Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 American Family Field One Brewers Way Milwaukee, WI 53214 Milwaukee Brewers website American Family Field website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 41,900 Baseball, Beer, & Brats at the Brewers Game American Family Field is the home field of the Milwaukee Brewers. Originally known as Miller Park when it opened in 2001, the ballpark is known for its tailgating before the game, its ballpark food of Wisconsin treats, and strong fan support. It houses a fan-shaped retractable roof that opens or closes in 10 minutes.  The ballpark received $500,000 worth of public funds to renovate the stadium. It resulted in a 12,077 square feet video board in center field, a 2,840 square foot board in right field, LED displays, and the creation of the 3rd Street Market Hall with 4 new restaurants in the right field loge level. Before moving into American Family Field, the Brew Crew called County Stadium home from 1970-2000. The ballpark is gone, but the field is now the site of a Little League baseball park, Helfaer Field. It is located near the AAF and it provides the opportunity for kids to run on the field before a Brewers game. The renovations will guarantee the Brewers will stay in town until 2050 (the club’s 80th anniversary since moving from Seattle) and enhance what many considered a ballpark to visit during the season.  Food & Beverage 5 American Family Field was named t he second-best MLB stadium for food by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. This year includes the addition of four new eateries that are located in the 3rd Street Market Hall Annex in the right field loge level and include the following establishments: Kompali Tacos:  Steak tacos, Chicken tacos, Vegetarian Tacos, and Chips and Guacamole. Smokin’ Jack’s BBQ: Texan Sandwich, Pork Shoulder Sandwich, The Smokey Bird Sandwich, and Smoked Meat Nachos. KAWA (Asian fusion) : Crab Rangoon (3 pieces), Spring Roll (4 pieces), Godzilla Roll, and Chicken Fried Rice. Anytime Arepa (Venezuelan):  Brisket and Cheddar Arepa, Chicken and Cheddar Arepa, Black Bean and Cheddar Arepa, Mini Empanadas (3-piece basket – Chicken, Ground Beef, and Cheese) and Tostones and Mild Salsa.  The J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard (Loge area in right field) is a restaurant and experience overlooking the field. It features a three-barrel brewing system and brewmaster. The restaurant is opened all-year-round and offers a full menu of steak dishes, chicken wings, Wisconsin cheese boards, cheese soup, and a Wurst platter. Fans enjoy a patio view of the game on the concourse with a wait staff. However, more options specialize in Wisconsin favorites of sausages, burgers, brats, hot dogs, and sausages. A few highlights include the peppered brandy burger with melted Swiss cheese, bacon, and caramelized brandy onions; the Tipsy Polish with caramelized brandy onions, fries, pickled peppers, and Bavarian sprinkles; and the Top of the North hot dog with kraut, jalapeno mayonnaise, bacon, brown mustard, and Super Secret Stadium sauce. The options do not end here; the concession stands serve pizza slices, chicken parmesan sandwiches, giant helmet nachos, Vienna beef hot dogs, chicken tender baskets with fries, and fried cheese curds. The highlight of the beer selection includes the Local Brews bar, located on the lower level near section 207. It serves 24 beers from numerous Wisconsin breweries, including Spotted Cow from New Glarus Brewery, Ninja Dust from One Barrel Brewing Company, and GumbSkull Sea Salt & Lime Lager from PetSkull Brewing Company. Atmosphere 5 Everything begins about 3 hours before the game in the ballpark parking lots. The birth of tailgating was born here when the Braves came to town from Boston, and the tradition continues today with multiple tables, tents, and grills serving up some of the best foods in the major leagues. The stadium is separated into four different levels. Fans enter through the field level (100), and the wrap-around concourse houses an abundance of food and merchandise options. There are also island bars allowing fans to enjoy the game from all four sides of the structure. There are also open views from many parts of the concourse, allowing fans not to miss the action on the diamond. The Loge level (200) is where you will find a few interesting sections that enhance the game day experience. As mentioned earlier, the 3rd Street Market Hall Annex was recently added. The Miller Lite Landing offers sweeping views of the field from above the left-field wall. The area also has a wait staff, drink rails, charging stations, and TV sets. When the roof is open, the view is ideal for pictures from this vantage point. The 300 level is where you will find club-level suites with a wait staff. A few more suite and all-inclusive areas include the Vizzy Loft, Johnsonville Party Deck, and the Association Bank Power Alley. X-Golf is located on the Loge level and features seven state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator bays over two floors – with three bays that offer expansive views of the playing field. Reservations are required. The Terrace level (400) offers some of the better views of the entire stadium.  The ballpark is known for several unique features: Famous Racing Sausages, Bernie’s Chalet, and the Bob Uecker seats in the last row of the stadium in the 400 level. The sausages race between the 6 inning, and featured five different sausage and mini sausage mascots racing from the left field corner to the first baseline. The team’s mascot, Bernie Brewer, will slide down from his chalet after every Brewer home run. The Aurora Health Care® Kids Zone is a special kids' interactive playground located on the Terrace Level behind home plate. The area offers slides, areas to test kid’s speed, pitching, and face painting. Fans can also look around the walls of the ballpark to see team logos, sayings, and murals honoring the Brewers history in the town. Neighborhood 3 American Family Field is 4.3 miles from downtown Milwaukee. It should not be surprising since it was built next to the team’s former home County Stadium. When County Stadium opened in 1953, it was designed with the motorist in mind and was the first major league ballpark constructed outside the city limits. It is best to drive to the game and visit downtown Milwaukee afterward. The Milwaukee Riverwalk is worth a visit on a warm summer day and is accessible to the Milwaukee Public Market which is located in the Historic Third Ward where cobblestone streets line up next to restaurants, shops, and bars. The city is home to the Harley-Davidson Museum and a few brewery tours that include Miller, Lakefront, and Specher. If craving more baseball, the Milwaukee Milkmen  and Lake Country Dockhounds  of the American Association play 15 and 30 minutes respectively from the stadium. Still, the Lakeshore Chinooks of the Northwoods League play less than 20 minutes north along the shoreline at Kapco Park . Fans 5 The Brewers are known for having some of the best fans in the major leagues. The club averages well above 15 other major league teams, and fans are decked in team gear from the powder blue shirts of the 1980s to the current navy blue jerseys. They support their ball club regardless of record on the field. Access 4 Being set outside of downtown, the ballpark is easy to access with multiple lots to choose from before the game. There are 8 preferred parking lots and 3 larger general parking lots that are a little further walk. Once inside, the main concourse is the hub of activities with escalators and elevators available to take you to your proper section. The Molitor Lot is the furthest parking lot but provides the quickest access to I-94. Several restaurants offer shuttle service from downtown Milwaukee, including Brewski's Sports Club, Paulie's Pup & Eatery, Jack's American Pub, and Who's on Third. Return on Investment 4 Brewers tickets are among the cheapest tickets in the major leagues. Based on the   website TickPick , tickets are as low as $5 during the week and as high as $20 during the weekend or giveaway nights. If the Chicago Cubs are in town, the price will be higher, and it's advised to purchase parking passes in advance for a steep discount. General parking Monday through Friday is $13, compared to $15. A preferred parking ticket for a weekend game will cost $20, compared to $40. The Brewers concession prices are in line with many major league ballparks. They are a tad on the high side; however, “The 414 Menu” offers four items a la carte for just $4 each – a junior hot dog, junior nachos, Cracker Jack, and 16 oz. soda is ideal for folks with little kids or on a budget. Extras 4 First, tailgating is among the best in baseball and is a tradition. Take time to arrive early to check out the scene or bring something to eat or drink. The Famous Sausage Race is a must-see at the game and among the team’s favorite traditions, along with Bernie Brewer sliding down his chalet after every Brewers home run. Another extra is when the roof is open, the best part of the ballpark might be the Miller Lite Landing, offering sweeping views of the field from above the left-field wall. Final Thoughts American Family Field is one of those major league ballparks that might not stand out to most, but after a visit, you might want to reconsider. It is known for its tailgating, loyal fans, great food, and racing sausages. Also, ticket prices are among the least expensive in the league, making it affordable for anyone looking to enjoy a game at a major league ballpark during the season. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .   Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

The Cleveland Guardians are in the midst of a $200 million renovation project that will enhance the gameday experience for many in attendance. Debuting this year are the Terrace Hall and KeyBank North Coast and the completed Blue Moon Terrace Garden on the left field line of the ballpark. All of these areas were inspired by the architecture and imagery of downtown Cleveland, from the West Side Market to the Guardians of Traffic. The KeyBank North Coast is one of those spots that offers a blend of indoor and outdoor seating. The sleek retro vibe of the area features exposed steel and a wood baffle ceiling that adds a touch of nostalgia to anyone with a game ticket who fancies a local craft beer from the many taps at the bar.  The colors of steel, black and old gold, are remarkable in Cleveland, and several of the walls are decorated with colorful murals by local artists. Just upstairs is my favorite section of the ballpark and one that captures the new vision of the ball club. The Blue Moon Terrace Garden is fully completed with the addition of the Jack Daniel's Bar. Located along the left-field concourse, the terrace offers a stunning view of the field, fresh food and drink options, and a lush garden atmosphere that sets a new standard for modern stadium experiences. The social area offers stunning 360-degree views of the Cleveland skyline. Those views are gorgeous. Who knew that Cleveland looked so good? It is one way the team hopes to blend in with the rest of the city’s buildings. A summer heat wave was gripping the Midwest during the visit, but many would rather face these elements than a cold streak in late March.  In addition to drinks, the garden features a rotating menu of shareable plates, small bites, and vegetarian options—aimed at broadening the appeal beyond traditional ballpark fare. Seating is flexible, with high-top tables and lounge areas encouraging mingling and socializing during the game. As with the KeyBank North Coast, there is local artistry, including a giant 3-D mural near the section's entrance. For those not interested in the game of the field, this could be the hippest place in downtown during the afternoon or evening during the baseball season.  To make room for many of these changes, the old hunter green seats were torn out, but capacity has not been altered due to the changes. The additional social spaces have been in check with other ballparks: T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Coors Field in Denver, and Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City. Progressive Field is the 11th-oldest stadium in the major leagues, but it sure doesn’t want to feel that way heading into its fourth decade. “The Blue Moon Terrace Garden is part of our mission to modernize Progressive Field without losing its charm,” said Guardians President of Business Operations Brian Barren. “It’s a place where fans can connect, relax, and enjoy the ballgame in a whole new way.” The new terrace is open to all ticket holders and is already proving to be a hit among both casual attendees and season ticket members. With Progressive Field continuing renovations and fan-focused upgrades through 2026, the Blue Moon Terrace Garden signals a promising shift toward a more immersive and memorable ballpark experience. Ask ChatGPT There was plenty of commotion at the Blue Moon Terrace Garden. Fans were either sitting down or standing with friends having a drink, others watched fervently along the upper rails in hopes of a home run, which was soon granted off the bat to Steven Kwan in the third inning. He would repeat the feat two innings later. To those who prefer to keep score in their seat with a bag of peanuts or a hot dog in hand. There are plenty of areas for that at the stadium. The action on the field is to be taken seriously by the baseball purist, and not the who’s who in a social area.  Attending a major league game has changed since Progressive Field first opened its doors in 1994. A whole new generation of fans has been born, and they like their baseball with a touch of hobnobbing. The reveling with others over a craft beer or hard vodka is the norm, and the Cleveland Guardians hope to appeal to this type of fan.  So far, so good. ------ 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: 3.57 UPMC Park 110 E 10th St Erie, PA 16501 Erie SeaWolves website UPMC Park website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 6,000 A Great Ballpark on the Shores of Lake Erie UPMC Park is the home of the Erie SeaWolves of the Eastern League. The home of the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers was built in 1995 to lure minor league baseball back to town after a one-year hiatus. The stadium seats 6,000 people, features a unique seating bowl configuration, and has a left wall that is connected to the city’s hockey venue , Erie Insurance Arena. The SeaWolves began as a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate in the New York-Penn League and proved very popular, setting a league attendance record of 181,815 in their first season. They broke the record in 1997 with 196,212 fans through the turnstiles. The club's popularity was such that it advanced to Double-A ball in 1999, serving as GGthe farm team of the Anaheim Angels. That affiliation would last until 2001 when the Detroit Tigers became the parent club. Minor league baseball in Erie dates back to 1906, and for the majority of those years, the team's name was the Sailors. For much of that history,  games were played at Ainsworth Field. The site was first used in 1913, and in 1947, a new structure was erected. However, by 1993, the facility was outdated and not aligned with the modern standards for minor league stadiums. The team would relocate to Fishkill, New York, and be renamed the Hudson Valley Renegades.  The construction of UPMC Park, originally known as Jerry Uht Park,  provided a sense of pride to the community. The cozy ballpark produced sell-outs and put the city on the map in comparison to the nearby larger markets of Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Food & Beverage 4 The ballpark selection of food at the many concession stands and kiosks. Fans new to town may want to purchase a few local options that can only be found in Erie.  Smith’s natural casing hot dogs are locally made and offer a wonderful snap with every bite. They are the hot dogs of choice at the ballpark and are one-hundred-percent beef. Pepperoni balls might be the city’s official food, and they can be found at the stadium. The warm balls of dough are stuffed with pepperoni and cheese and then deep-fried. They are the perfect type of snack to enjoy at the ballpark. The third option is the roast ox sandwich, which is a roast beef sandwich served on a hamburger bun with its natural juices.  A few more local options include the Greek Dog, made famous by the local New York Lunch restaurant, and Slow Hat Ice Cream, featuring the following flavors: bourbon caramel pecan, grasshopper pie, graham canyon, and deep sea treasure - served by the scoop down the first base side of the stadium. The alcoholic drinks are varied and offer everything from beer, hard seltzers, lemonade, and canned cocktails. The brand names include Bud Light, Corona, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Yuengling Lager, and varieties from New Belgium and Southern Tier Breweries. You can even get a tall 24-ounce can of Labatt Blue and Busch Light at the game. A few items of note include deep-fried Oreos, a mac and cheese helmet, a chicken and bacon wrap, beer bats, and the South of the Border grill that includes a burrito bowl and super nachos. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice, and cash and credit are both accepted at most concession stands. Atmosphere 4 You can always tell what the atmosphere will be like an hour before the game. Fans line up outside the main entrance in the right field corner and watch the stadium crew prepare for the game. Giant inflatable rides are positioned in the Flagship Funland area, a small brass band prepares for tonight’s performance, programs are placed on racks, and a soundcheck tests out the PA system. All of this is well before the gates are open to the fans. When the gates open up, the ballpark comes alive. The right field entrance is the hub of activity, including the team gift shop, which is packed with SeaWolves merchandise, ranging from faux back caps, the alternative Moon Mammoths, and their normal on-field fashions. Customers come out of their store with handfuls of shirts, caps, and other items to take back home.  Outside the team store is Celebration Cove, offering numerous picnic tables and standing-room-only seats that line up the left field line. The Flagship Funland is a play area for kids, featuring putt-putt, a bouncy house, basketball nets, and other inflatable slides and rides.  The design is vastly different from the typical Double-A stadium. It offers lower box seating on both sides.  However, the left field seating bowl is a traditional design that incorporates a large area of seats and suites on top with concession areas below. The right field seating area is an upper deck design. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is downtown and next to the Erie Insurance Arena , where the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League operate from September to March. If in town during the summer months, there are many options a few blocks away, offering indoor and outdoor seating before and after the game. BIGBAR is known for deep-dish pizzas, cheesesteak sandwiches, calzones, and chicken wings, with 22 varieties of sauces and dry rubs. The corner restaurant is a popular destination, but the kitchen closes at 10 pm every day of the week. Further down from the stadium is Calamari’s Squid Row, which features flatbread pizzas, wraps, and chicken parmesan sandwiches, including an outdoor patio. A few spots for a drink or two exist at Cloud 9, Room 33 Speakeasy, and the Plymouth Tavern. There are also two microbreweries near UPMC Park: Voodoo Brewing Company and Lavery Brewing. Voodoo is off the busy State Street and offers a relaxed atmosphere. Lavery features a free parking lot, couches, board games, and a food menu of handheld sandwiches and small bites. The Lake Erie waterfront is worth a visit. There are pirate ship tours, stunning sunset views from The Shoreline Bar & Grill. The Erie Maritime Museum and Bicentennial Tower are two places to visit. Presque Isle State Park is a 3,112-acre state park located on a sandy, curved peninsula that extends into Lake Erie, just 4 miles west of the city. Visitors enjoy hiking trails, beaches, and sunset views. For the baseball traveler, Ainsworth Field is worth checking out. It is less than 3 miles from the SeaWolves home and is a 1947 structure that has seating for 3,000 people. There might be an event taking place during your visit, and adding another baseball game is always a plus in our book. Fans 3 SeaWolves games are well-attended on most weekend nights. The visitor should expect a large crowd ready to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. The fandom has supported the team with record crowds in its 30-plus-year history. Those numbers are not as big as they used to be, but various promotions and giveaways draw in the Erie faithful.  Access 3 UPMC Park is a downtown minor league ballpark and offers very little parking. The best options are to park on the street and pay the meter (25 cents every 20 minutes) until 6 PM. There are private lots near the ballpark that charge a small fee and a few free spots further down the road.  The stadium’s design is unusual, featuring a small concourse that leads fans to their seats. The third base side offers a majority of upper box seating, and the first base side features a majority of lower box seating. The main entrance of the stadium is in the left field corner. Return on Investment 4 There are two price points: $16 for upper box seating and $20 for lower box seating. However, if purchasing within a day of the game, the price is reduced by $3 and $4, respectively. The concession prices are in line with other Eastern League stadiums, and there is quite a variety of options, including 24-ounce cans of beer for $9. The gift shop is brimming with merchandise on the shelves, and a hat and t-shirt combo sells for $40, but expect to pay $28 and up for most team caps and special identities. Extras 4 UPMC Park earns a point for its pre-game celebration at the third base entrance that includes a festive play area for kids, free programs, a live band, and plenty of food options. The second point is for the regional foods that include pepperoni balls, ox tail sandwiches, and Smith’s natural casing wieners.  The design of the ballpark earns a third point. It stands out among other venues in minor league baseball and offers a few quirks, including the hockey arena doubling as the left field wall and stadium club building, offering a rooftop view of the field. Final Thoughts UPMC Park was a fun night at the ballpark. The pre-game ceremonies, food options, merchandise variety, and vantage points place it in a category all of its own in the Eastern League. When you add the city of Erie to your travels, you have a pleasant weekend to spend along the lake with friends and family. ------ 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: 4.43 Victory Field 501 W Maryland St Indianapolis, IN 46225 Indianapolis Indians website Victory Field website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 15,500 Great Views, Cheap Seats, and Baseball Fun in Indy Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis remains one of the premier spots to enjoy a minor league baseball game in the country; its design, setting, minor improvements, and simplicity keep attracting fans repeatedly during the season. The team has been an institution in town since 1902 and has a stadium that is synonymous with baseball in Indianapolis. The Tribe has been the top draw the past two seasons in all of minor league baseball and has averaged numbers well over 9,000 fans a game. The secret to the team’s success might be the spacious ballpark that ages like fine wine and affordable tickets or its location downtown near the zoo, WhiteWater Amphitheater concert venue, restaurants, bars, bike paths, museums, and Lucas Oil Stadium . Then again, it may be just the perfect ballpark for the size of the city. The Indianapolis Indians of the International League have been playing baseball at the stadium since July 11, 1996. The 14,230-seat stadium replaced the aging Bush Stadium that had housed the Tribe since 1931. Ironically, Bush Stadium was known as Victory Field from 1942 to 1967 after World War II. Baseball itself has been played in the city since 1877, while the Indians franchise has called Indianapolis home since 1902. The team has made several renovations over the past two seasons that have included a new $2.4 million, 35-foot-by-50-foot HD video board in the right field, updated suites, and hallways that now include the team colors of red and white, along with pictures of former players, managers, championship seasons, and a franchise timeline of major league affiliates and historic moments. Food & Beverage 4 Victory Field upgraded its food options to include fresh–never frozen–burgers, loaded tots, and other delights for the baseball visitor. There are always the staples that include the always tasty Victory Dog, loaded nachos at the salsa bar, and Sun King beer that includes the exclusively produced Indians Lager–a Vienna Lager only found at the ballpark. Indy Burger Kitchen offers the classic single or double burger along with tots at its concession stand behind the backstop. The meat is never frozen and fans can load their tots with cheese, chili, peppers, or bacon for three dollars extra. Many fans were walking around with boxes of pizza. The size could feed a couple of children or one person come topped with either sausage or pepperoni. There is also a shareable portion of tots with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and peppers and onions. The Chicken Tender and Love stand offers chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches with fries along with a sauce bar just outside the concession area. A condiment bar offers an array of sauces from barbecue, buffalo, Carolina gold, and hot honey. Fans enjoy a few slices of pizza along with a beer bat at the game, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey There are a couple of kiosks on the first base line that serves Korean brisket, adobe chicken, and harissa cauliflower tacos with chips. The Eisenberg sausage stand offers Polish sausage, footlong hot dogs, and the Dog of the Homestand that is a tribute to the visiting team. The version on sale was the Gwinnett Glizzy that is topped with coleslaw, barbecue sauce, and grilled onions. In the beverage category, Coors, Leinenkugel, and Budweiser products are served on draft, while local craft brewery Sun King offers 16-ounce cans. Sun King provides a variety of beers from Pachunga Mexican-style Lager, Wee Mac Scottish-style Lager, and the popular Sunlight Cream Ale. The Yuengling Landing offers eight cocktail drinks served in mini-fish bowls that are as colofrul as they are tasty. A few of the selections include Blue Hawaiian, wine slushies, vodka and pink lemonade, and pineaple mango mojito. You can also find vendors hawking soda, beers, cotton candy, and peanuts in the stands. On Tuesday, it is Dollar Menu Night featuring $1 hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, and peanuts at specific concession stands. This night is also extended to Thursday night for playoff games. Thursday nights, during the regular season, feature Thursdays which includes $2 Pepsi products and $3 draft beers. The food at Victory Field does not try to reinvent ballpark cuisine, but rather, makes it a little bit tastier. Atmosphere 5 When you have a ballpark situated downtown, the views are spectacular throughout the concourse. There are two-tier seating and a long, lush grass berm area that is perfect for laying out on a blanket or enjoying a few snacks from your cooler. The berm is a favorite gathering spot for both your baseball and non-baseball fans to enjoy the game in unison; it is also a great place to get a tan. A lot of other ballparks have grass seating in the outfield, but here it is spacious and perfectly sloped for comfort. The majority of visitors enter through the center field entrance under the arched signs of Victory Field into the PNC Plaza. This area offers the children’s play zone, access to lawn seats, and concession items. You will also find a few sellers offering a cold beer or cotton candy to everyone who walks through the entrance. Fans either walk to their seats, gaze at the surrounding views, or head to other concession areas of the stadium. Then again, you may have a ticket in The Yuengling Landing in the left-field corner. A ticket will cost you $30, but you will have table-top seating with wait service. The popular section can handle up to 150 people per game and is usually sold out from June to September. It is a place for adults 21 or older to enjoy the game in a much more prestigious setting at the ballpark. The Elements Financial Club is $85 and includes food and drink. It is located in the suite area above the grandstand and offers a full-service bar, indoor seating, and outdoor seats. Victory Field Yuengling Landing, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Rowdie is the official team mascot and he can be seen throughout the game entertaining fans. If you are with children, the team offers carnival games behind the batter’s eye in the center field. Kids can test their pitching arms, win prizes at ball tossing, or enjoy t-ball hitting, and water gun races. There is also a small team gear stand and food stand in this area. The team’s official merchandise store is rather small, but there is a lot of great team swag for both men and women that pays tribute to the team’s long history. There is an additional store down the first baseline. Also, look out for tables offering discounted shirts and caps during select times throughout the season. The main concourse features heritage posters that pay homage to past greats including Harmon Killebrew, Roger Maris, Randy Johnson, George Foster, and current star Andrew McCutchen. Much of the Indians’ former Hall of Famers, all-stars, and championships are on display on the exterior of the outfield entrance. Neighborhood 4 Victory Field is located in downtown Indianapolis, and there are many options from hotels, bars, restaurants, and museums; although many of them are chains, there are a few places worth visiting before or after a game. A great destination after the game would be Mass Ave. where the vibrant streets offer an array of dining and late-night destinations. The Eagle has some of the finest fried chicken in the city, Bru Burger Bar is widely popular, but then again so is the taco and tequila bar Bakersfield. If you are looking for music, cocktails, and a cool vibe, visit Union 50. The downtown scene features many local breweries including Sun King, Metazoa, and Ellison. The Tap and The Yard House feature even more craft beer choices from around the Midwest and the country. If you are with the family, the Indianapolis Zoo and State Museum are within walking distance of the stadium, and for a place, the kids will enjoy, The Children’s Museum is just a few short miles north. The Fountain Square neighborhood is worth visiting as well with even more restaurants, shops, bars, and comedy clubs. Fans 5 There is a question that lingers over each visit made to Victory Field. Are the fans here to watch baseball, or are they here for a nice night out with friends or family? It is solely about enjoying time outside, having a lazy afternoon, or enjoying a night with a group of friends or colleagues. It is a quintessential minor league baseball experience where fans come out in droves on the weekends, during fireworks nights, and during promotional Sunday afternoon games. The city fills up the place consistently year after year and there has rarely been a negative word said about Victory Field by any of its fans or first-time visitors. Access 4 Moving around the concourse at Victory Field is simple and easy, markers are located for bathrooms, seating areas, and exits. Ushers are available to assist with seat location, and there are very few barriers in anyone’s way inside the facility. Concession booths are set up nicely around the stadium and there is free WiFi for patrons. After and before the game, local police do a great job of making congestion dissipate on the streets and sidewalks outside of the main outfield entrance. The best way off I-70 is to exit 79A S. West St. and proceed north until the stadium is on your left. However, during certain weekends or Holiday games, the crowds can swell to close to 15,000–plan to arrive early and look for concession lines down the third base side to reduce wait time. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for an Indians game will cost you between $13-$19 (add $2 if purchased the day of the game) depending on where you want to sit. This is the average price point compared to other International League teams. Tickets to Yuengling Landing are $32 and near the foul pole in left field, fans in the Landing have access to an exclusive menu, reserved tables and drink rails, a dedicated bar, and wait staff. The team offers its Dollar Tuesdays and Thirsty Thursdays where beer and soda are $3. Victory Field parking is accessible by several city lots surrounding the stadium including the Senate State Garage (a 15-minute walk) for $7 and the White River State Park and Government Center Garage ($10). Lucas Oil Stadium Lot 1 and Convention Center Lot A are both $7 for most home games. Parking in the neighboring lots should cost you no more than $7-$10, however, parking in the museum lot can run you $10. If you can find street parking, the prices are from $1.50-$1.75 an hour until 9 PM, or if taking in a Sunday afternoon game, the meters are free of charge. Extras 5 One extra point for the lawn seats in minor league baseball, the area is perfectly sloped and wraps around the entire outfield perimeter. Fans are also allowed to bring in a single-handed cooler no larger than 20 inches, sans non-alcoholic beverages and glass containers. An additional extra point for the victory bell that gets rung after every Indian victory. The collection of merchandise from the team’s illustrious history is worth an extra point. You can spot Cincinnati Reds-era caps, Montreal Expos pinwheel caps and powder blue shirts, and Chicago White Sox-era navy caps on fans throughout the ballpark. One final extra point for the video menu boards at almost all concessions and kiosks throughout the facility. There are more and more ballparks catering to visual customers, but we all know that we eat with our eyes. Final Thoughts Victory Field is my minor league baseball headquarters. I have the opportunity to visit the spacious facility numerous times each year and see what is new. Certain nights and promotions are better than others, but it is a ballpark that feels new, clean, vibrant, and beautiful over 25 years. It’s not uncommon to have 12,000 fans at the stadium on a Friday Fireworks Night. If architects were to create a new ballpark for Indy, they would make it exactly like Victory Field. ------- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at marc.viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Cheney Stadium 2502 S Tyler St Tacoma, WA 98405 Tacoma Rainiers website Cheney Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 6,500 Home of the Tacoma Rainiers Opened in 1960, Cheney Stadium plays host to the AAA Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. The stadium has a unique history. Cheney Stadium needed to be built in short order in order for Tacoma to obtain the AAA team that was based in Phoenix. The mission succeeded with the stadium being built in a mere three and a half months to meet the Opening Day deadline. In 2011, Cheney underwent a comprehensive $30 million renovation that included luxury suites, a kids play area, more restrooms and concessions and shoring up the main seating area. In addition to the Rainiers, Cheney Stadium hosted the Tacoma Defiance and OL Reign soccer teams in addition to hosting the AAA All-Star Game in 2017. Food & Beverage 4 Cheney Stadium offers up all the items you expect. From hot dogs to burgers to pizza and BBQ sandwiches, there is no shortage of ballpark fare. Cheney takes their concessions one step further. As a nod to their location near the Pacific, give Ivar’s a try. They serve different dishes including fish & chips and clam chowder. If you are feeling adventurous, try an Ivar Dog. The Ivar Dog is a seafood-based hotdog topped with cole slaw and tartar sauce. In addition, Cheney offers up the regular snacks of popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy, pretzels, etc. As for beverages, Cheney serves Coke products. Additionally, there are a multitude of beer and mixed drink options. Want coffee? Stop by Grounds Brew where you will find all sorts of different types of coffee and tea. Concessions run about the norm for minor league baseball. Atmosphere 4 The stadium is aesthetically quite nice. There are no bad seats. One thing you notice quickly is the seating area is a bit steeper than many stadiums. This creates great views of the field without having to worry about partially blocked views if taller fans are sitting in front of you. A video board sits just left of the batter’s eye, with the scoreboard just to the right of the batter’s eye. Down the first base line is a nice grass berm area. The berm gives a great view of the Rainiers bullpen which is near the right field corner. Behind the berm is a kids play area which includes a whiffle ball park. Restrooms and concessions are below the seating deck. On the night I attended, while the crowd was not particularly large, there were no issues with lines for the restrooms or concessions. Neighborhood 3 Cheney Stadium is set in a residential/retail area. As such, there isn’t much in the way of places to walk to before or after the game. However, about 3 miles away, you will find a litany of places in a very scenic area…Commencement Bay. This area is also where you will find most of the hotels in the area. Among your dining options are the E9 Firehouse and Gastropub on Pine St. E9 brews their own beer and, yes, is located in a former firehouse. Down on 6 th  St., we stopped at the Southern Kitchen. If you are a fan of southern cooking, this is your place. Be sure and try the catfish…it’s great! Fans 4 Having attended far more minor league games than I can remember, I was hard pressed to remember too many crowds that were more attentive during the game. A large percentage of fans knew the players, the important situations, and were engaged throughout the game. Access 4 Cheney Stadium is located just off Highway 16 on South Tyler St. and is easy to get to. There are two parking entrances, one in front of the stadium and one behind the stadium in the Foss High School parking lot. On the evening I attended, the stands were about half full and there were no issues getting around the concourse or finding a restroom. Concession lines were minimal and yielded a very short wait, if any. Return on Investment 3 You can get a ticket in the main seating area for about $23. I’d recommend using the Foss High School parking lot for parking as the cost is $10, which is half the cost of the home plate parking lot which is $20. Concessions are about the going rate at all minor league parks. While the cost to attend a game is a little more pricey than other parks, Cheney Stadium offers a fun experience that that gives you a good return on your money. Extras 5 Cheney Stadium has a unique setup. While hard to describe, it is a very enjoyable look. If you like old time light towers, Cheney is your place. The light towers were reclaimed from Seals Park in San Francisco, which is the stadium the San Francisco Giants initially played in when relocating from New York. On a clear day, head up to the left field party deck. Should Mt. Rainier be peaking out, you will have a great view of it. In the concourse, you will find a nice little display of the Tacoma Baseball Hall of Fame. Final point for Rhubarb the Reindeer. Rhubarb is the Rainiers mascot and quite active during the game. Final Thoughts I wasn’t sure what to expect of Cheney Stadium. I walked away very impressed with the stadium and the game presentation the Rainiers staff puts together on a nightly basis. The prices are a little on the high side, but there are some unique factors that make a visit to Cheney Stadium well worth your time.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score:3.86 Rogers Centre 1 Blue Jays Way Toronto, ON M5V 1J3 Canada Toronto Blue Jays website Rogers Centre website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 39,150 Rogers Ballpark In the perennial world of ballpark construction, it seems that Rogers Centre has completed the lion’s share of the significant changes that President Mark Shapiro stated would turn “the stadium into a ballpark.”  Opened in 1989, the SkyDome was an innovative marvel with the first ever retractable roof and the first large video screen dubbed the JumboTron.  Over time the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards drastically changed the direction of ballpark construction.  MLB teams were commissioning the building of ballparks and multi-purpose stadiums, like SkyDome, became a thing of the past.  SkyDome was renamed Rogers Centre after it was purchased by Rogers Communications and in 2014 a major shift was undertaken.  The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League were informed that they would no longer be allowed to play at Rogers Centre.  The major changes began.  New turf was installed and the major task of creating a true dirt infield was undertaken, replacing the old sliding pits.  The focus then turned to the fan experience, which is where the biggest changes took place. From 2022 to 2025 hundreds of millions of dollars were invested in Rogers Centre to change the infrastructure and try to create a ballpark experience.  Every seat was replaced.  New social areas were created.  The lower bowl was completely replaced, removing the old track system that moved the seats for a football configuration to a permanent seating area where seats were reoriented towards home plate. The Toronto Blue Jays played their first season in 1977 at Exhibition Stadium.  The ultimate success found its way to the shores of Lake Ontario with the 1992 and 1993 World Series championships.  Joe Carter’s World Series ending home run of 1993 is one of the most iconic baseball scenes ever.  Renewed success has found the Jays in 2025 with a surprising surge to the top of the American League East, bringing capacity crowds back to Rogers Centre. Food & Beverage 4 Rogers Centre provides a solid culinary experience for patrons.  Hot dogs, burgers, nachos, and popcorn are all readily available.  There are several different hot dog and burger options.  Pizza is provided by Pizza Nova and soft drinks are provided by the Coca-Cola family of beverages.  The alcoholic beverage and specifically beer options are massive. Fans could head to the WestJet Flight Deck on the second level past centrefield for possibly the best beer selection in the building.  For fans who are looking for something a little more unique, grabbing a chicken sandwich at Mary Brown’s, a Canadian chain originating from Newfoundland, or some Apple Brisket or Jerk Chicken Nachos, would be the way to go.  The Cubano Panini at the TD Park Social is also a good choice.  Rogers Centre has increased the number of “Tap and Go” facilities offering a quick in and out for easy to grab items.  Of particular interest are Loonie Dog Tuesdays.  Hot Dogs are only $1 on these special days and the variety of concession items definitely decreases on these days to accommodate the massive promotion.  On the day of this review, a record number of hot dogs were purchased at over 92,000. Atmosphere 4 The biggest area of deficiency at Rogers Centre remains the exterior.  Dominated by exposed concrete, Rogers Centre is a massive structure.  The entrances remain bland as compared to contemporary ballparks and there is no “main entrance” to the stadium.  The north side of the stadium, where the Marriott which is part of Rogers Centre, would probably be considered the front.  Also, compared to modern ballparks, the footprint of the grounds is relatively small with not too much space around the exterior of the stadium.  Two bronze sculptures at the top of the north side of Rogers Centre, “The Crowd” and “The Fans” highlight the exterior and the bronze statue of Rogers founder, Ted Rogers, is found at the south, by Bremner Blvd. The inside of the Rogers Centre can be dark.  The 100 level is generally the spot to be before the game.  The best concessions can be found here and past left field, the pre and post-game show with Jamie Campbell of Rogers Sportsnet can be found.  The 100-level concourses are fairly open, considering the age of the building.  The new videoboard is even more massive than before and has engulfed an entire level and taken over where Sightlines restaurant used to be.  Above the videoboard are the championship banners of the 1985, 1989, 1991, and 2015 American League East banners along with the 2016 and 2020 Wild Card banners.  Nestled neatly in there are the 1992 and 1993 World Series banners.  Hall of Fame banners for Pat Gillick and Roy Halladay also hang proudly with the championships.  The Jays nod to history continues with the level of excellence, located on the facia of the fourth level and includes Halladay and Gillick, joined by Tom Cheek, Carlos Delgado, Joe Carter, George Bell, Tony Fernandez, Dave Stieb, Paul Beeston, Cito Gaston and Jose Bautista.  After an MLB investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and his placement on the ineligible list, Baseball Hall of Fame member Roberto Alomar has been removed from the Level of Excellence and his Hall of Fame banner removed. In the 500 level, all of the seats have been removed and replaced with larger, more modern, plastic blue seats.  The right field and left field sides of the Jumbotron each have new social areas.  The right field area is where fans will find the Corona Rooftop Patio, a bar area that often features live pre-game music.  The left field side is where fans will find the TD Park Social area, which features Muskoka chairs, cornhole, and a huge chalkboard. Each side, although similar, has a different vibe and both have been extremely popular.  The bullpens have been raised and each is well within shouting distance of fans.  The symmetrical outfield fence design has been jettisoned for some differing heights and distances, making it a little more unique than previous.  The visitors bullpen in right field is also near a new area, the Schneider’s Porch, which is on the 100 level and popular as well.  Rogers Landing and Club 328 are also popular areas in the lower bowl.  All of the 100 level seats have also been replaced and improved sightlines have come with the new seating orientation, specifically in the outfield corners.  The outfield dimensions have also changed slightly and there are now a few other corners and wall heights that generally make the ballpark more interesting. The game day production at Rogers Centre is good.  At one time, the Blue Jays went overboard with sound effects between pitches.  That has been toned down a bit.  The Jays promotion team does their thing throughout the stands and the Jays mascot, Ace, interacts with fans.  Typical baseball promotions and the like are peppered throughout the game, but the highlight of the Jays experience is the Seventh Inning Stretch.  Before the seemingly mandated “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” the Jays play their song and the eerily catchy “OK Blue Jays” is belted out to the delight of the crowd. Neighbourhood 5 Rogers Centre is perfectly located. There is not a better location in the city for the Blue Jays to be.  Downtown Toronto is a fantastic spot to make an afternoon, a weekend or an entire vacation.  There are a huge number of locations where one can eat before or after the game.  However, as with many spots, the pandemic has changed the face of the city’s culinary industry.  Fans looking for a true culinary experience, may want to ascend to the top of the CN Tower to the 360 Restaurant.  For fans looking for a more traditional pre-game experience then The Loose Moose, The Pint Public House, or Steam Whistle Brewery are good options.  Front Street and Bremner Blvd have a plethora of dining options. New to the area is the Sportsnet Grill, which is located inside the Toronto Marriott and offers views of the field where fans can eat and drink and watch the game. An entire vacation can be had in downtown Toronto.  The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada are right there by the Rogers Centre.  The Rogers Centre does offer tours, however they are not nearly as good as they should be.  The Theatre District may be second only to Broadway in New York City as far as stage entertainment is concerned.  The Eaton Centre is a fantastic place to shop.  Right across the road from the Rogers Centre is Toronto Railway Museum.  Fans may also want to take the Steam Whistle Brewery Tour, which is also across the road.  However, no trip to Toronto is complete without a trip to see the Hockey Hall of Fame.  For fans looking for other sports, Toronto FC , Toronto Argonauts , Toronto Raptors , Toronto Marlies , Toronto Sceptres and Toronto Maple Leafs  all play within minutes of the Rogers Centre.  The University of Toronto is just north of the Rogers Centre and the Varsity Blues field football , basketball  and hockey  teams among others.  A truly unique experience may be to check out Toronto Metropolitan University Bold hockey  or basketball  at the former Maple Leaf Gardens. Of course there are a ton of places that you could stay in downtown Toronto.  A unique experience would be to stay right in the stadium at the Toronto Marriott City Centre.  Another unique experience would be to stay at one of the most significant historical hotels in all of Canada, the Royal York.  A little more affordable would be the Delta and Strathcona, however you are going to pay to stay downtown no matter what you choose. Fans 4 With increased checks in the win column in 2025, there have been plenty more fans going through the turnstiles at Rogers Centre.  For the 2025 season, the Jays are averaging over 33,500 per game.  This is good for 10th in MLB and an improvement over the 2024 season.  Generally speaking, Jays fans are relatively quiet, as are most southern Ontario fans, but they can definitely get loud when the time is right.  With the colder months requiring the roof closed, the noise can get off the charts with the noise staying in the building.   Access 3 The Rogers Centre can be challenging to get to as downtown Toronto traffic can be difficult.  Rogers Centre is located right by the Lakeshore in downtown Toronto.  Driving to the stadium will be difficult as motorists must take either the Gardiner Expressway or Lakeshore Blvd.  Hitting the road earlier as opposed to later is always the best idea.  With the increased attendance due to a more consistent team on the field and the new ballpark features, driving away from Rogers Centre has become increasingly frustrating and time consuming. The bad traffic downtown is mitigated by the fantastic public transit options.  Rogers Centre is just a couple of blocks from Union Station.  The TTC subway, GO Transit and Via Rail are all major presences in Union Station.  Along Spadina you will find the TTC street car.  Any public transit info can be found at the TTC  and GO Transit websites. Decent parking can be found downtown, however depending on the day it can greatly fluctuate.  Most days you can find parking within walking distance of the Rogers Centre for around $15.   On one of those special days, the same parking space can go for $40.  The face of downtown Toronto is constantly changing and the parking situation becomes more perilous with the increase in condominium construction.  ParkWhiz and SpotHero options are now more prevalent downtown and should be consulted. Although there have been improvements outside the stadium as well, there are a number of spots where attention needs to be paid when walking.  Many areas with interlocking brick are in need of repair or replacement and some of the ground is uneven.  The concourses in Rogers Centre are pretty wide and getting around is not too difficult.  The stadium would have benefitted from escalators.  The majority of fans will travel up and down with long trips around traditional stadium ramps.  The washroom facilities are plentiful, and on most days more than adequate. Return on Investment 3 The success of the 2025 Blue Jays coupled with the physical improvements of the ballpark have led to an increase in the cost of attending a Jays game.  A General Admission ticket is now available at $20 and pushes fans into the Bullpen Bleachers or into one of the social areas.  The cheapest outfield ticket is now $37 with tickets for low 500 level seats behind home plate increased to $48.  Tickets in the 100 level begin at $93.  In previous years the Blue Jays fared favourably on the Fan Cost Index, but an updated version would find the Jays climbing the ladder of expensive MLB experiences.  Parking is decently priced and concessions are about what one would expect.  The product on the field has been great for the 2025 season and the gameday production in Toronto is solid.   Extras 4 An extra mark for the return of the ORIGINAL Okay Blue Jays.  The early 2000s saw the Jays’ anthem “modernized” with a horrible backbeat.  There is no doubt the original is better. An extra mark for the innovation that the Rogers Centre brought to Major League Baseball.  The huge videoboard, upgraded luxury boxes, retractable roof and in stadium restaurants were all pioneered in Toronto. An extra mark for ballpark tours returning to Rogers Centre. An extra mark for the transition of Rogers Centre from stadium to ballpark. Final Thoughts The majority of renovations at Rogers Centre are now complete as is the transition from stadium to ballpark.  The Toronto Blue Jays experience remains strong, but the price has increased to go along with it.  The improvements to Rogers Centre are definitely worth checking out. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Breese Stevens Field 917 East Mifflin Street Madison, WI 53703 Forward Madison FC website Breese Stevens Field website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 5,000 Full Mingo Breese Stevens Field was built in 1926 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal through the Civil Works Administration. Over the years, the stadium has seen a wide range of uses – it first served as the home of the Madison Blues, a minor league baseball team that played as a Chicago Cubs affiliate in 1942. In 1982, the ballpark welcomed the Madison Muskies, the Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics , for their inaugural season in the Midwest League. Today, Breese Stevens Field is best known as the home pitch of Forward Madison of USL League One, but it also hosts the Madison 56ers of the United Premier Soccer League, Madison East High School athletics, the Madison Radicals of ultimate frisbee, and soon Madison’s entry into the USL Super League, a top-tier women’s professional soccer league. Madison’s unofficial slogan, Keep Madison Weird, has been fully embraced by Forward Madison. The club’s crest features a flamingo, one of the last birds expected to be associated with Wisconsin’s northern climate, a deliberate nod to the city’s tradition of plastic pink flamingos. In 1979, the University of Wisconsin’s satirical Pail and Shovel Party planted more than 1,000 flamingos on Bascom Hill, the campus’ main quadrangle, in a prank that became an enduring symbol of Madison’s quirky spirit. From that tradition emerged Forward Madison’s nickname, the Mingos.   Food & Beverage   5 Breese Stevens Field offers a wide variety of gameday food and drinks, blending local favorites with classic stadium fare. The south end of the stadium has more traditional stands built into the stadium’s original grandstand, while the north end features a food hall vibe with several options housed in converted shipping containers. Fans can enjoy entrees like the Wisconsin Double burger on a pretzel bun, bacon Munster cheeseburgers, chicken tender baskets, bratwurst, hot dogs, and a vegetarian Southwestern sweet potato burger. Tacos with pork carnitas or smoked chicken with crema, onion, and lime, and loaded nachos with optional meat provide fresh, customizable choices, while Tamale Land serves shredded beef, chicken and cheese, or green chili and corn tamales. Snackables include Wisconsin cheese curds, French fries, Bavarian pretzels, ice cream novelties, and an assortment of candy. One of the most creative touches is the ‘Promotion/Relegation’ stand, where menu items compete head-to-head, with the more popular of the two remaining on the menu while the other is dropped. Beverage options range from Pepsi products, Gatorade, and lemonade to Bubblr sparkling flavors such as Cherry Guava and Pitaya Berry, along with bottled water. Alcoholic offerings include draft beers like New Glarus Spotted Cow, Bell’s Oberon Ale, Leinie’s Tropical Hazy IPA, and selections from local breweries such as One Barrel Brewing and Lake Louie Brewing. Canned cocktails and Wollersheim wines, including Blushing Rose, Prairie Fume, and Scarlet Fume round out the drink menu. By blending regional specialties with traditional favorites, the menu at Breese Stevens Field provides fans with a well-rounded selection of choices.   Atmosphere   4 Breese Stevens Field is certainly a historic relic from a time of stadium design gone by. The Mediterranean Revival design was constructed with brick and locally sourced stone from Hoyt Park in Madison, then finished with terracotta tile. The south end still reflects its baseball roots, where the former grandstand has been repurposed into the Baer Balcony, a ticketed, covered group seating area. Most seating runs along the west sideline, with VIP field suites opposite, while the north end belongs to The Flock; Forward Madison’s supporters’ section, known as The Flock End, packs the bleachers behind the goal, where many fans stand right along the ad boards, about as close to the action as any fan could hope for. The Flock brings a festive atmosphere that rivals many larger soccer venues. Weekend matches often include pregame tailgates and a march to the stadium, while weekday games have a more relaxed vibe. In years past, the Flock added to the atmosphere with a pyrotechnic smoke display, bellowing from a large cauldron resembling a coffee mug marked Wake the Flock Up. That tradition appears to have been discontinued, and while its absence does not ruin the experience, it is a small disappointment since such displays help create a more international soccer feel. Beyond the antics of The Flock, there is not much in the way of in-game entertainment or fan engagement, but soccer’s non-stop pace doesn’t naturally lend itself to breaks in the action anyway, other than a hydration break when the temperatures are high. In truth, the flow of the match is engaging enough that it is refreshing to simply enjoy the game in its uninterrupted form.   Neighborhood   4 Located on the Madison Isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, Breese Stevens Field serves as a buffer between the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood and East Washington Avenue, one of the main arteries into downtown Madison. In recent years, the area has seen significant development, most notably the modern Galaxie High Rise Apartments, which have several balconies draped with banners supporting the Mingos. Across the street, additional projects include new condominiums, office space, and restaurants, as well as Hotel Indigo and the Moxy hotel, both within walking distance of the stadium. Directly west of the venue are two of Madison’s well-regarded restaurants, Little Tibet Madison and Hot Lunch, while to the south, Salvatore’s Tomato Pies (Livingston) offers another local favorite, and the ground floor of the Galaxie features LJ’s Sports Tavern and Grille just steps from the south gates. Madison is not short on points of interest, in general. Less than a mile from Breese Stevens Field is the Wisconsin state capitol building, which offers self-guided tours; the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison is on the opposite side of the isthmus, which borders the shores of Lake Mendota. In the summer months, Madison also hosts the Madison Mallards  of the Northwoods League, a summer collegiate baseball league. Lastly, just outside Madison in Middleton is the National Mustard Museum, a quirky stop many visitors are sure to relish.   Fans   4 Forward Madison is known for its passionate and loyal supporters – that energy is led by The Flock, a collection of five supporters’ groups: Los Rebeldes de Mingo City, AccessiMingos, Featherstone Flamingos, La Barra 608, and Mingo Ladies. The atmosphere, however, extends well beyond the supporters’ section. Throughout the stands, fans proudly wear flamingo-themed prints, shorts, shirts, and scarves in the club’s vibrant light blue and pink. This area’s passion for their Mingos is reflected in their attendance – Forward Madison consistently ranks in the league’s top third, drawing an average of roughly 4,000 fans per match and standing among the most well-supported clubs in League One.   Access   3 Parking is available in any of the eight lots around the stadium , with the Galaxie lot offering the most convenience. Early arrivals can find a decent amount of street parking nearby. Fans are asked not to park in the neighborhood west of the stadium; street parking along East Washington Avenue or on nearby side streets to the east is encouraged instead. Other lots and garages are promoted on game day as well, and the team also promotes fans to take advantage of the bike valet at Gate 8 along Mifflin Street. Breese Stevens Field features only three points of entry, which can lead to long lines when the gates first open. Once the initial rush passes, however, entry becomes relatively smooth. Historic stadiums often come with constraints that limit potential improvements. At Breese Stevens Field, the only way to move from one end of the pitch to the other is via a walkway that passes directly in front of fans along the touch line, blocking the view for those in the front rows. Limited pathways and blocked sightlines make moving around the stadium one of the most noticeable drawbacks to the overall experience.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets start at $22 for entry to the supporters’ section at the north end of the stadium; this might feel slightly high, but demand for tickets keeps pricing at this level. The club does not operate any parking lots. Instead, fans are directed to nearby privately owned garages, with spaces generally available for around $10 per car. Street parking is free, though the club asks visitors to avoid parking in the neighborhood directly around the stadium. Still, it is more of a neighborly request than an actual parking restriction. Street parking along East Washington Street, or on side streets on the east side of the stadium, is suggested instead. Concessions and apparel can feel pricey compared with other aspects of the match day experience. Fans can get better value with ticket packages under $25, which often include a drink, a snack, or even a Forward Madison scarf. Planning with these packages is an easy way to enjoy the full experience without overspending.   Extras   3 Forward Madison features one of the most extensive team stores in League One. Flamboyance, as it is called, occupies a large portion of the area beneath one side of the original grandstand. A kids' play area has been part of the stadium experience in years past, though it does not appear to be consistent, and seems to have been replaced in some areas by tented group outing spaces. Instead, a mini petting zoo offers a rare attraction compared to most sporting events, drawing not just children but plenty of adult visitors, too. Stonework just outside the southeast entrance commemorates the stadium as a CWA project; such historic pieces are increasingly rare, and their preservation makes them worth noting.   Final Thoughts It can be difficult to maintain a historic stadium as a comfortable venue for sporting events while also preserving its historical integrity. Breese Stevens Field does a good job of retaining its historic charm while still providing a terrific setting for professional soccer. There are aspects of the experience that could be improved, not because they overly detract from fans’ current enjoyment, but simply to make the overall visit more comfortable. Nevertheless, Forward Madison and the community have completely adopted the Mingos mentality, which embraces the fun and “weird” side of Madison’s personality as a city.

If you ever pass it on your way through town, the old grandstand on the corner of Chicago Road and Dixie Highway has been there for almost a century. They call it Hap Bruno Field, but the large sign above the entrance reads Chicago Heights Park Department. Little does anyone realize that the ballpark and town have quite the history of baseball. Semi-pro baseball has a long history in town that dates back to 1894. A ball field on 17th and East End Avenue was used for games from 1898 until a group of 1,094 people formed the Chicago Heights Athletic Association and financed the $25,000 modern grandstand in 1927. The grandstand offered 196 box seats and 25 boxes that would also house football and ice skating in the winter. “There wasn’t a single dime of public money [used to build the ballpark],” said Bruno in a   1980 radio interview.  “It was all through public subscription (tax money). No contributions from any political division. The only thing you did was approach your friends on season tickets, those who would help support the program.” The first game took place at CHAA Field on October 6 of that year with a crowd of 4,000 people welcoming the new baseball plant with a motor car parade through downtown. The visiting Hammond club won the game 5-3. There were various semi-pro teams played in town and at the ballpark at times, including the Cyclones, Boosters, Owls, and Arrows, along with a manufacturing team called Lincoln AC. The Chicago Heights Athletic Association played off the ballpark until midway through the 1938 season when it dropped out of playing baseball. The ballpark would be used by Arrows in 1939 and the Owls in 1939. The Owls joined the newly formed Greater Chicago Semi-Pro Baseball League.in 1947 under the management of Mario “Hap” Bruno. The 10-team loop’s purpose was to Promote a better brand of semi-pro baseball for the fans and the greater Chicago area and to help organize hardball for the better interest of the game itself. The high quality of baseball stretched from organized teams like the Chicago Heights A’s and Skokie Indians to company teams from RCA Victor and Lorenz Steel. This was a league that featured former major league ballplayers and included traveling teams. The goal was for every team to have a ballpark similar to CHAA Field and have it packed with fans for every home game on Sunday. The first few seasons of the league saw big crowds in the stands, and the Chicago Heights team captured the 1948 league championship. “Chicago Heights stands to enjoy a period of prosperity and player development which will be the greatest in the history of the game in these parts.” The team would become the A's and was managed and financed by Bruno, with a volunteer crew helping with preparing the field, handling ticket sales, parking cars, and shagging foul balls. Fans packed the stadium for Sunday games, but by 1952 an average of 25 fans regularly attended games and volunteers disappeared leaving Bruno as a one-man crew handling the operation of the team. The team needed 100 fans per game at $1.00 admission to pay for the baseballs and umpires. Only one player, pitcher Frank Verka, was being paid, and all other players wanted to start or they wouldn’t show up for games. It led to Bruno folding up the A’s in April of 1953 and after 69 years, semi-pro baseball was over in Chicago Heights. The following year a six-team VFW circuit was formed along with one night of a Rotary-Lion's Teen circuit. The fees from the VFW helped provide money to maintain the grandstand that needed light repairs. Bloom Township High School still uses the stadium which was the former home of the Southside Vikings of the Northern League. The Chicago Heights Park District renamed the field to Hap Bruno Field in 1996. At the time, Bruno was 91 years old and still sharp on his memories of the game that dated back to the 1920s. He would pass away one year later but left a lifetime of memories in town. The old ballpark looks a little banged up and weathered, but for a structure that is 98 years old, she has a lot of life left in her. It might not be much to the many who pass by daily, but it has a story to tell. Perhaps a form of summer baseball will return to continue the tradition set by members of the Chicago Heights Athletic Association almost a century ago. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Block Stadium 1601 E. 144th St. East Chicago, IN 46312 East Chicago Thunder website Block Stadium website Year Opened: 1942 Capacity: 3,500 East Chicago's Block Stadium is Ready for Business Block Stadium has been the home to baseball in East Chicago, Indiana, for many years and went through a $5.5 million renovation in 2021 and 2022 that transformed the historic grandstand into a full-fledged ballpark worthy of a summer collegiate baseball team. That occurred in 2025 with the creation of the East Chicago Thunder of the Region Collegiate Baseball League . The stadium debuted on Memorial Day in 1942 and was a gift to the city by the Block family, who owned the Inland Steel Company. Work on the $40,000 stadium began in July 1940 and is dedicated to the memory of E.J. (Jimmy) Block, who suddenly passed away in 1939. He was an avid baseball fan and played for regional teams. Its opening was accompanied by a large parade by the U.S. Army Band, area high school bands, and a flag-raising ceremony by a contingent of U.S. Army troops. Vendors made their way throughout the large covered grandstand selling peanuts, popcorn, pop, and candy to the 20,000 who were on hand for the opening ceremonies. The stadium was used for a variety of activities:  football, baseball, soccer, boxing, wrestling, and even the occasional open-air opera. It could be expanded to accommodate up to 12,000 people.  It included a ticket window, canteen, lockers, and showers for the players and a public comfort station when it opened. The stadium hosted the East Chicago Conquistadors of the independent Mid-America League, known more for their uniform controversy.  Today, it’s the home to the East Chicago Central High School baseball team, the Calumet College of St. Joseph Crimson Wave, and the East Chicago Post 369 American Legion club in addition to the Thunder. Food & Beverage 3 Block Stadium houses a concession stand that serves hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, candy, snacks, and soda. However, there are home dates where food trucks are brought in to offer an array of ballpark food. During our visit, there were Loli’s Mexican and Kona Ice.  These options are great to have, but not being able to grab a hot dog and a soda at the ballpark is against all laws of baseball. If you are looking for a cold beer, you won’t find it at Block Stadium, but according to league commissioner Dave Sutkowski, that could change in the future. Atmosphere 3 Block Stadium is a beautiful ballpark that offers a covered grandstand. The renovations turned the venue into an impressive baseball stadium. Fans enter under the giant stadium marquee into an open area where food trucks and the concession stand are located. Signage hangs from the light poles honoring former players who played at the stadium, including former major league outfielder Kenny Lofton. The grandstand is made up of metal bleacher seating and several rows of plastic seats. A thick netting protects fans from foul balls, and the original stadium’s framework and pillars add a nostalgic feel to the game. There is a small scoreboard with video features in left field. Another old-time touch is the two light towers that are in foul territory on the right and left field lines. The Thunder does not offer a merchandise stand, announcements on the PA, or in-game promotions to engage the crowd in between innings. The team does not feature a merchandise table, nor are there game day lineups or standings anywhere inside the stadium.  Neighborhood 3 The stadium borders a residential neighborhood and the school’s equally impressive football stadium. East Chicago is a city of 29,000 residents and is located in The Region of Northwest Indiana, 24 miles from Chicago. It is home to ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor Works, the largest steel mill in the country, U.S. Steel’s East Chicago Tin, and the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal complex. Indianapolis Avenue features various eateries, shops, and other commercial retail stores in town and the neighboring cities of Hammond and Munster. Bugatti’s Steak and Pasta is located along Lake Michigan and offers fine dining, the Cavalier Inn offers Polish cuisine in a relaxed setting, and Johnel’s Restaurant offers American fare. Saul’s Chicago Style Grill offers iconic Chicago-style hot dogs, gyros, and Italian beef, and Millo’s Pizza Shack has deep-dish, stuffed, and thin-crust style pizzas on its menu. Two of Indiana’s best breweries are near East Chicago. Three Floyds Brewery & Pub is world-renowned for its beers and is worth a visit. The brewery gets very busy, but visitors can enjoy a Gumballhead, Lazersnake, Zombie Dust, or Yum Yum on draft. 18th Street Brewery is located in Hammond and also offers a place to eat, while you can order a Candi Crushable, Devil’s Cup, or the Best Patio Pils. Fans 2 There were a few fans in attendance due to Mother Nature dropping buckets of rain over the stadium. The faithful audience cheered on their hometown squad, while a few were there for the nearby visiting Lake County Corndogs team. Access 4 Block Stadium is easily accessible by car and offers a parking lot and plenty of street parking near the entrance. The stadium is north of I-90 and west of US-12. Once inside, there is more than enough room to roam, and crowds don’t appear to get crowded enough to cause congestion at the concession stand. Return on Investment 3 An adult ticket is $8, and a senior citizen and children's tickets are $5; and kids under 12 years old are free. The parking is free, and concession prices are well below what you would expect at a ballpark.  Extras 2 Block Stadium has been updated quite handsomely. It looks modern but holds its old-school charm. The main entrance marquee is a nice addition to the stadium and stands out along with the exterior plaza design. Final Thoughts Stadiums of this magnitude don’t usually get the royal treatment of a $5.5 million renovation, but it has transformed the old place into a beautiful new palace for baseball. If the game day atmosphere can feature more of what fans expect at a summer collegiate game, then this will be the place to be in the area. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Does baseball on an island work? Dave and Paul examine the truly unique phenomenon of FNB Field, home of the Harrisburg Senators. Grab a beer and take in the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. ⚾🏟️ __________________________________________________________________________________ You can find Stadium Journey's review of FNB Field and the Harrisburg Senators game day experience here.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 AdventHealth Stadium 755 Braves Blvd Rome, GA 30161 Rome Emperors website AdventHealth Stadium website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 5,105 Hail To The Emperors! Rome, GA has been a member of the Atlanta Braves farm system since 2003, when the Macon Braves relocated to NW Georgia and a brand-new ballpark, then known as State Mutual Stadium. The team played at a low level of competition in the South Atlantic League. Over the years the then Rome Braves won two South Atlantic League titles (2003, 2016). They also brought home three half-season titles (2006, 2012, 2018). In 2021, the South Atlantic League and Macon moved up to the High A level of competition as a part of the massive realignment in the MiLB. In the fall of 2023, the Rome Braves made a major decision…. to go back (actually… way, way back!) to the future, as they rebranded themselves as the Rome Emperors. Oh, they still are the High A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, but they now have separate ownership at the local level. The city they represent got its name from ancient Rome, as both cities are built between seven hills with several rivers that run through them. The Emperor portion of the name denotes one who leads, not follows, and is all-powerful. However, the team did not want a knockoff of the Little Caesar pizza character to serve as its mascot. What would represent them the best? The answer was a penguin, an Emperor Penguin named Julius to be exact. Emperor penguins are the largest species of penguins as they rule their lands, and conquer whatever challenges they face. This penguin wears a toga consisting of the regal colors of gold, red, white, and black…. the new uniform colors of the Rome ballclub. Finishing out the new look are the Roman columns that are on the front of the Rome baseball caps. The response to the changes has been, as you would suspect…. world-beating! The Emperors’ temple is now known as AdventHealth Stadium, after a change in the sponsorship agreement in 2022.  The ballpark seats 5,000, with additional room available for fans on the natural berms in the outfield. The field dimensions are LF 335’, CF 401’, and RF 330’. Food & Beverage 4 The Emperors offer a wide variety of foods at their three concession stands along the concourse that runs underneath the stands. The Georgia Grill and the Empire Eatery have identical menus, with one stand servicing the third base side of the stadium and the other servicing the first base line. Their menus include an extra-large pizza slice ($8), nachos ($6), hot dogs ($5), hamburgers ($8), a Brutus burger, a platter ($21) sausages ($7), crackerjacks ($5), popcorn ($7), and boiled peanuts ($5). The Los Pinguenos stand offers the “Julius Catch” platter with three cornbread-dusted catfish filets with malt vinegar fries and tartar sauce ($17). The stand also offers ballpark nachos ($8), extreme nachos ($11), regular nachos ($6), walking tacos ($9), taco salads ($9), and churro bites ($5). Frozen Treats is a separate concession stand that sells dessert items. It offers Mason Jar Icees ($12), ice cream sundaes ($6), Oatly Ice Cream bars ($5), and candy ($4). Beverages sold at AdventHealth Stadium include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($6 for 24 oz size), bottled water ($4), and Powerade Energy drinks ($6). Adult beverages include Miller and Coors brand beers ($7 for 16 oz size) or 16 oz craft beers ($8). The ballpark offers special savings on specific food items during weekday games. Fans can enjoy $2 Tuesdays where popcorn, hot dogs, and drinks are each two bucks. Double Dog Wednesday allows fans to bring their dogs to the ballpark and get two hot dogs for the price of one. Thirsty Thursdays offers beers for $2 for a 12-ounce draft. On Sunday Fun Day children under 12 can eat for free at the ballpark. They are also allowed to run the bases following the Sunday games. Atmosphere 4 The staff at AdventHeath Stadium work hard to ensure that fans at an Emperors game have a good time. They are not overly officious about enforcing where you sit if there are plenty of empty seats. The seating bowl is close to the action, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. There is some sort of game or entertainment on the field when there is a break in the action. The Emperors’ Team store was enlarged and restocked with all new and rebranded merchandise in time for the 2024 season.  It is located along the concourse behind home plate. The team store opens at 10 am on game days. Otherwise, it is open 10-6 Monday-Friday during the season. Home Run Hill is a great place to spread out a blanket and watch the action on the field while seated on a grass slope. Fans are welcome to sit on the berms that hug both the first and third base lines. Neighborhood 3 AdventHealth Stadium is located on Veterans Memorial Highway, which is the perimeter highway around downtown Rome. The only other business nearby is the Bella Roma restaurant which sells Italian food. It is adjacent to the stadium. Downtown Rome is only three miles from the ballpark, and it is well worth the short drive before or after the Emperors’ game. The city is famous for its three rivers that made it a center for transportation as well as a textile center, due to the many mills located in the city during the 1800’s. The city is also home to Berry College, which has the world’s largest college campus based on acreage. Rome also has several historical sites related to the Cherokee Indian Nation. The Trail of Tears began in the Rome area and ended in Oklahoma. There are numerous bars and restaurants in the downtown area. Fans 4 Emperor fans are very proud of their hometown team. They are night shy about telling you about all the former Rome players who have gone on to “The Show” sixty miles down the highway at Truist Park. The new team name has also energized the fans, as it much more to the city of Rome in both a modern and ancient way (after all… When in Rome!) There is a Kid’s Zone with games, inflatables, and a bounce house located near the right field foul pole. In addition to the food and drink specials during the week, AdventHealth Stadium also has some non-food-related promotions for fans.  T-Shirt Tuesdays provide fans with special Emperors T-shirts with various designs throughout the season. Fireworks Fridays include a colorful end to the work week with a bang. In addition, the Emperors will hold several Bobblehead nights featuring different players from both Emperors and the Atlanta Braves. Access 3 All roads lead to Rome…. If you don’t mind traveling 30 miles off the interstate! Directions from Atlanta: Take I-75 North to exit 190 (Rome-Canton) Turn left off exit and follow Highway 411/20 towards Rome for 22 miles. At the intersection of Highway 411 and Highway 1 (Veterans Memorial Highway) turn right. Follow Highway 1 for seven miles. The stadium will be on your right at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway and Riverside Parkway. Directions from Chattanooga: Take I-75 South to Exit 312 (Calhoun). Turn right at the end of the exit onto Highway 52 West towards Rome for 20 miles. Once in Rome, turn right at Calvary Baptist Church (Veterans Memorial Highway /Highway 1. The stadium will be on your right in 1.5 miles at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway and Riverside Parkway. Ballpark gates open one hour before the first pitch. Return on Investment 4 Parking is $5 per car. There is also overnight parking available for RV’s in this lot for $30 a night. AdventHealth Stadium is a cashless facility. Tickets sold the day of the game will be $2 more. Tickets are available at several different price points. Diamond-level seats (run from dugout to dugout behind home plate): $17 Tuesday/Thursday and $21 Friday-Sunday Dugout seats (front row seats beyond dugout to foul pole): $14 Tuesdays/Thursdays and $21 Friday-Sunday General Admission (seats above the concourse level): GA seats can also sit on the grass berms in the outfield Tuesdays/Thursdays $9 Friday- Sundays $12 Extras 2 Most of the current Atlanta Braves baseball team got their start at the Class A level of professional baseball with the team in Rome at AdventHealth Stadium. These players include Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Bryce Elders, Jeff Francoeur, Max Fried, Michael Harris, Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, Brian McCann, Charlie Morton, Austin Riley, Mike Soroka and Spencer Strider. The new owners of the ballclub want to make AdventHealth Stadium more available to the community on a year-round basis as well as when the Emperors are on the road in-season. Amongst the events added to the stadium’s schedule are a sports collector trade show (April), a Night of Hope Concert (April), an Emperors Summer Camp (July), a Penguin Waddle 3km/5km/10km Run (July), a community Toga-Yoga event in August, a Rome-tober Beer Fest (October), Beer, Bags and BBQ (November) and Winter Wonderland (Thanksgiving – December 29). To learn more about any of these events, please call (706) 378-5120. Final Thoughts The Rome Emperors have pulled off a very successful rebranding of their franchise to the delight of their loyal fans. The red, gold, black, and white colors of the team are now found throughout the Classic City. As the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do…. Enjoy a night out at AdventHealth Park.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Hillsboro Stadium 4450 NW 229th Ave Hillsboro, OR 97124 Hillsboro Hops website Hillsboro Stadium website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 4,500 Hillsboro Hops With Baseball, Beer Editor's Note: In March 2024, the venue name changed from Ron Tonkin Field to Hillsboro Stadium. Baseball and beer have complemented one another perfectly for decades. Professional baseball teams sell beer at their stadiums but do not generally market the relationship between suds and strikeouts. The High Class-A, western division Hillsboro Hops are a notable exception and their ballpark, Ron Tonkin Field, enables even non-beer drinkers to enjoy a serendipitous baseball experience in a venue that opened in 2013 and 4,500 fans. Tonkin Field is located in Hillsboro, Oregon, 15 miles northeast of downtown Portland. According to a 2020 report from the Colorado-based Brewers Association, Hillsboro sits in one of the nation’s most prolific craft brewing states. Oregon has a total of 312 craft breweries (11th most in the nation), with 9.6 such breweries per capita (7th most in the nation). The Hops are nicknamed after a key brewing ingredient grown in Oregon (the second-largest hop growing state by volume), and have a mascot, Barley T. Hop, styled after the flower of the hop plant. The Hops celebrate the importance of brewing in the Beaver State throughout the ballpark. In August 2021, for instance, the Hops hosted a pre-game craft brewing festival that attracted numerous local brewers and fans from as far away as Austin, Texas. Couple the celebration of beer with a beautiful stadium, replete with seats close to the action, high-quality ballpark food, and the chance to watch the Arizona Diamondbacks ’ players of the future, and fans will enjoy a game at Tonkin Field. Food & Beverage 4 A wide variety of culinary options are offered at Tonkin Field, so much so that coming to the ballpark hungry may call for an amuse bouche while evaluating what to order. Smartly, the Hops have made online ordering available at concessions stands behind seats on both the first and third base lines. Fans can order food from their seats, retrieve the food when ready, and avoid spending an inning or two waiting in a line. The familiar favorites can all be found at Tonkin Field, with a cheeseburger and French fry basket ($10), chicken tenders and fries ($10), and hot dogs ($5). Fans wanting something slightly different can order a blue cheese bacon burger ($11), bacon cheeseburger ($11), or a burger topped with a bratwurst ($12), all with fries. Coca-Cola products are served, with a 32-ounce drink ($6), a 21-ounce drink ($5), and a 16-ounce drink ($4) on the menu. Bottled water ($4) and bottled soda ($5) are also available at most concession stands at Tonkin Field. The Hops have devoted one concession stand to barbecue: chicken and pulled pork are offered for $10 and served with chips, while BBQ nachos sell for $10. Quality, hand-made Mexican fare is available, as well, with tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas all served on freshly grilled tortillas. Vegetarians will find plenty of options, too. A veggie burger and fries sells for $10, as does a veggie wrap (grilled vegetables with a hummus spread wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla). A veggie dog is available for $5. Not surprisingly, a broad panoply of beers is sold throughout Tonkin Field. Premium beers include those brewed by Crux, Migration Brewing Co., Deschutes, and several others. Those beers sell for $9 (20 ounces) and $8 (16 ounces). Domestic beers sell for $8 and $7, respectively, for those sizes. Mixed drinks are available for $8-$9, depending on size, and wine is available for $8-$10, depending on brand. Like many teams, the Hops sell ice cream in miniature batting helmets ($8) or waffle cones ($6). The Hops, however, have 12 flavors of hand-scooped ice cream available. Most ballparks sell soft serve ice cream, but not here. The flavors are also more exotic than the typical chocolate-and-vanilla, with local favorites huckleberry and mountain blackberry sold along with such flavors as moose tracks, cotton candy, espresso chip, and birthday cake. Atmosphere 4 Tonkin Field has one main entrance, behind home plate. Fans enter on ground level, pass the team shop, and walk up a set of stairs to reach the stadium’s concourse. The seating bowl spans from just beyond third base to just beyond first base, with bullpens situated beyond the outfield walls. Seats are very close to the field, bringing fans close to the game’s action. Groups have several types of party rooms available to them. Several party decks and suites provide views from behind home plate; a picnic area in the right field corner can accommodate as many as 2,000 people. Because of Tonkin Field’s orientation of home plate facing southwest, the sun sets behind the first base side of the stadium. The setting sun thus poses a retina-burning challenge to fans sitting along the third base line. At evening games, fans should consider seats on the first base side of the stadium. Fans on the third base side whose vision survives several innings of direct sun can reap the reward of a beautiful sunset. The stadium has a crisp, clear public address system. Fortunately (given the close dimensions of seating to speakers), music is played at a lower volume than the PA announcer’s voice. Walkup songs are played for the home team and, in true MiLB fashion, visitors’ walkup songs relate somehow to the batter’s name (Vancouver’s Orelvis Martinez received “Don’t Be Cruel” by Elvis Presley, as an example). Neighborhood 3 Hillsboro’s Gordon Faber Recreation Complex surrounds Tonkin Field, so fans do not have restaurants, bars, and other attractions within easy walking distance of the ballpark. Those amenities are a short drive away, however. Several bars and restaurants sit just to Tonkin Field’s southeast, including McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, Pho Tango Bistro, the Front Row Bar & Grill, Oasis Lebanese Cuisine, and O Sushi. Fast food is available there, too, including Wendy’s, Panda Express, Jack in the Box, and Big Town Hero. Fans looking for pre or post-game craft beer do not need to look far. Three Mugs Brewing Company is approximately two miles from the ballpark. Although it does not serve food, Three Mugs has more than 20 beers on tap and in cans. Just under three miles from Tonkin Field, Deep Space Brewing offers four “flagship” beers and rotates more than 12 others through its taps. Many more craft breweries can easily be found in Hillsboro and beyond. Several chain hotels are within a short driving distance of Tonkin Field. Staybridge Suites, Hampton Inn, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Aloft, Residence Inn, Embassy Suites, and Extended Stay America are all within a 10-minute drive. The Orenco is a more luxurious option, with free wine tastings and various styles of rooms. Fans 3 The Hops’ faithful may not reach large numbers, but they do know baseball and pay attention to the game. The Hops have frequently seen sellouts since debuting in Hillsboro in 2013, providing a level of support that helped the franchise move from short-season low-A in 2019 to its full-season high-A affiliation in 2021. Although the crowds do not match those at higher levels of baseball, the crowd at Tonkin Field is engaged and enthusiastic. Craft brewing is celebrated throughout the stadium, both with the beer available at concession stands, Tonkin Field’s décor, and even the mascot itself. This distinguishes the Hops from other sports franchises that disregard what makes their cities unique. Access 3 Tonkin Field is most accessible to those coming by car. Parking is plentiful, as the stadium’s parking lot also serves the softball fields in the Faber Recreation Complex. One note: fans wanting to park near Tonkin Field’s home plate entrance should drive until reaching the end of the parking lot. Otherwise, a longer walk awaits. Mass transit is an option, albeit a tricky one. Portland’s Metropolitan Area Express, or “MAX,” light rail connects Hillsboro with downtown Portland via the Blue Line. However, Hillsboro’s MAX station is more than two miles from the stadium and requires a 45-minute walk. The Hops typically operate a shuttle between Tonkin Field and the MAX station, but suspended that service for the 2021 season. Alternatively, fans can take the 47 bus to the station at NE Century and Evergreen Parkway (North) and walk approximately 10 minutes to Tonkin Field. Inside, wide concourses and abundant standing-room areas enable fans to spread out and enjoy nice sight lines of the game. The ticket window, situated just outside the home plate entrance, is well staffed and efficient. Restrooms are kept clean and are near the seating areas. Return on Investment 4 The Hops provide an excellent return on investment. Parking costs $5, with game tickets ranging between $7 (general admission) and $20 (premium box). There is not a bad seat in the stadium, so even a general admission ticket will permit fans to enjoy the game. Food is quite reasonable at Tonkin Field. Burgers and fries are sold together as “baskets” starting at $10. The Hops also offer a combination meal for $18 consisting of a hot dog, a choice of potato chips, and a medium soda. A kids’ meal costs $6 and includes a hot dog, fresh fruit, and juice. Game programs are available for free via QR code. Signs placed throughout Tonkin Field enable fans to pull up a copy of a high-quality, well designed game program on their phones. Extras 3 The Hops earn a bonus point for introducing online ordering at their concession stands. This enables fans to enjoy the game – not a wait for food. Another point goes to the Hops for great fan relations staff. Immediately upon reaching the concourse, the Hops have a guest relations table with posters, information, and several of the team’s trophies. Ushers gladly take photos of fans posing with Barley and provide directions to seats, prioritizing fan enjoyment. A final point is awarded because, at least for 2021, the Hops’ staff is working double duty. Tonkin Field is also home to the Vancouver Canadians, a division rival. After the Canadian government closed the border with the United States because of the global pandemic, the Hops organization offered to host the Canadians in 2021. Hops employees have thus served two baseball teams, doubling their work but not in any manner diminishing the quality of the fan experience. Final Thoughts The Hops have created an environment that highlights everything that makes minor league baseball so enjoyable: inexpensive tickets and food, involved fans, and a beautiful stadium. The team’s thoughtful celebration of Oregon’s place as a craft beer mecca blends well with the action on the field, yet even non-beer drinkers will enjoy themselves. A game at Tonkin Field is well worth the “hop” from anywhere in Oregon. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco

Photos by Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Modern Woodmen Park 209 S Gaines St Davenport, IA 52802 Quad Cities River Bandits website Modern Woodmen Park website Year Opened: 1931 Capacity: 7,140 NOTE: I attended the River Bandits game on Sunday, July 14, 2024. To complete a review of the stadium experience wouldn't be a fair representation. In addition to being incredibly hot and humid, the Mississippi River (literally feet from the stadium) was in flood stage. As such, many roads were closed, parking lots were underwater, etc. I've updated a few things from my previous review and hopefully can return in 2025 to do a complete review. Ferris Wheels and Fantastic Views Modern Woodmen Park opened in 1931 as Municipal Stadium. The stadium seats 4,024 and can hold many more with a large number of open seating bleachers, a few grass berms, and eight group areas that are mostly standing room only. It sits on the banks of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa, and is the home stadium for the Quad Cities River Bandits, of the Midwest League. The River Bandits began an affiliation with the Houston Astros beginning in 2013. In the past few seasons, a sky deck has been added along with a 20′ x 35′ video board in left field. In 2014, the park added a 110′ Ferris wheel beyond the left field wall. The Ferris wheel is a very popular attraction. Modern Woodmen Park is the oldest stadium used continuously (since 1960) for Minor League Baseball. Food & Beverage 4 Food is served in the traditional concourse style. Outside of the traditional baseball fare, which is all available, there are a few items worth mentioning. The ballpark has your typical standard fare with a few extra surprises, which, unfortunately, weren't open for the game I attended (see bold type above). Pepsi products are available from the fountain in various sizes or bottles are also available. Draft beer is sold throughout the concourse for those who want the name brands, such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, etc. The Good Hops craft beer stand is located on the first base side. Here, you have your choice of many microbrews. Atmosphere 5 The view from Modern Woodmen Park qualifies as one of the best in baseball. Albuquerque has a spectacular view of the Sandia Mountains, Salt Lake has a spectacular view of mountains, and Modern Woodmen’s view of the Mississippi and the Centennial Bridge is just as amazing. The view at night with Centennial Bridge lit up is worth the price of admission by itself. Between the Ferris wheel and left field wall is a grass berm where fans can sit. The general admission seats are down the left field line and although they are bleachers, they do have backs so they aren’t as uncomfortable as regular bleachers. Down the right field line is a play area for kids including a jumper, rock climbing wall, and speed pitch game. There are picnic tables and other seats in the play area that allow for watching the game and keeping an eye on the kids at the same time. A nice feature of the park is that you can walk around the field. There is a walkway behind the batters eye that allows for great views of the river and bridge while standing right on top of the Mississippi. Neighborhood 4 The Quad Cities have a lot to offer. Front Street Brewery is located down the road and is worth a look. The main brewery and restaurant are over 100 years old. It’s a great place to stop before or after the game. Numerous fans mention Boozie’s Bar and Grille as another place to stop. Boozie’s has traditional bar food and the burgers are top-notch. Just across the river in Moline, Illinois is the Bier Stube, a great German food/pub. They have a friendly staff and some quality German food. There are numerous museums within a few blocks of the stadium, including the German American Heritage Center and the Figge Art Museum. If traveling to the Quad Cities with children, the John Deere Pavilion is located in Moline. For any child that likes big mechanized equipment, this is the place for them. They can climb in all the different farming equipment and the visit is free. Fans 3 With so much to do, the fan’s attention isn’t always on the field. With rides, games, and views, some fans come for reasons other than to watch the game. However, there are quite a few of the hardcore fans that follow every pitch and know their team. Access 4 Modern Woodmen Park is located right off the Centennial Bridge and is easy to find. Parking at the stadium is $5. There is another parking lot west of the bridge where parking is free. When the ballpark is full, getting through the concourse can take some effort. Many mobile concession areas in the concourse along with lines at the permanent concession stands cause some gridlock. The restrooms are clean and sufficient for the size of the park. Return on Investment 5 Tickets range from $2 (yes, $2) to $17 when buying before game day, running $1 more when purchased on game day. Prices vary throughout the week, but on some game days, you can get berm and/or bleacher seats for just $2. Whatever level of seating you choose, it is well worth the money. Parking cost is minimal at $5 or free just down the street. With the food prices being in line with other ballparks, Modern Woodmen Park is well worth the money. Extras 5 I will add an extra point for the views because five stars just aren’t enough. Especially for night games, you can’t beat the scenery. Recommended you sit between home plate and third base for the best view of the bridge and a comfortable stadium seat. An extra point goes to the game day staff. They are very pleasant and willing to help make the fan experience the best it can be. An extra point is awarded for a ceremonial rock at the base of the American flag in left field. The large rock, encased in plastic, has the names of all the local men and women who lost their lives in defense of our nation. Also in left field, there is a tribute to Dorothy Kohn Wulf, the fan of the century. A nice feature is more apparent later in summer. Behind the bullpen down the left field line is a small cornfield. The cornfield is an ode to the Field of Dreams movie site located a couple of hours away in Dyersville (and well worth the trip). The final extra point goes to some of the great promotions. Fireworks are every Friday and look tremendous with the scenic backdrop. Sundays are great for autograph seekers. Every Sunday, the players are on the field to sign autographs before the game. Final Thoughts Anyone who is a baseball fan simply must come to Modern Woodmen Park. The views can’t be beaten, the staff is super friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. Plan a trip to Modern Woodmen Park and enjoy!

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Homer Stryker Field 51 Mills St Kalamazoo, MI 49048 Kalamazoo Growlers website Homer Stryker Field website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 3,171 Kzoo Baseball The Kalamazoo Growlers are a popular Northwoods League summer collegiate baseball team, playing their home games at Homer Stryker Field in Mayors’ Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo, MI.  In addition to the baseball field, the city-owned riverfront park has picnic tables, hiking and nature trails, fishing, basketball, a playground, and more.  Besides the ball field, the park also features Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field, home to the Kalamazoo FC, a USL League Two member.  Families can easily enjoy their day at the park and head to a Growlers game in the evening. The Growlers joined the Northwoods League in 2014, have made it to the playoffs multiple seasons, and clinched the league championship in 2022 and 2024.  The name Growlers was chosen in a community vote; a growler is a 64-ounce refillable container that can be filled with beer at breweries in Kalamazoo and across the U.S. and Canada.  Fans love it and keep coming back, as it’s more of a social activity than a baseball game. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions, restrooms, and the merchandise stand are located behind the grandstand and along the first base side. These areas are not in view of the playing field, so fans will miss game action while visiting them. Most food options come from a lineup of food trucks, offering a diverse selection such as sandwiches, pizza, chicken tenders and fry baskets, cheddar cheese curds, hand-dipped ice cream cones, snacks, sweets, and Pepsi products. Local flavor is well represented at the beer stands, with Midwest brews and ciders from Leinenkugel, Bell’s, and Ciderboys. Spiked seltzers are especially popular among fans. Pricing is consistent with other Northwoods League ballparks—on the higher side, but within reason. Fans with club seat tickets have access to designated areas behind the grandstand featuring all-you-can-eat options, adding extra value to the premium experience. Atmosphere 3 The seating layout at Homer Stryker Field offers a distinctive mix of options. In the left and right field corners, fans can enjoy two group party zones: the Miller Lite Trap and the Oberon Oasis—both popular spots for social gatherings. Along the third base line, you'll find six sections of metal bleachers with backrests, while the first base side and the upper area behind home plate feature rows of green bucket seats paired with long communal tables. The chairs are generously sized, though they can become uncomfortable during longer stretches. The tables, however, are perfect for holding drinks, food, and scorecards. For a more comfortable and shaded experience, we recommend upgrading to the Dugout Club or Home Plate Club. These premium sections include individual chairs, tables, and umbrellas—especially valuable since much of the stadium seating is exposed to the sun. These seats come with an all-you-can-eat package included in the ticket price. One standout feature of the Dugout Club is its backstop: hockey-style dasher boards that allow fans an unobstructed view of the field without needing to peer over fencing. Homer Stryker Field Hockey Dasher Boards Back Stop, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The game day experience at this venue is driven more by the between-innings entertainment than the baseball itself. From dizzy bat races to dancing, jugglers, and fire breathers, the in-game promotions are relentless and often the highlight for casual fans. For those who enjoy a carnival-like atmosphere, it’s a hit. However, baseball purists and those who want to have a conversation may find the constant noise, crowd prompts, and off-field distractions a bit overwhelming, as the entertainment department rarely lets the game breathe. Players engage with fans as they arrive, welcoming them at the gates and distributing programs. One of the between-inning activities invites kids to run a portion of the bases, starting at first and looping back, where players enthusiastically greet them with high-fives as they cross the foul line. The starting lineup is discreetly displayed on the back of the first base dugout, making it easy to overlook. The narrow walkway in front of it is busy with foot traffic, leaving little space to pause and jot down names on your scorecard. Unfortunately, team rosters are not available. Even though the sound system is new, understanding the PA announcer is difficult.  The scoreboard, on the other hand, is crisp and easy to read, though there’s no line score. Neighborhood 4 Homer Stryker Field is 1 ½ miles from the downtown area of Kalamazoo, MI.  While there are no restaurants to eat or drink within a mile, several are within two miles of the park.  CJ’s Pub (a local watering hole known for its wings), Ty’s Joint (best soul food in Kalamazoo), Cairo’s Kitchen (Egyptian/Mediterranean), and Greenhouse Café (breakfast, lunch, brunch) are just a few to try.  Kalamazoo is becoming known as a craft brew destination (hence the team’s name Growlers) with the popular Bell’s Eccentric Cafe (brewpub) and One Well Brewing (outdoor patio, and pinball and arcade games) highlighting the list. Favorite museums to visit when in Kalamazoo are the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum  and the  Gilmore Car Museum .  Downtown, visit the historic Kalamazoo Mall, the first pedestrian outdoor mall in the United States.  Or take a stroll on one (or many) of the trails at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, six miles north of the park. Downtown Kalamazoo offers a range of accommodations, including the Radisson, Hilton Garden Inn, Comfort Inn, and several charming bed-and-breakfasts.  Budget-friendly options are clustered near the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport, with familiar names like Fairfield Inn and Candlewood Suites. Fans 3 Fans enjoy the social aspect of attending a summer collegiate baseball game and spending time with family and friends.  That said, they stomp their feet on the metal floors to create a loud rumble and make some noise when told to do so by the high-energy entertainment team.  The fans show up as indicated by the team being in the top five of average attendance in the Northwoods League the last several seasons.  It’s worth noting that fans take responsibility for their trash, disposing of it properly rather than leaving it behind for others to clean up.  Access 3 Homer Stryker Field is conveniently situated about 3.5 miles north of I-94, just over a mile east of downtown Kalamazoo, and roughly 4 to 5 miles north of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.  Once arriving via auto, attendants wave you to the left for free grass parking or to the right for $10 VIP paved parking or free handicapped parking.  Kalamazoo’s bus system offers service from the airport to a stop near the ballpark, though fans should be prepared for a walk of approximately 1.5 miles total to reach the stadium. Service typically runs until shortly after 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with earlier end times on Sundays. Check Kmetro for more information. Entry is easy thanks to the absence of bag checks. Fans arrive through the right field corner and follow a walkway lined with championship plaques and the Growlers Hall of Fame.  Directional signage for seating and other areas of the park is minimal, and staff assistance isn’t readily visible, which may leave guests unsure of where to go.  Apart from the party zone areas, there is one men’s and one women’s restroom, each equipped with a generous number of stalls to accommodate crowds efficiently. Return on Investment 3 For a summer collegiate team, the Growlers’ ticket prices are surprisingly steep: Bleacher seats : $18 + $2 fee Reserved box seats : $26 + $2 fee Suite seats : $43 + $2 fee — includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and five drink tickets (alcohol included). If you’re planning to eat and drink, this is likely your best value .  These seats are in the upper section behind home plate. They’re bucket-style, not shaded, and appear to lack wheelchair accessibility. Buy single-game tickets in advance to save $3 per ticket.  Opt for the free grass lot to avoid the $10 parking fee — which feels excessive for collegiate ball. Homer Stryker Field Grandstand, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The Growlers pack their schedule with themed nights like Christmas in July , Harry Potter Night , and Salute to Service . While the game itself often takes a backseat to the ever-present entertainment crew, many fans seem to embrace the diversion. Extras 4 The Growlers offer an engaging gameday program. In addition to advertisements from sponsors, theirs includes actual content—short articles, interactive games like bingo and word searches, and even a coloring page. Be sure to take a walk behind the seating area to discover a creative display along the property fence. It features fun “baseball bests” like top stadium foods, classic baseball films, and a map of the Northwoods League. One of the most distinctive features here is the use of hockey dasher boards behind home plate. The merchandise store offers an outstanding selection of shirts and souvenirs. Final Thoughts Kalamazoo locals clearly embrace the experience at Homer Stryker Field. It’s not just a ballgame—it’s a full-on entertainment spectacle from first pitch to final out, whether you're seeking it or not.

Photos by Meg Minard and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 LMCU Ballpark 4500 W River Dr Comstock Park, MI 49321 West Michigan Whitecaps website LMCU Ballpark website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 9,500 Catch the Wave The West Michigan Whitecaps are the successful High-A affiliate of the MLB Detroit Tigers.  A member of the Midwest League (MWL), their home games are at LMCU Ballpark near Grand Rapids, MI. As part of a multiye ar modernization project , the turf at LMCU Ballpark was completely removed and resurfaced this past season and it looks brilliantly green and thick.  Other noticeable renovations include moving the bullpens beyond the outfield fence, swapping the home and visitors dugouts, an updated team clubhouse, adding new tiered party/group areas in the outfield, and construction of a new suite-level club space. The spruced-up stadium looks newer than its 30+ years. Joining the MWL in 1994, the Whitecaps have won the championship six times, the latest in 2015. Food & Beverage 5 Fans won’t go hungry at LMCU Ballpark, thanks to a solid lineup of food options. The busiest permanent concession stand is Crash’s Cr avings, with locations on both the first and third base sides of home plate.  It sells stadium staples like burgers, dogs, chicken sandwiches, nachos, fries, pizza, etc.  Snacks include popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, chips, and a Midwest favorite, Bosco sticks.  Prices range from $4.50 (bag of Great Lakes chips) to $14.25 (double cheeseburger).  Gluten free choices are available.  Beverage choices at this stand include Pepsi products and a selection of mostly domestic beers. We recommend walking the concourse to discover a range of specialty food kiosks, featuring rice bowls, gyros, quesadillas, build-a-burger, soft serve and hard scoop ice cream, popcorn, elephant ears, and more.  The park features several Midwest brewery outposts, including Founders Brewing, Mitten Brewing, and Leinie Lodges, all located along the concourse and offering a solid selection of craft brews.  In addition, numerous portable beer stands are scattered throughout the concourse. Atmosphere 4 Fans can expect a good time at a Whitecaps baseball game; noise and crowds are part of the package. The main seating bowl consists of 24 rows stretching from field level to the concourse, with a small walkway dividing the sections around row 9 or 10. One notable omission is the lack of handrails along the steps—something that may be addressed in future renovations. Fans with mobility concerns may prefer seats in the higher-numbered rows. Seats are on the narrow side and offer limited legroom. Premium suites occupy the second level, while bleacher seating is available farther from home plate, just beyond the bases. Grassy berms provide additional viewing areas beyond the outfield fences. For evening games, the third base side benefits from shade earlier than other sections. Tiered group areas are located near the foul poles. The playing surface is a lush, natural green turf.  In left field, fans will find both a video board and a separate manual scoreboard, requiring them to glance in two places for player and game updates. The video board highlights the current batter, while the manually operated scoreboard displays the line score. Typical between-inning shenanigans fill the game downtime with entertainment like dance teams, frisbee tosses, kids racing the mascot, pizza tosses, etc.  Sound effects between every pitch often distract from the on-field action, and the music volume makes it challenging to hear the PA announcer. Neighborhood 3 LMCU Ballpark is six to seven miles north of downtown Grand Rapids in the tow n of Comstock Park. Few pre or postgame places are nearby.  Two hotels are within ½ mile of the ballpark:  Comfort Inn Grand Rapids North and Tru by Hilton Comstock Park. A GameTime Fun Park (go-karts and arcade) is adjacent to the ballpark if you want to bring your kids there before the game.  Otherwise, your best bet is to head to downtown Grand Rapids.  For a bite to eat, consider Rome by Sanchez (international fare), Littlebird (farm-to-table bistro), Poke Toki (Hawaiian), or Butchers Union (gastropub); these are just several of the many fine choices.  Often referred to as Beer City USA, Grand Rapids boasts over 35 breweries.  Popular picks include New Holland, Atwater, Founders, a nd Mitten Brewing (a baseball-themed brewpub).  Grand Rapids even has a meadery - Arktos Meadery. When in town, be sure to spend a few hours in the Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum.  The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (5 miles east of downtown – botanical garden) is worth a visit, as is the Grand Rapids Public Museum, home to a planetarium and a carousel. Depending on schedules, you may be able to catch an AHL Grand Rapids hockey game or a Grand Rapids Rise volleyball game in the early season . Grand Rapids has no shortage of things to see and do, but most of the highlights are a bit of a trek from LMCU Ballpark. Fans 3 A group outing is the way to go when visiting the Whitecaps.  Lots of groups fill the stands (especially appealing with the new group areas down the lines).  The team’s attendance ranks high in the Midwest League and averages over 5,000 fans per game.  Most fans aren’t glued to every pitch, but they’ll enthusiastically applaud a big play.  For many, it’s more about hanging out with friends than keeping score, as that’s the appeal of minor league baseball.  Expect to see lots  of Detroit Tigers attire in the crowd, reflecting the strong support for their MLB affiliate. Fans Fill the Stands at a White Michigan Whitecaps Game, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Disappointingly, many fans leave their trash behind rather than disposing of it themselves, relying on others to clean up. Access 2 The ballpark is seven miles north of downtown Grand Rapids in suburban Comstock Park. Although Grand Rapids offers public bus service, it does not extend to the stadium—driving remains the only viable option. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available, with a designated drop-off and pick-up zone in the outfield lot. Parking is $10 in paved lots. For those flying in, Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) sits 17 miles to the south.   Be prepared for delays when exiting, as the venue has only one street entrance and exit. Fans must ascend a series of steps or ramps to reach the home plate entrance. Elevators are available, though they’re not conveniently located near the main entrances. Clear sports bags are permitted following a security check. The concourse can become congested due to its narrow layout, the presence of kiosks, and high fan volume, making navigation somewhat challenging. Return on Investment 5 Attending a Whitecaps game is well worth your sports dollar entertainment, though $10 to park seems high for this league. Ticket prices are reasonable, and the team offers several promotions. For the 2025 season, tickets range from only $22 for premium box (padded seats behind home plate) to lawn seats for $12.  Weekly deals include:  Half Off Tuesdays  - When you show a community or worship bulletin Winning Wednesdays  – Free Chick-fil-A sa ndwiches for each home run a Whitecap batter hits, and seniors (50 and older) get half off box seat tickets Three-Dollar Thursdays  - $3 hot dogs, Pepsi, and domestic beer, plus college students and military get half off tickets Fireworks Fridays   Family Fun Sundays  - Kids 12 and younger get in free Extras 3 The cleverly-named merchandise shop, CapSized Shop, offers a superb selection of shirts, jerseys, caps, and souvenirs.  Be sure to pick up a roster and the starting lineups at Guest Services.  The game day program is spectacular: a glossy magazine-sized publication with sponsor ads and coupons, articles on the team and other topics, the Whitecaps Hall of Fame information, games, maps, a scorecard, and more.  Very well done! Final Thoughts It could be easily said that a West Michigan Whitecaps game is a party with a baseball game going on.  It’s an affordable way to spend a fun afternoon or evening.  And with major upgrades underway, LMCU Ballpark is being transformed into a state-of-the-art venue that fans will enjoy for years to come.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 ABC Supply Stadium 217 Shirland Avenue Beloit, WI 53511 Beloit Sky Carp website ABC Supply Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 3,850 A Beautiful Setting along the Riverin Beloit The Midwest League has been part of the Beloit, Wisconsin, community since 1982 when the Milwaukee Brewers placed an affiliate at Pohlman Field. The team would change names to the Snappers in 1995 and shuffle affiliates from Milwaukee to Oakland until 2020 when it was painfully obvious that a new facility was needed to save baseball in Beloit. ABC Supply Stadium was built along the Rock River downtown for $37 million through private funds. The 3,850 seats and grandstand contain concessions, larger clubhouses, and a 5,000-square-foot stadium club that can be converted into banquet space for non-baseball events. The difference between the two ballparks is night and day and with its proximity to downtown shops and a restaurant, an ideal way to spend an entire day in town. With the new ballpark, came a new name for the ball club. The Sky Carp name was chosen from a set of five finalists that honed in a local colloquialism. It is a slang term for a goose that does not migrate in the winter and prefers to stay in its home city. The Sky Carp name represents the city of Beloit as a flourishing town that is so vibrant that no one wants to leave. The ball club also became an affiliate with the Miami Marlins and includes many of the styles and colors of the parent club. Food & Beverage 4 The ballpark has plenty of food that reflects the state’s brand of cuisine from brats, cheese curds, and favorites from Chicago. All four main concession areas are located on the main grandstand behind home plate next to each other, while other carts and kiosks are sprinkled throughout the stadium down the left and right field foul line. The Pohlmans Stadium Grub offers burgers, Italian beef, Chicago dogs, brats, and hot dog baskets with french fries. Fans in large groups can order a supper box that includes 2 Italians, 2 Chicago dogs, and a pound of fries and cheese curds. A few feet away is El Jefe Street Tacos which features birra and chicken tacos, loaded chicken tacos, and mango margaritas. Wisco on a Stick brings the atmosphere of the state fair to the ballpark. Ribs on a stick, bier braised brats, chicken tender baskets, corn dogs, loaded baked potatoes, funnel cake fries, and cheese curds are all on the menu. Fans can also select from boozy milkshakes, frozen sangrias, and margaritas, along with canned and draft beer. The Deck Deck Goose is located along the first baseline and offers a great place to enjoy the game while engaging in an adult beverage.  The full-service bar offers draft domestic and craft beers, along with mixed drinks. Fans can enjoy favorites from Goose Island IPA or a Spotted Cow, along with frozen Old Fashion or Blue Mule.  Atmosphere 3 The ballpark is a vast improvement over old Pohlman Field and is situated in a better location. It’s constructed in a manner that allows easy access for fans, provides a wrap-around concourse, and has an interior design that is quite different from other venues of its kind around the minor leagues. It was a slow night when we attended the game, but there was plenty of room for movement including drink rails and tabletop seating for various views of the field and socialization. The seating in the grandstand is the typical green color, but there is a turf berm area in front of the party deck behind the outfield walls for additional space to view the game. The ballpark has a pleasant setting along the Rock River and at the steps of downtown. It is also near the border of Illinois and Wisconsin. A giant water tower can be seen from beyond the right field wall to add to the small-town charm of the facility.  Sadly, the ballpark does not offer covering behind the backstop of the grandstand. However, the gift shop is nearly 1,000 square feet in size and offers an array of team merchandise. The Goose Island Party Deck (right field) and Coors Light Chill Zone (3rd 3rd baseline). The Chill Zone is a blend of patio seating, turf lawn, and an all-you-can-eat buffet. Neighborhood 4 The stadium is located in downtown Beloit, a city with a population of 40,000 (163,000 in the metro area). Downtown is historic and an attractive place to visit before or after the game and includes several restaurants a few blocks from the ballpark. Lucy’s #7 Burger Bar and Hatley’s Pub are across the street and recommended by locals. The Wisconsinite combines all of the state's favorites into one burger: cheddar cheese, fried onions, brat slices, and beer cheese sauce. Hatley’s Pub’s food is toned down a bit and includes ribeye steak, chicken, and Italian beef sandwiches. Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Truk’t: Street Tacos, Tequila, & Whiskey is a fun little place to grab tasty tacos and something to drink. The tacos include chicken tinga, al pastor, short rib, Korean barbecue, and shrimp curry. The cocktails include a smoked Manhattan, cucumber cilantro margarita, and a bourbon peach smash. If you desire a brewery, CheezHead Brewing is your destination for a wide selection of Wisconsin beers and their very own varieties.  A note to ballpark travelers, the home of the Rockford Rivets, Rivets Stadium, is a 20-minute drive south of ABC Supply Stadium on I-90. It is possible to take in two games easily if the schedule permits. Also, Warner Park, the home of the Madison Mallards, is a bit further up the interstate at an hour’s drive. Fans 2 The team currently ranks last in average attendance in the league and that is unfortunate because the ballpark has almost everything a person would need at a stadium of its kind. The food, views, locations, and hospitality are all here waiting to be explored by the local population of Beloit and surrounding towns. Access 5 The ballpark is located in downtown Beloit and off of I-90. There are 900 spaces of free parking outside the stadium and 100  more spots within a 7-minute walk of the stadium off of Mill Street (for a $5 fee). There is a clear bag policy for Sky Carp games, so pack accordingly. The crowds are sparse and movement around the concourse allows easy access to all parts of the stadium. Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices depend on the time of year you attend a game. The range from $14, S17, to $21 if you are there between April to May. For the rest of the summer months, the prices are $16, $19, and $23. These prices are somewhat on the high side for a Midwest League club, but parking is free near the stadium. Food and concession prices also reach a bit on the high side for games, but isn’t that the case at most newer stadiums across the country? However, there are certain nights where one can save a few dollars including Thirsty Thursdays where prices on drinks are discounted and Wednesday nights include a ticket, a hot dog, and soda for $18. If with the family, Saturday nights are firework nights and kids run the bases and play catch on the field on Sunday afternoon games, Extras 3 Poopsie is the official mascot of the Sky Carp and he earns a point for his contribution to the game. The ballpark itself earns a point for its design and location in downtown and along the Rock River. A third point is awarded for a veteran raising the flag before each game. Final Thoughts The history of baseball in Beloit almost came to an end, but the construction of ABC Supply Stadium helped save the franchise from relocations or being ousted by Major League Baseball. It is located in a beautiful setting in Beloit and has a charm that is not found at many minor league stadiums across the country. It has all the bells and whistles any fan would desire at the ballpark and perhaps they will find their way there soon. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Frank Curiel Ballpark, Photo by Gail Ohnsman, Stadium Journey In 1996, a nineteen-year-old outfielder named Andruw Jones burst onto the Major League baseball scene as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Seventeen years later, the “Curacao Kid” had amassed career totals of 434 home runs, 1,289 RBI and a .486 slugging percentage. For some people, that was the first time we heard anything about Curacao.  The fact that Jones spoke four languages was regularly pointed out by TV announcers.   The island of Curacao, located just 50 miles north of Venezuela,  has since become a hot-bed for Little League baseball. Year-round hot, sunny weather allows the kids to play the game daily. Starting in 2001, Little League International gave an automatic berth to the Caribbean Region which is comprised of 13 countries/islands. Teams representing Pabao and Pariba (leagues in Willemstad) won this region for nine consecutive years and went to play in Williamsport, PA. The first three years, these teams came in third place in the World Series.  In 2004, the Pabao League team defeated Mexico 4-0 to win the championship! As of 2025, Curacao has won 50 and lost 28 games in Williamsport. Many other Curacao natives have become great players in MLB since Andruw Jones arrived on the scene, including Ozzie Albies, Andrelton Simmons, Roger Bernadina, Kenley Jansen, Jair Jurrjens, Hensley Meulens, Jurrickson Profar, Jonathan Schoop and Randall Simon:  all from a population of 150,000 people. An entertaining documentary entitled “The Boys of Summer ” was released in 2010 and it showed the team’s progress through the Caribbean Region and Williamsport as well as the kids at home and practice. In this film, we meet a gentleman named Frank Curiel. He created the Little League program for the island and to this day proudly maintains the field named after him in northwest Willemstad. He even lives in the park. Over the years, I have attended a few Little League World Series in Williamsport and was always taken by the strong work ethic that the Curacao team demonstrated, along with their love of the game and, oh yes, those amazing smiles. My wife and I decided to travel to the island and visit the birthplace of these great teams. The field is in a residential area northwest of beautiful downtown Willemstad; Google Maps found it as “ Frank Curiel Ballpark .”  In one sense, it is nothing special with aging artificial turf/carpet on the infield and outfield, advertising on the entire outfield fence, one modern batting cage, old tires attached to poles where the players build up stronger swings, older fencing around the field, aluminum bleachers with canopies overhead to shield the fans from the sun, and a concession stand. The field has four under-powered light stands overhead but they get the job done. A large sign behind home plate proudly shows 41 years of existence, Liga Vruminga and a photo of local hero and MLB star Jonathan Schoop. Near the concession stands, various trophies and photos of MLB players from Curacao are proudly displayed. Stray dogs wander around the perimeter, often taking a nap in the shade and two windmills turn lazily behind the left field fence. Concession stands are somewhat similar to those found in the United States but offer freshly prepared local favorites like chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and french fries along with traditional drinks.  One surprise was beer in nine-ounce bottles: Heineken, Amstel “Bright” and Amstel Light for $1.80-$2.40. Fans can even buy a case of beer if so inclined and save a few guilders. Popsicles in eight flavors (including tamarind, pina colada, Oreo and pistachio) help to cool off the fans during the tropical heat. However, the highlight of this story is the people of Curacao. People such as Señor Curiel who spends countless hours taking care of the facility, the proud parents who enjoy watching their kids play (and yes, like parents everywhere, they offer coaching advice and support to the little ones), and the kids (both boys and girls) who play the games, and younger children who, with reverent eyes, watch them. There are also amazing coaches, many of them former players who return to “pay it back/forwards” as they enthusiastically challenge and cajole the players during a recent practice. Frank Curiel and Author, Photo by Gail Ohnsman, Stadium Journey A few Caribbean islands have “Baseball Academies” where promising young players live, attend school and receive concentrated baseball instruction. Curacao is hoping to have a similar facility on their own island. The Baseball Academy Curacao is one such place where kids on the island learn the game from a young age. And so, the genesis and growth of baseball in Curacao has a short but amazing history of success for their youth teams and successful MLB players.  What does the future hold? Let’s keep an eye on the story and enjoy the ride!

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 John L Guidry Stadium 1 Stadium Dr Thibodaux, LA 70301 Nicholls State Colonels website John L Guidry Stadium website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 10,500 Down on the Bayou Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium is home to the Nicholls State football team, which was founded in 1972 and has always played its home games on this site. In 2005 the 10,500-seat facility became home to the Manning Passing Academy; the Academy was originally founded by Archie Manning at Tulane  in 1996, and was also held at Southeastern Louisiana before moving to Thibodaux. The field itself was renamed after the Mannings in 2006, in appreciation of their support of the school. The stadium features grandstands with bleacher seating along both sidelines, including a three-story press box on the home side. Instead of regular grandstand seating, the area behind the south end zone holds the recently renovated Barker Athletic Building, while the area behind the north end zone features tented field-level suites.   Food & Beverage   4 Concessions at John L. Guidry Stadium feature a wide selection of items at reasonable prices, including some local favorites like jambalaya. Burgers, boudin, or jambalaya can be had for $5 (add $1 for cheese on your burger), while nachos and hot dogs can be found for $4. Other snacks such as pickles, popcorn, cotton candy, and bread pudding run $2 to $4, or you can splurge on kettle corn or a Jersey Mike’s sub for $8 each. 20 oz. bottled drinks are $4, including Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr Pepper, Powerade, and bottled water, with Smoothie King slushies or beer such as Coors Light costing a little more – all in all a good selection at decent prices compared to other sports venues.   Atmosphere   3 John L. Guidry Stadium has a solid atmosphere for football – there is a good crowd on hand, and they offer several amenities to create a pleasant time for fans. The first item worth mentioning is the cooling fans set up all along the concourse, which really help during those early afternoon kickoffs, especially for games early in the season. The Colonels also have a great mascot, always willing to pose for photo ops with fans; he can be seen on both sides of the field during the contest. The staff also has contests during breaks in the action, such as a pizza eating contest, and of course shoots t-shirts into the stands several times during the afternoon or evening. The PA announcer is also very lively, helping to get the fans revved up for their team.   Neighborhood   3 Nicholls State University is located about an hour from New Orleans in Thibodaux, LA along mostly back roads and smaller highways. That said, there is not a ton to do in town, but more than enough to keep you entertained for the day or over a weekend. Food options in the area start out with Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, or you can find seafood options from eateries like Off the Hook (calabash platters & po’boys) or Geaux Fish (sushi & hibachi). There are also some non-chain fast food places like Jude’s Hot Chicken and Shakes. There are a couple of hotels in the vicinity as well, including well-known chains such as Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn, as well as local lodging options such as Carmel Inn & Suites. There is also a children’s museum in town, as well as several parks, or you can take a boat tour down Bayou Lafourche.   Fans   3 Last season Nicholls State saw an average of about 6K fans per game, or about 60% of its capacity. The student section takes up the middle of the visiting side, but as there is less shade on that side due to the location, and height, of the press box, more fans tend to sit on the home side, making the home side a little livelier. However, there is still a good crowd in the student section, and you will see plenty of Nicholls red being worn on both sides of the stadium.   Access   4 The only potential downside of access at John L. Guidry Stadium, if there is one, is simply getting here, since you have to drive down some one-lane roads for a few minutes. However, the drive from New Orleans isn’t bad at all, presenting no issues even for fans who want to fly in and drive over, like I did. Parking is free, although on a first come, first-served basis in a lot next to the stadium, but I did see many fans simply park along the road in front of the facility, or along the streets a little further away. There are no lines to worry about at the concessions, nor at the restrooms, and there is plenty of room to move around the concourse. The biggest plus is that the stadium likely won’t be full, so you can move from your assigned sheet to sit in the shade of the press box, in the higher rows on the home side toward the south end zone – the only bad part about that is you may not be able to see the scoreboard from there.   Return on Investment    4 Tickets are $21 for general admission, which is perfectly reasonable for football at this level. As long as you are okay with the heat, you should have a great time at a Nicholls football game, and they do have the cooling fans, and some seating in the shade, that can help with the heat as well.   Extras   3 John L. Guidry Stadium does offer a small team gear stand, and unlike some colleges in the south, you can purchase alcohol in the stadium, as mentioned above. You can also get really close to the action here, something you can’t do at certain much larger stadiums in the wider area – you can walk down to the front row and watch the game literally within arms’ length of the players on the sidelines. The only downside I would mention is that the videoboard doesn’t feature any instant replay that I saw, meaning you have to be careful not to miss any of the action.   Final Thoughts I would definitely recommend a visit to John L. Guidry Stadium Greene Stadium to watch some Colonels football; Thibodaux is a great little town, and if you absolutely must have the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, it is less than an hour up the road. Personally, however, I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of a smaller stadium down on the bayou.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Oracle Park 24 Willie Mays Plaza San Francisco, CA 94107 San Francisco Giants website Oracle Park website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 41,503 Twenty-five Years at McCovey Cove The San Francisco Giants have a deep baseball history that dates back to their golden days in New York. Established in 1883 as the New York Gothams, they would be renamed three years later as the New York Giants. There would be many a memorable moment for the New York Giants franchise such as Willie Mays over the over-the-shoulder catch in Game One of the 1954 World Series and Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round The World” in 1951. All told the New York Giants would win 14 pennants and five World Series championships. With decreasing attendance and the Polo Grounds deteriorating, like their longtime nemesis from Brooklyn, the Giants were seeking a new yard. During this time, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley, looking to move to Los Angeles after a failed attempt of their own for a new yard, convinced Giants majority owner Horace Stoneham to move out west and so for the first time in 1958, Major League Baseball would have two franchises west of the Mississippi. The Giants would take up temporary residence at Seals Stadium . Upon arriving in The City, Stoneham was searching for a spot where his team could call their own. During a visit to Candlestick Point on the shore of San Francisco Bay, he ventured through the area on a nice warm morning when the winds were calm. Little did he know what would “blow” ahead… Candlestick Park would be the Giants home for 40 seasons from 1960 -1999. Throughout the years, nightly winds accompanied by the city’s fog would wreak havoc on players from both teams. Candlestick would be enclosed in 1970 to accommodate the 49ers move from Kezar Stadium, but winds remained so unpredictable that routine fly balls were anything but. Food & Beverage 5 San Francisco is a city that loves to eat. The variety throughout the yard, from the simple hot dogs and brats to the various ethnic choices is vast and too much to list. Whatever your dining pleasure is, you will not go wrong. One of the many plentiful food items the locals love is their garlic fries. The aroma from the fries is evident throughout the entire stadium as the smell of garlic permeates throughout the concourses onto the stands. The variety of fine ballpark dining options  is reason alone to arrive early. Among the favorites here are the Crazy Crab’z Sandwich, a fresh Dungeness crab on grilled sourdough bread, as well as The Baby Bull Carved Tri-Tip Sandwich and the Cha Cha Bowl, which comes with jerk chicken, white rice, and black beans topped with pineapple salsa; the latter two in honor of Giant legend Orlando Cepeda, known during his playing days as “The Baby Bull.” Oracle Park Crazy Crab Stand, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Craving some Filipino finger foods? The Lumpia Company  is a locally owned lumpia hotspot serving a variety of fried spring roll options including a Shanghai-style lumpia with ground pork, diced shrimp, carrots, and water chestnuts, a vegan option with kale, potatoes, and roasted mushrooms and a bacon cheeseburger lumpia stuffed with beef, smoky bacon, cheddar, and onions. If you want to keep it simple I highly recommend the pork and shrimp lumpia. Oracle Park Lumpia, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Beverages available are your usual Coke products as well as your wide variety of domestic and import draft and bottled beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. Ghirardelli, a San Francisco institution, offers fans a sweet tooth of hot fudge sundaes, 2 scoop waffle cones, and hot cocoa for those cold evening games. The ice cream flavors are simple, Ghirardelli Chocolate and vanilla. While nothing spectacular, the options Ghirardelli offers is something you may want to enjoy at the yard as part of the Oracle Park and San Francisco experience. Atmosphere 5 The vibe one gets is evident as you approach the yard. Since its opening in 2000, Oracle Park has featured some of the busiest turnstiles in all of baseball. From the views beyond the bay to the nightly breeze, Oracle Park, with its gorgeous surroundings anchored by the bay, has done more than its share to bring baseball fans to its gem. Adding to the San Francisco atmosphere, an actual cable car is located in the right-center field arcade. The car, originally car #4, formerly #504, is now numbered 44 in honor of Willie McCovey. To take in one of the many true “Oracle Park/San Francisco Experiences,” fans are encouraged to take in an inning. Inside Car 44, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Once an industrial area that occupied World War 2 storage units, Oracle Park has certainly helped revitalize the surrounding area since its opening in 2000. Located in the district known as China Basin, the area around the yard has seen its share of high-end luxury units migrate into the neighborhood. Among the popular pre and post-game hangouts are MoMo’s and Lucky Strike, conveniently located across the street from the yard’s grand entrance, Willie Mays Plaza on 3rd and King. MoMo’s is right around the corner on 2nd and King. If you are looking to explore the area during your visit to China Basin, the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority offers trolley service to and from the yard, with the “N” line taking fans by historic Golden Gate Park with stations along Market Street in downtown connecting you to other trolley and transit lines to explore other parts of The City. Speaking of the Golden Gate, if it’s that highly talked about bridge you want to visit, you can take the “N” to Judah Street and 19th Avenue and transfer to bus line 28. The 28 will drop you off right at the foot of the bridge. Fisherman’s Wharf is not far from the yard either. One could walk along King Street through The Embarcadero to The Wharf and enjoy the sweeping views of the bay throughout the approximately 3-mile walk. Or one could take one of San Francisco’s vintage street cars to The Wharf as well. Scoffed by locals as being touristy, if it’s your first time venturing into The City, you may still want to pay a visit to The Wharf and grab yourself a crab sandwich or some chowder on sourdough from one of the many vendors. One of my favorite activities to do at The Wharf is visiting the sea lions along the pier at the Sea Lion Center. Fans 4 With San Francisco being one of the most expensive cities to live in, the crowd can be upscale. Even with such an upscale crowd, the fan base is diverse. Though San Franciscans can have a reputation of being the wine and cheese type; that does not prevent the locals from showing off their passion for the home nine. In spite of the team’s on field struggles, the fans continue to flock to The Cove, averaging over 36,000 a game while placing them among the top 10 in attendance throughout the league . Access 4 Navigating through the concourses can be a bit of a challenge, especially the promenade along the arcade. This is mostly due to space limitations during the building of this gem. Otherwise, strolling the park is highly encouraged to soak in all the beautiful vantage points. Parking can not only be a challenge but also extremely pricey. However, depending on how far you’re willing to walk you may be able to find a spot starting at $20 .  Public transit is highly recommended. The SFMTA N-Line trolley drops fans off directly across the street from the yard along King Street as well as a few other bus lines that are within the vicinity of the yard. If you’re heading to or coming from Union Square or Chinatown the T-Line trolley has a stop one block from the yard on 4th and King. Both the trolley and transit lines provide connections to most other Bay Area transit options, including the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) for fans coming from points stretching as far south as San Francisco International stretching to Oakland and beyond the East Bay. Return on Investment 5 Starting prices for most games have recently become reasonable. Weeknight games and perhaps some weekend games, depending on the opponent, can be purchased for as low as $15.  For games against premium opponents such as the Dodgers, expect a significant hike with the cheapest ticket possibly starting in the triple digits. If you have a chance and want a full experience of everything Oracle Park has to offer, try a couple of weeknight games on the cheap and take full advantage of the Oracle Park experience. It will certainly rank high among your ballpark experiences. Extras 5 One of the more recent upgrades fans will notice this season was made to enhance the sound and lighting system . Should you decide to bring the little ones and they get restless, the Coca-Cola Superslide, a green Coke bottle with a children’s slide inside, is one of the park’s most visible features alongside the Giant 1927 Old-Time Four-Fingered Baseball Glove. (It’s really hard to miss those two features…) Both features are located behind the left-field stands. Should you decide to continue exploring more of what the yard has to offer, walk along the concourse beyond the Arcade, located behind the right field stands. As you walk along the concourse you will not only be offered beautiful views of the Bay Bridge but you will be a stone’s throw away from McCovey Cove, where you will see kayakers awaiting a Splash Hit.  Limited on funds? How ‘bout some free baseball? That’s right folks! The Portwalk, located beyond the right field wall outside the yard along McCovey Cove, allows fans to peek into the action. Fans are permitted free viewing every three innings, however, depending on the size of the crowd and the discretion of Giants management, it is possible that one could spend a whole 9 innings or more viewing a free MLB game. Who doesn’t love free baseball? Another recent addition, this one for kayakers and those strolling along the portwalk is a 12-foot screen mounted above the portwalk.  Final Thoughts After years and years of vying for a new stadium, groundbreaking would begin in the industrial waterfront area known as China Basin on December 11, 1997. Known then as Pacific Bell Park, this would be the first privately built MLB park since Dodger Stadium opened in 1962. Even with the anticipation and excitement of a new yard, fans could not have envisioned the beauty of a gem they continue to frequent. Since the opening of Camden Yards in 1992, 21 other yards have opened. With two no longer used for baseball, Oracle Park, now in its 25th season, is just as vibrant as the day it opened to such grand fanfare on April 11, 2000.  If visiting The City for the first time, it is a good idea to pack some warm clothing and a sizable budget. San Francisco can be surprisingly chilly for the first-time visitor expecting some warm California weather. Oracle Park is as iconic to San Francisco as its Golden Gate Bridge. Lodging and other activities in The City, as well as any other major tourist activity, are anything but cheap but can be well worth the visit. One visit to this beauty and you will see why Oracle Park consistently ranks among the top ballpark experiences among baseball fans. As you walk away to the tune of Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” a piece of your heart will undoubtedly be left at 3rd and King.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Constellation Field 1 Stadium Drive Sugar Land, TX 77498 Sugar Land Space Cowboys website Constellation Field website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 7,500 Sugar Land Space Cowboys – Constellation Field In 2008 the city of Sugar Land, Texas (which was founded to be a company town for the Imperial Sugar Company in the early 1900s) approved of a plan to build a new ballpark in the hopes of luring a minor league franchise to the city. After several years of negotiations, the route to bring an independent league squad was born, in the form of the then Sugar Land Skeeters, in 2012. As members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, the Skeeters made headlines by bringing in baseball greats like Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmeiro, as well as NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady, to serve as members of their ever-rotating roster. The team would win league championships in 2016 and 2018. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the Skeeters reached an agreement with the Houston Astros  to become their Triple-A affiliate, rebranding as the Sugar Land Space Cowboys  in 2021. As members of the Pacific Coast League, they would add another championship to their trophy case in 2024. From the beginning the team has called Constellation Field their home – the venerable park has become a key feature in the city of Sugar Land and is one of the main draws in the Pacific Coast League. Read on to learn more about it.   Food & Beverage   4 I am always pleasantly surprised when Minor League Baseball facilities go the extra mile in terms of concessions. While I am always a fan of hot dogs, popcorn, and peanuts, sometimes you crave just a little bit extra at a ballgame. Constellation Field scratches that itch in a lot of ways. You can, of course, find the aforementioned ballpark staples at numerous kiosks on the main concourse. However, if you want that something different, it can be found in abundance. Chain favorites such as Bojangles, Double Dave’s Pizzaworks, Dippin’ Dots, and HTea0 all have pared-down menus of their wares (i.e. chicken sandwiches, pizza slices, ice cream, and artisanal iced tea) for fans to sample. At other stands you can find burgers, chicken fingers, barbecue, nachos, sausages, funnel cake, and cotton candy. There are also multiple spots in the ballpark where one can find beer, hard seltzer, and cocktails. Also the costs are relatively reasonable, considering what you’re getting – you’re getting a pretty good deal, food and drink-wise, at Constellation Field.   Atmosphere   3 Despite being in use for over a decade, Constellation Field still looks and feels like a brand-new ballpark. The team has done a lot to make the overall game day experience something fun for fans of all ages. One of the signature features of Constellation Field is – what must be – one of the largest scoreboards I have ever seen. As a Texan I love any and all things shaped like our great state; at Constellation Field they have applied this principle to their giant scoreboard in center field. It is eye-catching and an attention grabber right off the metaphorical bat. Beyond the outfield walls, Constellation Field offers up an area called HEB Picnic Plaza – this full-scale playground and splashpad area for the kids is sure to keep young fans occupied and engaged during Space Cowboys games. There are also stands that serve adult beverages – a.k.a. bars – in both areas, for folks of age who are not interested in swing sets and climbing walls. Also of note is the Moonshot Alley area on the main concourse behind home plate. This is a batting cage for fans to test their mettle just like the players on the field. There are also two team stores in the stadium, each chockful of Space Cowboys gear for fans. Beyond the right field wall is The Grassland, where fans can watch the game on a grassy berm. Attendees can bring in lawn chairs and/or blankets to catch a Space Cowboys game truly out in the elements. Lastly, and conversely, the Regions Bank Club offers up a premium seating experience for fans. There is a climate-controlled area with a full bar and food options, along with balcony seats. It’s a great place for fans to cool off during those warm summer evenings in southeast Texas.   Neighborhood   3 As mentioned, Sugar Land has become a de facto suburb of the fourth-largest city in the country, Houston. Space City, with all that it has to do and see, including major sports franchises such as the Houston Texans , Houston Rockets , Houston Astros , and Houston Dynamo FC , is less than an hour north of Sugar Land. However, if you’re looking to stay in Sugar Land proper, there are plenty of options to keep you occupied. In terms of things to do, the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land should be right at the top of your to-do list, either before or after a game at Constellation Field. The vast collection of artifacts at the museum allows visitors a chance to explore the multiple floors, with a variety of hands-on science exhibits. Also, no trip to Sugar Land is complete without a visit to Sugar Land Town Square. Like a lot of great towns in Texas (and across the country), Sugar Land was originally built outward from its now historic town square. Home to historical sites, public spaces, dining, and shopping options, the square offers visitors a chance to park, stroll, and explore. Speaking of dining options, I recommend State Fare Bar & Kitchen and Live Oak Grill; State Fare offers up a fun take on a lot of classic dishes, such as Frito pie, burgers, and street corn, while Live Oak Grill serves up classic Texas favorites like chicken fried steak, fried catfish, and tacos. For lodging, there are plenty of options very close to the ballpark (though I wouldn’t recommend walking to and from them), including Residency Suites Sugar Land and Hilton Garden Inn Houston/Sugar Land.   Fans   3 The Space Cowboys have consistently averaged around 3,800 fans a game over the past few seasons. This puts them near the top of the Pacific Coast League and makes them one of the premier destinations in the league. Fans that attend can generally be found rocking Space Cowboys gear – I even spotted a few Clemens Skeeters jerseys at the last game I attended. There is also quite a bit of Astros  gear to be seen, but that is to be expected. With Sugar Land being basically a suburb of Houston, the club is competing with everything that Space City has to offer. The fact that the Space Cowboys get the support they do is a testament to the organization and to what the staff does at Constellation Field.   Access   3 As mentioned, Sugar Land is just under an hour (depending on the time of day and the traffic) from Houston. Both George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston offer flights into and out of Space City to spots all over the world, if you’re flying in. Once in Sugar Land, Constellation Field is easy to find and has plenty of signs marking the way. Parking is abundant at the ballpark as well. The only thing keeping this section’s score from being higher is there are no real public transportation options to get you to Space Cowboys games; ridesharing is going to be your best bet if you don’t want to drive.   Return on Investment   4 Single game tickets at Constellation Field can be had for as little as $9 for general admission seating. This is truly a unique bargain, even for a lot of clubs at the minor league level. Parking is also quite the bargain at $10 at the gate, or $5 if purchased ahead of time. The concession costs here are pretty much on par with what you’d expect to find in the minor leagues. Not overly cheap, but there are options that won’t bust your budget or empty your wallet. This is triple-A baseball and a spot where a lot of Astros  do their rehab work. To get the chance to see the future (and sometimes the present) of the big-league club at these kinds of prices is really a bargain that more fans should take advantage of.   Extras   4 Like pretty much all the teams in the minor leagues, the Space Cowboys do a ton of promotional nights for fans. These include Star Wars night, Harry Potter night, and Barbie night, just to name a few – the game I most recently attended had a Taylor Swift theme. Sugar Land also takes part in baseball’s Copa de la Diversion (“Fun Cup”) that reaches out to Hispanic communities across the country. Teams that take part don new uniforms and swap names that are both area appropriate and culturally fitting; when it’s Sugar Land’s turn they become the Payasos del Rodeo de Sugar Land (aka the Sugar Land Rodeo Clowns). Lastly the Space Cowboys have their own unique costumed mascot, Orion . This blue-furred alien space dog can be found throughout games dancing on the dugouts, riding around in the bed of a pickup shooting his t-shirt cannon, and interacting with fans. He’s a great addition to the team and a real hit with young fans.   Final Thoughts I had not been back to Sugar Land since the team rebranded itself and became affiliates of the Astros . I wasn’t sure how much had actually changed in the ensuing seasons, but I was optimistic. Having now gone back, I can say my optimism was rewarded. Constellation Field takes its place among the great minor league parks in Texas, right up there near the top. It’s a great venue for fans, with a ton of options to make sure everyone has a good time. It also doesn’t hurt that the team has ridden the wave of success that’s carried their parent club. Sugar Land is also a sneaky good place to have a weekend getaway – it’s far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of Houston, but has enough amenities to ensure a good time. If you’re a baseball fan, Sugar Land, the Space Cowboys, and Constellation Field need to be added to your bucket list. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on X at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) Community Park 75 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY 10301 Staten Island FerryHawks website Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) Community Park website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 7,171 Welcome to Hawk City Following Major League Baseball’s contraction of the minor leagues after the 2019 season, Staten Island was left without affiliated baseball for the first time in two decades. The New York–Penn League’s Staten Island Yankees had come to the borough in 1999, first playing on the campus of the College of Staten Island, before moving into their permanent home at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, then known as Richmond County Bank Stadium. That absence did not last long – in 2022 the independent Atlantic League introduced a new team, the Staten Island FerryHawks, with a name honoring one of the borough’s most recognizable symbols, the Staten Island Ferry. The stadium is also the home of both Wagner College  and New York University baseball. Baseball has long had a home on Staten Island’s waterfront, from the Metropolitans of 1880 to the Yankees  and now the FerryHawks. Today, Staten Island University Hospital Community Park continues that presence, offering fans a ballpark experience highlighted by its waterfront setting, skyline views, and community atmosphere.   Food & Beverage   3 At SIUH Community Park fans can find something to suit both traditional ballpark tastes and local flavors; concessions here are typical for minor league stadiums, with a touch of local flavor. Frankie’s Tenders and Tots focuses on classic ballpark favorites, including chicken tenders, crispy chicken sandwiches, and wings, each accompanied by a side of fries, while Hawk City Burgers serves up traditional burgers with optional cheese or bacon, alongside grilled chicken sandwiches and veggie burgers for non-beef eaters, all also served with fries. The standout concession, Flour & Oak by Angelina’s, offers authentic New York pizza slices, mozzarella sticks, and Italian-style fried dough, zeppole. The Kills Boro beer tent on the third base side provides a selection of craft beers, including the Ferry Hawk-branded Hawk Eye Lager and six additional brews from the Staten Island-based brewery; non-alcohol options are limited to Pepsi products.   Atmosphere   3 The main point of entry is directly behind home plate at street level. The entry plaza features orange and light blue bollards, giving the entrance a personalized touch, while the canopy over the gates resembles the sails of boats in the harbor. Once inside the concourse fans are greeted with a breathtaking view of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey City, with the Statue of Liberty standing proudly in the distance. The stadium’s sea of light blue seats complements the harbor just beyond the outfield fence, and the playing surface is artificial turf, including the baselines, with a large orange interlocking “SI” woven into centerfield. The main scoreboard, located in left center, is topped with a silhouette of the Verrazano Bridge. While this board provides a detailed rundown of batter statistics, information on pitchers is limited, leaving fans without details about who is on the mound. The game presentation features several mid-inning contests to fill downtime. The contests are not especially unique, but they provide a lighthearted break and a touch of entertainment between innings. Sound effects are used regularly throughout the game, while remaining subtle enough not to be distracting, helping maintain the stadium’s lively atmosphere. Common wisdom might say seats closer to the field provide the best game experience, but this comes with some drawbacks. The closer the seats are to the action, the less a view of the skyline and harbor can be enjoyed. The Atlantic League often features rosters with a handful of former major leaguers – during the most recent game I attended, former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval played for the FerryHawks. While most former major leaguers may not have the same notoriety as Sandoval, the league has seen stints from legends such as Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, and Roger Clemens.   Neighborhood   4 SIUH Community Park sits on New York Bay, adjacent to Empire Outlet mall. The surrounding area is largely urban,  where apartment buildings have transitioned from the borough’s single-family houses. While the Staten Island Ferry offers easy access to Manhattan’s endless food and entertainment, there are plenty of options closer to the ballpark as well. Just across the ferry terminal viaduct, the National Lighthouse Museum highlights the borough’s maritime heritage, while Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens houses both the Staten Island Children’s Museum and the Staten Island Museum. For dining, Empire Outlets next to the stadium features several national chains, and the nearby St. George ferry terminal has additional casual options. Those looking for something more local might try Mavi Cafe, a highly regarded Mediterranean restaurant. Other acclaimed restaurants in the neighborhood lean a bit more formal for a pregame stop, but fans will find no shortage of choices within a short walk of SIUH Community Park. Fans 2 Staten Island has long struggled with attendance; neither the Staten Island Yankees nor the FerryHawks have topped 2,000 fans a night since 2017, when the Yankees, then a New York-Penn League affiliate, averaged 2,040 per game. Even in their 2006 title season, the Yankees ranked just 8th out of 14 teams in attendance. Today, the FerryHawks sit last in the Atlantic League, drawing around 1,100 fans per game. The fans who do show up can spark some excitement, but the small numbers make it hard to sustain a true home-field atmosphere.   Access   3 If you’re visiting just for a game, getting in and out of Staten Island brings the usual challenges of driving in America’s largest city. Traffic along I-278 generally moves reasonably well,  but it can be a lot to contend with. In addition, one of the problems with traversing Staten Island is that it is not served by the New York City subway system, creating additional logistical hurdles to contend with. For most visitors the easiest way to reach the ballpark is to stay in Manhattan or Brooklyn, take the subway to the Whitehall Street-South Ferry station, and then ride the Staten Island Ferry across. Both the subway and ferry run 24 hours, making this route dependable no matter when the game ends. For those driving, the Empire Outlets parking deck next to the stadium is the most practical option. Limited street parking is available within a short walk of SIUH Community Park, but be sure to watch for posted parking restrictions. The stadium has three entrances, two in the outfield and one behind home plate, but only the gates along Richmond Terrace are open. The concourse circles the top of the seating bowl from behind home plate down the third base line, and on the first base side, stairs descend to a lower concourse that stretches toward right field. The walkway ends at the outfield wall on both sides, as there is no seating beyond the fences. One benefit of the ballpark’s urban setting is how quickly the area clears after games – fans seem to disperse fairly quickly afterward, simply blending into the regular commotion of New York City.   Return on Investment   3 With general admission tickets starting at $18, prices are on the high side for independent league baseball, especially compared to other Atlantic League teams where entry often begins at $12. Concessions also carry the usual stadium markups, with several main items running a few dollars more than typical restaurant prices. The stadium does not have its own designated parking, so the costs there depend on personal choice; either paying $10 to park in the neighboring Empire Outlets garage, which is reasonable by city standards, or searching for a free street spot within walking distance.   Extras   4 In a moving tribute, Staten Island native and former Major Leaguer Anthony Varvaro is honored with his # 24 displayed on the suite level and scoreboard. Varvaro, who pitched for the Mariners , Braves , and Red Sox , retired to serve as a Port Authority police officer before tragically losing his life in a head-on collision with a wrong-way driver. FerryHawks mascot Frankie is everywhere, seemingly having his feathers in everything from leading the pre-game festivities to keeping fans entertained between innings. Behind the first-base seating area, the Professional Baseball Scouts Wall of Fame, established in 2008 by the Topps Company, recognizes the accomplishments of the game’s top scouts. If possible, plan your visit for a fireworks night – the display against the Manhattan skyline is nothing short of spectacular.   Final Thoughts SIUH Community Park’s location has a rich history of hosting baseball, rooted in the borough’s love for the game and its waterfront setting. With intimate sight lines, breathtaking skyline, and harbor views, the park offers a unique and memorable outing for fans. Today, the borough’s baseball tradition continues at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, where the FerryHawks provide a modern, family-friendly experience while celebrating waterfront baseball.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Toyota Field 5106 David Edwards Dr San Antonio, TX 78233 San Antonio FC website Toyota Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 8,000 San Antonio FC – Toyota Field In 2016 the United Soccer League (USL) awarded its newest franchise to the Alamo City, and San Antonio FC  was born. For the entirety of their existence the club – which is owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment – has called Toyota Field home. The facility was constructed to be a soccer-specific stadium, opened in 2013 as home of the now defunct San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League. The ultimate goal was to bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to San Antonio, but that no longer appears to be in the cards. Regardless, futbol-mad fans have flocked to Toyota Field in droves since its opening, and have supported San Antonio FC with rabid passion. By and large the club has rewarded this loyalty with success on the field; this culminated in winning the USL Championship in 2022. The club and the stadium are now entering their second decade of existence, but both still feel brand new.   Food & Beverage   4 The centerpiece of the food and drink scene at Toyota Field are the stands operated by local celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez , who has opened outposts of two of his celebrated restaurants, La Gloria  and Burgerteca , on the second concourse at the south end of the stadium. Offering Mexican-style burgers, nachos, tacos, and churros, the stands (which are built out of old shipping containers) are some of the more popular spots in the stadium. The staff also added a Kickin’ Chicken chicken strips stand in one of those shipping containers, which offers up chicken strip and French fry combo baskets – the smell coming off this stand is quite frankly intoxicating. On the lower level you will find more traditional food stands, including a few self-serve options that sell soda, water, hot dogs, and popcorn. These are always a welcome feature, and have greatly reduced the wait time in the concessions area. In a nice touch that is a nod to the city’s Latino-centric roots, there are also two fruit cup stands in the stadium, one each on the first and second levels. These stands offer fresh fruit seasoned liberally with chile, as well as other traditional favorites like aguas frescas, shaved ice (i.e. sno cones), and corn cups. You can also find barbecue sandwiches, pizza by the slice, and other game day favorites like soft pretzels at stands on the first and second levels. It really is a great scene considering this is ostensibly a minor league facility.   Atmosphere   3 Like many soccer stadiums, the main draw in terms of atmosphere at Toyota Field is the energy and excitement that the crowd brings. The fan groups dominate the northeast corner of the stadium, with banners flying and drums banging the entirety of each match – these groups let off red smoke at the start of each game and after each goal scored. They are as much of a part of the game as the players on the pitch. Additional items to be on the lookout for are the team store on the second level, below the Sky Court, and the multiple enlarged San Antonio FC shield logos placed throughout the stadium, which are perfect for photo ops. Lastly there are some newer innovations at Toyota Field, two of which I frankly have not seen at other stadiums. The first is a lactation pod for women with infants who are breastfeeding; this climate-controlled pod offers a private and comfortable space for mothers to take care of their children. The second is the Nook pod, which is a private, recessed area that is noise controlled and allows fans to take a break from the energy and noise of the stadium – it features benches and a table, as well as a charging area.   Neighborhood   3 Toyota Field is in the middle of a mix of residential and industrial areas, on the northeast side of the Alamo City. It is about a 20 to 25-minute drive from the city’s tourist-centric downtown area, which is probably what most people think of when they think of San Antonio (i.e. the Alamo, Tower of the Americas, Alamodome , River Walk, etc.). However, the area around Toyota Stadium is not without its own attractions. For example, the facility is adjacent to one of the city’s most unique attractions in Morgan’s Wonderland . This one-of-a-kind theme park was created with the goal of making it completely accessible to people of all abilities. There are roller coasters, a water park, giant Ferris wheel, games, and more, with each designed to be as inclusive as possible. Also within walking distance of the venue are Ricos S.T.A. R. Soccer Complex and Heroes Stadium . These top-notch facilities were designed for amateur athletics (the S.T.A.R. is also the practice facility for San Antonio FC) and can be counted to on be hopping during the spring and fall, during the local high school soccer and football seasons. With the soccer field located where it is, there aren’t many options in terms of dining or lodging nearby. However, Interstate 35 is less than five minutes away, and heading north or south will put you within reach of dozens of restaurants and hotels. However, I will make one recommendation here for dining. Thousand Oaks Cafe  is only a few short minutes away from the field along the eponymous Thousand Oaks Drive – this place is one of my all-time favorite spots for Tex-Mex; it is only open for breakfast and lunch, so keep that in mind if you want to grab a bite.   Fans   4 San Antonio FC has averaged between 6,000 and 7,000 fans per season, with most nights being virtual sellouts at Toyota Field. As mentioned the energy and engagement from the fans really adds to the overall atmosphere. There are regular tailgates in the parking lot before games, and the fan groups themselves are a real draw. As an example of how engaged the fans are, the most recent game I attended was a “Red Out.” The club was handing out t-shirts that night, but by and large from what I could see, most fans were already decked out in red. To me, that’s a sign of a good fanbase.   Access   4 Toyota Field is conveniently located off Interstate 35, which runs north and south through San Antonio. It is a major thoroughfare, and you can get to anywhere in the city in 15-30 minutes by traveling it. The stadium is visible from the highway, and there is signage leading the way. If you’re traveling into the city for a game, the stadium is about a 12-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport . If you choose not to drive, the city’s public transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit , has bus routes that drop fans off near the facility. Once on site, parking is plentiful. I must also add that this is one of the easiest sports venues to get both in and out of that I have ever experienced – if only all of them could be this simple.   Return on Investment   3 Single-game tickets for San Antonio FC games start at around $21. This seems to be pretty commensurate with how things are going in the sports world. Parking, if you wait until you get to the stadium, can be had for around $10 depending on how much you’re willing to walk. When it comes to concessions there are plenty of bargains to be had; fountain drinks, for example, if you buy the souvenir cup, have unlimited refills. Considering how successful the club has been in recent years, attending a match at Toyota Field continues to be one of the best bargains in the city in terms of sports.   Extras   2 In terms of extras, there continues to be a lack in this category for San Antonio FC and Toyota Field. The one thing that keeps this score from being lower is the theme nights that the club utilizes throughout the season. This season, for example, there was a Harry Potter night and a loteria night. The team also hosts a Hispanic heritage night and a cancer awareness night. During certain summer games they also show movies on the jumbotron; things like that are a step in the right direction, in terms of adding more for fans to enhance their gameday experience.   Final Thoughts I will freely admit that I am not that big of a soccer fan. However, even someone like me can recognize when something good is happening. The team and the city have done a lot to get behind San Antonio FC, and Toyota Field looks and feels like a first-class facility. It feels like the days of getting a larger team to come into the venue have passed, but right now, it’s great for what we have. If you’re a fan of the sport, I would highly recommend catching a game at Toyota Field. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 CARSTAR Field @ Bernie Arbour Stadium 1100 Mohawk Rd E Hamilton, ON L8T 2S4 Hamilton Cardinals website Bernie Arbour Stadium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 3,000 A Fresh Coat of Red Paint With the 2023 Intercounty Baseball League season, the Hamilton Cardinals began a new era.  The purchase of the team by Eric Spearin and his group brought forth a ton of changes.  First and foremost, the identity of the team saw a punch of the reset button with a new, modern logo, which strayed from the traditional St. Louis Cardinals type logo and embraced some of the local lore.  The new hammer-wielding cardinal was not the only change.  A new focus on the fan experience and promotions thrust the team out of the traditional “1919” era (the year that the league was formed).  In 2025, the Cardinals also made a splash, signing 48-year-old, former Major League closer, Fernando Rodney.  The Cardinals have come a long way since their original Hamilton Beaver days.  The team was also known as the Red Wings, Marlins, Real McCoy's, and Thunderbirds. Home for the Cardinals is CARSTAR Field @ Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium.  Bernie Arbour Stadium, the common reference for the home of the Cardinals, opened in 1970 and was a former home to Minor League Baseball with the Single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals calling Hamilton home from 1988 to 1992.  The team was known as the Hamilton Redbirds and played in the New York-Penn League.  Hamilton also housed the Hamilton Red Wings, a charter member of the PONY League, a precursor to the NYPL, from 1939 to 1956.  The stadium is named after the late Bernie Arbour, who was a former Hamilton police sergeant and had a number of roles in youth sports in the city.  Food & Beverage 3 The concession options available at Bernie Arbour Stadium are found at The Bird Feeder Concession Stand and have improved over the years.  Hot Dogs, sausage, fries, poutine, pretzels, popcorn, freezies, and ice cream are all available.  Adding chili or pulled pork is also an option.  Cans of Coca-Cola products are the crux of the soft drink options, which also include water, coffee, and tea.  Alcoholic beverages are available from local Shawn & Ed Brewing as well as Flat Rock Cellars, and Vodka Friday.  A number of unique options are available.  The Cardinals employ a unique system where purchases are made at a desk, and customers are given tokens to redeem at the concession window.  Some vendors also come through the grandstands periodically, which is definitely unique to this league. Atmosphere 3 Bernie Arbour Stadium is located at Mohawk Park and is part of a massive sporting complex complete with other baseball fields, football and soccer fields, and a track facility.  Being a former MiLB affiliate, it does feature a permanent structure that is a decent size.  With the new branding, Bernie Arbour Stadium has received a facelift, complete with new logos and more use of the colour red overall.  The exterior of the stadium is unassuming and welcoming.  The permanent structure houses the main grandstand, concessions, washrooms, and press box.  In the concourse, a renewed focus on merchandise is found at “The Perch” pop-up team store.  Along the chain link fence, behind the third base line, the Cardinals have some nods to their history with banners showing the variety of logos they have employed over the years, including the brief Hamilton Thunderbirds period.  A banner celebrating Tyler Duncan and his 2023 IBL MVP award and the retired number 13 for Dean Dicenzo is also found here. The main grandstand is raised from field level and is an inverted octagon with 11 rows of plastic-covered aluminum benches.  The sightlines are terrific from this vantage point, which is probably the highest compared to any other IBL stadium.  At the top of the grandstand is the press box, and on the front is another nod to the retired number 13 and an acknowledgement of the Cardinals lone IBL Championship in 1978.  On both the first and third base sides, there are sets of “permanently temporary” bleachers to handle the overflow.  The natural surface field boasts massive amounts of foul territory, which is great for the pitcher but not so great for the batters. The gameday atmosphere at Cardinal games appears to have been a point of focus.  The improvement is significant with a renewed focus on the fan experience.  Regular promotions include the “beer batter,” where it becomes “happy hour” for an inning, and there are specials on alcoholic beverages if the specific opposing batter strikes out.  As opposed to posting “Ks”, as seen in many ballparks, Little Caesars sponsors the Cardinal strikeouts, with a young intern running across the grandstand with a spear impaling pizza-designed pillows equal to the number of strikeouts.  The in-game host is full of energy and does what she can to engage the crowd.  The staple 50/50 draw is also found at Cardinals games. A variety of other promotions take up the season calendar.  For the game that was reviewed, it was “Murder Mystery Night,” and the team gave away little notebooks at the door.  The in-game host led the crowd through a murder mystery involving various Cardinals personnel, encouraging fans to try to figure out “who-done-it.”  A very unique and well-done promotion. Neighbourhood 2 Bernie Arbour Stadium is found in Mohawk Park, which is located on “The Mountain” in Hamilton, in the southern half of the city, near the Lisgar, Huntington, and King’s Forest neighbourhoods.  A nice area of the city, Mohawk Park is huge, with numerous sports facilities; however, there are not a huge number of pre- and post-game options for food or drink.  Lime Ridge Mall can be found to the west of Mohawk Sports Park, but for the most part, chain restaurants are what will be found there. There are a few other sporting options that can be found in Hamilton.  First and foremost, would be the Hamilton Tiger-Cats  of the CFL and Forge FC  of the CPL, who play at Hamilton Stadium.  The Canadian Football Hall of Fame can be found on the second level of Hamilton Stadium. The newly renovated TD Coliseum can be found downtown and is the home of the NLL’s Toronto Rock.  As of this writing, the City of Hamilton is hoping to attract an AHL franchise to town.  The Hamilton Kilty B’s  can be found on the Mountain as well.  On the northwest side of the city is McMaster University, and the Marauders play football  at Ron Joyce Stadium and basketball  at Burridge Gymnasium.  The south end of Hamilton is where the airport can be found, and a top-notch tourist attraction near the airport is the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. For fans looking for a place to stay close to Bernie Arbour Stadium, the Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton near South Hamilton Square is available. Fans 3 Assessing fans in the Intercounty Baseball League is difficult, as nearly all teams do not publish and compile attendance figures.  That being said, the IBL has boasted improved attendance figures, league-wide, over the last few years.  Anecdotally, the crowd at the game that was reviewed was solid, spreading out to one of the sideline bleachers.  The fans were definitely into the promotions as well as the action on the field.   Access 4 Getting to Mohawk Sports Park is not difficult at all.  The park is north of both the Lincoln Alexander Parkway and Red Hill Valley Parkway and is significantly easier to get to than the downtown venues from out of town.  There is plenty of parking available in the park for the number of fans that attend Cardinals games.  There are HSR bus stops along Upper Kenilworth on the west side of the park for those who wish to take public transportation.  Fans should consult the Hamilton Street Railway  website for schedules, fares, and maps. Moving around the ballpark is not difficult at all; however, there are plenty of stairs in the grandstand and bleachers, which could be limiting for those with mobility issues. The washrooms are part of the permanent structure and spacious enough to accommodate Cardinals patrons. Return on Investment 5 Intercounty Baseball offers one of the lowest-cost sporting experiences around.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $12.  Parking at Mohawk Park is free, and concession prices are decent.  The experience that the fan receives for the very small investment is great, and fans will want to make a return trip, especially with the renewed focus on the fan experience. Extras 4 An extra mark for the Hamilton Cardinals Alumni Association, which connects former players and the teams to the community and fanbase.  An extra mark for kids running the bases … at the top of the 3rd Inning! An extra mark for the improvement in the gameday experience and focus on fan engagement. An extra mark for the “Murder Mystery Night” promotion, which was unique and engaging, and something that should be an annual part of the Cardinals calendar. Final Thoughts Taking in a Hamilton Cardinals game is a great way to spend a summer evening or afternoon.  Bernie Arbour Stadium is one of the best venues in the province, too.  It may not be a tourist destination, and Intercounty Baseball may be lower than the affiliated ball; however, it is the top league in Ontario, and for a hardcore ballpark traveler, a trip to Bernie Arbour Stadium will be worth it.  The new paint at Bernie Arbour, along with the renewed focus on the fan experience, enhances the trip to the ballpark and will have fans wanting to make return trips. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads, and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Turtle Creek Stadium 333 Stadium Drive Traverse City, MI 49684 Traverse City Pit Spitters website Turtle Creek Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 4,660 Pit Spitters The Traverse City Pit Spitters are a summer collegiate wooden bat baseball team, a member of the Northwoods League.  The unique name gives a nod to a quirky contest held at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, MI – cherry pit spitting. The team entered the Northwoods League in 2019 and made an immediate impact, capturing the championship that same year and again in 2021. Their home games are held at the visually-striking Turtle Creek Stadium, located in Chums Corner, MI—a suburb of Traverse City. Originally opened in 2006 as Wuerfel Park, the venue was home to the Traverse City Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League. Food & Beverage 4 The Pit Spitters have an above-average selection of food and excellent beer choices.  The concession stands sell hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc. ($5.50 - $9).  Pizza, chicken tenders, and bratwurst run $6 - $10.  Plenty of snacks are offered including fries, corn dogs, nachos, candy, pretzels, peanuts, cookies, and even yummy fried pickles on a stickle.  Carts include Dippin’ Dots, regular ice cream, pretzels, tacos, elephant ears, and more. Stands grilling burgers and encased meats on the spot are at either end of the concourse, and we recommend getting a meal there as it’s fresher and tastier.  Concessions serve Pepsi brand sodas, water, coffee, hot chocolate, and Gatorade.  The concourse boasts several portable beer stands and three bar areas.   The Traverse City Whiskey Co sells a solid variety of cocktails and draft brews (craft beers are $10.50/pint). The Shorts Brewing Company, on the third base concourse, offers an excellent selection of beers.  You can purchase a variety of fruit-flavored vodka drinks, slushies, and cocktails at Gypsy Spirits. Turtle Creek Stadium - Traverse City Whiskey Co., Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 4 Turtle Creek Stadium boasts a distinctive yet inviting architectural style, reminiscent of beachside cottages.  The inner concourse’s ceiling is adorned with string lighting creating a coastal boardwalk ambiance, while tables paired with beach chairs and umbrellas line the upper seating area.  Sea-blue and white premium suites and offices - some with balconies - grace the second level. Below the concourse, the main seating structure features comfortably wide (21”) blue fold-down stadium chairs with plenty of leg room.  Traverse City Pit Spitters National Anthem, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey It’s all quite pleasing to the eye.  The noise, however, is another story.  The music operator plays at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult. Short sound clips are triggered after every single pitch, making it hard to focus on the game and diminishing the overall enjoyment. Even noise-canceling headsets struggle to block out the constant barrage of sound. Fans can walk the entire concourse and can watch net-free baseball in sections beyond both the first and third bases.  The far end of the first baseline houses a kids play area with bounce houses.  Fans participate in the traditional between-inning contests with a very excited emcee, and other fun activities like a beer batter are often played. The team celebrates numerous promotional nights throughout the season, such as Star Wars Night, Pickle Night, Christmas in July, Super Heroes Night, and many more. The merchandise shop sells a good choice of shirts, mementos, and trinkets.  The shop representative told me that sweatshirts are the best-selling item.  Check the weather before attending an evening game, as that extra layer may be needed. Neighborhood 3 While Traverse City is a charming, vacation-destination lakeshore community and town, the ballpark was built seven miles south of town in Chums Corner, MI, with little to nothing surrounding the stadium for pre or post-game activities, except fast food places. That said, the Traverse City area is an absolutely, fantastic summer vacation destination. There is an assortment of food restaurants, from Blue Tractor BBQ, The Flying Noodle (Italian Pasta House), The Red Spire Brunch House, Sleder’s Family Tavern, and so much more.  Traverse City has a host of spots for beer, wine, or spirits.  Right Brain Brewery (plenty of pinball machines), North Peak Brewing Co, 7 Monks Taproom (Gastropub), and Traverse City Whiskey Co, are just some samples.  Wineries abound just five miles north on the peninsula off Traverse City (Old Mission Peninsula), for tastings and water view s. Visitors can also enjoy a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the bay (Clinch Park), kayak, rent a boat, ride a bike, or take a stroll along the scenic waterways. Kids might enjoy the Great Lakes Children’s Museum or Pirates Cove Adventure Park (amusement park).  When in the area, be sure to visit the World’s Largest Cherry Pie Pan and Moomers (ice cream farm). The most exciting time to visit is early July when the National Cherry Festival is celebrated in Traverse City.  A few hotels (Baymont by Wyndham Traverse City, Courtyard Traverse City, Spark by Hilton) are between the ballpark and downtown, and an Econo Lodge is a mile south of the stadium.  While all this is marvelous, most of the activities are more than five miles from the ballpark. Fans 3 The Pit Spitters draw many families, vacationers, and those wanting a social night out.  The fans cheer standout plays and player and team-branded apparel is common amount the fanbase.   With an average attendance nearing 2,500 per game, the team consistently ranks among the top two or three in Northwoods League fan turnout. Access 3 While Traverse City has bus service, it does not go to the stadium.  Fans can get within 1.3 miles with multiple transfers, but reaching the venue still requires a lengthy walk. Evening service also ends before the final pitch, making personal vehicles the most reliable option. Paved parking is available for $6. Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is located approximately 7 to 8 miles northeast of the stadium, making it a convenient arrival point for out-of-town visitors. The stadium’s exterior has a few benches in front of the entrance.  Security checks bags.  Clear bags do not appear to be mandatory. One notable drawback for visitors unsteady on their feet is the absence of handrails along the seating area steps, which can make navigation challenging. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Pit Spitters game is an affordable afternoon/evening out.  Take advantage of some of the team’s weekly promotions, many offering some kind of discount. Sunday:   First 250 kids 12 and under eat free and family day Monday:   Deal Days (a new offer every Monday) Tuesday:   Bring your pup and half off craft brews Wednesday:   Half price box tickets to veterans, first responders, health care workers, teachers, and snowplow drivers Thursday:   $2 hot dogs and Pepsi, $3 beers, and $1 Great Lakes chips Friday:   Fireworks Saturday:   Half price box seats for Silver Sluggers (fans over age 50) Single game day tickets cost $16/box, $10/lawn.  The patio tables run $120 (up to four fans), and hospitality areas offer deals for large groups.  Parking is $6. Extras 2 Be sure to pick up a roster at guest services and note the starting lineups posted on the wall nearby. The stadium’s design is refreshingly unique, offering a pleasant backdrop adding charm to the facility. Final Thoughts Traverse City is a fantastic vacation destination, offering scenic charm and a vibrant downtown energy. Removed from the city’s downtown, Turtle Creek Stadium features a visually striking architectural style and offers a steady lineup of game-day promotions.  While the venue delivers a pleasant experience overall, dialing down the music volume and reducing the between-pitch noise would make it even more enjoyable for fans.

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

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Sleeman Centre 50 Woolwich St Guelph, ON N1H 3V1 Guelph Storm website Sleeman Centre website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 4,715 Storm City Hat Tricks The Hat Trick was born in Guelph, Ontario.  In the 1940s, the Guelph entry in the OHA was sponsored by the Biltmore Hat Company of Guelph.  The team was known as the Guelph Biltmores, and eventually the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters.  The Biltmore Hat Company rewarded any player scoring three or more goals in one game with their choice of hat from their factory and the term “Hat Trick” was born. Guelph was a hotbed for hockey with teams at the Junior A level, and eventually Major Junior, from the 1930s right through to 1989 when the Guelph Platers moved to Owen Sound.  The current Guelph Storm franchise was originally the Toronto Marlboros who were founded in 1904.  In 1989, the original Marlies moved to Hamilton for two horrible seasons as the Dukes before heading to Guelph to become the Storm in 1991.  Home for the Storm is the Sleeman Centre.  Opened in 2000 as the Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre, the arena was deemed necessary after the departure of the Platers.  The former Guelph Eaton’s Centre was chosen as the location after the closuring of the anchor tennant Eaton’s department store.  The arena was built right where the store was located and remnants of the mall remain surrounding the arena.  In 2007, local purveyor of fine beer, Sleeman Breweries purchased the naming rights for the arena and are contracted to remain the title sponsor of the arena until 2030. Food & Beverage 4 There are a number of concession options in the Sleeman Centre.  Pretzels, popcorn, hot dogs and pizza are all on the menu.  Candy and ice cream can be found at a few of the stands also.  Some more unique choices include the authentic Roman Pizza at the Penalty Box or some of the huge selection of confections at the Candy Counter.  Coca-cola products are the soda of the Sleeman Centre and water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are among the soft drinks available.  Sleeman products are available at the beer stands.  Draught Picks Tap House and Grill is a full service bar at the south side of the arena and is also an option for fans. Atmosphere 4 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.  Entering the front or through the mall will take fans to the main staircase, which is essentially under the arena.  Fans will pass by the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame  which offers a number of interesting entrants including George McPhee, Todd Hlushko, and John Cullen.  Guelph also has a history of providing officials to the NHL including Bill McCreary, Ray Scapinello, Terry Gregson and Ron Asselstine. Patrons will ascend the stairs to the second level, which is the main entry to the arena.  The concourse around the seating bowl is not very wide, so getting there early for some exploring is the best idea.  The ice at the Sleeman Centre is oriented from west to east with entry to the concourse coming from the south side.  The north side is going to provide the perfect centre-ice logo picture.  The concourses offer a few interesting tidbits worth checking out.  Each of the section numbers offers a list of players who wore that number for the Storm over the years.  For example, the sign for Section 105 offers a list of all Storm players who donned the number 5.  There are pillars in the concourse listing Storm players who have played for Canada or other countries in the World Junior Hockey Championships and the debut date and team for all former Storm players who played in the NHL.  These items were formerly listed on the second level, at the east end, which has been replaced by huge ads.  Also of note in the concourse are Storm team pictures over the years and the retired jersey of Paul Fendley, who died in 1972 and was a member of the Guelph CMC’s, a Junior A precursor to the Storm in Guelph.  Above the ice is a four-sided videoboard with top and bottom ribbon rings and a simple scoreclock.  The fascia of the second level, which is home to the club seats and luxury boxes, has a full, 360 degree ribbon board.  The rafters are littered with banners.  The retired numbers of Jeff O’Neill, Todd Bertuzzi and Ryan Callahan hang with that of Paul Fendley.  Among the many Division and Conference banners fans will find banners for the 1998, 2004, 2014 and 2019 J. Ross Robertson Cups as OHL Champions and the 1952 Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters Memorial Cup Championship and 1986 Guelph Platers Memorial Cup Championship. The gameday production is not uncommon for an OHL franchise.  DJ KToss runs the music selection from the Storm Stage, at the east end on the second level and he also participates in promotions.  Mascots Spyke and Stormy aid in promotions and interact with the crowd.  Neighbourhood 4 The Sleeman Centre is located in Downtown Guelph.  There are a number of spots for pre and post game food and drink in the area.  Some choices include 1881 Steakhouse, McCabes, NV Kitchen, Royal Electric, La Cucina, Baker Street Station and The Wooly Pub.  Fans looking for more sports in the area may want to consider heading to the University of Guelph where the Gryphons play football at Alumni Stadium , hockey at Gryphon Centre Arena  and basketball at the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre .  During the summer, the Guelph Royals  compete in the IBL.  Non sporting options may include seeing something at the River Run Centre, on the opposite side of Woolwich Street, or taking a tour at the Sleeman Brewery in Guelph. For fans wishing to stay in Downtown Guelph, the Royal Inn and Suites and Western Hotel, may be of interest. Fans 4 The Guelph Storm have a very strong following.  At the time of writing, in the 2024-2025 season, the Storm are averaging over 4,500 fans per game.  The previous season they averaged over 4,700 fans per game, which is near capacity.  They normally rank 4th or 5th in the OHL in attendance.  Fans are knowledgeable and supportive of the team, although not overly boisterous, common for Southern Ontario sports fans.   Access 4 Getting to the Sleeman Centre is not terribly difficult.  The Sleeman Centre is located in Downtown Guelph between Woolwich Street and MaDonnell Street.  The confluence of Highways 6 and 7 is less than four kilometers from the arena, and getting there should not be too difficult.  Most fans are heading to the parking garages off of McDonnell Street, so the intersection of Woolwich and MacDonnell can be a challenge closer to puck drop.  There are a few parking garages downtown, so finding a spot should not be an issue.  For fans wishing to take public transit, the Guelph Transit Station is less than a block away.  Fans should check out the Guelph Transit  website for fares, maps and schedules.  Security and Covid restrictions are constantly changing in Ontario.  Stadium Journey encourages all fans to check with the Guelph Storm and Sleeman Centre websites for up to date security information. Getting around the Sleeman Centre can be a bit of a challenge as the concourses are not huge.  Intermission times are particularly bad and lines for the washrooms then can be long.  The stairs from the Old Quebec Street Mall may present issues for those with mobility issues. Stadium Journey acknowledges that security protocols are constantly changing.  Stadium Journey encourages fans to consult the Guelph Storm and Sleeman Centre  websites before heading out for the most up-to-date security protocols including prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Guelph Storm are $30 for a regular seat, with discounts for students, seniors and children.  Club seats are $37 and come with seat service.  Tickets are a little expensive compared to other teams in the OHL.  Parking in the garages on site will cost $5 and concession prices are what one would expect. The product on the ice is very high quality and fans will definitely enjoy their trip to the Sleeman Centre Extras 4 An extra mark for the Storm Chasers Booster Club. An extra mark for the City of Guelph and their excellent use of a downtown structure to incorporate OHL hockey.  An extra mark for the Guelph tradition of honouring players who score a hat trick with a Biltmore hat. An extra mark for the intense rivalry with the Kitchener Rangers. Final Thoughts The Guelph Storm are probably not the first team thought of when regaling others with tales of the Ontario Hockey League, however, the Storm have been a solid franchise throughout their duration and their home, the Sleeman Centre, is a solid hockey venue.  Storm City is worth checking out and fans should definitely consider a trip to Guelph for some OHL hockey and maybe even a hat trick. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Journey FANFARE Score: 3.14 J.D. McArthur Arena @ Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre 1900 3rd Ave. E. Owen Sound, ON N4K 2M6 Owen Sound Attack website Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 3,500 The Little Bear that Could 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. Home for the Attack is the J.D. McArthur Arena at Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Located right on Georgian Bay, the Bayshore is named after Owen Sound favourite son and Hockey Hall of Fame member Harry Lumley, who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs and won the 1954 Vezina Trophy. The arena portion is named after J.D. McArthur, a former Owen Sound hockey player who also coached and sponsored sports teams in Owen Sound as well as serving as the arena commissioner and having a vital role in the construction of the Bayshore Community Centre. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions at J.D. McArthur Arena are fairly simple. Hot dogs, burgers, pretzels, nachos popcorn, cotton candy, chocolate bars, and chips make up the entirety of the food menu. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, and Coca-Cola products are the soft drinks available at one of the four concession stands. As far as beer selection goes, Molson Canadian, Coors Light, Creemore, and Miller Lite are all available. The menu is very simple in Owen Sound and fans will find something to tide them over, however, for something more complex or interesting, stopping somewhere before or after the game is probably the best idea. Atmosphere 3 The Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre is in a picturesque location right on the bay. An older building that has been renovated, the Bayshore has an added atrium in the front. The exterior is an attractive light brick with huge banners of Harry Lumley and advertisements for the Owen Sound Sports Hall of Fame. The main entry at the south leads into the atrium where the main ticket office is found along with a small merchandise store. Heading to the left and around the corner fans may head down the hall to take in the Hall of Fame which includes a set of Harry Linley’s old goalie pads. After ascending the stairs to the J.D. McArthur Arena, fans enter the main concourse behind the seating bowl. Immediately the McArthur Arena gives vibes of a time gone by as well as the feeling that this venue, like the Owen Sound market itself, is of small size. The concourse is outlined with dark-colored, aluminum siding on the exterior walls, giving the area a dark and serious look to it. The Attack use every piece of space for murals of teams gone by or advertisements. A large mural dedicated to the 2011 championship team dominates the concourse and is worth checking out. The Captain’s Wall also features several familiar names who have served as captains of either the Attack or Platers including Kirk Maltby, Dan Snyder, and Bobby Ryan. Space is not a luxury afforded the J.D. McArthur Arena. Above the north-south running ice surface, several massive iron beams cross over the ice, holding the structure of the building up. The ceiling is the lowest in the league and gives the arena a bunker-like atmosphere. The video board above center ice, which seems precariously low-hung, is very narrow and has four sides of a video screen and four sides of a traditional scoreboard with a very narrow LED ribbon circle at the bottom. To the north side of the ice surface, the banners hang for the 2011 J.Ross Robertson Cup team which includes conference and division banners. Honoured members of Owen Sound hockey Dan Snyder, Kirk Maltby, Scott Walker and Andrew Brunette also hang at the north end. Fans wanting the perfect photo of the centre ice logo should sit on the west side of the area. The seating bowl has ten rows of surprisingly comfortable, red, plastic arena seats. Luxury boxes have been squeezed into the east and south concourses and a large party box can be found in the southeast corner. The gameday production at an Attack game is very simple. Music is played during the downtimes and simple promotions happen throughout the game. The mascot, Cubby, makes appearances at various times during the game. Neighbourhood 3 The Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre is located in one of the most picturesque locations in the entire OHL, right on the inlet of Georgian Bay. There are a few spots for pre and post-game food and drink that are not too far. Bishop’s Landing Lake View Patio is right across the parking lot, in the Best Western. Other options not too far include The Yard, Mudtown Station Brewery, and Boot and Blade. Fans heading to 16th Street will find several chain restaurants and fast food spots. The Owen Sound Attack is the only game in town, so it is the draw in the Sound. The Grey-Bruce area is very much an outdoor area with fishing and parks on the water in the area. Other tourist attractions include the Billy Bishop Museum, the Marine & Rail Museum, and the Grey Roots Museum and Archives. For fans wishing to stay right by the arena, the Best Western is right there. Fans 3 With the smallest market in the OHL at just 22,000, Owen Sound needs to maximize its fan support to make ends meet in Owen Sound. Usually topping out around 3,000 fans per game, the Attack does not have the inelastic demand for tickets that one might expect. In the 2022-23 season, the Attack was 17th in the 20-team OHL in attendance, averaging just over 2,500 fans per game. Attack fans view their team like a family and do not get overly riled one way or another. Fans are loud when the Attack score but not overly rambunctious. More fan support and a little more passion in the small J.D. McArthur Arena would make that venue rock! The Attack probably needs to attract even more fans to ensure the long-term health of the team and galvanize their place on Georgian Bay. Access 3 The Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre is located northwest of the main highways that enter Owen Sound, Highways 26 and 6. Getting to the arena will require a bit of traversing of the city of Owen Sound, but not too much. There is plenty of free parking in the front and behind the Bayshore. With a small population of just 22,000, there is not too much in the way of public transportation. There is a bus route that stops on the 3rd and 18th. Fans should check out the Owen Sound Transit website for routes, fares, and maps. Getting around the Bayshore is what one would expect when getting around an older arena. The concourse behind the seating bowl can get tight, especially during intermission when the lines are forming for concessions. The seats are comfortable, but kind of low to the ground. There are also plenty of stairs from the main atrium level to the concourse level. Washrooms are adequate for the fans in attendance. Return on Investment 4 OHL hockey provides tremendous value for the sporting dollar and the Owen Sound Attack is no exception. Tickets for Attack games go for $26 for preferred seats. Regular seats are $24 and there are discounts for students, seniors, and kids. Although the venue is not the most spectacular in the league, being close to the ice with the low ceiling makes the experience feel cozy but more importantly, makes the play on the ice seem that much faster. The gameday production is simple and prices for concessions are decent and parking is free. Overall, the Owen Sound Attack is a great way to spend a Saturday evening. Extras 4 An extra mark for the memory of longtime Owen Sound Attack business manager Ray McElvie who played an integral part in the development of the Attack and who passed away in 2022 at the age of 87. An extra mark for the “Super Six” local business owners who saved the Owen Sound Platers who would rebrand to become the Attack. An extra mark for Owen Sound still going strong in the smallest market in the Ontario Hockey League. An extra mark for the Owen Sound Sports Hall of Fame, which will give fans some great things to explore. Final Thoughts The J.D. McArthur Arena may not be flashy like some of the newer venues, but it has character and it is a great place to watch an Owen Sound Attack game. The Attack continues to defy the odds in such a small market, but that can-do attitude has done the organization well and their continued success in the OHL is expected. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by Kirsten Richards, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium 375 Daejong-ro, Jung-gu Daejeon, South Korea Hanwha Eagles website Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 14,133 Eagles and Robots The Hanwha Eagles joined the KBO in 1985 as the first expansion team, bringing the number of clubs in the league to seven at the time. They have won the KBO Championship once (1999) and have had five second place finishes, four of which were between 1988-1992. The Hanwha Eagles were originally called the Binggrae Eagles – Binggrae being the confectionary branch of Hanwha. LA Dodgers pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu was secured from the Hanwha Eagles for a posting fee when he reached restricted free-agency. Not only are Ryu jerseys and t-shirts still widely seen, they are also still for sale from the team shop and it is common to see fans at Hanwha games wearing Dodger blue. Despite Hanwha’s poor performance over the last few years, their fans are still passionate, loud and friendly. The introduction of robot cheerleaders in the outfield during the 2014 season was widely reported in sports media all over the world. The robots themselves are virtually invisible to fans in the outfield area, but are more visible to fans in the infield stands. Hanbat stadium was first opened in 1964 and has been the home of the Hanwha Eagles since they first joined the league in 1985. Food & Beverage 4 The vendors outside Hanbat stadium sell a variety of fried chicken that you are welcome to take into the venue with you. Inside the stadium are pizza and hot dog vendors, along with freshly made potato chips, a number of G&S; corner-store style shops and traditional Korean snacks. All prices are in line with prices outside the park – approximately 2,000 Won for a can of beer and 1,200 Won for ice cream in a chocolate-lined wafer-cone. Most days, the lines for food and drinks move very quickly. Food and drink can be purchased on the first base side at Hanbat without leaving the interior concourse, which is very pleasant. If you do need to head to the outside concourse to acquire pizza or hot dogs, there are small TV screens showing the broadcast of the game at strategic points around the concourse. Atmosphere 4 The Hanbat Stadium skyline is blessed by the large and distinctive hills of Bomunsan Park. The KBO season takes in spring, summer and autumn and the hills change colour with the seasons. From the second tier of the first base side, there is also a view into the soccer stadium next door. The Hanbat Sports complex has gardens, a sculpted gateway and a statue of Yun Bong-gil (a famous Korean freedom-fighter) as part of the complex. Hanwha take the first base dugout and Hanwha fans take the first base grandstand and the right outfield. The third base grandstand gets the sun. Over summer, games start late enough that this is not too problematic, but it can still be very cool for day games in spring and early autumn. Make sure to bring something warm to wear at this time of year. On game days, especially game days with big crowds, the forecourt area in front of the stadium fills up with fans wearing Hanwha orange, or lining up outside the team store to have experts finalise their new jerseys with iron-on stickers. Another huge line also forms for access to the compressed air to inflate their cheering sticks. Hanwha have not been the most successful team in the league over the past few years, but there are usually plenty of supporters at weekend home games and plenty of enthusiastic fans cheering in the right hand side of the outfield. Hanbat has a few different kinds of seating areas, with the priciest and most comfortable seating directly behind home plate. Skyboxes, table seating in both the infield and the outfield, regular plastic stadium seating in the infield and outfield, a ‘glamping’ zone, and grassed family picnic areas round out the other seating options. The upper tier of seating at Hanbat Stadium is even more cramped than Jamsil Stadium (home of the Doosan Bears and LG Twins), but not as steep. The cramped conditions can make moving around with food and drink at this level an exercise in agility and balance. Bringing everything you need to your seats in one trip is highly recommended if sitting in the upper tiers, as is keeping an eye out for people carrying beverages in the row above you. The lower levels carry nowhere near the same risks of falling food and drink. The upside of sitting here on the first base side are the lovely views of Bomunsan behind right field. The cheering section at Hanbat is in the right hand side of the outfield in the general seating area. Hanwha has the usual cheerleaders, big drums and music arrangement. The cheerleaders themselves are extremely entertaining. It is a good idea to get to the stadium reasonably early to secure your seats in this section. Given that the pitch is so gentle in this part of the stadium, it is better to either sit right at the back of this section or between the concourse and the stage. The view from this section only includes one of the big scoreboards, which shows the pitch count and batter stats. To track each individual at bat and the game progress, scoreboards directly behind home plate and on the far end of the third base grandstand must also be consulted. Hanbat is an old stadium that has had a lot of work done to it. The two big scoreboards are both clear and visible from most parts of the stadium. The results of previous at-bats are not shown, but there is plenty of information about both batter and pitcher available. The animations for each out are also a lot of fun. The bullpens at Hanbat are behind the left field wall. Relieving pitchers are driven to the infield. One of the most unusual parts of the Hanbat experience is the robot cheerleaders near the middle of the outfield. The robots were installed in 2014 and are connected to the internet, letting people not attending the game send messages through the scoreboards. The robots are pretty much invisible from the outfield, but their signs are very clear from the grandstand seating. Hanwha fans, both local and expat are super friendly and always happy to carry on celebrating after a win. The atmosphere at a winning Hanwha game is joyous and infectious. Even at a losing game, fans will keep chanting and cheering until the bitter end. Neighborhood 3 Hanbat Stadium is about a mile from the main Daejeon train station. Walking from the train station is easy and straightforward. There is both an underground mall connected to the train station and the city’s subway line. Above ground is a traditional market. The Daejeon River is between the train station and the main shopping district in this part off Daejeon. The park and the river walkway/cycleway are often full of people enjoying the sunshine. On summer weekends there are often performers slightly upstream of the road to the train station. Near the stadium itself is the aforementioned Bomunsan Park, which has a number of cultural attractions – including several temples and a museum – many hiking trails and a water park. The entrance to the park is an easy 5-10 minute walk from the stadium and a nice way to spend an afternoon before an evening game. The stadium is also right next to a very large collection of love motels, so there is no difficulty in finding nearby accommodation. Better value for money can be found in the downtown area, with the Good Morning Residence particularly standing out. Apartment style rooms can be had for about $70/night. The main downtown area of Daejeon is well to the north of the stadium area and includes a very lively club and pub scene. Walking from the new downtown area is a little far, but from the main train station is both easy and interesting. Daejeon is yet another very safe Korean city in which to travel on your own. Fans 5 Fans at Hanbat are very loyal to their team. The first chant of each game is the batting order. Like all Korean teams, each player has their own crowd song and movements dedicated to them. Korean fans travel to games, so it is not unusual to see the visiting team very well and very vocally supported. Hanwha fans can be out-cheered in their own stadium when Hanwha are not doing so well, but generally the fans are very engaged in both the game and the effort of cheering for the team. There are many Hyun-jin Ryu jerseys around and Ryu’s career and the Dodgers are followed with great interest and a sense of pride. Access 3 Hanbat Stadium is a little out of the way, being a solid 20 minute walk from the nearest subway stations (Jungangno or Jung-gu Office), or a good half hour walk from the Daejeon train station. A KTX train from Seoul to Daejeon takes less than 90 minutes and they run every 15 minutes, so this is very easy. Tickets from Seoul to Daejeon cost just over 20,000 won one-way. From the Daejeon train station it is a reasonably comfortable walk to the stadium. If you decide to catch a taxi, you’ll need about 5,000 won. It is best to ignore the main taxi stand at the station and cross the main road to reach the smaller taxi stand a little to the right on the other side of the road. Taxis can only turn right out of the train station and must go several hundred metres before they can do a U-turn back in the direction of the stadium. Bus number 2 runs directly from the station to the stadium. There is a parking lot associated with Hanbat Stadium, but it is much simpler to walk, bus or taxi to the stadium. Traffic can be extremely slow down Daejeon-ro on game day and it can take several changes to make it through each set of traffic lights. Concourses are narrow, but are usually not uncomfortably crowded. The Hanbat Stadium main entrance is not at all welcoming, with a wide staircase leading to a narrow and fairly dark concourse. There is no glimpse of the field until you have travelled a substantial distance further. This initial glimpse is through a gate to the infield which is watched over by ushers. There is still quite a bit further to go, passing a strange jog in the concourse, pay-lockers and a team shop before you reach the light of the first base side infield concourse. From this point on, Hanbat Stadium is very open and you can see the game most of the time. Don’t let that first impression of the stadium put you off – a game here is an excellent experience. Restrooms here are a little tight, but are clean. As with all stadiums in the KBO, I recommend bringing your own toilet paper as it may well run-out before the end of the game. Return on Investment 5 A general admission ticket to the outfield cheering section can be purchased for well under 10,000 won.Prices for food and drink are no more than they are outside the stadium, so a fantastic day out can be had for well under 20,000 won per person. . Extras 3 The fans at Hanwha are truly a delight and very, very friendly. The staff at the team shop are incredibly helpful and have a rack of clothes specifically to assist people in finding the correct size of t-shirt and jersey. The freshly-made potato chips are really, really good!

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 TVA Credit Union Ballpark 111 Legion St Johnson City, TN 37601 Johnson City Doughboys website TVA Credit Union Ballpark website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 3,800 Having Fun with the Doughboys When Major League Baseball reorganized and contracted the minor leagues following the 2019 season, Johnson City, Tennessee, lost its short-season affiliate. The Johnson City Cardinals, a long-standing member of the Appalachian League, were one of the teams eliminated in the reorganization. Professional baseball has been part of Johnson City’s identity since 1911, with teams affiliated over the years with the Yankees and Phillies . But it was the city’s long-standing relationship with the St. Louis Cardinals that left the deepest mark – for 61 seasons, Johnson City served as a Cardinals affiliate, becoming a key stepping stone for future big leaguers  like Vince Coleman, Ron Guidry, LaMarr Hoyt, Yadier Molina, and Terry Pendleton on their path to the majors. Baseball in Johnson City has been played at the same site since 1937, when the city built a wooden grandstand at Keystone Park and nicknamed it Cardinal Park when the team became affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938. In 1950, a new steel structure replaced the wooden grandstand. It carried the Cardinal Park name until the Phillies placed a farm team in town in 1957. It reverted to Cardinal Park with the return of the Redbird affiliate in 1975, later renamed Howard Johnson Field at Cardinal Park in honor of the director of Johnson City’s Park and Recreation Department in 1977. Eventually, after the naming rights were sold, it was renamed TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Johnson City was one of 30 cities to lose its MLB affiliation after the 2020 reorganization, but the baseball void did not last long. The Appalachian League reemerged in 2021 as a collegiate summer league, with teams rebranding to better reflect their communities. Johnson City’s long-running Cardinals identity gave way to the Doughboys, a name inspired by the nearby World War I infantry statue in Veterans Plaza.   Food & Beverage   4 Two separate concession stands feature slightly different menus, but together offer a well-rounded mix of traditional ballpark fare and locally inspired options. Fans will find staples like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza, and nachos with cheese sauce, alongside heartier choices like cheeseburgers and boneless wing baskets with fries. Regional choices are available as well, with items like the Bojangles Cajun Filet Sandwich and Southern Craft BBQ Nachos. A few specialty offerings go beyond typical ballpark fare, including the Junkyard Dog (topped with chili, cheese, fries, and mustard), Firecracker Fries (drizzled with buffalo sauce and ranch), and funnel cake fries for a sweet finish. Snack options include pretzels with cheese, chips, peanuts, and candy. Beverage choices are straightforward: bottled water, Coke products, Powerade,  and local favorite Dr. Enuf, a citrusy Mountain Dew-like soda. In addition to standard domestic and imported beers, the ballpark also offers a selection of local craft brews – options from Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City Brewing Company, Iron Forge, and Tennessee Hills include lagers, tart ales, and hefeweizens. For non-beer drinkers, hard seltzers and ciders like Truly and Angry Orchard are available as well.   Atmosphere   3 TVA Credit Union Ballpark is a charming throwback to small-town baseball. The covered grandstand, overhead fans, and towering outfield walls lined with local advertisements evoke a classic, nostalgic feel. A modern scoreboard also sits in left center field, though it’s mostly used for basic player information and the game’s line score. The Doughboys lean into their military-themed branding with touches like Reveille played during big moments, adding energy to key parts of the game. In-game promotions are lighthearted and engaging, nothing groundbreaking, but also a welcome break from the tired gimmicks seen at some lower levels of baseball. The relaxed pace of summer collegiate ball contributes to a festive, easygoing atmosphere. The stadium includes several social spaces: a VIP bar down the left-field line, yard games and high-top tables along the right-field line, and a long drink rail beside the grandstand. These areas are popular and tend to stay crowded throughout the game. One downside of this historic stadium is that more attention was paid to functionality than convenience. For example, several roof support beams create rather significant obstructions when viewing the field.   Neighborhood   4 Johnson City is a stealthy, hip town with a vibrant arts scene, several breweries, and restaurants in its downtown area, just over a mile from TVA  Credit Union Ballpark . King Commons Park is a popular gathering area where adults can grab a pint, while kids play on the nearby playground or explore the stream that runs through the green space. W. State of Franklin Road is home to several renovated historic buildings, now housing popular stops like Burger & Barrel, Yee-Haw Brewing, and White Duck Taco, which backs up to scenic Founders Park. The downtown area has no less than a half-dozen breweries in the few city blocks that make up the area. The city has also done a wonderful job moving into the 21st century. while keeping its 19th-century charm.   Fans   4 Johnson City is a passionate sports town, with strong support for ETSU athletics and deep roots in baseball. Before the minor league contraction, the city consistently ranked among the top draws in the Appalachian League, and that energy has not faded. Since joining the collegiate summer circuit, the Doughboys have led the league in attendance, averaging over 3,500 fans per game, more than 1,000 ahead of the next closest team. The fans are not just enthusiastic; they understand the game. Fans cheer for savvy base running, situational hitting, and productive outs. Others are a bit more festive in their support, leaning into the Doughboys’ military identity – some even show up in replica World War I infantry helmets.   Access   4 TVA Credit Union Ballpark is easily accessible, located less than a mile off I-26, the main connector between Asheville, North Carolina, and Kingsport, Tennessee. The interstate also links up with I-81 about 15 miles north, making the stadium a convenient stop for travelers coming from eastern Tennessee or many of the eastern states. Parking is plentiful and located just beyond the first base side of the ballpark. VIP ticket holders can use a dedicated entrance off Legion Street, providing a more direct path into the stadium. Once inside, a wide walkway runs along the first baseline and narrows slightly as it approaches third. A low field-level concourse also wraps in front of the grandstand, stretching from first to third and offering fans a close view of the action as they walk around.   Return on Investment   5 With general admission tickets starting at $8, reserved seating at $10, and free parking, Doughboys games deliver excellent bang for your buck. Concession prices are in line with similar stadiums, and the overall experience, from the lively atmosphere to the quality of play, makes attending a game feel like money well spent.   Extras   3 A variety of inflatables are set up behind the grandstand, directly behind home plate, giving younger fans a chance to burn off some energy if they get restless during the game. Among the biggest stars at the ballpark is Rocky, the Doughboys beloved bat dog – the black lab draws some of the loudest cheers of the night as he dashes from the dugout to retrieve bats, then sprints back, all to the roaring approval of the fans. The team’s mascot, Private, also adds to the fun, roaming the stands throughout the game, interacting with fans, and posing for photos with anyone who asks.   Final Thoughts Small-town baseball fosters a sense of connection and civic pride that is hard to replicate in larger markets. In Johnson City, that bond was built over decades, watching future big leaguers take their first professional steps, and rooting for the hometown team as if it were their own. That pride did not vanish when affiliated baseball left. Though the Appalachian League now focuses on college-level talent instead of rising pros, the passion in the stands has not faded. Even though professional baseball is no longer played in Johnson City, the excitement of the game and the surrounding atmosphere have not disappeared. While the reorganization of minor league baseball may have been a bit of a step back in the developmental chain of baseball, it has not dampened the spirit of the baseball community in Johnson City, Tennessee. Johnson City may no longer be a stop on the road to the majors, but its love of baseball is as strong as ever.

Photos by Richard Smith and Jennifer Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Oriole Park at Camden Yards West Camden St Baltimore, MD 21230 Baltimore Orioles website Oriole Park at Camden Yards website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 44,487 “O” Say Can You See When Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992, it quickly became known as one of Major League Baseball’s premier stadiums. Before its debut, many professional baseball venues were uninspired, multipurpose arenas. Oriole Park helped usher in a new era of baseball-only stadiums designed with the fan experience in mind. Its success set a new standard, and now, nearly every team has a distinctive ballpark. Had Baltimore chosen to build a conventional, uninspired facility, the landscape of modern baseball might look entirely different. The current Baltimore Orioles franchise was established in 1954 when the St. Louis Browns relocated to the city. For decades, the team played at the beloved Memorial Stadium. As Memorial Stadium neared the end of its lifespan, plans for a new, state-of-the-art ballpark began to take shape, leading to the creation of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Over their history, the Orioles have won three World Series championships (1966, 1970, and 1983) and seven American League pennants. The team has been home to many legendary players, including Roberto Alomar, Luis Aparicio, Reggie Jackson, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken, Jr., Brooks Robinson, and Frank Robinson. Manager Earl Weaver is often considered one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. Food & Beverage 4 While Oriole Park offers a diverse range of food options, some fans have noticed a change since the park switched food service providers in 2023. While certain offerings may have been altered, we haven't personally observed a drop in quality, but it's a topic that has generated some discussion. Concession prices are not cheap, but they are generally on par with other major league stadiums. For example, a standard hot dog costs around $6, while a beer-soaked bratwurst is only slightly more expensive. One of the park's biggest draws is Boog’s BBQ, located on the famous Eutaw Street. Overseen by Orioles legend Boog Powell, the stand offers generous portions for the price. Atmosphere 4 The one significant issue with Oriole Park is that its concourse is not open to the field, a common feature in newer ballparks. Instead, it has a traditional concourse located behind the seating. While this design choice feels a bit dated compared to more modern stadiums, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. The concourse remains a great area for exploring, and you never feel disconnected from the game, thanks to numerous television monitors and constant play-by-play announcements that keep you informed. The Star-Spangled Banner was written very close to where the stadium is located. The Orioles fans commemorate this and their love of the home team by shouting a loud “O!!!!!!” during the appropriate spot during the anthem. In other places, this would seem to be disrespectful, but in Baltimore, it shows the love of the country and the team. If you hear that yell at other parks throughout the country, rest assured that there is a Baltimore fan in the house. A very unique Baltimore tradition is the playing of John Denver’s 1974 classic song, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” during the seventh-inning stretch. It all started a couple of years after it was released when the Orioles were trying to add pop music into the lineup. For some reason, the song stuck. Even when then-owner Eli Jacobs tried to change songs during the late 1980s, the fans demanded it back. The traditional “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is played as a warm-up to ‘Country Boy.’ Many a local fan still talks about Denver’s surprise September 1997 visit when he appeared on top of the dugout mouthing the song’s lyrics. He was in town for a concert at the nearby Baltimore Arena and decided to pop over. Sadly, he died in a plane crash less than a month later. The Kids Zone is a nice, popular feature. The sound system and the scoreboard are both going to be replaced in the near future, which will help as both are aging poorly. Neighborhood 3 While Oriole Park itself is exceptional, the surrounding urban environment of Baltimore requires visitors to be mindful of their surroundings. Using common sense and staying aware will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Across the street from the stadium, you'll find a lively, party-like atmosphere. For a more relaxed option, consider exploring the restaurants in the nearby Harbor East neighborhood. The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist area and is just a short walk from Camden Yards. While it offers countless choices for dining and entertainment, these options can be expensive and tend to cater to a tourist crowd. The long-standing Harborplace buildings are going away and are only lightly used at this point. The new development of the area is just at the starting point. Another good option is the nearby Federal Hill neighborhood, which features several enjoyable restaurants and bars. For those interested in gambling, the Horseshoe Casino is located just south of the ballpark and offers a variety of dining and drinking establishments. The casino also has a large parking garage that often provides game-day deals. Baltimore is also home to many other popular attractions, including Harborplace, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is a uniquely curated museum that's worth a visit, though its collection may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, sports fans should consider visiting the Babe Ruth Birthplace to experience a piece of the city's rich athletic history. Fans 3 The team's performance has led to a much more vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere at the ballpark. While fan support has always been strong, a period of inconsistent management has affected morale. The current ownership situation is much better than in the past, and the positive response from the fans is likely to continue. Orioles games draw a very knowledgeable fan base, and it's common to see families making it a day out. These fans are actively engaged in the game. It’s a place where you'll often see parents teaching their children about the nuances of baseball and the history of Orioles legends like Robinson, Robinson, Palmer, and Ripken. The fans are supportive and cheer at the right moments; booing is rare, though anything can happen when the Yankees are in town. Access 5 Oriole Park is extremely close to I-95, with only a couple of turns putting you on the highway home. Parking garages can be found in all directions from the stadium. Street parking is not a great option. Parking near the Inner Harbor is a good option. Check parking websites and apps to find bargains that are a pretty close walk away. If you’re not driving to the game, the other primary mode of access is the MTA Light Rail. From points north and south of downtown Baltimore, you can take the train to the ballpark. Return on Investment 5 Prices are generally pretty reasonable, although they do vary by opponent. The ticket aftermarket is always a good bet here. Prices can be found at a very reasonable rate for almost all games, except for maybe the Red Sox and Yankees. Extras 5 Babe Ruth's connection to Baltimore is profound; his childhood home is located just a few blocks from the ballpark. He also attended the old St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys nearby and is said to have spent time on the very grounds where Oriole Park at Camden Yards now stands. The B&O Warehouse is not a modern stadium addition but a true historic structure. Built in 1899, it was used as a storage and distribution center for the adjacent railroad. Camden Station, also next to the park, is one of the longest-running train terminals in the United States. In recent years, the Orioles have improved the center field area by adding a statue garden dedicated to team legends, which also makes it easier for fans to walk a full circle around the stadium. Eutaw Street provides a vibrant fan experience. Besides offering great food, it’s an excellent place for people-watching and shopping. Fans can also get great views of the field from the flag court, located above the right-field scoreboard. A unique feature of the park can be found on the walls of some open stairwells, which display the lyrics to classic Orioles songs like “Orioles Magic” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Final Thoughts Despite opening more than three decades ago, Oriole Park at Camden Yards remains one of Major League Baseball's most beautiful and beloved stadiums. Its timeless design, which was revolutionary in 1992, has aged gracefully and continues to be a benchmark for modern ballparks. The stadium's architecture seamlessly blends classic baseball aesthetics with a contemporary, fan-friendly layout.