Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Earlier this week the San Francisco Giants announced that after 24 seasons they will be parting ways with beloved PA Announcer Renel Brooks-Moon. “As a Bay Area native, it has been the honor of my lifetime to serve on the mike and in the community for the Giants for 24 years,” the 65-year-old said in the news release. “My very first game on April 11, 2000, I shall never forget, because the job has always been bigger than me. Representation matters, and it is my great hope that my time in the booth has inspired little girls, young women and people of color to pursue their dreams even if those dreams seem impossible, because impossible dreams can come true. “To my successor, best of luck, and enjoy every minute of it! To the talented young control-room crew, I could not be prouder of you all. And last, but certainly not the least, the fans: 100% the best fans in all of baseball, many of whom have become personal friends. I can’t thank you enough for your overwhelming kindness and support. I will miss you all the most. Go Get 'Em Bo Mel!” The news came as a shock to baseball fans throughout the Bay Area. In the past quarter century the presence and voice of Brooks-Moon at Oracle Park was synonymous to the game day experience along with the sweeping views of the bay and their three World Championships. Brooks-Moon was the second female PA Announcer for the San Francisco Giants replacing Sherry Davis, who held the position from 1993-1999. Aside from being the first female PA Announcer to announce during the World Series, Brooks-Moon has been honored by many organizations, including American Women in Radio and Television, Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame, 100 Black Women, Bay Area Black Journalists Association and Girls, Inc. She is in the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed "Renel Brooks-Moon Day" in her honor on March 18, 2005. San Francisco Giants announcer Renel Brooks-Moon addresses the crowd during a Wall of Fame induction ceremony before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on Sept. 17, 2022, in San Francisco. Photo Courtesy of Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images In light of her separation, Brooks-Moon on Wednesday was named 2024 Woman of the Year by the California State Assembly on Wednesday by District Supervisor Matt Haney. On Thursday Giants President and CEO Larry Baer announced  that the Giants won’t have a permanent replacement for Brooks-Moon to start the 2024 season. Instead, they will use “rotating voices” in the 2024 season. Baer also stated that the team hasn't started the search for a replacement yet  but will “soon,” adding that it will take time because Brooks-Moon “is a legend” and leaves “tough” shoes to fill. With Baer practically admitting the organization was not prepared to find her replacement, perhaps now would be a great opportunity for those of you out there to submit an audition tape to team president Larry Baer to be among the “rotating voices” of PA Announcers during the 2024 season. Who knows, maybe just maybe you could be the next legendary voice of Oracle Park though as Baer alluded to earlier Brooks-Moon “is a legend” and leaves “tough” shoes to fill. Follow and view all of Andrei’s Los Angeles journeys on Instagram @thestadiumjourneyman and @dreiinla and on TikTok @dre1nla.

Each photo courtesy of the MiLB team that mascot(s) represents I think it is fair to say that American sports fans love a mascot. Virtually every major league sports franchise boasts some colorful, larger-than-life embodiment of their team, and there is even a Hall of Fame devoted to the best of the best in the mascot world. One avenue where the mascot truly thrives is in the wild, often carnival-like world of minor league baseball. Minor league teams annually pull out all the stops to keep themselves top-of-mind for their fans, like “colorful” team names, wacky promotions, live entertainment, and of course, the mascots. Here in Texas, this is no exception. Currently there are 12 minor league franchises in the Lone Star State across multiple levels and multiple leagues. Nine of these ballclubs feature at least one costumed mascot at their home stadiums. Here is a quick rundown – in alphabetical order – of all the minor league mascots in Texas: Amarillo Sod Poodles Founded: 2019 Stadium: Hodgetown Stadium League: Double-A Texas League Mascot: RUCKUS the Sod Poodle Ruckus, Photo Courtesy of the Amarillo Sod Poodles For the uninitiated, in the far northern reaches of the panhandle of Texas, a “sod poodle” refers to a prairie dog. Officially recognized as a black-tailed prairie dog, RUCKUS made his debut along with the team in 2019. His bio lists his favorite hobbies as baseball (of course), digging, and sleeping, and his favorite snacks are grass, flowering plants, hot dogs, and Cracker Jack. --- Cleburne Railroaders Founded: 2017 Stadium: The Depot at Cleburne Station League: American Association of Professional Baseball (Independent) Mascots: Gandy & Spike Gandy and Spike, Photo Courtesy of the Cleburne Railroaders As could be guessed by their name, the railroad – specifically the Santa Fe Railroad, which built a major hub in the city in 1898 – plays a large part in the history of the north Texas city of Cleburne. With that in mind, the Railroaders’ two mascots play into that history and culture. Spike is literally a railroad spike brought to life, while Gandy pays homage to the Santa Fe workers of the past, who were called “Gandy Dancers”. --- Corpus Christi Hooks Founded: 2005 Stadium: Whataburger Field League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Sammy the Seagull & Rusty the Fish Hook Sammy and Rusty, Photo Courtesy of the Corpus Christi Hooks Located near the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the Hooks and their home stadium pay homage to the history and industry of Corpus Christi. Their mascots, Sammy the Seagull and Rusty Hook, have been part of the club since opening day. Rusty is the official logo of the team, while Sammy has a nest atop the left-field foul pole. --- El Paso Chihuahuas Founded: 2014 Stadium: Southwest University Park League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Chico Chico, Photo Courtesy of El Paso Chihuahuas Set in the farthest outpost in the great state of Texas, the city of El Paso is unlike any other in the state. Historic and rugged, the city is equal parts Mexico and Texas. The ballclub takes its name from the Chihuahuan Desert that encompasses the area. The team’s mascot, Chico, is a human-sized Chihuahua dog and one of the most beloved ambassadors of the city. His bio notes that he is a classically trained barker; in college he majored in recognition and retrieval of tennis balls, with a minor in bone-burying. --- Frisco RoughRiders Founded: 2003 Stadium: Dr Pepper Ballpark League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Deuce, Daisy, Ted E Bear & Bull Moose Deuce, Daisy, Ted E Bear & Bull Moose, Photos Courtesy of Frisco RoughRiders The Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Frisco is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It has been home to its minor league team for over two decades, with the team named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt’s famed volunteer cavalry unit, which called Texas their base of operations. The RoughRiders also stake claim to having the most mascots of any team in the state – Deuce and Daisy are a male and female pair of prairie dogs, while the other two, Bull Moose (a nod to the former President’s one-time political party) and Ted E Bear (a giant bear wearing Roosevelt’s military garb), pay homage to Roosevelt lore. --- Midland RockHounds Founded: 1999 Stadium: Momentum Bank Ballpark League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Juice, Rocky, & Chip Juice, Rocky, & Chip, Photo Courtesy of the Midland RockHounds The West Texas city of Midland sits at the crossroads of the state’s booming oil and gas industries. Their minor league club, one of the oldest continually active ones in the Texas league, owes its name to the energy economy (a “rockhound” is a nickname for a geologist). Midland boasts no less than three mascots: Juice the Moose, who has been with the team since the ‘80s and, according to his bio, spends his off seasons in Montana; Rocky the RockHound, Sr., who is Juice’s best friend and doubles as the team’s logo; and last but not least the newest mascot, Chip the Rock Hammer, who spends his free time digging up dog bones for Rocky. --- Round Rock Express Founded: 2000 Stadium: Dell Diamond League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Spike Spike, Photo Courtesy of the Round Rock Express Just north of the capital city of Austin lies Round Rock and its minor league ball club, the Express. Named in honor of team owner Nolan Ryan, the Express has been one of the state’s most successful clubs on the field. The team’s mascot, Spike, is one of my personal favorites, as he is a human-sized bulldog dressed as a train conductor. --- San Antonio Missions Founded: 2021 Stadium: Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Ballapeño & Mamapeño Ballapeño & Mamapeño, Photo Courtesy of the San Antonio Missions Another of the oldest minor league teams in Texas (historically founded in 1892), and located in the historic city of San Antonio, the team owes its moniker to the 17th century Spanish missions that dot the city. Including the famed Alamo, these missions are part of the National Park System and were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Officially boasting two mascots (although a third “unofficial” one has been part of the team since moving into the Wolff in 1994) in Ballapeño and his mother Mamapeño, they are both human-sized jalapeño peppers. Don’t cross Mamapeño though, lest you feel the wrath of her chancla! --- Sugar Land Space Cowboys Founded: 2021 Stadium: Constellation Field League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Orion Orion, Photo Courtesy of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys The city of Sugar Land is a major suburb of the greater Houston metro area. Founded as a company town for the Imperial Sugar Company, the city has a long and proud sports tradition. The Space Cowboys, named in honor of nearby Houston’s NASA Johnson Space Center, also have one of the more unique mascots in the land in Orion – this blue-hued space canine was found on the Saturn moon of Mimas, but stowed away on an explorer’s spaceship to make Sugar Land his home. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Gail, Dan, and Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales 36-50 Calle Jupiter Caguas, Puerto Rico 00725 Criollos de Caguas website Year Opened / Año abierto: 1974 Capacity / Capacidad: 10,000 Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales Algunas personas afirman que "el béisbol es vida". En Puerto Rico, esa frase sigue siendo cierta. El Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales, que lleva el nombre de un senador estatal, está ubicado en una zona residencial a media milla al sur del centro de Caguas (pronunciado caw-gwas) y se inauguró en 1974. En 2017, el huracán María diezmó a Puerto Rico, arrojando 35,9 pulgadas sobre Caguas. Esta entrevista con Pudge Rodríguez cuenta la conmovedora historia: CAGUAS CRIOLLOS BASEBALL STADIUM | Good All Over. El dúo de música reggaeton, Wisin & Yandel, compró el equipo de la Liga Puertorriqueña de Béisbol, los Criollos de Caguas, en 2022. $2.8 millones de fondos de FEMA llevaron a una renovación completa del estadio y el campo, con césped artificial, nuevas luces, asientos y baños. Los nuevos propietarios sustituyeron el césped artificial por césped natural. En el área de Caguas, la palabra "criollos" generalmente se traduce como "locales" o "nativos". Food & Beverage / Bebida y Alimenticia 4 En varios puestos de comida se ofrece comida tradicional “criolla”: estilos variados de pollo frito, empanadas y masa frita. Los hot dogs tienen aderezos tradicionales pero están terminados con palitos de papa encima. La cerveza helada Michelob Ultra es (lamentablemente) la única cerveza que se ofrece a $4, y las piñas coladas a $5 son muy populares. En este local se venden productos de Coca-Cola. En la mayoría de los casos, los precios de los alimentos no se publican. Atmosphere / Atmósfera 4 Asistimos a la final de la liga, lo que probablemente afectó la experiencia. La mayoría de los asientos son de plástico con respaldos cómodos, sin portavasos, ubicados bajo un techo. A lo largo de la línea del jardín derecho, la última sección tiene sillas plegables grises. Las vistas de fondo de los jardines son hermosas, con hermosas puestas de sol que pintan el cielo por las noches. Todos los anuncios están en español rápido y fuerte. La música está alta. ¡Todos los fanáticos traen instrumentos que hacen ruido y los usan al máximo! La mascota es muy popular. Conduce alrededor en un carrito de golf y entretiene a la multitud entre entradas. El marcador es un poco decepcionante ya que sólo muestra el resultado, y el nombre y la foto del jugador al bate. Neighborhood / Barrio 3 Ubicado en una zona principalmente residencial con muy buen alumbrado público, existen algunas alternativas para beber o comer. Los restaurantes populares a poca distancia incluyen Raices para comidas tradicionales, Jungle Burger and Grill, Winker's Sports Bar and Grill y PYP Restaurant. Ubicado en el lado norte de la ciudad, el Caguas Food Park es una excelente alternativa para las comidas pre-juego. El Four Points Hotel and Casino by Sheraton está al sur del estadio. Fans / Aficionados 5 ¡Los fanáticos de Caguas son apasionados, leales y MUY ruidosos! La música se reproduce a volumen alto durante todo el partido acompañada por los aficionados con sus bam-bams, cencerros, bocinas y silbatos. Durante la serie de campeonato, el estadio estaba lleno cada noche y ¡era VIBRANTE! Los aficionados están bien informados y totalmente enfocados con cada lanzamiento. Varias canciones reproducidas en el sistema de megafonía provocaron cánticos de los fans. No se ofrecen programas; serían de gran ayuda para los fanáticos con conocimientos limitados de español. Access / Acceso 3 El aeropuerto más cercano está ubicado en San Juan SJU Official – Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Puerto Rico y está a 45 minutos en coche del estadio. El flujo de tráfico antes y después de los juegos puede ser lento. Los fanáticos pueden estacionar en un lote adyacente al sur del estadio ($4), pero recomendamos llegar un poco temprano para estacionar en las calles. En el estadio, un pasillo relativamente estrecho entre los palcos y los asientos de admisión general puede estar bastante concurrido. Los fans se detienen para hablar con amigos, las bandas deambulan mientras tocan su música, por lo que el movimiento de la multitud es lento. Los baños actualizados están relativamente limpios, pero se forman lineas más adelante en el juego. La seguridad es bastante eficiente, aunque el personal de seguridad realiza un rápido cacheo corporal en la puerta. Return on Investment / Retorno de la Inversión 5 Puerto Rico tiene una larga historia de honrar a las personas mayores que pueden comprar boletos a mitad de precio, ¡incluso para series de campeonato! Todos los alimentos y bebidas tienen precios bastante razonables. Asistir a un partido, especialmente a un partido de campeonato de liga, bien vale el precio en una isla enloquecida por el béisbol. Extras 5 Un punto por las fotos/descripciones de los jugadores anteriores en el exterior del estadio y a lo largo de los pasillos. Otro punto es para los aficionados apasionados. Los precios razonables de boletos, estacionamiento y alimentos/bebidas ganan un punto. La reciente renovación es una gran ventaja. Finalmente, las hermosas vistas detrás de la cerca del jardín contribuyen a una gran experiencia. Final Thoughts / Pensamientos finales Tuvimos mucha suerte de asistir a cuatro partidos del campeonato de liga de 2024. Llegamos temprano para poder sentarnos en los asientos de admisión general detrás del base del bateador. Conocimos a algunos fanáticos locales (criollos) y la pasamos muy bien. Debido a los dispositivos que hacían ruido, el alto sistema de megafonía y la música, junto con el entusiasmo de los fanáticos, era muy ruidoso, pero ciertamente menos que el estadio de Carolina. Los boletos para personas mayores a mitad de precio son una ventaja. Si eres un fanático del béisbol que visita Puerto Rico durante la temporada de la Liga PR, ¡asegúrate de dirigirte a Caguas! Muchas gracias a Jim Minard por su ayuda con la traducción.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.86 Streets of St. Petersburg 100 2nd Ave N Ste 340 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg website Year Opened: 1985 20 Years of Bayside Speed What more can be said about the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, that hasn’t been said already? This really is the race that has it all – location, action and excitement, ease of access for fans, and now 20 years’ worth of history to lean on. Add to this the number of races you actually get to see over the weekend, and you have one of the most jam-packed race weekend schedules around. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this race weekend are the small touches that the event and its staff make seem like pedestrian occurrences at a traditional speedway. If you go to this race, you will want to come back. Without a doubt, this event has become a mainstay on the IndyCar schedule, and it has no real plans of going anywhere anytime soon. Food & Beverage   5 Fun fact: St. Pete is a foodie’s heaven hidden away in beautiful Western-Central Florida. The race itself has some of the most amazing smells and greatest-tasting food vendors at any sports event in the country – the sound of sizzling peppers and beef on the griddle mixes with the scent of fresh seafood as one walks the concourses and sidewalks of the downtown circuit. If you’re looking for something to eat, you will find it at the Grand Prix of St. Pete. There is a wide variety of traditional American stadium fare mixed with everything from Latin, seafood, European, and Asian food options. Freshly made gyros that cost less than $10? Yes please! In addition, the track whizzes past some brilliant food options just steps away in downtown St. Petersburg. In addition, even chain restaurants like Chicken Salad Chick have pop up food tents in the fan zone to satisfy your cravings. Another often overlooked thing that makes this race a must-see is that the vendors are spread out evenly throughout the track. No matter if you are in the RV parking area, resting along the waterfront, wandering the main grandstand behind pit road, or are deep in downtown’s Pioneer Park, there is food available all over the place. Add to that the wandering beverage sellers on golf carts that have everything from water to cold beer, and you are guaranteed to not have to look far to satisfy your palette. Atmosphere   5 The fans in St. Pete know their racing. When drivers were introduced during the most recent IndyCar race, they cheered and booed with the best of them. The races are also action-packed and easy to follow, thanks to the well thought-out layout of the track, which incorporates easy to access locations from both the inside and outside of the course, giving fans the best vantage point, no matter where you want to see the race from. In addition, the quality of the racing on track is right there with the best of them, as the big names of the IndyCar Series take the track, along with drivers in lower divisions craving the opportunity to show the world what they can do. Neighborhood   5 St. Petersburg is a growing city on the rise – it is a mix of vacationers, college students (USF has a campus literally steps away from the track), and professionals mixing with both city and suburban folks. In addition, the neighborhood around the track is evolving into a high quality of life location that features some of the best hole-in-the-wall eateries you can imagine, with traditional shopping and dining (CVS, Publix, and others are there to help meet your shopping needs). Hotels and resorts vary from motels a few blocks away to the beautiful Hilton in the heart of downtown, which puts you steps away from the main gate; there is also a SpringHill Suites and a Hampton Inn right next to the raceway. Fair warning though to all fans looking to book a room for the coming race: book them ASAP! Rooms go very fast, and the prices rise the closer you get to the event, for all locations near the course. From northern Tampa to Bradenton to the south, it is hard to find a room unless you have set it up over six months in advance. Not to be forgotten, the people here are gracious, kind, and welcoming, making even the most travel-weary fan at the races feel like he or she is right at home. Also, with the course situated right on the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the beach is right next door to the track, just a short drive away. Often rated among the greatest beaches in the country, relaxation under the sun is easier here than ever. Fans   5 Rude fans won’t frequently be found here – this is easily one of the most family-friendly racing crowds anyone can find. Not only that, but they’re also series-intelligent; they know all the drivers, all the teams, and why each one is better or worse than the next. They also cheer at the top of their lungs, applaud close racing and impressive moves, and oooh and aaah throughout the weekend. Nobody cuts in line when waiting to cross the pedestrian bridges or when getting their favorite driver’s autograph either; as far as sports fans go, the crowds at St. Pete are among the best there is. Access   4 Access is the ONLY complaint one may have about the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, but even with the limited parking, it isn’t hard to find a place to park on race day. This is helped by the large contingent of fans who arrive at the track via bike, as evidenced by the massive bicycle parking racks at the entrances, which are completely full by the time the main event begins on Sunday. Getting to the track is as easy as possible, with I-175 and I-375 branching off I-275, and literally ending on the street in downtown St. Pete that leads to the main entrance. How much easier could the location be to find than that? And if you don’t have a parking pass, there are plenty of local parking lots, garages, and metered spots that you can access; prices range from $10 to $40 depending on how close you want to be, but even the spaces right by the entrances average $20, which is shockingly low for a big event like this. Traffic may be the only deterrent here, as construction zones are constantly popping up around the downtown area as new buildings rise into the sky. Another incredibly cool way to get to the course is the free water taxi from the St. Petersburg Sailing Club – this short ride on a pontoon boat takes you from Demen’s Landing to the floating docks outside of the floating trackside bar. Once you arrive you can walk past the large yachts to another track entrance, and from there, a walk over the bridge drops you off right in the fan zone by the main pits. Return on Investment   5 Let’s analyze what you get for the price of admission (which can range from $50 to upwards of $100, depending on your ticket choice): You get some of the best racing in the business between six racing series (with multiple classes in the Pirelli World Challenge split into four total races over the weekend), and each series often includes more than one race over the event’s schedule. You also get to see the season opener for the IndyCar Series, the nation’s premiere open-wheel racing series. In addition, you get to watch this all in one of the most underrated beautiful cities in the country; how can you say no? Extras   5 Remember the small touches? This is what really impresses me at this race – when walking into the venue you are greeted by smiling track staff and volunteers who offer you colorful beads, a pack of sunscreen, a track and race guide, and a hand-held fan, all free! None of this is free at any other sports event you will go to. In addition, your ticket offers you free admission to the garage and paddock area for the Indy NXT, IMSA VP Challenge, USF Pro2000, and others, offering you up-close access to the drivers, cars, and teams. Also, the weekend features several autograph sessions for all the series, giving fans the chance to see their idols up close. Another awesome bonus is the myriad displays at the track – from the IndyCar Series fan zone to the various vendor activations, there is no shortage of fun things to do at the track. Perhaps one of the neater aspects of the race is the party patio on the water in the middle of the marina. A short walk over a pedestrian bridge and down onto a floating platform, this bar on the water floats along and is free to all fans in attendance. One of the best places to party, however, is the RV lot, located along the front straight at the airport. Yes, you read that right…airport; part of the course and garage area takes over a portion of an airport in St. Pete. Even cooler still, one of the runways remains open during the weekend, with everything from helicopters (you can buy rides in them during the race weekend), small private prop planes, and Coast Guard Blackhawks taking off and landing during the races. Also new for this year is a big concert on Saturday night – 2024 featured Brett Michaels on a stage in front of the fan patio near the Dali Museum, bringing with it a stellar end to a packed day full of racing. Final Thoughts The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is still one of the best sporting events for fans in all of America, let alone just in racing circles. It is hard to beat the city, time of year, the product in front of you, and the fan access this event gives. In addition, it is also hard to find a race track with a better fan experience than the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This yearly event signals the start of the season for four racing series and the continuation of two others, all while fans watch under the warm sun and the sea breezes that St. Pete offers. Whether you’re watching from the balcony of a high-rise, the grandstands along the track, the walkway next to the Dali Museum, or the party platform on the water, you will be hard-pressed to find a better place to watch quality racing.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Crypto.com Arena 1111 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 Los Angeles Kings website Crypto.com Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 18,340 Kings of Royalty The Los Angeles Kings were a part of the National Hockey League’s “Second Six,” the league’s first expansion in 1967. Original owner, Jack Kent Cooke, chose the name “Kings” because he wanted his team to project “an air of royalty.” He outfitted the team in the royal colors of purple and gold and built a new arena, the Forum, as a home for his teams. The team played at the Forum in Inglewood for 32 years until moving to the new Staples Center, now Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles, prior to the 1999-2000 season. The privately financed arena cost $375 million to build. For a good portion of their existence, the Kings had been the NHL’s most southern located team. With the arrival of Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers in 1988 and their rising popularity over the years that include two Stanley Cup Champion teams from 2012 and 2014, 10 other franchises have either moved or expanded in cities along the western region of the United States or cities south of Los Angeles. Wayne Gretzky Statue, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Food & Beverage 4 Crypto.com Arena does not disappoint in terms of concessions, offering a wide variety of options for the hungry Kings fan. Among the offerings are fish tacos from Wahoo’s Tacos, LuDo Bird, Dirt Dog, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Blaze Pizza and Salt & Char Burgers. Mixed in with traditional arena fare are uniquely southern California options such as ahi tuna poke nachos and sushi. Several stands offer kosher, vegetarian and vegan options. A complete listing of concession options at Crypto.com Arena can be found here. Mobile orders for most of the concessions can be placed through the link provided and from QR codes located along the concourses throughout the venue. Coca-Cola products are the soda providers. In addition to national beer brands, local craft brews from Golden Road and Goose Island Breweries are for sale. The Figueroa Bar on the 100-level concourse offers a wide variety of draught beer, signature cocktails and specialty drinks. Atmosphere 5 LA Kings Championship Banners, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey As fans enter the venue through Star Plaza, a sense of history can be felt with statues lined along outside the north entrances. Fans can view statues of Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, the recently added Dustin Brown, longtime legendary broadcaster Bob Miller, and what may be the most impressive of all the statues lining Chick Hearn Court, the L.A. Kings Monument. This impressive monument, dedicated in 2016 honoring the 50th anniversary of the organization by artists Itamar Amrany, Julie Rotblatt Amrany, and Omri Amrany is made of bronze, granite and glass, and features six bronze sculptures highlighted by Dustin Brown’s iconic moment of lifting the Stanley Cup. Rise to Glory, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey This being Los Angeles, visiting fans also get to experience a hockey game during the winter months without having to wear layers and layers of warm clothing. Doors open 90 minutes prior to faceoff leaving fans to roam the venue and check out the various concession offerings, as well as other historical highlights throughout the venue. Once inside the seating bowl fans looking up at the rafters on the north end can see the impressive list of retired numbers as well as the banners honoring division, conference and of course their two Stanley Cup triumphs. Quite an impressive display when considering it’s the basketball team with 17 banners (not counting the In-Season Tournament one) that receives most of the glamor. Neighborhood 5 Los Angeles is one of the top cities in the nation for tourists, with a seemingly endless list of attractions, things to do and see. In the immediate area of the Crypto.com Arena, LA Live is located right across the street from the arena. Located here are several restaurants, hotels and attractions, including the Grammy Museum and the Microsoft Theater. During the holiday season, a skating rink is set up in the Xbox Plaza here. For those who desire pre or postgame dining, the dining options for L.A. Live are listed here. For casual dining Lazy Dog is one of my favorite go to pre and postgame dining spots at L.A. Live. LA Live, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Fans 5 Even with the Kings ability to cater to the glitzy Hollywood crowd, Kings fans are a totally different breed from their purple and gold hoops counterparts. Most fans are decked out in the team's black and silver attire mixed in with some throwback purple and gold gear as well dating back to their days at The Fabulous Forum. Kings fans aren’t the ones who come just to be seen. With a playoff contending team, Kings fans have mostly filled up the venue this 2024 season. With the Dodgers and Lakers being the top sports teams in town, Kings fans often get lost in the mix. Make no mistake though, Kings fans are just as passionate, loud and enthusiastic when it comes to their support and very welcoming to fans of visiting teams as well. Access 4 When attending any event in Los Angeles, I cannot stress enough the importance of time allowance. Traffic along our famed freeways are no joke, especially along the 110 and 10 freeways, the two major thoroughfares closest to the arena. If you plan on driving and you're staying outside of Downtown L.A., the rule of thumb if you want to arrive early and experience the venue or its surrounding area is to leave yourself 3 hours; that’s right, 3 hours of leeway prior to faceoff. Also if you do plan to drive you may want to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area as a good portion of the streets within the vicinity are one-way. Parking throughout the vicinity starts as low as $10. More information on parking can be found here. If you plan on using public transit, the Pico/Union Station is a short five minute walk from the arena running service until just past midnight. The light rail offers service towards the west side to Santa Monica, points south toward Long Beach, and service to East L.A. It stretches further east toward Azusa and options to connect to other rail and bus services throughout Los Angeles County. More info can be found here. Once inside, the wide concourses offer plenty of room to move about with two sets of escalators and elevators to transport fans to the premium and upper levels. Return on Investment 4 On most nights Kings tickets can be purchased for as low as $20 from the team and third party sites. However if you plan to sit closer to the action in the 100 level expect to pay anywhere in the triple digits, maybe even north of the $200 range. Parking throughout various lots around Crypto.com Arena start as low as $10 and can go as much as $40. Extras 4 Luc Robitaille Statue, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Fans entering the arena along Star Plaza are greeted with statues honoring Kings greats. The one statue that should not be missed is the Monument Statue honoring six Kings all time greats. From the base of the statue is a timeline of some of the Kings greatest moments, as well as the names of the rosters and ownership from its inaugural season in 1967 to its 50th season. Rest assured all the words and names engraved in the Monument as well as the other statues are properly spelled. Recent additions to Crypto.com Arena include two new stat boards with rotating stats for each time including a running clock displaying each active players ice time. During intermissions fans seated in the 300 level can venture to the outdoor patio for breathtaking views of the Downtown L.A. skyline. An added bonus is the patio is now smoke free for everyone to enjoy ! Dining tables are also located throughout the concourses on both levels for fans to enjoy their food and beverages in a more spacious atmosphere. Phone outlets are even available as well in some of these dining areas for fans to add more battery life for the countless pictures they may take. Final Thoughts With Crypto.com celebrating its 25th season, the Kings have had their share of great moments, rewarding their loyal fanbase with a contending team during most seasons as well as their two Stanley Cup triumphs. As Crypto.com enters the next 25 years, fans can continue to expect an exciting brand of hockey in an atmosphere that quietly screams Southern California hockey.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Gateway Center Arena at College Park 2330 Convention Center Concourse College Park, GA 30337 College Park SkyHawks website Gateway Center Arena at College Park website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 5,000 More Than Just An Airport Serving as the permanent home of the G League College Park Skyhawks and the WNBA's Atlanta Dream, Gateway Center Arena is a part of the Georgia International Convention Center. This 5,000-seat arena is part of a redevelopment in the airport city of College Park. Since 2019, Gateway Center Arena has proudly served its local community. Food & Beverage 4 Being the smaller venue that it is, there is not an abundant number of concession stands. And while only three concession stands were being operated on the concourse, they offered a wide variety of distinctive options. They offer the stadium fundamentals like hot dogs, burgers, pretzels, pizza, soda, and popcorn that you would expect from every stadium. But they also present items that are not traditionally in smaller arenas, like chicken wings cooked to order, Jambalaya, Catfish, Buffalo Shrimp, and Impossible Sliders. The lemon pepper wings tasted fresh and came with six wings and waffle fries, but all this and a 32oz drink cost $20 which seems steep. In terms of alcohol, both import and domestic beers are on the menu alongside mixed drinks and wine. Atmosphere 3 Gateway Center Arena would be considered an appropriate venue for this level of basketball. The arena’s concourse and seating wraps 3/4th the way around the court, with the concourse lying above the seating bowl. Restrooms are found in the corners, and a small team store is right in front of the entrance to the stadium. Like the team store, the two main concession stands sit next to the entrance. Kiosks for drinks, popcorn, pizza, and oddly enough a make-up station are along the concourse above the sideline. A standing room is available on the concourse with tabletop railings above the seating bowl. My favorite part of the arena would be the ticketing strategy the Skyhawks implement for their games. Rows “AA”, “CT” (tables next to the floor), “BB”, “A”, and “B” are all reserved seating and are considered “VIP” tickets. These are usually used for season ticket holders. The rest of the arena, row C-M, is general admission seating. That means you can sit in whatever section you want, whether that be the corner, behind the basket, or center court. This is a strategy I wish more lower-level teams would implement. There are two video boards, one in each opposite corner that show scores, stats, and video promotions. Gateway Center Arena Corner View, Photo by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 2 There is not much in terms of a neighborhood for before or after the game. The arena is a part of the Georgia International Convention Center Property, which is a pretty large development adjacent to Hartsfield International Airport. Being next to the Airport there are plenty of hotels to choose from in the area, and some chain restaurants to accompany the airport travelers. The neighborhood does not have a walkable district, as the area is pretty car-heavy due to the airport. If you are traveling to Atlanta and would like to attend a game, I would advise you to stay in the Buckhead area, as it is a short drive from I-85, and this is a popular neighborhood within the city for food, bars, shopping, and entertainment. Fans 3 The Skyhawks are still a relatively new franchise in the Atlanta area. Founded in 2019, the Skyhawks have entered a crowded basketball market with Atlanta having the NBA’s Hawks, and two division one programs in Georgia Tech and Georgia State. Therefore, the Skyhawks have marketed themselves as southside’s team, and due to that most of the fans in attendance are local families that reside in the immediate area. The fans are welcoming and laid back, they cheer when given a reason on the court, and they are very knowledgeable about their team. Skyhawks appear to sit in the middle of the pack in terms of G League attendance. They all wish to see the players on the court make it too, or make it back to the big stage, being State Farm Arena, a brief MARTA ride away. They are not the most passionate fans in the world, but they are happy to have a team and are very welcoming to anyone visiting. Access 3 There are many ways to get to Gateway Center Arena. If driving in from out of town, or in the Atlanta perimeter, Exit-2 of I-285 will spit you out on Camp Creek Parkway, which is the road that the complex is on. I-85 is also an option as Exit-72 will also put you on Camp Creek Parkway east of the arena. No matter which direction you plan on traveling to, give yourself plenty of time to get to the arena, as with Atlanta in general, but especially next to the airport, traffic can be horrendous. The arena has parking right in front of the main entrance, and the concourse is as easy to navigate as it comes. Return on Investment 3 In terms of the value of a ticket, general admission tickets are the way to go. At just $15 you can sit in any section you want if it is above row “C”. It is $10 to park, which seems more than reasonable for onsite parking. However, the food prices seem high. The pizza kiosk is $10, hotdogs are $5, burgers are $11, BBQ burger is $12, catfish is $18, honey wings are $18, and cheese nachos are $14. In terms of drinks, sodas are $5, domestic beers are a reasonable $7 with craft and imports being $8, dingle mixed drinks are $12, and doubles are $20. Some of these prices seem slightly steep, but nothing completely unreasonable for a stadium. Extras 3 We love general admission being the entire bowl, which allows fans not to spend extra to gain the view they desire to obtain. There is also a VIP section situated on the opposite baseline for season ticket members. Final Thoughts The Skyhawks have made a home in College Park. It seems as if they have created their fanbase, even in this crowded basketball market. Gateway Center Arena provides a casual, comfortable, and intimate setting for visitors to experience high-level basketball.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Capital One Park 1600 Scotts Crossing Road McLean, VA 22102 Capital One Park website Georgetown Hoyas website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 300 Hoyas Baseball in Northern Virginia Located in Tysons, Virginia, bounded by elevated metro tracks and a highway interchange, Capital One Park is Northern Virginia's newest baseball stadium. Opened in 2023, the ballpark is located in Capital One Center, a mixed use development adjacent to Capital One Headquarters that also includes a hotel, a concert hall, shops, and restaurants. During the spring months, Capital One Park is the home of the Georgetown University Hoyas baseball team. The Hoyas have played in several different venues over the past few years, but in 2024, they will play most of their home games at Capital One Park. A few will be played in DC at the Washington Nationals Youth Academy. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions are sold out of a window near the entrance to Capital One Park. Meal options include nachos ($6), soft pretzels ($7), chili ($8), hot dogs ($6), bratwurst ($7), cheeseburgers ($8), and a pulled pork sandwich ($7). Chips, candy, peanuts, soda, bottled water, and Gatorade are also available. Atmosphere 3 Capital One Park is a small, intimate ballpark, with 300 chairback seats located behind home plate. Some of the upper rows are in the shade. On a hot day late in the season, this will seem nice, but not so much on a chilly day in February or March. There are also some picnic tables located down the lines for groups. No matter where you sit, you will have a great view of the action. That being said, there is not much going on here other than the game itself. Music is played during breaks in the action, but that's about it. You'll have a good view of the action no matter where you sit, which is certainly a plus, but watching the game is about all you'll be doing. Neighborhood 5 Although Capital One Park has a McLean address, the area surrounding the stadium is more properly classified as Tysons, one of the fastest growing business districts in the country in the heart of Fairfax County.. Tysons is regarded as a classic example of an edge city - an area of the suburbs that feels more comparable to the downtown area of a city. In fact, due to severe restrictions on heights of buildings in the District of Columbia, this feels more like a classic downtown than Downtown DC does. As mentioned above, the park is part of Capital One Center, which also contains a concert hall, several shops and restaurants, the Watermark Hotel, and Capital One headquarters itself. The Perch is located on the roof of Capital One Hall and features food trucks, a beer garden, a putt-putt course, a pizza place, a taqueria, and more open space to hang out. There are plenty of other places to hang out in Tysons as well. The area is famous for not one but two giant shopping malls, Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria, which offer a wide variety of shopping and dining including the original Apple Store. Founding Farmers is a popular American restaurant, and Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian steakhouse famous for its large salad bar. Whatever you want to do, you will probably find it in Tysons. Fans 2 Most of the fans are friends or family of the players on the Hoyas or their opponents, although there are some others who come to check out the team as well. The fans who do show up are knowledgeable about the team, as many of them come to most or all of the games. Access 4 How easy it is to get to Capital One Park depends on what time of day you are coming. Rush hour traffic in Northern Virginia is some of the worst in the country, and it is especially bad in Tysons, where numerous highways converge with not enough space to accommodate all movement between them. If you are coming any other time, traffic should probably be lighter, and you can take your choice of the Capital Beltway, State Route 267, or State Route 123, among others. We suggest using a GPS app such as Waze to take you around traffic and on the best possible route. Once you arrive, free parking is available in a lot next to the stadium, and if that fills up, you can park in the garage across the street near Wegman's. Parking is $5 if you're staying for under four hours or $10 if you're staying for longer. You can pay on your phone by scanning the QR code in the lot. The Silver Line of the Washington Metro runs right by the stadium, with the McLean station a short walk away. On a weekday, the lot may be used for parking by commuters using the Metro to head into DC, so plan accordingly. Restrooms are available, including a family restroom, and are of a sufficient size for the crowd, although the metal toilets and sinks are an odd touch that seems out of place here. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are just $5, with kids 12 and under and seniors 65 and over getting in for free. However, the cost of parking, which could be twice the cost of the ticket, does bring this score down a bit. . Extras 2 Look on the concourse for the statue of Bruno the Bear, the official mascot of Capital One Park. Bruno is based on a real bear who made headlines in October 2022 after he was spotted roaming the streets of Tysons and the surrounding area. Also look for the giant statue of a melting blue popsicle. It is certainly an interesting choice architecturally, but a unique one as well. Final Thoughts Georgetown baseball has had many homes over recent years, playing in Maryland, DC, and now, in Virginia. Capital One Park is a gorgeous new stadium, and one hopes the Hoyas can gain a permanent presence here, but that remains to be seen.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 The Pit 1111 University SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 Map It New Mexico Lobos website The Pit website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 15,411 The Pit The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team, known as the Lobos, play their home games at The Pit.   The Pit, built in a 37-foot-deep hole on Albuquerque’s southeast mesa, has served as home for some of the most vocal fans in the nation.  The arena has had upgrades and expansions throughout the years, modernizing it with a remodeled concessions area, video boards, ribbons boards, graphics package, constructing a suite level, and adding NBA-style locker rooms and a player’s lounge. Even though it’s 58 years old now, it is a fantastic venue in which to watch college hoops. New Mexico men’s basketball is relevant nationally because of The Pit (its sunken court structure, and the noise level that it creates). The Lobos play in the Mountain West Conference.  The men’s team began in 1899 and started competing with local colleges in 1920.  Though the school has never advanced to a Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, the basketball team plays to capacity or near-capacity crowds at the venue on a regular basis. They have reached the NCAA Tournament 15 times (their last appearance was in 2014) and have been conference champions 12 times. Food & Beverage 3 Plenty of concession counters surround the entire concourse, with all open for the men’s games.  Additional adult beverage carts are available at a men’s game.  Be sure to walk the entire concourse, as no two counters provide exactly the same choices.  All concession stands are cashless. Choices include: Laguna Burgers ($11 - $13) Grab N Go (snacks and drinks) Louie’s Pizza Den ($8 a slice) Sugar Snack (funnel cake, ice cream, fries, nachos) Nacho Mama’s Nacho (a variety of nachos $10 - $13; most come with green chile) Paletas (A Mexican frozen treat made from fresh natural fruits) Section U Fan Zone (Frito pie, chicken tender basket, burrito, chimichanga $7 - $12) Cool-ickle Bar (pickle flavored popcorn and lemonade) Multiple stands with the traditional choices of hot dogs, corn dogs, chips, fries, and candy With this being New Mexico, expect to find green chile in many of the offerings. Pepsi products are the soda of choice ($6 - $7).  The concessions sell a variety of canned domestic and premium beers ($10 - $11). My recommendations:  Stay away from the pizza concession stand, as the slices taste awful.   The Laguna Burgers are tasty (and can be made to order), and the nachos from Nacho Mama’s look scrumptious.  If you like pickles, be sure to visit the Cool-ickle Bar kiosk. Atmosphere 4 It’s called The Pit because that’s exactly what it is.  A dug-out arena with the seating below ground level.  The concourse is at street level and surrounds the top of the seating bowl. Row 1 is the closest to the concourse (not counting handicapped seats), and row 27 is the closest to the court.  Sections A – G are chairbacks; the rest are bleachers (without backs).  The seating area has much-needed handrails. The seating is cherry and silver colored (team colors), has no cup holders, and there’s no legroom between the rows. Suites are above the concession level. The arena has two video boards hung up behind each basket, which show game action, replays, and player stats.  Ribbon boards provide the score, half, time left, and time outs.  I recommend not getting the top four or five rows at the ends and in the corners as an overhang blocks the view of the video board. Refreshingly, game day operations do not constantly blare music.  Fans do not need ear plugs, although the fan energy is loud. The game day music is a good mix of the pep band and canned music.   The temperature is a tad on the cool side, so bring an extra layer if you chill easily. Game day operations turn off the lights during the introductions, and fans wave their phone flashlights in honor of the players introductions.   It’s all quite impressive. Cheerleaders entertain the crowd and perform at half-time.  And the cheer squad throws t-shirts into the stands, which riles up the fans even more. Neighborhood 4 The Pit is part of an athletic venue complex that includes University Stadium (Lobos football) across the street and Isotopes Park catty-corner to the northeast. The Santa Ana Star Field (Lobos baseball) and Lobos Softball Field (softball) are just south of The Pit.  The Pit is aglow at night, showing off the outside beauty of the arena.  The area is well lit and has lots of security, making patrons feel safe. A mile south gets you to the nearest restaurants or watering holes; most are chain restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings, Fuddruckers, Chilis, etc. Your best bet for local fare and nightlife entertainment is to head north to the Old Route 66 (Central Ave), Nob Hill area.  Frontier Restaurant, a long-standing UNM favorite establishment featuring traditional Mexican food and burgers, is in this area.  For traditional Irish fare, try the Two Fools Tavern.  Saggio’s and Dion’s, local pizza chains, offer good pizza and Italian fare. Several breweries are within a few miles of The Pit:  The 377 Brewery, Differential Brewing Co, Flock of Moons Brewing Co, Bosque Brewing Co, and more. For places to stay, a slew of hotels are over a mile or two away near the airport, with all the national brands present:  Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, Holiday Inn, and more.  Or check Airbnb or VRBO, if staying more than one night. When in Albuquerque, a must-visit is riding on the Sandia Peak Tramway, which transports you 2.7 miles to the top of the Sandia Mountains (not for those with acrophobia).  For those interested, Albuquerque offers Breaking Bad RV Tours.  Or a visit to the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden & Zoo may be of interest.  With 19 Native American Pueblos in New Mexico, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is another must-visit. There’s plenty to see, do, eat, and drink in Albuquerque, but all over a mile from The Pit. Fans 5 The Lobos fans are passionate and vocal.  They all stand at the beginning of each half and cheer on the players till each team makes their first basket. The student section stands the entire game; some come decked out in face paint.  They bring flags, posters, and big head cutouts.  And you’ll see all kinds of Lobos shirts, hats, and jerseys throughout all seating areas. There’s the pep band, spirit squad, and cheerleaders regaling the fans pregame, after each basket, and at half-time. So far, in this early part of the 2023-2024 season, the average attendance per game is 11,707, with a sellout crowd against their in-state rival New Mexico State Aggies. Access 4 The arena is on the University of New Mexico campus, one-half mile off Interstate 25.   It is across from the football stadium (University Stadium), next to the baseball stadium (Santa Ana Star Field), and diagonally across from Isotopes Park, where the Isotopes and New Mexico United play.  Various parking lots are around the venue.  Parking costs $12 for men’s basketball games. The Pit is about three miles from the airport.  (The Pit) University @ Avenida Cesar Chavez is the closest bus stop just in front of the main entrance.  Check the transit website for maps, fares, and schedules.  Be sure to check the time of a return trip.  Uber and Lyft are easily available with drop off and pick up in front of the main entrance. Gates open an hour and a half before game time.  Getting through security is painless.  Fans hand their bags to security personnel, empty their pockets, and walk through a scanner.  Clear sports bags up to 12” x 6” x 12” are allowed.  Check their bag policy for more details. The concourse on top of the seating bowl gets very crowded at a men’s game.  Serviceable, but unremarkable, restrooms are scattered around the concourse. Plenty of handicapped parking and seating are available for those fans who need it.  Not uncommon in college sports, closed captioning is not offered. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Lobos men’s basketball game is a decent value. Ticket prices run from $15 to $45, with club level seats running $75, which is typical for mid major conferences.  The team has chairback rentals for $6, with proceeds benefitting the UNM Spirit Program. Parking is $12 for men’s games and can be purchased online pregame.  Concession prices are what is expected at a D1 college venue. Extras 4 Several other items are worth noting. Lobo is the Spanish word for wolf, and the arena exhibits two wolf statues outside the main entrance. The venue’s interior displays historic timelines of Lobos basketball history all around the concourse walls, all worth reading. The atrium stands tall with a 56-foot glass tower with white steel structures.  The extensive glasswork envelopes the street level, adding light and providing views of the Sandia Mountains to the east.  It’s quite a marvel. Finally, the arena has a huge merchandise store (called the Lobo Den Store) selling all kinds of Lobo paraphernalia, shirts, sweatshirts, other clothes, hats, etc. Final Thoughts Visiting The Pit, watching a New Mexico Lobo’s men’s basketball game and participating in the crowd experience is an exciting evening out.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 CG Baseball Field 2626 E Pecos Rd Chandler, AZ 85225 Map It Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes website CG Baseball Field website Year Opened: 1987 (a guess) Capacity: 300 (approx) CG Yotes Baseball Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes are NJCAA – Arizona Community College Athletics Conference (ACCAC) members. They play their home games at the GC Baseball Field on the college’s Pecos campus in Chandler, AZ, a southeast suburb of Phoenix. As of this writing (2024), the Yotes (their nickname) baseball team has not won any NJCAA National Championships. Food & Beverage 0 The baseball stadium does not have refreshments for sale.  Fans can (and should) bring their own beverages and snacks.  The facility has a few picnic tables near the stands. Atmosphere 3 The CG Baseball Field is one of the few ACCAC stadiums that has lights.  Evening and night games can be played here, but the schedule still has mostly afternoon games. A scoreboard in left-center shows the basic line score.  Names on the outfield wall include Andre Ethier, Eric Young Jr, Dennis Sarfate, Rudy Owens, James Pazos, and Tyler Hollick. These former CGCC alumni players have all played for or signed with Major League Baseball. Stadium seating is ten rows of bleachers with handrails behind home plate and two smaller ancillary bleachers (4 or 5 rows) on each side of the main seating area.  The Coyotes dugout is on the third base side.  A medium thickness net, not a chain link fence, protects the seating areas from foul balls.  This makes watching the game a little easier for fans.   The bleachers do get shade for 3pm games.  You’ll want to bring sunscreen for games with an earlier start time. The field is actual grass, impeccably green and plush, the kind you want to walk through in your bare feet.  The home plate area and pitcher’s mound look like grey carpet. Visitors see trees and housing beyond the outfield and can even see traffic passing by on Gilbert Road. Game day operations play music between innings, and the home team players have walk-up songs.  The volume is okay.   Like at most ACCAC baseball games, they do not announce the game. Neighborhood 3 The ball field is adjacent to the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Pecos campus.  The cities of Chandler and Gilbert are southeast suburbs of Phoenix, AZ.  It’s suburbia, so shopping strips, fast food, and housing surround the college. BKD’s Backyard Joint and Copper Still Moonshine & Grill are decent sports bars/restaurants 1 - 2 miles away to visit after a game. Downtown Chandler is a little over three miles from the school.  It offers several breweries and brewpubs (SanTan, Pedal Haus, The Perch Brewery, and more).  Downtown Gilbert is five miles from the college and provides several places to dine and drink:  OHSO Brewery, Culinary Dropout, Snooze, Liberty Market, and more. Some of the top attractions in Chandler are the SanTan Gardens – Brewery & Distillery Tour, Crayola Experience (good for families with young children), Chandler Museum (with a wide variety of exhibits), and Chandler Fashion Center mall (for shopping). Mesa Thunderbirds (Mesa Community College) baseball is 10 miles away.  The Chicago Cubs spring training site is a little further.  Hohokam Stadium, where the Oakland Athletics have their spring training, is 12 miles distance.  Downtown Phoenix is 25 miles from the school. For places to stay, I’d recommend choosing something in Chandler like a Hilton Garden Inn, Best Western, or Crown Plaza Resort.  You may be able to get an Airbnb for a little less. Fans 3 A good number of fans show up for the CG Coyotes baseball games.  You’ll often see as many opposing team fans as Coyotes fans since the Phoenix area has several schools in the ACCAC.  Fans here fall into more than the ‘family and friends’ category.  Other students attend the ball games.  At the game I saw, the softball team members showed up after their game was complete. The fans are respectful; all clap their appreciation when a pitcher leaves the game, as well as any good plays at bat and in the field. Access 3 Getting to Chandler-Gilbert Baseball Field is best by car.  The field is a mile north of Loop 202.  It is 21 miles from Sky Harbor Airport. Valley Metro’s bus route 136 has a stop at the corner of Gilbert Rd and E Pecos Rd (the intersection of the school).  That stop is about ½ mile walking distance to the field. Plenty of free parking is available.  Finding a spot might be challenging for midweek afternoon games when school is in session.  The stadium is wheelchair accessible, but it is a 400 to 500-foot walk from the parking lot to the stadium. As with all ACCAC baseball fields, silly bag policies are not in place.  Fans just walk up and find a place to sit on the bleachers.  Sweet! Return on Investment 5 While Arizona is known for Cactus League spring training, that is utterly expensive these days.  It’s a joy to find local, decent baseball in the same area for absolutely no charge.  No parking charge, no fee for watching the game, and you even need to bring your own drinks and snacks - so no elevated charges for food. Watching the game for the game, and not all the extraneous elements, is priceless. . Extras 2 Displaying the names of former CG Coyotes on the outfield walls is worth an extra mention.  Seeing lights at the ballpark is unique and distinctive for an ACCAC college baseball field. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for an inexpensive, outdoor activity to enjoy during the spring months in the Phoenix Metro area, be sure to look up a Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes baseball game.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Pan American Center 1810 University Ave Las Cruces, NM 88003 Map It NM State Aggies website Pan American Center website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 12,573 A-G-G-I-E B-A-L-L Pan American Center is home to New Mexico State men’s and women’s Aggie basketball and volleyball. The arena hosts various other events throughout the year.  The building is celebrating 56 years; it has had several renovations since it first opened in 1968. It sits proudly on the New Mexico State University campus in Las Cruces, NM. The New Mexico State women’s basketball team began playing in the 1973-74 season at the Activity Center.  They moved to the Pan Am Center at the beginning of the 1976-77 season and have been playing there since.  The team won the WAC championship in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.  They have been to the NCAA Tournament six times.  The Aggies became a member of C*USA (Conference USA) in 2023. Spending a few hours at a women’s Aggie basketball game is enjoyable, fun, and entertaining. It’s well worth the visit. Food & Beverage 3 The arena offers basic stadium fare, enough for a snack during a game.  Sausage and hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn cost $6.  Snacks like churros, jumbo pretzels, Cracker Jack, candy, and pickles run $3 - $5. Pepsi sodas run $6/$7.  Gatorade and bottled water cost $5.  Domestic beers and raspberry margaritas in a can are for sale as well. Fans can get a combo hot dog, chips, and fountain drink for $9.   The nachos seem to be the favorite item of choice for fans. Atmosphere 5 Aggies women’s basketball does a tremendous job at providing a safe, entertaining, pleasurable game day experience. Fans enter the seating area and either travel down to the first level of 25 rows of seats or up to a second level.  A walkway is between the two levels.  At the game I went to, the second level was closed off, and it looks like the university is replacing the chair backs and seats in that level. The seating consists of red plastic fold-down stadium seats (no cup holders) on all four sides of the court.  It includes two levels on the court sidelines and one level behind each basket.  The Jag and Linda Cheema Suites fill out an area behind one of the end zones. The arena has a nice-looking court with light and dark wood and the NM Aggies logo in the center.  Lots of banners (championship, NCAA tournament appearances, retired numbers) hang from the ceiling.  Photos of outstanding Aggie athletes line the upper outer concourse walls. The venue has a clear, crisp center-hung scoreboard over the courts which shows a video of the game, the score, which team has possession of the ball, time left of the quarter, and more.  The end zones both have scores displayed as well. Besides the game, the organization offers plenty of other entertainment.  A passionate pep band plays often.  Lovely! Wonderful!  And a small dance squad cheers on the team.  The players descend the arena’s stairs to get to the court before introductions and the beginning of the second half.  Other activities include t-shirt tosses, the YMCA dance, a young children’s dance club performing at half-time, dance cams over the video scoreboard, and more. The team has a phenomenal announcer who calls substitutions, who scored a basket, the play on the court, fouls, etc. in a clear, understandable voice.  All this is done without extraneous music played at the same time.  The Aggies baseball game day operations should take lessons from their women’s basketball counterparts. The announcer calls “Out of bound – Aggie Ball!”  The crowd responds with “Aggie Ball!”  It’s a chuckle full of fun.  Believe me-- it’s much more entertaining when you’re there than can be described in words.  It puts a smile on your face, and you just can’t help but participate. The temperature in the arena is comfortable.  A long-sleeved t-shirt suffices. Finally, the music volume is perfect as you can converse with your neighbor without yelling. Neighborhood 4 The Pan Am Center is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM.  Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena. Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena:  I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A.  The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite.  Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game. Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from Pan Am Center.  The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests.  Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too! Plenty of hotels are near the university.  The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University.   A whole slew more is within two–three miles of Pan Am Center. Other sports in the area are the Aggies baseball team and the men’s basketball team.  A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Fans 2 Fans of Aggies basketball include students, alumni, families, and others.  The arena is not full for women’s basketball games.  So far this 2023-2024 season, average attendance is 681. This surprises me as it’s such an enjoyable time.  Attendance increases as the season draws closer to spring. Besides playing tunes, the pep band dances, hops, cheers, spins, and fully encourages the players on the court.  It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm. Access 3 Getting to the Pan Am Center is an easy drive off I-10.  Plenty of free parking surrounds the east and south sides of the arena.  Handicapped parking is available, as are accessible seats.  Check here for more information on accessible features at the arena. Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks as if it’s operational only Monday-Friday, 7 am – 6 pm, so it may not be suitable for use when attending a game.  Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university. The venue has a little plaza area with benches outside the ticket office.  It’s a nice place to wait for friends.  The ticket office is a separate building with polite staff manning the booths. Clear bags 12” x 6” 12” are allowed, as are small clutches. Pan Am Center has plenty of clean restrooms on the concourse level. Return on Investment 4 Attending an Aggies women’s basketball game is well worth the price.  They charge only $7 for general admission (you sit wherever you want).  The parking is free.  Food prices are less than in other D1 schools. The university offers an Aggie Country Pass which, for one price ($140 adult, $80 senior, $70 NM State faculty) allows entry to all NM State home soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball, and softball games.  This may be the way to go if you plan on seeing lots of games.  I’ve seen this type of package at other colleges but at far lower prices. . Extras 3 The fabulous PA announcer deserves an extra mention.  Fans can easily keep score of the game just based on his announcement. The stunning court floor is pleasing to the eye and makes an attractive addition to the arena. All the NM State banners and photos displayed provide visitors with the vast athletic accomplishments the university has produced. Final Thoughts Attending an Aggies women’s basketball game is a delightful few hours of entertainment and is well worth your sports dollar investment.  It deserves to be more popular than it currently is.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 NM State Softball Complex 1830 Stewart St, No1654 Las Cruces, NM 88003 Map It New Mexico State Aggies website New Mexico State Softball website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 1050 Aggie Softball The NM State Softball Aggies team has had winning seasons over the last decade, reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018. The team began play in 1975 and is currently a C*USA (Conference USA) member. They play their home games at the picturesque NM State Softball Complex on campus in Las Cruces, NM.  The complex was built in 1981 and received renovations in the 2000s.  The university has hosted many conference tournaments featuring top competition from around the country throughout the years.  It also hosts the annual Troy Cox Classic, which Stadium Journey saw during its visit in 2024. Food & Beverage 2 A small concession truck sits behind the stands selling snacks and drinks. Nachos, hot dogs, chips, pickles, popcorn, Cheetos w/cheese, and candy cost $2 - $5. Sundays are $2 hot dog days. Drinks include bottled Pepsi products, water, and Gatorade ($4). Beer choices include canned Coors Light, Modelo, and Mixed-Up Aggie-Rita (a canned raspberry margarita cocktail made especially for NM State). The canned alcohol sells for $8. Outside food and drink are not allowed except for bottled water. Atmosphere 3 NM State Softball Complex offers a pleasant game day outing. Ten to twelve rows of bleachers with handrails sit behind the home plate area.  Two smaller ancillary bleachers are adjacent to the main set and do not have handrails.  The press box sits on top of the bleachers.   The bleachers do not offer any shade, so remember to bring sunscreen for day games.   A medium-thick net guards the seating area, protecting fans from foul balls. The infield dirt is clay with a polymer additive that repels water.  It requires no watering and maintains a consistent playing surface year-round. The outfield is pleasantly treelined.  You can see Presley Askew Field (baseball) through the trees.  The stadium flies other C*USA school flags along the outfield wall. The music is a tad loud but mostly played just between innings.  The music person sometimes plays music at the same time the PA announces the players; fans cannot hear who’s coming to the pitcher’s circle or on deck.  They should take lessons from their women’s basketball counterparts. Neighborhood 4 The NM State Softball Complex is near the other on-campus NM State Athletic fields in Las Cruces, NM.  Plenty of restaurants and hotels are within 1 – 2 miles of the arena. Ten or more restaurants (including fast food) are along University Ave from I-10 to the arena:  I-Hop, Burger King, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A.  The Game Sports Bar and Grill is a decent pregame place to visit for a beer and a bite.  Weck’s, an NM breakfast/lunch chain, is a worthwhile visit before an afternoon game. Other things to see and do when visiting Las Cruces include the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum about three miles from the stadium.  The Museum of Science and Nature or the Las Cruces Railroad Museum may also be worth a visit, depending on your interests.  Of course, a visit to see the world’s largest chile pepper may be in order, too! Plenty of hotels are near the university.  The closest are the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces, Comfort Suites University, and Sleep Inn University.   A whole slew more is within two–three miles of the complex. Other sports in the area are the Aggies baseball team and the men’s basketball team.  A trip to El Paso, TX (a 45-minute drive) will take you to the El Paso Chihuahuas, AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Fans 3 The fans in attendance are extremely encouraging to the players.  Average attendance is generally over 600 fans.  For the Troy Cox Classic game, a great many visiting fans were in the stands. Access 3 The softball stadium is near the rest of the university’s athletic fields, south of the Pan American Center. Getting to the stadium is an easy drive off I-10. Free parking is in front of the stadium. Handicapped parking is available, as is a ramp to the bleachers and a few areas for wheelchairs. Las Cruces does have a bus stop (Aggie Green), but it looks operational only M – F, 7am – 6pm, so it may not be suitable when attending late afternoon/evening or weekend softball games. Las Cruces Airport is 12+ miles from the university. The ticket office is a separate building with polite staff manning the booths. I didn’t notice any rules about a bag policy. Your best bet is use a clear stadium bag 12” x 6” x 12” or a small clutch. Clean, accessible restrooms with plenty of stalls are near the ticket booth. Return on Investment 4 The cost of attending an Aggies softball game at NM State is a sports dollar value.  It is $7 for a single game.  The Troy Cox Classic costs $20 for the entire tournament (10 games), $7 for a single game, but $10 for the game against Nebraska.  Kids under 12 get in free. They don’t charge for parking, and even the concession prices are not out of this world. . Extras 2 The stadium proudly displays the Ross Kremer Wall of Honor which honors outstanding Aggies softball players and team accomplishments. The NM State Softball team is entering its 50th season in 2024 with 1,144 wins and a dominant reputation. The team has brought ten championships home to Las Cruces. Final Thoughts Watching a reputable softball team in an attractive stadium is an enjoyable few hours of entertainment on a spring afternoon.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Goodyear Ballpark 1933 S Ballpark Way Goodyear, AZ 85338 Map It Cincinnati Reds Spring Training website Goodyear Ballpark website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 10,311 Reds in Goodyear Goodyear Ballpark, opened in 2009, is the spring training home for Ohio’s two major league baseball teams: the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Guardians.  It is also home to the Guardians and Reds Arizona Rookie Complex League ball teams.  The attractive venue is celebrating its 15th anniversary this 2024 season. It is an extremely enjoyable, good-looking ballpark. The main home plate entrance is beautiful, with plenty of shaded places to sit and wait for the gates to open.  It has several sculptures, palm trees, and other Arizona landscaping to admire. The facility also hosts instructional league games in the fall as well as other events like car shows, July 4th celebrations, local and national baseball tournaments, graduation ceremonies, and more throughout the year. Since 1891, the Cincinnati Reds have had spring training in 24 different cities.  The team moved their spring training site from Florida to Goodyear, AZ, in 2010.  Arizona is delighted to have them as part of the Cactus League. Food & Beverage 4 Baseball fans won’t go hungry at Goodyear Ballpark as there’s a wide choice of refreshments, entrees, and drinks for sale. The permanent stands (Queen City Grill, Hanger 46, and 1901 Charter Grill) more or less offer the same choices:  chicken tenders, hot dogs, Cincinnati cheese coney, Cleveland Polish boys, cheeseburgers, pizza, and traditional snacks, soda, and beer ($5.99 - $12.99). I find the portable carts along the concourse have a better variety:  Salsa (nachos), Steakadelphia (Philly cheesesteak sandwiches), and Burgertopia (hamburgers).  The first baseline has several kiosks (similar to those found in a carnival) selling tacos, kettle corn, ice cream, flavored ice, and more.  The tacos look delicious, and fans can’t go wrong with a Handles (from Ohio) ice cream cone or cup. Good Hops sells adult beverages (including mason jar cocktails), soda (Coca-Cola), water, and snacks.  Other choices for the hophead are the AZ Craft Beer Corner (local AZ brewery beer pints and flights) and Goodyear’s Saddle Mountain Brewing, selling a few choices of their own brewed beers. Fans can bring in a bottle of factory-sealed water and their own food if it fits into a quart-sized clear bag. Atmosphere 5 The staff and game day operations do a fabulous job at making a Reds spring training game leisurely and enjoyable.  And the Cincinnati fans revel in watching their Reds play ball. A single seating bowl descends from a main concourse, which encircles the entire park.  The seats are standard stadium fold-down seats, are comfortably wide, have cup holders, and the rows have average legroom.  Plenty of wheelchair seats line the top of the concourse. Grass berms stretch beyond the outfield walls.  The bullpens are adjacent to each other in left field in front of the berm area. The stadium has a Right Field Pavilion and a Party Patio (under the scoreboard in left field); both offer tables for four on a single-game basis. Goodyear Ballpark Right Field Pavilion, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The seating areas get plenty of sun, with shade available in the top rows on the third base side and behind home plate.  The third base side has three sections of shaded, cushioned club seating.  Bring sunscreen, though the ladies’ room offers sunscreen for those who forget. Medium-thick nets extend to the end of dugouts (sections 107 – 117). Sit further down the baselines to watch the game net-free.  Fans can view the gorgeous Estrella Mountain Range beyond the first base side. The scoreboard sits in left field and shows the starting lineup, photo of the player at bat (Reds players), line score, pitch speed, the current time, and a McDonald’s logo.  Murals and posters of former players and team logos line the outer concourse walls and just inside the home base entrance, boasting the history of the teams who play at the park. The announcer (female) calls the starting lineups nice and slowly, giving you enough time to complete your scorecard.  Music is never played over any PA announcement.  When played, the music volume is loud enough to enjoy, and still have a conversation with your neighbor without yelling to be heard.  More baseball sports venues should emulate this. Staff throw out t-shirts, and a few sponsors have contests.  Kids can run the bases on Saturday games in March.  Check their website for additional promotions.  Game day is more about the delight of the game, time with family and friends, and the lovely AZ spring weather. Neighborhood 3 Goodyear Ballpark sits across the street from Phoenix Goodyear Airport, which handles mainly general aviation (non-commercial) operations. The city of Goodyear is about 17 miles west of Phoenix, AZ, and like several other suburban areas, is expanding, building, and growing. Besides the ballpark (which is a major attraction in Goodyear), the city is home to Luke Air Force Base, a slew of shopping centers, eight golf courses, Estrella Mountain Regional Park (hiking, trails, picnicking, camping, and fishing), and more. The usual chain restaurants are also a few miles from the park, like Oregano’s, Rubio’s, P.F. Chang’s, etc. For someplace local try Haymakers (breakfast, burgers, beer, bourbon) or Pho House Restaurant (Vietnamese).  Goodyear has over 100 restaurants, so check Visit Goodyear for an up-to-date list of places to eat or drink. Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, Transplant City Beer Co, and 8-Bit Aleworks provide the local hops in Goodyear. Be sure to check their websites for hours of operation. Most of the hotels straddle the I-10 interchanges and are three to five miles from the ballpark. The closest is a Comfort Inn.  The Best Western Phoenix Goodyear Inn and Townplace Suites by Marriott Phoenix Goodyear are other choices not too far from the park.  Be aware that hotel prices are exorbitant during spring training. For other sporting events, visit the same park and watch the Cleveland Guardians play their spring training games. Camelback Ranch (home of the LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox) is another nearby spring training facility. Phoenix Raceway is a little over eight miles from the park.  Check their schedule to see if a race or event is being held. Fans 3 Reds fans do a good job at rooting on and cheering their team at spring training.  There are plenty of Reds’ caps, jerseys, and shirts in the crowds.  While they don’t sell out, a decent number still come out and root for their team.  Crowds are higher on weekends and when the Reds play the Dodgers or Cubs. Access 3 Goodyear Ballpark is located 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix and 22 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. It is about two miles south of Interstate 10.  Public transportation is not an option to get to this ball field. Parking (free) is mostly on grass lots.  Common at Cactus League spring training facilities, golf cart-type shuttles are on hand to bring fans from the parking lots to the home plate entrance, if desired. The ballpark has four entrances: first base, home plate, third base, and center field, with the home plate entrance being the busiest and most scenic (it’s next to the ticket booth). It can get crowded on the concourse behind home plate. Once inside, except for behind home, the concourse is wide open and is easy to traverse. Fans walk through a scanner and may or may not get their bags checked.  Guests are welcome to bring small bags and purses into the ballpark, as long as their dimensions are less than 16″ x 16″ x 8″. Plenty of serviceable restrooms are spread along the concourse and along the concourse path in the outfield.  Guest services (to the right after entering the home base entrance) offer assisted listening devices for those who are hard of hearing. Return on Investment 4 The Reds spring training home is less expensive to attend than other Cactus League venues. Ticket prices range from $12 (berm) to $35 (club or premium field box).  Tickets are $2 more when purchased on game day.  The ballpark offers a variety of other discounts.  Active military receive a free ticket.  Veterans can purchase outfield tickets at a child’s price.  Seniors received $5 off an infield seat for mid-week games during the early part of spring training.   We recommend checking third-party sites for even better deals. Parking is free, and food and drink prices aren’t as expensive as other Cactus League ballparks.  Plus, fans can bring in their own snacks and water in limited quantities. Extras 5 A few additional things are worth noting. Goodyear Ballpark does a tremendous job of honoring our military and veterans. Statues, a POW chair, ticket discounts, and more demonstrate the respect and appreciation the city has for those men and women. A merchandise shop sells a nice selection of clothes, caps, and trinkets.  Check the clearance racks for discounted items. Giveaways are provided throughout the season, though this might be specifically for the facility’s 15th anniversary. Fans can still watch net-free baseball! The team and ballpark have extremely friendly staff, including parking attendants, ticket booth personnel, ushers, security, and concessions personnel.   They are not pretentious and are genuinely nice people, easy to chat with. Final Thoughts Attending a Reds spring training game at Goodyear Park is a pleasurable afternoon or evening out.   We recommend visiting this diamond if in town for the spring.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Tempe Diablo Stadium 2200 W Alameda Dr Tempe, AZ 85282 Map It Los Angeles Angels Spring Training website Tempe Diablo Stadium website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 9,785 Angels in Tempe Tempe Diablo Stadium is the spring training facility for the Los Angeles Angels, a part of the Cactus League.  The stadium opened in 1969 as the spring training facility for the Seattle Pilots.  It served as the spring training site of the Milwaukee Brewers for a few years and the Seattle Mariners from 1977 – 1992.  It is the oldest spring training facility in the Cactus League. The city renovated and expanded the stadium in 1992, just before the Los Angeles Angels residency in the spring of 1993.   Another major expansion occurred in 2006, which focused on increasing the number of practice fields and upgrading the seating.  In 2021, the Angels agreed to play in Tempe through 2035, with options to play there through 2045.  More renovations are in process and expected over the next few years. The stadium is built near the mountain formation known as the Twin Buttes, which makes for an admirable backdrop beyond the left-field corner. Food & Beverage 4 Tempe Diablo Stadium offers plenty of refreshment choices, with the best options down the third base concourse, where carnival-like kiosks sell their fare.  The venue is cashless; all sales are debit/credit card. The infield concourse has what is becoming more standard (but boring) at sports stadiums:  Grab and Go Markets, where fans pick up their beverage cans or bottles and packaged food and pay at a register. The venue has a Right Field Patio down the first baseline concourse.  It has bratwurst, hot dogs, and canned soda and beer for sale.  It also has a cocktail stand. The third base/left field concourse has 8+ concession tents (helmet nachos, freshly squeezed lemonade, margaritas, rice and noodle bowls, grilled teriyaki ($14.50), Chick-fil-A, Karen’s Creamery (ice cream), chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, fries and garlic fries, chicken and veggie wraps ($12.50), wood-fired pizza ($16 - $20), corn dogs ($7 - $13), and more.  This is the area to visit for refreshments at Tempe Diablo. Temple Diablo Stadium Third Base Patio, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Vendors selling snacks like lemonade, popcorn, beer, and water roam the seating area, and many sell their fare along the concourse.  Beer choices include Budweiser, Corona, Modelo, 805, Coors Light, and the like, and run $13 - $15.50 plus tax.  Unfortunately, the stadium does not serve local AZ or specialty craft brews anymore. The left and right field concourse and patio areas have picnic tables for consuming purchased food and drink.  Hot dogs still seem to be the fan favorite. Fans can bring in a bottle of water and small snacks placed in a clear quart-sized bag. Atmosphere 3 Spring training at Tempe Diablo Stadium provides a few hours of baseball entertainment. Seating consists of one level of green stadium fold-down seats and green bleachers with backs. All seating offers minimal legroom.  The bleachers start just after first and third base sections 1 – 4 and 18 – 24.  A grassy berm seating area extends from the third base and beyond the left field wall. Fans walk in onto the concourse and go down to their seats.  The rows run A – W, with W the furthest from the field.  Handrails are not available for going up and down the steps.  Thin-thickness nets extend to the end of the dugouts.  Sit in sections 1 – 4 and 18 – 24 to be net-free. Remember to bring sunscreen and a hat.  For afternoon games, the third base side gets the full sun.  Shade is on the first base side and behind home plate in the high rows (R - W). One main team store is on-site with an ancillary booth down the third base concourse. The spring training games offer small sponsor-related promotions and a 50/50 raffle.  Those fit well for these events. A basic dot matrix scoreboard sits in right-center field with the Angels A halo on top.  It displays the line score, the at-bat player’s name, and the Angels player’s previous year’s stats. The music level and selection are acceptable, though the game-day music person feels the need to blast ‘noise’ between some pitches, which is annoying.  The PA announcer does a fantastic job of calling the starting lineups (not too fast) and announcing the multiple-player changes that occur during a spring training game.  The music person plays tunes when the PA announces the Angels starting lineup and sponsor-related ads, making it a bit difficult to hear. Tempe Diablo Stadium Scoreboard, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey My perception is there are a lot of rules and security when attending a spring training game at this stadium.  How to exit the souvenir shop, where to park, and where to stand (or not stand) are all understandable for traffic and safety issues, but these rules seem abundant at Tempe Diablo Stadium. A surprising number of armored police with dogs guard the inside and the outside of the venue.  I didn’t think Tempe was a hotbed of criminal activity, but perhaps that has changed. Neighborhood 3 Tempe Diablo Stadium is located between “The Buttes,” an industrial business park, I-10, and practice fields.  Except for the restaurant on top of the butte (inside the Marriott), restaurants are not really within walking distance. For places to stay, the Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes is adjacent to the ballpark.  Other lodging nearby not quite as costly (though still exorbitant during spring training) are the H2Suite by Hilton or the Fairfield Inn & Suites across Highway I-10. Downtown Tempe is just under five miles from the stadium and offers a plethora of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping, nightlife, hotels, cultural events, the ASU campus, and more, and is well worth visiting when in town.  Legoland Discovery Center is two miles away. Boulders On Broadway is about a 3-mile drive from the stadium and may be worth checking out for craft beer, sandwiches, or burgers before or after a game. Other sports to see in the area during spring training include Arizona State University (ASU) baseball at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, ASU basketball at Desert Financial Arena, the NBA Phoenix Suns, or any of the other spring training facilities in the area with Sloan Park (Cubs) being the closest. Fans 3 Many Angels fans travel down from California: Long Beach, Bakersfield, and the like.   Fans vary from families with children to retirees, school groups, or middle-aged buddies who drink too much (maybe that’s why there’s all the security). They cheer on their team and the players well but somehow seem less relaxed and more intense, not as pleased to be there than as fans are at other Cactus League stadiums. Access 3 Getting to and from Tempe Diablo Stadium isn’t too bad as it is located right off I-10, approximately ten minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.  Check Valley Metro for possible bus routes to the venue. The city has some road construction occurring nearby, so be cognizant of that when driving to the stadium. Two parking lots are on either end of the stadium, costing $10.  Traffic leaving the park can be brutal on well-attended games, so hold on to your patience. A grand stairway leads up to the park’s main entrance by home plate with two ramps on each side.  A few benches are outside for fans to wait for friends, and the steps provide places to sit.  Gates open 1 ½ hours before the first pitch. Once inside, the concourse on top of the seating bowl is extremely narrow and crowds easily.  Down each end of the concourse, space opens up a bit.  Fans cannot walk the circumference of the stadium. Several clean restrooms with diaper-changing tables line the inner concourse. Return on Investment 3 Spring training ticket prices are rising; it’s not the affordable outing it once was.  Ticket prices for an Angels spring training game run from $24 (lawn seating) to $67.  Parking is $10, and concessions are on the high end (but similar to other spring training parks in the Cactus League). Extras 3 Tempe Diablo Stadium has historical posters and plaques posted on the infield concourse columns for intriguing information on Cactus League history and baseball in Tempe, AZ. The carnivalesque-like third base concession area is worth an extra mention. The view of the Twin Buttes is eye-catching. Final Thoughts Built in 1968, Tempe Diablo Stadium is the oldest in the Cactus League.  Join the Angels fans and see a game if visiting Arizona in the spring.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Coca-Cola Court @ Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens 60 Carlton St Toronto, ON M5B 1J2 TMU Bold basketball website Mattamy Athletic Centre website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 1,000 Basketball in a Hockey Holy Grail Editor's Note: Ryerson University changed its name to Toronto Metropolitan University. This review was written before the rebranding, and will reflect the team's previous name as the Ryerson Rams. Former Toronto Maple Leafs director, the legendary Conn Smythe, pushed for a new arena and for the opportunity for the Leafs to get out of the smallish Arena Gardens on Mutual Street. In 1931, Smythe was rewarded with the opening of the now legendary Maple Leaf Gardens. For more than 60 years, the Gardens was the pre-eminent entertainment venue in all of Canada. The Maple Leafs shared the ice with major concerts including The Beatles and Elvis Presley, Maple Leaf Wrestling, junior hockey’s Toronto Marlboros and a host of other sports teams. The Maple Leafs would play their final game at the Gardens in 1999 before heading to the Air Canada Centre to join the Toronto Raptors. The final sporting event at Maple Leaf Gardens would be the National Lacrosse League championship game in 2000 where the Toronto Rock were victorious. Then the Gardens went dark for a decade. The future of Maple Leaf Gardens would be questioned for years. Not surprisingly, Ontario declared it a Heritage Site in 1991 and Canada would do the same in 2007. Options for the property were limited. Eventually, the Gardens would be sold to the Loblaw Company, parent company of a huge chain of grocery stores, and they would partner with Ryerson University. It was the financial aid of Mattamy Homes Ltd founder, Peter Gilgan, that would help transform the former Maple Leaf Gardens into what it is today, the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens. The main floor on Carlton Street is a Loblaw’s grocery store. The top level retains much of the design of the old Maple Leaf Gardens and houses Mattamy Home Ice, the home of Ryerson Rams hockey. The middle floor serves as the recreation facilities of Ryerson along with Coca-Cola Court, the home for Ryerson basketball and volleyball. Ryerson University was established in Toronto in 1948. Today, Ryerson has grown to a university with over 40,000 students and has produced many members of the Canadian media. Participating in the OUA, the Ontario conference of USports, Canada’s university sport governing body, the Ryerson Rams have been fielding a basketball team since 1949. Usually considered an “also-ran” in the OUA, Ryerson’s move to the MAC has coincided with its best showings on the court. It is no coincidence that Ryerson has taken home the Wilson Cup as OUA champions in both 2016 and 2017. Food & Beverage 3 A variety of concessions are available on the second floor of the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The Rams Café services fans attending Rams basketball games as well as students using the recreation facilities. The selection of food at Rams Café is decent but not spectacular. Pizza, sandwiches, popcorn, protein bars, chips, chocolate bars and candy are all available. Coke is obviously the soda selection to be had. Vitamin water and other soft drinks are also available. Coffee, a selection of teas, cappuccino, slushies and smoothies round out the soft drinks available. Beer is also available at Rams Café for those who are of legal age. There is a decent seating area in Rams Café which also serves as a great place to meet friends and relax before the game begins. Atmosphere 5 Mattamy Athletic Centre is possibly the best example of repurposing a classic sporting venue that there is on the planet. The Heritage designation required Ryerson and Loblaw to maintain much of the exterior. Carlton Street boasts the main entrance and the cream coloured brick, iconic domed roof and traditional Maple Leaf Gardens marquee remain. The building still fits the neighbourhood perfectly. Upon entering the MAC at the main level, fans are struck with the sleek, modern, Loblaw Atrium. Smartly lit and promoting a variety of Ryerson athletes, the Atrium welcomes fans and nicely transitions to the historic aspects of the MAC. Throughout the entire building fans can see a ton of old pictures from some of the biggest events ever held at Maple Leaf Gardens. The row of red seats along the south wall on the second level might just be the ones that Conn Smythe had put in when he infamously replaced the portrait of the Queen. Up the escalator to the second level is where fans will find Ryerson’s recreation facilities, a small team shop and Coca-Cola Court. The court is located at the west side of the building. Coca-Cola Court is a small, intimate basketball facility, perfect for OUA basketball. The court runs from north to south with two sets of eight row, moulded plastic bleachers on the east and west sides. Fans who wish for the perfect picture of the centre court logo should head for the west side. The court is full of white, blue and yellow with huge painted logos on the north and south walls. The north side proudly proclaims for all to see that “This Is Our House Now.” The north and south walls each have simple scoreboards with the north featuring individual player scores as well. There is also a simple scoreboard on the floor on the east side of the court. To the left of the north scoreboard are the OUA and USports championship banners, including the 2015-16 and 2016-17 Wilson Cup banners as conference champions. The game day production at a Rams basketball game is about what you expect from an OUA basketball venue. There is an in house DJ who plays music during down times and adds sound effects to made free-throws. The PA announcer does a solid job and does not blow away the fans in attendance with too much show or too much volume. Sometimes the Ryerson mascot Eggy the Ram can be found in attendance. Neighbourhood 5 The Mattamy Athletic Centre is located in the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. It is very close to Queen’s Park and the Ontario Legislature as Toronto is also the capital city of the province. There is an abundance of opportunities for fans around the MAC and although it is not Harbourfront, fans will not be left wanting. There are a plethora of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the MAC. Some spots that may be of interest would include Mick E Fynn’s, Fran’s Restaurant and Carlton Restaurant. Toronto is a city where a weekend will not cut it, a whole week is probably necessary to get what may be close to the full experience. For fans hoping for other sporting experiences to pair with a Ryerson Rams basketball game there are a number available. A good place to start would be by going upstairs to Mattamy Home Ice to catch the Ryerson Rams play hockey. A twenty minute walk will bring fans to Ryerson’s main rival, the University of Toronto. The Varsity Blues play football at Varsity Stadium, hockey at Varsity Arena and basketball at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. As far as the professional ranks go, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Rock all call Scotiabank Arena home. The Rogers Centre is home for the Toronto Blue Jays and BMO Field is home for the Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC. Across the parking lot from BMO is the Coca-Cola Coliseum, home of the Toronto Marlies. Finally, at the north side of Toronto is York University, home of the Lions. Football is played at York Stadium, basketball is played at the Tait McKenzie Centre and hockey is played at Canlan Ice Sports York. There are also a plethora of other tourist options near the MAC. Casa Loma is to the north and offers a unique experience in the city. The CF Eaton Centre is probably the most recognizable shopping experience in Toronto and is also close by. The theatre district in Toronto is probably second only to New York and that doesn’t even cover the CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame and other tourist spots closer to Harbourfront. For fans needing to stay close by, the Holiday Inn is right next door to the MAC. The Courtyard by Marriott is also close by. Fans 2 It is so difficult to assess OUA basketball fans. In many cases the attendance is not reported with the official score. It is reported that fan support for Rams basketball games hovers between 300 and 800 fans, which is pretty good, but probably on the high side. Ryerson is also pretty much a commuter school, with students coming from all across Toronto, rather than just the Ryerson campus. The fans that are in attendance can be pretty laid back as most OUA basketball fans are. The game that was reviewed was a significant mismatch which could account for the small and quiet crowd. Access 4 There are a couple of different ways to get to the Gardens. It is located in the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. It is north of the Gardiner Expressway and west of the Don Valley Parkway. It is also significantly south of highway 401. For fans coming to the Gardens by car, be prepared to do some significant driving through the city. There are a number of paid surface lots around the Gardens. There is also parking beneath which is controlled by Loblaws. The parking around the neighbourhood usually goes for around $10-$15, but the Loblaws parking is quite significant and can go to $40. The best way to get to the Mattamy Athletic Centre may be the subway. The College Station for the TTC is less than a block away. There are also buses and streetcars in the neighbourhood. Fans can check out the Toronto Transit Commission website for fares, schedules and maps. The ticketing window is immediately on the left when entering the MAC off of Carleton Street on the main floor. There are usually not much in the way of lineups. Fans should be aware that at least one window will be a cash only affair. Getting around the MAC is not too difficult at all. Fans must travel to the second level by escalator to reach the Coca-Cola Court. There are elevators for those who are unable to take escalators. The washrooms on the second level are clean and new. There is more than enough space to accommodate the number of fans that are normally in attendance for Ryerson Rams games. Return on Investment 5 As with most USports experiences there is tremendous value in Ryerson Rams basketball games. USports basketball is a hidden gem and the Rams program is currently one of the strongest in the country. Tickets for Ryerson games are $13 for adults, $9 for alumni and Ryerson students and children under 12 are free. The level of basketball is great and it is easy to have a great time on a very small investment. Concession prices are not too bad either. There will be a bit of a cost getting to the MAC but that is offset by the ability to check out a truly iconic venue. Extras 4 Two extra marks for Ryerson maintaining the history of Maple Leaf Gardens. The exterior façade sets the tone and fans of the Maple Leafs and Toronto sports history can spend hours perusing old photos and artifacts. An extra mark for the budding rivalry with the Toronto Varsity Blues. Games against Varsity are now becoming popular and very well attended. Something that USports desperately needs. An extra mark for the unique flexibility that Ryerson has. Coca-Cola Court is a small, intimate venue for basketball. For games that will draw a larger crowd, it is not that difficult to set up a basketball court on Mattamy Home Ice. Final Thoughts Ryerson Rams basketball offers sports fans the opportunity to see a great sports property and a significantly low price in a truly iconic venue. Even Leafs fans who are not into OUA sports need to take the pilgrimage to the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens to see how well Ryerson has done in preserving this heritage site. Coca-Cola Court screams, go for the Gardens, stay for the Rams. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Henrico Sports & Events Center 11000 Telegraph Rd Glen Allen, VA 23059 Henrico Sports & Events Center website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 3,500 A-10 Hoops North of Richmond The Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament has been held at multiple locations over the years. At first, it was held mainly in on-campus arenas, but in 2013, it was played for the first time at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. From 2014 to 2018, the tournament was played at the Richmond Coliseum in Downtown Richmond, but the aging arena closed in 2019, and the A-10 moved back on campus for a few years. In 2022 and 2023, the tournament was played at Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, also home of the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G-League. In 2024, the A-10 Tournament was held at the newly-opened Henrico Sports & Events Center for the first time, as part of a two-year contract. The 3,500-seat arena is located in Henrico County (Pronounced Hen-RYE-co) in Richmond's northern suburbs. In addition to the main arena, there are 12 other courts that are used for youth tournaments and other events. Stadium Journey visited the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the two semifinal contests. As in most conference tournaments, the experience starts slow in the early rounds and builds towards the final. While this review attempts to cover the whole tournament, your experience will depend on which rounds you visit for. Food & Beverage 4 There are several different places to buy food and drink at the Henrico Sports & Events Center. There is a concession area located in the lobby. Prepackaged options such as drinks, chips, and candy, as well as other options like cold sandwiches,, yogurt, and snack packs, can be picked up and purchased at a self-checkout area to expedite the process. For fans who want hot options, these can be purchased at a counter in the concession stand area. The lines for this can get long at times, as there are only one or two workers taking orders, but they move quickly.  In addition to the numerous cold options, which can be paid for here as well, fans can purchase hot dogs, cheeseburgers, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, Papa John's personal pizzas, nachos, popcorn, and soft pretzels. Prices are reasonable - snacks will only run a few dollars and everything is under $9. Alcohol is available at a separate stand in the lobby for fans of age. It cannot be purchased at the other stands. There is a smaller stand in the arena itself that has far fewer options, but it usually has shorter lines and fans can watch the game while they wait. Atmosphere 4 Walking through the entrance of the Henrico Sports & Events Center will put you in the main lobby. You will then scan your ticket and go through another set of doors to the arena itself. Seating is laid out in a U shape, with the entrance to the arena in the corner near the open end. A large videoboard hangs over center court and also shows the score, team fouls, and timeouts remaining. All seats are general admission chairbacks, except a few seats in the front rows which are reserved for VIPs. If you are eligible for these reserved seats, you know who you are; otherwise, there are still plenty of excellent seats for you to choose from. Just get there early if you have a particular presence. There are 15 teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference and each of them bring their own band, cheerleaders, mascot, and traditions to the tournament. We do not have enough space to discuss each of them in great detail, but they are discussed further in those teams' review articles of their home arena. However, there are some specific examples that are worth mentioning here. St. Joseph's University's mascot is known simply as The Hawk, and he is legendary for flapping his wings non-stop throughout the game. Saint Louis's Billiken mascot and Richmond's Spider mascot are downright terrifying but tend to be fan favorites. For any game, the bands from both schools will be in attendance, and will on occasion get into musical battles with each other, turning into a Battle on the Bands as well as what is going on on the court. For instance, when Stadium Journey visited, the Duquesne band repeatedly played "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" to taunt their opponents, the Richmond Spiders, although considering the spider in question was resilient enough to survive the rain and climb the spout again, its usefulness as a taunt is questionable. The organizers run promotions on the court during most media timeouts, including games between fans, ceremonies honoring Atlantic 10 figures, and more. There is certainly plenty going on at the Atlantic 10 Tournament, both on and off the court. Neighborhood 3 As mentioned above, the Henrico Sports & Events Center is located in Henrico County, Virginia, in Richmond's northern suburbs. There are numerous businesses along the major thoroughfares surrounding the arena, but most of them are chain restaurants. In particular, the Creeks at Virginia Centre shopping mall is located along Route 1 less than a mile away from the arena. This is a typical suburban area - it is certainly not the middle of nowhere but nor is it particularly glamorous. Fans 4 With 15 teams in the Atlantic 10, each one brings their own fan base with their own unique traditions. In a 3,500-seat arena, the Atlantic 10 Tournament drew between two and three thousand fans for most sessions. A few of the early-round sessions drew under 2,000, while one drew a near-capacity crowd of over 3,000. Attendance builds as the final approaches, but it will also depend on who is playing in the session. In particular, the local fan bases of Richmond and VCU draw especially well if one of those teams is playing. George Mason and George Washington are based 90 minutes away in the DC area, so those fan bases can travel as well. However, every team's fan base will show up in decent numbers. When one team scores, their fans will erupt in cheers. When the other team scores, the rest of the fans will. There are too many fan bases and too many traditions to cover in great detail here, but you will get to experience all of them at the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Access 4 The Henrico Sports & Events Center is located a short drive from Interstate 95 via Exit 86A. Ample parking is available in the large lots surrounding the arena, which are far bigger than they need to be. Since the arena is still relatively new, some GPS apps struggle to find it, but the entrance is clearly signed, so if you follow that even if the GPS tells you to go elsewhere, you will get here just fine. Restrooms are available on both sides of the lobby - go back out the main arena doors and turn left or right and you will soon get there. They are clean and of a sufficient size. There are very narrow aisle behind the benches and media table to get from the one arena entrance to the seats. As a result, there can be a significant bottleneck of fans after the game, especially if it involves one of the Richmond teams and more fans are leaving. Normally you should have no problem getting out, it might just take a few minutes. However, if you are planning on staying for the second game of a session and are just stepping out momentarily to use the bathroom, you may find yourself having to fight the bottleneck in the opposite direction to get back to your seat. This is not too difficult, it is just annoying. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $22 for every session except the final, which is $26. Other than the final, every session gives fans the chance to see two games. In early rounds, two sessions are played per day, one in the afternoon and one at night. For a chance to see a competitive college basketball tournament in March, this is an excellent value. Concessions are also affordable and parking is free, making the Atlantic 10 women's basketball tournament a great deal for what you're paying. Extras 2 There is a merchandise table at the open end of the arena that sells conference merchandise. Look for the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in the lobby, honoring some of the top athletes, coaches, and other sports leaders from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Final Thoughts The Henrico Sports & Events Center is a gorgeous new arena, and the Atlantic 10 Conference made the right choice returning their tournament to the Richmond area. With 15 loyal fan bases, 15 different sets of traditions, and an excellent value for families, the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament is well worth checking out for any fan of the sport.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Marion Crawley Athletic Center 1801 S 18th St. Lafayette, IN 47905 Lafayette Jefferson Bronchos website Crawley Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 7,200 Crawley Stadium is the Home of the Bronchos The Crawley Center is the home of the Lafayette Jefferson Bronchos basketball team and is the 11th largest gym in Indiana. The seating capacity is 7,200, opening in 1969 and at a time when the basketball team was at its zenith. It is named after Marion Crawley, who coached the team from 1942-1967. He led the Bronchos to two state championships and 23 consecutive sectional championships before retirement. After he stepped down, the team would extend that streak to 29 sectional championships, still a state record. Crawley had a 138-22 postseason record. Since class basketball began in 1997, the school has captured only five sectional titles, and the crowds are low. However, the building hosts tournament games, including sectional and semistate matches. They bring out fans from all around the northern part of the state. There have also been a few changes to the gym’s appearance. In 2022, the playing floor and bleachers were replaced, new LED lighting was installed, and the court was renamed after former player, coach, athletic director, and principal Joe Heath.  The court also features the three state championships won by the Bronchos. Food & Beverage 3 There are three main concession stands located inside the building. One is in the corner near the entrance, and the others are on the balcony level. The food here is typical of other high school gymnasiums: nachos, popcorn, hot dogs, chips, and candy. However, the hot dogs are inside warm, steamed buns. The lines do get long for highly attended events and during halftime, but the crew makes sure to expedite orders in an orderly manner. Drinks are served fountain style in two-size cups that are from Wendy’s. Atmosphere 4 Lafayette Jeff’s gym is large enough to host regional and semi-state games during tourney time in Indiana. When you can attract a large abundance of fans from two visiting schools to one building, the atmosphere is amped up quite a bit higher than expected. There is also a lot of history from the school's past, including historic photos of team championships in the staircases, trophies on display near the entrance, and the old school gym that hangs proudly in the outer hallway. The championship banners are visible above the south end of the gym above the concession stand. The facility fills in nicely with fans from rival and tournament games, producing high decibels of noise. It is an exciting place to watch passionate fan bases painted in school colors, student sections near the hundreds, and the winning side burst upon the floor after a tournament victory. The new bleacher seating features red tops, and the bleacher seatings with back support offer a great view from behind the basket in the balcony section. There is also new LED lighting inside the building. Neighborhood 4 West Lafayette is the home of Purdue University, 2 miles away from the school. The Chauncey Village neighborhood features funky little shops and restaurants. Von’s Shops offers an impressive array of new and used books, clothing, and other items in an eclectic building and storefront. A little further down the street is the famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant where one can enjoy a peanut butter burger or homemade root beer inside its small, cozy, and narrow booths.  If you are a craft beer fan, People's Brewing Company is located 3 miles north of the high school and is one of the better places for local beer in the state. Fans can also look at the Purdue schedule to see if the Boilermakers are playing at Mackey Arena or if there was a baseball game at Loeb Stadium, a mile and a half away from the high school. Across the street from Loeb is Arni’s pizzeria, known for thin-style pies and strombolis, and the Original Frozen Custard stand. Fans 4 The fans of the Bronchos and the visiting schools who make the trek to the MCAC for semi-state games make it quite the spectacle. The student sections are packed with synchronized cheers and chants, while older fans also show school spirit in support of various fashions, from team-colored wigs and face paint or by cheering as loud as they can. Access 4 Crawley Athletic Center has two main levels, and access is simple to get up and down to all sections of seating. Concessions and bathrooms are marked, and aisles are wide and reasonably spacious. Crowds get large during halftime, and arriving at a game is easy as the facility offers a large parking lot. Return on Investment 4 A ticket will cost you $6 for a regular season game, while a regional or semi-state game will cost $4 more per ticket. Parking is free and ample, food at the concession stands is affordable and tasty, and when the venue is packed-the sound is deafening. Extras 3 One point for the old center court is on display in the arena. It is common in many Indiana high school gyms, but it's always a plus to see past artwork and design of Hoosier hoops past. The gym received a second point for the recent renovations that have replaced the old wooden bleacher seats that were 50 years old at the time of their removal.  The court also honors Joe Heath, who took over coaching duties after Crawley’s retirement. The gym earns a third point for the three rows of bleacher seating above each basket in the balcony area. The chairs offer back support and provide a comfortable experience watching high school hoops in Indiana. Final Thoughts The Crawley Center has never looked better. The recent renovations and new LED lighting have spruced that place up well, and in a town that offers plenty of things to do before and after the game. Sectional and semi-state tournament games are when the crowds are large, but any time would be ample to enjoy a game at Lafayette Jefferson High School. ------ 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: 4.14 New Castle Fieldhouse 801 Parkview Dr. New Castle, IN 47362 New Castle Trojans website New Castle Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 8,424 New Castle Fieldhouse is Number One Again A large sign is proudly on display in the south end that the New Castle Fieldhouse is the largest and finest high school gymnasium in the world. The official count was 9,325 and for the next 60 years that was the case, but something happened during the anniversary year that knocked the capacity down a couple of notches to number three on the list. A committee traveled to the biggest gyms in the state and counted each section one by one and found out that the Lloyd E. Scott Gym in Seymour was bigger than the New Castle Fieldhouse and for the next two years, the gym was ranked number 3 with a capacity of 7,829. This was due to the removable bleachers on the upper concourse being sold some time ago due to fire safety issues. In January 2021, New Castle installed 260 telescoping seats on the west concourse and installed 335 additional seats in portable bleachers, increasing its capacity to 8,424. That number surpasses Seymour’s capacity of 8,228 and once again places the New Castle Fieldhouse as the biggest high school gym in the world. The Fieldhouse is home to the New Castle High School Trojans who began playing basketball in 1917 and by 1924 moved into the 1,800-seat capacity Church Street Gym. The Trojans captured the 1932 State Title and games would routinely sell out at the “Cracker Box.” Season tickets were sold for every other game and 100 places in the standing-room-only section were separated with only a rope from the players on the court. By the late 1950s, the old gym was becoming too small and a wave of larger gymnasiums was being constructed throughout the state. The Fieldhouse was constructed through a community-formed nonprofit holding company “Gym Now” which raised funds for its completion in 1958. By the early 1950s’s many in town felt that New Castle needed a new basketball gymnasium, but after the school board did not include plans for a new gym, the populace took matters into their own hands by helping fund $875,000 through car washes, donations, jobs, and the sale of bonds. The administration even allowed students to leave school during the day to work jobs towards the building of the arena. Finally, on November 21, 1959, the New Castle Fieldhouse debuted as the largest high school arena in the world. The history of the boy’s basketball program consists of 60 sectional, 19 regional, 4 semi-state, and 2 state championships in the team’s century of high school hoops. The Fieldhouse gets large crowds from time to time, most notably during sectional contests that as recently as March 2019, saw close to 10,000 people witness semi-final games. Food & Beverage 3 Four concession stands at each corner of the main concourse offer the same menu items. The selections are common at many other high school gyms scattered across the state and the prices are affordable. Hot dogs and nachos are $3. Walking tacos, coneys, and beef nachos are $3.50. Some breadsticks sell for $4, and pizza from local proprietor Mancino’s for $2.50 a slice. The always-popular popcorn and candy cost just $1, and Pepsi products are available for $2. Having four stands open is a great way to reduce lines and expedite orders. Atmosphere 5 Unlike other high school gyms in the state, fans enter at the top of the arena on the main concourse that also serves as an indoor track for physical education classes. The parquet wooden floor is sunken 25 feet below the ground and is surrounded by 24 rows of dense weathered wooden seats, forming an octagonal shape around the basketball court. This allows a chance to breathe in the amount of basketball nostalgia perforating throughout the building or take a moment to contemplate that you are in such a vast arena. The facility feels more like a monument than a basketball arena. It’s a tourist attraction in the same vein as Yankee Stadium, Michigan Stadium, or the Sydney Cricket Ground. A basketball game here is a community event, a gathering of friends, and a chance to mingle with neighbors throughout the night. The festivities start with the pep band, dressed in tie-dye shirts playing a collection of popular songs. The student section is adjacent to the band. They stand up before and during the game. The school’s mascot rushes onto the court with the players and cheerleaders in a warm-up that rivals any level of college hoops. The cheer squad laps around the court waving banners and performing cheers finishing with leading the audience in the pledge of allegiance before the national anthem performed by the pep band. Another tradition, if the visiting school brings along its mascot, is to have them stand back to back during warm-ups. The student section turns its back when the visiting five are announced. Glancing around you will see both home and away radio announcers at the scorers’ table, fans decked in school gear, and many tuned in to the action on the parquet court. Banners hang high above the floor and there are various photos, memorabilia, and other banners from the multiple sports teams that have represented the Trojans. The original center court hangs at the north end of the arena along with a photo of the town’s favorite son, Mr. Basketball Steve Alford. The legendary player played in front of packed houses of close to 10,000 before leading Indiana University to a national championship in 1987. His name is synonymous with the city. Neighborhood 3 New Castle is a town of 18,000 and the home of the Indiana High School Hall of Fame, which is located a few yards away from the Fieldhouse offering a stunning display of memorabilia and artifacts from the history of basketball in Indiana. Admission is $6 for an adult and you can glance over old uniforms, scoreboards, and banners, and browse through videos and photographs. If you are a fan of the movie “Hoosiers” the gym where it was filmed is located 16 miles away in Knightstown, Indiana. You might even be lucky enough to take a few shots on the court. If you are looking for a bite to eat there are various chain restaurants including Applebee’s, Bob Evans, and McDonald’s. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is a regional chain selling fried chicken. These places are nearby and located on the main drag in the town of SR 3, but the town offers a few local places that are worth visiting before or after the game. Weenie World is an eccentric dive offering coney dogs. Mancino’s dishes out pizza and grinders (sub sandwiches). Jack’s Donut Shoppe is an iconic destination that has been serving donuts and coffee since 1961; stop by the original location of a tiger roll, whitetail, or cinnamon tail. The Ice House is recommended for the steak sandwich or pork tenderloin and Montgomery’s Steakhouse is a popular mainstay down the road in Spiceland. There are a few local lodging options in town to choose from if staying overnight. The New Castle Inn, Steve Alford All-American Inn, Raintree Inn, and Garden Inn are located within minutes of the Fieldhouse. The Steve Alford Inn has a collection of memorabilia from his days playing high school basketball. Fans 5 A collection of fans can be found throughout the Fieldhouse. There are the old-timers who have probably been to every game since the building’s inception and can share a few good stories if you lend them an ear. The student body either spends their time rooting for the Trojans or walking around the track socializing. The rest of the fan base cheers with every bucket or rebound made by the home team. Even a few people are taking a couple of laps around the track which equals a quarter of a mile. There is a definite sense of community during the game, and a chance to talk to friends, family members, and neighbors. Access 4 New Castle Fieldhouse is five miles north of Exit 123 of I-70, but there are no signs for the Fieldhouse. However, look for signs for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame which is only a few yards away on Trojan Way. Once inside the venue, all of the concessions, bathrooms, and entrances are located on the main concourse which is 25 feet above the playing court. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for adults are only $6 and there is plenty of parking in the six-acre parking lot. Being able to watch a basketball game in the world’s largest high school gymnasium is worth the price of admission. Extras 4 One extra point for being recognized as the largest high school basketball gymnasium in the world. That is something that the community should be proud of in New Castle. Another extra point for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame is located next door to the arena. This is not your ordinary sports hall of fame. It is a fascinating facility with equally fascinating memorabilia from some of the sports legends including Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson, John Wooden, and Bobby Knight. The students put forth a wonderful effort throughout the game. The opening festivities during warm-ups emulate a college game atmosphere with players bursting through paper posters, the band strumming a beat, cheerleaders flipping up and down, and a frenzied student section. A final extra point for being a place that hosts more than just high school basketball. The Harlem Globetrotters, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana University, US men’s Olympic volleyball team, US Marine Corps Band, and various concerts have been played inside the gymnasium since 1959. Final Thoughts The New Castle Fieldhouse is rather rudimentary in design, but momentous in size. It commands your attention the instant you walk through the doors. The thick, dark brown wooden bleacher seats, parquet floor, and wrap-around concourse are further impressive. I cannot imagine that much has changed since the building opened its doors in 1959. It is a sports venue on par with some of the country’s greatest. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Coleman Coliseum 323 Paul W. Bryant Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Alabama Crimson Tide website Coleman Coliseum website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 15,383 Yeah, Alabama! You will never mistake the pecking order of the athletic programs at the University of Alabama. However, this doesn’t mean that playing in the shadow of Alabama football takes away from the passion fans show for the university’s other athletic programs – on the contrary, it might help drive the passion for all things Crimson Tide. Basketball has been played at Alabama since 1912, when the team suited up as college basketball independents. They soon experienced a short stint as members of the Southern Conference, before finding their home in the SEC, where they have played since 1932. Coleman Coliseum opened in 1969, replacing Foster Auditorium, Alabama’s home court since the late '30s. Since its opening, the coliseum has been home to Alabama’s basketball programs, along with its gymnastics squad. Food & Beverage   3 Concessions at Coleman Coliseum are rather run of the mill; the menus at each of the stands are high on snack foods and a bit light on more filling options. Much of the menu includes chips, candy, peanuts, popcorn, and soft pretzels. The only options of substance are hot dogs or the B-Ball Banger sausage. Previous seasons saw a more expansive menu, but prices were substantially higher for those options. Possibly the most impressive menu here now is at the Rita Italian ice stand, which beyond the standard frozen treat serves custard cookie sandwiches, milk shakes, and frozen drinks. Soft drinks here are from the Coca-Cola family, including Powerade and Dasani bottled water. Alcoholic beverages include domestic and premium beers, hard seltzers, pre-mixed cocktails, and individual servings of boxed wine. Atmosphere   3 From the outside, Coleman Coliseum bears a partial resemblance to the Roman-referenced coliseum, with a series of large columns framing the expansive glass windows of the main entrance, offset with brick structures and siding. The arena's large arching roof stands out, foreshadowing its grandeur beyond the doors. Upon passing through the front doors and into the lobby, the main ramp leads into the arena, revealing a sea of crimson seats set off by a light-finished court framed in crimson, with the trademark Alabama “A” superimposed over an outline of the state of Alabama. A small four-sided scoreboard hangs over center court, while halo screens encircle the top and bottom of the replay boards, providing real-time game statistics and advertisements. Installed in 2009, it appears that not much has been done to upgrade the scoreboard, but individual player statistical boards, as well as video replay boards, hang high from the rafters at each end of the ceiling. Despite some of the arena's physical shortcomings, there are several factors that enhance the game experience.  An impressive lighting package surrounds the scoreboard and is utilized throughout the game to turn the arena a deep red, while flames shoot up from pyrotechnic boxes during player introductions. Also, throughout the game there's a nice balance of the pep band, spirit squads, in-game host, and popular music. When looking at seating, try to avoid the extremes of any of the sections – the highest reaches of the baseline seating at the visiting end of the floor have obstructed views of the scoreboards and action along the baseline. Similar challenges persist with seating in the corners of the lower levels of the seating bowl, as the wall supported seating at the ends of the floor, along with the basket stanchion, blocks the view of play in the opposite corner of the floor. The best option would be any of the seating along the sidelines. Overall, the arena atmosphere at Coleman Coliseum provides a highly engaging fan experience, in line with what would be expected for college basketball, for a highly competitive program frequently vying for top billing in the SEC. Neighborhood   5 Coleman Coliseum, located toward the southeastern corner of Alabama’s campus and neighbored by Alabama baseball’s Sewell-Thomas Stadium, is a bit separated from the main concentration of extracurricular activities in Tuscaloosa. The surrounding area is heavily populated with off-campus student housing, along with chain and international restaurants. The Druid City Brewing Company Tasting Room is also just a short distance from the backside of the arena. The primary entertainment district of Tuscaloosa, known as “The Strip”, is just over a mile from the southeast athletics neighborhood. This area is full of Alabama apparel shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Or, for those who might prefer a more subdued experience, downtown Tuscaloosa, across Queen City Avenue, offers a more mature vibe with watering holes, restaurants, boutique shops, and several hotels. About a 5-minute drive from downtown, just off the junction of I-20 and I-359, is another cluster of hotels and several chain restaurants. Tuscaloosa is a classic college town, where the university drives much of the heartbeat of the community. Visitors would be hard-pressed to find locals who are not somehow tied to the school, or who are not ardent supporters of at least one of the Alabama athletic programs – these ties go a long way in developing a sense of pride that permeates throughout the Tuscaloosa community. Fans   4 The term “Roll Tide” is used around Tuscaloosa much like “Aloha” is used in Hawaii; fans commonly greet each other or end conversations with the phrase. This pride in all things Alabama runs deep throughout Crimson Tide County. While alumni and Alabama fans bring a great deal of passion to Coleman Coliseum, much of the credit needs to go to the Alabama student section, the Crimson Chaos. It's not just that the students of the Crimson Chaos stand the entire game, but their cheering, jeering, and otherwise doing everything a student section should do to create a home-court advantage adds a lot to the atmosphere here. Access   3 Interstate-20 and two US highways feed into Tuscaloosa, making Coleman Coliseum conveniently accessible for fans traveling from any direction. There is plenty free parking in the area, the most convenient located in the Capstone parking garage along Paul Bryant Drive. Shuttle buses are also available to bring fans back and forth from the parking lots a bit further out from Coleman Coliseum. The Coliseum has entry points on all four sides, but most fans enter through either the main front lobby, or via the entry on the 2nd Avenue side of the building, where there is also a large pre-paid parking area. Narrow concourses contend with security screening and ticket scanning, making things a bit of a challenge to navigate. The concourse runs completely around the arena, and not in view of the court. The massiveness of the seating is broken up intermittently with crossways, but given the size of the seating sections, especially for seating at the end of the floor, it does not seem to be nearly enough. Return on Investment   4 Ticket prices start at $30 for seats in the upper reaches of the seating area, which might initially seem a bit high. However, when considering there is free parking available, the $30 does seem to be a bit more palatable. Concession prices are typical of sports stadiums, so the inflated prices should not come as much of a surprise. Overall, basic ticket prices start at a rather reasonable rate when factoring in typical costs. However, make sure to check out the secondary market, because even after fees, those prices can still save you $10 on an individual ticket. Extras   4 Even before heading into Coleman Coliseum, the Sarah Patterson Champions Plaza recognizes the founding of each of Alabama’s varsity athletic programs, with a brief history and recognition of the conference and national championships won by each program. Along the lines of points of interest even before entering Coleman Coliseum, the Paul “Bear” Bryant statue, located at the end of Coliseum Drive, primarily showcases the history of Alabama’s most cherished program throughout the years. Inside the concourse, fans are reminded of the legends of Coleman Coliseum with displays of past Crimson Tide stars, including Latrell Sprewell and Robert Horry, among several others. Also included are biographies of the careers of the current head coach, Nate Oates, along with legendary coaches C.M. Newton and Wimp Sanderson, found on the wall of the concourse not far from the main entry point. Each large photo is accompanied by a synopsis of the careers of each coach. Lastly, Alabama mascot Big Al is an ever-present part of the game presentation during timeouts and for halftime entertainment. Final Thoughts The current state of basketball facilities has been a story of unfulfilled dreams – formal proposals for either major upgrades to Coleman, or a completely new arena, began to be made public in 2018, but any tangible progress has yet to become reality. Coleman Coliseum is at a point where real progress needs to be made for the sake of the future of Alabama basketball. Initially, thought was given to gutting the inside of the facility and rebuilding from the inside out, but that was in 2018, and those plans never came to fruition. More recently, plans have come together to completely replace Coleman Coliseum with what is currently referred to as “Competition Arena”; while plans for the new arena have been released, there is no projected date for when construction might begin. In its current state, Coleman Coliseum leaves much to be desired. Its saving grace is that fans do fill the arena with a great deal of excitement, and Alabama typically has a highly competitive team in the SEC. Given the upgrades many other athletic facilities have seen in recent years, however, the time has come to invest in the future of basketball at Alabama with a new (or at least improved) facility.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 CCSU Softball Field 413 Ella Grasso Blvd New Britain, CT 06050 Central Connecticut State Blue Devils website CCSU Softball Field website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 250 CCSU Softball Field The CCSU Softball Field opened in 2010 when the school renovated both the Blue Devils’ baseball and softball fields. The field features state-of-the-art field turf as well as separate enclosed bullpens for both teams. Batting cages are located down the right field line, with seating for spectators located in several sections. Founded in 1849 as the State Normal School, CCSU is Connecticut’s oldest public university. Total enrollment at CCSU is almost 12,000 students, over half of whom live off campus. 96 percent of the student body hails from Connecticut. The Blue Devils compete in the Northeast Conference, where they have won two conference titles and qualified for six NCAA Tournaments. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions available at a Blue Devils softball game. There is a lovely little pavilion in between the baseball and softball fields, but it is utilized to prepare meals for the teams and not as a snack bar for fans. Fans are welcome to bring their own snacks into CCSU Softball Field. Atmosphere 2 An afternoon at a Blue Devils softball game is as simple and laid-back as it gets. There is nothing to distract your attention from the action going on down on the field. No music is played at all during the game. No walk-up songs, no between innings tunes. The PA announcer does his job unobtrusively, adding to the old school presentation. A small scoreboard in centerfield displays only basic game information. If you enjoy being able to chat with your neighbors in the stands, hear the chatter of the fielders and coaches barking instructions to the players, then CCSU Softball Field is the place for you. If the schedules line up, you’ll be able to move about the athletic complex and take in several games at once. Neighborhood 3 Central Connecticut State University is located in a residential neighborhood on the northeastern edge of New Britain, a suburban city of 73,000 people located 12 miles southwest of Hartford. CCSU Softball Field is located on the eastern edge of campus, alongside the school’s other athletic facilities, including CCSU Baseball Field, Arute Field and Detrick Gymnasium. While the area around campus is bustling, there are not many attractions in the immediate vicinity for visiting fans. Fans wanting a unique experience before or after a CCSU game should check out the East Side Restaurant, a German-themed pub complete with staff in traditional Bavarian gear and all the bratwurst you could possibly desire. For a twist on a traditional American dish, visit Ted’s Steamed Hamburgers in nearby Meriden. Their method of cooking hamburgers in steam trays is unique to central Connecticut, and Ted’s has been featured on several travel shows such as Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It’s a favorite spot for this writer. Fans looking for a place to stay near campus should check out the Courtyard by Marriott and the Extended Stay America, both in neighboring Farmington. Beyond the local options, Connecticut’s capital city of Hartford contains a plethora of dining, lodging and entertainment options. Sports fans may want to pair a CCSU game with a Hartford Yard Goats game at Dunkin’ Donuts Park or a Hartford Wolf Pack game at the XL Center. Fans 2 CCSU softball crowds can best be described as “friends and family.” Stadium Journey attended a Sunday afternoon game in late April with a crowd of about 50 present. This appears to be a typically sized crowd, as a scan of the 2022 box scores show crowds between 25-100 people. With the majority of the crowd enjoying a personal connection with the players down on the field, it’s not surprising that the fans here are really invested in the game and knowledgeable about the team. Still, this is a very laid-back, friendly crowd. With CCSU’s location near the geographic center of the Northeast Conference, it’s not unusual to see visiting fans in attendance on a nice spring afternoon. Access 4 The CCSU campus is located on the New Britain/Newington town line, about a 15-minute drive from Hartford. Route 9 passes directly to the east of campus, connecting to Interstates 84 and 91 nearby. Driving is the primary method for arriving at this suburban campus. For fans utilizing public transportation, several CT Transit busses access CCSU, with the 140 bus stopping right at Arute Field. Seating at CCSU Baseball Field consists of metal bleachers without backs in the small grandstand behind home plate. There are additional bleachers down the left field line, and some room for fans who wish to bring their own lawn chairs and set up shop. Netting and fencing obstructs views from all points in the ballpark. Parking is available in a small lot adjacent to the baseball field, a short walk from the softball field. Should this lot fill, and it may on a spring afternoon where there are several events taking place, additional parking is available in the large lot on the far side of Arute Field. Rest rooms are located in the Pavilion located beyond the center field fence. They are clean and plenty large enough for a typical Blue Devils crowd. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge for admission or for parking at CCSU Softball Field. With no on-site concessions, you will not spend a single cent at a Blue Devils softball game. Extras 1 Banners honoring Blue Devils conference championships hang on the back façade of the visitors dugout, visible as you walk past. NCAA Tournament appearances are listed on the outfield wall. Final Thoughts In the northeast, most spring sports are not the big deal that they are in other parts of the country. The weather shortens the season greatly, and when the weather breaks, it doesn’t seem like people want to come take in a game. Still, small facilities like CCSU Softball Field are worth a look for any sports fan looking for some quality competition at a most affordable price.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Harmon Stadium 1 UNF Dr Jacksonville, FL 32224 North Florida Ospreys website Harmon Stadium website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 1,000 Shore Birds Swinging for the Fences The University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, Florida and has a student body of more than 16,000 students. It is a relatively young school within the Florida University System, as it opened in 1972. A majority of the student body comes from the surrounding Jacksonville/Duval County area. It offers more than 52 areas of study and 28 different master’s programs. The UNF athletic program is even younger than the school, as sports were not added at the university until 1992. The school teams compete at the Division I level as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference and are known as the Ospreys (a hawk-like raptor native to the coastal regions of Florida). The Atlantic Sun Conference includes such neighboring schools as Jacksonville University, Stetson University and Florida Gulf Coast University. The baseball program at UNF has been quite successful in its short existence. The team has won six conference championships at the NAIA level, six conference championships in Division II (finishing #2 in the country in 2005) and one Atlantic Sun Conference Championship since joining Division I. The Ospreys call Harmon Stadium at Dusty Rhodes Field their home stadium. The facility was built in 1988 and has a capacity of 1,250. It is located within the athletics complex on the UNF campus. Five Osprey players have gone on to play in the MLB. Food & Beverage 4 There is one central concession stand for Harmon Field. It is located on the outer concourse of the stadium, and is staffed well enough that no backup should occur. While the items sold at the stand are your typical fare, we award one extra point for having a person on hand to grill your order to your specifications . The menu includes hot dogs ($2.50), burgers ($4), chicken sandwiches ($4.50), nachos ($4), pretzels ($4), popcorn ($5), fries ($4), peanuts ($4), and candy ($1.50). Beverages include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($3), bottled water ($2), 16 ounce domestic drafts ($5) and 24 ounce domestic drafts ($7). Atmosphere 3 Harmon Stadium is one of the nicer stadiums in the Atlantic Sun Conference. It features the gray and blue colors of the school throughout the park. The facility includes a concession area, a very spacious press box, a newly installed video board/scoreboard and seating elevated above the field. The seats immediately in front of the press box and behind home plate are chair backs, while the remainder of the stadium features bench back seating. A special seating area, the Osprey Nest, is located along the first base line. The Osprey Nest features an enclosed, climate-controlled environment, with space for groups or VIPS up to 100 people. This provides a wonderful break from the hot and humid spring days along the Florida Coast. This facility also houses the Osprey Baseball Wall of Fame. The Osprey Nest, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 The University of North Florida campus is very isolated, as a substantial portion of its acreage is dedicated as a nature preserve, so there is no development except university-related buildings. That being said, the campus is extremely modern, with less than 50% percent of its buildings more than 10 years old. It is a beautiful campus, with wonderful landscaping, fountains, nature trails and eye-catching architecture. It offers plenty of support facilities for the portion of the student body that does live on campus. Two popular forms of transportation on campus are using bikes or the popular shuttle bus system. The bus system also has routes that take students to the nearby St. John’s Town Center shopping complex. Fans 3 Despite its very successful baseball history, the Ospreys have difficulty in filling the stadium. Even though the students can attend games free of charge, the stands are often only 30% full. There are a number of reasons why the program does not draw well: 1) more than half of the student body are commuter students who leave campus once their classes are over, 2) the Atlantic Ocean and Jacksonville Beach are less than 5 miles from the campus (which would lure any college student away), and 3) due to the relatively young age of the school there is not a large number of alumni to attend the games. Most alumni are still of working age and cannot get away for afternoon games. Harmon Stadium does draw well for specific games. UNF and Jacksonville University are only a few miles apart. The two schools take part in what is known as the River City Rumble. This is an academic year-long competition where points are awarded for victories in every competition held between the schools, no matter what sport. Since baseball is a spring sport, if the competition is close… the stands are full. Access 4 The UNF campus is located more than 10 miles from downtown Jacksonville. However, as long as you have a car, it is easy to get to. The school is located just off I-295, the ring road around Jacksonville. The exit is shown as the University of North Florida /Town Center Parkway and the entry gate for the school is just a few feet away. Once on campus, there is an information kiosk where you can pick up a campus map. There is a parking deck across from UNF Arena that also is used for baseball parking. There is no charge for baseball parking. Return on Investment 5 UNF baseball games provide an excellent return on investment. Seating is all General Admission, with a ticket cost of $5 ($3 for seniors) You will usually not have to fight anyone for a good seat and the bench back seating allows you to spread out. The concessions at Harmon Park are very reasonably priced and parking is free. . Extras 3 The field at Harmon Stadium is named for Dusty Rhodes, a former major league ballplayer who coached the Ospreys through their first 20 seasons. The St. John’s Town Center shopping area is located just a mile from the campus entrance. This open-air mall is a major shopping destination for the Jacksonville area. It has more than 150 stores and restaurants ranging from Tiffany’s to Walmart. In case of a nice spring day, you can enjoy a day at the nearby beach and still have time to make the first pitch at Harmon Stadium. Final Thoughts The University of North Florida is one of the fastest growing schools in the Florida university system. In just a short time it has proven itself to be a power to reckon with in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Being a new school has its advantages as the sports facilities found at UNF are sure to enable recruiting of a higher caliber of athlete in the near future .Harmon Stadium celebrates its past with exhibits about its past successes, but it is always looking forward to the future. The Osprey Nest along the first baseline is sure to attract the attention of athletes within the UNF recruiting zone.

Photos by Gail, Dan, and Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales 36-50 Calle Jupiter Caguas, Puerto Rico 00725 Criollos de Caguas website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 10,000 Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales Some people claim “baseball is life.” In Puerto Rico, that phrase is still true.  Named after a state senator,  Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales is located in a residential area one-half mile south of the center of Caguas (pronounced caw-gwas) and opened in 1974.  In 2017, Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico, dumping 35.9 inches on Caguas. This interview with Pudge Rodriguez tells the poignant story: CAGUAS CRIOLLOS BASEBALL STADIUM | Good All Over. Reggaeton music duo, Wisin & Yandel, purchased the Puerto Rican Baseball League team, the Criollos de Caguas, in 2022.  $2.8 million of FEMA funds led to a complete renovation of the stadium and field, including artificial turf, new lights/seats/restrooms.  The new owners had the artificial turf replaced with natural grass. In the Caguas area, the word “Criollos” typically translates to “locals” or “natives.” Food & Beverage 4 Traditional “criollo” food is offered in several food stands:  assorted styles of fried chicken, empanadas, and fried dough.  Hot dogs have traditional toppings but are finished with potato sticks on top.   Ice cold Michelob Ultra beer is (sadly) the only beer offered at $4, and $5 Pina coladas are very popular.  Coke products are sold at this venue. In most cases, food prices are not posted. Atmosphere 4 We attended the league final championship series which likely affected the experience.  Most seats are plastic with comfortable backs, without cupholders, all located under a roof. Down the right field line, the last section has gray folding chairs.  The outfield background views are beautiful with gorgeous sunsets painting the skies in the evenings. All announcements are in rapid, loud Spanish. The music is loud. The fans all bring noise-making instruments and use them to the fullest! The mascot is very popular. He roars around on a golf cart and entertains the crowd between innings. The scoreboard is a bit disappointing as it only shows the line score and the at bat player's name and photo. Neighborhood 3 Set in a mostly residential area with very good street lighting, there are a few alternatives for a drink or a meal. Popular restaurants within walking distance include Raices for traditional meals, the Jungle Burger and Grill, Winker’s Sports Bar and Grill, and PYP Restaurant.  Located on the north side of town, the Caguas Food Park is an excellent alternative for pre-game meals. The Four Points Hotel and Casino by Sheraton is south of the stadium. Fans 5 Caguas fans are passionate, loyal and VERY loud!  Music is played loudly throughout the game accompanied by fans with their bam-bams, cowbells, airhorns and whistles. During the championship series, the stadium was full each night and it was VIBRANT!  The fans are knowledgeable and fully engaged with each pitch.  Several songs played on the PA system elicited fan chants. No programs are offered – they would be very helpful to fans with limited Spanish knowledge. Access 3 The nearest airport is located in San Juan SJU Official – Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Puerto Rico and is a 45-minute drive to the stadium. Traffic flow before and after games can be slow; fans can park in an adjacent lot south ($4) of the stadium but we recommend getting there a little early to park on the streets. In the stadium, a relatively narrow walkway between the box seats and general admission seats can get quite crowded.  Fans stop to talk with friends, bands wander while playing their music, so it is slow going.  Updated restrooms are relatively clean but lines form later in the game. Security is quite efficient, though security staff do a quick body “pat down” at the gate. Return on Investment 5 Puerto Rico has a long history of honoring senior citizens who can purchase tickets at half-price, even for championship series!  All food and beverages are quite reasonably priced.  Attending a game, especially a league championship game, is well worth the price in this baseball-crazed island. Extras 5 One point for the photos/descriptions of past players on the outside of the stadium and along the walkways. Another point goes to the passionate fans.  Reasonable ticket, parking and food/beverage prices earn a point.  The recent renovation is a big plus. Finally, the beautiful views behind the outfield fence all contribute to a great experience. Final Thoughts We were very fortunate to attend all four games of the 2024 league championship series. The Criollos emerged victorious in 2024, going 5-3 in the best-of-9 finals. We arrived early so we could sit in general admission seats behind home plate.  We got to know a few local (criollo) fans and had a great time.  Due to the noise making devices, loud PA system and music, along with fan excitement, it was very loud, but certainly less than Carolina's stadium.  Half price senior tickets are a bonus. If you are a baseball fan who visits Puerto Rico during the Liga PR league season, be sure to head to Caguas!

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Pot O’ Gold Sports Palace                                                                                                                                     777 Lucky Charms Place Dublin, Ireland 77777 St. Patrick Saints website Pot O’ Gold Sports Palace  website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 26,000 humans, or 52,000 leprechauns This Sports Venue Really Sham Rocks! The Pot of Gold Sports Palace is a multi-sport facility, as it hosts a wide variety of Gaelic games. It opened on March 17, 2017. It has a seating capacity of 26,000 humans or 52,000 leprechauns. Over the years it has hosted soccer, American football games, Celtics exhibition basketball games, and the Commonwealth Indoor Olympic games. Local fans are still talking about the legendary upset victory of the St. Patrick Saints over the Sydney Snakes in soccer. The victory was so magnificent that it drove the Snakes team to leave the country, never to return. Other teams that call the Pot O’ Gold home include the Limerick Lilliputians and the Wearin’ of the Green Bay Packers. Teams based at the Sports Palace have undefeated home records. We assume it is just the luck of the Irish holding true! Food & Beverage 4 There are several concession stands located throughout the Pot of Gold Sports Palace.  Some of the stands are familiar names like Beef O’ Brady and Bennigan’s. The other stands specialize in Irish favorites, including Irish stew, soda bread, pot pies, shepherd’s pie, colcannon, cabbage, corned beef, green eggs, and ham. Scones are available for dessert. There are some children’s foods, including Lucky Charms and Dunkin O’ shamrock-shaped Donuts, on the kid’s menu. A wide variety of green beverages is available at the Pot O’ Gold games. They include Irish coffee, green tea, and green Gatorade.  The craft beer offerings include Guinness brand beers, several stouts, plus 52 craft beers (all of which are green in color). They also offer Irish red and pale ales and of course Bailey’s Irish Cream. We found that you will not be sharing a lot of green at the facility, as stands only accepts credit cards. Concession stands accept Hibernian Express, Irish VISA, and Master O’ Card only. Atmosphere 4 The owner’s box is rather small compared to other major sports venues, but then the owner is a leprechaun, so the added space is not needed. Fans with lots of green can purchase seating in the premium seating area, the Paddy O Furniture Deck. In addition to the very comfortable seating, the Deck also offers at-your-seat food and beverage service, premium parking, and a lottery ticket to win the pot of gold drawing. Pot of Gold Sports Palace has a one-of-a-kind shamrock-shaped video board behind the end zone. It offers both instant replay videos and other announcements throughout the games. Fans in a pinch for some green gear can visit one of the four-leaf clover Shamrock Sports Stores located along the concourse. Neighborhood 5 Dublin and the Pot of Gold Sports Palace are both located in the Emerald Isles, so you will need either a boat or plane to get to an event. Dublin offers a wide variety of things to do. These include Phoenix Park, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and of course, the National Leprechaun Museum. The world-famous Blarney Stone is also nearby. Fans 5 Gamedays begin at the top O’ the mornin’ as the green lot is set aside for tailgating. Corned beef cabbage hole is a popular game with fans as they wait for the doors of the Sports Palace to open. The fan bases for the various teams that call the Pot of Gold Sports Palace are very loyal to the home squads. They sing the team anthems throughout the games and are known to break out in the “We will… we will Shamrock you!” cheer during rallies by the locals and scream like banshees when a referee’s calls go against the Saints. Like many European sports events, the fans can get a little out of control after too many beers, which can result in a donnybrook.  Security has been tightened as a result. Challenging an officer with taunts like “Fight me…I’m Irish” or “I’ll Shamrock your world!” will find themselves at the wrong end of a shillelagh. The jig is up, and Hibernian hooligans are sent to a paddy wagon. Teams playing at the Pot of Gold Sports Palace generally draw small crowds. Oh, they draw very well…. It’s just that most of them are leprechauns! The fans get into the halftime shows, as they feature the Notre Dame Fighting Irish band and U2. The band is known to bring the fans to tears, as they close each performance with “Danny Boy”. Access 5 Directions: You won’t need the luck of the Irish to find the Pot O’ Gold Sports Palace…. simply follow the rainbow to its’ end stupid! Visitors may find the concourses to be narrower than you would usually find in a major sports facility. This is because the fanbase is mostly made up of leprechauns, who take up a lot less space. Another word of caution… leprechauns are wee when they go to pee, so the urinals and toilets in the restrooms are set very low. Ask your usher where the “special needs” restrooms are, as they will have normal-sized plumbing. Parking is free at the Pot of Gold Sports Palace. Just don’t park in the Lots O’ Green section, as it is reserved for the leprechaun season ticket holders. Return on Investment 5 You won’t need a pot of gold to attend a sports event at this venue. The tickets are very reasonably priced, the concessions are cheap, and parking is free.   Extras 3 In addition to sports events, Pot of Gold Sports Palace has hosted concerts by the Cranberries, U2, and the Riverdance dance group. Before each match, a member of Celtic Women sings “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”. The Pot O’ Gold Sports Palace is a “green” facility. It is painted green! It also does a great job of recycling as well. Final Thoughts You’ll thank your lucky charms for the gameday experience at the Pot O’ Gold Sports Palace. Your friends will be green with envy, as it takes the luck of the Irish to get a ticket to one of these Gaelic games.

Even as civic leaders in Portland, Oregon, prepare a bid for an expansion Major League Baseball franchise, professional baseball in the city's suburbs now has a secure future.  On March 7, 2024, the Oregon State Legislature approved the final $15 million in funding for the Hillsboro Hops' new municipally owned stadium next door to the team's current home, Ron Tonkin Field. “This news means that the Hops are staying in Hillsboro with a new, year-round ballpark, where our community will all be able to gather for decades to come,” said Hillsboro Hops President and General Manager K.L. Wombacher in a release. “On behalf of our team, I’d like to enthusiastically thank the Oregon Legislature, as well as our many business and community champions, and most importantly, our fans who raised their voices for the Hops. We are humbled by your support, and we can’t wait to kick off another season together on April 5 and celebrate our shared future.” The new ballpark, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks' Class-A Northwest League affiliate, will cost approximately $125 million to build, with $82 million in private funding, $18 million from the City of Hillsboro, $8 million from Washington County (OR), and $2 million from the Explore Tualatin Valley visitors' organization.  The City of Hillsboro will own and manage the stadium, located approximately 14 miles west of downtown Portland. Notwithstanding Tonkin Field's relative youth (it opened in 2013) and good reviews, the Hops needed to make significant renovations to comply with Major League Baseball's facility standards for its 120 affiliated minor league teams.  For instance, minor league stadiums must have women's locker rooms for players, coaches, and umpires.  Additionally, visiting teams do not have a clubhouse at Tonkin Field and must use a locker room at the neighboring football stadium.  Studies concluded that construction of a new stadium would cost approximately 15 percent less than renovating Tonkin Field. The new stadium will be located just to the northwest side of Tonkin Field, in Hillsboro's Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.  It will be designed as a year-round entertainment venue, with a capacity of 6,000 for baseball and 7,000 for concerts. Groundbreaking for the new stadium is scheduled to happen this summer, opening before the start of the 2026 season.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Community Bank Park Ellisville, MS 39437 Jones College Bobcats website Community Bank Park website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 520 Baseball at The Bank Jones College is one of 15 junior colleges in Mississippi that makes up the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) for baseball. Like most of the schools in the conference, the college originally opened as an agricultural high school in 1911, before starting to offer junior college classes in 1927. The MACCC is considered part of the larger Region 23 of NJCAA, which includes five Louisiana junior colleges. Nicknamed the Bobcats, the first year of athletics at Jones began in 1927, and since that time the Bobcats have experienced some success. However, it was just recently that the program began its winning ways. The Bobcats have won six MACCC Championships, with the first two championships being won in 1941 and 1952. After that it would be another 50 years before the Bobcats would win a Division Title, when they won in 2002. The Bobcats made two trips to the NJCAA Division II World Series in 2011 and 2016, and in 2016 would capture the NJCAA National Championship. The Bobcats play at one of the finest facilities in all of Juco in Community Bank Park, which opened in 2011 and has seating for 520 fans. Nicknamed "The Bank", the stadium replaced an older stadium located on the same site that had been here since the 1950s. Food & Beverage   2 There is one small concession stand attached to the ticket office at the main entrance of the complex. Only the basics are sold here – hamburgers, pulled pork, hot dogs, and popcorn round out the menu, with the most expensive item being the pulled pork sandwiches and pulled pork nachos at $4 each. Bottled Coca-Cola products are available for $3, as well as coffee/hot chocolate for $2. As usual alcohol is not sold at MACCC conference schools. The concession stand here is the same one used for the softball team, so when the Bobcats softball and baseball teams have games on the same night, there can sometimes be a backup at the concession lines. Atmosphere   3 The ballpark is a part of a complex that also includes the school's softball stadium, Gwen Magee Field; with seating for 260 the softball field is built as a mirror image of the baseball stadium. From the outside, Community Bank Park is a beautiful facility, with a brick facade and a black iron fence that wraps around the complex. There is one main entrance into the complex, where you enter onto a concrete walkway that extends down the first baseline and on toward the softball field – if you veer right you can go to the softball field, while steering left gets you to the baseball stadium. Down the first baseline walking toward the softball field, you will find the team offices and batting cages, which are used by both the baseball and softball teams. There is also a small picnic area outside the team offices with a few picnic tables and drink rails; the rails have barstool seats that overlook the field. The walkway grounds are well maintained with landscaped bushes and small trees, and there are banners on the light poles showcasing all the baseball and softball teams' conference championships. The Bobcats baseball team has one National Championship that is featured prominently throughout the ballpark as well. Dark green is the color of the interior of the ballpark, with about 120 green chairback seats behind home plate and nine rows of dark green metal bleachers extending down the first base and third baselines. The press box is quite lively, shaped liked a brick house with a green slanted tin roof. Along the outfield you will find wall pads advertising local businesses, as well as a small line scoreboard in left field. Beyond center field sits the Sim Cooley Stadium at Bobcat Field, home of the Jones College football team. Neighborhood   3 Jones College is located in the small Mississippi farm town of Ellisville, which has a population of 3,400. As one of Mississippi's oldest towns you can find plenty to do here – Jones College is located just a few blocks away from downtown Ellisville, which features a historic town square centered around the local courthouse, with many of the buildings still looking the same as they did 100 years ago. A few popular places to check out downtown include KaRock’s, which is a roadside chicken and BBQ shack, as well as the upscale Bosun Suns, a popular seafood restaurant located in an old historic hotel. After you are done eating you can walk across the street to finish off your night with some ice cream at Bennie & Mae's ice cream shop. Another interesting place to check out downtown is the Carpenter Bros. Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots, which is a two-story antique thrift store open only on weekends. Vintage records, antiques and other rare finds are just some of the items you will find here – this popular store has been featured on the HGTV TV series "Home Town", which is based in nearby Laurel. Another cool place to check out near campus is the Amos Deason House; the house was built in 1845 and gained historical significance because of the Civil War skirmish that took place here in 1863, which resulted in the death of the house's owner. The house is considered one of the South's most haunted places, and has been featured on numerous TV shows. If in town on Saturdays, they give free tours of the home – the events that unfolded in the house were also adapted into the 2016 movie 'Free State of Jones' starring Matthew McConaughey. Fans   4 The Bobcats average a couple hundred fans per game, which is about average for this level of baseball. You will find a mix of students, friends and family, scouts, and the old-timers who just want to come out to watch a baseball game. Ellisville is a small town, so there is not much of a nightlife except Jones College athletics. Many of the students will take up the chairbacks behind home plate, while the rest of the crowd is spread out among the bleachers. Even though The Bank has seating for about 520 fans, the ballpark can hold so many more if you take into account the fans standing down the first baseline and in the picnic area. Many of the players here later sign with some of the local four-year schools, so it's not uncommon to see Southern Miss and William Carey baseball players in attendance if they have an off night. They also have a few unique promotions and giveaways between innings to keep fans involved, including t-shirt tosses and giveaways, between innings entertainment, and unique contests such as the first person who takes out a $50 bill and brings it to the press box getting a gift card to a local business. Access   4 Getting to Ellisville is very simple; the small town is conveniently located off Interstate 59 about 20 minutes north of Hattiesburg, and 5 minutes south of Laurel. The campus is located off Exit 85, a few miles past the interstate on Highway 590. Getting to campus can be quite easy, and finding Community Bank Park is even easier, as the sports complex will be the first thing you see when you arrive on campus if you take Exit 85 off the interstate; if you take Exit 88, which is the main exit through downtown Ellisville, you will have to navigate your way through the winding campus to the get to the ballpark, so I recommend taking Exit 85 off I-59 instead. There is plenty of parking on campus, although the lots closer to the ballpark behind home plate often fill up pretty quick if there is a softball game going on the same night. However, there are plenty of parking lots beyond the outfield wall closer to the football stadium. Return on Investment   4 Tickets for Bobcats games are $8 if purchased online, or $10 if purchased at the front gate. I consider this about average for this level of baseball; you also never know what future big league player you may be watching play here. Much like Division I college baseball being a big deal in Mississippi, Juco baseball is also pretty popular, with the Jucos being a major feeder system for the bigger schools in the area. Parking on campus is free and you can't beat the cheap concessions, so I recommend making the trip to Ellisville if you enjoy watching baseball. Extras   4 One extra for the National Championship the Bobcats won in 2016, and the two appearances the Bobcats made to Enid, OK for the NJCAA College World Series – the Bobcats softball team has also won one national championship in 2018. Most nights the softball team is playing on the same night as the baseball team, so it is possible to walk back and forth between the two venues. Jones College has had 10 players drafted by MLB teams, with one player advancing to the big leagues in infielder Trent Giambrone, who played in 2021 for the Cubs. Perhaps the greatest ballplayer to ever play at Jones ended up becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Canada – in 1951 and 1952 Parker pitched the Bobcats to the MACCC State Championship, which they won in 1952. He was also a two-sport athlete as a quarterback who later set numerous records at Mississippi State in baseball and football en route to a College Football Hall of Fame induction. He also played for the New York Giants for one season, but his greatest success happened in Canada when he played for the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts from 1954 thru 1965, winning three Grey Cups – Giambrone was named the third-greatest Canadian Football player ever in TSN's Top 50 CFL Players of all-time. Another popular name to come out of the Jones College baseball program is current Southern Miss head coach Christian Ostrander, who coached here for seven years (2009-2015). Coach Oz led the Bobcats to two MACCC State Championships and a runner-up in the 2011 NJCAA World Series, along with a .701-win percentage. He would later be the pitching coach at Louisiana Tech (2016-17) before joining Southern Miss in 2018 as the pitching coach; next season he takes over for the legendary Coach Scott Berry, who retired at the end of last season. Community Bank Park has also hosted the 2011 MACCC Tournament, which Jones ended up winning. The NJCAA Region 23 Tournament was also held at The Bank, and every summer Community Bank Park is also the home to the Pine Belt team of the Southeast Collegiate Baseball League. SECL features teams in eight different regions of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee – each team plays 16 games over 6 weeks, featuring some of the collegiate players who did not play much the previous season getting some much needed quality at-bats.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 GSU Convocation Center 455 Capitol Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30312 Georgia State Panthers website GSU Convocation Center website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 7,500 The Panther’s New Pad Georgia State University is the second largest school college in Georgia, with a student body of more than 53,000 students. It is an urban university, and its campus lies just north of the Georgia State Capitol in downtown Atlanta. The athletic teams at GSU are known as the Panthers, and they compete in the Sun Belt Conference. The basketball program has been very successful over the last few years, as has won six conference regular season titles and taken part in six NCAA postseason tournaments. Until 2022 these accomplishments took place at the GSU Sports Arena, a third-floor gymnasium in a building that opened in 1972 and had seating for only 2,000 fans. Fast forward to the beginning of the 2022-2023 basketball season. The Panthers have moved about five red lights south from the GSU Sports Arena into a state-of-the-art facility that has seating for 7,300 fans. The GSU Convocation Center has immediately become the best facility for basketball in the Sun Belt Conference. It is a formidable recruiting tool for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stands at the GSU Convocation Center are located at the concourse level of the arena. There is one concession stand at each of the four corners of the arena. The stands offer the typical stadium/arena staples: pizzas in cheese, pepperoni, or pepperoni and sausage ($9), cheeseburgers ($9), hamburgers ($8), hot dogs ($4), fries ($4), pretzels ($6), candy ($3), cotton candy ($5) and chips ($4). Drink selections include water ($4) and Coca-Cola brand sodas ($6). Atmosphere 4 The GSU Convocation Center is a great place to take in a Panther’s game. This starts with the exterior of the building. Its’ outer skin includes brick, stone, metal, and glass. These are all materials used to mimic the skyscrapers of downtown Atlanta, so the building feels inclusive to the area. Once inside you will notice the concourses are wide, with service areas built back into the walls so that they do not interfere with the flow. Blue accent lights are used to help navigate the corridors. The facility has placed concession stands at each of the four corners of the building so that fans will not bunch up at an individual stand. A wall of windows on the north side of the building provides a spectacular view of the State Capitol and the downtown area. The seating bowl at the Convocation Center includes permanent stands on all four sides of the court. GSU blue seatbacks ring the court at two different levels. The 200-level seats are still close to the action due to the steep angle they are set in. The student section and pep band can be found at the north end of the court, leaving the other sections to be divided up between GSU alumni, parents, friends of the school and visiting team members fans, and family. GSU Convocation Center, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 The GSU Convocation Center is located at the corner of Capitol Avenue and Fulton Street in the Summerhill neighborhood of Atlanta. It is the latest addition to a growing sports complex that GSU is building just south of the main GSU campus. It joins the Center Parc Stadium (formerly Turner Field) as the second GSU sports facility in the complex. The next phase of the development will bring a GSU baseball stadium back into the downtown Atlanta area. The Summerhill neighborhood is seeing a revitalization thanks to the investment that GSU is making in the area. Restaurants, breweries, shops, and apartments have replaced what had been a very blighted area. Among the businesses that have set up shop in the south Atlanta area are Rodney Scott’s BBQ, and the Country Inn and Suites. There are several restaurants and attractions in the area to check out either before or after a Panthers game. The Curb Market is a farmers’ market with several restaurants including the massive building. Zoo Atlanta is also located just a mile east of the GSU Convocation Center. The Georgia State Capitol is only one block from the arena, and it offers both a museum and a very interesting walking tour of the Capitol complex. Fans 4 For many years Georgia State University was a commuter school with a large percentage of its students working full-time and taking their classes at night. This made it difficult for sports at GSU to develop a large fan base. Fortunately, GSU has become more of a conventional school with a much larger student body. This has resulted in much greater attendance at Panther basketball games. The student section at games is known as the “Concrete Jungle” as a nod to a famous book and its downtown surroundings. The student section is very original in its cheers and makes a sizeable amount of noise to encourage the Panthers and confuse the opposition. Access 3 The Convocation Center is easy to access, as it is located at the crossroads of I-20 and I-75/I-85 (known locally as the Downtown Connector). There are three entry gates at the Convocation Center. General fans enter through Gates 2-3, while fans with courtside seats enter through Gate 1. All gates open one hour before tipoff. Once inside the venue, it is easy to get to your seat. Signage in the lobby and concourses is excellent. The lower level of the stands is below the concourse, while the 200-level seats are accessible a few steps up from the concourse. All the concession stands are found at the concourse level. This means the 200-level of fans must go down into the single concourse to get food and beverage items or use the restrooms. This can mean long lines during the halftime break. Parking is free of charge in the Blue Lot across Fulton Street from the Convocation Center. Overflow parking is available in the Green lot. Return on Investment 5 Going to a basketball game at the GSU Convocation Center is an absolute bargain compared to the cost of attending other athletic events in the Atlanta area. All seats in the venue are $20. Children aged 10 and under get free admission. Concession prices at the Convocation Center are very reasonable compared to other sports arenas or movie theatres. Parking for all basketball games is free of charge in the blue lot across Fulton Street from the arena. Extras 4 The Convocation Center is designed to serve a wide variety of groups, both in the sports world and the educational world. It can hold 7,500 for graduation, and 8,000 for concerts. Other planned events in the arena are esports competitions, educational conferences, and community events. Former GSU Coach Lefty Driesell is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and is recognized on a GSU sports history timeline in the facility. In addition to its Sun Belt Conference games, the Panthers will be able to play rivalry games involving Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia on their home court. In the past, these games were played as away games due to the small capacity of the GSU Sports Arena. The GSU Convocation Center is easy to locate. The Olympic flame cauldron and rings bridge from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games is located adjacent to the venue. Atlanta Olympic Cauldron, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts After 50 years of playing in the undersized GSU Sports Arena, the GSU Panthers have now moved into an arena that figures to be the biggest and best basketball facility in the Sun Belt Conference. This will allow them to play many marquee games on their home court for the first time ever. The GSU Convocation Center will also be a major recruiting tool that should keep the Panthers in the top tier of the conference and in the NCAA Tournament on an ongoing basis.

The next time you attend a Lakers, Clippers, Kings hockey or any other event at Crypto.com Arena, as you pass by the much celebrated Kobe Bryant Statue unveiled last month, you may notice that at the marble base of the statue are some glaringly needed adjustments. The statue depicts Kobe in his white No. 8 jersey with his right index finger walking off the court following his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006. At the marble base of the statue are the player stat lines of the box score from both teams on the night of Kobe’s accomplishment. However some spelling errors were noticed on players names Jose Calderon and Von Wafer, as well as “decision” being misspelled as “decicion” from the stat line. A tweet from German basketball journalist Andre Voigt shows photos of the errors. https://twitter.com/drevoigt/status/1766970863054696482 “We have been aware of this for a few weeks and are already working to get it corrected soon,” a Lakers spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. The bronze statue was sculpted by Julie Rotblatt Amrany and stands 19 feet high and weighs 4,000 pounds. The statue also includes a QR code which fans can scan with their phone. The QR code directs fans to a  short film directed by Antoine Fuqua and narrated by Denzel Washington . The statue is the first of three to be created honoring the five-time NBA Champion and top scorer in Lakers history. Hopefully everything will be spell checked before Black Mamba is honored along Chick Hearn Court. Fans honoring Kobe the day after his statue was unveiled, 2/9/2024 Follow and view all of Andrei’s Los Angeles journeys on Instagram @thestadiumjourneyman and @dreiinla.

Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Streaming services have become the dominant force in entertainment in the past decade. With more and more entertainment companies looking for ways to take advantage of the growing streaming market, it was only a matter of time before they fully turned their eyes towards the world of sports – live sports – in an effort to fulfill the viewing public’s rabid appetite. Amazon and its Prime Video service have been one of the leaders in live sports streaming in recent years. They recently announced a partnership with arguably the most recognized brand in all of sports: the New York Yankees – on March 1, Amazon announced they will have exclusive rights to stream 21 Yankees games this upcoming season in the team’s “footprint” viewing area of New York state, Connecticut, and parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The broadcast of the games will come at no additional cost to select Amazon Prime viewers. Of the 21, 19 are slated to be Wednesday games, with the first broadcast set for April 10 against the Miami Marlins. The YES Network’s Emmy Award-winning broadcast team will be the producers of the games, in concert with Amazon. There will also be a 30-minute pregame show for each game, hosted by YES’ Meredith Marakovits for home games and Bob Lorenz during away contests. Calling the games will be YES Network play-by-play announcer Michael Kay, entering his 33rd season as the voice of the Yankees. He will be joined by a host of color analysts, including former Yankee greats David Cone, Paul O’Neill, and Joe Girardi. The full schedule of exclusive games on Prime Video can be found here: www.amazon.com/yankees. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Image courtesy of the Mascot Hall of Fame The Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Indiana was recently named the number one Pop Culture Museum in the United States by USA Today. The recognition comes as a result of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, where the winners are determined by a public vote. The Hall of Fame was founded in 2005 as an online museum by original Phillie Phanatic David Raymond. It opened its physical location on the shores of Lake Michigan in 2018. Since 2005, the Hall has elected a class of mascots into its membership each year, based on the criteria of being active for over 10 years, and impacting their team, fanbase, and community. “This incredible feat marks a momentous occasion not only for the beloved mascots but also for the dedicated team behind the scenes who work tirelessly to bring joy and laughter to visitors from all corners of the globe,” said a spokesperson for the Mascot Hall of Fame in a news release. “As confetti rains down and cheers echo, the Mascot Hall of Fame stands tall as a testament to the power of imagination and boundless possibilities of play.” Just a half-hour outside of Chicago, the Mascot Hall of Fame features interactive exhibits and a host of memorabilia honoring some of the most popular mascots of all-time. The Phillie Phanatic was part of the inaugural Hall class, along with the Suns Gorilla and the Famous San Diego Chicken. Other mascot who’ve been inducted in the ensuing years include the Spurs Coyote, Brutus Buckeye, and Mr. Met. “Congratulations to all mascots for this well deserved recognition,” the release continued. “Congratulations to Mayor Steve Spebar and the City of Whiting team for believing in our mission. Congratulations to the heart and soul of the Mascot Hall of Fame – our staff.” ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Southport Fieldhouse 971 E Banta Rd Indianapolis, IN 46227 Southport HS Cardinals website Southport Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 7,124 Southside Party is in the Cards for Basketball The Southport Fieldhouse falls in line with one of the copious historic and spacious palaces for high school basketball in the state of Indiana. The facility can hold a robust 7,124 spectators making it the 10th largest venue of its kind in the world. It is the home to the Southport High School Cardinals basketball programs. It is located 10 miles south of downtown Indianapolis, establishing the recognition of the largest high school gymnasium in the city. The first game played in this facility took place between the Cardinals and Indianapolis Tech Titans on November 29, 1958. A full-capacity crowd was on hand to usher in a new era of sports in the city. The fieldhouse hosted the Indiana High School Athletic basketball state semi-finals and regionals, wrestling state finals from 1960-1980, and was home to Indiana Central College (now U of Indy) basketball from 1958-1960 before it relocated to its current home, Nicoson Hall. There have even been Easter morning services held inside the venerable gymnasium. The colors of red and white dominate the venue; the outside hallways feature a wonderful array of memorabilia from the school’s history of sports. Old scoreboards, center court logos, nets, trophies, basketballs, and photographs outline the hallways near the main entrance to the arena. There is still a lot of pride in many of these massive and historical sites on the south side of Indianapolis. Food & Beverage 3 There are three concession stands located on the upper level of the seating concourse. All of the favorites are offered including hot dogs ($2), pizza ($2), walking tacos ($3), nachos ($3), popcorn ($2), breadsticks ($2), and chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-A ($4). Pepsi products are served along with coffee and hot chocolate. One added treat is Dippin Dots ice cream served in a cart adjacent to the concession stand and offered in three sizes. Atmosphere 4 There is not a bad seat in the 7,300-seat arena, fans enter through doors on the floor of the playing court and embark on their seats that are separated into two sections consisting of 26 rows in an octagonal shape. The upper section consists of the original wooden bleacher seats that are still numbered from the days when reserved seats were sold at games. The lower section seating is made of modern plastic bleacher seats. The massive gymnasium also has a lot of charm in itself from banners of the 1990 Final Four team and the retired number of Basketball Hall of Famer Louie Dampier who starred with Southport from 1962-1964. Cheerleaders and the pep band do their best to liven up the crowd and many old-timers are game for a conversation about the history of the venue. There are also special theme nights scheduled that celebrate former players, teams, or anniversaries. During my most recent visit it was Indiana Pacer night and Boomer, the team’s mascot, made a special appearance and delighted the crowd with an aerial halftime show that had him dunk off a personalized-sized trampoline, shoot t-shirts into the stands, and engage a few youngsters to join him on the court. The Cardinals also have their mascot who is among the best-looking of the high schools in the area. He also interacts with fans and will pose for a picture or two if you ask him. Neighborhood 4 The Southport section is only a 15-minute south drive from the downtown Mass Ave and Fountain Square districts of Indianapolis. However, you are also a 10-minute drive from the southern Indy suburb of Greenwood. The large shopping district area features a few great restaurants to try when in the neighborhood. Bronzini Pizzeria serves New York-style pizza, upstate New York spiedies, and St. Louis-style fried ravioli. Shallo’s Antique Restaurant & Breehaus offers a wide selection of draft and bottled beers along with huge pork tenderloin sandwiches, Caribbean-flavored chicken varieties, and open-face hot brown sandwiches. Two reputable microbreweries are gaining notoriety in Central Indiana in nearby Greenwood: MashCraft Brewing Company and Planetary Brewing Company. Fans 4 There are a variety of spectators that attend games at the fieldhouse including alumni, students, and the casual spectator. They all share one thing in common and that is their love for the Cardinal basketball team. The student section is made up of around 70 plus kids who stand throughout the game and show their support through cheers, heckles, screams, and chants. The casual spectator is on the sideline either frustrated or delighted by what is going on on the court. When the contest is closed, the excitement can be heard at high-pitched levels. Access 4 The fieldhouse is located less than two miles offExitt 2A on I-465 and SR-31. Parking is free and plentiful for most games, but higher-attended games could be a different scene. Once inside it is easy to get around to your seats, to the bathroom, or concession stands. Return on Investment 4 All tickets for adults are $6, very common among all high schools in the state. It is well worth the price of admission for basketball in a historic building. There have been a few high school hoop stars who currently play in the NBA and have played in Southport and other fieldhouses in recent times. When you include the price of concessions and souvenirs at the gift table, it makes for quite an inexpensive night of sporting entertainment. Extras 3 Southport High School features an impressive-looking mascot. However, he would be better served if he was donning a jersey over the outfit for the proper look on the court. There is an excellent collection of paraphernalia in and around the building that is featured nicely and neatly on lobby walls. The Wall of Fame and championship team photos are also on display inside the fieldhouse. The hospitality room is an interesting little room located outside the gym in the main lobby. There are pictures, photos, and various pieces of Southport memorabilia set in a 1950’s diner backdrop. It is open only to media, coaches, referees, and staff, but a quick look and you will be taken back to another era. Final Thoughts The collection of high school facilities in Indiana is impressive in design, beauty, and nostalgia. Southport’s venue fits nicely into the collection. The proximity of the facility to Indianapolis makes it an easy stop for anyone who is in town visiting other sports events. Hinkle Fieldhouse and Gainbridge Fieldhouse might grab all of the attention and praise in the city, but the Southport Fieldhouse should not be overlooked. It has been standing proudly since 1958. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Gary West Side Gym W 9th Ave & Gerry St. Gary, IN 46406 West Side Leadership Academy Cougars website Gary West Side Gym website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 7,217 Gary’s West Side Cougar Den Gary West Side High is nicknamed the Cougar Den and when it opened in 1969 it was recognized as the largest box gym in the world. It houses 7,216 seats and that season hosted its first regional game. Today, the gym seats 6,402 people due to water-damaged balcony bleachers on one side that were replaced with plastic molded seating. The West Side Leadership Academy was founded in 1968 as West Side High School. When it opened it had an enrollment of 3,000 students, the largest high school in the state. Today, enrollment is 900 and the school is now a college preparatory high school that offers dual credit, and advanced placement courses. Food & Beverage 3 A nice-sized concession stand is located in the main concourse area outside the gymnasium offering the basic standards of items found at other Indiana high schools. Fans can choose from hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, candy, and soda pop. The prices are reasonable and cost between $1 to $3 per item. The options make for a nice snack but if hungry, it is advised to visit somewhere else before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 The gym offers seats on two levels of seating with the upper rows of bleachers accessible via staircases on each side. The bleacher seats pull in and out on the top level depending on the crowd and the event taking place at the school. There are two basic scoreboards on each wall of the gym. The gym features life-sized photos of past championship teams and coaches that are displayed on one side of the wall along with championship banners. The PA announcer does a nice job getting the crowd into the game and the Cougar cheerleaders add to the soundtrack of the game with multiple cheers and dance routines. Neighborhood 2 The ballpark suffers from being in a neighborhood where most visitors go out to venture after the game. The stadium is near the exit and entrance ramp to I-90 and most visitors will look elsewhere for after-game options in the neighboring cities or perhaps somewhere closer to Chicago. Gary was the home to the 18th Street Brewery and Taproom which is regarded among the state’s craft beer and is now located a few miles down the road in Hammond. Also in the area in Munster, Three Floyds Brewpub is the state’s most recognizable craft brewery. The brewery and restaurant is a busy spot, but fans flock here for year-round selections of Alpha King, Yum Yum, Gumballhead, Jinx Proof, and Lazersnake. Michael Jackson’s boyhood home is located at 2300 Jackson Street. Fans of the King of Pop can take photos of the old home and also, during daylight hours only, venture to Broadway to the closed Palace Theater that permanently displays the Jackson Five playing “tonite.” Gary is near the Indiana Dunes National Park which offers trails for hiking and sandy beaches for cooling off during the summer. Michigan City Outlet Mall offers a few hours to search for deals, and Chicago is less than a half-hour away by car. Fans 2 The crowd is energetic during the game and everyone is focused on the action on the court. After the game, a few fans talk about some of their favorite memories and how the crowds used to be only a few short seasons ago. Games against nearby rival Gary Roosevelt are the best bet to see the old-fashioned school spirit. Access 4 The school is located two miles north of I-80 and the gym and school offer a large parking lot. The gym itself is situated in the back of the high school and the main road. The gymnasium offers a main concourse with a concession stand and bathrooms and fans will have easy access to moving around the gym. Return on Investment 2 The ticket prices are $6 which is common with other gymnasiums in the counting. The concession prices are fairly inexpensive and the crowd is always up for a night of basketball. Gary is not far off the beaten path of other facilities in Chicago and nearby high school gyms in East Chicago and Michigan City, Indiana. Extras 2 The gym has two old-fashioned ticket booths near the main entrance of the venue. The two ticket booths add a nice touch to the facility. The gym earns a second point for the wall art and murals in the outer concourse. There are also jerseys of former athletes from the school who made their way to the professional ranks. Final Thoughts The Cougar Den is in the top ten of high school basketball gyms and is worth a visit if you are in the vicinity. It does not stand out like other facilities in the area but its size and history are well worth a visit if you are a fan of Hoosier Temples.