Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 George H. W. Bush '48 Field 252 Derby Ave. West Haven, CT 06516 Yale Bulldogs website George H. W. 48 Field website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 6,200 Historic Bush Field George Herbert Walker Bush was the 41st President of the United States and the captain of the Yale baseball team during his senior season as an undergrad. In 2021 Yale honored Mr. Bush by dedicating its baseball field, known as Yale Field for almost a century, as George H. W. Bush ’48 Field. The first baseball team to represent Yale University played in 1864. The team played at various sites around campus until 1882, when the university purchased an apple orchard and farm in neighboring West Haven. In 1927 the school replaced the open field containing a few bleachers with a concrete and steel structure that cost a half million dollars to build. The ballpark was the site of many major league exhibition games over the years when teams would barnstorm to make extra money. Notable players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams played at Bush Field. With an original capacity of 12,000, the ballpark has been downsized and renovated over the years. Most recently, the grass turf, once lauded by Babe Ruth as one of the finest he'd ever played on, was replaced by a FieldTurf surface, a concession to the harsh weather in the northeast during the college baseball season. In addition to serving as home to the Bulldog nine, Bush Field has been home to the New Haven Ravens of the Eastern League from 1994-2003 and the New Haven County Cutters of the independent Can-Am League from 2004-2007. Over their long history, the Bulldogs have qualified for the NCAA Tournament six times, reaching the championship game of the College World Series twice (1947 and 1948). 24 Yale alumni have made it to the major leagues. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand located at the top of the seating bowl behind the press box. This stand, with a menu consisting of hot dogs, pretzels, candy and Coca Cola products, exists solely to tide Bulldog fans over should they need a snack during the game. It certainly accomplishes this mission. No item sold here costs more than four dollars. Atmosphere 2 As a rule, college baseball in the northeast is just not the big deal that it is in other parts of the country. The same is true here at Yale University. What does separate Bush Field from other facilities in the northeast is that this is an actual stadium with a long and storied history. Visiting fans will find a laid-back, simple game day presentation at Yale. Dare I say the atmosphere is scholarly? With small crowds present at this historic venue, an over-the-top presentation just wouldn’t make sense. Music plays over the sound system between batters and innings, but otherwise there’s not a whole lot of extraneous noise at Bush Field. The PA announcer tries his best to inject some energy into the proceedings, which is not always easy to do with a typical small Ivy League crowd in attendance. There is a simple, hand-operated scoreboard in straightaway center field. Neighborhood 3 Bush Field is not located on the school's campus in downtown New Haven, but about a mile and a half away in neighboring West Haven. Also located at the sports complex is the Yale Bowl, Reese Stadium, Coxe Center and DeWitt Family Stadium. Visiting fans will want to explore the Yale campus, renowned for its unique Gothic architecture. New Haven is developing a reputation as one of the country's best small cities for foodies, with excellent spots located throughout the downtown. A couple of spots in particular may be of interest to visiting fans. Just blocks from the Yale campus is Louis’ Lunch, which claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger. New Haven is also home to a unique brand of brick oven pizza, called apizza by locals. Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s Apizza, located just over a block apart on Wooster Street, are world famous for this pizza style. Many locals tout a third location, Modern Apizza, located only a half mile from campus. To avoid the crowds of Wooster Street, Stadium Journey recommends nearby Zuppardi’s Apizza in West Haven. Fans looking for lodging during their visit to New Haven will not find much in the immediate vicinity of Bush Field, but there is no shortage of choices around the Yale campus. The Yale Visitor Center contains a great deal of information about attractions in and around New Haven. Fans 2 Crowds at Bulldog games at Yale Field would accurately be classified as a "friends and family" type of crowd. Typical crowds average between 100-250 fans, with a minimal turnout from the student body. Those fans that do come to Yale Field are usually connected in some way to the players on the field, and are knowledgeable, active and vocal. With the bulk of the Bulldogs' schedule consisting of local and conference rivals, it's not unusual to see fans of the visiting squad in attendance. Access 4 Yale Field is fairly easy to get to. Simply take exit 44 off of Interstate 95 and follow Ella T. Grasso Boulevard for about a mile and a half. Take a left onto Derby Avenue and Yale Field will be on your left in about a quarter of a mile. Traffic can be heavy in and around New Haven, so give yourself enough time to get to Bush Field. There is free parking at Yale Field in a small lot adjacent to the ballpark, or behind the outfield fence on busier days. There is an overflow lot a short walk down Derby Street. The seating bowl at Yale Field runs from shallow left field to shallow right field. The seating at the ballpark consists of individual plastic stadium seats behind home plate, with molded bucket seats at field level further down both lines. Metal bleachers with backs make up the bulk of the seating. Standing room is available at the top of the seating bowl and on the party deck far down the right field line. Sadly, the old wooden seats that were original to the ballpark and comprised the last row of seating are no longer here, having been removed in recent years due to deterioration. There is a cramped walkway beneath the stands. Luckily, since crowds at a typical Yale baseball game are sparse, it is not crowded. It is difficult to imagine how this concourse would handle a large crowd. Bathrooms are well-maintained and clean, and more than large enough for a typical Bulldog crowd. Inclusive restrooms are even available for fans who need them. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Bulldog baseball games is free, as is parking in the area surrounding the ballpark. Fans can bring in their own snacks to enjoy during the game, but concessions are inexpensive should you need a little something to tide you over before heading downtown. Extras 2 Bush Field has been the site of many historic games. In 1981 Future Major League stars Ron Darling (Yale) and Frank Viola (St. John’s) hooked up in a classic pitcher’s duel that is considered by many to be the best college baseball game ever played. Darling threw a no-hitter for 11 innings before the winning run scored in the 1-0 final on a double steal in the 12th inning. An extra point is awarded for the classic design of Bush Field. Recent repairs to the facility served to restore and refresh its façade while stabilizing the shell of the park to extend its useful lifespan. As a result, Bush Field has kept its vintage feel while looking renewed. Final Thoughts Bush Field stands out from its brethren in the northeast due to its history and aura. There are not many college ballparks in this part of the country which would be considered a destination for ballpark chasers. Bush Field should certainly be on any baseball fan’s short list. If planning a trip to New Haven, keep in mind that the college baseball season takes place largely in the months of March and April, when the weather in this part of the country can be fickle. Postponements, cancelations and schedule changes happen regularly. Be prepared to be flexible with your scheduling. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 CCBC Baseball Field 7200 Sollers Point Rd Baltimore, MD 21222 CCBC Dundalk Lions website CCBC Dundalk Baseball Field website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 250 Lions At The Field One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the Baltimore area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College, and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years, but operated independently. Essex, Dundalk, and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity. CCBC Dundalk began in 1970. The school mascot is the Lions and they play three sports total. Dundalk won the NJCAA Division II national championship for basketball in 2000. They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, The Baseball Field is located next to the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center, which is pretty much the middle of the campus. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food options at or near the baseball field. You are free to bring your own food. Atmosphere 2 There is not much else in terms of atmosphere as it is a JUCO-level baseball game. The team does have a PA announcer and plays walkup music for players. There are two small bleachers and two garden areas for seating around the main part of the field. There is a tiny chain link and no netting, so be aware of flying balls as this field is mainly unprotected. Neighborhood 3 CCBC Dundalk is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the Dundalk High School and Sollers Point Technical High School. One of my favorite places to eat in the area is Squire's Italian Restaurant, which has a large menu of offerings. Their pizza is well-known in the area. Fans 2 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few local residents who attend the games. The fans are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors. Access 4 CCBC Dundalk is located not far off of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) via Merritt Boulevard. Please note that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was part of I-695, could make getting to the field from the south a little more difficult. You will need to use one of the Baltimore tunnels instead. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from campus. Be careful parking right by the field, as the lot right by the field would seem to be a magnet for foul balls. Return on Investment 5 The games are free to attend. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level JUCO program at no cost. . Extras 2 If you go inside the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center, there are a few plaques around the that honor student-athletes from Dundalk's years past. Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of their electricity from solar. This 5.1-megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1-megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usage. Final Thoughts The CCBC Dundalk Baseball Field is a basic pleasant baseball field located in a nice setting. Although nothing fancy, it is a nice little stop for a baseball fan traveling around the Baltimore area.

One third of the top junior hockey league in Canada, the Ontario Hockey League features seventeen teams from Ontario, one from Pennsylvania and two from Michigan.  The OHL has seen such hockey legends as Bobby Orr, Darry Sittler, Paul Coffey, Al MacInnis, and Wayne Gretzky have all called the OHL home at one point.  A healthy mix of new and old facilities, the OHL offers fans an intimate experience with the glitz of future professional hockey players who help fill the NHL Draft. Stadium Journey has taken to rank the experiences of all 20 experiences in the Ontario Hockey League.  The scores are all very close, however, in every case, a high marks for Return on Investment are present in each experience.  This makes the OHL a prime spot to invest some entertainment dollars and get the most out of that hard earned money. The arenas are ranked according to Stadium Journey's patented FANFARE rating scale, which takes into account a venue's food and beverage, game day atmosphere, surrounding neighborhood, fan support, access, value and more. When two or more venues are tied, a Stadium Journey Council of Elders familiar with the league are consulted to break those ties. Here are the Top 20 OHL Hockey Experiences of 2024. 1. Dom Cardillo Arena @ Kitchener Memorial Auditorium - Kitchener Rangers 4.43 Dave Cottenie - The Aud remains one of the most unique venues in a league where new venues are becoming increasingly homogeneous.  The arena with the main ice is named after former beloved mayor of Kitchener, Dom Cardillo, making the home of the Rangers the Dom Cardillo Arena at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.  The Rangers provide one of the best experiences in the entire Canadian Hockey League and are a must see for all junior hockey fans. 2. Meridian Centre - Niagara IceDogs 4.14 Robbie Raskin - Meridian Centre still feels shiny and new after a decade, yet it also avoids feeling like a cookie-cutter modern venue. Coupled with a charming surrounding neighbourhood and world-class tourism draws beyond it, hockey fans should definitely consider OHL hockey in St. Catharines as part of a trip to Niagara. 3. TD Place Arena - Ottawa 67's 4.14 Dave Cottenie - One of the cornerstone franchises of the Ontario Hockey League, the 67’s derive their name from not only their inception, but to the founding of Canada as an independent country in 1867.  The 67’s are one of the most successful franchises in the league, both on and off the ice, are owned by the Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group, who also claim the CFL’s Ottawa RedBlacks as part of their portfolio. 4. Sleeman Centre - Guelph Storm 4.14 Dave Cottenie - Although not normally considered a cornerstone franchise of the OHL, the Storm have been among the most consistent both on the ice and at the turnstile.  The Storm have participated in the Memorial Cup tournament on six occasions and won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions four times. 5. GFL Memorial Gardens - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4.00 Dave Cottenie - If there is one thing above all that the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are known for, it is their connection to the greatest hockey player ever, Wayne Gretzky. In 1977, the Greyhounds selected the slender, sixteen year old with the third pick in the midget draft. Gretzky would not disappoint by scoring a Greyhound record 182 points in his only season in the Soo. 6. Budweiser Gardens - London Knights 4.00 Dave Cottenie - The John Labatt Centre opened in 2002 and helped usher in a new era in the OHL of new or renovated facilities and quickly became the gold standard in arenas in the league. Going from a nightmare to a dream come true has been an amazing ride for the fans in London and there are no signs of slowing down. 7. Slush Puppie Place - Kingston Frontenacs 3.86 Dave Cottenie - Although the Fronts have not enjoyed a ton of success on the ice, with only two East Division Championships to show for their efforts, the Frontenacs experience has improved significantly and remains a great option for sports fans 8. Tribute Communities Centre - Oshawa Generals 3.86 Dave Cottenie - With a lineage that goes back to Oshawa’s favourite adopted son, Bobby Orr, the Generals are one of the most successful teams to ever take the ice in Ontario.  The Generals hold the record for most J. Ross Robertson Cups as OHL Champions, with 13.  The Generals also boast an impressive five Memorial Cups, which is also more than any other current Canadian Hockey League franchise. 9. Sudbury Community Arena - Sudbury Wolves 3.71 Dave Cottenie - The Sudbury Community Arena is in the twilight of its Ontario Hockey League life, and fans need to take advantage of the opportunity to see this facility host the Sudbury Wolves while they still can.  The expected opening of the Kingsway Entertainment District, which will provide a new event centre home for the Wolves, is not far off, in 2025. 10. Erie Insurance Arena - Erie Otters 3.71 Patricia Beninato - If you’re a hockey fan, an Erie Otters game is fun and relatively inexpensive, even if you throw in a hot dog, a beer, and a t-shirt. Maybe it’s not a destination arena, but if you’re in the area and want to see future NHL stars up close and hang out with some loyal hockey fans, you can do worse than Erie Insurance Arena. 11. Peterborough Memorial Centre - Peterborough Petes 3.71 Robbie Raskin - The Petes are the oldest continuously-operating team in the OHL and have won the league nine times and the national Memorial Cup championship once. Frustrating to their fans is that the only team with greater success are their hated rivals, the Oshawa Generals. 12. Progressive Auto Sales Arena - Sarnia Sting 3.57 Marc Viquez - Progressive Auto Sales Arena is home to the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. It has a seating capacity of 5,500 and sits on the campus of Lambton College. The building debuted in 1998, four seasons after the Sting arrived. 13. North Bay Memorial Gardens - North Bay Battalion 3.57 Dave Cottenie - In 2013 the Ontario Hockey League made a triumphant return to North Bay, Ontario.  After the North Bay Centennials had their run from 1982 to 2002, they left for Saginaw, Michigan under a cloud of mistrust and bad feelings. The hockey light would shine again in the Gateway to the North after the local fans provided next level support for the Nipissing Lakers, a newly formed university team. 14. Sadlon Arena - Barrie Colts 3.43 Dave Cottenie - Sadlon Arena offers a solid junior hockey experience that is not uncommon in many other markets. From the exterior, Sadlon Arena has a bit of a barn-like appearance with a rounded, elongated roof, which can be seen from Highway 400.  Oriented from west to east, the most eye-catching feature of the arena is the Horsepower Sports Bar, which offers a unique brick facade to the front of the building with awnings. 15. WFCU Centre - Windsor Spitfires 3.29 Marc Viquez - The original Spitfires were members of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1945 to 1953 and relocated to Hamilton. The current version began operations in 1971 in the Major Junior Hockey League and was promoted to the Ontario Hockey League in 1975. The Spitfires are named after the Royal Canadian Air Force No. 417 Squadron, nicknamed “City of Windsor” squadron, who flew the Spitfire fighter planes during World War II. To many fans, they are nicknamed the Spits. 16. Brantford and District Civic Centre - Brantford Bulldogs 3.14 Dave Cottenie - New to the 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League landscape is the Brantford Bulldogs. When the Hamilton Bulldogs found they would be homeless for two years as the FirstOntario Centre undergoes renovations, owner Michael Andlauer found a landing spot in Brantford, Ontario, famously the childhood home of Wayne Gretzky, and signed a lease with the city for at least three years. 17. J.D. McArthur Arena @ Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre - Owen Sound Attack 3.14 Dave Cottenie - On the banks of Georgian Bay sits the smallest market in the Ontario Hockey League. In 1989, the Guelph Platers, who had been in Guelph since 1968, made the move north to the Grey-Bruce area of Ontario. 18. Wendler Arena @ Dow Event Center - Saginaw Spirit 3.00 Dave Cottenie - With a small city population of under 50,000, currently a poor team on the ice and economic challenges in Central Michigan, the Spirit are having a bit of a rough go.  That being said, there is still hope that Michigan’s hockey spirit can continue to thrive in the OHL. 19. Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center - Flint Firebirds 2.86 Dave Cottenie - When Peter Karmanos sold the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League to the IMS Hockey Corporation and Rolf Nilsen there were a number of eyebrows raised. There are more than enough doubters when it comes to the Firebirds viability in Flint, but IMS is chugging along and they want everyone to get behind and Believe in Flint. 20. Paramount Fine Foods Centre - Mississauga Steelheads 2.71 Dave Cottenie - A decade as the Steelheads has passed and hockey in Mississauga once again is at a tipping point.  Owner Elliot Kerr has made public his frustrations with the lack of fan support and mused that maybe the Steelheads should be elsewhere.  The Steelheads are expected to move to Brampton, Ontario for the 2024-2025 season

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Lake Elsinore Diamond 500 Diamond Dr Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 Lake Elsinore Storm website The Diamond website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 6,066 A Storm By The Lake The 2018 season will mark the 25th season of The Lake Elsinore Storm. Prior to becoming the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres in 2001, the California Angels were the parent organization from 1981 to 2000, taking up residency in Palm Springs until the opening of The Diamond in 1994. Throughout the years The Diamond has served the community well. Aside from hosting the local 9, The Diamond has also been host to the 2015 NCAA Baseball Regional, as well as the 2017 Stadium Super Trucks World Championship Finals and several music festivals, hosting a wide variety of acts from Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Beach Boys, A Flock of Seagulls and more! Food & Beverage 3 Nothing out of the ordinary here with your usual ballpark fare. For those looking to stick with the basics, you can grab yourself a Storm Dog for $5 and for the kids, a kids dog at $3. If you want something other than your basic hot dog, they also do sell Philly Cheesesteaks ($10.50) as well as Italian and Cajun Sausages ($9.75). Twenty ounces of 7-Up products are reasonably priced ($4.75), and should you want an adult beverage, domestic and premium drafts are also available ($7 – $8). For the sweet tooth in you, throughout the concourse, Baskin Robbins has a couple of stands as well as a cart offering their usual favorite ice cream in a cone or dish ($5.75), as well as sundaes ($6) and ice cream sandwiches. Atmosphere 4 There’s a fun atmosphere to be found at The Diamond. Children can be seen playing in the designated play area along the right field side, shagging foul flys on the grass berm to rolling down the berm. Most seats are in a rather uniform seating bowl, with spacious fold down seats and plenty of legroom. There isn’t a bad sight line in the house. The press box and luxury suites are elevated far above the field, so much so that if you aren’t looking, you may not notice them. The Storm offers not one, but two daily mascots in the form of Thunder and Jackpot. Thunder the dog leads the way, being the self-proclaimed mascot of the year for several seasons. Not to be confused with the Philly Phanatic, he is a member of the “Canis Thunderus” family and has no problem getting the Storm fans on their feet to show their support. Next up is Jackpot. His presence isn’t quite as impactful as Thunder’s as he spends a good amount of time behind the right field scoreboard, making an appearance during a key moment during the game. Neighborhood 4 One of the nicest things about the neighborhood around The Diamond is the natural scenery, ranging from the Elsinore Mountains to Lake Elsinore, the largest natural lake in Southern California located just a few minutes from The Diamond for the water sports enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a bite around the yard, In-N-Out is nearby, as well as Coco’s. One of the more highly recommended restaurants here is Jack’s BBQ Shack, located about 3 miles from The Diamond. Located along the lake, Jack’s BBQ Shack serves up some tasty ribs in a very casual setting with very reasonable prices. Fans 4 With such a beautiful stadium, fans are likely to be out in good showing nightly. While most fans are at The Diamond for baseball, with a multitude of inflatable games, playground, a berm that they could roll down and Thunder to keep them occupied in a special section of lime green seats behind first base, the younger fans seem to be having the time of their short lives. There are fans that attend from all over Southern California as well as the locals from nearby wine country. Even with the many baseball fans throughout Southern California, the Storm faithful are out in good numbers, cheering their team on until the final out. Access 3 Lake Elsinore is centrally located between San Diego and Los Angeles. The Diamond can be accessed either via the 15 freeway or Route 74. Though The Diamond is not far from the 15 freeway, depending where you will be driving from, you may want to allow yourself extra time to arrive. Southern California traffic, especially if coming from Los Angeles, is unpredictable. The last few times I have come from Los Angeles what would normally be a 1.5 hour drive minus traffic took almost 3 hours so do plan accordingly. Parking is reasonably priced at $5. Upon entering The Diamond from the parking lot, fans walk through a tree-lined walkway toward the grand entrance behind home plate. Greeting the fans as they enter The Diamond is a brick tower, giving The Diamond a signature touch. As you approach the home plate entrance, you will notice a monument paying tribute to those who have served. Once inside the stadium, fans walk through a very spacious concourse, perhaps the widest I’ve experienced in all the Single-A yards I’ve seen. The concourse is so wide that should you attend a day game and choose to seek refuge from the summer heat, you could spend an inning or two strolling the concourse, providing plenty of shade and shelter from the sweltering heat without either losing view of the on-field action or yet preventing stoppage to the pedestrian flow. Return on Investment 4 With prices ranging from $9 for grass berm seating on the right field side to as much as $20, perhaps a bit high for a Single-A game, a day out at The Diamond is still a pretty affordable investment. One option should you come as a party of at least 4 is the Four Tops, located in an elevated section behind both dugouts. The Four Tops, starting at $100 for all 4 fans, come with 4 padded seats along with wait service and a table to place all your food and drinks. The High Tops, located behind home plate, offer bar stool type seating along with a countertop to place your food and drinks as well. Should you want to take home a souvenir, the team store located just behind the first base side of the concourse offers a pretty vast selection. Apparel with the team’s iconic logo consistently ranks among the top sellers throughout all of minor league baseball. Extras 4 If you look out toward right field, you will see that the outfield wall is 36 feet high. Yup, the exact height of the Green Monster in Fenway Park, paying homage to the original, adorned with advertisements aplenty. On the right field side of The Diamond is a children’s playground just outside the physical concourse. In addition, a well-sized grass berm is there for budget-conscious fans who prefer to view the game there atop your favorite beach towel or picnic blanket. Should you plan to view your game here, you may want to beware of kids not so much rolling down the hill at every direction, but you must also be aware of the young ones running about that berm snagging foul balls as well. Final Thoughts One of the biggest draws to The Diamond is the ballparks aesthetic appeal along with its natural surroundings. Over the last several years seating capacity has decreased to create a more intimate and sociable ballpark experience. In speaking with Raj Narayanan, General Manager and Director of Sales for the Lake Elsinore Storm, “We’ve led the league in attendance 7-8 years in a row. It’s great, but we’re not selling out every game. Reducing seats and adding social spaces helps us be at a better capacity throughout the season. When you create less seats and an opportunity for fans to go out and mingle at a game, more fans show up…”. Overall, an experience at The Diamond is one every fan should experience.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Muncie Fieldhouse 525 N Walnut St. Muncie, IN 47305 Muncie Central HS Bearcats website North Walnut Street Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 6,579 Muncie Fieldhouse - An Indiana Classic In November 2017 a tornado swept through Muncie, Indiana, and damaged the Muncie Fieldhouse in the process. The storm caused structural damage to the west side of the building and turned the gym’s flooring into a pool. The damage was serious and many thought that the historic venue would never host another high school basketball game. The Muncie Central Bearcats basketball team had not begun their season at the time and were forced to play all home games at Northside Middle School, an arrangement that would last a full two seasons as the fieldhouse was under construction. Finally, the Bearcats women and boys’ program returned to the 91-year-old basketball gym in November 2019. The basketball court is brand new, the old gym floor now serves as art on the concourse walls. A new main entrance was created and a fresh coat of paint was added to the building. The improvements give the old gym a new ambiance but still retain the old-school charm that fans have been accustomed to for the past nine decades. Basketball has been played at the Muncie Fieldhouse since its opening in 1928 and over the years has produced eight state boys’ basketball titles. It is among the oldest facilities in Indiana and is lush with history from its multiple championship banners, old wooden bleacher seating, and the memorabilia room that offers school history dating back to the 19th century. Basketball was first played in 1901, but was not a hit, as ice polo was regarded as the school’s favorite sport. Basketball was not played between 1902-1904 and 1909-1911. However, the sport was gaining popularity on the high school level, and after Muncie produced a strong 14-3 season and sectional victories in 1916, it became a favorite by the populace. The team also had their first official home gymnasium Campbell’s Auditorium at the newly built high school. The Cats also utilized home dates at the Ball Gymnasium on the campus of Ball State Teacher’s College (today Ball State University). However, the capacity crowds created a public spirit that prevailed towards building a bigger, better, and more modern facility. After the team captured its first state championship in 1928 it was clear that a new building was in need for the high school The Public School Extension Division was created, construction costs were financed by local banks, and bonds were sold to citizens which would eventually be paid off as scheduled with the title being turned over to the school district less than 15 years later. The fieldhouse was completed at a rapid pace and dedicated on December 7, 1928. The cost was $407,429.89. The seating capacity at the time of its opening was 7,600 and a sold-out crowd witnessed a Bearcat win over the Anderson Indians 35-24. The building has been renovated on three occasions, one of which saw the capacity lowered to 6,600 people in 1983. Before the tornado damage, the last major renovations took place in 1988 when $1.5 million was spent to replace lighting, locker rooms, coaches offices, exit ramps, and modernize restrooms. The Muncie Fieldhouse has served the community in many capacities since its inception. The facility has been home to circuses, boxing matches, dog shows, the sale of war bonds by Abbott and Costello, Harlem Globetrotter basketball, a Billy Graham Crusade, and concerts featuring legends from a wide variety of musical genres including Neil Diamond, Roy Rogers, and The Supremes. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession booths located in the main hallway on opposite sides of each other. The food selection is on par with other basketball fieldhouses in the state, but I would recommend grabbing a bite to eat from the various restaurants in town. Hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and nachos are all offered at the concession booth. The prices are $1.50 for a hot dog to $2.50 for nachos. Pepsi products are sold for $2. Atmosphere 4 The walk up to the gymnasium sends a somewhat warm chill down the back of your spine. The venerable old building has a presence all its own to the first-time visitor and commands your attention. This is one of the definitions of high school basketball. Visitors enter the building through the atrium that displays large photos above the doorways of state championship teams and the dedication to the game. The atrium also has two old-fashioned ticket booths, hallways to the upper deck, and signage. The interior main lobby wraps around the perimeter of the playing court and the walls display modern font, slight dismay, that directs patrons to the washroom, concession stands, hospitality room, exits and entrances, and the museum. Once inside the court, the majority of the silver-painted wooden bleacher-style seats are above the court and extend up toward the ceiling near the old SRO section that was once heavily populated. The crowds are thin near the top and there is enough legroom to sprawl out over two or three rows of seats. The view from the game is iconic at this level as hanging banners provide a somewhat obstructed view of the action on the wooden floor. The atmosphere is similar to many other great basketball games in the state. There are the student section heckling opponents at the free-throw line, cheerleaders performing during breaks and intermissions, a mascot making his way through the stands, and a band busting out a collection of today’s popular hits. Then there are the eight state championship banners that wave majestically from the top of the ceiling which also include eight more from the volleyball team. Neighborhood 3 There are not many options to choose from within walking distance, but Muncie is a small town and your best choices for nightlife or dining would be downtown or near the shopping center to the north. The city is home to Ball State University and perhaps you could enjoy a game of college hoops at the Worthen Arena during your visit to town. Downtown Muncie has changed a bit in the past few years and Elm Street Brewing located in a former ice house from 1999 is worth the visit for its food and decor, but they also serve craft beer. A recommendation for lunch or dinner includes the pitmaster pie with Coca-Cola barbecue, smoked gouda, smoked chicken, house bacon, and brisket, or the Gonzo, a fried chicken breast top with spicy bacon jam, cheddar cheese, and egg on a homemade biscuit. A few more places to grab a pint include The Guardian Brewing Company, New Corner, Twin Archer Brewpub, and Heorot Pub & Draught House. It might be wise to visit before the game if attending an evening game. Amazing Joe’s, Savage Joe’s, and Sitara Indian Restaurants are other options in town. A cheap location is the B&K Drive-In which features car service and a menu that offers Spanish dogs, coneys, homemade root beer, and barbecue pork and brisket that is made on site. The pulled pork sandwich is $3.99 and is served on Texas toast. Fans 3 The crowd is boisterous during a Bearcats game and if they are winning, the decibel levels only increase. This is a high school basketball town and history speaks for itself. There are also a lot of fans who have been attending games for close to 70 years. They have great stories about the championship seasons of the 1950s, 1960s, and late 1970s. A few of them can be found in the fieldhouse museum and they do not mind sharing a few stories about what makes this facility so special. Access 4 Muncie is one of those towns that seems to have many different ways to enter the city. There is not a major interstate that goes directly into town, and the closest I-69 exit is about 12 miles away from the gym. Access to the fieldhouse is a different story. It is quite easy to walk from the lower section to the upper section, along with access from the main lobby to the upper section. The walls are painted with bold letters directing patrons to bathrooms, hallways, and concession booths. The easy access is impressive due to the age of the building. Return on Investment 4 The price of admission is $6 and that includes free parking and entrance to the Bearcat Museum which is chock-full of history from the school. Concession prices are also very low and who would not enjoy a night of basketball in a historic venue for under 10 bucks? Extras 5 The Memorabilia Room is phenomenal and should be visited well before the basketball game begins. Yearbooks dating back to 1912, old championship banners, photos, trophies, musical notes, desks, chairs, pins, and random paraphernalia. Many other schools have a section dedicated to its history, but it is at a higher level here in Muncie. The museum workers all seem to be alumni from Muncie Central and have quite a few stories to tell about the good old days. The memorabilia in the room has all been donated and could use an additional room to house it all for visitors. The fieldhouse itself is a true legend. If the walls could talk, there would be a lot about the history of the program that began winning championships in 1928. The building might even feel a little aching from the wear and tear of the old fieldhouse, and it would smile after every Bearcat victory. There is a lot of history in the building and it begins with the multiple championship banners hanging from the ceiling, large team photographs hanging on the walls in the atrium, and other areas that harken back to another time of basketball in the state. Final Thoughts There is a copious amount of history inside the Muncie Fieldhouse. It is one of the oldest venues still hosting high school hoops and is home to nine state basketball championships, nine state finalists, and eight volleyball state championships. It is a facility that still operates in the same manner as it has for close to 90 years of operation. _______ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Goggin Ice Center 610 S Oak St. Oxford, OH 45056 Miami RedHawks men’s hockey website Goggin Ice Center website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 3,642 Hockey is Good at the Goggin Ice Center Tucked away on a small campus in Southeastern Ohio is Miami University which is home to a picturesque campus with red brick streets and fans with a passion for hockey. The epicenter of this passion is the Goggin Ice Center, named after former university vice-president, Lloyd Goggin. The facility consists of two NHL-sized sheets of ice and debuted in 2006 at $34 million. The RedHawks play at the “A Pad”, also known as the Steve “Coach” Cady Arena. The “B Pad” is used for recreational skating. The building also hosts intramural hockey and broomball programs, Jr. RedHawks youth and Talawanda High School varsity hockey clubs, hockey camps, skating lessons, ice shows, and other events. The facility includes 2,800 reserved lower bowl seats, 102 club seats, 4 opera boxes, and 6 private suites. The capacity of the building swells to 3,700 with standing room only included. It was one of the most labor-intensive projects in the university’s history and was completed in 104 weeks. The Redhawks properly dedicated the arena with a 5-2 victory over Denver University. The arena was named after former head coach Steve Cady who coached the club for its first seven seasons from its start in 1978 to 1985. The building itself is decorated with former players who have moved on to the National Hockey League, championship banners, and historical photos from the previous 40 seasons. The Hawks have made twelve NCAA tournaments and two Frozen Four appearances in 2009 and 2010. Food & Beverage 3 The Cady Arena offers a rather basic assortment of concession items at four main locations on the concourse. Fans can choose from hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and barbecue pork sandwiches. Pepsi products are available and if you have a sweet tooth, cookies, and an assortment of sweets are available at an additional stand. There are no alcoholic beverages allowed except in the upstairs lounge area. Atmosphere 5 The architects of the Cady Arena designed the facility that would feature everything its hockey program would ever need. The brick interior gives the building a sense of nostalgia and provides beautiful a beautiful backdrop to its hangar roof. Once you take your seat and the opening faceoff has been completed you are immersed in an energetic atmosphere that becomes quite intoxicating as each period progresses. The ambiance is as electric and frenzied as some of the best college venues in the country. The compact-sized arena offers many elements: a passionate student section, boisterous alumni, and a school band that generates its special brand of home-ice advantage. The hockey program is considered by many to be the number one sports team on campus. The students take up residency on a first-come/first-served basis at the north end of the arena. They do everything your typical student section would do at a college sporting event of its size and they do it quite well. The rest of the audience fills in the noise with chants after each goal, hard hit, penalty call, or break in the action. The soundtrack to all of this is the marching band that resides right next to the student section in the western section of the building. The arena offers seating at all ends of the rink with a wraparound concourse that offers concessions, bathrooms, and access to other parts of the facility. The interior walls feature retired numbers of former players and championship banners hanging from the rafters on each side of the ice. There are two video boards on both the north and south end of the building. The main lobby is an attraction all of its honoring former players who have won the Stanley Cup in the National Hockey League with giant-size photos along with NHL jerseys of former Redhawk players decorating the walls. The lobby also houses a box office, a skate shop, and a team store that gets quite busy before and after games. There is also access to the second rink that was being used for curling during our visit. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see the school’s official mascot “Swoop” greeting fans. Neighborhood 4 Oxford, Ohio, has a population of 21,731 and the university has slightly more with an enrollment of 24,505. The small town is quite attractive and provides a pretty nice college atmosphere for its students while keeping visitors entertained during a visit to a hockey game. The campus itself has been described as “one of the prettiest campuses that ever was” by poet Robert Frost and its buildings are in the style characteristic of Georgian Revival architecture, with all buildings no more than three stories tall. The main college drag is High Street, a few blocks away from the campus and arena, where you find a bevy of commerce at its bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. The action starts early on the weekends with local watering holds packed with students. CJ’s, Varsity, Brick Street, and Steinkeller are a few of the hot spots if you choose to mingle with the young crowd. The area offers a few upscale restaurants: Alexander House, High Street Grill, and Paesanos, and local favorites: Mac & Joe’s, Rapid Fire Pizza, Spring Hill Tavern, and Hitching Post Saloon. Skippers and Bagel & Deli Shop are next to one another and offer patio seating, half-yard pints of beer, and awesome sandwiches. It is a great way to fraternize with the local population on a warm fall afternoon. Fans 5 The fans at the Cady Arena are loyal, zealous, and fervent. They are focused on the game the minute the first puck is dropped and when the Hawks score the first goal, they point their finger in the air and sing a little ditty to the opposing goalkeeper. The crowd, both students and regular fans donning university colors or jerseys, also have chants for when there are penalties that can be slightly PG-13. If you are not familiar with some of the chants, ask a fan next to you, they are more than happy to explain what it means and how you can learn the lingo. Access 4 Cady Arena is a small facility with one main concourse for single-ticket purchasers; it is very easy to move around the building from one end to the other, but be careful not to accidentally walk out the main doorways. Even with near-capacity crowds, the flow of traffic moves rather smoothly inside the arena: bathrooms, exits, and concession areas are easily accessible. Return on Investment 4 The average price for a ticket is $25 for most home games, but they do sell fast and when college powerhouses North Dakota and Minnesota-Duluth come to town, the price may increase or the tickets sell out. Parking is $5 in the parking garage or open lots, but there is available street parking if arriving early. The best seats might be towards the top of the seating bowl or on the west side of the rink, opposite the player benches. Most games are near capacity and the crowd is a dedicated brass that does its best to make you a fan. All of this makes the price admission well worth the investment. Extras 4 The fans provide an extra point for the experience at the Cady Arena; the supporters are passionate, loud, and love their hockey in a part of the country not known for hockey. The lobby is nicely decorated with memorable events from the team’s history, but most of the focus is on the former players who have made a name in the NHL. Their jerseys are displayed on the walls along with special attention to players who have hoisted the Stanley Cup. The campus itself has been described as “one of the prettiest campuses that ever was” by poet Robert Frost and its buildings are in the style characteristic of Georgian Revival architecture, with all buildings no more than three stories tall. If the weather is right, it could provide for a nice stroll before the game. The merchandise stand offers a special of the game, for example, a flex fit cap for $10. A great way to spend a little bit on university swag. Final Thoughts The Goggin Ice Center is the perfect venue for the Redhawks hockey team and provides an ideal canvas for its fans, students, and alumni to cheer on the club during the season. The program can hold its own against the best of them in the college hockey world and the Hawks fans won’t let you forget that when in attendance. If you happen to find yourself in Cincinnati or Dayton, take a short trip to the campus of Miami University. —— Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 FBC Mortgage Stadium 4465 Knights Victory Way Orlando, FL 32816 Cure Bowl website FBC Mortgage Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 45,000 The Cure Bowl Finds a New Home Having played several years at Exploria Stadium, and Camping World Stadium before that, the Cure Bowl moved in 2023 to a new home at UCF’s FBC Mortgage Stadium. Home to UCF football, this facility already features everything needed for college football game day experiences. Aside from this, the Cure Bowl continues to be the only bowl game each year to raise money for charity, donating profits to cancer research. Food & Beverage   5 After having average food options for many years, UCF invested in local businesses and upgraded their options. By far the star of the concessions at FBC Mortgage Stadium is Four Rivers BBQ; this central Florida BBQ restaurant has become a local favorite, and can now be found at the Cure Bowl as well. Other popular options at the stadium are the Knights Dog (featuring an all-beef hot dog topped with shredded pork, queso blanco, onions, and salsa), nachos ($7), chicken Caesar wraps ($10), and pretzels ($7). Drink options include souvenir sodas ($10 with $5 refills), Truly VodKA Sodas ($9), beer ($9-$10), BodyArmor Water ($7), and bottled water and soft drinks ($4-$5.50). Standard stadium fare is also easy to find, as are other local favorites like Kelly’s Ice Cream. Atmosphere   3 The facilities at FBC Mortgage Stadium are immaculate as well, with restrooms constantly restocked with paper towels and soap. The pre-game tailgating is incredibly vast, covering nearly every open lot and green space on campus for hours before the game even starts, reaching from the lots at the stadium itself across campus to the far corners of the academic buildings. The fans are also sport-knowledgeable and know their favorite players well. During night games, the new LED lighting adds to the look of the field, adding colored hues during performances and flashing on and off whenever a team scores. While known for its party atmosphere during UCF football home games, during the Cure Bowl the facility doesn’t feature some of the more well-known items such as Lights Up, Lights Down, or fans bouncing up and down to the tune of dance music to make the “Bounce House” shake. Neighborhood   4 FBC Mortgage Stadium is located on the campus of UCF; both the immediate area around the stadium and the campus itself are chock full of places to find food and shopping. Just outside the stadium’s main gate are Addition Financial Arena and UCF’s baseball stadium; here you can also find the UCF campus bookstore and associated Starbucks, as well as Burger U, the campus bar and burger/wings joint frequented by fans and students. Outside of campus, you can find Blaze Pizza, Tijuana Flats, and countless more restaurants. For somewhere to stay, the closest options are Hilton Garden Inn and DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando East. Fans in the area are also less than an hour from Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center to the east, while to the west they can find downtown Orlando and Lake Eola Park. Fans   3 The atmosphere at the Cure Bowl is different from most, as all those in attendance are helping to contribute to a worthy cause. The crowd is smaller than some of those at bigger bowls – this is partially a result of the Cure Bowl tie-ins, which usually result in smaller schools from mid-level conferences being invited, with App State and Miami (OH) highlighting the most recent match-up. Fans nonetheless can get a taste of the pageantry of bowl games; there is also plenty of beautiful scenery with downtown Orlando just to the east. Access   3 The biggest difficulty of game day at FBC Mortgage Stadium is the parking and traffic in and around the stadium. Being that the stadium is located on campus, the roads in and out of the facility are small and get clogged quickly. Parking lots and garages fill up fast, so getting to the stadium early helps avoid a longer walk from across campus. Thankfully, with the Cure Bowl happening in December, many students are finished for the semester by the time the game rolls around, and a smaller crowd than UCF home games usually have means fewer people to contend with. Thankfully, the school has done a great job of managing the traffic flow in and out of campus. Additionally, new updates to FBC Mortgage Stadium’s ingress and egress mean no longer having to enter a gate and navigate the entire concourse to find your seat. Return on Investment   5 Tickets to the Cure Bowl are affordable compared to most games, starting at $35 for the lower half of the stadium that is open, and with the money going back to a worthy cause, it’s hard to argue why someone would want to attend this game. Getting the experience of a college bowl game is always enjoyable for sports fans in general, and getting to watch one in Florida in the winter makes it even better. Orlando is blessed with great weather, never too cold or too hot in December, meaning you will be comfortable no matter where you are from. Extras   2 The Cure Bowl organizes a survivor’s march to the stadium featuring cancer survivors and bands from each of the participating schools, starting at Burger U and ending at the stadium gates. Outside the main entrance to FBC Mortgage Stadium stands a statue of former head coach George O’Leary; this is a popular photo spot for fans. Final Thoughts The new home for the Cure Bowl certainly has notoriety in college sports, thanks to UCF football’s ascent over the past decade. Tickets are inexpensive and access is easier, with much more parking and tailgating options than the game’s previous home at Exploria Stadium. If you want to go to a great game with great ticket prices and a charitable benefactor, the Cure Bowl is perfect for you.

Author:  Jimmie James Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Copyright: 2024 The best stories about sports are, far more often than not, deeper than the game itself. The best sports stories are those of individuals overcoming obstacles, conquering personal demons, dealing with social inequities, or finding redemption. On its surface, Playing from the Rough by Jimmie James is the story of a man’s Odysseus-like quest to play the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. in one year. However, each course on James’ journey brings with it insight into himself as a black man in modern society, as well as reconciling his past growing up in poverty with a single mother in East Texas. By the end of his journey James has accomplished a goal that few not only have ever attempted, but completed, and also found some solace in his current life through the journey. Unlike most sports biographies, James was never a professional athlete, nor a celebrity of any stature. He is an everyman, which makes what could be a very stuffy topic – playing an exclusive sport at some of the most exclusive places in the world – relatable. You don’t find yourself rooting so much for James, who retired relatively young as an engineer and executive at a very large energy company, to complete his quest, but rather you feel as if you are a buddy on the journey with him. It was also very interesting to see someone give their impressions of those legendary courses that most golfers will never get the chance to set foot on. Reading James describe with reverence courses such as Augusta National, Merion, and Riviera is refreshing. His love for the sport of golf, its history, and the deep meaning that players attach to it is evident and much appreciated. My one critique is the speed, if you will, with which James goes through some of the lesser-known courses on the list. I understand, however, that both for the length of the book and the amount of time James spent on the road going from course to course, not everything could be included. Some details might even have already been lost to memory – James grouped many of the courses on his quest by state, so we truly only get brief looks at quite a few courses. Where the book really shines, though, is when James becomes introspective. He speaks about the shame of the poverty of his youth, about feeling like an outsider in certain work situations, and even writes lovingly about the time he first met his future wife. Throughout the book James is reminded of how much his past has shaped the man he has become. The following passages are especially poignant: “Though I was willing to spend whatever it took on things that mattered to me, I was pretty frugal about things that didn’t. Yet when those things were pointed out to me, I’d be instantly embarrassed—not by my cheapness but by the fact that somebody had noticed. It’s an involuntary response that goes way back. In the eighth grade, my reading teacher often brought me her son’s hand-me-downs. I was grateful, but embarrassed by the fact she recognized I needed them.” These kind of moments are deftly woven into the rounds that James plays at the 100 courses, and are the true star of this book. Overall, I think the book is well done. While it doesn’t tread on new ground, what it does do it does very well. It won’t reach the canon of great golf books, but it is nicely done. It is relatable, easy to read, and doesn’t get bogged down in the minutiae of the sport. Fans of golf will enjoy getting a peak at these legendary courses, while non duffers will appreciate the internal battles and the personal stories.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Mike D. Lane Field 615 N Pine St Florence, AL 35630 North Alabama Lions website Mike D. Lane Stadium website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 1,500 Roar Lions! One of the newer additions to the NCAA’s Division I, the University of North Alabama Lions made the jump to D1 in 2018, becoming a full member as part of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) in 2022. North Alabama comes to the NCAA’s highest level with an impressive resume at the Division II level, having won five Gulf South Conference titles, qualifying for 12 NCAA tournaments, and advancing to D2 College World Series in 1999, making it to the quarter finals. The year 1984 would prove to be one of new beginnings for the Lions – not only would they christen their newly built baseball field, but would also welcome Mike Lane to the helm, who went on to lead North Alabama baseball for the next 25 seasons, accumulating 908 wins while never suffering a losing season. Lane would be honored with the field being named for him in March of the 2008 season. Food & Beverage   3 A lone concession stand is built into the bottom of the press box structure, behind home plate in the entry plaza of the stadium.  Concessions are a bit limited with hot dogs, soft pretzels, and nacho chips with cheese being the featured items; the menu runs heavy on snacks such as popcorn, peanuts, and candy. Beverages include options from the Coca-Cola family of soft drinks, PowerAde, and Monster energy drinks. Alcoholic beverages are not sold at UNA campus athletic events. Atmosphere   3 Mike D. Lane Field is a rather basic baseball facility consisting of three rows of individual chair back seats in the section behind home plate, backed by the press box and flanked with aluminum bleachers on either side (two sections up the first baseline and one on the home plate side of third base). The stadium dimensions are a bit unique in that right and left center field are deeper (410’) than dead center (385’). The wall plays a touch short with power alleys of 365’ and right field at 320’. The stadium scoreboard just beyond the right field wall is fairly straightforward, displaying inning-by-inning line score with ball-strike-out counts as well. The game presentation is as simple as it gets, and it is wonderful! Other than mid-inning ad reads and reminders of in-game promotions for fans to collect on after the game, the game is kept as the center of attention throughout. There really is not a bad seat at Mike D. Land Field, since everything is pretty close to the action, but the upper rows on the third base side of the field do use the North Alabama campus as a backdrop. For those sitting in the bleachers behind the visiting team dugout on the first base side of the field, take caution, as there is no protective netting beyond the start of the dugout, protection that fans have become accustomed to. Neighborhood   4 The North Alabama campus is just a short walk from downtown Florence’s restaurant and entertainment district. On weekends the streets are busy with visitors ducking in and out of shops, or waiting to grab a bite from any of the several restaurants, cafes, and even sidewalk stands set up around town. The city of Florence and the surrounding area takes great pride in the history of the area. Historical markers can be found all around the city noting important dates, buildings, and events. North Court Street itself has a vibe of late 19th century main street, as many of the buildings have retained their 1800s charm. A bit further from campus, along the Tennessee River that separates Florence from Muscle Shoals (home of the Swampers), is McFarland Park – McFarland Park is home to a riverside beach, miles of walking trails, an 18-hole golf course, and grassy areas with picnic tables where visitors can enjoy views of the O’Neal Bridge that crosses the river. Fans   2 The Lions have a bit of a modest following but a supportive one, nonetheless. Averaging just over 250 fans per game, this does put UNA in the lower half of the ASUN in attendance. What Lion fans lack in numbers, however, they make up for in enthusiasm and support. Fans are frequently calling out points of encouragement to make the opposing pitcher work, or willing a lefty to just put the ball on the ground to move a runner on second over to third. Fans of the Lions do come with a good amount of knowledge of the game and about what constitutes “good baseball”. Access   2 There is no putting it lightly – there really is not an easy way to get to Florence. The closest major city, Huntsville, is still an hour and a half away. Interstate-65 is the closest major freeway that runs through the area, but Florence is still a minimum of 50-minutes of US-highways away from it. Once on campus there is a relatively small parking lot just outside the main entrance to Mike D. Lane Field, which wraps around the football practice field and along the access road to Bill Jones Athletic Complex. Street parking is available along Stewart Avenue, which also has a larger parking lot. The baseball stadium sits high above the street and is accessible via a stairway that joins the aforementioned lot and entry point. The main gates enter into a small plaza just to the first base side of home plate. The pair of bleacher seating sections are directly to the right, but accessing the seating on the home side of the field is a bit challenging, in that there is only about three feet of space between the press box structure and the fence that sets the perimeter of Mike D. Lane Field. There is a walkway that runs in front of the seating behind home plate, but that has even less space and does seem a bit disruptive to the pitcher, so is even less inviting as a way to access the opposite side of the field. Return on Investment   3 In a conference where several programs offer free admission to baseball games, the $10 starting point for general admission tickets here does seem a bit high. Granted there are no parking fees at Mike D. Lane Field, so slightly higher ticket prices might be expected, but the get-in-the-stadium coste does seem a touch high. Concession prices are as would be expected at most stadiums, so the slightly higher prices than what would be found outside the stadium should not come as much of a surprise. Extras   4 As fans enter Mike D. Lane Field they are greeted with billboards listing the accolades of Lions who have earned All-American and Academic All-American honors, or have gone on to careers in professional baseball. The most notable name on the list would be that of 15-year MLB veteran closer Sergio Romo who pitched for the University of North Alabama in 2004. A large billboard just beyond the left field wall reflects on past UNA baseball accomplishments, from conference titles, NCAA Regionals, and the Lions’ 1999 Division II College World Series appearance, from their days as an NCAA D2 program. In addition, the wall fencing just below the billboard displays the retired numbers of the field’s former head coach and field’s namesake Mike Lane (1) as well as Mike Keehn (6), who was on staff at UNA for 33 years and headed the Lions for 13 season following Lane; former Major Leaguer Josh Willingham (15) is also featured. North Alabama might be the only campus in America with a live lion mascot visitors can get a glimpse of as they walk around the school – the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat in the center of campus is home to Leo III. A live lion mascot has been part of the University of North Alabama since 1974 when then President Dr. Robert M. Guillot first brought a lion cub to live on campus. Final Thoughts Following the 2024 season, Mike D. Lane Field will be torn down and the field reoriented, due to the new on-campus football stadium, Independent Bank Stadium, taking shape beyond the center and right field fence; the baseball stadium’s home plate will swing around to the northwest corner of the same parcel of land it currently sits on as part of the baseball facility’s rebuild. Rendering courtesy of UNA Athletics The entertainment value of baseball is not always tied up in mid-inning games, strobing stadium lights, and all the technology in the world that can make for a highly entertaining baseball experience; sometimes highlighting the simplicity of the game is all that is needed. The beautiful thing about baseball is that the experience comes in so many forms – baseball proves that the game does not need to feel like a three-ring circus to be entertaining. Baseball at North Alabama is refreshingly simple where the entertainment value comes from the game itself.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Keesler Federal Park 906 Beach Blvd Biloxi, MS 39530 Biloxi Shuckers website Keesler Federal Park website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 6,067 Shuck Yeah!!!! In 2005 the Mississippi Gulf Coast received a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina – the destruction of the 20-foot storm surge and 150 mph winds was catastrophic. With the coast practically wiped off the map on that day it was a wonder if the coast would ever recover. Flash forward 17 years and the coast is thriving again, perhaps better than before, and if coming to Biloxi today you would have a hard time saying that anything happened on that fateful day in August 2005. One symbol of hope and resilience for the region is the Biloxi Shuckers, born in 2015 when the Milwaukee Brewers moved their Double-A team from Huntsville as the first affiliated minor league baseball team to ever play in Biloxi. The Shuckers name is fitting for a team in an area like this, as the Gulf Coast is known for its oyster harvesting; ‘shucking’ is the slang word for picking oysters. The Shuckers play at Keesler Federal Park, which opened midway through the 2015 season. This 6,000-seat ballpark is situated less than 100 yards from the beaches of the Gulf Coast. Biloxi is also known as a casino destination, and the ballpark sits right in the middle of all the casino action. The luxurious Beau Rivage Casino, a giant lit-up guitar, and Hard Rock Casino line the backdrop at the stadium, providing a scene of glitz and glamour that remains unmatched at any ballpark in the country. A night game at Shuckers Ballpark will almost make you feel like you are in a mini-Vegas, and it’s almost a surreal feeling knowing this was the scene of so much destruction back in August 2005. From 2015-2023 the ballpark was known as MGM Park, but in 2024 was renamed Keesler Federal Park after Biloxi-based Keesler Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in Mississippi, and the credit union itself is so named because it originally served soldiers stationed at nearby Keesler Air Force Base. Food & Beverage   4 When you play in a city known for such great seafood, you can expect nothing less when it comes to the food options here, which feature six permanent concession stands, each selling a different themed menu, as well as several temporary stands open for select games. Each stand is located on the open concourse so you will never miss a pitch. Down the first baseline you will find two full-service permanent stands, as well as one grab-and-go stand – Shipwreck Grill and Catch of the Game offer the usual grilled items such as hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as fried chicken tenders and fries, plus nachos. If you don't want to wait in the line, however, the grab-and-go stand offers pizza, peanuts, candy, and drinks. Also with a name like Shuckers, of course, they have oysters on the menu – down the first baseline toward right field is the Aw Shucks Grill, which sells southern-themed food items; you can buy jambalaya in a souvenir baseball helmet, grilled or fried oysters, fried shrimp, and boudin sandwiches. Unfortunately, the Aw Shucks Grill is only open for select games, usually during weekend games. The third baseline features a broader selection of concessions, with two permanent stands on that side, namely Biloxi Breeze Tacos, which offers more than just tacos, as you can get the Shuckers signature crawfish queso or red beans and rice, and Lighthouse Pier, featuring some of the Gulf Coast's finest seafood, as you can purchase a shrimp po’ boy or get the seafood basket with hush puppies. In addition, each stand offers a different kind of po’ boy – on my most recent visit they had alligator. For beverages Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider, and an interesting fact about Biloxi is that Barq’s Root Beer was founded just a couple of blocks from Keesler Federal Park. To honor this fact, behind home plate you can find Barq’s Creamery serving root beer floats and ice cream out of mini baseball helmets. The Shuckers also have two beer gardens, one on each side of the concourse, both offering different draft beers (domestic and local) for $10. The good thing about the Shuckers is they promote local Gulf Coast breweries, serving beer brewed on the coast. At the beer gardens you’ll find many different local breweries, with beers served on draft such as Lazy Magnolia and Southern Prohibition. The Shuckers also partnered with a local brewery to develop their “Let’s Go Shuckers” brand beer. Atmosphere   4 Situated less than 100 yards off the beach, Keesler Federal Park has perhaps one of the best views in all of minor league baseball – just beyond the outfield wall sits the 32-story Beau Rivage Casino plus Hard Rock Casino, providing a beautiful view that no other ballpark in the Southern League has. In addition, the recent stadium renaming brought several changes to the ballpark; the right field berm has been transformed into a beach paradise for the 2024 season, so you'll feel like you never left the beach, as a boardwalk now occupies the outfield complete with a tiki bar and splash pad. The tiki bar features four TVs and bar seating overlooking right field. Walk down a couple of steps and you'll be walking on a makeshift sandy beach, complete with beach chairs and a giant lifeguard station. Schooner the seagull mascot can often be found at the top of the lifeguard station observing the field. From the outside the ballpark seems kind of small; the park was built right next to an interstate overpass to the west, and with the casinos towering over the stadium to the south the ballpark can easily be overlooked if you are driving by on Highway 90. They recently built a parking garage on the south side of the stadium, so that takes up a lot of the view now from the highway as well. Because of frequent hurricanes and flooding, the concourse at Shuckers Ballpark is elevated. There are two entrances into the park, and unlike most minor league ballparks, there is no entrance behind home plate. Instead the main entrance and ticket booth are both beyond the center field fence, but there is another entrance down the third baseline. Take note of the beautiful grounds outside the stadium when you enter – a lush rose garden greets you as you enter at the center field entrance. The park's beige exterior also ties into the giant Beau Rivage across the street, making it seem like it's a part of the casino. Furthermore, something new added for 2024 outside the stadium at the left field entrance is Shuckers Plaza, a gathering area that includes inflatables, food and beverage options, and a wiffleball field. Bats and balls are even provided; kids and adults alike will enjoy being able to take a swing or play catch before the game. Once inside the ballpark the concourse is wide and open, but there is a noticeable lack of shade inside; with no covering over the concourse it's not so fun when the frequent summer thunderstorms pop up. However, behind home plate sits the new and improved Shuckers Team Store, which was upgraded before the 2024 season. The upper level features a third-base party deck – the party deck has seating for about 30 people and offers a buffet. During summer games you’ll also get excellent breezes coming off the Mississippi Sound, as well as beautiful views of the Gulf Coast waters. The upper level features Kloud7 Sky Box, which offers indoor and outdoor table seating, as well as a full-service bar with televisions and a full restaurant-style menu. In terms of suites, Keesler Federal Park features 12 of them; each can hold up to 12 people and features food and drinks, television access, and indoor and outdoor seating. One of the suites is even themed after the Milwaukee Brewers, and features various Brewers-themed artifacts on display. Neighborhood   4 Biloxi is a pretty small city of about 48,000 located off the beaten path, about 90 miles east of New Orleans. Biloxi still retains that small-town feel evident in most towns in Mississippi, but the city is also a nightlife destination for the state as well – Biloxi is an extremely popular gaming destination that attracts millions of visitors every year, and is often referred to as the Vegas of the South. Biloxi features nine high-rise casinos, each offering its own themes and amenities. You cannot put a ballpark in a more prime location than Keesler Federal Park; the stadium sits less than 100 yards from the waters of the Mississippi Gulf, conveniently located right downtown near most of the attractions in Biloxi. If you are into gambling you can go from the ballpark to playing whatever casino game you want in less than 10 minutes. Mississippi also recently legalized sports betting, so you’ll be able to bet on almost any sporting event you can imagine before the game – but ironically, minor league games are not available to bet on. Even if you aren’t into gambling, however, I would recommend giving yourself time to walk around the two casinos before or after the game. The inside of the Beau Rivage is stunning – the first floor features an upscale shopping center and restaurants, as well as beautiful, lush tropical gardens that you must see for yourself. The Beau also features plenty of restaurants and entertainment options, as it regularly attracts big-name acts, and even has a virtual top golf area where you can hit a golf ball at a virtual screen. Hard Rock Casino next door is a pretty cool casino as well, and attracts the younger mid to late-20s crowd. Hard Rock features numerous restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, and features a nice display of famous memorabilia from top-name music acts in the lobby. All the casinos in Biloxi have their own unique features, and there is a trolley stop right out in front of the baseball stadium for travel from casino to casino. Even if you are not into gambling, it’s something fun for people to do while in Biloxi. There are also plenty of restaurants in the downtown area within walking distance of Keesler Federal Park – Half Shell Oyster House, Fields Steak & Oyster, Patio 44, Mugshots, Sal & Mookie’s Pizza, The Fill Up, and the oldest restaurant on the Gulf Coast, Mary Mahoney’s Old French House, are just some of the restaurants in the neighborhood within walking distance. For bars you can walk to Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club, Adventures Pub & Spirits, The Sandbar, Mermaid Bar, and The Fillin’ Station, located in an old 50s-style gas station. If you want to stay near the park there are plenty of hotels along the Beach but the closer you are to the water the more expensive they’ll be. For a cheaper alternative I’d recommend driving up the interstate a few miles to D’Iberville and staying at one of the hotels there. Fans   3 For the Shuckers, the first nine seasons' attendance has not been as great as hoped for. The Shuckers average about 2,400 fans per game, which places them near the bottom of the Southern League. One thing hurting the team is that college sports dominate the area, so minor league baseball takes a backseat for most people in the area. When the Shuckers play it's hard to get a full house, but when Southern Miss or Mississippi State play a neutral site game here, expect a standing room only crowd where you can barely walk the concourse. The games with the biggest attendance will be the summer weekend games when they capitalize on the weekend casino and beach crowd, while if you go on Sunday or during the week you should have no problem getting tickets. The Shuckers organization does a great job entertaining the fans; the mascot is a giant seagull named Schooner and is a constant presence interacting with kids and taking part in various games on the field in-between innings. The crawfish race is always a hit with the kids in attendance – crawfish is a Southern delicacy, and the main things you boil with crawfish are potatoes and corn, so in the bottom of the 5th inning mascots dressed as crawfish, corn, and potatoes race from right field to left field, hence the crawfish race. The Shuckers also have a wide variety of promotions and giveaways throughout the season. For example, they’ll wear different color jerseys to match the theme of that night’s promotions. Biloxi is a huge military town, so for military-related promotions they’ll wear camouflage unis, while for Jackie Robinson Day they’ll wear the old yellow and blue Biloxi Dodgers uniforms from the Negro League. But my favorite jersey combo is on New Orleans Saints Night when the Shuckers invite several current and former Saints players to the game, and the team wears black and gold Saints-inspired jerseys. Also new for 2024 the Shuckers will rebrand themselves with two different identities for eight home games: four games as the Biloxi King Cakes and four games as the Biloxi Beach Chickens, King Cakes paying homage to the Coast's Mardi Gras tradition, and Beach Chickens as the 'slang' word for Seagulls. King Cake and Beach Chickens gear is also sold throughout the season in the team store. Access   3 The best part about coming to Keesler Federal Park is just how easy it is to get here – the park is conveniently located right on the beach at the corner where the I-110 overpass meets Beach Blvd. I-110 is a north/south branch of I-10 about five miles north of Biloxi, so if coming from out of town just take I-10 to exit 22 onto I-110 in D’Iberville, and then go south for about ten minutes until you get to the beach. The first view you’ll get when you arrive in Biloxi is the giant Beau Rivage in front of you, and you can’t miss the ballpark to the left of the overpass. Unfortunately, the Shuckers do not have a public parking lot on site. However, there are over 8,000 parking spaces within a 15-minute walk to the stadium – parking directly across the street to the north is $5, and under the overpass on Howard Ave they also charge $5 to park. But the best place to park is across the street at the Beau Rivage parking garage, where it’s free to park, and there is even a covered walkway that crosses busy Beach Blvd. Return on Investment   3 Individual tickets for Shuckers games are priced as follows – General Admission for $15 (three sections down the third baseline and five sections down the first baseline); Dugout Box Club seating for $17 (four sections behind each dugout); and the Home Plate Box Club for $19 (three sections behind home plate). Most games won’t come close to a sellout, though, so you shouldn’t ever have trouble getting tickets. There aren’t very many places where you can go to the beach, go to a casino, and then walk across the street to watch a baseball game, so I consider this a great experience. You won’t have to fight traffic and crowds, you will get a great view of the game, and you can park for free – you can’t beat that. Extras   5 One extra for the unprecedented trials the Shuckers had to go through during their first year as a franchise in 2015 – due to political, financial, and environmental issues the opening of Keesler Federal Park ended up being delayed until mid-way through the season, so the Shuckers had to go on a 54-game, eight city, 2,800-mile road trip playing all their games on the road, as well as some games in their former home in Huntsville. By mid-June Keesler Federal Park finally opened to great fanfare, though, and the Shuckers even ended up making it to the Southern League Championship that first year, and were named Minor League Baseball’s Team of the Year in 2015. Another extra for Biloxi’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina; if you come to Biloxi now there is no sign of the deadly storm, which is quite remarkable considering how it looked then. If you have some time to walk around before the game I recommend the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, which is located about a block east in the town green – there is a water marker there that shows just how high the storm surge was. Also scattered throughout the park are tree stumps with various coastal art inscribed; these are the remains of dead trees that were destroyed during Katrina. Another extra for the great marketing job the Shuckers have done. Some minor league teams have generic nicknames and mascots, but the Shuckers have a nickname that is unique, charming, funny, and specific to the Gulf Coast. It’s a shame that more people don’t attend games here because the Shuckers have capitalized on the culture of the Gulf Coast region as a whole. Keesler Federal Park is the only ballpark in the country where you can watch baseball on the beach while eating fried oysters or jambalaya, all while a giant seagull entertains fans and a giant crawfish runs around in-between innings. Everything here ties into the culture and uniqueness that makes the Mississippi Gulf Coast so special; this is a great job of local branding by the Shuckers. Also, of course, one extra for the beautiful view of the casino skyline at Keesler Federal Park – on a clear day from different vantage points of the stadium you can see all of Biloxi’s eight casinos. In addition, you can go from the stadium to the beach or to gamble in less than 10 minutes, and I can’t think of any other ballpark in American where you can do that at.

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Towson, MD 21286 Goucher Gophers website Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 250 Home Of The Gophers Goucher College is a former all-women’s college located in Towson, Maryland, a northern suburb of Baltimore. The college opened in 1885 as the Women’s College of Baltimore City changed its name to its current name in 1910 and went coed in 1986. Goucher moved to its present suburban location northeast of the county seat of Towson in Baltimore County in 1953. The college is named in honor of its founding member, John Goucher, and his wife, Mary Fisher Goucher. Goucher College is a private co-educational liberal arts college. It was originally affiliated with the Baltimore Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church but currently has no real church affiliation. The college has approximately 1,480 undergraduate students studying in 33 majors and 1,200 students studying in graduate programs. Notable alumni include Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps Margaret G. Kibben, Maryland State Delegate John A. Olszewski, Jr., and frequent John Waters actress Mary Vivian Pearce. Goucher athletic teams are known as the Gophers. The college competes in NCAA Division III as part of the Landmark Conference. The Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center opened in 2021. It is the home of men’s and women’s tennis teams. Funded by a donation from former Goucher registrar Evelyn Dyke Schroedl, the facility features a total of 12 courts, allowing for men's and women's tennis matches to occur simultaneously.  Four courts are lighted allowing for nighttime play. There are also additional recreation courts and a couple of courts that have been transformed into outdoor roller hockey or box lacrosse. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand at the tennis center. Fans should make certain to eat before or after the game as this arena is not a good place for food concessions. Atmosphere 4 There are a couple of simple grandstands but most people will just stand and watch the various game actions. There is not much else in terms of atmosphere. There is no PA or scoreboard to keep track of action. Neighborhood 4 The Goucher College campus has been used for a few scenes in the Netflix series House of Cards, so expect to recognize the stone buildings from a few scenes there. Towson is a semi-urban environment with a large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are The Crease, Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana, and Zia’s. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Fans 3 There will be very few fans at most meets as the complex is behind the Decker Athletic Center. Expect most fans to be friends or family. Access 4 Goucher is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a busy area and traffic can be bad at some times. The college itself is pretty and quite suburban. You will find plenty of parking close to the complex, although a night game may mean that parking could get tight at times. Return on Investment 5 There is no admission charge so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 2 Goucher College has a little athletics hall of fame located in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena lobby. The pretty little campus is a nice extra in itself. Final Thoughts The Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center is not a place you will normally search for an amazing sports experience, but if you happen to be in the area it is a cheap way to enjoy a game of tennis.

Photos by David Welch and Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Pete Mathews Coliseum 775 Park Ave NW 735 Jacksonville, AL 36265 Jacksonville State Gamecocks website Pete Mathews Coliseum website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 2,300 Fear The Beak! Roughly halfway between Birmingham, AL, and Atlanta, GA lies the campus of Jacksonville State University, a school in northeast Alabama with an enrollment of over 9,000 students. The athletic teams are known as the Gamecocks and while football gets the most notoriety, the basketball program is also a proud program with a Division 2 national championship in 1985 as well as a couple of March Madness appearances in 2017 and 2022. The Gamecocks moved to Conference USA in 2023 after being in the Ohio Valley Conference for many years as well as a brief stint in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Gamecocks basketball program hopes the move to C-USA will improve their prestige as well as make them more competitive. Food & Beverage 2 The food options at the Pete only include stadium basics such as hot dogs ($4), chili dogs ($5) nachos ($4), chips ($2), popcorn ($3), candy ($2), peanuts ($3), and pretzels ($4). Beverages include Coke branded 32oz. soft drinks ($4), Gold Peak sweet tea ($3), and Dasani bottled water ($3). Alcohol is not sold at the venue and the concession stand is cashless. I would recommend stopping by a local restaurant before or after the game rather than getting any concessions. Atmosphere 4 When entering the main entrance of the Pete you walk into a lobby with a wall showing a mural about the history of the Gamecocks basketball program and a trophy case containing the 2017 OVC Championship trophy. The hallways leading to the seating area have images of Gamecock players and a picture of the Gamecocks' appearance in the 2022 tournament. The seating areas by each sideline only have 16 rows total so a seat in the last row is relatively close to the court. The first 12 rows are chairback seats while the last 4 rows and each baseline section is bleacher seating. One baseline is reserved for the band and student section. There is a lot of red in the venue due to the fact that the Gamecocks' primary color is red. The out-of-bounds area on the basketball court is red, the scoreboard that hangs over the midcourt line is red, and most of the seats are red. Two of the corners have a classic scoreboard while the other two corners have video boards. I want to give a shout-out to the pep band for keeping the energy up throughout the game. They had chants reminiscent of European soccer matches going, their music was loud, and they gave the Pete an intimidating atmosphere. The cheerleaders also did their part and Cocky the Gamecocks mascot made sure everybody had a great time. Neighborhood 3 Jacksonville, Alabama is a very beautiful town to visit if you are looking to get a bit off the interstate. If you are in Jacksonville in the evening take a short drive up Mountain Street to the Chimney Peak Lookout Tower to see amazing views of the area. For dining in the area, I would recommend Cooter Brown’s Rib Shack, The Rocket for burgers, or Yamato Japanese Steakhouse for Hibachi. If you are staying in the area overnight Jacksonville lodging is limited and I do not recommend staying in Anniston. Instead, I would find a hotel in Oxford which is right next to the interstate and about a half hour south of Jacksonville. Fans 4 Jacksonville State fans are passionate about their Gamecocks and while it’s not the largest fanbase it is certainly an intense one. The Pep Band does an amazing job at leading the charge in making life difficult for any opponent that challenges the Gamecocks. Access 3 From I-20 you would get off on exit 185 and drive north for about a half hour to the campus of Jacksonville State University. Turn left onto Nisbet Street and the Pete Mathews Coliseum will be on your left with a large and free parking lot. If you are coming from the north you are taking some backroads to Jacksonville State. Use a GPS to make your way to the Pete. Once inside there are enough restrooms but the concession stands are only on one side of the arena and the hallways get cramped during halftime. Return on Investment 4 Tickets start at $10 for General Admission seats by the baselines or the top rows of the sidelines. You could upgrade to a reserved seat for just $13 which I think is a great deal. With free parking and $10 for a meal combo, you are only dropping $20 for decent D1 basketball and a great Pep Band. Extras 3 In the lobby is a mural about the band Alabama (Randy Owen, the lead singer, attended JSU). They performed a concert for JSU after a tornado in 2018 ripped through the heart of the campus damaging the roof of the arena and destroying the business building. The lobby contains murals commemorating other Gamecock sports achievements, not just basketball. There is a banner in the rafters commemorating Danny Willett’s Masters golf tournament win in 2016. Final Thoughts Jacksonville, Alabama is a beautiful college town that is a bit out of the way. Jacksonville State has come a long way on both the academic and athletic sides. I have a feeling you are going to keep healing about Jacksonville State University for a lot of years to come. Fear the beak! While Jacksonville State’s game presentation is a more traditional experience than most schools are putting on today, there are just enough of the bells and whistles to keep fans from having a feeling that the evolution of the game experience has passed them by. Anyone going to a game at The Pete will be hard-pressed to say that it isn’t an exciting college basketball experience.

Gary Noll Gary Noll, born Deaf in a New Jersey Deaf household, is a huge New Jersey/New York Sports fan.  He proposes and raises awareness of Deaf and ASL (American Sign Language) sports events.  Gary is an advocate of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion, including promoting captioning and ASL communication technology during NJ/NY metropolitan sporting events. Metropolitan New Jersey/New York Sports Stadiums and Their Efforts to Host Deaf Awareness Events 1. New Jersey Devils NHL pro hockey (Prudential Center, Newark, NJ) recently hosted its fourth annual ASL night (group events) twice within 12 months (March 12, 2023 and March 7, 2024). They plan to host it again next season (2024-2025).  Kean University ASL, Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf MKSD), and Ocean County ASL group participated with NJ Devils on March 7, 2024.  NJ Devils ASL t-shirts spell out Devils. Devils t-shirt in ASL ASL on Prudential Center video board 2. New York Islanders NHL pro hockey  (UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY) hosted its second annual Deaf Awareness Night in a year (February 24, 2023, and December 7, 2023)   using an array of ASL communication technology.  It included live ASL interpreters via public announcements and broadcasters, provided by Mill Neck ASL, family services and foundation.  In 2023, UBS Arena added closed captioning to their in-house program at the concession areas. They offer an application called Isles+, where you can view the scoreboard videos with closed captioning. To use, when you get to the arena, type islesplus.com into your phone’s browser (ensure you have location services turned on).  Isles+ is only available in UBS Arena (source: Islanders game presentation team). The Islanders had a scarf with Islanders spelled out in ASL for the February 24, 2023 game.  On the December 7 game, they offered a hat with “LGI” spelled out in ASL (Source: NY Islanders hockey game presentation team). They plan on hosting a third annual Deaf Awareness Night next season (2024-2025). Sign Language Interpreter on UBS Arena Video Board 3. New York Mets MLB pro baseball (Citi Field, Flushing, NY) hosted a Deaf Awareness Day on July 30, 2023.  They used ASL communication technology through live ASL interpreters via public announcements and broadcasters.  SignNexus, an interpreter service provider from NYC, delivered the ASL interpretations. So far this season (2024), the Mets hosted the New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood) on April 17, 2024, where they distributed 290 tickets. Bravo to John Plata, Deaf employee, for his great leadership and being the point of contact during the April 17, 2024 event. NY School of Deaf Signing the National Anthem at Citi Field There is a possibility the Mets will have a Culture Day for all on Aug 13 and 14, 2024, and a Deaf Awareness Day may be incorporated into that.  But Gary and staff hope there is a separate Deaf Awareness Day. 4. New York Yankees MLB pro baseball (Yankees Stadium, Bronx, NY) will host its first Deaf Awareness Day Sunday, September 29, 2024.   The Yankees plan to have an ASL group event ticket package and a T-shirt that spells out Yankees in ASL.  The Yankees are reaching out to some foundations, including Gallaudet University Athletics  for assistance and education on ASL communication technology.  Gary encourages all fans to come, visit, and support the effort. Closed Captioning on Yankee Stadium Scoreboard with Gary in the Foreground 5. New York Liberty WNBA pro women’s basketball (Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY) will host its first annual Deaf Awareness Day this coming June 30, 2024. 6. Brooklyn Nets NBA pro men’s basketball (Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY) was supposed to host its first annual Deaf Awareness Day on March 2, 2024, but that did not happen.  A team at the Barclays Center is currently working on getting real-time captions in the arena for all its sporting events.  Once they finalize an agreement with a closed captioning provider, they will look to host a Deaf Awareness Day.  Gary expects this to be announced sometime in May or early summer 2024. 7. New York Knicks NBA pro men’s basketball (Madison Square Garden MSG, NYC) has not yet hosted a Deaf Awareness Day.  They have celebrated an All Abilities Night, which included the ASL signing of the National Anthem.  MSG has captioning on its ribbon boards for all sports and has mobile captioning QR codes for scanning for Knicks and Rangers games.  Gary expects when the arena hosts a Deaf Awareness Day, it will be for the Knicks because of Mike Glenn, a former Knicks and NBA great who runs a successful NBA camp and is an ambassador for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing campers and the community. 8. New Jersey/New York Gotham FC pro women’s soccer, 2023 NWSL champions (Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ) has not yet had an American Sign Language or Deaf Awareness event.  Red Bull Arena does have large live captions on two of their video boards. 9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights football (SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ) has small print closed captioning on its ribbon boards; the team has not yet had an American Sign Language Day during its Big Ten conference football games. 10. Billie Jean King USTA (US Open Tennis Center, Flushing, NY) offers excellent accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing tennis fans, and it continues to improve those efforts.   The US Open tennis officers are looking into a possible ASL event this coming summer (2024). Gary has already provided ASL logistics and guidance to various departments in New Jersey’s and New York’s stadiums and teams.  He continues advocating ASL interpreters be available for live broadcasting and public address announcements throughout Deaf and ASL awareness events.  Gary continues requesting dedicated Deaf Awareness Days/Nights to teams and stadiums who have not yet held them. What criteria make attending an ASL or Deaf Awareness sporting event successful for deaf and hard-of-hearing fans? The arena provides functioning live caption boards throughout the venue for fans who cannot hear the announcements.  Display information like the plays-by-play, referees, and other messages from the announcers and broadcasters. The team offers ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters on the site throughout the arena. - On the Jumbotron (national anthem, public address announcements, in-game contests, trivia, safety information, and etc. - On the main concourse at a designated table or booth The Jumbotron and/or ribbon boards supply a mobile captioning QR code for fans to scan for messages. The team offers special event day promotional items like t-shirts, scarves, hats, etc., where fans can pre-order and pick them up at an ASL sponsor table before or during the event. The game is well attended. Thanks to those who host these events, and thanks to Deaf and ASL fans for your ❤️ support. Thanks to stadium and arena staff and departments for everything ❤️ What is missing with ASL at Awareness Games: 1.       The events have not used Certified Deaf interpreters (CDI) 2.       The ASL national anthem and ASL group performances should be broadcast on live TV, streamlined, or on social media platforms during the Awareness Day 3.       The sports arenas need to hire more staff who can communicate via ASL 4.       A mechanism for the organizers to identify high-talented National Anthem Deaf performers, signers, and artists to participate in a Deaf Awareness Event Lastly, in 2023 and 2024, sports venues in the NJ/NY metropolitan area have shown good progress in including the National Anthem ASL performers.  Recent sports events in the NJ/NY Metropolitan area where ASL performers signed the National Anthem: New Jersey Devils ASL night (March 12, 2023 and March 7, 2024) New York Islanders Deaf Awareness Night (February 23, 2023 and December 7, 2024) New York Mets Deaf Awareness Day (July 30, 2023) New York Mets (NY School for the Deaf - Fanwood (April 17, 2024) Seton Hall University men’s basketball game (vs Rutgers) at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ (December 9, 2023) NHL Stadium Series - Philadelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (February 17, 2024) NHL Stadium Series - New York Islanders vs NY Rangers at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (February 18, 2024) Rutgers vs Virginia Tech football game at SHI Rutgers Stadium (September 16, 2023) Big East men’s basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden (March 16, 2024)

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium 7200 Sollers Point Rd Baltimore, MD 21222 CCBC Dundalk Lions website CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 1,500 Lions At The Gym One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the Baltimore area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College, and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years, but operated independently. Essex, Dundalk, and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity. CCBC Dundalk began in 1970. The school mascot is the Lions and they play three sports total. Dundalk won the NJCAA Division II national championship for basketball in 2000. They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, The Gymnasium is located within the larger Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center. Food & Beverage 1 There are limited food options as well as some snack machines. We attended the game as part of a larger multi school "mixer" so we are unsure if food is for sale at all games. The food table was located on the lower level and had mainly snacks and drinks. Atmosphere 1 There is not much else in terms of the atmosphere at the Gymnasium. There are some simple PA announcements and some music played from a small speaker. The basketball court is a rubberized surface and not the preferred hardwood court. There is only one grandstand in the gymnasium. The bottom half has plastics seats and the upper stands has wood seats. Neighborhood 3 CCBC Dundalk is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the Dundalk High School and Sollers Point Technical High School. One of my favorite places to eat in the area is Squire's Italian Restaurant, which has a large menu of offerings. Their pizza is well known in the area. Fans 2 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few residents who attend the games. Access 4 CCBC Dundalk is located not far off of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) via Merritt Boulevard. Please note that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was part of I-695, could make getting to the field from the south a little more difficult. You will need to use one of the Baltimore tunnels instead. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from campus. Return on Investment 5 The games are usually free to attend, although the "mixer" was charging a nominal $5. Even if you have to pay that small amount, it is worth it. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level JUCO program at no cost. . Extras 2 There are a few plaques around the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center that honor student-athletes from Dundalk's years passed. Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of their electricity from solar. This 5.1-megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1-megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usage. Final Thoughts The CCBC Dundalk Gymnasium is a simple affair but serves as a decent, albeit simple, venue for intercollegiate sports.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex Hattiesburg, MS 39406 Southern Mississippi Sand Eagles website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 300 Sandy Eagles to the Top Beach volleyball is the NCAA's newest officially sanctioned sport, with the first year of sponsorship beginning during the Spring 2016 season – as of the 2024 season there are 68 NCAA Division 1 schools that sponsor beach volleyball. Southern Miss is one of these teams, with their first year of the sport on campus beginning in 2019. Entering the 2024 season the Sand Eagles haven't had that much success, with only an overall record of 112-198 after five seasons. For the first four seasons the Sand Eagles competed in C-USA, but in 2022 Southern Miss began the transition to move all sports to the Sun Belt Conference. Food and Beverage   2 There is one small snack stand on the far end of the complex, which just offers the basics, as there is no grill or anything to cook hamburgers and hot dogs on, hence you are stuck with the basics of candy, peanuts, and popcorn. Bottled Coca-Cola products are available as well, but the score is higher for this section because alcohol is available at Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex – Miller Lite, Coors Lite, and Yuengling canned beers are available for $6, while Truly and Dos Equis are offered for $8. Also make sure to try the Eagle Rush beer, available for $8; this popular Southern Miss themed beer is brewed locally in Hattiesburg by Southern Prohibition. Atmosphere   3 In between Southern Miss Wellness Center and Reed Green Coliseum lies a little beach oasis called Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex, which opened in 2019. Each Spring season the complex hosts the Beach Burg Invitational, a two-day, all-day tournament featuring 10-12 of some of the local college beach volleyball teams – most years these matches have been the only home contests for the Sand Eagles during the regular season. If you didn't know this place was here you would have a hard time finding it, as the complex is nestled among some huge old oak trees with a fence that wraps around the facility, with a black Southern Miss windscreen wrapping around the fence. The layout is simple but quite interesting, as they basically just added some sand and a wooden elevated plank style boardwalk overlooking the sand. There are four beach volleyball courts facing north and south, with the boardwalk taking up the south side. There are three sets of metal bleachers on the boardwalk for fans to sit in, but for the most part people just stand or sit in folding chairs. The small snack bar is located on the covered walkway at the far end of the facility, while on the east side the courts are overlooked by a huge wooden structure with a covered area, where the teams gather while the matches are underway. The Southern Miss indoor volleyball arena overlooks Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex from the north side, while the campus recreation center, Payne Center, provides the backdrop from the south side. Neighborhood   3 Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex is located on the back side of campus, tucked away next to most of the other Southern Miss athletic venues. Hattiesburg is a medium sized college town of about 50,000 people, so you should be able to find everything you need – however, you may have to drive to get to many of the attractions and restaurants. In terms of places within walking distance, you can get on the Long Leaf Trace and walk east, and the first place you will come to is 4th Street Bar. The owner is a huge Southern Miss fan, and on the walls you can find tons of Southern Miss memorabilia; everything you can think of is on the wall, including old programs, t-shirts, banners, and signed items relating to Southern Miss. Another popular spot just down the Trace from 4th Street Bar is Colludium Brewing Company – located in an old train depot warehouse, this popular brewery has over 30 craft beers, and is a popular stop for cyclists riding the Trace. For other attractions to check out in the area, the Hattiesburg Zoo is located about a mile away, while to get a feel for beach volleyball and the beach theme you can also check out Serengeti Springs Water Park, which opened in Spring 2024 right next to the zoo. There are also a lot of restaurants and other nightlife options located downtown and along Hardy Street. Fans   3 The Beach Burg Invitational matches usually begin early on Friday morning, and last all day and into the evening on both Friday and Saturday. From a fan perspective it can get kind of confusing watching this event, as all four courts are being used at the same time, most of the time with different schools playing on each of the courts – you kind of just have to pick a court and watch the action. There are no PA announcers, as music plays at all times, which I thought was relaxing to just watch the players while listening to music; it reminded me of being at the beach. They play a wide mix of classic rock, country, and current hits over the speakers while the matches are underway. There are also no scoreboards or video boards here; instead a scorer just sets up a table with a flip-style scoreboard like you would see at a youth or rec league volleyball match. With there only being one home tournament played on campus every year, the athletic department usually schedules the Beach Burg Invitational to coincide with the big Spring weekend for Southern Miss sports, so you can catch a baseball, softball, and spring football game on the same weekend as the beach volleyball contests. That said, as the tournament progresses into Friday and Saturday afternoons, you'll catch a lot of people heading from the baseball game just stopping by to watch the beach volleyball action. The afternoon contests are usually pretty packed with a couple hundred fans, but it is harder to get a seat in the bleachers the later the day gets, so most fans stand. Access   3 Hattiesburg may be one of the more accessible towns in the state of Mississippi – nicknamed the Hub City, it used to be a prominent railroad hub back in the day for people wanting to get from the coast to Hattiesburg. Conveniently located about an hour and a half from the coast, New Orleans, Jackson, Meridian, and Mobile, Hattiesburg sits right in the middle of it all. You will not miss the USM campus when coming to town, as the campus is located right on the corner of Highway 49 and Hardy Street, two of the main roads through the city. Interstate 55 runs to the west of the city, and you could take that as well, but you may run into considerable traffic on Hardy Street. Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex sits on the back side of campus on 4th Street, directly across the street from Pete Taylor Park, but it is nestled in such a way that you may not be able to see it from the road. During the Beach Burg Invitational, parking for beach volleyball conflicts with the baseball game going on – many of the lots are reserved for baseball season ticket holders, so more than likely you will have to walk. There is a parking garage nearby with plenty of free parking, however, and you can also park near the Student Union and walk from there. Return on Investment   3 Tickets are free to Southern Miss beach volleyball matches, and parking is free on campus when you attend. This is also a unique niche college sport that you can't help but want to watch if you happening to be coming for a baseball game at Pete Taylor Park, so I definitely recommend checking it out even if just for a little while. Extras   4 Even though the Sand Eagles usually only host one home tournament per year, Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex still gets constant use throughout the year, as the complex is also home to the William Carey Crusaders Beach Volleyball team, an NAIA school located on the south side of Hattiesburg. In addition, the complex hosts volleyball camps and youth tournaments throughout the year. Another plus for Southern Miss beach volleyball being the only NCAA D1-sanctioned beach volleyball program in the state of Mississippi, as well as another point for the Beach Burg Invitational being scheduled the same weekend as other Southern Miss sporting events. My recommendation would be catching a little bit of the volleyball action when the gates open at 8 am, then venturing over to M. M. Roberts Stadium for the Spring football game. After that cross 4th Street and hop on the Long Leaf Trace to visit Southern Miss Softball Complex and Pete Taylor Park for some softball and baseball action, before finishing up your evening back at Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex. If you have a chance to come here in the Fall for an indoor volleyball match, I recommend checking out the brand-new Southern Miss Wellness Center as well, which is located right next to Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex – the indoor complex also opened in 2019, and is one of the finest volleyball-only facilities in the country.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Hohokam Stadium 1235 N Center St Mesa, AZ 85201 Oakland Athletics Spring Training website Hohokam Stadium website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 12,500 Mesa's A's The Oakland Athletics played their very first spring training games (as Oakland) in Bradenton FL before the 1968 season. Since then, they’ve been in Arizona and the Cactus League. Prior to moving to Hohokam Stadium, they played their spring ball at Phoenix Municipal Stadium (now home to ASU baseball) for thirty years. The team moved to Hohokam Stadium in Mesa in 2015. Hohokam Stadium had been the Chicago Cubs spring training park since 1979 (though reconstructed in 1996) until they moved to the brand-new Sloan Park in 2014. Major renovations were done to Hohokam Stadium in 2014 prior to the A's taking residence. It is no longer a dark, crowded venue but one that is bright and wide open. Renovations included: a crisp new video scoreboard new player locker rooms an expanded weight room installation of party decks with shade coverings down the left and right field lines a new coat of Oakland A's green paint It is a fine venue to watch some spring training games, so if headed to Arizona in March, be sure to visit this stadium. Staff will make you feel warm and welcome. Spring games here are more laid-back than at some of the other newer stadiums in the Cactus League. Food & Beverage 4 Plenty of food and drink are available at Hohokam at prices a tad less than at other spring training venues in Arizona. Permanent concession booths line the interior concourse; a Right Field Lounge is down the first baseline; and several concession tents, carts, and trucks park on the left field outer concourse. Both Burger Prime and Grill Masters sell cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and fries ($6.50 - $15.50). Hudson’s BBQ provides hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, and other assorted snacks ($4.50 - $15). Oakland Links offers hot dogs with sauerkraut and chile cheese dogs ($9 - $10.50). A Grab-N-Go shop is an in-house vendor selling bottled and canned beverages. The best bet for food is to head to the left field patio and choose from the variety of food trucks and kiosks. These offerings can change from season to season. For 2023, Hungry Hill Sausage, Slickables (ice cream), Modern Tortilla, Mustache Pretzels, Chick-fil-A, Luanne’s (specialized coffee), and beer carts are a few of the choices. The hand dipped corn dogs (with honey) seem to be a fan favorite. Tents selling lemonade, kettle corn, gelato, and other snacks are ready to accept your hard-earned money. Soft drinks are Pepsi brands and run $5.75 - $7.50. Beer concession stands and kiosks offer traditional domestic brews like Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Michelob Ultra, Blue Moon, etc. ($13.50 domestic; $14.50 premium). Craft beers include 805, VooDoo Ranger, Huss Brewing (local Phoenix brewery), and more. New this 2023 season is a Beer Me permanent concession (first base side of the concourse) which sells all varieties of canned beer and cocktails ($10.50 - $14.50). The Athletics opened their upper third base deck to all fans for the 2023 season with local Mesa brewery 12 West providing the only tap beer in the stadium. This is a fantastic feature that helps support local businesses. Queues do form at all concession stands; plan on spending a few minutes waiting to place and receive your order. Prices do not include tax, and payment must be via a debit or credit card. We recommend getting tacos from Modern Tortilla or a hand-dipped, honey-glazed corn dog from the Corn Dog Company. Then head to the 12 West deck for a local brew and a great view of the game. Hohokam Stadium 12 West Deck, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 4 The Oakland Athletics spring training provides an impressive afternoon/evening out in February or March. Three entrances are open, with Gate D the central (or behind home plate) entrance. Starting lineups and game day promotions are in this area. Gate C is near the ticket office, with Gate A on the left field concourse that leads into a lively concession area. Except for the left and right field lounge and patio areas, the concourse is behind the seating area, and fans cannot see the field. However, do check out the inner concourse. Plenty of Oakland Athletic player photos and murals line the inner concourse walls celebrating the team’s history. Two levels of seating, with a small walkway between them, are available, as well as a few suites. The seats are green stadium-style, fold-down seats with cupholders and decent legroom. They do not angle toward the infield. Handrails are available for striding up and down the seating areas. Bleachers with backs occupy the last three sections on each side in the 200 level. Lawn seating is abundant beyond the left and right outfield fences. A paved pathway allows fans to walk the circumference of the stadium. The lawn seating has an extension called The Bullpen that has chairs and umbrellas (it costs a few extra bucks to sit there). Hohokam Stadium The Bullpen Seating, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Nets extend across all the infield seats except the very far sections down each baseline (section 123 on the first base side and 124 on the third base side). The third base and left field stands get the sun. Sit in the upper level (200s) behind home plate and on the first base side for the shade (especially during day games in March). A superb merchandise store with not only Athletics gear but ‘spring training’ t-shirts, pins, etc. is next to the Gate C entrance. It’s not too crowded and there’s plenty of room to look and meander. For kids 12 and under, the stadium has the Stomping Ground down the first baseline which has activities such as a scavenger hunt and Stomper (the mascot) tries to learn Take Me Out to the Ballpark. A crisp, clear video board shines in left field and shows the line score, the player’s name, number, photograph, and some advertisements. It also shows the pitch MPH and the batting EV (Exit Velocity). Exit Velocity is the speed of the ball as it comes off the bat when it is hit (over 100 MPH is excellent). The music person does not play tunes loudly (or even at all) when the announcer calls the starting lineup or relief pitcher. The games are delightfully pleasant. Neighborhood 4 While there is not a whole lot to do in the immediate area, the stadium is less than two miles from downtown Mesa which has developed significantly over the last several years. Four breweries and a cidery are downtown: 12 West Brewing (serves tasty food), Desert Eagle Brewery, Beer Research Institute (with a classic arcade), Oro Brewing Company, and Cider Corps. Chupacabra Taproom (beer and wine) and Diamond’s Sports Grill and Bar (traditional sports bar food) are both near downtown and offer a place to hang out before or after the ballgame. For local restaurants, we recommend the delicious New Mexican fare Blue Adobe Grille which is only a four or five-minute drive from the ballpark and the Que Chevere (Venezuelan cuisine) on Main Street in downtown Mesa. Tourist things to see and do in Mesa include the Arizona Museum of Natural History or the engaging i.d.e.a Museum (excellent for kids), or a visit to the popular cultural Mesa Arts Center. The Mesa Historical Museum has an exhibit on the Arizona Cactus League and Arizona Spring Training as well as Mesa-specific historical exhibits. Though a little distance from Hohokam Stadium (about 5 miles), fans may want to visit Organ Stop Pizza with its Wurlitzer theater organ, which some say is the world’s largest pipe organ. No hotels are within walking distance of Hohokam Stadium. The team website recommends Doubletree Guest Suites and Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa. Both are on the pricey side (especially during spring training). A few lower priced hotels like Quality Inn or Baymont Inn are three to five miles from the stadium. Other sports near Hohokam Stadium in the spring include Sloan Park (spring training for the Cubs), Tempe Diablo Stadium (spring training for the LA Angels), Salt River Fields (spring training for the Rockies and the Diamondbacks), ASU baseball or ASU basketball. Fans 3 I just love Oakland Athletics fans. I admire them as they have followed their team through thick and thin these past several years. Pre-Covid, greater than 6,000 or so fans a game visited Hohokam Stadium to watch the A’s in the spring. The fans are engaged, respectful, energizing, easy to talk with, and very knowledgeable of their team and the game. They are helpful when asking questions about the play at hand and/or Athletics information. Fans applaud good defensive plays regardless of team. The crowd wears plenty of green and gold, the team’s colors. The staff (and I consider them fans) at the spring training games are exceedingly friendly and helpful. Access 4 The ballpark is in a neighborhood and roads getting there are two or four lanes, so traffic getting in and out can be slow, especially closer to game time. It is 1 ½ miles south of the 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The best bet is to get there early and stay late to avoid traffic headaches. Five-dollar cash parking is in grass lots on both sides of the stadium. Season ticket holder and handicapped parking are paved. Gate D is the primary entrance to the stadium. All gates open 1 ½ hours prior to the game. The closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (about 12 miles distance); a smaller regional airport, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, may be another pick if arriving via Allegiant Airlines. The stadium has a specified Uber/Lyft drop off on Center St near the Athletics sign. Security does not require bags to be plastic or clear, but they must be no larger than 16” x 16” x 8”. The bathrooms are old but clean. Moving around the concourse and walkways is easy. The concessions lines may extend into the passageways, causing some slight interruption in movement. Return on Investment 4 As with all spring training in Arizona, ticket prices have increased. That said, the Athletics offer berm seating for as low as $10 or $12 (up to $19 or $20) depending on the visiting team and day of the week. Regular seats range from $19 up to $48, again depending on the opponent and day. Ticket prices are lower here than in some of the other Arizona spring training facilities. Concessions are the typical high stadium prices but lower than other spring training sites. Parking is $5. Extras 4 First, the Mesa HoHoKams are a group of volunteers dedicated to Spring Training in Mesa, AZ. They volunteer as ushers and greeters, assist with parking, and run a 50/50 raffle throughout the games. All proceeds are donated to local charities and kids’ sports in the East Valley. The merchandise shop deserves an extra mention because of the variety of items offered and because of the space available to browse without feeling cramped. Not all that common are the stacked bullpens in right field. The extremely friendly staff merit a shout-out. I have not been to a spring training facility where the staff (including concession and merchandise staff) just wave hello and strike up conversations just to greet and chat. Nicely, nicely done. Final Thoughts Although not one of the newer, fancier spring training venues in the Cactus League, Hohokam Stadium is definitely worth visiting when planning a trip to the Phoenix area in February and March. Good baseball, plenty of warm weather, remarkable staff and good fans and food round out a trip to this ballpark.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Lois T. Murray Field 1700 E Cold Spring Ln Baltimore, MD 21251 Morgan State Bears website Lois T. Murray Field website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 150 Home of the Bears Morgan State University was founded in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute, a Methodist Episcopal seminary. Later it changed its name to Morgan College. The name changed once again in 1939 to Morgan State College when it became a public university. The school was granted university status in 1975, thus becoming Morgan State University. Morgan State is not a part of the University System of Maryland; the school opted out and possesses its own governing Board of Regents. Morgan is a well-known Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Famous alumni include actress Mo’Nique, singer Deniece Williams, former Mayor of Baltimore Catherine Pugh, and Kweisi Mfume, former President of the NAACP and current U.S. Congressman. Athletically the school competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). MEAC members are HBCU schools located in the Southeastern and the Mid-Atlantic United States. After more than a decade of talks and planning for an upgraded on-campus softball facility, the dream became a reality, when Morgan State debuted its newly refurbished home field on Saturday, April 1, 2017. Lois T. Murray Field is named for the former elementary school located that was located on this site. Lois T. Murray Elementary/Middle School is now located about a mile away in a new building. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand at the field. Atmosphere 4 Lois T. Murray Field is a simple facility with a nice atmosphere. After the school moved to its new home the dugouts were built, as well as a new backstop and fence around the playing surface were installed and topped off with a windscreen along the entire outfield fence. Before this, it was likely a standard school playfield. There are two bleachers at the field. Many fans will watch from other places around the field as the bleachers hold a small amount of fans. Neighborhood 3 The area right around Morgan State is essentially residential. It is not a bad area, but neither is it overwhelmingly welcoming. You will probably want to venture away from campus for food, lodging, and entertainment. A personal favorite for food is Miss Shirley’s at 513 West Cold Spring Lane. They are known for their great breakfast and down-home food. Venturing further from campus, one may want to try out the suburb of Towson with its variety of shops and restaurants. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana, and Zia’s. For slightly more upscale cuisine a visit to the 1100-1200 blocks of North Charles Street where The Brewer’s Art and Sammy’s Trattoria offer good food at decent prices. Baltimore is home to many tourist attractions such as Harborplace, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is located on the way to Fort McHenry and should not be missed, although its unique collection will not be for everyone. Fans 4 The fan atmosphere will depend on the game. As with many college softball games, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. Student attendance at games seems to be pretty low, although it is higher when Coppin, Howard, and Delaware State come to town. Access 3 Morgan is not too hard to find. If on the Baltimore Beltway, I-695, one can take exit 30A (Perring Parkway/MD-41S) south until it becomes Hillen Road. Lois T. Murray Field is located at the corner of Hillen Road and Arlington Avenue. Limited spectator parking is located at Lois T. Murray Field next to the playing field. You can also park on a few of the streets around the stadium but depending on the crowd it could be difficult to find a spot. Return on Investment 5 You are not going to be watching the highest level of softball competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out. Extras 1 The location alone is a nice extra. They took an unused plot of land, close to campus, and turned it into a nice softball field that has a great atmosphere. Final Thoughts Lois T. Murray Field is a nice little facility that has its small seating capacity as its only real downpoint.

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Williams Assembly Center S Prentiss St Jackson, MS 39203 Jackson State Tigers website Williams Assembly Center website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 8,000 Jackson State Tiger World Roughly halfway between Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana sits the city of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. Within the town is the campus of Jackson State University, an HBCU with an enrollment of over 7,000 students. The Jackson State University Tigers athletic program plays in the SWAC conference and their basketball programs have played at the Williams Assembly Center since 1981. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand in the corner of the arena selling the usual stadium fare such as hot dogs ($5), nachos ($5), popcorn ($3), candy ($2), chips ($2), and peanuts ($4). Pepsi provides soft drinks with 20 oz drinks ($4), water ($3), and Gatorade ($3). The concessions only take cash, so remember that when attending a game. We recommend grabbing a pre-game or post-game meal rather than stopping by the concession stand. Atmosphere 3 The exterior of the arena was refreshed a couple of seasons ago and fans enter the arena by a sign that reads “Tiger World” with an illustration of a tiger head. The entrance includes a trophy case showcasing some of Jackson State’s athletic accomplishments over the years. Once your ticket is scanned, you notice the seats are in four separate sections. The seats by the sidelines are split between season ticket holder seats in the front and the main seating bowl between blue yellow and red sections. The seats behind the reserved seats by the baselines are bleacher seats. There are banners commemorating Jackson State’s athletic accomplishments including Jackson State’s three NCAA tournament appearances. I will give an extra point for the four-sided scoreboard that was added in 2024. Each screen is 10x23 feet and hangs over the center of the court. It replaced a scoreboard that seemingly had been in service since the arena’s opening (the old scoreboard had the vintage NCAA logo). Unfortunately, the game I attended happened before I could see the new scoreboard in person. I was disappointed to not see the band during my visit to Jackson State. A band would have made the atmosphere significantly better given that Jackson State has one of the best bands in the country. Neighborhood 3 Jackson is the largest city in Mississippi as well as the capital of the state. The campus is only a couple of miles away from downtown attractions such as the Russell Davis Planetarium, Mississippi Museum for Art, and the Old Mississippi State Capitol Building. If you drive north on Highway 51, you can stop by Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, which is the home of the Jackson Tigers football team. Restaurants include Basil’s for pizza, Bettina’s Soulfood Kitchen, and the Farish Street Burger Bar. If you want a drink, bars include Ole Tavern, Martin’s, and One Block East. Lodging options include Westin, Hilton Garden Inn, and the Old Capitol Inn. Fans 4 The fans were engaged throughout the game with cheerleaders and an emcee helping to keep the energy up. The fans are knowledgeable about the game and have pride in their school. The passion for their school is immediately noticed. The fans will get behind the Tigers regardless of whether they win or lose. Access 3 From I-20 Westbound turn off exit 45A onto S Gallatin Street. Turn left on Dr Robert Smith Pkwy then make another left at the third roundabout. The Williams Assembly Center will be on your right. From I-55 Southbound turn off exit 96A onto Pearl Street. Pearl Street becomes Dr Robert Smith Pkwy. From here follow the same instructions as above. Once at the arena, there should be enough parking, although you may need to walk up some steps to get to the arena. Once inside the arena, there is plenty of room to walk around and there are enough restrooms. Return on Investment 2 Tickets go for $15 and typically include both a women’s and men’s game. If you pay $10 for concessions that means you pay $25 for a day of SWACtion. That would have been a great deal if the band was performing. Extras 2 The court is a parquet floor similar to what the Boston Celtics play on. Walter Payton played football for the Tigers. Final Thoughts Jackson State has a very passionate fan base that gets behind their Tigers regardless of how the teams are performing. The Tigers are investing in the basketball program as seen by the recent renovations to the arena.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Jack Turner Softball Stadium 2330 S Milledge Avenue Athens, GA 30605 Georgia Bulldogs website Jack Turner Softball Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 2,000 How ‘Bout Them Dawgs The University of Georgia athletics has always been known as one of the powers of college football, and with good reason, as the recent successes of Georgia football has moved them from an annual contender in the SEC and nationally to the odds-on favorite each season. As Georgia football has all the makings of the next football dynasty, many other of the University of Georgia’s athletic programs have experienced their own high level of success on the national level as well. Lu Harris-Champer has been referred to as the architect of Georgia softball, but credit for the groundwork upon which the foundation was built upon needs to go the Bulldogs’ original leader, Alleen Hawkins. It would be Hawkins, who in 1997 when the Southeastern Conference (SEC) began sponsoring softball as a varsity sport, would lead the early years of Georgia softball. It would be under Harris-Champer, however, when UGA softball would take off – she would lead the Dawgs to over 950 wins in her 21-seasons in Athens, including two regular-season championships, one SEC tournament title, and five trips to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series. Georgia softball rose out of modest beginnings, starting play at the UGA intramural fields for their first two seasons. The Dawgs would find a home at the site of their current stadium in 1998, but it wouldn’t be until the 2004 season that Jack Turner Stadium was built. Food & Beverage   3 At first impression, concessions seem to be rather lacking here, with the stand under the bleachers serving mainly beverages and snacks. A second concession stand, under the bleachers of the neighboring soccer stadium, sits behind the third base side of the grandstand – this stand provides a bit more of the stadium staples, with choices including hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, nachos, and soft pretzels. The sleeper of the menu is probably the uniquely southern treat of boiled peanuts. Soft drink selections include offerings from the Coca-Cola family, along with Powerade and Dasani bottled water. For those seeking alcoholic beverages, common domestic beers, Twisted Tea, High Noon hard seltzer, and craft beer from Athens brewery Creature Comforts are also available. While concessions are as expected, the options are a bit less than inspiring. There is an ice cream stand that does help in expanding the choices, but it can only be so enticing during cold weather. Atmosphere   4 Jack Turner Softball Stadium is mostly an open, aluminum structure that rises high above the field of play.  Aluminum bleacher seating is concentrated between first and third base, with the section of seating directly behind home plate made up of 12 rows of individual folding seats, while the rest of the seating runs from first base around to third. Temporary bleachers and standing room sections flank the bullpen areas on each side of the field. The nature of a fully aluminum grandstand is that stomping is amplified throughout the stadium, and the in-game presentation makes full use of this, playing sound drops throughout the game that encourage fans to stomp and make noise. The main scoreboard in right field gives fans a plethora of information; typical inning-by-inning line score, ball-strikeouts, lineup, and pitcher and batter stats, along with pitch speed.  The future of player development for UGA softball is also taking shape over the left field wall, as a new team facility is currently being built, which will house meeting rooms, training spaces, locker rooms, and a weight room. Although lacking an in-game host, Jack Turner Softball Stadium's PA announcer introduces mid-inning fan interaction activities and inflatable character races around the outfield warning track. In addition, throughout breaks in the game the heavy use of the Georgia cheers, fight song, and other traditions goes a long way in setting the tone of college athletics. When it comes to seating options, there is a short reaching roofline that extends over the upper most rows of seating, providing a bit of relief from the elements. The sun sets beyond the corner of left field, so there can be a challenging sun field for those along the first base side, however. Neighborhood   4 Jack Turner Softball Stadium is just under 2 miles from the southernmost reaches of the University of Georgia campus in Athens, where the city starts to transition from college town to rural Georgia countryside. Not only is the complex home to Georgia softball, but the Bulldogs soccer stadium is also directly behind the third base stands, just around the corner from University Golf Course, home to Georgia golf (which is open to the public). The immediate area is a bit lacking when it comes to food choices, with a Waffle House, Athens Pizza, and Butt Hurt BBQ being the primary options. Broad Street, the epicenter of UGA’s entertainment district, is roughly a 15-minute drive away, but virtually has something for everyone, at nearly any hour of the day. Fans   4 Averaging over 1,000 fans a game, University of Georgia softball ranks in the top 25 nationally in attendance; fans will frequently line up at the stadium an hour before they are allowed to access the seating area. Compared to most of Georgia’s other athletic programs, the fan base at softball games tends to be more centered around families with younger children. There are a smattering of students who sit in the section behind the Dawgs dugout, but they tend to be rather reserved for what might be expected from students. Even if the students might not be the core of the fan experience, families and their young children are the biggest backers of Georgia Bulldog softball and create much of the spirit in the stands. If there is one thing that can be said about Georgia fans, it is that they love and hold dear the traditions of the university, ready to burst into song at the drop of the first note of any of the popular spirit songs. Access   3 Getting to Athens can present some challenges, especially for any weekday contests. Located roughly 70 miles from Atlanta, the route to Athens uses some of metro Atlanta’s most traveled interstates and highways. The most direct route is via Interstate-85 to Georgia 316, which leads directly to Athens. Those coming from the north on I-85 may encounter slightly less traffic passing through Jefferson, while accessing Athens from the east is most convenient via I-20 to US-441N. Jack Turner Softball Stadium is less than a mile from US-78, which encircles Athens. There is a good amount of parking around the stadium, which continues to an adjacent grassy area. With the complex being off the main concentration of campus, it is nice that there is a campus shuttle that services the athletics complex. Fans are held at the entry drive to the stadium until an hour prior to the first pitch. Once allowed into the stadium, most fans use the stairs up the first base line to enter the seating area.  Bleacher seating runs right down behind the dugouts to an awkward row of seating that has enough space for fans to try to pass by, but there really is not enough space where this pathway is advisable. There are four staircases that lead to the upper level of the seating bowl, as well as an elevator for those with mobility challenges. Return on Investment   5 With free parking and free admission, it would be hard to ask for much more when it comes to the cost of attending Georgia softball games. The only true cost at the stadium is from the concessions, which are reasonably priced when considering the typical price of stadium food and drinks. Even so, making concessions prices more affordable has been a focus of the university in recent years. Extras   3 Georgia athletics is a carefully crafted brand, in that there is consistency throughout the athletics programs in their use of the school’s fight songs, as well as the use of other traditions to get fans on their feet and cheering – from the first pitch thru the visiting team getting the “Calling of the Dawgs,” with a “Goooooooo Dawgs, Sic’ ‘em…*woof* woof woof”, as is tradition for Georgia football kickoffs, to the “Krypton Fanfare” as the game heads into the final inning, and finally the use of “Glory, Glory to Old Georgia” for highlight-worthy plays. Following the game the Georgia players gather in front of the home bleachers to recognize and thank the fans for their support. In addition, placards lining the facade of the press box recognize the Bulldogs five appearances in the College Softball World Series. Final Thoughts Softball at the University of Georgia might be one of the most family friendly experiences on campus; it would be difficult to find an outing around Athens where a whole family can attend an event for free that has the same air of excitement UGA softball. The experience at Jack Turner Softball Stadium wonderfully highlights the traditions and school spirit that college athletics was built on. Surrounded by passionate Georgia fans and their willingness to “Commit to the G” running so deep, it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement that drives so much of the experience of University of Georgia softball.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Fenway Park 4 Jersey Street Boston, MA 02215 Boston Red Sox website Fenway Park website Year Opened: 1912 Capacity: 37,755 The Lyric Little Bandbox The Boston Red Sox bill Fenway Park as “America’s Most Beloved Ball Park”. Still going strong after over a century of use, no ballpark has been more honored in film, literature, and song than Fenway Park. Fenway’s old-school charms consistently rank it near the top of any ballpark chaser’s list, and it has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city of Boston in its own right. Fenway Park is such an iconic venue that even casual baseball fans can recognize its unique design. Fenway Park takes its name from its neighborhood. The term “fens” is an Old English term for a marshy area. If you walk a few blocks southeast of the ballpark you will find yourself in the Back Bay Fens, one of these marshy areas. Established in 1901 as the Boston Americans, The Red Sox are one of Major League Baseball’s oldest and most successful teams, winning 9 World Series on top of 14 American League Pennants, 10 AL East Division titles and 8 more Wild Card berths. 39 former Red Sox players are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Food & Beverage 4 Even though Fenway Park has taken great strides in recent years to keep up with the trends of establishing gourmet options within their concession offerings, most longtime Red Sox fans will insist your best bet for food at Fenway Park are the numerous sausage carts that surround the ballpark. If it’s your first trip to Boston, this is where you should stop for that authentic Fenway experience. The prices are cheaper than on the inside, and the quality is, dare I say it, better. That’s not to say there are no quality options within Fenway Park. The team takes over Jersey Street starting ninety minutes before first pitch. Here fans will find several stands offering some of Fenway Park’s more unique offerings, including El Tiante’s Grille, The Fenway Fish Shack and A Taste of Boston, which features a rotation of local vendors. Concession stands are seemingly crammed into every nook and cranny of the ballpark, including the Big Concourse in right field, Fenway’s answer to the food court. In addition to classic ballpark fare, hungry Sox fans will find plenty of locally-sourced food, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan offerings. A complete Fenway Park concessions guide can be found here. Among the new items for the 2024 season are one-pound chocolate chip cookies, Boston Crème Pies, chicken and waffle bowls and togarashi clam rolls. Coca-Cola products are featured at Fenway Park (An insider’s tip from Stadium Journey: If you plan to visit Fenway Park more than once this season, purchase a souvenir cup. They come with free refills all season long). As you might imagine, the beer game is strong at Fenway Park. Sam Adams is the official beer of the Red Sox, so you can find all of their outstanding brews served here alongside other popular national brands. Visiting fans looking for local microbrews will be more than satisfied with the available choices. Atmosphere 5 It’s hard to top the game day atmosphere at Fenway Park, which has become one of Boston’s top tourist destinations regardless of whether or not the Sox are in town. Fans flock from all corners of New England and beyond to spend a day at the ballpark. Taking in a game at Fenway has become a must for anyone traveling to Massachusetts. Fenway Park is loaded with features designed to entertain both the casual and the die-hard fan. Outside the ballpark are several statues of Red Sox greats Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and “The Teammates.” Retired number banners, World Series banners and American League pennants line the exterior of the ballpark along Van Ness and Jersey Streets. Both Lansdowne Street and Jersey Street are mobbed with fans hours before first pitch. Jersey Street is closed off to traffic before games, and is loaded with concession stands, live bands and the Red Sox Team Store. The old ticket booths here have been transformed to exhibits featuring memorabilia from each of the Red Sox’ World Series championship teams. Also located here is the old bullpen buggy, a popular spot for photos. Red Sox ownership claims that they have invested over $300 million into Fenway Park since purchasing the team in 2002. Longtime Sox fans can tell you all about how cramped, dark, and dank the concourse used to be. Today the concourse is much more passable, bright and modern. Concessions, souvenirs, displays and activities for young and old alike are packed into virtually every corner of Fenway Park. With families in mind, the team has created an exclusive entrance just for kids (Gate K, located in center field). From the third through seventh inning, Wally’s Clubhouse offers kid-friendly entertainment and activities. Virtual reality booths, speed pitch booths and a life-size replica of David Ortiz made out of Legos are just a few of the attractions here. Balancing the old-school mentality of the long-time Red Sox fan with the need of younger fans for constant stimulation is a tricky act, but the Red Sox do a good job of working out these disparate goals. Video boards throughout the park keep fans engaged and entertained between innings while respecting Fenway traditions. Neighborhood 5 There’s no doubt about it: the neighborhood around Fenway Park is changing. Fenway institutions such as The Baseball Tavern, Boston Beer Works and The Fenmore Grill are no more, victims of “progress” and skyrocketing area rents. Heck, even the Hotel Buckminster right up the street from the ballpark is closed. But that does not mean the Fenway neighborhood is in decline. Longtime visitors to Fenway Park may bemoan the fact that the area has become more upscale and many of the legendary dive bars and holes in the wall have disappeared, but Fenway-area favorites such as the Cask ‘N Flagon, Sweet Cheeks Q, The Bleacher Bar and The Landsdowne Pub still draw big crowds before and after Red Sox games. You’ll find excellent dining choices around Fenway no matter which direction you travel. Boston’s small geographic footprint and expansive public transportation system means that even if you do not stay right near the ballpark, it is still easy to get to. Visitors who would rather stay nearby will find Hotel Commonwealth, Residence Inn by Marriot and The Verb excellent choices in the shadows of Fenway Park. Visiting fans interested in seeing more than just a ballgame will find much to do in Boston. Explore the Freedom Trail, a walking trail through the city that links several historical locations. Tours of Boston Harbor are well worth a look, as is Faneuil Hall, a colonial meetinghouse that has been converted into a shopping and tourist destination. Museums, galleries, and tours of all kinds are located throughout the city, making Boston one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Fans 5 Even though the Red Sox have struggled in recent years, coming off consecutive last place finishes, over 31,000 fans pass through the turnstiles each night. This figure is sure to increase as the weather warms. Red Sox fans are simply some of the most dedicated in the big leagues. One downside to Fenway Park’s status as an attraction in itself means that a portion of every crowd is there to be seen as much as to take in the action. A Fenway crowd is in constant motion, roaming the aisles and concourses throughout the game, which can be very aggravating to the hardcore fan. Despite the less than stellar reputation of some Boston fans, you can feel comfortable bringing the whole family to Fenway. A strong turnout from visiting fans is a common sight, given Fenway’s status as a destination spot. Some Fenway traditions have taken on a life of their own, such as the singing of Sweet Caroline in the middle of the 8th inning. This has been happening on-and-off since the mid-90’s, and at every game since 2002. Make no mistake, Boston fans are into the game to a greater degree than just about any other fan base. Fenway Park can be as loud in April as it is in August. Access 3 Getting around Boston can be difficult even on a good day, and driving to Fenway is no exception. Every Bostonian has their own “secret” way to get to Fenway Park, and no two are alike. Every one of the 4.9 million citizens of greater Boston believes their route is the quickest. Simply put, they are all wrong. And no, I am not going to tell you my secret route to Fenway. The best method for getting to Fenway Park is to take public transportation. The MBTA, or “T”, as it is known locally, provides several different methods for baseball fans to get to the game. Most fans will take the subway, as the B, C, and D versions of the Green Line stop at Kenmore Station, a short five-minute walk from Fenway Park. If traveling from the western suburbs of Boston, take the commuter rail, which stops right across the street from Fenway Park at Yawkey Station. There are similar trains which travel into the city from the northern or southern suburbs, but which will require a transfer or two on the subway system to arrive at the aforementioned Kenmore station. If taking a bus is more your speed, several city routes stop within a short walk of Fenway Park. Routes 8, 9, 19, 60 and 65 stop at the corner of Jersey Street and Brookline Avenue. In addition, route 55 stops on the back side of Fenway, at the corner of Ipswich and Boylston streets. During the John Henry regime the Red Sox have continually updated and modernized this historic park, adding new seating and concession areas in previously unimagined places. It makes Fenway Park an interesting mix of old and new features, cramped quarters and spacious gathering areas, obstructed view seats and some of the best sightlines in the Major Leagues. Return on Investment 3 Going to Fenway Park has always been an expensive proposition. Given the park’s small capacity and the team’s incredible popularity, it’s a supply vs. demand graph come to life. The 2023 Fan Cost Index ranked Fenway Park as the most expensive ballpark to visit in all of Major League Baseball. According to the FCI, a family of four will spend almost $400 at a Red Sox game. Driving this ranking are Fenway’s high ticket prices, parking charges and concession prices, many of which have gone up in 2024. That being said, there are ways to make a trip to Fenway more affordable. -Check out various ticket-resale websites for cheaper tickets. -Avoid the expensive neighborhood parking by taking the T to Fenway Park. -A souvenir soda cup features unlimited refills throughout the season. -Grabbing a bite to eat at one of the sausage carts that line the streets around Fenway Park enhances the Fenway experience and saves a few dollars. Fenway Park is a cashless facility. Even the ever-present Fenway hawkers are equipped with cashless point of sale devices. Fenway Park’s bag policy is less restrictive than other major league facilities, but check the ballpark website for particulars. Extras 5 Any ballpark that has been in use for over a century is bound to have had a memorable moment or two on its resume. The Red Sox proudly display their best moments throughout the ballpark, in manners both obvious and subtle. New visitors to Fenway should schedule some extra time to take in as much of the ballpark as possible. Banners and plaques commemorating Red Sox pennants and World Series championships are present both inside and outside the ballpark. Flags honoring every Hall of Famer to play in Boston line the outside of the park along Van Ness Street. Red Sox retired numbers are hung along the right field façade and again along the outside of the ballpark. Located by Gate B on Van Ness Street are statues honoring Red Sox legends Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and “The Teammates” (Johnny Pesky, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio and Ted Williams). Historical touches abound throughout Fenway Park, starting with the lone red seat in right field commemorating the longest home run ever hit at the ballpark to the plaques located throughout the park highlighting milestones and important features of the park. Even long-time visitors to Fenway can find something new if they explore the grounds long enough. The Red Sox do a great job of creating new content year after year. The Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, Wally and Tessie, Sweet Caroline, Fenway Franks, the Big Concourse, Patriots Day, Dirty Water, Fenway Farms, the Citgo Sign, Kenmore Square, Lego Papi, Lansdowne Street, the triangle, the bullpen buggy, the street vendors; the list of things to see and do at Fenway Park goes on and on… Final Thoughts How old is Fenway Park? It opened the same week that the Titanic sank. While other cities are building billion-dollar complexes to replace ballparks that are only 20 years old, in Boston they are simply finding new ways to put modern touches on this classic diamond. Fenway Park is not perfect. It’s cramped, it’s crowded, and it’s expensive. Yes, some seats sit right behind poles and some seats face the wrong way. Still, ask any ballpark aficionado where they would like to see a game, and Fenway Park will likely be among their top choices. Fenway Park’s mix of historical touches, quirky features, and modern comforts is unmatched anywhere. Other cities try again and again to find the magic formula that has existed in Boston for over a century. Simply put, Fenway Park is the standard against which all other ballparks are measured. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

The good and not-so-good when attending baseball at a minor league, independent and a summer collegiate ballpark! 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 David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 E.S. Rose Park 1000 Edgehill Ave Nashville, TN 37203 Belmont Bruins website E.S. Rose Park website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 500 It’s Bruin Time Baseball was first played at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee starting with the 1953 season. The then Belmont Rebels would begin intercollegiate baseball as a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program, spending time in the Volunteer State Athletic Conference for 30+ seasons before heading to the Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference for just over a decade, prior to joining the ranks of independent programs for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Following their jump from NAIA to Division I, Belmont would change their name from the Rebels to the more alliterative Belmont Bruins. The Bruins would spend four years as a D1 independent before joining the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) in 2002. After 11 seasons in the ASUN, Belmont would jump to the Ohio Valley Conference where they would play until 2022, before finally moving to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). The E.S. Rose Park athletic complex was built in partnership with the City of Nashville; Belmont University contributed $9 million to the construction and upgrade of the athletic facilities at the city owned park, which the school leases. While not actually on the Belmont campus, the park is just blocks away. Food & Beverage   3 Outside of the grandstand seating and located between the softball and soccer fields and track, the concession stand here is built into a brick and aluminum structure along the left field side of the stadium. The building also houses restrooms and other park facilities. Concessions at E.S. Rose Park take care of the staples, with hot dogs, candy, chips, and canned soft drinks from the Pepsi family of beverages, as well as Gatorade and bottled water. The menu does go a bit beyond with hamburgers and cheeseburgers as extra entrée, while snacks also include whole pickles and granola. Since E.S. Rose Park is a public city facility, alcoholic beverages are not available. Atmosphere   3 E.S. Rose Park is made up of three individual brick seating areas – the two sections on either side of home plate are made up of rows of aluminum benches with back supports, and individual chairback seats in the small section behind home plate. A relatively large scoreboard sits next to the visiting team’s bullpen in left field, which gives fans basic line score and ball-strike-out information, but the accompanying videoboard above is not operational. Even though not part of the stadium, a covered picnic area sits upon a grassy berm in left field, and might be one of the best places to watch the game from, as it is the only location that provides a significant amount of shade and protection from the elements. Given the amount of tree growth beyond the berm, the grandstand’s skyline view of downtown Nashville is a bit obstructed, however, a short walk up the right field line does highlight what has come to be known as the iconic “Batman Building” that dominates the Nashville skyline. Other than mid-inning ad reads there is not a lot to distract from the game. There are not a lot of audio drops between pitches or following outs; doing such would appear forced and not add a lot to the game experience, and also doesn’t seem like it would elicit much of a reaction from fans. There really is not a bad seat when it comes to baseball at E.S. Rose Park, but the seats along the home side of the field do have the best views of downtown Nashville, even if this view is a bit blocked by trees. If the need for shade is necessary, the picnic area in left field does have tables that sit higher than the fence line, so it does provide a decent vantage point for the game. Neighborhood   4 E.S. Rose Park is in the heart of Nashville’s Edgehill neighborhood. Its location on Kirkpatrick Hill, one of Nashville’s highest points, provides fans with amazing views in every direction. The Belmont campus is visible behind home plate, Vanderbilt’s West End Tower rises above the landscape along the third base side, downtown Nashville is not far off in the distance beyond the left field fence, and the gatehouse to the historic 8th Avenue Reservoir is visible beyond the first base side of the field. The area is adorned with both signs and statues of polar bears, which at first impression might just seem like a fun, artistic addition to the area, but actually holds historic relevance to the neighborhood – dating back to the 1930s, polar bear statues were created to advertise Polar Bear Frozen Custard shops. Two of the four bears currently sit on the corner of Edgehill and 12th Avenue, just outside of the park’s northwest corner. The Edgehill area is no stranger to baseball, being the one-time home of the Nashville Sounds; Hershel Greer Stadium once stood just across I-65 adjacent to the Civil War-era Fort Nagley. Despite being torn down in 2019, the outline of the infield is still visible. While the immediate area surrounding E.S. Rose Park might be a bit light on locations of interest, there is a bit of everything for everyone within 5 miles of the ballpark. Within a mile are Music Row (the historic focus of country music), the trendy Gulch district, and Vanderbilt University. Broadway, the heart of Nashville’s entertainment district, and the 12 South neighborhood, with its several boutique shops and restaurants, are both just under 2 miles away from the stadium. Also, visitors wanting to keep up a baseball theme might venture downtown to First Horizon Park, to catch the Nashville Sounds. Fans   2 Belmont baseball typically draws 100 to 200 fans per game, with the lesser number being typical for early season game before the weather takes a turn for the better. In a bit of an oddity for baseball, there does not seem to be a lot of kids in the crowd. An interesting dynamic is created by the field being in a public park, and there is no fee charged to access the stadium. The game attracts passersby who might just want to sit and watch the game for an inning or so before carrying on with their day. There also doesn’t seem to be a large student contingent of regular supporters, primarily just family and friends of players. Access   4 The City of Nashville has a highly developed sense of both public transportation and bicycle accessibility. Multiple bus stops can be found along the streets that form the perimeter of the park on Edgehill Avenue and 9th and 12th Streets. Dedicated bicycle lanes make E.S. Rose Park easily accessible for those coming via any type of transportation. The Edgehill neighborhood is just off the junction of I-65 and I-40, so the ballpark is also easily accessible for those arriving from outside Nashville. The main challenge is contending with Nashville traffic, which even on weekends can be considerably backed up. Once at E.S. Rose Park, two smallish parking lots can be found along either side of the adjacent recreation facility. Despite being more convenient, the lot closest to the stadium does presents a bit of foul ball danger, and there also needs to be consideration given to the fact that the park is heavily used by community members, so is a popular place on sunny weekend days, making finding a parking spot for late arrivers a bit more challenging. While the grandstand seating is easily accessible, the sections on either side of home plate are closed-ended. While this is a minor inconvenience, trying to sit near the ends of these sections can create some awkward situations, by making others get up so you can sit past them – the burden this puts on those sitting on the aisle, who constantly have to get up so people can move past them, in essence eliminates sitting on the aisle as a seating option. Return on Investment   5 With no charge for parking or admittance, the only charge is for whatever concessions might be desired. Like most concession menus, prices are hit or miss when it comes to what seems to be reasonable ballpark prices. There does not seem to be any restriction on bringing outside food or drink, however, so concession prices are only as prohibitive as fans  allow them to be. Extras   4 A display on the exterior of the seating recognizes the 100th anniversary of Negro League Baseball; the plaque there honors Nashvillians who either played or owned a team in the Negro Leagues. Only a handful of other college baseball stadiums can provide a backdrop that is comparable to that of E.S. Rose Park, though it is a bit unfortunate that as winter turns to spring, the foliage of the trees that border the park block the view of the Nashville skyline. Banners are hung recognizing Belmont regular season and tournament championships, as well as their 2011 and 2012 NCAA regional appearances. Also, the retired number 21 hangs in honor of former coach Dave Whitten, who led Belmont for 29 seasons and to 663 wins. Given the ballpark’s location within the park, there are several other activities to help keep younger fans entertained if the game might not be enough – a playground, basketball court, track, and softball field all surround the outside of the E.S. Rose Park. Final Thoughts Belmont baseball is a very basic experience that is not going to wow spectators, but what it does is highlight the nature of college baseball and what is beautiful about the game; the chirping and chattering is on full display, and is complemented by the ping of the bat. E.S. Rose Park is probably not a ballpark that visitors will flock to, but given Nashville’s position as a tourist destination, stopping here to complement a visit to Music City is definitely a consideration to make, if looking for an outdoor activity to fill an opening in a weekend schedule.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium 5757 US Highway 90 West San Antonio, TX 78227 San Antonio Missions website Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 9,200 Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium – San Antonio Missions The origin of the San Antonio Missions and minor league baseball in the Alamo City can be traced back to the club’s founding in 1888. One of the four charter members of the Texas League, the Missions have found themselves aligned as the farm club for a host of MLB teams over the years – these include the St. Louis Browns, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Houston Colt .45s, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and currently the San Diego Padres. Over the course of their history, the Missions have had a remarkable amount of success, winning 14 league title and 12 division titles. A litany of Hall of Famers and All-Stars have donned the Missions unis, with a who’s who list including Brooks Robinson, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Joe Morgan, Dennis Eckersley, Mike Piazza, and Adrián Beltré. Since 1994 the Missions have called Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium their home ballpark. Named in honor of long-time San Antonio politician Nelson Wolff, who was instrumental in getting the park built, the Wolff was the host of the Double-A All-Star Game in 1997, as well as the Texas League All-Star Game in 2011. The ballclub officially took possessions of the stadium in 2006, the last time major renovations took place. These renovations included $1.2 million to improve concessions, replace the scoreboard, and add a new lighting system. However, the clock is ticking on this ballpark – with MLB’s taking over operations of the minor leagues in 2022, they required all stadiums to have certain requirements that Wolff Stadium just currently does not have. This has put the Missions owners in the spot of having to significantly upgrade or move to a new location; either way, a plan has to be submitted by 2025. Read on to learn more about what the Wolff is currently like. Food & Beverage   4 I have no complaints whatsoever with the food and drink situation at Wolff Stadium – there are two main stands, one on the first base side and one on the third base side, that serve all your traditional stadium fare: hot dogs, fries, chicken fingers, nachos, popcorn, soft pretzels, sodas, etc. You can also get Frito pie, jumbo hot dogs, and corn dogs at these stands. Also on the main entrance level you can find a sno cone stand, an ice cream shack (where you can get your requisite ice cream sundae in a replica batting helmet), and a “carnival” stand that serves up all manner of fried goodness (think mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, and fried chicken on a stick). There are also freestanding carts offering up beer and hot sandwiches, such as cheesesteak and patty melts. On the second deck, however, the options somehow get even better – beloved San Antonio institution Bill Miller Bar-B-Q has a stand offering up a pared-down menu that still has some of their hits; these include sliced brisket sandwiches, sausage wraps, brownies, and their legendary sweet tea. Another local fave, Sofia’s Pizzeria, also has a stand up here where they sell whole pies or pizza by the slice. Atmosphere   3 Quite frankly, the Wolff is starting to show its three decades worth of age. However, there is still plenty in terms of atmosphere to make it worthwhile for fans to attend. First off there is the berm, which is the seating area behind the left field wall, popular with budget-conscious fans and home run ball seekers. This grassy hill allows fans to bring in lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and enjoy great views of the park while watching their wallet (more on this in the ROI section). One of the updates done as part of the 2006-2007 renovation was the construction of an all-you-can-eat-and-drink “fiesta deck”. This area is able to be rented out for groups of 25-200 and offers a great time. There is also a covered picnic area down the right field line, as well as an adults-only bar/patio behind the first baseline stands. Fans can also take in the mini version of the Missions Hall of Fame, with plaques of important figures in team history located on a wall behind the home plate stands. This area is near the Missions team store for all your Missions swag needs; note that there is also a separate store selling merch for the Flying Chanclas (see the Extras section for more on that). Neighborhood   2 The area where the Missions ballpark currently sits is on the far southwest side of the city, sandwiched between an older residential neighborhood and an industrial park. Wolff Stadium is also within eyesight of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the “gateway to the Air Force”. Having grown up in this part of town it has a soft spot in my heart; however, it is miles – both literally and figuratively – away from the heart of the city, its vibrant downtown. In the immediate area of the ballpark, the options for dining, lodging, and entertainment are extremely limited. There are mostly chain restaurants that aren’t too far, and there are also a few really good Tex-Mex spots that are a short five-minute drive away – these include Los Dos Hermanos, which serves up all the hits like enchiladas, fajitas, and tortas. Apetitos Mexican Restaurant is also a nearby favorite, serving up breakfast and lunch favorites like chilaquiles, migas, huevos rancheros, and carne guisada. For lodging there are quite a few more options near Wolff Stadium, primarily since the ballpark is so close to the military base. These include Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Lackland AFB and Best Western Plus Lackland Hotel & Suites, to name a few. For entertainment, however, there are very few options nearby, but you aren’t too terribly far from SeaWorld San Antonio and Traders Village shopping complex. All in all, the relative lack of these three key types of amenities are part of the driving force behind the team seeking a new spot for their ballpark. Fans   4 Fan support has never been a serious problem for the Missions; last season they averaged just under 4,200 fans per game, which filled up the ballpark on a nightly basis. The fans that attend love the team, are into the games, and are passionate about baseball. All of these factors contribute to a winning formula for a minor league baseball team – the team does its best to reward fans for coming out by having quality players and fun activities, and the fans reward the team with their devotion. Hopefully this will be a relationship that can be maintained going forward. Access   2 Access is another area where the team struggles in comparison to other teams in the Texas League and those across the state. Wolff Stadium, as mentioned, is a 15-minute drive from San Antonio’s downtown, and a 22-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport, both via Highway 90; the ballpark is conveniently viewable from said highway. If you choose to drive there are two parking lots at the stadium, one on the third base side and one on the first base side. There are plenty of spaces available and the cost is relatively low. Should you choose not to drive or use a rideshare, the city’s public transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit, does have a stop outside the ballpark. Return on Investment   4 If there is one area where the Missions truly excel, it is in terms of ROI. Single-game tickets for the Missions can be had for as low as $8 apiece, which is for the berm seating, but seats in the stands are equally as friendly. The team also runs a $2 Tuesdays promotion throughout the season; tickets are $2 each, as are quite a few concession items. Parking for Missions games is normally $10, but is $5 during the $2 Tuesday promotion. Couple all this with a concessions menu where nothing outside of liquor at the bar costs more than $8, and you’ve got a bargain. This is especially a great deal when you factor in the talent that comes in and out of the Wolff Stadium each season. Extras 4 Like most minor league teams, the Missions do whatever they can to attract fans to the ballpark. They offer a ton of themed nights and giveaways throughout the season, ranging from bobbleheads to Spurs replica Manu Ginobili jerseys, to a Star Wars night and an Avengers night. The team also has fireworks displays on Saturday nights after home games. They also take part in Minor League Baseball’s Copa de Diversion during the season, which is a lot of fun (and the uniforms are fantastic). The team also boasts a trio of some of the most fun mascots in all of baseball in Ballapeño, a human-sized jalapeno, his mother Mamapeño, who wields a fierce chancla during the Copa de Diversion games, and Henry the Puffy Taco, the living embodiment of a truly unique San Antonio culinary delight (for a more in-depth rundown on the mascots, click here). Henry is also involved in one of the teams’ oldest and most beloved traditions, tackle the taco. Final Thoughts I currently do and probably always will have a warm place in my heart, and in my memories, for Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. I’ve seen a lot of baseball here over the years and for whichever reason comes first, I will miss it if/when it’s gone. With that being said, I have to admit it’s not a stadium that needs to be on anyone’s bucket list. However, I think if you do attend a Missions game here you’ll have a good time. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 O’Donnell Field 65 North Harvard St Boston, MA 02163 Harvard Crimson website O’Donnell Field website Year Opened: 1898 Capacity: 1,600 Crimson in the Clover Baseball has been played at Harvard since 1862, with the school sponsoring its first varsity team in 1865. At first, baseball was played at various locations around campus and greater Boston, including Jarvis Field, Holmes Field and Boston Common. In 1890, Major Henry Lee Higginson donated a parcel of land on the southern shore of the Charles River for use by the university. Originally known as Soldier’s Field in honor of six of Higginson's friends who died fighting in the Civil War (Yes, I said Civil War. We’re dealing with some seriously old stuff here), the site has been the home of Harvard baseball since 1898. The field was dedicated for Harvard class of 1967 alum, baseball captain, and football team standout Joseph O’Donnell in 1997. Mr. O’Donnell donated $2.5 million to the baseball program in 1995, allowing the university to hire a full-time baseball coach for the first time. He also donated an additional $30 million to the university in 2012. The Crimson have qualified for 15 NCAA Tournaments and four College World Series, most recently in 1974. 17 Harvard alumni have played in the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions available at O’Donnell Field. There is a nice little pavilion on the first base side of the diamond, but it is usually occupied by alumni, particularly during Ivy League games. It’s not unusual to see tailgating parties going on, sponsored by alumni of both competing schools, throughout the game. Unaffiliated fans are welcome to bring their own snacks to enjoy during a Crimson game. Atmosphere 2 The gameday experience at O'Donnell Field is typical of the small college ballparks in the northeast. The game day experience at Harvard is pretty laid back (and dare we say, scholarly?). There’s not a lot going on to distract your attention from the game. Music plays between innings and batters while the PA announcer goes about his duties in an unobtrusive manner. Much of the noise at O’Donnell Field is created by the fans in the stands and the players on the field. A simple scoreboard in left field displays basic game information. Harvard boasts an NCAA-best 42 varsity sports, and the majority of them play their games on the Soldier Field complex. It's not unusual to have softball, lacrosse, baseball, track and field and more all going on at the same time. It creates a nice festival-like atmosphere where fans wander around from game to game throughout a lovely spring New England afternoon. Neighborhood 4 The Harvard campus is located in Cambridge, MA, on the north shore of the Charles River. O'Donnell Field is located on the opposite shore of the Charles, in the Boston neighborhood of Allston. Many of the school's athletic facilities, including Harvard Stadium, Lavietes Pavilion, Bright-Landry Hockey Center and Jordan Field are located here, as is the world-famous Harvard Business School. There’s not a whole lot to do in the immediate vicinity of O’Donnell Field and the Soldiers Field Complex, but fans who venture out into Allston and Brighton will find many dining and lodging options. Fans visiting Harvard from out of town who want to get the full Harvard experience should head back across the Charles. To see the sights of Harvard, take a walk across the Anderson Memorial Bridge, which spans the Charles River leading into Cambridge. A few blocks from the river is the Harvard campus. Harvard Square is the heartbeat of campus, and while it may not be the bohemian center it once was, it is still one of the most popular areas in Boston for walking, shopping, and people watching. If the fickle New England weather is cooperating, it’s a great place to be. For those wishing to bask in the history, architecture, and aura of Harvard, this is the place for you. Take a walking tour of the campus along with the obligatory picture in front of the statue of John Harvard. Just remember these three things about the statue: 1) it is not actually a statue of John Harvard (no image of him exists), but of a random student; 2) John Harvard was not the founder of the college, but its first benefactor; and 3) the college was actually founded in 1636, not in 1638, as the statue claims. But remember to touch his shiny shoe, it is rumored to bring good luck. Fans 2 As is the case at most college ballparks in this part of the country, the Crimson don’t attract huge crowds to baseball games. A Harvard baseball crowd is best described as a “friends and family” crowd, as most of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the players down on the field. As you might imagine, the fans here are knowledgeable about the teams competing and enthusiastic in their support. While you won't find a cohesive student section here at O'Donnell Field, students do take advantage of the great number of outdoor activities available at the Soldiers Field Complex. It's not unusual to see students bouncing between games at the many sporting venues here, catching a few innings at the ballpark before moving on to other activities. Access 3 Boston can be a difficult city to get around, but luckily for visiting baseball fans the majority of Harvard’s schedule takes place on the weekend, when traffic is somewhat less congested than during the week. The Soldiers Field Complex is accessible fairly easily from either Storrow Drive or the Mass Pike (Interstate 90). Detailed driving directions can be found here. Locals will tell you that the preferred method of transportation in Boston is the subway, or "T", as it is called locally. The Harvard Station MBTA stop is a 10-minute walk from Harvard Stadium across the Charles River. Several bus routes also stop at Harvard Station. In addition, the 66 and 86 bus routes stop on North Harvard Street, directly in front of the athletic complex. If you are driving to O'Donnell Field, you will find ample parking tucked in between the many facilities at the Soldier Field Complex. Parking is free for Crimson baseball games (that's right, free parking in Boston!), unless there is a men's lacrosse game going on at the same time. There are some spots dangerously close to the field. Your best bet is to park a little further away to protect your windshield. Seating consists of three sets of aluminum bleachers without backs. There is a large set of bleachers behind home plate, with smaller sets far down either baseline. Unfortunately, there’s not a ton of standing room here, at least not without an obstructed view. There are no permanent rest room facilities at O’Donnell Field, meaning fans will have to make due with a row of port-a-johns next to the track, or take a long walk into the Stadium or the Gordon Indoor Track building. Return on Investment 5 With free admission and parking, taking in a Crimson baseball game is a most affordable entertainment option for Boston sports fans. It's possible to catch a ballgame (as well as a few other games) without spending a single cent. Extras 1 While not a flashy facility, O’Donnell Stadium does boast a tremendous backdrop. The colossal hulk of Harvard Stadium towers over the field on the first base side of the facility. It’s fun to watch errant foul balls clank of the concrete façade or through the arches that line the exterior of the stadium. Final Thoughts Harvard boasts a long and storied athletic history. While the school boasts some legendary venues and baseball has been played on the O'Donnell Field site since the 19th century, this is very much a bare-bones facility. Aside from the colossal Harvard Stadium hovering over the first base line, there's little to make a visit to O'Donnell Field a memorable one. If planning to make a visit to Harvard, keep in mind that the baseball season takes place largely in March and April, when the weather in New England can be fickle. Changes in schedule, postponements, cancellations and even changes in venue are commonplace. Be sure to make your plans flexible. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Owings Mills East Softball Field 11005 Owings Mills Blvd Owings Mills, MD 21117 Stevenson Mustangs website Owings Mills East website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 250 A History of Horses Stevenson University was originally known as Villa Julie College. It has always been a bit of a quirky place. Originally located in the Greenspring Valley of Baltimore County and its Stevenson neighborhood, the college was an all-girls school until 1972 and did not even offer bachelor degrees until 1984. It also was entirely non-residential. Eventually, the college desired to add housing and more of just about everything, so a new campus was added in Owings Mills. This expansion dramatically increased the college’s offerings and student population. In 2008, they decided they needed a new identity and changed their name to Stevenson University. This main Owings Mills campus just happened to be right next door to the old Baltimore Colts training facility. The new Owings Mills East Campus is located on the grounds of the former Rosewood State Hospital, a now-closed institution for people with developmental disabilities. There are some still abandoned buildings to the south of the campus. The Owings Mills East Campus, besides the softball field, has a track, an artificial turf field for field hockey, the baseball field, soccer and lacrosse multi-purpose fields, as well as cross country courses. The Stevenson Mustangs softball team plays in the D3 MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference). Food & Beverage 1 There is no permanent concession stand but at some games, there will be a small table with simple food offerings. There also may be other food available at other fields depending on the activities going on. Atmosphere 3 The softball field is a simple affair, with one small stand behind home plate. The view of the field is pretty good as there is just netting only around most of the backstop. It almost seems to be so unique in that there is no chain or other backing, just a net. Neighborhood 4 Owings Mills is a suburb of Baltimore, so there are plenty of shopping centers and restaurants in the area. The best options for places to go for food are Edo Mae Sushi (10995 Owings Mills Blvd), Five Guys Burgers and Fries (10902 Boulevard Circle), and Courtney’s Bagel Cafe and Deli (11000 Owings Mills Blvd). The Owings Mills station of the Baltimore Metro subway system is located about a mile away from campus. Fans 3 The fan atmosphere will depend on the game but unfortunately, the students do not tend to come to many games. The school is largely a commuter school. Access 4 Owings Mills Boulevard has an exit off of nearby Interstate 795. The stadium is a pretty quick one-mile trip from the highway. I worried about traffic in an area that is pretty busy even on normal days, but the traffic was no problem. Parking is free but could be hard to come by if many other games are going on at the same time at the complex. Return on Investment 5 Games are free to attend and parking is free as well. Extras 2 The former home of three professional football teams (Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Stallions, and Baltimore Ravens), the Caves Sports and Wellness Center is worth a quick trip back to the main Owings Mills campus. Try to remember 1984 and the pain and struggle that local football fans went through for years after the Colts moved away on a snowy night from this very location. The whole Owings Mills East campus is so nice and well-designed. You may be able to see another sporting event at the same time as softball. Final Thoughts Stevenson has a nice, new softball facility that is easy to get to and cheap to attend. If you are in the area, this would be a venue we could easily recommend.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 BMO Field @ Exhibition Place 170 Princes’ Blvd. Toronto, ON M6K 3C3 Toronto FC website BMO Field website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 30,991 All For One The landscape of Toronto FC is changing.  The glory days that culminated in Toronto Football Club being the first Major League Soccer team to secure the trifecta in 2017 of the Voyageurs Cup (Canadian Championship), Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup, are gone.  TFC legends Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley have all departed as well as coach Greg Vanney.  The rebuild is now on.  After a few stutter steps, Toronto FC hopes to bring the squad back into playoff contention for the 2024 season.  Playing their first match in 2007, Toronto FC has been crucial for the development of Major League Soccer, paving the way for other Canadian squads CF Montreal and Vancouver Whitecaps FC to take to the pitch.  The strong ownership of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, also owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Argonauts and Toronto Marlies, has been critical in the continued success of the franchise. Since its inception, the home of Toronto FC has been BMO Field.  Located at Exhibition Place, on the site of the former home of the Toronto Blue Jays, Exhibition Stadium, the city owned stadium is preparing to be the smallest host of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.  BMO Field was originally built as, and currently retains the moniker of, Canada’s National Soccer Stadium, and has been renovated and expanded numerous times.  It has seen the Grey Cup, MLS Cup and the NHL Centennial Classic and will be expanded temporarily to host its biggest event yet in the World Cup. Food & Beverage 5 BMO Field offers a solid culinary experience.  There are plenty of different concession stands and plenty of variety for fans.  The Food Junction stands offer standard stadium fare, including popcorn, hot dogs and the like.  Some stands that offer more unique options include Frites, which has a variety of poutine options, Pizza Pizza, the popular Canadian pizza franchise, and Panini, which features the Braised Beef Grilled Cheese, and popular Porchetta Sandwich.  Food trucks are often found past the north end of the pitch and are available during the match.  The beer selection at the King Club outside section 107 is tremendous and features Labatt’s products as well as Mill Street and many other craft brew selections.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drinks of choice and Tim Hortons coffee is also available.  For fans who like to plan out their culinary experience, the BMO Field website provides an excellent accounting of the concession options and where various stands can be found.  There is also a specialty food guide online for those fans who are vegan, vegetarian or have gluten allergies. Atmosphere 4 Being built in 2007, with an original capacity of 25,000, BMO Field was at the forefront of soccer specific stadiums that took MLS by storm.  Since that time, nearly the entire league has moved to a soccer specific stadium, and as a result the designs have become better and better.  This has left BMO Field a bit behind with regards to physical design.  By no means should BMO Field be replaced, and due to the original design and numerous renovations that have taken place, it does not seem feasible to replicate some of the newer venues.  However, BMO Field remains an excellent soccer venue.  This notion is underlined with BMO Field remaining the National Soccer Stadium and being part of the hosting venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. BMO Field is located at Exhibition Place, on the grounds of the original Exhibition Stadium.  Treasure hunting fans can find markers for the bases and home plate in the south parking lot.  The exterior is fairly non-descript with clearly separated grandstands on the east and west sides of the pitch with grey and silver accents to the simple structure.  Around the outside of the stadium are a number of marble benches which smartly depict various highlights of the Ex.  Fans will definitely want to head to the northeast corner of BMO Field before entering to check out the TFC Wall of Honour.  A number of TFC accomplishments, both individual and team, are memorialized on the exterior wall in smart looking silver and grey badges on the red siding backdrop. Inside BMO Field fans will be welcomed by the new “TFC Legends” banners which can be found throughout the stadium.  The new addition to the atmosphere shows portraits of such Toronto FC legends as Dwayne De Rosario, Danny Dichio and Michael Bradley, to name just a few.  The pitch runs from north to south with the videoboard found on the north side.  At the south end, no doubt blowing in the wind, are flags commemorating the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020 Voyageurs Cups as Canadian Champions, the 2017 Supporters’ Shield and 2017 MLS Cup.  The seating area features two tiered seating decks on the east and west sides with some seating and standing room in the north and south ends.  A field level general admission standing area is found in the north end and the supporters sections are found in the south.  The grandstands are covered from the elements with large canopies, courtesy of one of the more recent renovations.  The seats themselves are very simple, in most cases molded plastic buckets that do not move.  Although they are physically not the greatest seats, there is enough legroom provided. The gameday experience in Toronto is akin to most other MLS experiences.  Soccer usually provides an experience that is not over-produced and generally more organic than other sports.  Local youth groups hold banners on the pitch for the player entrances.  The TFC anthem “The Legend TFC” is played with video before the kickoff.  From that point, the supporters sections take over and provide the atmosphere by singing and chanting and waving flags throughout. Neighbourhood 5 BMO Field is located on the grounds of Exhibition Place, between the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Blvd., west of Harbourfront and the most recognizable tourist areas.  Just north of the Gardiner Expressway is Liberty Village, where fans will find an easy walk to numerous pre and post game spots for food and drink.  Some of the options include Local Public Eatery, The Craft Brasserie, Liberty Commons, Left Field Brewery and Brazen Head Irish Pub. Toronto is a haven for sporting options.  The Toronto Argonauts share BMO Field with Toronto FC and Coca-Cola Coliseum, home of the Toronto Marlies, is on the opposite side of the parking lot also at Exhibition Place.  The annual Honda Indy Toronto is set up, among other races, in July at Exhibition Place The Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Blue Jays, are all found to the east.  Heading north will bring fans to the University District where the University of Toronto fields Varsity Blues squads in football, basketball and hockey and Toronto Metropolitan University fields basketball and hockey teams, among others.  At the north edge of the city is York University, where Toronto FC II and York United FC play as well as the York Lions hockey, basketball and football teams among others.  The Canadian Open tennis tournaments are also at York.  Other tourist options include the Harbourfront and Ripley’s Aquarium, CN Tower and Hockey Hall of Fame to scratch the surface.  Exhibition Place is also home to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Canadian National Exhibition.  The Budweiser Stage is found on the opposite side of Lakeshore.  For fans wishing to stay near BMO Field, Hotel X is very close, but very pricey.  Heading east offers more options that are a little more affordable. Fans 5 The fan support that Toronto FC has enjoyed over the years is pretty remarkable.  The majority of Toronto FC’s existence has been marred with horrible squads on the pitch and very little in the way of winning.  For a short period, this changed, culminating in the 2016, 2017 and 2019 MLS Cup appearances.  A return to rebuilding has seen a bit of a dip in attendance, but the support over the years has been terrific.  As of this writing, Toronto FC are averaging almost 25,500 fans per match for the 2024 season, up slightly from the previous season, and yet to enjoy the nicer spring and summer weather.  The last two seasons have seen Toronto FC ranked 6th in MLS in attendance.  A number of the teams ranking ahead of Toronto FC enjoy the huge capacities of NFL stadiums.  The fanbase is very diverse as Toronto is a very International city and they are very passionate and knowledgeable about soccer.  The Toronto FC Supporter Groups are among the best and most passionate in MLS and have pushed the team to have among the most consistent support in the league. Access 4 BMO Field is located on the grounds of Exhibition Place. Getting to Exhibition Place can be a challenge, as anything in Toronto can be. The Ex is immediately south of the Gardiner Expressway. Although fans may think this is the quickest way to drive to the Ex, often a longer route on Lakeshore Blvd is the way to go, especially for those coming from the west. There are a number of parking spots available for fans at Exhibition Place. It is important for fans to do some research before heading out to see the Reds. At times there are other events taking place at the Ex and parking is a real challenge. Even at the best of times, parking is not cheap and other options may be the best plan. For fans who prefer the public transit route, Exhibition Place has some decent public transit options. There is a Go Transit station right by the Ex and this is probably the easiest form of public transit. A walk north of the Ex will bring fans through Liberty Village and eventually to some TTC options. Check out the Go Transit and TTC websites for fares, maps and schedules. The ticketing window is at gate 1, at the north end of BMO Field. Lineups are not usually an issue. Security is what you would expect now in this day and age of sports security, including walk through metal detectors. With security protocols and procedures in constant flux, Stadium Journey strongly suggests visiting the Toronto FC and BMO Field websites for the most up-to-date security information before heading to the arena. Getting around BMO Field is not too difficult and concourses are fairly spacious. Washroom facilities are also adequate for this venue. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Toronto FC seem to have become more affordable, with tickets starting around $45 and some resale seats available for less than that.  Tickets go above the $200 mark for the lower bowl.  These prices have come back down a bit, but upper deck seats can still go for $100 and above.  Parking is pretty expensive at over $30 and fans must use the self-park “Green P” app to purchase parking.  Concession prices are about what one would expect for a major league team.  According to the 2022 Fan Cost Index, Toronto FC are the seventh most expensive experience, above league average. That being said, a Toronto FC match is a whole lot of fun and is one of the best experiences in MLS, but you will pay for it. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Danny Dichio song. Every match at the 23:14 mark, the supporters belt out the Danny Dichio song, in honor of Toronto FC’s first ever goal scored by Danny Dichio. An extra mark for the investments made by MLSE to field the best possible team in Toronto. A reward to the fans, who greatly suffered in the early years of TFC. An extra mark for the improvements and investment made in BMO Field. Final Thoughts What the future holds for BMO Field in preparation for the World Cup will be interesting.  In the meantime, Toronto FC and BMO Field offer one of the best experiences in Major League Soccer, located in a fantastic, international city, with some of the best tourist attractions in the world. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Weinberg-Fine Stadium 3440 Associated Way Owings Mills, MD 21117 Notre Dame Gators website Weinberg-Fine Stadium website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 275 Gators Outside Of Baltimore Notre Dame of Maryland University is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1873. It is right next door to the “Evergreen” campus of Loyola University Maryland (which shares a library facility). It was formerly an all-woman’s college, but that ended in 2023 as it is now co-ed. The university has over 3000 students. The original name of the school was the Notre Dame of Maryland Preparatory School and Collegiate Institute. It also spent many years with the College of Notre Dame of Maryland name. In 2011, the school attained university status with the addition of several graduate-level programs. Notre Dame’s athletic teams are members of Division III of the NCAA. All sports but swimming compete within the United East Conference. Although the swim team does not compete within a conference, it participates in the yearly Old Dominion Athletic Conference swim championships. The university’s sports teams are known as the Gators. Weinberg-Fine Stadium is the home of the Gator's softball team and is located 15 miles away from the college's Baltimore location and instead located on the grounds of the Rosenbloom Campus of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore. The stadium was formerly the home of Stevenson University softball, which has now moved just a couple miles down the road to a new complex. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand at Weinberg-Fine Stadium. There is a concession stand located at the nearby sports fields but hours seem erratic and we would assume it is open very seldom. There also may be snack machines located within the community center building. Atmosphere 3 There is not much to the Weinberg-Fine Stadium. There are two nice, brick stands on each side of the plate. You can also bring a lawn chair to watch the game further down one of the lines. There is not much else in terms of atmosphere as it is a low-level Division III softball game. The team does have a PA announcer and plays walkup music for players. Neighborhood 3 Owings Mills is a suburb of Baltimore, so there are plenty of shopping centers and restaurants in the area. The best options for places to go for food are Edo Mae Sushi (10995 Owings Mills Blvd), Five Guys Burgers and Fries (10902 Boulevard Circle), and Courtney’s Bagel Cafe and Deli (11000 Owings Mills Blvd). Fans 2 The fan atmosphere will depend on the game. Unfortunately, the students do not tend to come to many games. The campus is located far from the field so do not expect to see many students attending games. Access 3 Owings Mills Boulevard has an exit off of nearby Interstate 795. You may also find the stadium by way of Park Heights Avenue or Greenspring Avenue and not directly through Owings Mills. The stadium is a pretty quick trip from I-795. I worried about traffic in an area that is pretty busy even on normal days, but the traffic was no problem. The Jewish community center has plenty of parking in the area and there are no issues here. Parking is free. Return on Investment 5 You are not going to be watching the highest level of softball competition, but the cost is about the best you can find. That’s right, there is no admission cost. Combine that with free parking, and you have a pretty great night out. . Extras 1 Weinberg-Fine Stadium is located within the Irvin Levinson Baseball Center at the Jewish Community Center, but we do not see any baseball fields here. Maybe they play lower-level youth games at the softball field but we could not find any information about this. It is a curious little extra. Final Thoughts There is not too much to see at a Notre Dame of Maryland University softball game, but the stadium is still a pleasant place to see some intercollegiate action.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Scotiabank Saddledome 555 Saddledome Rise SE Calgary, AB T2G 2W1 Calgary Flames Website Scotiabank Saddledome Website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 19,283 Flaming Saddles The Olympic Saddledome opened in 1983, constructed in anticipation of the 1988 Winter Olympics, and has been the home of the Calgary Flames ever since. Over the years, the Saddledome has seen a few renovations, increased seating capacity, and a couple name changes; it is now known as the Scotiabank Saddledome. At over 40 years of age, the Saddledome is now the third-oldest NHL arena and is looking dated, especially in comparison to Rogers Place, the new home of the Edmonton Oilers. In May, 2023, it was announced that a new arena was going to be built just north of the Saddledome. This was the third try at getting a go-ahead on constructing a replacement for the ‘Dome, but this time it seems to be sticking—shovels are in the ground to prep the new location. When all is said and done, the new Events Centre and surrounding infrastructure is expected to cost around a billion dollars. Food & Beverage 4 There is a good variety of choices around the Scotiabank Saddledome for Flames games. The main concession stands, each named for the section in front of which they are situated, have all the garden variety options we expect at an arena. Hot dogs ($7.50), nachos ($11.50), and pop ($6.50) can all be found in these locations. You’ll also typically be able to buy Original 16 on tap ($11.75); at many spots there are a couple more specialty beer choices as well. There are also numerous specialty stands throughout the concourse. The Dog House serves, you guessed it, gourmet hot dogs. There’s the Flame Broiled BBQ for fancier burgers. There are a number of specialty stops for adult beverages located around the concourse as well, so if beer isn’t your thing, you still have plenty of places to find something else. If you’re looking for something healthy, Jugo Juice is the place to go on the east side of the concourse. You’ll also find Pizza 73 and The Good Earth Coffeehouse among the other franchise locations. Beyond all that, there are several bars and restaurants around the Saddledome. The Budweiser King Club, Dutton’s Lounge, the Saddledome Grill, the Iconic Platinum Club (formerly known as the Olympic Lounge), the Alumni Lounge and the Chrysler Club are all situated within the building, providing fans with a number of different dining options and experiences. Atmosphere 3 The Calgary Flames have been inconsistent for much of the 21st Century. As a result, the sellout crowds the Flames used to consistently get have been shrinking (according to Hockey Reference they only managed 90.7 percent attendance in the 2023-2024 season, the fourth-worst in the NHL), so the energy that used to be in the stands has come down from years past. Calgary sports fans are traditionally pretty docile, but they’ve become more comfortable with cheering and booing where appropriate over the years, so the place generally has a pretty fun, exciting feel to it on most nights, even during nights when the hometown squad is struggling. Still, with the smaller crowds, it’s just not quite the same as previous years. The single worst thing about the atmosphere in the ‘Dome is the crush of people in the concourse. Before the game, during intermissions, and after the game the crowds are thick, making it difficult to get anywhere. Neighborhood 3 The annual Calgary Stampede has been going on for more than a century now. It is held on a large plot of land just southeast of Calgary’s downtown core. The Scotiabank Saddledome is located on the northeast corner of the Stampede Grounds. The immediate vicinity to the north, known as Victoria Park, doesn’t have the best reputation in town. However, there has been a substantial amount of gentrification in the area in the last few years and things are starting to perk up, with huge condo complexes being built to the immediate north of the Stampede Grounds. The same thing has also been happening to the west of the grounds. And some of those complexes have a restaurant or bar on the ground floor. If the community continues to gentrify at its current rate, the neighborhood score could improve in pretty short order. On the north west corner of the Stampede Grounds, you’ll find Cowboys Casino, which contains several restaurants, including Melrose Café, Centre Bar, and Hitman’s Bar. The pre-game festivities at Cowboys come highly recommended. Across the street from Cowboys Casino is Vagabond, which has a menu with something for everyone on it, a wide variety of beers (50-plus listed on their menu), and which seems to have made a special effort to cater to pre- and post-event crowds. Heading west from the Stampede Grounds along 17th Ave. you’ll find two excellent options. Naina’s Kitchen, at 121 17th Ave., won the 2017 YYC Burger Battle contest and has received rave reviews from several other sources. Best to book a reservation before coming here. And, Trolley 5, at 728 17th Ave., is a new brewpub that crafts its own beer as well as having excellent food. For something a little more upscale, head east into the Inglewood area and check out the Nash. Located at 925 11 St. SE, the Nash is found in the historic National Hotel. Try something off the rotisserie, or go crazy and order the grilled beef tenderloin for a steak experience you won’t soon forget. Fans 4 Calgary Flames fans have historically been a dedicated bunch who show up and cheer their team whether they’re winning or not. But years and years of disappointment have driven some of those fans away. Maybe the excitement of a new arena will bring some of them back. Or a Stanley Cup run someday… The fans who are there are clearly engaged and having fun, but there are now empty seats between them. As with a few NHL venues, there typically are a number of fans of the opposing team (whoever that might be on any given night) proudly showing up in their team’s colours and cheering their faces off. But overall that makes for a fair bit of engagement in the game, and good fan noise. Access 3 Calgary has some of the most expensive parking rates in North America. Parking on the grounds will cost you $15 and, depending on what other events are going on around the area, might fill up quickly. The new arena is being built on what used to be part of that parking space, so that makes things that much tighter. There are some choices off-site for slightly less expensive parking. A few local residents rent out yard space for parking and there is some metered street parking in the vicinity for people willing to do a little walking. The good news is that being centrally located means the Saddledome is fairly easy to get to from all directions. The bad news is that getting away after the game can be frustratingly slow at times, although the city has done a better job of moving traffic away from the ‘Dome in recent years. Another option is taking Calgary’s Light Rail Transit system to the game. The “C-Train” has two stops on the west side of the Stampede Grounds, one to the south and one on the north end which has a connecting walkway that will take you directly to the Saddledome. The LRT tracks cover a significant amount of the city running north and south, and the West Leg has made traveling east-to-west much better as well. So it can be a more convenient option for fans not wanting the hassle of driving downtown, although the trains can get very crowded after events. City Transit is continuing C-Train expansion however, with plans to go to four-car trains in just a couple years. An adult fare for Calgary Transit is $3.60, youths are $2.45. In our post-9/11 world, security at the front doors to sports venues has gotten steadily tighter over the last few years and the Saddledome is no exception. They have a reputation for being especially picky about “professional cameras.” Basically, anything that doesn’t easily fit in your pants pocket will be rejected at the door, even if it is a point-and-shoot with less power and functionality than the camera on your smart phone. So be forewarned and don’t waste your time trying to get your $100 Nikon through the gate. Once inside the Scotiabank Saddledome you’ll find yourself dealing with what is typically the single biggest complaint about the building: the concourse is very small by modern standards, making getting around a challenge, to put it mildly. Between periods and after the game the halls are jam-packed with people, particularly at the ends of the rink. On the upside, the addition of tables in the centre of the east and west concourse areas has drawn some of the crowds away from the walking paths, into the middle of the area, where they can hang out and chat without getting in the flow of foot traffic. This simple solution has actually had a significant positive effect. Lineups for the washrooms can be insanely long, backing way out into the concourse and making a bad situation worse. If you can avoid it, stay away from the men’s room near section 209. For some reason, this one seems to consistently have lineups out the door all game long. The women’s washrooms aren’t much better. Fingers crossed this is an issue the new building will address. Return on Investment 4 The average price for a Flames ticket is in the $90 range, depending on how far away from the ice you’re willing to sit. To their credit, the Flames have actually lowered overall prices significantly over the last few seasons, making this is much more affordable option for regular folks than in other locations, such as Edmonton. This is a hockey-first market where fans eat, sleep and breathe the Flames and will fork out big bucks to pay for the privilege of attending a game. But compared to the rest of the NHL, this is actually not an outrageous price to pay. Extras 4 There are a number of added extras when you come see the Scotiabank Saddledome. The walls of the building are lined with memorabilia, photos and trophies commemorating great teams and events from years past in the Calgary area. Wherever there is a space that doesn’t have a concession stand in it, you can find a display, assuming you can get to them through the crowds. Among those displays is an exhibit remembering the 1988 Winter Olympics, a wall dedicated to Calgary’s hockey heritage, plaques for the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, and so forth. A new addition is an entire wall dedicated to the recently-retired Jarome Iginla, arguably the best player to ever wear a Flames jersey. You’ll also find several locations of Flames Fan Attic for all your souvenir needs. The main location is just outside the main entrance on the west side, with a similarly sized location in the building on the east concourse and several smaller kiosks set up all around the building. Harvey The Hound keeps the kids amused in the stands during the game with his antics. Looking up into the south rafters, you’ll see the large row of banners earned by the Flames in their time in the NHL. If you’re seated in the upper bowl on the south end, you get a great, up-close look at those banners. The music played during stoppages in the action on the ice is a nice combination of current hits, classic rock, some country and some good ol’ fashioned stadium organ music which adds some nice flavour to the ‘Dome’s atmosphere. All the usual giveaways and contests that you might expect at a pro hockey game are mixed into the program during stoppages in the action. One other nice touch which is always good to see is that there are recycling bins located throughout the concourse so environmentally conscious fans can ensure their garbage doesn’t just wind up in a landfill. Final Thoughts Action at the Saddledome has created some fantastic memories over the years. Whether it was seeing the Flames pull off the dramatic overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the first round of the 1989 playoffs or the run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2004, tens of thousands of fans have had amazing experiences in this location. And although the Flames aren’t quite the dynasty they used to be in the late 80s and early 90s, going to the Saddledome to take in a Flames game is still always a good time.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Dover International Speedway 1131 N Dupont Hwy Dover, DE 19901 Dover International Speedway website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 95,500 Monster Racing Dover International Speedway (formerly Dover Downs International Speedway) opened in 1969. The track features one layout, a 1 mile (1.6 km) concrete oval, with 24° banking in the turns and 9° banking on the straights. The speedway is owned and operated by Dover Motorsports. It is a a multi-purpose facility, as it also hosts a harness race track in the speedway’s infield, as well as the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The harness horse racing is a .625-mile gravel track, while the NASCAR racing surface is a 1 mile concrete surface. The racing surface is known as being fast, tight and extremely brutal on cars and drivers. Dover Motorsports, Inc. is a company that also owns Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL, Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, TN and Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, TN. Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment is a separate company that owns the harness race track and the gaming facility, although they were all one company at one time. The track, nicknamed “The Monster Mile,” had its first race on July 6, 1969, when the Mason-Dixon 300, was won by Richard Petty. The most wins at the track were by Jimmie Johnson with 10, but Mark Martin has been the most consistent driver in track history with 24 Top 5 finishes and 33 Top 10s. Food & Beverage 5 The normal food stands within the race track are standard event food: hot dogs, burgers, chicken nuggets. And there are plenty of beer options. The prices are not super high, but not cheap enough to gorge yourself. But these stands do not tell the whole story. Around Victory Plaza and the whole fan experience area there are numerous food trucks and food tents offering a large variety of food options, often at great values. Grotto Pizza, the DelMarVa Peninsula’s famous pizza option has a truck selling pizzas by the slice. I have never personally cared for the offerings of Grotto, but the long lines will say that I am in the minority. If you do not like one option keep moving as there are quite a few others. Italian sausage is always a winner for me and the options are quite delicious. Dover International Speedway - Grotto Truck, Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey You can also bring your own food into the track. They have to be in a NASCAR approved cooler. Check with the track’s website pre-race to make sure what you try to bring in meets the requirements. Bringing in a personal 6-pack is tradition for a day of racing at Dover. Atmosphere 5 NASCAR races are extremely loud. Did I say LOUD? Yes, they are loud, so bring good ear protection as you will need it. The seating areas are not especially exciting. Expect to be on large metal bleachers that sit far and high from the track. The amount of seating will astound you although there has been some lowering in numbers recently because of some dips in attendance. The atmosphere surrounding race weekend is almost like no other. You will become immersed in a culture and event that you may have never witnessed before. Fans love their drivers and their car manufacturers. The fervor is amazing. Check the track’s website as there are pre-race concerts, events and autograph sessions galore. The Fan experience area has interactive booths and demonstrations from various vendors and sponsors. Expect to be offered free barbecue ribs from one booth while being offered chewing tobacco at the next. It is like a state fair on some kind of weird steroids. Make sure to soak in this atmosphere as this is just as important as the race to many fans. The speedway’s mascot is called “Miles the Monster.” Miles is featured on the winner’s trophy, the track’s tickets, memorabilia, website, and his own 46-foot Monster Monument in Victory Plaza. Neighborhood 3 There is no real neighborhood per se around the speedway. Dover Speedway sits off the very busy DuPont Highway. The area is good if you need food and sustenance before or after the game. Legendary local chain Grotto Pizza has a sports bar located across the street at 1159 N DuPont Highway. They have never been a favorite of mine but fans of them will flock there. Other great choices include Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on Gateway S Blvd, Restaurant 55 at 2461 S State St, La Tolteca Restaurant at 859 N Dupont Hwy and 33 West Ale House & Grill at 33 W Loockerman Street. The Fire and Ice Bar at Dover Downs Casino is another choice for a drink after the game. Fans 5 NASCAR fans take their love to whole new levels of passion. Nearly every fan will wear and support their favorite driver or drivers. If not a specific driver, then expect to see Ford, Chevy or Toyota emblazoned wears. That passion is evident the moment you even get close to the town of Dover. Access 4 The speedway is right off of a major road in DuPont Highway. A toll road, Route 1, which takes you most of the way north to Wilmington, is also nearby. Dover is about a one-and-a-half-hour trip from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and at least two hours from Washington DC. It seems close by on a map but is isolated at the center of the Delmarva Peninsula. If venturing to a shore destination such as Ocean City, Maryland or Rehoboth, Delaware, then Dover may make a quick, enjoyable stop, but as a destination it is not the easiest location to travel to. There may also be tolls unless you are already on the eastern shore or Delmarva region. If travelling from the DC and Annapolis area you will have to pay tolls across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If going around the top of the bay from Baltimore, you will have to pay very hefty tolls on either Route 40 or I-95. And coming from Norfolk you will need to pay for the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Parking can be pricey depending on where you decide to park. I usually opt for parking at nearby Delaware State University since parking fees go to whatever college organization is running the process. There are also shuttle options from around the Dover area, as well as from Wilmington. Please check the Dover website for specifics on those options. Return on Investment 4 Prices are not cheap. There are a variety of ticketing and package options. But expect to pay more than you would to attend even an NFL game. And many fans pay for whole weekend packages, plus accommodations, etc. So, although the NASCAR race is not cheap, the value is still very high. It is a BIG event and you must go in expecting to pay BIG prices. It is still very fair for the value extracted. Extras 5 Miles the Monster, and his large statue is such a destination and meeting spot that it is one of the best things the track has done. It sets the tone for the fan experience and Victory Plaza areas outside the track. The fan experience area, near Miles, is also quite an experience. It is fun to wander around here and see what the various sponsors of the sport are trying to give out and sell. There is a great kids area, although you will have to register ahead of time for that area. The Monster Bridge is a seating area that is 29 feet above the track at the entrance to Turn 3. Only seating 56 seats, if one can arrange to sit in these seats they will have a view and experience of the track unlike no other. The seats are not for sale and are used by track sponsors and partners, usually for contests and giveaways. Dover International Speedway - Monster Bridge, Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Check the schedule for autograph sessions. Usually Friday afternoon is a good time to see if one of the Sprint Cup drivers are signing and visiting with fans at one of their many sponsors. Check out the massive fan store tent where you can buy the goods from nearly every driver on both the Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series. Final Thoughts Dover is a highly accessible track that offers race fans, both serious and casual, a fun place to watch and experience stock car racing.

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Beldon Field 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Towson, MD 21286 Goucher Gophers website Beldon Field website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 1,000 Home Of The Gophers Goucher College is a former all-women’s college located in Towson, Maryland, a northern suburb of Baltimore. The college opened in 1885 as the Women’s College of Baltimore City changed its name to its current name in 1910 and went coed in 1986. Goucher moved to its present suburban location northeast of the county seat of Towson in Baltimore County in 1953. The college is named in honor of its founding member, John Goucher, and his wife, Mary Fisher Goucher. Goucher College is a private co-educational liberal arts college. It was originally affiliated with the Baltimore Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church but currently has no real church affiliation. The college has approximately 1,480 undergraduate students studying in 33 majors and 1,200 students studying in graduate programs. Notable alumni include Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps Margaret G. Kibben, Maryland State Delegate John A. Olszewski, Jr., and frequent John Waters actress Mary Vivian Pearce. Goucher athletic teams are known as the Gophers. The college competes in NCAA Division III as part of the Landmark Conference. Beldon Field opened in 2009. It is the home of men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and field hockey. This review is for the women's lacrosse team. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand at Beldon Field. Fans should make certain to eat before or after the game as this arena is not a good place for food concessions. Atmosphere 4 There is a pleasant, simple grandstand at Beldon Field. Additional seating is along the hills surrounding the venue. You will find a variety of seating options. The field is in a little bowl or meadow, and sound travels extremely well within the area. This creates a lovely little atmosphere so that even small crowds sound rather lively. Neighborhood 4 The Goucher College campus has been used for a few scenes in the Netflix series House of Cards, so expect to recognize the stone buildings from a few scenes there. Towson is a semi-urban environment with a large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are The Crease, Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana, and Zia’s. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Abbey Burger Bistro is one great choice. The beer selection is good, and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, which are all likely to satisfy. Fans 3 Most of the fans are friends and family of the players with a few scattered students attending. Access 4 Goucher is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a busy area and traffic can be bad at some times. The college itself is pretty and quite suburban. You will find plenty of parking close to the arena, although a night game may mean that parking could get tight at times. Return on Investment 5 The games are free to attend. So, although the level of play is quite low, the free parking and admission make this a fantastic value for sports fans. Extras 2 Goucher College has a little athletics hall of fame located in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena lobby. The pretty little campus is a nice extra in itself. Final Thoughts Beldon Field is a pretty basic, low-level sports field located in a nice suburban setting near Baltimore. It is not worth making a trip just for a Goucher Gophers game, but if you are in the area, you will enjoy the game for its low level of investment.