Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Lane Stadium 185 Beamer Way Blacksburg, VA 24060 Virginia Tech Hokies website Lane Stadium website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 65,632 Enter Sandman Lane Stadium, home to Virginia Tech Hokies football, opened in 1965 with a capacity of 35,000 as Virginia Tech beat William and Mary 9-7. Many additions have come through the years including the south end zone expansion with 11,000 additional seats in 2002, and the luxury suites/press tower in 2006. Many publications have billed Lane Stadium as one of the finest places to watch a game and one of the toughest for an opposing team. Food & Beverage 4 Lane Stadium offers a wide variety of food choices as there are several concession stands located around the stadium. Some of the more popular items include Lane’s Leg- a fried Turkey leg, which is a play of the Hokie mascot and Benny’s Pizza. Benny’s is a local chain that offers huge pizza slices at Lane Stadium. Another Virginia favorite, Smithfield Foods, has several stands around the stadium and offers bacon slices, pulled pork sandwiches, and pulled pork Mac and cheese. As Virginia is the birthplace of peanuts in the US, Whitley’s Virginia peanuts are sold throughout the stadium. Other options include Big Dipper’s Chicken and Subway. Turkey Legs Concessions at Lane Stadium Coke products are sold in two sizes with the larger being a souvenir cup. A variety of alcoholic beverages are sold as well as coffee and hot chocolate. Atmosphere 5 Lane Stadium is the epitome of a college football on-campus stadium. It is a massive facility from the exterior as it is built mostly above ground and is very steep. It also matches the Virginia Tech campus buildings as the exterior of the stadium is donned with the famous Hokie Stone. Lane Stadium has single-level stands on either sideline with the east side being quite a bit higher than the other. The west side is anchored by the press tower and suites. The south end zone has a small section of stands that is a dedicated student section, while the north end zone is a large triple-level structure, with a club level between levels two and three. The stadium stands are very steep, which offers great sightlines throughout the stadium. The playing surface at Lane Stadium is natural grass. A large video board towers above the south end zone, and there are several ribbon boards around the stadium. Lane Stadium Interior, Photo by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Lane Stadium is best known for its Enter Sandman entrance, as the Metallica song is played as the team runs out onto the field. Everyone “starts jumping” and they can at times register on the Richter Scale as the stadium shakes. Virginia Tech has two marching bands. The Marching Virginians sit in the north end zone and only play at halftime and not pregame. The Highty-Tighties are the Regimental Band in the Corp of Cadets, sit in the south end zone, and play pre-game. The majority of seating at Lane Stadium is bench seating except for the second level in the south end zone and the first couple of rows of the upper deck. Chairbacks are available for rent for $10 per game and are available at the gate to rent and take to your seat. The sun sets between the south end zone and west stands, so if you want to be in the sun for a colder game, you will need to sit in the west stands. Neighborhood 4 Since it is in the middle of campus there is not much to do within walking distance of the ballpark before or after a game. However, Virginia Tech’s campus is gorgeous with the rolling hills, sidewalks, and Hokie stone. Lane Stadium is right next door to Cassell Coliseum . If it is your first time on the campus, try to spend some time walking around campus. Be sure to stop by the April 16th Memorial near the Drillfield dedicated to the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. If you take a stroll down Main Street Blacksburg, you will find several food options including local eateries as well as chain restaurants such as the Maroon Door, Mellow Mushroom, Five Guys, and Jimmy Johns. If you like the outdoors, this is the place for you as there are many activities in the surrounding mountains like hiking and canoeing. Home2Suites is less than a mile from campus and is a great place to stay if you are in town overnight, but may be pricy on game weekends. If you are looking to save on lodging, stay about 30 miles away in Roanoke. Fans 5 Fan support at Virginia Tech is unmatched in many locations as the Hokies sold out five games in 2023 at 66,000 strong. This is quite a feat as Blacksburg, VA is literally in the middle of nowhere, and many fans drive from the more populated areas of the state 2-3 hours away. Even though the Hokies have endured several lean years on the field, the fan support is still strong. Fans arrive early for Enter Sandman to “Start Jumping.” The stadium shakes and often registers on the Richter scale when the Hokies enter the field. Fans are loud throughout the game creating an intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams. Access 4 Virginia Tech’s campus is easily accessible from I-81, about 10 miles away on US 460. Take the Southgate Dr. exit off of US 460, then turn left onto Beamer Way. Lane Stadium will be on your right. The best parking for those without a parking pass is Margaret Beeks Elementary School, about 1 mile away from Lane Stadium. It is about a 20-minute walk to the stadium and is $10 to park there. Be aware that a clear bag policy is in place, and it is well enforced. If you do not have one, they are available for sale at the CVS Pharmacy next to campus and at the Walmart in Christiansburg. Once inside, there is a single concourse that wraps underneath the seating bowl, except the south end zone where steps or an elevator will take you to an upper concourse for upper-level seating. The restroom and concession areas are all very clean, and easily accessible on the concourse. Handicapped accessible seating is located in several seating sections as you enter the seating bowl. Return on Investment 3 Major college football is not cheap, but the price is well worth it for the experience. Expect to pay close to $80 per ticket for most conference games, as well as the cost of food, parking, hotel, etc. Extras 5 An extra point for Hokie Village directly across the street for the west stands, which has pre-game music, food trucks, vendors, games, etc. An extra point for Enter Sandman and the team entrance. An extra point for the mountain backdrop surrounding Lane Stadium. An extra point for the great job that the game operations/video board staff does at getting the crowd fired up on third down and big plays, etc. If you are not in town on game day but still want to visit Lane Stadium, you can visit the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame museum from 9 am-3 pm Monday through Friday on the west side of the stadium Final Thoughts Lane Stadium has a great sight line no matter where you sit within the stadium and can be one of the loudest stadiums in the country at times. We wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Lane Stadium to watch the Hokies, especially a night game.

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Wembley Stadium London, England HA9 0WS England National Football website Wembley Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 90,000 A March to the Arch Many would argue that the journey ends when one arrives at a warm and sunny Wembley in northwest London. The name, simply the area where it’s located, evokes emotions like no other. To travel the 11 miles from central London to Wembley Stadium is to arrive at a true coliseum of football. If any stadium should have had the tag ‘theatre of dreams’ it’s this one. Very few stadiums in the world transcend their raison d’être quite like Wembley does. The original Wembley Stadium was constructed in breath-taking time, less than a year, so as to be ready for the British Empire Exhibition. The first FA Cup Final played here was in 1923, attracting huge numbers, officially 126,047. The last key match was played in October 2000, a comparatively low 76,377 looked on as the Germans did what the Germans do – beat England. In-between those two matches, history played itself out at the old Wembley providing lasting memories at every turn. In 1966, England hosted and won the World Cup beating Germany 4-2 to show that the old stadium also delivered a nice line in miracles. The Iconic twin towers were then demolished as part of a complete rebuild, eventually revealing a new all-seater Wembley Stadium in 2007. Replacing the twin towers came a new iconic feature, a huge lattice arch, 133 meters high, curving up and over the north stand. Construction was undertaken by Australian company Multiplex and the architects were Foster & Partners and Populous. The final costs were reported to be a colossal £962.4 Million (some sources show £798 million), and bank loans contributed nearly half of the total. The stadium is still home to the England football team and hosts national cup finals from the FA Cup to non-league’s FA Vase. It’s also a European Cup and Champions League final venue, most recently in 1992, 2011, and 2013. These days, as traditionalists cling to the idea of a Wembley ‘for the people,’ the reality has become a little tarnished. Ticket and refreshments prices are often criticised and a squabble with a local non-league club with the same name did not endear the FA nor Wembley to grassroots fans. Food & Beverage 3 Inside the stadium, there are an eye-watering 688 food and drink service points. Draught, real ale, and bottle bars are all available, serving up to 40,000 pints during the half time interval alone! Food options served include hot dogs, fish & chips, pizzas and, it’s claimed, Britain’s best sausage! Eating and drinking at the stadium does of course come at a price. A pint of Real Ale, Budweiser or Cider costs £5.50, coffee (£2,30), and a bottle of water (£2.50). Crisps (£1.60), a hot dog (£5.70), and a pulled pork dog (£7). On the positive side, the vast array of refreshment outlets, together with good staffing levels mean queues stay low throughout a visit. Immediately outside the stadium is a similar picture. The food stalls on the outskirts of the stadium and outside Wembley Park underground station also have short queues, but are quite expensive. A Cornish Pasty food van for example charges £6 for a traditional pasty and £3 for soft drinks. To the east of the stadium, on Wembley Park Boulevard, there is a new collection of hotels, factory outlet retail units, and chain restaurants providing options such as TGI Fridays, Wagamamas, and Sugar Dumplin, although of course they will be extremely busy on match days. A little further afield, and a lot less salubrious, is the bustling cosmopolitan High Road where you can grab a drink and some international foods for a lot less of your English sterling. Atmosphere 3 The stadium is operated by Wembley National Stadium Ltd, a subsidiary of the English FA and has a total capacity of 90,000. Although the roof does not fully close, all seats can technically be ‘covered.’ Like most modern stadiums, the seats completely encircle the pitch; including the corporate seats (‘Club Wembley’) it has three distinct tiers. The lowest/closest to the pitch are blocks 101-144. The second tier is found between 201-252 and the top tier includes sections 501-552. Scoreboards are embedded high above both goals in the top tier, providing all the usual information and updates. Football isn’t the only sport associated with Wembley, in fact the Olympic Games no less used the stadium in 1948 and, less extensively in 2012. Rugby Football League hold their annual Cup Final here and speedway used to be very much part of the fabric in days gone by, sadly no more. The stadium also hosts music concerts, boxing, and American Football which all bring in extra cash to the FA coffers. The atmosphere at games here can be variable to say the least. England home games have become very ‘family friendly’ with cheap tickets sometimes available from as little as £10. This, and the relative malaise currently felt by England fans, means these occasions are often sanitised to the point of stupor (we’re talking paper airplanes and mexican waves here). Other matches here can be the opposite, two sets of fans thrilled to be in attendance, more than a little alcohol can fuel the noise echoing impressively around the stadium. Neighborhood 5 The neighbourhood around the stadium is certainly not on the tourist trail, but there are numerous league and non-league sides in London if you want to catch more than one game. The aforementioned Wembley FC play at Vale Farm, a couple of miles from the stadium and would offer a warm grassroots welcome if you made it to a game. Wembley Arena is also next door with a capacity of 12,500 where you can watch the latest music concerts and shows. Most visitors to the national stadium would take the opportunity to visit central London where all the famous landmarks are located. Hundreds of guides and articles are available on the web which provide all the information you need to plan a trip. My recommendation would be to visit the viewing areas in the Houses of Parliament and the House of Lords. Free to enter, it is a fascinating experience to watch the ancient traditions and the fierce debate that often ensues. The National Gallery is also free to enter on the northside of Trafalgar Square, where you could easily spend a whole afternoon wandering around viewing timeworn and modern artwork. Just up the road from Trafalgar Square you can watch the latest films in Leicester Square and grab something to eat in the numerous restaurants. Chiquitos would be my recommendation for some Mexican food, and a cocktail or bottle of Sol. For accommodations, if you are only visiting the stadium, then the Wembley Hilton is a real treat. Situated directly opposite the stadium, the hotel has a swimming pool and a great rooftop bar where you can watch the incoming hordes in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Hundreds of B&B’s, hotels, and hostels are dotted around the capital of course and decent transport links ensure you will be able to arrive in less than 45 minutes from most locations. Fans 4 Just like the Maracana in Rio and the San Siro in Milan, football fans from across the world have Wembley Stadium on their bucket list. In England it is a similar picture. For the older fan in particularly there is still a magic about the possibility of your team playing there and when it happens it’s a ‘must-attend’ event. The lower league and non-league fraternity in England also celebrate making it to Wembley for a playoff final or the FA Trophy/FA Vase Finals day. It must be the most sung about stadium in the world as fans sing and dream from the earliest of rounds that their team might make it to the final. The stadium does however evoke some negative feelings amongst fans for a variety of reasons. The prices of tickets and refreshments are often criticised, tied to the sense that the FA need to recoup that extraordinary outlay for the rebuilt stadium. 2018 Cup Final prices for example will range from £45 for category D through to £145 for category A tickets. Another factor is the success of the Premier League and the European Champions League. The top 6 clubs in England no longer see a trip to Wembley as the be all and end all. Indeed, many clubs will play weakened teams for FA Cup games if it’s followed by an important Premier League match. Finally, the decision to play FA Cup Semi Finals at the stadium, moving away from the tradition of neutral venues has, for many, devalued the FA Cup Final itself. Your correspondent subscribes to some of these views however is old enough to still feel the tingle of excitement of a trip to the national stadium. Perhaps for some of the above reasons, fans arrived for this FA Cup Semi Final, happy but not ecstatic. Wembley organise a split of the local pubs which will be designated for one team’s fans or the another. This works well and many are full in the lead up to kick off. Nearer the stadium, fans enter their own ‘fan zones’ for refreshments and music and also mingle freely. Fans still arrive in their droves to see the national team too. Attendances at the new Wembley Stadium can range from 50-90,000, the highest so far coming in 2008 for a match vs Kazakhstan when 89,107 watched a 5-1 victory. In 2017/18 London side Tottenham Hotspur made Wembley their home stadium whilst their new ground was being built. It is rumoured the venue may also host Chelsea soon when work on their new stadium finally gets underway. Access 3 London Airports all have quick transfers into central London. If you drive, suggest you park at an outlying station like Hillingdon or Richmond and take the train for the final part of your journey. Parking information for nearer to the stadium can be found on the excellent Wembley Stadium website . Back on the train and from central London head to Baker Street and follow the crowds. The station you are heading for is Wembley Park station, which is on both the metropolitan and jubilee lines. This is the best place to disembark as you get a good view of the stadium as you leave the station. The over ground railway station is Wembley Central which necessitates a half mile stroll up the High Road to the stadium. There is also a station closer called Wembley Stadium, but this is only served by Chiltern Railways. Truth be told, it can feel like a bit of a camel ride to get to our national stadium at times. The expectation, or at least the hope however tends to make it feel a bit less of a chore. Access to the stadium can be gained by staircases and curved slopes. Inside you ascend to your seats via a series of escalators, taking you higher and higher depending on your seat location. (A picture of the stadium layout taken outside the stadium can be found in the photo gallery above). Tickets need to be purchased beforehand from the club side you are supporting or direct from the English FA website. Bar code readers will allow you to enter with your ticket and expect a bag search just before or after you transit the turnstiles. If you have any issues with mobility or require accessibility assistance of any kind, there is some helpful guidance on the website . Return on Investment 2 According to William Shenstone, “ Nothing is certain in London but expense, ” and in short, he’s right! If a family of four visited Wembley for a prestige match like the FA Cup final, stayed at the Hilton Hotel opposite, bought category A tickets for the game, ate inside the stadium, and visited a few attractions in London the next day, you could easily spend £1,000. Not a great return on investment. However, there are ways to avoid the high costs. England home matches as mentioned, sometimes sell tickets for kids for just £10. A hotel room outside of central London, somewhere like Hounslow, may be obtained for less than £100 per night. You could also grab your dinner from along the High Road rather than inside the stadium. The bottom line is of course, the same as the top line, that a visit to London coupled with a trip to Wembley Stadium will come at no little expense! Extras 4 A Guest Support portal on the Wembley Stadium website provides a myriad of excellent answers to your questions, from pushchair access to park and ride, from accessibility to acrophobia (yes really!). Tours of the stadium are available, currently £22 for adults for a tour lasting 75 minutes. In these corporate dominated times, a VIP tour is of course also available for £60. The @WembleyStadium twitter feed has a nice line in banter, and will put out event-specific information about parking, where to drink etc. before your visit. Staff who work the stadium on the day is also excellent. Smiles, helpful responses to questions, and some nice conversations throughout our visit. Final Thoughts If you haven’t visited Wembley Stadium yet, make no mistake, it should be high on your list. The second-largest football stadium in Europe, it’s a hugely impressive arena. The city of London too, for all its faults, is a wonderful place for the big attractions and the small lanes, parks, and markets. It is said in fact that “a bad day in London is still better than a good day anywhere else!” For die-hard football fans though, there may be elements that disappoint. Prices can be high, building work in the immediate vicinity leave very few complete views of the ground, and the atmosphere may well be diluted by thousands of day trippers. Overall there’s still a pride about watching your team here, an expectation, as you plan to visit this vast coliseum which has made and broken dreams in equal measure.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Robbie Mills Field 15 Eastman Rd. Laconia, NH 03246 Winnipesaukee Muskrats website Robbie Mills Field website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 1,200 Muskrat Love The franchise currently known as the Winnipesaukee Muskrats began play in the New England Collegiate Baseball League in 2000 as the Manchester (CT) Silkworms. The team was moved to Laconia, NH in 2010 and renamed the Muskrats. In 2016 the team was rechristened as the Winnipesaukee Muskrats to highlight the team’s location near the shores of New Hampshire’s largest lake and popular summer vacation destination. The Muskrats play their home games at the Robbie Mills Memorial Sports Complex, which was created in honor of local boy Robbie Mills, who was murdered in 1998. Robbie was a huge sports fan who played basketball, baseball, and soccer. The town dedicated the local sports complex in his honor in 2005. The Muskrats have qualified for the NECBL playoffs five times, reaching the championship series in 2011. Three Muskrat players have reached the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession stand in the rear of the press box building behind home plate. It serves a basic menu that is still pretty impressive for such a small stand. Hot dogs and hamburgers are cooked to order on a grill next to the building. Pizza slices from local favorite Sal’s Pizza are sold here as well. A good selection of snack items, including chips, popcorn, pretzels, assorted candy and ice cream novelties round out the menu. Bottles of Coca-Cola products are also sold at Robbie Mills Field. There is no alcohol sold at this facility. Concession prices are affordable, and the quality is decent. Atmosphere 3 As you look around the small-town landscape of the Robbie Mills Sports Complex, you would not expect this to be the scene of an elaborate game day presentation. You would be correct in this assumption. And this is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. There’s a lot of room to roam here, and it’s put to great use by the many local youths who spend their evening running around the facility. It’s entertaining to watch the kids chase foul balls around the ball field. You can take a break from the action with a game of cornhole or a quick catch in the football field beyond the first base side of Robbie Mills Field. There are some between-inning shenanigans for the youngsters (and the young at heart) throughout Muskrat games. Water balloon tosses, bubble jousts and more keep the younger fans involved, and the nightly 50/50 raffle keeps the adults occupied. Music and PA announcements are kept to a minimum and can hardly be considered intrusive. A small scoreboard in right field shows basic game information. In this small town, it feels like everyone at the ballpark knows everyone else, and if you come to a Muskrats game from out of town, chances are you’ll soon find yourself in conversations with people throughout the park. The small-town vibe in Laconia is real. Neighborhood 3 Robbie Mills Field is located several miles away from downtown Laconia in a sparsely populated area of town. Thus, there is nothing in the immediate vicinity of the complex for visiting fans. However, if you widen your search you will find numerous attractions in the area. Nearby Lake Winnipesaukee is the focal point of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Weir’s Beach is located on the western edge of the lake, and is well-developed with shops, restaurants and attractions for the whole family. As you would expect, water sports are abundant, with opportunities for sailing, kayaking and water skiing plentiful. The M/S Mount Washington cruises the lake daily. Visiting fans looking to avoid the crowds of Weir’s Beach may seek out the Loon Center and Markus Wildlife Sanctuary in Moultonborough, or the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, which operates nature cruises on the lake which provided the setting for the movie On Golden Pond. Fans of craft beer will find no shortage of options, including Twin Barns in Meredith or the Craft Beer Xchange in Laconia. Beyond the immediate area of Laconia, the White Mountains offer a plethora of hiking, camping and other outdoor activities as well as numerous family-friendly tourist sites. The New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR races every summer. If your visit coincides with NASCAR race weekend, be prepared to compete with the incoming hordes for space. Fans 2 The Muskrats annually rank at or near the bottom of the NECBL’s attendance rankings, averaging in the neighborhood of 200 fans per game annually. As mentioned earlier, there’s a real community feel to a game at Robbie Mills Field, as the crowd is made up largely of people with a connection to the team, either as host families, volunteers or benefactors of the team. This gives the fans in attendance a strong connection to the team and an intense rooting interest. With the compact geographic footprint of the NECBL and the local roots of many players, it’s not unusual to see fans of the visiting teams in attendance as well. Access 2 The Robbie Mills Sports Complex is located near Route 106 in rural Laconia between Lake Winnisquam and Lake Winnipesaukee. The nearest Interstate, I-93, is about 20 minutes away. New Hampshire’s largest city, Manchester, is about an hour south of Laconia. Parking is available in a large grassy lot across the street from the ball field. There is parking available closer to the field behind the concessions building, but these spots are reserved for fans requiring handicapped access. Also, since these spots are really close to the field, your windshields are in certain danger if parking here. It is recommended to take the walk and park across the street. Seating is available on metal bleachers placed on either side of Robbie Mills Field. The views from these seats are good, and there are no nets to obstruct your view. Fans who prefer to bring their own chairs will find spots from which to catch the action at ground level all around the field. The issue with these spots is the fencing which will obstruct your view. Many fans will set up their own chairs on the large hill beyond the outfield fence. There is plenty of room to move about the Robbie Mills Complex, and paved paths to make it easy to navigate the facility. There are small, but clean rest rooms located in the back of the press box building. Return on Investment 5 Admission to a Muskrats game is a super-affordable five dollars for adults, with seniors and children 6-17 admitted for two dollars. Kids under 6 and active members of the military can enter without charge. All tickets are general admission. All fans are given a roster sheet with their ticket, which is in the shape of the team’s logo. Parking is free of charge in the large grassy lot across the street from the ball field. Concessions are affordable and the quality is good. Overall, an evening at a Muskrats game is a most affordable entertainment option for northern New Hampshire sports fans, and a nice diversion from the touristy activities offered nearby. Extras 1 There’s not a whole lot going on at Robbie Mills Field that can be considered extra. The park’s defining feature is the “Muskrat Monster,” an 18’ x 88’ wall that was erected in left field in homage to Fenway Park’s famous Green Monster. Original plans called for a party deck to be erected as part of the wall, but this feature has yet to come to fruition. Final Thoughts While you are not likely to stumble across Robbie Mills Field at the gateway to the White Mountains accidentally, if you find yourself in Laconia you won’t be disappointed. This is a relaxed, no-frills facility where the focus is on the field. 191 NECBL alumni have reached the Major Leagues. At this small town field, you may arrive as a stranger, but you’ll soon feel like you’ve been here your whole life. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Pizzitola Memorial Sports Center 235 Hope St. Providence, RI 02906 Brown Bears volleyball website Pizzitola Memorail Sports Center website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 2,800 Brown Bears Volleyball The Pizzitola Sports Center is named for Paul Bailey Pizzitola, Brown class of 1981. Mr. Pizzitola passed away at the age of 25 from Ewing’s Sarcoma after graduating from Brown and New York University. His family contributed $2 million towards the facility’s construction. Part of the Erikson Sports Complex on the northeast corner of the Brown campus, the Pizzitola Sports Center contains practice and game space for the men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, squash, and tennis teams. The lobby of the building is named for football legend John Heisman, Brown class of 1891. The main floor of the center is named the Williams Court for Howard Williams '17, a former football player, track athlete, and assistant football coach. The Brown Bears volleyball team has won five Ivy League championships and has qualified for the NCAA tournament three times, most recently in 2021. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions available at Brown volleyball matches. Fans can bring in their snacks to enjoy. Atmosphere 3 Volleyball is a fun sport to watch, particularly in a small, intimate venue like the Pizzitola Center. Fans are right on top of the action, with the great majority of fans enjoying a close relationship with the players on the court. It makes for a lively atmosphere in this fast-moving game, although much of the noise comes from the players themselves. There’s not a whole lot of downtime in a volleyball match for extraneous noise, as the game progresses quickly. Music plays during time-outs and the PA announcer unobtrusively does their job, adding some energy to the proceedings along the way. Simple scoreboards at either end of the gym display basic game information. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the game day atmosphere here at Brown was the presence of many members of the student body, who were boisterous at times in their support of the Bears. Neighborhood 5 Meehan Auditorium is located on the residential East Side of Providence, adjacent to several other Brown University athletic venues, including Meehan Auditorium , Stevenson-Pincince Stadium , and Murray Stadium . Brown Stadium is located about a mile away. Thayer Street, which serves as Brown University’s main street, is just a couple of blocks from the rink. Thayer Street is filled with quaint shops, restaurants and bars. A short distance in the other direction is Hope Street, which continues the eclectic vibe of the East Side with more locally owned shops and places to eat. Nearby Wayland Square and Wickenden Street offer more fine restaurants, shopping, and nightlife options. Downtown Providence is only a mile and a half away at the bottom of College Hill. Providence enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest culinary destinations in the country, and visitors to the city will find many diverse and excellent dining and lodging choices here. Fans 3 The crowd at a Brown volleyball game is what we at Stadium Journey often refer to as a “friends and family” crowd. Stadium Journey attended a game on a Friday night as many students had just returned to school for the semester. A decent crowd was on hand, estimated at 250 or so. A return visit on a Tuesday night showed close to 900 fans in attendance. As you would expect, the crowd contained a significant number of family members of the players, along with a surprising number of students. They added some excitement to the goings on, cheering loudly for Brown rallies and kills. Access 3 The Pizzitola Sports Center is located in Brown University’s Erickson Athletic Complex, adjacent to several of Brown’s athletic facilities on the East Side of Providence. While the Brown University Campus is located near several highways, there is no direct way to get to or from campus. If driving, one must navigate a maze of neighborhood streets before arriving at the Pizzitola Center. If attending a game during a weekday, Providence can be a tough city in which to get around. Several RIPTA buses run regularly to nearby Thayer Street, and the center of the Brown campus is just a couple of blocks from the facility. Check the RIPTA website for complete route, fare, and schedule information. Parking is available for Brown volleyball at no charge in the Erickson Complex lot next to the Pizzitola Center. Fans unable to find a spot in the lot can utilize free on-street parking in the area around the auditorium. Finding an available spot can be tricky at times, but patient visitors should be able to find spots within easy walking distance of the arena. The Pizzitola Center is located next to the Meehan Auditorium and several other of the university’s athletic buildings. Fans will enter the Pitz into the Heisman Lobby, which houses the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame and restrooms. A pair of entrances lead from the lobby into the gymnasium. The Gymnasium features individual plastic folding chairs on the near side, with the remainder of the seating consisting of plastic molded bleachers. There is a small balcony with additional seating and, believe it or not, some luxury boxes. With only ten rows of seats on either side of the court and seventeen rows on either baseline, this is truly an intimate setting. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge to attend a volleyball match at Brown University. Parking is also available for free in the Erickson Complex parking lot behind the Pizzitola Center or on the streets surrounding the athletic complex. Extras 2 The Lobby of the Pizzitola Center is dedicated to John Heisman, college football legend and Brown class of 1891 alumnus. Located in the Heisman lobby is the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame. Brown may not have the most storied athletic history, but its contributions to college athletics are significant. Banners honoring Ivy League championships and tournament appearances for all the teams that play in the Pizzitola Center hang on the walls of the gym. Bears volleyball has won five Ivy League titles and has appeared in three NCAA tournaments. Final Thoughts The Pizzitola Center is a basic facility that suits the needs of Brown volleyball well. It offers an intimate setting where fans can feel like a part of the action. ---- Follow Paul Baker's Stadium Journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Alumni Hall Lambton Drive London, ON N6G 5R8 Canada Western Mustangs basketball website Alumni Hall website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 1,200 Behind the Giant Purple Curtain In the CIS most of the basketball facilities are fairly similar, built more for classroom and recreation functionality rather than spectator sports. Although CIS basketball is ridiculously underrated as a spectator sport, it can’t be denied that it is not a significant drawer of revenue that necessitates the creation of huge arenas with a spectator first mentality. However, every once in awhile an ardent traveler will come across a facility that is truly unlike any other in its class. Sometimes all you have to do is pull back the giant purple curtain to find something that adds to the experience just because it is there. Western University is located in the Southwestern Ontario city of London boasting over 35,000 undergraduate students. Although the Western is generally viewed as a football first institution, the Mustangs have done a solid job of building a top flight athletic department across programs. Not the least of these programs are the basketball Mustangs. Having had great success over time which includes 25 conference championships and one National Championship, the Mustangs can date their success all the way back to the 1920s. Home for the Mustangs is Alumni Hall, easily one of the most unique facilities in all of college basketball featuring a giant purple curtain. Most CIS basketball facilities are multi-use gymnasiums which were built for physical education classes on equal footing, if not more pressing focus than spectator sports. Built in 1966, Alumni Hall is different than the rest. More theatre than gymnasium, Alumni Hall offers a unique experience in college basketball, one that is worth pulling back the giant purple curtain and checking out. Food & Beverage 1 Alumni Hall is definitely not known for its culinary experience. There are very few food options at Alumni Hall. Temporary tables with students selling pizza, popcorn, cotton candy and soda are all that you will find here. There are also some soda machines in the concourse, but there is nothing that will blow your mind away. There is something for you to snack on here in an emergency, but your best bet is to find somewhere to eat before or after the game. Atmosphere 4 Alumni Hall offers a unique atmosphere among CIS facilities. The exterior of Alumni Hall matches perfectly among the other buildings of Western University. The grey brick matches the surrounding academic buildings in a classic university manner. It is located at the main entrance of Western at the roundabout at Lambton Drive. Inside Alumni Hall patrons are greeted with a smart looking entrance that is dark brown and classy looking. Alumni Hall is more of a theatre, with a large stage and curtain with a basketball floor between the upper seating and stage. The concourse is on the northwest side of the building. Upon entrance, patrons are greeted with the opportunity to see something special. The J.P. Metras Sports Museum is full of artifacts from various Mustang athletic teams and individuals. It is smartly decorated and Mustang fans could spend hours pouring over pictures and memorabilia. The concourse also features many pictures for those enshrined in the Mustangs Athletic Hall of Fame. The 1878 Societies display recognizes donors to the university in a classy manner. Upon entering the seating area, fans are immediately struck with the uniqueness of Alumni Hall. The basketball court runs from southwest to northeast with all of the seating on the northwest side. Team benches and game operations are on the southeast side of the court and behind them is the stage and giant purple curtain. The remaining three walls are covered with wood paneling that attempts to have a classic look, but looks a little worse for wear. The northeast is where the players enter from which features a giant, inflated Mustangs logo. Above the court is a simple scoreboard which can retreat into the ceiling. Unfortunately, there are no banners or easily seen honours for the 25 Wilson Cups as conference champions, or the 1991 National Championship. The in-game production is fairly simple at a Mustangs basketball game. A recording of the band playing the Mustangs fight song leads the players onto the floor, followed by the traditional Western horse whinney. Game operations are student-run. Hanging in front of the curtain is a large video board, which the Mustangs use with multiple camera angles. Students are used for ushers, event staff, camera operators and radio and video commentators. The seating bowl is a tapered theatre setting. The seats are cushioned with barely enough leg room. The slope is such that people in front of you should not be an issue. However, like the wood paneling, the seats have seen better days and are in need of replacement. Seating is general admission, so finding a good seat should not be difficult for fans. Neighborhood 3 Alumni Hall is located fairly central in the Western campus. There are a few interesting places that you may want to get to. The campus pub at Western is The Wave. If it is a place that you are considering then make sure you do your research and consider the limited hours that they are open. The Barakat Restaurant is located to the west of the arena on Western Road. If you head north of the arena, the best choices can be found. You may want to consider the Waltzing Weasel Pub or Beertown Public House. The campus of Western is located northwest of downtown London. There are a number of other food options there, but you will also find some more hockey options, specifically the OHL’s London Knights at Budweiser Gardens. Other sporting options on campus include Mustangs football at TD Stadium and Mustangs hockey at Thompson Arena. If you want to do some shopping, then check out Masonville Place, which is also close by. There are a few places to stay around campus. Windermere Manor offers something a little out of the ordinary and may be worth a try. If you are looking for something a little more mainstream, then head downtown for a more recognizable chain. Fans 3 Assessing fans for CIS basketball is extremely difficult. Teams often do not report game attendance and there are often significant fluctuations in attendance. You can expect to see a few hundred fans in attendance for Western Mustangs basketball games. The attendance at the game for this review was over 325. It is difficult to compare this to other programs, but a few elite programs regularly draw closer to between 600 and 1,000. There is definitely room for improvement at Western and with a seating capacity of 1,200, there is room within Alumni Hall. Those fans that are in attendance are fairly reserved and quiet, but do get excited and vocal when the game dictates that. Access 4 Getting in and around Alumni Hall is not very difficult. Alumni Hall is located on Lambton Road, right on the roundabout, pretty much the centre of the campus at Western University. Western’s campus is located a fairly significant distance from highways 401 and 402, which would be the major arteries in and out of London. Western Road is a large road that moves fairly quickly, but if you are coming from out of town to Western, you will have to do some significant driving through the city. Public transit is available that travels on Western Road and Sarnia Road. London Transit Commission buses stop right on the roundabout in front of Alumni Hall. Check out the LTC website for rates, schedules and maps if you are interested in public transit. There is plenty of parking on Western’s campus and unattended lots are free on the weekends. Probably the most convenient parking is in the large lot to the south of Alumni Hall that can be accessed from Huron Drive. Getting around Alumni Hall is not a problem at all based on the number of fans that are usually in attendance. However, like much of Alumni Hall, washroom facilities are dated and in need of an upgrade. Return on Investment 5 Western Mustangs basketball provides good entertainment for very little investment. Tickets for Mustangs basketball go for a mere $8 a person. There are also discounts for seniors, non-Western students and youth. Kids 5 and under are free. Combine the low ticket price with free parking and decent concession prices and you have a recipe for a very affordable brand of entertainment. CIS basketball is high calibre and fast paced. It is well worth your time. Extras 3 An extra mark for Mustang Days. Mustang Days are a celebration of Mustang athletics with as many athletic events packed into one weekend as possible. An extra mark for ample opportunity to pair Mustang hockey with Mustang basketball for an awesome CIS doubleheader for little money. An extra mark for the display of Mustang history at Alumni Hall and specifically in the J.P. Metras Sports Museum. Final Thoughts Alumni Hall is a unique facility that plays as a great backdrop for university basketball. Although it is in need of a bit of a facelift, a Mustangs game at Alumni Hall will not disappoint. Take some time and pull back the giant purple curtain and check out what you are missing in London. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mitchell Field 19 Ave N.E. Swift Current, SK S9H 2Y3 Swift Current 57s website Mitchell Field website Capacity: 550 Swift Current Baseball Baseball has been part of the Swift Current sports landscape for more than a century. The 57s, previously known as the Indians, have been competing in the community going back to the 1950s, playing in the Southern Baseball League for several years before becoming a founding member of the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League in 1975. The SMBL eventually expanded into Alberta and rebranded itself as the Western Major Baseball League in 2001, now the Western Canadian Baseball League. Swift Current has won the most championships in WCBL history, with six, the most recent coming in 2017. Going back to the SMBL and SBL days, they have another eight championship trophies. So this is a franchise with a history of winning. Food & Beverage 3 Fairly typical options on the menu here. Burgers, hot dogs, and an assortment of candy are available at the main concession, next to the main entrance on the first base side of the diamond. The same menu is also available at the concession on the far end of the clubhouse, up the third baseline. Prices are reasonable, with a tasty double cheeseburger costing $10 and a can of Coke for $2. There is also an adult beverage stand tucked into the bleachers between the first base stands and the home plate stands with a selection of beer and coolers. Again, the alcoholic options are available in the clubhouse concession on the third base side. Atmosphere 3 Sitting at a small-town ballpark on a summer afternoon feels like what baseball is all about. Most of the fans in the stands know each other and you can hear them chatting about this and that between pitches. Or riding the umpire for questionable ball and strike calls. It’s comfortable and relaxed, just what a lazy weekend at the ballpark should be. Views from around the park are good, especially in the main stands right behind home plate. Locations higher up and off to the left or right of home are also good and give the fan a decent view of the prairie farmland in the distance. Seating down the third baseline, past the home dugout, is unobstructed, but the seats are pointed towards left field, not the middle of the diamond, so you’ll probably find yourself turning about 45 degrees to face the action. The seats themselves, are molded plastic, quite comfortable, and spread well apart, giving everyone decent amounts of space, so you don’t feel jammed in together. Neighbourhood 3 Mitchell Field is located on 19th Ave NE, right near the edge of town. The park is located in the residential neighbourhood just up the hill from the Innovation Credit Union iPlex, home of the Swift Current Broncos . To the south past the iPlex and the railroad tracks is industrial. To the east is essentially prairie farmland. The bottom line is that the immediate area provides no pre- or post-entertainment or dining options. Having said that you’re not too far away from anything in Speedy Creek (as Swift Current is sometimes known). Mitchell Field is only a couple kilometers south of the Trans-Canada Highway and along that highway, you’ll find the bulk of the commercial district for the city. Along the north and south service roads you’ll find all the typical franchise restaurants you might expect in a city, plus a couple of mom-and-pop places as well. You can find Original Joe’s at 935 Central Ave. N. adjacent to the west end of South Service Road, with the local Boston Pizza (1601 North Service Rd. E) also close by. If you’re thinking about an ice cream cone after a hot day in the sun, try Dairy King , right across the street from Original Joe’s. To the southwest of the diamond is the downtown core, with several other options, including Akropol , a Greek restaurant. Fans 4 As noted above, the fans were not afraid to voice their opinions throughout the game, which was refreshing compared to some of the more sedate crowds around the league. Fans responding to the game, pitch-by-pitch, show that they are engaged and focused on the action on the diamond, not simply there to hang out with their pals. Access 5 Access to the diamond is easy from just about anywhere. Situated a couple blocks from the east edge of town and a major artery, but only a few blocks west of downtown, Mitchell Field is only a few minutes away from anywhere in town. Parking along the neighbouring streets is free and plentiful. Moving around inside the facility is also easy, with a wide concourse lane from the south entrance to the park and running between the dugouts along the backstop fence. The walking area continues behind the 57s dugout and up the third base line to the far reaches of the stands and the clubhouse concession. Return on Investment 4 Pricing is quite reasonable at Mitchell Field, and right in line with other teams in the league. Adult tickets are $14, students are $7. Children under 12 are just $3 but are free if accompanied by an adult, so this is a very family-friendly venue. For the quality of the ball being played, this is a bargain. Extras 2 The exterior of Mitchell Field’s grandstand is adorned with all 12 of the championship banners the team has earned over the years. A nice reminder of the team’s proud history as you walk up to the diamond. Just to the third base side of the main grandstand is a pro shop, with all the team ball caps, shirts, and bunnyhugs (that’s the Saskatchewan word for a hoodie) you might want. Final Thoughts Mitchell Field is a lovely place to take in a ball game. Nice atmosphere, comfortable, and welcoming, this is a park well worth visiting on your travels.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium 475 N Main St Lexington, VA 24550 VMI Keydets website Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 10,000 Key(det)s to the Stadium The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is located in Lexington, Virginia, and is one of six Senior Military Academies in the United States. The SMAs represent a sort of middle ground between the service academies and civilian universities. Of the six academies, VMI is the only one that does not also admit civilian students, but all of them share some common traits. All SMAs have a Corps of Cadets with military standards and training comparable to the service academies, but unlike service academies, students are not required to enlist in the military upon graduation. Nonetheless, many choose to do so and have served the United States in wars around the world. Unlike the service academies, senior military academies are not tied to any one branch, and VMI graduates have gone on to serve in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Many VMI cadets and graduates also fought in the Confederate military during the American Civil War, and it was referred to as the “West Point of the Confederacy” at the time. VMI’s athletic teams are known as the Keydets, and their football team has called Alumni Memorial Field home since 1962. In 2006, thanks to donations from VMI alumnus P. Wesley Foster, Jr., the stadium was extensively renovated to include a new scoreboard as well as new concourses and restrooms. To honor him, the school renamed the field Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium. Food & Beverage 3 There are several concession stands scattered throughout Foster Stadium, all of which serve the same items. Main courses include grilled chicken sandwiches ($5), hot dogs ($4), pizza ($3/slice for cheese or pepperoni), and nachos ($4 or $5 with extra cheese.) Snacks include hot pretzels ($3), popcorn ($3), king-sized candy ($2), and chips ($2). Water, soda, and Gatorade are all available for $3 each. Atmosphere 5 There are bleachers on both sidelines at Foster Field. On the home side, bleachers tower over the field and provide a scenic view of the historic buildings and citadels on post. We recommend sitting on this side if possible, even if you are a neutral, as the sight lines are much better than the visitor’s side. There is a large scoreboard located behind one end zone, which also features a video board and an out-of-town scoreboard. About 20 minutes before the game, the entire Corps of Cadets will march into the stadium as the band and drumline play “Shenandoah.” The band continues to perform throughout the game, and, as is typical of military bands, is one of the best in the country. Although they are at every home football game and have performed around the world, their best–known role has been leading the entire Corps of Cadets in marching in every Presidential Inaugural Parade since Richard Nixon’s in 1969 and for several before that as well on an irregular basis. The Keydets have a mascot named Moe, who is an anthropomorphic kangaroo and can be seen in the stands and on the field throughout the game. Neighborhood 1 Lexington, Virginia has been given the rather cynical and ironic nickname Lex Vegas. Unlike its Nevada counterpart, Lexington is a small, quaint, conservative college town in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley. Even more unlike the real Vegas, the entertainment scene here is almost non-existent. There are many ways to take in the natural beauty of the Valley in and around Lexington, plus some historic sites on and around the Institute, but that’s about it. Fans 4 VMI fans are extremely passionate about their team and extremely loud. The language they use isn’t exactly clean, either, so make sure to keep that in mind if you bring small children to the game. They will cheer on their team loudly, proudly, boldly, and brashly and aren’t afraid to holler at the opposing team or the referees. The Corps of Cadets will get into it as well, but unlike the rest of the fans, will generally at least keep their language clean, being that they are cadets and all. You can expect to feel this energy for all four quarters, especially if the game stays close. Access 3 There are several options for driving to a VMI football game, all of which start with taking Interstate 64 to Exit 55. Fans coming from the north or south will need to first take Interstate 81 to Exit 191 for I-64 – Exit 55 is the next exit once you get on. There is limited parking available on post on the Parade Grounds and the garage below the Corps Physical Training Facility (CPTF.) This parking is rather expensive at $20. Your best bet, therefore, is to park at the satellite parking lot for free and take the shuttle bus over. This is typically located at Rockbridge County High School, but if the two lots there fill up, fans will be directed to a nearby lot at a Lowe’s store. Once inside, you should have no trouble moving around the concourses. The restrooms are more than ample for the crowd, but the line for concessions can get long at times. Return on Investment 3 Tickets start at $25 for general admission seats, which will get you into either side section on the home side or anywhere on the away side. There are reserved seats in the center three sections on the home side above the Corps of Cadets seating for $3 more. This is a little above average, but is cancelled out by the below average concessions and the added atmosphere at a VMI football game compared to most FCS contests. Extras 4 One star for the great energy and valor brought by the VMI band. Any band worthy of performing at the Inaugural Parade not just for one President, but for 12 Presidents at 15 parades dating back to William Howard Taft in 1909, is definitely something special. A second, somewhat related star, for the pageantry exhibited by the Cadets as they march onto the field before the game. There is a cannon located behind one of the end zones which is fired off after every VMI score and before kickoffs. If weather conditions are just right, the smoke will form a ring which will carry into the sky. A fourth and final star for the energy brought by the fans and by the Corps of Cadets, which is more comparable to something you’d see at a Power Five school than at an FCS school. Final Thoughts Military academy football is always something special, and while the experience at a senior military academy like VMI might not be quite as special as it would be at a service academy, very little is. Foster Stadium is a beautiful place to watch a football game, especially on a mid-fall day in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. With the Corps of Cadets and the VMI band out in full force, a VMI game at Foster Stadium is an incredibly underrated experience in the college football landscape.

Photo Courtesy of Gophersports.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Siebert Field 516 15th Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 Minnesota Golden Gophers website Siebert Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 1,420 Golden Gopher Baseball at Siebert Field Tucked behind the football team's practice facility with a view of TCF Bank Stadium off in a distance from right field sits Siebert Field. The home of the Golden Gopher baseball team isn't the most salient athletic facility at the University of Minnesota, but it is definitely worth a visit. Reconstructed in 2012, Siebert features an artificial turf field, state-of-the-art scoreboard and plenty of seating including grassy hills to watch the game. It is a wonderful experience for baseball fans, perfect for an afternoon out with family or friends without the hectic crowds of a big-time football game. In short, Minnesota Gopher baseball may be the most overlooked sporting event in the Twin Cities. Food & Beverage 3 There is nothing too special about the food offered at Siebert Field. Soda, hot dogs and hamburgers are offered for around $5.00. There is only a single stand, but there is never a line so you can feel free to meander over there and grab some food whenever you feel hungry. The lack of offerings is hardly a problem, however, as most games are played at 3:00 pm, in between meals. There are also plenty of other places to grab lunch or dinner in nearby Dinkytown or downtown Minneapolis. Atmosphere 4 There is a lot of off-campus housing behind the field, which gives students the ability to get home in time to finish studying or socialize immediately after the game. And because the other athletic facilities are near by, athletes from various sports will drop by before or after practice to support their fellow Gophers. With the mix of students and families, there is a great age range in the fan base, making it comfortable for just about anyone to fit in among the crowd. The scoreboard at Siebert Field offers a couple of clean, interesting graphics in right field as well as videos of staff members interviewing players on the team. It is a clear scoreboard that can easily be seen anywhere in the park. All the action is up close and personal. It is a great way to introduce someone to the game because they are not forced to squint in order to differentiate between a slider and a curveball and you can catch the interactions between the players and coaches. Neighborhood 3 For college students, the neighborhood is great. Dinkytown has plenty of places that college students love to eat at: McDonalds, Jimmy John's, Cane's Chicken, as well as bars and house parties to attend after the game. Unfortunately, for people that have already graduated, you have to get back on the freeway again and head downtown to get away from the college scene. College students almost exclusively occupy the two closest bars, The Library and Blarney's, as well as many of the nearby restaurants. Although it is not located in a "college town" like Madison or Columbus, the U of M does a good job giving Dinkytown a "college feel." While it may be charming to some people, others may be turned off because you have to drive a ways to find somewhere to eat or drink after the game. If you want a more formal meal in Minneapolis, the Keys Cafe in the Foshay Tower is centrally located and offers a good meal. For Italian, go to Pizza Luce, which is universally known as the best pizza in town. It's also worth checking out plays at the Guthrie or Orpheum Theatres, a standup routine at the Acme Comedy Club, or to listen to some live music at the First Avenue Club. For a more lively bar scene, Sneaky Pete's is a can't miss. Brothers or Bar 508, located right next door, will be more appealing if you want to sit down and relax. There is plenty of lodging off of the 11th Street exit from Highway 94, with the Hilton being an economic option and the Marquette as probably the best value. Fans 4 There is nowhere to watch the game in the outfield, but fans pack the hills on either side of the diamond and the seats behind home plate. For the most part, people talk among themselves for most of the game, occasionally stopping to cheer on a specific player. This is not to say that they are not engaged. During pivotal plays in the game, people get loud or express disappointment depending on what happens, but it is certainly more subdued throughout the game than it is at a professional contest. Depending on what you are looking for, this can be positive or negative. A professional contest has more displays to keep fans vocal through all nine innings, but the collegiate game is a relaxing way to spend a lazy afternoon. Access 3 Getting to the athletic facilities, which are all pretty much located in the same area, is not difficult. The University of Minnesota is located right off of 35W, the main freeway that runs north to south, and the entire campus is well marked. Unfortunately, actually finding Siebert Field can be difficult. It is not recognized on Google Maps and has two addresses on many places online. The address I used was 516 15th Ave. SE and it brought me to the right location, but the field is tucked behind the practice facility. The best way to find it is to look for the foul pole, which isn't that hard to see, but can be passed over if you're not looking for it. The streets in Dinkytown occasionally run one way, so you'll have to take one route in and another one out, but the main streets run parallel to each other and it's not hard to find the freeway on your way out. You do have to park along a dirt road on the side of the stadium, however, and may want to park a ways away to avoid having your sunroof shattered by a foul ball. The walk isn't that difficult, and parking is free, but it can be difficult to find the first time around. Also of note: Do not park by the apartment buildings. This can be tempting, because there are often open spots on the weekends, but you will get towed. Return on Investment 5 As long as you don't eat at the game, it's a pretty cheap ordeal all around. Tickets are about $5, parking is free and games usually do not interfere with mealtime. (There is a Dugout Club for people that want to support the university, the largest package goes for $1000, the smallest is $8.00, and you get your own seating area and bar-be-cue.) In general, because prices are so low and the quality of baseball along with the experience is pretty good, going to a Gopher baseball game is quite a bargain. Extras 3 There are not a lot of bells and whistles to be found at Siebert Field, but three things stand out to me that make the experience unique. For starters, the scoreboard display is well done. The graphics are fun and unique, it provides vital stats on players and can be easily seen from all over the field. There are cameramen that film various members of the crowd, which creates an interesting dynamic in such an intimate atmosphere. Secondly, Goldie the Gopher runs around, interacting with children. And the kids absolutely go nuts. In fact, I overheard one profess his love for the furry forest critter. That, in and of itself, was worth going to the game for. Finally, there are places to view the game from the roof of the nearby apartments. No, it's not Wrigley, but it is still fun to see that people in the surrounding area are so engaged by the action on the field that they're willing to scramble up a set of stairs to see the game from a long distance. Final Thoughts It's a little out of the way, a little quiet at times and a little less crowded than the average sporting event, but that's the joy of Gopher baseball. You can go and just watch the game. There are few distractions, the cost is pretty cheap and the quality of the players is pretty high. It's a nice little getaway right in the middle of everything, which is probably what makes it so special.

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Segra Stadium Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 Fayetteville Woodpeckers website Segra Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 4,786 Taking Flight in Fayetteville Segra Stadium, the new $38 million home of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, is one of three new facilities at the minor league level in 2019. The 5,000 seat ballpark is expected to become an anchor for development and revitalization in downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina and is just one part of a larger plan for progress. Most of that plan has yet to be carried to fruition, as construction continues in the area surrounding the venue. Despite Segra Stadium being the only completed piece of the puzzle so far, fans are still showing up in droves to watch their minor league baseball team. The franchise, originally called the Buies Creek Astros, was based at nearby Campbell University for two full seasons before moving south to their permanent home in Fayetteville for the 2019 campaign. Both the Astros and the nearby Down East Wood Ducks were established following the 2016 season in order to replace a pair of folded franchises from California. Food & Beverage 5 The stadium serves a wide variety of food and drink, from over two dozen types of craft beer to massive pulled pork sandwiches to plastic baseball caps filled to the brim with loaded nachos. Traditional ballpark fare is available as well, but why not splurge and get something unique? There are six concession stands located around the ballpark – an outfield bar area and several food carts on the concourse only make it more convenient for hungry fans. While the options at Segra Stadium abound, expect to pay a premium. Concession prices are just a tad higher than what’s typically seen at other Carolina League parks. Atmosphere 4 With Fort Bragg, the world’s largest military installation, in Fayetteville’s backyard, it’s hard to ignore the military tie-ins at Segra Stadium. Black and red are the predominant colors, featured in everything from the team’s logo to the chair backs in the seating bowl. Pixelated camouflage is also present in several different areas, sometimes even extending to the players’ uniforms. It’s undeniable that the military is the prevailing theme at Woodpeckers’ games. The stadium itself features a wrap-around concourse, an element that’s becoming the norm in newer ballparks. Directly below the massive scoreboard in left field is a berm that abuts the bullpens, while a netted children’s area behind the berm includes a small-scale baseball diamond for youngsters. Unique and futuristic rocking chairs are prevalent in center field and are available to anyone, regardless of their ticket type. One unique aspect that is unparalleled in the minor leagues is the fact that train tracks surround portions of the stadium. Fayetteville’s Amtrak station is located in foul territory on the third base side, while a freight line runs behind the right field fence. While it doesn’t happen often, it might surprise you to see and hear a large diesel train pass by during a game. Neighborhood 2 The ranking Fayetteville receives in this category will drastically improve once the development surrounding the ballpark is complete. Development plans call for a commercial office tower, a Hyatt Place hotel in front of the stadium’s main gate, a complete renovation of the historic Prince Charles Hotel next door, and a new parking deck on Hay Street. Until these projects are completed, the uninviting area around the stadium will remain under construction. For now, there’s no enticement for fans to arrive before the gates open and stay after the game ends. Fans 3 After 20 years without professional baseball, the fans in Fayetteville sure seem happy to have a team to cheer for. While it feels like the stadium is primarily geared towards military personnel and their families, Fayetteville residents are still among some of the faces you’ll see on an average night. When the Astros decided to move their high-A team here in 2016, they probably didn’t have a doubt in their mind that pro baseball would do well in this area. This likely hypothesis was confirmed when, later that year, Fort Bragg hosted the first-ever MLB game to be played in North Carolina. It was also the first-ever game to be played on an active military base and drew a crowd of nearly 13,000. Access 3 The only major road passing through Fayetteville is Interstate 95. Heading north, the next major city one encounters on this road is Richmond, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia is the next large city to the south. However, there are several spurs which provide access to cities such as Raleigh-Durham and Charleston, SC. Traveling to Fayetteville from the east and/or west is moderately difficult due to the lack of major roads in either direction. Parking at the ballpark is no easy task either. Unlike other ballparks at this level, there is no dedicated lot for Woodpeckers games. Fans are instead encouraged to either find free on-street parking or to park for a fee in the deck located at Franklin and Donaldson Streets. No matter which option one chooses, there will be at least a quarter-mile of walking involved. Return on Investment 3 Service fees are typically waived in the minor leagues when you purchase tickets directly at the box office. This isn’t the case here in Fayetteville, making a day out at the ballpark just that much more expensive. Tickets for a family of four, at the bare minimum, will run about $46. Parking adds at least $5 and concessions for the whole gang will set you back about $20 per person. All totaled, you’re looking at about $130 for four people to visit Segra Stadium for the night. This is on the extremely high end of the minor league scale. Extras 1 One extra point for honoring our nation’s military and looking out for the servicemen and women stationed at Fort Bragg. Final Thoughts While Segra Stadium is unique in some areas, overall it’s a pretty plain vanilla ballpark. The team does a good job of drawing fans and entertaining them on game day, but the high prices and distant parking options are bound to turn some folks away. Only time will tell if the fans will continue to show up or if they will grow weary of the hassle and spend their time and money elsewhere. Hopefully the revitalization of downtown Fayetteville will keep fans engaged, and it will be exciting to see what the final product will be.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Watsco Center 1245 Dauer Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146 Miami (FL) Hurricanes website Watsco Center website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 7,972 These 'Canes Are Able The University of Miami (more popularly known as simply “the U”) was founded in 1925. It currently has a student body of nearly 20,000 students on its Coral Gables campus. The “U” is a private research university, and is known for its work in the fields of medicine, international business, and marine biology. The University of Miami first fielded a basketball program in 1926. The program has run continuously since then, with the exceptions of the 1971-72 and 1984-85 seasons. In 1991 the program joined the Big East Conference, then moved on to the ACC in 2004. In the 2012-2013 and 2022-2023 seasons, the Hurricanes won both the ACC regular season title and the ACC Tournament title. The “U” is no Johnny come lately as far as success on the basketball court. It has been to March Madness twelve times and the NIT twelve times. The Hurricanes have made the Sweet 16 five times (as of 2023), the Elite 8 twice and the Final Four once. In 2023 they lost to eventual national champion UConn in the finals. The on-campus Watsco Center is home for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. It opened in 2003 and has a seating capacity of 7,972 in its basketball configuration. Food & Beverage 3 There are eight concession stands along the concourse as it encircles the court. Each stand includes at least one specialty item, plus the typical arena standards. The Chicken Stands have crispy chicken sandwiches ($13), grilled chicken sandwiches ($13), and chicken nachos ($12). The Burger Stands offer hamburgers w/fries ($13), cheeseburgers w/fries ($14), veggie burgers w/fries ($11), specialty burgers w/fries ($15), and hot dogs w/fries ($6.50). The Pizza Stand has cheese pizzas ($11), pepperoni pizzas ($12), and meat lover’s pizzas ($14). Dessert items include cotton candy ($6), candy bars ($5), Dippin' Dots ($9), popcorn ($6.75), nachos ($7), pretzels ($6), and Icees ($7). All stands feature Coca-Cola brand sodas ($5.25) and water ($4.25). Premium beers are $12, while domestic brands are $10. Hard seltzers are $9 and wine is $11. Atmosphere 4 The exterior of the Watsco Center is relatively plain, with the exception of the palm trees that front it. However once inside you’ll be greeted by the vibrant green and orange colors of the Miami Hurricanes. There are a number of displays featuring highlights of past Hurricane teams, as well as information on upcoming events at the “U”. Once inside the seating area, you’ll notice how close the seats are to the action. A majority of the seating bowl is lower than the concourse, putting you closer to the court. There is a much smaller set of seats above the concourse. Seats surround the court on all four sides, with the pep band, cheerleaders, and student section filling the seats behind the baskets. The court graphics feature the green and orange Hurricanes color scheme, with a huge “U” at midcourt. A four-sided center-hung videoboard constantly provides game stats and highlights from the action on the floor. There are a large number of banners hanging from the rafters. They include banners representing each ACC member institution, the retired numbers of Hurricane elites, and the various championships that athletic teams have brought back to the “U”. Banners Hang from Watsco Center Ceiling, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 5 The Watsco Center is in Coral Gables, FL, which is located just five miles south of Downtown Miami. The city is known for its preservation efforts, resulting in lots of Mediterranean-style architecture, beautiful fountains and tree-lined streets. Coral Gables is also known for the Miracle Mile, a district filled with great restaurants and shopping. Restaurants and nightlife near the Watsco Center include the Shake Shack and the Titanic Brewery and Restaurant. Lodging near the arena includes the Miami Marriott Dadeland and the Courtyard Marriott Dadeland. Two tourist attractions in the area are the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Coral Gables Museum. Fans 4 The Hurricane fanbase has really become energized by the 2023 trip to the Final Four. The ACC portions of the schedule are typically sold out before the season gets underway. The basketball program is extremely popular with the students, compared with the football program, whose home games are more than 30 miles from the campus. The student section fills up well before the game gets underway, allowing the students to good-naturedly taunt the visitors during warm-ups. The student body is strategically located behind the baskets, where they can do the most to confuse the players at the free-throw lines. Like many fanbases, Hurricane fans do not sit down until the home team scores its first basket. The Hurricanes cheer squad and the Miami pep band do a terrific job in keeping the energy level high throughout the game. Access 4 Despite being located in the largest city in South Florida, the Watsco Center is easily accessed via some of the main thoroughfares in the area. The Watsco Center can be reached via either I-95 coming south, or via US 1 coming north. An economical way to reach the Watsco Center is via the METRORAIL light rail system. Take the rail system to the University Station, which is located across the street from the arena. The fare is $2.25 each way. While on-campus parking is pretty much limited to season ticket holders and boosters, there is plenty of parking located along Ponce de Leon Avenue. The concourses and lobby are large and easy to navigate. The concession stands tend to get backed up at halftime. Return on Investment 3 After the run to the Final Four in 2023, a ticket to a Hurricanes basketball game is now the hottest ticket in town. Unfortunately, the Watsco Center is one of the smaller venues in the ACC. To allow the widest number of people to attend games during the season, the “U” offers a five-game ticket package in addition to its season ticket package. The five-game ticket package identifies games against FSU, UNC and Duke as marquee games. The ticket package pairs one marquee game with four games against lesser opponents. The fans get to choose which games they want to pair with the marquee game. Marquee games cost $65, and each of the four less in-demand games are $15. Tickets can also be purchased for individual games, as long as they are not marquee games. Midcourt tickets nearest the floor are $45, lower sidelines are $35, upper sidelines are $30, tickets in the corners are $20 and baseline tickets are $15. The nearest on-campus parking lots to the Watsco Center are reserved for season ticket holders and boosters. There are several large pay lots along Ponce de Leon Boulevard that charge $11 for parking on game nights. The METRORAIL light rail system stops right in front of the campus and only costs $2.25 each way. Concession prices are priced at movie theatre prices. Extras 3 In addition to Hurricanes basketball, the Watsco Center has hosted concerts by Coldplay, John Mayer, Drake, and Green Day. Other events held at the venue include the Billboard Latin Music Awards, The X Factor, All Elite Wrestling, and presidential debates in 2004 and 2016. Win or lose, the Hurricanes team and fans stand and sing the alma mater at the end of the games. Sebastian the Ibis is one of the top mascots in NCAA sports. He roams the stands throughout the game and is happy to pose for photos. Sebastian the Ibis Mascot, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts The Hurricane warnings are out… University of Miami basketball games have become the hottest ticket in a very competitive sports market. The Watsco Center figures to be filled to capacity for the foreseeable future.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Fluor Field at the West End 945 S Main St Greenville, SC 29601 Greenville Drive website Fluor Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 5,000 Greenville's Own Green Monster The Greenville Drive is the High-Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The team is a member of the South Atlantic League, where it has won two league titles and one division title. Over the years, the Drive has sent 102 players on to the majors, including Mookie Betts, Anthony Rizzo, and Clay Buchholtz. The Drive’s team name references the fact that Greenville is home to both a BMW auto plant and a Michelin tire plant. It is readily apparent when you arrive at Fluor Field, that the Drive is an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The 6,700-seat ballpark closely resembles Fenway and its many unique features. The field dimensions are the same, it has its own Green Monster in left field and has a Pesky Pole down the right field line. The scoreboard is even hand-operated. In the 7th inning, the fans all join in to sing “Sweet Caroline”. It should not be a surprise when you shop at the Drive’s team store that it offers a full line of both Drive merchandise and Boston Red Sox Gear. Food & Beverage 3 Fluor Field offers a wide variety of food and beverage options for you to choose from during a Drive game. You also have the option of ordering your food from your seat via the sEatz app, so you won’t miss any of the on-field action while standing in line at the concession stand. Splendid Splinters and the Seventh Inning Stretch are located down the first and third base lines in the outfield. They serve the typical baseball fare, including hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, cracker jacks, and pretzels. Drink options include Pepsi brand sodas, bottled water, and a wide variety of beers (Coors Light, Yuengling, Miller Lite) as well as a rotating list of craft beers. Que’s BBQ is located behind home plate. It offers pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, and a wide variety of sides. Fowl Pole is also located behind home plate. It serves chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, and chicken nuggets. There are also outlets of both Subway and Chick-fil-A at Fluor Field. They serve the same menus as their retail stores. If you are not already full, you can finish your dining at Sweet Caroline’s. It serves ice cream and other sweet treats. Fluor Field also offers Dollar Drink Nights frequently during the season. This includes $1 Pepsi sodas, $2 Bud Lights, and $3 Rallyville Lager (Fluor Field’s craft beer) Atmosphere 4 In addition to the Fenway-like amenities Fluor Field offers, it also pays homage to the area’s past. The ballpark’s walls are constructed of bricks reclaimed from mills that used to be the economic engine of the Greenville area. The Heritage Plaza in the park features details on what life in the mill was like and the important role baseball played in providing recreation for the workers through mill-sponsored teams. The seating bowl’s design brings fans extremely close to the action…. no seat in the lower level of the park is more than 13 rows from the action. This gives an intimate feel to the park. The park also has a berm in left field. This provides general admission seating for those who prefer a natural surface to a stadium seat. Everyone is entertained by the antics of Reedy Rip’it, a frog mascot from the nearby Reedy River who loves baseball. Reedy takes part in all the between-innings skits and games. He is also known to hop into the stands to pose for selfies with the fans. Neighborhood 4 Fluor Field is in the West End neighborhood of Greenville. It is one of the trendiest areas of the city. The shops, restaurants, B&B inns, and art galleries are just steps away from the ballpark. We recommend both the Smoke on the Water and the Growler Haus for your pre or post-game dining pleasure. Greenville has rebounded from the mill-based economy and transformed the West End neighborhood surrounding Fluor Field into a vibrant destination area for locals and visitors to enjoy. There are numerous shops, cafes, and attractions scattered throughout the former mill village buildings. If you head towards downtown Greenville from the ballpark, you will soon come to one of Greenville’s top attractions, Fall’s Park on the Reedy. This stunning park is set up along the Reedy River, which cuts through downtown Greenville. It features the stunning Liberty Bridge, a public garden, and a series of nature trails that follow several small waterfalls as the river descends in elevation. Fans 4 Greenville has always had a love affair with baseball. Back in the days when Greenville was a hub for textile mills, it was not unusual for each mill to sponsor a baseball team. This gave the workers some respite from the demanding work at low pay and built team spirit for the workers. Many of the workers were able to escape the mill life and play professional baseball. Today’s Drive fans are equally drawn to baseball. There is great pride in the team, as it has two fierce rivalries with two other Palmetto State teams, the Columbia Fireflies and the Charleston RiverDogs . Drive fans often show up at away games in these two cities to cheer their team. Fluor Field has several unique areas in the park for large groups to enjoy the game. These include the Champions Club on the second level of the stadium and the Rooftop, which provides you with a wonderful view of downtown Greenville, as well as the West End neighborhood. Probably the most unique group seating area is the Mountain Dew Dugout. This is a private dugout at the field level. It provides a unique perspective of the action on the field. People in the dugout have direct access to food and beverage service via a tunnel at the back of the dugout. Access 4 Fluor Field parking is easy to access via I-85. Take exit 51 C off I-85 and onto I-385. Eventually, this becomes East North Street. Just after Bon Secours Wellness Arena turn left on North Church Street (Highway 29). Turn right at University Ridge, then right into the parking deck at Greenville County Square. Shuttles run every 15 minutes over to Fluor Field While the ballpark has no fan parking immediately outside the stadium, the parking deck at the County Square and the shuttles between the parking lot and the ballpark are very convenient. Once at the park, fans can enter through one of the multiple gates at the park. Gates open one hour before the first pitch. Return on Investment 4 A night out at a Drive game will not drive you to the poor house. First, parking is free. There are no parking lots immediately attached to the ballpark. Free parking is available at the parking deck of the County Square located at 301 University Ridge Greenville, SC 29601. A team trolley will then shuttle you to and from Fluor Field at no cost. Trolleys run every 15 minutes. Once you are at the park, there are a wide variety of price points for tickets to the game. First of all, we hope you’ll purchase your tickets in advance, as day-of-game ticket purchases will be $2.00 higher than the prices we quote here. Tickets atop the Green Monster are $20. These usually sell out well before a game, as there are a very limited number of seats for this unique vantage point. Tickets behind home plate are $20, seats behind the dugouts are $11, infield seats are $9, and Pesky Pole seats down the foul lines in the outfield go for $9.00. The concession prices at Fluor Field are quite reasonable. Extras 4 Fluor Field is used for a wide range of events throughout the year. In addition to Drive games, the ballpark is used by the Southern Conference at the college level for its end-of-year baseball tournament. In-state rivals Clemson University and the University of South Carolina face off in the Reedy River Rivalry game once a year. During the holiday season, Fluor Field becomes a winter wonderland to celebrate the Christmas season. The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library has now reopened across the street from Fluor Field. This museum honors the Greenville native who was one of baseball’s greatest players at the turn of the century until he was ensnared in the Black Sox scandal and banned from the game, either rightly or wrongly. The museum has limited hours of 10 am-2 pm on Saturdays. Admission is free, but donations are very appreciated. Fluor Field deserves an extra for incorporating so many elements honoring Fenway Park in its design. It also deserves credit for the many exhibits in the park honoring Greenville’s baseball heritage of the many mill teams that played baseball in the area surrounding the park. Before Saturday games, the streets around Fluor Field are closed to vehicular traffic so that District 356 can be held. This festival area is designed to mimic the celebrations held on Jersey Street outside of Fenway Park before games. District 356 features food and beverage stations, live music, displays from local vendors, and activities for the kids. Final Thoughts Fans visiting Fluor Field for the first time will be amazed at the amenities offered at this Class A level ballpark. The architecture, the large number of seating options, in-game entertainment, and a wide assortment of concession offerings are more typically found at AAA-level ballparks. Add to that the many dining and entertainment options surrounding the park for some pre or post-game fun. It’s no wonder that this stadium puts so many people in the Drive’s seats.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Greyhound Park at Bill Bright Field 1410 National Ave Indianapolis, IN 46227 UIndy Greyhounds website Greyhound Park website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 750 Release the Hounds at UIndy's Ballpark Greyhound Park at Bill Bright Field is the home of the UIndy Greyhounds baseball team in Indianapolis. The Division II program has called the stadium home since 1976 and consists of 700 bleacher seats and standing-room areas against the fence down each foul line. It is standard for this level of baseball but not far different from many on Division I baseball in the Midwest. The giant indoor track bubble looms large over the right field fence, and a small press box houses the media staff. The Hounds have captured 16 GLCV regular season titles and have appeared in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances. They reached two World Series in 2000 and 2012. The team made national news when pitcher Brady Ware tossed a no-hitter and hit for the cycle. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food stands in the ballpark, but fans are encouraged to bring something to eat. You will have fans, both young and old, snacking on fast food burgers and sandwiches or even a cooler of food and beverages. This is a similar vibe to ballparks of this size across the area and beyond. Atmosphere 3 The gameday atmosphere did not feel any different than many of the ballparks of this kind in Division I baseball. The grandstand wrapped around the infield and provided close-up views of the diamond, fans were decked out in school colors, and there was heavy banter from each dugout. The final out of the no-hitter and cycle game, Photo by Edward Bujdos There are also the sounds that provided the soundtrack to the ballpark. You will hear the cleats against the concrete with players fetching foul balls that land in the parking lot, the ping of the ball off the aluminum bat, and the whip of the pitch from the bullpen down the left or right field line. Neighborhood 3 The 65-acre campus is located south of downtown Indianapolis and is home to 4,063 students. There is not much within proximity of the university except fast-food restaurants, but less than 5 miles north of campus is Fountain Square. The eclectic and funky neighborhood features some of the city’s best restaurants and sports to grab a drink. Kuma’s Corner, Bluebeard, Chilly Water Brewing Company, Hotel Whiskey Tango, Siam Square, Three Carrots, and World Famous Hot Boys are among your choices for dining. There is also duckpin bowling in either authentic 1940 or 1950s decor at Atomic Bowl Duckpin. Fans 4 There are quite a few fans in the stands rooting for the Hounds and the visitors from Grand Valley State. Others pulled up lawn chairs and sat down the foul lines, while a few perched on a small hill down the left field side of the stadium. In total, close to 160 people were in attendance for the Sunday afternoon game we attended. They were more than just the parents of the players, and there was plenty of action on the field to create a buzz in the stands. Access 4 UIndy is easy to access on Interstate 65 on Hanna Ave just south of downtown Indianapolis. Once on campus, look for the giant bubble, and you will find the ballpark next to the football, softball, and basketball venues. Return on Investment 4 Our game witnessed two home runs and a play at the plate, which means the baseball can be well above average. Admission is free, and parking is ample, making it a nice escape for baseball purists on an unseasonably warm late winter afternoon in Indianapolis. Extras 2 After each homerun, the Hounds would welcome the hitter as he crossed home plate to jump up and down in unison. The giant indoor track bubble behind right field adds to the aesthetics of the small ballpark. Final Thoughts Greyhound Park is a splendid way to spend the afternoon on abnormally warmer winter days where all you need is a sweater. The admission is free, the fans are friendly, and the vibe is infectious for an honest day at the ballpark sometime in February or March. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 550 Taylor Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 Navy Midshipmen website Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 34,000 Football In the Navy Few football programs in the college sports scene harken back to the old days of sports like Navy. Having been playing football since 1879, Navy’s football program is filled with history and pride. This is reflected in the pageantry of the game day experience at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. This facility is also home to the annual Military Bowl , and has hosted various other sports over the years, including soccer and lacrosse. Practically assembled via previous class donations, the stadium features numerous small touches of history and education about the school’s past, as well as America’s military history. And while it may lack the modern touches of other stadiums, this facility is one that is a must see for any college football fan. Food & Beverage 3 The food choices are solid enough for a sports stadium at Navy games. Beer prices are what would be expected, ranging from $9 to $11, with other beverages including coffee or hot cocoa ($4), bottled water ($6), and Gatorade or bottled soda ($6). Food options include hot dogs ($4), pretzels ($5), nachos ($6), popcorn ($5), candy ($3), and more. Burgers run $7 while sushi options, sub sandwiches, and wraps cost $8. The stadium even features a healthy food options booth, complete with veggie sticks ($2), kale chips ($2), and fruit cups ($8). Additionally, food trucks and pop-up vendors fill the area as well, including Chick-fil-A and others. The biggest downside to all of this is the crazy long lines that fill up and never seem to dwindle during games. Atmosphere 3 Navy-Marine Corps Stadium is a mixed bag in terms of the overall aesthetic. Opened in 1957 it has seen some updates, while also keeping some of its original character. The northwest end zone features general admission seating on a raised berm, as well as grassy areas for fans to watch from. These areas run all the way up to the end zone wall, meaning you can get close to the action, and usually feature kids and families. The northeast and southwest sidelines offer two-level seating, while the southeast end zone features a large scoreboard with limited end zone seating, as well as several multi-level suite boxes with viewing patios. The overall stadium itself is solid enough but lacks anything overwhelmingly modern. Restrooms are small, and the passages under the grandstands are equally as cramped when a full crowd tries to navigate them at the same time. Neighborhood 5 Annapolis, the state’s capitol, is a beautiful town located on the shores of the Severn River’s exit into the Chesapeake Bay. It is located almost equidistant from both Baltimore and Washington D.C., providing easy access to two major metropolitan cities full of shopping, dining, and major airports. The area around the stadium is quaint and features many historic sites, including the Maryland State House. Shopping and dining are plentiful downtown near the Annapolis waterfront area as well, and fans can find plenty to entertain themselves there. Fans 4 The fans at Navy football are unique – many of them are graduates, veterans, or their families. Of those, many have been coming to games for generations. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of Navy’s fans is the student section; over 4,000 current Navy students arrive in formation by division on the field before the game, dressed in full Navy uniform. Overall the fans here can be on the older side, but don’t make any mistake; these football faithful can be loud when the time comes for critical plays. Access 4 To get to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium you simply need to drive on US 50 from the DC area, or on I-97 to US 50 from the Baltimore Area; these two routes will both drop you steps from the stadium. Once you’re there, parking is plentiful – official stadium parking is $40 for pre-purchase or $50 on the day of, with numerous lots in the area ranging $20 and up. Signage in the stadium is plentiful as well, making it easy to get around and navigate the facility. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Navy football games start at $25 for kids and $35 on the end zone grassy hill and for standing room only, then go up to $50 for reserved seats. Kids 2 and under are free for standing room only access as well. Couple this with the price of concessions and it is incredibly affordable for FBS college football, especially at a program as historic as Navy. Extras 4 The northwest end zone features the Navy goat statue as well as a memorial garden for the military, which showcases plaques and memorial statues from the Navy’s past. Also of interest is the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet on display outside the stadium, which is a popular photo spot for fans. The field itself also pays homage to former star players, with yellow player numbers painted near their corresponding yard lines, and finally, the stadium’s ring of honor features historic and notable Navy battles instead of former player names like at other facilities. Final Thoughts The game day experience at Navy is incredible – the history of the program is evident from the moment you arrive at the stadium, and the pageantry is nothing short of college football greatness. While the stadium itself initially lacks anything aesthetically that really stands out, the small touches around the facility make up for that. With the location and affordability, it is easy to see why so many college football fans recommend going to Navy home games.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 550 Taylor Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 Navy Midshipmen website Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 34,000 Navy Blue and Gold Lacrosse Located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Maryland is home to the US Naval Academy. Although Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is better-known for hosting Navy's football team, it is also home to the Midshipmen's lacrosse program. Although Navy lacrosse has never won the NCAA Championship, they are one of the most successful college lacrosse programs of the pre-NCAA era, having won a whopping 17 championships. Food & Beverage 2 While there are several concession stands at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, most of them are closed for lacrosse games, and the two that are open have limited selections. Hot dogs ($4), nachos ($6), candy ($3), chips ($1), popcorn ($5), pretzels ($5), and caramel corn ($5) are your only options to eat. Soft drinks and bottled water are also available. Atmosphere 3 Just walking into Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will tell you this is the home of Navy Athletics. The logo is painted all over the place and the walls lining the field list all the areas of the world that the US Navy has fought over the years. When the Navy team runs out onto the field before the game, they do so waving an American flag to remind you of where you are. Alas, there isn't much else going on during the game other than the game itself. There are no distractions or march-ons of the Brigade of Midshipmen or anything else that you would see here for Navy football. Some lacrosse fans may like that, while others will be disappointed. Music is played after Navy goals, but that is about it. It is worth noting that only the lower level of the Blue (west) side of the stadium is open for Navy lacrosse games due to the small crowds. About 60% of these seats are chairbacks, while the remainder are bleacher seats. The bleacher seats are reserved for the Brigade of Midshipmen during football games, and as they typically stand for the whole game, presumably the athletic department did not see any point in installing chairbacks. However, student presence is minimal at best at lacrosse games, so fans can sit wherever they want. Neighborhood 5 Annapolis is a small-sized city of about 40,000 people, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. There’s a shopping center located across from the stadium with a few basic restaurants, but you can find far better food a short drive away. Annapolis being located on the Chesapeake Bay, there are plenty of great seafood restaurants nearby, including Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs, The Boatyard Bar & Grill, and the Sailor Oyster Bar, all located within a couple miles of the stadium. If you want an authentic sweet treat after your meal, The Boatyard sells the official state dessert of Maryland, Smith Island Cake, which is made fresh on Smith Island daily and brought up by ferry. The real attraction, though, is the U.S. Naval Academy itself. The grounds are beautiful, and there’s so much history, so be sure to take a tour while you’re in town. Keep in mind, however, that driving onto Academy grounds is prohibited without proper military clearance. Fans can board a shuttle from the parking lot to take them onto Academy grounds. Fans 4 Attendance at Navy lacrosse games can vary significantly. For an early season game against a non-conference opponent, Navy will likely draw under 1,000 fans. For a game against a regional rival like Loyola or Johns Hopkins or their archrival and fellow service academy Army, they will draw several thousand, perhaps over 10,000. The experience here varies depending on where you go more than at many other schools.. Attendance has also trended downward since COVID, even as restrictions have been gone for several years now. It remains to be seen if this trend will continue. Fans in attendance are your typical bunch and range from passionate to subdued. They can get into it after Navy goals, but as they tend to be spread out throughout the large stadium, despite the fact that many sections are closed off, it still will rarely get that loud here unless the Mids are playing a rival. Access 4 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is located just off U.S. Route 50. Take Exit 24 for Rowe Boulevard, and the stadium is just up ahead. Parking is available in a lot next to the stadium for $10, which is a bit pricey but not outrageously so. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. Once inside, it is easy to move around the concourses and other areas, as they were designed for much larger football crowds. The lines at the concession stands will rarely get very long, although it might be different at more in-demand games. Likewise, the restrooms designed for football crowds are more than capable of handling lacrosse ones. . Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $10, which is about typical for lacrosse in this area. They may be more expensive for games against rivals like Army, but for most games $10 will be the price. Concessions are affordable if limited, but $10 to park is as much as the ticket itself. All of this makes a trip here an average value to see a lacrosse game, nothing more, nothing less. Extras 3 Look for the Blue Angel plane outside the stadium as you come in. There is a marketing table on the concourse with giveaways such as roster cards and yearbooks, all of which are free. A third and final star for the team store, known as the Goat Locker, which sells Navy merchandise during the game, Final Thoughts Lacrosse is very popular in the state of Maryland - in fact, it's the official team sport. Navy is just one of several highly successful lacrosse programs in the state. For the best experience, we suggest visiting one of the games against a regional rival, or the Army-Navy game in years when it is held here, even though the price may be slightly more expensive. However, whenever you visit, you can enjoy taking in lacrosse in this historic setting.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Cascade High School Gymnasium 6565 S County Rd 200 W Clayton, IN 46118 Cascade HS Cadets website Cascade HS Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 1,800 The Gym in the Middle of the High School The Cascade High School basketball gym is unlike any other of its kind in the state of Indiana. The playing court and seating bowl are not in a separate building or even separated by a wall, instead, centered in the middle of the high school, where students and teachers roam the hallways daily. Think of a town square, but instead of a courthouse, you have an open plaza with benches and green space. However, replace the benches with wood bleacher seating and railing and install a basketball court. The students’ lockers, hallways, and individual classrooms are visible from the upper portion of the gym space. It almost feels like the anti-gym in a state where the basketball gym takes precedence over the high school. The high school was the consolidated three former schools of Clayton, Amo, and Stilesville. It cost $1.2 million to build and opened for the academic school year of 1964-1965. The name Cascade was the result of using a combination of the three former schools to create the name Cascade High. It was told to me that the Cadets nickname sounded well when paired up with the school name. The boys’ team captured a sectional title in their first year in 1965 and added five more since then, including three from 2001-2006. The girls’ program won two sectional titles in 1986 and 2007. Food & Beverage 3 Unlike many schools this pandemic year, food is sold at home games. The concession stand is located on the upper level in a somewhat small room. Fans can choose from a selection of hot dogs, coneys, nachos, candy, popcorn, and bottled soda. The prices range from $1 to $3. Atmosphere 3 There is no other place to watch basketball like Cascade High School. The Cadets have a gym that offers a sunken-type design with a wraparound concourse and a mostly unobstructed view from the seating and concourse area. Fans are up close and personal to the action and are situated about 6-7 feet above the court. There are many great vantage points during the game. Fans get an ideal look from all corners of the upper concourse. There is a view from directly behind the basket rim. Fans are not permitted to sit on the court level, at least during our visit. However, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, and one can expect a very personal experience at a Cadets game. There are a few oddities at the anti-gym that includes the main concourse being the actual classroom hallways during the school day. Patrons at the game are given lockers and individual classrooms, including the art teacher who has a nice display of student projects in an outside display case. There is also the narrow out-of-bounds area underneath the basket that is no more than a couple of inches. Padded walls as much-needed protection for any player who may need it during a rebound or layup. The floor was replaced in 2014 and looks sharp with the school colors of Columbia blue and black. The large school logo is located on the center court, while the original center court logo is on the walls in the Cadet Center a few yards away. There are also placards hanging up against the walls of past team championships and a few banners on the opposite end. On the concourse, the retired jersey of Stephen V. Long is on display to honor the former student and army veteran who lost his life in the Pentagon attack on September 11, 2001. Neighborhood 2 Cascade High is located in Clayton, Indiana, 9 miles north of the I-70 exit. The town was founded in 1829 as Clayville and named after Henry Clay, a Kentucky statesman. The population is close to 1,000 and is located 27 miles west of downtown Indianapolis. The town is known for its annual Fall Festival in September which features horse pulls, tractor pulls, a live band, kids’ games, food, and a parade. The town also sponsors the annual Triple F Ride in June, which is a non-profit bike rally, and Movies in the Park on Friday evenings. Fan 3 The Cadets have a nice fanbase that supports their hometown team. The pandemic has reduced the crowd side during our visit, but they’re a core group of fans. Access 3 The school is located north of both SR 40 and I-70 and is not hard to get to from Indianapolis. Visitors should look for the event center sign when arriving at the high school for the best access to the court. The sign for the Cadet Center is not for the high school gym, but for the middle school and auxiliary gyms. Once inside, the concourse is wide enough to move fans around to their seats quite easily. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket is $5, the food is inexpensive, and it is not too far from the big city. The curious little court is worth checking out if in the vicinity. It is one of the most unusual in the state. Extras 3 Cascade High School earns a point for having its basketball court in the center of the school and smacked down in a pit. It is not a separate building or room like many other gyms in Indiana. The gym earns a second point for the colors of Columbia blue and black that are highlighted on the center court. The final point is for the small concession stand way above the gym’s north end. Final Thoughts The home of the Cascade High School Cadets is the anti-gym but offers all of the features of a classic, sunken gymnasium. The views are great from all angles, the atmosphere is warm, and it is a fascinating example of high school hoops in the Hoosier state. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Carver-Hawkeye Arena 1 Elliot Dr Iowa City, IA 52242 Iowa Hawkeyes website Carver-Hawkeye Arena website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 15,400 Iowa Basketball at Carver-Hawkeye Built into the Iowa soil, Carver-Hawkeye Arena (CHA) houses the University of Iowa men’s basketball, women’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling. Open since 1983, one enters the arena on the ground floor and looks down to the court. The court is encased by seating all the way around, leading up to the large concourse. The arena is currently constructed to hold 15,056. CHA has hosted Big Ten and NCAA Wrestling championships, NCAA Women’s Tournament games, and also the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands are abundant. Coca-Cola products are served. Prices range from $5 for a regular to $6.50 for a souvenir. There are no alcoholic beverages served at this time, although other in-state venues have made the change to augment concession sales with beer. There are many choices when looking at food options and they fit the traditional arena food bill of fare: Hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, and popcorn. Wimmer’s hot dogs ($4.50) and bratwurst ($5.50) are proudly served. Nachos and cheese, are $6; a large Bavarian pretzel is $7. Popcorn is $6.50 for a regular but the family size (souvenir) is $12 and allows for one return fill-up trip. Easily found items, in addition, include tots, burgers, chicken tenders, and walking tacos. All are in the $6-$9 range. One item that is the biggest hit is the soft serve ice cream. Lines form early. A cone is $4, and a bowl $7. It is a CHA tradition and fans love their pre-game soft serve. Atmosphere 4 A benefit to bowl seating is the layout can be very convenient. This, and to good views as well proportional fan distribution. The fans cover the entire circle, with a small notch carved out for the band. The student section is noisy and is prompted by the band throughout the game. Fans can sense when the home team needs a boost on offense or defense and dial up the volume. There are moments when CHA can get quite loud. The fans can take that deafening roar to a dead silence when needed during a free throw. It is fun to hear it go from 100 to 0 decibels. Neighborhood 4 Plenty of pre and post-game opportunities within a short distance from CHA are available to choose from in the Iowa City and Coralville area. Starting with pizza options, Falbo Brothers downtown on Gilbert St. and Wig and Pen are excellent choices. The Fieldhouse and the Mill also are excellent options. Cedar Rapids is about 20 minutes to the north. It has been rebuilt since devastating floods a decade ago and is worth a visit. The National Czech and Slovak Museum and African American Museum are great cultural experiences. The Five Seasons Center downtown has been renamed the U.S. Cellular Center. This famed building has seen many basketball games in its own right and once housed a game coached by Billy Packer and McGuire in the is. Riverside, Iowa is about 15 miles to the south. It has a casino and a TopGolf suite. For those wanting a quirky time, visit the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek. Fans 4 Hawkeye fans do cheer when the team is doing well. Their passion can spill over to disdain when the team is not doing quite as well. They are passionate about the team. Knowledge is abundant as well and they have fun with the opponent fans in a lead or dialall-star80sgood-naturedhappy-go-lucky kind of way. The Iowa student section and the band are entertaining, even if they do not carry the notoriety of other fan bases in the Big Ten or even rival Iowa State. Wins are celebrated with a polka, “In Heaven, there is no beer.” Access 3 Access to CHA is different than access inside. CHA sits in an area of Iowa City that bottlenecks easily at times of heightened traffic. Although it is not as bad when 70,000 are exiting Kinnick Stadium , the throngs arriving or leaving can cause delays. The staff does yeoman work flowing traffic, but there is just not a large infrastructure in the neighborhood for the large masses. Within CHA, the concourses are wide and it is easy to get around even with the soft serve line. There is a wide assortment of handicapped access seats available. Bathrooms can get busy at peak times. Return on Investment 4 From parking across the street for $5, to tickets, concessions, programs, and souvenirs, CHA is an excellent bang for the buck. B1G basketball for $20-$35 on average is good stuff. The value is heightened with the bowl seating and excellent views throughout the arena. There is premium seating (Carver Terrace) available near the top of the bowl for the ultimate experience. Prices start at $200 a game for a table. Extras 5 May sound odd, but a pre-game handicap is the long lines for, must-see soft-serve ice cream. Get in on it early. Whether it is inside or outside, staff and security are plentiful and courteous. Traffic flows even after a largely attended game. The staff is full-on “Iowa Nice” and more than happy to assist with questions or finding a seat. Iowa traditional sports have had a fair amount of success over the years. There are banners, displays, and mentions of the accomplishments throughout. On-court activities for fans such as trying to get a hole-in-one, t-shirt toss, or shooting a half-court shot are fun fillers. The Iowa yearbook comes with a Poster front/Roster back. In addition, there are booths set up with free posters and schedules while supplies last for various athletic activities. Final Thoughts A trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena is an enjoyable experience. Reasonable pricing, fun for, and passionate fans make this a great spot to see a game. The Iowa City area is excellent with plenty of outside activities available for those looking for a full weekend.

Photos by Robbie Raskin, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Woodbine 555 Rexdale Blvd Etobicoke, ON M9W 5L2, Canada Queen’s Plate website Woodbine website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 42,000 A Royally Good Time One of the unique aspects of horse racing worldwide is that major racing nations have three important races that comprise their national ‘Triple Crowns’ of horse racing. Usually, the races are restricted to three-year-old throughbreds. In Canada, unlike in most other nations, each race of Triple Crown is run on a different surface; the Queen’s Plate on synthetic Tapeta, the Prince of Wales’ Stakes, run in Fort Erie, Ontario, on dirt, and the Breeder’s Stakes on turf. The Queen’s Plate, however, is the single most prestigious, and carries with it a massive sense of occasion as one of Toronto’s most prominent social events in the year. Held annually at Woodbine in Toronto, the Queen’s Plate is held as part of a two-day summer festival. Usually occurring during late June or early July, this year’s running took place over the Canada Day long weekend (28-29 June, 2019). Toronto’s socialites took a pause from their usual commute north to their cottages to spend the weekend seeing and being seen, as well as enjoying the oldest continuously-run horse race in North America. Inaugurated in 1860, the Queen’s Plate was first held at Toronto’s Carleton Race Course and moved around the province of Upper Canada (which became known as Ontario). It has flipped between being known as the Queen’s Plate and the King’s Plate, pending the current reigning monarch. Its $1 000 000 purse makes it a tremendously important race for breeders and jockeys, but it is also a massive betting occasion at the track and around the country. It is also a popular event for the royal family to attend, with Queen Elizabeth having last personally attended in 2010. The two-day festival features dozens of individual races, culminating in the running of the Queen’s Plate itself. The first day, usually Friday, is considered the pre-party, with an air of anticipation over the racecourse, while Saturday is the big day with all its pomp and circumstance. Woodbine itself is Canada’s premier horse racing destination and has been since it opened in 1956. It is also home to a large casino, and will soon be home to a major entertainment and residential precinct, now under construction. Open daily for much of the year (and with the casino open year round), the racecourse features a number of other notable races including the Canadian International Stakes, the Breeders’ Stakes, the Coronation Futurity, and many more. For horse racing fans or just those looking for a royally good time, a trip to Woodbine is surely in order next summer! Food & Beverage 5 Depending on from where you choose to enjoy the race, your food options go from good to superlative. Within the grandstand, there are a number of upscale restaurants and bars as well as typical concession booths. Starting with these, the Trackside Grill offers burgers, sausages, and chicken sandwiches from $5.25 for a basic hamburger and up. Prices are reasonable; a sausage and chips combo goes for $8.90. Various sides like onion rings, poutine, and chicken fingers are also good value. The Carvery offers roast beef, a diverse menu of salads including mango prawn and teriyaki salmon, and a surprisingly robust rotating menu of soups. Bowls of soup are $5.25 and there are a handful of options. While the hot weather of this year’s race didn’t warrant it, the beef brisket soup looked particularly appetising. Another option in this food court area is the Southern Fried Chicken stand, offering exactly what it sounds like. On top, Café Superior is a good spot for a latte and baked good or ice cream, if that’s in the offing. Pizza Pizza and Tim Horton’s, two Ontario standbys, offer affordable bites. Moving up a little, the Hoofbeats Lounge is near track level and is the place for grab-and-go hot items, with a dining room and track side patio. Inside the casino is the Willows Dining Room. It features both buffet and a la carte service and usually has a nightly special for casino-goers. It also features a slide-up noodle bar with quick and savoury soups and noodle bowls. For drinks, there are a number of bar counters as well as sit-down pub spaces within the Grandstand. The Finish Line Bar offers the best view. Each year, an official cocktail is also created for the race. There are stands throughout the Grandstand and track side selling premixed examples; this year was a sweet vodka-and-prosecco-based number named the Royal Blush. Getting classier, the Woodbine Club Dining Room is a rich, wood-panelled space known for its prime rib. It is a popular place for couples to share a bottle of wine overlooking the track. A lunch buffet is $45, while supper is $50. Finally, the pinnacle of dining within the Grandstand is the Club Lounge. Appointed sumptuously like a Victorian drawing room, this room is for members only and is as much a library, clubhouse, or sitting room as a dining room. It is, quite plainly, stunning, but you will have to know someone to get in. The list of choices continues on Queen’s Plate weekend, though, if you venture out of the Grandstand. There are dozens of spots in the various garden parties surrounding the track in which access can be purchased. Places like the G.H. Mumm Garden Social, the Hats and Horseshoes party are just a couple of ticketed areas with food, drink, and social events. Topping all these is the very exclusive White Party, held in a private clubhouse on the far side of the track. While the menu could be raved about for an entire article, some highlights include seafood charcuterie platters, multiple carving stations, constant parades of hors d’oeuvres, and of course an open bar. For most racegoers, though, the food court selections will be the go-to, and for the price, you can do extremely well there. No matter how much racegoers spend, no one should go hungry or thirsty at Woodbine. Atmosphere 4 Woodbine is currently undergoing something of a transformation from a racecourse and slots casino into a major entertainment neighbourhood. At least six towering cranes loom over one corner of the grounds, with plans in place for wholesale redevelopment of underutilised car parking and open fields on its periphery. For now, Woodbine is centred on its tall Grandstand, which is in some places showing its age, but is still very much capable of hosting any race. The Grandstand features alternating seating, bars, restaurants, and casino spaces. Walking along, one might pass two or three table games and slots salons, a bar or two, and access to both enclosed and outdoor seating areas. Throughout all of this are plenty of betting terminals and in-person betting desks. For Queen’s Plate weekend, the massive but exclusive Hats and Horseshoes party is set up around a walking ring with tents for food, drinks, betting, and live music. Well-known headliners play each night of the festival. Beside this garden atmosphere are the open paddocks, where fans can check out the behind-the-scenes of their favourite horses and, naturally, bet on them from within. Helpfully, within this area there is an onsite milliner who can provide fascinator hats for the ladies, as well as florists. The entire area is bedecked with flowers and greenery in a beautiful setting. The horses are paraded to and from the paddock surrounding races and offer a close interaction between spectators and the horse teams. Downstairs near the paddock is an extensive Hall of Fame, which is a great place to familiarise yourself with past winners of the historic races held at Woodbine. Outside is a statue of Northern Dancer, Canada’s most celebrated racehorse and the leading progenitor of thoroughbreds in the world today. His final race win, the 1964 Queen’s Plate remains one of Canadian horseracing’s greatest moments. The Grandstand is over seven stories high with sweeping views over the three tracks that comprise Woodbine. Innermost is a turf oval, followed by the slightly wider Tapeta (essentially synthetic dirt) upon which the Queen’s Plate race itself is run, and the outermost course is the E.P. Taylor turf course. Closest to the grandstand, it is similar to many British racecourses in that it is non-ovular, which is a departure from American horse racing courses. Along the west side, near the so-called clubhouse turn of the Taylor turf course, the clubhouse hosts the White Party. As the most exclusive of all the parties within the festival weekend, this event includes live bands, multiple open bars, sprawling buffets, and a close-up view to the middle Tapeta track and interior turf oval. Access to this event is provided by shuttle from a private parking lot. In the interior of the racecourse is the beautiful park-like setting of water features and gardens, as well as a bright and modern video board. There is also the Winners’ Circle, sponsored by champagne brand G.H. Mumm. Back to the Grandstand, we find the most notable feature of the facility; its Royal Box. Bedecked on Queen’s Plate day with flowers and coats of arms, the Royal Box is where members of the Canadian royal family (the same as Britain’s) and their Canadian representatives take in the race. Usually around 3pm on race day, a grand ceremony featuring pipe bands, military parade, and gorgeous horse-drawn chariots will deliver the royal delegation along the red carpet to their box. With all the pomp and circumstance of this weekend, it can sometimes seem that a few areas of the Grandstand are not quite on the same level. By no means is the facility becoming dilapidated, but surrounded by the flowers, chariots, and beautifully-attired people, the standard décor can be almost incongruous on this weekend. Neighbourhood 2 Woodbine isn’t in the city centre, as few racecourses are anywhere. It is, instead, out by the airport in the northwest corner of Toronto. That’s not to say there aren’t good options for food and drink nearby, but it isn’t as though fans stroll from the grandstand into a mecca of options. This is changing, however, as Woodbine is redeveloping itself into a major hub of theatre, sport, racing, gaming, and living. Construction is well-underway and the area surrounding the tracks, now sparse, will soon be a major destination for all. In the meantime, if you do wish to eat outside the grounds, Al-Meezan Spicy Grill is across the road and serves Middle Eastern, while Sweet Mahal offers Indian desserts. Around the corner on Islington Avenue is Chubby’s Fish and Chips, and old standby with a very good poutine. Fans 5 The Queen’s Plate is where Toronto’s high society come out to start their summer social season. This means thousands of men in suits and vests and women competing to outdo one another with spectacular fascinator hats and dresses. Attendance has always been strong and sellouts are the norm on this weekend. Access 3 Expect this score to rise as Woodbine’s redevelopment progresses and a planned new train station opens on the Kitchener train line. In the meantime, the best public transportation choice is the 37A bus from Islington subway station direct to Woodbine’s front door. Various other buses from Toronto and surrounding suburbs stop outside the main gates, while the nearest train station, Etobicoke North, is about two kilometres away and connected by various buses. From certain suburbs, a shuttle bus makes getting there easy. The ride is $10, cash only, and departures are from Scarborough, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Thornhill. This shuttle includes free wifi and a washroom onboard. Tickets can be booked online at casinowoodbine.com/shuttle or can be obtained on a walk-up basis Car is still the most popular means of access on race weekend, with free parking, or valet for $35. The racecourse is located along Highway 427, though traffic backups on race day can occur, and parking can be a struggle if you don’t arrive early. Return on Investment 5 For a full day of racing, entertainment, and a true scene, tickets start at an extremely reasonable $15 for the Friday general admission. Costs rise as you get into the big Saturday, and access to the Grandstand itself begins at $43 for the Friday. On the Saturday, expect to pay closer to $100 for those same seats. Premium tickets and tickets for the exclusive parties, on the other hand, can run many hundreds of dollars or more. With free parking, though, and good deals to be had on food, the day out can leave fans with plenty of money left over for betting and hat-shopping. Extras 4 An extra point is needed for the fact the Queen’s Plate is much more than the race. Even including the eighteen or more prestigious other races associated with the event (such as the King Edward Stakes), the day includes pageantry, fashion, dining, parties, and the chance to glimpse royalty. A bonus for the prominent support of breast cancer charities, supported by ticket sales and donations throughout the event. A bonus for the introduction of very good mobile apps for betting. Woodbine and its sister tracks have launched hpibet.com which means fans can bet without ever leaving their seat. A final bonus for the redevelopment of Woodbine, which is ambitious and will transform the ground magnificently. Final Thoughts The Queen’s Plate is so much more than just a horse race. It brings a level of pageantry rarely seen at any event and is one of the premier social events in Canada. Often graced by royalty, access is still easily attainable for affordable sums. An integral part of summer and the longest-running horse race on the continent, the Queen’s Plate is a royally good time!

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 CCBC Baseball Field 7200 Sollers Point Rd Baltimore, MD 21222 CCBC Dundalk Lions website CCBC Dundalk Baseball Field website Year Opened: n/a Capacity: 250 Lions At The Field One of the largest colleges in Maryland is largely unknown outside of the Baltimore area. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has an annual enrollment of greater than 72,000 students. Created in the 1990s by a merger of Essex Community College, Dundalk Community College, and Catonsville Community, the new college kept each of those three main campuses, along with a bevy of extension campuses around the suburban Baltimore area. The three colleges shared a common board of trustees for years, but operated independently. Essex, Dundalk, and Catonsville have each kept their own distinct athletic identity. CCBC Dundalk began in 1970. The school mascot is the Lions and they play three sports total. Dundalk won the NJCAA Division II national championship for basketball in 2000. They are a member of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference, The Baseball Field is located next to the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center, which is pretty much the middle of the campus. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food options at or near the baseball field. You are free to bring your own food. Atmosphere 2 There is not much else in terms of atmosphere as it is a JUCO-level baseball game. The team does have a PA announcer and plays walkup music for players. There are two small bleachers and two garden areas for seating around the main part of the field. There is a tiny chain link and no netting, so be aware of flying balls as this field is mainly unprotected. Neighborhood 3 CCBC Dundalk is a suburban community college with its main neighbor being the Dundalk High School and Sollers Point Technical High School. One of my favorite places to eat in the area is Squire's Italian Restaurant, which has a large menu of offerings. Their pizza is well-known in the area. Fans 2 The attendees at most games are family members or other athletes. There may be a few local residents who attend the games. The fans are knowledgeable and friendly to visitors. Access 4 CCBC Dundalk is located not far off of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) via Merritt Boulevard. Please note that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was part of I-695, could make getting to the field from the south a little more difficult. You will need to use one of the Baltimore tunnels instead. There is plenty of free parking on the campus. If classes are in session you may expect to park a bit further away from campus. Be careful parking right by the field, as the lot right by the field would seem to be a magnet for foul balls. Return on Investment 5 The games are free to attend. That, along with the free parking, means that you can attend a good-level JUCO program at no cost. . Extras 2 If you go inside the Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center, there are a few plaques around the that honor student-athletes from Dundalk's years past. Walk around campus and see the solar panels that have been added to many parking areas on campus. All of the CCBC campuses have added these and expect to get more than a quarter of their electricity from solar. This 5.1-megawatt project is expected to generate 6.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and joins the 16.1-megawatt array at Mount St. Mary’s University in an effort by local colleges to expand solar usage. Final Thoughts The CCBC Dundalk Baseball Field is a basic pleasant baseball field located in a nice setting. Although nothing fancy, it is a nice little stop for a baseball fan traveling around the Baltimore area.

Photos by Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Stade Saputo 4750 Rue Sherbrooke Est Montreal, QC H1V 1A1 Canada CF Montreal website Stade Saputo website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 20,801 Making an Impact in Montreal Montreal, Quebec was well prepared for a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise when the Impact joined in 2012. Owners Saputo, Inc. completed phase one of Stade Saputo in 2008 in anticipation of an expansion MLS team. In the meantime, the Montreal Impact of the North American Soccer League (NASL) called the then 13,000 seat stadium home. The stadium is located in Parc Olympique, seven miles northeast of downtown. Capacity expanded to 20,801 once the announcement of an MLS club became official in 2010. The organization has celebrated momentary successes in their brief history. Though they haven’t won an MLS championship, the Impact did win back-to-back Canadian championships in 2013 & 2014, reaching the CONCACAF Finals in the latter year. Prior to the 2017 season opener, the Impact announced a five-year plan of renovations to improve fan experience by enhancing the concourses, upgrading concession options, and encouraging fan engagement with the game of soccer. Food & Beverage 4 Location and design of concession stands are both convenient and practical. There are numerous stands throughout three sides of the stadium, each with plenty of staff to minimize your wait time. Menus appear on easy-to-read LCD screens, and are written in both French and English. Stade Saputo offers a wide range of traditional and unique food items at “reasonable” stadium food prices, reducing a fan’s likelihood to grab a bite before entering the stadium. Pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and popcorn are all readily available at every stand. In addition, each stand appears to have a few unique items such as poutine or a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, a local favorite! Pepsi and Budweiser products are available for quenching your thirst. If eating your pizza while drinking a beer seems overwhelming at your seat, consider visiting the lounge above section 111. Here you can spread out and enjoy a conversation with a friend while not missing a moment on the pitch. If the lounge is too far, standing tables are plentiful on the concourse. Atmosphere 4 Stade Saputo keeps fans close to the action no matter where you enjoy the game. The facility consists of a single-bowl of over 20 rows of seats, with openings on two corners. A canopy overhangs the upper rows on all sides of the stadium for rain protection while providing the added element of amplifying crowd noise. Two large video replay boards on either end of the field ensure you don’t miss an important highlight. Look for the Impact’s K-9 mascot “Tac-Tik” roaming the concourse for photo opportunities. The three-sided bleachers are built in aluminum, creating a thunderous roar whenever fans stomp their feet in unison. The fresh air and bright summer sun can feel good while watching the game, but can be a nuisance as it’s in your line of sight for the first half of a seven-o’clock game. Seats are comfortable, made of a contoured plastic molding with back support. Hecklers will be happy to know the first row is a mere couple of feet from the end/sideline. Dedicated handicapped sections are located at the front rows of sections 118 and 130. An usher helps operate a lift for physically disabled patrons to aid in accessing their seats. Sections 116-119 are known as “Saputo Family Corner.” A jungle gym, soccer play pen, and other small activities for children are located at the top of these sections, providing an area for kids to burn energy while parents can keep an eye on the game. The North Grandstand or “President’s Grandstand” (which oddly enough is on the west side of the stadium), is built out of concrete on the side of a berm. Because of the hill and locker rooms located underneath, the concourse cuts in front of these stands, leaving the viewer slightly further away from the action. Only authorized personnel and patrons with corresponding tickets can access this section of the stadium (Sections 101-111). Player benches are located in front of this grandstand but are recessed into the field, avoiding viewing obstruction. With Olympic Stadium’s tower looming behind the bleachers, the true north seating area provides the most scenic seating location. At night, the tower is lit up blue in support of the Impact. Avoid seating within the first 5-6 rows, especially aisle seats. You risk having to view the match through a safety railing. Plus, fellow fans will be walking up and down the aisles all game. Neighborhood 2 The world focused in at Parc Olympique during the 1976 Olympics games. After the Olympic flame was extinguished, Olympic Stadium continued to host Major League Baseball games and Canadian Football League games for decades. Unfortunately the “Big O” lost two major tenants when MLB’s Expos moved to Washington D.C., and the CFL’s Alouettes travelled across the city to McGill University . Soccer revived the sporting scene in the area with construction of Stade Saputo. If you buy a ticket for an early season match, you’ll likely see the game at the “Big O” due to cold weather. Remnants of the Olympic games are still prevalent today. The old Velodrome is now a Biodome, equipped with four ecosystems to explore. Ride the tram up to the top of the Olympic Stadium tower for an impressive “birds eye” view of Montreal. Botanical gardens and large residential neighbourhoods surround the Parc, with minimal retail nearby. Though theatres and the Biodome are located close by, restaurants outside Stade Saputo are a missing piece to an otherwise great fan experience. Sports bars or any other fan interaction is a great way to introduce or conclude your time at the game. Currently, your first and last event interaction is with security guards. If you make your way downtown, visit the the old Montreal Forum, where the Canadiens called home from 1924 until 1996. Architects used an adaptive reuse strategy to transform the interior from a hockey rink to an entertainment center while still honouring the history. The venue is equipped with a movie theatre, bowling alley, bar, and a neat memorabilia store filled with old pictures and mementos from the Forum. They creatively marked where centre ice used to be, and placed a number of old seats around the face-off circle to mimic the old risers. This is a must see for any sport history enthusiast. Fans 4 The Impact have garnered a devoted following since their expansion year in 2012. The obvious natural love of soccer in the city, along with the unique fan experience acquired at an Impact game, keep energized fans coming back game after game. The bilingual public announcer encourages crowd participation as he announces each player’s number and first name, while the enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans yell the last name in unison. The two most boisterous group supporters sit in two general admission sections. The “UM02” stand, chant, and stomp loudly close to field level at sections 131-132. While the “1642 MTL” provide similar exuberance in sections 114-115, while also ringing the cast iron bell in celebration of a goal or victory. The Impact have averaged over 20,000 fans for four of their seven seasons, ranking near the top in attendance for those years. Access 3 Commuting to Stade Staputo can be complicated for a first time visitor. The stadium is setback a ways from the street and built within a hill. It would be easy to walk past the stadium without realizing it’s there with numerous mature trees lining the street. Leave plenty of time if you plan to drive to the game, as Montreal traffic is notoriously slow. From downtown, take Rue Sherbooke East (Route 138). More than 4,000 weather protected parking spots are available for $20, offering a 5-10 minute walk to the stadium. If you’re not within walking or biking distance, it’s highly recommended to take Société de transport de Montréal. Two Green Line subway stations are located a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. VIAU station provides the shortest trek, but PIE-IX allows you to admire Olympic Stadium, host of the 1976 Summer Olympics. A one-way ticket is $3.25, or it costs $10 for a 24-hour day pass if you plan to see more of the city the next day. Biking is also a popular way for fans to commute. A protected bike lane runs along Rue Sherbrooke East with bike parking located just uphill from an entrance. A direct path leads you from the Olympic Stadium’s tower to the main entrance of Stade Saputo. The entrance is flanked with the ticket office to the left and merchandise store to the right. Other entrances are located on the southeast and northwest corners. Tailgaters commonly enjoy a bbq in the parking lot just outside the southeast entrance. Concourses are directly beneath the grandstands providing fluid circulation throughout the event. Steel column supports divide the concourse into three distinct sections. The innermost area houses concession stands, lineups, and circulation. The middle area is cleverly designed for interactive activities, while the outer shell allows wider circulation areas, standing tables, and restrooms. Section numbers are labelled above your head at each portal. Be prepared to hear a loud thunderous sound during the game as fans stomp their feet with anticipation of a goal. Return on Investment 5 Single game tickets start at $35 for general admission, located behind each goal, and $39 to $95 for a paid seat. Discounts are available for a five and ten game pack, or if you bring a group to a single game. Impact games provide a wonderful experience for a wide range of ticket purchasers. Enjoy a beer with your friends at the lounge while not missing a moment of action. Kids will enjoy all the interactive activity on the concourse when their short attention spans begin to wander. You and your family can play video games, challenge a foosball match, practice drumming on a bongo, get your face painted, be a virtual reality goalie, or get your picture photoshopped with a unique soccer players hairdo. Extras 4 Numerous family geared activities are supplied with dedicated space allowing kids to practice that game winning kick. Even after the game, a DJ jams dance music to the delight of any kid who still has energy left. The “1642 MTL” group contributing a cast iron bell to create a new team ritual is worth an extra mention. The “Honour Wall” behind section 126 recognizing individual and team achievements promotes the team even more. Finally, the finishes throughout the concourse are worthy. Simply painting the structural steel blue and white with blue LED lighting creates a space you want to spend time in. ​Final Thoughts Whether you’re a fair weather fan or a die-hard soccer supporter, Stade Saputo has activities and attractions above and beyond a typical soccer stadium. This review was written in the second year of the stadium’s five-year plan to improve fan experience. It’s intriguing to know what further enhancements will be made, when witnessing a match at Stade Saputo is already top tier.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 London Stadium Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London E20 2ST, UK West Ham United website London Stadium website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 60,000 Up the Hammers! London Stadium is the new home of Premier League club West Ham United. After 112 years the club moved away from their old ground Upton Park. The stadium is located in Stratford, a district of the London Borough of Newham in East London, England. The club has called its grounds home since 2016. The construction of this ground officially began on May 22nd in 2008 as the stadium began construction for the 2012 Olympic Games. At the Games there were 80,000 seats available in the stadium, making it the third largest stadium in the United Kingdom. After the Games, the ground was known as the Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It took the stadium a couple of years to find a new tenant, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient (all London based clubs) were possible candidates to move to the former Olympic Stadium. On March 22nd, 2013 it was announced that West Ham United would be the new tenant and would play their matches here from the start of the 2016-17 season. Over the last two years the stadium was rebuilt to make it look like a decent football stadium. The running track was removed and the stands in the lower tier were brought closer to the pitch. Unfortunately the architects failed as the distance from the action is too far away. This summer the stadium was renamed once again to London Stadium. Nowadays the stadium has a capacity of 60,000 seats for West Ham matches. The first match to be played by West Ham United in the new stadium was against NK Domzale (Europa League) on August 4th, 2016. The official opening of the London Stadium was on August 7th, 2016 when West Ham United played against Italian giants Juventus. Before kickoff there was a fitting opening ceremony of the London Stadium with a 30 minute show. The ceremony was highlighted by the opening of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand and the Bobby Moore Stand (both important West Ham United players from the past). Food & Beverage 4 There is quite a bit of variety of food options at London Stadium that breaks up the opinion about match day food. The variety is much more that pies and a pint of ale and include chicken dippers, street food, and sweet treats. The podium and inner podium level serve a selection of these items where fans can pick and choose from on matchday. According to the Hammers website supporters can choose from a wide selection of food and beverages from hot food, such as pies and burgers, to sandwiches, wraps and salads. Hot drinks include, coffee, tea, Bovril and hot chocolate with a variety of cold soft drinks also available for purchase. The grounds also offers 20 bar kiosks, serving a range of alcoholic beverages including real ale, wines, cider and premium beer. Nine real ale bars around the concourse serve traditional ales sourced by our brewery, including Iron Ale and Boleyn Bitter. There are also meal deals that include ‘a pie and a pint’ for £8.50 and ‘nachos and a soft drink’ for £7.30. The grill kiosks feature burgers, chicken wraps and award-winning Wicks Manor Sausages. The options continue with street food, including stir-fries, burritos and carved meat sandwiches. The hot dog kiosks serve smoked beechwood German imported hot dogs. All kiosks inside the stadium accept cash, debit/credit cards along with Apple pay. Atmosphere 3 The London Stadium looks very impressive from the outside. When walking towards it, you see its greatness. The name West Ham United in large letters on the roof is clearly visible from far away. Whilst inside the ground, the London Stadium looks impressive as well. The stadium has a 90 percent white seating bowl, with the other 10 percent in claret and blue (the West Ham United club colours). When you take a closer look, you will see that the 1st tier consists of temporary stands only. This tier is built on top of the former 1st tier of the Olympic Stadium. As the London Stadium will be used occasionally as an athletics stadium this situation remains permanently. By choosing this option fans are really too far away from the pitch. This is not what you expect when you visit an English football stadium. Due to the large roof, the acoustics inside the ground are very good. Neighbourhood 2 The ground is located at the former Olympic Park. There is not much to do in the close neighbourhood of the London Stadium. There are a number of eating places and restaurants within the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre and some of the serve alcohol. Near Hackney Wick station are two bars (the Crate and the Howling Hops). In the centre of Stratford itself are a few pubs as well but these are located further away from the ground. This is something which definitely has to be developed at the former Olympic Park area in the near future. Fans 5 Just like the club, the West Ham United fans are nicknamed Hammers. West Ham United has a large fan base which makes it a tradition football club. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. The Hammers refer to the history of the club and there are also a couple of irons/hammers visible in the crest of the club. Most of the fans when attending a match are dressed in a claret and blue home shirt. The most fanatic Hammers fans are located in the Bobby Moore Stand and are very vocal during the home matches. Access 4 The London Stadium is designated as a ‘public transport destination,’ so it is better that you don’t go by car to the stadium. There are few parking spaces available at the ground, but they are all reserved. Most of the street parking in the area is for residents only. In the nearby area of the London Stadium are three railway stations (Hackney Wick, Stratford and Stratford International) which are all around 10 to 15 minute walk from the ground. The Stratford Station is the main station in the area and has an underground connection both on the Jubilee and Central metro lines. This station is situated next to the huge Westfield Shopping Centre. Return on Investment 4 The prices for food and drinks are above average, tickets for a Premier League home match are rather expensive and will be difficult to get. Category C tickets for adults are £25-£40, Categrory B pricing is £30-£60, and Category A is £50-£75. Depending on how much you want to pay the Hammers give you more than a fare option of ticket prices. Extras 3 You can book a stadium tour and visit the Hammers’ iconic new home. You can take a look behind the scenes at the club’s new London Stadium. With a self-guided interactive tour guide to lead the way, you can see for yourself how the home of the London 2012 Olympic Games became the impressive new home of West Ham United. Tickets are with GBP 17 (when booked in advance) rather expensive, if you pay on the day a tour will cost GBP 19 per adult. West Ham United has a large club store on the perimeter of the ground where fans can purchase the widest range of Hammers-related clothing, merchandise and accessories. Final Thoughts When you visit the great city of London and have some spare time left, then it’s surely an option to visit an English football match. There are 13 clubs in the London area playing league football. To be honest I would choose another stadium to visit than the London Stadium. English stadiums should have stands which are steep and close to the pitch. Unfortunately the London Stadium has neither, but nevertheless the club and its fans are great.

Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Buccaneer Arena 7201 Hickman Rd Urbandale, IA 50322 Des Moines Buccaneers website Buccaneer Arena website Year Opened: 1961 Capacity: 3,461 The Madhouse on Hickman Formerly called Des Moines Ice Arena and Metro Ice Sports Arena, Buccaneer Arena is home to the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Known as “the madhouse on Hickman,” the arena formerly housed the Des Moines Oak Leafs/Des Moines Capitols from 1961-1975. The arena has been home to the Buccaneers since 1980. Food & Beverage 3 While there is nothing flashy, the food choices are plentiful for a smaller arena. Pork tenderloin sandwiches, pulled pork, chicken sandwiches from Chick-Fil-A, hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken strips are all available for $5-7 (a few dollars more for a basket w/fries). Pizza, mozzarella sticks, nachos, pretzels and other snacks are also available. Pepsi products, water, and Gatorade are available throughout the arena for $3.25 a bottle. Budweiser, Coors, and Miller products (tallboys or draft) are around $8. Drinks are also available in the enclosed Blackbeard’s Lounge, located on the south side of the arena. Blackbeard’s gives you a great view of the game while being away from the noise of the crowd and the music. Atmosphere 4 The building is about 50 years old and small. That takes nothing away from the experience, in fact, it adds to it. The scoreboard hangs above the middle of the ice and is easily seen from anywhere in the arena. The seats are primarily all wooden benches, but chair backs are available at ice level. Winger, the mascot, makes his way around the arena interacting with fans and taking pictures when asked. The Ice Girls give away shirts and other items throughout the game. There are no bad seats, but bring a cushion for the benches if you can. If you want to sit behind the benches, get your tickets on the west side. Penalty boxes are on the east side. The music is loud as is the organ, which sounds with every Buccaneer goal. The only drawback is the sound system, which badly needs an upgrade. During promotions, it is hard to understand what is being said and the music that plays is blaring and sounds very distorted. Neighborhood 2 Buccaneer Arena is located amongst both residential and retail areas. It is in a safe area but, unfortunately, there is nothing in close proximity to the arena that is notable for visitors. There are a plethora of restaurants about a mile west near Hickman and 86th St. Among your options are: Sam and Louie’s Pizza, Taki Japanese Steakhouse, and Tasty Tacos, a Des Moines area favorite. There is also the usual selection of fast food in the area. Fans 4 The fans are knowledgeable and very into the game. They know their players and are active throughout. Chants begin with the introduction of the teams and extended celebrations, with flag waving fans, occur with every goal scored by the Buccaneers. Fans of the visiting team were subjected to some good-natured fun but nothing that would be considered in bad taste. Access 2 The arena is in Urbandale, west of Des Moines. It is not the easiest place to get to but there are two Interstates (35/80 and 235) that you can access it from and the city does a decent job of having signs posted that keep you on the right track. Parking in the arena parking lot is available for $5. Directly across the side street (73rd St.) is a strip mall with an enormous parking lot and parking there is free. 73rd St. is not a very busy road so it is easy to safely cross and worth saving the $5. Buccaneer Arena has reasonably sized concourses although you do get fans jammed up where they have tables for special events, fundraisers, etc. You will experience lines in the restrooms between periods, especially on the east side where there are more concessions. A warning to the men over six feet tall who use the restroom there – WATCH YOUR HEAD! The restrooms are under the seats and it is very easy to bang your head into concrete if you are not paying attention. Handicap accessibility is acceptable. Those in wheelchairs appeared to all be able to watch the game from ice level. It can be difficult maneuvering through the concourses but fans were very conscious of giving people enough room to get by. Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $9-$21 depending on where you sit. There aren’t any bad seats or obstructed views in the arena. The concessions and restrooms are easily accessible from the seats and during play, you can get your food/drink and get back to your seats very quickly. Combine reasonable ticket prices with the ability for free parking and reasonable food prices and you get a good bang for your buck. Extras 3 When bringing children, call ahead and your child may be able to ride on the zamboni between periods. This opportunity is on a first come, first served basis. You can see the banners of all the teams that played in the arena, which are displayed on the north and south sides. If you like beer, there are many 2-for-1 nights throughout the season. Final Thoughts Buccaneer Arena has some issues. It isn’t easily accessible and they could use more restrooms made with taller people in mind. It doesn’t matter. The arena is a great place to watch a hockey game. The dated building adds to the charm and the fans also make the experience very enjoyable. If you find yourself in the Des Moines area during the season, make a special trip to “the madhouse on Hickman.” It’s well worth the trip.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Danville Stadium 610 Highland Blvd Danville, IL 61832 Danville Dans website Danville Stadium website Year Opened: 1946 Capacity: 4,000 A Hidden Gem in Danville They do not build them like this anymore and they never will, not by any stretch of the imagination will someone construct a facility like Danville Stadium. It is a place that was constructed on a whim after Brooklyn Dodger GM Branch Rickey passed through town on his way to Decatur, Illinois to place a farm team shortly after World War II. After a few drinks and heavy conversation, Rickey was convinced by a few local people to place a team in town. Rickey agreed based on the stipulation that a ballpark would be built for the following season. The very next season Danville Stadium was constructed at the cost of $71,000 and 67-years later, the Danville Dans of the Prospect League enter their 26th season of operation. The stadium was home to the Danville Dodgers/Dans from 1946-1954 and then the Danville Warriors/Suns from 1970-1976, and the Dodgers once again for the 1982 season. On June 20, 1947, Gil Hodges, Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, and Pee Wee Reese came to Danville Stadium to play for their minor league affiliate. The current Dans debuted in 1989, known as the Highlanders during the first season, as a collegiate summer team in the Central Illinois College League. A couple of years later the ballpark was used for the motion picture “The Babe.” The Dans moved to the Prospect League in 2008 and have been a mainstay in town producing nine championships. Food & Beverage 3 The majority of the food is prepared and served underneath the grandstands at “The Varsity” which has an eclectic selection of hot dogs and sandwiches. There are six styles from the regular Bleacher Bum Dog, the Chi-Town Dog, the Chili Dog and the Junk Yard Dog that features chili, cheese, pickle spears, cucumbers and my vote for all-time best hot dog topping, giardiniera. If you want something else, there are Italian beef and pulled pork sandwiches and Polish and Italian sausages. There is also popcorn, nachos, pretzels, peanuts, pop, and beer in this area along with tables to enjoy your food before you return to your seats. The Dans step it up a notch with grilled brats, ribs, and steak sandwiches on certain dates in the right field picnic area. The steak sandwich is a bargain for $6 and with grilled peppers on top, it might make this the best deal for a piece of steak anywhere in the country. Try paying less at another ballpark or restaurant. You may have to travel to Buenos Aires to find a better deal for steak. Atmosphere 4 There is a lot of history dripping throughout the wooden beams and bleachers of Danville Stadium. Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, and Pee Wee Reese made appearances here. Cecil Cooper, Dave Stewart, Darrell Porter, Pedro Guerrero and Jonathan Papelbon have all donned Danville uniforms. There is only one small entrance into the ballpark where workers greet you and rip your tickets in half, just like the way they did it before scanners took over at ballparks. Once inside, one has to marvel at the wooden covered grandstand that is supported by thick wooden beams and features dusty wooden seats. There are strange, but wonderfully effective, trash removal chutes, and interns collecting 50/50 raffles throughout the contest that gives the place a sense of nostalgia. A picnic area is situated at the end of the third baseline and a set of theater style seats are located behind each dugout, in between these seats is a dirt area that might have been home to more box seating at one time in the stadium. There have been improvements that include a 36′ full digital color message/scoreboard from Watchfire Signs; the state of the art scoreboard was donated by a former member of the board at Danville Stadium. It adds a little touch of modern comfort to the old ballpark. Neighborhood 2 Danville Stadium is a few yards north of I-74 and situated a few miles from downtown Danville. If you happen to get into town a few hours before the game check out Gross’s Burger a few miles south of the ballpark. It is a local institution and offers flat grill burgers with various toppings for super low prices along with thick milkshakes. The Moon Glo is another favorite spot that has been family owned since 1962 offering tenderloin sandwiches, steak dinners, and other pub food. According to its website, Royal Donut has been serving award winning coffee paired with an awesome variety of donuts, pastries, and muffins since 1973. The Little Nugget Steakhouse on 6 South Henning Rd lets customers cook their steaks on a community grill. Yes, sir, I will have that piece of raw meat, sprinkle a little Montreal seasoning and cook it medium well for a few minutes. I admit the last time I did this was with an ex-girlfriend in college almost 13 years ago, but after making a brief appearance on my trip, the place still has wonderful thick steaks and a few other items for the non-beef eater. If you have an extra day or two, trek west about 20 minutes to the University of Illinois in Champaign, which has a beautiful campus and livelier downtown scene. Danville is also an hour away from two other Prospect League cities of Terre Haute and Lafayette , Indiana with a few more league cities a bit further in Springfield and Normal, Illinois. Fans 4 Danville fans are savvy and enjoy coming to the ballpark to watch the game; they aren’t easily lead to the stadium for clearly promotions or other gimmicks. The Dans have attracted around 1,600 fans per game the last few seasons that usually place them number two in the league behind Chillicothe. A nice number for the ballclub that pulls in a fan base from nearby division foes in Terre Haute and Lafayette, Indiana. Access 5 Once again I find myself in a rather small city without a sign from the interstate. The field is two-tenths of a mile north off exit 215 B on I-74, but there is not a sign until you are within view of the old wooden ballpark. There is free parking and getting in and out, and back onto the interstate is very easy. When this ballpark was constructed, perhaps someone had the foresight that it would be near the interstate, because it is in a perfect location for one to make a quick stop or take in nine innings worth of action. Return on Investment 5 All adult tickets are $6, children (6-8) are $3, and 5 and under are free of charge. Tuesday night is $2 Buck Tuesday including $2 admission, hot dogs, Pepsi products and one brand of beer. There is no charge for parking at the stadium and regular prices are reasonable for concession items. The aspect of watching baseball in a well-maintained historic ballpark also adds value to the price of admission. Extras 3 Danville Stadium receives a point for $2 Buck Tuesdays that includes $2 admission, hot dogs, Pepsi products and one brand of beer. Danville Stadium receives the second point for managing partners of the team, Jeanie Cooke and Rick Kurth do not take in a salary for operating the baseball team and have other careers. There are many of us who would love to take on the responsibility of running a baseball team and having a ballpark as your second home and Cooke and Kurth do it with style and class. Danville Stadium receives a final point for its historic nature and memorabilia that is featured in a small room that illustrates the players, the teams, and legacy of the ballpark. Final Thoughts At one time, Danville Stadium was slated for the wrecking ball and left to rot after the Milwaukee Brewers relocated their Single-A team after the 1982 season. True, baseball would have moved away from Danville, but aren’t we somewhat better for having baseball played at Danville Stadium and other buildings of its kind? It is good to know that there are still old-school parks left to watch baseball at these days.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Knott ARCC Pool 16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers website Knott ARCC Pool website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 200 (estimated) Water Polo on the Mount Located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in the Catoctin Mountains, Mount St. Mary's University is the second-oldest Catholic college in the United States. The school's athletic teams, known as the Mountaineers or simply The Mount, compete at the PNC Sports Complex across Route 15 from the main campus. In addition to fields for the baseball , softball , lacrosse , and soccer teams, the Complex is home to the Knott Athletic Recreation Convocation Complex, or ARCC for short. The ARCC contains Knott Arena , home to the Mount's basketball teams, as well as a swimming pool that is home to the water polo and swimming and diving teams. This review will focus on the experience at a Mountaineers water polo game. Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession stand at the Knott ARCC pool. There is a concession stand upstairs that serves the basketball arena, but it is not in use during water polo matches. There are vending machines in the lower-level lobby where you come in that sell snacks and drinks, payable by cash or credit card. However, since the bleachers at a water polo match are on the pool deck, fans are discouraged from bringing food in, especially anything messy. Beverages are fine to bring in. You can stand outside the doors to the pool and watch through the glass window if you need to eat something. However, since a typical water polo match is only 45 minutes to an hour in length, if you eat before the match, you should be able to last until the end without food. Atmosphere 3 The Knott ARCC Pool is located on the lower level of the ARCC Complex. Once you enter the pool area, you will probably want to turn right and walk behind the rope, and sit on the bleachers there. Some bleachers are located on the end of the pool, but these are generally used for team staff and equipment. There are only a couple of rows of bleachers, and the back row allows fans to lean against the wall. The bleachers typically come close to filling up as they are quite small, and there is little room to stand. You should be able to find a seat somewhere, but it may be cramped. A scoreboard is located on the right side of the pool, although it is unlabeled, so you have to figure out what everything means. The first line, the clock, shows the time left in the quarter. The next line, a single number in red, shows the Mountaineers' score, or if it is a neutral-site contest, which often happens in water polo, the score of the designated home team. This is followed by a line indicating the period and, the time of the shot clock and the score of the designated visiting team, with the latter in yellow. It is confusing, but fans can figure it out rather quickly. Due to the low ceilings and tight walls, it can get incredibly loud in the pool. After Mount goals or big saves by their goalie, players and fans alike shout, and the yells echo off the walls and ceilings, causing the decibel level to go way up. The PA system is capable of playing music before the match, but no announcements were heard during the game when we went, including player introductions. Even when they played the national anthem, someone had to shout to tell fans to stand before it played. Because the stands are right on the pool deck, your view will sometimes be obstructed by the referee as they walk along the sideline. You can try to look around them, but this is going to happen no matter where you sit, and there is not much you can do about it since the referee needs to be there to do their job. Neighborhood 2 Emmitsburg is a small town in Maryland just south of the Pennsylvania border, and there is nothing within walking distance of campus. If you make the short drive into town, you will find a few places to eat and stay, as well as some interesting sites such as the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and various Catholic shrines. Thurmont is a short drive away, about 10 minutes south on Route 15, and offers more options than Emmitsburg itself. However, this is a very rural area, and while it’s scenic, there isn’t a whole lot to do here. Fans 4 Although the bleachers at the Knott ARCC Pool are quite small, Mount St. Mary's does typically fill them up or close to it. The fans cheer loudly after goals or big saves by The Mount, and as mentioned above, it gets quite loud in here due to the acoustics. Many, though not all, of the people in attendance are friends and family of the players. When the Mountaineers play a school from the Baltimore-Washington area, such as Johns Hopkins or George Washington, expect there to be some fans of the other team who make the trip up to Emmitsburg as well. Access 3 The PNC Sports Complex, including the not Knott ARCC, is located right off US Route 15, and signs are directing you to gameday parking once you get there. Some lots are paved, while others are gravel. From there, you will walk to the lower doors of Knott Arena to enter the lobby. These are the doors across from the baseball and softball fields and are not the upper doors used for basketball. There are a few spaces directly outside the entrance that are marked reserved, but they are only reserved on weekdays. If visiting on a weekend, you should be fine to park here, although there are only a few spaces, and they do fill up. There is more than enough parking in the other lots, so you should easily be able to find a space there. Once inside, it is not signed where the pool is. You will need to turn left down a hallway, and then the pool entrance will be up ahead on your left through a glass door. Navigating the bleachers can be a challenge, as you may need to climb over people to get to and from your seat. Additionally, there is not much room to get by between the bleachers and the rope separating them from the pool, and even then, people in the front row may have to make room by taking their feet out of the aisle. Restrooms are available in the lower lobby and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Mount St. Mary's water polo matches is free, as is parking. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 Look for the trophy cases in the lower lobby honoring Mount Athletics. Final Thoughts If there is one defining aspect of a Mount St. Mary's water polo match at the Knott ARCC Pool, it is that it is very loud. With the fans packing the small bleachers and the acoustics trapping and echoing the sound, it is a much more rowdy atmosphere than you would expect at a college water polo match. However, other than the wild crowd noise, this is a pretty basic experience.

Photos by Stefano Romagnoli, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stadio Alberto Braglia Viale Monte Kosika Modena, Italy 41121 Italy Modena FC website Stadio Alberto Braglia website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 21,151 The Braglia of Modena Stadio Alberto Braglia is the home of Modena Football Club. The facility was inaugurated on October 11, 1936 with a 0-0 draw between Modena and Cremonese in a Serie B match, the second tier of Italian football. Initially named after Cesare Marzari, a former player for Modena FC, then after the Second World War the stadium was called Comunale, and then eventually given its present moniker of Stadio Alberto Braglia. Braglia, born in a town near Modena, was a gymnast who won three gold medals in the Olympic Games of London (1908) and in the Olympic Games in Stockholm (1912). A bust and a plaque placed on the facade of the Tribuna Centrale remind visitors of his sporting feats. The stadium in its nearly 80-year history has hosted home games of Carpi and Sassuolo. The black and green team of Sassuolo played at Braglia before moving to Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. Carpi played at Braglia during the 1938/1939 season, when they played in Serie C, the third tier of Italian football, and will play their entire 2015-2016 season, because the Sandro Cabassi does not meet the criteria of capacity required from Serie A. Another historic sporting event occurred here on May 29, 1940, when the cyclist Fausto Coppi won the eleventh stage of the Tour of Italy Florence-Modena, with the finish line just in the stadium Braglia, winning the pink jersey for being first in the standings. He would wear the jersey until the end of the competition. Finally, it should be noted that the Italian national football team has played at Braglia in three matches: November 21, 2007 against the Faroe Islands; June 3, 2011 against Estonia; and September 11, 2012 against Malta. The Azzurri have been victorious in all of their matches at Braglia. Food & Beverage 3 Behind the Curva Luigi Montagnani is Bar Stadio. Here you’ll find old jerseys and autographed footballs. It is a popular meeting place for the fans in yellow and blue. Outside the Braglia there are the classic sandwich peddlers. Within the Tribuna Centrale there is a bar where spectators can find a dish typical of this area of Emilia Romagna. The simple dumpling (1.50 euro) or the stuffed dumpling (3.00 euro) are well worth a try. Fans can also find the classic pizza (2.50 euro), various drinks and beer (3.00 euro). Atmosphere 4 Stadio Alberto Braglia is a little gem that can be counted among the best facilities of the Serie B during the 2015-16 season. Included in the original structure that is still visible is the Tribuna Centrale designed by Umberto Costanzini, who also designed the Dall’Ara in Bologna. The two curves, the staircase and the sectors have been the subject of several renovations and the actual look and feel of the current venue dates back to the beginning of the millennium. Various renovations over the years have resulted in the elimination of the athletics track; the installation of new lighting towers inclined towards the pitch; covering much of the seating areas (as of 2015 the only uncovered seating is in the curve reserved for guest supporters); seats with backrest in all sections have been installed (in the staircase some seats colored blue form the written “Modena F.C.”); and the installation of a giant screen above the guests curve. Finally, in the summer of 2015, the grass of the playing field was completely redone, creating an area with 85% natural grass and 15% artificial grass. The latter work was carried out by a company which also made the playing field of the Bernabeu , home of Real Madrid. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located in the north of Modena, still close to the historic city center. On the other side of Viale Monte Kosika is the Novi Sad Park (about 60,000 square meters of green) which hosts several events throughout the year. Fans 3 The most passionate fans of Modena follow the matches of their team from the Curva Luigi Montagnani. This section of the stadium was dedicated to the president of the Modena Football Club from 1997 to 2000. During the match banners, flags, shirts and scarves color the curve of yellow and blue. The main rivals are the other teams in Emilia Romagna including Bologna , Carpi , Reggiana and Sassuolo . Access 4 Reaching the Stadion Alberto Braglia is really simple. The train station is about 500 meters away. If you are driving from Modena then pass the A1 (Milan-Naples) and A22 (Brenner-Modena). From the exit “Modena Nord” you must take the ring road and follow the signs to “Stadio.” There are several car parks around the system. Return on Investment 4 The cost of tickets to watch the home games for Modena FC as of the 2015/2016 season range from a maximum of 65 euro for the “Tribunissima autorità” to 6 euro for a seat in the Curva Luigi Montagnani. It’s a very reasonable price for the quality of football being played in this historic ground. Extras 4 While you are in Modena do not miss the Enzo Ferrari Museum, the founder of the most famous car manufacturer in the world. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the figurine, because in Modena there is the Panini, a historical publisher of sports figures and comics. Finally, be sure to see the house museum of the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Emilia is also one of the best parts of Italy in regard to food and wine. Pick up some balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco wine, and Parmesan cheese.

Photos by Stefano Romagnoli, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Allianz Stadium Strada Comunale di Altessano, 131 Turin, Piedmont 10128 Italy Juventus FC website Allianz Stadium website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 41,254 Rebuilt from the Ground Up in Torino Juventus Stadium is the new home of Juventus Football Club, a team founded in 1897. The facility has been built on the same site of Stadio delle Alpi, a stadium built for the 1990 FIFA World Cup and home of Juventus Football Club from 1990 to 2005. While Stadio delle Alpi was state-of-the-art when opened for the World Cup matches, a major problem was the inclusion of an athletics track, which forced the stands to be much further away from the pitch than desirable. In 2003, Juventus bought Stadio delle Alpi outright from the city of Turin (“Torino” in Italian), and demolished it beginning in November 2008. Playing from 2006 to 2011 in Stadio Olimpico (the home of the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin), they started construction on Juventus Stadium in 2009, and moved in on its completion in 2011. Because of this, as of this posting, Juventus Stadium is the only Italian football (soccer) club-owned facility, a source of great pride for the team. Juventus Stadium was opened on September 2011, with a friendly match between Juventus FC vs Notts County FC. The first official Serie A match was Juventus FC vs Parma FC, on 11 September 2011, and Stephan Lichtsteiner was the first player to score a goal. On 10 September 2013, the Italian national football team played a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic. In this match, Italy conquered the Czechs, earning victory number 400 in the national team’s history. On 14 May 2014, the final match of the 43rd season of Europe’s secondary club football tournament called the UEFA Europa League will be held at Juventus Stadium. (Note: all exchange rates are as of the time of this posting, October 2013.) Food & Beverage 5 There are 21 cafés and 8 food courts at Juventus Stadium where supporters can buy various drinks and can eat many dishes, such as sandwiches or hot dogs, pasta or desserts, and even candy or popcorn. Access to the café or food courts is related to the area of the stadium from where the fan is watching the game. Outside Juventus Stadium, there is Area12, a covered shopping centre with its own food court. During competitions, there are peddlers of typical Italian sandwiches all around the facility. Atmosphere 5 Juventus Stadium has approximately 41,000 seats, 2,099 of which are reserved for visiting fans. The distance between the field and the first seat is about 7.5 meters, while the distance between the field and the last row in the stand is about 49 meters. This is important, because this a massive improvement from Stadio delle Alpi and its infamous athletics track; as you can imagine, there was no athletics track added to the new stadium. The benches, unusual for Italy, are in the English style, meaning that they are positioned in the stands, instead of just outside the field (as is the case in all other facilities in Italy). Above both the north and south stands, there are two lighted boards that, before the match, show images of old matches and supporters present in the facility alike. When Juventus enter in the field, lighted boards show the name of each player, and the supporters repeat their names. The seats in the east stands are coloured black and white, and depict hand drawings of two players. The seats in the north and south stands are coloured black, white, and yellow, and are arranged to show three stars, each of these symbolizing ten titles in the Italian Serie A championship. In the west stands, the supporters will find “Club Gianni e Umberto Agnelli”, up to the midfield; “T100” beside the benches; “Club Giampiero Boniperti”; and “Club Omar Sivori” on first or second ring. Each of these areas benefits of particular services, such as catering for Club Agnelli, seats with LCD monitors for both Club Agnelli and T100, and parking reserved for T100. The “Sky Box” and “Legends Club” areas are also in the west stand. The Sky Box area contains lounges where fans can follow the match comfortably, complete with LCD monitors, catering service, and reserved parking. In addition, the Sky Box area is available throughout the week (from 8am to 8pm) for business meetings. The Legends Club, opened on August 2013, is an exclusive hospitality area. On the main floor, just before the stands, there is a walk of fame with 50 big yellow stars that represent 50 best players in the history of Juventus Football Club. All around each of big yellow stars, there are many little stars with the names of supporters that participated to the “Accendi una Stella” (“Light a Star”) Project. Often the facility is sold-out. This is especially true during the most important matches against Inter Milan (named “Derby d’Italia”), AC Milan, Roma, Lazio, Napoli, Torino (named “Derby della Mole”, for Turin’s famous Mole Antonelliana), and Fiorentina. Neighborhood 3 Juventus Stadium was constructed on a site named Cascina Continassa, in the neighbourhood Le Vallette, which is a suburb located to the northwest of Turin, between Turin and the city of Venaria Reale. Near the facility, there is Area12, a covered shopping centre. This is where the Juventus Store is located, complete with official merchandising of Juventus Football Club (shirts, balls, soccer shoes, gadgets, etc.). Fans 4 The most passionate fans of Juventus Football Club follow matches from the South Stand. However, the Juventus Stadium is also a facility for families; for example, there is also baby park for children between three and six years old. Access 5 Juventus Stadium is near intermediate road E64 (Torino-Milano-Brescia). Because of the close proximity to E64, one can arrive via other routes, as well. All around the facility, there are 4,000 parking places. Public buses are available from the stadium to Turin’s city centre, the Porta Susa train station, or directly to Caselle international Airport. Return on Investment 4 In the 2013-14 Serie A season, ticket prices range between a minimum of €25 ($34) for the north and south stands, and a maximum of €140 ($190.15) for some seats in the east stand. But there are various discounts, and it is better to check the official website of Juventus Football Club in the tickets section for all the offers available. Extras 4 Every day, patrons can visit the JMuseum and can buy the ticket for the tour of facility. The JMuseum is the museum of Juventus Football Club. Inside, there are the cups and trophies they won, some official shirts of new and old players, old captain’s armbands and old soccer shoes, and old tickets and press clippings. The last room is circular, surrounded by videos of goals Juventus scored are shown. During the tour of facility the visitors can go also in the Dressing Room, the Press Room, and the VIP Section. Before the matches, patrons can visit Area12 and Juventus Store. The city of Turin was Italy’s first capital, from 1861 to 1865. While there are various sights and museums to visit, the city is famous for the Fiat motor company and for chocolate factories (the typical chocolate is called gianduiotto). The centre of Turin is about 20 minutes from facility.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Falcon Field 1147 Susan Ave Woodstock, VA 22644 Woodstock River Bandits website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 796 River Bandits Of The Shenandoah The Woodstock River Bandits have been playing baseball in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in some form or another since 1897. Their early history is split between several leagues, and originally they played their home games at the Massanutten Military Academy at Seibert Field under a variety of different nicknames. In 2004, the team, now known as the River Bandits, joined the Valley Baseball League and has played their home games at Falcon Field at Central High School in Woodstock ever since then. CHS plays baseball as well as football at this field during the year, so in order to accommodate the football field, the dimensions are not ideal – 340 down the lines, 376 and 372 to the left-center and right-centerfield alleys respectively, and only 338 to dead center. As the fence remains rather low all around the field, this leads to a lot of short home runs hit over the centerfield fence, while balls hit down the lines may be harder for the corner outfielders to play as they have a lot of space to cover. Food & Beverage 5 There is one concession stand at Falcon Field, located behind the main bleachers in center field (more on that unusual location later.) There is a wide range of options, ranging from traditional fares like hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs, to more unusual options like ham & swiss rolls and pork tenderloin sandwiches. Snacks include fries, nachos, locally-made Route 11 Potato Chips, and assorted candies. The candy selection includes Cow Tales, a chewy caramel cream candy. Although Cow Tales are not exclusive to the Shenandoah Valley, they are quite popular here and available for sale at several Valley League concession stands. Drinks include soda, Gatorade, water, sweet tea, and lemonade. There will also be a special which may vary by game. When Stadium Journey visited, the special was a loaded mac & cheese topped with bacon and even more cheese, but it may be different for different games. Prices are affordable, with everything but the special being under $5. Credit cards are accepted but need to be entered manually, so it would be quicker to use cash. Atmosphere 3 In addition to the unusual dimensions discussed above, Falcon Field has an unusual setup for fans. The main bleachers are located in centerfield, along what would be the west sideline if this were a football game. There are other smaller bleachers scattered around the perimeter of the field, but most fans choose to sit in center field. There are several good reasons for this. The concession stand, restrooms, and entrance are all in centerfield and to access the other bleachers requires walking down a hill or several flights of steps. Additionally, the sun sets behind centerfield, so if you sit here, it will set at your back instead of in your eyes. Finally, sitting here gets fans a gorgeous view of Massanutten Mountain behind home plate. The downside is you have a distant view of the game, but as centerfield is unusually close to home plate, it’s not as bad as it could be. A scoreboard is located down the third baseline and is also best seen from center field. It shows the score, count, inning, and batter and was clearly designed for football. As for the actual gameday experience, there is not much going on here beyond the game. There are a couple of things worth noting though. Your gameday ticket doubles as a raffle ticket to win various prizes, so hold on to it. There is also a 50/50 raffle during the game. Instead of handing out conventional tickets, fans who purchase a ticket will take a playing card from the deck, tear it in half, give one half back, and hold on to the other. Whoever has the winning card takes home the prize. Neighborhood 2 Woodstock is a small town in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, and while it does have that small-town charm, there is really not a lot to do in a town of only about 5,000 people. Smokin’ Jahead is a popular barbecue joint, and there are a handful of other places as well to get a bite to eat, ranging from Mexican to seafood, as well as some chain places closer to the highway. Your best bet is to look along Route 11 (Main Street), as most of the businesses are there in the span of a few blocks. Fans 2 Woodstock ranks towards the bottom of the Valley League in attendance, drawing between 100 and 200 fans a game on average. Given the way the fans are spread out throughout the stadium in the assorted bleachers, this reduces the atmosphere even more. That being said, the fans who do show up tend to show up not just once but to many games throughout the season, and are very familiar with the River Bandits. This is a knowledgeable fan base, not just about the team but about the game of baseball. It’s too bad there aren’t more of them. Access 3 Falcon Field is located just off Interstate 81 via Exit 283. Head east on Route 42 (Reservoir Road) and the turn for the stadium will be only a couple of blocks ahead. Route 11/Main Street and Downtown Woodstock (such as it is) is only a block past the field. Given Woodstock is very small, you should not have to go very far to find anything in town, but the downside is it’s far from anything else. Once you get to Central High School, there is a small lot right next to the entrance as well as a larger lot immediately adjacent to that. While the small lot fills up, you should have no problem parking in the larger lot – just pay attention to arrows directing traffic in certain directions. Restrooms are available in center field next to the concession stand and are small but of ample size for the crowds. Return on Investment 5 Admission is only $5 for adults, with discounts available for students and seniors. Youth in Little League jerseys get in free. Concessions are affordable, and while you may have to spend a bit on gas to get here depending on where you are coming from, a River Bandits game is still a great value. Extras 2 There is a team store located in center field by the main bleachers. The unusual layout of the stadium, with strange dimensions, is certainly worthy of a star here. Final Thoughts The Valley Baseball League has a wide range of stadiums, from historic parks like New Market and Staunton to modern parks like Harrisonburg. Woodstock’s stadium is an unusual case. The stadium was designed for football so the layout is not the best, and it doesn’t have the history of the older parks in the league, nor the amenities of Harrisonburg. That being said, for fans of “weird” or unusual ballparks, Falcon Field certainly makes that list. A River Bandits game, like all Valley League games, is a great value for the whole family to check out a game. Just be prepared to either view the game from centerfield or have to take a long walk every time you visit the concession stand or use the restroom.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Connors Park 515 Loudon Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211 Siena Saints website Connors Park website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 370 The Cozy Confines of Connors Park The site of Connors Park has been the site of Siena baseball since the program began play back in the 1950s. Long known simply as the Siena Baseball Field, the facility was renamed in 2017 as Connors Park in honor of Michael, Theresa and Brett Connors. Brett played for the Saints from 2013-2016. The family was the driving force behind a series of renovations that have modernized and transformed the ballpark. Siena competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Saints have qualified for a pair of NCAA tournaments, in 1999 and 2014. Five Siena alumni have reached the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions available at Saints baseball games. Fans are welcome to bring their own snacks to the games to enjoy. There is a soda machine in the Callahan Field House behind the third base side of the field, but judging by the struggles one fan was observed having with the machine, it’s questionable whether or not this machine actually works. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at Connors Park is dominated by the field’s location. Nestled into the center of campus, with Plassman Hall beyond the center field fence and the Standish Library beyond the right field fence, the ballpark has a most picturesque location. As you might expect in a setting such as this, the game day presentation is more traditional than flashy. This isn’t a spot where exploding scoreboards, hype videos or other shenanigans would fit. What you’ll get at a Saints game is a simple and enjoyable experience, where you can hear the chatter around the infield and coaches barking instructions at their players. Be careful, the umpires can and will hear you if you heckle them too loudly. There’s a simple scoreboard beyond the center field fence which displays basic game information. Music plays over a good sound system in between innings and batters. The PA announcer does an excellent job relaying game information. Most of the fans in attendance have a personal connection to the players on the field and as a result, are knowledgeable about the game and enthusiastic in their support. Given the location of Connors Park, you’ll find many students wandering around the area to take in a few innings before going on their way to other parts of campus. Neighborhood 3 Siena College is located in suburban Loudonville, NY, a well-to-do suburb of Albany. The school is situated in a residential neighborhood with little in the immediate neighborhood in the way of attractions, restaurants or lodging options. Right behind Siena is Schuyler Meadows Country Club if you happen to bring your golf clubs with you. The woods surrounding Connors Park features several nature trails that may complete a nice spring day outdoors. Newton Plaza, about a mile from campus, is the closest spot for visitors looking for dining or shopping options. More shopping options can be found just a bit further north on Route 9 at the Village of Shaker Creek. Most visitors to Siena will most likely head to downtown Albany, a short 15-minute drive away. A more complete look at the options for visiting fans can be found here . Fans 3 Crowds at a Siena baseball game can best be described as a “friends and family” type of crowd. The small grandstand here seats only 370 and is generally at least half-filled with enthusiastic fans. As mentioned before, many of the fans in attendance enjoy a personal connection with the players on the field and are regular fixtures in the stands. With Siena’s schedule consisting mainly of other local teams, it’s not unusual to see a good turnout from visiting fans. Access 3 The Siena campus is located in Loudonville, NY, a suburb to the north of Albany. Located right on Route 9, Siena is easily accessible from Interstates 90, 87 or 787. Despite its location outside the city, downtown Albany is only a 15-minute drive away. Fans looking to take public transportation can use the Capital District Transit Authority’s 182 bus, which runs right along Loudon Road at the front entrance of the school. Detailed driving directions can be found here . Connors Park is located near the center of this tiny campus, with the rest of the school’s athletic facilities just to the east of the ball field. The small parking lot adjacent to the field is much too close in this writer’s opinion, as your car is in real danger of being hit by foul balls. Veteran Saint fans will park a bit further from the field when possible. Everything about this ballpark is cozy, from its location nestled in between several other buildings to its tiny new grandstand, which seats 370 (it’s more than large enough for most Saints games). Seating consists of metal bleachers, with sections directly behind home plate consisting of individual stadium seats. The entire grandstand fits behind the backstop, meaning you are looking through a fence or net wherever you sit. There is some standing room down either side of the field, where some fans will stretch their legs or sit in the grass while watching the game. Rest rooms are located inside the Callahan Field House right behind the third base side of the field. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge to attend a Saints baseball game, nor is there any charge for parking. With no concessions at Connors Park, fans will not spend a single cent while watching a game at Siena. Extras 1 Siena has honored their MAAC championships and College World Series appearances with graphics on the left field fence. Final Thoughts While you’re very unlikely to arrive at Connors Park accidentally, this is the kind of setting that will remind you of why you fell in love with the sport of baseball. The park’s location in the center of campus is something you just don’t find enough in college sports these days. The recent renovations to the facility have enhanced the traditional feel of the field while improving amenities. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Jon M. Huntsman Center 1825 E. South Campus Dr Salt Lake City, UT 84112 Utah Utes website Jon M Huntsman Center website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 15,000 The Dome is the Utes Home The University of Utah was founded in 1850 and is the largest school in the state with nearly 30,000 students. It offers more than 190 graduate and undergraduate areas of study. The school is in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains overlooking Salt Lake City. One of the most unique buildings on the University of Utah campus is also the home to the Runnin’ Utes basketball program. The silver-domed building is the Jon Huntsman Center, home to Utah basketball since 1969. The 15,000 arena is the largest basketball venue in the PAC-12. It has been a very intimidating place for opponents, as the Utes have a .803 winning percentage in home games. Many people credit the dome design for amplifying the noise within the facility, making it hard for the visiting team to communicate. The basketball program has been the crown jewel of the athletic department ever since the 1940s. The Utes’ won the NCAA National Championship in 1944 and came in second in 1988. The team won 12 WAC Championships before relocating to the PAC-12 in 2011. Utah has made it to the Sweet Sixteen 10 times, the Elite 8 six times, and the Final Four on four occasions. It has made 29 NCAA Tournament appearances and has 38 NCAA Tournament wins in its history. Some of its most noteworthy players over the years include Andrew Bogut, Andre Miller, Keith Van Horn, and longtime coach Rick Majerus. Food & Beverage 3 The Huntsman Center has six concession areas spread evenly around the concourse of the arena. They serve the typical arena fare, with no local favorites that stand out. A review of the menu includes hot dogs ($5), brats ($6), burgers ($7), nachos ($5), pizza ($8) pretzels ($5), popcorn ($5), candy ($4), and ice cream ($4). Beverages include Pepsi brand sodas ($5), bottled water ($4), and frozen lemonade ($5). Alcohol is not allowed to be sold in university facilities. Atmosphere 4 The school made major renovations to the arena in 2014. These changes were all made to improve the fan experience. The seating was replaced and moved much closer to the floor. All seats in the arena are now box seats and are much more comfortable for the fans. A new scoreboard was installed in 2014, which includes closed captioning for the hearing impaired. The Center also widened the concourse to improve traffic. The lighting and the sound system were overhauled to provide fans at both athletic events and concerts with a more satisfying experience. Additional improvements include a new basketball floor with updated graphics and the installation of banners honoring the great Ute teams of the past and the retired numbers of Ute players from over the years. Neighborhood 5 The area surrounding the Jon Huntsman Center is known as the University District. It has a very different feel to it than downtown Salt Lake City … just a mere three miles away. The University District feels like a small college town with students and professors living next door to each other. It is filled with tree-lined streets and many historic homes dating back to when the University of Utah was founded. Most of the activity in the area is found along 1300 East, the main street cutting through the area. You’ll find great restaurants like Pie Pizzeria and Eggs in the City, alongside mom-and-pop type shops and boutiques in this area. Hotels near the campus include the Salt Lake City Marriott University Park and the Hampton Inn University. If you like the great outdoors, you will love the University District. It is at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains that surround Salt Lake City and offers tons of hiking trails in the moderate months and easy access to several ski resorts located less than 50 miles from the campus. Just the view alone as you exit the Huntsman Center will give you a wonderful view of the Wasatch Mountains. Fans 5 The team is known as the Runnin’ Utes because they play an up-tempo offense that usually results in high final scores. This energy is transferred from the court to the stands and gets the crowd lights-out free-throw fired up. Make sure you are in your seat in time for the player introductions, as it is a lights-out production using a 3D mapping video projected onto the court surface. One of the key fan groups for the Utes basketball program is the student section known as the “MUSS.” MUSS is an official athletic fan club and its name stands for the Mighty Utah Student Section . They come prepared for each game with specific chants aimed at the opposition. They also revel in creating a MUSS by trying to disrupt the communications and concentration of the other team, especially at the free-throw line. Helping to lead these cheers is Swoop the Red-Tailed Hawk, the school’s official mascot. Even though Utah is a relatively isolated state, the Utes have some fierce in-state rivalries. Their top rival is Brigham Young University, followed by games featuring Utah State, Weber State, and the University of Southern Utah. These are guaranteed sellouts and are sometimes moved to the larger Vivint Smart Home Arena in downtown Salt Lake City which can hold more fans. Access 3 Getting to a Utah game can be very easy… or very confusing… due to Salt Lake City’s penchant for using East, West, North, or South in virtually every street name. Here are the best directions via the two interstates in the area. From I-15 or I-80: Take the 600 South exits. Take 600 South to 700 East. Turn right at 400 South. Continue east on 400 South until you reach the Campus Center Drive intersection. Turn left onto Campus Center Drive, then bear left onto South Campus Center Drive. Proceed east to Mario Capecchi Drive. The parking deck will be just east of the silver-domed Huntsman Center. Parking is extremely limited on campus for any weeknight games. Additional parking is available at the Rice–Eccles Football Stadium, where free shuttles will run you up to the Huntsman Center. By far the best deal to get to Utes games is via the UTA / TRAX public transportation system. Your game ticket serves as your pass on game days. This allows you to ride for a free round trip to and from the Huntsman Center. The train stop to take is at the South Campus rail station. It is a very short walk to the Huntsman Center from the station… just look for the silver dome. Return on Investment 5 Free parking is available at Rice-Eccles Stadium or free rides are available on the UTA/TRAX rail system by using your game ticket on game days. There are pay lots on campus at the Marriott Library, the Olpin Union, and the Business School. Game tickets range from $30 up to $300 depending on your seat selection. Extras 5 The Ute name used by the Utah Athletic teams refers to an Indian nation whose tribal grounds are in Northern Utah. The university has the approval of the Ute Tribal Council to use the name and shows great respect for the tribal customs and people in all marketing and promotional references. The red block “U” on the hillside above campus was originally built in the 1930sdays and has been upgraded many times over the years. It now features red and white lights that outline the letter. It is lit up on game days/nights and other special campus events. It flashes after a Ute victory. An extra goes to the agreement between the university and the transit authority to allow a game day ticket also serves as a train or bus pass. This reduces congestion and traffic issues and is good for the environment. One of the most viewed college basketball games ever took place at the Huntsman Center. The 1979 National Championship game featured Larry Bird and his Indiana State Sycamores versus the Magic Johnson-led team from Michigan State. It would be the last college game for both players, as they both went pro soon after. Before the now common practice of using professional sports arenas for league tournaments and NCAA Tournament games, the Jon Huntsman Arena was a very popular site for these tournaments as the largest venue in the West. It hosted countless WAC tournaments, the NCAA Western Regional in 1971 and 1981, and the Final Four in 1979. Final Thoughts Jon Huntsman often serves as the site for regional tournaments due to its large city capacity and the large inventory of hotel rooms in downtown Salt Lake City. The Utes play a crowd-pleasing up-tempo game that has brought them success since the championship days of the late Rick Majerus, a time when the Utes were regulars in the NCAA tournaments. The renovated arena continues to draw well, second only to the Utah Jazz playing down on the valley below at the Vivint SmartHome Arena .

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Tucson Arena 260 S Church Ave Tucson, AZ 85701 Map It Tucson Roadrunners website Tucson Arena website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 6,521 Beep! Beep! The Tucson Roadrunners are enjoying their eighth season (2023-2024) in the AHL (American Hockey League) as an affiliate of the NHL (National Hockey League) Arizona Coyotes.   The team originated as the Springfield (MA) Falcons AHL team and relocated to Tucson, AZ, before the 2016 – 2017 season.  They play their games at the 52-year-old Tucson Arena. Built in 1971, Tucson Arena is part of the Tucson Convention Center (TCC), which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.   It received a $22 million renovation in 2014, which included new bathrooms, lighting, seats, a revamped sound system, a new kitchen, and a video scoreboard.    The Roadrunners share Tucson Arena with the Arizona Wildcats hockey team (University of Arizona) and the Tucson Sugar Skulls (IFL – Indoor Football League).   The Tucson Arena hosts other entertainment events, such as Monster Jam and Cirque de Soliel.  One of the biggest draws to the Tucson Convention Center is the Mineral and Gem Show, usually the first two weeks in February . Food & Beverage 4 Tucson Arena provides a tempting offering of food choices during Roadrunners games.   Two permanent concession stands are to the left and right after entering the rink.  Several stand-alone food carts line the upper rim of the concourse.   Permanent concessions offer chicken BLTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado) w rap, jumbo double cheeseburger, macho nacho, mouth-watering birria quesadilla, Sonoran dog, and turkey panini ($9 - $14).   Traditional stadium food and snacks like hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, soft pretzels, and the like are for sale ($7).  First Friday Specials include a $5 domestic draft beer and a $5 hot dog. Stand-alone food carts along the concourse include DJ’s Filling Station (Tucson’s famous Sonoran hot dogs, hamburgers, brats - $8 - $9), Tucson Tamales ($6 - $12), the Pretzel and Churro Cart, and  Mini donuts with four different toppings ($6/cash only).  Chick-fil-A sells their famous chicken sandwiches, other wraps, and salads at select games.  A Maui Wowi cart provides smoothies. Pepsi products are the soda of choice ($5/$6/$8), and beer and alcoholic beverages are offered ($10 - $18).  Barrio Brewing Co. and Dragoon Brewing (local Tucson breweries) have beer carts on each side of the concourse that sell several of their own brews on tap. A   cart offering beer and cocktails sits between the two entry doors.   It’s quite a nice selection with several local Tucson dishes.   We recommend the birria quesadilla (which fans can order vegan style) and a local brew. Atmosphere 3 Seating is U-shaped with rows of seats on three sides; the concourse is above the seating area, and the game is in view the entire time when walking the concourse.   The best seats are on the sidelines. I recommend the second level for a better view of the entire ice surface.   The seats are tight, have cupholders on the sides of the seats, and there’s enough legroom.   Sections are clearly marked , and helpful ushers are at the top of each seating area.     Within the last few years, the city installed seating along the top of the U next to the announcer’s stage, added comfy-looking loge hospitality boxes at the top of multiple sections (only $40 a person/$160 total), and added a new party deck above the south goal.   The arena does not have a center-hung scoreboard.  Instead, a video scoreboard is on the top end of the U, while a standard stat board is on the wall above the bottom of the U.   Tucson Arena - Tucson Roadrunner Scoreboard, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey   Short ribbon boards (one to each side of the video scoreboard) show sponsors . Vid eo boards were installed on the back of the camera wells which run a loop of upcoming events at the TCC.       The temperature is okay; bring an extra jacket or sweatshirt, gloves, and hat if you tend to get chilly.   The person in charge of music plays it between every stoppage in play (quite common in hockey) . The music  is uncomfortably loud.   Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to loud music.   Game day promotions include chuck-a-puck, a 50/50 raffle, fan contests like musical chairs, pee wee hockey, and t-shirt tosses.   The Roadrunners have a variety of events throughout the season, including many giveaways and evenings like Comedy Night, Anime Night, $10 College Night, Kids are Free Nights, Harry Potter, Teddy Bear Toss, and more.    Grab a roster sheet at the customer service table in front of section 214 on the inner concourse.  It also shows the AHL standings.  A surprising deli ght is that the lights are kept on between periods, though they are lowered a tad pregame. Two Zambonis groom the ice; one looks like a mouse (sponsored by a critter control business). Tucson Roadrunner Zamboni Cleaning the Ice, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 Visiting Tucson is a treat.  It is not as commercialized as the Phoenix area, and i t maintains much of its natural beauty by not building and destroying its land and natural settings and landscape. The arena is downtown near El Presidio Park, the old county courthouse, and the Pima County courthouse.  Several museums are within walking distance, including the Children’s Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Or, if it’s a pleasant fall day, walk the Turquoise Trail, a historical walking tour of downtown Tucson.  A good place for a pregame dinner within walking distance (1/2 mile) of the arena is the El Charro Café .  Other places include The HUB (ice cream, food, and drinks), Miss Saigon Downtown (Vietnamese), or Empire Pizza & Pub (New York-style pizza). Tucson offers several breweries near the arena.  Barrio Brewing, Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, and Iron John’s are  worth a visit if craft breweries are your thing. N ot within w alking distance but worth visiting when in the Tucson area are the Mission San Xavier del Bac (founded in 1692), the Saguaro National Park (home to the nation’s largest and most abundant cacti), and taking a drive up to the top of A Mountain (Sentinel Peak) for a beautiful view.   The biggest event in Tucson is the Gem and Mineral show at the end of Jan / beginning of February each year. One hotel, Double Tree by Hilton Tucson Downtown Convention Center, is right next to the hot el, but it’s pricey.  We recommend Hotel McCoy about 2.5 miles from the arena.  It is a reasonably priced hotel and has all sorts of nifty items. Other sports to see during hockey season include the Arizona Wildcats (University of Arizona) football , hockey , basketball , and baseball teams.  Fans 3 Visitors see lots of Tucson and Coyotes jerseys.   Quite a few fans bring their cowbells and ring them at appropriate times (though they don’t rival the AHL Colorado Eagles bell-ringers).   The Roadrunners have a strong base of diehard fans, and it helps when the parent club is just 130 miles northwest. The Roadrunners have averaged 3,500 – 3,750 per game since the pandemic, placing them toward the bottom of the AHL attendance numbers. Access 4 Currently, quite a bit of construction is in process around the area. Parking is available right next to the arena for $10. Other lots and garages a little further away run $3 – $5. Street parking is available a few blocks away for free. Click here for a parking map. Tucson has a Sun Link streetcar service (a light rail) that drops fans off just a few blocks from the arena which is an alternative option to get to Tucson Arena for a game. The nearest airport is Tucson International Airport, about 8 miles south of the arena.  And Tucson is about a two-hour drive from Phoenix.    Upon entering the arena, fans must go through a metal detector and security check. Backpacks and large bags are not allowed. A standard sports clear bag (14” x 16”) is allowed. Doors open 60 minutes before puck drop.     Fan s first enter a wide outer concourse which contains the merchandise table. Then, they enter the inner concourse through additional glass doors. A visitor enters at the top of the concourse and heads down to the seating area. The seating areas provide handrails in the middle of the steps. Sufficient wheelchair-accessible seating is on the top of the seating bowl with good views of the action on the ice. Once inside, walking the concourse can get crowded between periods.   Well-kept and clean bathrooms are at each end of the U, and downstairs on the bottom end of the U.  Return on Investment 4 Single game tickets range from $17 – $79.   $39 will get you more or less at center ice, on the second level, and provides the best value for the game.   The Roadrunners charge an extra few dollars wh en tickets are purchased on game day.   Check for sections 20 3 and 205 (faces the penalty box) or sections 221 and 2 23 (faces the player benches).   Do not get seats in rows A or B. Specials include plenty of group, flex plan, and 12-game ticket packages allowing a reduced far e.  Remember to l ook for 'kids are free' nights throughout the season. Fans can find free parking downtown and concession prices are pretty reasonable compared to other AHL venues. Though prices have increased since their first year in the AHL, it is still an altogether good investment of a fan’s sports entertainment dollar. Extras 4 The merchandise area on the outer concourse is worth another mention.   There’s plenty of room to walk around and shop.  Spin the wheel at the promotions table and win tchotchkes like stickers, sunglasses, keychains, etc.   Tucson Roadrunner Promotions Table, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The TCC Plaza outside the arena was recently refurbished with new fountains, trees, flowers, and a garden.   A unique feature not that common in hockey rinks is that the players' benches are not long enough to fit the backup goalie.   They sit on a stool behind the glass where the players enter the rink. Extra applause goes to the city of Tucson for continuing to maintain and update the Tucson Convention Center and the Tucson Arena. Final Thoughts Visiting Tucson, AZ and watching an AHL Roadrunners game is an enjoyable experience and one worth checking out.   It’s quite a nice facility in which to watch a hockey game.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Citizens Bank Park One Citizens Bank Way Philadelphia, PA 19148 Philadelphia Phillies website Citizens Bank Park website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 42,901 Ring The Bell A staple in the City of Brotherly Love are the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.  The Phillies were founded in 1883, one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball.  They have the distinction of being the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional sports.  The Phillies were first coined in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1883 in the coverage of an early exhibition game.  Relatively unsuccessful on the field, the Phillies would wait until 1980 to earn their first of two World Series titles, after appearing twice previously.  The Phillies would earn their second in 2008.  The current owner, John Middleton, gained full control of the team in 2016. The Phillies call Citizens Bank Park home.  Part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, Citizens Bank Park replaced the venerable Veterans Stadium, one of the infamous multipurpose donuts, in 2004.  Philadelphia is one of the premier sports destinations in the country, offering a population of over 1.6 million, 6th largest in the USA.  Citizens Bank Park offers a solid baseball experience for fans, especially if the Phillies can ring the bell after a victory. Food & Beverage 5 Philadelphia is famous for its distinct cuisine with a number of famous restaurants, many of which can be found inside Citizens Bank Park.  Philly staples like Chickie’s and Pete’s, Tony Luke’s, Campo’s, Manco & Manco’s Pizza, Shake Shack, Uncle Charlie’s Steaks and Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken are all found in the ballpark.  Former Phillies first baseman, Greg Luzinski, has the increasingly popular celebrity athlete concession, with Bull’s BBQ.  It is a little surprising that the famous Philadelphia Cheesesteak is offered by at least three different organizations in the ballpark.  All of the other expected ballpark favorites are found as well including hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels.  Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice in Citizens Bank Park.  There is also a decent beer selection featuring products from Yuengling, Stella Artois, and Blue Moon. Atmosphere 5 The exterior of Citizens Bank Park is an attractive mix of brown brick with green accents and brown support beams.  Before entering the park, a trip around the perimeter is worth it and there are plenty of photo opportunities with the numerous bronze statues including Robin Roberts, Steve Carleton, Connie Mack, and Robin Roberts.  Entering the third base gate by the aptly located Mike Schmidt logo may be the best idea.  The first base gate is where Carleton’s statue is as well as the retired numbers.  Also, the Liberty Bell from Veterans Stadium is by third base and offers a terrific photo op.  If entering through the rightfield gate, fans are welcomed by two giant replica World Series trophies representing the 2008 and 1980 championships. This is also where the fans will find the display of the Phillies Hall of Fame, which is worth a look to get a sense of Phillies history.  The concourses are full of banners and accents that let everyone know that this is the home of the Phillies.  Heading past centerfield, fans will be met by the bronze statue of Richie Ashburn and Ashburn Alley.  Bricks for All-Star starters can be found on the ground, but fans should be careful as this is a very busy area and some of the most popular concessions like Tony Luke’s are found out here.  It may not be the best idea to stop and look at the ground for too long.  As fans head to the leftfield corner from Ashburn Alley they are met with The Yard, the interactive and kids area of the park.  Unlike any other in pro sports, The Yard offers a mini wiffleball stadium complete with a real videoboard, other baseball activities, and a Phanatic-themed rock climbing wall. Inside the seating area, the ballpark is divided into three main seating levels, with a lower level and split upper deck.  The angles of the seating area are very much squared off giving Citizens Bank Park a sharp-angled look.  Blue stadium seats are found throughout the park, a refreshing change from the seemingly requisite green.  One of the best views is from behind the plate in the upper deck where fans can see the skyline of Downtown Philadelphia in the distance.  Above Ashburn Alley in centerfield, the retired numbers of Richie Ashburn, Jim Bunning, Dick Allen, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carleton, Roy Halladay, Robin Roberts, Grover Cleveland Alexander and Chuck Klein are painted on the brick.  Championship flags also fly from the Alley.  Behind leftfield is a massive, neon Liberty Bell which swings and rings on Phillies home runs and victories.  Beyond rightfield is the videoboard, which is state of the art. The gameday production is not overly unique for Major League Baseball, however, special notice must be given to the Philly Phanatic, who is one of the most iconic mascots in professional sports.  Before the first pitch the Phantic comes flying out of the outfield gates on a four-wheeler, riling up the crowd. Neighborhood 4 Citizens Bank Park is located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex in the South Philadelphia East neighborhood.  It is not the most spectacular neighborhood in the city as it is well removed from downtown, however, there are a number of spots for nearby food and drink.  Chickie’s and Pete’s and DiNics are not too far from the park.  However, the best bet for food in Philly is to head downtown to the Reading Terminal Market, which provides a plethora of different food options and cuisines.  An absolute MUST stop when in the city. Philadelphia is one of the best sports cities in the country with a ton of other options.  The Philadelphia Eagles , Flyers , 76ers  and Wings  all share spots in the sports complex.  Philly is also one of the best spots for college sports.  Football is played by the Temple Owls , Villanova Wildcats  and Penn Quakers  but it really is basketball that makes Philadelphia tick.  Temple , LaSalle , St. Joseph’s , Villanova  and Penn  make up the “Big 5” and Drexel  is also an option.  There are also a ton of tourist options in the city including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Museum of American Revolution and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the famous “Rocky” steps, complete with statue.  There are a few hotels near the ballpark including the Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard. Fans 4 The Phillies are generally well-supported and their current success on the field is reflected at the turnstile.  The Phillies have averaged more than 41,000 fans per game in the 2024 season which ranks 2nd in MLB.  The previous season they averaged over 37,000 fans per game and ranked 6th.  Philly fans have a reputation for being some of the toughest and rowdiest in sports.  It is debatable whether or not that reputation has been earned or not, however, it may be safe to say that of the four major sports, the baseball fans are among the most welcoming and friendly.  Attendance in Philly also correlates to the number of victories that the team puts up.   Access 3 Citizens Bank Park is located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex in the neighborhood of South Philadelphia East.  The complex encompasses the ballpark as well as Lincoln Financial Field and Wells Fargo Center along with Xfinity Live.  The venues all share parking, which is convenient, yet can provide some transportation issues.  The complex is north of I-95 and south of I-76 so there are major arteries that lead to the park.  However, traffic can be an issue.  Getting out of the parking lot can be an even bigger issue.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there is a SEPTA Metro stop at Broad Street and Pattison.  Fans should consult the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority  website for fares, maps, and schedules.  Inside the ballpark, it can definitely get crowded in Ashburn Alley and slow to get around.  The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility. Stadium Journey recognizes that security at major events is constantly in a state of flux.  It is encouraged for fans to consult the Phillies or Citizens Bank Park  website before heading to the game and have a full understanding of the security protocols including bag policies and prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the Phillies begin at $25 and can go up to $104 for the Home Run Club.  The upper deck behind the plate can be purchased for around $35.  However, the Phillies are a major sport, and ticket prices can fluctuate based on the success of the team, promotion, or day of the week. Concession prices are what one would expect and parking is on the expensive side at $35.  The experience at a Phillies game is excellent and the ballpark offers plenty to see as well.  In the end, the Phillies is a great experience and may not be as expensive as an Eagles game, but is not cheap either. Extras 3 An extra mark for the history of the Phillies and how well it is displayed at Citizens Bank Park An extra mark for the Philly Phanatic, one of the most iconic mascots in sport. An extra mark for the Liberty Bell as a symbol of Philadelphia, fully embraced by the Phillies. Final Thoughts With a deep history as one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies offer an excellent experience that all baseball fans should put as a must-do.  Citizens Bank Park is an attractive and fun facility, especially if the Phillies are winning and at the end of the game they ring the bell! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.