Photos by Justin Sutton, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Robert Braddy Field John R Lynch St & Poindexter Ave Jackson, MS 39217 Jackson State Tigers website Robert Braddy Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 800 The Background on Braddy Home to one of the hotter programs in SWAC baseball, Robert Braddy Field offers baseball fans a cheap ticket to catch college baseball in central Mississippi. While the ballpark, named after the former Jackson State athletic director, does not have the thrills that nearby Trustmark Park or the stadiums of the big three in Mississippi have, fans going to Jackson State can still have a quality experience for a fair price when taking in Tiger baseball in the 800 person capacity complex built in 2006. Food & Beverage 2 With signs in the area that concessions and restrooms are available in other places, Jackson State baseball might offer more than what appears in their match-up against Florida A&M. What is there for that game is mainly candy and sodas for sale, and not much else. With the lack of fans in the stands, having a full menu would make little sense in regards to the bottom line of the budget. With outside food and beverages not being allowed in the ballpark (or at least that is what the sign says), fans do not have many options at the game. However, many fans do tailgate behind the outfield wall. Atmosphere 3 The seats at Robert Braddy Field provide a great view of the game, especially those behind home plate, which have many fellow student athletes in attendance. In addition, many parents make it out to the games, so there is an interested crowd. The only downside to the seats is that they are all bleacher seats. While chair backs would be nice, the seats have good sight lines, and fans can bring in some of their own chairs to watch the game, as well. For kids at the game, they can run down foul balls and get close to the bullpens, and they do have plenty of room to run around during the game. However, if the younger fans are looking for lots of entertainment between innings, they are out of luck. Neighborhood 2 There is not much of a way to sugarcoat this. Jackson State is not located in the greatest part of Jackson. However, with the talks of a new domed stadium in the works and the continued work to revitalize the downtown area of the city, this circumstance may change. There is one restaurant within walking distance of the ballpark, The Penguin. A restaurant that was quite popular a half-century ago has worked to make a return to the Jackson night scene. With a kitchen open until 10 pm and a bar open much later, fans can dine before or after the game. The only drawback might be the price, as much of the menu comes in over $15 per entree, but it looks as though some patrons are more than fine with the price given the food and atmosphere. Editor’s Note: It appears Penguins has closed since this review was written. When Stadium Journey makes a revisit, we’ll update this section with other choices. Fans 2 The fans in attendance at the game did their best to enhance the atmosphere, but for the most part, there were many empty spots in the bleachers on a great evening to watch baseball. With the Tigers having recently clinched a share of the SWAC Eastern division crown and having the most wins in conference play when I visited, the lack of fans came as a bit of a surprise. Access 3 Getting to Robert Braddy Field is not much of a challenge for fans traveling to the game. The stadium is about five minutes off of Interstate 20 on the University exit. Parking is located within a two-to-five minute walk of the baseball field. If fans want to tailgate behind the outfield wall, they can park along John R. Lynch Street, and the raised walls beyond the outfield fence protect their cars. The big knock on getting to the stadium is that there are not many signs to help someone unacquainted to Jackson State find their way around. Also, fans have to leave the complex to use the restroom, walking a few minutes to the tennis complex. Return on Investment 5 With tickets only priced at five dollars a person, no one can complain about the cost of attending a game.The Tigers have produced many players drafted in the MLB draft, some of whom were first-rounders.The fellow foes of the Tigers in SWAC play also bring quality local talent and MLB talent to Jackson State. . Extras 2 Robert Braddy Field has quality sight lines, and beyond right field, the skyline of downtown Jackson makes for a great view. The field, which is maintained by the coaching staff, looks great, as does most of the campus, which has been revitalized over the past few years.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Soldier Field 1200 N Dupont Highway Dover, DE 19901 Delaware State Hornets website Soldier Field website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 500 Dover Diamond The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is made up of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located between Florida and Delaware. Only nine of the 13 member MEAC schools field teams in baseball. Bethune-Cookman University has been dominating the MEAC for nearly two decades. Delaware State has been a member of the MEAC since its founding in 1971. Delaware State is the smallest of the MEAC schools with a little over 3,600 students and was ranked 9th among all HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report in 2014. It opened in 1981 as Delaware State College and changed to a university in 1993. One of their most unique programs is the university-based flight school. The Delaware State Hornets baseball teams are one of the strongest teams in the northern part of the MEAC. Their longtime home, Soldier Field, has been open since 1958. Recent renovations have seen work performed on the field, as well as the addition of a 20-foot tall left field “monster” wall in 2009. In late 2017, the facility also saw some new seats added behind the backstop. EDITOR'S NOTE: Delaware State Hornets moved its baseball team to Bob Reed Field in 2022. Food & Beverage 3 The food will not wow you. But they offer friendly service at a small stand located behind the first base grandstand. Hot dogs are a bargain at $2 and the “Hornet Special” is $4 and includes hot dog, chips and either water, soda or coffee. Drinks are $1.25. The best bargain is 10 cents for gum with $1 for assorted candy. Those prices are not found almost anywhere at a sporting event. From talking to the friendly concession staff, there are always changes and additions to the menu, so just ask at the stand for any specials. Atmosphere 4 This is not a high end stadium. But the atmosphere at Soldier Field is perfect for the true baseball fan. And the MEAC conference offers a good quality of baseball. There are two metal bleachers, one on the first base side and one on the third base side. But the best views of the action are not from these seats. There is a very small right field seating section. It is a row and half of plastic seats with seat cushions. They offer a great view of the action on the first base side. Another unique seating section is the single row of wooden seats that run along the third base line past the dugout. It is a hidden gem and also offers great views. A couple rows of new seats have been added behind the backstop. If you do sit in the metal bleachers, you should stop by the shed located under the press box and get a seatback/cushion for the game. This keeps you from killing your back on the metal bleachers. They are free, although you may have to pick through the pile to find one in good working condition. Neighborhood 3 There is not much to the neighborhood. The field is located at the back part of the university between some general facility buildings and in front of dormitories. If you go to the front facing part of the university you will see that the neighborhood consists of the massive Dover Downs Casino and Dover International Speedway NASCAR track complex across the large and busy DuPont Highway. Dover Mall and assorted big box retailers are also in ready view. You can even hear the dogs barking from the local pet supply store. The area is good if you need food and sustenance before or after the game. Legendary local chain Grotto Pizza has a sports bar located across the street at 1159 N DuPont Highway. They have never been a favorite of mine but fans of them will flock there. Other great choices include Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop on Gateway S Blvd, Restaurant 55 at 2461 S State St, La Tolteca Restaurant at 859 N Dupont Hwy and 33 West Ale House & Grill at 33 W Loockerman Street. The Fire and Ice Bar at Dover Downs Casino is another choice for a drink after the game. Fans 3 As with most northeast college baseball stadiums, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There are a number of local residents who seem to be regulars at the games. The fans are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors. Access 3 Soldier Field is at the back part of the Delaware State campus. It is not too hard to find, although signage is not well marked. The university is right off of a major road in DuPont Highway. A toll road, Route 1, that takes you most of the way north to Wilmington is also nearby. Dover is about a one and a half hour trip from Philadelphia and Baltimore, and at least two hours from Washington DC. It seems close by on a map but is isolated at the center of the Delmarva Peninsula. If venturing to a shore destination such as Ocean City, Maryland or Rehoboth, Delaware, then Dover may make a quick, enjoyable stop, but as a destination it is not the best. Watch out for NASCAR weekends when traveling in the area; those weekends are not recommended unless you have no other options, as traffic can pile up. There may also be tolls, not just from nearby Route 1, unless you are already on the eastern shore or Delmarva region. If travelling from the DC and Annapolis area you will have to pay tolls across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If going around the top of the bay from Baltimore you will have to pay very hefty tolls on either Route 40 or I-95. And coming from Norfolk you will need to pay for the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Parking for weekend games should be easy to find in the numerous nearby lots. Weekday games while school is in session may make parking a bit trickier. Be sure to read signs so that you don’t get ticketed by campus police. Return on Investment 5 Soldier Field is free to attend and parking is also free. Those coupled with the cheap prices for food make this a good investment for a true baseball fan. You will use quite a bit of gas getting to the game in somewhat isolated Dover unless you live in the area, but try and plan your game trip with a trip to the shore, or to the NASCAR track and/or casino. Extras 2 The left field 20-foot monster sized wall is a nice treat to see. Also make sure to spend some time sitting in the many quirky seating sections. They are an experience like no other. Final Thoughts This is a quirky, old baseball field that offers a good value to see a good on the field product. It is not shiny and new, but baseball fans will find Soldier Field to be one of the best college baseball experiences around the Mid-Atlantic region.

Photo by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Rob Hoffman Vallei Zanderijweg, 1403 XV Bussum, Netherlands Bussum HCAW website Rob Hoffman Vallei website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 1,000 Baseball in the Valley Baseball in Bussum has a long history, starting pre-WWII as the HC’38 club in 1938. After some post war name changes, the HCAW club (HonkbalClub Allen Weerbaar) founded officially in 1957 and has been active since then, even absorbing their big league rival the Amstel Tigers in the late 80s, playing as the HCAW-Tigers until 1995, when they became HCAW alone once again. In 1971, HCAW moved into their own complex, “The Baseball Valley.” As with many other Dutch ballparks, this is a multi-field complex for both top-level baseball and softball, along with other fields for lower-level and youth competition. It stands apart, however, because the “valley” was a baseball-only facility, and not part of a multi-sport “sportpark” athletic complex like nearly the rest of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. The 1,000-seat main stadium and the entire valley were more recently renamed to Rob Hoffman Vallei to honor long-time local pitching great, Rob Hoffman. Rob Hoffman Vallei isn’t the biggest or best ballparks in The Netherlands, but it is a baseball-only facility with solid services, good value, and relatively easy to access. [All prices are in Euros. At the time of writing, one Euro is worth about $1.15.] Food & Beverage 3 Keeping with Honkbal Hoofdklasse standard, all food and drinks are served from the team’s clubhouse. A combined bar and grill sit behind the counter in the trophy and memorabilia-strewn building. You can bring the food out to your seat, or park up on picnic-type tables in the clubhouse itself. The standard Dutch ballpark fare is on offer. There’s a selection of burgers, hot dogs, and other sausages (€3 and under), and a selection of Dutch broodjes sandwiches (€3). You can argue selection, but you can’t argue prices. All your drinks come from the same place, with the same limited options and unassailable prices. Heineken, Hoegaarden, Rose, Radler, and Palm (along with wine) are just €2 a piece. Fans load up by the case before the first pitch and bring their empties back in the same case after the game. Coke is the non-alcoholic drink family of choice. You’re in The Netherlands, so you might as well have a Heineken. If you’re not feeling like a hot dog or brat, try out a Dutch broodje and go a little native. Atmosphere 3 Rob Hoffman Vallei is one of the few baseball-only facilities in The Netherlands, but its physical buildings aren’t quite as advanced or top-notch as some others in the league. The fields in the valley are almost all made of chain link fence walls. There are three main buildings by the Honkbal Hoofdklasse field: player locker rooms beyond first base, the clubhouse and team store behind home place, and the attached “Buccaneers Business Club” running down the third baseline. A small press box shed sits halfway between home plate and first base. Unlike many fields in Honkbal Hoofdklasse, visitors can walk around to beyond the center field chain link fence and look in on the game. The main seating area is on a narrow drop from the clubhouse plaza, consisting of two-piece molded plastic seats running in five rows from half-way to first base to half-way to third base. There is an additional row of seats in front of the Business Club on the third base side. A small digital scoreboard just records the score, balls, strikes, outs, and inning in right-center field. Trees rise above the chain link outfield wall, broken up only by the large conditioning and training building beyond left field. Smoking is very much still a thing in the otherwise progressive Netherlands, and there are several picnic tables in the plaza in front of the clubhouse with ash trays built in to accommodate smokers. As is the case in most Honkbal Hoofdklasse games, there are no mascots or between-innings entertainment that permeate all levels of US baseball. You get in-stadium PA announcements, batter walk-up music, and the seventh inning stretch, period. The Dutch don’t even play the national anthem before games or usually fly their flag. Since this is a step up from club ball, however, there are some nice vestiges of sportsmanship. Each batter coming the plate for the first time usually shakes the hand of the umpire and the opposing catcher. You can sit wherever you want except in the dugout, so choose whatever suits your mood. Hang out at the picnic tables with a crate of beer, or grab a seat right behind home plate and see a game closer than you could even dream about in America. Neighborhood 2 Bussum is a small suburb and commuter town, and while it is convenient to transit, there’s not a ton going on by the ballpark. A short distance north in the city center, there are at least a decent selection of restaurants. La Cubanita Bussum, Restaurant LUEK, Nobel, Soigne, Mah Wah, Restaurant ‘tKOOKt, and several others are all to be found near downtown. But there’s not much going on around Rob Hoffam Vallei. The nearest point of interest is the medieval fort city Utrechtse Poort about ten minutes to the north. Seek greener pastures for activities beyond baseball. There are only three hotels relatively close to the park. The closest is the Bastion Hotel Bussum, within walking distance. The Bed & Breakfast Bussum is to the north, and the Hotel NH Bussum Jan Tabak is further to the northeast. There are many more choices to the south in Hilversum. Fans 4 Baseball (or honkbal, as it is known locally) is very much a fringe sport in The Netherlands, and for all of Europe for that matter. The Dutch Honkbal Hoofdklasse is one of the only semi pro/professional leagues on the continent, sharing the distinction with the Italian Baseball League. HCAW seems to draw on the top-end of the average Dutch baseball crowds across the league (between 100-250 people per game). After games and practices at the surrounding fields end, the players and spectators come over to watch the top-level men play their games. Another out-of-the-ordinary status quo is that there are usually pet dogs at every game. It is a welcome change for dog lovers, less so if you don’t like them. The HCAW fan base stands out quite prominently as being ardent fans. They are very into the games and pay close attention to the on-field action. The numbers especially stand out since this is one of the only parks in The Netherlands that charge admission. Access 4 Located in a small town in the central Netherlands, Rob Hoffman Vallei is easy to get to by mass transit and easy to get around in once you arrive. Rob Hoffman Vallei has the benefit of being a short walk from a Dutch train station, Station Bussum Zuid. It is literally one stop from the city center (3 minutes, €2.40), a half hour by train from Amsterdam Centraal (€5.30), and 20 minutes from Utrecht Centraal (€5.10). It is a five minute drive, cab, or ride share from downtown Bussum (or about a 20-minute walk), and about a half-hour drive, cab, or ride share from Amsterdam or Utrecht. There is a small parking lot and street parking by the ballpark, and there is plenty of free bicycle parking. Cabs and ride shares can drop you off right at the entrance. There is one entrance to the facility through the main gate and ticket window. This is the only choke point in the entire park, as it opens out onto a plaza and wide walkways that connect it with all the other fields and facilities in the complex. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices into the baseball valley are €5 for adult and €2.50 for children. While it is one of the only parks to charge admission in Honkbal Hoofdklasse, it is still quite a value. All of the food and drinks are €3 or under, and you just can’t beat those prices. . Extras 3 As with all the Dutch stadiums, extras are at a minimum. The clubhouse has a selection of baseball memorabilia, as well as club trophies and awards. There is a rather unique baseball couch in the clubhouse that is worth a look. The team store is in an attached building to the clubhouse, selling general baseball equipment and a small selection of team gear, but it is often closed, even during games. There is a screened picture of the valley’s namesake at the entrance to the park, a dedication plaque for the park, and a large team mural on one of the clubhouse buildings that you walk through on the way to the fields. There is also a dedication to Toon Otte on one of the locker room buildings and four retired numbers (1, 10, 12, 24) on the left field wall. As Dutch clubhouse personnel are almost all volunteers, they are polite and helpful to a person and are always glad to talk to and assist visitors. Final Thoughts While Rob Hoffman Vallei isn’t the newest or shiniest ballpark in The Netherlands, it is a baseball-only environment with a sizeable Dutch fan base, great value and access, and all the bases covered.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Chase Fieldhouse 401 Garasches Lane Wilmington, DE 19801 Delaware Blue Coats website Chase Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 2,500 Blue 76ers The Delaware Blue Coats joined the NBA G-League in 2013 as an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. At the time, they were known as the Delaware 87ers and played at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of the University of Delaware in Newark. In 2018, the 87ers rebranded as the Delaware Blue Coats, and in January of 2019 they moved into a new arena in Wilmington, the 76ers Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse was a joint venture by the 76ers and the Buccini Polin Group and is part of a sports complex which also contains a youth training center and several turf fields. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand at 76ers Fieldhouse on the lower level, serving a somewhat limited but sufficient menu. Main courses include chicken tenders ($7), pizza ($7 for a personal), cheesesteaks ($6) and hot dogs ($5). Snacks include tater tots ($5), and chips, muffins, and assorted snack cakes for $2 each. Drinks include soda, Gatorade, and bottled water for $4 and coffee for $3. Alcohol is also available at a separate stand next to the main one. Cocktails are $9 for a single or $17 for a double, beer is $8-$10, and wine is $8. Unfortunately, the lines at concession stands can move very slowly, so get your food before the game if possible. Atmosphere 4 All seats at the 76ers Fieldhouse are chair backs along the two sides of the court, accessed by walking up from floor level. The one exception is a VIP mezzanine on the second level of the arena. There are two scoreboards, one on each end of the court. One of them shows detailed player stats while the other is more basic. Unfortunately, depending on where you are sitting, it is possible your view of one of the scoreboards will be obstructed by the basket. There are glass windows on three sides of the court which let in a lot of light during day games. The glare can often be distracting. 76ers championship banners hang from the rafters, which are a nice touch but also reinforce that the Blue Coats are always going to be secondary to the Sixers in this area. The team does a good job of keeping the fans engaged. Music plays almost constantly and can get quite loud at times. Unfortunately, sometimes it gets so loud that it drowns out any noise the crowd makes. There is a mascot named Coaty, a blue horse who roams the stands and floor throughout the game. Neighborhood 2 76ers Fieldhouse is located in a business district, but as far as businesses you might actually go to for fun, as opposed to tire shops, pharmacies, and supermarkets, there isn’t much within walking distance other than a Domino’s. Your best bet is to take the bridge across the Christina River where you will find a lot of restaurants on the other side. You can find everything from bars to breweries to seafood joints, but although they’re just across the river from the arena, you will have to basically drive in a circle for two miles to get across and come back down. Fans 3 Although the Blue Coats rarely sell out, they draw well for a G-League team, frequently drawing over 2,000 fans a game. Fans range from young families with small children to senior citizens, reflecting the affordable and family-friendly atmosphere here. Those who do show up are engaged in the game and cheer on the Blue Coats. The team also frequently partners with local youth groups and sports teams to fill up the arena further. Access 3 76ers Fieldhouse is located on U.S. Route 13 Business, just off I-495. This should not be confused with the regular U.S. Route 13, which also runs near the arena but cannot be used to access it directly. Parking is available in a few lots behind the arena for $5. While it can be confusing which lot to park in, staff will do a good job of directing you to the right place. Once you’re in the arena, the concourse is plenty wide enough to allow room to move around. However, one odd quirk is that the path from the court to the locker rooms goes directly across the concourse. As a result, if you are sitting in Sections 6-10, you will need to wait until all personnel return to the locker room at halftime and the end of the game before you can leave the seating area. Return on Investment 3 How much you will pay for tickets depends on where you sit and when you go. Tickets for weekday games range from $12 for seats in the upper rows to $26 for front row seats near center court. On weekends, prices will range from $14 to $31. Parking is a bit pricey for this level, and concessions are about average. If you’re willing to sit in the upper rows, a Blue Coats game can be affordable, but if you want to sit lower down it can get pricey. For what is essentially a minor league, this is a bit much. Extras 2 The Blue Coats have a giant drum which they wheel out before every game to be played by a fan to pump up the crowd. There will often be live music from a local band on the concourse before the game, which is a nice touch and adds some local color to the experience. Final Thoughts Sadly, the NBA has not done a good job of promoting the G-League. However, that doesn’t seem to have deterred the Blue Coats from marketing themselves. As the only professional basketball team in Delaware, and one of only two professional teams, period, there is a large untapped market potential here that the team has taken advantage of. However, as the name of the arena, the giant glass window with the 76ers logo, and the championship banners in the rafters reflect, any professional basketball team here is always going to be second class citizens compared to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Photos by Nolan Searl, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Baxter Arena 2425 S 67th St Omaha, NE 68106 Omaha Mavericks men’s hockey website Baxter Arena website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 7,898 A New Era for Omaha Hockey UNO hockey finally has a place of its own. Completed in 2015, Baxter Arena is UNO’s first on-campus arena. Since the program began in 1997, the Mavs have shared the Civic Auditorium and more recently the CenturyLink Center with Creighton men’s basketball. The $90-million arena lies just south of the school’s Pacific Campus and Aksarben Village. Food & Beverage 4 All of your basics are covered at Baxter Arena. For those looking for something a little different, take a walk around the concourse and you’ll find something that grabs your interest. Godfather’s Pizza, a popular Midwestern chain, offers pepperoni and hamburger pizza by the slice. At the 67th Street Kitchen, you can find fries topped with pulled pork and cheddar cheese, loaded tater tots with sour cream, bacon, and cheese, or even “taco tots.” And hockey fans need not worry, Baxter Arena has beer. Shock Top and Stella Artois have kiosks with a few different options to choose from. All of your domestics are available as well at $7.50 for a 20-ounce. Right next to Godfather’s Pizza on the south side of the arena is The Blue Line bar. The lines there get long, so plan for that if you’re looking for some wine or a cocktail. The Blue Line bar is also a local beer option from Infusion Brewing, which is based in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood. Atmosphere 4 This is an arena that was built specifically for UNO hockey. The school’s colors are plastered all around the concourse. Even the concession stands have tied in some of the school’s history. You won’t find a bad seat in the house, either. All of the upper bowl seats have great sightlines and are very easy to access. The upper and lower bowls share the same concourse. It’s always easy getting to and from your seat, no matter where you are at. Throughout the game, there’s a multitude of giveaways and contests to keep everyone entertained. You’ll want to stick around for the Voodoo Taco taco cannon, for sure. Neighborhood 5 Baxter Arena is right across from Aksarben Village, which is a newly developed area of businesses, restaurants, shops, apartments, and student housing. For a pregame meal, Jimi D’s offers up the best food within walking distance. There’s also Dudley’s Pizza and Tavern (a popular place for UNO fans), and DJ’s Dugout, which has huge beers and more TVs than anyone else in town. There’s also Voodoo Taco, Ponzu Sushi, and a few other options. For a post-game drink, Pauli’s has become the go-to spot for Mav fans and visitors alike. It’s your standard neighborhood bar, but it’s always a good crowd after the game, win or lose. The arena is about 10 to 15 minutes from downtown and the Old Market, which is a must-see for any first-time visitor to Omaha. Fans 5 UNO hockey began in 1997, and they have had tremendous support ever since. Maverick fans always show up in large numbers, and they are consistently ranked in the top five nationally for attendance. Most Nebraskan’s are diehard Cornhusker football fans. However, the Mav fans still fill up the building even if the team down in Lincoln is playing at the same time. The “Mav Maniacs” and “The Red Army” are a couple of groups that are constantly coming up with chants and keeping the crowd energized throughout the game. With the arena being right next to campus, more students are going to the games as well. A fan favorite, and unique UNO tradition, happens after the first Maverick goal of every game as a fish gets thrown onto the ice. What started as a rogue operation was eventually embraced by the university and the fans. Once the fish is on the ice, a guy driving a mini-Zamboni with a wheelie bar comes out and scoops it up in a net. It’s pretty hilarious. Access 4 The arena is a short drive north of I-80. The 60th and 72nd Street exits will get you to the arena in just a few minutes. Head north until you hit Center Street, and you will run into the arena at 67th. You can’t miss it. Parking in the arena lots is free, but they usually fill up. Luckily there is more parking available in surrounding neighborhoods. Return on Investment 4 The food and drink prices are pretty standard when compared to other arenas in the area. You won’t be charged an arm and a leg for anything. Free parking adds to the value. You can expect to pay $20-$30 for an upper bowl seat (unless North Dakota is coming to town) and an additional $20-$30 if you plan on eating and drinking at the game. Extras 4 Download the Mav Experience app to get prices, menus, a map of the arena, and game updates. Baxter Arena also has free wifi, which is a nice touch. Another extra point for the university for investing in this arena for its hockey team, and fans.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Jackie Robinson Stadium 100 Constitution Ave Los Angeles, CA 90095 UCLA Bruins website Jackie Robinson Stadium website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 1,820 Home to Jackie Robinson and the Sons of Westwood Jackie Robinson is a name known throughout baseball, but before becoming famous with the Dodgers , he was a four sport letter recipient at UCLA. Being the first to achieve this feat, it’s only appropriate that a UCLA facility be named for him. The baseball stadium opened in 1981 thanks to a private gift from Hoyt Pardee, a former classmate of Jackie Robinson. The new stadium would be UCLA’s sixth home field in its history and the famous Jackie Robinson statue was dedicated in 1985. The stadium is set on the grounds of the Veterans Health Administration. After some controversy, UCLA recently signed a $300,000 lease with the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs to continue use of the stadium for many years to come, along with other provisions. Food & Beverage 3 Upon entering, most fans ascending the steps will be treated to the smell of hot dogs and onions being grilled just in front of the snack stand on the first base side. The menu is on par for a college baseball venue. A permanent concession stand on the first base concourse serves up hot links and cheeseburgers ($6), hamburgers ($5), hot dogs and veggie burgers ($4), pretzels and nachos ($3 – add .25 for a cheese cup), chips, peanuts and Cup o’ Noodles ($2), assorted candy, cookies and cracker jacks ($1). Other snacking and dining options are available on the third base concourse. A bag of freshly popped popcorn ($2) as well as Turkey and Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches are available from Jersey Mike’s ($9). Coke product beverages are available for $3 while bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea are $2. Atmosphere 4 Despite being a stone’s throw from a major freeway and minutes from a large downtown area, the trees that surround the stadium provide a surprisingly suburban feel. Immediately upon climbing the steps to the main concourse, fans are treated to a table that will enhance their experience. There is a frequent fan card (offering a raffle ticket for each game attended during the season), scorecard, baseball bingo card, and opportunities to win free gifts. The baseball bingo card certainly does keep the crowd involved as fans mark off the appropriate boxes based on what the batters of the home team do when the ball is in play. The Bruins recent run of success, including their first ever National Championship in 2013 has certainly increased interest in the baseball program as is certainly noticed in the stands. Neighborhood 3 The surrounding area around Jackie Robinson Stadium really does not offer much in regards to dining and entertainment due to the fact that the stadium sits on the grounds of the U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs. In spite of the fact the stadium is only a few minutes from campus, driving towards Westwood Village can still be a pain. If attending a weeknight game, you will definitely want to plan ahead as traffic within the surrounding areas can be, to put it kindly, brutal. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but unfortunately, there is no way around it. Should you opt to head toward the Village after the game, one way to expedite your journey would be to make a left on Sepulveda after exiting the lot and head north two lights toward Montana Ave. Make a right, head east through a residential neighborhood. As the street curves south it will change into Gayley Ave leading you directly into the Village. While I cannot guarantee that this will entirely alleviate your navigational nightmares through our notorious L.A. traffic, this is still your best option, particularly if it’s a weekend game as you will by all means want to avoid driving along Wilshire Blvd, one of L.A.’s major thoroughfares. For your dining, entertainment, and parking options just click on the link provided above. A good majority of the dining and entertainment options are open late. Fans 3 Bruin fans are easily some of the best when it comes to wearing their team colors. Though not as rabid as those at Pauley Pavilion , the crowd is at near capacity. The fans are a very diverse breed, ranging from a mix of older folks all the way to the little league groups. Access 3 The stadium is located just minutes off of the 405 freeway and can be accessed on foot from the UCLA campus. However, I can never stress enough the importance of early planning when dealing with the area traffic, so do plan accordingly. Once inside the stadium, fans will find bucket seating circling between the first and third base dugouts. Should the comfortable bucket seating overflow, there is also a set of bleachers above the concourse between third base and home plate that looks as if it has survived a nuclear war. Parking is listed on the UCLA website as $10, yet it was $8 when I arrived at the lot. I would assume the price varies depending on the magnitude of the game. There is only a single restroom area on site and the men’s room has only three stations. This can pose a problem during high attendance games as the line can back up. With increased interest in the baseball program and more fans attending as opposed to years past, perhaps it would help to alleviate backups if a few mobile unisex bathrooms could be added. Return on Investment 4 The ticket prices are very reasonable, with adult ticket prices at $12 for seats behind home plate, $8 for adult general admission and $5 for youth general admission. The price of parking, at $10, is more than a general admission ticket. However, with few other options, the lot is your best bet. Extras 3 Easily the foremost attraction at the ballpark is the statue of Jackie Robinson along the first base line. The plaque below reads, “The Name. The Legend. The Man.” Alongside the statue is a recently added mural by artist Mike Sullivan depicting Jackie in his UCLA uniform, with references to his playing days as well as his time in the Army. Jackie was the first four letter athlete in UCLA history (football, basketball, baseball and track), and his presence is certainly felt throughout the stadium. All around the concourse, fans can view banners that show recent major league players that formerly appeared in a Bruins uniform. Some of the players that appear on these banners include Hector Embriz, Garrett Atkins, Todd Zeile, Eric Byrnes, Chase Utley, Trevor Bauer, Gerrit Cole, Dave Roberts, Troy Glaus, and Eric Karros. Just next to the ticket office, there is a large ProGrass logo with a patch of the synthetic grass. For fans that have never had a chance to walk on or feel FieldTurf, this presents a good opportunity. It’s funny that Jackie Robinson is largely credited with breaking the color barrier, yet he was not even the first black player on the UCLA baseball team. The man credited with being the first was Kenny Washington, and he would eventually have his number 13 retired. Today, fans can spot his number 13 in left field, honoring the man they called “Kingfish.” Lastly of note is the Jack and Rhodine Gifford hitting facility. Located beyond the right field fence, this area allows fans a peek at the practice facilities and a free view through the fence at the action on the field. Final Thoughts A recent run of success, a national championship, along with some notable enhancements throughout the stadium, including a new state of the art scoreboard with an analog clock reminiscent of old-time yards has added to the game day experience to a stadium that not long ago, was in need of some upgrades. With a recent national title added to the school’s vast trophy case, the interest in UCLA baseball is certainly evident. A visit to Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium should definitely be on any baseball fan’s travel list. Also a must, especially if you are a true fan of historical significance, is the chance to snap some photos of you next to the Jackie Robinson displays along the first base concourse. Aside from showing them off on your social media site, these photos will make for great stories about a true icon that any baseball fan should share and pass down to other future baseball fans. Follow me @good_drei on Twitter & Instagram .

Photos by Will Halpern, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium 1801 Fayetteville St Durham, NC 27707 North Carolina Central Eagles website O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 10,000 The Eagles Soar in the Bull City North Carolina Central University was founded a decade after the turn of the twentieth century. Twelve years later, in 1922, the Eagles launched their football program. For five years the team was an independent, before joining the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association for the next 42 years. The team then moved to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for seven years before rejoining the CIAA from 1979 through 2006. After competing as a Division II Independent program for three seasons, 2010 was the year the Eagles finally joined the ranks of NCAA Division 1, as once again a member of the MEAC, which was a Division II conference when the Eagles were first a member. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a conference consisting of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); along with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) they are the two Division I conferences that consist of HBCUs. The Eagles have played on campus at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium since 1975. Food & Beverage 4 O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium offers a variety of delicious culinary offerings, but unlike most sports venues where food is purchased mostly from concession stands around the stadium, the majority of food here is found at food trucks from local restaurants that are all located behind the main concourse. Off the Hook Seafood, based in nearby Rolesville, offers fish, shrimp, or chicken tenders and fries for ten dollars each, or you can pick two or all three with fries for fifteen and twenty dollars respectively. The R&B Grill Food Truck offers a similar menu to Off the Hook, but with the added options of a Pork Chop combo, along with sausage dogs and Philly cheese steaks, all priced between 11 and 14 dollars. For those looking for the more classic stadium fare, JC’s Kitchen Food Truck offers a hot dog for just three dollars or burgers and nachos for four dollars, as well as fish combos and chicken wings. For dessert, Flavor Desserts Bakery, based in both Durham and Greensboro, offers an assortment of cakes and cupcakes, fried Oreos, and Italian ice, and ice cream is also offered. There is also a concessions stand behind the stadium selling snacks and Pepsi products. Atmosphere 3 O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium is a very basic stadium with very few bells and whistles. It holds 10,000 people, which is small even by FCS standards. There is a nice-sized video board but for some reason the video does not take up the whole screen, and instead is only shown in a small square within the screen, making highlights and replays unnecessarily hard to see. The seating consists of metal bleachers on the east side of the stadium and regular bleachers on the west side. There is chair back seating for season ticket holders, with some additional seating behind the south end zone, and lawn seating behind the north end zone next to the track, though this is not technically inside the stadium itself. The main positives are the game day atmosphere. The band, known as The Sound Machine, is fantastic, and the PA Announcer does a great job keeping the energy up without having to do it all on his own, as he often cues the DJ or The Sound Machine to keep the crowd loud during breaks or at big moments in the game. The band even has their own chant after the Eagles pick up a first down; there is truly never a dull moment during an NCCU Eagles football game. Neighborhood 4 O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium is located right in the center of North Carolina Central University, so there are not a ton of places to eat in the immediate vicinity apart from the on-campus dining halls. However, just two miles north of the stadium is downtown Durham, which offers so many different food offerings. Named “Tastiest Town in The South” in 2013 by Southern Living Magazine, whatever you are craving, Durham is sure to offer it, from Pie Pushers Pizza that offers fourteen different specialty pies to King’s Sandwich Shop, a Durham establishment since 1942 selling various sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes. Dames Chicken and Waffles is also a popular southern combination, with different types of waffles and chicken prepared in a variety of ways, along with local brews to go along with any of the ten waffle combinations you can pick from. Finally, you can’t mention the Durham food scene without including Elmo’s Diner on Ninth Street, serving up classic American food, including breakfast. It’s very family-friendly, though you should be prepared for lines to get in. But it is well worth the wait, especially if you are new to Durham. The Bull City has a lot to offer if you are looking to plan a day or a weekend around an Eagles football game. Downtown Durham offers a lot of local stores and boutiques along Main Street, Brightleaf Square, and the American Tobacco Campus. Or, if you are looking for more shopping options check out New Hope Commons shopping center or the Streets at Southpoint (an indoor and outdoor mall), both just ten minutes from NCCU’s campus. Alternatively, those who enjoy being in the great outdoors should head over to Sarah P. Duke Gardens on the campus of Duke University just four miles northwest of the stadium, or Eno River State Park which is a fifteen-minute drive in the same direction. And for those with children, a visit to the Museum of Life and Science is a short ten-minute drive north of O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium, and offers both an indoor museum and a large outdoor play area, including a train you can ride and a butterfly house. The closest hotels to the stadium are downtown, which is not far from NCCU’s campus. There are plenty of chain hotels such as Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton, and Aloft, but if you are looking for something a little nicer, the Unscripted Durham and the 21c Museum Hotel are a three-star and four-star hotel respectively, with both offering a restaurant and the latter offering a spa and art gallery. Fans 3 NCCU has a great fan base of students, locals, and alumni, and Eagle Pride is truly evident throughout O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. My most recent visit was a Thursday night game, and though it was nationally televised, the stadium looked about two-thirds full, with most of the fans sitting on the west side of the stadium (admittedly, it was fall break at the university during my visit).But there was still a good tailgating scene outside of the stadium, and even with the stadium not at capacity the fans were still loud and engaged throughout the game, and with the DJ, PA Announcer, and The Sound Machine riling up the fans, the stadium was fairly loud. Normally the fans at an Eagles game would deserve a higher score, if it had been a regular Saturday at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Access 4 O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium is located on Fayetteville Street just five minutes south of downtown Durham. Traffic can be a problem if you are driving on I-85 or I-40 during rush hour, but once you are in Durham the traffic tends to ease up. There is a parking deck for ten dollars not far from the stadium, but most of the other lots are reserved for students, faculty, and Eagle Club members. Handicap parking is available, and there are a number of Go Durham Buses that take you to campus from downtown, including the 5, 7, and 8. Fares are just a dollar each way, and it’s very convenient especially if coming on Greyhound, Amtrak, or Megabus from out of town, as the train and bus station are just two blocks apart. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is less than twenty minutes southeast in Morrisville, and the main gate into the stadium behind the west side is not too crowded and is hassle-free. The bathrooms are clean but could use renovating, however, the concourses are fairly wide and are easy to navigate. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Eagles games are fifteen dollars in advance and twenty-five dollars at the gate, so it is worth getting them early if you are planning on attending an Eagles game. Food is a little pricey but is local and tasty, and you get a fair amount of it, so it is worth paying a little more for it. Overall an Eagles football game won’t cost an arm and a leg, and with an intimate stadium, a great band, and some high-quality FCS football, it is well worth the price. . Extras 0 The first point goes to the local delicious food offered at the stadium, while the second point is for the PA Announcer who inspires the entire stadium with Eagle Pride .Point number three goes to The Sound Machine marching band that plays throughout the game and gives a great performance at halftime. A fourth point goes to the DJ, which is a rarity in college football, and complimented the band well. Finally, a point goes to the incredible staff and fans. Final Thoughts North Carolina Central University is relatively new to the Division I college football scene; now entering its tenth season at that level, the program has not been intimidated by the rise in rank. The team continues to be competitive in the MEAC, and even played in the Celebration Bowl in 2016, the game which decides the HBCU National Championship. The game day atmosphere at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium is high energy. It is clear, though, that the stadium should be updated. It doesn’t need a major overhaul but updated restroom facilities, some changes to the video board, and a few other tweaks could make the stadium an even more desirable place to watch an Eagles football team.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial 1 War Memorial Square Rochester, NY 14614 Rochester Americans website Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 11,200 Amerks Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in Rochester, NY is just about the perfect place to watch minor league hockey. It’s got a great fan base, superb ushers and staff, good hockey, lots of banners, and a memorial to our war veterans. The Rochester Americans, known locally as the Amerks, are the AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate of the nearby Buffalo Sabres . The AHL is similar to the AAA minor league level in baseball. The team began play in 1956. They have played in the Calder Cup finals 16 times, winning six, most recently in 1996. The Amerks are the second-oldest AHL franchise behind the Hershey Bears . The team has always played at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial, which opened in 1956. Old-time Rochester residents still simply call the venue the War Memorial, while newer Rochesterians call it Blue Cross Arena. The NLL (National Lacrosse League) Knighthawks make the arena their home, and it also hosts concerts, Disney on Ice, and other forms of entertainment. Food & Beverage 4 Plenty of food and lots of beer are available for purchase. The main concession stands are in alcoves off of the concourse. These alcoves do a nice job of minimizing the already crowded, narrow concourses. Expect lines at concessions between periods. Offerings include The Market Grab & Go where you can get cans of beer and chips. Caraglio’s Pizza sells pizza slices for $6.50 - $7. The alcoves have Fingers & Fries – chicken baskets and buckets and sandwiches ranging from $10.50 - $20 and Burgers & Dogs – burgers, veggie burgers, red and white hot dogs, and baskets with fries for $6 - $13.75. One alcove has tables and chairs to sit and eat; otherwise, you’ll have to carry your food to your seat. Roc City Dips ice cream is very popular with various servings (floats, sundaes, cones, or dishes) and flavors from $5 - $8. Other snacks at concession stands include peanuts, candy, funnel cake, and pretzels ($5 - $9). Soft drinks are Pepsi products, water, and Gatorade ($4 - $5.50). Beers run $11 for a large domestic draft and $12 for a large craft draft. Local Rohrbach Brewery sells five of its brews at the arena. If you like IPAs, A Different Animal is a good choice at $12/$12.75 in a can. Genesee Brewing and Labatt each have counters on the concourse. Genesee provides a $2 happy hour pre-game every Friday. Atmosphere 5 Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial provides a superb game da y experience while also honoring our military veterans. Banners of all the military branches hang in the huge, bright entrance lobby, which is s urrounded by two-story glass windows. The box office is inside the lobby and opens at 11 am. The arena’s seating sections are two levels of blue cushioned seats with a walkway between the two levels. The seats are average width and have average legroom. Suites are above the second level with a few over one goal end. The first level rows go up to letter Q. Two corners have spots with a few high-top tables and chairs where fans can perch and watch the game. A perfect-sized crisp, clear video board shows time, period, SOG, goals, and penalty times. No closed captioning or name of the player on penalty is displayed. The visiting team’s goals and assists can’t be heard and are not on the video board. That’s disappointing for those who keep scoring. Oddly, the video board is over the blue line; not the red line (center ice ). Turns out, it needs to rise into the ceiling for concerts, and that section of the ceiling is the only structurally sound place to store it. Blue Cross Arena Scoreboard over Blue Line, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Lots of banners hang from the rafters; all six Calder Cup championships, division and conference championships, and four retired numbers. Most of these same banners hang in the lobby lounge area. Ushers apply a ‘Wait for the Whistle’ rule in which fans remain on the top walkway while the puck is in play. This helps allow fans not to miss a piece of the action on the ice. The temperature is fine; a heavy jacket or thick sweatshirt should suffice. The music volume is just fine. You can enjoy conversations with your new Amerks friends and neighbors without having to yell to be heard. Typical entertainment such as kiss cam, dance cam, and hometown hero is offered. The 585 Brigade (the Amerks promotional team) bangs drums, starts chants, and even tries to start the wave. Youth hockey teams scrimmage on the ice between periods. Neighborhood 4 Blue Cross Arena is in downtown Rochester, NY along the Genesee River. As of this writing, the city of Rochester is looking to rejuvenate the downtown area by adding a riverwalk along the river that will include green space and benches, and an enhanced walkway. I expect it to be lovely when complete. For now, though, it is a bunch of annoying construction. Recommended restaurants in the area are The Distillery (sports bar), Dinosaur B-B-Q, and The Exchange (sports bar and nightlife). Plenty of others are nearby and within walking distance. Rochester has over 20 breweries. The closest to the arena are Fifth Frame Brewery and Swiftwater Brewing. You can’t go wrong with Rohrbach Brewing or Genesee Brewing either. If you’re spending a few days around the holidays, check out Roc Holiday Village (a winter wonderland). Other notable indoor things to see are the Susan B. Anthony House and Museum, Rochester Museum and Science Center, and the Strong National Museum of Play (good for kids). Several hotels are within walking distance. The Holiday Inn is just two block s away. Across the river are the Hyatt and the Hilton Garden Inn (both less than .5 miles from the rink). If you can drive for an hour or an hour and a half, the NHL Buffalo Sabres are a 7 5-mile drive away . Canisius or Niagara Universities (85+ mile drive) have some D1 sports. And hea ding east, the AHL Syracuse Crunch is an 87-mile drive, and Syracuse University has some D1 sports, too. Fans 4 A very highly energized crowd packs the stands at an Amerks game. Multiple generations and lots of kids support the hockey team which is fantastic to see. Plenty of fans are decked in their Amerks / Americans jerseys. Often the ‘Let’s Go Amerks’ chant is belted out without the video board prompting for noise. By the way some fans complain, they think they are better skaters than the players on the ice. Or a better coach than w hoever is standing behind the bench. This is common in minor league hockey stands. Average attendance in the last ten years is 5K – 6K, though it has dropped a bit since the pandemic. All-in-all they are a first-rate fan base. Access 3 During the 2022-2023 season, plenty of road construction is nearby the arena. Rochester’s finest police officers direct traffic before and after games helping with the vehicle and pedestrian flow. The Civic Center Parking Garage at 55 S Fitzhugh St. is .1 miles fro m the arena and costs $15. The website states you can get to the arena via an underground tunnel which is helpful for those chilly upper NY State winters. Outdoor parking is available at Court Street Municipal Lot 10 (corner of Court St and Exchange St). Rochester has a bus service, even from the airport. For fares and schedules, check RTS The airport is 5 – 6 miles from Blue Cross Arena. Uber and Lyft are easily available. Once inside, fans walk through a security check (clear plastic sports bags 12” x 6” x 12” are allowed) and walk up a flight of stairs to get to the main concourse. The entrance provides an escalator as well. For those with seats on the lower level, entrances are reached from the ground level. The concourses are very narrow and get crowded. Return on Investment 5 Single game tickets are $15 - $35. The $15 seats are not in a great location, but it gets you in the door! The team offers flex pack deals which are 8 or 16 undated ticket vouchers and run from $20 - $28 per game. They also offer Family pack deals and Holiday pack deals. Check their website for details. The refreshment prices are lower than major league prices and are less than other AHL venues. The game day experience and history are so enjoyable it’s worth attending a game here. Extras 4 Several additional features are worth noting. First, game day staff hands out a program upon entry. It contains mostly ads for sponsors but has the schedule, highlights a specific player, and upcoming Amerks promotion s. Second, visit the museum and veterans memorial. A full merchandise shop is off the lobby with shirts, jerseys, hat pins, banners, pucks, stuffed animals, and trinkets. I bet if you want it, they have it. Finally, at the game of this review, the NLL Knighthawks players were signing autographs at the Amerks game. Blue Cross Arena Amerks Shop, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts With the war memorial, the honoring of all military branches, and all the Rochester Americans banners on the rafters, it’s definitely worth a visit or two or three!

Photos by Ryan Rohde, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Roos Field 1136 Washington St Cheney, WA 99004 Eastern Washington Eagles website Roos Field website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 8,600 Welcome to the Inferno! Just a few minutes west of Spokane, Washington in Cheney, Washington is Roos Field, the home of the Eastern Washington Eagles. A member of the Big Sky Conference of the FCS, the Eagles have propelled themselves into the national spotlight by having much success since they won the 2010 National Championship. The Eagles house the only red turf in the entire college football landscape. Let’s take a look at what makes Roos Field, or “The Inferno” as it is called up here, a very good venue for FCS football. Food & Beverage 3 You’ll find two concession stands at Roos Field. One is located behind the press box and the other is located behind the video/scoreboard behind the south end zone. You’ll find the usual stadium food with some extra selections. Hot dogs can be served with chili ($5.25) or without ($3.50), also served is deluxe nachos, teriyaki chicken and rice, BBQ beef sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese. Pepsi products are served in bottle form along with bottled water, hot chocolate, and coffee. Credit/debit cards are accepted at both stands. Roos Field also offers a beer garden named the Coors Light Climb on Club. Atmosphere 4 Roos Field has a great atmosphere for small town college football. Roos Field is fully open to all the elements and just in general. There are stands below the press box, which is the main seating area, is the biggest one. You will only find bleacher seating here. There is also a seating area behind the north end zone and the visiting fans section behind the east sideline. One of the downsides to the field is that no matter where you are sitting, you are far away from the action. An eight lane track surrounds the football field. The Eastern Washington Marching Band takes up a section of bleachers in the north end zone seating and stays active throughout the games. Cheerleaders and music that can be clearly heard as well as the student section keeps the fans into the game. Roos Field has a crystal clear video/scoreboard that shows the game in real time on whatever network is providing the game on TV without the delay. Neighborhood 2 This is where EWU gets a bad score. Cheney is a college town, but the area around the arena is the campus itself so housing and buildings housing the classrooms such surround the area. The only hotel located close to the arena is a Holiday Inn Express and Suites about 1.5 miles from Reese Court otherwise be prepared to stay in Spokane, Washington which is about 16 miles from the arena. Fast food is your main option close to the arena. McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Carl’s Jr. are about 1.5 miles from the arena. A place I would recommend trying is El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant which is located about one mile from the arena as well. Fans 4 The fans for Eastern Washington are definitely the hardcore type. You’ll find many of them tailgating using their trucks and trailers in the parking lots behind the stadium and even on the east side behind the visiting bleacher section. The home bleacher seating is usually full and is dominated by the student section that is in the first seven rows of the seating underneath the press box on the west side. The fans constantly stay in the game. What is unique is these fans can leave the stadium at halftime and go back out to the trucks and trailers or meet up with friends on the outside. Some of the fans that tailgate stay outside the stadium and watch the game on TV and have food and portable fire pits to stay warm. It really is a one of a kind experience for football fans in the Pacific Northwest. Access 3 Accessibility is the tough thing as parking behind the field in the parking lots is reserved for RV’s and media personnel. Most people find parking on the side streets and a few blocks away from the stadium itself. You can take a Spokane Transit Authority bus from the Downtown Spokane STA Plaza to Eastern Washington. EWU does check bags as you enter Roos Field, but entry is smooth and simple. Single game tickets are sold online via TicketsWest and run to about $20, but games against rivals such as the Montana Grizzlies can run up to $50. TicketsWest offers Will Call and Print at Home ticket options for games. Return on Investment 2 The return on your investment for attending a game at Roos Field isn’t terrible, but it definitely could be better. For the price of a ticket, you get bleacher seating like you are going to watch high school football. Also, you really don’t have that many options when it comes to food, but on the bright side you probably won’t run into super long lines at either concession stand during halftime or even before the game as most of the fans tailgate and are able to go out to their trucks and trailers during halftime. Extras 2 Roos Field gets a couple extra bonus points: One extra point for “The Inferno” team store located by the concession stand behind the press box. In there you will find at your Eastern Washington gear needs. Another extra point for the history of the program on the back side of the press box right when you walk into the main gate. Including the huge 2010 National Champions sign. Final Thoughts Roos Field is a great place to catch a game and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see the red turf and catch a great small town college football atmosphere. The fans are great and are so involved in watching their Eagles play and with the recent success of the Eastern Washington program, I would expect them to just continue upward. Hopefully, a remodel to Roos Field is in the works so that way fans can be a little more comfortable during the game and have more amenities. Come catch a game at The Inferno!

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center 4301 Broadway St San Antonio, TX 78209 Incarnate Word Cardinals website Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 2,000 UIW Cardinals – McDermott Convocation Center As the largest Catholic university in Texas, with a student body of over 9,300, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) has a long and storied history. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, the school’s athletic teams are known as the Cardinals . They began the school’s basketball program in time for the 1980-81 season. After much of their existence in the NCAA’s Division II, where they made the postseason tournament in 2002, 2009, and 2010, they moved up to Division I and are now members of the Southland Conference. Since that time they have made it to one postseason tournament, the Collegeinsider.com Invitational Tournament (CIT) in 2015. Since 1989 the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as UIW volleyball squad, has called Alice P. McDermott Convention Center their home. The venue’s namesake, the late Alice P. McDermott, was a longtime supporter of education in South Texas and San Antonio – especially UIW. The cozy venue is the metaphorical heart of the Cardinals’ athletics complex. Food & Beverage 2 When it comes to concessions, there really isn’t much to write home about at McDermott Convocation Center – there is one concessions stand located at the front of the venue as soon as you walk through the main entrance. The only offerings available here are stadium-style nachos, a hot dog combo, kettle corn, candy, and bottled sodas and water. Beer is also available for purchase. Everything is relatively low-cost, with a hot dog combo running you around $7. It’ll do in a pinch, but if you’re looking to really get your grub on, you’d be better served to eat prior to the game, or wait until afterwards. Atmosphere 3 The venue has the feel of a high school gymnasium, and that helps out with the atmosphere somewhat. Since just 2,000 fans can fill this place to capacity, even a fraction of that seems like a good-sized crowd. The design of it also helps acoustically, as the crowd noise just seems to be bottled up, which makes it louder than it should be. Inside the venue there are banners hanging from the rafters denoting the Cardinals postseason success. Flanking each side of the concessions stand there are trophy cases, one highlighting the overall success of UIW athletics, and the other being the Cardinals Hall of Honor. The main draw, in terms of atmosphere, is the aesthetic and beauty of the campus. UIW is truly a beautiful university, with its tree-lined walkways and bridges that span the headwaters of the San Antonio River. There is also a lot of public art interspersed among the many red-brick buildings; I would advise anyone taking in a game at McDermott Convocation Center to make time beforehand to spend some time on the campus grounds. Neighborhood 5 McDermott Convocation Center, as mentioned, is the central heart of UIW athletics. It is within eyesight of both Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium and Sullivan Field , home to the Cardinals football and baseball teams, respectively. Depending on when you make your visit, you might be able to double-dip and see an additional game at one of these other venues. Regardless, the UIW campus itself is located in a great spot in the city, just a short drive up one of the busiest thoroughfares to the Alamo City’s vibrant downtown . Along the way, however, are a bevvy of exciting entertainment and dining options. Starting with entertainment, I highly recommend all visitors to S.A. stop in and see the Witte Museum – the most-visited museum in the city, it chronicles South Texas’ history through exhibits on culture, science, and nature. It has large exhibits on the Texas Rangers (not the baseball team), a science treehouse, and even dinosaurs! If you’re looking to stretch your legs before your visit to McDermott Convocation Center, plan a stop at Brackenridge Park , home to hiking and biking trails, the oldest golf course in Texas, the Japanese Tea Garden, Sunken Garden Theater, and San Antonio Zoo. There is also a driving range, soccer and baseball/softball fields, and a Starbucks for those in need of a quick caffeine fix. For dining options, I have a couple of recommendations that are personal favorites. First is Hung Fung Chinese Restaurant – in business for over 80 years, Hung Fung has introduced Chinese cuisine to generations of San Antonians. Hung Fung plays all the hits, such as lemon chicken, beef and broccoli, and sweet and sour pork, and it does them really well. Another recommendation that I’ll offer is Broadway 5050 ; offering up one of the best burgers in town, the Broadway 5050 is a classic hangout spot. Come for the burgers and beer, stay for the atmosphere. If you’re looking for places to stay while in town, downtown San Antonio is loaded with options for all price ranges. If, however, you’re looking for something even closer to UIW’s campus, there are options. None are within walking distance, but several are less than five minutes away by car; these include Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Suites . Fans 3 As mentioned, McDermott Convocation Center could be considered on the small side compared to other Division I programs. However, the school has a strong alumni base and good representation from the student body at basketball games. The crowds may not be large, but they are loud and passionate. Also, if you attend a game on the weekend, you’re really going to see a larger crowd than during the week. Access 4 As mentioned, UIW is in a great location in the Alamo City. With it being so close to Ddwntown, it is centrally located, and since it is located off a main thoroughfare, it can easily be reached from any point in town. It is also located – thanks to a very visibly marked exit sign – off State Highway 37/281. This also puts it at a 14-minute drive from the San Antonio International Airport. Once on site, parking is plentiful and free in the athletics compound lots. Signage also marks the way to the gym. The city’s public transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit also makes frequent stops to the UIW campus for those who don’t want to drive. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets for UIW Cardinals games start at $10 per person and go up to just $15 per person. This is a nice bargain for Division I basketball. Their home schedule doesn’t usually draw in many “blue blood” teams as part of their non-conference schedule, but it is still a good bargain; this is especially true when you account for the low-cost concessions and free parking. Extras 2 There isn’t much in the way of extras at Cardinals basketball games. They do have contests in between timeouts and toss t-shirts to the crowd periodically, but the venue just doesn’t lend itself to much more. The Cardinal Red Basketball Band does perform throughout the game and the Cardinals Dance Team performs during breaks in the game; that’s about it though. Final Thoughts McDermott Convocation Center is a fine venue for what it is. It could give the impression of a high school gym, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The real draw, I think, would be the campus itself. The UIW campus is truly beautiful. If you have the chance to visit and possibly double up with another game, that is something sports fans should try to do. It’s not a bucket list venue, but you will still enjoy yourself in a visit to UIW for basketball. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stade Pierre-Mauroy 261, Boulevard de Tournai, CS 70678 59656 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France Lille OSC website Stade Pierre Mauroy website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 50,000 A Visit to Les Dogues Planning permission for this futuristic-looking stadium was gained in December 2009, with construction beginning in March 2010. A total of 51,100 seats were installed in April 2012 and the stadium was completed three months later. Initially known as Grand Stade Lille Métropole, the stadium changed its name in 2013. The new name was to honour Pierre Mauroy, a French cabinet minister and local politician who died earlier that year. Lille OSC was founded back in 1944 as a merger between Sporting Club Fivois and Olympique Lillois. They’ve played at various stadiums over the years including Stade Henri-Jooris and Stade Grimonprez-Jooris. During that time Lille won the top French league (Ligue 1) on three occasions, the most recent in 2010/11 with a certain Eden Hazard pulling the strings. ‘Les Dogues,’ as they are known, have also won the Coupe de France on six occasions and the UEFA Intertoto Cup once (2004). The stadium was used for six games during Euro 96 and has hosted concerts by Celine Dion, Rihanna, and Depeche Mode amongst others. It can also be adapted into five different configurations to host rugby, basketball, handball, and even Davis Cup tennis. Food & Beverage 4 Outside the stadium, restaurants and kiosks provide good nourishment options. The Stade Mauroy is an ‘out of town stadium,’ but the norm seems to be to head to the ground and soak up the surprisingly chilled atmosphere. An English-style pub called The Factory, a wine bar, Japanese cuisine, and pizza are all found in an area called the terraces opposite the main club shop. Additional food outlets include a quick burger restaurant, a panini café, and a Subway. You can eat from a stall serving sausage & chips, beer, and soft drinks and sit outside, catching the last of the day’s sunshine. Inside, there are the usual catering outlets ready to take your money. Each seems to serve something different. The queues move very slowly, so you’ll have to be patient or very hungry to eat at the stadium. Prices for a Parisienne or rosette baguette and a soda is 7 Euros. Atmosphere 4 Architect firm Valode & Pistre, together with Pierre Ferret, were involved in the designs for this striking modern stadium, and they did a fine job. The roof is retractable (in just 30 minutes). The pitch is sunk one tier below ground level and so from the outside the stadium does not look particularly imposing. Incredibly, the playing surface is built on massive tracks that hydraulically lift the pitch, making a more intimate capacity of 30k, all in the top stand. There is a huge screen built into the outside of the stadium which has a covering of around 12,000 polycarbonate tubes and 70,000 LED lights. Solar panels on the roof help to make the stadium self-sufficient. Inside the stadium, there are three tiers, with numerous hospitality boxes situated at the back of the second tier. The noise is generated from the ultras behind both goals, starting with a rousing rendition of the club anthem to the tune of ‘Amazing Grace.’ The view from the corner of the third tier is good. The lower tier has quite a meagre incline, but in the top tier, the steep steps ensure that you feel part of the action. Neighborhood 4 During our visit, we had the choice to eat in the centre of Lille, outside the stadium, or inside the stadium. We chose all three! In Lille, there is a fantastic rooftop restaurant called ‘Le Garden’ situated in the historic centre, Vieux-Lille, On a sunny day, you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere, helpful service, and excellent cuisine. Hotels, restaurants, and large car parks are all available on the footprint of the stadium meaning if time is tight, you can avoid the city completely. The recommendation however is to make time. Lille is the tenth-largest city in France and fourth largest metropolitan area. In 2004 it was named the European Capital of Culture and is often known as the ‘Capital des Flandres.’ Visit the excellent tourism website before you set off. Here you can find details for the 24 and 48-hour City Tourism Pass, which provides unlimited access to 28 attractions across Lille and admission to the local metro, tram, and bus. Be sure to spend some time in Vieux Lille (old Lille), the medieval city centre. It is the cultural heart of the city with cafes, restaurants, museums, old cobbled streets, and some great architecture. Make sure you tick off Lille’s UNESCO world heritage site – the 104-meter-high Bell Tower attached to the Hotel de Ville. It provides excellent views over the city and is one of 23 belfries in the north of France (and one in Belgium) recognised by UNESCO. The city has numerous museums and art galleries. The Palais des Beaux-Arts Museum is a beautiful-looking building and second only to the Louvre in Paris. Pop in to catch a glimpse of a Rubens or a Rembrandt. Lille was traditionally a textile city and if you or the partner want to shop, head to the ‘Grand Place’ area of the city and you will find thousands of shops wanting to help you part with your Euros. If you prefer markets, the Wazemmes is the one to head for. For accommodations, the Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place is in a good location and has some good reviews. If you want to stay out near the ground, then the Tulip Inn or the Park Lane are within a stone’s throw. Still near the stadium, but a bit cheaper, is the Hotel Premiere Classe. Fans 3 In April 2018 it was reported that Lille players were forced to leave the field after being attacked by their fans following a 1-1 draw with Montpellier. Security failed as hundreds of fans invaded the pitch after the full-time whistle to confront the home team. Lille Ultras groups met with owner Gerard Lopez, who purchased the club in 2017, to agree on a way forward together; the subsequent pitch invasion suggests not all is well between fan and club. One factor is the heightened expectation after the 2011 title win and another is five managers in four years. Their main rain rivals are Lens – two big northern clubs, perhaps divided by class Lille (middle) and Lens (working). Geographically they are just a 30-minute drive apart. Average attendance peaked in the first season at the new stadium at an average of 40k. The following two seasons it fell to 38k then 36k. The highest attendance during that time was 48,960 in 2014 v PSG. From 2016-2018 the average attendance has hovered around 30, 000. Access 3 The stadium is approximately 6 km outside of Lille town centre in an area called Villeneuve d’ Ascq. If you are flying, then you need to travel to Belgium not France. Head for Brussels South Charleroi Airport, and then it’s just over 100 km west over the border by car. Whilst here though you should also head 50 km north on arrival at the airport and visit the site of the Battle of Waterloo. When travelling from the UK you may take the excellent Euro Tunnel which whisks you under the channel in just over 30 mins. From there it’s just over 100 km to Lille. Eurostar of course also calls at Lille and takes just 90 minutes. Keep a look out for cheap return tickets from London St Pancras which come up from time to time. Once in Lille, use the local transport system. The #18 bus towards Versailles will get you close. On the (driverless) metro, head for Cite Scientifique for the stadium or Les Pres for a shuttle bus service that will take you straight to the ground. Alternatively, you could get a taxi for around 20 Euros. If you need to park near the ground, then be careful. The car parks can end up quite full and some of the parking isn’t necessarily legal. This can lead to long and frustrating delays as you try to leave. The Stade Pierre Mauroy website suggests booking your parking in advance and describes the various parking options provided. You may also be able to find a side street easily enough and exit the area in good time. Tickets are simple enough to get ahold of. The surplus of tickets is generally available means you can buy them on the day from the ticket office or the club shop in the town centre. Buying in advance, prices range from 15-65 Euros and are available through the club website. Buying via the Lille website is straight forward and e-tickets will be in your email inbox within a minute after purchasing. Return on Investment 4 Take advantage of special ticket deals, which provide an excellent return on investment. The match day programme (Reservoir Dogues) and club newspaper (LOSC in the City) are also both free. Prices for food and beers are expensive in the centre of Lille as you’d expect, but overall the trip can be done relatively cheaply. Extras 3 Guided tours are available for individuals, lasting approximately one hour. Book ahead via the Villeneuve d’ Ascq tourism office. For a group tour, download the booking form on the Pierre Mauroy stadium website. A club toaster is a highlight when looking for eclectic gifts in the club shop. The shop is well stocked but the queue seems to take an age. Final Thoughts In its 6th year, the stadium is beginning to look a little worn on the outside, but overall it’s an impressive modern arena to watch a game. With the 2024 Olympic Games set to use the Pierre Mauroy as part of its football competition, it could be argued its best days lie ahead. Eden Hazard, a former player still very much in love with his old club, tweeted his support during the recent turbulent occurrences. Another iconic Lille son, Charles De Gaulle, the famous French general, would have been proud of the fight shown by the Lille side who ensured this first-rate stadium remained a Ligue 1 ground for one more year at least.

Hi Corbett Field 1947, Photo Courtesy of Arizona Daily Star Our next of several features on former Cactus League spring training facilities, some of which still exist and some do not. Opened in 1928, Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, AZ (known as Randolph Municipal Baseball Park when first built) served as the spring training home for the Cleveland Indians (1947 – 1992), and the Colorado Rockies (1993 – 2011) in the Cactus League. It is one of a few former Cactus League ballparks still in use as it serves the Pac-12 Arizona Wildcats baseball team. The facility today is drastically different from when it was initially built just before the Great Depression. In the very early days of Class D and Class C minor league, teams in the Arizona State League and then the Arizona-Texas League (circa 1927 – 1951) played at Randolph Municipal Baseball Park. Considered one of the finer parks of the era, the park had a grass infield where the other parks in those leagues had gravel and hard dirt surfaces for their infield. Grandstand seating was only in the infield. Second level seats did not exist nor were there bleachers or seats beyond the infield baselines. And at that time, no such thing as a grassy berm existed. Located beyond the bases, the dugouts were, quite frankly, ‘dug out’ and below the field level. When the Cleveland Indians came to town in 1947, they, along with the then New York Giants (at Old Phoenix Municipal Stadium), established the beginning of Cactus League spring training. The park received some renovations at that point. Hi Corbett Field – Cleveland Indians Spring Training 1950’s, Photo Courtesy of Arizona Daily Star I discovered the original configuration had an adobe outfield wall where fans sat and watched the games for free; I have not yet discovered when that outfield wall was erected (or dismantled). Hiram Steven Corbett, a long-time Arizona state senator and president of the Tucson Baseball Commission, played a key role in luring the Indians and spring training to Tucson and the city renamed its ballpark in his honor in 1951. Hi Corbett Field Exterior 1963, Photo Courtesy of Arizona Daily Star Besides spring training, it served as home for the Arizona State League Tucson Waddies, Cowboys, Missions, and Lizards and beginning in 1969, the Tucson Toros (AAA – Pacific Coast League and later the Golden Independent League). Hi Corbett Field served as the host of filming the spring training scenes from the 1989 movie Major League . Players from the University of Arizona baseball team acted as extras in the film. In 1997, a $3.77 million renovation to the stadium included new seating and expanded clubhouses as well as a team store and ticket office. Hi Corbett Field – March 2010, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Hi Corbett Field – From First Base Dugout. March 2010, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Spring training ended in Hi Corbett Field when the Rockies moved to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick beginning the 2011 season. Beginning in 2012, the University of Arizona Wildcats baseball team made the field their home. They promptly won the College World Series that same year. Like the ASU Sun Devils and Phoenix Municipal Stadium , the Arizona Wildcats have a history of playing games at Hi Corbett Field from the 1940s – early 1970s. The Wildcats often played double headers where the afternoon contest was played on campus at UA Field and Hi Corbett Field, with its lights, hosted the nightcap. Rivalry games with the ASU Sun Devils and NCAA District Playoffs were commonly played in the evenings at Hi Corbett. Now, down each foul line are additional oversized grandstands with bleacher seats, and down the right field foul line is a grass lawn with shade trees. In 2017, under a 25-year agreement with Tucson, the University of Arizona took over the day-to-day management of the baseball stadium. That year, enhancements included a new hitting center, a retrofitted clubhouse with new branding and graphics, and installation of a new backstop netting and video board. Hi Corbett Field Exterior Sept 2020, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The ballpark sits in Gene C Reid Park, a 131-acre urban park which also features the Reid Park Zoo, baseball practice fields, picnic areas, a bike trail and duck pond, municipal golf courses, a tennis center, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Meridian High School Stadium 121 Mustang Alley Falls Church, VA 22043 Virginia Dream FC website Year Opened: N/A Capacity: 2,000 Soccer Dream Cloud in Falls Church Virginia Dream FC is a semi-professional lower division soccer team based in Falls Church, Virginia, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. The Dream play their home games at the stadium of Meridian High School, which serves the Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS). This stadium is also nicknamed "The Cloud" when the Dream play here, although this is not official. As is often the case at the lower levels of American soccer, there are several teams competing under the Virginia Dream moniker. A club in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) competes during the fall and spring, while a club in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) competes over the summer. This review will focus on the experience at an NPSL game. The NPSL, together with the UPSL and the confusingly named USL League Two, comprise the fourth division of American soccer. They are the highest level that is not fully professional, and consist mostly of current college soccer players and recent graduates. The pay is structured in a way that allows current athletes to retain their amateur eligibility if they are competing in the NPSL over the summer. However, occasionally some aging former professional who just wants to continue playing somewhere will show up in the NPSL. At the time of writing, former USMNT and DC United goalkeeper Bill Hamid is the starting goalkeeper for the Dream. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at a Virginia Dream game are sold out of a food truck from local taco truck La Raza. Tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and elotes (Mexican street corn) are available with a variety of meats, or with vegetables. Tacos cost $3.50 each, elotes are $5, and the other options range from $9-$13 depending on your choice of meat., Steak and cheese or chicken and cheese sandwiches are available for $12. Various sodas are available to drink, including Jarritos, a popular Mexican brand known for their fruity flavors in glass bottles. So is bottled water. For those with a sweet tooth, tres leches cake is available for dessert. Atmosphere 3 Although there are bleachers on both sides of Meridian High School Stadium, fans at Dream games typically sit on the one on the same side as the entrance. Although separated from the field by a running track, these seats still have a great view of the action. There are also areas to sit on the concourse, either in your own chair or on some concrete blocks that are large enough to be used for seating. The bleachers themselves are metal without backs, although fans in the top row may be able to lean against the press box. The PA announcer at Dream games is lively without being too over the top, and tries to keep the fans engaged. However, there is no announcement of goal scorers or recipients of yellow or red cards, which can make the game difficult to follow. If you are attending the game with small children, game staff often roam the stands before the game looking for volunteers to serve as ball kids. If this is something your child would be interested in, get to the game early. Neighborhood 5 Meridian High School is located on the western end of the City of Falls Church, which like all cities in Virginia, is not part of any county. It is sometimes nicknamed "The Little City" as it is much smaller in terms of population and area than the surrounding jurisdictions. In fact, by area, the census bureau considers it the smallest county-equivalent in the United States excluding some obscure areas of outlying territories. That being said, there is plenty to do here in Falls Church and the surrounding area. Your best bet is to look along Route 7, known as Broad Street in the City of Falls Church and Leesburg Pike in the surrounding area (much of which also has a Falls Church address despite being in Fairfax County.) Mike's Lazy Sundae, located at the intersection of Haycock Road and Leesburg Pike just down the road from Meridian High School, serves ice cream, sundaes, and comfort food such as burgers and fries. (Think a similar concept to Dairy Queen, except way, way better.) Sfizi Cafe in the City of Falls Church is a popular Italian place. Whatever food you want, you can probably find it somewhere in the surrounding area. The Falls Church area has excellent places of almost all cuisines, including Thai, Bolivian, and just about everything else. Eden Center in Seven Corners, a few miles down Route 7, is a shopping center with numerous Vietnamese restaurants, and some have said this area has the best Vietnamese food in the world outside of Vietnam. Pho 75 is located on Arlington Boulevard, not in Eden Center, but has been highly praised as well. Keep in mind many of the Vietnamese places, including Pho 75, are cash only. Fans 2 A few dozen fans attended the Dream game that Stadium Journey visited, and considering this is the fourth division of American soccer, these are typical crowds. The crowd consisted of a mix of young families and older fans. They were not particularly involved, but this is unsurprising for this level. Access 4 Meridian High School is located just off Route 7, near the interchanges with I-66 and I-495 (the Capital Beltway.) Parking is available for free in a lot near the entrance to the school. There is a garage as well, but this is privately owned by nearby businesses and you will have to pay. Stick to the lot. The parking lot for Virginia Tech's Northern Virginia satellite campus may appear to be closer to the stadium than the high school lot, but the area is fenced off, so you will need to walk around if you park here. It also costs money, so there is no reason to do so. The West Falls Church Metro station on the Orange Line is located right next to the high school, although you will have to walk around a ways so it will take about 10 minutes. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are just $10 to Virginia Dream FC games. Children under 12 get in free, as do Falls Church City Public Schools students with valid ID. This makes a Dream game an excellent value. Extras 0 There are no real extras here. Final Thoughts Taking in a Virginia Dream FC game under the lights on a warm summer night is a fun experience for the whole family. While the team doesn't draw the largest crowds, one hopes that will change over time as the club builds up a following. Even so, soccer fans in Falls Church and the surrounding areas will want to head to "The Cloud" to check out a game here.

Pittsburgh is one of the smallest U.S. cities in professional sports. However, it has earned the right to call itself the city of Champions. Pittsburgh has won league championships in nearly every sport where the city has a franchise. The city is rather compact, which makes it easy to navigate and get around to multiple sites related to its sports heritage. One of the best places to begin this sports journey is through a visit to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center. The sports museum features two floors of memorabilia and exhibits related to the many teams and individuals linked to the Steel City. The exhibits include the Super Steelers, A Great Day for Hockey, the Immaculate Reception Turns 50, and Friday Night Lights. Baseball has played a major role in the Pittsburgh area since the 1880s. The museum tracks the Pirates team through its history at Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium, and its present home at PNC Park . The Pirates section of the center also includes exhibits about Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, and Honus Wagner. Pittsburgh also has a great football heritage in the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pitt Panthers. Western Pennsylvania has also been seen as the "Cradle of High School Football", as the region has produced top signal callers including Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, and Dan Marino. We begin our sports journey on the North Shore side of the Allegheny River. This area has been home to both the Pirates and the Steelers. They shared the Three Rivers Stadium from 1970-2001. The Steelers also called Three Rivers Stadium home.  It served as the team’s home field during many of their Super Bowl Years. It was in this stadium that both teams won multiple championships. Though the stadium was demolished, both teams have displays about the multi-sport stadium in their new homes. Three Rivers Stadium is also where Tony Dorsett set several NCAA records during his time as a running back for the Pitt Panthers. The North Shore is now home to a pair of major league venues. Acrisure Stadium  (formerly known as Heinz Field) opened in 2001. It serves as the home of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pitt Panthers . During your visit to the home of the Steelers you can visit the FedEx Great Hall on the east side of the stadium and its Hall of Honor. Displays in this area cover the history of the Steelers from their inception in 1933 to the present. It has exhibits covering the top players in the franchise’s existence, the top achievements of the team over the years, and the retired numbers worn by their star players. It has a huge amount of Steelers memorabilia on display in the 10,000-square-foot facility. The second North Shore sports facility is PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 2001. It is always mentioned as one of the top baseball stadiums in the MLB. This is due to the proximity of the seats to the field, a terrific food and beverage program, and the dramatic views of Downtown Pittsburgh over its right field wall. Make sure to visit the statues of Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, and Honus Wagner that ring the exterior of the ballpark. As we cross over the Allegheny River into Downtown Pittsburgh we come to the Clemente Museum. Roberto Clemente was a sports icon. He was a Hall of Fame outfielder, a terrific hitter, and a great humanitarian. He lost his life in a plane crash while delivering much-needed supplies to his native Nicaragua when it was struck by an earthquake. The museum is privately run, and tours are only given by appointment. Our next stop is also located in downtown Pittsburgh, as we visit the PPG Paints Arena , home of the NHL Penguins. Once inside you can check out the displays saluting Penguin greats, including Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Penguins have won five Stanley Cups over the years, so make sure you check the championship banners hanging from the rafters. The original home of NHL hockey in Pittsburgh was the Civic Arena/Mellon Arena. It was located across the street from the PPG Paints Arena and served as the home of the Penguins from 1967-2010. The first three Penguin Stanley Cup Championships came while they played at the Civic Arena (aka the Igloo). It was torn down in 2012. Basketball seems to be the only sport without a deep history in the Pittsburgh area. The Civic Arena/Mellon Arena also served as the only home for Pittsburgh’s lone foray into professional basketball. The Pittsburgh Pipers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) won the inaugural ABA Championship in 1968. They then moved to Minnesota due to low attendance. The team returned to Pittsburgh as the Condors in 1973. The team folded after one season. Forbes Field served as the home of the Pirates from 1909-1971. It also served as the early home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Negro League baseball. The Pirates played here for more than 61 seasons. It is probably best known as the stadium where Bill Mazeroski hit a dramatic home run in the World Series 7th game to bring a World Series pennant to the Steel City. Forbes Field was torn down in 1970 to make way for an expansion of the University of Pittsburgh. Today all that is left of Forbes Field is a short stretch of the outfield wall that Mazeroski’s bash flew over to win the 1960 World Series. There is also a historical marker posted next to the wall. It is located along Roberto Clemente Drive. The last major sports facility in the Downtown Pittsburgh area is the Petersen Events Center at the University of Pittsburgh. It serves as the home of both men’s and women’s basketball programs. It has seating for 12,500 Pitt Panther fans. Petersen Events Center is in the Oakland neighborhood in Downtown Pittsburgh. The end of our Steel City sports journey is located on the South Shore of the Monongahela River, across from Downtown Pittsburgh. Highmark Stadium  is in the Station Square Complex, and it serves as the home of the USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The soccer stadium opened in 2013 and has served as the home of the Riverhounds ever since. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 fans. Station Square is also the home of the Josh Gibson Heritage Park. The park honors not only Josh Gibson, but also honors Negro League stars Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Cum Posey, and both the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords, two legendary Negro League teams based in the Steel City. A great way to end your tour of the many sports venues of Pittsburgh is to stop at Yinzers in the Burgh in the Strip District. It carries the largest line of Pittsburgh sports memorabilia in the world. After touring the Steel City’s many sports facilities and heritage sites, we know that you’ll agree that Pittsburgh is a championship city with a great sports history.   Links to various sites:   Civic Arena/Mellon Arena https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_Arena_(Pittsburgh)    Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum www.heinzhistorycenter.org/visit/sports-museum Three Rivers Stadium www.sabr.org/park/three-rivers-stadium Acrisure Stadium www.acrisurestadium.com PNC Park www.mlb.com/pirates/ballpark Clemente Museum

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Dwyer Arena University Dr Lewiston, NY 14305 Niagara Purple Eagles men’s hockey website Dwyer Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 2,100 Purple Pride On Ice Lewiston, New York is a small town just on the other side of Queenston, Ontario, and north of Buffalo. It is a sleepy sort of town in the winter, and the seasonal businesses and closed boat launches give you the impression that it is very different in the summer than it is in the winter. What is there to do in the winter for the locals who want something of their own, and not having to head out to Buffalo? Enter Niagara University. Niagara is a small university of only around 5,000 students, that has received a bit more attention for its accomplishments on the basketball court, than its endeavors on the frozen pond. Make no mistake, however, this part of New York state has a strong affinity for ice hockey, and the Purple Eagles of Niagara fit the bill. Playing in a fairly non-descript arena, the Robert and Concetta Dwyer Arena, commonly known as the Dwyer Arena, the Niagara Purple Eagles have entertained students and college hockey fans since becoming a varsity team in 1996. In 2010, the Purple Eagles moved on to Atlantic Hockey, after being a charter member of the now-defunct College Hockey America. During their tenure, they have made appearances in the NCAA tournament four times, including now-defunct013. Purple Pride remains as strong on the ice as it is on the hardwood. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at Dwyer Arena are pretty much what you would expect for a small college arena. However, don’t stray too far from what you would find at the nearby Gallagher Center , home of Purple Eagles basketball. They the immediate entrance, there is a small snack bar where you will find your basic concessions including soda, popcorn, pizza, and fries. There are also numerous vending machines around the lobby where you can find soda and candy bars. Inside the arena, there is also a small concession at the ice level. As with numerous NCAA venues, there is no alcohol for sale in the main concessions, however, there is a licensed club behind the goal. Atmosphere 3 Dwyer Arena does not blow you away at first glance. The exterior looks like any other local arena, surrounded by parking, and other parts of the complex. It is pretty non-descript, but not hard on the eyes. Upon entering the lobby, you will find the main concession as well as a small pro shop that sells some Purple Eagle merchandise. Having the concession in this area is an advantage as patrons can get something to eat before the doors to the main arena open. Upon progressing up the stairs to the main seating area you will hopefully notice the plaque dedicated to Robert and Concetta Dwyer, whom the arena is named for. The Dwyers provided a generous gift of $3 million to provide significant upgrades to the arena. The entrance is at the top of the seating level, which is a wide platform-like space. At the back end of the seats are raised platforms, of act as the press box. Seating is only on one side, and the far side of the arena roof is on a steep slope, similar to the home of the Ottawa 67’s . Possibly the worst feature of the arena is the metal benches used for seating. The center sections have backs, as does the last row. This is not normally an issue, however that the temperature in Dwyer Arena is more like a small arena rather than a big one, meaning it is darn cold. The coldness hits you when your butt hits the cold metal benches. The regulars bring cushions or blankets to sit on, so visitors would be wise to follow suit. The rest of the arena is fairly simple, with a basic scoreboard at one end to keep score. Unfortunately, the scoreboard does not keep track of shots. Above the ice level, there are 9 banners commemorating various tournament and conference championships, including 3 banners for tournament appearances. The far end of the area features large banner-sized team photos for the teams that made tournament appearances. The largest is for the 1999-2000 team that made it to the Elite Eight. Neighborhood 2 Lewiston is more of a summer town rather than a winter hot spot. There are some places down by the waterfront only open during the summer months. Combine this with the fact that Niagara University is pretty removed from the town of Lewiston, and you have a situation where finding interesting places to eat is difficult. Your best bet is to head into Buffalo for a plethora of choices. Another possibility, a little off the beaten path would be the Riverstone Grill on Grand Island. They have great food and were featured on the hit show Man vs. Food. Fans 4 Considering that the game reviewed was during a time when most of the students were not on campus, the crowd was surprisingly large. It became clear quickly that Niagara hockey has a strong attachment to the community of Lewiston, and is not just an outlet for the students. This is an especially good formula when you can fit nearly half of the student population in the stands. The N-Zone which houses the student fans was understandably sparse during my most recent visit in early 2013, but the rest of the crowd that was in attendance showed intelligence and was behind the Eagles one hundred percent. Access 4 Getting to Niagara is no problem at all. It is located between Robert Moses Parkway and I-190. There is plenty of parking in the lot surrounding the ice complex, and it is free. The large platform behind the seating area makes travel during the game easy as well. Washroom facilities are adequate. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for Niagara hockey are ridiculously affordable. If you are willing to go without a back to your chair, then tickets can be found for just $12, while kids are a mere $7. Add an extra $5 if you feel that the backs are a necessity. Concession prices are what are to be expected. If you scour the schedule carefully, you can find a doubleheader, with the possibility of taking in a Purple Eagles basketball game at Gallagher Center as well. Extras 4 An extra mark for the connection with the community, beyond the student body, that you see in such a small town with such a small university. Two extra marks for the banner that hangs above the ice retiring the number 6 for Meghan Redenbach. Meghan was an honorary member of the Purple Eagles men’s ice hockey team after winning an essay contest. Meghan lost her battle with cancer at age 15 and has been an inspiration for the Purple Eagles ever since. An extra mark goes to the public address announcer at Dwyer Arena, who REALLY sounds like legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer. Too bad he never said, “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!!” Final Thoughts A trip to Niagara University to see the Purple Eagles play hockey is a great way to spend an afternoon or an evening. The price is right and the product is great. Being in a quaint, small town, on the campus of a very small university is just part of the atmosphere. If you’re not careful, you may just find yourself beaming with some purple pride yourself. -------- Follow Dave’s sporting journeys on Twitter @profan9.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Yakima County Stadium 1220 Pacific Ave Yakima, WA 98901 Yakima Valley Pippins website Yakima County Stadium website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 3,000 It’s Apple Time The Yakima Valley Pippins are a collegiate wood bat baseball team based in Yakima, Washington. They are a member of the West Coast League and began play in 2014 at the 3,000-seat Yakima County Stadium. They replaced the Yakima Bears of the Northwest League, who relocated to Hillsboro, Oregon, and were renamed the Hillsboro Hops. The team is named for the Pippin apple variety. Yakima County Stadium is a baseball stadium that opened in 1993 and was the home field of the Yakima Bears minor league team for twenty seasons. The stadium is located at the northwest corner of the Central Washington State Fairgrounds and is north of the Yakima SunDome, a 6,195-seat multi-purpose arena. Food & Beverage 4 The food options are a pretty consistent slate of offerings, although not always exciting. The food prices are very similar to most minor league baseball stadiums. They are very fair and offer many choices. Most entrees are $4 and up and won’t break your wallet. Look out for the value menu options. The food stands close before the game is over. Atmosphere 4 The stadium has seats, benches with backs, and benches without backs. The best value is to get a general admission seat and sit with your back to the stadium wall. The crowd should be small enough that most fans can do this if they desire. The stands sit fairly elevated from the field. There is a view of the hills beyond the wall and offer a nice view during the game. The stadium, although only built in the 1990’s, is pretty antiquated compared to most minor league stadiums. For summer collegiate baseball it is a pretty nice facility. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located within the Central Washington State Fairgrounds so there may be other events going on at the same time as the game. The rest of the neighborhood right around the stadium is pretty underwhelming and you will want to explore options elsewhere around town. The Yakima Valley has many beer and wine options for pre and post game options. The list of wineries alone will make your head spin. Another thing one will want to do in the area is to visit a farm stand and get fresh apples or other fresh fruit. Fans 4 There are some hardcore fans with seats around the home plate area. They will be loud and into all aspects of the game. The fans are pretty traditional minor league style fans. Some are very knowledgeable about the game, while others are there as part of a family or a group and may be less interested in the actual game. Crowds are larger for weekend games while weeknight crowds are going to be a struggle for this level of ball. Access 4 The fairgrounds are pretty easy to find and parking will be plentiful unless other events are extremely large. Parking costs $4. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are cheap, especially for general admission. Watch out for daily specials that can bring the price down. Parking is too expensive for the stadium, but the prices are supposedly controlled by the fairgrounds. Extras 4 There is a free program given to fans when they enter the stadium. The view of the hills beyond the outfield fences offers a great view to enjoy. There are games, such as corn hole, that are free for fans in the area behind the first base side stands. The team does a good job of sticking to the apple theme at all times, whether it is the team mascot or games such as apple bobbing. Final Thoughts The Yakima Valley Pippins and Yakima County Stadium is a perfect spot to watch a summer collegiate league team. The stadium is past its prime for minor league baseball. but is perfect for this level of ball.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 WFCU Centre 8787 McHugh St Windsor, ON N8S 0A1 Wndsor Spitfires website WFCU Centre website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 6,500 Tragedy To Triumph The WFCU Centre is the home of the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. The building has a seating capacity of 6,450 for hockey and was built for $71 million, opening on December 11, 2008. The new home to the Spitfires ensured that the club would remain in Windsor for the foreseeable future. The arena replaced the 84-year-old Windsor Arena that the Spitfires had called home since 1975. The new WFCU Centre was a much-needed replacement for the aging arena and resulted in the building hosting the 2017 Memorial Cup. The original Spitfires were members of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1945 to 1953 and relocated to Hamilton. The current version began operations in 1971 in the Major Junior Hockey League and was promoted to the Ontario Hockey League in 1975. In the close to 50 years in the OHL, the Spits have captured three league championships (1988, 2009, and 2010) and three Memorial Cups (2009, 2020, and 2017). The Spitfires are named after the Royal Canadian Air Force No. 417 Squadron, nicknamed “City of Windsor” squadron, who flew the Spitfire fighter planes during World War II. To many fans, they are nicknamed the Spits. Besides hockey, the building also houses the Windsor Express of the Basketball Super League, which won back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015. The arena has hosted the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, OHL All-Star Game, Skate Canada International, and the World Cup of Curling. Food & Beverage 3 All of the concessions are available in the main concourse and above the seating bowl at one end of the arena. The featured items include hamburgers, veggie dogs, hot dogs, pizza slices, chicken tenders, and poutine. Snack items include popcorn, nachos, fries, candy, pretzels, and chips. The arena offers combo deals from $12 to $18. Pepsi products, MillerCoors, and Molson products are available for purchase during the game. A nice treat is the freshly baked mini donuts that fans can see riding through a carousel and topped with cinnamon and sugar.  Atmosphere 4 The WFCU Center features an outer concourse that wraps almost entirely around the building. The arena houses the WFCU Centre Bar and the Crown Royal Club Lounge, a team pro shop, multiple concession stands, three public rinks, and a swimming pool. The Centre Bar is between gates 1 and 2 and across from sections 109 and 110. The bar offers beer, wine, and other spirits. Fans can also enjoy seat service, open views of the rink, and tabletop seats. The Crown Royal Club Lounge is exclusive to Platinum seat ticket holders, offering beer, wine, and other drinks. It houses a full menu selection and opens 2 hours before the game. Fans can enjoy couch seating and live music in the club lounge. The seating bowl offers unobstructed views of the rink, banners hang from the rafters of former players and past championships. The team has three mascots: Bomber, Spike, and Ace, who make their way throughout the concourse and skate on the ice during pre-game festivities.  Neighborhood 3 The arena is near various shopping centers, restaurants, and retail stores. The Tecumseh Mall is within a few blocks, along with El Dorado Tacos, East Side Marios, Average Joe’s Sports Bar, and Windsor Pizza, home to the city’s style of pizza-Super-that features thinly sliced pepperoni, bacon, green peppers, and canned mushrooms. Downtown is about a 15-20 minute drive and close to the two border crossings into Detroit. Walkerville Brewery is recommended for craft pints in a historic building, but the last call is at 7:30 pm. Just downstairs is Funky Chow Kitchen. A few blocks south is Kildare House, The Grand Cantina, and The Twisted Apron.  Depending on the weather, a walk along the riverfront is a must for all visitors. The views of the Detroit skyline, the sculpture park, and the new Gordie Howe Bridge that is under construction make for photo spots. Cesar Windsor Casino and the Canadian Aviation Museum are two other points of interest. Fans 3 During our review, it was one of those years that most Spitz fans would like to forget. However, fans lined up early before the doors opened, a few weighed flags, and many others made noise with noise-makers to add to the ambiance of the building. It was a great crowd for our visit, and one would think that the season had been going a little bit better for the hometown club.  Access 4 The arena is north of downtown and the Border crossings. If crossing on a weekend night, take the bridge, the tunnel gets backed up, possibly from 19-year-old Americans taking advantage of Canada’s drinking age. The WFCU Centre is about a 15-20 minute drive north, situated in a residential/commercial district with easy access to shopping malls, regional chain restaurants, and other points of interest. There is plenty of parking adjacent to the arena for games. Once inside the building, there is one main concourse that offers fans everything they would need for the game Return on Investment 3 The cost of a ticket is as low as $20 and as high as $44 per game. The prices are on par with many other OHL clubs. The parking was free, at least I did not see anyone taking money, and concession prices ranged from $5.25 for a hot dog, $9,50 for a domestic beer, and $15 for a poutine burger and fries. Please keep in mind that these are all in Canadian dollars, if coming from across the border for the States, the exchange rate could be favorable, or not. Extras 3 The WFCU Centre is a premier facility in the city and for the OHL. The arena provides great views of the rink, easy access to seating, and an energetic fanbase. A Spitfires game makes for a great outing during the hockey season. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Dickerson Stadium Stadium Dr Dunbar, WV 25064 West Virginia State Yellow Jackets website Dickerson Stadium website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 5,000 Building Better in Dunbar Dickerson Stadium, home of the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets (yes, two words) is in the midst of some great renovations that will make the venue better and better over time. Opened in 1963 and holding 5,000 fans (about 20% more than the school’s enrollment), the facility recently added a turf field, lighting so the team can host night games, a new athletics center on the northwest side, and new bleachers on the visiting side – next on the list, when they receive enough donations, is a new set of home stands complete with press box and new concessions. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions selection at Dickerson Stadium is not bad, but not as wide as at some other sports venues you might have been to – on offer are pizza, hot dogs, nachos, candy, chips, popcorn, canned soda, bottled water, coffee, hot cocoa, Gatorade. The pizza is actually phenomenal, however, and on the plus side the prices are very low – canned sodas and bottled water are only $1 each, which is crazy good, and the most expensive thing on the menu is only $4 (hot dog with chili; a slice of pizza or hot dog sans chili is only $3). Note that the concessions are cash only, however, so please plan accordingly. Atmosphere 4 The staff does a lot here to enhance the gameday atmosphere, which makes up for the still dated home stands – for example before the game and after WVSU scores, the stadium lights flicker on and off in various sequences (during night games only of course), which is a really great effect for fans to see – this occurs most prominently between the 3rd and 4th quarters and at halftime, as well as after WVSU scores. There is also what I call a ‘glitter cannon’, which launches gold foil confetti into the air after each Yellow Jacket score, which is another great effect, especially at night when the accompanying light show makes the foil pieces glitter even brighter. The Jackets also have a great mascot (Yellow Jacket-dressed individual, complete with stinger) who leads the team onto the field, and a great band in the form of the WVSU Marching Swarm. The cheerleaders also perform (from a spot right in front of the home side bleachers) throughout the game to pump up the fans in attendance. Yellow Jacket Mascot, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The only drawback I would mention is the wooden bleachers on the home side, which are peeling and at least in need of new paint, if not replacement – but as I mentioned the University is planning to upgrade these as soon as possible. The metal bleachers on the visiting side are actually in better shape, so I would recommend sitting there instead if you want to avoid potential splinters (although of course the visiting side doesn’t have any concessions below it, so it would mean extra walking if you do sit over there). I would also mention the scoreboard is static, so if you miss a play you will not be able to re-watch it on screen; there is a videoboard section, however, that plays team graphics sometimes, such as during third downs or after home team scores. There is also a team gear stand near the main entrance. Neighborhood 3 Dickerson Stadium is located on the banks of the Kanawha River (pronounced Ka-naw) in the small town of Dunbar, WV. The Pitch Sports Bar & Grill is nearby, as is Ridge View BBQ, which oddly enough boasts the best wings in the state. There is not a lot to do in Dunbar itself, being mainly home to West Virginia State University, but Charleston is only 5-10 minutes away, which offers plenty of hotel, dining, and entertainment options if you plan to be in town for the day or weekend. Fans 4 WVSU football boasts some pretty solid fans, the home stands being pretty full even in years when the team is not doing so well on the field. You will also see plenty of fans sporting the Yellow Jackets black and gold, and those in attendance cheer loudly for their team. Access 3 Dickerson Stadium is easy to get to, not far from I-64 and only a few miles down the road from Charleston, WV (where I-77 and I-64 meet up). There is also free parking right in front of the facility, making for an easy walk into the stadium. The main entrance is actually on the visiting side, but there is a walking path around the southeast end (the northeast end is blocked off to fans) so you can get to the home stands. Dickerson Stadium Main Entrance, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey The only concessions are located underneath the home stands, as are the only bathrooms. The bathrooms themselves are a little dilapidated, but again the school is planning to replace the whole shebang on the home side as soon as they get the funding, so this should improve over time. Return on Investment 4 Admission is only $15 for football games at Dickerson Stadium, which is a great deal to see college football, especially adding in the cheap concessions and free parking. This is a pretty good return on investment for the mostly-modern stadium, with new lights, new brightly colored turf, and the light shows, mascot, and cheer squads enhancing your experience. Extras 3 The Yellow Jackets have great uniforms – black shirts and black pants with a large gold logo on one side of the helmet. The scoreboard also displays game stats throughout the game, i.e. rushing yards/passing yards/penalties, which is not common but great for football junkies who like to keep track of such things. I also can’t say enough about the light shows throughout the game. Final Thoughts West Virginia State University is a D2 program, so you may not expect much from your visit. Certainly it doesn’t have all the pomp and ceremony of some of the bigger FBS programs, for example, but it is a great experience for this level of football, and on the plus side the small, intimate stadium means it is much easier to move around than the larger venues, and you can also get much, much closer to the action – if you are able I would definitely recommend a visit to Dickerson Stadium. Go, Jackets!

Photos by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 BC Place 777 Pacific Blvd Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8 Canada Vancouver Whitecaps FC website BC Place website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 21,000 Waves of Excitement Fuel the Whitecaps What was once a necessary and simple building located in downtown Vancouver for Canadian football has been transformed over the last few years into one of the crown jewels among international sports venues. Thanks to an ambitious plan to attract the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver’s BC Lions football team and the Whitecaps soccer club remain chief beneficiaries in the Games’ aftermath. As interest in Major League Soccer grew throughout the United States, interest from Canadian fans followed. In 2007, Toronto began play as the first MLS franchise outside the United States. Vancouver joined the League in 2011 and it was soon joined by Montreal in 2012. Like Toronto, the Whitecaps needed a plan for an acceptable venue to host MLS matches before a franchise would be awarded. Vancouver fans were satisfied upon learning BC Place, home of the Canadian Football League’s Lions , would be further renovated after the Olympics with completion set for September 2011. Until it was complete, though, the Whitecaps played most of their inaugural campaign in a makeshift venue on the site of the former Empire Stadium, the longtime home of the NASL Whitecaps from 1974-1983. They closed out play at this site on September 21st with a 3-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC. On October 2nd of their first season, they opened their new, renovated home with a 1-0 defeat to the hands of their Cascadia rivals, the Portland Timbers. Since the last month of their maiden season, the Whitecaps have been able to proudly call their home a magnificent venue, the details of which are sprinkled throughout this review. Modernized for pro soccer in ways which are truly clever, the Bell Pitch at BC Place, as it is known on game-day, possesses an intimate feel leaving new visitors awestruck the first time they see the venue from the outside, especially at night, and of course once they step inside the seating area. In terms of history, BC Place served as the Olympic Stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. It has hosted eight CFL Grey Cup Championship games. Touting such a rich history, the BC Sports Hall of Fame is located within the stadium just inside Gate A. This is worth a visit, best made on non-game days, but still open on game days from 10 AM to 5 PM. As for the future, team ownership originally hoped to build a soccer-specific venue known as Waterfront Stadium in nearby Gastown for the 2016 season. Due to public opposition to the plan, the club is committed to BC Place through at least the 2015 season. Who knows if this will remain their home after 2015? If you can make it there to see a game, you are in for a unique treat as BC Place is among the best MLS venues. Food & Beverage 5 While fans have certain minimum expectations for food and beverage offerings you can find anywhere, the concessionaire at BC Place has taken a different approach. In the 2013 season fans are seeing an upgrade not just regarding the type of offerings, but the quality of what you would expect. There are four special things worth eating. Made famous more so in French Canada than Vancouver, the made-to-order Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich served with kettle chips and kosher pickle for $9.75 is one of the best I have ever had and is offered at a fair price. Cooked just right with a generous portion of overlapping slices within a hearty ciabatta bun, this needs to be your first stop. In the main concourse, you can only get it at one place, a portable unit just across from the entrance to section 218. Ask for Jordan who oversees this area. He set things up nicely. A little further down the concourse, try the bratwurst on a pretzel bun served with kettle chips at $10.50. A bacon-wrapped hot dog on a regular bun served with kettle chips is also available for $9.50. Beer battered fish (two-piece) with kettle chips is $11.50. While tasty, the latter seemed a little overpriced for the amount of food provided. Lastly are the poutine fries (French fries with cheese curds and gravy poured over them). The regular version is $7 with a short-rib version for $8.50. As for the regular items, prices are a little higher than expected, but relatively in line with what you would expect for sports venues. As for soft drinks, Pepsi products dominate with Dole, Dr. Pepper, Orange Crush and 7-Up also available. A 24oz. soft drink is $4.50 while a 32oz. drink in a collector’s cup is $6.50. Bottled sodas and water are $4.50 while coffee and hot chocolate are $3.50. Beer and wine are plentiful in a variety of forms with 12 oz. Budweiser draught at $7.75 and both Premium (Stella Artois, Beck’s, Alexander Keiths, and Stanley Park Brewery) draught and Belgian White draught are $8.25 each. Budweiser cans are $8.50 and Premium cans are $9. Specialty drinks such as Mike’s Hard Cider, Okanagan Premium cider and Palm Bay Coolers are $9.50. Sonora Desert Ranch Pinot Grigio and Merlot are $8.50 per serving. For regular eats, a hot dog is $5.50 while converting it to a combo with drink and chips is $10.50. Nachos with cheese are $6 while a house recipe chili bowl is $6.50. Chicken fingers with fries are $10.50, a cheeseburger is $8 and French fries are $5.50. A burger combo with fries and a drink are $16, a $2 savings off the individual purchase price. Texas-Style pulled pork, known as Southsliders, is $9.50. As for snacks, one of the more unique items comes from Cin City Donuts, a portable kiosk on the main concourse. They offer bags of mini donuts for just $5.50 (cash only). Other more traditional items are bags of peanuts at $4 and Cracker Jacks at $6. An 85 oz. popcorn bucket is $5.50 while a 130 oz. refillable bucket is $9.50. Assorted candy is $4.50. Various ice creams and frozen treats at portable units range in price from $3 to $6. Atmosphere 5 It is pretty difficult to convert a 55,000-seat, multi-purpose stadium into an intimate 21,000-seat soccer pitch on game-day, but BC Place does a great job of achieving this very unique atmosphere. Uniquely created with nearly 50 large white heavy-duty fabric pieces, these visual elements are hung from a cable which mirrors the encircling area which ends up being quite a bit smaller than the perimeter of the upper deck. These large pieces are draped and connected to the first row railing of the upper deck. The upper deck is pretty much put out of sight and mind in this process and interestingly is reminiscent of the upper awning commonly found as the top rim of many MLS soccer-specific stadiums. In addition, perhaps the most significant renovation element involves the largest cable-supported retractable roof in the world. When opened, the opening measures 110 by 93 yards, nearly the same size as the field below. Even when opened, the seating area is covered by the permanent portion of the roof. Taking 20 minutes to open or close, the fabric roof retracts into a pod and is hidden in the center of the opening which is suspended above the videoboard. Speaking of the videoboard, it is the second largest center-hung high definition scoreboard in North America, the largest being the one at AT&T Stadium (formerly Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas). This remarkable piece of technology measures 68 feet wide by 38 feet high and runs along the sideline and with slightly smaller screens attached and facing each goal. Live action and replays dominate with just a small area in the lower-right corner of each screen reserved for the score and running time. Just as remarkable is the renovation work which helps to infuse natural light into the building. This is best enjoyed during afternoon matches. Even when the roof is closed, the space between the top of the upper deck and the permanent roof has been changed from the building’s original brown glass to clear glazing with a subtle blue tint. This improves the outer appearance of the building while allowing a brighter more natural environment in ramps, concourses, seating areas and the playing field. The new glazing also helps to reduce the amount of energy used to light the concourses during the daytime. The lower edge facing of the upper deck features a brightly displayed electronic ribbon board and is effective in cueing fans to cheer, announce substitutions and, of course, advertising. Just above sections 249 and 222, the time into the match and score are displayed, the only place other than the lower-right corner of the videoboard this information is shown. The playing field is polytan artificial turf measuring 117 yards by 75 yards. The pitch is certified by FIFA, the international soccer governing body, with a 2-star rating, the highest rating possible. You can enter BC Place as early as one hour before kick-off. When entering the facility, fans enter at the street level concourse known as Level 3. If deciding on which gate to enter, consider Gate A as it leads you right to the BC Sports Hall of Fame, open 10-5 and admission is half off with ticket to a game from two weeks prior. Regular adult price is $15 so that is quite a nice savings at $7.50. Upon entry, you will travel down a wide ramp to Level 2 and reach the main concourse. Unless you have tickets to the special lower level club seats, this will be familiar territory for you on this day. The entire concourse is carefully filled with the right mix of permanent and temporary concession stands, tastefully erected merchandise areas for game-day only, restrooms and entrances to the seating area. In understanding the seating arrangement for the sections, consider the appearance of the overhead seating signs, a sample image which is shown in the photo gallery of this review as section 218. Pay close attention to how the seats are conveyed on the sign and how they are arranged within a row. It is a little different than most venues and that is why I point out the details below. As you can see, the section is clearly listed, but when entering the seating area of a section, you can see rows to the right are seats 1-17 while rows to the left are seats 101-117. The number of seats within a row can change by section, but the way these are laid out is the main point here. Regardless of which section you sit, as you face the field, the right of the aisle is seat #1, then seat #2 next to it and the numbers increase as the row extends to the right. To the left of the aisle, however, and still in the same section, seat #101 is the first seat, seat #102 next to it and so on as the row extends to the left. This is important so that you understand the layout and don’t, for instance, get a ticket for a seat on the aisle which is also in your line of view to see the field as people walking up and down all game might lessen the enjoyment of your attendance at the match. With this complicated part addressed, determine what section you want to sit. As a basis for determining your choice, consider viewing things as though you were sitting at the midfield line facing the benches. You would be sitting in section 242. Across the field, the Whitecaps bench is to your left in front of section 213 while the visiting team occupies the bench in front of section 215. Section 214 is on the center line directly across from you. To your right and between section 227 and 228 is the north or east goal. To your left and between section 201 and section 254 is directly behind the south or west goal and where the teams enter the pitch. This is also the end of the field where the Whitecaps two supporter groups stand and yell all game. From section 201-207 and section 249-254, all sections stand and chant. Unfortunately, many of the chants involve foul language causing me to question the intellect of these folks when they use some of these words, as they do not make sense in the first place. The lack of respect most fans in these sections have for those enjoying a match is a letdown. I expected better, especially having witnessed chanting at numerous MLS matches in the past which were certainly all above board. So it can be done right. The lesson is to avoid the south or west end if you do not want to stand during the match or hear foul language spewed in synchronicity. As for the seating bowl, the sections closest to midfield are set back off the sidelines more than those near the end lines or corners. The pitch in the rows seems average, nothing special. Premium seating occupies the sideline area of the field opposite the benches. Not sure why these sections are pushed back further away from the field in the first place given the longtime tenant in the Lions football team also plays on a rectangular surface. Wherever you sit, make sure it is lower than row “S” otherwise you might feel too suffocated by being too close to the artificial roof designed to make the venue intimate for soccer matches. Incidentally, the venue’s private boxes are the highest leveled area you can reach for the soccer layout and really cause you to feel removed from the event you came to enjoy. There is something to be said for being too close to the action. You might be too low to the field and the view might be obstructed with too much player traffic if you are below row “F”. Overall, I like section 231, row “O” and anywhere from seat 104 through 110 as the ideal spot to view a Whitecaps match. Here you can view the players entering the field pretty much straight on, there is a good view of the activity in the bench area, you get views of two videoboards and, depending upon which way you turn your head, a view down the nearest sideline to your left or a view from just behind the goal line to your right. The aisle to your right is pretty much out of play relative to obstructing your view. The club sells out nearly every match so buying tickets at the box office may be somewhat difficult to accomplish the day of a game. Should they be available, consider the seat mentioned above in section 231 (non-alcoholic zone) is $28.25 face value. Cross the aisle in 230 and you will be $38.25. A midfield seat in section 241 is $63.25. Neighborhood 4 Most of the activity is to the north of BC Place, a mix of eateries and places for a light snack before or after the game. I have several which should be considered and one that should be avoided. There is no shortage of places to enjoy a variety of good local beer and a few interesting foods. Back Forty at 118 Robson Street is just north and across the street from BC Place. It is a convenient and good choice for being close to the venue and offers great food. Consider the bucket of buttermilk fried chicken or the St. Louis Style Pork Ribs. Doolin’s Irish Pub at 654 Nelson Street at Glanville is just north and west of BC Place. You will enjoy the atmosphere with live music frequently, soccer on the tele and 23 beers on tap. To eat, choose Shepherd’s Pie or Guinness Beef Pie and don’t even look at the menu. Just pick one of those two choices. The Pint Public House & Sports Bar at 455 Abbott Street just a little north and east of BC Place is another fine choice. Any of their burgers or the Pale Ale Fish & Chips is worth ordering. I have enjoyed a visit to their downtown Edmonton location a few years back and the Vancouver location is equally worth visiting. You might want to avoid Rosie’s on Robson. There is something wrong when you order a simple appetizer with plenty of time to eat it, but then it takes 30 minutes to get it. I didn’t really get a warm feeling when I walked in there either. I left after the disrespect. Avoid this place as there are too many other options which clearly want your business more than Rosie’s. As for as things to do and see, my guess is most any trip to Vancouver will involve more than just soccer. So while you plan your trip to this magnificent city, consider visits to the following places in or around downtown Vancouver; Granville Island and Granville Market, Stanley Park and the seawall, Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, shopping and sightseeing in North Vancouver and West Vancouver and finally, Horseshoe Bay. Fans 4 There is a nice mix of fans at Whitecaps games as their following continues to grow in their third season. Soccer fans are passionate by nature and Whitecaps’ supporters follow suit. They come in all shapes and sizes from young to old as the club is making an effort to generate a family commitment among its fans. Each pre-game begins with a March to the Match beginning at the corner of Robson and Granville. Originated by the Southsiders, the longest serving supporters club, the group marches down Robson about a ½ mile toward BC Place. The march involves a chanting of songs, waving of flags and carrying of banners all the way to the game. Rain City Brigade is the newest of the two supporters groups having begun their organized support of the Whitecaps in 2010. Both supporter groups call the southwest end behind the goal as their home seating area. Access 4 Parking is available throughout the downtown area around BC Place, but you will pay a hefty price of $20-$30. I would avoid it at all costs, especially when you think of what the savings could buy you in the way of food and drink before or during the game. I chose a downtown hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott, and walked to the game. The next best option is to take light rail. If you choose Skytrain, Vancouver’s fully-automated light rail system, you will enjoy an easy, inexpensive option. Free from downtown traffic, there are three lines (Expo Line-navy, Millenium Line-yellow and Canada line-teal). Fares vary based upon distance travelled, but typically are $2.75 each way for reasonable distances. You will not pay more than $5.00 each way and that involves the furthest distances. The lines are laid out a little strangely so check the website for the details and map out your trip. From wherever you travel, the closest stations to BC Place are Stadium-Chinatown (Expo Line-navy and Millennium Line-yellow only), just two blocks northeast and Vancouver-City Centre Station (along the Canada line-teal only), just six “short” blocks northwest. Buses and streetcars run through the downtown area and are also a nice option to the game. If you are making it a full day of using mass transit, consider a day-pass which covers all travel on buses, street cars, Seabus and Skytrain for $9.75. Return on Investment 4 Vancouver tends to be a bit more expensive than most cities for anything, but all in all, the prices are decent for a Whitecaps game. Ticket prices in the upper tier of seating are a little over the top, but you can find a good seat for $30. Food and beverage prices are on par with most sports venues and while there are some which are over the top, there are also others that are better than expected. Mass transit is always the way to go, particularly if there is no tailgating involved. Extras 5 MASCOT – Spike the mascot is very active during games and even during the pre-game where he plays soccer with fans outside before the gates open. At the game I attended, he defended the northeast goal during a penalty-kick promotion (see image in photo gallery). Unlike some mascots, Spike is not an afterthought, but an integral part of the club branding strategy. MERCHANDISE – Despite the renovations, the facility relies on temporary merchandise kiosks spread through the main concourse. There is no main team store in the entire venue. Still, the club does a good job of merchandising a display of products in a wide range of price points. Although I found a stylish shirt to wear to the game while at Granville Island marketplace, prices are just slightly above what you would pay outside the facility. PROGRAM – Earlier in the 2013 season, the club provided the typical 5×7 size program filled with stories, rosters, statistics and all of the pertinent information soccer fans want to follow the match. On the date I attended and presumably beginning in early August, the team stopped producing the more content-based program in favor of inserts. Upon entry, I was handed the insert which served to promote a push for 2014 season ticket sales more than anything along with roster and statistics. No word on if the team will return to the traditional game program, but if they do, you can also find them in the Whitecaps website for download under the Match Programs tab below the Fans heading. To witness a match inside a venue like this is truly special. The view from the seats across the field with the gigantic videoboard hanging from the cleverly constructed roof structure and the hanging material which make the atmosphere spectacular are a real unique experience. The March to the Match led by the Southsiders supporters is a neat way to spark the excitement leading up to the match. An hour before game time, meet the group at Robson and Granville for the ½ mile March to the Match. This is a widely-embraced way to get ready for the match. An extra mark for the significant place that Vancouver has given Terry Fox. With the plaza named after him, and a fantastic bronze statue (four actually), Vancouver and BC Place has shown the importance of this Canadian icon, who arguably did more for cancer research than any other person, ever!

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 St Louis Field 284 Hill Street Biddeford, ME 04005 Sebago Slammin' Salmon website St Louis Field website St Louis Field – Sebago Slammin’ Salmon At first glance, St. Louis Field appears to be a nondescript high school baseball field, which it is, but it also has a rich history as the former home of professional baseball teams such as the Biddeford Clamdiggers in the late 1800s, and the Biddeford Orphans in the early 1900s. St. Louis Field is a source of deep historical roots and local pride in the southern Maine town of Biddeford, for decades serving as a gathering place for locals to cheer on high school teams, and also used to celebrate the city’s Franco-American heritage at the annual La Kermesse Festival . St. Louis Field has also routinely been used by the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL), as part of its rotation of sites for summer collegiate baseball over the years. The 2024 GNCBL season saw a big transition in its operations, as the league was purchased and reorganized from a nomadic style of teams playing at different sites around southern Maine to designated home teams playing at six different fields. One team, the Sebago Slammin’ Salmon, splits its season between St. Louis Field and Mahaney Diamond on the campus of St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, home of the Monks.   Food & Beverage   0 No concession stand is open at St. Louis Field, but fans are welcome to bring their food and beverages.   Atmosphere   1 St. Louis Field is the most basic facility used in the GNCBL, consisting of three sets of aluminum bleachers and a pair of small, cedar-shingled dugouts. The field overlooks a second baseball diamond, a wide-open multi-use field, and surrounding houses. There is no scoreboard in use at St. Louis Field, which can make it challenging to keep track of the inning and score. Most fans bring their tailgating chairs to find the best vantage point, or to set up in the few shaded areas available.   Neighborhood   3 St. Louis Field is a neighborhood field as much as any field can be. Single and multi-family homes line the streets just outside the field, while an elementary school sits just beyond the left field line. The nearby streets are so close that the backstop netting has been extended up nearly 20 feet to protect passing vehicles. However, it is not uncommon for foul balls to still find their way into neighboring yards. The field is just over a mile from Biddeford’s Main Street and the Biddeford textile mill, which has been converted into shops and restaurants. About half a mile further, across the Saco River bridge, is Biddeford’s sister city Saco, which boasts its own charming Main Street full of shops and locally owned restaurants. There you will find Rapid Rays, a 1950s-style restaurant, specializing in burgers, hot dogs, lobster rolls, and the Quebec classic comfort food, poutine (French fries topped with cheese curds and covered in gravy). If looking to make the day a doubleheader, the Old Orchard Beach Bugs (in the same league) play just 15 minutes away at The Ballpark.   Fans   1 Crowds are modest here, typically capping at around 50 spectators per game. The fans are generally supportive of the teams and only criticize umpires on egregiously questionable calls. There does not seem to be a large local following, however, which in part may be due to Sebago splitting its season between two sites.   Access   3 Biddeford is conveniently located off I-95, which connects most of Maine’s major cities and is also accessible via Route 1, which runs more along the Maine coast. Traffic can get backed up at the 5-Points intersection, so taking the back route through the industrial park might save time if you are using I-95 to get to Biddeford. Amtrak’s Nor’easter line does have a Biddeford/Saco stop just a mile-and-a-half from St. Louis Field – while this is an option to get to the field, it probably isn’t the most practical choice. There is parking across the street from the ballpark at the neighboring elementary school, leaving a short walk to the diamond.   Return on Investment   5 There doesn’t appear to be a charge for admittance, and parking is free at the elementary school across the street from the third base side of the field. A handful of teams in the league do charge between $5 to $6 for admission, so if by chance an admission fee is charged, it should be relatively modest.   Extras   1 There is not much at St. Louis Field by way of extras that will add to the experience, but for families who might bring younger children to a game, there is a wide-open field beyond the ball field where kids can play if watching the game might be too much.   Final Thoughts St. Louis Field does not come with many amenities to make the experience of taking in a baseball game here a memorable experience, but it does bring the game back to its most basic of roots; 9 players on each side, 90-foot basepaths, and a mound 60 feet-6 inches from home. It has everything needed for collegiate players who are just looking to get in more reps to improve their skills, and for fans, it is a great reminder of the simplicity of the game that is America’s pastime.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Ed Flaherty Field 156 School Street Gorham, ME 04038 Gotham Lightning website Ed Flaherty Field website Year Opened: 2017 Ed Flaherty Field – Gorham Lightning As the collegiate baseball season comes to an end on the campus of the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, attention shifts to the summer wooden bat season. As members of the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL), the Gorham Lightning are playing their first season in the league. Entering the 2024 season, the GNCBL underwent significant changes in operations and organization. The league was purchased by "The Players League", and its format was changed from a nomadic setup, with teams playing at various fields around the area, to a structure where each of the five teams now has its own designated home field.   Food & Beverage   0 There are no concessions offered at Ed Flaherty Field, but fans are welcome to bring their food and drinks. With a handful of convenience stores less than a mile away, grabbing a sandwich, chips, and soda to bring to the field might be a good option.   Atmosphere   2 Ed Flaherty Field is one of the more comfortable facilities used in the GNCBL – the seating bowl here is built into the hillside and consists of six rows of individual chairback seats, keeping fans close to the action on the field. Seating extends from dugout to dugout, and while the seats are not covered, the sun sets behind the grandstand, providing shade to the top rows fairly early in the game. Evening games do not have much difficulty with the sun in any direction. The games here are as pedestrian as can be – there are no walkup songs, no music between innings, and no on-field contests; it’s just baseball. The game is what it is, just some college players getting some summer at-bats and innings pitched.   Neighborhood   3 On the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus, Ed Flaherty Field is less than a mile from Gorham’s city center. Main Street oozes small-town charm and is dotted with locally-owned shops and restaurants. Junction Bowl offers both food and entertainment, while Sebago Brewing Company has a brewpub next door and a tasting room just a short 3-mile trip away. For more of a full-day experience, downtown Portland is about 10 miles away, featuring the area's biggest summer attractions. Closer still is the neighboring town of Westbrook, a growing community with numerous restaurants, Mast Landing Brewery, and a popular riverside trail.   Fans   1 Attendance is generally small, mostly consisting of friends and families of the players. The summer setting tends to keep fans more laid-back, but they are quick to let umpires know about borderline calls. This is the league’s first year using a home team format, where teams have a designated home field, so the idea of developing roots in a community has not yet had much time to set in.   Access   3 Gorham is a suburb of Maine’s largest city Portland. Without direct access from the state's only interstate route, I-95, traffic into Gorham can become congested, due to several highly traveled arteries feeding into the city center from neighboring towns to the east – roads coming from the north, south, and west are much less traveled. While there is a campus shuttle that runs between Portland and Gorham, it stops running at 5 pm, making it challenging to return to Portland after a game using public transportation. GPS directions lead to an awkward parking lot that is not directly adjacent to the field. It is easier to enter via the Campus Avenue entrance, which provides access to the lot directly next to the field – from this latter parking lot, it is just a short walk to the entrance and a walkway that runs atop the seating bowl.   Return on Investment   5 There was no admission charge during my last visit; GNCBL teams that charge for attendance typically ask for between $5 and $6 – it is possible I just caught a break from not having anyone there that day selling tickets. Typically, any sporting event that is free of charge is hard to beat. However, what is disappointing, and is no fault of the league, is that even during the summer the University here charges for parking. Although the fee is nominal, roughly $1.50 an hour, it seems unnecessary given the lower demand for campus parking in the summer.   Extras   1 The field is a rather quirky one – it is not every day you will find a baseball field where centerfield (388’) is 18 feet shorter than right center (406’).   Final Thoughts The reorganization of the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League appears to bring the league more credibility, as well as the ability to create roots in the towns that host teams, making it possibly an appealing option for families in the community to consider in the summer months. The Gorham Lightning have some work to do in terms of branding and marketing their team, but they might have one of the most important elements of the equation already in place with the comfort that is provided by Ed Flaherty Field.

Photos by Paul Baker and Marc Viquez , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 First Horizon Park 19 Junior Gilliam Way Nashville, TN 37219 Nashville Sounds website First Horizon Park website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 10,000 Sounds Like a Winner Professional baseball has been played in the city of Nashville since 1884. Numerous teams played at historic Sulpher Dell, located just north of Tennessee’s state capital building, from 1885 to 1963. Most notable among these teams were the Southern Association’s Nashville Vols, who called Sulpher Dell home from 1901 to 1963. When the Vols disbanded after the 1963 season, Nashville was left without pro baseball for 14 years.   In 1978 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball coach Larry Schmittou, along with a group of investors who included country music stars Conway Twitty, Cal Smith, and Jerry Reed, financed the building of a new ballpark and the purchase of a new team. This ballpark, Hershel Greer Stadium, was built two miles south of downtown on the grounds of Fort Negley, a Civil War fortification. The new team was named the Sounds in honor of the city’s country music heritage.   By the early 2000s, Greer Stadium was outdated and in need of replacement. Several proposals for a new ballpark were made and rejected over the years as Greer was upgraded in a piecemeal fashion. The team made threats to leave Nashville as plans stalled repeatedly. The team favored a site downtown near the Siegenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and Nissan Stadium, while the city preferred the old Sulpher Dell site as a new focal point of the Germantown neighborhood. The $37 million First Tennessee Park was agreed upon in 2013 and completed in time for the 2015 season.   The Sounds franchise began life as an expansion team in the AA Southern League. In 1983 Sounds ownership looked to establish Nashville as a viable Major League market. They purchased the AAA Evansville Triplets and moved them to Nashville, joining the American Association. When that league dissolved in 1998, the Sounds joined the Pacific Coast League. When MLB reorganized the minor leagues in 2021, the Sounds were assigned to the International League. The Sounds are the oldest professional sports team in the city of Nashville. In their time at the AAA level, Nashville won one championship, in 2005. Food & Beverage 4   As is the case in many new ballparks, concessions are a focal point of the First Horizon Park experience. There are four main stands scattered along the concourse above the seating bowl.  Smokehouse BBQ, Hot or Not Chicken, Music City Grill, and Sulpher Dell Slices are the main attractions. Each stand features a menu with unique items, so you may need to do a little searching to find your desired items. Of course, Nashville’s iconic hot chicken sandwiches can be found here. The main stands are augmented by portable carts that sell everything from cheesesteaks to donuts. The full concession map can be found here .   While the menus at the big stands are pretty diverse, even more specialty items can be found in the Band Box stand in right field. Among the items you’ll find here are jalapeno corn fritters, empanadas, tot-chos, and a full listing of specialty cocktails.   Pepsi products are featured at First Horizon Park. Fans looking for adult beverages will find a wide selection of beer, wine, mixed and frozen drinks. Craft beer fans will find many choices throughout the stadium, including brews from local favorites Harpeth and Tailgate Brewing.   Atmosphere 5   First Horizon Park’s glass and steel exterior instantly distinguishes it from its red brick and green seat peers around the country. You’ll find touches of Nashville throughout the park, from the Sulpher Dell marker in center field to the iconic guitar scoreboard in right. Nods to Nashville’s musical heritage are noted in more subtle ways throughout the ballpark, with guitar picks, clef notes, and strings adorning the seats, concourse, and signage of the facility.   Fans who may not necessarily be here for the ball game will still find many ways to entertain themselves, as they can play mini-golf, whiffle ball, cornhole, or even ping pong in the right-field party deck. This area, christened the Band Box , features an outdoor bar and restaurant with special menu items that can only be found here. This is undoubtedly the place to be at a Nashville baseball game.     The team store features a selection of throwback items featuring the Sounds’ classic logo, that of a batter taking a swing with a guitar rather than a bat. This logo can also be found in other locations around the ballpark.   Don’t worry, traditional baseball fans. Despite the numerous social gathering areas in the ballpark and the distractions happening in every nook and cranny of the facility, you won’t be clubbed over the head by the non-baseball activities. If you choose to visit First Horizon Park just to watch baseball, you’ll be able to do so. You may even find other things worth watching along the way.   Neighborhood 4   First Horizon Park is located in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, located about a mile from downtown. The ballpark was hoped to be the centerpiece of the revitalization of this neighborhood and judging by the amount of construction in the area, it might just be working. While the millennial-hipster vibe of the area may be a turnoff to some fans, this does seem like an area where you can spend a few hours before or after the game enjoying the sights and sounds.   Just steps from the ballpark’s main entrance is Von Elrod’s Beer Hall and Kitchen, specializing in smoked meats, sausages, and burgers, with an impressive selection of pretzels on the menu. If Bavarian fare doesn’t do it for you, there are plenty of other options in Germantown. Check out DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana, Neighbors of Germantown, Geist Bar, Waldo’s Chicken and Beer, or Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint. Third and Home is a popular sports bar with a deck that overlooks the field.   While there are few lodging options adjacent to the ballpark, Nashville is a large city, with infinite options around if you expand your search. Of course, downtown isn’t too far away if you want to stay where the action is.   Fans 5   The Sounds have averaged over 7,500 fans per game over the past three seasons, which places them in the top five in minor league baseball in terms of attendance. Nashville has had a spot among the national attendance leaders since the opening of First Horizon Park in 2015. Stadium Journey visited Nashville on the Fourth of July, and as you may expect, there was a standing-room-only crowd in attendance.   With the numerous social gathering areas located throughout First Horizon Park, more curmudgeonly fans may complain that a large percentage of fans in attendance are not paying much, if any, attention to the game. Indeed, there are so many things to do here that the game may seem almost secondary, but there are plenty of die-hard baseball fans here in Nashville. The demographics of the crowd here are no different than you’ll find in any minor-league ballpark. There are lots of families, groups, and casual fans enjoying the show.   Access 4   First Horizon Park is easily accessible from Interstates 65, 40 and 24. If you are visiting Nashville and looking to visit the downtown area, it’s only a mile away. Fans taking public transportation will find WeGo bus routes  that run along both 2nd Avenue and Rep. John Lewis Way.   The Sounds boast that 6,000 parking spots are located within a half-mile of the ballpark. A parking garage is located adjacent to the ballpark, as well as numerous surface lots nearby. A full listing of parking options can be found here .   Fans will enter First Horizon Park via one of three entrances, located behind home plate, in deep left field and deep right field. All entrances deposit fans onto the spacious 360-degree concourse, with the field visible from virtually all points. Fans will walk down to their seats from the concourse. While there is much activity all over First Horizon Park, navigating the concourse is easy, and lines are not an issue. Restrooms are spacious and clean, and there are plenty of accessible areas for fans who require such accommodation.   Return on Investment 4   While Minor League Baseball continues to be a great entertainment value, especially when compared to the Major Leagues, remember that Nashville is a large city, so you will be paying big city prices. Still, there are great bargains to be found at a Sounds game. Tickets start at $10 for spots on the berm, while reserved seats start at $15. The majority of seats in the ballpark can be found for under $30. Purchasing your tickets on the day of the game will increase prices between $2-$5, depending on where your seats are.   Parking in the Sounds Garage beyond the right field wall will cost you ten dollars. In addition, there are several surface lots to the north of the ballpark along Jefferson Street and 2nd Avenue North. While concession prices may feel a bit high, they are in line with other facilities at this level of baseball.   Extras 5   The focal point of First Horizon Park is undoubtedly the iconic guitar scoreboard. While the original Greer stadium scoreboard did not make the transition to Germantown, the Sounds made sure an upgraded version of the scoreboard was part of their new home.   The country music legends race in the middle of the fifth inning features oversized caricatures of George Jones, Donny Parton, Johnny Cash, and Reba McIntyre. If you enjoy the racing Presidents in Washington or the racing pierogies of Pittsburgh, you’ll enjoy these shenanigans.   Behind the batter’s eye in center field is a marker honoring the site as the location of Sulpher Dell, the historic home of baseball in Nashville.   First Horizon Park is home to what is perhaps the best mini-golf course in all of baseball. If mini-golf isn’t your thing, try the wiffle ball field, or one of the many games in The Band Box.   A final extra point is awarded for the ballpark's address. The ballpark is located on Junior Gilliam Way. Gilliam was a Nashville native and one of the city's finest Major League players. His number 19 was retired by the Dodgers organization. Gilliam began his playing career with the Nashville Black Vols, who played at Sulpher Dell, in 1945. Final Thoughts   While wandering around First Horizon Park, it’s strange to think that a short time ago, Nashville was in danger of losing its team. The Sounds’ new home has been transformative for baseball in Nashville and the city’s Germantown neighborhood. It should be considered as one of the finest minor league facilities in the country. ----   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Harrison HPER Complex 14000 Highway 82 Itta Bena, MS 38941 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils website Harrison HPER Complex website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 5,000 The Devil Went Down To The Delta The small city of Itta Bena, Mississippi is home to Mississippi Valley State University, a Division One Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The school enrolled over 2,000 students during the Fall 2023 semester. The athletic programs are known as the “Delta Devils” and they compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The basketball team has made five NCAA Tournament appearances, last making the big dance in 2012. Food & Beverage 2 Stadium basics such as nachos ($4), popcorn ($2), hot dogs ($4), wings ($6), and Pepsi branded beverages ($3) are sold at the Harrison Complex. Cash and cards are accepted for payment but alcohol is not sold at the arena. Atmosphere 3 Upon walking into the Harrison Complex the floor greets you with a logo of the Delta Devils program. After walking up a flight of stairs to enter the seating bowl, a trophy case showcases the athletic successes of the Delta Devils program. The venue was renovated in 2016 and the result is a seating bowl with chairback seats that only go 11 rows back. The walls are decorated with banners showcasing the successes of the program over the years. The band does an amazing job of keeping the energy up during breaks in game action. During halftime they play so loud that you can not hear yourself talking. Neighborhood 2 Itta Bena is a small town. Dining options include Larry’s Fish House, W8 Restaurant and Sports Bar, and Capricorn’s Cafe. There’s not much in the way of tourist attractions in Itta Bena. A drive eight miles East to the Museum of the Mississippi Delta in Greenwood is worth a stop. Lodging will also be in Greenwood with hotel chains such as Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, and Comfort Suites being options for overnight stays. Fans 2 The band does a great job of keeping the atmosphere up during basketball games. The fans that do show up to games have pride in the Delta Devils. Access 3 The campus of Mississippi Valley State is on highway 82. After entering the campus the arena will be on the left. The arena is easy to walk around as long as you can walk up a flight of stairs. Return on Investment 3 A ticket is $15 and lets you see both a men’s and women’s game. The band will give some great performances. The parking is free and concessions probably won’t run you more than $10. $25 for a day of SWACtion is what the Valley offers. Extras 1 Jerry Rice played college football for the Delta Devils. Final Thoughts Mississippi Valley State has its struggles as a underfunded school in a small town. But its alumni are proud to be alumni and there have been successes for the Delta Devils over the years. The fans and alumni are ready to see a competitive Delta Devils program again. Hopefully Mississippi Valley State can deliver soon.

Photo Courtesy of Bethune-Cookman University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Moore Gymnasium 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats website Moore Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 3,000 Daytona Beach Hoops The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats play their basketball games at Moore Gymnasium in beautiful Daytona Beach, Florida. There are quite a few points of interest around town, including Bethune-Cookman University. This basketball team is a proud member of the MEAC Conference, but have never been able to attain great success. They did have a bid to play in the NIT back in 2011, but were quickly eliminated by Virginia Tech. Moore Gymnasium was built in 1954 and only holds 3,000 fans, but provides a surprisingly loud punch to the face for opposing teams. Food & Beverage 2 The refreshments are similar to what you’ll find at your local high school basketball game. Every food item is under $4. The menu includes a pulled pork sandwich, hot dog, cheeseburger, boiled peanuts, and nachos. There is also a nice selection of shaved ice flavors. The concession window is easy to find, located to the left of the main entrance. The line is backed up at halftime, so I suggest purchasing your items before then. Atmosphere 3 The tiny size of the gymnasium coupled with 3,000 passionate fans creates a hectic, and enjoyable, stadium atmosphere. The cheers and whistles are so deafening, it’s difficult to speak to the person next to you. Not to say this is a bad thing. If you’re a fan of loud, raucous environments, this experience will be for you. Even the squeak of the sneakers will reverberate around this intimate space. You can only imagine the passion this venue would offer during a rivalry or championship game. You will be so close to the action you’ll feel like you can jump in and attempt a three-pointer yourself, especially depending on where you sit. The seats are open to everybody with the price of admission, so if you arrive early you can grab a seat right on the floor! The mascot is really interactive and has a lot of fun with his role in the game. The Wildcat will pose for pictures, join huddles with the players, and dance with the cheerleaders. The walk to Moore Gymnasium is a great part of the atmosphere. The venue is located in the heart of the campus and makes for a great walk on a beautiful Florida afternoon. The gymnasium blends in with the surrounding architecture, therefore it may be easy to miss. Walking into Moore Gymnasium will provide some rare nostalgia of a high school game, but offers the talent of Division I basketball. Neighborhood 2 The neighborhood around Bethune-Cookman University doesn’t offer anything special during your visit. However, Daytona International Speedway is located about ten minutes down the road, right next to the Interstate. It is highly recommended to check out this iconic sports venue. The stands are massive and will leave you in awe when seen for the first time. Check out tour information here and be sure to schedule your visit anytime you can make it. It’s a must-see for any stadium traveler. The area surrounding Daytona International Speedway is full of chain restaurants and bars. It’s a great place to spend some time before or after the basketball game on campus. The only reason for the low rating is the attractions area is not located close to campus, so it is a bit of a drive but offers the best tourist experience in the city. Fans 3 The noise inside Moore Gymnasium is a testament to the small size of the venue, but the fans offer a good amount of support for the Wildcats. Even en route to a blowout win, fans loudly suggest advice for the players. The atmosphere generated by the crowd is a combination of different aspects, including whistles and player communication, but the fans are here for the game. It’s common to find small schools with little interest in the happenings of the court. These are mere social events as compared to an actual interest in the team, so credit is due at this small basketball school. The interest is here and you can hear it during the game. Access 2 The traffic for a Saturday afternoon game is nonexistent, even around the attractions area. The campus is fairly easy to find, located down the road from US-92. Moore Gymnasium is tricky to find within the campus. There are zero signs or indications of its location. If you know the general area and address, you will eventually pinpoint its location in the middle of campus. Due to its small size, it’s easy to overlook. Allow some extra time if you plan to make an opening tip. Parking is free with plenty of spots available in the main parking lot. Once inside Moore Gymnasium, you’ll find space is limited in the hallways near the court. The seats are uncomfortable bleachers with limited legroom, but the games don’t last very long due to limited commercial interruption. Return on Investment 4 Any seat in the house will only cost $10 and the parking is free. The game is entertaining and doesn’t take up too much of the day. Plus, the campus is situated near the race track and offers an entire day’s worth of events to attend. Not to mention the beautiful beaches to spend an afternoon. Overall, the experience is worth the cost and offers plenty of extra sights to check out on your visit. Extras 2 The attractions of Daytona Beach are rare in relation to a small school. There is usually a campus and a long drive home. Here, there is plenty to experience to complement the trip. Moore Gymnasium holds onto a historic feel that you won’t find with many other small arenas. Final Thoughts Daytona Beach is a premier tourist destination and for good reason. It’s a beautiful area with history and picturesque scenery. The Bethune-Cookman campus is a nice addition, but the sports experience doesn’t match the charm of other small schools. Usually, there is momentum and promise with a small school building towards a name, but the energy here is stagnant. There may never be necessary funds to provide a modern venue, and without it, the experience cannot improve.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Dix Stadium 2227 Summit Rd. Kent, OH 44240 Kent State Golden Flashes website Dix Stadium website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 25,513 A Flash of Lightning In 1914, a football team was attempted at Kent State University. Unfortunately, the team was disbanded as the school decided to focus on basketball. Enter coach Paul Chandler who would push Kent State to once again field a team and in 1920 the team would take the field, this time with longevity in mind. On November 6 Kent State would host their first home football game against Bowling Green. Kent State would show resilience and would be rewarded with its first victory in 1925. Kent State University president John Edward McGilvrey had an affinity for silver foxes which he raised on his farm. As a result, the team was first known as the Kent State Silver Foxes. After his controversial firing in 1926, a name the team contested would produce the Golden Flashes name, which has no other relevance to the team. Home for the Golden Flashes since 1969 is Dix Stadium. Formerly Memorial Stadium, it was renamed in 1973 after Kent State trustee and Record-Courier publisher Robert C. Dix. In 1951, Kent State would fully adopt the MACtion, joining the Mid-American Conference where they remain today. The university-owned stadium has seen a few successful Golden Flash seasons including a 1972 MAC Championship and three bowl appearances. With a capacity of over 25,000, Dix Stadium can accommodate nearly the entire 29,000 people that live in Kent or the entire 22,000 student enrollment at Kent State University. The MAC is the perfect spot for a school like Kent State where a flash of lightning is a great time on a Saturday afternoon. Food & Beverage 3 Dix Stadium offers a fairly pedestrian concession selection. There are decent items on the menu, but nothing that will blow the doors open. Pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, coney dogs, brats, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, chips, candy, burgers, Italian sausage, and fries are all available. There are a couple of smaller concession stands in the gathering area just after the west entry gate as well as a large concession in the south end zone. Pepsi products are the soft drink available as well as bottled water, coffee, Gatorade, and hot chocolate. There are some beer options at Dix at various spots including some decent craft options. MadCap, Thirsty Dog, and The Brew Kettle are all available along with Bud Light. Atmosphere 3 Dix Stadium offers a decent atmosphere for some weekend MACtion. Fans who are arriving at the stadium will be drawn to the west entrance, which would have to be considered the main entrance. Fans are greeted by a large, permanent Kent State Golden Flashes logo upon approaching the west gate. Getting past security and into the stadium area has more of a feeling akin to a Western stadium where large gathering areas exist between the entry gates and the stadium proper. The west side of the stadium is for regular and visiting fans as opposed to the east side which is designated for students. Entrances to the seating bowl are delineated with signage honoring not only former Golden Flash greats but also the lineage of the Kent State football helmets over the years. Inside the seating bowl, fans will find that the best option is the west grandstand. It may be the only option. The students are segregated to the east grandstand and many visiting fans will take up residence in the north end zone stands. There are no stands in the south end but the George Jenkins and Jim Phelan Hall of Fame Plaza is a breath of fresh air for college stadiums. The west grandstand offers the best view of the fifty-yard line logo and has the only reserved seating at Dix. Reserved seating, found in the center sections of the west side, comes with backs to the bleacher seats, a feature that helps the uncomfortable seats a little and is not available in the other sections. The biggest concession stand at Dix Stadium stands under the video board in the Hall of Fame plaza, flanked by large brick towers. Off of the towers are the banners of the other MAC schools, with the curious exception of Akron. Below the MAC banners are the banners honoring the retired Golden Flash numbers of football legends. James Harrison, Josh Cribbs, Eric Wilkerson, Jim Corrigall, and Jack Lambert were all football legends at Kent State and are honored accordingly. The plaza also features high-top tables and at each table,, there are placards for KSU Hall of Fame football players. It may be the best spot to watch the game from. The north wall at field level highlights banners for the three bowl games the Golden Flashes have participated in unsuccessfully including the 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl, the 1972 Tangerine Bowl, and the eclectic 1954 Refrigerator Bowl. The game day atmosphere in Kent is about what you would expect from a college football experience. The band enters and plays before the game and during halftime. The cheerleaders cheer the team on and perform gymnastic stunts and the dance team performs during a stoppage. Flash the Golden Eagle, the Kent State mascot is found on the field during pre-game and on the sidelines throughout. Neighborhood 2 Dix Stadium is located at the eastern edge of the City of Kent and Kent State University. There isn’t too much to be found between the main campus and Dix Stadium and there are plenty of parking lots around the stadium. This makes Dix a better spot to slap up your tailgate party as opposed to heading to a pub before the game. However, a five-minute drive into town, and there are plenty of options to be found. Mike’s Place, Bricco in Kent, Lucci’s Place, and Wild Goats Fresh and Funky Fine Dining are all good options. Downtown Kent has several options also and Belleria Pizza and Italian is a great option. Kent State is unfortunately most famous for the tragedy that happened on May 4th, 1970 and the Memorial and Visitor Center at Kent State is a somber spot to visit while on campus. The Art Gallery on campus may also be of interest. For other sports, the basketball Golden Flashes play on the main campus at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center . The cities of Cleveland and Akron are also close by for rounding out a sports weekend. For fans wishing to stay in Kent, the University Hotel and Conference Center and Holiday Inn Express are both good options. Fans 3 Comparing college football attendance can be dubious. The Golden Flashes usually average between 10,000 and 13,000 fans per game. Rivalry games against Akron and Bowling Green, as well as the Homecoming game, are the best-attended games. However, the Golden Flashes do not have a consistent reputation for excellence on the football field so a big bump up in attendance has not been seen in a while. Games late in the season are often sparsely attended. The fans in attendance are fairly laid back. Not over the top, but supportive of their team. Students often have difficulty sticking around for the entire game. Access 4 The City of Kent is located about four miles north of I-75. The small size of the city makes it fairly easy to maneuver through to get to Dix Stadium. There is plenty of parking around the stadium on Summit Drive. The shuttle lot offers free parking and a shuttle ride to the stadium, but fans who wish to park a little closer and walk can expect to pay a mere $5 to park. For fans who wish to take public transit, some buses head right to the stadium. Fans should check the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority website for fares, schedules, and maps. The ticket windows, including will-call, can be found on the west side of the stadium at the Adam S. Hamilton West Entrance. There are four main pavilions in each of the corners of the stadium that serve as the washroom facilities. They are more than adequate for the stadium. Return on Investment 5 MACtion continues to be a great deal. The product on the field in the conference and at Kent State is vastly underrated. The ability to see great players at a great price is the staple of the Mid-American Conference. Tickets for the Golden Flashes go for $32 for reserved seating and $20 for General Admission. Along with $5 to park and decent concession prices and Kent State offers a combination that produces a great afternoon of football at a respectable price. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Golden Flashes rivalry games. Kent State plays Bowling Green for the Anniversary Award and they play Akron for the Wagon Wheel. An extra mark for the May 4th Memorial. An extra mark for the Hall of Fame Plaza Final Thoughts Taking in some MACtion is always a great experience and the Kent State Golden Flashes are no exception. Dix Stadium is a pretty good spot to catch some autumn entertainment and maybe even a few rays of sunshine and it won’t kill the pocketbook. Check out some MACtion at Dix Stadium soon. --- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Legion Field 400 Graymont Ave Birmingham, AL 35204 Magic City Classic website Legion Field website Year Opened:  1927 Capacity:  71,000 Magic of the Classic The intrastate clash between Alabama A&M  and Alabama State  is held annually at nearly the halfway point between the two schools, at Birmingham’s Legion Field. Opened in 1927, Legion Field is an icon of football history not just in Birmingham but also in the state of Alabama. In its lifespan, Legion Field has served as both a home field and a neutral site for some of college football’s biggest games. It has hosted both Alabama  and Auburn, as well as Birmingham area schools such as the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham Southern, and Samford – it has also been the neutral site of an endless number of bowls and rivalry games, most notably serving as the home of the legendary Iron Bowl, the annual meeting between Alabama and Auburn . Legion Field has also hosted several incarnations of professional football, including the World Football League, American Football Association, World League of American Football, the Canadian Football League’s shot at expansion into the United States, the XFL, American Alliance of Football, and two stints as home to teams in the United States Football League. Furthermore, not only has football found a home at Legion Field, but the venue was also home to Olympic soccer as part of the 1996 Atlanta Games.   Food & Beverage   5 Leaving the Magic City Classic hungry or feeling unsatisfied by the choices here might be more of a personal choice than a lack of options. There seems to be an endless number of tailgates smoking and grilling foods, and fans are more than willing to share their masterpieces of grill work. There are also several food vendors along Graymont Avenue selling everything from wings, chicken plates, turkey legs, fried fish, and fried carnival foods; exotic-looking tropical drinks, shaved ice, and individual canned drinks are also sold. Legion Field itself does not have an overall food vendor, which works in favor of food options to produce a very diverse stadium menu, rather than the typical stadium concession retreads, including tacos and quesadillas, chicken fingers, fries, fried okra bites, and nachos, here Philly cheese steaks, Polish and Italian sausages, burgers, and wings round out the choices. Those wanting more familiar tastes will be happy to see a Chick-fil-A window, but options there are limited basically to just the chicken sandwich. Dessert options at Legion Field are just as vast, including candied apples, strawberry shortcakes, banana pudding, acai berry bowls, flavored popcorn, and even various takes on French toast sticks. Soft drinks from the Coca-Cola line of beverages can be found at each stand, while a handful of stands serve shaved ice and fruit smoothies as well. Alcoholic beverages include premium and well spirits using vodka, tequila, rum, Crown Royale, Grand Marnier, and Hennessy. Game sponsor Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg, plus Dr. Dre’s premixed cocktails, are also available. From the food trucks and tables along Graymont Avenue, the use of independent food vendors is a relief. Even where there is overlap in similar items, having individual concession stand operators does provide a different taste of the repeated items.   Atmosphere   5 The energy and buzz in the air around the stadium and around Birmingham rivals that of any Power Four conference pregame experience. Fans begin showing up days before the game in pull-behind campers and RVs. The morning of the game, lots around “The Gray Old Lady” start coming alive in the predawn hours as tent canopies spring up and the hinges of grills and smokers groan open in preparation for a day of grilling and smoking. Game day morning starts with a parade through the streets of downtown Birmingham. Back at Legion Field, everything from hot dogs and burgers to whole hogs can be found being cooked up throughout the lots. A trip through the tailgating encampments has the feel of a walk through the history of hip-hop, R&B, and soul music. The music seamlessly transitions from one genre to another in a trip around the stadium while the MC of the “official tailgate” of the Magic City Classic starts to rev up the crowd into game-level excitement. The tailgating that surrounds the game is second to none, as the music plays and the grilling moves from cooking to eating and into general pregame revelry. From the exterior, Legion Field shows her wear over the years. The paint is faded and peeling in several places, and oxidation and rust appear to have taken over in spots where the underlying steel beams are exposed. While the facility has taken a beating from the elements over the years, a walk through the concourse reveals some stunning architectural features. The mid-80s saw the expansion of the exterior of the stadium, pushing the main points of entry out and covering the beautifully arched masonry inside the stadium. It is features like this that have stood the test of time and remind visitors that you sometimes have to dig a bit and look deeper to find the beauty that lies within a historic stadium like Legion Field. A big draw for many HBCU football games is the performances from the marching bands – from the well regimented march into the stadium, volleys of refrains between each band, some not-so-subtle digs at each other from across the field, and the much-anticipated halftime performances. Unlike many college football games where the halftime clock serves as more of a countdown for bands, at the Magic City Classic, it seems to be a bit more of a suggested timeframe, as the halftime performances far surpass the allotted 20 minutes. At times, the difficulty with neutral site matchups is that it can be difficult to establish a consistent college football game day feel. On college campuses, breaks in the action are typically designed to fire up the home crowd and keep their fervor high until the game starts back up. Here at the Magic City Classic, however, breaks following stoppages in play are typically filled with sponsor ads and recognitions, which seems to take the excitement out of the crowd – this does not completely ruin the experience but does tend to create lulls in the excitement.   Neighborhood   3 Legion Field is in Birmingham’s Smithfield neighborhood, just west of downtown Birmingham. The area presents a mixed impression, characterized by a combination of residential and industrial zones, but with a notable number of abandoned and decaying homes and businesses – the neighborhood may elevate visitors’ situational awareness. Iconic Rickwood Field , where Major League Baseball held games during the 2024 major and minor league seasons, is just over a mile away and offers free tours of the stadium and its adjoining museum. If arriving in town before Saturday’s game, downtown Birmingham is also home to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in the Uptown District, just steps from Protective Stadium . For another look into the history of sports in the area, the Negro Southern League Museum is just beyond the left field wall of the Birmingham Barons’ Regions Field , and Birmingham is also a center of the history of the Civil Rights movement – the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park, and the historic 16th Street Baptist Church are all concentrated downtown.   Fans   4 Fans begin showing up starting Wednesday of game week, setting up tailgating sites and kicking off the revelry and fellowship that surrounds the game – it is estimated that over 200,000 fans show up for the game and the festivities associated with The Classic. Here at the Magic City Classic, the pregame tailgating and everything that goes along with it illustrates all that is special about the pregame football experience. Inside Legion Field itself, fans from both teams are actively part of the ups and downs on the field, and even more so are the bands from the respective schools. The lone knock on the fan involvement in the game, and it is a bit hard to hold it against them, is that there do seem to be plenty of empty seats in the stadium (which holds 70,000+), with many remaining in the lots tailgating. It is not uncommon for fans to stay outside of any stadium and choose to continue the party, but filling the stadium with those outside would go a long way in making this game an elite-level college football experience.   Access   2 Getting to Birmingham from any direction is as simple as could be, especially considering the number of interstate highways that run through the city. What is challenging, though, is contending with the parking situation and navigating the number of road closures. At Legion Field, backups are common throughout, much as they are on the surface streets around the city. Long concession lines paired with a tight interior concourse on the eastern side of the stadium create a rather significant choke point; luckily, there is an exterior concourse that makes navigating this side of the stadium easier. The upper-level field concourse creates obstacles, which block the view of those seated in the front few rows of seats due to typical concourse foot traffic and those who congregate along the walkway and entry portals. The city of Birmingham has made leaving the stadium and getting back to downtown parking as easy as can be by closing down cross streets, in essence, creating an express bus lane through the city. The best bet for the casual fan is to grab a shuttle and enjoy the ride back. The City of Birmingham and game organizers do all they can to make getting to and from the game as easy as possible, but with the volume of RV and trailer parking taking up so much of the lots around the stadium, it leaves very little for general parking. The layout of the stadium itself, as well as a lack of perceived urgency from stadium staff to move crowds along in tight spots, also makes for some challenges in navigating the facility.   Return on Investment   4 General admission tickets are available for purchase online and start at $25 before fees; reserved tickets run $35. Unfortunately, purchasing tickets at the stadium box office before the game does not avoid the added fees. Because game day parking is so limited at Legion Field, rates run nearly $60 at the stadium – downtown parking is more reasonable at $20 for most lots and garages. Concessions are a touch high here, but considering the quality of most food options and the large portion sizes, it does seem to offset the slightly higher prices.   Extras   5 The morning of the Magic City Classic starts with a parade through downtown featuring many groups of bands, as well as cheer and dance squads from around the southeast. Not enough can be said about the role the marching bands play in creating a truly special college football atmosphere – from the precision of their march into the stadium to the pregame salvos during warmups, to the main event, their halftime performances, both bands deserve a ton of credit for the roles they play in helping to create the atmosphere that surrounds the Magic City Classic. The concourse has plaques affixed to each side of the stadium, which serve as a bit of a timeline of when certain parts of the stadium were constructed or upgraded. It definitely does not seem to be intentional, but the plaques serve as a nice history of the growth of Legion Field. Seats in the upper levels of the west stands provide amazing views of downtown Birmingham and the mountains that cradle it. The upper deck was removed in 2005 due to safety concerns, but doing so seems to have made a massive improvement in the view it now provides.   Final Thoughts The Magic City Classic is a great college football experience, but it goes further than being just a rivalry game between two of Alabama’s historic HBCUs – this game has the feel of being a celebration of the game of football, as well as the history of two of Alabama’s most historically Black colleges. As much as has been made about Legion Field becoming obsolete and having outlived its functionality as a host to large-scale events such as the Magic City Classic, what cannot be underestimated is the historical and cultural relevance this facility holds not just for Birmingham but throughout the state of Alabama.

Author:   Dan Mansfield   Publisher:   Pavilion Books Company Ltd   Copyright 2022 Over the years, quite a number of books have been written about baseball stadiums and  parks.  Some discuss their history, others explain the business of stadium construction including public funds and taxes to pay for them.  I was surprised that I have more than ten such books on my bookshelves.   A good friend gifted me Remarkable Ballparks ; it is part of the Remarkable series which includes Remarkable Cricket Grounds , Remarkable Golf Courses , Remarkable Racecourses , Remarkable Road Trips , Remarkable Football Grounds, and Remarkable Bicycle Rides . Remarkable Ballparks - Pavilion site ( pavilionbooks.com ) The vivid photos are well chosen, offering unique perspectives of the stadiums.  Many are credited to Alamy, Unsplash, and Getty Images.   While the photos are excellent, the most interesting content is author Dan Mansfield’s selection of stadiums around the world and the story he writes about each one.  They are presented alphabetically from American Family Field to Yankee Stadium. MLB parks, of course, but he has selected great historical parks such as Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL; Warren Ballpark in Bisbee, AZ; Wahconah Park in Pittsfield, MA; Simmons Field in Kenosha, WI; North Meadow Ballfields in New York City, NY; and McCormick Field in Asheville, NC and their evolution. The author chose to include a number of parks with incredible scenic backdrops such as Blue Wahoos Stadium in Pensacola, FL on Pensacola Bay; Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY; Field of Dreams in Dyersville, IA, etc.   His discussions of stadium architecture are highly informative.  Opened in 2019, the unique design of Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu in Mexico City, home of the Los Diablos Rojos, is spectacular.    Mansfield chose 67 ballparks around the world for this book, including locations in Mexico, China, Taiwan, Japan, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Korea, and England.   Some people might think of this as a “coffee table” book with its beautiful photographs but Mansfield’s writing makes it so much more.    After reading Remarkable Ballparks , it just might be time for a few more road trips!

Photos by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Wake Forest Tennis Center 100 W 32nd St Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Winston-Salem Open website Wake Forest Tennis Center website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 3,400 Tennis Tailgating In the many years that I've followed tennis I never would have thought I'd see people tailgating before a tennis tournament. I couldn't believe my eyes! However, this was the first of many indications that the people of North Carolina love their tennis. In a span of just under a year, the vision of a pro tennis tournament came to fruition this August in the inaugural Winston-Salem Open, ATP World Tour 250 Professional Tennis Tournament. The brand new Wake Forest Tennis Center facility includes a nice stadium with a capacity of 3,400, 4 additional match courts, and 8 practice courts, totaling 13 courts located on the beautiful campus of Wake Forest University. The new facility will be utilized by the Wake Forest Men's and Women's Varsity Tennis programs for the rest of the year. Food & Beverage 4 The deduction of one point goes solely to the lack of variety. The food that was offered was exceptional, and very classy. Specialty drinks included: strawberry lemonade and southern sweet tea priced at $5, and a range of beer and wine were available from $6-$8. In addition to the classic stadium treats, one could get a chicken or salmon salad ($8), a pulled pork sandwich ($8), or even a whole BBQ turkey leg ($6). Great desserts were on hand ranging from Dippin' Dots and ice cream bars to fresh gelato from $4- $6. With the addition of outstanding customer service and a nice food court with live music, the overall food and beverage experience was excellent. Atmosphere 4 Generally, the atmosphere was wonderful. The facility was very nicely decorated and had a fresh and classy tennis feel. It has a very cozy and quaint feel that larger tournaments could never offer, which I really appreciated. The closeness to the action is incredible. They offered plenty of activities for kids of all ages and some creative promotional events. One included a contest in which fans are encouraged to throw tennis balls from the stands towards trashcans, placed on the courts, and one lucky individual who made it won a prize. In addition, each session included the opportunity for fans to win unique prizes from a raffle. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their time at the tournament. Overall it was a very relaxed but excited crowd of people; clearly amped to have this event in their backyard. Neighborhood 3 While it's not fair to be too hard on the tournament, there is room for improvement in this category. Even though there are some exceptional choices for pre and post match food and drink, there's nothing very close. It is, however, very worth the short ten-minute drive to downtown Winston-Salem where there is a long list of great one-of-a-kind traditional southern style restaurants located. Unfortunately for me, I was only lucky enough to spend one evening in town so I was only able to experience a few of these. A great little spot called 6th and Vine Wine Bar and Cafe offers a very unique atmosphere and a menu loaded with a range of delicious options. In addition to a great menu, they also offered a very extensive wine selection both by the glass and bottle. The best thing about this local favorite is the outdoor back patio, which featured a neat bar and tons of tables to have dinner under the stars. Every weekend the restaurant hosts great local bands with all kinds of southern flavor. Meals range from $9-$26. If you are able to stay for a few days you are encouraged to try other gems located in the downtown Winston-Salem Arts District such as: Finnigan's Wake (Irish), Hutch &Harris; (Continental), Mellow Mushroom (Pizza), Sweet Potatoes (American), Twin City Chop House (Steakhouse), Downtown Thai & Sushi (Thai), or The West End Cafe (American). If you still have some energy after tennis and dinner and would like to catch a bit of the unique W-S nightlife there are a couple of nearby pubs that have a neat feel. Tate's and Noma are two great places to grab a drink and check out the city. All of these options are located in very close proximity to two of the tournament hotels: The Marriott downtown and the Embassy Suites directly across the street; both being exceptional places to stay. There is a Marriott Courtyard within 5 minutes of the tournament site, however, you would miss out on being so close to all of the added entertainment that W-S has to offer. There are three reasonably close airports if you are flying in for the tournament including Piedmont Triad International Airport (33 miles away), Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (87 miles), or Raleigh-Durham International Airport (100 miles). Fans 5 When this tournament was in the early stages of planning, the biggest thing that was mentioned was that the tennis fans in Winston-Salem are like no other, and they deserve an event like this because of their love of the game; I couldn't agree more. During the finals of the event you could hear chants of the crowd's favorite player from miles away. I've never seen an entire stadium pulling for one player as much as I did during this match. People made custom shirts, cried out for him to win, and even professed their love aloud in front of everyone; quite a spectacle. I would have to consider these fans to be some of the best I've ever seen in tennis. Access 5 The access deserves a full score based on proximity and creativity. The construction of the facility was brilliantly placed in the shadows of BB&T; Field, The Wake Forest football stadium. Since the football season and week of the tournament do not coincide, the tournament is able to fully utilize the amenities in which the football stadium offers including: parking, restrooms, ticket office, concession stands, and hospitality areas. Although I found the parking to be a bit steep at first ($10), but later realized that it was more than worth it when you consider the proximity to the facility. The restrooms are first class all around; extremely clean and festively decorated. Return on Investment 5 Surprisingly the only way to buy tickets in advance is through their website and then print it out yourself. If you're old school like me and love the feel of a real ticket as opposed to the print out you won't enjoy this. But, it's the only way to go if you want to attend. I would especially appreciate a real card stock ticket for the price of admission (ranges depending on day of the week: $10-58 for grandstand level and $575-625 for lower level box seats only sold in week long increments). Also I didn't really appreciate paying $58 for upper level finals tickets which are tight benches. For most tennis tournaments you get spoiled and expect permanent seats. Maybe for next year they will install something more comfortable. Food and drinks, however, were priced very similarly to other ATP World Tour events of its kind, which is very common. Other souvenirs such as programs ($5), t-shirts ($25), and jackets ($45) were reasonably priced for the quality you receive. Extras 3 All staff and volunteer members were extraordinarily helpful, professional, and outgoing; everyone from the ticket-takers to the concessionaires to the ball kids to even the tournament director taking the time to stand out front and thank visitors for coming. Overall, the event is tremendously fan oriented and it shows in every aspect. Final Thoughts Whether you're from the Triad, NC area or hundreds of miles away, I would highly suggest visiting this beauty of an event for a relaxed but exciting getaway. The city of Winston-Salem clearly takes great pride in the event and you will undoubtedly notice the effort and have a great tennis experience.

The Philadelphia Phillies have been back playing October baseball! There does not seem to be a ton of love for the home of the Phillies, Citizens Bank Park. Is this warranted? Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave for the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. You can find Stadium Journey's review of Citizens Bank Park and the Philadelphia Phillies game day experience here.

Photo courtesy of John Jay Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 The Doghouse 524 West 59th St New York, NY 10019 John Jay College of Criminal Justice men’s basketball website The Doghouse website Year Opened: Capacity: Welcome to the Doghouse A name, just a name, can go a heck of a long way. There’s The Pit in New Mexico and The RAC in New Jersey, just to name two. You may never get to these name venues, but you won’t forget their names. Located in midtown Manhattan, a mere three subway stops away from Madison Square Garden, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice has a venue on its fourth floor with an unforgettable name: The Doghouse, where admission is free and every bleacher seat is excellent. The Doghouse is often overlooked in New York City’s congested professional sports market. The John Jay Bloodhounds, members of the CUNYAC, play at the Division 3 level, which means no scholarships and no bells and whistles like a fancy scoreboard or Jumbotron. However, the Bloodhounds are turning into a force on the hardwood. In 2020, the Bloodhounds won their conference regular season with a 20-7 record. Food & Beverage 4 There is none, technically. However, one of John Jay’s organizations might be hawkin’ modest snacks as a fundraiser. Another quick option: You can go downstairs to Tenth Avenue and purchase a very reasonably priced plate ($6) from the mega-popular halal truck and bring it back in. Also, an enormous Whole Foods is a few blocks east, as are a multitude of excellent food selections just outside (which can be brought in). F&B is not a problem at John Jay; they have food options – just not in the traditional sense. Atmosphere 4 It can vary depending on the game. For meaningful games, including homecoming, The Doghouse fills up and flips out, getting loud and intense. Fun! We’re talking hundreds of fans, not thousands. John Jay doesn’t have a pep band, but they blast lively music during breaks, and they have a lot of energetic, aerodynamic cheerleaders, who rarely take a play off. Neighborhood 5 It’s a hustling, bustling mecca, steps away from destination sites and attractions. Lincoln Center is a few blocks away as is a Broadway show. A stroll or bike ride in Central Park is even closer. You can rent a bike through Citi Bike . And there’s no shortage of dining options. In addition to the above, The Greek Kitchen, Ocean Dragon (Chinese at a hole in the wall) and Jake’s Saloon (pints and pub fare) are all just a block south. Further away, uptown, there’s Cafe Fiorello (Italian), which is an institution. Parm (Italian) is much newer, but also excellent. For sweets, Magnolia Bakery is off the charts. And that is just the tip of the iceburg. Fans 4 Most of the fans are students, faculty or alums, and they can get passionate. In the tight quarters, expect to hear everything, so those with ultra-sensitive ears should be on alert for, uh…. colorful language but nothing that’s not on cable. Access 4 Don’t expect much of a line or hassle but be prepared to show ID and to go through a security screener. John Jay is easily accessible by public transportation, about 15-10 minutes from Penn Station and Grand Central Station. By car, it’s very close to the West Side Highway. You can hunt and peck for a space on the street, or you can pay for an overpriced garage, which NYC has no shortage of. Return on Investment 5 It’s free! Excellent, nearby halal is cheap. It’s good basketball in a small space on a micro budget. Extras 2 Since it’s free admission, everything is extra. With that said, John Jay offers an upper level of seating: The Alumni Skybox, unveiled in 2013, surrounds the court and is on the fifth floor. Final Thoughts John Jay offers good college basketball in a small space, and it doesn’t break the wallet, to say the least. Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall