Photos by Bart Wilhelm, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Hyde Stadium Ree St. and E. Capitol Ave Pierre, SD 57501 Pierre Trappers website Hyde Stadium website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 1,500 Trappers in Pierre Built in 1935 as part of the New Deal’s Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Hyde Stadium has been housing Legion baseball in South Dakota’s capital city for 85 years. The Pierre Cowboys from the independent summer collegiate Basin League also called the park home in the 1950’s and 60’s. In 2018, the summer collegiate Expedition League was created and the Pierre Trappers became one of the league’s eight inaugural teams. Food & Beverage 4 The food and beverage options at Hyde Stadium are quite plentiful and the prices are very reasonable for a ballgame. Options include nachos/super nachos ($3/$6), Walking Tacos ($6), Pulled Pork ($5), Standard Hot Dog ($2.50), and a Pizza Soft Pretzel with Cheese or a King Soft Pretzel with Cheese ($4/$3). Also, new in 2020 is their signature “Trapper Dog” ($5). This is a hot dog with pulled pork and nacho cheese on it. As it was Opening Night, they were hyping the Trapper Dog and I noticed several people trying them. Personally, I thought it was delicious. Drinks include Pepsi products, Gatorade, Lemonade, and Iced Tea (all $3) and Bottled Water for $2. Beer selection is moderate. Cans of Coors Light, Budweiser, and Blue Moon are $5 and two different kinds of Deschutes IPAs are available for $6 (19.2 ounces). If a predetermined “beer batter” strikes out, all beers are $1 off for the rest of the inning. There is one permanent concession stand located just to the first base side of home plate. Beer is sold at mobile carts down both baselines. The lines are constant, but they seem to move quite well. Atmosphere 3 Seating at Hyde Stadium is a bit odd. There are several hundred fixed seats which sell for $10. Directly behind home plate, there is a covered “auditorium-style” section called the “Trapper’s Post” that sells for only $6. These seats, though, are simply concrete, but you can always bring a padded seat cover, and this section is mostly shaded. You also get the most direct view of the entire field. The earliest shade of the evening goes to the seats on the third base side which are closest to home plate. The covering from the Trapper’s Post causes shade right from the time the gates open. There are grassy areas down both lines available for $5, but warning, this is where all the kids run around and play and scream. Cheap ticket, but lots of interruptions. A small electronic scoreboard is in right center field. No frills, no videos. Also no player names, and unfortunately, there are no roster sheets available. I had to go to the Pointstreak website to keep up with the players. There are a few in-between inning promotions like the typical dizzy bat race, but nothing that really stands out as extraordinary. Kids are allowed to help sing the 7th inning stretch, but they actually did the stretch BEFORE the 7th inning. I later asked the promo team if that was a normal occurrence in Pierre. One of the girls bowed her head and said “No, I screwed up.” At least they realized their mistake. Neighborhood 3 Hyde Stadium is located literally across the street from the front entrance of the State Capitol Building. It makes it quite easy to find. There is an adjacent jogging trail that will take you down to the Missouri River. Downtown is about a half mile away. The Historic Pierre Street Association has several quaint little shops and the sidewalks are tree-lined and well shaded. Richie Z’S Brickhouse BBQ and Grill is a well-attended barbeque restaurant in the area. The Cattleman’s Club Steakhouse has the best reviews of any of the local restaurants. For a town that only has about 13,000 people, there seems to be quite a few varied options for any taste. There is also plenty of the usual fast food restaurants in the area including my personal favorite, Taco John’s. Fans 4 My trip was Opening Night for the Trappers, and with the COVID-19 pandemic going on, people were hungry to see a ballgame. Attendance was limited to about 600 (normal max is over a thousand if they pack them in on the lawns), and the game was a sell-out. The fans seem to be mostly attentive to the game. In the 7th inning, fans started chanting for local standout, Peyton Zabel, to come in to pitch. In the 8th, when he was brought into the game, the place got LOUD. As he struck out all five batters he faced with his 100mph fastball, the place got louder. Zabel is from Pierre, and everyone seemed to know him. Access 3 Pierre is the second-smallest US Capital city and is one of only four that is not serviced by the Eisenhower Interstate System (I won a trivia contest knowing that fact so I like to throw it out there when I can). The closest freeway is I-90, which is 35 miles south of the city. That being said, US 83 goes right through town and is a divided highway once you get south of the city. Going north, there are only very small towns until you get to Bismarck, North Dakota. The park itself is very easy to find as it is across the street from the State Capitol building. The physical address is 601 E Capitol Ave. While there is no actual parking lot, there is plenty of free street parking nearby. Getting in and out is very easy. There is one gate to get in the park located right behind home plate. Pierre’s airport is only a regional airport, so if you’re looking to fly in, you’re probably not getting a direct flight. Return on Investment 4 This is a very cost-friendly ballpark experience. I paid $5 for a ticket to get in the door. Seats are $6-$10 (there is also a row right by the netting behind home plate for $15). Food is well-priced. I can’t imagine getting a 19.2 ounce can of Deschutes IPA for less than the $6 they charge ($5 when the beer batter strikes out). Parking is free. Extras 2 There isn’t a whole of “extras” available for the ballpark, but I’ll give them one point for the very informative stadium statue/plaque which provides a lot of historical information. I’ll also give another point to the very friendly staff. The GM of the team introduced himself to me as I walked in the door. He had seen me earlier in the week at two Trappers road games. Plus every employee I interacted with seems to be in good spirits. Everyone is happy to finally be around baseball again. Final Thoughts Pierre is an interesting town to visit. You literally don’t see the city until you’re there. It’s a small town but being the state capital makes it an important city. Hyde Park has been part of the city for 85 years, and with recent renovations to get it ready for the Trappers, I see no reason why it can’t be here for another 85. The city is a little off the beaten path, but I’d recommend making the trip.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 O’Donnell Field 65 North Harvard St Boston, MA 02163 Harvard Crimson website O’Donnell Field website Year Opened: 1898 Capacity: 1,600 Crimson in the Clover   Baseball has been played at Harvard since 1862, with the school sponsoring its first varsity team in 1865. At first, baseball was played at various locations around campus and greater Boston, including Jarvis Field, Holmes Field and Boston Common. In 1890, Major Henry Lee Higginson donated a parcel of land on the southern shore of the Charles River for use by the university. Originally known as Soldier’s Field in honor of six of Higginson's friends who died fighting in the Civil War (Yes, I said Civil War. We’re dealing with some seriously old stuff here), the site has been the home of Harvard baseball since 1898.   The field was dedicated for Harvard class of 1967 alum, baseball captain, and football team standout Joseph O’Donnell in 1997. Mr. O’Donnell donated $2.5 million to the baseball program in 1995, allowing the university to hire a full-time baseball coach for the first time. He also donated an additional $30 million to the university in 2012.   The Crimson have qualified for 15 NCAA Tournaments and four College World Series, most recently in 1974. 17 Harvard alumni have played in the Major Leagues.   Food & Beverage 0   There are no concessions available at O’Donnell Field. There is a nice little pavilion on the first base side of the diamond, but it is usually occupied by alumni, particularly during Ivy League games. It’s not unusual to see tailgating parties going on, sponsored by alumni of both competing schools, throughout the game.   Unaffiliated fans are welcome to bring their own snacks to enjoy during a Crimson game.   Atmosphere 2   The gameday experience at O'Donnell Field is typical of the small college ballparks in the northeast. The game day experience at Harvard is pretty laid back (and dare we say, scholarly?). There’s not a lot going on to distract your attention from the game. Music plays between innings and batters while the PA announcer goes about his duties in an unobtrusive manner. Much of the noise at O’Donnell Field is created by the fans in the stands and the players on the field. A simple scoreboard in left field displays basic game information.   Harvard boasts an NCAA-best 42 varsity sports, and the majority of them play their games on the Soldier Field complex. It's not unusual to have softball, lacrosse, baseball, track and field and more all going on at the same time. It creates a nice festival-like atmosphere where fans wander around from game to game throughout a lovely spring New England afternoon.   Neighborhood 4    The Harvard campus is located in Cambridge, MA, on the north shore of the Charles River. O'Donnell Field is located on the opposite shore of the Charles, in the Boston neighborhood of Allston. Many of the school's athletic facilities, including Harvard Stadium , Lavietes Pavilion , Bright-Landry Hockey Center  and Jordan Field  are located here, as is the world-famous Harvard Business School.    There’s not a whole lot to do in the immediate vicinity of O’Donnell Field and the Soldiers Field Complex, but fans who venture out into Allston and Brighton will find many dining and lodging options. Fans visiting Harvard from out of town who want to get the full Harvard experience should head back across the Charles.   To see the sights of Harvard, take a walk across the Anderson Memorial Bridge, which spans the Charles River leading into Cambridge. A few blocks from the river is the Harvard campus. Harvard Square is the heartbeat of campus, and while it may not be the bohemian center it once was, it is still one of the most popular areas in Boston for walking, shopping, and people watching. If the fickle New England weather is cooperating, it’s a great place to be. For those wishing to bask in the history, architecture, and aura of Harvard, this is the place for you. Take a walking tour of the campus along with the obligatory picture in front of the statue of John Harvard. Just remember these three things about the statue: 1) it is not actually a statue of John Harvard (no image of him exists), but of a random student; 2) John Harvard was not the founder of the college, but its first benefactor; and 3) the college was actually founded in 1636, not in 1638, as the statue claims. But remember to touch his shiny shoe, it is rumored to bring good luck.   Fans 2   As is the case at most college ballparks in this part of the country, the Crimson don’t attract huge crowds to baseball games. A Harvard baseball crowd is best described as a “friends and family” crowd, as most of the fans in attendance have a personal connection with the players down on the field. As you might imagine, the fans here are knowledgeable about the teams competing and enthusiastic in their support.   While you won't find a cohesive student section here at O'Donnell Field, students do take advantage of the great number of outdoor activities available at the Soldiers Field Complex. It's not unusual to see students bouncing between games at the many sporting venues here, catching a few innings at the ballpark before moving on to other activities.   Access 3    Boston can be a difficult city to get around, but luckily for visiting baseball fans the majority of Harvard’s schedule takes place on the weekend, when traffic is somewhat less congested than during the week. The Soldiers Field Complex is accessible fairly easily from either Storrow Drive or the Mass Pike (Interstate 90). Detailed driving directions can be found here .  Locals will tell you that the preferred method of transportation in Boston is the subway, or "T",  as it is called locally. The Harvard Station MBTA stop is a 10-minute walk from Harvard Stadium across the Charles River. Several bus routes also stop at Harvard Station. In addition, the 66 and 86 bus routes stop on North Harvard Street, directly in front of the athletic complex. If you are driving to O'Donnell Field, you will find ample parking tucked in between the many facilities at the Soldier Field Complex. Parking is free for Crimson baseball games (that's right, free parking in Boston!), unless there is a men's lacrosse game going on at the same time. There are some spots dangerously close to the field. Your best bet is to park a little further away to protect your windshield. Seating consists of three sets of aluminum bleachers without backs. There is a large set of bleachers behind home plate, with smaller sets far down either baseline. Unfortunately, there’s not a ton of standing room here, at least not without an obstructed view. There are no permanent rest room facilities at O’Donnell Field, meaning fans will have to make due with a row of port-a-johns next to the track, or take a long walk into the Stadium or the Gordon Indoor Track building.   Return on Investment 5   With free admission and parking, taking in a Crimson baseball game is a most affordable entertainment option for Boston sports fans. It's possible to catch a ballgame (as well as a few other games) without spending a single cent.   Extras 1                                                                                                 While not a flashy facility, O’Donnell Stadium does boast a tremendous backdrop. The colossal hulk of Harvard Stadium towers over the field on the first base side of the facility. It’s fun to watch errant foul balls clank of the concrete façade or through the arches that line the exterior of the stadium.   Final Thoughts   Harvard boasts a long and storied athletic history. While the school boasts some legendary venues and baseball has been played on the O'Donnell Field site since the 19th century, this is very much a bare-bones facility. Aside from the colossal Harvard Stadium hovering over the first base line, there's little to make a visit to O'Donnell Field a memorable one.   If planning to make a visit to Harvard, keep in mind that the baseball season takes place largely in March and April, when the weather in New England can be fickle. Changes in schedule, postponements, cancellations and even changes in venue are commonplace. Be sure to make your plans flexible.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.00 Fitch High School Field 101 Groton Long Point Road Groton, CT 06340 Mystic Schooners website Fitch High School website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 1,000 Into The Mystic The Mystic Schooners, despite their modest four seasons in New London County, are one of the two oldest franchises in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Before settling in Groton, a town adjacent to Mystic, the team played in Willimantic, CT, Hinsdale, MA, Pittsfield, MA, and Bristol, CT. Food & Beverage 2 The Schooners operate a pop up tent next to the press box where fans can select from a very limited menu. The only hot item on the menu is hot dogs, which can be purchased for a reasonable two dollars. A variety of chips, candy, popcorn, and snacks are available here, with no item priced at over two dollars. A highlight of the menu is the Schooner Soda, bottled by a local company and featuring the Schooners logo on the bottle. Unfortunately, the team recycles the bottle, so you can’t keep it as a souvenir. Add a scoop of ice cream to your sarsaparilla and you have a “Schooner Float”, sold for three dollars. Next to the concession table is a table selling assorted Schooners items. In addition to the usual selection of hats and t-shirts, fans can purchase a pint glass with the Schooners logo featured prominently on it. It’s a novelty item not seen at most college parks. Atmosphere 2 With the small crowd and large dimensions at Fitch High School, there isn’t a whole lot of buzz in the stands at a Schooners game. The team does a couple of raffles during the game, but there isn’t a whole lot extra going on to keep your attention. Ballpark purists will undoubtedly enjoy the fact that you can hear the chatter in the infield and instructions from the dugout, but there is something missing here that you get at other summer college ballparks. There are the requisite children playing their own games of catch in the large grassy area who chase every foul ball like their lives depended on its retrieval beyond the third base bleachers, but they are far from the field and totally out of sight. Neighborhood 3 The baseball field where the Mystic Schooners play their game is located behind Robert E. Fitch High School in neighboring Groton, CT. The school is located on Groton Long Point Road, otherwise known as Route 215. Despite its location just off of Route 1, there is little in the immediate area to attract any visiting fans. If visiting the area from out of town, the historic Mystic Seaport is located just over 3 miles away from Fitch High School on Route 1 North. Once in Mystic, fans will find some great seafood restaurants, and tons of shopping. The iconic Mystic Pizza from movie fame is located not too far from Fitch High School. Attractions such as Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium are located here. In addition, The twin Connecticut casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, are located less than a half hour’s drive away. Fans 1 Mystic averages about 200 fans per game at Fitch High School, ranking them at or near the bottom of the NECBL listings annually. The fans that do trek out to Fitch Field are very dedicated and knowledgeable about their team, and are very involved in the action on the field. It was wonderful to see a great deal of interaction between the players and fans throughout the game. Access 2 Fitch High School is located just off of Route 1, which hugs the Connecticut shoreline and is the primary business thoroughfare on the south coast of the state. It is easily accessible from Interstate 95. If driving to Groton, take exit 88 (Route 117) off of I-95, follow it to the end, take a left onto Route 1, and follow it to Route 217. Fitch High School will immediately be on your right. The baseball field is located behind the school. Once at the ball field, there are paved paths leading from the parking lot to the large, new set of bleachers located on the third base side of the field. Fans needing accessible seating will be very happy with these bleachers, which have been built to meet all the newest ADA standards. Just beware, they are metal, and don’t have backs, so bring a cushion, both to protect your backside from the metal and from the heat. There are no permanent rest room facilities here, just two port-a-johns for use. There is no seating on the first base side of the field, but just beyond the press box is perhaps the smallest set of bleachers ever created. Consisting of three short rows of benches, they will seat perhaps 9 people if they squeeze together really closely. Fans not wishing to sit in the bleachers will find plenty of room to spread out lawn chairs or blankets. Return on Investment 3 Admission to a Schooners game costs $5 for general admission seating. It feels a little on the high side for this park, but it is not out of line with prices in the NECBL. Many veteran Schooners fans (or should we call them freeloaders?) forego the price of admission by simply bringing their own lawn chairs or blankets and sitting on the hill beyond the outfield fence. By doing this, they are not charged admission, and they enjoy a great view of the action. To me, this seems like a rotten thing to do. The Schooners are not charging an exorbitant price for tickets, and the cost of admission goes entirely towards the running of the team (paying for gas and busses to away games, getting players home after the season, etc.). When your attendance is under 200 fans and there are 50 more sitting in the outfield for free, you are depriving the team of a substantial portion of their budget. This may be the only time you hear a rant from me against looking for the best bargain. Parking is free in the lot located beyond the outfield fence. In the event of a larger crowd, more spaces are available on the opposite side of the school. Food prices are also very low, so going to a Schooners game is a very affordable entertainment option for families in the Mystic area. Extras 1 The Mystic Schooners game day experience is a pretty bare bones one, even by summer collegiate league standards. The team runs a couple of raffles, one for a t-shirt, and the familiar 50/50 raffle. Disappointingly, the players do not participate in these raffles as they do in most other places, and the beleaguered intern running the raffles didn’t start the 50/50 raffle until the 6th inning, not leaving him a whole lot of time to collect money. Fortunately for him, with the small crowds regularly in attendance, it doesn’t take long to circle the park. Final Thoughts The league had a great idea in placing a team in historic and scenic Mystic. Unfortunately, by having the team play in neighboring Groton in an out of the way field, they lose any of the benefits that playing in such a tourist mecca would gain them. Other teams play in high school fields similar to Fitch High School, but those facilities generally have a better location or permanent facilities. Fitch High School has some catching up to do in order to match up with other NECBL facilities. For a team that has played in former minor league ballparks such as Muzzy Field and Waconah Park, this is a huge step backwards. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Richard Smith Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Towson, MD 21286 Goucher Gophers website Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 250 Home Of The Gophers Goucher College is a former all-women’s college located in Towson, Maryland, a northern suburb of Baltimore. The college opened in 1885 as the Women’s College of Baltimore City changed its name to its current name in 1910 and went coed in 1986. Goucher moved to its present suburban location northeast of the county seat of Towson in Baltimore County in 1953. The college is named in honor of its founding member, John Goucher, and his wife, Mary Fisher Goucher. Goucher College is a private co-educational liberal arts college. It was originally affiliated with the Baltimore Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church but currently has no real church affiliation. The college has approximately 1,480 undergraduate students studying in 33 majors and 1,200 students studying in graduate programs. Notable alumni include Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps Margaret G. Kibben, Maryland State Delegate John A. Olszewski, Jr., and frequent John Waters actress Mary Vivian Pearce. Goucher athletic teams are known as the Gophers. The college competes in NCAA Division III as part of the Landmark Conference. The Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center opened in 2021. It is the home of men’s and women’s tennis teams. Funded by a donation from former Goucher registrar Evelyn Dyke Schroedl, the facility features a total of 12 courts, allowing for men's and women's tennis matches to occur simultaneously.  Four courts are lighted allowing for nighttime play. There are also additional recreation courts and a couple of courts that have been transformed into outdoor roller hockey or box lacrosse. Food & Beverage 0 There is no permanent food stand at the tennis center. Fans should make certain to eat before or after the game as this arena is not a good place for food concessions. Atmosphere 4 There are a couple of simple grandstands but most people will just stand and watch the various game actions. There is not much else in terms of atmosphere. There is no PA or scoreboard to keep track of action. Neighborhood 4 The Goucher College campus has been used for a few scenes in the Netflix series House of Cards, so expect to recognize the stone buildings from a few scenes there. Towson is a semi-urban environment with a large shopping mall and numerous restaurants in the area. Try the Charles Village Pub in the heart of downtown Towson for good food and drinks. Some other great options are The Crease, Glory Days Grill, Sushi Hana, and Zia’s. Baltimore is also a quick drive away. Check out the Federal Hill neighborhood, south of the Inner Harbor. There are a few fun restaurants and bars here. Fans 3 There will be very few fans at most meets as the complex is behind the Decker Athletic Center. Expect most fans to be friends or family. Access 4 Goucher is located right off the Baltimore Beltway/I-695. The only negative is that Towson is a busy area and traffic can be bad at some times. The college itself is pretty and quite suburban. You will find plenty of parking close to the complex, although a night game may mean that parking could get tight at times. Return on Investment 5 There is no admission charge so the return on investment is quite good. Extras 2 Goucher College has a little athletics hall of fame located in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center Arena lobby. The pretty little campus is a nice extra in itself. Final Thoughts The Evelyn Dyke Schroedl '62 Tennis Center is not a place you will normally search for an amazing sports experience, but if you happen to be in the area it is a cheap way to enjoy a game of tennis.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Kokomo Municipal Stadium 400 S. Union St. Kokomo, IN 46901 Kokomo Jackrabbits website Kokomo Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 4,000 Setting the Standard in Kokomo Kokomo Municipal Stadium is one of the most prestigious ballparks in the summer collegiate landscape, a stunning 360-degree concourse ballpark features plastic seating, a beer garden, large children’s area, and plenty of grass seating behind the outfield wall that would put a few lower Single-A facilities to shame. The home of the Kokomo Jackrabbits was built at a price tag of $9 million and features a capacity of 4,000. The Rabbits were members of the Prospect League for its first four seasons before switching to the Northwoods League in 2019. The change of leagues offers more home dates (36 compared to 25 dates) and serves as a hub for the three Michigan-based teams and possible future teams in the area. Kokomo had been home to minor league baseball from 1955 to 1961 in the Three-Eye League to both the Dodgers and Giants organizations. The ballpark used for those years was Highland Park Stadium, which still stands to this day, but is nowhere near the standards set by KMS. The club is also known for its colors of brown, yellow, and orange and designs that are similar to early 1980s San Diego Padres uniforms. The club is one of a handful of sports or college teams that embrace the color of brown from caps, jerseys, and t-shirts. The friendly staff, prices, and eye-popping merchandise quickly make the stadium stand out among others in the summer collegiate leagues and each year something a little different occurs to make a visit worthwhile. Food & Beverage 4 There are two main concession stands on both baselines of the main concourse offering the typical ballpark fare. The choices are not too bad and include more than your typical ballpark fare. Hot Dogs and brats have a meat bun-to-meat ratio and can be topped with Stadium Mustard (the official mustard of the Northwoods League). However, there are also burgers, pork tenderloin sandwiches, chicken tenders, nachos, soft pretzels, and popcorn. The are two varieties of fries: waffles and steak, and both are very hot and fresh. A few different choices include pickle fries, mac and cheese bites, and hot pepper bites (fried pepper jack cheese). Domestic beer sells for $7(16-ounce) and $8 (24-ounce), while craft beer selections will cost around a dollar more for 16-ounce servings. If you are not drinking beer, fountain drinks of the Coca-Cola variety are available from $3 to $4 apiece for a 16 or 20-ounce. Also, there is a soda and beer bat for $10 and $12 respectively. In the right-field corner is a party tent with seating for about ten people and offers draft beers, well drinks, ciders, and wine. Multiple tables and chairs near the tent are popular on Thursday nights when all domestic beers are $2 and draft beers are $4. Down the right field line and near the kid zone is the Sweet Tooth portable stand that serves ice cream cones, root beer floats, and fresh popcorn. These are very fair and adequate prices for ballpark cuisine and should be able to satisfy many in attendance. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere feels perfect for a collegiate wood-bat ballpark and for a city that has not gone 54 years without a professional ball club. The game day operations are top-notch with shirt tosses, in-between inning games, dancing carrots on the dugouts, and Jacko the muscular jackrabbit patrolling the stadium — he is one tough hare. There were not a lot of in-between promotions during the game, except for the Zooperstars who were in town and added to the festivities. There was also a U16 baseball team from the Kitcherner, Ontario, area that cheered and commented throughout the game. Finally, the Rabbits have an MC who spearheads the crowd from the dugout and throws out mini baseballs to hype the audience. The Rabbits offer various promotional nights that include Prince & Princesses Night, Star Wars Night, Faith Night, Christmas in July, and Fan Appreciation Night throughout the summer months. From what I was told, some of these nights draw quite well. The merchandise has been a popular staple for the club since its inception and when you wear brown you might get a few eye rolls. That is not the case, as team caps featuring the stylistic K-logo, rabbit eyes, or Jacko have been popular items for fans of all ages. There is a small space near the entrance of the stadium to sell merchandise, but it is somewhat hidden (and not well-marked). The ballpark’s lawn seats pay homage to outfield lawn seats in Indianapolis; this could be a great way to entice nonbaseball fans to enjoy a game by sitting on a blanket under clear blue skies. Unlike many other stadiums, the entire outfield seating section features grass seating that accommodates up to 1,000 patrons. In the right-field corner is an elaborate jungle gym for the children that is protected by a canopy net and features blue protection cushions at the bottom. Like the party tent at the opposite end, this place is heavily populated with younger fans. Neighborhood 2 What you would find in Kokomo is a variety of chain restaurants and retail outlets on the US-31, which is not too far from the stadium. However, if you are looking for a few interesting sites to see or places to eat, then here are a few suggestions. Harvey Hinklemeyers features great pizza and sandwiches – it is also an ideal place for the kids. Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery provides a great stop for a bite to eat or craft beer after the game. The Windmill Grill, B-K Root Beer Stand, or Artie’s Tenderloin are great local choices in town. Be sure to try a tenderloin sandwich – a giant breaded piece of pork that is a deep friend and big enough for two. The ballpark is near the historic Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium , which at one time, was one of the largest high school basketball field houses in the country. The current size is around 5,000 and it still packs a crowd during the high school season. Many locals recommend Dan’s Variety Bakery which opens at 1 AM and features fresh, hot baked donuts. It is a popular destination and is open from 1 AM to 12 PM. Fans 3 The fans at the ballpark appear to be strong supporters of their local nine. Many in attendance are decked out in Jackrabbit gear, while little ones wait impatiently for the elusive foul ball down the right field line. The crowd, which grows as the night wears on, cheers and jests through the trials and tribulations of the Rabbits on the field. However, do not be surprised if the stadium becomes a hotspot during warmer and dryer evenings throughout the summer. Access 4 You will not find directions off the main road to Municipal Stadium – a common feature in many minor and collegiate wood bat leagues. Fortunately, GPS takes you directly to the stadium from US-31. The parking is free on the residential streets that are decked out nicely with flowers and team banners. There are additional parking lots in the back of the outfield walls across the street. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets start at $8/$10 for lawn seats and $11/$13 for dugout seats. A ticket for a Wednesday night game costs $18 and includes a voucher for a hot dog and soda or beer. VIP Tables are available for $180 ($45 a person) and include a buffet offering burgers, hot dogs, brats, and soda. The two main price points are affordable and when you include the money saved on parking and the cost of food should make many customers return to KMS for a game shortly. A hot dog or bunch. of fries cost $3.50 and a tenderloin sandwich is $8. The caps sell for around $29, while beer is $7 for a 12-once domestic. Parking is free for the games and plentiful due to the attendance numbers, but arrive early to secure a spot close to the stadium. Extras 3 The team earns a star for the great-looking logo, team colors, and retro uniforms that are now a classic look to a new generation of millennial baseball fans. A second star is for the beer garden and tent bar in the left field corner, a popular destination for Thursday and weekend games, and a great sport for socialization. The final extra star is for the design and modern comforts of the ballpark that is not your typical summer collegiate facility. A wraparound concourse, children’s play area, outfield lawn seating, and a beer garden make it an impressive facility not only for the league but in the state of Indiana. Final Thoughts Kokomo Municipal Stadium has already raised the bar for new and modern collegiate wood bat league stadiums. Instead of taking a former minor league stadium and retrofitting it for 21st-century comforts, this palace was built from the ground up. KMS has all of the ballpark flare and pizzazz that one would expect for a night out with friends and family. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channel . Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Temple Sports Complex 1228 N 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 Temple Owls website Temple Sports Complex website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 500 Cherry and White Soccer Opened in 2016, the Temple Sports Complex in Philadelphia is home to Temple University's men's and women's soccer teams. Confusingly, the Temple Sports Complex can refer either specifically to the soccer field or to the whole complex which also includes Howarth Field , home to Temple field hockey and lacrosse. For this review, we will just be focusing on the soccer stadium, although many elements are shared by the entire complex. This review will focus on the experience at a Temple women's soccer game, although the experience is likely to be similar to a men's game. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at the Temple Sports Complex, although fans are free to bring their own except alcohol. On a crisp fall day, you will see many fans with coffee cups from Starbucks and other stores. Atmosphere 2 The Temple Sports Complex consists of a few rows of bleachers on one sideline. They are close enough that all seats have an outstanding view of the action. Other than the game itself, there is not a whole lot going on here. As soccer is constant action with no breaks except halftime, that is unsurprising to some extent, but the school does not do a whole lot to promote the experience here. That is disappointing as this is a nice stadium with great views of the action, and could be even better if the school would put some effort into the matchday experience. Neighborhood 3 Temple University is located in North Philadelphia near the intersection of Girard Avenue and Broad Street. Although this was once a very bad neighborhood, it has improved somewhat. There are a few restaurants located right across Girard Street from the complex, including John's Seafood, Crown Fried Chicken, and Angie's Vietnamese Cuisine. The Met Philadelphia, a prominent concert hall, is a short walk away on Broad Street. You will find other options nearby as well, including Larry's Steaks, serving up the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak. Fans 2 Although Howarth Field seats only 500, the Owls are lucky if they draw 200 to a particular match. Most of the fans are friends or family of the players, and while they can get loud at times, for the most part, it is so quiet here, that you can hear everything being shouted on the field. While that can be nice in its own right at times, at least to sports purists, it is not the most conducive to the matchday atmosphere. Furthermore, when Stadium Journey visited, almost half the fans were there to cheer on Temple's opponent, despite it being located halfway across the country. This is not the greatest look for the Owls. Access 4 There are many highways in Philadelphia, so getting into town by car should prove no problem. Once you get to the stadium, you will park about a 5 to 10-minute walk away in the Temple Towers lot. Turn left on 13th Street when you leave the lot and follow the signs to the entrance. Parking costs $20 and you pay by credit card when you exit. Cash is not accepted, so plan accordingly. If you are attending another event in the Temple Sports Complex on the same day, such as a field hockey game, you do not need to pay twice. The $20 will have you covered no matter how long you park, as long as you leave by midnight. The Girard Station on SEPTA's Market-Frankford subway line is also located just around the corner from the Temple Sports Complex, giving an easy opportunity to arrive by public transit. Restrooms are available in a building in between the field hockey and soccer fields, although as numerous signs tell you, you will enter the restrooms from outside the building and are not allowed in the building itself through the main doors. They are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd, even if it gets large. Return on Investment 3 Admission to all Temple field hockey games is free, with the possible exception of American Athletic Conference and NCAA Tournament games. However, if you arrive by car, you will pay $20 for parking, which is a bit much. You can improve the value somewhat by going to a field hockey game in the complex the same day at no additional cost, but this is still a bit on the high end given the matchday experience here. That being said, it is understandable that parking will be expensive in a major city like Philadelphia, and the flat rate for the whole day can either be a plus or a minus depending on how long you plan on staying. . Extras 3 Look for the banners honoring Temple soccer history. There is a marketing table by the entrance with free posters. A third and final star for the chance to see multiple events in the Temple Sports Complex in one day, one at the soccer field and another next door at Howarth Field for field hockey. Final Thoughts The Temple Sports Complex is a gorgeous and intimate place to watch a college soccer game, so it is disappointing that the Owls do not put much of effort into the matchday experience here. That being said, spending a couple of hours watching a soccer game here is still an enjoyable way to spend a fall afternoon, especially for fans of Temple athletics.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Mosaic Stadium 1700 Elphinstone St Regina, SK S4P 2Z6 Canada Saskatchewan Roughriders website Mosaic Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 33,350 New Home for the Roughriders The Regina Rugby Club began playing football in 1910 on a field that would eventually be known as Taylor Field, in honour of Neil “Piffles” Taylor, a key figure in the early days of the team. The team would change its name to the current Saskatchewan Roughriders moniker in 1946. The Riders officially joined the fledgling Canadian Football League in 1958, and have won the Grey Cup four times since then, most recently in 2013. After 106 years at Taylor Field, the Roughriders relocated for the first time in franchise history, in time for the 2017 season. For fans of the Taylor Field location, the good news is that they’ve only moved a couple blocks down – Mosaic Stadium is located to the west of Taylor Field, which will soon be repurposed as a mixed residential-commercial area. Mosaic Stadium is a 21st century facility, so far ahead of its predecessor in terms of design and user-friendliness that making comparisons between the two is an almost completely useless exercise. The new building is the most modern football field in Canada, and can reasonably be thought of as one of the best places to see a CFL game. Food & Beverage 4 There is quite a variety of food kiosks around the concourse, providing something for just about anyone. Have a wander around the concourse and you’ll find the Wok Box, Western Pizza, Rock Creek Tap and Grill, Beer Bros Gastropub, Coney Island Poutine, Lancaster Tap House, and more. The Rock Creek menu also features most of your standard concessions fare, including Cheddar Burgers ($8), Stadium Dogs ($7), and pop ($4.50). Beer is available all around the facility as well – for $9 you can get 16 oz. of Coors Light or Pilsner, and the QC Bar locations, as well as the Wisers stands, also have spirits and other interesting alcoholic options. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, take a visit to WOW Burger (aka. Willow on Wascana) in the northeast corner and try the Wild Boar Burger ($14). Yes, that’s right, made from wild boar! There are also two sit-down restaurants inside Mosaic Stadium – on the suite and club level, west side, is the AGT Lounge, a two-level, upscale dining location with views of the football field, as well as Confederation Park to the west of the stadium. In addition, on the main floor is Harvard’s Studio 620 Lounge, a sports lounge for those who want to enjoy that kind of atmosphere before, during, and/or after the game. Atmosphere 4 Having a lively crowd watching a brand of football that is unequivocally better than the American version means football fans will have fun at the game. Such is the case at Mosaic Stadium – the place is loud and raucous all game long. Looking around, you’ll find tributes to Roughrider greats like Hall of Famers Ron Lancaster and Roger Aldag. There’s also a wall commemorating the team’s four Grey Cup wins, as well as other green-and-white nods to the team’s history. If you’re planning a visit to Mosaic Stadium after August, bundle up – Regina evenings can be downright frigid once fall sets in. The stadium was specifically designed to reduce the effects of cold and snow, including a sunken lower bowl, but if you’re watching in wintery conditions, you will likely be dealing with bitter cold. Plan your visit expecting this kind of weather (or worse) and you should be fine. Neighborhood 3 Mosaic Stadium is located just northwest of Regina’s downtown, and surrounding the facility on three sides is a residential neighbourhood. To the south are train tracks, which separate north Regina from south Regina, and then there is more residential housing, with not much else. As the neighbourhood gentrifies and the Taylor Field area gets redeveloped into mixed-use buildings, however, this is likely to change, with more restaurants and after-game destinations becoming available. For now, however, the pickings for pre- and post-game entertainment are relatively slim. But if you head a couple blocks east of Mosaic Stadium you’ll find yourself on Albert St., the main artery in Regina. If you head north or south on Albert, you’ll find all the usual franchises: Burger King, McDonalds, Robin’s Donuts, and Mr. Sub. However, for anything out of the ordinary, more upscale, or for a lounge, bar, or pub, you’ll likely have to make a longer trip. The good news is that, in a city of about a quarter million people, nothing in the city is more than a 20-minute drive from the heart of town. Fans 5 Saskatchewan Roughriders fans are among the most rabidly dedicated in all of Canada. The Riders are one of only two professional sports teams in the province, and Saskatchewan natives are crazy for their team as a result. Riders fans are so dedicated to their team that they will show up to virtually any sporting event anywhere in their green-and-white gear, regardless of whether the Riders are playing or not – they also have a reputation for wearing watermelons on their heads while watching games. Keep your eyes peeled as you wander through the crowds, and you’ll almost certainly find someone with a watermelon helmet. That said, it should come as no surprise that at least two-thirds of the crowd in the Mosaic Stadium stands are decked out in full-on Roughriders regalia. Moreover, they are loud, fired up, and fully engaged in the game. Noise levels in Mosaic Stadium can routinely get over 100 decibels as the crowd cheers – they truly act as the 13th man for the Roughriders, and not the kind that might cost you a Grey Cup on the last play of the game . The fans are, far-and-away, the best part of taking in a game at Mosaic Stadium. Access 3 Unless you are a season ticket holder, you won’t find any parking at Mosaic Stadium, and the residential neighbourhood the stadium is surrounded by is all permit parking as well, so no luck there either. That said, if you want to drive to the game, you’ll be in for a minimum 15-minute walk. There are a handful of parking lots across the railroad tracks in the downtown core, but this is a bit of a walk as well. You can also find parking in the residential areas to the south and southeast of the stadium, but again, they are a good 15-minute walk away. Your other option is to take a chartered bus or city transit to get to the field. The bus runs up and down Albert St., and there are express buses from four key mall locations that deliver people to Riders games as well. This is by far your best option for getting to and from the stadium. The old Roughriders Stadium had one of the worst concourse areas of any football field in the CFL, making getting around the facility a near impossibility between quarters and after the game. The new structure has addressed this issue, providing wide concourses with much more space to accommodate the 33,000+ fans at each game – this should make claustrophobic fans much happier. However, do be aware that there is one severe bottleneck on the west side of the stadium – just to the north of Harvard’s Studio 620 on the main floor, crowds grind to a halt in a tightly packed mass that is as bad, or worse, than the old facility. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason for this crowd flow issue, but it happens consistently. DO NOT go here before the game, at halftime, or after the game if you can avoid it. Return on Investment 3 Canadian football is always entertaining, so chances are pretty good that you’ll get your money’s worth. With ticket prices starting in the $40 per seat range, the cost is also fairly reasonable. Mix in a great atmosphere, and you have yourself all the pieces for a fun night out. Extras 4 Gainer the Gopher is the team mascot, and he spends his time around the field and in the stands keeping the kids amused. The Riders Cheer Team also helps keep the energy up in Mosaic Stadium between plays with cheers, acrobatics, and routines on the field during timeouts. Prior to games, the Coors Light Party in the Park is held in Confederation Park, to the immediate east of the stadium. This area features lots of family friendly activities, DJ performances, food, and lots more. In several locations around the concourse you’ll find Riders team stores with a selection of Riders apparel and knick-knacks, including the main Team Store on the north end of Mosaic Stadium. Virtually anything you can think of that you can put the Riders logo on can be found here. There is also a humongous video screen located at the south end of the stadium providing images and stats. At 6,844 square feet, it is the largest video board in Canada, and the 45th largest on Earth, as of this writing. There is also another video screen located above the northeast stands for folks on the south end, who can’t get a good look at the main screen. Prior to the game, the 13th Man banner is unfurled in the northwest corner, as a tribute to the positive impact the fans have on Roughriders home games. Also, it’s always nice to see recycling bins at a venue like this, and you can find them throughout Mosaic Stadium.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Lloyd Hopkins Fied 4500 College Ave. Alton, IL 62002 Alton River Dragons website Lloyd Hopkins Field website Year Opened: Unknown Capacity: 2,500 River Dragons Looking to Make their Mark in Alton It has been said that no two ballparks are alike, but many have borrowed elements that have blurred the aesthetics. If you’re looking for a truly different type of venue for baseball, then set your destinations to Alton, Illinois, and Lloyd Hopkins Field. There isn’t quite another place to watch a baseball game in the Prospect League like here. It is the home to the Alton River Dragons, who began operations in 2021 just along the Mississippi River, about 20 miles north of St. Louis. The ball club hopes to attract visitors to the river town with quite a bit of charm and appeal. It is a reminder of a throwback era where towns of all sizes had a baseball team, and the Dragons hope to be here for quite some time. Lloyd Hopkins was a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization who played for them from 1940 to 1942. He went 23-6 in 1941 before heading off to Europe for World War II. He was at the beaches of Normandy and would move up the ranks of the second lieutenant. He would never play professional baseball after the war but would have a stadium named after him due to his sacrifice. The ballpark was dressed upon the arrival of the Dragons, including an all-you-can-eat party deck, concession tables, souvenir stands, 3,000 additional seating, and a new video scoreboard in the right field. Additional team and sponsorship signage are wrapped around the bleachers and fencing, sprucing up the tiny ballpark. Food & Beverage 2 A couple of concession stands offer the basics of hot dogs, burgers, nachos, brats, candy, and other items. However, a few items were unavailable, blackout on the menu board, during our visit to the stadium. The Dragons make up for that with highly affordable prices on alcoholic drinks that include their very own brand of beer called a Radle produced by a nearby Old Bakery Beer Company. City Wide American Pale Ale by 4 Hands in St. Louis and White Claw are other options that are available for $5 each. The ballpark has some great items to snack on; it’s recommended to visit one of the many great eateries in Alton before the game. Atmosphere 3 There’s something different about this stadium, and it reminds me of the town ball stadiums of Minnesota. It has a capacity for 3,000 fans, but it seems much smaller than that. It was never meant to be the home for summer collegiate baseball but will do its best to serve in that capacity for the foreseeable future. There are two party decks on top of each dugout that add a little obvious to the ballpark. This area can be rented for a large group and probably have one of the best spots in the entire ballpark. Protective netting surrounds the suite for fans to enjoy the game without injury. The main grandstand features comfortable plastic bucket seats and is near home plate. It might be one of the closest spots in the league itself. There are more protective netting and two bars that cross each other to hold it up. The rest of the seating is bleacher-style down both foul lines. The stadium has a concession table that offers both t-shirts and caps featuring the stylistic team logo. There is not an adequate amount to choose from compared to other clubs in the league, but perhaps that will improve as the season goes on since a few people in the crowd were wearing items that were out of stock. The stadium has copious amounts of sponsorship banners wrapped around the bleachers to cover up their open spaces. They had a very different touch to the stadium. The video scoreboard in the right field is capable of a lot more than your typical electronic scoreboard. The club also has a Dragon mascot that makes its way throughout the stadium and helps introduce players before the first pitch. Neighborhood 3 Alton has a population of 27,000 along the Mississippi River. The city is known for its limestone bluffs but is also home to multiple restaurants and bars. Visitors may also enjoy riding along the great river road and scenic views of both Illinois and Missouri. The National Great Rivers Museum is open daily, the reproduction of the Piasa Bird painting is northwest of the city, and the Argosy Casino Alton is available for anyone looking for a little luck. The downtown area is worth visiting for its views of the river, turn-of-the-century buildings, and walkable distance to various shops and restaurants. The State Street Market, Big Boys BBQ, The Old Bakery Beer Company, and The Rivers Vedge are a few options for visitors. However, the best spot is just outside of downtown. Fast Eddies Bon Air is nationally known for its appearances inside a 1921 building, originally called the Bon Air. Since 1981, Fast Eddies has been offering grilled food, peel-and-eat shrimp, live music, and an all-around good time. The Big Elwood is a steak kabob, the Salty Pork Kabob, homemade Brat, and red dog are a few tasty options to order at the counter. Fans 2 Rumor at the game was that it was the largest of the young season and hopefully can be the start of something good for the Alton franchise. Visitors packed both main grandstands, and a few took in the option of enjoying the game from the suite decks above each dugout. They appeared to enjoy what they were watching on the field of play. Access 3 The stadium has most of its amenities near one another around the entrance. The covered grandstand may take some squeezing into when the game is packed, but all other points of the ballpark are simple to move around. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to both the left field and right field bleachers are $5 to $8, and reserved seats are $8 to $10 apiece. The party decks are $30 a person and include all-you-can-eat burgers, brats, hot dogs, chips, soda, and beer. However, make sure you are there with a few friends to sit in this area. The beer is affordable at the concession stand at $5, but merchandise options are somewhat limited. The club has a sharp-looking logo and could use a few more options to brand itself to its fanbase. Extras 2 The club has an amazing dragon logo that should sell well, not only in Alton but across the nation. It is also on its beer that is made in town by a local brewery. The city is known for its limestone bluffs but is also home to multiple restaurants and bars. The second point is for the Lloyd Hopkins memorial garden bed at the entrance of the stadium. Final Thoughts Lloyd Hopkins Field was never meant to be a summer collegiate facility, but the organization will make sure they do everything they can to make that happen. The ballpark has its pros and cons in terms of design and amenities, but it also harkens back to what minor league stadiums were like when I was younger. However, there is fun expecting anyone at an Alton River Dragons game. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Joe Louis Arena 600 Civic Center Dr Detroit, MI 48226 Detroit Red Wings Website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 20,066 Demolished: 2019 - 2020 Last Call for The Joe With the 2017-2018 season around the corner, the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League are preparing to move to some shiny new digs. Many believe that this is a necessary move so that the Red Wings can continue to compete on a financial level with the other teams in the NHL. With the impending move to the newly branded Little Caesars Arena, the Red Wings are also preparing to say good-bye to the Joe Louis Arena, one of hockey’s most unique and charismatic facilities to date. What The Joe lacks in amenities and revenue streams, is more than made up with what one of the most special groups of fans in all of sport bring to the atmosphere. The Red Wings ownership are banking on that special atmosphere being brought over to Little Caesars. Built in 1979 and named after the famous boxer, the Joe Louis Arena has been home to one of the richest hockey eras south of the 39th parallel. Affectionately known as Hockeytown, Detroit is a unique market in the United States where a pretty substantial argument can be made that it is a hockey-first market. Owned by the City of Detroit, The Joe is attached to the Cobo Center, the local convention center, probably most famous for hosting the annual International Auto Show. In 1982, the Red Wings, one of the NHL’s “Original Six” franchises, were purchased by Mike Ilitch. The founder and owner of Little Caesars Pizza, Ilitch, who also owns the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball, has long been a proponent of moving business back to downtown Detroit, which continues to struggle. The Red Wings have long been the centerpiece of that strategy with the Joe located right on the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. Any sort of hockey fan needs to ensure that they make a pilgrimage to the Joe Louis Arena while they still can. It would be a shame to miss the last call of The Joe. Food & Beverage 3 Concession options at the Joe Louis Arena are pretty average, but there is enough there to keep fans satisfied. There are a number of main concessions throughout the concourses. There, fans will be able to find the typical arena concessions. Hot dogs ($4.50), sausage, nachos, peanuts, Cracker Jack, popcorn ($3.75), pretzels, chips, ice cream and candy are all available. As expected, the pizza options come from Mike Ilitch’s Little Caesars. The Little Caesars concessions offer a decent selection of pizza in either the regular or deep dish variety. Whole pizzas are also available. The Red Hot Wings concession would also be of interest as they provide a variety of chicken wings. Joe Louis Arena does boast a well-stocked bar area, which is better than the average arena. Beer selections are not over the top, but are decent. Labatt Blue, Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Foster’s, Budweiser and Bud Light are all available in various areas ($7.25/$10). Soft drink options are Coca-Cola products and can be found all over the place ($5.75). Tim Hortons also provides hot options including coffee, hot chocolate and french vanilla cappuccino. Atmosphere 3 Located on the shore of the Detroit River, the Joe Louis Arena is not much to look at from the exterior. Under the maze of highways and monorail tracks, The Joe hides behind the much larger Cobo Center and is pretty much lost with regards to downtown Detroit landmarks. The exterior is covered with grey and red siding and lacks any sort of windows. Fans approaching the Joe Louis Arena will immediately be struck with the number of stairs leading to one of the two main entrances. Inside The Joe, fans are greeted with dark concourses that let in absolutely no natural light. There are a number of things to explore in the concourses for Red Wing fans. A number of murals attempt to brighten up the dank concourses and pillars are decorated with framed pictures of Detroit Red Wing legends as well as murals of important moments in Red Wings history. The trophy case can be found with little effort and there are a ton of historical artifacts to be found within. Decals honoring great Red Wings can also be found on the concourse floors. At the Gordie Howe entrance, fans are greeted with large banners thanking the recently departed Mr. Hockey. Below those banners are the highlights of the concourse area, the bronze statues of the members of the famous Production Line. Ted Lindsay, Alex Delvecchio and Gordie Howe each are memorialized in a unique fashion. Inside the seating bowl fans are treated with a sea of red-leather stadium seats. The single concourse empties to a double bowl, with staircases heading to the upper level. The ice surface is aligned in an east-west configuration. The north side of the arena is the best spot to be if you want a great picture with the Hockeytown logo at center ice. Above the ice surface, the rafters are absolutely littered with red and white championship banners. These include the eleven Stanley Cup championship banners which were earned in 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. The Red Wings do push the envelope a bit by raising banners for achievements that no other team in the NHL recognizes, including the best record in the conference and division at the end of the regular season. A banner for the Presidents Trophy as the team that finishes the regular season with the best record will often be right beside a banner exclaiming the best record in the conference. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood surrounding the Joe Louis Arena is not the greatest as many would expect from downtrodden Detroit, however there are a number of items that may be of interest to fans visiting. The Joe is located right on the shores of the Detroit River, immediately south of the Cobo Center, Detroit’s convention center, in the Fort/Cass neighbourhood, just south of downtown proper. It is definitely hidden from those just driving by and the new location for Little Caesars Arena will provide a more visible locations, close to other Detroit sports venues. There are a few spots along the way for fans to catch a pre or post game meal. In the immediate area the Signature Grille, Cobo Joe’s and London Chop House may be of interest. However, fans who are willing to make a bit of a walk will want to consider Cheli’s Chili Bar and Hockeytown Cafe. Both offer an atmosphere that is extremely connected to the Red Wings and are worth checking out. However, as expected, both are very popular for game days. Fans looking for other sporting options will not be disappointed in the area. Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers play at nearby Comerica Park and the National Football League’s Detroit Lions play at Ford Field. Fans who want to pair a basketball game with a Red Wings game will have to head out to Auburn Hills for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. However, the Pistons will be joining the Red Wings in their new home at Little Caesars Arena for the 2017-2018 season. Otherwise, a closer option would be on the campus of the University of Detroit Mercy where college basketball’s Detroit Titans play in Calihan Hall on a court named after Dick Vitale. In the immediate area of The Joe is of course the Cobo Center, which hosts a number of events, probably most famously the International Auto Show. The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame can be found there also. Unless there is another function happening at the Cobo Center, fans are able to walk through to get to The Joe. One of the highlights of the walk would be the large bronze statue of Joe Louis himself. Other options in the nearby area would include shows at the Fox Theater or heading to Greektown to the casino. There are a couple of spots to stay in downtown Detroit for fans that are interested. Both the Holiday Inn Express and Crowne Plaza can be found within walking distance. Fans 5 What makes the Detroit Red Wings a truly special experience is the fans. Hockey has some pretty ardent fan bases. Any Original Six franchise is usually a pretty special spot to catch a game, but the fans in Detroit are unique. They become as much a part of the experience as the players. The Joe boasts over 250 consecutive sellouts. With a capacity of over 20,000 fans, that is a significant achievement. In the past three seasons, the Red Wings have ranked in the top four in home attendance and have averaged over 20,000 fans every season. Red Wing fans may not be over the top noisy like Montreal Canadiens or Chicago Blackhawks fans, but when the time is right they get VERY loud. A Red Wings goal in the first period elicits the same reaction and decibel level as a goal in the third period and if a fight breaks out on the ice, the roof is blown off the Joe Louis Arena. Red Wing fans will continue singing songs long after the play has begun and the audio system has stopped playing the song. They are intelligent and no fan base wears the home jersey in the sheer numbers that they do in Detroit. Access 3 Getting to the Joe Louis Arena is usually not too difficult. Although it is located right on the banks of the river, amidst a maze of elevated highways and public transit tracks, it is located close to interstate highways I-375 and I-75 as well as the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. For fans interested in public transportation to get to the game, the Detroit People Mover has a stop right at the Joe Louis Arena. See the Detroit People Mover website for maps, fares and schedules. In the immediate surrounding area, there are a number of parking options. As with many big city cases, consider pre-purchasing parking, especially if you are new to the area. The Southeast and Gordie Howe gates are both preceded by large staircases. Considering the proximity to the river, and cold Detroit winters, this was probably not the greatest idea ever. Steps can get slippery and railings are a must. The concourses in the Joe Louis Arena are dark and can get congested at times. The washroom situation is very convoluted and can get crowded. The best option is to look for the washrooms on the outside edge of the concourse that are up the stairs. Return on Investment 4 There is decent value in seeing a Detroit Red Wings hockey game. As with most teams, ticket prices will fluctuate. The general range is from $255 to $40 per game. There are some bargains still available, but expect a big increase next season with the move to Little Caesars. As far as the fan cost index, the Red Wings fair very well in the NHL as the 20th most expensive option, well below the NHL average. What makes the dollar value worth it is the unique atmosphere inside the JLA seating bowl, and one of the best fan bases in all sport. Extras 3 An extra mark for the final season at Joe Louis Arena. An extra mark for the monument to boxing great Joe Louis which can be found in the Cobo Center. An extra mark for being Hockeytown and possibly the one “Hockey-First” city in the United States. Final Thoughts Take the opportunity to get to the Joe Louis Arena while you still can. Time is running out on the final season and it would be a shame for any hockey enthusiast to miss out on seeing this Original Six team where Steve Yzerman brought them back to glory. The 2017-2018 season will definitely be different for the Red Wings and the ownership is banking on that special fan base heading north to the new arena after the Last Call at the Joe.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Retama Park 1 Retama Pkwy Selma, TX 78154 Retama Park website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 15,000 A Day at the Races There’s something special about a racetrack. The electricity of the crowd; the majestic beauty of a fine racehorse; the air of hope that permeates the atmosphere with each race as everyone with a ticket is sure they’ve got themselves a winner. Yes sir, there is something truly special about a racetrack. Just outside the San Antonio city limits, in the town of Selma lies Retama Park. Constructed to mimic the Spanish colonial style reminiscent of “old world” racing venues like Santa Anita and Del Mar in California, the 2016 season marks the 21st racing season at the track. Retama Park, which has turf and track surfacing, enters into its fourth under new ownership and management, it has repositioned itself as a must-visit attraction. Food & Beverage 4 Like most great sporting venues, Retama Park has a nice selection of all the traditional favorites including hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, sodas ($1.50), and domestic beer (starting at $5). There is also a specialty Tex-Mex stand on the turf level. Once you get through the main entrance, you are greeted by the wafting smells of grilling hamburgers (starting at $5) and hot dogs (starting at $2). The burgers are some of the best around. Also on hand is the tasty Pepito’s Italian Ice (in a variety of flavors for $5). This stand’s frozen, sweet treats are a perfect complement to a hot summer night at the track. Inside and upstairs, first on the Grandstand Level, that’s when the food options really start to expand. At the Terrace Level, you will find more of the traditional fare and also the Sports Bar. Chicken wings, grilled chicken salads, and specialty sandwiches are all on the menu. As the name would imply, a full complement of beer and alcoholic spirits are available. Be warned though, this is one of the most popular spots in the track and it fills up fast. On the Terrace Level and at the Private Suite Level, the fare gets even better. Both offer spectacular, all you can eat, carved prime rib dinners ($22.95 on the clubhouse level and $39.95 on the press box level). Both of these areas offer exclusive seating; once you have paid for your dinner, your table and unique view of the track is yours for the entire night. Atmosphere 5 Whether you’re a seasoned handicapper of horses or a first time visitor, you will enjoy your visit to Retama Park. Every weekend during the live-racing season (mid June until November), there are special events for patrons of the track. These range from a Comic Con Night to Family Nights (complete with a petting zoo and food and drink specials). These events feed into the overall atmosphere of the track. A highlight for visitors of all ages is a trip to the horse paddock. Before each race, the horses are brought into their stalls for a rub down before being walked to loosen them up. It’s a great chance to get up close and personal to these magnificent animals. Another unique offering of the track is the Fan Education area. For no cost aside from admission, you can sit in and listen as the track’s resident handicapper walks you through the betting process, answers your questions, and bets right alongside you (should you be so inclined). This free education eliminates one of the main barriers that some have for visiting the track. In 2015, a new merchandise stand was set up near the main entrance to purchase Retama Park related apparel and accessories. One of the best features of the track is the seating. Whether you sit outside in the open seating near the track, up against the fence, or in some of the clubhouse seating, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Neighborhood 3 Retama Park lies outside of San Antonio proper. It is built in a former industrial area and is set by itself on land adjacent to I-35. However, while it has no “immediate” neighbors, just up the highway is The Forum at Olympia Parkway, a very family friendly shopping center. The Forum is home to large chain stores such as Target, Kohl’s, Toys R Us, and Best Buy, among others. Similarly, a vast number of family-style eating establishments are available ranging from fast food places like Chick-fil-A and Subway, to sit down establishments like Red Robin, Chili’s Bar & Grill, and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Heading out the other direction from Retama Park, up Lookout Road, within 10 minutes you will be able to visit Rolling Oaks Mall, which is a mid-sized shopping mall complete with a number of national shopping and dining chains. With Retama Park being so close to I-35, you can hop on and head south and be at San Antonio’s lively downtown in 15-20 minutes or head north and visit the quaint German town of New Braunfels or even, ultimately, be in Austin within an hour. Fans 5 I think it is fair to say that the best part of the overall experience at Retama Park are the fans. The track is open 364 days out of the year (closed on Christmas Day) and there are a group of hardcore, serious racing enthusiasts who will be there waiting at the gate for the track to open all 364 of those days. You will see some “colorful” characters on the Track and Grandstand Levels, especially by the TV banks and near the betting windows. You will see men and women in their lucky shirts or hats, carrying their lucky charms, and engaging in “track banter.” The fans make the track truly something special. Access 4 There are two main access points to Retama Park: I-35 and Lookout Road. I-35 spans the entire city of San Antonio, from north to south and continues. It also connects to every major highway and loop in the city, so you can be virtually anywhere in San Antonio from Retama Park in 30 minutes. Lookout Road connects to another large thoroughfare, Nacogdoches Road. This road also travels a large portion of the city, north to south. One point of emphasis should be noted; the area of I-35 where Retama Park lies will experience larger than normal amounts of traffic at most times of the day. Loop 1604 intersects with I-35 just south of the track. This often causes traffic to stack up, so be prepared. Return on Investment 4 The cost for admittance to Retama Park, which opens every day 10:30am, is $5 during live racing season and $2 the rest of the year; children 12 and under get in free. Parking is free (or you can go big and valet your car for $8). A racing program, if you’re looking to gamble or if you just want a nice souvenir, is $3 and you can eat and drink very well on $10-$20 per person (or even cheaper on $1 nights, which run the entire summer). Where else can you spend as little as $5 for an event and walk away, conceivably, with thousands of dollars? Only at a good race track, and Retama is just that. Extras 4 The fans, the atmosphere, the relative affordability of every amenity, the excitement of the crowds, all of these make Retama a great venue to enjoy, either for a single person or a whole family. Getting the chance to see the majestic horses up close in the paddock or along the fence line, is sure to tug at the heartstrings of kids of any age. Couple these perks with the free fan education forum, the theme nights (Mardi Gras Night is particularly enjoyable), and the chance to mingle with a crowd of interesting people, and you’ve got a truly special sporting venue. As part of the upgrades that the new ownership (Pinnacle Entertainment) have brought in has been to fully integrate the venue with free wifi. A new pari-mutuel betting app is also available for those who have their lucky spot and don’t want to vacate it to visit a betting window. Final Thoughts For casual horse racing fans, first time visitors, or dyed-in-the-wool track folk, you are guaranteed to enjoy your day or evening at Retama Park. The classic old style look, the electricity of a close horse race, the food and drink options, and the beauty of the horses themselves all harken back to a time when horse racing was the sport of kings. You can capture that feeling-and maybe win a little walking around money-with a day or night at the races. If you’re in San Antonio or even Austin, do yourself a favor and plan a visit to Retama Park. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Ethan Stone, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Smokies Stadium 3540 Line Dr Kodak, TN 37764 Tennessee Smokies website Smokies Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 6,412 America’s Friendliest Ballpark The Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies will play at Smokies Stadium through at least the next four seasons, until 2025. It was officially announced after being rumored that the Smokies would be moving closer to Knoxville, with their current living situation residing in Kodak, Tennessee – about a 30-minute drive from the scruffy city. It’s a bittersweet reality for Smokies fans. Knoxville promised a state-of-the-art facility in the downtown area for the Smokies, but it's hard to pack up and leave what has been positioned as “America’s Friendliest Ballpark.” Smokies Stadium opened in 2000 and was last renovated in 2015. It sits among the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and is a popular visit for all baseball lovers in the area. Food & Beverage 5 Smokies Stadium does a good job of using its space to its advantage. The main concourse level is packed with vendor carts, concession queues, and even a sit-down area beyond the left outfield. Most importantly, each of these food areas are different, offering unique options not often found at a double-a ballpark. The concourse features a “Chicago Corner” with Windy City grub, a Papa Johns down the first base lines, and a pair of Dippin Dots carts on either side of the park. The two main concession areas are cheap and offer a good variety of Nachos, popcorn, hot dogs and more of the usual ballpark snacks. The popcorn is excellent and every concession area serves Pepsi products as well as Cheerwine, both bottled and fountain. Unfortunately, the hot dogs, the staple food of America’s pastime, are below average. Truly, it was difficult to find many negatives apart from slightly, below-average hot dogs. The stadium sells alcohol, both beer and liquor with a few stands throughout the stadium for different drinks that are themed towards Sevier County’s Moonshine production, as well as Ole Smoky Moonshine Company. Atmosphere 5 Within the park, quality is an understatement. There’s truly not a bad seat in the house, with those behind the infield being in green stadium seating and bleachers the further out you go down either baseline. Cupholders in front of you are a plus so you don’t have to put your drink on the ground. There is also outfield seating and a slight hill leading up to a walkway that outlines the park. The field has relatively small dimensions for a Double-A park, with centerfield being just 400 feet from home plate. Because of this, that outfield hill is the perfect place to camp out for a home run ball. Smokies Stadium offers box suites that include fully furnished rooms, indoor and outdoor seating, and a buffet. While there isn’t a bad seat in the house, the view from the top of the Stadium is certainly the best. Neighborhood 4 “Smokies” is an appropriate name. The park’s outfield backdrops on a hill with well-kept trees, and to the South of the stadium is its namesake – the Smoky Mountains. Kodak is about 30 minutes outside of Knoxville and an excellent appetizer for what is the beauty of East Tennessee. The Stadium is located just off the 1-40 exit and has plenty of restaurants such as Cracker Barrel, Flapjacks, and Checkers. Just about five miles down the road is Pigeon Forge with a strip of tourist destinations, as well as The Island, which is similar to a boardwalk at a beach. There are three hotels within walking distance, including one directly next to the main parking area. Fans 4 Stadium Journey’s visit was an early season Sunday afternoon and the stands were still half full. Smokies baseball is a staple for many around the Knoxville area – ask anyone in the park and it isn’t their first time at Smokies Stadium. It’s a fair assessment to say around 2,000 to 3,000 fans regularly attend each game, with Friday and Saturday nights seeing upper 4,000-5,000. Access 3 While Smokies Stadium is right off the interstate, busy gamedays are often a headache to navigate. The stretch from the off-ramp to the parking area is often backed up because there are only a few entrance points. However, on normal game days, it is a surprisingly easy and painless process. Parking is only $5 and the employees keep up the “America’s Friendliest Ballpark” theme as well. The drive from the nearest airport is a long one, too. The nearest major airport is located in Alcoa, which is a 45-minute commute through a sometimes congested Knoxville area. Return on Investment 5 Best available seats often sell for 20 dollars or less on mainstream sites, concessions are cheap and there’s often a good product on the field. With Sevierville and other tourist attractions nearby, it’s easily one of the better investments any baseball fan could make. Cheap tickets go for as low as $8. All in all, a family of four could walk away from Smokies Stadium having spent less than $75-100 dollars on the afternoon. Extras 4 Near the front entrance is a sign pointing to the rest of the stadiums of the Chicago Cubs’ minor league affiliates. There are also plaques throughout the park commemorating the player who made it to The Show that passed through Kodak on the way. There is a very nice fan shop with a good selection of Smokies and Cubs gear as well. Final Thoughts It’s been said before, but the “America’s Friendliest Ballpark” is a fitting slogan. Everybody, from the fans to the event staff, is friendly, helpful, and passionate about the game. Go, while you can, see a game at Smokies Stadium if ever you’re around Knoxville.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Adams State Baseball Field 600-698 Stadium Dr Alamosa, CO 81101 Adams State Grizzlies website Adams State Baseball Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 400 Between San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains Located in the southern part of the state, Alamosa, CO sits in the picturesque San Luis Valley between the dramatic San Juan Mountains to the west and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east. Adams State University makes its home in downtown Alamosa with beautiful buildings and tree lined walkways. After a thirty year hiatus, the Adams State Grizzlies baseball team began play in their newly constructed (2013) Adams State Baseball Field adjacent to the lacrosse/soccer and softball fields. The Grizzlies baseball team play in the RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference), a Div II NCAA member. The team made it to the RMAC tournament in 2015 but has not seen a whole lot of success in its short existence. If weather holds out and it’s a nice warm weekend afternoon, watching a Grizzlies baseball game is enjoyable. Not baseball related but if the Adams State University name sounds familiar… in recent news (April, 2017) Adams State signed the first female football player to a scholarship at the Div II level. Food & Beverage 2 Freshly grilled burgers ($2), hot dogs ($1) and hot links ($2) are the main choices for food at a Grizzlies game and they sure look delicious. Bundle one of those with chips and a drink (water/soda) for a total of $3 and an extremely affordable lunch can be had at the ballpark. Candy is available for a $1. Atmosphere 3 Adams State University Baseball Field is more or less a typical RMAC Div II ball field where the entertainment is the game. Seating consists of three rows of green fold-down stadium seats in front of the press box behind home plate, seven rows of elevated metal bleachers on the third base side and five rows of metal bleachers on the first base side. No handrails are available for the bleacher seating. Some fans bring lawn chairs and park themselves under the third base bleachers. A gorgeous view of snow capped Blanca Peak Mountain can be seen from the third base side. A net surrounds the entire infield area. The field consists of synthetic grass and dirt. The home side is third base while visitors are on the first base side. The bullpens are not on the field and are beyond the end of both baselines. Some fans back their pickup trucks up, fold down the tailgate and watch the game from beyond the left field wall. No lights are at the field, so only day games are played here. Several daytime doubleheaders occur throughout the season. The scoreboard resides in left field and has the basic line score: runs, hits, errors, balls, strikes, outs, and the player number at bat. Music is played during the call of the starting lineups and over other announcements made throughout the game (a pet peeve of mine); the Grizzlies have walk up songs which are not played too loud. Neighborhood 4 Downtown Alamosa and where the university resides is a small, walkable town with many things just a few miles distance. Be sure to stop by the Visitor’s Center located in the historic Alamosa Train Depot on State Ave and 6th St. They treat visitors remarkably well. One of the biggest draws to the area are the Great Sand Dunes located about 30 min from Alamosa. Another attraction is the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad excursion train but those don’t start until after the end of the college baseball season. The Rio Grande River runs just behind the outfield wall of the ball field and plenty of hiking and riding trails are available in the area. In town is the San Luis Valley Museum or see a show at the Creede Repertory Theatre or the Adams State University Xperimental Theatre. For places to eat, I’d recommend the San Luis Brewing Company, a brewpub with small batch brews and a full menu located right downtown. Several hotels are nearby including the Best Western Alamosa Inn, Grizzly Inn Motel, and the Valley Motel. Fans 3 Fans are mostly friends, family and alumni. More students showed at the game of this review than other RMAC baseball fields I’ve attended. The biggest and loudest fan base are the players themselves. Access 3 Alamosa is about almost a four hour drive southwest from Denver, CO and about a three and a half hour drive north of Albuquerque, NM. A small regional airport offers minimal flights to Denver or Albuquerque. I did not notice any public transportation in the city. Once getting to the ball field, parking is on the street in the neighborhood, though that area can be foul ball targets. A safer choice is to park at the domed high altitude indoor practice training center at the corner of Sunset Dr and Stadium Dr and walk a short block to the field. The entry area is a hard dirt surface which may cause fans in wheelchairs some extra work. Fans using wheelchairs or walkers should sit in front of the press box as that is paved and has space, though I did not notice any specific section for handicapped seating. Return on Investment 4 All seats are general admission (sit where you want) and there is no charge for attending a ball game at ASU Baseball Field. Concessions are extremely reasonable and there’s no fee for parking. The ball team has had its struggles this 2017 season but even so, if it’s a warmer weekend, taking in a game (or two) is a great way to pass an afternoon. Extras 1 A roster sheet is available which includes not only the players’ names but also an almost up-to-date stat sheet of the players from both teams. Final Thoughts Even if you don’t get to a baseball game, Alamosa and the San Luis Valley are tremendous places to visit, especially for outdoor activities. Getting to see a game is just an added bonus if a fan of baseball.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Goodison Park Goodison Rd Liverpool, England L4 4EL United Kingdom Everton FC website Goodison Park website Year Opened: 1892 Capacity: 40,157 Glorious Goodison, Home of “The Toffees” Originally featured 3/28/2016 Goodison Park, home to Everton F.C, has hosted more top flight English football games than any other club. It first became the home of “The Toffees” in 1892 and is one of the world’s first purpose built stadiums. Before the move to Goodison Park, Everton played on an open pitch at Stanley Park. Nowadays, Stanley Park is a destination where Liverpool wants to construct their new stadium. It had been suggested that Everton and Liverpool would share a stadium at Stanley Park; however, the fans hated the idea and was quickly dismissed. Goodison Park, located in Walton, Liverpool, has a capacity of 40,157 and is referred to by fans as “The Grand Old Lady.” Over the years, Goodison Park has undergone development and is now an all-seater stadium. Food & Beverage 3 At Goodison Park, the food options and quality are nothing special. However, is still appetising and is priced fairly. As expected at Everton, and football stadiums in general, the variety of food is limited, with meal deals (pie and a pint) pricing at £5.90. The pies on offer include cheese and onion, Scouse pie, and Steak pie, all priced at £2.50. In addition to this, a kid’s drink, crisps, sausage roll, and a Milky Way would cost you £4.00, which is a very good price! Also, a chocolate bar and hot drink would cost you £2.90. Lager is on sale at £3.60 for a 600mL bottle, though alcohol stops being served 15 minutes prior to kick off. Like all football stadiums, the queues at halftime can get very bad, so I advise to eat and drink prior to the match. Although the food and beverage options are decent, I feel Everton could introduce the hot dog and a stadium burger. Most of the options are just plain pastries, so a nice juicy burger or hot dog would be nice. The only other option is to eat in the city centre, because other than a few burger stands, there is nowhere to eat near the ground. Atmosphere 4 Everton, when playing well, can have Goodison Park rocking. As it is a tight, enclosed, and old fashioned stadium, no noise escapes. When playing the “big teams”, the roar of the crowd can drive the team to a win. When playing on TV, the commentators have described the stadium as “shaking”, which can only mean good things! However, the atmosphere is at its best when Everton host Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby in one of the most fierce rivalries in world football. If you are a first time visitor, this is not the game to come and witness, as a lot of trouble is caused, and the intensity is off the scale! Whatever game you go and watch, though, the noise made is very good. Neighborhood 3 A person visiting Liverpool wouldn’t think it’s the nicest and friendliest places to visit, and to be honest, it isn’t the most touristic of places, either. However, outside the stadium, it’s a very safe environment, with police manning the streets. I’m not saying it’s some kind of glorious environment, but overall, the area is fine and shouldn’t stop you visiting. Fans 4 I have to admit Everton have got one of the best core of fans in the Premier League. The fans, nicknamed “The Evertonians,” sell out Goodison Park every week. Additionally, the noise made by The Evertonians is unbelievable and are known to be the 12th man. I can only say good things about this set of fans who haven’t seen silverware in 17 years, but boy do they keep their optimism! In 2005, the club reached the Champions League group stage for the first time ever. This was a huge achievement and was a special moment for the fans. Despite being knocked out, the fans were rewarded four years later, where they enjoyed a trip to Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately, they saw their team lose 2-1 to Chelsea in the 2009 FA Cup Final. However, like all fans, they completely change during a grudge match. The fans are very hostile when welcoming Liverpool and Manchester United to Goodison Park. There was a particular incident a couple of years ago where a group of Everton fans hijacked a Liverpool fan’s car when travelling home from a derby match. This is just the culture of derby matches in English football, and to be true, this rarely happens. Access 4 Everton is easily accessible via car, bus, or train. From the M6, you would exit at Junction 26 and continue towards the end. Then, at the gyratory, turn left and join the M57 Junction 7. After, join the M56 at junction 4 and then turn right at the A580. From then on, the ground is well signposted and easily reached. Also on the car front, many parking spaces are allocated less than half a mile away at Stanley Park. This would cost you £5.00 and is approximately a 15 minute walk from the ground. When travelling by train, I would advise to get off at Sandhills. You would benefit from this, as a bus station is located just outside the station providing you with a service directly to the stadium. A bus fare would set you back about £2.00 from the station. Return on Investment 5 Although the ticket prices are fairly expensive, the quality and experience of the match is superb at Goodison. An adult in the family enclosure costs £35 and £20vfor a junior. However, if I were you, I would pay that little extra and go and sit at the “top balcony” in the “Goodison Road End” stand. These are arguably the best seats in the house, and you can experience the match at a high and side view. If you’re not one for heights, it’s not the place to sit, as it is the tallest part of the stadium. For an adult it would cost £43, junior £20, and OAP £26. The ticket prices are often slashed by half price when the fixture is either an F.A or Capital One Cup fixture. The standard of the Premier League football is the best in the world, and with Everton playing attractive football at the moment, the return on investment is brilliant. Extras 4 As expected, a club shop is located just outside the stadium and programmes are on sale for £3.00. Additionally, I was very impressed with the statue of Dixie Dean that was erected in 2001. Dixie was a club legend, scoring 349 goals for the club. This is a fitting way to commemorate him. With Everton being one of the best clubs in Britain, they have an exciting bunch of young players. Record signing Marouane Fellaini has been in scintillating form recently and is considered one of the best players in European football. Also, Everton have two classy and experienced centre backs in Phil Jagielka and Phil Neville, and a highly rated shot stopper, and United States national team keeper, in Tim Howard. Finally, a special report was done on Goodison Park on Halloween as it is considered haunted. Personally, I find this quite cool and I give credit to Everton for letting Sky Sports do this. If wanting to know if Goodison Park is haunted, a usual stadium tour is on offer at £10.00 an adult and £5.00 for a child. Final Thoughts Is it worth visiting Goodison Park? Yes, definitely. Not only would you be visiting one of the most historic stadiums in English football, the quality of the game would be fantastic. Goodison Park is a superb destination to watch football and I highly recommend that you visit!

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Clearview Federal Arena at RMU Island Sports Center 7600 Grand Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15225 Robert Morris Colonials men’s hockey website Clearview Federal Arena at RMU Island Sports Center website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 1,200 Colonels are No Longer Skating on Thin Ice Robert Morris University is a private school in Moon Township, PA near the Pittsburgh International Airport. The school has an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students. It is especially known for its business and mathematics programs. The school’s athletic teams are known as the Colonials. The hockey program at Robert Morris University is relatively young, as the program started in 2004. It has been very successful on the ice, as they earned the AHA Tournament title in 2014 and the AHA regular season titles in 2015 and 2016. They have been to the NCAA Hockey Tournament twice. The team now plays in the Atlantic Hockey League. Other schools in the league include Air Force, Army, Bentley, Canisius, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, Niagara, RIT, and Sacred Heart. In 2021 the RMU hockey program was discontinued due to financial hardships in the athletic programs at the school. RMU has always had a competitive disadvantage against other AHA teams, as most of its competition either plays in on-campus arenas or in professional rinks that feature many more amenities.  Alumni and the school started a Hockey is the Goal Fund to get the program back up and running again. This campaign included pledges from alumni and students, special events, and recruitment of corporate sponsorships. The campaign was a huge success, and the program returned to the ice in time for the 2023-2024 season. The home of the RMU hockey program is the off-campus RMU Island Sports Center on Neville Island. It is located 6 miles east of the RMU campus. The facility opened in 1998 and RMU bought it in 2004 to house its brand-new hockey program. The facility has two rinks, with the Colonials playing in the Clearview Federal Arena section of the complex. The arena has bench seating for 1,200 fans, Food & Beverage 4 Concession services for Colonial’s hockey games are provided by the IceHouse Bistro. It offers a full line of Starbucks coffee products, as well as a better-than-average set of concession stand fare. Fans looking for more than a snack can get grilled cheese sandwiches ($7), quesadillas ($7), 1/3 hamburgers ($10), chicken sandwiches ($10), a chicken tenders’ basket ($11), cheesesteak sandwiches ($14) or an Impossible burger ($14). These orders all include an order of fries. Lighter far include popcorn ($3), chips ($3), pretzels ($4), fries ($4), nachos ($5), cheese pizza slice ($3), pepperoni pizza slice ($4) and salads ($8). The RMU Island Sports Center sells Pepsi brand sodas ($5) and water ($4). Atmosphere 3 As you enter Clearview Federal Arena, the seating is only on one side of the rink. It is bench seating and offers clear views of the action on the ice, as the team benches are on the opposite side of the ice. The Colonials logo is prominently featured at center ice and there are several signs on the walls identifying the rink as being the Clearview Federal Rink and as being RMU’s home ice. The walls also include banners from each of the Atlantic Hockey League schools as well as banners from each of the Colonials championship seasons. There are simple scoreboards at each end of the ice.   Neighborhood 3 The immediate neighborhood surrounding the RMU Island Sports Center is limited due to the fact it is on a small island in the middle of the Ohio River. However, the Fairfield Inn and Suites has a property on Neville Island, which is within walking distance of the Sports Center. Carmody’s Grille offers a convenient dining choice on the island. It serves pub fare and has an extensive set of craft beers to choose from. The North Shore and Downtown areas of Pittsburgh are just a short drive SE of Neville Island. Attractions in those areas include the Andy Warhol Museum the Carnegie Science Center and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Fans 4 After the near-death experience with the hockey program, the RMU fan base has come out with a burst of support for the skating Colonials. The fans saved the program through the Hockey is the Goal fundraisers, and they continue to show their support by filling the 1,200 seats at the RMU Island Sports Center. The student section, the Colonial Crazies, can be counted on to make the short drive over to Neville Island to show their support for the program. While hockey does not lend itself to the usual cheerleader-led cheering section, the Crazies are very knowledgeable about the game and know when to cheer for a good play, a successful penalty kill, or a terrific stop by the goalie. Access 3 The RMU Island Sports Center is located nine miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh and 5.5 miles east of the Robert Morris campus. It is located on Neville Island, which is in the middle of the Ohio River. The Center can be reached via I-79 and the Yellow Belt. Directions from the RMU main campus: Go east on University Boulevard. Turn right onto PA 51. Turn left onto the Coraopolis Bridge. Turn left at Grand Avenue. Directions from Downtown Pittsburgh:  Take I-279N to exit 1B-C and bear left onto PA 65 N. Go 8.7 miles. Take the exit on the right for I-79 S. At exit 65 head right on the ramp for PA 51 (Neville Island). Turn left at Grand Avenue. The Island Sports Center will be on your right. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Colonials hockey game at the RMU Island Sports Center will not burn a hole in your pocket. Season tickets are only $125. Single game tickets for General admission are $10, Youth/Seniors/Faculty/Staff/Military are $5, and RMU students are free with student ID.   Parking at the Island Sports Center is free. As long as you stick to the lighter fare at the IceHouse Bistro, the food prices are quite reasonable. Full meals tend to be pricier than average. Extras 4 Robert Morris University served as the host school for the 2013 Frozen Four Tournament. Games were held at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. More than 60 RMU hockey players have gone on to play professional hockey. In addition to the RMU hockey program, the RMU Island Sports Center has an indoor driving range, a miniature golf course, rowing facilities, and track and field training facilities. The Pro Shop at the RMU Island Sports Center carries a full inventory of RMU hockey swag gear, as well as a great of Pittsburgh Penguins merchandise. Final Thoughts The RMU Colonials hockey program is back on solid ice after a two-year absence. The stands are once again filled with Colonial Crazies as the team is happy to be back on its home ice at the Clearview Federal Arena of the RMU Island Sports Center.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Joan Perry Brock Center 201 High Street Farmville, VA 23901 Longwood Lancers website Joan Perry Brock Center website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 3,000 Brockin' it in Farmville Located on the campus of Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, the Joan Perry Brock Center is one of the newest basketball arenas in Division I, having opened in November of 2023. Home to Lancers basketball, this 3,000-seat arena replaced Willett Hall , which was aging and unsuited for Longwood once they made the move to Division I. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands at the JPBC, which serve an identical menu, so go with whichever one has a shorter line. Despite being a new arena, the options are somewhat limited and include Chick-fil-A sandwiches ($7), hot dogs ($4), nachos ($5), and pretzels ($4). Chips, candy, and popcorn are also available, as are fountain soda, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. There are also combo meals available to bring down the price. Atmosphere 4 The Joan Perry Brock Center has a unique architectural style, resembling a cathedral or old southern mansion more than a basketball arena. With white walls and arched glass windows, the JPBC is unlike most modern arenas and is instantly recognizable. The arena seats only 3,000 fans, with most of the lower sideline seats reserved for season ticket holders, although there are a few single seats that are available for purchase. Otherwise, you can sit in the corners, behind the basket, or in the 200-level seats, which involve walking up from the concourse rather than down but are still extremely close to the action. Every seat here is close to the action - it's a small, intimate arena, much like Willett Hall was, but far more modern. The Lancers have a pep band known as the Stampede, as well as cheerleaders, a dance team, and a mascot named Elwood who is a horse. The pep band plays during breaks in the action, not just typical pep band songs but also music you would expect to come out of an organ at a baseball game rather than a pep band in college basketball (think the "CHARGE" music). Neighborhood 3 Farmville is a quaint, small town, and while it’s in the middle of nowhere, there is still plenty to do here. Although there are typical chain places, your best bet is to check out the local color at places such as Walker’s Diner or Riverside Café, both of which are very close to the stadium. Everything in Farmville is very close to the arena because it’s a very small town. Just head off campus and turn onto Main Street and just about everything will be right there. Fans 4 Although officially almost all the lower level seats are sold to season ticket holders, there were many empty seats when we visited and the arena was only about half full. Nonetheless, the crowd here is extremely loud. After the Lancers hit a big bucket, the place erupts in cheers. The low ceiling does a lot to trap crowd noise, and the unusual architecture may help as well. Regardless, this arena was designed to be loud, and it is. Much, though certainly not all, of that energy comes from the band and student section, who seek to be as loud as possible, especially during opposing free throws. When the visitors are shooting from the foul line on the student side of the arena, they will get even louder and wave posters and their arms in an attempt to distract the shooter. The students and band are certainly not the only ones making noise here, though. Everyone in this arena is loud. You might not expect it from the crowd size, either in relative or absolute numbers, but the fans here are certainly rowdy. Access 3 There are a few roads into Farmville, but regardless of how you get into town, you are going to have to drive quite a bit. Most likely you will end up taking either State Route 45 or U.S. Route 460, but if you’re coming from any sort of populated area, Farmville probably isn’t close to you. Lynchburg is the closest remotely large city, and it’s a full hour away. Richmond is about an hour and 15 minutes, while Washington, D.C. is about three hours. Once you’re on campus, there is a garage next to the arena, but that is reserved for season ticket holders and those with handicap permits. Everyone else can park anywhere else on campus except in lots reserved for residential students, which are pretty far from the arena and would be bad places to park anyway. None of these other lots require more than a few minutes to walk to the arena. There are several restrooms located around the Joan Perry Brock Center. They are clean, modern, and of a sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Longwood basketball games start at just $8, and even the most expensive seats cost just $12. Concessions are affordable and parking is free. You may spend some money on gas to get here, depending on where you are coming from, but a Longwood basketball game is still an excellent value. Extras 3 The unique architectural style of the Joan Perry Brock Center is worth an extra star here. As mentioned above, this place feels more like a cathedral or southern mansion than a basketball arena, at least in terms of design. The style is unique, and there are few if any other arenas like it. A team store and the Longwood Athletics Hall of Fame are located just inside the two entrances. Each of these is worthy of an extra star. Final Thoughts The Joan Perry Brock Center is a modern arena with a unique architectural style. The crowd is loud, the band and student section are rowdy, and this feels not like like a literal cathedral but like a figurative cathedral of the game as well. Although Farmville may be far from most other places, basketball fans in Virginia will want to make the trip to check out the Joan Perry Brock Center.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Weidner Field 111 West Cimarron St Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Map It Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC website Weidner Field website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 8,000 Soccer Comes to Downtown Colorado Springs Weidner Field International soccer legend Pele famously described soccer as O Jogo Bonito , a Portuguese phrase meaning “the beautiful game.” The 2021 debut of downtown Colorado Springs’s Weidner Field, the 8,000-seat stadium that’s home to the Colorado Switchbacks of the USL Championship, enables fans to enjoy the beautiful game with a bela vista (“a beautiful view”). Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain, and Colorado’s Front Range, sit just to Weidner Field’s west, providing fans on the stadium’s east side with stunning views. A setting sun behind those mountains can turn any photo into the cover of a “yacht rock” album (one can almost hear Pablo Cruise’s “Love Will Find a Way” as play continues on the pitch below). Weidner Field is a key part of Colorado Springs’s “City for Champions” campaign, a renewal project paid for with funds from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Weidner Field, along with Colorado College’s Ed Robson Arena, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center, and the U.S. Air Force Academy’s new visitor center, is one of the venues that are drawing visitors to the Springs. It’s also a beautiful facility worthy of the short detour off of Interstate 25, just to the west. Food & Beverage 4 A pleasantly surprising breadth of quality food and drink options await fans at Weidner Field. Hot dogs ($6), cheeseburgers ($10), chicken tenders ($7), brats ($8), and “old-school” nachos ($7) are sold at the stadium’s main concession stands. There’s also a good range of adult beverages: domestic beer ($14), craft beer ($10 for a 12-ounce draft), imported beer ($14), canned cocktails ($12), canned wine ($10), and a 24-ounce domestic can ($14.50) are all available. Sodas are Pepsi products, while beer includes offerings from Coors, Modelo, Corona, and Pikes Peak Brewing. White Claw hard seltzer is also sold in various flavors. There are several ways to order food at Weidner Field. Fans can order from their seats via QVC code and then retrieve their orders from a nearby concession stand. Alternatively, touchscreen ordering stations have been placed in the stadium’s southeast corner, where beer, wine, and snacks can be purchased. This minimizes the disruption of waiting for food while play continues on the pitch. Atmosphere 4 The Switchbacks have quickly developed a passionate, enthusiastic fan base. Streets bound Weidner Field on all four sides, limiting its size. This means that fans sit very close to the action. So close, in fact, that fans can (and do) successfully inform the game officials about their feelings toward those officials’ abilities, family members, and pets. Fans need to be alert, particularly behind the goals. There’s no protective netting to protect fans from errant soccer balls which can leave the field of play at high rates of speed. Corner Patio Seats With a View at Weidner Field, Photo by Matt Finnegan, Stadium Journey As the neighborhood around Weidner Field develops, the atmosphere will improve even more with the addition of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance. In addition to some of the new additions around Weidner Field, the Trainwreck is set to open two blocks from Weidner Field in September 2022, at 812 South Sierra Madre Street. Approximately two acres in area, the Trainwreck will serve food and drinks, along with golf simulators, sand volleyball courts, bocce, and a 9-hole putting course. Downtown Colorado Springs’ renaissance should enhance even more the atmosphere while attending a Switchbacks’ game at Weidner Field. Other building projects can be seen beyond Weidner Field’s confines, a visual reminder of the neighborhood’s significant metamorphosis. Neighborhood 3 Weidner Field’s neighborhood is rated as it exists in August 2022. However, this rating is likely to improve over time. The facility was built in a part of downtown Colorado Springs that had largely been forgotten. Now, with the completion of both Weidner Field and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum three blocks away, the neighborhood is coming to life. Apartment complexes are under construction just beyond Weidner Field’s south end, bringing residents who should support restaurants and businesses in the neighborhood. Notwithstanding the area’s nascence, the neighborhood around Weidner Field has some worthy pre- and post-game spots. The Warehouse and Gallery sits a few feet away from the stadium on Wahsatch Street. A block to the west from the Warehouse, the Coati food hall has a brewery, two bars, and seven restaurants, while the Atomic Cowboy includes outposts of popular Denver-based restaurants Fat Sully’s Pizza and the Denver Biscuit Company. For those willing to walk a bit further, the center of Colorado Springs has even more options. Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. has been a downtown mainstay for 30 years; Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub is another favorite (and an appropriate place to celebrate a Switchbacks victory). Fans 4 For a team that’s existed for less than a decade, the Switchbacks enjoy great fan support. Average home attendance has improved every year the team has played, with more than 5,400 fans per game attending in 2021 and more than 7,000 fans attending in 2022. Fans are loud, engaged, and at times boisterous. Access 3 Weidner Field sits just to the east of Interstate 25 and is easily accessed via the Cimarron Street exit. The stadium sits on Cimarron, between Sierra Madre Street and Sahwatch Street. The Switchbacks do not have a dedicated parking area, instead relying on existing parking in downtown Colorado Springs’s south side. Some have criticized the club for building a stadium that does not have its own parking but this system works well. More than 5,000 parking places are available within a 6-minute walk of Weidner Field. Arriving at kickoff time on a Friday night means parking on the street at a meter for $6.50 and an eight-minute walk – not bad when compared to many other sporting events. This parking system also means that attending a Switchbacks game does not require an interminable wait to exit a centralized parking lot or garage. Mass transit is an option, though likely not a convenient one. Mountain Metropolitan Transport’s 8th Street-Broadmoor Purple Line stops just outside Weidner Field. But most fans wanting to bus to the game will need to take a line to the Downtown Terminal, located at the intersection of Kiowa Street and Nevada Avenue, and then walk approximately a mile to the pitch. Also, fans should know that the Switchbacks deliver on their promise to enforce their bag policy. Only those bags that are clear (so that security can visually inspect the contents without touching them) and no more than 18 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches or a one-gallon, re-sealable bag may come in. A small clutch bag or purse no larger than 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches may also be brought in. Security at Weidner Field strictly enforces these rules; several fans were seen trotting bags back to parked cars just before kickoff. The team does have a small number of lockers available for $10 just outside the gate on the east side of the stadium. There’s decent room inside to move around. A concourse circles the stadium above the seating areas. During matches, fans have no difficulty navigating it. Before the game and during halftime, however, lines from concession stands mix with crowds of fans moving around the stadium. Wheelchair seating is available around the upper concourse. Fans with mobility aid can enter Weidner Field at Gate A on Sierra Madre Street on the facility’s west side. (Also, kudos to the Switchbacks for having an informative web page dedicated to ADA access at home games. Return on Investment 3 A Switchbacks game at Weidner Field is not a bargain. Single-game tickets are sold through a third-party reseller. For the September 10, 2022 home game against Detroit, tickets range from $23 to $30. By comparison, the Switchbacks’ MLS parent team, the Colorado Rapids , hosts the Vancouver Rapids in Denver that same night. Most tickets for that game sell for $19 – $35, though some field tickets sell for $125. A Switchbacks ticket is not the bargain that some might expect for a USL Championship game. That said, there are several ways to save money on tickets. The Switchbacks have a flex voucher program in which fans must buy at least 16 vouchers that fans can redeem at any time during the season for any game. A 16-voucher purchase for a bleacher seat with no back – the Switchbacks’ entry level voucher plan – sells for $328 ($20.50 per game). A 16-voucher purchase for a fitted seat sells for $520 ($32.50 per game). Appurtenant expenses do not break the bank. Fans can be entrepreneurial to find budget-friendly parking. A small lot immediately across Sierra Madre Street from Weidner Field’s west-side entrance costs $25 but lots and garages throughout downtown Colorado Springs offer parking for significantly less than that. Plus, metered street parking provides a more affordable option. Food and drink prices align with similar facilities. Outside food and drink, with the exception of one sealed, unopened plastic water bottle no larger than 17 ounces, is not permitted. Extras 3 A very important first point goes to the Switchbacks for having what all venues should have: nugget ice. This cannot be overstated. The fact that fans at Weidner Field can enjoy USL action with ice nuggets – the very best form of ice – in their drinks separates the Weidner Field experience from all others. The Switchbacks allow free refills on fountain sodas ($6), making that ice taste even better. Free refills are a welcome change for fans. Public art earns a third point for Weidner Field. A large sculpture, “The Epicenter,” welcomes fans entering Weidner’s main entrance at the corner of Cimarron and Sahwatch Streets. The Epicenter stands 35 feet tall by 65 feet in diameter, weighs 164,000 pounds, and required more than 20,000 hours of work to complete. Its rings are comprised of more than 7,000 pieces and a remote-controlled LED lighting system helps bring the statue to life after sunset. Additionally, several large reproductions of paintings by legendary sports painter LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) adorn the outside of Weidner Field’s east façade along Sahwatch Street. These reproductions depict great Olympic performances, a nod to Colorado Springs’s importance to the Olympic Movement. Final Thoughts The Switchbacks have incorporated thoughtful design into a stadium that celebrates Colorado Springs’s natural beauty and the sport of soccer. As the Switchbacks grow into their home at Weidner Field, the surrounding neighborhood seems poised to grow with them. As that happens, the team’s support should continue to expand. Professional soccer has a bright future in the Springs. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Broadway High School Baseball Field 269 Gobbler Drive Broadway, VA 22815 Broadway Bruins website Baseball Right Down Broadway Nestled in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, the Rockingham County Baseball League is one of the oldest amateur baseball leagues in the country. Virginia's version of town ball was founded in 1924 and is currently celebrating its centennial season. The league's eight teams consist of a mix of current and former college players with ties to the area. Some of the latter have been playing in the league for years. The Broadway Bruins play at the baseball field at Broadway High School. Broadway has had a team in the Rockingham County League for many years, winning the inaugural championship in 1924. The Bruins most recently won the title in 2020. Food & Beverage 5 Concessions are sold out of Mac's Snack Shack along the first baseline. Run by local vendor Mac's Barbecue, the stand offers a wide range of options, made fresh in a smoker. Brisket and pulled pork are available in most games, and sometimes hot smoked chicken and turkey are as well. Freshly made mac and cheese is available as a side, and you can get your mac and cheese topped with meat if you want. This last option is especially popular. Check the Mac's Barbecue Facebook page before the game, as they usually post information on their menu a few hours before. For those who don't want something out of a smoker, more traditional concession items are also available. Burgers, hot dogs, and fries are for sale, as are chips, candy, assorted soft drinks, bottled water, and Gatorade. Credit cards are accepted as long as they have tap-and-pay capabilities. So is cash. Prices are a bit on the high end - a meal out of the smoker can cost $10 or more - but this is not outrageous and the food is quite good. You get what you pay for in the end. Note that there is another building signed as a concession stand that also has restrooms, but it is not used as a concession stand for Bruins games. Atmosphere 3 There are several different seating options at a Broadway Bruins game. Since the seating area is on a hill that slopes down to the field, this creates some interesting vantage points. A few rows of chairback seating (with far more legroom than needed) are located behind the home plate on a deck. The front row is elevated and is about ten feet higher than field level and above the hill. The top three rows of chairbacks are all at the same level, meaning you may struggle to see over the fans in front of you. The bottom two use normal stadium-style tiered seating. Bleacher seating is located on either side of the home plate, with additional chairbacks in front of the bleachers at field level. There is also one random section of bleachers at the top of the hill, on the other side of the walking path from the rest of the seating. These bleachers are overgrown by weeds and have a view obstructed by the other bleachers. Nobody sits here. Some fans also bring their lawn chairs to sit on. Music is played during breaks in the action and before the game. It is being played off of somebody's phone hooked up to the sound system - you can even hear the ping when they receive a new message. A scoreboard in right field shows the score, inning, and count, but nothing else. As is typical of the Rockingham County Baseball League, this is baseball in its purest form. There are no between-innings contests or other gimmicks, just a baseball game that the whole community can enjoy. Note that fans are not permitted to keep foul balls hit out of play, but can return them to the concession stand for a free Popsicle. When a foul ball leaves the playing area, expect kids to chase after it, hoping to snag the free ice pop. Often, fans nearby will shout "Popsicle!" to alert people and encourage the kids, just as someone might similarly shout "Heads up!" at other parks. The sun sets beyond the left field line, which can make things challenging to see for a bit before it goes behind the mountains. Neighborhood 2 The Bruins play on the grounds of Broadway High School, which is located in a residential area in the Town of Broadway, with a population of about 4,000. If you make the short drive to Main Street, you will find the few businesses this town has. El Ranchero is a popular Mexican joint, and Fat Boyz serves up barbecue and more. There are a couple of other options as well. Broadway is a small town, which is great for the community feel the Rockingham County League is known for, but not so great for visitors looking for something to do here. Fans 4 The Broadway Bruins draw a few hundred fans a game, which is impressive given the small town's size. RCBL games are typically a community affair, and the Broadway Bruins are no exception. Most of the fans know each other and have been following the team for years, but newcomers will be welcome as well. The fans are quite knowledgeable about the Bruins and the other teams in the league. From small kids chasing after foul balls to get a free Popsicle, to people who have been supporting Broadway baseball for decades, this is small-town ball at its finest. Access 3 Broadway High School is located a few miles off I-81 and is about ten miles north of Harrisonburg, There is a large parking lot behind the school near the field, but be mindful of construction. When we visited, several areas were coned off for paving. There was still more than enough space for everyone to park, but in a worst case scenario, there is additional parking in the front of the school. Restrooms are available in a brick building near the adjacent softball field, although you will have to walk a few minutes to get there. The good news is they're never crowded. Walking around the field and surrounding area involves a lot of gravel paths, grass, and hills, so it may present issues for those with mobility difficulties. Return on Investment 5 Admission to most Bruins games is free thanks to local sponsors. There may be a small charge for a few games a season, so check the Bruins social media for confirmation. Prices at Mac's Barbecue are fairly high, but considering the quality of the food, are an excellent value. Overall, a Broadway baseball game is affordable and fun for the entire family. . Extras 2 One star for the gorgeous views of the Allegheny Mountains beyond the outfield fence. Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, Rockingham County is known for its scenic views, and this ballpark is no exception. Mac's Barbecue is worthy of an extra star here. They make the concessions experience excellent for this level. Final Thoughts Like the rest of the RCBL, a Broadway Bruins game is small-town baseball at its finest, an experience for the whole community to enjoy. Those in the Rockingham County area may already know the small-town baseball experience that is the Rockingham County Baseball League, but to everyone else, it's one of Virginia's best-kept baseball secrets. Many baseball fans are familiar with the town ball culture of Minnesota, but it is alive and well in the Rockingham County Baseball League as well. Whether you're a resident of the Town of Broadway, come from elsewhere in Rockingham County, or are just visiting the area, a visit to a Broadway Bruins game is an enjoyable way to spend a summer night. Baseball fans heading to the area over the summer will want to check out the Rockingham County Baseball League, whether that's a Broadway Bruins game or one of the other teams.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Raymond James Stadium 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33607 South Florida Bulls website Raymond James Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 65,647 College Football on the Bay The college football experience in Florida provides fans many options. One of the more overlooked stops may very well be USF. Playing in a massive NFL stadium may have its disadvantages, but the fanbase more than makes up for what may be a detriment to the game day experience. The team has experienced highs and lows over the last few decades, but nonetheless offer a solid fan experience regardless of their record. The team’s annual War on I-4 rivalry matchup with UCF is arguably one of the best in college sports, and provides an excellent atmosphere for fans on both sides. Food & Beverage 4 Being in an NFL Stadium has its perks, chief among them being the sheer quality and variety in the concessions available on game day. However, not all stands are open for USF games, which inherently will limit your options. With that said, whether you want your standard stadium fare like burgers, hot dogs, and nachos, or if you have a feeling for something a little different, like a fresh-pressed hot Cuban sandwich, you can find what you need at Raymond James Stadium. Prices are comparable to those at other sports venues, so expect to spend between $10-$15 per person for a main dish and drink. The other added bonus at Raymond James Stadium is that the pirate ship end zone features an open-air plaza that gives you a great view of the playing field during the game, meaning you don’t have to worry about missing the next play while you are sitting down to eat. Atmosphere 3 Raymond James Stadium is your quintessential 1990s football stadium in general layout and construction. It features a lot of exposed concrete and generally lacks any real architectural features beyond the Bucs’ pirate ship. Nevertheless, the team has made the best of this without a need for extensive renovations. The Tampa Bay Bucs branding is everywhere, from paint colors to logos and photos being displayed, which can take away from the USF college atmosphere. Even with some green accents added with temporary signs, it definitely feels like a stadium you’re renting more than a home field. The facilities are clean and easy to find thanks to the signage all over, however. Fans can also expect a generally comfortable experience here thanks to the palm trees in the end zone and the Florida feel of the small torches around the exterior of the stadium. Neighborhood 3 Raymond James Stadium itself is a bit removed from the downtown Tampa area. Thankfully, there are restaurants on the main drag nearby, but there is also an assortment of strip clubs and adult stores, making the drive into the stadium a bit of an interesting one to say the least. For hotels, look to the Tampa Stadium Hotel or the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. For food, there is a popular Chili’s down the street, as well as a new Panera Bread. Also, a short drive from Raymond James Stadium is the Cigar City Brewing Company , where you can take tours of the brewery and sample locally made cigars. The Tampa International Plaza Mall is not far either. Fans 3 The fans at USF games are loyal to their team. Much like the rest of Florida’s college football schools, students fill in the student section every game, regardless of the opponent. Locals have embraced USF as the local college team, but due to the sheer size of the stadium itself, rarely are able to take over their home field. When bigger teams visit, the split among home and away fans can easily be 50/50. Before the game starts, tailgating is always solid thanks to the good weather year-round. USF games are also full of families and younger fans thanks to the lower ticket prices. Access 4 To get to Raymond James Stadium you can take I-275 through the Tampa area. The main roads in and out of the stadium area are all multiple lanes wide, meaning traffic doesn’t get as congested as at other sports stadiums that only have one-lane roads. Parking on site is plentiful, as is the less expensive parking in various lots and properties around the area. Also, the gates are all open when the stadium opens, so fans are not forced into using just one or two of the gates to get in and out. Note that Raymond James Stadium now uses the commonly accepted Clear Bag Policy guidelines for those coming into the game. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for USF Football are massively less than those for the Bucs, so fans can get an NFL stadium visit without the NFL price. With that said, prices start low enough to bring a large group or family without breaking the bank. Even reseller tickets online can be found for as low as $15 a piece. Add to this the variety of teams that visit USF, and you generally have a solid college football experience without paying big market prices. Extras 3 The large Tampa Bay Bucs pirate ship located in the end zone of the stadium is ever present during USF games. While not accessible during USF games, you can still get up close to it when walking around. Games for USF also feature a pre-game run across the end zone with kids selected from the stands that follow the USF mascot. The team also features giveaways each game such as t-shirts and on-field games for prize packages. Final Thoughts Going to college football games in Florida is usually dominated by the bigger schools in the state. Don’t let that fool you, however, into thinking the smaller conference schools aren’t just as enjoyable – USF is a program that has experienced the ebb and flow of success over the years, but always enjoys a solid fanbase that flocks to a massive NFL stadium to watch their team play.

Photos by Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Mitchell Center 2195 Mitchell Center Dr Mobile, AL 36608 South Alabama Jaguars website Mitchell Center website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 10,041 Welcome To The Mitch Mobile, Alabama is home to the original Mardi Gras, the USS Alabama battleship, and Dauphin Street. It is also where the University of South Alabama is located and where the USA Jaguars athletics program plays . Basketball has been played at the University of South Alabama since 1968. The USA Jaguars have made the NCAA tournament eight times but have not been invited to the dance since 2008. After playing in Jaguar Gym for the first three decades of the program’s existence the Jaguars moved to the Mitchell Center in 1999, their home ever since. In addition to servicing the University of South Alabama, it is also the premier concert venue in the Southern part of Alabama. Food & Beverage 3 The typical stadium fare includes cheeseburgers ($7.50), hotdogs ($4.50), nachos ($4.50), Conecuh sausage ($7.50), chicken tenders ($8), pretzel sticks ($5), chips ($3.50), and candy ($4). BBQ sandwiches ($9), BBQ potatoes ($11), and BBQ nachos ($11) are also sold.  Soft drinks are provided by Coca-Cola and options include Dasani water ($5), 22 oz sodas ($3.50), and a 32 oz souvenir cup ($5.50). Beer is sold with Bud Light, Miller, and Coors costing $6.50 while Michelob, White Claw, and South Alabama beer sold for $7.50. The concession stands are cashless. Atmosphere 3 There are two entrances to the Mitchell Center with the South entrance (the one with the parking next to it) having a sculpture called “Challenge” by Gail Folwell that depicts a tip off in basketball. The North entrance is near the Moulton Bell Tower and has a sculpture of a jaguar in front of it.  If you enter through the North entrance you will walk by the Waterman Globe, which had been at the Waterman Building until 1973 when it was disassembled. It was restored and reconstructed in time for its placement at the Mitchell Center when the arena opened. By the globe, you will see a small South Alabama athletics hall of fame with plaques commemorating notable people in Jaguars athletic history. Keep walking around the concourse and you will find a trophy case, displays with South Alabama slogans, and mannequin displays showing the uniform combinations of the different Jaguar athletic programs. When you enter the arena’s seating bowl you will see it is split into two levels with the top level having mostly red seats with some blue seats spelling out “USA”, the common abbreviation for the University of South Alabama. The end seats on the top level were tarped off when I visited. Meanwhile, the lower bowl of the arena has blue seats and contains the student section as well as the band.  The rafters of the arena show banners commemorating both the men’s and women’s basketball successes and a videoboard hangs over midcourt. The out-of-bounds area of the court is blue while the midcourt logo follows a trend of having the program’s logo overlaying an outline of the state.  Shoutout to the band, cheerleaders, and mascots SouthPaw and Miss Pawla for keeping the fans energized throughout the game. Neighborhood 3 While technically the South Alabama campus is located in the city of Mobile it is a bit of a drive from the tourist spots one would think of when imagining Alabama’s second largest city. If you have the time to do so I would recommend heading to the USS Alabama Battleship for a tour. It was used in World War II and the park that surrounds it has a gift shop and an aircraft pavilion containing planes that were used in several wars. For family trips the kids will love the Exploreum while Fort Conde and the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum are also worth checking out. Keep in mind if you are attending a South Alabama Jaguars basketball game you will likely be in Mobile during Mardi Gras season. Catch a parade in the first city to celebrate Mardi Gras. Local eateries to try out include Dumbwaiter for Southern fare, Roosters for Latin American dishes, and Wentzell’s for seafood. Dauphin Street has several bars including The Haberdasher, Brickyard, and Hayley’s Bar. Lodging accommodations include Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and Candlewood Suites. Fans 2 The fans are not likely to fill the stands to the brim of the arena but the ones that do show up really get behind their Jaguars. Unfortunately for the Jaguars, their arena is a bit oversized for their current fanbase as the arena only gets full when a team like Auburn shows up. As previously mentioned, part of the upper deck is tarped off for Jaguars games. Access 2 The campus of the University of South Alabama is about a ten-minute drive from Interstate 65. From I-65 take exit 5A onto SpringHill Avenue before turning left on McGregor Avenue. Make a right on Old Shell Road and this will take you to the Mitchell Center on your right. While parking is free the lot immediately adjacent to the arena is reserved for Season Ticket holders. There is a parking lot between the tennis courts and Shelby Hall that I would recommend parking in. There is a path in the trees you can walk through to get to the South Entrance or you can walk north and pass by the old Jaguar Gym before taking a left and entering the Mitchell Center through the North entrance. Once inside the arena, there are ample restrooms, the concourse is wide enough, and there will not be long lines at the concession stands. Return on Investment 4 Tickets start at $10 for upper-level seats or $15 in the lower bowl for games between conference foes. If you pay $10 for a ticket, and buy a beer and a burger you will only pay $25 for yourself, $40 on a date, or $70 for a family of four. There are not many better deals than this in Division One college basketball! Extras 2 The Waterman Globe is located in the Mitchell Center and is a piece of Mobile History. It does a full rotation once every 3 minutes and 50 seconds. The Mitchell Center has become the destination for entertainment acts that want to perform in Mobile, Alabama. If you want to catch a concert in Mobile, chances are you are heading to the Mitchell Center. Final Thoughts The South Alabama Jaguars have a lot of untapped potential as of late. They have a facility that could potentially be an intimidating atmosphere if the team that played there was intimidating.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Infinity Park at Glendale 4400 E. Kentucky Ave Glendale, CO 80246 Infinity Park website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 5,000 RugbyTown USA Editors Note: Colorado Raptors Rugby, a founding member of the Major League Rugby, announced on April 9, 2020, that it would withdraw from the league, effective May 2, 2020. Opened in 2007, Infinity Park is the first rugby-specific stadium built in the US and is located in what is known as RugbyTown USA (Glendale, CO); just on the outskirts of Denver. It is a fabulous facility in which to watch a rugby match. The well-known Glendale Raptors Rugby Football Club transitioned to the newly formed Major League Rugby beginning the 2018 season. The park also hosts movie nights, corporate events, rugby club matches, 7s, beerfests, and more. It is a very active event center / stadium just a hop, skip, and jump from Denver. Food & Beverage 4 Infinity Park provides an exceptional variety of refreshments during a Raptors match. The Fan Zone (adjacent to, but outside the seating area of the park) provides local food trucks and an adult beverage tent with local craft beers and other alcoholic beverages. Craft beers are $6, wine and mixed drinks $7, soda (Coke products) and water are $2. Food trucks can vary and include Lazo Empanadas (recommended), Frozen Yogurt, Crescent City Connection (New Orleans), and more. The Fan Zone generally opens two hour prior to the start of the match. Inside the venue, for the general public, three areas are available to purchase nourishment and drinks: Grubber Grille, Lil’ Henry’s, and the Club House. Lil’ Henry’s offers burgers, brats, dogs, sausages and chicken sandwiches ($7.50 – $8). Grubber Grille has burritos, popcorn, other snacks, cocktails and beer. The Club House is open to fans and offers beers and cocktails. All stands take credit and cash. Recommendation: Get an empanada from the food truck in the Fan Zone ($4 individual / 4 for $15) and grab a local craft beer at the Fan Zone beer tent and relax, eat, and drink looking over the pitch. Atmosphere 5 Infinity Park provides a tremendous evening of rugby entertainment. To start, a Fan Zone event is held up to two hours before each match. The Fan Zone includes local brews, a bounce house, rugby practice skills games for kids (and adults), several food trucks, face painting, a DJ, and more. It’s a pregame party adjacent to the park available to all fans who have tickets. The venue seating area and concourse is U-shaped; seating is on concrete steps so be sure to bring a cushion. Watching the match is better from the sidelines vs the end zone. Seats are mostly general admission with some tickets considered ‘covered seating’ which is a canopy over several sections. The field is pristine and green; kudo’s to the grounds crew. A Rugby 101 section is available where individuals are handy to answer any questions regarding the game of rugby, a nice touch for a new sport to the states. Infinity Park Covered Seats, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The music selection and volume is suitable however often times music is played when the public address announcer is speaking so fans have no clue hearing what he is stating. This is a major annoyance and something that needs to be addressed in future seasons (especially since the sport is so new in the US). An extremely crisp and clear video board shows player interviews and bio, rugby news, and lineups pregame, while showing replays during the match and entertainment at the half. Halftime entertainment comprises familiar promos such as bongo cam and t-shirt tosses. And the team reaches out to the community and often invites youth teams to play a scrimmage pregame or at the half. Neighborhood 4 Infinity Park is located in the bustling city of Glendale, CO (an enclave of Denver). The entire complex comprises four city blocks. The stadium anchors the larger Infinity Park complex, consisting of an event center, a sports center, and plenty of open space for walking the dog or just taking a stroll. Apartment dwellings, residential areas and businesses surround the venue. It is an extremely safe neighborhood in which to visit. Places to eat nearby are the Bush and Bull Brewery (two blocks) a local brewery and pub (it’s dark inside), Las Delicias (Mexican) also two blocks, Next Door | Glendale (Farm-to-Table) about a 15-min walk, as well as many fast food and chain restaurants. Recommended places to stay for the night within walking distance are the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver/Cherry Creek, Hyatt Place Denver/Cherry Creek and a tad further away (about ½ mile) is the Hilton Garden In Denver/Cherry Creek. Things to do while visiting Glendale include the Cherry Creek Shopping Center with over 160 stores and restaurants, Four Mile Historic Park (a historic 12-acre stage stop from 1860 to 1864). The Denver Zoo is four miles away, Wings over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is 3 ½ miles, and downtown Denver is only a little over six miles from Infinity Park. Other sports teams to see in the area during major league rugby season are the Colorado Rockies, Colorado Mammoth, and the Denver Outlaws. Also, check the schedules and see if the Nuggets or the Avalanche make the post season. Fans 4 Raptors fans (and MLR fans in general) are quite passionate. They cheer, applaud, oooh and ahhh, and question/discuss why a kick vs running the ball. At the game of this review, no unhappy calls against the referees were heard. Many types of fans are seen at a Raptors game: the novice, families with kids, couples on a date, groups of men who look like they may have played the game in their earlier years, groups of young men and groups of young women on a night out. It’s a delightful mix. It’s hard to find statistics on game attendance probably since it’s a new league. On the game of this review, I’d say the stands were 90% full making for a good turnout at Infinity Park. Glendale Raptors Fans Fill the Stands, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Access 3 Located a block off the extremely busy Colorado Blvd, Infinity Park is not the easiest and quickest to get to. Traversing the interior (especially up and down the steps in the seating area) is not a treat either. The good news is once you get through the Colorado Blvd madness, there’s free parking in lot P1 (corner of S Cherry St and E Kentucky Ave), a block from the venue. Overflow parking can be found in lot P4 (corner of S Birch St and E Ohio Ave), just two blocks from Infinity Park. Fans can take the RTD Light Rail to the Colorado Station and ride the Route 46 bus to the park (Cherry and Kentucky stop), however the last bus to leave on a Sat evening is 6:20pm so that won’t work for most Raptors matches. Once inside, some areas of the concourse are wide open and spacious with plenty of room, while other areas like the concourse area behind the goal with the concessions can get quite congested. For the most part, fans will have to walk up moderately steep steps to get to the seating area; a few hand banisters are provided. Handicapped access and seating are provided, though I can’t imagine a wheelchair (or those on crutches) easily getting through the congestion on the concourse behind the goal. Restrooms are kept clean; lines can form at the half. Security bag check is very thorough. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for a Raptors game range from general admission $25, covered seating $35, up to VIP seats $169. Military general admission tickets are $15. And, of course, season tickets and group rates (20 or more fans) provide a discount. Is it worth it? Yes, it is. There’s only five home matches per season (not including playoffs). A fan can go to all five games and pay less than a ticket for one Broncos game (and rugby is a better sport to watch – this is author’s opinion; not necessarily Stadium Journey’s). From the pregame Fan Zone to the Raptors organization making all fans feel welcome to encouraging and educating fans on the game make this a worthwhile sports entertainment investment. Extras 3 Infinity Park is the first rugby-specific venue constructed in the US. Having not only MLR (major league rugby) but all sorts of rugby clubs, youth organizations, internationals, rugby camps, college tournaments, and more deserves an extra mention for Infinity Park. The pregame Fan Zone utilizes local businesses and organizations which not only provides a fun experience but also enhances community involvement of the Raptors organization. Final Thoughts Rugby is a fascinating, engaging, strength and speed game that the US is just beginning to appreciate. It is a full-contact sport yet players wear little-or no protective gear which is one of the aspects that makes it so appealing for a sports fan. And there’s much comradery among the rugby players and community (at least so far in the new USMLR). This especially is witnessed at Infinity Park in Glendale CO.

Photos by Jimmy Knight, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field 208 Olympic Dr Jonesboro, AR 72401 Arkansas State Red Wolves website Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 1,000 Home of Arkansas State Baseball Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field was opened in 1993 and is named for J.A. Ike Tomlinson who was a baseball coach and athletic director at the school from 1944 to 1976 and George and Skeeter Kell who both played for Arkansas State and went on to play in the Major Leagues. The bleachers behind the home plate have a reserved seating area and benched general admission area. Both have excellent sight lines and are right on top of the playing field. Food & Beverage 3 Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field’s concession stand is in a great location centered under the bleachers. The area is very clean and appears brand new. The restrooms are also in this area, once again complimenting the central position. All of the usual suspects can be found on the menu including burgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, and candy. The most impressive part is the service. Those behind the counter are very friendly and welcoming. As with most outdoor programs in the late winter/early spring, they have been riddled with cold weather, but the hot chocolate and the heaters were a big hit and an evening saver for me. Atmosphere 4 There is a lot of pride in the Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field grandstands for the Red Wolves baseball team. You can always hear constant chatter praising the previous play, encouraging the players, or obligatory heckling of the umpires. The atmosphere is a definite reason to see a ball game as the intensity spills over from the college kids in the dugout to the fans in the stands. As fans, our seats are close enough to the action that we can hear the player’s interaction with each other as well as razzing between the coaches and umpires. That conflict, especially for the home squad, fuels the players and fires up the fans. I felt like I was in the middle of the action from beginning to end. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood does not help or hurt the baseball experience. The athletic complexes, including Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field, are set on the edge of campus; the other side is a major thoroughfare with empty fields along the road. Within a couple of miles is a set of chain restaurants that can be used for ‘pre-gaming’ but nothing within walking distance. Campus housing is nearby, but it appears most fans drive the short distance on campus to the games. Fans 4 The Red Wolves have an ardent and loyal fan base. They might not have the size of fan base they want at this time, but if they keep beating their regional opponents such as the University of Memphis (twice in 2014) and Arkansas-Little Rock (three times) the numbers will continue to grow. Whether you sit in the grandstands behind the plate or along the fence line past the dugouts, you will find a fan drawn into the competition that is encouraging on the players. There are two deck areas on both sides of the home plate behind the reserved seating adjacent to the dugouts. On these decks are open areas and picnic tables. This is a prime location to sit and listen to the chatter from the dugouts as well as to have a great view of the game. If your nerves get wrecked easily in competition or you just enjoy pacing in cold weather, this is a great spot for you to stretch your legs and move about. Access 4 Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field is right off Highway 49 in Jonesboro which itself is less than three miles from Highway 63. Highway 63 is the primary access into and out of Jonesboro. When driving up or down Highway 49, you would not be able to miss Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field as it is nestled right up to the road. After turning onto campus you are immediately upon the stadium and the parking area. Return on Investment 4 As I pulled up to the stadium parking lot, I noticed the ticket stand at the entrance of the park. Surprisingly, although there were plenty of cars already there, there were a couple of easy parking spots right up front near this ticket stand. Fortunately, my better judgment prevailed as I noticed this was prime foul ball territory. Thus, I restarted my vehicle and relocated to another spot, this time farther away. Beyond the parking situation, everything else is very simple and fairly cheap. The proximity to the game is the best attribute of Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field and makes the ticket price worthwhile. Extras 2 If a fan is looking for a different view of the game or just a different environment, then they have to check out Barton’s Baseball Deck along the right field line. Constructed off of a donation from Barton’s Lumber Company, this deck has a premium set-up for watching and enjoying a baseball game. The Barton’s Baseball Deck has a great decorative entrance with slightly raised floors, multiple tables, and grills to cook at. The game I attended had an ongoing Barbeque Contest throughout the game. It is $7 to sit there or $1 entry if you already have a game ticket and want to come in. This is a ‘must try’ for those attending the games.

Photo courtesy of Gallaudet University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Gallaudet Field House 800 Lincoln Circle NE Washington, DC 20002 Gallaudet Bison website Gallaudet Field House website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 2,000 Bisons Of DC Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 in Washington, D.C. as the only college in the United States exclusively for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Since then, it has grown to almost 2,000 students. Gallaudet’s athletic teams, known as the Bison, compete in the Northeastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) at the NCAA’s Division III level. Until 1981, the Bison’s basketball team played its home games in Hughes Gym, but they then moved into the newly built Gallaudet Field House, which is also home to the school’s fitness complex. Food & Beverage 4 The Gallaudet Field House has a surprisingly good selection of food and beverage for a Division III school, all available at a window in the lobby of the building. Prices are quite affordable as well. Meals include hamburgers ($4, $5 with cheese, or $6 with cheese and bacon), veggie burgers ($4), hot dogs ($3), mozzarella sticks ($2), and chicken tenders ($3). Snacks include candy ($1), pickles ($1), popcorn ($2), chips ($1), brownies ($1), and cookies ($1 for 3). Drinks include soda and water for $1 and Gatorade, hot chocolate, tea, for $2 each, and coffee for $3. Most items are made fresh on site. As you walk in, you will see two employee working a grill to prepare the burgers and hot dogs, and if you time things right, you can grab some cookies or a brownie right as they come out of the oven. All of this is very impressive given the level of play here. Atmosphere 3 Seeing as Gallaudet is a college exclusively for deaf or hard-of-hearing students, the atmosphere here is certainly unique. The basic layout of the arena is relatively standard, however. All seats are chair backs, and generally, only the seats on one side of the floor will be available unless they are expecting an unusually large crowd. There are two scoreboards, one on each end, which show only the basic information. There are also large closed-captioning boards the same size as the scoreboards themselves which show messages during the game in addition to transcribing announcements if necessary. However, unless there is an emergency during the game (highly unlikely), the only announcements you will hear during the game are the mandatory pregame ones, such as the standard message on good sportsmanship and the starting lineups for the two teams. This will also be translated by an ASL interpreter at center court so there is no need for closed captioning for that. For most home games, the national anthem will be performed in ASL without musical accompaniment, but when we went, it was not performed at all. During the game itself, there are no announcements over the PA system about players scoring, fouling, etc. like you would at just about any other arena in the country, though this is rather unsurprising given the circumstances. For fans who aren’t deaf or hard-of-hearing, the only sound will be the action on the court. Neighborhood 5 Gallaudet is located in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C., which stands for “North of Massachusetts .” Although this wasn’t always the nicest neighborhood, it has improved a lot in the last few years and is perfectly safe. The main attraction in the neighborhood is Union Market, located a short walk away from campus, which is an indoor market featuring a wide variety of food stands. Just about anything you can imagine is offered, ranging from arepas to pizza to Korean tacos to Ethiopian food to an old-fashioned New York-style soda shop. There are also many other attractions throughout D.C., including many monuments, memorials, and museums. All of the government-run attractions are free, though some of the private ones are not. Just keep in mind if you want to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 Gallaudet averages a couple hundred fans a game, which is pretty standard for this level. However, considering the vast majority of the fans are themselves deaf or hard of hearing, and all of them except possibly a few for the visiting team are cheering for players who are, the interactions you will see here are certainly unique. While there is some standard clapping, fans will also wave their fingers above their heads in the ASL sign for applause. Access 5 Gallaudet is far enough away from downtown D.C. that driving is relatively easy. There is a small lot located behind the Field House where fans can park for free. The NoMa-Gallaudet stop on Metro’s Red Line is a short walk away as well. Unsurprisingly, the Field House is easily accessible to fans who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as to those who are not. All arena staff are bilingual and able to communicate in both spoken English and ASL, so fans of all abilities should have no issues in that regard. Restrooms are located around the corner from the arena entrance in the lobby and are of a sufficient size to accommodate the crowds. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are just $5 each, with children 12 and under getting in for free. Throw in the affordable concessions and free parking, a rarity in this city, and a visit to Gallaudet basketball can be a very good value. Extras 4 There is a giant bison statue outside the Field House, honoring Gallaudet’s nickname, as well as a Hall of Fame and trophy case within the lobby, around the corner from the arena doors. A third star is due for the several unique experiences here due to the nature of the school, and a fourth for the high accessibility to fans who are deaf or hard of hearing. While that last point should surprise nobody given where you are, it can often be an issue elsewhere. Final Thoughts A visit to Gallaudet basketball is certainly a unique experience. Whether it’s the ASL announcements and anthem before the game, fans applauding in sign language, or just the unique experience caused by a game with no announcements, music, or any other form of PA, all college basketball fans regardless of abilities can have an enjoyable experience here. Of course, the accessibility is a huge plus for those fans who require it, but even those who don’t should check it out if they are in the D.C. area.

Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Arena-Auditorium 1000 E University Ave Laramie, WY 82071 Wyoming Cowboys website Arena-Auditorium website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 11,612 The University of Wyoming’s Arena-Auditorium Reaching age 40 can be a moment of reckoning for some. It might beget a midlife crisis, catalyzing thoughts of one’s own mortality and how life should be lived. Fortunately, at age 41, the University of Wyoming’s Arena-Auditorium isn’t experiencing such existential dread. There are no comb-over haircuts or sports cars for the Cowboy basketball team’s home arena since 1982. Instead, the university has ensured that the 11,612-seat Arena-Auditorium, or A-A (“Double A”) as fans call it, endures as a vibrant setting for Mountain West Conference hoops. Not content to allow the A-A to fade into obsolescence, Wyoming in 2017 completed a $30 million modernization project that infused new life into the building. This project saw the addition of a spectacular grand entryway featuring Wyoming’s 1943 NCAA Championship trophy and an 18-foot sculpture of Cowboys’ legend Kenny Sailors, who invented the jump shot. These renovations, as well as an elevation of 7,220 feet above sea level, ensure that the A-A will remain a strong home court for Cowboy teams in the future, just as it did for Cowboy legends such as Fennis Dembo, Eric Leckner, Terrence Dunn, and Theo Ratliff. Food & Beverage 4 There are approximately three times more cattle (approximately 1.3 million, based on a 2017 United States Department of Agriculture study) in Wyoming than there are people (approximately 579,000, per the 2020 U.S. Census). Despite being situated in a state that loves the beef that it produces, the A-A has a sushi stand. That’s right, you can enjoy a California roll ($8), a shrimp tempura roll ($11), or a seaweed salad ($5) while rooting on the Cowboys in Laramie. Fear not, unadventurous eaters. You will still find cheeseburgers ($6), hot dogs ($4), bratwurst ($5), nachos ($4), and Chugwater chili ($5), a Cowboy State specialty. There is a surprising breadth of sides at the A-A, too, including fries ($6), fried pickles ($6), and onion rings ($6). Wyoming is a Pepsi campus, with regular ($5) and souvenir ($7) sodas. The mini doughnuts ($7) are a culinary revelation, available with cinnamon, sugar, and powdered sugar toppings. They pair well with real (i.e., not instant) coffee. Craft beer sells for $10, while domestic beer is $8 and hard seltzer is $8. Glenrock, Wyoming’s Cowboy State Brewing has several beers on tap at the A-A, including its 7220 High Altitude IPA, brewed specifically for Wyoming’s athletic events. Not only is the brew’s nominal “7220” a reference to the University’s altitude above sea level, but the IPA also has 7.220 percent alcohol by volume. Finally, the A-A has the white whale of sporting venues: hand-scooped ice cream. The Big Dipper ice cream shop serves 14 different flavors, including Cherry Jolly Rancher and Wyoming Black Bear. For $10, you can also get a root beer float. This refusal to settle on soft serve, limited to two meager flavors (three if you count “swirl”), is an example that more venues should follow. Atmosphere 4 A game at the A-A meshes the amenities of college basketball with the passion of fans rooting on their hometown high school team. The A-A is a geodesic dome with seating 360 degrees around the floor. There are no bleachers in the arena, as all seats are chairbacks. There are no obstructed seats. Because the seating area curves away from the playing floor in the middle of the building, the seats nearest to the floor’s corners provide surprisingly good sight lines. Because of the building’s design, the A-A doesn’t have a scoreboard hanging over center court. Instead, two large, scoreboard/video boards placed in the A-A’s upper level ensure that fans can see the score, stats, and video from every seat in the building. The recently completed renovations have infused life into the A-A. The grand entryway, located on the building’s east side, provides a nice welcome to fans as they enter. The University uses the A-A’s outer concourse to honor all Cowboy and Cowgirl sports, including a wall highlighting the UW Athletic Hall of Fame and touch-screen displays that fans can use to learn more about the school’s athletic history. Wyoming Hall of Fame Display, Arena-Auditorium, Photo by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey The student section is close to the play on the floor. Really close. The UW student section begins on the floor, just beyond one of the A-A’s baselines. One wonders why someone thought that placing unrestrained, enthusiastic college kids within arm’s reach of an opponent’s player would be a good idea. Fortunately, Wyoming students exercise restraint and good judgment. Decorum? That might be another story, but only in a good way. Neighborhood 3 Situated on campus next to War Memorial Stadium, the A-A’s immediate neighborhood lacks bars and restaurants. But it enjoys close proximity to some of the highlights on Wyoming’s campus. Prexy’s Pasture forms the school’s quad. The university’s earliest students grazed their horses in this pasture while attending classes and, even today, UW’s president enjoys exclusive livestock grazing rights on it – although no one has exercised that right recently. Several museums also call the UW campus home, including the University of Wyoming Art Museum and the University of Wyoming Geological Museum, which houses a 75-foot-tall brontosaurus skeleton. Although bars and restaurants are not across the street from the A-A, they aren’t far. Wyoming’s Rib & Chop House (2415 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY, 82070), Hambone’s Pizza (2405 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY, 82070), and Coal Creek Coffee (2317 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY, 82070) all sit within a 10-minute walk of the A-A’s southeast. Alternatively, downtown Laramie has several pubs and restaurants just a five-minute drive to the west. There are two hotels within walking distance of the A-A, both to the east. The Hilton Garden Inn Laramie (2229 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY, 82070) is a half-mile away from the A-A, next to the UW’s visitor center. Slightly farther away is the Holiday Inn Laramie (204 North 30th Street, Laramie, WY, 82070). Fans 4 As the only NCAA Division I college in the state, Wyomingites love the University’s teams. Fans travel from faraway places like Pine Bluffs, Natrona, and Lander. The A-A doesn’t sell out most of its games but the fans who come are passionate and involved in the action on the floor. The building’s design seems to amplify crowd noise well. Those who don’t wear the school’s brown and gold will instead wear actual cowboy and cowgirl apparel (or, as they call them, “work clothes”). Access 4 The A-A isn’t tough to find. Interstate 80 passes through Laramie’s south side, with an exit on the town’s east side and another on its west. Regardless of the direction from which fans come, the A-A is less than a ten-minute drive from I-80. With War Memorial Stadium next door, the A-A has plenty of parking. Laramie is not large so the A-A is within quick driving distance of anywhere in town. There’s a good amount of room to move in the A-A, particularly when considering that it opened in 1982. The new grand entry on the A-A’s east side is the best place to enter. It has ticket windows, room for fans to congregate, and the Sailors Gallery. Staff moves fans briskly inside. The restrooms were renovated as part of the project that ended in 2017; they’re clean and large. Return on Investment 4 A Wyoming game does not require complex financial transactions to afford. Tickets range from $15-$30. However, a check of third-party ticketing websites shows that tickets can be purchased for even less than that. On-site parking costs $10 and can be pre-purchased through the UW website. However, there is also abundant street parking within walking distance of the A-A that does not cost anything. Notably, one of college sports’ greatest culinary bargains can be found at the A-A. Fans purchase a plastic bucket of popcorn for $7 and then receive unlimited refills for the rest of the season at $4 a pop. A queue of UW fans holding empty buckets snakes along the concourse like Black Friday 1998 shoppers waiting on the chance to buy Furbys. Beyond that, concession prices are reasonable and help make a game at the A-A relatively less expensive than other MWC venues. Extras 3 Fans should not miss the Sailors Gallery inside the grand entrance on the A-A’s east side. Opened in 2017, the Sailors Gallery houses the Cowboys’ 1943 NCAA title trophy, as well as an 18-foot, bronze sculpture of that team’s top player, Kenny Sailors. At age 13, Sailors invented the jump shot. He did so to overcome a height disadvantage playing against his older brother, Bud, on a hoop attached to a windmill on the family’s farm near Hillsdale, Wyoming. The younger Sailors later became a three-time All-American at Wyoming and the point guard on that 1943 title team before embarking on a successful professional basketball career. Sailors played in the Basketball Association of America and its successor league, the National Basketball Association. Sailors was also one of the world’s most interesting people. He worked as a pig farmer, fought in World War II for the United States Marine Corps, was elected to Wyoming’s legislature, and lived in an Airstream trailer in Alaska. Sailors’ contributions to basketball warrant his inclusion in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame yet that induction has not come. Sailors Gallery, Arena-Auditorium, Photo by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Check out the team shop, just to the north of the Sailors Gallery. There are several autographed UW jerseys there, including Sailors’s and Fennis Dembo’s. These jerseys are not for sale but help celebrate the school’s basketball history. In a Hunger Games -meets- Lord of the Flies kind of promotion, a “baby crawl” occurs during one of the game’s timeouts. Parents bring their semi-ambulatory babies to the A-A’s north baseline and, engaging in all sorts of coercive behavior, coax their babies to crawl to the race’s finish line at center court. The crowd provides what is doubtlessly a frightening roar to the winning baby. Final Thoughts The A-A isn’t the newest or prettiest basketball venue in the world. But Wyoming’s recent renovations to the A-A honor the school’s athletic history as well as any other such venue. After more than four decades as the Cowboys’ home, the A-A shows no sign of age-induced dread or decline.

Photos by Anluan Hennigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 St Andrew’s 78 St. Andrews Road Birmingham, England B9 4RL Birmingham City website St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium website Year Opened: 1906 Capacity: 30,079 I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues St Andrews, home of Championship League club Birmingham City, has had a tumultuous existence. It first became the residence of ” The Blue” in the early 20th century when the club, formed by a group of cricketers, outgrew its previous home. At one time holding up to 75,000 spectators (in the era of terraced seating); it is now one of the more modest top-level grounds. During World War Two, St Andrews suffered horrific bombardment from German forces, eventually hit on 20 occasions. In many ways, it feels like the place is still recovering. Prominence and success gave way to malaise and dilapidation. However, the arrival of owners David Gold and David Sullivan coincided with a long-overdue redevelopment of the ground in the nineties. In 1994, €10m was invested in the development of the Kop and Tilton stands, with fans taking home debris as souvenirs. The new Railway Stand followed five years later. Despite this work, a clamor still exists for further improvement. A brand-new, 55,000-capacity stadium has long been mooted. As of yet, it is far from coming to fruition. Food & Beverage 3 There are various kiosks located throughout the grounds. An indistinguishable pie and drink can be purchased for a fair price which is in line with most Championship League grounds. Fans can also enjoy a selection of burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian dishes, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The black pudding and pork sausage with grilled onions and mushrooms on a brioche bun are not your normal football grounds food items. Also bear in mind that alcohol can’t be taken into the arena. Even roaming the concourse is forbidden, with strict white lines illustrating where you can and can’t go. Atmosphere 2 In many cases, the game drives the atmosphere. In this case, the game was arthritic with, unfortunately for the home fans, the away side in the ascendancy. The main source of virility was frustration at the lack of potency from Birmingham and some entertaining, if unimaginative, bating of the opposition. If you want to experience St Andrews at full pelt, then a trip to see the blood and thunder spectacle of the Second City derby between Birmingham and Aston Villa is recommended. The stadium features four stands: Spion Kop Stand, The Main Stand, Gil Merrick Stand, and the Tilton Road Stand. Away supporters enter through the Gil Merrick Stand and The Main Stand offers both the Cookhouse and Family section. The best spot for the atmosphere is in the Tilton Road Stand but some seats feature an obstructed view. Neighborhood 3 Only a goal kick from the city centre, St Andrews is right in the heart of the action. This is ostensibly a blessing and a curse. Situated in the Small Heath area, the ground is right next to Digbeth, a place that is not worth lingering in for extended periods. Birmingham is a city of tremendous light and shade however and the marvelous Bull Ring shopping area is only a mile or so away. It dominates the city and is one of the most architecturally shocking things you will see anywhere. There you will also find all manner of culinary options to fill the void that the ground creates. It may not always be pretty, but Birmingham is second only to London in size so there will always be things to do. Fans 3 An undoubtedly hearty lot was eventually worn down amid an insipid match and a most unsatisfying conclusion. The poor play was met with redoubtable chants of “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Wembley” an allusion to Birmingham’s upcoming involvement in the League Cup final. It has given Blues fans good cheer in an otherwise perilous season, with relegation a prevalent prospect. That sense of uneasiness is pervasive on the ground and amongst the fans. Access 3 Once in such a large city, the options available to you are myriad. Train travelers will need to find their way to Birmingham Moor Street station and mount services going to Bordesley. There are numerous buses which stop near the ground also. All in all, however, there is no simpler method than walking. Simply follow the hoards of blue-shirted fans walking up Digbeth and you can’t fail to arrive at the ground. From the Bull Ring, the walk is no more than a mile/20 minutes. If you want to risk getting there in your car, do bear in mind that the queues will be horrendous, so give yourself as much time as possible. Several auxiliary car parks are usually available next to the ground for between €5 and €10. Plenty of time should be allowed for entering the ground also, as I found to my cost on this night. The turnstiles can be particularly cramped and slow-moving, and by the time I had got into the ground, I had missed the first goal. The most pleasing aspect was the lack of queuing in the concourses. It was remarkably easy to get food and drink instead of the usual survival of the fittest experiment. Return on Investment 4 Birmingham must be commended for its ticket structure which offers almost unparalleled concessions. While adult tickets are around the average for Championship League grounds (€30-€40 for a game against one of the top clubs), student tickets are half-price, while children can get in for even less. Subsequently, St Andrews is a particularly attractive option for families. Couple this with the fact you are visiting one of the largest and most eventful cities in England, and a trip to St Andrew's is more than worth your while. Extras 3 One corner of the ground is dominated by a big screen which is a valuable and informative resource, offering replays of near misses, major incidents, and goals. It is something other Premier League grounds greatly lack. Little else is offered to further the match-day experience. Stadium tours are available throughout the year if you wish to delve deeper into the eventful history of the club.

Photos by Eric Hasman and Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Rivets Stadium 4503 Interstate Blvd Loves Park, IL 61111 Map It Rockford Rivets website Rivets Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 3,279 A Riveting Good Time in Rockford The Rockford Rivets are a team in the Northwoods League, a wooden bat collegiate baseball league. They joined the league in 2016. The name Rivets is tied to the city’s manufacturing history. Baseball has been played in Rockford since 1871, with the Rockford Rox being the main moniker until 1949. Other teams such as the Rockford Expos, Royals, Cubbies, and Reds played in the city. The Rockford Riverhawks of the Frontier League played ten years (2002 – 2012) in town. Rockford is well known for being the home of the Rockford Peaches, a professional woman’s baseball team in the 1940’s and 50’s. The Rivets play their home games at the comfortable Rivets Stadium in Loves Park, IL which opened in 2006. The stadium hosts Rockford University Regents baseball in the spring. It also holds concerts and superregional baseball tournaments. Food & Beverage 3 The Rockford Rivets sell the traditional stadium fare. Prices for hot dogs, brats, and burgers range from $3 – $5.50. Corn dog and chicken nugget baskets and walking tacos cost $8.75. Snacks run $3.50 – $10 and feature funnel cakes, cheese curds and funnel cake sundaes. Other choices are cotton candy, deep fried chips, nachos, popcorn, ice cream, pretzels, etc. Bottled soda and water cost $3.50. A concessions bar is on the third base concourse and sells cans of beer and mixed drinks ($8). Domestic beer is $6 while Milwaukee-based Broken Bat Brewery beer is $7. Atmosphere 3 Visiting a game at Rivets Stadium is low-key and more about the game than other ancillary goings-on seen at many Northwoods League stadiums. Seating is all on one level and fans enter the seating area from the top of the pleasantly wide concourse. All chairs are the blue stadium fold down type with cup holders. Some VIP seats with tables and cushioned chairs are along the concourse. Rivets Stadium Table and Chairs, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey A party patio is down the first baseline in right field. A covered picnic pavilion is down the third baseline. Except for the picnic pavilion, the seats are not covered. Bring sunscreen and/or a poncho or umbrella, depending on weather. Sit behind home plate (sections 100 – 106) if you don’t pay attention or are afraid of getting hit by a foul ball. Otherwise, all seat sections are net free. The press box is in a small building behind home plate along the concourse. The game day staff thankfully does not play the music loudly and it is only played between players and half innings. Not between each pitch. Sweet! The field comprises gorgeous, thick natural grass and real dirt. The bullpens are on the field down each baseline. The player locker rooms are down the first base concourse. Kids and autograph seekers may be able to get autographs there before the game. Players walk across part of the concourse to get to the field. Watch out for yellow jackets. Starting lineups are posted on a white but don’t believe them. We recommend not filling out your scoresheet beforehand but waiting till the announcer calls it. At the game of this review the scoreboard didn’t work. Storms had knocked out the power earlier and the Rivets organization was unable to restore the scoreboard before the start of the game. When working, it shows the line score, player information, and advertisements. Neighborhood 3 Rivet Stadium is northeast of Rockford, in Loves Park, IL about 10 miles from downtown Rockford. While there’s not much within a mile of the stadium, several restaurants and fast food places are a little over two miles. Check out AERO Ale House (American Bar and Grill in a comfortable environment), Waffle Shop Family Restaurant, or Rock Pho’d (yummy Asian). Three hotels are a tad over a mile from the stadium: Home2Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Quality Inn & Suites. While Rockford is not next door, there is plenty to do in the city if visiting for a Rivets game. Visit the Anderson Japanese Gardens for a serene outdoor stroll. A trip to the Midway Village Museum offers historic exhibits of Rockford and a Victorian village tour. Be sure to visit the Home of the Rockford Peaches where the winningest women’s professional baseball team played from 1943 – 1954. Rockford Peaches, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Be sure to visit the MiLB Beloit Sky Carp just a 20-min drive north. The two closest Northwoods League teams are the Madison Mallards and the Kenosha Kingfish , both 70 miles away. In the winter, check out an exciting Rockford IceHogs minor league ice hockey game. Fans 2 The Rockford Rivets have the traditional mix of fans attending games: families, kids, young adults looking for a night out, and retirees. The season ticket base is small but loyal. The 2022 season saw an average of 874 fans in attendance per game, putting them in the lower portion of Northwoods League attendance. Access 4 The stadium is right off Interstate 90 with plenty of free paved parking on site. Rockford provides bus service to the nearby (.4 miles) Costco but the schedule looks like the transit service stops running before an evening game ends, so that is not a viable option to/from a game. The closest commercial airport is in Madison WI (MSN), though you’d get more choices if flying into Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or Milwaukee (MKE). All three are an hour to 1 ½ hour drive (depending on traffic) to Rivets Stadium. A grand gate entrance greets fans. The gates open an hour before first pitch. The organization does not have any silly bag rules. The stadium has a nice, wide concourse where fans can walk easily and without congestion. Handicapped and wheelchair seating is on the concourse on top of the seating area. Fans cannot walk the entire circumference as the outfield is blocked. Serviceable restrooms are on the first base concourse. Note: If driving south from Wisconsin to Rivets Stadium, get gas in Wisconsin as prices in that state are significantly less costly than in Illinois. Return on Investment 3 All seats are $12 regardless of where they are. The organization holds promotion days several times during the season where all seats are $3. Parking is free and concession prices are about the same as other Northwoods League ballparks. It’s an enjoyable evening at the ballpark and certainly worth your sports entertainment budget. Extras 3 A few items are worth noting (or noting again). Not found very often anymore is net free baseball. watching a game NOT behind a net is becoming rarer and rarer. Not everyone will agree, but I (not necessarily Stadium Journey) consider this a bonus. The team having $3 admission nights is an excellent and affordable way to bring fans into the stadium and watch the Rivets. Players who made it to the MLB are posted along concourse facing, a nice touch exhibiting the prominence of the Northwoods League. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for all kinds of contests and activities between innings and constant blaring music, this is not the stadium for you. If you want to sit back and actually enjoy the game, this is the spot.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Municipal Stadium 274 E Memorial Blvd Hagerstown, MD 21740 Year Opened: 1931 Year Demolished: 2022 Capacity: 4,600 History in Hagerstown Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown is a classic baseball stadium that has seen its share of history. Opened in 1931, the facility has seen many great players of the past play the game here including Hack Wilson, Lefty Grove, Willie Mays, and Jim Palmer as well as current major league players such as Bryce Harper. In various leagues, teams such as the Hubs, Owls, Braves, and Packets played to the local crowds up until 1955. Numerous Negro League teams also played at Municipal Stadium over the years. In 1981, baseball returned in the form of the High A Level Carolina League and the Hagerstown Suns, who were affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. In 1989 the Orioles moved their Carolina League to nearby Frederick, Maryland. Hagerstown then spent four seasons as the AA affiliate of the Orioles until that team moved to another new stadium in Bowie, MD. The city was never without baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays moved their Myrtle Beach, SC-based team to the Hub City. The franchise was a low A level, South Atlantic League team. The Blue Jays affiliation was also somewhat awkward at the time as the nearby Orioles were in a heated rivalry with the Canadian MLB team. The Giants and the Mets also were the Suns Major League affiliate at times in the early 2000s, also at the South Atlantic League level. But once again, none of these affiliations seemed to suit the local flavor. A move from Hagerstown seems inevitable. The team tried to move to the Fredericksburg, VA numerous times although funding and planning issues got in the way. It seems unlikely that Municipal Stadium can last. Hopefully organized baseball, either as the current Suns, or in some other form stays at this historic field. Food & Beverage 4 Food choices are not large in variety, with two basic food stands and a couple additional stands. But what is offered is cheap in price and of high quality. The Jersey Mike sub for $5 is a bargain with a meal deal for $3 more that includes chips, offering another value. Pretzels and sodas are $3. The BBQ Nacho that includes pulled pork, bbq, and cheese, will fill you up for $7. A pulled pork BBQ sandwich is also available. Beer and cider are sold at a couple of stands. The best place for beer is the Beer Garden down the left field line. Prices are decent, with beer starting at $6, but in a large glass. Atmosphere 4 This is an old stadium. There is no doubt about that. It does not have the bells and whistles of stadiums built in recent years. It does not even have the features of a stadium built in the 1950s such as the Reading Fightin Phils FirstEnergy Stadium . That Reading park is the goal for an older facility, such as Municipal Stadium, to strive for. Older can still be good. The atmosphere is still very good at a Suns game. If you’re a true baseball fan you will enjoy your experience here. The casual fan will also enjoy the extras such as good food and some fun diversions for the kids. There is also a good variety of seating choices. The covered grandstands offer relatively new individual seats with cup holders. There are also simple but renovated grandstands down both baselines, with a special Field Suite on the right field line that is angled for better viewing. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located close to downtown Hagerstown, but you may not even realize it. The ballpark is isolated from the town and feels like it is essentially in a residential area. There is a bar called Stadium Grill and Tavern located directly behind the stadium that can offer some pre and postgame meals. Also, make sure to stop by local used bookstore Wonder Book and Video located at 607 Dual Highway. They have been named one of the best used bookstores by USA Today. You may find yourself lost in their stacks for hours. Lodging options are varied. While there are some nearby hotels on Dual Highway, you may find it better to stay at a hotel such as Springhill Suites Hagerstown located in the Valley Mall parking lot. Fans 4 The fans in the grandstand, as well as those who stand during the entire game behind the dugout, are true hardcore baseball fans. You may never see a fan base that spends more time with their scorecards than you will see here in Hagerstown. They know and understand the game of baseball. The crowd can also get pretty loud. They are into the game and will root when needed and jeer when they need to jeer as well. A casual fan spending time on their cell phone will look like the odd man out here. It is a refreshing change when compared to fans at many modern stadiums who are not always actively engaged with the game action. Access 4 Although seemingly locked away in a housing neighborhood, Municipal Stadium is fairly easy to access. Signs will quickly direct you off of I-70 to Route 40 (Dual Highway) and then to Eastern Boulevard which takes you quickly to the parking lot. Parking is free and should be no problem for even the most crowded game. Be wary of parking too close to the first base grandstand as your car will be in a prime foul ball zone. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are a bargain at $9 for general admission and $12 for VIP. The Suns offer many other packages, special dates, group incentives that can make a game be an even greater value. With the free parking and the convenience of the stadium access, the baseball fan will find no better value around. Extras 3 The stadium is dripping with history. Knowing that Willie Mays took his first professional swings here is not to be forgotten, let alone the fact that Jim Palmer pitched from that mound. Or the fact that legendary teams of the Negro League such as the Indianapolis Clowns, Homestead Grays or the Pittsburgh Crawfords played games here. The plaques of the history of the stadium that are placed around the concourse drive that sense of history home even more. The nicely placed Beer Garden is a nice extra that allows a fan to enjoy a beverage and still see the game. The new seats in the covered grandstand take an old stadium and add some needed modern luxury. There is not a bad seat in the house. And now most of them are actually comfortable seats as well. One should also look at the sloped outfield. One of the reasons that major league baseball is not happy with this facility is this unusual “feature.” As a fan, baseball is all about the uniqueness and diversity of baseball fields. That feature, although unintentional, is certainly unique. Final Thoughts If you love the nostalgic history of baseball, then a game at Hagerstown should not be missed. The major leagues may want to move away from using Municipal Stadium as a home for organized baseball, but as a fan, you will love the true baseball experience on display here.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 SoFi Stadium 1001 Stadium Dr Inglewood, CA 90301 Art of Sport LA Bowl website SoFi Stadium website Year Opened:  2020 Capacity:  70,240 The Art of Bowling Now in its 4th season since its inception, the LA Bowl has been hosted by late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and currently hosted by four time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski. It features teams from a current or Pac-12 legacy school and the Mountain West Conference. The annual bowl game is held at SoFi Stadium, home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers .  Prior winners of the LA Bowl: 2021 Utah State 24-13 over Oregon State 2022 Fresno State 29-6 over Washington State 2023 UCLA 35-22 over Boise State Food & Beverage 4 The variety of food and beverages are vast, offering your usual stadium basics from hot dogs, burgers, soft pretzels to your basic boxed candy and bagged Frito Lays chips. Soda offerings are provided by Pepsi products  Domestic beer offerings from Modelo and Michelob are available as well as a vast choice of premium cocktails such as those from Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Crown Royal. Local favorites such as chicken/carne asada vampiros tacos, chicken/carne asada papa asadas and L.A. Street Dogs are offered. Other featured eats available range from pastrami dips to chopped cheese as well as kosher options offering the standard Kosher Dog, roast beef sandwich and turkey sandwich.  An LA Bowl exclusive provided by The Grill Dads   of The Food Network is The Gronk Smash, a smash burger named after the game’s host Rob Gronkowski.  Atmosphere 3 LA Bowl - Pride of the California Cal Band, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey The fun starts from the time the gates open as fans can partake in the pregame fanfest at the American Airlines Plaza where fans of both schools are revved up by the marching bands and spirit squads of both schools. Once inside the actual seating bowl the mood is somewhat muted due to the sparse crowd inside a huge NFL venue. This is to be expected when attending a lower tiered bowl. Neighborhood 3 SoFi Stadium Exterior, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Aside from being the neighbors to the Kia Forum and the newly opened Intuit Dome the surrounding area does not offer much in regards to pre or postgame activities. Along Century or Manchester Blvd you may find your usual chains such as McDonalds, Jack in the Box or Starbucks but not much else. Cosm Los Angeles  is also close by offering a high tech viewing experience of major sporting events giving fans the feel of being at a live event.  Fans 3 LA Bowl - The Star of Nevada UNLV Band, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey For a lower-tiered bowl game played before the Christmas holiday the fan turnout is what you would expect. Don’t expect much hoopla from either side that you would see from a major bowl or CFP (College Football Payoff) game. The percentage of fans representing each school are even with the most die-hard of these fans excited for the opportunity of attending any bowl game. Access 4 Due to its status as a lower tier bowl, getting around the venue should not be too difficult. However this being Los Angeles, depending what part of the L.A. area you will be arriving from, you will still want to allow yourself some extra time when driving out to SoFi Stadium. The major streets around SoFi, Century and Manchester Boulevards, both lead to either the 110 or 405 freeways while Prairie Avenue leads you to the 105 Freeway.  Because of the anticipated sparse crowd, only the first three levels are open, making navigating the seating bowl easier in spite of the venues massive size.  Parking is also plentiful however no pregame activities are permitted for this event.  Return on Investment 4 The nice thing about a lower tiered bowl game is the reasonable prices. Tickets for this game start as low as $31 with the most expensive being $275. Because only the first three levels are open, no matter your seating location you will never be far from the action. The reasonable affordability of this event should leave you some extra change should you want to explore the L.A. area and other sports and entertainment venues during your stay.   Extras 3 Aside from the pregame hoopla at the fan plaza, don't expect too many other bells and whistles throughout the game; this is the general expectation for a game like this. Fans looking to purchase gameday souvenirs can make their purchases at the various pop up stands located throughout each concourse rather than the main flagship store that is closed for this particular game.  Throughout the game fans are treated to holiday tunes as well as trivia contests involving both schools and L.A. themed landmarks giving fans a chance to guess the famous L.A. venue that is displayed on the stadium’s massive halo video board. Final Thoughts The Art of Sport LA Bowl is a good budget-friendly postseason bowl game for fans wanting to witness a bowl game in a major venue without putting a deeper hole in their pockets. If attending the LA Bowl, you can expect to be close to the action regardless of where your seat location is.  Catching one of these under-the-radar bowl games could also allow an opportunity to witness some under-the-radar talent as well who just may be on their way toward a nice Sunday payday.  2024 LA Bowl Champions - UNLV Rebels, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey

Photos by Brian Wilmer, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Wilson Field 202 Martin Court Dr Davidson, NC 28036 Davidson Wildcats website Wilson Field website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 700 Wilson’s Wildcats Most people who are familiar with Davidson College know them for their success on the hardwood. Davidson basketball has made a name for itself on the national stage over the last few years, led mainly by Stephen Curry’s magical run a few years ago. The Wildcats have maintained that momentum, making themselves perennial NCAA Tournament participants. Davidson baseball has not experienced the same success as their hoops brethren, but they still put a competitive product on the field each season. The Wildcats call Wilson Field their home, and this on-campus facility recently celebrated 45 years of service. The ballpark, named for Davidson graduate and multi-sport star T. Henry Wilson, Jr., got its start in March 1967, though under a different name (Wildcat Park). Though Wilson Field’s age is certainly evident if you look hard enough, it provides a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere in which to take in a game. Food & Beverage 4 It is not likely that the Food Network will ever visit a Davidson game to partake in their unique delicacies, but you certainly won’t go hungry at Wilson Field. There are several hot options from which to choose, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers ($4 for a single, $6 for a double), hot dogs ($2) and chicken sandwiches ($4). One item of note is that there is a grill just outside the concession stand, on which the burgers and dogs are cooked. It is highly unusual to see a grill at this level of baseball, so that is a nice touch. Additional snack options include candy ($1), popcorn ($1), Blow Pops ($.25), gum ($.05) and sunflower seeds ($1). Sunflower seeds and baseball seem to go hand-in-hand, so this is a good item to add to the menu. Coca-Cola products are available at the lone stand behind the third base dugout, with Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite for $1 each. If you prefer drinks of the non-carbonated variety, Gatorade is $2, with water available for $1. Coffee and hot chocolate are also $1 each. These were both popular selections on the rather cool day I visited Wilson Field, and they will help keep you warm early in the season. There is also one special note about Wilson Field’s concessions. All of the proceeds go to the Davidson volleyball team, and team members staff the stands. It is great to see teams supporting each other at the college level, particularly in sports where money is at a premium. Atmosphere 3 The real draw to Wilson Field is what you see on the outside of the park. The park is directly in the center of campus, surrounded by residences on one side and athletic facilities on another. As you approach the park, there is a staircase up to the park, with an arched entryway. The campus is beautiful, and the exterior of Wilson Field is an appropriate fit. The fixed seating in the park is all bleachers, and as is usually the case with bleachers, gets a bit uncomfortable after a while. If you take a cushion along, though, the seats are decently roomy — as bleachers go, anyway. The fixed seats behind the plate start to feel a bit like watching baseball in a cage after a while, though, as the backstop is topped by an excessively high net. If a less obscured view is what you desire, bring a lawn chair and head down the third base line. There is a wooded walkway where a number of fans tend to stand or sit and watch the game. The bonus of this area is that it is shaded, which is nice once it starts getting warm in North Carolina. There is not much inside the park to distract you from the experience of just watching baseball. A standard musical soundtrack plays between innings, and there are no cartoonish sound effects or overdone radio voices to be heard. The scoreboard is even quite utilitarian, offering just a basic “Guests” and “Home” linescore listing (a “Wildcats” tag may be good here), along with the number of the current batter, ball/strike/out counts and a hit or error indicator. The scoreboard can be a bit difficult to see during afternoon games, as the sun shines directly on the board. Neighborhood 4 Davidson is a small northern suburb of Charlotte, and there is a certain small-town feel throughout the area. There are a number of parks and walking areas within a short distance of the campus — assuming, of course, that you want to walk somewhere other than the scenic campus. There are also a number of dining options nearby, a lot of which are chronicled in our review of Richardson Stadium , Davidson’s football facility. North Carolina micro-chain Char Grill is between the campus and North Carolina Interstate 77, offering char-grilled burgers, fries, milkshakes and a number of additional post-game choices. Lake Norman is minutes from the campus, and in most cases, if you are attending a Davidson game, it is warm enough to go boating or get on your jet ski after the final pitch. If you would prefer to stay on the shore, there are fine restaurants near the lake for your evening meal. The communities of Huntersville and Mooresville are also within minutes, and center-city Charlotte or the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord are only 20 minutes away. Fans 2 A decent amount of fans attend Davidson games, and a lot of them come out wearing their Wildcat gear. The only issue with the fans is that there is not a lot of noise going on during the course of the game. At times, the stands were eerily quiet on the day I visited in early 2013. Wilson Field only seats 700 fans, so one should never expect ear-splitting sound, but the feeling much of the time is as though someone pressed the mute button on the crowd. There is a group of students that sits on the hill behind the right field fence, and they are somewhat rowdy. There is also a sign in front of their seating area that says “Welcome to Right Field,” along with another that sports a bullseye. Unfortunately, if you want to hear these fans, you will most likely need to venture out near where they are seated. They are in safe heckling distance of the right fielder, but are not easily heard elsewhere. Access 3 There is good and bad to the parking situation at Wilson Field. The good is that parking is free, which is always a nice touch. The bad is that there is very little parking nearby, leading to a potentially confusing situation. There is one very small lot in front of the stadium, and it is both usually full and highly susceptible to foul balls. Several cars were plunked with foul balls on the day I visited, much to the delight of the kids in the stands. The better suggestion is to park along the road near the campus golf center. This will result in a considerably longer walk, but will save you both the aggravation of looking for a parking place and the dollars on your comprehensive insurance deductible. If the golf center is not in use after the game, you can walk across the course to return to your car. Keep in mind, however, that the parking is in the grass, so this may be a problem if it starts raining. Davidson is served by Charlotte International Airport (CLT), which is approximately 25 miles southwest of the campus. Interstate 77 is less than 10 minutes away from the campus, serving cities to the north and south of Davidson. US Highway 21 and North Carolina Highways 73, 115 and 150 are also located within minutes. The bathrooms inside the park are reasonably small, but they are adequate to serve the crowds that usually attend Davidson games. The facilities are reasonably clean and appropriately maintained. Return on Investment 5 Davidson offers one of the best perks possible: free admission. No ticket is required. All you need to do is walk through the gate and pick a seat. This alone is enough to provide a tremendous return on investment. Because of the free admission and parking, you can get into the game, get a hot dog and soda and park your car for $3. It seems virtually impossible to see a Division I baseball game, eat and park for $3. You can, however, accomplish all of this in a day at Davidson. Extras 3 Free stat sheets are available in a bin along the front row of the bleachers at Wildcat games. This is not a program, per se, but it does provide you with the statistics of the home and visiting players. This, in conjunction with your smartphone (wi-fi is intermittently available) should give you all the information you require. The walk from your car will likely lead you by the Davidson indoor practice facility. The facility, located down the first base line, features a number of indoor batting cages, and provides plenty of room for Davidson’s players to take some swings between innings or anytime the weather outside prevents them from hitting on the field. The facility is extremely attractive for a school Davidson’s size, and if you can take a glance inside, it is recommended to do so. A dedication plaque rests at the entrance to Wilson Field. This plaque honors T. Henry Wilson, Jr., for whom the field is named. The plaque is mounted atop a brick column, and lists the date of dedication (March 19, 2005). Final Thoughts There are not many of the trappings of some of the so-called “cathedrals” at Wilson Field. The baseball experience is very straightforward, and is almost akin to a throwback when baseball was just baseball, and not dizzy bat races, kiss cams and wacky mascots. For those who like baseball — just baseball — and the warm North Carolina sunshine, Wilson Field is certainly worth a visit.

Photos by Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex 414 Deacon Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27105 Carolina Thunderbirds Website Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 4,000 Federal in Flight The Federal Prospects Hockey League is an independent professional league composed of 10 teams scattered across the Eastern seaboard. In 2017, the Carolina Thunderbirds joined the fray as an expansion franchise in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Named after a former ECHL team that played in Winston, the Thunderbirds have made their nest at the city’s Fairgrounds Annex. Completed in 1989, the Annex has hosted hockey on and off since its inception, staging teams in various independent and affiliated leagues. Food & Beverage 4 For such a small venue, the Annex has some amazing food options. You'll find a variety of items in the main lobby, including hot coffee, Orangeade, popcorn, Dippin' Dots, shaved ice, many different types of beers, and even fresh pork skins. Polish sausage is the one fairly unique option and is available for $7. There's also a Farm Made Ice Cream stand that scoops out rotating flavors into a cup or cone for $5. Labatt Blue Beer and Bud Light are the primary alcoholic beverages on tap, but a local brewery called Fiddlin' Fish also has a stand where they offer up some of their craft beer. The national beers are available for $7.50 in cans or bottles. Pepsi is served throughout the complex. You can even grab some Chick-fil-A at the rink, as popular menu selections such as the Original Chicken Sandwich are available for $6.25. Atmosphere 3 "The prescription" is prevalent at the Fairgrounds, as it is in most hockey arenas in the South, meaning you'll be hearing more cowbell all night long. You’ll also likely hear the Thunderbirds' goal horn a lot; it sounds similar to a loud diesel engine, echoing throughout the rink. Overall, most of the game day atmosphere is created by the fans in the stands. The environment that the Thunderbirds organization tries to create just seems stale. The PA announcer is more casual than at most arenas, acting more like a radio broadcaster than anything else. The music played during stoppages in play appears to be picked at random and is generally poorly timed, ending a dozen seconds or so after puck drop. If these small annoyances can be ignored, you’ll have a great time watching quality hockey. The Fairgrounds Annex itself is a decent barn with an overtly ‘80s feel. The building resembles a local skating rink and the aging facility looks like it belongs at a middle school. The main concourse in particular appears to have not changed since it was built in 1989. If the Thunderbirds, as a winning franchise on the ice, want to remain in Winston-Salem long-term, the Annex might need some upgrades. Neighborhood 2 The Annex is located in an athletic complex that’s home to three of Wake Forest University’s stadiums. Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum , home to Demon Deacons basketball, is next door. BB&T Field , Wake’s football venue, is diagonally from the Annex, while Couch Ballpark , home to the Deacs’ baseball program, is right across the road. Outside of the athletic facilities nearby, there isn’t anything in the area worth seeing. In fact, the surrounding neighborhoods are fairly run-down. Anything of interest is going to be several miles away in either downtown Winston-Salem or the suburban retail spots. Fans 4 The Thunderbirds have produced a very good brand of hockey since joining the league, culminating in a Commissioner's Cup win during the 2018-19 season. In addition to being crowned champions of the league, Carolina also set a lofty league record of 24 consecutive wins that season. This success has translated to the gate, where the T-Birds have set multiple single-game and single-season attendance records. The team continues to pack The Annex each home game, resulting in an electric game day atmosphere. In addition to horns and cowbells, fans in Winston were quick to adopt the famous “you suck!” chants made popular by some NHL fan bases. All told, a night at the Fairgrounds is going to be crowded and LOUD. Access 4 The Fairgrounds Annex is located near the athletic facilities of Wake Forest University on Deacon Boulevard just north of downtown Winston-Salem. The city is reachable from the east and west off of Interstate 40 and its business spur, though the latter has been closed in many spots for construction. Avoid this road if you can. Interstate 74 is also expected to pass through the area once it's completed in the near future. US-52 is the proposed path of I-74 and will likely be your main pathway to the Fairgrounds if you’re coming from the north or south. There’s ample parking in the massive lots next to the Annex and the adjoining LJVM Coliseum. For the 2019-20 season, parking is free. Return on Investment 3 Single-game tickets for Thunderbirds home games start at $9. They can be purchased in advance on Ticketmaster, but you’ll wind up forking over another $6 in fees. Your best bet is to just get your tickets on game day at the box office to avoid extra charges. Parking is free and the food items at The Annex are fairly priced. Game programs are $5, which is pretty steep for an independent hockey team. If you’re not a program collector, skip them entirely. A family of four could easily enjoy a hockey night in Winston for around $80. Extras 3 The Annex has a little merchandise stand in the corner of the main lobby, a nice touch. The hallways of the concourse are also adorned with Winston-Salem hockey history, dating as far back as the sport’s beginnings in the region in 1973. Finally, the team’s mascot (appropriately named Winston) is frequently seen roaming the concourse and stands. Final Thoughts While The Annex isn’t the most desirable place to watch a game, the product on display each and every night outweighs the venue’s shortcomings. If you like hockey, you’ll like hockey in Winston-Salem.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Fort William Gardens 901 Miles St Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1J9 Lakehead Thunderwolves website Fort William Gardens website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity : 4,680 The Only Game in Town There is no Ontario university that is more isolated than Lakehead University. Located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the northwest shore of Lake Superior, Lakehead is 700 km by land from the closest competitor in Ontario University Athletics (OUA), the Ontario conference in U-Sports. It is a wonder that a university so isolated from its competition is able to field athletic teams, however, the Lakehead Thunderwolves are a force to be reckoned with, especially in hockey. The Lakehead hockey program dates back to 1964 with a tumultuous existence most of the time playing schools from Manitoba. The team, known as the Norwesters would fold in 1985. The Thunderwolves were established in 2001 and have a fairly unique structure. The hockey team is not run by the university itself, but is part of a partnership between Lakehead University and the Lakehead Thunderwolves Varsity Hockey Corporation, a nonprofit organization. There are a few other situations like this in U-Sports, namely Laval Rouge et Or, Regina Rams and Carleton Ravens football. The organization of the Thunderwolves offers a unique relationship between the university and private sector. It can’t be lost that this situation is further advanced by the status of Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey as the premier sporting event in Thunder Bay. Lakehead is a small university with approximately 7,800 students in Thunder Bay, a city of approximately 108,000. The Thunderwolves enjoy the premier attention of Thunder Bay as there is little to no local competition for the sporting dollar. Major junior hockey and minor league hockey have no real presence in Thunder Bay and the Thunderwolves enjoy not only the attention of Thunder Bay residents, but the attention of the Thunder Bay media as well, something many other U-Sports programs would kill for. With consistently the strongest attendance figures in the OUA, the Thunderwolves’ hard work was rewarded with the 2006 Queen’s Cup as OUA champions. Home for the Thunderwolves is Fort William Gardens. A local arena with a capacity of 4,680, the Gardens is large for OUA hockey, but also serves as the main arena for all of Thunder Bay. Built in 1951, the city owned Gardens have undergone a number of facelifts over the years and did an excellent job hosting the University Cup to crown the Canadian National Champions in 2009 and 2010. A trip to see the Thunderwolves when in Thunder Bay is THE thing to do and provides a unique experience in Canadian university sports. Food & Beverage 3 The food options at the Fort William Gardens are better than you would expect for OUA hockey, but are not over the top compared to other professional or junior hockey venues. Standard concession options include hot dogs ($3.7 5), popcorn ($3.50), chips, candy and chocolate bars. All concessions come in under the $5 mark. As far as soft drink options go, Pepsi products are available in either bottle ($2.75) or fountain ($2.50) form. Unlike many OUA hockey venues, alcoholic beverages are available at the Gardens. The Outpost, the Lakehead student bar, has a presence in the Gardens and offers Molson Canadian, Coors Light, Budweiser or Thunder Bay’s own Sleeping Giant beer ($3/$4). The concessions at Fort William Gardens would normally warrant a lower score, however the opportunity to find a local craft beer at an OUA venue is very unique and bumps the score up a smidge. Atmosphere 4 Being the only game in town, the Fort William Gardens is a great place to watch hockey with a nod to the historic. The exterior of the Gardens is unique in and of itself. Definitely showing it’s age, the Gardens features red, white and green siding covering what is definitely a barn-like structure. The main entrance can be found on Miles Street. Upon entry, fans are immediately greeted by a seat from Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, which sets the tone for the feel of the arena. The concourses are covered in blue and white, and it is clear that the main tenant is Lakehead. Team pictures can be found in the concourses and give the arena a bit more life. Inside the seating bowl fans will notice the simple score clock hanging above centre-ice. Nothing fancy, but it does the trick. Also hanging above the arena fans will notice a banner honouring the 2002-2003 Division Championship, in only their second year back as well as a banner honouring the 2006 Queen’s Cup Championship team. The ice-surface is oriented from north to south and the seating bowl is an eclectic mix of the old and new. The seats have all been upgraded over the years to standard, plastic arena seats that are comfortable. The more modern amenities continue with press box and alumni box, another unique feature for OUA hockey. The modern standards are contrasted with the classic architecture with barn-like, triangular wooden ceiling with wood beams which have all been painted a classic, Northern Ontario white. The feeling of hockey history and community can not be missed upon entering the Gardens. The gameday production is about what you would expect from a team in this league. The expected promotions can be found throughout the game, including chuck-a-puck, and Wolfy, the Lakehead mascot, has a presence both on and off of the ice. Neighbourhood 3 Fort William Gardens is located a solid five kilometers south of the Lakehead University Campus. There are a couple of pre and post game spots to find something to eat or drink near the Fort William Gardens. Just across Miles Street fans will find Excuria, a decent spot to grab a drink. The cocktails are known across the city of Thunder Bay. Another option fans may want to consider is Man Vs. Meat, which is a block south of the Gardens on Victoria Ave. The best burgers and sandwiches in town can be found here. Thunder Bay is generally viewed as an outdoor recreational community and golf, skiing, fishing and snowmobiling are all popular at various times during the year. Fort William Historical Park and Mount McKay are destinations fans may consider. As far as other sporting options go, the best idea is probably to head to the Lakehead University Campus to catch some Thunderwolves basketball at the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse. Fans who are looking to stay in Thunder Bay will want to try the Valhalla Inn. It is Northwest Ontario’s largest hotel and is a 10 minute drive to the arena and close to the airport. The Holiday Inn may also be a consideration. Fans 5 There are no fans in OUA hockey quite like Lakehead fans. Lakehead does enjoy being the only game in town are rewarded with the most ardent and true fans in all of U-Sports hockey. Lakehead has consistently lead the OUA in attendance, most of the time hovering around the 3,000 fan mark. In a conference where the strong majority of programs measure the number of fans per game in the hundreds rather than thousands, Lakehead is head and shoulders above the rest. It is a point of pride for the Thunderwolves and their fans that they top the league in attendance as it is plastered all over various articles and promotional materials on the Thunderwolves website. Lakehead fans are a microcosm of the people of Thunder Bay. Lakehead fans are tough. They are tough on the players, coaches and referees, while showing any visitor that they are a long, long way from home. Lakehead fans are loud, proud and intelligent and give the home team a home ice advantage unlike any other in U-Sports hockey. Access 2 Fort William Gardens is located south of the Lakehead campus, not far from the waterfront. It is a fair distance east of Highway 61 and southeast of the Trans-Canada Highway. Getting to the Gardens can be challenging as travellers will have to traverse through Thunder Bay to a fairly residential area. Parking for Lakehead games can be very difficult. Although the arena lot is free, it is totally inadequate for the number of fans in attendance. Parking on local streets or other surface lots force fans to search hard for spots to park their cars. Public transit is available in front of the Gardens. Buses run every fifteen minutes and may be the way to go to get to the Thunderwolves game. Check out the Thunder Bay City Transit website for fares, maps and schedules. The main ticketing windows are large and lines move quickly. Seats are reserved, which is also unique for the conference. Getting around the arena is no problem at all. Concourses are surprisingly wide considering the age of the facility. Washroom facilities are adequate to handle the crowds that the Gardens see. Return on Investment 5 OUA hockey continues to provide a top notch return on investment. Thunderwolves tickets go for $13 and students and children are $8. This may be on the expensive side for OUA hockey, but it is not that far out of line from other programs. Concession prices are what is to be expected and parking, if you can find it, will be free. Combine that with the opportunity to take in high quality hockey in a community that loves university hockey like no other, and at a historic venue and fans will not be disappointed the Lakehead Thunderwolves. This is a true Northern Ontario hockey experience. Extras 3 An extra mark for the unique university and private sector partnership that has brought the Thunderwolves to life and helped them rise to one of the premier hockey programs in the country. An extra mark for the Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout. On the outskirts of Thunder Bay, Canadian icon Terry Fox was forced to end his 1980 Marathon of Hope where he had run across Canada to raise money for Cancer research. Terry ran on an amputated leg and completed 5,373 kilometres in 143 days. He was forced to end his run as cancer had returned to his body and would eventually take his life. The Marathon of Hope continues to this day and Canadians have raised over $600 million, eclipsing the $1.7 million Fox earned in his initial trek. An extra mark for the most unique Lakehead statistic. In their final season in the Great Plains Conference, the Lakehead Norwesters made it to the playoffs with an 0-24 record. Brandon University was suspended for making illegal payments to athletes paving the way for Lakehead’s entry. Final Thoughts If there is a bucket list item in Canadian university athletics, a trip to Thunder Bay to take in the Lakehead Thunderwolves might just be it. A totally unique experience, visiting fans will get a full Northern Ontario experience in the best university hockey atmosphere in the country. Sure the Thunderwolves benefit from being the only game in town, but it can’t be a coincidence that other leagues are a little shy to attempt to take up residence at the Fort William Gardens and compete with the Thunderwolves. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .