Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 SAP Center 525 W Santa Clara St San Jose, CA 95113 Bay Area Panthers website SAP Center website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 17,562 North Cali Football Primarily the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks , SAP Center in San Jose is a beautiful, modern facility with tons of glass elements, an iconic main entrance that looks stunning when lit up at night, and all the amenities sports fans could hope for. The Indoor Football League’s (IFL’s) Bay Area Panthers moved into the venue in 2022 – the team was founded in 2020 and was supposed to play in Oakland, but thanks to the Pandemic did not begin play until 2022. SAP Center opened in 1993 and holds 17,562 fans, but during Panthers games, the upper deck is curtained off, so for indoor football the capacity is around 10,000. The facility took about 3 years to build and cost $162.5M. Food & Beverage 3 SAP Center has a huge range of concessions options available – the prices are on the high side, and a lot of the stands that are open during San Jose Sharks games are not open during the Bay Area Panthers games. However, that fact has the interesting side benefit of leaving multiple seating areas open on the upper level of the concourse where you can sit and enjoy your food and drinks before heading to your seat. Main dish options include almost everything you can think of, such as hot dogs, nachos, Caesar salads, pizza, BBQ sandwiches (either pork, chicken, or brisket), burgers, sausages, chicken sandwiches, and chicken tenders, while sides include everything from popcorn and fruit cups to pretzels and packaged candy, while dessert options include Rita’s frozen custard. There are also several full bar areas where you get mixed drinks, wine, or beer on draft, or you can get beer from the regular stands, or from convenience store-type stand which offer a wide selection of canned alcohol, bottled water, and soda – these convenience-store type stands are becoming a fixture at sports venues around the country. Atmosphere 4 The Bay Area Panthers pull out all the stops for indoor football at SAP Center – the action begins with crazy pyrotechnics as the team comes onto the field (think towers of flame and loads of fireworks), as well as the dance team and mascot (dressed like a Bay Area Panthers player, except wearing a Batman-esque cowl instead of a football helmet). There are also all the traditional fan contests you see at games, but some come with a twist; for example, there is a contest where fans can win prizes for driving a mini football thru the upright using golf clubs. There is also plenty of dance music played all game long, including sing-a-longs and the “Carlton Cam”, where fans are invited to do their best impression of Carlton, from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, singing ‘It’s not Unusual’. Fans are also invited to have autographs signed by players after the game (though fans are not allowed on the field like they are at many indoor football venues), and the staff offers not one, but 2, after-parties for fans to enjoy – the first is held inside SAP Center itself right after the game ends, and the second is at a location in downtown San Jose for adults 21+ only (the after party at SAP Center is kid-friendly). Neighborhood 4 SAP Center is less than a mile from downtown San Jose, which offers all kinds of dining and entertainment options before or after a Panthers game. But for my money, fans need to look no further than San Jose’s Little Italy, a small warren of Italian restaurants within walking distance of the SAP center, about 3-5 blocks away. I could have spent all day inside Pour Decisions and its sister restaurants (three different restaurants which are connected inside) – you can get delicious hot Italian beef sandwiches on one end, and $5 local beer drafts or fabulous gelato (chocolate and pistachio 2 best flavors) on the other end. Note that the taxes in California are high, so when you go to pay it may seem like more than you expected. Fans 2 The fans at Bay Area Panthers games are pretty solid, but the arena is pretty empty even though some of the seats are curtained off – at an average game you might only see about 3,000 fans in attendance. The fans are pretty raucous at times, however, and the noise level is enhanced by all the dance music they play, as well as the loud horn which erupts every time the home team scores (the same sound you hear when a goal is scored during a hockey game). There is a small team gear stand inside SAP Center; the most popular item seems to be the foam finger with panther claws – you will see lots of fans inside wearing these and clawing the air with them, and not just the kids, either. Access 4 Getting to SAP Center is ridiculously easy – the venue being technically outside of downtown means you have a lot less traffic to contend with than you might expect, and the facility is only about 5 minutes from the San Jose airport – just head northeast on Highway 87 for about 4 miles and you’re there; you can see and hear jets flying over on their landing approaches as you walk into the arena. Incidentally, San Jose Mineta International Airport is a great little facility in its own right, with flights coming from and going to destinations everywhere you can think of, and rental cars on-site. You can park right outside the SAP center for $20, and once you get inside there is plenty of room to move around the concourse, myriad clean bathrooms, and short lines at the concessions, with many stands allowing self-checkout. Return on Investment 4 SAP Center tickets are mobile-only, and the venue has free Wi-Fi – tickets run $27 each including fees from Ticketmaster, which is a little on the high side for IFL venues, as some IFL teams allow you to buy at the door and avoid the fees. However, this is California, so higher ticket prices may not be unexpected, and the staff has some great amenities to offer fans, namely the beautiful venue, the massive 4-sided center scoreboard so you can easily see replays, free Panthers-themed boom sticks, and rally towels for everyone who comes through the doors, and the awesome pyrotechnics at the start of the game; fireworks galore and towers of flame dozens of feet high. Extras 5 SAP Center itself offers a lot of extras for fans as they wander the concourse – the first is as you walk into the main entrance, you are greeted by the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, a digital experience (presented by SAP) highlighting San Jose’s finest in different sports. The display features a huge LED screen that spans most of the wall facing the entrance. There is also a long wall of fame as you walk around the rest of the concourse, with bronze reliefs highlighting famous Olympians, football players, and more. The Panthers also have special uniforms for the different special events they offer, for example, camo uniforms for Military Appreciation Night. The giant 4-sided center-hung scoreboard also has smaller screens underneath, for fans who are sitting close to the field and don’t want to strain their necks looking up at the larger board. And even though the main tenant is the San Jose Sharks , you couldn’t tell that from the décor – there is so much Panthers signage all around, including video clips of live Panthers in the lead-up to kickoff. Final Thoughts San Jose is a great town to visit, and SAP Center is a venue worthy of a visit. A hockey game here may be a bit overwhelming for some, what with its larger crowds and higher ticket prices, but a Bay Area Panthers indoor football game here hits that sweet spot between entertainment, value, fun, and excitement – visit when you can.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Credit Union of Texas Event Center 200 E Stacy Rd Allen, TX 75002 Allen Americans website Credit Union of Texas Event Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 6,275 Red! Red! Red! Red! Red! Red! Red! Allen Americans The Allen Americans are a minor league ice hockey team currently playing in the ECHL (every coast hockey league – I made that up; it used to be the East Coast Hockey League but they rebranded to just the initials ECHL after the league expanded across North America). The Allen Americans began their play in 2009 as part of the now defunct CHL (Central Hockey League). When that league folded in 2014, the Americans transitioned to the ECHL. The Americans have a rich history of success in their short existence winning the Ray Miron Presidents Cup twice in the CHL and the Kelly Cup the two seasons they’ve been in the ECHL so far (both cups are comparable to the NHL’s Stanley Cup). They have always played in the Allen Event Center, in Allen, TX (30 or so miles north of Dallas, TX). The Allen Event Center also hosts indoor soccer Dallas Sidekicks as well as a variety of other concerts and entertainment shows. Editor’s Note: In Fall 2021, the arena name changed from Allen Event Center to Credit Union of Texas Event Center. Food & Beverage 4 The Allen Event Center provides a decent fare and then some. The concession stands each offer the basic snacks (hot dog, popcorn, pretzels, candy, peanuts, etc.) but each stand has different main entrees so be sure to walk the concourse and check them all out before ordering. One offers pulled pork and chopped brisket sandwiches, turkey leg, sausage on a stick, baked potato or a loaded spud ranging from $5 – $8. Another has Philly cheesesteak or chicken fried steak baskets, corn dogs and a variety of fries; and still another presents a diverse range of burgers and chicken sandwiches $6.50 – $7.75, and for $3 more add some fries. A CiCi’s Pizza provides slices, a whole pie, and garlic cheesy bread. Try the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or a Nestles Toll House cookie stand ($2.50 a cookie) for sweets. Even with all these choices, the recommended place is Savour Cantina serving delicious items such as fajita nacho grande, empanadas, crackling pork shank, taquitos, elote, and burritos ranging from $6.50 – $10. Across from the stand on the concourse, ambiance is provided with lights strung up and tables with red table cloths and chairs and umbrellas. Coca-Cola is the soda preference. Domestic draft beers go for $6/$8.25; a 24 ounce can is $9.25 and are sold at most concession stands. One beer stand (near Savour Cantina) has a variety of craft brews in a can. The souvenir/merchandise area is set up on tables on the concourse and has plenty of red hats, red shirts, red jerseys, some novelties like earrings and pucks but no hat pins or pennants. Atmosphere 3 The Allen Event Center is a fine facility to watch an ice hockey game; it has some nice features and others that can be improved upon. One level of seating is available with suites on a second level. It is a smaller arena so one can get a good view of the ice from all seats. Entering the seating area brings a visitor to row E or so, fans will walk up or down depending on their row level; the highest row is S. The steps are a tad steep but there are handrails for those who might have unsteady footage. To sit center ice facing the player benches, choose sections 116 (seat #’s 1 to 7) or 115 (seat #’s 11 – 18) or so to be within the blue lines. No center hung video board blocks the view of the other side (nice!); instead two huge flat screen displays are mounted above the seating areas on each side of the ice. Smaller score lines are located on the wall behind the goals. Pretty, young cheerleaders hand out game day rosters (the print is too small to read…) when entering the arena. To me, cheerleaders feel out of place at hockey games. Unless, they can ice dance, save them for basketball and football games. It is dark in the area so said rosters can’t be read. I, personally, don’t like the darkness but that’s a fans preference. It can get chilly at Allen Event Center for a hockey game (but not as bad as some ECHL arenas in the league). Bring extra layers if you’re one who tends to be cold. The music and announcements are way too loud to have any kind of conversation with neighbors between play of game. At the game of this review, one exceptionally nice between-period entertainment was displaying a full rendition of John Denver and his band actually performing ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ on the video boards interposed with fans in the stands. Neighborhood 3 If you or your significant other likes shopping, you will be a happy camper. Otherwise, there’s not a heck of a lot of things to do within walking distance of the venue. The arena is located within and close to three shopping outlets / malls. There are plenty of restaurants within the shopping mall closest to the Allen Event Center which include: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Dodie’s Place Cajun Bar & Grill, Pane Vino, Pluckers Wing Bar and more. If a beer before or after the game is desired, Kelly’s at the Village Craft Tavern is recommended. It is steps from the arena and has a huge variety of beers on tap (30+) many local to Texas, as well as a complete menu. There’s seating inside and outside at Kelly’s. Both Kelly’s at the Village and Dodie’s Place Cajun Bar & Grill seem to be the most frequented by Allen American fans. For places to stay, a Courtyard Marriott is spitting distance from the entrance. A Hampton Inn is right under the highway (walking distance) but currently (Fall 2016) the sidewalks are closed due to road construction so walking from there is not an option. On a side note, the Hampton Inn is where the visiting team players stayed (during the weekend of this review). Fans 4 Fans are strong and ardent and show up in team jerseys and colors and are respective of the visiting fans and players. For the most part, no ‘make some noise’ prompts are needed. A select group of fans with drums sit behind one of the goals and get the fans cheering. The coolest tradition and chant the fans execute is when after an American goal, all fans stand up and pump their arms and shout Red! Red! Red! Red! at the appropriate time during the goal song, “Don’t Stop Living in the Red” by Andrew W.K. Average attendance is steady and near or above the 4,000 mark for both their CHL days and their current ECHL league. Allen American fans have a lot to be proud of. Access 3 Allen, TX is about a 40 minute drive from Dallas. And Dallas traffic is always horrific and roadways always seem to be under construction. Public transportation from Dallas Love Field Airport will take 3 – 4 hours depending on arrival time and day, so the Allen Event Center is not the easiest to get to for a sports stadium traveler. The arena is just east off of US-75 between McKinney and Plano, TX. Traffic is congested around the Event Center as it is in the midst of huge shopping centers/outdoor malls – The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview. Exiting the area after the game will take some time. The concourse is not overly crowded except at the two entrance areas. Not unique in minor league venues, one cannot walk the entire concourse but must circle back after a certain closed off area. It appears the only wheelchair accessible seating is on the glass level – this may or may not be a good thing depending on preference. Restrooms are plenty with no lines and are clean. Return on Investment 3 For a Saturday day game, tickets run $20 – $42 with an additional $2 – $8 charge when purchasing on game day. Ticket prices run a little less for weekday games (starting at $14). Parking is free; concession prices are not out of this world. There’s no need to purchase tickets beforehand (unless you’re particular about where you sit and/or want to save a few extra game day purchase fees). This recommendation could change when the Americans make it to the Kelly Cup playoffs in early spring. It’s a winning team and a decent facility so it’s worth the investment. Extras 3 If planned properly, a stadium journey traveler may find several doubleheader weekends of hockey/soccer at the Allen Event Center. The John Denver video delivery of ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ and the ‘Living in the Red’ goal celebration are worth an extra mention. Various jerseys the Allen Americans have sported are displayed on the walls behind the suites on the second level. Final Thoughts The Allen Event Center is a respectable venue in which to watch an ECHL game. It has above average food choices, is in the midst of an outdoor shopping mall and has hotels within walking distance. And the team wins. Check it out if in the area north of Dallas.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Memorial Gym 18 Gym Drive Orono, ME 04473 Maine Black Bears website Memorial Gym website Year Opened: 1931 Capacity: 3,100 Shout ‘Til the Rafters Ring When discussing college basketball’s oldest venues, Memorial Gym on the campus of the University of Maine – Orono is often left out of the conversation. Built in 1933, Memorial Gym, lovingly referred to as “The Pit”, is one of the ten oldest Division-I basketball venues in use today. The Black Bears men’s basketball team played at “The Pit” for 50 years, however, the growing popularity of the women’s basketball team created a need for a larger venue than the 1,300-seat capacity of Memorial Gym. As a result, both teams moved to Alfond Arena , located across the parking lot and originally built as the home of UMaine hockey. Alfond would be the UMaine basketball home until 2011 when the Black Bears started bouncing between Alfond Arena  and Memorial Gym. Upon the opening of Cross Insurance Center in neighboring Bangor in 2013, however, the Black Bears would move almost exclusively off campus for its basketball games. Memorial Gym then underwent extensive renovations to update the facility, expanding its capacity to 3,100 fans, including being brought up to date with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Maine would continue splitting time between Cross Insurance Center  and Memorial Gym until the 2023-24 season, where except for the border battle with the University of New Hampshire , basketball would be exclusively played on campus. Then in January 2024, an $80 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation  was announced, which includes funding to construct Morse Arena, the future home of UMaine’s men’s and women’s basketball teams – the new facility is slated to be completed in time for the 2028 season. Currently members of the America East Conference, the Black Bears had previously been a part of the Yankee Conference dating back to 1947.   Food & Beverage   1 To say concessions are basic at Memorial Gym might be a bit generous – there are no hot food options; just popcorn, candy, cookies, and Maine Whoopie pie. Beverages include bottled soft drinks from the Pepsi line of products, along with Gatorade and Aquafina. In the name of transparency, this review was conducted over winter break, and signs did reference a second concession stand available inside the adjoining New Balance Maine Field House, but there was no sign of it being open.   Atmosphere   2 Memorial Gym is a relic when it comes to college basketball arenas, a true time capsule that brings back memories of the era of cagers.  At the time it was built, not a lot of thought was given to obstructed views created by steel beams that frame the center court section of seating. The historic nature of the building also creates some unique features – there are not many college basketball venues that still have wooden seats throughout, and still have a wood plank ceiling. A large HD video board is attached to the far end wall and provides a video feed of the game, cues for fans to get loud, and advertisements during breaks in the action. It also keeps track of individual player points and foul totals. In addition, smaller, more traditional scoreboards with basic time and score information hang from the wall on each end of the floor at the court level.  Timeouts are commonly filled with various fan cams that are popular with younger Black Bear fans, and while students are on campus, the pep band and cheerleaders fill the second tier of seating, which certainly adds to the overall college basketball experience. Memorial Gym is everything that basketball in Maine is – a small gym that can get packed and warm during the cold Maine winters. Despite upgrades to become a bit more modern and accessible, Memorial Gym still comes with limitations that make the environment a bit of a challenge when considering the overall comfort of the facility.   Neighborhood   4 Orono is a vibrant, small college town that, despite its somewhat remote location, gives visitors just enough food and beverage options in town to make it worthwhile to arrive a few hours before tip-off. The UMaine campus is separated from the Orono neighborhood of Marsh Island by the Stillwater River. Marsh Island is just over a mile from the athletics facilities and is home to a handful of bars, restaurants, and breweries. One popular spot, Pat’s Pizza on Mill Street, has been an Orono staple since 1931. Orono has a small town center but does pack a lot into that area’s relatively small size. One of the more popular pregame establishments is Orono Brewing Company – while their craft brews are their most popular attraction, there is also a strong food menu. The town of Orono also neighbors the better-known and more populous Bangor, which might be the best option if you are looking for lodging or entertainment to fill the time before or after a UMaine basketball game. On campus, Memorial Gym is clustered with the other UMaine athletic facilities – just across the parking lot is the aforementioned Alfond Arena , as well as Harold Alfond Sports Stadium , which hosts Maine Black Bears football, field hockey, and track & field.   Fans   2 Attendance at Black Bears men’s basketball tends to be a bit inconsistent at Memorial Gym, though in a bit of an oddity, on-campus games during school breaks tend to have larger attendance numbers than those that occur when students are on campus. The Orono community also does a decent job filling the seats at The Pit as part of weekend family plans- weekend games routinely draw over 1,200 fans, whereas typical crowds with students on campus have 500 to 700. While many of these are weekday games, with an undergraduate enrollment of nearly 10,000 the small attendance figures are a bit disappointing.   Access   2 The University of Maine campus, in the central Maine town of Orono, is a bit secluded from most of the population in the rest of the state. The main artery of travel up the eastern seaboard, Interstate 95, does pass through Orono, however, so it does at least provide a direct route to town. The UMaine athletic facilities are easily accessible from the interstate, and parking is directly in front of the main entry to Memorial Gym. Memorial Gym only has one entry point that is used to access the court, which is fine for early arrivers, but the closer to tip-off the more the long, narrow entry point can become backed up. The age of Memorial Gym also definitely creates some issues when it comes to simply accessing the gym’s seating areas – the floor seats have a direct route from the entrance, but navigating between the seating along the sideline and baseline requires going down one set of stairs and coming back up another set. There is an elevator to access the upper-level seating across from the team benches, but there does not seem to be the same access on the other side. The setup of Memorial Gym is a bit unfortunate in that the entire front of the building is used for visiting team access and is not accessible to fans. On the plus side, the lobby of the building is home to the University of Maine Athletics Hall of Fame, with photos and bios of its inductees.   Return on Investment   4 Balcony seating starts at $15 when purchased at the door, which seems consistent with schools at similar levels. However, even adding a flat fee of $2.25 per ticket, purchasing online is less expensive than waiting to buy a ticket at the door – the same $15 balcony ticket purchased at the door is just $12.25 when purchased online. Floor-level seats are available for under $25. There is no cost for parking, and prices at the limited concessions seem fair. In all, UMaine basketball is an extremely affordable entertainment option.   Extras   2 If you can access the main lobby at court level following the game, the University of Maine Athletics Hall of Fame shows the history of UMaine’s brightest stars throughout the school’s more than 140-year history of athletics in Orono – the Hall of Fame is a nice look at the athletes who have written the story of Black Bear athletics. Following weekend games, players are made available for an on-court autograph session; this is a nice way for the team to make connections with the community, as well as inspire the next generation of Maine hoopsters.   Final Thoughts Some of the inconsistencies with men’s basketball attendance could be tied to not just the struggles the Black Bears have had putting wins in the win column, but also that they have not had a consistent facility to call home for quite some time. Between playing at Alfond Arena , which was not designed for basketball, and traveling to Bangor, the Black Bears have not established a true home court in quite some time. The future does show promise, with facility upgrades on the way and an increased focus on drawing some of the top high school talent in the state to Orono. The coming years could see the Black Bears head back to Bangor for part of their schedule if crowd sizes spike as they are anticipated to over the next few seasons. If given the opportunity before Morse Arena is completed, taking in a game at The Pit might be a priority, while the historic venue is still accessible.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Falcon Park 130 N Division St Auburn, NY 13021 Auburn Doubledays website Falcon Park website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 2,800 Memories for Generations Leo Pinckney Field at Falcon Park is the home of the Auburn Doubledays, but the stadium is usually referred to simply as Falcon Park. The Doubledays compete in the short-season single A New York-Penn League. They are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals , with a roster of recently drafted/signed players of the Nationals. Falcon Park was constructed in 1927, with a reconstructed second version completed in 1995. The park is named after an old social group, the Polish Falcons, that fraternal organization owned the ballpark until 1959, the year a local minor league group bought the venue. The current owner is Auburn Community Baseball, a nonprofit group authorized by the city, which bought the ballpark in 1980. The field itself was named in honor of Leo Pinckney in 2004 – Leo Pinckney was an Auburn citizen sports writer, known as Auburn’s “King of Baseball.” He was a crucial figure in bringing the New York-Penn League to Auburn, but his involvement continued into 1984, when Pinckney was named the New York-Penn League’s president, and the league eventually named the division in which Auburn competes after him. In 1993 Pinckney also helped lead the effort to build the current Falcon Park. Although the main tenant is the Auburn Doubledays. Falcon Park has been a centerpiece for the community. The venue has held concerts, been used as a racing speedway for children, and is home to the Auburn Maroons High School baseball program. Food & Beverage 3 Falcon Park has the standard fare of baseball food without the inflated prices. The main concessions stands are on the outer promenade, behind home plate, and on the first base line. There are also smaller stands located on the third baseline under the stands, and near the stadium’s souvenir stand. The concessions menu offers selections from local meat companies such as Hofmann Italian Sausage and hot dogs, along with Indelicato’s hamburgers; the costs for these range from $3.50 to $5. Chicken tenders, French fries, soft pretzels, and nachos are also offered, with the costliest of these being $5 – this is remarkably low compared to other ballparks. The highest-cost food item at the main concessions stands is $6, namely the Veggie burger or wrap. There is some thought given to healthier snack foods under the first base grandstand, at Little Abner’s Snack Shack – the Snack Shack offers pretzels w/hummus ($5), yogurt, popcorn, water, and Gatorade. The ballpark also offers a BBQ menu, which is separate from the main concessions. The BBQ stand is situated on the first base side of Falcon Park, where the Gould Hotel in Seneca Falls keeps the ballpark serving local fare. The menu includes pulled pork pockets (with pineapple and coleslaw), brisket sandwiches, and loaded pork nachos; as BBQ is higher in cost than other items, $8 to $10 isn’t an unreasonable price. However, tasting Central New York’s salt potatoes is a must – salt potatoes are a regional dish and a staple for cookouts. At $3 for the small size or $5 for the large size, you can taste the cuisine of salt potatoes – this delicacy has been a favorite since the early 1900s and traces back even farther to the Irish Salt Miners in Syracuse. The beverage service at Falcon Park is impressive for a minor league stadium. The newly expanded first base deck (3700 sq. ft.) focuses on craft breweries. In addition, Bell’s, Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfish Head, Lagunitas Brewing, and Ommegang are available at the Craft Beer Corner. Wine Slushies made with wine from nearby Montezuma Winery are available as well for non-beer drinkers, and the ballpark also serves Pepsi products. Soda, bottled water, 16oz Slush Puppies, lemonade, Gatorade, iced tea, and coffee are all $2 to $3, which is a great price relief compared to other ballparks. Overall, the food and beverages at Falcon Park are plentiful enough to satisfy any fan's appetite. Atmosphere 3 The Doubledays game day atmosphere begins an hour before game time when the gates open. Live music is played on the patio deck in right field, and the home team Auburn Doubledays uses the third base dugouts and warms up along the Holiday Inn Party Pavilion in left field. The Doubledays staff is friendly and helpful, especially the elder staff, as they enjoy being a part of the game day atmosphere at Falcon Park. There are opportunities for player autographs at the entrance to the ballpark, behind where programs are sold. The programs include a scorecard so fans can follow the tradition of keeping score (although there is a scoreboard located in center field). The outfield wall is covered with business advertisements from companies around the Finger Lakes region. Abner, the team’s mascot, walks around the ballpark welcoming fans, signing autographs, and posing for pictures. Abner is perhaps one of the most unique in all of baseball: an old-timey mustachioed representation of Abner Doubleday, credited inventor of the all-American sport. Abner and the staff keep you involved with family games and challenges between innings, and have other entertainment consisting of minor league standards such as races, contests, and quizzes; there is also a Kids Zone behind the first base grandstand near the restrooms. Neighborhood 3 Leo Pickney Field at Falcon Park is in Auburn, New York. The ballpark is situated a couple of miles from downtown, next to the city’s Casey Park and Recreation Center. The City of Auburn, with its population of 27,000 people, is located at the north end of Owasco Lake in New York State’s Finger Lakes region. The City of Auburn has been an important place in American history, and that history can be relived in the homes of William Seward and Harriet Tubman. William Seward, a former United States Secretary of State, was instrumental in the negotiation of the Alaska purchase in 1867. Harriet Tubman, meanwhile, was born into slavery, yet became one of America’s most famous abolitionists and political activists, contributing to rescuing 70 enslaved persons through the Underground Railroad – she is laid to rest in Auburn’s Fort Hill Cemetery. Besides the history here, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is 15 miles west of Auburn. The wildlife refuge is situated on the north side of another Finger Lake, Cayuga Lake, and the land on the west side of Cayuga Lake and around Seneca Lake is home to the Finger Lakes wineries – there are plenty of winery tours available to the public. And if wineries aren’t your forte, then a quick 10-minute drive east will take you to the beautiful village of Skaneateles, on the north end of Skaneateles Lake. Skaneateles Lake is the highest in altitude in the US, ahe cleanest of the Finger Lakes, and the second cleanest lake in the country behind Crater Lake in Oregon. The Auburn restaurant scene begins at the Sunset Restaurant on North Division Street – this restaurant has been a staple of Auburn since 1933. Another historic restaurant is Hunter’s Dinerant, which is on Genesee Street overlooking the Owasco River, which runs through the center of town. There are also a couple of local breweries that serve food; the first is Prison City Pub and Brewery, whose name references Auburn’s nearby correctional facility, while the other is The Good Shepherd’s Brewing Company. All these are very good choices, however, my recommendation would be to take a short drive east to Skaneateles and find a table at Doug’s Fish Fry. Fans 3 The New York-Penn League’s attendance statistics don’t seem to favor the Auburn fan base – the team only averages about 1,200 fans per game, filling only half of Falcon Park’s seating capacity; the only team lower in attendance is the Batavia Muckdogs . However, because the New York-Penn League has expanded over the years beyond its namesake two states into Connecticut, West Virginia, and Ohio, the Muckdogs are the only nearby team. Therefore, when the Auburn Doubledays play the Muckdogs, Batavia’s visiting fans seem to invade Falcon Park. Falcon Park’s stands are filled with families and local boosters that stay involved and enjoy the tradition of spending time at the ballpark – fans stay involved with the game and support the team on the field. The fact that the City of Auburn has been able to keep a minor league baseball team playing in Falcon Park since 1958 (except during 1981) shows that Auburn loves its baseball team; so much so that the Auburn Doubledays and the Washington Nationals recently announced a 2-year extension of their player development contract, to run through the 2020 season. Access 3 Auburn is in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Central New York. The closest airport to Falcon Park is about 35 miles away at Syracuse’s Hancock International Field, but other smaller airports can be utilized in Ithaca, Binghamton, and Rochester. These airports are all about an hour from Auburn, with the larger airport in Buffalo being a two-hour drive across Western New York. The drive to Falcon Park from Syracuse’s airport is an easy drive down the New York Thruway (I-90) to the Weedsport Exit via State Road 34. Auburn’s Falcon Park can also be accessed using State Route 5 or US Route 20 – US Route 20 is the longest surface road in New York. Parking for Auburn Doubledays games is free on North Division Street via a large parking lot across from Falcon Park. Auburn also has public transportation – the CENRTO Auburn Buses Route 4 Casey Park stop ($1) serves the park, and the CENRTO can be reached using Amtrak, Greyhound, and Trailways. Falcon Park is split into two seating areas with a walkway that separates the two; the main stands are covered and host the press box behind home plate, while the general admission bleacher seats extend out to the picnic areas on each side of the ballpark. There are two open entrances, one on each baseline, that allow entrance to the stands – the grandstands have blue plastic seating on the lower level and metal bleachers on the upper level. Return on Investment 5 Auburn Doubledays single-game tickets cost less than a movie ticket. There are three levels of pricing inside Falcon Park; the box seats cost $10, and these seats bring you closest to the field, while center reserved is $8, which is the upper seating behind home plate. The third level is the bleachers for $6, which are general admission tickets. However, the Doubledays offer daily ticket specials that will lower the cost – the promotion schedule is constant throughout the year, and includes family four packs for $44 on Fridays and Saturdays; these four packs include four general admission tickets, four popcorns, four hot dogs, and four sodas. In addition, Sunday games support the community with free tickets for teachers, while Monday games are Auburn’s Salute to Service, with free general admission tickets for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. Tuesdays are Two for One Tuesdays, and Wednesday games can be free as well if Auburn produces wins on the field. Lastly, group outings to the party tents for 10 or more people are $9 per person with all-you-can-eat food. The amazing return on investment isn’t just ticket prices at Falcon Park – the affordable food and beverage prices also really help reduce a family’s expense on entertainment. Extras 5 Auburn’s New York-Penn League teams have been named the Yankees , Mets , Phillies , Twins , Astros , Red Stars, Sunsets, and Americans. However, the current name Auburn Doubledays is perfect, and the Doubledays can change MLB affiliates without losing that name. This name is in honor of Abner Doubleday, who is credited with inventing baseball, and who spent his early years in Auburn. The Abner mascot, with his likeness to Abner Doubleday, along with his signature mustache provides Auburn with the marketing slogan “Our mascot has the best mustache in minor league baseball” – the Doubledays logo with the mustache across the letter A and ballcap on top is very creative. Falcon Park is a community staple recognizing the history of baseball in Auburn, as well as the fans that have supported baseball in Auburn. There are park dedication plaques and construction donor plaques on the outer wall of the park, and the main entrance gate has many recognition memorials to individuals, including Bill Graney, Jr. (former GM), Thomas J. Poole (baseball instructor), Pat Penafeather (groundskeeper), Dr. Thomas Stapleton (team and league executive), and Leo A. Pinckney (local journalist “Mr. Baseball”). There is also a championship street sign on North Division Road in front of Falcon Park – Auburn has won eight league titles, with the 2007 championship being the most recent. The amazing Doubledays staff, including General Manager Adam Winslow and Assistant GMs Shane Truman and Andy Collier, can be seen at every Doubledays game interacting with fans. Adam and Shane are Auburn natives who both grew up watching baseball at Falcon Park. Adam has a huge connection with baseball in Auburn, going back to his grandfather being friends with Leo Pinckney. His parents were season ticket holders, and his sisters worked at Falcon Park in the summers. Adam is creating a family atmosphere for the Auburn community to enjoy because he understands the importance of baseball at Falcon Park. Final Thoughts There have been baseball played at Falcon Park since the New York Yankees’ Murderers Row. The old wooden grandstand-type facility from 1927-1994 provided Auburn fans a place to learn, play, and enjoy the sport of baseball. Today, Falcon Park II continues to uphold the tradition of baseball in Auburn. Baseball at Falcon Park is much bigger than the game itself – the games are a tradition for Auburn, providing families with memories for generations that last a lifetime.

Photos by Chuck Utech, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 PhilSports Arena University of Life St Pasig, The Philippines NLEX Road Warriors website PhilSports Arena website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 10,000 Rare Air Editor’s Note: Since publishing this review, the team Air21 Express were sold and renamed the NLEX Road Warriors. Welcome to basketball in the Philippines! The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) played its first game in 1975 and is the first professional basketball league in Asia, and second oldest in the world, behind the NBA. The PBA features 10 teams. Rules are a mix of NBA and international. A season is comprised of three “conferences” called the Philippine Cup, Commissioner’s Cup, and Governors’ Cup. Winning all conferences in a given season is called a “Grand Slam.” Each conference has particular roster requirements and ends in a play-off with a champion. The Philippine Cup rosters are comprised of players of Filipino descent. This Cup is widely thought of as the most prestigious of the three. For the Commissioner’s Cup, the ninth and tenth place teams from the previous conference are allowed one import no taller than 6′ 11”. The remaining teams have a 6′ 9″ restriction. In Governors’ Cup play, the rule is 6′ 5″ for all teams. FIBA (International Basketball Federation will crown a World Champion in August, and then current teams draft and prepare for the next three conferences. The Air21 Express joined the PBA in 2011 and are led by 41 year old Asi Taulava, considered an all-time PBA great. He has had a very high profile career in the PBA dating back to 1999, and has been a member of several Philippine Nation squads. Taulava can easily be identified as he is one of the larger players in the league, and sports a blonde mohawk. The Express won their first play-off series in team history last conference in 2014, before being eliminated by the Super Coffee Mixers. Unlike basketball in the United States, there are no home arenas. There are two main facilities that host PBA games, the Smart Araneta Coliseum (site of the Thrilla in Manilla) and The Mall of Asia Arena (MOA). In times where Smart Araneta and MOA are busy, Philsports Arena and Cuneta Astrodome are used in their place. Built in 1981, PhilSports (also known as The Ultra, and the PSC) regularly hosted PBA games from 1985-1992 and 1999-2007. Now it is relegated to a role as a substitute facility. The stadium is showing age, but as a venue needed to pinch hit from time to time, it does suffice. In 2014 it did host the deciding Game Four in the finals. Food & Beverage 2 There are essentially no traditional concession stands inside PhilSports Arena. Instead, there are scores of vendors scouring the seats to sell hot dogs, popcorn, chips, bottles of soda and bottled water. The cost is reasonable. A hot dog with customary mayonnaise and ketchup is 50 PHP (about $1.15 in US dollars), a large tub of cheese popcorn is 75 PHP. A large bag of chips is 50 PHP as is a 16 ounce bottle of Coca-Cola. A 12 ounce bottle of water is 25 PHP. Price is not an issue, especially with the convenience of so many vendors eager to assist fans. While the menu is limited, the hot dog is tasty. There are no beer sales inside. Walking in, signs are posted prohibiting bringing outside beverage or food into the building. Atmosphere 3 Three main gates allow access into PhilSports. The arena essentially has three levels for seating: Patron, Box, and Gallery. Each gate is level specific and there isn’t easy access in between. The Patron seats include VIP and lower box seats. The courtside VIP seats are blue, plastic lawn chairs. The Box seats are a hard colored material that is akin to a seat used on a third grade schoolhouse desk. There are no drink holders and seats are fairly uncomfortable. The Gallery is first come, first served, bench seating. I would recommend that for a first time visitor or family. Seats in the Gallery are 125 PHP (about $2.87 US dollars). Unlike more modern arenas, PhilSports Arena does not have a central, overhanging scoreboard. It does feature two small score indicators in opposite corners and projection screens that display the game action. Those are located in the Gallery behind each basket. Music during the game is a standard instrumental beat. Popular music is played during breaks and intermissions. Both teams are announced as “Your” team. The announcer is very well understood. He speaks English nearly throughout except when asking for everyone to rise for the National Anthem. He also gives great explanations of referee calls (“Warning on coach Ryan Gregorio for resentment to a call”.) Another good explanation was given when a player was assessed a Flagrant Foul One. PBA rules state he must sit for three minutes of play. Sound is very good in the PSC. During intermissions a team of three guys come out on the court and shoot t shirts into the crowd with a slingshot. I appreciate that they shoot those high into the cheap seats. At halftime, one of those fellas sports a harness with backboard on hoop on top and they pass around a small ball to fans to shoot. Made baskets win a prize… a two day supply of Vitamin C. Neighborhood 1 Located in the heart of Metro Manila, PhilSports Arena sits in a fairly residential district. I would not recommend much travel around the area on foot, especially if you are by yourself. Across the street, there is a restaurant named Dinky’s that serves local barbecue. There is essentially no local street parking and no tailgating. Outside there is a vendor selling dim sum, but they were not set up to sell anything except bottles of water at the time I was there. Fans 5 The fans are supportive, loud and knowledgeable. The fan experience is well worth the price of admission. They cheer their team, refrain from excessive abuse, and engage in friendly back and forth with the opposing squad. It is quite enjoyable. A chant of “D-Fense” is very common. When a team makes a big shot, fans from that team will hold up a jersey or handmade banner (ranging from poster board and magic marker to a fancy, stitched felt sign) of the player. The same thing happens with a great steal or block. Most of the “super” fans are behind the respective hoops. When buying tickets, fans are advised as to what side each team will be sitting on so they can plan accordingly. Officiating in the PBA can be sketchy. I appreciate how the fans let the coaches do the majority of the complaining. They focus on supporting their team. They are very loud and very proud all game long. Access 2 PhilSports Arena is easy to get to, whether by taxi, bus, or jeepney and is more centrally located to allow a faster experience. A 20-30 minute taxi ride is approximately 200 PHP. There are bus and jeepney stops nearby. Jeepney is essentially a crowded public transportation system in The Philippines. For visitors unfamiliar with the area or travel, I recommend a taxi. Inside the arena is not handicapped accessible. There is a lack of ramps for anything outside the courtside. Security is prevalent. One thing that is disconcerting, however, is that in the upper Gallery, there are only two main doors, located behind each hoop. The others are chained off. When I was there in a full house for the finals, leaving would have been difficult in a time of panic. Return on Investment 5 A PBA game at PhilSports Arena is still enjoyable. I sat in the middle price range of seats (350 PHP for a doubleheader) and the cost of tickets, taxi to and from, a couple hot dogs and waters was well under 1000 PHP (about $23 US dollars). The entertainment level is high for the cost. Extras 1 Unfortunately, there are no programs for PBA games. Also, there are no merchandise sales. The tickets are generic. The extra star goes to the friendly staff and security. It is a family friendly environment inside and the staff takes great pride in the game day presentation.

Photo Courtesy of WKU Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 E.A. Diddle Arena 1906 College Heights Blvd Bowling Green, KY 42104 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers website E.A. Diddle Arena website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 7,500 The Best Rises to the Top There are hidden gems regarding college basketball venues spread all across the United States. One such example resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky with E.A. Diddle Arena. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have a proud basketball history that includes multiple Sweet Sixteen appearances and a Final Four berth way back in 1971. The modest, but beautiful, E.A. Diddle Arena was already around to see the glory days of Hilltopper basketball as it was constructed in 1963. It’s named in honor of Edgar E..A. Diddle, a former Hilltopper basketball coach who piled up over 750 wins and a win percentage of over 70 percent. Usually arenas grow in capacity over the years, but Diddle Arena has actually done the opposite. It once had the ability to hold over 13,000 fans, but now has a capacity of 7,500. That number is still plenty large enough to get this place to a loud level, and gives the Hilltoppers a distinct home-court advantage. It also makes for a more pleasant and comfortable fan experience without the seats being crammed up against each other. Extensive renovations were made to Diddle Arena in 2002, and it’s safe to say they hit the mark. If you call yourself a college basketball fan and you’re traveling through the Bluegrass state, you better make time to witness a game at this historical site for college basketball. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor. Food & Beverage 5 You will be blown away by the wide variety of food options at Diddle Arena. They take no shortcuts in making sure fans are completely taken care of when it comes to the concession areas. Far too often we go to smaller arenas only to find the most basic of options that you could seemingly find at a high school gym. The exact opposite occurs at Diddle Arena. If you’re a seafood lover, you have to stop at Seafood Steamer. It’s located in the 2nd level concourse area and offers fresh seafood that you can’t get at most college basketball arenas. The shrimp and crab nachos catch the eye, and they are fairly priced at $8. Quesadillas or a shrimp baskets are also $8. For $10, you can get what they call a Red Skillet, which is red potatoes, yellow onions and sausage. The generous portions you receive for these orders more than make up for the price, and will do the trick for your dinner. For the more traditional concession items, there are hot dogs for $4.25 and popcorn for $4.75. The pork nachos are really good, and they’re $7.50. Again, these are all large portions to make up for the price. Pork sandwiches are $6.50, bottomless popcorn is $7 and personal pan pizzas are a mere $5.75. Rounding out these very impressive selections of food options are the panini sandwiches that you can get with steak, veggies or turkey for $6.25. Souvenir sodas are $5.50 and smaller sizes are $3.75. There’s also bottled water and Powerade for $3.75. Alcohol isn’t served at Diddle Arena as it is located on campus. Skip the expensive restaurant and have dinner at Diddle Arena when attending a game. You’ll be taken care of and find some good food to hold you over throughout the game. Atmosphere 4 Upon entering Diddle Arena, you first get the feeling that you’re entering a high school gym. The hallways are narrow, there are a lot of classrooms and the building seems tiny. However, once you start navigating throughout the venue, you realize how much history and tradition resides here. The walls that go along the concourses are like walking through a museum of Western Kentucky athletics. Memorabilia covers virtually every speck of the wall, and it’s easy to get lost in the history. I found myself reading all of the old newspaper articles and columns that have been written about Hilltopper basketball. This is all cleverly organized by decade. When you enter into the seating area, you really get a sense of how awesome this place is. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how large the interior is after walking in from the concourse area. Expect the place to always be full of energy and excitement, regardless of where the Hilltoppers may be in the standings. The electricity really flows through this place when the team is competing for championships. There isn’t a classic scoreboard that hangs over the center of the court. Instead, there are two standard definition scoreboards that are in diagonal corners. They’re nothing fancy, but they do the trick. You’ll be delighted to find out how much leg room is provided, and how comfortable the chair back seats are. Too many arenas fall victim to cramming as many seats as possible into a small space, leaving the fan with very little room to stretch out their legs or climb out of the aisle. You won’t run into that problem here. There is some bleacher seating mixed in among the regular seats. Mascots always make the experience more fun, and “Big Red” is a classic. He’s basically a big red blob, but he does a fantastic job enhancing the fan experience with his various antics. Neighborhood 3 There’s nothing too special about Bowling Green outside of the fact that it’s a classic college town filled with some fun local bars. You also won’t have a problem finding a fast food or casual dining option before or after the game. If you like live music, then one popular spot to check out is Tidball’s. It’s located just a few blocks from the arena, allowing you to walk if the weather isn’t too bad. This would be a great place to go have a few drinks after the game. To get more of a dining experience, go to 440 Main. They have Cajun cuisine, a solid wine list and a friendly crowd. It’s also located about a mile away from the campus. There are several other bars and restaurants to explore that cater to the college scene. The campus of Western Kentucky is located a few miles off of Interstate-65, and that’s where you will find most of your lodging options. If you’re really wanting to stay somewhere nice, then the Hyatt Place is located on Center Street, which is right next to Diddle Arena. There is a theme park located in Bowling Green, but unfortunately it isn’t open during basketball season. Fans 4 You’ll never confuse fair weather fans with Hilltopper fans. Regardless of how poorly the team may be playing in a given season, there is a solid core of fans that will always make it to Diddle Arena to show their support. Some fan bases only show up when their respective team is at the top of the standings, but that’s simply not the case here. If Diddle Arena isn’t at least half full, then look out the window to make sure the world isn’t coming to an end. Fans from the great Commonwealth of Kentucky have the reputation of being diehard college basketball fans, and Western Kentucky fans uphold that reputation. The only minor criticism is the lack of a defined student section. Students have the ability to make their home turf a very difficult place to play for opposing teams. There are plenty of ordinary fans represented at Hilltopper games, but a stronger student section would be nice to see, and elevate the fan atmosphere to another level. Access 4 Parking is usually an adventure when these arenas are located on college campuses that you’re not familiar with. For instance, it can be confusing on where you’re allowed to park upon arriving to Diddle Arena. Be careful not to park in a permit only lot, and there are several of them surrounding the arena. More signs directing the visiting fan on where they’re allowed to park would be helpful. As long as you’re prepared to walk, there are some free lots on the outer perimeters of campus. The elevators will be a welcoming surprise to take you to the upper level, and the concourses are simple to navigate through, even if they’re a little narrow. Finding your way to Bowling Green and the campus itself should be no problem. It’s about a 10 to 15-minute drive off of Interstate-65. If you’re coming from the South, then taking William H. Natcher Parkway to Nashville Road will direct you right to the campus. Navigating around the perimeter of the campus shouldn’t give you any problems. You won’t have any headaches finding Diddle Arena, but give yourself time to find a viable parking spot. Return on Investment 5 You absolutely get your money’s worth when attending a game at Diddle Arena. You can expect ticket prices to be in the neighborhood of $12 for tickets outside of the lower sections. Tickets could go up to $25 for Saturday games, depending on the opponent. The positive fan experience and proud history of Western Kentucky basketball make up for that price. Concession prices may be above average for a Conference USA venue, but they make up for it with the quality and large portion sizes. After a short walk, you can find free parking on most occasions. A below average fan experience would really hurt this score, but the fan experience will far exceed the ordinary fan’s expectations. These prices are very fair for what you’re getting in return. Extras 4 I’m giving out a couple extra points for how proud Diddle Arena is of the history of Western Kentucky athletics. You basically get a free trip to a museum as you walk down the hallways and learn about all of the great moments that have happened here. This arena gets some bonus points for how much it embraces its main school color of red. Many venues miss the mark on something as simple as showing pride in the school colors. Virtually everything is red inside Diddle Arena, giving you that instant feeling of being in Hilltopper country. You’ll be in the vast minority if you’re not wearing red at this place. Not to mention, the mascot is named “Big Red” and is a big red blob. Can’t go wrong there. Finally, I give an extra point to how comfortable the seating is. The combination of the cushioned seats and the two-plus feet of leg space makes for a pleasant experience that is unusual when attending a sporting event of any level. Final Thoughts With the exception of some minor criticisms, this is about as perfect of an experience as any college basketball fan would want. You will most likely get that same experience if you come to Diddle Arena. The fans are passionate and friendly. There is so much love and loyalty to this basketball program and it is fun to see in person. Additionally, the arena staff is noticeably engaged in making sure the fan experience is as great as it can be, and that plays a big role in the healthy attendance numbers. Other mid-major basketball arenas need to take a page or two from the playbook of Diddle Arena.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Long Bridge Park 475 Long Bridge Dr Arlington, VA 22202 Marymount Saints website Long Bridge Park website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 500 (estimated) Planes, Trains, and Soccer at Long Bridge Park Located in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., Marymount University is a Catholic college, whose sports teams, known as the Saints, compete at the Division III level of the NCAA. The Saints soccer team plays their home games at Long Bridge Park, a few miles from campus. The name "Long Bridge Park" properly refers to a 36-acre county park in Arlington containing a playground, an aquatics center, an Esplanade, several other walking paths, and several soccer fields used by local teams. Marymount plays their home games on Field 1, officially known as Boeing Field, although their home is typically referred to just as Long Bridge Park in the media. The stadium is located less than a mile from Reagan National Airport, and planes taking off will fly low over the field throughout the game. The Long Bridge Park Esplanade is located behind the bleachers, and beyond that are railroad tracks used by passenger and freight service. This makes Long Bridge Park a great place for planespotters and trainspotters as well as soccer fans. Food & Beverage 1 When Stadium Journey visited, there was a food truck parked in the parking lot of Long Bridge Park, serving not just the field Marymount was playing on at the time, but other fields in the park that were hosting youth soccer games. The truck sold ice cream, smoothies, and bubble tea. The food truck may not be here for every Marymount game - it likely depends on what else is going on in the park at the time. Atmosphere 3 There are six sets of bleachers of only a few rows each lining one sideline at Long Bridge Park. Many fans also stand along the path or bring their own chairs and sit on them. Behind the bleachers is a hill, and at the top of the hill is the Long Bridge Park Esplanade. Some fans choose to watch from here as well, although your view may be obstructed by trees. A small scoreboard is located at one end and shows only the most basic information. A Marymount soccer game is a pretty basic experience. You are close enough to hear a lot of the shouting that goes on on the field, but there isn't much happening beyond the game itself. When the Saints score, the PA announcer will shout "Gooooooooool" in a long, drawn out manner, then music will play, but that's about it. Neighborhood 5 Long Bridge Park is located just north of the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington. Crystal City is a mix of shops, high rises, and offices, many of which are connected by underground passageways so you don't have to go outside to get from one place to another. We, the Pizza is quite popular with the locals, as is Bob and Edith's Diner, but whatever kind of food or entertainment you are looking for, you will probably find it in Crystal City. As mentioned above, there is a lot to do in Long Bridge Park itself as well, including walking trails and playgrounds for children. The 3/4-mile Esplanade offers views of the Potomac River and monuments in DC as well as offering birdwatching, trainwatching, and planewatching opportunities. Fans 4 Despite being a Division III school, Marymount draws several hundred fans to its games to mostly fill the seating area. The crowd is a good mix of friends and family of the players and Arlington locals, many of whom come with kids who play youth soccer on the adjacent fields and hope to someday play in college or beyond. There is a decent student presence despite being several miles from campus - Marymount is primarily a commuter school, so getting to Long Bridge Park is not an issue. However, there is no real designated student section. Access 3 If arriving by car, Long Bridge Park is located just off I-395. There is a parking lot in between the field Marymount plays on and the youth soccer fields. It would be sufficient for the crowds Marymount draws if the game were the only thing going on in the park, but this will very rarely be the case. As a result, even if you arrive early, you will probably find only a few spaces to park in. People come and go, so spaces may open up if you circle around. There is also parking available along Long Bridge Drive and an additional lot a short walk away by the Aquatics and Fitness Center. Parking is free on weekends, but there is a charge on weekdays until 5 PM and a limit of three hours. Fortunately, Long Bridge Park has lights, so the vast majority of Marymount's weekday games are after 5 PM. If taking public transportation, the Crystal City Metro station along the Blue and Yellow lines is about a 15-20 minute walk away. Just be mindful of track work and station closures, especially on the weekends. Restrooms are available in one corner, on the opposite side from the bleachers but near the parking lot, and are generally sufficient for the crowd. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge for admission to Marymount soccer games, and parking will generally be free as well. As a result, a game at Long Bridge Park is an excellent value. Extras 2 One star for the view of the Washington Monument to the right of the bleachers. A second star for the opportunity to see passing planes and trains while you watch the game. Final Thoughts The quality of play on the field at a Marymount soccer game may not be the highest, as this is Division III, the lowest level of the NCAA. However, Long Bridge Park is a unique place to watch a college soccer match, and fans in or around Arlington will want to head down here to check it out.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Providence Park 1844 SW Morrison Portland, OR 97220 Portland Timbers Providence Park Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 25,218 Taking the Timbers to the Top “It’s a fantastic place to play. These environments didn’t exist when I played…Portland is among the top of the list of great environments…this is what soccer should be like.” – Robin Fraser The Portland Timbers game experience is unparalleled in MLS. Without a doubt, this is one of the best experiences any sports fan will have in America, let alone MLS. After recent stadium expansions and enhancements, the transformation of Providence Park from a former baseball field into a top-tier soccer establishment is complete, and the results are breathtaking. A vaulting sideline seating expansion that added multiple levels of seats and concessions for fans provides some of the best views in the stadium, and a new fan store near the main entrance provides fans a perfect place to gear up before matches. Add to that the biggest crowds and the loudest environment in the league, making this a perfect place to watch MLS at its best. Food & Beverage 4 Food and drinks at Providence Park are exceptional, but the prices tend to be higher than other soccer stadiums. There is a wide variety of options, however, something one would expect a sports stadium in Portland to have. Fresh food and cold beer are the name of the game here – beer ranges from $9 to $10.50, while water and soda run $4.75 to $5.50. A hot dog costs $6.25 while a veggie salad can be purchased for $10.50. Chicken tenders with tater tots cost $11, a cheeseburger runs $10.50, and the increasingly popular Impossible Burger costs $12. Ice cream bars are also available for $5, while Tillamook dairy items can be found all over the stadium. Atmosphere 5 During Portland Timbers games the stadium is rocking the entire game – fans cheer with every goal, and smoke fills the end zone. The facilities are clean, plentiful, and you never have to wait longer than needed. From the moment you walk up to the outside entrances of the stadium you feel the energy. The outside of the former baseball stadium still sports the old marquee letters for game days, while the new east side entrance on the corner of 18th and Morrison sports light up letters that read ONWARD ROSE CITY as the night darkens. All throughout the stadium the colors and the feel of the city are echoed, while natural wood is used in various places to give you a true Pacific Northwest feel. The main thoroughfares and walkways throughout the concourses are also well lit and clean, meaning you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Neighborhood 5 Providence Park is located right in the middle of shopping, dining, and everything Portland. Like the majority of the city, the stadium is within walking distance to anything you want. Situated in the historic Alphabet District, this soccer stadium is perfect for those who also like to enjoy the city in which it is located. Just blocks away from Providence Park are Park Lake Suites & Inn and Hotel deLuxe. Blue Star Donuts, Von Ebert Brewing, Multnomah Whiskey Library, TILT, and countless more restaurants are also nearby to satisfy every palate possible. And if you are looking for something to do, Portland has it – you are only an hour away from Mt. Hood and beautiful national park scenery, as well as the Columbia River Gorge. You are also not far from the International Rose Test Garden or Pittock Mansion. Fans 5 Before the start of the 2019 season the Timbers had the distinction of selling out every single MLS home game in the team’s history, including playoffs. That stat alone should help one understand how loyal the fans in Portland are. The wait list for season tickets is upwards of 10,000, and interest continues to grow. The north end zone is where the fan zone is located. Here, the Timbers Army sing, chant, and yell the entire game. Whenever a Portland goal is scored, the Army erupt with green smoke filling the air. The rest of the fans in the stadium are also as passionate about the Timbers as possible. Each fan seems to have a favorite player, and they know the team better than anyone else. The stadium is also filled with the youngest fans, as families find Timbers games perfect for bringing out the kids for a night out in Oregon. Every kind of fan can be found here, from the diehard loyalists from the team’s USL days to the visitors passing through. Access 3 The biggest downfall at Providence Park is the lack of on-site parking. The venue does not feature a parking garage or any parking lots, as it is located literally right in the middle of a commercial and residential neighborhood. However, various parking lots in the area offer their spaces up to fans attending games. The big push here in Portland is the use of public transportation – several bus lines take you right to the stadium’s neighborhood. In addition, many fans choose to make a night of their game visit, spending the afternoon and evening shopping and eating at local restaurants before walking to the game. Getting to the stadium is easy as signs help direct you to the facility when you exit off I-405, and Providence Park itself is located just blocks from the highway, just off of W. Burnside Street. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Portland Timbers games range from $41 on up, depending on the matchup. The team sells single game tickets through SeatGeek, so some tickets may be available at under the face-value price, though most games are face value or higher. The price, however, is easily worth it as experiencing a game in Portland is well worth the money spent. Without a doubt this is one of the top experiences in America for sports, let alone MLS. The stadium is beautiful and very intimate, meaning you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action no matter where you sit. The fans make the game day experience extra special too, thanks to their hardcore loyalty and love of the Timbers. Extras 5 After each Timbers goal and/or clean sheet, Timber Joey uses a giant chainsaw to slice off a piece of pine tree in front of the Timbers Army. During the game, he also wanders around the sidelines of the pitch interacting with fans as the team’s unofficial mascot. Timber Joey, Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey The new east seating area features several art installations throughout the concourses, adding to the local history and connection of the stadium. In addition, the stadium also features several banners hanging from the rafters, showcasing the history and successes of the Timbers and their stadium-mates, the Portland Thorns. After every Timbers game the players who scored goals come over to the supporters’ side and hold up the slices of wood cut by Timber Joey in triumph to celebrate with the home fans. Also, before games there are plenty of home fans who meet up at various local bars and restaurants before kickoff to get ready for the match. Final Thoughts Timbers games are what make the MLS shine. Akin to the game day experiences in Orlando , Seattle , and other successful cities in the league, the Timbers have made their home one that is inviting for fans and electric to experience. This is the model experience for soccer in America, and anyone who visits will tell you it is on par with some of the best stadiums overseas. Without a shred of doubt, the Portland Timbers have made their home a shining beacon for sporting excellence in North America, something that should not be missed if you’re in the Pacific Northwest.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Knight Stadium Buena Vista, VA 24416 Southern Virginia Knights website Knight Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 1,000 Knights of the Virginia Table Southern Virginia football’s Knight Stadium is not large by any means, but it has some modern touches that many sports facilities its size cannot boast. The facility is also used by the school’s lacrosse, field hockey, and soccer teams and boasts a wide concourse, a fabulous statue of a knight on horseback, and a decent concessions menu – the only modern touch lacking is a video scoreboard.   Food & Beverage   3 The food & beverage menu at the concession stand here is not wide, but it does have plenty of options to get you through a game. The burgers are quite tasty despite being pre-made, which makes them able to be served over to you in seconds – they come wrapped in aluminum foil, and there is no loss of flavor whatsoever from being made in advance.  Both hamburgers and cheeseburgers are available for the same cost of $5. Besides the burgers, you can find hot dogs for $3 and chicken tenders (with fries) for $7, along with fries by themselves, nachos, popcorn, chips, and candy, all ranging from $2.50 (chips) to $5 (nachos w/ chili & cheese). There are also bottled Dr Pepper and Pepsi products for $3.50 or bottled water for $3. While there is nothing over the top, the prices are good, and there are more than enough options.   Atmosphere   3 While there is no mascot here, there is a great statue on the concourse of a knight with an exceedingly long lance, shining in the sun due to the material it is made from. You will also find a few fans sitting on its base during the game to get a little shade. The Knights do have a small band that performs during the game, and at half-time, fans are also entertained by the school’s dance team, which, for some games, is joined by junior dancers (little kids) from the local area. There is also a small team gear tent on the concourse near the concession stand. While there aren’t any other amenities to speak of, the stadium still feels new, and the scenery of the nearby hills is quite nice.   Neighborhood   2 Buena Vista is located in what might be called a small valley nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains – there are a few fast food restaurants and pizza places in town, but no hotels or major attractions to speak of unless you travel about 10 miles to the west, along the I-81 corridor. You will have to travel along some winding mountain roads to get here, and you will feel how rural it is. In terms of attractions, there are some scenic overlooks nearby and, of course, hiking trails through the Blue Ridge Mountains, but not a lot else to do if you come in for the day or the weekend. You might check the school’s other sports schedules, however, to see if you can take in another game while you are in town.   Fans   2 There aren’t a lot of fans here, but they are very nice, and you will see a lot of them in team gear. They tend to cheer loudly at the right times and seem to be enjoying themselves, even if the score is not exactly going their way.   Access   3 I will start with a couple of positives in terms of access – first, you can park right next to the field, second, you can sit wherever you want, and third, there is plenty of room to move around the concourse. When you arrive, the parking attendant will ask if you are there for the home or visiting team; if you say visiting team, you will have to park a little further away, but it is not a long walk, while if you say home team, you can park right next to the stadium. And since they don’t sell tickets (at least they didn’t when I was there last), you can sit wherever you want, even in the few rows of chairback seats in the upper middle part of the stands. The chairbacks are a nice option, as they are more comfortable than sitting on the metal bleachers, and they also get a little more shade, being in the shadows of the press box. As for the negatives, the parking next to the stadium is on pock-marked grass, not real cement nor asphalt, so it can be a little rough on your car – an SUV would come in handy here. Also, the fact that Buena Vista is a little off the beaten path means that Southern Virginia football isn’t the easiest sporting event to get to.   Return on Investment   3 On my most recent visit, I paid $20 for parking, which seems high, but I didn’t have to pay for a game ticket either – I think this is an interesting strategy, and I wonder if a per-car approach to payment might be a good idea for other schools to adopt. It certainly makes it easier in terms of logistics since it eliminates lines at the gate and would create more of a bargain for those willing to carpool. On the downside, the lack of a video board means you can’t watch the replays if you happen to miss something, so I am a little torn – it is a nice facility, being only a few years old, and you can get really close to the action here, but there isn’t much in the way of amenities. Therefore, Knight Stadium may be one you save for when your team is playing in Buena Vista.   Extras   2 Except for the statue of the knight, there aren’t really any amenities to speak of – they do have the band and dance team, which is nice, but no giveaways or contests on the field as you might see at other sporting events.   Final Thoughts Attending a Southern Virginia football game at Knight Stadium is a pleasant enough experience, but it is more about the game on the field than the other festivities you might be used to at a sporting event. Still, it won’t cost you a lot, and the scenery is very nice, so coming to Buena Vista isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Photos by Stephen Hoogerward, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Selhurst Park Whitehorse Lane London, England SE25 6PU United Kingdom Crystal Palace FC website Selhurst Park website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 26,309 Into the Eagle’s Nest Selhurst Park is a football stadium in the south of the British capital city of London, more exactly the stadium is situated in the London suburb of South Norwood (borough of Croyden). Selhurst Park is the home ground of Crystal Palace FC, nicknamed ‘the Eagles’. Selhurst Park is one of the 20 Premier League grounds and has a capacity of 26,309 seats. The stadium was designed by famous Scottish stadium architect Archibald Leitch and it was opened on the 30th of August 1924 by the Lord Mayor of London (not to be confused with the mayor of London). That same year, the first game at this ground occurred, unfortunately Crystal Palace lost (0-1) in front of a crowd of 25,000. In 1953 the stadium’s first floodlights were installed consisting of numerous poles around the ground. These were replaced in 1962 by real floodlights. Real Madrid marked the occasion by playing the first game under the new set of lights. At the time this was considered a real footballing coup for lower league Crystal Palace, as Real Madrid had never played a match in London before. The stadium offers a glimpsed of both its past and present with brickwork, steel frames, and turnstiles that look as if they have been in place for decades. There are high arching entrance ways, modern corporate boxes, and narrow aisles that define this classic English Football stadium. Its compact size fits into the surrounding streets of the neighborhood where homes are just mere meters from the perimeter of the grounds. Nowadays the stadium has a double tiered stand behind the goal, called the Holmesdale Stand. This stands looks very impressive with a capacity of 8,147 (lower tier 5,341 and upper tier 2,806 seats), but is just the second largest inside Selhurst Park. The Main Stand has a capacity of 6,163. This stand was opened in 1924 and includes the Directors Box. The Whitehorse Lane Stand has a capacity of 2,245, and is the smallest stand at Selhurst Park with two tiers with 42 luxury Executive Boxes and a video screen (Jumbotron) on the roof. The Arthur Wait Stand (named after the former chairman of the Eagles) is the biggest stand with a capacity just under 10,000 seats, including 2,600 for away supporters. This old stand shows its age and still has wooden seats and roof-supporting pillars, which is very uncommon in the Premier League, but it certainly gives character to the ground. This summer Crystal Palace was given permission from the Croydon Council to proceed with a £100million stadium redevelopment that will increase Selhurst Park from 26,000 to 34,000. The main stand will have a capacity of 13,500 and offer hospitality and entertainment facilities. It will remain open during the renovation process. The exterior of the stand will feature a glass front with a tribute to the original Crystal Palace. Food & Beverage 3 You will find your usual concession items at the grounds that include pies and pints. There are handmade pies that include steak and ale, vegetarian, vegan, and mushroom and leek. There are also 100 percent pure beef burgers, hot dogs, sausage rolls, and chicken goujons. There is even more options that include beef chili, chicken curry, and beef stew and dumplings, and fries. The price range is £4 to £4.50 for each hot item. You can wash it down with Coca-Cola products, wine, and Carlsberg beer varieties and a couple of beers made for the team by Wolf Brewery: Palace Ale (blonde ale) and Palace Ruby Ale (red ale). Atmosphere 4 The stadium features four stands: the Arthur Wait stand, Holmesdale Road stand, Sainsbury’s stand, in the Main stand. The Arthur Wait stand features the Red & Blue Bar, Sainsbury is home to executive suites and boxes, and the Main stand is home to the 2010 Club, Stephenson Lounge, and Speroni’s restaurant where the man of the match is presented after the game. The Fanzone is located by entrance 10 and is open three hours prior to the game. Visitors can enjoy food, drinks, and pre-match entertainment from a resident DJ. The kids’ zone offer fun games and interactive sports, and chances to enter competitions to win a place in a halftime challenge on the pitch. You will also find Crystal Cheerleaders and Fanzone Presenters to provide assistance with any questions prior to the match. During the match against Norwich City, the atmosphere during our match was very vocal. Just what you can expect when two teams fighting for relegation meet each other. Maybe we were lucky to have seats next to the away section. I think that some 2,500 Canaries (nickname for Norwich City fans) made the trip from Anglia to South London. Though Selhurst Park is a very old ground, it is still capable of producing a good atmosphere as both supporter groups make a lot of noise during the match. Neighborhood 2 Selhurst Park is situated in the heart of the borough of Croydon and has mostly houses around its perimeter. In this area pubs are rare. For a good PMDS (Pre Match drinking Session) you definitely need to go to Selhurst Road. There are many restaurants and pubs. The White Horse and the Selhurst Arms are pubs that are especially for the more fanatic home supporters, though more neutral visitors are welcomed with an open heart. Both pubs are located close to each other at a 15 minutes walking distance from the football ground. Fans 4 When you have 26,000 supporters packed into the stadium the atmosphere is good. Most of the 2,500 Norwich fans who visited this away match of their team were dressed in their yellow and green club colours. Home supporters are dressed in their red and blue shirts, but not so dominantly as the away support. Before and after the match you’ll notice the friendly atmosphere as home and away fans mingle outside the ground. Access 2 There are freaking buses that operate from all directions to the stadium. The nearest train stations are Selhurst, Norwood Junction, and Thornton Heath that are all within a 10-15 minute walk. There are also more trains leaving Central London that will assist fans since there is no parking available at the stadium Most streets around the ground are designated as residents only parking on matchdays, so the best place to park the car in the Edith Road area is close to the Selhurst train station. This area is also where the away fans are advised to park their cars. Takethe M20 towards the London Ringroad (M25 south bound). At exit 7 we took the M23 onto the A23 (London Road North) and followed it for some 11 kilometres. From there the Selhurst Park stadium is well signposted, but we used our navigation set to direct us to Edith Road. From there it was a 5 minute walk to the pubs mentioned before. The stadium has 14 entrances, 3 retail shops, sore ticket offices, 5 accessible entrances, and one sensory room for patrons who are on the spectrum. The crowds average around capacity at 25,000 plus for games and once you are in your seat most are focused entirely on the game until half-time to move around. You will get somewhat cramped and cozy with a few thousand people, but it can be easy to move around when needed. Return on Investment 4 Adult Ticket prices range are £22.50 (severely obstructed), £27.50 (obstructed), and £30 (unobsturcted) for home matches. These are very reasonable prices for a Premier League game and one at a historic ground. Affordable parking lot prices are available and food and beverages are quite reasonable. Extras 3 The Crystal Palace club shop is located on Whitehorse Lane and is open on matchdays (before and after the match). Crystal Palace earns another point for its sensory room that includes a rubber ball and noise-cancelling earphones. Match Day programmes at the stadium or £3.50 at the club store and you can also a download it for just £1.49 on your mobile device. Final Thoughts Selhurst Park is an enjoyable experience when staying in London. The cozy conditions of the smaller ground give both fans and supporters a chance to enjoy football in a darling of venue. You are on top of the action and the grounds are always packed with friendly revelers enjoying an afternoon of football.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Southern Raceway 9359 Nichols Lake Rd Milton, FL 32583 Southern Raceway website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 6,000 Southern Raceway Located just east of Pensacola in Milton, FL sits a 3/8-mile dirt track known as Southern Raceway. Also known as “The South’s Finest Dirt Track,” Southern Raceway opened on Labor Day in 1988 and has brought excitement to fans and drivers of all ages from beginners to long-time veterans. The raceway offers all forms of racing from pure stock, stingers, open wheel modified, and sprints and late models, just to name a few. Every October the track closes out its racing season by hosting the Southern 100, which is considered the biggest dirt track race of the year in Florida. The Late Model 100 lap feature lasts 3 days and attracts some of the top late model dirt track drivers in the country. Food & Beverage 4 As soon as you enter through the main gate the main thing most people notice is the massive selection of food on offer – after entering through the main gate there are food booths lined up along the entire walkway. Sugar Shack is located at the far north end and here you can find typical sweet items such as funnel cake, packaged candy, cotton candy, and pretzels; Sugar Shack sells ice cream and sno cones as well. But the biggest food booth on the walkway is the Straightaway Café; this stand is set up like the typical food booth you would find at a local fair or carnival, with a makeshift café setup where you walk in and place your order. The basics such as hot dogs and hamburgers are sold here and the prices are reasonable. Right next to Straightaway Cafe there is a boiled peanut stand as well where you can get a bucket of peanuts for just $7. Continuing down the walkway is a grill stand set up that sells grilled items, as well as a pork stand that offers pulled pork sandwiches and ribs. In addition to the wide selection of food, alcohol is prevalent as well, with a liquor bar in addition to another stand that sells draft and canned beer. For such a small venue food is plentiful, and this is one place I would recommend getting something to eat at the track instead of getting something to eat beforehand. Atmosphere 3 Southern Raceway is the definition of what small town southern stock car racing is all about, and the clay covered dirt track provides a unique change from the asphalt tracks that most fans are used too. Because of the nature of the track Southern Raceway has a kind of a rustic feel too it – as soon as you pull off the main highway onto the grass field which is the parking lot, you see the rusty covered grandstands, which immediately transport you back to the Saturday night racing days of the 1950s and 1960s. The fact that Southern Raceway opened in 1988 amazes me, because it seems much older by the looks of it. But in this case it works, because it adds to the old school charm. The track is a 3/8-mile dirt oval that faces north and south. The ticket office and main gate are located on the west side, as well as a rather large playground set up at the main entrance. There are metal bleacher style grandstands that extend from Turn 4 on the north side to Turn 3 on the south side. One unique thing about Southern Raceway is that there is berm seating that extends in front of the entire grandstand from north to south. Because of this setup the grandstand is farther away from the track than at other raceways, but the stands and berm section are absolutely packed with fans and families, with fans set up in lawn chairs and blankets along the berm. Another interesting thing about this track is the pit location – the pits and garages are located on the northwest side of the track with cars entering from the north side. If you walk past the grandstands to the northwest side fence you can get a good view of the cars getting worked on before they go out. One of my gripes with the venue is the sound system; there is a public address announcer but you can’t make out a word he says. I understand the cars are pretty loud, but still all you can hear over the sound system is muffled speech. Another issue is that while there are three sets of restrooms, all of them are rundown and outdated, and definitely need some upkeep. Neighborhood 2 The neighborhood would be deserving a 1 if not for the fact that this is still the Emerald Coast of Florida, and the crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches are close by. But in terms of places close by or things to do there is nothing within walking distance. Southern Raceway is off a highway about two miles south of Interstate 10, with the closest places of interest being a Tom Thumb Gas Station and an RV park right across the street. There are several attractions a little further out, however, as Southern Raceway is located halfway between the scenic river town of Milton and the beach town of Navarre Beach. The town of Milton a few miles north has a pretty cool downtown that overlooks the Blackwater River, where many people can be found boating, kayaking, and swimming during the summer months. The Blackwater Bistro is a popular restaurant and is really the only place in downtown where you can find live music on weekends. The closest beach town is Navarre Beach about 10 miles south. The tiny beach community can lay claim to being home to the longest pier in the state of Florida – the pier stretches for almost a quarter of a mile and rises to 30 feet above the beautiful clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The town is also famous as one of the filming locations for the movie Jaws 2, although many of the filming locations have been destroyed by hurricanes over the years. Alternatively, you can bypass Navarre Beach and get on Highway 98 to take a scenic beach cruise east to Destin and Panama City. The biggest city in the area is Pensacola, about 20 miles west of Southern Raceway. That’s where you’ll find the closest airport, better lodging and restaurants, and more attractions. For nightlife in Pensacola definitely check out the Seville Quarter and South Palafox Street in downtown. Fans 3 There was quite a big turnout at the most recent race I attended; the berm was absolutely lined with fans young and old and there wasn’t an empty seat to be found in the grandstands. Many of the races were only 5 or 10 laps, so even though a lot of the fans weren’t familiar with some of the drivers, most fans still enjoyed being able to watch the short races. There is also a section for families in the grandstand that is alcohol free, which I think is nice. Access 4 There really is only one way to access Southern Raceway and it is fairly simple – if coming from the interstate the track is located on Highway 87 about two miles south of I-10 at Exit 31. The closest beach access is located in Navarre Beach about 20 miles down the road; Highway 87 is pretty much a straight shot from the interstate to the beach. Once at the track the grandstands back up pretty close to the concessions area, so the walkways get pretty congested from time to time, especially right around the main gate entrance. Also the line to purchase tickets gets backed up, so it may take about 10 minutes to finally get up there. It was nice that there was a big crowd on the Saturday I attended, but it would have been nice if the venue had another entrance somewhere to help with overflow. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices are as follows: for regular nights Adults are $10, Military/Seniors are $9, Students (13-18) are $7, and Children (6-12) are $5 (5 and under are free). Ticket prices and concessions prices are about average for an event of this caliber; not too high and not too low. I thought the prices were fair; it got me out of the house on a Saturday night when I had nothing to do, and I got a chance to see dirt track racing for the first time which was pretty neat. I’m not the biggest racing fan and I know nothing about stock car racing, but I had a good time. If I can get enough out of it as a non-racing fan, I feel like most fans will feel the same. Extras 2 Not only is the Southern 100 the top dirt track racing event in the state of Florida, but it is one of the top dirt track races in the country. Every year it attracts some of the best drivers in the country and is a favorite track for many prominent NASCAR drivers as well, when their NASCAR schedules permit. Kyle Busch, Ken Schrader, and Tony Stewart are several drivers who have raced here in the past. In fact, ever since retiring from full-time racing in 2016 Stewart has made three appearances at Southern Raceway, racing his USCS Outlaw Sprint Car; Busch and Schrader also both competed in the Southern 100. Final Thoughts Southern Raceway is a great place to spend a Saturday night. The speedway and grandstand may look a little rough and outdated from the outside, but once you get inside your view will change drastically. Everything from the food options to the fans to the action on the track is exceptional. Southern Raceway is definitely a hidden gem of racing and is a must-visit for all race fans, especially for its dirt track. After spending a Saturday night here it’s easy to see why Southern Raceway is Florida’s biggest dirt track.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Halifax Forum 2901 Windsor St Halifax, NS B3K 5E5 Canada Dalhousie Tigers website Halifax Forum website Year Opened: 1927 Capacity: 4,610 Old Time Venue in Halifax New ice rinks are all the rage these days. Arena designs have evolved over time with new technology and focus on the fans, players, and media experience. Attending a game at the Halifax Forum takes you back to a simpler time before colour television, padded seats, and cupholders. Following the catastrophic Halifax explosion in 1917, rebuilding efforts included the construction of the Forum for sporting and community events. The Forum opened its doors in 1927 and has since hosted numerous events including basketball games, boxing matches, and concerts. Hockey has always been the venue’s main attraction through the years, providing a home for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the American Hockey League starting in 1971. Voyageurs played seven seasons there until moving to the Halifax Metro Centre when it opened in 1979. The new arena meant the Forum faced an uncertain future. After years of debate, more community space was added, including another ice rink, bingo hall, and a multi-purpose room. Dalhousie Tigers have called the Forum home since 2012 after demolishing Memorial Arena located on Dalhousie’s campus. Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s University currently are the only tenants of the Forum. In 2014, a proposal to tear down the Forum for a four-pad ice arena was turned down by the city. Now a new proposal is in the works, including renovating the historic building and adding mixed use opportunities plus an additional rink within the surrounding lands. Meetings, craft shows, and a weekly farmers market help keep the historic venue active year round. Food & Beverage 2 The food and beverage selection at Halifax Forum is limited and full of greasy favourites. The only concession stand is located to your left as you enter the arena. Menu offerings include traditional stadium grub such as pizza slices, nachos, popcorn, fries, and hot dogs all for a reasonable $3 to $3.75. Smaller items such as chips and candy bars can be purchased at the concession stand or at vending machines located throughout the concourse for the same price. Pepsi products are offered in bottle only. For alcoholic beverages, make your way to the “Lounge” located at the top of the south end of the rink. Mixed drinks and Coors Light are the limited choices for $5.50. Both concession stands are cash only, an ATM’s is located near the main entrance. Atmosphere 2 The sense of arrival to the Forum has remained relatively unchanged in the arena’s 90-year history. The rough texture and arched patterns of the old red brick provides a reminder of the rich history the building signifies to the city of Halifax. The arena was built to last a century, though partly due to paranoia of another explosion. Plenty of free parking is available onsite with access off Almon Street, just steps from the front doors. The only entrance is clearly distinguishable with the large “FORUM” sign over a series of steel doors. The vestibule through the first set of doors is where you will find the box office. Prior to passing through the second set of doors you experience a taste of excitement for the game as you can see a glimpse of the ice rink. An usher waits to tear your ticket as you enter the concourse. Programs and thundersticks are free handouts for all fans. The program includes interesting facts about the university, a little hockey history at Dal, and both teams’ rosters. Take time to walk around the concourse prior to the game and learn more about the arena. Displays are set up are various locations telling a story of the Forum’s intriguing history. The seating bowl offers a few seating options. The cast iron rink-side seats are hardly used, but are a treat to see for any history buff. Seating is set up in a horseshoe shape with fifteen rows of out-of-date individual folding seats and benches. Rows are narrow and steep giving a sense of being on top of the action. Due to the structural technology of the time, the rink is lined with steel columns on both sides. These columns result in obstructed views for most seating areas. For this reason, many spectators prefer the end seats with a clear view of the game. The rink is traditionally cold; bring a sweater and sit near the middle rows where heaters hang down to provide warmth. A unique feature of the fan experience happens on the concourse. Here, fans and players cross paths due to the locker room location, providing an up close look at the teams. Be vigilant inside the seating bowl, a simple four-sided scoreboard hangs from centre ice without any video board to replay the big goal. During stops in play, in-game entertainment is limited to a variety of fun musical classics played on the loudspeaker. At intermission, a simple contest attempts to keep fans entertained. Neighbourhood 3 The Halifax Forum is located on the north end of the Halifax peninsula, close to where 2,000 perished in the Halifax Explosion. Visit Needham Park and the historic Hydrostone neighbourhood to learn more about the devastating event, and the rebuilding effort afterward. The forum is located at the edge of a vast commercial area and low-density residential neighbourhood. The only restaurant in the immediate area is Brooklyn’s Warehouse, a highly recommended eatery whose dinner menu changes daily. Other quality restaurants are located a short five minute drive away in the Hydrostone Market. Highly rated restaurants include Himachi House, Mother’s Pizza, and Salvatore’s Pizza. Fans 2 Prior to demolition, Memorial Arena provided an on-campus, appropriately sized venue easy for students and alumni to attend. Though only two kilometers from campus, the move to the Forum hurts student involvement and attendance at the games. A vast majority of the fans are alumni and families. Attendance figures are generally smaller compared to Saint Mary’s University, averaging around 300 a game. Low attendance results in a cavernous feel inside the arena with negligible energy from the fans. Crowds are quiet but attentive to the action on the ice. With the narrow rows and small seats, patrons create personal space by spreading out around the arena. This creates a great atmosphere for those who want to watch high-level hockey without distractions from fellow ticket holders. Access 4 Halifax Forum is easily accessible from car or public transit. 500 on-site parking spots are more than enough to fit everyone. Multiple Metro Transit routes stop close to the main entrance for $2.50. Students and faculty can hop on the #1 bus route to and from the Forum. Old, classic arenas have plenty of quirks to them unlike modern facilities. Access inside the arena is straightforward, however each portal requires a maneuver around a structural column and a declining ramp with low head height prior to entering the seating bowl. Colourful signs point you to the seating sections making finding your seat easy. Handicapped seating is non-existent. Patrons in wheelchairs watch the action just inside a portal next to the cast-iron seats. Two updated restrooms are on both sides of the arena, with no lines at intermission. Few staff are available for help. Most employees are either concession workers or security staff watching for propped emergency exit doors. Return on Investment 3 The historical atmosphere at the Forum, along with an entertaining brand of university hockey is well worth the price of admission. CIS hockey players are unlikely to have the talent for an NHL roster spot. What it lacks in star talent, it gains in passionate physical team play. The forum is a classic old venue providing an experience reminiscent of watching and imagining hockey players roam the ice in past decades. This is a must-see venue as more and more old barns face the wrecking ball. Prices for individual game tickets are competitive for CIS level of competition, and more affordable than witnessing a Halifax Mooseheads game. Tickets are $10 for an adult, $8 for faculty and alumnus, $5 for seniors and young students. Dalhousie students and children under six are admitted free. Dalhousie athletics provides free admission to youth teams with their “Name Your Game” program. Extras 3 One additional point for the continued use of the Halifax Forum for high-level ice hockey competition Another for a plethora of free on-site parking close to the main entrance. And thirdly, for multiple displays telling the story of Halifax Forum’s long history. Final Thought With today’s standards, Halifax Forum is by no means is a great place to watch a hockey game in today’s standards. It is uncomfortable, out-dated, and cold. But the character and awe of the rink’s history is evident when walking into the arena. The old exterior masonry and interior steel structure takes you back to the early days of hockey competition, before helmets and television broadcasts. When thinking about old-time venues, the original six NHL franchise arenas will always be first to come to mind. But all those classic buildings are gone, and the Halifax Forum is one of a few venues dating back to the 1920’s still in existence. With Dalhousie hockey program’s help, this arena will continue to create memories for decades to come. Dalhousie University has competed in men’s hockey since the early 1900’s. Back then, Dalhousie, St. Francis Xavier University, University of New Brunswick, and Mount Allison University competed for the Hewson Trophy. In modern times, Dalhousie plays in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). The Tigers have only won the AUS once in 1979, but fell to the Alberta Golden Bears in the University Cup Final. The program may not have a strong tradition of winning, but the team remains competitive every season as it takes on traditional powerhouses.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Fred Rust Arena 605 S College Ave Newark, DE 19716 Delaware Blue Hens website Fred Rust Arena website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 2,500 Blue Hen Pride The University of Delaware (UD) is the largest in Delaware. They are a privately governed university that receives public funding. The school from which the university grew (Academy of Newark) was founded in 1743, making it one of the oldest in the nation. However, UD was not chartered as an institution of higher learning until 1833. U.S. News & World Report ranked UD’s undergraduate program 30th among public universities in its 2017 rankings. The university’s programs in engineering, science, business, hospitality management, chemical and biomolecular engineering, chemistry, and biochemistry have been highly ranked. Fred Rust Ice Arena was built in 1971. The complex also hosts the Gold Arena, which is an NHL-sized rink. The facility is home to the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens men’s and women’s ice hockey teams competing at the club level. The men’s team competes at the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division I level in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League; while the women’s team competes at ACHA Women’s Division II level in the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference. It is also home to the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and the University of Delaware Synchronized Skating Club. The Blue Hens men’s team won the 2012 ACHA Division 1 National Championship on March 7, 2012. Food & Beverage 3 There is a very small snack bar with an even smaller number of seats located in the right corner after the arena entrance. They have a simple menu but still some nice variety. Because of the ice skating groups and individuals who spend many hours at the arena for practice, they want to offer many food choices. It is a good option while attending a game. There are also snack and soda vending machines located near the visiting team side of the arena. Prices are cheap and they have good options here as well. I particularly like the coffee machine, which also sells chai tea. Atmosphere 3 The arena has a main grandstand along the home side of the rink. It is nothing fancy and is pretty much metal bleachers. The best seats are the ones with a blue-enhanced bottom cushion. It seems like nothing much but it does help the comfort level of the fans. Across the ice, the visiting team bleachers are just metal alone. The atmosphere is pretty simple. This is a place to watch a good level of college hockey and not much more. They do offer spaces for kids' birthday parties and other group events. There is a very good pro shop called Crystal Sports located in the lobby. It is a place to get your serious hockey and ice skating gear. They will also sell some Blue Hens merchandise inside. Other team merchandise will be sold on temporary tables inside the arena, next to the rink. Neighborhood 3 Newark (pronounced here as New Ark) is a great college town. Numerous food options on East Main Street will fill you up before or after a game. Parking on East Main Street is always a bit of a problem. There are many public lots, but note that they may be behind buildings and hard to find. Many restaurants offer validation for the public lots. If you do not want to fight for parking, head the opposite way from downtown Newark and towards the gigantic Christiana Mall area. Right before getting there is Border Cafe, designated only with a large “EAT” sign. Their large and varied menu offers great Tex-Mex & Cajun options at a pretty cheap price. Try the catfish fajitas with a side of jambalaya. Numerous dining and lodging options are prevalent around the Christiana Mall area, although if in search of lodging, one should look at the Embassy Suites located across from the baseball stadium. Around the corner from the stadium, behind Rust Arena, is the campus-run UDairy Creamery. Stopping for a pre or post-game ice cream cone is a must. Fans 4 The fans here are very knowledgeable. The Blue Hens teams have shown great success over the year so the fans expect to see quality hockey action. Some of the fans are family and friends of the players. There are also quite a few youth hockey clubs that attend the games. Access 5 Rust Arena is easy to reach and is only a couple miles off Interstate 95. You may have to pay some tolls, although locals will know how to avoid them as much as possible. Parking is free and plentiful in front of Delaware Stadium, the Bob Carpenter Center, and the arena. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are a reasonable $6 each. There are some options for group tickets and special events. Because of the fairly high quality and level of activity, the return on investment is quite high. Extras 3 Check out the banners and memorabilia for the various UD hockey teams. The teams have shown great success over the years, including winning the 2012 ACHA national championship. While you are looking at the banners, make sure to look at all the awards and information in regard to the various UD ice skating programs and their success. This is a facility that is known to be the spot where the best of the best come to practice. Speaking of “the best” you will also see items displaying the various high-level ice skating talent that trains there, beyond just the UD teams. World ice skating champion Kimmie Meissner is just one of the individuals that made the Rust and Gold arenas their home rinks. If you get there early or stay late after a game you may even see these talents in person. Final Thoughts The University of Delaware has some very serious hockey teams, not to mention a high-level ice skating program. The Fred Rust Ice Arena is not flashy but is a great place to watch a very good level of college hockey.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Riverside Stadium Shepherdson Way Middlesbrough, England TS3 6RS United Kingdom Middlesbrough FC website Riverside Stadium website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 35,100 Riverside Stadium The Riverside Stadium has opened in 1995 following Middlesbrough's relocation from their historic but outdated Ayresome Park home a little over a mile away. The Riverside was one of the first newly built larger stadiums within Britain at that time and now has an all-seated capacity of 35,100. The stadium has nearly reached its capacity on many occasions during Boro's time in the English Premier League but the stadium's record attendance is 35,000 for England's game against Slovakia in June 2003 whilst Wembley was being rebuilt. The stadium is completely enclosed with the West Stand being slightly larger than its counterparts. The old Ayresome Park gates are located directly outside the main entrance to the stadium keeping the clubs linked to the past. Food & Beverage 3 Once inside, the stadium is well populated with food and drink kiosks offering the normal range of stadium food. Hot drinks £3, pies £2.70, chips £2, and hot dogs £3 are a selection of what is on offer. Meal deals are also available to purchase. Atmosphere 2 Having been to Riverside on many occasions, it is a stadium that is lacking in the atmosphere since Boro's relegation from the top flight of English football. When full it rivals any other venue in Britain, but the club's poor form on the pitch since the heady days of signing famous international superstars and the hard economical climate within the northeast of England of late has seen thousands of seats remain empty on match days. Neighborhood 3 The approach to the stadium is well-populated with places to eat and drink. The retail park situated near the stadium has McDonald's, KFC, and Frankie & Bennies. Also near here is the Doctor Browns Public House which is a pre-match drinking venue for many fans. The Town Centre is a mere ten-minute walk from the stadium and the normal range of Coffee Houses and Restaurants can be found here. Although Middlesbrough has the major high street shops, it is a drab town centre and not one to rush to unless you have other reasons to be there. Middlesbrough's most famous landmark is its Transporter Bridge and although the town is not a tourist attraction, its surrounding countryside and market towns certainly are. The closure of the steelworks has hit the town hard and various regeneration projects are on the go, however, despite this, Middlesbrough folk are a friendly bunch and guarantee you a friendly welcome. Fans 3 Like most clubs, Boro has their hard-core loyal supporters and it was these that got the club through in the late eighties when the club fell on hard times and even had the gates to Ayresome Park locked by the Administrator, meaning that the club had to play a few games at the ground of nearby Hartlepool United. Local rivals are Sunderland and Newcastle United and games against these clubs are often heated affairs both on and off the pitch. Access 3 If traveling by car, take the A66 from the A1 or A19 major trunk roads towards the Town Centre. The stadium is well-signposted. Although there are no public car parks at the stadium there is free park just on the other side of the railway line by the Retail Park. There are also plenty of other Town Centre car parks within a ten-minute walk. If arriving by rail then the station is situated in the Town Centre on Albert Road. Return on Investment 3 Boro's prices are the norm for Championship football in England and the club does its best to keep prices down, being mindful of the high unemployment rate in the area following the closure of the Steel Works. Prices start at £25 but are aware the club does operate a match grading system where prices are higher for some games. Extras 4 Stadium tours are available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday and are good value at £6. Betting facilities are available inside the stadium and a match day programme is produced for each game priced at £3. There are also various Fanzines for sale on the approach to the stadium. The club's large megastore at the stadium also sells a wide range of merchandise.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Stroh Center 1535 E Wooster St Bowling Green, OH 43403 Bowling Green State Falcons website Stroh Center website Year Opened: 2011 Capacity: 5,209 What’s Happening at the Stroh Center The Stroh Center debuted for the Bowling Green State University basketball program in 2011. The building was designed by the architectural firm Rossetti Architects and engineering firm URS Group Incorporated. The modern home for Falcons basketball was quoted by the school president as “one of the most significant building and remodeling programs in our history.” The arena stands out promptly on the BGSU campus and was a much-needed improvement over its former home Anderson Center that was constructed in 1960 and had run its course as a serviceable NCAA college venue. The building had only two restrooms, no air conditioning, hardwood bleacher-style seating, and was not compliant with ADA standards. The Toledo Blade stated that “the memories are great, but it’s time to move on.” The $36 million Stroh Center features a $7.7 million donation–the largest single private gift in school history–by BGSU trustee Kerm Stroh and his family. For the family’s contribution, the building was named in their honor. Outside the main entrance is the largest bronze falcon statue weighing two tons with a 24-foot wingspan atop a ten-foot-tall column. The arena is ranked by U.S. Green Building Council as LEED Gold Certified. The basketball program began on January 8, 1916, and has made four NCAA Championship tournaments, the last in 1968, the fourth-longest drought behind Dartmouth, Tennessee Tech, and Columbia. However, after a 22-12 record in 2018/19 and a fast start to the current season (2019/20), that drought could come to an end very soon for the Falcon faithful. Food & Beverage 3 There are four main concession stands on the main concourse of the building that offer a rather simple array of food items. The Birds Nest stands are painted nicely with falcons in flight and serve hot dogs, brats, nachos, popcorn, and candy. The nachos are served with locally produced Stadium Salsa that is quite good and made with natural ingredients that can be pronounced. Coca-Cola products are available at all stands and 20-ounce bottles of Bud products and Yuengling are served for $7 with sales ceasing at the beginning of the second half of the basketball game. Beer is also offered in the Anderson Club, a 400 seat hospitality area that is located at midcourt on the south side of the arena. Atmosphere 3 The Stroh Center offers a capacity of 5,209 people and is considered one of the best in the Mid-Athletic Conference. The building features a wraparound concourse where fans walk down to their seats that houses concession stands, the Anderson Room, and multiple restrooms for men and women. The basketball program’s history is on display in the south concourse where a mural highlights moments from dating back to 1915 and an homage to legendary coach Harold Anderson who guided Brown and Orange to a record of 367-193 during 21 seasons. Multiple banners hang from the rafters of past championship victories from the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball history.-who also share the facility. There is a 10-foot by 20-foot high video board that hangs above the west basket of the building that provides highlights, replays, and advertisements. There is also a Hall of Fame that features rotating exhibits and displays of BGSU memorabilia. The Schmidthurst Pavilion is an auxiliary gym located on the north side of the gym named in honor of Allen and Carol Schmidthurst who donated $1.7 million for its creation. Neighborhood 3 Stroh Center is located on BGSU campus within a few yards of other athletic venues including Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Slater Family Ice Arena, and the baseball and softball fields. Just across the street of the basketball arena are various fast food chains and hotels. Downtown is about a mile west of campus that offers a few more options. BG Burgers is across the street from the building and features locally-sourced burgers where customers can build their own or choose from special menu items. They also have chicken wings, Panini sandwiches, or desserts from The Cheesecake Factory. However, they are open until 10 pm (11 pm on weekends); it might be wise to grab something before the game. City Tap and The Attic in historic downtown offers its own range of freshly made burgers plus many craft beers on tap from $4.50 to $5.50. The Jackie O Coffee Blonde is quite tasty; their grill closes before 10 pm on weekends. The downtown core features buildings constructed during the city’s “brief boom” from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The storefronts have been kept intact while the interiors have been altered into bars, restaurants, shops, and other forms of retail. One of them is Grounds for Thought, an impressive coffee shop and used book store that is quite large and busy with customers playing board games, using their computers, having something to eat or drink, putting a puzzle together, or catching up with some reading. Fans 2 The Falcons averaged 2,296 fans per game last season (2018-19), a bit under the conference average of 2,995. The basketball program has posted only 6 winning seasons this century, but the current team might be able to get the team back on the winning side and get fans to the Stroh Center. Access 4 The arena is located off I-75 less than a fourth of a mile from the exit and accessible from the main street. The parking is ample, there are two entrances, and there is plenty of access to restroom and concession areas inside the building. It is easy to locate and easier to exit once the game has concluded. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets are $13 to $15 for a majority of home games at the Stroh Center. Games against rival Toledo will fetch between $20-$22 due to the proximity of about 20 miles from the two universities. There is one game where tickets are $1 for Fan Appreciation Night. The cost for parking is $5 and concession items are slightly higher than expected, but not too surprising for a sporting event. Extras 3 The Stroh Center earns a point for the 2-ton bronze falcon statue outside its main entrance. The statue features a wingspan of 24 feet and makes for great photography with the building in the background. The Stroh Center stands out from the main street into town with giant orange lettering, tall glass windows, and a slanted roof design. It is also LEED gold-certified for its energy use, lighting, water, and material use as well as incorporating other sustainable strategies. The Stroh Center earns a final point for its Stadium Salsa which is also available in all other venues and at local supermarkets in the area. It is made with natural ingredients and tastes much better than some of the natural brands. Final Thoughts The Stroh Center is a beautiful looking building that seats 5,209 people and is perfectly sized for the campus and basketball program. It has a few modern touches that puts it among the elite of buildings in the MAC, and a few more wins could change the atmosphere of the place.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Silverbacks Park 3200 Silverbacks Way Atlanta, GA 30340 Atlanta Hustle website Silverbacks Park website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 5,000 You Gotta Hustle Silverbacks Park has hosted various professional sports teams over the years, including men’s and women’s soccer, rugby, and its current resident, the Atlanta Hustle of the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). The Hustle joined the league, then known as the American Ultimate Disc League, as part of its expansion leading into the 2015 season. What started with just eight teams has grown into a league with 24 teams across two countries, including 22 in the United States and two in Canada, located in Montreal and Toronto.   Food & Beverage   5 Silverbacks Park takes a unique approach to concessions – besides a small stand on the upper walkway that serves bottled and canned beverages and snacks, there are no traditional concession stands. Instead, Willie B’s Bar and Grill, at the north end of the stadium, offers a full menu including burgers, grilled hot dogs, wings, chicken tenders, tacos, salads, and more. Willie B’s also features a full-service bar with 14 beers on tap, including the Athens-based Creature Comforts’ flagship beer, Tropicalia. For those not interested in beer, there are options like Truly hard seltzer, Twisted Tea, and prosecco on tap. Canned beers, including White Claw, Angry Orchard, and Long Drink, are also available. Non-alcoholic options include Coca-Cola products, various energy drinks, Jarritos Mexican soda, and coconut water. Be aware that menu prices do not include tax and gratuity, which are added when you pay for the order.   Atmosphere   4 Silverbacks Park does not have much of a traditional main entry point – the gates adjacent to the primary parking area are a bit non-descript, but the stairway from a secondary parking lot on the south side of the stadium offers a better view of the playing area and the stadium. Silverback Park is like any other ultimate frisbee field, similar in size to a football field, with an 80-yard long playing area and two 20-yard long end zones. Basic scoreboards are hung at each end of the field to show game time and score, but the one at the north end occasionally doesn’t work, and the times shown on the boards also do not appear to be synchronized. Ultimate is a game of constant movement with little to no breaks in the action, leaving limited time for fan interaction games or activities. However, breaks between quarters are very fan friendly. Kids are often brought to the sideline at midfield to compete in contests after the 1st and 3rd quarters. Though there is not a lot of time between scores, the team does take time to squeeze in some recognition of groups who are in attendance at the match that night. In addition to the entertaining nature of the game, the in-game DJ Hank plays popular music throughout the match that you can easily catch yourself dancing in your seat to. Leading commentary throughout the game, and calling out scoring plays, is in-game host TJ Baker – Baker and DJ Hank are also known to sprint down the sidelines with a Hustle flag to celebrate scores, creating a fun game experience. All tickets are general admission seating, which includes most of the nearside seating area, except for midfield, which is reserved for season ticket holders. Seating is limited to only one side of the field.   Neighborhood   2 Silverbacks Park is in unincorporated Atlanta, pinned in by the flyover ramps of I-285. The area is a mix of residential neighborhoods, office parks, and strip malls. While food options immediately nearby are mostly chain restaurants, Buford Highway, known in Atlanta for its concentration of highly regarded international restaurants, is not far away. The area surrounding Silverbacks Park does not offer all that much in the way of recreational points of interest, but with the accessibility of I-85 that leads to downtown Atlanta, a nearly endless number of options is just about a 15-mile drive away. Closer to the frisbee venue is downtown Tucker, with several locally owned shops and restaurants, as well as the Tucker Brewing Company. A bit further out, Stone Mountain Park offers various activities, including a 36-hole golf course, miniature golf, and hiking trails around and up the world's largest piece of exposed granite. Visitors can also take a cable car to the top. Though the immediate vicinity does not offer many options, there are definitely a handful within a reasonable drive.   Fans   4 The Hustle have a loyal following, largely comprised of Atlanta's ultimate frisbee community.  Many fans are either wearing Hustle shirts or jerseys, or are clad in gear from their high school or college frisbee clubs. Attendance typically ranges from the high hundreds to nearly one thousand fans per game, and they come ready to support the Hustle. Fans are also engaged, often responding to the in-game host’s call-and-response chants and cheers during play. Overall, Hustle fans are supportive of their hometown team and appreciate the efforts of the visitors; they do a great job embodying the sportsmanship that ultimate frisbee is built around.   Access   3 Silverbacks Park is situated at the junction of one of the busiest interstate intersections in the country, known as “Spaghetti Junction”, notorious among locals for severe traffic delays during evening rush hour. The Hustle have taken Atlanta’s traffic into consideration when scheduling start times, however, aiming to minimize rush hour challenges for fans – Friday night matches do not start until 8 pm, and on Saturdays the first pull is at 7:30 pm. The northeast line terminus of Atlanta’s subway system, MARTA, is about three miles from Silverbacks Park, so if using the subway to access the stadium, rideshare is probably the best option to get to the venue, as the surrounding area has limited sidewalks. The first parking area inside the gates fills quickly, as it serves both Silverbacks Park and the adjacent rec league soccer fields. A larger lot accessible via a service road along the stadium's western side leads to stairs down to the southern entrance of the facility. The concourse, elevated above field level, encircles most of the seating bowl. Visitors with mobility challenges might find it difficult to access the upper concourse if they enter through the north gates, or if they go from the walkway to ground level after coming through the south end of the stadium.   Return on Investment   3 Ticket prices start at $20 when purchased online, rising to $25 for walk-up purchases. This might be a touch high, especially when combined with a $5 parking fee. However, each ticket includes a drink voucher for a beer, seltzer, soft drink, or bottled water, which adds some value. At Willie B’s, food prices are comparable to those found at a typical bar and grill. Customers should be aware that an 18% gratuity is automatically added to the bill – this is noted on both sides of the menu but can be easily overlooked.   Extras   3 Trophies won by previous teams that have called Silverbacks Park home are displayed behind the bar at Willie B’s. At halftime, fans are invited onto the field to toss their frisbees around, and after the match they can come back to the field to take photos and chat with Hustle team members, and again throw their frisbees. The Hustle do a lot to grow the game of ultimate frisbee in the Atlanta area. During the summer months, the team hosts their own futures camps and supports local ultimate frisbee camps run by neighboring communities. These efforts helps foster passion for both the game and the team.   Final Thoughts With players nicknamed “The Waiter”, “The Watchtower”, and “The Machine”, the festive atmosphere of ultimate frisbee is just the tip of the iceberg here. The entire experience at Silverbacks Park is highly entertaining, from the action on the field to the lively environment surrounding the match. Despite not being at the forefront of professional sports, ultimate frisbee is a highly engaging and entertaining experience. The game is fast-paced and high-scoring, with scoring plays possible from any position on the field at any time. Players display lightning-fast speed, impressive vertical leaps, and a willingness to lay out completely horizontal to make plays, adding to the excitement. The combination of the players' impressive physical skills and the fun atmosphere at Atlanta Hustle matches ensures that even newcomers will enjoy an evening at Silverbacks Park.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ravens’ Nest 9376 University Drive Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Carleton Ravens basketball website Ravens’ Nest website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 1,500 The Definition of Dynasty Eight conference titles since 2000. Nine national championships since 2000, specifically 9 of the last 11 years including a streak of five in a row. This is a resume that Duke or Kansas or any other big-time NCAA school can not claim. This resume belongs to the Carleton Ravens of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). Carleton’s nine championships puts them atop the CIS for most ever, which is shocking considering their short run. The Ravens’ run can be directly linked to the arrival of head coach Dave Smart, who joined the team in 1997 as an assistant and 1999 as the head coach. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, Carleton University has formed a bit of a renaissance in athletics. What was formerly looked at as a program with nothing much going on, and heading in the wrong direction, Carleton has rebuilt its athletics portfolio on the back of men’s basketball. In the last decade, Carleton has christened hockey teams, which have seen recent success. In 2013, the Ravens fielded a varsity football team for the first time since 1998 when the program was dropped. Carleton has also sponsored the CIS Final 8 Basketball National Championship four times at what is currently known as the Canadian Tire Centre, and will host again in 2014. CIS Basketball does not have the flash or buzz that their counterparts south of the border provide with the NCAA, but there is quite a story brewing at Carleton, and even as a travelling fan you would be remiss if you passed by an opportunity to catch some Ravens basketball. Food & Beverage 2 There are many things that you would go to Carleton for, but the culinary experience is not one of them. The Ravens’ Nest features the most basic of food offerings; basically what you would expect in a local arena snack bar or vending machine. The south end of the gym is where you would find the concession stand which features soda, popcorn, chips and candy. What gives the concessions a slight bump up is that there is a licensed area roped off where you may purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. You can’t take your drink to your seat, but for those fans that have to have their beer, it is a small price to pay. Atmosphere 4 Almost all CIS venues are multipurpose and designed more for physical education and kinesiology classes first, and hosting sporting events second. The Ravens’ Nest is one of the best facilities for watching a CIS basketball game in Ontario. Both the east and west sides of the gym feature bleachers with either benches or seat backs. You can actually reserve seating in the Nest if you wish, rather than taking your chances with general admission. With such a small capacity, sightlines are no issue at all and you are right up close and almost in the action. You get all of the sounds of the game that you will not get in a big facility without having to sell your children to pay for the tickets! The north side of the gym features the OUA banners that the Ravens’ have won as conference champions, and the east side features the nine CIS banners as National Champions for the Ravens. Also in the north side, beyond the basket and end bleachers is the kid zone, which is a great spot to stash your child with a short attention span so you can catch the game. The kid zone features games and activities put on by the Carleton students for the children of spectators. At the southeast side of the gym the Carleton Conspiracy Pep Band sets up shop, which is a nice touch and not common for CIS athletics. The Ravens’ Nest even features a decent media area behind the stands on the west side. This is not a big deal for most people, but it does keep the gym looking neat and organized and overall, more professional. The scoreboard is very simple and shows the basics. It would be nice to see some player stats including points and fouls, which is not unheard of at this level. Where the Ravens’ Nest really has it over many competing schools is upon the entrance to the Ravens’ Nest. The concourse in the main athletics building is sparkling and Carleton has done a fantastic job of showing off their recent basketball history. Neighborhood 3 The Ravens’ Nest is located on the campus of Carleton University. The campus is south of the Trans-Canada Highway and south of downtown Ottawa and the Parliament buildings. There is not much in the immediate area of the campus in the way of pre and post game meals, but you are not too far from a ton of interesting places. One must stop on your Ottawa journey is to head north and check out the Elgin Street Diner, which is open 24 hours a day and has some ridiculously good poutine, as well as other options. There are numerous museums all over Ottawa as well as Parliament Hill. If you are there in the winter, then make sure you bring your blades and take a little skate on the Rideau Canal which is very close to Carleton, just to the north. Fans 3 CIS basketball is not measured in tens of thousands of fans, or even thousands of fans for that matter. Many times the box scores will reveal no attendance figures at all. It is fair to say that the attendance for Ravens games is quite strong as compared to their compatriots. Carleton routinely attracts over 500 fans per game and announced a crowd of 600 for the game that was reviewed. When the Ravens play their crosstown rivals from the University of Ottawa, they frequently play at the Canadian Tire Centre and attract a larger crowd. The crowd at the game in the Ravens’ Nest is knowledgeable and energetic, making for a fun experience. Access 4 Getting to the Ravens’ Nest is not that difficult. Carleton is located south of the Trans Canada Highway and the Rideau Canal. Bronson Avenue will get you to campus from either the north or the south. The Athletics building can be accessed from University Drive and is close to other athletic facilities including Keith Harris Stadium and the Carleton Ice House. There are public transit options available including the O-Train and public buses. The concourse is large and easy to get around, and the washroom facilities are solid. Return on Investment 4 CIS basketball is a great investment with a huge return. Reserved seating can be had for $17 at the door with discounts available when you purchase online or for students, seniors, alumni and staff. Tickets for children five and under are free. Parking in the lot by the athletics building is only a couple of bucks and the concession prices are very reasonable. Match that with the opportunity to see history in the making and a legendary streak of success and you can’t go wrong when you take in a Ravens game. Extras 3 An extra mark for the impact that Carleton basketball has had on the rest of the athletic programs and the creating of new teams in hockey and football. Two extra marks for the legendary run of success that the Ravens have shown on the court. Final Thoughts It is not often that you can say that you were there or that you saw something legendary. In Ottawa, the basketball dynasty is well under way at Carleton. The Ravens are proving to be one of the greatest basketball programs ever put together and you should make sure you get to see it in person. Any trip to Ottawa would be more than complete with a trip to see the defending (2013) CIS National Champion Carleton Ravens. Follow all of Dave’s sports journeys on twitter @profan9 .

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Country Club of Jackson 345 St Andrews Dr Jackson, MS 39211 Sanderson Farms Championship website Country Club of Jackson's website Year Opened: 2013 The Magnolia State's only PGA Tour Stop Every October the eyes of the PGA Tour have stopped in Central Mississippi for the annual Sanderson Farms Championship. As Mississippi's only PGA Tour stop, the tournament takes place about 10 miles northeast of the State Capitol, at the beautiful Country Club of Jackson. The tournament has gone by many names, and played at many courses, since its first year in 1968, but since 2013 has been named after the Laurel, MS-based chicken plant Sanderson Farms, the third largest poultry producer in the United States. The tournament benefits many charities, including its primary beneficiary Children's Hospital of Mississippi, which is the state's only children's hospital, located in downtown Jackson. From 1968 to 1993 the tournament was played at Hattiesburg Country Club; from 1994 to 2012 the tournament was played at Annandale Plantation in nearby Madison, MS, before moving to Country Club of Jackson. For years it was always seen as a secondary tournament, generally taking place the same weekend as another PGA Tour event, but since 2019 the Sanderson Farms Championship has been a standalone event, being the only PGA tournament taking place during that weekend. The 2023 event took place one weekend after the 44th Ryder Cup, and a few of the players made the trip over from Rome to play in this tournament.   Food & Beverage   3 There are plenty of concessions available throughout the grounds, to make sure you have plenty to eat and drink throughout the day. The main concessions area is located near the grandstands at the 18th green, with four other concession stands scattered throughout the course. One interesting thing I noticed was the concession stands benefitted Jackson State University's various athletics programs, with members of the school's different sports teams operating the stands. Nothing stood out on the menu, as you could find the usual fare of hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and pulled pork sandwiches. Like at The Masters, sandwiches are a staple here, as you can get various sandwiches (ham, turkey, club, egg, pimento, etc.), although not as cheaply as The Masters’ prices. Also, when the tournament sponsor is the country's third largest chicken and poultry processing plant expect plenty of chicken dishes available at the concession stands – Sanderson Farms has their stand available providing a variety of options including chicken salad, grilled and fried chicken sandwiches, BBQ chicken nachos, and wings. Military and first responders and their families can enjoy the tournament for free at the Trustmark Bank "Outpost Club" located on the 10th green – the makeshift overlook also provides a free lunch every day to servicemen and women. The clubhouse is also open during the tournament for those who want fine dining while watching the tournament. Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of the Sanderson Farms Championship. There is plenty of alcohol available as well; you can get a 16 oz. Michelob Ultra and Bud Light for $10, a 25 oz. cup for $14, or start your morning off right with a bloody Mary for $7. Southern Beverage Company, based in Ridgeland, MS, is the main distributor for Michelob Ultra and the official alcohol sponsor for the tournament – on the 13th green, you can enjoy free access to the Michelob Ultra Club and get samples of different Southern Beverage Company beers. In addition, a popular promotion returning for 2023 is if any golfer hits their tee shot within 96 inches of the hole, fans can get $1 beer until that player finishes the hole (because Michelob Ultra is 96 calories).      Atmosphere   4 The Dogwood Azalea course at Country Club of Jackson plays host to the Sanderson Farms Championship, with the other course being the Cypress Course. Both courses were re-designed in 2008 at Mississippi's second-oldest private country club, which opened in 1914. The entire neighborhood of rich flashy homes was built on the banks of the swamps of the Pearl River, with the golf course located on the lowest area of land, on the back side of the neighborhood closest to the swamps. The scene here doesn't exactly invoke most people's thoughts of Jackson, Mississippi – as you are shuttled in on the buses down St. Andrews Drive, you drive through the elusive neighborhoods and past the million-dollar homes towards the back of the golf course. Once dropped off you walk down a pathway past the driving range to get to the main area in front of the clubhouse; the pathway is lined with well-manicured bushes and trees, with banners and photos of past champions. The pathway takes you to the main gathering area around the clubhouse. At the main entrance you can find a pretty large merchandise building that they build just for tournament week – inside you can find plenty of Sanderson Farms Championship and PGA Tour gear available; you can even buy custom-fitted golf clubs as well. Also, on the grounds at the main entrance, you'll find a beautiful PGA Tour and Sanderson Farms sign that makes for a great photo op. The Sanderson Farms Championship trophy is a gold-plated rooster and is on display at the main entrance, as well as a local artist drawing a PGA Tour mural with chalk. The Golf Course sits in the lowest-lying area in the neighborhood, located on a run-off from the Ross Barnett Reservoir. It is laid out differently than most courses with the holes crisscrossing side by side with each other, so the front 9 intermingles with the back 9. It is also a small and very open course, as you can see the whole course from the clubhouse at the main gathering area. Patrons can walk the cart paths, with the pathways and holes closer to the clubhouse tending to be a lot more open, while the cart paths towards the back (near holes 14, 15, and 16) take you through the Mississippi wetlands. In between holes 15 and 16, you cross a wooden bridge through mangrove and cypress trees over the swamp – be on the lookout for wildlife as you cross over the bridge. I spotted about 5 alligators during my walk along the back three holes, with several in the water and a few sunning themselves on land. There are about 10-15 alligators who live in the various ponds on the golf course, including the resident 10-foot gator Fuzzy who lives in the pond at hole 6. Fuzzy is the oldest gator on the course and has made the course his home for the past 10 years. There are many public and private grandstand seating areas scattered about the course; the 18th hole has a stadium-seating grandstand around the green which is open to the public. The grandstand can be accessed from the main gathering area near the clubhouse. There are also the private 18th hole enclosed skyboxes overlooking the green with a full buffet and bar, and along the 18th fairway is an outdoor bar called the fan zone – this bar is especially popular during the Saturday and Sunday rounds, with many people set up at the picnic tables watching football games on the big screens, while the golfers hit their fairway shots in front of them. There is another fan pavilion on the 12th green with a tiered viewing deck that overlooks the 13th hole, which is accessible to patrons with upgraded tickets; this deck offers premium concessions, a bar, and big-screen TVs. The 15th hole also has a small grandstand seating area around the green that is open to the public and has great views of the swamps that run through the back of the course.   Neighborhood   3 Country Club of Jackson is located about a 10 to 15-minute drive north of downtown Jackson. The neighborhood is on low-lying land right off Ross Barnett Reservoir, a man-made 33,000-acre lake in Central Mississippi. The course is still located within the Jackson city limits but is directly on the City of Ridgeland line. Ridgeland is a large suburb of Jackson that is home to plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops, parks, and recreational opportunities – the population has soared in recent years to almost 30,000 people. The country club and surrounding neighborhood are located off County Line Road, one of the main roads through Ridgeland. You will find plenty of chain stores, shopping centers, and restaurants on this road, and directly across the street from the country club, you will find Doe's Eat Place, a popular blues bar and restaurant that is based in the Delta, and considered the birthplace of blues music. Another place worth checking out nearby is the Dogmund Tavern; the dimly lit tavern is famous for having over 250 board games to play while you have some of their local beers and world-famous pizza. Closer to the reservoir you will find several more restaurants overlooking the large lake – Cock of the Walk, Shucker's Oyster Bar, and Crab's Seafood Shack are some of my favorites. Shucker's even hosts the Sanderson Farms Championship afterparty every night. The 'Rez' also has plenty of recreational opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. You can find plenty of shopping in Ridgeland; just down County Line Road is the enclosed Northpark Mall, and about another 10 miles north is the upscale Galleria Renaissance at Colony Park shopping center. You can find over 100 more stores and restaurants at this shopping center, while for those interested in the outdoors you can bike or drive the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway that runs right through Ridgeland. A popular stop to get onto the Trace would be at Old Trace Park, near the country club and overlooking the reservoir.   Fans   4 As Mississippi's only PGA Tour event, the Sanderson Farms Championship becomes a state-wide event attracting people from all over the Magnolia State. Golf crowds are a lot different than most sporting events – with no official team playing, many patrons don't have a favorite golfer per se, so most people are just here to watch and cheer on the good shots. With this tournament, there are many public and private grandstands and skyboxes surrounding the course, but I noticed most patrons were just walking the course watching a few shots, and then moving on to the next hole. In contrast, the private skyboxes and grandstands were filled with sponsors of the tournament. The 1st and 2nd rounds are quieter than the weekend rounds, so if you want to watch the action in a little more peaceful setting the Thursday and Friday morning rounds are for you. The fan zone along the 18th fairway is extremely popular during the weekend, with many people sitting at the picnic tables on the fairway, watching football on the big screen. By the final round on Sunday, you can barely walk through the main gathering area at the front entrance; the public grandstand on the 18th green is also packed out, and if you don’t get there early you won't get a good view of the green.   Access   4 Getting to Country Club of Jackson is fairly easy – as with most PGA Tour stops, because of limited parking on-site you have to park off-site and get shuttled in. That is the case here, as the official parking area is about 3 miles west on County Line Road at Northpark Mall. There is plenty of parking on the east side of the mall where the buses depart; the best way to get to Northpark is to take Exit 103 off Interstate 55, and the mall is 3 blocks east along County Line Road. Once the buses drop you off at the entrance you still have to walk a good way past the driving range to reach the clubhouse and the first hole, but if you don't want to walk they have these electric jeeps that shuttle people from the main entrance to the clubhouse. Once on the ground, everything is smooth, and you should have no problem walking from hole to hole. The golf course is not very big, so it is possible to do a full 18-hole walkthrough several times while here as well.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets are fairly cheap to attend the Sanderson Farms Championship; you can purchase day-specific tickets for $30, or you can purchase a weekly ticket for $80 that grants you a general admission ticket for all four rounds of the tournament. Kids 17 years and under get in free, and military personnel and first responders can bring up to three guests in for free. There is one private fan zone that requires an upgraded ticket for $50, as well as the skybox suites overlooking the 18th green (starting at $100). Parking is free at Northpark Mall, and the mall has plenty of parking available. A lot of PGA Tour events are known for cheap concessions, but I didn’t think the concessions were all that cheap here. Nevertheless, I consider it a good return on investment – being able to see the top golfers in the world is a plus, but it's also a special event being the only PGA Tour stop in Mississippi.   Extras   5 Some of the past winners of the tournament include Craig Stadler, Payne Stewart, Fred Funk, Heath Slocum, Bill Haas, Cameron Champ, and Sergio Garcia. The 2023 tournament featured winners of 149 different PGA Tour events. One extra for this being Mississippi's only PGA Tour stop as of the 2023 season. The Gulf Coast has hosted the Rapiscan Systems Classic , a PGA Champions Tour event every year since 2010, but that is the official Senior Tour of the PGA Tour. The Magnolia State also does have some history of hosting PGA Tour events, including the 1944 and 1945 Gulfport Open – Sam Snead beat Byron Nelson by one stroke in a sudden death playoff hole to win the 1944 Gulfport Open. The LPGA has also hosted several tournaments in Mississippi, most notably the 1999 Women's U.S. Open in West Point. If you are interested in more of the history of golf in the Magnolia State, then I suggest making a 10-minute drive south of the country club to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. This large state-of-the-art museum has an entire exhibit dedicated to the history of the Sanderson Farms Championship, and some of the other golf tournaments that have taken place in the state. You will find old plaques, trophies, and other old gear on display from past tournaments; it is a neat museum that I recommend checking out if in town for tournament week. Also, every December the Country Club of Jackson hosts the annual Conerly Trophy Ceremony – equivalent to Mississippi's Heisman Trophy, the award is given out to the best college football player in the state. One player from each of the ten Mississippi college football schools (FBS, FCS, D2, D3) is chosen to represent their university for their chance to become the best football player in the state. Since the first year of the award in 1996, past winners include Dak Prescott, A.J. Brown, Eli Manning, Patrick Willis, Evan Engram, and Deuce McAllister.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Hard Rock Stadium 2267 NW 199th St Miami Gardens, FL 33056 Miami Dolphins website Hard Rock Stadium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 74,916 The Dolphins’ Domain Hard Rock Stadium has been the home of the Miami Dolphins since 1987. Over those 30 years the stadium has gone through many names… Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Land Shark Stadium, Sun Life Stadium and since 2016, Hard Rock Stadium. The 64,767-seat stadium is unique in that it is privately funded. This includes the massive renovations that have taken place over the last few years. Hard Rock Stadium has hosted some of the top sports events in the world over the years. This includes five Super Bowls, four BCS-era National Championship games, two World Series and several games of the World Baseball Classic. The Miami Marlins shared the stadium with the Dolphins from 1993-2011. Presently both the Orange Bowl and the Miami Hurricanes home games are held at Hard Rock Stadium as well. Future events scheduled for the stadium include the 2020 Super Bowl and the 2021 NCAA National Football Championship game. Food & Beverage 4 While Hard Rock Stadium has concession stands which offer the typical stadium fare, it also features a number of options with a decidedly Latin or South Florida flavor. Amongst these are Sloppy Joe’s (conch fritters and po’ boys from the Florida Keys), Café Versailles (Cuban sandwiches and empanadas), Fuku (spicy chicken), Coyo Taco (tacos and burritos) and Los Ranchos (churrasco’s and rice with beans). For those who enter the stadium early, there is the Breakfast House, which offers brunch items and mimosas. On the beverage front, Hard Rock scores high for its broad selection of craft brews. They offer over 30 national brews, plus 16 from the South Florida area alone. Local brews include Funky Buddha, Due South, Saltwater, Concrete Beach, 26 Degrees and Wynnwood. Bottled beers are $8, and drafts go for $11. Atmosphere 5 The home of the Dolphins is strikingly contemporary for a thirty-year old stadium. Its use of the teal and orange colors of the Dolphins team bring an energy to the stadium. Its 147 suites cater to the well-heeled business community of Miami and there is not a bad seat in the house. Hard Rock Stadium has undergone a series of massive renovation projects in phases since 2015. All of these are aimed at improving the fan experience. These improvements have included the replacement of every seat in the stadium, rebuilding of several concourses, moving sideline seats 25 feet closer to the field and the addition of four HD video boards in each corner of the stadium. The most obvious improvement to the stadium is the installation of a canopy roof that covers 92% of the seating areas. This protects fans from the harsh South Florida sun, as well as the heavy downpours that are a frequent occurrence in Florida. Another recent addition that has been very popular with the fans is the LIV at Hard Rock Club. This is a sister club to the LIV at South Beach. It provides a nightclub-like experience with two bars, a dance floor, private cabanas and a great view of the field from its location above the west end zone. Neighborhood 3 The Dolphins chose the site of Hard Rock Stadium more than 30 years ago based on its quick access to the Florida Turnpike and I-95. They also chose the location based on its being halfway between the population centers of downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. At that time the area was undeveloped, and land was cheap. Unfortunately, 30 years later the immediate area around Hard Rock Stadium is mainly populated with fast food locations, a few discount hotels and the single attraction is on the same property as the stadium. The Calder Casino is the lone attraction in the immediate area of the stadium. However, travel five miles east towards the Atlantic beaches and you will find an excellent inventory of lodging, a broad selection of restaurants and the sports, entertainment, and shopping mecca of Gulfstream Park. Two restaurants that come highly recommended are ROK: BRGR in Hallandale Beach and The Tuck Room in North Miami. The AC Hotel by Marriott in Aventura offers excellent accommodations just seven miles from the stadium. Our game day advice is to sample one of the many unique food items at Hard Rock for lunch then investigate the coastal options following the game. Fans 3 Miami and South Florida cannot be defined as a homogeneous area. It is a virtual melting pot of cultures, age groups and frankly, different reasons for living there. The same can be said of the Dolphins Fin-base. Older Dol-fans moved here to escape the harsh winters and remember the glory days of the franchise (Miami last won the Super Bowl in the 1970’s and have not won a playoff game in nearly 20 years). They have held out hope that the glory days will return and are probably the most loyal ticket holders for the team. The younger generations never have experienced a glory day or year. They tend to come to games for a good time. Win or lose they are there to meet up with friends, hang out at the LIV at Hard Rock, or just watch the game from the parking lot… where tailgating is just competitive as the games. The final component of the Dol-fan Fin-base are the transplants. Typically, these fans have season tickets through their companies, which have relocated to the area. They come and cheer loyally for the home team… until their former hometown favorites (think New England, New York and Philadelphia) come to town. Suddenly they are sporting their “old” team colors. There are many games where the visiting team has more fans in the stadium than the Dol-fans. (If you live in Buffalo in December… wouldn’t a divisional game in Miami sound inviting?) One thing all of the fan groups agree on… they simply adore T.D., the team’s lovable Dolphin mascot. Access 4 Hard Rock Stadium is located midway (18 miles) between downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale along Florida’s Turnpike. Drivers can take exit 2X (199th Street/ Stadium) and go directly into the parking lots for the stadium. A second option which avoids the heavy traffic on I-95 and the Turnpike on game days is public transit. Miami -Dade Transit offers a combination of light rail and bus shuttles to the stadium. Riders should take the Metrorail to the Earlington Heights Station, then transfer to Bus Route 297, which runs directly to Hard Rock. The fare is $4.50 round trip. Return on Investment 3 Standard ticket prices at Hard Rock Stadium range from $65 – $578. The Dolphins have a very large season ticket base, so you will frequently have to buy tickets on the secondary ticket markets at premium prices. The divisional games against the Jets and the Patriots always have the highest demand each season. Parking is $40, but a $15 discount is given to drivers with a Florida Sunpass (toll pass) on their cars. The concessions at Hard Rock Stadium are higher priced than most stadiums due to the many specialty vendors and high quality of the food items. Extras 4 There is an ironic twist to the naming rights for Hard Rock Stadium. Hard Rock restaurants throughout Florida are owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which also works closely with Florida State University as well. One of the main tenants of Hard Rock Stadium is the University of Miami football program, the primary rival of Florida State in the ACC. The Dolphins are prominent supporters of public art. Hard Rock Stadium features more than 20 murals, also known locally as street art, throughout the stadium. Some murals have a football/Dolphins theme, while others depict non-sports subjects. There are three statues of interest located just outside of the stadium. At Gate E, the “Perfect Moment in Time” depicts coach Don Shula being carried off the field in celebration after the conclusion of the Dolphins perfect 17-0 season. A second statue is the centerpiece of the Dolphins Walk of Fame. It is also known as Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza and is located near Gate C. Dolphins founder and funder of the stadium, Joe Robbie is surrounded by members of the Dolphins elite, including Don Shula, Dan Marino, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris and Manny Fernandez. The third statue is of Dolphin icon QB Dan Marino. His statue is located near the fountains on the 199th Street side of the stadium. The Dolphins are very community oriented. The Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the NFL’s largest single fundraising event, raising more than $23 million since 2010. The team is also quick to respond to events affecting their community. It organized relief efforts for the people of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma and provided support following the school shooting at nearby Margery Stoneman Douglas High School. Final Thoughts Hard Rock Stadium is an NFL venue that has stayed current with the times, and in many ways is an improvement over its original design. The team has been fortunate to have owners from Joe Robbie to Steven Ross who have been willing to invest whatever funds are needed to improve the fan experience. It is no surprise that such special events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Football Championships and the Pro Bowl choose to come back on a regular basis.

Photo courtesy of marksmenfc.com The growth of soccer in the United States continues to happen in fits and starts. Over the past decade or so, several teams in Major League Soccer have moved into soccer-specific stadiums. Not all teams enjoy the luxury of having their own home, as fans of the New England Revolution know all too well. But the soccer-specific stadium is not a new phenomenon in this country. In fact, a large open lot in the north end of the small town of Tiverton, Rhode Island once was home to a long-lost piece of American soccer history. The city of Fall River and surrounding areas already had a long and successful soccer history. In fact, the area was known as the “Golden Crescent” of American soccer. Teams from Pawtucket, New Bedford and Fall River were among the most successful in the country. Photo courtesy of RhodeTour.org During the 1920’s and early 1930s the Fall River Marksmen were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the country, winning the American Soccer League championship six times and the National Challenge Cup an unheard of four times. In 1930 the Marksmen won the ASL title, the Challenge Cup and the Lewis Cup before embarking on a tour of Central Europe. In 1922 Sam Mark (born Sam Markelevitch) purchased Fall River United and renamed them the Marksmen after himself. He built the team a stadium right across the state line from Fall River in neighboring Tiverton, Rhode Island. This allowed the team to avoid Massachusetts’ blue laws and play on Sundays. The facility, which seated 15,000, was also used for baseball and featured an L-shaped grandstand to accommodate both sports. A dirt track for auto racing was also located on the site, which interfered with the size of the soccer pitch. Mark’s Stadium was often the site of prestige friendlies between the Marksmen and international squads. Photo courtesy of RhodeTour.org Mark moved his team out of the Fall River area at the height of their success in 1931, relocating to New York and calling the team the Yankees. The team floundered right out of the gate and soon found itself back in the area as the New Bedford Whalers. Mark’s Stadium was rented out to new local teams. Fall River F.C. and Ponta Delgada F.C. called Mark’s Stadium home over the ensuing years. Prestige friendlies continued to be held here. The land on which Mark’s Stadium once stood has gone through many changes over the decades since Mark’s Stadium was demolished in the 1950s. For years it was home to the Ponta Delgada Social club, which housed a restaurant and banquet facility as well as a drive-in movie theater. Today a small bar/restaurant and a karate studio stand on the site. The large empty lot behind this building is no longer used for soccer games, and not many in the area know about this pitch’s noteworthy past. For more information on the Fall River Marksmen and Mark's Stadium, visit the following websites: MarksmenFC.com and RhodeTour.org .

Photo courtesy of CSU Bakersfield Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Hardt Field Roadrunner Dr Bakersfield, CA 93311 Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners website Hardt Field website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 900 Putting the Field in Bakersfield On the Stadium Journey website, fans can learn about programs with rich college baseball history, such as the USC Trojans and Cal State Fullerton Titans . Conversely of course, there are programs that are just opening the cover to the book of their history. The CSU Bakersfield program is an excellent example of building from the ground up. It started back in 2006 when after significant Division II success; the program began the transition to Division I. The goal was to begin play at the top level during the 2009 collegiate baseball season. Playing in a more significant Division required a more significant facility. In August of 2008, construction of the Roadrunner Baseball Complex would begin. The venue would be named Hardt Field, named after Tom and Barbara Hardt, who gave a generous $1 million of general contracting work to build the facility - the field would open on February 20, 2009 as team would begin play as an Independent, unaffiliated with any conference. The school was far from finished with the field. A new $120,000 scoreboard was purchased and in operation by February of 2012. A $560,000 installation of lights was ready by mid-March, allowing the team to play night games. The field today has 25 cypress trees making up the batter's eye in center field, an infield mixture of sand, silt, and clay (similar to what is used at Petco Park and Angel Stadium), a grass berm on both the first and third base sides, and several sets of temporary seating. The most exciting recent announcement was that after initially being turned down as an all-sports member of the WAC, the conference agreed to allow CSU Bakersfield in as a baseball-only member. In Feb, 2012, the Bakersfield Californian reported that the program is aiming to raise another $2 million to add the finishing touches to the venue. First will be to add permanent seating for roughly 1,200 fans, a press box for coverage of the growing program, and two suites that can generate future income for the program. Secondly would be a $600,000 cost to add field turf, as the program is spending $80,000 annually on maintenance, creating more sustainability for the program to grow. Lastly, while the facility is already new, adding on a videoboard to modernize the facility and potentially allow it to host NCAA regional games. The Roadrunners are hoping to implement these changes prior to the start of the 2013 season. The Roadrunners baseball program competes with Bakersfield basketball, D-League Bakersfield Jam, as well as minor league baseball (Bakersfield Blaze) and hockey ( Bakersfield Condors ). Food & Beverage 2 With temporary stands being the only option, there was not a lot of variety in the concessions. The options included the 10" Runner dog ($4), sandwiches ($4), nachos ($3), snacks ($3), and chips ($2). Unfortunately I'm unable to further elaborate on the sandwiches and snacks as they were hidden from view due to the wind. The beverages included soda, water, or Gatorade all for a price of $3. There was an additional temporary stand that specialized in coffees, smoothies, and other sorts of beverages commonly found in coffee shops. Atmosphere 3 There was certainly an atmosphere of hope at Hardt Field; seemingly that "we've come this far and we're going to continue to bring relevancy to this program." The resiliency was shown in the fans with most of them sticking it out through miserable weather to see the sport they clearly love. As with many baseball games at the college level, there was a calmer atmosphere with most fans sitting back and enjoying the game. They did play some music between innings and had some friendly competitions or opportunities to win which brought about some conversation and excitement within the games. Neighborhood 3 When fans look around the exterior of the field, they may not notice a lot outside of the ever growing CSU Bakersfield campus. Seemingly just a stone's throw away however is the Marketplace Shopping Center. The center has an Edwards Stadium 14 Cinema, Applebee's, Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse, and all sorts of shopping. If the area in the shopping center is a bit overcrowded, fans can drive in either direction and find many other varieties such as the Elephant Bar, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, Que Pasa Mexican, or Miyoshi Japanese Restaurant. Out of town visitors may want to take a drive towards downtown to check out the Buck Owens Crystal Palace, Kern County Museum, Mill Creek Park, or any of the other attractions Bakersfield offers. Fans 3 It is challenging to assess the fan base of the young program on a single evening's pass at it. There were certainly fans sporting the royal blue and gold, but with the temperature well below average most fans were bundled up in blankets. While there was not a strong showing, I would give all fans a perfect score just for sticking it out and cheering for their team during all nine innings during the cold, windy, and rainy evening. The fans did show their appreciation upon a big play, and there was one impressive heckler in the front row, but its tough to assess their night to night performance with such weather anomalies. Access 3 The new ballpark is not far from the 99 freeways, which connects to California's popular Interstate 5. Being one of the newer ballparks, it may not register in all GPS devices, so I would advise fans to find directions beforehand. The towering lights above the field give a visible cue to fans that pull onto campus where the field is located. While there are many lots that might look tempting to park in, the baseball lot is attached to the field and offers free parking on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two portable toilets on site for the fan's use, one with handicapped capabilities. This obviously is not the lap of luxury, but appears to get the job done with the current crowd size until further renovations are made. Return on Investment 3 The program definitely has a long way to go to make the experience at Hardt Field one of the better sports options in Bakersfield. The good news, however, is it is priced appropriately for its current phase of completion. The chair back seats behind home plate cost just $10 per contest while the bleacher/berm general admission areas are just $8 ($5 for youth). The general admission seemed to be the more popular option for this evening contest. There was also a season seat option for $185. The low priced tickets paired with free parking make it a nice little start to an evening out in Bakersfield. With a movie theater, shopping, and restaurants within walking distance, it's a reasonable add-in to any night out. Extras 1 Unfortunately with Hardt Field just being constructed and the program's recent soiree with Division I, few items of historical significance or uniqueness have been added. I did enjoy the large banners behind each dugout, one reading "Gold Plated" and the other "Field of Gold." This may be one of the few venues that fans could get hit by not only a foul ball, but also a tumbleweed. I noticed many of them sprawling around the concourse. Final Thoughts It's difficult to pass judgement on an experience that has grown so aggressively in the past five years. The area surrounding the field certainly shows that Hardt Field is very new and it will take some time to build up the aesthesis and create a following. With the move to the WAC conference, the Roadrunners should be able to develop some rivalries and ultimately increase the attention to the baseball program.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Dolphin Stadium 100 Daniel St Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 Gulf Breeze High School Dolphins website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 4,800 Welcome to the Splash Zone Just over the Three Mile Bridge from Downtown Pensacola lies the sleepy town of Gulf Breeze, Florida. Founded in 1961, the affluent bedroom community of 5,000 residents remains one of the wealthiest towns in the State of Florida. Built in 1971, Gulf Breeze High School remains the only high school in the city and has an enrollment 1,800 students. Notable alumni include former Seahawks All-Pro receiver Doug Baldwin, former Bears Fullback Jason McKie, former Phillies and Royals pitcher Ben Lively, MLS player Keith Savage, and actress Abigail Spencer. Nicknamed the Dolphins, the team plays at 4,800-seat Dolphin Stadium, which is located across the street from the high school. The stadium opened when the school opened, and since that time the Dolphins have only made 10 playoff appearances and have yet to win a playoff game as of 2020. The Dolphins currently compete in Class 6A District 1 which includes 7 other high schools in the Pensacola metro area. Food & Beverage 4 Unlike most high school football games, Gulf Breeze High School has an expansive concessions menu. The Blue Dot Café is the main concessions stand, located in the south end zone, and serves the basics with reasonable prices, including stuffed bacon cheeseburgers ($4.50), cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches ($4), hamburgers ($3.50), chili dogs and boiled peanuts ($3), and hot dogs, fries, and nachos ($2.50). There is another stand located in the south end zone called Greek’s Catering. This makeshift stand serves a more expansive list of items that would normally not be found at a high school football game – foot-long corn dogs, chicken kabobs, chicken pitas, gourmet burgers, gyros, Polish dogs, loaded fries and nachos, buffalo chicken sandwiches, and Greek salad round out the menu. The prices vary between $6 and $9, but I thought it was a nice added touch that they bring all these impressive concessions in just for a high school football game. There is also a Kona Ice food truck located at the stadium. All in all you should be able to find plenty to eat at Dolphin Stadium, so come to the game hungry. Atmosphere 3 Dolphin Stadium is a nice stadium with a set up similar to other high schools in the area. The field faces north and south and the stadium is part of the high school sports complex, which includes the three practice fields behind the west grandstand, and the baseball and softball fields behind the north end zone. In 2015 the whole complex received a face lift, so all the buildings would match and be pleasing in color; as such all the school’s athletic buildings have brick exteriors, and there’s no denying you are close to the beach. Plus, the whole area is lined with palm trees, and the Dolphins team colors of blue and yellow are scattered throughout. The visiting side is a concrete grandstand with about 20 rows of seating. There are no metal bleachers on this side so you sit on the concrete steps, and you can also not walk under the grandstand on this side – you enter by walking in front of the grandstand and then walk up to your seat. The home side features a concrete grandstand with about 20 rows of bleachers as well, but there is metal bleacher seating on this side, except for the seating on the 50-yard line which includes about 200 blue chairback seats for season ticket holders. You are allowed to walk under the stadium on the home side as the restrooms and one locker room are located under the stadium there. The south end zone features the numerous concessions stands and a small table set up selling t-shirts and other Dolphin team gear. Beyond the south end zone fences lies the team’s fieldhouse; the $1.5 million building opened in 2010 and includes the team’s locker rooms and weight rooms. Located across the street lies the beautiful St. Ann Catholic Church – the church’s steeple can be seen from the stands and provides a nice backdrop when watching the game from the home side. Neighborhood 4 The City of Gulf Breeze is located on a peninsula, with two bridges that separate it from Pensacola to the north and Pensacola Beach to the south. The actual city is mostly residential; many of the residents work in Pensacola so there is not a lot in terms of industry. Because of this Gulf Breeze has a kind of small town feel where everybody knows everybody. The stadium sits across the street from the high school in a residential neighborhood, but across the street to the southeast lies a parking lot that includes a Publix, Marble Slab Creamery, Panera Bread, and Rotolo’s Pizzeria, while a Walmart and Chick-fil-A are located across the street to the north. Don’t let the small town fool you though – there are plenty of attractions in Gulf Breeze. About 15 minutes away lies the Gulf Breeze Zoo; the 50-acre zoo has over 900 animals and is the largest zoo of its kind in northwest Florida. Also nearby is Gulf Islands National Seashore, a protected 1,300-acre forest includes numerous bike trails, piers, beach access, and an interactive learning center. Andrew Jackson Road, the first road in the state of Florida, runs right through the forest as well and includes an access point to the Bluffs, a hidden spot known only by locals. The Bluffs includes stunning views of Pensacola Bay, and if you’re brave enough, a rope swing with about a 60-foot drop to the water below. Another popular spot is to walk or bike the Three Mile Bridge, which connects the city with downtown Pensacola. The bridge just opened and includes a well-lit path for walking or biking along the bridge. And if you happen to have a kayak or boat you can head out to Deadman’s Island about 100 yard offshore from the bridge; the popular private island has a beautiful artificial reef created around the site of an old shipwreck believed to be from the 1600s. Also on the south side of the peninsula lies Shoreline Park, a perfect spot to fish or launch a boat. The park also includes a gazebo, beach volleyball court, boat ramp, several different walking trails, and a pier with nice views of the Pensacola Beach skyline. One could spend forever in the area and still have plenty of new things to do. Pensacola Beach is located just across the bay from the south on Santa Rosa Island. Pensacola Beach includes numerous high-rise condos found on the Gulf Coast, but is not as big in terms of area as other beach towns like Destin and Orange Beach. Popular attractions in Pensacola Beach besides the beach include the Casino Beach Pier area, Quietwater Beach Boardwalk, and Fort Pickens, which is an old Civil War fort. In addition, there’s countless bars and restaurants located on the island as well. Fans 3 Because of its small town feel Gulf Breeze has a very loyal and dedicated fan base. Many of the residents of Gulf Breeze grew up here and attended high school here, so you’ll find tons of alumni who still support the Dolphins. Because the stadium is located in a residential neighborhood, I actually saw people with tents in the front yard tailgating. There is a very vocal student section as well located right next to the band, in the section known as the Splash Pad. The Dolphins’ main rival is nearby Navarre High School, so when those two teams play each other expect a packed house on both sides of the stadium. The Dolphins compete in FHSAA 6A District 1, which includes seven Pensacola area high schools, so expect a good number of fans on both sides as the schools are located close enough. Access 3 Gulf Breeze High School is located on the far west end of Fairpoint Peninsula, just off the main highway through Gulf Breeze Highway 98. The school is conveniently located about ten minutes south of Downtown Pensacola just over the bridge that separates the two cities. The elementary, middle, and high schools are all located on one side of the highway, while the athletic facilities are located across the street. A pretty nice and scenic covered walkway over Highway 98 separates the school from the stadium. There is some parking across the street at the high school but is $5, so I found plenty of free parking in the church parking lot just across the street from the stadium. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for the most recent game were $7, and for the 2020 season tickets could only be purchased through the FanDuel app. I consider this a good return on investment – while Gulf Breeze does not traditionally put out a lot of D1 talent, the small beach feel and charming fans make this a great place to watch a high school football game. Extras 3 One extra for the Andrews Institute. who are the team physicians for Gulf Breeze High School Athletics; the famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews is known as one of the top doctors in the country when it comes to working on sports injuries, and he has performed surgeries on top athletes such as Drew Brees, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, John Smoltz, and Bo Jackson. The Andrews Institute is based in Gulf Breeze, and Dr. Andrews splits his time between here and Birmingham. When in town Dr. Andrews can sometimes be spotted at Gulf Breeze football games as well. Another extra for the close proximity of the stadium to Pensacola Beach. The beach sits on Santa Rosa Island, and one could go from the beach to the stadium and be there in about 10 minutes. Pensacola Beach has numerous public beach access points for you to choose from, and because of the warm climate it’s not uncommon for people to go swimming well into October, so if you’re lucky you can even go swimming before the game. To get to the island just go east on Highway 98 about a half mile and look to the right for the famous, lit up, 50s-era Pensacola Beach sign, and follow that road over the bridge to get to the island. Only about 2,000 residents live on the island, but Gulf Breeze High School does serve this community as well.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center 16th St NW & Kennedy St NW Washington, DC 20011 Washington Open website William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 7,500 Big Time Tennis In The Nation’s Capital The William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center is a tennis venue located in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. The venue has 15 hard courts, 10 clay courts, and five indoors courts. During the Washington Open there are generally six hard courts used for competitions, with others used for practice only. The Washington Open began in 1969 and competition was originally held on outdoor clay courts until 1986, when it switched to the current hard courts. The location of the event in Washington, D.C. was chosen at the urging of Arthur Ashe, an early supporter. The Washington Open is part of the ATP World Tour 500 and WTA International circuits. The women’s event was first held in 2011 in College Park, Maryland as the Citi Open, and for the 2012 season, the ATP and WTA decided to merge their Maryland and Washington spots into a joint tournament, with the women’s event moving here. The Washington Open occurs in late July and early August over just beyond a one-week span. Starting with the 2019 event, venture capitalist and owner of the Washington Kastles , Mark Ein, assumes management of the event with the promise of making necessary changes and to keep the finances from getting out of hand. Some of these fan atmosphere changes are already being seen, but one should expect even more changes to occur later as Ein has a financial interest in making the tournament a success, as well as he is a massive tennis fan. Food & Beverage 4 There are quite a few options around the facility. A brand new food court has been setup just outside the main stadium in an air conditioned tent. There you will find some good ethnic options especially ones from renowned chef José Andrés. The prices are pretty expensive but the overall quality and selection around the venue sort of makes up for the cost. The air conditioned tent will also be a nice cooling off spot to get away from the hot temperatures of the daytime hours. Atmosphere 4 Going to a major tennis event like this is not the same as going to more raucous sporting events. The actual matches will be extremely quiet, with cheering and yelling happening only during breaks, unless a player has a major meltdown, which usually does happen at least once at each tournament. The best way to enjoy an event such as this is to not to watch a single match, but to wander from court to court, especially the practice ones. You are getting multiple things out of your ticket. The main grandstand seats 7,500 and is a pretty basic 4 sided seating structure. It, as well as the small grandstands that make up the venue grounds, will not excite you with their design nor makeup. The game action is what you are coming for. Starting with the 2019 event, the tournament has been investing heavily in the fan experience. Check out this video that does a good job of showing some of the changes at the Washington Open: Neighborhood 4 Dacha Beer Garden and Dino’s Grotto are just two of the great options in the lively Shaw neighborhood. Did I mention you are right in the middle of Washington, DC? The amount of attractions, museums, restaurants and other sights are astounding. Spend some time pre or post game seeing the many things around this great city. The new African American History museum just opened recently as well as the National Portrait Gallery, which is located across the street from the arena, are great choices. You could also hit up the college town of College Park, which is not far away. RJ Bentley’s Filling Station, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Jimmy John’s, Ledo Pizza, and Five Guys are all good options in this “downtown” area. Looney’s Pub and Bobby’s Burger Palace are two other great options, and are located in The Varsity building (8150 Baltimore Ave) north of the downtown area, and maybe even closer to the arena if walking. Nando’s PERi-PERi is a new addition to the area and offers their legendary butterfly-cut, flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken. I prefer the half chicken with the medium PERi-PERi sauce and a side of Macho Peas. Fans 5 Tennis fans are one of the most knowledgeable sports fans you will ever encounter. They may be quiet because of the built in courtesies of the game, but they know how the game should work and when to root and cheer as necessary. It is a great thing to witness. Access 3 The Rock Creek location is not located in the easiest part of DC to get to, but it’s not too bad if you plan ahead carefully. There is limited parking on site for $20. The lot may close in bad weather as it is an open field, controlled by the National Park Service. The best option is instead to take the free shuttles from the Geico Headquarters and Lord & Taylor lots in Chevy Chase Village. There will be many other food options over there, which helps your entire experience. Return on Investment 4 The prices can range from $15 per session to much, much more. The fancy suites and party tents show this pretty well. When you buy a ticket, you get an assigned seat in the main stadium, as well as the ability to sit at any of the smaller courts, although at a first come, first served basis. With the decently priced tickets and the ability to use a free parking venue, the value is high. Even if the food is not the cheapest, the overall experience is certainly worth it. Extras 5 There are freebies, giveaways, contests and activities for kids of all ages scattered around the venue. Between all the tennis, and the activities, you can waste an afternoon pretty quickly. They do not use the clay courts for the Washington Open, but it worth checking out this area to see the action over there. The general public, as well as scheduled classes use them even during the professional event. Look for players wandering the venue. They are often open to talking to fans, although make sure to stay out of their way if they are in serious game mode. The ability to get so close to major stars, as well as upcoming ones, is an extra all in itself. Check around the venue grounds as there are some art work and other items that display the history of this event, especially the influence of Arthur Ashe. Final Thoughts The Washington Open is a fun event to see and makes the trip to Northeast DC and the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center worth it for any sports fan.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Central Park 700 Smith Ave Trinidad, CO 81082 Trinidad Triggers website Central Park website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 887 Pulling the Trigger in Trinidad The Triggers have established themselves well in Trinidad, CO and in the Independent Pecos League of Professional Baseball, beginning with their debut in the 2012 season. Taken from their website, the Pecos League operates in cities in desert mountain regions throughout New Mexico, West Texas, Arizona, and Southern Colorado players come from all over the US and the world and are a combination of rising stars, falling stars, shooting stars, and athletes with stars in their eyes. The Triggers play at Central Park Field, a city park located one mile from downtown Trinidad, CO. The city of Trinidad made several improvements to the field and park for this team: updates to the bullpens, adding a cement backing/wall to the seating area, improvements to the grass seating areas and the field itself. The Triggers share the field with Trojan Baseball (NJCAA – National Junior College Athletic Association) as well as the Trinidad High School team (the Miners). Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand and it serves the fan base well. Concession prices are good. Most snacks (candy, chips, ice cream, etc.) and non-alcoholic drinks (mostly Pepsi brand sodas) are nicely priced. A huge variety of dogs, burgers, and sausages are offered, are cooked fresh off the grill, and range from $3 to $6.50. Beer on offer is Bud, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Michelob Ultra, Bud Chelada, and Shock Top and the price ranges from $3 to $5. Hot chocolate, tea, and coffee are offered for those chilly spring evening games. It being a city park, I bet you can bring your own water and snacks into the park. The concession stand also offers some Trinidad Triggers merchandise: ball caps ($25) and t-shirts ($20). Atmosphere 3 Despite being in a somewhat old facility, it is a fine venue for the Pecos League. There is a nice view of Fisher’s Peak beyond the right field wall and the view changes throughout the game based on the weather. And there are trees all around the outfield wall providing a nice backdrop. There is a pond and a walking trail just beyond the outfield. If you want to get your steps or exercise in, arrive early and take a short hike around the pond. It is quite a peaceful stroll. The seating comprises of 14 rows of all metal benches – a few rows with backs – which start getting uncomfortable near the 6th inning. The seats are under an awning so fans are protected in case of rain. The seating area is surrounded by an awful chain link fence that tarnishes the view of the game. This is typical of other Pecos League venues. The music is fine; not too loud with a good variety. There are some instances where music is played when announcing the player at bat or a relief pitcher which makes it a bit difficult to keep score but it is far better than previous years. There is one piece of memorabilia for the 2002 Trinidad Miners Baseball Association for updating the facilities at Central Park. There is no flag pole at the venue. Instead, the American flag is attached to the outfield fence. That I had not seen before. The home dugout is on the third base side; visitors on the first base side. Neighborhood 3 I did not notice an appealing place to visit pre or post game within walking distance of the park. However, downtown Trinidad (just a mile or so away from the park) has several options. The Mission at the Bell serves Mexican fare and a tasty, powerful margarita! Check out Rino’s Italian Restaurant and Steakhouse for fine Italian food. The Whistle Stop/Sub Shop (a sponsor of the Trinidad Triggers) is located next to the Colorado State Welcome Center and is less than a mile from Central Park. For your sports bar outing, check out the Brix Sports Bar and Grill on the weekends. It offers 12 beers on tap and food on the weekends (Thurs – Sun). It also has live entertainment (a cover charge may apply depending on the event). There is a free trolley tour of Trinidad and a history museum to peruse that I would recommend if visiting the area. Fans 2 Fans are few but many are vocal. They all seemed to know each other and all treated me just fine and offered tips on the surrounding area. There is the ‘Passing of the Hat’ when a Trigger pitcher gets three strikeouts in an inning or a player hits a home run. Someone with a helmet walks the seating area trying to get $1 donations. Those contributions help the players with everyday essentials: groceries, gas, car payments, etc. Access 3 Free parking; it’s always nice. Recommendation: DO NOT park in the facility parking lot; park in the neighboring streets (one block – definitely not a far walk). The facility parking lot is a prime foul ball territory windshield breakage area. If you live in the neighborhood, it is certainly walk-able but most fans arrive via automobile. It’s only about a mile off of Interstate 25 (I-25). There is one men’s and one women’s restroom which is enough for the crowd base. Players have to walk through the stands or grassy knoll to reach their cars and the restroom. The restrooms are adequate and clean. Return on Investment 3 It is $6 for general admission; there is free parking, and food and beer prices are decent. It’s baseball for the game and not any other entertainment. And the Triggers do a fine job. Extras 2 An Amtrak train passing by beyond the outfield wall. Triggers pitchers sitting in the stands and charting and recording pitches, speed pitch, and play. Even better, they offer kids to help them with speed pitch counts, which the kids love. And, the pitchers and kids remember each other due to the players reading to the kids at school or a community event. Final Thoughts If you’re in the area, do make the effort to visit a Triggers baseball game during the May through July time frame. The venue is picturesque even with the chain link fence. It is a quaint park to watch a game and it is an entertaining evening.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Under Armour Stadium 2620 Port Covington Drive Baltimore, MD 21230 Christos FC website Under Armour Stadium website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 1,400 Christos Soccer at the House Christos FC is a lower division soccer team currently based in USL League Two, one of several leagues that make up the fourth level of the American soccer pyramid. The league consists primarily of current and recently graduated college players who are looking to sign their first professional contract. However, there are some older players as well, some of them former professionals. Christos FC was founded in 1997 and is best remembered for their run to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup in 2017, where they faced MLS side D.C. United in the fourth round and briefly took the lead before falling 4-1. The club is named after local liquor store Christos Discount Liquors. Christos has called many different stadiums home over the years, but in 2025, they began splitting their home games between Under Armour Stadium, a 1,400 seat stadium at Under Armour Headquarters, and Retriever Soccer Park on the campus of UMBC. Team ownership has said the goal is to play all games at Under Armour Stadium in 2026, but that was not possible in 2025 due to scheduling conflicts. Food & Beverage 4 The Jimmy's Famous Seafood food truck is parked outside Under Armour Stadium during Christos FC games, and fans are permitted to leave and re-enter to get food. Just remember to get a wristband, and show it to staff as you re-enter. There is a wide range of seafood here, but despite the name, there are other options too. The one downside is that prices are on the high end. A crab cake sandwich is the most expensive option and will set you back a whopping $28, while other options such as a shrimp po'boy, crabby shrimp club, Philly cheesesteak, and chicken tenders will set you back around $15each. This is not a complete list, as there are too many options to list here, mostly but not exclusively seafood. For the health conscious, a chopped Greek salad is only $8, although you can add on shrimp or chicken if you pay extra. Soda, bottled water, lemonade, and sweet tea are available to drink. There is also a concession stand inside Under Armour Stadium, but it is closed for Christos FC games, so you have to use the truck. The Jimmy's Famous Seafood truck parked outside Under Armour Stadium for a Christos FC game Atmosphere 4 Under Armour Stadium is a small facility, with about 1,400 seats, all of which are bleachers with benchbacks. Because it hosts several different sports, there are lots of different lines and markings on the field, plus a running track. Despite this, you should have no problem seeing the soccer lines. A digital scoreboard on the far side shows select game statistics in addition to the score and clock. The PA announcer will continuously hype the crowd up, and has been known to occasionally complain about the referees. The crowd will cheer when he tells them to, but will spontaneously erupt in chants as well. (More on that later). Kids are often invited down onto the field at halftime to kick the ball around, take penalty kicks, try to hit the crossbar, or enjoy other activities like practicing their goal celebrations. Neighborhood 5 Under Armour Stadium is located on the Baltimore Peninsula, a part of the City of Baltimore surrounded on three sides by the Patapsco River. Historic Fort McHenry, still flying the American flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner", is at the end of the peninsula, but for the most part, this is a modern neighborhood with restaurants, distilleries, and more. Nick's Fish House, the Sagamore Spirit Distillery, and Rye Street Tavern are just a few of the many options here. There are also many waterfront activities for visitors to enjoy, which vary by the day, so check the internet or social media in advance. Fans 5 Christos FC draws good crowds to a small stadium, mostly filling the bleachers. The fans are loud, bang thundersticks, ring cowbells, and have their own chants that they cheer throughout the game. There is no designated Supporters Section like at many soccer facilities, but in some ways it seems like the whole stadium is full of supporters. They will be seated, unlike true Supporters Sections, but can be just as loud and passionate. They have been known to stand and cheer after a goal is scored, but you do not need to worry about your view being obstructed. The one downside is that the fans are not as knowledgeable about the team or the game of soccer as you see at many places, but that doesn't stop them from cheering on their team to victory. Christos FC Fans celebrate a goal Access 3 The ability to get to Under Armour Stadium is the one downside of a Christos FC game. The good news is that once you get here, there's a spacious parking lot and large restrooms, and this is generally an easy stadium to get around. The bad news is that it's quite difficult to get here. Although Under Armour Stadium is only a mile or so off I-95, the traffic patterns and street layout in the Baltimore Peninsula area are very poorly designed, and things can get quite backed up. It's actually a very easy drive off the highway, since you're staying in the same lane most of the way as it first exits I-95 onto Maryland Route 2, then exits Maryland Route 2 onto the local roads, but traffic will move very slowly. Be sure to allot extra time. Return on Investment 4 Officially, tickets go for about $25 each, which seems quite expensive. However, the team offers buy one-get one free tickets for almost very game, which reduces the price to about $12.50. A few games may not offer this deal, so be sure to check ahead. Concessions from the food truck are quite expensive, but that is beyond the team's control. Given the experience here, a Christos FC game is a great value. Extras 2 Be sure to check out the Under Armour flagship store in the large building to the left of the stadium. It includes a large selection of branded merchandise of just about every kind you can imagine. A second star for the postgame autograph session for kids. Final Thoughts Christos FC has been playing low-level soccer for almost 30 years and has built up a loyal and passionate fan base. With the move to Under Armour Stadium, they now have a sleek, modern stadium to go along with it that has all the amenities you could want without being too cavernous or spacious. Soccer fans in the Baltimore area will definitely want to check out a Christos game on a summer evening.

It was dubbed the “House of Horrors” and the “House of Thrills”. It featured a distance from left field to home plate at a measly 233 feet; its stadium was more suitable for football and track and field. When a pop fly becomes a home run, a line drive to left field turns into a double play, and a 12-4 lead in the ninth is not safe – there must be something odd at the ballpark. In 1974, Eugene Emeralds of the Pacific Coast League relocated to Sacramento and renamed the Solons, who originally played in town from 1903 to 1960. The plan was to build a 2,500-seat ballpark, but it would not be ready for the upcoming season. That is when the Solons announced they would call Hughes Stadium home, much to the amazement of many in the community. Hughes Stadium 1st base Line, Center for Sacramento History Hughes had been built in 1928 and served as a home for college and high school football games. It had been the home of the Camellia Bowl, the NAIA national football championship since 1961, and featured a cement track and field around the grass field. Such measurements would seem impossible for a baseball diamond. The Fresno Bee Sports Editor called it “miserable, a dinosaur stadium designed by a blind architect,” but that did not stop the City Board from granting permission for the PCL club to use it as a ballpark for the 1974 season.  Solon’s organization put up a 40-foot screen in left field that was 233 feet from home plate (the league minimum was 250 feet). The rumor was that PCL officials were unaware of the configuration originally listed at 261 feet in initial press clippings. However, that was not the case on opening night on April 17. Mt. Sacramento in the distance, Center for Sacramento History A crowd of 17,318 was on hand to watch the Solons lose 10-3 to Spokane, just a few hundred 209 shy of what the San Francisco Giants attracted to Candlestick Park for their home opener that season. Fans were greeted by 5 home runs by both clubs, along with countless children chasing foul balls behind the third baseline.  Fans were curious about the new home of the Solons, one that was heavily promoted in game-day programs and pocket schedules that year. The “House of Thrills” was a huge promotion in attracting fans to baseball games in hopes of coming home with a handful of souvenirs smacked off the bats of hopeful future major league players. The screen, dubbed Mt. Sacramento, was a feast for right-handed batters who quickly took advantage of the hitter-friendly facility. A total of 51 home runs were launched in the first six home games of the season, and by season’s end, Solon’s batters would launch 250 dingers, while opposing members swatted 241 into the metal bleachers. “If you want to bring in the people, you have to bring in the fences,” said FM John Carbray. “When the fences are closed, it’s fair to both sides. Nothing kills attendance like a 2-1 pitching duel.” Hughes Stadium Baseball Dimensions/1974 Pocket Schedule Carbray was a natural-born promoter who promoted everything from boxing, drag racing, post-game rock concerts, soccer, and basketball. He would later help build the PCL Fresno Grizzlies off the ground in 1993. “The fact that he (Carbray) coaxed the PCL into allowing the Solons to play in a ballpark that was about as legal as a spitter serves to indicate that the man has something, besides modesty going for him,” wrote Jack Bluth in the San Mateo Times . Outside of the ballpark, young fans would burn calories chasing home run balls bouncing off the parking lot pavement, but many more bought a $3 to see the balls fly out of the stadium. The Solons attracted 295,851 fans on the season, an average of 4,109 per game. The number was tops in the league and bested the previous year’s leader, Hawaii, who attracted 238,390 fans. “You don’t see anybody leaving early. Here you can be down 6-0 in the sixth and still expect to come back. Win or lose, it’s exciting,” added John Carbray.  “Most PCL teams would be happy as punch to have 2,000 to 3,000 people.” The other oddities of the action on the field were that sac flies were a quixotic feat, the left fielder would play more of a deep shortstop position and throw runners out at first base, and ground balls into the left field would result in force outs at second base. Hughes Stadium Portable Dugouts, Center for Sacramento History The stadium did not have dugouts but turned makeshift-covered benches colored powder blue and yellow as the spot for the club to sit during the game. The pitching mound was torn out throughout the season to accommodate other sports but never put back in the exact spot. Pitchers claimed this caused them to have sore arms. Early inning games featured a glare from the sun in left-handed pitchers, with later innings distracting left-fielders. A few of the games were delayed 15 minutes. Home runs and the uniqueness of the ballpark were the main attractions, but so were a few of the promotions. A 20-foot scoreboard was blown up after the 5th inning of one game, and a daredevil stuntman rode through a fiery outfield wall before jumping his bike over 14 cars. The majority of cars were owned by fans in exchange for free tickets for use in the stunt. It attracted a crowd of 9,000 to the game that night. Future major leaguer Gorman Thomas belted 40 of his 51 home runs at home; journeyman Bill McNulty led the Salons with 55 home runs, 44 coming at Hughes. Four other members had 28 or more home runs on the season. The team scored 937 runs but allowed 1030 for the year. “I like the city, and the fans were great, but I won’t go back,” Gorman quipped to the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune during spring training of 1975. Hughes Stadium Scoreboard, Courtesy of CBS News There were plenty of distractors. Mainly pitchers where the club ERA at the end of the season was 6.82. It was a place that psyched out pitchers and crushed their egos with a broken-bat swing, a potential home run. “I don’t care what they do; I don’t want to go back,” commented Tom Hausman the following season. The right-hander gave up 43 home runs at home, but only 7 of them were on the road. “If you could come out of a sane season there sane, you were doing a  good job.” The Solons established eight records that included the following:  most home runs by one club (305), most home runs combined in a park (491), most home runs by one team in one game (10), most home runs by two teams in one game (14), most grand slams in one game (3), most grand slams in an inning by two clubs (2), most grand slams in one inning by one team (2), and most home runs by a player (44 by McNulty). The Solons also tied a league mark with four consecutive home runs in one game. In 1975, the left-field screen was pushed back, and the concrete tore up to further the distance to 251 feet. There were an additional 22 new light fixtures to improve the vision of fielders who would try in vain to secure a pop-up home run. Most importantly, the venue was given an exemption from the Field Act earthquake standards for one year. Hughes Stadium 3rd base Line, Center for Sacramento History The Solons led the PCL in attendance with 252,201 customers and clubbed 196 home runs–down a bit from the previous year. The pitching staff once again posted a horrific 5.71 ERA. The following season, the writing was on the wall for baseball in Sacramento. Attendance fell to dead last with 82,324, and home runs tailed off slightly with “only” 183 round-trippers at Hughes. In 1977, the franchise was shifted to San Jose with the condition that it would return to Sacramento if a new ballpark would be built within three years. Solon’s new GM Joe Gagliardi hoped a new 3,500 stadium would be ready at Cal Expo, the site of the state fair, by 1978. Unfortunately, fans would have to wait for another 22 years for it to be constructed. Raley Field, now Sutter Health Park, would open in 2000 for the Sacramento River Cats–where both earned run averages and home runs shrunk to more respectable levels. The 10,624-seat ballpark is considered one of the finest in the minor league leagues and a favorite among ballpark travelers. Hughes would be earthquake-proof but later went through a multi-million dollar renovation and re-opened in September 2012.  The Sacramento City College venue is used for athletic events, classes, local high school games, state-wide athletic championships, and showcases except baseball. We will never see another ballpark quite like it ever again, or will we? Fans still enjoy the long ball. —— Follow Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his  YouTube channel .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Bream Gym 31 W Lincoln Ave Gettysburg, PA 17325 Gettysburg College Bullets website Bream Gym website Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 3,000 Home of the Bullets Gettysburg College is a private, four-year liberal arts college founded in 1832. From its founding until 1921 it was known as Pennsylvania College. Author Jerry Spinelli, Carson Kressley from Bravo TV’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” and former Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul are graduates of the college. The area is more known for the July 1st through 3rd 1863 military engagements, as well as Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The area is very busy nearly all times of the year as tourists flock to the battlefields, as well as the commercial endeavors that surround the area. Sports teams at the college are known as the Bullets and there are 24 NCAA Division III men's and women's teams. Although the mascot for Gettysburg College is the Bullet, there is no official Bullet mascot at sporting events. The Gettysburg College women's lacrosse team won the Division III National Championship in 2011. The Bullets play in the Centennial Conference. Men's basketball at Gettysburg have won conference championships in 2001, 2002, and 2009. Bream Gym is the long time home of the Bullets. Since the mid-1960s, it has served as the home court for men's and women's basketball, wrestling, and volleyball. Food & Beverage 3 There is a nice little campus food option located between the gym and Bullets Pool called The Dive. Prices are good and the food all looks great. The best option is a fresh and delicious yogurt parfait. Atmosphere 3 Bream Gym is quite bright inside. For a gym that has been in use for so long, the windows and lighting system make it appear much newer. It is still a pretty basic gym with separate basic seating sections along the four sides of the court. All other aspects of the simple gym are nice, but nothing that will excite a fan too much. Neighborhood 5 Gettysburg is a great small town. There is almost always traffic in the town as tourists flock to the area all of the year. In summer months it can be almost unbearable to drive through the area, so make note of that. Because so many people travel in the area expect to see numerous food options. But not all of them are good so make sure to check reviews so that you do not waste time in tourist dumps. My favorite restaurant choices are Hunt's Battlefield Fries, Tommy's Pizza and The Garryowen Irish Pub. The fresh cut fries at Hunt's are a must. A couple of homestyle options are Hoss's Steaks and the Lincoln Diner. You can't go wrong with their simple, but tasty offerings. There is also a very good outlet mall right outside of town called The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg. With no taxes on clothing in Pennsylvania it is a popular attraction on its own. Fans 3 As with most small college gyms the bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. There will be some local fans who just happen to stop by for the game as well. The game I attended was during move-in weekend so there looked to be some students attending with their parents. Access 3 Gettysburg is close to many things. Washington, DC is 75 miles away and Baltimore is 55 miles away. The main east-west road through Gettysburg is U.S. Route 30, and U.S. Route 15 runs south towards Frederick, MD and Washington DC, as well as north to Harrisburg, PA. The only real problem is the traffic in the area. The college is located in a small neighborhood north of downtown and it won't be very hard to get to the college, but expect to venture on many small roads to get there. Parking is usually pretty OK, but the larger the event the more likely that parking will be at a premium. You can always park downtown and walk to campus. Return on Investment 5 Basketball games are free. Parking is also free, unless you had to park downtown. Either way the value and return on investment is very good here at Gettysburg College. Extras 5 There is a nice veterans memorial just outside of Musselman Stadium. Stop in and think of those who gave all to this nation before seeing a game here. It will be well worth the visit. The architecture of the college is worth noting. Make sure to wander around and see the marvelous buildings on campus. The John F. Jaeger Center for Athletics, Recreation, and Fitness is a pretty spectacular architectural building with its unique glass tower. There is a nice hall of fame and historical exhibits of the Gettysburg College athletic program located here. The Gettysburg Battlefield and all that surrounds it is worth a couple stars in itself. Yes it is a tourist attraction, but one must stop in and see. There is a multitude of historical markings, statues and attractions in the area. Besides being on hand upon this stadium's opening, Dwight D. Eisenhower is a popular name on the campus and the region. He retired to his working farm adjacent to the local battlefield. The Eisenhower Institute is also a part of the college and develops and sponsors civic discourse on significant issues of domestic and international public policy. Final Thoughts Gettysburg College has a nice, older gym that feels fresh and new. It may not be highest level of basketball but you will enjoy the simple surroundings.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.87 Levi’s Stadium 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way Santa Clara, CA 95054 San Francisco 49ers website Levi’s Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 68,500 The Field of Jeans The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. The team was founded in 1946 and joined the NFL in 1950, becoming the first NFL team on the West Coast and the first top level sports franchise in the San Francisco area. The team has won five Super Bowls and six NFC Championships. It has also sent seventeen members of the 49er’s teams on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The team’s original home was the old Kezar Stadium, followed by Candlestick Park. After a wide variety of new stadium options in San Francisco failed to be approved, the team decided to relocate the new stadium in Santa Clara, California, where it held its preseason camps and already had administrative offices. In 2014, Levi’s Stadium hosted its first NFL game. Levi’s Stadium has a capacity of 68,500 but can be expanded to 75,000 for major events like the Super Bowl or the World Cup. Its unique design allows 60% of the fans to be seated in the lower bowl of the stadium and closer to the action. Most of these seats are in the end zones and on the east side of the stadium. The west side of the stadium is predominantly made up of 8,500 club seats and 165 luxury boxes. The west side of the stadium is in the shade for most of the game, while the east side of the stands is looking into the sun. The fans in the east side stands have been dubbed as the Zinni Zone, as the Zinni Company provides sunglasses to fans before the game. Food & Beverage 3 Unlike most NFL stadiums, Levi’s Stadium does allow food to be brought into the venue. The food must be in a clear plastic container and be of the same proportions as any other carry in objects as dictated by the NFL. All beverages must be in a sealed clear plastic container as well. There are more than enough concession stands at each level of the concourse, so you should not encounter long lines. Once you see the prices at the stands you will understand why. Most stands offer the stadium standards including nachos ($13), hot dogs ($10), hamburgers ($12), pizza slice ($13), popcorn ($7.50), BBQ sandwiches ($16) and candy, along with bottled water ($7), Pepsi brand sodas ($7) and lemonade ($8). Some of the more regional dishes available at the stadium are crab sandwiches ($18), curry bowls and organic chicken sandwiches ($18). Beers go for $12 for a domestic brand or $15 for a premium brand. Levi’s concession stands are standardized in appearance, and carry names like BBQ Sauced, Blue Line Pizza, Micheladas, Links, Franks, Starbird Chicken, Super Duper and Sandi’s Cobbler Cups. On the positive side, each of the stands are positioned with an open view to the field of play. One of the best viewing points for concessions are in the Bud Light Party Zones in each end zone. They offer a stunning overview of the entire field of play from the upper decks. Obviously, Levi’s Stadium has not adopted the popular fan friendly pricing model now being used in many NFL markets. We suggest you bring a meal with you or eat prior to the game and use the stadium concessions for your beverage and snack needs. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at Levi’s Stadium is quite different from its predecessor, Candlestick Park. It provides the latest in technology, with 38 escalators and 25 glass elevators. The stadium also has the latest innovations in video broadcasting, as it has an HD video board at each end of the field with screens measuring 200’ X 48’. The stadium also offers wi-fi and closed captioning for those who need it. The 49ers game app is one of the most informative we’ve found in the NFL. The stadium construction also includes a very wide (63 foot) concourse, allowing easy movement to concessions and restrooms. One major drawback to the stadium’s design is in its layout in relationship to the sun. Unlike San Francisco, Santa Clara experiences hot and sunny days up through mid-season. This results in fans in the east stands having to deal with the sun in their eyes for most of the game. Make sure you bring your shades if you are seated in the eastern side of the stadium. By the way, Levi’s does offer free sunscreen for fans upon request. Neighborhood 4 The first thing we need to point out is that the team’s name is somewhat misleading. The neighborhood around Levi’s Stadium is Santa Clara, California, a city 40 miles south of San Francisco. It is in the heart of Silicon Valley, with many of the largest technology companies calling Santa Clara home. The immediate area around Levi’s Stadium is predominantly centered around the convention industry. As a result, there are several major hotels, including the Hilton Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Marriott that are within walking distance of the stadium. California’s Great American Park, an amusement park, is also adjacent to the stadium. It typically closes during the fall but hosts a pregame Red Zone Rally before every 49ers home game. Since you are in the middle of Silicon Valley, a trip to the nearby Intel Museum will provide you with a look at how microchips changed the technology industry. The Fish Market tops our recommendations of top restaurants in the area to check out. Fans 5 The move from the Bay Area to Santa Clara has resulted in quite a few changes in the fan base. Season tickets now require a Personal Seat License, an expensive proposition for many of the blue-collar fans who attended games at Candlestick. In addition, the average ticket price for 49ers games is among the highest in the NFL. The 40-mile drive on California highways has also caused a change in the makeup of the crowds. The local fan base has become more corporate in nature, as the Santa Clara area is quite affluent and work for some of the top technology companies in the country. The stadium caters to them through multiple clubs and social spaces on the western side of the stadium. The more blue-collar, longtime fans of the club make their way down from the Bay Area and fill the end zone and the eastern side of the stadium. What has not been lost in the move to Santa Clara is the intense enthusiasm and loyalty to the team. 49ers fans are known as “The Faithful” for good reason. They are extremely loud throughout the game and have stuck with the team through thick and thin. The stands are filled by a sea of red jerseys on game days. Coach Kyle Shanahan has brought winning football back to the Bay area, resulting in sellout crowds despite being 40 miles from its namesake home. Access 4 Getting to the 49ers games has become more daunting for San Francisco area fans of the team. The 40 miles separating San Francisco and Santa Clara can be daunting drive, as traveling on the 101 Freeway on game weekends can back up for miles. Once at the game fans are faced with a distant parking lot system and much higher parking fees than they have been used to. Fortunately, there are several options in getting to Levi’s Stadium on Sundays. The state of California has one of the more efficient rail transportation systems in the country. This is especially true for cities in the greater Bay Area and Northern California. Fans from the Stockton area can utilize the ACE train that links with the local VTA light rail system in San Jose, which delivers you to Santa Clara. Sacramento fans can access the games by riding the Capitol Corridor train to San Jose and then to the VTA system. Finally, San Francisco area fans can take Caltrain to San Jose at a cost of $28.50 for a combo ticket with the VTA fare included. Locals can use the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) busses and light rail system, which will let you off and pick you up at the Great American Station directly in front of the stadium. You will need to purchase a $5 eight-hour pass at the beginning of your trip. Hold on to this ticket as there are no vending machines at the Great American Station for your return trip. The most environmentally friendly option to arrive at the station is by walking or riding your bike to the game. The Santa Clara area is blessed to have a network of paved hike/bike trails. The San Tomas Aquino Trail runs directly to Levi’s Stadium. The stadium offers a bike valet service to safe-keep your bike during the game. Once at the stadium, access is excellent. There is a wide assortment of entry points into the venue and the inside concourse is 63 feet wide with plenty of space to maneuver through the crowds. The concourses are also open to the field, so you will not miss any of the action. There are plenty of elevators and escalators for fans with upper level seats. Return on Investment 3 Attending a 49ers game may require you to bring your gold prospecting equipment along to pay the tab. The 49ers ticket prices are amongst the most expensive in the NFL at $117 per seat. Parking at the stadium runs $40 – $60 prepaid, with an additional $10 tacked on for game day purchases. Public transportation or using the nearby hike/bike trails can bring this cost down dramatically. Concession prices at Levi’s Stadium are among the highest in the NFL. We encourage you to bring your meal in with you, or to eat before the game. Save your concession spending for candy, snacks and beverages. Hotel costs on game day weekends run $200 a night. An easy option to lower this cost is to stay in nearby San Jose. Extras 4 In addition to the 49ers home games, Levi’s Stadium also plays host to the Redbox Bowl, the PAC 12 Football Championship Game and numerous concerts. It has also served as the site of Super Bowl 50 (2016), the 2015 NHL Stadium Series game between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings, and the 2019 College Football Championship Game. Levi’s Stadium is very technologically advanced and utilizes this in its quest to become one of the greenest stadiums in the NFL. It has earned Gold LEED certification through its recycling efforts, the use of solar panels for power, the green roof atop the luxury box tower which features 40 types of vegetation and its efforts to promote public transportation as a means of getting to the stadium. The California’s Great American Park hosts a pregame package called the Red Zone Rally that starts three hours prior to kickoff. The package costs $85 and includes unlimited food and beverages, visits from the 49er’s cheerleaders and drumline, autograph sessions with former 49er greats and an appearance from Sourdough Sam, the 49ers mascot. The 49ers Museum deserves its own extra. We’ve visited several team museums over the years, and the 49ers experience far surpasses the other stadiums. Being in Silicon Valley allows the museum to utilize cutting edge technology such as virtual reality, holograms and touch screens to tell about the history and success of the team. Included in the museum are the Super Bowl Gallery, the Team Spirit section, which covers the team’s traditions, the Bill Walsh Innovation Center and the 49ers Hall of Fame, which salutes 27 former 49ers with life size statues. The museum is open during 49ers games, but to truly see all it has to offer it is best to visit on non-game days and spend an hour or two checking out all the exhibits. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, Santa Clara residents and active military members Final Thoughts Levi’s Stadium is one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the NFL. Its location in the heart of Silicon Valley is a major improvement over the 49ers former home at the weather challenged Candlestick Park. The team has seen a resurgence on the field in recent seasons, providing fans with an up-tempo offense that will fill the stands. The gold rush has returned!

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Stadion An der Alten Forsterei An der Wuhlheide 263 12555 Berlin, Germany FC Union Berlin website Stadion An der Alten Forsterei website Year Opened: 1920 Capacity: 22,012 Fashionable Football in the Forest Current football fashion dictates that a trip to Berlin demands a visit to FC Union and the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. Across the city, Hertha Berlin attracts larger crowds, has a greater stadium capacity, and plays in the higher league. However, it’s FC Union and their compact 22,000-seat Kopenick home that’s captured the imagination of football fans across the continent. Stadion An Der Alten Forsterei (translated to the stadium next to the old foresters house) opened in 1920. Terraced on three sides there are just 3,617 seats, all located in the main stand (haupttribune). The stadium has been the focus of redevelopments over the last 30 years which have resulted in a modern, bright, and fit-for-purpose stadium. Early versions of FC Union have played football in the city since 1906. It wasn’t until 1966 that they fixed upon their current name. They played their football in the East German ‘Oberliga’ in the days when city rivals Dynamo won 10 titles in a row. The accusation that Stasi chief Erich Mielke helped ‘ensure’ Dynamo Berlin were champions brought forth a rivalry that lasts to this day. After the wall came down, financial hardships meant it was 2009 before Union climbed to their current level in Bundesliga 2. It was my first visit to the city of Berlin and it captured my heart. I knew it would. The history, the architecture, the landmarks, and the street art all exceeded expectations, the bonus being numerous other football stadiums you should visit whilst you’re in town. Food & Beverage 3 Entering the stadium perimeter through sektor 3 gives you immediate access to stalls selling a variety of refreshments. Visit an outdoor grill to purchase your bratwurst, then an adjacent stall for your beers and Coca-Cola. Queues are short, the price is tolerable and the quality of the bratwurst is excellent. This sector allows external access around to the corner of the haupttribune stand and further catering outlets are available on each corner. As there are several steps to then enter the stadium itself, you could choose to buy your refreshments from kiosks inside the stadium, making it slightly less likely that you will spill your beer. If you can’t wait, then upon arrival at the local Kopenick S-Bahn station, try the impressive Forum shopping center opposite the station where you can grab a pastry and espresso. You will also see pockets of fans outside bars dotted around the area with slightly stronger pre-match beverages. Back in the centre of Berlin of course there are numerous culinary options. If you travel down from Alexanderplatz then there is a Coffee Fellows on the corner of Dircksenstabe with the usual sustenance available and it’s a great place for people to watch too. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere is generated by the fans behind the goal in the Waldseite (sektor 2) helped by the fan choreographer and an enthusiastic PA announcer. Fans in the rest of the ground join in and impressively keep up the singing throughout the game. A good turnout by the away fans can help the atmosphere too. A seat in the main stand will give you a cracking view of the action and outside, the opportunity to view one of the finest-looking facades in European football. Built-in 2013, the design is almost castle-like and is an imposing, eye-catching stand. The other three stands are functional and nondescript in comparison. They are, however, home to three sides of glorious terracing from which nearly all the atmosphere emanates. It is so refreshing in these ‘all-seater’ days that a renovation hasn’t spelled the end of the terrace. The roof/coverings are also low, which helps keep the noise reverberating around the stadium. Finally, the proximity of the fans to the pitch also helps. With no running track or big gaps between the stands and the pitch, it ensures players have little doubt about what fans require of them. Neighbourhood 5 The stadium is located in a mainly woodland forest area, however, Kopenick itself has all the local amenities you need. If you choose to stay in central Berlin, it is a great place to base yourself to explore the rich history and various other stadiums dotted around the city. Much has been written about this great city which this review refrains from competing with. Instead here’s a quick run-down of what we recommend. One highlight is walking along Karl Marx Allee, a preserved Soviet-style boulevard with wide streets and wedding cake architecture. Next, head to the Stasi Museum in Lichtenberg, preserved just as their imposing offices were left; it provided an incredible insight into their inner workings. Whilst there take a peak at the decrepit but fabulous HOWEGE Arena, home of SV Lichtenberg 47. The Berlin Wall memorial and Mauer Park market should also be high on your list. Take the U-Bahn from Alexanderplatz to Eberswalder and you’ll be immediately impressed with the fantastic floodlights of the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportspark. If you can catch a game there, it’s the old stasi team ‘Dynamo’ you need to look up. I went to a regionalism match on a cold Friday night with around 1,400 others. It’s a great stadium with a superb graffiti wall. The Mauer market on Sunday morning can be found next door to Friedrich-Ludwig stadium. It’s an incredible mix of stalls selling clothes, artwork, toys, etc. with food also available from around the world. I went for an Argentinian beef sandwich followed by coffee from the ‘Coffee Ape’ mobile stall. When you are finished you can stroll down Bernaeur Street to see the remaining parts of the Berlin Wall. They have done a tremendous job of communicating the enormous heartache caused by this imposing monolith, now thankfully consigned to history. Of course whilst in Berlin you should also check out the Brandenburg Gate, The Bundestag, The Jewish Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and the list just goes on. Finally, ‘Street Food Thursday’ in the fantastic Markthalle Neun gives you a fantastic array of dinner options, from pulled pork sandwiches to octopus. Simply turn up, wander around, and dip in and out of the various stalls until you are full. The nearest U-Bahn is Gorlitzer Bahnhof. Our base for our 4 days in town was an apartment right outside Hallesches Tor U-Bahn station, just one stop south of Checkpoint Charlie. Whilst it was technically in the stylish Krezsberg area, the locality was a bit run down. It more than suited our needs though, we even had a pub on the ground floor of our block and a coffee shop three doors further down the road – perfect. Fans 5 Not many fans can attend a match and tell their kids they helped build the stadium that they stand in, that they’ve sat on a sofa on the halfway line and watched a World Cup game, or that they’ve donated their blood to help ensure the club doesn’t go bust. This though is FC Union Berlin (nickname Eisern Union ) whose fans certainly don’t agree that convention is something to follow. The anti-establishment feeling comes from that old rivalry with Dynamo and the German 50+1 ruling is something they cherish; not seek methods to get around. So far in 17/18 average home attendance is 21,170, In 16/17 it was 20,859, just under 20k the season before. In short, attendances are consistently good and any promotion to the top flight would bring pressure to increase that stadium capacity of 22,012. Access 3 Schonefeld Airport is 20km south of Berlin and you can catch a taxi into town which takes around 25 minutes and costs 40 Euros. Alternatively, Tegel Airport brings you into the northeast of Berlin and it’s a similar distance into the centre of Berlin. To get to the stadium, the train is your best option. From Hallesches Tor, take the U-Bahn east to Warschauer Stabe. Then you cross over the bridge to board an S3 metro train heading southeast, you’ll probably be seeing plenty of home fans by now, clutching their bottles of beer and bedecked in red and white. You can also board the S3 from more central locations too like Alexanderplatz, and journey time is between 30-50 mins depending on where you get on. You can buy tickets for the Berlin transport system from machines at each station. The whole system works on trust so there are no barriers anywhere, but plain-clothed staff will be around to check whether you have paid. Once you’ve disembarked at Kopenick (Zone B) you can pick up the match day programme at the entrance to the station, easing any worry you may have about whether you will find one. From the station follow the fans on a ten-minute walk which will feel more like a nice stroll in the countryside than a walk to the football. It’s worth noting that to get into any of the three terrace sectors you will need to climb several steps. At the top of the steps you enter the stadium at the very top of the stand, then climb down the steps to your place. If mobility is an issue contact the club first or consider buying your ticket in the haupttribune. Your ticket may be for M, N, O, P, etc. but no one is checking so you can choose whichever view you like. We stood in Sektor 3 or ‘Gegengerade’ as it is also known, close to the noisier fans behind the goal to our right. If you travel to the stadium by car you will want to miss central Berlin. If traveling from the west exit Autobahn 10 and use the address 12555 Berlin, An Der Wuhlheide 263 on your navigation device. From the east it's Autobahn 113 followed by the same final address. There isn’t any parking at the ground but there’s some in the vicinity. It looks quite busy by kick-off time so perhaps arrive early and take in the atmosphere. Return on Investment 4 Terrace tickets cost just 16 Euros each, which is decent value for the whole experience. Refreshments are reasonably priced although, on the merchandise front, a scarf set us back 15 Euros which seemed a little steep. The programme is 2 Euros and the local transport system is pretty cheap. Berlin itself is, of course, going to cost you a few Euros, particularly if you spend time around the tourist areas. Extras 2 The club shop will sell you all the usual merchandise you may require. If you like the more eclectic gift, there’s an FC Union toothbrush or an FC Union spirit level. Perfect for your builder friend who has bad breath. Each Christmas, the stadium also hosts a carol-singing event that has gone from fewer than 100 attendees to almost a full stadium. Hymn sheets are provided and visitors travel from all over to this rather unique event. Final Thoughts Berlin, what a city! Four days isn’t enough! I’d recommend you take with you one of the excellent David Young East German fiction thrillers Stasi Child, Stasi Wolf, or A Darker State. I took the latter. The descriptions of East Berlin in the books are vivid and thrilling as you walk the same, mostly unchanged, streets. Whilst in Berlin, Stadion An der Alten Forsterei is a stadium you need to tick off. A first-rate club doing some exceptional things in a superb city. The unique and attractive frontage of the stadium, the lusty atmosphere, and the forest location do make this a great venue. Fans are friendly and the commute from Berlin to Kopenick, followed by the stroll to the ground all add to the intrigue and anticipation. The only real ‘problem’ is the raised expectation before you arrive. Maybe I’m just contrary but once something becomes fashionable, I head to the road marked unfashionable. Many argue that Berlin football hasn’t hit the heights a city of this stature should; they are probably right. Nevertheless, there is a richness to the football culture in Berlin that goes far deeper than the need for trophies, glory, of course, manifests itself in many different ways. So do visit this atmospheric ground, but make sure you also visit the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportspark and HOWEGE Arena too if you are a fan of the tumble-down and not just the trendy.

Photos by Eric Hasman and Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Canal Park 300 S Main St Akron, OH 44308 Akron RubberDucks website Canal Park website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 9,097 Ducks in the Canal The city-owned Canal Park takes its name from the Ohio and Erie Canal that runs beyond the outfield of the ballpark. The ballpark opened in 1997 and was designed by Populous, the same architectural firm that designed the Indians’ Jacobs Field. The ballpark holds 9,097. Currently, the Akron RubberDucks, changed their name in 2013 from the Aeros to reflect the history of Akron’s rubber industry. The RubberDucks have been the AA Eastern League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians since 1989 when they were located in nearby Canton, Ohio at Thurman Munson Field. The ballpark is asymmetrical with the following dimensions: Left Field: 331 feet, Left Center: 376 feet, Center Field: 400 feet, Right Center: 375 feet, Right Field: 337 feet. The hi-definition scoreboard in right center field gives information on the game and a sideboard in left center provides additional information. There are ball-and-strike ribbon boards at the ends of the luxury boxes. Canal Park has a large concourse, which makes it easy to walk around the park when crowded, an area that runs from left field to right field that allows access to all the regular seating areas. In addition, the seats are angled toward home plate. The gift shop is big with a nice selection of jerseys, shirts and hats. It is low on key chains, magnets and other small trinkets. One huge seller is the Duck Bubble Gun which sells for $6. This is a bubble gun in the image of a Rubber Ducks head and blows bubbles. The kids love this. Food & Beverage 5 The ballpark has themed concessions located along the concourse. Godfather’s Kitchen has hot dogs ($2 or $3.75), Italian sausage ($5.50), Papa John’s pizza ($5). Tater’s dishes has your standard ballpark food (hot dogs, chicken for $5, hamburgers for $6 and pulled pork nachos for $9). The Dog Pound specializes in hot dogs, bratwurst ($5.50), kielbasa ($7.50) and Italian sausage ($5.50). The Biergarten sells sausages and dogs. The Sock Hop is all about ice cream which including floats ($5 or $8). The Nice to Meat U Grill has monster hamburgers and some “extreme” items. Big portions of food are not a problem here because there are some “extreme dining” options at the ballpark. Some examples are the “Nice 2 Meat U Burger” (three steakhouse seasoned Certified Angus Beef burgers-1.75 lbs, two beef franks, crispy bacon, grilled onions and American cheese on a toasted Kaiser bun for $15), the “Three Dog Night” (Kielbasa split in half with a bratwurst inside, split in half with a hot dog inside of it topped with sauerkraut and served on a sub bun for $12), “Pineapple TerriyAKRON” (a half pineapple hollowed out and filled with a mixture of white rice, grilled chicken, diced pineapple and Thai chili garlic sauce topped with a teriyaki glaze for $12), “Not Your Routine Poutine” (a 10 oz portion of French fries topped with gravy, cheese curds, pulled pork, green onions and bacon bits for $12) and the “Screamer” (21 scoops of a premium ice cream on top of a brownie base and finished off with chocolate syrup, bananas, whip cream, sprinkles and maraschino cherries served in a souvenir helmet for $25). There are more extreme items too. Besides the usual foods there some unusual items you don’t find at other parks. For example: build your own Steak sandwich ($9.50), pierogies ($6.50), turkey legs ($7.50), veggie burger / bratwurst ($7 / $6.75), corn dogs ($3.75), sauerkraut balls ($5), wedge salad/assorted vegetables/ hummus & pretzels and fruit cup (all $5), cannolis ($2.50), mini donuts ($7) and apple pie ($3.50). Beer prices at the park are $4.50 / $7.75 / $11 for a 12oz / 20oz / 32oz domestic draft (Budwieser). Premium drafts (Yuengling, Shocktop and Leinenkugel’s) are $5 / $8.75 / $12.50 for a 12oz / 20oz / 32oz. Of course, there are local “Craft” beers on tap too from the Canton Brewing Co., Ignite Brewing Co., Lock 15 Brewing Co., Hop Tree Brewing, R. Shea Brewing which are all $8. In addition, there are some other local craft beers in bottles / cans – Mucky Duck and Rhinegeist Brewery for $7. The Tiki Bar in right field in addition to beer serves hard liquor and wine. A bottle of soda / Powerade is $.4.25 and Iced tea is $4.75. Fountain drinks are $2.75 / $4 / $7.50 for a 16oz / 24oz / 32oz. Bottled water is $3.50 and a slushie is $4.50. Coffee/cappuccino/hot chocolate is $2.50. In addition, to the concessions there is the “Game Grill & Bar” located in the right field corner. You can sit out on the patio on the right field walkway to watch batting practice while you eat, but you won’t be allowed into the park before the gates open outside. The “Game” delivers standard bar & grill fare, with most entrees under $12. The restaurant is also home of the extreme item the “Squealer” which is a foot-long Five Star Meats hot dog, stuffed with pulled pork and wrapped in bacon that is deep fried and topped it with shredded cheddar cheese and a drizzle of tangy BBQ sauce. Atmosphere 3 The concourse at Canal Park runs from right-center to left field and the main seating bowl is below street level. Suites are above the seating bowl from about first to third base. There is nowhere in the park besides in the Tiki Bar, in the restaurant or under the suites to get out of the sun. The “kids” zone consists of a blow-up slide near the Tiki Bar in right field and a small concourse section behind home plate that has some minor games like racing cars and “fish for a rubberduck” and win a prize. There are three entrances that open about an hour before game time (for those not in luxury boxes or season ticket holders): Buchtel Avenue, Canal Entrance, and State Street. Lines can get extensive on promotional days. The Diamond Boardwalk is open before game time to take you beyond third base to the actual Canal Park beyond the outfield, but the gate to the boardwalk gets closed before game time. Autograph seekers will want to be by the home first base dugout before and after the game. Between-inning entertainment includes the mascots, regular minor league contests, races, and quizzes, post-game includes toss-a-ball, fireworks (special nights), and kids running the bases (on scheduled days). Neighborhood 3 Canal Park is located in the heart of downtown Akron across the street from the University of Akron. The old canal area is being renovated into parks and performance spaces, but there are closed factories and manufacturing buildings in the area. Right outside of left field is the Ohio & Erie Walkway Trail / Locke 2 Park (one of 19 locks once used to move canal boats) and the Akron Children’s Hospital. In addition, the Richard Howe House (and canal museum) and Locke 3 Park (a small park that hosts bands in the summer) are all around the ballpark. Being downtown there are many restaurants, fast food restaurants and bars in the area too. Within a couple of miles is the Akron Zoo, the Akron Art Museum, the E.J. Thomas Hall of Performing Arts Hall and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. About a half hour from Akron is the Pro Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio. Fans 3 Like most of the minor leagues, the RubberDucks cater to locals and families. Many fans here seem to be interested and knowledgeable about their players and the Cleveland Indians who are their parent club. Of course, there are people just there to hang out and socialize. Cleveland is about 40 minutes away from Akron and that helps draw some Indians fans to this park. The RubberDucks are averaging over 4,500 per game this season (2019) and for the past five years. The people and workers at the game are very friendly and willing to talk about the park, team and area, if you should choose. Access 4 Access to the ballpark is easy. The ballpark is located in downtown Akron located at the intersection of S. Main and State St and is accessible by car or bus. The park is approximately 10 minutes north of intersection of I-76 & I-77. It is also about 12 miles south of the intersection of I-80 and Route 8. Canal Park is about a 40-minute drive to Cleveland and Canton, two hours to Columbus and Pittsburgh and two hours to Toledo. There are several municipal and private lots within walking distance of the park which costs $5 to $10. In addition, there is limited meter parking which is free on the weekend, if you get there early enough you may get lucky and not have to pay for parking. The Akron METRO buses will get you to the ballpark (routes 1, 4, 9, 10, 14, and 34) for $1.75 per ride or $2.50 for a day pass. In addition, Greyhound buses are available and the Akron station is just down the street from the park If you are flying in to or out of Akron, the Akron-Canton Airport is down I-77 about 30 minutes to the south of the ballpark. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are relatively cheap here. Reserve Seats on game day are $13 for adults ($12 for Juniors & Seniors), with General Admission at $7. The “Duck Row” just beyond third base in left field, delivers swivel seats and in-seat food and drink service for $17 and “Homerville in right field with two rows of 11 swivel-seats with drink rails in front of the Tiki Bar is $25 but you receive either two (2) 16-ounce beers or four (4) 24-ounce sodas. In addition, you can rent out the “Park Fowl Territory” Picnic-style seating starting at one table of eight people, with options for up to 400 (50 tables). Minimum 24 people for a picnic outing and a two-hour, all-you-can-eat buffet-style picnic, beginning one hour before the game. Lastly there is the Tiki Terrace in right field. Groups as small as 24 guests can reserve this area, however if no groups have rented the area anyone can sit here. Included in this area is a two-hour, all-you-can-eat buffet-style picnic, beginning one hour before the game. As with all teams if you get season tickets or group seats in advance you will receive a discount. Extras 5 The RubberDucks receive an extra point each for the following: Giving out a 1st game certificate and button at the Guest Services booth if you say this is your first game. They also have scorecards and programs for free. Lastly, if you feel like participating in the in-between inning contests you sign up there for a chance to do so. The Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame (free admission) that honors both the players, teams and umpires from the Akron area is located just north of the Rubber Duck’s Team Shop with an outside entrance at the park. The two main team mascots, “Rubberta” the duck or “Webster” the duck walk the concourse and are available for pictures and autographs. The RubberDucks also have “Orbit” the space cat, “Homer” the inflatable pigeon but apparently they are not there every game. The POW/MIA seat on the first base side and LeBron James number is retired too. The “Duck Mug” which is a 16oz plastic mug (for soda) resembling the logo the sells for $12.50 but refills are only $1. Final Thoughts Canal Park is a comfortable, clean and well-maintained ballpark and is definitely worth the trip based upon the food alone but the people definitely make this park a must see.