Photos by Matt Finnigan, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 McMahon Stadium 1817 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary, AB T2M 4R6 Canada Calgary Stampeders website McMahon Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 35,650 Much More Than Meets the Eye Calgary, the most populous city in the Canadian province of Alberta, has long been known as “Cowtown.” This nickname is a nod to Calgary’s agricultural importance to Canada and the city’s role as host of one of the world’s largest rodeos, the Calgary Stampede. However, the moniker overlooks many of the city’s significant assets: culture, history, and beauty. Calgary sits at the confluence of the Bow and the Elbow Rivers, with several national parks, such as Banff and Jasper, in the Canadian Rockies within an easy drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway. Calgary is also a football town. The Calgary Stampeders, known to fans as the “Stamps,” boast a rich history in the Canadian Football League and are the CFL’s third-oldest team, having begun play in 1945. The Stamps have brought home eight Grey Cup titles and have appeared in 17 Grey Cup championship games. The team’s home since 1960 is McMahon Stadium on the campus of the University of Calgary, where opening and closing ceremonies were held during the 1988 Winter Olympics. McMahon Stadium is both the CFL’s third-oldest and the third-largest stadium, making it a great place to appreciate the Stampeders’ history while enjoying modern updates. Canadian football may seem like a curiosity to those accustomed to American football, but it’s more than that. The CFL field is larger than its American counterpart, measuring 110 yards long by 65 yards wide, with 20-yard goal areas (end zones), with the goalposts positioned almost on the goal line. Twelve players take the field in the CFL – one more than in American football – and CFL rules permit only three downs per offensive possession, meaning that teams rely more on passing than rushing. In the CFL, receivers and backs can be moving forward when the ball is snapped. There are other rules that affect play, but the upshot is that the CFL is an entertaining brand of football supported by passionate fans. Food & Beverage 3 The variety of food and beverage options at McMahon meets expectations. Fans can easily find hot dogs (C$5.75), pizza slices (C$6.25), cheeseburgers (C$8.50), nachos (C$9.50), fries (C$4.50), and chicken tenders with fries (C$8.75). The Baron Haus, under sections J and K on the stadium’s west side, is a carnivore’s paradise. A hand-carved “baron” of beef (i.e., a sandwich) sells for C$11.50, and a pulled pork parfait – yes, this is a real thing – is available here for $C12. Despite its name, the “parfait” consists of smoked pork, redskin mashed potatoes, corn, and house-made BBQ sauce. The Baron Haus also has a baked potato (the “Spud-inator”) with a variety of toppings for C$7.50. An adobo chicken burrito and a Taco in a Bag sell for $C10 and $C8.75, respectively, at the End Zone stand, under the west grandstand. Thirsty fans will also find the basics. Molson and Coors sell for $C8.75 for a 12-ounce can. Strongbow Cider, Snapple Spiked Vodka, and Vizzy and Truly hard seltzers all sell for $C10.75 per 16-ounce can. Pepsi products sell for $C5.25 per 16-ounce plastic bottle. Importantly, during late-season games, coffee and hot chocolate sell for C$2.75. Well-staffed concession stands abound under McMahon’s grandstands, so any lines that form move very quickly. Atmosphere 4 The Stamps have created an enjoyable experience at McMahon Stadium, with entertainment beyond the on-field play. The Stamps also celebrate touchdowns with a ride from “Quick Six,” a white horse ridden by Chelsea Drake. This is a nice touch that honors Calgary’s renowned rodeo tradition and helps fans celebrate the Stamps’ success. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic required teams to minimize person-to-person contact, so a local automobile dealer provided a remote-controlled truck to deliver the game ball to officials at the start of each game. The team retired the truck at the end of the 2021 regular season, with a tongue-in-cheek farewell video set to Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You.” Another favorite in-game promotion is the World’s Fastest Cow race. The Stamps have retained the services of a sprinter, dressed as a cow, who takes on a local celebrity or former player during an early time-out. The cow’s opponent receives a 10-yard head start as the two race toward the end zone at the far end of the field. COVID-19 sidelined (pun intended) the World’s Fastest Cow during the 2020 season, but he made a triumphant, bovine return in 2021. The stadium has a first-class sound system and a visually appealing scoreboard beyond the south end zone that tracks game statistics in real time. Neighbourhood 4 McMahon Stadium sits adjacent to the University of Calgary’s campus, a short drive from downtown Calgary. The neighbourhood around the stadium has plenty of options for pre- and post-game entertainment, but with downtown just a 15-minute drive or light rail trip away, the entire city provides a legion of places to eat, drink, and celebrate the Stamps. The stadium’s immediate vicinity does not offer much in the way of nightlife, but there are a couple of restaurants and a few hotels. Across Crowchild Trail NW on McMahon’s east side, Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse offers burgers and barbecue within direct view of the stadium, adjacent to the pedestrian bridge connecting the light rail station with the stadium. Just north on Crowchild Trail NW, Nick’s serves steaks, pizza, and a sports bar. Several hotels (Aloft, Hampton Inn, Ramada Limited, and Comfort Suites) also sit just east of McMahon, along Banff Trail NW. The CTrain, Calgary’s light rail system, connects McMahon Stadium with neighborhoods throughout the city. Many fans take the CTrain to the Banff Trail station, located just east of McMahon, to Stamps’ home games. A pedestrian bridge connects the station and the stadium without having to navigate traffic on Crowchild Trail NE. Calgary has several neighborhoods worth exploring. The 17th Avenue Retail & Entertainment District has restaurants of all types. The Big Cheese Poutinerie serves poutine, which some consider to be Canada’s national dish and is most certainly a delicious type of Québécois comfort food: French fries, smothered in brown gravy and cheese curds. Alternatively, Alumni Sandwiches has a hot chicken sandwich that rivals Nashville’s. Fans 3 The Stamps have a loyal and vocal following, with the team’s 2021 average home, regular-season attendance (23,354) outpacing the league average (19,058) by almost 4,300 fans. Although McMahon Stadium does not routinely sell out, the fans who do attend are loud and engaged. Even to a CFL neophyte, and even if the Stamps are playing a team such as Winnipeg, for instance, fans loudly deride their team’s provincial rivals, the Edmonton Elks, and their Prairie Province rival, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, throughout games at McMahon. Access 4 McMahon Stadium is a very easy place to experience a game. The Stamps do not have much parking available next to the stadium, but the surrounding area handles the volume of traffic for a home game very well, with relatively inexpensive parking within a short walk. The University of Calgary also has parking available for those willing to make a longer walk. But Calgary’s mass transit system (especially the CTrain) is an easy, quick option for getting to a game. Once inside, grandstands are positioned on the stadium’s east and west sides. Fans can easily walk from one side to the other after entering; there’s plenty of room on the concourses underneath each grandstand for fans to move without encountering a lot of foot traffic. The stadium has more than enough concession stands and restrooms, which, beyond their intended uses, provide McMahon’s only heated sanctuaries during a cold game. The stadium’s corners do have metal bleachers, but the large majority of seats are plastic chairbacks. One important note: a steep climb awaits those sitting in higher rows (i.e., beginning at approximately row 44). That ascent provides great views of the field and the city beyond the stadium, especially sitting atop the west grandstand. But the slope will challenge even the most physically fit of Stamps fans (and the least physically fit of stadium reviewers). Return on Investment 4 A Stamps game at McMahon Stadium is a good value. Reserved seats start at C$37 apiece for regular-season home games and start at C$47 each for games against rivals Edmonton and Saskatchewan. Concession stand prices are fairly standard for a sporting event, while parking and mass transit mean that fans do not have to empty their kids’ college funds to attend. Extras 3 “Pick Six” earns McMahon Stadium an extra point, not only because it provides a great touchdown celebration but also because it’s a family affair. Although Chelsea Drake has assumed the reins as Pick Six’s primary rider, her mom, Karyn, served that role from 2003 to 2016 and is still a backup rider. McMahon receives a second point for its Olympic history. The stadium still has the cauldron from the 1988 Winter Games in the northeast corner. A final point goes to the effort that the Stamps’ front office has made to create an enjoyable experience at McMahon. The in-game promotions are clever and original. Final Thoughts McMahon Stadium fits seamlessly into the fabric of Calgary, with downtown and the university short distances away. The on-field play is enjoyable to watch, and the fans deliver enthusiastic responses at all the right moments. For someone wanting to experience CFL play in person for the first time, a Stamps game is a great way to do it. And Calgary itself is a city that does not get nearly enough credit for its beauty and history. Follow Matt Finnigan’s stadium journeys on Twitter @mattfinniganco.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey I had not been there in years. So I went back. Back to an area where the seats are steep, the access is limited, but the skyline is beautiful, the lines are short, and the tickets are cheap. I sat in the 500-level of Rate Field. It’s the highest level at the ballpark and is known for its steep upper deck and, at times, limited restrictions to the main concourse on the 100 level, several escalator rides below. However, one game in this area proved more fruitful than frustrating, and I have found a new respect for not only the area, but the fans. ​ There are benefits to having a seat way up here: the price point. The cheapest tickets can be found, ranging anywhere from as low as $7 for a Wednesday night game to $16 on Saturday night. That changes on who is in town; don’t expect these prices for the Crosstown Classic against the Cubbies, or when the Sox have one of their creative giveaways, but you shouldn’t expect to pay a lot for the 500 level. ​ The area provides access to the Wintrust Kids Zone entrance on the left-field side of the stadium. I was with my 10-year-old nephew and 8-year-old niece, but they were not interested in the 15,000-square-foot area that features a youth-sized diamond, batting and pitching cages, among other things designed to entertain the youngest fans at the game. It’s free of charge, but they were more interested in their phones and what was for dinner. ​ Then there are views from the exterior ramps of the city skyline. If only the ballpark faced this direction, but up here you can pose for photos and even take a peek down at the diamond outline of the Sox's former home, Comiskey Park. However, when you are up this high, the section can become steep. ​ Incredibly, the area had more seats- close to 7,000 more when it opened in 1991. Today, some of these seats are still a steep walk, and one can feel a strong case of vertigo when climbing up the staircase aisles, but the area is not usually full, so feel free to sit where you can if permissible. ​ As for some of those missing seats, they’ve been turned into a couple of small social balcony areas called The Blue Moon and Miller High Sky Lounge. They offer tabletop chairs and tables, provide nice views of the field, and are great for small social gatherings. Are they anything like the Terrace District at Progressive Field in Cleveland? No, but it could inspire future improvements to the area. ​ “It’s a chilled environment,” said one fan sitting on the balcony. “This is where you come watch the game and have something to eat, something to drink.” ​ The food options include almost anything you can have downstairs. Comiskey dogs, nachos, chicken tender baskets, pretzels, and popcorn can all be found. Also, local delicacies such as Italian beef, brats, and Cuban sandwiches are prepared up here. ​ The hot dogs are served as big as a foot and feature a fixings bar of pickles, relish, chopped onions, and mustard. However, the short beef pierogi at the Polish-Colombian fusion vendor came highly recommended by several fans. ​ The fans are equally supportive in the 500 level. A group of young men took their shirts off and waved them in the air as the Sox fell 4-0 to the New York Mets. As each inning progressed, more and more men joined the cause, and by the 6th inning resulted in 100 or more chanting “Let’s Go Sox!”, “Take it Off!”, and being Chicago “F Green Bay!” ​ Their hard work paid off as the Sox exploded for four runs in the inning on back-to-back-to-back home runs. The exploding scoreboard almost ran out of fireworks due to the home run barrage, but by this time the whole section was loud and boisterous due to the 4-4 game as their team held on to the lead in the division. ​ There were more fireworks as the Sox walked it off with a two-run homer with 2 outs in the 9th. The home run off the bat of Jake Rodgers: a lucky fan grabbed the ball but also lost most of the contents of her purse. Luckily, they were returned to her, but she was not the only one to misplace her belongings that night. ​ My brother-in-law misplaced his wallet and went to the lost and found to see if someone had brought it there. Much to his shock, it was there, along with everything else inside it. Sox fans are known for many things, but apparently they are not thieves. ​ The 500-level of Rate Field offers its own vibe during a game. It is much different than the 100-level. There are fewer people, shorter lines for food and washrooms, and better views of the city’s skyline. The walls are decorated with photos from the ball club's past, featuring images dating back a century. ​ However, there are obstructed views of the field in certain areas, and there are even a few pillars that might be obstructive. The seats are unapologetically steep, and holding onto a railing is recommended. There are also no statues, access to the shower, or the Vizzy View Bar. The Leinenkugel's Craft Lodge is also a much longer walk to grab one of the many Chicagoland craft beers. ​ Then there is the question of access for 500-level ticket holders. In the past, there has been restricted access for ticket holders to enter the 100-level. However, I have heard conflicting stories that this no longer exists. I also did not witness a line at the checkpoint during my visit this past Friday night. Whatever the rules are when you are in the game, keep that in mind, but feel free to share your experience with me. I’m easy to find. ​ Is it worth bringing the family to the 500-level for a White Sox game? Sure, the tickets are inexpensive, there is enough food to satisfy everyone, and there is plenty of excitement from exploding scoreboards, music in between innings, and multiple visuals from the video board. ​ It also helps that the White Sox are on pace in their division after three straight seasons of over 100 losses. When the Sox are winning, more fans show up at the stadium, including the 500-level. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Bozsik Aréna Budapest 1194, XIX ker, Puskás Ferenc Utca, 1-3, Hungary Map It! Kispest Honvéd FC website Bozsik Aréna website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 8,200 The Lions Den - Pride of Budapest Arriving at the brand new Bozsik Aréna in the south of Budapest does little to evoke the impressive history of the club who call this home. The name ‘Honvéd Budapest’ is synonymous with Cold War-era football. In the 1950s, the team aligned with the Hungarian army and the full name became Kispest-Honvéd Football Club. Kispest is the district they call home, with ‘Honved’ meaning ‘Homeland Defence’. In those days the team played at the old Bozsik József Stadion, a classic of its time, built in 1913. The new stadium, built almost exactly on the footprint of the old ground, has all the modern amenities you’d expect but lacks its soul. Matches rarely sell out, and so tickets are easily available. Transport from central Budapest takes just under an hour. Nicknamed the Lions, the club has a huge sculpture of the ‘King of the jungle’ on the stadium forecourt. Food & Beverage 3 There are very few options to eat outside the ground. A supporters’ bar opposite the bus stop is mainly for drinks, and the queues can be quite long. A few pop-up stalls sell sunflower seeds for visitors to munch on. Inside, the usual Hungarian football cuisine is on offer. Two local beers, two spicy ‘bratwurst’ and a bottle of water cost around 7000Ft (£17). Very good value. Atmosphere 3 The 1950s were a hugely successful time for Honvéd, who provided many players to the famous national side, the ‘Mighty Magyars’. The stadium takes its name from one such superstar, József Bozsik, whose statue is prominent outside the ground. József Bozsik Statue, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey As with many stadiums in Hungary, the new venue was built with help from the government and its football-loving former prime minister Viktor Orbán. The capacity is 8,200, and it’s a UEFA Category 4 stadium. The whole footprint of the premises has been upgraded to ensure those arriving on foot, by bike or by public transport can access the facilities safely. After some behind-closed-doors matches during Covid times, the official opening saw Villarreal CF B draw 0-0 with the Lions in July 2021. Sixteen LED floodlights peer over the pitch, improving the overall spectacle of this well-designed structure. The main stand is the largest. The other three stands wrap around the pitch with a separate roof structure. Aluminum plates give the facade its distinctive look, a smaller version of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. The overall cost of the stadium was reported to be around HUF 17 billion. The vociferous home fans congregate in the northern end of the ground, with away fans in the south-west corner. Neighborhood 3 Kispest, known administratively as District 19, lies to the south of Budapest. The immediate surroundings of the stadium are mainly residential. Back in Budapest, there are a plethora of food establishments and attractions. So many sights in Budapest are free, including the Parliament Building and the famous bridges. The Ethnography Museum’s wildflower roof is also a sight to see, with two tall, ski-slope-style structures and a memorial to the 1956 uprising in the middle. Fans 4 With the majority of supporters sitting down, the atmosphere cannot be described as fervent. The average attendance, less than half the capacity, does not help either. Thankfully, the ultras and away supporters remind you that you are at football, not the theatre. In 2026/27, the club have just returned to the Hungarian top flight (NB1) after three years in the second tier. Average attendances have increased from just 2,510 in 2023/24 to nearly 4,000 in the autumn of 2026. The club has 14 national titles, only bettered by Ferencváros, MTK and Újpest. With the legendary Puskás as a former player, the new stadium and their famous red and black colours, there is huge pride in the Lions and their place in Hungarian footballing folklore. Access 3 Tickets can be purchased easily online. Alternatively, the ticket office is open on matchdays, and digital vending machines on the perimeter of the stadium also sell tickets. From Deák Ferenc tér in the centre of Budapest, take Metro Line 3 to Határ út. Switch there to the 142E bus. The whole journey takes around 35 minutes. On arrival, the landscaped surroundings make access for those with limited mobility really easy. Scan your ticket to gain entrance. Stewards are on hand to assist if needed. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are great value and almost always available. £15 is enough for a premium seat in the main stand, with other areas even cheaper. A three-day pass to use all Budapest transport (trolley-bus /tram/metro) is just 5750Ft. Refreshments are also cheaper than most top-flight grounds in Europe. All in all, a trip to the Bozsik represents excellent value for money. Extras 3 A stadium tour can be booked through the club website. Prices are 1,490 Ft for adults and 1,190 Ft for under-18s. You can’t visit Budapest and only visit one stadium. Try the century-old Sport utcai Stadion in the east of the city, a historic venue with a grandstand to die for. The car park outer wall has a number of club-related street art pieces that bring some character to the otherwise perfectly landscaped environment. Street Art in Car Park at Bozsik Aréna, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts The Bozsik Aréna is a smart, colourful and safe place to watch football. Time marches on, and whilst the loss of iconic and historic stadia is always sad, the reality is clubs need modern facilities with skyboxes, conferencing and events space to bring in much-needed revenue. This new ground, with all of these facilities present, should ensure the future of the club is as bright as its façade.

Frank Curiel Ballpark, Photo by Gail Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Editor's Note: As Curaçao won the 2026 LLWS yesterday, we though it'd be an opportune time to share this article, originally posted Aug 25, 2025. In 1996, a nineteen-year-old outfielder named Andruw Jones burst onto the Major League baseball scene as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Seventeen years later, the “Curaçao Kid” had amassed career totals of 434 home runs, 1,289 RBI and a .486 slugging percentage. For some people, that was the first time we heard anything about Curaçao. The fact that Jones spoke four languages was regularly pointed out by TV announcers. The island of Curaçao, located just 50 miles north of Venezuela, has since become a hot-bed for Little League baseball. Year-round hot, sunny weather allows the kids to play the game daily. Starting in 2001, Little League International gave an automatic berth to the Caribbean Region, which is comprised of 13 countries/islands. Teams representing Pabao and Pariba (leagues in Willemstad) won this region for nine consecutive years and went to play in Williamsport, PA. The first three years, these teams came in third place in the World Series. In 2004, the Pabao League team defeated Mexico 4-0 to win the championship! As of 2025, Curacao has won 50 and lost 28 games in Williamsport. Many other Curacao natives have become great players in MLB since Andruw Jones arrived on the scene, including Ozzie Albies, Andrelton Simmons, Roger Bernadina, Kenley Jansen, Jair Jurrjens, Hensley Meulens, Jurrickson Profar, Jonathan Schoop, and Randall Simon: all from a population of 150,000 people. An entertaining documentary entitled “The Boys of Summer” was released in 2010, and it showed the team’s progress through the Caribbean Region and Williamsport, as well as the kids at home and practice. In this film, we meet a gentleman named Frank Curiel. He created the Little League program for the island and to this day proudly maintains the field named after him in northwest Willemstad. He even lives in the park. Over the years, I have attended a few Little League World Series in Williamsport and was always taken by the strong work ethic that the Curaçao team demonstrated, along with their love of the game and, oh yes, those amazing smiles. My wife and I decided to travel to the island and visit the birthplace of these great teams. The field is in a residential area northwest of beautiful downtown Willemstad; Google Maps found it as “Frank Curiel Ballpark.” In one sense, it is nothing special, with aging artificial turf/carpet on the infield and outfield, advertising on the entire outfield fence, one modern batting cage, old tires attached to poles where the players build up stronger swings, older fencing around the field, aluminum bleachers with canopies overhead to shield the fans from the sun, and a concession stand. The field has four under-powered light stands overhead but they get the job done. A large sign behind home plate proudly shows 41 years of existence, Liga Vruminga, and a photo of local hero and MLB star Jonathan Schoop. Near the concession stands, various trophies and photos of MLB players from Curaçao are proudly displayed. Stray dogs wander around the perimeter, often taking a nap in the shade and two windmills turn lazily behind the left field fence. Concession stands are somewhat similar to those found in the United States but offer freshly prepared local favorites like chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and french fries along with traditional drinks. One surprise was beer in nine-ounce bottles: Heineken, Amstel “Bright” and Amstel Light for $1.80-$2.40. Fans can even buy a case of beer if so inclined and save a few guilders. Popsicles in eight flavors (including tamarind, pina colada, Oreo, and pistachio) help to cool off the fans during the tropical heat. However, the highlight of this story is the people of Curacao. People such as Señor Curiel, who spends countless hours taking care of the facility, the proud parents who enjoy watching their kids play (and yes, like parents everywhere, they offer coaching advice and support to the little ones), and the kids (both boys and girls) who play the games, and younger children who, with reverent eyes, watch them. There are also amazing coaches, many of them former players who return to “pay it back/forwards” as they enthusiastically challenge and cajole the players during a recent practice. Frank Curiel and Author, Photo by Gail Ohnsman, Stadium Journey A few Caribbean islands have “Baseball Academies” where promising young players live, attend school, and receive concentrated baseball instruction. Curacao is hoping to have a similar facility on their own island. The Baseball Academy Curacao is one such place where kids on the island learn the game from a young age. And so, the genesis and growth of baseball in Curaçao has a short but amazing history of success for their youth teams and successful MLB players. What does the future hold? Let’s keep an eye on the story and enjoy the ride!

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The Chicago White Sox have worn myriad uniform designs in their history and, at one time, switched colors and styles more frequently than the University of Oregon football program. Fans almost expected a new look every five years until the club debuted its current set at the end of the 1990 season. The red pinstripes (1971-1975), the leisure suit (1976-1981), and the Beach Blanket Bingo (1982-1986) looks were infamous and are now beloved by a generation of fans who never saw them in action at old Comiskey Park. However, lost in this display of haberdashery is one set that debuted in 1964. The Sweet Baby Blues may look tame by today’s standards, but it made a statement during its first season for the White Sox. It was somewhat unconventional for its time, but it was the first sign that the club was willing to think outside the box and set trends that other clubs would later adopt. The Ogden Standard-Examiner was shocked by the uniform color choice. The Sox were not the first to wear a powder blue uniform, but it had been 20 years since the last major league club wore such a distinct look. The Chicago Cubs sported the road color from 1941-1942, and the Brooklyn Dodgers wore satin blue uniforms for night road games in 1944. The Cubs' look was a vest jersey that featured a blue undershirt. The Sox introduced the jersey on January 6, 1964, at a press conference at the LaSalle Hotel in downtown Chicago. General Manager Ed Short held up the “blouse” of manager Al Lopez to a group of reporters and then passed it down the row for inspection, prompting Bob Smith from the Sun-Times to quip, “This was on the level?” and later added if the club was considering “pink or some other colors.” Short, somewhat irked by the media’s response, chose the color because it showed up better on black-and-white television sets, perhaps even looking better on the color TV sets that would soon become the norm in many living rooms in the country. The road jerseys were identical to the previous year’s design. The city name was arched in block lettering; the right sleeve featured the players’ number with a thin white outline, and the club wore a navy blue cap with an interlocking SOX logo in a similar font. Navy socks with three white stripes would accompany the wool uniforms. “Management made this change essentially to spruce up the look of the team,” added Chicago Historian Rich Lindberg. “They took some informal fan polls back then, asking for feedback on the ballpark experience.” Joe Horlen finished with a 1.88 ERA in 1964. File Photo. The blue road flannels were the third colored jerseys introduced by an American League franchise in as many years. The Kansas City Athletics introduced red jerseys with vests in 1962 and then shocked the baseball world the following season with all-gold vests and green sleeves. The Cleveland Indians also wore sleeveless jerseys with red jerseys beginning in 1963. “This uniform change was mostly a reaction to the Kansas City A’s and their switch to green and gold," Linberg added. "It was done with the hope of giving the Sox a more distinctive look at the very beginning of an era when the introduction of new colors and styles in baseball uniforms was coming into vogue.” Southside Aces Joe Horlen and Gary Peters in the updated Sox uniform in 1967, Photo Courtesy of Spokeo The new road color was described as baby, bird's-egg, French, or call-it-what-you-like shade. Various newspapers at the time were curious and mentioned the striking new look when the Sox came to town. The Bristol (Pennsylvania) Daily Courier was a bit more tongue-in-cheek on the new duds. “The Chicago White Sox also have new road uniforms-powder blue. All they need now are bow ties, and they’ll be ready to “do the town” in their new look tuxedos.” Lopez debuted the outfit during spring training in Tampa, Florida, in March to a group of reporters at the ballpark named after him. The reporters must have thought the sight of the Future Hall of Famer amusing, as many could hardly contain their laughter. Lopez said they were strange at first, but you would get used to them. "This is the only uniform we’ve got like this so far. I think they’re using me to try it out, figuring nobody’ll throw things at me in my own stadium." The Pale Hose debuted them at Fenway Park in Boston on April 17 and took two out of three in the series. The opposing Red Sox had some opinions about the new road uniforms. Bosox coach Billy Herman said that they should pitch a tent whenever they played the A’s, while first baseman Dick Stuart said that they had added too much bluing to the washing machine. There were many comparisons to the new blue uniforms and the yellow-gold outfits worn by the A's. Later that month, Finley challenged Short to a “fashion show” when his A’s came to White Sox Park for a doubleheader on May 6. Finley released the following statement to the newspapers. “We want the White Sox to add some color to the game by wearing their pretty baby blue road uniforms that they adopted this year. For the second game, we’ll wear our Fort Knox gold uniforms trimmed in Pacific green. For the second game, we’ll wear our misty green.” The A’s owner, Finley, was a man of showmanship and ahead of his time in baseball fashion. The Sox did not accept his challenge, wore their home pinstripes, and swept the two-game series. However, fans would see the team wear them at home later that summer. On June 26, the Sox hosted the Cubs at home for the 15th annual Boys Benefit Game. The Chicago Tribune reported that the Sox were the visiting team and wore their sweet baby-blue road uniforms as the game was played at cavernous Comiskey to accommodate demand and raise more money for the boys. A total of 52,712 attended the game, and 3,000 fans watched the game from a roped-off section of the park. All balls hit into the densely packed crowd were considered ground-rule doubles. Renovations to the park prevented many fans from being seated for the game, in which the Sox pounded the Cubs 11–1. Many AL visiting newspapers commented on the club’s look. During a visit to Los Angeles, the Long Beach Independent couldn’t help mentioning the team’s road flannels in its game recap. “The Chicago White Sox had their powder blue uniforms on display Friday night and then powdered the Angels 3-1.” The new road colors might have been a bit of good luck for the Sox, who found themselves in a pennant race with the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles until the second-to-last day of the season on October 3. The Sox finished with 98 victories, one game behind the pennant-winning Yanks. A second-place finish prevented the powder blue uniforms from making an appearance in the World Series that fall. This wouldn’t happen until 16 years later when Philadelphia and Kansas City wore their road blues in the Fall Classic. The inability to clinch the pennant was a possible missed opportunity to become sentimental to the South Side fanbase. In 1967, the team removed the block CHICAGO across the chest and introduced a scripted font that featured the club’s name in the tail of the wordmark. The Sox would miss out on another pennant, losing a four-team race and finishing three games behind the Boston Red Sox that year. When the team took the field for Major League Baseball’s 100th anniversary in 1969, something was different. The road jerseys were replaced with the traditional gray look. The design was the same as the previous season, but the white letters looked “washed-out” in the gray flannels. That same year, two expansion franchises, the Seattle Pilots and Montreal Expos, donned powder-blue wool flannels. The White Sox sported a 432-378 record during their five seasons in the non-traditional look that, by the end of the next decade, would be worn by eleven clubs in the major leagues. Teams would continue wearing blue road uniforms until 1991. The look, considered a trend of the past, is becoming popular again, with four clubs wearing complete powder-blue uniforms and two more opting for tops with gray or white pants in 2020. The White Sox celebrate the 50th anniversary of the A’s in Oakland in 2018. File Photo. The Sox themselves would once again wear this era’s powder-blue uniforms in 2018 when they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the A’s relocation to the Bay Area at the Oakland Coliseum. For many fans, it marked their first glimpse of the club draped in light blue—a look some hoped would return to Guaranteed Rate Field for the occasional throwback night. The forward-thinking Sox were a little ahead of the curve and would introduce another set of powder-blue uniforms in 1971, but in 1964, they were somewhat unconventional in the eyes of baseball purists. Perhaps the abundance of uniform designs and innovations by the club between the 1960s and 1980s has hidden this sweet look of a road jersey. The team has introduced a few retro looks in recent years, and one can hope the team could bring back the “sweet baby blue” for a few Sunday games in the future. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Belterra Park 6301 Kellogg Rd Cincinnati, OH 45230 Belterra Park website Year Opened: 2014 A Cincy Kind of Place Belterra Park is a live horse racing venue in Cincinnati, Ohio. The course features both a dirt track and a turf track. While small, it is a pleasant venue with covered seating outdoors and simulcast viewing indoors, with live cashiers as well as betting machines taking bets both inside and out. The facility includes a small casino, as well as a Burger Brothers restaurant. Food & Beverage 2 The Burger Brothers restaurant next to the sportsbook was the only place open for food and drinks during my most recent visit; there are concession windows outside as well, which were closed, but I am sure they are open on bigger race days. Burger Brothers has a very small menu, with only a couple of items such as burgers, fries, cookies, and soda. I did see people drinking soda and other beverages inside the sportsbook, but I wasn’t able to tell where they were getting them from; perhaps from a bar inside the casino. Atmosphere 4 The nicest feature at Belterra was the covered seating over the grandstand, as well as the covered tables on the apron (umbrellas at each table) and near the main entrance (roof extending from the facility). The scenery is also pleasant. The sports book is also well-appointed and kept clean, not dingy like some other race tracks I have visited. There are plenty of betting machines and a couple of cashiers (both inside and outside) if you care to make a wager on the ponies. You can also watch racing at other tracks and place bets on those races; there are plenty of tables and chairs inside the sportsbook, and I saw more patrons in there than I did outside – this is likely due to the weather, as races at Belterra tend to start at noon, the hottest part of the day. Neighborhood 3 While the address is still in Cincinnati, Belterra Park is actually about 9 miles from downtown Cincy, nestled on the east side of the meandering Ohio River (downtown Cincinnati is on the north side). The area around the race track is pretty rural, but includes attractions such as a live music venue, a nature preserve, and a couple of restaurants, including Dead Low Brewing and Pig Candy BBQ. While driving in, you will also see signs for Ulysses S. Grant’s boyhood home and related sites – these sites are located about 20-30 minutes from the race track. Fans 3 There aren’t many fans at a typical race day here, but you will see many more during bigger events. Patrons at the track tend to be friendly, and you can easily strike up a conversation about which horse you might like. As at any horse racing track, the most noise occurs at the end of a race, when fans cheer on their favorite (or curse the one that got beaten by a head). Access 4 Belterra Park is not that hard to get to; it is only a couple of miles off I-275 outside Cincinnati, and there is plenty of room to move around both inside and outside, especially if you avoid major race days (which I would recommend). When you arrive, go ahead and proceed to Gate 8, which is the third gate you see if you take Kellogg Road from I-275. This gate will take you to a parking lot right next to the track, and there should be plenty of parking. Once inside, there should also be little or no line to get food at Burger Brothers or to make a wager on the race. There are also plenty of different seating options, for example sitting down on the apron at one of the tables, sitting under cover in the grandstand, standing at the rail to hear the pounding of the hooves, or sitting comfortably indoors watching the action on TV. Return on Investment 5 There is no cost to get in, and unlike many tracks, there is only a $1 minimum wager for most bets (as low as 50 cents / 10 cents for trifectas and superfectas). This makes it easy to try your luck on the ponies without risking your shirt. The costs at Burger Brothers are comparable to what you might pay at other sports venues, but with free parking as well, this is a very inexpensive way to enjoy yourself at the races. Extras 3 The facility is small, so you can get very close to the action on the track, especially for the dirt races (the dirt track is on the outside of the turf course). The scenery is also great, and I very much appreciated the clean, modern facility to spend the day in.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Red Mile 1200 Red Mile Rd Lexington, KY 40504 Red Mile website Year Opened: 1875 Red Mile Racing Red Mile is a massive casino in Lexington, Kentucky, with multiple restaurants and bars inside the casino proper. Besides the casino, however, the facility also boasts a full harness racing horse track; the grandstand is located on the upper level of the building, so head upstairs if you want to see the ponies. The grandstand includes betting machines, live cashiers, a gift shop, and two restaurants of its own. Food & Beverage 4 The food scene at Red Mile is top-notch. Ignoring the restaurants inside the casino, the grandstand has three concession stands of its own – two in the main space and one in a more upscale section. In the main area, you can get things like hot dogs, ice cream, and beer, including $3 specials for all three of these during Sunday racing. Or you can visit Wagers Burgers and Brews, which offers a larger menu of burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches (including grilled, fried, or chicken salad), BLTs, gyros, and grilled cheese, among others. The prices at Wagers are a little higher, but the quality is better, so you are getting what you pay for. Atmosphere 3 Red Mile is a nice facility, with a covered outdoor grandstand, bench seating on the apron, or tables with chairs inside where you can watch the racing through floor-to-ceiling windows. There are plenty of live cashiers you can bet with, or plenty of betting machines if you prefer that route. Note that some of the betting machines are for standardbred horses (harness racers), while others are for thoroughbred horses (ridden by jockeys). Like most racing facilities, at Red Mile patrons can watch and bet on live racing at other tracks, but the betting systems for harness vs. thoroughbred racing are separate. Neighborhood 4 There are plenty of things to do in Lexington, including visiting another well-known equine-themed attraction in the city, Kentucky Horse Park. However, you are also close to the University of Kentucky’s campus, including Rupp Arena, and there is also a vibrant distillery district (Bourbon, of course, is the name of the game in Kentucky). Red Mile is within 2 miles of downtown Lexington, so you can find plenty of restaurants, hotels, and things to see and do in the area around the racetrack. Red Mile itself is not a huge attraction, so you will be able to find cheap lodging at nice hotels throughout the racing season here (although it may get a little harder during Wildcat football home games). Fans 3 There aren’t many fans at a typical race day here, especially Sundays, but you will see many more during bigger events. You will likely see a lot of families in attendance, including young kids, as well as groups of friends just hanging out enjoying themselves. As at any horse racing track, the most noise occurs at the end of a race, when fans cheer on their favorite (or complain bitterly about the one that got beaten to the pole at the last second). Access 3 Red Mile is about five miles off I-75; you can use exit 115 just at the point where southbound I-75 merges with eastbound I-64. It will not quite look like you are near the city center, given how much land area the casino and racetrack take up, but you are not far from most of what Lexington has to offer, as mentioned above. Once you get to the casino, you can park for free right in front of the casino – the tricky part is weaving your way through the casino itself to find the grandstand for the track. There isn’t very good signage, and the stairwell up to the second level, even though it is very wide and bright red, is a bit hidden. Note that there is a separate sportsbook inside the casino around the bar, where you will see TVs and betting machines, but that is not in the same location as the entrance to the track and grandstand. Once you get up to the second level, however, there is plenty of room in the grandstand on most race days, with only the busiest race days having lines to bet or get concessions (although Wagers Burgers and Brews had a long line even on the not-so-busy Sunday when I most recently visited Red Mile). Return on Investment 3 There is no cost to get in and no cost to park, and the two regular concession stands (not Wagers Burgers and Brews) are on the low end in terms of pricing. The facility is not as nice as some horse tracks I have been to, but the colors are vibrant, and there is even live music from a stage on the apron. I would recommend a visit if you’re in the area, although Scioto Downs in Columbus has a better facility for harness racing in this writer’s opinion. Extras 3 There are painted horses around town if you feel like a scavenger hunt of sorts, for example, at the gas station outside the main entrance or inside the casino itself. Also, if you want to try a local soda, stop at a gas station or grocery store in Kentucky and look for Ale-8-One. Famed for its namesake ginger ale citrus brew, the company also recently brought back Roxa Cola, which is worth trying if you can find it (it has limited distribution).

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Kokomo Municipal Stadium 400 S. Union St. Kokomo, IN 46901 Kokomo Creek Chubs website Kokomo Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 4,000 Creek Chubs Bring Baseball Back to Kokomo Summer collegiate baseball came back to Kokomo Municipal Stadium in 2026 after a one-year hiatus. The Kokomo Creek Chubs now call it home. The team plays in the Prospect League and is owned by Bullpen Tournaments, Prep Baseball, and former MLB pitcher Joe Thatcher. ​ The stadium, which opened in 2015, cost $9 million to build and holds 4,000 fans. It was originally the home of the Kokomo Jackrabbits, who played in the Prospect and Northwoods Leagues. They left after the 2024 season after a dispute between team ownership and the city. ​ The Creek Chubs returned to the Prospect League after a one-year hiatus from baseball and put the team on the map closer to opponents in nearby Lafayette, Terre Haute, and Danville, Illinois. The team should fit in well in the league's map of clubs in Indiana and Illinois. ​ Kokomo had been home to minor league baseball from 1955 to 1961 in the Three-Eye League for both the Dodgers and Giants organizations. Notable alumni included Orlando Cepeda and Tommie Davis. The ballpark used for those years was Highland Park Stadium, which still stands, but was heavily renovated and downsized in 1984. Today, it is used for the American Legion Post 6 baseball team. ​ Food and Beverage 4 The ballpark has received an updated concession menu that features more than enough options for fans. They will find multiple selling points and lines that move swiftly through the night. The options include fan favorites like hot dogs and nachos. ​ There are two main concession areas, offering three windows for ordering. Fans can choose from the basic hot dogs, nachos, burgers, fries, candy, and soft pretzels. There are various types of hot dogs that include corn dogs, foot-long hot dogs, Chubs dogs, chili cheese dogs, and a gleezy dog. ​ The ballpark offers pizza by the slice, barbecue pork sandwiches, chicken tenders, and super nachos. The right field area features Chick-fil-A sandwiches and a Tropical Sno truck with 7 different flavors to pour over shaved ice. ​ The left-field corner is home to the tent bar that is open to the public. Inside, an array of cocktails and a few more draft options are available to customers. The bar can be opened or closed depending on the weather, and a few barstools and tables are available outside. ​ Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere feels very good for a collegiate wood-bat ballpark. The staff is extremely friendly, courteous, and helpful with any questions or concerns. The game day operations are top-notch with shirt tosses, in-between-inning games, a cheer team on the dugouts, and Hooks, the friendly minnow, patrolling the ballpark. ​ 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, a 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 ballpark’s outfield lawn seats feature in Indianapolis; this could be a great way to entice non-baseball 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 can accommodate up to 1,000 patrons. ​ In the right-field corner is an elaborate jungle gym for the children, protected by a canopy net and featuring blue protective cushions at the bottom. Like the party tent at the opposite end, this place is heavily populated with the younger fans. ​ Neighborhood 3 In Kokomo, you will find a variety of chain restaurants and retail outlets on 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, and it is also an ideal place for 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 deep-fried and big enough for two. ​ The ballpark is near the historic Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium, which was one of the largest high school basketball field houses in the country. The current capacity is 5,200, and it still packs a crowd during the high school season. ​ Fans 3 The fans at the ballpark appear to be strong supporters of their local nine. Many in attendance are decked out in Chubs 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 ball club. The team is new to town, but support is promising early on. ​ 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. Once inside the stadium, the main concourse offers plenty of easy access to your seat, the children’s playground, restrooms, and other points of interest. Take note: there is only one entrance and exit to the ballpark. ​ Return on Investment 4 ​Tickets are $12 for seats behind the backstop in sections 101-108. Tickets for the Creek Bank G/A and lawn seats are $6. There is a small parking lot behind the outfield walls that is free of charge, but parking is available on the residential streets if you arrive early to the game. The price of food is fairly reasonable, with a price range of $3.50 for popcorn to $14 for Chubs nachos. A hot dog is 4.50, a soft pretzel is $5, standard nachos are $5, and soda is $4. A 16-ounce draft beer of Michelob Ultra and Budweiser is $7, and Modelo is $9. The most expensive alcoholic drinks in the building are Long Drink, Nutella, and Cutwater at $12. ​ Extras 4 An extra point for the beer garden and tent bar in the left field corner, a popular destination for Thursday and weekend games, and a great spot for socialization. ​ The second extra point is for the design and modern comforts, which are not typical of a 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. ​ The final points are for the children’s play area. It is impressive in size, features a light blue rubber surface, and a mini baseball diamond. The area is wrapped in protective netting for foul balls. Final Thoughts The Creek Chubs are off to a great start and hopefully will be part of the Kokomo landscape for years to come. Kokomo Municipal Stadium is one of the best summer ball stadiums, and nothing is better than enjoying 9-innings on a warm summer night with a few thousand friends. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Bob Warn Field 931 N 1st St Terre Haute, IN 47807 Terre Haute Rex website Bob Warn Field website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 2,000 The Kings of Baseball in the Wabash Valley Professional baseball has a long history in Terre Haute, dating back to 1884; from 1901-1956, the city regularly fielded minor league teams in the Three-Eye League, a Class B Loop considered one of the finest in the nation. However, midway through the 1956 season, the Terre Haute Huts closed up shop, and a little over a decade later, its ballpark was drastically altered as a football-only facility. For many, it appeared that summertime baseball would never return, but early this century, many began wondering if some form of baseball could return to the city. Soon, a feasibility study was conducted by a Sports and Recreation class at Indiana State University in 2005, and talk of baseball began percolating again in the Wabash Valley. Around the same time, discussions of renovating the ISU baseball field also developed; within four years, the new and improved Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium debuted for the 2009 season. It was built in 1978 and called Sycamore Field. Warn coached the baseball team from 1976 to 2006, leading them to six conference championships and an appearance in the 1986 College World Series. The Rex was originally founded by the ISU Foundation in 2010 and sold to six local businesspeople in 2013, who all had ties to the university. Today, it is owned by Wabash Valley Baseball LLC. The name Rex is an homage to Rex Coffee, which was first produced in town by Clabber Girl in 1905. The unique name is a nod to past team monikers, including the Tots, Huts, Stags, Terry-iers, and Awkwards. The Rex have won five division titles and have added two Prospect League titles in 2015 and 2018. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession area near the main entrance of the stadium. There is not an abundance of choices, and prices are from moderate to high. The area is behind the seating concourse and away from the seating bowl. The options include hot dogs, brats, burgers, chicken sandwiches, nachos, and pretzels. They are all offered in a combo form, including a drink and a bag of chips. Pepsi products are sold, and beer is available either on draft or in cans. Options include Bud and Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Busch Light. Hard alcoholic seltzers and Cutwater varieties are also at the concession stand. Atmosphere 3 The stadium incorporates a salmon stucco exterior design and features a main grandstand and aluminum bleacher seating along the first base side. Blue plastic seat-back chairs are situated behind the backstop. Fans enter the stadium behind the right field foul line. This is where you will find the box office, concession stand, restrooms, and merchandise tent. The right field bleachers and grandstand are separated by the visiting team's dugouts. There is no bleacher seating on the left field line, but there is access for fans to watch the game along the fence. The stadium expands to 2,000 for Rex games, and the club does its best to provide a minor league-style atmosphere for the fans who attend each game. It is a step back to a simpler type of wood-bat ball and does not feature too many annoyances that might strike a chord with traditionalists. The Rex plays on a FieldTurf infield and natural grass outfield. The Rex attracts a pleasant crowd to their home games. A merchandise tent that offers quite a few different styles of attire, from caps to shirts to sweaters with the Rex logo. A kid's bounce house is behind the area, with a few stools and tables overlooking the right field line. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is north of campus and is adjacent to a cemetery. Before renovations, the tombstones were highly visible from behind the outfield walls. The stadium sits on 3rd Street, the main artery of town, where you will find a collection of local proprietors and national restaurant chains. The stadium is nearly three miles north of I-70, where many of these options are, but downtown Terre Haute is close and has the potential to become a burgeoning hot spot in town. The Candles Holocaust Museum and Education Center was created in 1995 by Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes. The impressive museum features holograms of her memories and stories that visitors can view as if she is still with them. The cost is only $8 per person for adults and is well worth your time when in town. The Terre Haute Children’s Museum is also worth a visit with the little ones, $9 for admission. The Sycamore Winery is not too far from the ballpark and is set on beautiful grounds where visitors can enjoy both wine and beer brewed on-site. The best options are nearby downtown. M Moggers is a venerable establishment that offers typical pub food and drinks across the street from the Terre Haute Brewing Company. A bit down the road is J Gumbo’s - my destination for cheap eats and creative thinking; try the Black and bleu dip with nachos, bumblebee stew, Cajun nachos, Jean Lafitte po’boy, creole ratatouille. Rick’s Smokehouse & Grill is another option for smoked ribs and pulled pork. Terre Haute is near other Prospect League clubs in Danville and Lafayette. Danville Stadium and Loeb Stadium are two other Prospect League facilities offering lovely vibes during the summer months. Another ballpark, Victory Field, is located a little bit over an hour in downtown Indianapolis and is one of the best in the minor leagues. Fans 3 The Rex attracts a collection of casual and dedicated fans to the ballpark. Many come out to enjoy the winning baseball by the club, and many others find it a great way to entertain the kids or socialize with friends during the summer months. The ballpark is never fully packed, but they are impressive in numbers at times that bring a livelihood to the place. Access 4 Bob Warn Field is two and a half miles north of I-70. The best way to get there is to exit onto 3rd Street from the interstate and continue north. You will pass the campus to your right, and once you cross over the bridge, the stadium is on your left. The parking is free and close to the entrance of the stadium. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Rex games are as low as $8 for adults and $5 for youths. The price of a backstop grandstand seat is $10, reserved seats are $12, and scout seats up against the field are $15. There is a charge to park in the paved lot outside the entrance, but ample free parking on the asphalt lot across the street. Food prices range from $3 regular hot dogs to $8 cans of domestic beers. Extras 2 Bob Warn Field earns a point for offering team programs for $3, including raffle numbers inside for prizes throughout the game. A second point is the abundant collection of merchandise with the stylish Rex logo. Final Thoughts Whether it's spring college games or summer collegiate wood-bat baseball, Bob Warn Field in Terre Haute is a great spot to enjoy the action. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Sargent's Stadium at the Point 100 Johns Street Johnstown, PA 15901 Johnstown Mill Rats website Sargent's Stadium at the Point website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 7,500 Mill Rats Run Rampant at The Point The Johnstown Mill Rats began operations in 2021 as members of the summer collegiate Prospect League. They play out of Sargent’s Stadium at the Point, which has been in operation since 1926 and underwent an $8 million renovation between 2005 and 2006. ​ The original stadium opened as Point Stadium because of its location at the confluence of the Little Conemaugh, Stoneycreek, and Conemaugh rivers. It had a capacity of 17,000, but that was soon lowered to 10,000. Then, when the renovations were completed in 2006, the capacity was reduced to 7,500. ​ The stadium’s diamond has a southeastern alignment; most features have an east-northeast alignment. There are also gridiron markings in right field, since the stadium hosts high school football in the fall. A giant net is in place in left field to keep balls in play and prevent them from crashing down onto the neighboring street. ​ The Mill Rats name was chosen as a nod to the once-thriving steel and coal industry in Johnstown. At one time, it was home to Bethlehem Steel and the US Steel plants. To match that vintage look, gold and brown were chosen as the team colors. They have made the playoffs three times in team history. Food & Beverage 4 There are two concession stands at the ballpark: 1st base and home plate. The first base area is larger and busier, featuring everything from perogies to mac and cheese. However, fans can enjoy hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, chicken strips and fries, hamburgers, Italian sausage, and walking tacos. ​ There are sweet treats that include funnel cake fries, bomb pops, candy, and ice cream. A $10 souvenir cup is available, and it includes three free refills during the game. IC Light, IC Light Mango, Bud Light, and Yuengling are served in cans. Happy Dad Hard Seltzers are available in three varieties. ​ There is quite a variety of food and beverages at the stadium, and many of the items appeared to be homemade, including the chili for the loaded fries and the fries that are somewhat wavy like a potato chip. Atmosphere 4 The stadium’s size and features do not detract from the atmosphere at the game. Fans can expect a small-town family vibe during a Mill Rats game where the prices are affordable, kids run around the concourse, a mascot gives high-fives, and natural surroundings add to the charm of the stadium. ​ The main entrance is on the right-field portion, and kids toss and throw the ball around to one another in the large plaza area just inside the building. They bounce balls off the giant cement wall that acts as part of the road, and murals of Babe Ruth and past teams are etched on it. A small outfield grandstand is also available for overflow crowds. ​The main grandstand behind home plate features reserve chairback seating. The bleacher seating juts down the right field line and also serves as prime viewing for high school football games in the fall. Just above the right field corner is a small bridge that allows fans a pleasant view of the playing field from up above. ​ There is a small video board in right-centerfield and another scoreboard underneath the 60-foot wall and screen combination. The wall serves the purpose of keeping fly balls in play and preventing them from breaking windows on business buildings on Johns Street. The playing surface is made of synthetic material, and parts above the concourse level, where certain parts of the concourse allow fans a slightly obstructed view. ​ Younger fans can be seen on the entrance ramp behind the home dugout, where many attempt to grab an autograph from a Rats player. Milton, the mascot, can also be seen handing out handshakes and hugs, while members of the staff dance on the dugout during certain parts of the game. In between innings, gimmicks include races, pizza tosses, and dance competitions. Neighborhood 3 Sargent’s Stadium is in downtown Johnstown and across the street from Fetz’s Sports Pub, a popular spot before and after the game. The small tavern has room for fans to grab a plate of wings or a beer, or partake in karaoke on Wednesdays. A few more neighborhood places include Stone Bridge Brewing Taproom, Game Plan on Market, and Scott's by Dam. Coney Island Lunch has been around since 1916, ten years before the ballpark opened. ​ The Johnstown Incline Plane is a 19th-century funicular & lookout featuring scenic panoramas, a visitor center, and an eatery. It is within walking distance of the stadium and perfect for views of it during the day. Fans 4 There was a large crowd on hand during our visit to the stadium. It was Little League Night, and the kiddos were cheering passionately for the Mill Rats. They were waving their shirts around the concourse, yelling aloud and marching up and down the aisles. The rest of the crowd added enough revelry to the night. Access 4 The stadium is massive, with 7,500 seats that stretch from right to left field. The seating bowl features an inner concourse, and there is an upper level that provides additional room for fans at the game. The only issue with access is driving through the hilly streets of town. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices are $5 for general admission and $8 for box seats. Kids under the age of 3 are admitted into the game for free. There is no charge for parking in the nearby lots and on the city streets. Food is also affordable, with $3 hot dogs and $6 beers. ​ Extras 3 The ballpark earns a point for its unique features, including a small bridge across the left field corner, the 60-foot wall and screen combination, the gridiron markings of the football field, and Yoder Hill and the river behind the first base side. ​ The ballpark earns a second point for the various murals on the wall, which also act as the street’s bridge. The kids use this area to bounce balls off it and play catch. ​ The third point is for the field-level view below near the main concession stand. It provides a different type of viewing of the game for patrons. Final Thoughts Sargent’s Stadium at the Point is a nod to grand old ballparks of the past. The historic presence can be felt throughout the building, but modern additions provide comfort to the fans. The tickets are among the cheapest in the league, while concession prices are affordable on any budget. Everyone at the game appeared to have fun, and that is probably the best part about a night at a Mill Rats game. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Lloyd Hopkins Field 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 destination 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 of 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 to 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 seats, and a new video scoreboard in the right field. Additional team and sponsorship signage is 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, blacked out 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 Radler, 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 flair to the ballpark. This area can be rented for a large group and probably has 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 Edge are a few options for visitors. However, the best spot is just outside of downtown. Fast Eddies Bon Air is nationally known for its appearance 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 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 in 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 Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Capaha Field 627 Capaha Drive Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Cape Catfish website Capaha Field website Year Opened: 1949 Capacity: 2,400 Getting Hooked at Capaha Field Capaha Field has been the home of the Cape Catfish of the summer collegiate Prospect League. The ball club arrived during the summer of 2019, but baseball has been played at the site by numerous teams dating back to 1894. The ballpark was first known as Fairgrounds Field and included three separate grandstands. The first wooden grandstand was built in 1905 but was leveled by a storm in 1911. A new one was constructed the same year and enlarged by 40 feet. It would be replaced by the current structure in 1949. A new press box was added in 2006. The SE Missouri State University baseball program has called the ballpark home since 1959 and added a 4,000-square-foot indoor training facility on the right-field side of the stadium. The St. Louis Browns and the Toledo Mud Hens held spring training on the site from 1943-1945 due to wartime restrictions. The ballpark is also home to American Legion baseball. The Capaha baseball team is the oldest amateur club that began playing on the site in 1894 and got its name from the CA-PA-HA Flour Company, which sponsored the club in the early part of the 20th century. The ball club has won 20 state regional titles with a 4th place finish at the NBC in Wichita, Kansas. A $1.8 million renovation plan changed the ballpark and included synthetic turf changes, sectioning off the road on top of the knoll on the right-field side to make it the main concourse, adding a video scoreboard, a new outfield fence, new bullpens, and additional cosmetic upgrades. Chair-back seating from the now-demolished Houck Stadium was added to the grandstand in 2022. Food & Beverage 3 There are multiple food trucks at the ballpark parked up on the hill serving food and beverage during the game. Kenny’s Flippin’ Burgers is a local restaurant that serves smashed burgers and hot dogs. The Cape Catfish version has grilled onions and smash sauce with homemade ribbon chips. The Wat’s Knot truck offers pretzels, pretzel bites, cinnamon twists, and pretzel dogs. Simply Swirled is another truck that has 15 different flavors of shaved ice, including grape, orange, wedding cake, and tiger’s blood. Coca-Cola products are sold, while the beer options include cans of Modelo, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Yuengling Lager, Yuengling Flight, and Cape Catfish Common from local Ebb & Flow Fermentation. It is a Kentucky Common beer, AKA steam beer. It is a well-balanced beer with maltiness that creates a dry and clean flavor profile. Atmosphere 4 Fans enter the stadium at the main entrance behind the grandstand and on top of the hill. The Plaza Tire Entrance used to be a small road for cars but is now part of the stadium’s main grandstand. The tree line area is designed with tables, concession stands, food trucks, a merchandise table, and a small hill where kids run up and down. It is a carnival-like atmosphere on most nights and is a good way to increase the atmosphere at the game. The main grandstand seats a little about 500 people and offers stadium seating. The grandstand features a logo of the ballpark and includes the emblems of all four teams that call it home during the spring and summer. Championship banners of the Catfish are on display, and old baseball bats are used as banisters in the grandstand. A few private areas exist and include the dugout club seating area down the first base side of the stadium and the home run deck behind right field, which has its own entrance. The party area can seat people up to 200 and comes with food and beverages. The SEMO football team was the guest during our visit and provided a noisy backdrop to the visiting right fielder. The Catfish mascot can be found walking through the stadium giving high-fives and posing for photos. A majority of the fans are found on the main concourse either on the hill at tables or sprawling out on the grass berm. The same can be said for a few folks who watch the game from the road behind the outfield wall in center field on top of another hill. They park their cars, pull out a lawn chair, and enjoy the game free of charge. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is inside Capaha Park, which includes a fishing pond, a rose garden, and a disc-golf course over 39 acres in the southwest corner of Cape Girardeau. The area around the park is a mix of residential and commercial use and is near Southeast Missouri State University and Southeast Hospital. However, there are plenty of restaurants and breweries located within a mile of the ballpark. The restaurants include Mary Jane Bourbon & Smokehouse, Burrito-Ville, Kenny’s Flipping Burgers, and Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine. The breweries include Ebb & Flow Fermentation and Many Good Things Brewery. Also, a mile from Capaha Park is the Mississippi River and riverfront. Fans 3 The fan interaction at the park is community-spirited, with families out for a day during the summer, baseball diehards enjoying a few innings, and kids just having fun running around the spacious concourse and hill. There are many with Catfish caps and t-shirts cheering on the hometown team. Access 4 Cape Girardeau is accessible off I-55 and is 115 miles southeast of St. Louis along the Mighty Mississippi River. There are numerous spots to park behind the outfield walls in the grass and dirt lots, along with neighboring streets. Once inside the venue, the main concourse allows fans to direct themselves to many vantage points and the grandstand. Return on Investment 4 Reserved seating in the grandstand is $12; $9 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for kids under $5 everywhere else. Parking is free in the neighboring lots, and food prices are affordable. All cans of beer are $4, and the large tub of shaved ice is also $4 and perfect for kids to cool down during a hot summer day. However, there did not appear to be reasonable pricing for the ballpark staples of hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, and popcorn from any one of the food trucks. Merchandise includes an assortment of T-shirts and caps from $25 to $30, respectively. Extras 3 The Catfish earn points for designing a ballpark that stands out in the Prospect League. The Plaza Tire Entrance makes good use of the old road and turns it into a festive and lively concourse during game time. The beer prices are $4 and almost half of what you might pay elsewhere in summer baseball. Another point is the multiple banners hanging up along the concourse that add a nice touch to the stadium. Final Thoughts Capaha Field has an illustrious history of baseball dating back to the late 19th century, and the Cape Catfish continue that tradition in Cape Girardeau. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Schweickert Stadium 2600 Plank Rd. Peru, IL 61354 Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp website Schweickert Stadium website Year Opened: 2023 Capacity: 2,200 Pistol Shrimp Making a Home in the Illinois Valley The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp are members of the summer collegiate Prospect League and play their home games at Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Memorial Park in Peru, Illinois. The stadium's name comes from the Schweickert family, which donated $500,000 towards an investment in the stadium. The P-Shrimp began operations at Benedictine University's baseball stadium in Niles, Illinois, in 2019. After COVID-19 canceled the season, the club found a new home 100 miles west in Peru. The problem was that there wasn’t a suitable stadium; it was only a diamond and a few metal bleachers. That did not deter team management, as they began constructing a stadium while, at the same time, not charging admission to fans. In 2023, a 575-seat grandstand and press box were built, featuring a brick backstop, a concession stand, and dugouts. Future phases of the project include sinking the dugouts, adding permanent bathrooms, extending the bleacher seating and enlarging the concession stands, and a new scoreboard. What the Pistol Shrimp has is a grassroots ballpark that offers an experience nestled into the community it surrounds. Also, the team is named for its enlarged claw, capable of producing a loud snapping sound to stun its prey much larger. Food & Beverage 3 The concession stand is no bigger than what you would find at a high school football stadium. It serves popcorn, nachos, pretzels, chips, candy, Pepsi products, and frozen treats: ice cream, sherbet, and novelty ice cream. The prices range from $3 to $5 apiece. A few food trucks make up the rest of the food choices behind the main grandstand. Tony’s Butt Shack has a menu consisting of pulled pork sandwiches, hillbilly nachos, loaded mac and cheese, pulled pork parfait, and hot dogs. A pretzel truck featured long lines of customers ordering plain, cinnamon/sugar, and garlic soft pretzels and fresh-squeezed lemonade. A beer garden serves draft and canned beer and cocktails. A few highlights include the official team beer Short Hop Golden Ale, Tangled Roots Saison de Lager, Miller, and Coors Light, Truly, White Claw, and Twisted Tea. The cocktails include Pistol Punch, High Fly Ball, and Vodka Slushies. Atmosphere 4 A Pistol Shrimp game is a different experience from most Prospect League games. The stadium looks more like a Division II ballpark, perhaps a little nicer than a few Division I ballparks, and the atmosphere rivals that of a Little League game. The surrounding area features grassy areas and tall cornfields. The grandstand has seating for 500 fans, while the stadium itself can hold up to 2,000 fans on additional bleachers, standing-room-only areas, and grassy areas where lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. The plastic theater-style chairs still have the fresh smell of plastic, and the brick backstop adds a nice touch to the stadium. The PA announcer encourages fans to look in their game program for the lucky number, 50/50 raffle tickets, and player information. Kids run around in groups chasing foul balls or standing next to the fence to get a glimpse of the players. In-between promotions include younger fans dancing, dressing up like Elvis, and answering trivia questions. Neighborhood 2 The ballpark is not within walking distance of restaurants or lodging but is only a short drive from I-80 or other parts of town. Locals recommend visiting Lou’s La Grotto for pizza, the Uptown Grill for fine dining, the Country House for hearty meals, and Verucchi’s Ristorante for Italian cuisine. Mickey’s Massive Burritos is located in neighboring La Salle and is home to burritos, tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and drinks. Fans 4 There are many types of fans at a Pistol Shrimp game, including the diehards watching the game from the stands while keeping score, the parents enjoying a night out with friends while their kids run around the stadium, and the younger fans who enjoy baseball and food with friends. Access 4 The ballpark is less than 2 miles south of I-80 at the Plank Road exit. There is ample parking in front of the stadium, and the entrance is in the left-field corner. The bulk of the bathrooms are located in port-a-potties way down the right-field line and behind the grandstand. Soon to be replaced with a further phase of renovations. Return on Investment 4 Admission to all games is free, and prices for concession foods range between $3-$5, but they are limited. The food truck options are a little higher but much better in quality, from $12-$14. The beer garden offers a range of beer, seltzers, and cocktails between $4 and $6. Merchandise runs $30 for a ball cap and $25 for a T-shirt. The team has a variety of items, but they are limited in size. Extras 3 The Pistol Shrimp earns a point for offering free admission to all games, having a fun and exciting mascot seen throughout the game, and providing a community-based experience at the ballpark during the summer months of June and July. Final Thoughts The Prospect League has its share of ballpark experience, from former minor league venues to community ballparks. Schweickert Stadium falls somewhere in between as a living structure that should change in the years to come. The fans, free tickets, and small-town setting make it worth a visit somewhere between the stadiums of Rockford, Normal, and Joliet. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Carleton Davidson Stadium 1101 Mitchell Blvd. Springfield, OH 45503 Champion City Half Trax website Carleton Davidson Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 1,077 Champion City Baseball Experience Editor's Note: The Champion City Kings rebranded as the Champion City Half Trax for the 2026 season. Springfield, Ohio’s entry in the Prospect League was not crowned the “Champion City Kings” out of some sense of hubris. When the Slippery Rock Sliders franchise made the move to southwest Ohio in 2014, there was amazingly already another team in the circuit named the Springfield Sliders (the team from Springfield, IL, is now known as the “Lucky Horseshoes”). The “Champion City” moniker comes from when the city was the leading producer of the “Champion” combined reaper and mower. The demand was so high for these agricultural products that the manufacturing plant in town covered 54 acres and employed 2,000 people at its height in the 1870s. Carleton Davidson was a native of Springfield. He was a local civic leader, businessman, and philanthropist. He and his wife Ruth established a foundation that funded various projects in the area, including the Davidson Interpretive Center and Carleton Davidson Stadium at Whittenberg University. The ballpark that came to bear his name was built at the site of the city’s previous baseball stadium, Municipal Stadium. Springfield’s last organized team was the New York Giants’ Class D team, which folded in 1951. Built for Whittenberg University’s Division Three baseball team in 2004, the ballpark cost $2.66 million to complete. Upon completion of the ballpark, it was immediately dedicated to Davidson. Since arriving in Ohio, the Kings have failed to live up to their moniker, qualifying for the playoffs only three times in their 15 seasons, and winning only one playoff game. Food & Beverage 4 There is a concession stand right behind home plate. The menu doesn’t offer much more than your standard stadium fare, but that’s a lot more than you might be expecting at a small park like this. Hungry fans can select pizza slices, burgers, hot dogs, and brats here. Load up your dogs and brats for an extra dollar. There’s also a good selection of snacks on the menu, including nachos, pretzels, popcorn and ice cream treats. Coca-Cola products are featured at Davidson Stadium. Fans looking for an adult beverage will gravitate towards the portable stand selling Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and assorted White Claws. Atmosphere 2 The game day atmosphere at Davidson Stadium is pretty much what you would expect at a small ballpark in a small city in a lower-level summer league. They do all the things you would expect to see at the bigger ballparks, but on a smaller scale. If you’re a fan of a relaxed, low-key presentation, you’ll enjoy your time in Springfield. There are some between-inning games and contests run by the team’s interns. A 50/50 raffle held each night helps to fund the team’s operations, and there’s a team store offering up some Kings swag. A video board located in left field displays player photos and game information, but does need a little TLC. The sound system is good and is put to good use with music, sound effects, and a PA announcer who goes about his business in a professional manner. Neighborhood 2 Springfield is the 12th-largest city in Ohio, with a population of about 60,000 residents. Davidson Stadium is located in the Annex Baseball Complex in the center of town on the shores of Buck Creek. Whittenburg University is just a couple of miles away. While there aren’t any points of interest in the immediate vicinity of Davidson Stadium, visitors to the area will find dining and lodging options a short drive away. The Springfield Museum of Art, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House and Buck Creek State Park highlight the many attractions in Springfield. For a more complete look at dining, lodging, and attractions in Springfield, check out the information page on the Whittenburg University website. Fans 2 The small-town feel is most prevalent in the stands at Davidson Stadium. Most of the fans in attendance seem to be regulars, and most certainly have a connection with the team and the players on the field. They are enthusiastic in their support of the Kings, and knowledgeable about the action. The Kings annually land near the bottom of the Prospect League’s attendance rankings, with an average attendance of about 400 fans per game. Fans are welcoming to out-of-towners, and you’ll likely have no problem striking up a conversation with those around you. What these fans lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. Access 3 The city of Springfield is located in southwestern Ohio, between the larger cities of Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. Interstate 70 runs just to the south of the city, and State Route 40 will get you close to the ballpark. Davidson Stadium is located in the center of Springfield, but a trip through the city neighborhoods is required to reach the ballfield. Once you arrive at Davidson Stadium, you’ll find plenty of room to park in the large lot adjacent to the field. The entrance to the ballpark deposits you right behind home plate, where you’ll find the concession stand and restrooms. The majority of the seating is located on either baseline, in a covered grandstand. The old bleachers have been replaced by uncomfortable plastic bucket seats. Picnic tables and a party area are located further down the right field line, offering views unobstructed by netting. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Champion City games are quite affordable. Box seats are priced at $15, while General Admission tickets will cost you ten dollars. Discounts are available for children, seniors, and members of the military. Parking is free of charge in the large lots around the ballpark. Concession prices are reasonable as well, making a night at a Kings game an affordable entertainment option for local fans. Extras 1 An extra point is awarded for the tributes to Bob Pyle, former Springfield mayor and city teacher. Mr. Pyle coached local teams for 52 years, including 42 as the coach of the WBLY team. He had only one losing season during all those seasons and qualified for 13 National Baseball Congress World Series. He passed away after suffering a heart attack during that 13th appearance at the age of 64. Mr. Pyle is honored on the stadium’s scoreboard and in the locker room. Final Thoughts Hidden treasures like Carleton Davidson Stadium are why ballpark travelers crisscross the continent visiting small towns and big cities alike. A hidden gem off the beaten path, Carleton Davidson Stadium provides a nice alternative to the noise and commotion of the bigger ballparks in the area. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Marion Stadium 1000 Miners Drive Marion, IL 62959 Thrillville Thrillbillies website Marion Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 7,000 Take a Thrilling Ride in Thrillville, USA Marion Stadium is home to the Thrillville Thrillbillies of the summer collegiate Prospect League. The team returned to organized baseball to back Marion, Illinois, after the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League folded in 2021. The 7,000-seat ballpark is among the biggest in the summer league, but a new name and imagery hope to bring fans back to the ballpark. The stadium hoped to lure a Single-A Midwest League team by former mayor, but when that did not work, the town opted for the independent Frontier League. The Miners were a success during their inaugural season of 2007, attracting 259,392 fans, but after several years of declining attendance, the love affair appeared to be over. The original owners retired after the 2021 season, and baseball was gone. Enter the Thrillbillies, whose unique identity is inspired by the regional outdoor adventures of off-road driving and rock climbing. The club’s logo of a deer and rabbit riding an ATV and skydiving adheres to those outdoor adventures of Southern Illinois. The venue opened as Rent One Park but reverted to Mountain Dew Park in early 2023, then changed to Marion Stadium at the start of the T-Billies opening night. Besides summer collegiate baseball, the ballpark hosts the Colt World Series and the Great Lakes Valley Conference and Ohio Valley Conference college baseball tournaments. Food & Beverage 3 The ballpark introduced a whole new menu, including a few interesting items that hope to be signature items: the Thrillville Chicken Sandwich and Burger. There are also Mexican, barbecue, and sweet treats to appeal to most fans at the ballgame. The Thrillville Chicken Sandwich is fried in Flaming Hot Cheetos crumbs, doused with habanero sauce, and served between two Krispy Kreme donuts. The Thrillville Burger is topped with bacon and cheese sauce in between two crispy waffles as buns. They sell for $10; fans can make it a combo with chips and a drink for $3 extra. The main concession stand behind home plate serves hot dogs (regular and foot long), ¼ pound cheeseburgers, grilled or breaded chicken sandwiches, and chicken strips. All sandwiches can be upgraded to a combo, fully loaded, or include extra heat if desired. The Catina is located down the third base end of the concourse and offers quesadillas with chips, three street tacos, and fully loaded nachos. The barbecue stand features pulled pork, smoked chicken, and brisket sandwiches. A kiosk behind the backstop offers brisket sloppy joes with barbecue chips. The colorful Lollywood concession stand serves sugary sweets, including ice cream, doughnuts in three different flavors, assorted candies, and cotton candy. Fans can also order cheese and pepperoni pizza slices. The alcoholic drinks are also behind the backstop and include Budweiser products from Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and seltzers from Nutrl and Cutwater. The cocktails available are a Mt. Dew Margarita, Sangria, and various mixed drinks. Atmosphere 3 Marion Stadium has a different look than other ballparks of its kind. Instead of a red brick and hunter-green canopy design, the structure’s colors are black, steel, and gray. The main concourse features exposed piping from the press box and suite area with open views of the playing field from anywhere in the stadium. Due to the transition of the stadium to the new ball club, there is evidence of the old Miners that includes seat signage with a rock design in the former team’s colors and the removal of the Rent One Park logo outside the stadium’s main entrance. However, the Thrillbillies aura is presently painted on the walls of the Lollywood concession stand in a graffiti style. The Thrillbillies have a dance team that performs on the dugout during innings, along with assisting the on-field promotions in between each inning of play. The team’s rabbit mascot can be seen on the field and in the stands entertaining fans of all ages. The team shop is stocked with club gear, including caps, t-shirts, and other trinkets. The stadium features 14 luxury suites and an events center up above the third base side that can accommodate up to 200 guests. The field uses Sportexe Turf, a synthetic surface that drains easier than natural grass and can be used for other events throughout the year. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is directly off I-57 and between regional restaurants and hotel chains. A few hotels are located in the same parking lot as the stadium and are ideal for easy access back and forth during a visit. However, many close around 10 pm Sunday to Wednesday, but if visiting on a weekend night, you will have a few options. 618 Tap House is within seconds by car from the ballpark and features pub food from chicken wings, burgers, and sandwiches. The draft list is impressive and ideal for a pint or two after the game with friends. 17th Street Barbecue has one of its locations in the neighborhood with pulled pork, brisket, and smoked chicken available until it’s gone. With the family, Applebee’s, Logan’s Roadhouse, or Buffalo Wild Wings are close to Marion Stadium. Fans 4 The fanbase is getting to know the T-Billies and averages over 2,000 fans per game. The crowds are respectable for the league. You will see folks wearing team colors and caps and supporting the ball club; hopefully, there will be something to cheer for years to come in Marion. Access 4 The stadium is at the intersection of I-57 and Illinois Route 13. There are three parking entry gates for guests to enter the parking area. Inside the ballpark, fans can get around and access the three main points of sale for concessions and the merchandise store near the main entrance. After the game, traffic moves smoothly out of the parking lot, but could be cumbersome on nights with larger crowds. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices are $8 for a seat in the grandstand and $5 for lawn seating down the third baseline. The club does not charge for parking. Concession prices are as low as $4 for a hot dog and $10 for a Thrillville Burger or Chicken sandwich. Merchandise prices are in line with many other franchises in the league, with a cap selling for $30 and a T-shirt for $25. Extras 4 Marion Stadium earns a point for its Thrillville Burgers and Chicken Sandwich. It is awarded a second point for its distinctive design compared to other ballparks of its era. A third point is for the ticket prices, which are only $5 and $8 a night. A final point is for the management to develop promotions that include the unique Tighty Bowl game. Final Thoughts The Thrillbillies have a distinct branding that hopes to bring fans back to the ballpark. The team looks to reach beyond the typical baseball promotions and help make a night at the game a “thrill” again in Southern Illinois. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Loeb Stadium 1915 Scott St. Lafayette, IN 47904 Lafayette Aviators website Loeb Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 2,600 Lafayette's Loeb Stadium is That Ballpark From 1940 to 2019, the original Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Indiana, was the home for baseball. It served as home to the Lafayette-Jefferson High School baseball program, the Colt World Series, various minor league baseball teams, and, since 2016, the Lafayette Aviators of the Prospect League. That changed when construction began on August 27, 2019, on a new ballpark scheduled to open for the 2021 high school baseball season. The $22 million renovation plan would include a press box, multiple concession stands, and bathrooms, stadium seats, a terrace level with hospitality suites, and new turf. The grandstand was rotated 180 degrees from its original position, and its main entrance is now at the corner of Main and Waters Street. The new ballpark also houses a video scoreboard, a beer garden, and a wraparound concourse. Construction took 19 months, including a three-week shutdown for the pandemic, in April 2020. On March 31, 2020, the first event took place when the Lafayette-Jefferson Bronchos debuted at the ballpark. The construction was paid for using an economic development income tax, rather than property tax. Its development hopes to serve as a gateway for visitors to the downtown corridor about three miles north of the stadium. The high school team will be the primary tenant during the springtime and will host tournaments, summer collegiate ball, and hopefully a soccer club. Food & Beverage 4 The ballpark features two main concession stands offering a full menu of ballpark staples including hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, pizza, corn dogs, fries, and soft drinks. Fan favorites include chicken tender baskets and nachos served in collectible batting helmets, along with locally-made Glover's Ice Cream. Lafayette-Jefferson High School volunteers staff the concession stands, creating a community connection as the school's baseball team also calls the stadium home during the spring season. There are a couple of local proprietors on the third base side of the concourse. Nanny Boos giant kettle cooker can be found popping up caramel, original, and jalapeño bags of popcorn. Just next door is Little Miss Cupcakes, which sells fresh-baked cookies, cupcakes, and crispy rice treats. They have a cookie with Cracker Jack and Peanuts. The stadium sells draft beer, including Mich Ultra, Modelo, Bud Lite, Mango Cart Wheat Ale, and Stella. The beer garden is at the end of the first-base side of the stadium and offers beer from local Teays River Brewing. They have great options like Trama Llama Ding Dong and 6th Street Cerveza. Atmosphere 4 A packed house welcomed the Aviators to their new digs, with the local Lafayette-Jefferson High School band playing outside the stadium as part of the pre-game festivities. Once through the gates, staff members welcomed you and plenty of local businesspeople with tables hawking their services. Before the game, the crowd watched the mayor throwing out the first pitch, three skydivers landing onto the field amid reddish smoke, and the team mascot Ace arriving by a makeshift landplane. The audience was ready for summer collegiate baseball in its fancy, modern baseball facility. The design of the stadium, similar to other ballparks, bears a striking resemblance to the nearby Kokomo Municipal Stadium. However, with only a 2,600 capacity, compared to Kokomo’s 4,000, Loeb feels just about ideal for summer collegiate baseball. American Structurepoint was the architect behind both buildings, and there were a few notes of inspiration taken for their latest project in Lafayette. According to its website, the design incorporates architectural precast concrete colonnades, traditional brick facades, and exposed structural steel, drawing inspiration from the stadium's original 1940s-era Art Deco architecture. The colors of sandstone, dark brown, and brick provide an eye-popping aesthetic and break away from the ballpark colors of brick red and forest green. Fans can also enjoy a walk around the entire concourse, which includes a well-balanced lawn seating area behind the left-field wall and a beautiful view of the Tropicanoe Cove water slide. However, as you make your way to the right-field side, the playing field is cut off by a narrow walkway and tall screen to protect from fly balls crashing into the nearby Columbia Park offices and parking lot. The Aviators official team store is located near the entrance, offering an array of merchandise: replica jerseys, team caps, mini baseball bats, and both men's and women's T-shirts. There is also All-Star Game merchandise. Neighborhood 3 Loeb Stadium is adjacent to the Tropicanoe Cove Waterpark and Columbian Park Zoo. It is also about three and a half miles away from the campus of Purdue University. The zoo features close to 200 animals, and admission is free, but donations are encouraged. The rest of the park offers walking and biking trails, playgrounds for the children, shelters, and picnic areas. Within the visibility of the outfield walls are two popular spots before or after the game: Arni’s Pizza and Original Frozen Custard. The custard stand has been a tradition since 1932, featuring custard, milkshakes, hot dogs, tenderloin sandwiches, phosphates, and Coca-Cola drinks flavored with marshmallows and Tiger Blood (coconut and cherry) syrups. It’s the perfect place for a pre-game meal and a post-game dessert. If you would like to venture around the town of Lafayette, a few suggestions would be Ripple & Company, Black Sparrow, and East End Grille. Triple XXX Family Restaurant is a popular destination among locals and tourists and has been on Food Network. Their homemade root beer is worth a glass or two when in town for the game. Fans 4 It was a large crowd on hand for the game; others were there for a night out with friends and family, while others were there for a baseball game. The club has been around for over a decade and cemented itself within the community. The team averages above the league average. Access 4 The stadium is easy to navigate, with ample space to move between different areas. If you still want to stay clear of a large audience, most, if not all, were without masks; grab a spot in the lawn section. There are also a couple of methods off I-65 to the ballpark, about 5 miles from each exit. A free parking lot is a couple of blocks south of the ballpark, and there is plenty of street parking in the surrounding residential neighborhood. The traffic runs smoothly, but arrive early for a close spot. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets start at $11.50 for General Admission. The parking is free, the beer is between $7 and $8 merchandise runs reasonably inexpensive. If you are there with the family, it's $44 for 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 soft drinks or waters for Sunday games. Fans can park in the frozen custard lot across the street for a premium. When you add this all up, it’s quite a budget-friendly night of baseball. Extras 4 Loeb Stadium earns a point for its view of the water slide behind the left-field lawn seating, adding a sweet aesthetic to the game. The second point is for the custard stand, roughly the same distance from a throw from second to first base, which is a must either before or after the game. The fourth point is for the giant popcorn kettle that prepares caramel popcorn on site. The final point concerns the ballpark's colors and comfort, ensuring it is appropriately sized and maintains a welcoming, familiar atmosphere similar to other beloved ballparks. Final Thoughts Loeb Stadium might be one of the better summer collegiate ballparks in the league, if not in the country. Its size, comfort, design, and aesthetics are what future ballparks should be modeled after. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Bishop Schmitt Field 1042 Ignatian Way Wheeling, WV 26003 Wheeling Cardinals website Bishop Schmitt Field website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 2,500 Flock, Flock, Flock! Wheeling University boasts an intimate setting for football with a decent atmosphere, but the facility lacks several modern amenities fans have come to expect at a sports stadium these days. The Cardinals play at Bishop Schmitt Field in Wheeling, WV – Wheeling University is a private Catholic University founded in 1954, but its football program has only existed since 2019. The Cardinals compete in the NCAA’s Division II Mountain East Conference. Food & Beverage 2 Bishop Schmitt Field doesn’t have any fixed concession stands, instead bringing in several food trucks during each home game, which are set up in the tailgating lot across the street from the press box. Unfortunately, these food trucks only offer dessert-type items such as ice cream, cotton candy, and donuts. There are beverages for sale such as coffee, soda, and bottled water, but no main dishes or sides. Alcohol is also not allowed on campus, as this is a Catholic university. Fans are allowed to bring their own food and drinks to the facility; otherwise, you will have to go off campus if you are looking for anything substantial to eat. Atmosphere 3 Bishop Schmitt Field offers a pleasant atmosphere in a scenic setting with lots of greenery in the background. All the seating is bleachers, and there is little shade to be found except for under a few trees, or in the last few rows on the home side (in the shadow of the press box). As a result, some fans bring umbrellas to sit under and/or bring folding chairs to set up on the hill overlooking the field, where some of the trees are located. The PA system is very loud, so it is easy to hear the game calls from anywhere on the property – in fact, you can hear the action clearly from the Kroger grocery store half a mile away. The staff also does the traditional dance cams during breaks in the action, and of course leads fans in singing “Country Roads” at the end of the third quarter, a West Virginia staple. Neighborhood 2 Wheeling University’s campus itself is very well kept, but outside of campus this particular section of the city (near the Ohio River) is a bit dilapidated, with a few blocked-off roads and several ongoing construction zones. There are a few restaurants around, including local chains such as Bob Evans or Perkins, but only a couple of hotels nearby. There is a casino and greyhound racetrack on Wheeling Island, which offers another hotel option, but most of the hotels in the area are about 10 miles to the east in St. Clairsville, Ohio, or 10 miles to the west near Wheeling’s city center. The Greyhound racetrack on Wheeling Island is one of only two still operating in the United States, so it may be worth a look if you are in the area. Live racing happens Wednesday through Sunday starting at 1 pm, so depending on what time the football game starts, you may be able to catch a few races before or after. Fans 2 The fans at Bishop Schmitt Field are solid, but there just aren’t too many of them. The visiting side is practically empty, and some of the most diehard fans sit on the hill overlooking the field, instead of in the bleachers. If you visit the hill, you will hear plenty of catcalls aimed at the referees for missing a hold or pass interference. Access 3 Getting to this part of Wheeling is very easy, as it is right off I-70 coming either east or west. However, once you get off the freeway, the roads are a little wonky, with weird doglegs and turns getting on or off the freeway, due to the layout of the river and where the on/off ramps are situated. Once you get to Wheeling University’s campus, Bishop Schmitt Field is easy to find, and the concessions are right next to the press box. However, the only bathrooms are located inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center located behind the northeast end zone, so you will face a bit of a walk if you need to go during the game. On the plus side, you could potentially use that building as a cooling-off spot partway through the game if the heat gets to be too much. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Wheeling Cardinals football games are only $10, which is reasonable, but the lack of meal options at the concessions is a bit of a disappointment for a 3-to-3-and-a-half-hour game. If you do attend a game here, I would definitely recommend bringing a camping chair to try and sit under the shade of a tree, unless you can find a night game. Parking at Bishop Schmitt Field is free. Extras 2 There is no tailgating allowed in the parking lot overlooking the field, but you can tailgate in the lot behind the press box. I did not see a band or a mascot during my most recent visit.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Hamilton Stadium 64 Melrose Ave N Hamilton, ON L8L 8C1 Canada Hamilton Tiger-Cats website Hamilton Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 23,218 Oskee-Wee-Wee In Ontario’s steel city, the sound of 20,000 fans yelling out “Oskee Wee Wee”, led by a bearded fellow carrying an odd bowler hat, may be the Hamilton equivalent to heavenly tones. Summer and fall weekends at Hamilton Stadium find the Hamilton Tiger-Cats taking the field and Pigskin Pete leading the crowd in the somewhat famous chant. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are the cornerstone Canadian Football League franchise in Ontario. Although the origins of the team date back to 1869, the official beginning of the Ticats is 1950, when the rival teams, the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats, merged, hence the unique name of the team. The team has enjoyed the success of eight Grey Cup Championships since the merger, claiming another six from the Tigers and Wildcats days. In 2003, local businessman Bob Young purchased the Tiger-Cats and endeared himself to the community, dubbing himself the “Caretaker” of the franchise, a nod to the attachment the team has to The Hammer. Home for the Ticats is Hamilton Stadium. The former Tim Hortons Field opened in 2014 as a replacement for venerable Ivor Wynne Stadium. After an exhaustive search for a suitable location for a new stadium in Hamilton, the decision was made to build on the site of Ivor Wynne, rotating the orientation of the field 90 degrees. Naming rights were originally held by Tim Hortons, which was founded in Hamilton, until they lapsed in 2024. The city continues to search for a naming rights partner for the city-owned stadium. Food & Beverage 4 Hamilton Stadium offers a decent array of concession options. Main concession stands are found on both the east and west sides. Pizza Pizza and Butcher Burger are at the permanent concession windows offering slices, burgers, poutine, and other options. Mobile carts are also found throughout the stadium and include Denninger’s Sausage, Cheese Co., Liquor Craft, and Hamilton Smoked Meat Co. Nashville Chicken, Loaded Tater Tots, and Buffalo Chicken Poutine are all good options. Hamilton Stadium offers a variety of alcoholic beverages. National beer brands including Molson Canadian and Coors Light are available, as well as premium options including Coors Original, Creemore and Heineken. Seltzers from Coors and Cottage Springs, as well as wine and spirits, are available. Fans may want to try a Ticats Lager from nearby Bench Brewing Co., the signature beer of the team. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Hamilton Stadium, and Tim Hortons coffee is also available. Atmosphere 4 Hamilton Stadium is an excellent stadium for the CFL. The exterior of Hamilton Stadium does not provide a big wow factor, but it is an attractive stadium. Essentially composed of an east and west grandstand that is in a fairly compact footprint, fans will most likely enter through the north or south gates. There is a large gathering area in the southeast corner where fans can meet before heading in. There are a couple of things fans should note on the exterior. The southern end of Hamilton Stadium is bordered by Cannon Street East, which has been renamed Bernie Faloney Way between Balsam and Melrose after the legendary Tiger-Cats quarterback. The pillars of the exterior fencing feature the Tiger-Cats Walk of Fame. Member plaques for Hamilton legends like Earl Winfield, Angelo Mosca, Joe Montford, Wally Zatylny, and numerous Pig Skin Petes, and many more are great for fans to explore. Inside the stadium, fans will be drawn to north and south endzone features. The south endzone has The Hammar bar area with the giant steam whistle on top of giant shipping containers and signifies the working-class demeanor of Hamilton. The north endzone features the videoboard, which is solid. The new Porter Airlines Hangar is a covered club area, which has not been welcomed with open arms. The covered seating blocks the video board from some of the lower seats in the northeast and northwest corners. On the fascia of the west grandstand is the Tiger-Cats Wall of Honour. Tiger-Cats memorialized on the wall include Danny McManus, Joe Montford, Rocky DiPietro, Jake Gaudaur, Ben Zambiasi, Angelo Mosca, Tommy Grant, Less Browne, Earl Winfield, Ellison Kelly, Garney Henley, Bernie Faloney, Don Suthernin, Bernie Custis, Miles Gorrell, Mike Walker, Pete Neumann, Willie Bethea, Tommy Joe Coffey, Joe Zuger, Ralph Sazio, Bob Krouse, Vince Scott, John Barrow, Bill Danychuk, Grover Covington, Paul Osbaldston, Rob Hitchcock and Darren Flutie. The Tiger-Cats have further retired the numbers of their three most honoured players, Angelo Mosca, Bernie Faloney and Garney Henly on the fascia of the northwest corner. The eight Grey Cups the Ticats claim are memorialized in the southwest corner (1953, 1957, 1963, 1967, 1972, 1986, 1999) along with the seven Grey Cups from the Hamilton Alerts, Tigers and Wildcats (1912, 1913, 1915, 1928, 1929, 1932, 1943). An area that fans should consider checking out is the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, which is located on the Club Level. Fans have access to the Hall of Fame twenty minutes after the game has completed. Where the Tiger-Cats really step up is in the game day production department. There are certain staples that Ticat fans enjoy and the organization delivers on all accounts, but by no means is the game over-produced. The Hammer area in the south is a great social area to hang out and features a stage with live music. The national anthem is highlighted with the unveiling of the giant Canadian flag, nearly the size of the entire field. A flyover by one of the planes from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a staple at Tiger-Cat games. The Tiger-Cats cheerleaders entertain the fans on the field and throughout the stadium, and TC and Stripes, the Ticat mascots, interact with fans young and old. However, it is the presence of Pigskin Pete and the Oskee-Wee-Wee chant that are uniquely Hamilton and a part of every Tiger-Cat experience. Neighbourhood 2 Hamilton Stadium is absolutely a neighbourhood stadium. Located in the Stipley neighbourhood of Hamilton, on the site of the former Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton Stadium suffers from the same location issues as its predecessor. Tiger-Cats Caretaker, Bob Young, attempted to get a different location for the stadium when negotiating with the City of Hamilton; however, the long and drawn-out process ended with no change in location, only a change in orientation. There are not many spots for pre or post-game food or drinks near the stadium. The Capitol Bar and Bernie’s Tavern are nearby. There are a couple of fast food options on Barton Street, but nothing too exciting. The best bet is to hop into the car or take public transit and head to Hess Village. The Gown and Gavel is a good selection, as is the Pub 36. Other selections downtown include Electric Diner and Radius. The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is located on the Club Level at Hamilton Stadium. The Hall is open during game days and well worth checking out. FirstOntario Concert Hall and the TD Coliseum are the other big entertainment spots in the city, hosting concerts and other shows, and they are located downtown. A must-see experience in Hamilton is the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. For those looking for other sporting experiences, Forge FC of CPL shares Hamilton Stadium with the Ticats. If lacrosse is the jam, then seeing the Toronto Rock at TD Coliseum is the way to go. The new AHL Hamilton Hammers and a new PWHL team will be taking up residence at TD Coliseum also. McMaster University fields athletic teams as well. The McMaster Marauders football team plays at Les Prince Field @ Ron Joyce Stadium, and the basketball team plays at Burridge Gymnasium @ Ivor Wynne Centre. Hamilton also has a Canadian Baseball League team in the Hamilton Cardinals. For fans needing to stay in the area, downtown is again the spot to be. The Crowne Plaza and Sheraton are good selections on King Street. Fans 4 The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have enjoyed solid support over the years. At the time of writing, the 20026 season, the Tiger-Cats averaged over 20,000 fans per game. This ranked third in the CFL. It should be noted that this review was before the Labour Day Classic, which is consistently the top event for the Tiger-Cats of the season. The previous season, the Tiger-Cats averaged nearly 23,000 fans per game, ranking them 4th of the 9 CFL teams. Ticat fans are loud and proud. They are enthusiastic supporters when Pigskin Pete comes to their section to recite the Oskee-Wee-Wee. They are also notable for their hatred of the rival Toronto Argonauts and travel well to away games in Toronto. Access 3 Getting to Hamilton Stadium can be a challenge. It is located in The Stipley neighbourhood on the northeast corner of Melrose and Cannon. It is far from the major highways, and fans coming in from out of town will have to travel through the city. It is located east of Highway 403, west of Red Hill Parkway, and significantly south of the Queen Elizabeth Way. King and Main Streets are the main access points to the neighbourhood, but both streets being one-way means that the traffic does flow well. Parking around Hamilton Stadium is an issue, and there are not too many lots. There are a couple that will charge $15 to $25, and some residents will sell their driveway for the evening. Getting there early to find parking is the best idea if bringing the car to Hamilton Stadium. Fans interested in tailgating should head early to the lot at Chapele and Lloyd, Parking Lot E. The response to the parking situation is a significant public transit effort. Several buses travel King, Barton, and Cannon Streets. There are some Park and Ride lots throughout the city also. Public Transit is free on game days with a valid ticket. More information can be found at the HSR website. Getting around the stadium isn’t terrible. There are definitely many sets of stairs at Hamilton Stadium, and a couple of escalators to take the pressure off the elevators would help also. Washroom facilities are more than adequate at Hamilton Stadium. Return on Investment 4 Hamilton Tiger-Cats tickets start at $35 for the upper deck, end sections. Lower bowl seats start at $61, and club tickets range from $160 to $200. These prices are a far cry from the overpriced National Football League and are even south of power conference NCAA football teams. Parking will cost in the $20 neighbourhood, and concession prices are about what one would expect. In the end, there is good value in a Tiger-Cats game, and the product on the field is solid. A great sporting experience is what to expect at Hamilton Stadium Extras 3 An extra mark for one of the greatest rivalries in sports. There is nothing the Hamilton faithful love more than beating the hated Toronto Argonauts. The annual Labour Day Classic played in Hamilton each year is the top ticket for the season. Labour Day is the signature day for the CFL, and the two teams have been squaring off for decades on this national holiday. An extra mark for Tiger-Cat season seat subscribers from Box J. In Ivor Wynne Stadium, the most ardent Ticat supporters sat in Box J. At Hamilton Stadium, the Honorary Box J has been set up in Section 103. An extra mark for the Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association, which does a fantastic job of keeping the history of the Tiger-Cats alive with their fantastic website. Final Thoughts Participating in the Oskee-Wee-Wee chant at a Hamilton Tiger-Cats game is a truly unique CFL and Hamilton experience. For fans of the league, heading to the Hammer is a must-do, bucket-list item, and fans will not be disappointed. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads, and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Skyhawk Field 490 Washington St. Easton, MA 02356 Stonehill Skyhawks men's soccer website Skyhawk Field website Skyhawk Soccer On April 5, 2022, tiny Stonehill College, a private Catholic school located in Easton, Massachusetts with an enrollment of 2,500 undergraduate students, announced it was moving all of its athletic teams to the NCAA Division I level, effective in the fall of 2022. Prior to then, Stonehill was a member of the Northeast-10 Conference in NCAA Division II. Upon its elevation to Division One, Stonehill joined the Northeast Conference. Stonehill’s athletic teams competed for years as the Chieftains. In 2002 the school decided to change its nickname. After considering several options, Stonehill officially changed its nickname to the Skyhawks in 2005. This name has no connection to a bird or animal but does have a connection to the school’s history. After the school’s property was purchased by the Congregation of Holy Cross, an airfield on site was leased to the Navy during World War II and to private companies afterwards. The airfield was closed in 1955 as the college grew, but the Navy continued to use the land for training exercises and would employ the Skyhawk aircraft between 1954–1995. Prior to the construction of W.B. Mason Stadium, Skyhawk Field served as the home to Stonehill football and lacrosse. Today it is the primary home of the Skyhawks men’s and women’s soccer teams. Some bigger soccer games are played at W.B. Mason Stadium. Skyhawk Field served as the site of the 2003 NCAA Division II Lacrosse Championship Game between Stonehill and Longwood, won 9-8 by the Skyhawks. The first men’s soccer team played at Stonehill in 1962. The men’s team has yet to qualify for an NCAA tournament, either in Division I or II. The women’s soccer program began play in 1979. The women’s team has played in three Division II tournaments (2016, 2018, 2019), winning one game in their three appearances. Game Action at Skyhawk Field. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Food & Beverage 0 There are no concessions available at Skyhawk Field. Fans are welcome to bring their own snacks or beverages to enjoy during the match. You’ll be sure to see lots of beverages from the nearby Dunkin’ or Cumby’s in the stands. (That’s Dunkin’ Donuts or Cumberland Farms to those of you who are not local) Atmosphere 2 The game day presentation at Skyhawk Field is a very basic one, as you would expect at such a small facility. The athletic staff works out of temporary quarters set up at the top of the bleachers, and make sure that visiting fans have everything they need for an enjoyable afternoon. Music plays out of portable speakers pregame and during halftime. The PA announcer adds a bit of energy and relays game information to the fans in attendance, and if you’re sitting nearby, you can hear the play-by-play crew do their thing. A scoreboard in the west corner of the pitch displays basic game information. Of course, the fans in the stands do their part to cheer on the Skyhawks and make most of the noise you’ll hear while visiting Stonehill. If you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the bleachers, you can bring your own chair and sit along the fence on the far side of the pitch. Skyhawk Field Bleachers. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Neighborhood 3 Stonehill College’s suburban location and sprawling campus belies its location in a bustling area with many dining and lodging options for visiting fans. State routes 123 and 138 intersect at the southwest corner of campus. Both routes are pretty busy local roads, lined with strip malls filled with the usual national chains alongside a few local eateries in both directons. Fans looking for great local options should check out Brack's Grill and Bar, Stoneforge Grill, Giana's Restaurant, or Shoveltown Brewery. While you may not find many attractions in the immediate vicinity of Stonehill, Boston is located just a half hour’s drive to the north. Visiting fans will find no shortage of things to do there. Fans looking for lodging options closer to school should check out the Residence Inn by Marriott just off Route 24. More information about local accommodations, restaurants and attractions can be found here. Fans 2 The crowd at a Stonehill soccer game is what we at Stadium Journey call a “friends and family” crowd. That means that it is not large in size, but virtually everyone in the stands seems to have a connection with the athletes down on the field. As a result, what the crowd may lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. The fans are generally very supportive and boisterous in cheering on the home squad. There’s a decent turnout from the student body, as friends of team members will stop by to support their classmates. Overall attendance at Skyhawk Field can vary depending on the day of week, opponent and time of day the game is being held. Crowds will usually number around 100-200 fans. As mentioned earlier, games attracting larger crowds will be held at W.B. Mason Stadium. For the 2026 season, all eight of Stonehill’s men’s games are scheduled at Skyhawk Field. The women’s team has one of their home games scheduled at the larger facility. Game Action at Skyhawk Field. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Access 3 Stonehill College is located in suburban Easton, MA, directly to the west of the city of Brockton and 25 miles south of Boston. The campus is easily accessible, as both Interstates 495 and 93 lead to Route 24, which runs north-south just a mile from Skyhawk Field. Skyhawk Field is located near Stonehill’s front entrance on Belmont Street (Route 123). There is no parking onsite, so fans must park at the nearby grass athletic field and walk over to the soccer pitch. There are also some parking spots a short walk from the pitch on Fr. Francis Hurley Way next to the Shields Science Center. This is a basic facility, with only a small set of bleachers on the southeast side of the pitch. There is plenty of room all around the pitch for fans to stand or set up a chair and take in the action. A pair of port-a-johns on the south corner of the pitch make up the entirety of the facility’s, ummm, facilities. Fans with mobility issues should tread carefully, as there are no paved walkways around Skyhawk Field. Return on Investment 5 There is no charge to attend a Stonehill soccer match. There is also no charge to park your car. With no concessions on site, you will not have to reach for your wallet even once during your visit to Skyhawk Field. Hermani Branco Memorial Rock at Skyhawk Field. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Extras 1 Near the entrance to Skyhawk Field is a plaque dedicating the field to Hernani “Ernie” Branco, who coached the men’s soccer team from 1984-1998. The plaque is mounted on a rock, as Branco is the “rock” on which the Stonehill soccer program is built. Final Thoughts At first glance, Skyhawk Field may not seem like it’s a proper Division One facility. But its charm is in its simplicity. Pull your favorite lawn chair up to the edge of the pitch and enjoy an afternoon of quality soccer in a relaxed setting. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Eric Hasman and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Rate Field 333 W 35th St Chicago, IL 60616 Chicago White Sox website Rate Field website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 40,615 The Rate Rates a Good Time Rate Field debuted as Comiskey Park II in 1991 and, for the past 30 years, has seen multiple names and plenty of changes to the ballpark. Currently, the “Rate” often gets unjustly maligned by locals and White Sox fans because it is not Old Comiskey Park or Wrigley Field, with some justification. The facility was the last of its kind built before the opening of Camden Yards in 1992. The team owner was given the plans to Camden Yards but chose the current park because it was patterned after Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, which he liked. The stadium stands as a symbol of a bygone era, but there have been extensive renovations at the stadium that have altered the ballpark to the point where it is almost unrecognizable from the original. The renovations have included removing the upper eight rows of the upper deck, eliminating 6,660 seats, replacing the angled roof with a flat roof, thus giving the illusion of being closed in, and adding seats down the baselines. Other modifications involved moving the bullpens, replacing almost every seat from blue to hunter green (more about this later), and the addition of a party deck (the Miller Lite Landing). It encompassed adding bars/seating areas, new concessions, and the inclusion of a kids' play area. The White Sox added statues of the past White Sox greats in the lower deck concourse and a bronze statue honoring the 2005 World Series team outside the Gate 4 main entrance. Additionally, a massive gift shop and restaurant were constructed on the ballpark's third base side. If you haven’t been to a Sox game for some time, chances are that it looks a lot different from your last visit. Food & Beverage 5 Rate Field offers a wide variety of food from Chicago favorites to items made for the ballpark. There are numerous kiosks, eating areas, and social spots, including the Leinenkugel Craft Lodge and Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Cantina. It's advisable to walk around first before making a selection to eat or drink. The standards are still here, including Comiskey dogs and burgers, Cuban sandwiches, Italian beef, pizza slices, street tacos, brats, tamales, chicken wings, and nachos. Sweet treats include ice cream, Italian ice, and churros. There is also stir-fry, Polish / Columbian, Fusion, cheddar perogies, pretzel-wrapped brats, and Italian grinder and turkey club deli sandwiches, and a carvery stand. If ice cream is your thing, you must try the Rainbow Cone (Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House, Pistachio, and Orange Sherbet in one scoop), which is a southside mainstay since 1926. My favorites at the park are the tamales, elotes, and the Cuban sandwiches. The new items include The Smokehouse on the outfield concourse that has a wonderful aroma and features smoked chicken wings and bbq nachos. The Miller Lite Landing replaced the old Goose Island area. The “Landing” now has an old repurposed Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train car with 12 taps. Special tickets are needed to sit in this area. The Leinenkugel Craft Lodge is located on the ground level behind the visitor’s bullpen, offering a full-service wait staff and many different beers from area breweries. Fans can pick them out of the refrigerators and enjoy them in the full-service restaurant. However, tables are packed with fans enjoying craft-made burgers and sandwiches. The Vizzy View Bar Tap Room has been renamed the Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Cantina and scaled back a bit compared to other years. The area still provides patio views of the game, plus different food items inside the air-conditioned tap room. The Old No. 7 Bar, sponsored by Jack Daniel's, offers various drinks, hard liquor, and other libations with TVs and tabletop seating. Atmosphere 4 Two hours before the start of the game, fans line up in the parking lots next to the stadium to tailgate. The area includes bags tossed in the air, the smell of smoke from the barbecue, and a few drinks between Sox fans before the first pitch. Closer to the start of the game is Championship Plaza featuring a life-sized white bronze and granite sculpture celebrating the 2005 World Series championship team and a historical timeline of the franchise along the diamond’s base paths. Legacy Bricks are inscribed with a personalized message on the plaza. Across the street from the plaza is the placement of the home plate and foul lines of Old Comiskey Park. Once inside, the main concourse from the first to third baseline is somewhat narrow, but the outfield concourse opens up to a wealth of excitement that makes it one of the best areas in baseball. The wide-open area houses an array of fun areas for fans of all ages. Sculptures of former White Sox Legends are located throughout the outfield concourse. The life-sized statues are of all-time greats Luis Aparicio, Harold Baines, Mark Buehrle, Charles Comiskey, Carlton Fisk, Nellie Fox, Paul Konerko, Minnie Miñoso, Billy Pierce, and Frank Thomas. Fans can pose and take pictures with them. Also, in the left-field concourse is the original shower from old Comiskey Park. Plumbers 911.com Shower, Great on a hot day, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The CIBC Fan Deck is available at times for all and offers a panoramic view of the playing field on the two-tiered deck atop the center field concession stands. However, most of the time it is rented out to large groups. Just below the deck is an ivy-covered batter's eye. The Wintrust Kids Zone is above the left-center concourse overlooking the playing field and provides instruction on the game. Kids 12 and under can utilize the plaza with a youth-sized Wiffle ball diamond along with batting and pitching cages accessible from the 100, 300, and 500 levels. The best part about it is it’s free of charge. However, you do need a kid to get access to the area. Also located above the concourse is the center field video board that’s slightly larger than 8,000 square feet measuring 60 feet high and 134 feet wide. After every Sox home run or victory, fireworks are shot from behind the scoreboard, thus giving the illusion of coming from the board. This scoreboard is patterned after the scoreboard that team owner Bill Veeck installed at the park. As with all scoreboards, it provides Sox facts and stats of players, etc., displays videos and between-inning videos, and contests such as the Buona Italian Beef race. Rate Field Scoreboard, Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey The 500 section of the ballpark features murals on the brick walls of White Sox Baseball history throughout the concourse. The roof, which was replaced in one of the phases of the renovations, is based on the old Comiskey Park. The canopy is painted dark gray. From the Leinenkugel Craft Lodge, there is a plexiglass section where you can watch the opposing team's pitchers warm up. The Chicago Sports Depot is the team’s official two-story team shop offering much more than ChiSox gear. Before the game, the ChiSox Bar & Grill offers a full-service bar with food and outside patio seating. If you arrive a little earlier and aren't tailgating, this might be the spot for you to get into the mood before the first pitch. On Sundays, the White Sox have racing Harold Baines, Bo Jackson, and Jim Thome. Sure, it is not as fun as Pittsburgh’s Racing Pierogies, or Milwaukee’s Racing Sausages, but it is still fun. Neighborhood 2 The ballpark is bordered by the Dan Ryan Expressway to the east and the working-class residential Bridgeport neighborhood to the west/northwest. The area is not littered with bars and restaurants. However, there are some within a few blocks of the ballpark. Have no worries about the safety of the neighborhood; it’s comfortable to walk around after the game if you’re stopping at nearby places. If you are looking for nightlife and did not drive yourself, the best bet would hop on the Chicago Transit Authority redline train and head towards the city. The Chisox Bar & Grill is located across the street from the main entrance and features 65 flat-screen TVs and a large open patio that opens three hours before the game. The menu highlights include chopped brisket tacos and smoked corn on the cob with sweet maple bourbon butter. Approximately two blocks to the north of the park is the Cork & Kerry Bar and Grill which replaced the legendary Jimbos Bar. Cork & Kerry is an Irish Bar which has Irish Egg Rolls, Pub burgers, and other Chicago favorites. About three blocks to the south of the park is the Ballpark Pub which has very good basic bar food. A few blocks to the west of the stadium is Halsted Street which has more bar and restaurant options such as Taquerias, Chinese food. One of the more popular places is Buffalo Wings and Rings, which offers free shuttle service to and from the stadium. All management asks is that you purchase a drink or other menu option. A few feet down is the Bridgeport Restaurant, open from 9am to 5pm daily, featuring breakfast specials, three-tier sandwiches, and house specialties. About a mile to the west is Antique Taco, home to traditional tacos, plus fried chicken burritos, and creamed Elote (Mexican Street Corn). The Duck Inn offers its signature rotisserie duck but also the duck fat dog and duck wings. Also a mile away from the stadium is Ricobene’s, which is a must-go after the game; the breaded steak sandwich, deep-dish pizza slices, and Italian beef are highly recommended. The atmosphere is lively, and there is plenty of free parking across the street from the restaurant’s covered lot. Also, in the same area is Connie’s Pizza which is a popular pre-game stopping point. Chicago's Chinatown is a tad north of the ballpark offering a collection of restaurants and businesses catering to the Chinese population of the city. From barbecue, dumplings, noodles, and Sichuan, popular restaurants include B.B.Q. King House, Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings, Mala Temptations, and Slurp Slurp Noodles. Fans 3 The White Sox fan base is a dedicated group of people who enjoy watching baseball but, more importantly, want a consistent winner on the south side. They are among the savviest and most miserable in baseball and willingly provide stories of the season’s past. It’s almost no matter what the team does on and off the field they are unhappy. Access 5 The stadium is easily accessible via public transit or car. If driving, the stadium is directly off the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) at the exit for 36th and 37th Streets. There are six lots for cars that cost $22 to $35 Monday to Saturday and $15 to $35 for Sunday games. You get the cheaper prices by purchasing your tickets in advance from Spot Hero or Park Whiz. The CTA Red Line drops you off at the Sox/35th Station, approximately two blocks east of the park, and the CTA Green Line at the 35th-Bronzeville Station, approximately three blocks from the park. Once inside, there are plenty of bathrooms, no matter what part of the stadium you are in; no need to wait too long. The ballpark’s main concourse wraps around the stadium and provides proper access to the various concession and merchandise areas of the stadium. The facility also features a series of ramps and escalators that take fans to the upper concourse and provide access to the Chicago Sports Depot and Craft Lodge. There are also elevators for fans who need mobility assistance to get to whatever level they need. It should be noted that all fans can get up to the 500-level; however, due to several fan incidents long ago, fans are restricted from entering the lower deck without a lower deck, club level, or season ticket on some of the well-attended games. Return on Investment 4 Like everyone else, the Whites Sox have dynamic ticket prices. The price of a single-game ticket for the 500 section averages around $13 for many games, but that will depend on the date, opponent, and second-site markets. The most affordable days are Coca-Cola Family Sundays, where tickets begin at $8. With the record the White Sox had in the previous few seasons, you may want to check out Vivid Seats or StubHub to get a better deal on tickets. On Tuesdays, the White Sox offer a $5 concessions menu, which includes $5 Miller Lite draft beers, Garrett Popcorn Stadium Buttery, Vienna hot dogs or polishes, Beggar's pizza, nachos, and select Coca-Cola products. The White Sox always have a strong promotional calendar with many sought-after giveaways, such as bobbleheads, jackets, jerseys, and this 2026 season, a winter hat patterned after Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost), a Chicagoland native. Extras 5 The White Sox earn a point for the variety of craft beers located throughout the concourse, with a majority of them in the Leinenkugel’s Lodge. Around the Bend, Pipeworks, Pollyanna, Lagunitas, 18th Street, 3 Floyds, Half Acre, and 2 Brothers are among the local breweries featured by the can in the cooler. For keeping the Blue Seats where Paul Konerko's Grand Slam and Scott Podsednick’s walk off homer hit (Section 159, Row 7, Seat 4 and Section 101, Row 1, Seat 13), respectively, in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series. Note: Podsednick’s home run was his only homer of the year. In addition, there is a mural of Pope Leo XIV at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. He sat in Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2. The third point is for the tailgating activities in the parking lot, along with having a few drinks or food in the ChiSox Grill before the game. The Sox earn a fourth point for the statues of former team greats from Luis Aparicio to Frank Thomas; a total of nine figures provide fans a chance to pose for pictures and learn about these all-time greats. One of the many statues in the outfield of former Sox greats, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The South Siders earn a final point for the Plumbers 911.com Shower, a carryover from old Comiskey Park and a fan favorite that was originally installed by owner Bill Veeck in 1976. It is near Section 160 in the outfield concourse. The shower works, and on a hot day, might be the best way to cool off. Final Thoughts With the completed renovations, this park rates in the middle of the pack. If you haven’t been to a Sox game lately, perhaps you need to come back sometime soon for a game. Note: Just like most ballparks now, the concessions and parking are all cashless.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Pilot Field 1 University Place Shreveport, LA 71115 LSU Shreveport Pilots website Pilot Field website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 1,000 LSU Baseball at Pilot Field Located on the campus of LSU Shreveport, or LSUS, in the southern portion of the city, Pilot Field is home to one of the premier NAIA baseball programs in the nation. The Pilots have established themselves as a perennial national championship contender, highlighted by the undefeated 59-0 2025 season, which culminated in the program's first NAIA national championship. Winning has become the expectation in Shreveport, and fans have embraced the Pilots as one of the city's top sporting attractions. Pilot Field is a well-maintained, intimate venue that places spectators close to the action. While it lacks many of the extravagant features found at larger NCAA Division I facilities, it provides everything necessary for an enjoyable college baseball experience. Comfortable seating, excellent sightlines, and a family-friendly atmosphere make it one of the better small-college parks in the South. Like many small college facilities, there is plenty of room for most home crowds in the metal bleachers behind the plate, plus the two rows of stadium-style folding seats on the wings between the bleachers and each dugout. Beyond the first base dugout, there is also a small set of portable bleachers and ample room for lawn chairs. Food & Beverage 3 Pilot Field offers a basic concession experience. Fans will find a traditional stand located behind home plate that serves spectators quickly, even during games with larger crowds. The menu consists primarily of ballpark favorites including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, chips, and ice cream in collectible logo helmets. While specialty or uniquely local items are limited, the food is prepared well and priced reasonably for a college sporting event (hot dogs $4, nachos $3, candy or chips $2). Credit cards are generally accepted, along with cash. Drink selections include Coca-Cola products, bottled water, sports drinks, and coffee (only on cooler evenings). All these options cost $3, and alcohol is not available during LSU Shreveport baseball games. Atmosphere 4 Despite competing at the NAIA level, LSU Shreveport creates an atmosphere that often feels much larger than expected. Winning programs naturally attract loyal supporters, and Pilot fans respond with strong attendance throughout the season. The public address announcer keeps the game moving while music plays between innings and during pitching changes. The Pilots' success has also helped build excitement throughout the community, with alumni, local youth teams, families, and baseball enthusiasts making up much of the crowd. Fans are knowledgeable and appreciate the high level of baseball consistently displayed on the field. The intimate layout means every seat here feels close to the action, allowing spectators to hear player communication and experience the game in a personal way that many larger venues cannot match. Neighborhood 4 LSU Shreveport sits along Youree Drive, one of the city's primary commercial corridors. Visitors will find numerous restaurants, shopping centers, and hotels within a short drive of campus. Popular dining options include Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, Johnny’s Pizza House, Gibbons Fine Grill, and Strawn's Eat Shop Too, a longtime Shreveport favorite known for its famous strawberry pie. National chain restaurants are also plentiful throughout the area. If you have time, Cajun staple Crawdaddy’s Kitchen is a few miles away but well worth the drive. Hotel choices include Hampton Inn & Suites, Home2 Suites, and Holiday Inn Express, as well as several other well-reviewed accommodations. Downtown Shreveport and the Louisiana Boardwalk are approximately fifteen minutes away, offering additional entertainment before or after games. Fans 3 Pilots fans understand baseball. The program's sustained excellence has created a loyal following that appreciates quality play and supports the team throughout the season. Families, alumni, youth baseball players, and residents make up most of the crowd, which averages approximately 100 per game. Attendance increases significantly for conference matchups and postseason play, creating an energetic environment that exceeds expectations for NAIA baseball. Access 4 LSU Shreveport is easily accessible from Interstate 49 and Interstate 20, making it convenient for both local fans and visitors. Campus signage directs visitors toward the athletic facilities, and ample free parking is available adjacent to Pilot Field. Shreveport Regional Airport is only about twenty minutes from campus for those traveling by air. Traffic is generally manageable except during weekday rush hour along Youree Drive. With midweek games usually beginning later in the evening or on weekends, traffic is rarely an issue. The compact campus layout also allows for an easy walk from parking areas to the stadium entrance. Return on Investment 5 Few baseball experiences offer better value than LSU Shreveport. Admission prices are $10 for adults, parking is free, and concession prices are reasonable. Considering the consistently elite level of play, fans receive an outstanding entertainment value. Watching one of the nation's top NAIA programs compete in a comfortable setting makes Pilot Field an easy recommendation for baseball fans visiting northwest Louisiana. Extras 4 The championship tradition surrounding the program is evident throughout the stadium with banners and signage celebrating conference championships, World Series appearances, and the 2025 NAIA National Championship. Pilot Field has also become a regular host of regional competition for the NAIA baseball playoffs. Excellent sightlines throughout the ballpark make every seat enjoyable, and sitting close to the action creates an intimate setting where all the sounds of play enhance the experience. The playing surface is consistently well-maintained and reflects the professionalism of one of the nation's premier NAIA baseball programs. With regular rainfall in Louisiana, quality field conditions allow the Pilots to play as many games as possible, with minimal rainouts. In addition, friendly game-day staff helps create a welcoming environment for first-time visitors. Final Thoughts Pilot Field may not feature towering grandstands or luxury amenities, but it excels where it matters most. The combination of championship-caliber baseball, affordable prices, easy access, and an intimate atmosphere creates one of the best small-college baseball experiences in the region. Whether you're a dedicated college baseball fan or simply looking for an enjoyable evening in Shreveport, LSU Shreveport baseball delivers a quality experience that is well worth the visit.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup all wrapped up, there is still a little Footy Fever out there and Stadium Journey is all over it! It is down to the sunny south for the best supported team in Major League Soccer! Atlanta United FC came roaring out of the gate with massive support. That has waned a bit over the years, but are they still tops in MLS? Can they stay there? Grab a beer and join Dave, Paul and special guest David Welch for the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views! You can find Stadium Journey's review of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta United FC game day experience here.

Photos by Bart Wilhelm, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 QU Stadium 1800 Sycamore Street Quincy, IL 62301 Quincy Doggy Paddlers website QU Stadium website Year Opened: 1938 Capacity: 2,500 Watching Baseball at "The Q" The Quincy Doggy Paddlers call QU Stadium home. The ball club began play in 2025 and returned summer collegiate baseball to town after a two-year hiatus. They play at historic QU (Quincy University) Stadium, which they share with the University’s baseball team. The original summer collegiate club, the Quincy Gems, played from 1996-2023 before being sold and relocated to Tennessee as the Full Count Rhythm, which now operates in the Ohio Valley League. The ball club is owned by Golden Rule Entertainment, which also owns the nearby Springfield Lucky Horseshoes. The team’s name was chosen to honor Quincy's local charm and history, including its location along the Mississippi River, hunting culture, German heritage, and the city's nickname as the 'Gem City'. The stadium opened as Q Stadium in 1938 for $116,000 as part of the Works Progress Administration and was constructed out of limestone blocks and concrete. It was later renamed QC Stadium in 1984 after the school purchased it, and then to QC Stadium in 1995 when it became a university. The ballpark hosted minor league baseball teams in the Three-I League and the Midwest League from 1938 to 1973. The Quincy Rivermen operated at the stadium in the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1974 to 1988. Food & Beverage 3 While there is no real signature item, QU has all of the traditional ballpark fare for a reasonable price. A standard hot dog is $3.50. A hamburger is $6. BBQ Pork Sandwiches are $6.50. Bratwurst, Corn Dogs, Pretzels and Cheese, French Fries, and nachos are all in the same range. A Sweet Treats window has a large variety of candy and candy bars, plus cotton candy, funnel cake fries, ice cream sandwiches, and nutty sundae cones. Candy is $2 or less, and the premium items are $3-$6. Bottles of Pepsi products and lemonade, iced tea, and Gatorade are $3.50. The beer selection is good. There are usually 8 different draft beers for $5 each (12 ounces, a dollar more for 16 ounces). The current selection is Blue Moon, Summer Shandy, Kona Big Wave, Space Dust IPA, Anti-Hero IPA, 312 Wheat, Killian’s Red, and Mango Cart. 16-ounce bottles of Budweiser, Bud Light, Busch Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra are $5, with a bucket of 5 going for $22. 24-ounce cans are $7. There is also a bar stand that has vodka, whiskey, tequila, gin, and rum for $5 ($8 for a double). The top shelf is a tad more. Vizzy and Sonic Seltzers are $5. The food stands are in the left field patio area. Since all of the concessions are down the line, it can get a bit crowded out there. There is also a beer stand beyond the first base seats. Tuesdays are $2 special nights. Tickets, beers, hot dogs, and nachos are $2 each. This tends to bring in a fairly big crowd. Atmosphere 4 QU was originally built in 1938. It’s been renovated over the years, but the original limestone wall around the park still exists. The wall goes around the entire block and also encompasses the football stadium next door. The infield is artificial turf while the outfield is natural grass. The official seating capacity is 2,500. That includes about 1,500 chairbacks from base to base, seats all along the left field wall, and two group patio areas, one down each baseline. The seats are general admission, and for night games, the third base side tends to fill up first because the seats are in the shade. On Tuesday night, the seats tend to mostly fill up because of $2 tickets. This leads to a good crowd experience. The scoreboard is in the right-center field. It has all the player information and a picture, but no video. The mascot is an eagle named “Gem Bird” who works for the crowd and takes part in various between-innings promotions like “Race the Mascot.” A very nice Wall of Honor is on the left field patio that honors local servicemen from past wars. The names are chiseled into granite. Wall of Honor at QU Stadium, Photo by Bart Wilhelm, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 QU is built in a residential neighborhood. So residential that foul balls often hit houses across the street. There are no restaurants or bars within walking distance. If you drive a mile or so away, you’ll find the downtown area where there’s a good variety of eateries and a couple of breweries. I enjoyed the Quincy Brewing Company. While there is a Holiday Inn and a few other hotels in Quincy, I found it quite a bit cheaper to stay in nearby Hannibal, Missouri, which was the home of Mark Twain. The whole town is a touristy homage to the author. The area around the stadium feels very safe, and there is plenty of free street parking available in the general vicinity. Fans 3 I had the good fortune to show up on $2 Tuesday night. This led to a fairly full house and a loud crowd experience. Every time the home team scored, the fans took notice. A large portion of them stayed until the end of the game. Access 3 QU Stadium is located at 1800 Sycamore Street. It’s about 3 miles off of Interstate 172. There is no actual parking lot, but there is plenty of free street parking in the local vicinity. There are two gates, one at the home plate entrance, and one at the left field entrance. Note: The home plate entrance has a lot of stairs and is not handicap-accessible. The only permanent bathrooms are down the left field line, so it can be a bit of a trek to get there. There are also two porta-potties down the first baseline that are beyond the private patio area. Return on Investment 4 If you go on a Tuesday, tickets, beers, and a few items are $2. You can’t beat that. On any other day, general admission tickets are $8 ($2 off for seniors and children under 13). The front two rows of reserved box seats are $10. Food prices are very reasonable, as are the drinks. Combine that with free parking, and you have a very affordable game experience. Extras 3 One point goes to the original limestone wall that surrounds the entire block. It’s a very nice aesthetic. Another point goes to the Wall of Honor in left field. It’s not uncommon to have a memorial to local heroes, but this one looks nice. Finally, a third point goes to the plastic chairback seats in general admission. Much more comfortable than metal or wooden benches. Final Thoughts The Doggy Paddlers returned baseball to the Prospect League. They’ve had on-field success, and the crowds show up to support their team. The baseball community is alive and well in Quincy, Illinois.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 CaroMont Health Park South Hill Street and West Franklin Boulevard Gastonia, NC 28016 Gastonia Ghost Peppers website CaroMont Health Park website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 5,000 Peppy Times in North Carolina ​ Baseball has fertile ground in North Carolina, and the central city of Gastonia has its own pro baseball history from 1938-1940, with a short-lived minor-league team, the Cardinals, who resurfaced from 1977-1982 for another brief run. ​Starting at the turn of the century, Gastonia hosted the Grizzlies, a Coastal Plain League summer collegiate squad, from 2002-2020, before professional baseball returned in 2021 with the Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League. Financial troubles ended the Honey Hunters franchise in 2023, but the new Ghost Peppers filled the void the very next season and have played in the Atlantic League since then. ​When the Honey Hunters returned after the pandemic, they moved into the new CaroMont Health Park, a 5,000-seat ballpark that replaced the aging Sims Legion Park. The multi-use, artificial-turf stadium was part of the FUSE redevelopment district in downtown Gastonia and transitioned seamlessly to occupancy by the nascent Ghost Peppers in 2024. ​CaroMont Health Park and Gastonia itself won't change your life, but it offers a better-than-average experience with a unique ballpark layout. ​ Food & Beverage 3 ​ The victuals offerings at the park are pretty standard, but they hit all the necessary notes. ​ There are two main concession stands right by home plate, next to a seating area to eat your grub. Your standard ballpark fare of hot dogs, burgers, and pizza is on offer at both. A Sweet Carolina BBQ concession is on the left, but it isn't open for all games, and the Gashouse Bar & Grill on the right looks to be as permanently closed as its namesake. ​ Alcoholic drinks aren't served at the main concession stands, only at the bars located by home plate and in the outfield corners, offering beer and mixed drinks. Budweiser and Michelob rule the roost, but regional brands like Legion and Resident Culture are also available. Especially with an abandoned Coca-Cola plant next door, Dr. Pepper products are the unexpected soft drink family of choice in the park, headlining RC Cola, 7 UP, and Electrolyte Sports Drinks. ​ The Gleezy Dog with Carolina Sauce is the obvious choice, whether on its own ($8) or spicy and loaded ($10). Always try a local beer; Resident Culture Brewing Company is recommended for $5.35. ​ Atmosphere 4 ​ The problem with a successful design is that it is copied endlessly. Nearly every minor league and indie ballpark in the last 15 years have basically the same layout: a promenade above about 20 rows of seats that end at the top of the dugouts, and a second level that runs from first to third base stuffed with luxury boxes and party decks. It's a functional, useful design, but after a while, parks just sort of melt into each other. ​ Not CaroMont Health Park. While the promenade is there, there are only about five rows of seats, and they start right at field level, giving an incredible view from nearly every seat, as well as keeping the smaller crowds condensed and intimate. The Premium Club is a second level just behind home plate, providing an affordable upgrade from the field seats. ​ There is a small berm in left field, and group areas in both outfield corners and along third base. The large scoreboard rises in center field against a backdrop of trees in left and the FUSE district in right field. The only point deductions are for the artificial turf field. ​ "Peppy" the Ghost Pepper is the new franchise's award-winning mascot, bizarre-looking in the best way possible. He's a local hit and leads the between-inning entertainment, with the standard array of contests, races, and the like. ​ Every seat in the park has a fantastic view. Grab a dugout box seat in section 116 to sit right next to the home players and managers for the whole game. ​ Neighborhood 3 ​ Gastonia will never be mistaken for a bustling metropolis, but it has enough to keep you fed, housed, and entertained outside of the game. ​ There are several restaurants to choose from. Just past right field is the Durty Bull Brewing Company (serving up house brews and a pub menu), right down the street from Waterbean Coffee Exquisite Cafe. With the passing of local mainstay Ro's BBQ, the best eatery in town is now Webb Custom Kitchen, just down the street from the park. Slightly further on is Ray's Country Smokehouse, and additional choices are east of town, mostly on I-85. ​ The big local draw is Crowder's Mountain State Park, southwest of town, but the area downtown is dotted with smaller parks, antique shops a-plenty, and local museums such as The Schiele Museum of Natural History, the American Military Museum, and the African-American Museum of History and Culture. ​ Gastonia is also well-equipped with hotels. While there are just two choices on opposite ends of the spectrum downtown (the Midtown Motor Inn and the Esquire Hotel), there are about a half-dozen options slightly north at the junction of US-321 and I-85, and the same amount east of town along I-85. ​ Fans 3 ​ While a relatively new franchise, the Ghost Peppers aren't tearing up the Atlantic League in attendance. They are at the bottom third of the Atlantic League charts, but within percentage points of the middle. ​ The crowds aren't regularly packing the park, but the intimate confines help to concentrate the faithful that do show up, who are generally attentive and loud for the play on the field. ​ Access 5 ​ CaroMont Park is a breeze to get to and get around in. ​ The Ghost Peppers are located right in downtown Gastonia, on US-74 (parallel to I-85) and just off US-321. ​ There's no mass transit in town except for an on-demand van service, but there is an Amtrak station to the northeast of downtown and a regional airport to the southeast. ​ Parking is thankfully free. While there isn't a dedicated lot for the park, there are several local business and municipal lots right around the park, all within a short walk to the two gates at home plate and center field. ​ The park features a broad promenade and walking areas that only pinch slightly behind home plate. Walking around poses no problems. ​ Return on Investment 4 ​ Indie ball caters to families, and CaroMont Health Ballpark certainly hits their target for an affordable night out. ​ Ticket prices are reasonable within the league. They range from $12 for general admission through $24 for the waitress-service Premium Club on the second level behind home plate. ​ Food and beverage prices are also quite reasonable, with entrees not topping $10 and combos that add drinks and sides to make things even more affordable. Both beers and non-alcoholic drinks are under $6, mixed drinks are $12, and parking is free. ​ Extras 3 ​ The unassuming park does its best to cram in a lot of unexpected extras. There is the regulation team store by third base, children's play areas in right field, and dedication plaques, but there is also a local sports museum behind the batter's eye in center and a rent-a-charger machine on the promenade to keep your electronics in the green. There's also a post-game MVP interview for all home wins, and most importantly, all the players file out of the park on the third base side past the fans, giving a great opportunity for pictures and autographs at the end of the game. ​ Final Thoughts ​ Although the surroundings, food, and crowds won't blow you away, the park is easy to get to and provides an affordable night out in a unique layout that doesn't skimp on the extras.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey, Google, and the O'Fallon Hoots Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 CarShield Field 900 TR Hughes Blvd. O’Fallon, MO 63366 O'Fallon Hoots website CarShield Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 5,150 Give a Hoot About Baseball in O'Fallon The O'Fallon Hoots are a summer collegiate baseball team in the Prospect League. They have called CarShield Field home 40 miles northwest of St. Louis since the 2021 season. It cost $3.9 million and has a capacity of 5,150. However, their journey has been a story in itself. The club began as the Hannibal Hoots in 2018, but was forced to play elsewhere due to flooding from the Mississippi River the following summer. That fall, the club announced that it would relocate to O’Fallon, but COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 season. The Hoots created the CarShield Collegiate League, a makeshift 6-team club that played 7-inning games and was composed of local players. Finally, in 2021, the team began regular season play in the Prospect League. CarShield Field was originally built for the River City Rascals of the Frontier League in 1999. The ballpark had been known as T.R. Hughes Ballpark up until the local auto-protective provider bought the rights in 2016. The Rascals ceased operations after the 2019 season. The ballpark did receive additions that included a new sports bar and lounge inside the stadium, as well as a remodeled Budweiser Party Patio with new amenities before the 2016 season. Synthetic turf was installed before the 2017 season, which provides for other events to take place during the season, including the St. Louis Legends game, outdoor market, and local high school and college baseball. The new turf also allows for fewer rainouts during the regular season for the Owls. Food & Beverage 4 There is quite a bit of everything at the ballpark. The River City Grill has an abundance of menu items that include hot dogs, hamburgers/cheeseburgers, nachos, brats, chicken tenders, and personal pizza. The concession stand also serves corn dogs, Italian sausage, walking tacos, buffalo tenders, chili cheese fries, onion rings, and baked cheese sticks. That is quite a bit of ballpark food, and if you have a sweet tooth, the team offers funnel cake fries, ice cream, giant cookies, and candy. The soda selection is not your typical Pepsi or Coca-Cola, but RC Cola products featuring Sun Drop, Diet Rite, and Sunkist. Atmosphere 3 The stadium features a nice main entrance that opens up to the main concourse and the field. The stadium consists of seats from third base to the right field corner, and a large grass berm seating area occupies third base to the left field line. Just behind the left field wall are eight rows of bleacher seats and a boardwalk area directly behind it. The red hand-operated scoreboard dominates the right field and is sandwiched between three tiers of advertisements. The Party Patio is located in the corner and provides the opportunity for fans with an all-you-can-eat dinner option for a low cost of around $30 to $40 a person, depending on what package is purchased. The stadium does not feature traditional suites but offers open-air suites, tent suites, and four top terraces for specific groups and prices. The area provides a closer look at the field and is quite popular based on the number of people situated in them during the game. Hooty is the official mascot of the team, and he can be found throughout the stadium entertaining kids of all ages. The picnic area and children’s playground are located in left field, providing entertainment options for the younger fans who might not be able to sit still during a nine-inning affair with their parents. They consist of a couple of plastic slides and jungle gyms with padded surface tops. The team store located near the entrance by the ticket office offers team merchandise, and at one time, the ball club went with a throwback look; some of that is still available in the team colors. Neighborhood 4 CarShield Field is located in a residential neighborhood a few miles north of I-70 and about 30 minutes from the center of St. Louis. It is close enough that one can enjoy the distinct neighborhoods of the Arch City, but one needs a car to arrive at the stadium for a game. However, both downtown O’Fallon and historic St. Charles (12 miles away) provided a nice diversion from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Ethyl’s Smokehouse & Saloon is minutes from the ballpark and offers a fun and funky vibe that is ideal for families. The smoked pork steak smothered in barbecue is a St. Louis tradition and comes with two sides, but we won’t blame you if you choose the pulled pork or brisket. Turtle Creek Pub and McGurk’s Public House are two fine ways to wash down a few drinks or sit outside on the patio during a summer day. Historic St. Charles offers visitors over 25 restaurants from which to choose, from barbecue to casual pub food. Enjoy all of this with great ambiance along the Missouri River at coffee houses, outdoor patios, or Riverview walks. Tucanos Brazilian Grill and Hendricks BBQ are two great options when in town. However, you don’t have to ignore St. Louis; you are within 30 minutes of The Gateway Arch, Laclede’s Landing, Soulard Market, Budweiser Tour, and the State Museum. The St. Louis Cardinals, Gateway Grizzlies, and St. Louis City FC may be in town during your stay. Cap it off with frozen custard from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Route 66, and you will have a great day. Fans 3 Like with many minor league baseball stadiums, the focus on entertainment is paramount. The opportunity to enjoy a night out with friends and neighbors or entertain the kids comes before anything on the baseball diamond. Still, many cheer and root for the Hoots from their seats behind the backstop, which adds a little hometown cooking to the stadium’s ambiance. Access 4 CarShield Field is a very easy stadium to locate by car that is a few miles north of I-70. Signs are visible on the interstate and the main street to ensure that motorists arrive efficiently for the game. Is not hard to get around once inside, and crowds are never too busy to create any congestion on the concourse during a game. The Leinenkugel Picnic Perch is an all-inclusive patio area providing unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, peanuts, nachos, Dr. Pepper products, and canned Miller/Coors beers through the end of the 7th inning Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for games are $10 and parking can be found for free near the ballpark, but if you are willing to pay $10 to park, that option exists as well in the VIP section. The food is reasonably priced and quite plentiful and tasty. Its location near St. Louis makes for an easy diversion for baseball when in the city. The Leinenkugel Picnic Perch is an all-inclusive patio area providing unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, peanuts, nachos, Dr. Pepper products, and canned Miller/Coors beers through the end of the 7th inning. $2 Twosdays are featured on selected game dates feature $2 concession items (excluding chicken tenders) and $2 16 oz. beers during designated innings. There is also the Friends and Family Packages: $40 for a four-person package including four tickets, hot dogs, and drinks (advance purchase required). Extras 2 One point for the St. Charles County Amateur Sports Hall of Fame that honors local athletes who achieved status in softball, baseball, horseshoes, bowling, and dartball. Visitors can enjoy viewing a vintage collection of sports memorabilia, photos, trophies, pennants, souvenirs, records, and awards. The ballpark earns a second point for its $2 Twosdays option that include deals on tickets, food, and beverages. Final Thoughts CarShield Field doesn’t break the mold in contemporary ballpark design but has served the community well for the past 20 years outside of just baseball. Its location close to the multiple districts of St. Charles, O’Fallon, and St. Louis and 30 minutes from major league baseball makes for a nice headquarters for a baseball weekend. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo and David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Fifth Third Park 300 W. Henry Street Spartanburg, SC 29306 Hub City Spartanburgers website Fifth Third Park website Year Opened: 2025 Capacity: 5,000 Spartan Only in Name ​ Spartanburg's long baseball history has had some interruptions, but for most of its history, it was housed in Duncan Park, which opened in 1926 and remains one of the oldest extant ballparks in the country. In its inaugural year, it hosted the minor-league Spartans, who were joined two years later by the Negro League Sluggers. ​ The Peaches replaced the Spartans post-war, but both remaining teams had failed by the late 50s and were eventually replaced by the MiLB Phillies from the 60s through the mid-90s. College baseball and collegiate wooden bat leagues filled the gap in the early aughts, but nearly nothing above high school ball was played for over a decade in the Hub City, when Diamond Holdings bought and moved the DownEast Wood Ducks there from North Carolina in 2025. ​ In preparation for the arrival of the Texas-affiliated franchise in the High-A South Atlantic League, a new 3,500-seat park was built, with Fifth Third Field opening its doors in 2025 for the team's first home opener. (And if the name gives you deja vu, you're not imagining it: Fifth Third Bank currently has naming rights for at least seven sports venues across the country.) ​ The new Fifth Third Field provides an exceptional new home for the Spartanburgers, shining especially brightly with its concession options and attention to the little things. ​ Food & Beverage 5 ​ Fifth Third Park really punches above its minor league weight with the sheer amount of food and drink options. ​ Say what you will about the Spartanburgers and Fifth Third Field: Their concession options are nearly MLB-level. The inevitable tie-in is the Spartanburger stand. You can get basic burgers, the Spartanburger (with cheddar, bacon, and onion jam), or monstrosities like the Big Chuck Grand Slam (four patties with jam and smoked Gouda). ​ And, of course, you can add on the Fixin's Bar, a giant burger stand with 100 rotating condiments that is so popular, they offer full-season subscriptions. There's also a Firebox Corner (pizza, BBQ, and turkey legs), Bojangles Chicken Crossing, Diamond Dawgs, Ballpark Faves, not to mention the grab-and-go markets and other smaller snack concessions. ​ Beers, wine, and mixed drinks are available at most concessions, in addition to the Cabooze Bar (which dishes $10 cocktails at home plate) and various specialty stands for local craft breweries. Budweiser is the house beer brand (along with copious craft choices), and Coca-Cola is the soft drink family of choice. ​ With so many options, it was hard to choose, but there was a Chip & Flip Chuck Combo (two cheeseburgers and fries in a giant plastic helmet) that was too good to pass up, especially with the Fixin's Bar added on ($32 + $5). Ashville brewery Wicked Weed had a booth that night, so I got their Pernicious IPA ($10). ​ Atmosphere 4 ​ While the new park is still under construction in some areas and won't win any innovation awards, it gets good grades for its better-than-average execution. ​ The park uses the standard MiLB layout, with a concourse leading from left and right field, with the main seating extending down from it. Perhaps due to the ongoing construction beyond center field, you currently can't do a full circuit of the park. ​ There are specialty group seating areas in the outfield corners with Chasers Corner in left, and the Dr. Pepper Terrace in right, and a small picnic berm runs from left into center field. A second level of specialty clubs and boxes rises behind the infield, and the park's large scoreboard sits in right-center against the backdrop of downtown Spartanburg in left field and (unfortunately) the ongoing construction in right. ​ Chuck (the burger) is the new team's mascot, and helps run the various between-innings events, as well as circulating among the fans before and after the game. The regular slate of contests and quizzes is predictably burger-themed. ​ Especially for day games, shade can be a must in the South Carolina heat--and it's so important, they show the shade on the online seating chart. Sections 110-115 have the best shade options, along with great field views. ​ Neighborhood 4 ​ Perhaps unexpectedly, Spartanburg is a full-on college town, with four colleges and a business school within the city limits, leading to a much crunchier locale than you might expect in South Carolina. ​ Spartanburg is packed with restaurants. Just outside the park are the Main Street Pub and Cribb's Kitchen, a local Southern dining standout. A short walk down Main Street gets you to the pedestrianized area, which hosts dozens of eateries, including favorites Peddler Steak House, Rigsby's Classic Rock Cafe, Sophia's (Italian), and Lucy Anne's. ​ There are also a lot of choices for activities in the area, including nature preserves and parks, the Hollywild Animal Park, and a BMW factory tour; while downtown, there are art museums and galleries, the Hub City Railroad Museum, the Children's Museum of the Upstate, and countless little local shops along Main Street. Duncan Park Stadium, the former baseball home of Spartanburg, is also located a short drive from the current park. ​ There aren't as many hotels as you might expect in a college town, with the three large downtown properties all owned by Marriott. The fanciest, the AC Hotel, is just beyond the outfield wall, and all three are within easy walking distance to the park. Three smaller motels are down US-29/Main Street in either direction, but you need to go north or west out of town on the interstates for more options. ​ Fans 4 ​ In their first year in Spartanburg, the team raised their previous attendance per game by over 2,000 in their new home. The 2026 season seems to be keeping up those numbers, placing them in the top third of the popular South Atlantic League for attendance yet again. ​ Even on a summer weekend with dire predictions for rain, the crowd was pretty packed, and when the forecasted rain did arrive late in the game, the crowd stayed around, which is as strong an indicator of dedicated fandom as anything else. ​ Access 4 ​ Spartanburg is located just southeast of the junction of I-26 and I-85, with I-585 passing through the east of downtown. The park itself is just off the main drags, US-29/Main Street and Church Street. Traffic to the park doesn't seem to be a big issue. ​ Spartanburg also has a surprisingly robust SPARTA bus system, and routes 1, 7, and 8 will get you to the park ($1.25 one way). Greyhound and FlixBus have a terminal to the north of town, and there is a small regional airport south of downtown. ​ The main parking lot is a multi-level facility built into the left field gate. It costs $10 per game. There are other VIP lots on the first-base side of the park, but those are usually only available to suite and season ticket holders, or for $11.80 if space isn't sold out. ​ There are three entrances to the park, at the left and right field corners, and home plate. If you are driving to the game, the left field entrance is the most convenient and is also right by the ticket office. If the lines are too long, you can take the short walk down to home plate. A broad promenade runs from the left to right field entrances. It is easy to get around, but you can't make a circuit of the park. ​ Return on Investment 4 ​ While the food options can get a little pricey, the Spartanburgers otherwise provide an affordable night out for families and baseball fans. ​ General Admission tickets start at $7, and seats in the regular sections run from about $ 13 to $ 30 each. Unlike most minor league parks, the club seats are available for purchase for individual games (about $85), which offer perks such as air-conditioned lounges, in-seat food service, and special menu items. ​ Food pricing is where the Spartanburgers stumble a little. Many of their specialty items easily top $10, $20, and even $30, but there are plenty of options under $10, and alcohol and drink prices are very reasonable (beers start at just $6). Parking is a standard $10-12 dollars. ​ Extras 5 ​ The amount of extras that are stuffed into the park really indicates an ownership that cares about providing their fans a little something more. The experience starts outside of the park, with a kiddie railroad by the left field entrance that runs before the game. ​ A kids' play area is on the promenade by third base, and there are not one, but two spacious team stores by home plate and the left field entrance, where there is also a "Hub City" sign. A DJ stand by home plate is the base for the musical MC, near a lounge for season ticket holders under a baseball-themed chandelier and next to distance signs for all the Rangers-affiliated clubs. There's also a history exhibit with a dedication plaque and seats from Philadelphia’s Shibe Park (that were used in local Duncan Park), and a history of the town located by the club-level entrance. ​ Boy and girl giant bobbleheads line the main concourse, which is also a riot of brightly colored murals promoting the team, the local area, and the concessions. It is a great touch that really sets the park apart. There is still construction going on beyond center field, so when everything is finished, there may be even more little gems. ​ Final Thoughts ​ You won't regret a visit to Fifth Third Park, which provides nearly everything you're looking for in a fun evening of minor league baseball.

Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Iowa Speedway 3333 Rusty Wallace Dr Newton, IA 50208 Iowa Speedway website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 30,000 The Fastest Short Track on the Planet Newton Speedway is a 7/8 mile oval track located in Newton, Iowa, about 30 miles east of Des Moines. 2024 was a massive year for the track, with the debut of the first-ever NASCAR Cup race in Iowa. The three-day series of races (both ARCA and Xfinity/NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series led up to the Cup race) saw massive attendance, with two sellouts and a big crowd for ARCA. The Cup series sold out again in 2025 and 2026, and a return is already on the schedule for July 4, 2027. The track has changed ownership throughout the years, with NASCAR acquiring the site in 2013. Before 2024, the track hosted numerous IndyCar races along with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series/NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and ARCA, but was never able to land the elusive Cup race. The track has also hosted the IndyCar Series for numerous years, which was combined with concerts in recent years. In 2025, the concerts and some sponsorship were dropped, which resulted in a large blow to attendance and eventually resulted in the end of IndyCar races, at least for the time being. Before the 2026 race weekend, it was announced that a full repave of the track will be completed and ready to go for the 2027 races. Food & Beverage 4 Iowa Speedway is cashless, so plan accordingly. 3 permanent concession areas serve your typical fare for sports venues. In anticipation of the large crowds, plenty of temporary food vendors were brought in that allow for plenty of variety. Whether your preference is pizza, Mexican, BBQ, Asian, etc, it is available. In addition, plenty of snacks like kettle corn, ice cream, etc. are available. Pepsi products are the soda of choice, along with numerous choices of domestic beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Food and drink prices are about what you would expect for a NASCAR race. No outside food or drinks are allowed at Iowa Speedway. You can bring in a soft-sided cooler, but only bottled water is allowed. This is a far cry from most other NASCAR tracks that have few restrictions on bringing in food and drinks. Atmosphere 5 Just outside the entry gates were all the driver/team merchandise trucks. Entering the gates, there are different race/car related displays and sales promotions. The NASCAR experience area was a fun place to stop. There were also driver autograph sessions and other events that allowed fans to interact with some of their favorite drivers. Concessions and restrooms are all under the seating area. As you enter the seating area, the entire track becomes visible. Grandstand seats are all bleacher seats, so you will be sitting on a bench. Padded seats and chairbacks are allowed to be brought in, provided there is no metal in them, and are recommended. In the middle section of the seating area is the Newton Club. Newton Club tickets cost more than the grandstand, but the seats are chairbacks. Another perk of the Newton Club is that there is an indoor area where you can sit and you can purchase drinks without missing any of the race. If it is a rainy day or particularly warm, this is the preferred option as you can get out of the rain or go inside and cool off in the air conditioning. The recommended seats are from about halfway up the seating area to the top. If sitting in the first few rows, portions of turns 2 and 3 aren’t easily seen. As with almost all tracks, the seats face pit road, so it’s easy to see what is going on with the cars when they pit. Prior races I’ve attended at the track haven’t been particularly well attended, but when the crowd is full, the race atmosphere is amazing. Neighborhood 2 The track sits on the outskirts of Newton, Iowa. Newton is a small town (approx. 15,000) and, as such, there isn’t much to do outside of attending the race. Driving into town will yield some good results, though. Giovannis Pizza stands out as the option here. The pizza is tremendous, and if you want to try something different, they offer a “grinder” crust, which is essentially a fried pizza crust. Giovannis is about 3 miles from the track. Newton also has plenty of fast-food options if you just want to grab something for the road. If staying for a long race weekend, there are a few lodging options, including the AmericInn and Cobblestone Inn and Suites, which are both within a mile of the speedway. Fans 5 Like with most Cup races, fans are super passionate. A good percentage wear shirts and/or hats of their favorite driver or team. Fans will also let you know if they don’t like you. This is evident especially during driver introductions. They are engaged throughout the race even when their driver isn’t near the front of the pack. Access 3 Getting to the track takes a bit of time. Newton is about 30 minutes east of Des Moines, and the track sits just south of Interstate 80. It’s easy to see from the freeway, and there is plenty of signage to direct you. Parking is ample. Once inside, concessions generally seemed to flow well with no long waits. When full, there are lines for the restroom, particularly at the end of a stage or during an extended yellow flag. There is plenty of handicapped seating available. The only real drawback is leaving the track once the race is over. There are only two ways to get back to the freeway, and one is quite cumbersome through back roads, so expect a slow-going post-race departure. Return on Investment 4 Parking is free if you want to walk a little bit. You can pay if you want to park closer, but this option will need to be purchased online before the race, and those spots can sell out. Tickets to the Cup race are about what you’d expect to pay, along with concessions so you can get a good return for your money. Extras 3 One extra point goes to the staff. The ticket takers and concessions folks were all very friendly. There were numerous opportunities to meet the drivers and get autographs. Fans showed up early all three days for such activities. The speedway has a Field of Dreams vibe to it, being surrounded by cornfields. Final Thoughts The Iowa Speedway is a bare-bones, but fun race experience. The first few Cup races were a big success, and there’s no reason to think this track can’t continue to make small improvements on what it needs to if NASCAR can commit to an annual return. The “fastest short track on the planet” is worthy of hosting a race annually and well worth a visit. ------ Follow my sports journeys on Twitter and Instagram: @stadiumjwriter

Close your eyes and image you are at a sporting event. You’re bundled up against the cold, even though it's August, as the temperature has topped out at a frigid 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind from the nearby water is whipping the wind chill down into the single digits or even below zero. You look around and it’s apparent that most of the fans in attendance have opted to stay in their cars with the motors running or in one of the two school buses provided as shelters for warmth, as the car’s heat trumps the superior view from the mostly empty wooden bleachers. As you look around the field of play, you begin to notice that many things here are just not typical for venues that host this sport. First of all, everyone is bundled up for protection from the cold, even in late summer or early fall. Also, the colors here are just not right. The field isn’t green, it’s blue. And where the playing surface ends, there is no grass, there are no trees. There is only black gravel. Look across the field, and you’re likely to see a frozen lagoon. Look to your left, or to your right, and you will gaze upon an industrial landscape that might almost feel like a steampunk scene come to life. It's almost as if mother nature has taken a leave of absence. Now turn around. Across the unpaved road you will see the ocean. But there aren’t giant waves crashing onto a sandy shore, there is only more ice and black gravel. Look closer at some of the individuals surrounding the field. You may notice that some of them are holding rifles. Why in the world are fans carrying firearms at a sporting event, you might wonder? They are here to protect the participants and the crowd. From what, you may ask? Polar bears. Yes, you read that right. Where you are right now, polar bears are a legitimate threat to invade the game and attack spectators and participants alike. Have you figured out where you are yet? Probably not. Not too many people have seen a game where you are right now. You are at Cathy Parker Field in Utqiagvik, Alaska, the northernmost football field in the world. Located 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, but just feet from the Arctic Ocean, it’s the home field of the Barrow High School Whalers. And the story behind this football field is as interesting as its location. Barrow High School has only had a football team representing the school since 2006. The students were asked what would help increase school spirit, keep students in school and out of trouble, and since they were playing a lot of Madden at the time, they cheekily answered, “a football team.” Despite the school’s small enrollment (the school has under 300 students), it has achieved a level of notoriety both on and off the gridiron. The NFL Network chronicled the school’s 2015 team in “Football Town: Barrow, Alaska.” The Whalers won the Alaska state championship in 2017. On three other occasions Barrow has reached the State Finals. Almost as noteworthy as the Whalers team is their home field. Located on a narrow coastal ridge in between the Chukchi Sea and Imikpuk Lake, the home field of the Whalers did not always feature the signature blue turf it has today. Originally, Barrow played on the familiar black gravel permafrost that is ubiquitous to the town of Utqiagvik. The team used flour to lay out the yard markers around the field. An ESPN “Outside the Lines” special shown in 2006 featuring the inaugural Barrow Whalers team caught the attention of a woman in Jacksonville, Florida, who, after seeing the story of the football team, was motivated to do something. *drone photos courtesy of CFBCampusTour Twitter Page* That woman was Cathy Parker and that something was to raise money to get the Whalers a proper field. At the time, Parker was the Vice President of Development and Marketing for the Boys and Girls Club in Valdosta, GA. This wife of a football coach and mother of four understood the importance that sports could play in the development of young people and in the development of a community, and watching these high school athletes play football on a field of rocks and gravel inspired her to do the impossible: fund and build a football stadium thousands of miles away where none had ever existed before in a place where no one knew her. “Project Alaska Turf” raised over $500,000 in just six months to build the field that was later named in her honor. But this group provided more than just a football field. They provided help to this underserved community that had long dealt with high dropout rates, drug use, and a myriad of other mental health issues. Members of Parker’s group provided counseling services for families, women, and other citizens of Utqiagvik. A book, “Northern Lights,” was written about Parker’s journey, and a movie was filmed, “Touchdown on the Tundra.” The school district reports that since the construction of the football field, the graduation rate of the school has risen from 46.8% to 83.6%, and the GPA of the football team has risen from the low-2.0s to the mid-3.0s. The Barrow football season runs from mid-August to late September. Practices start in late July, during the town’s 80 consecutive days of non-stop sunlight. After that, there just isn’t enough light to play the games. In fact, the sun doesn’t rise here for 64 consecutive days in the winter. Temperatures typically run between 30-44 degrees throughout the season, and the wind, which can reach 60 miles per hour, is a constant presence. You might experience whiteout conditions even in August. Tales are told of kicks that go backwards once they hit the air, and a strong ground game is a must in Barrow. As mentioned before, you learn quickly to dress in layers in Barrow, even during the midnight sun of the summer months. The field is covered with snow for much of the year. The town of Utqiagvik is not accessible by road. The town can only be reached by plane for much of the year. All of the Whalers’ opponents must fly in for games, and likewise, the Whalers fly to all road games. The nearest opponent is located over 500 miles away, roughly the distance between New York and Detroit. Even though their season typically consists of only three or four road games, the Whalers require extensive fundraising and donations to finance their operations. In one of the most extreme environments in the world, a football field has become a symbol of a community’s resilience, persistence and dedication. If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a football field at the absolute edge of the world, you’ll be able to fulfill that wish in Utqiagvik. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

The Ontario Junior Lacrosse League, or OJLL, is the top junior lacrosse league in Ontario, and some would argue, Canada. The “Junior A” league acts as a feeder system for NCAA lacrosse programs and the professional National Lacrosse League. Filling the void left by the absence of hockey in Ontario in the summer months, the OJLL offers some of the most affordable experiences anywhere and provides fans with an up close and personal look at indoor lacrosse. There was plenty of change in the 2026 season. The league welcomed its 12th franchise, the Elora Hawks, to the fold. After a drawn-out local political battle, the Toronto Beaches found themselves out at Ted Reeve Community Arena and in their new home at Scarborough Arena Gardens. The Kitchener Kodiaks also brought their brand-new branding to the league, abandoning the Kitchener-Waterloo Lacrosse Club moniker. Stadium Journey completed new or updated reviews at Burlington, Kitchener, Elora and Toronto in 2026. The 2026 OJLL season saw the Whitby Warriors complete the regular season with the best record in the league with 12 wins in 18 games. Justin Tavares of the Oakville Buzz led the league with 106 points, while Jameson Bucktooth of the St. Catharines Athletics tallied 56 goals for tops in the league. Ty Wilson of the St. Catharines Athletics had the best goals-against average in the league at 7.82 goals per game (min 500 minutes). In a hard-fought series, the St. Catharines Athletics defeated the Whitby Warriors in six games to claim their 11th Iroquois Cup and earn a berth in the Minto Cup, held in Calgary, Alberta. The OJLL rankings at Stadium Journey are based on the FANFARE metric used on the website, where writers assess the lacrosse experience based on the categories of Food, Atmosphere, Neighbourhood, Fans, Access, Return on Investment, and any extras that the writers experienced. The stakes are high, with an average grading of 3.32 being earned out of a possible perfect 5.0. This list is an opinion and may not agree with all. Please let Stadium Journey know your opinions on our various Social Media outlets. How is your list different from ours? What do we have right? What do we have wrong? Without further ado, Stadium Journey is proud to present the 2026 Rankings of the OJLL Experiences. 12. Central Recreation Centre - Burlington Blaze - 2.71 Dave Cottenie - In 2023, the Burlington Chiefs rebranded to the Burlington Blaze, jettisoning their Aboriginal name. They ended up winning the Iroquois Cup as OJLL Champions and then went on to defeat the Coquitlam Adanacs to take home the Minto Cup as National Champions. The Blaze are a not-for-profit organization under the auspices of the Burlington Minor Lacrosse Association. Home for the Blaze is the Central Recreation Centre, commonly referred to as Central Arena. Built in 1968, Central Arena is nicknamed The Oven, which seems to be an apt home for a team referred to as the Blaze. Alumni for the Blaze and Chiefs include Andrew Kew, Brent Noseworthy, Ryan Smith, and Ed Comeau. 11. Kinsmen Arena @ Kitchener Memorial Auditorium - Kitchener Kodiaks - 3.00 Dave Cottenie - In 2026, a re-energizing of junior lacrosse in Kitchener took place. Founded in 1967, the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves were the local representation of lacrosse at the Junior B level. The Braves won the Founders Cup in 1974 and 1988 as Junior B Champions in Ontario. The Braves had a short stint in Junior A from 1976 to 1981 and returned permanently to Junior A in 1991. With a shift away from indigenous names across all sports, the Braves rebranded to the hideous Kitchener-Waterloo Junior A Lacrosse Club in 2020. There was very little success in KW during this period, disappointing considering the legendary lacrosse talent that went through the program over the years. With the 2026 season, a significant influx in talent has happened in Kitchener to go along with a significant rebrand. 10. Jefferson Elora Community Centre - Elora Hawks - 3.00 Dave Cottenie - The Elora Mohawks were a very successful Junior B franchise, although they bounced back and forth from A to B and back over the years. The Mohawks earned the Founders Cup as Canada’s Junior B National Champion in 2005 and 2018 and were Silver Medalists in 2004. For the 2025 season, in keeping with the trend of dropping Indigenous nicknames, Elora rebranded as the Hawks, and the very next season made the jump up to Junior A. Elora is part of Centre Wellington Township, and the home for the Hawks is the Jefferson Elora Community Centre. Built in 1976, the community hub has undergone a couple of renovations; the latest included the naming rights to the facility, now owned by the Jefferson Elora Corporation. 9. Brampton Memorial Arena - Brampton Excelsiors - 3.00 Dave Cottenie - The Excelsiors have enjoyed some success earning the Iroquois Trophy as league champions eight times, and the Minto Cup as the National Champions four times. The Excelsiors played as the Brampton ABCs from 1962 to 1967, the Bramalea Excelsiors from 1968 to 1976, and returned to the Brampton Excelsiors from 1977 to the present. Home for the Excelsiors is the Brampton Memorial Arena. Built in 1950, the Memorial Arena has been retired as a hockey arena and serves the various levels of the Excelsiors as their home base. It has been converted to a true lacrosse venue and is definitely from a time gone by. It was named in honour of the soldiers of World War II who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Due to the age and importance of the arena, it is in the process of attaining a Heritage Designation. 8. Scotiabank Rink @ Iroquois Park Sports Centre - Whitby Warriors - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - One of the lacrosse hotbeds in Canada can be found in Whitby, Ontario. Colloquially known as the ‘Town’ of Whitby, with a population of over 135,000 and located along Highway 401, Whitby lives in the shadow of the giant metropolis of Toronto to the west and the automotive hub of Oshawa to the east. Organized lacrosse dates back to the sixties, and Whitby currently fields teams at the Junior A (OJLL), Junior C, and Senior A (MSL) levels. The Junior A Whitby Warriors were established in 1968 as the Whitby B&R Transporters at the Junior B level. In 1975, they advanced to the Junior A level as the Whitby Consolidated Builders and were renamed the Whitby Warriors in 1984. The Warriors boast the third most Minto Cup Championships as Junior A lacrosse National Champions, with eight and ten Iroquois Trophy Championships as Ontario Champions. Some of the Warrior alumni include NLL players Mark Matthews, Chris Corbeil, Zach Greer, Dan Ladoceur and Gavin Prout. Former NHL players Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk also suited up for the Warriors. 7. Scarborough Arena Gardens - Toronto Beaches - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - In 2025, Toronto lacrosse was dealt a significant body blow. The board of the Ted Reeve Community Arena, in a controversial act, voted to keep the ice in the facility all year round. This displaced the programming for the Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club and left the Toronto Beaches team of the OJLL homeless. The solution for the homeless Beaches is Scarborough Arena Gardens. Built in 1951, Scarborough Gardens just completed a massive two-year renovation, which saw the old building torn down completely due to structural and asbestos concerns. It is owned by the City of Toronto, but is further east than the Beaches community where Ted Reeve was found. The 2026 season was the first for the not-for-profit Toronto Beaches at the Gardens, their new Sandbox. 6. Toronto Rock Athletic Centre - Oakville Buzz - 3.29 Dave Cottenie - Under the ownership of Jamie Dawick, in 2012, the Toronto Rock opened a training centre for the team to house its offices and provide space for the Rock to practice. Going beyond the practicality of providing for the team, the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre, in the nearby city of Oakville, has become a hub for lacrosse activity in the area. With two indoor box lacrosse fields and an outdoor turf field, the TRAC has become a centre for lacrosse at all levels. The Toronto Rock Athletic Centre is the home for the Oakville Buzz of the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League. The top junior lacrosse league is viewed as one of the top providers of lacrosse talent to the professional National Lacrosse League. The Buzz moved up to the OJLL, which is Junior A level, from Junior B in 2019, after winning a Junior B, Founders Cup National Championship in 2006. Taking advantage of one of the top lacrosse facilities in the province, the Buzz provides a good lacrosse experience for Ontario fans. 5. Peterborough Memorial Centre - Peterborough Jr. Lakers - 3.43 Dave Cottenie - It is a little-known fact that Peterborough is a hotbed of lacrosse. The Senior ‘A’ Peterborough Lakers are both wildly popular and have been wildly successful. Peterborough also puts a Junior C team on the floor. However, the focus of this review is the Peterborough Jr Lakers that play at the Junior A level in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League. Founded in 1950, the Lakers have found themselves under a vast number of monikers, most of them sponsor-driven, including the Filter Queens, Pat’s, Pete’s, UEWs, Hastings Legionnaires, Petes, Tee-Pees, Gray-Munros, Century 21, James Gang, Maulers, Traders, Javelins and finally, in 1999, the Lakers. Earning a staggering 12 Minto Cups as junior lacrosse National Champions, the Lakers have also been wildly successful. The home for the Jr Lakers is the Peterborough Memorial Centre. It is best known as a hockey rink and the home of the Peterborough Petes in the winter, but in the summer months it is home for lacrosse, both at the Senior A and Junior A levels. The PMC opened its doors in 1956 and is one of the most unique venues. It gives the Jr Lakers a bit of a boost as they are the only team in the OJLL that plays in such a large, professional-type venue. 4. Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre - Orangeville Northmen - 3.57 Dave Cottenie - Orangeville is essentially a lacrosse town. Orangeville offers among the most in-depth lacrosse programs in Ontario and fields three teams at the junior level, with the Orangeville Northmen of the OJLL at the top of the chain. Those who play Junior A lacrosse for the Northmen hope to translate their success on the floor to opportunities in the NCAA or the professional National Lacrosse League. Orangeville Northmen alumni include Pat Coyle, Josh and Phil Sanderson, Brodie Merrill, Mike Poulin, and current General Manager Nick Rose. All have played or are currently playing in the NLL. Home for the Northmen is the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre. Named after the father of GM and Toronto Rock goaltender Nick Rose, the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre offers seating for 1,050 in the main arena and a classic lacrosse environment. Tony Rose was a member of the Northmen in the eighties and was a member of Senior B championship teams. He was a promoter of local lacrosse and died in a car accident in 1990. 3. Algoma Central Arena @ Canada Games Park - St. Catharines Athletics - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - The deep history of lacrosse in Ontario stretches into the Niagara Region with the St. Catharines Athletics. Playing at the “Junior A” level in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League, the Athletics were founded as a lacrosse organization in 1877. They played under different monikers over time. They have been known as the Athletics intermittently throughout their history and in the latest iteration, which began in 1982. The Athletics have enjoyed tremendous success, earning six Minto Cups as Junior A lacrosse National Champions. The Athletics have also earned the Iroquois Trophy as Ontario Champions 10 times. With the Niagara Region hosting the Canada Games in 2022, the Athletics took advantage of a significant investment in the community and found a new home at Canada Games Park. 2. Iroquois Lacrosse Arena - Six Nations Arrows - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - South of Brantford, through the farmland of Southern Ontario, lives one of the many hearts of lacrosse. Six Nations Indian Reserve No. 40, more commonly known as Six Nations, contains the town of Ohsweken and is just north of Hagersville. At the southern corner stands an inconspicuous, warehouse-looking building that houses the hopes and dreams of countless Indigenous children. The Iroquois Lacrosse Arena was built in 2004 by lacrosse legends Curt Styres and Delby Powless and is a lacrosse-only facility, one of the only ones built in Canada specifically for lacrosse. Several lacrosse teams call Iroquois Lacrosse Arena home, and possibly the most popular is the Six Nations Arrows of the Junior A Ontario Junior Lacrosse League. The Arrows have been around since 1974 and began as a Junior C team. Originally known as the Six Nations Braves, the Arrows moniker was adopted in 1979. The Arrows would bring home the Iroquois Cup as Ontario Champions nine times and the ultimate prize, the Minto Cup as National Champions in 1992, 2007, 2014, 2015, and 2017. The list of players who have gone from the Arrows to the National Lacrosse League is a who’s who of lacrosse royalty, including Cody Jamieson, Doug Jamieson, Craig Point, Shawn Evans, Cam Bomberry, Johnny Powless, Delby Powless, Randy Staats, Leo Stouros, Brett Bucktooth and Warren Hill. 1. Mimico Arena - Mimico Mountaineers - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - The Mimico Lacrosse Club was established in 1890. The name “Mimico” translates from Ojibwa to “Home of the Wild Pigeon.” Lacrosse was so significant in Mimico that they built the Drummond Street Bowl in 1931, an outdoor box lacrosse facility, which would eventually become the Mimico Arena. Mimico competed in lacrosse at various levels over more than a century and continues today. The lacrosse achievements would culminate in Mann Cup Championships in 1932 and 1942 as Senior Lacrosse National Champions and Minto Cup Championships in 1938 and 1951 as Junior National Champions. The Lakeshore Maple Leafs, which would be folded into the Mimico Mountaineers program, claim a 1970 Minto Cup also. Mimico even boasts the legendary Conn Smythe as part of their history as a resident and lacrosse player. In 1978, Junior lacrosse would cease to exist in Mimico, only to be resurrected as a Junior B program in 1993. The Mountaineers would move up to the current Ontario Junior Lacrosse League, a Junior A league, in 2013, and is still going strong today.

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