Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 CSI Companies Court @ UNF Arena 11852 University of North Florida Drive Jacksonville, FL 32224 North Florida Ospreys website UNF Arena website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 5,800 Birds of Trey The University of North Florida is a relatively young school, being founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 1965.  Today it boasts over 16,000 students and athletic teams that compete at the Division I level of the NCAA.  The North Florida Ospreys have been competing in men’s basketball since 1992 when they began in NAIA.  They quickly moved up to Division II and in 2005 they moved to Division I.  The Ospreys have settled in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they have won the regular season title three times and the Atlantic Sun Tournament, granting their only berth in the NCAA Tournament, in 2015.  During their tenure, the Ospreys have leaned into their identity as a 3-point shooting team, dubbing themselves the Birds of Trey. Home for the Ospreys is UNF Arena.  Located on campus in Jacksonville, UNF Arena opened in 1993, just after the Ospreys began their first season, and has a capacity of 5,800.  Inside UNF Arena is CSI Companies Court, which is named after a local staffing and recruiting company. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stand is located in the main lobby.  It has a simple menu that provides the basics in arena fare.  Fans will find hot dogs, burgers, pizza, pretzels, nachos and popcorn.  Beverages include soda, water, coffee along with wine seltzer and beer.  The selection is basic and fans won’t go hungry, but there is also nothing that will peak the imagination. Atmosphere 3 UNF Arena is located on campus at University of North Florida and is a solid venue for mid-major college basketball.  The exterior consists of brown brick and concrete trim in a cube-like shape.  The main entry is from the west side where a large courtyard, perfect for pre-game gathering, is found.  The courtyard hosts a large osprey fountain.  Entering from the west, fans will pass under a large, corrugated concrete overhang.  After entering UNF Arena, fans will find themselves in a clean and bright lobby with plenty of Ospreys logos.  A plethora of display cases are found in the lobby and there is plenty to peak the attention of fans before heading in to find their seats.  One of the more unique cases finds itself under the landing of the staircase.  This large display case is mostly dedicated to the North Florida rivalry with crosstown Jacksonville University.  The Ospreys and Dolphins share the River City Rumble and play for the Old Wooden Barrel.  Although too new to hit the consciousness of the average college basketball fan, it is a great attempt by both schools to stoke interest in their teams.  A set of stairs takes fans up to the club section where the athletics Hall of Fame display can be found. Upon entering the main part of the arena, fans are met with CSI Companies Court, which is east-west oriented.  That perfect center court picture is going to come from the north side.  Again, there are plenty of North Florida Ospreys markings inside the arena, which is clean and attractive.  The east end is the student section and the west end is where the perch, or club seating, is found.  The north and south seating is divided into upper and lower levels, with the retractable lower levels featuring cushioned arena seats and the upper levels, contoured plastic bench seats.  The championship banners hang above the club section on the west end including the tournament berths, three Atlantic Sun regular season championships and 2015 Atlantic Sun Tournament Championship.  There is also a banner honoring Dallas Moore, who has the distinction of a career 2,437 points, most by any player at a Florida Division I school.  There are simple scoreclocks that hang at the east and west ends and videoboard above center court. However, they lack any statistics, including points by players. The gameday production is typical of a mid-major college basketball game.  The game that was reviewed was during the winter break and the UNF campus was very quiet.  This was definitely not the typical gameday environment.  The team is led on the court by flag bearers and the cheer team performs stunts during pregame and play stoppages.  The mascot, Ozzie the Osprey, and the UNF Pep Band are normally at Osprey games, however, they were not present at the game that was reviewed.  During a North Florida free-throw, the cheerleaders and fans raise their hands up and if the shot is good, everyone yells “Swoop!”  For those who are new, it is even indicated on the court. Of course, the 3-point baskets are tracked with an intern hanging a “3” on the railing that separates the upper and lower levels on the south side. Neighborhood 4 UNF Arena is located on the campus of the University of North Florida in the Sans Pareil neighborhood of Jacksonville.  There are a number of options for pre or post game food and drink that are not too far away.  They include RH Rooftop Restaurant, Ted’s Montana Grill, Prata Italia and Bazille.  There are a number of other sporting events in Jacksonville.  Of course, checking out the cross-town rival Jacksonville Dolphins  is a plan when in town.  Other options include the Jacksonville Jaguars , Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp , and Jacksonville Icemen .  Annually, Jacksonville hosts the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl  and the Florida-Georgia College Football game.  Other tourist options in the area include the Jacksonville Zoo, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and of course, the beaches. For fans wishing to stay in the area, the Holiday Inn is very close to campus. Fans 3 The game that was reviewed was during winter break and campus was very quiet.  That being said, the North Florida Ospreys typically average over 1,600 fans per game.  This ranks them 7th in the Atlantic Sun Conference at the time of writing.  With a capacity of over 5,000 at UNF Arena, there is plenty of room to grow and more fans in the stands will help provide a better college basketball environment.  The fans that were in attendance were knowledgeable and supportive of the Ospreys.   Access 4 UNF Arena is located on the campus of the University of North Florida in the Sans Pareil neighborhood of Jacksonville.  Campus is located east of I-295, south of US-90 and north of US-202.  Getting to campus and the arena is not too difficult.  There is plenty of parking on campus, and for the game that was reviewed the parking garage south of UNF Arena was free.  For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are buses that travel University of North Florida Drive.  Fans should consult the Jacksonville Transit Authority  website for fares, maps and schedules. Getting around the arena is not difficult at all and the washroom facilities are adequate for the facility.  Return on Investment 4 Taking in a North Florida Ospreys game provides a solid return on investment.  Tickets for the Ospreys start at $15 for the General Admission upper levels and $20 for the reserved lower levels.  Concession prices are good and parking was free for the event that was reviewed.  The product on the court is solid and UNF does a good job of presenting the game.  Fans will have a good experience at North Florida. Extras 2 An extra mark that North Florida has with Jacksonville.  The schools face off in the River City Rumble and play for the Old Wooden Barrel. An extra mark for North Florida leaning into their 3-point identity. Final Thoughts Taking in a North Florida Ospreys basketball game while in the Jacksonville area is a great way to get a sporting fix.  CSI Companies Court @ UNF Arena is a bright and clean facility that is a solid mid-major college basketball venue.  With any luck, the Ospreys will be hitting 3-pointers, proving to all those in attendance, that they truly are the Birds of Trey. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Moody Coliseum 6024 Airline Rd Dallas, TX 75205 SMU Mustangs website Moody Coliseum website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 7,000 The ACC’s Smallest Basketball Gem Southern Methodist University’s basketball team, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, plays on campus in Moody Coliseum, located just north of downtown Dallas. Moody Coliseum originally opened on December 3, 1956 – the multi-purpose coliseum is a large part of SMU’s University Park neighborhood, housing not only SMU athletics, but also concerts and academic ceremonies, as well as basketball and volleyball camps. However, Moody Coliseum’s most famous moment could be when the coliseum served as the temporary home for the Dallas Mavericks  in 1984; that game was titled “Moody Madness”, as the Mavericks came away with an upset playoff win versus the Seattle Supersonics. Over the years, Moody Coliseum has had minor renovations, keeping the gym current with the times. However, in 2013 it was time for Moody Coliseum to undergo a major renovation project – that renovation would update the main lobby, bring in new concessions and wider concourses, improve the lighting and seating, provide luxury boxes, give the building wi-fi capability and new locker rooms, and would also bring in an LED scoreboard, LED signage around the arena, and a new floor scheme. This renovation, at a cost of $40 million, transformed the old-school gym into an updated arena for SMU basketball. Following the renovation, Moody Coliseum re-opened on January 4, 2014 to a sellout crowd, with an upset win over the then # 4-ranked and eventual National Champion Connecticut Huskies .   Food & Beverage   3 Moody Coliseum’s concessions have been updated to having areas to pick up your items before moving to the cashier. There are plenty of these locations on both sides of the arena, but this leaves the concession menu to the basics. The menu at these stands is the typical fare of pepperoni or cheese pizza for $8, nachos for $8, or hot dogs and pretzels for $7. Other stadium fare, such as peanuts, bagged popcorn, potato chips, large cookies, and Minute Maid Italian ice cost a little less. SMU’s basketball concessions also offer Antone’s Famous Po’Boy sandwiches. The lone concession stand that offers anything outside the basics is a local Tex-Mex eatery called Mi Cocina, which offers loaded nachos or a taco salad for $17, or quesadillas and tacos available for $14, while chips and salsa are $10. SMU athletics serves Coca-Cola products on campus, so for a $7, 32oz souvenir cup you have a choice of Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Mr. Pibb, or Sprite. Along with the soda offerings, there is also Powerade ($6) and Dasani bottled water ($5). Beer and wine are also sold inside Moody Coliseum; the selection of domestic beer is limited to three choices, including Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra for $10. There’s a local craft pilsner available as well, and in addition to beer, wine and Truly seltzer are also served.   Atmosphere   3 Moody Coliseum has all the modern accessories that fans enjoy, but what really makes Moody Coliseum special is the intimate feel of its basketball gymnasium. The arena’s 7,000 seats and great sightlines are a big part of an atmosphere that larger venues just can’t capture. The biggest asset of this type of atmosphere is that the fans can easily get involved with the game. The coliseum has three levels of seating, the 100 level, the 200 level, and the suite level. The suite level is above the 200 level and runs along the sideline across from the team benches. In the lower 100 level, however, the seating is dominated by SMU students, leaving only the seats across from the team benches as premium seating. The students, known as “The Stampede”, surround the baseline and bench sidelines inside the facility. They are continuously loud and energetic, and provide such an intimidating atmosphere that it contributes to Moody Coliseum having a home-court advantage for the Mustangs. The wonderful playing of college band music is alive and well inside Moody Coliseum, as one of the best bands in college sports, the Mustang Band, is positioned in section 100 behind the baseline. In addition, the SMU cheerleaders and pom squad are positioned along the baseline on opposite sides; each group works tirelessly throughout the game to entertain the crowd. The Mustangs mascot, Peruna, also not only entertains but engages the crowd, and gets the already loud and festive student section to become even more involved throughout the game. The atmosphere inside Moody Coliseum can become electric for games, but this hasn’t been a constant. However, SMU being in a new conference could be just what they need to bring back the Moody Magic, which once made this venue one of the most exciting atmospheres in college basketball.   Neighborhood   4 Moody Coliseum is on the beautiful campus of Southern Methodist University – the campus itself covers 243 acres with an enrollment of about 11,000 students. The neighborhood surrounding campus is called University Park, located just north of downtown Dallas off I-75. Within a short distance is Mockingbird Station, a development of shops, dining, and apartment complexes that were built around the Mockingbird DART light rail stop. Mockingbird Station has about 11 different restaurants and 18 shops – the most popular spot is the Londoner Pub. The complex also includes the Angelika Film Center, which provides an 8-screen theater (complete with stadium seating) devoted to independent and specialty films. In addition, just a short walk from Mockingbird Station is Campisi’s Restaurant, a Dallas staple since 1946. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at Mockingbird Station, just walk a few blocks north on SMU Boulevard and you’ll find Torchy’s Tacos, Milo Butterfingers, and the Barley House. The Barley House is the perfect college bar, especially if you plan to partake in alcoholic beverages, with its large list of beers on tap from breweries around the state. Of course, the DART light rail can easily get you to plenty of other pre or postgame activities, with downtown Dallas being just a short commute south. There is plenty of lodging around the SMU campus, with downtown Dallas being a short distance away and accessible via the DART light rail. However, if you want to stay in the area there is the Beeman Hotel on North Central Expressway, a short walk from campus near SMU Boulevard, located just across the highway from the main local attraction here, the George W. Bush Presidential Library. Besides the library there is also the Meadows Museum, just off the main boulevard on SMU’s campus, which is well worth your time to visit. The public transit and location near Dallas provide plenty of tourist attractions and a wide range of restaurants and lodging for any fan attending a game at SMU.   Fans   3 There are various levels of fandom when it comes to college sports; the fans that grew up rooting for a certain school, the alumni of the school, and of course the current students. The SMU fans and alumni combine to form a wonderful fan base, but it is the current students that are the heart and soul of Moody Coliseum, who continue to bring the arena to life game after game. The students, known as “The Stampede”, provide the support that has helped give Moody Coliseum such a homecourt advantage. They sit courtside between the two team benches, and the bigger the game, the more those seats are full and loud. As for the rest of the fans, it depends on the visiting team and the day of the game – for Saturday games, the capacity is much higher than during weekday games. Overall, the fans are what you would expect from a school that is just putting on their basketball shoes in a historically known basketball conference.   Access   4 Southern Methodist University is in University Park, just north of downtown Dallas. Moody Coliseum is located on the SMU campus and is accessible from I-75 near the George W. Bush Presidential Library. SMU’s campus doesn’t provide the most ideal parking situation for sporting events, but the campus is accessible via public transportation. There are four cash parking areas around the coliseum: Moody Garage, Binkley Garage, Meadows Garage, and Westcott Surface Lot, all of which cost $25 and are close and accessible to Moody Coliseum. Otherwise, there is also free parking at Expressway Tower or at Dallas Area Rail Transportation’s Mockingbird Station. The DART light rail is a great option for fans not familiar with the Dallas traffic; Mockingbird Station is a major stop on the Red, Orange, and Blue lines, so you can reach the station from most of the DFW area, including the DFW airport. Once you get to Moody Coliseum there is only one main entrance for the general public. After walking thru metal detectors, fans walk into the Nancy and Richard Rogers Lobby – this lobby houses the ticket office, the Mustangs Pro Shop, and other items, such as free programs. The concourse is well lit and there is plenty of signage to help you navigate around the arena. The concourse can become crowded at high-traffic points during the game, such as before the game, at halftime, and after the game.   Return on Investment   4 The recent conference realignment has put SMU back into a power 5 conference; although football is still king in Texas, entering a traditionally strong basketball conference can only improve the SMU basketball program. SMU uses a flex system for single game ACC conference games – if you are not familiar with this, flex pricing means there are price increases or decreases depending on ticket demand. ACC conference game tickets start the season with typical ACC prices, as they range from $25 to $40 per game, except the Duke game, which is $165. By the end of the season, however, conference games are down to $17 to $23. It is not that SMU is a bad team; it is just that the current SMU basketball demand isn’t there. You can always expect Duke and North Carolina to have premier ticket prices, but always check third party websites to compare with prices on SMU’s website – there are some great deals for tickets during the season, and free parking can also be found nearby. Concessions here have average prices compared to sports venues. Overall, a visit to the SMU campus, along with a game inside Moody Coliseum, is well worth the price and trip for sports enthusiasts.   Extras   3 Moody Coliseum itself has been around since 1956 and continues to keep SMU athletics engaged with other college basketball teams around the country, via serving as the home court for SMU’s men’s and women’s basketball, as well as volleyball. Moody Coliseum offers excitement for college basketball in a football-driven state and provides an atmosphere rivaling other basketball powerhouses. Former President George W. Bush is a constant presence at SMU basketball games, along with players from the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys . The SMU Hall of Fame, located on the east side concourse, is a real tribute to the school’s history and students, with SMU student-athlete plaques depicting their athletic accomplishments, opposite a wall mural of a pre-renovated Moody Coliseum.   Final Thoughts Although the first season in the ACC didn’t exactly take off for the Mustangs in terms of larger attendance at Moody Coliseum, being able to watch ACC basketball, in the smallest ACC arena with a high return on investment, makes this facility a basketball gem for any college basketball fan.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Pechanga Arena 3500 Sports Arena Blvd San Diego, CA 92110 San Diego Gulls website Pechanga Arena website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 12,920 Gulls in San Diego The San Diego Gulls are members of the American Hockey League (AHL) and skate their home games at the 50+-year-old Pechanga Arena, known by locals as The Sports Arena.  Built in 1966, the arena also hosts the NLL (box lacrosse) San Diego Seals.  It is also home to other entertainment such as concerts, Disney on Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, and more.  A busy and popular Kobey’s Swap Meet is held every weekend in the parking lot of the arena.     The team began operating in 2015 after relocating from Norfolk, VA.  It is the sixth hockey team to play at the arena, the fifth with the name ‘Gulls.’  The h ockey team’s parent club is the nearby NHL Anaheim Ducks, roughly an hour and a half drive away.  This close distance makes player call-ups/downs relatively easy for the teams and players.  The Ontario Reign (about a two-hour drive) is the Gulls' biggest rivalry, though I’m guessing the newest team to the AHL, the Coachella Valley Firebirds , comes in a close second (a tad over a two-hour drive).  Although an older facility, the gameday staff, operations, and team put on an entertaining evening of hockey at Pechanga Arena. Food & Beverage 4 The arena has a surprisingly vast number and variety of concessio ns, although they come with Ca lifornia prices.  Be sure to walk the entire concourse before making your selection.  Pechanga Arena Concourse, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Pizza Port slices (cheese, pepperoni, jalapeno pepperoni, BBQ chicken) run $9 - $9.75.  Arena Grill serves hot dogs, hamburgers, vegan sausages and burgers, chicken baskets, nachos, fries, etc.   Nicolosi’s (Italian) sells meatball mac and cheese, 6” meatball hero, vegan mac and cheese ($13 - $18), as well as traditional fare and beverages. Small kiosks include lemonade, mini donuts, hand-dipped corn dogs, caramel apples, yummy-looking frozen dipped bananas, and Dippin’ Dots. Bottled sodas (Coca-Cola brands), water, iced tea, Monster Energy, and Powerade cost $6 - $7. Several breweries and cocktail stands line the concourse. A Cutwater Cocktail Bar, Elysian Brewing Company, and Breitbard’s Tap Haus have vast selections of beers on tap and in cans (domestic and local craft).  Local craft includes brews from Eppig, Golden Road, Karl Strauss, Kona, Pizza Port, Stone, and Elysian, and cost $18.  Many stands have cocktails and wines ($16 - $18).  On Fridays, Light the Lamp Lager by local Mason Ale Works is sold for $5 (+ service charge). The Stella Artois Lounge is a premium entertainment area available for rent and/or membership and includes a posh bar and other VIP features. The arena lacks tables to eat your purchased food.  Instead, fans have to bring their refreshments to their seats.  Atmosphere 4 Although old, the arena serves the hockey team very well. Two levels of average-width cushioned seats (without cup holders) make up the seating.  Fans enter the middle of the seating area and walk up or down to their seats.  The second level is about 15 steps up.  No handrails are available for the top nine rows on either level.   Those uneasy with steps should get seats in row nine as that’s the top row when walking in. Handicapped and wheelchair seating is available along the inner walkway.  Every seat has a decent view of the action on the ice.  Ushers have a puck-in-play sign and use them perfectly. It’s a bit chilly; it IS  an ice rink.  A sweatshirt and jacket are needed.  The music is acceptable; it’s loud enough to energize the crowd, but not painfully loud-- a welcome element in sports these days.   Closed captioning is not available.  A suitably sized scoreboard hangs above center ice.  It shows the game action video, the period, shots on goal, penalties and time left, and the score.  Two small dot matrix boards are located above the seating area behind the goals.  Besides the game, other activities include chuck a puck, pee wee hockey, t-shirt toss, etc.  Gulliver, a mascot dressed up as a seagull, roams the stands.  When playing a team from Canada, the vocalist sings both the US and the Canadian anthem, and bo th countries’ fla gs hang from the rafters. Neighborhood 4 The area directly surrounding the rink is bustling with shopping centers, and within just one to three miles, plenty of choices for eating, drinking, and merriment are available.  Ocean Beach Pier is just three miles from the venue and is where visitors can watch the surfers (or surf themselves), walk along the beach, swim, or sunbathe in the warmer months.  Or stroll the neighborhood shops, restaurants, and brewpubs.   It’s a great place to visit.  Sea World San Diego is a little over two miles. Historic Old Town is just a mile away; both are worth visiting.  A plethora of places to eat and drink are within a few miles.  We recommend the Long Story Irish Pub (though finding parking may be difficult), Phil’s BBQ, and Cochino de Barrio (Mexican).  Within walking distance of the arena are staples like Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Chili’s, Broken Yolk, and Buffalo Wild Wings (though we do not recommend this Broken Yolk and BWW). For the hop head, the go-to brewery for Gulls fans is Bay City Brewing , right across the parking lot.  Plenty of other breweries are close by:  Deft Brewing (European style brews), Stone Brewing (in Liberty Station – serves food), and if visiting Ocean Beach, check out Ocean Beach Brewery (serves food), Kilowatt Brewing, or Pizza Port (Brewpub).  Many, many more are within five miles of the rink. A Wyndham Garden Inn is across the street from Pechanga Arena, and a Ramada Inn is a block and a half away.  Many other hotels with varied prices are within just a mile or two of Pechanga Arena, so pick your preference.  Sports fans can attend other games in the area duri ng hockey sea son, including the NLL Seals .  The University of San Diego is two to three miles from the arena.  You may be able to catch a Toreros baseball , basketball , football , or other athletic games. San Diego is a fantastic city to tour, so make a day or weekend of it when attending a Gulls game! Fans 4 The Gulls fan base is strong.  The fans get excited and loud when the Gulls score a goal and are even more energized when they think a fight is about to start or if a t -shirt is about to be tossed into the seating area. Visitors will see multiple Gulls jersey designs in the stands and plenty of Anaheim Ducks gear too.  The Gulls average around 7K fans per game.  Theme nights and weekends draw more fans to the arena. Access 3 Getting to the arena is easy.  It is right off the I-8 and I-5 Interstates in the Midway District of San Diego, a tad over a mile from Old Town San Diego and a little over three miles from the San Diego Airport.   Plenty of parking is available in lots surrounding the venue for $15.  The box office is on the north side of the building (Kurtz Street side).  Getting out of the parking lot after a game is a mess.  We recommend just hanging out for 20 minutes or more for a smoother, easier exit. Public transportation is available and takes 30 – 45 minutes with multiple changes if coming from the airport.  Check the San Diego MTS trip planner to see if this is an option from where you are.  If not, Uber and Lyft drop-off and pickup are on the south side of the venue near the ARCO gas station and Chick-fil-A.  It is easy and painless to get through security and scanning of the ticket.  Clear 12” x 6” x 12” stadium sports bags are allowed.  Fans can walk the entire concourse.  Unfortunately, tickets are only available through AXS – an online ticket provider.  Fans purchasing tickets at the box office must download the AXS app to their phone to get their tickets.  The Gulls do not offer hardcopy tickets.  ADA seating is provided on the inner concourse surrounding the ice surface.  The arena has sufficient restrooms for a hockey game, but they are tight, on the messy side, and have minimal room to maneuver (at least in the ladies).  Return on Investment 3 The Gulls provide an excellent game day experience even with beer prices ($18) being higher than the parking price ($15).  But, if you go on a Friday, you can get a beer for $5. The price of tickets varies based on the date a nd the op ponent.  They generally cost $22 - $54 (plus $5 - $12 fees). Military and First Responders get discounted rates at all games.  The team offers College Night games where students can purchase tickets for $15.   And season tickets, mini-plans, and groups get discounted ticket prices.  The Gulls offer many theme nights throughout the season, often with giveaways. Food prices are high, but this is San Diego; visitors from out of town need to remember to pack a bit more of that legal tender when heading to this city. Have a beer at Bay City Brewing (or another local brewery) before or after the game at half the price.  If time and your location permit, consider using public transportation. Extras 4 The one retired number hanging from the banners is #20 Willie O’Ree who played for the WHL (Western Hockey League San Diego Gulls in the late 1960’s and e arly 1970’s and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Photos on the concourse walls portray famous events and entertainers who performed at Pechanga Arena over the years.  It is definitely worth the effort to stroll the concourse looking at and reviewing these images. The organization boasts a huge merchandise stand on the concourse with a huge variety of t-shirts, jerseys, hats and other memorabilia.  It’s well worth perusing when walking the concourse. The Gulls have several Special Jersey nights throughout the season.  The game of this review was Bill Walton nigh t, and the players wore nifty-looking tied-dyed jerseys.  San Diego Gulls Special Jerseys, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts The venue has a lot of history on display and is a throwback to an earlier time when arenas were designed to be functional fan facilities.  The fan game day experience is memorable.  There’s been talk of building a new arena on the same site as the existing one.  The proposition also includes an entertainment district (shops, dining, urban parks, etc.) and affordable housing.  We’ll keep our eyes open for any progress on this proposal.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.86 PETCO Park 100 Park Blvd San Diego, CA 92101 Map It San Diego Padres website PETCO Park website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 42,445 America's Finest Park From 1969-2003 the San Diego Padres MLB franchise called Mission Valley their home. From San Diego to Jack Murphy to Qualcomm, the Friars had their share of memorable moments from Steve Garvey’s 2-run walk-off in Game 4 of the 1984 NLCS to the hitting prowess provided by Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn. The Padres would make two World Series appearances during their days in Mission Valley in 1984 and 1998.  Now in its 21st year of operation, Petco Park has hosted five post season appearances and is primed for another exciting playoff chase. Food & Beverage 5 There is no shortage of dining options   at Petco Park ranging from the traditional hot dogs to an array of fare.   There are your usual ballpark options such as the Friar Frank, the half-pound Big Slugger Dog and bratwurst and local favorites Randy Jones BBQ and Hodad’s. A single bacon cheeseburger from Hodads with all the fixings piled high is big enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites. Cardiff’s Seaside Market has a cart located in the both lower and upper concourse on the third base side  serving up some tasty Burgundy BBQ tri-tip sandwiches as well as a generous helping of Burgundy Pepper tri-tip nachos, affectionately known to locals as Cardiff Crack.   Also available at Cardiff Seaside’s main marketplace in the lower concourse, and another fan favorite, is the banana bread pudding . Served in a souvenir replica of the Western Metal Supply Co. building , this collectible container adds to the appeal of the dessert which fans greatly enjoy. If craving this sought-out dessert, you will want to get to the marketplace early as it tends to sell out rather quickly.   A popular addition to the lineup is the Lob Dog .   It's a grilled chorizo sausage topped with grilled lobster tail, served on a brioche bun with charred lemon garlic aioli, chives, and a lemon slice for garnish. The dish is cooked on a special Santa Maria grill and presented in a boat-shaped box at just under $40! Petco Park offers a wide variety of local craft beers and microbrews. Among the options are Ballast Point, Karl Strauss, Mission Brewery, as well as your typical ballpark variety of Anheuser Busch/Budweiser products. If there’s one brew that you must try at Petco if only to soak in the local brew experience, it’s the San Diego Pale Ale .394. The brew is a simple Pale Ale that pays tribute to Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, and his highest season batting average, .394, accomplished in 1994. Coke products provide non-alcoholic options with fountain stations located throughout the yard for free refills. Atmosphere 5 Coming off their exciting 2024 campaign, expectations for this season’s team remain high and the enthusiasm throughout the stands has been evident. The recently renovated Gallagher Square , located beyond the outfield seating area is a good way for the casual fan to spend a day at Petco Park. The recent $20 million renovations to Gallagher Square present fans with more room to maneuver, as  well as an updated video board along the Sycuan concert stage, leveled tiered lawn seating and a vastly improved kids play area that features the world’s largest climbable bat and an off-leash dog park. Gallagher Square, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Another addition fans will notice to Gallagher Square is the leveled terrace named after Mr. Padre himself, Tony Gwynn. Fans will also notice the relocation of the Tony Gwynn Statue in the upper deck of the terrace. The terrace has a pedestrian tunnel leading to the staging area of Gallagher Square. The tunnel features tributes to Mr. Padre including a six-minute video highlighting some of his accomplishments.  Tony Gwinn Tunnel, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey San Diego has long been known for its military presence. Military exhibits are on display behind the lower right field stands should you choose to arrive early to view them. A statue of former legendary broadcaster, Jerry Coleman, a former Marine Veteran, is located inside the right field entrance gates. Sunday afternoon games bring out a strong military presence as one of the four branches of uniformed military personnel make their presence at the yard with the Padres donning their military themed uniforms. Neighborhood 5 Petco Park Exterior, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Since Petco Park’s opening in 2004, the vibe around the surrounding neighborhood has continually increased as more residency, as well as pre- and post-game entertainment and dining options continue to develop. The Gaslamp is the place many fans venture to with its wide variety of bars and restaurants. Bub’s at the Ballpark and The Blind Burro are some of the nearby favorites. Bar Basic, with its brick warehouse vibe as well as its signature Mashed White Pie, is also another neighborhood favorite a stone’s throw away from the yard. Fans 5 Coming off the excitement of last season’s playoff run, the level of enthusiasm continues to rise. Capacity crowds are the norm, and with another team ready for another exciting playoff chase, Petco Park could once again set another yearly attendance record. The enthusiasm among the Friar Faithful is at a fever pitch, especially when their World Champion rivals up I-5 are in town. Access 5 The downtown location of Petco Park allows for easy access, with parking lots scattered throughout the area. If you park in one of the further lots toward Broadway St to save some dough, the walk to the ballpark is approximately only 15 minutes. If you and your buddies want to do a little pre-game tailgate, Tailgate Park provides fans a small lot to grill, socialize and consume beverages before heading inside the yard. The experience at Tailgate Park is a bit scaled-down. Among the restrictions from your usual tailgate, the use of charcoal is not allowed on the premises as only gas cooking grills are allowed on the lot.  The SDMTS Trolley  is another great for Padres fans who wish to avoid the hassles of driving to the game with park and ride lots available throughout various spots throughout the city. If traveling from points north of San Diego toward Oceanside, the Coaster   provides rail service throughout the season to the Santa Fe Depot station where fans can connect free with their Coaster ticket on the SDMTS Trolley to Petco Park and back. Return service on the Coaster departs one hour after the last out or the conclusion of post-game fireworks. The latest Coaster departure is midnight. Gallagher Square Space, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 4 On most nights, you can get a “Park Pass” starting at $25. The pass allows fans to roam throughout the park without any restrictions. For games that aren’t filled, you should have no trouble finding a seat at the upper level. Otherwise, for games where attendance is expected to reach full capacity the “Park Pass,” while still allowing fans to roam the yard, permits fans access to Gallagher Square. Tickets inside the seating bowl for most games also start at $25, with a significant bump when certain teams, such as the Dodgers or Yankees, are in town. With crowds mostly reaching capacity status, it would be worth the few extra bucks for a seat inside the actual seating areas. Extras 5 Located behind the batter’s backdrop at the Gallagher Square, the Sycuan Stage is the first outdoor concert venue of its kind to be included inside an MLB park. Before ballgames, a local DJ spins beats from the stage. Two of Petco Park’s celebrated landmarks are statues of Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman and Tony Gwynn. The statue of Tony Gwynn has been a very popular meeting spot for years and the Trevor Hoffman statue makes for another popular pregame meeting spot as well. The Padres Hall of Fame features a timeline of Padres and other baseball history in San Diego, as well as other photos and artifacts and an interactive video display that allows fans to view a profile of a past Padres legend. Outside the Hall of Fame at the Plaza are plaques displaying players in Cooperstown who donned the Padre uniform at some point in their career. The Breitbard Hall of Fame is located on the field concourse inside the Western Metal Supply Co. The building has a display of 153 plaques honoring athletes that left an impact on San Diego, both native San Diegans and those who played for a San Diego organization. A bronze bust of Johnny Ritchey can be viewed at the Breitbard Hall of Fame. A native of San Diego, Ritchey would be the first black ballplayer to break the color barrier in the AAA Pacific Coast League one year after Jackie Robinson would break the MLB color barrier during a time when MLB’s furthest team west was in St. Louis. The historic Western Metal Supply Co. building, Petco Park’s signature feature, is nicely incorporated into the yard, located by the left field corner, with rooftop viewing available throughout most games. The building also houses the main team store as well as several suites and The Loft, a sports bar on the building’s 4th floor that offers your standard ballpark brews and bites with several screens and pool and foosball tables. The Loft is open to all game-day patrons. Bringing the little ones to the yard? A miniature playground and a whiffle ball field are there for your little ones to enjoy. Gallagher Square also operates as a public park during the day as well as non-game days. If you should find yourself at an afternoon game, the playground remains open after the game for you and your young ones to work off some of that extra energy from the few innings worth of cotton candy and ice cream consumed. A plaza of retired numbers that once stood atop the batter’s backdrop can be viewed at the plaza inside the gate located at the corner of Tony Gwynn Drive and Trevor Hoffman Way. In section 114, San Diego’s high school baseball and softball make their presence known. The “San Diego Section” features hats from San Diego County high school teams that compete in CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) play. The display is also accompanied by two interactive screens where fans can search schools and professional players from those schools. Climbable Bat, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Petco Park continues to play a huge role in the revitalization of the local area throughout the East Village. With a vibrant neighborhood and enthusiastic fans coming in droves along with one of the more picturesque parks among the 30, it’s no wonder Petco Park continually  ranks high among ballpark experts in America’s Finest City. ----- Follow and view all of Andrei’s journeys on Instagram   @thestadiumjourneyman and   @dreiinla .

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Surprise Stadium 15930 N Bullard Ave Surprise, AZ 85374 Map It Surprise Saguaros website Surprise Stadium website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 10,714 Sah-WAR-ohs Built in 2002, Surprise Stadium is the spring training home for MLB’s Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals . The stadium is part of the Surprise Recreation Campus in Surprise, AZ, which is in the farthest northwest corner of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The stadium has a capacity of 10,714 and is the most distant stadium from central Phoenix and the airport. In the fall, the baseball stadium is home to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Surprise Saguaros (pronounced Sah-WAR-ohs). The Arizona Fall League is a developmental instructional baseball league played in various spring training complexes in the Greater Phoenix area. The season lasts a little over a month, during October and November.  Each Major League baseball team sends seven top prospects to the league to continue their development and for additional practice. For the 2024 season, the Astros, Royals, Orioles, Guardians, and Rangers sent players from their minor league teams to join the Saguaros. These affiliations change over the years. The Surprise Saguaros have won three AFL Championships, most recently in 2023. Food & Beverage 2 One concession stand on the concourse behind home plate is open for Saguaros games, and that’s enough.  The selection during the 2024 season includes bratwurst sausages ($6.25), monster hot dogs ($6.25), and nachos ($5.75). There’s usually an additional Manager’s Special, like chicken tenders. Snacks include Bavarian pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, and Snickers ice cream pops ($2.75 - $5.50). Drinks range from $3.25 - $5.50 an d include water, sweet tea, and fountain soda (Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper brands). The concession stand sells a variety of domestic and craft canned beer ($7.75 - $10.25).  A Desert Cactus Margarita (with two shots of tequila) costs $14.25. It’s enough to satisfy a hungry Saguaro fan.  Fans can bring in their own bottles of water and snacks. Atmosphere 4 Surprise Stadium offers a low-key, pleasantly delightful afternoon or evening of baseball. A 360-degree concourse surrounds the field, good for getting your steps in without missing the action on the diamond. Standard green fold-down stadium seats with cupholders stretch from foul pole to foul pole, though the sections beyond the dugouts are tarped of f for the Fall League. F ans walk down to their seats from the concourse. The second level is closed to fans for Fall League games. Handicapped seating lines the rim of the seating area on the concourse. Fans can sit wherever they prefer, which is standard for all Fall League games. We recommend bringing a rag or towel; you may need to wipe bird droppings off a seat. The infield concourse is sheltered in the event o f inclement wea ther. A medium-thick net extends across all seating. Sit in the seats above the bullpens for an inning or two to experience a unique and different viewpoint of the game. The music volume is fine, a little loud but tolerable under the speakers.  The person responsible for playing the music does a good job and only plays it pregame and between innings, as it should be.    Sit in section 113 to be out from under the speakers (though this section is in the sun during afternoon games). The field is remarkably green and plush, unusual for the hot and dry conditions in Arizona, especially this past 2024 summer. The scoreboard sits in the left field berm and provides some advertisements, the line score, and the batter’s name and photo (if they have it). The Saguaros staff set up a merchandise table on the concourse behind home plate. It offers merchandise for not only the Saguaros but other Fall League teams as well.  Fans can pick up team rosters and starting lineups at this table. Surprise Stadium Merchandise Table, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Surprise, AZ is known for having many active adult communities and residences. Many northerners migrate south for the winter or relocate permanently to the area for its warm weather. Surprise does not have a ‘downtown’ area and is more piecemeal with communities and strip malls. Construction crews are building more and more structures as the city grows in popularity. Across the street from the stadium are the city-owned and operated tennis and racquet courts, the Surprise Community Park (walking trails, fishing pond, and picnic area), an aquatic center, and the library. For places to stay near the ballpark, a Residence Inn , Holiday Inn Express , and a Hilton Garden Inn  are all about ½ mile from the stadium. Places to eat and drink before or after the game require a vehicle. Man y chains and fast food pla ces are along Bell Rd. For non-chain suggestions, try Bonfire Craft Kitchen and Tap House , Saigon Kitchen  (Vietnamese), or Irish Wolfhound Pub . State 48 Brewery has a brewpub a little over two miles from the stadium. If outdoor activities interest you, at least eight golf courses dot the Surprise landscape, or take a hike at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park (17 miles from the ballpark). The closest Fall League venue is Peoria Sports Complex, home of the Peoria Javelinas , 10 miles east. Camelback Ranch, where the AFL Glendale Desert Dogs  play, is about a 30-minute drive. Fans 3 Fans who attend Fall League games tend to be scouts, autograph hunters, or those who enjoy the game itself and not all the extras that occur in minor and major league parks throughout North America.  Fans applaud all good plays regardless of team. The Saguaros draw about 300 – 500 fans per game.  Weekend games have a higher attendance.  The fan base tends to increase as the season progresses . Access 2 Surprise Stadium is 40 miles from Sky Harbor Airport. No public transportation is available from the airport, nor does Surprise have local bus service options. Driving is the only option. One entrance is open for Fall League games, behind center field.  The closest spot to park is the West Fastball Dr parking lot.  Parking is free for Fall League games. It’s one of the rare baseball venues where the ticket booth is outside center field, behind the batter’s eye. The third baseline gates open for exiting after the game, making the walking distance shorter.  The Saguaros provide golf cart-like transportation from the entrance to the seating area (and back) for those who need it.  Clear stadium bags are allowed, though the signs indicating such are not easy to read and do not make fans feel welcome. The 360-degree concourse is comfortably wide. Clean and serviceable restrooms are open on the inner concourse. Return on Investment 4 As with everything else, prices have increased.  Single game tickets are $13 (seniors 55+ and teens 11 – 17 are $11). Kids 10 and under get in free. If you live in the area or plan on attending 12 or more games, a season pass is a less expensive way to go. A single admission season pass is $155; a double admission pass is $185 (less if you are 55+). Parking is free, as it is at all Fall League parks. Attending a baseball game on a warm fall day or evening for the game is worth the price and Surprise Stadium does a good job at keeping it baseball. . Extras 3 The stadium features a Hall of Fame, highlighting plaques honoring both Royals and Rangers players, managers, and local community role models. Paper copies of the starting lineup and rosters are available upon entry or at the souvenir table, a good thing for fans who keep score. The shrubbery in the batter’s eye this 2024 season makes me chuckle as the saguaro looks like it’s giving the fan base the finger (gotta love Mother Nature). Surprise Stadium Batter's Eye, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Depending on which game you attend, you may see members of the nearby Luke Air Force base present the colors, sing the national anthem, and throw out the first pitch.    When the game day announcer recognizes armed force members and veterans in the stands during the game, a good portion of the Saguaros players applaud and wave their hats in appreciation of their service.  Final Thoughts Surprise Stadium is an attractive stadium and all staff members are quite pleasant. Fans attending Sah-WAR-ohs games here enjoy their time.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Peoria Sports Complex 16101 N 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ 85382 Peoria Javelinas website Peoria Sports Complex website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 12,882 Peoria Javelinas Baseball The Peoria Javelinas are one of six teams playing in the Arizona Fall League. The Arizona Fall League is a developmental instructional baseball league played in various spring training complexes in the Greater Phoenix area. The season lasts six weeks, during October and November. Major league teams send some of their most highly touted prospects to play in the league for additional practice. For those not familiar with the term, javelinas are nasty pig-like mammals (though they’re not actually in the pig family) often seen in the Arizona wild.  The ball players are much more approachable and friendly than the animals. For the 2024 season, the Padres, Mariners, Braves, Brewers, and Marlins sent players from their minor league teams to join the Javelinas. The Javelinas play at the Peoria Sports Complex, home to the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners for spring training, and the ACL (Arizona Complex League) Padres in the summer. NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), Nippon-Ham Fighters KBO (Korean Baseball Organization), Doosan Bears, Lotte Giants, and NC Dinos have used the facility for their spring training in the past. It is owned and managed by the city of Peoria. The two best features of the Peoria Sports Complex are the spectacular sunset views and the scoreboard. Food & Beverage 2 The stadium does not offer a lot of fare for Fall League games. One concession stand is open.  The concession prices are a tad lower than other venues in the league. Food choices are jumbo hot dogs ($4.99), nachos ($6.49), soft pretzels ($4.99), popcorn ($3.99), chips ($2.99), and candy ($3.99).  A footlong hot dog costs $9.49. Bottled soda (Pepsi) is $4.99, and water is $3.99 .  A 24 oz can of domestic beer is $9.99, while premium beer cans are $10.99.  Canned beer selections are Michelob Ultra, Hop Knot IPA, 805, Modelo, Angry Orchard, and Truly.  The food choices won’t wow you but are okay for a snack.  You can bring in your own water and snacks. We recommend eating elsewhere before or after the game and getting something here as a snack if needed. Atmosphere 3 Javelina g ames are a peaceful baseball-watching experience. The Peoria Sports Complex seating is staggered blue stadium fold-down seats on three levels with a small walkway between the first two. They have decent legroom but are a tad narrow.  You can sit anywhere you want in the main stadium; the outfield lawn is closed off for most games. Row O has more legroom than other rows. Seats behind home plate and on the first base side get the shade first for day games.  Fans can still watch net-free baseball in sections past the dugouts.  Accessible seating lines the walkway. Be sure to visit the third base patio deck (third level). It’s a great place to catch some foul balls and see that beautiful sunset. Peoria Sports Complex, Third Base Patio, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The scoreboard is the best in the Arizona Fall League. It is easy to read without binoculars. It shows the lineup for both teams (white letters on a black background), the name, number, position, and MLB affiliate of each player, which is great for learning the players’ names that will likely be in the majors in the future. The line score is displayed as well. The pitch clock is attached to the batter’s eye in center field. It’s difficult to read during day games because of the sun, but it is simple to read at night games. The music volume is just fine. Thankfully, the organization does not play music between each pitch and batter, just between innings. This allows fans to talk with each other without competin g against the music. The sounds of the game are delightfully magnified, with few in the seats and no music. The cracks of the bat, players calling for fly balls, and calls by the umpire - you can hear it all. The PA announcer does an excellent job. With a strong, clear voice, he calls almost all the batter and pitcher changes. Nicely done! Game day operations have an occasional t-shirt toss.  Stop by the merchandise counter on the concourse and complete a raffle ticket to win a prize, announced in the 8th inning.  Neighborhood 4 The stadium is in the heart of the P83 Entertainment District in Peoria, AZ, a northwest suburb of Phoenix. Retail, restaurants, hotels, apartment and office complexes, movie theaters, and shopping all abound next to the stadium, mostly on the north side. Over 15 restaurants, bars, and fast food are within a block or two. Many are chain restaurants if that’s what you prefer. However, we recommend The Social on 83rd  (good for weekend brunch). We also suggest Pho For Days (Vietnamese) and Revolu Modern Taqueria + Bar (Mexican). Besides shopping, a Harkins and an AMC movie theater are nearby, as is an Air Trampoline and Adventure Park for those a little more adventurous. To get in a few easy steps, take a stroll (or bike ride) on New River Trail . Downtown Phoenix is around 20 miles away. Several hotels are within walking distance. The LaQuinta Inn & Suites  is the closest. A Hampton Inn, Comfort Suite, and Residence Inn are .3 miles from the park. Other Fall League teams to visit when in town are the Glendale Desert Dogs  and the Surprise Saguaros. Check if the Arizona Cardinals  or the Phoenix Suns  are playing at home during your visit. Fans 3 Fans who visit the Fall League and the Javelinas are fans of the game. Lots of retired folks are in attendance. Families and kids are seen more on weekend or evening games. And there are lots of autograph hunters.  Scouts generally sit up behind home plate. Average attendance runs close to 400 fans a game. Access 3 Peoria Sports Complex is less than a half mile off Loop 101 (Bell Road exit) in the northwest suburbs of Phoenix. Bell Road / 83rd Ave is a traffic mess when leaving an afternoon game or getting to a weekday evening game. Parking is free. Only Gate B is open for Javelinas games (home plate entrance) on the corner of N 83rd and Stadium Way. The stadium is a 30-minute or so drive from Sky Harbor Airport. Public transportation is not easily available from the airport; riders must make multiple transfers, and travel time takes close to 2 ½ hours. The concourses are wide open. Minimal pedestrian congestion is found at a Javelinas game. Restrooms ar e plentiful and clean (at least the ladies). Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets are $13 (seniors 55+ and teens 11 - 17 are $11). Kids 10 and under get in free. If you live in the area or are planning on attending 12 or more games, a season pass is a less expensive way to go.  A single admission season pass is $155; a double admission pass is $185 (both are less if you are 55+). Concessions, though limited, are priced lower here than at other Fall League parks.  And there’s no charge for parking (none of the Arizona Fall League stadiums charge for parking). Attending a baseball game on a warm fall day or evening is worth the price. . Extras 2 Both the PA announcer and the scoreboard deserve extra mention s. Final Thoughts Attending a Javelina   baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex is a marvelous experience, especially for a baseball purist.  If you are planning on visiting any Fall League venues, be sure to put Peoria on the list.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Cullen Field House 400 East Ave. Warwick, RI 02886 CC of Rhode Island Knights men's basketball website Vincent A. Cullen Field House website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 3,000 Knight Time in Rhode Island   The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is the only community college in the state of Rhode Island and the largest community college in New England. Founded in 1964 as Rhode Island Junior College, it moved out of its original home in Providence when land was donated to the school by the Knight Estate in the neighboring city of Warwick in 1972. Today the school’s 16,000 students study at six campuses throughout the state working towards five different Associate Degrees.   The school sponsors teams in three men’s sports and four women’s sports. The teams are called the Knights in honor of the Knight Estate. The basketball program has been a leader among local community college teams since the 60s. Today CCRI competes in NJCAA Division III along with several other schools throughout New England. Over their history, the men's teams have won 19 Regional Championships and appeared in 12 National Tournaments, reaching the championship game in 1991 and 2012. The women's teams have won 13 Regional Championships and appeared in 10 National Tournaments.   CCRI’s basketball teams play in the Vincent A. Cullen Field House, named for the school’s longtime professor, Director of Athletics and men’s basketball coach. During his tenure, Cullen compiled a record of 711-258. His teams qualified for the NJCAA tournament 13 times.    Food & Beverage 0   There are no concessions to be found at Cullen Field House. Not even a vending machine in sight. Fans are able to bring in their own refreshments to enjoy during the game.   Atmosphere 2   The game day presentation is pretty much what you would expect it to be at this level of basketball. There’s not a lot of extra bells and whistles to be found at CCRI, but the staff do a good job putting on a representative show. Much of the noise in the gym comes from the bleachers, where friends and family of the players (from both teams) are into the game and cheer on their favorite players enthusiastically.   There is no cheerleading squad or pep band like you would see at most bigger schools, but that doesn’t mean Cullen Field House is quiet during a game. Music plays over a good sound system, and the PA announcer adds a bit of excitement to the proceedings while keeping the fans informed. Amusingly, the PA system uses different speakers than the music, so the noise comes from a different end of the gym depending on what sounds are playing. It’s not quite as trippy as listening to Pink Floyd with headphones on, but it was amusing, nonetheless. Brand new scoreboards were installed for the 2024-25 season and hang on both ends of the court. They display basic game information. Additional upgrades to the facility made in 2024 include new wall pads and plans for a new weight room.   Neighborhood 4   The area around CCRI is a busy commercial district, featuring two shopping malls and Warwick’s main business drag, Route 2. There are no shortage of dining and lodging options just a short drive from campus. Just be aware that this is not really a walkable neighborhood. Traffic is heavy and a car is needed to best move about the area.   Virtually every national chain restaurant you can think of can be found in the area. Fans looking for a bit of regional flavor close to CCRI will need to venture further out into Warwick to try Iron Works or the Tree House Tavern, as well as local chains Chelo’s and Iggy’s, famous for their clam cakes and chowder. Of course, Providence is known as one of the top mid-sized cities in the nation for culinary options, and it is located just a 15-minute drive from CCRI.   Visiting fans looking to stay near campus will find a Crowne Plaza hotel right up the street from CCRI, and with T.F. Green Rhode Island Airport located just four miles from the school, you'll find plenty of lodging options in the area.   The city of Warwick boasts a couple of nice state parks, Goddard and Rocky Point, the latter located on the site of the old amusement park. With Providence located just 15 minutes away, and the seaside towns of Newport and Narragansett located about a half hour’s drive away, CCRI is centrally located for anyone looking to explore the best of Rhode Island.   Fans 2   A CCRI crowd is definitely what we at Stadium Journey call a “friends and family” type of crowd. Colleges at this level generally don’t release attendance figures, but the crowd during Stadium Journey’s visit on a Saturday afternoon during semester break numbered about 100 people. Weekday games generally draw larger crowds, as students will head over to the Field House after classes end.    Everyone in the stands has a personal connection with the players on the court and are not shy about letting everyone know about who their favorite player is. It’s a very tight-knit crowd here at the Cullen Field House, as everyone seemed to know everyone else in the stands. Since the Knights’ schedule consists of other area community colleges, you’ll be sure to find a good representation of visiting fans in the stands as well.   Access 4   The Knight campus of the Community College of Rhode Island is located in Warwick, the third largest city in the state. Warwick boasts a population of about 83,000 residents and is located 12 miles south of Providence. CCRI is very easy to get to, as it is located right off Interstate 95 via exit 28. Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that RIPTA’s  13, 23 and 29 busses all serve the CCRI campus.   CCRI’s Knight campus consists of one hulking building, designed by the architecture firm of Perkins and Will in 1972 to house all the school’s academic, social and recreational facilities in a single building. The enormous structure varies in height from four to six stories. This building is a fine example of the brutalist architecture in vogue at the time (see also the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ). This style of architecture has lost its appeal over time, and CCRI was named the eighth ugliest campus in the United States by the lifestyle website Complex in 2019.   A very large parking lot is located adjacent to CCRI’s main building. Given the school’s status as a commuter school, this is both expected and necessary. It’s another example of how the school was designed for function, not style. Spots in this lot are a bit of a walk from the Cullen Field House.   The Cullen Field House is located behind the main building. It’s pretty much the only structure on campus that is not part of the main building. There are numerous parking spots near the Field House, but they are marked as reserved. This might not be an issue when coming to CCRI for a basketball game at night or on the weekend, though.   Fans will enter Cullen Field House at the top floor of the building and descend a set of stairs to the basketball court. An elevator is located here for fans who require it. There are nice views of the court from the stairway, but fans are discouraged from standing here. All seating is located on the west side of the court and consists of wooden bleachers. Two small rest rooms serve the gym. Return on Investment 5   There is no charge to attend a Knights basketball game. Parking is free as well in the gigantic parking lot at CCRI. With no concessions at Cullen Field House, you won’t reach for your wallet at all during your visit. As a bonus, most days, the women’s and men’s team play doubleheaders, meaning you’ll get to watch two games for the price of none!   Extras 2   Banners hang all over the Cullen Field House walls honoring CCRI District and regional champions from both the men’s and women’s teams. As part of recent improvements to the gym, new banners are being made and will be hung soon.   As you enter Cullen Field House and descend the stairs to the basketball court, you’ll pass through the CCRI Athletic Hall of Fame, which contains mementos from the school’s sporting history. Notable individuals are honored here as well. Final Thoughts   Junior college basketball may be overlooked by many when considering stadium journeys, but small gyms like the Cullen Field House combine quality play, affordability and an intimate setting to provide alternatives to the expense and crowds of big-time college hoops.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Smokey Joe Williams Field 950 S Austin St. Seguin, TX 78155 Seguin River Monsters website Smokey Joe Wiliams Field website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 1,200 River Monsters Make Smokey Joe Home The Seguin River Monsters are members of the Texas Collegiate League and play at Smokey Joe Williams Field. The ballpark is named after the hometown hero who played 28 years in the Negro Leagues from 1903-1932. Williams was considered the best Negro League pitcher in a 1952 poll, edging out Satchel Paige, and would have a career 20-7-1 record with 12 shutouts against major league teams in exhibition play. He would be enshrined in Cooperstown in 1999. Two years later, the ballpark would be renamed in his honor. The baseball field opened as Fairgrounds Park in 1960 and was part of a complex that houses the Seguin Arena for rodeos, Seguin Coliseum, volleyball courts, and softball fields. The Guadalupe County Fair is held annually on the grounds. There is a lot of activity taking place at any given time, as baseball, rodeo shows, and league volleyball matches could all take place at the same time. The River Monsters began operations in 2022, and the ballpark is also home to the Seguin High School Matadors baseball program. The Matadors are building a new home, but its presence is felt on signage around the stadium. The Matadors’ name appears on the outfield wall to its 1960 State Championship banner in the main concourse. However, it has not been home to minor league or summer collegiate baseball since the 1976 Seguin Toros operated in the Gulf State League. The Toros made national headlines when its owner refused to pay for lodging in Corpus Christi, insisting players make the 330-mile drive between each game. Players then brought out tents and sleeping bags to sleep on the beach after the second game, after making the round trip commute. The club folded after the season with a 29-48 record. Just in case you were wondering, a river monster is a colloquialism for a catfish. It became the 20th city to call the league home, adopting the colors green and blue. For a city with a hall of fame pitcher and only one season of minor league baseball, the River Monsters hope to satisfy its fans with a baseball game during the summer months. Food & Beverage 3 There is one main concession stand underneath the grandstand that handles all of the food and drink during games. The items include hot dogs, nachos, candy, peanuts, popcorn, ice cream, and Hot Cheetos covered with cheese. The soda options include Coke products and the Texas mandatory drinks of Big Red and Dr. Pepper. However, the stadium was not selling beer, but it could change in the future. The food products are not varied, but the hot dogs were steamed and tasty. The cheese-covered Hot Cheetos made for a different type of ballpark snack, and ice cream helmets were available. The only problem is that the ice cream sold out rather quickly. It’s suggested to have dinner before the game since the items here are clearly for snacking. Hot Cheetos at Smokey Joe Park, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 3 The covered grandstand can hold around 900 people and comprise aluminum bleachers. A simple press box is located at the top of the grandstand seating, while open bleacher seats are on each baseline. The club has set up a few banners around the concourse to promote its brand, but that does not include the team mascot. What was interesting was the number of children chasing foul balls out of the ballpark throughout the night. Kids were running in pairs to collect the elusive baseball souvenir, with a few picking up two on the night. When they weren’t chasing foul balls, they were chasing one another down the third-base side of the field in the open spaces. A table is set up with limited tech merchandise near the entrance, a local band played Take Me Out the Ballpark during the 7th inning stretch, and the sound system was working quite well with the PA announcer coming through loud and clear. There were no promotions on the field in-between innings, no silly sound effects, or an overabundance of advertisement. It was simple baseball with a nice gathering on a cool Texas evening. Neighborhood 3 Seguin is 30 miles east of San Antonio and offers a downtown square surrounded by a courthouse. Some eateries range from local barbecue to Italian cuisine. It is advised to eat something before the game, and there are more than enough establishments to choose from in town. Dixie Grill specializes in Southern comfort food, Johnnie’s Bar-B-Que is a local area staple, Mary’s Tex-Mex is worth a visit, and Hawaiian Bros Island Grill offers a taste of Hawaii. There are still more, including The Powerplant, Giuseppe’s Italian Grill, 1838 Grill, and Kirby’s Korner for specialized burgers. If you are a fan of craft beer, Seguin Brewing Company has a few pints ready to drink. Fans 3 Seguin is a new franchise on the TCL, but the fan base appears to be paying attention. A great crowd was on hand that provided a pleasant backdrop to the game, including Little Leaguers, season ticket holders, and curious onlookers enjoying the new team in town. The concession lines are packed, and kids were able to keep the balls they fetched in the parking lot. Access 4 Smokey Joe Williams Field is easy to access. It consists of a covered grandstand with concessions and bathrooms on the main concourse. The parking is free of charge and easy to find with signs throughout the city. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket is $6 and is one of the best deals in any league in the state. The concession prices are reasonable, and so is the merchandise. Parking is free for all home games, and Seguin is a great town to spend a few hours in before the game. Extras 3 The River Monsters earn a point for a local band playing “Take Me Out the Ballgame”. The second point is for the tasty food that includes steamed hot dogs and cheese-covered Hot Cheetos. The last point is for the kids chasing and keeping foul balls instead of returning them for a food item. Final Thoughts There is a lot to enjoy at a River Monsters game, but there is a lot more to improve. The promotions and on-field gimmicks did not take place during our visit, and one could imagine what could have been done with all those kids in the audience. It was a shame to see little merchandise, but that could be due to the current shipping situation. The club has a wonderful ballpark to play in and needs a little more seasoning to make it a truly enjoyable experience Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on YouTube @ballparkhunter, Twitter @ballparkhunter , and Instagram .

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Bing Crosby Stadium 200 E 8th Street Front Royal, VA 22630 Front Royal Cardinals website Bing Crosby Stadiums website Year Opened: 1953 Capacity: 1,500 Baseball Beyond the Blue Ridge The Valley Baseball League is an 11-team collegiate summer wood-bat baseball league nestled in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley. The Valley, as it is simply known to most Virginians, runs north-south across most of the western portion of the state. The VBL includes teams in many small towns across the region, ranging from Winchester in the northwestern part of the state line to several teams in the I-64 corridor a couple hours south. The Front Royal Cardinals joined the VBL in 1984, playing their home games in Bing Crosby Stadium, at the time already over 30 years old. The stadium underwent major renovations in 2006, over a half century after it opened, to create the current version of the venue. In addition to hosting the Cardinals over the summer, Bing Crosby Stadium also hosts several local high school teams as well as other events such as football games and concerts throughout the year. It is located in Gertrude E. Miller Recreational Park, a Warren County park that also includes a playground, picnic pavilion, athletic fields, and a swimming pool, among other facilities. Bing Crosby himself was instrumental in fundraising for the stadium that bears his name and donated a good portion of the money himself. The city threw a Bing Crosby Day parade in his honor, and there is a plaque honoring his efforts near the entrance. Food & Beverage 4 Bing Crosby Stadium has a good selection of food and beverage, and the prices are all extremely affordable. Main courses include hot dogs ($2.50), pizza slices ($3 for cheese or $3.50 for pepperoni), nachos ($3), hamburgers ($3.50, with cheese costing 50 cents extra), and an Italian sausage, which is the most expensive option at just $5. Snacks include tootsie pops for just a quarter, chips and ring pops for $1 each, assorted candy for $1.50, sunflower seeds for $1.50, and a good-sized bag of peanuts for just $2. Fans looking to satisfy their sweet tooth can buy various ice cream bars for between $1 and $3 – the variety is quite extensive. Drinks include Gatorade for $2.50, water for $1, soda for $2.50, and coffee or hot chocolate for $1. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. If these were the only options, Bing Crosby Stadium would earn an average score in this category. However, the Cardinals partner with C&C Frozen Treats, a local ice cream company, which sells homemade ice cream and Italian Ice out of a truck on the concourse. The flavors are extensive and the ice cream is amazing. Prices range from $5 to $9 depending on the size, and you can get your ice cream in a Cardinals helmet for $3 extra. Atmosphere 4 Entering Bing Crosby Stadium is like taking a step back in time. Once you purchase your tickets at the window, you will walk through a gate onto a spacious concourse. The concession stand will be right in front of you, and you can walk to either side to find restrooms and a ramp which will take you up to the seating bowl. Most of the seats are in a covered grandstand that you see at many historic ballparks – there are reserved chairbacks behind home plate and ledge seats on either side. There are some conventional bleachers further down the lines that are not undercover. All seats offer a great view of the action, although it will be through a net. There is a scoreboard in left-centerfield which shows the linescore and other basic information. There are train tracks beyond the outfield fence and trains can be heard passing and blowing their horn throughout the night. The Cardinals play music over the PA system during breaks in the action and have separate walk-up music for each batter, but beyond that there isn’t a lot going on here. No between-inning contests, nothing really to keep fans engaged beyond the game and a 50/50 raffle. That is OK though – the game is enough, it is why many fans are here. Neighborhood 3 Front Royal is a small town in the Shenandoah Valley, but that does not mean there is nothing to do here. Still, you won’t find nearly the same variety you’d get an hour to the east in the D.C. suburbs. L’Dees Pancake House is a local favorite for breakfast but closes at 2 PM (1 PM on Sundays), so is not an option for fans coming in for a night game. Castiglia’s is an Italian restaurant that is quite popular as well. There are a few hotel options, but most of them are your basic motels. The nicest option is probably a Hampton Inn just off I-66 a few miles from the stadium. Most of the nicer options are closer to the highway; as you get closer to the ballpark, the only options are motels. There are a lot of scenic options in the Front Royal area as well, including Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, and Skyline Caverns. Front Royal is also known as the Canoe Capital of Virginia, and many locals enjoy canoeing on the Shenandoah River. Fans 5 The Front Royal Cardinals draw reasonably well for the Valley League at several hundred fans a game. Of course, like at all ballparks, some nights will draw better than others – a gorgeous Saturday night will draw better than if the weather is iffy or if it’s a mid-week game, but all in all, the fans do show up. Not only that, they are loud and passionate. Part of this may be due to the covered grandstand trapping crowd noise, but this seems like the loudest ballpark in the league. When the Cardinals make a big play, or even when the lineup is introduced at the start of the game, the crowd can get very into it, much more so than at other stadiums in the league. While the Cardinals don’t lead the Valley League in attendance, they do lead the league in crowd passion and energy. Access 3 Front Royal is located in the Shenandoah Valley, about 90 minutes west of Washington, D.C. via I-66. Coming from the east (such as from DC), take Exit 13 off the interstate. Coming from the west (such as if coming from the I-81 corridor), take Exit 6. Either way, the stadium will be a few miles away via local roads. There is a small lot right next to the stadium, and many fans park on the grass nearby as well – just look for the other cars if you’re unsure what grass you can park on and what grass you can’t. There is also ample parking throughout the rest of Miller Park as well if the lot is full and you actually want to park on pavement. Just be prepared to walk a bit. The good news is the parking’s free and the stadium is fairly close to the highway, but the bad news is it’s in the middle of nowhere and far from any major population center. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are just $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and seniors 60+, and free for children under six. Reserved chairbacks behind home plate cost $5 extra. However, all seats offer a great view of the action so unless having a chairback is important to you, there is no need to splurge on these reserved seats. Throw in the incredibly affordable concessions and free parking, and it’s entirely possible to bring a family of four to the game and feed them for under $40 total. This is truly a great deal. Extras 4 A merchandise table is next to the entrance selling Cardinals merchandise at very affordable prices. There is also a marquee hanging above the concourse honoring Bing Crosby’s first performance. There are game programs available at the merchandise table, which are basic but free. One final star for all the staff at Bing Crosby Park who are incredibly helpful and polite. Everyone from the ticket seller to the merchandise stand worker to the employees at the concession stands is absolutely incredible. Final Thoughts Bing Crosby Stadium is a historic baseball ballpark located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. This gorgeous venue boasts some of the greatest fans in the Valley League. While the stadium doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of more modern stadiums, that just adds to the charm. On a summer night in the Valley, be sure to check out a Front Royal Cardinals game at Bing Crosby Stadium.

Photo by Kirsten Richards, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.46 Jamsil Baseball Stadium Jamsil 1-Dong, Songpa-gu Seoul, South Korea Doosan Bears website Jamsil Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 27,000 The Joy of Jamsil Stadium Jamsil Stadium is the home to two KBO (Korea Baseball Organization) teams – the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins . Home and away games are scheduled for the two teams with the stadium in mind – there are very few days over the season with no baseball at Jamsil Stadium, not counting the league’s Monday rest day. The Doosan Bears were inaugurated in January 1982 as the first team in the Korea Baseball Organization and have been playing since the league’s first game in March 1982. They have been league champions three times (1982, 1995, 2001). The Doosan Bears were one of the first teams to provide information about the team and the stadium in English and have a strong following in the expat community in Seoul. Jamsil is the biggest stadium in the KBO and fills up on weekends. Doosan has a passionate fan base – passionate enough to formally protest team decisions or lack thereof at the stadium – and seeing a game live can be a loud and intense experience. Jamsil is very easy to get to, very easy to navigate once you are there and the fans are energetic, loud and lots of fun. It’s a great experience. Food & Beverage 4 Fried chicken is the food of choice at baseball games in Korea. Jamsil Stadium supplies fried chicken via numerous KFC shopfronts around the stadium. Burger King and GS25 convenience stores are the other regular shopfront appearances throughout the stadium. There are also a couple of Dominos outlets. Outside the stadium is a raft of interesting Korean snacks and iced beer and soju (super-cheap Korean vodka) that you can take into the stadium with you. There are also more Burger King and KFC outlets, along with a Smoothie King, a Dominos, and a Dunkin Donuts. You are also welcome to bring anything from home that you might want inside the stadium. Umbrellas are a popular choice for protection from both the sun and the rain. The prices and proportions for food and drink are standard. Most meals are designed for two or three people at minimum. Cass and Hite are the available beers from GS25 and run at regular convenience shop prices – approximately 2000 won (about $2 USD) per can. There is a pop-up food court between the stadium and subway after the game and it’s worth stopping (if you can find a spot) for some jeon – the Korean chives-and-everything enormous pancake that you accompany with makgeolli, a fermented rice or wheat alcoholic drink that is pleasantly sour and absolutely refreshing when icy cold. Atmosphere 5 For those of us old enough to remember the 1988 Olympics, the main Olympic stadium is a surprisingly constant presence when outside the third base side of the stadium. Sadly it is not visible from inside the stadium. It is however, well worth a visit if you have time before the game. There is a steady and constant stream of people and noise around the stadium from about two hours before the game – pretty much from the moment the ticket window opens. Long queues form to take a turn in the pitching speed contest and friends are constantly meeting up to go to the game together. There is really enjoyable people watching to be had prior to a game, and plenty of pop-up outdoor restaurants and bars to choose from. A wander around the entire outside of the stadium will bring you to a statue of the Doosan mascot which is a very popular photo-opportunity for families. You will also find the main team shops right next to each other, but the shop will only be open if the team is playing at the stadium on the day. Both shops are open for LG Twins vs Doosan Bears derbies, but otherwise it is one or the other. The atmosphere inside the game is electric, especially if Doosan is winning. Chanting and cheering carries on regardless of the score, but the crowd is definitely more excited when the team is doing well. When the crowd is in full voice, the echo bouncing back from the other side of the field booms in your chest and your throat. A seat above and in sight of the cheering platform is the most enjoyable spot for people seeking the experience of a Korean baseball game. They run from 10,000 to 12,000 won (approximately $9.75 – $11.75 USD). A spot a little below the cheering platform, or spending more money on a table or VIP seat might suit someone more interested in the game and the game alone. The crowd in the cheap outfield seats joins in with a lot of the chanting, but can quickly fall out of sync with the infield led by the cheerleaders. The seating at Jamsil is tight, with very little room between the rows. Given the steepness of the pitch in the upper reaches of the stadium, it can often feel safer to vacate your seat altogether to allow people in and out of the row. Or be ready to catch falling humans when someone can’t navigate around your knee. It’s also worth keeping an eye on what’s happening behind you, as someone attempting to wobble past in the row above can end with very hot noodles sliding down your back, or a knee in your head. The premium seating has much more space and amenities such as tables, etc. The first base side really catches the sun and afternoon games and are unpleasantly hot as early as spring training. Throughout the height of summer, games start later in the evening but I would still avoid that side of the stadium if possible. The home team takes the third base side and this area is in the shade much earlier. The right field general admission seats are also shaded much earlier than the left field seats if you choose to sit in the outfield. The scoreboard is huge and easy to read from everywhere except the outfield seating. Doosan also produce a lot of their animations and introductions with English subtitles, so it is very easy to follow for the English speaking visitor. Neighborhood 4 There is an enjoyable amount of game-related activity in the area immediately surrounding the stadium prior to the game, but not as much happening if you were to visit in the morning. The Sports Complex Subway station has vendors selling baseball merchandise and memorabilia and there is another large shop selling gear from all of the KBO teams between the subway station and the stadium. After the game, you can take a very casual stroll to Sincheon – about a five minute walk heading left from the baseball stadium. The very nearest hotels to the stadium are here. They are mostly “love motels,” but there are some that are easier to book in advance and check-in prior to midnight. If you do get stuck without an accommodation, love motels are a life-saver – usually mid-range prices, all the amenities, super-clean and there’s always a room available. Sincheon is another one of Seoul’s very organized and contained nightlife districts – there are just a lot more batting cages open until the early hours of the morning in Sincheon than in other places. And there’s a lot more batting cages catering to left-handed hitters than elsewhere in the city. Restaurants and bars are open until very late in Sincheon and there are a lot of them. The streets are still full at 2am on a Friday night. There is also another baseball merchandise shop on Olympic-ro when walking toward Sincheon from the stadium. Fans 5 The Doosan fans at Jamsil are very welcoming and very happy to teach strangers the chants and songs to join in the cheering. When Doosan are playing at home, the team and the fans take the third base side. Doosan fans are very knowledgeable about their team and hold strong opinions on the actions of management. Access 4 Jamsil Stadium is located in the southern part of Seoul on subway line 2 (Outer circle line). It is four subway stops from the Dong Seoul bus station (one of the major bus stations in Seoul) and six subway stops from Gangnam. Exiting the subway at the Baseball Stadium exit will put you about 40 meters from the ticket office at the stadium. There are a large number of intra-city buses that go straight past the stadium as well as parking for approximately 2,500 cars over several parking lots near the stadium. As with the two other KBO stadiums accessible from Seoul’s huge subway system, subway is the cheapest, fastest and most enjoyable way to get to and from a game. Tickets are about 1,200 won (about $1.20 USD) each way. It is a much longer haul from Incheon International Airport, taking about 2 hours whether you go direct by bus 6008 or take the subway (lines A and 2, change at Hongik University Station). It’s about 45 minutes from central Seoul station to Jamsil via the subway. Accommodations and some nightlife can also be found at Coex, the huge Seoul Exhibition centre accessible from Samseong station one stop towards Gangnam, plus the accommodation and nightlife around Gangnam station. Getting to and from the stadium is very easy, but moving around inside the stadium is a little trickier. The space between the rows of seating is very tight. The concourse spaces away from field are large, light and airy, but the concourse facing the field is narrow and there are huge steps from the throughways down to the concourse. These steps are very difficult to navigate for the movement impaired, but toddlers and children have great fun with them. Return on Investment 5 Going to see the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium is great value. For the price of a movie ticket you get 3+ hours of non-stop interactive fun. Regardless of which way your tastes lean, there is food and beverage to satisfy every craving. Doosan fans are very welcoming and it is very easy to get into the swing of cheering and chanting for the home team. . Extras 4 Jamsil has a lot of extras for the family with kids that aren’t that keen on the baseball or too young to concentrate for the duration of a game. There is a playroom that offers a child-minding service and a PC room in which to abandon social-media addicted teenagers. Smoking is forbidden in the main area of the stadium and the smoking rooms are nicely sealed off from the main sections. The smell of cigarette smoke never intrudes in the internal or external concourses. The presence of the Olympic stadium cannot be overstated. It is really noticeable from most places outside of the stadium. The stadium is also very close to the Han River. Final Thoughts So much more could have been done to take advantage of the location of the stadium. Talks with LG and Doosan have been underway for years to build a new stadium, but there has yet to be any commitment made. For now, this is a great place to go and see baseball.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 San Manuel Stadium 280 South E St San Bernardino, CA 92410 Map It Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino website San Manuel Stadium website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 5,000 Inland Empire on Route 66 The Inland Empire 66ers, named after historic Route 66, are the single-A baseball team (California League) of the nearby Anaheim Angels. The Inland Empire is a region in Southern California and includes cities like San Bernardino, Ontario, Riverside, and Rancho Cucamonga. Baseball has been played in San Bernardino as far back as 1899. San Manuel  Stadium, home of the 66ers, opened in 1996 and is an enjoyable venue in which to watch minor league baseball. The current team began as the Spirit playing in Fiscalini Field. When San Manuel Stadium opened in 1996, the team’s name switched to the Stampede. In 2003, a rebranding competition resulted in the name changing to the Inland Empire 66ers. The team has also been an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners. The stadium is named after San Manuel, a successful casino in nearby Highlands, CA, operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. It provides a typical minor league baseball game day event. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. Food & Beverage 4 The stadium has several concession stands (though not all may be open based on game day attendance), providing a variety of nourishment choices. Delicious looking classic and BBQ Smash burgers, spicy chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and footlong hot dogs run $12 - $17.  A third-base concession stand sells BBQ brisket nachos, brisket sandwiches, footlong dogs, and bacon-wrapped street dogs for $13 - $18.  A stand selling just wings offers 6 and 10-piece baskets (traditional or boneless) with fries for $14.50 - $21. The concession stands also offer traditional snacks like popcorn, pretzels, seeds, peanuts, nachos, chips, Cracker Jack, candy, etc.  Pepsi products are served ($6.25 - $8 ).  Premium and domestic beers are $8.50 - $15, depending on size and brand.  A separate beer kiosk sells four beers on tap or in cans for a dollar or two less than the concession stands.  The Deville Beverage Co, located down the third base side of the concourse, sells tap beers, canned cocktails, and slushies from $5 - $14.  This area has a few tables and chairs to eat and drink, but the music is too loud (at least pre-game ) to have a conversation. Tents offer kettle corn, funnel cake, cotton candy, lemonade, and shaved ice. Outside food or beverages are not allowed in the stadium. Deville Beverage Co at San Manuel Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 3 San Manuel Stadium is a typical minor league baseball venue and provides a decent game day experience. Seats are standard green fold-down stadium seats with cupholders, and provide average width and decent legroom. The stadium has two levels of seating separated by a small walkway. The upper level and third base side get shade first. Some suites are adjacent to the press box above the upper level. Handicapped seating and wheelchair spaces are available at the top of the first level on the walkway. Party tents are down on both the third and first baseline concourses. A net goes all the way down the lines, so watching the game net-free is not an option at this stadium (except maybe from the party tents). The seats behind the visitor’s dugout (first base side) contain the ‘Toyota Redlands Garage Suite.’ Fans can rent this suite area for $32 a person, which includes free beer, food packages, comfortable, cushioned seats, up-close action of the game, and more. San Manuel Stadium Toyota Redlands Garage Suite, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey On clear days, parts of the San Bernardino Mountains, like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, can be seen in the distance. It makes for an attractive background. A tall building beyond left field ruins some of the views of the mountain range. The video scoreboard displays players’ photos and stats, the line score, the lineup, and some advertisements. It can be a tad difficult to read during a late afternoon/early evening game because of the setting sun glare. Except for the line score, no closed captioning is offered (common for minor-league baseball). Starting lineups are also provided on a whiteboard down the third base concourse area if a fan wants to prerecord their scorecard. Lights flash and a horn blows when the 66ers get a home run. The music person plays ‘noise’ between almost every pitch, and, unfortunately, it’s the same four or five snippets. This could be annoying to some baseball fans in attendance. The venue provides misters for the home dugout, but not for the visiting team’s dugout. Between-inning contests include things like trivia questions, racing with the mascot contests (where the contestant always wins), a dance team, etc. Kids run across the outfield at the beginning of the 7th inning. That’s quite adorable. Neighborhood 2 Safety doesn’t appear to be an issue, but there’s not much within walking distance of the stadium.  A nearby place to hang out pre o r post-game i s just not convenient.    The neighborhood does have a few American and Mexican fast food places within a half mile. Several breweries are within five or so miles:  Ritual Brewing, Escape Craft Brewery, and 3 Iron Brewing.  Consider Rose Apple Thai for local, delicious Thai cuisine (about four miles from the stadium). Side Note:   The concessions at San Manuel Stadium likely offer better options on cuisine than anywhere else in the immediate area, so this is one of the few stadiums where it is a better choice to eat at the game rather than in the local neighborhood. A few economy hotels (Econo Lodge, Motel 6, etc.)  are about a mile north of the stadium.  Many more well-known chain hotels are 3 – 5 miles from the stadium. If vacationing in San Bernardino, check out Silverwood Lake or Big Bear Lake for outdoor activity. San Bernardino is also know n for h aving the first McDonald’s hamburger joint.  One may also want to check out the National Orange Show Event Center to see what events are taking place during your visit to San Bernardino.  Another sports team nearby during baseball season is the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (MiLB).  The 66ers parent team, the Los Angeles Angels , is about an hour’s drive away.  Fans 3 Attendance records put the Inland Empire 66ers as either the first or second-highest average attendance in the California League for the last few seasons, currently at around 2,100+ fans per game.  The average number is about 600 or so lower than attendance pre-COVID.  Fans that attend applaud at good plays and appreciate good defensive performances by either team. Access 3 San Manuel Stadium is not far off I-10.  San Bernardino – Downtown Metrolink Station is within walking distance of the stadium.  Ontario International Airport is the closest commercial airport to the venue (a little over 20 miles).    The venue charges $10 to park at the stadium, which seems high for a single-A venue.  Security performs a bag check when entering the stadium; non-clear bags are allowed. When entering the stadium, the concourse is behind the seating structure, and the playing field is not visible. Fans  walk through a short underpass to get to the seating area. Plenty of nearby handicapped spaces are in the parking lot.  Bathrooms are sufficient for the crowds and serve their purpose. Return on Investment 3 Tickets range from $12 to $22. Our recommendation:  Get the general admission ticket ($12) and sit where you want after the game starts. The team offers daily deals to help reduce the cost of attending a game, so keep these in mind. Tuesday  - $2 parking, tickets, hot dogs, and tacos Wednesday  - Bring your canine friend and sit in the lawn section Thursday  - $2 Coors Light Friday  - $1 hot dogs and $5 lawn seats Saturday  – A giveaway day Sunday  – Family Sundays.  Check their website for events. The parking price ($10) seems high to me for a single-A game.  Concession and drink prices are the expected stadium prices.  I recommend going on a Tuesday for the most affordable day. Extras 5 An MIA/POW seat is placed on the concourse to honor men and women who left to fight for our country but never returned. Be sure to pick up a descriptive game notes packet at the customer service desk.  It even has a scoresheet pre-typed with the starting lineup and some stats. Below the press box, four retired numbers are displayed:  43 - Chen, 42 – Robinson. 24 – Griffey Jr., 25 – Dauher An excellent merchandise shop is available, though it does not sell hat pins. The 66ers rebrand as the San Bernardino Cucuys (bogeyman) and the Redland Pickers several times a season.  The team wears special-branded uniforms, the merchandise store sells shirts and jerseys, and the video board brands the special-branded team name. Final Thoughts The Inland Empire 66ers provide fabulous customer service and a decent game-day experience.  Go with family and friends on a Tuesday and get an inexpensive, enjoyable evening out.

Photos by Steve Bieniek, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Stambaugh Stadium 577 Fifth Ave Youngstown, OH 44555 Youngstown State Penguins website Stambaugh Stadium website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 20,630 Cold as Ice The Youngstown State Penguins are one of the premier teams in the FCS division of college football; the proof is in the four National Championships that the Penguins own. Youngstown is another rust belt city that is truly defined by the people that call it home, and this shows at YSU football games. The stadium itself is also a reflection of the city; perhaps it’s a little worn, but it can still get the job done on game day. Food & Beverage 3 Stambaugh Stadium concessions can be described in one simple word: standard. You won’t have any unique options, maybe outside of the grill concession on one end of the stadium. The grill offers some appetizing menu items and is the most expensive concession stand, but it still won’t kill your wallet. A chicken sandwich, bag of chips, and a drink will run you around $9.50. Other options include a personal UNO pizza ($4.50), Italian sausage ($5), bratwurst ($4), or a pulled pork sandwich ($5). The quality of the food itself in the stadium leaves a little to be desired. The nachos and cheese menu item included a very small bag of nachos and a small amount of cheese, and all of the pizzas looked a little overdone. The concession stand workers are mostly students as well, so if you order a pizza and it looks pretty bad, expect for the attendant to go ahead and give it to you anyway. The best quality is going to come from the grill. Also, there are no alcohol sales in the stadium. These aren’t the worst concessions ever seen, but there are much better aspects to this stadium. Atmosphere 3 Walking into Stambaugh Stadium gives you that “Saturday game day” feeling. Before you get to the stadium, you’ll see the YSU band playing in a courtyard, fans tailgating in one parking lot, and crowds of people gathered all around the stadium. Once in the stadium, be sure to visit the Hall of Gridiron Glory to see some of the great moments in YSU athletic history. At the end of the Hall there is a small shrine to Jim Tressel, so that should give you a little perspective of the YSU success, if you’re unfamiliar with the school’s football history. One unique feature at YSU games takes place as the band is playing. The announcer will actually start to rap over the microphone just before the team enters the stadium. If that doesn’t get you ready to bring out the team, the great school band and cheerleaders will put the mood over the top. Youngstown State is very much just a small scale version of an FBS game. In fact, the enthusiasm and atmosphere actually beats out some FBS schools in the region with ease. The one and only thing that may disrupt your personal atmosphere is that it seems as though a lot of people just sit wherever they want. Several different people could sit in front of and behind you throughout the game. If you go to the game with someone else, you may want to take separate turns going to and from the restroom or concession stand just to avoid any awkward moments with someone else taking your seats. I realize there are general admission sections, but it just seems as though the whole stadium acts as general admission. Neighborhood 4 The stadium sits right on the Youngstown State campus. You will more than likely park in a campus garage or parking lot. The walk to the stadium through the campus is a typical scenic and relaxing campus walk. Make sure to walk into the campus Rec Center to go through the great University Store, across from the Beeghley Physical Education Center. The store will definitely have any of the YSU gear that you desire. During game days there is one parking lot for tailgating; again giving you the feeling of a small scale FBS school. There is some tailgating, but not lines and lines of cars and tailgaters. Fans 4 Stambaugh Stadium is a fairly big stadium, holding over 20,000 people. It’s really great to see that the Penguins can fill up the stadium on a Saturday, even with Youngstown not being anything close to a big city, and big time college football only a few short hours away. The fans will show up in droves, some early and some pretty late. There is a small student section on the visitors’ side, which is inaccessible to fans on the home side. This is a typical small university crowd in that some fans seem very into the game, and some use it as simply a social event. One tip for the Youngstown faithful may be to make sure there are enough fans on the opposite side of the stadium before they start the “We Are……Youngstown” chant. Some students sit on the opposite side of the stadium, but not enough of them had shown up to carry the chant on their side when it started. As always, though, YSU deserves an A for effort. Access 2 There are several parking garages and lots around the campus. Most will have a $5 fee, and if you park too far away, a shuttle will be around to take you directly to the stadium. Even though the shuttle is available, it probably is not necessary. The one thing that is true for the parking garages, the stadium concession areas, and the stadium aisles is that everything seems to be shrunken by a few feet as compared to any other garage or stadium. The parking garages are small and if you sit on an aisle in the stadium, you’re sure to get bumped several times during a game. Also, getting around during halftime is almost impossible. By comparison, the bathrooms are huge and will easily accommodate the crowds. Getting in and out of the stadium should be easy enough for everyone. One very odd part of the stadium is the fact that you will either be on the home side or the visitors/student side and there is no possibility of walking over to the other side. It’s just a little awkward, so just make sure you go in on the correct side. The student section is on the opposite side of the home fans, so perhaps moving this section would help hype up some emotions for the home team. Return on Investment 4 A general admission ticket will run you $12, which is a steal, especially to watch a team that can compete with a lot of FBS schools. The history of one of the great FCS football teams makes a trip to Youngstown an exciting experience. You’re not going to get any extravagant amenities at Stambaugh Stadium, but good football is something that will be assured. There are a lot worse things you could do on a Saturday afternoon. Extras 1 The championship history of the Youngstown State Penguins football teams is worth an extra point. The team won FCS Championships in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997. Final Thoughts To say that Stambaugh Stadium could use some updating is an understatement, but the people and team of Youngstown pull this stadium through with flying colors. The Penguins will be sure to offer an entertaining game, and as a result, this stadium offers everything a hardcore or casual football fan could need.

Photos by Gregory Koch and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Hersheypark Arena 100 W Hersheypark Dr. Hershey, PA 17033 Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen website Hersheypark Arena website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,286 A Piece of History at Hersheypark Arena Hersheypark Arena is a historic hockey venue in the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. From 1936 to 2002, this classic hockey barn was home to the Hershey Bears of the Atlantic Hockey League (AHL). In the 1960s, it played host to three Philadelphia Warriors games, including the one when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points. This building is full of history, but it has not had a professional tenant since the Bears moved to the newly built Giant Center elsewhere in Hersheypark in 2002. However, the arena is still home to hockey. The Flying Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley College, located about a 15-minute drive away in Annville, play their home games at Hersheypark Arena. The Dutchmen compete at the Division III level, the lowest level of college hockey, in the Middle Atlantic Conference, known as the MAC for short. The arena is also home to the Hershey Cubs junior hockey team as well as assorted middle school and high school athletic and music events. However, most events where a large crowd is expected are now held at Giant Center. Despite popular belief, Lebanon Valley's "Flying Dutchmen" nickname comes not from the ghost ship of legend but from the Pennsylvania Dutch (actually Germans) who settled the area of Central Pennsylvania known as Pennsylvania Dutch County. Food & Beverage 3 There are signs for a food court at Hersheypark Arena, located through a doorway in one corner of the arena's ring concourse. You will find signage for many different stands, including pizza, burgers, and even a Subway, but only one stand is open. Here you will find a basic menu, with chicken strips, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers being the only meal options. French fries and candy (Hershey's products. naturally) are available as well, and soda, bottled water, and Gatorade are available to drink. Prices are quite reasonable, with the chicken tenders at $6.25 being the most expensive option. With the other stands still having the signage up but not being open, it feels like a food court at abandoned malls where most of the businesses have closed but still have the signage up that has been there since the 80s or 90s. As you will see in the rest of this review, this is not atypical for this arena.    Atmosphere 4 Hersheypark Arena is a building with decades of history, and most of the arena is as it was when the Bears moved out in 2002, and as it had been for some time before that. Hand-painted signs direct fans to the various seating sections, and although it still says reserved like it was when the Bears played here, all seating is general admission for LVC games. Other hand-painted signs surround the rink marking off various locations. Even the no-smoking signs are hand-painted. Signage throughout the arena honors historic moments that happened here, including Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game and the Hershey Bears' Calder Cup championships. (For those who are unaware, the Calder Cup is the AHL equivalent of the Stanley Cup, awarded to the champion each season.) Although there are two levels of seats at Hersheypark Arena, only the lower level of blue wooden seats is open for Lebanon Valley games. The rows of seats closest to the glass have been gutted, so fans who like to sit there will be disappointed. However, you will still be up close to the action wherever you sit. The upper level, with its garish burnt gold color scheme that feels like something out of a shopping mall in the 1980s, is visible, although fans cannot go up there. This color scheme seems very retro, as you would never see a major arena use it today. Like so much else in this building, it contributes to the historic feel. There are scoreboards behind both goals showing only the most basic information - the score, the clock, the period, and any penalties. One unusual quirk is that these scoreboards are incapable of displaying any time greater than 19:59. When the period starts, they will display 0:00, and then one second later, they will change to 19:59. They also do not display tenths of a second in the final minute of a period. This also means that before the game starts, the clock counting down to puck drop will have to loop around several times. Do not be alarmed if you arrive early and the clock shows only five minutes until the game starts. While the history and charm of Hersheypark Arena merit a high score in this category regardless, Lebanon Valley does make some effort to improve the fan experience further. A spotlight shines on the ice before the match as the referees come out, but oddly enough it returns to full lighting before the players take the ice. There is music during breaks in the action, including organ music reminiscent of the days when there was a live organ here for Bears games. Neighborhood 5 Hersheypark Arena is part of the larger Hersheypark complex. Although the amusement park itself is closed during the winter when college hockey is going on, there are other places fans can visit. Hershey's Chocolate World is located across the parking lot from the arena and is a family-friendly venue featuring chocolate tours, chocolate tastings, chocolate mascots, and so much more. (We should point out that the chocolate mascots are costumed characters whose costumes look like chocolate bars. They are not made out of chocolate. Unlike the Pop-Tarts Bowl , there are no edible mascots here.) The Hershey Story Museum includes displays on the history of chocolate and a Chocolate Lab where kids can make their candy. Fans without small children, or who don't want to deal with kids on a sugar rush, will find plenty of things to do in town as well. Troegs Brewery offers tours and tastings in addition to a full menu of food. There are plenty of hotels for fans staying overnight, which will be much more affordable in the winter months than they would be in the summer. Fans 2 Lebanon Valley draws a few hundred fans a game, which is decent for Division III, but as this arena seats several thousand, they don't come close to filling even the lower bowl. The fans who do show up are knowledgeable about the team and the sport, and you can often overhear them having insightful conversations with each other about the action on the ice. However, they're simply aren't that many people who show up, particularly given the size of the arena. Access 4 US Routes 422 and 322 and Interstates 83 and 76 all run through or near Hershey, so there are many ways into town. Once you get to Hersheypark itself, take the Hersheypark Drive loop road through the complex and follow the signs for the arena. You will have to drive through a parking gate at some point, which may or may not be staffed with an attendant depending on what is going on elsewhere in the complex. If there is an attendant, let them know you are going to a Lebanon Valley game at Hersheypark Arena and they will let you through for free. The arena is near the back of the complex, with a spacious lot available adjacent to it that is more than big enough for the crowds. If there is an event going on before the LVC game, such as a Hershey Cubs junior hockey game or a public skate, there may be people still parked there when you arrive. These will clear out at least an hour before the puck drop of the Flying Dutchmen game. Only one entrance to the building is open for Lebanon Valley games - Entrance 4, on the right front side of the arena. This will take you into a small lobby that has one doorway to the seating bowl. A narrow concourse rings the entire seating bowl, with other doorways off of it leading to restrooms and the concession stand. This narrow setup, combined with forcing the entire crowd through a small point of entry, would have been extremely crowded for a sold-out Bears game back in the day but is not a problem at all for the couple hundred fans Lebanon Valley draws. Likewise, the restrooms might have gotten crowded when the Bears were drawing thousands of fans, but are more than sufficient for what the Dutchmen draw. As at many old arenas, the seats are quite narrow, but with the small crowds, you will have room to spread out and will not feel cramped. Getting out of the arena after the game is easy. Since you are near the end of the one-way loop road, it is far easier than getting in since you can be back on the main road in under a minute instead of having to drive through the entire complex. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Lebanon Valley games is free, and parking is also free. While free parking is often given at lower levels, keep in mind it can be quite expensive at the nearby Giant Center or at Hersheypark itself when it is open in the summer. So being able to park here for free is a good deal. Concessions are also quite affordable, particularly considering you are in a major tourist destination. All of this makes a Lebanon Valley hockey game an excellent value. Extras 3 One point for the building itself is that, looks much as it did when it opened in 1936. With hand-painted signs around the arena and old-time standings boards showing historic AHL standings, this is an arena right out of another era. A second star for the signage honoring all the history that happened here, from the Bears' league championships to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. A third and final star for the banner hanging from the rafters honoring Lebanon Valley's 2001 ECAC Northeast conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Final Thoughts Hersheypark Arena is a historic hockey barn from another era. At almost 90 years old and still going strong, the arena hasn't changed much over the years. So much history has happened here, and just walking in feels like taking a step back in time. Although Lebanon Valley doesn't draw anywhere near the crowds the Bears once did, a visit to Hersheypark Arena should be on every hockey fan's bucket list for history alone.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 D. W. Rutledge Stadium 900 S. Seguin Road Converse, TX 78109 Judson Rockets website D. W. Rutledge Stadium website Year Opened: 1959 Capacity: 10,000 Historic Launchpad for Football Greatness High school football is king in the state of Texas. Few teams have reigned atop the mountain as state champions more than the co-occupants of D. W. Rutledge Stadium – the Judson High School Rockets. Located in a suburb of Converse, Texas, Judson High School has reached the Texas state football championship 11 times, and won the final prize a remarkable six times. During the entirety of this run of dominance, Judson also holds the record for the most consecutive winning seasons in the state’s history, spanning 41 seasons up through 2017 – the Rockets have called the site now known as D. W. Rutledge Stadium home for that entire time. Named in honor of their legendary former coach, the stadium was originally built in 1959, and was originally named Judson Stadium. As the district grew, the Karen Wagner High School Thunderbirds began playing at D.W. Rutledge Stadium in 2005, and the Veterans Memorial Patriots start varsity play in 2018 – Rutledge Stadium was remodeled in 2008 to accommodate that growth. The stadium, home to so much history and greatness in decades past, has been reborn to carry on the legacy into the 21st century. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions at D. W. Rutledge Stadium are quite frankly surprisingly well-above par – especially for a high school sports-only facility. One of the things that separates it from many similar stadiums is that the concessions stands – one each on the home and visitor sides – take credit cards. On the menu are the traditional favorites: popcorn, candy, pickles, nachos, bottled water, soda, and sports drinks. These are all available for $2-$3 each. Also available are hamburgers and chicken burgers (each $5), hot dogs and sausage wraps ($2.50 and $3 respectively), and chili cheese fries ($3). An added bonus – especially on cold fall Friday nights at the stadium – is Starbucks coffee, available for $3. Atmosphere 3 Calling D. W. Rutledge Stadium a “cathedral” of high school athletics might be a bit of an oversell, but not by much. The facility has all the great features of an old-school stadium, but thanks to the renovations, it has a lot of the new bells and whistles of modern facilities. These include a massive coaches/press box, and a high-tech full-color jumbotron. Judson fans have earned a strong reputation for “bringing it” at all home games at D. W. Rutledge Stadium; Wagner fans are quickly gaining a reputation of their own for filling up the stands and supplying the energy. Especially with bigger games – such as during district play – the venue is rocking with energy and with excitement that can be felt from down the block. If you plan on attending a game at D. W. Rutledge Stadium, I would personally recommend the year-end clash between Judson and Wagner – while the annual Hammer Bowl is one of the area’s newest rivalries, the atmosphere at D. W. Rutledge Stadium becomes electric when the two teams meet. Neighborhood 4 The city of Converse is one of the largest suburbs of San Antonio, which is one of the most visited tourist cities in the U.S. As mentioned in previous reviews of the area, San Antonio is ripe with attractions of any and all kinds, and you are bound to find something of interest to suit whatever your mood is. If you are interested in continuing an evening of sports, horse racing season overlaps with the high school football one. Located in nearby Selma, Texas, is one of the state’s finest establishments dedicated to the sport of kings, Retama Park. A truly gorgeous facility, Retama Park is a fan-favorite among both novices and hardcore devotees of the sport. Make sure to check their online calendar, as they frequently have theme nights that are pretty popular, including dollar night which feature $1 hot dogs, sodas, and racing programs. First-time visitors to San Antonio must visit the city’s historic Downtown, home to many of the area’s most famous attractions, including the Alamo, River Walk, Market Square, and Tower of the Americas. The Alamo, River Walk, and Market Square all offer free admittance. For dining options, San Antonio is renowned as a city where you can find good eats on just about every corner. However, if you choose to stay in Converse proper, there are more than enough choices. All of your usual chain restaurants can be found; if you are looking for something beyond that, check out a couple of local favorites: Rocket’s Feed Restaurant Bakery and Papa Dante’s Restaurant. When it comes to hotels, the same circumstance as dining can be said. You can find whatever you want in San Antonio, but in Converse proper, you have options as well. Every chain you can think of, from the highest end to the most budget friendly can be found within striking distance of the city. If you’re looking beyond the normal chains, I would recommend staying in San Antonio. Some choices include the art deco-styled Hotel Havana, or heavy on cozy A Yellow Rose Bed and Breakfast. Fans 4 There have been numerous books, TV series, and films written about how passionate people in Texas are about high school football. If you attend a game at D. W. Rutledge Stadium, you will get a glimpse of that passion. Regardless of the matchup, you can expect to see the home field stands filled. Judson Rockets fans are especially loyal and passionate toward their team, and they have been rewarded with that loyalty over the years with victories. While Wagner doesn’t yet have the same history as their older sister school, fans still come out in impressive numbers. One can only anticipate that Veterans Memorial fans will do the same, as it is in their pedigree. When you come to a Judson Rockets, though, you can expect the stands to be filled with red and to be fully engaged throughout the entirety of the game. Overall, few venues in South Texas can match that which is found at D. W. Rutledge Stadium. Access 4 If you plan on attending at game at D. W. Rutledge Stadium, you should have no problem accessing it whatsoever. Converse, again, is just a few miles outside of San Antonio as you head north on Interstate 10. If you’re flying in from anywhere in the country, the San Antonio International Airport is your best bet. You can also head in from Austin, the next nearest big city, which is just under an hour and a half north of both San Antonio and Converse. A little bit of an insider’s tip – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin often has less expensive flight packages into the area. When going to D. W. Rutledge Stadium, there is no cost for parking, and there is ample amount of it thanks to the 2008 renovation. Also, one point to be aware of – while concessions accept credit cards, the admission gates do not. Return on Investment 2 Single game general admission tickets at D. W. Rutledge Stadium are $8 per person, which is pretty much the standard going rate for high school games in the area these days. This is by no means a bad thing. D. W. Rutledge Stadium has great sight lines, a great atmosphere, and – usually – great teams that compete there on a week in and week out basis. When you couple the price for admission with the low-cost for concessions, and the zero cost you pay for parking, what you get is worth the price. Extras 1 In terms of “extras,” what D. W. Rutledge Stadium offers is pretty much what is standard at all high school games. There are the bands, the cheerleaders, and dance teams, and there are also the half-time shows, the mascots, and the boosters. The main selling point of the stadium is its history and the football on the field. This is by no means a negative, it’s just a fact. In cases like D. W. Rutledge Stadium, that’s all you need. Final Thoughts Bottom line, D. W. Rutledge Stadium is a great venue for high school football. You will highly enjoy yourself at games there, no matter which team you happen to see. When attending games there, you’ll get caught up in the history of the stadium. It is everywhere. There are few finer venues for high school football in South Texas than D.W. Rutledge Stadium, so do yourself a favor and catch a game there when you have the chance. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.86 DeVore Stadium 900 Otay Lakes Rd Chula Vista, CA 91910 Southwestern College Jaguars website DeVore Stadium website Capacity: 7,200 Under the Mountains DeVore Stadium is home to the Southwestern College Jaguars, who play college football as part of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). Though technically a community college, the school generally refers to itself simply as Southwestern College, or SWC for short. DeVore Stadium is named after a former president and superintendent of the college. Food & Beverage 0 There are no food and beverages offered at DeVore Stadium, although there are concessions stands which were used at one time. However, fans are welcome to bring food and beverages into the stadium – I saw everything from Taco Bell takeout to foil-covered aluminum pans filled with home cooking. Atmosphere 2 Though there have been some recent, upscale upgrades here, including the athletics building behind one end zone and a modern press box, the Jaguars don’t have a lot here besides the game itself. They do have a cheerleading squad entertaining fans from the home side of the field, and the setting is also very pleasant, with great views of San Miguel Mountain in the distance. The seating here consists entirely of stone steps on both sides, not unlike Harvard Stadium and much of Rice Stadium – there are no bleacher benches nor chairbacks, but the steps are actually surprisingly comfortable (albeit a little cold on your derriere, especially during night games). Neighborhood 3 Chula Vista, CA is located about 15 to 30 minutes south of San Diego depending on traffic. There are a couple of fast food restaurants right outside the stadium – in fact you can see them from the stands, such as Carl’s Jr. and Subway. Chula Vista is named for its location between San Diego Bay and the coastal mountain foothills nearby. Major attractions in town include Sesame Place San Diego (a theme and water park for children) and Living Coast Discovery Center (a nature center), and Chula Vista is also home to one of the US’ year-round Olympic training facilities. The city also boasts several golf courses. Fans 1 Few fans show up for Southwestern Jaguars football games, and many of them are actually visiting fans. There is some Southwestern team gear being worn, but most of the home fans seem to be either friends or family members of the players themselves. Access 4 Getting to DeVore Stadium is pretty easy, as major roads take you down from San Diego, and there is very little traffic in the vicinity, due to the very small attendance. Moving around the stadium is similarly easy – you are free to walk all the way around the stadium and sit (or stand) wherever you want. Return on Investment 2 Tickets to Jags football are only $10, and parking is free. If you decide to bring your own food that is a help, but if you didn’t plan for this you may be disappointed by the lack of concessions. Extras 1 There is no mascot and no band that I saw, but there is a cool looking Jaguars logo at midfield, and some bright red Jags signage dotted around.

Photo courtesy of Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 HEB Park 1616 S. Raul Longoria Road Edinburg, TX 78542 Rio Grande Valley FC Toros website HEB Park website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 9,735 The Toros are Thriving in the Rio Grande Valley The Rio Grande Valley of South Texas is an area of the state unlike any other. The blending of American and Mexican culture is everywhere. With the palm tree-lined streets and nearly year-round warm weather, it is possible to close your eyes and imagine you are in another country entirely. In recent years, the Edinburg-McAllen metro area has seen a renaissance of industry and growth moving into the area. Edinburg especially has been the beneficiary of this growth, as it has found itself the recipient of a United Soccer League franchise. The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros were founded in 2015 and began playing in 2016. To go along with their status as a professional sports town, the team ownership and the city collaborated on a beautiful, state of the art facility for their club: HEB Park, which opened at the beginning of 2017. Sleek and modern, the stadium has quickly become a fan favorite. Food & Beverage 4 Visitors to HEB Park will have all of their food and drink needs met. There are four main concessions areas – two in each of the stadium’s two concourses. The areas serve all the traditional game fare, such as hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, candy, soda, and draft beer. There are two stands that offer a pared down menu of the hamburger chain, Fuddruckers. Two of the locations also offer French toast on a stick. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen also has a pop-up tent stand, that offers a pared down menu in the open area walkway in the north end of the stadium. You can also buy fruit cups at scattered pop ups, and at a few of the concessions kiosks. Another highlight, especially for adults, is the smoothie stand located in the east concourse. This vendor serves various sizes of traditional, fruity smoothies that are appropriate for all ages. However, they also serve “adult smoothies”, which combine the tasty drinks with alcoholic “enhancements”. Another highlight is the beautiful Scoreboard Bar in the north concourse area. Modeled after a similar structure at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA, this full-service bar serves as the base of the main scoreboard at HEB Park. It is a full-service bar and a hub of activity throughout the game (which will be discussed further later in this review). Atmosphere 4 Being so close to the Mexican border, where the sport of futbol is a national obsession, makes HEB Park in Edinburg the perfect spot for the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. The parking lot of HEB Park is a sea of activity before the start of games, as fans do a healthy dose of tailgating for several hours prior to game time. The stands are awash in Toros orange, and it is quite impressive how quickly the area has embraced the new team. Fans wear t-shirts, jerseys/kits, and scarves – albeit in a lighter than usual fabric, as temperatures on the pitch can get up into the 100-plus degrees during the summer. There is also an official fan club, The Stampede, which has taken up residence in the west concourse bleachers. With their chanting, cheering and drum banging (they bring their own drums to the game), they supply a constant stream of energy that infects the home crowd throughout the stadium. The acoustics, despite being open-ended on each side, are perfect for soccer. Also adding to the atmosphere is the aforementioned Scoreboard Bar, which becomes a hub for fans who need to stretch their legs, grab a quick bite and/or meet up with some fellow soccer enthusiasts. There is a live music stage set up adjacent to the bar, which also enhances the game watching experience. Once the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros start to develop a culture of winning, and HEB Park begins to attract even more high-profile “friendlies”, you can expect an even more electric atmosphere in the stadium. Neighborhood 3 It does take an effort to get to the Rio Grande Valley from any of the large cities in Texas. You can fly many large commercial airlines to nearby McAllen. Driving though, it is almost three and a half hours from San Antonio and almost five from Austin. However, once you’re down there, Edinburg, McAllen, Mission (the birthplace of Tom Landry), Harlingen, Weslaco, and even Brownsville are all within “shouting” distance. If you bring your passport, you can easily get to Reynosa and Rio Bravo across the U.S. border. This large metro area offers an abundance of activities (it is the birding capital of the United States if you are a nature lover), as well as many hotel and restaurant options. If you are looking for a bite to eat, you have to try out some authentic Tex-Mex/Mexican cuisine – I can personally vouch for Costa Messa Restaurant as being one of the best in the area. Fans 4 I really can’t say enough about how enthusiastic and knowledgeable Toros fans are. It probably helps that the area has a long affinity for the sport (the Edinburg-McAllen-Mission metro area has close to 500 weekend and amateur soccer clubs), and that affinity shows up during Toros games at HEB Park. Fans here cheer on breakaways, on defensive stops, on shots on goals, and, of course, on actual home team goals. You’ll find lots of orange, you’ll find lots of Toros team gear, and you’ll find the stands quite packed (they are averaging just over 6,000 for weekend games this season) for every game. Access 3 As mentioned, it does take a little bit of work to get to Edinburg and HEB Park. But, once you’re there, the stadium is located off one of the main highways (Interstate 69) and two of the city’s main thoroughfares (Freddy Gonzales Drive and Raul Longoria Road, respectively). Since the stadium just opened, there is not much in the way of signage leading the way there; that is anticipated to change in the not too distant future though. Also, there is just the main entrance to the parking lot, and that has the potential to bottleneck, especially close to game time, so plan accordingly. However, on the bright side, parking is ample and free. Return on Investment 3 You can get quite a bargain at HEB Park in terms of ticket prices if you go at certain times. Normally, ticket prices for Toros games range from the low of $9 per ticket to the high of $40. On certain nights, however, general admission tickets can be had for $5 as part of the stadium’s “Four Corners” option – make sure to check the calendar for when these are available. Concessions costs are right in step with other minor league facilities; you can expect to pay around $5-$10 per person for your trip to the snack bar depending on what you get. Again, as parking is free, you can expect a real bargain at HEB Park for Rio Grande Valley FC Toros games. Extras 3 HEB Park has all the bells and whistles that most “new” stadiums have. One interesting feature is the luxury suites/boxes; instead of being high up in the stands, they are slightly raised at pitch level. Fans in the boxes are right on top of the on-field action. Additional “extras” include the club’s mascot, a currently unnamed anthropomorphic bull, and the team’s cheerleaders, the Toros girls. You can expect to see both wandering the concourses and stands throughout the games, and they are easily accessible for photo opportunities. There is also a very well-stocked team store near the main stadium entrance on the east concourse. Final Thoughts I was not sure what to expect in my trip to this part of Texas to see minor league soccer. I have to say I came away extremely impressed with both. Flat out, HEB Park is beautiful, and I feel it is safe to say that it has little to no rival in the world of minor league soccer, and it probably could rival many major league facilities. It is truly the crown jewel of the United Soccer League. If you are in the Rio Grande Valley, HEB Park is a must visit. I believe you will be as captivated by the place as I was. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex 2801 NE 50th St Oklahoma City, OK 73111 Women’s College World Series website OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 7,300 NCAA Women’s College World Series OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex is a 7,300-seat multi-purpose stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The stadium was renamed in 2017, when the Amateur Softball Association rebranded to USA Softball. Formerly known as ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, the venue is the centerpiece of the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, which includes the USA Hall of Fame and Museum. The stadium opened in 1987 and had extensive renovations from September 2013 through 2015. The facility hosts various softball tournaments throughout the year, but none more popular than the NCAA College World Series. The Women’s College World Series (WCWS) consists of the final 8 women’s college softball teams, advancing from a field of 32 teams, around the country. The NCAA WCWS began in 1982, when the UCLA Bruins defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs 2-0 in 8 innings. The series was first played along with the Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska from 1982 until 1987, and then moved to Sunnyvale, California from 1988-1989. Oklahoma City has hosted the event every year since 1990, except in 1996 when Columbus, Georgia, in preparation to host Olympic softball in Atlanta, was awarded the NCAA Women’s College World Series. OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex is also the site for the World Cup of Softball and the Big 12 softball conference championship. Food & Beverage 4 The food and beverage selections here may not compete with the big league ballparks, but there are plenty of food options around the stadium. There are two permanent concessions buildings, one on each side of the diamond, on the upper concourse. All the ballpark favorites are available – hot dogs, chili cheese, corn dog bites, Frito chili pie, nachos, pretzels, fries, burgers, BBQ sandwiches, chicken tenders, and a walking taco. These items might not sound exciting, but the prices ranging between $3 and $6 can make your wallet smile. The beverages are Coke products with prices ranging from $3 for the small to $6 for the souvenir cup. Powerade is only $3, while water is $2, and there is also a water station available to fill those empty bottles. The stadium does serve alcohol, however, everyone that wishes to buy alcohol must first get a wrist band. The alcohol selections are simple – either Coors Lite or Miller Lite for $5 (16oz), or Modelo, Corona Premier, or Mike’s Hard (24oz) for $7. There are also food trucks parked behind the outfield bleachers for fans, which keeps you from having to walk all around the stadium for food if your seats are back there. Both sides of the diamond have food trucks as well, with Dippin’ Dots, sno cones, and funnel cake offered. Note that there are no outside food or drinks allowed inside OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Atmosphere 5 The Women’s College World Series is the final portion of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship for college softball in the United States. The tournament format consists of two four-team double-elimination brackets. The winners of each bracket then compete in a best-of-three series to determine the Division I WCWS National Champion. The Women’s College World Series surpasses itself on a yearly basis with record crowds. The games are played in sessions with two games per session, except for the best-of-three series and the if-necessary session. OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex has a dirt infield and a grass outfield surface, with dimension of 200ft along the lines, and 220ft to center field, with the seating behind each dugout reserved for the participating teams. The atmosphere at WCWS begins as soon as the teams arrive in Oklahoma City. The day before the tournament begins, fans can spend the day at the facility at Open Practice Day, which is free to the public. During the day all teams will showcase the abilities and talents that helped them reach the final 8. There will be autograph sessions by USA Softball players during the day as well. The next day begins with the Women’s College World Series Fan Fest. The fan fest is located outside the stadium, and is situated at the drop off/pick up point for fans using the parking shuttles. The WCWS Fan Fest is a FREE fan fest for fans of all ages! Take part in a variety of activities, including exclusive autograph sessions from ESPN talent such as Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza, and Michelle Smith, or enjoy sport activations and product displays, championship merchandise and more! Be at the epicenter of softball fun with events for the entire family. But as much fun as Fan Fest provides, the games themselves is where the WCWS becomes an amazing experience. Every inning seems to get exciting as the teams compete. There is in-stadium entertainment throughout, with competitions like minor league baseball games thrown in. In addition, the USA Softball team players in the crowd get acknowledged during games and interact with fans. There is also plenty of history in the form of WCWS quizzes shown on the video board, so fans can enjoy re-living past WCWS games. The fans here just simply love softball, and the energy that is created is one of the best atmospheres in sports. Neighborhood 4 The College World Series has found a permanent home in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. The district is in the northeast Oklahoma City between the crossroads of Interstates 35 and 44. There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity in terms of restaurants (you can only find eateries like Subway or Sonic) or hotels, however, there are plenty of tourist attractions around the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. The complex is across the road from the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum, and just a short walk from the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, and Remington Park and Casino. In addition, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Cinemark Tinseltown Movie theater are just up the road near Interstate 44. And for the avid golfer, there is the Lincoln Park Golf Course, which has two impressive championship courses. The heart of downtown Oklahoma City is 7 miles away, which is a short 15-minute drive from the USA Hall of Fame Complex. Bricktown has numerous restaurants and lodging for softball fans, as well as Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark , the center of Bricktown and home to the Oklahoma City Dodgers Triple AAA team, who are affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers . The restaurants are along Bricktown’s canal (like San Antonio’s Riverwalk) – Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse, local country singer Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Fuzzy Taco Shop, Melting Pot, and Chelinos Mexican all are great places to visit while in Oklahoma City. Also, the Bricktown Brewery and TapWerks Ale House and Café are great spots to enjoy some local made brews. Hampton Inn & Suites, Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown, or the Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center are a few of the many choices for lodging in Oklahoma City. See this link for a list of USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex Hotel Partners. There is so much to do around Oklahoma City that you won’t see everything in one weekend visit. But while there are a lot of tourist attractions around the complex, however, there isn’t one more popular or more of a must visit than Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. This museum is the heart and soul for all Americans, and will be a visit that you’ll never forget. Fans 5 There are 8 participants in the Women’s College World Series. The fans from those 8 participants travel from all over the country to watch their team, family, friends, and daughters play softball, and the games are quickly becoming sell-outs, especially when the local Oklahoma Sooners are one of the participants. Even without the Sooners, there is a dedicated softball fan base that renews season tickets to the Women’s College World Series. A couple of statements from fans: “I don’t have a horse in the race, but I love the way these girls play the game.” and “This is my 12th consecutive year that I have these seats, and I can’t think of any place better.” The fans are serious, loud, supportive, and truly love being at the event. However, the most impressive thing that I noticed was the genuine appreciation for all the teams and players. No matter what team the fans are rooting for, if a player makes a tough play they are cheered because fans appreciate it. Access 4 OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex is seven miles northeast of downtown Oklahoma City, and 0.1 miles from I-35 off exit 132A (NE 50th Street). The venue will be on your right as you exit, and there is parking on the Hall of Fame grounds for $20, but those passes will sell out, so you can also park across the street and in grass lots near the stadium for a fee. However, the best option is free parking, which is located at Remington Park Racing and Casino about a 1/4-mile from the stadium. A free shuttle bus will pick up at Remington Park on Eastern and Grand Boulevard, and will take fans to and from the stadium. The shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes each day, and will run through the last game after all fans have been dropped off. The entrance gates are behind home plate, and the flow into the stadium is quick despite possible lines. There are two concourses – the main concourse is above the seating area, as the stadium sits in a bowl, and fans walk an incline up to the gates. Access to the outfield area and bleachers is a little congested, as fans must navigate over a step-bridge from either side of the outfield. The reserved seating has back supports, while the outfield bleachers do not, and this is a difference maker when spending 8 hours at the facility. The main seating area has bathrooms while the outfield bleachers have port-a-potties available for use. The stadium does provide ADA accessible seats, and there is public transportation throughout Oklahoma City on METRO transit. Overall, access to the stadium, parking, entry, and sitting are quite easy for fans. Return on Investment 5 The Women’s College World Series has a solid annual ticket fan base. These fans buy All-session tickets and are offered renewal to their seats each year – only after the renewal deposit process is complete are tickets are made available to the public. GP tickets, which are subject to availability, begin in December. Ticket prices are $25 per session (2-games) except the if-necessary session, which costs $20. Children younger than two years of age do not need a ticket provided they can sit on the lap of a ticketed adult. If the series sells out, $25 standing room only tickets are available on game day at the box office (there is no advance selling of SRO tickets). However, WCWS reserved seats are sold by third-party resellers. The free parking, low cost concessions, top-level softball competition, and a fun-filled atmosphere ranks this event as a must visit for any sports fan. Extras 4 The amazing overall atmosphere that USA Softball promotes in the volunteers, event staff, access to the teams, and the teams themselves is great to see. The Women’s College World Series is well-organized and promotes everything that is good in the sport of softball. The return on investment, atmosphere, and the quality of the participants creates a tournament that is truly one of the best trips to visit in the country for a sports fan. Final Thoughts There is a lot to see in the Oklahoma City area, however, the atmosphere during the Women’s College World Series is incredible. The atmosphere, fans, and great softball are so mesmerizing that a day trip will turn into a weekend trip because the place will just grab hold of you. The success of the WCWS in Oklahoma continues to grow in numbers, so much that there are plans to continue upgrading the fan experience at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex – in 2020, a renovation plan to add an upper deck to the stadium is proof the game of softball is growing, and that Oklahoma City is the capital of the softball world.

Photos by Sean MacDonald Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Meiji Jingu Stadium Kasumigaoka-cho 13 Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0013 Japan Tokyo Yakult Swallows website Meiji Jingu Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 37,933 The Meiji Jingu Shrine (to Baseball) Meiji Jingu Stadium is the second oldest of the Japanese ballparks, having been built in 1926, just two years after Koshien. It’s gone through several renovations since then but is still one of the best stadium experiences you can have in Japan.It is located in the Aoyama district of Central Tokyo and is relatively close to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the organization that actually owns the stadium. The home team is the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, who play in the Central League, and are owned by Yakult, a company most famous for their yogurt-like drinks. Jingu also hosts countless college and high school games during the year and is one of the most widely-recognized ballparks in the country. Food & Beverage 3 There are a number of small concessions on the very narrow concourse, offering typical Japanese snacks but nothing out of the ordinary. I would recommend the spicy chicken stick at 200 yen, and if you want to try something slightly offbeat, go for the takoyaki, which are small bits of octopus stuffed in batter and then fried. If you are really hungry, try a bento box, which are good value at between 600-850 yen. Drinks can be bought in your seat from one of the dozens of vendors who are carting kegs of beer on their back or on a tray in front. Rather than try the ballpark food though, most fans pick up their eats on the way to the stadium. As you walk up the main street from Gaienmae subway station, you will be presented with several small tables selling sandwiches, noodles, gyoza, and other snacks. Beer is also much cheaper here, but you must pour it into a cup when you enter the stadium (although they don’t actually check your belongings). I highly recommend this option as you get more variety at a better price. The only problem is that it can get quite crowded and you might have difficulty backtracking as the masses walk toward the stadium. If you are looking for some post-game fun, stop in at the Hub Pub just three minutes away, again on this street. It’s one of several branches of a faux-English establishment that serves drinks and pub food at reasonable prices. If you want to enjoy a more traditional Japanese experience, try Toan right next door. It’s an izakaya serving tofu and chicken dishes and is really quite good. However, it is small and fills up quickly, so you might want to make a dinner reservation as you walk to a weekend afternoon game. Atmosphere 4 Jingu is often quiet, particularly during night games which draw fewer fans, but I saw a Saturday afternoon affair with nearly 27,000 filling the ballpark. It was a perfect afternoon for baseball, hot but not humid, the outfield stands filled with cheering supporters, colorful beer vendors parading up and down the aisles, the bright green artificial turf, truly a quintessential Japanese baseball experience. Unfortunately, though, there was one element that the Swallows recently introduced that I found highly bothersome: the stadium DJ. This guy is a glorified PA announcer that spends his time shouting into a mike from 30 minutes before the game right to the end, making every inning break a cacophonic catastrophe. His presence destroys the atmosphere for me, but as he only exists for Swallows games, I won’t dock more than a point. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is part of a larger sports complex that includes National Stadium, a soccer and track facility that hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, a couple of gymnasiums, and even a smaller baseball field that doubles as a golf range. It is a very central location, but the large number of other venues make it somewhat weak as a true neighborhood. There are restaurants and shops along Aoyama-dori, just south of the ballpark, but little worth noting from a tourist point of view, at least in the immediate vicinity. Once you get more than a mile away though, you can see the bright lights of Shibuya, or the nightclubs of Roppongi, or the two faces of Shinjuku, all within a short walk or subway ride. Fans 5 Yakult fans are among the best, and have the most famous celebration in the country. Whenever the Swallows score, the fans (not just those in the outfield, but almost everybody on the first base side) curse the opponents, break out tiny plastic umbrellas and sing “Tokyo Ondo,” a famous traditional tune. It is a great sight and sound and worth checking out on YouTube. Nothing is more disappointing than visiting Jingu and seeing the Swallows shutout. The game I saw had loud cheering in left field too, with the visiting Nippon Ham Fighter fans providing the noise during the top half of each inning. I also noticed that fans tended to stay seated here during the action, something that I appreciate. Overall, a great fan experience. Access 3 The closest station to Jingu is Gaienmae on the Ginza line, the oldest subway in Tokyo. From here, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the stadium, with the sidewalk quite narrow in some places. This is where you would buy your food or stop at the pub as mentioned above. You’ll also walk by the rugby ground. After the game, the crowd spills out onto the street as you return to the station. The Ginza line train can be quite crowded at this time, so I prefer to walk a few extra blocks to Aoyama Itchome station, which has some other lines that are far less busy. There are several other stations within walking distance but the Gaienmae approach is the best as that is where you can stock up on food and beer. Once inside the stadium, you will find the only concourse to be very narrow. Hey, the place is 85 years old, so no complaining! Even with the tight quarters, I never have had trouble navigating, because most fans spend the game in their seats, since they bring their food in with them. You will need to enter by the gate printed on your ticket, but once inside, you can roam about the seating bowl as long as you haven’t found yourself in the unreserved seats. Those areas are separate and you can’t move back and forth. The facilities here are very limited, and I noticed lines for both men and women throughout the game. If you need to take a break, try to beat the post-inning rush. Return on Investment 4 Tickets at Tokyo Yakult Swallows games are reasonably priced, with the most expensive only 4,500 yen ($56). The single seating bowl is quite flat for the first 13 rows, then slightly steeper for the next 12 rows, before the final 20 rows rise quite quickly. There is a walkway in front of row 14, and the main concourse is in front of row 26, so avoid those rows if you hate having people walking in front of you during the game. I recommend the 2,600 yen B seats that are in the top few rows – the reason being that there is a fence that stretches the whole way down the line, right to the foul pole. Unlike protective netting, this fence really harms the sightlines and is the worst thing about Jingu. There are big bars between each section of fence that can destroy your pictures if you are unlucky enough to have a seat there. Only in the top 6 rows or so can you have an unobstructed view of the action. As you move down the line, the seats don’t face home so you will be craning your neck to watch the action. The low seats beyond the bases are some of the worst in Japan so try to avoid those. The seats are numbered from 0 directly behind the plate and increase in both directions down the lines. I was in seat 154 well down the first base line so you can use that as a guide. For those who wish to sit with the cheering sections, the outfield is a separate area and the cheapest place to sit. Sections A to L comprise the right field side, while M to X takes up left field. There is also one covered section which is called the second floor. On a hot summer’s day, this is the only reprieve you will have from the sun, and it fills up quickly. I enjoy the view from here as the field stretches out beneath you and the city beckons beyond. What I really like at Jingu is that you are afforded the freedom to move around in the main bowl. I never had anybody check my ticket and when it got too hot in my assigned seat, I zoomed over to the cooler side of the ballpark and sat in an open seat without receiving a second glance. Very non-Japanese and makes up for all the poor seating options and hence the ROI is a healthy 4 out of 5. Extras 4 Being such an old stadium, there isn’t much else here besides the ballpark. The scoreboard used to have the batting average and home runs for each player in the lineup but this has been replaced by advertising, which really detracts from its appearance. The relatively new video screen is nice, but nothing extraordinary. On the indoor concourse directly behind home plate, you’ll find a plaque commemorating the stadium along with some signed plaques from an all-star game in 1997. This comes with a roster with pictures of all the players, including a baby-faced Ichiro Suzuki and is worth looking for. The clubhouse is outside the ballpark so the Swallows players have to walk, in uniform, past hordes of fans to get into the stadium. This gives you a chance to take some good shots if you are so inclined, but the fans are respectful and autographs are not sought out here. The actual structure is similar to a Roman coliseum on the outside, with arched entryways that make for a compelling first impression. Sadly, the gates are now strewn with plastic fencing and garish signs that keep fans in order while entering, but ruin the effect of the original architecture. The worst thing about Jingu is the aforementioned fence that stretches from home plate all the way down to the foul pole. It’s ugly and pointless. At the game I attended, a young man sitting in the 10th row was dinged by a line drive which he probably couldn’t see in time due to the fence. Even worse, it took the game staff a while to check on him (he had to leave the game with a bruise). Despite all this negativity, Jingu will always have a special place in my heart, as it was here that I saw the Swallows win the Japanese championship in my first summer in the country, back in 1997. Final Thoughts Meiji Jingu Stadium is a must-see for any baseball fan visiting Tokyo. When the weather is nice and the crowd is hopping, a better baseball experience is difficult to find. And even if it’s not raining, don’t forget to bring your umbrella.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Q2 Stadium 10414 McKalla Place Austin, TX 78758 Austin FC website Q2 Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 20,738 Q2 Stadium – Austin FC In 2018, after the relocation of Columbus Crew SC to Austin proved unsuccessful, Major League Soccer (MLS) announced they would award an expansion franchise to the state capitol of Texas in time for the 2021 season. Construction began on the stadium, located in the North Burnet area of the city, and was completed in time to host Austin FC’s inaugural season. The home opener took place in June of 2021, and both the team and their home have proven to be an immediate hit with the fans in Austin, routinely reaching capacity for their home games. Q2 Stadium was designed to be sleek, modern, and inclusive, as well as to embody the spirit of Austin and its inhabitants – that mission was accomplished. Food & Beverage 5 Great thought and care was put into the design of Q2 Stadium, and this was especially true for its concessions. There are numerous concessions stands on the main concourse, including two chain restaurants with Austin roots in Double Dave’s Pizzaworks and Pluckers Wing Bar . While you can’t go wrong with a slice of pizza or an order of wings while you take in a match at Q2, these are hardly your only options – far from it in, in fact. Two of the main food groups that Texas is known for – tacos and barbecue – are well represented at Q2 Stadium. Texas chain Tacodeli has a large stand near the northwest gate, but you can also look for One Taco and Casa Chapala, as well. For your nachos fix, Hot & Loaded Nachos and Queso Fountain have you covered, pun intended. For ‘cue, Slovacek’s, 512 BBQ, and Valentina’s BBQ have smoked meat offerings for you. In keeping with their mission of inclusion, Austin FC has numerous vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free concessions options at most stands, including the aforementioned taco stands. Q2 Stadium also has a Beer Hall and numerous bars and beer stands (look out for local favorite Easy Tiger ’s carts with their massive soft pretzels). Also, proving they’re not only about adult beverages but have tried to be as inclusive as possible, Yeti has a free hydration station for fans needing a water break on those hot Austin nights. In terms of cost, this is an MLS event. In other words, big-time sports in a big-time city, so you can expect to spend applicable prices. As an example, a standard burger and fries combo that can be found at the Oak Hill Grill will run you $15. However, in terms of the quality of food you’ll get at Q2 Stadium, you’re getting what you’re paying for. Also, bear in mind that the stadium is currently a cashless facility, so that will need to be taken into consideration when you go to pay. Atmosphere 5 I’ve been to quite a few professional soccer matches over the years; granted, nothing overseas or in Latin America, but this was my third MLS event and honestly Q2 Stadium far exceeded any of my previous stops by leaps and bounds. Since it is still early in its infancy, having opened only in early 2021, it still retains all of its newness and uniqueness. However, and again this is going to be a running theme, great care was put into the design of the stadium, from ensuring accessibility to incorporating the team’s color (green…it is literally everywhere and can be seen on everything) and imagery (the team’s symbol is the live oak tree) and all of that adds to the overall atmosphere at Q2 Stadium. For example, whenever Austin FC scores a goal, the lights in the stadium all glow a magnificent emerald green color, which is truly something to see. There are three premium clubs, the Captain Morgan Club, Lexus Club, and Q2 Field Club open to attendees (with the proper tickets and/or credentials); some of the clubs stay open up to an hour after Austin FC matches. Outside the stadium, there are also two main areas for live events – H-E-B Plaza and Live Oak Park; these tend to be areas for live music and fan gatherings prior to and after Austin FC matches. Inside Q2 Stadium there are also plenty of options for fans to load up on Austin FC merch. There are four main shops, including the massive Verde Store (which can also be shopped online ), as well as numerous pop-up kiosks. It’s not hard to see why so many fans are kitted out on in green and black at Austin FC games when the team is still so new. Neighborhood 4 Austin is a fantastic city, period. It is great to visit for a day, for a weekend, or for a week. No matter what your age or your interests, you’re going to find plenty to do to keep you occupied both before and after Austin FC games. Q2 Stadium itself is in north Austin in an industrial area of the city. However, the venue is not far from the downtown/capitol/university area of the city, which is the tourism and entertainment hub of Austin. If you are looking for culture, museums such as the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum , which tells the complete story of the history of Texas from prehistoric times to today, to the LBJ Presidential Library , which tells the story of native Texan and our nation’s 36th President Lyndon Baines Johnson, are found in downtown Austin. If the outdoors are more your speed, Lady Bird Lake should satisfy you. This 416-acre reservoir of the Colorado River greets visitors entering Austin on Interstate 35, and is a beloved natural landmark for residents. It offers hiking and biking trails (there are bike rentals offered throughout the area), while kayaking, paddle boarding, and rowing are also allowed. For dining and hotel options, this area of the city is going to be your best bet when attending games at Q2 Stadium, but there are also options in the area for before/after the game. For dining, CAVA is a Mediterranean restaurant that allows you to completely customize your order (either bowls, salads, or pitas) and create something unique with fresh and authentic ingredients. For a more upscale, sit-down affair, Andiamo Ristorante might be what you’re looking for. Ravioli ai funghi , penne con salmone , and cacciucco are just some of the fare offered. If you’re looking to stay in the area, two mid-priced hotels are within a short distance of the stadium, if you would prefer to stay close by on match night: the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Austin Northwest/The Domain Area and Hilton Garden Inn Austin North-Near the Domain . Fans 5 Like most soccer clubs and football teams, even though they are still in their earliest of days, Austin FC has cultivated a die-hard collection of supporter groups. The Austin Anthem, Los Verdes, the Oak Army, the Burnt Orange Brigade, and more all occupy the south end of the stadium. All decked out in scarves and kits in green and black, they can be seen – or heard, more accurately – banging drums and chanting and cheering from the opening seconds to the final ones. The team is currently enjoying a regular string of sell-outs in their new stadium, which is to be expected. This wave of early goodwill will have to be built upon with success over time, but for now, Austin FC is the proverbial only game in town outside of the University of Texas, and the fans are showing their support in full force. Access 3 For now, if there is one area where Q2 Stadium still has some room for improvements, it is in terms of access. As mentioned, the stadium is in the northern area of the city; this puts it 17 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is not bad at all. However, as you make your way toward the stadium, there really is only one thoroughfare to drive down on Burnet Road, and this tends to cause some traffic issues. If you are driving to games, there are multiple parking lots to park at; fans are encouraged to pre-purchase their parking passes for games, however. CapMetro, the city’s public transportation system, does have a bus line that drops off and picks up near the stadium, and by the start of the 2022 season there is a plan in place to have a light rail light stop at Q2 Stadium. Offsite parking can be had, as well, depending on how willing fans are to walk, for as little as $15-$20. Ridesharing is also encouraged. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets for Austin FC matches, depending on the day, start at around $45 per person. For a brand-new team playing in a brand-new stadium, this seems right on the metaphorical money in terms of cost. Plus, the team has already proven such a hit with the local community that they are already waitlisting people for season tickets. Parking, like everything else at Q2 Stadium, is cashless and will run you between $25 and $55 depending on the lot you choose to park at onsite. With concessions running what they are, Austin FC games could run a pretty hefty tab, especially if you’re bringing the family. I will say the experience is pretty incredible, but you will need to be prepared to spend at Q2 Stadium. Extras 2 In terms of extras, unlike many other teams, Austin FC has not yet gone the route of creating add-ons to attract fans, especially younger ones. For example there isn’t yet a kids club or costumed mascot, and since they are a brand-new franchise, there is nothing yet in terms of any kind of Hall of Fame or anything to honor the players and teams of the past. Right now, Q2 Stadium is all about the experience itself. There are a few places set up to take photo ops or selfies (make sure to look for the Austin FC kit wearing grizzly bear near the south entrance) that are always popular with fans. The rest of the traditional extras might come in time, but for now, enjoy the experience. Final Thoughts So as I’ve said, I’ve been to quite a few soccer matches over the years, but I’ve never been to any that matched the level of excitement that I witnessed at Q2 Stadium. Austin FC has built a great fan base, so far. It was truly an unexpected experience for me and something I can only compare to as akin to a big-time college football atmosphere. If you’re a sports fan, this is one you should definitely add to your sports bucket list. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 William L. Garrett Memorial Gymnasium 2003 S Miller St Shelbyville, IN 46176 Shelbyville High School website William L. Garrett Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 5,832 A Gym That’s Worthy of Its Name To talk about Shelbyville High School basketball, one must talk about William Garrett for whom the gymnasium has bared his name since 1974. Garrett lead the Golden Bears to the school’s only state championship in 1947 while also being named Mr. Basketball. The 6′ 2″ center would become the first African-American in the Big Ten when he enrolled at Indiana University in Bloomington in the fall of that year. He would lead the Hoosiers in both rebounding and scoring and had a 19-3 record during his senior year in 1951. His teammates would name him MVP. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education that spring, Garrett was drafted in the second round by the Boston Celtics; however, he was drafted into the U.S. Army a few months later. After two years of service, he found out that he had been cut by the Celtics and embarked on a three-year career with the Harlem Globetrotters. After he retired from basketball, he took over coaching duties with the Crispus Attucks High School basketball team in 1957 and lead the Tigers to the 1959 state championship. He would remain as coach for 10 years before accepting the position of assistant dean at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Garrett would die suddenly of a heart attack at the young age of 45 in 1974 and when the school board decided to honor him by renaming its basketball gym, the decision was unanimous. The Shelbyville High School Golden Bears would now play at the William L. Garrett Memorial Gymnasium. The gym opened on December 15, 1967, with a victory over the Richmond Red Devils and on two occasions in 1968 hosted the Indiana Pacers during their first season in the American Basketball Association. The Pacers played several games at high school gyms that first season to promote its brand to the state. The second contest was an exhibition game. Food & Beverage 3 Two concession stands are offering the usual items you would find at most Indiana high school gyms. The prices are somewhat less expensive with most items under $2. Popcorn, candy, chips, and cookies (3) are all one dollar and hot dogs, pizza, breadsticks with cheese, and nachos are two dollars. If you are just looking for a snack while you watch the game, this is your type of food. However, if you are looking for something with more substance, you might want to grab something before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 The first thing that provides the wow factor would be the domed ceiling of the roof that dominates all aspects of the court. It stands out much more dramatically than the similarly designed Case Arena in Frankfort. The golden hues of the walls, ceilings, and lighting provide a regal flair to the proceedings. The 5,832-rounded gym is the 17th largest high school venue for hoops in the state offering bleacher-style seating split into two sections. The top rows are the dark brown, hardwood variety, while the bottom bleacher seats are more modern and pull-out. There are no obstructed views and there are plenty of areas to enjoy the game with friends and family. The seating is broken into two sections with permanent wooden seats on top and pull-out modern seating on the floor. Two large signs that say Welcome to Bear Country dominate one side of the gym, while the other side features banners, the most prominent being the 1947 State Championship. The lobby houses the concession stand along with a trophy case that highlights the school’s history including more paraphernalia from that championship-winning team some 70 years ago. Neighborhood 3 Shelbyville is a small town right off of I-74 and within a 30-minute drive to Indianapolis. The town features a square and a few local businesses to visit for food before or after the game including the impressive Riverfront Taproom, a family restaurant that brews its own beer and houses varieties from 450 North Brewing in nearby Columbus, Indiana. There are 32 taps and the food offerings include wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and pasta dishes. Grandma’s Pancake House serves breakfast all day long; the generous portions include omelets and french toast along with sandwiches and salads. The Indiana Live Casino is just a few miles off of I-74 to provide entertainment and fine dining. Fans 3 The Bears fans are among a great group of Hoosier basketball enthusiasts who enjoy a good game and cheer their side to victory. There are games against rivals that bring out a larger fan base but all support the program through and through. Access 3 The design of the fieldhouse makes it quite easy to get around to any first-time visitor. Some staircases take fans to the upper sections and all bathrooms, concessions, and exits are marked throughout the building. The facility is also easy to arrive at off of I-74, located a few miles south of the square and adjacent to the high school. Return on Investment 3 The gym is one of the easiest and most accessible facilities in the state due to its location near Indianapolis and its proximity to the interstate exit. Therefore, making a trip for a game is quite an enjoyable experience. This gym is easy on the eyes and beautiful to look around as you watch top-level basketball in the state of Indiana. The price of tickets is only $5 for adults and the concession prices are low for other high school facilities. Extras 3 The gym gets a star for the name after William Garrett, a former player who not only excelled on the court but in life. His legacy will always be remembered here in Shelbyville. A second star for the dome roof and the arching roof provides a beautiful backdrop to the game of basketball. The school’s colors black and gold shine brightly throughout the building. A final star is for the colors black and gold which provide beautiful colors and aesthetics inside the gym. Final Thoughts William Garrett gymnasium is among one of the nicer gyms in the state of Indiana. worthy of a game or two throughout the cold, winter months here in Indiana.

Photos by Marc Viquez and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 CaroMont Health Park South Hill Street and West Franklin Boulevard Gastonia, NC 28016 Gastonia Honey Hunters website CaroMont Health Park website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 5,000 Honey Hunters Look to the Future with Its Ballpark If you want to get a glimpse of what the future of ballpark construction looks like, then look no further than Gastonia, North Carolina. The new home of the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League has a few unique features to offer the world of professional baseball. CaroMont Health Park offers seating for 5,000 people and features seating of five rows deep from the foul line to foul line, along with party decks, cabana seats, stool seating around the outfield perimeter, and a covered beer deck. The field is synthetic and designed for much more than baseball games. The stadium is the centerpiece of the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment (FUSE) District, designed to promote economic development between downtown Gastonia and Loray Village. The multi-purpose facility will house other sports, concerts, and other forms of entertainment. Food & Beverage 4 The ballpark offers the standard grub of hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, and burgers, but there are also a few more treats worth mentioning. At the main concession stand behind home plate, options include the Philly cheesesteak, chicken and waffle, and Korean pork belly sliders. The choices are different, but worth trying if adventurous. Fans can also order whole or quarter pizzas if they want something a little more familiar. The Carolina BBQ kiosk has a pleasant aroma to attract customers near the third baseline. Pulled pork, and brisket sliders, pulled pork nachos, white cheddar mac and cheese, and triple-baked beans with burnt ends are among the main dishes and sides. There is also a kiosk that hand dips pickles into the batter for fresh, never frozen, fried pickles. The beer options include macro and microbrewery options. The local options include Sycamore, Appalachian Mountain, Olde Mecklenburg, Sugar Creek, and Catawba Brewing Companies. Domestic and premium 16-ounce beers are $6 to $7, while craft beers are a little more in price. The ballpark does not sell Coke or Pepsi products; instead, fans can quench their thirst with RC Cola, Sun Drop, Cherry Lemon Sundrop Diet Rite, 7Up, or Cheerwine. I would grab one since you are in the Carolinas. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark is designed to be spacious and features a 360-degree concourse that provides an area of social gathering and baseball watching by fans of all ages. It does not follow the regular blueprint of other minor league venues and offers a few designated areas at various points. However, there appears to be the seating of some kind at every interval. There are only five rows of grandstand seating that stretch from foul pole to foul pole. The views from behind the backstop might be among the closest in professional baseball. Above this area on the concourse are tabletop seats and chairs that provide more ample room for the customer. There is a level of comfort in mind for visitors at the ballpark that is almost unmatched anywhere else. The stadium features six covered cabanas on the third-base side, a covered pavilion with rocking chairs down the left-field foul line, and the Gas House Bar & Grill in center field. This area also houses a kids’ play area and batting cages – players before the game and for fans during the game. Adding to the charm is a train track just outside the stadium where it’s possible to see a train pass by in the evening. A few other touches to add distinction to the venue are the colors black, tan, and yellow. The honeycomb design and pattern are visible on certain parts of the building. There is inspirational signage throughout the stadium by Ransom Hunter. There are two team stores, one at street level next to the box office, with tons of items to choose from at the game. The video scoreboard is 24 feet by 63 feet high. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood around the ballpark is developing. Several new restaurants and a brewery are being constructed within walking distance of the stadium. In the meantime, fans can drive about a mile to R.O.’s Bar-B-Que for their chopped pork sandwiches covered with their unique slaw. The slaw is creamy and is used as a dip or sauce by many locals. It’s a small place but has been in business since 1946. Another local barbecue restaurant is Ray’s Country Smokehouse that’s not too far from the ballpark. Cavendish Brewing is a funky joint that has several tasty beers and old, outdated furniture to lighten up the vibe. Jia Asian Fusion & Sushi Bar is an interesting place for Chinese, Asian, Thai, Cajun, and Mexican fusion. Tavern 24 is an ideal spot for pub food and a drink. Depending on the time during the summer, there might be an American Legion game taking place at Sims Legion Park . The ballpark is used for local high school and collegiate games. You can also drive 30 miles to check out a Charlotte Knights game at Trust Field. Gastonia does have a collection of museums worth visiting during your visit. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, the American Military Museum, and the African-American Museum of History and Culture. Fans 2 The Honey Hunters are fifth in the league in attendance with an average of 2,107 fans as of this writing. That is slightly below the league average and somewhat surprising. The ballpark is brand new, modern, and comfortable. Our visit was at a make-up game during the day, but the local fan base might just be sleeping on what is a very stylish new facility for baseball and much more. Access 5 The ballpark has a lot of accessible points of entry for visitors. It is also accessible within a 10-minute walk from over 2,700 parking spots and mass transit. The 360-degree concourse provides vantage points to the game for fans, and signage is clear and visible. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket to a game is a bargain; General Admission tickets cost $7. Box seat pricing ranges from $9 to $13, and home plate seats are $15. The prices are comparable to nearby Truist Point Ballpark in High Point. Concession prices are on par with other clubs in the area, and concession items ranging from $20 for a t-shirt to $35 for a ball cap. Team caps come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Extras 3 The ballpark earns a point for having a design that is not quite like any other in professional baseball. There are only five rows of seating that provide fans some of the closest views in baseball. A second point is awarded for the ballpark being a catalyst for the FUSE District that hopes to promote economic development in Gastonia. A third point is for the name that honors Random Hunter, who is believed to be the first freed slave in Gaston County who owned land in the late 19th century. Final Thoughts I enjoyed a lot about this ballpark and what it represents to the community of Gastonia. The concept of redeveloping the neighborhood with a baseball stadium and other industries is not new. Its design is sharp, and the organization’s objective is clearly established throughout the building. Perhaps it is too soon to judge CaroMont Health Park, and hopefully, someone from this website will be back in a few years to judge it on future merits. Perhaps that will be me because I would love to see its future.

Photos by Matt Finnigan and Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Gesa Stadium 6200 Burden Blvd Pasco, WA 99301 Tri-City Dust Devils website Gesa Stadium website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 3,654 Three is the Magic Number The Tri-Cities region of Washington has, predictably, three cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) situated along three rivers (the Yakima, Snake, and Columbia) and one professional baseball team, the Tri-City Dust Devils (High A – LAA). In 2021, the Dust Devils played their first season as an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim , after previously serving as a Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres (2015-2020) and the Colorado Rockies (2001-2014). The Dust Devils call the 3,654-seat Gesa Stadium home. Opened in 1995, Gesa Stadium does not boast any of the features (like the Frisco RoughRiders’ lazy river) that some newer stadiums have. What makes Gesa Stadium different is not obvious until entering the stadium. First, the stadium’s unusual geographic orientation gives fans beautiful views. Gesa Stadium’s home plate faces due south to provide views of Horse Heaven Hills, craggy remnants of the Ice Age along the Columbia River. A south-facing home plate is a rarity, however. Rule 2.01 of the Major League Baseball rule book recommends that stadiums orient home plate such that batters face east-northeast. Second, the stadium’s orientation meant that the sun would turn Gesa Stadium into a convection oven, blinding and baking spectators seated in the stands along the third baseline. In 2007, therefore, the team built a 137-foot-tall sunshade behind the stands along the first baseline to block the setting sun and enable fans in all parts of the stadium to enjoy the game by lowering temperatures in the stadium by up to 20 degrees. This sunshade , which blunts the sun’s glare and heat, is unique to Gesa Stadium and a creative solution to enable fans to enjoy baseball in southeastern Washington. Food & Beverage 3 Gesa Stadium’s primary concession stand, 1st Base Concessions, features food and drink concessions that fans expect to see at a ballpark, but not much else: hot dogs ($5.50), nachos ($4.50), pretzels ($4.50), peanuts ($4.50), and popcorn ($4.50). Coca-Cola products sell for $4.50 for a 32-ounce soda and $3.50 for a 21-ounce soda, while bottles of Powerade ($4.50) and water ($4.50) are also available. The Fry Shack, along the third baseline, has a larger menu. There, fans can dine on chicken strips with fries ($8), a crispy chicken sandwich with fries ($8), corn dog ($4.50), garlic fries ($4.50), and tater tots ($4). The quality of Gesa Stadium’s food may need improvement. On the night of this review, an order of loaded tater tots ($5) was topped with cold nacho cheese. Beer drinkers will not be disappointed in Gesa Stadium’s options. At the Home Plate Beer stand, a 20-ounce beer costs $8 (domestic) and $9 (premium). The Short Stop beer stand, located near the first baseline, offers similar pricing, along with 12-ounce canned wine for $10. Many of the familiar domestic beers (Budweiser, Coors, and Miller products) are on tap, as are several craft and import beers, including a Citrus Mistress IPA from Oregon’s Hop Valley Brewing Company. The panoply of beer at Gesa Stadium should have something for any taste. Atmosphere 3 Gesa Stadium has a familiar, minor league seating arrangement in which fans sit behind home plate and along each baseline, with no seats beyond the outfield fences. Both chair backs and metal bleachers are available in reserved and general admission seating areas, respectively. There is no covered seating in the ballpark. A simple scoreboard (hitter’s count/outs/linescore) stands behind the left field wall with a small display screen across the top. The public address system, while audible and clear, has an intermittent buzz that distracts from the game action. In-game promotions are standard for minor league baseball. The stadium’s beauty lies in its environs. Horse Heaven Hills provides a beautiful backdrop beyond the outfield, particularly with the sun setting behind the perfectly placed sunshade along the first baseline. A general admission seat along the third baseline provides great views of both, along with the action on the field. Neighborhood 2 A “neighborhood” in the true sense does not exist around Gesa Stadium. The stadium is part of the Pasco Sporting Complex, adjacent to the Hapo Convention Center and hemmed in by Interstate 182 to the south. The ballpark has abundant space around it, which makes parking easy. Fans wanting a short walk from a nearby pub or restaurant will be disappointed, however, as such options do not exist. Those fans can find pre and post-game sustenance a short drive away. Numerous restaurants sit in shopping centers along North Road 68, northwest of Gesa Stadium. These restaurants include Hacienda Del Sol (Mexican), Love Curry (Indian), Sawadee (Thai), and Bruchi’s (American). The Dugout, located at Burden Road and North Road 68, provides a nice watering hole that’s a quick drive away. Because of the ballpark’s proximity to the convention center, several hotels are likewise available within a short drive. Visitors will find both a Hampton Inn and a Holiday Inn Express on the convention center’s grounds. Fans 3 The Dust Devils enjoy strong support from fans in and around the Tri-Cities, setting new single-season attendance records in 2016 and 2019. The global COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020 season and limited attendance capacity for part of the 2021 campaign. The team typically averages 2,200-2,300 fans. Those in attendance are attentive and responsive, some using Gesa Stadium’s metal bleachers to amplify foot-stomping enthusiasm. Access 3 Gesa Stadium’s access is ideal, with easy entry to the stadium’s parking lot from Burden Road. Fans can reach the ballpark by taking Interstate 182 (from which the stadium is visible) and exiting onto northbound Road 68. The stadium has plenty of parking and inbound surface roads do not experience significant congestion from baseball-loving drivers. Alternately, the Tri-Cities’ Ben Franklin Transit’s No. 225 bus has a stop on Burden Road, less than a half-mile from Gesa Stadium. The stadium itself has ample room for fans to buy tickets, find food, and reach their seats. The ticket office is well-staffed and fans do not wait for tickets or entry inside. Wide concourses run throughout Gesa Stadium, with reserved seats below and general admission seats above the main concourse. All seats have unobstructed views of the field. To appreciate the view of the Horse Heaven Hills and the sunset (modified by the sunshade), sit in the stands along the third baseline. Return on Investment 4 A Dust Devils’ game at Gesa Stadium is a good bargain. Parking is $3, with spaces sufficiently close to the ballpark to feel like a VIP parking section. The team has a creative ticket structure, with differing prices for Sunday-Wednesday home games on the one hand, and Thursday-Saturday home games on the other. A reserved, lower box seat has walk-up prices of $12 (Sunday-Wednesday) and $14 (Thursday-Saturday), while upper box seats are priced at $11 and $13, respectively, for those days of the week; general admission seats are $9 (Sunday-Wednesday) and $11 (Thursday-Sunday). Fans can save $1 per seat by purchasing tickets before game day, and discounts for general admission seats are available to kids, seniors, and members of the military. Food and beer pricing aligns with other High-Class A stadiums. Extras 3 Gesa Stadium collects a point for celebrating peanut vendor-turned-in-game-entertainer Erik Mertens, better known as “ Erik the Peanut Guy .” Mertens began working at Gesa Stadium when he was 18 years old and has spent the past two decades entertaining Dust Devils fans, including his present role as the stadium’s emcee between innings. Fans have embraced his “Peanut Guy” persona to the point that the team has created his own seating area along the third baseline and, in 2020, recognized him with his own, giant bobblehead. Erik was on assignment the night of this review, but his legend precedes him and he exemplifies why minor league baseball can be so fun. The Dust Devils have two life-sized bobbleheads that greet visitors: Erik the Peanut Guy and former Dust Devil and current Seattle Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson, who played in Pasco in 2010 as an infield prospect of the Colorado Rockies. The Dust Devils’ popular mascot, Dusty, is available throughout games to fans wanting to snap photos or get autographs. Final Thoughts With great views and reasonable costs, a game at Gesa Stadium enables fans to enjoy baseball in a unique setting that does not break anyone’s bank. The ballpark is clean, well-maintained, and well worth a visit. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco .

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Gibbs Stadium 1 Cummings St Spartanburg, SC 29303 Wofford Terriers website Gibbs Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 13,000 The Dog House Wofford College is a small liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, SC. It was founded in 1854 and has a student body of 1,750. The football team is known as the Terriers, and they play at the FCS level of NCAA Division I football. The Terriers are members of the Southern Conference. Wofford has a long history in football, as it began play in 1889. Over the years the Terriers have won seven Southern Conference Championships and have made ten appearances in the FCS playoffs. The Terriers play their home games at the on-campus Gibbs Stadium. The stadium is named for the Gibbs family, who was the major donor for its construction. The stadium opened in 1996 and has a seating capacity of 13,000. The seating bowl features chairback seating between the forties and bleacher seating from the end zones to the forty-yard line at each end. The field has a natural grass surface and is named for Mike Ayers, the winningest coach in Wofford College football history. There are two unique features at Gibbs Stadium. The first is the well-manicured grounds in and around the stadium. There are a number of plantings at the ends of each grandstand and neatly trimmed hedges behind the end zones. The second feature that will capture your eye is the huge video board behind the north end zone atop Hardees Hill. It measures 57 feet wide and 22 feet high. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands to service the home side of the stadium and one concession stand on the visitor’s side of the stadium. While this may seem to be a small number of food stands, it is important to understand that Wofford has less than 2,000 students. We found that the concession stands were able to serve the size crowd we had when we attended a game with no problem. The concession offerings include nachos ($5), Papa John’s Pizza ($6), hot dogs ($4), pretzels ($3), popcorn ($3), candy ($3), and roasted peanuts ($4). Drink selections include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($4), Powerade ($3), and bottled water ($3). Atmosphere 4 Saturday afternoons at Wofford in the fall are a joy to behold. The heavily wooded campus is alive with color and the alumni have returned to cheer on their beloved Terriers. The black and gold colors of Wofford football are everywhere, from the decorations adorning the tailgating tables to the outfits worn by the fans and their families. Tailgating here is a rite of celebration, and it is one of the top tailgating experiences at the FCS level. It is so much fun that a large majority of the tailgaters choose to watch the game from outside the stadium behind the south end zone. This provides an unobstructed view of the action on the field. Wofford does not have a marching band, so it invites a local high school band to play at each home game. Fans Watching From Outside the Stadium, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Wofford tailgating is very much a family experience, as several generations of families gather for a day of fun and fellowship. The school offers Terrierland, a play area for the smaller kids to enjoy their own pregame activities, such as inflatables, face painting, and visits from the Wofford mascots. Later, the kids enjoy sliding down Hardee’s Hill, which is in the north end zone of the stadium. There is always a set of broken-down cardboard boxes to use as sleds! Neighborhood 4 Wofford College is in downtown Spartanburg, SC. Its next-door neighbor is Converse College, which is all female. Both campuses are very walkable and can access the many shops and restaurants in the downtown area on foot. The Wofford campus is also designated as an arboretum and is a great in-town location to check out the fall colors. Spartanburg is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Upstate area of SOUTH Carolina. It is located halfway between Greenville, SC, and Charlotte, NC. There are a wide variety of activities to enjoy in Spartanburg, no matter what time of year. Festivals include a Spring Fling, the Hub City Hof Fest, Spartanburg Soaring Kite festival, and the Sparkle City Rhythm and Ribs Festival. Cultural activities include the Artists Collective Spartanburg and the Hub City Bookshop (named as one of the top independent bookstores in the South by Southern Living magazine. The city is also home to the nation’s only BMW Museum, the BMW Zentrum. Fans 1 Wofford football fans tend to view a Terrier’s football game as a social event. The campus is filled with tents and tailgating spreads of every description. While most fans would pack up their tailgating supplies as the time for the game kickoff draws near, Wofford fans choose to watch the action from outside the stadium, which is feasible due to the design of the stadium with an end zone at one end of the field having nothing to obstruct the view. It is not that Wofford fans are cheap…. They just enjoy tailgating while the action takes place. There are definitely more Wofford fans outside the stadium than are watching from the stands. The Wofford faithful has three mascots to cheer on and be entertained by. Blitz is an actual Boston Terrier dog. His buddy and handler is Boss, a fierce-looking costumed Boston Terrier decked out in full football gear. Boss’ sister Terri fills out the trio, as she is dressed out in a cheerleader’s outfit. Access 3 The Wofford College campus is easy to reach via I-85. From I-85, take Business Loop I-85 Exit 5A (I-585/Pine Street/US 176). Go to the second stop light (look for Starbucks) and turn right onto Twitty Street. Twitty Street will take you into the campus and parking is available in Lot G. All other lots are restricted for the use of alumni, major donors, members of the Terrier Club, and students. Once at Gibbs Stadium, there are five entry gates to choose from. Concession stands and restrooms are available at the top of the seating bowl on the home side of the stadium and underneath the stands on the visitor’s side of the field. Return on Investment 3 Reserved seats are $27. A large number of Wofford alumni and fans prefer to watch the game from outside of Gibbs Stadium, as it still provides access to their tailgating items, so their fee to watch the game would be zero. Parking is available on gamedays in Lot G on the campus for $10. Concessions are very reasonably priced. Extras 5 Gibbs Stadium is also used as the home stadium by the Wofford women’s lacrosse program and by the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. The Shrine Bowl is a postseason matchup featuring teams from North and South Carolina. Wofford football facilities serve as the preseason training camp for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Wofford’s entire 175-acre campus is recognized as a national arboretum. Wofford plays two rivalry games each fall. The first is against Furman, a Southern Conference foe whose campus is less than 40 miles from Wofford. The second rivalry game features The Citadel, another Southern Conference member, and another in-state school. Wofford hosted and won, the first football game ever held in the state of South Carolina in 1889. Final Thoughts Wofford College is the smallest school in the FCS with a school enrollment of just over 1,700 students. Despite its small size, the school has won multiple conference championships over the years and has also competed in FCS playoffs ten times. The on-campus Gibbs Stadium provides a lovely setting for a game, as the Wofford campus is ablaze with color each fall in its park-like setting. The fans are very welcoming, and they might even invite you to their pregame tailgate.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Park West Athletics Complex 8000 TX-1604 Loop San Antonio, TX 78249 UTSA Roadrunners website Park West Athletics Complex website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 1,000 UTSA Roadrunners – Park West Athletics Complex The University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) was founded just over a half-century ago in 1969. They started their athletics programs not too long after that, including their women’s sports. Over the years, as UTSA has grown, so has the athletics department. In 2006, the Roadrunners  fielded their first women’s soccer team. Fresh off of winning the Southland Conference for the first time in 2010, UTSA partnered with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County to open Park West Athletics Complex. The school would win one more conference title in 2002, their final year in Conference USA. Partially to cap off the school’s move to the American Athletics Conference (AAC), UTSA unveiled upgrades to Park West, including a brand-new fieldhouse . The $8 million, 14,325 square-foot facility includes a multipurpose community room, locker rooms, team lounges, a sports medicine center, and equipment area – the shine is still highly visible at Park West. Read on to learn more about what UTSA’s facility has to offer.   Food & Beverage   3 Park West offers one main concession stand for fans. It is located near the main entrance to the complex and offers up the vast majority of your traditional game day fare. This includes hot dogs (either plain or with chili and cheese), nachos (which can also be gussied up with chili), and Frito pie. You can also get boxes of candy and popcorn, along with bottled sodas, water, and sports drinks. Also, Park West offers alcoholic beverages, such as beer and hard seltzers, for those interested. This is a cashless facility, so consider that when heading to a game.   Atmosphere   2 The surroundings are pretty sparse at Park West, which I’m sure will improve over time once the rest of UTSA’s athletics expansion/construction in the area is done. What is available now is a lot of UTSA signage, including banners proclaiming the soccer team’s two titles and a lot of themed games. For example, I attended a contest recently where the program honored first responders; the local fire department brought out trucks and booths and was around for photo opportunities. UTSA also gave out programs, posters, and hand fans instead of a merchandise tent or booth. Those hand fans, FYI, were a great idea, as my one complaint for the area is the lack of shade available for fans in the stands. There is an unforgiving heat in South Texas during the early months of the soccer season, and that is expounded exponentially when sitting on metal bleachers. Fans looking to escape the brutal sun had to find shelter underneath the stands, away from the action – this is something to bear in mind when attending a Roadrunners soccer game.   Neighborhood   4 Park West Athletics Complex is at the far west, of course, end of UTSA’s main campus. The soccer pitch and track and field stadium share a facility, which is something to keep in mind when the season starts. It’s also about a seven-minute drive from the Historic Convocation Center , home to UTSA men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, and Roadrunner Field , home to UTSA baseball – catching a game at one of these during your soccer visit is something to keep in mind as a possibility. In terms of attractions, UTSA’s main campus is right across the highway, literally, from both Six Flags Fiesta Texas  theme park and the Shops at La Cantera . Fiesta Texas is the largest theme park in the region and home to an iconic host of rollercoasters, such as the Iron Rattler. It also has themed events, such as its Howl-o-Scream festivities during the spooky season; it is one of the most popular attractions in Alamo City and is easily accessible from UTSA. The Shops are one of the city’s high-end collections of vendors – think Gucci, Cartier, Nieman Marcus, etc. If shopping is your passion, you will love the Shops at La Cantera. It is also home to some of the nicest restaurants in that area of San Antonio, such as Palenque Grill , an upscale Mexican food restaurant, and Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille , which, as its name implies, is a high-end steakhouse. There are also plenty of other options that are sure to fit your budget and tastes. Because the athletics facilities are on campus, there aren’t any lodging options within walking distance of Park West. However, just across Loop 1604, you’ll find plenty of options, making your drives to Roadrunner soccer matches just under 10 minutes long. Options include DoubleTree by Hilton San Antonio Northwest  and Spark by Hilton San Antonio Northwest near Six Flags , but as mentioned above, there are numerous other options nearby, with only your budget serving as a limitation.   Fans   2 For transparency’s sake, I will admit that I am a UTSA alum and an avid fan of all Roadrunners sports. With that said, I was slightly disappointed by the crowd that came out to the most recent soccer game I attended – I will admit it was a weekend afternoon game, however, when a certain professional football team from the northern part of Texas was playing, which might have played into the sparseness of the crowd. With that said, UTSA soccer has been a successful program in recent history; I will say that a large swath of the crowd was there to support the opposing team. Again, this is all anecdotal, but the eye test showed me that there is still plenty of room for growth in terms of fan support here.   Access   4 You can get to UTSA Main Campus and Park West Athletics Complex from any point in the Alamo City using Interstate 10 and Loop 1604; it is a 20-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport. The city’s public transportation option, VIA Metropolitan Transit , also offers multiple routes to and from the UTSA campus during the day if you choose not to drive. Once you get to Park West, parking is free and plentiful. The campus is also clearly marked from the highways, so you should have no problems on your journey to UTSA.   Return on Investment   3 Admission to UTSA Roadrunners women’s soccer is free, and parking at Park West Athletics Complex is also free. Also, playing in the AAC offers fans of UTSA the ability to see some pretty high-end collegiate competition – getting to see that for free is a bargain that is pretty hard to beat. The only factors keeping the score here from being higher are a lack of extra game day amenities (more on that shortly), as well as that few of UTSA’s big-name non-conference opponents make it to Park West for games – more often than not if UTSA is playing a Power 4 school they are doing it on the road.   Extras   2 The Spirit of San Antonio (SoSA)  marching band has a presence at UTSA soccer games. They can be heard performing in the stands throughout matches, and you can also find UTSA’s mascot, Rowdy , patrolling the sidelines and stands throughout games here, taking photos and just being genuinely fun. There is not much else in terms of Extras at Park West for now.   Final Thoughts If you’re a soccer fan, you will enjoy yourself at UTSA matches at Park West Athletics Complex. It’s a good venue for the sport, and it will eventually be an even better venue for fans. If you are in the area, you would be hard-pressed to find a more affordable way to spend an afternoon or an evening. It’s not a bucket list place yet, but Park West could be a top collegiate venue in the not-too-distant future, so get in while you can. ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on X at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos Courtesy of Zach Beeson Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Mel Olson Stadium 1321 SW 102nd St Burien, WA 98146 Dub Sea Fish Sticks website Mel Olson Stadium website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 1,500 Not Your Average Baseball Game A lot has changed at Mel Olston Stadium in West Seattle. The Fish Sticks began life in 2015 as the Highline Bears in the Pacific International League, a summer collegiate baseball league.  After the 2021 season, team management decided to rebrand and consulted the folks and Brandiose in San Diego. However, instead of coming up with one identity, two new logos were created, the Fish Sticks and Seal Slingers.  The club asked social media and the community to vote on their favorite, and after months of promotions, over 5,000 votes globally, the Fish Sticks won with 50.47 percent of the total votes.  The club plays at Mel Olston Stadium, AKA The Fryer. It was built in 1940 and would be the center of the community’s entertainment. It was an all-wooden stadium that held 2,000 people but burnt down as a result of arson on May 22, 1977. That might have been the end of the stadium if not for a local activist named Mel Olson. He lobbied the county to rebuild the stadium, and on April 2, 1979, a new 1,500 facility opened for business and would bear his name in 1985. However, the stadium needed improvements, and with the help of local groups and volunteers, organized a remodel of the field in 2008. They dedicated the park to long-time community leader and slain officer Steve Cox.  Besides the Fish Sticks, the stadium is also used by Seattle Prep High School, South West Little League, select baseball programs, and the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League. Food & Beverage 4 The Fish Sticks have almost everything from hot dogs to fish stick po’boys.  They sell fish sticks. You can get them by the pack of five or in a po'boy. There are many options at the concession stand, including ballpark staples to Pacific Northwest classics. Let’s look at what many consider some of the best options in summer collegiate baseball. There are a few ways to order a hot dog. They can be topped with chili, shredded cheese, carmelized garlic onions, mac and cheese, and pulled pork. The Seattle Dog is a regional treat topped with cream cheese and caramelized onions.  The stadium offers nachos and garlic fries topped with pulled pork, nacho cheese, and chili. Mac and cheese and mac and pork bowls are available. Then there are the sammies: fish stick po’boys, pulled pork, grilled cheese, and a Kraken IPA fish sandwich. The Ice Chest beer garden is in left field just past the concessions.  You do need an armband for alcohol consumption which you can get at the front gate/ticket office. The ice chest juts out into foul territory up close to the action on the field. The lines can get very long as there is only one concession that sells these items in left field, especially the night we went which was dollar beer night.  There is another concession stand in right field that sells the ballpark basics from hot dogs, peanuts, and nachos. Atmosphere 3 The Fish Sticks goal is to leave everyone with an impression they’ll remember. The small West Seattle stadium has been set up as a center of entertainment on game nights with in-game promotions, on-field gimmicks, lively music and PA announcements, a beer garden, and plenty of action on the diamond. There is an on-field MC to get the crowd engaged.  It makes for a vibrant atmosphere with engaged fans.  It is an interesting setup for a stadium as the only seating directly behind home plate is the press box. The stadium features two covered grandstands that are separated by a press box. The bleacher seats hover over the synthetic field turf, and many fans stand against the railings to get a better view of the game. Just down the left field line, fans in the Ice Chest beer garden enjoy beer and wine from local establishments in Seattle and the state.  Fin Crispy, Jr. is the giant fish stick mascot who patrols the grandstand, giving out hugs and high-fives to fans of all ages. His upbeat approach to entertainment can be assessed by the smiles on the kids' faces that chase him through the stadium. He is also on the field cheering on the crowd during certain portions of the game. The team has a few traditions that include the “first toss”. The honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball. In keeping with the sea theme, when it came time for a t-shirt toss, the mascot and employees rode in a golf cart made to look like a fishing boat. It also serves as a target for a ring toss game. Another unique between-inning event is the Fin Crispy, Jr. standing on the boat near the beer garden with a fishing net.  Fans are to throw a large, plush material fish into the net. Fans should bring something to wear since the weather can get a little cooler once the sun sets. The team does have an outdoor team shop located near the front entrance. The team offers an abundance of t-shirts, caps, and replica jerseys. Neighborhood 2 Mel Olson Stadium is in the White Center neighborhood, 8 miles south of downtown. It is a quiet, residential area in the Burien area of Seattle.  Not a whole lot going on. There is a community center next to the stadium with outdoor basketball courts and a multi-purpose field. The neighborhood offers visitors lively and diverse restaurants within a few blocks of the stadium. Tomo ( 9811 16th Ave SW ) serves eclectic Japanese-American fare, Que Chevere ( 9808 16th Ave SW ) offers Colombian-style empanadas, the Crawfish House ( 9826 16th Ave SW ) is known for its shrimp po’boys, and Future Primitive Brewing ( 9832 14th Ave SW ) has award-winning IPAs. Enjoy a cup at Dubsea Coffee ( 9910 Eighth Ave SW ) while in the area. The Fish Sticks also play alongside other Seattle teams during the summer. The Seattle Marines play games at T-Mobile Park , the Seattle Storm are at the Climate Pledge Arena , and the Seattle Cascades ultimate frisbee team play at Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center. Fans 3 Fan support has been strong the past two seasons; gone are the days of a few hundred fans for a Bears game. They are pretty nice and welcoming, pack the stadium, and cheer at the right times. The team sold out 13 home dates during the 2024 season. The Seattle communities of West Seattle, White Center, Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, Sea-Tac, and Tukwila have embraced the ball club since the rebrand. Access 4 The stadium isn't very far from I-5 and is easy to find via GPS. The stadium is small and does get crowded on busy nights. The team has set up large signage with arrows to direct patrons. It is advisable to arrive early to find parking in the lot or on the street. There is also a church across the street that also allows free parking. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are $12 a game, and children under 3 are free. The parking is free, but the stadium lot is small and fills quickly. Additional street parking is available, and there are three nearby lots on 13th, 14th,15th Ave SW, and SW 102nd St.  The price of food ranges from $7 for a basic hot dog to $15 for filthy fries (garlic parmesan fries topped with pulled pork, queso, chili, barbecue sauce, salsa, jalapenos, and sour cream). The food, promotions, and merchandise are top-notch and provide fans with quite the atmosphere on a summer night in West Seattle. However, tickets and concessions are a little on the high side for a summer collegiate team.  But it is understandable because of the area of the world in which they play. Extras 4 The Fish Sticks begin each game with the “first fish”. The honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball. The tradition honors the fish tossing at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. Fans can pick up a souvenir 32-ounce mug for $15 and refill it for free for the entire season. It works for fans attending multiple games, but also great for sharing with a few children. Fan Batter of the Night takes place during non-league games. One fan is selected to lead off for the Fish Sticks and will receive a contract for $70 (paid out $2 and the rest deferred until 2034). Final Thoughts It is a good time at the Fish Sticks with affordable family fun.  Their rebrand from the Highline Bears has proven successful and fans show up.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 John A. Baratto Athletic Center W. Columbus Dr. East Chicago, IN 46312 East Chicago Central High School Cardinals website John A. Barrato Athletic Center website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 8,054 East Chicago Central Hoops The John A. Baratto Athletic Center is the second-largest high school basketball gym on the planet. It remained at the two spot after a recount was conducted this past year of the largest gyms in the state that saw the New Castle Fieldhouse and Seymour’s Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium change positions from number one and three. However, after further review, it fell to number three after Seymour leapfrogged into second place. The gym is named in honor of former Washington coach John Baratto who went 484-170, secured 15 sectional titles, 8 regional titles, 4 semi-state crowns, and the 1960 IHSAA basketball crown from 1944 to 1968. Twice he was named IHSAA Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1972. Twenty years after his retirement, more than 9,000 people attended the dedication of the building that is named in his honor. The home of East Chicago’s Central High School Cardinals has a capacity of 8,054 people and debuted in 1988. The city’s two high schools Roosevelt and Washington had consolidated two years before the gym’s opening. There have been a total of four state championship teams in East Chicago including Washington’s 1960 and 1971 and Roosevelt’s 1970 titles. The first state title for Central was the 2007 Class 4A State Championship over North Central (Indianapolis) 87-83. The Cards were led by current New Orleans Pelicans point guard E’Twaun Moore. Food & Beverage 3 The JBAC has one of the largest concession stands in the state that is located in the outer concourse of the building. The selection is similar to other high school gyms and the usual hot dogs, nachos, chips, candy, and soda can be purchased for prices of $1 to $3. Central offers Coca-Cola products. Lines can get long during heavily attended games and the area also serves as a social space for many of the students at the game. Atmosphere 4 The gym can hold 8,000 plus fans but for most of the games, the upper level is closed. The bottom portion became quite overcrowded that a section of seating upstairs was finally opened to fans during the first quarter of play. There is seating on all four sides of the court and foul lines are just a few inches away from fans in the bleachers. The gym is impressive-looking even with a majority of its bleacher seats closed for home games. Multiple banners are hanging from the rafters of all of the school’s championship teams and a giant Cardinal logo is at the center court. Two small scoreboards are located in the corners of the lower portion of the gym. One thing the building does well is honoring the history of high school sports. The outer concourse features trophy cases of various state championship team paraphernalia dating back almost 100 years. Banners, jackets, accolades, and programs are encased behind glass for visitors to look at. There is also the East Chicago Hall of Fame that honors former players including the 1948 Olympian and former NBA player Vince Boryla. Neighborhood 3 The outside of the gym borders a residential neighborhood and the school’s equally impressive football stadium. East Chicago is a city of 29,000 residents and is located in The Region of Northwest Indiana just 24 miles from Chicago. It is home to ArcelorMittal’s Indiana Harbor Works, the largest steel mill in the country, U.S. Steel’s East Chicago Tin, and the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal complex Indianapolis Avenue features various eateries, shops, and other commercial retail stores in town and the neighboring cities of Hammond and Munster. Bugatti’s Steak and Pasta is located along Lake Michigan and offers fine dining, the Cavalier Inn offers Polish cuisine in a relaxed setting, and Johnel’s Restaurant offers American fare, plus breakfast served all day and a bar in a diner setting. Saul’s Chicago Style Grill offers iconic Chicago-style hot dogs, gyros, and Italian beef and Millo’s Pizza Shack has deep-dish, stuffed, and thin-crust style pizzas on its menu. Two of Indiana’s best breweries are located near East Chicago. Three Floyd’s Brewery & Pub is world-renowned for its beers and is worth a visit. The brewery gets very busy but they offer an eatery next door where one can enjoy a Gumballhead, Lazersnake, Zombie Dust, or Yum Yum on draft. 18th Street Brewery is located in Hammond and also offers a place to eat while you can order a Candi Crushable, Devil’s Cup, or the Best Patio Pils. Fans 3 The fans are focused on the court, talk about the style of play and cheer for big offensive and defensive plays. There is a fraction of the audience enjoying a night out with friends but just like with any other well-rounded basketball gym in the state, the attention is usually on the game itself. When the opposing team’s fan base shows up in large masses, you have the proper ingredients for high school basketball. Access 3 The gymnasium is located north of I-90 and west of Indiana 912. There are not any signs of the building and a GPS device is the best option to arrive at the game. There is plenty of parking in the lot outside the gym and street parking is also available when applicable. The seating bowl can become overcrowded during certain games against nearby rivals and with the majority of the seating not open, can become slightly cumbersome at times. However, bathrooms are located on the main concourse near the entrance of the building. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a basketball game is $6 and is on par with other high school gyms in the state. The concession stand prices are also affordable–a nacho supreme costs the most at $3. There is also a table near the entrance to the seating bowl that offers t-shirts and sweaters at very reasonable prices. Extras 3 The Baratto Center earns a point for its large concession area outside of the seating bowl. The gym earns a second point for the multiple trophy cases honoring Hall of Fame players and past championship-winning teams from football to basketball. The gym earns a final point for its championship banners hanging from the rafters. Final Thoughts The John A. Baratto Athletic Center may get overlooked with some of its larger size contemporaries in the state of Indiana. It offers all the necessities one would ever need at a high school gymnasium. Its location in the Chicagoland area provides visitors access to many options outside of the basketball game. It is worth a look when in the area for a game at a Hoosier Temple. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

In a perfect world, the Jasper Wildcats would play all their home games at the Historic Cabby O’Neill Gymnasium and many in attendance felt fortunate to once again attend a game at the school’s former home due to a scheduling conflict at its current gym. The Art-Deco building was the Cats' home from 1939-1977 and once again during the 2011-13 season but games have been rare as of late making today’s high school hoops game a rare treat. The game was almost implausible a little over a decade ago when the building was nearly demolished. A group lobbied to make sure the gym was saved, and the Greater Jasper School Board ended up voting 3-1 in favor of keeping it intact. Public donations and dedicated grants helped save it from the wrecking ball ensuring future use by the community for many years. “My players enjoyed the experience,” said head coach John Goebel whose earliest memories are from wrestling tournaments when he was in elementary school. “It was a fun atmosphere and an overall very good environment to compete in. I believe playing there helped to give the players an appreciation for the history of our program and Indiana high school basketball.” The boys took warm-ups wearing wedding gold jerseys with old gold lettering trimmed in black; these could have fit in in almost any era of basketball sans the Nike logo. A thunderous crowd cheered on their home squad with applause that reverberated powerfully throughout the building. A student section on one side sang in harmony decked out in various NBA and collegiate jerseys, while a few visitors donned hammerhead shark costumes to play spoiler for the day. The gym was built for $100,000 in 1939 as a Work Projects Administration project and seated 3,200 fans. There is a lot to like from the main lobby which furnishes a plethora of memorabilia dating back more than eight decades including trophies, newspaper clippings, game day programs, team photographs, and other collections from the school’s history. The 1949 Jasper State Championship team photo is the main focal point of the compilation that allows fans to examine and learn about basketball here in town. The gym would be renamed after the O’Neil in November 1983 who coached the Wildcats to its lone state basketball title and would serve as both coach and administrator from 1939-1971 The Cats were 10-9 that championship season and were a small-town-underdog heading into the final game against the Madison Cubs. O’Neill would say in 1989 that “we were like (the movies) “Hoosiers” before anyone thought “Hoosiers” up. The Wildcats defeated the heavily favored Cubs 62-61 at the Butler–now Hinkle–Fieldhouse and a crowd of 35,000 welcomed the state champs when they returned to Jasper. The team was pretty good during the 1940s and won eight consecutive sectional championships and was nearly unbeatable from 1941-1949 where the team won 8 sectionals and produced a .881 winning percentage at home. O’Neill produced an impressive record of 247-76 during his 12-year tenure and his record was 148-32 at the gym which now bears his name. Basketball would come to an end when a new Jasper High School was built in 1978 that also included a much larger and modern gym. The last game at Cabby O’Neill Gym was played on February 25, 1977, and it would continue as a middle school facility. The building’s drop ceiling would be removed shortly after in 1978. The gym was put back into service for two seasons from 2011-2013 after heavy rainfall caused the new gym’s roof to collapse just a day after prom festivities were held in the building. The basketball program would produce a 15-5 record at its former home and would begin to play at a brand new 4,800 gym for the 2013-2015 academic year. There have only been a handful of games played at Cabby in the past seven seasons and Jasper’s Athletic Director Greg Lewis does not have any plans to play another game at the gym in the future since it is rather difficult for the athletic department to hold the game off-campus that results in a lot of extra hours of work setting up the event. Almost everything has to be transported to the gym from campus including the popcorn machine, the cheese sauce warmer for the nachos, multiple candy bars, soda pop, and setting up the concession area itself. That does not include setting up chairs, bleachers, electrical equipment for the sound system, and other media areas. Coach Goebel also sees a few more issues with staging a game at the historic venue. “The only negative would be the logistical issues with holding it there–parking, concessions, restrooms, and seating are just a few of the amenities that our new gym has to offer over the Cabby Gym. It was also difficult for our athletic department to hold the game off-campus, there’s a lot of extra work hours setting the entire thing up”. The hard work paid off, the freestanding building still looks stoic on the corner of 6th and Seymour and many who purchased a ticket today for $5 were able to either reminiscence about season’s past or finally take in a varsity game for the very first time. At halftime members of the 1971-1975 sectional championship teams were honored in front of a standing ovation. However, one fan sitting in the visitors’ section yelled out “Who cares?” much to the dismay of the close to 2,000 on hand who serenaded him with boos and jeers. It’s not certain why he displayed such a truculent tone those Wildcats teams brought back a level of success not seen in town since the 1940s. They also captured two regional championships in 1972 and 1973. The boys’ basketball program has won 8 sectionals since 1975 but never back to back and never five in a row. I believe that is a lot to care about. “We had a great atmosphere and I was happy to allow those 1970s teams to be honored where they played,” added Lewis. It is a small tragedy that current Indiana gymnasiums do not look similar in design or aesthetics to Cabby; sure there is the need to bring these buildings up to certain codes and widen particular areas, but for one special day the gym was alive with a near-capacity crowd to enjoy a Jasper Wildcats basketball game. Hopefully, there will be a few more sometime shortly. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Allianz Stadium Driver Avenue Moore Park, NSW 2021 Australia Sydney Roosters website Allianz Stadium website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 42,500 Here Come The Roosters The Sydney Roosters were established in 1908 and have always called Moore Park home. They are a foundation club of the NSW Rugby League that later morphed into the National Rugby League (NRL). The club was originally known as Eastern Suburbs (Easts), nicknamed the “Tri-Colours” after the red, white, and blue playing strip. After adopting the Roosters title in the 1960s, Easts first changed their name to “Sydney City” in 1994, before shortening that to simply “Sydney” in 2000. Despite this, the Roosters have always best been known for representing the exclusive eastern suburbs and is headquartered at Bondi. The Roosters have a long and successful history, having won 15 premierships. The first rugby league superstar, Dally Messenger played for Easts, while players such as Russell Fairfax, Arthur Beetson, Bill Mullins, and John Peard featured in a 1970s team coached by the great Jack Gibson that is widely regarded as one of the best club teams assembled in history. The recruitment of head coach Phil Gould and Brad Fittler lead the club to four grand finals in five years in the early 2000s. In 2019 the Roosters became the first team to win back-to-back premierships in over 25 years. The Sydney Roosters have always been headquartered in the Moore Park area playing at the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds, the Sydney Sports Ground, and then the Sydney Football Stadium when it opened in 1988. The Roosters would call the SFS home until it was demolished in 2019. After spending the interim next door at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the club celebrated the opening of the new SFS (Allianz Stadium) with a win over their bitter rivals South Sydney in 2022. The new stadium has a capacity of 42,500 and costs $828m. It is also home to the NSW Waratahs (Super Rugby) and Sydney FC (A-League) but is also expected to host finals, interstate games, and internationals in both rugby codes and soccer. Designed by renowned architecture firm Cox, Allianz Stadium is managed by Venues NSW, which operates a suite of major venues across Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong. Food & Beverage 4 The food offerings at the old stadium were universally regarded as being sub-par; overpriced with little variety for discerning fans, and usually also accompanied by long queues. There are a whopping 64 outlets within the new stadium, with a much wider selection of food and beverages. The catering contract is held by Merivale, a well-known player in the hospitality scene. Pleasingly, there is a range of different price points with basic staples including meat pies, hot chips, and hot dogs available for under $10. These are widely available at The Kiosk, along with burgers and fried chicken. Specialty outlets (and average prices) include El Loco (Mexican: $15-$20), Jimmy’s Falafel (Middle Eastern: $15-$20), Noodles and Dumplings (Chinese: $17-$18), Healthy Bowls (Poke: $18), and Vinnie’s Pizza (Italian: $15-$16 – we recommend the potato and rosemary pizza). The bars stock a range of mainstream, craft, and premium beers but expect to pay over $10 for any of the full-strength options. You’ll also find a variety of pre-mixed spirits and wine available. Soft drinks are around $5. There is less variety in the upper tiers so you might prefer to purchase your refreshments prior to ascending to your seat. Atmosphere 5 The new stadium is a huge improvement from the old SFS. First, the roof now covers all seating areas, meaning the majority (if not all) fans will remain dry when it rains. Second, the steep gradient and overall design of the stadium means most seats are situated between the try lines with excellent sight lines throughout. The seating bowl has four levels: lower tier, club tier, suite tier, and upper tier. The wrap-around design enhances the atmosphere by keeping crowd noise within the bowl. Visually, the seating design is very appealing. The combination of blues was designed by indigenous artist Tony Albert with abstract patterns representing land, water, and whale and goanna totems. Video screens are located at either end of the stadium, with LED signage throughout. The ability to customize lighting, complimentary Wi-Fi, light-up goal posts, and security monitoring enhancements are among the technological inclusions. The amenities are also vastly superior in the new stadium. Expect the usual promotions and music during breaks in play. Tag your social media photos for a chance to be displayed on video screens. There are significant nods to history and past greats throughout. Rather than naming the grandstands after past players in the usual Australian tradition, there is instead a “Ring of Champions” lining the concourse around the stadium. The initial inductees are Nicholas Shehadie (Australian rugby captain, administrator, and former Sydney Lord Mayor), Betty Cuthbert (four-time Olympic track gold medalist), Johnny Warren (arguably the most significant figure in Australian soccer of all time), Arthur Beetson (Roosters great and the first indigenous person to captain an Australian national team in any sport), and Ron Coote (won a remarkable 6 premierships playing over 100 games for both Easts and South Sydney). Pleasingly, the list includes athletes from numerous different sports, recognizing the variety of elite sports which has occurred on the site over the years. There is also scope to make additions to the “Ring” in the future. If you circumnavigate the exterior of the stadium before entering you will also notice several statues including those of Warren, Cuthbert, and compatriot Marlene Matthews (who set five world records at the Sydney Sports Ground), and Ken Catchpole (former Australian rugby captain and World Rugby Hall of Famer). Neighborhood 4 It’s important firstly to note the proximity of Allianz Stadium to the CBD and all that a global city such as Sydney has to offer Those visiting from out of town should allow several days at a minimum to tick off the major attractions such as the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Bondi Beach. The closest restaurants and bars are in the Entertainment Quarter, which is on the southern side of the SCG, with the Bavarian Bier Café (Entertainment Quarter, 212 Bent St Moore Park) being a solid choice. Heading east, you will find the suburbs of Paddington, Bondi, and Coogee – always popular with tourists and locals alike. A short distance north is Darlinghurst and Kings Cross; a more bohemian district, with “The Cross” being the red-light district. Also, close by is The Rocks, one of the first areas to be settled by the British when they arrived in 1788. If this is your destination then make sure The Hero of Waterloo (81 Lower Fort St, The Rocks) and Lord Nelson (19 Kent St, The Rocks) are on your list; they’re two of the oldest pubs in the country. Fans traveling to Sydney from interstate or overseas should check the AFL schedule as the Sydney Swans play next door at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Sydney Olympic Park. Fans 5 The Roosters attract among the largest home crowds of any of the Sydney-based teams, in 2022 their average attendance is eclipsed only by Parramatta and is marginally ahead of the powerhouse Penrith club. Their biggest rivals are South Sydney , with whom they used to share the old Allianz Stadium before the Rabbitohs moved west to Olympic Park. Expect a close-to-capacity crowd for a Roosters vs Rabbitohs clash. Fans are knowledgeable and passionate. You’ll notice plenty of club merch on display, flags and banners in club colours, and regular chanting throughout. Access 4 One aspect that hasn’t dramatically changed with the new stadium is getting to the game. Allianz Stadium is located just south of the Sydney CBD. The closest heavy rail station is at Central, a 20-minute walk away, although be warned it is uphill most of the way and so is not recommended for less mobile fans. However, a new light rail line was opened in recent years with the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford lines within easy walking distance of the precinct providing a good public transport option. Buses also operate in the vicinity. If you are driving there are several options for parking including the parklands opposite the stadium, the Entertainment Quarter (enter via Lang Rd), and Sydney Boys / Girls High Schools (enter via Cleveland St), all of which will charge around $30. Traffic can be frustratingly slow within the vicinity of the stadium both before and after the game. Arrive early if possible – and catch the curtain raiser if there is one. However, access within the building is vastly improved in the new stadium. The pedestrian entry from Driver Ave is via stairs or an elevator for those with additional mobility needs. There is at-grade access on the northern side via Moore Park Rd. Once inside wide-open concourses and escalators smooth movement throughout. When comparing the old to new, the number of seats for disabled spectators has increased from 27 (with no provision for companions) to 648. The number of male toilets has almost doubled. The number of female toilets has increased by an incredible 600%! Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices can vary quite significantly depending on where you prefer to sit, however you can expect to pay around $60 for a reasonable reserved seat as an adult. There are discounts for children and families. While it is not a cheap experience, you can cut some corners with food and travel to make it more affordable. It should be noted that the pricing here is not dissimilar to most major venues and sporting events across Sydney and the country. Extras 5 One of the most pleasing aspects of the new stadium is the way the stadium is situated on the parcel of land on which it stands. The old stadium was positioned awkwardly and always felt cramped and slightly off-kilter. Designers have envisaged the stadium as a community hub, with outdoor play areas and a basketball court on the eastern side of the stadium. Check out the fan activation activities and team store prior to entry. Allianz Stadium has been designed to meet the sustainability standards to achieve LEED Gold accreditation. Initiatives include solar energy generation and water harvesting to improve efficiency benchmarks. The building uses a lightweight steel construction for the roof, which uses 40% less material than venues of a similar size. There are also electric vehicle charging points and bicycle parking available. Final Thoughts There’s no getting away from the fact that the decision by the state government to demolish and rebuild Allianz Stadium was a contentious one. Nevertheless, the new stadium undeniably offers a vastly superior fan experience. As one of the newest and most advanced stadiums in Australia, this one should be on your must-visit list.

Photos by Christian Shimabuku, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Stan Sheriff Center 1355 Lower Campus Rd Honolulu, HI 96822 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors website Stan Sheriff Center website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 10,300 The Best (and Only) Show in Town One of the main selling points for potential University of Hawaii athletes is the fact that there are no professional teams in the state and that UH sports are the islands’ version of a pro team. Exhibit A is the Stan Sheriff Center, home to the school’s basketball and volleyball teams. Fans who want to watch a high-caliber men’s basketball game in Hawaii know exactly where to go. Initially named the Special Events Arena upon its opening, the arena was renamed in 1998 after former athletic director Stan Sheriff, who passed away in 1993. The arena is managed by his son, Rich, who takes great pride in maintaining the arena. And it shows. Food & Beverage 3 There are 11 different vendors to choose from in the arena that seem to get their orders out in a friendly and expeditious manner. A lot of the foods are not very unique to Hawaii and are on the pricey side, but the bumbucha nachos are a must try. Dippin’ Dots, Starbucks, Gordon Biersch are among the vendors. Sheriff says that the most popular items are the bumbucha nachos and garlic fries from Gordon Biersch. The major soda brand at the SSC is Pepsi, and there are a wide range of Pepsi products to choose from. There’s also a beer stand with five different beers and two wines to choose from, as well as O’Douls non-alcoholic beers and Budweiser Lime-A-Ritas (strawberry, lime, mango and raspberry). Of course, fruit punch is one of the fan favorites and suitable for all ages. Atmosphere 4 Regardless of team success, you can count on fans in Hawaii to always be loud and engaged. There is no bad seat in the Stan Sheriff Center. Unlike other venues, no seat obstructs your view of the game. Each seat is comfortable with cup holders on each side. At the same time, the atmosphere brings an intimate feeling, but one that’s never quiet. The arena boasts a state-of-the-art scoreboard that was built in 2011 and has an LED scoreboard. The University of Hawaii band is present at each home game, playing songs that range from the school’s fight song to the Hawaii 5-0 theme song. Fans are engaged throughout, with fun and quirky activities such as promotional dance contests for cool prizes such as a night at a Waikiki hotel and free haircuts. Since there is not a bad seat in the house, the best way to get a bang for your buck is to sit in the upper section. Tickets there normally range from $5 to $20. Neighborhood 5 What more can you ask for? It’s Hawaii, and there are many things to do. It’s right on campus in Manoa, which is safe and accessible. Side Street Inn is about a mile and a half away and provides a nice mix of local and national favorites. Even Barack Obama dined there during a visit to his home state. There are other options within walking distance of campus, and these foods range from Chinese to Greek. Waikiki is just a few miles away. Although it is the area least like the rest of Oahu, it is still a fun time in and of itself. Whether it be a stroll on the beach or just shopping one of the many stores on the strip, time goes by quickly. There are many hotels in Waikiki, which is just a few miles away from campus. Although there are a bevy of options, the Hale Koa is tailored towards military members and price their rooms comparatively well. Fans 4 Hawaii fans are loud, passionate, and knowledgeable about the games they cover. Most importantly, they’re honest. Unfortunately, that might mean more groans for some teams. Attendance normally correlates with team performance. During the 2016 dream season in which the ‘Bows went 28-6 with their first ever NCAA tournament win, there were two sellouts. In 2017, besides the North Carolina game on Nov. 18, numbers have been relatively low with attendance numbers in the 3,000-4,000 range. Simply put, Hawaii fans are loud. Pound-for-pound, they are some of the loudest in the nation, which surely comes from their passion and loyalty. Access 5 The Stan Sheriff Center is very accessible, and those who wish to attend a game should have no problem going wherever it is they please. Oahu has a great public bus system (TheBus), where developments are being made to make an unlimited one-day bus pass that costs $5. Another option is to catch an Uber or Lyft to the arena, both of which are legal and functional on Oahu. Parking costs just $6 and available for almost anyone, with the exception of sellouts. Traffic is mostly smooth, with the exception again being sellouts. There are two entrances in the SSC on the same side of the arena, with a ticket counter in between the two. The inside of the Stan Sheriff Center feels spacious and there shouldn’t be a problem getting around. Although the main concourse has just a slight view of the playing surface, there are many openings in the arena which one can enter through. The restrooms are not the cleanest, and like all venues, halftime is the busiest time to go. But they get the job done. Return on Investment 4 As the highest-level team in town, you know what you’re getting when you watch a UH game. The experience is well worth it. In terms of the rest of Hawaii, nothing compares on an athletic level, unless you’re talking other UH teams. Extras 3 It’s Hawaii, and it’s the best, albeit only, show in town. And although the team has fallen down somewhat in 2017 because of NCAA sanctions, the program is on the rise under head coach Eran Ganot. Final Thoughts Overall, the Stan Sheriff Center provides a worthwhile experience and a beautiful arena in a beautiful state.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Bowman Gray Stadium 1250 S Martin Luther King Jr Winston-Salem, NC 27107 Winston-Salem State Rams website Bowman Gray Stadium website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 17,000 Racetrack Plus Football Equals Bowman Gray Unique among college football stadiums, Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt quarter-mile short track surrounding the field itself; while many football venues have a running track around them, especially in this state, few if any have a real racetrack around them. The racetrack is still used for stock car racing and the facility was even featured in a racing-themed TV show on Discovery Channel. As for football, the stadium was also previously home to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons , before BB&T Field opened in 1968; in fact, Brian Piccolo, 1964 ACC player of the year and subject of the 1971 film Brian’s Song, played his college football at Bowman Gray. Bowman Gray Stadium has been the home of the Winston-Salem State Rams since 1956 and is scheduled for some big renovations starting next season (2020), including new restrooms and a track resurface. The stands are in the shape of a horseshoe with the press box on the west side, visitors seating on the east side, and an athletic center behind the north end zone. The stands hold 17,000 fans but there is additional standing room for several thousand more behind the wall at the top of the stands, where the concessions and bathrooms are located. Food & Beverage 4 Bowman Gray Stadium has a great selection of food and beverages, including three main stands (one on each side) plus several other smaller stands and food trucks despite the small attendance, so lines are kept to a minimum. Prices are reasonable and the variety is pretty solid. Food options include spicy and PDQ chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos with or without chili, pizza, fish and chips, chicken tender baskets, corn dogs, popcorn, peanuts, packaged candy, pork skins, pickles, funnel cake, sno cones, and Dippin’ Dots ice cream, while beverage choices include soda, bottled water, coffee, hot cocoa, lemonade, and orangeade. Nothing is over $7, and the venue even offers fountain soda refills for $2. The best item on the menu is definitely the PDQ chicken sandwich with its honey butter spread. Atmosphere 3 Usually at HBCUs the band is one of the biggest draws at a football game, and WSSU’s Red Sea of Sound here does fine, but the PA announcer is probably the star of the show – he uses a lot of voice inflections to keep the fans entertained and even razzes the refs on occasion (but in a subtle way so as to stay out of hot water with the league). Also, one of the traditions at Rams games is ‘pointing’ during kickoffs, so throughout the game you will hear the announcer say “we are pointing at Bowman Gray,” and if you don’t know which way to point you should “look at the football team” – that seems to be his main catchphrase. Red Sea of Sound, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey One downside at Bowman Gray is that all the seats are metal bleaches without chair backs, which can be a little cold in November; you can rent or bring your own seat back, however, if you choose. Another downside is that the video board (which doesn’t show replays) is on the small side and is also well behind the south end zone, attached to the athletic center, so it is really hard to see especially if you sit on the north end, so you may want to sit close to it. On the plus side, however, you can sit wherever you want (most seats are general admission), and the concourse above the stands is open to the field, so you won’t miss any of the action if you go grab some food. Neighborhood 3 Bowman Gray Stadium is located within site of downtown Winston-Salem, which could be a plus, but there are also several freeway overpasses and merges around the venue, so it is not that easy to walk to anything nearby. The university is also located in what you probably wouldn’t consider one of the nicer areas in town. A couple of recommended restaurants nearby (although they are on the other side of I-40 as I hinted above) are Mellow Mushroom and King’s Crab Shack and Oyster Bar, and there are numerous other eateries in that part of town as well. There are also hotels in that area, such as Fairfield Inn & Suites or Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center, if you plan to be in town for the weekend. And if you are looking for something to do before or after the game, there is a Kaleideum Children’s Museum near Bowman Gray Stadium, as well as a NASCAR museum and a Moravian church which you can visit, as well as several other parks and museums. Fans 2 WSSU doesn’t have very many fans at the game, probably only a couple of thousand at most, but you will see a good contingent of visiting fans, since most of their conference opponents are within a couple hour’s drive. That said the stadium will seem pretty empty most of the time, which is a little disappointing, but those who are there do tend to wear team gear and are pretty vocal in their support of the Rams; you can buy WSSU team gear at the stadium if you need it. Access 4 Bowman Gray Stadium is easy to get to, given the freeways around it, and you can park literally right outside the stadium for $15 – the parking lots on the north and east sides are technically closer to the stadium; if you park on the west side you have to walk up a slightly rickety ramp to get to the venue. But there are several entrances around Bowman Gray Stadium so getting in is easy; note that students enter on the east side. Once you get inside the venue, moving around is easy and lines are short. There are many more bathrooms here than are needed to accommodate the crowd, and you can sit wherever you want, or stand and watch from the top of the concourse. Return on Investment 4 Seeing a football stadium with a NASCAR track around it is pretty cool and the PA announcer makes your visit well worth the time. Tickets run $20 for adults (lower for kids, seniors, and students) which is average if not slightly on the high side for this level of football in the area. The $15 parking is probably a little on the high side comparatively, and there really isn’t an easy way to park and walk further because of the freeways, so you are probably stuck with that parking cost. However, concessions are reasonable for the quality and amount you get, so all in the return on investment is solid at Bowman Gray. Extras 5 I mentioned the racetrack and the PA announcer, and the Brian Piccolo history, and the band also does a good job. I would also mention one architectural feature – the entrances into the stands have red (WSSU-themed) scrollwork arches over them with the section numbers, which is a nice aesthetic but also makes it easier to find your seat. Scrollwork Arches, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts I definitely think it is worth visiting Bowman Gray Stadium for its history and ease of access. The Rams are not having great success on the field of late, but if they win a few more games that should bring a lot more fans to this unique and historic football venue.