Photo Copyright Coni Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Stadio del Tennis Foro Italico 00194 Roma Italy Internazionali BNL d’Italia website Stadio del Tennis website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 10,584 The Stadio del Tennis in Rome The Stadio del Tennis in Rome was inaugurated on April 27, 2010 with the presence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, respectively number one and number two in the ATP rankings during that period. The 2010 opening occurred 80 years from the creation of the International of Italy and the 100th anniversary of the birth of the FIT, the Italian Tennis Federation, founded on May 18, 1910 in the building of the Tennis Club of Florence. The facility is on the site of the old Campo Centrale, which was used from 1996 to 2007. The Stadio del Tennis construction took two years of work and is made of concrete, steel and glass. It can hold up to 10,584 spectators on three rings (for the musical events, the stage is positioned on one of the short sides and the capacity is reduced to 7,000 persons). Since 2011 the International of Italy holds the status of a “combined event,” meaning men and women play during the same period and on the same courts. The roll of honor of the winners of the tournament since “Stadio del Tennis” was inaugurated is a “who’s who” of tennis greats: Rafael Nadal in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2018, Novak Djokovic in 2011, 2014 and 2015, Andy Murray in 2016 and Alexander Zverev in 2017 along with Maria Sharapova in 2011, 2012 and 2015, Serena Williams in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and Elena Svitolina in 2017 and 2018 in the women’s field. The stadium was also used for beach volleyball, volleyball and boxing. In addition, each summer, it is home to the entertainment event “Il Centrale Live.” Stadio del Tennis is part of a large complex, the Foro Italico, which hosts many elite sporting events. Food & Beverage 4 Italy is considered by many as the home of great food, and even in this area of Romethere are many restaurants. Among the first dishes to be tried are “bucatiniall’amatriciana,” “penne allacarbonara”and “spaghettialla gricia.”For the main course, try the lamb or “coda alla vaccinara.” Finally, spending an entire day in the sun can be exhausting. Between the various tennis matches we recommend a “grattachecca,” a crushed ice combined with large pieces of fruit, specific to the city of Rome and unavailable elsewhere in Italy. During the International of Italy, in the Foro Italico, there are several dining areas where you can find different types of foods. On the first floor of Stadio del Tennis there is the hospitality area that, depending on the event, can be reserved for athletes, press or guests. Atmosphere 4 Visibility is excellent from every area of the grounds: Tribuna Tevere, Tribuna Monte Mario, Tribuna Internazionale Nord and Tribuna Internazionale Sud. The sound of the blows that are produced from the racket on the ball are amplified by the shape of the structure and by the placement of the court below ground level. But what makes the atmosphere of the International of Italy so unique is the beauty of the other courts on which the tournament takes place; the buildings around them that bring to the spectator’s mind the greatness of ancient Rome. Even for this, the most prestigious Italian tennis tournament, part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and with Monte Carlo and Roland Garros is the so-called “Red Slam,” only on three occasions has the event not been played in Rome. Neighborhood 4 Stadio Olimpico (in the same complex in which the Stadio del Tennis resides) is home of AS Roma and SS Lazio . It was also the facility that hosted the 1960 Olympic Games, the final of the FIFA world Cup 1990 and, finally, is home to major athletics meetings. Stadio dei Marmi is also in the complex and is known for its beautiful statues. Stadio del Nuoto expanded on several occasions and is the venue of the many aquatic world championships. Farnesina houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic. These are just some of the beauties present at the Foro Italico. Fans 4 It is typical at Monte Carlo or at Wimbledon to have members of royal families in attendance. In Rome, which is a major film production center, it is not uncommon to see famous actors and actresses. Also, many football players visit Foro Italico during the International of Italy. The fans are very noisy when Italian athletes play in the Stadio del Tennis. Access 4 Getting to the Foro Italico is very easy. For those coming from outside Rome, once you exit from the A1 or A24 highways, just take the ring road and follow signs to Stadio Olimpico. All around the Foro Italico are many car parks. There isn’t a subway that leads directly to Stadio del Tennis, but with line A, you can get off at Flaminio and take a bus or a tram to Piazza Antonio Mancini. From there, just walk across the Ponte Duca d’Aosta over the Tevere River. Return on Investment 4 Online tickets are already available for the 2019 edition of the tournament. Prices range from 17.60 euro for a seat in Distinti Tevere for the first round, to more than 500.00 euro for the Exclusive Suite for the finals. There is also the opportunity to buy the ticket package with hotel. If buying a package, there are additional benefits in the stands of Villaggio Commerciale that will be prepared during the tournament. Extras 4 Roma caput mundi (Latin). These three words are sufficient to anticipate all the extras that spectators of the International of Italy can discover. The event is very close to the Colosseum and the Vatican. Then it depends on how long you stay in the capital of Italy. Final Thoughts Stadio del Tennis in the Foro Italico provides an impressive venue in which to visit and watch high-level tennis matches.

Photo Courtesy of Stadiumconnection.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Rice–Totten Stadium 14000 Hwy 82 W Itta Bena, MS 38941 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils website Rice–Totten Stadium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 10,000 The Legacy of Jerry Rice If you are looking for a passionate fan base and a fun environment to watch a football game, Rice-Totten Stadium is definitely a good place to start. Itta Bena, Mississippi is what you may expect from a small southern town, and in many ways it protects a gem in the Delta Devils. With Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones as their most well-known athletic alumni, the Delta Devils bring a proud football tradition to the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Rice-Totten Stadium seats approximately 10,000 fans, and provides a fun small school feel. Food & Beverage 2 There is nothing wrong with the food and beverage choices offered in the stadium. In many ways, it is what you would expect for a small Southwestern Athletic Conference school. You are not going to pay a lot, and in return the variety is not all that great. The few tailgates set up around campus do have some unique food choices, and the fans are definitely friendly. Atmosphere 3 With numerous alumni in the National Football League, the Delta Devils fan base has high expectations for their team. They are passionate and interested in the game. They are also very proud of their team, no matter how it happens to be doing that Saturday. Overall it is an enjoyable venue to watch a football game. It is small enough to give you that personal feel, while still being at a college environment. Neighborhood 3 Itta Bena is a nice small southern town. It is proud of being home to the Delta Devils, and openly shows its pride. But Itta Bena is probably not a place where you are going to go to spend a weekend, as there is little to see besides the University. Greenwood is just about ten miles east on US-82, and there you will find a few hotels and a few chain restaurants. But visits to Memphis, Tennessee (two hours to the north) or Jackson, Mississippi (one hour and forty five minutes to the south) both provide plenty of entertainment if needed. The trip is definitely going to show you what the Mississippi countryside has to offer from either direction. Fans 3 The fans know their football, as they have seen some of the best in college and professional history play at Rice-Totten Stadium. The passion is definitely evident when you arrive and continues until you leave the campus. While not as large as some Southwestern Athletic Conference schools, Mississippi Valley State can definitely hold its own when it comes to loyalty amongst its fan base. Access 2 Once on campus, finding parking is not difficult, nor is finding the stadium. The drive in is a bit of a drain, with few close places to stay. The best bets are either Memphis, TN or Jackson, MS if you are looking to spend time in a larger city, both which leave long drives in on game day. The drive is definitely worth the experience overall. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices run $20-$35 on game days, with a discount for buying them early. The food is affordable, and the fans are passionate. Plus any place that has hosted Jerry Rice has to be worth the trip. On this, the Delta Devils do not disappoint. Extras 1 The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils and Itta Bena, Mississippi provide a fun and worthwhile journey into the small town south. Any fan of college football, or of greats like Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones definitely need to make the trip to Itta Bena. The fans will welcome you with open arms, and at the end of the drive, you will be glad you went on the journey.

Photos by Lloyd Brown and Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Madison Square Garden 4 Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10001 New York Rangers website Madison Square Garden website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 18,006 Madison Square Garden Continues To Flourish Madison Square Garden, or MSG as the locals often call it, has finally completed its latest transformation. After the inside was refurbished from 2011-2013, the outside and main entrance were revived over the past 5 years. The 7th Avenue entrance is now majestic and grand and offers a little pedestrian courtyard with seating on 33rd Street. The Garden is home to the New York Rangers of the Metropolitan Division of the National Hockey League and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association. Just to the right of the new entrance is a Los Tacos No. 1 and Anita Gelato and a modern gateway to the subway and Penn Station. Fun fact: How did Madison Square Garden get its name? Answer: The Garden was originally situated at Madison Square Park at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street) and was named after James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Two venues called Madison Square Garden were located just northeast of the square, the original Garden from 1879 to 1890, and the second Garden from 1890 to 1925. The third MSG moved to a new location from 1926 until 1968 on 8th Avenue between 49th and 50th streets. In 1969, the 4th and present location was born between 7th and 8th Avenue from 31st to 33rd Streets. Madison Square Garden is the last of the NBA and NHL arenas not to be named after a corporate sponsor. In recent years, there has been pressure on building owner Jim Dolan (who also owns the Rangers and Knicks) to relocate MSG and make way for a new, vibrant, and massive Pennsylvania Station that sits underneath the Garden. The city council approved a special permit of only five years in 2023 to allow Dolan to remain until 2028. The move attempts to have Dolan commit financially to the expanded train hall before granting a longer special permit to keep MSG at its present location. The Garden received a much-needed facelift from 2011-2013. The inside of the arena was upgraded to include new seats and bathrooms, wider concourses, new luxury suites closer to the ice, club seating areas with high-end food, and a Bridge Level with seats that provide a great aerial view and some bar stool seating. The West Balcony was also added which replaced the old skyboxes. There are six entry points - four on 8th Avenue and the main entrance on 7th Avenue which leads to the lobby and box office. There are also 2 VIP entrances. Food & Beverage 5 In addition to traditional fare, the lower bowl includes Lavo Meatballs, Avenue Cantina, Carnegie Deli, Mike’s Hot Honey (chicken), Fuku chicken sandwiches, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Paulie Gee’s Pizza, Rock Lobster, and Tao Sushi. Other choices include Daily Burger, Garden Market, and Chicken and Things. On the 200 level, there is Dunkin Donuts, Bar at the Garden, Pat LaFrieda Prime Rib, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, and 7th Street Burger. There are also vegan and gluten-free options. For beverages, there are craft beers on tap (Blue Point, Shock Top, and Goose Island) and mixed drinks. A 24-ounce draft beer is $16. Pepsi products are the beverage of choice. A 20oz soft drink is $20 and Aquafina is $5.50. Many of these options are on the 200 level with less of the high-end fare. The Bridge Level includes Daily Burger ($16 for a cheeseburger), Chicken & Things ($17 tenders and fries), Bar at the Garden, and Fratelli’s Pizza. Remember to have your Chase Card handy as a 20% discount is offered for fans who spend $30 or more. The lines get extremely long at the end of the period. Two tips: head to the concession stands before the horn sounds or if possible wait for the end of the second period as lines are not as long during the second intermission. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere and game day production are solid. The Rangers hype video leads into the intro of The Who classic Baba O’Riley and then the voice of PA Announcer Joe Tolleson blares “Here they are: The New York Rangers” and up comes the Who as the players hit the ice. Then operatic tenor John Brancy is sure to enliven the fans by singing the national anthem. Brancy does about half of the Rangers games. MSG Ceiling, Photo by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Madison Square Garden is special, from the lobby to the box office, the team store, and the exhibits that commemorate special events. The inside features the iconic ceiling with a cable-supported roof. The 28’ x 57’ scoreboard (which displays the names and numbers of all skaters on the ice throughout the game) over center ice is riveting and then your eyes are drawn to the Chase Bridges which cross the ice at the top of both sides of the upper bowl. A new banner 2023-2024 Regular Season Champions was added to the rafters to start this season but that will not impress most Rangers fans. Four banners commemorating the Rangers’ four Stanley Cup wins (yes only 4) also hang over the Club Lounge seats. The lower bowl is located on the 6th floor and the upper level is on the 7th floor. The lower concourse is fairly wide but gets jammed quickly right before the game and at intermissions. The upper concourse is extremely narrow in spots and lines back up for food and bathrooms causing sporadic traffic jams in between periods. Fans can take escalators to the seating areas but check with Guest Services and they will direct persons who need assistance to elevators and can call for a wheelchair if needed. The arena is divided into Sections 100 through 400 and in addition, there are 96 suites on the Club Level. The sightlines have been much improved since the more than $1 billion renovation that was completed a decade ago. On the negative side, legroom is at a minimum. The current building pays homage to the old Blue Seaters who were the raucous backbone of the Rangers in the 70s and 80s. The 400 Level features blue seats and is appropriately named ‘’The Blue Seats’’ for the former Garden faithful. Neighborhood 5 The area around MSG, located in midtown Manhattan, is busy and boisterous. Pedestrians, taxis, trucks, cars, and buses flood 7th and 8th Avenues and 34th Street even late at night. Penn Station is situated beneath the building and the new bold and beautiful Moynihan Train Station is directly adjacent to MSG on 8th Avenue. The building is 255,000 square feet, housing both Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road ticketing and waiting areas, the unrivaled design includes state-of-the-art security features and a contemporary, digital passenger experience. Macy’s, Empire State Building, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center are within walking distance. There is the Molly Wee Pub, Stout, and Mustang Harry’s for pre-gaming. For food there is Koreatown and NY Pizza Suprema (413 8th Avenue) is often rated one of the best pizza places in Manhattan. There is a bevy of lodging options including The New Yorker Hotel, Fairfield Inn and Suites, the Renaissance New York, and Courtyard New York Manhattan/Chelsea. Fans 4 New York Rangers fans are more reactive than proactive. The days of cheerleading and rallying the team when the home team is down in professional sports are over for the most part and fans tend to wait for something to happen to cheer. Prices have forced loyal fans to watch more games from home as MSG has catered to the rich and famous. Despite the outrageous ticket prices, the Rangers sell out almost every game and are averaging 17,975 so far this season. Blueshirts fans enjoy wearing their Rangers sweaters to the games and it’s common to see many women in the crowd. The Garden still erupts for goals by the home team as they break into the Goal Song (Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey!!) with the horn blaring and the red lights swirling under the Jumbotron. The song called Slapshot, which debuted in 1995, was written by Rangers organist Ray Castoldi. The favorite chant is the fans’ rallying cry “Let’s Go Rangers” and also ”Igor, Igor!” after a great save or saves to salute All-Star goalie Igor Shesterkin if he happens to be manning the net. The ultimate Rangers fan is Larry Goodman (aka Dancin Larry) who dances to Strike It Up at almost every game during the final TV timeout of the third period with the Rangers cheerleaders encouraging his act. Larry has been doing his thing since 1996. The Rangers are the only team in the league without a mascot. Maybe it’s time has come. The Garden does a good job of displaying plenty of crowd shots on the scoreboard during breaks in the action. MSG does three T Shirt Tosses which get the joint jumping and adds a few celebrity sightings. The sound system is clear and music is a mix of pop and organ and played at a good decibel level. Access 5 Access is a plus except for traffic around MSG. The Path Train from New Jersey, subway stations on 6th (B, D, F and M and N, Q, R, and W) and 8th Avenue (A, C and E and 1, 2 and 3), LIRR trains from Long Island and Queens underneath at Penn Station, and Grand Central Station (serving Westchester and Connecticut) is about a 15-20 minute walk. Driving to MSG can be problematic coming in from the West Side Highway or East River Drive. There are plenty of parking facilities nearby so check SpotHero or ParkWhiz to prepay for parking which runs about $30-$45. The doors open 90 minutes before the event and security scanning is fairly efficient. Return on Investment 2 The investment for one event at MSG is costly. If you can find a ticket for under $100 consider yourself lucky. The only time to get in for less is for early-season weeknight games in October and November or if the Rangers fall out of playoff contention. The lower bowl will run $150 or more for behind the goal (not including TicketMaster fees) and much more to sit at center ice ($350 and up). Food and beverages are pricey but much more options are available and the quality has improved. For the most part, steer clear of souvenirs and look for less costly options online or in local sporting goods stores. Extras 4 One point is for the Theater at Madison Square which features Annie presently starring Whoopi Goldberg. Another point is the diversity of MSG which offers in addition to the Knicks and St. John’s basketball, concerts, and comedy shows. Avril Lavigne, Mary J. Blig,e and Dua Lipa are three headliners set to perform in 2025. Billy Joel, who holds the record for the greatest number of appearances at the Garden with 150 shows stated that "Madison Square Garden is the center of the universe as far as I'm concerned.” A blue banner honoring Joel’s 150 hangs from the rafters. The third point is for tradition: the classic Rangers sweater has been in use since the franchise's birth in 1926, with several alterations along the way. Tex Rickard was the first owner of the Rangers, one of the Original Six teams that competed in the NHL before its 1967 expansion, along with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The fourth and final point is for the impressive new main entrance on 7th Avenue. leading into the lobby. This area was covered by scaffolding for a few seasons and now is wide open with the marquee flashing upcoming events. This is an entrance worthy of its moniker “The World’s Most Famous Arena”. Final Thoughts MSG is always deserving of a Stadium Journey and not just for hockey. The Arena is vibrant and exciting but don’t forget the plastic. Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Facebook

Photos by Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Van Andel Arena 130 W Fulton St Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Grand Rapids Griffins website Van Andel Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 10,834 As Good as it Gets in Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan is a true gem and it is getting even better. The home of the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins is an excellent place to enjoy hockey as well as many top name entertainers. Due to the close proximity to the parent club in Detroit, Griffin fans enjoy the chance to see future NHL players sharpening their skills and hoping to move 180 miles southeast to play in Little Caesars Arena. Considering the population of Grand Rapids (second largest city in Michigan – metropolitan population is over 1,000,000), the number of choices to eat and drink in the downtown area is amazing. A wide range of quality allows everyone to find their niche. The city has been named “Best Beer Town” by national publications, morphing from its former “Furniture City” designation. Thanks to Amway corporate leaders, the downtown has revitalized itself in recent years. It is a true destination location for travelers. Food & Beverage 4 Hockey fans can find copious food and drink options at Van Andel. On the lower level, the Intermission Restaurant and Bar is a full-service dining room open two hours before the puck drops. A wide range of concession stands offer the traditional options such as $4.50 hot dogs, $7.25 nachos, $5.50 cheeseburgers, $5 brats and combo baskets. One cost saver is the $10.50 refill cup with unlimited refills of soft drinks during the event. Pepsi products are offered along with national and craft beers from $7.25 to $9.25. Cocktails vary from $6.50 margaritas to $10 for the whiskey plum, while wine goes for $6.50 to $10. The Valley Cattle and Fry Co. stand provides burgers along with chicken wings and tenders. Peppino’s has a whole pizza for $25 and slices for $4.50. The Fulton Bar features Hudsonville Ice Cream options. Various Mexican food items are “custom made” as the customer chooses what goes into his/her burrito; I really enjoyed this opportunity. Atmosphere 4 Van Andel Arena opened in 1996 and has played a significant role in downtown revitalization. Sports, concerts, and plays are of high quality for all audiences. An HD video board on the south wall is a great addition as replays and lots of fan shots are shown. An LED lighting system was installed in 2016, along with free public Wi-Fi. There are apps available for the Griffins and Van Andel Arena that link the customer. The arena displays Calder Cup Championship banners honoring the 2013 and 2017 teams. The sight lines from the seats are quite good. However, the seats are relatively narrow by today’s standards that provide moderate leg room; all seats are padded and have cup holders. The seating areas and ceiling have a dark motif; the new lighting draws the fans’ eyes to the rink. Short stairways lead from the seats to the main concourse. Team mascot Griff the Griffin is a lively character who roars around the ice before the puck drops and meets/greets the fans. Neighborhood 5 The variety of choices available in downtown “GR” is great for hockey fans and event goers. Highly rated restaurants within easy walking distance include San Chez Bistro for all three meals serving small plates/tapas, Wheelhouse Kitchen for contemporary dining and the Bistro Bella Vista offers Italian fare. The Grand Rapids “BOB” (Big Old Building) has several dining and drinking alternatives in a lively atmosphere. Nearby downtown establishments I have enjoyed are the Butcher’s Union on Bridge Street and The Chop House on Monroe. Choosing a brewery in GR is a challenge: there are many high-quality options. Near the arena are Hop Cat and Grand Rapids Brewery Company. In the surrounding city areas, consider Founders Brewing, Mitten Brewing Company, Brewery Vivant, and Railtown Brewing Company. Attractions abound in and around GR: the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on the east side are excellent, the Gerald R. Ford Museum just west of downtown honors our 38th President, and the Public Museum and Art Museum are also great choices. Fans 4 Over the last five years, the Griffins’ average attendance is close to 8,000 which places them about #6 in the 31-team AHL. The team appears to do a very good job with group and family sales and they have added some suites. “The Corner Office” is a group area featuring food and drink along with luxury recliners. One great policy is the ushers holding up signs asking fans to wait until a stop in the action before returning to their seats – this should happen at all parks in my opinion. Fans are given a free “Griffitti” program when they enter. The fans are knowledgeable of the game and make noise for shots on goal, and the arena staff is very friendly and helpful as they welcome the fans. Access 5 Driving to Van Andel is quite convenient even though it is in the downtown area as two freeways have nearby exits. That said, fans should allow some time for parking and walking to the game. Parking lots/ramps are run by the city and cost $12 for events. Some metered street parking is available; if fans get to one of those spots at the right time, they could save some money. Fans enter the arena on the north side. Public transportation is widely available. The arena concourse is a good size, yet can get a little tight with large crowds. Handicapped fans are accommodated well with elevators and many seating locations available. Return on Investment 4 Tickets vary from $19-$40 at the gate; fans can save $3 per seat if purchased in advance. Check the team website and app for special offers; “4-pack” deals for family and the D-Zone are examples. The team offers lots of promotions/giveaways for most matches. Winning Wednesday events include free tickets if the team wins that night. Food and beverage pricing is typical for this level of play, and the variety is a plus. Extras 4 One point for the active downtown scene which can be enjoyed before and after the game. Another point for the excellent production provided by the Griffins staff throughout the game: excellent sound system and music; lively announcements; items dropped from the catwalks down to the fans (including a parachute drop with pizza boxes for free pizza). They make it an enjoyable experience. One point for excellent and friendly customer service. One point for the Grand Rapids Hall of Fame plaques throughout the entire concourse where they recognize players (including President Gerald Ford who played football at U of M), coaches and media favorites. Final Thoughts This is a great minor league hockey venue! Hockey fans might consider getting tickets for a weekend of fun: they offer a number of Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday games on the schedule, so fans could stay downtown do it up right! Even casual fans will enjoy a match and families are very well served.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Duncan Field 601 East South St Hastings, NE 68901 Hastings Sodbusters website Duncan Field website Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 1,317 Historic Duncan Field Built as a public works project in 1940 and dedicated in 1941, Duncan Field is known for its massive outfield dimensions and its iconic red brick outfield wall. The baseball field was originally called Pershing Field and was renamed Duncan Field in 1948 after Robert Duncan, an avid Hastings baseball fan. Duncan Field was used by the class ‘D’ Nebraska State League (baseball) from 1956 – 1959. It hosted the American Legion National Baseball Championships in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1969. Today, the field continues to host Legion baseball, Hastings College baseball, Hastings Senior High baseball, and Hastings St Cecilla football. 2018 sees a new tenant at Duncan Field – the Hastings Sodbusters of the Expedition League, a summer collegiate wood bat league. The first ever Expedition League All Star Game was held in 2018 at Duncan Field. The stadium will host the 2019 and 2020 American Legion Central Plains Regionals (baseball), the first regionals in the state since 2004. Watching a Sodbusters game at this classic venue is a family friendly, affordable way to spend a summer evening. Food & Beverage 3 Standard ballpark food is available for Sodbusters games with the one main concession stand just to the right of the entrance down the first base line. Offerings include hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dog, pulled pork sandwich, nachos, and pizza and are priced from $3 – $5 (quite affordable). Snacks consist of pretzels, cookies, candy bars, chips, seeds ($1 – $5). The concession stand is cash only. Drinks are $2 (Pepsi, Gatorade, bottled water, tea/sweet tea, and bottled lemonade). An adult beverage cart is to the left of the entrance that has Coors, Bud, Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, Goose Island IPA, Goose Island 312, and Leinenkugel. It also serves mixed drinks such as vodka and lemonade, rum and Coke, whiskey or Jack Daniels and Coke, etc. All drinks are $5, cash only. For most Sodbuster games, a small snack-only concession stand is open on the upper third base seating level and sells salty popcorn, chips, and other goodies. Lines can, and do, form at the main concession stand so plan accordingly. Atmosphere 3 Seating runs from a tad beyond first base to a bit beyond third base. The reserved seating (from dugout to dugout) has wonderfully, enormous amounts of leg room and are the standard green, fold down stadium seats. There’s absolutely no leg room in the general admission / bleacher sections nor are their backs on the bleachers. Spend the extra $2 and get a reserved seat. The first base side gets the shade first during evening games. A kid’s covered play area beyond the first base line contains an elaborate, colorful jungle gym. A bouncy house for the young ones to enjoy is past the third base line. An electronic scoreboard is located in right-center field and provides basic game information: runs per inning, total runs, hits and errors, the balls, strikes, outs, and the # of the player at bat. Roster sheets are not provided. A train track runs just past the stadium and freight trains can be heard rumbling by throughout the game (as well as the trains’ loud whistle). The PA announcer does not articulate well; is difficult to understand what he’s trying to say; music is played while he’s talking which doesn’t help. “Noise” is broadcast/played after every pitch which is annoying to me but the crowd seems to like it. The staff works hard providing the innocent, between-inning entertainment which includes matrimony game, dizzy bat race, trivia contest, and more. Neighborhood 3 One of the great things about stadium journeying is the ability to visit many large and small towns across the country and the world that a traveler would not normally visit. Surrounded by corn fields, Hastings, NE is one of those small towns that provides an interesting mix of commerce and industry, restaurants and bars, and cultural and sports opportunities and it grows on you after spending some time there. Downtown Hastings is only about a mile from Duncan Field. Spend a couple hours visiting the Hastings Museum, which includes a planetarium that offers a several shows daily. Did you know Hastings is the birthplace of Kool-Aid? Visit the Farmer’s Market, take in the latest film at the historic Rivoli Theatre, stroll downtown and tour many of the locally-owned shops, or hike/bike the paved trails at Heartwell Park and feed the ducks. For delicious sandwiches, a Big Dally’s Deli is directly across the street from center field. Other recommended dining choices include Odyssey Downtown (casual and fine dining – considered the best dining experience in central Nebraska), Murphy’s Wagon Wheel (burgers, BBQ, and beer), and Bull Eye’s (a traditional bar that has good weekend breakfast choices). A most comfortable and welcoming brewery downtown is the First Street Brewing Company or stop by Steeple Brewing Co for other varieties of craft beer. Several hotels are within a few miles of Duncan Field, though none within walking distance. They include Super 8 by Wyndham Hastings, C3 Hotel & Convention Center, Comfort Inn and a few more. Most of these run between $60 and $80 a night. Fans 3 Locals are delighted there’s an additional form of entertainment in town. The Sodbusters are in the middle of the pack of attendance rankings in the Expedition League with an average of 641 fans per game during the 2018 season. The fans are versed in the rules of the game and applaud at all the appropriate times. They appreciate good plays made by not only the Sodbusters but the visiting team as well. The beer batter of the game (buy one; get one free Bud or Bud Light for the remainder of the inning if the identified batter gets a strike out) is an appreciated promotion. Access 3 Hastings is a little over 100 miles west of Lincoln, NE. The town is surrounded by farmland so one will be making a pleasant drive through the Heartland of America on their way to Duncan Field if coming from out of town. Once in town, it’s quite easy to find Duncan Field as it sits just off County Road 6, south of Hastings College on Elm Ave. Public transportation is not available for Sodbusters games. Uber, Lyft, and taxis are of service in the city. A small airport is in Hastings but no commercial flights arrive or depart from that air field. A paved parking lot is adjacent to the stadium (no charge for parking) and there is plenty of free parking along the neighborhood streets. The ticket booth is located down the first base line next to the only gate entrance. Ramps and wheelchair accessible spaces are plentiful. The concourse is really the entrance plaza, a small walkway is in front of the seating area (and behind the grandstand where the restrooms are located). Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $5 (student), $6 (general admission – bleachers), $8 (reserved – sections 101-102, 103-105), and $10 (premier – first three rows of 103-105 – right behind home plate). Concession prices are very affordable and parking is free. The team provides various fireworks and theme nights throughout the season. Every Tuesday is $2 Tuesday with deals at the already inexpensive concession stand. It’s a great affordable place to take the family, a date, or friends on a summer’s evening out. Extras 3 Duncan Field has several unique and interesting points. In addition to baseball, Hastings St Cecilla football is also played in the outfield (there’s a separate football-only scoreboard down the third base line). The original brick outfield wall built in the 1940’s still looks fabulous. No advertisements and no separate batter’s eye is in place as the dark red brick does the trick. It provides that ‘old time baseball feel’ when attending a game at Duncan Field. Kudo’s to the 2014 renovations and to all of those who donated to help keep this historic field state-of-the-art while maintaining its history. Final Thoughts If in town, I recommend conversation and a craft cold one at First Street Brewery, then head east a mile to Duncan Field and catch a Sodbusters baseball game for an enjoyable afternoon/evening out.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Eastwood Field 5555 Youngstown Warren Rd Niles, OH 44446 Youngstown State Penguins website Eastwood Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 6,300 Behind the Mall for Penguin Ball Secluded behind the Eastwood shopping mall in Niles, Ohio sits Eastwood Field, home of the Youngstown State Penguins baseball team. It is a unique position for a stadium and is also home to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers , an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. There are some minor league amenities in a college environment that are fun to explore. Eastwood Field was constructed in 1999 with an $8.3 million budget and has been home to baseball ever since. Even though the games here are enjoyable, being 12 miles from the YSU campus severely takes away from an authentic college baseball experience. A seating capacity of around 6,000 allows the possibility for some good crowds, but the distance makes it difficult for the casual fan to make the trip. Food & Beverage 2 The variety at the ballpark is great, but there’s nothing that stands out from the rest. Plus, some of the specialty stands they use for minor league games are closed during the college games. It’s never good to be informed on what you’re missing from the experience. The quality of the food is average. You can grab a hot dog ($3), burger ($6), grilled chicken sandwich ($6), or nachos ($4). For some added variety you can purchase chicken fingers, buckets of fries, pizza, or boneless wings. The essential snacks are there as well including sunflower seeds ($1.50), cracker jacks ($3.25), chips ($2), and peanuts ($3.25). There are plenty of drink options including bottled soda, Aquafina, Gatorade, and Mountain Dew ($3.50). Also, since the stadium is not on a college campus they are allowed to sell draft beer ($6 for a 20 oz. $9 for a 32 oz.). Atmosphere 2 If you are adventurous on your stadium journeys, you might just arrive at the YSU campus without a map looking for the baseball stadium. After all, they advertise the games on the marquees all over campus. Plus, the campus has been around for a long time so there is a lot to see. However, once game time comes around you’re going to have to make a trip to Niles about 20 minutes away. This really takes away from the experience when you’re expecting a college atmosphere. The stadium itself is fun, but not overwhelming. It is hidden behind a shopping mall of the same name and only has a view of vegetation beyond the outfield wall. It kind of makes you feel boxed into a corner. The environment really resembles minor league baseball more than college baseball. Everything from the music to the entertainment in between innings puts you right in the middle of that feeling. This keeps the stadium from achieving a more enjoyable experience for baseball fans looking for the college game. Neighborhood 2 The feeling of the neighborhood is literally nonexistent. That atmosphere is 20 minutes away on campus. However, there are some places to spend some time before or after the game. The most popular restaurant is Bill’s Place just off of Mahoning Avenue in Austintown. Located just about 10 minutes from the stadium, this is a great place to grab some decent food and play some pool and take advantage of the drink specials. The highlight of your trip will be Stambaugh Stadium, if you decide to spend some time on campus. The football program has enjoyed notoriety and success over the years. The stadium is a mammoth concrete structure located just off the highway. The location is really neat and a must see for any college football fan. Fans 3 Youngstown has some good fans that mostly come from a strong college football following. The distance from the campus seems to keep any kind of student attendance to a minimum. The crowd is mostly filled with families looking for a night out as opposed to a true college community. The fans that do show up are highly supportive of the team and come decked out in Penguin apparel. If you can, try to make it to the stadium when a big time school is in town, especially if it’s another Ohio school like Ohio State. This will increase chances of a bigger and louder crowd. Access 3 The stadium is really easy to get to, but it is hidden behind the shopping mall and located 20 minutes down the highway from YSU. Those factors can make it a bit tricky to find. The parking is only $3 and there’s plenty of room in the lot to find a good spot. The lines for concessions can get a bit long, but you can just find a smaller service station down the first base side instead of in the main concourse if you want to avoid standing in line. Once inside the stadium, you’ll find the area is quite spacious. The seating is general admission so you’re free to explore the different views of the ballpark. The best view is in the bleachers on the third base side, about 30 rows up. From there, you can see everything including the bullpen and all of the game action. Return on Investment 3 The tickets will only cost you $8 per person and are general admission. The prices at the concessions are respectable and the parking is cheap. Overall, this makes for an affordable night out with the family in a fun environment. Just make sure to prepare for the cold weather, even in the month of May college baseball can be a cold game. Extras 2 One point for all of the different views you can get from around the stadium, especially the best view from the bleachers down the third base line. Another point for the nice lawn area in right field, a great spot to enjoy some beverages. Final Thoughts The trip to Youngstown, Ohio can be enjoyable if you want to bring along the family or a best friend, but the stadium experience is not on par with premier college atmospheres. The campus and stadium are just too spread out and nothing seems to be within walking distance. There aren’t that many places to enjoy a good meal or to experience some entertainment outside the baseball game. But, if you happen to live in Northern Ohio, Eastwood Field makes for a decent night out.

Photo Courtesy of MLB Get your tickets while you can. The MLB Speedway Classic will be at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The baseball game will feature the hometeam Cincinnati Reds hosting the Atlanta Braves at the 150,000-seat race track. It will be the first Major League Baseball game held at an auto racetrack, with the goal, of setting an attendance record at the oval-shaped facility.  The attendance record was for an MLB exhibition game of 115,300 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox in 2008. "We look forward to celebrating our game with a wide array of fans, both on and off the field throughout the weekend, and highlighting the rich traditions of sports, music, and community in Tennessee and across the region," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. The Bristol Motor Speedway was built in 1961 and is known as “The Last Great Coliseum”. It is not the first time the facility hosted a non-NASCAR event. A college football game between Virginia Tech and Tennessee saw an NCAA record crowd of 156,900 fans in 2016. The price of tickets, packages, and other events will be released in the coming months. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Mississippi Coliseum 1207 Mississippi St Jackson, MS 39202 Dixie Nationals Livestock Show and Rodeo website Mississippi Coliseum website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 6,500 Greatest Show on Dirt For 10 days every February some of the best cowboys in the world come to Jackson, Mississippi. The State Fairgrounds are transformed into the Rodeo Capital of the U.S., as the Dixie Nationals Livestock Show and Rodeo takes over the city. The idea for the Dixie Nationals began in the early 1960s when then Mississippi Agricultural Commissioner Si Corley and three Jackson businessmen took trips out west and saw the different livestock shows and rodeos that took place. By 1966 the first Dixie Nationals had begun, and by the third year the event turned a profit. Nicknamed the 'Greatest Show on Dirt' and the ‘Biggest Rodeo East of the Mississippi’, the Dixie Nationals, now entering its 57th year in 2023, is one of the premiere rodeos in the country and one of Mississippi's largest sporting events. The month-long livestock show and rodeo attracts more than 200,000 visitors to the State Fairgrounds, for an estimated economic impact of more than $20 million. Food & Beverage 4 Food is plentiful at the Dixie Nationals, so much so that you could fill yourself up before you even step foot inside Mississippi Coliseum. It is a carnival-like atmosphere on the grounds, with different food trucks and different food booths open during the event. The typical fair food is here along with seafood and gumbo. The Mississippi Cattleman's Association also has a giant barn set up called the Beef Barn – if it has meat in it you bet you can find it at the Beef Barn; they even have a "Hot Beef Sundae" which looks just like an ice cream sundae, but instead it's a cup of mashed potatoes and roast beef, topped with sour cream and cherry tomatoes. Another option is the Mississippi Trade Mart Building, a convention center-style building attached to the coliseum which has that building's regular concessions open inside, so you can find the usual fare there as well. For upscale food check out the Dixie National Steakhouse inside the Trade Mart Building; some of the best chefs in the Jackson area partnered together to create their own steakhouse. Inside you can get expensive sirloin, ribeye, and everything else before heading into the coliseum to watch some rodeo action. Once inside Mississippi Coliseum there are four concession stands, each with the regular ballpark fare. Chicken tenders, hot dogs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and nachos round out the menu with prices from $4 to $9. Several pop-up bars round out the concourse as well, serving a wide selection of alcoholic drinks. Atmosphere 5 The Dixie Nationals is more than just a rodeo – it is an event in itself. The Dixie Nationals unofficially begins the first week of January, with various judging competitions and showmanship awards for different animals. There are also livestock auctions taking place throughout the grounds almost every day in the weeks leading up to the official start of the rodeo. The main rodeo takes place for ten days in the middle of February inside the 6,500-seat Mississippi Coliseum on the grounds of the State Fairgrounds, but there is so much more to see and do here, with events going on at all times in the other buildings on the fairground's property. The rodeo starts on a Friday and ends the following Sunday, and they really go all out here bringing a taste of the wild west to Mississippi for those ten days. On the first Saturday morning of the Rodeo they do a giant parade through the streets of downtown, but instead of floats it is all covered wagons and horse-drawn carriages. Cowboys ride on their horses and parade from the fairgrounds to the State Capitol; it really is a sight to see. Once at the State Fairgrounds there are also various events taking place every day, for example the Mississippi Agricultural Commission Fan Expo goes on all day in the Trade Mart next to the coliseum – this expo has everything from mechanical bulls to petting zoos for the kids. You can even sit on Wilbur the Famous Rodeo Bull and get your picture taken. It is also a farmer's dream here at the expo, as you can find anything farm related here. They have interactive displays on the different soils and crops in Mississippi, and everything is interactive and touch-based to make it interesting, like the poultry exhibit where you can touch chicken eggs and watch them hatch. All the Mississippi-based industries had booths set up, as well as about 15-20 local colleges where they were trying to recruit prospective farming and agriculture majors. They even have about 100 different kinds of John Deere tractors on display, and you could climb into the tractors as well. The blacksmith booth set up was also a big hit, as I saw many people getting belts, boots and cowboy hats made. After spending hours at the fan expo you will spend even more time in the parking lot checking out the different barns and stables on the property – there are hundreds of stables and several livestock arenas with different livestock shows and auctions going on. All the farmers and ranchers have their prized livestock on display in the stables, and you can go right up and touch some of the bulls and cows that are being sold and competing at the rodeo. I talked to some farmers and ranchers who had come all the way from Canada, Wyoming, California, and Colorado with their horses and cattle. The Dixie Nationals consist of 10 rodeo shows that take place inside the coliseum over the course of the ten days, with two shows on Saturdays. Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gibson makes an appearance before each show, giving a speech about the history of the Rodeo. Mississippi Coliseum is over 70 years old, but surprisingly is aging quite well for an old building. The whole building is glass covered from the outside, and the concourses are quite clean, having been renovated several years ago. Once in the seating bowl there is not a bad view from anywhere in the building, with the 6,500 seats close enough to the action so you can see everything, with a large temporary videoboard hanging in the center. The Dixie National Rodeo is part of the Southeastern circuit of the Professional Rodeo Circuit of America (PRCA), so you will see the top cowboys in the country compete. You will see seven rodeo events contested each day of the competition, namely bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. A popular country music concert ends each night of the rodeo action, and after the final event of each show fans are invited to come down to the dirt, where they construct a stage for the concert. Neighborhood 4 The State Fairgrounds are located in the middle of downtown Jackson, the capital and largest city in Mississippi. In recent years Jackson has gained a reputation as a not-so-safe city, but as long as you are aware of your surroundings and don't venture too far away from downtown, especially after dark, you should be fine. Downtown is filled with historical sites and beautiful scenery, and within walking distance to the fairgrounds you can see all the tourist sites that make Jackson so special. If you are interested in the state's rich history, then visiting downtown Jackson is for you. Located two blocks from the fairgrounds is the state capitol, which was built in 1903 and is available for public tours. Pay attention to the beautiful stained-glass windows at the top of the capitol building; it is quite impressive with the intricate designs. Also across the street from the State Fairgrounds is the old capitol building, which served the state from 1839 until 1903 – the old capitol is available for tours as well, and is one of the few buildings in Jackson to survive the Civil War. Next to the old capitol is the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, which just opened and is a popular spot for tourists. Other popular museums downtown include the Museum of Art, Children's Museum, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, a must visit for anyone who visits Jackson. For the night life scene of Jackson check out the Fondren District, about 4 miles north of the State Fairgrounds. You will find lawyers, politicians, doctors, and college students from one of Jackson's three universities mingling together in the bars and restaurants that line Old Canton Road into the district; near the fairgrounds there are also a few bars worth checking out as well. For the live music scene check out Hal & Mal's, or if you are into craft beers, try the hip Tavern on George Street. Fenian's Pub also remains a popular spot among locals for its dark and rustic setting. Fans 5 The Dixie Nationals is a huge event that attracts fans, cowboys, cowgirls, ranchers, and farmers from all over the country. For the 2023 edition fans will get even more events and live interactions with animals, as well as top-tier country music acts each night of the rodeo action. Mississippi native Randy Houser, former All-Pro bull rider turned country singer Chancey Williams, Mark Chestnutt, Diamond Rio, and Lainey Wilson are just some of the country acts that have performed for the Dixie Nationals. Lainey Wilson is the star of the popular show ‘Yellowstone’, so her show was a favorite among the fans, with that night's showing of the rodeo selling out as soon as tickets went on sale. Between the fan expo, vendor booths, exhibits, and livestock auction/displays, fans could spend hours walking around the grounds before even walking inside to watch the actual rodeo; I spent about 3-4 hours just walking the grounds, and I could have easily spent more time. Even if you have no knowledge of rodeo terms or rodeo culture, famed rodeo announcer Mike Mathis keeps fans informed of the action on the dirt, and Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gibson makes an appearance before each rodeo giving a speech about the history of the event. A pretty cool 'Welcome to Mississippi' video also plays on the videoboard at the start, signifying that this is a statewide event. In addition, rodeo clowns entertain the fans during the competitions, with announcer Mike Mathis cracking jokes and playing games with the crowd and the clowns. The clowns definitely keep the crowd entertained through various prizes and bringing fans down to the dirt – the favorite among kids was when they threw the wheezers, a.k.a. boomerangs, into the crowd. Access 3 Mississippi Coliseum and the State Fairgrounds are conveniently located right off I-55, the main north and south corridor through downtown Jackson. Jackson is located at the halfway point between New Orleans and Memphis, about 3 hours from each. The best exit to take when getting off I-55 is Exit 96 at High Street, and the fairgrounds’ parking lot is located right there. Once on the grounds there is enough parking for over 20,000 cars, so even though the parking lot is full of vendors and livestock auctions going on, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a parking spot. The coliseum opens about an hour and a half before each show, and traffic through the concourse runs smoothly. Mississippi Coliseum doesn't look as old as it is, and the concourses are clean and wide enough for people to get to their seats easily. Return on Investment 4 As one of the biggest rodeos in the country, tickets are easy to come by and relatively cheap. The coliseum really has just one level of seating, with general admission at the top and in the end zones, costing between $25 and $30 depending on fees, while lower-level seats are $40 to $45 depending on fees. Parking is surprisingly free, which is always a plus. Factoring in the plethora of concessions and food options you get access too once on the grounds, I consider this a good return on investment – you are getting to see some of the best cowboys in the country and some pretty impressive livestock if you walk the grounds. The Dixie Nationals is a cool event that I recommend everyone check out, even if you have no interest in rodeos. Extras 4 Mississippi Coliseum is also Jackson's largest indoor sports and entertainment venue; the coliseum opened in 1962 and attracts a whole host of acts and sporting events to Jackson each year. Some of the top-named acts to perform at the facility over the years include Aerosmith, AC/DC, BB King, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Eddie Murphy, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett, Kiss, Guns N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Prince, and many more. The coliseum was also home to the Jackson Bandits of the ECHL from 1999-2003, and hosts one Mississippi State and Ole Miss basketball game every year. Another random fact about the State Fairgrounds is that it sits 2,900 feet above an extinct volcano. Nicknamed the Jackson Volcano, it is one of four volcanoes located within city limits in the U.S. The volcano was discovered while drilling for oil in 1917, and is believed to been extinct for over 65 million years. Another extra for the concert that is held every night after the Rodeo – as soon as the final event of the night concludes (bull roping), fans are invited down to the dirt as a stage is built in about 20 minutes for a popular country music act. There is just something about being able to stand on the actual dirt just minutes after one of the largest rodeos in the country just finished, and factoring that in with the country music concert just sets the mood, and sends the crowd home happy from the rodeo. Popular trick roper and rodeo entertainer Rider Keizner and his wife Bethany Idles also make an appearance every year at the Dixie Nationals. Rider Keizner has been called a modern-day Will Rogers, and he delights the crowd with his different rope tricks and the gunslinging he does. His wife will come out on her famous white bronco and do handstands on the back of the horse, as the horse cuts in and out of different obstacles placed on the course.

Photo Courtesy of Murray State University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 CFSB Center 1401 State Route 121 North Murray, KY 42071 Murray State Racers website CFSB Center website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 8,602 A Hidden Gem in Basketball’s Heartland It’s hard to deny the state of Kentucky’s richness when it comes to college basketball, and Murray State's CFSB Center shouldn’t be lost in the shuffle. It’s tucked away near the Tennessee border, and is absolutely worth the scenic drive to witness a game. Completed in 1998, the Racers have enjoyed a distinct home-court advantage in this venue for nearly 20 years. It embodies everything that mid-major basketball is all about, which is passionate fans to go along with a loud atmosphere. The building itself is impressive for a program out of the Ohio Valley Conference, and the interior has the perfect layout for its capacity crowd of over 8,000. The Murray State basketball program usually gets lost among the more traditional Kentucky powerhouses like the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats. Once you get past those two elite programs, Murray State makes a great case for the being next in line. If there’s a big conference matchup on the docket, or an in-state rival, then you better expect a packed house at CFSB Center. Food & Beverage 4 There is more than the just ordinary offered at the concession stands, which is always nice to see at smaller venues. Drinks are all fairly priced at $3, with choices including bottled water, Pepsi products, and even Starbucks coffee. You can also indulge yourself with “bottomless” soda for $7. As for the food, there are several options that go beyond the usual. You have your classic hot dog for only $3, and add chili and cheese for 50 cents more. You can go with a bratwurst for $3.50. You can get the classic soft pretzel for $5. The lower priced items include a box of popcorn ($2.50) and wide variety of candy ($1.50). The cinnamon bites, which are offered by Culver’s restaurant, are $4.50 and an interesting alternative. There are also a couple separate food and beverage carts with nachos and lemonade. All of the choices are great and anyone should be able to find something they can enjoy. The only qualm is that the concession stand ran out of hot dogs right before tip-off during my most recent visit, so there was a delay to having more available. Atmosphere 5 This experience lives up to the hype of experiencing some excellent mid-major basketball in a basketball-rich state like Kentucky. You instantly feel the intimidation that the home crowd can generate in this building. It almost has a vertical feel to it, putting the fans right on top of the court. I certainly witnessed how loud this place can get, and it wasn’t even at capacity during my visit. There really isn’t a bad view of the court no matter where you sit. However, the television cameras can block your sight line if you’re sitting too far towards the front in the upper bleachers. Since it is general admission seating up top, you shouldn’t have a problem moving to another seat to get a better view. Perhaps the best view is from the concourse area, if you don’t mind standing. The lower sections have chair back seats, while the upper sections are bleachers. You get to see all of the banners hanging from the rafters, and the CFSB Center has a lot of them. There are several retired numbers and championship banners spanning back to nearly a century ago. It reminds you that you’re seeing a program with a lot of history and tradition. Neighborhood 3 You have to realize that Murray is located in a rural part of the country where you can drive 20-plus miles between towns. The city of Murray has plenty of fast food dining options, but not much after that. There are a few casual dining restaurants available, and most of them are located near the CFSB Center. Your best bet to try something new would be Tumbleweed Tex Mex Grill and Margarita Bar. It’s within walking distance of the CFSB Center exits. In terms of bars or nightlife, there isn’t anything noticeable in the immediate area. Additionally, there is an Applebee’s nearby to the arena. This is a gorgeous part of the country when it comes to national parks and other outdoor activities. If you like doing things in nature, then check out Land Between the Lakes. It’s a massive recreational area that offers boating, walking trails, camping, and wildlife. It is a pretty decent drive away from any major cities, with Paducah being the closest at approximately 45 miles, and Nashville being over 100 miles. Fans 5 You would have to be wearing some serious blinders not to notice the extreme passion that Murray State fans bring with them to support their Racers. The home fans always cheer for a made basket, but these particular fans are alert and make their presence known on a whole other level. Virtually every fan is wildly into the game from start to finish. The building is also small enough to voice your displeasure to the referees, and there are several fans who take on the role of heckling them. The majority of the fans stay for the whole game, or at least until less than two minutes to go when the game is out of reach. They are loyal and create a lot of momentum when the Racers make their runs. Additionally, they are friendly and welcoming to visitors. Access 2 There’s no easy or direct way to get to Murray. It’s not located off of any interstates, meaning you have to use state highways for a good 30-40 miles, depending on which direction you’re coming from. If you’re coming from the Nashville area, then I recommend coming down Interstate 24, leaving you with a few state highways to make the rest of your journey. You can use Interstate 40 if coming from the West, and then go North on Highway 641. Just be prepared to use some highways that don’t have a lot of gas stations, so plan accordingly as this area can get desolate. As a first-time visitor, it is somewhat confusing on where to park. The construction surrounding the area in 2016 makes it even more confusing, but there are helpful staff that direct fans to park next to the football stadium. There are two sets of restrooms in the lone concourse area, and they are kept very clean with plenty of space. Return on Investment 5 You can’t beat the bargain of attending a game at CFSB Center. The product on the court really helps this score, and you can’t ever argue with free parking. The concession prices are less than expected, further helping the overall return on investment. Ticket prices basically come in two forms; general admission is a mere $10, with reserved seating in the lower bowl at $16. It’s a great value for some quality mid-major basketball. You can take the family out for an enjoyable evening at a very fair price. Extras 3 The hospitality of the fans and staff is an excellent bonus. You shouldn’t worry about bringing the family to an event here as the environment is family friendly, presented by a courteous staff. I wasn’t sure what the attendance would be on a weeknight for a team that isn’t performing at its usual high level. Despite the circumstances, the fans showed up in impressive numbers and supplied a strong home-court advantage. There were multiple occasions when the fans literally had the place at a deafening level, and that earns them an extra. Another extra goes to the quality of the band. They are involved in the game with chants, while playing some great tunes to feed into the college basketball atmosphere. Final Thoughts It is a very positive experience at CFSB Center that may exceed your expectations. You should certainly plan a visit if your team has an upcoming game here, or if you’re just in the area and enjoy seeing high quality basketball in an intimate college basketball arena like CFSB Center. Just plan accordingly as CFSB Center is nestled away in the rural area of southern Kentucky.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 William H. Greene Stadium 2400 6th St NW Washington, DC 20059 Howard Bison website William H. Greene Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 10,000 Home of the Howard Bison Located on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Greene Stadium is home to the Bison’s women's lacrosse, soccer, and football teams. The stadium opened in 1926 as the home of Bison football, although the lacrosse program was not founded until much later. Howard's women's lacrosse program is among the lowest-ranked of all teams in the country and has not defeated a Division I opponent in almost ten years. Howard does not have a men's lacrosse program. In 1977, Howard Stadium was expanded to 9,000 seats and the Bison moved back on campus. In 1986, the stadium was renamed Greene Stadium in honor of William H. Greene, who was a doctor and donor to Howard. There have been several proposals for a new stadium to replace or renovate Greene Stadium, which is aging and of poor quality, but none have come to fruition. Howard is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country and competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with many other HBCUs. However, the MEAC does not sponsor women's lacrosse, so the Bison compete in the Northeast Conference for that sport. In addition to this review of women's lacrosse, Stadium Journey also has a review of the football experience at Greene Stadium. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale in Greene Stadium. A food truck is available just outside the stadium for Howard football games, but is boarded up and not in use for lacrosse. There is a drink machine inside Burr Gymnasium next door, or you can bring in your food and drink. Atmosphere 2 All seats at Greene Stadium are uncomfortable metal bleachers on both sides of the stadium. However, accessing the far side requires walking down to field level and around the track, so most fans choose to sit on the near side. There is not much going on here other than the game itself. The PA announces starting lineups before the game but does not even announce goal scorers or penalty cards. The scoreboard is designed for football and does not show the time remaining on penalties, so you just have to keep track of it yourself. From the stands, you will be able to hear a good deal of the action on the field, although the running track that surrounds the field means you probably won't hear all of it despite there being almost no crowd noise or anything else going on. Neighborhood 5 Howard University is located amidst several historically African American neighborhoods in Washington. Shaw, U Street, and Columbia Heights, each of which have their history in the African American community, surround the college. Ben’s Chili Bowl, located about a 20-minute walk away in the U Street neighborhood, is not just an outstanding restaurant but a historic landmark as well. The chili, hot dogs, half-smokes, and burgers are renowned throughout the area, but keep in mind there is often a long line to order due to their popularity. And, of course, you’re in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, and there’s plenty to do throughout the city. The best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the many monuments on the National Mall or visiting one of the numerous museums, there is so much you can do here. All government-run attractions are free to the public, but some of the privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book that in advance. Fans 2 The crowd at a Howard lacrosse game is mostly friendly and family of the players, and there will be as many cheering for the visiting team as the Bison At most, they'll get about 100 fans and often much less. In a 10,000-seat football stadium, this is quite noticeable. Even if the fans try to make noise, they're so spread out, that it has little to no effect on the atmosphere. Access 3 Howard University is in a tricky spot to get to. It’s just far enough from the heart of downtown that it isn’t easily accessible via public transportation, and just close enough that it’s hard to drive there. The closest Metro stops are Shaw and Columbia Heights, but each is about a 20-minute walk away. There is some street parking available relatively close to the stadium, but much of it has a two-hour limit, which is likely too short if you are attending a lacrosse game. There are some paid lots, but you may have to walk a bit to get to the stadium from there. Your best bet, if you are not coming from too far away, is to take an Uber or Lyft to the stadium, but even then, depending on traffic, it may be quicker to get out and walk the last block or two. Once you are inside the stadium, it is still difficult to get around. There is a narrow pathway behind the bleachers on the near side, although this is less of a problem for across than football since the crowds are so small. To get to the other side, you have to walk down to field level and around the track. There are a few port-a-potties located on the track, or you can walk next door to Burr Gymnasium and use the restrooms there. Return on Investment 3 Admission to Howard lacrosse games is free, and you won't spend anything on concessions since there aren't any. However, the barebones experience and high cost to get here take this score down a couple of notches. . Extras 0 There are no real extras at a Howard lacrosse game, although you may be able to walk around Burr Gymnasium before or after the game and see some of the basketball history there. However, as that is a different facility and a different sport, we are not counting it as an extra. Final Thoughts Howard women's lacrosse is as barebones as it gets. With extremely small crowds and Howard on a decade-long losing streak versus Division I opponents, a trip here for lacrosse is only for extremely dedicated fans of the sport or fans of one of the programs. Everyone else interested in checking out the stadium should consider doing so for football, where the experience is significantly better.

Photos by Gregory Koch , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park 270 Veterans Memorial Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22807 James Madison Dukes website Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 1,200 Diamond Dukes Nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley town of Harrisonburg, Virginia is the campus of James Madison University. JMU’s athletic teams, known as the Dukes, compete in the Colonial Athletic Association, although they will be moving to the Sun Belt Conference in the 2022-23 season. The Dukes’ baseball team plays at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park, an artificial turf stadium that opened in 2010 and seats about 1,200 fans. Veterans Memorial Park also includes the Dukes’ softball stadium, which is located right next door to the baseball field, as well as an art complex and a memorial to veterans that gives the park its name. Food & Beverage 3 A concession stand is located directly to your right as you come in and offers a good range of options. Cheeseburgers and hamburgers are available for $4.75, hot dogs are $3.50, sausages are $5, and chicken tenders are $7.50 and come with fries. Fries by themselves are $4, while hot pretzels, candy, nachos, chips, blow pops, sunflower seeds, and peanuts are all available as snacks. Soda is $3.50, while hot chocolate and coffee are $3.50, or $6 in a souvenir mug. Bottled water is $5, and due to recycling efforts by public universities statewide, comes in an aluminum can rather than the typical plastic one. Atmosphere 4 Walking into Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park will put you on a concourse. The restrooms will be to your left, the concession stand will be to your right, and straight ahead you will find marketing and giveaway tables, signs honoring the accomplishments of Duke’s baseball, and stairways that take you up to the top of the seating area. From there you will need to walk back down to your seat. The three sections closest to home plate are chairback seats, while the others are bleachers with backs. Although some of the chairbacks used to be reserved, all seats are now general admission. The chairbacks are likely to be in the shade for most of the game, while the other seats will be in the sun. Which one is better depends on personal preference and when you go to the game – on a cold day in February or early March, many fans will opt to forgo the seatbacks to sit in the sun, but once it starts to warm up, you’ll appreciate the shade. A scoreboard in the outfield shows a linescore as well as runs, hits, and errors. Scoreboard at Eagle Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey The team does a lot to keep fans engaged, throwing miniature foam baseballs into the stands after every Duke’s home run, plus the usual t-shirt toss at some point during the game. The spacious concourse dedicates a significant amount of space to the history of JMU baseball, with banners and signs showing Dukes All-Americans, major leaguers, and appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Neighborhood 3 Harrisonburg is a quaint town in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Although this doesn’t have the excitement of the big city, there is plenty to do here, including the Virginia Quilt Museum. For meals, there are plenty of options depending on your budget. The famous southern chain Cook Out has a location five minutes from campus, which serves up burgers, chicken sandwiches, and other options. Try one of their trays for a great value, as it comes with two sides and a drink for around $8. If you’re looking for something more upscale, or at least something with table service, the Magpie Diner on West Gay Street is open for breakfast and lunch and is a local favorite. There are many hotels to stay at in Harrisonburg ranging from budget hotels to a Doubletree. Note that at the time of writing, many dining options in Harrisonburg are limited to takeout or unavailable entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this article is written to reflect the “normal” state of things. Fans 4 Although Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is a small stadium, Dukes fans do their best to fill it. Expect to see hundreds of fans decked out in purple at any given game. The fans are passionate and extremely loud, especially when the Dukes have big plays. You would not be able to tell how small the crowd is by the sound of it. Part of that is due to the compact space of the stadium, but most of it is due to how they are such great fans. Access 3 Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is located a few miles off Interstate 81 via exit 247B. After exiting onto Market Street, continue a short while before turning left onto Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Continue for about a mile and a half before the road ends at High Street. Continue through the light and you will be in the parking lot. You will need to navigate a roundabout in the middle of the parking lot to wind up in the lot nearest the stadium – other areas serve the Veterans Memorial itself or other parts of the park, although you can park there if the stadium lot fills up. Getting around the stadium once you get inside is easy enough, although it is a bit confusing to have to walk up and back down. Foul balls regularly fly onto the concourse so be careful while you are walking down there. A staff member will normally shout “Heads up!” when a ball is heading that way but be alert yourself anyway. Restrooms are located directly to the left of the entrance and are of sufficient size for the crowd. When getting out of the stadium, you may have to wait at the traffic light for a few minutes as the timing of the cycle was not designed for such traffic patterns as occur postgame, but once you get out, you should not encounter any problems. Return on Investment 4 JMU used to charge for baseball tickets, as is evident by the ticket window that is still outside the stadium but switched to free admission a few years ago. This was the right decision as it significantly enhances value. Concessions are affordable, parking is free, and this is a very nice stadium, all of which combine to make a trip to a JMU baseball game top value. Extras 2 One star for all the banners and signs on the concourse honoring Duke’s baseball history, which have already been discussed above. There are free programs available at the marketing table. While they’re not too extensive, you can’t really argue with the price. Final Thoughts When thinking of the top college baseball experiences in Virginia, fans will think immediately of the University of Virginia, which is home to one of the top college baseball programs in the country. However, while the JMU baseball program isn’t nearly at the same level as the Cavaliers, Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is a hidden gem here in the Shenandoah Valley. With free admission to a beautiful baseball stadium, a trip here is a great experience for college baseball fans across Virginia.

Photo by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Baylor Ballpark 1612 South University Parks Dr Waco, TX 76706 Baylor Bears website Baylor Ballpark website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 5,000 Baylor Ballpark In 2024 Baylor Ballpark is celebrating 26 years as home of the Baylor University Bears baseball team. The ballpark is located on the campus of Baylor University, and is constructed of red brick and green steel beams, keeping with the décor and architecture found all around Baylor University. The stadium has a capacity of five thousand, but the largest crowd ever (during a game versus Texas A&M ) far exceeded that number, with a record crowd of 5,911 on April 21, 2021. The ballpark’s surface is Bermuda grass with dimensions of 330-400-330. The Baylor program has been successful over the last two decades since the ballpark opened in 1999 – the team has close to a 70% winning percentage over that time period, which has helped Baylor host four regionals and three super regionals during Baylor Ballpark’s history, including a 14-8 record during the post season.   Food & Beverage   3 Baylor Ballpark has the basic fare expected at a sports venue. There are two permanent concessions stands, with one located behind home plate at the entrance of the park, and the other near third base. The concessions stand by third base offers Mr. Beast Burgers and cheesesteaks, with cheesesteaks costing $11 and burgers costing $10. The menu at Baylor Ballpark is limited, but the prices are not outrageous – the most expensive items are the burgers and cheesesteaks. The pricing for some of the other items are nachos for $6 and hot dogs, pretzels, candy, and peanuts at $4. The popcorn might be the best option at $3, but if you want to eat before the game that is also an option, as there are plenty of restaurants in Waco to satisfy any food craving. In terms of drinks, Baylor Ballpark offers fans both Pepsi products and of course Dr Pepper products, Waco being the birthplace of the latter beverage. The largest drink here is the souvenir cup at $6, but unfortunately this 32 oz souvenir is the one sold at Baylor football games , and not a baseball-themed cup. The smaller drinks at Baylor Ballpark are 20 oz of soda for $4, with other choices for the same price, being bottled water and Gatorade. There is also lemonade sold at a mobile stand on the concourse, along with funnel cakes, corn dogs, and fruit ice chills.   Atmosphere   3 Baylor Ballpark is a wonderful ballpark for college baseball fans to take in a game. The ballpark is architecturally simple and complements the surrounding campus. The park seems to be a visit to the past, yet is very well maintained for a ballpark built in 1999. The unique part of Baylor Ballpark is the grass berm along the first baseline, where fans can throw down a blanket or set out lawn chairs, and the berm also provides kids with entertainment as they slide down the grass. The seating area has 3,200 basic green seats, with the box and reserved seating wrapped around home plate from first to third base, with a total capacity of 5,000 fans. There are several access points to the seats, including a walkway between the box seats and reserved seats. In addition, the scoreboard in left center field includes a video replay screen, and the fences are covered with local business advertisements just like you would see at a minor league ballpark. Between innings, the scoreboard will show highlights of Baylor Bears who are currently in the major leagues. The staff also does t-shirt tosses, and music being played can also be expected during breaks in the action. Behind home plate, a strikeout counter is manually kept for fans that want to keep track of how the pitchers are performing that day. The ballpark seating faces northwest to give a view of the Brazos River and McLane Stadium beyond the outfield fence. There are also two bear statues near Baylor Ballpark’s main entrance, which can be a great photo opportunity for fans. Games also feature the typical contests and music between innings, and after every inning, Baylor’s slogan of “Sic ’em” is shown on the videoboard, and Baylor’s song “Baylor Line” is played whenever the Bears have a meeting on the mound. Overall the atmosphere is what is expected for a college baseball game, but the atmosphere can easily be heightened when a rivalry series with Texas  or Texas A&M  comes to Waco.   Neighborhood   3 Baylor Ballpark is part of Turner Athletic Complex on University Parks Drive, next to Ferrell Center and Gutterman Stadium (Baylor softball). Buzzard Billy’s Restaurant is along the Brazos River, near McLane Stadium , and is the closest restaurant. However, the city of Waco has numerous restaurants to enjoy, especially BBQ, while attending a Baylor sporting event – BBQ places to choose from while in town include Rudy’s Country Store BBQ, located off the interstate exit on Circle Drive, and Coach’s Smoke, located in downtown Waco on Austin Avenue; Coach’s Smoke is a good choice for beer as well. However, the most popular BBQ restaurant in Waco is Vitek’s BBQ at 1600 Speight Ave, which is on the south side of Baylor’s campus. Vitek’s BBQ is home of the Gut Pack, a dish which includes brisket, sausage, Fritos, and beans; if you decide on this dish you won’t need to eat for the rest of the day, as it is heavy and filling, as well as delicious. You should plan on arriving early, however – Vitek’s does serve outside as well as inside, but the wait can be long no matter which one you choose. If you aren’t in the mood for BBQ, George’s Restaurant is another popular place to meet before, during, or after the game. This restaurant has been serving Waco since 1930, and the crowds here are large, so be prepared to get there early. But the newest craze in town is Magnolia Table, a lunch spot created by TV personalities Chip and Joanna Gaines. Of course, being in Texas there is also Tex-Mex cuisine, and a strong recommendation in that space would be Trujillo’s Comedor Y Cantina on La Salle Avenue. All these choices mean Waco has great options besides fast food, so you’ll easily be able to find something that suits you. If you’re looking for something to do while in town, Waco is home to the Dr Pepper Museum, which is open on Saturdays. You’ll get to see how the popular Texas soft drink is produced, walk through its history, and even get your own Dr Pepper drink. Or, if you want to stay closer to the ballpark, on campus you can visit the Bear Habitat; this exhibit is home to Judge Indy and Judge Belle, Baylor’s two live black bear mascots. Another option is the Texas Ranger Museum – the Texas Rangers are a law enforcement treasure, and the museum does a great job chronicling their history. And of course, the gift shop has plenty of fun items for the kids to commemorate their visit, from Ranger badges to toy shotguns. If these options do not sound appealing, a short drive west from downtown is the Waco Mammoth Site, a re-creation of an on-site mammoth dig, or you can visit Cameron Park Zoo, either of which would mean a great time for the family and ensure unlimited memories of your trip to Waco.   Fans   3 Baylor Bears fans are what you would expect at a college baseball game – the average attendance at the stadium is about 1,800, which ranks Baylor in the top 50 for college baseball home attendance. The university is a 14,000-student undergraduate private school, and the fan base reflects this, with its makeup of alumni, students, friends, and player family members. The fans can get loud at certain points during the game, especially when Baylor scores or makes a good defensive play.   Access   5 Baylor Ballpark is one of the most accessible stadiums around, with parking available just outside the entrance. Parking is free and the lot is large enough to hold fans for both baseball and softball games being played at the same time. The ticket booth is just outside the main entrance, and buying a ticket is quick to do. There are four entrances into the main grandstand, plus an additional ramp for disabled fans, and all seating has green chairback seats, except for the metal bleachers behind left field. There is also a grass berm hill, on the first base side near right field, where you can have blanket or chair seating (but bring your own). The ballpark does have an awning for protection from the weather, covering the upper portion of the reserved seating, so remember that when choosing whether to sit in the more expensive box seats. The small number of bathrooms at Baylor Ballpark is interesting, but the one set of bathrooms in the main concourse seems to have no issues with long lines. The seating area also has a walkway between the box seats and reserved seating, and the signage is very good around the ballpark.   Return on Investment   5 Baylor Bears baseball single game tickets could be the best bargain in the Big 12 Conference – the closest seats are $20, these being the box seats in the first five rows around the dugouts and behind home plate. However, a better choice is the reserved seating around the infield for $10, which is the upper portion of the seating area. Baylor also offers mid-week game specials on their website. The low cost tickets, free parking, and inexpensive concessions all make a day at Baylor Ballpark a highly scored return on investment.   Extras   4 Baylor Ballpark has a great relaxing setting, with the Brazos River and McLane Stadium  visible just beyond the outfield. The ballpark has been home to Baylor Baseball for the past 25 years, and continues to be an impressive ballpark, with only a few small renovations over the years – the most recent was before the 2024 season, when Baylor installed a 24’ by 68.4’ digital videoboard. This Daktronics videoboard has a 13HD video display on a 560x1596 pixel screen, with capabilities for instant replay and video highlights. Baylor Ballpark is located on the site of Ferrell Field, Baylor baseball’s home from 1977–98, thus continuing the program’s baseball history, as seen throughout the concourse. The remarkable return on investment here provides a wonderful day at the ballpark.   Final Thoughts Baylor Ballpark is certainly a great place to take in some college baseball action. The ballpark is very accessible, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the fans are knowledgeable, respectful overall, and consistently inject themselves into the game; Baylor Ballpark, Baylor Baseball, and Waco combine to make beautiful trip for everyone.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Regency Athletic Complex at Metro State Denver 1600 West Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80204 Metro State Roadrunners website Regency Athletic Complex at Metro State Denver website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 400 Metro Roadrunners Baseball Metropolitan State University of Denver, known as Metro or Metro State in the Denver, CO area, achieved university status in 2012. Their athletic teams, known as the Roadrunners, play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), NCAA Division II. The campus in the Auraria neighborhood of Denver is a unique one, with three public education institutions sharing facilities and services on a single campus: the Community College of Denver, the Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado at Denver. The Roadrunners last RMAC baseball tournament championship was in 2002. The baseball team used to play at Auraria Field across from the Pepsi Center . In 2015, the team moved to the newly constructed Regency Athletic Complex at Metro State University Denver, which houses not only baseball but softball, tennis, and soccer. Food & Beverage 2 The complex offers basic food and snacks; enough to hold you over for two or so hours. One concession stand is located in the plaza area beyond the third baseline. Note: It doesn’t open (at least on the day of this review) until just a few minutes before game time. For snacks, it provides pickles, candy, chips, popcorn, muffins, cookies, and peanuts. For something a bit more substantial, hot dogs and nachos are for sale. Bottled Pepsi and water, lemonade, and iced tea are the available beverages. Prices are reasonable; it is a cash only concession. Signs say no outside food or beverages are allowed in the complex but plenty of folks bring in drinks and snacks; one fan even had a cooler, so that rule is not enforced. The concession stand is also the merchandise stand with a sorry selection of only a few t-shirts and hats on offer. Atmosphere 3 If it’s a nice winter/spring day in the Denver area and one is in need of a baseball fix, attending a Roadrunners game is a good place for just that as it’s about the game without any of the silly antics, blaring music, and advertisements found at minor and major league ball games. Six rows of aluminum bleachers with handrails are behind the home base area. Recommendation: bring a bleacher seat or cushion for better comfort. Another seating area is located after the third base dugout where fans can bring their chairs and watch from behind a chain link fence. This area is more calm and quieter than in the bleachers behind home. There are areas on top of the dugouts that look like they would be a good place to park a chair and watch but those are chained off. The field itself is all artificial turf: infield, outfield, pitcher’s mound, between the bases, warning track, and the area behind home plate and towards the dugouts. I’m not a fan of this, though I completely understand its need as trying to maintain a grass field in Denver when games begin in February would be a difficult endeavor. Lights are available for evening games, though most of the games are played in the afternoon. Music is played between innings and the Roadrunners each have a walkup song played. It is not obtrusive and fans can have conversations with each other without having to yell to be heard. One thing a bit different is where fans and players face to see the flag during the National Anthem; all players, fans, and even broadcast personnel about face away from the diamond as the flags are behind the press box (which is situated above the bleachers behind home plate). From where I was sitting, I looked directly into the press box; no flag in view. It appears the flags are centrally located for all the fields at Regency Athletic Complex. The view behind the outfield walls is not much to write home about but looking behind the third base line will show downtown Denver. A beautiful view of the mountains and Sports Authority Fields can be seen beyond the first base / home plate area. Neighborhood 5 The baseball field is located right next to the MSU campus; just south of downtown Denver; a 1/2 mile from Broncos Stadium at Mile High , a mile from the Pepsi Center , and two miles from Coors Field . All that Denver has to offer is within easy reach especially with the light rail system. A bountiful amount of restaurants, bars, and grills are available in downtown Denver. Less than a mile away from the ballfield is Original Brooklyn’s, a sports bar/tavern with decent beers and bar food and a nice patio for those warmer winter/spring days. Domo Japanese Restaurant is about a 1/2 mile walking distance. This restaurant also provides a traditional Japanese garden and a museum. For those into the local craft beer scene, Strange Craft Beer Company is just a 15 minute walk from the athletic field at Metro. The brewery I recommend in downtown Denver is Wyncoop. Freshcraft is an excellent low-key restaurant/bar in downtown on Blake St. Both places have yummy food and excellent beer selections. For things to see and do near Metro take a stroll along the Ninth Street Historic Park, a tree-lined street of working class Victorian homes and the oldest restored residential block in the Denver community. Be sure to visit the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. And of course, if in town visiting, there’s the plethora of other Denver attractions including the State Capitol Building, the Aquarium, Molly Brown House, Children’s Museum, 16th Street Mall, and more. The closest hotel is the Springhill Suites in downtown Denver, a little less than a mile walk to the complex and perfectly located for visiting many of the attractions in Denver. Fans 3 Many fans show up for Roadrunners games, especially if it is one of those warm winter/spring weekends. Since there are several RMAC schools within driving distance, expect to see fans from opposing teams visiting a Roadrunners game. Some of the fans really get stressed when a call is not made in their team’s favor. It’s a ball game, people; relax and enjoy it. The fans are very familiar with the players and the team. Comments such as, “Hey, we finally got a bunt down,” can be heard amongst the discussions in the stands. No distinct student section is found though students do attend the games. A lot of retirees are in the stands soaking up a game being played on the diamond. Access 4 Getting to and around the Regency Athletic Complex at Metro State is quite simple. The stadium is one and a half blocks from the Auraria West Station of the RTD Light Rail. After exiting the train, just head to 5th St (to the right and across the parking lot), cross over train tracks (no bridge) and under the highway and the facility is right there. For those traveling by car, parking is available at the Beech and Birch parking areas for $3. Parking is free for Sunday games. These lots are just off I-25 exit 210A (Colfax Ave). The closest airport is Denver International Airport (DIA) which is a 40 min drive. Beginning April 22, 2016, the RTD Light Rail will begin service from the airport to downtown so getting to Metro State may just get a little easier. Ramps to the seating area are available as well as wheelchair specific seating sections; those seats are at field level. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for alumni, and $4 seniors, students and kids. Metro State students get in for free. Tickets are cash only; no credit cards. Free parking on Sundays adds to the return. If you like the game of baseball without the frills and don’t mind the clink of the bat (vs the crack of the bat) attending a game at Metro is worth the money spent. Extras 3 Both teams’ rosters can be picked up prior to entry of the venue. The starting lineups are called in a clear voice and not too fast; this is an excellent benefit so for those who keep score. For train buffs, both freight trains and the light rail pass beyond the stadium’s perimeter. Being adjacent to a metropolitan city and all the events and entertainment that offers is worth a mention. Final Thoughts Set in an urban neighborhood, it is worth checking out the venue on a warmer Colorado winter/spring day from February to early May and then spending some time visiting downtown Denver and other sports in and near the city. It’s a decent place to get in a game after the long winter.

Photos by Stephan Hoogerwaard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Stadio Luigi Ferraris Corso A. De Stefanis Genoa, Liguria 16139 Italy Genoa CFC website Stadio Luigi Ferraris website Year Opened: 1911 Capacity: 36,599 Luigi at the Ferraris From 1911 until 1933, the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris in Genoa, Italy, was known as the Municipal Stadium. The Luigi Ferraris has a capacity of 36,599 seats. It is the oldest stadium still in use in Italy. The stadium hosts the home matches of both Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria, and the stadium is owned by the city of Genoa. Besides football matches, it also has hosted Italian national rugby matches and some concerts. The fans of both clubs refer to the stadium as the Marassi Stadium, named after the district where it is located. Unlike other historical Italian grounds, though, this was never the official name of the stadium. The highest attendance at the Luigi Ferraris was recorded on 27 February 1949, when 60,000 fans attended an international match between Italy and Portugal. The stadium was completely rebuilt for the 1990 World Cup, and the capacity was brought back to its current capacity of 36,599 seats. The stadium was also equipped with two giant screens for this event. Those video screens are still there, but are a bit outdated. During the World Cup, Stadio Luigi Ferraris hosted three Group C matches (between Costa Rica, Scotland, and Sweden) and one round-of-16 match between Ireland and Romania. All four stands of the stadium are covered and have two tiers. The Distinti Stand is the only stand of the ground which has three tiers and is the most impressive stand of them all. With no running track and stands so close to the pitch, the atmosphere is fantastic. The most fanatic supporters of UC Sampdoria are housed in the Gradinata Sud (Italian for “South Grandstand,”) the stand behind one of the goal ends. For Genoa CFC games, the Gradinata Nord (“North Grandstand”) is the main section for the home supporters. Probably unique in the world, Stadio Luigi Ferraris has two away sections inside the ground. Away fans are located in one of the corners on both the first and second tiers of the Main Stand (“Tribuna”); which away section depends on if Genoa or Sampdoria is playing their home match. On 29 February 2012, Team USA played a friendly against Italy in Stadio Luigi Ferraris as a preparation match for the European Football Championship in Poland and Ukraine. It ended 0-1 in favour of the USA, thanks to a goal by Clint Dempsey. It was a historic victory, as this was the first time Team USA beat Italy in a football (soccer) match. (Note: exchange rates are current as of the time of this posting, March 2014.) Food & Beverage 3 There are a few counters underneath the stands where you can buy drinks and food. I wish I could say there was a large variety to choose from, but unfortunately the counters are so ’90s. We bought a couple of beers (€2.50/£2.00/$3.50), a cola (€2.00/£1.65/$2.75), a coffee (€1.20/£1.00/$1.65), and two bags of 100 grams of chips (€1.50/£1.25/$2.00). For all of this, we paid only €11.20 (£9.25/$15.50), which is a more than a fair price inside a stadium. Though the choice of food and drinks is poor, the price is rather cheap. Besides the cheap price, there is another big plus: unlike the regulations governing the grounds in England, in Italy you are allowed to bring alcoholic drinks into the stands. So, we enjoyed our beer in the stands while watching the game. Atmosphere 5 The stadium is very compact, and the stands are very steep and close to the pitch. The proximity to the pitch makes this my favourite ground in Italy. This makes the Luigi Ferraris an impressive stadium. Everyone inside the ground is close to the action. The four terracotta-coloured corners at each side of the stands gives the stadium a really unique feature. All the seats inside the ground are coloured blue and have a backing. At the lower tiers of the Gradina Sud and Nord, the spectators stand during the whole match. Neighborhood 4 Luigi Ferraris lies about two kilometres northeast of the city centre in the district of Marassi. This district is built against a couple of hills, and the stadium is situated in a valley. From inside the stadium, you have a good view of the houses on the hills during the daytime. Marassi is quite a busy area. Many important roads (the Via Bobbio and the Corso Alessandro di Stefanis) that get you out of the city, pass alongside the stadium. In the area around the stadium, there are plenty of restaurants where you can eat. There are a couple of Chinese restaurants and some good Italian restaurants (O Sole Mio, Pizzeria Da Carlo, and Al Rustichetto), are all within five minute walking distance of the ground. We decided to try the restaurant O Sole Mio at the Via Feraggiano. That turned out to be an excellent choice! The restaurant serves various kinds of pizza (prices range from €6/£5/$8.25 to €11.50/£9.50/$15.85), various pastas, and even fresh fish. Fans 5 The Genoa and UC Sampdoria fan base is pretty loyal. In the Serie A (top of Italian League football), they fill their stadium each match with an average of over 25,000 fans. Both fan sites make a very tough atmosphere for their opponents. The Italians fans, called Ultras, are very vocal and support their teams for the whole 90 minutes with (large) flags, banners, and even pyrotechnics. Access 3 There are two large train stations in Genoa (Stazione Principe and Stazione Brignole). Stadio Luigi Ferraris is about a 10 to 15 minute walk from Stazione Brignole. Just walk along the banks of the Bisagna River, you will find the stadium on your right hand side. Keep in mind that the Brignole station is mostly used by regional trains, while intercity trains from Milan or Rome will stop only at the Stazione Principe. From this station, you can get a train to Brignole or take a city bus towards the stadium. When walking towards the stadium, keep in mind that the streets from the Brignole station are overcrowded with traffic (mostly scooters). Return on Investment 5 We bought our tickets for the match against Juventus via Listicket.it. This is an Italian version of Ticketmaster. Of course, we had to create an account first before we could order our tickets online. Tickets for Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria home matches are categorized in A, B, and C-level matches. For A-matches, you pay more than for a C-match. Tickets in the Gradinata Nord and Sud (stands behind the goals) are sold for €20 (£16.50/$27.50), Distini €40 (£33/$55), Tribuna Laterale (side) €60 (£49.50/$82.65), and Tribuna Centrale €100 (£82.65/$137.75). (I took a photo of the stadium plan.) The stadium itself and the atmosphere inside the stadium made the €20 I paid for my ticket really look like a bargain. Extras 3 Both clubs don’t offer stadium tours, which is very unfortunate when you are in Genoa and there is no match day and you still want to visit the ground. The good news is that every weekend there is a match to be played at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. One week, there is a home match of Genoa CFC, while the other week, UC Sampdoria is playing at home. Besides plenty of restaurants in the area of the stadium, there are many small bars to get a beer as well. Final Thoughts The Luigi Ferraris is a one of a kind stadium in Italy. If you like to visit football grounds, this stadium should be high on your list. The city of Genoa is worthwhile to visit, too. There are a lot of museums, churches, and at the port, there is a large aquarium. In the historic centre (centro storico) the narrow alleys are really a must see attraction. We have spent two days in Genoa and saw most of the highlights. I will certainly come back to this city one day!

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Wilson Park 1007 Solano Ave Vallejo, CA 94590 Map It Vallejo Seaweed website Wilson Park website Year Opened: 1975 (an educated guess) Capacity: 900 Exploring Pecos League Baseball in Vallejo CA The Vallejo Seaweed are a member of the independent Pecos League and play their baseball games at Wilson Park in Vallejo, CA (a little over 30 miles northeast of San Francisco).  Wilson Park is city-owned, and the Greater Vallejo Park, Recreation, & Open Space Foundation maintains the park.  The park also has youth ballfields, a children’s play area with a jungle gym, and shaded picnic areas.  You will frequently see dog walkers along its paths.  The Babe Ruth League (youth baseball) also plays games at Wilson Park. The Vallejo Seaweed played as the Santa Cruz Seaweed in 2021 and 2022.   They moved to Vallejo in 2023 and are playing their second season at Wilson Park in 2024.  The Vallejo Seaweed has not yet been in the postseason.  They battled for a spot in the conference finals this 2024 season but didn’t quite make it. Food & Beverage 2 One sad-looking concession stand sells basic stadium fare:  hot dogs, nachos, chips, ice cream, and sunflower seeds ($2 - $5).  Canned beer (Coors Light, Bud Light, Modelo, Michelob Ultra, and Heineken) sells for $5.  Canned Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and bottled water costs $2.  It’s enough for a snack. Atmosphere 3 The stadium has three sections (14 rows each) of old dark blue wooden bleachers with two sets of handrails in the main seating area behind home plate.  The venue has a welcome feature - some portable seatbacks for fans.  The steps are very steep.  Those uneasy on their feet should choose the first or second row.  Additional sets of bleachers  lay  beyond each dugout.  The grandstand is covered, though you will get some sun during the first few innings. A thick chain link fence surrounds the entire field.  A simple dot matrix scoreboard in left field displays the line score, balls, strikes, and outs.  Trees adorn the outfield.  The batter’s eye is trees. Wilson Park - Vallejo Seaweed, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The announcer calls the starting lineup nice and slow.  Fans keeping score can complete their scorecards unrushed.  Irritatingly, the music person plays tunes over the PA announcements, so those who keep score must strain hard to hear the names. The home side is third base. The Pecos League has two umpires.  It has a ‘pass the hat’ for fans to drop in a few bucks after a player hits a home run.  Players in this league get paid a pittance.  All the funds from the ‘passing of the hat’ go to the player to help with expenses.  One unique aspect of a Pecos League game is that the pitchers bat. Remember to bring a sweatshirt or jacket as it can get chilly when the sun sets. Neighborhood 3 The baseball park is two miles from the downtown area of Vallejo.   You can enjoy a meal at Provisions (breakfast, lunch, and California beer - this restaurant closes at 4 pm except on Fridays when it stays open until 8 pm) or Bambinos Vallejo (Italian).  A mile north of downtown, on the Napa River, enjoy The Sardine Can (seafood). Try the Mare Island Brewing Co. – Ferry Taproom or the recently opened Vallejo Brewing Company (open for business Thurs – Sun) for local breweries. The biggest tourist attraction in Vallejo is the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.  Visitors can experience the educational Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum , right downtown.  The San Francisco Bay Ferry (passengers only) stops in Vallejo.  If you like ferry rides, this activity is something to check out.  Vallejo is on the southern border of Napa Valley and Suisun Valley.  Many vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms are within a 10-mile drive.  I went to the Wooden Valley Winery , and it was delightful.  The staff even enjoy talking baseball!! There are no hotels near the ballpark.  You’ll find plenty along I-80 over a mile away.  Other sports to see when in the area include the San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics (until the end of 2024), and other Pecos League teams (the San Rafael Pacifics and the Martinez Sturgeon ). Fans 2 Attendance is small but mighty.  About 35 – 40 fans (including dogs) attended the game of this review.  The fans (human) heartily cheer on their team. The crowd is fun.  There’s a good rapport between the PA announcer and the regular fans.  He calls on regular visitors by name to ring their bell.  Access 3 There is no need to get to a Seaweed game early, as the team operations are still in the process of setting up 30 minutes before the first pitch. The closest commercial airport is San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK), about 35 miles south.  Fans in the Bay Area can take the BART (red line) to El Cerrito Del Norte, catch the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Express bus to Curtola Park & Ride, and walk ½ mile to the park. Upon entry, the team does not have a security check or bag rules.  Coolers are not permitted. The stadium has bathrooms.  Bring some extra tissues, in case they’re out. I learned the hard way. The steps are steep; the facility does not look that conducive to fans with physical impairments. Return on Investment 3 Parking is free; entry is $10 for general admission (sit wherever you like).  Concessions are an affordable $2 - $5.  It is an inexpensive evening out.  . Extras 1 The Pecos League is the only league that does not use a designated hitter, following the 2019 National League rules with the pitcher hitting. Final Thoughts It’s mostly about the baseball game in Vallejo, not a lot of other bells and whistles.  It’s an affordable night out to hear the crack of the bat and see the rise of dust as an infielder fields a ground ball or when a player slides into base.  Veteran purist baseball fans should enjoy the experience at Wilson Park.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Haymarket IcePlex 15155 Washington Street Haymarket, VA 20169 James Madison Dukes hockey website Haymarket IcePlex website Year Opened: 2011 Hey, Hey, Haymarket The James Madison University club ice hockey team represents the school and competes in Division 2 of ACHA. Through 2018, the team played their home games at Main Street Arena in Charlottesville, about an hour’s drive from campus, but the arena closed over that summer, forcing the team to find a new home. Now, the Dukes play their home games at the Haymarket IcePlex, about an hour and a half from campus. The IcePlex is a small municipal rink located about 45 minutes outside Washington, D.C. There are two rinks in the IcePlex, the North Rink and the South Rink. When we visited, the Dukes were playing in the North Rink, but they play in the South Rink sometimes as well. There are minor differences between the two, but none that would impact our review significantly. Food & Beverage 1 There are vending machines in the IcePlex which sell snacks plus hot and cold drinks. Many fans can be seen sipping on coffee and hot chocolate during the game. However, that’s all there is here. Atmosphere 2 There isn’t much going on here other than the game itself. There aren’t even seats. Rather, fans stand on the other side of the glass from the ice. The good news is you get to be close to the action at all times, though some fans were flinching or even turning and running a few steps away every time a puck or player bounced off the boards. It can also be kind of tiring to be on your feet for hours at a time. There is a scoreboard and a public address announcer, but that’s about it otherwise. What you think of the atmosphere will very much vary depending on whether you’re a hockey purist or looking for a more intricate experience. Neighborhood 3 Haymarket is a typical suburban town and the area around the IcePlex tends to reflect that. Giuseppe’s is a popular Italian restaurant right across the street, and after you eat you can head down the street to Cookies & Cream for some fantastic homemade ice cream. You can also head down Route 55 to Lee Highway where you will find some more shops. History buffs may also want to make the short drive up the road to tour the Civil War battlefields in Manassas. The First and Second Battles of Bull Run were fought here and were two of the major battles during the war. Fans 3 The fans at JMU games tend to be mostly family and friends, but those who do show up are active and know their stuff. They know all the players by name and cheer them on throughout the night. Unfortunately, IcePlex policy prohibits “excessively” banging on the glass, so fans who are looking to pound the boards will be out of luck here. Access 3 The Haymarket IcePlex is located right off Interstate 66. There are several exits for Haymarket, and any one of them will eventually get you to the arena. The parking lot is small but sufficient for the crowds. However, the entrance is not marked. Confusingly, you do not enter through the door by the giant sign that says “Haymarket IcePlex.” This leads to a private office that is not accessible to the public. Instead, you will use the only door that is not explicitly marked as not being an entrance, which will put you in the small lobby of the rink. Once there, be sure to check the whiteboard to see if the Dukes will be playing in the North or South Rink. The South Rink is directly through a set of glass doors, but to get to the North Rink, you will have to walk through part of the South Rink, then turn right and go through a door marked only by a small overhead sign. There is no place to sit during the game, so expect to be on your feet for several hours. There is also no point in getting here early to watch the players warm up, as another group will have the ice until only a few minutes before this game starts, so you might as well wait in your warm car where you are capable of sitting down. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, parking is free, and you will not pay much if anything for food as there is not much here to buy. However, there is not enough offered here to merit the top ranking. Extras 1 There are dozens of banners on the walls of the IcePlex honoring the myriad of teams that call it home. That’s about the only extra here. Final Thoughts Club hockey usually does not draw huge crowds, to begin with, and even less so when it’s being played an hour and a half from campus in a municipal rink with no seating. However, James Madison has managed to make the most of that experience here at the Haymarket IcePlex. While some may not like standing on their feet for hours just to watch a low-level hockey game, there are others out there who feel the hockey experience is at its best when standing right up against the boards. This is hockey at its purest right here – no distractions, just the action on the ice up close and personal. For a hockey purist, this is a dream come true. On the other hand, casual fans expecting all the sideshows they’d get at a professional rink may wonder why they even bothered to come out. It will all depend on their perspective.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Schout Performance Arena @ Wilmot Recreation Complex 1291 Nafziger Road Baden, ON N3A 0C4 New Hamburg Firebirds website Wilmot Recreation Complex website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 750 Wilmot Fire Junior C hockey is just a bit different.  Whether it is the small towns or the cold arenas or the local advertisement on the jersey where the player’s name would traditionally be found, hockey at the Junior C level in Ontario is an animal unto itself.  One of the oldest hockey franchises in the Junior C, Provincial Junior Hockey League is the New Hamburg Firebirds.  Founded in 1953 as the New Hamburg Legion Jrs, the Firebirds spent time as the CL RothsHahns and the Spirit 83’s before settling on the Firebirds in 1997.  The Firebirds currently play in the South Doherty Division of the PJHL.  The Firebirds have enjoyed some success over the years, bringing home seven league or conference titles as well as the ultimate prize, the Schmalz Cup as champions of Junior C hockey, on two occasions. Home for the Firebirds is the Schout Performance Arena @ Wilmot Recreation Complex.  Built in 2007, the Wilmot Recreation Complex is located in Wilmot Township, between the towns of New Hamburg and Baden.  Previous to moving to the Rec Complex, the Firebirds played in the town of New Hamburg, proper, but have retained the New Hamburg moniker even after moving out of town.  The Wilmot Recreation Complex acts as a community hub for the entire township with a pair of ice rinks, a swimming pool, community rooms and sports fields. Food & Beverage 3 The main concession at the Wilmot Recreation Complex is found on the main floor in the lobby and not only services Schout Performance Arena, but the entire complex.  Traditional snack bar fare is found here including hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, chicken fingers, candy, chocolate, popcorn and nachos, along with bagels, fruit and Kraft Dinner.  Beverage options include soda, water, slushies, milk coffee, tea and hot chocolate.  In the upper lobby on game days, the Blueline Club offers a limited selection of beer options. Atmosphere 4 The exterior of the Wilmot Recreation Complex has a modern, attractive look with brown brick, light siding and glass at the main entry.  The arena area has a curious blue on the moderately sloped arch roof.  Fans entering the main entrance on the hockey side of the building, will be brought into a bright, attractive, modern lobby.  Walking into the lobby, fans pass right under the “Wall of Fame” which features team pictures of minor hockey championship teams.  The lobby has a number of interesting nuggets for treasure hunters to peruse including plenty of old photos and trophy cases for the Firebirds and other local sports.  Entry to the Schout Performance Arena is found up the stairs and an upper lobby welcomes patrons with more historic nuggets.  Of note upstairs are the trophy cases dedicated to local historic spots in New Hamburg, complete with historic timelines and artifacts.  The New Hamburg Arboretum and Movie Theatre are presented here. Although the Complex services the entirety of Wilmot Township, including the communities of Baden and New Dundee, it seems very New Hamburg centric.  The upper lobby also has windows that look out to the ice surface.  Firebirds merchandise and 50/50 tickets are sold from temporary tables in the upper lobby. Inside the Schout Performance Arena, fans will be welcomed to the ice surface which is southeast-northwest oriented.  Seven rows of blue arena seats are found on the northeast side with one row of benches at the top and small counters behind, perfect for the very popular standing room.  A path behind the standing room also offers a peek into the other rink.  Above and below the windows on the southeast end that look in from the upper lobby, are two rows of minor hockey championship banners.  On the northwest side, the Firebirds have created an impressive, neat and concise display of championship banners from the franchises different eras, complete with dates for each team era.  At the end of the championship banner is the retired number 5 of Firebird Brad Roote, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in 1990, while still a player.  The gameday production at a firebirds game is very simple, including the steadfast promotions found in seemingly every Junior C hockey experience, the 50/50 draw and chuck-a-puck.  The PA system is decent and music is played during the warmups and stoppages in play. Neighbourhood 3 The Wilmot Recreation Complex is located in a rural area between the communities of Baden and New Hamburg.  There is not much of anything within walking distance of the complex so using the car and heading east or west for pre or post game food and drink is a necessity.  The Baden Hotel is a decent spot in Baden and some options in New Hamburg include Scam & Dram, The Old Country and Mother Flockers in New Hamburg.  The Firebirds are definitely the top draw when it comes to sports in Wilmot Township.  The beauty of the Doherty Division is the extremely close proximity of the rivals and trips to see the Wellesley Applejacks, Woodstock Navy Vets and Tavistock Braves  are just a few minutes in the car.  As far as other sporting options, heading west to Stratford or east to Kitchener-Waterloo is necessary.  Other tourist options include Castle Kilbride and Moparfest.  For fans wishing to stay in the area, Puddicombe House and Newburg Inn are options, otherwise KW or Stratford will be necessary. Fans 4 Assessing fans in the PJHL is challenging as attendance stats are not published or congregated by the league.  The Firebirds normally attract over 400 fans per game.  The 2024-25 season has the Firebirds averaging 446 fans per game, at the time of writing.  The previous season saw the Firebirds attract 408 fans per game.  Firebird fans are knowledgeable and supportive and louder than other fan bases, but not over the top.   Access 4 The Wilmot Recreation Complex is located between the communities of New Hamburg and Baden on Nafziger Road.  The complex is easily accessible from Highway 8, which is the largest highway in the area.  There is plenty of free parking on the premises for patrons.  For fans wishing to take public transit, there is a Grand River Transit link to Wilmot that stops at the Recreation Complex.  However, it may not be feasible to rely on transit for Firebirds games.  Fans should consult the Grand River Transit website for fares, schedules and maps.  Getting around the Wilmot Recreation Complex is not too difficult, however there are plenty of stairs getting to the upper lobby and then the Schout Performance Arena.  Washroom facilities are adequate for the facility.  The entry system is a bit convoluted as patrons must purchase a ticket, and are handed a “beer” ticket, which must immediately be turned in for a paper bracelet which allows entry to the Schout Performance Arena. Return on Investment 5 Junior C hockey is definitely a bargain.  Tickets for the New Hamburg Firebirds can be had for $10.  Students and seniors get in for $7 and children are only $5.  Parking at the complex is free and concession prices are what one would expect.  The Firebirds are usually competitive and the product on the ice is good. Extras 2 An extra mark for the embracing and display of history at the Wilmot Recreation Complex. An extra mark for the Wilmot Recreation Complex as a community hub linking the communities of Wilmot Township. Final Thoughts Taking in some Junior C hockey at the Wilmot Recreation Complex is not a bad idea at all.  The New Hamburg Firebirds ice a good product and provide a good, comfortable atmosphere for Junior C hockey. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Warren Ball Park Bisbee AZ, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Warren Ball Park in Bisbee, AZ (about an hour and a half’s drive southeast of Tucson) is the oldest operational multi-use sports park in the U.S. The first ballgame recorded is June 27, 1909 when the El Paso Browns matched up against the Bisbee Beautiful. And yes, ball park was spelt as two words back in the day. Sitting at the corner of Ruppe Ave and Arizona St, the stadium is not built in the downtown area of Bisbee (now known as Old Historic Bisbee) but in the at-the-time, very affluent Warren District just a few miles south of downtown. Downtown was (and is) just too hilly to build a stadium. When arrangements began in the early 1900’s for a ballpark, more and more copper was discovered when inspection began at other potential sites in the neighboring area. That, due to the financial impact and income, took precedence. Bisbee was once known as the “Queen of Copper Camps.” The ball park, first built of wood, was purposely designed to accommodate baseball, football, and a variety of other sports. Phelps Dodge (a former copper mining company) first owned the ballpark, and after the depression by the mid-1930’s, the park showed its age. In order to get WPA funding, Phelps Dodge sold the then-unused, deteriorating ballpark (it shut down during the depression) to the Bisbee Unified School District for $10. Subsequently, in 1936/37, the venue received a renovation that included adding plumbing, a hot water heater, restrooms, locker rooms and offices enclosed in raw adobe main walls, a concrete grandstand, and a fence surrounding the park. Warren Ball Park Hallway – 1936/1937 Renovation, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Warren Ball Park Urinals – The hope is to one day get these restored and used for museum artifacts Warren Ball Park hosted a slew of teams and leagues dating back to 1909: Arizona State League Bisbee Bee’s, minor league Bisbee Yanks, mining company leagues, town teams, outlaw baseball – known as the Copper League, semipro leagues, spring training/exhibition games, and barnstorming matches. And in addition to baseball, it hosted captivating soccer, football, cricket, rugby, and softball contests. Its last, though unsuccessful, professional team was the Bisbee Blue of the Pecos League in 2014. Warren Ball Park Grandstand – First Base Side, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Deportation 1917 The ballpark was used in a horrific event on July 12, 1917 known as the Bisbee Deportation. Copper mine strikers and their sympathizers were rounded up in the early morning and marched four miles, under armed guard, and held in the ballpark for several hours. About 1200 individuals were then herded into filthy boxcars (the trains tracks ran just behind right field at the time) and deported to New Mexico and were abandoned. Twelve hours later, a nearby army camp provided some water and food was sent from El Paso. Most of the deportees slipped away and never returned to Bisbee. It was a turning event in the town’s history and boosted pro-labor union efforts across the country. Striking miners and others rounded up by the armed posse on July 12, 1917, sit in the bleachers in Warren Ball Park. Armed members of the posse patrol the infield (University of Arizona Library) Performed two years ago, an archaeology dig/undertaking along the first and third baselines took place as part of a community college and high school training project. Amongst other items, recovered and analyzed were mason jars, and based on old photographs, archeologists verified cars used to park along those baselines during Prohibition. That “parking arrangement” allowed fans to watch games from their cars while being able to drink their own moonshine. Cars parked along the baseline during Prohibition at Warren Ball Park, Photo Courtesy of Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum Today, the Bisbee high school baseball and football teams continue to use the field. I’m told the second biggest high school football rivalry played in the U.S. is played here between the Bisbee Pumas and the Douglas Bulldogs. Each season, a crowd-pleasing vintage baseball game, called the Copper Classic, is hosted and proceeds go towards the Friends of Warren Ball Park to help with upgrades and maintenance to the park the school district is just not able to provide. Other successful events the park hosts are Mariachi Festivals, mining safety classes, wild west shows and a circus or two have also been held here. Warren Ball Park View From Home – Football bleachers and goal post are seen in the outfield Bisbee is a quaint, historic town with a thriving arts scene and is well worth a trip. Visit the Copper Queen Mine and the Bisbee Mining & History Museum, have a beer at the Old Bisbee Brewing Company, a cup of specialty coffee at Old Bisbee Roasters, tour the art galleries and eccentric shops, and see the ballpark. The town has a few hotels and visitors will find plenty of VRBO and Airbnb places to spend a night or two. It’s just a day trip to/from Tucson and three hours from Phoenix. Definitely a good get away for some rich history and charm. And the weather is cooler. Special thanks to Mike Anderson, Warren Ball Park Historian, for the tour and the chat.

Just under 100 miles from Orchard Park, New York, in Keswick, Ontario,  football fans eat, drink, and watch the Bills in a backyard, where there's an enormous bright red Bills helmet. Blake Parnham is the founder and host of the Bills Helmet Bar, and he took a few moments to discuss his weekly jamboree. Here's their website:  Bills Helmet Bar . STADIUM JOURNEY: What inspired you to start the Bills Helmet Bar? BLAKE PARNHAM:  The construction of the Bills Helmet Bar happened completely by accident. In the spring of 2019, we decided to build a patio behind the house, adjacent to the deck. This project coincided with the Toronto Raptors 2019 Championship run. Having been confined to the indoors for most of the wet Canadian spring, we set up a television on our new patio and watched the Finals games outdoors. When the Raptors finally won, we looked to the back of the property and considered the possibilities. I’m not sure whether it was the buzz, the hysteria of winning the championship, or the light of the full moon, but our giant football helmet glimmered in my eye. We decided to stand it up on the side of the patio and make a bar out of it. The very next day, we began our new project.  As far as our tailgates, this began in 2020. With the inability of Canadians to cross the border and for fans in general to attend home games, someone reached out to us, asking to attend the Week One Jets game at our bar. He conceded that it was still in the depths of the pandemic, and it was okay if we said no, but he hadn’t missed a home game in eighteen years. We had a family meeting - admitted that it was objectively weird for a stranger to come to our home - and then said, “Hey, why not.” This is really how our tailgates began. STADIUM JOURNEY: What kind of experience can patrons expect at the Bar? Is there food? What kind? BLAKE PARNHAM:  The Helmet Bar tailgate has grown each year. During that 2020 season, it was mostly our family and this one new friend. Since then, we’ve grown to a crowd that almost always eclipses twenty people and often is larger than forty, even in winter. People bring whatever they like to drink, but we always cook enough food for everyone. My friend, “Chef Rob,” and I typically theme the menu to the local cuisine of our opponent. Think Cuban sandwiches for Dolphins games; and Nashville chicken sliders for Titans games. We do put a little donation bin out to help with costs, but that’s not required of people. Photo Courtesy of Bills Helmet Bar/Instagram STADIUM JOURNEY: Can anyone join in the fun? Can someone just show up? Opposing fans? BLAKE PARNHAM:  Everyone can join Helmet Bar tailgates, though they can’t just show up. Since the Helmet Bar is also our house, we don’t publish our address. But people are free to message us on one of our social media accounts. Then, I provide our address and the relevant info about the tailgates.  As for opposing fans, they're welcome. Canada is unique because - since there’s no Canadian team - there are football fans of just about every   team around. If folks like football, they’re good enough for us. Just don’t cheer too loudly. STADIUM JOURNEY: Is the Bar open when it snows or rains? How do you handle inclement weather? BLAKE PARNHAM:  [With exception to the games we attend in person,] we have been open every game since the beginning of the 2020 season, though we haven’t finished every game. During the Cardinals Hail Murray game, a tornado came through and took out our electricity for 48 hours, so we had to scramble to a different location for the unfortunate second half.  As for rain, we have a little pop-up canopy that we put over the patio and a bunch of heavy-duty tarps that we layer across it to keep people warm. But for snow and cold, all bets are off. We’ve been snowed on like crazy, and have sometimes had to put our open drinks on a cooking grate over the fire to keep them warm . Photo Courtesy of Bills Helmet Bar/Instagram STADIUM JOURNEY: Are there any special plans for the championship games this weekend?  BLAKE PARNHAM:  I’m actually grateful that the AFC Championship game is second. The NFC game will be a healthy distraction for us all.  This Sunday, we’ll be doing much the same, on a larger scale. I will set up the Bills Helmet Bar flag in the morning, start cooking, and wait for folks to roll in. Given that it’s a road game, I expect it to be a larger crowd. Several of our regulars are also season ticket holders who don’t come for home games. Given the importance of the game, the fact that it’s on the road, and the fact that it’ll be relatively mild temperatures - -3C - I have no idea what that means in Fahrenheit. It should   be the biggest crowd we’ve ever had. At least, until February 9th. STADIUM JOURNEY: Buffalo is getting a new stadium. Is this a good thing? When you attend games, what happens to the Bar? BLAKE PARNHAM:  It’s been incredible to see the progress of the new stadium. It looks so much different now than it even did at the beginning of the season. However, I'm not super keen on it. The Ralph is home, and much like moving houses, it'll feel weird for a while. I’m going to miss it. But eventually, it’ll feel like it belongs, I’m sure.  We typically attend one or two games a season, and when this happens, we simply close the bar. I put out on social media that we’ll be at the game, so no one comes by. However, this year, when we told all of our friends that we had tickets to the New England game on December 22nd, almost all of them bought tickets to come along. It was a great Helmet Bar takeover of Orchard Park and one of my favorite days yet.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Spartan Bowl 1900 N Grand Ave. Connersville, IN 47331 Connersville High School Spartans website Spartan Bowl website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 5,134 Spartan Bowl is Still a Palace for Basketball Connersville, Indiana, loves its basketball and when its Spartans are playing on top of their game the crowds swell at its home building the Spartan Bowl, one of the state’s most iconic venues that holds 5,134 people and what locals have dubbed “The Grand Palace on Grand Avenue.” The facility opened on November 25, 1958, and was designed by Ralph Legman who also constructed the New Castle Fieldhouse a few miles northwest of town which opened the following season. A recent $300,000 renovation replaced the original gym floor and added sound barriers to its ceiling that give the buildings a unique look. The facility is home to the school’s two state championship teams of 1972 and 1983 and two large team photographs are located on its concourse along with two massive banners hanging from its rafters. The center court logo also acknowledges the school’s accomplishments. The boys’ basketball program has captured 10 Conference Championships, 59 Sectional Championships, and 19 Regional Championships since 1922. The school had an impressive streak from 1922-1997 when it captured 57 sectional tournament championships and only two have come in the current century. The “Grand Palace” begins its 7th decade of use and is still in excellent shape, offering basketball memories to a generation of fans of Connersville High School. The noise barriers that hang from the ceiling, the red coloring on its walls, and its residential location provide an atmosphere that reminds us that Hoosier Hysteria is alive and well. Food & Beverage 3 There are three concession areas located in the gym that offer the standard options at many high school venues across the state. Fans can enjoy hot dogs and chili dogs, nachos with chili, pizza slices, pretzels with cheese, popcorn, and assorted candies. There are additional treats of donut holes from regional chain Jack’s Donuts and walking tacos. Coca-Cola products are available in 20-ounce plastic bottles for $2.The prices range from as low as $1 for a bag of popcorn to $3 for a slice of pizza. Like with many other high school venues the products here are for snacking pleasure and if you are really hungry, it is advised to grab something before arriving at the basketball game. Atmosphere 4 Unlike other gyms that are a connection to the school and are surrounded by a massive parking lot, the Spartan Bowl is tucked in between the residential streets of the town. Fans park their car in a few vacant lots but many parks in front of homes and make their way to the game with fellow supporters on the city’s sidewalks. Like with many of the Legeman-designed gyms, the Spartan Bowl does not stand out since its seating is designed below ground level but the outside support trestles are visible on its exterior. Once inside the building is where one can fully appreciate its design and aesthetics. The gym features an old-fashioned electronic scoreboard that hovers above the center court. The arena floor is built 18-rows deep under the ground incorporating a running track that serves as a concourse on the top. The walls are decorated with championship team photos, small banners, and trophies from the school’s history. The main concourse is a community event where fans mingle, purchase concessions, and frequent various tables selling team merchandise, raffle tickets, and sentiments from glory years past. Basketball is also heavily discussed by long-time fans and season-ticket holders. Up above and hanging from the roof are sound barriers that create a fascinating ambiance and add a nice touch to the facility’s decor. The school’s most cherished accomplishments--the 1972 and 1983 State Championship banners--hang proudly on one side of the venue. There are plenty of more accolades, team photographs, and other memorabilia housed along the vast main concourse to browse before or during breaks of the game. Introductions are led by the cheerleaders and official team mascot. The team band and student section also bring a lot of enthusiasm to the pre-game ceremonies and throughout the contest. Through an impressive light show, the town’s starting five make their way courtside to an applauding crowd that has it pretty good when it comes to high school basketball in Indiana. Neighborhood 3 Connersville is a small town of 13,500 people in Fayette County. There are some great local establishments to try when in town and many are perfect if you are with the family. Kunkel’s Drive-In has been a city favorite since 1954 and has not changed that much in appearance either. Enjoy burgers, tenderloins, chicken sandwiches, and soups. Other items include popcorn shrimp, coney dogs, coney and barbecue fries, and fried pickles. For dessert, the drive-in has homemade pies. A newer establishment, Rip’s Family BBQ might be a hidden gem in the area. They offer 5 different regional sauces including white Alabama sauce, along with a few interesting creations: pulled pork nachos and egg rolls, burritos, giant sandwiches, and rib and brisket dinner plates with sides. Southern Family Dining is another area favorite specializing in southern fare including po’boy sandwiches, roast pork Manhattan’s, walleye, and catfish dinners. They also serve breakfast. Daniel's Girls Farmhouse Restaurant is home to the glazed donut burger. Fans 5 The populace in Connersville is among the most passionate in the state. When the Spartans are on the road in sectionals or regionals, it’s not uncommon for 2,000 fans to travel with the team to see them play. That kind of support can make a difference on the road, imagine when that is at or near capacity at the Spartan Bowl. Access 4 Connersville is located about 12 miles south of I-70 (a little over an hour between Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio) on State Road 1. There is parking on the residential streets free of charge, but crowds for an opening day can reach capacity inside the gym. For most games, parking is ample but does require searching. Once inside, the main concourse offers bathrooms, concession stands, and easy access to seats. Return on Investment 4 Tickets cost $5 per person and are in line with other high school basketball gymnasiums in Indiana. This is a great value for a simple night of basketball in an iconic facility that still looks sharp. Another interesting keepsake is the 1972 championship magazine sold for also $5. This is a very affordable way to spend a day or night watching basketball with friends or family. Extras 4 The center court features a beautiful logo that lists the school’s two state championships before class play. The dangling sound barriers look as if they have been on the ceiling since the bowl opened in 1958; however, they were installed sometime around 2002. There is a sort of satisfaction in listening to the post-game or highlights of the Spartans game on local radio 106.9 FM/1580 AM WLPK. All home games and worth a listen as you drive through the small towns on S.R. 1 back to the interstate. The building’s location adds to its charm that is tucked away among the residential homes and streets of Connersville. Parking your car along the sidewalk and making your way to the bowl adds a nice touch to the proceedings. A final star is given to the girls’ basketball program which some consider the best in the state for game day atmosphere. Whether it’s the boys or the girls playing basketball, the sport-minded traveler should be in for a treat in Connersville. Final Thoughts Indiana is full of great old-fashioned and important gymnasiums that house high school basketball. Every small town seems to have one that is worth a visit from time to time. In the small town of Connersville, Spartan Bowl is worthy of a day trip to enjoy a day or night of basketball sometime during the season. _______ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 The Colisee 190 Birch St. Lewiston, ME 04240 Maine Nordiques website The Colisee website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 4,000 Nordiques of Maine The Colisee is a multi-purpose arena that opened in 1958. Built to serve the local Lewiston/Auburn community, the arena has been the site of countless events over the years, ranging from youth hockey tournaments to professional basketball games and even the World Heavyweight Title Fight in 1965. Artists as noteworthy as Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan have performed at The Colisee. The Maine Nordiques began play in the North American Hockey League, a Tier II junior league, in 2019. The team is named for the former professional hockey team that called Lewiston home in the 1970s. The original Nordiques were the farm team of the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association from 1973-1977. The NAHL Nordiques have made the playoffs in two of their first four seasons of play, reaching the league’s semifinals in 2021. Food & Beverage 3 The Colisee offers a decent variety of concessions for a venue of its size. There is a large cafeteria-style dining room located between the two entrances to the rink. There are also smaller concession stands on either side of the lobby. The menu consists of standard arena fare, with burgers, hot dogs, sausage and pepper sandwiches, and pizza slices anchoring the menu. French fries and, since we’re close to the Canadian border, poutine, can be ordered on the side. Chicken fingers and wings are sold at one of the cafeteria windows. Assorted desserts can be found at one of the stands. Pepsi products are sold at The Colisee. Fans looking for an adult beverage will want to find the full-service bar atop section four. In addition to an impressive roster of spirits, several draft beers, including Budweiser, Bud Light, and Shipyard Export are available. Atmosphere 3 The Colisee offers a pretty standard game day presentation, which is a bit muted due to the age of the facility and the smaller crowds in attendance. All the familiar aspects of minor league hockey gamedays will be found in one form or another. There is a video board that hangs at center ice that is underutilized during game action. Graphics and replays are shown on this board, with game stats displayed on smaller boards in opposite corners of the rink. The fans who come to The Colisee may not be large in number, but those who do attend Nordiques games are passionate about their team. Even though the building is largely empty, the dedicated Nordique fans fill The Colisee with noise from air horns and good old-fashioned cheering. The Nordiques work closely with the local community, with 50/50 raffles held to benefit local organizations and many local sponsors advertising throughout The Colisee. As you walk around the narrow concourses of the facility, you can’t help but notice all the television screens lining the walls playing replays of various games. These must be put to good use when midget teams need a distraction on tournament days. Neighborhood 2 Lewiston is the second largest city in Maine, located 45 minutes northwest of Portland. Its twin city, Auburn, is located across the Androscoggin River, and the two cities are usually linked together as a single entity. The combined population of Lewiston/Auburn is roughly 60,000. The Colisee is located on the outskirts of the downtown area of Lewiston, near the high school. Like many other cities in the northeast with industrial histories, the downtown area suffered from neglect once the economy faded and businesses closed. The area around the arena is mostly residential, with businesses concentrated along the nearby riverfront. Fans looking for dining or lodging options near the Colisee will be disappointed, as there is nothing to be found right next to the arena. Fans willing to take a short drive to the riverfront in Lewiston or across the river into Auburn will be rewarded with several dining and lodging choices. Stadium Journey recommends a visit to Baxter Brewing, located in an old mill building on the Androscoggin River. Most visitors to the area will opt to stay in Portland, where the options are much more plentiful. Fans 2 For the 2022-23 season, the Nordiques averaged 322 fans per game, which ranked them in the bottom quarter of North American Hockey League teams. These attendance numbers have steadily decreased over the team’s existence. As mentioned earlier, the fans that show up at The Colisee are dedicated and enthusiastic. What a Nordiques crowd lacks in quantity, they make up for in quality. Even the small crowds at The Colisee sound much larger than they are. Access 3 The Colisee is located in the small central Maine city of Lewiston, located 45 minutes northwest of Portland. Boston is about a two-hour drive away. Driving is the primary method for arriving at a Nordiques game, as Interstate 95, more commonly known as the Maine Turnpike, runs through Lewiston just a mile or so from the facility. For those taking public transportation, the Oak Street Bus Station downtown offers routes to Bangor, Boston, and beyond. There is ample parking at The Colisee, with three lots surrounding the facility. In addition, there is on-street parking available near the arena. The Box Office is located in an enclosed area at ground level at the front of the arena. From there, fans climb one of two narrow stairways to enter The Colisee’s lobby. This area contains concession stands and a skate shop. Fans can access the seating area by passing through two vomitories, one on either side of the rink. There is a walkway near the front of the seating bowl that runs around the entire rink. Seats in the first couple of rows suffer due to the stream of fans passing directly in front of these seats. Seating consists of individual wooden chairs, except for the four corner sections, which consist of metal bleachers without seat backs. There is a walkway around the top of the seating bowl that offers standing room and access to the bar and lounge with views of the action. Bathrooms are located underneath the seating bowl, accessible by narrow hallways which run along both sides of the rink. There is a men’s and women’s room on each side of the arena. The bathrooms are smallish, but adequate for the size of the crowds at the Colisee. Fans requiring handicapped access will find seating available right on the glass on the northwest side of the ice. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for Nordiques games range in price from ten to twelve dollars. Seniors, students, and children receive a two-dollar discount. A complete seating chart can be found here. Parking in the lots surrounding The Colisee is free, and concessions are affordably priced. A night at a Maine Nordiques game is an affordable entertainment option for central Maine sports fans. Extras 2 Extra points are awarded for the history of The Colisee. It may be hard to believe, but this quaint little facility located far from the bright lights of the city once hosted a Heavyweight Title Fight. On May 25, 1965, Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston in the first round of their rematch. The iconic photo from this fight, with Ali towering over the fallen Liston, is one of the most famous sports photos of all time. And it happened here. Photo courtesy of SI.com. A second extra point is awarded for the banners honoring teams from the past and present that have played at The Colisee, including the division title won by the Lewiston Maineiacs from the QMJHL. Final Thoughts This little hockey barn located far off the beaten path was, for one night, the center of the sports universe. While an event of the magnitude of a Heavyweight Title Fight will never grace its doors again, The Colisee remains one of those places where sports historians will gladly visit and soak in the aura of long-gone glory days. ------ Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 TU Field Hockey Complex 7500 Osler Dr Towson, MD 21252 Towson Tigers website TU Field Hockey Complex website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 500 Towson Tigers Field Hockey Built in 2018, the TU Field Hockey Complex is home to the Towson University Tigers field hockey program. Prior to is construction, the Tigers played field hockey in the spacious Johnny Unitas Stadium, also home to the football and lacrosse teams. However, this stadium was far too large for the crowds field hockey attracted, and the bladed turf was not an ideal playing surface, so in 2018 field hockey got its own stadium. The field is located adjacent to the basketball arena and near several other athletic facilities. Food & Beverage 1 There is one concession stand at the TU Field Hockey Complex, although it is actually in the adjacent softball field. Simply go around the corner and you will be there. The only things for sale here are bottled water, soda, and snacks such as candy and chips. At least the prices are affordable. Only credit cards are accepted. Atmosphere 3 The TU Field Hockey Complex consists of a few rows of bleachers on one side of the field. Some fans also like to stand or sit in their own chairs along the sideline. No matter where you sit, you will have a decent view of the action, although your view of the corner of the field may be obstructed by the press box. A scoreboard in the corner of the stadium shows the time, score, as well as the shots, saves, and penalty corners for each team. There is really not much going on here other than the game itself as college field hockey is not a huge deal at Towson or most other schools. Neighborhood 3 The TU Field Hockey Complex is located in the back part of campus, behind SECU Arena. There is not much to do in the immediate area, but Towson is a decent suburban area and Baltimore is a short drive away and offers plenty more options. Whether there is anything within walking distance depends on how far you are willing to walk, but there are plenty of options, both chain and local, along York Road. The Charles Village Pub and The Greene Turtle are both local favorites, but unless you’re willing to walk half an hour each way, you will need to drive a short distance. The Towson Town Center shopping mall is also nearby. Fans 3 Towson averages about 100 fans for a field hockey game, sometimes more, sometimes less. Most of the fans are friends or family of the players, though you do get some local Towson fans as well. Given there is the same core group of fans who attends almost every game, they are knowledgeable about the team, the players, and the sport and all seem to know each other very well, although they are welcoming of others too. Access 3 Towson University’s campus is located several miles off I-695, the Baltimore Beltway. Once you arrive on campus, where you will park depends on whether it is a weekday or weekend game. If it is a weekend game, simply park in the lot right next to the field for free. Assuming there is not a football game at Johnny Unitas Stadium, you should be able to do that. On weekdays, you will need to park in a paid visitor lot or garage. The lot next to the stadium is available for paid visitor parking on weekdays, and you can pay on your phone or at the station, although it will likely cost you over $10 to park there. Garage rates will vary depending on where you park and for how long. We suggest visiting on a weekend day when there is no football game for easiest access. Restrooms are available in the softball stadium and are of a sufficient size for the crowds. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, and if you visit on a weekend, you won’t pay for parking. We suggest doing so to maximize value, but there ultimately isn’t enough here to earn the highest score. Extras 1 The friendliness of the Towson fans gets them an extra star here. They will not hesitate to explain the finer points of field hockey to fans less familiar with the game or lend you a spare umbrella on a rainy day. Final Thoughts The three major sports at Towson University are football during the fall season, basketball in the winter, and lacrosse in the spring. Anything else really does not get much attention, and that includes the field hockey program. Although they have a nice new stadium, fans with no connection to the program are unlikely to show up to visit it. That being said, if you’re a field hockey fan or have some connection to Towson athletics, a trip here is worth a visit. Just do it on a weekend so you don’t have to pay a ridiculous amount for parking.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Hill Field House 1700 E Cold Spring Ln. Baltimore, MD 21251 Morgan State Bears website Hill Field House website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 4,250 Home of the Bears Morgan State University was founded in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute, a Methodist Episcopal seminary. Later it changed its name to Morgan College. The name changed once again in 1939 to Morgan State College when it became a public university. The school was granted university status in 1975, thus becoming Morgan State University. Morgan State is not a part of the University System of Maryland; the school opted out and possesses its own governing Board of Regents. Morgan is a well known Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Famous alumni include actress Mo’Nique, singer Deniece Williams, current Mayor of Baltimore Catherine Pugh and Kweisi Mfume, Former President of the NAACP and U.S. Congressman. Athletically the school competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). MEAC members are HBCU schools located in the Southeastern and the Mid-Atlantic United States. The Bears basketball teams have been in the modern NCAA Tournament twice as a 15th seed (2009 and 2010) and went to the 2008 NIT as an 8th seed. Talmadge L. Hill Field House is named for the head basketball coach and an assistant football coach at Morgan State College, from the 1930s to the 1960s. Food & Beverage 2 A lone concession stand is under the bleachers on the north side of the arena right behind the concourse bear statue. Hot dogs ($3), nachos ($3), candy ($2) and chips ($1) comprise the entire menu, along with bottled soda ($3) and bottled water ($2). The prices are excellent and the hot dogs smell great but it is our recommendation that you plan to eat somewhere else before or after the game. Atmosphere 2 Hill Field House is a bit lacking in atmosphere. The arena is fairly big and spacious in the inside, so sound and excitement are not part of one’s experience here. There are seating sections on three sides of the arena, with a large empty area behind the east basket. The cheerleaders do use some of this space for their cheers. The west side stands are smaller than the north and south main stands. The student band takes up part of the lower section of one of the seating areas. They are a very good band and I only wish they played more often. The cheerleaders are very good and try to keep as much excitement going as they can. There is also a bear mascot that roams the stands entertaining kids along the way. The arena does have a simple, basic scoreboard that is underutilized and some nice banners along the one empty wall. There is much excitement at local rivalry games such as with local schools Coppin State, Howard and Delaware State. Neighborhood 3 The area right around Morgan State is essentially residential. It is not a bad area, but neither is it overwhelmingly welcoming. You will probably want to venture away from campus for food, lodging, and entertainment. A sponsor of the team and a personal favorite for food is Miss Shirley’s at 513 West Cold Spring Lane. They are known for their great breakfast and down-home food. Venturing further from campus, one may want to try out the suburb of Towson with its variety of shops and restaurants. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana and Zia’s. You could also go south from the Morgan campus and check out one of my favorites, the Abbey Burger Bar right near the Cross Street Market. The beer selection is good and they offer a dizzying array of burger choices, all that is likely to satisfy. For slightly more upscale cuisine a visit to the 1100-1200 blocks of North Charles Street where The Brewer’s Art and Sammy’s Trattoria offer good food at decent prices. Baltimore is home to many tourist attractions such as Harborplace, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is located on the way to Fort McHenry and should not be missed, although its unique collection will not be for everyone. Fans 2 Hill Field House is pretty quiet inside. And except for a couple of loud fans overall, there is very little fan engagement. As with many mid-major college gyms, the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. Student attendance at games seems to be pretty low, although it is higher when Copping, Howard and Delaware State come to town. Access 3 Morgan is not too hard to find. If on the Baltimore Beltway, I-695, one can take exit 30A (Perring Parkway/MD-41S) south until it becomes Hillen Road. Hill Field House can be found along the first left after the E Cold Spring traffic light. Any trouble in accessing the arena comes once you are on campus. There is a parking garage next to Hill Field House, but you may need to drive around to find it as the signage is not extremely clear. The cost to park there is $10. I also found spaces for free around campus. It was a weekend game so those may be harder to find for weeknight games. Return on Investment 3 The tickets are $10 for all general admission. Youth and senior citizens get in for $5. Morgan students are free to attend games. Extras 2 Make sure to check out some of the history of the school and its athletic programs. Morgan has gone through periods of great athletic success, although not as much lately. The Morgan State University Varsity ‘M” Club Hall of Fame has some cool displays and includes National Football League Hall of Famers Rosey Brown, Leroy Kelly, and Willie Lanier. The student band and cheerleaders do a great job. They are both top notch units that deserve more than they get from the quiet fan base. Final Thoughts Hill Field House is a pleasant enough arena that suffers from being too spacious for its own good, and that means the atmosphere is not as great as it should be. But the low price of admission and a strong caliber of play means it is still a great choice for the local sports fan.

Photos by Andrew Maurins, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Lawlor Events Center 1664 N Virginia St Reno, NV 89557 Nevada Wolf Pack website Lawlor Events Center website Year Opened: 1983 Capacity: 11,536 Wolves of Virginia Street Since 1983 when it first opened, Lawlor Events Center has been the rock of Nevada’s basketball programs. The 11,536-seat oval arena at the corner of Virginia and 15th Streets witnessed the growth of Wolf Pack basketball from the Big Sky to the Big West to the Western Athletic and now the Mountain West Conference. It’s played host to eight different conference championship-winning Nevada basketball teams, ten different conference basketball tournaments from 1986 to 2010, and a plethora of different musical acts and entertainment spectacles. In the program’s heyday of the mid- to late 2000s, the Wolf Pack went on a run of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and seven straight seasons with 21 or more wins. That era also witnessed a slew of Nevada players get drafted by NBA teams. Since that time, area fans have eagerly awaited the Pack’s return to national prominence. Eric Musselman has re-energized the program with high-profile recruits, and an exciting, fast-paced style of basketball bringing progressively bigger crowds to Lawlor. Fans visiting this 2016-2017 season will find the arena enhanced by a few highly visible new additions. Food & Beverage 4 A surprising variety of food and beverage items of decent qualities await fans at Lawlor Events Center, with fairly reasonable wait times and stands that accept all major credit cards. The only real criticism is a lack of signature items of truly outstanding quality. Standard concession items include assorted hot dogs (regular, Polish, cheddar and spicy Chicago), nachos, pretzels, peanuts, Cracker Jacks, a small popcorn, kettle or caramel corn, churros, cotton candy, snowcones, ice cream bars and assorted boxes of candy ($4-$7), along with a refillable popcorn tub for $10 and select two-item combos of some of the above from $9 to $10. Selections expand as you move to the wheeled carts on the inner part of the concourse, like a “Healthy Options” menu featuring Moroccan meatballs, fish tacos, vegetarian chili, a chicken Caesar wrap and fruit skewers ($5-$8); a Mexican food cart with chips and queso ($4.75) or build-your-own burrito, burrito bowl or nachos for $10; a sandwich cart with select 6-inch subs for $7.50; a cart with hamburgers and a variety of condiments for $10; and a couple of dessert stands offering Dippin’ Dots ice cream ($4.50 or $6.50), various caramel apples ($6-$9) and frozen, chocolate-dipped strawberries, bananas and cheesecake slices ($5-$8). All are of above average quality, and adequately priced by sporting event standards. Drink selections are similarly expansive, with Pepsi (including Diet Pepsi, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew and Sierra Mist) available in canned ($3.50), bottled ($4.50) or fountain ($5 for a souvenir cup, $6 for a large cup) choices, and other options like bottled water, Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate ($4-$6) also available. Lawlor does, in fact serve alcohol, like aluminum bottles of Budweiser, Bud Lite and Coors Lite ($8), “premiums” such as Shock Top, Samuel Adams seasonals (both canned), New Belgium, Pyramid, Goose Island and Angry Orchard (poured into a 12-oz. plastic cup for $8.50), and select wines ($8.50 per cup), cocktails ($9 for a regular, $18 for a double) and margaritas ($9). For value, nothing beats a refillable popcorn tub shared with friends, but we enjoyed the ultimate nachos ($10) at the cart outside section six. Atmosphere 3 Lawlor’s recent additions represent a big step forward for a game day experience that was already pretty good, but a few key complaints still keep it from scoring higher in this area. The arena’s 11,536 seats are laid out in a slight oval configuration inside a circular building, with the court running perpendicular to that oval. The upper and lower halves of the seats are divided by an internal concourse, which is free for people to move around in during games, with the one exception being the center court area where TV cameras are placed. The vast majority of the seats are folding, blue plastic with shared armrests that might be a little snug for taller fans, while padded seats on the two sidelines round out the rest. The newest main attractions are a stunning set of four new center-hung HD video boards, a ribbon board with individual player stats below that, and a brand-new playing surface with an equally new design. The picture quality, while excellent on both new boards, has tiny text on the ribbon board that is hard to read in the uppermost reaches of the arena, and supplemental stats like rebounds, blocks, steals, assists and three-pointers are confined to older boards that are almost totally obscured by fold-out seats on the two baselines. In-game promotions run the standard gamut of “tweet your seat” and “upgrade your seat” promotions, shooting contests during timeouts, and different interactive “cam” games (dance, flex, emoji and air guitar, to name a few), while the music is contemporary sporting event fare played at a reasonable volume on the arena’s new sound system. The PA announcer adds to games without distracting from them, while the cheerleaders and mascots could benefit from a little more interactivity with fans. Nevada’s pep band, the Howlers, is frequently the best bunch of student fans at games, in addition to playing a good selection of peppy tunes. The optimum location to take in the game day scene is in section five at center court, but pretty much anywhere in the arena that isn’t directly behind the TV cameras will afford you a good view. That includes the upper reaches, too, though the complaint with the ribbon board text is especially applicable there. Neighborhood 3 The arena is located at the north end of the University of Nevada campus in an area primarily comprised of newish buildings and residential homes. Its immediate surroundings are safe, and a have a few options for pre and postgame activities that get more varied the farther south you go towards downtown. For lunch, one of the university neighborhood’s newest additions is GourMelt off of Sierra Street at University Terrace, specializing in grilled cheese sandwich creations. For dinner or a drink, the area’s most famous watering hole is arguably Red’s Little Waldorf Saloon – “the Wal” to locals – and offers a wide assortment of bar and pub grub a short walk north and across Virginia Street from Lawlor. If you’d prefer to cast a wider net to the downtown area, Campo on Sierra next to the Truckee River is our pick. The National Automobile Museum at Lake and Mill Streets showcases a cool assortment of more than 220 cars from the personal collection of former casino magnate Bill Harrah. West of that is the Riverwalk District and its charming collection of shops, restaurants and green spaces like Wingfield Park, where free outdoor concerts are often played. Casino shows change with the seasons, and they offer tourists an added layer of possible entertainment destinations. A hop in a car for a short drive south can take you to either Lake Tahoe or Virginia City for a day trip. Suggestions on where to stay are plentiful, and depend almost entirely on how much you’re willing to spend and the general area where you’d prefer to stay. A traveler on a small budget could make due with one of the smaller hotels, but we think saving up for either the Peppermill about four miles south of the arena or Whitney Peak next to the Reno Arch will yield a better overall experience. Fans 4 Though it won’t be confused with New Mexico’s Pit or Viejas Arena at San Diego State, Lawlor’s fan support is passionate, engaged in the action, and on the upswing. The main exception to this is a lackluster student section. Nevada’s average attendance increased from 5,496 in the 2014-15 season to 6,554 in Eric Musselman’s first year at the helm. This puts them slightly below the Mountain West’s average attendance of 7,167 at that time, which is still the best among American college basketball’s “non-power” conferences. They’re squarely in the middle of a league with venues both highly attended (New Mexico, San Diego State and UNLV) and sparsely attended (San Jose State and Air Force), but are getting better each year. Though typically not near the arena’s full capacity, the crowds at Lawlor are loud, and engaged in what’s transpiring on the court. They limit their movement during the action, and get especially loud when a series of calls doesn’t go their way, which carries over to other moments when Nevada does something great. They could be even greater if the Blue Crew, Nevada’s student section, were better at filling up their end of the arena, starting chants, and generating noise during important stretches – all of which they rarely do with any consistency. Access 4 Getting to Lawlor is straightforward and hassle-free to the necessary extent. Moving around inside, however, can be tricky under certain circumstances. The Sierra Spirit bus offers an easy public transit option from the downtown area to Lawlor for 25 cents per person per ride on a round that takes about 30 minutes. Commercial flights into and out of the area go through Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a 15-minute car ride away. The majority of free parking for games is located in surface lots north of Mackay Stadium next door. The Whalen parking structure just south of the new campus fitness center also has free spaces, but it’s only available for games that fall on weekends, holidays or days when class isn’t in session. If you can get there early enough and it’s not during normal business hours, we suggest parking at the university post office. Provided you aren’t bringing in any unsealed containers of food or liquids, the security screenings at a typical home game are a breeze. We’ve used the entrances near the West Stadium parking structure, but odds are that none of them will give you any significant problems. The only people who currently have ticketless entry are the students who swipe their IDs to get in. The arena’s main concourse is where the only real criticism crops up, going from comfortably wide along the court’s sidelines to downright claustrophobic behind the baskets. For games that are either highly attended or very close or both, having lots of people moving in one direction at once through those latter areas can be a problem. The lines at Lawlor’s decently clean restrooms are usually fine, but can back up at busy times. Unfortunately, the main concourse isn’t open to the court, and the closed-circuit TVs that used to be at every concession stand are no longer there. Thankfully, there are lots of accessible parking spots in the West Stadium garage, and accessible seating is located in each even-numbered section on the interior concourse. Return on Investment 4 For a program on the rise, the current price to enjoy a basketball game at Lawlor Events Center is just right, with a good number of different options to enjoy an outing there. The majority of the lower bowl is unavailable for single game ticket sales, unless you decide to turn to the secondary market. In the upper bowl, single game tickets start at $16 for the plaza basket area (sections 12-16), $18 for plaza corner seats (sections 1, 9-11, 17-19, 23-25 and 35-36), $20 for plaza center seats (the uppermost reaches of sections 2-8 and 20-26), $30 for the center concourse (the lower half of those same sections) and $60 for lower basket seats (the lower bowl seats in sections 10-18, 28-29 and 35-36). Season tickets for the aforementioned sections range from $179 in the plaza basket area all the way up to $650 in the lower basket sections. For more attractive “premium” home games, these prices are subject to slight increases. We found the plaza center seats to be a good way to take in a single game, while a season ticket in the plaza basket area is an especially great value. Free parking is typically not a problem to find for most games, the cost of a trip on the Sierra Spirit bus is minimal, the programs are free, and a bottomless popcorn or plate of ultimate nachos with a bottled water will set you back $14. Single game discounts of anywhere from $6 to $16 per ticket are available for groups of 20 or more people, depending on where you sit, and there are also bigger discounts available for youth, senior and military guests. Special season ticket discounts are available for University of Nevada staff ($20 off per season ticket for up to two people), four-packs ($596) in select sections for employees of Washoe County School District, the Nevada System of Higher Education and the State of Nevada, and for children eighth grade and younger (a Pup Club membership for $55 that includes free admission to home, regular season games for six different Wolf Pack sports along with several other perks). Extras 2 We like the championship banners hanging from the rafters inside Lawlor, as well as the banners of great past players on the arena’s main concourse. We also liked that the ribbon board that shows individual player stats has the watermarked logos of the two teams playing, though they could stand to be directly underneath their respective team scores rather than in opposite places. There’s also a tribute to long-time booster Link Piazzo on the concourse, and the people at Nevada’s athletic department were courteous and professional with us. Final Thoughts It’s clear the Nevada Wolf Pack is on its way up in the college basketball world, and a game day at Lawlor Events Center is similarly above average. It’s excellent in a few areas, mediocre in others, and only lacks that certain magic that consistently excellent programs carry over from year to year and decade to decade. A few more great seasons strung together could potentially vault a game at Lawlor from “above average” to “bucket list” destination.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Willett Hall 201 High St Farmville, VA 23909 Longwood Lancers website Willett Hall website Year Opened: 1980 Capacity: 1,900 Go 'Wood! Willett Hall is located in Farmville, Virginia, on the campus of Longwood University, and is home to the Longwood Lancers’ men’s and women’s basketball teams. It opened in 1980, shortly after the Lancers made the Division III Final Four. That same year, they moved up to the Division II level, before making the jump to Division I in 2004 to join the Big South Conference. Willett Hall served as host for the 2016 Vice Presidential Debate between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine and underwent major renovations to prepare for that. However, it is set to close no later than 2022 and be replaced by the Joan Perry Brock Center . Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand located in the lobby of Willett Hall, offering only the most basic options. The good news is that the prices are affordable. If you want a main dish, your only options are Chick-fil-A sandwiches ($4) and hot dogs ($3). Other options include pretzels ($3), candy ($3), and chips and popcorn for $2 each. Drinks include soda ($2, or $5 for a souvenir cup), Powerade ($3) and bottled water ($3). The soda is Coca-Cola products, and includes Mello Yello, which is not typically found at arenas. Atmosphere 4 For a small college, Longwood puts on a good show at their basketball games. There are only a few rows of reserved chairbacks on one sideline, with the other seats being bleachers. Willett Hall has two scoreboards, one behind each baseline. The one closest to the entrance has a video screen, while the one on the other side does not, but shows player stats. The Lancers have a dance team and cheer squad that keep the crowd engaged and throw t-shirts into the seats after every three. Before the game, there are impressive player introductions involving music and flashing, colorful lights. The Lancers mascot is a horse named Elwood who looks similar to the horse in the Longwood logo. Neighborhood 3 Farmville is a quaint, small town, and while it’s in the middle of nowhere, there is still plenty to do here. Although there are typical chain places, your best bet is to check out the local color at places such as Walker’s Diner or Riverside Café, both of which are very close to the arena. In fact, everything in Farmville is very close to the arena, because it’s a very small town. Just head off campus and turn left on Main Street and just about everything will be right there. Fans 3 Although Willett Hall is a small arena, seating under 2,000 fans, the Lancers rarely come close to filling it. Most games draw just over 1,000 fans. The nice thing about small arenas is that they’re usually quite full, and it is disappointing that Longwood can’t seem to pull it off here. That being said, the fans who do show up are engaged, cheering and even waving Longwood flags at times. They stay until the end, even if the game isn’t close, which can be a problem at some other places. Unfortunately, they do have a tendency to wait to show up until right as the game is tipping off, which can be distracting if you have to keep standing up to let people in right as the game is starting. Access 2 There are a few roads into Farmville, but regardless of how you get into town, you are going to have to drive quite a bit. Most likely you will end up taking either State Route 45 or U.S. Route 460, but if you’re coming from any sort of populated area, Farmville probably isn’t close to you. Lynchburg is the closest remotely large city, and it’s a full hour away. Richmond is about an hour and 15 minutes, while Washington, D.C. is about three hours. Once you’re on campus, there is a parking lot next to the arena, but that is reserved for season ticket holders and those with handicap permits. Everyone else can park anywhere else on campus except in lots reserved for residential students, which are pretty far from the arena and would be bad places to park anyway. The restrooms in the arena are located around the corner from the main lobby and up a small flight of steps. Although they are small, they are sufficient for the crowds typically. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start at $7 for general admission seats in the bleachers, while reserved chairbacks are $12. However, the chairbacks are only sold the day of the game and are reserved for season ticketholders up until that point. Regardless, this is a good value, especially with the affordable concessions and free parking. You may have to spend a bit of gas money to get to Farmville given how far away it is from just about anything, but that will vary depending on where you live. Extras 3 Free programs are available at a table in the lobby. There are jerseys painted on the back wall honoring Lancers men’s and women’s basketball greats as well as a sign honoring former women’s basketball coach Shirley Duncan. The Lancers have many intricate and entertaining contests during timeouts and at halftime, including a bizarre version of musical chairs with exercise balls instead of chairs where contestants had to dance while blindfolded while the music played then try to find the balls when it stopped. Final Thoughts Willett Hall may be located in the middle of nowhere, which is about what you’d expect from a town called Farmville, but if you’re in town and the Lancers are playing, it is definitely worth a visit. That being said, only the most passionate sports travelers would consider it worthwhile to drive several hours to check out this arena. There is a lot of potential here, and if the Lancers manage to fill the place up, it could be a spectacular atmosphere, but it seems a lot the effort to make that happen is going to be deferred until the new arena opens in a few years.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Desert Financial Arena 634 E Veterans Way Tempe, AZ 85281 Arizona State Sun Devils website Desert Financial Arena website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 14,198 Forks Up Volleyball Arizona State University (ASU) Sun Devils volleyball began play in 1973.  The team has made 20 NCAA appearances, the last in 2023.  They play in the NCAA D1 Big XII conference. The Sun Devils play volleyball at both Desert Financial Arena and the recently built Mullett Arena, depending on schedules and other activities on campus.  Desert Financial Arena is home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams.  It serves as the home arena for the ASU wrestling and gymnastics teams, as well.  Concerts, graduations, and shows also fill the stands at the venue. Food & Beverage 2 A few concession stands serving traditional stadium food dot the concourse at Desert Financial Arena.  Be sure to walk the concourse as each stand sells different meals and snacks. Fare includes loaded cheese fries, regular fries, chicken tenders, cheesesteak, value dog, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts.  Prices run from $6 up to $13.50.  Coca-Cola is the soda provider ($6/$8).  Cans of beer (Coors Light, Lagunitas IPA, Dos Equis, Hard Seltzer, and Spiked Lemonade) cost $15. It’s nothing out of the ordinary but enough to satisfy a hungry fan.  Visitors can bring in a bottled water.  The venue has water fountains designed for easy bottle refill. Atmosphere 3 The arena provides two levels of seating with a walkway between the two.  The upper level is closed for volleyball matches.  The lower seating extends up to 20 – 22 rows. Twenty-two is closest to the concourse.  The venue does not have handrails for climbing up and down. Handicapped seating lines the walkway with banquet-type chairs and extra room for wheelchairs and walkers.  The interior highlights maroon-colored seats accented with gold walls and facade facing, portraying the ASU school colors well. Desert Financial Arena, ASU Sun Devils Volleyball, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Customer service is excellent, with friendly, helpful staff.  They play the music loud, sometimes painf ully loud, and drown out th e prematch PA announcements.  They do not play music while the sets are in process but during time-outs and stoppages.  The volume is lower then, but still too loud to talk with your neighbor without yelling.  If you’re sensitive to loud music, bring earplugs. Game day operations turn the lights off during the Sun Devils’ introductions.  Fans cannot see the players as they are introduced.   This baffles me. The temperature in the arena is comfortable.  Not too cold, not too hot.  Bring a long- sleeved shirt if air conditioning chills you.  It’s an enjoyable few hours out and pleasantly different if you’re more used to watching the traditional Big Four U.S. sports.. Neighborhood 5 Desert Financial Arena is near Arizona State University’s other sports venues in Tempe, AZ, and has plenty of places to eat, drink, and sleep.  Downtown Tempe  is just a short walk away and is the place to go pretty much all the time when you’re at ASU, especially on match days. Whatever kind of food, atmosphere, or price is desired, downtown Tempe has it. It’s one of those places where one could go to a different restaurant or bar before every ASU volleyball match and still not see everything by the end of the season. Snooze an AM Eatery is always a good place for breakfast/brunch, as is Chompie’s Restaurant. A Buffalo Wild Wings is close by. Devil’s Advocate Sports Grill is certainly one of the more popular options among ASU fans. Less than a mile away (or one light rail stop) is Mill Ave, home to all varieties of restaurants and bars. Four Peaks Brewing, The Beer Shop, Hundred Mile Brewery (women-owned), and Pedal Haus Brewery are 1 ½ – 2 miles from the arena. About a mile northeast of Desert Financial Arena is Tempe Marketplace , which has even more restaurants and shops, plus a movie theater. Hotels within walking distance of the arena include Hyatt Place Tempe / Phoenix / University (right across the street), Residence Inn by Marriott Tempe Downtown/University, or Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. There’re plenty more to choose from, just a light rail stop or two away. Other things to see or do in Tempe include the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Gardens, and the Arizona State University Art Museum. Other sports to enjoy during volleyball season in Tempe include Sun Devil football, basketball, and ice hockey. A little farther away, basketball fans can visit Footprint Center to watch the Phoenix Suns  or the Phoenix Mercury or catch an MLB Arizona Diamondbacks game at Chase Field.  Just a tad north, visit Grand Canyon University Antelopes volleyball at Grand Canyon University Arena.  Fans 3 Sun Devils fans always root their teams on well, including volleyball.  The volleyball fans are welcoming and supportive of both teams on the court.  Some fans bring banners and all cheer for good plays and long volleys.  At the match of this review, fans initiated several crowd waves during the sets. Access 5 The arena’s East, West, and South doors are open for ASU Volleyball matches.  Getting to and around Desert Financial Arena is relatively easy and it is close to the interchange of Loop 101 and Loop 202. Take the Rural/Scottsdale exit on Loop 202. A parking garage and parking lot are off Packard Dr (northeast side of the arena). An excellent option is to take the Valley Metro Light Rail  ($4 for an all-day pass/$2 for seniors) and get off at the Veterans Way/College Ave stop. Walk three blocks east past Sun Devil Stadium to the arena. An Uber/Lyft drop off and pick up is at the west entrance on E Veterans Way, the same side as the light rail. The City of Tempe offers free rides via their Orbit Shuttle  or FLASH service with stops near Desert Financial Arena.  The nearest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about a 15-minute drive to Desert Financial Arena. Fans can take the Valley Metro Light Rail directly from the airport to the arena and downtown Tempe. Concourses are plenty wide and do not get congested during sets.  Clean restrooms are on the north and south sides of the concourse, with a family restroom on the southwest side near sections W and V. Security requires adherence to the clear bag policy  at all ASU sports facilities. Return on Investment 3 I paid $15 for a single match at Desert Financial Arena, which seems high.  It looks like some matches are $10.  Fans purchase tickets via a stand-alone kios k, and the kiosk sends tickets via text to your phone.  The traditional ticket booths are used for will-call only.  Parking is free; concessions prices are decent.  Desert Financial Arena Ticket Kiosk, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Extras 1 Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame – Photos are affixed to the concourse walls honoring all ASU athletes who made a difference. Trophy cases adorn parts of the concourse featuring the many accolades of the ASU sports teams. Final Thoughts Fans at ASU volleyball matches are engrossed in the action and cheer the team on enthusiastically.  Although reaching its 50th anniversary, Desert Financial Arena still offers a good game day event. Sun Devils Logo on Desert Financial Arena Court, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Goodall Park 38 Roberts St Sanford, ME 04073 Sanford Mainers website Goodall Park website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 950 Antlers Up The Sanford Mainers have played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), a summer wooden bat league, since 2002, calling Goodall Park in the small southern Maine town of Sanford their home. Built in 1915, Goodall Park predates Fenway Park and has hosted some of baseball’s biggest names. In 1919 Babe Ruth visited here as a member of the Boston Red Sox, hitting three home runs in an exhibition game against the Sanford Professionals, his final appearance in a Red Sox uniform. In addition, in 1922, following his MVP season, George Sisler was part of a barnstorming tour that played a local team here, headlined by Sanford native and Red Sox shortstop Freddy Parent. The park’s original grandstand stood for over 80 years before it was destroyed by arson in 1997. Recognizing its place in the community, Sanford rebuilt the grandstand, reopening it in 1998 with its classic charm preserved and modern updates added. While there is a tie to the legends of the game, the venue has also been the starting point for Major League careers; Mainer players Jason Mott and Adam Duvall are just two of the players who have gone on to enjoy careers in Major League Baseball. Sadly, in 2018 Goodall Park was also the site of a tragedy, when Douglas Pankhurst was struck and killed by a woman experiencing a mental health crisis, who had driven onto the field – the incident and its backstory were chronicled by ESPN’s E:60, The Hero of Goodall .   Food & Beverage   4 There are several concessions options at Goodall Park, including the traditional stand under the grandstand that offers much more than most. Main food items here include slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza (the kind with crispy, cupped pepperonis), along with sandwiches like meatball and chicken parm subs, ham and turkey, and pulled pork. Fans can also choose from classic hot dogs with natural casings, or Maine’s own signature red snapper dogs. A food truck also often provides more elevated options beyond the typical ballpark fare. For something sweet, there is no shortage of choices – in addition to the always-popular Kona Ice truck, the concessions stand serves a fan favorite, namely strawberry shortcake ice cream bars, as well as locally made Moose Pies from Shaker Pond Ice Cream. Beverage options include Coca-Cola products, pink lemonade, raspberry tea, Gatorade, and Celsius energy drinks, in addition to specialty offerings like slushies and the park’s own Moose Juice, which is Red Bull mixed with peach or raspberry syrup. Alcohol is available as well, though the selection is somewhat limited. Fans will find Bud and Coors Light, Blue Moon, Baxter Coastal Haze, White Claw seltzers, vodka iced tea, and a house drink known as the Mainer’s Margarita.   Atmosphere   4 Goodall Park is a throwback in the best sense, being a stadium that captures everything nostalgic about old-school ballparks while mixing in a few modern comforts. The covered grandstand seating keeps fans protected from the elements, and the quirky field dimensions add to the park’s character; at 321 feet the left field line is on the short side, while dead center is a deep 404 feet. Thanks to the nearby Goodall Brook that borders the outfield wall, right field is a snug 283 feet. In true summer league fashion, players not in the lineup walk the stands selling 50/50 raffle tickets, a small gesture that goes a long way in connecting the team to the crowd. In-game promotions, usually held at the bottom of each inning, are simple but fun, tied into an ongoing raffle throughout the night. On-field events are kept minimal, but favorites include kids racing to dress in oversized uniforms or getting a ride onto the field in the fan-favorite Mainer Mobile.   Neighborhood   3 The town of Sanford, Maine, is a recovering mill town that was once a hub of industrial production. Like many towns along the Mousam River, it faced a difficult transition when the mills shut down. Today, Sanford is in the early stages of a rejuvenation effort, with signs of revitalization visible throughout the community. Goodall Park sits just a short walk from Central Park in the heart of town, making it easy to pair a game with a local meal or stroll. Nearby dining options include Azul Agave, Moe’s Italian Sandwiches of Sanford, and Richie’s Jerk & BBQ, all highly rated. While Sanford’s entertainment options remain modest, visitors will find a few laid-back ways to spend time, including Pine Hollow Little Par 3 golf course and several scenic walking trails that wind along the river and past the town’s old mills. If you are looking to explore beyond town, Sanford is just a 30-minute drive from Maine’s southern coast, making it a convenient home base for a weekend of baseball and beach time.   Fans   3 Maine’s local communities by nature are a supportive bunch, nearly unconditionally, and even more so when it comes to its small-town teams. For example, b anners touting the Sanford Mainers hang along Main Street, celebrating the town’s pride in the team. The Mainers average just over 500 fans per game, putting them in the lower half of the league. Fans for the most part remain engaged, but are more on the quiet side, creating typical stadium murmurs. A closer listen to the chatter, however, reveals that much of the talk centers around the frustration of the play of the Red Sox .   Access   3 The town of Sanford can be a bit of a trek to get to; it is most directly accessed by US route 202 that feeds into town from the north and south, or State Route 109 that runs east to west from Interstate 95. Parking is available in a lot across the street from the facility, but it fills quickly, meaning late arrivals may need to park along nearby streets. Fans enter through the main gate along Rogers Street to the ticket booth, before arriving at a paved plaza area where they will find souvenir and community outreach tents, a food truck, and inflatable games for kids. A single access point at field level behind home plate includes space for wheelchair/companion seating.   Fans can reach the upper walkway via stairs located behind home plate and at the end of the first-base grandstand. An elevator behind home plate is also available for those needing assistance. The walkway above the seating area is wide enough for two people to pass comfortably, though it can become congested when fans stop to socialize or linger during the game.   Return on Investment   5 Tickets cost just $7, or $5 for children, and parking is free. Concessions are kept affordable as well, so even grabbing a bite to eat is not going to put a major dent in the wallet. Overall, prices for an evening with the Sanford Mainers is an extremely affordable night out.   Extras   2 Boomer, the Mainers friendly moose mascot, roams the stands during games, interacting with fans and posing for photos. A display on the back of the grandstand shows photos of the aftermath of the fire that destroyed the original grandstand, as well as the process to rebuild it.   Final Thoughts Summer nights at Goodall Park are a community tradition, where young and old come together to enjoy America’s pastime. It is everything you want from small-town baseball: simple, welcoming, and full of character – the perfect mixture of college athletes chasing their big-league dreams while kids chase foul balls, and fans in the stands chasing their baseball memories of the past.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Bramall Lane Sheffield, England S2 4SU United Kingdom Sheffield United FC website Bramall Lane website Year Opened: 1855 Capacity: 32,702 Steeped in History Bramall Lane is arguably the most historic stadium in the sports world nowadays. Why? Because it is the oldest major football stadium still hosting football matches. Bramall Lane plays home to League One club Sheffield United or locally known as “The Blades” because of its worldwide reputation for steel production. Opened in 1855, Bramall Lane has seen record attendances of over 68,000; however, the current capacity is 32,702. Until 1973, Bramall Lane played host to not only Sheffield United, but Yorkshire County Cricket Club during the summer. The Blades were a fierce English club in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when they were winning the league and FA Cup in successive years. Nowadays, United has seen a bad downfall, though nothing like that of Wimbledon (now the Milton Keynes Dons because of that downfall) or Portsmouth . They’ve floated in and around the Premier League, most recently in 2006, but they have since dropped two tiers down to League One, where they have been since the 2011/12 season. Food & Beverage 3 The food at Bramall Lane is exactly how I expected it to be, hence why the average rating. Like all other football stadiums in England, there’s not a great range of hot food and snacks, and the main purchase is beer. The prices are quite expensive, with a burger being £3 ($4.60), a pie for £3 ($4.60), and a hot dog for £3.50 ($5.30). Alcohol-wise, 500 ml Carling plastic bottles are on sale for £3.50 ($5.30), which is expensive compared to other grounds. Atmosphere 5 Although “The Blades” have seen a bitter decline in recent years, the fans have kept loyal, bringing a new atmosphere to League One. When I say new, I mean a “Premier League”-esque atmosphere. This is because the fans chant away all game, unlike other lower-tier clubs, and there are many more fans in attendance. United stormed the Npower League One average attendance table for yet another year, setting the mark at just under 19,000! The atmosphere created is remarkable, and as the stadium is tightly compact and old, the noise stays trapped. In addition to this, when the team scores, the roar made by the fans is unbelievable and motivates the team to victory. When I visited Bramall Lane, I was thoroughly impressed with how loud the atmosphere was, which gave the game a tenser, more competitive edge. Bramall Lane gets a ten on my “Noise-o-meter” scale! The stadium is at its best, however, when the “Steel City Derby” takes place. This is when bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday visit Bramall Lane, which results in a packed house and ferocious atmosphere. It’s a real spectacle and grabs the eye of the nation when the game is televised. Neighborhood 5 I really can’t complain about the surroundings of Bramall Lane. When arriving at the stadium, you can just feel its history. This is because the stadium is surrounded by old-fashioned terrace housing, which I thought was that extra touch on my stadium experience. Also, it’s just minutes away from the city centre, meaning you have the option of making a day of your trip to Sheffield. The city itself is known for one of Europe’s best shopping malls, Meadow Hall, so if you’re trying to persuade your other half of coming along, it shouldn’t be a problem. Around the stadium, it’s extremely safe, and there is nothing to worry about as an away fan. Fans 4 The reason I have graded these fans so highly is that they are so loyal and loud. Yes, they may have a big stadium, but the amazing support Sheffield United receives is because the fans are true to the club, and it runs through their blood. The fans have stayed passionate, even after two relegations in four years. Without the huge average attendance, Bramall Lane would be a terrible stadium to visit, because it would be mostly empty and just have no noise generated. The noise made when The Blade's attack is intimidating for away supporters and makes Bramall Lane an absolute fortress. The fans are a friendly bunch and play the role of the crucial 12th man. The hardcore fans pack into the “Kop Stand”, and they are the heart and lungs of the songs/chants sung at each game. Access 3 Sheffield is an easily accessible place. However, like most other cities, it can be very busy at times. Around the stadium, the traffic is dealt with very well and doesn’t cause any problems. Parking-wise, there are a couple of official car parks near the Kennedy Kop and South stands, but if you want to avoid the high prices, there is a lot of street parking available – which I advise. If you’re not going by car, get off at the Sheffield Mainline station, where it’s a ten-minute walk to the stadium. Return on Investment 4 The pricing structure at Bramall Lane is that of many Premier League teams. They rate games in category A, B, and C (A being the highest quality). The ticket prices for an adult are £29,£35, and £40. The Blades are a top team in League One, with a lot of young talent, and really should be in the Championship aiming at Premier League status. The quality of football is of a very good standard, and although the prices are quite expensive, you get your money’s worth. Extras 5 Bramall Lane is a stadium that can boast so many different things, it’s quite fascinating. Firstly, the away stand is dedicated to Sheffield-born, Olympic hero, Jessica Ennis-Hill. As an away supporter, it gives your stadium experience just that little extra touch, which I find very cool. The historical impact always plays in the back of your mind, as after all it is the oldest major football stadium in the world and once a county cricket stadium. In addition to this, another key extra is that it’s just minutes away from the city centre, which is a must-see.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Estadio Antonio Escarre Av. 22A San José, San Cayetano, Costa Rica Asociación Deportiva Beisbol Master website Estadio Antonio Escarre website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 3,800 Costa Rica Baseball When you think of baseball in Central America, Costa Rica does not come to mind. However, there is a ballpark worth visiting when in San Jose. Estadio Antonio Escarre is the largest baseball stadium in the country. Built in 1955, the stadium holds 4,000 with a covered roof, bleacher seating on each foul line, and a manual scoreboard in a mixed-residential neighborhood of San Jose. Baseball has been played near the ballpark’s site since 1921 when the city’s first official baseball field was dedicated at nearby Plaza Gonzalez Viquez. In 1941, a new ballpark was constructed 300 meters away that would later bear the name Antonio Escarre, the General Director of Sports. The ballpark would be remodeled in 1955, with lights added in 1961. The stadium would be heavily renovated between 2012-2013, seeing improvements to the concrete stands, seats on the second floor, new lights, and a dressing room. During almost 70 years of operation, the ballpark has hosted two World Championship series (1961 and 1973) and two Central American Championships (1972 and 2013). The stadium is home to numerous amateur leagues. The Asociación Deportiva Beisbol Master (Master Baseball Sports Association) offers two levels: a 7-team league of 40-year-old players from April to September and a 6-team circuit of younger talent that operates from October through April. No matter when you are in San Jose, there is more than likely a game on a Saturday afternoon starting at 1:15 PM. Costa Rica is not known for its baseball; there hasn’t been a player from the country to make it to the major leagues. Most players in this league are from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. However, how does a sport thrive in a soccer-mad country? Keep reading to find out more about Estadio Antonio Escarre. Food & Beverage 3 There is a concession stand near the entrance of the ballpark offering inexpensive items: hamburgers, fries, hot dogs, and local dishes that include salchipapas (fries covered with slice sausage and topped with ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise) and vigoron  (cabbage salad, boiled yuca, and chicharrones, all wrapped in a banana leaf). Also, empanadas are sold and are filled with chicken, cheese, or beef and cheese. The stadium does not serve alcoholic beverages but offers Coca-Cola, Fanta, Gatorade, coffee, and tea. Local sodas include Jet, Big, Raptor, and Jugo. Items are served in combination platters, and some of the bottled drinks come in two sizes. Some of the food items sell out towards the end of the game. Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 3 The ballpark’s main entrance has a distinct look that feels like it's frozen in time from another era of the game. The colors and texture would look right at home along Miami Beach’s Art Deco hotels and buildings. The stadium sits on the main streets and avenues with little room for moving cars zipping by the outside of its doors. Most stadiums of its era have a main concourse directly underneath the seating bowl; however, Le Escarre has five rows of plastic seating that provide a unique view of the game. The first few rows are as close as the suite-level seats at the   Jimmy John’s Field   outside Detroit. These seats are ideal since it rains frequently during June and early July. The upper deck of the stadium is fully covered. The individual seats offer comfortable views of the game down below. There is a large netting that protects fans from foul balls or thrown bats during the game. Upstairs are views of the surrounding neighborhood. There is a manual scoreboard in left field, two seats of small bleacher seats down each foul line, and a small general store that sells gear to the players. The concession stand offered tables and chairs, but most fans enjoyed their food and drink from their seats. The majority of the noise comes from the players on the field or the dugouts. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is in the San Cayetano neighborhood, boarding Barrio La Cruz, a few miles south of downtown towards the west side. The ballpark is between Avenida 22A and Calle 7. The mixed residential and business district houses many local businesses and a few fast-food restaurants. The small restaurants include The Baseball Player Soda across the street from the main entrance. They offer hamburgers, nachos, burritos, empanadas, and traditional dishes served cafeteria-style with rice, beans, potatoes, chicken, beef, and maduros (fried sweet plantains). Huaraches offers Mexican cuisine, while Pollo Granjero is a local fried chicken chain.  Don Cleto Gonzalez Viquez Statue, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey On Saturday mornings, there is a farmers market that takes place near the stadium with street vendors and fresh produce for sale. Plaza Viquez also houses a small soccer field that is home to Esuadran FC, a lower-level football club, 300 meters away from the baseball stadium. Downtown San Jose is filled with many places to see including the Children’s Museum, National Museum, Museo del Jade, Central Market, and pedestrian-only streets that are filled with shops, restaurants, and street vendors. A bit outside of town is Irazu Volcano National Park offers close-ups of a dormant volcano. Fans 2 Sadly, only a few people attend games at the ballpark. There were 50 people in the 3,800-seat stadium cheering on family members and friends on the field. You could always tell who's family member was up at the plate due to the loud screech in their voices. The atmosphere is similar to a small college ballpark or Limeport Stadium in Pennsylvania. Access 3 The stadium has two levels with staircases on the outside of the main grandstand. There is also bleacher seating down the foul line that has walkways behind the dugouts. There is plenty of seating on the first level and much more on the second level. Parking is available on the streets around the ballpark’s perimeter. If driving, or taking Uber or DiDi, use Waze to access the streets to arrive at the ballpark. Return on Investment 4 The price of admission is free and menu items are extremely affordable. The price of a burger, fries, and a drink is 2,000 Colones ($3.82 US dollars). An empanada is 1,000 Colones ($1.91 US dollars) and some of the smaller drinks are under a dollar. The stadium does not offer programs, or merchandise, or have many fans in the seats. However, the price of admission and food items is hard to beat. Extras 3 The stadium earns a point for its variety of food, and affordable prices. The food is tasty and offers traditional and local fare for the customer. The stadium earns a second point for its seating structure. There are seats underneath the main grandstand, and a roof covers the grandstand seating structure.  The final point is for the ballpark’s asthetics. It does not look quite like other buildings I have been to in my life. It has a style that has been captured in time. Final Thoughts I was unaware of a baseball stadium in San Jose until recently, but it is worth grabbing something affordable to eat while watching the game. It makes for a great way to spend a few hours on Saturday in between travel plans in and around the city.  _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Somewhere along an old state road in the Hoosier State, miles away from the closest interstate, is Newtown. There are 200 people in the town, intersected by State Roads 341 and 55. However, don’t blink because you might pass some of the best bourbon whiskey. It's made in what was a former high school basketball gymnasium. Old 55 Distillery opened for business on Labor Day 2017 in the former Richland Township High School gymnasium that graduated its last class in 1965. The gym itself was last used by grade school children in 1973. The old gym and its classrooms underneath began deteriorating until the Fruits brothers began using it to age its bourbon barrels about five years ago. The opening of the distillery has drawn interest from around the world, with orders and visitors from Japan, Canada, and Australia. The brothers had no prior experience with making bourbon but submitted a business model to their father after lengthy research and travel to various bourbon distilleries around the country. “Jason did a lot of the research,” said Aaron Fruits, whose family has deep farming roots dating back many years in the area. “He showed up one morning and drove up to Michigan to look at a craft distillery to see what the operations were all about, then Chicago, and a few other places. When we got back, we asked Dad if we could do this, and he said yes.” The brothers produce clear corn whiskey, single-barrel bourbon whiskey, and 100% sweet corn bourbon whiskey. Old 55 is the only distillery in the world that produces sweet corn bourbon. The unique concoction is labor-intensive and costly, but the brother’s grandfather grows corn on the cob on his farm, helping reduce the cost of production. A bottle sells for $120 at the tasting room but doubles in price in retail shops throughout the state. “In the retail business, you have two chances, is what you get,” says Fruits as he holds up two fingers. “If they go the store looking your product and it’s not in stock, they’re done. They tell you in economics to have two chances, and then you’re done. The new lease on life of the former basketball gymnasium is somewhat bittersweet. It was the home to Red Devils teams for only 22 years before the high school consolidated with Wallace, Kingman, and Veedersburg High School to become Fountain Central High School. Before the distillery opened, the building was storage space for different grain and machinery parts. Construction of the gym began in 1941, and there was a shortage of laborers due to World War II. The WPA hired high school boys, who were excused from several classes, to help with the building’s construction. Richland Township alumnus and former boys basketball coach, the late Bob Quirk, stated in his book Real American Stories . “When they poured cement, we high school boys would come to school in work clothes, and instead of going to class, we were hired by the WPA to help pour cement; we got paid 40 cents an hour.” Construction of the gym and school began when two other local high schools, Mellott and Newtown merged. Classes began that academic year in September, but it would not be until 1943 when basketball was played at the gym. The reasoning annoyed Quirk many years later. “The thing that I am still mad about was that they said the gym was not finished and that they couldn’t find a coach, so we couldn’t have a basketball team. They said they could not find a coach because the war had started, and we had no place to play our games since the gym was not ready. Can you imagine today announcing that there would be no basketball team this year?” The gym was one of the finest in the area and soon became the gathering spot for many in the surrounding community. On a cold winter night, the facility would be packed for home games, but it was not necessarily much warmer inside. “It was the only thing to do in town,” said Carla Knecht, who remembers cheerleading in the gym. “The place would be packed for every game, but it would always be cold. We always had a great time watching games or cheering with the crowd.” The gym featured seven rows of wooden bleacher seating on both sides of the court, a hangar-shaped roof, a performance stage, and concession and ticket booths on the north side of the gym. The handsome-looking building was located in the back of the school and offered additional classrooms underneath the playing surface in the basement. Today, the original ticket booths are still there but rotted away, the performance stage has been sealed, and only one strip of wooden bleacher remains inside the building. The roof caved in several years ago and was replaced, and the additional classrooms downstairs are now home to bourbon barrels aging whiskey. The place is dusty and could use a little clean-up, but its dank conditions are perfect for distilling barrels of bourbon. There is no sunlight reaching into the basement of the former high school hoops gymnasium. The Old 55 Distillery isn't a novelty in repurposing the gym. There are copious other former basketball palaces that are barely standing. In Newton, the gym is finding new life even though many don’t see this side of the distillery. There will always be a reminder of its athletic past inside its walls, from the grandstands to the ticket booths and the wording on the exterior of its walls. The front of the gymnasium that once was the school is now a modern building that houses the distillery's tasting room. Visitors come in and sample bourbon whiskey or perhaps enjoy it straight from a glass with a few friends. One of the Fruits brothers will gladly take you back to the former gymnasium. You will find several barrels aging the next best batch of bourbon for consumption. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com