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The SRO GT World Challenge America series has been a staple for sportscar racing fans for decades. 2024 saw another banner year for the series, with thrilling on track action across seven of the top circuits in America. For the first time, Stadium Journey is presenting our ranking of the GT World Challenge America circuits. Tracks are ranked according to Stadium Journey's patented FANFARE rating scale, which takes into account a venue's food and beverage options, race day atmosphere, surrounding neighborhood, fan support, access (both inside and outside the track), return on investment, and an extra category for anything that doesn't fall in the other categories. When two or more tracks receive the same score, a Stadium Journey Council of Elders is consulted to break the ties. To view the complete review for each track, just click on the link below the photos of each event. Let the green flag fall on our 2024 rankings… 1.  Road America 4.57 Chris Green - Road America is often regarded as one of the greatest race tracks in the world, let alone the US. The “supercars” on track offer stellar racing over four days, including unrivaled fan access and unique fan event opportunities. Racing in a beautiful setting that proves to be both fan-friendly and easy to navigate, this summer event is a must-see on the SRO slate. 2.  Barber Motorsports Park 4.29 Chris Green - The “Augusta of Motorsports” has hosted numerous race series over the years. While having hosted sportscar racing in the past, as well as numerous lower division amateur series, Barber Motorsports Park welcomed back the SRO America group with open arms in 2024. 3.  Circuit of the Americas 4.00 Chris Green - As if to blast the stereotype of everything being bigger in Texas into flat-out appropriateness, Circuit of the Americas (often denoted as COTA for short) in Austin provides no better example of this. The annual SRO GT World Challenge weekend is also becoming a fan favorite, drawing racing fans with five classes on track throughout the weekend, showcasing the best racing action with some of the biggest stars in sportscar racing. 4.  Indianapolis Motor Speedway 3.86 Chris Green - Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the literal definition of a motorsports mecca in the United States. Every inch of the track oozes with history. As with other SRO America events, while the track may not sell out every seat, attendance has increased each year with impressive consistency, thanks no doubt to the organization’s hard efforts in the marketing department. 5.  Sebring International Raceway 3.57 Chris Green - The annual SRO America weekend, featuring no less than five race series on track, showcases sportscar racing’s best machines on this historic circuit. Running the former WWII B-17 airfield course, this race is a great place for families and car enthusiasts, complete with car shows and thrilling race action. 6.  Sonoma Raceway 3.29 Chris Green - The action on the track is top-notch as SRO World Challenge hosts no less than 10 races during the weekend across 5 different race groups. Fans can catch everything from the top-level GT3 race teams to the Touring Car and Toyota GR Cup machines of the up-and-coming racers. Four days of practice, qualifying, and racing make this one of the most jam-packed events of the year for the track and the fans, which means you won’t go long without seeing some great race action. 7.  Virginia International Raceway 3.14 Chris Green - The winding roads through the hills of rural southern Virginia are challenging for many, while also providing a beautiful, verdant backdrop for some of racing’s best to test each other’s mettle. Visiting the track has become a must-do for some of racing’s biggest fans over the years, and a visit to the facility helps you understand why rather quickly.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 TVA Credit Union Ballpark 111 Legion St Johnson City, TN 37601 Johnson City Doughboys website TVA Credit Union Ballpark website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 3,800 A Class Act in Johnson City They have played baseball at TVA Credit Union Ballpark since 1950, but that has not stopped ownership from creating a modern atmosphere for its guests. For many years, the Appalachian League's standard facility has been an old-school ballpark that offers a lot of charm but also delivers a lively environment for folks looking for a social outing. Today, the home to the Johnson City Doughboys, who rebranded following MLB’s radical decision to transform its minor league, is a charming place for a game. The Johnson City Cardinals had represented the city since 1939, with a few years off here and there. However, they played continuously from 1975 through 2020. The Doughboy’s name is from the “The Spirit of the American Doughboy,” designed by Ernest Moore Viquesney in 1935. The statue is located behind the outfield walls. The ballpark had gone by other names, including Phillies Field, Cardinal Park, and Howard Johnson Field (named after the former city director of parks and recreation), before becoming TVA Credit Union Ballpark in 2017. At this same time, improvements were made that included The Perch, a double-decker outdoor bar, new lighting and poles, and infield turf. Bleachers were removed down each foul line, and a new entrance was built to update the ballpark’s aesthetics. Food & Beverage 4 There is more than enough food and drink to satisfy customers at every game, including special nights on Mondays and Thursdays when specific items are discounted to as low as $1. The amount of craft and domestic beer is impressive, with multiple areas offering draft varieties. Fans can enjoy ballpark favorites, including brats, hot dogs, nachos, burgers, and Polish sausages. A person can also grab a slice of pizza, a chicken sandwich, a barbecue pork sandwich, and barbecue nachos. The food truck is also available, offering chicken baskets with french fries. The beer variety includes national domestic brands from Budweiser and MillerCoors, but also local Yee-Haw Brewing Company and Wicket Weeds Brewing in nearby Asheville, North Carolina. Johnson City Brewing Company developed a Doughboy Golden Ale for baseball games. Atmosphere 4 The ballparks in the Appy League can be a mixed bag, but Johnson City has one of the better facilities for baseball. The old-school-covered grandstand still gets a lot of attention, and so do some of the newer renovations that include “The Perch” down the left-field foul line. It includes some other party areas that have been attracting more and more people over the past 4-5 seasons. The Perch is a two-tier outdoor bar area that is the place to be on Thursday nights for Thirsty Thursdays; beers are either $1, $2, or $3 depending on the number of ounces. The building offers tables, benches, and plenty of great views of the field. On the opposite side of the foul line is another social area that includes outdoor games and a small bar area. Outside the main grandstand is a collection of booths, small concession stands, and the team’s main souvenir store. Doughboys merchandise has been a big seller during its inaugural season in 2021. The colors of black and gold can be seen by many underneath the roof of the ballpark. The roof is supported by columns and features fans on the ceiling for added comfort. During a packed night, fans can make a lot of noise in the grandstand when they stomp their feet against the bleachers. A few more can relax on stadium-style seats in the box area right behind the backstop. They are also treated to views of large shrubs of trees behind the add-spackled outfield wall. If you want a laid-back atmosphere with a few thousand friends, enjoy the grandstand. If you are looking for a social gathering with a few drinks, take residency in “The Perch”. However, each area will be a great way to enjoy a baseball game during the summer months. Neighborhood 4 A selection of places to eat and drink, before or after, the baseball game is a mile from the ballpark downtown. The Yee-Haw Brewing Company is located inside an old train depot station and houses the White Duck Taco Stop. These are not your ordinary tacos, but hybrid combinations that feature buffalo chicken, gyro, and Korean beef and kimchi. There are also more than just a couple of bites. Other options include the Wild Wing Cafe across the train tracks, the Southern craft BBQ, label restaurant, Johnson City Brewing Company, in the Atlantic Ale House, where folks enjoy it here, and a couple of food trucks parked outside. Downtown features an open grass park, and it offers some nice views in areas to walk around. Also, bring along some hiking boots, you are doorsteps from the Great Smoky Mountains, but that does not mean you have to be able to scale the highest mountain. The Tweetsie Trail is a relatively flat rail-to-trails conversion that follows the old railroad bed through town. It provides a beginner-level paved trail that can either be hiked or biked. Fans 5 Johnson City has been a leader in attendance for the past few years. After renovations, there seems to be an influx of customers summer after summer. The Appy League has a collection of diehards and lifelong fans who can tell you stories from years ago. They bring a sense of joy and passion to the proceedings. In such a small market, it’s nice to know that the fans still care about their baseball team. Access 3 The ballpark offers one entrance into the ballpark, and lines can back up before a game, especially on busy nights and holidays. Once inside, there is plenty of room to mull around as there are multiple entryways into the grandstand seating area. The renovation has resulted in wonderful views of the field from each foul line and spots to congregate with friends and family. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices are a bargain at $6 and $8 each. The return on investment increases on dollar Mondays when hot dogs and other food and drink items are a dollar. Thirsty Thursdays include beer prices of a dollar to $3, and parking is always free for games. Even for non-promo nights, the prices are more than reasonable. You may go to larger and more modern stadiums, but your dollar was a long way in Johnson City. It should be noted that ticket prices increase by one dollar on Friday and Saturday nights. Extras 3 The ballpark earns a point for its selection of beers that range from macro to domestic brews. The second point is for the two-story outdoor bar called “The Perch”. The third point is for the mix of old-school charm and innovation from covered grandstand seating to social areas. Final Thoughts There’s a reason that TVA Credit Union Ballpark has been a class act for so many years in the Appalachian League. It continues that trend as a summer collegiate venue in 2021 but still offers all of the great atmosphere and fun from its days as a Rookie League ballpark. Johnson City is a fun place to visit that is enhanced with an evening at a Doughboys game. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Another season of Triple-A baseball has come and gone. This past season, 30 clubs in the International and Pacific Coast League took the field and played games from early April to late September, resulting in 12,492,947 fans walking through the gates. The International League lured 8,345,881 patrons to its ballparks for an average of 5,620 per game. The Pacific Coast League attracted 4,147,066 fans on the season for an average of 5,551 per game.  We present our rankings of the overall experience. Factors we include in our ratings are food and beverage in the ballpark, overall atmosphere, the neighborhood, the fans, access (which includes parking, traffic, restrooms, and concourses), return on investment, and an “extras” category for any unique or bonus points. We use our official ratings when determining the ranking with “crowd reviews” – those reviews from our members – as our primary tiebreaker. Without further ado, our 2024 Minor League Baseball Triple-A ballpark rankings. 1. CHS Field, St. Paul Saints (James Hilchen) - Another year at the number one spot. Moving to affiliated baseball in 2021 hasn’t changed what has always made CHS Field such a great place. From the employees to the food, to the entertainment, to the amazing museum, a day at the ballpark doesn't get much better than in St. Paul. 2. Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham Bulls (James Hilchen) - Coming in at number two for a second year in a row, the Bulls have a long and storied history in North Carolina. As someone who has seen my share of minor league ballparks over the years, Durham Bulls Athletic Park just might be my favorite. Great scenery, food for every taste, and fun reminders of an iconic movie make this a ballpark that should be on every baseball fan’s bucket list. Coca-Cola Park - Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Steven Kee) - The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have a reputation across the nation, and attending a game will impress everyone from baseball purists to non-baseball fans. The wide concourses, open views of the field, and inventive promotions attract large crowds year after year. The Pigs offer creative merchandise, specialty nights, and social areas that are among the tops in minor-league baseball.  Victory Field - Indianapolis Indians (Marc Viquez) - Victory Field has been a beacon of summertime fun for the Indianapolis area for over 25 years. Its look and amenities have changed slightly, but its open concourse and massive lawn seating have remained unchanged. Fans flock to games for enjoyment with friends and family, while others root for their club in the grandstand. It’s simple, it’s cozy, and it’s what fans expect in Indianapolis.  First Horizon Park - Nashville Sounds (Paul Baker) - One of the hippest spots to be in town is First Horizon Park. The ballpark is everything fans in the Music City could have ever dreamed of, and it offers fans a place to enjoy the games or socialize with friends. The heartbeat is The Band Box behind left field; it offers everything from homemade food, a putt-putt course, barbecue, lounge chairs, and outdoor games from shuffleboard to table tennis.  Truist Field - Charlotte Knights The ballpark with a view. The home of the Charlotte Knights is located downtown and offers stunning panoramas of the city’s massive skyline. With that kind of backdrop, it’s hard to imagine a better place to watch baseball; however, Knight’s Castle is ranked sixth on our list. The venue offers a massive team gift shop and $5 parking across the street in the garage. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark - Oklahoma City Baseball Club The ballpark continues to be a great place for people to have a good night with family and friends while watching baseball. This ballpark is a hidden gem in a city that doesn’t get much love as a tourist spot, yet all the fans know that Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and OKC should be on any ballpark chaser’s bucket list. Innovative Field - Rochester Red Wings (Dave Cottenie) - 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 check out the Rochester Red Wings at Innovative  Field.  AutoZone Park - Memphis Redbirds (Paul Baker) - The AutoZone Park developers spared no expense when they built the park. It is money well spent, as it offers a facility that feels more like a major league stadium. The exterior of the stadium is brick with lots of ornamental iron. There is a fan plaza outside of the main gates that features several baseball statues and metal plates of art featuring a stylized stadium.  Polar Park - Worcester Red Sox (Paul Baker) - Polar Park is wedged into a small footprint, making for some unique design choices, and space is at a premium. There is a small entry plaza leading to the front entrance that screams “warehouse” more than “ballpark.” This design choice makes the home of the WooSox stand out from the standard red brick and green seat ballparks. There is an incredible amount of attention and connection to the community at Polar Park.  Sahlen Field - Buffalo Bisons (Dave Cottenie) - The downtown ballpark started a revolution in baseball design, even before Camden.  It does look its age for the most part, but it is still a destination for any ballpark traveler. The concrete exterior is made with marble inlets to give it some style.  Outside the third base side, there is a large square that is perfect for meeting others before the game.  Las Vegas Ballpark - Las Vegas Aviators  Summerlin, Nevada, is about 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, and they’ve chosen to eschew the bright lights or neon that could have easily been the thematic center of the ballpark instead of sticking to the Aviators theme. The profile of the upper deck has the outline of an old-school airplane hangar, and the signage throughout the park is clear and large, like an airport, but without the clutter of a million gates. 13. Principal Park - Iowa Cubs The home of the I-Cubs is a bit older than some of the others in the circuit, but its location is ideal at the convergence of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. Fans only need to walk a few blocks to various restaurants, bars, breweries, lodging, and the famous Des Moines Farmers Market.  14.  Cheney Stadium -  Tacoma Rainiers Cheney Stadium was called the “100-Day Wonder,” as it was constructed in less than four months to be awarded a minor-league affiliation with the San Francisco Giants. Leading this effort was Tacoma businessman Ben Cheney, who was honored for this achievement by having his name placed on the stadium and is also acknowledged through a statue of his likeness being placed in the bleachers, where it still resides today.  15. Sutter Health Park - Sacramento River Cats Sutter Health Park has been a hit with the Sacramento community as well as the baseball community. It is among the favorites of minor league travelers and hometown fans who enjoy nights out at the spacious ballpark. Sightlines are great from any seat, and lawn seating allows for an inexpensive way to bring the whole family. 16. Louisville Slugger Field - Louisville Bats (Marc Viquez) - The ballpark on the Ohio River completed major renovations that opened up the outfield concourse and right field corner. The home of the Bats now incorporates grass terrace seating near the foul pole, along with social spaces and outdoor bars. The city’s skyline and interstate system drape the skies in the background and the smell of barbecue filters through the warehouse lobby from Against The Grain Brewery.  17. Huntington Park - Columbus Clippers (Marc Viquez) - The home of the Clippers is nestled in The Arena District, which also houses a soccer stadium and hockey arena, but the ballpark is a star of its own. The outfield concourse is set up like a neighborhood park with trees, benches, and tables. On the open concourse, multiple images and team history are displayed on the walls, and fans can peek through the gates behind left field. 18. RGCU Field at Isotopes Park - Albuquerque Isotopes  Isotopes Park is an amazing venue to take in a ballgame. The view is spectacular, the team that presents the game-day experience is the best around, and the prices are reasonable.  It’s close to the airport, so if in the Southwest, make a special trip to Isotopes Park. 19. Dell Diamond - Round Rock Express The Dell Diamond offers plenty of glitz and glamor that includes carefully detailed concession stands offering everything from Tex-Mex to barbecue, a two-story outfield seating area, and an outfield concourse that includes a full-service bar, a rock climbing wall, and VR batting cages.  If you care for the more relaxed baseball atmosphere, there are plenty of seats behind the infield. 20. 121 Financial Park - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp The ballpark began as a Double-A venue but was promoted to Triple-A status in 2021. Its design with lawn seating allows up to 11,000 guests and offers a few unique features that include an active church inside its walls, a Tiki-Terrace down the 3rd baseline, and a 9-foot high mound for seating called the “knuckle” in the left-field corner. A covered awning above the concourse also helps from the Florida rains. 21. Fifth Third Field - Toledo Mud Hens (Marc Viquez) - The neighborhood surrounding the ballpark is known as Hensville, and it can become lively before games that include activities for kids, pre-game concerts, and local eateries full of guests. Once inside the ballpark, fans are treated to the usual characteristics of minor league games, from great food, on-field promotions, and one of the better team stores in the business. If you can, check out the view from “The Roost” above the right-field corner. 22. Southwest University Park – El Paso Chihuahuas  This stadium is aesthetically pleasing, makes good use of its downtown location, and has something for everyone. The major weakness here is the price, which is a bit high for minor league ball, though again, you can find ways around it. El Paso is quite off the beaten path for most sports travelers, but it is well worth a trip to see the Chihuahuas. 23. Smith’s Ballpark – Salt Lake Bees   Smith’s Ballpark is a beautiful facility, with the main concourse looking like it has a modern industrial theme. The seats are comfortable, and fans can also wander the stadium at will, giving you the option to take in the game from either your seat or the outfield viewing mounds. The view in the outfield rivals the best in the majors, with beautiful mountains adorning the view for every fan at Smith’s Ballpark. 24. Constellation Field - Sugar Land Space Cowboys The Houston Astros top-farm club rebranded as the Space Cowboys this past season and ushered in areas of space-theme art, decoration, and signage throughout the ballpark. The colors of orange, light blue, and navy have added a nice touch of color to the Texas-shaped scoreboard, and so has the playing of the old-school hip-hop classic “Space Cowboy” at the end of home games.    25.  Werner Park, Omaha StormChasers The ballpark is several miles away from downtown Omaha, but Werner Park offers a distinction from other Triple-A ballparks. It has a layout that offers seating close to the field, a broken-up press and suite area, stone seating and floral arrangements, and carnival rides behind the outfield wall. The venue almost feels like its own little town. 26.  Coolray Field - Gwinnett Stripers Coolray Field moves up the list after finishing last place the past few seasons. It is a well-designed, attractive place to watch minor league baseball. Its difficulty in attracting fans to games is that it competes with the major league club’s fan base and the fact that Atlanta's Braves home, Truist Park, is only 35 miles down the road.  27.  Harbor Park - Norfolk Tides The ballpark is closing on 30 years of baseball and was once the pride of the International League. The times have changed, but there is a lot to enjoy from its downtown setting, the sounds of ships in the distance, and an enclosed restaurant with views of the field. 28. Greater Nevada Field - Reno Aces A game at Greater Nevada Field represents a solid all-around value. Minor quibbles with parking and concession lines are made up for with a high degree of interactive entertainment and a great selection of high-quality concessions.  29. NBT Bank Stadium - Syracuse Mets Time will tell if the 2019 change of affiliation to the New York Mets will reverse the Syracuse baseball attendance fortunes, but the squad has nearly nowhere to go but up. The situation does look to be improving. Early on in the campaign, the Mets have crawled within striking distance of the middle of the league’s attendance pack. 30. PNC Field - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders The renovation PNC Field underwent in 2012 has done a lot of good. Architecturally, the stadium has seen massive improvements. That being said, the RailRiders seem to be leaning heavily on their affiliation with the Yankees rather than trying to attract fans by creating their own identity.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Camelback Ranch 10712 W. Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85037 Map It Glendale Desert Dogs website Camelback Ranch website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 13,583 Desert Dogs The Glendale Desert Dogs are members of the Arizona Fall League, a yearly instructional league that features baseball’s top prospects every October and November. The Desert Dogs play their games at Camelback Ranch, built as the spring training home for the LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox in 2009. During the summer, the rookie league ACL Dodgers and White Sox play at the facility. Camelback is a good-looking ballpark with a 5-acre lake and river system, fantastic landscaping, and easy-to-walk trails to take you around the area. Major league prospects from the White Sox, Dodgers, Cardinals, Phillies, and Reds round out the Desert Dogs roster this 2024 season. The major league affiliates change throughout the years. The Desert Dogs have won six league championships in the past but haven ’t captured one s ince 2008.  Will 2024 be the year? Food & Beverage 2 One concession stand is open, and that’s enough for attendance at a Desert Dog game.  Fans can bring bottled water and small snacks or sandwiches into the stadium. The food choices are limited: A hot dog ($6.75), sausage dog ($9.99), and cheese and pepperoni pizza slices ($7).  Snacks include nachos ( $ 6.25), soft pretzels ($5.75), popcorn ($4.75), candy ($4), chips ($4), and Dippin’ Dots ($8.49). Soft drinks are 20 oz bottled Pepsi products ($5.75), 20 oz bottled water ($4.75), and coffee ($3). Alcohol choices are 16 oz cans of domestic and premium beers of Bud, Bud Light, Michelob, Michelob Ultra, Coors Light, Modelo Chelada, and Hop Knot IPA ($10.25 - $11.25).  Trul y Seltzer is $11.25, and wine costs $9.25.  Atmosphere 4 Seating at Camelback Ranch extends down the baselines. For day games, shade covers the first base side first, while the third base side is in the sun most of the game. The seats are a golden color, which blends in well with the copper-colored support structures and earthtone stonework. They’re comfortably wide and are mostly staggered, so you’re not sitting directly behind another fan’s head. That’s generally not a problem for Desert Dog games because of low attendance. The seating area does not have cup holders. Fans enter at the top of the concourse and then walk down to the seating areas. Plenty of accessible seating is available on the top row of the concourse.  Bring a small towel, in case you need to wipe off the seat. The batter’s eye is pleasantly landscaped with trees surrounding the area. Fans can easily read the scoreboard which shows the line score, the time, and th e batter’s nam e and photo. Balls, strikes, and outs indicators are yellow dots, while the runs per inning are blue. Those colors are a striking and refreshing contrast. The music volume between innings is too loud to converse with your neighbor.  The music person shuts it off during play , with an occasional blast when a Desert Dog executes a good play. Sundays are Fundays this 2024 season at all Fall League venues.  This promotion is geared towards kids, where staff hand o ut baseball cards (to kids) and toss a few t-shirts into the crowd.  Kids get to run the bases after the game. Neighborhood 3 Camelback Ranch is in an expanding residential area. No choices for lunch, dinner, and other entertainment are available within walking distance. Three miles away is the Westgate Entertainment District. It has many restaurants, all of which are very different from each other in price and menu. Numerous shops and boutiques, a movie theater, a pottery painting studio, arcades, and breweries are part of the amenities in the district. Places in the district for a pre-game meal or drink include Yard House, State 48 Funk House Brewery, and Fat Tuesdays. Be sure to check Westgate’s   website  for happy hour specials; some restaurants do not include a happy hour on event days or weekends. First Watch (breakfast/lunch), Manna Korean BBQ, Opa Life (Greek), and Salt Tacos y Tequila are a few other worthwhile places to eat. I always enjoy Yard House , which has a fabulous beer selection and good food; this one has outdoor seating for those comfortable fall Arizona days and evenings. Many chain hotels are in and around the Westgate Entertainment District. The two closest hotels to the ballpark are a Comfort Inn & Suites  and a Holiday Inn . Other nearby sports during the Fall League season include the Arizona Cardinals  (next door to the Westgate Entertainment District). The two other Fall League teams in the West Valley are the Peoria Javelinas  and the Surprise Saguaros . And, if looking to go downtown Phoenix, sports fans can usually catch a Suns  game when in town. Fans 3 Numerous scouts attend Desert Dog games, filling much of the seating area behind home plate.  Other fans in attendance are what one would consider baseball purists  – fans who attend for the game itself and not all the extras that occur in minor and major league parks throughout North America.    However, as the pop ularity of the Arizona Fall League increases, more casual fans (the ones who don’t know baseball etiquette) attend games now. The Desert Dogs average around 300 – 400 fans per game, with weekend and later season games getting higher attendance numbers. This is comparable to other West Valley Fall League teams. Access 3 Getting to the stadium is most conveniently done by vehicle (unless you’re a nearby neighbor and can walk). Valley Metro  does provide bus service. The closest sto p is 1.1 miles from the stadium, so there’s still some walking involved if taking public transportation. The stadium is 2 ½ miles west of the Loop 101 Agua Fria Fwy on Camelback Rd. Only the gate behind home plate is open for Fall League games. Plenty of free parking is available close to that entrance. The stadium of fers benches to sit on and wait for the gates to open or for late-arriving friends. It has a huge, clean, artfully landscaped plaza area outside the home plate entrance where fans can gather. Getting through security is easy.  Clear sports stadium bags (12” x 6” x 12”) are allowed.  A smaller purse or bag is permitted; security will ask you to open it for inspection if it is not clear.    The restrooms are clean and have an extraordinary number of stalls (at least the ladies’ room). Walking around the stadium and concourse is wide open, making it quite an enjoyable place to stroll. Return on Investment 3 As with everything else, ticket and food prices have increased.  Single-game tickets are $13 (seniors 55+ and teens 11 - 17 are $11). Kids 10 and under get in free. If you live in the area or plan on attending 12 or more games, a season pass is a less expensive way to go.  A single admission season pass is $155; a double admission pass is $185 (both are less if you are 55+). Concession prices are at the expected higher stadium amounts.  There’s no charge for parking (none of the Arizona Fall League stadiums charge for parking). Attending a baseball game on a warm fall day or evening for the game is worth the price. Extras 3 A small merchandise stand is just to the right when entering the stadium. Printed starting lineups, rosters, and game notes are available there too. The Arizona Fall League is testing a ‘pitch challenge’ at some of its ballparks, including Camelback Ranch.    The batter, catcher, or pitcher can challenge a ball or a strike (usually by tapping the top of their helmet or cap) immediately after the umpire’s call.  Each team is allowed/permitted three challenges per game, and if the player wins their challenge and the call is overturned, the team maintains their number of challenges. A graphic replay of the pitch is shown on the video board to determine the call.  It all happens within 15 seconds or so and does not delay the game. Pitch Challenge, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The landscaping and exterior features are beautiful.  The structure is made of natural stone and resembles a desert landscape perfectly.   The architects painted the support structures to look rusty and aged.  Though unusual, even the golden-colored seats fit the natural desert design. Final Thoughts Camelback Ranch is the prettiest Fall League stadium in the West Valley.  If you’ve got a few extra hours in the fall and want to see a ballgame, head to Glendale, AZ, catch a Desert Dog game, and enjoy!

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Cherry Red Records Stadium Plough Ln, London SW17 0NR AFC Wimbledon website Cherry Red Records Stadium website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 9.215 The Wombles Love Wimbledon The story of AFC Wimbledon and its home, Plough Lane, known as Cherry Red Records Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is one of the greatest stories in English Football. The club was formed in 2002 by supporters of Wimbledon FC after it relocated 60 miles north to Milton Keynes. The move and changing of its identity to MK Dons in 2004 ended a history that began in 1891. The club had been looking for its own home since vacating the deteriorating Plough Lane in 1991. It shared Selhurst Park, home of Crystal Palace, for 12 seasons before the move north of London. However, a lack of suitable ground did not prevent supporters from creating a new football team to carry on the tradition of the Wombles. The club would begin play in the Combined Counties League, the ninth tier in English Football, before making a meteoric rise to League One 14 years after its formation. The Dons would be promoted six times, becoming the first club formed in the 21st century to achieve Football League status. Another objective was to return to its “spiritual home” of Merton, where the original Plough Lane once stood. The dream became a reality on November 3, 2020, when the Dons opened their new stadium less than 200 yards from the former stadium.  KSS Design Group designed the £34 million multi-purpose stadium surrounded by 600 residential properties and a range of community facilities. Since that day, the club has averaged over 7,700 fans per game, including a sell-out for the match we visited against Carlisle United. The spirit of Wimbledon's past is present in many areas, from the concourse murals to the various banners hanging from the stands.  Food & Beverage 5 The main stand has several areas for food and drinks, including traditional favorites, beers, ciders, and candies. However, there are even more options downstairs behind the South Stand, which is home to The Speedway, which is home to food trucks, and The Phoenix Pub. The Cappagh Stand has several concession Don's Bar & Kitchen stands offering hot dogs, chili dogs, sausage rolls, candies, and hot and cold drinks. The pies include steak, ale and mushroom, chicken, leek and gammon, Bombay potato, and vegan rainbow roll. A small kiosk offers lamb, chicken, and vegetarian samosas.  The beer selection includes Stella Artois, Magners, Camden Pale Ale, and Stout. The wine selection includes rose, red, and white. The stadiums provide plenty of drinks that include Coca-Cola products. There is also tea, coffee, and hot chocolate to warm you up. All beer is served in reusable plastic cups that are placed in a separate bin for use again in the future. Downstairs at The Speedway Bar, fans can enjoy a few more varieties of drinks, including Camden Hells Lager, Reveller Cider, Lucky Saint Lager, and Crazy Gang Pale Ale. Next door is The Phoenix, which serves up draughts from By the Horns Brewing Company.  The pub is open during the match and nonmatch games. The bar offers indoor and outdoor seating and eight beers on draft, including West End Pils, Foundry Stout, Cosmic Warrior IPA, and 2 Social Pale. The rest of the area features local food trucks lined up, offering more options. Fans can enjoy a choripan sandwich from the Argentinian Food Truck,  a Ruben from Brick Lane Bagel Company,  a gyro from Come & Go, a large order of fries from Naked Chips, and Australian-style meat pies with peas and gravy from My Pie. Atmosphere 4 It is one of the newer facilities in English football and provides a proper atmosphere for fans. The Cappagh (West) Stand is the main stand and seats 4,267 people; it offers the best views of the game. The main stand decor consists of murals, bits of history, and plenty of photographs of The Dons history. The open seating also allows fans to view the pitch while they wait in line or if they need to run to the restroom during the game.  There are plenty of pieces of history in this stand, including the Womble Till I Die gate that was moved from the original Plough Lane and now adorns the wall. There is The Greatest Team painting honoring the 1988 FA Cup Championship team that beat Liverpool. More pieces of information feature a timeline of Wimbledon football and an oversized illustration of the club’s history. The Ry (East) Stand offers seating for 2,391 people, offering the least expensive tickets. The Reston Waste (South) Stand seats 1,092 spectators and is home to Wimbledon supporters, who expect to hear cheering, singing, and banging on the side of the stadium. The Paul Strank (North) Stand seats 1,465 people and houses the away supporters, separated from The Ry and Reston Stands and The Speedway Bar area. Neighborhood 2 Plough Lane is in the borough of Merton and across the street from a Shell gas station, a Wicke’s home improvement store, and a Lidl Supermarket. The grounds are surrounded by multiple lofts and small businesses.  However, several pubs are nearby for a drink before the game. The Corner Pin is accessible with a home-supporter ticket and features an outdoor patio. Against the Grain Taproom + Cidery is another pub to try at the game. Dawat Tooting serves Pakistani cuisine. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is the home venue of the Wimbledon Championships. It is about 2 miles from the stadium and worth a visit for its museum and tours of the facility. Ticket prices for adults range from £15 to £30 for one tour or a combination package. Fans 5 Any group of supporters who form a new club after its old team moves away deserves as many points as it can muster. However, just listening to the fans at the game, you hear why having The Dons back at Wimbledon is important. The supporter sections have chants and celebrations that add another layer to the fandom at the stadium. Access 4 The stadium is well served by public transport links, with Earlsfield Station (trains to Waterloo and the South West), Haydons Road (Thameslink and Southern trains to the South Coast, Central London and Hertfordshire) and Tooting Broadway (Tube Northern Line) all within walking distance. A number of bus services run along Garratt Lane between Earlsfield and Tooting Broadway, while the 493 bus runs from Wimbledon Station (Tube District Line, Tram, South Western Railway and Thameslink) directly outside Plough Lane Stadium. There is no parking on site and it is advisable to access the stadium via public transport. Return on Investment 4 The cheapest ticket prices start at £23 in the Ry Group Family stand and increase to £37 in the Cappagh West stand. Ticket prices for U18 fans are as low as £5 in the Ry Group Family Stand and £18 in the Cappagh West Stand. However, depending on the matchup, tickets should be purchased in advance of game day. Concession prices are reasonable, and there is quite a selection of food. The food trucks in The Speedway are abundant compared to other stadiums in League One. The official team shop has a wide selection of merchandise from multiple styles of kits, scarves, caps, jackets, books, and posters. The shop was packed with shoppers picking up a memento to take home. Extras 4 Plough Lane earns extra points for honoring the history of football in Wimbledon. The murals, photos, and timelines are proudly displayed in the Cappagh West Stand. The highlight is the WTID gate transferred from The Dons former stadium 200 yards away. The Speedway Bar area is another highlight of Plough Lane. Fans enjoy food trucks, pints, and conversation before, at half, and after the match. The open area is a great way to chat with fellow Wombles fans. Plough Lane has multiple banners hanging from the walls of the South, North, and East stands. They represent supporter groups from around the world and other advocate members of the club.  The final point is The Phoenix Bar, which is open to the public on non-match games. The craft beer is from By the Horns Brewing Company and is a fun way to enjoy a pint before or after the match. Final Thoughts Attending an AFC Wimbledon game was quite the experience since a little over two weeks earlier; the pitch had been damaged by heavy flooding. A sold-out crowd welcomed The Dons back after more than a month. It was a proper English football game, and the experience was as advertised. An afternoon at Plough Lane is well spent with a few thousand Womble fans. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Pictures by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Gordon Alcott Arena @ Mold-Master SportsPlex 221 Guelph Street Halton Hills, ON L7G 4A8 Georgetown Raiders website Mold-Master SportsPlex website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 1,156 Raiding Georgetown In 1975, the Georgetown Gemini was founded as a Junior B team.  Bringing hockey back to Georgetown was a priority after the Georgetown Junior C team folded in 1969.  The Gemini moved up to the Junior A level in 1993 when the entire league, which would become the Ontario Junior Hockey League, promoted themselves to the Junior A level.  Georgetown also adopted the Raiders as their moniker to coincide with their move up.  The Raiders name has some meaning in the area as the Junior C team of the 60s was named the Raiders, and a Senior team of the 70s and 80s was also named Raiders.  The Raiders claim Jack Hughes among their alumni. Georgetown is a community in the Town of Halton Hills, located to the west of Brampton. Georgetown is an affluent area of 42,000 people and home to many commuters who work in Toronto or Mississauga.  Home for the Raiders is the Gordon Alcott Arena @ Mold-Masters SportsPlex.  The SportsPlex is a massive complex that houses four ice pads as well as meeting rooms and a skatepark outside.  The original arena was built in 1975 and has been expanded at least two times.  The original arena is named after Gordon Alcott, who was the founder of minor hockey in Georgetown in the 30s. Food & Beverage 3 The main concession stand is found just outside of Alcott Arena.  The menu consists of onion rings, fries, hot dogs, popcorn, and cookies.  Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex, and Gatorade, water juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and Slush Puppies are also available.  There are also several vending machines that offer drinks and snacks around the SportsPlex. Atmosphere 3 The Mold-Masters SportsPlex is a sports complex that has benefitted from two separate additions.  As a result, the different parts of the complex can be seen from the exterior.  The more modern side, which is to the north, has light siding with plenty of glass.  The portion that joins the oldest and newest parts of the complex features dark brown siding and houses the main entrance. Upon entering the SportsPlex, fans are immediately struck with the importance of hockey to this community. A row of trophy cases for a variety of hockey levels greets fans.  Above those are the portraits of recipients of the Georgetown Hockey Heritage Award.  One of the trophy cases is dedicated to the Raiders and houses several team awards as well as some team pictures.  The Gordon Alcott Arena is to the left and is the home to the Raiders.  A dedication plaque to Gordon Alcott is just to the side of the trophy cases.  Fans who wish to check out the  Halton Hills Sports Hall of Fame can head to the right and do some exploring just outside of the Fernbrook Rink.  Inductees of note include Gordon Alcott and former NHL goaltender, Brian Hayward.  An interesting display dedicated to the former Georgetown Memorial Arena is also found in this area and includes seats and the original Zamboni from the 1923 arena. Heading toward the Alcott Arena, fans are met with temporary tables where tickets are purchased, as well as 50/50 tickets and pucks for chuck-a-puck.  The seating area is up the stairs, and fans will find more portraits of those who have added to Georgetown hockey, including former Maple Leafs legend “King” Clancy and Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean.  Inside the Alcott Arena, the ice is oriented from east to west, with the main seating area on the north side.  Lihth- coloured, low peaked support beams cross the ice surface and hold up the silver insulated roof.  The seating area on the north is elevated above ice level and has six rows of plastic ,and resin benches with standing room behind them.  At the east end of the second grandstand are ten rows of benches that start at ice level.  There are a couple of items of note that are found on the east end.  A plaque honoring longtime Raiders fan Norm Lockhurst is found by one of the benches and is a nice touch.  Four honored jerseys for the Raiders are found on the north wall at ice level, beneath the seating area, that are not visible from the north side.  The Raiders have embraced their history honoring former players Mike Knoepfli, Ryan Busby, Dave Bouskill, and Stace Page. The south wall is littered with banners from minor hockey teams, as well as junior and intermediate teams and the Halton Hills Bulldogs Junior B lacrosse team.  The banners are pretty uniform and organized, but unfortunately, the Raiders’ banners do not stand out.  The 2016-2017 Buckland Cup Championship banner as OJHL Champions is of note. The gameday production in Georgetown is very simple.  Music and announcements, along with the 50/50 and chuck-a-puck promotions, make up the entirety of the effort. Neighbourhood 4 Mold-Masters SportsPlex is located in Georgetown, a community on the eastern border of the Town of Halton Hills.  The SportsPlex is located in a bit of a retail area of town and there are a few spots for pre or post game food.  Some more original offerings include Symposium Cafe, St. George Publ, Norval Pancake House, Copper Kettle Pub, The Pickled Piper and a few large chain and fast food restaurants.  The Raiders are the main spectator sports entity in Georgetown.  However, there are a few options that are close by.  The City of Brampton is right next door and is the new home of the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads.  The Brampton Excelsiors  also play during the summer months.  The Raiders have healthy rivalries with the Milton Menace  and Caledon Admirals , both of which are a short drive away.  The area is also known for golf courses and Glen Eden Ski Resort and Kelso Conservation Area.  Harness Racing is found year round at Woodbine Mohawk Raceway and Elements Casino is also on site.  For those interested in shopping, Toronto Premium Outlets is also a short drive away.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Best Western is just off of Guelph Street, close to the arena. Fans 2 The Georgetown Raiders usually attract between 100 and 150 fans per game.  In the 2022-23 season they averaged 130 fans per game and approximately 150 the following season.  A good regular season crowd will top the 200 fan mark, but for the most part it is a friends and family type of crowd.  Raider fans are typical of Ontario fans and pretty quiet and reserved, but get loud at the appropriate time.   Access 4 Georgetown is located 10 km north of the junction of Highways 401 and 407.  It is important to keep in mind that Highway 407 is a toll highway and Highway 401 is the main highway running through Southern Ontario, so it can get quite busy.  Travelers will have to traverse Halton Hills a bit to get to the Mold-Masters SportsPlex, but that won’t be a big issue.  There is plenty of free parking on site.  For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, the GO Transit station is very close to the arena and Milton Transit stops are found on Guelph Street.  Fans should consult the GO Transit and Milton Transit  websites for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the arena is not too difficult and the washroom facilities are good for the size of the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Georgetown Raiders go for $15 at the door on gameday.  Students and seniors enjoy a $5 discount.  Cash and credit are both accepted and there is no online option.  Parking at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex is free and concession prices are decent.  The Raiders put a good product on the ice and fans will enjoy the OJHL brand of hockey. Extras 3 An extra mark for the historic championship banners including Junior B and Junior C and Intermediate/Senior teams of the past. An extra mark for the recognition of those who built and maintained Georgetown hockey at all levels found throughout the Mold-Masters SportsPlex. An extra mark for Mold-Masters SportsPlex as a community hub. Final Thoughts Hockey is alive and well in Georgetown, Ontario.  Taking in a Georgetown Raiders game is a great idea for fans who wish to check out some solid hockey for a low price and maybe take in some local history in the process.  The Gordon Alcott Arena @ Mold-Masters SportsPlex offers a good locale for OJHL hockey. ---- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 William H. Greene Stadium 2400 6th St NW Washington, DC 20059 Howard Bison website William H. Greene Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 10,000 Home of the Howard Bison Located on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Greene Stadium is home to the Bison’s women's lacrosse, soccer, and football teams. The stadium opened in 1926 as the home of Bison football, although the soccer programs were not founded until later. Howard men's soccer has enjoyed success historically, winning the 1971 national championship, but was later stripped of that title due to alleged violations in a move some have suggested was caused by racial bias. The Bison went on to win the 1974 championship as well and are the only HBCU to win any Division I national title. However, they have not enjoyed nearly as much success in recent years, last making the tournament in 1997. The Howard women's soccer team has not enjoyed as much success, although they did make the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2018. Howard is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country and competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with many other HBCUs. However, the MEAC does not sponsor men's or women's soccer, so the Bison compete in the Northeast Conference for that sport. In addition to this review of soccer, Stadium Journey has reviews of the football and lacrosse experiences at Greene Stadium. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale in Greene Stadium. A food truck is available just outside the stadium for Howard football games but is not in use for soccer. There is a drink machine inside Burr Gymnasium next door, or you can bring in your food and drink. Atmosphere 2 Most seats at Greene Stadium are uncomfortable metal bleachers on both sides of the stadium. A running track separates the stands from the field, although the fact that a soccer field is wider than a football field means you aren't as far from the action. There are some chairbacks located in the middle section of the far side, but getting there requires walking down to field level and around the track, so most fans choose to sit on the near side. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. The PA announces starting lineups before the game and goal scorers, but that is about it. There is some music played over the PA system before the game, but that is just the university radio station. From the stands, you will be able to hear a good deal of the action on the field, although the running track that surrounds the field means you probably won't hear all of it despite there being almost no crowd noise or anything else going on most of the time. Neighborhood 5 Howard University is located amidst several historically African American neighborhoods in Washington. Shaw, U Street, and Columbia Heights, each of which have their history in the African American community, surround the college. Ben’s Chili Bowl, located about a 20-minute walk away in the U Street neighborhood, is not just an outstanding restaurant but a historic landmark as well. The chili, hot dogs, half-smokes, and burgers are renowned throughout the area, but keep in mind there is often a long line to order due to their popularity. And, of course, you’re in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, and there’s plenty to do throughout the city. The best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the many monuments on the National Mall or visiting one of the numerous museums, there is so much you can do here. All government-run attractions are free to the public, but some of the privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book that in advance. Fans 3 Howard University draws a couple hundred fans to a typical soccer match, mostly friends and family of the players. Because the stadium is so large, they are quite spread out, but they can be quite loud when the Bison score a goal. For the most part, however, they are not particularly active and spend as much time talking to each other as they do watching the game. Access 3 Howard University is in a tricky spot to get to. It’s just far enough from the heart of downtown that it isn’t easily accessible via public transportation and just close enough that it’s hard to drive there. The closest Metro stops are Shaw and Columbia Heights, but each is about a 20-minute walk away. There is some street parking available relatively close to the stadium, but much of it has a two-hour limit, which is likely too short if you are attending a soccer game, and most of the rest is reserved for locals who live nearby and have the appropriate permit. There are some paid lots, but you may have to walk a bit to get to the stadium from there. A lot is located right next to the stadium but is entirely reserved parking. Your best bet, if you are not coming from too far away, is to take an Uber or Lyft to the stadium, but even then, depending on traffic, it may be quicker to get out and walk the last block or two. Once you are inside the stadium, it is still difficult to get around. There is a narrow pathway behind the bleachers on the near side, although this is less of a problem for across than football since the crowds are so small. To get to the other side, you have to walk down to field level and around the track. There are a few port-a-potties located on the track, or you can walk next door to Burr Gymnasium and use the restrooms there. Return on Investment 3 Admission to Howard soccer games is free, and you won't spend anything on concessions since there aren't any. However, the barebones experience and high cost to get here take this score down a couple of notches. . Extras 0 There are no real extras at a Howard soccer game, although you may be able to walk around Burr Gymnasium before or after the game and see some of the basketball history there. However, as that is a different facility and a different sport, we are not counting it as an extra. Final Thoughts Howard soccer is a pretty bare-bones experience. The experience here seems far removed from the two men's national championships in the 1970s, both on and off the field. Furthermore, this is a football stadium that is far too large for the crowds the soccer team attracts. If you had the same crowd in a much smaller stadium, this would be a far better experience. Unfortunately, there aren't any plans for Howard to build one at the moment.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Knott ARCC Pool 16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers website Knott ARCC Pool website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 200 (estimated) Water Polo on the Mount Located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in the Catoctin Mountains, Mount St. Mary's University is the second-oldest Catholic college in the United States. The school's athletic teams, known as the Mountaineers or simply The Mount, compete at the PNC Sports Complex across Route 15 from the main campus. In addition to fields for the baseball , softball , lacrosse , and soccer teams, the Complex is home to the Knott Athletic Recreation Convocation Complex, or ARCC for short. The ARCC contains Knott Arena , home to the Mount's basketball teams, as well as a swimming pool that is home to the water polo and swimming and diving teams. This review will focus on the experience at a Mountaineers water polo game. Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession stand at the Knott ARCC pool. There is a concession stand upstairs that serves the basketball arena, but it is not in use during water polo matches. There are vending machines in the lower-level lobby where you come in that sell snacks and drinks, payable by cash or credit card. However, since the bleachers at a water polo match are on the pool deck, fans are discouraged from bringing food in, especially anything messy. Beverages are fine to bring in. You can stand outside the doors to the pool and watch through the glass window if you need to eat something. However, since a typical water polo match is only 45 minutes to an hour in length, if you eat before the match, you should be able to last until the end without food. Atmosphere 3 The Knott ARCC Pool is located on the lower level of the ARCC Complex. Once you enter the pool area, you will probably want to turn right and walk behind the rope, and sit on the bleachers there. Some bleachers are located on the end of the pool, but these are generally used for team staff and equipment. There are only a couple of rows of bleachers, and the back row allows fans to lean against the wall. The bleachers typically come close to filling up as they are quite small, and there is little room to stand. You should be able to find a seat somewhere, but it may be cramped. A scoreboard is located on the right side of the pool, although it is unlabeled, so you have to figure out what everything means. The first line, the clock, shows the time left in the quarter. The next line, a single number in red, shows the Mountaineers' score, or if it is a neutral-site contest, which often happens in water polo, the score of the designated home team. This is followed by a line indicating the period and, the time of the shot clock and the score of the designated visiting team, with the latter in yellow. It is confusing, but fans can figure it out rather quickly. Due to the low ceilings and tight walls, it can get incredibly loud in the pool. After Mount goals or big saves by their goalie, players and fans alike shout, and the yells echo off the walls and ceilings, causing the decibel level to go way up. The PA system is capable of playing music before the match, but no announcements were heard during the game when we went, including player introductions. Even when they played the national anthem, someone had to shout to tell fans to stand before it played. Because the stands are right on the pool deck, your view will sometimes be obstructed by the referee as they walk along the sideline. You can try to look around them, but this is going to happen no matter where you sit, and there is not much you can do about it since the referee needs to be there to do their job. Neighborhood 2 Emmitsburg is a small town in Maryland just south of the Pennsylvania border, and there is nothing within walking distance of campus. If you make the short drive into town, you will find a few places to eat and stay, as well as some interesting sites such as the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and various Catholic shrines. Thurmont is a short drive away, about 10 minutes south on Route 15, and offers more options than Emmitsburg itself. However, this is a very rural area, and while it’s scenic, there isn’t a whole lot to do here. Fans 4 Although the bleachers at the Knott ARCC Pool are quite small, Mount St. Mary's does typically fill them up or close to it. The fans cheer loudly after goals or big saves by The Mount, and as mentioned above, it gets quite loud in here due to the acoustics. Many, though not all, of the people in attendance are friends and family of the players. When the Mountaineers play a school from the Baltimore-Washington area, such as Johns Hopkins or George Washington, expect there to be some fans of the other team who make the trip up to Emmitsburg as well. Access 3 The PNC Sports Complex, including the not Knott ARCC, is located right off US Route 15, and signs are directing you to gameday parking once you get there. Some lots are paved, while others are gravel. From there, you will walk to the lower doors of Knott Arena to enter the lobby. These are the doors across from the baseball and softball fields and are not the upper doors used for basketball. There are a few spaces directly outside the entrance that are marked reserved, but they are only reserved on weekdays. If visiting on a weekend, you should be fine to park here, although there are only a few spaces, and they do fill up. There is more than enough parking in the other lots, so you should easily be able to find a space there. Once inside, it is not signed where the pool is. You will need to turn left down a hallway, and then the pool entrance will be up ahead on your left through a glass door. Navigating the bleachers can be a challenge, as you may need to climb over people to get to and from your seat. Additionally, there is not much room to get by between the bleachers and the rope separating them from the pool, and even then, people in the front row may have to make room by taking their feet out of the aisle. Restrooms are available in the lower lobby and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Mount St. Mary's water polo matches is free, as is parking. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 Look for the trophy cases in the lower lobby honoring Mount Athletics. Final Thoughts If there is one defining aspect of a Mount St. Mary's water polo match at the Knott ARCC Pool, it is that it is very loud. With the fans packing the small bleachers and the acoustics trapping and echoing the sound, it is a much more rowdy atmosphere than you would expect at a college water polo match. However, other than the wild crowd noise, this is a pretty basic experience.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Mountain America Stadium 500 E Veterans Way Tempe, AZ 85281 Arizona State Sun Devils website Mountain America Stadium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 53,600 Arizona State Football Mountain America Stadium, formerly known as Sun Devil Stadium, is the home of the Arizona State University Sun Devils football team. Arizona State is one of the Big 12 Conference’s newest members after formerly being a member of the PAC-12 Conference. Mountain America Stadium was built in 1958, with a seating capacity of 30,000. Over the years, the stadium reached its peak capacity of 74,865 when the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals shared the stadium. The stadium’s current capacity of 53,600 is due to the five-year, $304-million renovation that was completed in August 2019 – the renovations were completed in five phases and included having sections of the upper deck removed, a new structure built behind the south end zone, the east and west side of the lower bowl and loge level rebuilt, installation of a new video board, and the completion of club areas. Besides previously housing the Arizona Cardinals , the stadium was also the original home of college football’s Fiesta Bowl  game, as well as hosting other college bowl games. Super Bowl XXX, which featured the Dallas Cowboys  and Pittsburgh Steelers in front of 76,347 spectators, was also played at Mountain America Stadium – this was the first time the Super Bowl was played in Arizona, which has now hosted the NFL showcase three more times in the Cardinals new home, State Farm Stadium.   Food & Beverage   4 Mountain America Stadium offers a wide variety of food options – there are the basic food items for fans, the outside food vendors, and, starting this season, a game-by-game food item. The basic food items covered on the Fork’em menu include hot dogs, Italian sausage, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, and candy, with costs for these items ranging from $4 to $7 dollars. Alternatively, the outside food vendors include Venezia’s for pizza lovers, Chick-fil-A, Authentic Burros for Tex-Mex, and Pardon my Cheesesteak – all of these latter vendors have higher priced items than the basic stands, but the quality and taste are more consistent, and the portion sizes are more filling. The game-by-game food item can be found on the Arizona State website before each game; at the most recent game I attended, it was Alligator po’boys, consisting of fried alligator on a hoagie bun with coleslaw and spicy sauce. The cost was $15, but it is a good marketing idea and worth a try. The concessions serve Coca-Cola products here; a souvenir soda is $8, but they also offer a refillable soda for $30, which, if you get small cups from the free water tubs, would be a good option for a family. Frozen lemonade is $7.50, while Dasani bottled water is $5. The alcohol sales offer plenty as well, as there are numerous options for beer, both domestic and local breweries, as well as hard seltzer and wine. For beer lovers, I would suggest stopping by Pitchfork Draft House to find a draft of your liking during the game. Overall, the food and beverages at Mountain America Stadium have improved over the past years, moving the concessions here to above average compared to other stadiums.   Atmosphere   3 Throughout college football, the atmosphere begins well before gates open – Arizona State’s tailgate scene is impressive and stretches for several blocks around Mountain America Stadium. Before the gates open, there is the Devil Walk, as the team approaches the stadium accompanied by the spirit squads and the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band, known as "The Pride of the Southwest." The team comes onto the field along with opening fireworks and the band playing, as the excitement hits an incredible vibe. The view of the field is also excellent throughout the stadium, even though most of the seating is just metal benches with backs. There are chairback seats on the ASU sideline in the lower bowl, in the 200 sections, however, as well as on the visitor side between the 25-yard lines. The Arizona State Gameday crew does a great job during the game. However, the student section in the Inferno leads the excitement throughout the game. Fireworks and Sparky, the two ASU mascots, can also be seen doing push-ups after each Arizona State score. Overall, the atmosphere is what fans expect when it comes to watching Power 4 football; Arizona State is a great addition to the other Big 12 Conference venues.   Neighborhood   5 Arizona State University is in Tempe, Arizona. The city of Tempe has grown to 185,950 (as of 2022), and the university is the heart of the city. Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale are a short distance from the campus. The main pre-game activities are on Mill Avenue, just a few blocks from Mountain America Stadium, and there are numerous places nearby to meet up before the game. The Sunbar, Fat Tuesday, Varsity Tavern, and Pedal Haus are all options, but my choice is Varsity Tavern, which offers plenty of large TV screens to watch other games on during the day. For Brewery seekers, there is also the Four Peaks Brewing Company nearby. Tempe has many attractions nearby, the biggest being the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Gardens in Papago Park, and Tempe Beach Park along the Salt River. For shopping and other restaurants, there is the Tempe Marketplace on E Rio Salado Parkway, an open-air shopping center with restaurants including Thirsty Lion, Portillo’s Tempe, and Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen. The lodging near the stadium is abundant, as near the venue, you can find AC Hotel Phoenix Tempe/Downtown, Graduate Tempe on East Apache, and Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix. There is also easy access from the airport hotels using the light rail – one of my favorites is Crowne Plaza on Washington Street, walkable from the airport, or a light rail ride from Arizona State University.   Fans   3 The Arizona State Sun Devils have filled about 90% of the stadium over the past 5 years. The Sun Devils have a large fan base that is strong and shows up even in the desert heat – the heat and loud fan base give Mountain America Stadium a real home-field advantage. The loudest noise here comes from the ASU student section; Arizona State has one of the largest undergraduate student bodies in the country, and when they show up, the atmosphere changes to another level.  The students sing the fight song, shake their keys during kickoffs, and yell throughout the game. This season, the student section is even breaking records with their attendance.   Access   4 Mountain America Stadium is on the campus of Arizona State University, located just off University Drive, which you can get to from various highways around the Phoenix metro area. There is also Phoenix’s Valley Metro light rail system that can drop you off in front of the stadium – the light rail is the best option both financially and in terms of time, but there is plenty of parking at the stadium if you decide to drive. The closest parking is for season ticket holders; these lots are filled with tailgaters before the game. However, other parking lots nearby cost $20 to $40, depending on the location. One recommendation has been to use the app called ParkWhiz to find cheaper parking, while another cheap option is Orbit. Fans in the Tempe area can take Orbit free of charge until 10 pm on weekdays, Saturdays, and until 8 pm on Sundays. If you are not a Tempe resident, you can park at the Tempe Library Complex on the southwest corner of Southern Avenue and Rural Road and catch the Orbit from there. Mountain America Stadium’s gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and all areas in the facility can be accessed from any gate. The entrance process into the facility, however, is the only reason the score for this section is not a 5 – having to go up some stairs to enter the stadium, going through rapid metal detectors, and having mobile tickets scanned at kiosks is a workout. Once at the top of the stairs, though, you are above the lower bowl, and there is easy access from there with good signage throughout the stadium. Arizona State athletics uses the clear bag policy – to enter the venue bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″, such as one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc or similar), small clutch bags (no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″) with or without a handle or strap, or seat cushions & seat cushions with a back (no pockets, 18″ or less in width). Overall, Mountain America is an easy adventure to get to, whether you are local or from outside the Phoenix/Tempe area.   Return on Investment   4 Sun Devil football tickets range from $9 to $175 per person depending on your seat selection, which at present could be the lowest in the Big 12 Conference. In their inaugural year in the Big 12, the Sun Devils won’t play a true rival, as the Territorial Cup matchup with Arizona  is in Tucson.   Extras   3 The legacy of the late, great Pat Tillman is alive and strong in the Arizona State University football program – a statue erected in honor of the former Sun Devil, who lost his life serving in the US Army, greets the team as they enter the field from their tunnel. A unique experience while in Tempe is to Hike ‘A’ Mountain (Hayden Butte); once at the top, there are spectacular views of Tempe, the ASU campus, and the surrounding area. The upgrades to Mountain America Stadium help Arizona State University keep up with modern times and provide a top-class football facility for fans. ASU also has one of the coolest mascots in college sports, namely Sparky the Sun Devil.   Final Thoughts Mountain America Stadium is a wonderful venue to watch college football. The local area is also great to visit, with wonderful weather in the later part of the season. The facility and team are not usually thought of as among the big programs in the country by fans, but they definitely should be. If you are ever in the Phoenix area during college football season, I highly recommend taking a game at Mountain America Stadium.

Photos Courtesy of Google Images Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Kassam Stadium Grenoble Rd, Littlemore Oxford OX4 4XP Oxford United website Kassam Stadium website Year Opened: 12,500 Capacity: 2001 Football at The Kassam Kassam Stadium, also known as Grenoble Road, is the home of Oxford United and opened in 2001. The 12,500-seat football stadium is named after the grounds owner and former chairman Firoz Kassam. The stadium has only three stands, but the plan is to build a fourth one to increase capacity to 16,000 in the future. The decision to build a new stadium began in 1995 when Oxford’s old Manor Ground, which had been built in 1926, was considered outdated by current standards. Construction began in the summer of 1996 but was suspended in December 1997 due to financial concerns.  No further work was done to the site until over 2-years later, in February 2000, due to financial and legal woes. Finally, on August 4, 2001, the stadium opened with a friendly against Crystal Palace. Today, it’s known as the soccer ground with three sides. The stadium features a reflective glass paneling at its main entrance and is broken up into three stands for visitors. The North Stand is used for both home and away supporters and seats 5,026. The East Stand is home to the more vocal supporters and houses 2,879. The South Stand is the main structure and houses club offices, team locker rooms, executive boxes, and the Exhibition Bar. It is divided into two tiers, with the lower area home to the family section. It seats 4,495 in total. Oxford United was founded in 1893 and lived a nomadic life for its first 20 years, switching grounds on a regular basis. They found a permanent home in 1913 when they began playing in Manor Ground. The stadium would go through major renovations, including a completely new structure in 1925. The U’s began play in the Championship for the 2024-25 season and were in League One from 2006-2016 and were as low as the National Conference (5th division) from 2006-2010. The move to the second-highest level of English Football has seen an increase in attendance from 9,021 to 11,440 in one season.  Food & Beverage 3 The stadium offers the usual pies, pastries, burgers, and hot dogs. The chicken and mushroom pie is recommended. There are also small stands in the car park, serving freshly grilled burgers and bacon rolls from a van in the southwest corner. The club introduced two new beers this season that are made by Little Ox Brew Co. They are Lucky U Pale Ale with tropical and zesty notes and 1893 Lager, which is a crisp, clean pilsner. Atmosphere 3 Kassam Stadium is a nice, modern, and comfortable stadium that will offer a welcoming afternoon for a soccer match. A few areas of the stands seem much further away in comparison to other Championship League venues, and parts of the stadium seem somewhat neglected in terms of cosmetics. The noise level can be very boisterous. The small and dedicated fan base comes alive during points of the game and creates a louder atmosphere than what appears in the stands. The United fans are called the Yellow Army; they unite the various fan groups and improve the matchday experience. Expect raucous chants, songs, and cheers throughout the match.  The stands are separated into three areas and are covered with visible steel beams on the ceiling. The plastic folding seats are colored blue and yellow and provide enough comfort; there are also times when areas of the stands are empty to move around and view the game from a new vantage point.  The United Club shop is located behind the VUE cinema and is open on matchdays from 11 AM to 3 PM and an hour after the game.  Neighborhood 3 The stadium is 4 miles from the city center of Oxford, and there are no home and away pubs close to the stadium. It is in a residential and industrial complex. In other words, the Kassam Stadium is isolated from Oxford or a surrounding neighborhood. Fortunately, the Kassam Leisure Complex is across the carpark and offers a collection of places to dine, drink, and entertainment. The Ridge Bar & Grill, Fish & Chips, J’s Sports Bar, Frankie & Benny’s, and Oxy Asian Buffet are dining options. Frankie and Benny’s serves New York-style Italian dishes, and the Refuelling Bar at Gravitee Golf offers drinks, pizzas, and hot dogs. There are no pubs within walking distance of the stadium. The Kings Arm, The Blackbird, and George Inn are two pubs for a pint before the game. They are around a 20-minute walk from the stadium.  Fans 4 Oxford supporters have always made their presence felt at home matches. The team has averaged well over 7,000 in annual attendance in the last decade. This season has seen numbers topple over 11,000 for games in the Championship. Having a winning side gives the fans and individual supporters groups something to cheer about at the game.  Access 4 Kassam Stadium is not close to a train station. The best way to access the stadium is by car, which the stadium offers a free car park. The M40 is the nearest motorway, and you can use several junctions starting from J9, J8, and J7. The large car park, visible from the stands, allows easy access to and from the stadium.  Thames Travel provides service with a special matchday bus to and from the stadium from designated spots around Oxford. The closest city train is 5 miles away from the center of town. Return on Investment 3 The price of tickets for an adult in the East Stand costs £25 or £28 on the day of the game. The North Family Stand also costs the same price. These are the least expensive for adults for a game at the stadium. The most expensive seat is in the South Upper Stand at £35 and £38 in advance. Tickets for seniors and children under 18 are much less. The cost to park is free, the food prices are reasonable, and the pies are under £5. A kit costs £50, a cap £16, and a hoodie £50. The price of a pint is among the cheapest in Championship League at £3.50. Extras 3 Kassam Stadium offers a sensory room for anyone under the age of 23 years who needs to take a break. The stadium is known for its bronze statue of an ox, revealed in 2008. The stadium offers free parking, a welcome surprise on any ground across England or the world. Final Thoughts Kassam Stadium is a pleasant facility to watch a match, but not one that will be memorable. The stadium is easily accessible by car, offers free parking, and has all the modern conveniences. It is a great way to spend an afternoon during the football season.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Peoria Sports Complex 16101 N 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ 85382 Peoria Javelinas website Peoria Sports Complex website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 12,882 Peoria Javelinas Baseball The Peoria Javelinas are one of six teams playing in the Arizona Fall League. The Arizona Fall League is a developmental instructional baseball league played in various spring training complexes in the Greater Phoenix area. The season lasts six weeks, during October and November. Major league teams send some of their most highly touted prospects to play in the league for additional practice. For those not familiar with the term, javelinas are nasty pig-like mammals (though they’re not actually in the pig family) often seen in the Arizona wild.  The ball players are much more approachable and friendly than the animals. For the 2024 season, the Padres, Mariners, Braves, Brewers, and Marlins sent players from their minor league teams to join the Javelinas. The Javelinas play at the Peoria Sports Complex, home to the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners for spring training, and the ACL (Arizona Complex League) Padres in the summer. NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), Nippon-Ham Fighters KBO (Korean Baseball Organization), Doosan Bears, Lotte Giants, and NC Dinos have used the facility for their spring training in the past. It is owned and managed by the city of Peoria. The two best features of the Peoria Sports Complex are the spectacular sunset views and the scoreboard. Food & Beverage 2 The stadium does not offer a lot of fare for Fall League games. One concession stand is open.  The concession prices are a tad lower than other venues in the league. Food choices are jumbo hot dogs ($4.99), nachos ($6.49), soft pretzels ($4.99), popcorn ($3.99), chips ($2.99), and candy ($3.99).  A footlong hot dog costs $9.49. Bottled soda (Pepsi) is $4.99, and water is $3.99 .  A 24 oz can of domestic beer is $9.99, while premium beer cans are $10.99.  Canned beer selections are Michelob Ultra, Hop Knot IPA, 805, Modelo, Angry Orchard, and Truly.  The food choices won’t wow you but are okay for a snack.  You can bring in your own water and snacks. We recommend eating elsewhere before or after the game and getting something here as a snack if needed. Atmosphere 3 Javelina g ames are a peaceful baseball-watching experience. The Peoria Sports Complex seating is staggered blue stadium fold-down seats on three levels with a small walkway between the first two. They have decent legroom but are a tad narrow.  You can sit anywhere you want in the main stadium; the outfield lawn is closed off for most games. Row O has more legroom than other rows. Seats behind home plate and on the first base side get the shade first for day games.  Fans can still watch net-free baseball in sections past the dugouts.  Accessible seating lines the walkway. Be sure to visit the left-field patio deck (third level). It’s a great place to catch some foul balls and see that beautiful sunset. Peoria Sports Complex, Left Field Patio, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The scoreboard is the best in the Arizona Fall League. It is easy to read without binoculars. It shows the lineup for both teams (white letters on a black background), the name, number, position, and MLB affiliate of each player, which is great for learning the players’ names that will likely be in the majors in the future. The line score is displayed as well. The pitch clock is attached to the batter’s eye in center field. It’s difficult to read during day games because of the sun, but it is simple to read at night games. The music volume is just fine. Thankfully, the organization does not play music between each pitch and batter, just between innings. This allows fans to talk with each other without competin g against the music. The sounds of the game are delightfully magnified, with few in the seats and no music. The cracks of the bat, players calling for fly balls, and calls by the umpire - you can hear it all. The PA announcer does an excellent job. With a strong, clear voice, he calls almost all the batter and pitcher changes. Nicely done! Game day operations have an occasional t-shirt toss.  Stop by the merchandise counter on the concourse and complete a raffle ticket to win a prize, announced in the 8th inning.  Neighborhood 4 The stadium is in the heart of the P83 Entertainment District in Peoria, AZ, a northwest suburb of Phoenix. Retail, restaurants, hotels, apartment and office complexes, movie theaters, and shopping all abound next to the stadium, mostly on the north side. Over 15 restaurants, bars, and fast food are within a block or two. Many are chain restaurants if that’s what you prefer. However, we recommend The Social on 83rd  (good for weekend brunch). We also suggest Pho For Days (Vietnamese) and Revolu Modern Taqueria + Bar (Mexican). Besides shopping, a Harkins and an AMC movie theater are nearby, as is an Air Trampoline and Adventure Park for those a little more adventurous. To get in a few easy steps, take a stroll (or bike ride) on New River Trail . Downtown Phoenix is around 20 miles away. Several hotels are within walking distance. The LaQuinta Inn & Suites  is the closest. A Hampton Inn, Comfort Suite, and Residence Inn are .3 miles from the park. Other Fall League teams to visit when in town are the Glendale Desert Dogs  and the Surprise Saguaros. Check if the Arizona Cardinals  or the Phoenix Suns  are playing at home during your visit. Fans 3 Fans who visit the Fall League and the Javelinas are fans of the game. Lots of retired folks are in attendance. Families and kids are seen more on weekend or evening games. And there are lots of autograph hunters.  Scouts generally sit up behind home plate. Average attendance runs close to 400 fans a game. Access 3 Peoria Sports Complex is less than a half mile off Loop 101 (Bell Road exit) in the northwest suburbs of Phoenix. Bell Road / 83rd Ave is a traffic mess when leaving an afternoon game or getting to a weekday evening game. Parking is free. Only Gate B is open for Javelinas games (home plate entrance) on the corner of N 83rd and Stadium Way. The stadium is a 30-minute or so drive from Sky Harbor Airport. Public transportation is not easily available from the airport; riders must make multiple transfers, and travel time takes close to 2 ½ hours. The concourses are wide open. Minimal pedestrian congestion is found at a Javelinas game. Restrooms ar e plentiful and clean (at least the ladies). Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets are $13 (seniors 55+ and teens 11 - 17 are $11). Kids 10 and under get in free. If you live in the area or are planning on attending 12 or more games, a season pass is a less expensive way to go.  A single admission season pass is $155; a double admission pass is $185 (both are less if you are 55+). Concessions, though limited, are priced lower here than at other Fall League parks.  And there’s no charge for parking (none of the Arizona Fall League stadiums charge for parking). Attending a baseball game on a warm fall day or evening is worth the price. . Extras 2 Both the PA announcer and the scoreboard deserve extra mention s and the sunsets. Final Thoughts Attending a Javelina   baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex is a marvelous experience, especially for a baseball purist.  If you are planning on visiting any Fall League venues, be sure to put Peoria on the list.

Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey On Saturday October 26, BYU’s football team visited Central Florida  for the 4th time in series history, defeating the Golden Knights 37-24. The Cougars improved to 8-0 in conference play in only their 2nd season as members of the Big 12, and now stand atop the Big 12 standings – Iowa State  is also undefeated, however, but is only 7-0 since they already had their bye. BYU’s performance was good enough to move them into the top 10 of the AP Poll, the first time they have been in the AP Top 10 since a 9-0 start in 2020. After decades in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), which was re-formed into the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in 1999, Brigham Young University joined the Big 12 in 2023 as part of the larger conference alignment that in some way affected almost every team in the FBS. That conference realignment saw the end of some rivalries which have existed for over 100 years, for example Texas -Texas A&M, who first played in 1894 – the last meeting was in 2011, but the rivalry is being reborn in 2024, as Texas A&M  and Texas are now in the same conference again, the SEC. Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey That conference alignment also brought together teams that are separated by thousands of miles, most notably in the Big 10, which now stretches from USC  and UCLA  in California all the way to Penn State  in State College, PA. Such distances have become commonplace in college football these days, however – years ago it was surprising, for example, to see West Virginia  join the Big 12, over a thousand miles removed from its conference rivals in Texas and Oklahoma; such distances are no longer remarkable.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Loring Arena 165 Fountain St. Framingham, MA 01702 Framingham State Rams hockey website Loring Arena website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 2,500 Framingham State Hockey   Loring Arena is a municipal skating facility in Framingham, MA. It opened in 1963 as one of the first public skating rinks in the Boston area. Today the rink serves as home to many area clubs and teams, as well as providing public skating accessibility to the community. A six-million dollar renovation completed in 2018 upgraded the facility and created a dedicated locker room for one of the building’s primary tenants, the Framingham State Rams. The arena is named in honor of Edward F. Loring, who led the Framingham High School hockey team to the state title in 1961. Loring passed away the next year at age 42 due to liver cancer.   Framingham State University is a public university located in the Boston suburb of Framingham. With an enrollment of 4,500 students, the school began its existence in 1839 as the first state-supported Normal School in the country. Today the university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in several majors.   Today the Rams compete in the MASCAC (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) along with several other small schools in and around Massachusetts. Framingham State has yet to win a conference title or appear in the NCAA Tournament, but they do claim an ECAC championship in 1979. The school has announced that a women’s hockey team will begin play for the 2024-25 season.   Food & Beverage 2   There is a snack bar in the upstairs lounge area that is accessible to all fans. There’s a basic menu served here, including hot dogs, nachos, pretzels popcorn and assorted candy. Hot and cold beverages are sold, featuring Pepsi products. It’s not the most extensive menu you’ll find, but it will do the trick if you need a snack during the game. The area also overlooks the ice if you’re looking to escape the cold of the rink. Should the snack bar not be open during your visit, there are some vending machines in the area, one of which serves Dippin’ Dots ice cream.   Atmosphere 1   The game day atmosphere at a Framingham State hockey game is as bare bones an experience as any you’re likely to come across in your stadium journeys. While the arena seems to have a decent sound system, it is severely underutilized. There are no PA announcements made during the game, so if you’re looking for game updates, you’ll have to rely on the basic information displayed on the small scoreboard on the far end of the rink. Music is played during play stoppages, but during intermission, someone simply switches on the radio to fill the space with some noise.   Any energy generated during the game is generated by the fans in the stands, who consist primarily of family members. You won’t see much of a turnout from the student body in this off-campus arena.   Neighborhood 4   The city of Framingham is located about 20 miles to the west of Boston. It has a population of over 72,000 residents. As you may imagine, a city of this size will have some decent options for those who wish to eat in the area or look for a place to stay. Bowditch Field , home of Framingham State football, is located about a mile and a half to the north.   There are no dining or lodging options within walking distance of Loring Arena, but there are many choices along both Route 135, which runs near the rink, or Route 30, which runs past the university. Among the excellent dining options near Loring Arena are La Cantina Italiana, Framingham Station Brazilian Steakhouse and Exhibit A Brewing Company. Visitors looking to stay in Framingham will find numerous options along Route 30, including an Aloft, Residence Inn and Hampton Inn. All are just a short drive from Loring Arena.   Of course, if visiting Framingham from out of town, a trip into nearby Boston is most likely on your agenda. Framingham does offer a bit more value than staying downtown, and the Framingham MBTA Station  is located less than a mile away from Loring Arena.   Fans 2   The crowd at a Framingham State hockey game is a “friends and family” type of crowd. Stadium Journey visited Loring Arena on Senior Day on a Saturday night, and the crowd still topped out at about 150 fans. Even though the rink is only two miles from campus, there’s not much of a turnout from the student body. With the majority of the crowd made up of family members, you can be sure that the fans in attendance know their stuff and are very supportive of the players competing down on the ice.   With the compact footprint of the MASCAC conference, it’s also very likely that you’ll see a good turnout from visiting fans at a Rams game.   Access 4   Loring Arena is located in suburban Framingham, about 20 miles west of Boston. The city of Framingham is easily accessed via either Interstate 495 or 90 (the Mass Pike). The Arena is located about two miles south of the FSU campus, near many of the city’s public athletic fields and parks.   Ample parking is available in the lot adjacent to the front entrance of the rink. There is a large, bright lobby that contains the skate shop and an ATM, which may be handy to some fans as all transactions here are cash only. The snack bar is located on the lobby’s upstairs level, which is a popular spot to escape the cold of the rink, as you can watch the action from here. Rest rooms are located on both levels of the lobby. They are large and clean.   Seating consists of plastic bleachers which run along both sides of the rink. Nets run the length of the ice, obstructing views from all seats. There is plenty of standing room available on both sides of the arena atop the seating area. Fans can also stand at the end of the rink to take in the action.   Return on Investment 4   Admission to a Framingham State hockey game will cost you seven dollars. Parking in the adjacent lot is free of charge. Concessions are very reasonably priced, with no item costing more than five dollars. At Loring Arena you’ll be able to catch some quality hockey without spending too much money. Just be aware that all transactions here are cash only, so come prepared. There is an ATM in the lobby if you need to grab some cash.   Extras 1   The old wooden roof that arches over the ice surface harkens back to an earlier time and gives Loring Arena a classic, old-barn look. It’s certainly worth an extra point.   Final Thoughts   In the state of Massachusetts, hockey is a really big deal. Municipally-owned rinks popped up all around the state during the heyday of Bobby Orr and the Big, Bad Bruins. Loring Arena predates that hockey boom and as a result, features a unique design that sets it apart from many of its peers. -----   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Duane Stadium 315 Turnpike Ave North Andover, MA 01845 Merrimack Warriors football website Duane Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 4,000 Warriors, Come Out and Play   Merrimack College is a private Augustinian college in the Boston suburb of North Andover. Founded in 1947 by the order of St. Augustine to educate soldiers returning from World War II, the school now boasts an enrollment of over 5,600 students in over 100 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Among Merrimack’s alumni is Charlie Day, best known for his role in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.   Duane Stadium is named in honor of Ken and Jincie Duane. Ken is a class of 1980 alumnus and was a member of the school’s hockey and lacrosse teams. Mr. Duane served on the school’s Board of Trustees for several years. A contribution from the Duanes was instrumental in making the building of the facility possible.   The football program at Merrimack began play in 1996, competing at the Division Three level for one season before moving up to Division Two. In two-plus decades in D-2 the Warriors made the playoffs one time, advancing to the second round. In 2019 the entire Merrimack athletic program moved up to Division One, joining the Northeast Conference. When the Warriors moved to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2024, the football team was left without a conference, as the MAAC does not sponsor football. Merrimack is currently one of two independents competing in 2024. Over their first five seasons in Division One, Merrimack has posted a record of 24-23.   Food & Beverage 3   Merrimack Dining operates a food truck in the north end zone of Duane Stadium. A basic menu is available, consisting of burgers, dogs and nachos. Assorted snacks and beverages are also sold here. Pepsi products are featured, with coffee and hot chocolate popular items later in the season.   Seaboard Products runs a beer truck for Merrimack football games. They serve a selection of local craft brews, including “Together We Can,” a New England style IPA. The beer is the result of a collaboration between Merrimack and Riverwalk Brewing in Newburyport.   There’s a Dunkin’ Donuts in the nearby Merrimack Athletic Complex next door to Duane Stadium. It appears that fans can bring items from the Dunkin’ into the stadium.   Atmosphere 3   The game day atmosphere at Duane Stadium is fairly typical of other small college facilities in the northeast. The party starts in Lot M, directly behind the main grandstand. This lot is the only one on campus where tailgating is allowed. While there’s not usually a huge party scene here at Merrimack, if you visit during homecoming weekend, you can expect a great time.   Inside the stadium, all the usual elements can be found. The Merrimack band, cheerleading squad and dance team perform throughout the game. Mack the Warrior enters the game along with the team and spends his afternoons mingling with the fans. Music plays over a good sound system with a PA announcer who keeps fans informed of game information with a dash of personality. The scoreboard in the south end zone is put to good use with videos, graphics and replays.   There’s normally not a huge crowd at Merrimack football games, so this is hardly a loud and rowdy place. But many of the fans who do show up here have a personal connection with the players on the field, so they are enthusiastic in their support of the Warriors. Fans are friendly and you’ll feel welcomed even if wearing the opposing team’s colors.   Neighborhood 3     Merrimack College is located in North Andover, Massachusetts, a town of almost 31,000 residents located 25 miles north of Boston. North Andover is your typical bedroom community, with plenty of shops and restaurants for locals, but nothing that would classify the town as a “must see” destination.   While there are many options for lodging or dining within a short distance of the Merrimack campus, out of town visitors will most likely head towards Boston after the game.  Fans looking to avoid the big city price tags will find numerous choices within a few miles of the Merrimack campus along nearby Interstate 495.   Among the highlights near campus is Burton’s Grill & Bar and The Friendly Toast, a brunch spot featuring adult drinks and a creative menu. There’s a Holiday Inn Express on I-495 just a couple of miles from campus.   Fans 3   Crowds at Warrior football games generally run between 2,000-3,000 fans. If you visit Merrimack during Homecoming weekend, however, you can expect a standing-room only crowd. It was reported that on Homecoming Weekend 2024, over 15,000 people visited campus, filling Duane Stadium to capacity, with overflow crowds continuing the party in nearby Lot M.   As mentioned earlier, the fans at Duane Stadium are very supportive of the Warriors, if not overly loud and rowdy. It’s a fun place to take in a game. With the bulk of Merrimack’s schedule consisting of games against other New England teams, it’s not unusual to see a good turnout from visiting fans, who all sit on the same side of the field in the big grandstand.   Access 3     The Merrimack campus in North Andover is located 25 miles from downtown Boston near the intersection of Interstates 93 and 495.  While traffic can be heavy in this area, driving is the easiest way to get to Merrimack. There is an MBTA train that stops at the Andover station about four miles from campus. Once in Andover, the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority  offers bus service to many local spots, including Merrimack College. Complete directions to Merrimack, including local dining and lodging options, can be found here .   Duane Stadium is located on the southern edge of campus, adjacent to Lawler Rink , Hammel Court  and the other Merrimack athletic facilities. Lot M adjacent to the facility allows tailgating for a fee, with other lots located just a short walk from Duane Stadium. Most fans will find nearby parking in Lot H. A criticism of the accessibility of Merrimack is that the college blocks all entry points into the campus except for the one on Rockridge Road, forcing fans to circle the campus before entering, then making them wind their way through campus to find the stadium.   Fans entering Duane Stadium will find plenty of room to roam. Most of the seating is in the grandstand on the west side of the stadium. Seats in the grandstand between the forty-yard lines consist of individual stadium seats, with the remainder consisting of metal bleachers without backs. There is a walkway across the front of the grandstand, so it is recommended you avoid the first couple of rows. Standing room is available at several spots around Duane Stadium, primarily in the north end zone. There is a small observation deck on the east side of the stadium, which is reserved for VIPs, but this area was accessible for everyone on the afternoon of Stadium Journey’s visit.   Concession stands and rest rooms are located in the north end of the facility. Lines are generally not an issue at Duane Stadium.   Duane Stadium is a busy place, used for football, lacrosse, soccer and field hockey. Lines for all sports are on the turf and may be distracting for fans. The presence of the track around the outside of the football field pushes the seating further from the field than it would be otherwise.   Return on Investment 4   Tickets to Merrimack football games start at $20 for general admission or standing room tickets, maxing out at $30 for reserved chairback seats. Members of the military, senior citizens and youths under 12 all receive a five-dollar discount. Tailgate passes, which allow you to park in lot M adjacent to the stadium (the only lot where alcohol is allowed) can be purchased for $30-$50 depending on the game.   Other parking is available on campus at no charge. Concessions are reasonably priced, making an afternoon at Duane Stadium an affordable entertainment option for local sports fans.   Extras 1                                                                                                 There is a pop-up tent in the north end zone selling a variety of Merrimack merchandise, and a 50/50 raffle held to raise funds for the program. Fans may also want to check out the dedication plaque to Duane Stadium located on the east side of the stadium near the entrance.   Final Thoughts   Duane Stadium is a basic facility that is similar to many in the northeast. It suits the needs of the growing Merrimack football team well. While you won’t get the big-college experience here, what you will get is an affordable, fun place to watch some quality college football.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Alamodome 100 Montana St San Antonio, TX 78203 UTSA Roadrunners website Alamodome website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 64,000 UTSA Roadrunners – Alamodome The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) was founded in 1969. As the university has grown, so too has the athletics department. In 2011, the UTSA Roadrunners  took the gridiron for their inaugural season under the guidance of future Hall of Fame Head Coach Larry Coker . UTSA as a university and as a football program has grown by leaps and bounds in the ensuing decade – they would reach their first bowl game in 2016 under the guidance of former Head Coach Frank Wilson . Under his watch, the team would send multiple players to the NFL, including tight end David Morgan II and first round draft pick Marcus Davenport . A member of Wilson’s last signing class, Riq Woolen , would also find stardom in the NFL, and become UTSA’s first-ever Pro Bowler. Under Head Coach Jeff Traylor , the Roadrunners have reached unprecedented heights, earning back-to-back conference championships in 2021 and 2022, as well as four consecutive bowl game berths. The team moved to the American Athletic Conference in 2023. The team has played every home game at the venerable Alamodome in downtown San Antonio. Under Traylor’s tenure, the Dome has given a significant homefield advantage to UTSA. While it’s definitely showing its age, it is still one of the most unique venues in college football.   Food & Beverage   4 Over the years, the Alamodome has undergone significant renovations and changes in an effort to keep up with the times (more on that in the next section). One area where they have continually tried to improve is in concessions. Over the past few seasons, the Alamodome has made a concerted effort to bring a number of local vendors and restaurants to fill the stands and kiosks throughout the facility. The newest options range from Tex-Mex to fried chicken to barbecue options – with Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant , Earl Abel’s , and The Big Bib BBQ , respectively – as well as national options like Johnny Rockets for burgers and Urban Bricks and Papa Johns  for pizza. In addition, local beverage distributors such as SipIT  and Te Amo Micheladas  offer up frozen mixed drinks and Mexican-style beer cocktails for fans up until the fourth quarter. Another great innovation for this season has been the installation of grab-and-go stands on each side of the field on the main concourse. You can get your traditional stadium fare, your hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, bottled sodas, water, and beer, etc. at these stands, which has greatly improved the efficiency at the Dome. My one caveat that keeps this section from having a higher score – and I’ve heard this from numerous fans over the past few seasons – is the cost of some items. Prices are a little higher at the Alamodome than what you would expect to find at a program the size of UTSA. However, there are bargains to be had, so just keep on the lookout.   Atmosphere   4 Prefacing this now, I’ve been a UTSA Roadrunners season ticketholder since day one, and I’ve seen virtually every home game at the Alamodome in the last 14 years. The one area that I have seen the most improvement has been in the Atmosphere section. The parking lots surrounding the Dome have always been home to some of the best tailgating in the State of Texas, and this is said without an ounce of hyperbole. San Antonians love a party, and if you can throw a football game in – especially a winning one – they’re going to show up and show out hours and hours before gametime. If you’ve got time on your visit, spend some time in the lots before kickoff. In the nascent years of the program, you would be hard-pressed to find anything letting fans know that the Dome was UTSA’s home field. In the last few seasons, however, the stadium has put up a lot of signage in and around the outside of the facility, which is a good start. They will also light up the exterior of the Alamodome orange and blue for night games, and inside, the 2021 and 2022 Conference USA Championship banners proudly hang from the rafters all season. The lighting, scoreboards, and LED ribbons have all been upgraded in the last five seasons. The pre-game festivities at UTSA, with the band marching on the field while a hype video plays, followed by the football team’s entrance (which I will put up there with the best of any Group of 5 program in the country) is all top-notch. I freely admit to having a love/hate relationship with the in-stadium DJ, who performs throughout games. When you attend a Roadrunners game at the Alamodome, you might find them to be you’re your new favorite, so to each his own. The Alamodome provides a unique home field that no other program in the nation can offer; its acoustics make even small to medium-sized crowds sound like you’re standing next to a jet engine warming up for takeoff. Perhaps more important, as a football fan who has seen countless games across the state of Texas in my time, I can’t tell you how much the 72 degrees in the Dome in August, September, and October are appreciated. Aside from its age, the one thing that keeps this section’s score from being even higher is the lack of a true team store – merchandise tables are available during games, but that feels pretty bush league for a Division I program.   Neighborhood   5 In numerous past reviews I have extoled the virtues of my city and its downtown area, which is where the Alamodome is located. A walkway under State Highway 281 connects the Dome to the area of San Antonio that is home to the Alamo, Tower of the Americas, the River Walk, Hemisfair Park, the Shops at Rivercenter (which, in itself, is home to an IMAX Theater, a Legoland Discovery Center, and a SeaLife Aquarium), and an abundance of some of San Antonio’s best shopping, dining, and lodging options. For dining options, there are a few in the immediate, walkable area of the Alamodome. Nearby options include Tony G’s Soul Food (of which I’m a big fan), which serves up scratch-made Southern classics like fried chicken, meatloaf, and fried catfish, and The Cherrity Bar , which in addition to serving up award-winning cocktails also offers a legit menu of Japanese food including yakitori, soba noodles, and ramen. There are a few hotels within walking distance of the Alamodome, including a couple that you don’t need to cross the highway for – these are Staybridge Suites San Antonio Downtown Convention Center  and City View Inn & Suites . Both are less than a 10-minute stroll from the Dome’s front door. Again, downtown SA has options aplenty for food and shelter, with your only limitation being your budget.   Fans   3 For the majority of the seasons in the Jeff Traylor era, the UTSA Roadrunners have managed to average a robust and healthy attendance of 28,000-29,000 fans per game. This was rarely if ever the case before his tenure. Their inaugural game in the Alamodome featured a record-breaking 56,000-plus fans for that magical night, and the team has been chasing that vibe ever since. When the team starts to dip and/or the competition is not a recognized brand to casual fans, turnout is pretty light. Such has been the case at the start of this current season, as a combination of a history-making and graduating senior class and a “when it rains, it pours” spate of injuries has seen attendance dip to 20,000-22,000 per game averages. The good thing is that the student section continues to be packed and has, in recent years, been expanded to allow room for the most vocal and passionate fans of the team. And as mentioned, the tailgating in the lots is an experience unto itself thanks to the fanbase here. Regardless, this is a loud group of fans, most of which come to games decked out on in UTSA orange and blue. Their vociferousness can be counted on to cause problems for opposing teams, which has been a boon to UTSA. Sustaining growth in attendance will bump this section’s score higher.   Access   4 As mentioned, the Alamodome is located off a major state highway, and is sandwiched between two major US highways in Interstates 10 and 35. The stadium is a short nine-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport. San Antonio’s mass transit option, VIA Metropolitan Transit, has routes all over the city that end up at the Dome. There are even park and ride locations in other parts of the city, which is often a great option. On site, the Dome has two parking lots open to fans who pre-purchase a parking spot; you cannot purchase a pass in these lots on the day of. However, the Alamodome is situated adjacent to a residential neighborhood, and for blocks and blocks, industrious residents and business owners rent out spaces in driveways and parking lots on game days. Spots in these can be had for as little as $10, depending on how far you’re willing to walk. What keeps the Access score from being higher is the egress situation – there is only one main road out of the Alamodome, and this will bottleneck especially on dates with larger crowds.   Return on Investment   4 Single-game tickets for UTSA games can be found for as little as $6 on the secondary market. This is an incredible bargain for a team that has seen the success the Roadrunners have had. Typical seasons will feature one or two big name out-of-conference opponents at the Dome, and the American Athletic Conference also has some of the more recognizable Group of Five teams anyway. The low-ticket costs are what gives this section the score it has. Parking costs are on the average compared to programs the size of UTSA, but as mentioned in the Access section, bargains can be found if you’re willing to walk a bit. What brings this section’s score down is the aforementioned concession costs.   Extras   3 UTSA brings out pretty much all the traditional pageantry that can be found at most Division I football programs. The award-winning Spirit of San Antonio (SoSA) marching band performs throughout the game and at halftime, while the UTSA Pom Squad and Cheerleaders , as well as the beloved mascot Rowdy , can all be found on the sidelines interacting with fans both before and during games. The student section also raises a giant flag with UTSA’s “Let’s Go 210” (which is the area code for the Alamo City) at the start of the fourth quarter. It’s all fun, but beyond that, there isn’t much else in the way of Extras. The program has started and abandoned quite a few traditions over the years – I think getting the right one started in the coming years will only make this section’s score higher.   Final Thoughts I’ve been to more games at the Alamodome than any other venue – I’ve seen virtually every home game for the UTSA Roadrunners here since 2011, which is all to say I’m very familiar with this facility. I still find a great deal to enjoy about this stadium, however, even with its sometimes glaringly obvious wear and tear. There is no other venue like the Alamodome in college sports, and I do think it belongs on bucket lists. I’m pretty confident that if you come in for a UTSA game, you’ll see what I see and will come away with an appreciation for the program, the venue, and the city. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Select Car Leasing Stadium Shooters Way Reading, England RG2 0FL United Kingdom Reading FC website Select Car Leasing Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 24,161 The Mad Stad Select Car Leasing Stadium is home to the English Football Championship club Reading and was formerly named Madejski Stadium after their Chairman Sir John Madejski. The stadium was built in 1998 following the club's departure from their Elm Park residence of over one hundred years. The stadium has an all-seated capacity of 24,161 and also hosts the home games of the Rugby Union club London Irish. Food & Beverage 3 Once inside, the stadium is well served by food outlets selling a range of hot dogs, burgers, pies, and stir fry noodles as the vegetarian option. A hot dog retails for £3.20 with tea and coffee priced at £1.50 per cup. Pepsi is slightly overpriced at £2 a cup with lager costing £3 per pint. The kiosks also sell chocolate and crisps. Atmosphere 3 By Championship standards, Reading is a well-supported club with an average attendance of 18,000. However, despite playing to a three-quarters full stadium for most home games the atmosphere within the ground can at times be quite muted. The noise levels do increase against sides with large away followings, however, this is mainly when Reading plays local derbies or one of the bigger clubs. Neighborhood 4 The town of Reading is situated in the county of Berkshire and is a mere forty-minute drive from London and Heathrow Airport. The stadium is within easy reach of Junction 11 of the M4 Motorway adjacent to the A33 which runs directly into the Town Centre. The Mad Stad, as it is nicknamed locally, is a typical new British stadium development situated on the outskirts of town surrounded by retail parks. If it is here that you wish to while away the hours leading up to kick off then it's visiting DIY Superstores that will be the order of the day. There are also fast food outlets here in the form of Pizza Hut, Mcdonald's, and KFC. A better recommendation would be to take the three-kilometer journey into town where you will find the Oracle Shopping Centre with its selection of High Street stores, Bars, Coffee Shops, and Restaurants including one from the Jamie Oliver range. These are located in the pleasant canal side area of the complex. Fans 3 Reading supporters are not renowned for being the noisiest in the land, however, the core fan base has grown from approximately eight to eighteen thousand since the club took up residence at the Madejski. Those supporters who wish to spend the duration of the ninety minutes singing and chanting congregate in the East Stand which adjoins the South Stand, the end where away supporters are located. Access 3 The stadium is easily reached by a car exiting Junction 11 of the M4 motorway which runs between Bristol and London. There is plenty of parking, but be aware that this is limited to two hours in the retail parks. The official car park is for season tickets and guests only, but paid parking is available for £8 per vehicle and is between a five and ten-minute walk away. The nearest railway station is Reading Central and Bus 50 arrives and departs from directly outside the stadium. Return on Investment 4 Unless Reading is playing one of the big four then tickets for most matches can be easily purchased in advance over the internet or by arriving early on the day of the game. Ticket prices are £23 and £26 if purchased in advance but rise by £4 if bought on the day. There are discounts for those under 16s and OAPs. This is the average cost of a ticket for the English £10 to increase attendance. Extras 4 There is the normal superstore selling a wide range of both Reading and London Irish merchandise situated by the main entrance to the stadium. A match day program is available for all home games priced at £3. All sporting venues in Britain are now nonsmoking areas, however, Reading allows supporters out onto the concourse at halftime to enable smokers to get their fix, which is particularly needed when their team is losing.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stayner Memorial Arena 269 Regina Street Stayner, ON L0M 1S0 Stayner Siskins website Stayner Memorial Arena website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 300 Stayner Alive! One of the cornerstone franchises in Junior C hockey is the Stayner Siskins.  Established in 1972 as a Junior D team, the team was promoted to Junior C in its second season.  The Siskins were successful winning four titles in Junior D playdowns.  In 2012, Junior D as a division was eliminated and folded into Junior C.  In 2016, all Junior C leagues merged to become the Provincial Junior Hockey League.  Playing in the Carruthers Division, the Siskins have won the Carruthers Division 3 times since the merger and were regular season champions 5 times in the same period.  The Siskins were Georgian Bay Champions 5 times from 1988-1994 and GMO Champions 3 times from 1995 until the merger.  Home for the Siskins is the Stayner Arena.  A community hub that was built in 1987 also houses a community centre and the Clearview Township Public Library.  With a modest capacity of 300, Thursday night has become hockey night in Stayner.  The most famous alumnus of the Stayner Siskins is former NHL star Jason Arnott, who was born in nearby Collingwood and raised in Wasaga Beach, the two towns Stayner finds itself between.  The town of Stayner is central to agricultural areas and has a small population of almost 4,700 people. Food & Beverage 3 Stayner Arena has a small, snack bar-style concession in the lobby that is operated by the Lion’s Club.  Fries, hot dogs, chocolate, chips, and candy are on the menu.  Soda, Gatorade, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are the soft drinks available.  A couple of vending machines can also be found in the lobby.  To the left of the concession window is another window where beer is available with products provided by the nearby Collingwood Brewery, including a Siskins branded beer. Atmosphere 3 The Stayner Arena has an extremely simple exterior.  The arena portion is found on the west side and has a dark siding with a couple of signs on the exterior.  Entry is just to the east of the arena, where the lobby is found, which separates the arena from the community centre.  It is a little more modern looking with light brick and glass.  Upon entering the arena, fans will find themselves in a vestibule welcomed by a pair of free-standing banners advertising Siskins Alumni who have played at high levels and Siskins who have played in the OHL.  The vestibule also contains a pair of trophy cases, which are filled with minor hockey accolades.  Entry into the main lobby brings fans to temporary tables where tickets are purchased, and 50/50 tickets are sold.  In the lobby, the concession windows are to the right, with windows looking out to the ice surface to the left.  Tables and chairs are there to allow fans to watch the action on the ice from the warm comfort of the lobby.  Items of note in the lobby include the framed jersey of Graham McNabb, who would go on to play for the Brampton Battalion and was a local product of Stayner Minor Hockey.  The other framed jersey is a little easier to recognize than that of Jason Arnott.  Arnott was born in Collingwood and raised in Wasaga Beach, which Stayner finds itself between.  Arnott would play the 1989-90 season for the Siskins and eventually go on to be drafted number seven overall in the 1993 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Entering the arena area, fans will be struck by the temperature change.  Stayner Arena is quite cold, and the use of the gas heaters above the seating area is questionable at best.  Bringing a blanket from the car is not an uncommon practice.  The ice surface runs from west to east, with the seating only on the south side.  The seating consists of five rows of blue-painted wooden benches raised above the ice level with a walkway and standing room behind.  Light-painted, low arch support beams cross the structure, and the ceiling has the typical silver insulation in between.  This is a common design for arenas at this level.  The simple hockey score clock hangs on the west wall with several minor hockey and lacrosse championship banners.  Above the scoreclock is the Canadian flag and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which was once common in arenas in Ontario.  The north and east walls are littered with ads for local businesses.  Hanging just above the Siskins’ bench are PJHL North Conference Championship banners for 2022 and 2023.  These seem to be the only banners that the Siskins claim, which is curious due to their significant history.  New for the 2024-2025 season is the “Best Seats in the House,” a small bar-like perch at the top of the seating at centre ice which features high top, cushioned seats, and hockey sticks as part of the gates.  These seats are used for promotion. The gameday production in Stayner is fairly simple.  Music is played over the PA system during stoppages and intermissions, and typical announcements are presented throughout the game.  The PA system is not the worst at this level. However, it is not the best either, and announcements are sometimes a challenge to understand.  Neighbourhood 3 Stayner is located south of the Nottawasaga Bay inlet of Georgian Bay, between Collingwood and Wasaga Beach.  It is in Clearview Township, which is part of Simcoe County.  The town Stayner itself is not very large and has a typical small-town downtown area.  There are a few spots for pre or post game food and drink including Angie’s Place, Kitchen Savvy, Honey Monster, 1904 Social Haus, Bluewater Fish & Grill and Charlie’s Diner. The Stayner Siskins are the only game in town during the winter, although the Clearview Crushers of the senior Ontario Series Lacrosse call the Stayner Arena home during the summer.  Hockey is also found, at different levels, in neighbouring Creemore, Wasaga Beach and Collingwood.  The Collingwood Blues  of the OJHL are the most predominant of the group.  The area is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors with many neighbouring beaches, trails, golf courses, and skiing at Blue Mountain Resort.  Taking a tour of Creemore Brewery, just south of Stayner, is a good tourist option as well.  For those wishing to stay in the area, Gables B&B is an option, or heading to one of the hotels at Blue Mountain is optimal. Fans 4 Stayner Arena has a modest capacity of 300.  It is clear that the Siskins are a significant draw in the area as they consistently average near capacity crowds each season.  The 2023-24 season saw the Siskins average 298 fans per game, up from the previous season’s 274.  Comparing figures in the PJHL is challenging due to a lack of published attendance figures, however it is clear that Stayner’s attendance figures would put them in the top third of the league.  Fans in attendance are supportive of the team and loud at the right moments.   Access 4 Stayner Arena is located at the north edge of the town of Stayner in Clearview Township.  Getting to the arena is not difficult.  It is 1 km from the junction of Highways 42 and 26, which can be a busy intersection.  Travelling through town is a necessity but traffic should not be an issue.  There is plenty of parking for patrons on site.  For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there is limited transit service between communities, which stops at the community centre.  Fans should consult the Clearview Public Transit  website for fares, schedules and maps.  It is questionable if transit will support the needs of the hockey fan on gamenight.  Getting around the arena is not terribly difficult.  The lobby will be a bit crowded during intermissions and before the game starts.  Washroom facilities are small, but not terrible for the venue.  The arena is very cold and fans should be prepared, especially early in the season when the outdoor temperatures are significantly higher than in the arena. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for the Stayner Siskins are purchased at the door and go for $12 for adults.  Cash or debit are accepted.  Parking on site or on the street is free and concession prices are good.  The Siskins put a good product on the ice and fans will get a true sense of community taking in a Siskins game.  Considering the low investment, the return is excellent. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Stayner Siskins being a centrepiece of the community. An extra mark for the unique Siskins name, which refers to a small bird similar to a goldfinch. An extra mark for the longevity of the Siskins, playing for over 50 years. Final Thoughts Taking in hockey in a small community is different and the Stayner Siskins offer a glimpse into small town life and the support of their local hockey team.  The Stayner Arena is a hub for the community and a decent venue for the level of hockey being played here.  Taking in a Stayner Siskins game will not disappoint. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Courtesy of the Mississippi Mud Monsters S eptember 8th 2024, was a sad day for Mississippi sports fans as, after 20 seasons playing at Trustmark Park, the Mississippi Braves played their final game. The Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliate will move to Columbus, GA in 2025 and rename themselves the Columbus Clingstones, after a Georgia brand of peach. During the entire 2024 season it was unknown what would become of Trustmark Park, which was still in good condition after 20 years. Besides Braves games the ballpark hosts high school state championship games and college baseball games every year between Southern Miss , Ole Miss , and Mississippi State .   However, on the previous night, September 7th, it was announced to a sellout Saturday night crowd at Trustmark Park that baseball would be staying in Pearl, MS, with the Independent Frontier League scheduled to place an expansion team here beginning in 2025. Three team names were given for fans to vote on: 1) Mississippi Grits, 2) Mississippi Mud Monsters, and 3) Mississippi Soul Shakers. Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey   The winning team name was unveiled on September 30th, when the Mud Monsters were chosen as the newest team to represent the Frontier League. Mud Monsters is a play on the state's unofficial fish, the catfish – the Magnolia state leads the country in catfish production. If you see a hole in a wall catfish restaurant in Mississippi, I advise visiting, as this will probably be some of the best catfish in the world.   The Frontier League is one of four independent leagues that is considered to be an MLB Partner League – there is no affiliation with an MLB club, but players are eligible to sign with MLB clubs throughout the season. The 18-team league will have teams much different than wha t Mississippi Braves  fans are used to in the Southern League, as the Mud Monsters will play in a 9-team Western Division consisting of teams in Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. Instead of road trips to local towns like Biloxi, Pensacola, and Montgomery, the closest team to Mississippi will be the Evansville Otters 500 miles away. The Mud Monsters will also make 1,600-mile road trips to as far away as Quebec City. Photo by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey   It'll be a much different look in 2025 at Trustmark Park, but the fact of the matter is that baseball is staying here, and the ballpark that once welcomed Braves  stars such as Ron ald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Max Fried, Austin Riley, and Spencer Strider will continue to host baseball for hopefully many years to come.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Surprise Stadium 15930 N Bullard Ave Surprise, AZ 85374 Map It Surprise Saguaros website Surprise Stadium website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 10,714 Sah-WAR-ohs Built in 2002, Surprise Stadium is the spring training home for MLB’s Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals . The stadium is part of the Surprise Recreation Campus in Surprise, AZ, which is in the farthest northwest corner of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The stadium has a capacity of 10,714 and is the most distant stadium from central Phoenix and the airport. In the fall, the baseball stadium is home to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Surprise Saguaros (pronounced Sah-WAR-ohs). The Arizona Fall League is a developmental instructional baseball league played in various spring training complexes in the Greater Phoenix area. The season lasts a little over a month, during October and November.  Each Major League baseball team sends seven top prospects to the league to continue their development and for additional practice. For the 2024 season, the Astros, Royals, Orioles, Guardians, and Rangers sent players from their minor league teams to join the Saguaros. These affiliations change over the years. The Surprise Saguaros have won three AFL Championships, most recently in 2023. Food & Beverage 2 One concession stand on the concourse behind home plate is open for Saguaros games, and that’s enough.  The selection during the 2024 season includes bratwurst sausages ($6.25), monster hot dogs ($6.25), and nachos ($5.75). There’s usually an additional Manager’s Special, like chicken tenders. Snacks include Bavarian pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, and Snickers ice cream pops ($2.75 - $5.50). Drinks range from $3.25 - $5.50 an d include water, sweet tea, and fountain soda (Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper brands). The concession stand sells a variety of domestic and craft canned beer ($7.75 - $10.25).  A Desert Cactus Margarita (with two shots of tequila) costs $14.25. It’s enough to satisfy a hungry Saguaro fan.  Fans can bring in their own bottles of water and snacks. Atmosphere 4 Surprise Stadium offers a low-key, pleasantly delightful afternoon or evening of baseball. A 360-degree concourse surrounds the field, good for getting your steps in without missing the action on the diamond. Standard green fold-down stadium seats with cupholders stretch from foul pole to foul pole, though the sections beyond the dugouts are tarped of f for the Fall League. F ans walk down to their seats from the concourse. The second level is closed to fans for Fall League games. Handicapped seating lines the rim of the seating area on the concourse. Fans can sit wherever they prefer, which is standard for all Fall League games. We recommend bringing a rag or towel; you may need to wipe bird droppings off a seat. The infield concourse is sheltered in the event o f inclement wea ther. A medium-thick net extends across all seating. Sit in the seats above the bullpens for an inning or two to experience a unique and different viewpoint of the game. The music volume is fine, a little loud but tolerable under the speakers.  The person responsible for playing the music does a good job and only plays it pregame and between innings, as it should be.    Sit in section 113 to be out from under the speakers (though this section is in the sun during afternoon games). The field is remarkably green and plush, unusual for the hot and dry conditions in Arizona, especially this past 2024 summer. The scoreboard sits in the left field berm and provides some advertisements, the line score, and the batter’s name and photo (if they have it). The Saguaros staff set up a merchandise table on the concourse behind home plate. It offers merchandise for not only the Saguaros but other Fall League teams as well.  Fans can pick up team rosters and starting lineups at this table. Surprise Stadium Merchandise Table, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Surprise, AZ is known for having many active adult communities and residences. Many northerners migrate south for the winter or relocate permanently to the area for its warm weather. Surprise does not have a ‘downtown’ area and is more piecemeal with communities and strip malls. Construction crews are building more and more structures as the city grows in popularity. Across the street from the stadium are the city-owned and operated tennis and racquet courts, the Surprise Community Park (walking trails, fishing pond, and picnic area), an aquatic center, and the library. For places to stay near the ballpark, a Residence Inn , Holiday Inn Express , and a Hilton Garden Inn  are all about ½ mile from the stadium. Places to eat and drink before or after the game require a vehicle. Man y chains and fast food pla ces are along Bell Rd. For non-chain suggestions, try Bonfire Craft Kitchen and Tap House , Saigon Kitchen  (Vietnamese), or Irish Wolfhound Pub . State 48 Brewery has a brewpub a little over two miles from the stadium. If outdoor activities interest you, at least eight golf courses dot the Surprise landscape, or take a hike at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park (17 miles from the ballpark). The closest Fall League venue is Peoria Sports Complex, home of the Peoria Javelinas , 10 miles east. Camelback Ranch, where the AFL Glendale Desert Dogs  play, is about a 30-minute drive. Fans 3 Fans who attend Fall League games tend to be scouts, autograph hunters, or those who enjoy the game itself and not all the extras that occur in minor and major league parks throughout North America.  Fans applaud all good plays regardless of team. The Saguaros draw about 300 – 500 fans per game.  Weekend games have a higher attendance.  The fan base tends to increase as the season progresses . Access 2 Surprise Stadium is 40 miles from Sky Harbor Airport. No public transportation is available from the airport, nor does Surprise have local bus service options. Driving is the only option. One entrance is open for Fall League games, behind center field.  The closest spot to park is the West Fastball Dr parking lot.  Parking is free for Fall League games. It’s one of the rare baseball venues where the ticket booth is outside center field, behind the batter’s eye. The third baseline gates open for exiting after the game, making the walking distance shorter.  The Saguaros provide golf cart-like transportation from the entrance to the seating area (and back) for those who need it.  Clear stadium bags are allowed, though the signs indicating such are not easy to read and do not make fans feel welcome. The 360-degree concourse is comfortably wide. Clean and serviceable restrooms are open on the inner concourse. The 360-degree concourse is comfortably wide. Clean and serviceable restrooms are open on the inner concourse. Return on Investment 4 As with everything else, prices have increased.  Single game tickets are $13 (seniors 55+ and teens 11 – 17 are $11). Kids 10 and under get in free. If you live in the area or plan on attending 12 or more games, a season pass is a less expensive way to go. A single admission season pass is $155; a double admission pass is $185 (less if you are 55+). Parking is free, as it is at all Fall League parks. Attending a baseball game on a warm fall day or evening for the game is worth the price and Surprise Stadium does a good job at keeping it baseball. . Extras 3 The stadium features a Hall of Fame, highlighting plaques honoring both Royals and Rangers players, managers, and local community role models. Paper copies of the starting lineup and rosters are available upon entry or at the souvenir table, a good thing for fans who keep score. The shrubbery in the batter’s eye this 2024 season makes me chuckle as the saguaro looks like it’s giving the fan base the finger (gotta love Mother Nature). Surprise Stadium Batter's Eye, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Depending on which game you attend, you may see members of the nearby Luke Air Force base present the colors, sing the national anthem, and throw out the first pitch.    When the game day announcer recognizes armed force members and veterans in the stands during the game, a good portion of the Saguaros players applaud and wave their hats in appreciation of their service.  Final Thoughts Surprise Stadium is an attractive stadium and all staff members are quite pleasant. Fans attending Sah-WAR-ohs games here enjoy their time.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 John L Guidry Stadium 1 Stadium Dr Thibodaux, LA 70301 Nicholls State Colonels website John L Guidry Stadium website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 10,500 College Football in the Sugar Cane Bayou An hour west of the sprawling city of New Orleans, nestled among the fields of sugar cane and bayous, the campus of Nicholls State rises from the Louisiana soil. Here, small town college pride is on full display; football here is the main show on fall Saturday afternoons. In a stadium that features cozy views of the surrounding country as well as some modern touches, Nicholls State battles for victory. While not necessarily at the top of the list for sports fans visiting the Bayou State, Nicholls State may be a hidden gem. What it may lack in the top-tier finishes of some FBS powerhouse schools, this FCS program makes up for with local pride.   Food & Beverage   3 There aren’t a lot of food options at Nicholls State games, but the prices are incredibly affordable. Indeed, the few concession stands available have limited menus. The traditional favorites of burgers ($5-$6), pizza ($8), hot dogs ($4), nachos ($4-$6), beer ($6), and drinks like water, soda, and Powerade ($4) are all available. However, the stars of the show here are the local favorites like jambalaya ($5), bread pudding ($4), and boudin links ($5-$6). Atmosphere   3 The stadium itself is simple in design. Two large concrete grandstands on opposite sidelines offer the majority of the seating here. The home side features black individual seats with backs, as well as a press box with several suites available. Behind one end zone is a patio outside the student athlete center which has several table and chair setups, while the other end zone features field-level cabana viewing areas below the scoreboard. Before games, fans pack the grassy shaded areas outside the stadium for pre-game tailgating. Specific areas can be purchased for pre-game by larger groups for a more specified tailgating experience. The standard college football hits are all here; a band plays on the field before the game and during halftime, while a mascot roams around entertaining fans. Cheerleaders and a dance team perform and toss t-shirts into the stands for fans.   Neighborhood   3 Thibodeaux isn’t a large city. In fact, its population is just over 15,000 people, so the small town vibe is prevalent. The surrounding country is populated with sugar cane fields and bayou swampland. The nearest airport is an hour east in New Orleans. There are some typical chain restaurants in town, like Raising Canes, as well as Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse. Attractions include the Bayou Country Children’s Museum, as well as the E.D. White Historic Site. Several chain hotels are also in town, including the Hampton Inn that sponsors the football team.   Fans   3 The fans in Thibodeaux are loyal and passionate – there is definitely a lot of hometown pride when it comes to cheering for the Colonels. That said, not every game is packed with people. Attendance is sometimes dependent on visiting fans as well. Nonetheless, Nicholls State football games are a family affair, with lots of young fans in attendance.   Access   3 To get to Thibodeaux, you have to take some smaller back roads. From New Orleans, a short drive on I-310 and then Highway 90 eventually whittles down to Route 308, which is a one lane road each way that winds along Bayou Lafourche. From the west or north, smaller roads are your only way in. Once in Thibodeaux, signage helps point you towards campus. Parking on site is plentiful.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets to Nicholls State football games are very affordable, starting at just $20 for general admission tickets. Assigned seating on the home side starts at $24, and goes up to $39 for stadium-style seats with backs to them. This means taking the whole family to see some college football in the bayou is a lot more affordable than at the stadiums of some other Louisiana college teams.   Extras   2 Whenever the team scores a touchdown, and during the player introductions, a large firetruck parked next to the end zone blares its siren. Games offer several giveaways for fans; what is available depends on the different theme going on during that day’s game.   Final Thoughts Thibodeaux may not be at the top of the list of everyone’s college football towns to visit, but Nicholls State has a respectable setup nonetheless. Fans are loyal and proud and make sure their hometown team is loved each and every game. And with both ticket prices and concessions at incredibly affordable prices, this is a much cheaper option for a college football game than many nearby stadiums may offer.

Photo Credit Spatms Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.86 David R. Stopher Gym Nicholls State-Acadia St. Thibodaux, LA 70310 Nicholls State Colonels website David R. Stopher Gym website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 3,800 Nickel’s Worth at Nicholls When you go to south Louisiana, you have to go all the way down to the bayous to find a city named Thibodaux where the Colonels of Nicholls State University reside. Nicholls is probably the southernmost university in the state and as the campus sits across from Bayou Lafourche you know you’re down with the gators. If you’re ever down at Nicholls State for a basketball game you should know that the teams play in David R. Stopher Gymnasium, which opened in 1970. The Stopher caps out at 3,800 fans but for a small D-I school, there are some perks about it. Food & Beverage 2 Concession stand? Let’s just call it a snack bar. In Stopher Gym, there is one snack bar area where you can get hot dogs and nachos for $3 each. However, the beverage prices are set pretty high. PowerAde ($3), bottle of water ($3), and the soda is $3. And the snack bar is located as soon as you walk in the door of the gym. I thought I was arriving at a packed game when I walked in, but it was the snack line mixing with the ticket line. Atmosphere 1 The atmosphere was very high school like, having the few loyal fans who dress up and then the older crowd who is just spectating. One thing I was really impressed with was the upper section of the seats that were upstairs. They looked to be regular bleacher seats and could be used as such, but there also were mini seatbacks that could fold up and give you some back support. I did expect a more rowdy atmosphere since the Colonels are the only school in this area of the state and it was a conference game, so the atmosphere overall was a disappointment. Neighborhood 3 Thibodaux is a pretty small college town, which means you won’t find a whole lot to do in the area. If you’re into history though then you’ve struck gold here. There is a sugar plantation that has been running since the late 1800s in the area and the downtown area seems to have a nice taste of history behind it as well. Other than that, you’ll find your ordinary small college town, which includes fast food chains and a shopping strip about a mile away from the campus. However I must add that there are a few restaurants there that you must visit. One is called Politz’s Steak and Seafood; remember you are in the south along the bayous so the seafood is what you want to concentrate on experiencing. Fans 1 The fans weren’t in abundance for whatever reason – maybe the students go back home on weekends – but the fans that were there made sure you knew they were in the building. There wasn’t much chanting going on and the only noise really was that which came from the band members. I thought for sure all colleges had a fan base and student section; that was until I arrived at the Stopher. When you talk about student support, you can count on one hand those who showed up for the Colonels. The band did the best it could along with the cheerleaders and dance team, but the fan element definitely was missing and the school needs to find a way to get fans in the stands. Access 2 Access to the college and gym wasn’t the easiest thing, being that there isn’t a major interstate to take to just get off and make a few turns. You get there through the highways and the way I went I just followed the Bayou Lafourche, that way I couldn’t miss it because the campus is located directly across from it. To make things trickier there aren’t any signs that say arena or sporting complexes once you’re on the campus. Once you get to the back of the campus, Stopher Gym doesn’t stand out at all from the other building of the school, so it’s confusing as to where the gym is. I wasn’t particularly happy with riding around the campus hoping to stumble upon it because I like to know where I’m going. But once you’re in, the Stopher is easily accessed. As soon as walk in you get tickets, concessions, you look to the right you see bathrooms, you look straight ahead there’s the court – very high school-esque to say the least. Return on Investment 3 Here’s what I consider to be the only treasure you’ll find for watching the Colonels basketball. With ticket prices ranging from $5 – $12 and free parking, you will not find a much cheaper basketball experience. The concessions aren’t worth the time, but if you hold out on the food there, you’ll notice on the back of your ticket a free McDonalds Big Mac coupon. And yes, it works in the surrounding McDonalds in Thibodaux – I know from experience. If you’re looking for the best of college basketball this definitely isn’t the place, but if you’re looking for a cheap game to attend and a free Big Mac, here’s where you need to be. Extras 1 The only treasure is the ticket to get in because you get a free Big Mac after the game – win, lose, or draw. Other than that, the Nicholls experience didn’t quite give me my nickel’s worth. Luckily I’m a Big Mac fan though.

Photos courtesy of Blaise D'Sylva If you’re a sports fan, more than likely you were a collector of something at some point in your fandom career – maybe it was baseball cards or autographs; maybe it was ticket stubs or jerseys. If you’re a fan, you probably have some merchandise of your favorite team and/or players. Some fans grow out of the collecting hobby, while some, like Blaise D’Sylva, grow into it. D’Sylva has amassed what can only be described as a museum-worthy collection of football helmets that he showcases on his X – formerly known as Twitter – account . At the time of our interview, D’Sylva estimated his collection of mini helmets was probably over 7,000 and spanned every FBS team ever, every NFL team ever, and most CFL and sundry other pro football leagues. It is astounding. I caught up with him recently to ask about how this collection got started, how his professional career has brought him in and around sports, his website, and we naturally talk about his favorite helmets.   EM:  Before we dive in and talk about the helmets, let’s talk about you a little. Looking at your professional background, you have been in and around the sports world for a long time. Can you share a little bit about that? BD:  My career has really been about working in advertising. I started at an advertising agency right out of grad school in Chicago. I was working in the media department where we actually had the money and got to spend it. I worked there for 17 years and then I switched…and worked for All-State Insurance. I did a couple of fun projects that are still around. One is the All-State Sugar Bowl and also when you see All-State in the field goal nets, we started that as well, when I was there. I’m proud to have been part of a team to have put that all together. I then went to ESPN where I sold advertising. Did that for about six years, and then went back to the client side of the business. I worked at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis…then I was down at the Dr Pepper/Snapple Group [now Keurig/Dr Pepper] in Plano, Texas. Since then I’ve done some different projects out here in Vegas, where I am today. EM:  Would it be fair to say then that you are a bit of a sports fan? BD:  Yeah, definitely. The fact that I’ve been able to marry a personal passion with something I like to do in business has been fantastic. It doesn’t get much bigger than when you’re running all the sports sponsorships at Anheuser-Busch. I’ve been able to touch sports in a lot of different ways in the work that I’ve done. EM:  Let’s talk about the collection now. Right now, do you know how many helmets you’ve got? BD:  That’s a good question. I would say, rough count is probably somewhere between 7,000 and 7,500. Just to give you perspective, there are about 275-300 new college helmets per year. In the NFL, there are 10-15 new helmets this year. The CFL probably half a dozen. Maybe I do the UFL, there will be a few there. There are probably around 350 new helmets a year that get added. My biggest worry is that I’m running out of room. I’ve probably got enough space to get through 2025. After that, I’ll have to figure something out for this space. That and the acrylic cases [I have them in]. Riddell used to make those when they first started making the Pocket Pro Sized Helmets years ago and I used to pick them up from them and they were fairly cheap. They stopped making those 10-15 years ago. I pick them up on eBay every once in a while. EM:  How did this get started? Did it start with one and then just snowball? BD:  When I was a kid, this was back in the 1970s, I collected those gumball helmets that you used to get for $.25 in the gumball machines. I do still have a bunch of gumballs [in my collection]. I had those and forgot about them. Then, with the advent of eBay, you started buying things you never thought you’d see again. For me, it was the combination of two things. It was eBay and second, I went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. It was the weekend before the induction ceremony and there was a bunch of vendors out in the parking lot. One of them was a Riddell booth and they had a set of these Pocket Pro helmets that looked really nice. They had an NFL throwback set, that they would eventually sell, but were for display only at that time. They had a bunch of helmets I’d never seen before. Riddell started making those in mass production in the early 2000s. I met a guy on eBay and bought some Arena helmets from him. He’d taken the Riddell helmets and strip the paint, repaint them and put the vinyl logos on them. He asked me what I’d want, and I said let’s make everything. That’s when it really took off, because that’s how it allowed me to collect every version of every team. He and I have been working together since 2003 and I added a second guy in 2016 when the first one said he was going to stop doing it. He ultimately didn’t stop, which is a good thing, because it has taken so much effort just to get caught up. At the end of the 2022 season, I was finally caught up with all the FBS schools. I’m probably less than 40 helmets away from the 2023 season. It’s a never-ending thing.   EM:  I frequently visit your website, helmethistory.com ; it’s very comprehensive. It seems like you update that very regularly. How much work are you putting into sharing your passion for this unique part of the game of football? BD:  I tell you, I look forward to the offseason because of the amount of work that goes into this. I don’t make the helmets, but the amount of work in doing just the research every week is a lot. By the time I research it, I’ll post it on the website, I’ll tweet it out. It’s a good eight to 10 hours of work a week to do it right. The one thing that I do do, and I’m probably creating more work for myself, is that I’ll record what a team says they’re going to wear, but I’ll always verify what they did wear. You’ll always get one or two teams a week that say they’re going to wear something and not do it. The thing for me is, I’m not breaking any news or selling any ads on my website. I’m doing it because I need to track it so the guys can make the helmet. I think my website is the most comprehensive for what I do. I track all the teams in FBS and 72 teams in FCS and the NFL and CFL. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun. There is no end game in sight.   EM:  Before I let you go, I wouldn’t think of asking you to pick out a helmet as your favorite, but what would you same are some of your favorite ones? BD: I’m more partial to some, sure. Washington State, for sure, because that’s where I went to school. So, that’s always a favorite for me. I do like teams that I think have cool colors and cool logos. Tulane has always been a favorite of mine with the angry wave. I do like some of the Navy and Army ones that they use when they play each other. Air Force, too. Those are some of my individual favorites. I do like what Oregon does, because they were the original innovators. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photo Courtesy of AFC Wimbledon Plough Lane was on my schedule for a football match when I visited London in a couple of weeks. However, that might not be the case as the club works to repair its pitch in hopes of hosting another game soon. The home of AFC Wimbledon received heavy damage from recent floodings from the nearby River Wandle, which broke its banks following a period of heavy rain. The club does not know when it will be able to return home. The entire pitch, concourse, buildings, and ground floor were completely underwater. It resulted in the pitch resembling a golf course with sandy bunkers and more than 26,417 gallons of water pumped out of the stadium. The torrential rains also opened up a sinkhole in the corner of the pitch. Club management could spend close to ￡1.5 million to repair the pitch, and club supporter Graham Stacey set up a JustGiving site that has raised ￡108,151 out of 150,000 of its goals for repairs. Volunteers have helped clear away debris inside the stadium this week. The Wombles League Two match with Accrington was postponed after failing to find a suitable stadium in London to play. Its midweek Carabao Cup match against Newcastle will be staged at St James’s Park on Tuesday, October 1. Newcastle will donate ￡15,000 and half of the gate fees will also go to repair the pitch at Plough Lane. James Woodroof, the club’s managing director, told the BBC that he thought the images were AI.  "We didn't realise it was going to be to this extent... It's been 60 years since the water had reached this level, and essentially,AF we were totally overwhelmed by it.” The current stadium, known as Cherry Red Records Stadium, for advertising purposes opened in November 2020.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum is just across the street from Busch Stadium and is part of the Ballpark Village. The museum is an impressive collection of team history dating back to the team’s origins and showcases the many players, home stadiums, and World Series championships won by the club. The museum boasts one of the largest team-specific collections of artifacts and memorabilia in the world. Seven galleries take you on a chronological journey through the history of the Cardinals; visitors learn about the birth of the franchise, relive special memories, view game-worn jerseys, and interact with great exhibits. The floorplan is set up in seven different areas highlighting the team's former homes of Sportsman Park and Busch Stadium II, along with its current venue, Look of the Cardinals, Championship Gallery, Cardinals Nation, and the Hall of Fame. There is also a rotation exhibit at the museum. The Look of the Cardinals illustrates how those two birds got onto the bats and game-worn jerseys are displayed that show the evolution of the famous insignia that has been on every home jersey, except 1956, every year since 1922. The look was inspired by table decorations created by Allie May Schmidt for dinner engagement by the Cardinals Vice President and General Manager Branch Rickey. The championship gallery features all 11 World Series trophies, rings, and paraphernalia in a beautiful circular-shaped room. There is a collection of great material from the different championship eras from pins, game day programs, press pins, clothing, and photographs. The museum also dedicates an area to the memory of the St. Louis Browns who played from 1903-1953 and in 1944 played the Cards in the all-St. Louis World Series. All of the galleries offer interactive areas, detailed information, and plenty of nostalgia for fans of the teams. Visitors are also able to pose for pictures holding game-used bats by former players, call a game in the broadcast booth, and put on an actual World Series championship ring. Even if you are not a Cardinals fan, it would be hard not to be impressed with the massive collection and detail of history. St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame & Museum 700 Clark St., St. Louis, Missouri 62102 http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stl/cardinals-nation/hof.jsp Open Monday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

I picked an odd time to visit London. Not because it was October and the weather was cold and rainy, but because there were no football matches in either the Premier or Championship due to the international break, a period when players are called up to represent their national teams in international matches. It was my first time in town since 1997, and I wasn’t leaving without watching a match. Luckily, there were matches in League One and Two, but they were not without their issues. Since it was the international break, the Leyton Orient match was postponed due to its players representing their countries. AFC Wimbledon match was in jeopardy of being played due to flood damage to the corner of the pitch two weeks earlier. What a strange time to be in London for a football match. Thankfully, things worked out. Leyton had a Tuesday match against Colchester in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. It is a midweek knockout cup competition in EFL League One and League Two, plus an additional 16 invited sides from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs with Category One Academies. I exited the London Underground at Leyton Station and passed the TK Maxx, which is what it is named in the UK, across the street towards the stadium. I trekked through the winding roads of the residential neighborhood, with houses stuck together. After a 15-minute trot, I find myself at Brisbane Road. The walk from The Underground stop is about 15 minutes through a residential neighborhood. The atmosphere was different from a regular season matchup on a Saturday afternoon. Only one stand was open for the match, resulting in a crowd of around 1,800 attending the rain-soaked match underneath the floodlights of Brisbane Road. The club reduced ticket prices for adults to as low as £5 and £1 for children under 17.  The atmosphere was not what I had expected, but I enjoyed my visit. I enjoyed a pie and double mash in the concession area. The parsley sauce and a splash of malt vinegar were perfect for the cold rain outside the grounds. I probably could have enjoyed a pint of lager or another pie, but as I finished my last bite, I noticed a gentleman wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. His name is Todd, and he is there with his daughter. He is a lifelong Leyton fan through his mother and grew up a few blocks away from the stadium. He tells me that the stadium has not changed much in his lifetime, but the neighborhood has. Leyton has gone through gentrification and has seen an influx of young professionals moving into the neighborhood. High Road, once in dilapidated condition, is now filled with bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Leyton fans wait in line during half-time for a pint or a pie. He sounds like he is describing Wrigley Field to me since anyone I know under the age of 35 has to tell me how they live either in Wrigleyville or two or three stops away from Wrigleyville. I can tell you one thing: not one person will say they are from Leyton when I return to Indiana.  We chatted a bit more about the team’s promotion to League One, the rise in ticket prices, and our hockey teams over in North America. Two days later, the Leafs would go on to beat my New Jersey Devils. I handed him a card, and later that night, he followed me on Twitter. Hopefully, he enjoys the shout-out in this story. Brisbane Road embodies the classic English football ground, featuring four distinct stands, covered seating for spectators, and a designated section for away fans. The name "Leyton Orient" is prominently showcased on the roof's gable, while "Orient" is spelled out clearly in the empty seats of the South Stand. A rare look at The O's playing in a nearly empty stadium and under the floodlights Would I have enjoyed seeing a packed building, something Todd says happens frequently? Yes, but I was excited just to be at a match in a stadium in London. Leyton won on penalty kicks. After the game, I walked through the giant steel gates onto the main street to visit the club shop. It had been closed during the match, and I wanted to pick up an official kit as a souvenir. For us Americans, ordering a jersey online from England results in sizes such as a 3XL being too small for me. I then stumbled into the supporters' room, where I was allowed to mingle without paying the mandatory £1. I spoke with several members of the club and enjoyed a beer for £5, the lowest I would purchase a pint for during my trip. I glanced up and down at the photos and memorabilia on the walls, enjoyed the cask draughts pumping out the pints, and then I was introduced to one of the team's owners. The Leyton Supporters Group area offers £5 pints from the draught or the cask. His name is Kent Teague, and he is from Dallas, Texas. He told me he was looking for a team in the MLS or minor league baseball in the States but then opted for one in England. He is 1 of 22 Americans who own one of the 72 EFL teams in the top four divisions. It was an interesting conversation and one that I was not expecting as the bell rang to signify the last call for beer. After that, I was on my way back home for my hour-plus ride to the Wadsworth section of town, where my Airbnb was located. Thankfully, the Tube was not crowded, and I was able to find a seat as I enjoyed the views of the various stations zipping by me. My first football game in England was in the books. The next day, I began plans to visit AFC Wimbledon, which at the time made international headlines due to its pitch being destroyed by flood waters from the nearby Waddle River a little more than two weeks earlier. It caused the cancellation of two matches, and its EFL Cup game moved to Newcastle. The schedule said they were set to play at Plough Lane but were unaware of the work being done. The skies are blue, and the pitch is ready to go at Plough Lane, a week earlier, it was unplayable. Crew and volunteers worked night and day to restore the corner of the pitch that looked more like a bunker on a golf course. More than 100,000 liters were pumped from the stadium and, through resurfacing, cutting, and resodding, turned the field into a playable condition in time for the Saturday afternoon tilt against Carlisle.  What I did not know at the time was that the game was sold out, and I had not been confirmed by my press credentials for the match. I had several emails sent to who I had hoped would credential me, but nothing positive. I walked to the media area of the stadium and pleaded my case to a man named George, who checked my email messages. He said that they never made it to the media department but gladly issued me a pass.  I had about 90 minutes before the match and made my way around the mixed residential/commercial neighborhood to find a pub. The Corner Pin looks like a typical English Pub, the type that would be recreated in the States. However, two security officers ask to see your ticket before entering. It is a home pub, and fans with away tickets must go elsewhere for a drink. The Corner Pin is a designated pub for home fans before the match. Once inside, the small pub was bristling with fans clamoring near the bar for a pint. It was so crowded that I hesitated to purchase a beer for around £6.50. I made my way to the back patio lined up with old-school AstroTurf flooring. An older gentleman spoke to me with a heavy British accent, one that I couldn’t understand. He might as well have spoken to me in Basque because I had no clue what he was talking about. I spotted a man donning a Bears cap, and we talked for a few minutes about London and why it was hard to catch a football match this week. He originally purchased tickets for the Leyton game and then quickly found one for this game a few days before. He was unaware of the international break, when you have more NFL games in town than Premier League games, you picked an odd time to be in London. Plough Lane, Cherry Red Records Stadium, for sponsorship reasons, was much different than Brisbane Road. It was built in 2020 and had a covered concourse with a view of the field from the main stand and modern toilets and concession stands. The walls were decorated with team pictures, paintings, murals, and memorabilia. Folks lined up to grab pints of beer from plastic reusable cups, and plenty of flaky meat pies were devoured. The Speedway Bar offers a lot more than the beer, wine, and cider on its menu. I would have been happy just being here, but I made it downstairs to the Reston Waste South Stand, the heart and soul of the stadium. The supporter section provides an ideal backdrop with songs and chants that resonate throughout the rest of the stadium. They had plenty to cheer about, with a 3-0 lead at halftime. Behind the stand is The Speedway, where food trucks line the interior walls serving food found on the streets of New York, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Sydney, Australia. The Speedway Bar overflowed with cider, lagers, and wine. The Phoenix Bar was full of supporters enjoying craft beer. This is one of a few food trucks offering international treats such as choripan and milanesa Perhaps a similar atmosphere would have existed at Leyton Orient today if that game had not been postponed. However, those are the breaks you get when you visit London during the international break in the football season. There were more observations, a contingency of Chicago Bears fans were in town for the London NFL game the next day. They wore their team colors but also wrapped themselves in a few AFC Wimbledon scarves and kits. Just like me, they were hoping to watch a football game while in town; it was the only match in town; the closest other match was in Crawley Town, 27 miles to the south.  With so many Chicago fans, I wonder if The Dons now have a presence in the Windy City. Speaking of merchandise, I never saw a shop packed with merchandise and fans in a queue (great, I am picking up the local terms). Jackets, various kits, t-shirts, caps, scarves, stuffed Womble dolls, gloves, and books were grabbed by many. At least a dozen men were trying on kits to check the fit. After The Dons tallied their final goal to make it a 4-0 thrashing of Carlisle, I hung around The Phoenix Bar with a few hundred fans. I bumped into a family that saw me at the Craven Cottage tour a few days earlier; a small world. By this time, the London weather was getting colder, and it was time to make it to the bus to get back home.  Dusk settled in, and my bus stop was in front of The Woodman Pub on Durnsford Road, another elegant-looking place for a drink. A few patrons stumbled out of the bar laughing and hopped on the bus with me. The bus weaved through the winding roads of South London and towards my short trip back to Wadsworth. What game did I enjoy the most? Probably Wimbledon, but they were both great experiences for a first-timer. I wish I had more time to see more games in town since London is home to clubs in all four divisions, from Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham, Arsenal, QPR, Brentford, West Ham, and others.  In the end, I was satisfied, and perhaps it wasn’t an odd time to be in London. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Cintas Center FANFARE Score: 4.14 Cintas Center 1624 Herald Ave Cincinnati, OH 45207 Xavier Musketeers website Cintas Center website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 10,250 All For One at Xavier’s Cintas Center The Cintas Center is the home of the Xavier University men’s and women’s basketball teams. It was built through private donations as part of the school’s Century Campaign, opening in June 2000 at $46 million. The arena has a capacity of 10,250 and includes a large open concourse, an auxiliary gym, and multiple meeting and event spaces. The Musketeers have flourished, posting a 310-54 record as of this writing. The team also advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament three times since the Cintas Center opened, while the program has made 28 appearances in the post-season tournament. However, as modern as a building as it is, it will go under the knife as construction begins on refreshing suites, adding new seating options, and expanding hospitality and other social areas over the next two summers. The renovations will be completed in time for the 2024/2025 season and will decrease capacity to 10,224. Food & Beverages 4 The Cintas Center offers a fair amount of food that is very traditional for a college basketball game. There is nothing unusual, but the building offers Hoopy Hour before the game. Fans can enjoy $2 discounts 60 minutes before the game. Fans will find hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, chicken tenders, popcorn, chips, peanuts, and candy. The most unusual item is the Cincy pork nachos: barbecue pulled pork covered with cheese and topped with pickled onions and jalapenos. There is a kiosk called the Quatman Cafe, offering freshly made burgers and local Cincinnati Grippo’s barbecue potato chips. If you're looking to wash all that food down, you will find Pepsi products and an assortment of beer from Bud Light, to Sam Adams, to Great Lakes. A lot of the craft beer is located in D'Artagnan's Deck in section 200. There is also White Claw and wine offered at the game. Atmosphere 4 A Xavier game is quite the experience with a rabid student section, along with near-capacity crowds to provide a home-court advantage for the Musketeers. Also, when your team is naturally ranked, it can provide quite the atmosphere for the first-time visitor. The Cintas Center feels more like a multi-purpose venue but is the ideal size for basketball. The main concourse is decorated with giant photographs of the various sports teams that play on campus and more than enough historical photos of Xavier logos from the past. this is perhaps one of the things that stand out as a school has quite an array of word marks and brands from its glorious past. There was also a Hall of Fame that included memorabilia and historic pieces from Xavier’s basketball, football, volleyball, and Olympic sports teams. The Hall of Fame also features a video highlighting the history and tradition of Xavier athletics. Former NBA Draft pick and Musketeer David West has a colorful mural inside the building. The student section produces quite a bit of noise, and they line up very early before a game. They provide a beautiful backdrop to the athletes on the court and bring the decibels up quite a bit. The school has two official mascots, D'Artagnan, and The Blue Bob. A bizarre trio, but beloved figures at the arena. D'Artagnan waves the flag before games, while The Blue Blob looks like a Jim Henson creation. There is not a bad seat in the house, and most of the fans are focused on the court below. Banners are hanging from the rafters, and a modern visual scoreboard looms above the center court. The seating bowl does not wrap all the way around, but the outer concourse does for easy access for visitors. Neighborhood 2 The University Station development near Cintas Center has finally filled in. The mix of campus housing and street-level retail has brought some life to what was long an empty lot at the gateway to the university area. It does feature several food options, but since it is aimed at the college crowd, most are quick service shops like Starbucks and donut bakeries, along with a Gold Star Chili. There are several restaurants just off-campus, including Betta’s Italian Oven, a popular pregame spot near the corner of Cleneay and Montgomery Road. A short drive north on Montgomery will lead you to Gordo’s Pub & Grill (4328 Montgomery), featuring one of the city’s best burgers, along with a creative beer list. Across the street from the campus is one of the city’s best microbreweries, Listerman Brewing Company. The small, unassuming building offers everything from pale ales and IPAs to peanut butter porters and vanilla and cinnamon stouts. A great place to meet before taking in a Musketeers game. Fans 5 It's hard not to be impressed with the number of fans in the building. They are among the loudest and most dedicated in the state and could give some of the larger schools a run for their money as well. The student section makes their presence known and can stand up with the best of them, too. Access 4 If you're coming to the area via the Dana Avenue exit off I-71, it's best to give yourself some time, as the road toward campus can back up before big games. If coming from the north, you may find an easier path by taking SR-562 (a.k.a. the Norwood Lateral, as it runs between the city's two north-south interstates) and exiting at the US-22 (Montgomery Road). Then head west and turn left onto Montgomery. Follow this for a mile, and you'll encounter signs for the large basketball parking lot. Once inside the building, the main concourse wraps around the seating Bowl and allows easy access in and out when necessary. There is plenty of parking surrounding the arena and off the main streets of the neighborhood. Return on Investment 4 The price of tickets through the school could range from $40-$50, but slightly lower on secondary market sites. However, games can sell out fast, and depending on who the team is playing, prices can dip under $20 for non-rivals. Public parking lots are located on the South side of campus. Gameday parking will be available in Lot E off Montgomery Road, and any lot labeled P. There is a charge of a $20 fee for any of these lots. Extras 3 The Cintas Center earns a point for the decorations throughout the concourse, honoring the school's past. It earns an additional point for the Hoopy Hour, where concession prices or slashed a couple of bucks. The third point is awarded to the student section that is on its feet throughout the entire game. The fourth point is to The Blue Bob, one of the most unusual but endearing mascots in college sports. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Bill Aker Baseball Complex at Friendship Field Johns Hill Rd & Kenton Dr Highland Heights, KY 41099 Northern Kentucky Norse website Bill Aker Baseball Complex at Friendship Field website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 500 Watching Baseball from the Hill A few miles south of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, is Bill Aker Baseball Complex at Friendship Field on the campus of Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The field is located on campus and is built into a hill that creates a natural grass berm for fans in the outfield. It is currently undergoing renovations that will be completed in two phases. The field is symmetrical left-to-right, with a 320-foot fence down the lines and a 365-foot distance into the center field wall. The infield features a synthetic turf, while the outfield consists of natural grass. The only dirt on the field is on the pitching mound. The second phase of the renovations will increase the seating capacity and improve the dugouts. Food & Beverage 1 There is food served on the weekends for baseball games on top of the hill from local restaurants. However, during weekday games, there is no food or beverages to be found. Fans are allowed to bring in their food products. Many fans who watch games from the hill will bring Subway, Qdoba, or coneys from Skyline or Gold Star to eat during games. Atmosphere 2 When the weather is nice, there can be up to hundreds of people sitting on the hill. The atmosphere is lively, and patrons are known to heckle opposing players and cheer for the home team. The small stands in the back of the home plate may seat up to 50-60 people, and a couple of small aluminum bleachers are located behind the fence on the first baseline. The small row of seats behind the home plate does not feature any seating and could be uncomfortable if you attend without a seat cushion or chair back. Another area of concern is the entrance to the stadium itself; there does not seem to be a main entry or a great way to enter the stadium. The parking is on top of the hill, and fans have to descend the grassy slope or pathway to the main entrance; fortunately, there is a better way to watch the game. The best way to watch an NKU Norse game is to bring out a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the game from the outfield hill overlooking the outfield walls. It is probably the best section at the complex to watch the game and, perhaps, the most fun. There is ample room to house a few hundred spectators, and you are not too far away from the game itself. Some fans park their car on the hill and enjoy the game from the seat of their reminiscent of the old Albuquerque Sports Stadium. It’s the baseball equivalent of a drive-in movie theater. Neighborhood 3 The complex is on campus in the suburbs of Northern Kentucky. Downtown Cincinnati and Newport, Kentucky, are just minutes up I-271. To the south, there are plenty of retail and restaurant options to choose from when leaving the game. A few recommendations are Pompilio’s for home-style Italian food, Hofbrauhaus in Newport, and Buckhead Mountain Grill in Bellevue. The Newport Aquarium is a nice way to spend the afternoon with the family, and there is plenty of nightlife at Newport on the Levee. A nice bonus: fans can cross the Ohio River on the Purple People Bridge. Fans 3 On the weekends, the student population can be heard loudly from on top of the hill. The revelers usually come by the hundreds and give the small baseball complex a much-needed kick of excitement. When there is only a small handful of faithful fans, the crowd tends to be somewhat melancholy but will show signs of life when Northern Kentucky scores or makes a great play on the diamond. Access 3 It is rather simple to attend a game at Foundation Field. A drive is minutes down I-271 from Cincinnati, and the campus is easy to locate once you exit. The parking is free and plentiful during weekend contests but may take a little maneuvering during day games on the weekdays. Return on Investment 3 NKU does not charge a fee to attend a game. This may sound like a great deal. However, seats in the back of the dugout feel a little archaic. Your best bet is to bring your chairs and something to eat to make up for the lack of amenities at the ballpark. . Extras 1 The best part of the complex is being able to watch games from atop the hill, either in your car or on lawn seats. It’s a different and fun way to watch college baseball. Final Thoughts The Hill makes this a great venue for watching baseball. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Virginia International Raceway 1245 Pine Tree Rd Alton, VA 24520 SpeedTour website Virginia International Raceway website Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 10,000 VIR’s SpeedTour Celebration The famed Virginia International Raceway has been a favorite visit among sportscar racers for decades. It hosts multiple racing events during the season including IMSA, Trans-Am, SRO, and GridLife. The winding roads through the hills of rural southern Virginia are challenging for many, while also providing a beautiful, verdant backdrop for some of racing’s best to test each other’s mettle. Visiting the track has become a must-do for some of racing’s biggest fans over the years, and a visit to the facility helps you understand why rather quickly. The annual SpeedTour weekend at the track features Trans-Am, SVRA’s vintage racing, and the FR and F4 series, showcasing open-wheel racing’s future talent. Food & Beverage   2 There are several food options in the main paddock area, including the popular Paddock Cafe. This spot nestled next to the track features burgers ($9-$10), chicken fingers ($10), and more. In addition, the track has snacks ($2.50-$6.50) and various other items for sale at the main concession stand, and some food trucks pop up during the bigger race weekends down in the paddock area. Recently, automated tablets have been added here to speed up the ordering process, but lines to pick up orders are no less short. The track has also started offering breakfast options, including breakfast sandwiches ($7-$8) and combo breakfasts ($9-$11). The track also has an on-site restaurant called Oak Tree Tavern & Connie’s Pub, which is a more upscale option than something on the quick service side down by the paddock. The biggest downside at Virginia International Raceway, however, is that there are no other food options around the facility for fans who set up camp in other parts of the venue, or who wish to wander the property to watch the racing action. Also, unfortunately, unlike other weekends at the track, there are no food trucks during SpeedTour weekend, meaning the concession stand lines can get unbearably long, even with their new self-checkout lanes.   Atmosphere   5 Virginia International Raceway’s track is big, fast, and beautiful. Most of the track’s viewing areas offer views that extend beyond just one corner and include the complex heading up to and away from where you are set up, something that many other road courses are unable to boast. The fans also tend to come from all around and pack in the viewing mounds and grandstands around the facility, meaning you will be surrounded by your racing friends all weekend. The paint scheme and architecture of the various buildings harken back to southern plantation-style homes, as well as to the farmhouses and barns the rural south has become known for. Situated next to a watershed for a river, the surrounding area is also full of beautiful green trees to give Virginia International Raceway that special wooded look. VIR also continues to improve the fan access experience year over year – new tent camping areas were opened a few years ago inside the turns 1-4 area on driver’s left, while the RV camping and fan viewing areas were also extended far down the backstretch. Neighborhood   2 The biggest downside to VIR is its lack of neighbors. While there is peace in the solitude of VIR’s rural setting, there is quite literally nothing around Virginia International Raceway in any direction for at least half an hour. Located just over an hour north of the greater Raleigh-Durham area in North Carolina, and half an hour southeast of South Boston in Virginia, you have to drive a while to find anything as far as hotels or restaurants. Thankfully, the nearest town of Milton just outside the track has seen some new restaurants show up in the last few years, giving you at least some options for dining right next door. A lot of fans and teams stay in Danville, VA to the west, or South Boston to the East, which is where you can find the closest places to eat – there you can find restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company, or lodging options such as Sleep Inn & Suites or Courtyard by Marriott. For something to do while in the area, South Boston Speedway features local short track racing on weekend nights, or down in Durham, NC you can visit Duke Forest for a quiet hike in the suburbs. Fans   3 The fans at Virginia International Raceway are pretty great as far as sportscar racing fans go. They love anything motorsports, show up en masse for race weekends, and know everything about the sport they love, and the drivers who compete in it. You can find everything from young fans who are just learning about the sport, to diehard loyalists who have been going for a long time. While SpeedTour weekend may not have the same number of fans as you can find during IMSA weekends, the crowd is no less impressive, watching Trans-Am and SVRA competitors race around the facility. Access   2 To get to Virginia International Raceway you have to drive off the main roads; State Highway 58 is the closest main roadway, connecting Danville to South Boston. There are no major highways in or around the area, with I-85 almost 30-45 minutes away to the southeast. That said, once you get to the track parking is plentiful on site and is well-marked. Fans can also enjoy getting around the facility easily, thanks to signage pointing them toward the paddock area from the main parking lots in the infield. Return on Investment   4 Tickets for Trans-Am and SVRA SpeedTour weekend at VIR are affordable, offering fans the ability to not break the bank to get access to exciting racing. A 4-day ticket costs $65, with 2-day tickets available for $45. Friday only ($25), Saturday only ($55), and Sunday only ($25) options are also available. Camping passes are also affordable, which means you can take in the races on-site without losing your shirt. Extras   3 Virginia International Raceway’s victory lane is located right in the main paddock, meaning fans can get up close to the post-race celebrations. Tickets to race weekend also get you into the paddock area for free, something other tracks and races require an additional ticket for. In addition, races at Virginia International Raceway also generally include driver meet and greets, as well as autograph sessions for fans to see the stars up close. Final Thoughts Taking a trip to Virginia International Raceway is a must-do for any race fan who wants to see some quality sportscar racing. The track is big, technical, and exciting – fans from all around flock to the speedway for a day at the races, and it’s easy to see why. While driving to the track and finding a place to stay nearby may be a challenge, Virginia International Raceway offers plenty for both casual and diehard sports fans to make their visit worth the trek.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta 5300 Winder Hwy Braselton, GA 30517 IMSA Petit Le Mans website Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 10,000 IMSA’s 10 Hour Finale Petit Le Mans has become a cult classic event in the sportscar world. For 10 hours, the best in sportscar racing battle it out in a thrilling multi-class endurance race through the hills of northern Georgia. Nestled an hour north of Atlanta, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta offers some iconic sights and non-stop racing action over four days in the fall. And, being the season finale for multiple IMSA series, the stakes couldn’t be any higher. Packed with fans, this track offers plenty of great viewing areas and camping, helping Petit Le Mans rise quickly as one of the best events of the year for fans. Food & Beverage   3 There aren’t a lot of concession stands at this track; one lies in the outer paddock behind the Michelin Tower. Here you can find burgers ($8.99), grilled chicken sandwiches ($8.99), hot dogs ($6.99), chicken tenders ($9.99), and more standard fare. Fries ($5.99) and drinks (soda, water, beer, and energy drinks) are also offered. Another stand is located in the infield near the Turn 5 area, and various food trucks populate the fan zone midway. Atmosphere   5 The event is like many in IMSA’s endurance schedule – three days of support races, as well as practice sessions for the main event, fill the entire slate at Road Atlanta from sunrise to well past sunset. Fans have access to both paddocks with their event ticket, allowing you to get up close to all the drivers and cars in between track sessions. On Saturday the cars roll out to the front stretch and grid up to their starting positions. Driver intros take place, and fans can walk the grid freely, getting up close to the cars, meeting their favorite drivers, and snagging some free swag from some of the teams. When the race starts, fireworks explode as the roar of engines fills the air. What follows is 10 hours of non-stop race action into the night. When it is all said and done, the season finale podium takes place in the lower paddock. As the cool fall air takes over, the glow of rotors becomes the dominant light source, the smell of campfires wafts through the trees, and the roar of fans heightens the excitement. Taking all the best things that make Sebring 12 Hours a great event and removing the chaos and craziness that dilute its family friendliness, Petit Le Mans easily supplants Sebring as the best party on the IMSA schedule. Just beware of the numerous spiders around the property, in practically every tree and bush.   Neighborhood   3 The main downside to Road Atlanta is its location – an hour north of Atlanta proper, this track isn’t near much. Aside from a few small hotels and fast foot locations a few miles down the road, Road Atlanta is very much dominated by rolling hills, suburbs, and farmland. A 15-minute drive south gets you to Buford and the big Mall of Georgia, however, where you can find plentiful hotels and restaurants. Also nearby is Chateau Elan resort and golf course for a more high-level resort experience; recreation can also be found outdoors at nearby Lanier.   Fans   5 The fans at Petit Le Mans are some of the most diehard in all of sportscar racing. A much more family-friendly atmosphere than Sebring , many here know how to party, but do so in a respectful way that doesn’t cross over into outrageous. The viewing areas and grandstands are always packed in every corner on race day, and many have been camping here at the track for decades during various race weekends. Without a doubt, some of IMSA’s best fans show up to Road Atlanta year after year, and the crowd only grows with each passing season. As with most events, 2024’s race saw a record crowd at Road Atlanta.   Access   5 To get to Road Atlanta, Exit 129 on I-85 or Exit 17 on I-985 will both get you to the track in the most direct manner – being located equidistant between these two interstate exits means that getting in and out is easy. Once at the track, parking is plentiful, and the facility also offers a tram that takes fans around the track to various viewing areas.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets to Petit Le Mans are solidly priced for an IMSA endurance round. Kids 12 and under are free, and two-day tickets start at $90. A single day ticket is $80, while a 4-day pass costs $100 in advance. Parking in the infield in various locations comes at an additional price of $75 for the weekend, but considering you get paddock access to all events and free range to all trackside grandstands and viewing areas, the value offered at this event is right up there with the best on-track action in IMSA. Camping is also available, starting at $75 for tent camping; motorcycle parking is available for $10.   Extras   3 The event includes autograph sessions throughout, for all fans to attend for the various series in attendance, completely included in the price of admission. Being an endurance race also means you get to see night racing, which is somewhat of a novelty. New for 2024, the victory lane podium celebrations for Saturday’s main race have been moved across the track to the support paddock pit lane. Set up in front of the main grandstand for all the fans to see, this new locations gives those in attendance a chance to watch the victory ceremonies up close for the first time. Finally, the fan midway offers various sponsor displays and interactive activations that offer plenty of giveaways. Final Thoughts If you want to experience endurance racing at its best, don’t want to stay up for 24 hours, and prefer a more family-friendly atmosphere compared to Sebring , Petit Le Mans is without a doubt the best event for you. Located at an exciting track with great weather in the fall, Road Atlanta always is a must-visit on every race fan’s list.