Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 121 Financial Ballpark 301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32202 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp website 121 Financial Ballpark website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 11,000 121 Financial Ballpark - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Following the reorganization of Minor League Baseball coming into the 2021 season, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp saw themselves receive a promotion from their parent club, the Miami Marlins . The Jumbo Shrimp would move from the Double-A Southern League to the Triple-A International League. At a capacity of 11,000 fans, 121 Financial Ballpark was the largest AA ballpark, and it seemed to be too large of a stadium for the level, so a move from Double-A to Triple-A only made sense. No matter the classification, the Jumbo Shrimp have long been known as one of the most innovative organizations in Minor League Baseball, providing an entertaining evening at the ballpark. Food & Beverage 5 All the typical baseball favorites are available at each of the concession stands around the stadium. Hot dogs, burgers, pizza slices, and a litany of fried foods. Soft drinks come from the Pepsi family of beverages. When looking for specialty menu options, each concessions stand around the concourse has its own theme and featured items – for example the All American Jax has the Duval Heavy Hitter, consisting of six chicken tenders, fries, nacho cheese, bacon bits, topped with green onions served in a batting helmet. Alternatively, Southern Fried Freebird has a multitude of fried foods, including several offerings featuring fried shrimp, while Sweet Tea-Bows unexpectedly offers baked cheese ravioli and BBQ pulled pork pizza as their featured items. Hand grilled sausages can be found at the Sausage Fest-Duuuuuval cart, a play on the Duval County which is a common call and response from Jacksonville Jaguar fans. For a bit more of an adult experience at the game, the Wheel House Lounge on the suite level, and Tiki Terrace in left field, provides fans with fully stocked bars and views of the game. Along with the usual suspects of Bud and Miller beers, the Jumbo Shrimp have their own branded Kolsch style beer from the nearby Intuition Ale Works. The Craft Cave also provides an extensive selection of adult beverage options; brews from Sun King Brewery, the aforementioned Intuition Ale Works, Voodoo Ranger, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, Aardwolf Brewing, Fishweir, and Veterans United Craft Brewers are all available at the Craft Cave, under the third base side of the grandstand. Seltzers, canned mixed drinks, wines, and Twisted Tea are also available for non-beer drinkers. Overall the Jumbo Shrimp provide a wide selection with their food and beverage options, from a slew of specialty food items to a deep selection of craft beers and drinks. Atmosphere 4 Fans enter at field level, then climb stairs to the main concourse. The concourse extends from just off the cut of the infield grass on the third base side around to right center. Stairs from the right center bleachers lead down to the kids’ inflatables section, around to the grassy seating areas in left field and Tiki Terrace, before heading back to the grandstand. The picnic and grassy areas along the third baseline, around to the Adirondack chairs behind the chain link fence in left center field, is a very popular area to watch the game from. There is not a lot of space for kids to get out and move around in the grandstand, but this area provides some relief from the confines of the ticketed seats. The outfield wall configuration is a bit of a throwback to the days when stadiums were built to fit the city block they were on. With a low right field wall reminiscent of that at Fenway Park , at just 317’ home runs feel like just a bloop away. To compensate for short fences to right and left field, centerfield is a deep 420’. The confines of the playing area create opportunities for home runs and balls into the far reaches of the gaps. When choosing the ideal seats, keep in mind that the sun sets behind the third base side of the stadium, so the right field bleachers can be a bit challenging to deal with until the sun sets. The berm areas, down the left field line and around to left field, are popular with families, but can get a bit crowded. If just wanting to have a seat to watch the game from and not have to worry about moving at any point, then anything on the third base line is a good option. If moving is not much of a problem, however, then the outfield bleacher tickets would be perfect. The Jumbo Shrimp have long been known for the fan friendly atmosphere they create – their gate giveaways and theme nights are typically held in the highest regard by their MiLB peers, for their originality and fun nature. Neighborhood 4 121 Financial Ballpark is in the sports complex area of Jacksonville, sandwiched between TIAA Bank Field , home of the Jacksonville Jaguars , and VyStar Veterans Memorial Stadium , which the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL), Jacksonville Sharks (National Arena League), and Jacksonville Giants (American Basketball Association) all call home. The stadium is just a few feet from the baseball club’s former home, Wolfson Park, that was razed to make room for the Jags’ outdoor practice field. The area has a very sporty feel to it with the surrounding stadiums and the handful of pre and postgame entertainment options; That Sports Bar at the Arena, Intuition Ale Works, and Tap Room are all just steps from the ballpark. Fans 3 After one season in AAA, Jacksonville ranks in the middle third of teams in attendance, averaging just a tick under 5,000 fans per game. This is consistent with their draw while they were AA members of the Southern League. Weekend games typically draw over 8,000 fans, which creates a distinctive vibe throughout the stadium as you pass around the concourse. Many fans come showing their support for the Jumbo Shrimp decked out in the team’s shirts, jerseys, or any of the several gate giveaway items. Overall, most fans seem to be engaged in the game and are supportive of the Jumbo Shrimp. Access 3 121 Financial Ballpark is not directly off any of the major interstates that pass through the Jacksonville area, but downtown Jacksonville does not seem to be extremely congested with traffic on weekends. Arriving early makes parking easier when accessing the lots around the stadium. Parking is readily available around the ballpark. A multi-level parking deck sits directly across the street from the front entrance of 121 Financial Ballpark, while the back side of the stadium has several parking lots that are part of the TIAA Bank Stadium complex. There is enough parking close to the stadium to leave fans with just a short walk; golf carts also offer a shuttle for those who might need some assistance. The stadium’s main entry point is the home plate gate, but can get crowded in anticipation of gates opening. There are also secondary entry points on each side of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 Standard general admission tickets start at $8 for advanced, in-person purchases, with a $2 service fee applied to online sales; tickets do jump to over $20 a ticket when moving to the grandstand. The general admission tickets offer both a reasonable price and, if sitting in the outfield bleachers, still provide an up-close vantage point for the action on the field. If purchased ahead of time, in person, the fees can be avoided. Jacksonville does have a significant Navy population, and offers discounted tickets for both active and retired service members. There are several options of tickets for differing game experiences, but if all you want is an affordable ticket to watch baseball, the general admission ticket will suit you fine. Extras 4 The Jumbo Shrimp do a lot in recognition of the baseball history of Jacksonville; support beams around the main concourse feature some of the stars who have made a stop in Jacksonville on their way to the majors. The field level concourse also honors the Legends of Jacksonville baseball through their Wall of Fame – the honor recognizes players, managers, and those who have significantly impacted the Jacksonville baseball landscape. Instantly recognizable names include Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, and Randy Johnson, to name a few. The bar top at Tiki Terrace has a really cool feature in that it has used minor league baseball cards of the Jacksonville Expos, Suns, and early Jumbo Shrimp players to create the bar’s surface. AAA baseball is using the ABS Challenge system for their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday contests; ABS (Automatic Ball Strike) games allow players three challenges of umpire ball/strike calls throughout the game. If the call is overturned the team retains their challenge, while if they are wrong they lose one of the three. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday games use an automated strike zone. Given the layout of the ballpark and its proximity to the streets outside the stadium, those looking to channel their inner Zack Hample can try their luck chasing down baseballs during batting practice from outside the stadium. Final Thoughts The Jumbo Shrimp understand that at the origination level, their job is to entertain the fans, and it is their parent club who is responsible for the product put on the field each game. Jacksonville does an outstanding job making an evening at the ballpark well worth the experience no matter if you attend for the game on the field, the entertainment aspect of the atmosphere, or any combination of the two.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Trinity University Multi-Sport Stadium 637 Kings Court San Antonio, TX 78212 Trinity Tigers website Trinity Health Stadium website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 4,000 Trinity Tigers – Trinity University Multi-Sport Stadium Founded in 1869 in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a small liberal arts college that boasts a remarkably robust athletics program, especially on the gridiron. The Trinity Tigers first fielded a team in 1900, and moved into their new on-campus home, the Trinity University Multi-Sport Stadium, in 1972. Starting in the 1990s, the Tigers went on a run of unprecedented success, winning 13 straight conference championships from 1993 through 2005, and then four more in 2007, 2011, 2019, and 2021. In 2007 the Tigers participated in one of the most memorable plays in college football history against Millsaps College. It would be featured on countless SportsCenter clip shows and be named the top sports moment of the year by Time magazine. In 2018, Trinity began renovations on their home stadium – this included installing a new 28x48 foot video screen, renovating the home side stands, and a new field turf playing surface. Everything was completed by 2021, and it has proven a hit with the fans. Read on to learn more about the history and traditions of Trinity University. Food & Beverage 2 The concessions at Trinity Multi-Sport Stadium are limited to stands behind the home side. The Tiger Bites stand offers up a lot of traditional game day fare with a few interesting wrinkles – you can get hot dogs (plain or with chili and cheese), nachos (also offered up with chili, or chopped brisket), chopped brisket sandwiches, popcorn, chips, and assorted candies. In terms of beverages, there are bottled water, sports drinks, and soda options. No alcohol is allowed on campus at Trinity, and thus there is none sold or allowed during Tigers games, so bear that in mind when attending. Atmosphere 3 I was pleasantly surprised with the atmosphere at Trinity Stadium. While it is smaller than many high school stadiums in Texas, it is not without its appeal. Set amid the beautiful red-brick buildings of the Trinity University campus, the stadium stands out among the other sports facilities on-site. Revelers park in lawn chairs and under tents among the shade trees that grow out in front of the stadium; this seems to be Trinity’s version of tailgating. There is also a tent near the front entrance that sells Trinity merchandise. While it isn’t very big, it has pretty much everything fans could want for the game. The still relatively new video board is quite impressive and puts the stadium on another level compared to other Division III teams. It is a sight to see and takes the stadium up a notch from being just charming to a place football fans will want to visit. My one piece of advice would be to take in a game later in the season; this is mainly due to the weather. The early part of the season takes place in what are still some of the hottest days of the year on the South Texas calendar. If you come during the end of August or any time in September, more than likely it will be for a day game and it will be HOT. Neighborhood 5 Trinity University is located in one of the oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods in San Antonio, Monte Vista. Among the old homes and rolling hills, the setting is akin to those found in many small college towns. The campus and the stadium are also a short drive from San Antonio’s vibrant downtown – this area puts you at the literal and metaphorical center of the city, home to the Alamo , HemisFair Park , the River Walk , the Tower of the Americas , and so much more. Some of the city’s finest hotels and most celebrated restaurants are located here. Hotels and restaurants of all budgets can be found; the only limit is your budget. Simply put, this area is where you want to go when you visit the Alamo City. Trinity Multi-Sport Stadium is also located near the Alamodome , home of the UTSA Roadrunners, and Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium , home of the UIW Cardinals. Since all their seasons overlap, there is a good chance you can double up on games when you see the Trinity Tigers. Fans 3 This is purely anecdotal, but the crowd I experienced last time I was there was good. The home side stands are filled with the Tiger faithful; they come dressed in Trinity gear and are loud the entire game. The best part, which leans into the small-school atmosphere, is that every time the Tigers score a touchdown, the fans fire off confetti poppers. This was pretty fun for me but is fun for the younger fans in the crowd. Access 3 Located five minutes from downtown San Antonio and right off Interstate 37, Trinity University Multi-Sport Stadium is easy to find amidst the gorgeous buildings of the campus. It is a short nine-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport . Once on campus, parking is free in unmarked spots and the parking garage near the stadium. If you choose not to drive or use a rideshare service, San Antonio’s public transportation system, VIA Metropolitan Transit , offers bus rides to the campus from places all across the city. Return on Investment 4 This section is where the Trinity Tigers will give you your bang for your buck. Not only is parking free on Trinity’s campus but there is no cost for admission as well. So, for a team that has traditionally been one of the best in all of Division III football, you’re getting an incredible bargain. The savings are passed on again at the concession stands, as the cost for the items is more akin to what you would find at a high school stadium rather than a college one. Whether you’re going to the game solo or as a family, your wallet will thank you in the end. Extras 2 Like most of the college football world, the Trinity Tigers rely on some of the same tropes, traditions, and fanfare for their games. However, unlike in years past when I have gone to games, the latest version of the Tigers appears to be taking the field without a mascot or band. They do have cheerleaders patrolling the sidelines, and the Trinity Prowlers Dance Team entertains the crowd during halftimes. Other than that, there is not much else in the way of extras for fans. Final Thoughts I have always enjoyed my visits to Trinity. They are the oldest collegiate football team in San Antonio and they have a great tradition of winning – that culture permeates everything the Tigers do. Until now I hadn’t been back to Trinity Multi-Sport Stadium since the renovations, and I can tell the difference. While I wouldn’t mark this down as a bucket list stop, I think if you’re in town during the season, for the price you pay you’d be hard-pressed to find a better time than taking in a Trinity Tigers game. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Richmond Raceway 600 E. Labernum Ave Richmond, VA 23222 Richmond Raceway website Year Opened: 1946 Capacity: 51,000 Chaos at Every Corner The Richmond Raceway is a 0.75-mile D-shaped NASCAR track that currently hosts the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. It hosts a race for each series both in the spring and in the fall, and all the races are run at night. Though the track is often characterized as a “short track” since it is less than 1 mile, the D-shaped layout of the track allows drivers to reach high speeds to give it that superspeedway feel. Food & Beverage 3 Richmond Raceway offers standard concessions ranging from pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy. Beverages offered include bottled Coke products, Dasani water, and various alcoholic beverages. Prices are on par with many sporting events. Frankly, the concession availability is a little disappointing in the general grandstand seating areas. However, this is generally not a big deal since fans can bring in their own food and beverages. Our suggestion is to eat before you go to the race, or bring your own food and drink to enjoy during the race. Atmosphere 4 Seating at the Richmond Raceway is available along the front stretch, and in turns 1, 2, and 4. All seats are bench back except for those in the Commonwealth Mezzanine/Tower and in the Turn 4 party deck. Seating in the Commonwealth Mezzanine and Tower are chair back, and seating in the Turn 4 party deck is high top seating with tables. There is a walkway between the seating bowl and the track, which allows fans to walk all the way around the track during the race to take in the action from different vantage points. The first row of seats is elevated approximately 10 feet to give fans sitting in the lower rows better sight lines. At the center of the track is a large four-sided 38 x 24 foot video board, which shows live race action and highlights. The stem of the video board shows the running order; it always shows the top 5, then constantly rotates throughout the rest of the field. A NASCAR race is one of the few sports where the better seats are higher up, as it allows you to see the entire track. While there is not really a bad seat in the house due to the elevated seats, we recommend sitting along the front stretch near the start/finish line or near turn 1. Neighborhood 3 The Richmond Raceway is located on the northeast side of Richmond between Interstate 95 and Interstate 295. It is in the middle of a largely residential area, and some parts are a little “rougher” than others. There are no restaurants or hotels within walking distance of the track. In order to avoid a lot of congestion and traffic, your best bet is to eat and stay in nearby Mechanicsville along I-295. It will be a little bit of a drive, but there are many food and dining options in downtown Richmond and along Broad Street in the West End and near Short Pump. If you a looking for good Bar-B-Que before the race, be sure to check out The Salty Pig on US 301 in Mechanicsville or Buz and Ned’s on West Broad Street. There are many attractions in Richmond if visiting for the entire weekend. If you come for the spring race, check to see if the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A affiliate of the Giants) are in town. Other attractions in the area include many Civil War Battlefields, the birthplace of Patrick Henry, Monument Avenue, the Virginia State Capitol building, and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Fans 3 Fan attendance at NASCAR races has been steadily decreasing over the past 10 years. Despite action-packed short-track racing, Richmond Raceway has not been immune to this issue, as all of the seats along the back straightaway have been removed over recent years. During this time frame, seating capacity at Richmond Raceway has dropped from 110,000 to 51,000. With the lowered capacity, crowds are generally 30K-40K. Fans can generally spread out on the bench seating to make it look fairly full. Despite the decreased attendance, NASCAR fans are still a passionate bunch. The majority wear gear of their favorite driver and will often hold up the driver’s number as they pass by. There are also certain drivers that many fans loathe, so expect plenty booing of these drivers. Access 4 The Richmond Raceway is easily accessible from Interstate 295. The exits for either Mechanicsville Turnpike or Meadowbridge Road will take you directly to the track. Meadowbridge Road will take you to free general parking lot H, and there is a free tram that will take you directly to the track. Richmond International Airport is only a few miles south off of I-295 in Sandston. Since the track allows fans to bring coolers in, expect a slight delay at the gate as staff checks them. However, if you do not have a cooler, you can breeze right in. There is a concourse underneath the grandstands, that is easy to navigate. There is also a large walkway all the way around the track between the first row of seats and the fencing along the track. Both are easy to navigate to find your seat. Restrooms are located underneath the grandstands. They show their age, but are serviceable. ADA seating is located along the first row of seats at select points around the track. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to the Monster Energy Cup Series at Richmond Raceway range from $35 to $120. A $35 dollar ticket will not get you the best of seats, but it will get you in the door, nonetheless. There is also the Chaos Corner in turn 4 where fans can purchase tickets for $20 in a general admission standing room only area. Throw in free parking and the ability to bring in your own food and drinks, and you have quite a bargain for a night race in NASCAR’s premier series. Extras 3 Richmond Raceway gets several extra points for their fan-friendly measures. The track allows fans to bring in coolers with food and beverages (no larger than 14x14x14 inches), backpacks, scanners, and headsets to listen to drivers communicate with the crew chief. There are also upgrades that fans can purchase such as the Fangrounds pass, which allows fans to walk through pre-race inspections, take part in driver intros, and pre-race ceremonies in the infield. The track gets another extra point for the open walkway all around the track between the grandstand and the fence, which lets fans view the action from anywhere they would like around the track. Final Thoughts While seats are being removed at many tracks across the county (including Richmond) and interest in NASCAR seems to be waning, a NASCAR race is still a great experience. If you have never been to a NASCAR race, we would certainly recommend a visit; and a visit to a “short-track” such as Richmond Raceway is as great a place as any.

Photos by Brian Wilmer, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Lexington County Baseball Stadium 474 Ball Park Rd. Lexington, SC 29072 Lexington County Blowfish website Lexington County Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 3,000 Blowfish and Boiled P-Nuts Fans of the Coastal Plain League and residents of the Midlands region of South Carolina are quite familiar with the Blowfish franchise. The team first took the field in Columbia’s Capital City Stadium in 2006. The historic ballpark gradually reached the end of its usefulness, and amidst flooding problems on Assembly Street, land sales, and multiple closing dates at “The Cap,” the team finally saw its final downtown pitch in 2014. Before the last out was recorded, though, the Blowfish had already sealed the deal on a new home. The team moved about a half hour west to Lexington, becoming the star attraction in a brand new ballpark built by Lexington County for baseball, festivals, and other events. The roughly $25 million ballpark was constructed in roughly ten months, allowing the Blowfish to take the field in their new home digs to begin the 2015 season. Lexington County Baseball Stadium will join the new facility off Columbia’s Bull Street for the relocated Savannah Sand Gnats to form a formidable grouping of baseball options for fans in the Midlands. Food & Beverage 4 One would expect a variety of food and drink offerings in a new ballpark, and Lexington County Baseball Stadium fits that bill. Fans who attended Blowfish games in Capital City Stadium will find many of their old favorites, along with several unexpected selections. Food and drink are available pretty much everywhere along the main concourse, with the primary stand in the multi-purpose building behind the first base dugout. The choices are broken into candy ($2 for typical candies), specialty items ($3-$6 for fries, hot dogs, and sandwiches), and snacks ($2-$3 for pretzels, popcorn, and nachos). The specialty items include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and the locally-inspired “Blow-B-Que” barbecue sandwich ($4). The food is of typical ballpark quality but is very popular with those in attendance. Numerous satellite stands are lined around the concourse, including the Ballpark Village food court area behind third base. Coca-Cola is the facility’s bottler. Sodas are available in 16-ounce ($3), 20-ounce bottle ($3) and 32-ounce souvenir ($5) sizes. Bottled iced tea and Coke Zero are among the beverage choices, for those who prefer to avoid full-sugar sodas on muggy Midlands evenings. Powerade is also available for $4. If you’re craving a cold beer, those are also available. Budweiser (along with Bud Light and Bud Light Lime) and Corona/Corona Light are available for $4 apiece. Wine (Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio) can also be purchased, along with the Budweiser margarita flavors (strawberry and lime) for $4. The “definitive” item, however, is available from a small shed just inside the stadium’s entry gates. Boiled peanuts (or “p-nuts,” as they are commonly noted in South Carolina) are sold for $3 (small) or $5 (large), and are a favorite of nearly everyone in the Palmetto State. Vendors also wander through the stands selling the delicacy from time to time, should you not want to miss any game action. Atmosphere 3 For those familiar with Blowfish games at Capital City Stadium, the feel of a game in Lexington County is quite similar. From team mascot Blowie posing for photos on the concourse to “Sandstorm” blaring from the speakers late in the game, fans should find a lot of items that make them feel at home. The fourth-inning Mascot Chase (featuring Blowie and a buddy or two) even made the trip over from Columbia. The stadium borrows — in its own words — much of its architectural style. Part of the seating from the old Lexington High School football stadium (called “Wildcat Hollow”) is implemented as bleacher seating on the visiting (third base) side of the park. Elements from Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium and Yankee Stadium are included, according to the stadium’s architects . The grandstand seating accompanies fixed seats near the field, along with bleacher seating under an overhang behind the plate. A wide concourse features plenty of standing room and drink rails, for those who would prefer not to stay seated. If you want the best view of the action and don’t feel like standing for nine innings, pay the extra and get a fixed box seat. There is also an enclosed hospitality area down the right field line. Be careful when purchasing any seats under the overhang or in the general admission grandstand. The front row of overhang seating behind the plate — especially in section 206 — is largely obscured by a series of stair railings and support columns, making the seats a poor value. The seats are also reserved bleachers, making them very tight, in terms of pitch and width. A child seemed to be squeezed out of the row in which he was seated — he had to ask his mother, “is there room for me?” — and a woman behind me needed to ask an usher for a bandage after cutting her leg on a visible support screw from the bleachers. There are fans from the overhang to help keep those seated underneath somewhat cool on warm South Carolina nights, however, which is a nice touch. The grandstand seating behind third base encounters issues with the sun for the first few innings, as it sets behind the first base bag. The grandstand feels far from the action on the field, as there is a large play area for kids below the bleachers. These seats are also angled toward the outfield, not the plate. Further, the lower few rows of the grandstand are obscured by the dugout in front of them. The team also features a rendering of the stadium on their site that makes the seating behind the plate appear clear of railings or stairs. This is not the case. A basic scoreboard can be found beyond the right-center field fence. The scoreboard offers the pitch speed, ball/strike/out counts, the uniform number of the current batter, and the lines core. This scoreboard is passable — when it works. On the night we visited, the scoreboard began to display odd numbers in multiple categories. The pitch speed indicator also stopped working about halfway through the game. Lexington is two-and-a-half hours inland from Myrtle Beach and the “Redneck Riviera,” as it is affectionately called, but Lexington County Baseball Stadium has a distinctly coastal feel. A soundtrack of Carolina beach music wafts through the air between many innings, with other ballpark standards mixed in at alternating intervals. The stadium is largely free of silly sound effects, save for the occasional breaking glass sound effect and the public-address announcer reminding all fans to return foul balls to the press box for a free frosted lemonade from Chick-fil-A. This is referred to as a Chick-fil-A “fowl ball.” Neighborhood 2 One of the bigger attractions to moving the team to Lexington County is also one of the bigger drawbacks. Lexington County Baseball Stadium is back within a somewhat remote mixed-use development away from South Carolina Interstate 20, so there are virtually zero options for grabbing a quick bite before or after a game within walking distance of the park. Some fans do tailgate before Blowfish games, so this might be the most desirable choice. Luce Cucina Italiano is roughly two miles from the park on Augusta Road (US Highway 1), and is one of the only nearby dining options. All of the Italian food favorites can be found at quite reasonable prices at Luce. Be mindful, however, that the restaurant will likely be closed at the end of most game nights, so fill up on carbs before heading to the yard. There are several additional options for your dining pleasure near the Lexington exits off I-20 (exit 55/SC Highway 6, exit 58/US 1, and exit 61/US 378). Keep in mind, however, that these exits are anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes from the ballpark, depending on traffic and stop lights. Columbia is a half-hour or so to the east, while Augusta, Georgia, is an hour west. Fans 4 Baseball is a popular sport in the Midlands, as one might expect. Between South Carolina’s recent success, the new team in Columbia, and the Blowfish, there is lots of diamond action from which to choose. One of the reasons behind the club’s move to Lexington County was the stated desire to draw consistent support from a more “small-town” group of fans. This has certainly paid early dividends, as fans are coming out in droves to check out the new digs. The club opened the park with a string of consecutive sellouts. The fans who pack Lexington County Baseball Stadium love their Blowfish but are respectful of the opposing team. Cheering is hearty, but not over the top. Several fans, unfortunately, left early on the night we visited (though the game went extra innings, it was a weekend contest), but those who stayed until the final out certainly made themselves heard. Access 2 Lexington County Baseball Stadium is not the most convenient option for ballpark travelers, in terms of proximity to interstates. The ballpark is in a mostly residential area and is either accessed by a lengthy trip down a US highway or sparsely-populated country roads. South Carolina Interstate 20 is the main road one would use to access the ballpark from the east or west, and it is easily 15 minutes from the ballpark. US Highways 1 and 378 are the other primary options. Columbia (CAE) and Augusta (AGS) are the two best airport options, about a half hour and an hour, respectively, from the park. Charlotte (CLT) is also an option but is an hour and a half from the park. Parking is located in a paved lot across the street from the stadium entrance. Though revenue streams are at a premium for summer collegiate teams, the $3 price to park is less than optimal. Ingress backs up a bit, as traffic is trying to simultaneously turn left and right into the parking lot. Egress is a bit easier, as fans can either go left toward Barr Road or right toward US 1. The stadium entry gate is just to the right of the ticket booth, and traffic moves relatively quickly. The team offers an online ticketing system that allows for easy scanning; however, there is an additional $1 (per ticket) fee for buying online. The facility offers a wide concourse, but there are drawbacks to this setup. Numerous fans congregate on the concourse, leading to a bit of a slalom course-type feel in navigating to or from your seat. Concession lines can get a bit long, as many fans want items that can only be purchased at the main stand. Restrooms are near the main gate and offer ample facilities for fans. The other major drawback comes if you are sitting in the third base stands. To get from the concessions or bathrooms to your third base grandstand seat, you will need to navigate the entire concourse, then take the stairs down to field level and walk through what will inevitably be a large group of playing kids to return to your seat. This can become a bit of a hassle as the game wears on. Return on Investment 4 Coastal Plain League baseball is about as good of a baseball investment as one will find. Lexington County is no exception – assuming, of course, that you choose the right seats, or don’t mind standing. Box seats are $9 for a single game, with a dollar discount for seniors, students (with ID), military members, and children 12 and under. Children four and under are free with paid adult admission. Grandstand seats are $8, with the same discount. The third base seats are a reasonable $6. Keep in mind, again, that there is a $1 (per ticket) charge for online ticket purchases. If one were to purchase a box seat ($9), sandwich ($4), bottled soda ($3), program ($3), and parking ($3), that results in a reasonable $22 cash outlay. There are also several tiering options to lessen the cost. The club also offers several season ticket options. Box seats are $250 for 28 games ($224 with a VIP discount), with a half-season option available for $126 ($119 as a VIP member). General admission season tickets are as low as $150 for an entire season, with a 15-game general admission ticket package for $75. Extras 5 The team operates a merchandise stand next to the concession area. This is not a store, per se, but the gear is prominently displayed and decently priced. Many of the options — especially the hats — are popular with fans. A guest relations booth can be found between the entry gates and the concession area. The team conducts silent auctions, giveaway signups, and other business at the booth, and offers most services in which fans would be interested. Blowfish game day staff are easy to spot. The ushers and club staff wear Blowfish jerseys and name tags, so if you have any questions, just look for those Blowfish jerseys and ask away. The staff is friendly and eager to help. Though the Coastal Plain League offers online streaming of all of their games, the Blowfish take things a step further. The team’s games can be heard on Z93.1 FM in the Lexington area. The club also hosts a weekly talk show on the same station. We live in a mobile world, and one’s cell phone is rarely further than a few feet away. The Blowfish have their fans covered there, as well. The team offers a mobile app for Android and iPhone users. The team publishes its roster, schedule, updates, and other news via the app. This is a nice incentive for fans to stay connected with the team. There are two final extras — one easy to notice, with the other not so easy. There is a lineup board on display just inside the main entry gate, and I saw several fans jotting down the starters with the intent of keeping score. It is always a nice touch to see fans keeping score. We also mentioned above the parks from which Lexington County Baseball Stadium draws its influences, and these are on display on the dimension signs in left, center, and right (see the photo gallery for an example). Final Thoughts A night at a Blowfish game is always a fun experience. Nice people, great baseball, and a comfortable South Carolina feel are always featured at every contest. The club aims to treat fans as welcome guests in their home and succeeds in that endeavor. Their new home is a great start but still has room to grow. If you do some homework before you go — and the team can capitalize on the available opportunities with the ballpark — this will be a great night out in the South Carolina Midlands.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Commonwealth Stadium 11000 Stadium Rd Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7 Canada Edmonton Elks website Commonwealth Stadium website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 56,302 Edmonton's Mighty Elks The Edmonton Eskimos have won the CFL’s Grey Cup 13 times, the second-highest total in league history. Nine of those wins have come while the Eskimos have called Commonwealth Stadium their home, including an unprecedented five in a row from 1978-1982, the first five years that Commonwealth Stadium was in service. As a building that was constructed in the 1970s, one might expect it to be long in the tooth, worn out, and obsolete. In fact, The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium (as it is officially known since naming rights were sold to The Brick furniture stores) has undergone some major upgrades in the last decade. As a result, the place is looking fresh and new in many respects. There may come a day when this field is ready for retirement, but that day is not today. Note: In June 2021, the team name changed from the Eskimos to the Elks. Food & Beverage 4 There are tons of concessions at Commonwealth Stadium. In addition to the typical concession stands lining the outside of the main concourse, one of the key aspects of the recent renovations was adding large concessions areas off the east and west concourse areas, creating lots of extra space and providing the fans with more options than they might otherwise have. All the standard concessions choices are available, from hamburgers ($6.50) and foot-long hot dogs ($5.50) to potato chips ($1.50) and fountain drinks ($4 for a small). You can also find some specialty variations on those themes, such as the Green and Gold Hotdog ($7.50), which has mac and cheese, bacon, and jalapeno peppers on it. Additionally, you’ll find Boston Pizza stands in the side concourses, and Tiny Tim Mini Donuts in the main concourse. Molson Canadian is readily available on tap ($7 per glass), and there are a number of specialty beverage stands where you can get something more exotic. If you’re still looking for something more, you can pop into the Quarterback Club on the east side, or Jackie Parker’s on the west side for more of a lounge atmosphere. Finally, there is a “tailgate” area at the north end of the stands at field level, for folks who want to enjoy an adult beverage right next to the action. Atmosphere 4 With a team that has won as many Grey Cups as the Eskimos have, it should come as no surprise that there are numerous nods to the glory years. The south exterior wall is decorated with the list of championships, along with huge pictures of three of the most famous Eskimos of all time: Warren Moon, Norm Kwong, and Willie Pless. The Grey Cup list can be found on the walls of the main concessions areas as well. Out front of Commonwealth Stadium is a Fan Fest set-up. There are food trucks, displays, games, live music, and a fenced-off party area for fans wanting to get pumped up before entering the facility. The names of the Eskimos Hall of Fame players are proudly displayed along the leading edge of the lower deck of stands, and there are a lot of them, again echoing the proud football tradition in Edmonton. You’ll also find pictures of Eskimo greats on banners hanging above the main concourse ring. The brand-new green-and-gold seats are nice and wide, making sitting in the stands quite comfortable. They also all have cup holders, so less fumbling around when trying to sit down or get up, also a good thing. In the grand scheme of things, the Eskimos tend to have pretty good attendance, compared to the rest of the CFL. In 2016 they drew 30,998 fans per game, second-best in the league behind the Saskatchewan Roughriders. But in a stadium that holds more than 50,000, it still seems fairly empty, which negatively impacts the energy in the stands. The lower bowl is mostly full and has great energy, but the upper bowl is sparsely populated. Neighbourhood 2 The neighborhood around Commonwealth Stadium is pretty low on interesting places to spend your money. Most of the area is older residential with some industrial stuff mixed in. You’ll find the End Zone Pub & Grill across the street to the north, and a McDonald’s and a Subway a little further east along 112 Ave. but that’s about it in the immediate vicinity. Heading west a few blocks, you’ll find yourself in Edmonton’s Little Italy. A bit of wandering up and down 95th St. should get you to you a suitable place to grab a bite. Sorrentino’s Bistro-Bar is a solid restaurant chain with tasty food, but they are closed on Sunday, so don’t plan for that place unless you’re going to a weeknight or Saturday game. Other options include Santo’s Restaurant and Lounge or the Italian Centre Shop. Generally speaking though, if you’re looking for some pre- or post-game entertainment or dining, you’ll be much better off heading elsewhere. Fans 4 Eskimos fans are used to success. A steady string of superstars and championships has made this franchise one of the crown jewels of the CFL. However, poor seasons in 2010, 2012 and 2013 dropped attendance down from over 37,000 per game in 2008 to around 32,000 in 2013, and they’ve stayed at about that number since then. Putting over 30,000 people in the stands still means the Eskies are one of the best-attended teams in the CFL, so they have a huge core group of fans who will show up rain or shine, win or lose. As noted above, the crowd seems relatively sparse in a stadium as big as Commonwealth Stadium, but credit where credit is due, the crowd noise can jump to over 90 decibels wherever you sit in the stands when something exciting happens, as the fans are very enthusiastic and engaged. Many people in the crowd are proudly wearing their green-and-gold attire, and that means that the fans in attendance are true fans who are with their team through thick or thin. Access 4 Don’t bother bringing your vehicle to Commonwealth Stadium; you won’t have anywhere to put it – parking at the stadium is extremely limited. You can try to find a neighborhood street that doesn’t require a permit to park, but those are few and far between. If you do need to drive to the area you can park at Northlands Park, a couple kilometres north east of Commonwealth Stadium, for $16 ($10 if you’re a season-ticket holder). From there it’s just a single stop south on the Light Rail Transit system to get where you’re going. Your best option, far and away, is simply sticking with public transit. The Eskimos have a long-standing agreement with the Edmonton Transit System (ETS); anyone with a game ticket gets to ride for free before and after the game. There are a number of express buses from several malls around town, but your best bet remains the LRT system – the train has a stop right outside the east side of the stadium. Do be aware that only a few train stops have Park and Ride lots (as noted above, you can use Northlands as well), so if your plan is to do just that, you’ll want to be sure to hit one of the locations where you can actually drop off your wheels. For people who are planning to buy their tickets at the stadium, ETS fares are only $3.25 for adults, so your trip there will still have a pretty reasonable price tag. Bonus props to the stadium for seeming quite spacious once inside. With the offset concessions areas, the concourse never seems particularly crowded, even at half time and at the end of the game, as the fans were filing out en masse; definitely a plus, especially if big crowds make you a little antsy. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices range from $35 to $117, with many seats significantly discounted for youths. You can also grab seats in the south-most sections, known as the Save-On-Foods Family Huddle, for $28.50 (these tickets are available at Edmonton Save-On-Foods stores). This is by no means the cheapest place to see a CFL game, but still quite reasonable to watch a professional sports team. Odds are that you will see an entertaining game in a comfortable, energetic place, so Commonwealth Stadium is a good investment. Extras 5 The Eskimos have their primary team store located adjacent to their offices at the south end of the stadium, but there are also two very well-appointed locations inside the concessions areas off the east and west concourses. There are also a number of other, smaller kiosks around the concourse (and outside as well), so there’s lots of access to all the green-and-gold stuff you could ever want. There is a massive video screen located on the north end of the stadium providing game info and replays. This is a recent upgrade from an almost-equally massive screen that had been there. Unfortunately, the screen is almost impossible to see from the north-most upper deck sections, so if you want a view of the screen, stay away from sections EE, FF, NN, and OO (to be fair, these sections are generally not open for regular season games, so it shouldn’t be a problem most of the time). As noted above, there is a great sense of team history around the stadium, with numerous reminders of great teams and great players from the Eskimos past – this is a definite bonus to see as you look around the facility. During breaks in the action, the Eskimos Cheer Team and mascots Punter and Nanook keep people entertained. The Cheer Team dance, cheer, and perform acrobatics between plays, and also have a couple full-blown routines per game out on the field during longer stoppages. Punter and Nanook make their way around the field and visit in the stands, entertaining the kids and helping out with giveaways and contests during the game. Another feature for families is Brickley’s Knothole Corner. With the purchase of special seat tickets in Knothole Corner area in the south west corner of the stadium, families have access to a variety of kid-friendly activities. There are recycling bins in a number of locations around Commonwealth Stadium, so fans can make sure their waste is diverted away from landfills whenever possible. Final Thoughts The Edmonton Eskimos are unquestionably one of the class organizations of the CFL, and a class organization deserves a quality home. The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium delivers as a great place to take in a football game.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Philadelphia and cheesesteaks go hand in hand. This iconic sandwich is practically synonymous with the city, much like pizza is to New York. The cheesesteak's origins can often be traced back to the 1930s, with the Olivieri brothers often credited for its creation. Their hot dog stand in South Philly saw the birth of this delicious invention: a sandwich with thinly sliced ribeye steak fried with onions on a long Italian roll. The key ingredient, however, arrived a decade later. In the 1940s, a manager at the Olivieri brothers' restaurant is said to have added melted provolone cheese to the mix, solidifying the cheesesteak's place in Philly's culinary history. For tourists, the Oliveri's stand, Pat's, and their neighbors, Geno's, unfairly steal the cheesesteak spotlight. Their prime location across from each other and their long-standing rivalry make them a popular destination. The truth is, many Philadelphians swear by other cheesesteak joints scattered throughout the city. These shops often boast more unique variations on the classic cheesesteak, with different cheeses, toppings, and roll options. So, if you're looking for a more authentic Philly cheesesteak experience, it's worth venturing beyond Pat's and Geno's. Ask locals for their recommendations or seek out shops with a strong reputation in different neighborhoods. You might just discover your own favorite cheesesteak hidden gem. This writer prefers Philip's Steaks on Passyunk or Tony and Nick's Steaks on Oregon. Tony and Nick's Steaks is a nice quick trip off of I-95, so quick that it is located almost directly under that major highway. It is also the Original Tony Luke's cheesesteak shop but with some family drama, compounded by an IRS fraud case, caused a name change. You will still find other locations branded as Tony Luke's around the area and at the ballpark. Tony and Nick's is also a good stop if on the way to an event at the nearby 2300 Arena , the former ECW Arena. With all this food glory, can you find a good sandwich at Citizen Bank Park ? We decided to explore this situation at a game we attended recently. We found three strong cheesesteak options, along with a few more different types of offerings. Since we talked about Tony Luke's earlier we decided to stop at their stand along the concourse. They offer a very good version of the iconic item for $15.99, which is not much higher than other locations in the area. This stand also offers a fine Roast Pork sandwich, another local favorite. Located not far away is another legitimate option in Campo's. This is a popular family-run eatery serving up cheesesteaks, hoagies & specialty sandwiches since 1947 in the area. The ballpark location also sells its famous beef or chicken option known as "The Heater". This option is known as the official cheesesteak of the Phillies, as well as the 76ers, and Flyers, and takes it up a notch with jalapeños, buffalo wing hot sauce, and jalapeño cheddar. Uncle Charlie's Steaks, in a small stand behind Section 109, named after 2008 world champion Charlie Manuel, has a good option served with Herr's potato chips for $17.99. Those are the three main options but you can get a Cauliflower Cheese Steak, with Roasted Cauliflower, Poblano Peppers, Vegan Cheese Sauce, and Sauteed Onions on a Vegan Roll, at Harry the K's restaurant. This is a good healthy option. An option for those with gluten issues is the Gluten-Free Dedicated Stand behind section 122. There is a gluten-free cheesesteak, along with other options such as hot dogs, salads, and brownies. The answer to our question, can you get a good Philly Cheesesteak at Citizen Bank Park, we say the answer is very much a yes. This doesn't mean you couldn't ( and likely should) get another sandwich before or after the game as well. You only live once.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth Walton Road Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 Villanova Wildcats website Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 750 Nova Nation Baseball in Plymouth Meeting Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth is the home of the Villanova University Wildcats baseball team. For years, the Wildcats played on-campus, but this ballpark opened about ten minutes off-campus in 2003 in a park run by Plymouth Township. The Wildcats baseball team dates back to 1866, although they have made the Division I Tournament only twice, most recently in 1991. Food & Beverage 1 There is a small concession stand run out of a portable cart behind the press box, but options are quite limited. Candy and cookies are $4, chips, soda, and bottled water are all $3, and Powerade is by far the most expensive option at $8. Fans are also free to bring their own food and drink, and most choose to do that option, or simply eat before the game. There are also a couple of vending machines selling drinks down the right field line near a small pavilion and the port-a-potties. If the cart is not there for whatever reason, fans can use those. Atmosphere 2 Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth Meeting has a very basic layout. There are two small sets of bleachers, one down each line, as well as a grassy area down the first base line where fans will bring their own chairs or stand and watch the game from there. There is no seating behind home plate as that is where the press box is. One interesting quirk is that due to the topography of the area, the front row of the bleachers is about eight feet above the the fact that it is roughly level with the parking lot and entrance. This leads to some unique viewing angles, although you will still be close to the action regardless. A small scoreboard in the outfield shows the linescore and other basic information. The good news is the stadium is covered in Villanova banners and other signage for the Wildcats. Unlike many off-campus stadiums, this truly feels like the Wildcats' home. Other than the game, there is not a lot going on. There is music played during breaks in the action but that is about it. Neighborhood 4 The ballpark is located less than a mile from the Plymouth Meeting Mall, which has almost a million square feet of shopping, restaurants, and other places to hang out. Redstone American Grill and Miller's Ale House are two places worth checking out there, but there are many others as well. The Villanova campus is about a ten minute drive away, and downtown Philadelphia is about half an hour, but there are plenty of options here in Plymouth Meeting, and many hotels as well. Most of them are even within walking distance of the park. Fans 2 Villanova draws a couple hundred fans a game, which may not seem like much until you consider that the stadium only seats 750. The bleachers can get pretty full during weekend games, and the fans who show up are a mix of friends and family of the players and other Villanova fans from the surrounding area. If they are playing a Big East foe like Seton Hall or Georgetown which is pretty close by, expect to see a lot of visiting fans as well. Ultimately, this is your standard northeastern baseball crowd. Despite the stands being fairly full, the crowd is not that loud, which is disappointing but not too unexpected. Access 2 Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth Meeting is just off of I-278 via Exit 333. However, you may have to sit in mall traffic to get from the exit to the stadium, or going back out after the game. Make sure you turn in the right place, as there is no sign, and if you turn where there is a sign, you will be at the community center around the corner, not in the right place. There is a paved lot fans can park in, and if that fills up (and it will) fans can park in a grass overflow lot adjacent to it. There are no permanent restrooms at the ballpark, but there are a couple of port-a-potties down the right field line by the small pavilion and vending machines. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Villanova baseball games is free to sit up close to the action, parking is free, and concessions are affordable if limited other than the absurdly overpriced Powerade. This makes a trip to a Villanova baseball game a great value. Extras 2 Check out the numbers on the outfield fence honoring Villanova greats of years past. Although these are officially "retired jerseys" and the numbers are reissued, it is nice to see them honor history. There are free dog treats available in a bin behind the press box for fans who bring their furry friends to the game. Final Thoughts Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth Meeting is a basic college baseball stadium and is certainly nothing fancy. However, baseball fans in the Philadelphia area will find it an affordable and enjoyable way to take in some baseball on an afternoon in the spring.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Innovative Field One Morrie Silver Way Rochester, NY 14608 Rochester Red Wings website Innovative Field website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 13,500 The Rochester Miracle Wings Rochester, New York is the quintessential minor league city. There are few places around the country that offer a full-complement of minor league sports like Rochester does, with little competition from the big leagues or big-time colleges. At the center of Rochester’s sports identity is the Rochester Red Wings of Minor League Baseball’s International League. The Red Wings are currently the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals and have been around since 1899. The Red Wings were saved in 1957 after their affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals ended and it looked like baseball in Rochester was for naught. Morrie Silver led the 72 Day Miracle, which sold over 8,000 shares to over 200 shareholders to purchase the team and stadium and keep Rochester baseball strong. Members of the Silver family still work for the Red Wings and the street outside Frontier Field is named Morrie Silver Way. Since 1989 the home for the Red Wings has been Frontier Field. Replacing venerable Silver Stadium, Frontier Field has also been home to soccer and lacrosse. The Red Wings experience offers plenty to the baseball fan and is a must-do for baseball fans. Note: Frontier Field’s name is changing to Innovative Field during the 2022 off-season. Food & Beverage 5 Frontier Field offers some of the best concessions in baseball. There are numerous concession stands and each one has a unique menu. All of the ballpark favourites are present, of course, and there are some local favourites as well. Altobelli’s Deli offers some sub and wrap deli options; Red Osier has the Western New York staple Beef on Weck, and variations of the sandwich; Ice Cream Plus has a host of different ice cream options; Sup Dog offers Zweigle’s hot dogs and sausages. Burgers, pizza and nachos are also available at different stands. For something truly unique to Rochester, fans should head to Home Plate for a Trash Can, the Frontier Field take on the Garbage Plate. The 10th Inning bar area has a whole host of local craft beers and local Genesee beer can be found throughout the park also. Labatt Blue, which is popular in Western New York, is also prevalent in the park. It is hard to fathom that there is anything that a fan would want to eat at the ballpark that can’t be found at Frontier Field. Atmosphere 4 Frontier Field will not awe fans with striking beauty or a bevy of unique features. That being said, Frontier Field is a solid ballpark that has everything that fans would want in a Minor League Baseball experience. The exterior of the stadium is not imposing. A simple design that features a sunken field and to go with the red brick is more functional than beautiful. Frontier Field incorporates what was once an old firehouse on the left field side of the stadium for offices. Fans who enter the front gate, behind home plate, will be welcomed first by Rochester baseball legend, Morrie Silver and a couple kids, in bronze statue form. There are also some original seats from old Silver Stadium that can be used as a meeting place for friends and family. Upon entering the stadium, fans will find more items to catch their attention. A statue of a horse made of baseball gloves, a large red wing bird and a classic bullpen cart all sit right outside of the team store, which is on the left of the main gate. The main concourse has banners for honoured members of the Red Wings including Johnny Oates, Cal Ripken Jr., Luke Easter, Morrie Silver and Mr. Rochester Baseball, Joe Altobelli. The Red Wings Hall of Fame can be found on the right field side and is worth some exploring for members of memories past. Also, a high school baseball hall of fame can be found. Upon exiting, on the left field side, fans can pass the bronze statue of Joe Altobelli. The seating bowl for Frontier Field is a separated, two tier seating area with some of the left and right field side seating covered with some sun protection. Alternative seating including berms, pavilion and picnic areas are also available. The sightlines at Frontier Field are excellent; there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Frontier Field has videoboard beyond both left Center and right Center field. They are probably coming to the end of their lives, but do the job. Often, videoboards try to cram so much information on at a time that the result is text that is too small to easily see. The Red Wings are not guilty of this and feature pitching statistics on one board and hitting statistics on the other. The outfield wall in left Center displays the retired numbers of Jackie Robinson, Luke Easter, Joe Altobelli and Morrie Silver. The number 8,222 represents the original number of shares in Rochester baseball that were sold to keep a Minor League team in the city. The ten Governors’ Cup Championships are on display on the wall in right center. The gameday atmosphere is not over-the-top in Rochester as it is in other Minor League venues. The staple promos are there including the mascot race (featuring Joe Altobelli, Luke Easter and Cal Ripken Jr.), 50/50 draw and other promos. Organ music is still a staple at Red Wings games and organist Fred Costello has been at it for a long time. Neighbourhood 4 Frontier Field is located near Downtown Rochester, just outside of the Inner Loop in the Brown Square neighbourhood. There are a few options that are close to Frontier Field, but the best bet is to hop in the car and take a two or three minute drive to the preferred destination. Some options fans may consider include the Genesee Brew House, 809 Sports Bar and Rocky’s. Over by the Blue Cross Arena, fans will find the old train station that is currently home to the Stadium Journey favourite Dinosaur BBQ. Also, it may be of interest to hit up the founder of the Garbage Plate, Nick Tahou Hots. Other sporting options in Rochester would include the Rochester Americans of the AHL and Rochester Knighthawks of the NLL. Fans could also head to Henrietta to take in some RIT Tigers hockey at the Gene Polisseni Center. The other main attraction that fans must absolutely consider taking in is The Strong National Museum of Play which is fantastic! For fans wishing to stay near the ballpark, the Holiday Inn and Hyatt are among options that are not too far away. Fans 4 The Rochester Red Wings maintain a strong attendance and have the longevity to be envious of. The Red Wings consistently average in the top 20 in all of Minor League Baseball. They usually attract over 6,000 fans per game. Normally the fans are fairly laid back and reserved, but know when to make some noise as the intelligent baseball fans that they are. Access 5 Frontier Field is located in Brown Square in Rochester, at the junction of the Inner Loop highway and I-490. Getting to the ballpark is pretty easy. If you are interested in public transit to the ballpark, the Rochester-Genesee Transit Authority has buses that travel on Broad, Main, Plymouth and State Streets. Check out the RTS website for maps, schedules and fares. There is plenty of parking available for Red Wing games in the lots of the Kodak Tower. Parking goes for only a few dollars and the local police do a great job of making it easy to get in and out of the parking lots. The main ticketing gates are behind homeplate, in the main square by Morrie Silver Way. At times lineups can be a bit of an issue for the late purchasing crowd, so being prepared is always a good idea. Another gate for entry is near the old fire station at Morrie Silver Way and Plymouth Ave, in left field. Getting around the stadium is no problem at all. There is a spacious inner concourse, where all of the concessions can be found and an outer concourse to travel by as well. There are also plenty of washroom facilities. Return on Investment 5 With ticket prices at $13 to $17, discounted for presale, the Rochester Red Wings offer an extremely affordable product that is what every baseball fan is looking for. Parking will go for $6 ot $10 and concession prices are not over the top. The environment and laid back feeling at Red Wings games is excellent. Overall, the return on investment for a Red Wings game is fantastic! Extras 3 An extra mark for organist Fred Costello, who in 2022 set a record for his 46th season as organist of the Red Wings, the longest-reigning sports organist in history. An extra mark for Morrie Silver and the 72 Day Miracle that saved baseball in Rochester and made the Red Wings a truly community team. An extra mark for the view of the iconic Kodak building beyond left field. Although Kodak is no longer, the building is currently used by Monroe Community College. Final Thoughts The Rochester Red Wings are a cornerstone franchise in the International League. They have weathered the ups and downs of Minor League Baseball and come out the other end still strong. Fans looking for a solid baseball experience that will offer tremendous value should absolutely check out the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field. Morrie will be glad you came! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Loeb Stadium 1915 Scott St. Lafayette, IN 47904 Lafayette Aviators website Loeb Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 2,600 Welcome to the New Loeb Stadium From 1940 to 2019, the original Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Indiana, was the home for baseball. It served as home to the Lafayette-Jefferson High School baseball program, the Colt World Series, various minor league baseball teams, and since 2016 the Lafayette Aviators of the Prospect League. That changed when the ground broke on August 27, 2019, on a new ballpark that would open for the 2021 high school baseball season. The $22 million renovation plan would include a press box, multiple concession stands, and bathrooms, stadium seats, a terrace level with hospitality suites, and new turf. The grandstand was rotated 180 degrees from its original position, and its main entrance is now at the corner of Main and Waters Street. The new ballpark also houses a video scoreboard, a beer garden, and a wraparound concourse. Construction took 19 months, which included a three-week shutdown for the pandemic, in April 2020. On March 31, 2020, the first event took place when the Lafayette-Jefferson Brochos debuted at the ballpark. The construction was paid using an economic development income tax, rather than property tax. Its development hopes to serve as a gateway to visitors to the downtown corridor about three miles north of the stadium. The high school team will be the primary tenant during the springtime and house tournaments, summer collegiate ball, and hopefully a soccer club. Food & Beverage 3 Two main concession stands offer the same variety of ballpark staples and include hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, chicken finger baskets, fries, and beverages. There are a few kiosks around the concourse that feature flavored ice. People’s Brewery Company sponsors the beer garden in the right-field corner. The prices range from $4 for a hot dog to $7 for a grilled chicken sandwich. The beer prices appear to be a better value, with four varieties of People’s costing $6 for a draft and three more varieties in a 12-ounce can for the same price. Bud, Miller, Coors, and Yuengling cans and drafts are $5 at the two concession stands. Atmosphere 4 A packed house welcomed the Aviators to their new digs, with the local Lafayette-Jefferson High School band playing outside the stadium as part of the pre-game festivities. Once through the gates, staff members welcome you with a souvenir plastic cup, and plenty of local business people with tables hawking their services. Before the game, the crowd watched the mayor throwing out the first pitch, three skydivers landing onto the field amid reddish smoke, and the team mascot Ace arriving by a makeshift landplane. The audience was ready for summer collegiate baseball in its fancy, modern baseball facility. The design of the stadium, similar to other ballparks, bears a striking resemblance to the nearby Kokomo Municipal Stadium . However, with only a 2,600 capacity, compared to Kokomo’s 4,000, the New Loeb feels just about ideal for summer collegiate baseball. American Structurepoint was the architect behind both buildings, and there were a few notes of inspiration taken for their latest project in Lafayette. According to its website, The design takes its inspiration from the stadium’s original 1940s-era Art Deco architecture by using architectural precast concrete colonnades, traditional brick facades, and exposed structural steel. The colors of sandstone, dark brown, and brick provide an eye-popping aesthetic and break away from the ballpark colors of brick red and forest green. Fans can also enjoy a walk around the entire concourse which includes a well-balanced lawn seating area behind the left-field wall and a beautiful view of the Tropicanoe Cove water slide. However, as you make your way to the right-field side, the playing field is cut off by a narrow walkway and tall screen protection from fly balls crashing into the nearby Columbia Park offices and parking lot. The Aviators official team store is located near the entrance, offering an array of merchandise from replica jerseys, team caps, mini baseball bats, and both men's and women's t-shirts. Many at the ballpark snatched up quite a bit that include ball caps starting at $20. Neighborhood 3 Loeb Stadium is adjacent to the Tropicanoe Cove Waterpark and Columbian Park Zoo. It is also about three and a half miles away from the campus of Purdue University. The zoo features close to 200 animals, and the cost is free, but donations are encouraged. The rest of the park offers walking and biking trails, playgrounds for the children, shelters, and picnic areas. Within the visibility of the outfield walls are two popular spots before or after the game: Arni’s Pizza and Original Frozen Custard. The custard stand has been a tradition since 1932, featuring custard, milkshakes, hot dogs, tenderloin sandwiches, phosphates, and Coca-Cola drinks flavored with marshmallows and Tiger Blood (coconut and cherry) syrups. It’s the perfect place for a pre-game meal and a post-game dessert. If you would like to venture around the town of Lafayette, a few suggestions would be South Street Smokehouse, Black Sparrow, and East End Grille. Triple XXX Family Restaurant is a popular destination among locals and tourists and has been on Food Network. Their homemade root beer is worth a glass or two when in town for the game. Fans 4 A packed house was on hand for the Aviators home opener, others were there for a night out with friends and family, but others for a baseball game. The club has been around since 2016 and cemented itself within the community. Now, with a bright new building, they should feel great about having possibly the best ballpark in the Prospect League. Access 4 Getting around the stadium is simple, and there is more than enough room to maneuver to various areas in the building. If you still want to stay clear of a large audience, most, if not all, were without masks, grab a spot in the lawn section. There are also a couple of methods off I-65 to the ballpark, about 5 miles from each exit. A free parking lot is a couple of blocks south of the ballpark, and there is plenty of street parking in the surrounding neighborhood that consists of residential housing. The traffic runs smoothly, but arrive early for a close spot and do not park in the frozen custard parking lot where they charge $50 per car (it’s a joke, yet effective). Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket is $8 for General Admission and $10 for reserved seating. The parking is free, the beer is between $5 and $6, and merchandise runs reasonably inexpensively. The only complaint might be the price of a hot dog at $4. When you add this all up, it’s quite a budget-friendly night of baseball. Extras 3 The New Loeb Stadium earns a point for its view of the water slide behind the left-field lawn seating, adding a sweet aesthetic to the game. The second point is for the custard stand, roughly the same distance from a throw from second to first base, which is a must either before or after the game. The last point is for the ballpark’s colors and comfort that is not too big and not too familiar to other buildings of its kind. Final Thoughts The New Loeb Stadium is everything the previous building wasn’t–modern, comfortable, and stylish. The ballpark should open up a great new tradition during the baseball season in Lafayette and provide a catalyst to host other events throughout the year. It’s an exciting place for a game that is cozy and friendly. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Gateway Center Arena at College Park 2330 Convention Center Concourse College Park, GA 30337 Atlanta Dream website Gateway Center Arena at College Park website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 3,500 A Dream Matchup In 2021 the Atlanta Dream moved into the brand-new Gateway Center Atlanta Arena in College Park, GA. The Arena is a mere ¼ mile from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Atlanta’s Southside. This location has earned the arena the nickname of “The Runway.” It is a part of the Gateway Center’s expansion, which includes a convention center, two hotels, and direct access to the airport via the Air Train people mover system. The Gateway Center Arena seats 3,500 fans, which fits into the WNBA trend of moving the “right size” of its franchises into smaller capacity venues. The Dream formerly played at the 10,000-seat McCamish Pavilion at Georgia Tech and the 18,000-seat State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. They were simply too big for the Dream’s needs, plus the Dream had to line up behind the primary tenants (i.e., the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Atlanta Hawks) to establish their home schedule, which often left them with no weekend games and other unpopular dates. Now the team is the primary tenant in the new facility. The Atlanta Skyhawks, the G-League affiliate of the Hawks, also play at the Gateway Center Arena, but their two seasons do not overlap. The Dream now play in a much more intimate setting than their former homes. All seats in the new arena are located below the concourse level, with no seats further than 18 rows from the court. The new layout also allows for much more lucrative courtside seats than they had in past homes. Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage programs have also been right-sized with the move to the Gateway Center Arena. There is now one primary concession stand on each side of the court, plus several product-specific culinary carts along the concourses on each side of the action. The program also benefits from the fact that stands are managed by vendors located on the Southside of Atlanta so that attendees are purchasing their food and beverages from companies they are familiar with. The Hangar stand sells hamburgers, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, grilled chicken club sandwiches, smoked chicken hoagies, nachos, pizza slices, pretzels, candy, and popcorn. Post Oak BBQ features pulled pork sandwiches, smoked brisket, and hushpuppies. The sides include waffle fries, chips, and cookies. Coca-Cola beverages are sold at both stands, along with bottled water, coffee, and energy drinks. There is a full-service bar set up in the lobby. Atmosphere 4 The Dream has used the move to rebrand and refresh its look. This includes new court graphics and a new color scheme for their uniforms. The move to the Southside has also allowed it to be more focused in its marketing efforts. Its previous bases in the Midtown and downtown Atlanta had them in direct competition with Georgia Tech, the Atlanta Hawks, and other major events going on in the area. New branding for Atlanta Dream, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey They now market heavily in the Southside area of Atlanta. This has been a very underserved section of town for sports teams. The Dream marketing team has done a terrific job in the recruitment of civic organizations, church groups, and youth leagues for both season ticket sales and individual games, where a specific community group can be that night’s honoree. This has been very successful in getting the Southside to adopt the Dream as their “home team”. In return, the Dream has members of the team attend community events and appear at schools in the area to further cement the team’s outreach to the area. Thus far these efforts have been wildly successful, with near-capacity crowds at the games. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhoods in and around the Gateway Center Arena have been adopted by the team, and work closely with area clubs and organizations on projects that are important to improving the quality of life in the area. The “neighborhood” can also be expanded to include the many passengers and attendees that are staying at one of the two hotels on the property, as well as groups and individuals attending conferences at the convention center. The marketing team often does group sales as a “night out with the Dream” to conventions taking place at the center. While most of the attractions in town are in the Downtown Atlanta area, the Southside also is home to some major attractions. These include the hometown Delta Airlines Flight Museum, the museum at the Chick-fil-A corporate headquarters, and Tyler Perry’s film studios, which is less than two miles from the arena. Some of the stars from these films are known to attend Dream games. Both College Park and East Point feature some terrific dining options. Fans 4 The Dream’s decision to really focus on the Southside has really worked, as attendance is way up when compared with the team’s previous homes. The community surrounding the arena now claims the team as “their own.” In addition, the team has been very involved in outreach to Atlanta’s large LGBTQ community. This population has never been heavily recruited by the other major sports teams in the area, and they have responded very well to the team’s recruiting of their community. Each Dream game is filled with recognition of the groups in attendance that night on the scoreboard. They also fill breaks in the action with fan participation games. This really ties the team and the fans together. The fans are the team’s “sixth player” in close games, making so much noise that it makes it difficult for the visiting team to communicate. Access 4 The team’s new home is a dream to get to, as it offers multiple transportation options. If you are flying into Atlanta, you can simply take the free Plane Train to the Gateway Convention Center station and walk a short distance to the arena. You can also take the MARTA rail system to the airport from anywhere in Atlanta to the airport station and transfer for free to the Plane Train. The Gateway Center Arena is also easy to get to via Atlanta’s ring road (I-285) Take I-285 South and take Exit #2 (Camp Creek Parkway). Turn left on Camp Creek Parkway, then take a right at the red light for Convention Center Concourse. Once at the arena access is excellent. There is one main entrance into the arena, with multiple lanes available. Doors open one hour before tipoff. The signage is very clear in guiding you to your seats. All seats are below the very wide concourses. Return on Investment 3 The Dream offers a wide variety of price points for tickets. The cheapest seats are located behind the nets at the north end of the court, and they go for $23. The seats on the corners are $35, and the seats on the sides of the court cost $44. The most expensive seats in the house are courtside seats just a few feet from the action. They cost $105 or more. Parking at Dream games is $10. You can also take the MARTA bus or rail system for $5 roundtrip to the arena. The concession prices at Gateway Center Arena are much lower than other sports venues in the Atlanta area. Extras 2 The Dream work very closely with community organizations to offer free or discounted tickets to populations who are less fortunate. The Dream works very closely with the civil rights organizations in the area on furthering Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream of a more equitable society during the MLK holiday observances in his hometown. Final Thoughts The Atlanta Dream finally has a home of its own for the first time in its 15 years of existence. It is working closely with its neighbors to make professional sports more accessible to communities on the Southside of Atlanta.

Photos by Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 C.O. Brown Stadium 1392 Capital Ave. NE Battle Creek, MI 49017 Battle Creek Battle Jacks website C.O. Brown Stadium website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 2,300 Bombs Away in Battle Creek Note: Since Stadium Journey's visit in 2019, the organization changed the name of the team from the Battle Creek Bombers to the Battle Creek Battle Jacks. John W. Bailey Park, located on the north side of Battle Creek, Michigan, has a rather unique history. Local sources claim the park has been a home for baseball since 1895. It was home to the Stan Musial World Series for nearly 60 years and has been the host for other youth baseball organizations’ tournaments. The Battle Creek Belles played here in the early 1950’s as a member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The park hosted Michigan high school semi-final and final rounds of both baseball and softball championships for many years. In 1990, Cooper Orthniel “C. O.” Brown Stadium was constructed with an “old-school” feel to it with mostly bleacher-style seats. That year, they hosted the American Amateur Baseball Congress national championship. However, it was essentially dormant until 1995 when the Midwest League Michigan Battlecats moved in and called the stadium home for 8 years, followed by other Midwest League teams that included the Battle Creek Yankees (2003-2004)and the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (2005-2006). In 2007, the Battle Creek Bombers team was created as a member of the summer college wood bat Northwoods League. In 2016, a renovation reduced seating capacity from 4,000 to 2,300, added the now “Home Plate Club” featuring half-moon tables with four seats from Camden Yards and a special menu, along with the “Champions Club” which runs along the first and third base lines and offers food/beverage railing. Tarpaulins covered bleacher seats on the first base (sun field) side, A “Party Deck” in the left field corner offers service to groups. After accepting the Democratic party nomination, Barack Obama and Joe Biden held a rally at the stadium, reportedly drawing 15,000 people. Food & Beverage 3 Overall, the food and beverages offered here provide limited options. Fans must leave their seats and go down a ramp to the stand. No vendors to the seats. On a Monday night, one concession stand on the third base side was open for general fans and another near the entrance served the Championship Club fans. Standard fare such as $3.50 hot dogs, $4 brats, $4.25 burgers and $4.75 pulled chicken sandwiches along with chips, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream and Pepsi products for $3.50 to $5. Local brewer Territorial Brewing Company offers a few great beers, along with Blake’s Hard Cider, for $5 and $9. Unless a fan goes for the $28 Champions Club option with all-you-can-eat food plus 3 vouchers for beer or wine, I’d recommend a restaurant in town. Atmosphere 2 The stadium was designed with an idea that it would be “old school” with many bleacher seats and an aluminum roof. Some fans will likely enjoy this as a return to the good old days, while others will miss modern aesthetics. After entering the stadium, fans walk up a ramp to the seats which are all raised above the field. A few seats close to the field are fixed/molded plastic with metal arm supports; they are not very comfortable. No cup-holders are provided. Sight lines are very good except for the seats behind metal roof support pillars. Standing water under seats and along the narrow concourse should have been removed before the game started. We recommend seats behind home plate and third base; the first few rows of seats behind first have to deal with the setting sun. The large scoreboard in left-center field provides only a basic line score; no video screens are offered. They have a good sound system. Standard on-field entertainment is provided between innings. A fun note: a little girl was supposed to run around the bases starting at home plate; instead, she ran to first and second, then turned back to first and home. The playing field needs some work – the gray infield soil and poorly-edged grass lack appeal. Neighborhood 3 C.O. Brown Stadium is set in the middle of a large park, surrounded by several baseball and softball fields, two miles north of downtown and seven miles north of I-94. There are a few fast food restaurants within walking distance. Well rated restaurants include Kitchen Proper and Umami Ramen downtown and Hogzilla Barbecue south of town serves up some great que. Territorial Brewing Company is west of town, serving excellent craft beer and food. Attractions include Binder Park Zoo south of I-94, the Kellogg Discovery Center near downtown, and the Leila Arboretum which includes the Fantasy Forest featuring fascinating wood carvings. The best bet for quality lodging is to choose a hotel south of Battle Creek along I-94, such as the Fairfield Inn and Hampton Inn. Fans 2 The Bombers’ average attendance is currently 795, just ahead of Thunder Bay with 792 at the bottom of the league. Typical of some college summer league teams, a few fans passionately support their team, but most are in groups or family/friends of the players. Access 3 Plan on driving 10 to 15 minutes from I-94 to the stadium via I-194 and Capitol Avenue. Plenty of free parking is available in adjacent grass/dirt lots. There is one ticket booth with the entrance to the right. Physically challenged fans can use ramps to go up to the seats from the entrance. The concourse is relatively narrow but works for typical crowds. Older, functional bathrooms are at ground level. Return on Investment 3 Box seats are $12 and bleach seats go for $8. A free program containing the team roster and schedule is handed out to arriving fans. Free parking is always appreciated. The food and beer prices are very reasonable. A small space houses team shirts, hats and paraphernalia. Extras 1 One point for the fascinating history of the park and stadium.

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.

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.