Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy Salinas, CA 93908 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca website SpeedTour Series Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 11,000 Thundering Engines in Monterey WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-famous speedway housed atop the high hills outside of Monterey, California. The speedway has hosted some of the world’s biggest racing stars over various racing series, and continues to be a fan and driver favorite as the years progress. Each spring, the SVRA and Trans Am SpeedTour weekend provides an early-season chance for fans to get up close to some of the best vintage racing in America. With multiple classes of cars taking to the speedway’s tight turns, fans have a lot of racing action to watch during the weekend. Also, thanks to a recent investment in the track’s infrastructure, fans can expect an even better product going forward.   Food & Beverage   3 Finding something to eat is easy to do at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as the track is home to various food vendors and beverage carts around the property – at nearly every vantage point there is something to eat. The majority of food selections are standard burgers, hot dogs, sausages, and a few salads. One of the most popular spots, however, is a small unassuming shiny Airstream sitting in the middle of the paddock – here fans can get all sorts of beverages, from fresh hot coffee to iced coffee, blended mochas, and smoothies. In addition, the little trailer also has various selections of desserts and sweets, including homemade cookies and brownies. The main concessions stand at the track features oak smoked tri-tip sandwiches ($19), burgers ($16), brisket sandwiches ($19), and more. Drinks range from $3 for bottled water and $4 for soda to as much as $6 for energy drinks and sparkling water. Alcoholic beverages are also available, with beer ($12-$14) and wine ($14) on the menu. Atmosphere   5 The weather in central California is almost always perfect. Rarely seeing the temperature rise higher than the low 80s on race day, the atmosphere at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is nearly all-but-guaranteed to be ideal. In addition, the facility is located on the top of the coastal hills outside Monterey, making it a perfect spot for a breezy afternoon. Large oak trees even line the track at various places, giving fans somewhere to hide from the sun if it does get warm. Additionally, fans can camp over the weekend at the track, as the property serves as a recreational park during weekends when there’s no racing. During SpeedTour weekend here, fans have the chance to watch vintage racing, Trans Am’s west coast series, and the Optima Batteries Search for the Ultimate Street Car competition. Neighborhood   5 Monterey is like much of the rest of coastal California; beautiful and relaxing. Boasting the weather and scenery of the Bay Area but with the small town feel of more inland locations, Monterey features a regional airport, numerous locations to stay, and a wide variety of places to eat. In addition, the world-famous Monterey Aquarium is just minutes from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as are Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row. The locals are kind and courteous, always willing to give you directions and recommendations on where to go. And no matter what time of year you are going, there is always some form of festival or celebration going on, such as Italian Fest, Jazz Fest, or Octoberfest. For great food, check out Gusto’s Handcrafted Pasta & Pizza, or Hula’s Island Grill. Hotels are plentiful, including the Hilton Garden Inn Monterey and Hotel Pacific. Sports fans can also catch games for Monterey Bay FC  as well as Cal State Monterey Bay  nearby. Fans   3 The fans in Monterey are big-time race fans, having flocked to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for years. They all know the best places to watch from, so asking for a little advice will be met with kind suggestions for the newbie race fan. They also know how to party, putting on some great cookouts overnight in the camping areas. And if you want help understanding what’s going on, you can ask anyone. While other races weekends here, such as IMSA  or IndyCar, may draw larger crowds than the SpeedTour event, the fans at that time nonetheless bring a respectable crowd. Access   3 Getting to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a bit of a difficult task, thanks in part to the traffic coming in and out of the canyon in which the track is located. While the route from either Salinas or Monterey is pretty straightforward, the roads are almost all one-lane thoroughfares, meaning one slow car can make traffic a nightmare. Additionally, getting up the side of the mountain once inside the track’s gates can be daunting to those who aren’t used to driving up steep inclines. Parking is plentiful and available at various locations on the property, with additional parking passes available for different parking lots. Once at the raceway, moving around is aided by various bridges across the track to get from the inside to the outside of the course; just be sure to bring your hiking shoes, as the hillside walks are pretty impressive. Recently renovated, the main bridge over the front straight connects fans from the paddock to the hillsides overlooking the straight, meaning fans who want to make their way from the infield to the main frontstretch grandstands can now easily access either side. Return on Investment   4 The track itself is very challenging, making for some of the most exciting and closest racing in the sport. The famed corkscrew complex is also world-famous for its difficulty, giving the best of drivers fits on race day. Combining the massive fan zone and the easy to see victory lane setup, SpeedTour Weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca offers a lot of up-close access that fans may not get at other racing events. Tickets are also generally affordable, and parking is plentiful and free for all ticket holders. Ticket prices start at $15 for presale and $25 at the gate for Friday only, $25 for presale and $35 at the gate for Saturday or Sunday only, and $40 for presale and $70 at the gate for a full-weekend pass. A family 4-pack is available for $120 online only, as is a two-pack for $70. General admission parking is included with your admission ticket. Extras   4 The corkscrew is the biggest draw here, and the hillside viewing at the track gives fans the best chance to view one of the most intimidating corners in all of racing. Spectators can also experience a great fan zone here at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, featuring numerous autograph sessions during race weekends. Something that is also different about WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is the hiking trails on site; walking up the hills to several of the viewing spots can be a workout unto itself. The weather also gives fans a beautiful backdrop from which to watch racing, as the typical morning fog in California creates a dramatic vista in the early hours.   Final Thoughts If you want to find a historically significant spot to watch racing that features brilliantly perfect weather conditions, a culturally vibrant city nearby, and the essence of thrilling action on track, you should look no further than WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The fans will welcome you with open arms, and the symphony of motors roaring through the mountains will fill your heart with joy – this is definitely a bucket-list track for true racing fans to visit.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse 645 Fieldhouse Way Lebanon, IN 46052 Lebanon Leprechauns website The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 2024 Capacity: 1,000 Leprechauns in Lebanon The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse is located in Lebanon, Indiana and is a 200,000 square foot athletic facility that is home to 8 basketball courts, 12 pickleball courts, a turf field, and pitching and hitting tunnels. It can be used for any kind of sport Under One Roof and was completed in 2024.  The fieldhouse is home to the Lebanon Leprechauns of The Basketball League, a minor basketball league with 33 teams across the country broken up into 7 divisions. It is said to be the third-best league of its kind after the NBA and the G-League in the country and has seen players sign contracts with professional leagues around the world, including Lindy Waters III of the Detroit Pistons. The Leprechauns began operations as a team in 2022 and played their home games at the Lebanon High School gymnasium. They developed a loyal following and featured heavy community involvement from game-day staff and local businesses. The club moved into The Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the 2025 season. Food & Beverage 4 The best part of playing in a state-of-the-art venue is an impressive two-window concession stand offering a variety of snacks and drinks to fans at every home game, including a high-tech cotton candy machine that is a fan favorite. That Concession Stand offers nachos, mozzarella sticks, jumbo pretzels, hot dogs, mini corndogs, fries, chicken tenders, and Chick-fil-A sandwiches. The sweet treats include brownies, candy, and Rice Krispie treats. There are also breakfast items such as french toast, sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches, Pop-Tarts, and muffins. All fountain sodas are Coke products. The cotton candy machine makes it the way you want it on site, During Leprechaun games there are two beers on taps by Lebanon’s own Klooz Brewz & Public House, offering a pilsner and Irish ale, along with wine, mimosas and High Noon can varieties. Each cell costs between $9 to $10 a serving. The cotton candy machine might be the most interesting food vendor in the building. Fans deposit $7 into the machine, and a robot makes the cotton candy to their liking on a stick. They can watch the process through the window and pick it up via the automatic doors. Atmosphere 4 The Leprechauns offer a well-polished game day atmosphere that is above and beyond many basketball teams of its kind in the state. It is not the typical opening of the doors to the arena and letting fans watch a game. A lot is going on, from in-game entertainment, to concessions, and kid-friendly engagement. The home court is sectioned in the fieldhouse with three bleachers that offer seating for around 1,000 fans. A large team banner hangs at one end while the players are introduced underneath a giant inflatable rainbow. After that, an in-house MC entertains fans from beginning to end, along with a team mascot and DJ Logo, the team’s official DJ. They add the sound and soul to the Leprechains in-game atmosphere and bring a lot of life to the building. Fans are encouraged to come onto the court and parade through the cheerleaders' pom-poms In between breaks of play, the kids come out and get involved in a variety of promotional activities that include a dizzy bat race, an inflatable bed race, music chairs, and a basketball race where kids dress up in leprechaun outfits. When that is not happening, the official dance team cheers at one end of the court and dances during breaks in the game. In the 4th quarter, they make up a Soul Train Line where all fans are encouraged to dance through their pom poms. The merchandise table is filled with team gear of t-shirts and jerseys, while an additional table offers key chains, stickers, glasses, koozies, and bottle openers. A VIP area offers food and beverages, plus court-side seats. There are also scheduled posters, and game day programs are free of charge. Neighborhood 3 The historic downtown area of Lebanon is a 2-mile drive from the fieldhouse. The town square area offers a collection of shops and restaurants that are worth checking out before or after the game if time permits. Klooz Brew Brewery and Public House features 7 taps, smash burgers, wraps, and mac and cheese varieties. The relaxed atmosphere is a fantastic spot for a beer or a cider. Four Finger Distillery offers bourbon neat or mixed in your favorite cocktail. Other options in the area include Taco Alibi, 1830 Chophouse, and Arni’s Pizza. Fans 3 The Leprechauns had their biggest crowd of the year during our visit and on a busy holiday weekend with many other sporting options to choose from.  The capacity was at 75 percent capacity, and many fans dressed in team gear. The game was close towards the end, and many received autographs from the players on the court at its conclusion. Access 4 The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse is off exit 139 on I-65 and 2 miles from downtown Lebanon. There is more than enough parking, and once inside the building, there is easy access to the seating bowl.  Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $15 for general admission and $30 for VIP seating, which includes food from Backroads BBQ and desserts. The price of merchandise includes t-shirts and polos for $20, hoodies for $35, and jerseys for $45. The concession prices are a tad high: beer is $9, soda is $5, and a hot dog is $7.  The prices are close to a Pacers or Fever game at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. However, that has nothing to do with the Leprechauns The Leprechauns have plenty of merchandise for fans to purchase at games. The food prices might be the only complaint since ticket prices and the value entertainment for kids are still worth coming out to a game during the months between March and May. Merchandise is affordable and free programs are always a plus at any sporting event these days.  Extras 4 There are many extras in attending a Leprechaun game, including polished entertainment during breaks in the game from an in-house MC, DJ, and a dance team. There are a lot of kids’ activities during time-outs that offer fun for the family. The merchandise is well-made and comes in many varieties, and the cotton candy machine is worth checking out during a visit to the building. Final Thoughts I was not expecting from my visit to the fieldhouse, but the Lebanon Leprechauns offer a fantastic alternative to the NBA and college basketball in the state of Indiana. It offers just about everything a fan would want at this level of hoops, and others of its kind should take note of their game-day operations.  ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Friedman Baseball Diamond at Parsons Field 178 Kent St Boston, MA 02446 Northeastern Huskies website Parsons Field website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 3,000 Baseball in the Shadows of Fenway Park   Older ballparks throughout New England boast “Babe Ruth played here” much in the same way that older hotels throughout the colonies boast “George Washington slept here.” It’s a badge of honor for any ballpark to have stood the test of time and to have witnessed the talents of one of baseball’s all-time greats.   Back in the early 20th century, it is rumored that the public playground known as “Kent Street Field” was often frequented by a young professional ballplayer by the name of George Herman Ruth. In the 1920s Northeastern University began using the park for their baseball, soccer and track teams. The school eventually purchased the lot from the YMCA’s Huntington Prep School in 1930. The university dedicated the field after former athlete, coach, and athletic director Edward S. Parsons in 1969, and renamed the baseball diamond the Friedman Diamond in 1988. Northeastern built the John “Tinker” Connolly seating pavilion and press box in 2015.   The ball field was originally configured with the baseball diamond at the east end of the football field (which would place home plate in what is now the right field corner). This setup placed the houses located just beyond the outfield fence at great risk, so when artificial turf was installed in 1972, home plate was moved to its present location.   The first team to represent Northeastern played in 1921, and early teams played their home games on the site of the old Huntington Avenue Grounds on campus. The Huskies began playing their games in Brookline in 1925. The Huskies have qualified for ten NCAA tournaments and made it to one College World Series, in 1966. Eleven Husky alumni have played in the major leagues. Food & Beverage 1   During Stadium Journey’s latest visit, a student was set up at a folding table hawking an assortment of candy bars, potato chips and bottled water. Hey, it’s not much, but it earns a point. In addition to the snacks, there were Northeastern ball caps and t-shirts available for purchase. Fans are welcome to bring their own snacks into Parsons Field to enjoy during the game. Fans who have their own water bottles can get a refill at the water fountain located at the Zabilsky Field House.   It's also not unusual to see fans tailgating in the small lot adjacent to the field, or to see an alumni group enjoying a nice spread out in the party area.   Atmosphere 3   You wouldn’t expect an over-the-top game day presentation here at a small, historic venue such as Parsons Field, and you won’t get one. What you do get is a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere that hits all the right notes.   Music plays between innings and batters over an excellent sound system. The PA announcer does his job without being too intrusive, and the fans, many of whom have a personal connection to the players on the field, are into the game. Great plays by both teams are met with applause and support. The old scoreboard, a relic from the football days of the facility, provides basic game information in an unusual setup.   Northeastern has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years, and while you don’t see a lot of support from the student body, those students who do show up make their presence known, and even try to bring some of the rowdiness over from the Dog House at Matthews Arena. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), it doesn’t fully translate to baseball. You can also expect a good turnout from local alumni and locals out to enjoy some of the best college baseball in the area.   There is a lot of activity going on around Parsons Field. A small grassy area behind the grandstand gives the kids some room to roam and is stocked with some tailgating games such as cornhole. A large sectioned-off area serves to house groups, and the schedule is dotted with promotions and theme days, a true rarity in this part of the country. Neighborhood 4     Parsons Field is located in the town of Brookline, which borders the city of Boston on the west.  Situated almost two miles from the Northeastern campus, Parsons Field is set in the Muddy River section of the Emerald Necklace in the shadows of some of Boston’s largest and most prestigious hospitals. While near a bustling area, Parsons Field itself is in a quiet residential neighborhood.   Fans will find little in the way of dining or lodging options within immediate walking distance of Parsons Field, but with all those hospitals, universities and even Fenway Park  close by, there are plenty of options for someone visiting for a Northeastern baseball game. The proximity of Fenway Park makes for an easy baseball doubleheader day during April and May, with plenty of time to explore the Kenmore neighborhood in between games.   Beyond the immediate neighborhood, Boston offers an almost endless variety of shops, restaurants, historic sites and things to do. It’s one of the country’s top tourist destinations for a reason.   Fans 2   A Northeastern baseball crowd can accurately be described as a “friends and family” type of crowd. You can expect to see between 100-250 fans per game at Parsons Field, although you may see a crowd of around 500 later in the season when the weather is nicer. Many of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the players on the field, and are therefore very much into the action and very supportive.   Since Parsons Field is located off campus, you won’t see very many students at a Husky baseball game. Some of the students that do show up try to continue the traditions of the infamous Dog House that rules the roost for hockey games at Matthews Arena, although on a scaled-back basis. Access 4     The city of Boston has a robust public transportation system, the MBTA, known locally as “The T.”  Visitors to Boston will be able to access the T to reach Parsons Field. The Green Line’s D-train Brookline Village stop is less than a half mile away. The 60 and 65 buses stop on Brookline and Aspinwall Avenues, about a quarter mile from the ball field.   While driving is not the best method for getting around Boston, fans who drive to Husky fans will find it fairly easy to park in the neighborhood around Parsons Field on the weekends. On-street parking is plentiful, and most amazing for Boston, FREE! If visiting for a weekday game, pay attention to the signs regarding parking restrictions. Northeastern has recently allowed more cars to park on-site, but space is still very limited, and the danger to your windshield is real. On-street parking is still the recommendation here.   The only entrance to Parsons Field is now on Kent Street, as the Harrison Street entrance is locked to allow for more parking. Seating in the Connolly Pavilion consists of both individual stadium seats and metal bleachers. The old football bleachers, which run from the right field foul pole to center field, are also open during baseball games. In addition, there is standing room available at several points around the field, including at the top of the seating pavilion.   Getting around the Parsons Field grounds is easy. Rest rooms are located in the Zabilsky Field House on the right field side of the facility. They are clean and large enough for a typical Husky baseball crowd.   Return on Investment 5   There is no charge for admission to a Northeastern baseball game. Parking is free both on-street and in the small lot at Parsons Field. You will not spend a cent going to a Husky game, unless you pick up a snack or a hat. Extras 3                                                                                                 The sense of history around Parsons Field earns an extra point. Displays honoring Huskies’ conference titles, tournament appearances, Beanpot championships, retired numbers and Husky alumni to reach the major leagues are located on the back side of the Connolly Pavilion and behind the bullpens in left field.   A husky statue is located in the front of the Zabilsky Field House. It’s a great spot for a photo opp while visiting Parsons Field.   Through the years Husky football, field hockey, track and women’s lacrosse have played at Parsons Field. Today the Northeastern men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as local high schools, play here. A few features around the facility remind fans that this field has been in use for over a century. The old scoreboard in left-center field and the football bleachers harken back to games of yore. The way multiple sports are accommodated here is quite impressive.   Final Thoughts   Parsons Field is a very interesting place to catch a college baseball game. It’s historic and modern at the same time. It’s big-time baseball in a small-time setting. It’s a quiet neighborhood ballpark just blocks from one of the busiest parts of Boston. Somehow here, at this sleepy little park in the shadows of Fenway Park, a regional baseball power has emerged.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Athletic Kulture Stadium 2100 Nursery Rd Midhurst, ON L0L 1X0 Barrie Baycats website Athletic Kulture Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 2,000 Vintage Baycats Editor's Note: The Baycats announced a three-year naming rights contract with local gym Athletic Kulture, to begin with the 2025 season. On the doorstep of Ontario’s Cottage Country, the City of Barrie lays claim to the seven-time Intercounty Baseball League Champion, Barrie Baycats. An expansion team in 2001, the Baycats stormed the IBL and dominated, winning six championships in a row from 2014 to 2019. Relatively young compared to the majority of clubs in the amateur baseball league in Ontario, the Baycats have fit right in with the rest of the teams and remain competitive into their twentieth season as part of the league. The home for the Baycats is located just outside of the city limits of Barrie in the town of Minesing at the Barrie Community Sports Complex. Vintage Throne Stadium is part of the complex and is a fairly simple stadium. Vintage Throne Barber Shop purchased the naming rights to the stadium in 2022. The Baycats consist mainly of players who work regular day jobs and commute into Barrie for baseball as well as some college players. The Barrie Baycats is a non-profit organization that is run by a Board of Directors. Checking out a Baycats game is a great way to spend a summer evening or weekend afternoon. Food 3 Concession items at the Barrie Baycats are decent. The lone concession stand offers favourites including hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, fries, and poutine. Chips, assorted candy, freezies, slushies, and pre-packaged ice cream treats are also available. Bottled water, Coca-Cola products, Gatorade, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate round out the beverage options. On the first base side of the stadium, in the right field, a beer tent sells a variety of beer from Muskoka Brewery among others. The Baycats also feature Baycats Brew in partnership with Collingwood Brewery. Atmosphere 2 Vintage Throne Stadium is part of the greater Barrie Community Sports Complex. The stadium itself, like many in the Intercounty Baseball League, is a fairly simple permanent structure with several semi-permanent bleachers. The main structure behind the home plate houses locker rooms, washrooms, concessions, and the press box. Light brown brick with blue trim and a red roof make the main structure fairly attractive. The seating area consists of the main bleachers behind the plate. Two sets of bleachers are on either side of the main bleachers and a few sets of portable bleachers can be found on either side down the lines. The stadium is surrounded by greenery and has a real Northern Ontario feel to it. The dimensions of the field are symmetrical with 325’ down each of the lines and 405’ to the deep centre. The fence contains plenty of advertising and lets visitors understand that the Baycats are truly a local team. A unique feature at Vintage Throne Stadium is the video board above the simple scoreboard beyond the right field. This feature does put Vintage Throne Stadium ahead of many of its IBL brethren. The Baycats lay claim to an astonishing seven league championships, however, there is nothing of note to share this information with fans on either the inside or outside of Vintage Throne Stadium. This is unfortunate. Some Intercounty League stadiums feature chain link fences behind the plate to protect fans from foul balls. This often provides obstructed views behind the plate. Vintage Throne Stadium features the mesh that is more prevalent in major and minor league parks that is far easier to see through. The gameday presentation at a Baycats game is fairly simple. The Baycats do broadcast games on the radio and YouTube and commentators are at the top of the bleachers, out with the fans. There are a few simple promotions and nothing too over the top. Music played between innings and before the game is a healthy mix of classic rock and country. Neighbourhood 2 Vintage Throne Stadium is part of the Barrie Community Sports Complex. The complex is quite large and features numerous other baseball and softball diamonds as well as other sports fields. The complex is on the edge of the limits of Minesing, which is a very small town. The car is going to be necessary to get anywhere. Fans wishing to find something to eat in Minesing should consider Cicco’s. However, the best bet is to head into Barrie and find a place for some food or drink. The Flying Monkeys Taproom, McReilly’s, and Pi are all good choices. Barrie is located right on the shores of Lake Simcoe and there are plenty of beaches within the city that are great in the summer. Fans who head west instead will hit Georgian Bay with more freshwater beaches. There are also plenty of fishing opportunities to the north. The Simcoe County Museum is the closest attraction to Vintage Throne Stadium. Sports in the area are limited to the winter season when the Barrie Colts take the ice at Sadlon Arena. Fans 2 Assessing fans in Intercounty Baseball is very difficult. Attendance figures for games are not normally published. Fans in Barrie are typically quiet. It seems that there are around 100 fans in attendance per game. The fans are a healthy mix of friends and family as well as die-hard regulars. It is fair to say that attendance at Baycats games is not out of line with other IBL clubs. Access 4 Getting to Vintage Throne Stadium is not very difficult by car. Located off Highway 26, on Nursery Road, northwest of Barrie and east of the town of Minesing. Traffic will not be an issue and there is plenty of free parking in the Barrie Community Sports Complex. The main hiccup for getting to Vintage Throne Stadium is that there is no public transit that gets to the sports complex from either Barrie or Minesing. This is not the biggest deal in the world, because getting to Barrie or Minesing is pretty much done by car also. Washrooms are found around the front of the stadium, on the outside, and are pretty small, however, they will do for the size of the crowd in Barrie. There is plenty of space around the ballpark and a variety of seating and standing options. However, bleachers are what fans can expect, unless they bring their chairs. Return on Investment 4 The Barrie Baycats, like the entire Intercounty Baseball League, is a very affordable endeavor. Regular-priced tickets are $10 and seniors can expect a $2 discount. Kids 12 and under are free. Parking is free and concession prices are very reasonable. The product on the field is solid and the production is pretty simple. Overall, a Barrie Baycats game is a great way to spend a summer evening or afternoon. Extras 3 An extra mark for the video board, a unique feature in Intercounty Baseball. An extra mark for the remarkable success the Baycats have enjoyed during their 20-year existence. An extra mark for the strong sense of community and non-profit nature of the Baycats. Final Thoughts Catching a Barrie Baycats game will not blow you away with the glitz and glamour. The ability to truly catch the sounds of the game and to go back to when baseball was simpler is a definite plus. With a very affordable experience, a Barrie Baycats game at Vintage Throne Stadium is a great way to pass a summer evening or afternoon on the doorstep of Cottage Country. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 .

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Dignity Health Arena 1001 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield, CA 93301 Bakersfield Condors website Dignity Health Arena website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 8,641 Depositing Fun at the Bank Editor's Note: The City of Bakersfield and Dignity Health announced that they were entering a naming rights agreement for the city's arena and convention center. The rebranding took place in March 2025. With an average of 273 days of sunshine annually, it’s tough to imagine anyone in Bakersfield spending an afternoon indoors, let alone with a large sheet of ice. Since the Condors of the ECHL flew into town, many Californians felt the weather was overrated in comparison to the excitement experienced inside Rabobank Arena. If you’ve been away from Bakersfield for a bit, both the names Rabobank Arena and the Condors may seem foreign to you. The arena opened as “Centennial Garden” and the team was formerly known as the Bakersfield Fog until 1998. The team was originally affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks , but began a partnership with the Minnesota Wild before the 2010-11 season. The 10,000 seat arena was constructed in 1998 at a cost of roughly $38 million. The naming rights were sold to Rabobank in 2005. The arena itself is owned by the city of Bakersfield. While hockey has been in club form since 1940, Bill Cosby has been roaming the earth since 1937 and was given the nod to open the arena on October 2, 1998 as the arena’s first performer. Editor’s Note: The venue name changed from Rabobank Arena to Mechanics Bank Arena after the two banking companies merged. Food & Beverage 4 On a Saturday afternoon in which the Condors were competing with the NFL playoffs for sports fan affection, I was pleased to see all of the concessions open and bustling. Some of the more common stadium fare included a hot dog ($4), nachos ($4.75), chicken buffalo ($6.50), chicken tender ($6.75), foot long corn dog ($4.50), fried chicken sandwich ($5), french fries ($3), garlic fries ($4), and kettle corn ($6). For those interested in Mexican fare, “Chili Peppers” offers a taco salad ($5.50), supreme nachos ($5.50), wild monster nachos ($9.75), chicken burrito ($4.75), taco plate ($4.50), fiesta fries ($4), chili cheese fries ($4), fried burrito ($2.75), or taquitos ($3.50). At “Franks A Lot,” the hot dog lover can get a foot long Chicago (chili dog or charro $7), foot long hot dog ($6.50), or frito boat ($2.75). Possibly named after the game the team was hosting this very year, the “All-Star Grill” had options such as cheeseburger ($5), pizza ($6.75 personal pie), big dog ($6.50), kicking chicken sandwich ($4.25), the cowboy burger ($6.50), kid’s meal ($3.50), ice cream cone ($4.25), or an ice cream cup ($4). The “City Deli” offers fare such as hot & cold turkey, ham, roast beef, and pastrami sandwiches ($6.50), green salad ($4.75), chicken Caesar salad ($5), peanuts ($3.25), candy ($3.50), or a chipper basket ($3). If the kids are clamoring for some of their favorite treats, try “The Kid’s Stop.” Cookies (2 for $2.50), large candy ($3.50), small candy ($2.50), pretzels ($2.75), chips ($2), churro ($2.50), and cracker jacks ($3) are all available. In beverage form, fans can have soda (kids $1.75, small $2, medium $3.50, large $4), bottled soda ($3.50), bottled water ($3.50), orange juice ($3.50), ICEE (medium $2.75 and large $3.50), or coffee ($2). Options for the older fans include bottled beer ($7), draft beer ($7.50), large Corona ($12), call drinks ($7.25), margarita ($8), or wine ($5.50). Some of the beer choices at the $7.50 size include Bud Light, Coors Light, Heinenken, New Castle, Modelo, Tecate, and Firestone (local). Atmosphere 4 The afternoon started out with one of the more exciting player introduction pieces that I’ve seen in all of sports. A video montage appeared on the scoreboard, the lights dimmed, and the fog machine started spraying. After the montage, fans heard AC/DC’s “Thunderstuck,” which I know is a bit aged, but few songs do a better job of pumping up the fans. Even better was that the fans were cheering “Con-Dors” in lieu of “Thun-der” as the word “Condors” appeared in white lettering on the LED ribbon surrounding the arena. Fans would then be treated to “Welcome to the Jungle” before the first drop of the puck. The Condors offer two mascots, Colonel Claw’d and Baby Cal. Both spent a significant amount of time up and down the aisles at the arena. I was particularly impressed by Baby Cal, perching on many of the railings during the game, although I would be curious if OSHA would be so impressed. The two spend an equal amount of time antagonizing the fans from Ontario . During the final two minutes of the first period, the “McMuffin Madness” was announced and all fans would receive a free McDonald’s egg mcmuffin if a goal was scored. It was a interesting sequence as all fans were on their feet, reacting to every play in hopes of a goal. During breaks, members of the staff rode around on the ice in a golf cart with a slingshot attached to the back. This would quickly bring the fans to their feet as that very slingshot was delivering t-shirts to a few in the arena. My favorite segment was the “Chuck-A-Puck” contest where fans purchased pucks that I assume were made of foam because at one point during the night a helmet was placed at center ice and all fans tossed their pucks towards the helmet in hopes of being closest for a prize. Again, I assume OSHA was not in attendance because I would imagine a few of these pucks would inadvertently fly in a direction not intended and cause some problems. The only part of the entertainment that I wasn’t very impressed with was the “mascot races” segment that was shown on the video scoreboard. It received relatively little crowd reaction and wasn’t much more than the mascots running around. They should take some notes from “Bango” of the Milwaukee Bucks on how to make these segments entertaining. Neighborhood 3 While Bakersfield is a bit away from some of the major markets in California, it is still the 11th largest city in the state and has a variety of entertainment to enjoy. Probably the most notable site is Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace. After 5 PM, you can get dinner as well as check out the sights on the facility. You’ll see the Bakersfield Arch, bronze statues of country greats such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Elvis, and some vivid colors on the exterior of the facility. While you are in town, you may also want to check out the Fox Theater, Bright House Networks Amphitheater, Red Mill Park, or the sculpture at the Cancer Survivors Plaza. As far as food goes, my first recommendation would be to go straight to the Padre Hotel. Beyond observing the beauty of this historic hotel, there are food options for every palate. The Belvedere is clearly for the upscale customers while Brimstone offers hardwood floors, billiards, music, televisions and pub food. The Prairie Fire, which is a second floor rooftop bar, has firepits, cabanas, and a warm breeze for patrons to enjoy. Also on site is a coffee shop known as Farmacy and a lounge called Prospect, offering small plates and great drinks. Another popular spot is the Wool Growers Restaurant, one of the many places to get Basque food in Bakersfield. Here, you’ll start with the bottomless soup, bean, and salsa before getting treated to some of the favorites including the oxtail stew or beef tongue. KC Steakhouse is another local favorite for the carnivores, offering live jazz and blue music while you enjoy your meal. If you’re looking for some Mexican food, the Mexicali Restaurant offers some of the best around. They offer dishes such as Mexican pizza, tostadas, chicken flautas, but everyone seems to love the margaritas best. Goose Loonies has become a popular spot as they offer framboise, a very enticing fruit beer for the patrons. Some of their more popular food dishes include the pitas/hummus, Santa Fe chicken salad, suicide wings, gyros, and falafels. Lastly, I should mention Mama Roomba as it’s a popular Caribbean-style restaurant in downtown. The locals caution to make reservations before arriving as seating is tough to come by. Some of the favorites here include the tri-tip with chimichurri sauce, calamari, sweet potato fries, and tortilla soup. Fans 3 The fans were engaged from the beginning, likely because the Southern California rivals were in town. While the cowbell has become a cliche in sports, the Condors fans had them in large numbers and used them tastefully throughout the contest. The player fights certainly received the most fan engagement. When a fight had ended there was a roaring applause often provoked by a Condors player as Offspring’s “Smash” played over the PA system. After every goal, fans would jump to their feet and participate in singing the “Hey song” as the team celebrated. When they were not celebrating goals, you could hear them chanting “Let’s Go Con-Dors!” As the clock counted down for the final moments, it appeared that all fans were on their feet to show their support. Access 4 While Bakersfield is not quickly accessed from the Los Angeles or San Francisco markets, it’s not far from Interstate 5 and easily accessed from Routes 99 and 58. The arena itself sits downtown, but I experienced little traffic congestion going to or coming from the game. When you enter the arena, you’ll be greeted by a sizable concourse (only one) that leads down to the lower level seating to a staircase to the upper levels. The upper level has horseshoe shaped seating, broken up by a wall that hangs banners. It seems that they could have opened up the arena here (where the wall is situated) and allowed fans a view from the concourse. The lower level encircles the ice and is broken up by the Budweiser 5-Hole Suite immediately behind one of the goals. The arena has 11 upper level suites on the east end above all other seating and 15 suites on the lower level that surround the ice. The scoreboard is 4-sided with a video screen in middle. Aside from that, simply the penalty tracker, score, shots on goal, timeouts, and time remaining are shown. A video ribbon also surrounds the arena above the first level. The parking is plentiful south of the arena for $5 and has easy in and out access. If you are willing to walk a bit, you can probably find some free spaces. Separating the arena from the parking is a group of railroad tracks. There is a footbridge that crosses over the tracks, but many of the trains that passed that day seem to go by quicker than it’s worth to climb the stairs to cross the bridge and climb down the opposite end. The venue offers six restrooms, but unfortunately most are rather small for a newer arena. While they seemed to handle this day’s crowd just fine, I would assume they would quickly backup during any concert. Return on Investment 4 The inexpensive parking coupled with the reasonable ticket prices make this a very sound investment. Upper level seats run for $8-$11 and lower level seats go for $16-$24. There are price tiers depending on the day of the game, with admission being up to $3 higher for Friday and Saturday games. Other offers include the “Tickets and Grub” promotion where fans get two tickets, two hot dogs, and two sodas for $25 (or two turkey sandwiches for $3 more). On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday games, fans can purchase a $25 ticket to the “Red Riot Zone.” This gets fans a lower level seat in section 101, a hat, banner, and t-shirt. Any of these offers can be a great value as the Condors seem to be one of the best attractions in town! Extras 5 Rabobank fares very well in terms of extras as there are many things to observe in and around the arena on gamedays. In front of the arena, fans will find Centennial Plaza. On warmer days, a fountain will spurt jets of water into the air for children to enjoy. If nothing else, it’s a great photo if you are able to catch the water in mid-air. Also found here is a stage, engraved bricks commemorating the city’s centennial (1998), artwork, and sculptures in a large fountain. In the concourse, fans can find a variety of items to keep them entertained. The Condors Kids Club offers a bouncing castle, prize wheel, and miniature hockey rink. Throughout the concourse, fans could fill out applications to win seats on the glass. This was open to all fans and when the winner was announced, he was shown on the video board. When you enter the main entrance, to your immediate left is a beautiful glass atrium with views of the outside plaza. If you need to get away from the game, it’s a great place to hangout and check out the weather outside. There is also an area known as “The Space Between,” which appears to be a small pub removed from the hustle of the concourse. Another great place to get away and have a drink! Before you cross the railroad tracks, look up and take a gander at the street sign. With a green background and white text like a normal street sign, you’ll see KOЯN Way, complete with the backwards “R.” The band “KOЯN” is from Bakersfield and their 2006 World Tour began at Rabobank Arena. You’ll also find a plaque in front with images of the band members. At one end of the arena, you’ll find a wall with the Condor logo and retired numbers from the franchise. The players shown here include Paul Willett (16), Paul Rosebush (17), Glen Mears (26), Jamie Cooke (28), Steve Dowhy (74). Fans can spend a few minutes or even a half hour perusing the Bob Elias Kern County Hall of Fame. This display, which stretches seemingly 100 feet, honors athletes from all sports that have made their mark in Bakersfield. Roughly 180 plaques with photos and commentary are on display. The west concourse pays homage to some of Kern County’s founders and famous contributors including Charles Napier, Caesar Chavez, Buck Owens, and Kevin Harvick. Rabobank Arena hosted the 2011 ECHL All-Star Classic. Final Thoughts While Bakersfield continues to grow, the Condors remain one of the top entertainment options in central California. For a very reasonable price, you can check out the Condors and even the Division I basketball Cal State Bakersfield in the same day. My recommendation would be to try and catch a game against their Southern California rival, the Ontario Reign , but surely any game will leave fans fulfilled.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Sudbury Community Arena 240 Elgin St. Sudbury, ON P3E 3N6 Sudbury Wolves website Sudbury Community Arena website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 4,640 Old. School. Hockey. Barn. 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. There is understandable excitement for the new arena by the locals, but it will be sad to see the Sudbury Arena close its doors to junior hockey for the last time. Simply put, the Sudbury Arena is an old-school hockey barn. Built in 1951, the Sudbury Community Arena, with emphasis on community, has been the host venue for the various iterations of the Sudbury Wolves for almost three-quarters of a century. The venue is owned by the City of Greater Sudbury and is truly a throwback arena to a previous era that is increasingly becoming lost in the OHL. Three distinct iterations of the Wolves have been around the mining town of Sudbury since World War I. The 1932 version brought the Memorial Cup home to Sudbury and the 1935 Wolves were runners-up. The current version of the Wolves have been members of the OHL since 1972 and is one of the mainstays of the league. The team was purchased by entrepreneur Dario Zulich from the Burgess Family in 2016. Although on-ice success has not been a consistent feature for the Wolves, it is one of the most unique hockey experiences that a fan could find and a must-see for all who love hockey. Food & Beverage 3 The culinary experience at the Sudbury Arena is pretty pedestrian. Regular arena options including hot dogs, popcorn, pizza, chicken fingers, fries, onion rings, and nachos dominate the menu and are joined by other, smaller snack items. There are a few concession stands both in the upper and lower concourses. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice in the arena and coffee and other hot drinks are also available. Molson Canadian and Coors Light are among the beer options available at most concession stands. In the upper concourse on the north side, fans may want to check out The Bar, which has an expanded menu of alcoholic beverages. Atmosphere 5 The Sudbury Community Arena, simply put, is an old-school hockey barn. Built in 1951, it is understandable that the people of Greater Sudbury are pining for a new arena. Concerts, other events, and revenue streams are not able to be maximized at the Sudbury Arena, however, it remains a shrine to hockey and a venue that will, soon enough, be lost to time. The exterior of the Sudbury Arena has a classic red brick entrance that is true to its age. The arena is guarded by a bronze statue of singer Stompin’ Tom Connors, author, and performer of the famous “Hockey Song.” One of Connors’ big hits was “Sudbury Saturday Night” which is the reason for the commissioning of the statue. Inside the doors, fans will enter the lobby where the box office is found with some glassed-in trophy cases housing various Sudbury hockey artifacts. Other Sudbury Wolves hockey artifacts can be found in trophy cases on the lower concourse. Up the stairs is the entrance to the arena that brings fans to the upper concourse, behind the seating bowl. Once the seating bowl is visible, fans are whisked away to a previous era. The structure of the building is old and majestic, with iron i-beams holding up the majestic hardwood roof. It is structured in a way that surprisingly does not impede the view from any of the seats or the TV cameras, as has been the case with venues of this era. The ice surface is oriented in an east-west direction with the north side offering that picture-perfect view of the centre-ice logo. The video board above centre-ice is outdated, with what looks like rear-projection video screens, and will most likely not be upgraded with a new venue on the horizon. The majority of banners hang on the east side, including the few division and conference titles earned by the Wolves over the years. Also, the 5 retired numbers of Rod Schutt, Randy Carlyle, Ron Duguay, Mike Foligno, and Dale Hunter. Nearly all of these players were local products who played for the Wolves and went on to play in the NHL. The north side of the arena, against the wall, shows a few banners that are very special for the Wolves. The 1932 Memorial Cup banner hangs proudly. Also, the Sudbury Wolves Ambassadors banner hangs proudly featuring Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen and Sportsnet broadcaster Rob Faulds. Both plied their craft doing play-by-play for the Wolves. Bowen also hails from the Greater Sudbury area. The southeast corner of the arena is where the most unique item in all hockey resides. In the rafters hangs a real taxidermy wolf. When Sudbury scores a goal, the wolf travels out over the ice towards the visiting team bench on a pulley system. It stops over the bench, shakes around a bit, and heads back to the southeast corner. There is nothing like this anywhere. It may be kitschy, but it is amazing. The rest of the gameday production is fairly straightforward. Pregame music takes a bit more of a country than most other spots. Once warmups proceed, it heads toward more modern rock and hip-hop. The Wolves mascot, Howler, is found around the arena interacting with the crowd and takes part in the pre-game, promotions, and the Timbits Mini-Game during the intermission. Also, currently, the Wolves are featuring a PA announcer who brings a little more energy than in most spots, almost to the point where a fan would confuse him with a monster truck announcer. Neighbourhood 3 The Sudbury Community Arena is located in Downtown Sudbury, directly north of the train station. There are a couple of spots around the arena that fans may want to stop to get a pre or post-game meal. Towne House Tavern, Wacky’s, and The Dog House are all within a few steps of Sudbury Arena. Fans who are looking for other sports may want to check out the Sudbury Five basketball team that also plays at the Sudbury Arena. Heading to Laurentian University for some Laurentian Voyageurs basketball at Ben Avery Gymnasium may also be a plan. The Sudbury Theatre Centre is a couple of blocks from the arena and may have something happening of interest. Otherwise, Science North or Dynamic Earth and the Big Nickel are the biggest tourist attractions of Greater Sudbury. The surrounding Northern Ontario areas are known for outdoor activities so finding a spot for some ice fishing or snowmobiling during the winter may be the best option for fans. For fans needing to stay in the area, the Best Western Downtown Sudbury and Radisson Hotel Sudbury are not far from the arena. Fans 3 At just over 4,600 spots for fans in the Sudbury Arena, it represents one of the smaller capacities in the OHL. The Wolves are consistently in the bottom third of the league in attendance. The reasons usually include apathy from the fans for numerous teams that were not very successful on the ice. The Wolves have not played in a modern Memorial Cup and have never won the OHL. They have only played in the OHL Finals once. There are also feelings among locals that it is time for a new arena. In the Covid-shortened 2021-22 season, the Wolves averaged under 2,000 fans per game. In a normal season, the Wolves usually average around 3,000 fans per game. It is fair to say a new arena will bring out the curious in the beginning, but it will be interesting if the move to a shiny new arena will provide the dividends that the old-school hockey barn does not. Access 4 Getting to the Sudbury Community Arena is not difficult, especially considering the relatively low attendance at games. Downtown Sudbury is pretty significantly north of the Trans-Canada Highway, the main artery to the south, east, and west. A fairly significant trek will need to be made through town. That being said, the traffic in Greater Sudbury flows at a decent clip and the city is not as congested as its bigger cousins to the south. Parking can be found immediately south by the train station or at a couple of other surfaces lots in the area. Fans wishing to get to the game via public transportation are in luck. The train station is right across the street from Sudbury Community Arena and the Via Rail can be caught there for out-of-town fans. There are also bus stops right on Elgin Street. Fans should check the GOVA website for fares, maps, and schedules. Traffic getting out of the Sudbury Arena can be a little congested for a very short period, but it is not terrible. Getting around the Sudbury Arena can be a bit of a challenge at times. The plethora of stairs, especially at the entrance, could prove to be a bit of a challenge for those who have mobility challenges. Washrooms are also found on the ground floor and can be a bit of a maze to get to. Both these issues would easily be solved in a new facility. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for the Sudbury Wolves run from $21 to $26 based on the area of the arena selected. There are discounts available for children and seniors also. Parking can be found for free on the weekends near the train station and concession prices are what is to be expected. The product on the ice and the environment that it is presented in is top-notch and well worth the dollars paid. With the lack of proximity and greater expense of the professional sport, the Sudbury Wolves and OHL offer great value and a great time. Extras 3 An extra mark for the history of the Wolves franchise and their classic home. An extra mark for the very unique taxidermy wolf in the rafters. An extra mark for the rabid Northern Ontario rivalries with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and North Bay Battalion. Final Thoughts It behooves hockey fans everywhere to roll into Greater Sudbury, Ontario, pass by Stompin’ Tom, and head into the Sudbury Community Arena to watch some excellent hockey in a classic venue. They don’t make them like this anymore and the opportunity to experience Wolves hockey at the Sudbury Arena is finite. Take a trip to the Old-School Hockey Barn and it won’t be regretted. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Mount Vernon Athletic Complex 2100 Foxhall Rd NW Washington, DC 20007 District Elite FC website Mount Vernon Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity : 500 Elite Soccer in the District District Elite FC is a semi-professional soccer team who joined the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in 2025. Their home games are played at the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex in Washington, D.C., on the Mount Vernon campus of George Washington University (this should not be confused with GW's main campus in Foggy Bottom.) During the academic year, the Vern is used for GW soccer and lacrosse , but over the summer, District Elite calls it home. The NPSL, together with the UPSL and the confusingly named USL League Two, comprise the fourth division of American soccer. They are the highest level that is not fully professional, and consist mostly of current college soccer players and recent graduates. The pay is structured in a way that allows current athletes to retain their amateur eligibility if they are competing in the NPSL over the summer. However, occasionally some aging former professional who just wants to continue playing somewhere will show up in the NPSL as well. Food & Beverage 2 There is no permanent concession stand at the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex, but District Elite FC partners with local food vendors to serve concessions at their home games. The exact selection may vary depending on when you visit. When Stadium Journey visited, a local vendor was serving wood-fired pizza. Only pizza. Nothing else, not even drinks. Other games may utilize different vendors, each of which has their own policy on accepting cash or credit cards, so bring both just to be safe. Atmosphere 2 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex has a rather unique seating layout. Assuming you are coming from the parking garage or walking in from off-campus, you will find some random chairs strewn about on a lawn across the street from the stadium. Some fans like to watch from here, or you can walk around to three rows of bleachers on the far side by West Hall. These bleachers can get cramped and there is really no aisle to speak of going across, so expect to have to walk across fans and get walked across yourself. There is a scoreboard on one end of the field which shows only the most basic information. There is really not much going on here besides the game itself. The PA announcer announces starting lineups and reads off advertisements for gameday sponsors, but does not do much else. He does not even announce goalscorers and card recipients. As the stadium has no lights, all District Elite FC games will finish during daytime hours. They will typically start at 5:30 or 6:00 PM and will be over by 7:30 or 8:00. This is great for families with small children, many of whom can be seen at a typical game. Neighborhood 4 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is located in Northwest Washington off Foxhall Road. Although there are several scenic parks and trails in the vicinity, as well as the German Embassy, your best bet for dining is to head elsewhere in the District. A seafood place and an Italian restaurant are located west of the Mount Vernon campus near the Potomac River, and some other places up MacArthur Boulevard, but most of your options will be closer to Downtown, not further. The Tenleytown and Georgetown neighborhoods are a short drive or Uber ride away and offer numerous dining and entertainment options. You can also head downtown and visit the many historic sites. monuments, and memorials along the National Mall. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 4 District Elite FC draws a couple hundred fans for a typical home game. They partner with local youth soccer programs, meaning many of those in attendance are youth soccer players themselves. Some come decked out in their very own District Elite gear. It is these young children who provide most of the energy from the crowd. While the adults are mostly silent, the kids love chanting and cheering on their team throughout the game, Being kids, they only know a couple of chants, so it can get pretty repetitive. At least some of these chants are creative, like combining "D.C." and "defense" while defending corner kicks to form "D.C.-fense". Access 3 Depending on how you are arriving, the Mount Vernon campus can either be significantly easier or significantly harder to get to than the main campus in Foggy Bottom. While it is not Metro-accessible, it is a lot easier to drive to this campus in outer Washington than it is to drive downtown to the main campus. There is a parking garage on campus right next to the stadium. Parking is free all day on weekends or for up to three hours on weekdays. It can get very pricey if staying for more than three hours on a weekday, starting at $16 for up to four hours and going up from there, so try to go on a weekend or time your visit accordingly. Since soccer games typically take no more than two hours, it should be easy to avoid the charge, and most games are played on weekends anyway. As noted above, the bleachers can be cramped and hard to get around. If this is a concern for you, you can sit in the chairs across the street and have a good view of the game, just arrive early so they aren’t all taken. Although there are no restrooms at the field itself, there are some in West Hall. Just take the stairs or elevator down a level and they are easy to get to. Unfortunately, this building is often locked and accessible only to GW students, and as District Elite plays during the summer, there will be very few of those around, if any. Return on Investment 3 Admission to District Elite FC games is $20, with children 12 and under getting in for $15. This is on the high end for the NPSL, but it certainly won't break the bank. Parking will probably end up being free, and concession prices will vary depending on the vendor but are typically not too expensive. Overall, a District Elite FC game is an average value - not the greatest ticket prices but not too expensive either. Extras 1 At halftime, District Elite FC invites all children 12 and under onto the field for a halftime scrimmage, something they greatly enjoy participating in. As is typical on youth soccer, a child's "age" is based on their year of birth rather than their birthday, so in 2025, all children born in 2013 or later can participate, while children born in 2012 cannot, even if they have not yet turned 13. Final Thoughts A trip to see a District Elite FC soccer match is a fun way for fans of all ages to spend a warm summer evening. Although the experience is not the fanciest one, District Elite has already built up a good following in their inaugural season, and we expect the matchday experience to continue to improve over the course of this season and beyond.

Photos Courtesy of Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Kuntz Stadium 1 502 West 16th Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 Indy AlleyCats website Kuntz Stadium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 5,257 The Cats are Back in Indy The Indianapolis Alleycats are charter members of the United Frisbee Association and play their home games at Kuntz Stadium. It was the former home when the team debuted in 2014. The venue was constructed in 1987 for the Pan American Games and has a seating capacity of 5,257 and is located a few miles north of downtown Indianapolis across the street from the Stadium Lofts.  The AlleyCats have spent the past few seasons indoors at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, but had been anticipating a move to Kuntz for almost two years. The move puts the team back in the heart of Indy and allows them to hold home playoff games instead of finding alternate sites, as Grand Park was occupied for the Indianapolis Colts training camp in August.  Kuntz Stadium is in the process of renovations through Riverside Sports Properties, LLC, to serve as a future home of USA Rugby and its four national teams, men’s and women’s 7s (Olympic program) and 15s (World Cup program). There are also plans to house a professional rugby team. The AlleyCats began operations in 2012 and were housed at Roncalli High School football field. In 2014, they relocated to Kuntz before returning to Roncalli in 2015. The Cats then spent 7 seasons at the Grand Park Sports Events Center before returning outdoors in 2025.  To the discerning eye, the sport of Ultimate Frisbee should be easy to follow, understandable, and enjoyable to watch, and to its burgeoning fan base of supporters, the next big step in spreading the game to further regions of North America.  Food & Beverage 4  The concessions at Kuntz have improved since our first AlleyCats review more than a decade ago. The stand is well stocked with food and beverages that hope to satisfy the hungry and thirsty fans who come to home games during the season. All-beef hot dogs and burgers, veggie burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, nachos, pretzels, pulled pork sandwiches, candy, chips and salsa are available. There are also specials that include pulled pork and chicken nachos and walking tacos with ground beef. Pepsi products are served at the game. The alcoholic specials include over 20 varieties of canned drinks, including local favorites and national mainstays. Bud Light, Michelob Light, and Goose Island IPA are offered, along with local breweries Full Day Ray and Guggman Haus cans. The seltzers and mixed cocktails take precedence over the beer with 13 canned varieties, including cucumber lime, black cherry, kiwi lime, blueberry watermelon, and spicy pineapple. There are also a variety of seltzer slushies made at the stadium. Atmosphere 3  It is a low-key type of atmosphere and the supporters in the stands are here to watch the game on the field. There are dozens of folks wearing one of the many licensed men's and women's team products from official game day jerseys, sweaters, hoodies, and ball caps. There is an impressive array of team paraphernalia that is located on a table near the entrance of the stands. Fans can purchase pennants, discs, and horns all in the colors of green and black. There are not a lot of promotions on the field and if you are a fan of watching the game with friends, you will be pleased with the lack of high-pitched and overhyped gimmicks to sell a sponsorship that exists in minor league baseball or 2nd or 3rd division soccer.  The sounds of crashing balls to sell a glass repair shop and sponsored portions of the game are replaced with fan interaction and hand clapping for offensive and defensive plays on the grass field. Here, it is the fans who create the sound effects of the game. As for the game itself, it is engaging to watch from the stands. It is a 7-7 game that features elements of football, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. The quick passing, diving catches, block shots, and the climax of scoring a goal are all paramount on the field which is the only one in the league that does not feature a gridiron layout.  The game flows effortlessly, the passes are crisp, the scoring is high, and the reaction from the fans is genuine. If you are in search of a crowd that is into the game and nothing else, you may have found nirvana here in the league. The team employs Frizbee, a white tiger mascot who waves the green and white checkered flag after every goal. The team offers fans to come out onto the field to wave the flag or the giant I flag after every goal.  Neighborhood 3  Kuntz Stadium is in one of those areas of town that are evolving from industrial blithe to hip, urban renewal. The old minor league ballpark has transformed into a series of lofts, and down the block towards the IUPUI campus are a series of new apartment buildings, bars, and restaurants. However, the best bet is to drive or Uber to downtown or Mass Ave for nightlife entertainment or a bite to eat. Mass Ave. is also home to the Bottlework District, the city's newest attraction. The Garage houses multiple food and drink vendors, offering an array of culinary treasures. Downtown Indy is also safe, clean, and easy to get around by car, foot, or mass transit. Local museums include The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the Indiana State Museum, and the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The riverwalk canal is a great spot for a stroll on a warm spring day. F ans 3 The Cats draw a nice-sized crowd to home games, but they were quiet for most of the game and drawn out by the visiting Detroit fans. Nevertheless, the loudest cheers were at the end of the game when the Cats pulled out the hard-fought victory. A group waves the green and white checkered flag from the stands, and others cheer loudly after defensive stops. Not seen during the game was the hanging of the D signs, similar to a K sign in baseball, after every defensive turnover.  Access 4  The stadium is located on 16th Street, a few miles west of Meridian Street close to downtown Indianapolis. The best way to approach the game from the interstate would be south from I-70. It is not a direct route from the interstates and there are not any signs to direct patrons to the game, but look for the old baseball lights from the Bush Stadium Lofts and you will get here quick and easy. Another great feature is that parking is ample and is free. Return on Investment 3  The price of a ticket is $15, and preferred parking is $10 in front of the stadium. They must be purchased before the game, as the stadium is cashless. Concessions and merchandise can be purchased via credit cards. The cost of a beer is $7 for a domestic can of Bud Light and $8 for a local craft beer. A hot dog is $7, and chicken nachos are $14. Merchandise is handsomely priced and comes in a variety for men and women. Extras 2  The AlleyCats earn a point for the variety of food and beverage at the concession stand. The team garners a second point for the opportunity for fans to wave the green and white checkered flag. Final Thoughts It is a pure treat to watch a game of ultimate since it has everything the avid sports watcher is looking for. High scores, quick and short passes, turnovers, close plays, and various highlights of men jumping towards the heavens to pull down a disc for a score. During the spring and summer time, it may be the best distraction from baseball, basketball, soccer, and indoor football. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 4790 W 16th St Indianapolis, IN 46222 Indianapolis Motor Speedway website Indianapolis 500 website Year Opened: 1909 Capacity: 257,325 The Greatest Spectacle in Racing The Indianapolis 500 might be the most famous race here in the United States and perhaps on the planet. The annual race takes place the Sunday before Memorial Day and attracts an international audience to the city of Indianapolis. Record numbers of fans flock to the 2.5-mile oval track and create an atmosphere that many will talk about for the rest of their lives. The annual numbers produce crowds of close to 250,000. The Indy 500 is considered the crown jewel of the Indy Car season and has become an American tradition. The weeks leading up to the race include various events including Pole Day, Bump Day, Fast Friday, and Post-qualifying practice at the Brickyard. Carb Day, sponsored by Miller Lite, features live music concerts on the last day of practice for the drivers and takes place on Friday; it’s considered the biggest event at the track before the race. Other events away from the track include the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and IPL 500 Festival Parade downtown. The complex was built in 1909 as a gravel and tar track that hosted a selection of small events. These events would attract large numbers from anywhere from 15,000 to 40,000 and by the next season, $155,000 was spent to repave the track with 3.2 million bricks, each weighing 9.5 pounds, in 63 days. A 2-foot by 9-inch concrete wall around its perimeter was also added before the start of the season. On Memorial Day (known as Declaration Day from 1868-1967) 1910 the first events on the updated track drew an outstanding 60,000 spectators to the track. Crowd sizes would thin out throughout the season at the track and the decision was made to focus on a single, large-scale event that would soon attract the attention of both American and European racing teams and manufacturers. On Tuesday, May 30, 1911, the first Indianapolis 500 was staged and won by Ray Harroun who came out of retirement and capture the $25,000 purse in his Marmon Wasp. Since that day, the Indianapolis 500 has been held annually except from 1917 to 1918 and 1942 and 1945 due to World War I and II. The brick track would be eventually paved with asphalt except for a middle portion of the front straightaway by 1938. According to its website, in October 1961, the remaining bricks on the front straightaway were covered with asphalt. A 36-inch strip of the original bricks was kept intact at the start/finish line, where it remains today as the fabled Yard of Bricks. Food & Beverage 4 The carnival-like atmosphere produces similar food products, including the traditional giant turkey legs, which sell close to 1,000 the weekend of the race, followed by the giant breaded tenderloin sandwich, which can feed up to three people. Others prefer the basic track burger, but there are still copious amounts of racetrack foods to satisfy the masses who embark upon it every year. There are pork skewers, Italian and Polish sausages, grilled pork chops, giant fried chicken fingers on a stick, and pulled pork sandwiches. If you are a traditionalist, there are hot dogs — over 27,000 served at last year’s event — and an assortment of beer and cola options. A few newer beer options include Hinchtown Hammerdown pilsner released by local Flat 12 and Race Day Lager brewed nearby at Daredevil Brewing Company. Several places on Georgetown Road offer a variety of food options, photo Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey New items for 2025 include pretzel brats with pale ale beer cheese, BBQ pork wheels, Buffalo totchos, King corn dogs fried in a four-onion corn breading, breakfast dogs, and pork belly potato chips: kettle-cooked chips with sweet chili sauce, Yum Yum sauce, green onion, and sesame slaw. For breakfast, fans can enjoy a breakfast burrito or dog, along with the local favorite of biscuits and gravy. In addition to the new concessions, the IMS features outside vendors. Abbiocca Pizzeria serves pizza by the slice, Mambo's Cheesesteak Grill, found at Fever and Pacers games, offers Latin-inspired fusion on the classic cheesesteak. Che Chor offers Argentine street food with empanadas and sandwiches. Fans are allowed to bring in their food, and beer including. You are allowed to bring in an 18 x 15 x 15-inch cooler to the race. Glass bottles are not allowed inside the track. Something else that should not be brought in is whole peanuts, they are considered bad luck at the 500. Atmosphere 5 The gates open the day of the race at 6 am with the traditional blasting of the cannons, if you happen to be there at this time you are smart, while others are fighting traffic into the area, you have the opportunity to enjoy many of the events inside the track before the race. This includes everything from possible celebrity sightings, museum tours, and plenty of shopping and eating. The IMS museum is open and features exhibits, cars, and plenty of memorabilia from the track's illustrious history. The midway offers more exhibits, plus virtual reality simulators and go-karts, and there are plenty of pre-race ceremonies that include the marching of the Borg-Warner Trophy to the bricks and red carpet arrivals. The weather is usually very hot this time of year so dress lightly, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water. IMS has set up five different cooling buses and 75 mist sprayers around the track for fans to gain some relief from the sun. There is a collection of events leading up to the race that includes the singing of the National Anthem, ‘America the Beautiful,” “Back Home Again in Indiana” followed by the command of “Drivers, start your engines.” This also includes the playing of “Taps,” hundreds of balloons sent off into the skies above, and a flyover by a U.S. military plane. Neighborhood 4 Main Street in Speedway has received a major facelift in the last few years resulting in multiple restaurants, breweries, and entertainment options. 1911 Grill offers 300 seats that overlook two indoor kart tracks offering American pub fare. It is owned by former IndyCar Series driver Sarah Fisher and her husband. Bourbon and Barbecue serve smoked Memphis-style brisket and pork over cherry, hickory, and oak while offering an impressive collection of fine bourbon. Big Woods and Daredevil Brewing are two local breweries that are popular among many locals. Big Woods originated out of Nashville, Indiana, and is known for their pulled pork nachos and Quaff ON! amber beer. Daredevil is a 10,000-square-foot taproom that produces German-style ales and lagers and American pale ale and IPA. Fans 4 The Indianapolis 500 attracts an estimated audience of around 230,000–highlighted by a sold-out crowd at the 100th annual race in 2016. The popularity has not waned locally as many have been attending the event since they can remember. The crowd is friendly, laid-back, and in great spirits. It would be hard to find a single person who is not welcoming to any visitor to the track on race day. Fans bring in coolers of food and beverages, photo courtesy of Justin Reyes. Access 3 The IMS track is the largest sporting venue in the world and getting around the track can be a hike for many, but then again there is so much to see and many enjoy staying in one spot once the race has begun. It is recommended to arrive several hours early to the track on race day to secure a spot. Also, lots at the speedway should be purchased well in advance to secure a spot. When exiting the track one has to have the patience of Jobe, because it will take some time to exit. Local police do an admiral job of directing traffic back onto 16th Street/Crawfordsville Road and towards I-465. One option is to take a shuttle bus from either the airport, IUPUI campus, or downtown for a $37 round trip. Return on Investment 5 The cost of a ticket to the race is as low as $35 leading up to the day before the race, it will cost $5 extra the day of the event. Other ticket options range from $60 to $135 for seats closer to certain turns and areas. When it comes to parking all interior and exterior lots are sold out years in advance, but the surrounding residents will gladly charge anywhere from $20-$30 (average) to park on their lawn, driveways, or even on the street in front of their houses. There may be a few homes that charge a bit more, but make sure you have cash. The Snake Pit is a concert line featuring popular EDM heavyweights who perform in the infield of the IMS oval during the race but it will cost $55 before the race to enter the concert area. However, it’s one heck of a good time and if you enjoy the blend of house, disco, hip-hop, and techno, this is the place to be on race day. The IMS website encourages fans to purchase tickets in advance to receive the best possible pricing. If you are planning on taking the race next year, you will save on many specials through the website. Extras 5 The Indy 500 has plenty of extras that include a list of traditions and pre-race events, unlike any other event in the country. The facility gets one point for the various activities that include the Midway, Parade of Bands, and shopping and food areas before the race. If you arrive at 6 am when the track opens, you get to take advantage before the crowd swells. The track gets a second point for the famous command of “Drivers, start your engines” which is usually said by a member of the Hulman-George family since 1955. For many years until recently, the command was “Gentleman, start your engines.” The world's largest drum makes an appearance at the Indy 500, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The third point is for the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” which has been a staple at the race since 1946. From 1972-2014 actor Jim Nabors sang the honors with the Purdue Marching Band, following his death, Chicago Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison has taken over the mantle. A fourth point for the traditions that include the winning driver drinking a bottle of milk at the victory lane first started in 1936 and revived again in 1954. There have been times when drivers did not drink milk, much to the chagrin of many in attendance. A fifth point is the excitement and ambiance that the 500 still provides each year; the event is the largest single-day event in the country and still attracts an impressive 200,000 fans for the race each year. Final Thoughts If you have an event that you can attend once in your life, the Indianapolis 500 is one of those events. The sights and sounds of this are spectacular and are something to revel in and it offers something for even the non-racing fan like me. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey If you are heading to the Indy 500 this Sunday and you are a first-timer. Here are a few reminders to take in a full day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The gates open at 6 am and include everything from the retail shops, food stands, and the Midway. This year’s race is sold out, and the earlier you arrive, the better spot you will find. There is a new retail shop at the Midway that is worth a visit with items not sold outside the track. Also, take note that the speedway is cashless. The traffic and parking can be a hassle. Passes for the areas around the IMS are sold out and the residents of Speedway will charge a price for the right to park on their lawn. Some could ask as much as $50 to have their car sit on their lawn, while others will negotiate the price. This might be the only part of your trip where you might want to have some cash on you, but I am sure the business-minded folks might accept cash apps as well.  If you can walk, then you can find parking for $10 in various lots from local churches to fraternal organizations (VFW, Knights of Columbus, or an American Legion post). The Amvets Post 99 at 2807 Merchants Drive is about a mile away and offers a free shuttle service. However, take the leisurely walk among the thousands of others to the race. You will see a collection of characters in great spirits that adds to the ambiance.  Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Fans are allowed to bring in food and drink in appropriate-sized coolers that are no bigger than 8” x 15” x 15’). You can bring in food of your choice aluminum cans of your favorite beverage, from soda pop to beer, and plastic bottles of ice-cold water. However, do not bring in glass bottles or containers or peanuts (they are considered bad luck at the track). It is advised also to have sunscreen, but temperatures are forecasted to be partly cloudy and 70 degrees. Once through the gates, look for your section and enjoy the next few hours of cars zipping by at over 200 miles per hour. The green flag will drop at 12:45 pm. Driver introductions take place at 11:47, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and “Back Home Again in Indiana”.  The Indianapolis 500 is quite the spectacle and one of those sporting events that should be seen in person at least once in a lifetime. There are many ways to enjoy it, but knowing a few tips will ensure maximum enjoyment.  ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Edgar F. Diedrich Memorial Field 1115 Broad Ripple Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Indiana Valor website Diedrich Field website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 1,500 Women's Tackle Football in Indiana The Indiana Valor is a women's professional football team that began operations in 2025. The Women's Football Alliance has 60 teams separated into three divisions: Pro, Division 2, and Division 3. The Valor plays in Division 2 and is owned by area race driver and author Kristian Aleixo, a war vet who named the team to honor the many veterans in the state. The Valor play at Edgar F. Diedrich Memorial Field which was the hope to the Broad Ripple High School football team from 1950-2018 when the school shut its door. The school is now home to Purdue Polytechnic High School and Broad Ripple Middle School. In 2024, synthetic turf was installed in the stadium as part of a $410 capital referendum plan approved by taxpayers. There have been two other women's football teams that have called Indianapolis home. They include the Indiana Speed (2002-2007, 2009-2011) and the Indy Crash (2011-2015). The Crash played a few games at the Broad Ripple field during its time in the league. Food & Beverage 2 All of the concessions are handled through the local restaurant Chet T's Chicken Express. The options include chicken tenders and bread chicken wings. The tenders come in either a 4 or 6-piece pack, while the wings are served in a 6 or 10-pack. They include a selection of sauces: BBQ, hot honey, Buffalo, and bourbon. The hot and tangy wings and tenders can be washed down with a Valor shake made exclusively for home games. The shake is a combination of vanilla ice cream with bananas, Oreo cookies, and chocolate syrup. The best part is that it costs $2.25 for a 12-ounce cup. The lines were long for Chef T's concession items and sold out before half-time, and there were no other items available that are common at football games, such as cola, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, or nachos. Since this is a school football fall, there are no alcoholic sales during games. However, the chicken tenders and wings are cooked almost to order, and the milkshake is a great price and made with fresh ingredients. Atmosphere 3 You will have an old-school football experience at the Valor game with most of the action taking place on the field. Dietrich Field looks like a typical high school football stadium with seating on both sides, a running track, and a small concession stand near the entrance. Fans line up to get inside the facility and make their way to their seats across the track. The stadium offers seating on both sides of the field, but only one side is open to the public. The other side is designated for the media and in-house DJ. However, there are more than enough bleacher seats for the fans in attendance who make the place come alive with chants, cheers, and plenty of signage to display. The DJ plays a selection of music plus the Valor eagle scream sound effect. A stadium MC announces first downs, big plays, and defensive stops and encourages fans to stand and cheer on third down.  What was missing were cheerleaders, an official team mascot, promotions during breaks in the action, and a few freebies being tossed into the crowd. However, the fanbase seemed pleased with the football action taking place on the field and perhaps that was all that was needed on the night. Neighborhood 4 The Valor plays in one of Indy’s hippest neighborhoods, mostly known for its nightlife on the weekends. Fans are within walking distance to a few popular eateries and bars worth visiting before or after the game.  Sit-down restaurants include Bazbeux Pizza, Kilroy’s Bar & Grill, Brother’s Bar and Grill, and Union Jack Pub. These are all popular spots, and each one offers a signature item. Kilroy’s is known for its pepperoni cheese sticks and Union Jack’s for its take on deep-dish pizza. Broad Ripple Brewpub is the state’s oldest brewery with 9 drafts and 2 cask ales. They also offer vegan options, plus bangers and mash, chicken schnitzel, and a scotch egg burger. The Vogue Theatre is home to live music acts along with tribute bands and special performances. The theater was built in 1938 and features its iconic marquee of neon lights. There are also a variety of local shops including Indy CD & Vinyl and The Shop Indy which sells vintage-style shirts of local sports teams. Fans 4 There are a large number of fans in attendance for the Valor first home game. It was not hard to spot many in team gear with the navy blue and gold colors. Fans could be heard with noisemakers, holding up signs, and cheering on their favorites on the gridiron. Many were family members, but quite a few others came out to show support. This also included members of the visiting Derby City Dynamite from Louisville who also had signage and a few vocal supporters in the grandstands. Access 2 The stadium does have parking, but it fills up about 20-30 before kickoff. There is plenty of free parking outside of the stadium on Compton Street. If that is filled up, then there are several streets in the residential neighborhood to find a parking space. There is a bit of a walk from the main entrance to the seating area which might not be easy for those with mobility issues. Return on Investment 3 The ticket price is $20 and can be purchased online through the  Sports Illustrated ticket website.  Most teams in the league charge between $15 and $20 for general admission tickets. The price of concessions is reasonable with milkshakes a bargain at $2.50. What was missing was team merchandise featuring the Valor sleek eagle design and colors. There was not a table for shirts, caps, or foam fingers. Extras 2 The Valor earns an extra point for the cost of its unique milkshake served at the game. The Valor earns a second point for its logo, including a stylish wing logo on its helmet. The team has a great navy, light blue, and gold look. Final Thoughts The Indiana Valor kicked off its season in 2025 and looks to be part of the Indianapolis sports scene for years. Their debut crowd was impressive, and there is a market for the club to succeed, but a little more has to be introduced: concessions, game day promotions, and branding on the team to get the word out to more fans in the area. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

The 2024-2025 season was full of change in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The NCAA eligibility rules were amended giving junior players the ability to play college hockey after playing in the CHL.  The result was an influx of talent from the Tier II Junior ranks; players who were attempting to remain NCAA eligible while still playing junior.  This also lead to plenty of speculation about expansion in the QMJHL to the USA with New Hampshire and Maine as potential targets.  The biggest news in the league was the confirmation that the Acadie-Bathurst Titan would be leaving New Brunswick and heading east to become the Newfoundland Regiment and call Mary Brown’s Centre in St. John’s their new home.  A return to Newfoundland is intriguing with a host of travel issues and the Regiment becoming the most isolated team in the entire CHL.  Just a few months previous, the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL had their membership in the league terminated, before the end of the season.  The 2024-25 season is also the QMJHL’s year to host the Memorial Cup, with Colisée Financière Sun Life, home of the Rimouski Océanic as the host venue and team. The Moncton Wildcats lead the way with 108 points on the season.  The Québec Remparts continued to dominate league attendance, drawing 9805 fans per game.  Rimouski’s Jonathan Fauchon led the league with 103 points, while Sam Oliver of the Drummondville Voltigeurs tallied 50 goals.  William Lacelle of Rimouski and Riley Mercer of Drummondville were the top goaltenders with a 2.38 GAA and 0.925 save percentage respectively.  The season culminated with the Moncton Wildcats and their new coach, legendary Canadian University coach Gardiner MacDougall winning their 3rd Gilles-COurteau Trophy as QMJHL Champions.  Both Moncton and Rimouski will be taking the ice in the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski. The annual QMJHL rankings at Stadium Journey are based on the FANFARE metric used on the website, where a number of different writers assess the hockey experience based on the categories of Food, Atmosphere, Neighbourhood, Fans, Access, Return on Investment and any extras that the writers experienced.  The stakes are high, with an average grading of 3.61 being earned out of a possible perfect 5.0. This list is just an amalgamation of a number of opinions, and may not be in agreement for all.  Please let Stadium Journey know your opinions on our various Social Media outlets.  How is your list different from ours?  What do we have right?  What do we have wrong? Without further ado, Stadium Journey is proud to present the 2024-2025 Rankings of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Experiences. 1. Centre Vidéotron - Québec Remparts - 4.43 Dave Cottenie - In 1995 the Québec Nordiques of the NHL moved from Québec City to Denver, Colorado.  The Avalanche would win the Stanley Cup in their first year in Colorado, adding salt to the wound of the Nordiques fans.  Hockey history is strong in the capital city of Québec and plans to bring the NHL back to town began to flourish. The first part of the plan involved the QMJHL.  In 1997 the Québec Remparts returned to the Colisée Pepsi, moving from Beauport. With hockey returning to Québec, the next part of the plan was up to the fans.  Fans came out to support the Remparts in droves providing attendance numbers unseen in the entire Canadian Hockey League, let alone the QMJHL.  With the ownership of hometown hero Patrick Roy for a number of years, the Remparts flourished. The current iteration of the Remparts is actually the second to call Québec City home. The original run went from 1969 to 1985 and the original Remparts eventually moved to Longueuil and then Verdun before folding in 1994. Both versions of the team have seen success with each version winning a Memorial Cup. The 1971 and 2006 Memorial Cup championship continued the winning tradition in Québec City.  The next part of the plan may be the most important.  With the support of current Remparts owner, communications giant Québecor, the city and province of Québec built a brand new, NHL ready facility in Centre Vidéotron. 2. Avenir Centre - Moncton Wildcats - 4.29 Dave Cottenie - The Wildcats were founded as the expansion Moncton Alpines in 1995 and played out of the Moncton Coliseum.  After one season they were purchased by local industrialist Robert Irving and renamed the Moncton Wildcats.  For the 2024-25 season, the Wildcats have lured USports hockey coaching legend Gardiner MacDougall to take the reins of the team.  Moncton has seen plenty of NHL alumni pass through including Corey Crawford, Brad Marchand and former coach Ted Nolan.  The WIldcats earned the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the QMJHL in 2006 and 2010. 3. Scotiabank Centre - Halifax Mooseheads - 4.14 Greg Johnston - The QMJHL has long been focused on the province of Quebec. In 1993, Moosehead Breweries Limited convinced the league that expansion into the Canadian Maritimes was a good idea. Among great concern and skepticism, the league awarded an expansion team to Halifax and the brewery. The 1994 season saw the birth of the Halifax Mooseheads, and hockey in Canada's East got a much needed shot in the arm.  The Mooseheads ironically were named after, and originally owned by a Saint John, New Brunswick brewery, which remains Canada's oldest independent brewery. Halifax is the biggest city in the Canadian maritimes, and therefore is the cultural centre of the East. Even though Halifax is not an overly large city, events at the Scotiabank Centre have that big event feel to them. Moose Country is front and centre in the Halifax sporting scene. The Scotiabank Centre, which is owned by the City of Halifax, and managed by Trade Centre Limited, offers a big event feel to it, and attracts the largest indoor events in the area. 4. Palais des Sports Leopold-Drolet - Sherbrooke Phoenix - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - In 2012 the Phoenix rose once again.  The folding of the Lewiston Maineiacs brought the opportunity for expansion once again in the QMJHL, and a return to the Quebec town of Sherbrooke. Famous for being the home of the Sher-Wood hockey stick company, Sherbrooke had a few opportunities in the QMJHL on previous occasions. Ironically enough, the Sherbrooke Castors left Quebec for the greener pastures of Lewiston, Maine. The original Castors were founded in 1969, and left Sherbrooke in 1982 and would eventually become the Rimouski Oceanic. The Castors would return to Sherbrooke in 1998, coming from Trois-Rivieres, and making that stop in Lewiston before finally rising back in Sherbrooke.  The group that brought hockey back to Sherbrooke was led by former NHL goaltender, and former Sherbrooke Faucon, Jocelyn Thibault. However, the new Phoenix would not be satisfied to play in the old Palais des Sports. The City of Sherbrooke and Government of Quebec agreed to a huge renovation of the Palais des Sports Leopold-Drolet. This old arena, named after the founder of Sher-Wood, is now one of the model arenas in the QMJHL, and an example of what can be done to modernize an aging arena. New paint gave a fresh face to the arena, and new luxury boxes gave a fresh source of revenue. 5. Centre Gervais Auto - Shawinigan Cataractes - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - When the QMJHL formed in 1969, one of its first franchises was the Shawinigan Bruins. Since then, almost everything about The Q has changed, with the exception of that team located between Montreal and Quebec City. What is now known as the Shawinigan Cataractes is the only original team from The Q to continuously run in the same city.  Known as the City of Energy for its production of hydro-electric power, the city of Shawinigan is also known as the home of Canada’s longest serving prime Minister, Jean Chretien, and legendary Montreal goaltender, and first goalie ever to wear a mask, Jacques Plante. The Cataractes have a long standing tradition with the city, formerly playing in the Arena Jacques-Plante.  In English, Cataractes literally means “waterfalls,” which is also a reference to the Shawinigan Falls, which is used to produce energy. The Cataractes were a community owned team, until 2007 when “Le Club de Hockey de Shawinigan Inc” was sold to a group of 15 investors. 6. Centre 200 - Cape Breton Eagles - 3.86 Greg Johnston - Centre 200 is named in honour of the 200th anniversary of the founding of Sydney. The arena opened in 1987, as the home of the Cape Breton Oilers of the American Hockey League (AHL). In their nine seasons in Sydney, the Oilers won the Calder Cup once (1993) before moving to Hamilton, Ontario; this was around the same time all AHL teams moved out of the Maritimes. That franchise is now the St. John’s Ice Caps. Hockey returned to Sydney when the Granby Predateurs moved prior to the 1997-98 season. The Screaming Eagles have won their division once and have reached the conference finals twice, but have not advanced further. Marc-Andre Fleury is celebrated as one of the greatest former Eagles players. His #29 jersey hangs in the rafters. 7. Centre Agnico Eagle - Val d’Or Foreurs - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - With a population of 31,000, the City of Val-d’Or is one of the smallest centres in the entire Canadian Hockey League.  However, the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL are a throwback experience and almost bring hockey back to a pure state. It took 16 long years for Junior Hockey at the highest level to be brought to the “Valley of Gold.”  However, it was in 1993 when local builder Jean-Claude Babin secured a QMJHL franchise that would be owned by local shareholders, including G4 Drilling CEO Daniel Gamache.  Earning President’s Cups as QMJHL Champions in 1998, 2001 and 2014, the Foreurs have had a fair amount of success. There have also been a number of NHL players who have worn the green and gold, including Anthony Martha, Antoine Bibeau, Kris Letang, Brad Marchand, J.P. Dumont, Steve Begin and Roberto Luongo. 8. Colisée Financière Sun Life - Rimouski Océanic - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - The Océanic are one of the rock solid franchises in the Québec Major Junior Hockey League.  They have won the President’s Cup as league champions in 2000, 2005 and 2015 and even won the penultimate Memorial Cup, as Canadian Hockey League Champions in 2000.  Rimouski has been home to such NHL stars as Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier and some guy named Sidney Crosby.  In 2009, Rimouski hosted the Memorial Cup tournament.  All of this since they moved near the Gaspé region of Québec in 1995.  The Rimouski Océanic were originally the Sherbrooke Castors in 1969.  In 1982 they moved to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.  The move to Rimouski was facilitated by former owner and furniture magnate Maurice Tanguay.  In 2016, Maurice would transfer his ownership stake to his grandson Alexandre at age 23.  The younger Tanguay has a prominent role in the day to day operations of the team, which provides one of the best experiences in the entire QMJHL. 9. Centre Georges-Vézina - Chicoutimi Saguenéens - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - At one point in time, each member league of the Canadian Hockey League had their own identity.  The QMJHL was known for being faster paced, with smaller players, more goal scoring and great goaltenders.  No team can be identified with great goaltenders in junior more than the Chicoutimi Saguenéens (sag-nay-en).  Chicoutimi would produce four goaltenders in a short period of time who would go on to play in the National Hockey League.  Jimmy Waite, Eric Fichaud, Marc Denis and Felix Potvin would have various degrees of NHL success, but it is unprecedented for one junior team to produce so many NHL goaltenders.  Chicoutimi has been one of the most stable franchises in the Q, having been around since 1973, and the link to the community is undeniable.  The translation of Saguenéens is literally “people from the Saguenay.”  Only the Gatineau (Hull) Olympiques and Shawinigan Cataractes have been in the same spot longer than the Saguenéens. 10. K.C. Irving Regional Centre - Acadie-Bathurst Titan - 3.71 Greg Johnston - RIP Acadie-Bathurst Titan.  Bonne chance à Terre-Neuve. 11. Centre Slush Puppie - Gatineau Olympiques - 3.57 Sean MacDonald -  The Gatineau Olympiques played at the venerable Robert Guertin Centre for 45-years, an aging rink whose time had passed. The city of Gatineau awarded the non-profit organization Vision Multisports Outaouais (VMSO) the contract for construction and management of a 4,000-seat arena, including three community ice rinks. The venue is now known as Centre Slush Puppie after naming rights were acquired by the maker of the “original non-carbonated frozen beverage treat enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.”  12. Aréna Glencore du Centre Dave-Keon - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - 3.57 Dave Cottenie - The horns, oh the horns!  They may not be the horns of justice or the horns of victory. They may only be made of plastic and cardboard, but the horns are a staple of Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon. Home for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, Aréna Glencore was built in 1951 and formerly named after the favorite son of the area and former Toronto Maple Leafs legend, Dave Keon.  The building is as old school as they come and totally fits the Northern Québec area.  However, if there is one thing that the hockey experience in this mining town of 41,000 should be known for, it is the horns the fans play throughout the game. 13. TD Station - Saint John Sea Dogs - 3.43 Dave Cottenie - The Saint John Sea Dogs were founded in 2005 as an expansion team to the QMJHL, now known as the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.  In 2011 they won their first Memorial Cup as Major Junior Champions across the Canadian Hockey League and in so doing, became the first Atlantic Canada team to achieve the feat.  The Sea Dogs would hang a Memorial Cup Championship again in 2022 as well as posting the curious moniker “City of Champions” in the arena.  It is undeniable that the Sea Dogs have enjoyed a great deal of success in New Brunswick, but does it warrant the self-proclaimed “City of Champions” title often used in reference to Edmonton, Alberta or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? 14. Centre Marcel-Dionne - Drummondville Voltigeurs - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - On the south shore of Quebec, nestled between Montreal and Quebec City, lies the city of Drummondville. With a modest population of 70,000, Drummondville captures the essence of Quebec hockey. The pride of Drummondville includes their junior hockey team, the Voltigueurs, and their favorite son, Marcel Dionne. Dionne was both infamous and the second most-famous Los Angeles King (behind only Wayne Gretzky), and arguably the player that gave the most to the franchise. As part of the Triple Crown Line, Dionne was a staple of the Kings, and regularly finds time to return to his hometown of Drummondville.  The Voltigeurs are the second incarnation of major junior hockey in Drummondville. An expansion team in 1982, the Voltigeurs are named after a Quebec-based regiment that fought the Americans in the War of 1812. They followed the original QMJHL team, the Drummondville Rangers, which played from 1969 to 1974.The Voltigeurs have enjoyed moderate success, making it to the Memorial Cup 3 times, and winning the President’s Trophy as the top team in the QMJHL in 2009. Their most famous alumni include NHL greats Steve Duschene and Daniel Briere. 15. Eastlink Centre - Charlottetown Islanders - 3.14 Greg Johnston - The Islanders franchise started out as the Montreal Rocket, named after legendary Montreal Canadien, Maurice “Rocket” Richard. In 2003, the QMJHL expanded outside Quebec, adding teams in several Maritime cities. With the Rockets experiencing financial woes, the team moved to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and became the PEI Rocket.  Excitement for the new team was evident; the first two seasons saw average attendance of well above 3,000 per game. However, the team struggled on and off the ice in the subsequent years. Attendance steadily decreased, managed only one playoff series win through the 2013 season, and was experiencing financial troubles once again. Charlottetown was in danger of losing its team until a local ownership group stepped in and bought the franchise in 2013.  The new ownership group re-branded the team with help from the fans. They sought a new team name that best represented the area and people of their city. In the end, fans voted for the “Islanders” as their team name by a large margin. The new brand has turned the tide of the junior hockey club as attendance figures are rising again. 16. Amphithéatre Gilbert-Perreault @ Colisée Desjardins - Victoriaville Tigres - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - The Victoriaville Tigres are one of those stalwart franchises of the QMJHL. They have been a part of the league since 1987, when they moved from the Montreal suburb of Longueuil, to the city known for producing the famous Victoriaville hockey sticks. The Tigres have gone on to see some success in the QMJHL, winning the President’s Cup in 2002 and making an appearance in the Memorial Cup. The Tigres have also produced a number of solid NHL hockey players including Mathieu Garon, Stephane Fiset, and Matthew Barnaby. Perhaps the most famous Tigre is also one of the biggest busts in NHL history, Alexandre Daigle, who was drafted first overall by the Ottawa Senators.  The Tigres play in the city owned Colisee Desjardins, an older arena which has had a few upgrades over the years. The inner arena is named the Amphitheatre Gilbert-Perreault, after the legendary, Victoriaville native, captain of the Buffalo Sabres. The Quebec bank, Desjardins, purchased the naming rights to the entire building. 17. Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - In 2005, the QMJHL expanded to St. John’s, Newfoundland. After a short tenure on the eastern-most tip of Canada, the Fog Devils moved to Verdun for a short life as the Montreal Junior. Now the Junior have found a new home in another Montreal suburb. For the 2011-12 season, QMJHL saw the birth of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. The Armada are now the only major junior team based in a Montreal suburb.  The Junior were purchased by a group of investors led by French-language sports channel RDS analyist, and former NHL player, Joel Bouchard. Bouchard’s group includes media company Quebecor, which owns 70% of the team, and NHL players Jean-Sebastian Giguere, Ian Laperriere, and Daniel Briere. Upon moving to the suburbs north of Montreal, they were renamed the Armada and moved into the new Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau. The arena is named after the Canadian hockey superstore named Pro Hockey Life in English, and was built and jointly owned by the municipalities of Blainville and Boisbriand. The Armada may have finally found their niche for junior hockey in Montreal. What they present is simple, yet inviting. Help Stadium Journey Out! Centre Henry-Leonard - Baie-Comeau Drakkar Coming soon! Mary Brown’s Centre - Newfoundland Regiment

The 2024-2025 season was full of change in the Western Hockey League. The biggest change came from the NCAA, where eligibility rules were amended giving junior players the ability to play college hockey after playing in the CHL.  The result was an influx of talent from the Tier II Junior ranks; players who were attempting to remain NCAA eligible while still playing junior.  Plenty of speculation about expansion and the failure of the popular BCHL (Tier II Junior A) was a buzz throughout the league.  Just before the playoffs, expansion was announced with the Penticton Vees taking the ice beginning in 2025 and an expansion team in Chilliwack the following year.   The Everett Silvertips were the top team in the regular season with 104 points. The biggest building in the WHL also saw the greatest attendance with the Edmonton Oil Kings leading the way, drawing 7,527 fans per game.  Andrew Cristall, who split time with the Kelowna Rockets and Spokane Chiefs, led the league with 132 points, while Shea Van Olm of the Chiefs edged Cristall by one to lead the league in goals with 49.  Silvertips goaltender Raiden LeGall led the way with a 2.17 GAA and 0.921 save percentage.  The season culminated with the Medicine Hat Tigers  winning their 6th Ed Chynoweth Cup  as Western Hockey League Champions and earning a berth in the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Québec. The annual WHL rankings at Stadium Journey are based on the FANFARE metric used on the website, where a number of different writers assess the hockey experience based on the categories of Food, Atmosphere, Neighbourhood, Fans, Access, Return on Investment and any extras that the writers experienced.  The stakes are high, with an average grading of 3.59 being earned out of a possible perfect 5.0.   Unfortunately, the Stadium Journey rankings are not quite complete and there are a few WHL teams we have yet to visit.  If you are interested in helping fill in some of the gaps, please contact Stadium Journey to inquire about becoming part of the writing team! At the present time, we are missing reviews for Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Spokane, Vancouver, Victoria and Wenatchee. This list is just an amalgamation of a number of opinions, and may not be in agreement for all.  Please let Stadium Journey know your opinions on our various Social Media outlets.  How is your list different from ours?  What do we have right?  What do we have wrong? Without further ado, Stadium Journey is proud to present the 2024-2025 Rankings of the Western Hockey League Experiences. 1. Centrium @ Westerner Park - Red Deer Rebels - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - Nestled almost exactly halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, the residents of Red Deer share a healthy split of allegiances between the two major Alberta cities’ NHL clubs.  Both the Oilers and Flames are well represented in Red Deer, however, when it comes to Junior Hockey, there is no question as to who is king. The Red Deer Rebels have been members of the Western Hockey League since 1992.  Founded by Terry and Wayne Simpson, the Rebels have seen quite a few future NHL players walk through the doors and also enjoyed some team successes. The ultimate team successes for the Rebels came in 2001 when the Rebels, led by future NHL players Jeff Woywitka and Colby Armstrong, saw Doug Lynch score the biggest goal in Rebels history, an overtime goal to defeat Val d’Or in the Memorial Cup Final. 2.Toyota Center - Tri-City Americans - 4.14 Andrew Kulyk - The Tri City Americans, representing the adjoining cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland in the State of Washington, are one of the flagship original franchises of the Western Hockey League. Its origins began in Calgary, before city hopping to several locations throughout British Columbia, with a 5-year stop in Billings, Montana along the way. They have been located in Tri Cities since 1988, and have played in the Toyota Center in the bedroom community of Kennewick since the arena opened that same year. The facility also doubles as a theatre, offering a season of Broadway musicals and other stage shows. 3. Art Hauser Centre - Prince Albert Raiders - 4.00 Jim Flannery - Playing at the Art Hauser Centre, the Prince Albert Raiders have been one of the more successful junior hockey teams in Saskatchewan. Between 1977-1982 the Raiders won four Tier II junior national championships in six years. After graduating up to the WHL for the 1982-83 season, the Raiders went on to win the Memorial Cup in 1985 as the top junior team in the country.  The Raiders have produced 72 players who have made it to the NHL, including Brad McCrimmon, James Patrick, Wes Walz and Mike Modano. And all of them have paid their dues in this little arena in this little city. 4. Rogers Place - Edmonton Oil Kings - 4.00 Jim Flannery - The Oil Kings returned to Edmonton for the 2007-08 season and have been have found an audience. Owned and operated by the Katz Group, which also owns the NHL’s Oilers, the Oil Kings are drawing good crowds, and winning consistently. The Oil Kings spent most of their history playing at what is currently known as Rexall Place (formerly Northlands Coliseum). But starting in the fall of 2016, the Oil Kings have relocated to the new downtown arena, called Rogers Place. It is the newest, most modern arena in hockey and without a doubt the premier place to watch the WHL. 5. VisitLethbridge.com Arena - Lethbridge Hurricanes - 3.86 Jim Flannery - VisitLethbridge.com Arena opened its doors in 1974, in anticipation of the 1975 Canada Winter Games. The Sportsplex (as it was then known) was designed for a multitude of purposes. The arena converts easily to a number of different applications for curling, concerts, hockey, basketball, banquets, etc.  The Lethbridge Hurricanes ice hockey began their history as the Winnipeg Jets in 1967 and have been in operation ever since. They changed their name twice while in Winnipeg before moving to Calgary and becoming the Wranglers in 1977. They remained in Calgary until 1987 when they relocated to Lethbridge and were renamed once again, becoming the Hurricanes, a name they have stuck with now for more than 30 years.  6. Temple Gardens Centre - Moose Jaw Warriors - 3.71 Jim Flannery - After a four-year stint in Winnipeg, the Western Hockey League’s Warriors moved to Moose Jaw in 1984. They played their games at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre, better known as the Crushed Can, for many years, but in 2011 the team moved to a brand new facility right downtown, known as Temple Gardens Centre.  The $61 million arena seats 4,465 people, which is the equivalent of about 13 percent of the entire city population when the place is full. In addition to the rink area, it also features an eight-sheet curling club, a banquet room, and other meeting rooms. It has played host to a number of major events, including the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and concerts by A-list performers like Alice Cooper and Carrie Underwood.  But the Moose Jaw Warriors are the centrepiece of entertainment in the building. 7. InnovationPlex - Swift Current Broncos - 3.71 Jim Flannery - In a small facility like the InnovationPlex, it doesn’t take a lot of people to get the energy up in the place. A couple thousand people, many with cowbells, can get the place rocking in no time at all.  With the game viewable from standing room in the main lobby right at ice level, audience members downstairs almost feel like they’re right in the game, just inches from the play. And even the worst seats in the main viewing bowl are only 11 rows back from the ice, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house. 8. Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Portland Winterhawks - 3.57 Paul Hilchen - Portland hockey dates back to the 1910’s with the Portland Rosebuds. The most recent team not named the Winterhawks was the Buckaroos, who played in the Coliseum from 1960-1975.  The franchise has had much success during their tenure in the Rose City, including winning the 1998 Memorial Cup, and a current run of back to back to back to back Western Conference championships.  Memorial Coliseum is on the National Register of Historic Places due to its architecture and glass walls that adorn the outside of the building. Some within Portland have questioned the practicality of having two buildings side by side that serve exactly the same purpose, while others have outwardly called for its demolition so a baseball stadium could be built on the site. Whatever side of the spectrum one finds themselves on, no one can deny the fact that the building has a great amount of history and character. 9. Co-Op Place - Medicine Hat Tigers - 3.57 Jim Flannery - Until the fall of 2015, the Medicine Hat Tigers spent the entire history of their franchise playing in the Medicine Hat Arena, located just east of the city’s downtown core. The Tigers relocated to a brand new arena at the start of the 2015-16 season; after 45 seasons in the Arena, it was time to move into a more modern facility. Originally called Canalta Centre, it was specifically designed to Memorial Cup specifications in the hopes of luring the CHL championship to Medicine Hat in the near future.  Now called Co-op Place, it has room for 3,000 more fans than Medicine Hat Arena did, includes 22 luxury suites, 350 club seats on the south side between the blue lines, a lounge, and state of the art technology throughout. 10. SaskTel Centre - Saskatoon Blades - 3.43 Andrew Kulyk - True story. Back in 1983, a Saskatoon-based investment group put together a deal to buy the NHL St. Louis Blues and move them to Saskatoon, a city that was off the grid for most hockey fans. Plans were put in place for a new arena to replace a dated historic downtown venue that had served the city well. Front office staffers were hired, and moving plans were put in place. And then it all derailed when the NHL Board of Governors refused to support the move. Lawsuits went flying from all sides, and in the end the Blues stayed put in St. Louis.  Out of the disappointment of that debacle came a gleaming new arena and showplace for hockey in Saskatoon, an arena initially dubbed Saskatchewan Place. Fans who liked the old and creaky downtown barn weren’t happy with the move. But with numerous renovations, expansions, and now a showplace for some major events, the arena is now embraced within the community. 11. Angel of the Winds Arena - Everett Silvertips - 3.43 Dennis Morrell - Angel of the Winds Arena is nestled in the heart of downtown at 2000 Hewitt Avenue, the north edge of the block bordered by Oakes Avenue to the west and Broadway to the east. The corner of Hewitt and Oakes provides the facility’s most grand entrance. It is arguably the epicenter of activity in this quaint community.  From the outside, the building does not look like much, but get inside and it has some character. It is intimate with sections close together and built nearly on top of the ice instead of spread back. 12. Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Hitmen - 3.43 Jim Flannery - The Calgary Hitmen entered the Western Hockey League in 1995, filling the junior hockey gap in Calgary caused by the departure of the Calgary Wranglers in 1987. Named after wrestling legend and team co-founder Brett “The Hitman” Hart, the Hitmen have gone on to enjoy a great deal of success, earning the best record in the WHL four times, and going all the way to the Memorial Cup twice.  The Scotiabank Saddledome opened its doors in 1983 and is among the busiest arenas in the country as it is also the home of the Calgary Flames, Calgary Roughnecks and AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. 13. Brandt Centre - Regina Pats - 3.14 Andrew Kulyk - The Brandt Centre is a hockey arena located in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan. Opened in 1977, its primary tenant is the Regina Pats, a junior hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The arena is part of a larger interconnected complex called Evraz Place, which offers exhibit space, curling venues and other public facilities. 14. accesso ShoWare Centre - Seattle Thunderbirds - 2.86 Josh Eastern - The Seattle Thunderbirds are a junior hockey league team that plays in the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League. They play in the ShoWare Center located in Kent, WA which is about 30 minutes south of Seattle. It was opened in January of 2009. The Thunderbirds played at Mercer Arena before moving to Key Arena. In 2009, the T-Birds moved south to the ShoWare Center. It is a multi-purpose arena that is mostly used for hockey. It is a great setting for hockey. 15. Westoba Place @ Keystone Centre - Brandon Wheat Kings - 2.86 Andrew Kulyk - Home for the Brandon Wheat Kings is Westoba Place, a 6,000 seat arena built as part of a larger convention/exhibition complex called Keystone Centre.  It was built in 1972 and has undergone numerous renovations.  The franchise is the easternmost franchise in the Western Hockey League and ranks in the upper end of attendance in the league.

The 2024-2025 season was full of change in the Ontario Hockey League.  It began with the relocation of the Mississauga Steelheads to the other side of the highway to Brampton.  It continued with the sale of the Brantford Bulldogs and the hope of a new arena in the future as well as the Bulldogs signing on long term to remain in the telephone city.  However, the biggest change came from the NCAA, where eligibility rules were amended giving junior players the ability to play college hockey after playing in the CHL.  The result was an influx of talent from the Tier II Junior ranks; players who were attempting to remain NCAA eligible while still playing junior. The London Knights were once again dominant, with a league leading 112 points during the regular season.  They also lead the league in attendance once again, drawing 9,060 fans per game.  Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit lead the league with 134 points while Nick Lardis of Brantford tallied 71 goals for the top spot.  London’s Austin Elliot backstopped his way to a 2.10 GAA and .924 save percentage, best in the league.  The season culminated with the London Knights winning their 6th J. Ross Robertson Cup as Ontario Hockey League Champions, 2nd in a row,, and earning a berth in the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Québec. The annual OHL rankings at Stadium Journey are based on the FANFARE metric used on the website, where a number of different writers assess the hockey experience based on the categories of Food, Atmosphere, Neighbourhood, Fans, Access, Return on Investment and any extras that the writers experienced.  The stakes are high, with an average grading of 3.61 being earned out of a possible perfect 5.0. This list is just an amalgamation of a number of opinions, and may not be in agreement for all.  Please let Stadium Journey know your opinions on our various Social Media outlets.  How is your list different from ours?  What do we have right?  What do we have wrong? Without further ado, Stadium Journey is proud to present the 2024-2025 Rankings of the Ontario Hockey League Experiences. 1. Dom Cardillo Arena @ Kitchener Memorial Auditorium - Kitchener Rangers - 4.43 Dave Cottenie - Home for the Rangers since their inception has been the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Designed as a mini Maple Leaf Gardens, 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. TD Place Arena - Ottawa 67’s - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - TD Place Arena is located at Lansdowne Park and is one of the most unique arenas in the OHL.  The arena is located underneath the north grandstand of TD Place, the home of the Ottawa RedBlacks of the CFL.  Entry to the arena is on the north side of the building at the east or west entrances.  The massive, spider-legs-like I-beams give the arena a unique exterior look.  Between the two main entrances, Lansdowne Park has a number of retail outlets, so the arena itself is actually kind of inconspicuous. 3. Meridian Centre - Niagara IceDogs - 4.14 Robbie Raskin - Meridian Centre is best described as clean, bright, spacious, and new-feeling, even though it’s now a decade old. It also manages to avoid the cookie-cutter bowl shape with many modern rinks; an asymmetrical layout keeps things interesting. The defining quirk of the arena is its topographical situation. The arena is located in a deep ravine, at the bottom of the high land upon which downtown St. Catharines is perched. In fact, the roofline of the arena is mostly even with street level of the surrounding neighbourhood, rather than rising above it. Fans don’t enter at ground level and climb up to their seats, as usual. Here you actually enter from the roof and descend into the arena. 4. Canada Life Place - London Knights - 4 Dave Cottenie - The London Knights were founded in 1965 as the London Nationals in the OHA.  In 1968 the Nationals would be reborn as the London Knights.  The Hunters purchased the Knights at the perfect time as the City of London agreed to build a downtown arena to replace the London Ice House.  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.  Since the opening of what was later renamed the Budweiser Gardens and currently Canada Life Place, success at the turnstile and on the ice coincided and the Knights, who were also-rans, in the OHL for years enjoyed their best seasons ever.  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. 5. Sleeman Centre - Guelph Storm - 4 Dave Cottenie - The Sleeman Centre is a unique facility as it is built inside a shopping mall.  As a result, the majority of fans will not enter through the main doors on Woolwich Street.   Parking entrances off of Macdonell Street having fans enter through the south side or through the Old Quebec Shoppes, the remnants of the mall, is far more popular.  That being said, the front exterior of the Sleeman Centre is attractive with light siding and tinted windows.  It is not a hulking structure, and is almost inconspicuous from the front. 6. GFL Memorial Gardens - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - 4 Dave Cottenie - The Greyhound name has been linked to hockey teams in Sault Ste. Marie since 1919. The name was selected as a jab to their rivals, the Sudbury Wolves as a “greyhound is much faster than a wolf.”  The Senior A Greyhounds would win the Allan Cup in 1924. The current iteration of the team began as an NOJHL expansion team in 1962 which would transition to the OHA in 1972. The OHA would eventually become the Ontario Hockey League. The team is currently owned by medical executive Tim Lukenda.  The Greyhounds achieved ultimate success in 1995 when they won the Memorial Cup as Canadian Hockey League Champions in front of a home crowd in Sault Ste Marie. The Greyhounds have also won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions in 1985, 1991 and 1992. The importance of the Greyhounds and the 1995 Memorial Cup is immortalized on the sign coming into town where it is emblazoned with the home of astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar. 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.  Slush Puppie Place offers an atmosphere for Frontenacs hockey that is among the best in the OHL.  Outside of the arena, in the northwest corner sits actual ruins from the original Fort Frontenac.  Across Ontario Street is the current Fort Frontenac, which is a Canadian Military venue.  The exterior of Slush Puppie Place is attractive with light coloured brick.  The south side of Slush Puppie Place is Tragically Hip Way, a portion of Barrack Street that Kingston City Council renamed in honour of the famous Kingston band. 8. Tribute Communities Centre - Oshawa Generals - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - One of the cornerstone franchises of the Ontario Hockey League is the Oshawa Generals.  For many years, Oshawa, Ontario was the Canadian incarnation of the Motor City, with General Motors having a massive presence in the city, including the Canadian headquarters.  The Generals moniker, therefore, has no link to the military, but to the car manufacturer.  The current home of the Generals was also originally named the General Motors Centre.  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.  The Generals were founded in 1937 and were forced to take a hiatus in the fifties when their home arena burned down.  The Gens resurfaced in 1962 and are currently owned by Rocco Tullio. 9. Sudbury Community Arena - Sudbury Wolves - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - The Sudbury Community Arena, simply put, is an old-school hockey barn. The exterior of the Sudbury Arena has a classic red brick entrance that is true to its age. The arena is guarded by a bronze statue of singer Stompin’ Tom Connors, author, and performer of the famous “Hockey Song.”  One of Connors’ big hits was “Sudbury Saturday Night” which is the reason for the commissioning of the statue.  The southeast corner of the arena is where the most unique item in all hockey resides.  In the rafters hangs a real taxidermy wolf.  When Sudbury scores a goal, the wolf travels out over the ice towards the visiting team bench on a pulley system.  It stops over the bench, shakes around a bit, and heads back to the southeast corner.  There is nothing like this anywhere.  It may be kitschy, but it is amazing. 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 small city of Peterborough sits at the southern entrance to Ontario’s vast ‘Cottage Country’ where farmland gives way to countless lakes and forests. Since 1956, it has been home to the maroon-and-white Petes, and the hockey club has been deeply tied to the city’s sense of identity ever since. The Petes’ alumni roll is a laundry list of great players and managers over the decades, including seven Hall of Famers. They’re 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 - The 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, and features 43 luxury suites, two full-size NHL rinks, and a full-service restaurant. 13. Boart Longyear 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. Brampton Battalion owner and Trivial Pursuit founder Scott Abott would bring his OHL team from outside of Toronto north to the banks of Lake Nipissing in search of greater fan support. Moving the team to a military city like North Bay made the team name and moniker suddenly make a whole lot more sense. 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 WFCU Centre is the home of the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. The building has a seating capacity of 6,450 for hockey and was built for $71 million. The new home to the Spitfires ensured that the club would remain in Windsor for the foreseeable future.  The arena replaced the 84-year-old Windsor Arena that the Spitfires had called home since 1975. The new WFCU Centre was a much-needed replacement for the aging arena and resulted in the building hosting the 2017 Memorial Cup. 16. Brantford & District Civic Centre - Brantford Bulldogs - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - 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.  The Bulldogs have since committed to Brantford with a new arena in the works and a long-term lease signed, leaving their time at the Civic Centre very limited. 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. The Owen Sound Platers were to be sold to a businessman out of town which would require relocation.  The “Super Six,” would come together to purchase the team and keep them in Owen Sound.  Brian Johnson, Dr. Robert Severs, Fay Harshman, Frank Coulter, and Peter and Paul MacDermid, a group of local business owners, would keep that can-do attitude alive in Owen Sound and the Attack have remained viable and competitive in the Ontario Hockey League.  The hard work culminated in the Attack’s 2011 J.Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions and a berth in the Memorial Cup. 18. Wendler Arena @ Dow Event Center - Saginaw Spirit - 3.00 Dave Cottenie - Saginaw provides a decent hockey experience for Junior Hockey.  The Dow Event Center is one of the nicer OHL venues from the exterior.  The Atrium can be found on the north side of Johnson Street and offers a warm, welcoming feeling for fans coming out of the cold, Central Michigan winter.  Glassed in and spacious, the Atrium is a great place to meet friends before the game and also houses security and the ticketing windows.  The upper rotunda features hanging banners of significant, former Saginaw Spirit players.  These include Ryan McDonough, Jack Combs, Josh Shalla, Vince Trocheck, Dylan Sadowy, Brandon Saad, T.J. Brodie, Tom Pyatt, Eric Locke, Brad Walch, Patrick McNiell and Jake Paterson. 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. CAA Centre - Brampton Steelheads - 2.57 Dave Cottenie - The home for the Steelheads is CAA Centre.  The city owned arena opened in 1998 and has a capacity of 5,000.  It is an appropriate home for OHL hockey as it housed the Brampton Battalion from 1998 to 2013, before they moved to North Bay.  A familiar story for OHL hockey in the GTA is once again brewing, low attendance and an uncertain future.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Audi Field 100 Potomac Avenue Washington DC 20024 DC Defenders website Audi Field website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 20,000 A New Football Team In Town...Again The DC Defenders are the newest football team in the Washington, D.C. area. Originally a member of the second incarnation of the XFL in 2020, their season was canceled shortly after it began due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They then joined yet another edition of the XFL. In 2024, the XFL and USFL merged to form the UFL, and the Defenders moved over to that league where they found yet another home. The Defenders play their home games at Audi Field, which is primarily a soccer stadium and is the home of DC United and the Washington Spirit . Food & Beverage 4 Audi Field has a wide range of concessions that should satisfy any fan’s palette, many of which are provided by celebrity chef Jose Andres. In addition to classic options such as burgers and pizza, fans can pick from more unique options such as pupusas and arepas. The stadium's concessions seem more designed for the demographics of soccer fans than football fans, but there is still plenty to enjoy. Unfortunately, not all of the stands at Audi Field are open for Defenders games, which does force us to take this score down a notch. . Prices can be quite high, with one meal costing $20-$25 between the meal and a soda or water, even more, if you are planning to drink alcohol at the game. Atmosphere 4 Other than the Standing Room section behind one end zone, every seat in Audi Field is a chairback, and no matter where you watch the game from, you will have a great view of the action. There are two levels, although 200-level seats are only located on one sideline, above the suites. There is a large video board behind the SRO section as well as a smaller board on the other end that is capable of showing the video as well as the score and advertisements. Before the game, the Defenders run onto the field as staff carry flags with the Defenders' logo on them. The PA announcer attempts to hype the crowd at times but isn't always successful. A lot is going on on the concourse as well, including games fans can play for a chance to win prizes. The Defenders do keep fans engaged, which is always good for the atmosphere. Neighborhood 4 Audi Field is located in an up-and-coming part of D.C., near Buzzard Point. There is currently a lot of construction going on around the stadium, so expect it to improve even more in the future. For now, All About Burger is a popular local burger place located a few blocks from the stadium, Bonchon serves up Korean-style fried chicken nearby, and there are other options closer to Nationals Park, where you will find numerous bars, restaurants, and more. The area of Potomac Avenue along the Anacostia Waterfront just down the steet from Audi Field is ripe with bars, clubs, and restaurants including Dacha Beer Garden, Solace Outpost, and The Salt Line. Of course, you are in Washington, D.C., so there is plenty to do if you head towards the National Mall, and much of it is free. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book that in advance. Fans 4 While the Defenders will rarely fill up Audi Field, they do draw reasonably well. The fans who show up are loud, passionate, and occasionally profane. They cheer on the Defenders and will often get on the referees' case when they feel a call hasn't gone their way (and will often complain even about an correct call that goes against the Defenders.) This is a loud and tough crowd, so be prepared, although they aren't likely to cause any real trouble for anyone. The fans in the Standing Room section are known for being especially loud and passionate, as well as probably drunker than the rest of the stadium. They are also legendary for building a giant beer snake every game out of discarded beer cups. As the game goes on, the snake gets longer and longer and the fans get drunker and drunker. They will even go around to other sections collecting beer cups to grow the snake. Access 3 When going to Audi Field, your best bet is to use public transit or a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. If taking the Metro, take the Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark and walk about 15 minutes to the stadium. Keep in mind, however, that there is often trackwork on Metro, particularly on weekends and during the summer, resulting in single tracking and/or the closing of stations entirely. Be sure to check in advance. If driving in, you can park at one of the stations in suburban Maryland and take the Metro from there so you do not have to contend with D.C. traffic. Crowds will be large on the train after the game, although if you park at the Branch Avenue station in Southern Maryland, you will be taking the Green Line in the opposite direction from most fans so it will be far less packed once you board. If you do arrive at the stadium (whether one driven by you or an Uber/Lyft driver) there is a lot of construction surrounding the stadium right now so it may be hard to figure out how to get right there, although an Uber/Lyft driver should be able to get you close. Parking is very limited and can be purchased in advance through SpotHero, but the cheapest spots will cost about $25 and can be located a 15-minute walk from the stadium. To get closer will cost you twice to four times that. There is still no dedicated team-run parking lot at Audi Field, run by either the Defenders, D.C. United, or the Spirit. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Defenders games start at about $31 for corner or end zone seats and go up to around $95 for seats at midfield. The standing room only section behind one end zone where the most dedicated fans are located costs about $35 per ticket. Due to a new federal regulation effective in May 2025, these prices include fees but do not necessarily include any applicable taxes. Concessions are extremely pricey as well and will run at least $25 a person, more if you want to drink alcohol. Metro fare will cost about $10 a person round trip if you choose to travel that way depending on where you are coming from, as closer stations will cost less. You may also have to pay to park at the station you are taking the train from, depending on the station and when you are visiting. Parking near the stadium will likely be far more expensive, unless you park so far away that you'd be doing just as much walking as you would from the Metro station. An Uber or Lyft will likely be somewhere in between, but can vary wildly based on demand. Extras 4 The unique food offerings are an extra as it is. Look for a team store on the concourse selling Defenders' gear. A third star for the games on the concourse that provide fans an opportunity to win prizes. A fourth and final star for the giant beer snake formed by the fans in the standing room section each game. This is a unique tradition that is always entertaining. Final Thoughts There has been much instability in spring football leagues, and the DC Defenders are no exception. They have found yet another league to play in, the UFL, and have built up a decent fan following. Hopefully, the league sticks around long enough for the fan base to grow further.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Davenport Field at Disharoon Park 434 Lannigan Ln Charlottesville, VA 22904 Virginia Cavaliers website Davenport Field at Disharoon Park website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 5,500 Baseball at the Dish Davenport Field at Disharoon Park opened in 2002 as the new home of the University of Virginia Cavaliers baseball team. Disharoon Park is one of the finest college baseball stadiums in the country and the Cavaliers have a performance to match, appearing in the College World Series seven times since 2009. The Cavaliers finished runner-up in 2014 and followed it up by winning the championship the next year. Food & Beverage 5 There are numerous concession stands on the concourse of Davenport Field at Disharoon Park and fans will have many options to choose from. All the classics like hot dogs, burgers, and nachos are here, but fans can also find more unique options like quesadillas, pulled pork sandwiches, and more. Ice cream from Ben & Jerry's is available at one stand, a special treat on hot days. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase for fans 21 years of age or older. Soft drinks and water are also available, with the latter coming in aluminum cans rather than plastic bottles due to state regulations. Keep in mind that Davenport Field at Disharoon Park is a cashless facility. Atmosphere 5 There are many different seating options at a Virginia baseball game. A large hill is in foul territory in left field, with some bleachers lying just beyond the left field wall. These are the least expensive seats, but don't have the greatest view of the game. There are chairbacks located closer to the action which offer excellent views, but if buying single game tickets, there will be limited availability, so buy early. A large scoreboard is located in right-centerfield that is also capable of showing graphics and video. It is very impressive for the college level. The Cavaliers have all the between innings contests and fun that you would expect at a minor league game. There are also many in-game promotions such as Baseball Bingo, which gives fans a chance to win prizes from the team for completing their bingo card based on what happens in the game. Neighborhood 5 Davenport Field at Disharoon Park is located on the campus of the University of Virginia, which is one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Once you get off campus and into the city of Charlottesville, there is plenty else to do. Boylan Heights is a popular bar just off campus and serves up good food as well. It is just one of many places to eat, drink, or have fun along University Avenue ranging from bagel bakeries to bars to sushi restaurants. History buffs may also want to check out Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Fans 4 Virginia draws very well for their home baseball games, with the Dish full or nearly full for most ACC series. Of course, they can fit in far more than actual capacity with the general admission seating on the hill and in the bleachers, so these numbers can be a bit misleading, but it is still a very sizeable crowd. The fans in attendance are loyal, passionate, and knowledgeable, and come decked out in the blue and orange colors of the Cavaliers. After big hits or good defensive plays, the noise in the DIsh can ratchet up very loud. However, at other times the environment can be pretty dead despite the large crowds. Access 3 Charlottesville is accessible from Interstate 64 if coming from the east or west and from US 29 and US 250 if coming from the north or south. The exits for the university are clearly signed with the Cavaliers athletic logo, so you should have no trouble finding your way to campus. However, some GPS apps get confused as you approach the stadium and try to take you to the wrong side of it instead of to the parking lot you need to park in. If you punch UHALL West into your GPS rather than the stadium, it should take you to the proper parking lot. Parking is typically free, but there may be a charge if there is an event at John Paul Jones Arena that day. Even if you are visiting after basketball season ends, bear in mind JPJ also holds concerts and other large events, as it is the largest arena for miles around, so be sure to check the schedule and be prepared. Once you get to the stadium, you will enter through a gate that Disharoon Park shares with several other UVA athletic facilities including Klöckner Stadium , home of UVA soccer and lacrosse, as well as the Cavaliers' softball and track and field facilities. If there are multiple events going on that day, it can get a bit confusing but staff will direct you to the right place and make sure you don't get into facilities you shouldn't be in without a ticket. Once inside the complex, you will walk through the Klöckner Stadium concourse and turn left, which will take you to Disharoon Park itself. Moving around the baseball concourse is pretty simple and there are ample restrooms for the crowds. Keep in mind that Disharoon Park has a clear bag policy in effect. Return on Investment 5 Single game ticket prices for reserved chairback seats will run about $20 depending on the game, with general admission seats being about $10. UVA students get into the GA sections for free with a valid student ID. As mentioned above, parking is also usually free, and the concession prices are reasonably affordable. While these prices are on the high end for college baseball, this is one of the nicest facilities in the country and well worth the money you will pay to get in. Extras 4 The banner in the outfield honoring Virginia's 2015 national championship and the murals on the concourse honoring all their postseason appearances are each worth a star here. Free programs are available to fans on the concourse. Having actual physical matchday programs is becoming such a rarity nowadays that this is definitely worth an extra. For the fourth and final extra star, check out the team store behind home plate selling UVA merchandise. Final Thoughts Davenport Field at Disharoon Park is one of the most beautiful college baseball stadiums in the country. Located on the scenic campus of the University of Virginia, this stadium is a must-see for college baseball fans on the east coast. The Cavaliers have a top-tier program, a top-tier stadium, and a top-notch fan base to go along with it. Fans who visit The Dish will quickly see why it is one of college baseball's gems.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Nationals Park 1500 South Capitol St SE Washington, DC 20003 Washington Nationals website Nationals Park website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 41,888 A National Pastime In 2005, the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, D.C., and changed their name to the Nationals. For their first three years of existence, they played their home games at RFK Stadium, which had previously been home to the Washington Senators. In 2008, the Nats moved into a stadium of their own, Nationals Park, which represented a significant improvement over RFK. The stadium is located only a few blocks south of the U.S. Capitol, which is visible from parts of the upper deck. Food & Beverage 4 Nationals Park has a wide selection of food that will guarantee you will not go hungry. Options include traditional items like hot dogs, burgers, and pizza as well as more unique items like falafel, freshly made donuts, and sushi. Ice cream is available, including a special cherry blossom variety (more cherry flavored than blossom flavored) in honor of DC's legendary cherry blossoms. Several of the concession stands also sell half smokes, a D.C. specialty that is somewhere in between a hot dog and a smoked sausage. There are also foods to serve various dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and kosher items. PETA has consistently ranked the stadium one of the best in the majors for vegetarians. The prices are a bit high, though considering this is a major league park, that is not unexpected. The roving vendors typically only accept credit cards, and many stands require you to order either on your mobile device or at a kiosk nearby. Keep in mind that with attendance down, the Nationals do not always have all concession stands open. Atmosphere 4 All seats at Nationals Park are chairbacks, except for a few tables in centerfield where fans can eat and drink by the nearby bar. Some of the seats down the lines may have an obstructed view of the corners due to other seats jutting out, but for the most part, you’ll have a good view no matter where you sit. There is a giant scoreboard and videoboard in right-centerfield above the concourse, as well as a smaller out-of-town scoreboard built into the right-centerfield wall. One of the more unique traditions at Nationals Park is the Presidents’ Race. In the middle of the fourth inning of every game, costumed versions of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt will emerge from the center field gate and race around the warning track to a finish line by the first base dugout. During the race, they will frequently get into various hijinks, such as playing dodgeball, getting attacked by a giant ice cream cone, or having their First Lady attack the other racers with her handbag. If you're ever wanted to see the stump of the cherry tree George Washington chopped down come back for revenge, the Presidents' Race is for you. The Racing Presidents and a bald eagle mascot named Screech can be seen on the concourse, stands, and field throughout the game as well, interacting with fans and encouraging them to get loud. Neighborhood 5 Nationals Park is located in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Although this used to be a very bad part of town, that has changed since the stadium went up and it is now a perfectly safe, up-and-coming area. There are several bars and restaurants located within walking distance of the stadium, including Mission and Buffalo Wild Wings. A BetMGM sportsbook is located right next to Nationals Park, outside the centerfield gate and attached to the parking garage. Downtown D.C. is a short Metro ride away and has a lot to offer as well. The best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s walking along the National Mall or visiting one of the many museums, there is so much you can do here. All government-run attractions are free, but some of the privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind that if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 2 Nationals fans arrive late and leave early, even at the best of times. Fans will still be filing in two or three innings into the game and will start filing out by the sixth or seventh. Even for the limited amount of time everyone’s inside, there will still often be huge swaths of empty seats, especially now with the team at the bottom of the National League standings. The fans who do show up can get loud at times, with some of them waving their hats and chanting “N-A-T-S NATS NATS NATS!” after every run, but involved fans seem to be in the minority here. It seems to be a place to hang out with friends rather than pay attention to the action on the field. Although Nats fans are friendlier than what you’d experience up I-95 in Philadelphia or New York, there is a happy medium between abusive and uninvolved, and sadly Nationals fans seem to be more at the uninvolved end. Crowds have seemed to shrink significantly since the Nats championship in 2019 as the team has fallen on hard times – there will usually be many empty seats, and if they are playing an NL East rival, visiting fans will make up a significant portion of the crowd. This is disappointing to see given how large the crowds were during the World Series run just a few years ago. Access 5 Nationals Park is conveniently located right next to the Navy-Yard Ballpark Stop on the Green Line of the Washington Metro. Although this may seem convenient, there are frequent Metro shutdowns that may reduce headways to 24 minutes or more or even shut down stations entirely. These shutdowns are most prevalent on weekends or over the summer, which is of course when most people go to baseball games. Be sure to check the WMATA website before you head out if you plan on going this way. There are extra trains after games to accommodate the crowds, but the trains can still get pretty packed. Also, note that the supplemental trains only go a few stops in downtown before turning around to take more fans home. Although fans who plan to transfer to other lines should have no problem, fans who wish to remain on the Green Line past Mount Vernon Square should check the destination sign of their train to be sure it is heading to Greenbelt, or simply get on the first train that comes and transfer later if need be. Fans who are outside the D.C. area don’t need to drive to the ballpark, as they can drive to a suburban station and park there. Parking at Metro stations ranges from $3 to $6 depending on the station and is free on weekends. Fans coming from the south may wish to park at Branch Avenue in Southern Maryland, as you will be heading in the opposite direction from most fans at the end of the game, so your train will be significantly less crowded. Also, you will not need to transfer. Fans coming from the north may want to look into parking at Greenbelt or another station on the northern part of the Green Line, which at least avoids a transfer. If you do plan on driving to the stadium, parking can be $50 or more. Parking in the GEICO garage next to the stadium or other lots nearby can be reserved in advance through the Nationals' website to ensure a spot. Taking an Uber or Lyft may end up being cheaper than parking, depending on where you’re coming from. Keep in mind that prices for rides close to the stadium after the game can skyrocket in price due to increased demand. If you can, we suggest walking a few blocks away from the stadium, which should bring the prices back down close to normal. Return on Investment 3 Like many teams, the Nationals use variable pricing for tickets, so prices can vary depending on the opponent, the day of the week, and if any promotions are going on such as bobblehead giveaways. Expect them to start around $17 for upper-level seats and go up to over $400 for VIP seats behind home plate which include suite access. One additional option for residents of the District of Columbia is to purchase $5 tickets in Sections 401 and 402 at the Nationals Box Office. Although this option was previously available to all fans, effective in 2024 it is only available to residents of the District. The process is easier than in past years as tickets can be purchased in advance, but they must be purchased at the Nationals' box office. Those who are not residents of D.C. cannot take advantage of this offer anymore. Concessions are a bit pricey, but about what you’d expect from a major league venue. Parking is ridiculously expensive, but as you have plenty of other options, that isn’t too big a factor here. While prices have not gone up by much since the Nationals' championship run, the quality of the experience has decreased, with reduced crowds, fewer gameday amenities, later gate opening times, and a lower quality of play on the field. While the return on investment is still decent, it isn't what it once was, especially if you want to sit someplace better than the $5 cheap seats. Extras 3 There is a Ring of Honor on the wall between the upper and terrace levels with the names of former Nationals greats as well as legends from Washington’s previous baseball teams, the Washington Senators (both incarnations), and the Negro League’s Homestead Grays. Look for all the banners and murals with pictures of Nationals players past and present. A third star for the Presidents’ Race, as it is one of the more unique and entertaining traditions in baseball. Final Thoughts After the second incarnation of the Washington Senators moved to Texas in 1972, Washington, D.C. was without a baseball team for over 30 years. In 2005, the Nationals came to town, and in 2008, they got a brand-new stadium. Since then, the excitement has worn off and the crowds have steadily declined, especially as the Nationals’ performance on the field has gone downhill. That being said, Nationals Park is still a nice stadium for fans to take in a Major League Baseball game.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Sonoma Raceway 29355 Arnold Dr Sonoma, CA 95476 SRO World Challenge website Sonoma Raceway website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 47,000 Sonoma’s Sportscar Celebration Sonoma Raceway has a long and storied history in motorsports. Hosting the likes of NASCAR, NHRA, and IndyCar over the years, it is now home to one of the early rounds of the SRO America schedule. Being held in March/April annually, this event has slowly grown itself to a solid audience of fans, with tons of on-track action all day throughout the weekend. Fan-friendly and budget-friendly, this weekend is likely to soar to the top of the California race fan’s list of events to attend every year. Food & Beverage   3 The track has various concession stands and food trucks during the weekend, complete with the likes of burgers ($13.99-$14.99), grilled chicken sandwiches ($13.99), breakfast burritos ($7.99), and hot dogs ($11.99). The paddock cafe is also open on race weekends, giving everyone another option for food and beverages, with both inside and outside seating options. Atmosphere   4 The action on the track is top-notch, as SRO World Challenge hosts no less than 10 races during the weekend across 6 different race groups. Fans can catch everything from the top-level GT3 race teams to the Touring Car and Toyota GR Cup machines of the up-and-coming racers. Four days of practice, qualifying, and racing make this one of the most jam-packed events of the year for the track and the fans, which means you won’t go long without seeing some great race action. Being a NASCAR and NHRA facility also means that seating is plentiful all around the track. RV parking spots with track views can also be purchased by fans, and the suites offer stellar views, including the new Turn 11 complex with its outdoor patio seating. One of the best viewing spots has got to be the Turn 2 terrace with seating under arbors and shade trees. On top of this the paddock is completely open and accessible to all fans, giving you an up-close look at how the teams prep the cars for action. Finally, SRO America has done a great job at making the track look like their own, adding plentiful sponsor signage around the facility at every turn and grandstand. This is easily the most professional feeling event on the SRO schedule.   Neighborhood   4 There is practically nothing immediately around Sonoma Raceway, but that makes for quite a nice location for a track. Sonoma is close enough to San Francisco and the Bay Area to make visiting one of the country’s most beautiful cities, with plenty to see and do, an easy task. However, it is just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city and nestled away in the beautiful hills of California wine country, to give you the country feel you want when relaxing. To the west is Novato, and to the east is Vallejo – food options include In-N-Out Burger, a California fixture, as well as many more. Hotels are also plentiful in both areas, and attractions range from the Golden Gate Bridge and several national parks to the south, to wine country in the north.   Fans   4 Where once there were empty seats during SRO weekends at Sonoma, now you see large groups of fans watching the action. Being a large track means even solid crowds can look spread out, but the paddock and fan zone prove that fans are still showing up in large numbers as of late. Many race fans in Sonoma who want to watch pro racing without the NASCAR prices turn to this event as a great option, especially given the incredible access afforded during sportscar races. On top of this, trackside camping has exploded for SRO weekend, with RVs lining the upper level of the camping area above the Esses. Access   2 Easily the only downside to Sonoma Raceway is the location of the track in proximity to the highway. From San Francisco you need to take the 101, and from Oakland/Sacramento/Vallejo you have to take I-80. Both highways will take you to the 37, which is the main highway to the track. The problem? Near the track it becomes a one-lane road that widens to two lanes at times, but no wider. Thankfully, when you arrive parking is beyond plentiful around the facility, with many grandstands offering close parking spaces for those willing to drive around. Return on Investment   5 Going to the track is worth the trip for SRO at Sonoma – this facility is a must-see on any race fan’s list, making it worth the venture into northern California. Tickets to SRO weekends are also incredibly affordable, with weekend passes coming in at just $50. Friday tickets are $15, Saturday or Sunday is $30, and trackside camping is $250. Club access starts at $75 for Saturday or Sunday, and runs up to $150 for 3-day access; parking is free. Extras   3 Drivers host several autograph sessions on Saturday and Sunday that are open to all fans. In addition, victory lane is right there next to the main grandstands, which means fans can celebrate with their favorite drivers and teams after each race. Finally, the paddock and garages are all open to fans, which means you can get up close to the teams and cars while they work on race setups, and you can talk to the crews during the weekend. Final Thoughts If you are looking for a racetrack in a beautiful location in one of the most picturesque areas of the country, look no further than Sonoma Raceway. The track features some quality race action for fans to see, and most of the track is visible from the same spot, a rarity in road-course racing. With affordable prices, a growing fan base, and great food options, you have plenty to look forward to as a fan when you arrive at Sonoma.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Wahconah Park 105 Wahconah Rd Pittsfield, MA 01201 Pittsfield Suns website Wahconah Park website Year Opened: 1919 Capacity: 3,500 Just A Little Bit of Heaven “Just a Little Bit of Heaven-Pittsfield’s Wahconah Park is Baseball as it Oughta Be” - Sports Illustrated, July 23, 1990. One of the last ballparks in the country to still feature a wooden grandstand, Wahconah Park dates all the way back to 1919. Through the ballpark’s history, 201 future major leaguers passed through the Berkshires. An additional 100 players with prior major league experience played for various Pittsfield squads. Over nearly a century of use, 14 different professional teams called Wahconah home, as well as 3 different summer collegiate teams. The current tenants are the Pittsfield Suns of the Futures League. The Suns take their name from one of Wahconah Park’s unique features. Because it was built before the advent of night baseball, little thought was put into the ballpark’s orientation. Thus, it was built facing due west, which results in occasional “sun delays” as batters would otherwise be forced to look directly into the setting sun. Food & Beverage 5 It would be hard to imagine a small ballpark the size of Wahconah Park having a more expansive and diverse menu than can be found here. There are three main concession stands here, two located under the stands, and a third located in the right-field party tent area. The stands are given sun-related names such as “Sunrise Café”, “Sunset Grill”, and “the Brighter Side Grill”. Each concession stand has some unique items, increasing the overall menu at the park. All the stands cover the basics, such as hot dogs ($2.50), hamburgers ($4.00), sausage and pepper sandwiches ($5.00), and grilled chicken sandwiches ($5.00). The Sunrise Café also has chicken strips ($5.50) and Mini Corn Dogs ($4.00). The Sunset Grill features Philly Cheesesteaks ($7.00) and funnel cakes ($2.50). The Brighter Side Grill features several different items, such as bratwurst ($5.50), quesadillas ($7.00), pulled pork sandwiches ($5.00), and the most popular item among 10-year-old boys, the giant turkey leg ($9.00). All the stands offer a variety of snacks, candy, popcorn, chips, and beverages. If all this wasn’t enough, there is an ice cream stand on the main concourse selling Dippin’ Dots, hard ice cream, and a variety of novelties as well. Another portable cart on the concourse area serves hot dogs with all the fixings. In addition, Papa John’s pizzas are sold at the beer stand. Wahconah Park offers a variety of food choices that many larger ballparks can’t touch. If your tastes run more towards the adult beverage, the Suns have you covered there, too. There is a beer stand on the concourse selling 16-ounce Coors and Miller Lite for $4.00. Blue Moon, Samuel Adams, and Yuengling drafts are sold here for $6.00. Cans of Blue Moon and Guinness are available at the right-field barbeque stand, along with a sampling of other adult beverages. The highlight of the offerings here may be the beer shakes ($6.00), available in creamsicle, chocolate, and strawberry flavors. Also located on the concourse is a small stand selling a variety of Suns’ souvenirs. Atmosphere 5 The Suns game day staff put on an excellent show at Wahconah Park. There is a buzz in the stands during Suns games, and crowds can swell to capacity on special nights. The team offers giveaways and ticket specials on most nights, and there are giveaways and contests between innings. The Futures League tries to create an atmosphere similar to a minor league ballpark, and in Pittsfield, they succeed. Of course, the promotions budget is limited at this level of baseball. If you get a chance, check out the children’s play area in right field. The bouncy houses located in the area have a large logo of the neighboring Hudson Valley Renegades. It’s not perfect in Pittsfield, but it has its charms, for sure. Neighborhood 3 The Berkshire Mountains are a popular tourist destination during the summer months, with their popularity based largely on the arts, music, and outdoor recreation. Several hiking trails and nature reserves are located in the area and attract large amounts of tourists. Fans looking for pursuits separate from baseball will be happy to find several high-quality museums in the area, most notably the Norman Rockwell Museum, as well as the Tanglewood Music Center. Within walking distance of Wahconah Park is downtown Pittsfield, featuring several shops, pubs, and restaurants. It’s not the largest or most vibrant downtown, but it has a great small-town feel to it and is a nice area to explore on a warm summer day. Fans 3 The Suns have averaged in the neighborhood of 1,300 fans per game since joining the Futures League. This figure ranks them consistently in the top three of the leagues. The Suns offer group deals to the community, and it is not unusual to see birthday parties, groups, and families enjoying the action side by side. One unique aspect of Wahconah Park is that, even though it is a stadium, there is still room for kids to roam. You can find groups of kids running around playing catch or tag behind the left field bleachers, bouncing balls against the back of the concourse, or getting out some energy in the play area in right field. It’s a sight common to many summer ballparks, but not so in most minor league ballparks. Access 3 Wahconah Park is located in downtown Pittsfield, just a block away from Route 7. Pittsfield is the largest city in Berkshire County and the third largest city in western Massachusetts. Located in western Massachusetts at the intersection of routes 9, 20, and 7, Pittsfield is easy to get to, although not served by any highways. Interstate 90 (The Mass. Pike) runs about 20 miles to the south. Fans traveling to Wahconah Park will most likely take I-90 to exit 2 (Pittsfield/Lee) and follow Route 20/7 north to downtown. Wahconah Park is located on Wahconah Street, just past the town green. Fans will enter Wahconah Park into a large paved area behind the grandstand featuring a couple of small buildings that house the souvenir stand and the beer stand. The two main concession stands are located directly ahead underneath the seating bowl. Fans may enter the seating bowl through the main breezeway directly ahead, or if looking for alternate seating, by walking in their preferred direction. There is a large set of metal bleachers in shallow left field and a picnic area in right field. Also located in right field is another BBQ stand, a party tent, and some bouncy houses beyond the right field fence. All areas of Wahconah Park feature excellent views of the field. Most of the seating is located in the main covered grandstand. The first four rows in the grandstand consist of individual plastic seats and the next eight rows consist of wooden bleachers with backs. The left-field bleachers are angled nicely towards the field. Unfortunately, due to the tiny dimensions of Wahconah Park, all the seats have netting in front of them in order to protect fans. Return on Investment 3 Reserved seating at Wahconah Park costs $9, and general admission costs $6. Seniors are admitted for $5, and children are admitted for free. Active members of the military are also admitted free of charge. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ballpark. The prices at Wahconah Park are a little higher than other college ballparks in the region but are directly in line with the other ballparks in the league. Extras 3 Promotions, specials, and giveaways dot the Suns’ schedule. The presence of many unique menu items, in particular the beer shakes, earns Wahconah another extra point. The sense of history present here is worth a third bonus point. Final Thoughts There is a reason teams keep coming back to Wahconah Park. It’s a great, old-time facility with just enough modern amenities to keep fans happy. The ballpark may have outlived its usefulness as a professional ballpark, but it has found a home in the Futures League. The Futures League has moved into several former professional ballparks throughout New England, and Wahconah Park fits into this business model seamlessly. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Bobcat Ballpark 225 Charles Austin Dr San Marcos, TX 78666 Texas State Bobcats website Bobcat Ballpark website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 2,000 Texas State Bobcats – Bobcat Ballpark The 2025 season marked the 40th anniversary of the Texas State Bobcats  baseball program. In 1985, the then Southwest Texas State University launched their nascent baseball program; the Bobcats began to take off as a program as members of the Southland Conference, capturing the first of their four conference tournament championships in 1997, with others following in 1999, 2000, and 2011. In all the Bobcats have made six trips to the NCAA Tournament – in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2009, 2011, and 2022. The program has also sent numerous players to the Major Leagues, the most notable being multi-time All-Star and 2022 National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt . Texas State would move to the Sun Belt Conference in 2014, and has continued a run of success under current Head Coach Steven Trout. Since 2009 the squad has called Bobcat Ballpark its home park. Built on the grounds of Texas State’s athletics complex, the ballpark has consistently provided a great homefield advantage for Texas State.   Food & Beverage   3 Bobcat Ballpark has three concession stands for fans, one on each side of the field (third, home, and first), and each one is a little different. For example, on the third base side you can a hot dog or a corn dog (this was honestly one of the best corn dogs I’ve eaten in a long time), while behind home plate you can get a burger and fries, or on the third base side, chicken fingers. The third and first baseline stands also offer a barbecue station, where you can get sausage wraps, brisket sandwiches, and even brisket mac and cheese. In addition, every stand offers all your traditional gameday fare, like popcorn, nachos, soft pretzels, sunflower seeds, candy, etc. You can also find bottled sodas, water, and sports drinks, as well as souvenir cups for lemonade and iced tea. Beer and alcoholic seltzers are also on the menu. Overall, this is a pretty good menu for a ballpark of this size.   Atmosphere   2 The atmosphere at Bobcat Ballpark is pretty straightforward. There is a nice, shaded seating area outside the concession area on the third baseline, which is a great option during the unseasonably warm spring that South and Central Texas often have. The main concourse area features flags touting the Bobcats numerous championships; these are also emblazoned on the outfield walls on each side of the field. You can also see Goldschmidt’s retired jersey number on the outfield wall in right field. You can also find a small merchandise store inside the main entrance gate behind the ticket booth. One interesting quirk of the park you can see is a train caboose that has been converted to a luxury box; it sits near the visiting team’s dugout. This pays homage to the railroad industry’s history in San Marcos, and to the still existing and operational train tracks that run through the school’s athletics complex.   Neighborhood   4 San Marcos is frequently recognized as one of the top college towns in the state of Texas – the city was founded on the banks of the eponymous San Marcos River, and is also home to the Blanco and Guadalupe Rivers. When the weather warms ups, thousands of people from all across the state flock to the area to take part in river sports; tubing  is a massive deal in San Marcos, and is one of its main draws. If you enjoy the outdoors even slightly, you’d be hard pressed to find a better pre- or post-game activity for when you catch at Texas State game at Bobcats Ballpark. If you want to avoid the weather all together before or after games, a visit to the LBJ Museum  could be just the ticket – this museum chronicles the history of our nation’s 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson, and his history as a student and teacher in San Marcos. In terms of dining and lodging, it’s important to remember the “college town” aspect of the city. Many of the places to eat in and around the campus are going to be geared towards college students. However, a few options include Buddy’s Burger  and Spud Ranch . Buddy’s Burger is an Austin, Texas-based chain that offers up some really tasty burgers (as the name implies) – think of it as a slightly more upscale fast-food spot. Alternatively, Spud Ranch features a line of loaded baked potatoes on its menu (enchilada spud? Yes, please), and they will fill you up! While you won’t be able to find many lodging options in the immediate vicinity of the ballpark, you can find a plethora of choices all up and down nearby Interstate 35. A few options include Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin San Marcos  and Hampton Inn & Suites San Marcos . Lastly, if you’re reading this review in the summer of 2026, congratulations on being able to stop at one of the newest Buc-ees  in the country.   Fans   3 This season, reports have shown that Texas State is averaging about 1,300 fans per game, putting them at about the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt Conference. The Bobcats do tend to bring in “big time” opponents each season, however, and those games tend to be sellouts. The game I most recently attended was very late in the season, around when students were done for the semester, and it was also one of those unseasonably warm May afternoons I mentioned earlier. Still, my eyeball test showed this game had right around their average attendance, and maybe a bit over. The Texas State fans also all showed up in Bobcat gear, and were loud and engaged throughout the game. My one knock here is that the visitor section was equally as loud, energetic, and engaged – that could’ve just been that specific opponent, though.   Access   4 Interstate 35 will lead you north from San Antonio (about 45 minutes) or south from Austin (about 30 minutes) right to the city of San Marcos. From there, signage on the highway directs you to the Texas State campus, and you can’t miss the athletics complex. If you’re driving, this is about as easy as it gets. Once on-site, parking is plentiful across the street from Strahan Arena , and best of all, it is free. There is also parking directly across the street from the ballpark near the main entrance, but a fee is charged for that. If you choose not to drive, San Marcos does offer a public transportation option that has routes that will take you to Texas State’s campus.   Return on Investment   3 General admission tickets for Texas State baseball games at Bobcat Ballpark are just $10 per person. This is a good bargain, as the Sun Belt Conference does boast some pretty good teams each season, and the Bobcats themselves have performed really well in recent seasons. In games when bigger opponents come to San Marcos, the tickets run a little higher, but that’s to be expected. Those games also tend to sell out rather quickly, so keep that in mind. The concessions here are pretty much on par with other college teams of the same level – there is no item that would run you more than $9, which is a good bargain. The same is true for the parking; free is always better, but the paid parking (around $15) is not too bad.   Extras   1 There is not much at all to speak of in the way of Extras at Bobcat Ballpark; it might have just been the game I attended, but other than some trivia contests for fans and the singing of “Deep in the Heart of Texas” (always a crowd pleaser) in between the fifth inning frames, and during the seventh inning stretch, not much else went on.   Final Thoughts I have been to games at Bobcat Ballpark a few times over the years, and by and large I’ve enjoyed my visits. The ballpark still feels fresh even being more than 15 years old and the sightlines are all good. The food is also good, and the city is always fun to visit. It’s not a bucket list stop, but if you’re looking for a way to spend a fun afternoon in central Texas, this would be a good way to do it. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on X at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Grand Prix of Long Beach 3000 Pacific Ave Long Beach, CA 90806 Grand Prix of Long Beach website Year Opened: 1975 IndyCar’s Long Beach Bash The Grand Prix of Long Beach is America’s longest-running street race, and it is easy to see why. The location in Southern California is perfect for a spring race in April, and the excitement on the track is also top-notch. The area of Southern California itself is a mecca for people all around the world to visit, so adding a world-famous car race to the mix only makes Long Beach even more attractive. Featuring the IndyCar Series and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series as the top-billed race series, in addition to several support events, fans will have no shortage of action to watch while at this annual event. Food & Beverage   5 The average fan may experience a bit of an overwhelming overload when looking for something to eat or drink in Long Beach. The track has an insurmountable amount of food vendors on site, ranging from chains like King Taco and California Pizza Kitchen to individual booths with kettle corn, massive turkey legs, and fries. However, making the choices even more numerous is the inclusion of part of The Pike Outlets into the course’s boundaries, with several of the restaurants being made exclusive to race fans for the weekend – Hooter’s, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Famous Dave’s, Chili’s, Outback, and more can all be found inside the track itself, and each of them has a special menu just for that race weekend. Where else can you sit quite literally trackside while munching on fresh seafood and a cold beer from Bubba Gump, all at a special price for fans that weekend? Prices are about or just above average (burgers $15-$17, hot dogs $12, drinks $4-$8) at the various food booths trackside, which makes them rather reasonable for fans, as you don’t have to break the bank to find something to eat; even the higher-end booths like California Pizza Kitchen’s gourmet pizzas are no more than $12 each. Atmosphere   5 The air at the Grand Prix of Long Beach warms the race fan’s soul once the sound of engines echoes through the downtown high-rises. The weather in Southern California is also rarely anything but perfect in mid-spring, with temps in the 70s to low 80s, and sunny skies almost a certainty. The weekend features no fewer than six different race series every year, ranging from historic racing and the Stadium Super Trucks Series to the ever popular SuperDrift Challenge Friday and Saturday nights. SRO America action is also added to the slate before the main action of the IndyCar Series race on Sunday, while Saturday features the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series as the main show, with numerous concerts after the racing action is over each night. Neighborhood   5 The track winds through downtown Long Beach right along the shoreline, and just steps from the famous hairpin turn is the beach itself. The marina and harbor are also nearby, home to the Queen Mary. Additionally, the city of Long Beach is essentially a neighbor to Los Angeles, giving fans easy access to one of the biggest and most popular cities in America. When looking for somewhere to stay, hotels are literally across the street from the track and within walking distance, including a hotel located inside the boundaries of the track. But book early, as rooms fill up quickly, and the prices rise as you get closer to the first date of the weekend. With Long Beach once having been one of those places visitors would be urged to avoid, the area has transformed lately into a haven for foodies and small businesses. In addition, the massive shopping district right next to the track offers you the perfect place to visit and enjoy an evening out during race weekend. Fans   5 The track is always packed on all three days of the race weekend – fans flock from around the world to visit the Grand Prix of Long Beach, meaning you will meet a wide variety of fans from different cultures. Surprisingly, a lot of fans here are very sport-knowledgeable, something that is not typical for city-based street courses, which are more of a spectacle for fans than something loyalists pack in for. The majority of the spectators here are all about having a good party, too, and the fans show up for the free concerts held during race weekend in front of the convention center. Access   4 Getting to the Grand Prix of Long Beach area is not difficult, as several major highways in California provide great access to the city. Parking can be tricky, however, as this race is a street circuit. Thankfully there are numerous parking lots and garages within walking distance of the track in all directions for you to pick from, and several public transportation lines (you can take the trolley or bus to the area, as well as water taxies from Catalina Island) help ease your travel woes. The cost of parking can rise to over $50 across the street from the entrances, but can also be as low as $20 just a few blocks away. Arguably the most difficult thing is getting around the track itself – pathways and walkways are cordoned off in specific patterns that limit the flow of foot traffic around Long Beach. Fans also aren’t able to spread out as much as they can at other tracks, making the pedestrian bridges and the pathways rather congested. Return on Investment   4 Tickets to the Grand Prix of Long Beach start at $54 for Friday general admission, $101 for Saturday, $107 for Sunday, and $143 for all three days. Reserved seating for Sunday ranges from $90-$105 for kids to $119-$136 for adults, with 3-day reserved seating ranging from $123-$170 for kids and $155-$215 for adults. IndyCar paddock access ranges from $34 to $80. The best value, however, may be the Bubba Gump Fountain Club – for $285 on Saturday and $300 Sunday, guests get reserved grandstand seating and access to the Bubba Gump restaurant, complete with a cash bar, free buffet for breakfast and lunch, an exclusive second level viewing deck of the iconic fountain corner complex, and exclusive ground-level patio seating. Fans who enjoy photography can also purchase the unique Super Photo ticket ($410), allowing them access to specific locations around the track that offer great photo-taking opportunities, which no other race on the schedule allows. Extras   4 The Grand Prix of Long Beach has an interesting layout for the fan zones, as the entire convention center is turned into a massive exhibition hall that also includes the paddock for the Historic F1 and SRO America teams. Freebies are also abundant for fans who enter the hall, and there are several driver meet-and-greet opportunities as well. The race weekend also includes various driver autograph sessions, allowing fans to get up close to the stars and cars they cheer on during the day. Another bonus is the proximity of the track to various national parks and natural areas; Channel Islands National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Los Padres National Forest, and Angeles National Forest (just to name a few) are all within a short driving distance from Long Beach and the LA area, making for great day-trip ideas for the family to get away from the city and have some adventures. If you’re a fan of social media, you’ll want to log on for the Grand Prix of Long Beach; throughout the weekend the event displays Twitter posts and photos from Instagram, on the big screens for all to see. Final Thoughts Visiting the Grand Prix of Long Beach is a must-do for any hardcore race fan. Anyone in Southern California should visit the race, as it is the nicest racing facility, in terms of weather and location, in the area. Not much can top sunny skies by the Pacific Ocean as cars race down the streets of Long Beach, and that’s exactly why this race has been held here for so many years.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy Salinas, CA 93908 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca website IMSA Series Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 11,000 Cali’s Central Coast SpeedFest WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-famous speedway housed atop the high hills outside of Monterey, California. The speedway has hosted some of the world’s biggest racing stars over various racing series, and continues to be a fan and driver favorite as the years progress. One of the biggest draws of the year, IMSA’s annual spring visit to the track brings large crowds and plenty of on-track action. With no less than four racing series taking to the speedway’s tight turns, fans have a lot of racing action to watch during a weekend. Also, thanks to a recent investment in the track’s infrastructure, fans can expect an even better product going forward.   Food & Beverage   4 Finding something to eat is easy to do at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as the track is home to various food vendors and beverage carts around the property – at nearly every vantage point there is something to eat. The majority of food selections are standard burgers, hot dogs ($6), sausages ($14-$18) and a few salads. One of the most popular spots is the local Mexican food booth that features tacos ($18), burritos ($20), and carne asada fries ($20) – while pricey, the flavor is worth every penny.   Atmosphere   5 The weather in central California is almost always perfect. Rarely seeing the temperature rise higher than the low 80s on race day, the atmosphere at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is nearly all-but-guaranteed to be ideal. In addition, the facility is located on the top of the coastal hills outside Monterey, making it a perfect spot for a breezy afternoon. Large oak trees line the track at various places, giving fans somewhere to hide from the sun if it does get warm. Additionally, fans can camp over the weekend at the track, as the property serves as a recreational park during weekends when there’s no racing. The upgrades to the facility in recent years include an improved crossover bridge connecting the paddock to the outside of the front straight. In addition, where once stood a simple wooden bridge now sits a fully golf-cart accessible walkover bridge that features gardens of local flora, as well as great elevated views of Turns 3 and 4. Neighborhood   4 Monterey is like much of the rest of coastal California; beautiful and relaxing. Boasting the weather and scenery of the Bay Area, but with the small town feel of more inland locations, Monterey features a regional airport, numerous locations to stay, and a wide variety of places to eat. In addition, the world-famous Monterey Aquarium is just minutes from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as are Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row. The locals are kind and courteous, always willing to give you directions and recommendations on where to go. And no matter what time of the year you are going, there is always some form of festival or celebration going on, such as Italian Fest, Jazz Fest, or Octoberfest. For great food, check out Gusto’s Handcrafted Pasta & Pizza, or Hula’s Island Grill. Hotels are plentiful, including the Hilton Garden Inn Monterey and Hotel Pacific. Fans   4 The fans in Monterey are big-time race fans, having flocked to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for years. They all know the best places to watch from, so asking for a little advice will be met with kind suggestions for the newbie race fan. They also know how to party, putting on some great cookouts overnight in the camping areas. And if you want help understanding what’s going on, you can ask anyone. The fans also cheer loudly with every close pass and thrilling corner on the track, making for an enjoyable race event. Access   3 Getting to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a bit of a difficult task, thanks in part to the traffic coming in and out of the canyon in which the track is located. While the route from either Salinas or Monterey is pretty straightforward, the roads are almost all one-lane thoroughfares, meaning one slow car can make traffic a nightmare. Additionally, getting up the side of the mountain once inside the track’s gates can be daunting to those who aren’t used to driving up steep inclines. New for 2025, traffic in and out of the track is being directed through Boundary Road to the west. Via that route fans are only allowed to enter the facility, while the traditional entrance is limited to camping, and can only be used as an exit during the event. After a certain time, however, Boundary Road turns into an exit-only route, allowing for better traffic flow out of the facility. Parking is plentiful and available at various locations on the property, with additional parking passes available for different parking lots. Once you are at the raceway, moving around is aided by various bridges across the track to get from the inside to the outside of the course; just be sure to bring your hiking shoes, as the hillside walks are pretty impressive. Return on Investment   4 The track itself is very challenging, making for some of the most exciting and closest racing in the sport. The famed corkscrew complex is also world-famous for its difficulty, giving the best of drivers fits on race days. Combining the free autograph sessions, the massive fan zone, and the easy to see victory lane setup, this event offers a lot of up-close access that fans may not get at other racing events. Tickets are generally affordable, with a 3-day ticket running $139.55; individual tickets are available for Friday ($10.35), Saturday ($87.80), and Sunday ($87.80), while tent camping ranges from $118.85 to $232.70. Parking is plentiful and free at the track, but those looking for preferred parking ($61.93) or car corral parking ($82.62) can find better spots for a price. Extras   4 The corkscrew is the biggest draw here, and the hillside viewing at the track gives fans the best chance to view one of the most intimidating corners in all of racing. Spectators can also experience a great fan zone here at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, featuring numerous autograph sessions during race weekends. Something that is also different about WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is the hiking trails on site; walking up the hills to several of the viewing spots can be a workout unto itself. The weather also gives fans a beautiful backdrop from which to watch racing, as the typical morning fog in California creates a dramatic vista in the early hours. During the weekend, several free autograph sessions take place for fans to be able to meet the stars of the various IMSA series on track. Final Thoughts If you want to find a historically significant spot to watch racing that features brilliantly perfect weather conditions, a culturally vibrant city nearby, and the essence of thrilling action on track, you should look no further than WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The fans will welcome you with open arms, and the symphony of motors roaring through the mountains will fill your heart with joy. This is definitely a bucket-list track for true racing fans to visit.

Photos by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Oliver C. Dawson Stadium 300 College St Orangeburg, SC 29117 South Carolina State Bulldogs website Oliver C. Dawson Stadium website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 22,000 The 'Dogs Are In! The South Carolina State Bulldogs play their home games at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, South Carolina, which opened in 1955 and currently seats twenty-two thousand. The artificial turf stadium has been used in the past for South Carolina high school football championships, and is named after a former SCSU athletic director who was inducted into the state’s athletics hall of fame. The Bulldogs currently participate as part of the FCS’ Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and the team has won 18 conference championships. South Carolina State University is an HBCU. Food & Beverage 3 Oliver C. Dawson Stadium has a limited number of options at its multiple concessions stands (all of which sell the same thing), but the prices are great. Unfortunately several items are no longer sold – you can see certain listings taped over on the menu boards. The remaining items include hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, chips, popcorn, peanuts, packaged candy, bottled soda, and bottled water, which is not as much as at many other stadiums, but everything costs either $2 or $3, which is a great deal for a college football game. Atmosphere 3 Like most HBCUs the most impressive thing about a game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is the marching band – known as “The Marching 101”, the Bulldogs band puts on a great show before the game and during halftime, and is accompanied by the dance team waving SCSU banners. The team also has a great mascot (person dressed as a giant bulldog), who spends much of the game in the stands with the fans, instead of only staying on the field like at a lot of sports venues. Unfortunately the facility itself is a little dated – you can see some of the letters starting to fall off on the signage, and they have a very small scoreboard; the scoreboard does have a small section for video replays, but this can be hard to see if you are sitting far away from it. But they do have a lot of great, full-color banners hanging from the ceiling in the concourse showing former players who have made it in the Pros or to the College Football Hall of Fame. Neighborhood 3 Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is in the heart of South Carolina State University’s campus, so as such there are not many restaurants in the immediate vicinity, but you can find plenty of options within a mile or so, especially along Chestnut Street or along Calhoun Drive – mostly fast food, pizza, Mexican, and the like. Mama’s Kountry Kooking and Original House of Pizza seem to be local favorites. South Carolina State’s campus itself offers several tourist stops if you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, such as the Stanback Museum and Planetarium or the Edisto Memorial Gardens. You could spend several hours exploring the gardens, which actually include a number of different attractions on site – besides the trees and beautiful flowers (including roses and azaleas, among others) there are also statues, a vintage water wheel, a gazebo you can visit for shade, a fountain, and a memorial for South Carolina veterans. Fans 2 During my most recent visit Oliver C. Dawson stadium did not draw much of a crowd, so there was not a lot of energy from the fans – part of this is certainly due to the ongoing pandemic, but also the weather may have played a factor on this particular day. The Bulldogs are also barely above .500 this season. In the past I have definitely seen much, much bigger crowds at the stadium, however, so I definitely expect the attendance to increase over time, and get back to pre-pandemic levels. Access 3 Getting to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is pretty easy, given how close the facility is to the freeway – for most fans taking I-26 to either Highway 601 or Highway 301 will be your best bet, or if coming from the other direction you might take Highway 178 or Highway 4 in, but the venue is close to all of these. Parking is a little bit tougher, given that there is no close parking unless you have a pass – most fans seemed to have to walk a fair distance from where they parked. Once you are inside the stadium, however, concessions lines are pretty swift given the small crowd size, and there are plenty of restrooms to accommodate everyone. Most seats are general admission as well, so you are free to sit pretty much wherever you like. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets are $35 for South Carolina State football, which feels a little on the high side given the lack of amenities on offer, the dated venue, and the lack of energy from the crowd at certain games, but concessions are on the very cheap side, so I think that balances it out a little. You can also find free parking if you are willing to walk a little. . Extras 2 Oliver C. Dawson Stadium does have team gear for sale inside the stadium if you are looking to pick up some Bulldogs swag, and they do a great job honoring former players and accomplishments – I mentioned the banners in the concourse, but the press box exterior is also adorned with block numbers showing all of the Bulldogs’ championships. Final Thoughts South Carolina State has a decent stadium and has had some great teams on the field in the past, but of late the facility seems to be feeling its age. Worth a trip if your favorite team is playing the Bulldogs that day, but if you are looking for more excitement from your college football visit, there are some other stadiums in SC you may want to check out first.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey When you think about ballparks in Kansas City, you might think of Kaufman Stadium, which has been the home of the Royals since 1973. Recently rumors of the team moving to a downtown venue have floated around. The stadium with the fountains in the outfield continues to serve as home to major league baseball. However, another stadium in town has stood the test of time for much longer. If you drive by Satchel Paige Stadium at 51st and Swope Parkway, you will see a small stadium with a covered grandstand gearing up to host the Kansas City Hormigas of the Pecos League this summer. What is more interesting is the number of sports the site has hosted dating back well over a century. In 1904 one could have bought an acre of land for $850. The Prosso Preparatory School for Boys was created which included a two-story building with a basement. It is unknown if any sports were played on site, but in 1909 the school shut its doors and soon another organization would establish the site for athletic activities in October 1915. The intersection of 51st & Swope was s boys school in 1905 and a baseball field in 1916. The Kansas City Field Club was organized with 500 members and built a diamond, a swimming pool, a golf course, and tennis courts. The club signed a 20-year lease and remodeled the old school building, including dormitories, lounge area, dining hall, lockers, baths, and showers. The 11-acre site would be the home and devoted entirely to amateur athletics. “It will satisfy a need which Kansas City has been unable to fulfill for years,” said club director W.P. Felix in the Kansas City Post . The baseball field was on the southwest corner of 51st and Swope Parkway, the same location as where home plate is today. The field club had two baseball teams but by the spring of 1920, interest waned due to war efforts depleting many of its members.  It led to the Georgian Gardens Company taking over the property in October. They turned the diamond into a summer garden for outdoor entertainment and then flooded it during the winter for ice skating.  The company’s purpose was to provide copious amounts of entertainment options in Kansas City.  Much of that changed on the night of September 13, 1923, when a fire broke out at the clubhouse and spread quickly. Members and co-workers escaped by sliding down a gutter pipe and through second-floor windows. Durries Crane, the property owner and manager , woke up to a room full of smoke. He tied a white sheet to his bedpost and rappelled to safety, even though the sheet gave way halfway down. The first diamond and grandstand were constructed in 1916 by the Kansas City Field Club, photo Kansas City Public Library. The game was still played on the grounds; the Masonic League operated leagues, and the Order of DeMolay attempted to secure $75,000 to erect an athletic field on the site. In June 1924, a benefit baseball game between Kansas City and St. Louis Masonic temples at Muehlebach Field, with all proceeds going towards the new stadium. It does not appear that it was enough to erect a stadium. For the next several years, the field was used for amateur leagues and summer golf lessons before plans arose in 1936 to resurrect the old Kansas City Field Club with a new concrete ballpark, softball fields, and field lights. The proposed 5,000-seat ballpark would house auto racing, wrestling, boxing, soccer, and football games. Construction was scheduled to take place in early March, but it remains a mystery almost 90 years later why it never occurred. Fortunately, a new ballpark would be erected on the site two years later when Ben and George Goldman built Goldman Stadium. The 4,000-seat covered grandstand was described as the finest amateur ballpark in the country, with all the modern comforts and conveniences for fans watching either a Ban Johnson or American Legion baseball game. A sold-out crowd came out for the first game, and many stood 3-4 rows deep on the ramp. Hundreds watched from the terraces, and many others watched from cars off the Swope Parkway and on top of the bank down the right field line. “If this is typical of the patronage the boys are going to enjoy in their new home, we’ll make immediate additions to the stands. We can build deeper into right field and deeper into left,” said George Goldman after the first game. Goldman Stadium opened up as the home of the Ban Johnson League, photo Kansas City Star 1938. The stadium was equipped with lights for auto racing and night baseball games, much to the chagrin of residents who bickered that the once quiet neighborhood was now a collection of noise, parked cars on the streets, and lights. “This quiet residence section has been changed into an appalling, noisy, absolutely undesirable one,” said resident James R. Irons. “These things have changed a quiet and restful spot for the aged to a place of such noise as should if allowed at all, be far out in the country.” What should have been a magical year of baseball was dampened by resident complaints. The shocked Goldman brothers, who built the stadium for the good of man, were perplexed. Auto racing, followed by night baseball was stricken from the schedule.  The stadium was sold to Athletic Fields, Inc. in September 1940 for $13,500. They planned to continue renting it for Ban Johnson League games but only for day games. Legion Ball attempted day games but left after only five games into the season for another location in town. After the season, the B-J Leagues suspended operations due to not being able to play night games. The Ban Johnson League played at the site from 1938-1940 & 1945-1968, producing huge crowds in the process. With the U.S. entry into World War II, the B-J League suspended operations further, and the stadium’s mortgage defaulted, leading to the city purchasing the property. The neighborhood residence still held firm on no nighttime activities. Little excitement took place until the stadium and property were sold in 1945 to the Kansas City Diocese in the name of Bishop V. O’Hara for $12,500. The grandstand and playing field, which had deteriorated over the last few years, were overhauled. O’Hara’s vision was to have a home for the rapidly growing Catholic athletics and physical education programs in the area. The old bleachers were repaired while new concrete stands were erected down the left field line for football games. The total cost was $100,000, and donations came in from 35 different parishes in the area. Bishop O’Hara was proud of what he saw with the new structure. “It gives me the greatest pleasure as Bishop of Kansas City to open up the C.Y.C Stadium to the Ban Johnson League under whose auspices clean sport will be conducted for and by the youth representing this section of the city.” Once completed, the stadium would be home to six high school teams and eleven parochial leagues. Baseball, football, and softball would be played in the newly named Catholic Youth Council Stadium, CYO or CYC Stadium for short. However, Bishop O’Hara made sure that other local amateur and youth leagues were permitted to use the fields, including the Ban Johnson League, after a 5-year hiatus. Two versions of C.Y.O. Stadium imagined what the stadium would like, neither of them were accurate, photo Kansas City Star 1946. The property was once again full of life and regularly hosted sporting events throughout the calendar year. By 1946, the site was also used for 185 baseball games in the American Legion, Catholic War Vets, and Jewish Center Softball Leagues to a total of 9,705 participants, and total attendance topped 99,722 people in the post-war boom. That number would peak at over 100,000 in the next few years, which included 42 CYC parochial leagues and a few more Catholic high schools using the field. The stadium hosted events Monday through Saturday, with up to six games a day at times. Business was good that there was even talk of expanding the stadium’s seating capacity. There were plans to increase capacity to 10,000 in 1950, which would see the addition of steel bleacher frames and wooden seats down the first base foul and right field lines for $45,000. The campaign also included a field house, swimming pool, and parking facilities for 1,000 cars. However, it appears that these efforts were for not as no other construction took place.  This diagram from 1950 looks close to today's stadium, without additional seating along Swope Parkway, photo Kansas City Star 1950 In 1959, the stadium was renamed in honor of archbishop O’Hara, who passed away in September 1956. He was vital in rebuilding and reshaping the stadium’s objective when acquired in 1945. A plaque was created and placed at the entrance before the inaugural game of the Ban Johnson League that season. O’Hara would continue hosting the occasional college football game, and a few semi-pro teams called it home. The Kansas City Steers used it from 1959-1961, followed by the Kansas City Steers in 1968. The stadium housed other events, including boxing matches, concerts, donkey baseball, Christmas tree sales, and 4th of July celebrations. By 1968, only one of the high schools was using the stadium, and with declining usage, the CYO decided to sell to a land developer who would raze the structure in favor of an apartment complex. However, the plan never materialized. “One way or another, the needs of the community weren’t the same as when it was built,” said CYO president Carl Migliazzo in 1969. The ballpark had been vacant since the Ban Johnson League left after the 1968 season and only Hogan High School used the field. The O'Hara Stadium plaque is removed by members of the Kansas City Archdiocese, photo Kansas City Star 1969 The 1970s were a difficult period for the property, with fewer events taking place. The main grandstand had holes, grass, and weeds had taken over, and the old concession area was filled with straw and silt left behind by a horse club that operated there in 1977, according to Kansas City Star reporter George Kope in a 1980 article. “If you close your eyes really tight, you don't have to look at the tragic effect 12 years of abuse and neglect have brought on what was one of the finest- and busiest amateur sports facilities in Kansas City” Ollie Gates headed a fundraising committee to help renovate the stadium and was part of the movement, including renaming the stadium after the city’s most famous baseball pitcher, Satchel Paige. The ailing Hall of Famer was 75 years old when he appeared at the stadium’s rededication on June 5, 1982. He threw out the first pitch, greeted fans, gave an interview with a local television station, and thanked everyone for the $250,000 pledge towards renovating the stadium. Sadly, it would be the Hall of Fame pitcher's last public appearance; less than three days later, he succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 75, or so people thought. His exact age today is still a mystery. His family asked fans to donate to fund the ballpark instead of flowers. A campaign began to help “Pitch in for Paige” that saw contributions of $20,000 raised within the first few months. A new roof, work on the electrical system, and a power wash of the supports took place in October. “It was a big eyesore in the community. We wanted to do something about that, said Gates to the Kansas City Star  in 1990. “And my main interest was to do something for Satchel Paige. The community needed to do something for him, and it was long overdue.” Due to the effort of Gates and the community, which included all of the major sports teams of the time, a total of $250,000 was donated to renovating the old ballpark. By September 1983, the remodeled Satchel Paige Memorial Stadium opened with a new roof, underground water sprinkler, concession area, and aluminum bleachers replacing the old concrete slabs. Fresh sod was also poured over to cover the weeds. Satchel Paige Memorial Stadium was considered the nicest baseball complex outside Royals Stadium. Everybody wanted to play there, and dates would get booked as early as late January of the season. Once again, the stadium hosted amateur sports from youth sports, rec league softball, and high school baseball. A few more events were held, including the Kansas City Monarchs Old-Timers Game, a Japanese Rugby match, and summer festival concerts. The stadium has gone through its ups and downs this century Well into the 1990s, the stadium hosted a 33-team RBI baseball program, Men’s Senior Baseball Leagues roamed the field, and church leagues were popular. The Kansas City Royals installed a pitching mound, the Kansas City Chiefs played the Los Angeles Raiders in a benefit softball game in 1992, and a new version of the Kansas City Monarchs played in the Jayhawk League during the summer of 1995. After well over a decade of use, the stadiums were still sought after by many in the city. However, after 12-14 years of use, it once again needed renovations. The grandstand was structurally sound, but the scoreboard was broken, the press box was unstable, the concrete was chipping, and the place needed a paint job. The biggest problem was the drainage system; whenever it rained, the team in the RBI program couldn’t play for 7-8 days. Efforts were made to help with the stadium, including Anthony Dickson, the head of the city’s RBI program, to clean up the debris left behind at the stadium. He contacted the Royals head groundskeeper Troy Vance and began working on the field. Soon donations came in once again to help level the field, smooth out the infield, give it a paint job, and replace the irrigation system. The generosity of the community helped keep baseball alive and well on the field. In 2012, the stadium was renovated through the MLB All-Star Legacy funding and public donations. Renovations included an upgraded irrigation system, infield and outfield maintenance, fencing construction and installation, backstop maintenance, installation of a Satchel Paige marker, and other improvements. It hosted the Jr. RBI Classic event for young players to participate in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game at Kaufman Stadium. In 2021, work was needed on the crumbling bleachers, reinforcing the foundation, replacing the concrete, and once again adding a coat of fresh paint.  A large portion of the retaining wall and sidewalk that borders the stadium was collapsing, which could also engulf the entire grandstand. Other luxury improvements included a synthetic field and a digital scoreboard. This summer the Hormigas will become the first summer collegiate club to play at the stadium in three decades. The games will be announced in Spanish, feature a live band for all Sunday games, and feature $1 beers on Mondays and Taco Tuesdays. The Hormigas hope to bring a level of excitement not seen in a while at the old ballpark. Before the club’s arrival work needed to be done on the field that has seen little activity in the past two years. The plumbing was repaired and works properly, while the locker rooms, used for storage, have been cleaned out and are ready for the Hormigas players. A new fence was installed in front of the decaying football bleachers, and a new scoreboard was added. There were a few JV high school baseball games played on the field this past season. Chris Cotten, Kansas City Parks and Recreation Director, who also reached out to Andrew Dunn of the Pecos League about expanding to Kansas City, wants much more for the ballpark’s future. “I would like to build a proper throwback stadium to pay homage to the man, instead of slapping his name on the top of the grandstand and coating it with paint. I want to see more activities, including the return of college baseball.” Cotten added that the water company, KC Water, would rather knock it down since it sits in a 100-year floodplain and is uninsurable through FEMA. He would rather see it knocked down and replaced with a new structure that would stand 500 yards from the floodplain. Baseball has been played on the same site at 51st and Swope for almost 110 years. The stadium has been home to many baseball and athletic activities in its life, but whenever it seems as if it has played its final inning, it makes another rally. It has been resilient and hopes to be around a little while longer. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitte r @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Entertainment and Sports Arena St. Elizabeth’s East Campus 1100 Oak Drive SE Washington, DC 20032 Entertainment and Sports Arena website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 4,200 The Colonial Takes Over The Capital The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) is a very successful college basketball conference. A couple of former conference teams took the league into the spotlight of college basketball’s biggest stage. The George Mason Patriots’ appearance in the 2006 Final Four shocked many sports fans. When Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) did the same in 2011, the mid-major dam was broken (along with a great two-year run by Butler of the then-Horizon League). The CAA has also had great success in other sports, especially football, where Delaware, James Madison, Richmond, and Villanova have won the Football Championship Subdivision in recent years, while Towson lost in the 2014 championship game. (Richmond and Villanova were football-only members of the conference at this time). Unfortunately, VCU, James Madison, and George Mason (and Richmond for basketball) have since left the CAA for the bigger waters of the Atlantic 10. There have also been a few additions to the conference recently. Richmond had been the longtime location of the CAA Tournament but it has also been held in Baltimore, MD, and North Charleston, SC in recent years. The contract for DC is over after this season but as of now there has not been an announcement for later seasons. The 4,200-seat Entertainment & Sports Arena sits on the former ground of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. There is a move to develop even more of the former hospital and area which should help the Congress Heights neighborhood. The complex also includes practice facilities for the Wizards and Mystics and plays home to the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G-League and the Washington Mystics of the WNBA. Food & Beverage 4 There is a good standard selection of food, along with some local items such as crab cake sandwiches. Soda is all Pepsi products and a variety of beers are also available. Prices are fairly high. Atmosphere 4 The Entertainment & Sports Arena features chair-back seating on four sides of the floor, with one side being quite small. The bands will also take up seating during most tourney games. There are two video boards, but no center-hanging scoreboard. Being a pretty small arena makes the place seem smaller than it is, and crowd noise enhances the atmosphere. Neighborhood 3 The Congress Heights neighborhood is currently not one of the greatest areas of the city. The normal fan will not likely want to venture far off the beaten path in this area. The good news is that the area is developing and changes are occurring. In even greater news you are in the Washington, D.C. area with many things to do. The number of attractions, museums, restaurants, and other sights is astounding. Spend some time pre or post-game seeing the many things around this great city. The African American History Museum, as well as the National Portrait Gallery, are great choices. Fans 4 Tournaments will have varying fan bases, so it may change from game to game. But with a central location, there is a likelihood of good fan attendance. I still imagine the extremely-located schools, such as the College of Charleston and Northeastern, may have trouble filling the stands. Elon, Delaware, Towson, and William & Mary have some of the most vocal supporters. Access 3 The Entertainment & Sports Arena is located just off the Malcolm X Avenue exit of Highway 295. It is then a short drive to the arena area. There is paid parking in the large garage behind the arena. Security and police are ever present to keep fans safe. The Congress Heights Station of the Washington Metro is located a few yards away from the area and makes for an additional way to access the venue. Return on Investment 3 Student tickets were available for a decent price and individual session tickets were also reasonable. Packages for the entire series ranged upwards from $80. Numerous Championship Hospitality Packages were available for varying prices, which could have also included the VIP section and food options. The prices seemed fair for what you get in return. Extras 2 There is a souvenir stand that sells merchandise from all conference schools as well as general tournament gear. There will likely be some vendors giving away swag in the concourse. Final Thoughts The arena is a unique urban arena that seems like it is assisting and transforming the entire section of the city. The tournament is a fun place to experience this transformation.

Photos by Gregory Koch and Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 CareFirst Arena St. Elizabeth’s East Campus 1100 Oak Drive SE Washington, DC 20032 Washington Mystics website CareFirst Arena website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 4,200 A Mystical Night in Washington Editor's Note: On February 6, 2025, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, one of the country's largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations, announced a 10-year partnership with Events DC, which includes the renaming of the Entertainment and Sports Arena to CareFirst Arena. The Washington Mystics have played in the WNBA since the league’s second season, in 1998. Originally, the team played in Downtown DC at Capital One Arena, the same arena that is home to the Washington Wizards and Capitals. In 2019, the Mystics moved across the Anacostia River to Southeast DC and the Entertainment & Sports Arena. Located on the grounds of St. Elizabeth's a former state mental hospital, the ESA is a much smaller arena, seating only 4,200, and was seen as more conducive to the crowds the Mystics were drawing at the time. Food & Beverage 4 There are several concession stands at Washington Mystics games selling all the usual arena classics like chicken tenders, hot dogs, burgers, and pizza. The tenders come with your choice of several different dipping sauces and are a fan favorite. Italian ice and frozen custard from Rita's are available for those with a sweet tooth. Pricing is on the high end and only credit cards are accepted. Atmosphere 4 With only 4,200 seats, the Entertainment & Sports Arena is quite small and all seats offer a good view of the action, though they may be quite cramped. Along one sideline, there are two levels of seating, with stairs from the concourse going up to the upper section. On the other sideline is some VIP seating. There is also lower-bowl seating along both baselines. Videoboards are located at either end, and smaller boards in the corners show player stats. The Mystics have a mascot named Pax, who is a panda and entertains fans before the game. She also does things like t-shirt tosses during the game. During breaks in the action, there are several promotions to keep the crowd engaged. There will be contests on the court and the video board, and several fan cams and tosses where Pax and the dance crew will toss promotional items into the seats. Neighborhood 3 Let’s start with the bad news – although the Congress Heights neighborhood is supposedly “on the rise,” it is not quite there yet. Although the immediate vicinity of the arena is perfectly safe, thanks in part to the police and security presence, you do not want to venture too far away unless you are in the safety of a vehicle or public transit. If you must explore the immediate vicinity on foot, most of the restaurants in the area are chain ones. You’re better off hopping on the Metro or taking an Uber and heading to other parts of the District for better options. Speaking of which, once you get outside Congress Heights, there are a lot of things to do in Washington, and most of them are free. Whether it’s taking in the monuments and other sights on the National Mall or visiting one of the many museums, there’s truly something for everybody. All government-run attractions are free, but some privately owned ones are not. Just keep in mind if you plan on touring the Capitol or the White House, you will need to schedule that in advance. Fans 5 In the 2024 season, most Mystics games have been played at or near capacity, leading to calls for them to possibly move back to the larger Capital One Arena. Already a few games with larger crowds have been played there. For now, although the crowd is small in absolute numbers, almost every seat will be full. The Mystics crowd has a tradition of standing until the team scores its first basket, so be prepared to do that, at least if you want to see it. They can get quite loud at times, after big baskets or other plays. Some of this is due to attempts from the team to pump up the crowd, but much of it is organic as well. At this point, a good portion of the crowd seems to be cheering for individual players (who may have been notable in college) rather than teams, although there are a large number of genuine Mystics fans as well who cheer for everyone. Crowds in the WNBA as a whole have been on the rise, and the Mystics are no exception. Access 3 If driving to the Entertainment & Sports Arena, it is about a mile off of Interstate 295 via local roads. There is a garage and a parking lot next to the arena, where parking will cost $20 prepaid or the day of the game. Be warned that getting into the garage can take a few minutes as people pay or scan their passes, and getting out of the garage can take half an hour or longer, especially if you are parked on a higher floor. It is not well organized. The good news is that public transportation is available. The Congress Heights stop on the Green Line is located about a five-minute walk away. Despite concerns about the neighborhood, this walk is safe and there is a police presence to make sure of it. Just be warned that Metro has long headways and frequent track work, especially on weekends and over the summer when the Mystics play the bulk of their games. Plan accordingly and check for any track work on the day of your visit. If coming from outside the area served by the DC Metro, you can park at a suburban station and take the train from there. Parking costs will vary depending on the station and day of the week, but should not be more than a few dollars. If coming from the north, we recommend parking at the Greenbelt or College Park stations, and if coming from the South, we recommend parking at the Branch Avenue station. All of these stations are on the Green Line, so you avoid having to make a transfer. If coming from the east or west, you will likely park at a Silver, Orange, or Blue Line station, which requires a transfer to L'Enfant Plaza. The concourse can get extremely crowded to the large crowds, making navigation difficult. There can also be a wait for the restrooms at times. It seems the arena designers were not expecting the frequent sellouts the Mystics have. Return on Investment 4 If you buy your tickets at face value, they will start at around $25 depending on the game and where you sit. This is not too expensive. However, games do sell out, which will force you to buy resale tickets if you do not buy early enough. This can cost two to four times face value. We recommend buying early to avoid this. Concessions and parking are a bit on the high end, but this is not unexpected in a major city. Ultimately, a Mystics game is still a very good deal, as long as you buy tickets early enough to pay face value. Extras 4 There is a souvenir stand that sells merchandise. There will often be a selection of merchandise that is special to the game you attend and is offered at a lower price. Pax the Panda is a great mascot that is pretty unique to sports arenas. Look for the Mystics' 2019 WNBA Championship banner in the rafters. Before the game, the team host leads the crowd in a call and response. The host will ask "Who are we?" and the crowd will answer "DC". Then the host will say "Whose house is this?" and the crowd will say "Our house', then the game will tip-off. Final Thoughts The Washington Mystics are drawing sellout crowds to the Entertainment & Sports Arena nearly every game and seem to be outgrowing their home there very quickly. Someday soon, they may move back to Capital One Arena, but for now, a Mystics game at the ESA is a great experience, though not as good as it might be in a larger and fancier arena.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 CareFirst Arena St. Elizabeth's East Campus 1100 Oak Dr SE Washington, DC 20032 Capital City Go-Go website CareFirst Arena website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 4,200 Go-Go Go to the ESA Editor's Note: On February 6, 2025, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, one of the country's largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations, announced a 10-year partnership with Events DC, which includes the renaming of the Entertainment and Sports Arena to CareFirst Arena.   Prior to 2018, the Washington Wizards were one of the few NBA teams without a G League affiliate. Dating back to the league’s time as the Development League, the Wizards never had a club to send their younger players to. That all changed when the Capital City Go-Go were founded and the Entertainment & Sports Arena opened. The ESA was built on the former site of St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital with the intent of revitalizing the Congress Heights neighborhood. In addition to hosting the Go-Go, the arena is the home to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and has also hosted events ranging from college basketball to e-sports. Food & Beverage 4 The Entertainment & Sports Arena has several concessions stands serving classic food items as well as items from local vendors. If you’re looking for a meal, your options include a cheeseburger and fries for $12, chicken tenders and fries for $10, hot dog for $6, or a half smoke combo featuring one of the more unique regional items for $10. Snacks include nachos for $6 and bottomless popcorn for $8. Fans looking to indulge their sweet tooth can head to The Orange Cow, a local vendor which has its own stand at the arena. As you might expect from the name, options there include ice cream cups and ice cream sandwiches, both for $6, and a frozen chocolate banana for $4. The last one is one of the more unique options you will find at any arena. Thirsty fans can buy Pepsi products, Gatorade, water, or lemonade, all for $5 each. Beer ranges from $9 to $11 for 16 oz. can. Atmosphere 3 The Entertainment & Sports Arena features chair back seating on all four sides of the floor. There is a second level of chair backs on one of the sidelines which is general admission. All other seats are reserved. There are two video boards, one behind each of the baskets, which also show the score and other basic information. Boards in each of the corners give more detailed player stats. The Go-Go nickname is a homage to the style of music that originated in Washington, so as you might expect there is a lot of go-go music piped in throughout the arena, including a recording of a go-go drum. There is also a real drum that they play on occasion during timeouts. Whether it’s banging the drum or something else, the Go-Go run a number of promotions to keep the team engaged during breaks in the action. Neighborhood 3 Let’s start with the bad news – although the Congress Heights neighborhood is supposedly “on the rise,” it is not quite there yet. Although the immediate vicinity of the arena is perfectly safe, thanks in part to the police and security presence, you do not want to venture too far away unless you are in the safety of a vehicle or public transit. If you must explore the immediate vicinity on foot, most of the restaurants in the area are chain ones. You’re better off hopping on the Metro or taking an Uber and heading to other parts of the District for better options. Speaking of which, once you get outside Congress Heights, there are a lot of things to do in Washington, and most of them are free. Whether it’s taking in the monuments and other sights on the National Mall or visiting one of the many museums, there’s truly something for everybody. All government-run attractions are free, but some privately owned ones are not. Just keep in mind if you plan on touring the Capitol or the White House, you will need to schedule that in advance. Fans 2 Unfortunately, Go-Go games are still sparsely attended. It seems many fans in Washington have not heard of them, or if they have, they have no idea where the arena is. When people have no idea there is even an arena here, it is hard to get them to come to games. As for the fans who do show up, some of them can get quite into it, but the majority of them aren’t all that into it for most of the game. Sure, they’ll cheer for big plays, but the majority of the game, there is no noise from the fans save small pockets of people. Access 4 If you’re planning to take the Metro to the game, the Entertainment & Sports Arena is about a five-minute walk away from the Congress Heights station on the Green Line. Limited parking is also available on site for $10, but you will likely need to reserve this in advance and may need to take a shuttle or walk a bit to and from the lot. Also, keep in mind the entire area around the arena is a new development, and many GPS apps have not updated to reflect this yet. They may instruct you to turn down streets that no longer exist while not showing the new streets that make up the area around the arena. Be sure to allot extra time if you don’t know where you’re going. Return on Investment 3 The kind of deal you get depends strongly on how you buy your tickets. If you purchase directly from the team, ticket prices range from $10 for upper level general admission seats to $35 for front row seats at center court. Court side seats will cost you twice that when they are available, but will only get you marginally closer than the $35 tickets and are probably not worth it. Unfortunately, the Go-Go use Ticketmaster to sell their tickets, so expect the price to go up by around 50% with fees. Even $35 is pretty expensive considering the atmosphere and the quality of play, and that’s not even factoring in the massive fees. However, the good news is that Ticketmaster also offers Verified Resale Tickets, which typically go for significantly less than face value. Lower level sideline seats can go for as low as $6, and rarely more than $10. Of course, you still have to pay fees, but this is significantly more affordable than paying face value. That being said, this is obviously not a sustainable or positive model for the team and they should look to improve the value of attending games. Extras 2 There is a “Pop-a-Shot” located in one of the corners where children can shoot baskets at an inflatable hoop. Small kids often get bored sitting in one place for a long time, and this can be a way for them to let off some of that energy while their parents enjoy the game. Go-Go players are also available to sign autographs for fans from the time doors open until 20 minutes before tip off. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, many people in Washington have no idea the Capital City Go-Go or the Entertainment & Sports Arena even exist. Those who are aware of it will find it a decent enough experience, but being in a mostly empty arena often isn’t much fun for anyone but the most die-hard of basketball fans. The Go-Go and the ESA would do well to market themselves better, and hopefully once the team and arena have been around for a few years, the crowds and atmosphere will improve.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 TPC Louisiana 11001 Lapalco Blvd Avondale, LA 70094 Zurich Classic website TPC Louisiana website Year Opened: 2005 Golfing in the Bayous The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is one of the more unique stops on the PGA Tour. Established in 1938, the tournament has evolved over the decades, attracting some of the best golfers to ever play the sport, with winners such as Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Vijay Singh, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy. In 2017 the Zurich Classic introduced its team format, making it the only PGA Tour event where players compete in pairs rather than individually. The Zurich Classic has been played at several golf courses in the area, but in the spring of 2005 the tournament found a new home at TPC Louisiana, a Pete Dye-designed course located in Avondale, 20 miles southwest of New Orleans on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. This course was built through 250 acres of wetlands, offering a scenic layout that embodies the beauty of the Mississippi River Delta. Bringing the PGA to the bayous of Louisiana has created a tournament unlike any other. The relaxed atmosphere, mixed with New Orleans’ signature energy, sets the Zurich Classic apart from more traditional stops on the tour. You’ll hear live bands, local musicians playing on stages, and second-line parades, and well as feel a party-like atmosphere that reflects the city’s love of celebration. The event embraces the laid-back, festive nature of New Orleans, making it one of the most enjoyable stops on the PGA calendar.   Food and Beverage   4 You can’t come to an event in New Orleans without talking about the food, and the Zurich Classic is no exception. The highlight of the culinary options here is the Best of Zurich Classic food option, set up on Hole 13; a covered area bringing some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans. Patrons can also taste dishes from esteemed New Orleans restaurants such as Galatoire’s, Emeril’s, Desi Vega’s Steakhouse, Jack Rose, Palace Café, and City Pork at the 18th Fairway Club, while over at the 17th Fairway Club, Acme Oyster House and Drago’s serve up their renowned seafood specialties. In addition, Patton’s Caterers, a tournament staple, delights guests with offerings like crawfish beignets, oysters, boudin, jambalaya and a local staple in Crawfish Monica. The Walk On’s Party Pavilion is also popular, featuring a covered pavilion overlooking the 17th Green and including Walk On’s signature items. For the general admission ticket there are five concession stands scattered along the course – hamburgers, sausage dogs, and breakfast sandwiches round out this menu, along with a few items unique to the area such as muffaletta and crawfish mac n’cheese. Prices are reasonable, with every item costing $8. Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of the Zurich Classic, and the New Orleans institution PJ’s Coffee provides coffee, tea, and lemonade. For alcohol a wide selection of beer is on sale, as well as margaritas and glasses of wine, with prices ranging from $7-$12. A few other food options in the general admission section include Jameson Courtyard between the 8th and 9th holes, a lively atmosphere with signature Jameson cocktails served with smoked pork cheek and pork belly boudin tacos. In addition, Tito’s Golf Club on Hole 18 features an air-conditioned bar with Tito’s signature cocktails, and Skrewball Lounge serves up peanut butter whiskey, while Hoop Tea Lounge offers samples of their new Hoop Tea – needless to say there is a wide alcohol selection at the Zurich Classic.   Atmosphere   5 The golf course here is built in the middle of the swamp, surrounded by cypress and mangrove trees. Attending the Zurich Classic feels like being dropped off in the middle of nowhere, and that’s part of the magic – the shuttle drops you off on the side of the road near a canal drainage ditch, which is the main entrance. Walk a couple of hundred yards down the canal and you’ll enter onto Hole 3; you’ll see a ton of alligators in the canal before you even step foot on the course. The team format adds a different energy to the event – instead of the typical silence and polite applause, the spirit of New Orleans is on full display even at a PGA event. You’ll hear loud cheers, second-line parades, and even live bands. While it doesn’t bring the pure chaos of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Zurich Classic still brings a festive, friendly buzz that’s symbolic of New Orleans. The course is also spread out and sprawling; crowds don’t feel crammed like they would at most PGA Tour stops. But you’ll also walk long distances between holes, and there isn’t a lot of places to get any shade on the course. The one plus is that you are below sea level, so you don’t have to worry about walking uphill. Most of the fan zones and party areas are located around holes 17, 18, and 1 and some of the free admission party areas include the 19th Hole near Hole 1, a covered tent with a full-service bar and live bands that play throughout the day. Tito’s Golf Club has couch seating and big screen TV with a patio overlooking the bayou on Hole 17, with excellent views of the Hole 18 tee pads as well. Jameson Courtyard also has an outdoor bar area with courtyard-style seating on the Hole 9 fairway. The Manning Family Kid’s Zone has tons of games and mini golf for kids, as well as an autograph area for kids. Or, if you want to buy a car then you're in luck, because a local Lexus dealership had several different displays set up around the course where you can look at the latest models, and maybe even buy one.   Neighborhood   3 TPC Louisiana sits in the hardworking industrial town of Avondale, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, roughly 30 minutes southwest of downtown New Orleans. Avondale is a shipbuilding hub, home to many residents who work at the local shipyard. While New Orleans – just a short drive away – offers a vibrant nightlife and countless attractions, the West Bank and Avondale also have a few hidden gems worth exploring. However, you won’t find a lot of hotels or lodging in the area, so your best bet is to stay in New Orleans or Metairie. A few local spots to check out in the area include Mosca’s, about 3 miles west of the course, a family-owned Italian eatery known for its Creole-Italian fusion dishes. This place has been serving up plates for 80 years – it looks like a dingy building on the side of the road, but reservations are highly recommended; also make sure you bring cash, as it’s cash only. Just down the road from the course you will find Nola Motorsports Park , the largest auto racing facility in the New Orleans area. It features a 2.75-mile track with 16 turns and a 5,200-foot straightaway, along with one of the largest outdoor karting tracks in the country. The park hosts races throughout the year and also has a mini golf course that is a huge hit with families. TPC Louisiana is also on the outlying bayous that make up Bayou Segnette State Park, where visitors can enjoy activities like boating, fishing, hiking, and camping, while spotting local wildlife such as alligators and bald eagles. The State Park is also popular with people camping here during Tournament Week. You’ll also find many area airboat tours out this way, if you want to go deeper into the Louisiana swamps.   Fans   4 In 2024 the tournament set an unofficial attendance record with over 116,000 spectators over four days, including a single-day record of more than 36,000 on Saturday. Taking place the same weekend as Jazz Fest may be for the best, as the Zurich Classic attracts the same crowd bringing that festive atmosphere; many of the patrons will spend a day at Jazz Fest and a day at the Zurich Classic during this weekend. Also, instead of dress attire like some golf events, here you’ll find patrons wearing Mardi Gras beads, drinking hurricane cocktails, and wearing crazy festival garb. The Zurich Classic also attracts some of the biggest names in golf, so expect large crowds following some of the bigger-name golfers like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. The good news is the course is really spread out so you’ll have plenty of room to move around, even with a couple of thousand people standing around a hole watching Rory McIroy tee off.   Access   3 TPC Louisiana is located about 15 miles southwest of downtown New Orleans on the West Bank in the bayous. Coming from the French Quarter or downtown you would take the Crescent City Connection high rise bridge, over the Mississippi River using Highway 90 west through West Bank neighborhoods, shipyards, and sugar cane fields. Public Parking is at Nola Motorsports Park about a mile away from the course. Don’t expect a straightforward in an out experience if you show up in the late morning or during a weekend round, as traffic bottlenecks once you get close to Motorsports Park; it can often take 30 minutes just to move one mile when coming to or leaving the public parking. Once you arrive, you’ll park here and then get on a bus to get shuttled to the golf course. It’s a short ride to the course, less than 5 minutes – the bus will drop you off at the end of a canal near a retention pond, where you cut through some woods and are then on the course.   Return on Investment   4  Daily Grounds tickets are priced at $45, providing full access to the tournament with views of some of the best pairings in golf. For fans seeking more, the ‘Best of the Zurich Classic’ package starts at $185 and includes access to high-end hospitality venues like the Fidelity Bank Fairway Clubs and Oasis. These locations feature all-inclusive food from New Orleans staples like Acme Oyster House, Drago’s, and Galatoire’s, plus open bars with local spirits. The Walk-On’s Stadium Club, at $275, offers a luxury setting on a two-story deck between the 17th and 18th holes, with a climate-controlled lounge, signature Walk-On’s fare, and close proximity to players. While the premium clubs come with a higher price tag, the value is undeniable given the quality of the food, drinks, and access. Fans looking to elevate their experience will find the cost well worth it, especially during a week when the Zurich Classic shares the spotlight with Jazz Fest just across town.   Extras   4 One extra for the number of alligators you’ll see at TPC Louisiana – it’s not uncommon to see multiple gators on the banks basking in the water hazards. A highlight every year is when an alligator disrupts play, like in 2024 when play was delayed 7 minutes while an alligator crossed in front of the tee pad.  One of the most notable alligators associated with the course is Tripod, a three-legged alligator that has become something of a local legend; Tripod is frequently seen near the 16th and 17th holes, and his presence has become a beloved aspect of the tournament experience. A sculpture honoring Tripod now stands near the 18th fairway, commemorating his place as the tournament’s official mascot. One extra also for the unique team format of this tournament, since 2017 this being the only team tournament on the PGA Tour. Some of the past winners of the tournament include Rory McIroy, Bubba Watson, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, and Jack Nicklaus. Lastly, one extra for the Zurich Classic taking place on the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest, a.k.a. Jazz Fest – one of the largest music festivals in the country taking place at the same time as one of Golf’s biggest events, in one of the most vibrant cities in the country, is definitely only going to create a festive atmosphere.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Finley Stadium 1826 Reggie White Blvd Chattanooga, TN 37402 Chattanooga FC website Finley Stadium website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 20, 421 This is Home Semi-professional soccer first arrived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1992 with the Chattanooga Railroaders, later renamed the Express. The team played in the United States Interregional Soccer League, but it wasn’t until 2009 that Chattanooga FC (CFC) debuted in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Chattanooga finished third in the Southeast Division that year, then won the division eight times over the next ten years. During their 11-season NPSL run, CFC reached the national championship four times and captured the Hank Steinbrecher Cup in 2015. In 2020 Chattanooga FC moved up to the third tier of American soccer by joining the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) – during their five seasons in the NISA Chattanooga established themselves as a consistent contender in the league, topping the table three times. Another major shift came in 2024 when “The Boys in Blue” joined MLS NEXT Pro, a developmental league affiliated with Major League Soccer (MLS). Since their founding, Chattanooga FC has called Finley Stadium home. Nicknamed Fort Finley by its supporters, Finley Stadium also hosts the club’s women’s team, as well as serves as the fall home of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga football.   Food & Beverage   4 A collection of concession stalls lines the exterior walls of the south concourse. Concession options are solid; fans can enjoy Mac’s various styles of Philly steaks, chicken sandwiches, burgers, sausages, or veggie subs, while Chestnut Bakes offers more traditional stadium foods, such as pizza, popcorn, pretzels, and candy. In addition, The Max sticks to traditional burgers and hot dogs, and Moe’s Southwest Grill brings a limited menu of tacos, burritos, and bowls. Lastly, Fort Finley Market offers more of a grab-and-go, convenience store-like setup, but other than a food truck, local flavors do seem to be somewhat limited here. Access to the Ultra Lounge does offer premium food and drink options in the comfort of a climate-controlled area, along with a large television that shows a live feed of the game, since the lounge doesn’t have a view of the pitch. Drink options at Finley Stadium are extensive; in addition to domestic beer, Fort Finley Market stocks craft selections like Hi-Wire’s Mosaic IPA, Mountucky Cold Snacks Lager, and Wiseacre’s Tiny Bomb Pilsner. Canned cocktails, seltzers, margaritas, and Jack Daniels premixed cocktails are also available, and the stadium proudly serves Chattahooligan Kölsch, named for the club’s supporters. Non-alcoholic options include fresh squeezed lemonade, Powerade, and Coca-Cola products.   Atmosphere   3 Finley Stadium has a split-seating design with individual seating structures on both sidelines. For Chattanooga FC matches, however, typically only the south stands are used. The west end includes a plaza area, while the east end has a grassy berm popular with younger fans. Chattanooga FC has done as good of a job as they can to brand the stadium as their own, with signage, crest-emblazoned padding, and kiosks promoting both the men’s and women’s clubs. UT-Chattanooga branding is minimal on match days. The stadium has two scoreboards, one for basic time and score information and a larger one with a live match feed. What does seem to be missing though is any type of match stats: shots, saves, corners earned, and fouls. When looking for ideal seats, there is little in the way of a bad location. The Midfield Club is made up of three sections of individual chairback seats in the upper tier of the stands, with a lone section of field level chairbacks. The rest of the stadium is comprised of aluminum bleacher seating. The nature of soccer does not create a lot of downtime during the match that needs to be filled with games, contests, or other fan interaction pieces. There are a handful of ad reads throughout, but nothing that distracts from the game.   Neighborhood   5 Finley Stadium is in the southern reaches of downtown Chattanooga in the West Village neighborhood. The neighborhood that directly surrounds the stadium is in the process of an ongoing renaissance, while the area that sits along the Tennessee River was once more an industrial area with warehouses and foundries, much of which has been transformed into the First Horizon Pavilion of the Chattanooga City Market, as well as the neighboring Naked River Brewing Company. To the east is Southside Social, an “eat, drink, play” establishment with bowling and over half a dozen other games. Downtown Chattanooga is less than five minutes away and is often regarded as one of the top small cities in the United States. Attractions include the Tennessee Riverwalk, Tennessee Aquarium, Coolidge Park, and its historic carousel. Dining ranges from upscale restaurants to gems like Main Street Meats, a butcher shop and restaurant combo; North Shore is another hotspot for niche eateries and coffee shops. Chattanooga has as a wide variety of museums, including the International Towing and Recovery Museum, Hunter Museum of American Art, and Classic Arcade Pinball Museum of Chattanooga. The city is also rich in historical and cultural points of significance, with landmarks tied to key Civil War battles and the starting point of the Trail of Tears at Ross’ Landing, located just downhill from the soon-to-be-retired home of the Chattanooga Lookouts minor league baseball team,  AT&T Field . Just a short walk from Finley Stadium, the Hotel Chalet is on the grounds of the famed Chattanooga Choo Choo, while those a bit more attracted to outdoor adventures might want to check out Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain, and Point Park, all offering stunning views of the city. In coming years the Chattanooga Lookouts’ South Broad District will be less than a mile away, just on the other side of I-24. Not only will this bring another high-profile piece of Chattanooga professional sports to the neighborhood, but along with it will come several shopping and restaurant options – this will greatly complement the extensive entertainment choices that downtown Chattanooga already has to offer.   Fans   4 Chattanooga FC’s supporter group, the Chattahooligans, does an outstanding job creating an energetic and memorable match day atmosphere. Even when weather affects attendance, their passion never wavers; they invite fans to join them in Section 109 to chant, sing, and dance throughout the match. Even those who remain in their seats often follow the Chattahooligans’ lead, rising to their feet for the final minute and during stoppage time in each half. While the Chattahooligans play a central role in setting the tone, the broader fan base deserves recognition as well. In 2024 Chattanooga FC averaged nearly 3,700 fans per match, and their 2025 Open Cup derby against crosstown rival Chattanooga Red Wolves  of USL 1 drew a crowd of more than 12,000.   Access   4 Finley Stadium is conveniently located just off I-24 that runs south of downtown. The largest concentration of parking is on the north side of the stadium, with another lot adjacent to neighboring Chattanooga Market. Chattanooga also has a city-wide bike share program with a bike rack just outside the stadium’s north side, which definitely can be useful for locals or those staying nearby. There are two main entrances, one on 19th Street and a second on Reggie White Boulevard. Three gates on 19th Street help manage crowds efficiently, while the Reggie White Boulevard entrance is often less crowded and quicker to get through. Inside, navigation takes a bit of getting used to. The walkway between the upper and lower sections does not connect directly to the concourse that encircles the pitch, so fans must go back under the stands to move between areas – it is not difficult but can be a touch inconvenient. In general, getting to and around Finley Stadium is manageable, but it does take just a bit of patience (as well as going against conventional wisdom) here and there.   Return on Investment   4 There are several different ticket options at Finley Stadium; prices start at $11 to sit on the grassy berm and $15 in the supporters section. A service fee is applied for each ticket purchased, and tax is also added on. Tickets are well priced and fees seem reasonable, but can start to add up when purchasing multiple tickets. Seats in the most comfortable areas of the stadium do seem a touch expensive , but there certainly are seats that come with great value. Parking runs $15, which does seem a touch high, but not necessarily outrageously so. Concessions are well priced and not subject to super-inflated stadium prices.   Extras   3 It can be difficult for a team that shares a facility with a college football program to establish a home field feel, but Chattanooga FC does their best with the Chattanooga Football Club Hall of Legends. Enshrined are former gaffer Bill Elliott, defender Thomas Clark, and forward Zeca Ferraz. Outside the stadium, kiosk displays allow fans to access information on both the men’s and women’s clubs. Chattanooga FC is in the final stages of completing their headquarters, which will be within walking distance of Finley Stadium – the headquarters facility will feature  office space for the club’s staff and coaches, apartments for the players, a training facility, retail space, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar. This development should go a long way in solidifying the soccer atmosphere of the neighborhood.   Final Thoughts It can be challenging to transform a large football stadium into an intimate environment for soccer, especially at the lower tiers of the American soccer pyramid. Despite this, Chattanooga FC goes above and beyond to provide a high-quality professional sporting experience. Much of the credit for creating this memorable atmosphere belongs to the Chattahooligans and the nonstop passion they bring throughout the match. All in all, it would be hard to be disappointed by an evening spent with Chattanooga’s longest-established soccer club.

Photo Courtesy of C. GT. The Sherbrooke Expos are celebrating 20 years of baseball in the Quebec Major Baseball League. The ball club celebrated with brand new uniforms that feature a home set that looks similar to the San Diego Padres old navy jersey, but who's complaining? It’s all business this season at Stad Amadee-Roy. The Expos new look comes with two pitchers from the Dominican Republic: Ricardo Smith and Francis Jones. Both pitchers played in the Cincinnati Reds organization, with Smith reaching Billings in the Pioneer League and Jones for Greeneville in the Appalachian League. The two men hope to catapult the club to the top of the standings by the end of the season. Stad Amadee-Roy has been the site of baseball since a wooden grandstand was erected in 1910. The first stadium was built in 1938 with lighting that was replaced a year ago. The stadium would fall victim to a fire in September 1951, but a new version would open in time for the 1953 season. It sat 4,000 people and would last serve home to the Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate in 1973. One of its players, relief pitcher Kent Tekulve, is still fondly remembered in town. Photo Courtesy of David Metraux. With no hopes of minor league baseball returning to Sherbrooke, the seating configuration was adjusted to accommodate 1,000 fans. Bench seating was installed over the concrete seating bowl in favor of individual theater-style seating.  The stadium offers a covered brick grandstand, bench seats, a concession stand, alcohol sales, and its most distinguished feature, a giant hill that stretches from the left field foul line and smooths out past the center field wall. It would make the old “Tal’s Hill” at Daikin Park look like an anthill. The hill begins a few feet above the ground in centerfield and inclines to what appears to be a 45 degree angle, rising gently to 15 feet the left field line and foul line. The hill eats most of the foul corner and it's only imaginable how players react when chasing down a ball or playing off the steep hill. “The hill has a reputation that spreads far and wide - everybody has heard about it, even if they have never been to the stadium,” added Pelletier. “People are usually excited when they see it for the first time. While most players seem to enjoy it, some fans would like to see it gone. The majority understands its importance as a historical feature and popular quirk.” Photo Courtesy of Louis-Marie Pelletier. There are more than enough videos on  Jonathan Glaude’s YouTube  showing balls ricocheting off the hill, providing a welcome home-field advantage. The hill has been part of the outfield dimensions since the original ballpark opened almost 75 years ago. Pelletier added that players usually wait for the ball to hit the wall and roll down the hill and it is not troublesome in centerfield where many diving catches take place. “If the play is within the bottom part of the hill, the first 5 feet, they will usually try to lay down to make the catch. Some more athletic players venture up the hill to catch or retrieve the ball, leading to some exciting plays.”  Pelletier added that the hill is protected and will never be flatten or leveled based on it being recoginized as part of the national historic sites in Canada. FULL PODCAST CLICK HERE ---> Ballpark Hunter Podcast with Max Pelletier There are eleven clubs in the league playing in a myriad of facilities, including local fields, a stadium featuring grandstands originally constructed for Expo 67 , and newer ballparks. The $7.8 million Jacques-Desautels Stadium will debut this season for the Brock Baseball Club. The seating capacity will increase from 400 to 800 seats and feature a covered section plus a food court.  However, much is still a mystery to the league and many of its members. Pelletier added that the focus on the Expos is to build a strong team on the field that will attract fans to the ballpark. There is hope to have a strong social media presence in the future and promote the team the same way as the Welland Jackfish , 833 kilometers west in Ontario. New season means new caps and beer, Photo Courtesy of the Sherbooke Expos Besides the new home and away uniforms, fans will be treated to new caps and a 20th anniversary branding that was designed by a local company. The new home whites featured an interlocked S and E with navy blue piping down the front and sleeves. The same logo appears on a solid navy cap. The away jerseys are solid navy with the city name in a curved block letter design. According to its Facebook page, caps sell for $25 CAN. Where does this leave the lonely ballpark traveler cruising along the provincial roads of Quebec? The Frontier League has set up shop in Quebec City and Trois-Rivieres , but maybe a slight diversion to Sherbrooke, or even Thetford Mines, Castor Vale, and Drummondville (three cities with legitimate ballparks) could make for an ideal road trip in French Canada.  ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel . Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com