Dave and Paul head south to visit a train station? Or is it a ballpark? Only one way to find out is to grab a beer and check out the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views and take in Minor League Baseball's Arkansas Travelers. __________________________________________________________________________________ You can read Stadium Journey's review of Dickey-Stevens Park and the Arkansas Travelers game day experience here.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Banner Island Ballpark 404 W Fremont St Stockton, CA 95203 Map It Stockton Ports website Banner Island Ballpark website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 5,000 Mudville Nine The Stockton Ballpark, affectionately referred to by locals as Banner Island Ballpark, sits on what no longer is an island in Stockton, CA. The inlets have mostly been filled in, but the name lives on. The Stockto n Ports, a Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, play in the California League and make their home at this ballpark.  They were the Brewer s’ affiliate for much of the 80s and 90s.  Oakland is closer, and fans seem to appreciate that.  The team began operation in 1941.  They did not play during WWII, nor from 1973 to 1978.  They have won the California League championship 11 times. The team lays claim as the  possible inspiration for “ Casey at the Bat ,” a famous baseball poem by Ernest Thayer published in 1888.  Mudville Nine  is the fictional team depicted in the poem, and the people of Stockton believe this is a reference to the team that played on Banner Island, otherwise known as Mudville, during that time.  Controversy abounds as to t he real Mudville, and other cities also claim the Nine  as their own. Food & Beverage 4 Banner Island Ballpark has plenty of food offerings around the concourse, with concession stands and kiosks offering a variety of choices.  David’s Pizza, whole or by the slice ($34/$6), is on the third base concourse.  This stand also sells salad for $11.  Gus’s Cantina, also on the third base concourse, provides the Mexican fare:  burritos, carne asada, or pollo bowls ($12). The larger concession stands sell traditional stadium food:  Loaded nacho helmets, hot dogs, regular nachos, pretzels, peanuts, candy, etc. ($4 - $14).  A kid’s meal (hot dog, chips, and a drink) is $8.  Flash Point Grill also offers cheeseburger and chicken tender baskets ($13), French fries, garlic fries, and popcorn.  The concession menus list the calorie count of each item.  Get your ice cream at a little stand down the first baseline.  The stand sells cones, bowls, novelties, and other treats.  The stadium also has a sausage cart; bratwursts are $10.  Most stands offer Pepsi products and bottled water ($5 - $6). Domestic and craft beer, as well as wine, are sold at all concession stands. The Hopps Craft Beer Stand near section 108 is a suitable place to get the craft beers on tap ($14 - $20).  If you buy a $15 souvenir draft beer, bring the cup back the rest of the season, and the beer is $10.  It’s a nice variety, and most fans will find something to suit their taste and thirst. Atmosphere 5 Banner Island Ballpark is a delightful venue to watch minor league baseball.  It provides the perfect game day experience with good baseball, affordable entertainment, easy access, and a staf f who is extremely friendly, good-spirited, and welcoming. One level of 16 or so rows of standard green fold-down stadium seats with cup holders is the main level.  The third base side (above the home dugout) and behind home plate have a few sections for “premiere seating.”  There’s plenty of legroom to stretch out. Nets run to the end of th e dugouts; the outfield baseline seats are net-free as is any outfield seating (berm, party deck, etc.). The right field berm features the Back Porch which can be rented out for 25 – 50 people . Tickets  start at $40 and include food.  A kids'  play zone is near the Back Porch. How often do you get to stand behind a foul pole (left field) let alone with a drink rail and watch the sunset over the grandstand with a water tower in the distance?  Here you can.  It’s beautiful.  The Adventist Health Arena is the ballpark’s left-field neighbor and is impressive to see from the seats.  A mascot called Splash greets fans as they enter the ballpark.  Splash traverses the seating area during the game for photo-taking and high-fiving. The Ports pr ovide the expected between-inning entertainment (they, fortunately, are not overwhelming – as baseball still seems to be the main reason the f ans are there).  Gimmicks and contests include a condiment race, the dirtiest car in the parking lot, a dizzy bat race, and more.   The PA announcer does a good job, though the sound syst em is muffled, m aking it difficult to hear him at times.   They do a fantastic job of not playing music when the PA announcer is talking.  More stadiums should take heed of this. In 2020, Banner Island Ballpark underwent renovations that included the addition of new video boards.  The main scoreboard is in left field above the bullpens.  It provides the line score and strikes, balls, outs, a picture of the batter, along with his stats, and the lineup.  The first baseline has a video board that shows the pitcher’s stats.  No closed captioning is offered.  Ten retired jerseys are displayed underneath the press box.  The most prominent one is for Dallas Braden who pitched a perfect game for the Athletics in May 2010 and still supports Stockton and the Ports. It can get hot during day games but cools off nicely during evening games.  Bring layers just in case it gets too cool. Neighborhood 2 With the construction of the stadium an d the a djacent arena, the city hoped the neighborhood would grow into more of a destination place with restaurants and bars where fans can spend time pre or post-game.  That has not yet happened in Stockton. Picturesque McLeod Lake waterfront and walkway are be hind right field, though fans can’t see it from the seating area.  Take a walk around the 360-degree concourse to get a view.  The concourse is 1/3 mile.  Across the lake, the Children’s Museum of Stockton may be worthwhile visiting, or head to the Regal Stockton City Center & IMAX to catch a movie. Several eateries are about a mile away along Weber Ave:  Cast Iron Grill, Papa Urb’s Grill (Filipino), and more.  A little over a mile north is Valley Brew.  They have 30 or so craft beers on tap, serve food, and have plenty of TVs tuned to sporting events.  The closest hotel (walking distance 0.3 miles) is the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel.  Other minor league baseball to see if visiting the area are t he Modesto Nuts (30 min drive) or the Sacramento River Cats (50 min drive).  The Ports’ parent team, the Oakland Athletics , is a little over an hour’s drive from Stockton. Fans 3 The fans are extremely friendly and welcome all visitors.  Most stay in their seats during game action.   Some even keep score.  The staff does a superb job of  making fans feel appreciated.  Visitors will see fans wearing lots of Angels, Dodgers, Giants, Ports, and even some Athletics gear. Average attendance in the last few seasons is around 1,700 – 1,800, a drop from pre-Covid records.  Access 4 Banner Island Ballpark has excellent wheelchair accessibility upon entering the stadium, the seating area, and the bathrooms.  The concourse is plenty wide to accommodate the crowd.  Parking is $10 -$15 (pricey for Single-A); the stadium only accepts credit cards, even for parking.  Fans can park on neighborhood streets a block away for free, just watch for the signs on where to park (or not).  Stockton’s small airport (SCK) is 15 minutes south. Commercially, it only services Phoenix and Las Vegas via Allegiant Airlines.  Stockton has a bus service, but it does not look like it services the ballpark well.  Uber or Lyft may be the better choice. The restrooms are clean and abundant. Return on Investment 5 Take advantage of the weekly promotions the Ports offer:    Taco Tuesdays (two tacos for $8 or two tacos and a margarita for $15) Wine Wednesdays ($6/glass).  Wednesdays are al so Silver S luggers (fans 55+ can join the program and get in the stadium free on Wednesdays).  Thirsty Thursdays ($1 for Busch Light, $2 popcorn, $3 hot dogs, $8 field box seats).  Fireworks after Saturday home games Sundays are Bark in the Park games  The Ports have an abundance of giveaway days during the entire season. Ticket prices range from $13 - $18 at the box office (a dollar more when purchased on game day).  It’s a great ballpark to watch a game, chill, and take a break from life for a few hours. Parking is $10 or $15.  Food and drink price s are s imilar to those at other California League stadiums.   The merchandise shop has a decent selection of items, including hat pins, caps, shirts, and more. Extras 3 Banner Island Ballpark and the Stockton Ports have several additional items worth mentioning. The customer service desk provides starting lineups and rosters.   Visitors receive a decent program as they walk into the stadium.  The bullpens are adjacent, directly below the video board, in front of a left-field party area, making a unique configuration. You can still watch net-free baseball here, and kudos to the game-day operations for not playing music over the PA announcer. Final Thoughts Banner Island Ballpark is an extremely fun ballpark.  It provides a perfect minor league game day experience.  Fans and staff are friendly and welcoming.  It’s affordable and not overdone with extras. The ballgame takes center stage with clever, non-intrusive games and contests between innings.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Sahlen Field 1 James D. Griffin Plaza Buffalo, NY 14203 Buffalo Bisons website Sahlen Field website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 16,600 Have You Herd? The Buffalo Bisons franchise can be traced back to 1878. A team named the Buffalo Bisons originally played from 1912 to 1970 in the International League before relocating to Winnipeg mid-season due to concerns with the ballpark and its neighborhood.  This franchise would eventually settle in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and are the current RailRiders .  Buffalo Mayor James Griffin and a group of investors would buy a Double-A franchise and bring baseball back to Buffalo in 1979. Food processing magnate Robert Rich Jr. purchased the Bisons in 1983 and moved them to the Triple-A American Association.  When the AA folded in 1997, the Bisons name returned to the International League, eventually settling on their current affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays  in 2013.  The Herd has been very popular in Buffalo during their latest tenure in part due to the opening of Pilot Field in 1988.  The first “retro classic” ballpark was designed by HOK Sport and was built to be expandable for Major League Baseball.  The stadium would inspire the design of Oriole Park  at Camden Yards, a stadium that heavily influenced the ballpark design and aesthetics at the Major League level.  Naming rights for the stadium passed through several companies, eventually settling on Sahlen Field, a meat packing company based in town, in 2019.  Major League Baseball would temporarily call Buffalo home with the Toronto Blue Jays taking residence beside Lake Erie for parts of two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Food & Beverage 4 Fans can find a good selection of concession items at Sahlen Field.  Of course, the hot dogs, both regular and gourmet, are Sahlen’s products.  Popcorn, nachos, burgers, and La Nova Pizza are also available, of course.  Some options with local flair include the Perry’s Ice Cream stand, fried bologna, Charlie The Butcher, provider of Beef on Weck, and Authentic Pizza Logs.  The craft beer scene at Sahlen Field is impressive.  The Craft Beer Corner and Buffalocal concessions have a huge selection of local brews.  Labatt’s Blue is also very popular in Western New York and can be found at many stands.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink provider at Sahlen Field. Atmosphere 4 Sahlen Field is the largest stadium in MiLB, even after a reduction in capacity.  The exterior of Sahlen Field is attractive enough for a concrete structure with marble inlets to give it some style.  Outside the third base side, there is a large square, which is perfect for meeting others before the game.  The gates are large, green, iron structures which give Sahlen Field a nod for detail not found in ballparks of that era.  Behind home plate, at the corner of Washington and Swan, a large bronze statue of Buffalo Mayor James D. Griffin can be found, throwing out the first pitch at Pilot Field. Inside Sahlen Field, it is clear that this is a venue from the eighties.  The concourses are not overly spacious and on the dark side.  Sahlen Field does not offer a 360-degree route around the ballpark that other stadiums do.  The seating bowl, which accommodates over 16,000 fans, combines a separated lower level, with an outdoor walkway and an upper level.  The original red (now faded to orange) seats are replaced with modern green plastic ballpark seats.  The vast majority of games will attract enough fans that sitting in the original seats is not a requirement.  Behind the left field corner is a large banner displaying the league championships titles the Bisons have earned, dating back to 1878.  There are 14 in total, which include titles won by the original Bisons, and the 1998 and 2004 titles in the International League.  Division titles are also on display in Championship Corner including the most recent, in 2021.  On the left field wall, the retired numbers of honored Bisons are on display, including Luke Easter, Ollie Carnegie, Jeff Manto, and Jackie Robinson.  The videoboard is crystal clear, state-of-the-art, and among the largest in all of Minor League Baseball.  There was formerly a small museum in Sahlen Field packed with Bisons artifacts, but unfortunately, it has been dismantled and is not available for fans to see.  The Bisons would benefit from more history on display throughout the concourse. The gameday production is what one would expect at a Minor League Baseball game.  There are plenty of promotions during the game as well as music and mascots.  Buster, Belle, and Chip are the Bisons’ mascots and can be found on the field and interacting with fans throughout the game.  The mascot race has gained some notoriety in Buffalo, featuring Buffalo staple foods.  Chicken Wing, Atomic Wing, Carrot, Blue Cheese, and Beef on Weck slug it out for each race.  For several years, Celery participated in the race and recently retired with only one win to its name.  Theme nights are prevalent throughout the season and it is here that the Bisons are a cut above.  The annual Star Wars Night is a sellout, and far superior to any other Star Wars Night in any other professional or amateur sports production.  The Independence Eve game which features the largest fireworks display of the season and a post-game concert by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is also among the best and routinely sells out.  There are plenty of other promotional theme nights throughout the season. Neighbourhood 5 Buffalo is an underrated place to visit.  Sahlen Field is located in Downtown Buffalo.  There are a few spots within walking distance of the ballpark that fans can hit up for a pre or post-game bite or drink.  Some of the best include Washington Square, Southern Tier Brewing Co., and Pearl Street Grill.  Fans can also take public transit or drive further north to the northern end of Downtown for a few more options including the famous Dinosaur BBQ. There are plenty of other sports options within walking distance of Sahlen Field.  KeyBank Center is a few blocks south of the ballpark and is home to the Buffalo Sabres  of the NHL and Buffalo Bandits  of the NLL.  Across the street from KeyBank is HarborCenter, home to the Canisius Golden Griffins  hockey team.  The basketball team plays not too far away at Koessler Athletic Center .  Other sporting options outside of Buffalo include the Buffalo Bills , who play at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, and the Buffalo Bulls, who field NCAA football and basketball teams at UB Stadium  and Alumni Arena  in Amherst, respectively.  Other tourist experiences fans may want to check out in the area include Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino or the Waterfront district. For fans who wish to stay near the ballpark, the Courtyard and Buffalo Marriott are good options within walking distance. Fans 4 The Buffalo Bisons traditionally have a strong following.  Being in a hybrid minor league city, having both major and minor league teams across different sports, the Bisons have a solid population to draw from.  The Bisons traditionally are in the top 15 in all of Minor League Baseball and the top 10 in the International League.  The Bisons average over 7,100 fans per game.  Fans in attendance are knowledgeable and passionate about their team. Access 4 Getting to Sahlen Field is pretty easy.  Sahlen Field is located south of Swan Street at the intersection of Washington Street in Downtown Buffalo.  It is located near major highways, north of I-190 and east of the Buffalo Skyway.  Parking for a Bisons game is not a challenge.  Surface lots around the ballpark are sufficient for most games.  Pre-purchasing parking is always a good plan.  The Metro Rail Seneca Station is just west of Sahlen Field.  Some buses travel the area.  Interested fans should check the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority  website for maps, fares, and schedules. The main ticketing gate is at the Swan Street. Getting around the ballpark is not normally a problem, however, for those large promotional nights that are sold out fans should expect long lines and difficulty getting through the concourses.  Washroom facilities are more than sufficient on most nights. Return on Investment 4 Buffalo Bisons tickets are usually $20 per game.  General Admission tickets in the left-field corner are available for $17.  Parking can be found for a reasonable price and concession prices are decent. The value of a Bisons game is excellent.  Fans will get an authentic Minor League Baseball experience in a great location.   Extras 3 An extra mark for Buffalo icon Conehead.  The beer vendor who wears a conehead hat has been a staple at Buffalo venues for decades.  He can frequently be found at Sahlen Field.  Fans be sure to watch for the Conehead Guarantee. An extra mark for the I-90 rivalry the Bisons enjoy with the Rochester Red Wings and Syracuse Mets. An extra mark for the MLB Dream finally coming true in Buffalo with the Toronto Blue Jays playing parts of the 2020 and 2021 season at Sahlen Field. Final Thoughts Fans know what to expect when heading to Buffalo to see the Bisons at Sahlen Field.  The Bisons offer a solid venue for baseball and have been consistently one of the best draws in Minor League Baseball.  The team has hit the mark on several promotions that draw massive crowds.  Taking in a Bisons game is a must for all baseball fans. ---- Follow Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Minor league baseball names have had a long history of unusual nicknames that are usually connected to the city, geographic location, or the parent club. Many have been lost in time, a blip on the radar, but one name always had me scratching my head. Why were the Terre Haute Huts called the Huts? The city had quite the history of baseball dating back to amateur teams in 1870. By 1883, one of those clubs went by “Awkwards” which meant at the time “someone difficult or dangerous to deal with.” They merged that year with a ball club named the Blue and remained the “Terre Hautes”. Luckily, team names would get a little more creative with the advent of professional baseball in 1884. Terre Haute would be home to minor league baseball for the next, and the name most commonly used for ball clubs was Tots, short for Hottentot.  It was a corruption from the term Terre Hautentots, a name historically used and found in countless articles around the state and the country to describe someone from Terre Haute.  By the 1880s, the name was used in baseball articles describing teams from the city; then in 1891 referred to the professional club in town. However, the name was replaced with something new derived from a name-the-team contest or by new management. Besides the Tots, baseball teams in towns would use the names Stags, Browns, Highlanders, Terre-iers (yes, spelled that way), and Miners. Several times, newspapers used a combination of these names in one season. A headline in the Marion (IN) Leader-Tribune, July 24, 1913 However, the Tots name never disappeared, and the local media often refer to it in bylines. It became the official name in 1921 and would remain that way until the team disbanded in mid-1937.  When baseball returned in 1946, it took the name of its parent club, the Philadelphia Phillies. The Three-Eye League club would leave town after the 1954 season, and it was time for a new name for its ball club, one that would have its own identity outside of its new parent club in Detroit. The Terre Haute Baseball Club held a name-the-team contest in the Terre Haute Tribune , soliciting hundreds of responses from fans of all ages. The winner received a $100 watch from Hillman’s Jewelers. The paper suggested names that are alive and in motion, along with ones that aren’t too long that would fit much better in newspaper headlines. “ A lot of fans like the name of the Tigers, but others oppose this on the sole ground that they believe the city should have a permitted name for a team that would be suitable under all conditions, meaning it would fill the bill regardless of the big league affiliation that the city might have.” On April 13, the name picked for the team was the Huts.  The newspaper did not provide a reason for the decision, and there does not seem to be a connection to the area, nor was it “alive and in motion”. The other top entries were the Tots, Browns, and Brownies. When Ralph Nichols, a local barber by trade, was awarded his $100 watch. The article added that another citizen, Jim Walker, suggested the name. Walker campaigned to have it adopted, and he rounded up as many votes as possible from city residents.  A modern photo of a Quonset hut that were constructed in Terre Haute A Bob Nesbit column from the Terre Haute  Tribune on April 19 shed some light on the Huts moniker. He penned the following blurb: “Those fans down at Stran Steel, who make Quonset huts, did a good job of putting up a campaign to name the new team in honor of their product. Since the name also fits well with the name of our city, everything worked out fine.” Did the Terre Haute Huts get their name from a local steel company and had its employees send ballots to the local newspaper? Has the mystery been solved after almost 70 years?  A Quonset hut is a prefabricated structure in the shape of a semicircle that was mass-produced after World War II. There were 150,000 to 170,000 produced during the war and sold to the public after the fighting ended. They are still visible in many parts of the country as homes, businesses, and even military bases. Nesbit added that the name fit the city well and probably liked that it was short for print purposes. Terre Haute is French for "high ground" and the word "Haute" would be mispronounced by locals as "hut". The name was short and similar in sound to the former team name Tots, and it did make for great print in newspaper bylines. Surprisingly, more than 121 names were proposed and listed regularly in the newspaper. Many of these names were fascinating and hinged on modern branding in today’s game. They included the following: Wabash Valley Catapults, Vigo Gems, Candlelighters, Hoosier Pacemakers, Gold Cox, Hustlers, Bowcats, Bingos, Meows, Tiger-Cats, Cavaliers, Valley Cubs, Speeders, White Hats, and Atoms.  There were many entries for the new baseball team in 1955, Terre Haute Tribune The Huts name would last a little over a year; the club folded after the first half of the 1956 season with a 40-26 record due to lack of attendance. It marked the end of minor league baseball in Terre Haute. A little over a decade later, the ballpark would be converted solely into a football stadium with artificial turf. In 2011, the summer collegiate Prospect League added a team in town. The name selected was Rex, and there was a good reason behind that decision. Besides being the Latin word for king, the name comes from Rex Coffee, produced, roasted, and packed downtown by Clabber Girl. The club also mentioned its unique name ties in with others from the past: Tots, Huts, Stags, and Terre-iers.  The Huts name briefly shined in Terre Haute between 1955 and 1956 and before anyone began to pay attention to the ball club, it was gone. However, a look back at old newspaper articles of the era produces a possible reason behind its name.  If Rex can pull out a retro jersey night, this reporter will be there.  ------ 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: 2.86 Mirmow Field 1 Rowe St SE Orangeburg, SC 29115 Claflin Panthers website Mirmow Field website Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 3,000 The Historic Charm of Mirmow Field The Claflin University baseball team plays its home games at Historic Mirmow Field. It’s an old-fashioned baseball stadium that was constructed in 1948 to house the popularity of the game in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It was said, at the time, that baseball was so popular that “the fans even liked the umpire.” Mirmow would be home to the semi-pro Orangeburg Braves, American Legion Post 4, and high school baseball. It was also the spring training home of the Binghamton Triplets of the Eastern League during its first few years. There have been a handful of young players who wound up in the major leagues that honed their skills here: Herm Winningham, Mookie Wilson, Nate Snell, Bill Spiers, and the late Mark Sharpeson–where a plaque is dedicated in his memory near the entrance. It would be home to minor league baseball for only two years–a quarter of a century after its construction. The Orangeburg Cardinals–managed by Jimmy Piersall and featuring future WWE legend Randy “Macho Man Savage” Poffo—operated as a co-op team in the Western Carolinas League in 1973 before the Dodgers took over operations the following year. The stadium was showing wear and tear even when the minor leagues were in town, but it received a major upgrade when the motion picture Major League: Back to the Minors was filmed for spring training scenes in 1996. A new roof, a fresh coat of paint, and plenty of lush palmetto trees were planted near the entrance to give the historic venue a much-needed update. The Panthers took the field at Mirmow when the HCBU resurrected the sport in 1986 and is one of only a handful of programs that plays in an actual ballpark in its conference. Its location is about a mile and a half from campus and is used as a recruitment tool for student-athletes who want to play in a baseball stadium. There have been renovations to Mirmor Field since our visit. the details are in this link that celebrated the ballpark's 75th anniversary in 2023. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand in the form of a wooden shelter on the first base side of the stadium, offering a small selection of items that include hot dogs, popcorn, soda pop, and nachos. The standout here might be the fried bologna sandwich for a mere three bucks. It makes for a nice change of pace while watching the game from the stands. If you are looking for a cold beer at the game, you are out of luck; alcohol is not permitted inside the facility. Atmosphere 3 They don’t build ballparks like Mirmow anymore, and it’s a relic of its time when semi-pro and professional baseball flourished in almost every nook and cranny of this nation. It covers all the bases of its era with a wooden grandstand, main entrance lobby, and wooden bleacher seating. There is a small press box on the top of the roof that looks as if it can squeeze in four people at the most. There are a few oddities with the playing field in that its absence of a warning track in the outfield while this may not be a concern for the patron in their seat, it can be for a running outfield attempting to catch a ball near the think, cinder block wall-there is also no padding. There is a two-foot fence down the first and third baselines separating the playing field from the seating area. A few of the seats feature back support, but few wood seats have warped through almost 80 years of service. The twisted, mangled seat adds a bizarre character to the old place, and a typical crowd falls anywhere around 100 people per game for Panthers games. In other words, there are plenty of more areas to grab a seat and watch a game. The mood here for games is to sit back and relax; most fans in the seats are friends or family members, and you can hear the chatter from each dugout. Depending on the time of the day, you might get to see the passing train behind the outfield walls pass by for a bonus. Neighborhood 3 Orangeburg is located about halfway between Columbia and Charleston and offers a small, quaint downtown setting. There is a multitude of chain restaurants near the interstate exit, but the city offers a few local establishments. If you are looking for a local spin on barbecue, stop by Duke’s for pulled pork and fried chicken. The Original House of Pizza offers its style of pizzas, plus salads and chicken wings. Biddie’s Banquet is known for its fried chicken, and Mama’s Kountry Kooking offers down-home style cuisine at affordable pricing, There are a few areas to visit in town including Edisto Memorial Gardens, I.P. Stanback Museum, and Planetarium, and a short drive away is Santee State Park. Orangeburg is about 40 miles away from Columbia and 75 miles from the always-popular Charleston. Fans 2 Attendance for Claflin games is in the hundreds, but with this being the case, it is still a rare treat to watch college ball at this level inside an actual baseball stadium; many of the Panther’s opponents play on small college fields. Average crowds for games are around the low 100 mark but can reach 300 for certain games late in the season. One should expect a very laid-back contest with a college faithful rooting on the home team, not much different from many other smaller college programs. Access 4 Mirmow Field is located 6 miles south of the Orangeburg exit of I-20. The ballpark offers plenty of free parking in the lot that surrounds it. There is one main entrance into the field and plenty of seating underneath the roof of the grandstand. Some seats should be avoided, and one has the opportunity to pick the seat that fits them the best. Return on Investment 3 There are no admission fees for baseball games, and concession prices are around $2 to $3. Making a stop for the Claflin University game might be for the most ardent ballpark traveler, but these types of facilities are a rare breed and, regardless of their condition, should be appreciated for their historic charm. Extras 3 Palmetto trees surround the ballpark, adding a flavorful South Carolina charm to its exterior. Another star for the train that passes by a few yards in the back of the outfield wall, to the discerning eye, it looks as if it hovers slightly. A third and final star is for the ballpark still to be used for baseball (Claflin, American Legion Post 4, and Orangeburg High School). Final Thoughts Mirmow Field might be for the divine ballpark traveler or the history buff who enjoys older buildings. It is a fun place to explore and watch a game, even if its based days are behind when fans would fill up every seat. There could be a bit more done to improve the warped bleachers, and one could imagine what a summer collegiate league could do to promote the stadium. Collegiate and legion ball still prosper, and one can get a good 9-innings for most of the year if they desire. We should be thankful that a place like Mirmow Field is still in existence. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Shrine on Airline 6000 Airline Dr Metairie, LA 70003 Nola Gold website Shrine on Airline Stadium website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 10,000 L’or de la Nouvelle-Orléans (The Gold of New Orleans) In 2018, Major League Rugby began its first season as the United States premiere professional rugby league with players from all over the world – the league was formed with the mission of driving North American rugby to the highest levels. Seven teams began that inaugural year, with the Nola Gold beginning play as one of the seven original franchises. As of 2024, the league is made up of 12 teams throughout the country, played under the more traditional rugby union rules of 15 players on the pitch for each team. Rugby is no stranger to the most diverse city in the country, with the amateur New Orleans Rugby Club developing youth players and playing semi-pro matches dating back to 1973. For the first two years the Gold played at a local high school football stadium, but when the New Orleans Baby Cakes/Zephyrs packed their bags and moved to Wichita  after the 2019 minor league baseball season, it meant that the 10,000-seat stadium dubbed the ‘Shrine on Airline’ would be without a tenant for the first time since opening in 1997. Seeing the need to move to a bigger facility, the Gold moved their operations to the Shrine on Airline beginning in 2020. Now nicknamed the ‘Gold Mine on Airline’ the results have been met with rave reviews – a passionate group of supporters combined with a unique setting. Factored in with the spirit and culture of New Orleans attending a Nola Gold match a must a must-visit during the summer months while in the Crescent City.   Food and Beverage   3 There are three permanent concession stands on the concourse, two on the west side of the pitch and one behind the south end zone. The basics can be found at the stands here, and prices are fairly reasonable – hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, onion rings, pulled pork sandwiches, pulled pork fries and tacos (chicken and steak) round out the menu, with prices ranging from $7-$11. A wide selection of alcohol and drinks can also be found; a 16 oz bottled beer will go for $7.29, while a large canned beer costs $11.29. Ready-to-drink cocktails and New Orleans-style daiquiris can be found for $8.29, and there are also two indoor bars with small seating areas set up on the concourse as well. The party shack also features a pop-up bar.   Atmosphere   4 From the moment you arrive and see the crowd of tents and people tailgating in the parking lot, you know you are going to be in for an interesting experience. Much like a college football game, you'll find people set up with tents grilling out and drinking during pregame. In a city as culturally rich as New Orleans, you'll also see people flying various flags from their respective countries – I saw some people from Ireland, as well as a group from Australia tailgating on the south side of the parking lot. The Gold Mine has two main entrances; one at the former home plate entrance and the other located where the right field entrance used to be. At the home plate entrance is the team store, where they have a ton of different merchandise on sale, while where the right field entrance used to be is the party shack, a covered area with picnic tables, and a few pop-up bars. A children's playground is also located near the party shack entrance as well. The Gold Mine has an interesting design and a unique setup due to its former baseball configuration – the pitch faces north and south, from left field to first baseline. The stadium is a two-deck facility, with a covered concourse underneath extending from behind the south end zone to the west side of the pitch, which was the former third baseline. Above that is the press box and several suites, while in the north end zone is a rather small video board showing replays of the game. Beyond that, there isn't much of a view except a busy Airline Drive and a Harley-Davidson shop. The rugby field is much larger than a traditional soccer field, so the field extends to where the outfield used to be. The party shack also has field entrances where fans can go down on the field and get rugby lessons from a few of the players and coaches showing the rules of the game. There also used to be a pool located where the party shack is, but the pool is now drained – it would be nice if they could bring this back in the future, as this was a big hit back in the days of the Zephyrs. It's kind of a festive atmosphere here before and during the match. A local band was set up on the concourse playing pre-match music while playing homage to the New Orleans jazz scene a brass band playing in the party shack area. Also, right before the match starts fans are free to line up behind a second-line jazz parade that marches into the stadium and around the field, after which fans can go up to their seats. Trombones, tubas, and saxophones round out the brass band, complete with a man dancing with an umbrella, a familiar sight on the New Orleans jazz scene. The mascot King Creole, a giant dressed in a king outfit, can be found walking the concourse and dancing with the brass band as well. The gameplay is pretty quick with two 40-minute halves, and the action on the field is non-stop as well. Music plays during the match and pyrotechnics go off whenever the Gold score. The staff also does plenty of promotions in between time outs such as t-shirt tosses, Mardi Gras bead throws, and games for the kids on the field – there was even a wedding proposal during the most recent match.   Neighborhood   3 The Shrine on Airline is about a 20-minute drive west from the tourist sites of New Orleans in the large suburb of Metairie – the facility is located on Airline Drive out near Louis Armstrong International Airport. Immediately next to the facility is Ochsner Sports Performance Center , which is the official practice facility for the New Orleans Saints  and Pelicans , the only facility in the country that houses the practice facility of both an NFL and NBA team. Metairie is a town of about 150,000, typical of large suburbs with plenty of shopping and chain restaurants. A few miles closer to Lake Pontchartrain to the north is Lakeside Shopping Mall, the largest shopping center in Metro New Orleans. The Rivertown neighborhood of Kenner, about 5 miles away, is also a popular place to visit, known for its local shops and restaurants right on the Mississippi River. For outdoor lovers, Metairie has plenty of outdoor options as well, with plenty of parks in the city including the largest and oldest, LaFreniere Park. Also, across the street from the Shrine on Airline is La Salle Park, which features a pretty cool bike trail that runs from the park through the woods and around the Saints  and Pelicans practice facility. Most of the restaurants in Metairie are chain and fast food, however, there is a cool local spot nearby called Dennis' Seafood – inside you can find all the famous Cajun food Louisiana is known for. You can also feed ‘Neuty’ here, the giant pet Nutria rat the owner rescued a few years ago. Neuty has become a local favorite and mascot of the establishment; Nutria rats have a bad reputation as swamp rats and invasive species, but they are more aligned and look more like beavers than rats. And of course, when you come to a rugby match here you are only about 15-20 minutes from one of the most famous cities in the world New Orleans – there is too much to do in the city for me to name here. However, the summer months are not a very busy time for the city, as it is extremely hot with not as many tourists. If you come to New Orleans during this time you will experience shorter lines at restaurants and cheaper hotel rooms should you stay in the city. I highly recommend a visit to New Orleans if you have never visited before; there is no other city in the country like the Crescent City.   Fans   4 The sport of rugby is the world's fastest growing sport with over 10 million participants playing the brutal game, a mix between football and soccer. Unfortunately, rugby has had trouble finding its footing in the US, due in part to youth development issues and not having a lot of support at the high school level, but that hasn't affected the New Orleans area, thanks in part to the melting pot of all the different cultures and residents from other countries who make the city home. Much like the rest of New Orleans, the fan base at Nola Gold games can be considered vibrant and energetic – New Orleanians love their sports franchises and have fully supported the rugby club since day 1, when they played at a local high school, and the fan support has only picked up since the team moved to Metairie. Even if you know nothing about rugby you can still have a great time here, with the tailgating in the parking lot and the bands playing during the game, not to mention the second-line jazz parade into the stadium. Coupled with the fast-paced, brutal nature of the sport itself, there is enough here to keep the average fan invested in what’s going on. In 2024 the Gold hosted their first ever playoff game in franchise history, and fan support was at an all-time high, with over 5,000 fans packed into the Gold Mine and setting the attendance record for the club. The more raucous fans will be sitting in sections 113 to 115, where you'll encounter people dressed up with gold capes and different costumes, and people will be standing at all times waving towels during the match. The concourse on that side can get very congested, so for a less raucous atmosphere I recommend sitting behind the south end zone goalposts – not a lot of people sit over there, and it's possible to move around the stadium. You may even get a whole row to yourself if you sit behind the south goalpost.   Access   3 Getting to the Shrine on Airline is fairly simple; the stadium is located on Airline Drive, the main highway from the CBD of New Orleans to the airport. If coming from the French Quarter or uptown you may run into traffic that makes it take 20-30 minutes to get here, so for a faster drive I recommend taking I-10 to Clearview Parkway at Exit 226. Travel south for about two miles after that and you'll reach Airline Drive; the stadium is right there, and you'll find plenty of parking on site. Many of the people tailgating are on the southeast side of the parking lot, while the northern side is a lot quieter with fewer people parking. Once inside the stadium, the concourse is wide enough to allow 10,000 people to properly flow through. However, most of the fans sit down on the former third baseline on the west side of the field, so the concourse on that side can get congested with people. Leaving the stadium you should have no issue, however, as traffic won't back up on Airline Drive. In addition, Metairie also has much nicer roads than New Orleans.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets are priced fairly cheap, with tickets in the upper deck selling for $20 and tickets in Sections 116-110 selling for $30. Section 112 is known as the Rugger's Club, a private seating area reserved for season ticket holders. Coming to a Nola Gold match is a great experience, even if you know nothing about rugby. Some believed that rugby in a region dominated by football would not draw many fans, but the Nola Gold has proved to be a success after 7 seasons. A festive New Orleans atmosphere, combined with a passionate fan base and non-stop action on the field, makes this a must-visit if you are in the Crescent City and a fan of sports.   Extras   4 The Nola Gold was a part of the very first Major League Rugby match – on April 21, 2018, the Nola Gold took on the Houston Sabercats to kick off the inaugural season of MLR. Though the match was played in Houston, the Nola Gold was still a part of the first-ever match in the history of the league. The team store on-site is also the only place in the city to get exclusive Nola Gold merchandise, as it is hard to find this merchandise anywhere else in the city. During the last match, I was at the store had a 50% off sale going on, and the head coach was even in the store meeting with fans before the match, which I thought was interesting. One extra for the Shrine on Airline is located right next to the Saints  and Pelicans  training complex, the Oschner Sports Performance Center. During July matches you may be able to park at the Gold Mine's parking lot, then take a shuttle over to a Saints training camp practice, and then go back to the stadium for a Nola Gold match – you may even catch a few Saints or Pelicans players in attendance at the Gold match. One extra for the facility's baseball history – the New Orleans Zephyrs Triple A team of the Pacific Coast League played here from 1997 until 2016, after which they changed their name to the New Orleans Baby Cakes, and stayed three more seasons until 2019. The minor league team was also been affiliated with the Astros , Nationals , Mets , and Marlins  over the years; Lance Berkman, Freddy Garcia, Morgan Ensberg, Roy Oswalt, and Marcell Ozuna are just some of the big names who came through New Orleans on their way to The Show.

Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey The NFL season is right around the corner and fan interest is at an all-time high. Fans have been scanning the schedule for weeks now planning out how they will spend their Sundays (and some Mondays and Thursdays too) in the fall. With the NFL’s popularity at unprecedented levels, the reality of attending games – especially for whole families of fans – is all dependent on cost. Game tickets, parking, concessions, and souvenirs are all at premium levels across the NFL. So with that in mind, which team offers the most proverbial bang for a fan’s buck? Which team will allow you to cheer loudly from the stands without busting your wallet? Research done by the sports data and technology site, Action Network , has answered the question of which NFL team is the most and least affordable for the 2024-2025 season. After factoring in the cost for a family of four to attend a regular season game, taking into consideration tickets, concessions, and parking, the most affordable team is the Arizona Cardinals  at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona with an overall cost of $452.46; they are also the only team in the league with an average ticket cost under $100 each. Image courtesy of Action Network On the opposite end of the spectrum, the five-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers  at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California are the most expensive team in the NFL for $750.65 – this division rival of the Cardinals  was also found to be the most expensive option for purchasing a beer, for $12 each. Image courtesy of Action Network The most affordable concession options in the league were found at Atlanta Falcons  games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Even though their ticket costs didn’t rank in the top 10 most affordable at $446.16, the Falcons were found to have the cheapest beer, soft drinks, and food in the NFL. In a similar vein, the Las Vegas Raiders   at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, were the second-most expensive team to see overall and also had the most expensive ticket in the league at $675.32 on average for four tickets. However, the Silver and Black also have the second-lowest food and soft drink costs in the NFL. The second most affordable team in the NFL was the Cincinnati Bengals  at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, with an average cost totaling $474.42, while the Miami Dolphins   at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida were the most affordable playoff team from the 2023-24 season at $480.80. The Detroit Lions  at Ford Field in Detroit are the most affordable “best” team fans can see, with the cost to see the NFC title runner-up coming in at an average of $496.18. Lastly, there is the paradox of the New York Giants  and New York Jets  at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The teams from the Big Apple share the stadium, yet the Jets are the 11th most affordable team for fans, while the Giants are the 13th most expensive. Concession prices are the same for both teams, but tickets and parking to see the Giants cost $55 more – perhaps it is all really about success on the field? ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Welland Stadium 90 Quaker Rd Welland, ON L3C 7K6 Welland Jackfish website Welland Stadium website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 3,241 Ripples in the Pond Are they ripples, or are the Welland Jackfish making waves?  A relative newborn in the over 100-year-old Intercounty Baseball League, at a mere five years old the Jackfish are bringing a different approach to the league and showing how successful it can be.  After moving to the Niagara city of Welland from Burlington in 2019, the ownership triad of Ryan Harrison, Dan Pokoradi, and Jason McKay decided to take a page out of Jesse Cole’s Savannah Bananas book and build an IBL team differently.  Using the facility to their advantage, arguably the best in the league, the Jackfish have responded with success on the field (2023 Dominico Cup Champions) and success at the turnstile. The home for the Jackfish is Welland Stadium.  Part of the Welland Sports Complex, Welland Stadium has been home to the affiliated Welland Pirates of the New York-Penn League as well as several independent teams.  Built in 1989, the City of Welland-owned stadium provides a backdrop for baseball that is consistent with what is found in the USA for the lower-tier affiliated Minor League teams.  Nicknamed The Pond, Welland Stadium helps provide the Welland Jackfish with the best atmosphere in the IBL. Food & Beverage 3 The concession options at Welland Stadium are not over the top, but they hit the spot. Ballpark favourites including pizza, hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, and nachos are all found at the lone concession window. Pepsi products are available for soft drinks in bottles. The beer selection is far better than expected with some products from Newark Brewing to go along with OV and Coors The most popular beer, by far, is the Welland Jackfish Pond Water by Newark Brewing, a special product for the team.  New to the 2024 lineup is Slippery Fish Light Lager also by Newark Brewing. Concession lines can be long at times, but additional concession points have helped. Atmosphere 4 Part of the larger Welland Sports Complex, which also houses a few other baseball diamonds,  Welland Stadium has a fairly nondescript exterior.  With a low profile exterior with a light block and green siding roof, Welland Stadium is not intimidating at all and is deceiving as the playing surface is below the parking lot ground level.  The grounds around the building are well maintained with shrubs and flowers, appropriate for a city nicknamed Rose City. After entering the main gate at the southwest side of the stadium, fans enter an exterior concourse to the main stadium.  Completely open, the concourse allows fans to travel in a widened horseshoe and ends with berm seating along both left and right field.  The seating area has seven rows of brand-new plastic stadium seats, followed by four rows of steel bleachers with backs and supports for 2,500 fans.  Bar seating behind third base is an option for larger groups with high-top tables and stools and the new Newark Brewing Barge along the first base side offers a patio-like atmosphere.  The Jackfish make the most of the stadium with plenty of Welland Jackfish markings and banners.  Banners on light standards promoting team players are a unique feature in this league and the slogans “Hooked on Fun” and “Your 9 Inning Vacation” can be found all over the stadium.  The Jackfish also make use of an LED video board beyond the left-centrefield fence, another unique feature in this league.  The highlight for the team is probably the 2023 Dominico Cup Championship banner that hangs in right field honouring the first championship in team history. The Jackfish produce a gameday atmosphere unlike any other in the IBL.  Following the Savannah Banana model, there is constant promotion happening.  From races and contests to the 50/50 to the unique “Kiss The Fish” promotion, each half-inning has something happening.  The mascot, Jacques, is found participating in promotions or interacting with fans.  The PA system at Welland Stadium is good and is used to not only play walk-up music for the home team but for the visiting team as well.  Visitor walk-up songs are comprised of overplayed, maligned tunes as well as silly, kid songs. Overall, the experience in Welland is unlike any other in the league. Neighbourhood 3 Welland Stadium is part of the Welland Sports Complex, a larger baseball facility. It is located on the edge of the city in a fairly residential area. The roofs of people's houses are seen beyond the right field fence. Welland only has a population of 55,000 but also draws from the Greater Niagara area including St. Catharines, Thorold, and Niagara Falls. The Welland Sports Complex, where Welland Stadium is located, has a few other ball diamonds on it and is central to the local community baseball scene. There are a few spots for pre and post-game food and drinks on nearby Niagara Street. Large chain restaurants like Boston Pizza, Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, and Tim Hortons are all within a congregated area. A couple of unique spots fans may want to try include M.T. Bellies and Mr Mike’s Steakhouse. There isn’t much in Welland as far as other sports options go. The Junior B Welland Jr. Canadiens of the GOJHL play in the winter months.  The greater Niagara region also has other options. The Meridian Centre in St. Catharines is home to the Niagara IceDogs  of the OHL and Niagara River Lions of the CEBL. Brock University also fields hockey and basketball  teams. Other attractions include the iconic Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, as well as all of the other tourist attractions in Niagara Falls, and there are plenty of wineries in the region. Fans who wish to stay near the park can hit the Travelodge on Niagara Street or head across the Welland River to the Holiday Inn. Fans 5 The efforts of the Welland Jackfish have been rewarded at the turnstiles.  Steady growth over time has brought the team to the place where they are the only IBL team that reports attendance.  In the 2024 season, the Jackfish averaged over 1,900 fans per game and the game that was reviewed was a sellout.  Anecdotally, this is the best attendance in the league and possibly by a significant margin. Welland fans are also atypical of Southern Ontario and are fairly boisterous and easy to get riled up.  Chants of “Let’s Go Jackfish” are not uncommon and widely supported.   Access 4 Getting to the Welland Sports Complex is not difficult.  A short drive off of Highway 406 will bring fans to the complex with ease.  Welland is not that big to begin with so even getting through the city will not be difficult.  Traffic should not be an issue.  The complex has plenty of free parking, so finding a spot will also not be an issue.  For fans wishing to take public transportation, buses run on nearby Niagara Street.  Fans should check out the Niagara Region Transit  website for fares, maps, and schedules.  Getting around Welland Stadium is not too challenging, although bigger crowds do mean more challenges getting around.  The washrooms are adequate for the facility.  Return on Investment 5 The Welland Jackfish not only provide the best experience in the IBL, but they also provide the best return on investment.  Reserved Seating is an option at Welland Stadium.  Brand-new plastic stadium seats go for $15. Bleacher seats are $13 and lawn seating is also $13.  Berm seating for kids 10 and under is $5.  Walk-ups will cost an extra $1.  The concession prices are very reasonable and the parking is free.  The grand calculus shows an atmosphere that is second to none in the IBL and a top-notch return on investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for the  “Kiss the Fish” promotion where, out of East Coast tradition, one lucky fan must kiss a fish to be officially “hooked”. Truly an original promo. An extra mark for the Jackfish thinking outside the IBL box and changing the face of the league. An extra mark for the Jackfish branding. A Jackfish is a nickname for a pike, which can be found in the local rivers. The colours are bold and bright and plenty of fans are sporting Jackfish merchandise Final Thoughts The Welland Jackfish have taken a different approach to baseball in the IBL and have been rewarded at the turnstile.  Taking advantage of Welland Stadium and having a more active environment for baseball has the other teams in the league taking notice.  Changes could, and should be in the works in the future for the other teams in the league.  Making ripples at the pond, indeed. ---- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photo Courtesy of   Mortenson, SRG Partnership, and Populous The Hillsboro Hops, High-A affiliate, of the Arizona Diamondbacks broke ground on their new $120 million stadium today. The ceremonies took place next to the team's current ballpark Ron Tonkin Field.. Hops officials stated that a new stadium was the only solution, based on MLB guidelines for its minor league facilities.  Ron Tonkin Field needs improvements, including a female dressing room for umpires, a weight room, a visitors clubhouse, bigger clubhouses, new training and nutrition spaces, and a covered batting cage.  The $120 million to construct the new ballpark that hopes to be complete for the Hops 2026 Northwest League season comes from the following: $82 million comes from bonds backed by the stadium’s future revenue $15 appropriation from the Oregon Legislature $8 million from Washington County $2 million from Tualatin Valley, a non-profit that promotes tourism in the region According to the team’s website, the new 7,000-seat stadium will be designed as a year-round outdoor entertainment venue for concerts, festivals, community events, and amateur baseball games.  Ron Tonkin Field will remain standing and provide a host site for destination events like the Little League Baseball World Series, as well as high school and college baseball and softball games. Design-builder Mortenson, SRG Partnership, and Populous will design the new stadium. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photo Courtesy of MLB Get your tickets while you can. The MLB Speedway Classic will be at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The baseball game will feature the hometeam Cincinnati Reds hosting the Atlanta Braves at the 150,000-seat race track. It will be the first Major League Baseball game held at an auto racetrack, with the goal, of setting an attendance record at the oval-shaped facility.  The attendance record was for an MLB exhibition game of 115,300 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox in 2008. "We look forward to celebrating our game with a wide array of fans, both on and off the field throughout the weekend, and highlighting the rich traditions of sports, music, and community in Tennessee and across the region," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. The Bristol Motor Speedway was built in 1961 and is known as “The Last Great Coliseum”. It is not the first time the facility hosted a non-NASCAR event. A college football game between Virginia Tech and Tennessee saw an NCAA record crowd of 156,900 fans in 2016. The price of tickets, packages, and other events will be released in the coming months. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Andrei Ojeda and Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Oakland Coliseum 7000 Coliseum Way Oakland, CA 94621 Oakland Athletics website Oakland Coliseum website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 35,067 Baseball's Last Dive Bar The Oakland Coliseum, along with the city of Oakland, have taken a beating. From the highly publicized crime rates to the more recent scandal surrounding Oakland's mayor , and soon the loss of their beloved baseball team, when all is said and done, the city in the East Bay will have lost all three of their major professional teams, among other wounds dealt to the city. The Coliseum has seen happier times. From four World Champion teams and big names such as Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter, Dennis Eckersley and the Bash Brothers Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, Baseball's Last Dive Bar has its share of historical moments still deeply Rooted In Oakland . Food & Beverage 3 Because of the sparse to almost non-existent crowds, concessions are pretty limited. Choices range from the traditional Coliseum Dog and specialty dogs ,as well as fish and chips and personal sized pizzas (from Round Table), peanuts, pop corn, candy and soft serve ice cream. Bottled Coke products as well as bottled water are some of the beverages offered. Domestic and imported beer are also available throughout as well as at the Shibe Park Tavern and The Treehouse with offerings ranging from Bud Light, Stella Artois, Modelo Especial, Firestone Walker 805, Elysian Space Dust, Lagunitas IPA, Golden Road Mango Cart, Drakes Denogginizer, Holy Toledo Blonde Ale, 21st Amendment Watermelon, Henhouse Stoked Pale Ale, Blue Moon, Drakes Hopocalypse, Racer 5 IPA, and Stone Delicious IPA. If planning on visiting The Treehouse, Friday Night Happy Hour specials are offered allowing fans to arrive as early as 4:30 with tickets available for $13.70 ($10 including fees as California laws have done away with hidden fees). Atmosphere 2 Much like the maligned home of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Athletics have done their best with the stadium situation they have. The two bars in the outfield feature indoor seating areas with multiple TVs for viewing. There is also a large community garden to walk through as well. When walking through some of the main concourses, the walls have been covered with images and historical facts that follow the team’s history over the years. All of this, however, cannot hide the decrepit condition of the facility. The concourse is incredibly cramped and dark, particularly in the outfield with tons of exposed concrete, giving one the feeling they are roaming the halls of a prison rather than a ballpark. However some walls do highlight the team’s historic moments. Neighborhood 1 If you are expecting any ballpark village/entertainment vibes around the Coliseum for any pre or post game activities you will be extremely disappointed. What you will see around the Coliseum are nothing but roads and a parking lot that should offer more than enough parking for the nightly sparse crowds. Fans arriving by light rail will be traversing along a pedestrian bridge from the BART station to the sight of graffiti covered walls beside a polluted wash. Nearby businesses and eateries such as In-N-Out and Denny's have shut down due to the high rate of crime in the surrounding vicinity. The nearby Hilton is scheduled to shut its doors soon, dealing another blow to the Hegenberger Road Corridor . Fans 2 Approaching the team’s departure from Oaktown, the fans have just simply stayed away. Most nights crowds are below 10,000 and at times even below 5,000. The fans are fed up with all the empty promises of a new stadium and the failure to keep quality players to maintain a contending team. Even the most diehard of them all, the drumbeaters, the crazed fans in the bleachers known for bringing the noise with their constant drum beats at times to the angst of the visiting team, have mostly stayed away. It’s a sad scene. The fans who still do show up are some of the most passionate. These days, many A’s fans are dressed in shirts reading “SELL”. Their message to A’s management, though loud and clear, has fallen upon deaf ears. Access 4 The stadium is located right off I-880 in Oakland. If utilizing public transit, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) offers light rail service to The Coliseum from various points throughout the Bay Area reaching from San Francisco all the way to San Jose. A Clipper Card , a stored value fare card, is required to ride BART and can be purchased at any BART station. The stored value fare card is also good for most Bay Area transit services. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Athletics games start at $15, at their lowest. Advanced planning is certainly not required. You can even walk up to the box office on gameday and purchase an actual physical ticket to add to your ballpark chasing collection of keepsakes. Because most games draw crowds of less than 10,000, you pretty much can purchase the cheapest ticket and move about most anywhere in the yard. It’s not as if the gameday staff, what’s left of it, will be vigilant about checking tickets. Extras 3 Throughout the stadium there are historic display cases and markers showing the team’s past. There are also multiple statues of players past. You can find a convenient map on the walls throughout the concourse showing all the stadium’s food options. Great Moments in A's History, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Fifty-six years of baseball history. Soon to disappear. Who's to blame? There’s enough blame to pass around from A’s ownership to Oakland City Leaders. Once the A’s complete their move to their new temporary home in Sacramento, the city of Oakland will be left with no major professional sports teams, all departing within the last 5 years. Rooted In Oakland. That was the campaign cry when the A’s were celebrating their 50th anniversary in Oak-Town back in 2018. Excitement was high that a new ballpark would be built on the site of Howard Terminal next to Jack London Square. The Rooted In Oakland campaign is now gone with nary a whimper. Fans entering the stadium through the pedestrian bridge from the BART station will now notice a barren exterior that once had banners for both the A’s and Raiders. A’s ownership is doing its best to distance themselves from anything Oakland. 2019 2024 It’s no secret the Oakland Coliseum and its surroundings are in shambles. Visiting fans have expressed concerns on various social media sites regarding a visit to the Coliseum. From my perspective, I've never had any issues around the surrounding area. Is it somewhere I'd walk alone at night? Not a chance. My advice? Utilize the BART subway system and save yourself the $30 plus fees in parking. You will always be among company as you enter and exit the stadium. Aside from maybe checking out various points throughout the stadium, with no glorified ballpark village in the surrounding area you will not be doing any pre or post game activities outside the Coliseum. It will be awhile before the wounds for the city of Oakland are healed. However, that should not prevent you from visiting the East Bay and catching a game or two before Baseball's Last Dive Bar  is a mere memory. Though the stadium isn’t much to brag about, its still filled with a deep history, having hosted 6 World Series, 4 World Champions and 21 other post season appearances combined.  Come with the mindset that all you’ll be at the Coliseum for is baseball. No other frills or distractions. No ballpark villages. No in-stadium shopping outlets or kiddie carousels. Just good old fun at the old, yet crumbling yard before she joins the exodus of Oakland Professional Sports.   Howard Terminal. What could have been...

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 San Manuel Stadium 280 South E St San Bernardino, CA 92410 Map It Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino website San Manuel Stadium website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 5,000 Inland Empire on Route 66 The Inland Empire 66ers, named after historic Route 66, are the single-A baseball team (California League) of the nearby Anaheim Angels. The Inland Empire is a region in Southern California and includes cities like San Bernardino, Ontario, Riverside, and Rancho Cucamonga. Baseball has been played in San Bernardino as far back as 1899. San Manuel  Stadium, home of the 66ers, opened in 1996 and is an enjoyable venue in which to watch minor league baseball. The current team began as the Spirit playing in Fiscalini Field. When San Manuel Stadium opened in 1996, the team’s name switched to the Stampede. In 2003, a rebranding competition resulted in the name changing to the Inland Empire 66ers. The team has also been an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners. The stadium is named after San Manuel, a successful casino in nearby Highlands, CA, operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. It provides a typical minor league baseball game day event. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. Food & Beverage 4 The stadium has several concession stands (though not all may be open based on game day attendance), providing a variety of nourishment choices. Delicious looking classic and BBQ Smash burgers, spicy chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and footlong hot dogs run $12 - $17.  A third-base concession stand sells BBQ brisket nachos, brisket sandwiches, footlong dogs, and bacon-wrapped street dogs for $13 - $18.  A stand selling just wings offers 6 and 10-piece baskets (traditional or boneless) with fries for $14.50 - $21. The concession stands also offer traditional snacks like popcorn, pretzels, seeds, peanuts, nachos, chips, Cracker Jack, candy, etc.  Pepsi products are served ($6.25 - $8 ).  Premium and domestic beers are $8.50 - $15, depending on size and brand.  A separate beer kiosk sells four beers on tap or in cans for a dollar or two less than the concession stands.  The Deville Beverage Co, located down the third base side of the concourse, sells tap beers, canned cocktails, and slushies from $5 - $14.  This area has a few tables and chairs to eat and drink, but the music is too loud (at least pre-game ) to have a conversation. Tents offer kettle corn, funnel cake, cotton candy, lemonade, and shaved ice. Outside food or beverages are not allowed in the stadium. Deville Beverage Co at San Manuel Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 3 San Manuel Stadium is a typical minor league baseball venue and provides a decent game day experience. Seats are standard green fold-down stadium seats with cupholders, and provide average width and decent legroom. The stadium has two levels of seating separated by a small walkway. The upper level and third base side get shade first. Some suites are adjacent to the press box above the upper level. Handicapped seating and wheelchair spaces are available at the top of the first level on the walkway. Party tents are down on both the third and first baseline concourses. A net goes all the way down the lines, so watching the game net-free is not an option at this stadium (except maybe from the party tents). The seats behind the visitor’s dugout (first base side) contain the ‘Toyota Redlands Garage Suite.’ Fans can rent this suite area for $32 a person, which includes free beer, food packages, comfortable, cushioned seats, up-close action of the game, and more. San Manuel Stadium Toyota Redlands Garage Suite, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey On clear days, parts of the San Bernardino Mountains, like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, can be seen in the distance. It makes for an attractive background. A tall building beyond left field ruins some of the views of the mountain range. The video scoreboard displays players’ photos and stats, the line score, the lineup, and some advertisements. It can be a tad difficult to read during a late afternoon/early evening game because of the setting sun glare. Except for the line score, no closed captioning is offered (common for minor-league baseball). Starting lineups are also provided on a whiteboard down the third base concourse area if a fan wants to prerecord their scorecard. Lights flash and a horn blows when the 66ers get a home run. The music person plays ‘noise’ between almost every pitch, and, unfortunately, it’s the same four or five snippets. This could be annoying to some baseball fans in attendance. The venue provides misters for the home dugout, but not for the visiting team’s dugout. Between-inning contests include things like trivia questions, racing with the mascot contests (where the contestant always wins), a dance team, etc. Kids run across the outfield at the beginning of the 7th inning. That’s quite adorable. Neighborhood 2 Safety doesn’t appear to be an issue, but there’s not much within walking distance of the stadium.  A nearby place to hang out pre o r post-game i s just not convenient.    The neighborhood does have a few American and Mexican fast food places within a half mile. Several breweries are within five or so miles:  Ritual Brewing, Escape Craft Brewery, and 3 Iron Brewing.  Consider Rose Apple Thai for local, delicious Thai cuisine (about four miles from the stadium). Side Note:   The concessions at San Manuel Stadium likely offer better options on cuisine than anywhere else in the immediate area, so this is one of the few stadiums where it is a better choice to eat at the game rather than in the local neighborhood. A few economy hotels (Econo Lodge, Motel 6, etc.)  are about a mile north of the stadium.  Many more well-known chain hotels are 3 – 5 miles from the stadium. If vacationing in San Bernardino, check out Silverwood Lake or Big Bear Lake for outdoor activity. San Bernardino is also know n for h aving the first McDonald’s hamburger joint.  One may also want to check out the National Orange Show Event Center to see what events are taking place during your visit to San Bernardino.  Another sports team nearby during baseball season is the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (MiLB).  The 66ers parent team, the Los Angeles Angels , is about an hour’s drive away.  Fans 3 Attendance records put the Inland Empire 66ers as either the first or second-highest average attendance in the California League for the last few seasons, currently at around 2,100+ fans per game.  The average number is about 600 or so lower than attendance pre-COVID.  Fans that attend applaud at good plays and appreciate good defensive performances by either team. Access 3 San Manuel Stadium is not far off I-10.  San Bernardino – Downtown Metrolink Station is within walking distance of the stadium.  Ontario International Airport is the closest commercial airport to the venue (a little over 20 miles).    The venue charges $10 to park at the stadium, which seems high for a single-A venue.  Security performs a bag check when entering the stadium; non-clear bags are allowed. When entering the stadium, the concourse is behind the seating structure, and the playing field is not visible. Fans  walk through a short underpass to get to the seating area. Plenty of nearby handicapped spaces are in the parking lot.  Bathrooms are sufficient for the crowds and serve their purpose. Return on Investment 3 Tickets range from $12 to $22. Our recommendation:  Get the general admission ticket ($12) and sit where you want after the game starts. The team offers daily deals to help reduce the cost of attending a game, so keep these in mind. Tuesday  - $2 parking, tickets, hot dogs, and tacos Wednesday  - Bring your canine friend and sit in the lawn section Thursday  - $2 Coors Light Friday  - $1 hot dogs and $5 lawn seats Saturday  – A giveaway day Sunday  – Family Sundays.  Check their website for events. The parking price ($10) seems high to me for a single-A game.  Concession and drink prices are the expected stadium prices.  I recommend going on a Tuesday for the most affordable day. Extras 5 An MIA/POW seat is placed on the concourse to honor men and women who left to fight for our country but never returned. Be sure to pick up a descriptive game notes packet at the customer service desk.  It even has a scoresheet pre-typed with the starting lineup and some stats. Below the press box, four retired numbers are displayed:  43 - Chen, 42 – Robinson. 24 – Griffey Jr., 25 – Dauher An excellent merchandise shop is available, though it does not sell hat pins. The 66ers rebrand as the San Bernardino Cucuys (bogeyman) and the Redland Pickers several times a season.  The team wears special-branded uniforms, the merchandise store sells shirts and jerseys, and the video board brands the special-branded team name. Final Thoughts The Inland Empire 66ers provide fabulous customer service and a decent game-day experience.  Go with family and friends on a Tuesday and get an inexpensive, enjoyable evening out.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Sinsheimer Stadium 900 Southwood Dr San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 San Luis Obispo Blues website Sinsheimer Stadium website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 2,000 Hot Sauce! San Luis Obispo Blues is a member of the California Collegiate League, a summer wood-bat baseball league in which top college ball players participate.  The league began in 1993 and currently has 13 teams.  The San Luis Obispo Blues began in 1946 as the Merchants but the name was changed to the Blues within a few weeks of operation, because of the colors on the uniforms.  Originally, WWII veterans played on the team.  The Blues h ad some ups and downs throughout the years and eventually  changed to a college summer team.   The Blues play at Sinsheimer Stadium, a part of city-owned and operated Sinsheimer Park .  Besides the stadium, the park has many other fun-filled activities like disc golf, a swimming pool, hiking trails, volleyball and tennis courts, an impressive playground, trails, and a BBQ area.  Residents of San Luis Obispo (SLO) immensely enjoy the park as well a s the baseball team. Food & Beverage 3 Mouthwatering ‘Old SLO BBQ’ provides most of the food choices at the stadium.  Smash burgers run $6.95 – $11.95.  Gluten-free choices include chicken tenders, fries, and garden salad ($4 - $12.95).  The BBQ options include tri-tip sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries, and five varieties of hot dogs ($5.95 - $15.95).  Sodas cost $2.85 and water is $4.45.  They even place items purchased in a brown bag with handles to make it easier to carry to your seat.  Sweet!  Snacks include peanuts, chips, seeds, Cracker Jack, cotton candy, ice cream, etc., and generally run $3 - $4.50.  A kiosk on the first base side sells beer. You won’t go hungry or thirsty at this baseball venue.  Fans can bring in sealed bottled water. Atmosphere 4 The field itself is sunk down a hill.  Five rows of faded plastic stadium fold-down seats run from dugout to dugout.  The seats, albeit old, are comfortable and have decent legroom.  A m iddle-thickness net extends from dugout to dugout, protecting the fans from foul balls.  The grounds are not suitable for those uneasy on their feet.  The venue has a small, paved  walkway with a few steps to get down to the seating area and on top of the hill.  I did not see a ramp down to the seating area.   The venue has plenty of uneven grassy berms where fans spread their blankets and watch the game.   If the ground is wet, I suspect it gets messy.  Many fans bring their lawn chairs and perch on the cement path at the top of the hill to watch the game.  For those with mobility concerns, I’d recommend getting to the stadium early and parking in this area with your wheelchairs or lawn chairs. The announcer does a decent job.  He’s not too loud, has a clear voice, and is very conversational. He even convinced me to buy one of the programs.  He introduces and recognizes the bat boy.  He misses some calls, but I’m probably the only one who notices.  Plenty of activities occur besides the ball game:  Baseball bingo (more baseball stadiums should have this), dizzy bat race, player-involved prizes, e.g., a catcher throws to a cardboard figure on second base, or a player tees off on a golf game.  Depending on the outcome, a fan wins a prize.  When an opposing batter has two strikes, fans start shouting ‘hot sauce!’  If the player strikes out, one lucky fan wins a bottle of hot sauce.  Be sure to buy a program ($3); each program has a lucky number that can win you prizes! Some ‘noise’ is played b etween some, but not all, pitches.  It would get tiresome if they did that.  The music person plays the tunes loud but is not quite obtrusive.  Sometimes the music is too noisy and played over the announcer, so fans can’t hear what the announcer is saying. The scoreboard, located in center field, is a basic dot matrix with the line score.  A picturesque mountain view is beyond right field. Once the sun sets, it can get chilly.  Remember to bring a sweatshirt or jacket. It is a fun, enjoyable evening out. Neighborhood 4 Downtown San Luis Obispo is two+ miles from the park, with plenty of shops, dining, breweries, and wineries.  Click here for a list of all the fascinating choices. Pick up a sandwich at High Street Deli & Market, or some Chinese from Mee Heng Low Noodle House. Bang the Drum Brewery is less than a mile from the stadium.  Or visit Beda's Biergarten for some yummy German food and beer.  The downtown area has several fashionable hotels, but they are not for those on a budget.  I stayed at the Avenue Inn Downtown (just on the outskirts of the city).  It is nothing fancy, but it is clean and comfortable, and more affordable.  For other things to see and do in the area, visit Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa or the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum.  For something different and icky, visit Bubblegum Alley .  Feel free to contribute to its ‘art.’ For outdoor activities, the Pismo and Avila beaches are 10 – 15 minutes away.  Or take a hike in the Irish Hills Natural Reserve or Reservoir Canyon.  San Luis Obispo is quite a lovely area of California. Fans 4 It’s a big community party at a Blues game.  Families, multiple generations, companies, and friends all come out and watch and cheer on the Blues.  Several fans keep score.  The stands were full the night of this review, with more than 1,000 folks in attendance. Access 3 San Luis Obispo is about halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles.  It is off the U.S. 101 highway.  The swim center and the ballpark share the parking lot.  It’s very congested, with only one way in and out.  Parking is free. Pine trees give the exterior plenty of shade, and the park has benches and picnic tables to wait for your late-arriving friends. A small regional airport (SBP) with limited service (Alaska Air, United, American Airlines) to a few western cities is two and a half miles from Sinsheimer Stadium.  The city has a bus service with route 1A stopping at Laurel and Southwood, about a ½ mile from the stadium.  Be sure to check late-night and weekend schedules.  The ground is uneven.  I recommend staying on the cement path if you are prone to tripping, though the path does get crowded.  The venue has restrooms and port-a-potties.  Return on Investment 5 The San Luis Obispo Blues provide an outstanding value for your sports entertainment dollar.  Seats are general admission - first come, first served.  Tickets are $10.  Students, military, and senior tickets are $5; children 12 and under get in free. The admission doubles on fireworks and special events nights. The program is $3, and the parking is free.   Food and drink prices are decent. The game day ambiance is spectacular, and you’re bound to have a fantastic time. You really can’t beat the price of attending a Blues game. . Extras 3 San Luis Obispo Blues has several other items worth noting. First, a very cool-looking logo. Second, the team, organization, and game day are a community event with plenty of local business and individual sponsorships and donors.  Kudos to the whole city and its residents for supporting the team. Last, the program.  It has news articles, a scorecard, the schedule, and local sponsor advertisements.  Plus, a lucky number! Final Thoughts San Luis Obispo is a small but vibrant, entertaining town to visit and well worth a stop for any traveller.  Attending a game at Sinsheimer Stadium provides an excellent baseball experience in  a community that supports it well.

Few stadiums throughout CONCACAF have the reputation of Estadio Saprissa. Known throughout the region as La Cueva del Monstruo or The Monster's Cave, the 24,000-seat stadium, which serves as the home for Deportivo Saprissa and the Costa Rican National Team, is one of the most intimidating venues in CONCACAF.  I was there during the winter months of June and July, a few weeks before the Costa Rican Premier Division (Liga FPD) season. The winter is not like that back home in the Midwest; it's 70 degrees with rainfall during the day, but that rain clears up quickly, opening up to blue skies. Saprissa Stadium has a reputation as one of the most intimidating soccer grounds in the Americas. The home of Deportivo Saprissa is known throughout Costa Rica as La Cueva del Monstruo (The Monster’s Cave), and the club itself is known as the Purple Monster.  The team has called the site home since 1972 after a six-year process that saw the planning and construction of the stadium. Its location in the San Juan de Tibas neighborhood was chosen for its proximity to the capital and other cities in the league of Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia.  It is a neighborhood stadium that is easily accessible by the interstate that runs beside it a few yards away; once in front of the venue, the narrow and small streets of Tibas are flooded with thousands of fans embarking on it for game day, transforming the streets to a sea of purple. Once inside, the proximity of the stands to the pitch can be daunting. Former United States men’s national soccer player Alexi Lalas stated that it was one of the most “intimidating” and “difficult” places to play. Landon Donovan mentioned that you could hear the fans stomping their feet above the dressing rooms. “It felt like an earthquake for a half hour while you’re changing.” The stadium was open, and employees and delivery services walked in and out of the main entrance. I held up my cell phone to the security guard and said "fotografias" in the best Spanish I could muster. After he replied with a few words and concluded with the word "rapido" I knew I had to make the most of my time inside the venue. “La Cueva” is not the most picturesque soccer grounds in the world, but when it’s packed with thousands of fans in purple, that would be a different story. I walked up the main concourse in the seating bowl and envisioned what that would look like. I took in a match around 25 years ago, and it was nothing I have seen before or since.  The supporter group moved up and down like a monster’s tail, and smoke, sparklers, and paper littered the area throughout the match. There appeared to be two standing-room-only sections behind both goals. It was calm today, but a full house would make a great video. I took several photos and videos and walked around a bit more. I then snuck inside the concourse underneath the stands to see what kind of food one would eat at a Saprissa match. One of the stands sells pupusas, empanadas, vigoron, and palmitos (pop corn).  There was also chifrijo, a local Costa Rican dish with rice and beans topped with chicharrón (pork belly), a little bit of chimichurri, and chili peppers, served with tortilla chips. The stadium is not fancy, and parts were under construction during the visit. A few workers were taking a break in the club seating area and were puzzled by my appearance and my English narration. I am sure that is not something that they see every day. A few of the railings on the aisles needed a paint job, and a few seats needed to be bolted back into place. However, I am unaware if there are major renovation plans for the stadium at this time. As I write this article, the Liga FPD is four weeks into the season, with Saprissa sitting in fourth place in the standings behind Cartagines, Alajuela, and Sporting San Jose. However, the season is young in the Torneo de Apertura, what we would call the Opening Tournament, which will conclude in December. The league is split into two seasons, with the Torneo de Clausura (Closing Tournament) lasting from January to May. One day I will be back for a match, but for now, it will have to be a tour. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

The Olympic Games from Paris are the topic this week. Do you look forward to the games, what is your favorite sport, and what happened with the Paraguayan swimmer? __________________________________________________________________________________ Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Clem Spillane Field 54 Marion Rd Wareham, MA 02571 Wareham Gatemen website Clem Spillane Field website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 1,200 Gatemen of the Cape   The Wareham Gatemen play in the Cape Cod Baseball League, the premier summer wood-bat collegiate baseball league in the country. Originally known as the Wareham Town Team, the Gatemen joined the circuit in 1963.   The Gatemen play at Clem Spillane Field, adjacent to the Wareham Middle and High Schools. Clement S. Spillane was a teacher and coach at Wareham High from 1947-1960. In the 13 years that Spillane served as coach of the school’s baseball, basketball and football teams, he never had a losing record. In fact, during the 1955-56 school year all three squads went undefeated during their regular seasons. Spillane is inducted in the Massachusetts Coaches Hall of Fame in all three sports.   Wareham is known as “the Gateway to Cape Cod” due to its location on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal. Thus, the baseball team adopted the nickname “Gatemen.”   The Gatemen have won eight championships during their time in the league, most recently in 2018. Notable alumni include Lance Berkman, George Springer, Chuck Knoblauch, Kyle Schwarber, Ben Sheets, Nick Swisher, Mo Vaughn and Barry Zito.   Food & Beverage 3   Spillane Field has two concession stands, one in left field adjacent to the football bleachers, and one on the ground floor of the press box building behind home plate.   Hot items are sold at the left field stand, including hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders and sausage sandwiches. French fries, nachos and snacks are also sold here. The home plate stand sells popcorn, ice cream treats and slush puppies.   Cans of Coca Cola products are sold here. Alcohol is not allowed at Spillane Field. Fans can bring their own food and drink to enjoy at Gatemen games.   Atmosphere 3   The atmosphere at Spillane Field is typical of most Cape League ballparks. Going to a Cape League game is a bit like stepping back in time. Absent is much of the noise and distraction present at so many ballparks today. The game on the field is the focus here. Music is only played between innings, and PA announcements during the game are limited to lineup details and the occasional sponsor announcement. The tiny new scoreboard in right field appears to have some video capability but only shows basic game information.   Wareham fans are knowledgeable about the game, and respectful to all the athletes on the field. It’s a laid-back place to take in a game, and a baseball purist’s dream. Part of the fun at a Cape League game is watching the antics of the children in the crowd, who compete to chase down foul balls all over the ballpark.   Neighborhood 3   There is little in the immediate vicinity of Spillane Field to attract the visiting fan. Downtown Wareham is located a short drive from the ballpark along Route 6, and features several excellent restaurants and attractions for visiting fans. Families coming to the area may want to check out Water Wizz, best known as the site of the water park scene in the Adam Sandler movie “Grown Ups.”   Fans looking for an authentic Cape Cod experience while not actually on Cape Cod can head over to Onset Beach or Buzzards Bay. Many excellent seafood restaurants are located in these areas. Visitors wanting to mix in some history with their baseball can check out the old Whaling town of New Bedford, located twenty minutes to the east, or Plymouth, located a half hour to the north.   Fans 2   Wareham generally ranks down near the bottom of the Cape League attendance listings, averaging between 900-1,000 fans per game. This may be due to the team’s location off-Cape, which makes it more difficult to get to for the many tourists who descend on Cape Cod every summer. For those of us on the mainland, the opposite is true.   As is the case at every Cape League ballpark, the fans in attendance are a mix of locals, tourists and those with a connection to the team, either as host families or volunteers. Crowds here are laid back, but extremely knowledgeable about the game and players on the field. Respect is given to players on both teams, with good plays applauded no matter who makes them.   Access 3   Spillane Field is located on Route 6, a short drive from either Interstate 195 or Route 25. As the only Cape League franchise located off-Cape, it’s easy to get to from the mainland, and visitors coming during the heavier tourist times won’t have to deal with the legendary traffic in the area.   Visiting fans can park in the lot adjacent to Town Hall or along Viking Drive. Depending on where you park, you’ll enter the field in deep left field or behind home plate. Unlike most parks in the Cape League, there’s not a lot of open green space at Spillane Field. The ballpark is located just a few feet from the adjacent school.   Wareham’s seating is made up almost entirely of bleachers. There is some room behind home plate and underneath the raised bleachers where fans can set up their own chairs. The bleachers on both the first and third base sides of the field are wooden, and unfortunately in need of some TLC. The old boards have a lot of give to them in spots, and don’t feel like the safest place to sit. The football bleachers beyond the left field fence are made of aluminum and located some distance from home plate, but are still preferred by many fans. Nets and fences obscure views from all seats in the infield.   Restrooms inside Wareham Middle School are available to fans. There are also a pair of Port-a-Johns right next to the third base stands. They really should be moved to a spot further from the bleachers, or at least to a downwind location.   Return on Investment 5   As is the case with all teams in the Cape League, Gatemen games are free to the public. The team will accept donations from fans in exchange for a roster sheet. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ballpark. Concessions are reasonably priced, making a night at a Gatemen game a most affordable entertainment option for southeastern Massachusetts sports fans.   Extras 3                                                                                                 A good variety of Gatemen and Cape League merchandise is available at the merchandise stand behind home plate.   The Cape League boasts that over 370 Cape alumni play in the Major Leagues every year, with over 1,600 players making the majors all-time. That means that one out of every six Major League players spent a summer on the Cape. Needless to say, some of the best amateur ball being played anywhere in the world can be found in the small parks on Cape Cod. With all ten ballparks located within an hour's drive of each other, it's a baseball fan's dream come true.   The team runs a 50/50 raffle during each game, proceeds of which help fund the team’s operation. In addition to half of the cash collected, fans can win a variety of prizes, including cruises to Martha’s Vineyard, harbor tours and gift cards to local establishments.   Final Thoughts   Spillane Field is rarely mentioned among the elite of Cape Cod’s ballparks. Perhaps it is due to the ballpark’s location on the mainland, or maybe because of the field’s rickety, splinter-filled bleachers or its gravel infield. But Spillane Field has its own charm, and you won’t find better summer college ball being played anywhere.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Delta Center 301 West South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Utah Jazz website Delta Center website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 19,991 Jazz Central Note: The name of the arena changed from Vivint Center to Delta Center in July 2023. Some of the best Jazz to be experienced in the Salt Lake City area is not found in an intimate nightclub, but in an 18,300-seat sports arena found only a few blocks from Temple Square. The Delta Center (formerly the Vivint Smart Home Arena) has served as the home of the Utah Jazz since 1991. The Delta Center was the arena's original name when it debuted for the team. As you would expect, the arena has undergone frequent renovations during its more than 30 plus years of existence. These occurred in 2002 (to prepare it for the Winter Olympic Games), 2010, and 2016. The renovations that began in 2016 have changed the arena's appearance and fan experience, at a cost of more than $125 million. Food & Beverage 5 One of the targets of the 2017 renovation was to upgrade the concessions package within the arena. To accomplish this Vivint recruited some of Utah’s most popular restaurants to set up shop in the facility. These include R&R Barbeque, Maxwell’s (pizza and cheesesteaks), Cubby’s (Italian beef sandwiches), Chubasco (Mexican dishes), Hires Big H (root beer and hamburgers), J. Dawgs (designer hot dogs), Farr’s Fresh (ice cream) and Ice Berg Drive Inn (fast food with a 50’s theme). These additions have been overwhelmingly popular with the fans. Vivint Arena still maintains the more generic stands serving standard arena food at multiple locations. Their menus include pork sandwiches, hot dogs, popcorn, candy, Pepsi brand sodas, bottled water, and domestic beers in a can. Atmosphere 4 The upgrades to the arena are readily apparent when you arrive at the venue. A 12,000-square-foot atrium has been added that includes the box office, club entrance, and the Jazz Team Store. It is topped by a 76-foot ribbon board that is constantly updated with Jazz news and other information from around the NBA. This offers fans a much larger space away from the cold Utah winters to meet and socialize with friends. The second obvious improvement lies in opening the concourses to provide a great view of the action no matter where you are in the arena. The creature comforts for the fans continue into the seating bowl, where new fully upholstered plush backs and contour foam seats that are 20 inches wide have been installed. The open concourses and upgraded seats are found at all six levels of the arena. The graphics package inside the arena is excellent. In addition to a new HD scoreboard, there are four video boards at each corner of the arena. An additional set of graphics boards shows statistics throughout the game. A ribbon board extends 360 degrees at multiple levels within the seating bowl. The Jazz have a wide variety of color schemes for both their uniforms and the court. These include the purple, navy, and gold colors that were carried over from the team’s New Orleans days to a red and burnt orange package that accentuates the western heritage of the franchise. Neighborhood 4 Vivint Smart Home Arena anchors one end of downtown Salt Lake City. It is close to most of SLC’s major attractions, as both the State Capitol and Temple Square, the home of the Mormon faith, are within a few blocks of the arena. The Great Salt Lake is located about 10 miles from the downtown area and is well worth a visit. City Creek Center provides more than 100 different stores and is one light rail stop from the arena. Main Street offers the widest selection of dining options in the area. Some of the more popular restaurants in the area are the Tin Angel Café and Bruges Waffles and Frites. Even though the Mormon religion does not allow the drinking of alcohol, it is widely available to visitors. Some of the more popular watering holes near the arena include The Beerhive Pub (Utah is known as the Beehive State), the Red Rock Brewery, and the Wasatch Brewery. Salt Lake City is also a great place to kick off a ski vacation, as both Snowbird and Park City Ski areas are located nearby. Several National Parks (Zion, Arches, and Canyonland) are within a 4-hour drive of Salt Lake City. Fans 5 The Utah Jazz are the largest major league sports team in Salt Lake City and they have one of the most loyal fan bases in the NBA. The team has always performed well on the court, with John Stockton and Karl Malone both going onto the Hall of Fame after their playing days were over. The management/ownership of the team has been very stable over the years and has a record of putting the fans first in every way. The team offers giveaways at nearly every game, provides a free yearbook to everyone in attendance, and has some type of entertainment or competition during each break in the action. The Salt Lake City area is one of the smallest markets in the NBA, so the players are very involved in the community and several have their charitable foundations to support causes in the SLC area. A key member of the Jazz organization is the team mascot… simply known as The Bear. He performs skits, is an excellent dancer and he loves to get up and interact with the crowd. Access 4 There are more than 10,000 parking spaces located within a two-block radius of the venue. The Vivint Home Smart Arena is also serviced by both the Blue and Green Lines of the UTA’s TRAX light rail system. Rides on the TRAX system are free within the downtown area. The access within the arena is excellent. There is a large lobby at the front of the arena that allows you to come inside, away from the cold wintry weather, before the doors officially open. The concourses are wide and well laid out, with the major concession areas offering seating at tables so you don’t have to balance your food on your lap back at your seat. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Jazz games are amongst the cheapest in the NBA, as they run between $10 – $60, depending on where you sit. The concessions prices are expensive compared to other areas. Parking costs around $20 at lots surrounding the arena or you can choose to take a TRAX train back to your lodging on a $ 6.80-day pass, which allows unlimited rides throughout the system for that day (the downtown ride zone is free). Extras 3 There are two places on the plaza outside of the arena to get a pair of great selfies. The first is a pair of statues featuring Jazz icons Karl Malone and John Stockton, who led the team in scoring and assists in their long careers together. The second feature is a 14-foot high navy, green, and gold J-note (a sculptural version of the Jazz logo) which is positioned just outside the main entrance. The arena’s PA Announcer, Dave Roberts, has been with the facility since it opened in 1991. To reduce operating expenses, more than 2,500 solar panels have been mounted on the roof of the arena. Final Thoughts The Utah Jazz are living proof that a small market can be competitive in the NBA. Through stable ownership that always puts their fans first, the franchise has been one of the most successful both on and off the court. The recent renovation of the Delta Center has created an even tighter bond between the fans and their team. Some of Salt Lake City’s top restaurants now have a space within the venue and a fan-friendly entrance atrium has been added to get the fans in out of the often-wintry weather long before the doors officially open. The seats are wider than is found in most arenas, adding additional comfort for the fans.

Photos by Lance Sutehall Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Regions Field 1401 1st Ave S Birmingham, AL 35233 Birmingham Barons website Regions Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 8,500 Birmingham's At Bat Professional baseball has been a staple in Birmingham since 1885 when the Coal Barons took the field. The team reviewed several names and leagues before settling on the Barons in 1901. Throughout the years the various iterations of the Barons have won twelve league titles, last winning the Southern League in 2013. The Barons played at Rickwood Field from 1910 until 1987 (they still play a game there every year). In 1988 the Barons moved 18 miles south to the Hoover Metropolitan Complex. The Hoover Met was the home of the Barons until 2012 when the Barons opened Regions Field in downtown Birmingham. Regions Field has been the proud home of the Barons since 2013. Food & Beverage 4 The largest concession stands along the first and third baselines of the concourse offer the basics such as nachos ($5), peanuts ($5), brats ($6), burgers ($6), cheeseburgers ($7), hot dogs ($4.50), footlong corndogs ($5), popcorn ($4.50), Papa John’s pizza ($9), and candy ($3.50). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider of the Barons with beverage options including souvenir cups ($6.50), Dasani bottled water ($4.50), and Powerade ($6). The large stands sell 16 oz domestic draft beers ($8.50). There are smaller push carts throughout the concourse of the stadium that sell sunflower seeds ($3.50), funnel cakes ($6), pretzels ($5.50), body armor beverages ($6), premium beers ($10), and wine ($6). In the right field corner of the stadium is the Magic City Food Court where Dreamland BBQ offers a BBQ Pork sandwich ($8.50), Magic City Dog ($8.50), Stadium Nachos ($10), and a half rack of BBQ ribs ($22). Regions Field offers areas throughout the concourse for fans to eat their food and drink and eating rails throughout the stadium. The ballpark has an open concourse that has unobstructed views of the field so you don’t have to miss any game action while getting concessions. Atmosphere 4 Outside the stadium along the right field baseline is a sign that reads “BIRMINGHAM” that lights up at night. Walking towards the main entrance there is a statue of Willie Mays. After entering the stadium the Barons Sports Depot is on the left and sells plants of Barons merch. In the outfield in left field is the scoreboard which provides entertainment throughout the game. Towards center field is a wiffleball field where kids can imitate the pros on the field while right field has batting cages where fans can see players warm up before the game starts. Specialty nights at Regions Field include “Taco Tuesdays” where tacos are $2, bring your pet dogs to “Wet Nose Wednesdays”, discounted beers are offered on “Thirsty Thursdays” and fireworks light up the sky on Friday nights. On select Sundays, kids are invited to run the bases after the Barons game. One note to make from the atmosphere in previous seasons compared to my experience is that the sound from the speakers does not reach the outfield. The only sounds those in the outfield get are the sounds of the action and those around them. Whether this is a good thing or not depends on the person’s preference. Neighborhood 4 Regions Field is located in the heart of Downtown Birmingham and next to Railroad Park, which offers walking paths, a lake, playgrounds, and plenty of green space. Next to the stadium is the Negro Southern League Museum which is free to visit 10 am-4 pm Tuesday-Saturday. You can’t go wrong with an afternoon at the museum, dinner at Wayback Burgers, Tortugas Pizza, or Ted’s Restaurant (all of those restaurants are within four blocks of Regions Field), grabbing a beer at Good People Brewing, and an evening at the ballpark. Lodging options within walking distance of Regions Park include Hilton Garden Inn, Courtyard, and SpringHill Suites. If you want to spend a few days in Birmingham other attractions include the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham Museum of Art, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is located next to the BJCC Complex which includes Legacy Arena, home of the G-League’s Squadron and Protective Stadium, where the UAB Blazers football and Birmingham Legion soccer teams play. For families, kids will enjoy a visit to the McWane Science Center and the Birmingham Zoo. For those willing to travel three miles west you will see historic stadiums such as Legion Field and Rickwood Field, the latter of which was the longtime home of the Barons. Rickwood Field recently hosted an MLB game and as mentioned before hosts an annual Barons game. Fans 3 The Barons consistently lead the Southern League in attendance. Regions Park is easy to get to for those living and or working in downtown Birmingham, the Barons have been a staple in Birmingham for a while, and Birmingham is an easy trip for most fans of the other Southern League teams. Birmingham has in-state rivalries with the Montgomery Biscuits and the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Games between those opponents tend to have many fans representing both teams, resulting in intense yet friendly rivalries. During the 7th Inning stretch, fans turn on their phone lights and wave to Children’s of Alabama hospital patients. This began in 2019 borrowing the same tradition from Iowa Hawkeyes football games. Access 4 From I-20 merge onto I-65 South towards Montgomery and turn off exit 259B onto 4th Avenue South. Make a left on 12th Street before turning right on 1st Avenue and Regions Park will be on the right. From I-65 North turn off exit 259 and go right on University Boulevard before making a left on 13th Avenue. 13th Avenue gets you to 1st Avenue where you go right and the stadium should be in view. There is plenty of street parking within walking distance of Regions Park that is free after 6 pm and on weekends. If you want to purchase parking, the Clutch app offers options for $15 parking close to the ballpark. Once inside the stadium, the concourse is wide enough for the crowd and restrooms are spread throughout. There is not a long line at the concession stands and as mentioned before the concourse allows you to still see the game action. Return on Investment 4 Tickets start at $10 for weekday and Sunday general admission berm areas while reserved seats down the foul lines go for $13. A reserved seat behind the dugout costs $20 while seats behind home plate cost $16. Club seats on the second deck of Regions Field cost $45. There is a $2 surcharge for games on Friday and Saturday nights. $25 should get one person a ticket, a hot dog, and a beverage. With free parking not far from the ballpark, a night at Regions Field should not leave you penniless. Extras 4 The Barons won their last Southern League championship in the inaugural season of Regions Field in 2013. The championship-clenching game was played at Regions Field. Michael Jordan played for the Barons during his break from basketball. There is a banner in the concourse honoring Michael Jordan’s time as a Birmingham Baron. The UAB Blazers occasionally host baseball games at Regions Field, particularly if they are hosting Alabama or Auburn. Regions Park hosted the SWAC baseball tournament in 2022 and 2023. Final Thoughts Regions Field has become part of the core of downtown Birmingham. With housing and restaurants now surrounding the ballpark the once downtrodden downtown area has seen a resurgence. A Barons gameday is an excellent experience for a single person, date night, or a family outing.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 St Louis Field 284 Hill Street Biddeford, ME 04005 Sebago Slammin' Salmon website St Louis Field website St Louis Field – Sebago Slammin’ Salmon At first glance, St. Louis Field appears to be a nondescript high school baseball field, which it is, but it also has a rich history as the former home of professional baseball teams such as the Biddeford Clamdiggers in the late 1800s, and the Biddeford Orphans in the early 1900s. St. Louis Field is a source of deep historical roots and local pride in the southern Maine town of Biddeford, for decades serving as a gathering place for locals to cheer on high school teams, and also used to celebrate the city’s Franco-American heritage at the annual La Kermesse Festival . St. Louis Field has also routinely been used by the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL), as part of its rotation of sites for summer collegiate baseball over the years. The 2024 GNCBL season saw a big transition in its operations, as the league was purchased and reorganized from a nomadic style of teams playing at different sites around southern Maine to designated home teams playing at six different fields. One team, the Sebago Slammin’ Salmon, splits its season between St. Louis Field and Mahaney Diamond on the campus of St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, home of the Monks.   Food & Beverage   0 No concession stand is open at St. Louis Field, but fans are welcome to bring their food and beverages.   Atmosphere   1 St. Louis Field is the most basic facility used in the GNCBL, consisting of three sets of aluminum bleachers and a pair of small, cedar-shingled dugouts. The field overlooks a second baseball diamond, a wide-open multi-use field, and surrounding houses. There is no scoreboard in use at St. Louis Field, which can make it challenging to keep track of the inning and score. Most fans bring their tailgating chairs to find the best vantage point, or to set up in the few shaded areas available.   Neighborhood   3 St. Louis Field is a neighborhood field as much as any field can be. Single and multi-family homes line the streets just outside the field, while an elementary school sits just beyond the left field line. The nearby streets are so close that the backstop netting has been extended up nearly 20 feet to protect passing vehicles. However, it is not uncommon for foul balls to still find their way into neighboring yards. The field is just over a mile from Biddeford’s Main Street and the Biddeford textile mill, which has been converted into shops and restaurants. About half a mile further, across the Saco River bridge, is Biddeford’s sister city Saco, which boasts its own charming Main Street full of shops and locally owned restaurants. There you will find Rapid Rays, a 1950s-style restaurant, specializing in burgers, hot dogs, lobster rolls, and the Quebec classic comfort food, poutine (French fries topped with cheese curds and covered in gravy). If looking to make the day a doubleheader, the Old Orchard Beach Bugs (in the same league) play just 15 minutes away at The Ballpark.   Fans   1 Crowds are modest here, typically capping at around 50 spectators per game. The fans are generally supportive of the teams and only criticize umpires on egregiously questionable calls. There does not seem to be a large local following, however, which in part may be due to Sebago splitting its season between two sites.   Access   3 Biddeford is conveniently located off I-95, which connects most of Maine’s major cities and is also accessible via Route 1, which runs more along the Maine coast. Traffic can get backed up at the 5-Points intersection, so taking the back route through the industrial park might save time if you are using I-95 to get to Biddeford. Amtrak’s Nor’easter line does have a Biddeford/Saco stop just a mile-and-a-half from St. Louis Field – while this is an option to get to the field, it probably isn’t the most practical choice. There is parking across the street from the ballpark at the neighboring elementary school, leaving a short walk to the diamond.   Return on Investment   5 There doesn’t appear to be a charge for admittance, and parking is free at the elementary school across the street from the third base side of the field. A handful of teams in the league do charge between $5 to $6 for admission, so if by chance an admission fee is charged, it should be relatively modest.   Extras   1 There is not much at St. Louis Field by way of extras that will add to the experience, but for families who might bring younger children to a game, there is a wide-open field beyond the ball field where kids can play if watching the game might be too much.   Final Thoughts St. Louis Field does not come with many amenities to make the experience of taking in a baseball game here a memorable experience, but it does bring the game back to its most basic of roots; 9 players on each side, 90-foot basepaths, and a mound 60 feet-6 inches from home. It has everything needed for collegiate players who are just looking to get in more reps to improve their skills, and for fans, it is a great reminder of the simplicity of the game that is America’s pastime.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Morton Field 153 Piggery Road Augusta, ME 04330 Augusta Surgin' Sturgeon website Morton Field website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 1,800 Surgin’ Sturgeon Time On farmland that was originally used to grow crops and raise pigs for the nearby hospital, Morton Field in Maine’s capital city of Augusta has often been used for Babe Ruth League games, as well as being the home field of the Cony High School Rams. Morton Field is part of the larger Capital Area Recreation Association complex, commonly referred to as “CARA”. Morton Field joins the mix as a host site in the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL) as home to the Augusta Surgin’ Sturgeon, one of five teams in the newly reorganized league. In years past a handful of teams would play at rotating sites across southern Maine and into New Hampshire. However, the sale of the league in the spring of 2024 brought a new twist to the GNCBL, such that each of the five teams in the league now has their own designated home field, for the first time since the inception of the league.   Food & Beverage   3 Morton Field is one of a handful of facilities in the GNCBL which offers concessions. Items include hand-grilled hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, ice cream novelties, and assorted candy. Bottled Coke products are also available. While the selection is typical for similar venues, the hand-grilled burgers and hot dogs add a bit to the overall enjoyment.   Atmosphere   2 Part of the CARA complex, Morton Field is just one of several facilities here which include other baseball fields for various levels, softball and soccer fields, and basketball hoops and horseshoe pits. Everything about Morton Field screams Maine, from the pinewood that protects the 12-foot well to the short 280’ right field porch. Beyond the wall also runs a patch of pine trees, giving the area another ever-so-subtle touch of Maine. Bleacher seating extends between the dugouts and eleven rows up, topped by a modest press box. This area provides little shade from the sun that sets just beyond the left field fence, so many fans choose to spread out along the grassy hillside on the third base side of the field, which does have some shade. The game presentation at Morton Field focuses solely on the game itself – there is no walk-up music for batters and no music or on-field games between innings, leaving the game as the sole source of entertainment, and it works just fine.   Neighborhood   3 Morton Field is located across Kennebec River from downtown Augusta, just over two miles from Water Street, which features a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants, popular eateries such as State Lunch and Cushnoc Brewing Company, and several other restaurants, all located just feet away from Kennebec River Rail Trail. On the opposite side of the river is the Augusta Greenway Trail and Old Fort Western, a historic site from the French and Indian War era that is open to visitors. This area is just a short walk from the Maine State Capitol grounds.   Fans   2 Attendees consist mostly of the families and friends of players. They are actively involved in cheering on their team, mostly calling out cues for players to be patient and wait for their pitch. There is little in the way of fan interaction initiated by anything other than the play on the field.   Access   2 Getting to Augusta is straightforward, with I-295 providing a quicker route with fewer tolls compared to the more inland I-95. Those coming from the north will likely use I-95 until reaching Augusta. Morton Field is located on the opposite side of the river from the Augusta business district and state buildings. Upon reaching the CARA complex, the facility is at the end of a long, narrow dirt and gravel road that has several speed bumps along the way. There is a large parking lot beyond the field, but most attendees park in the grassy area along the road, leaving just a short walk to the field.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets for Surgin’ Sturgeon games go for under $6. For those paying cash, a flat fee of $5 can be paid, while those paying by card are charged a convenience fee, the same as that for online purchasers. Concession prices are a touch higher than at typical concession stands, but the higher quality of the hand-grilled burgers and dogs seems to justify the prices.   Extras   1 Morton Field gives a handful of options to kids who might find sitting through a full game too much – from chasing foul balls to just having space to play catch on their own, there is plenty here to occupy their time.   Final Thoughts Morton Field is a basic high school baseball facility that does not come with a lot of extras to complement the game, but it does provide fans with a comfortable summer baseball experience. The facility also gives fans several seating options, along with above-average food options, while the nearby city center gives visitors to Augusta several places to visit before the first pitch.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey, Augsburg University, & Stacy Van Egterm Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Parade Stadium 400 Kenwood Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55403 Augsburg University website Parade Stadium website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 500 A Ballpark with A View Parade Stadium is the home to the Augsburg University baseball club and perhaps offers one of the best views not only in the Twin Cities but in all of Minnesota. The ballpark is located in the Kenwood neighborhood of Minneapolis and adjacent to the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Augsburg has used Parade Stadium for baseball since at least 1955. It appears that 1959 was the first season that most of its home games were played at the stadium; before that year, the Auggies played most of their home games at Northeast Park, with a game or two at Parade. The diamond sits on the grounds of the original Parade Stadium, a 16,560-capacity football stadium that was built with $600,000 in bonds over two years and opened in 1951. It was Minneapolis’s first public football stadium and hosted high school, amateur, collegiate, and professional football games. The NFL preseason games were an annual event that netted huge profits for the stadium from 1951 to 1955, including 20,000 that witnessed Green Bay v. San Francisco during the stadium’s first season. The stadium hosted around 50 games a year and would also be the home during the summertime Aquatennial festivals, midget car racing, circuses, and major concerts that came through the Twin Cities. However, due to complaints of noise and traffic by nearby residents and the cost of maintaining the structure, it needed $250,000 in repairs at one point, the stadium was down to only five events in 1986. With the sculpture park debuting in 1988 and a need to expand it, the decision was made to tear down Parade Stadium in 1990. The price tag was one million dollars for the demolition of the stadium and relocation of the softball field. Today, a simple baseball stadium remains with a million-dollar view of the Minneapolis skyline. Food & Beverage 0 The ballpark does not offer food or drinks during baseball games. Fans are recommended to bring in their concession items. On a nice day with the clear blue skies above and the city skyline in the distance, something from home or a restaurant should suffice. Atmosphere 3 Depending on the weather, the atmosphere is pleasantly charming with gorgeous views of the city skyline and plenty of room to stretch your feet. The majority of home games are played during the summer months at Parade Stadium with around 12 dates per season. The ballpark is very basic and can be classified as a glorified high school stadium, but the views and the adjacent sculpture park are worth the price of admission. The stadium’s structure is quite meager and is slightly higher than a glorified high school field, but its location and views beyond the outfield walls give the place distinction not found in too many other stadiums in the country. Sure, there are skyline views, but based on the ballpark’s structure, it gets swallowed up by the tall skyscrapers and sculpture gardens next door. The layout of the stadium is a simple press box and aluminum bleachers behind the backstop with two sections of aluminum bleachers down the first and third baselines. There is no cover protection. There is nothing fancy about Parade Stadium, but it is an interesting experience given its proximity to the sculpture gardens and the views of the Minneapolis skyline. Neighborhood 5 Parade Stadium is adjacent to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden , one of the must-see destinations in town. Numerous sculptures include Spoonbridge and Cherry, Hahn/Cock, and Love. The park also includes the Walker Art Center and Parade Ice Garden. A few restaurants nearby include Cafe & Bar Lurcat (American cuisine), 4 Bells (Lowcountry-inspired), and Sisyphus Brewing. Downtown Minneapolis is a collection of funky streets, numerous skyways above the streets, and up-and-coming neighborhoods that all seem to converge at Target Center and the neighboring Target Field . A popular place across the street before games is Kieran Irish Pub, the outside patio is a great place to grab a drink if you arrive a tad early before the game. The Depot Tavern is an old bus station turned into a place for cocktails and beers, and Seven Steakhouse Sushi offers rooftop seating and views before or after the game. The funky Hennepin Avenue has a collection of local establishments after the game for drinks and music, but the up-and-coming Warehouse District is just a few blocks away featuring casual seafood restaurant Smack Shack and craft breweries Fulton Brewing Taproom and Inbound BrewCo. Fans 3 The crowd attendance is typical for Midwestern Division III baseball from around 100 to 200. Many of the people in attendance are friends and family of the players out on the field. The focus is on the game on the field and many of the sounds are from the players on the diamond. When it comes to a pure baseball atmosphere, Parade Stadium has what you’re looking for. Access 3 Parade Stadium is easily accessible by car and once inside the simple layout is perfect for an afternoon or an evening of baseball. There is also mass transit that offers bus stops within a 3 to 5-minute walk from the stadium. There is also a parking lot that is shared with the sculpture gardens that costs $4. Return on Investment 4 There is no admission charge for baseball games, but it does cost $4 to park in the adjacent lot via parking meters. A small price to pay for beautiful views and beautiful sculptures to view before or after the game. Extras 2 Parade Stadium offers a stunning view of the Minneapolis skyline, perhaps the best views in the city–or a close second behind Target Field. The Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens are one of the city’s must-see destinations that is adjacent to the baseball stadium. Final Thoughts Parade Stadium is by no means a perfect stadium and is quite simple in design and atmosphere. However, its location and skyline views of the city make it a hidden gem when visiting the Twin Cities. ------- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Harold Alfond Diamond at Dr. John Winkin Sports Complex 1 College Cir Bangor, ME 04401 Bangor Babes website Harold Alfond Diamond at Dr. John Winkin Sports Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 6,000 Bangor Time The Bangor Babes come to the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL) and Bangor, Maine as a new stop in the league. Previously the GNCBL used a nomadic structure where teams would play at various fields around the state. However, following the sale of the league heading into the summer of 2024, each of the league’s five teams was assigned a designated home field. The Bangor Babes, as in lumberjack legend Paul Bunyan’s “Babe the Blue Ox”, who in one version of the story claims Bunyan is from Bangor. The city has even gone as far as to erect a 30-foot statue of the legendary woodsman. The Babes play at Harold Alfond Diamond on the campus of Husson University – the diamond is part of the multi-use Dr. John Winkin Sports Complex.   Food & Beverage   4 Food trucks rotate on a game-to-game basis, so food options here will differ with each visit. This typically would indicate a well-thought-out menu that serves handmade items to order. Regardless of which food truck might be at the stadium, however, expect there to be the ballpark classics of hot dogs, popcorn, chips, and soft drinks from the Pepsi family of beverages, along with the food truck-specific dishes. And who knows, you might even be lucky enough to catch a truck serving up the Maine red snapper hot dog.   Atmosphere   2 Winkin Sports Complex is a multi-use facility that not only serves as the home of Husson baseball but also hosts football and field hockey teams. The many uses of the facility give the seating area a bit of an awkward feel, as the bleachers along the third base line are much larger than those on the first base side, to accommodate football and field hockey spectators. Also, the seating bowl has two press boxes, one atop the bleachers behind home plate and another aligned with midfield of the football field layout. Despite them being out of season, the football markings are still visible during baseball games, giving the field a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the 1980s when many baseball stadiums shared their fields with NFL teams. The section behind the home plate is equipped with molded plastic seats that extend into adjacent sections, while the seating down each baseline consists of aluminum bleachers. With no shade over the seating area, both the plastic seats and aluminum bleachers can get extremely hot and uncomfortable. Efforts are made to create a typical collegiate baseball experience with player introductions and walk-up music, but the stadium’s sound system lacks sufficient volume to make these elements audible. Otherwise, there are no on-field games or mid-inning fan engagement activities, such as have become common at many levels of baseball. The Babes, along with the Old Orchard Beach Bugs, probably do the best job in the league of promoting and marketing themselves – Bangor frequently hosts groups throughout the year and runs promotions to try to draw out the community.   Neighborhood   3 Harold Alfond Diamond is part of Dr. John Winkin Baseball Complex, on the campus of Husson University in Bangor, Maine. Husson is roughly 2.5 miles from downtown Bangor with its high concentration of restaurants. Bangor might most notably be known as the hometown of famed horror writer Stephen King – while King spends much of his time in the western Maine mountains, his Bangor home is still a popular stop for many visitors. The Bangor waterfront and the aforementioned Paul Bunyan statue are also popular landmarks around town. For a local restaurant experience take a trip across Penobscot River into the neighboring town of Brewer, for Mason’s Brewing Company’s unbelievable riverside views.   Fans   2 With much of the Babes roster made up of players from central Maine, the team has a much higher local makeup than many others in the league. Bangor excels in engaging the community, and actively encouraging attendance at games – from offering free admission to Little League players wearing their jerseys and organizing appearances by Special Olympians and Unified teams during doubleheaders, the Babes have done a good job at laying the foundation in drawing interest throughout the community.   Access   2 Bangor benefits from its location just off I-95, which runs up to the Canadian border. However, it is still a two-hour drive from Portland, and the train service does not extend that far north or inland. Therefore, unless traveling from a nearby community, a roundtrip to Bangor will likely require a significant investment of time. Bangor does have bus service to Husson University, but the limited evening runs will impact those wanting to go to a weekday night game.   Return on Investment   5 Admission to a Bangor Babes game runs $5.57, a bit of a peculiar price, but the online charge is added to walkup ticket sales. Also, in a bit of an oddity, fans are charged for both games of a doubleheader – this does seem to be a moot point though, as the ticket table is packed away before the first game is completed.  While this is common practice for day-night doubleheaders, most levels would simply have a split doubleheader with one ticket for each game. Either way, under $6 does seem to make sense for this level of summer baseball.   Extras   1 The Bangor Babes do sell apparel at the stadium, being just one of two teams in the league to do so.   Final Thoughts The reorganization of the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League seems to enhance its credibility and establish stronger ties with the towns hosting its teams; this could make it an attractive option for families in the community to consider during the summer months. The Bangor Babes have given themselves a strong foundation to build upon – this is possibly one of the top baseball experiences in the GNCBL when considering both the work the team has done to market the Babes and its comfortable baseball setting.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Parade Stadium 400 Kenwood Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55403 Minneapolis Blue Sox website Parade Stadium website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 500 A Ballpark with A View Parade Stadium is the home to the Minneapolis Blue Sox baseball club and perhaps offers one of the best views not only in the Twin Cities but in all of Minnesota. The ballpark is located in the Kenwood neighborhood of Minneapolis and adjacent to the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Minneapolis Blue Sox are a townball league and members of the Section 5B Park National division with several other teams from within the city. The ballpark is also used by Augsburg University since 1955. The diamond sits on the grounds of the original Parade Stadium, a 16,560-capacity football stadium that was built with $600,000 in bonds over two years and opened in 1951. It was Minneapolis’s first public football stadium and hosted high school, amateur, collegiate, and professional football games. The NFL preseason games were an annual event that netted huge profits for the stadium from 1951 to 1955, including 20,000 that witnessed Green Bay v. San Francisco during the stadium’s first season. The stadium hosted around 50 games a year and would also be the home during the summertime Aquatennial festivals, midget car racing, circuses, and major concerts that came through the Twin Cities. However, due to complaints of noise and traffic by nearby residents and the cost of maintaining the structure, it needed $250,000 in repairs at one point, the stadium was down to only five events in 1986. With the sculpture park debuting in 1988 and a need to expand it, the decision was made to tear down Parade Stadium in 1990. The price tag was one million dollars for the demolition of the stadium and relocation of the softball field. Today, a simple baseball stadium remains with a million-dollar view of the Minneapolis skyline. Food & Beverage 0 The ballpark does not offer food or drinks during baseball games. Fans are recommended to bring in their concession items. On a nice day with the clear blue skies above and the city skyline in the distance, something from home or a restaurant should suffice. Atmosphere 3 Depending on the weather, the atmosphere is pleasantly charming with gorgeous views of the city skyline and plenty of room to stretch your feet. The majority of home games are played during the summer months at Parade Stadium with around 12 dates per season. The ballpark is very basic and can be classified as a glorified high school stadium, but the views and the adjacent sculpture park are worth the price of admission. The stadium’s structure is quite meager and is slightly higher than a glorified high school field, but its location and views beyond the outfield walls give the place distinction not found in too many other stadiums in the country. Sure, there are skyline views, but based on the ballpark’s structure, it gets swallowed up by the tall skyscrapers and sculpture gardens next door. The layout of the stadium is a simple press box and aluminum bleachers behind the backstop with two sections of aluminum bleachers down the first and third baselines. There is no cover protection. There is nothing fancy about Parade Stadium, but it is an interesting experience given its proximity to the sculpture gardens and the views of the Minneapolis skyline. Neighborhood 5 Parade Stadium is adjacent to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden , one of the must-see destinations in town. Numerous sculptures include Spoonbridge and Cherry, Hahn/Cock, and Love. The park also includes the Walker Art Center and Parade Ice Garden. A few restaurants nearby include Cafe & Bar Lurcat (American cuisine), 4 Bells (Lowcountry-inspired), and Sisyphus Brewing. Downtown Minneapolis is a collection of funky streets, numerous skyways above the streets, and up-and-coming neighborhoods that all seem to converge at Target Center and the neighboring Target Field . A popular place across the street before games is Kieran Irish Pub, the outside patio is a great place to grab a drink if you arrive a tad early before the game. The Depot Tavern is an old bus station turned into a place for cocktails and beers, and Seven Steakhouse Sushi offers rooftop seating and views before or after the game. The funky Hennepin Avenue has a collection of local establishments after the game for drinks and music, but the up-and-coming Warehouse District is just a few blocks away featuring casual seafood restaurant Smack Shack and craft breweries Fulton Brewing Taproom and Inbound BrewCo. Fans 3 The crowd attendance is typical for Midwestern Division III baseball from around 100 to 200. Many of the people in attendance are friends and family of the players out on the field. The focus is on the game on the field and many of the sounds are from the players on the diamond. When it comes to a pure baseball atmosphere, Parade Stadium has what you’re looking for. Access 3 Parade Stadium is easily accessible by car and once inside the simple layout is perfect for an afternoon or an evening of baseball. There is also mass transit that offers bus stops within a 3 to 5-minute walk from the stadium. There is also a parking lot that is shared with the sculpture gardens that costs $4. Return on Investment 4 There is no admission charge for baseball games, but it does cost $4 to park in the adjacent lot via parking meters. A small price to pay for beautiful views and beautiful sculptures to view before or after the game. Extras 3 Parade Stadium offers a stunning view of the Minneapolis skyline, perhaps the best views in the city–or a close second behind Target Field. The Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens are one of the city’s must-see destinations that is adjacent to the baseball stadium. Free admission to the games is a bonus. Final Thoughts Parade Stadium is by no means a perfect stadium and is quite simple in design and atmosphere. However, its location and skyline views of the city make it a hidden gem when visiting the Twin Cities. ------- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by Eric Hasman and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Wintrust Field 1999 Springinsguth Rd Schaumburg, IL 60193 Map It Schaumburg Boomers website Wintrust Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 7,365 Boomers Baseball in Schaumburg Wintrust Field opened in 1999 as Alexian Field as the home of the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League. In 2011, the Flyers folded due to financial difficulties (evicted for back taxes) and the Schaumburg Boomers began playing in the 2012 season. The Schaumburg Boomers are a member of the independent Frontier League (a partner league of MLB). The team is named after the ‘booming’ sound of the local prairie chicken during the male mating season. The colors are black and orange, along with an ornithologically detailed logo of the prairie chicken. I would have named the team the Prairie Chickens. According to the team’s official website, Wintrust Field has a capacity of 7,365 with 16 luxury suites, 200 outfield bleacher seats, and an additional 900 fans can be accommodated in the lawn area along both foul lines. The Schaumburg Club, located on the first base side of the suite level, features restaurant-style seating complete with a full bar and glass-enclosed view of the game. It is also available for private parties and banquets year-round. Before the 2024 season, the Boomers renovated the Schaumburg Club and Suites with new enhanced food service areas, aesthetic updates, and a new video system perfect for meetings and non-baseball events.  Salvi Sports Enterprises owns the Schaumburg Boomers, as well as the Gary Southshore RailCats (American Association) and the North Shore Navigators (Futures Collegiate Baseball League). The Boomers have won four (4) Frontier League championships in 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2021. Food & Beverage 3 Overall, the food is quite good. Two main concession areas on the concourse offer a variety of options. They include jumbo hot dogs ($5), grilled brats ($6), cheeseburgers ($8), veggie burgers ($8), pizza slices ($6), and chicken tender baskets. The Boomers have “Specialty food” items such as the Big Chicago , a foot long Chicago Style hot dog, a Bases Loaded Burger , burger patties with pulled pork and crispy onion strings ($20), and my favorite, the Spud Bucket , a souvenir helmet filled with fries and topped with pulled pork nacho cheese and bacon ($23).  Of course, there are the Chicago classics of the Italian beef sandwich ($10) and the Italian sandwich ($6). Popcorn comes in a bag ($4), bucket ($8), or souvenir helmet (12). Peanuts, Cracker Jack, Sour Patch Kids, or M&M’s are $5. The best food choice might be Ben’s Soft Pretzel or jumbo cinnamon sugar pretzel ($7) and $2 more for a cheese dipping cup. This will be the best soft pretzel you have ever had – they are heaven in a wrapper. For your sweet tooth, The Creamery, a local ice cream shop, provides ice cream. They have cones and ice cream sandwiches from $6 to $10. In addition, there is cheesecake on a stick ($9) and chocolate-covered bananas ($5). A regular-sized Pepsi-brand soda is $5 and a larger souvenir soda is $7. Gatorades are $6. There is a decent selection of craft beer at the Goose Island kiosk, where four taps are available at $8 a pint . Picnic tables and chairs are available for fans to enjoy three varieties of the local brew for the same price. Premium beers are $9. More varieties at the concession stands include Church Street, Kona. However, you can enjoy a true Chicago classic, Old Style in a tallboy can at $8. In addition, they have spiked iced teas, Nutrl Vodka Seltzers, and canned mixed drinks ($10). Atmosphere 2 The ballpark is like any other park built during its time; there is nothing too special about it, but it is a good place to see a game. The organization recently painted the park to reflect the Boomer's colors of orange and black. The best thing about the seating area is that each seat has a cup holder. There are two grass berms along the foul line from just past the dugout to near the outfield wall. However, the bad thing about the park is you can’t walk around it; one can only walk from foul pole to foul pole. New to the ballpark this year (2024) is the outdoor suites and added drink rails. Four new concourse-level platforms are behind home plate at the back of sections J, I, G, & F. The spaces in G & I feature new outdoor suites right behind home plate for groups of up to 35. Left Field Grass Berm, Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey The Left Field Party Deck received a major overhaul with new seating areas, food service areas, and a canopy structure to help provide shade on day games.  Fans can rent this area out for private parties of up to 80 ($25 each includes hot dogs, BBQ pulled pork, brats, pasta salad, ice cream sandwiches, and soda or water, domestic draft beer is available for $2). When there are no parties, anyone can sit there since there are some tables with umbrellas. It is a nice place to view the game, but concessions are not in the area. The stadium has plenty of handicapped seating areas, and the Boomers provide steel folding chairs. Overhead suites cover a lot of the seating, which is nice if it rains, or you want some shade. The Boomers installed a new video scoreboard in 2023 which has the usual features like a video screen that shows up-to-the-minute current players’ stats. The ballpark has the same dimensions (353 feet down the right field line and 355 feet down the left field line) and “wells” in left and right fields like those at Wrigley Field. It was originally billed as a “mini-Wrigley Field.” The newly renovated Kids Zone, behind the party deck, features seven (7) new and fun inflatables for kids of all ages. The Kids Zone is free for fans in attendance. If you are with the kids, you might miss the game since the area will entertain them. There is a speed pitch there by the third base entrance. Between-innings promotions are the usual minor league stuff like t-shirt tosses and fan contests. My favorite is a race that pits three contestants, picked from the crowd, dressed as Repellent, Sunscreen, or Shaving Cream canisters. They race from the right field foul pole to near home plate. The Boomers have been utilizing their new video board between innings with a Kiss Cam, Smile Cam, etc. The gift shop is located on the bottom floor of the stadium at the main entrance. It is kind of small but there is a decent variety of shirts and hats.  Coop the Boomer, the mascot makes several appearances on the field, and he usually walks the concourse too . Neighborhood 3 Residential housing, parking lots, and a Metra train station surround the park. The Schaumburg Regional Airport is nearby, so during a game, you will regularly see small planes and helicopters going over the stadium. The Woodfield Mall, with adjoining big box stores and a bunch of chain restaurants such as Texas de Brazil, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Giordano’s Pizza, and Bulldog Ale House, is about 15 minutes from the ballpark. Three recommended restaurants close to the park are Pilot Pete’s, which is an aeronautical-themed bar and restaurant, Sammy’s Mexican Restaurant, and Rookies Sports Bar & Grill. All are approximately five minutes from the park. The food quality at all the establishments is good and reasonably priced. Fans 3 Since the Salvi group has taken over, the Boomers average a little over 4,000 a game and have been at or near the top for attendance in the Frontier League. On Saturdays, they draw about 4,000 to 7,000 due to fireworks after the game. As with every Frontier League crowd, a few fans are really into the team and game. These fans are usually wearing Boomers jerseys/shirts. Other fans are there just to socialize with family and friends. Access 5 Overall, the access to the stadium is excellent since the park is located off the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway (I-390). It should be noted that the parking is free, but on crowded days (usually Saturdays), it will take a while to get out of the lot. Also, there is a Metra train station one block from the stadium. There are no restrictions on bags, but every bag carried into Wintrust Field is subject to inspection. Return on Investment 3 Reserve seats will cost $16, lawn seats are $12, and expect to pay $1 more on game day at the gate. A screen is in front of the seats in sections E-K (dugout to dugout) to protect fans from foul balls. These are some of the highest prices I have seen in the league. However, the product the Boomers put on the field is worth it. Extras 4 The Boomers are named for an endangered bird that is native to Illinois known as the Great Prairie Chicken. They can be found in greater abundance in the Dakotas, but at one time were prevalent in this area and nicknamed “boomers” because of the loud noise and dance they make during mating season.   Coop the Boomer, the team’s mascot, is out amongst the fans and on the field quite a bit and is popular with the kids. Finally, an extra point for the field since Roger Bossard, the “Sodfather”, the long-time groundskeeper of the Chicago White Sox, installed a new playing surface in October 2011. The ballpark earns a point for free parking. Final Thoughts The Schaumburg Boomers experience is noticeably better than the Schaumburg Flyers experience from many years ago. It seems the Boomers are keeping up their winning ways and are always upgrading the fan experience. Wintrust Field is worth checking out during any ballpark tours of the Chicagoland area.

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

Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Oil City Stadium 1700 119th St Whiting, IN 46394 Map It Northwest Indiana Oilmen's website Oil City Stadium website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 1,100 Oil City Stadium: Home of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen Oil City Stadium, built on land donated by Standard Oil Refinery, celebrates Whiting's history as a refinery town for the past 120 years. It was built on the site of a former water filtration plant and Little League fields. Completed in 2011, the $8.5 million structure is home to the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (Midwest Collegiate League, now known as the Northern League), Whiting Oilers, and Calumet College baseball teams. The stadium holds 1,100 fans. The exterior of the stadium is a red brick. The left field wall is 300 feet from home plate and is approximately 25’ tall with a 30-foot scoreboard. The other dimensions are 373’ to the power alleys, 403’ to the center field, and 330’ to the right field. The League changed its name in 2022 from the Midwest Collegiate League to the Northern League. It is a college summer collegiate baseball league. The Oilmen won the Midwest Collegiate League Championship three times: 2012, 2016, and 2018, and lost in the Championship in 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2023, the Oilmen won the Northern League Championship. In addition, the Oilmen have had 12 consecutive winning seasons and eight straight postseason appearances. Tickets are $6 for lawn seating, $8 for preferred seating (aluminum bench seating), and $10 for box seats. Food & Beverage 3 The menu is traditional baseball fare with the walking taco, soft pretzels, pizza, hot dogs, grilled chicken, cheeseburger, bratwurst, nachos / loaded nachos, and Sloppy Joe with costs ranging from $4 to $6.  They also have chips, popcorn, sunflower seeds, and candy for $2 to $3.  The concession prices here are great. A bonus is that the hamburgers, brats, and chicken are cooked fresh on a grill. They have fountain soda for $3 and Gatorade in bottles for $3. There is coffee and hot chocolate for $3. Beer is $5/can and includes Miller / Coors products.  The Oilmen also sell a local draft beer from Bulldog Brewery and Hard Seltzer for $5. Atmosphere 3 One of the first things you will notice is that there is no big video board, simply an older digital scoreboard in left field. If you need to be constantly entertained by on-field between-inning entertainment or you need big giveaways this is not the place for you because there are very few between-inning promotions.  The stadium's interior features three rows of box seating, nine rows of aluminum bench seating, and raised lawn seating. Down the left field line is a medium-sized grass berm area, which is an area where you can stand, lay down, or even sit on a lawn chair that you can bring in and watch the game without a net being in your way.  Lastly, a small press box is located behind the home plate. The Oilmen have two (2) mascots: “Stan the Oilman” who is readily available for most of the game and “Lucky” the Unicorn. Not sure why Lucky is there but I like it. There is no kids' area but on the third base side, behind the stands, there is a grass area where kids can play catch. The “gift shop” consists of a tent with a table with some T-shirts and hats with a surprisingly good selection. Neighborhood 3 Oil City Stadium is located within a residential neighborhood. There are plenty of independent restaurants and bakeries in the area. Several restaurants and a microbrewery are about two to four blocks west of the stadium. Dos Sabores is a good Mexican restaurant, but it is only open from 8 am to 4 pm. Bulldog Brewery has lots of different in-house beers and some reasonably priced good food.   The Center Lounge offers up some good food (my favorites are the Lake Perch or Corned beef) at reasonable prices. Also, the Winey Beach Café (Caribbean and American food) has good seafood and drinks. Lastly, right across the street from the ballpark is the Whihala Ice Cream shop. Wolf Lake and the Wolf Lake Pavilion are located approximately 10 minutes from the ballpark. Wolf Lake has walking / bike trails and boating, kayaking, fishing, windsurfing, and a full host of outdoor recreational activities. The lake is a great place to see a variety of birds. The Wolf Lake Pavilion stages free concerts on Saturdays during the summer. In addition, there are festivals there too. Fans 2 The fans who show up have a good time watching the game.  The Oilmen led the Northern League in attendance every year since the stadium opened with an average reported attendance of approximately 800 . There rarely are 800 people in the stands. Buying tickets in advance is not necessary. At this stadium, you will find lots of parents of the players and host families. There are some locals but not a lot of kids at the games. Unfortunately, there just aren't enough fans in attendance to create much of an electric atmosphere. Access 2 Oil City Stadium is located on 119th Street in Whiting, Indiana about one mile north of the intersection of Route 41 and 119th St. Getting to the park is, at times, tedious. The stadium is located approximately 9 miles north of Route 41 (Calumet Ave.) and Interstate 94. The stadium is approximately 3 miles south of the intersection of Interstate 90 and Route 41. Public transportation is not an option. Free parking is available on the adjacent streets but there isn't a lot of it. Of course, I would not suggest parking on the street outside the stadium due to foul balls hitting cars. Go a bit down the block or in the grass parking lot. Return on Investment 4 The price of the tickets, concessions, free parking, and people make this place worth visiting and a great deal. Extras 4 About one block away is the home of the Mascot Hall of Fame which opened in December 2018 and is a children’s museum. Regularly, the HOF will have guest mascots from throughout the country. Unfortunately, there is talk of the Hall of Fame closing in December (2024). In addition, at night games when the sun goes down, the oil refinery lights go on and the center field view looks like a bustling downtown area. It’s kinda cool. Approximately 1.5 miles north of the stadium is the Horseshoe Casino. Of course, it is open 24 hours a day.  If gambling is your thing, a trip to the casino is in order. If you sit in the third base side - the last row, when a foul ball is hit out of the park, stand up and see if it hits a car. Lastly, one of the coolest features (and attention to detail) is that the doors at the stadium have baseball bat handles. Final Thoughts You can’t go wrong with the prices or the people at Oil City Stadium. While the league is small and the play on the field is ok (the play has been improving each year), I would put this stadium on the must-see list. Oil City Stadium is a great little stadium.

Photos by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Ozinga Field 14011 S Kenton Ave Crestwood, IL 60445 Windy City Thunderbolts website Ozinga Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 3,200 A Niche of a Ballpark in the Windy City The Windy City Thunderbolts have been playing baseball since 1995 when it began operations as the Will County Claws in the North Central League. In 1996 the team rebranded as the Cook County Cheetahs (Heartland League 1996 – 1998 and then joined the Frontier League in 1999) and in 2004 adopted the T-Bolts moniker. Its ballpark has been Standard Bank Stadium since the 1999 season. The stadium has a capacity of 3,200, which includes multiple party decks, a beer garden, and its most unique feature, an upper deck on the third base side only. This one-sided upper deck was due to the inability to add a second upper deck along the first base side due to multiple high-power lines that dominate in front of the stadium’s parking lot. The design of the ballpark creates a configuration that includes 6 rows of seating in the lower deck, and upper deck seating that hovers tightly above the concourse. There is not a bad seat in the house, and now that netting extends along the seating bowl in the lower deck you don’t have to pay attention to the game, which many don’t since they are socializing. Though pop fouls can still hit you and you can get hit in the upper deck because the netting doesn’t extend that high. This infrequently happens. The ballpark also features a few distinguishable features with bullpens situated in foul territory and within proximity to the two patio decks. The ballpark has only three skyboxes next to the press box. The stadium has seen a few renovations in the past few seasons including the installation of a 13-foot-high, 22-foot-long HD video board with full video capabilities in 2014, ProGrass synthetic turf in 2015, and a second picnic area on the first baseline in 2018. Food & Beverage 3 The food is standard fare. Prices went up over the year but where haven’t they? Hot dogs ($4.25 regular or 5.75 jumbo), chicken tenders ($8), hamburgers/cheeseburger ($5.75/$6), a slice of pizza from a local restaurant-Beggars ($5.50), nachos ($5.75) and popcorn ($3.50) are among the choices available at the concession stands. However, there are great-tasting appetizers like funnel cake fries ($8.75), french fries, ($6), and cheese curds ($9). The lines for the concession stands can be somewhat long since a few locations are closed for certain games but move fairly quickly. My favorites here are the hamburgers and funnel fries. For the kids or people who choose not to drink, there are bottled soda-Pepsi products ($4.75) or 22 oz fountain soda ($3.75), Gatorade ($5.25), water ($3.25), Root beer floats ($6.50), ice frozen lemonade ($5.50) and 12 oz hot chocolate or coffee for $3.75. There are also some candy/dessert items such as caramel apples ($3.50), caramel pretzel rods ($2.25), and boxes of M&M’s, Kit-Kats, Milky Way, Snickers, and Twix for $2.50. The beer is provided by Budweiser (Bud, Bud Light, Bud Seltzers, Michelob Ultra).  Domestic draft beer is either 16 oz cans ($6.50 domestic or $7.75 premium), 16 oz draft ($5.50) or 32 oz draft ($9).  There are also local Goose Island favorites and a few craft beers of the Midwest ($6.25) and Michelob Ultra Seltzers ($6.25).   There is also wine ($7.50) and some mixed drinks ($8.50 for 16oz.).  The mixed drinks have either Old Smoky Moonshine (Tennessee Whiskey), Tito’s Vodka, Rum (spiced or regular), or Jose Cuervo.  On Thursday nights, the prices start at $1.75 for “Retro” beers and $2.75 for domestic cans. Atmosphere 2 The T-Bolts have a niche market on the southside attracting a majority of its fan base from the local area. The size of the ballpark also lends to the atmosphere because it rarely feels empty. Inside the facility are two concourse areas on the third base side. The inside area is tight but never really a problem with access from one end to the other.  Fans can also get a good look at the field from this area. The outer area is located outside of the seating area and away from the field of play. You can’t see the field from here. Behind the first base side is a raised party area that offers sit-down picnic tables and open spacing. If this area is not rented, anyone can sit up there. The sight of fans commencing in large groups with a beer in hand and enjoying the festivities of the game is very common, especially on the weekends. In addition, there is another party area down the right field line again, anyone can sit there if the area is not rented. The kids love the mascot, Boomer; he is very accessible during the times he is not on the field for the between-inning entertainment. The between-inning entertainment is the usual minor league theatrics of quick contests (do kids know more than their parents, match game, etc.) and t-shirt tossing. After each game, kids get to run the bases. On Sundays after the game, the players are available for autographs and pictures. If you are a White Sox fan,  this season the manager of the team is former White Sox Pitcher, Bobby Jenks. He also comes out for autographs. My favorite between-inning promotion is the horse race. There are three wooden horses (yellow, red, and zebra) cutouts attached to a pole.  An intern runs with each horse outside the park from the video board behind the batter’s eye to another advertisement board. There are fans at the ballpark that bet on the race and the Thunderbolts bring kids down to the field to pick “horses” to win prizes. The Thunder Store (gift shop) is a separate building within the confines of the park. It is not very big, but they have a decent selection of hats, t-shirts, sweatpants, game-worn uniforms, and broken bats. There is a kids’ play area near the store which has a jungle gym. Neighborhood 2 The village of Crestwood is 22 miles south of downtown Chicago and is within one hour of five (5) independent and two major league clubs. The surrounding suburban neighborhood is a mix of residential and retail. A parking lot surrounds the ballpark. Around the parking lot are residential apartments, high power lines, and an elementary school with a recreational park and football field. Driving there is everything you want within five minutes; a few neighborhood-type bars and plenty of fast-food choices and chain restaurants. If you get there early enough there is Louisa’s (Italian) which was voted one of the best pizzas in the Chicagoland area. Fans 3 The fan base is friendly, and many know a lot about the team and league. The Thunderbolts average about 1,800 people a game. Of course, the weekend games are better attended than weekday games. The mix of fans is the same as any other ballpark: families, baseball purists, casual baseball fans , or others out there for a specific promotion / or outing. The Thunderbolts have a group of regulars at the ballpark who are called the “Pole Guys” because they stand in the concourse by the light pole on the first base (visitors) dugout. They have a good time and raz the umps, opposing players, and even the home team when there is a bad call or play. An example of their razzing is when there is an error you will hear “That is why you are in this league.” It should be noted that the Pole Guys do not curse and follow the strict rules of the game, but they can be loud. If you don’t like this sort of thing, sit on the third base side. At most games, some fans tailgate in the parking lot well before the gates open at the ballpark. Access 5 Qzinga Field is located to the east of the intersection of 141st (Midlothian Turnpike and S. Cicero Avenue). The ballpark is a few miles from I-294 and/or I-57. There is also bus access to the area with a short walk from Cicero Avenue if needed. However, driving will be your best option for this ballpark. Return on Investment 4 Going to a T-Bolts game is worth the price and time. The cost of a ticket is either $10 or $12 on game day (you get $2 off if you buy in advance). A bonus is that parking is free, and concession prices are reasonable. The team does have various promotional nights throughout the season. On most Thursday nights the stadium hosts professional wrestling matches by a local wrestling company on the concourse. Every Friday and Saturday are fireworks directly after the game. These games attract the largest crowds of around 2,500 or more a game during the season. Sunday is family day, you get 4 tickets, 4 dogs, 4 chips, 4 sodas/water, 4 ice cream cups, and 4 souvenirs for $45.  It’s a great day to bring the family out for the game. Extras 2 The Thunderbolts have three retired numbers: Dylan Axelrod (#23) who would make it to the majors with the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds and former manager Mike “Kash” Kashirsky (#1) who led the club to its second championship and two division titles. He is now the left-handed batter practice pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. Lastly, there is (#3) Michael Torres a Frontier League Hall of Famer. The Park gets an extra star because of the upper deck and the “horse” race. Final Thoughts This ballpark is one of the best-kept secrets on the south side of the Chicagoland area. The design of the ballpark, the local fans who tailgate, the support of the club, and the affordable pricing should make Ozinga Field a can’t miss for any baseball traveler.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Ed Flaherty Field 156 School Street Gorham, ME 04038 Gotham Lightning website Ed Flaherty Field website Year Opened: 2017 Ed Flaherty Field – Gorham Lightning As the collegiate baseball season comes to an end on the campus of the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, attention shifts to the summer wooden bat season. As members of the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL), the Gorham Lightning are playing their first season in the league. Entering the 2024 season, the GNCBL underwent significant changes in operations and organization. The league was purchased by "The Players League", and its format was changed from a nomadic setup, with teams playing at various fields around the area, to a structure where each of the five teams now has its own designated home field.   Food & Beverage   0 There are no concessions offered at Ed Flaherty Field, but fans are welcome to bring their food and drinks. With a handful of convenience stores less than a mile away, grabbing a sandwich, chips, and soda to bring to the field might be a good option.   Atmosphere   2 Ed Flaherty Field is one of the more comfortable facilities used in the GNCBL – the seating bowl here is built into the hillside and consists of six rows of individual chairback seats, keeping fans close to the action on the field. Seating extends from dugout to dugout, and while the seats are not covered, the sun sets behind the grandstand, providing shade to the top rows fairly early in the game. Evening games do not have much difficulty with the sun in any direction. The games here are as pedestrian as can be – there are no walkup songs, no music between innings, and no on-field contests; it’s just baseball. The game is what it is, just some college players getting some summer at-bats and innings pitched.   Neighborhood   3 On the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus, Ed Flaherty Field is less than a mile from Gorham’s city center. Main Street oozes small-town charm and is dotted with locally-owned shops and restaurants. Junction Bowl offers both food and entertainment, while Sebago Brewing Company has a brewpub next door and a tasting room just a short 3-mile trip away. For more of a full-day experience, downtown Portland is about 10 miles away, featuring the area's biggest summer attractions. Closer still is the neighboring town of Westbrook, a growing community with numerous restaurants, Mast Landing Brewery, and a popular riverside trail.   Fans   1 Attendance is generally small, mostly consisting of friends and families of the players. The summer setting tends to keep fans more laid-back, but they are quick to let umpires know about borderline calls. This is the league’s first year using a home team format, where teams have a designated home field, so the idea of developing roots in a community has not yet had much time to set in.   Access   3 Gorham is a suburb of Maine’s largest city Portland. Without direct access from the state's only interstate route, I-95, traffic into Gorham can become congested, due to several highly traveled arteries feeding into the city center from neighboring towns to the east – roads coming from the north, south, and west are much less traveled. While there is a campus shuttle that runs between Portland and Gorham, it stops running at 5 pm, making it challenging to return to Portland after a game using public transportation. GPS directions lead to an awkward parking lot that is not directly adjacent to the field. It is easier to enter via the Campus Avenue entrance, which provides access to the lot directly next to the field – from this latter parking lot, it is just a short walk to the entrance and a walkway that runs atop the seating bowl.   Return on Investment   5 There was no admission charge during my last visit; GNCBL teams that charge for attendance typically ask for between $5 and $6 – it is possible I just caught a break from not having anyone there that day selling tickets. Typically, any sporting event that is free of charge is hard to beat. However, what is disappointing, and is no fault of the league, is that even during the summer the University here charges for parking. Although the fee is nominal, roughly $1.50 an hour, it seems unnecessary given the lower demand for campus parking in the summer.   Extras   1 The field is a rather quirky one – it is not every day you will find a baseball field where centerfield (388’) is 18 feet shorter than right center (406’).   Final Thoughts The reorganization of the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League appears to bring the league more credibility, as well as the ability to create roots in the towns that host teams, making it possibly an appealing option for families in the community to consider in the summer months. The Gorham Lightning have some work to do in terms of branding and marketing their team, but they might have one of the most important elements of the equation already in place with the comfort that is provided by Ed Flaherty Field.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Davis Wade Stadium Lee Blvd & Moore Rd Starkville, MS 39759 Mississippi State Bulldogs website Davis Wade Stadium website Year Opened: 1914 Capacity: 60,311 Gotta' Have More Cowbell On Saturdays in the fall, college football in the farmlands of Northeast Mississippi takes on a whole different meaning – this is SEC football at its best, as the small town of Starkville, MS turns into the third largest city in the state. Combine that with the sound of over 60,000 cowbells, and you have one of the top game day experiences in the country. The Mississippi State football program is one of the oldest programs in the country, first fielding a team in 1895. Honoring its farming and agriculture background, the school was once known as Mississippi A&M, with its teams o riginally nicknamed the Aggies and then the Maroons, until becoming the Bulldogs in 1961. Davis-Wade Stadium opened in 1914, which makes it the second-oldest college football stadium in the country – the facility was originally known as New Athletic Field, and the playing surface itself was named Scott Field, after Olympic runner and former player Donald Scott. Today, Davis-Wade Stadium is one of the loudest football stadiums in the country, with cowbells ringing so loud they can be heard miles away, not to mention a pre-game in The Junction providing one of the best tailgating spots in the South. The game day experience here rivals some of the best that college football has to offer.   Food and Beverage   3 Food options are plentiful at Davis-Wade Stadium, with over 30 concession stands located throughout the facility. Most of the food options are located on the main concourse at ground level, with over 20 points of sale on this level. You will find everything from the basics at the Hail State Eats stands, to specialty items like gourmet hot dogs at Dawg Express. For flat-grilled street tacos try one of the four Stark Tacos locations located on the ground and 300 levels, while for pulled pork sandwiches and BBQ nachos try one of the four Junction BBQ stands, also on the ground and 300 levels. For delicious custom burgers and deep-fried chicken tender sandwiches be sure to check out the two Drill Field Chicken and Burgers stands, and in addition, there is a stand selling flat bread pizzas located on the east side concourse. There are also several food trucks scattered around the ground level, including Dab's Chicken and Waffles, a Jackson, MS-based chicken joint, as well as an ice cream stand. Davis-Wade Stadium also features five climate-controlled market-style stands, set up like grocery stores where you grab your items, scan them, and walk out; these definitely speed up the lines. Mississippi State has a partnership with Coca-Cola for beverages, and there are over 20 stands for you to purchase alcoholic beverages. My one complaint with the concessions here is that most of the stands are located at ground level – it would be nice if there were more concession stands on the upper levels.   Atmosphere   5 There is nothing like a game day in Starkville, as the small college town nearly triples in size. The game day experience is centered around The Junction, just south of the stadium – what was once a railroad crossing on campus 100 years ago has been transformed into one of the premier tailgating spots in all of college football. Fans get out to The Junction early on gamedays, which is not a very big green space, but regardless you'll find a sea of maroon and white tents packed side by side, along with grills smoking and people playing various games such as cornhole, while big screen TVs show the game. Sometimes they even have pre-game concerts held in The Junction, and if you have kids, there are a few inflatables set up across the street from The Junction's west entrance. There are also various Bulldog statues set up, which provide excellent photo ops as well. As one of the founding members of the SEC, the Bulldogs have a great sense of pride in their football achievements. Giant banners of past players hang from the upper decks on the west side of the stadium, such as Eagles DB Darius Slay, Chief's DE Chris Jones, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, and Eagles DE Fletcher Cox; as of the 2024 NFL season the Bulldogs have 24 former players on NFL active rosters. This sense of pride extends inside the stadium as well, as you'll find banners of big games in program history, as well as images of past bowl games the Bulldogs played in. Once inside the venue you could hardly tell that Davis-Wade Stadium is 110 years old, thanks in part to the many upgrades and renovations made over the years. Looming over the south end zone is the HD videoboard, installed in 2008 and measuring 152 x 135 feet – this is the fourth largest videoboard in the SEC. Davis-Wade Stadium received its most substantial upgrade in 2014 when the north end zone was filled in, with the stadium now resembling a horseshoe. The entire east side upper deck concourse is also covered and climate controlled; today Davis-Wade Stadium features 60 luxury suites and club levels. The club level includes the south end zone loge seats, an open-air seating area where you can be right on top of the action as the Bulldogs run out onto the field. In the north end zone is the Gridiron Club, a 15,000 square foot open bar area with seating at field level. Also in the north end zone, but at the 200 level, is the scoreboard club area, where they have a bar similar to the Gridiron Club, but the 200 level area has cabanas you can rent out and watch the game from. Another neat section of Davis-Wade Stadium is where they took out the seats in the northwest and southwest upper decks, originally known as the worst seats in the stadium – these were replaced by a premium seating area called The Balconies. This new area took tailgating into the stadium, with 22 covered balcony style areas complete with bar and loge seating, shade, electricity, and where fans are allowed to bring in their own food and drinks.   Neighborhood   4 The Cotton District is the main area of town for nightlife in Starkville – located just off campus within walking distance of Davis-Wade Stadium, the District, as it is known, is home to multiple bars and restaurants. The Cotton District is unique in that many of the neighborhood’s buildings resemble buildings you’d see in New Orleans and Europe, as the developer of the neighborhood traveled there for ideas during the mid-1990s. Bin 612 in the Cotton District is a late-night favorite among college students, who flock to the bar for its famous cheese fries – when the bars close around 1 am, you can find a huge line of college students stretched the whole block waiting to get the famous dish. In addition, Two Brothers Smoked Meats has really good smoked wings and its signature white BBQ sauce, while Bulldog Burger has a huge selection of different burgers. The Cotton District is a small one block area that gets really packed with a lot of college students, especially on weekends, so the older crowd of alums may want to venture more towards downtown if they want to avoid hanging out with the younger college students. Just a short walk down University towards downtown you’ll encounter more bars and restaurants, such as Little Dooey – this BBQ joint prides itself on its smoked BBQ, fried catfish, and other Southern favorites. Right next door to Dooey’s is Stromboli’s; this tiny rinky-dink looking Italian eatery doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the pizza being cooked can be smelled from across the street. Right behind Stromboli’s is Central Station Grill, which is built into an old milk plant – the Grill is known for its  brunch and drinks specials, while yet another favorite in the area is Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, a pub-style bar famous for its pizza, located on the side of a sketchy looking motel. If you come here on your birthday you get a free 24-inch pizza for every fourth person you bring. This dimly lit tavern also has really good live music, and is the place that attracts the mid to late 20s crowd. Besides the above eateries, a couple of bars and restaurants in downtown I recommend checking out are The Beer Garden at Hotel Chester, which is an outdoor bar in the courtyard of an old historic hotel, and the State Theatre, which is a 3-story club type bar. Restaurant Tyler is my favorite restaurant for lunch, however, as it has a really cheap seafood blue plate special, and in its basement there is a bar called Downstairs at Tyler, which is located in a former speakeasy that was used during prohibition. Oby’s is another favorite of mine and features some of the best seafood, sandwiches, and po’ boys in Starkville. A popular Sunday morning tradition in Starkville is to have breakfast at Starkville Café – the tiny cafe located downtown often has a line wrapped around the building starting early on Sunday morning, with people waiting to come in and get the best southern homestyle breakfast in the area. In addition, after breakfast make sure you walk upstairs to Hobie's on Main.   Fans   4 College football is a part of the culture in the south, and in Starkville it's no different. With over 100 years of football history and playing in the toughest conference in college football, Bulldogs fans are just as passionate as any team in the country. This fan base has been through so much over the years – what was once a dormant program in the early and mid-2000s, with a record that was atrocious, Dan Mullen would turn the program around in 2009, and in 2010 begin the streak of 13 consecutive bowl game appearances. State fans would see the pinnacle of success in 2014 when a Dak Prescott led Bulldog team would spend five weeks ranked as the number 1 team in college football; the highest-attended game in stadium history occurred during the 2014 Auburn  game. Fans began to be spoiled during that time period, and now every year the Bulldog faithful expect to have a winning season and go to a bowl game. However, the past few years have been rough on the program, due to the untimely passing of coach Mike Leach, leading to the team missing out on a bowl game in 2023 for the first time in 13 years. Nevertheless, the Mississippi State program hopes to turn things around this year, thanks in part to a new head coach and a newly re-vamped SEC. There are also several traditions that are unique to Mississippi State, most noticeably the cowbells – legend has it that a wandering cow strolled onto the field during a game against Ole Miss in the 1930s. The cow became a good luck charm when the Maroons would ultimately defeat the Rebels, and the cowbell has been a symbol of the university ever since. In fact, Mississippi State is the only Division I school where fans are allowed to bring artificial noisemakers to games. With 61,000 people ringing cowbells, this makes Davis-Wade Stadium one of the loudest stadiums in the country. Continuing the theme, before every game they play the Will Ferrell "More Cowbell" SNL skit over the videoboard, right before players and the Famous Maroon Band take the field. Other popular traditions include The Junction, which is the center for Mississippi State game day activities – on Friday afternoons before each home game, fans line up with their tents so they can have them set them up right at 4 pm, the time the area officially opens. The west side of The Junction is where many of the students and fraternities tailgate, so there will be a mob rush of people waiting to lay claim to their spot right at 4 pm, while the east side of The Junction is a little more reserved and not as chaotic. Lastly the popular Dawg Walk, where the players walk through The Junction on the way to the stadium, occurs 2.5 hours before kickoff before each game as well.   Access   3 The one drawback to coming to a game in Starkville is that the city is located in kind of a secluded area of the state. The closest major cities of Tupelo and Meridian are both located over an hour away, and the closest major airport is over an hour and a half away in Jackson (although there is a smaller Golden Triangle Regional Airport located in nearby Columbus). Only two roads come into Starkville, which are Highway 82 which runs east to west, and Highway 25 which runs north and south. Starkville has recently become more accessible to other areas in the state thanks in part to the upgraded Highway 45, which is located just outside of town, and is the main road you would travel on if coming from the coast or central Mississippi. Make sure you fill up on gas before embarking, however, as there aren’t many stations on the roads heading into Starkville – it’s more of a peaceful rural drive through the backwoods. Once in Starkville prepare for lots of traffic congestion, however, as the town is small and the roads are not exactly the nicest. There is also not a lot of parking around Davis-Wade Stadium, as most of the lots around the facility are reserved for season ticket holders and Bully Club members. There are several lots that charge on the east side of campus near the dorms, and there is also some grass parking for $20 located just south of the stadium. For free parking, go across the street from campus to the Vet School, also called the Wise Center – you can find limited parking around Wise Center, but be sure to get there early, as this lot fills up quickly. You will also have about half a mile walk from there to get to the venue. Once inside Davis-Wade Stadium, the people traffic flows smoothly. There are plenty of concession stands to accommodate the 60,000 people, and the grab and go markets definitely help the lines. The only place in the stadium where you might run into some congestion is on the west side upper deck, which is quite a narrow concourse.   Return on Investment   3 The ticket market fluctuates substantially for every Mississippi State game, but State still has one of the cheapest overall game day experiences in the SEC – for non-conference FBS games, or games against FCS opponents, you can easily find tickets in the upper deck for as low as $20. Night versus day games tend to play a factor in pricing as well, as night games are routinely more popular than day games. For games against Alabama , LSU , or Ole Miss you'll have to resort to the secondary market, and you could be paying anywhere between $75 and $200 a ticket depending on how each team is doing at the time. I consider this a good return on investment, as for an SEC night game David-Wade Stadium is one of the loudest atmospheres in college football. The only issues you may run into are traffic congestion and the lack of parking – it took me over an hour just to get out of the parking lot after the most recent game I attended. There is also a noticeable lack of hotels in Starkville as well, with the few hotels in town usually filling up before the season even starts (for cheaper place to stay I recommend making the 30-minute drive east and staying in Columbus, MS).   Extras   4 The current English bulldog that can be found roaming the sidelines at every game is Bully XXII, also known as Dak. A bulldog named Ptolemy began roaming the sidelines here in 1935; his twin brother Bully also came to a game here when State beat Army  in West Point back in 1939. The first Bully was struck and killed by a campus bus in 1939, and is buried on the sidelines on the 50-yard line under the team benches. Davis-Wade Stadium hosted College GameDay once in 2014, for perhaps the greatest game in school history, when a third-ranked Mississippi State team defeated Number 2 Auburn , to advance to Number 1 in the polls for the first time ever. State was also the first team in the history of the college football playoff to be ranked Number 1, and the first college football game after the attacks on 9/11 was played here against South Carolina on 9/20/01. Davis-Wade Stadium has even set a Guinness Book World Record when over 15,000 came to a pep rally here in 2015 – of the 15,000 people, 5,748 of them rang cowbells at the exact time for 30 seconds, which broke the record for most people simultaneously ringing a cowbell (the old mark was set in Switzerland when 640 people rang cowbells). And of course, one extra for Davis-Wade Stadium being the second-oldest D1 college football stadium in the country – only Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium  at Grant Field is older, having opened in 1913.

Photos by Paul Baker and James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 McCormick Field 30 Buchanan Pl Asheville, NC 28801 Asheville Tourists website McCormick Field website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 4,000 Beer City Baseball   Dr. Lewis McCormick Field is the third oldest ballpark in Minor League Baseball. It has been the home of professional baseball in Asheville, NC since 1924. Named for the city bacteriologist who started the “Swat That Fly” campaign in 1905, McCormick is credited with successfully combating Asheville’s housefly problem.   While McCormick Field is celebrating its 100th season of play in 2024, the ballpark at the site is not the original. After the 1991 season, the original $200,000 wooden structure was torn down and replaced with the current concrete facility. The new ballpark was designed to look similar to the original.   In this era of teams rebranding at the drop of a hat, it’s refreshing to learn that Asheville’s pro baseball teams have been named the Tourists since 1915, with only a brief break as the Orioles in the 70s. The team has played in the South Atlantic League since 1976. In their lengthy history, the Tourists have won seven championships.   Fans may not realize that the Tourist moniker was not created in homage to the many visitors to the area. Back in the day, the writers covering the team noticed that none of the players were from the area. Thus, they were a bunch of “Tourists.”   Food & Beverage 4   Several concession stands are built into the exterior of McCormick Field’s grandstand. Fans looking for something besides the typical ballpark fare won’t be disappointed, as items such as sweet potato waffle fries, hot honey pimento cheese bites, and Nutella beignets dot the menus. The State Fair Experience stand deep-fries Oreos, moon pies, corn dogs, and almost everything on their menu. Sprinkled amongst all this deep-fried goodness are healthier options, including hummus and chips and grass-fed beef hot dogs. Portable carts line the exterior of the concourse, augmenting the menu with everything from cheesesteaks to taco bowls. Concessions are reasonably priced and can be packaged into combo meals to save a few more dollars.   Coca-Cola products are featured at McCormick Field. As you might expect in a stadium in “Beer City,” the craft beer scene here is amazing. Many of the city’s outstanding craft breweries are represented, including Hi-Wire, Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues, Wicked Weed, Foothills, French Broad River, Bell’s, and Highland Brewing. If craft beers aren’t your thing, national brands are available. With the quality and quantity of beer sold at McCormick Field, it’s a wonder more fans don’t just fall down the hill after the game.   Atmosphere 3   Much of the atmosphere in this quaint ballpark is provided by its setting, as the field is nestled right into the side of a mountain. It’s a backdrop begging for a more traditional game day presentation. The Tourists’ staff do accommodate with a simple, but effective show that hits all the expected notes without a lot of your typical minor league shenanigans.   The 36-foot wall in right field is covered in advertisements and topped by a simple scoreboard, which provides the line score, balls, strikes, and outs. There’s no fancy video board with computerized graphics and such here in Asheville. The sound system is solid and the PA announcer professionally gives game information.   The team employs a pair of mascots, Mr. Moon and Ted E. Tourist. They do their thing throughout the game, posing for photos and interacting with fans. Mr. Moon’s name is a nod to Asheville baseball history. In the late 1800s, even before the arrival of the original Tourists, the local nine were nicknamed the Moonshiners. When the team’s logo and uniforms were updated in 2010, Mr. Moon was created in their honor.   Neighborhood 4   McCormick Field is located in downtown Asheville, on the edge of the South Slope neighborhood. This part of the city is notable for its craft breweries. There are six breweries located within a four-block radius of the ballpark, with several more just a little bit further. Do yourself a favor get to the park early and walk around the neighborhood.   Asheville is known, of course, for the famous Biltmore Estate, the home of George and Edith Vanderbilt. The Biltmore House spans 175,000 square feet and includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces. If the fancy surroundings or the high price tags of the tour and the dining room are too much for you, you may wish to explore the Pinball Museum, which features over 70 classic pinball machines as well as arcade games, beer, and snacks.   While you will have to venture out into the city to find many of the city’s best lodging or dining options, Asheville’s neighborhoods are very walkable and there is something here for everyone. Explore Asheville  has a great deal of information about everything the city has to offer.   Fans 3   Asheville averaged over 2,700 fans per game in 2023, a slight increase from the year before and a slight decrease from the record-high figures the team enjoyed pre-pandemic. This figure places the Tourist in the middle of the South Atlantic League.   The Tourists are an institution in Asheville, with the team ingrained in the fabric of the community. Fans seem to be into the game to a great degree and are knowledgeable about the future Major Leaguers playing in town. You’ll see die-hard fans, casual fans, families, and groups at a Tourists game.   Access 3   Asheville is a city of about 94,000 residents located in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for its vibrant arts scene and historic architecture. The city is easy to reach if driving, as Interstates 40 and 26 meet within city limits. Asheville Regional Airport serves the region for fans flying into town.   The ballpark is located in a mixed business/retail/residential neighborhood a bit removed from the highways, so you’ll have to drive through the city to get here.   Ashville Rides Transit has several routes that stop near the ballpark.   This is where the good news ends. McCormick Field is built into one of Asheville’s many hills, about halfway up. This means that no matter where you park, you’re walking up a steep hill one way or the other. The entrance to the ballpark is located on the right-field side of the facility. After a quick security check, you’ll find yourself in the entry plaza, where the team store, offices, and concession stands are located.   The seating bowl stretches around from about first base to about third base, with party decks located beyond the seating area. All seats are blue plastic stadium seats with cupholders and decent legroom. There are good views of the field from all seats, even with the presence of netting throughout. A walkway runs the length of the seating area about a third of the way up. Be wary of the lack of railings on the stairways here, especially if you’ve been pregaming at one (or more) of the great breweries downtown.   Return on Investment 5   Tickets to Tourists games start at $11 for general admission, with prices increasing to a maximum of $19 for Press Row Tickets. Seniors and members of the Military receive a one-dollar discount, with children receiving a two-dollar discount.   Parking is free in the small lot up the hill from the ballpark (yes, you have to go uphill in both directions from McCormick Field). There are only 50 spots in this lot, so get to the ballpark early. Other free lots a short distance from McCormick Field are free as well, and there is on-street parking in the neighborhood.   Concession prices are reasonable, and there are bargains to be found during theme nights and by purchasing combo meals.   Extras 4   A scene from the classic baseball movie Bull Durham was filmed at McCormick Field. The team pays homage to the movie with the “Crash’s Kitchen” concession stand, complete with a photo of Crash Davis on the wall. Eagle-eyed fans may spot a mural that appeared briefly in the movie on the third-base locker room building’s wall.   Championship flags fly along the first base side of the ballpark, and a listing of every Tourist player to reach the Major Leagues is posted on the concourse.   For a few years in the 1950s, there was no baseball being played at McCormick Field. No problem, the owners turned the ballpark into a racetrack. A NASCAR Grand National race was even held here in 1958.   Final Thoughts   The city of Asheville, North Carolina is an underrated summer destination. Of course, baseball is an integral part of any proper summer road trip. While exploring the mansions and breweries of this fine city, make sure to stop in at McCormick Field, a ballpark that manages to be old and new at the same time.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.