Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Winthrop Ballpark 900 Eden Terrace Rock Hill, SC 29730 Winthrop Eagles website Winthrop Ballpark website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 1,800 Winthrop Ballpark – Winthrop Eagles Just south of Charlotte and not far across the North Carolina-South Carolina state line is the town of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the Winthrop University Eagles. One of the original members of the Big South Conference, Winthrop made a name for itself in the early 2000s as one of the top basketball programs in the conference. At about the same time the Eagles were also the class of the diamond in the Big South, winning 3 conference championships (2001, 2003, 2005) and advancing to 3 NCAA Regionals (2001, 2005, 2006). Food & Beverage 2 There is a light menu of food options here at reasonable rates – hot dogs and nachos are the featured items and top out at $5. Other ballpark classics such as soft pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, and sunflower seeds are also available. Beverages include sports drinks and Coke products, along with domestic beers and seltzers. Local craft brewery Legion Brewing also has its IPA available. Atmosphere 2 Winthrop Ballpark is tucked away toward the front of the Winthrop athletics complex. As fans approach the stadium they are greeted by the back side of a towering brick and concrete grandstand, guarded by a black iron fence, which is adorned with the Winthrop Eagle logo atop the entry ways. Upon passing through the gates and climbing the stairs into the seating bowl, the gigantic batter’s eye in baseball jumps out immediately. Standing 77-feet-tall, the batter’s eye that doubles as a sunshade is believed to be the largest in all of baseball. Once the enormity of the batter’s eye is processed, the lack of shade is the next thing that stands out. The grandstand has a short canopy, so this pushes most of the fans to the upper reaches of the seating area in search of shade. This creates a feeling that the fans are removed from the game. The symmetrical, natural grass field plays a bit short at 325’ down each line and 390’ to straightaway center. From afar the brick-lined grandstand looks beautiful, but upon closer inspection the impressive structure could use a bit of sprucing up for its fading paint and section numbers. There are some between inning activities, such as in-game Bingo or the “Let’s Make a Deal” game of “the first person to bring a paperclip to the press box”. The games are at least an attempt to engage fans, but there does not seem to be much fan interest in them. Neighborhood 4 Most of Winthrop’s athletic facilities are located just over a mile from campus, separated by a well-maintained, residential neighborhood. The Winthrop athletics complex has plenty of activities for fans stopping by for more than just baseball – the university runs a 9-hole golf course that can be played all day for $10. There are also 2-disc golf courses which are ranked as some of the best in South Carolina, and best of all they are free to play. Not far from Winthrop’s sports complex is Old Town Rock Hill, home to shops, restaurants, and Rock Hill Brewing Company. Fans 2 Winthrop baseball games tend to be lightly attended – fans appear to be mostly family members and friends of players with a light turnout of student supporters, along with a few Rock Hill residents who have a passion for baseball. Most games here draw between two to three hundred fans each. Throughout the game there does not seem to be an all-out enthusiasm, other than parents cheering on their child or getting on the umpire for his opinion of balls and strikes. Access 3 Winthrop Ballpark is just over three miles from Interstate-77, which runs locally between Columbia, South Carolina, and nearby Charlotte. Parking is plentiful and free at any of the lots in the area. Signs direct baseball fans to park at the lot adjacent to the basketball arena . Those not familiar with the area will want to look for the woodchip path that leads to the stadium, as there is not much to direct fans to the walkway, and the intuition for first-time visitors would be to walk down the long road to the stadium. Once inside the stadium, the visitors side of the entry plaza is closed off and the home side of the entry level is blocked by the Winthrop clubhouse, so fans must use one of two steep staircases to reach the field concourse. There are also ramps from the concourse to field level where some fans stand to watch the game, while children play in the grassy area and chase foul balls. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices are broken into two tiers, with $10 reserved seating and $5 general admission; Winthrop Ballpark is a small enough stadium that there is not enough of a difference between them to justify paying the extra amount, unless you just want to be close to the action. Given the size of the crowd, there does not seem to be much of a reason to have the two different price points (one price should be suitable). However, free parking and affordable concessions help balance the slightly elevated ticket price for the front rows of seating. Extras 3 The entry plaza has an apparel shop where fans can to pick up Winthrop hats, t-shirts, and other Eagles souvenirs. Chicago baseball fans will probably recognize the stadium announcer’s odes to Windy City baseball announcing icons – the 7th Inning Stretch’s “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is very reminiscent to that of Harry Caray’s. Also, home runs are celebrated with an impression of Hawk Harrelson’s, “Put it on the board...YES!”. Winthrop does an excellent job of reminding fans of the pride players have representing their university, as the team lines up along the first baseline to sing Winthrop’s alma mater following the game. Final Thoughts At the time Winthrop Ballpark was built, the Eagles were entering one of the program’s most successful stretches. Winthrop was one of the better teams in the Big South Conference, with typical crowds of five to six hundred and occasionally even eclipsing 1,000. A stadium the size of Winthrop Ballpark made sense, but several consecutive years of a sub-.500 winning percentage appears to have taken its toll on the game experience. The game itself is just fine for baseball junkies; Winthrop’s players play with a lot of grit and passion that adds to the enjoyment of the game. Overall though, the game does not have enough to capture the attention of the average fan and draw them out to the ballpark.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Haas Pavilion 14 Frank Schlessinger Way Berkeley, CA 94720 California Golden Bears website Haas Pavilion website Year Opened: 1933 Capacity: 11,858 Who’s Haas ? Bears Haas ! Opened in 1933, Haas Pavilion underwent extensive renovations before the 1999-2000 season, increasing capacity from just over 6,500 to just under 12,000. Thanks to this increase in seating, Haas Pavilion just may rank as the loudest venue in the Pac-12 when filled. Food & Beverage 3 Aside from your standard hot dogs, sausages, and burgers, specialty sandwiches such as the Mesquite Turkey with Bacon, Thai Chicken, and Tofu Wrap, as well as Caesar and Harvest Green Salads, are available at a reasonable $10. Standard snacks such as nachos, pretzels, chips, and popcorn are also available, with the souvenir popcorn costing the same as the sandwiches. Candy and Mrs. Field’s ice cream sandwiches are also available for $5. Atmosphere 4 The moment you step inside The Haas you get the sense that even with the enhancements made almost 20 years ago, you still get an old-school vibe here. There are no luxury boxes to be found and the seats rise immediately from the basketball floor, putting the fans right on top of the action. A good number of seats are bench seating, and when filled and at its loudest, the Bears Haas Pavilion can be a very daunting place for the visiting 5 to deal with. Adding to the atmosphere is the new floor and its design, featuring the famous Cal script at mid-court, replacing the growling bear. Along with the famous Cal script, the new floor design, not only clean and simple, is practically similar to the football field’s design at ​ Memorial Stadium ​, with the signature Sather Stripe being featured on the baselines. Neighborhood 4 Should you decide to arrive early, public transit is a great option. A great way to arrive is by way of the Bay Area Rapid Transit subway (BART). The BART has a station in Downtown Berkeley on Shattuck Avenue. Along Shattuck, you will find plenty of pre and post-game entertainment and dining options. If it’s your first time in Berkeley and you would like to soak in some of its histories, you will want to walk up Bancroft Way toward the historic Sather Gate. Once the formal south entrance to campus, the Sather Gate has been the site over the years of many free speeches, and a key location for countless political movements. Fans 3 For the past season or two, the Bears home squad has been a young team, so hard times on the court can be expected. Nonetheless, the home fans have turned out in respectable numbers. Though Haas Pavilion is not always filled, the fans who turn out do a great job rallying the home team throughout the game, creating a loud and exciting atmosphere. One can only imagine how loud Haas Pavilion can be when the home 5 is in contention for an NCAA tournament berth. Access 4 Like any college town, parking can be a hassle. Fortunately, there is a sufficient amount of public transit passing through campus, provided by Alameda County Transit. If you are traveling from San Francisco, Oakland, or points beyond, the Bay Area Rapid Transit rail system (BART) is also a great option. The Berkeley BART Station is a 10-15 minute walk from Haas Pavilion on Shattuck Avenue – if possible you will want to avoid any potential parking hassles and use the BART. Once you step outside the BART station, if time permits, you will want to stroll along Shattuck Avenue, as there are plenty of pre and post-game entertainment and dining options to be found there. Return on Investment 3 Currently, with a young and struggling team, tickets are not hard to access. Starting at $23 for general admission seats, prices do go up when certain opponents, particularly Stanford, Arizona , or UCLA are in town. However, once inside Haas Pavilion no matter where you are seated, you are always on top of and never too far from the action. Extras 3 As you wander through the stands, there’s a great chance that you may come across Oski, the proud mascot of the Golden Bears. Always keeping the same stoic expression, Oski is still happy to mingle among the fans nonetheless. Just don’t let Oski catch you wearing the dreaded “red,” the prime color of Cal’s longtime rival, Stanford. Wear red in Oski’s presence and you just may feel his wrath, along with the student’s wrath, who just may yell out “TAKE OFF THAT RED SHIRT!” In the lower and middle concourses, you will see tributes to past Cal Bear alumni – two of the more notable Bears honored are Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd. Also along the middle west concourse is a statue paying tribute to former head coach Pete Newell, in front of a mural of his 1959 National Title team. Known as “America’s Basketball Guru,” Pete Newell is also synonymous among NBA circles, having organized the “Big Man Camp,” attracting the likes of Shaq, Hakeem, and Bill Walton. As nice as the tributes are along the concourse, why not show some of that off high up on the rafters as well? For such a venerable venue, it’s surprising that there are no banners paying tribute to Cal basketball’s storied past, which could include the years in which they won conference championships. Final Thoughts Recent Golden Bears squads are young, and some growing pains are expected – that should not discourage you from paying a visit to the Bears Haas. Opened in 1933, thanks to the renovations made before the 1999-2000 season, Haas Pavilion continues to rank favorably among historic and venerable college venues. Also, thanks to the renovations, Haas will continue to ​Roll On​ for years to come, preserving a place in college basketball that retains its classic charm, while continuing to serve the needs of the present-day fan.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Nagoya Dome 1-1-1 Daikominami, Higashi-ku Nagoya, Aichi, 461-0047 Japan Chunichi Dragons website Nagoya Dome website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 40,500 Dragon Lair The Chunichi Dragons are a long-standing team in Japanese baseball, having begun play in 1936. They used to host games at Nagoya Stadium, an outdoor field first constructed in 1948 which burned to the ground in a tragic fire in 1951. That stadium was rebuilt in time for the 1952 season and the Dragons remained tenants until 1997, when Nagoya joined the dome boom that was sweeping Japan. The Dragons moved in and relegated their old grounds to their minor league team. Despite nearly 70 years of existence, the Dragons have only won two Japan Series, the most recent in 2007. Lately though, they have been the strongest team in the Central League, taking 5 of the last 8 pennants entering the 2012 season. Food & Beverage 4 There are a couple of restaurants outside one of the gates but I would avoid these and go inside where there is more to see and do. You will enter on the lower concourse and this is where the best options for eating and drinking can be found. Typical Japanese stadium fare is available at booths named after their location, such as Snack Home, which sells snacks behind home plate. Of course, this leads to the beverage booth near first base to be called Drink First, a message that might lead recovering alcoholics to fall off the wagon. Avoid these places as their offerings looked rather bland and try one of the specialty spots instead. Torishige, a yakitori stand, was the most enticing option with 5 skewers of chicken costing only 600 yen. I enjoyed the warabi-mochi, a jelly-like dessert that is made from starch and covered in sweet soybean flour and then topped off with brown-sugar syrup. It may not sound appealing, but it is good stuff and worth trying for just 300 yen. For those brave enough, there was a shrimp and avocado salad dog that simply looked disgusting in the picture. If you want more than just a stadium snack, the third floor has a large food court with 6 full-service restaurants, including a sushi place that was packed. Judging from the crowd, this would be worth trying but you probably have to arrive shortly after gates open (two hours before game time) to ensure a seat. Atmosphere 2 The dome is quite nice from the outside with its silver geodesic dome shining in the sunlight. Take note of the roof which has been double glazed to allow natural light through. Each section on the roof can be individually shaded which allows for intricate patterns to be displayed, although this doesn’t happen during the game. The dome is cavernous and it was fairly quiet on the night I went, with about 28,000 fans. Of course, each team has their cheering section and there’s a dance team that tries to entertain during breaks in the action, but I found that this is one of the less-inspiring venues in Japanese baseball. They don’t participate in the 7th-inning balloon release that is featured at nearly every other stadium. Instead, the Dragons’ mascot Doala (a dragon and koala mix I guess) tries to land a running backflip during the 7th-inning break. The team keeps his record of success and failure, so far he is just 2-6 on the young 2012 season. The good news is that there is relative quiet between innings and you are not inundated with announcements or advertisements all game long. Neighborhood 3 The dome is located in a suburb about 15 minutes by subway from downtown. There is nothing here other than a huge shopping mall next door and after the game you’ll want to head back to the center of the city. Close to the main station lies an Irish pub called The Cooper’s which is a welcoming spot underneath a business hotel (3-25-6 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya). They are most famous for their Crazy Guinness contest where you are challenged to drink 3 liters of the dark beer faster than anyone before. The current record is 2m48s; failure to beat that will cost you 5,000 yen. If you want to stay out late, Sakae is your best bet for an all-night party. One club that I found is known as Cream (Santo Bldg 3F 3-10-11 Sakae Naka-ku), an international hip-hop bar that is open until dawn and is hopping with locals and foreigners for most of the night. Fans 3 The Chunichi fans in my area were very supportive and cheered their team all night long. There was a good mix demographically with a number of elderly people along with families with young children. Everybody seemed to be really enjoying themselves and behaving well. The only annoyance was fans leaning forward in the first row of the upper deck and blocking the view of those behind them. Access 4 When the Nagoya Dome first opened in 1997, there was no convenient station close by. That changed in 2000 when the Nagoya Dome Mae Yada subway stop was added to the Meijo line. From here to the dome is a ten-minute walk, first along a long walkway with dozens of historical baseball pictures as well as photos of each player on the roster. Because this walkway is crowded before and after games it is tough to stop and look at everything on display but if you can get there a few hours before the game, it should be easier to enjoy. Once inside the stadium, you can freely move between the upper and lower levels with stairways and escalators easy to find. The concourses are relatively narrow and rather dated but it is still easy to get around. The main problem here is a cramped seating area, with limited leg room, making it difficult to navigate to the middle of the row if other fans are sitting. This might be a problem only in the upper deck as the lower bowl seats does seem to have more space. Return on Investment 3 There are five seating levels, each painted a different color. Sitting down low is more expensive with tickets ranging from 3,800 to 5,800 yen but the view is blocked by the screen all the way down the lines. I chose the cheaper upper deck seat (Panorama A) at 2,500 yen. Even this was not optimal as those in the first row lean over the ledge and block your view from time to time. I did notice that the seats in the lower bowl don’t face home plate forcing those fans to spend the game with their bodies turned sideways. The outfield seats are actually reserved unlike most other ballparks in Japan and cost 1,800 yen. The view is not bad as you are well above the field. There are some other special seating areas including the Prime Twin, a pair of seats meant for couples. Located in left and right field, these go for 8,700 yen for both tickets and include a bento box and a drink. Similarly, the Prime Box is a section in center field where four fans can sit together at a table for 15,600 yen with snacks and a drink included. Above the outfield seats is Arenaview, a restaurant that offers a panoramic view of the ballpark and costs 6,000 per person including dinner, with seats sold in pairs or sets of four. The overall experience here is fairly average but with prices slightly above average for the lower bowl infield seats, your best bet is to get the first row in the upper deck for a clear view of the action. Extras 3 The third floor houses the Dragons’ Museum, a large collection of memorabilia including the 1954 Japan Series championship plaque. All of the explanations are in Japanese only but it is worth visiting as it is free once you have purchased a game ticket. Some of the concession stands have MLB memorabilia above them, including a Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers jersey – whether or not it was authentic is unknown. Regardless, when walking around, keep your head up; there are a few surprises to be found. The roof design is pretty interesting as well and merits one point here. Final Thoughts Overall, this is a decent venue for a dome. I enjoyed the friendly staff and food selection. The seating issues made it difficult to relax though. I think only the first row in the upper deck offers a purely unobstructed view among the infield seats, and those tickets can be tough to get. With no unreserved seating area, you’ll be stuck with whatever ticket you buy, so be aware of that before going to the ticket window. Follow all of Sean’s journeys at Sports Road Trips .

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Fair Meadows 4145 East 21st St Tulsa, OK 74114 Fair Meadows website Route 66 Racing Fair Meadows offers live racing in Tulsa, Oklahoma for only two months of the year (June and July), so while a great venue, you don’t have much time to see it. Food & Beverage 3 Fair Meadows has some decent food options, enough to cover you for a few hours, but not as much as some other racetracks. There are a couple of stands outside that sell beer, bottled water, bottled soda, and snacks such as hot pretzels, peanuts, nachos, and cotton candy. The only substantial items (think burgers, pizza, etc.) must be purchased inside, which is fine, as the venue is not that big. Prices seem typical as sports venues go, with bottled water at $4 and pizza at $5.50, for example. The only branded stand is a Dippin’ Dots cart inside the clubhouse near the parade ring; the other stands are all generic. Atmosphere 3 There are several different seating areas around the facility – the parade ring where you can watch the horses walk around before the race is indoors, while most of the other seating is outdoors. Racing usually starts at 6 pm here, though, so you don’t have to worry too much about escaping the sun, as most of the outdoor seating will be under shadow by then. Some of the races here are very short, e.g. 300 yards, so those races will literally be over in a flash. Neighborhood 4 Probably the coolest attraction in Tulsa is Route 66 – a few miles from the track, but well worth driving down; you can even stop at an actual Phillips 66 gas station ON Route 66! While there aren’t really any hotels or restaurants within walking distance of Fair Meadows, there are plenty within a short drive, closer to the river and to downtown. Downtown Tulsa really impressed me with how clean and well kept up it is, with none of the worn-down areas (at least that I could find) that you will find at many big cities in America. Bok Center is also located downtown, home of both minor league hockey’s Tulsa Oilers and indoor football’s Tulsa Oilers – this is not a typo, they both have the same name. Note that the hockey season doesn’t overlap the horse racing season, but the indoor football season does. Fans 3 The venue gets fuller as the evening wears on, as people get off work and make their way over, so by the 3rd or 4th race you will see a lot more folks. Watching a horse race is not like most sporting events, though, where people cheer throughout the event – you will hear a few scattered cheers for certain horses near the end of each race, but mostly people are here for the atmosphere…and the betting. Access 4 There are practically no issues in term of access at Fair Meadows – you can park for free right next to the track, and getting in and out is a breeze. There are also plenty of different seating areas to choose from, so you can sit (or stand) as close to or as far from the action as you want. You can’t really watch the racing from the indoor seating, as that is just a few tables for people to eat at, or sit and peruse their programs, so it isn’t really designed for outdoor viewing. But there is plenty of covered seating outdoors, and moving around the concourse is not a challenge. There are betting windows on both ends of the concourse, and multiple food and beverage vendors, so lines will never be too long. Return on Investment 5 It costs almost nothing to go to the races at Fair Meadows – parking is free and there is no cost to get in, so the only thing you might have to pay for is a program (if you want to bet), and food/drinks if you want them. Otherwise it is free, so from a return on investment standpoint this is a stellar way to spend an evening. Extras 2 There aren’t really any extras to speak of; the indoor parade ring is a nice feature, and Fair Meadows is a clean, well-kept venue. But nothing else stands out – people are here for the ponies, and that’s it. Final Thoughts I would absolutely recommend a visit to Fair Meadows – this is a nice little venue where you can see the horses and racing up close, without having to fight the crowds. The only thing to remember is that many of the races are very short here, which closes the door on some of those thrilling come-from-behind victories certain fans may crave.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Southern Miss Softball Complex 500 N 25th Ave Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles website Southern Miss Softball Complex website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 1,000 Welcome to the Lady Eagle's Roost The Southern Miss Softball program is one of 15 sports, and one of 8 women's sports, sponsored by the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. For the 2023 Softball season the Golden Eagles join the Sun Belt Conference, after competing since 1999 in Conference USA. The first season of softball at Southern Miss began in 1982 when the Golden Eagles began play in the Metro Conference – due to financial issues the softball program went on hiatus after the 1992 season. When softball was reinstated in 1999, Southern Miss did the unthinkable by advancing to the College World Series back-to-back in 1999 and 2000. The Golden Eagles were led by the arm of perhaps the greatest softball player to ever come through the program in Courtney Blades. If advancing to the Womens' College World Series in their first year back wasn't enough, the Golden Eagles also didn't have a place to call home until the opening of the Softball Complex in 2002. The softball team had a lot of different homes prior to the opening of the Softball Complex – they used the now intramural fields located on campus until 1992, and in 1999 they played at local city parks. In 2000 and 2001 they played at a local sports complex in Oak Grove called Optimist Park, about 15 minutes away, and since those early years the Golden Eagles haven't had much success on the diamond, winning only two C-USA Tournaments in 2000 and 2001, and winning the C-USA Regular Season in 2000 and 2004. The Lady Eagles have only been to four Regionals, with the most recent one coming in 2004. Food & Beverage 2 The Southern Miss Complex has one concession stand at the main entrance to the facility; Eagle Bites is the name of the stand and it just sells the basics, such as hot Dogs, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and assorted candies round out the menu, with prices ranging between $2 and $4. Coke is the official soft drink provider of Southern Miss Athletics with a souvenir cup costing $5, or you can get a 22 oz. soda for $4, or Smartwater for $3. There is also a nice a little area at the front entrance where you could eat your meal at one of two picnic tables. Atmosphere 3 The Softball Complex sits about a block off campus to the northeast, tucked away along the Long Leaf Trace. The Trace follows the route of a former railroad and is a beautiful, paved trail that runs right through town and continues west for 44 miles. The Trace runs directly through the parking lot at the Softball Complex and continues down the first base line. It is quite scenic on this stretch of the Trace, as on any given spring day you can find many people riding bikes, jogging, or walking dogs along the wooded path. The main entrance is behind home plate, and you enter into the concessions area. Once inside, the grounds around the complex are kept up and well-manicured. In addition to the small picnic area near the concessions area, there is also a paved pathway under the grandstand on the first base line with rose bushes and ferns lining the path, where you walk up to your seats. Under the third base grandstand is a metal ramp to get to your seating. The Softball Complex has a dark grey brick exterior with seating for about 1,000 people. Directly behind home plate are about 250 chairback seats, with the rest being metal bleacher seating. The dimensions of the Field are 200-220-200; Southern Miss uses the third base dugouts while the visiting team uses the first base dugouts. A small digital scoreboard sits in left field, while the view beyond the outfield is nothing but trees, except the small party deck in left field under the scoreboard – this is the Diamond Club seating, which is a booster club for the softball program. On any given you day you can find about 15-20 fans out there, with a few of them grilling out. If you look the opposite direction towards campus, the view may look a little better as you have a nice aerial view of campus and M. M. Roberts Stadium in the distance. There is a table at the front entrance where they give out magnetic softball schedules and posters, and they also have a media guide typed up for that night's matchup. Neighborhood 3 Hattiesburg (aka The Burg) is a decent-sized city of about 50,000 people, so it has everything you could want in a city and still retains that college town feel. The Burg has a wide selection of bars and restaurants, but unlike most college towns they are not located near each other -- instead they are spread out throughout the city. Within walking distance of campus you'll find places like Patio 44, Brewsky's, and 4th Street Bar – if you’re looking for vintage Southern Miss memorabilia than 4th Street Bar is your place, and is located right on the Long Leaf Trace in front of the Softball Complex. Another popular spot on the Trace about a quarter of a mile away from the Softball Complex is Colludium Brewing Company, Hattiesburg's newest brewery; they have a nice outdoor patio overlooking the Trace which makes for a great spot to have a beer before a softball game. Closer to downtown you'll find popular spots like Keg & Barrel, The Porter, Hattiesburger, Fairley Wings, and Nostalgia. As a southern city, Hattiesburg has its fair share of restaurants centered on the local fare; popular spots include Crescent City Grill, Brass Hat, Midtown, Chesterfields, Ed's Burger Joint, Stricks, and Murky Waters BBQ. There is also plenty to do for all ages – for families there's the Hattiesburg Zoo and Serenghetti Springs Water Park, while downtown has the popular Pocket Museum, Mississippi's tiniest museum. Located in an alleyway downtown, the popular museum has a different theme each month – we can't tell you where the alley is because that's part of the charm of the Pocket Museum, i.e. being able to find it. For shopping there are plenty of chain stores and Turtle Creek Mall. Another popular spot is the Lucky Rabbit; located downtown, it's a two-story vintage thrift store with tons of antiques and local Southern Miss memorabilia. If you are into the outdoors, in addition to the Long Leaf Trace there is also Paul B. Johnson State Park, just south of Hattiesburg, which is an excellent spot for camping, while another popular pastime is rafting down the Okatoma River that runs right through Hattiesburg, all the way to the Coast. Fans 2 Southern Miss averages about 700 fans for softball matchups, which is about average for the Sun Belt Conference. The Complex only holds about 1,000 fans, so it rarely sells out, and you should always be able to find a seat somewhere. The only time the Softball Complex will sell out is when SEC teams come to play here, especially when Ole Miss or Mississippi State visit. The attendance record was set in 2022 when 1,570 people were in attendance for an Alabama matchup. Softball games do attract a lot of visiting fans, especially for some of those early season non-conference matchups with some of the schools from up north. I attended a game where they played Yale, and there were more Yale fans who had traveled with the team than there were Southern Miss fans. I also attended a conference matchup with Louisiana, and there were more Ragin’ Cajun fans who made that trip as well. Access 3 Getting to Hattiesburg shouldn't be a problem, as it is one of the more accessible cities in the state, located about an hour and a half from the Coast, New Orleans, Jackson, or Mobile. If coming from out of town the main road into The Burg is I-59; once in town the main two roads in Hattiesburg are Highway 49 and Hardy Street, with Southern Miss’ campus sitting right on the corner of the two. Depending on the time of day Hattiesburg is notorious for traffic, especially on Hardy Street, so plan accordingly, as many of the weekday softball games start in the mid-afternoon. The Softball Complex sits tucked away on the back side of campus to the east of Highway 49. The best way to get to the Complex is to take the 4th Street exit off Highway 49, and the Complex sits right behind 4th Street Bar. There is plenty of parking on site, and once inside the stadium you should have no problem moving around. My favorite way to get to the Softball Complex is to park on campus and bike down the Long Leaf Trace to the game. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $8 for a General Admission ticket, which is about average for this level of college softball. You are free to sit anywhere you want in the stands, which is always a plus. The stadium is the perfect size to see everything, and if you want to sit in one of the 250 chairback seats you are free to do so. I considered this a good return on investment – there is a chance you could be watching a potential Women's College World Series team as well. The Golden Eagles are off to a hot start in 2023, and who knows? This might be the year the Golden Eagles make it to Oklahoma City for the third time. Extras 4 One mention for Southern Miss advancing to the Women's College World Series in back-to-back years in 1999 and 2000. The closest the school has ever gotten to a National Title in any sport was in the 2000 Women's College World Series, when the Lady Eagles made it to the WCWS semi-finals, but lost to UCLA 6-0. The Lady Eagles are also one of three teams in the Sun Belt Conference who have advanced to the Women's College World Series (James Madison and Louisiana are the other two schools) – James Madison went once in 2021, and UL has been six times between 1993 and 2014. The Southern Miss Softball Complex has also hosted the C-USA Softball Tournament once in 2017, which was won by Louisiana Tech. Southern Miss also hosted the C-USA Softball Tournament in 2000, but it was played at Oak Grove Optimist Park. The 2000 Tournament had two teams make it to the WCWS that year, the other being DePaul, who also went in 1999. I recently made the trip out to Optimist Park and found the field that hosted the Softball games that season; I have included a picture of it here: And of course, a mention for the Long Leaf Trace providing the scenic backdrop of all the Southern Miss athletic venues. I always enjoy it when the Southern Miss baseball and softball teams are both playing home games on the same day; it is possible to hop on a bike at the Softball Complex and ride all the way to the baseball stadium , Pete Taylor Park , along the Trace.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.86 Bainton Field 25 Hospital Rd Piscataway, NJ 08854 Rutgers Scarlet Knights website Bainton Field website Year Opened: 1980s Capacity: 1,500 Afternoon Baseball in Jersey Rutgers installed a new FieldTurf baseball surface in 2007, thanks to a generous donation from Ron and Pat Bainton. The venue, formerly known as the Frederick E. Gruninger Class of 1953 Baseball Complex, was renamed in the Bainton’s honor after the upgrade, and the Scarlet Knights’ baseball team has enjoyed a 60%+ win rate since that time. The all-weather FieldTurf is used at professional and college football, baseball, and soccer stadiums all over the country, and allows fields to be usable (and makes them much safer) even in the worst of weather conditions. Note that only the playing surface itself is new – the rest of the complex was built much longer ago, back in the mid-eighties, and you can tell this from the heavy wear on the sign out front. I wish I could be more precise as to the timing, but the vaunted Internet failed me for the first time ever while I was writing this review – after over an hour of searching I was unable to pinpoint the exact year. I do know it was built around the time that Fred Hill starting coaching baseball at Rutgers, and I also know that Fred Gruninger served as athletics director at Rutgers for 25 years (1973-1998), was inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2006, currently lives in North Carolina, and has a sweet pension (over six figures). Food & Beverage 1 With a stated capacity for baseball of 1500, the food & beverage options are very disappointing, especially when you consider that the snack cart is shared by both the baseball and softball facilities. Only 8 options are offered – hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, candy, and chips, plus soda, bottled water, and Gatorade. Everything is $3 except for chips and water, which are $2. Thankfully admission is free, however, and there are other restaurants nearby, so you can walk over and get back in without any problem (see the Neighborhood section for more details). Atmosphere 1 Some have compared Bainton to a high school venue, due to the quasi-temporary banks of metal bleachers dotted around the field, although most of them do have chair back rails, which is a plus. There are 5 sets, including one behind the outfield, 3 between the dugouts, and another near 3rd base, which is painted a different color than the others so was probably added later. The bleachers are raised, but you can walk right up to the infield fence if you want to get closer to the action. Bainton Field does have a couple of unique features, although none of them are good – first off, they don’t have any lights, so they can’t play night games here (hence the title of this review). In fact, a game was called recently due to darkness, and thus ended in a tie, which is very unsatisfying (personally I don’t think ties should be allowed in any sport, especially in the NFL where a tie can sometimes let a team squeak into the playoffs against a more deserving team). Another unique negative at Bainton is that the press box is open-air, and at field-level, which doesn’t allow very good views of the action, and is probably annoying for the announcers because fans are walking around right behind them to get to and from the seats – this is the only stadium I have seen where the fans actually sit higher than the announcers. Lastly, the bathrooms and snack cart are not technically part of the complex – it isn’t like they are that far away from the stands, but you do have to go for a short walk to get to them. Check out the video to see these unique features for yourself: Neighborhood 3 The main campus for Rutgers University is located in New Brunswick, NJ, and is actually divided into 5 sections. Bainton Field is part of what they call the Livingston Campus, which is located across the river from New Brunswick in Piscataway Township (which is a lot of fun to say). If you are looking to stay the weekend, there is not a ton to do in Piscataway, although New York and Baltimore are only an hour or two away depending on traffic, so there is that. As I mentioned earlier there are a few restaurants near the field – on the other side of Hospital Road, behind the parking lot, there are some apartment building style dorms with a retail plaza on the ground level, which includes a movie theater, a Starbucks, a Qdoba, an asian restaurant, a frozen yogurt place, a convenience store, and a retro-style diner named Henry’s that offers a slew of fun milkshake flavors. Henry’s has a great atmosphere and offers both breakfast and lunch/dinner options all day long – I recommend the Eggs Benedict but not the Monte Cristo because it doesn’t come with jam, which quite frankly ruins the experience. All of these restaurants are on campus so they don’t serve alcohol, nor do they have TVs. That said, if you are looking for a cool hangout that offers both, there are a couple of good options about 3 miles from the field – Brick House Tavern+Tap is on the same side of the river in South Plainfield, while Olde Queens Tavern and Tumulty’s (pub) are over in New Brunswick. Brick House and Tumulty’s are both a little on the pricey side; Brick House offers mainly pizza, burgers, and meatballs, while Tumulty’s has a much fuller menu including sandwiches, seafood, and beef/chicken entrees – both have a wide selection of drinks. Olde Queens is a little odd in that their food offerings consist mostly of sliders provided by a food truck that is popular locally, but they do have nightly drink specials. Fans 2 Probably in part because they can’t play night games, attendance at Bainton is pretty sparse – they might only get 100 fans (or less) at a typical game, so the stands look pretty empty. However, those who are there seem pretty knowledgeable and are very intent on the game; in fact, some will even make a fuss if you block their view of a pitch! About half of those in attendance wear Rutgers gear, while many of the others (but not all) are dressed in the visitors’ colors. Access 3 Piscataway is easy to get to since it is right off the freeway; the baseball field on the other hand is a little tricky to find since it doesn’t have a real address, so your GPS can only get you very close. Parking is free and easy to find, if a bit haphazard; some fans just park on the grass right next to the bleachers behind the outfield, and there is a small parking area (I wouldn’t call it a “lot”) next to the field which can accommodate most of the tiny crowd. There is also a large lot just across the street which offers covered parking, which is a better idea in warmer weather. The bathrooms are very tiny; there are only 2 urinals and one stall in the men’s bathroom, which is more than adequate for the typical crowd, but could be problematic for bigger games. Also, as I mentioned earlier the bathrooms are not part of the stadium per se, so you do have to walk a little to get to them. Return on Investment 2 They don’t even bother to sell tickets, so admission is free, as is parking. Concession prices are also low, but the few options offered are not very interesting, so that isn’t much of a plus. Attending a game here is probably worth it if you are just looking for an activity to do with your kids or something, or if your team is playing here, but not much fun otherwise. Extras 1 One point for Piscataway – hands down the most fun city name in the US. Except for maybe Joe, Montana (which is a real place, by the way). Final Thoughts They have a new field, and lots of money coming in for other improvements such as the Fred Hill Baseball & Softball training complex, so there are good things coming for Rutgers baseball. The venue may be worth another look in a couple years.

Photo courtesy of Tulane Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium 6400 S. Claiborne Ave New Orleans, LA 70125 Tulane Green Wave website Greer Field at Turchin Stadium website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 5,000 A “HULLABALOO” of a Ballpark Originally opened in 1991, Greer Field at Turchin Stadium serves as home field to the Tulane Green Wave baseball program. The ballpark received a massive facelift in 2008 at a cost of about $10.5 million which increased the total capacity to 5,000 with an impressive 2,700+ chair back seats. The ballpark is also equipped with private suites in the upper tier along the first baseline. In a growing trend, Greer Field at Turchin Stadium sports a Field Turf synthetic surface throughout the entire playing field. As a member of NCAA Division I college baseball, the Green Wave recently moved from Conference USA affiliation to the new American Conference. In addition to grabbing a chair back seat in a beautiful college baseball stadium, a game at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium also brings memorable time spent in the New Orleans area. On the beautiful campus of Tulane University in the comfortable confines of the Uptown area, Audubon Park, the Audubon Zoo, the Garden District, and the St. Charles streetcar line are closely located around the university area. Food & Beverage 4 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium offers a good variety of quality options at concession venues inside the ballpark. At the primary concession booth under the main seating area, you’ll find hot dogs ($5), nachos ($5),and foot long corn dogs ($6) as primary entree items. Snack options include assorted candy ($3), Zapp’s potato chips ($3), peanuts ($3), popcorn (small $3, regular $5), pretzels ($5), and sunflower seeds ($4), among other items. Down the first baseline concourse you’ll find the Taste of New Orleans tent. Here you’ll find a few more unique ballpark items and also some local flavors including a cheeseburgers hamburgers ($7), grilled chicken breast sandwich ($6), alligator sausage poboy ($7), and Cajun jambalaya ($7). Your soda options include Coca-Cola products ($4-$5.50), bottled Dasani water ($3-$5), and Monster drinks ($5). The Taste of New Orleans stand offers bottled sodas for $4. The concession stands as well as various beverage stands offer alcoholic beverages including domestic and local craft beers like the popular Abita Strawberry. Beer is available for $6 for domestic brews and increases for craft. While there are a few tasty items to choose from, out-of-towners can get a unique and delicious taste of local cuisine with the alligator sausage poboy. Atmosphere 4 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium is one of the premier college baseball facilities in America and this no doubt makes catching a Tulane Green Wave baseball game something special. The comfort provided by over 2,700 chair back seats with cup holders is pretty unique. The ballpark is simply a great place to watch Division I baseball. Due to receiving a recent facelift in 2008, the stadium is very modern, clean, and visually pleasing. Entering through the main gate, fans will certainly be pleased with the stadium exterior and Goldring Plaza. Three large decorative panels sit above the entrance, two of which show Tulane baseball players in action and the center panel features the Tulane logo. The entrance floor of the Plaza contains bricks with the names of Green Wave supporters who helped make the facelift financially possible. Tulane does a great job creating a team spirit environment in the concourse area immediately inside the main gate with pictures of Tulane baseball game action featured on the wall. As you make your way into the stadium seating area, you’ll enter a walkway which separates two levels of chair backs in the main seating area. A brick wall lines this walkway and matches the brick wall which lines the playing field from first base to behind home plate and around to third base. Looking back at the multi-tiered pressbox, you’ll find five panels which list Green Wave accomplishments including two College World Series appearances, three Super Regionals, 19 Regional appearances, six conference championships, and eight conference tournament championships. Just to the right of these panels are three circle shaped tributes to the retired numbers of Cary Livingston (12), Milt Retif (27), and Joe Brockhoff (25). To the left of the panels and down the first baseline rests a strip of suites and box seating on top of the seating areas. Beyond the chair back seating down both the right and left field lines are an additional set of bleacher style seating areas. An impressive 35′ x 19′ video scoreboard sits above the left field wall. Viewing from the left field seating is a sight of the New Orleans skyline beyond the first baseline. Just about anywhere you sit in the stadium offers a great view. The bleacher seats are a great deal, but it’s also hard to beat the chair backs along the foul lines. Neighborhood 5 Regardless of what happens at the ballpark, you’re in New Orleans and that’s a plus. There’s no doubt that great times and food are just a few miles east in the French Quarter. However, the Uptown area is an experience in itself. Just across from Greer Field at Turchin Stadium are two good restaurant options. Frostop might not look like much from the outside, but the burgers and fries are great, and don’t even get me started on the amazing Frostop Root Beer served in mugs. Naked Pizza is next door and dishes up pizza made with all natural, whole food ingredients. Also near the campus is Dat Dog. This is the perfect place to grab a variety of gourmet hot dogs before or after the ball game. Just next to the Tulane campus is spacious Audubon Park. Within the park is also the family favorite Audubon Zoo. Whether it’s relaxing in the park or taking a stroll through the zoo, you’re likely to enjoy the visit. Nearby is City Park and the family friendly options of Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. The younger kids will enjoy Storyland and all kids will have a great time in Carousel Gardens. Be sure to catch a ride on the train which brings you throughout the park. If you’re into the college bar scene, check out the campus favorite “The Boot Bar & Grill” on Broadway. Just down St. Charles is the Best Western – St. Charles Inn. Located in the Garden District, this hotel offers easy access to the St. Charles streetcar line which can bring you into the Central Business District near the French Quarter or drop you off between Tulane and Audubon Park. Fans 4 Tulane Green Wave baseball fans are very loyal, knowledgeable and engaged. Since 1991, Tulane fans have consistently packed Greer Field at Turchin Stadium with an average attendance near or inside the top 25 in the nation. However, the Green Wave baseball team has been in a bit of slump since their last regional in 2008. This has certainly affected the size of the crowds. When the in-state rival LSU Tigers come to visit, expect the place to be completely sold out. For select games, you’ll notice the Tulane cheerleaders on-hand to lead the fight song after the third inning. One of the truly unique fan traditions in college athletics is the chanting of the Hullabaloo after Green Wave runs scored. Here are the words to the unique song: (A one, a two, a hellava HULLABALOO) HULLABALOO, ‘Ray, ‘Ray HULLABALOO, ‘Ray, ‘Ray Hooray-Hooray Vars-uh, vars-uh Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Vars-uh, vars-uh Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Tee-ay! Tulane!! Access 2 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium isn’t the easiest to reach. While located outside of the CBD where much of the major headaches are in New Orleans, many of the streets around the Uptown area are under construction. The parking situation around the stadium isn’t the best either. If you’re flying in, you’ll do so through the Louis Armstrong International Airport. From there, it’s a quick drive down I-10 to South Carrollton and then South Claiborne. Parking can be a bit of a headache as the lot just next to the stadium is now blocked off to season passes and staff. You’ll need to look for street parking in the immediate area along South Claiborne or at the Diboll Parking Garage located on Ben Weiner Drive. As you head towards the stadium, you’ll enter into Goldring Plaza. The ticket window is on the outside of the athletics building right next to the entrance and inside the plaza. The line moves pretty quickly but prepared for a potential wait for capacity attendance games. You’ll swiftly move through the ticket gate and into the main concourse. Aisles and walkways are spacious enough to get around without any trouble. Restroom facilities are clean and accessible. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for Tulane baseball are an absolute steal for midweek games with general admissions as low as $5. For weekend series matchups, chair backs are $15 and bleacher seating runs at $10. There are discounts for seniors and children. Considering that there’s only bleacher seating at the outer edges down the outfield lines, $15 is the price for the good seating areas. Tickets are available on the Tulane website and the Tulane Ticket Exchange where fans can buy and sell tickets to Tulane athletics events. That’s a little high, but worth it for the overall experience. Overall, there’s a pretty high ROI for Tulane baseball at Turchin Stadium. Extras 4 Greer Field at Turchin Stadium offers a few ‘extras’ which enhance the overall atmosphere inside the ballpark. The chair back seating really is impressive. 2,700+ seats with cup holders makes for a very comfortable spectator experience. The large outfield video board significantly adds to the overall experience (though there seemed to be a few technical difficulties with the board during the 2015 season). The Goldring Plaza and Turchin Stadium exterior really are a pretty neat sight. Tulane does a great job of memorializing big moments of the past by pasting poster sized pictures throughout the concourse.

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

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 McMahon Stadium 1817 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary, AB T2M 4R6 Canada Calgary Stampeders website McMahon Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 35,650 Much More Than Meets the Eye Calgary, the most populous city in the Canadian province of Alberta, has long been known as “Cowtown.” This nickname is a nod to Calgary’s agricultural importance to Canada and the city’s role as host of one of the world’s largest rodeos, the Calgary Stampede. However, the moniker overlooks many of the city’s significant assets: culture, history, and beauty. Calgary sits at the confluence of the Bow and the Elbow Rivers, with several national parks, such as Banff and Jasper, in the Canadian Rockies within an easy drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway. Calgary is also a football town. The Calgary Stampeders, known to fans as the “Stamps,” boast a rich history in the Canadian Football League and are the CFL’s third-oldest team, having begun play in 1945. The Stamps have brought home eight Grey Cup CFL titles and have appeared in 17 Grey Cup championship games. The team’s home since 1960 is McMahon Stadium on the campus of the University of Calgary, where opening and closing ceremonies were held during the 1988 Winter Olympics. McMahon Stadium is both the CFL’s third-oldest and the third-largest stadium, making it a great place to appreciate the Stampeders’ history while enjoying modern updates. Canadian football may seem like a curiosity to those accustomed to American football but it’s more than that. The CFL field is larger than its American counterpart, measuring 110 yards long by 65 yards wide, with 20-yard goal areas (end zones), with the goalposts positioned almost on the goal line. Twelve players take the field in the CFL – one more than in American football – and CFL rules permit only three downs per offensive possession, meaning that teams rely more on passing than rushing. In the CFL, receivers and backs can be moving forward when the ball is snapped. There are other rules that affect play but the upshot is that CFL is an entertaining brand of football supported by passionate fans. Food & Beverage 3 The variety of food and beverage options at McMahon meets expectations. Fans can easily find hot dogs (C$5.75), pizza slices (C$6.25), cheeseburgers (C$8.50), nachos (C$9.50), fries (C$4.50), and chicken tenders with fries (C$8.75). The Baron Haus, under sections J and K on the stadium’s west side, is a carnivore’s paradise. A hand-carved “baron” of beef (i.e., a sandwich) sells for C$11.50 and a pulled pork parfait – yes, this is a real thing – is available here for $C12. Despite its name, the “parfait” consists of smoked pork, redskin mashed potatoes, corn, and house-made BBQ sauce. The Baron Haus also has a baked potato (the “Spud-inator”) with a variety of toppings for C$7.50. An adobo chicken burrito and a Taco in a Bag sell for $C10 and $C8.75, respectively, at the End Zone stand, under the west grandstand. Thirsty fans will also find the basics. Molson and Coors sell for $C8.75 for a 12-ounce can. Strongbow Cider, Snapple Spiked Vodka, and Vizzy and Truly hard seltzers all sell for $C10.75 per 16-ounce can. Pepsi products sell for $C5.25 per 16-ounce plastic bottle. Importantly during late-season games, coffee and hot chocolate sell for C$2.75. Well-staffed concession stands abound under McMahon’s grandstands so any lines that form move very quickly. Atmosphere 4 The Stamps have created an enjoyable experience at McMahon Stadium, with entertainment beyond the on-field play. The Stamps also celebrate touchdowns with a ride from “Quick Six,” a white horse ridden by Chelsea Drake. This is a nice touch that honors Calgary’s renowned rodeo tradition and helps fans celebrate the Stamps’ success. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic required teams to minimize person-to-person contact so a local automobile dealer provided a remote controlled truck to deliver the game ball to officials at the start of each game. The team retired the truck at the end of the 2021 regular season, with a tongue-in-cheek farewell video set to Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You.” Another favorite in-game promotion is the World’s Fastest Cow race. The Stamps have retained the services of a sprinter, dressed as a cow, who takes on a local celebrity or former player during an early time-out. The cow’s opponent receives a 10-yard head start as the two race toward the end zone at the far end of the field. COVID-19 sidelined (pun intended) the World’s Fastest Cow during the 2020 season, but he made a triumphant, bovine return in 2021. The stadium has a first-class sound system and a visually appealing scoreboard beyond the south end zone that tracks game statistics in real time. Neighbourhood 4 McMahon Stadium sits adjacent to the University of Calgary’s campus, a short drive from downtown Calgary. The neighbourhood around the stadium has plenty of options for pre- and post-game entertainment but with downtown just a 15-minute drive or light rail trip away, the entire city provides a legion of places to eat, drink, and celebrate the Stamps. The stadium’s immediate vicinity does not offer much in the way of nightlife but there are a couple of restaurants and a few hotels. Across Crowchild Trail NW on McMahon’s east side, Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse offers burgers and barbecue within direct view of the stadium, adjacent to the pedestrian bridge connecting the light rail station with the stadium. Just north on Crowchild Trail NW, Nick’s serves steaks, pizza, and a sports bar. Several hotels (Aloft, Hampton Inn, Ramada Limited, and Comfort Suites) also sit just east of McMahon, along Banff Trail NW. The CTrain, Calgary’s light rail system, connects McMahon Stadium with neighborhoods throughout the city. Many fans take the CTrain to the Banff Trail station, located just east of McMahon, to Stamps’ home games. A pedestrian bridge connects the station and the stadium without having to navigate traffic on Crowchild Trail NE. Calgary has several neighborhoods worth exploring. The 17th Avenue Retail & Entertainment District has restaurants of all types. The Big Cheese Poutinerie serves poutine, which some consider being Canada’s national dish and is most certainly a delicious type of Quebecois comfort food: French fries, smothered in brown gravy and cheese curds. Alternatively, Alumni Sandwiches has a hot chicken sandwich that rivals Nashville’s. Fans 3 The Stamps have a loyal and vocal following, with the team’s 2021 average home, regular-season attendance (23,354) outpacing the league average (19,058) by almost 4,300 fans. Although McMahon Stadium does not routinely sell out, the fans who do attend are loud and engaged. Even to a CFL neophyte and even if the Stamps are playing a team such as Winnipeg, for instance, fans loudly deride their team’s provincial rivals, the Edmonton Elks, and their Prairie Province rival, the Saskatchewan Roughriders throughout games at McMahon. Access 4 McMahon Stadium is a very easy place to experience a game. The Stamps do not have much parking available next to the stadium but the surrounding area handles the volume of traffic for a home game very well, with relatively inexpensive parking within a short walk. The University of Calgary also has parking available for those willing to make a longer walk. But Calgary’s mass transit system (especially the CTrain) is an easy, quick option for getting to a game. Once inside, grandstands are positioned on the stadium’s east and west sides. Fans can easily walk from one side to the other after entering; there’s plenty of room on the concourses underneath each grandstand for fans to move without encountering a lot of foot traffic. The stadium has more than enough concession stands and restrooms, which beyond their intended uses provide McMahon’s only heated sanctuaries during a cold game. The stadium’s corners do have metal bleachers, but the large majority of seats are plastic chairbacks. One important note: a steep climb awaits those sitting in higher rows (i.e., beginning at approximately row 44). That ascent provides great views of the field and the city beyond the stadium, especially sitting atop the west grandstand. But the slope will challenge even the most physically fit of Stamps fans (and the least physically fit of stadium reviewers). Return on Investment 4 A Stamps game at McMahon Stadium is a good value. Reserved seats start at C$37 apiece for regular-season home games and start at C$47 each for games against rivals Edmonton and Saskatchewan. Concession stand prices are fairly standard for a sporting event, while parking and mass transit mean that fans do not have to empty their kids’ college funds to attend. Extras 3 “Pick Six” earns McMahon Stadium an extra point, not only because it provides a great touchdown celebration but also because it’s a family affair. Although Chelsea Drake has assumed the reins as Pick Six’s primary rider, her mom, Karyn, served that role from 2003 to 2016 and is still a backup rider. McMahon receives a second point for its Olympic history. The stadium still has the cauldron from the 1988 winter games in the northeast corner. A final point goes to the effort that the Stamps’ front office has made to create an enjoyable experience at McMahon. The in-game promotions are clever and original. Final Thoughts McMahon Stadium fits seamlessly into the fabric of Calgary, with downtown and the university short distances away. The on-field play is enjoyable to watch and the fans deliver enthusiastic responses at all the right moments. For someone wanting to experience CFL play in person for the first time, a Stamps game is a great way to do it. And Calgary itself is a city that does not get nearly enough credit for its beauty and history. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Switz City Gym 5644 Indiana 54 Switz City, IN 47465 White River Valley Wolverines website Switz City website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 3,500 Switz City: Small Town, Big Gym On December 10, 1955, the Switz City Gym was dedicated to the hometown Tigers defeating the Linton Miners 54-43. The $185 million basketball venue was spacious and swanky by the local media and its capacity received the most acclaim. At the time, the population of the town was 328, but its gym had a seating capacity of 3,500. The “sunken gym” design was constructed with the plans conceived by Evansville architect Ralph Legeman. The concept of a new gym had begun two years earlier with a much larger 5,335 capacity. The project was financed by the sale of long-term bonds by a holding company formed in the community. The venue was constructed in a large excavation with the basketball court situated 15 feet below the ground level. This provided for a 16-foot running track to serve as the main concourse for home dates that also could house additional bleachers that would boost its capacity to 5,200. The gym’s size would be ideal for the Green County sectionals and the Green County Invitational tournament that are housed annually in the building. Switz City would become Central High School in 1958 after it consolidated with Newberry High School and would become the smallest school in the state to win a sectional championship in 1973 with an enrollment of 150 students, where most in the tournament averaged between 500 to 1,000. The school’s enrollment would be 90 by the time it consolidated once again with nearby Worthington and Lyons & Marco for the 1990-91 season to form White River Valley High School. That same season the gym received a fresh new coat of interior paint of navy blue, silver, and white to match the new colors and a new nickname of Wolverines, which was unique to any school in the state at the time. The new school would find instant success capturing sectional titles in its first three seasons and regional championships in 1992 and 1993. Food & Beverage 5 A large concession stand is located in the main lobby of the building which houses an array of items that should fill most people up during the game. Despite the pandemic, when most gyms in the state are offering pre-packaged snacks and bottled soda, there is a full menu option at the Switz City Gym. There are also two smaller concession stands inside the seating bowl, but were closed during our visit. The main concession stands sell hot dogs, cheese dogs, chili dogs, and chili cheese dogs between the prices of $2 to $3.50. There are also hamburgers, cheeseburgers, barbecue pork sandwiches, and sloppy joes. Fans can also enjoy nachos, chili cheese nachos, and tacos in a bag or served traditionally on a plate--complete with jalapeños. For a sweet treat, there are more than enough candy bars to choose from along with pretzels dipped in cinnamon and sugar. You can wash it all down with bottled Coca-Cola products, and that would go well with freshly popped popcorn that hits the senses the minute you walk through the front door. Atmosphere 3 The gym’s interior design is somewhat vapid, but what makes it appealing is the sunken gym design that allows excellent views from all vantage points in the building. Fans can enjoy unobstructed views from their seats along with standing on the main concourse. However, our visit was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and attendance was capped, providing less than the normal crowd in the gym. The ceiling is somewhat lower to the court than other similarly designed gyms. The interior colors also stand out to the visitor. The colors navy blue and silver are everywhere from the seating bowl, baseline, walls, and ceiling. The court itself also offers a simple design with the school's name in bold print at the center court. The baskets extend from the ceiling; with two scoreboards on opposite ends of each wall. There are multiple sectional and regional championship banners, photos of other high schools from its conference, and even a mention of the three schools that merged to form WRV in 1990. An interesting little aspect of the gym is the staircase that leads to an open loft that used to serve as a weight room for PE classes but is now designated for storage. I think it could be put to better use as an exhibit of the city’s basketball past. The lobby offers a large trophy case that includes WRVs past championships trophies, along with every class picture from previous years dating back to 1930. There is also a wall of former school greats on the inside concourse. Neighborhood 2 Switz City had a population of 293 at the time of the last census and features a limited number of eateries, but Cinco de Mayo Mexican Restaurant is worthy of a visit before or after a basketball game. Nearby Linton is 6 miles from the gym and offers many more eateries that include The Vault Bar & Grill, Joe Etta’s Pizza Villa, Country Harvest Smorgasbord, The Sportsman Pub, and Grill Inc. Fans 3 Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the attendance figures are nowhere near where they would be in any other season. There were a handful of fans cheering for both the home and away teams, and they did their best to make sure their voices were heard throughout the game. This is similar to every other high school basketball game that's taken place during the pandemic years. The gym normally attracts fans from towns with no connection to the school, but who enjoy a good basketball game. Access 4 The sunken gym looks like many others in the state, and visitors are greeted by a large open concourse on the upper portion of the building. The stands are 10 rows deep, and there are no obstructed views. During the time of our visit, the effects of the pandemic were still evident as capacity was capped. This made for easy movement on the concourse, concession area, and seating bowl. Return on Investment 3 The cost of a ticket is $5 for a regular game during the season and $8 for a ticket to either a sectional or invitational game. Concession items varied and ranged in between the prices of $2 to $4, for a cheap night out for sports and food, you can't go wrong at a WRV game. Extras 4 The gym earns a point for its Green County Invitational which is held every January in the building, along with another point for its school logo and wordmark on its exterior. There is an array of classic basketball photos from the former county schools that have all merged into White River Valley which garners the third point in our review. Finally, the concession stand is among the best in the state of Indiana. If you're looking to have some food before the game, do yourself a favor and wait till you see their options. Final Thoughts Swiss City Gym is a classic rock Legamin design facility that was built to last. Fans have many memories here from their days of the 1950s to the formation of WRV. The local fans love this gym and continue to support the basketball that is played here doing both wars and pandemics. However, it is the concession stand that is the best that I have seen in the state so far during my travels. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Neville Arena 250 Beard-Eaves Ct Auburn, AL 36830 Auburn Tigers website Neville Arena website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 9,121 Basketball’s Tiger Home In War Eagle Town If you want an amazing college basketball experience come on down to Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama. Built in 2010 and renamed in 2022 after originally being called Auburn Arena, the 9,121-capacity venue plays host to one of college basketball’s best atmospheres.  The Tigers program made the final four in 2019 and since then Auburn games are some of the hottest tickets in college basketball. Neville Arena is almost certainly the best arena in the state of Alabama and some would argue it’s the best in the SEC. Food & Beverage 3 The standard fare includes Hot Dogs ($6), Cheeseburgers ($8), Chicken FIngers ($9), Pizza ($10), Popcorn ($5), Nachos ($5), and Pretzels ($5). Coke is the soft drink provider with options including a regular soda ($5), souvenir cups ($7), Dasani water ($3), and Powerade ($6). Chick-Fil-A is available at the arena (provided the game is not played on Sunday). If you want a beer the options include Budweiser ($10), Miller ($10), Michelob ($10), or a variety of IPAs ($14). The concession stands are cashless. Atmosphere 5 When you walk towards the entrance of Neville Arena you see the statue of Auburn Tigers legend Charles Barkley. Once your ticket is scanned you find yourself in an atrium with a giant Auburn logo overlooking all the Auburn faithful and a wall telling you “War Eagle”. After going up a couple flights of stairs the concourse reveals itself with a view of the court and Auburn stuff on the walls. When heading to the seats it becomes apparent there is not a bad view in the arena due to the fact the seats are all relatively close to the court. The outline of the court is navy blue with the baselines saying “Auburn Tigers” and a large Auburn logo at midcourt. The center-hung scoreboard was upgraded in 2020 and is a 360-degree screen. When the arena is full (as has been the case for years) Neville Arena is one of the most intimidating arenas in the nation. An intro featuring Charles Barkley gets the crowd hyped and the crowd will not settle down until well after the game is over. Neighborhood 5 Nicknamed “The Loveliest Village on the Plain”, Auburn is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Alabama. A trip to Auburn must include a stop by Toomer’s Drugs which is across the street from the trees of Toomer’s Corner. Restaurants down Magnolia Drive include Little Italy for pizza, Moe’s Original BBQ, and Taco Mama. If you want to go to a bar, options include the 17-16 Bar on Magnolia, The Saloon, or Halftime on College Street. Lodging within walking distance of Auburn University includes The Hotel at Auburn University and The Laurel Hotel. Fans 5 Neville Arena has been packed to the brim with Auburn fans for every non-covid game since the Tigers made the final four in 2019. They start arriving 90 minutes before the tip and they make noise throughout the game even in non-conference games against inferior opponents.  In recent years students have been known to camp out a couple of days before games against opponents such as Kentucky and Alabama to get the best seats. The fans help make Neville Arena one of the toughest gyms to play in the nation. Access 4 To get to the arena from I-85 turn off exit 51 and head North on College Avenue. Turn left at Donahue Drive. Parking by the arena is reserved for Tigers Unlimited ticket holders. Fortunately, there will be free parking by Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum (Auburn’s former arena) which is also across the street from Plainsman Park (Auburn’s baseball stadium).  Once you make the 5-minute walk across Heisman Drive to Neville Arena the concourse is wide enough, there are plenty of restrooms, and several concession stands are spread throughout the venue preventing lines from getting too long. The only knock on the venue is that exiting the arena can take a few minutes to do there being only a couple of arena exit points. Return on Investment 3 The demand for an Auburn Tigers basketball ticket is so high that the only tickets I could buy through Auburn’s website were for games against inferior non-conference opponents that were Standing Room Only. A ticket for that cost me $50. There were a couple of games I could have gotten in for $40, again Standing Room Only. Tickets for reserved seats in non-conference and SEC games will likely have to be purchased on the secondary market and some games cost $300 just to get in the building. That shows you how much demand there is to see these Auburn Tigers. The atmosphere is virtually guaranteed to be great no matter the opponent and the parking is free. Extras 3 At the main entrance of the arena is the Lovelace Museum and Hall of Honor which showcases memorable moments and memorabilia from Auburn’s athletic successes. Auburn’s football venue, Jordan Hare Stadium , is located next to Neville Arena. There is a Buc-ee’s in Auburn. Final Thoughts Auburn is a beautiful place and its basketball arena has one of the best atmospheres in all of college basketball.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Elks Field 1601 2 Ave East Brooks, AB T1R 1B7, Canada Brooks Bombers website Elks Field website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 681 Brooks Bombers Off To A Good Start The Western Major Baseball League has been in operation since 2001 as a top-level collegiate summer league. Several WMBL alumni have been drafted by Major League teams over the years, including reliever Jim Henderson, who broke into the MLB with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012. Two new teams were added to the Western Division for the 2016 season bringing the league up to a total of 12 teams. One of the new teams is the Brooks Bombers. Brooks is a small city between Calgary and Medicine Hat on the Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta (closer to Medicine Hat than Calgary). With a population of more than 13,000, Brooks has a thriving business community, driven by the oil and gas industry as well as agriculture. Brooks is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada and as a result is known as “The City of 100 Hellos” because of the many different languages spoken. The Bombers play at Elks Field, part of the Quad Ball Diamond Complex on the east side of the city. The field is quite new, having opened in 2014, and has the look and feel of a new facility. Food & Beverage 3 Elks Field’s grandstand has a concession stand built into the north (third base) side. The menu is pretty standard fare: hot dogs and hamburgers, chocolate bars and cans of pop among other things. My cheeseburger ($4.50) was fresh and tasty and you’re able to load them up with your choice of condiments from a table to the immediate left of the concession booth. Next door to the primary concession, to the left of the condiment stand, is a stand serving beer and Palm Bay coolers for fans looking for an adult beverage. Beer options include Bud Light as well as a couple more “exotic” options, such as Harvest Moon and Wild Honey from the Nelson Brewing Company in BC. Atmosphere 3 The feeling in the crowd is very laid back but pleasant enough. It seems like many of the people in the stands know each other as there are numerous conversations going on throughout the game. I get the sense that most people in attendance are there to primarily to enjoy a pleasant evening out with friends and family and the game going on is almost secondary to the experience (it perhaps didn’t help that the Bombers were getting pretty soundly defeated at the game of this review). There isn’t much energy or excitement in the crowd. Again, it isn’t unpleasant; just not the boisterous, engaged atmosphere I look for. Because the field and the team are so new, there aren’t many cues to tie the team to the diamond yet. No championship pennants (yet) or anything of that sort. There is, however, one key touchstone for the community: the scoreboard in left field is dedicated to the memory of Riley Martin, a local teen who was active in the Brooks sports community who died of cancer in 2014. I think this is a worthy tribute and a good foundation for connecting the community to the field for years to come. Something else of note: unless you’re in the grandstand, the sight lines around the field are less than perfect. If you’re in the bleachers on the first or third base sides, you’ll find that your view of the outfield corner on your side is probably at least partially blocked. Likewise, from the patio area on the third base side, between the Bombers dugout and the bleachers, your view of much of left field is obstructed by the dugout structure, and you may or may not get a look at the scoreboard from where you’re sitting. Likewise, while there is a ton of room for people who prefer to stand—between the grandstand and the bleachers, behind the patio, and down the foul lines—chances are your sight lines will be partially obstructed in one way or other if you choose this option. Neighbourhood 2 Elks Field is located on the south side of a residential community on the far south east of the city. Consequently, there is nothing in the immediate vicinity except houses. Should you wish to grab a bite to eat before or after the game, you’ll be going for a drive. The closest restaurant I could find is Ace’s Lounge and Grill, about 10 blocks away and tucked into the industrial district. A little bit further west you’ll reach 2 Street W, which is the primary artery in the city, where most every other restaurant and bar can be found. Here you’ll find all the usual franchise places as well as some local stuff such as the Mango Tree, which is a well-liked East Indian restaurant. When all is said and done, the good news in a small city like Brooks is that you’re never more than a 10-minute drive from anything, so you won’t have to go far to get anywhere, but you’ll still have to plan on taking the car rather than walking. Fans 3 The fans in the crowd seem quite pleasant, but seem at least as interested in simply hanging out with each other as they are in seeing a ballgame. They seem to lack a passion for the game and their new team, but perhaps this will come in time. In their favour, on the other hand, quite a large number of fans are geared up in Bombers caps, jerseys, tee-shirts and other memorabilia, which suggests they are getting behind their team and supporting it. So maybe they are indeed passionate about the Bombers but don’t express it vocally yet. Access 4 Brooks is a relatively small city, so getting around is pretty easy and I was able to find the diamond without a map, signage or detailed directions. The parking lot, on the far east end of the Quad Ball Diamond Complex, seems to have plenty of space for all the vehicles and the parking is free, so that’s a good thing. As the park’s seating capacity is less than 700, the lot empties quickly, even with just a single entrance/exit. Once you’re through the main gate you’re into the multi-diamond park. Paved walking paths separate the diamonds from each other and provide lots of room for people to make their way around. They could probably double or triple the number of bleacher seats around the park without a significant impact on a fan’s ability to get around the park. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to a Bombers game are all general admission and rush seating. They cost just $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for youths (13-17 years old). Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. That’s a pretty good price to see baseball played by athletes who could find themselves drafted one day. Extras 2 A Kinsmen-sponsored Play Area is located behind the grandstand for the youngsters. It is completely covered by mesh so there’s no danger of a stray foul ball hitting someone having fun in there. The Bombers have a well-stocked souvenir store at the back of the grandstand which is open prior to and at the end of games. Here you can get your hands on all manner of shirts, hats, and other Bombers swag. Final Thoughts Checking out a Brooks Bombers game was a nice little treat for me. There is still room for the franchise to grow and improve their fan experience, but they’re off to a good start. As the team matures, chances are the product on and off the field will continue to improve.

Photos by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 George M. Steinbrenner Field One Steinbrenner Road Tampa, FL 33614 Tampa Tarpons website George M. Steinbrenner Field website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 10,386 Yanking at Pinstripe Loyalty in Tampa It is a brand which ranks high among the most popular marks in the world. The ‘bat in the hat’ logo is adored by tens of millions and even when outside the New York area, it continues to be a strong brand. While capitalizing on the loyalty of Yankees fans is expected outside the Bronx, in Tampa, there are a few things lacking. Missing the opportunity to fuel the brand, particularly since the strength of the major league team has its fingerprints all over George Steinbrenner Field. Witnessing a Tampa Yankees game affords a chance to embrace the pinstripe brand, but there are a number of missed opportunities. It is worth checking off your list if that is what you are into, but it ranks low on the list. Note: After operating as the Tampa Yankees for 24 seasons, the club was rebranded as the Tarpons in 2018 . Food & Beverage 2 Much of this rating has to do with what might have been had they just imported some New York food and drink. Not just types of food, but maybe the brands, could have been represented. Prices for what you get were pretty high, too. A hot dog is $2.50 but not very tasty. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bratwursts and chicken sandwiches are $6. Peanuts are $4 with a pretzel for $4.50 (add cheese for another $1). A large popcorn is $5, small popcorn $3. A nacho helmet is $11. Pepsi products are sold with a regular size $3, souvenir cup for $6. Bottled water is $3. As for beer Budweiser products are sold here and draft beer is $8 with a refill for $6. Atmosphere 2 Crowds are light during the minor league season, you can see where it might really be a busy place during Spring Training but this doesn’t carry over to the Florida State League. The complex is impeccable, the largest in Florida seating more than 11,000 fans, and looking great for 20 years old. In front of the main steps, you are greeted by the impressive statue of George Steinbrenner. To the right is Monument Park and further to the right is the 9/11 Memorial, all nice touches to the entrance. Multiple fields surround the main stadium, all part of the Yankees spring training complex. It has been laid out quite nice. Fountains and clever landscaping and walkways are integrated to make it a great site. Currently there is lots of concrete and metal, like the stadiums of the 70s and 80s. There was a lot of remodeling being done in 2016 and a new merchandise store will be at the front of the complex for the 2017 season. Changes to the front stadium entrance and ticket windows are also expected. Step into the seating area and it is a sea of blue, just like Yankee Stadium. You will notice the identifiable hat on a bat Yankees logo on each end of the aisle seat. You will also notice no cup holders to use anywhere. The distinctive frieze lines the upper perimeter of the stadium from the seating interior, attached to the overhang which covers the heads of those in the top six rows. Between each spacing in the concrete supports is a letter which spells out the team nickname in distinctive typeface. There are two scoreboards, both in left field. The first is the smaller, box score version, low to the ground and just in line with the top of the wall. In left center field, the larger video board provides high quality replays, expanded statistics and additional ways to provide entertainment value. Neighborhood 3 Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and some retail establishments are nearby. The complex is not far from historic Ybor City and the famous restaurant, The Colombian. Cigar City Brewing is within a mile to the south and has some of the finest craft beer. Fans 3 It appears that many Tampa Yankees fans are either from New York, from Tampa or visiting from other areas, which is to say there is a mix of folks; nothing stands out to scream “knowledgeable.” Access 4 Highway 275 is the major interstate which connects Tampa to St. Petersburg to the west. The stadium is just north of this at exit 40B from the west and 41A from the east. Take Highway 92 (also known as Dale Mabry Highway) three miles north. Parking is free and there are plenty of restrooms no matter how large the crowds. Return on Investment 4 $6 for the highest price ticket is pretty good and the free parking is not common. Program prices at $2 is a fair rate, food prices are fair to high based upon the lesser quality and the size. Extras 1 Give a star for the stadium design, with signage and replica gables mimicking those of the famed Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Final Thoughts The stadium is a fortress – it exudes Yankees power, money and status. Steinbrenner Field befits a team like the New York Yankees, yet the presence of their Single-A team in this cavernous building is almost an embarrassment.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 3911 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90037 USC Trojans website Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 77,500 Restoring The Conquest The USC Trojan football program has a longstanding history of success, boasting 11 National Titles, 6 Heisman Trophy winners and producing countless NFL players. The United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has hosted many memorable moments since its opening in 1923, hosting not only USC football but also their cross-town rivals UCLA, as well as the home of the NFL Rams and Raiders, the Summer Olympic Games of 1932 and 1984, two Super Bowls, and served as a temporary home to the Major League Baseball’s Dodgers from 1958-61, 1959 hosting the World Series. A recently completed $315-million renovation to The Grand Old Lady has brought her seating capacity from over 90,000 to 77,500, along with many other much needed enhancements. Food & Beverage 4 Beyond the traditional dogs and burgers, the options are abundant, particularly with the vast food truck selections throughout the venue, offering Mexican fare such as shrimp tacos and three colors al pastor/asada nachos. Other food offerings include Korean fried chicken, braised short rib mac n cheese, and one of my favorites, poutine, a Canadian favorite that comes with fries topped with gravy and cheese curds and your choice of braised short rib or roasted cauliflower. Flavored Italian ice, churros, and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies available in sleeves of 14 or buckets of 36 are some of the sweet treats available. Beverages available are Coca-Cola products, bottled water, as well as fresh squeezed lemonade. Domestic and premium beer from 805 Beer is also available until the third quarter. Atmosphere 4 When the Men of Troy are competing for a Pac-12 title and a high echelon bowl game, the atmosphere can reach a fevered peak. When expectations are far below the standards set for the 11 time National Champions, the decline in interest can be evident. Should you decide to start your pregame festivities on campus, you will want to make a trip to Heritage Hall. Located in the center of campus, inside you will find numerous exhibits, photos and plaques paying tribute to the many Trojan great athletes and championship teams. You will also want to check out the Hall of Champions, where you can view the 6 Heisman Trophies, as well as the statue of Tommy Trojan doing his signature pregame stabbing of the field with his sword. The bronze statue of Tommy Trojan, that is undoubtedly recognized by both admirers and detractors, is located near the campus bookstore. Not only is the statue of Tommy Trojan a huge symbol of USC, it serves as a good meeting place for fans prior to the game. Every year during the week leading up to their annual rivalry game with UCLA, the statue is wrapped in duct tape and guarded by the Trojan Knights to protect their beloved Tommy from any potential vandalism that may be caused by their rivals from Westwood. As fans taking part in their on-campus pregame tailgate/festivities make their way to the Coliseum, another one of their traditions is the kicking of the flagpoles for good luck. The flagpoles are at the end of Trousdale Walk and Jefferson Blvd. The Spirit of Troy Marching Band, easily one of the most recognizable collegiate bands, is an integral part of the game day experience, as well as their mascot Traveler. Aside from their huge presence at sporting events, the Trojan Marching Band has made numerous other TV and movie appearances, as well as performing on Fleetwood Mac’s, Tusk. The Trojan Marching Band and Traveler are believed to have a huge impact not only on the team but on the opponents as well. The sights and sounds of both the band and Traveler will be engrained in your brain from the pregame festivities through the final whistle. Two songs you will hear constantly are “Tribute to Troy” and “Fight On.” “Conquest” is played following every USC touchdown. During “Conquest,” Traveler, a live pure white Arabian/Tennessee Walker horse, trots out of the Coliseum tunnel from end zone to end zone along the sidelines behind the Trojan wields a sword high overhead. Another tradition involving Traveler is the lighting of the torch prior to the 4th quarter, in which the famed horse once again lets loose along the north sidelines toward the east end zone, wielding his sword toward the Coliseum torch, thus “lighting” the torch. Neighborhood 3 The area inside the USC campus has experienced a revitalization over the last few years with mixed-use development extending inside USC Village. Across the street from the Coliseum on Figueroa is upscale student housing known as Tuscany. On the street level are such eateries as The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Quizno’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Chick-fil-A and Chipotle. Along Figueroa Street north of campus past Jefferson Blvd. are more fast food options. On the grounds of the Coliseum is Exposition Park. If you are looking for other activities prior to the game, the California African American Museum, as well as the Natural History Museum and the California ScienCenter are located inside the park. To be able to visit all the museums and fully take in the experience, you would probably need two days. If you’re limited on time, you may want to visit the California ScienCenter, home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Fans 3 USC fans have lofty expectations. They are spoiled by success. Each coach after the Pete Carroll days up to the most recently fired Clay Helton has felt the wrath of the SC Faithful. USC fans can be a demanding bunch and are not shy in voicing their displeasure toward the team. They expect nothing short of at least a Rose Bowl appearance. When seasons such as this past 2021 fall far below expectations fans can stay away in droves as has been the case for much of this season. That’s what comes with a program that’s used to a high level of success in a city with plenty of sports and entertainment options. The fans that continue to show up are decked in Cardinal and Gold garb and carry on the many traditions that go along with the expectations of the storied USC football program. Access 4 The Coliseum is about three miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles and adjacent to the USC campus. The stadium can be reached from the 10 or the 110. Like all freeway thoroughfares in L.A, traffic can be a test of your patience. There is not a single large parking lot, but rather multiple satellite lots (with 20,000 spaces) that are typically priced based on proximity to the stadium. Should you decide to use public transit rather than drive, the MTA’s Metro Expo Line has a station conveniently located across the street from campus, a short walk away as you walk through Exposition Park. The Expo Line also offers convenient connections with other MTA rail and bus lines should you want to explore more of L.A. throughout your stay. Once inside the stadium you will find a concourse the encircles the entire stadium. If your seats are on the upper level, expect some rather intimidating inclines. Because of the venue’s age, some of the steps are rather uneven. Don’t shy away from using the handrails. Fortunately, for those who are seated on the upper level who do not wish to navigate up the stairs, three escalators, two of them on the south concourse, one for upper general seating and one for the newly added luxury suites are on site. As part of the enhancements, handrails, as well as anti-slip coating have been added to the aisles of the seating bowls. Return on Investment 3 Even with the recent improvements to the Grand Old Lady, tickets for most games are always available. When seasons like this past 2021 season occur tickets can be found below face value throughout 3rd party sites. For the annual premier games against either Notre Dame or UCLA or other prime opponents such as Oregon, expect the face value to start at a minimum of $110. In a market with a vast amount of both sports and entertainment, ticket prices to watch a team performing below expectations, at least in the eyes of the locals, can be a tough sell as even the past rivalry games against Notre Dame and UCLA have failed to sell out. A good number of seats, particularly those on the east end of the stadium are quite a distance from the field so you may want to do some research before making your ticket purchase. Otherwise, if you are just looking to take in the action regardless of your seating location, you can expect to take in the experience of one of college football’s more storied programs. Extras 4 Rivalry games create a great atmosphere at the Coliseum. The annual game with Notre Dame is for the Jeweled Shillelagh. The two teams combined have more national championship teams, Heisman Trophy winners, and All-Americans than any other college football matchup. Since 1926, the two have met every year. Let’s not forget the Pac-12 crosstown rivalry game with UCLA. One of the more intense rivalries, these two teams both called the Coliseum home until 1981, when UCLA would move to The Rose Bowl in 1982. Until 1982, both schools donned their home jerseys, a tradition that has since been restored in 2008, making for one of the more colorful rivalries between Cardinal and Gold clashing against Blue and Gold. Every year, the two play for the Victory Bell, the frame painted either Red or Blue depending on who has possession. During your visit to the stadium, be sure to walk by the arches on the “Peristyle End” and check out the “Court of Honor.” This memorial has many plaques to recognize the events or achievements that have occurred at the stadium. Notable names such as Daniel Reeves, Jesse Owens, Pope John Paul II, Jackie Robinson, John Wooden, and Jerry West all hold a place in the Court. If the Olympic rings and arches weren’t enough, check out the “Olympic Gateway” in front of the Coliseum. Created in 1984 by Robert Graham, this structure rises 25 feet above ground and has headless male and female bodies made of bronze. Prior to the 4th quarter of each USC game, Traveler makes his way to the peristyle end of the field behind the end zone for the Lighting of The Torch, which Traveler’s rider, dressed as a Trojan warrior, will raise his sword toward the famous torch to light up the flame. Final Thoughts As one of the more venerable venues, the recent renovations have done nothing to take away from the Grand Old Lady’s history. The famous peristyle that has seen many an appearance throughout the years will always be a part of the Coliseum’s lore. After recently sharing their home with the Rams for 4 seasons the Trojans have the gridiron all to themselves. The 2021 season may have been a disappointment but their recent hire of head coach Lincoln Riley has the Trojan following excited for 2022 as they look to Restore The Conquest.

If you enjoyed ESPN's recent doc, The New York Sack Exchange , which focuses on the ups and downs of the Jets' fierce defensive line in the '80s, you must read Greg Prato's book, Sack Exchange , which is a 400-plus page oral history of the '80s Jets. In addition to the Sack Exchangers, Greg interviews their teammates, the coaches, their opponents, and one hilarious, Jets fanatic. It's compelling, especially for Jets fans.  The book is available here . You can find Greg on Twitter @GregPratoWriter. STADIUM JOURNEY: We must ask. The Jets just hired a new coach, Aaron Glenn. Thoughts? Will the playoff drought continue? GREG PRATO:   I would have preferred a head coach with not only prior head coach experience, but also success in the postseason and at least 1 Super Bowl appearance. Hopefully, Mr. Glenn works out, but judging from the Jets' awful track record regarding head coach hiring post-Rex Ryan, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high. I hope I'm wrong though. STADIUM JOURNEY:  You were primarily a music writer and then you tackled the '80s Jets. What inspired you to take this massive project on? GREG PRATO:   The early '80s was when I first started following sports, and since I've lived on Long Island my whole life, the Jets, Islanders, and Mets were all either amid success - Islanders and Jets - or at least taking steps towards it - Mets. But unlike the Isles and Mets, the Jets didn't go the distance in the '80s. But that said, I had fond memories of those teams and never saw a book solely about that era, so, why not do a book? STADIUM JOURNEY: Sack Exchange is a 400-plus page behemoth. How long did it take you to get this thing done? GREG PRATO:   To be honest it's been quite some time since it came out  - heck, Rex Ryan was still their head coach at the time - and I've put out so many other books that I can't recall exactly. But if I had to guess I'd say about a year to do the interviews, assemble it, then a year for ECW Press to design it and put it out. STADIUM JOURNEY: Who was your toughest interview to nail down? GREG PRATO:   None were difficult to nail down from what I remember. I just wish I was able to interview Freeman McNeil, but my efforts proved unsuccessful. Someone else I tried to get an interview for the book was Sam J. Jones, who played Flash Gordon in the 1980 film and whose character was also the QB for the Jets. A few good questions would have been good to include in the book such as: "If you weren't busy saving the universe, could you have guided the Jets to victory in the 1982-83 AFC Championship Game?" Unfortunately, my efforts wound up being intercepted by AJ Duhe.  STADIUM JOURNEY: You interview one Jets superfan for the book. Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is quite the character, to put it mildly. How'd you find Bubba? GREG PRATO:   Johnny "Bubba" Caruso is a relative of my wife. He is probably the biggest Jets fan I've ever met and is an unforgettable personality. I just knew I had to include him in the book. Luckily, he accepted and his quotes, and memories remain among my favorite of the entire book, as he attended many Jets games at old Shea back in the day.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Are your memories of Shea Stadium good ones? Or did you think the Jets needed to escape to Jersey? GREG PRATO:   I unfortunately never saw a Jets game at Shea, although I did see many Mets games there. I did not like - and still don't like - that the Jets play in Jersey. What will it take for the team to come back to Queens? Maybe a move back to Queens would get rid of the awful stench of the Jets' history ever since they fled for Jersey in '84.  STADIUM JOURNEY: Since you're a music guy, did you see any concerts at Shea?  GREG PRATO:   I did not, although I've seen tons of concerts at nearby Nassau Coliseum back in the day. STADIUM JOURNEY:  It would've been fitting if you were in ESPN's documentary. Did they interview you? GREG PRATO:   They did not. For some reason, Greg Prato turns into a ghost-like character when it comes to being interviewed for documentaries, as evidenced by docs such as the ESPN Sack Exchange one and a recent yacht rock doc, even though I penned a popular book entitled The Yacht Rock Book a few years back. I plead with future documentary-makers: Greg Prato is not a ghost. Greg Prato is a real man. And Greg Prato has feelings, just like everyone else. STADIUM JOURNEY: If you were to write a book on the '90s Jets, what's the title? And by the way, are you considering doing that? GREG PRATO:   I am not considering it, but it's not a bad idea.  A title? How about A Tale of Tuna, Testaverde, and a Torn Tendon ? Also, I must admit that in addition to penning the Sack Exchange book, I also issued another book a few years back that deals with the '90s and all eras of the Jets, entitled Butt Fumbles, Fake Spikes, Mud Bowls & Heidi Games: The Top 100 Debacles of the New York Jets , which is also available via Amazon. STADIUM JOURNEY: Should the Jets return to Queens? Do you think there's a chance that it could happen? GREG PRATO:   They should move back to Queens. But Woody Johnson is not a good owner and is obviously content making big bucks whether the Jets win or lose, so why put in any extra effort?  Jon Hart is  @manversusball

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Pensacola Bay Center 201 E Gregory St Pensacola, FL 32502 Sun Belt Basketball website Pensacola Bay Center website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 8,150 March Madness Runs Through the Emerald Coast 2023 marks the third straight year that the Road to the Final Four has run through the Florida panhandle, with the Sun Belt men's and women's basketball tournaments. In 2020 the City and Conference signed a four-year contract for the tournament to be held at Pensacola Bay Center in downtown Pensacola. The event's operations are run by Pensacola Sports, a non-profit sporting event services group. The 8,150-seat building also servs as the home of the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL. The Sun Belt Conference is one of the premiere mid-major conferences in college basketball. Since being founded in 1976 the basketball-rich conference has sent 54 teams to the NCAA tournament, accounting for 18 wins. The winner of the Sun Belt tournament automatically advances into the NCAA Tournament every year, and there have also been some years when the conference sent multiple teams dancing to the Tournament, most recently in 2013. Perhaps the best year for the Sun Belt was its inaugural year, when the Charlotte 49ers made it to the Final Four and finished the season ranked third in the country. Western Kentucky has won the most men's and women's Sun Belt tournaments with nine wins, while South Alabama and Louisiana are the current conference teams with the most tournament wins, at five for the men's, while Old Dominion has won five for the women’s. The 2023 Sun Belt tournaments marks the 47th installment of the tourney, which has been played at 15 different sites over the years in the Southeast region – Biloxi, Birmingham, Hot Springs, Mobile, Charlotte, and Little Rock are just some of the cities which have hosted over the years, with New Orleans hosting the most tournaments at seven. Prior to the 2022-23 season the Sun Belt welcomed four new teams for basketball ( Southern Miss , Marshall , James Madison and Old Dominion ); because of these additions there was a slight change for the 2023 tournament, with the top 4 teams getting a double round bye in the single-elimination format, with all 14 teams invited. Food and Beverage 3 The Bay Center features four permanent concession stands, with two on each side of the concourse. On the west side concourse is Coop's Chicken Stand, which sells chicken tender baskets and sandwiches with prices from $7-$10. There is also a stand called Savor which just sells the basics, where prices range between $4 and $7; popcorn, hamburgers, nachos, jumbo pretzels, hot dogs, beef jerky, and candy is what rounds out the menu at Savor. On the east side concourse there is also another Savor stand, as well as a Tarragona Taco Stand, which sells various nachos and tacos with prices ranging from $7-$10. Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider of Pensacola Bay Center, with large drinks costing $5 and regular drinks costing $4. For alcohol you can purchase 20 oz. draft beer for $10 with the options of Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Shock Top, or McGuire's Irish Red Ale. There is also a pop-up bar on the north side concourse with a better selection of alcoholic drinks. Atmosphere 4 Pensacola Bay Center opened in 1985 and is typical of the civic center-style arenas built in mid-sized cities during that time period. With a seating capacity of 8,150 it remains the largest indoor venue in Northwest Florida. At over 35 years old the building is beginning to show its age, but it did receive some renovations as part of the agreement with the Sun Belt Conference – the most notable improvements include the new state-of-the art scoreboard that hangs over center court, which shows the game action as shown on TV. It replaced an old dot matrix style scoreboard from the 1990s. The new videoboard presentation is sharp, and with the LED ribbon that wraps around the videoboard is just the type of upgrade the building needed. Also new for 2023 is the Sun Belt Fan Fest that takes place outside Pensacola Bay Center. Here you'll find live entertainment, vendor booths, food trucks, pop-up bars, and more, set up in the parking lot getting people in the mood. Each school was well represented at Fan Fest, with cheerleaders and mascots from each respective school making appearances. There was even a basketball court set up in the parking lot where you could practice your shot before heading into the venue, including various three-point, free throw, and HORSE competitions. Also, if you want to experience the beach life before coming to the game, the Pensacola Beach Trolley was making round trips from the Beach to Pensacola Bay Center; about a 15-minute drive. There is one entrance on the west side where the box office is located – fans walk up a winding ramp to the third floor where the entrance is. Inside the venue there is a lower level that wraps around the building, with an upper level on the east and west sides. The concourse is designed in a wraparound configuration, with the east and west concourses featuring the concession stands, plus a small merch table that sells various Sun Belt Conference gear. The arena does have a dark and cavernous feel to it; I've seen plenty of hockey games in the building, and the feeling is not as evident for hockey as it is for basketball. I think this might have something to do with all the tarps and curtains put in for basketball, making it seem really dark then. However, the sound system and acoustics echo off the hardwood floor a lot better than they do on the ice . The Sun Belt Conference logo is everywhere throughout the building, inside and outside – there is no denying what tournament is being played here, from the giant logos outside the venue to the curtains and banners surrounding the court, and of course the actual court itself. Neighborhood 4 Pensacola Bay Center is located in downtown right at the foot of the I-110 bridge. The arena is located around some parking lots, but a couple of blocks over takes you to Palafox Street, where you should be able to find every kind of bar and restaurant imaginable. Popular bars and restaurants on this strip include the pricey Jackson's Steakhouse, O'Riley's Pub, Intermission, Graffiti Pizza, World of Beer, Wild Greg's Saloon, Taco Agave, Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, Blend Lounge, Tin Cow, Play Pensacola, and many more. Also downtown is the famed Seville Quarter, which is modeled after the New Orleans French Quarter. This block features seven bars and restaurants, with the oldest and most famous being Rosie O'Grady's. Famous for its hurricane cocktails and dueling pianos, this two-story bar has been serving patrons since the 1920s. The Seville Quarter is also filled with other options such as End of the Alley, Marlene Aviators Pub, Apple Annie's, Palace Oyster Bar, and the upscale District Steak & Seafood. The closest bar within walking distance of Pensacola Bay Center is the famous McGuire's Irish Pub. Over 100,000 one-dollar bills line the ceiling and prices are reasonable, unless you want to try the famous McGuire's $100 burger. Across the street from McGuire's are Fish House and Atlas Oyster House, two popular seafood spots overlooking the bay. There are also three breweries in downtown as well – Gulf Coast Brewery, Emerald Republic, and Pensacola Bay Brewery. Pensacola is also home to the famous Blue Angels, based at Pensacola Naval Air Station. If you have never seen the Blue Angels you must see them – they fly through the air upside down and in different formations; it is quite a view to see. The Blue Angels begin their spring practices at the beginning of March, so if you are lucky you may catch them flying over the beach or Pensacola Bay Center while practicing. And if you want to make a beach trip, the beaches of Pensacola Beach are located on Santa Rosa Island just across the bay; there are tons of attractions on the island as well. There also tons of hotels to stay at – the closer to the water the more expensive the rooms. Fans 3 You cannot pick a more prime location to have the Sun Belt basketball tournament than in Pensacola. Right in the middle of the Sun Belt region, it makes the commute easy for most of the schools' fanbases. Pensacola is also a destination city, with many people taking advantage of the warm Florida weather to come down here to spend a week at the beach, while getting to watch their team play – the weekend games are obviously more packed than the earlier round games. By the Championship game on Monday, I would say the venue is about 70% full; for each game there are at least a couple thousand of each team's respective fan bases there, with lots of family and friends of players who made the trip down. Outside at the Fan Fest you can find fans from all 14 schools fanbases well represented. You could also tell that a lot of people who came from out of town are staying on the beach, because the trolley is constantly dropping people off. I saw many fans walking around at Fan Fest with island drinks in their hands that they brought over on the beach trolley. Pensacola Beach is cool little beach resort community on a barrier island with tons of beach bars, dive bars, and seafood restaurants, as well as plenty of shopping. I would say the school with the most fans would be conference newcomer for the 2022-23 season, Southern Miss . The Golden Eagles had their best season in recent memory and were Conference champs, plus Hattiesburg is only about 120 miles away, so the Golden Eagles faithful flocked to Pensacola for the tournament – you could see yellow and gold all throughout the building when they played. South Alabama , Troy , and Louisiana also travel really well, and Old Dominion actually had a nice selection of fans as well, for a school as far away as it is. Access 4 The Bay Center is located at the southern end of I-110, a north and south auxiliary road that connects I-10 to downtown Pensacola, with the arena about 10 minutes south of the main interstate through town. The building is not hard to miss, as it sits at the foot of I-110 and is the first thing most people will see when entering downtown. There are many parking lots around the arena, charging $10 per car to park. New for the 2023 Tournament the Pensacola Beach trolley makes a stop here from the Beach, which is about a 15-minute drive to Pensacola Bay Center, costing $5 one way to make the trip. There are some other lots and metered parking nearby as well, but those further lots charge more than $10 to park at. Once inside the facility concourses are not crammed, so you should have no issue getting inside and getting to your seat. None of the games will be sellouts either, so you can move around as you please and not get hassled by ushers. Return on Investment 3 General Admission tickets can be purchased for $18, while seating in the first five rows for single game tickets are $22. If you buy a ticket to an earlier game and want to stay for the next you are free to do so, as there are no ushers kicking people out in between games. However, there is a no re-entry policy, so once you leave the building you will have to purchase another ticket to get back in. With general admission, parking, and food, one person could get in to watch a game for about $50, which is about average for a postseason D1 basketball tournament. I would consider this a good return on investment just because you are in a prime vacation destination in the panhandle of Florida, and are guaranteed to see a team play that'll get a chance to compete for the Final Four. Just remember the tournament takes place during prime Spring Break time in Pensacola, so finding a hotel room could be a nightmare – I recommend booking ahead of time if coming from out of town. Extras 3 One extra for the upgrades Pensacola Bay Center undertook in order to host the tournament -- the new video board was what the venue needed to add that extra spark, and it definitely added a major league feel to the place. The City also did an excellent job transforming Pensacola into the Sun Belt Conference's main headquarters for the week. The conference logo was on everything throughout town, from the bars and restaurants to the airport and beach. Because Pensacola does not have a D1 college in town, the city has adopted this tournament – for one week the city becomes a major college town. The staff also did an excellent job at Pensacola Bay Center as well. Outside the venue were 14 giant inflatable basketballs located at the main entrance, each with the 14 different Sun Belt team logos on it. At night the giant SBC logo was illuminated from the top of the building for everyone in downtown to see, while inside the venue the main colors that stand out are yellow and blue, from countless conference logo signs and banners hung up around the court. All 14 teams have banners high above Pensacola Bay Center as well. The Fan Fest going on outside is also a plus, as well as the trolleys that brought fans to the venue. Pensacola Sports and the Sun Belt Conference definitely go all out with this tournament every year.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Christl Arena Fenton Pl West Point, NY 10996 Army Black Knights website Christl Arena website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 5,043 Basketball Knight at Christl Arena Christl Arena (pronounced like “crystal”) is located on the campus of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, and is home to the academy’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. Cristal Arena is somewhat unusual as it is located within the Holleder Center, a building it shares with Tate Rink , home of the Black Knights’ hockey team. Although the common facilities, such as the lobby and concession stands, are shared between the two venues, the playing and seating areas are distinct. Christl Arena and the Holleder Center are both named after USMA graduates who died serving the country. Major Donald W. Holleder was a 1956 graduate of West Point who was killed in Vietnam in 1967, and Edward C. Christl, Jr. was a 1944 graduate who was killed in Austria the next year during World War II. Despite the school’s storied history, this has not carried over to the Black Knights’ basketball team. Along with William & Mary, The Citadel, and St. Francis (NY), the Black Knights are one of just four original Division I members who have never made the NCAA Tournament. This lack of success on the court does not seem to deter some fans from coming out, but ultimately this is a small college where basketball just isn’t that big. Food & Beverage 2 Although selection varies by game, there is always one main stand open in the upper lobby of Christl Arena. Although this stand doesn’t have much available, what it does have is affordable. Hot dogs, nachos, and pretzels are all $4, as are Coca-Cola products and bottled water. Cracker Jacks are $4 as well, chips are $3, and popcorn is $5 for a very large bucket. Other portable stands may be open depending on the game but were not when we went. A stand called The Grill sometimes serves up more substantial offerings such as cheeseburgers and chicken tenders. There is a Dippin’ Dots stand as well which is open sometimes. Ultimately, however, unless you want to take a chance on The Grill being open, it’s best to eat before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 When you walk through the entrance of the Holleder Center, you will be in the lower lobby, which has the ticket window and turnstiles. However, unless you are going to courtside seats, you will then need to walk up a staircase to get to the upper lobby and concourse, from which you will walk up or down to your seat after going through a portal. As all seats are general admission for most games, you will generally be walking down unless you want to sit up high. Christl Arena has chair backs on both sidelines with a few bleachers in the last few rows which are never used except for the Navy game. Behind both baskets, there are risers which are generally used by any cadets who show up. However, the crowd of cadets will be significantly smaller than at football games, as they are not required to attend, and will be non-existent over Thanksgiving and winter breaks. There are dot-matrix scoreboards behind each basket. One just shows the score and time, while the other shows more detailed information as well such as timeouts and player stats. Christl Arena shares a building with Tate Rink, so you can peer into the hockey arena before the game if you want. There are several unusual architectural elements of Christl Arena. One is the bright yellow piping in the ceiling. Although visible pipes aren’t all that unusual, the coloring certainly is and makes them stand out. Additionally, there are windows behind one of the baskets which enable people to watch from the concourse. Occasionally you’ll see people standing and looking through those. Neighborhood 3 Although there is a lot to do on Academy grounds, there is not that much in the surrounding area. With all the history at West Point, a visit there could easily make a full day on its own. Guided tours are available for a small price and are well worth it if you have time. Although the fall foliage can be beautiful at West Point, the leaves are usually mostly off the trees by the time basketball season starts. The nearest town is Highland Falls, which is small and has very limited offerings. A couple of restaurants and hotels are available, but not much else. Andy’s on Main Street is a local favorite, serving up burgers and other comfort food. Fans 3 The Black Knights get a typical crowd that you’d expect from this level of play. Although the arena will never be anywhere close to full except for when they play fellow service academy Navy and maybe Air Force, it will seldom be deserted either. Many of the fans are small children with families, and usually, the children are more into the game than the adults, screaming and cheering for their team at every opportunity while the adults sit silently most of the game and politely clap after making baskets. For games against another service academy, it’s a completely different story, however. Christl Arena will be packed to the gills and will be an amazing atmosphere. It’s not quite the same as Army-Navy football, but still very much a good experience. Access 2 Unsurprisingly, considering it’s on an active military post, Christl Arena is hard to access. Just to get on post, you will have to go through a security checkpoint, show ID, and possibly have your vehicle searched. Just to add to the confusion, some of the guards don’t know what is required and will tell you that you need a visitor’s pass even though this is not required when attending an event on the post. Keep in mind, however, that all of this could change at a moment’s notice depending on the state of national security at the time. Before coming to a game, be sure to check the athletics and USMA websites to make sure everything here is still accurate. It should not be this hard to get to a basketball arena, but it’s somewhat understandable given the unique security situation. Once you finally do get onto the post, parking is available for free in lots a short walk from the arena. The guards at the checkpoint will direct you there if you ask. From the lots, it’s about a three-minute walk to the Holleder Center, down a couple of staircases and a hill. This seems easy until you realize you have to go back up all that when the game is over. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are $12 for general admission seating for most games, $15 for a couple, and $20-$30 for reserved seats for the doubleheader against Navy, which also gets you into the women’s game. A few other games are doubleheaders with the women as well, mostly during the non-conference schedule; for these, the $12 ticket will get you into both. You can pay $30 for courtside seats, but as the $12 ticket will get you literally anywhere else in the arena, this hardly seems worth it. Note that there is usually one other game a year with reserved seats, as it is a weekday afternoon game where local schools bring students in on a field trip, but the tickets to this game will still be $12. Throw in the free parking and affordable if limited concessions and Army basketball can be a great value for the whole family. Extras 3 One bonus star for all the history right on the West Point grounds. A second for the fact that the Holleder Center is basically two venues in one, so you can check out the hockey arena as well without even having to leave the building. A third and final star for the displays in the upper and lower lobbies, including a trophy case and plaques showing the Black Knights’ athletic captains for each year. Final Thoughts Fans looking for the same raucous atmosphere as at Army football games at Michie Stadium will be deeply disappointed. It’s clear that this is a one-sport school as far as the fan base is concerned, and basketball isn’t it. However, attending a game at Christl Arena can be an enjoyable and affordable experience for the whole family if you’re just looking to spend an afternoon or evening watching a basketball game.

Photos by Alex Mailes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Joe Becker Stadium 300 S High Ave Joplin, MO 64801 Joplin Outlaws website Joe Becker Stadium website Year Opened: 1913 Capacity: 4,200 Outlaw Baseball Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin, Mo is the current home of the Joplin Outlaws, a member of the summer M.I.N.K baseball league, which is a wooden bat collegiate league. It was originally built in 1913 and has been home to several teams, most notably the Joplin Miners, who were the stadium’s first tenants. Hall of famers Whitey Herzog and Mickey Mantle both played for the Miners while they were at Joe Becker, giving the park a small place in baseball history. After the Miners disbanded in 1954, the park was used by the MSSU Lions until 2014 when the El Paso Diablos decided to move to the stadium in exchange for park renovations and became the Joplin Blasters. The Blasters played two years at Joe Becker before disbanding in 2016. The Outlaws began playing the next year. The Outlaws get their name from Joplin’s checkered past. Notorious robbers Bonnie and Clyde spent several weeks living out of a garage on Oak Ridge Drive and Jesse James was rumored to have had a hideout somewhere in town. All this gives the stadium a unique feel that isn’t seen in other ballparks and makes the trip to Joe Becker a memorable one. Food & Beverage 4 The offerings are about what you would expect from a stadium this size. The Outlaw’s concession stand serves freshly grilled hamburgers ($4) and hotdogs ($3) along with Cici’s Pizza at $2 a slice. They also sell the typical candy, nachos, chips, popcorn, and pickles all for $3 or less. Beverages are also available, with nonalcoholic options including Pepsi products, bottled water and sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade and Body Armor), each being sold for $1.50. Alcohol is not sold or allowed on stadium grounds. Overall, the concessions have all the ballpark staples that baseball fans expect and what they offer is reasonably priced compared to other stadiums. Atmosphere 5 The stadium is built like most other ballparks, with the ticket booth and entrance centered behind home plate. There are concession stands and restrooms located down both the left and right field lines underneath both major seating bowls. The seating areas stretching from Homeplate to 1st and 3rd plate are lined with black, non-foldable, plastic chairs with no cupholders. Bleachers comprise the rest of the seating that extends into the outfield. The seats offer plenty of legroom, but don’t offer much else in terms of comfort. The smaller capacity and seating arrangements means that there isn’t a bad seat in the entire stadium. You can get a good look at the action no matter where you’re situated. A simple scoreboard is located on the edge of the outfield down the right-field line. It tallies runs per inning, outs, balls, strikes, hits and errors. Games or contests are played every couple of innings and consist of either trivia questions, kids races, or luck-based games like the big dice roll. They are frequent but don’t get in the way of the game and add some excitement between innings. Music is played between at-bats but not at any other time, keeping the focus on the game. The Park really nails the feeling of small-town baseball, from the muddy dirt warning track and wooden outfield fence to the small concrete dugouts and minor league-like bleachers. If you live in or around the area it is certainly worth a visit. Neighborhood 4 The stadium is in the northern part of the city in a residential area which is sandwiched between two major business districts. There are plenty of restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues located within two miles of the park. A few local places worth mentioning are Wilders Steakhouse, Fred and Red’s Chili, and Club 609. Several bars are located on Main Street if you want to grab a quick drink after the game. If you’re looking for something strange, you could visit the Joplin Spook Light, a mysterious orb of light that can be seen late at night and has been a local legend for more than a century and defies any scientific explanation. For those wanting something less eerie, the local Range Line Golf Course offers a well maintained 9-hole course along with minigolf, both for $8 per round. The Hotel District is located 3 miles from the park on the southside of Joplin with Econolodge and Best Western being the most economical options. Fans 5 The Outlaws get about 400 fans per game. Most of the fans are who you would expect at a game of this level; mostly the players’ host families, local sponsors, and baseball diehards. They are a mostly quiet bunch, not interjecting at close calls and at-bats which makes it easier to concentrate on the game. Outlaws fans are also a tidy lot, as the stadium was fairly clean after the game. Regular attendees are uniquely dedicated to the team and make attending a game feel special. Access 5 Joplin is in Southwest Missouri and is only a two-hour drive from Kansas City. The Park isn’t challenging to reach, with it being located 3 miles from the nearest interstate exit off I-44 and located in a residential area. The Joplin Regional Airport is serviced by United Airlines with flights to and from Denver and Houston. While there is no public transport that takes you directly to the park, the local Sunshine Trolley has a stop only three blocks away. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices are $5 for individual tickets and kids under 5 get in for free. With season passes costing of $50 and M.I.N.K league all access passes running at $150 along with free stadium parking makes an Outlaws game an affordable experience relative to other teams. Extras 4 The Outlaws run several different nightly promotions, like free t-shirts, lottery tickets and 50 cent hot dog nights. Just make sure you’re early to get them while they last. They also have free tacos if a player hits a homerun and a 50/50 lottery where you can buy a “wingspan” worth of tickets for $10. Final Thoughts Joe Becker Stadium offers the feeling of small-town baseball at a high level for an affordable price. There are plenty promotions and games for fans to keep things exciting and Joplin has plenty to offer if you find yourself bored after the game. If you live nearby or are traveling through, a visit to Joe Becker Stadium is certainly worth it.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Alumni Field at York Stadium Ian MacDonald Blvd. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 York Lions football website York Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity:  3,500 Is there Hope for the York Lions? There are not many that would argue that the York Lions have been one of the worst football programs in the entire CIS.   There has been very little success on the field.   In the last 8 years, the Lions have won just 6 games.   The Lions have not made the playoffs in 10 years.   How is it possible that York can even put a team on the field?   Believe it or not there is some hope for the York Lions on the horizon. York University is the second largest university in Ontario and the third largest in all of Canada.   With a student population of over 55,000 students York has a ton of alumni to draw on and a student body large enough to support a strong program, the potential is there at York for great things.   The main campus, or Keele Campus, at York is located at the north end of Toronto in the former municipality of North York and boasts a large campus with some national level athletic facilities including the Aviva National Tennis Centre and Toronto Track and Field Centre.   York was also a host site for the 2015 Pan-Am games in Athletics.   Part of the focus in creating new facilities for the Pan-Am games was the legacy of such facilities.   The CIBC Pan-Am / Parapan-Am Athletics Stadium was built on the campus of York University and hosted all manner of track and field events.   What will now be named York Lions Stadium has a future at the university that has yet to be determined, but many believe that the future of the York Lions football program will be at the new stadium. York currently plays at York Stadium which is a block from the new stadium site.   The stadium was built in 1994 and is nothing to write home about.   The York program began in 1969, ten years after the founding of the school.   They began as the York Yeomen but changed their mascot name to the Lions in 2003 to become gender neutral.   One of the surprising developments for the 2015 season was that head coach Warren Craney shocked the CIS football world and landed some of the most sought out recruits from Alberta, which has a very strong football tradition at the University of Calgary.   Combine this hot recruiting class along with the possibility of playing in a brand new stadium and there may be hope for the York Lions after all. Food & Beverage 2 Food selections for a York Lions football game are extremely limited. Keeping in mind that the date of this review was in late August, weeks before the student body is on campus at York, the full-fledged food experience was less than stellar.   The south end of the stadium features a Beer Garden which sells light refreshments.   At the time the only food sold were bags of potato chips.   The permanent structure behind the grandstands does have windows that appear to be for selling concessions however these were not open for the review date.   It is possible that once the students get on campus the culinary experience will change slightly.   To their credit, York did bring in a major league food truck for this specific event. The Beaver Tails truck was parked in the south courtyard and provided fans with the opportunity to purchase fries, poutine and various flavours of the distinctly Canadian Beaver Tail. In the licensed beer garden cans of Molson Canadian and Coors Light are available for purchase ($7.50).   Alcoholic cider is also available.   Cans of Coca-Cola products and water are available for soft-drinks.   The supply is definitely limited and the beer garden actually ran out of bottled water.   The beer garden area is licensed and patrons are required to remain in that area and not bring their alcoholic beverage into the stands, however a number of fans did return to their seats, beverages in hand. There is not much to recommend food-wise at a Lions game.   However, if you have the opportunity, Beaver Tails are definitely something worth trying.   The flat, fried dough (similar to a funnel cake) can be covered with a variety of sweet treats including various forms of candy bar.   The presence of Beaver Tails alone bumps the food score up a notch. Atmosphere 2 York Stadium screams cheap to all those in attendance. There really is not much to the physical stadium itself at York.   A grandstand on the west side of the field stands with a permanent washroom / locker room building just in the rear.   The grandstand is a simple bleacher featuring 5 sections of 15 rows.   The benches and floor platforms are wooden.   On the south side of the locker room building you will find the three national championship banners … for soccer.   On the east side of the stadium there is berm seating which many students choose.   At the top of the west grandstand is the pressbox.   From your seat you can easily see the new York Lions Stadium, which will hopefully be home to the football team in the future.   The playing surface is field turf, which is pretty much the standard in the OUA (the Ontario conference of the CIS). Upon entering the game, fans are able to collect free programs, yearbooks and thundersticks.   There is a small merchandise tent present so the diehards can get their hands on some new red and white Lions garb.   The in game promotions are typical for the league; simple and infrequent.   Like other teams in the league, Lions games are student-run, from the A/V and technical aspects, to the security and ticket takers.   The Lions enter from their tunnel through a plume of smoke and to an original song, complete with Lion roars. Seating at York Stadium is General Admission.   Patrons can choose their own seating and in so doing, may want to consider where others are sitting.   Since York is fairly accessible for other teams in the league, many fans of other teams travel to York to see their home team play.   If you wish to stay away from the opposition fans, have a good look at the crowd before selecting your seat. Neighbourhood 3 Since York Stadium is located at the very north end of Toronto, the surrounding neighbourhood is decent and the immediate driving area also has some interesting places to go. There are a few decent places to eat that are within walking distance of York Stadium. On the campus of York University you will find a Shopsy’s Sports Grill. Just on the other side of Keele St. there is a Hoops Sports Bar. Also, just up the street on Steeles you will find Angelo’s Homestyle Restaurant. Any of these options are good for a pre or post game meal. There are also a number of fast food chains in the immediate vicinity and many other options if you hop in the car and head north into the city of Vaughan. The York Lions also field competitive basketball and hockey teams along with other varsity sports.   The basketball teams play in the nearby Tait McKenzie Centre and the hockey teams play at nearby Canlan Ice Sports York.   Both places are on the campus of York.   The campus is a pretty significant distance from downtown Toronto, but not totally out of the realm of possibility for a side trip.   Much closer, however, is the city of Vaughan, which basically begins on the other side of Steeles Ave.   There are a few interesting things just a few short kilometers away.   If you are interested in shopping, then Vaughan Mills might be the stop for you.   This huge shopping centre also features a Bass Pro Shop.   A little further north on highway 400 you will find Canada’s Wonderland, which is a Canadian equivalent to a Six Flags amusement park.   Woodbine Racetrack is just 15 kilometres away and features thoroughbred horse racing and is home to the Queen’s Plate.   Also, the Aviva Centre annually hosts the Rogers Cup, formerly the Canadian Open tennis tournament. There are quite a few places to stay near the north end of campus, both in Toronto and Vaughan.   A great place to stay that is an extremely short drive away from York Stadium is the Best Western Plus, Toronto-North York. Fans 2 Regular fans that attend York Lions football games redefine die-hard.   It has been very difficult to be a York Lions fan. It is often difficult to assess the attendance at CIS football games.   There are often extenuating circumstances that account for significant attendance variances.   For example, homecoming games often draw in a significantly higher attendance than normal.   Also, an early season game before the students have begun classes often produces a significantly lower attendance.   With four home games per season, the York Lions typically draw around 1,500 fans, many of them travelling to see the visiting team.   If there is a game on campus during orientation week there is often a significant spike in attendance. With the program having as poor showing as they have had, it is a minor miracle that York has any that would claim to be fans.   The fans in attendance are often equaled or outnumbered by visiting fans and the noise level is usually pretty even regardless of what happens during the game.   That being said, like most other OUA programs, more needs to be done to entice the students to make football a part of their university experience. Access 4 Getting to York Stadium is not that difficult and getting around is also pretty easy. York Stadium is located at the north end of the Keele Campus of York University. It is located southeast of the major highway crossings of highways 400 and 407. The campus is surrounded by major Toronto streets Jane, Finch, Keele and Steeles. When driving to campus, be careful as the 407 is a toll highway and many of these streets have some significant traffic. There are quite a few different public transit options to get to York.   The GO Transit station is just east of campus.   There are also numerous TTC buses that travel in or past campus.   The TTC is also working on a significant subway station on campus.   Check the TTC or GO Transit websites for schedules and maps. There are a number of parking lots around campus.   The York website has a variety of campus maps to aid in your search for parking.   Keep in mind that the subway connection and preparation of York Lions Stadium have left the north end of campus with some significant construction that has closed some parking lots.   Parking costs are usually $5 on the weekend at pay and display machines. There is only one entrance to York Stadium, but that is not an issue at all.   Entry is through the surrounding fence at the south end of the stadium.   There is a portable ticket office for those of you who need to purchase tickets on gameday. The grandstand is so open that getting around is no issue at all.   The permanent locker room / washroom structure in the rear houses some small washroom facilities.   It doesn’t take long for lines to form so be wise when choosing a washroom time. Return on Investment 4 Attending a York Lions football game is very affordable and can be a good family event. Ticket prices for York football are $10.50 for adults with discounts for students, seniors and alumni.   Although concessions will not blow you away, they are not overly expensive and parking is fairly inexpensive as well.   If you are planning on seeing a game at York be weary of a mismatch.   Watching the Lions play a team that is closer to them in the standings offers a much better game experience as York is prone to a few blowout games each season. Extras 2 An extra mark for the annual Red and Blue Bowl.   The Lions play the cross-town rival Toronto Varsity Blues for city bragging rights.   This is often the best game of the season for the Lions and the game has been a highlight for the team since 1968. An extra mark for the City of Toronto Fill up and Go Station which offered fans free tap water and promotes the benefits of tap water as compared to bottled water. Final Thoughts The York faithful are eagerly awaiting an announcement that will put to rest the questions as to what the brand new York Lions Stadium will be used for.   Until that time York Stadium remains the home of the Lions.   Hopefully a new stadium and building on the strong recruiting class will breath new life into this program and help the Lions break their playoff drought.

The sports world gives marketers a fantastic opportunity to build brand awareness, loyalty, and competitive advantage. When a company has their logo on a team’s jersey or its ads play on sideline boards during games, these companies gain access to a consumer base known for its loyalty and willingness to spend money. Sports also provide activists with a large audience to push their message and encourage change. At times, companies and non-profits utilise this reality well, but sometimes it comes across as bizarre and unnatural. After all, sports fans are loyal and dedicated, but this loyalty can come across as anger if games are interrupted. Today’s article will look at three strange promotions conducted recently within the grounds of a sports stadium. The House of the Dragon Promo House of the Dragon is HBO’s latest hit, and the prequel to Game of Thrones has got a lot of people talking since it first aired in August 2022. ExpressVPN’s detailed infographic about the show and the family tree of House Targaryen demonstrates that the show can be confusing to follow, but it seems people are more confused about why there was a House of the Dragon promo during a recent Major League Baseball playoff game. Earlier this month, a CGI dragon flew over Yankee Stadium during the 7th inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship series between the Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians. Some baseball fans thought the promo was cool, while others were unimpressed, with one Twitter user writing that it was the worst thing he has seen on TV. Bob Costas: "Now, you know, big sellout crowd here, but we weren't 100% sure this game was gonna be played tonight. And for more, it's shocking. Here's Lauren Shehadi..." * 'House of the Dragon' promo with CGI dragon flying over Yankee Stadium* Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 12, 2022 The Smile Campaign The 2022 horror film Smile launched a marketing campaign where eerily grinning actors were placed in the crowds of several Major League Baseball games. These actors were strategically placed in the stadium, such as behind home plate, for maximum exposure. The actors never broke character, and there are various clips of them staring and smiling into the camera for the pitcher-batter shot. While the movie’s director initially thought no one would notice, the campaign went viral on social media, and Smile ended up grossing a worldwide total of more than $180 million. Some fans were amused by the campaign after learning what it was. However, according to Yahoo Entertainment’s article , other people were freaked out by the actors. Here’s some fun, clever movie promo - Paramount seemingly placed #Smile actors in the crowd at both the Yankees and Mets games last night, both in view of cameras. The results were indeed creepy. Going to a game this weekend? Watch out for the smiles! 😃 Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) September 24, 2022 Just Stop Oil Protest Earlier this year, a man from Just Stop Oil , an organisation that protests fossil fuel production and licensing, tied himself to a goalpost with a cable tie during a Premier League game. The event occurred during a match between Everton and Newcastle and was followed up by several other protests of the same kind. Two protesters from the same organisation tried tying themselves to the goalposts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, bringing the game to a halt. While the message of Just Stop Oil is important, football fans in the United Kingdom are a passionate group of individuals who don’t appreciate when games are delayed for anything, including technical difficulties and protests. Regardless of the message, whether it's commercial or environmental, sports stadiums are a great place to gain exposure to large groups of people at once. These individuals are often loyal and passionate, making them great target audiences. However, companies and organisations do occasionally get it wrong or use strategies that come across as strange and eerie, such as the Smile campaign at the MLB games.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Revolution Sportsplex 19623 Evergreen Mill Road Leesburg, VA 20175 Nova FC website Revolution Sportsplex website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 1,500 Lower Tier Soccer in Leesburg, Va. Nestled in Leesburg, in Loudoun County in the DC suburbs, Nova FC (or Northern Virginia Football Club, to use the full name) competes in USL League Two, the fourth tier of soccer in the United States. USL League Two is primarily an amateur league featuring players 23 or younger, and most players are college-age or have recently exhausted their college eligibility and are hoping to receive a professional contract. Nova FC plays its home games at the Revolution Sportsplex, the main stadium in the complex. There are also several back fields used for youth soccer. The club's biggest accomplishment was qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, where they won their first-round matchup against fellow amateur side Lynchburg FC before falling to professional side Richmond Kickers in the next round. Nova FC also operates a women's team and several lower-tier amateur teams. However, this review is about the men's USL League Two team and their experience at their games. Food & Beverage 1 Although the Revolution Sportsplex contains both a rooftop bar and a club area, neither is operational for Nova FC games. There are a couple of vending machines that sell food and soft drinks at vending machine prices. Some only take $1 bills and coins while others also take $5 bills. Fans are also free to bring in outside food and drink to eat during the game. Atmosphere 2 Revolution Sportsplex contains several rows of bleachers with a concourse area at the top as well as a rooftop bar up a flight of steps from the concourse. Although the bar itself is not operational during games, there are chairs and barstools where fans can hang out and watch the game from a unique vantage point. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. Even the PA announcer was not active other than to welcome fans to the stadium and ask them to rise for the national anthem at the beginning. There were no announcements of goals or cards, making it hard to figure out who was booked by the referee. The seats are close enough to the action and the fans are quiet enough that you can hear everything the players shout at each other and the referees. Even by soccer purist standards, the experience here is lacking. The true atmosphere at soccer games comes from the fans, not the team, but there is no crowd energy to speak of here. There is no organized Supporters' group, and while the fans applaud after goals, other than that they are almost completely silent. The team does play the song "Doop" after goals, a tradition borrowed from the Philadelphia Union, along with a submarine dive horn to add their unique take on it, but that is the only thing going on here to create any sort of atmosphere, and it's mostly borrowed from another team. Neighborhood 2 Revolution Sportsplex is located in the middle of a residential area, and there are no restaurants or things to do in the immediate vicinity. Your best bet is to head a few miles into downtown Leesburg, where there are plenty of places to eat, visit, and stay. This can be about a ten-minute drive, but it’s your only option. The Leesburg Public House and Tarbender’s Lounge are popular places to grab a drink and a bite to eat. Those looking for something other than a bar may want to check out Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers or the Leesburg Diner, although the latter is only open for breakfast and lunch. There are many good options in Leesburg, but the fact that all of them are so far from the stadium brings this rating down. Fans 2 Nova FC typically draws a couple hundred fans a game. Some of these fans have a direct connection to the team, but there is also a wide range of other fans, including families with kids who play their youth soccer on the back fields of this complex. It is not uncommon to see children kicking around a soccer ball on the field behind the goal during a game. Other than applauding after goals, the fans who show up are quite subdued. Additionally, as Nova FC typically plays other local teams in its league, a significant portion of the crowd will be visiting fans making the short drive to Leesburg to check out their team. Access 3 Revolution Sportsplex has located a short drive off the Dulles Greenway (State Route 267) via Shreve Mill Road, although you will need to pay several dollars in tolls to get here. Once you arrive, parking is in a lot next to the stadium - follow the signs for the main stadium rather than parking by the back fields for easier access. This will put you at the bottom of the bleachers, and you can walk up and sit anywhere as seating is general admission. Restrooms are located at the top of the bleachers with a second set on the rooftop near the bar. The restrooms are on the other side of the club area from the bleachers, and while the club is not functional during games, it is physically open and fans can walk through it to get to the other side rather than walk around. There is also an elevator to take you from field level to the top of the bleachers and the rooftop area for fans who require one. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, parking is free, and the vending machine food won't cost more than a couple of dollars. The main expense will be tolls on the Greenway to get there, which will be between $5 and $9 each way, approximately, depending on where you are coming from and if it is rush hour on a weekday. You can avoid those by taking Route 7 instead, but that is not a highway for most of its length and will take longer. That being said, this is too basic an experience to earn the top score. Extras 1 Although the rooftop bar itself is not open during Nova FC games, the rooftop area still provides a unique vantage point to watch a game and is worthy of a star here. Final Thoughts Although USL League Two is deep down in the American soccer pyramid, a trip to a Nova FC game at the Revolution Sportsplex can still be an enjoyable way to spend an evening. Although the experience is nowhere near what you'd get in DC at a DC United game or even here in Leesburg at a Loudoun United game at Segra Field , a Nova FC game is much more affordable than either of those would be. For only the price of tolls and maybe bottled water from the vending machine, fans can take in a Nova FC soccer game on a beautiful summer night.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Lenovo Center 1400 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 27607 Carolina Hurricanes website Lenovo Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 18,680 Rock You Like A Hurricane Editor's note: On September 19, 2024, PNC Arena was renamed as the Lenovo Center. This review, written before the name change, reflects the previous name. The Carolina Hurricanes began playing at PNC Arena when the building opened in 1999. Prior to that, the Hurricanes played at the Greensboro Coliseum during their first two years in North Carolina. The facility has gone by three names since it opened: Entertainment and Sports Arena, the RBC Center, and now the PNC Arena. The arena is located in West Raleigh and sits next door to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State football team. PNC Arena boasts 18,680 red seats for hockey and is also the home of the NC State basketball team. Even though the venue is approaching 20 years old, it is still a modern arena for NHL hockey.  Food & Beverage 4 PNC Arena offers a wide selection of food and beverage choices, even though the prices are a bit high. However, there is no shortage of concession choices as you make your way through the concourses. The permanent stands offer your generic stadium food: hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and peanuts. Bottled Pepsi products are sold at these stands and Aquafina bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and Gatorade.  Also, throughout the arena, you can find Cinnabon cinnamon buns and various ice cream choices. Alcoholic beverages are offered in two sizes. If you are a fan of BBQ, your best bet is to check out one of the several North Carolina BBQ stands scattered throughout the arena. These stands offer two favorites of mine: a BBQ sandwich and BBQ nachos. Pair these with a Cheerwine, and you are in business.   Atmosphere 4 PNC Arena is your standard three-level arena with a lower level, a middle club lever, and an upper level. All seats are cushioned and have cup holders. Suites are located at the top of the lower and club levels. There is a four-sided center-hung video board above center ice. It is small compared to many of the newer video boards, but rumor has it that the new Hurricanes owner wants to install a new video board next season that runs from blue line to blue line. The Hurricanes have an engaging mascot – Stormy, who is a pig. This is about the great North Carolina Bar B Que culture. The Canes also have their dance team – the Storm Squad, which engages the crowd and helps get them pumped up for games. There are hurricane warning flags and graphics throughout the arena. Before each game, a local celebrity (such as an area college coach) will crank the hurricane siren to get fans pumped up. At various times throughout the game, “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions will crank up. The management does a great job of incorporating hurricane and storm-related graphics and activities into the game day experience.   Neighborhood 2 PNC Arena was built adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium in West Raleigh near the NC State Fairgrounds. While there is plenty of parking and great tailgating, there is little to do within walking distance before or after the game. The only restaurants within walking distance are Backyard Bistro, Wendy’s, and Bojangles. Backyard Bistro is a great place to hang out and get food and drinks before a game.   Since you will most likely be driving to the arena, be sure to visit the Angus Barn restaurant about 9 miles from the arena, located near the RDU Airport. The Angus Barn is a sprawling upscale steakhouse in a barn-like setting with a wine cellar, lounge, and cigar bar.  Area activities to consider are the NC Museum of Art and Park, which is about 1 mile from the arena, and the North Carolina State Capitol building and museums in downtown Raleigh.   Fans 5 Since Rod Brind’Amour has taken over the team and has them consistently in the playoffs, expect a near-capacity crowd for every game. The fans are consistently loud and into the game, and tickets are now tough to come by.   Access 4 PNC Arena is easily accessible by car as it sits near I-40 and I-440 in West Raleigh. If you are flying into the area, the Raleigh-Durham airport is only 10 miles away and provides all the major airlines. Parking is plentiful around the Arena/Stadium area and is $40 on-site and $25 prepaid. We suggest buying prepaid to save $15. The security staff entering PNC Arena does seem a little “strict” at times, so allow yourself some extra time when entering the arena. Once inside, the arena is easily navigable with three concourses serving the three levels. The arena is well-signed so you can easily find your section.   Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices range from $50 (upper level) to $200 (lower level) depending on location, and parking at the arena is $40. Concessions are expensive, but are on par with other arenas and the quality of food is good.   Extras 3 PNC Arena has hosted the NHL All-Star game, the Stanley Cup, and the NHL amateur draft.   Recently, the Hurricanes have started coming back onto the ice after a win and doing their version of the “Lambeau Leap” by skating down the ice and jumping onto the glass.   The arena has recently added phone-charging stations around the concourse.   Final Thoughts PNC Arena is routinely sold out and offers a great environment to watch NHL hockey.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Seekonk Speedway 1782 Fall River Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 Seekonk Speedway website Year Opened: 1946 Capacity: 10,000 The Action Track of the East Seekonk Speedway is the oldest continuously operated family-owned racetrack in the United States. The facility has been operated by the Venditti family since its opening in 1946. The 1/3-mile track is the widest in New England, measuring 72 feet across. The track is sanctioned by NASCAR under the Wheelen All-American Series. After World War II, D. Anthony Vendetti had a dream of owning and operating a racetrack. He built the facility on his family’s poultry farm and was off to the races (pardon the pun). Opening night took place on Memorial Day 1946 when over 12,000 fans packed the quarter-mile oval. Early races featured open-wheel midget racers. There have been many changes throughout the years on the track, but races in Seekonk have remained a constant in southeastern Massachusetts for over three-quarters of a century. Food & Beverage 4 There are several concession stands scattered around Seekonk Speedway. There’s a decent menu offered here that hits all the bases. Burgers, dogs, sausage sandwiches, popcorn chicken, and pizza slices are the foundation of the menu. Steak sandwiches are sold at the stands, and fans may upgrade with some peppers and onions to create the “Steak Bomb.” There’s a good selection of sides available, including nachos, “Fast Track” fries, popcorn, pretzels, and fried dough. Hungry fans can combine fries with their burger, dogs, or popcorn chicken to save a few dollars. Pepsi products are featured at Seekonk Speedway. Hot drinks are available should you attend the races on a chilly night. Fans looking for an adult beverage will find a beer stand that sells Miller Lite, Coors Light, Narragansett, and White Claw. Local favorite Del’s Lemonade offers their signature frozen lemonade in both lemon and watermelon flavors. If visiting from out of town, it’s a must-have. Fans are allowed to bring their coolers into Seekonk Speedway, providing they do not bring in alcohol. Atmosphere 3 Casual fans and newbies may have some difficulty following what is going on at Seekonk Speedway, but there is plenty of action throughout a night’s program. The night starts with short “heat” races in the different classes scheduled for that night (for example, on the night Stadium Journey visited, there were races for Sport Trucks, Late Models, Sportsmen, and Pro Stocks). After an intermission, the heat qualifiers move on to the longer, feature races. Fans may be surprised at how user-friendly a day at the racetrack can be. The pits are open for an hour before the races begin, so fans can check out the cars up close and even talk to the drivers. During intermission, fans can parade on the track. The PA announcer does play-by-play during the races, which is helpful when you can hear him. This is not a knock on the PA system, just a statement about how loud the cars can be. There is a small scoreboard on the south side of the track which provides very basic race information. Neighborhood 2 Seekonk Speedway is located in Seekonk, MA, a suburb of Providence, RI. The track itself is in an industrial area on Route 6, a commercial thoroughfare that runs from Providence down to Cape Cod. About two miles away from the track is a major commercial area loaded with stores and eateries. Most of the choices in this area consist of chain restaurants and retail stores. If looking for some local flavor, check out Dicky’s Clam Shack or Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille. Among the lodging options nearby are the Clarion Hotel Seekonk and the Hampton Inn Seekonk. Downtown Providence, which offers a great variety of food and lodging options, is a ten-minute drive to the west. The small town of Bristol is a 20-minute drive from the track. It’s a popular summer destination, particularly around the Fourth of July. The town has hosted the oldest Independence Day parade in the nation since 1785. Fans 4 Seekonk Speedway draws good crowds on Friday and Saturday nights. The crowd runs the gamut, from fans who have been spending their weekends at the track for decades to families looking for an affordable night out. Of course, "Thrill Nights," which feature figure 8 races, spectator drag races, and fireworks, draw big crowds. Fans are generally friendly and many of the regulars know their stuff. Access 3 Seekonk Speedway is located in Seekonk, MA, a suburban town of 15,000 residents located on the Massachusetts/Rhode Island state line. Situated on Route 6, a busy commercial thoroughfare, it’s not far from Interstate 195. There are over 3,000 parking spots in the lots surrounding the track. Fans can enter the facility on either side. After a quick security check, visitors will find themselves on a concourse that circles the entire facility. ¾ of this concourse is paved, and there is dirt on the far side of the facility. Seating is available on all sides of the track in the form of metal bleachers without backs. Fans can rent chairbacks for $3 or bring in their own. Lines to concession stands are not an issue. Restrooms are dated, but large enough to handle the typical Speedway crowd. Return on Investment 4 Admission to a night of races at Seekonk Speedway is priced at $18 for adults, $8 for children 6-12, and free for children under 5 years of age. Parking is free in the large lots surrounding the track. Concessions are a bit on the high side, but not outrageous when compared to other sporting facilities in the area. Extras 2 Near the main entrance is Seekonk Speedway’s Wall of Fame, where significant figures in the track’s eight-decade history are honored. Newbies to the racing world may be surprised by how interactive a night at Seekonk Speedway can be. The pit area is opened to fans before the night’s races begin and during the break between the qualifying races and main event races, fans can parade on the track. Final Thoughts Seekonk Speedway is an institution in southeastern Massachusetts that has been in operation for over 75 years. The short track here ensures plenty of action to keep everyone from the veteran to novice fan entertained. ---- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Williams Arena 1925 SE University Ave Minneapolis, MN 55455 Minnesota Golden Gophers website Williams Arena website Year Opened: 1928 Capacity: 14,625 Gopher a Trip to “The Barn” The Big Ten Conference has long been known for some of the most historic athletic facilities in the country. Ohio State has its Horseshoe, Michigan has its Big House, Indiana has The Rock and the University of Minnesota has “The Barn.” One of the oldest basketball arenas still in use in the college ranks, Williams Arena was built in 1928 and is fondly referred to as “The Barn” by the Gopher Nation. It earned its moniker due to its barn-like design with its rounded roof and beamed supports. Gopher fans willingly embrace the nickname, as the luxury boxes are known as the Barn Lofts, and the student section is known as the Barnyard. Like the Midwest structures of old, The Barn has served multiple purposes over its long existence. In addition to serving as the home of Gopher basketball, the building has served as an indoor practice facility for football, an ice hockey, an indoor track facility, and multiple tennis courts. To facilitate these multiple uses, the basketball court is elevated above the floor of the arena. Benches for both teams are two feet below the playing surface, and coaches are the only persons other than the playing personnel and the referees to be at court level. This unique feature is only found at two other schools, Vanderbilt University, and Butler University. Williams Arena has gone through several updates through the years, which has resulted in increases and decreases in seating capacity. Its current basketball capacity is 14,625. Amongst the most recent renovations are new lighting and sound systems, a new scoreboard with a video screen, and the creation of 21 luxury suites known as the Barn Lofts. The University of Minnesota has had a long and storied basketball history, as it has won two National Championships and nine Big Ten Championships, and has participated in 15 NIT Tournaments. Several Gopher stars have gone on to great NBA careers, including Lou Hudson, Mychal Thompson, Kevin McHale, and Kris Humphries. It also has a lineage of notable basketball coaches, including Bill Musselman, Bill Fitch, Clem Haskins, and Tubby Smith. Food & Beverage 3 There are several Snack Shack concession stands spread throughout Williams Arena, which sell your typical arena/stadium fare. A sampling of their food and beverage items and their cost includes barbecue pork or chicken sandwiches ($7), cornbread muffins ($1.50), hot dogs ($5.75), pretzels ($4), garden salads ($5), popcorn ($6), kettle corn ($7), candy ($3.25) and chips ($1.75). The beverage items are limited to Coca-Cola brand sodas ($5) and bottled water ($4.25). No alcohol sales are allowed, due to Williams Arena's on-campus location. In addition to the arena stands, there are branded concession stands carrying Famous Dave’s BBQ, Subway sandwiches and salads, and Palermo Pizza. The Goldy’s Locker Room team store stocks a full assortment of Gophers paraphernalia at numerous sites throughout the arena. Atmosphere 5 The best way to describe the atmosphere and feel of Williams Arena and a Golden Gophers basketball game is “old school.” This is meant in a very complimentary way, as the University of Minnesota realizes it has a historical treasure on its campus and does not want to detract from that. The arena looks very much like it did back when it was built in 1928. The outer concourse features a great timeline outlining the history of the facility, culminating with a special exhibit that includes a portion of the original floor of the arena. From the time you enter “The Barn” until you find your seat, you’ll feel transported back to an earlier, simpler time in college basketball. The outer concourse has cinder-block walls and concrete floors, and it will become immediately clear when you enter the inner arena how Williams Arena earned its more popular moniker. The arched roof with the beams showing gives the feeling of a barn-like structure. True, there are some modern-day upgrades, such as improved lighting and a very impressive video/scoreboard, but these are necessities in an era where almost every game is televised. If you are coming to a Gophers game at The Barn, don’t expect the arena lights to be turned out and special effects show to take place for player introductions. The excitement generated here comes from the cheer squad, the University pep band, and a very enthusiastic student section (alias the Barnyard). The views from the seats of the court are great unless you are unfortunate enough to sit behind one of the support beams holding up the second level of stands. The second level of the arena is old school. To reach this area, you need to take a winding staircase, and remember to stop for the restroom or to buy your refreshments before making your ascent. The 1928 design does not include restrooms or concessions areas on the second level. If you are seated in the east end zone of the upper level, expect bench seating rather than seats. One other design change Williams has made to keep up with the other members of the Big 10 Conference is the addition of some “luxury boxes.” Even this change keeps true to this building’s simple bones. The luxury boxes are known as “Barn Lofts,” and consist of three rows of seats with a very simple kitchenette and a bathroom attached. Williams Arena realizes the star of the show is the game being played on the court and does its best to keep the distractions away from that at a minimum. Any thoughts on building a new facility with more modern features are quickly dismissed by the fans and students of the school. Neighborhood 4 Williams Arena is located within the sports complex on the University of Minnesota campus. It is located adjacent to TCF Bank Stadium and the Mariucci Arena . The name of the neighborhood surrounding these facilities is Stadium Village, for obvious reasons. Washington Avenue is the main thoroughfare for the neighborhood, as it serves as the address for a majority of the restaurants, nightclubs, and lodging facilities in the area. It also forms the route for the Metrorail light rail system that covers virtually all of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. There is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from that are just a few blocks from Williams Arena. These include Buffalo Wild Wings, D’Amico & Sons, Punch Pizza, the Beacon Public House, and Applebee’s. Stubs & Herbs Pub is a longtime UMinn favorite watering hole. Lodging in the area includes The Commons, the Aloft Hotel, Days Inn University, and the Doubletree by Hilton University. The two Metrorail stations on the Green Line servicing this area are the Stadium Village Station and the East Bank Station. The light rail system does a great job of getting you to a majority of the Twin Cities' major attractions, with stations at the Mall of America, U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Field/the Target Center, MSP International Airport, and the State Capitol in St. Paul. Fans 4 The Gophers have one of the most energized fan bases in the Big Ten Conference. This is especially true in the student section, otherwise known as the Barnyard. It is a farm version of the Cameron Crazies, with students wearing the maroon and gold colors of the school, farm wear such as maroon-and-gold-pinstriped bib jeans and straw hats. The most dedicated members of this section even don costumes of such barnyard animals as pigs, chickens, cows, and goats. The noise the Barnyard generates during a game can distract the opposition, especially when the team benches are located below the playing floor level, virtually in the seating section. The Gophers draw good crowds for any Big Ten matchup, but their most intense rivalry is with the University of Wisconsin. The two schools compete in the Border Battle, a competition that awards points to the victorious school in more than 17 varsity sports, with the winner named at the end of each academic year. This gives bragging rights to the winning school for the next year. Access 3 City planners and university officials in the Twin Cities have done an excellent job in designing a very walkable environment and easily-accessed area via public transportation. This is very important, due to the very frigid winters found in Minnesota. The restaurants, lodging, nightlife, and public transportation mentioned in the Neighborhood sections are all within a 2-3 block area of Williams Arena. The Metrorail system runs very frequently, with extra trains scheduled when there is a sports event going on at the University. For those who prefer to drive to the game, there are two parking decks open to the public (the University Avenue deck and the 4th Street deck), both of which are within three blocks of the arena. As you would suspect, with a building that dates back to 1928, accessibility within Williams Arena is not as modern as many of its peers in the Big Ten. The building has two main entrances, which get very backlogged when you have a crowd of more than 14,000 fans entering the building. The concourses are quite narrow, and fans accessing the upper level must navigate a winding metal staircase to reach their seats. There are no concession stands on the upper level. There are elevators available, but they are restricted for use to persons with mobility problems and fans with seats in the Barn Lofts. Another shortcoming of the building is that it has only eleven restrooms (five for the men and six for the women). Needless to say, the lines are horrific for these facilities, especially during the halftime break. One last structural issue is that there are several obstructed-view seating areas within the arena. The upper deck prides itself on being near the playing surface, but as a result, some of the lower-level seats are beneath the overhang and will be able to see the playing floor, but not the scoreboard. The other source of obstructed views is support poles that help hold up the second tier of seating. Despite these inconveniences, Golden Gopher fans do not put up much fuss. The university has proposed building a new facility to house the basketball program, but the overwhelming response from the alumni and students has been to preserve The Barn as it is, because that is what makes the Gopher basketball experience so different. Return on Investment 4 A trip to a UMinn basketball game does not necessarily dig a Gopher hole in your wallet. Tickets come in five different price zones ranging from $20 to $50. Due to the arena’s raised basketball floor, a cheaper seat may provide a better view of the game than a courtside seat, as the front-row fans are looking up at the action. Riding the Metrorail ($6 for a 24-hour rail pass) allows you to miss the traffic and a $10 parking charge, and the concessions are well-priced. In addition, the Big Ten typically offers some of the best basketball teams in the country, so you’ll be watching a quality game. Extras 4 The first extra has to go to “The Barn” itself for surviving and thriving since 1928. Its original cost back in the day was $650,000, which in today’s dollars would equal $9 million. The second extra point goes to the Denny Stanford University of Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame. It is located across the street from Williams Arena at TCF Bank Stadium. Call ahead for operating hours, as they can vary in the winter. The Twin Cities are a pair of great sports towns. With a little planning ahead, you can catch a UMinn hockey, basketball, or football game during the day, and then catch the Metrorail to a Vikings, Timberwolves, or Wild game in the evening, all in temperature-controlled indoor facilities. It is easy to add a little culture to your sports pursuits, as Minneapolis is a mecca for museums, concert halls, and theatres. The Guthrie Theatre is on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, directly across from UMinn on the East Bank. There is an enclosed bridge spanning the river and connecting the theatre with the University.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Vidas Field 4300 Powelton Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104 Drexel Dragons website Vidas Field website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: N/A Vidas Drexel Located about a mile from Drexel University’s main campus in Center City Philadelphia, the Vidas Athletic Complex consists of several fields which are home to eight of the Dragons’ athletic programs. Vidas Field, located at the front of the complex, is home to the men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse programs. Further back, you can find a turf field for field hockey, a softball diamond, and tennis courts that host the men’s and women’s tennis programs. For this review, we will focus on the women’s soccer experience at Vidas Field. The experience there may vary depending on what sport you are watching, but some things will hold true no matter what game you are taking in there, or to a lesser extent, at other venues in the complex. What would eventually become Vidas Field, opened in 1963 as the home of Drexel’s now-defunct football program. It was extensively renovated in 2015 to add the new artificial turf surface and upgrade several other areas. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at Vidas Field but fans are free to bring their own. There are several places nearby where fans can purchase snacks or drinks. Theoretically, there is supposed to be a concession stand at the south end of the stadium open for weekend games, at least according to the Drexel website, but it was not open when Stadium Journey visited on a Sunday. Atmosphere 3 Vidas Field has recently been upgraded and is a nicer venue than many at this level. All seats are bleachers without backs along the east sideline but they do provide a great view of the action. There is a large video board behind the south goal which also shows detailed team stats. Unfortunately, the PA system is not the greatest and announcements are often either barely comprehensible or not audible at all. Given the constant action of soccer, there are really no breaks in the action for the team to do anything, but that is to be expected. Neighborhood 5 Vidas Field is located about a mile from Drexel’s campus in the Center City area of Philadelphia. Just within a few blocks of the stadium, you will find numerous restaurants ranging from pizza to Jamaican to Indian to Ethiopian and many others. Of course, every Philadelphian has their own favorite place to get a cheesesteak in the city. For other entertainment, the Philadelphia Zoo is less than two miles away and history buffs will want to check out the Liberty Bell and other historic sites while they are in town. Fans 4 About 300 fans were in attendance when Stadium Journey visited Drexel, which is decent attendance for college soccer. Fans were a mix of friends and family of the players, Drexel students, and people who were just fans of the athletic program. The crowd can get quite loud here at times when the Dragons make a big play such as a save or scoring opportunity. Many of them will come decked out in the blue and yellow colors of Drexel or wear other Dragons’ gear. All in all, you will find a very good crowd at Vidas Field. Access 4 There are many highways into Philadelphia although you will have to do the last couple of miles of driving on city streets which can have heavy traffic at times. Once you arrive at the complex, you will drive through the gates into a parking lot in front of the stadium. Parking here is free, a rarity in a major city like Philadelphia, and if the lot fills up, street parking is available nearby. Once you park, you will walk around the corner to the gate (security can direct you if you’re lost but look for the signs) and you will walk up to the bleachers and sit anywhere you want. Restrooms are located around the corner from the stadium behind the field house that houses the locker rooms. It is about a two-to-three-minute walk from the bleachers. These restrooms are spacious, even when you consider that they serve the entire complex and there may be multiple events going on at once. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Drexel soccer games is free, and parking is also free, which is a nice bonus in a major city. The only money you’ll spend is gas to get here. This makes a Dragons game at Vidas Field a great value. Extras 2 There is a team store on the south end of the stadium which sells Drexel merchandise. If you time your visit right, there is an opportunity to see multiple games at the complex in one day given all the teams who play here. Final Thoughts Although most people associate the City of Philadelphia with college basketball, eight other Drexel sports teams call the Vidas Athletic Complex home, and four of them play at Vidas Field itself. While women’s college soccer may not be the most popular NCAA sport, the Dragons have their own loyal, passionate fan base and a newly renovated stadium that should continue to attract fans for years to come. Although there are many sports options to choose from in Philly, very few of them are completely free to attend like a Drexel soccer game is. While nobody would mistake Vidas Field for a top-level stadium, it is still a fun place to take in a game.

Baseball in Blue & Gray: The National Pastime During the Civil War is a great read for history buffs and sports fans alike. The author, George B. Kirsch, is a history professor whose area of interest is the impact of sports on life during historical times. This book addresses how the early days of baseball impacted life on both the battlefield and the home front. He also studies how baseball’s popularity had everything to do with surging American nationalism, resulting in making it America’s pastime. The earliest portion of the book addresses the origins of the sport in the US. The author rejects the theory of Abner Doubleday creating the game as strictly a legend. Instead, he theorizes that the sport’s origin was in several early games played that resembled some aspect of the game of baseball as we know it today. These games went by the names of rounders, the New York game, the Massachusetts game, cricket, townball and round ball, and base ball. Each of these games contains the elements of pitchers, catchers, bats, outs, and running the bases. As they became popular, the teams and players involved sought ways to improve the games by adapting rules to shorten the lengths of games, regulating the numbers of innings and players on each side, and adopting rules that would become standardized across the country. These rules eventually were adopted in 1857, shortly before the Civil War. In the beginning, the sport was most popular in the north, as it was seen more as a “city” game. This was due in part to the large cities of the north having more organized sports clubs than in the more rural areas of the south. However, as time went on the sport became more popular in the south as port cities on the coast and along rivers became involved due to their interaction with travelers and businesses from the north. The author also points out that in the early days of baseball, the clubs often featured patriotic names such as the Americans, the Eagles, and the Nationals. These clubs often had a club flag or pennant, and it was not unusual to also see the Stars and Stripes at the ballgames. Soon the drums of war began, and both sides began to organize armies and training camps, as the nation had not been at war since the War of 1812. These training camps involved a great deal of tedious tasks such as marching, learning different formations, etc. resulting in boredom among the troops. Another issue was creating a sense of teamwork amongst the troops, as many soldiers were thrown together with other troops of another social class or ethnic origin. During lull times in these training camps, many soldiers would play baseball as an escape from the dreariness of camp life. Soon the camp commanders saw the game as a way to build team spirit amongst the regiments and to get the soldiers in good physical condition. Soon active hostilities began, and baseball even traveled to the battlefield. Some of the early skirmishes resulted in soldiers fighting acquaintances who had chosen the other side due to their beliefs about slavery. The deep hatred that developed later in the war had not yet set in. The author relates a true story of northern and southern troops having encampments on opposite sides of a river. The southern troops were taking a break from the action and were playing baseball. The troops on the northern side applauded when a southern player made an excellent play on the field. As the war started, both sides took prisoners from the other side. Early in the war, these prison camps were well run, as they had a small number of prisoners, and they had good rations and decent housing. The prison commanders saw sports as a means of keeping the prisoners occupied and not looking for ways to escape. Each set of barracks would have a team to compete in a league or tournament. Unfortunately, the camps eventually swelled in size and could not keep up with the medical and nutritional needs of the prisoners, and as a result, became death camps for the incarcerated. Baseball also became popular on the home front, especially in the North. While the first years of the Civil War brought the battles close to home, they left the large cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and New York untouched. Wartime spending brought affluence to these areas, as factories produced uniforms and armaments for the conflict. Workers at these plants would play ball during their free time. Often tournaments were scheduled, with proceeds going to the Sanitary Commission, an organization that dealt with sick and wounded soldiers. Baseball also enjoyed an enthusiastic response on the college campuses in the north. Colleges in New England and the northeast saw leagues develop, and competitive rivalries formed amongst the participating schools. This ensured that the younger generations were supporters of the game. Another aspect of wartime baseball was the development of sportswriters in area newspapers. These periodicals often sought ways to distract the populations from the carnage on the battlefields. Accounts of games and league standings were usually published in each edition. This also helped to broaden the knowledge of the game among the masses. As the war ended, baseball was truly America’s pastime, as the sport was popular at all levels of society. It also saw new growth for the sport in the Southern and Western states. African American teams were formed in cities such as Camden, NJ, Chicago, and New Orleans. Baseball was in its infancy when the Civil War began. It had been strictly a regional game played by elites. At the war’s conclusion, teams were playing at all social levels throughout the country. It brought sectional reconciliation between the North and South and was incorporated into Reconstruction efforts. Baseball also was a major influence on American nationalism. It was now a part of foreign policy, as baseball was introduced to the Far East and the Caribbean. The National Anthem was played before games throughout the world. Missionaries, diplomats, businessmen, soldiers, and sailors would teach foreigners the rules of the game. America’s greatest tragedy had only strengthened America’s pastime.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Melbourne Cricket Ground Brunton Ave Richmond, VIC 3002 Australia Richmond Tigers website Melbourne Cricket Ground website Year Opened: 1853 Capacity: 100,024 Historic Melbourne Cricket Ground The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is one of the greatest sporting venues in the world. Known to locals simply as, The ‘G , the venue opened in 1853. With a capacity of 100,024, it is the largest stadium in Australia. Owned by the Victorian State Government and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, the stadium is home to numerous cricket (Victorian Bushrangers and Melbourne Stars) and AFL teams (Richmond, Collingwood, Melbourne and Hawthorn). The MCG plays host to three of the biggest sporting events in the land; the traditional Boxing Day cricket test match, the AFL Grand Final and the AFL Anzac Day match between Collingwood and Essendon. Not only that, the MCG was the main stadium for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games. The final of the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup between Pakistan and England was also played at the MCG, as will the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. The venue has also hosted international soccer (football) and rugby union. Regular upgrades have kept the MCG at the forefront of modern stadium trends. Most recently, this has included the opening of the Great Southern Stand in 1992 and the rebuilding of the Members, Olympic, and Ponsford Stands in the early 2000s. AFL has been played regularly at the MCG since the formation of the Victorian Football Association in 1879. The MCG has almost exclusively hosted the AFL Grand Final since 1901. Numerous clubs have called the MCG home over the years, ensuring a regular stream of football at The ‘G . Richmond FC was formed in 1885 and joined the VFL, precursor to the AFL, in 1908. The Tigers most successful period was the late 1960s and early 1970s during which time they won four premierships. Since then they have experienced only sporadic success, with a sole finals appearance in 2013 their best effort over the past 10 years. After many years at nearby Punt Road Oval, Richmond has now called the MCG their home ground since 1965. Food & Beverage 3 The ‘G offers all the standard food and beverage offerings, along with some additional offerings. Also, don’t discount the food stands outside the ground. As with most stadiums in this day and age, items are priced at a premium. In most cases expect to pay around $10 for your food and an average of $8 for a beer. There is a reasonable amount of variety on hand, including outlets for Crust Pizza and Red Rooster. The menu is limited but the quality is good and with a pretty quick turnover, freshness is relatively good. In my opinion value for money is best with these two options. This is in contrast to some of the stands selling wraps, baguettes and pastries which didn’t look they were moving at all. The baguette, with smoked leg ham, tasty cheese, Dijonnaise and lettuce, appeared to be little more than a glorified ham and cheese roll for the hefty sum of $9.50. Soft drinks and bottled water are priced at $5 with coffee and hot chocolate $4.90 for a large that in most instances would be a small or a medium at best. Atmosphere 5 As you enter and move through the stadium you can feel the history. Statues of past greats dot the concourse surrounding the venues. There are numerous exhibits on display inside the venue adding to the sense of occasion and atmosphere. Indeed the National Sports Museum is located within the MCG. Entry is included in the price of your ticket. On game day the museum opens two hours prior to the first bounce and closes at game time. While the ‘G itself is a marvellous venue with its own sense of atmosphere, there is not a lot to personalise the experience to the Tigers. The AFL has pursued a centralised stadium policy which has resulted in the nine Melbourne based clubs sharing only two stadiums; the MCG and Etihad Stadium. While this ensures a good quality of venue with larger capacities, obviously there are less unique features to be experienced. Get to the game early, visit the museum and enjoy exploring this great venue. Once in your seat, enjoy seeing the warm up and the two teams enter the arena through their personalised banners. Richmond attracts good crowds; in most cases expect around 40,000 fans. The stadium and playing surface are especially large, meaning that you’ll often be some distance from the action, particularly if you’re seated at ground level. In these cases you’ll likely need to take advantage of the large video screens at either end. If you are at ground level in the vicinity of the goal posts there is some netting up during warm up, but this is removed prior to game time. Neighborhood 5 The MCG sits adjacent to the Melbourne city centre, creating a multitude of options for pre or post game activities. The MCG itself is located within Yarra Park with a number of other sporting and entertainment arenas in the surrounding precinct; Melbourne Park Tennis Centre (Australian Open), Hisense Arena (ANZ Championship Netball), AAMI Park (NRL and Super Rugby) and the Myer Music Bowl. There are often opportunities for sporting double headers within the precinct. Most areas of the city are within easy walking distance. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants in the nearby suburbs of Richmond and East Melbourne. Further back are Flinders Street and Southbank, both of which offer quite trendy establishments which should cater to most tastes. The Crown Casino is about a 20 minute walk away. Melbourne is a trendy city; well known for quality coffee and good shopping. Further afield are South Melbourne which has some nice cafes and St Kilda which is home to numerous attractions. Fans 4 Richmond is one of the better supported clubs in Melbourne. Their crowd is knowledgeable, good humoured, passionate and engaged throughout the game. Club gear is always on show, if not jerseys, then certainly beanies and scarves. There is plenty of banter between Tigers fans and opposition fans without it turning into genuine animosity. The crowd is mostly family friendly with any negative comments largely profanity free. Access 4 The MCG is conveniently located close to the Melbourne Central Business District with easy access via train or tram. Walking is also an easy option if you’re close by. Indeed the walk along the Yarra River is quite pleasant if approaching from the west. If driving, car parking is available in Yarra Park for $10. The venue itself can obviously cater to large numbers of people. However, various areas will still be quite congested if you’re moving about between quarters. There are plenty of ushers and security staff who are quite visible although if you’re early enough you should still be able to get a decent look at the ground from different vantage points. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Richmond games vary between $25 for general admission through to $60 for category one seats. Most seats offer a good experience although in such a large stadium the nosebleed seats are a long way up. Overall, the stadium and Tigers offer good value for money. The venue itself is unique within Australia and the Tigers crowd makes for a great AFL experience. Extras 3 The MCG is specifically awarded extra points for the long history of the ground and the celebration of the history of sport. The National Sports Museum definitely deserves a visit. The museum has numerous exhibits over two levels in the Olympic Stand and is also the home of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. If not on game day, make the museum a part of your trip to Melbourne. If you choose this option then also take a tour of the venue. Final Thoughts The MCG is a must-visit venue in Australian sport. If you’re in town during the AFL season, then a Richmond home game presents a great opportunity to experience this special stadium.

Photos Courtesy of Lafayette University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Allan P. Kirby Arena 218 Hamitton St. Easton, PA 18042 Lafayette Leopards website Allan P. Kirby Arena website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 3,500 A Patriot League Gem Originally constructed in 1973 as an unaccompanied gymnasium and christened the Kirby Field House after a prominent Lafayette family, this small college gem has undergone two major renovations since, transforming the now Allan P. Kirby Sports Center into arguably one of the finest athletic complexes of any college or university of its size in the United States. The first renovation, a $35 million project dedicated in 2000 saw the addition of an extraordinary atrium overlooking Fisher Field, the Leopard’s football field. This remarkable facility also boasts a 110,000 square-foot area dedicated to the college’s intramural and recreational programs including three 50-by-84-foot courts for basketball and other sports, an elevated 1/10-mile jogging track, and six courts reserved for racquet sports. There is also a spacious 6,600-square-foot fitness center and accompanying weight room which includes a full strength-training circuit, a sizable free-weight area, more than 30 cardiovascular machines, a 35-foot climbing wall, an aerobics area, and several offices. The more recent renovation which took place before the 2013-14 season for $2.5 million truly placed it in the upper echelon of small-college basketball venues as new seating was installed (1,462 chairback seats and 1,188 bleacher seats), a large four-sided video scoreboard was hung high above mid-court and an LED scorer’s table was placed on the north side of the arena between the player’s benches and an entirely new paint scheme put the finishing touches on this masterpiece. Food & Beverage 3 As with most small venues, the concessions are usually limited as is the case here. Although the menu is quite modest, the prices are reflective of this and very easy on the wallet. The diminutive menu consists of hot dogs ($2), soft pretzels ($2, or 3 for $5), Cuban pork tacos ($5), chips ($1), candy ($1), and beverages ($3). The concession area located behind the bleachers on the west end is quite roomy though and very accommodating with plenty of high-top tables and comfortable chairs for your enjoyment during a break in the action. Atmosphere 4 Outside of the Kirby Center with torrential rains pounding the streets at a record-setting level and on the inside, a mid-week match-up of teams that were occupying spots at completely different ends of the Patriot League’s standings, one would assume that there would be little to no excitement in this contest as the intimate arena would be… a…let’s just say intimate. I was already prepared to consider these factors consider these factors before the tip. Not so fast. A Lafayette fan base, although a little smaller in numbers than last season’s when it witnessed their Leopards capture a fourth league championship and play the role, albeit a short-lived one, of Cinderella in a dance with top-seeded Villanova in the NCAA tournament, had every reason to pack this season in a few weeks ago and not venture out into the horrendous weather conditions; but they did just that. They showed up and energized the home team to a near upset of the Bucknell Bison, eventually losing in double-overtime 86-83. The action on the floor was non-stop even during timeouts with the Leopard’s Dance Team performing for the crowd. There was a free-throw shooting contest that took place with two students in the first half and a young co-ed missed the opportunity to leave the Kirby Center with an extra $1,000 as her three attempts from half-court fell way off the mark. Neighborhood 4 Lafayette is located in Easton, Pennsylvania with the school just a 5-minute commute to downtown and Northampton Street where there are several options for a cold beverage and a hot meal before, or following the game. Two Rivers Brewing Company, located in the 500 before, has a great selection of craft beers brewed on the premises. Choose the Colonel Left Eye IPA (6.8%) named after Lafayette College grad Colonel Charles Wikoff who lost his life leading the charge up San Juan Hill and pair it with the Peanut Butter Bacon Cheeseburger. Porter’s Pub, located on the 700 blocks is another option, a quaint corner spot with a vast selection of beers. Join the Porter’s Mug Club and begin the task of drinking 60 different beers from an established list before your mug. Fans 4 I only wish that I could have been there last March when the Leopards defeated American University to win the Patriot League Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament or for a game with their rival Lehigh. At the game of this review, the fans were a little scarcer than last season but energized. With a game that was back-and-forth down the stretch and eventually into overtime, the crowd repeatedly voiced their displeasure to the officiating crew when a call went against the home team. Access 5 The college is easily accessible off Interstate 78 at exit 75 and parking is free outside of the Kirby Center, so it does not get any better than that. Return on Investment 4 With the comforts and intimacy following the newest renovations, the quality of play in the Patriot League which is getting better with each passing season blocks receiving, and the fact that they manage to keep ticket prices well below average awards you a high ROI. Ticket prices are as follows: Adult ($7), Senior (65 and older $5), Children (3-13 $5), and Courtside ($20). Extras 4 Lafayette does a tremendous job of incorporating the “new” with the “old’ as they showcase a completely modernized lobby, bold with the maroon and white school colors and logo, and blend it superbly with athletic trophy cases and a Hall of Fame exhibit honoring its past in the vintage hues of its history all under bright lights that make it a great gathering area. The athletic staff at Lafayette is amazing in their friendliness and eagerness to assist and I can honestly say that I look forward to my return to the Kirby Center.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Tom Gola Arena 1900 W. Olney Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19141 La Salle Explorers website Tom Gola Arena website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 4,000 Exploring Tom Gola Arena La Salle University is a Roman Catholic university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. La Salle first admitted women students in 1970, becoming a fully co-educational institution. Nursing and Education are two of the largest majors at La Salle. Sports teams at La Salle are named the Explorers. The name derives from a 1931 mistake made by a local sportswriter. The writer thought the university was named after the French explorer Sieur de La Salle, when in fact it is named after St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. The students loved the mistake so much they adopted it in 1932. Athletic teams are now part of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The men’s and women’s basketball teams also participate in the Philadelphia Big 5 with the University of Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph’s University, Temple University, and Villanova University. The men’s basketball program at La Salle has been rated the 53rd “Greatest College Basketball Program of All-Time” by Street & Smith’s magazine and 71st by the ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia. La Salle has won one National Championship (1954), one National Invitation Tournament Championship, and advanced to two Final Fours. The Tom Gola Arena opened in 1998. That seems funny as the simple, antiquated design of this facility seems about 20 years earlier in design. That is because they retrofitted the top floor of an existing gym structure to house an arena. These compromises in design certainly show in the many issues that exist here. Before the opening of the Tom Gola Arena, the team played home games at the Spectrum for a few years, as well as the old Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center. They stopped playing on campus the year after their lone national championship. Food & Beverage 2 There is a single concession stand that sits on the mezzanine level. It can get very crowded here and is pretty poorly designed. The design is so bad that the condiment table actually is placed in front of trophies and awards, including the National Championship memorabilia. The good thing is that prices are very good, most items are $3 or less. But eat ahead of time. Atmosphere 2 There are two stands, one on each sideline. This simple design means that attendees sitting on the top few rows will be far from the action. It also means that fans will bunch and crowd between the doors and the stands. It is a bit of a mess. This is compounded by the fact that the bathrooms are next to the gym floor and add to that bunching and crowding effect. This design is very bad. This is generally not the greatest atmosphere for college basketball. Fortunately, the level of competition in the Atlantic 10 Conference is very good. You may not totally enjoy the seating and atmosphere but the fine level of play makes up for that in many ways. There is a band, mascot, and cheerleaders to help out with the atmospherics. Neighborhood 1 The neighborhood is known as the Logan-Ogontz/Belfield neighborhood. Whatever the name, it is frankly not the best. It is not unsafe or very bad, but it is not 100% great and awesome. If you wander away from campus, just be aware of your surroundings. There are also not many businesses in the area except for the Explorers Den, which offers a very respectable cheesesteak. There is a small shopping center that offers parking for games at the corner of Chew and Wister. The university owns this shopping center. The Fresh Grocer and Dunkin Donuts in this center are your only other options before games. Eat before you get to the area is the best advice. Head to center city Philadelphia. Take advantage of options afforded by such a city. I would recommend the Good Dog Bar on 15th Street, close to Rittenhouse Square or Me ‘N’ Mo on South Street. Some of the best cheesesteaks are located at Philip’s Steaks at 2234 West Passyunk Avenue for traditional Philly cheesesteaks. This is not one of the more touristy spots, but is still in a safe neighborhood and offers free parking. Philip’s also has a surprisingly good cheeseburger for a cheesesteak joint. Just remember you have to buy the drinks and fries at a different window than your main entree, which is a strange and unique Philly tradition. Fans 3 The fans here are pretty good. The Atlantic 10 offers great competition and the fans respond accordingly. The arena still does let them down a bit. Access 2 Access is fair. The university is located not too far from highways such as I-76 and I-95 but far enough that you have to drive through some rough, but not too bad neighborhoods to get there. If you venture too far east the neighborhoods do get worse. Head for that shopping center at the corner of Chew and Wister for plenty of free parking. Return on Investment 5 The tickets are in the $15 to $20 range. For a fairly high level of competition, as well as free parking La Salle offers great value for attendees. If you do choose to eat at the games, prices are very good here as well. . Extras 2 It is nice to see the 1954 championship memorabilia, although maybe they can find a better place for condiments. I will also give Tom Gola Arena credit in that the unique layout and design of the facility, at least in terms of the entrance, is certainly something to see. Final Thoughts I understand that the 1998 design of this arena was a compromise in using an existing building. But it still feels that LaSalle made so many poor design decisions that it seriously compromises the quality of the fan experience. You will still see high-quality basketball, but in less than inviting environment.

For twenty plus years, Crazy Legs Conti has been a consistent staple on the competitive eating circuit, which is highlighted by The Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on the Fourth of July. Crazy Legs, who was a three-sport athlete at Johns Hopkins, never defeated Joey Chestnut, but he’s arguably the most colorful character in the history of competitive eating. No surprise, he’s hilarious in his documentary,  Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating , available on Tubi, and his book,  The Loneliness of the Long Distance Eater: A Competitive Eater’s Diary . Crazy Legs took a few moments to discuss eating, his beloved Celtics and a smorgasbord of other subjects. STADIUM JOURNEY: Besides the nude modeling, the window washing and the beverage managing, you worked a lot in film production. You were fortunate enough to work for the late Morgan Spurlock. What was that like? Did you discuss competitive eating? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: Morgan was a stellar guy - creative and a lot of fun to be around. He had hoped for me to eat one hundred chicken nuggets as fast I could for  Super Size Me,  but the league, rightfully so, thought it might be a mixed message with competitive eating and health. Later, I joined Morgan in London for a show he did,  New Britanica , where I ate four entire meals  - two American, two English - against an English eater. I got to meet Jamie Oliver backstage, and we were fine pals until I went out and demolished the food in my usual messy fashion. I didn’t waste any, but I don’t think he was hip to competitive eating, and I haven’t heard from him since.   STADIUM JOURNEY: There's no shortage of monikers in competitive eating, but you have arguably the best. How did this nickname come about? If you care to share, what’s your given name? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: My given name is Crazy Legs Conti, and its origin I’ll leave a mystery, but I have several monikers from my food stuntman attempts. I ate my way out of an eighty foot cubic box filled with popcorn, dubbed, “The popcorn sarcophagus,” which earned me the monikers, “The David Blaine of the Bowel,” “The Evel Knievel of the Alimentary Canal” and “The Houdini of Cuisini.” I also like these others: “The David Bowie of the Bun” and the “Salvador Dali of the Deli.”   STADIUM JOURNEY: Well before you were a competitive eater, you were competitive in more conventional sports, specifically basketball. In fact, at Belmont High in Massachusetts, you were inducted into their Basketball Hall of Fame. What sports did you compete in? Discuss some of your accomplishments?  CRAZY LEGS CONTI: Yes, I was induced into Belmont High’s Basketball Hall of Fame, a great honor. We almost made it to the Eastern Conference finals to be played on the parquet of the Boston Garden but lost in double overtime on a last second shot. One can learn a lot in defeat, whether it's hoops or hot dogs. I played a couple years in college - Division 3 - at Johns Hopkins, but also was a back-up punter and did the high jump. I was a three-sport varsity college athlete but better at the pregame meal than the actual athletic endeavor, so it’s not strange I turned pro in eating.   STADIUM JOURNEY:You've spoken highly of the meatball subs at Belmont High School, what were some of your other favorite eating haunts growing up? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: My aunt Adele was the lunch lady, and though I brought my own lunch - liverwurst, gross I know - on meatball sub day, Aunt Adele would load up a sub beyond bursting. I was also a fan of the pizza place in Belmont Center but mostly because I could see retired Boston Bruin Derek Sanderson. He had quite the life journey and is now sober. His autobiography is great.     STADIUM JOURNEY: What's your favorite sports venue in Boston? Which venue was a young Crazy Legs spending the most time at? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: The Boston Garden was so important to me that I now only see my beloved Celtics on the road. I was there when Bird stole the ball and threw it to my all-time favorite player Dennis Johnson. Greatest five seconds of my life. Most other things have taken longer than five seconds. I am also a huge fan of the Boston Marathon. I attended every year growing up, cheering on the later runners, after they’d hit the wall and were barely hanging on to finish. It teaches one a lot about the human body’s limitations but also how the mind can push one beyond those limits. I ran it in 2007 and absolutely loved every step. I was coming off a hot dog qualifier the day before and indeed 21.5 in hot dogs and marathoning is the wall.   STADIUM JOURNEY: So back to Hopkins, playing two sports in college is super difficult, but three seems next to impossible. What was this experience like? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I loved my time at Hopkins, but basketball was my primary sport. We had such a strong team and made the NCAA tournament each year. I didn’t get a lot of playing time as I was too short for the four spot, but when it came time for me to retire after my sophomore year, I left my shoes on the court. I still have trouble simply playing pick-up these days because the level of play is underwhelming. I truly enjoyed my time on the competitive hoops court. The other sports came along as I was helping out my buddy, Dan “D-Fly” Flynn, who was the starting punter on the football team but also a wide receiver. He wanted to focus on offense, so his family, a true football dynasty of folks, trained me one summer on punting. The high jump was to help out the head coach of the track team who was also the defensive head coach of football. He basically let the lunatics run the asylum by having us screw up the Fosbury flop each match.   STADIUM JOURNEY: You were the Blue Jays' third-string punter. What's that like? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I moved up to second string when someone got hurt. I really needed another year to get better, but I loved punting. One time in practice, I nailed one that cleared the fences and bounced to the business across the street. D-Fly noticed the business my punt landed in front of and opined, that I really took that one to the cleaners.   STADIUM JOURNEY: At Hopkins, you excelled at the pre and post-game meals. Which were some of your all-time favorites? Did you ever overindulge to the point that it affected your on-field performance? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I did eat nine bagels in one sitting before a football game but didn’t end up playing which due to the expanding bread in my belly, was probably for the best.   STADIUM JOURNEY: So you're in New York City now, do you have a favorite sports venue? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I catch a lot of sports in dive bars now, so I can have some wings and drink beer. I like to use the meat umbrella and keep one hand sauce free. I am a fan of the Hairy Lemon on Avenue B and 3rd. I watched every Celtics playoff game there leading up to this year’s championship. The Celtics made the banner happen on the court, I did the same except with buckets of Miller Lite and twenty wings at a time.   STADIUM JOURNEY: Where can you get the best slice in NYC? Best chicken parm? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I think the slice game is overrated because one has to do a reheat. I tend to go to whole pie places. I love Arturo’s on Houston downtown and the original Patsy’s Pizza on 1st Avenue and 116th uptown. If you make it to Queens, a place called Milkflower is great too, a modern take on pizza where toppings like arugula and toasted lemons make appearances. I always go for eggplant parm over chicken parm, and the best is at Mike’s Deli on Arthur Ave,, but late night, while drunk, your neighborhood pizza joint will satisfy.    STADIUM JOURNEY: So you broke into competitive eating by scarfing oysters. What is it about oysters? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: Oysters are my spirit animal, and I think it’s okay to eat one’s spirit animal. They are great for the environment and make everything around them better. They are basically the Larry Bird of the natural world. I love the taste too - briny, sharp, interesting - probably like Larry Bird’s sweat.   STADIUM JOURNEY: You played a competitive eater on  The Sopranos . How did that come about? Describe the experience. CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I was friendly with the casting person, as her husband helped produce the documentary,  Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating , so when she called me, she said if I played a cannoli eater I couldn’t be considered for a different role later on. I don’t know what role a dreadlocked white guy could play on  The Sopranos , so I wisely took the eating role. We did eleven takes of eating and then they broke for lunch. I had no room, so I hung out outside. Later the assistant director said the cast wanted me at lunch to talk competitive eating. That was a missed opportunity.    STADIUM JOURNEY: As far as speed eating hot dogs, do you have a technique? With Joey Chestnut not competing this year, who are the favorites to take the yellow mustard belt? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I dunk my buns in Tang to change the taste and avoid flavor fatigue. If it’s good enough for the astronauts in space, it’s good enough at the competitive eating table. If Joey doesn't appear I’ve got Pat “Deepdish” Bertoletti winning in OT against Australia’s James Webb with the number in the low fifties. It’s going to be a heck of an afterparty if Deepdish wins. He has a lot of siblings from Chicago, and it’ll get wild at Ruby’s on the Boardwalk post contest.   STADIUM JOURNEY: George Shea does wonderful, hilarious play by play on the Fourth at Coney Island. How do you keep yourself from laughing and not choking? Or do you just tune him out? It seems like you must because he’s hilarious.   CRAZY LEGS CONTI: George is a masterful writer, and then he puts those magic words into the performance with such aplomb. One does tend to try to maintain a Zen focus as you ascend the stage, but during the contest, there have been a few times that Eater X and I started laughing as George went on a tangent about his pet hamster Bullet, and how much he misses him. Sometimes the melancholy bits are the best   STADIUM JOURNEY: How does it feel moments before you enter stage on the Fourth? What are you thinking? How are you feeling? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I’ve competed at the Nathan’s finals sixteen out of the last twenty-three years. This year, the numbers were astronomical, and I’ll be out at Coney to support the eaters. The years I ate, the thrill is electric. There is really nothing more surreal and fun at the same time. Forty thousand fans at Stillwell and Surf, cameras from around the world - the place becomes this magical vortex of joy. Any butterflies an eater has in their stomach are quickly squashed by Nathan’s hot dogs and buns.   STADIUM JOURNEY: What's next for Crazy Legs Conti? CRAZY LEGS CONTI: I am a gourmet and a gourmand. I love great food in greater quantities. I think my unique perspective on food would be great to highlight as a TV food host. I’ve traveled the globe eating a lot quickly, but I would be thrilled to slow it down for audiences and enjoy each single bite. Jon Hart is @manversusball