Photos by Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Read Fieldhouse/University Arena 2009 Howard St Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Western Michigan Broncos website Read Fieldhouse/University Arena website Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 5,421 Welcome to The Zoo Western Michigan men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, indoor track and field, and gymnastics teams all compete at Read Fieldhouse/University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Broncos have been playing at the 5,421-seat arena that was built in 1957. It is just north of Stadium Drive, across the street from WMU’s football/baseball/softball fields. The building was rededicated in December 1963 after long-time basketball coach Herbert W. (Buck) Read who coached WMU for 28 seasons amassing a 345 -169 record. He was one of the first Midwest coaches to adopt the ‘fast break’ style of play and his 1929-30 team finished the season with a perfect 17-0 record. At the time of renaming the building, there were plans to increase capacity to 9,000. The arena has seen multiple improvements the past decade that included a brand new court for the 2015-16 season, which connects the university with the Kalamazoo community, new LED lighting, and a state of the art sound system. There is also a strong emphasis on “The Zoo,” a take-off on the city’s name and the student cheering section at one end of the arena. The Broncos play in the Mid-America Conference and have captured 9 regular season titles and appeared in 4 NCAA Final Four Tournaments. The 1976 team made it all the way to the Sweet 16 before losing to Marquette 62-57 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Broncos last made the tournament in 2014. Food & Beverage 2 The concession stands are located behind each basket and there have been a few food stands offering specialty items added the past few seasons. The stands offer Pepsi products at $2-$4, hot dogs $4, pretzel with cheese sauce $5, nachos $7, Italian sausage $5, cheeseburger $6, barbecue chicken $7, and ice cream for $3. The auxiliary stands have fresh roasted nuts for $4-$6 and a special prime rib sandwich at $6-$8. The stands are relatively small but as long as the crowd size is the typical 2,000 or so, the lines move reasonably well. Alcoholic beverages are not sold at the arena. Atmosphere 2 Average attendance through 7 games this 2018-2019 season is 1,730 at a 5,421-capacity building. An excellent and enthusiastic pep band sits beneath an overhang, so their sound is powerful and dynamic. The stadium has two levels with all services on the ground floor. Some individual seats are available behind the benches and others are bleacher style. A four-sided video board sits over the center court while a scoreboard with player data and the game clock are behind each basket. Western Michigan Band, Photo by Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Upon entering the arena, fans immediately see the impressive WMU Hall of Fame where an extensive display of individual plaques tell the story of great athletes and coaches of the past. The basketball program itself has been in existence since 1913. At timeouts and halftime, they offer students the chance to win prizes if they make different shots. During our visit a $10,000 prize was offered if a student made a shot from half court, he missed. The school’s dance and cheerleading squads provide excellent entertainment. The WMU mascot Buster the Bronco is very active and can be found all over the arena. When the arena is full, the sound level is amazing. Neighborhood 4 Given the location on a university campus, there are plenty of restaurants and bars available nearby, including the University Roadhouse, Bruno’s Pizza and Waldo’s Campus Tavern. In the general downtown area, about a mile away, well-rated restaurants include Rustica for French/European dining, Ray-Ray’s Italian Beef and Sausage, Shawarma King for Middle Eastern fare, and the Old Goat Tavern. In recent years, Kalamazoo has gained a reputation for its many breweries. You can’t go wrong with any of them: a few very popular choices are Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, One Well Brewery, Final Gravity, Latitude 42 and Green Door. Visitors can enjoy the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, the Air Zoo in Portage, and the Gilmore Auto Museum is a 30-minute drive in Hickory Corners. Fans 3 The student section (aka “The Zoo”) is on the second level behind one basket. They are a relatively small, lively bunch. Typical crowds of 1,700 plus fans create a surprising level of cheering in the 5,421 capacity arena. WMU has an ardent, knowledgeable group of alumni who support the team and freely share their support and opinions. The school puts on a high level of quality video/sound/entertainment. Fans receive a free program which contains plenty of player and coach information. There is a table offering school garb. The game experience is much better when there are more fans in the house. Access 3 There are a number of free parking lots adjacent to the arena as well as across the street near the softball field. Given its location on campus, the signage is somewhat limited. Metro Transit provides bus service and the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport is a few miles south. The ticket window is inside the only entrance on the east side. Enjoy the Wall of Fame before going to your seats. The arena staff is very welcoming and friendly. Return on Investment 4 For Division I basketball, this is a great value. Ticket prices run $15-$22. A Pick Six plan ($66-$84) allows fans to select six games. I’d recommend the bleacher seats (bring a cushion) and are where fans can spread out and enjoy the game. No need to order in advance, either. The parking is free and reasonably priced concessions make it a bargain. All that considered, it is surprising that more people do not attend these games on a consistent basis. Extras 3 The Fieldhouse gets one point for the school’s mascot Buster the Bronco who is terrific with the kids and very active all around the arena. The Fieldhouse receives another point for the pep band: great music and always a lively show. There is also one-half point each for the great value and professional game production. Final Thoughts The stage is set: great production, good quality of college basketball, reasonable prices, free parking, excellent mascot. All they need is more students and fans to attend, thus creating a boisterous atmosphere.

Gary Noll Gary Noll, born Deaf in a New Jersey Deaf household, is a huge New Jersey/New York Sports fan.  He proposes and raises awareness of Deaf and ASL (American Sign Language) sports events.  Gary is an advocate of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion, including promoting captioning and ASL communication technology during NJ/NY metropolitan sporting events.   Metropolitan New Jersey/New York Sports Stadiums and Their Efforts to Host Deaf Awareness Events   1. New Jersey Devils NHL pro hockey (Prudential Center, Newark, NJ) recently hosted its fourth annual ASL night (group events)  twice within 12 months (March 12, 2023 and March 7, 2024). They plan to host it again next season (2024-2025).  Kean University ASL, Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf MKSD), and Ocean County ASL group participated with NJ Devils on March 7, 2024.  NJ Devils ASL t-shirts spell out Devils. Devils t-shirt in ASL ASL on Prudential Center video board 2. New York Islanders NHL pro hockey  (UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY ) hosted its second annual Deaf Awareness Night in a year (February 24, 2023, and December 7, 2023)   using an array of ASL communication technology.  It included live ASL interpreters via public announcements and broadcasters, provided by Mill Neck ASL, family services and foundation.  In 2023, UBS Arena added closed captioning to their in-house program at the concession areas. They offer an application called Isles+, where you can view the scoreboard videos with closed captioning. To use, when you get to the arena, type  islesplus.com  into your phone’s browser (ensure you have location services turned on).  Isles+ is only available in UBS Arena (source: Islanders game presentation team). The Islanders had a scarf with Islanders spelled out in ASL for the February 24, 2023 game.  On the December 7 game, they offered a hat with “LGI” spelled out in ASL (Source: NY Islanders hockey game presentation team).   They plan on hosting a third annual Deaf Awareness Night next season (2024-2025). Sign Language Interpreter on UBS Arena Video Board   3. New York Mets MLB pro baseball (Citi Field, Flushing, NY ) hosted a Deaf Awareness Day on July 30, 2023.  They used ASL communication technology through live ASL interpreters via public announcements and broadcasters.  SignNexus, an interpreter service provider from NYC, delivered the ASL interpretations.    So far this season (2024), the Mets hosted the New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood) on April 17, 2024, where they distributed 290 tickets. Bravo to John Plata, Deaf employee, for his great leadership and being the point of contact during the April 17, 2024 event. NY School of Deaf Signing the National Anthem at Citi Field There is a possibility the Mets will have a Culture Day for all on Aug 13 and 14, 2024, and a Deaf Awareness Day may be incorporated into that.  But Gary and staff hope there is a separate Deaf Awareness Day.   4. New York Yankees MLB pro baseball (Yankees Stadium, Bronx, NY) will host its first Deaf Awareness Day  Sunday, September 29, 2024.   The Yankees plan to have an ASL group event ticket package and a T-shirt that spells out Yankees in ASL.  The Yankees are reaching out to some foundations, including Gallaudet University Athletics  for assistance and education on ASL communication technology.  Gary encourages all fans to come, visit, and support the effort. Closed Captioning on Yankee Stadium Scoreboard with Gary in the Foreground   5. New York Liberty WNBA pro women’s basketball (Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY ) will host its first annual Deaf Awareness Day this coming June 30, 2024.   6. Brooklyn Nets NBA pro men’s basketball (Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY)  was supposed to host its first annual Deaf Awareness Day on March 2, 2024, but that did not happen.  A team at the Barclays Center is currently working on getting real-time captions in the arena for all its sporting events.  Once they finalize an agreement with a closed captioning provider, they will look to host a Deaf Awareness Day.  Gary expects this to be announced sometime in May or early summer 2024.   7. New York Knicks NBA pro men’s basketball (Madison Square Garden MSG, NYC)  has not yet hosted a Deaf Awareness Day.  They have celebrated an All Abilities Night, which included the ASL signing of the National Anthem.  MSG has captioning on its ribbon boards for all sports and has mobile captioning QR codes for scanning for Knicks and Rangers games.  Gary expects when the arena hosts a Deaf Awareness Day, it will be for the Knicks because of Mike Glenn, a former Knicks and NBA great who runs a successful NBA camp and is an ambassador for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing campers and the community.     8. New Jersey/New York Gotham FC pro women’s soccer, 2023 NWSL champions (Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ) has not yet had an American Sign Language or Deaf Awareness event.  Red Bull Arena does have large live captions on two of their video boards.  9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights football (SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ)  has small print closed captioning on its ribbon boards; the team has not yet had an American Sign Language Day during its Big Ten conference football games.     10. Billie Jean King USTA (US Open Tennis Center, Flushing, NY)  offers excellent accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing tennis fans, and it continues to improve those efforts.     The US Open tennis officers are looking into a possible ASL event this coming summer (2024).  Gary has already provided ASL logistics and guidance to various departments in New Jersey’s and New York’s stadiums and teams.  He continues advocating ASL interpreters be available for live broadcasting and public address announcements throughout Deaf and ASL awareness events.  Gary continues requesting dedicated Deaf Awareness Days/Nights to teams and stadiums who have not yet held them.   What criteria make attending an ASL or Deaf Awareness sporting event successful for deaf and hard-of-hearing fans?   The arena provides functioning live caption boards throughout the venue for fans who cannot hear the announcements.  Display information like the plays-by-play, referees, and other messages from the announcers and broadcasters. The team offers ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters on the site throughout the arena. - On the Jumbotron (national anthem, public address announcements, in-game contests, trivia, safety information, and etc. - On the main concourse at a designated table or booth  T he Jumbotron and/or ribbon boards supply a mobile captioning QR code for fans to scan for messages.    The team offers special event day promotional items like t-shirts, scarves, hats, etc., where fans can pre-order and pick them up at an ASL sponsor table before or during the event .   The game is well attended.     Thanks to those who host these events, and thanks to Deaf and ASL fans for your ❤️ support. Thanks to stadium and arena staff and departments for everything ❤️    What is missing with ASL at Awareness Games: 1.       The events have not used Certified Deaf interpreters (CDI) 2.       The ASL national anthem and ASL group performances should be broadcast on live TV, streamlined, or on social media platforms during the Awareness Day 3.       The sports arenas need to hire more staff who can communicate via ASL 4.       A mechanism for the organizers to identify high-talented National Anthem Deaf performers, signers, and artists to participate in a Deaf Awareness Event Lastly, in 2023 and 2024, sports venues in the NJ/NY metropolitan area have shown good progress in including the National Anthem ASL performers.  Recent s ports events in the NJ/NY Metropolitan area where ASL performers signed the National Anthem: New Jersey Devils ASL night (March 12, 2023 and March 7, 2024)  New York Islanders Deaf Awareness Night (February 23, 2023 and December 7, 2024) New York Mets Deaf Awareness Day (July 30, 2023) New York Mets (NY School for the Deaf - Fanwood (April 17, 2024) Seton Hall University men’s basketball game (vs Rutgers) at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ (December 9, 2023) NHL Stadium Series - Philadelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (February 17, 2024) NHL Stadium Series - New York Islanders vs NY Rangers at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (February 18, 2024) Rutgers vs Virginia Tech football game at SHI Rutgers Stadium (September 16, 2023) Big East men’s basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden (March 16, 2024)

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Northwestern Medicine Field 1 Cougar Trail Geneva, IL 60134 Kane County Cougars website Northwestern Medicine Field website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 7,400 KC Cougars are All the Range The Kane County Cougars have been playing baseball in the far west suburbs of Chicago since 1991 at what is now called Northwestern Medicine Field. Planning to bring a team to the area began in 1985 with county board members funding and building it for the 1988 season; however, it wouldn’t be until June 1990 when it was agreed by the league to relocate the Wausau Timbers to Geneva, Illinois, for the following season. The ballpark opened as Kane County Events Park before being renamed Philip E. Elfstrom Stadium in 1993 for the man influential in bringing baseball to Geneva, Illinois. It underwent a $10.5 million renovation project that added second-level seating, covered concourse, and skybox suites in 2008. In 2020, digital menu boards, new inflatables in the KidZone, and a brand-new bar area for the upper-level suites were added. The Cougars were once affiliated members of the Midwest League but were dumped by Major League Baseball after the 2020 season. The ball club would join the MLB Partner League American Association and has not looked back since becoming an independent team. The crowd, atmosphere, operations, and attendance have been relatively unchanged since the seismic shift in the minor leagues. The Cougars franchise has been traced back to 1888 to Decatur, Illinois, in the Central Interstate League. The franchise played two seasons before assuming operations again in 1900 as the Decatur Commodores. The Commies would remain in town, with a few years off here and there, until 1974 when they relocated to Wausa, Wisconsin. In 1991, baseball arrived in Geneva and has remained here ever since. Food & Beverage 4 There are 17 concession and beer stands at the stadium, with all but one of them, located on the main grandstand. There are three main food points called Cougar Concessions that are located behind the grandstand and down the first and third baseline. This is where you will find the typical food that most customers would expect at a game. Hot dogs, brats, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, and plant-based burgers are available for purchase. There are also mini-corn dogs and chicken tenders baskets with fries for purchase. Then there is The Bun Dinger, an Angus hot dog that is covered with chunks of bacon, bacon jam, and vanilla icing on a Long John doughnut. The first base side of the grandstand features Ream’s Sausage Cart with bacon cheddar Polish, beer brats, and cheese curd brats for sale. The food truck patio has two food carts: Sammy’s Mexican Grill and Tamales+. Customers can enjoy tamales, Cuban quesadillas, street tacos, burrito bowls, and lizzo dip. The Atomic Pig Pen sells a giant barbecue sauce-soaked pork chop sandwich and a walking taco sauraus at their kiosk. Charlie Fox’s Pizza offers cheese, sausage, and pepperoni pizzas by the slice Down the third baseline, the concessions available include  Whiskey Acres where bourbon slushies, spiked lemonade, cocktails, and old-fashions. The Creamery sells soft-serve ice cream, root beer floats, doughnuts, and Sno Cones. Also, on the third base line is the Pride Craft Cave which allows fans to walk in a restaurant-style cooler and select from over 100 local beers, ciders, and hard seltzers. A few of the breweries include 93 Octane, Brother’s Chimp, Half Acre, Noon Whistle, and Go Brewing. On a hot, muggy day, it is the perfect place to cool off. Atmosphere 4 Northwestern Medicine Field is an older minor league ballpark with a main concourse that does not wrap around the ball field. However, the atmosphere is festive with food trucks, lawn seating down both foul lines, a KidZone behind right field, and three wooden party decks for large groups. Plus, plenty of food and beverages to keep fans of all ages satisfied. The seating bowl may not look filled, but plenty of fans take seats on the Ollie Cheap Seats on the lawn or behind the outfield wall in the KidZone, a massive kids play area that includes inflatable rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a snack shack. For anyone in this area, the game comes second to the other events in this area of the stadium. A place for reflection down the first base grass lawn areas seats, Photo by Marc Viquez The stadium offers a rock garden and floral display that incorporates a waterfall down the third baseline grass berm area. It provides an attractive piece to the ballpark and adds to the greenery that also includes trees down the first baseline. Fans are allowed to bring lawn chairs to watch the game from this area. There are 2-3 food carts down the first baseline that feature Mexican cuisine, this area is also decorated with trees, a mist machine, and a wooden mile marker of all the teams in the league. Behind the backstop of the grandstand are two life-sized bobbleheads of the team’s mascots Ozzie and Annie, along with the club’s official team shop that has an abundance of merchandise and trinkets.  Neighborhood 3 The stadium is in Geneva on North Kirk Road and north of the Fox Valley Ice Arena and is home to the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. The ballpark is easily accessible by car from the I-88 exit where the Chicago Premium Outlets are located. However, there is not anything within walking distance from the stadium which is located around 30 miles from Chicago. Downtown St. Charles is less than 4 miles from the stadium and a destination before or after the game. The scenic downtown is located along the Fox River and features dining and drinking destinations, museums, breweries, and live music. A majority of the restaurants including The Office, Filling Station, and Evergreen offer patio seating during the summer months. Visitors can also enjoy ice cream from Kilmer’s, Kilwins, and Forever Yogurt. There is plenty of hiking, boating, and biking along various trails. Visitors can also enjoy a riverboat ride down the river. After that, cool off at one of the city’s six breweries: 93 Octane, Riverlands, D&G, Pollyanna, Broken Brix Winery & Cidery, and Alter Brewing. Fans 4 The Cougar fanbase has been supportive of the club since it moved from an affiliate league to an independent league in 2021. They have led all of the MLB Partner Leagues the past two seasons with well over 5,000 fans a game. This season the team is on pace for another leaderboard on the attendance side.  Access 3 The ballpark was built in 1991 and a 1987 template, which means that the concourse is narrow behind the backstop and with crowds ranging in the 5,000, can get a little cumbersome. However, the stadium also opens up down the first base and right field foul line to allow fans a lot more space that includes the lawn seats and KidZone and there are three main points of entry and exits into the stadium. For weekend games and promotional nights, arrive a little early. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket can cost as low as $5 for the Ollie’s Cheap Seats in the lawn down each baseline, but they will have to purchase one week in advance to secure this price; otherwise, they are $10 any time after that. Reserved seats are $15 ($17 on game day) and box seats are $17 ($19 on game day).  Box seats feature individual seating, while reserved seating is metal bleachers. General parking is $10 and preferred parking is $15 when purchased in advance, otherwise, it is $20 per vehicle. This is a high price for a minor league game in the suburbs and by far the highest of any Chicagoland minor league ballparks (the next highest is $3 for the Chicago Dogs at Impact Field in Rosemont). This is by means not the fault of the Cougars as it has been a highly publicized dispute between the team and the municipality.   The Cougars offer daily promotions that include $2 hot dogs, beer, and pop on Thursdays, burgers and draft beers are $5 on Fridays, and Sunday's afternoon games from June to August give fans $15 in concessions cash when purchasing a box or reserve seat for the same price. Extras 4 The Cougars earn a point for the massive KidZone that includes various rides, a snack shack, and a petting zoo. It is among the biggest I have seen at any level of affiliate or non-affiliate baseball in the country. The second point is for the Pride Craft Cave which allows fans to walk in a restaurant-style cooler and select from over 100 local beers, ciders, and hard seltzers. On a hot, muggy day, it is the perfect place to cool off. The Pride Craft Cave offers over 100 varieties of local beers and alcoholic beverages from around the area The Cougars earn a third point for the $5 tickets for the lawn seats in advance. For local fans, an ideal way to to enjoy an inexpensive night at the ballpark and to offset the price of parking. The fourth point is for the team’s website which is highly detailed on everything you need to know about attending games from ticket prices, weekly promos, parking information, and everything else you need to know about Northwestern Medicine Field. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter   and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Stefano Romagnoli, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mapei Stadium Città del Tricolore Piazzale Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, 1 Reggio Emilia, RE 42122 Italy U.S. Sassuolo Calcio website Mapei Stadium Città del Tricolore website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 21,584 Many Colors of Mapei Stadium Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore was the first Italian facility owned by a football team. It was built in about eight months, between August 1994 and April 1995, thanks to the commitment of Associazione Calcio Reggiana, a group of companies and banks that purchased hospitality packages, and the fans of the team of Reggio Emilia who signed multi-year subscriptions. The first football match hosted at the facility was Reggiana vs. Juventus (1-2) on the 27th match day of the 1994/1995 Serie A season. Sixteen years later, in September 2011, Juventus Football Club was the second football club in Italy to own its stadium. On July, 13 2005 the Associazione Calcio Reggiana was declared bankrupt by the court of Reggio Emilia and the system was entrusted to a bankruptcy trustee. On March 11, 2012 on the occasion of the derby Reggiana vs. Carpi for the Lega Pro, the third level of Italian football, the stadium was renamed Stadio di Reggio Emilia Città del Tricolore. The name was chosen by the city of Reggio Emilia and by the Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919. Since December 5, 2013 the facility has been owned by Mapei, a company working in the production of chemical materials for construction and commercial sponsor of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio, which changed its name to the current Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore. The stadium hosts home games of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio, and of Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919. The Carpi Football Club 1909 played the 2011/2012 season at Reggio Emilia because its stadium, the Sandro Cabassi, was being renovated. On November, 15 1995, the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore hosted Italy vs. Lithuania 4-0, a qualifying match for the UEFA EURO 1996. Food & Beverage 4 Around the stadium there are many food peddlers. A piadina (flatbread sandwich) with ham and mozzarella and a bottle of mineral water cost just 5 euros. Close to the stadium there is a shopping center where there is a Mexican restaurant, a Neapolitan pizzeria, a restaurant with traditional dishes from Emilia and much more. Also there are the dining options inside the stadium. In short, there are alternatives in menu and prices. Atmosphere 4 The stadium, which is reminiscent of British stadiums, is divided into seven different areas. Tribuna Autorità (474 seats), 32 Palchi (256 seats), Tribuna Stampa (108 seats), Tribuna (5,800 seats) and Distinti area (5,946 seats) are all under cover and occupy the two long sides of the football field. Visibility is excellent from any seat. Large openings allow easy entry/exit from the various sections. There are no barriers to separate the spectators from the playing field, but only the balustrades. Gradinata Sud (5,000 seats for local fans) and Gradinata Nord (4,000 seats for visiting supporters) are uncovered and separated from the two tribunes. They also have some concrete steps without plastic seats. There is a giant screen in the corner between the Gradinata Nord and the Distinti area. On either side of the main grandstand there are coats of arms of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio and of Associazione Calcio Reggiana 1919. Neighborhood 3 The facility is built on the northern outskirts of the city of Reggio Emilia. In the area there is a shopping center with many shops, restaurants, and cinemas. Also behind the main grandstand is a water park with swimming pools. Fans 3 Fans of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio are recognizable because they wear shirts and scarves with the colors of their team: black and green. They follow home matches of Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio from Gradinata Sud. They have an intense rivalry with the supporters of Carpi, Modena and Empoli, and have friendly relations with the fans of ChievoVerona. Access 4 Reaching Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore is really simple. The facility is located about three kilometers from the Reggio Emilia exit of the A1 and from the Railway Station of Reggio Emilia, while just over one kilometer separates the Mapei Stadium from the train station. A high speed train station is only about three kilometers from Mapei Stadium. There are about a dozen parking areas available for fans who choose to drive. Return on Investment 4 During the 2014/2015 season the Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio had more than 7,000 season ticket holders for home matches. Tickets for most Serie A matches cost up to 110 euro for the Tribuna (upper central zone) to a minimum of 28 euro for Gradinata Sud (local fans) and Gradinata Nord (visiting supporters). The team applies ticket discounts for women, fans over 65 years of age, and for fans under 25 years. Extras 2 Emilia is one of the best cities in Italy with regard to food and wine. In Sassuolo in particular you should try Sassolino, an anise liqueur, and Sassolina, a pork sausage. If you go to Reggio Emilia to see Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio play, then be sure to taste the Parmigiano Reggiano DOP (cheese) and tigelle, a bread typical of this part of Italy. Sassuolo and Reggio Emilia are close to Maranello, the town which is the headquarters of Ferrari. In nearby Modena there is also a museum of the house of the great tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Photos by Gregory Koch Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Xfinity Center Pavilion 2001 Paint Branch Dr College Park, MD 20740 Maryland Terrapins website Xfinity Center Pavilion website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 1,500 Fear The Turtle Most people know the Xfinity Center for being the home of Maryland Terrapins basketball. However, there is another part of the Xfinity Center many people either don't know about or only know from glancing at the entrance on their way into a basketball game. The Xfinity Center Pavilion is a smaller arena within the Xfinity Center proper, located off the ground floor lobby. Seating 1,500 fans, a small fraction of what the main arena sits, the Pavilion is home to Terrapins volleyball and wrestling. This review will focus on the former. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession at the Xfinity Center Pavilion, located right by the entrance. The concession stands in the Xfinity Center proper that is open for basketball are not accessible from the Pavilion, so this is your only option. The menu is quite limited here, with hot dogs and nachos being the only main course options, although the menu board claims popcorn and soft pretzels are also entrees. Regardless of this dubious claim, other options include peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and chips. To drink, fans can get fountain soda, bottled water, or Gatorade. Prices are reasonable with nothing being more than $6. Atmosphere 5 As mentioned above, the Xfinity Center Pavilion is located off the ground floor lobby of the Xfinity Center proper. If you have entered through the lower level doors for a Terrapins basketball game, you have probably walked by the entrance at some point on your way upstairs. That same lobby is full of Terrapins merchandise and murals, although little of it is dedicated to the volleyball team. Once you get inside the Pavilion, there are bleachers on each side of the court as well as a smaller set along one of the baselines that is used by the band. That band plays music during breaks in the action such as between sets. Although they are not permitted to play their instruments during the game action, they instead get involved in other ways. While a visiting player is preparing to serve, the band will attempt to be as loud as possible, either by shouting or by chanting "Bounce!" every time the player bounces the ball. Although they are quiet while a Terrapins player is preparing to serve, they will shout "Woosh! Let's go Terps!" after the ball is put in play. The Terrapins Cheerleaders also show up and will perform on the court in between sets. Other in-game promotions include a t-shirt toss. The Terrapins put a lot of effort into the matchday experience and it shows. The Pavilion has very low ceilings compared to most arenas, which can prove a problem as balls struck it multiple times during the game we were at. However, this helps trap the noise from the band and the crowd inside and creates an incredibly loud atmosphere. The noise from the crowd is so loud it often drowns out the PA system and makes the announcements either difficult or impossible to hear. While this is a good problem to have, it can get somewhat annoying at times. Neighborhood 3 College Park is a small college town with enough in the immediate area to get by but is nothing special. There is a bowling alley a couple of miles away, and a bunch of chain restaurants within walking distance. If you’re looking for some local color, College Park Diner is a favorite with residents and students alike and serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. Looney’s Pub on Route 1 is a sports bar with dozens of big-screen TVs for your viewing pleasure. A couple of hotels are located nearby, including a Marriott just off campus, and The Hotel on campus. (Yes, the on-campus hotel is called The Hotel. Not a very creative name). That being said, if you’re looking to do more than eat and sleep, your best bet is to head down to the Metro station and take the Green Line into D.C. It’s about a 30-minute ride to downtown. Once you’re there, there’s so much to do and most of it is free. Whether it’s visiting one of the historic monuments and memorials, visiting one of the numerous museums, or simply walking outside on the National Mall, there’s something for everyone. All government-run attractions are free to the public, though some privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to reserve that ahead of time. Fans 4 Although the Xfinity Center Pavilion only seats 1,500 fans, the Terps routinely draw near, at, or even over capacity for volleyball games. The fans and the band are incredibly loud, with the low ceiling making it seem even louder. While they may not be the size of the crowds at some Big 10 rivals like Nebraska and Penn State, attendance has grown in recent years and the team may soon outgrow the Pavilion. The crowd includes everyone from longtime Terps fans to children checking out their first game. At every set point for the Terps, the crowd rises to its feet and claps their hands to urge the Terps to finish the job and take the set. Access 3 The University of Maryland campus is located just a few miles off of I-495 (Capital Beltway) and Maryland Route 295 (Baltimore-Washington Parkway). However, given this is one of the most congested traffic areas in the country, there is a good chance you will sit in traffic getting to the arena. Give yourself extra time, especially if coming to a weeknight game at rush hour, and use Waze or another GPS app to take the optimal route around traffic. Fans can also take Metro's Green Line to the College Park-UMD station, which is about three-quarters of a mile away. Once on campus, there is ample parking in lots surrounding the arena, including lots 9b and 4b on either side. You will enter through the doors on the lower level rather than walk up the steps to the larger entrance on the upper level like some people do for basketball. There is one set of restrooms in the Pavilion by the entrance, which can get crowded at times, especially between sets. The other restrooms in the main portion of the Xfinity Center are not accessible during volleyball games. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for adults are between $10 and $15 depending on the opponent. Parking is free and concessions are affordable if limited. Considering the excellent atmosphere here, a Terps volleyball game is of great value. Extras 3 One star for all the murals and displays dedicated to Terrapins athletics in the lobby and in the Pavilion itself. Look for the marketing table by the entrance with giveaways and free roster cards. A third and final star for the banners in the Pavilion dedicated to Terp's volleyball accomplishments such as tournament appearances. Final Thoughts College volleyball is rapidly growing in interest, and the Maryland Terrapins are no exception. While most only know of the Xfinity Center Pavilion from walking by the entrance on the way into a basketball game, a Terps volleyball game here is well worth checking out. The Pavilion is full of raucous energy during games, and the matchday experience is top-notch.

Photo Created by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey A familiar baseball team will return to the Independence Baseball League this season. The former Gem City Bison will return as the Bison Baseball Club after a one-year hiatus. The Oahe Zap will operate the new version and serve as a travel team, playing 19 games and not competing for the playoffs. It is a welcome surprise for the Bison, who appeared to have made a splash when debuting in the IBL in 2022 in Laramie, Wyoming. The ballclub operated out of the University of Wyoming Cowboy Field , changed ownership groups after the season before announcing that they would take a break last February. Bison and Zap GM Lizzy Kocer said that the return of the Bison name had been in the works for quite some time and that the club will be operating via all social media accounts and have an official website. “The Bison has a name that stands out. Their marketing and logo design is high-end and top-of-the-line. Many people love the name and branding of the Bison ball club and we don’t want to make any changes but promote the team at our ballpark.” The league will begin the season on May 23, while the Bison won’t start until July 4. Their season will consist of only 19 games, and won't be eligible for the playoffs. The formation of the Bison will secure more home dates for the Zap and the other clubs in the loop. Fans should expect to see Bison gear sold at the stadium, a concession shop online, and two sets of uniforms for the team this season. The objective is to expose the Bison in the community from social media posts to the Pierre 4th of July parade.  The two clubs will play each other five times this season. Kocer added that the plan is to find the Bison a permanent ballpark and city for the 2025 season; there will be an emphasis on eastern South Dakota. Zap ownership will operate the club and is looking for an ownership group that fits its business model. “We will be happy for them to have a city of their own one day and hope to copy and mirror the organizational feel we have in Pierre. The future owners will have to have the same amount of care and make sure their town has the same amount of love for summer collegiate baseball.” Stadium Journey visited a Bison game when it was based in Gem City (Laramie) in 2022 and gave it a 2.71 FANFARE Score. The score was a result of a few factors: concession prices, neighborhood, pricing, and atmosphere.   “The combination of a ballpark that has no modern amenities and a team competing in a new, amateur wood bat league would not produce a good atmosphere. However, credit the Bison front office and a small but enthusiastic fan base for creating a fun game day experience.” This year, the Bison won’t have to worry about the stadium experience as they will be one of three travel teams that include the Nebraska Prospects and another former IBL club, Plainsmen Baseball (formerly the North Platte Plainsmen). Besides the Zap, the 8-team loop will see the Hastings Sodbusters, Spearfish Sasquatch, Fremont Moo, and Casper Spuds return from last season.  The return of the Bison is a great story in the world of summer collegiate baseball. We all know what happens when a team takes a hiatus, most don’t come back. The team’s season will be short and sweet in 2024, but if things work out as planned the club will be in the right place for the 2025 season. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter , Instagram , and his YouTube channel .  Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Sean Rowland, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 PK Park 2760 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Eugene, OR 97401 Eugene Emeralds website PK Park website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 4,000 A New Chapter in Ems Baseball The city of Eugene may be best recognized for two things: The University of Oregon and a storied track and field history. Little known outside of the Pacific Northwest is the lone professional franchise in the city, the Eugene Emeralds. Dating back to 1955, the Ems have had a storied history, much of it spent in the single-A Northwest League. A true relic in the ballpark world, Eugene played in Civic Stadium, a WPA facility that was configured for baseball only in the late 1960s. Since then, the venerable wooden ballpark would be home to summer baseball in the Emerald City, and the rare structure was admired by old-timers and ballpark enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the place started deteriorating quickly, and the Ems made a controversial decision. With the University of Oregon restarting their baseball program at a new on-campus facility, Eugene sadly moved away from its long time home after the 2009 season. Civic Stadium still stands (barely) and a grass-roots campaign, Friends of Civic Stadium, is trying to keep the place alive. In the meantime, the Emeralds are looking for their first league title since 1980, as they have now spent the last several years across town in PK Park. While the Ems are clearly a second tenant with the stadium’s focus and visuals centered on the Ducks, it is still a beautiful park in which to watch baseball. Food & Beverage 4 While there is only one main concession stand at PK, there are several side carts with decent options and a somewhat hidden spot featuring many choices. Down at field level near the picnic area known as “Levi’s Landing,” the nearby stand is open to all fans and not just reserved for those at the landing. The lines are much shorter and the offerings are the same, with a few bonus items like a grilled BBQ chicken sandwich ($7.75) or an avocado turkey burger ($8.00). Playing up the Sasquatch theme, a few Jack Link’s jerky choices are available, too. For the best value on these generally high food prices, head to the Ems Shack, where $8 is enough for a meal, as both the Thai ginger chicken wrap and the Southwestern wrap are very good (they are available in a bowl, too). As for beer, you are in Oregon, where it is nearly a crime not to drink a local craft brew. Eugene has an abundance of great breweries to try, as draft products from OakShire, Ninkasi and GoodLife are all on tap. Despite being in the confines of a single-A ballpark, be sure to have lots of cash on hand, with a small craft beer costing $7 and the large premium running $9. Atmosphere 4 At PK Park, it is blatantly obvious who this ballpark caters to: the University of Oregon. Logos and wordmarks from the well-funded university are splashed all over the stadium, and while aesthetically it looks good, the Emeralds have been relegated to a second tenant. A few touches try to change that (like the Sasquatch peering from outside the women’s bathroom), but in the end, there is a real shadow from Autzen Stadium in the distance. With that being said, PK Park is a really nice baseball stadium and a great place to watch the Emeralds. Instead of spreading out the seating bowl, all of the forest green chairbacks are located between the bases in a steeply pitched set-up that features excellent sightlines. Adding to the ambiance is a nice looking wooden roof that covers most of the seats. While the Emeralds play baseball in the dry season, there are still some nights this roof comes in handy. The outfield does not have much of a visual; however, the scoreboard sits on a pair of snazzy lightpoles that are incorporated into the design. For games starting in the early evening, it is hard to see the numbers on those boards, as the setting sun shines directly upon them. The baseball atmosphere in the park is decent with the frequent (almost too frequent) playing of an old-school organ. The highlight of attending an Emeralds game is their hilarious green mascot, Sluggo. For the good mascots, they are able to entertain the young ones during the game. Sluggo, does well to entertain everybody, and I found myself laughing several times at his antics. Just search YouTube for some of his best work, but the move of the night for me was seeing him throw water balloons into the visiting team’s dugout. Neighborhood 3 Oregon’s second largest city is located in the southern end of the Willamette Valley. Similar to the rest of the state, Eugene is full of people who love the outdoors, and opportunities are plentiful with many biking paths, along with spots to run, hike, raft or climb. The Emerald City is also very green and environmentally-conscious. Walking around town, you are sure to see some interesting people, as this is a quirky and eccentric place to visit. With the nearby University, the center of Eugene has a large college town feel, and there are several places to enjoy a drink or bite to eat. On the other side of the Willamette River, PK Park can be found in a separate university athletic complex. In the Barlow neighborhood, this section consists of Autzen Stadium, Pape Field and pavement, lots and lots of pavement. Parking lots for the football stadium make up much of the area, and this leaves PK Park a little soul-less in terms of the neighborhood. With downtown a few miles away, this side of the river contains Alton Baker Park, which includes a children’s museum. For food, check out the O Bar and Grill. Fans 3 Similar to other Northwest League teams, the Emeralds only average a few thousand fans, and on the night I attended, about half of the park was full. Ducks apparel outnumbers those wearing hats or shirts with the Emeralds logo on them. Despite what seems like a generic approach to the Ems, the crowd is quite lively and they are into the game. Along with good support, little things like clapping at the result of a helpful second strike gives the perception that these fans care about their players and the game. Access 3 I-5 is the north-south highway that connects the major cities in Western Oregon, and this interstate leads right into Eugene. While getting to the ballpark from downtown is simple, it is a little awkward coming from the north, as drivers have to backtrack a bit after getting on I-105. The best directions are to just follow the well laid-out signs and arrows for Autzen Stadium, and that will lead you right to PK Park. Because of the football stadium, parking is abundant, but I was surprised at how far the actual lots are from the ballpark. I did not expect having to walk 5-10 minutes for a stadium with so much parking. Instead, the new soccer stadium gets the luxury of being next to the main lot. Another gripe is driving through the uneven and bumpy gravel lot. Inside, concourses are open and wide, with plenty of room to walk around. Though there is just one set of bathrooms, the space is quite large. In fact, women often comment how incredibly large the bathroom is. Just watch out for that Sasquatch! Return on Investment 4 Prices for the most part are reasonable for this level of baseball and the location. Most tickets cost $10, while the parking is a $3 charge. The exception is the aforementioned concession prices, which are surprisingly high, and I didn’t appreciate the little charges (like $1 for a cheese cup or $3 for a pickle). Otherwise, there is certainly value to an Emeralds game, and a visit to PK Park is well worth it. Extras 1 A few years ago, the Emeralds brought on the excellent design company Brandiose to re-brand the team. What followed was a terrific new logo and scheme that focused on Eugene’s eccentricities, along with their nature as an outdoor city. The green coloring and Sasquatch-based logo really spoke to the Emeralds and the team has run with this change, continuing to execute great ideas and promotions. This is not necessarily worth a bonus point, but it should be noted that PK Park has FieldTurf. While, the surface is important for a rough climate like in the Pacific Northwest, it just seems strange to watch players slide on fake grass and fake dirt. Final Thoughts While the most authentic experience at PK Park may be an Oregon Ducks baseball game, the Eugene Emeralds have done their best to set up shop at their relatively new home. With one of the best mascots in baseball and a terrific modern field, the Ems continue to produce a good experience for fans during the summer.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Spitz Stadium 2601 Parkside Dr S Lethbridge, AB T1J 4W3 Lethbridge Bulls website Spitz Stadium website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 3,000 The Lethbridge Bulls at Spitz Stadium Henderson Stadium opened its doors in 1924 in Lethbridge, Alberta, and has been the home of baseball in the small city ever since. A bricks-and-mortar grandstand was opened in 1975, just in time for the professional ball to come to town; the Lethbridge Expos of the Rookie-level Pioneer League played two seasons at Henderson Stadium before changing affiliation and becoming part of the Dodgers organization, an association they would maintain until 1983. Pro baseball would be absent from the Lethbridge landscape until 1992 when the Mounties, Pioneer League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, arrived. They changed their name to the Black Diamonds in 1996 and they played at Henderson Stadium until 1998. Replacing the Black Diamonds in 1999 was the Bulls, playing in the Western Major Baseball League. The WMBL is a summer collegiate league that has been likened to A-class baseball in terms of overall talent level. The Bulls have enjoyed a good deal of success, including four Western Division titles and a league championship in 2015. But they were also linked to tragedy in 2011 when Tanner Craswell and Mitch MacLean, two Bulls players, were murdered in a mass shooting. So, the Bulls have been through both great highs and great lows as an organization. Spitz, a local sunflower seed manufacturer, began a long-term sponsorship of the diamond in 2008, changing the name to Spitz Stadium. Since then several improvements have been made to the stadium, making the fan experience that much better. The most recent round of renovations began in the fall of 2016, with $2.9 million invested in upgrading the ticket office, the washrooms, moving the bullpens outside of the outfield walls, and a major refit of the grandstand itself, which was done between the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The new-look park is fresh and inviting, looking every bit like a 21st Century diamond. And the more open, airy feel just feels safer in this post-pandemic world. Food & Beverage 3 There are four concession stands around Spitz Stadium: the main stand in the lower southwest corner of the grandstand (which also doubles as the pro shop), a stand in the upper concourse, with the entrance just to the third base side, a small booth behind the third base bleachers, and a booth beyond the first base bleachers. Choices are fairly basic, including pop, peanuts, chips, candy bars, and, surprise, surprise, Spitz-brand sunflower seeds. There’s also an interesting selection of poutine available, from the basic (French fries, cheese curds, and gravy) to the fancy (barbecue chicken or taco)—this is a tasty option, and not outrageously priced, at $7.50. All four locations also have some alcoholic choices, including beer as well as harder stuff. There is also occasionally a specialty tent set up with some special treats. For example, local brewery Theoretically Brewing was serving their beer at the July 1 game. Atmosphere 3 It’s a relaxed atmosphere at Spitz Stadium, with the crowds seemingly out to enjoy a nice summer evening as much as the game, but there’s nothing wrong with that. This seems to be the crowd feel at all the WMBL parks. In case you haven’t heard, do be aware that Lethbridge has a reputation for wind. Lots and lots of wind. If the temperature is chilly, that wind will cut right through you if you’re out in the bleachers or the patios. You’ll be much warmer and more sheltered if you go for the grandstand seating. On the other hand, summer heat also tends to take the winds away, so hot days are generally just hot. The grandstand was renovated before the start of the 2018 season. A brand new concourse was built at the top of the grandstand, accessible by stairs on either end of the structure and an elevator on the west side. Additional washrooms have been added to the new concourse, as well as a concession, a patio area, and an open-air club suite. The concourse tunnel at ground level in the old structure has been taken apart, leaving an outdoor path around the exterior perimeter of the grandstand. The look overall is much more open and inviting, improving on what was already a nice experience. Some well-done landscaping and hardscaping around the left-field patio add a nice touch to the appearance of the stadium, making the fan experience that much more pleasant. Neighbourhood 3 Spitz Stadium is located a half block off Mayor Magrath Dr., one of the main arteries in Lethbridge, on the north end of Henderson Park, a huge green space that features a lake, a public swimming pool, Japanese gardens, and an 18-hole golf course. While there aren't a ton of dining options in the immediate vicinity, Henderson Park is lovely and you're only a 5-10 minute drive to just about everything in the city. Across Mayor Magrath Drive, kitty-corner to the diamond, you’ll find the Superlodge Hotel, which has one of the top-rated pizza places in the city right up front. Pizza King & Donair can whip you up a great pizza or, if you’re in the mood for something else, a donair, or shawarma. Only a couple blocks north, and across Mayor Magrath, you’ll find the Firestone Restaurant in the Coast Lethbridge Hotel. The Firestone is one of the more popular locations in town and can give you something a little more upscale than your typical sit-down franchise-type restaurant. Another block north of the Coast Hotel is the Sandman Inn, which features a Denny’s and an in-house lounge. Another two blocks north of the Sandman is the distinctive water tower which has been converted into a restaurant. The Water Tower Grill & Bar serves premium steak as well as a ton of other options that use locally sourced ingredients as a key focus of their menu. Heading south on Mayor Magrath you’re only a few minutes from just about every franchise restaurant in the free world, whether it’s McDonalds, Taco Bell, Boston Pizza, or Swiss Chalet. Fans 4 Some might prefer audiences to be a little more demonstrative but, while the crowd tends to be fairly sedate, they still cheer at all the right times, indicating that they are engaged and paying attention. The Bulls have some of the more dedicated fans in the league, drawing a little better than 1,000 per game in 2015, 2016, and 2018 (top three for per-game attendance in the league), and that’s pretty nice to see at this level of ball. Seats in the main stands are mostly occupied, with things thinning out as you get out to the bleachers, so it still feels fairly full most nights. The Canada Day game historically has the best attendance of the year, in part due to the city’s annual Canada Day fireworks display taking place right after the game at Henderson Lake, a two-minute walk away from the diamond, so if you’re looking to see what a sellout in this park is like, July 1 is the right day. Access 5 Access to Spitz Stadium is easy from all parts of Lethbridge. Mayor Magrath Dr. runs north-south and will quickly deliver you to either end of the city. Only a few blocks north you'll get onto the Crowfoot Highway (Highway 3) which can quickly move you east-west across town. Either way, you can easily get around Lethbridge in minutes. Parking at the diamond is plentiful enough for a typical crowd and it is free. Just be forewarned: the spots nearest the grandstand are very vulnerable to foul balls, so park there at your own risk. There is more parking around the Henderson Park grounds and in surrounding neighbourhoods so you should be able to find a spot to drop off your car with relative ease. Lethbridge Transit also runs buses up and down Mayor Magrath regularly so that's an option. Inside the diamond, it’s pretty easy to get around. Walking paths are wide enough to accommodate the number of spectators without any serious bottlenecks. The addition of the new upper concourse frees up space at the bottom of the grandstand, making it even more roomy. Return on Investment 4 Game day bleacher tickets are only $15 each; spots in the grandstand range from $18 to $25, depending on your location. If you purchase your tickets 24 hours in advance, that price drops to $12 for the bleachers and $15-$25 for the grandstand. You can get one of the Club Suites for $280-$450, seating 12-20 people. As a result, it won’t break the bank to attend a Bulls game, no matter where you sit. That’s very good value for your money. Extras 3 The recent stadium improvements have improved the fan experience. A new scoreboard with a big video screen offers replays and live action. Trees have also been added beyond the outfield fence to beautify the park. In Centerfield, a memorial depicting the names and jersey numbers of Tanner Craswell and Mitch MacLean, the two fallen players, is mounted on the wall. Souvenirs can be found at ground level in the west wall grandstand, right next to the concession. T-Bone, the Bulls mascot, makes his way around the stands during the game to entertain the kids and help with various giveaways and promotions. Final Thoughts There’s nothing like going to see a ballgame on a warm summer evening. The Lethbridge Bulls provide a nice opportunity to get out and enjoy quality ball at a great price. Spitz Stadium doesn’t necessarily have all the bells and whistles that a Major League park might provide, but it gives the fans a fun, almost old-school experience while still giving the audience many of the modern upgrades a 21st Century fan is looking for.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field 600 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15282 Duquesne Dukes website Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 2,000 The Dukes' Domain High above a bluff overlooking the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh sits one of the most unusual football venues in college football. Rooney Field sits in the middle of the Duquesne University campus, with college buildings on three sides of the field and a grandstand atop the bluff along the fourth side of the gridiron. The field is named for Art Rooney, the longtime owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rooney played on the 1920 Dukes team and was a longtime supporter of the school. Rooney Field opened in 1993 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary during the 2023 football season. The venue has a capacity of only 2,000 fans, making it the smallest venue by capacity in the FCS. Rooney Field also hosts the Dukes’ soccer and lacrosse programs. The Dukes have fielded a football program on and off since 1894. The team played for many years (1994-2007) in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, where they were a powerhouse. During these years the Dukes had a record of 75-9-0, won eleven championships, and had a 39-game winning streak. They now play in the Northeastern Conference in the FCS, where they have won five conference championships. (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018). The Dukes have sent 44 players on to play in the NFL. Food & Beverage 2 The concessions program at Rooney Field is very small, as there is a single stand located inside the stadium. Its menu is very limited, with hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, chips, and candy and Pepsi brand sodas being the only items available. The lines outside of the concession stand get very long during breaks in the action. We urge you to plan to eat a big meal before or after a Dukes game. Atmosphere 4 The games at Duquesne harken back to a simpler time in college football. The field is in the middle of the campus, with a very simple structure consisting of a few rows of seating on one side of the field, and a grandstand and a simple press box on the bluff side of the field. There is one concession stand and a lone set of restrooms at the venue. There is a simple pep band playing tunes during the contest, rather than a large marching band. The team colors of red and blue represent the Congregation of the Holy Ghost, which established Duquesne University. The only evidence of a more modern facility is the FieldTurf artificial turf on the field itself. The setting of Rooney Field sets it apart. On three sides of the field, the stadium is surrounded by academic buildings dedicated to educating tomorrow’s leaders. Three sides of the field are bordered by the academic buildings of Duquesne University, including the Academic Walk, the Mellon Hall of Science, and the Tavers Living and Learning Center. The fourth side of the field features a picture postcard view of Pittsburgh from atop a high bluff. The view includes both the Monongahela River, the towers of downtown Pittsburgh, as well as the Southside neighborhoods of the Steel City. Rooney Field is one of the few college football stadiums in the country to run in an east/west direction. This was the only way the field would fit within the tight confines of the campus buildings. Neighborhood 4 Rooney Field’s immediate neighbor is the Duquesne University campus. Its broader neighborhood is Downtown Pittsburgh. The city is no longer a city filled with steel mills. They have been replaced by the gleaming towers of some of America’s top corporations. It is also home to more than a dozen colleges and universities. Pittsburgh is also home to a very large cultural community, with theatres, museums, and public art installations throughout the city. The Strip District is also located near the campus. This is a very popular area filled with interesting shops, restaurants, and activities. The district is home to Aslin Beer Company and offers easy access to the walking trails along the Allegheny River. The Doubletree Hotel and Suites Pittsburgh Downtown is the closest hotel to Duquesne and is within walking distance of Rooney Field. PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL, is located adjacent to the Duquesne campus. In addition to hockey, it is a popular concert venue for students. Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes connect the campus to the many sports, entertainment, and dining options in the downtown Pittsburgh area. For detailed information, go to www.rideprt.org . Fans 2 The fan base at Dukes games is primarily made up of Duquesne alumni and current students at the university. The student section at Duquesne games is known as the Red and Blue Crew. The Red and Blue Crew coordinate their cheers with the Duquesne Pep Band. In 2021, Duquesne University made a major change in the cheer program for the Dukes. The former human with a top hat and a cane is gone. He has been transformed into a blue lion with a top hat and a cane. If you check his eyes closely you will see two diamond-shaped pupils. These diamonds mimic the Pittsburgh Steelers logo, a team Mr. Rooney owned for several decades. We know he would be touched by this subtle salute to his team. The new lion mascot is thought to be more child-friendly. Access 4 Getting to and from a Duquesne football game is very easy. Directions from I-279: Take exit 8A (I-579) off of I-279. Take the Veterans Memorial Bridge across the Allegheny River and exit at the 6th/7th Avenue exit. Follow the signs to Mellon Arena. At the traffic light facing Mellon Arena turn right onto Washington Place. Turn left at Forbes Avenue and continue to the Forbes Avenue Parking Deck. Signs in the parking deck will guide you to Rooney Field. From the South: Take the Liberty Tunnel and cross the Liberty Bridge in the right lane. Follow the bridge to light at Forbes Avenue. Turn right on Forbes Avenue and enter the Duquesne University campus. Turn into the Forbes Avenue Parking Deck. Return on Investment 4 Spending a fall afternoon at Rooney Field will not break the bank. Gameday parking in the Forbes Avenue parking deck is $10. There is a very limited supply of reserved seat tickets which are $18 if purchased in advance or $20 the day of the game. Most seats at Rooney Field are general admission seats and they sell for $12 in advance or $15 the day of the game. Extras 5 Rooney Field also serves as the home for both the soccer and lacrosse programs at Duquesne. Mr. Rooney’s Steelers teams used the Duquesne campus for their preseason training camps until 2000. Mr. Rooney played multiple positions for the Dukes, as was the custom in the early days of college football. He played quarterback and served as the team’s kicker. Duquesne University and the Dukes football moniker honor Marquis Duquesne, who built Fort Duquesne at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. He also brought the Catholic faith to this region of the country. Former Dukes coach Elmer Layden devised the hand signals now used by referees during his tenure at Duquesne. Final Thoughts Rooney Field is one of the most unique settings in the country for a college football game. Its’ perch on a high bluff overlooking the Monongahela River and Downtown Pittsburgh is breathtaking. Duquesne University is to be applauded for finding a way to keep the stadium as an on-campus venue.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Stamford Bridge Fulham Rd London, England SW6 1HS United Kingdom Chelsea FC website Stamford Bridge website Year Opened: 1877 Capacity: 41,623 Stamford Bridge – Home of the Blues Stamford Bridge is one of the most storied stadiums in London and the United Kingdom. While Chelsea FC’s recent success has added to the history of the venue, there were times in the 1970s and 1980s when few would have guessed that it would eventually be home to London’s first European champion club after Chelsea won the 2012 Champions League. The stadium itself was initially built in 1877, long before Chelsea FC came into existence. It was owned by the London Athletic Club, who used it almost exclusively for track and field meetings. In 1904, the deeds to the ground were bought by one Mr HA (Gus) Mears and his brother Mr JT Mears, who had the intention of using the 12.5 acres as a home for a football club. Initially, Stamford Bridge was offered to Fulham FC, but when they declined, Chelsea FC came into life and have been there ever since. The famous Shed (south) End of the stadium — where most of Chelsea’s hardcore fans go — was built in the 1930s and remained until it was knocked down and turned into an all-seater stand in 1994. There was further redevelopment in the 1960s and 1970s, and the East Stand that was built in 1973 stills survives as part of a thoroughly modern stadium. In the late 70s, there were grossly ambitious plans to turn the Bridge into a 50,000 all-seater arena, but the powers-that-be had bitten off more than they could chew, and their plans almost brought the club to its knees. In the 1980s, when both hooliganism was at its height and the “Chelsea Headhunters” firm was running amok at home and abroad, Stamford Bridge was almost adorned with electric wires at the top of the fences that penned in fans. An idea of their publicity-seeking chairman of the time, Ken Bates, it was quickly put down. The final stage of development came in the early 1990s when the Shed, West, and North stands, were pulled down and rebuilt to turn Stamford Bridge into a highly-luxurious stadium that features 5-star restaurants, hotels, and numerous entertainment facilities that is a world away from the Headhunter days when rival fans would try and get away as soon as possible, if they dared go down the Bridge at all; such was the probability of violence. With the Champions League in the trophy cabinet and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich’s millions furnishing the team with world stars, the plan is to go bigger yet. Sadly, not at their one and only home, which is penned in by nearby houses and businesses and thus means that the search for a larger site that can comfortably hold 60,000 or more is well underway. Food & Beverage 5 Not many stadiums around the world have a Michelin-starred restaurant, but that is exactly what Chelsea have. Marco, run by award winning British chef Marco Pierre White, doesn’t serve the traditional food of a pie and pint, nor does it cost what you would pay for such fare. A three-course pre-match meal with half a bottle of wine and water comes in at £70 ($113). In fact, anyone going to Stamford Bridge certainly should not be heading home without a full belly with the wide range of drinking and eating establishments near the stadium. In the ground, there is a good range of the traditional options of pies pasties, chips, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Pints of beer or (plastic) glasses of wine go for £4; soft drinks are about £2.50, and pies, hot dogs and burgers about £5 ($8). Chocolate and crisps come in about £2 as well. Still, the quality is good and just what’s needed on a cold January afternoon. Post-match there is a sports-bar, Frankies, on-site, but don’t expect much change back from £20 for a round of four drinks. Outside the ground, Fulham Road has endless dining options: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, steakhouse. You name it, it will probably be an option. The main pub around Fulham Broadway station is Brogans (turn right out of the station) which serves the usual range of beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks as well as traditional pub grub such as fish and chips and bangers and mash (sausages, mash potatoes, and onion gravy). A walk of 15 minutes or so turning left out of the stadium and the station takes you to another part of Fulham Road which is replete with bars, pubs, and restaurants. Two pubs to look out for are the Fulham Tup and The Goat in Boots. Atmosphere 4 Most rival fans will tell you that Chelsea is populated by glory-hunting newcomers who have been seduced by Chelsea’s run of success in the last 10-15 years. In fact, there remain a large proportion of the crowd who remember the bad old days of the late 1970s and 80s when the club nearly went bust. As such, they are more than ready to make their voices heard and maintain the spirit of the old Shed, which was once among the most revered terraces for producing an electric atmosphere in a British stadium. Of course, the success of the club in recent years has meant that there has been a lot of high-profile matches in which the prize of a championship or place in a final has been on the line. That, in itself, has upped the tension and featured both the team and fans playing off one another. The Shed End and North Stand are still the heart of the atmosphere and they are decked out in banners, most notably to captain John Terry and star midfielder Frank Lampard. Neighborhood 4 Chelsea is one of London’s and Europe’s most salubrious areas, something that is reflected in their matchday program where a local estate agent runs adverts for £2million ($3.5million) apartments within walking distance of the stadium. That said, if you’re passing through it is probably one of the most pleasant areas surrounding a sports stadium anywhere in the world. Fulham Road is certainly a charming retail and entertainment street, but walk a few blocks and you reach the Kings Road, which was at the heart of London in the swinging 60s and made famous by Michael Caine, among others. Prices in the various shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are more for those whose earnings match a Premiership footballer, so for mere mortals, window shopping and people watching are the most affordable options in that particular part of town. Fans 3 With success and the club’s location to the centre of London, there are certainly a number of day-trippers to the stadium taking in a match during their visit to London on a match day. Nonetheless, there are still vocal hardcore fans trying to keep the atmosphere lively. The chants aren’t the most original, with “Chelsea, Chelsea” and “Come on Chelsea” the most noticeable. Their PA system does blast out the club’s anthem “Blue Is The Colour” from time to time to keep things bubbly. In contrast to the past when a trip to the Bridge was considered one of the most likely to turn into violence, the majority of fans are friendly and happy to chat. Besides, such is the cost of watching a match (see below) that most fans are hell bent on extracting the most they can out of their 90 minutes. Access 4 Whatever you do, do not travel to Chelsea FC by car. The roads around the stadium quickly clog up, especially on a Saturday afternoon, and there is precious little parking available nearby; what there is doesn’t come cheap. By far, the best bet is the Tube. The nearest station is Fulham Broadway and a quarter-mile walk (or long clearance) away from Stamford Bridge. The stop is on the district line, which runs north, south, east, and west and is about a 15 minute ride to the heart of London’s West End. There are two buses that run past Stamford Bridge: the 211 and the 414 (check Transport for London for where and when they run). For those who fancy a James Bond-esque entrance for a midweek match, there is a water bus that runs along the Thames from central London and stops at Westminster Pier right next to the Houses of Parliament before heading west to Chelsea Pier; from there, it is a just over a mile. However, it only runs from Monday to Friday and stops at 6.20pm. Return on Investment 3 Tickets at Chelsea don’t come cheap. For a category AA home match against the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal, the cheapest ticket is £30, but as that is part of the family stand, the purchaser will need at least one child with him or her with that ticket costing about £20. Prices drop for category A and B matches, though nothing below £40 ($65) for an adult. Interestingly, tickets for the Champions League group stages are the cheapest on offer at £50. Once you’re into the knockout stages, though, prices go through the roof. Of course, Chelsea’s status as one of the Premier League and Europe’s top sides means you are always likely to be entertained and see some goals; the stadium is comfortable, modern, and clean; and programs are reasonably priced at £3. Even so, there remains the slight feeling throughout your time at the Bridge that you are nothing more than a customer who the club will happily squeeze until they have got every last penny out of you. Meanwhile, everywhere you look you are reminded of the money the club has spent, from the Copthorne and Millennium Hotels to the price tags in the club shop and the cost of dining in the restaurant. Extras 3 Like all clubs, Chelsea has its own Megastore on site, next to the main entrance, with a smaller version selling the most popular goods across the other side of the stadium. Once in, you are able to purchase pretty much anything with a Chelsea badge on it, from playing and training kit to DVDs, coffee mugs and baby’s bibs. Fans can also go on a tour of the stadium and visit the club museum at a pretty fair cost of £18 ($30) for the two. The tour takes visitors pretty much all over the venue and once in the museum, queues quickly form for fans to have their photo taken with the Champions League trophy.

Matthews Arena is the oldest hockey arena in the country, but is it the Palestra of Boston? Is there a difference between the hockey and basketball experiences? Grab a good beer and join Dave and Paul as they head WAY back in Boston sports history to discuss the venerable Matthews Arena and Northeastern Huskies. 🏒🏀 You can find Stadium Journey's review of Matthews Arena and the Northeastern Huskies hockey game day experience here. You can find Stadium Journey's review of Matthews Arena and the Northeastern Huskies basketball game day experience here.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Fifth Third Bank Stadium 3200 George Busbee Pkwy Kennesaw, GA 30144 Kennesaw State Owls website Fifth Third Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 10,200 Protect the Nest After the program took flight in 2015, the Kennesaw State Owls spent seven seasons as members of first the Big South Conference (2015-2021), one season in the Atlantic Sun Conference (2022), and their final in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as an independent program. This year marks the Owls inaugural season as part of the Football Bowl Series (FBS), as they recently became members of Conference USA. The Owls made quite the name for themselves in FCS, starting with seven straight winning seasons while capturing three Big South Conference titles, as well as four invites to the FCS playoffs. The home of the Kennesaw State Owls, Fifth Third Stadium is a multi-purpose facility that also houses Kennesaw State’s soccer and lacrosse programs, along w ith the Atlanta United 2 , Atlanta United’s developmental team.   Food & Beverage   3 Concessions are rather standard around the stadium – they are made up of hot dogs, nachos with cheese and salsa, soft baked pretzels, and popcorn; candy and chips are also available. The stands in the main seating area do have a few more options, including pizza slices and burgers. Coca-Cola products are the beverage of choice at Fifth Third Stadium. There is also a rather extensive beer and cocktail menu offered here – besides the typical domestic beers, you can find the Kennesaw State-New Realm collaboration “Owl In” American Lager, in addition to the Hazy Like a Fox hazy IPA, also from New Realm. You can also find Avondale Estate, Georgia’s Emergency Drinking Beer, as well as canned cocktails from Long Drink and Good Days, plus White Claw seltzers.   Atmosphere   3 The exterior of Fifth Third Stadium uses black and yellow aluminum panels and steeply angled rooflines to give it an industrially modern feel. The home side stands to have an interesting setup, with a press box that resembles shipping containers. The press box configuration works well with the feel of the stadium, but it does obstruct the view of the field from the concourse. The seating is primarily a combination of individual fold-down and molded seats. The home side seats are backed by suites, which sit below the level of the concourse, while the molded seats are found along nearly the entirety of the visitor’s side of the field, except the area reserved for the Kennesaw State band, the Marching Owls. The southern end of the seating bowl has aluminum-backed benches and a corner section of high-top tables. Temporary bleachers are also brought in along the northern end, on what also doubles as a concert stage. Stoppages in play are typically filled with ad reads, along with scoreboard games and interactive pieces, which have become commonplace throughout sports stadium experiences. The owl theme permeates the game experience, as 1st Downs are celebrated by the stadium announcer calling, “That’s an Owl first down!” followed by a burst of the school’s fight song from the band, and capped by the fans letting out a “hooooooo” in unison. It is a fun way to pull the owl theme into the game presentation. The stadium, on the whole, works just fine as a college football stadium but more exudes the feel of a high-quality soccer ground than that of an FBS-level stadium.   Neighborhood   4 Fifth Third Stadium is wedged between Interstates 75 and 575 to the east and west and sandwiched between Barrett Parkway and Chastain Road to the north and south. These are a collection of the area’s most traveled thoroughfares in the northwestern Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw, which is just under a mile from the heart of the Kennesaw State campus. With so many food options in the area, there is sure to be something for all tastes. One of the more popular is the regional chain Taco Mac, which serves a refined pub-style menu with over 100 beers available on tap and in cans or bottles. The area is surrounded by multiple shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels. With such a high concentration of shopping, food options, and lodging, visitors from out of town have just about everything they might need for a football weekend in Kennesaw, all within a mile radius of the stadium. Kennesaw was the site of several battles during the Civil War, and much of that history is recognized throughout the area. The Southern Railroad Museum tells the story of the Big Shanty Train Chase, while Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield has a Civil War Museum of its own, along with miles of trails up and around Kennesaw Mountain – both of these would be possible options to fill time before evening kickoffs.   Fans   3 Owl fans do a decent job filling out the stadium every week. The size of the stadium does help in creating an atmosphere that does not feel cavernous, which might swallow up any potential excitement in a sea of empty seats. The student section as well, while modest in size, is still rather spirited and into the game. What hurts the atmosphere fans can create here is that Conference USA is rather dispersed, with teams stretching across the southeastern states and into Texas and New Mexico – these distances can significantly impact the numbers of fans traveling. While this definitely is not on Kennesaw State, it can adversely impact the overall role fans in the stands can play in the overall experience.   Access   3 One of the challenges associated with KSU games is that a handful are played midweek or on Friday nights. Given Atlanta traffic, this can create difficulties simply getting to Kennesaw for a 7 pm kickoff. A secret to make getting to the stadium as easy as possible is taking the I-75 Peach Pass Lane, if possible – the Big Shanty exit leaves the easiest access to the parking areas at Fifth Third Stadium. Most of the parking lots are just a short walk from the western main entrance to the stadium. To help with the foot traffic, an hour before kickoff, Busbee Parkway, just outside the facility, is shut down to allow waves of fans to easily cross the street. Before the street is shut down, though, crossing directly in front of the venue can be a bit dicey. Approaching via Big Shanty Road and crossing at the crosswalk at the intersection with Busbee is much easier, and this also leads directly to the southwestern gate for easy access. Most fans will enter on the concourse that runs above the seating bowl, from the south end zone around to the northwest corner of the stadium. The remainder of the concourse drops down to field level and does become a bit awkward in spots where it involves passing through the visiting team as they make last-minute preparations for the game. In general, the concourse at Fifth Third Stadium is spacious, leaving fans with plenty of room to move around. However, the far side, which houses a portion of the visiting fans, as well as the Kennesaw State student section, just does not seem as easy to navigate as the concourse across the way.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets start at $15 for end zone bleacher seats at the northern end of the field – these seats are pushed back a bit more from the field than their southern end zone counterparts, which start at $20. Seats along each sideline start at $34 and $50 at midfield, but on the plus side, there are no additional fees added to tickets, which is always since. Parking at one of the satellite lots away from the stadium runs $15; when compared to parking for football games, this does seem to be a reasonable rate. Parking in the tailgating Black Lot does get a bit pricy at $48, but inside the stadium, prices seem to be consistent with what would be seen at other similar venues. Kennesaw State allows fans to have the experience they are looking for at affordable rates.   Extras   4 In the backdrop of the tailgating area is a reminder of the school’s mountainous namesake. The outline of the ridgeline of Kennesaw Mountain, a rather modestly sized mountain at that, sits prominently in the distance. A small strip of grass that separates the sidewalk from the stadium is home to Owl Town. Here, fans can grab a bite to eat or a drink or hang out and listen to live music before heading into the stadium. Oscar the Grouch is a live owl that fans can have their picture taken with on the concourse. Oscar typically leaves before halftime, though, so visit him early. Mascot Scrappy is a constant at just about all Kennesaw State athletic events, making his way around the stadium greeting fans, taking photos, and is a part of just about every aspect of the game.   Final Thoughts The Owls have the smallest stadium in all of FBS, and it actually works in their favor. Being able to fill the stands with smaller crowds goes a long way in amplifying the overall atmosphere at Fifth Third Stadium. Several other teams throughout Conference USA might average more fans per game, but the game atmosphere at those venues can easily get lost in their larger stadiums with more emptiness. As Kennesaw State football starts a new chapter in its rel atively young history, it will need to continue to build its fan base to keep up as one of college football’s newest FBS-level programs. With in-state opponents Georgia State , Georgia Southern , and border rival Jacksonville State also r elatively recent additions to FBS, it certainly is a situation that can create a fun and festive college football experience.

Photos by Joseph Oakes and Various, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Lenovo Center 1400 Edwards Mill Rd Raleigh, NC 27607 North Carolina State Wolfpack website Lenovo Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 19,700 “Pack”ing the House Editor's note: On September 19, 2024, PNC Arena was renamed as the Lenovo Center. This review, written before the name change, reflects the previous name. NC State basketball began playing at PNC Arena when it opened in 1999, replacing the historic Reynolds Coliseum on campus. The facility has gone by three names since it opened: the Entertainment and Sports Arena, the RBC Center, and now the PNC Arena. The arena is located about 2 miles from NC State’s main campus, and sits next door to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NC State football team. PNC Arena boasts 19,700 red seats, and is also the home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Even though the venue is approaching 25 years old, it is still a modern arena for ACC basketball. Food & Beverage 3 PNC Arena offers a wide selection of food and beverage choices; however, the prices are quite high. There is no shortage of concession choices as you make your way through the concourses. The permanent stands offer your generic stadium food: grilled brisket sandwich with fries ($15.50), hot dogs with fries ($12.50), chicken tenders with fries ($15.50), nachos & cheese ($7), peanuts ($6.50), soft pretzel ($6.50), and popcorn ($8.00). Bottled Pepsi products are sold at these stands for $6, and bottled water is $5.50. There is also a good selection of bottled and draft beer ranging from $9-$15. Also, throughout the arena, you can find Chick-Fil-A and Cinnabon stands, as well as various ice cream choices. If you are a fan of BBQ, your best bet is to check out one of the several North Carolina BBQ stands scattered throughout the arena. These stands offer two favorites of mine: a BBQ sandwich and BBQ nachos. Pair these with a sweet tea or a Cheerwine, and you are in business. While there is a great selection of concession choices, the extremely high prices knock the ranking down a bit and therefore, we recommend eating before you go to the game. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at NC State basketball games is special, especially if you are attending a weekend ACC game. The first thing you notice when entering the seating bowl is the giant Tuffy wolf at center court. Nearly every fan in attendance wear red NC State apparel and cheer their hearts out. The seating at PNC Arena is separated into three different levels: a lower level, and middle club level, and an upper level. Both the lower level and middle club levels offer great views of the court and excellent sightlines. The upper level offers a nice view of the arena; however, since the arena is designed for hockey, the seats in the corners are a bit far from the action. If you are going to sit in the upper level, I would advise sitting courtside. The suites are located at the top of the lower and club levels. Students literally surround the court at PNC Arena, in a pit-like area along both sidelines and end zones. The pep band and cheerleaders also do their part in keeping the crowd fired up. One neat cheer is when one side of the arena yells WOLF, and the other side responds with PACK. NC State also has two mascots: Mr. and Mrs. Wuf. A large four-sided scoreboard hangs above center court and provides video replays along with the score, fouls, time-outs, and out-of-town scores. There are also ribbon boards on the overhangs of both the club and upper levels. Neighborhood 2 PNC Arena was built adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium in West Raleigh near the NC State Fairgrounds. While there is plenty of parking and great tailgating, there is little to do within walking distance before or after the game. The only restaurant within walking distance is the Backyard Bistro, located across the street. This is a great place to hang out and get food and drinks before a game. Likewise, the only hotel in walking distance is the Arena Suites which is behind the Backyard Bistro. Since you will most likely be driving to the arena, be sure to check out Amedeos Italian Restaurant near campus which is full of NC State memorabilia. Area activities to consider are the NC Museum of Art and Park, which is about 1 mile from the arena, and the NC state capitol and museums in downtown Raleigh. Fans 4 NC State has some of the most passionate basketball fans in the country. While the program may not be the national championship contender that it was in the 70s and 80s, the fan support is top-notch. Wolfpack fans are knowledgeable and supportive of the team but are also tough on opposing teams and officials. While the large arena does push the fans away from the action somewhat, the student section that surrounds the court is always loud and vocal. NC State does not sell out every game in the spacious PNC Arena and can seem too big for non-conference over the holidays. However, expect 15-16K for weekend ACC games and a sellout whenever Duke and UNC come to town. Access 4 PNC Arena is easily accessible by car as it sits near the intersection of I-40 and I-440 in West Raleigh. If you are flying into the area, the Raleigh-Durham airport is only 10 miles away and provides all the major airlines. Parking is plentiful but is $20 if you do not have a parking pass. Across the street at the fairgrounds, parking normally is free. When we attended in 2023, there were many signs up saying “no event parking”. However, after the game, we noticed that there were several cars parked there for the game The security staff entering PNC Arena does seem a little “strict” at times, so allow yourself some extra time when entering the arena. Once inside, the arena is easily navigable with three concourses serving the three levels. The arena is well-signed so you can easily find your section. Return on Investment 2 Attending an NC State basketball game will be a little tough on your wallet, especially if it is an ACC game. A few single-game lower-level tickets are normally available for ACC games for $45. Upper-level tickets range from $15-$30. Add in $20 parking and concession and you are looking at $60 per person minimum. If you are looking to save some money, purchase tickets through the secondary market for a non-conference game. This will save you quite a bit! Extras 3 The NC State pep band is great and keeps the crowd fired up throughout the game, and fans sing to the fight song. Two mascots: Mr. and Mrs. Wuf make their way through the crowd entertaining fans. Chick-Fila has a promotion that if an opposing player misses two consecutive free throws in the final 8 minutes, everyone goes home with a free chicken sandwich through the app. This causes the crowd to get extra rowdy in the final minutes when an opposing player is shooting free throws. Final Thoughts Basketball is king on Tobacco Road. While PNC Arena is what immediately comes to mind when thinking of great ACC venues, it is still a fun and exciting place to catch a game.

Photos by Jimmy Knight, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 FedExPark 974 Getwell Rd Memphis, TN 38111 Memphis Tigers website FedExPark website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 2,000 Home of the Memphis Tigers Believe it or not, sometimes there are just too many options. As a society, by necessity, we are always looking for capsules that offer as many interesting facets as possible. If you are looking for something that sums up as much of Memphis, Tennessee as possible, look no further. FedExPark allows you to be outdoors, watch baseball, eat BBQ and root on the home town University of Memphis Tigers. FedExPark is the home venue for Tigers Baseball and was formerly named Nat Buring Stadium. The name change occurred with renovations in 2009 at a $3 million price tag. The stadium has a natural grass field, covered grandstands and is a piece of the South Campus which includes renovated football, softball, track & field and golf facilities. Food & Beverage 4 FedExPark has a very impressive concession stand and options to choose from. The all brick building that backs up to the grandstands is impressive in show, giving a big league ballpark feel to it. Sold in the concession stand are the typical yet tasty burgers, hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks. But, what makes this stadium elite when it comes to food is the option to purchase the BBQ Nachos. It’s a delicious dish that was invented in Memphis, and has become a staple in BBQ joints all over the south. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at the ballpark can vary. The environment can easily be described as full of anticipation. Not just about the next pitch, but for the team as a whole. The Tigers baseball team fits the easy cliche of a ‘sleeping giant’ and everybody at the game portrays that constantly. The tension and pressure radiates throughout and adds to the drama. In the event of a rout by either team, the stands can feel a bit lonely, but close and contested games are the polar extreme. Players’ family and friends as well as die-hard fans are the basis for a raucous that gives them the proverbial home field advantage. Neighborhood 3 As an urban school, the surrounding area has the anticipated mixture of commercial and apartments surrounding the property on all sides. South Campus also has ongoing construction, a new driving range for the golf team, as well as a new football practice facility, softball field and track and field complex. There is plenty to see on the South Campus that is worth the drive around, especially if another sporting event is going on. Outside of that, there are minimal spots of interest for the game-goers within walking distance. A couple of miles drive will bring you plenty of local college bars that provide great food and excellent atmosphere. If you are in the area, just look for the ‘Highland Strip’ for most of these locations. Fans 4 Tiger High, as the University of Memphis is known in the area, has a loyal following that supports their teams. Obviously, the basketball team draws most of the coverage, but you will see many of the same faces from the basketball games at the football and baseball games. The passion exists on the surface and is easily aroused. Throughout the game the staff engages the fans with many different contests. This includes trivia, Let’s Make a Deal, and TV Show Theme Song contests that are interesting and hilarious. The home crowd is also courteous and gracious to the opposition. It is not uncommon to see fans with opposing colored shirts talking in the stands or joking and laughing by the concessions. Access 5 The only challenge is finding the entrance to the South Campus. Once in, everything is on the road that loops the property. Parking is ample and the walk is minimal to get in to the ballpark. The life-size decorative tiger and FedExPark sign banner the entrance and would bring pride to any Tiger fan. Return on Investment 3 The intensity of a conference game or playing a regionally ranked powerhouse can make for a great game and a fun time for the family. Any competition enthusiast would relish the event. For the everyday family or fan looking for an affordable and enjoyable time, this is absolutely the place for you. A combination of the food, site lines, contests and baseball make for a great time for all. It feels like big league competition with college hustle and atmosphere. Extras 3 FedExPark has a party deck in left field and right field that can be reserved. Youth groups, fan clubs and birthday parties are commonly found on these decks. Do not forget to take a picture next to the decorative Tiger. He is a hit with kids of all ages. As you stroll around, you might get lucky and be able to see where the football team practices indoors or a track event in the parallel lot. For the University of Memphis athletic department these are trophies on the path to a premier program.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 TDECU Stadium 3875 Holman St Houston, TX 77004 Houston Roughnecks website TDECU Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 40,000 Houston Roughnecks – TDECU Stadium The XFL returned in full force in 2023 with a new spring season and new owners Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his business partner, Dany Garcia. After the unplanned hiatus caused by the pandemic, the returned league brought back with it one of its cornerstone franchises, the Houston Roughnecks . Playing at the home of the University of Houston Cougars, TDECU Stadium, the Roughnecks quickly became a fan favorite in Space City. TDECU Stadium was built on the former site of Robertson Stadium, which was the home of Cougars football since 1946. Robertson Stadium was razed in early 2013. TDECU Stadium opened in August 2014 at a cost of $128 million. In their first season, they drew respectable crowds and made the playoffs. TDECU Stadium proved to be the perfect venue for the fledgling league and team. It still retains that “new stadium” feel, and is just the right size for the XFL going forward. Food & Beverage 4 While all the food and drink options that are available for Cougars games aren’t open for the Roughnecks, what is there is still more than adequate. The variety offered is, quite frankly, pretty impressive. In addition to the kiosks that offer the standard fare of hot dogs, popcorn, candy, fountain sodas, and bottled drinks, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Additional offerings include a Chick-fil-A stand, selling their signature chicken sandwiches and lemonade, a Fuddruckers stand, selling burgers, and a Shipley’s Do-Nuts stand, with all manner of fried, sugary goodness. Perhaps the most unique stand is local fave Miss Patty’s , which sells cheesesteaks and fried catfish. There are also stands for gourmet popcorn, pizza, chicken fingers, and street tacos; truly anything a sports fan could want is on the metaphorical menu. There is also a tequila bar for those looking to do some serious imbibing during Roughnecks games. Atmosphere 3 I had the benefit of attending the Roughnecks playoff game, so I can’t 100% say that the atmosphere I got to experience was typical for a regular-season contest. With that being said, what I did experience on my visit was the best atmosphere I’ve seen to date for the XFL. There were a lot of fans in the parking lots and in the areas surrounding the stadium, which always helps the energy inside. The XFL also had plenty of signage throughout the stadium to add to the atmosphere. Also, sprinkled throughout the stadium, on the main concourse, are several team stores selling all manner of Roughnecks and XFL gear. Neighborhood 4 TDECU Stadium is located right in the middle of the University of Houston’s campus. It is within walking distance of both the Fertitta Center and Schroeder Park , home to the school’s basketball and baseball teams, respectively. If you time things out right, you can probably catch one or more of these other teams in action, as both are in season with the Roughnecks. Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S. That said, there are a multitude of additional entertainment options to choose from, especially on the sports side. The reigning MLB World Series champion Houston Astros and two-time NBA champion Houston Rockets both call (naturally) Space City their home. Like their collegiate counterparts, both teams’ seasons overlap with the Roughnecks. Outside of sports, Houston has a lot to offer visitors. From culture and history to zoos , aquariums , and shopping , Houston has it all. No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find something to do either before or after a Roughnecks game. In terms of dining and lodging, the options around UH’s campus aren’t going to be five-star or gourmet choices. However, Houston proper (especially downtown) has something for every taste and budget. In the immediate vicinity, for dining you can find a couple of fast-casual options – these include Eric’s Restaurant , which offers up sandwiches, wraps, salads, and fish options. Also close by is Frenchy’s Chicken , a darn good fried chicken spot. Fans 3 The crowd at TDECU Stadium was quite impressive during my visit. Lots of folks came out decked in Roughnecks gear – as well as Oilers and Astros gear. There was also a decent number of Arlington Renegades fans, which helped make the energy even more palpable. The Roughneck fans in attendance did a good job of making this feel like a big-time game. They were loud and engaged the whole game through. It was by far the best crowd experience I’ve seen to date among the XFL games I attended this season. Access 4 The University of Houston campus and TDECU Stadium are located in the middle of a triangle of highways and freeways, namely Interstates 45 and 610, and state highway 69. This makes it imminently reachable from anywhere in Space City. The campus is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from San Antonio, four hours from Austin, and just under four hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. It is also just a 40-minute drive from George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport and about 20 minutes from William P. Hobby Airport. Both are massive and have flights in and out of H-Town to sites across the globe non-stop. Once you’re on campus, parking is plentiful in the many lots around the athletic complex, including a covered parking garage directly across from TDECU Stadium. The costs will run you $25 to $40, depending on how close you want to get to the stadium. The Houston METRORail also features a stop just outside TDECU Stadium, so if you choose not to drive, this is a great option. I say this with my usual caveat when it comes to Houston; if you’re going to drive to a Roughnecks game, build in time to accommodate for Houston traffic – you will be in it for some time, so plan accordingly. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets for the Houston Roughnecks start at $27 per person. This is a pretty good bargain for professional football. Parking is a little bit on the high side (costing as much as $40); however, there are cheaper options if you seek them out. Also on the plus side, the concession costs still retain their University of Houston price points; some options are higher end, but there are plenty of bargains to be had. Extras 3 One of the issues I’ve had with the XFL as a whole this season is their lack of pageantry. I think that football games are events and should be treated as such. I have reconciled the XFL’s lack of pomp and circumstance with the probable need to keep budgets under control. All that being said, the Roughnecks did a much better job compared to other XFL teams I have seen. For example, Houston has two pseudo-mascots dressed as roughnecks patrolling one of the end zones, interacting with the crowd, and waving a Houston Roughnecks flag in celebration of scores. There also seemed to be more XFL signage here, in addition to having a local high school marching band perform at halftime. The Roughnecks have a lot of room for growth and improvement, but this was a decent start. Final Thoughts All in all, I’m glad the XFL made its return, and I’m hopeful that some of the lessons learned from this season can be implemented for another year. Games at TDECU Stadium have always been enjoyable, and this was no exception. If you’re a football fan, the more of it you can consume – especially in person – the better. The Roughnecks put a pretty good product on the field, and TDECU Stadium is a great venue. If you’re in Space Town for the next XFL season, catch a game if you can. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Rawlings Field Bartley Blvd Pueblo, CO 81001 CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves website Rawlings Field website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 2,500 Pack Baseball Colorado State University-Pueblo is a public higher education institution based in southern Colorado. The athletic teams of CSU-Pueblo are known as the ThunderWolves and the motto of the athletic department is Developing Champions through Athletics. The baseball program for CSU-Pueblo began in 1964, had a brief hiatus from 1986 until 1994, when the program was picked up again and the team began prospering under Coach Stan Sanchez. The ThunderWolves play in the NCAA Division II RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) and have had winning seasons for most of those years including going to the 1996 NCAA Division II College World Series. They play at Rawlings Field on the campus of CSU-Pueblo, which is said to be one of the nicer ballparks in the RMAC. Let’s find out. Food & Beverage 2 The food offerings at Rawlings Field are minimal. This is similar to other RMAC baseball fields. Concessions are in the lower level of the press box in the entryway behind home plate and consist of hot dogs, nachos, candy and seeds. Drinks are Pepsi, water, and Gatorade. Prices for these snacks range from $2 – $4.25. It’s a cash only concession stand. No outside food or beverages are allowed, though that is not enforced at the baseball game. Atmosphere 3 The ThunderWolves baseball game experience is ho-hum. All seats are in the sun so remember to bring sun screen. A net is across the entire seating area which extends all the way behind the dugouts. Behind home base are four sections of seven rows of standard blue fold down stadium seats. This seating area is directly under the speakers and the music can be loud in this section. Poles holding up the netting can get in the way when sitting in this area. A walkway extends from this area down to the ends of both dugouts, then 12 rows of aluminum bleachers with backs fill up the rest of the seating The bleacher section does not have handrails, and yes, yours truly did slip and fall, so be careful on those. The announcer calls the starting line up too fast and music is played when announcing the home team so it is a bit difficult to hear and complete a scoresheet. Walk up music is only played for the home team, which is common. Fielders lose sight of fly balls during sunny afternoon games as the sun blazes from behind home plate. The infield is artificial turf (including the baselines and pitcher’s mound) while the outfield is real grass (often light brown after the winter season). A solid blue wall lines the outfield and all of this causes an unattractive field color scheme. A clever howl sound is played when the ThunderWolves score a run. Neighborhood 3 Pueblo is not known as a tourist destination yet it is quite a nice historic town to visit. Pueblo hosts the Colorado State Fair each year in late August Rawlings Field is on the CSU campus about 5 or so miles from downtown Pueblo and the Riverwalk. No restaurants are within walking distance of the field, though several chain restaurants are off the State Route 40, I-25 exit getting to the university. I’d recommend traveling a few exits south to the downtown area for better choices of food and beverages. Recommended places for a craft brew and a bite to eat are Shamrock Brewing Company and Brues Alehouse (located right on the Riverwalk). A place for good burgers is Bingo Burger only two blocks from the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk in Pueblo is a mile long walking trail around the Arkansas River with artwork, places to eat and rest along the way. If it’s a nice day, get your steps in by taking a stroll then stop for a craft beer at Brues Alehouse. Other places to visit in Pueblo are El Pueblo History Museum and the Buell Children’s Museum. Or if you get to town early check out the Pueblo Zoo (four miles west of the city). No hotels are within walking distance of Rawlings Field though there are plenty at the intersections of I-25 and State Route 40. Those include Baymont Inn, LaQuinta Suites, Clarion, and the like. If staying downtown, both the Springhill Suites and the Courtyard Marriot Pueblo are nice places to stay. Fans 2 Fans trickle in throughout the game. On the day of this review, about 50 or so fans were in the stands (certainly less than 100) so not a whole lot of backing for the team. They do applaud good plays made by either team. And there’s super nice game day staff. Access 3 To get to Rawlings Field, head east from I-25 on to State Route 40. Follow signs to the university and the Neda and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl stadium (football); the baseball field is next to that. Parking is available between the football field and the baseball field. There is a local bus service, bus route 9 goes to the university (not in operation on Sundays). Pueblo Airport is six miles from the university yet it only services Denver with flights on Great Lakes Airlines. Driving is probably the best method of getting to the game. Once in the ballpark area, walking around is easy; installing handrails in the bleachers would be an improvement. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices for a ThunderWolves game are lower than some of the other RMAC schools. Prices are $5 adult tickets, $4 seniors and non-CSU students, and CSU students get in for free as do kids under 5. Families (two adults, two kids) can get in for $12. It’s all general admission seating. Payment is cash only. Parking is free. Is it worth it? If you live in Pueblo then yes. If coming from parts north (Colorado Springs, Denver) or parts south (Trinidad) it may not be worth the drive even with the lower ticket prices, unless of course you want to check out the downtown Pueblo attractions. Extras 4 CSU-Pueblo has a superb athletic website with lots of information available about the team and its history and it even has links to jpgs of their logos. Rosters are available on picnic tables in the entryway. All across the top of the seating area, baseball shaped banners honor previous All American, All Conference, All Regional, etc. players as well as supporters of the ThunderWolves baseball program. On the outside of the stadium other banners display former players, teams and records of the ThunderWolves. It’s a remarkable job at recognizing players and the history of the team. A statue of a baseball player at the entryway honors local businesses and individuals who contributed towards the building of Rawlings Field. Final Thoughts A nice ballpark. A nice town. If you happen to be in Pueblo, CO in the Feb – May time frame, take the opportunity to see a ballgame at Rawlings Field.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Historic Sims-Galle Field 4000 Dauphin St Mobile, AL 36608 Spring Hill Badgers website Historic Sims-Galle Field website Year Opened: 1889 Capacity: 500 Oldest continuously used baseball park in the country Fenway Park  and Wrigley Field  – two legendary ballparks, each well over 100 years old, have both stood the test of time, and with no sign of slowing down either, they look like they will host baseball for many years to come. But neither of them can lay claim to being the oldest continuously used ballpark in the country; that title belongs to the field at tiny Spring Hill College. Located in Mobile, Alabama, the team is known as the Badgers – the school competes at Historic Sims-Galle Field, more commonly known as "The Pit". Spring Hill is a small Catholic, Jesuit college that opened in 1830 with an enrollment of 30 students – it was founded by French Bishop Michael Portier as a Jesuit seminary and boarding school. Today the college has about 1,400 students, and is the oldest institute of higher learning in the state of Alabama. In addition, it is one of the oldest colleges in the south, and is the fifth oldest Catholic college in the U.S. The Pit hosted its first official baseball game in 1889, which predates Fenway by 23 years. Even though it opened in 1889, baseball was believed to be played at The Pit dating back to the 1860s; in the early 1860s two Cuban students from Spring Hill returned to Cuba and introduced the game to the island, after they learned it playing at The Pit. These two students established the first Cuban baseball team, and are considered the fathers of Cuban baseball. Cannonballs have even been found at the field, from when Union troops seized Mobile during the Civil War – though no major battles took place here, federal troops stayed on the campus and used the field for training exercises. Spring Hill currently sponsors 16 men's and women's sports. In 2014 the Badgers moved to NCAA Division II, joining the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to compete full time after previously competing in the NAIA Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Since joining the SIAC the Badgers have won four conference championships and advanced to the NCAA D2 Regionals three times. The field is named after Frank Sims, a former coach of the Badgers, and Stan Galle, who had a stint with the Washington Senators in 1942, but was a long-time coach for the Badgers from 1956 until his retirement in 1982.   Food & Beverage   2 There are no permanent stands open here, although fans are free to bring food and drinks into the seating area. Alcoholic beverages are allowed as well, and I saw many students and fans with beers in their hands walking along the first base concourse (more on that later). Out beyond right field they have Stonisch facility, which houses the weight rooms and clubhouse on the first floor, with the second floor having a party deck that overlooks the field – I saw a lot of fans watching the game from up there as well.      Atmosphere   4 One of the things that makes Sims-Galle Field feel so special is that it truly is a throwback to ballparks of the past – the stadium, if you want to call it that, remains virtually unchanged. It is basically a field nestled in between some pretty historic buildings on campus. The Lucy Administration Building, a 3-story structure that opened in 1869, is used to house the University’s main offices. This imposing structure extends from home plate down the entire first baseline to right field, and the sidewalk in front of the building provides the concourse on that side. The field is sunken in, with a fence down the baseline covered in ivy, which adds a nice touch to the historic stadium. Also, the field faces the southwest, with the historic buildings on campus providing a beautiful backdrop to the field behind home plate. In addition, behind home plate you have the beautiful St. Joseph's Chapel (c. 1910) and Burke Library (c. 1931) providing the view. The field has a few rare features – it lacks a real backstop, as a six-foot wall serves that purpose. Another unique feature is the lights; where most stadiums would have their light towers set up outside the stadium, here the light towers are located along the foul line, meaning they are actually in play, as they stand in foul territory. These lights were only installed in 2002, so prior to then every game here was played during the day. The visiting bullpen on the third base side is also located outside of the field, under a huge live oak tree that is well over 100-150 years old. There is a small bleacher-style grandstand set up behind home plate which holds about 30 people, while down the first baseline there is no seating, but plenty of fans set up lawn chairs outside the entrance to the Lucy Administration Building, which also doubles as the makeshift concourse. There is one basic scoreboard in left field, and there is also a table set up behind home plate that represents the press box, and doubles as the location from which music is played between innings. At Historic Sims-Galle Field things are kept simple, which is part of the charm of The Pit.   N eighborhood   3 The Spring Hill College campus is located on Old Shell Road in the Spring Hill neighborhood, about 6 miles west of downtown Mobile. The Spring Hill neighborhood was built as a summer retreat for the wealthy in the 1800s and is mostly residential, but features many historic antebellum home and old Creole cottages, with many available for touring – if you take Dauphin Street on the back side of campus, or Old Shell Road into downtown, you get to see many of these old houses. In terms of restaurants or attractions, just down the road from the stadium is a little tavern-style bar called The Post on the Hill, best known for its craft cocktails. You are also only a few miles west of downtown Mobile, and downtown has plenty of restaurants and nightlife options worth checking out; just take Dauphin Street east a few miles and you’ll run into downtown, finding all kinds of restaurants and attractions.   Fans   4 Fans showed up in droves to the most recent game I attended – there was a large mix of alumni and students lining the right field concourse. In right field just beyond the outfield is the Stonisch Baseball Fieldhouse; the first floor is used for the team’s facilities and locker rooms, while the upper deck is rented out to groups to watch the game from the balcony overlooking right field. Many students tailgate around the fieldhouse drinking, playing corn hole, and grilling, so it is definitely a festive atmosphere with no ushers or staff working the game, leaving fans free to roam around the grounds wherever they want. At Spring Hill a baseball game is the thing to do on weekends, with many of the students showing up to support the Badgers – at Sims-Galle Field it’s almost like a party with a baseball game being played in the background. Fans definitely show their pride when coming to games. The old ballpark has kind of a neighborhood feel to it, and you can tell that many of these fans here have been coming to games for generations, with a mix of older folks and young children.   Access   4 Finding the campus of Spring Hill College shouldn’t be a problem, as the campus is located right off the interstate. If traveling from the north or south, I-65 will be your best bet, as the campus sits just off the Old Shell Road exit to the west of the Interstate. There are two entrances into campus: Dauphin Street from the south, with a golf course you’ll have to pass on the winding road into campus, and Old Shell Road to the north. Once on campus the field itself can be difficult to find, as it sits nestled among some buildings. However, the campus is small enough that you should be able to find it. I also recommend getting there early and spending some time walking around campus – many of the buildings date back to the 1800s, and it really is an impressive site and an absolutely beautiful Southern campus.   Return on Investment   4 There is no parking fee, no ticket cost, and no concessions, but you are free to bring your own food and drinks into the stadium, and you can’t beat getting to see a true hidden gem of a stadium and a beautiful college campus – it is worth the effort to come here just to see the country's oldest ballpark.   Extras   4 Notable former baseball players for the Badgers who have gone to the Big Leagues include former Tiger  and Braves  all-star Mobile native Frank Bolling, and his brother Milt who played shortstop with the Red Sox  and Tigers in the 1950s (in 1958 the Detroit Tigers two starting middle infielders were the Bolling brothers). In addition, former players at The Pit include Cubs  GM and current Yankees  assistant Jim Hendry, as well as former pitcher Blake Stein, who had a brief career for the A's  (98-99) and Royals  (99-02). The field has also had seen some Major League action, as the 1910 Chicago Cubs  played Spring Hill in a spring training game. The Badgers came up just short in the rain-shortened exhibition game, as the Cubs won 4-1 in 5 innings. However, this would not be the last professional game at The Pit, as the venue would host the Cincinnati Reds three years later, with the Reds winning 11-3. In 1924, however, perhaps The Pit’s greatest historical feat would be accomplished as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and several Yankees  players visited Mobile – while in town the players made it a point to stop off at the college and take batting practice with the baseball team. Another extra for the town of Mobile's legacy with baseball; this town of a little less than 200,000 people is the birthplace of five players who have been enshrined in Cooperstown, which places it as the birthplace of more Hall of Famers than any other city in the world besides New York and Los Angeles. Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Willie McCovey, Ozzie Smith, and Billy Williams were all born and grew up playing on baseball fields around Mobile – Satchel Paige and Hank Aaron even played at The Pit while growing up. Another extra for the campus of Spring Hill College itself; very little has changed here since the days of the Civil War, and this campus reflects that very much with its beautiful buildings on campus. Get to campus early and take a stroll down Avenue of the Oaks – it is a stretch of campus with lively oaks stretched over the road, providing almost a canopy as you drive down the street. I also recommend just walking around the campus and viewing the architecture.   Final Thoughts Historic Sims-Galle Field is truly a hidden gem of a ballpark, and one that I recommend a visit to if you are in the area, just for its scenic beauty alone. Walking the concourse at The Pit is like stepping back in time; it’s like watching a baseball game from the 1920s – baseball purists will be in heaven with a trip to The Pit.

Photos by Marc Viquez & Joe Moski, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 UC Baseball Stadium 99 W Corry St Cincinnati, OH 45219 Cincinnati Bearcats website UC Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 3,085 Bearcats, Bats, and a Beautiful Ballpark The Cincinnati Bearcats baseball team began to play at a sparkling new stadium in 2004. It is named Marge Schott Stadium due to a $2 million gift to the Cincinnati athletic department from the Marge & Charles J. Schott Foundation, to whom the controversial Reds owner left most of her estate after her passing in 2004. The baseball stadium shows no signs of age as the structure and seating areas look great. The field itself was renovated to a turf surface in 2014. Cincinnati Bearcats baseball began to play in 1886 and has a rich history in a town where baseball usually comes first each year. They have nine conference championships and seven NCAA tournament appearances. Famous MLB players from the Bearcats include notable names such as Sandy Koufax, Kevin Youkilis, and Josh Harrison. Food & Beverage 2 There are two concession stands at Marge Schott Stadium, one at the top of the stands along each baseline. When crowds are lighter, only the first base stand will be open. The fare is standard with hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, and candy offered. Prices seem a bit high for a college baseball game. Soda can be had for $4, peanuts for $4, and coffee/hot chocolate for $2.75. These prices are on par with high-level minor league stadiums and even some major league parks. Tickets are cheap, but buying food and drink will set you back a bit. Beer is sold, which is rare for a Midwestern school. Most of the usual domestic brands are available as are a couple of micros. Atmosphere 3 Structurally, MSS resembles some of the newer minor league parks with seating down the foul lines and an automated scoreboard, and a decent-sized video board out in the right field. It’s a nice small park to watch baseball. Fans seated in any location will still have a great view of the game. If fans are wanting to stand and talk with a friend, there are standing-room areas around the entire concourse. This is a nice feature as many college baseball stadiums don’t have this feature. The seats seem to sit high above the field, giving you decent sight lines regardless of where you sit. The outfield wall is entirely a black tarp material over black fencing. Couple this with the stark brick wall of Fifth Third Arena, which butts up against the right field area of the stadium, and it kind of makes for a boring scene to stare out at. Neighborhood 4 Only a short five-minute walk from Marge Schott Stadium, the street that forms the southern border of UC’s campus, Calhoun Street, has been going through a university-backed transformation. This has included the school buying up and tearing down older properties to build nicer dorms and eventually, condos with street-level retail. A short walk past the soccer stadium on Dennis Street to Calhoun immediately puts you steps away from chains like Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers, and Buffalo Wild Wings. If you want something a bit more unique, go a block south onto McMillan, or west a few blocks and you’ll pass Pomodori’s Pizza, favored for its wood-fired pizza, and Christy’s & Lenhardt’s, with German food and a beer garden. Fans 4 The new stadium has served to raise the UC baseball team’s profile in recent years. Improved facilities have led to stronger recruiting and thus, more competitive teams to keep fans engaged. The school reported over 1,000 season tickets sold for the 2016 season, which is solid considering the capacity and competition locally for the entertainment dollar. Along with free access for UC students, aggressive marketing to groups (at $1 a person for groups of 10 or more), as well as $20 season ticket packages has brought solid crowds to Marge Schott Stadium. Fans are well-behaved, only shouting out encouragement to their team. UC is a well-liked travel destination for opposing fans and you shouldn’t expect any confrontations between the home and visiting fans. Access 3 It’s relatively easy to get to the Cincinnati campus in the Clifton neighborhood, which sits on the hill just north of downtown Cincinnati. The school can be accessed by either a major highway in the area, Interstate 71 (1.5 miles to the east) or I-75 (three miles to the west). Marge Schott Stadium is a part of the University of Cincinnati’s Varsity Village, the small “neighborhood” of the school’s sports facilities, which includes football’s Nippert Stadium and basketball’s Fifth Third Arena on the southern end of this urban campus. Depending on the time of day, traffic in the area can be a beast. If it is rush hour, it will take you some significant time to get in and out of the campus area, and if you can avoid using the highways during this time to get where you need to, I would recommend it. As for parking, you can pay $5 and park in the Corry Garage, which is right across the street from the stadium. If the game is later in the evening, you may be able to find metered on-street parking, which is free after 6 pm Mondays-Saturdays and all day Sunday. There is some free street parking a few blocks south of the stadium past the CVS. As always, read the street signs carefully to avoid getting ticketed or towed. Return on Investment 4 All seats are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. There are bleachers with backrests along the baselines, but the three sections behind the home plate are individual chairs. There is no difference in price and all seats are general admission. For anyone local to Cincinnati, season tickets are incredibly cheap at $20 for adults or $10 for kids. Food is a bit overpriced, but there are plenty of decent options around the campus if you don’t want to bother with it. Add in the parking options and you have a pretty inexpensive trip to see a ballgame. Extras 4 An extra point for the major league talent the program has been slowly producing over the past few years. Bearcat alumni include Cincinnati natives Boston Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis (though he left back in 2001, he’s remained a supporter of UC Athletics) and Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Josh Harrison. Even though Sandy Koufax only played one season at Cincy, that name brings the wow factor. Another point for the increased attention UC has given to the baseball program, a sport that is traditionally not a money generator for most schools. Another bonus point is given for having a real-life bearcat in a cage on the concourse, sponsored by the Cincinnati Zoo. This is a great extra for a college baseball game and gives fans a chance to see the school’s nickname namesake. One final point for UC serving alcohol at its ballgames. It’s nice to have the option if you like a brew with your baseball. Final Thoughts In an area not known for its tradition of college baseball, UC Bearcats Stadium has raised its profile. The park is a good example of the university trying to make the best use of its limited space. At a school that has fervently supported its basketball, and now football program, there is now a spring counterpart for students and local fans to rally around. Everything about this park screams first class and it is something for Bearcat fans and the university to be proud of.

Photo By Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium 3112 E 8th St Tulsa, OK 74104 Tulsa Golden Hurricane website Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium website Year Opened: 1930 Capacity: 30,000 Tulsa Time H. A. Chapman Stadium was built in 1930 as Skelly Field, after a donation from Oklahoma oil man William Skelly. The first game was played on October 4th vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks. In 1947, Skelly Field’s seating capacity was increased by 5,000 seats, and the venue’s name was changed to Skelly Stadium, which lasted until 2008, when the facility was renovated by J. E. Dunn Construction, and renamed H. A. Chapman Stadium – the venue is named for the H. A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust, the main benefactor of the renovation. The playing surface at H. A. Chapman Stadium is Fieldturf Revolution Cool Play, and the facility is located at 3110 East 8th Street, on the University of Tulsa’s campus; the stadium is next to the Donald W. Reynolds Center, which is the home arena for Tulsa’s basketball and volleyball teams. There have been numerous events held on the grounds of H. A. Chapman Stadium, such as Major League Baseball and American Football League exhibitions games. The venue has been home to the Tulsa University football team for over 85 years. Other teams calling H. A. Chapman Stadium home have been the United States Football League’s Oklahoma Outlaws and the North American Soccer League’s Tulsa Roughnecks. The University of Tulsa’s football program has appeared in 21 postseason bowls in their history, and has won 35 Conference Championships. H. A. Chapman Stadium and Tulane’s Yulman Stadium are the smallest venues in the American Athletic Conference, each with a maximum seating capacity of 30,000. Food & Beverage 4 The food and beverages are in two different areas; there are the older basic concessions stands that are located inside the actual infrastructure of the stadium, or the food concessions on the stadium grounds in the plaza. The four concession stands inside the structure of the stadium provide fans with basic concessions items like popcorn, hot dogs, pizza, and peanuts – these items range from $2 to $6. The stadium does sell alcoholic beverages in beer tents on the concourse, as well as in Thomas Plaza. The prices are $5 for a 16oz beer, with beer choices of Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Rolling Rock. The sale of wine for $7 is another option besides beer. The more interesting food and beverage offerings are located in Thomas Plaza on the west side of the stadium. There they have outside vendors such as Firehouse Subs, Chick-Fil-A, Twist Which, and Mazzio’s. These stands are unique in that they are located on the lower level of a housing complex, similar to the trend of having restaurants on the lower level in condos. There are also food trucks in this area offering German skillet potatoes, bratwurst, and pulled pork. The most interesting food item from a food truck is the Cajun truck serving Poboy, shrimp, lobster, crab legs, and other seafood items, with prices ranging from $10 to $16. The food at H. A. Chapman Stadium is above average when you venture into Thomas Plaza and see the out-of-the-box, stadium fare. These choices, along with the traditional stadium food, will give fans plenty of choices to enjoy throughout their time at H. A. Chapman Stadium. Atmosphere 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium is a great place to watch a game, as the intimacy of the seating brings the football action closer to the fans. The main pre-game festivities are along the north side of the stadium, near the Case Athletic Complex, and provide activities for people of all ages. In addition, there is also plenty of social gathering on Thomas Plaza – this location is inside the gates, but on the outside of the stadium’s infrastructure. As mentioned earlier, this area has plenty of food vendors, including alcoholic beverages, and also has activities for everyone, similar to the pre-game alley outside the stadium grounds. Banners of famous past Tulsa footballers adorn the concourse that goes around the stadium, and the addition of Thomas Plaza gives the stadium a spacious feel, which prevents the venue from seeming outdated for college football. During the game, the spirit squads and marching band are hard at work getting the fan base to get involved with the game. However, the band is placed in a poor spot on the visitor’s side of the field and can hardly be heard, as H. A. Chapman Stadium is an open-air stadium, so the noise from the band does not reach the far end zone by the videoboard. Besides the spirit squads, there is a short video clip of a current Tulsa football player on the jumbotron during certain moments (such as third downs) to get the crowd pumped up. The start of the fourth quarter brings out the rise of the hurricane flag, located in the end zone, which includes warning sirens to get the crowd ready for the final quarter of play. The atmosphere suffers by the lack of fans in attendance, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t moments of greatness. The atmosphere will never be that of the powerhouse programs, but if you enjoy sharing time with family and friends while watching college football, H. A. Chapman Stadium provides that type of atmosphere. A note for travelers not familiar with the unpredictable Oklahoma weather – the stadium is open-air, so a brisk fall day can be quite perfect, but as the colder winter months approach, it can be brutal, not so much because of the temperature, but because the Oklahoma wind can be brutal if you are not dressed in the proper clothing, as the stadium does not provide any protection from the weather’s elements. Neighborhood 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium is on The University of Tulsa’s campus, which is a very nice campus, but it doesn’t offer much. Near the stadium is the Lorton Performance Center and a few fast food establishments, such as Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Taco Bueno, and Jim’s Coney Island. That said, if you are looking for restaurants and other fun things to do within walking distance of the stadium, there isn’t much besides the aforementioned options. However, about 4 miles away (about a 10-minute drive) is downtown Tulsa. The city of Tulsa itself has a lot more options for things to do, especially downtown near the BOK Center or OneOK Field . These two areas provide a lot more pre-game and post-game options and lodging. The Hyatt Regency, the Doubletree, and Marriott Courtyard are a few lodging choices that are near these venues. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby, such as Boston Avenue Grill, Albert G’s Bar-B-Q, El Guapo’s Mexican restaurant, and Caz’s Chowhouse. Fans 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium’s attendance numbers are low in capacity, however, that doesn’t mean that the fans aren’t good. The fans can be vocal at times throughout the game. The student section is small, and are generally sitting near the band in the corner opposite the home team’s sideline. The crowd’s demographic consists mostly of older alumni, season ticket holders, and local fans with children. However, the fans that represent Tulsa football love their Golden Hurricane and are supportive each home game. Nevertheless, the lack of attendance in a stadium that only holds a modest crowd of 30,000 at best means there aren’t enough people to generate enough noise and excitement to last the whole game. But, if the visiting team’s section is vocal and the game is close, then the fans get into a contest as to which side is louder. Overall, the fans are polite, intelligent, and enjoy football in H. A. Chapman Stadium, but without the overbearing fan chants, as is the case with their in-state counterparts in Norman . Access 3 H. A. Chapman Stadium is located on the south side of the University of Tulsa’s campus, off 11th Street between S. Delaware Ave and S. Harvard Ave. Season tickets holders have permits to use the parking areas on campus, but for others there is a little parking available near the stadium. There is parking along the main streets such as 11th, S. Harvard, and S. Delaware, but those spaces come with a price of $5 to $20 depending on how far away the parking is from the stadium. There is the possibility of free parking throughout the nearby neighborhoods, but be careful and observe the posted signs, as there could be towing involved if you park in the wrong place. The low attendance helps in finding free parking if you decide to arrive at the stadium a couple of hours before kickoff. Furthermore, the entrances to the stadium plaza and grounds are well marked, making a fast and easy process to get inside H. A. Chapman Stadium. The facility is uniquely set up compared to other venues, in that the stadium infrastructure is only 2/3 of the stadium grounds, which allows plenty of space to walk around inside, so you don’t feel confined as you move around the concourse and aisles and walkways throughout the stadium. The seating is primarily bleacher seating, except for the middle of the home side of the stadium, which is reserved for season ticket holders, so the seats in that area are individual, and are near the elevators that lead to the box seats. The bathrooms at H. A. Chapman Stadium are outdated but easy to access. Overall, the venue is easy to move around once parking is secured for the game. Return on Investment 4 The University of Tulsa’s single game football tickets are below average when compared to their counterparts in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), and are much cheaper than prices at larger and more traditional football schools. Single ticket prices range from as low as $15 in the end zones to $50 for mid-field seating. These prices, along with cheap to free parking, the low cost at the concessions stands, and quality top tier college football makes the cost of attending a football game at H. A. Chapman Stadium an above average return on investment. Extras 2 H. A. Chapman Stadium is a venue from the past, that has sustained the age of building new stadiums, by engineering a unique setting in using more than the original infrastructure. The stadium grounds and confined seating doesn’t overwhelm fans, but provides close action to FBS college football. Final Thoughts H. A. Chapman Stadium and The Tulsa Golden Hurricane can’t compare to the state schools in Stillwater or Norman . The football program doesn’t have the deep talented players, the tradition, the facilities, or the donors that would enable them to compete with the Oklahoma State Cowboys or the Oklahoma Sooners . However, Tulsa does a wonderful job in competing with other schools in the FBS and in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The return on investment here is above average, the football talent can at times be well above average, and the historic stadium continues to hold its own in providing a fun-filled college football atmosphere, such that anyone living in or traveling to Tulsa should make a visit during the football season.

Photos by Joshua Guiher, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Medlar Field at Lubrano Park 701 Porter Rd University Park, PA 16802 Penn State Nittany Lions website Medlar Field at Lubrano Park website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 5,406 Nittany Lion Baseball Penn State baseball is the oldest varsity sport at the University, dating back to 1875. In fact, the school nickname came from a player on the team. Harrison Mason declared the local 'Nittany Lion' more ferocious than a tiger during a game against Princeton in 1904. The story soon spread around campus and the Nittany Lion was adopted as the Penn State mascot. Longevity is great, but what is a game like at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, home of the Penn State baseball team that is traditionally mediocre? Food & Beverage 1 Penn State baseball plays in a stadium on campus, but it is shared with a local minor league team, the State College Spikes. The Spikes are known for their high prices, especially when compared to other area teams such as the Altoona Curve and Williamsport Crosscutters. This includes the stadium concession stand prices, which are not lowered for the Penn State games. In addition, the amount of fans at the Penn State game is usually so small that only one concession stand will be open. No all-you-can-eat seats, no wings, no cheesesteak stand, no cupcakes and no creamery ice cream to name a few of the missing options. You basically can get cracker jacks ($3.50), a hot dog ($3.50), a cheeseburger ($4.50), a soda ($3.50/$5.50), or a Gatorade ($4). Beer is not offered during Penn State games, although it is sold in the stadium by the Spikes. Atmosphere 1 There was no atmosphere. Less than 300 people at a game spread out in a 6,000 seat stadium will do that. Couple it with horrible in-game events and you get a stale environment. There was a mismanaged dizzy-bat game that had one contestant start well before the other, narrated over a microphone no one could hear. If that is the school's plan to build an atmosphere, they are always going to have attendance issues. The extra netting that stops foul balls from reaching the stands is also a major deterrent to the atmosphere. Kids want to catch foul balls. Instead, the nets run all the way down the lines to first and third base preventing balls from reaching the stands unless they roll off of the press box roof. Also, the kids' game area and the inflatable bounce toys used during the Spikes game were not in use for Penn State baseball. It was like the school purposefully wanted to keep kids away from the park. There was a baseball card giveaway, but no one was at the stand. The stacks of cards were just sitting on the customer service desk, but no employees were at the desk. Neighborhood 5 State College is one of the best college towns in America. The town is separated from the school by College Avenue, making it easy to walk along the town and find exactly what you are looking for. For a meal, try The Fraser Street Deli, where all of the sandwiches and salads are named after Penn State personalities. You can even get the Harrison Mason or Nittany Lion sandwiches. For dessert, since the cupcake stand is closed at Medlar Field, try *ndulge cupcakes, which is right around the corner from The Fraser Street Deli. They offer a huge selection of tasty cupcakes and also serve gelato. If you want a beer, try Cafe 210, the best bar in town, plus they are one of the few with good outdoor seating. Fans 1 As I mentioned in the atmosphere section, there were no fans. I counted a little less than 300, and over 50 of them were part of a local little league group. No chants, no cheers, no emotion. My seat might as well have been located in a soundproof booth. Access 5 Access was great with free parking, a beautiful new stadium, wide gates, even wider concourses, huge chair back seats and no one around you. It is hard to imagine that no one shows up to such a beautiful park. Well, hard to imagine until you realize how bad the atmosphere is. Return on Investment 4 I was able to attend both a Lady Lion softball game and the baseball game for the same $5 ticket. Softball had a doubleheader so I was actually able to watch the first game, walk over to the baseball park and watch the game there, then go back and watch the last two innings of the second softball game all for $5, a great value. If the baseball game atmosphere was as good as the softball game, I would have given it a five star rating. Extras 1 On the night of my visit, the Nittany Lion did make a guest appearance for a few innings before leaving. Unfortunately he didn't really interact with the fans; he just sat with two females who seemed to know him outside of work. Final Thoughts When you have a college baseball team that hasn't been to the College World Series since the early 1970's, you need to create an amazing atmosphere to attract fans. Instead, Penn State does everything possible to drive away fans, especially kids, which are the heart of any good baseball atmosphere. Until the atmosphere is corrected, the team will always struggle with fan support, even if they start winning.

Sun City Stadium, Photo courtesy of Sun City Historical Society Our next of several features on former Cactus League spring training facilities, some of which still exist and some do not. Sun City Stadium, Sun City, AZ opened in 1971 in one of many Del Webb retirement communities. It first hosted the Sun City Saints, a nationally known girls’ softball team. In 1972, the San Francisco Giants played a few weekday games there. They averaged almost 50 percent better attendance in the brand-new stadium than in their own Phoenix Municipal Stadium over a similar span that year. The Milwaukee Brewers took residence in 1973 and used the ballpark as their winter home until 1985 when they moved to Compadre Stadium in Chandler AZ. Sun City Stadium served the Brewers well for several years but eventually became outdated, as its size was relatively small (3,000+). It had a small clubhouse for the players, shared with the visiting team on game day. Practice facilities were available, but they were not located next to the stadium–something required in newer facilities being built in Arizona. Limited automobile parking was available. Unique for spring training, many Sun City residents came to the game via their golf carts and parked behind the top row of the bleachers with their view down towards the field. Sun City Stadium Golf Carts, Photo courtesy of Sun City Historical Society The stadium was located at the bottom of a large amphitheater with batters hitting south toward the wall/railroad tracks (Grand Avenue/Highway 60). It had bleachers and a tall chain link fence ran behind home plate and the seating. The backstop was brick and stood about 4 ft high. A fence was also placed in front of both dugouts to prevent fouls from knocking out the players. A small press box stood at the top of the concourse up behind home plate. Sun City Stadium Aerial, Photo courtesy of Sun City Historical Society After the Brewers left, Sun City made attempts to continue using it for softball, senior professional baseball, and amateur baseball, with minimal success. After being sold, a property developer razed the stadium in the early 1990’s. Today, The Place at Fountains at Sun City, a 55+ apartment complex, sits on what once was the stadium property. One can almost feel and envision the game being played in its plush green, sunken courtyard. The fountain in the middle of the courtyard could easily have been the pitcher’s mound and the walkway surrounding the yard, the baselines. Residents still get to watch a train rumble across the tracks as it did when the Brewers played baseball there. Concourse from where Sun City residents watched the game in their golf carts (first base side) Freight train passing beyond what would have been third base side View from where right-center field was located. Special thanks to Ben Roloff and the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and to Russ at The Place at Fountains at Sun City.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Hinchliffe Stadium 186 Maple St. Paterson, NJ 07522 New Jersey Jackals website Hinchliffe Stadium website Year Opened: 1932 (renovated 2023) Capacity: 7,500 A Noble Project   There are only four stadia still standing that once hosted Negro League baseball games. Not long ago, that number was in danger of dropping to three. Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ, was built during the depression and named for then-Mayor John Hinchliffe. Hinchliffe made his fortune in brewing before closing operations during Prohibition.   Over the years, Hinchliffe Stadium hosted numerous events, including football, boxing and even auto racing. Local high schools used the stadium extensively. Duke Ellington and Abbott and Costello even performed here (Lou Costello was a Paterson native). However, Hinchliffe might have been more renowned as a baseball venue, as it was home to both the New York Black Yankees and New York Cubans at times during their histories.   Hinchliffe Stadium was overseen by the Paterson School District, who was responsible for upkeep and maintenance. Over the years, as the school system declined and suffered budgetary restrictions, funds formerly allocated to the stadium were diverted for more urgent needs. While the facility was still used heavily into the 1990s, by the end of the 1996-97 school year the stadium was closed and demolition was threatened.   In 2009 Paterson (NJ) City Councilor Andre Sayegh visited Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL. The visit inspired him that the crumbling old stadium in his hometown could be similarly restored to its former glory. He vowed that if he became mayor of Paterson he would fight to make this a reality.   When Sayegh was elected mayor in 2018, he, along with the non-profit “Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium,” secured $95 million in funds to restore and upgrade the facility. However, there was a catch. A professional baseball team had to use Hinchliffe as their home park. Enter the New Jersey Jackals. The Jackals, who had played for 25 years at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University, announced in August 2022 that they would be moving to Paterson, five miles to the north.   The Jackals were founded in 1998, competing in three different leagues over its history. When the floundering Can-Am League merged into the Frontier League, the Jackals were one of five teams invited to join the new circuit. Over their history, the Jackals have won six championships.   The Jackals played their first game at Hinchliffe on May 21, 2023 in front of 400 fans.   Food & Beverage 2   Concessions are sold from several windows along the first base side of the stadium. A basic menu is available here, with hot dogs, burgers and empanadas anchoring the choices. The usual snack items are also available, ensuring that visiting Jackals fans won’t go hungry should they need something to eat during the game.   A Kona Ice truck is stationed right outside the main gate along with the team store, offering a variety of snow cones and cold treats.   Cans of Coca-Cola products are sold here, along with a decent selection of adult beverages. Fans looking for some local flavor here will be disappointed, as the menu exclusively features national brands.   Atmosphere 2   The Jackals put on a show that will be familiar to veteran minor league fans. Unfortunately, the  size of Hinchliffe Stadium serves to dampen the atmosphere here. When you have a crowd numbering in the hundreds in a facility that seats thousands, much of the energy produced is swallowed up by the emptiness in the ballpark.   The scoreboard located at the far end of the stadium in left field appears to have video capabilities but was only used to display player photos and basic game information. The Jackals mascot, Jack, roams the ballpark posing for pictures and interacting with fans. The sound system is excellent and is put to good use with music throughout the game. The on-field emcee takes advantage of this sound system to make as much noise as he can to try and pump up the fans. The PA announcer goes about his job in a more workmanlike fashion.   The odd layout of the baseball diamond at Hinchliffe Stadium can either add to or detract from your enjoyment, depending on your philosophical slant. The very short porch in right field with the 30-foot net atop it was cleared with ease several times during Stadium Journey’s visit. The vast empty spaces of Hinchliffe provided ample room for the youngsters in attendance to chase down balls and expend some energy.   Neighborhood 2   Paterson is the third largest city in the state of New Jersey, with a population of almost 160,000. Located about 20 miles from New York, Paterson built its reputation as an industrial center in the latter half of the 19th century. It was known as “Silk City” due to the prominence of one of its products. As was the case in many mill towns, Paterson experienced hard times as mills closed and businesses moved elsewhere. At one point Paterson graced the list of the five poorest cities in the United States.   Even a cursory glance online will warn visitors of the dangerousness of the city of Paterson. However, if visiting a Jackals game, these fears seem a bit overstated. True, this may not be the most well-to-do neighborhood, but a look around shows the area around Hinchliffe Stadium to be more working class than blighted. As is the case in any large city, there are good and bad areas. That being said, there is little around Hinchliffe Stadium that will beckon fans to stay beyond the last pitch.   There are no options as far as dining or lodging are concerned around the ballpark. A couple of restaurants located about a mile southwest of Hinchliffe, Mexico Bar & Grill and Avocado Steakhouse, featured positive reviews, but as mentioned earlier, most fans are likely to get to nearby I-80 as quickly as possible.   Hinchliffe Stadium is located within the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park. The Great Falls of the Passaic River are less than 100 yards from the stadium and are worth a look if you arrive early to a Jackals game. Fans 2   There was much criticism in some circles over the Jackals’ move to Paterson and the cost of the entire stadium renovation project. Overall, fans have been slow to respond to the new home of the Jackals. The official reported attendance is around 2,300 per game, but the eye test shows much smaller crowds. Stadium Journey visited Hinchliffe on a Saturday night in May, and the crowd numbered about 500.   Still, the team does have its share of dedicated fans. One such fan, “The Trumpet Guy,” sets up shop in section 114 high above home plate and augments the team’s musical selections throughout the game.   Access 3   As you might expect from a ballpark so close to New York City, visitors will have many options for arriving at Hinchliffe Stadium. Interstate 80 and State Highway 19 run just to the south of the ballpark. New Jersey Transit’s  703 and 748 busses stop about a half mile away on West Broadway Street, and the 712 bus runs a few blocks away on Wayne Street.   As part of the ballpark’s renovations, a new parking garage was built on the western (third base) side of the stadium. There are a couple of other parking lots in the area, along with some on-street parking for fans who wish to avoid the garage charge.   Fans will enter the stadium at the top of the facility behind home plate. Stairs and ramps lead down to the seats from here. All seating consists of aluminum bleachers without backs. Due to the odd layout of the baseball diamond, there are poles and nets throughout Hinchliffe that hamper views. Also, the seats along the first base side of the field are set back a bit from the playing field, and the view is obscured by one of the dugouts. The most desired seats are directly behind home plate, although fans will scatter throughout the stadium. A walkway runs the length of the stadium, allowing access to the concessions, restrooms and distant seating sections. Traffic on this walkway does not impede views of the game at any point.   Rest rooms are newly renovated and clean. They are easily large enough for a typical Jackals crowd. Oddly enough during Stadium Journey’s visit, a faucet on the concourse was left open all game, resulting in a waterfall down the stairs and a large puddle on the track behind the dugout. Was the team recreating the Great Falls experience for those fans who missed it?   Return on Investment 4   The Jackals provide an affordable, family-friendly entertainment option for local sports fans. Tickets cost $15 for all seats, with options to sit at picnic tables on the field available for those fans who want to splurge.   Parking in the garage adjacent to the stadium costs an additional $7. The team recommends you purchase a parking pass in advance, but there are plenty of spots available should you wait until game time. Stadium Journey pulled up to the garage about 90 minutes before game time, and there did not appear to be a charge to park in the garage. Fans wishing to avoid a potential charge will find plenty of on-street parking in the area.   Extras 5   The New York Black Yankees called Hinchliffe Stadium home from 1933-1945 with a one-year interruption in 1938. The team honors them, as well as all the other teams to call the stadium home, by flying team flags along Larry Doby Lane, renamed in honor of the baseball Hall of Famer and Paterson native.   History oozes from every inch of this art-deco facility. Take a walk around the outside of the ballpark and take in the tiles of ancient athletes participating in numerous track and field events. The original stadium signs have been restored and displayed outside the ballpark.   The Great Falls National Park directly adjacent to the stadium is certainly worth a look if you arrive early to the game.   The Charles J. Muth Museum is attached to the stadium. It contains artifacts and exhibits that focus not only on local and Negro League baseball history, but other aspects of Hinchliffe Stadium’s history.   A final extra point is awarded for the efforts of the city to preserve and restore this historic venue.   Final Thoughts   While there was a great deal of criticism surrounding the efforts to preserve and restore this historic facility and the Jackals’ subsequent move there, it’s wonderful to be able to step back in time and experience a baseball game in an original Negro League ballpark. While some of the choices made in setting up the field may be questionable, this is a place that every baseball historian should endeavor to visit.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Rogers Arena 800 Griffiths Way Vancouver, BC V6B 6G1 Canada Vancouver Canucks website Rogers Arena website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 18,630 Canucks In Vancouver Ice hockey has a long and storied history in Vancouver, as it has hosted a professional hockey club since 1911. The Canucks came into the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1970. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the NHL. The team has seen great success, as it has won 10 Division titles and two President’s Trophies over its existence. The Canucks have appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals on three occasions (1982, 1994, 2011) but have never won the series. The team began its existence at the Pacific Coliseum, where they played through 1995. They then moved to their present home, which at that time was named General Motors Place. It has been known as the Rogers Arena since 2010. This marks the 50th Anniversary Season for the Canucks and their 25th season in the arena. The arena has two levels of general seating, along with a club/suite level. It has one of the largest capacities in the NHL, as it holds 18,910 fans. Food & Beverage 4 Due to its geographic location and diverse population, Vancouver Canucks games offer a wide selection of concession items. You will find ethnically diverse foods at the Chop (Chinese), VI’s (Indian cuisine) and Gaucho (Argentinian foods) stands. Catch provides fresh seafood that comes from Vancouver Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Other stands offer the more standard stadium fare including Carve (fresh carved sandwiches), Steamers (hot dogs), Crisp (chicken tenders with poutine and fries), Ramago (pizza) and Triple O (hamburgers). Most of the concession stands are found in food court fashion on the corners of the arena concourse. Atmosphere 4 In Canada, ice hockey reigns supreme, and Vancouver was the first Canadian city on the West Coast to receive an NHL franchise. This has led to a long history of sellouts throughout the club’s 50-year existence. Packed stands lead to a great environment in the seating bowl. The seating areas fill early as the crowds do not want to miss even the warmups. After a few lean years, the Canucks have returned to the upper echelon of the NHL by fielding a hard checking, high speed brand of hockey. This keeps fans really engaged in the game, and you will seldom see anyone leave the game early, even if the Canucks are behind. The Canucks management does a great job of keeping the enthusiasm high throughout the game by use of clever cheers, innovative use of the video board to create greater energy and plenty of fan involvement activities during lulls in the action. During the 50th Anniversary Season, the franchise has produced an extensive history reel of highlights which is projected onto the ice before the game. It covers everything from playoff wins to top players of the various decades and even a retrospective of the various uniforms the team has worn. It is impossible to forget the “V” uniforms that included brown, red, yellow and orange in a single jersey! Neighbourhood 5 The Rogers Arena is centrally located in downtown Vancouver. It is next door to BC Place , home of the BC Lions of the CFL and the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS. Vancouver is the largest city in Western Canada and serves as the point of entry for members of the Commonwealth who want to relocate to Canada. As a result, the city is a melting pot of cultures, with a large Asian population as well as a very large First Nations community. Vancouver has a wide variety of things for fans to do before and after the games. You can check out beautiful English gardens in the morning and Chinatown in the afternoon. Popular sites to check out include the massive Stanley Park with its Northwestern totem poles, the Granville Market along the waterfront or the Gastown entertainment and restaurant district. Any visit to Vancouver should be at least three days long to enjoy all it has to offer. Fans 5 Hockey long ago captured the hearts of the residents of Vancouver and the entire province of British Columbia. It is the only NHL team in the province so there are no split loyalties that are the case in the neighboring province of Alberta. Even though Vancouver has major league franchises in both the CFL and the MLS, they both lag far behind the Canucks in the size of their fan base. Canuck fans have a rainbow of options when it comes to what jersey to wear to the game, as the team has not been afraid to experiment with color over its history (with some versions better forgotten!). There is a tight bond between the players and the fan base, as it would be hard to detect which player is the star during the introductions, as each one receives a thunderous ovation. The fans are led in their cheers by Fin, the team’s Orca Whale mascot, along with Mr. P and the Canucks drumline who circulate through the crowd stirring up the fans with some energetic drum riffs. One tradition brought to Vancouver from the lower 48 is the singing of “Sweet Caroline” in the third period. In this case they are led by a faux Neil Diamond known as “Nearly Neill.” Access 2 There are a variety of routes that will get you to Rogers Arena, as it is centrally located in downtown Vancouver. From the Fraser Valley: Use Highway 1 West. Take the First Avenue exit and follow First to Quebec Street. At the fork in the road go left onto Expo Boulevard, which will deliver you to the arena. From West Vancouver: Cross over the Lion’s Gate Bridge and travel through Stanley Park. Take Georgia Street through downtown to Beatty Street then turn left on Abbott Street. Turn right on Pender then right again onto Abbott Street. From the US Border via I-5: After crossing the border I-5 becomes Highway 99 North. Stay on Highway 99 North, crossing the Oak Street North Bridge. Follow Oak Street north and turn right onto Cambie Street. Take first exit onto Pacific Avenue and the arena. Vancouver is served by an excellent public transportation system. It has a SkyTrain light rail system with the Stadium-Chinatown station immediately outside of the Rogers Arena and BC Place. This option allows you to miss the major city traffic that is common in Vancouver and is also cost efficient. For more info go to www.translink.ca . The problems with access begin once you arrive at the arena. The area around the arena is quite congested with new high-rise buildings, which act to block your view of the arena depending on which direction you are coming from. Rogers Arena is also located in between two viaducts with each side being a one-way street. There are several entrances that take you into the arena, but each one is located at a different level within the building, which can be quite confusing. The main concourse is located beneath the viaduct, where it is out of view from the main street leading to the venue. The entrances at the viaduct level bring you in at the 300 (upper level) of the seating bowl. Getting to your seats is even more difficult as Rogers Arena does not have any escalators. You must either utilize three flights of stairs or wait on one of the few elevators in the building to get from the main concourse to the upper level. The main concourse does not provide you with 360-degree access around the rink, as there are private season ticket holders clubs at each end of the ice. There is a 360-degree concourse at the 300 level. Once in the seating bowl on the 300 level you will find a guardrail between each row in the upper level. This causes you to have an obstructed view of the action depending on your height. The concourses at both the 100 and 300 levels are quite narrow and become very congested as soon as the doors to the building open. Like all major sports venues, Rogers Arena has strict security rules in place at entry points. It is best to travel as light as possible and carry any items you have in a clear plastic bag. Return on Investment 3 The Canucks use a variable pricing system for tickets, with Division opponents and other popular teams noted as Premium games. On average you can expect to pay $105 CA for a 100-level seat and $61 CA for a 300-level seat. Parking in lots affiliated with Rogers Arena costs $30 CA. Using the SkyTrain public transportation option costs $10.50 CA for a Day Pass, which allows you unlimited rides throughout the city for a 24-hour period. Concession prices tend to be expensive, but the food quality and number of choices available far exceeds what you would find at other stadiums and arenas. Extras 4 During the 2010 Winter Olympics Games, Rogers Arena was rechristened as the Canada Hockey Place. It hosted both men’s and women’s ice hockey, in where both of Canada’s teams won the Gold medal. The arena also hosted the World Figure Skating Championships in 2001 . The Canucks have retired four numbers over the years. Banners honoring Pavel Bure, Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden and Markus Nasland hang from the rafters of Rogers Arena. The Rogers Arena offers extensive services for persons with disabilities. There are more wheelchair accessible seating locations than are usually found in a sports venue. The video boards in the corners include captioning for the hearing impaired. The Canucks Autism Network ( www.canucksautism.ca ) features a Quiet Room, visual and video books describing the game experience and headphones to dampen sound. Final Thoughts The city of Vancouver and the province of British Columbia are both very popular with tourists due to the spectacular scenery, multiple attractions and a temperate climate by Canadian standards. Any trip to the area during the fall and winter should include a visit to Rogers Arena and a Canucks game. While the arena does not feature some of the amenities found in more modern NHL venues, the franchise still provides a quality fan experience by offering a very competitive team, a diverse menu of concession items and nonstop entertainment throughout the evening.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 North Side Gym 300 Lawrence Street Elkhart, IN 46514 Elkhart High School website North Side Gym website Year Opened: 1954 Capacity: 7,373 Elkhart’s North Side Gym Still a Stunner North Side Gymnasium opened in 1954 and is one of the granddaddies of Indiana high school basketball gyms. When it opened, it seated a whopping 8,348 people and was the biggest of its kind in the world; Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium had been built 5 years before. In the first season of the building, a total of 134,000 people witnessed basketball from the regular season to tournament games, plus an additional 70,000 plus from wrestling matches, the ice follies, conventions, and a Harlem Globetrotters game. The place was hopping with much more than basketball and was a centerpiece for the community. Today, the gym holds 7,373 people, still good enough for sixth in the world, and still hosts events from basketball games to conventions, and concerts last year sold out every one of those seats for a political rally for President Donald Trump. It has served as a sectional site every year since its first season but has not hosted a regional or semi-state basketball game since 1997. Elkhart Memorial and Central High School both play their home games at the gym, but that will change in 2020 when the two schools merge to become Elkhart High School. It is also home to the North Side Middle School basketball program, perhaps making it the largest gym of its kind at the middle school level. The original Elkhart High School racked up 28 sectional and 13 regional championships to go along with 2 finals appearances and 1 state runner-up finish before it was split into Central and Memorial in 1972. Food & Beverage 3 There are two large concession stands located in the outer concourse of the seating bowl that provide all the typical snacks. Candy popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, walking tacos, and pretzels are all affordable and cash only. If you have a sweet tooth, caramel popcorn, and locally made caramel cinnamon donut holes are popular items. Pepsi products are available throughout the building. Atmosphere 4 The North Side Gym offers a magnificent façade on both ends of the building that does not look like it has changed too much in the 54 years that it has been opened. The entrances also feature the original ticket booths that are in the entryway to the main lobby. One item that is new to the gym is the $200,000 privately donated video board that was installed in 2017. The four-sided video board can show live videos, and animated segments, and provide stats from the game. It is the only one of its kind in all of the high school gyms and fieldhouses in the state. The gym also possesses the biggest banners that I have seen in a gym that honor Elkhart’s High School’s 1954 and 1955 basketball semi-state appearances and the 1971 state final runner-up team. The other large banners honor Memorial and Central championships and tournament appearances. Throughout the game, the banners sway back and forth and blend perfectly in the historic gymnasium. The outer concourse features two large concession areas that include narrow hallways that display team photos of past basketball championship teams, memorabilia from both high schools’ past, and both female and male student-athletes of the year. However, there could be a lot more memorabilia displayed throughout the gym due to its importance not only for high school basketball but also for the Elkhart community. Two levels in the seating bowl offer a wrap-around upper concourse to make access a little bit better for moving around during heavily attendant events. The upper seating consists of pull-out bleachers and a few permanent stands that are wedged into the corner of the building and they look quite durable. Neighborhood 4 The gym is about a mile away from downtown Elkhart, also known as the Gateway Mile. The area features an array of attractions from restaurants to theaters, museums, and a riverwalk during the warmer times of the year. There is quite a bit of activity to do before or after a game and with it being so close, it would be silly not to spend some time during your visit. The Riverwalk Culture Trail features green space, gardens, and sculptures but might be somewhat cold during the basketball season. The Lerner Theatre offers concerts and performances, and the Midwest Museum of American Art is inside a neo-classical style former bank that showcases both 19th and 20th-century American art. The National New York Central Railroad Museum preserves both national and local railroad heritage, telling the story of how trains shaped this country. 523 Tap & Grill combines bistro fare and an elegant atmosphere, Five Star Dive Bar is a casual spot for lunch and dinner, featuring live music every weekend. Beer lovers will enjoy Iechyd Da Brewing Company which has personal-sized pizza and $4 pints of craft beer on its menu board. There are also a few more breweries in the area including Evil Czech Brewery Public House and Bare Hands Brewery. Fans 4 They said they don’t pack them in as they used to but during tournament time a building such as the North Side Gym reminds people that Hoosier Hysteria is indeed alive and well. Four schools brought in a healthy amount of fans and students to provide a soundtrack to the tournament. There are all the fixings of Indiana high school basketball from standing student sections, fans jeering at the referees for a bad call, and the storming of the court after the big win. Access 3 NSG is located at North Side Middle School and a few miles north and south of the town's major freeways. I-90 is a toll road and is about 4 miles north of the gym, while SR 20 is 5 miles south of the gym. There are not any signs of the gym, but GPS devices will lead motorists to the spot. There is plenty of parking and during this game, attendants guided motorists to spots an hour before the first tip-off. It can get somewhat crowded in the lower section seating area; there is more room in this area for people to move around while still having a great view of the court. Return on Investment 3 The North Side Gym is one of the iconic venues in the state and perhaps slightly unappreciated to many of us who live a couple of hours south of Elkhart. It is a building that feels like it was made for basketball and offers all the amenities one would expect from this type of arena. Tickets are $10 for both semi-state and $6 for regular season games, parking is free, and the most expensive concession item is $4. Extras 3 The gym receives one point for the four-sided video board that can show live videos, and animated segments, and provide stats from the game. It is the only one of its kind in all of the high school gyms and fieldhouses in the state. The gym receives a second point for the façade that defines the look and character of the building. The simple, yet elegant, wording of the North Side Gym most likely has not changed in 65 years. The third and final point is for the giant banners that wisp in the air in the backcourt and provide the look needed for a basketball gym in any state or at any level. Final Thoughts The North Side Gym is a true gem of Hoosier Temples and continues to provide the community with much more than a place for basketball. Current renovations that include a new video board and scoreboards will indeed make it the place for possible future regional and semi-state games. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Mount Vernon Athletic Complex 2100 Foxhall Rd NW Washington, DC 20007 George Washington Revolutionaries website Mount Vernon Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity : 500 Colonial Soccer Note: In June 2023, George Washington University changed its team name from the Colonials to the Revolutionaries. Located on George Washington University’s Mount Vernon Campus, three miles from the main campus in Foggy Bottom, the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex plays home to several of the Colonials’ athletic programs. The soccer program plays at the main athletic field in the complex, which is also home to the school’s women’s lacrosse program (GW does not have a men’s lacrosse team.) There are also tennis courts, a softball field, and a student gym in the complex. Although sometimes the field is known as GW Soccer Field when used for soccer, it is also referred to by the name of the whole complex given its other uses. Food & Beverage 0 No food and beverage is available for sale at GW soccer games. There is a cafeteria inside West Hall adjacent to the stadium which sells meals at mealtimes which can be taken into the stadium, and one does not need to be a student to buy from there, but it is only open during meal hours and you are at the mercy of whatever they happen to be serving that day. Atmosphere 3 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex has a rather unique seating layout. Assuming you are coming from the parking garage or walking in from off-campus, you will find some random chairs strewn about on a lawn across the street from the stadium. Some fans like to watch from here, or you can walk around to three rows of bleachers on the far side by West Hall. These bleachers can get cramped and there is really no aisle to speak of going across, so expect to have to walk across fans and get walked across yourself. There is a scoreboard on one end of the field which shows only the most basic information. The Colonials have a mascot, who unsurprisingly is a costumed version of George Washington, who sometimes makes appearances at soccer games. Neighborhood 4 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is located in Northwest Washington off Foxhall Road. Although there are several scenic parks and trails in the vicinity, as well as the German Embassy, your best bet for dining is to head elsewhere in the District. A seafood place and an Italian restaurant are located west of the Mount Vernon campus near the Potomac River, and some other places up MacArthur Boulevard, but most of your options will be closer to Downtown, not further. The Tenleytown and Georgetown neighborhoods are a short drive or Uber ride away and offer numerous dining and entertainment options. You can also head downtown and visit the many historic sites. monuments, and memorials along the National Mall. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 4 Although George Washington only draws a couple of hundred fans a game, it seems like more because the bleachers are so compact. Although many fans are family or friends of the players, there are some locals as well. They tend to be extremely knowledgeable about the team and the players and it can get quite loud despite the small crowd size. George Washington has a large international student body, and this is reflected in their student-athletes as well, so you will often see friends, family, and student compatriots of international players flying the flags of their countries and waving signs or cheering for them in their native language. Some fans like to sit in the chairs across the street, but the real crowd action is in the bleachers alongside the field. Access 4 Depending on how you are arriving, the Mount Vernon campus can either be significantly easier or significantly harder to get to than the main campus in Foggy Bottom. While it is not Metro-accessible, it is a lot easier to drive to this campus in outer Washington than it is to drive downtown to the main campus. There is a parking garage on campus right next to the stadium. Parking is free all day on weekends or for up to three hours on weekdays. It can get very pricey if staying for more than three hours on a weekday, starting at $16 for up to four hours and going up from there, so try to go on a weekend or time your visit accordingly. As noted above, the bleachers can be cramped and hard to get around. If this is a concern for you, you can sit in the chairs across the street and have a good view of the game, just arrive early so they aren’t all taken. Although there are no restrooms at the field itself, there are some in West Hall. Just take the stairs or elevator down a level and they are easy to get to. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Colonials’ soccer games is free. You won’t pay for concessions because there aren’t any. We suggest visiting on a weekend to maximize value without having to carefully time things to avoid paying a ridiculous amount for parking. Extras 1 One star for all the unique vantage points to watch a game here. Whether it’s sitting in the crowded bleachers, in chairs across the street, or standing along the fence, there are plenty of ways to take in a GW soccer game here. Final Thoughts Although the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex doesn’t seem like much, even compared to other college soccer venues in the area like Maryland and Georgetown, it is a unique stadium on the outskirts of D.C. where fans can take in a game for free on a crisp fall day. It is a perfect example of how sometimes, less is more. Although the stadium is far from imposing, the small, intimate setting creates a much louder and more entertaining environment than a larger, mostly empty stadium would.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Mount Vernon Athletic Complex 2100 Foxhall Rd NW Washington, DC 20007 George Washington Revolutionaries website Mount Vernon Athletic Complex website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity : 500 A Lacrosse Revolution in D.C. Located on George Washington University’s Mount Vernon Campus, three miles from the main campus in Foggy Bottom, the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex plays home to several of the Revolutionaries' athletic programs. The women's lacrosse team plays at the main athletic field, which is also home to GW soccer . (GW does not have a men's lacrosse team.) There are also tennis courts, a softball field , and a student gym in the complex. Food & Beverage 0 No food and beverage is available for sale at GW lacrosse games games. There is a cafeteria inside West Hall adjacent to the stadium which sells meals at mealtimes which can be taken into the stadium, and one does not need to be a student to buy from there, but it is only open during meal hours and you are at the mercy of whatever they happen to be serving that day, if it is even open when you visit. Atmosphere 2 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex has a rather unique seating layout. Assuming you are coming from the parking garage or walking in from off-campus, you will find some random chairs strewn about on a lawn across the street from the stadium. Some fans like to watch from here, or you can walk around to three rows of bleachers on the far side by West Hall. These bleachers can get cramped and there is really no aisle to speak of going across, so expect to have to walk across fans and get walked across yourself. There is a scoreboard on one end of the field which shows only the most basic information. There is really not much going on here besides the game itself. George Washington has a mascot, who appropriately is a costumed version of George Washington himself, but he was not present when we visited. Neighborhood 4 The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is located in Northwest Washington off Foxhall Road. Although there are several scenic parks and trails in the vicinity, as well as the German Embassy, your best bet for dining is to head elsewhere in the District. A seafood place and an Italian restaurant are located west of the Mount Vernon campus near the Potomac River, and some other places up MacArthur Boulevard, but most of your options will be closer to Downtown, not further. The Tenleytown and Georgetown neighborhoods are a short drive or Uber ride away and offer numerous dining and entertainment options. You can also head downtown and visit the many historic sites. monuments, and memorials along the National Mall. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 The Revolutionaries only draw a couple hundred fans to a typical home game, and with about half choosing to sit in the bleachers and half choosing to sit in the chairs along the grass or bring their own. The crowd is knowledgeable about the team and the sport, but not particularly loud. Most of them are friends or family of the players, although you do get some other locals as well.. When GW is playing a nearby school, expect to have a lot of visiting fans in attendance as well. Because it is far from campus, there are few GW students in attendance, although there is a shuttle bus that runs between the campuses, so they would be able to get here if they wanted io. Access 3 Depending on how you are arriving, the Mount Vernon campus can either be significantly easier or significantly harder to get to than the main campus in Foggy Bottom. While it is not Metro-accessible, it is a lot easier to drive to this campus in outer Washington than it is to drive downtown to the main campus. There is a parking garage on campus right next to the stadium. Parking is free all day on weekends or for up to three hours on weekdays. It can get very pricey if staying for more than three hours on a weekday, starting at $16 for up to four hours and going up from there, so try to go on a weekend or time your visit accordingly. As noted above, the bleachers can be cramped and hard to get around. If this is a concern for you, you can sit in the chairs across the street and have a good view of the game, just arrive early so they aren’t all taken. Although there are no restrooms at the field itself, there are some in West Hall. Just take the stairs or elevator down a level and they are easy to get to. You may need a GW student to card you into the building depending on the time of day, but there will usually be one nearby to help. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Revolutionaries' lacrosse games is free, with the possible exception of Atlatnic 10 or NCAA Tournament matches. You won’t pay for concessions because there aren’t any. We suggest visiting on a weekend to maximize value without having to carefully time things to avoid paying a ridiculous amount for parking. Extras 1 One star for all the unique vantage points to watch a game here. Whether it’s sitting in the crowded bleachers, in chairs across the street, or standing along the fence, there are plenty of ways to take in a GW lacrosse game here. Final Thoughts The Mount Vernon Athletic Complex is a unique college lacrosse venue with many ways to take in a game. However, at its core it is a pretty basic facility. Fans of George Washington University may want to make the trip here to see a game, but there is not much to offer a neutral unless you are a die-hard lacrosse fan.

Photo courtesy of Army West Point Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field Thayer Road West Point, NY 10956 Army Black Knights baseball website Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field website Year Opened: 1939 Capacity: 880 Duty, Honor, Country…Play Ball! Baseball and the United States Military Academy at West Point have a long history together. One of its graduates, Abner Doubleday, is credited to having created the game, and the field the Black Knights play on is named for him. Baseball was the first official sport to be sanctioned by the academy with the first games taking place in 1890. The physical location of Doubleday Field has been hosting games since 1909. The field was formally dedicated as Doubleday Field in 1939, baseball’s centennial year. The stadium has undergone numerous renovations over the years, with major work being done in 1996 and again in 2013. The Johnson Stadium part of the complex’s name is a salute to Rupert Johnson, class of 1922, who helped raise funds for these renovations. A number of famous Americans have been members of the Black Knights baseball teams over the years. Among the most famous are Omar Bradley, Douglas MacArthur, and General Bob Neyland, the team’s all-time record holder for wins as a pitcher, who went on to be a Hall of Fame football coach at the University of Tennessee. Babe Ruth hit the longest home run ever at Doubleday Field during an exhibition game in 1934, with the ball traveling more than 500 feet. Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson also served as Army’s coach for a few of its earliest teams. The present day Black Knights continue the proud history of Army baseball. They have won seven Patriot League championships and made six NCAA tournament appearances. Due to the harsh winters at West Point, the team has pre season training at the Yankees complex in Tampa and the first half of its regular season is on the road in warmer climates. This allows the cadets to have a long string of home games at the end of the season in front of a friendly home crowd and to build momentum heading into the league and NCAA tournaments. Food & Beverage 3 For those who have served in the military, you definitely have better food offerings at Doubleday Field than the MRE’s you once subsisted on! Cadet Food Services brings a fully stocked concession trailer to the field for each game. Among their food offerings are sodas for $3, water for $2, hot dogs and pretzels for $3, while assorted candies and chips are $2. They also offer coffee and hot chocolate as it can get cold on the cliffs above the Hudson far into the spring. Due to security regulations, coolers are not allowed on the campus, and visitors are not permitted in the Cadet Dining Hall, so bringing in or purchasing food other than at the ballpark are not options. Atmosphere 5 Attending a baseball game at Doubleday Field is a unique experience as you are surrounded by history. There are buildings bearing the names of famous generals, the cemetery where many of America’s heroes are buried, and monuments to their accomplishments. All of these are just steps away from Doubleday Field. Over the right field wall are the library and academic complex. Over the left field wall are stunning views of the Hudson River winding past the campus. The stadium is designed for this very purpose. Its low profile does not obstruct the views and its outer walls of granite are meant to emulate the architecture of the surrounding buildings. A nice addition to the exterior of the stadium is a series of engravings of a pitcher, catcher and fielder with West Point buildings in the background. Topping it all off, sitting next to you and playing in front of you are tomorrow’s heroes. You can’t help but to root for the home team and you stand a little straighter and much prouder when the national anthem is played before the game. Another unique moment during Army baseball games comes at 5pm when Evening Retreat (the lowering of the main U.S. flag on campus) is sounded across the campus. The game stops immediately, even if in the middle of a pitch count, and the players, fans and visiting teams all face the parade grounds where the flag is located. Players place their caps over their hearts and anyone in military uniform gives a salute. The campus is completely silent except for the sound of the trumpet until the flag has been lowered. Then the game resumes. Neighborhood 3 The area immediately surrounding Doubleday Field is the United States Military Academy campus. The best way to see the campus is via a free tour bus, as much of the campus is not open to civilians. Outside of the campus is the quaint village of Highland Falls, New York. The town is made up of mom and pop stores, no chain or big box stores. The nicest accommodations in town are right at the entrance to the USMA’s Thayer Gate at the historic Hotel Thayer. It is filled with memorabilia about the Academy and offers stunning views of the Hudson River below the academy. Two other lodging options in town are the West Point Motel and Overlook on the Hudson (a bed and breakfast that was formerly Billy Joel’s home). Among the restaurants to choose from in Highland Falls are Park Restaurant and the Hacienda. Other restaurants and the usual chains are located about 15 miles from the academy in adjoining communities or along I-87. The visitor’s center for the USMA is actually located in the town and is an excellent source of information on the surrounding areas in addition to the Academy itself. Fans 4 The mix of fans you will run into at a Black Knights game is quite a mix. Obviously a large portion will come from the corps of cadets, seeking a short respite from the rigid lifestyle of a military academy and known for its demanding academic standards. Their allegiance to the team is unquestioned and they will cheer loudly, but you will hear no trash talking due to the strict code of conduct at the academy. You are just as likely to be sitting next to a retired general and alumni, who may be on the Board of Directors of a Fortune 500 company now. The third segment of the crowd is the townspeople of Highland Falls, whose lives and jobs are often intertwined with the Academy. Access 3 The United States Military Academy is an active military installation, and has stringent security regulations. All visitors to the campus must enter through the Security Checkpoint located at Thayer Gate. A valid photo ID is required for admittance. Cars may be searched by security personnel during high alert periods, but typically this is not required. You will be given instructions on how to reach Doubleday Field from security. Do not leave the instructed route as many areas of the campus are off limits to civilians. You may want to acquaint yourself with the campus by stopping at the USMA Visitors Center located outside the gates in downtown Highland Falls, which is just outside the Thayer Gate. The nearest airports are in White Plains, NY or Newburgh, NY. By car you would take I-87 to the Highland Falls exit and follow the directions to the USMA. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge to attend a Black Knights baseball game, nor is there any charge for parking. The concessions are limited, but very reasonable in price. Throw in that you are attending a game in one of the most historic and important facilities of United States history as well as a well played game and it is impossible to feel you have not gotten your money’s worth out of the experience. The remoteness of the location and the stringent security requirements are a small price to pay when we realize that national defense depends on the work done on this campus. Extras 3 The best way to see the academy campus is via West Point Tours. They are the licensed vendor with the USMA and are allowed in areas off limits to cars or visitors on foot. One and two hour long tours are available. Bear Mountain State Park is just outside of town and offers great hiking with the views of the Hudson you will never see from the road. Woodbury Commons Outlet Mall is located at the I-87 exit leading into town and has more than 100 stores for those who like to combine shopping on their stadium journeys.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Columbus Civic Center 400 4th St. Columbus, GA 31901 Columbus River Dragons website Columbus Civic Center website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 7,459 River Dragons Fire Up Columbus Columbus, Georgia has a long history of minor league ice hockey. The Columbus Cottonmouths were based in the city from 1996-2017. They played in the CHL (1996-2001), the ECHL (2001-2004), and the SPHL (2004-2017) at different points in their history. They won the CHL Championship in 1998. The Columbus River Dragons came into existence in 2019. They are members of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) which serves as the Class A level of professional hockey. Other teams in the FPHL are in Battle Creek, MI, Danbury, CT, Danville, IL, Winston-Salem, NC, Elmira, NY, Harrington, DE, Mentor, OH, and Port Huron, MI. The River Dragons’ lair is the Columbus Civic Center. It was built in 1996 and has a seating capacity of 10,000 (7,459 in its hockey configuration). It also has three suites which are available on a game-by-game basis. The Dragon Party Pits are a set of group/party seating areas located at the ice level at the end of the ice where the River Dragons are on the attack twice during the game. The Civic Center features a Daktronics center-hung four-sided scoreboard. The Dragon’s Den sells team merchandise at the concourse level. Food & Beverage 3 There are six concession stands located at the concourse level of the facility. The number of these stands that are open on a given night depends on the expected attendance. Service was very efficient the night we attended a game, so we did not encounter any lines. The menu of items served at the stands is limited, as it offers only the usual arena staples of hot dogs, candy, popcorn, and soft drinks. Atmosphere 4 The return of hockey to the Columbus area has brought a great deal of excitement to the River City. The team has picked up where the Cottonmouths left off and built on their legacy by offering a very impressive team that won an Ignite Cup in its second year of existence. The staff of the team does a great job of keeping a night out at a game as entertaining as possible. They do all sorts of competitions in between the periods and Scorch and Torch can often be found roaming the stands, posing very willingly with the fans. There is not a bad seat in the house. The concourses are wide and allow for easy navigation between periods or prior to the game. Torch Serves as the River Dragon's Mascot, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 The Columbus Civic Center is in a sports complex known as the South Commons and Golden Park. The complex features the Civic Center, a stand-alone ice skating rink, a baseball park, a football stadium, and a skateboard park. Golden Park is home to a softball stadium that served as the women’s softball venue during the 1996 Olympic Games. The South Commons complex lies along the eastern shore of the Chattahoochee River, which serves as the Georgia/Alabama state border. The Civic Center is just south of downtown Columbus. It is also just north of the Fort Benning Army base. Ft. Benning is the largest training facility for the US Army in the country. There are two military-related museums near the venue. The National Civil War Naval Museum offers a look at the various ships and ironclads used by both the Union and the Confederacy in battles to control access to the ports that were vital supply lines to both sides. This museum is located across the parking lot from the Civic Center. Fort Benning is home to the National Infantry Museum and is located a few blocks east of the Civic Center. Downtown Columbus is located just north of the Civic Center via Veteran’s Parkway. It features the home of blues legend Ma Rainey as well as the homes of John Pemberton, the inventor of the formula for Coca-Cola, and the residence of author Carson McCullers, who wrote: “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” Fans 3 The River Dragons fanbase is a combination of the hardcore fans who have been involved in Columbus hockey since 1996. They are easy to identify, as it is not usual to see fans still wearing their Cottonmouth jerseys. The team is very involved in the community, especially doing appearances in local schools and at youth hockey games taking place next door at the Columbus Ice Center. This seems to be paying off, as there are a number of teams at each game. The team recognizes the teams before the game and in between the periods. The youth teams often take the ice themselves in a very short game between the periods. A third component of the fanbase is members of the military. Fort Benning is a close neighbor to the Civic Center and troops going through basic training frequent River Dragons when they are allowed an evening off base. Columbus is also the permanent home for many retired military personnel. Often these service members grew up in towns where hockey is more prevalent than in the South. They know the game well and enjoy seeing it played at any level. Access 4 The Columbus Civic Center is easy to access as it is located at the intersection of two of Columbus’ main thoroughfares. It is equally easy to access from Phenix City, AL, which is just across the state line from Columbus Directions from the North: Take I-85 South to I-185 South. Take I-185 South to Exit 1B (Victory Drive/US Highway 27 North) Turn right at end of the ramp. Continue Victory Drive until you reach the Veteran’s Parkway intersection. Turn left at this intersection into the Civic Center parking lot. Directions from the West: From Phenix City, AL take US Highway 280 East, crossing the Chattahoochee River into Georgia. At the intersection of Victory Drive and Veteran’s Parkway turn right into the Columbus Civic Center’s parking lot. Return on Investment 4 A night out with the River Dragons will not burn a hole in your wallet. Seats on the sides of the rink at both the 100 and 200 level cost $12. Seats at the south end of the ice cost $10. Parking at the Columbus Civic Center is free for River Dragons games. The concessions sold at the Civic Center are very reasonably priced. Hotels in the area cost less than $100 a night. Extras 4 The team mascots are a pair of dragons named Torch and Scorch. Present River Dragons Coach and General Manager Jerome Bechard is “Mr. Hockey” in the Columbus area. He has been a part of the Columbus hockey scene since 2004 as a player, coach, and General Manager. The Columbus Ice Center is located next door to the Civic Center. It serves as the home ice for the youth hockey teams in the area and is also the home ice for the Auburn University club hockey team. The River Dragons are one of the few Class A hockey teams that have a TV contract. WTVM broadcasts twenty-two games a year. Final Thoughts Minor league hockey has returned to the River City in the form of the Columbus River Dragons. They have already brought a great deal of excitement to Columbus as they won the Ignite Cup in only their second year of existence. The Dragon’s Lair is located alongside the Chattahoochee River at the Columbus Civic Center.

Each photo courtesy of the MiLB team that mascot(s) represents I think it is fair to say that American sports fans love a mascot. Virtually every major league sports franchise boasts some colorful, larger-than-life embodiment of their team, and there is even a Hall of Fame  devoted to the best of the best in the mascot world.   One avenue where the mascot truly thrives is in the wild, often carnival-like world of minor league baseball. Minor league teams annually pull out all the stops to keep themselves top-of-mind for their fans, like “colorful” team names, wacky promotions, live entertainment, and of course, the mascots.   Here in Texas, this is no exception. Currently there are 12 minor league franchises in the Lone Star State across multiple levels and multiple leagues. Nine of these ballclubs feature at least one costumed mascot at their home stadiums. Here is a quick rundown – in alphabetical order – of all the minor league mascots in Texas:   Amarillo Sod Poodles   Founded: 2019 Stadium: Hodgetown Stadium League: Double-A Texas League Mascot: RUCKUS the Sod Poodle Ruckus, Photo Courtesy of the Amarillo Sod Poodles For the uninitiated, in the far northern reaches of the panhandle of Texas, a “sod poodle” refers to a prairie dog. Officially recognized as a black-tailed prairie dog, RUCKUS made his debut along with the team in 2019. His bio lists his favorite hobbies as baseball (of course), digging, and sleeping, and his favorite snacks are grass, flowering plants, hot dogs, and Cracker Jack. --- Cleburne Railroaders   Founded: 2017 Stadium: The Depot at Cleburne Station League: American Association of Professional Baseball (Independent) Mascots: Gandy  & Spike Gandy and Spike, Photo Courtesy of the Cleburne Railroaders As could be guessed by their name, the railroad – specifically the Santa Fe Railroad, which built a major hub in the city in 1898 – plays a large part in the history of the north Texas city of Cleburne. With that in mind, the Railroaders’ two mascots play into that history and culture. Spike is literally a railroad spike brought to life, while Gandy pays homage to the Santa Fe workers of the past, who were called “Gandy Dancers”. --- Corpus Christi Hooks   Founded: 2005 Stadium: Whataburger Field League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Sammy the Seagull  & Rusty the Fish Hook   Sammy and Rusty, Photo Courtesy of the Corpus Christi Hooks Located near the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the Hooks and their home stadium pay homage to the history and industry of Corpus Christi. Their mascots, Sammy the Seagull and Rusty Hook, have been part of the club since opening day. Rusty is the official logo of the team, while Sammy has a nest atop the left-field foul pole. ---  El Paso Chihuahuas   Founded: 2014 Stadium: Southwest University Park League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Chico   Chico, Photo Courtesy of El Paso Chihuahuas Set in the farthest outpost in the great state of Texas, the city of El Paso is unlike any other in the state. Historic and rugged, the city is equal parts Mexico and Texas. The ballclub takes its name from the Chihuahuan Desert that encompasses the area. The team’s mascot, Chico, is a human-sized Chihuahua dog and one of the most beloved ambassadors of the city. His bio notes that he is a classically trained barker; in college he majored in recognition and retrieval of tennis balls, with a minor in bone-burying. --- Frisco RoughRiders   Founded: 2003 Stadium: Dr Pepper Ballpark League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Deuce, Daisy, Ted E Bear & Bull Moose Deuce, Daisy, Ted E Bear & Bull Moose, Photos Courtesy of Frisco RoughRiders The Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Frisco is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It has been home to its minor league team for over two decades, with the team named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt’s famed volunteer cavalry unit, which called Texas their base of operations. The RoughRiders also stake claim to having the most mascots of any team in the state – Deuce  and Daisy  are a male and female pair of prairie dogs, while the other two, Bull Moose  (a nod to the former President’s one-time political party) and Ted E Bear  (a giant bear wearing Roosevelt’s military garb), pay homage to Roosevelt lore. --- Midland RockHounds   Founded: 1999 Stadium: Momentum Bank Ballpark League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Juice, Rocky, & Chip   Juice, Rocky, & Chip, Photo Courtesy of the Midland RockHounds The West Texas city of Midland sits at the crossroads of the state’s booming oil and gas industries. Their minor league club, one of the oldest continually active ones in the Texas league, owes its name to the energy economy (a “rockhound” is a nickname for a geologist). Midland boasts no less than three mascots: Juice the Moose, who has been with the team since the ‘80s and, according to his bio, spends his off seasons in Montana; Rocky the RockHound, Sr., who is Juice’s best friend and doubles as the team’s logo; and last but not least the newest mascot, Chip the Rock Hammer, who spends his free time digging up dog bones for Rocky. --- Round Rock Express   Founded: 2000 Stadium: Dell Diamond League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Spike     Spike, Photo Courtesy of the Round Rock Express Just north of the capital city of Austin lies Round Rock and its minor league ball club, the Express. Named in honor of team owner Nolan Ryan, the Express has been one of the state’s most successful clubs on the field. The team’s mascot, Spike , is one of my personal favorites, as he is a human-sized bulldog dressed as a train conductor. ---  San Antonio Missions   Founded: 2021 Stadium: Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium League: Double-A Texas League Mascots: Ballapeño  & Mamapeño Ballapeño & Mamapeño, Photo Courtesy of the San Antonio Missions Another of the oldest minor league teams in Texas (historically founded in 1892), and located in the historic city of San Antonio, the team owes its moniker to the 17th century Spanish missions  that dot the city. Including the famed Alamo, these missions are part of the National Park System and were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Officially boasting two mascots ( although a third “unofficial” one  has been part of the team since moving into the Wolff in 1994) in Ballapeño and his mother Mamapeño, they are both human-sized jalapeño peppers. Don’t cross Mamapeño though, lest you feel the wrath of her chancla ! --- Sugar Land Space Cowboys   Founded: 2021 Stadium: Constellation Field League: Triple-A Pacific Coast League Mascot: Orion   Orion, Photo Courtesy of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys The city of Sugar Land is a major suburb of the greater Houston metro area. Founded as a company town for the Imperial Sugar Company, the city has a long and proud sports tradition. The Space Cowboys, named in honor of nearby Houston’s NASA Johnson Space Center, also have one of the more unique mascots in the land in Orion – this blue-hued space canine was found on the Saturn moon of Mimas, but stowed away on an explorer’s spaceship to make Sugar Land his home. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Centene Stadium 1015 25th St N Great Falls, MT 59401 Great Falls Voyagers website Centene Stadium website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 4,000 Home of the Great Falls Voyagers Perched on a breezy bluff above the Missouri River, Centene Stadium is the home of the Great Falls Voyagers, a member of the Rookie Advanced Pioneer League’s eight-team circuit and part of the Chicago White Sox farm system. The stadium, originally known as Legion Park, was first constructed in 1940 as a WPA project at the end of the Great Depression. In the 1950s and 60’s the stadium fell into disrepair and minor league baseball left for a time. Citizens of Great Falls banded together to raise funds to renovate the stadium, and minor league baseball returned in the late 1960s. The stadium is owned by the City of Great Falls and is also home to all of Great Falls's American Legion baseball teams. Ongoing renovations including a new office wing in 2003, an expanded concourse in 2010, and a new outfield wall in 2014, along with many more upgrades and improvements give the stadium a more updated and modern look than its 1940 birthday would indicate. The Voyagers, and their alien mascot Orbit, take their name from a famous UFO sighting in 1950 when the General Manager of the Great Falls Electrics, Nick Mariana, caught some film footage of two silver unidentified objects passing over Great Falls. The video helped set off a frenzy of UFO investigations that continues to this day. Food & Beverage 3 It’s been a great surprise touring these Pioneer League ballparks and seeing the nice variety of concessions available. Centene Stadium is no exception. The main concession stands are located underneath the main grandstand. The prices won’t break the bank with a hot dog being $3.00, small soda $3.00, a hamburger $6.00, chicken strips $6.50, and french fries $3.00. Beer is sold below the grandstand as well with domestic and micros available on tap and in aluminum pints and cans. A domestic draft like Bud or Bud Light is $4.50. Local micros are also available including Belgian White, a popular wheat ale brewed in nearby Belt, Montana for $5.50. But that’s not all, there’s some specialty stands located along the third baseline next to the Home Run Club patio selling pizza, bbq, donuts, and the Mighty Mo Brewing Company tent, selling their brews made right here in Great Falls. Atmosphere 3 It’s summertime. It’s a beautiful evening. The beer is tasty and minor league baseball is being played. What a great way to relax and unwind from the day. There are Voyager fans who love their team, but no one gets too worked up about anything. The PA announcer does a good job of keeping the crowd up to date and Orbit the mascot constantly roams around with the local kids in tow. The big blue Montana sky above just adds to the ambiance. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located amongst some huge grain elevators, railroad tracks, and other industrial buildings. It would be a bit of a hike from the ballpark to any bars or restaurants, but it’s easy to get to those places by bike or car. Residential Great Falls is just a few blocks away with its gridded tree and sidewalk lined street system. There’s a golf course beyond the outfield fence and a Veterans Memorial next to the parking lot to soften the impact of the otherwise industrial neighborhood. Take in the views of the Black Eagle Dam just across River Drive from the stadium. Also just down the road is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, not be missed if visiting Great Falls, and Giant Springs State Park-also very much worth stopping to see. Downtown Great Falls (3 miles from the stadium) has had some hard times since the 1980s, but it is coming back to life in a wonderful way. There are several interesting bars, restaurants, and shops downtown worth exploring. A couple of highlights are the Celtic Cowboy Pub and Restaurant next to the Hotel Arvon, a boutique hotel located in one of Great Falls’ oldest and completely restored buildings. The campy Sip and Dip Lounge with their swimming mermaids in an aquarium behind the bar is almost world famous. And the Mighty Mo Brewing Company’s taproom has brought back some energy to the area. Great Falls has numerous museums to take in including the aforementioned Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, along with a railroad museum, children’s museum, and the C.M. Russell Museum, featuring the former home, studio, and artwork of Montana’s most famous artist, Charlie Russell. Fans 3 What really stands out to me is the number of kids in the stands. It’s a real family affair at a Voyagers game. The crowd is friendly and knowledgeable. Most of the kids are there for the concessions or to socialize, but there are many hardcore baseball fans who are interested in the game, keeping score, cheering on the individual players, and chastising the umpire if they feel it is necessary. Everyone seems to be having a good time and all encounters are very welcoming to visitors. Access 3 Centene Stadium is located off River Drive, a busy roadway connecting downtown to the industrial areas above the Missouri River and the tourist attractions in the vicinity such as the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Giant Springs State Park. The stadium is also easily accessed from the residential street grid from 25th Street North. Just pay attention, as some of the streets, including 25 Street, turn into one-ways. It’s easy to get to the stadium by bicycle or on foot via the street grid. Unfortunately, a direct connection hasn’t been made between the stadium and the extensive River’s Edge Trail system. There are bike racks right next to the ticket window. However, the locals don’t seem to take advantage of this opportunity as there are generally only a few bikes in the bike rack. Free motor vehicle parking is in excessive abundance right next to the stadium. Once parked, many hardcore baseball fans walk the smooth pavement leading to the ticket booth and entrance. Though being a very old stadium, renovations have been retrofitted well to make the facility handicapped accessible. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices are pretty reasonable at $10 for box seats behind home plate and $8 for general admission bleacher seats. There are always ticket promotions throughout the season as well; just check the Voyagers official website. A generous amount of reserved and general admission seating is undercover for those hot sunny day games. The metal bleachers are a little on the hard side, so a seat cushion is a good thing to have. Concessions are not unreasonably expensive for a minor-league baseball game, and there are lots of choices. There’s no reason to leave Centene Stadium hungry or thirsty. Extras 3 One bonus point for the roof over the main grandstand. Many newer ballparks seem to be lacking this amenity, but it makes going to a baseball game in the summer an altogether more pleasant experience on hot and/or breezy days, and Great Falls gets a lot of both. One bonus point for the Great Falls River’s Edge Trail system. Though it doesn’t directly connect to the stadium, this extensive trail system takes visitors by bike or on foot along both sides of the magnificent Missouri River. There are all sorts of interpretive signs along the paths and there are great views of the dams and what’s left of the waterfalls that give the City its name. One bonus point for Great Falls founder, Paris Gibson, who laid out the City in such a logical way and with generous amounts of parkland-especially along the river. Gibson’s influence has fostered a strong sense of community in Great Falls, and it shows in the many public amenities available, including many parks, museums, trails, and the City-owned Centene Stadium. Whether you are a Montanan looking for a weekend getaway, or a tourist passing through the state, Great Falls is a great place to spend a few days in the summertime. Final Thoughts Going to Centene Stadium will give you a pretty typical minor-league baseball experience, and a typical minor-league experience is a wonderful experience.