but if there were youth and high school leagues that would make a difference. Some colleges (Ohio State, North Carolina, West Point, Air Force, Pittsburg, and Auburn) have handball clubs but there needs to be more for it to gain real interest. Also, if it were to be broadcast on ESPN or NBC Sports more regularly and in prime time, you'd see a jump in interest." Hetterick is hosting team tryouts for new players for the next four Wednesday nights in Bloomington, Minnesota, just south of the Twin Cities. He laughed about being able to teach anyone what they need to know about the game in preparation for the next Summer Games in Los Angeles. Just like curling in the Winter Games, the sport gets a boost from American TV audiences. In the United States, the game is minor, and the US national team struggles in international competitions. The men’s team has a 4-25-1 record in Olympic competition and hasn’t qualified since the 1996 Atlanta Games (because we hosted it). Their record in the World Championships is 2-27-0 and has one appearance since 2001.  At this rate, a US pickleball team has a better chance in international competition. Perhaps our best athletes are not playing handball. I can’t blame them; where would one even go at a young age to play the game, and how many kids in the neighborhood will knock on your mom’s door asking if you want to play a game at the local park? When one does develop an interest, would they have to leave the country to develop and hone their skills at an international or professional level? “Facility accessibility and funds,” says a Chicago Inter Handball Club member via Facebook. There are no professional leagues in the United States, unlike in Europe, where the top loops are in Spain, Germany, France, Hungary, Denmark, and Poland. However, the Northeast Team Handball League is a competition for amateur clubs in the Northeast United States. A few amateur clubs play in Chicago, Boston, New York, Milwaukee, Washington, and Philadelphia.  The sport has been played here since 1926 but has never caught on like many other games. There have been discussions about creating a professional league in this country, but it might not become realistic until both U.S. squads perform at a high level in international competition.  Heterick believes that much has to be done to lay the groundwork for the sport in this country. "It's all about organization, support, and a grassroots/pipeline foundation. There is a disconnect in that pipeline right now from youth to teen to adult. There are adult handball clubs in the USA, but very few of them have a youth/teen part in the club. There is just not a strong organizational structure for handball in the USA and until we get that and get support and structure, we're going to continue this vicious cycle." Every Olympic year will park curiosity for this unique sport for many Americans. Clubs like Chicago Inter Handball Club, Flint City (Michigan) Sporting Club, and Minnesota Team Handball will see a bump in interest and a few new members join the fray. Maybe they will be catalysts to train a future group of handball players. The Minnesota club will receive 8-9 calls per week during the Olympic Games that include both men and women. This results in the club hosting try-out events during and after the Olympics to prepare for the increased numbers which are usually around 8-12 more players. I can concur with this, when I was still living in New Jersey, a high school friend of mine went to open tryouts at the South Plainfield Curling Club after the Salt Lake City Winter Games. He wound up joining full-time and developed quite a skill for the sport, participating in various bonspiels (curling tournaments) in the United States and Canada.   The games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028; perhaps either the men or women can make a run in handball, played in front of thousands of fans and watched by millions more on TV sets, phones, and computers globally. Maybe it will be the boost for this sport to catch fire and push the league to prominence either at the international or professional level.  The knockout stage will be played at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France, from August 7- 9, with the medal games taking place on August 11. Interesting Facts Karl Schelenz, Max Heiser, and Erich Konigh created the rules on October 29, 1917 in Berlin. The first international games were held in 1925 (men) and 1930 (women) It debuted at the 1936 Berlin Games as an outdoor event. The event returned in 1972 with Yugoslavia winning gold. The first women’s games were held at the 1976 Montreal Games, with the Soviet Union winning gold. The International Handball Federation was created in 1946.  There are 30-plus international competitions around the world. France won gold in men and women at the Tokyo 2020 games. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos courtesy of Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Quakertown Memorial Park 600 Mill Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951 Quakertown Blazers website Quakertown Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 1,300 An Honest Home for Baseball What if I told you that there was an old wooden ballpark that exists in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and that it has been around since 1938, has been home to baseball since 1983, and is in sound condition? You might think that I am crazy, but one such baseball facility exists in Quakertown. Now would you believe me? Memorial Park is a small covered wooden grandstand ballpark that seats 400 people. It is home to the Quakertown Blazers of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League who have been providing an opportunity for local college baseball players a chance to hone their skills with the wooden bat during the summers off from school. It is a league that has been around since 1967 and today operates a lot like it did 47 years ago. In the ACBL, the parks are small and ownership‘s objectives are to break even and provide an outlet for baseball. Memorial Park is one of the league’s paramount facilities; most of the ballfields are just that, located at community colleges or high schools. Tucked away in a residential and park area of town, exists perhaps one of the area’s better-kept secrets in baseball. Food & Beverage 3 The food is inexpensive and classic ballpark cuisine. Hot dogs are fresh from the grill and are only $1.50, large RC and Diet Rite sodas and Philadelphia-style pretzels are also $1. The other items include candy, chips, and peanuts. All of the food is served underneath a concession building that stands alone outside the main entrance to the grandstand. There is no alcohol permitted in the stadium. The prices are among the best that I have seen at collegiate wood-bat league games the past few years and add to the simplicity of a league such as the ACBL. Atmosphere 3 The design and color of the ballpark look as if it is straight out of Norman Rockwell's painting. The red picket fence lines up the left field line and a collection of sponsorship banners hangs on the grey outfield fence. There are two championship banners that the Blazers won in 1987 and 2018. However, the dark green grandstand stands out among the colors of the ballpark. The wooden structure is in immaculate condition and features very few rows or columns. The fans make their way through during the early innings and find themselves a seat on the bare wooden bleachers. Also, located is a small two-man PA section for the game. You will not find a myriad of gimmicks or promotions, a mascot, or t-shirt tosses from interns. The focus is on baseball and probably is similar to the game many years ago. League president Tom Bonekemper told me that former major league and current Toronto Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez commented that the stadium reminded him of playing minor league baseball 45 years ago. The game day program, which is becoming a thing of the past at many baseball parks, is sold for $2 and features advertisements, team information, and baseball bingo lucky numbers, however, its ads and sponsorships help generate a lot of money for the team and is still a valuable asset to the team. It also helps out when you are looking for a place to eat after the game. There are more than 113 boosters (including former major league pitcher Jamie Moyer) and volunteers that help out with game day operations from collecting tickets, serving food in the concession stand, and selling merchandise. Game day Nike jerseys are a bargain at $ 15 compared to the $175 price tag the Lehigh Valley RailRiders are charging for almost the exact same product. Neighborhood 4 The stadium’s setting is adjacent to a city park that features a sand volleyball and basketball court, a public swimming pool, and one very impressive wooden jungle gym play area. It is also located a mile on busy State Road 309, an hour north of Philadelphia and 20 minutes south of Allentown. Retail stores, chain restaurants, and shopping centers are paramount in this location, but there are a few nice choices to choose from that are well worth a visit. McCoole’s offers great food at affordable prices at the corner of Broad and Main Streets. Located in a historic old inn, they offer music on the patio beer brewed on premises, happy hour specials and many food items between $10-$20 The El Paso mac and cheese and grilled apple cider chicken are two highlights. If you are looking for dessert, drive a few miles up SR-309 to The Inside Scoop for homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt. Of course, you can always order a freshly made hoagie at Wawa, a convenience store with a huge following in this part of the country. Fans 3 There is a modest crowd that supports their hometown team. When Blazers’ manager Mark Angelo disputed balls and strikes, a few members from the stands supported his argument. The fans are focused, engaged, and supportive of their Quakertown nine. Access 3 Memorial Field is one mile off of SR 309 and 10 miles south of I-78; it is rather an easy destination to reach, but there are not any signs until you exit SR 309. You will have to get your GPS out for the majority of tour travel to the ballpark. There is a small amount of parking available behind the left field wall and across the street near the pool. It is free and that is always a good thing. Return on Investment 4 Adult ticket prices are $3 and are a bargain to watch baseball in a rather historic facility. Even if you had a few hours to kill, spending it here could be a rather gratifying experience. Extras 2 Memorial Stadium is one of those rare finds for a ballpark traveler. Its size and pristine condition make it ideal for summer league baseball in the ACBL. A traveler should not expect to find all the glamour that exists in the Northwoods or Prospect Leagues; a scaled-back and relaxed atmosphere will await you for a Quakertown Blazers game. Final Thoughts Lehigh Valley is sprinkled with various ballparks that offer a little bit of everything during the season. Quakertown Memorial Stadium is a simple, honest ballpark that provides a nice change of pace during a summer’s evening. If you are in town for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, take a short trip to Quakertown. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com