Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Copeland Park 1130 Copeland Park Dr La Crosse, WI 54603 Map It La Crosse Loggers website Copeland Park website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 3,550 The Lumber Yard The Lacrosse Loggers celebrated their 20th season in 2022. They play in the prominent summer collegiate baseball league, the Northwoods League. The team plays their home games at Copeland Park, a city-owned park on the Black River, which runs into the Mississippi River, just north of downtown on the Minnesota border. The team won the Northwoods League Championship in 2012. Notable Loggers alumni include Mike Trout, Jordan Pacheco, Eric Thames, Chris Sale, and Matt Scherzer. The Loggers offer a fun, affordable evening out with the focus still mainly baseball with enough other entertainment for non-baseball fans to enjoy themselves. The UW-La Crosse Eagles (NCAA D3) also play their games at Copeland Park in the spring. Food & Beverage 4 Most concessions are behind the first base seating area in a covered courtyard called the Festival Food Court. Food is on one side; adult beverages are on the other. Tables and chairs are between the two. The food is tasty and priced affordably. Copeland Park Festival Food Court, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Snacks include chips, peanuts, Cracker Jack, and candy ($2 – $2.75). Fried offerings are cheese curds, tater tots, onion rings, and corn dogs, and range from $3 – $6.50. Sandwiches consist of Klement’s hot dogs, burgers, bratwurst, and crispy and grilled chicken, and cost $4.25 – $6. Tuesdays are $2 hot dogs, corn dogs, fries, soda, water, and popcorn. Across from the courtyard is a Grab and Go shop selling bottled soda, other soft drinks, packaged snacks, and ice cream ($2.50 – $4). A Snack Shack is to the left of that, selling Dippin Dots, pretzels, nachos, cotton candy, and other treats. Domestic beers on tap are Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Coors; draft craft beers are Leinenkugel, New Glarus, Hillsboro, and Golden Road. A plethora of canned beer and hard seltzers are for sale. Domestic beers are $4 while craft beers cost $4.50. All the food looks scrumptious. The ice cream cones are very popular in summer evenings. Note: The concession lines can get long. Atmosphere 4 The Loggers provide an excellent game-day experience for fans visiting the stadium. The music is not played between every pitch and is at a pleasant volume. You can talk with those sitting next to you without yelling to be heard. And the music is not played over the announcer speaking as is done in most Northwoods League stadiums. Harmless fan participative games and contests include a ketchup and mustard race, a beer batter, name the player positions and name as many MLB teams as you can. For seating, the grandstand consists of sections A – E with four rows of stadium fold-down seats closest to the field, then a walkway. The next four rows are stadium fold-down seats and the remaining five or six rows are bleachers with backs. The ten ‘upper’ rows in section C, behind home plate in front of the press box, are stadium seats. The seats are average width and there is average legroom. A net extends in front of the grandstand and covers the top of it. There’s no fear of getting struck by a foul ball there. Some sections behind the dugouts are net-free for your viewing pleasure. Party decks are down both the first and third baselines. Some seats are in the right field above the outfield wall. The field is artificial turf and dirt. A video scoreboard in the left field shows the player at bat’s stats. A line score is provided beneath the video board. The sun sets behind the press box so the grandstand seats get the shade. It does get dark in the grandstand seats when the sun sets. As the evening progresses, you may want to sit somewhere else or move to see your scorecard if you keep score. Be aware of bugs that sting right through your clothes. Spray yourself with insect repellant before attending a game to help prevent that. You’ll get the bug heebie-jeebies most of the night if you don’t. Neighborhood 3 Copeland Park is just north of the city of La Crosse on the Black River (which flows into the Mississippi River). It is a city park that hosts the Loggers, an Oktoberfest, and has a playground, fishing, basketball courts, a wading pool, and other park amenities. The ballpark is a little less than two miles from the active downtown neighborhood of La Crosse. Plenty of restaurants are within a mile or two of the ballpark. We recommend Bodega Brew Pub downtown, Crooked Pint Ale House, Rosie’s Café (breakfast and lunch), or Fayze’s. For craft brews check out the 608 Brewery, Pearl Street Brewery, or Turtle Stack Brewery. Lodging choices are within one to two miles of Copeland Park; none are within walking distance. The ones south are closer to downtown and are about two miles. Several Hilton, Marriott, and Holiday Inn brands line Copeland Ave and the river. For other things to do while in town, visit the World’s Largest 6-Pack or stroll through Riverside Friendship Gardens. Enjoy a boat ride on the Mississippi River via La Crosse Queen Cruises. Or drive up the Grandad Bluff for scenic views of the town. World’s Largest Six-Pack, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The two closest Northwoods League teams are the Eau Claire Express and the Rochester Honkers (87 and 72 miles, respectively). Fans 3 Loggers’ fans enjoy singing “Roll out the Barrell” in the 7th inning, which fans sing in baseball stadiums throughout Wisconsin. Many fans seem to know one another. Families and kids make up most of the clientele, but you’ll see retirees, grandparents, young adults, and couples in the stands, as well. The 2022 average attendance was 2,180 fans per game, placing the Loggers in the top five attendance-wise in the Northwoods League. Access 3 Copeland Park is just a mile off Interstate 90. The town has a small regional airport with flights to and from Minneapolis/St Paul or Chicago. Bus service to a Loggers game is available from downtown and other parts; Route 6 looks like the best one. However, service after a Saturday or Sunday evening game will be an issue as service ends around 6 pm. Parking is the biggest concern, with only street parking and just a few noticeable spots for handicapped parking. Plan on hunting for a spot and hoofing it if you don’t get there early. The team thankfully does not have bag and bag size rules. The stadium has a ramp on the first base side to get to the seating area. Clean and decent-sized restrooms are next to the merchandise shop before the food court. Return on Investment 4 Although ticket prices are a buck or two higher than other Northwoods League stadiums attending a game here is still a worthwhile sports entertainment investment. Single-game tickets cost $8 – $15. All-You-Can–Eat-Seats (plus three alcoholic drinks) run $25 – $28. Military men and women with ID get in free. Food and beer prices are below other Northwoods League venues, especially if you go on a Tuesday. Extras 3 The merchandise shop sells an informative program (including a scoresheet) for $1. It has a recap of the previous game, league standings, fun facts, the Loggers schedule, team rosters, and player stats. Showing appreciation to military members by letting them in free is of special note. Having the music volume at a level where fans can hear their conversations and the music stopped when the announcer is talking is something that should be common at ballgames, but it’s not anymore. It’s a bonus at a Loggers game. Final Thoughts The Loggers organization delivers a remarkable evening out of baseball. Copeland Park is on the Black River, which flows into the Mississippi River just north of vibrant downtown La Crosse WI. It’s worth checking out if in town or traveling across the Midwest.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Bobcat Stadium 1 Bobcat Circle Bozeman, MT 59717 Montana State Bobcats website Bobcat Stadium website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 20,767 The Gold Rush is Alive and Well in Bozeman Montana State University was founded in 1893 and is the largest research institution in the state of Montana. It has a student body of more than 17,000 students. Its’ campus is in the southwestern section of Bozeman, Montana. The school and the town of Bozeman have an excellent town and gown relationship, earning them the distinction of being named as one of the Top 10 College Towns in the West by Sunset magazine. The Montana State football program is known as the Bobcats and the school has had a football team since 1897. The Bobcats play in the Big Sky Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level or FCS. In the 125 years of football at the school, the team has won three National Championships (1956,1976, and 1984) The team finished the 2021 season as the runners-up in the FCS. The Bobcats have also won 20 conference championships (15 in the Big Sky Conference and 5 during their time in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) Montana State University is the only football program in the country to win National Championships at three different levels (NAIA, NCAA Division II, and the FCS). The home field for MSU games is Bobcat Stadium. It was built in 1973 and was known as Reno T. Sales Stadium. The school undertook a huge $12 million renovation of the stadium in 1998 and then changed the name of the facility to Bobcat Stadium. The 1998 renovations included closing in one end of the stadium to increase seating capacity, the addition of a state-of-the-art video board, the addition of 38 sky suites, and the installation of lights for the stadium, which allowed the school to schedule more night games. Food & Beverage 4 Bobcat Stadium has a wide selection of food items available at its ten concessions areas. The stands are equally distributed throughout the stadium, so you should not experience a long wait for your food. The food booths include the East and West Concession Stands, which offer hot dogs, beer brats, popcorn, peanuts, candy, cowpie cookies, and wild flour pizzas. The Catshack stand offers chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, brats, and nachos. Southside Smokehouse offers up beef brisket sandwiches, hot dogs, and turkey legs. Korn Dancing offers Kettle Korn. The Fork in the Road Food Truck is also on-site and offers Montana Buffalo Burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken strips, and waffle fries. All stands sell Pepsi brand sodas. Stadium Expresso offers a wide variety of cold and hot drinks. You may have noticed that up to now we have not mentioned beer. Until a change in policy before the 2021 season, beer was not sold in Bobcat Stadium. This resulted in people using the stadium’s very liberal in/out policy if you have your hand stamped to imbibe back at their tailgate. There was a notable drop in how full the stands were as the games entered the third quarter. The powers at be figured this would negatively affect the team’s home-field advantage. Their solution was to allow beer sales within the confines of a beer garden in the northwest section of the stadium. Beer must be purchased and consumed within the beer garden. No alcoholic beverages are allowed to go back to your seat with you. The results of this new policy have been very positive. Fans can enjoy a beer and the stands are no longer empty after halftime. Atmosphere 5 It is almost impossible to not have a good time at an MSU Bobcat home game. Even if the game is a blowout, you are treated to the gorgeous mountain scenery that surrounds the stadium. Before you even entered the stadium, you’ve been welcomed by a friendly set of Bobcats fans to join their tailgate. You’ve also been able to take part in the Bobcat Prowl, as the team, the cheerleaders, and the Spirit of the West Marching Band make their way to Bobcat Stadium. There are several great traditions attached to Montana State football. Before the games, it is considered good luck to visit “Spirit,” the bobcat sculpture found on the Alumni Plaza on campus. Two traditions linked to the Homecoming game are the Party at the Pit, which is a bonfire, and the annual climb up Mt Baldy to visit the “M” that adorns the top of the mountain. The “M” is lit up for the rest of Homecoming Week. Once inside, you have time to pick up Bobcat merchandise at the school bookstore’s booth and you’ve picked up some more food at one of the many concessions stands that offer regional specialties to the fans. Now that you’ve settled into your seat, you’ll have to get back up as the players enter the field through a large Bobcat head at the end of the field and the band strikes up the fight song. Once the game starts, you’ll enjoy the high-scoring offense that the Bobcats play. During breaks in the action, the band will either crank up with another tune or you’ll be entertained by Champ the Bobcat, the team’s energetic mascot. If you’ve been to an afternoon game, you’ll have time to enjoy the many restaurants and breweries in the Brewery District in downtown Bozeman. Neighborhood 4 Bozeman, MT serves as the home of Montana State University and the two entities are virtually inseparable. The city has a population of 53,000 and is in the Gallatin Valley amidst the Bridger Mountain Range. This location has earned it the reputation as a top city to visit for outdoor sports The Bridger Bowl and Big Sky skiing facilities are just a short distance from downtown Bozeman and the area’s rivers and streams are legendary for great fly fishing. Bozeman is also known as the Gateway to Yellowstone as it is the closest major city near the National Park. The downtown area offers a number of great cultural experiences for visitors. The Museum of the Rockies has one of the most extensive sets of dinosaur fossils outside of the Smithsonian Institute. The life of the Great Plains Indians is the subject of another special exhibit. The Ellen Theatre is another cultural icon for the city. The 1919 – era facility offers plays, concerts, and other programs throughout the year inside its ornate theatre. Bozeman has a lively nightlife scene and its own Brewery Historic District. There are five breweries located in this district. Fans 4 Bobcat fans are fanatically loyal to their team. When the team played in the FCS Championship Game, a huge number of MSU fans made the long drive to Frisco, Texas to support their team. The fans from Bozeman are also a hardy bunch, as the late-season games can see temperatures in the teens with snow and ice. The fans will be there in layers to cheer the Bobcats on to victory. The stadium capacity is 17,777, but for big games, MSU sells SRO tickets and can swell the stadium capacity to 21,527. One section of the stadium stands for the whole game and does everything it can to disrupt the visiting team’s communications. This is the student section from MSU. They sit behind the goal line at the enclosed south end of the stadium. The noise they make is amplified by the design of the enclosed stands and it can be deafening. There are two games each year that Montana State fans look forward to when all-gold uniforms only for two very special games, with the first being the first home game of the season. This is known as the Gold Rush game. The Bobcats also break out their gold uniforms for the rivalry game against the hated University of Montana Grizzlies. The game even has two nicknames…. The Brawl of the Wild or the “Cat-Griz Game” The winner of the game takes home the Great Divide Trophy and bragging rights for the next year. The fans dress accordingly, and Bobcat Stadium is awash with gold both on the field and in the stands. The second game comes only every other year to Bobcat Stadium. Access 4 When we talk about the accessibility of going to games at Bobcat Stadium, we first need to get to Bozeman. It looks very isolated when you look at a map. Fortunately, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) offers flights to and from 15 cities on Delta, United, Southwest, American, Allegiant, Jet Blue, and Sun Country airlines. Bozeman is a small city, so it is easy to navigate. Parking for Bobcat’s games is easy to come by, and in most cases is free. There are several lots that encircle Bobcat Stadium, but they are reserved for season ticket holders and major donors to the university. The remaining lots and parking decks throughout the campus are available for football fans to use free of charge. Once at Bobcat Stadium, there are 15 gates available for entry for the fans. The gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff, which allows for plenty of time for fans to get to their seats. The concourses are wide and easy to navigate as well. Return on Investment 3 Success comes at a price, and with the Bobcats finishing near the top of the FCS polls on a regular basis, be prepared to pay a steep price to enjoy a football weekend in Bozeman. Ticket prices vary by the location in the stadium and the importance of the game The prices for tickets on the sides of the field range from $45-$75 and seats in the end zone run $25-$75. The concession stand prices are typical of what you would find at any college stadium on a Saturday afternoon in the fall. The real budget breaker is the cost of lodging in the Bozeman area. There are plenty of hotel/motel options in town, but none of them are going to be big, convention-sized facilities. Most of the hotels charge their highest rates of the year for the 5-6 home football dates for Bobcat football. We were unable to find any hotels/motels in town that were charging less than $300 a night for even a budget level of accommodations. Many of these hotels/motels also charge for a 2-night minimum stay on football weekends. Unfortunately, it is a supply and demand issue to find a room on football weekends. There is a good reason you see so many RVs and campers parked outside Bobcat Stadium on football Saturdays. Extras 4 The largest gathering of the Northern Plains Indian tribes is held each year at Montana State University. The American Indian Council Powwow is a 3-day long festival where members salute their culture through dance and art while sharing their heritage with younger members of the tribes. Montana State University is celebrating the 125 years of college football at the school with special events scheduled throughout the 2022 football season. Montana State loves to play schools from outside of the Big Sky Conference for its two independently scheduled games. This is because Bobcat Stadium’s elevation is 5,000 feet above sea level. By the second half, the visitors are almost gasping for air. Montana State University has had many talented players and coaches over the years. These include Jan Stenerud, a kicker who is in the NFL Hall of Fame, and Sonny Holland, who both played for the Bobcats and went on to be their most successful coach. Another familiar name is Dennis Erickson, who both played for the Bobcats and then became their coach years later. Erickson went on to coach at the University of Miami and six other schools, in addition to coaching both the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. The Bobcats have sent twenty-two players on to play in the NFL. Final Thoughts Montana State University is always in the hunt for both the Big Sky Conference championship and a spot in the FCS playoffs. Bobcat Stadium is a great place to be on football Saturdays in Bozeman. It offers a beautiful setting; seats close to the action and a very loud and energetic fanbase. The annual Gold Rush games are especially difficult for visiting teams to come out with a victory, as both the MSU team and their fans are clad from head to toe in gold outfits.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 1.71 Shepherd Soccer Complex 675 University Dr Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Shephard Rams website Shepherd Soccer Complex website Opened: 2013 Capacity: N/A Rams Soccer in Shepherdstown Shepherd University is a small college located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia in the eastern panhandle of the state (This is not a typo. Look at a map.) Athletic teams are known as the Rams and compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) at Division II NCAA level. Since 2013, the Rams’ soccer teams have called the Shepherd Soccer Complex home. The field is located in the northwest corner of campus and is adjacent to a practice field. Food & Beverage 0 There is no concession stand at the Shepherd Soccer Complex. Fans are free to bring in their food and drink, except alcohol. On hot days early in the season, you will want to bring your water if nothing else. Atmosphere 2 The Shepherd Soccer Complex has an extremely basic layout. There are two sets of bleachers on one side of the field, one on either side of the small press box. Many fans also bring their chairs and place them down right next to the field, providing an up-close view of the action. Other than the occasional PA announcement, there is not a lot going on here. Even then, the PA announcer when Stadium Journey visited did not seem to know who Shepherd was playing, referring to their opponent by multiple incorrect names. Neighborhood 2 Shepherdstown is a friendly town but is not a particularly large one. There are a few restaurants and such in the immediate vicinity, but ultimately this is a sleepy small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains with not much to do. That being said, there is a lot of natural beauty in the area. Despite the popular John Denver song, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River are mainly associated with Virginia, not West Virginia, but Jefferson County, where Shepherdstown is located, is the one place in the state you can experience them. Civil War buffs can also take a short drive across the Potomac River to visit the historic battlefield at Antietam, Maryland. Fans 3 Shepherd only averages about a hundred fans per game, and while that may not seem like a lot, remember that this is a very small stadium. The bleachers will be mostly filled with many more fans lining the field in their chairs. Most of the fans are friends or family of the players but some are just fans of Shepherd athletics, plus a few Shepherd students from time to time. They tend to be knowledgeable about the team and it can get fairly loud here at times. However, the unfortunate reality is that college soccer is just not a big deal for fans at most schools, and Shepherd is no exception. Access 3 Shepherdstown can be tough to access and will require at least some travel on local roads. State Route 9 and U.S. Route 340 can get you close, but then you will have to do some driving on back roads to get to campus. Once you enter the university grounds, the soccer complex is in the back corner close to some on-campus apartments and the tennis courts. You will park in an unpaved gravel lot. In the highly unlikely event that fills up, or if you want to park on the pavement and don’t mind walking a bit, parking is available elsewhere on campus as well. Just make sure to obey all posted signs, particularly if attending a weekday game when many lots are restricted. Restrooms are available in a small structure across the street from the parking lot, about a two to three-minute walk from the bleachers. Return on Investment 2 Tickets are $5 for adults, with children in eighth grade and younger getting in for free. This is a bit disappointing as most college soccer at this level, and even many Division I games, are free for all fans. Considering how basic the stadium is, there is not a whole lot of value here. That being said, $5 isn’t going to break the bank for anyone. Extras 0 There are no real extras here. There was a bin on the side of the press box that said it held programs, but it did not. Perhaps it does at some games. Final Thoughts Even at a Division, I level, college soccer isn’t nearly as big a deal as other college sports like football and basketball, at least at most schools. Once you get down to the Division II level where Shepherd plays, there are even fewer people interested in it. That being said, there isn’t much other high-level soccer around here, so if you’re in Shepherdstown, you might as well check out a Shepherd soccer game. That being said, there is no reason for the school to charge $5 for admission here.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 TU Field Hockey Complex 7500 Osler Dr Towson, MD 21252 Towson Tigers website TU Field Hockey Complex website Year Opened: 2018 Capacity: 500 Towson Tigers Field Hockey Built in 2018, the TU Field Hockey Complex is home to the Towson University Tigers field hockey program. Prior to is construction, the Tigers played field hockey in the spacious Johnny Unitas Stadium, also home to the football and lacrosse teams. However, this stadium was far too large for the crowds field hockey attracted, and the bladed turf was not an ideal playing surface, so in 2018 field hockey got its own stadium. The field is located adjacent to the basketball arena and near several other athletic facilities. Food & Beverage 1 There is one concession stand at the TU Field Hockey Complex, although it is actually in the adjacent softball field. Simply go around the corner and you will be there. The only things for sale here are bottled water, soda, and snacks such as candy and chips. At least the prices are affordable. Only credit cards are accepted. Atmosphere 3 The TU Field Hockey Complex consists of a few rows of bleachers on one side of the field. Some fans also like to stand or sit in their own chairs along the sideline. No matter where you sit, you will have a decent view of the action, although your view of the corner of the field may be obstructed by the press box. A scoreboard in the corner of the stadium shows the time, score, as well as the shots, saves, and penalty corners for each team. There is really not much going on here other than the game itself as college field hockey is not a huge deal at Towson or most other schools. Neighborhood 3 The TU Field Hockey Complex is located in the back part of campus, behind SECU Arena. There is not much to do in the immediate area, but Towson is a decent suburban area and Baltimore is a short drive away and offers plenty more options. Whether there is anything within walking distance depends on how far you are willing to walk, but there are plenty of options, both chain and local, along York Road. The Charles Village Pub and The Greene Turtle are both local favorites, but unless you’re willing to walk half an hour each way, you will need to drive a short distance. The Towson Town Center shopping mall is also nearby. Fans 3 Towson averages about 100 fans for a field hockey game, sometimes more, sometimes less. Most of the fans are friends or family of the players, though you do get some local Towson fans as well. Given there is the same core group of fans who attends almost every game, they are knowledgeable about the team, the players, and the sport and all seem to know each other very well, although they are welcoming of others too. Access 3 Towson University’s campus is located several miles off I-695, the Baltimore Beltway. Once you arrive on campus, where you will park depends on whether it is a weekday or weekend game. If it is a weekend game, simply park in the lot right next to the field for free. Assuming there is not a football game at Johnny Unitas Stadium, you should be able to do that. On weekdays, you will need to park in a paid visitor lot or garage. The lot next to the stadium is available for paid visitor parking on weekdays, and you can pay on your phone or at the station, although it will likely cost you over $10 to park there. Garage rates will vary depending on where you park and for how long. We suggest visiting on a weekend day when there is no football game for easiest access. Restrooms are available in the softball stadium and are of a sufficient size for the crowds. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free, and if you visit on a weekend, you won’t pay for parking. We suggest doing so to maximize value, but there ultimately isn’t enough here to earn the highest score. Extras 1 The friendliness of the Towson fans gets them an extra star here. They will not hesitate to explain the finer points of field hockey to fans less familiar with the game or lend you a spare umbrella on a rainy day. Final Thoughts The three major sports at Towson University are football during the fall season, basketball in the winter, and lacrosse in the spring. Anything else really does not get much attention, and that includes the field hockey program. Although they have a nice new stadium, fans with no connection to the program are unlikely to show up to visit it. That being said, if you’re a field hockey fan or have some connection to Towson athletics, a trip here is worth a visit. Just do it on a weekend so you don’t have to pay a ridiculous amount for parking.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 William B. Greene Jr. Stadium 1244 Jack Vest Dr Johnson City, TN 37614 East Tennessee State Buccaneers website William B. Greene Jr. Stadium website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 7,694 The Bucs Fans Stop Here East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911. It is the 4th largest university in Tennessee with a student body of over 14,000 students. It primarily offers a liberal arts curriculum, although it does have a separate medical school and school for allied health (public health, nursing, pharmacy, and physiology). The school’s football team is known as the Buccaneers, and they are members of the Southern Conference. The football program at the school first started in 1920, but there have been several interruptions in the program over the years. The school did not field a team during the years of World War II, and from 2003-2015 due to financial limitations. The team had to play the 2015-2016 while the new on campus stadium was being built. Over the years, the Bucs have won four conference championships (two in the Ohio Valley Conference and two in the Southern Conference). The team finally moved into the William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium in time for the 2017 season. The stadium is horseshoe shaped with one end of the stadium built into a hillside. The north end of the stadium features a grass berm, where fans can bring a blanket or beach towel to sit on. The seating capacity for the stadium is 7,649 including 9 skyboxes. The field has artificial turf, as the area is subject to heavy winter storms late in the season. Food & Beverage 4 The concession stands at Greene Stadium are found at the plaza level on both side of the stadium. They offer the typical stadium foods including pizza ($4) popcorn ($4), nachos with chili cheese and jalapenos ($6), pretzels ($4), hot dogs ($4), candy ($3), chips ($3), and peanuts ($3). Drink selections include bottled water ($4), Pepsi brand fountain drinks ($4) and coffee/hot chocolate ($3). Beer is not sold at Greene Stadium. Atmosphere 4 Even though the hiatus period from 2003-2015 was tragic for ETSU football, it allowed the school some time to plan and construct a very well-designed stadium. The location of the stadium is very dramatic, as Buffalo Mountain is stunning, especially when it is in full fall color. The designers also took advantage of the natural terrain, building the stadium into the side of a hill, allowing one end of the stadium to include a very popular berm seating area. They also could include two very important traditions in the stadium design, as the Bank of Tennessee Arch is a salute to the program’s past, while the Foundation Rocks are symbolic of the program’s future. Bank of Tennessee Arch, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The use of the terrain in the design is also important, as it brings the stands very close to the action on the field. All the auxiliary elements such as bathrooms, merchandise tables and restrooms can be located on the broad entry plazas. It is very apparent to visiting fans that the William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium is a very well-designed venue. Neighborhood 4 William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium is tucked into the southwestern corner of the ETSU campus at the base of Buffalo Mountain. The campus is adjacent to downtown Johnson City. The northern border of the ETSU campus is located along State of Franklin Street, one of the main thoroughfares in the city. The street features many restaurants, including Cootie Brown’s Campus, as well as hotels like the Carnegie Hotel. Johnson City is the 8th largest city in Tennessee, and it features many attractions for visitors. These include the on-campus Carter Railroad Museum and the Museum of Ancient Brick, as well as off campus sites such as the Tipton-Haynes State Historical Site and the Bristol Motor Speedway in nearby Bristol, TN. Fans 4 The fans at ETSU games play a huge difference in firing the team up. The stadium is nearly full for every event, as the student body and the alums at the game are also supplemented by the many Johnson City residents who either work for the school or have a family relationship with the program. The fans also want to make sure the program never goes on hiatus again. Fans arrive early for games, as tailgating is very popular at ETSU. Many families head to the Food City Fan Fest, as there are games to play, inflatables, and face painting for the little ones. It also is along the route for the Buc Walk. The athletic department and the spirit groups at the university have built some great traditions into the gameday activities. The first of these is the Buc Walk. It takes place two hours prior to kickoff, as the team makes its way from the athletics building to the stadium. They are accompanied by Bucky, the team’s pirate mascot, the ETSU cheerleaders and the Marching Bucs Band. Their route takes them through the campus via the alumni gathering tents and the Food City Fan Fest. It is a great way to fire up the fans and the team. Buc Walk, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey The second tradition takes place when the team arrives at the stadium. The Bank of Tennessee Arch sits atop the seating bowl and looks out over the field. The Arch is a nod to the arches at Memorial Stadium, football’s home long ago. The team understands that it is critical to walk through the arch on the way to the locker room. Even the fans practice this tradition. The third tradition features a pair of boulders that were unearthed during stadium construction. They are known as the Foundation Rocks and represent the strong foundation the football program is now built on. The players rub the rock in the end zone on the playing field just before the game kicks off, Fans can rub a companion rock up near the entry plaza to ensure good luck in the game. The color gold is very important to ETSU fans and faithful. The team has always had the color somehow incorporated into their uniforms. Special games (homecoming/ championship games/rivalry games) always bring the “Gold Out” uniforms. The school has also planted gingko trees around the perimeter of the stadium, as they turn a brilliant gold color in the fall… just in time for football season. Access 5 Getting to a Bucs game is easy, and William B Greene, Jr Stadium is also very easy to navigate. Directions to parking for ETSU home games: FROM I-26: Exit at Exit 23 (East Market Street) Head West on East Market Street (Hwy 91). Turn left onto Colonial Way. Turn right onto East State of Franklin Street and go 1.7 miles. Street will become West State of Franklin Road. East Tennessee State University will be on your left. Turn into campus at John Robert Bell Drive. Turn right into Parking Garage. Directional signs will guide you to pregame activities and William B Greene, Jr Stadium. Once you have parked and spent some time at the Food City Fans Funfest, it is a short walk over to the stadium. The stadium opens two hours prior to kickoff, so you have plenty of time to settle in. You will enter through a plaza which sits atop the seating bowl. Make sure you pass through the Bank of Tennessee Arch and rub the Foundation Rock before you go in, as these are considered good luck actions for the Buccaneers football team. Along the plaza you will find the concession stands, a very well stocked team store and the restrooms. After you’ve loaded up and made a pit stop it’s time to settle into your seat. For the most part, the stadium seating is aluminum bench seating. It is a good idea to bring a seat cushion. If you are interested in visiting the other side of the stadium, that is not a problem, as there is a paved walkway at the plaza level that takes you around the top of the seating bowl to the other side. Return on Investment 5 Going to a Bucs game will not break the bank, as the cost of tickets, concession prices and parking are very reasonable. Tickets run from $10 General Admission tickets (berm seating in the end zone) up to $50 (individual stadium seats at the 50-yard line) All other seats are $30 -$40 for bleacher seating with tickets closer to the 50-yard line costing more than ticket closer to the goal line to the 20-yard line. The prices at the concession stands are very reasonable. Parking is available in the parking deck just off State of Franklin Road for $10. Hotels can be pricier on gameday weekends due the limited supply of rooms in Johnson City. You can expect to find hotel/motel rooms for $130 on game weekends. Extras 5 The Bucs played in the on campus Memorial Stadium from 1977 – 2003. It was a domed structure with an artificial turf field. The students jokingly called the building the “mini dome” It was not considered for a return to use by the football team when the program restarted due to its small size. The building has been retrofitted and is used by the sports medicine department, a few of the indoor sports, and some departments within the athletic administration. While the new stadium was being built, the Bucs played one of their games at the nearby Bristol Motor Speedway. It attracted the largest crowd in ETSU history. Unfortunately, it has an * in the record books, as the game was played at an off-campus venue. Mountain Dew was invented in Johnson City and is available at all Buccaneer athletic events. East Tennessee State’s rivalry game each year is against the Western Carolina University Catamounts. It is known as the Blue Ridge Border War due to each school’s proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The ETSU Marching Bucs, the ETSU Dance Squad and Flag Squad and the ETSU Cheerleading Squads deserve their own Extra for working seamlessly together to keep the energy level high throughout the Bucs football games. Final Thoughts William B Greene, Jr Stadium is a terrific venue in which to enjoy a Bucs football game. The natural beauty of the setting, the great traditions ETSU has built into the program, the berm seating behind the end zone and ETSU Marching Band’s non-stop involvement in the game all add up to a very enjoyable day for the fans.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Barker-Lane Stadium 558 Wade Stewart Rd Buies Creek, NC 27406 Campbell Camels website Barker-Lane Stadium website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 5,500 The Creek Is Rising After decades of not fielding a football team, Campbell University restarted their football program in 2008 by opening Barker-Lane Stadium in front of a standing-room only crowd of 5,845 against Birmingham Southern. However, from 2008 to 2012 there were only permanent stands on the east side and the west side had temporary bleachers and a temporary press box. Lights were added to the facility in 2012 and in 2013, the west side permanent stands and the press tower were completed. Barker-Lane Stadium now has an official capacity of 5,500 and is one of the nicest facilities in the Big South Conference. Food & Beverage 3 Barker-Lane Stadium offers your traditional stadium concession food that is on par with many college football venues. Food choices include chicken sandwiches ($7), beef hot dogs ($4), and Papa John’s personal pizzas ($9). Snack choices include popcorn ($3), nachos and cheese ($4), peanuts ($3), hot pretzel ($3), cheese pretzel ($4), potato chips ($2), candy bar ($2), and cotton candy ($3). Beverage choices are bottled water, bottled Pepsi products, and Gatorade all for $4. Campbell University is a Baptist-affiliated so alcoholic beverages are not served. Concession stands take both cash and cards; however, when we attended the card reader was very slow and was holding up the line due to the internet speed (that is what they told me). Barker-Lane Stadium does offer one local food choice. Pelican’s Sno-balls are sold from a Pelican’s on the concourse underneath the west side stands. Atmosphere 4 Campbell football is still a relatively new college football program, but Barker Lane boasts an atmosphere that many long-time programs would dream of. Even though the stadium is relatively small, the fans show up and the stadium has many modern amenities. The field at Barker-Lane Stadium is shiny new field turf that is outlined in black and looks sharp. One endzone says “CAMPBELL” and the other says “CAMELS”. The midfield logo is over 25 yards long and is an outline of the state of North Carolina that contains the Campbell logo. Just beyond the north endzone is a large 24’ x 42’ HD video board that shows live game action and video highlights. At the south end of the stadium is the W. Irvin Warren Center which houses the home and visiting team’s locker rooms. This is also where the Campbell football and lacrosse offices are located. There is a giant inflatable Campbell football helmet in front of this building, which the team runs through pregame. Seating is available on both the east and west sides of the stadium. The west side has seating for 3,000, with 867 of these being chair back and the rest being bench back. At the top of the west side stands is the two-story Carley C’s IGA Hometown proud Press Tower that includes a President’s suite, two patios, and seating for the press, TV crew, home and visitor radio crews, and home of and visitor coaching staffs. The seating on the east side are just metal bleachers with no backs that are bricked in. This is the side where the marching band sits along with many of the visiting fans. We recommend sitting on the west side since all of these seats have a back and since the sun will be behind you as it sets and not in your face. The Campbell marching band plays on the field pre-game and at halftime, and in the stands during the game. Even though the band is small, they add quite a bit to the atmosphere at Barker-Lane Stadium. Neighborhood 2 Campbell University is located in the tiny town of Buies Creek, NC, between the larger towns of Lillington and Dunn on US 421. Its population is just over 2,000. In fact, the pre-game video at Barker-Lane boasts that on gameday, the population of Buies Creek triples. Since Campbell routinely has crowds of 5,500+, this claim is spot on. Other than a couple fast food places on campus (Chick-fil-A, Moe’s Southwest Grill), there is not much else to choose from. If you are looking for somewhere to eat or stay, our recommendation is to take the short drive to Dunn. It is located on I-95 and has a few restaurants and hotels to choose from. The larger cities of Raleigh and Fayetteville are approximately 30 miles away in either direction, and offer many more activities if you desire. Fans 4 While you will not see 50K or even 10K fans at a Campbell football game, don’t let that fool you. The Campbell faithful love their football, and you can expect to see nearly a sellout crowd at every game. In 2021, Campbell averaged nearly 5,100 fans per game, which is 94% capacity. As you approach the stadium pre-game, you will see fans tailgating in the lots all around the stadium. Nearly all fans are decked out in orange and black Camels gear, and cheer loudly and really get into the game. Access 5 Access is Barker-Lane is a breeze. Since Buies Creek is such a small town, there is almost no traffic when approaching Campbell’s campus. The stadium sits directly across US 421 from the main campus, so it is not hard to find at all. Parking is plentiful on campus. There is even a pedestrian tunnel now under US 421 to provide an even easier access from the main campus to the stadium. No longer is it necessary for policemen to stop traffic to allow fans to cross the highway. The ticket office and main entrance are located on the east side. Once inside the stadium, there is a sidewalk that goes around the north end zone to take fans to the west side stands. Even when the stadium is at capacity, there is plenty of room on the concourse, and there is little to no line for restrooms and concessions. Handicap seating is available on both sides on the first row of stands. There are ramps in all the vomitories instead of steps, which provide easy access for those who are handicapped. Return on Investment 4 As the Campbell football program continues to rise through the ranks of FCS football, the ticket prices rise as well. However, tickets are still reasonable compared to their FBS neighbors. Ticket prices are $38 for chair back seats, $25 for bench back seats, and $15 for bleacher seats. Even though this is “just” FCS football, you still cannot find a better deal at many places. General public parking is available in the green lot near the stadium for $10; however, if you don’t mind the walk, parking is free at many places on campus on the weekends. Concession prices are also reasonable; so, a trip to Barker-Lane Stadium will not break the bank. Extras 4 Campbell now has two mascots (male and female) – Gaylord and Gladys – who are very involved in the game, and make their way throughout the stadium during the game taking pictures with fans. A second extra for the new pedestrian tunnel under US 421 that enables easy access from main campus to the stadium. A third extra to the security and game operations staff who are very friendly and make entering the game hassle free. You do not have staff at every section checking your ticket each time, and that is worth extra points! Barker-Lane Stadium is also the home to Campbell Women’s Lacrosse. Final Thoughts Campbell University is located in NC, and is within 3 hours drive of seven FBS schools (NC State, Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Appalachian State, UNC Charlotte). Since Campbell is also relatively new on the college football landscape, it is probably not what immediately comes to mind when thinking about college football in NC. However, if you are in the area, do yourself a favor and take a trip to Barker-Lane Stadium. You will find a full-house, passionate fans, exciting FCS football, and it will not break your budget!

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Villanova Stadium 185 Ithan Ave Philadelphia, PA 19010 Villanova Wildcats website Villanova Stadium website Year Opened: 1927 Capacity: 12,500 Football on The Main Line Although Villanova is most known for its basketball program which is one of the top teams in the country, the school also has a football program that is one of the elite schools in Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Since football was reinstated in 1985, the Wildcats have won seven conference titles and made the playoffs 14 times, including a national championship in 2009. The Wildcats call Villanova Stadium home. Located on campus in Villanova, PA adjacent to Finneran Pavilion, this stadium was built in 1927 and has undergone several updates since then. Food & Beverage 3 There are concession stands at both ends of the stadium serving food from local favorite Chickies & Pete’s. The menu is limited but high-quality. Boneless wings are $12 (with buffalo sauce absurdly being $2 extra) and Chickies & Pete’s signature crab fries cost $12. Despite the name, these fries contain no actual crab, but are topped with crab seasoning and served with cheese sauce. The portion is large, and if you want to share or just really like the sauce, you can get an extra thing of cheese sauce for $2. Hot dogs are $7, popcorn is $5, candy is $4, pretzels are $4 (plus an extra $2 to get the cheese sauce with it), and soft drinks and water are $5. While the prices are a bit high, they’re better quality than you get at most stadiums. Still, it is absolutely ridiculous that you have to pay extra to get sauce with your wings. Atmosphere 3 Villanova Stadium is an old stadium and does not have a layout to befit a top FCS program. Walking inside the stadium, you will walk down a narrow passageway which will put you right at the bleachers. Seating is general admission, although the seats closest to midfield are limited to season ticket holders and other VIPs. Some seats on the north side of the stadium are reserved for students and the band. Your ticket should explain where you are allowed to sit. All seats except for a few small VIP areas are uncomfortable metal bleachers without backs. The field is surrounded by a track, which means the stands are set further back than they otherwise would be and creates weird sightlines. There is a small scoreboard behind one end zone and a larger video board behind the other. The Wildcats have a small marching band, cheerleaders, and a costumed wildcat mascot. During breaks in the action, there will often be contests going on, although they do not happen on the field but in an area behind the end zone. Villanova has a loud, imposing student section that takes up almost a quarter of the stadium which significantly adds to the atmosphere here but it is still a pretty basic stadium. Neighborhood 4 Villanova Stadium is located on Lancaster Avenue on the Villanova campus in suburban Philadelphia. There are a few options along that street within walking distance or a short drive away depending on your tolerance for walking. The Refectory is a popular restaurant within easy walking distance, Campus Corner is a popular pizza place with local students, and there are numerous other options a short drive away including Minella’s Diner. There is really no need to deal with traffic and city parking to head into Philadelphia. Fans 4 Villanova typically averages about 8,000 fans a game although the attendance can range from about half of that to over 12,000 depending on the usual factors. The fans who do show up are passionate, loyal, and knowledgeable about their team. This stadium can get loud at big moments in the game. The student section is especially boisterous. They will stand, cheer, and shout throughout the game and will often sway in unison or wave their towels. They make the stadium an imposing place for visiting teams to play. Although Villanova Stadium will rarely sell out, the crowds here usually are pretty good and help create an electric atmosphere. Villanova Wildcats Student Section, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Access 2 Villanova Stadium is located just off of I-476. Parking is available at an hourly rate in the I-1 garage across the street from the stadium. Take a ticket as you come in and pay as you leave. If paying with cash, you will need to pay at the station, if paying by credit card, pay the attendant as you go. When arriving, exit the garage on the second level and cross the street to the stadium. Entering the stadium can take a while, especially as game time approaches, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time if you want to see the kickoff. Getting around the stadium involves walking through some narrow pathways and can be tricky, especially if there is large attendance. Bathrooms are located under the bleachers by the entrance and are fairly small, so this could be a problem if it gets crowded. Return on Investment 3 General admission tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (ages 3-12). Kids two and under get in free, as do Villanova students. As mentioned above, certain sections are excluded from general admission and your ticket will tell you where you can sit. Concessions are a bit pricey but high-quality for the most part. However, as noted in the food section, it is ridiculous that you have to pay extra to get sauce with your boneless wings. Extras 2 There are free programs available in a box by the entrance. A second star for the Villanova student section, which adds tremendously to the experience here. Final Thoughts Villanova is definitely a basketball school first and foremost. However, their football team has enjoyed considerable success as well and has a loyal fan base and passionate student section. Unfortunately, they do not have a stadium that is befitting of such a strong program. Villanova Stadium is almost 100 years old and while it has undergone some renovations, it is showing its age. That being said, a trip here can still be enjoyable for college football fans in the area.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Fisher Stadium 218 Hamilton St Easton, PA 18042 Lafayette Leopards website Fisher Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 13,132 Leopard Spots Located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley in Easton, Pennsylvania lies a small school known as Lafayette College. The Leopards of Lafayette play in the Patriot League along with other similarly academic-minded institutions in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. The Leopards’ football team has not enjoyed much success on the field but did manage to win their conference in 2013 despite a 5-7 overall record and advance to the FCS playoffs. The team plays its home games at Fisher Stadium, which seats approximately 13,000 fans. Following the 2006 season, Fisher Stadium underwent major renovations which included new seats and a jumbotron. Food & Beverage 4 There is a concession stand on the upper concourse to the left of where you come in which sells basic items, but your best bet is to head to the food truck parked on the middle concourse which sells a much more extensive menu. Options include the usual foods like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders (all of which come with fries) as well as more unusual options such as pierogis, M&M cookies, and beef jerky. The prices at the food truck are fairly high for this level, but so is the quality. Atmosphere 3 The layout of Fisher Stadium is a bit confusing at first glance but easy to get the hang of. Walking through the gates of Fisher Stadium will put you in the far corner of the upper concourse. If seated in the upper rows of the home side, you will walk around the upper concourse and then down to your seats. Theoretically, you can do this if seated in lower rows as well, but you are probably better off walking down a flight of steps on the side that will take you to the middle concourse. On this level, you will find the food truck mentioned above and you can also walk up or down to your seat. If seated on the away side of the stadium, you will have to walk all the way down to the lower concourse at field level, around the end zone past the hospitality tent, and to the bleaches on that side before walking back up. The Leopards have a costumed mascot who is, appropriately, a leopard, as well as cheerleaders and a dance team. Sound effects (such as “DE-FENSE”) are played over the PA system between plays and the PA announcer tries to pump up the crowd on third-down plays. There is also a small marching band that performs before the game and at halftime (and plays the alma mater postgame). When not on the field, they can be found in Section 7 with the students, occasionally playing in between plays or during breaks in the action. Neighborhood 4 Easton is a small college town of about 27,000 people located at the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers. Most of the action is located close to the college and includes Two Rivers Brewing, a popular brewpub on Northampton Street, and Easton Public Market, which includes numerous food vendors ranging from hot dogs to barbecue to a chocolate shop to tacos, noodles, and more. Easton may be a small town but it is certainly a thriving one. Fans 3 Lafayette only draws about 5,000 fans a game, but what the fans lack in numbers, they make up for in pride and passion. They come wearing maroon and cheer on their Leopards for the entire game. It can get very loud within the confines of Fisher Stadium at times even though the place isn’t even half full. You also don’t see a massive clearout long before the game ends as you do at some venues – these fans stay until the game ends for the most part. The Lafayette students mostly sit in Section 7, and while there aren’t too many of them (as is to be expected for a student body of only 2,500) they are extremely loud as well. That being said, they are also smart fans who are knowledgeable about the team and the game of football. If the ref makes a bad call, they will certainly boo and shout at him, but they don’t boo obvious false starts called against the home team like at some other schools. Access 3 The Lafayette campus is easily accessible via US Route 22 and I-76. How close you can park to the stadium depends on if you are willing to pay. Prepaid parking in the Markel Parking Deck costs $25 and is right next to the stadium, and parking passes can be purchased in advance in the Pierce Street Lot and Hamilton Street Lot as well. If you do not want to pay, you can park in the Bushkill Commons Lot about an eight-minute walk away for free. As mentioned above, the layout of the stadium is a bit complex but the staff is happy to help you find your seat. Restrooms are available on the upper and middle concourses and are of ample size for the crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are just $15 except for a few VIP seats in the Coke Zone at the top of the stadium for $40 which come with a full buffet. This is an excellent deal. If you want to park right next to the stadium, you will have to pay a bit for parking, but a free lot is available a reasonable distance away. Concessions are affordable too, so a Lafayette game can be a great deal for fans. Extras 2 Check out the signs on the upper concourse about Lafayette football history. Be sure to check out the leopard statue outside the stadium on your way in as well. Final Thoughts The Patriot League is not an elite football conference, even for FCS. In fact, it is one of the worst conferences in the Football Championship Subdivision. Lafayette is far from an elite team on the field, but Fisher Stadium has a unique layout, great fans, and great value to attend a game here, especially if you are willing to walk a bit from the parking lot. College football fans in the Lehigh Valley should be sure to check out a Lafayette game.

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

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Joe Faber Field 5001 Veterans Dr St Cloud, MN 56303 Map It St Cloud Rox website Joe Faber Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 Granite City Baseball The St Cloud Rox baseball team is a member of the wood bat collegiate Northwoods League. They came to St Cloud MN in 1997 as the St Cloud River Bats. After being sold in 2012, the league changed the team name to the Rox. The St Cloud Rox were a team in the former Northern League who played in St Cloud from 1946 – 1971. The name Rox represents the quarry (mining) industry in St Cloud (also known as Granite City), which has over 30 granite quarries in the surrounding area. The team plays their home games at Joe Faber Field, a stadium in the Municipal Athletic Complex. The complex has two baseball fields, two hockey areas, a golf course, and a Veterans Plaza. Joe Faber Field opened in 1998 and sits just 200 feet from the other ballfield, Dick Putz Field. Winning the Northwoods League championship as the River Bats in 1998, 2000, and 2007, the Rox entity won their last league championship in 2017. Food & Beverage 3 Joe Faber Field sells traditional stadium fare at reasonable prices. Entrées run $4.50 to $7 and comprise burgers, dogs, and tasty brats. Fries, chicken tenders, spicy chicken sandwiches, pizza, pulled pork bbq sandwiches, and taco in the bag round out the entrée menu. For snacks, expect to find nachos, candy, popcorn, pretzels, mini donuts, cookies, peanuts, ice cream, etc. You know … all that healthy stuff. Snacks cost $1.50 to $6. Sodas are Coke products ($3.50). Domestic ($5.50) and craft beer ($6.50), as well as wine ($6.50), are the adult beverages. Miller is the popular domestic beer. Hard Lemonade, White Claw, Leinenkugel, Hop Valley, and local Beaver Island fall under the craft beer menu heading. Uncommon at other Northwoods League stadiums, Dan the Beer Man roams the stands. Atmosphere 2 Except for a very few ‘prime seating areas,’ all the seats are uncomfortable narrow, cramped bleachers with backs with no room to move. Most of the seating area is behind home plate; fourteen rows of grandstand seating. A busy party deck is on the third base side, while bleachers in the sun occupy the first base. Grandstand seating in the shade, and we recommend those seats on those hot sticky Minnesota days and evenings. A thick netting is suspended in front of the seating areas to prevent foul balls from injuring fans. The MAC installed a brand new video board in center field before the 2022 season. It shows the lineup of the team at bat, the player at bat’s name, number and season stats, and advertisements. A separate dot matrix scoreboard in center field shows the traditional line score by inning. The game day staff posts the starting lineup in the entrance lobby. All that makes it easy to keep track of the goings on in the game. The field consists of natural grass and real dirt. Pretty pine trees border the outfield wall making for an attractive backdrop. Joe Faber Field Scoreboard, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The game day operations play incessant, painfully loud music/noise between each and every pitch. Fans are not able to talk with their neighbors nor can Dan the Beer Man hear you when ordering a brew. Ear plugs are suggested. The game day staff provides entertainment between every half inning, many of which involves fan participation. These include trivia questions, the dirtiest car in the parking lot, hometown hero recognition, and more. A mascot ‘Chisel’ roams the stands as kids clamor to meet him and get a photo or an autograph. The music is just too loud and the seating too narrow for this to be an ideal place to watch a game. Neighborhood 3 Joe Faber Field is one of the venues of the Municipal Athletic Complex 3 ½ miles northwest of downtown St Cloud MN. A shaded golf course is adjacent to the ballpark, as are the other sports facilities of the MAC. Restaurants and hotels are not within walking distance, but visitors can find many downtown or two miles south near Heritage Park. We suggest eating or drinking at Olde Brick House (Irish) and 7 West Taphouse (American). For local craft beer, visit Beaver Island Brewery (no food), where the staff makes customers feel comfortable and welcome. Beaver Island Brewing St Cloud MN, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Almost every chain brand hotel, low-end to high-end, is within five miles of the ballpark; the closest a Hampton Inn & Suites about 1 ½ miles away. Be sure to visit the Munsinger and the Clemens Gardens when in the area; two very different gardens in which to admire plants and fountains, and stroll along the Mississippi River at a very reasonable price of zero. Other places for a stroll are Beaver Island Trail and the Downtown River Walk. For an indoor activity, visit the Stearns History Museum, whose interesting and educational exhibits change periodically. Take a drive through St Cloud State University Campus and see if Herb Brooks National Hockey Center is open. For other sports in the area, St Cloud is about an hour from Minneapolis, so a visit to the MLB Twins, MLS Minnesota United FC, or the MiLB St Paul Saints are options. The closest Northwoods League team is the Willmar Stingers, 60 miles to the southwest. Fans 3 Most fans are local families or groups out for an enjoyable evening. Fans of the St Cloud Rox averaged just over 1,500 fans per game in 2022, making it 75% full on most evenings. Most are there to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the game on the field. Access 3 If you have a vehicle, getting to the ballpark is relatively easy. It is located in the Municipal Athletic Complex off State Route 15, about three miles northwest of downtown. St Cloud does have buses that go to Joe Faber Field, but the buses don’t run late enough to take fans back after the game so that’s not an option. The closest commercial airport is Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP), about a one and a half hour’s drive. Once getting to the ballpark, plenty of parking is in the lot surrounding the MAC ice arena building. If you get there early, some spots are available right in front of the only stadium entrance. Have no worries about your car being dinged with a foul ball as the parking is too far for that to happen. Gates open an hour before the first pitch. The team has no rules on what type of bags are allowed in. Fans walk into a lobby that contains the team store, the concessions, and the restrooms. And then walk either left or right down hallways to get to the stadium and field. The hallways show the many players from St Cloud who have been drafted by MLB. Joe Faber Field Hallway MLB Drafted St Cloud Players, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Traffic is a mess getting out after the game. Wait twenty minutes for the parking lot to empty. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices are comparable to other Northwoods League venues. General admission (bleachers on the first base side in the sun are $10 and reserved seats are $12. Tickets for the third base party deck, which includes all you eat and drink (soda), are $30. Season tickets are available, as are 7-day game plans. Food prices are similar to other parks in the league and parking is free of charge. Extras 3 Several additional items are worth noting when visiting Joe Faber Field. First, the organization features an elaborate and enjoyable fireworks presentation after all Friday home games. Next, the Rox Report, a game day program, is handed out before each game. It contains rosters for both the Rox and the visiting team as well as player stats, the team schedule, and Northwood League standings. Extremely well done. Finally, be sure to visit the Veterans Plaza outside the entrance which showcases plaques that honor men and women veterans from Minnesota who served in wars and conflicts from the Spanish-American War to recent times. Final Thoughts Joe Faber Field and the St Cloud Rox game day staff, and the baseball team do an adequate job at providing an entertaining evening out. With the beautiful setting and providing important play of game information, all they need to do is turn the music volume down to make it an even better game day experience.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 The Proving Grounds 725 Conshohocken Rd Conshohocken, PA 19428 Villanova Wildcats website The Proving Grounds website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 300 The Proving Grounds of Champions Although most people only know Villanova for its men’s basketball team, the school plays numerous other sports as well. One of the lesser-known teams is the field hockey program, which plays about five miles off campus at a facility at The Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The Proving Grounds is a multi-sport complex which includes a turf field that is home to the Wildcats’ field hockey program. Prior to the field opening in 2016, the Wildcats played their home games at Villanova Stadium, also home of the football program. However, playing a sport with such small crowds in a stadium so large was not ideal, nor was the bladed turf surface (unlike almost every other sport nowadays, field hockey still uses old-style, unbladed artificial turf as it helps the ball roll better.) Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession stand at The Proving Grounds. However, a vending machine next to the bleachers sells water, Pepsi, Gatorade, and lemonade for the usual vending machine prices (typically between $2 and $2.50). Only coins, $1 bills, and $5 bills are accepted. If you pay with a $5, expect to receive a lot of quarters back as change. According to The Proving Grounds website, outside food and drink are not permitted, but this rule was not enforced when we visited. Atmosphere 2 As mentioned above, The Proving Grounds is a multi-sport complex which includes several athletic fields. The turf field that hosts Villanova field hockey has a very basic layout with a few rows of bleachers on one side of the field. All seats will have a great view of the action, but like at the vast majority of schools, field hockey simply isn’t a huge production here. You go for the game and that’s it. The PA announcer will announce goal scorers, cards, video reviews, etc. but sometimes won’t even do that. There is music played over the sound system pregame but it seems to be mostly sped-up remixes of well-known songs which is a little bit strange. As mentioned above, The Proving Grounds is a multi-sport complex which includes several athletic fields. The turf field that hosts Villanova field hockey has a very basic layout with a few rows of bleachers on one side of the field. All seats will have a great view of the action, but like at the vast majority of schools, field hockey simply isn’t a huge production here. You go for the game and that’s it. The PA announcer will announce goal scorers, cards, video reviews, etc. but sometimes won’t even do that. There is music played over the sound system pregame but it seems to be mostly sped-up remixes of well-known songs which is a little bit strange. Neighborhood 2 There is very little in the immediate vicinity of The Proving Grounds. A steel distributor is located across Conshohocken Road, and other corporate offices are nearby as well. If you head back to Ridge Pike, you will find several places to eat, although this is several miles away. Andy’s Diner and Pub is open 24 hours and there are several pizza places including Franzone’s and Tony Roni’s. Primo Hoagies is a regional chain that serves hoagies (or subs, or grinders, or whatever you call them in your region) on sesame seed buns. You will have to drive a bit to find something, but it’s all on the way to or from the highway anyway. Fans 4 Although The Proving Grounds is a pretty basic stadium, the Wildcats do draw decent crowds, at least considering what they are for field hockey at most places across the country. The team routinely draws 200-300 fans if not more, which may not seem like much, but it puts them in the Top 25 in the nation. Most of these are friends or family of the players or people with some other connection to the program, but you do get a good number of locals as well, especially families with young girls who play field hockey themselves and dream of someday playing collegiately. Given the small size of the bleachers, they are mostly full for a Wildcats home game and the fans can get quite into it. Although you don’t often think of field hockey as a major spectator sport, these things are all relative. Villanova field hockey will never draw anywhere near the same crowds as football or basketball, but now that they play in an appropriately-sized stadium rather than a cavernous football field, the crowds do feel pretty large. Access 3 The Proving Grounds is located a few miles off I-276. There are parking lots on each side of the stadium which will provide you with easy access. The lot on the north side is smaller and may fill up, especially if there are other events at the complex, but you should have no problem parking on the south side. There is a road connecting the two lots in case the one you go to first is full. Restrooms are available in a building in the north lot. Return on Investment 4 Like pretty much every college field hockey game in the country, admission is free. Note that there may be a charge for admission for Big East or NCAA Tournament games if Villanova hosts. However, there isn’t enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 The crowds here are worthy of an extra star, as despite not being elite at the sport, the Wildcats still have one of the highest attendances in the nation. Final Thoughts There are very few schools in the country that make a huge deal out of college field hockey, and Villanova is not one of them. If you make the trip to The Proving Grounds, you can expect to see a game and not much else. However, you will get to experience one of the top field hockey fan bases in the country. While those unfamiliar with the sport may not find this worthwhile, if you’re into field hockey and are in the area, you will definitely want to stop by The Proving Grounds for a Villanova game.

Photos by Meg Miinard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Clint Lightner Field 706 E Maple St Garden City, KS 67846 Garden City Wind website Clint Lightner Field website Year Opened: 1920 Capacity: 1,000 Southwestern Kansas Baseball The Garden City Wind, a team in the Pecos League (an Independent baseball league), began play in 2015 at the historic Clint Lightner Field in Garden City, KS. Clint Lightner Field is part of Frederick Finnup Park, a community park that also houses a zoo, a historical museum, picnic tables and grills, softball diamonds, a pool with water slides, and more. Recent renovations to the stadium include new turf on the field and updated bullpens and batting cages. The organization asphalted the dirt parking lot in front of the entrance. And, they added ten VIP bucket seats directly behind home plate. The park is shared with the Garden City High School team – The Buffaloes – who play their games from March to May. Garden City hosted the successful Pecos League All Star Game in 2022. The name Wind comes from the blusterous breeze that can blow through the stands. Locals tell me the wind is often the ‘blow you over type.’ If it’s a windy one on the evening of your visit, hold on to your hat! Food & Beverage 2 Basic food items are for sale; enough to squelch a hunger craving. The team offers juicy hot off the grill hot dogs, chips, peanuts and seeds, candy, other snacks, and Pepsi products ($1 – $4). Flavored shaved ice is a popular snack. Beer (Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra) is offered at the Windy Saloon concession stand underneath the grandstand for $3. Thirsty Thursday home games are $1 beer night ($2 for seltzers). Can’t beat the prices! Atmosphere 3 The seating consists of three sections of ten rows of aluminum bleachers without backs or handrails. We recommended bringing a cushion to sit on the benches as they get quite uncomfortable after nine innings of play. If you want the shade, sit on the first base and the home side. A medium-thickness net protects the entire seating area for the fans’ safety from foul balls. The third base side gets the sun if that’s what you prefer. The sun sets behind home plate and the grandstand so it won’t be blinding your eyes when watching an evening Wind game. A play area is behind the first base bullpens for kids to run around or play catch. Music is played mostly between batters and not each pitch (a good thing in this author’s opinion). The starting lineup is not posted and it is called way too fast to record on a scoresheet. The scoreboard is basic with balls, strikes, and outs identified with a dot. There’s a passing of the hat after a pitcher reaches 7 strikeouts. And, kids get to run the bases after the end of the third innings. It’s an entertaining evening out and, depending on the evening and wind, you may get an occasional whiff of cattle. Neighborhood 3 Garden City is an agricultural town. Less than five miles outside the town are the farms and ranches that produce the crops and raise the cattle needed for food, drink or fuel in this country. Besides the farms, its number one employer is Tyson Foods. Plenty of hotels are within two or three miles of the park and include: Sleep Inn, Hampton Inn, Best Western, Clarion Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Americinn, and more. Places to eat include Old Chicago and Baron’s Steakhouse + Bar. A plethora of Mexican and Asian restaurants are in the area as well as many fast food chains. The city hosts two breweries: Mountain Brewhouse in downtown (offers food) and Hidden Trail Brewery. For other things to do, I’d recommend visiting the Lee Richardson Zoo and the history museum. Fans 3 The fans are vocal and they are friendly acknowledging and greeting unfamiliar faces with a smile and a hello. They can give the umpires a hard time when a questionable call is made. Families, parents of players and local Garden City residents attend the games. Kids get to run the bases after the third inning which is quite a delight to the young ones. The grandstand isn’t packed (except for Thursdays) yet there is a decent showing of fans for the Wind games There’s even a booster club that sells popcorn and other items where all proceeds go to the players. Access 2 The ballpark is in a quaint residential area just south of the railroad tracks off of US 50 going east and west or US 83 going north or south in southwest Kansas. It is not close to any interstates. Once in town, it is easily accessible with plenty of parking in a newly paved lot or on side streets. The closest airport is Garden City Regional Airport, eight miles from the downtown area. It is more of a regional airport with the only commercial flights coming from/to Dallas, Texas. There is a small Amtrak station just a few blocks from Clint Lightner Field so that, too, might be an arrival choice. I did not notice any public transportation so taking the car, bike, or walking are your best options to a Wind game. Walking in and around the stadium area is easy and there are restrooms at the venue. I’m sure it meets ADA requirements, but it certainly appears not handicapped or wheelchair friendly. Return on Investment 3 Thursdays are a popular day for the Wind as it is $1 beer night. Admission to a game is $7 a ticket. If in the area, season tickets are just $185 (for 32 home games). The team offers free parking at the ballpark. Though limited, the food prices are very reasonable. The seating is near the field so you get to see up-close action, hear chatter between the players, and just get to enjoy a few hours of baseball. All kinds of promotions are provided by sponsors, including Get in Free to a game. Extras 3 The Wind has quite an active Facebook page posting photos after each game. A unique and thoughtful feature at Clint Lightner Field is the cups offered to dispose of peanut and sunflower shells vs throwing them on the floor. I wish other stadiums across North America would provide this and that fans would pay more attention and not leave trash behind. Finally, it’s encouraging to see a Booster Club for the team. Final Thoughts Garden City, Kansas is not a vacation destination. It is however a nice little town with a new mall, several dining options and Finnup Park seems the place to be on a weekend. The Wind provide an entertaining and affordable evening out so if you live in the area or happen to be visiting nearby, do check out a game.

Photos by Bart Wilhelm and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Mayo Field 403 E Center St Rochester, MN 55904 Rochester Honkers website Mayo Field website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 3,570 A Mayo Clinic Mayo Field was built in 1951 on land donated to the city of Rochester by the Mayo Brothers, founders of the world-famous Mayo Clinic. Specified in that donation was that this plot of land must be used for baseball. For a time the Rochester Royals played here as a Kansas City Royals affiliate. When they left, the local town ball team took the name “Royals” and continues to play at Mayo Field today. The Honkers have been members of the Northwoods League since their founding in 1994. They have won five championships over their history, most recently in 2009. Eight Honker alumni have reached the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions at Mayo Field are impressive for a ballpark of this size. The majority of the stands are located underneath the grandstand. Visitors to Mayo Field will be pleased with the diverse options available here. The main stand offers your basic burgers and dogs, with some interesting options thrown in for good measure. The Angry Goose Burger adds pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, Holy Smoke BBQ sauce, and spicy pickles. You can amp up your nachos by adding shredded chicken, jalapenos, and Holy Smoke BBQ sauce, creating “Goose Pit Nachos.” Other items you may be surprised to find at this small stand are bratwursts, plant-based burgers, and cheese curds. Fans looking for a snack should check out the Sweet Shop, where different flavors of gourmet popcorn, Dippin’ Dots, ice cream novelties, and other sweet treats are sold. Check out the Apple Nachos, which are apple slices doused in caramel sauce, sweet cream, and crushed butterfingers. Pepsi products are featured at Mayo Field. Fans looking for an adult beverage can choose between Bud Light, and Michelob Golden Light ( a favorite in the area), along with craft brews from Castle Danger and Broken Bat Breweries. Atmosphere 3 At a smaller, older park like Mayo Field, you wouldn’t expect an elaborate game day presentation, and you won’t get one. That doesn’t mean the Honkers staff don’t put on a nice show, because they do. They do a good job of mixing in some modern entertainment with traditional touches. The Honkers mascot, Slider, basically a person with a giant baseball on his/her head, roams the ballpark interacting with fans, presenting sponsor ads, and helping with the typical on-field shenanigans. The guys in the booth get in on the act by playing silly songs for every opposing batter. There’s also a “Beer Batter” and “Root Beer Batter.” If the designated batter either strikes out or gets a hit, beer or root beer is half price for the rest of the inning. The root beer batter had a good night during Stadium Journey’s visit, as virtually every kid in attendance seemed to have a root beer in hand. There’s a party deck down the left field line available for groups along with the Grand Slam Patio, a beer garden available to all fans. Both areas were packed during our visit. The Honkers run the usual array of between-inning games, including the water balloon home run derby, dizzy bat race, and the like. A scoreboard in right-center field shows basic game information. Neighborhood 2 Although Mayo Field is located close to downtown Rochester, there’s not a whole lot near the ballpark to attract visiting fans. The nearby downtown area does offer numerous options for eating and drinking before or after a Honkers game. “Historic Third Street” contains a bunch of options packed together in a small area. For fans of craft beer, be sure to check out Forager Brewery and Café for great beer, excellent food, and live music. With the legendary Mayo Clinic located in town, there is no shortage of choices in terms of lodging. The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are about an hour and a half drive to the north. Fans 3 Even though Rochester is a decent-sized city, there’s a real small-town vibe going on at Mayo Field. Perhaps it’s due to the presence of families and kids running around the grandstand throughout the game. Perhaps it’s due to the groups in attendance and the fans who have been sitting together for years. Whatever the reason, Mayo Field is a place where you can feel comfortable bringing the whole family. The Honkers draw a shade under 1,000 fans per game, which is a bit under the Northwoods League average. Stadium Journey recently attended a Sunday evening game that drew a crowd much larger than average, so plan accordingly. Access 3 Mayo Field is located near downtown Rochester, MN, a small city of just under 120,000 residents located in southeast Minnesota. Routes 14 and 52 serve the area, but the ballpark is located a couple of miles from the highway. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the field, but it’s dangerously close in terms of the potential for a foul ball to come crashing through your windshield. Visitors are better served to park a little farther from the field. Should this lot be full, additional parking is located on the other side of the Zumbro River. If you arrive early, there’s a nice river walk that runs next to the ballpark down to Silver Lake. It’s worth a look on a nice summer day. Once inside Mayo Field, there’s not a lot of room to roam. Concession stands line the area underneath the grandstand and you may find yourself navigating your way through the lines that form in the area. The ramps up to the seating area are incredibly steep, so be careful if you have mobility issues. The first two rows of seating are individual stadium seats, which are sold as box seats. They come with a wait service. The rest of the seats consist of metal bleachers with backs. There is a small group area at the top of the grandstand and a pair of party decks down the left field line. Some of the best seats in the place belong to the residents of the condo complex next door, whose balconies hang over the right field wall. The bathrooms are incredibly small (the men’s room consists of two stalls), but no lines were noticed during Stadium Journey’s visit. Time your trips to the concession stands carefully, as lines do form throughout the game. One note to team management: a coat of paint would go a long way towards improving the look of the old place. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Honkers games cost $15 for box seats (which feature wait service), $12 for reserved seats, and $10 for general admission seating (the last section of the grandstand). Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the park, and concessions are affordable. Overall, a night at a Honkers game is an affordable entertainment option for local baseball fans. Extras 1 An extra point is awarded for some of the small, but nice touches to be found around the ballpark. A free roster sheet/game notes are available to all fans, and the entire Northwoods League standings are posted on the side of the grandstand (no small feat in a league with 24 teams). A banner hangs on the fence commemorating Honkers championships, but this was blocked by equipment. Final Thoughts When the Mayo Brothers donated the land that Mayo Field stand on to the city of Rochester, they specified in the deed that this plot of land had to be used for baseball, so you know that baseball is intricately tied to the community. Mayo Field has that nice old-timey feel to it that fits this level of baseball perfectly. If you find yourself in southern Minnesota, this is a worthy Stadium Journey. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Arnold Anderson Stadium at Cockshutt Park 35 Sherwood Dr Brantford, ON N3T 1N3 Brantford Red Sox website Arnold Anderson Stadium at Cockshutt Park website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 2,000 There’s Baseball in Brantford Too The city of Brantford, Ontario is known for hockey and telephones. The home of both Wayne Gretzky and Alexander Graham Bell also boasts some baseball acumen. The Brantford Red Sox of the Intercounty Baseball League are not only the oldest team in the league but they are also the most decorated. The Red Sox, which share the same name and look as the more famous Major League team, were founded in 1911, a few years before the beginning of the IBL. They would join the league in its third year in 1921. The Red Sox have been a staple in the Brantford community ever since and have rewarded their fans with fifteen league championships including a record six in a row. The Red Sox are currently family owned and operated by Connie and Rick Pomperleau. Home for the Red Sox is Arnold Anderson Stadium at Cockshutt Park. Named after a local radio announcer, Arnold Anderson Stadium is part of the larger Cockshutt Park which groups a number of softball and baseball diamonds just south of the Grand River. The park, formerly Agricultural Park, was gifted to the City of Brantford by the Cockshutt Family and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Henry Cockshutt, in memoriam of their father, Ignastius Cockshutt. Food & Beverage 3 Arnold Anderson Stadium has a bit of a different setup where the concession stand is behind the main grandstand and press box at ground level. To get to the concession stand, patrons must exit the stadium past the ticket desk, which requires a hand stamp. Concession options are about what can be expected for an IBL venue. Typical ballpark bbq items are available including burgers, sausages and hot dogs. Nachos, popcorn and chocolate bars are also available at the snack bar. Soft drinks are available in both bottles and cans and both Pepsi and Coke products are in the cooler. There is a beer tent past the third base stands where basic domestic brands can be found. Of note, alcohol may not be consumed in the main stand behind the plate, but only in the beer garden picnic tables and the first and third base bleachers. The prices are decent and the quality is surprisingly high with BBQ items coming fresh off the grill. Atmosphere 3 Arnold Anderson Stadium is part of a larger Cockshutt Park which has other recreational baseball diamonds. The stadium itself is a bit of a piecemeal structure with a permanent grandstand behind home plate which includes the press box and concession stands and washrooms on the opposite side. The main grandstand features acknowledgement of the past successes the Red Sox have enjoyed, including 11 pennants and 15 league championships, the most recent occurring in 2013. A dedication stone for the park in honour of Ignatius Cockshutt, a local philanthropist, sits handsomely in a garden outside the main concession. On the opposite side there is a dedication to the Brantford Red Sox team of 1959 through 1963. The exterior of the main grandstand is an attractive light colour with red trim. It definitely offers something a little different from other IBL venues. Home plate at Arnold Anderson Stadium faces due west, which can offer a bit of a predicament for batters from the setting sun. However, Red Sox home games are traditionally welcoming of an 8 pm first pitch to accommodate sunsets. To the immediate left of the main grandstand is a portable ticket table, which is the entry point to the stadium. Hand stamps are required as the concessions and washrooms are outside the gate. On the fence to the left is another unique Red Sox feature as the honoured numbers of Bill Leconte, Jimmy Wilkes, Ron Stead, John Lockington, Ted Baker, Spud Bush, Frank Parker, Larry Ellins, Bill Gibbs Sr., Stan Lipka and Dave Dix are displayed. Accompanying them are honours for builders Mike Calbeck, Rogers Davis and Larry Pennell. Inside, the stadium has three main parts with the main grandstand as a permanent structure with the press box at the top and plastic, fixed seating. Permanent clubhouse and dugout structures are separate from each other and the main grandstand. Past the dugouts are simple, aluminum bleachers. Proximity to the players at Arnold Anderson Stadium is very close and the bullpens are just past the bleachers. Possibly the worst feature of Arnold Anderson Stadium from a fans perspective is the backstop and fencing. As opposed to soft mesh, typically found at most ballparks, Arnold Anderson Stadium has chain link fencing. Behind the backstop provides one of the worst views as the posts for the fencing are quite thick and the view for fans in the grandstand is quite often obstructed. The gameday presentation has a local community feel to it with simple promotions including a program prize draw and 50/50 draw. Thankfully, the numerous announcements requiring foul balls to be returned to the concession stand, which is not uncommon for Intercounty Baseball, have been toned down to a more friendlier version offering some enumeration for baseballs. Neighbourhood 2 Arnold Anderson Stadium is located in Cockshutt Park. The park is located south of the Grand River in the West Brant neighbourhood of Brantford. The neighbourhood around the park is mostly residential with a couple of spots that fans may want to check out. The Brantford Artisian Market is close and the Mash Paddle Brewing Company and Spool Gourmet Poutine & Mac ‘n Cheese can be found in there. Otherwise, fans will want to head downtown for more variety. There are not really any other sporting options in Brantford. Junior B hockey can be found in the winter months. There are plenty of parks and recreation spaces in the West Brant neighbourhood. Fans who wish to stay in Brantford will need to head north of the Grand River where the Best Western and Comfort Inn are found. Fans 2 The Intercounty Baseball League does not readily publish attendance numbers, therefore assessing the fans category for the Brantford Red Sox can be difficult. Under Covid-19 regulations, the gameday capacity at Arnold Anderson Stadium is listed at 175 people. It doesn’t seem, however, that the fans in attendance are drastically fewer than in previous years. There are probably a couple hundred fans in the stands in Brantford, which is not in the top echelon for the IBL. It is a friends and family atmosphere with some hardcore fans. There is a community fee in the park, but often it is whisper quiet in between plays and that low rumble of chatter is not audible. This does give fans the opportunity to hear the true sounds of the game including players and umpire comments and conversations. Access 4 Getting to Arnold Anderson Stadium is very easy. Cockshutt Park is located south of Highway 403, the main artery into the city. There will be a few local streets to traverse, but that won’t be an issue. The park has plenty of parking available, which is free. For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are buses available south of the park on Colborne Street. Fans should check out the Brantford Transit website for fares, maps and schedules. Return on Investment 4 The Brantford Red Sox, as with other Intercounty Baseball experiences, offers some of the most affordable situations in all sports. Tickets for the Red Sox go for $10 and are available at the door or before the game, online. Students and seniors go for $7 and youth $5. Kids 5 and under can get in free. The parking at Cockshutt Park is free and the concession prices are very affordable. The final product that you will find at a Brantford Red Sox game is a simple version of baseball that harkens back to a previous era and focuses on the game, rather than all of the bells and whistles. Extras 2 An extra mark for Brantford Red Sox alumni, and honoured member Ron Stead. Ron is an honoured member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and played with the Red Sox for almost a decade, earning numerous league titles. He would play more than 15 years in the IBL. An extra mark for the unequaled success that the Red Sox have enjoyed. Final Thoughts A trip to the Brantford Red Sox will bring fans back to baseball’s simpler times. A family environment with an uncanny quality in concessions, there are aspects of going to a Brantford game that will make fans wonder why it isn’t like this everywhere. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9.

Photos by Bart Wilhelm and Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 ISG Field 601 Reed St Mankato, MN 56001 Mankato MoonDogs website ISG Field website Year Opened: 1961 (renovated 2018) Capacity: 1,500 Everyone’s Gone to the MoonDogs Playing their home games in the city of Mankato in south-central Minnesota, the Mankato MoonDogs are a summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League. The MoonDogs play their home games at ISG Field, which has been home to several different teams since opening in 1961, ranging from minor league to high school to its current summer collegiate tenant. It was originally known as Key City Park, was renamed after local sportswriter Franklin Rogers in 1977, and was renamed again in 2021 thanks to a naming rights deal with local business ISG. In addition to the MoonDogs, it hosts numerous high school games as well as Bethany Lutheran College, a Division III school. Food & Beverage 4 There are several different concession stands at ISG Field. The main one is located right in front of the entrance and offers a wide range of options. Main meals include hot dogs ($3), brats ($4), hamburgers ($6, extra 50 cents for cheese plus another dollar for bacon), veggie burgers ($6), and veggie cheeseburgers ($6.50), and grilled chicken sandwiches for $6. French fries are $3, chicken strips are $5, mini donuts are $5, and local favorite fried cheese curds are $7. Chips are $1.50, while soda, water, Gatorade, and energy drinks are available for between $2.50 and $3.50. There are several additional stands further up the right field line or on the berm in right field which sell snacks, nachos, tacos in a bag, and more. Beer is available at a table behind home plate for those of age. Just be sure to pick up a wristband first to prove you’re 21. Atmosphere 5 Although the players are in college and the league is only active for about two months a year, don’t let that fool you into thinking this isn’t a great stadium. It is divided into several different sections – reserved chairbacks behind home plate, bleachers further up the lines, berm seating in right field, suites beyond the right field fence, and The Dog Pound near third base, which comes with all-you-can-eat food and soft drinks. Every seat offers a great view of the game. There are scoreboards, a large one in right field which shows player stats and occasionally video, and a smaller one in left field which just shows the linescore and other basic information. The MoonDogs put on a great show here. The PA announcer does a great job of engaging the crowd without being too over the top, there are between-innings contests during many breaks in the action, and a 50-50 raffle gives fans the chance to win a cash prize. The Moondogs have a dog mascot named Muttnik who can be seen on the field and roving the stands interacting with fans throughout the game. From the moment you walk into the stadium until the moment you leave, you will find a great atmosphere here in Mankato. Neighborhood 3 Mankato is a typical mid-sized Minnesota city. The Madison East Center shopping mall is a short drive or even a walk away from the stadium and offers many options for visitors to the area. Tav on the Ave is a nearby pub and local favorite as well as a sponsor of the team. There are plenty of other options nearby ranging from Mexican restaurants to taphouses to pizza and gyros. Ultimately what you’ll find here in Mankato is typical of other cities in the area. While it’s not the most exciting place to visit, you certainly won’t be bored here either, and it’s not like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Fans 5 The MoonDogs draw very well to their home games, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. In a stadium that officially seats 1,500, the crowd will often exceed that number and sometimes goes over 2,000. Fans will pack the grandstand, the bleachers, and the berm and cheer on their MoonDogs. You will occasionally get fans from visiting teams as well, particularly if it is a relatively close team like Rochester, but most of the fans are here to cheer on their beloved MoonDogs. If you are a fan of the visiting team, you can expect nothing worse than some good-natured joking, so that is not a problem, fortunately. That being said, in addition to being large in numbers, MoonDogs fans are passionate, knowledgeable, and supportive of their team. You’ll hear them cheering throughout the game if the action on the field merits it. You will find a great crowd here at ISG Field and that’s one of the reasons the MoonDogs have been so successful over the years. Access 2 There are several roads into Mankato depending on where you are coming from, including State Route 60, US Route 14, and US Route 169. Although none of these are expressways, at least not for their whole length, you can usually make good time on them. Once you get to the stadium, parking is available at a lot right outside it, but it fills up quickly, forcing fans to park on the street or the nearby shopping mall if they do not arrive early enough. The outer concourse behind the seating area is more than wide enough, but getting around the inner concourse between the 100 and 200 levels of the grandstand to get to your seat can be cramped and difficult, especially if kids are running around, which there usually are. If you are seated in the front rows of the 200 level, your view will often be blocked by fans walking by. There are restrooms located down the first baseline, and there can occasionally be a bit of a line for them but nothing too outrageous. Getting from one seating area to another can also be complicated to those unfamiliar with the stadium, although it’s well-signed what is where. Return on Investment 4 Tickets start at $8 for general admission bleachers seating, while seating in the grandstand is $10 for reserved seats. Dog Pound seating is $30 for adults and $15 for kids and comes with unlimited food and soft drinks plus three beer vouchers for those of age. If you don’t get the all-you-can-eat package, concessions are still somewhat affordable, although some items seem to be priced more affordably than others. All in all, a visit to a MoonDogs game won’t break the bank and is an affordable way to spend a warm summer night taking in a ballgame. Extras 4 There is a team store at a table on the concourse which sells a wide selection of MoonDogs gear. Visitors should check out the banners on the concourse behind home plate with images of each year in MoonDogs history. There are programs for sale for $1 near the entrance. A fourth and final star for all the unique vantage points to watch a game from. Final Thoughts Like many Northwoods League stadiums, ISG Field is old, but it still has its charm. The MoonDogs promote a trip here as a “nine-inning vacation” and it certainly lives up to that billing. While other parts of the country cheer on their local minor league team, a trip to Mankato and ISG Field proves a summer collegiate game can be just as good an experience as a professional one, if not even better. Baseball fans visiting Minnesota in the summer should be sure to check out a MoonDogs game while they are in the area.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Carson Park 100 Carson Park Dr. Eau Claire, WI 54703 Eau Claire Express website Carson Park website Year Opened: 1937 Capacity: 3,800 An Old Classic in Eau Claire Baseball has been played at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in some form or another since 1937. Located in a scenic park on a peninsula on Half Moon Lake, Carson Park seats 3,800 fans and is currently home to the Eau Claire Express of the summer collegiate Northwoods League. The stadium previously hosted affiliated minor league baseball with the Eau Claire Bears (later known as the Braves) of the Northern League from 1937 until 1962, excluding a few years during World War II. Hank Aaron played here during that time, and famous Express alumni include Kole Calhoun and Jordan Zimmerman. Food & Beverage 4 There are several identical concession windows on the concourse behind home plate underneath the grandstand. Meals include classic options like burgers, hot dogs, brats, chicken strips, and a pulled pork sandwich. Snacks include all the usual classics like French fries, cotton candy, popcorn, and more, plus the Upper Midwest Classic of deep-fried cheese curds, which will be a unique item for fans visiting the area but are a standard concession item in this part of the country. Bottled water and fountain soda are also available at this concession stand. The prices are affordable, with most things under $5 and everything $7 or less. There is a separate stand on the concourse closer to first base which sells beer, including the custom beer of the Northwoods League, Five Tool Ale. A cart inside the seating area sells snacks so fans can buy from there without missing any of the game if that’s all they want. The box seats also come with waiter service so fans sitting there can order from their seat and have them brought to them. Atmosphere 5 Just walking up to Carson Park can give you a sense of how old this place is. The tan exterior just has those old-time ballpark vibes, and once you get in, you get even more of a classic stadium sense. Like many of the ballparks of its era, there is a covered grandstand behind home plate with a few rows of chairback box seats close to the field and some traditional bleachers further down the line. Although a couple of large sets of bleachers are visible beyond the left field fence in fair territory, these are part of the football stadium next door and are not part of the baseball stadium. A scoreboard in right-center field shows the linescore and other basic information. In terms of the other goings-on at Carson Park, they rival if not exceed the atmosphere at many minor league games. There are on-field contests or other antics during many inning breaks and music is played between almost every pitch. The songs range from your usual country music to more unusual selections like “C is for Cookie” and the “Campfire Song Song” from SpongeBob. There are also numerous promotional nights to encourage fans to show up, ranging from the Zooperstars to Willy Wonka Night. The Express also has a mascot named Trax, who is supposed to be a railroad engineer but more closely resembles a terrifying abomination of some sort. Then again, he’s so terrifying and unique that it’s kind of cool. Neighborhood 3 Carson Park is a scenic park, also known as Carson Park, on a peninsula in Half Moon Lake. Other attractions in the park include a playground and several museums. If you want to head into the main part of Eau Claire, you will find many more options along Menomonie Street right by the stadium. The Roadside Ice Cream and Diner is right by the entrance to the park and serves great ice cream and comfort food. Valley Burger Company is just down the road, as is the Eau Claire Ale House. There are plenty of hotels to stay at in the area as well. This is your typical Upper Midwest town, nothing more, nothing less. Fans 3 The Express draw reasonably well and while they rarely sell out, there will still be many fans in the seats. Those in attendance are knowledgeable not just about the Express but about all the teams in the Northwoods League and are both friendly and extremely passionate about their team. It can get somewhat loud at times but is always family-friendly. The crowd here tends to skew older than many stadiums, with a lot of fans who have been following the team for years, but there are a good number of young families as well. Access 2 The stadium Carson Park is in a park of the same name, which is on a peninsula, so you will likely access it from the mainland via Menomonie Road, which is the local name for US 12. If coming from out of town, you will take Interstate 94, then exit and drive several miles to the stadium. There is a spacious lot next to the stadium which also serves other areas of the park, and then you will walk up a ramp to the entry plaza. Getting around the stadium is a bit complex, with multiple areas that have been built over the years, and it’s not always signed well where to go, although the staff will be happy to help you if necessary. There are restrooms on the third base end of the concourse which can get a bit crowded at times, especially between innings, but the wait is never too long, just a bit cramped. Return on Investment 4 Tickets start at $9 for general admission seating in the bleachers down the line. Reserved seats in the grandstand cost $11, while box seats closer to the field cost $14. These prices are about what you’d pay for a minor league game, maybe a little less, but the experience here is comparable to minor league games, so it’s still a good value. Concessions are pretty affordable, and parking is free, so an Express game is a pretty good deal. Extras 5 Look for the Hank Aaron statue and Eau Claire Baseball Hall of Fame on the entrance plaza outside the stadium. Each of these is worthy of a star. There are free programs and roster sheets on the concourse. Check out the Carson Park history banner on the concourse down the right field line. Finally, there is a play area for kids in left field. Final Thoughts Carson Park is certainly an old stadium, but old does not mean bad in this case, just historic. Although the stadium no longer meets the ever-increasing standards to host affiliated minor league baseball, the fan experience here is comparable to what you would see at a professional stadium. Baseball fans in the Chippewa Valley region of Wisconsin and the surrounding area should check out the Express here in Eau Claire. Carson Park is a great place to check out a ballgame on a nice summer night.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Levine-Fricke Field Centennial Drive Berkeley, CA 94720 California Golden Bears website Levine-Fricke Field website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 500 Softball in Secluded Splendor Sitting at the bottom of Strawberry Canyon lies Levine-Fricke Field. This small stadium features beautiful green hills surrounding the home of the 2002 National Champions. However, what you may not know is that this also is one of the more unique facilities at Cal Berkeley, and is a fan-friendly facility. A closer look reveals the beauty that exists here, as well as the potential for what could be. The school unveiled a brand-new stadium re-design and upgrade project several years ago that has been tied up in court, thanks to noise concerns from neighboring landowners. While the future, should it ultimately come to pass, looks bright, the current home of Cal Softball is one to be admired. Food & Beverage 3 The name of the game here is simplicity. The menu is short and sweet and that is perfect for the setting here at Levine-Fricke Field. Leading off are hot dogs ($6) and specialty sausages ($7). Nachos come in at $6 while candy, peanuts, corn nuts, and sunflower seeds cost $5. All drinks (soda, water, and Gatorade) also cost $5. Everything is served quick and hot, meaning you won’t be waiting forever for your meal. Atmosphere 4 The stadium is situated at the east end of campus, high above the rest of the school down below. Along the outfield are the verdant hills of Strawberry Canyon, providing a beautiful background for softball. Behind home plate are more trees, offering shade in the afternoon from the sun. The outfield seats are elevated to the top of the tall outfield fence line, meaning you have a great view of the entire playing field. The seating stretches from the left field foul pole to center field. Along center field’s outfield wall is also a standing-room-only area for fans as well. Neighborhood 4 The stadium is situated on Cal Berkeley’s campus itself. This is one of the country’s most historic and revered colleges, and the beauty of the campus is evident from the moment you set foot here. Just outside of campus is Berkeley, a college town that has everything from hotels (Residence Inn by Marriott and Hotel Shattuck Plaza are your closest options to campus) to restaurants and shopping. Shattuck Avenue and University Avenue both are full of shopping and dining options. Nearby fans can find hiking trails that lead from the softball stadium area up to the Big C on the hillside, overlooking the Cal football stadium. Fans 4 The Cal faithful love their softball. Even a weekday game against an in-state rival brings a respectable crowd for a mid-day matchup. Once there, they cheer and yell along with every big play. They’re sport-knowledgeable and know the roster and coaching staff like diehards. Access 3 The hardest part about getting to games here is the parking. On campus parking is limited, and if you were to find a spot, you will need to pay the meter or have a parking pass. Outside of campus there is metered street parking, but again this can be hard to come by. Fans likely are best off parking in a lot or garage off campus and walking from there. Getting to campus is also something that requires a lot of side streets, as there isn’t a highway exit immediately adjacent to the stadium. That said, heading due east from I-80 will get you there without an issue. There are parking lots on site for the softball games themselves, but as the lot is small and shared with the campus pool and rugby/soccer field, parking here is also limited. Return on Investment 5 Seats behind the home plate area cost $25 on weekends, while general admission in the outfield grandstands cost $20 (kids and senior tickets are $10 for general admission). On weekdays, admission is free to all fans. Coupled with low cost for concessions, watching top collegiate softball in a beautiful facility is a stellar value here. Extras 3 The left field wall in the outfield features a championship banner for the 2002 National Championship winning squad. There is also a free giveaways table at games, next to the concessions stand. Here, fans can get free posters and information on tickets for other Cal athletics events. Finally, down the left field line is a standing room only area where fans can get up close to the field of play for a unique field-level view, that isn’t offered at many other sports facilities for free. Final Thoughts Taking in a softball game at Levine-Fricke Field is a great option for fans looking to catch some Cal Golden Bears athletics action. The stadium is in a beautiful part of campus, and the weather is almost always stellar. With the affordability of tickets and concessions, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better softball facility in the Bay Area.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium Frank Schlessinger Way Berkeley, CA 94720 California Golden Bears website Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium website Year Opened: 1933 Capacity: 2,500 Baseball in the California Sun The Bay Area is home to some of the most beautiful scenery around. The sports facilities here take full measure of this and are often unique in their own right. Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium is no exception to this rule. If you’re looking for a unique stadium layout for college baseball, you have come to the right place. Nestled on the campus for Cal Berkeley, this facility slots a baseball stadium in the middle of large buildings and tight quarters to give you an intimate feel for the sport being played. Food & Beverage 3 There are usually two concessions stand here for food and beverages; one is on the upper right field patio, which is sometimes used for special ticket packages for students that include a meal with their entry. The other is located to the left of home plate; here, food items include hot dogs ($2), specialty sausages ($7), nachos ($6), and popcorn ($5), as well as pretzels, candy, and ice cream (all $5). The variety isn’t big but the quality is top level, and the prices are very affordable. Drinks include soda, water, and Gatorade for $5 each as well. Atmosphere 4 The architecture of Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium is unique to say the least. Built in 1933, the exterior main entrance of the stadium remains relatively untouched since then. It’s classical facade and large gates remind you of many Romanesque stadiums from that era. However, once you’re inside the look completely changes. The right field line features large shade trees along the upper part of the concourse, shading the top-most rows of seats during the day. The left field line features a large patio area and the sheer west-facing facade of the Haas Pavilion. Here, student athletes can be seen on the upper levels of the building watching their fellow Golden Bears on the playing field. The fans here are passionate, as the Bay Area is chock full of baseball fans due to its historic success at the game. Neighborhood 4 The stadium itself is situated on the campus of Cal itself. This is one of the country’s most historic and revered colleges, and the beauty of the campus is evident from the moment you set foot here. Just outside of campus is Berkeley, a college town that has everything from hotels (Residence Inn by Marriott and Hotel Shattuck Plaza are your closest options to campus) to restaurants and shopping. Shattuck Avenue and University Avenue both are full of shopping and dining options. Fans 4 The Cal Berkeley faithful are passionate about the Golden Bears. Here, you will find fans that range from the long-time loyalists and former graduates to the youngest fans wanting to watch some baseball up close and personal. You’ll also find that fans here are polite and sport knowledgeable. Many have been following the team for years, and can talk for a long time about players of the past as well as the current crop of talent on the field. Access 3 The hardest part about getting to games here is the parking. On campus parking is limited, and if you were to find a spot, you will need to pay the meter or have a parking pass. Outside of campus there is metered street parking, but again this can be hard to come by. Fans likely are best off parking in a lot or garage off campus and walking from there. Getting to campus is also something that requires a lot of side streets, as there isn’t a highway exit immediately adjacent to the stadium. That said, heading due east from I-80 will get you there without an issue. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Cal baseball start as low as $8, which is a steal compared to the Bay Area’s MLB counterparts. Coupled with affordable concessions, this makes watching some top-level college baseball a very affordable option for a sports night out for a family of four. Extras 4 When you first arrive inside the stadium, a fan giveaway table greets you with free posters and other goodies for Cal fans. Another neat part of visiting this facility is the carved tree stump in left field. The large tree stump was carved into the shape of a large baseball bat named “3000 Hacks” by the 2006 UC Berkeley sculpture class. Tree Carving, Photo by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Also around the stadium are commemorative plaques – the most visible is the Ed Sanclemente memorial plaque just behind home plate, recognizing the former Cal shortstop from the 1940s. Finally, right behind the right field line is a small trailer that serves as a team store for Cal baseball, offering shirts, hats, jackets, and other items for fans to purchase. Final Thoughts A team steeped in history, and an athletics program equally as accredited, Cal baseball offers a solid game day experience inside the intimate walls of Stu Gordon Stadium. While getting there and finding a parking spot may be difficult, watching some of the PAC-12’s finest slug it out on the diamond under the warm California sun is well worth the visit to Berkeley.

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

Photos by Bart Wilhelm, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 QU Stadium 1800 Sycamore Street Quincy, IL 62301 Quincy Gems website QU Stadium website Year Opened: 1938 Capacity: 2,500 Gems in Quincy In 2009, the summer collegiate Prospect League was formed in the Midwest. Several teams from the former Central Illinois Collegiate League joined in the inaugural season including the Quincy Gems. The Gems play in historic QU (Quincy University) Stadium, which they share with the University’s baseball team. In their time in the Prospect League, the Gems have won three league championships. Food & Beverage 3 While there is no real signature item, QU has all of the traditional ballpark fares 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 not any 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 Gems have been part of the Prospect League since its inception 13 years ago. 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 Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Gulf Place (Gulf Shores Main Public Beach) 101 E. Beach Blvd Gulf Shores, AL 36542 NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball website Gulf Place website Year Opened: 2016 A National Championship comes to the Gulf Coast Every year since 2016 the top Beach Volleyball teams in the country meet up on the beautiful white, sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama for the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships. Beach Volleyball is the NCAA’s newest sport, having been officially sponsored by the NCAA since 2016. Before that sand volleyball had been a part of college sports, but only at the club or intramural level. When the NCAA took over in 2016 they changed the name from Sand Volleyball to the more official Beach Volleyball. As of the 2022 season there are 64 Division I, 16 D2, and 6 D3 schools with Beach Volleyball programs. With only D1 having enough schools to support a championship, all three divisions are eligible to participate in the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship. The California schools dominate the field every year, with USC taking home four titles (including the 2022 tournament) and UCLA taking home two titles. For the first five years only 8 teams were invited, but for 2022 the field was expanded to include 16 teams with a different format than in years past. There are currently eight D1 conferences for Beach Volleyball, so the winners of the conferences are invited to participate. In addition, two teams from the East Region and two teams from the West Region are given bids, while four at-large schools are also selected. The at-large teams selected could be D2 or D3 schools, making Beach Volleyball the only NCAA sponsored sport where schools from different divisions compete against each other. Food & Beverage 3 The Beach Volleyball National Championships take place in a temporary area literally right on the beach. Because of this there are no permanent concessions on site. However, there are several tents on site selling drinks and snacks, and there are also two food trucks on property selling food – an acai bowl truck called Sowl Bowlz and a Chicken Shack truck. The tents basically sell cold beverages like bottled water ($2), Powerade ($3), bottled sodas ($4), and 12 oz. canned beer ($6) available in Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, and Bud Light. They also had a bartender who was making mixed drinks at one of the tents. There are also a ton of restaurants within walking distance of the venue, so since you are free to come and go as you want my recommendation would be get something to eat at one of the many local seafood restaurants in Gulf Shores. Atmosphere 4 The scene here is pretty cool, as they literally just fence in a wide area of the beach and set up 11 temporary beach volleyball courts, with 5 being used for match play and the other 6 being used for practice. This is the first year since 2019 that the tournament has operated with fan attendance. With 16 teams being invited for the first time ever, the tournament has expanded to five days. The event kicks off Wednesday morning at 9 am with the first round, and all 16 teams playing in a single elimination format. All matches are contested under five sets, with the first team to win three sets advancing. The early rounds of the tournament will start at about 9 am and go until it gets dark. Thursday is a practice day for the teams, as the tournament switches to double elimination on Friday. The teams then play back-to-back all day on Friday and Saturday until there are only two teams left, which play for the National Championship on Sunday, as well as the third-place game which is also played on Sunday. When the schools play, they use all five different courts, so it can get kind of confusing to know which one to watch, as there will be five different matches going on at the same time. Since there isn’t an official game day program or anything to familiarize you with any of the players, your best bet is to just walk from court to court. The official grounds are blocked by two large fences to the east and west, but to the south there is a small three-foot wooden fence, so people walking the beach are able to stop and view the action as the venue is a part of the public beach. They even have a large videoboard visible from the water. The waves were calm during most of the tournament, so it is possible to float in the water and watch the action as it is shown on ESPN. The area where the matches take place is directly outside The Hangout, a popular beach-side restaurant best known for hosting the Hangout Fest every year. The grounds around The Hangout have a pretty cool set up with all kinds of banners and signs welcoming you to Gulf Shores and the Beach Volleyball Championship. The NCAA does a good job at making this a pretty cool event – they have a giant blown up Beach Volleyball with all the team logos, and they have a giant sand sculpture created on the beach. Also, around the beach outside the official grounds there are over 60 beach volleyball nets set up on the beach, hosting over 900 beach volleyball players for a junior tournament, the largest such in the country. There are all kinds of tents set up around the nets with different groups playing. I saw people from different beach volleyball clubs around the country, and they were even doing beach volleyball camps run by different organizations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) even had a tent set up, and it looked like they were doing some sort of tryouts – they were even giving away free koozies and I saw perhaps the best beach volleyball player to ever play the sport, three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty-May Treanor. There is one main gate where they take your ticket to the east of the entrance to The Hangout. Once inside the grounds it is relaxed and you are able to walk from court to court to view the action. Each court has a five-row metal bleacher setup surrounding the court, and in front of the bleachers are three rows of chair back seating using the types of chairs you would find at the beach; these seats are first come first serve and probably about 10-15 feet from the actual court. They have a rather large merch stand located around the courts selling t-shirts and memorabilia, and also have cabana-style seating under a giant elevated air-conditioned canopy tent called the NCAA Experience, where they have a full spread of food and drinks and TVs to watch. This is where the ESPN broadcasters sit during the match as well. Everything is laid back here and as the event is all day, you are free to come and go as you please. Neighborhood 5 There are several bars and restaurants in the immediate area for you to watch the matches from, one being The Hangout of course, but another is the famous Pink Pony Pub, which at over 50 years old is Gulf Shores’ oldest bar. This cool dive bar is located right on the beach, and you can get a perfect view of all the courts from the front deck of this bar. There is also a Hooter’s next door as well, though you can’t see the sand courts from there. The Hangout is located right where the main road into town (Hwy 59) meets the beach. Around this intersection you will find a ton of restaurants, as well as tourist and souvenir shops along this little stretch. Popular restaurants in the area include mostly seafood with my favorites being Sea N Suds, Gulf Islands Grill, Mikee’s Seafood, Steamed Oyster Bar, Shrimp Basket, King Neptune’s, Oyster House, Tacky Jack’s, Lulu’s, and Starlight Diner. The town of Gulf Shores is a little more developed than neighboring Orange Beach, so you will find a lot more restaurants and shopping in the beach community. You can also find the Tanger Outlets and a decent-sized strip mall just north of city limits. You can also venture into Orange Beach and shop at The Wharf as well; this upscale shopping center is located right on the back bay. You could spend weeks in Gulf Shores and still have plenty to do. The main attraction is the beach and the water, but there are other things to do as well. For families the Gulf Shores Zoo is located nearby, and Waterville USA is a popular water park with a few roller coasters. For outdoor lovers Gulf State Park is nearby and features over 30 miles of trails through various sand dunes and woods; they also have cabins for camping and a pier for fishing as well. In addition there is Fort Morgan, a popular Civil War fort located about 20 miles to the west of Gulf Shores, which makes for a great day to explore the ruins of an old fort. Fans 4 This was the first year since 2019 that fans were allowed to attend the tournament, and they showed up setting an NCAA beach volleyball attendance record. Over 10,000 spectators showed up over the five days, marking a 7% increase in attendance over the 2019 event. The beaches were packed with people, and the roads headed into Gulf Shores were lined with people, as it was a typical summer beach day on the Gulf Coast. Just because there weren’t many area schools participating doesn’t mean there wasn’t a mix of fans who traveled from out of state. LSU and Florida State had the largest group of fans who traveled, but I also talked to some UCLA fans who had traveled from California, some Georgia State fans from Atlanta, and some TCU fans from Texas. So it was a cool mixture of all these school’s different fan bases gathering together on the beach. It is also possible to watch some of the tournament from outside the fence, as the wooden fence is only about waist high. There is about a 100-foot section of the beach open to the public to the south of the grounds where people were walking; I saw many people with tents set up, playing cornhole and drinking a cold beverage while watching the beach volleyball action unfold. You could also watch the action from the water as well. The weather was excellent during this week, and I took a dip in the ocean and could get excellent views of the courts and the videoboard. The Pink Pony balcony has excellent views of the court as well. A tournament like this is also more of a spectator sport, as most people will not be familiar with many of the beach volleyball players or teams playing in the tournament. An event like this doesn’t make a great event to watch on Tv either, but the party and festive atmosphere, along with the beautiful beach setting, makes attending this event worth it. Access 2 The one bad part about coming to this event is just getting here. Gulf Shores is located on the far southern end of the state about 60 miles southeast of Mobile. If coming from out of town I-10 will be your best bet – just take the Highway 59 exit (Exit 44), then go all the way south (about 35 miles) and you will pop out right on Beach Blvd. Be warned though this highway can be a nightmare this time of the year with traffic, and it can take upwards of over an hour just to get from the interstate to the beach. You could instead branch over to the next exit and take the Baldwin Beach Express, which is a little less traveled but means driving a longer distance, as well as paying a toll. But there is a giant Buc-ees on this road, and the gas station superstore makes for a great pit stop for people coming to the beach. After fighting the beach traffic and getting down here you will still have to find somewhere to park, and as there is no public transportation in Gulf Shores, parking and walking will be your best option. There are several pay lots around The Hangout, including the main parking lot that charges a whopping $20 a car to park. However, there are several pay lots a couple of blocks to the west. The 4th and 6th street public beach access points charge $5 per car but have plenty of parking; you will just have to walk a couple of blocks. I was lucky enough to have a friend staying at a nearby condo, so I was able to park there and ride my bike over. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are priced as follows: General Admission Day passes for all day are $25, with courtside tickets selling for $35 a day. You could also purchase the four-day General Admission pass for $55, or courtside for all four days at $85. The NCAA Fan Experience tickets sell for $250, and that grants access to the large A/C hospitality tent for all five days. Looking at the ticket prices, tickets may seem kind of high to an average person, but you are getting to see some of the top beach volleyball players in the country. Some of these players have competed at past Olympics, so you are getting to see the best beach volleyball players. You are also getting to see an NCAA National Champion get crowned, which regardless of the sport is always pretty cool. Also just being able to come to the beaches of Gulf Shores for the weekend is worth the trip alone. The hardest part is just getting here, but once on location you can enjoy the day walking the beach free of charge, and you can’t beat that. Extras 3 One point for the number of sporting events held in the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach area. Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Sports and Events partnered with UAB to host this tournament. Besides the NCAA beach volleyball championship, the two towns host tons of different sporting events and tournaments throughout the year, ranging from youth to college sports. The nearby Orange Beach Sportsplex hosts the SEC Soccer Tournament for nine days every November, bringing fans from all 14 SEC schools to the area. The sportsplex also hosts the NAIA Soccer National Championship every year, and multiple D1 and D2 men’s and women’s tournaments. With championship golf courses, beautiful water for fishing, and countless tournaments every weekend, this area of south Alabama is living up to its name as a national sports and recreation hub for the Gulf Coast region. Another extra for the Hangout Fest which takes place generally the weekend following the Beach Volleyball Championship. They do an excellent job at breaking down the volleyball courts and constructing multiple stages to host the notable acts who play during the three-day music fest. Past performers at the Fest include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Widespread Panic, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, the Dave Matthews Band, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Fall Out Boy, Kendrick Lamar, Outkast, Paul Simon, The Weekend, and more. Lastly an extra point for the setting itself, as you cannot pick a more prime location to have an event like this. I can’t think of any sport where you can sit in the ocean and still watch the action as it happens right in front of you. This is a really cool event to attend, and one of the more unique sporting events I’ve ever attended. In fact there are only a couple more years for you to experience the Beach Volleyball Championship here, as the tourney will move to Huntington Beach, CA in 2025.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Falcon Field 1147 Susan Ave Woodstock, VA 22644 Woodstock River Bandits website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 796 River Bandits Of The Shenandoah The Woodstock River Bandits have been playing baseball in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in some form or another since 1897. Their early history is split between several leagues, and originally they played their home games at the Massanutten Military Academy at Seibert Field under a variety of different nicknames. In 2004, the team, now known as the River Bandits, joined the Valley Baseball League and has played their home games at Falcon Field at Central High School in Woodstock ever since then. CHS plays baseball as well as football at this field during the year, so in order to accommodate the football field, the dimensions are not ideal – 340 down the lines, 376 and 372 to the left-center and right-centerfield alleys respectively, and only 338 to dead center. As the fence remains rather low all around the field, this leads to a lot of short home runs hit over the centerfield fence, while balls hit down the lines may be harder for the corner outfielders to play as they have a lot of space to cover. Food & Beverage 5 There is one concession stand at Falcon Field, located behind the main bleachers in center field (more on that unusual location later.) There is a wide range of options, ranging from traditional fares like hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs, to more unusual options like ham & swiss rolls and pork tenderloin sandwiches. Snacks include fries, nachos, locally-made Route 11 Potato Chips, and assorted candies. The candy selection includes Cow Tales, a chewy caramel cream candy. Although Cow Tales are not exclusive to the Shenandoah Valley, they are quite popular here and available for sale at several Valley League concession stands. Drinks include soda, Gatorade, water, sweet tea, and lemonade. There will also be a special which may vary by game. When Stadium Journey visited, the special was a loaded mac & cheese topped with bacon and even more cheese, but it may be different for different games. Prices are affordable, with everything but the special being under $5. Credit cards are accepted but need to be entered manually, so it would be quicker to use cash. Atmosphere 3 In addition to the unusual dimensions discussed above, Falcon Field has an unusual setup for fans. The main bleachers are located in centerfield, along what would be the west sideline if this were a football game. There are other smaller bleachers scattered around the perimeter of the field, but most fans choose to sit in center field. There are several good reasons for this. The concession stand, restrooms, and entrance are all in centerfield and to access the other bleachers requires walking down a hill or several flights of steps. Additionally, the sun sets behind centerfield, so if you sit here, it will set at your back instead of in your eyes. Finally, sitting here gets fans a gorgeous view of Massanutten Mountain behind home plate. The downside is you have a distant view of the game, but as centerfield is unusually close to home plate, it’s not as bad as it could be. A scoreboard is located down the third baseline and is also best seen from center field. It shows the score, count, inning, and batter and was clearly designed for football. As for the actual gameday experience, there is not much going on here beyond the game. There are a couple of things worth noting though. Your gameday ticket doubles as a raffle ticket to win various prizes, so hold on to it. There is also a 50/50 raffle during the game. Instead of handing out conventional tickets, fans who purchase a ticket will take a playing card from the deck, tear it in half, give one half back, and hold on to the other. Whoever has the winning card takes home the prize. Neighborhood 2 Woodstock is a small town in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, and while it does have that small-town charm, there is really not a lot to do in a town of only about 5,000 people. Smokin’ Jahead is a popular barbecue joint, and there are a handful of other places as well to get a bite to eat, ranging from Mexican to seafood, as well as some chain places closer to the highway. Your best bet is to look along Route 11 (Main Street), as most of the businesses are there in the span of a few blocks. Fans 2 Woodstock ranks towards the bottom of the Valley League in attendance, drawing between 100 and 200 fans a game on average. Given the way the fans are spread out throughout the stadium in the assorted bleachers, this reduces the atmosphere even more. That being said, the fans who do show up tend to show up not just once but to many games throughout the season, and are very familiar with the River Bandits. This is a knowledgeable fan base, not just about the team but about the game of baseball. It’s too bad there aren’t more of them. Access 3 Falcon Field is located just off Interstate 81 via Exit 283. Head east on Route 42 (Reservoir Road) and the turn for the stadium will be only a couple of blocks ahead. Route 11/Main Street and Downtown Woodstock (such as it is) is only a block past the field. Given Woodstock is very small, you should not have to go very far to find anything in town, but the downside is it’s far from anything else. Once you get to Central High School, there is a small lot right next to the entrance as well as a larger lot immediately adjacent to that. While the small lot fills up, you should have no problem parking in the larger lot – just pay attention to arrows directing traffic in certain directions. Restrooms are available in center field next to the concession stand and are small but of ample size for the crowds. Return on Investment 5 Admission is only $5 for adults, with discounts available for students and seniors. Youth in Little League jerseys get in free. Concessions are affordable, and while you may have to spend a bit on gas to get here depending on where you are coming from, a River Bandits game is still a great value. Extras 2 There is a team store located in center field by the main bleachers. The unusual layout of the stadium, with strange dimensions, is certainly worthy of a star here. Final Thoughts The Valley Baseball League has a wide range of stadiums, from historic parks like New Market and Staunton to modern parks like Harrisonburg. Woodstock’s stadium is an unusual case. The stadium was designed for football so the layout is not the best, and it doesn’t have the history of the older parks in the league, nor the amenities of Harrisonburg. That being said, for fans of “weird” or unusual ballparks, Falcon Field certainly makes that list. A River Bandits game, like all Valley League games, is a great value for the whole family to check out a game. Just be prepared to either view the game from centerfield or have to take a long walk every time you visit the concession stand or use the restroom.

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

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Veterans Memorial Park Strickland Field 503 Park Dr Weimar, TX 78962 Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 1,200 Veterans Memorial Park Strickland Field Veterans Memorial Park Strickland Field has hosted almost all levels of baseball since opening in 1948. The historic ballpark has been home to youth and high school baseball, the Babe Ruth World Series, a National Baseball Congress team, and the Texas Tomcats of the Texas Collegiate League. However, in 2022 it added a professional baseball club to its collection. The Weimar Hormigas of the Pecos League hope to become a fixture in town. The ballpark was built by Weimar veterans and is the primary home to both the Weimar High School Wildcats and the Weimar Vets of the Community League. The Wildcats have captured State 2A Championships in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, and 2003. The Vets are coached by Tom Strickland, who has been involved with the venue since 1976. His surname also graces the official name of the stadium. The stadium has also been home to the Babe Ruth World Series for players between the ages of 16-18. The last time it took place was in 2012, but the Texas Babe Ruth League team captured national championships in 2002 and 2014 while also appearing in the World Series 11 times between 1982 and 2012. The stadium was featured in the motion picture Everybody Wants Some!! that has been described as Dazed and Confused meets the 1980s. The baseball scenes of the fictional Southwest Texas College took place at the stadium that included signs for the college on the bleachers and scoreboard There is a lot of history in the ballpark, but that did not include baseball until the Pecos League came to town almost 75 years after its construction date. The Hormigas means “ant” in Spanish, and the club adopted the colors of red and black. It’s a new era of baseball at Veterans Memorial Park, and perhaps some of that history and championship-caliber play can rub off on the Hormigas and the stadium experience. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Weimar Hormigas lasted just the one season in the Pecos League. Food & Beverage 4 There is a concession stand on the 3rd base side, offering snacks for folks during the game. The options are varied and quite impressive for the small ballpark. It includes hot dogs, nachos, burgers, popcorn, and peanuts. The regional Frito Pie is available that includes chili, cheese, and corn chips. Fans also have the option of choosing between Pepsi and Coca-Cola products, along with state favorites Dr. Pepper and Big Red. Shave ice is probably the most popular sweet treat for hot summer evenings. There are 12 flavors, but the most curious are, at least to this writer, tiger blood, pickle juice, and cotton candy. The other flavors are cherry, blueberry, lime, etc. The pricing ranges between $3-$6 for most products at the ballpark. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark is in pristine condition for its age, and little appears to have changed since its construction a few years after World War II. A marquee is front and center of the entrance and features dates of future games for the ball club. A collection of hand-painted murals decorate the walls from high school baseball and the local American Legion and VFW posts. A mural has been erected near the entrance that honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives in battle from the American Legion Post #5875 and VFW Post #0259. It is beautifully constructed with flags of all branches of services and baseball sculptures. The plaque was dedicated in 2006. The curved grandstand offers covered seating for 10-rows of seating with the press box underneath the roof. It provides plenty of shade for the hot Texas heat, but that can’t be said for the wooden bleacher seating down each baseline. A simple scoreboard is sponsored by a local bank that lights up in red and yellow, while hand-painted ads take up space on the green-wooden fence. There are more ads on the top of the bleacher seating. The gameday atmosphere is very mellow. The focus of attention is on the game on the diamond. The banter from the dugout is similar to that of small college ballparks. There is also a little chatter with the few who brave the heat from the covered grandstand. A PA announcer does a fine job announcing players. Neighborhood 2 Weimar has a population of around 29,000 and is located directly off I-10 between Houston (88 miles) and San Antonio (109 miles). It is easy to find on your travels between the two major cities, and there are a few restaurants in town worth checking out before a Hormigas game. Lesticia’s and Los Jarritos serve Mexican food, Texas Burger is a regional chain ideal for the family, and Rodeo Restaurant features burgers and sandwiches. Sammy’s Steak House is a premium option. The Kasper Meat Market is worth checking out for take-out meat products, including smoked Weimar sausage. The Whistling Duck Winery is a 4-acre winery featuring a tasting room of several handcrafted Texas wines. They are also “wine sippin” porches to cool off and spend a lazy afternoon in town. Fans 2 The Hormigas have played only a handful of games since our review. The local community is beginning to warm up to the club. The crowds are light in the 1,000-seat ballpark; when the team establishes itself, those numbers could increase. Access 4 Weimar is easily accessible from I-10, and three major cities surround it in a triangle (Houston, San Antonio, and Austin). There is plenty of parking outside the ballpark, and it is easy to move around the grandstand to access concessions, bathrooms, and the veterans memorial. For a ballpark built in 1948, fans don’t feel squeezed in during games. Return on Investment 3 The price of the ticket is $10-standard among the Pecos League ballparks from what has been told to me. Concession prices are inexpensive, and there is a wide selection of items from hot dogs, burgers, Frito pies, nachos, and flavored ice. Beer is also available for $3 a can, another great price for a baseball game. Parking is also free. Extras 4 Veterans Memorial Park – Strickland Field is a well-maintained ballpark that will be 75 years old and watching a game from under the grandstand is worth the price of admission alone. The veterans memorial is a nice tribute to the men and women who served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. The concession is nicely decorated with various menu items, along with the beautifully painted walls throughout the stadium from the outfield fencing, concourse signage, and the marquee entrance. Final Thoughts The Hormigas are the new club in town, and it will take time to create the ideal environment for its fanbase. However, the ballpark is in great shape, and there are plenty of concessions during the game. I hope things work out for the club and the Pecos League. This is a gem and historic building for baseball. It is one of the better ballparks in the league, and I hope to see success in Weimar in the foreseeable future. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on YouTube @ballparkhunter, Twitter @ballparkhunter, and Instagram.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 London Stadium Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London E20 2ST, UK West Ham United website London Stadium website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 60,000 Up the Hammers! London Stadium is the new home of Premier League club West Ham United. After 112 years the club moved away from their old ground Upton Park. The stadium is located in Stratford, a district of the London Borough of Newham in East London, England. The club has called its grounds home since 2016. The construction of this ground officially began on May 22nd in 2008 as the stadium began construction for the 2012 Olympic Games. At the Games there were 80,000 seats available in the stadium, making it the third largest stadium in the United Kingdom. After the Games, the ground was known as the Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It took the stadium a couple of years to find a new tenant, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient (all London based clubs) were possible candidates to move to the former Olympic Stadium. On March 22nd, 2013 it was announced that West Ham United would be the new tenant and would play their matches here from the start of the 2016-17 season. Over the last two years the stadium was rebuilt to make it look like a decent football stadium. The running track was removed and the stands in the lower tier were brought closer to the pitch. Unfortunately the architects failed as the distance from the action is too far away. This summer the stadium was renamed once again to London Stadium. Nowadays the stadium has a capacity of 60,000 seats for West Ham matches. The first match to be played by West Ham United in the new stadium was against NK Domzale (Europa League) on August 4th, 2016. The official opening of the London Stadium was on August 7th, 2016 when West Ham United played against Italian giants Juventus. Before kickoff there was a fitting opening ceremony of the London Stadium with a 30 minute show. The ceremony was highlighted by the opening of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand and the Bobby Moore Stand (both important West Ham United players from the past). Food & Beverage 4 There is quite a bit of variety of food options at London Stadium that breaks up the opinion about match day food. The variety is much more that pies and a pint of ale and include chicken dippers, street food, and sweet treats. The podium and inner podium level serve a selection of these items where fans can pick and choose from on matchday. According to the Hammers website supporters can choose from a wide selection of food and beverages from hot food, such as pies and burgers, to sandwiches, wraps and salads. Hot drinks include, coffee, tea, Bovril and hot chocolate with a variety of cold soft drinks also available for purchase. The grounds also offers 20 bar kiosks, serving a range of alcoholic beverages including real ale, wines, cider and premium beer. Nine real ale bars around the concourse serve traditional ales sourced by our brewery, including Iron Ale and Boleyn Bitter. There are also meal deals that include ‘a pie and a pint’ for £8.50 and ‘nachos and a soft drink’ for £7.30. The grill kiosks feature burgers, chicken wraps and award-winning Wicks Manor Sausages. The options continue with street food, including stir-fries, burritos and carved meat sandwiches. The hot dog kiosks serve smoked beechwood German imported hot dogs. All kiosks inside the stadium accept cash, debit/credit cards along with Apple pay. Atmosphere 3 The London Stadium looks very impressive from the outside. When walking towards it, you see its greatness. The name West Ham United in large letters on the roof is clearly visible from far away. Whilst inside the ground, the London Stadium looks impressive as well. The stadium has a 90 percent white seating bowl, with the other 10 percent in claret and blue (the West Ham United club colours). When you take a closer look, you will see that the 1st tier consists of temporary stands only. This tier is built on top of the former 1st tier of the Olympic Stadium. As the London Stadium will be used occasionally as an athletics stadium this situation remains permanently. By choosing this option fans are really too far away from the pitch. This is not what you expect when you visit an English football stadium. Due to the large roof, the acoustics inside the ground are very good. Neighbourhood 2 The ground is located at the former Olympic Park. There is not much to do in the close neighbourhood of the London Stadium. There are a number of eating places and restaurants within the nearby Westfield Shopping Centre and some of the serve alcohol. Near Hackney Wick station are two bars (the Crate and the Howling Hops). In the centre of Stratford itself are a few pubs as well but these are located further away from the ground. This is something which definitely has to be developed at the former Olympic Park area in the near future. Fans 5 Just like the club, the West Ham United fans are nicknamed Hammers. West Ham United has a large fan base which makes it a tradition football club. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. The Hammers refer to the history of the club and there are also a couple of irons/hammers visible in the crest of the club. Most of the fans when attending a match are dressed in a claret and blue home shirt. The most fanatic Hammers fans are located in the Bobby Moore Stand and are very vocal during the home matches. Access 4 The London Stadium is designated as a ‘public transport destination,’ so it is better that you don’t go by car to the stadium. There are few parking spaces available at the ground, but they are all reserved. Most of the street parking in the area is for residents only. In the nearby area of the London Stadium are three railway stations (Hackney Wick, Stratford and Stratford International) which are all around 10 to 15 minute walk from the ground. The Stratford Station is the main station in the area and has an underground connection both on the Jubilee and Central metro lines. This station is situated next to the huge Westfield Shopping Centre. Return on Investment 4 The prices for food and drinks are above average, tickets for a Premier League home match are rather expensive and will be difficult to get. Category C tickets for adults are £25-£40, Categrory B pricing is £30-£60, and Category A is £50-£75. Depending on how much you want to pay the Hammers give you more than a fare option of ticket prices. Extras 3 You can book a stadium tour and visit the Hammers’ iconic new home. You can take a look behind the scenes at the club’s new London Stadium. With a self-guided interactive tour guide to lead the way, you can see for yourself how the home of the London 2012 Olympic Games became the impressive new home of West Ham United. Tickets are with GBP 17 (when booked in advance) rather expensive, if you pay on the day a tour will cost GBP 19 per adult. West Ham United has a large club store on the perimeter of the ground where fans can purchase the widest range of Hammers-related clothing, merchandise and accessories. Final Thoughts When you visit the great city of London and have some spare time left, then it’s surely an option to visit an English football match. There are 13 clubs in the London area playing league football. To be honest I would choose another stadium to visit than the London Stadium. English stadiums should have stands which are steep and close to the pitch. Unfortunately the London Stadium has neither, but nevertheless the club and its fans are great.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium 782 HIgh Road, Tottenham London, UK N17 0BX Tottenham Hotspur FC website Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 62,062 A Brand New Home for the Spurs After months of delays, the £1 billion Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium opened in May of 2019 and the grand project might have been worth the wait as it is in a class all by itself among the football stadiums in England. The 62,062 all-seater replaced the Spurs former home of White Hart Lane and brought the club back to the neighborhood after playing the past two seasons as Wembley Stadium. The stadium has been met with almost universal approval including 95 percent of Spurs supporters being satisfied with the new stadium. The design retains the feel of the old White Hart Lane and although much larger, still provides a “feeling of intimacy due to the closeness of the stands to the pitch.” The new grounds are designed to be an all-year destination for visitors offering events from concerts, rugby, and is the official home for NFL games that are played in London. Underneath the grass pitch is a synthetic surface that can be used for NFL games and other events held at the stadium. The complex also houses its own microbrewery, the largest club shop in England, and eventually a Sky Walk and Hotspurs Museum. Food & Beverage 5 When it comes to food options there may not be a better football stadium in England. There are 60 food and drink options that are inspired from London’s vibrant street and market scene. Fans can enjoy options that are standard and international from around the globe, plus its very own microbrewery that is the first of its kind in any stadium in the world. It should also be noted that the stands open 2.5 hours before and after the game. Beer and drinks cannot be brought back to your seats during the match The Market Place is a gathering spot where fans can enjoy food and drink and choose from numerous vendors for a variety of cuisine from The Chicken House (fried chicken), N17 Grill (fish and chips), Naan Noodle (Asian street food), Linesman (burgers), and Smashed Olive (pizza). The Touchdown Grill offers hot dogs, burgers, nachos, and spicy bean burgers. The Tap Inn offers traditional meat pies and sausage rolls that are common among football grounds across the country. Fans can enjoy steak, minced beef,chicken tikka masala, spicy bean, and steak and blue cheese pies. The beer selection includes varieties from Heineken, Amstel, Strongbow, and Old Mout Cider. A few more highlights to visit include the Goal Line Bar (south stand) that runs the length of the entire goal line. The 65 meter bar is the longest in Europe. The Beavertown Brewery is located in The Market Place on Level 1 brewing fresh beer on site and is the first of its kind in any football grounds in the world. The brewery serves Beavo Lager (Czech Lager), Neck Oil (IPA), Gamma Ray (Pale Ale), 8 Ball (Rye IPA), and Smog Rocket (Smoked Porter) among its varieties. There are three other featured bars in the East Stand that include The White Hart, The Shelf, and The Dispensary. The Shelf incorporates bricks that have been salvaged from the East Stand of White Hart Lane and The Dispensary takes its name and design influence from the old Tottenham & Edmonton Dispensary that once graced the High Road Atmosphere 5 The roads surrounding the stadium close two to three hours before the start of the match and the concession areas inside the facility open up around the same time; fans line up the streets as they walk towards the facility from multiple mass transit entry points creating a buzz in environment well ahead of the opening kickoff. The stadium itself is aesthetically pleasing from the outside and features a 4.5 meter near double-sided fiberglass cockerel that sits on top of the roof structure above the South Stand which is a replica of the one first introduced in 1909 at the former ground. According to the Spurs fan guide, the generous and open concourses are bathed in natural light from extensive glazed areas with contemporary polished concrete floors made using aggregate from White Hart Lane. You will see an unrivaled standard of finish using materials such as brushed steel, copper, European oak and quartz. The seating bowl is designed to place everyone closer to the pitch than any other comparable sized stadium in the United Kingdom. The distances from the front row to the touchline range from 4.9 meters to 7.9 meters with stands set up at a 35-degree angle. The 17,500 single-tier South Stand is more than 34 meters in height. The design of the bowl ensures that the Spurs maintain a long tradition of having one of the most engaging and atmospheric homes in English Football. There are four giant HD screens and a state-of-the-art sound system providing pre and post-game entertainment, highlights and replays to the fans in the seating bowl. The individual seats are designed with a modern and comfortable style offering plenty of legroom in uninterrupted views of the game on the pitch. The concourse walls are decorated with an array of murals celebrating the club’s history and its neighborhood. The murals include homages to the old White Hart Lane, match day programmes, neighborhood street signs, and former players. The Gallery is located on the Level 1 Concourse in the West Stand and showcases work by four local artists. There are other areas that are designed to resemble sections of the old stadium as well. The attention to every little detail is impressive to visitors to the facility. The Tottenham experience is located on High Road and is the largest of its kind in all of football featuring a 100-seat auditorium area to host both pre-match in post-match events. Fans have plenty of room to choose from kits, t-shirts, jackets, key chains, and any other thing with the Spurs logo emblazoned on it. Coming soon will be the Tottenham Spurs Archive offering a vast collection of artifacts and past records, telling the story of the club’s founding and history. The Sky Walk will be a 40 meter glass walkway above the pitch offering breathtaking views of London and shooting a spike of adrenaline to each person’s nerve who dares to take this walk. The Club Museum is designed to tell the team’s history, display Spurs artifacts and educate the visitors about the club’s lengthy history. Neighborhood 4 The stadium is on the High Road in Tottenham and a collection of retail outlets, restaurants, and businesses line up the streets. There is quite a bit of revelry on game day and the Spurs are currently making it a neighborhood destination 365 days a year. There are various pubs located near the stadium that include home pubs: The Bricklayers, Bell and Hare (largest beer garden in Tottenham), Antwerp Arms, and No. 8 Tottenham Pub. The Banana African Restaurant & Bar offers traditional Nigerian, West African, and Caribbean cuisine. San Marco is a family-run restaurant for classic Italian dishes including hand-stretched pizzas from a brick oven. Brothers Cafe & Restaurant specializes in East African dishes. The Beehive Pub is an ideal spot for vegan options. Fans 5 The fan support is spirited and among the best in the city. The supporters section make beautiful noise throughout the game and cheer every time a goal is scored or a penalty is called against the opposing side. The size of the stadium has drowned out some of the energy from its previous home, but to anyone enjoying a good match, these fans are right on point. Access 4 It is advised to head out to the stadium well ahead of game time as the streets surrounding the stadium close. The best option is public transportation. The stadium is accessible via a number of London Overground, London Underground and National Rail stations: Seven Sisters, Tottenham Hale, Northumberland Park, and White Hart Lane stations. The four train stations each feature signage adorned in the club colors. Once near the stadium Fan Ambassadors have been recruited from the local area to assist with visitors. There are also 1,600 wireless access points to assist anyone looking for more information on their smartphones. No cash is accepted for any purchase made within the stadium and its surrounding campus that the club hopes will increase the speed of service and shorter wait times. Options include bank cards, mobile payment, prepaid cards, and gift cards. If you have purchased a general admission ticket you are only allowed access to levels 1, 2, 4, and 5 once inside the stadium. You also may not have the opportunity to check out certain sections of the stadium since you are not either a season ticket holder or a Spurs one member. Return on Investment 3 Single game ticket prices fall into three categories of A, B, and C, with A being the higher price point. An adult ticket for A games range from £52-£98, while those prices decrease greatly for B games, £30-£43, and followed by category C where ticket prices are £30-£80. There are also separate ticket prices for seniors, young adults, and juniors. These prices are lower than the standard adult ticket. Concession prices are on the norm with many other new EFL stadiums. Extras 4 The Spurs earn a point for the Beavertown Brewery that brews beers on site and is the first of its kind in the world. It earns a second point for the amount of great food that has been inspired from the city’s street food scene. The Spurs earn a third point for its dedication to minimising the environmental impacts of all our activities. Fans empty rubbish in dry mixed recycling or general waste bins. The Market Place is an ideal destination to meet up with friends for a post-match drink or bite. The area also features a dedicated stage that will play host to live music or DJ sets and is open 2 hours after the final whistle. Final Thoughts The Spurs finally opened their brand new stadium after many months of delay, but appears that the wait has been well worth it. Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium is one of the grandest of its kind in football on the planet. The modern features, details to excellence, view of the pitch, and overall atmosphere puts the grounds among the upper echelons of English Football.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Emirates Stadium 75 Drayton Park London, England N5 1BU United Kingdom Arsenal FC website Emirates Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 60,432 A Game for Gunners The Gunners, what a nickname for a football club. Essentially it is a spot-on moniker, as the Arsenal Football Club was erected by and for the employees of the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory in 1886. The club first was known as ‘Dial Square,’ which referred to one of the factory’s workshops. Only 5 years later, the official Woolwich Arsenal was adopted, which eventually turned into Arsenal, the club name as we know it now. Arsenal would move to its new grounds Highbury (which is now turned into luxurious lofts, a must see, check the extras sections), finances were the main reason. In 1912/13, the finances didn’t match the ambitions for Arsenal. A move was therefore imminent and after a long process of seeking the right place, they landed in Highbury, which would remain their home until 2005/06. Read more here about the first game at Highbury in 1913. In the time between the first and last game at Highbury, the former stadium of Arsenal had undergone several renovations and extensions. At first, only 20,000 spectators could fit in the basic stadium ground. In 1932, the old west stand was built and opened, again adding 4,000 seating capacity and an additional 17,000 standing seats. In 1936, the monumental East Stand was added and gave an extra 8,000 in capacity (and housed the offices and former main entrance (Marble Halls). In 1935, Arsenal saw its largest crowd at Highbury, when they took on Sunderland in front of 73,295 people. Of course this was during the standing (terrace) area. The Clock End (nicknamed because of the large clock on its roof) stand was redeveloped completely in 1989, providing for 48 executive boxes, and after the Hillsborough disaster (the death of 96 supporters of Liverpool there and the subsequent Report in 1991), work began to convert Highbury into an all-seater stadium.. A new, North Bank stand was opened, providing an additional 12,000 in seating capacity as well as housing a shop and museum. After all, Arsenal was now a top Premier League squad, with probably the smallest stadium around. Highbury (in the 2000s) could only house 38,419 spectators. With Champions League football played yearly, a desire to be on top of the league all the time and with a waiting list for season tickets so humongous, it was time to move on. As there was no space to extend anymore, the club found a piece of land, just a stone’s throw away. The new stadium was built in 2004-2006 and is now the home of Arsenal FC. Emirates Stadium is a very modern and up-to-date stadium, giving seats to 60,704 spectators. Moreover, it houses 150 business units, several restaurants and a clear, close view of the pitch from all seats. It has a two-tier setup, with a stadium round tier of business units in between. The business seats are 7,139 in total and the 150 units hold an additional 2,222. Food & Beverage 3 Food and beverage options are several in the stadium. Service though isn’t very good. The food and drink servers tend to be slow and even refusing larger bills (£ 20 is even considered large), leaving us without a drink on our most recent visit. Drinks are priced at a hefty fee for a plastic bottle of a Scandinavian brew. The stadium offers hot dogs, chicken burgers, a “Jerk Dog” along with variety of pies, chips, sausage rolls, and drinks. Other stands also serve pizza and a bag of sweet indulgence (Maltesers and so on). As for drinks, a small bottle of wine can be purchased along with soft drinks in either a 22 or 32-ounce cup. Water and a hot brew are also available. Furthermore, ordering an alcoholic beverage gives you another disadvantage. You’re not allowed to bring it into the stands, leaving you sipping a half warm, overpriced beer in the concrete jungle underneath the stands, while watching your favourite team score goal after goal. Atmosphere 3 The streets surrounding Emirates Stadium become crowded with fans heading to the game. Vendors sell merchandise from kiosks, matchday programmes are available by multiple vendors, and burgers are grilled as well at certain portable stands. It is suggested to arrive early if you want to take in the ritual of grabbing a couple of pints and a pie from one of the local establishments en route to the grounds. Within the stadium, the design creates a nice and cosy atmosphere. It is reminiscent to the Stadion Feyenoord in Rotterdam, with stands close to the field, rounded out, and no obstructed views. The upper and lower parts of the venue feature standard seating. The upper level of seating is contoured to open space up in the corners and the roof is slanted inward to provide natural airflow and sunlight to the field. Two giant screens are suspended from the roof in both corners of the stadium. As for singing and intensity, consider visiting a game against a higher ranked team. The atmosphere has fallen a bit flat from the Highbury era, when it was all passion and all involvement. The higher prices, the involvement of tourists and all make it an experience that rather falls short of expectations for Premier League football. The stadium will still erupt during high stakes games (such as the North London Derby against Tottenham). There are two giant cannons ouistde the stadium near The Armoury (official team shop) that are act as a barrier and can withstand the impact of a 7-ton vehicle barreling through. This feature is also incorporated in the tall ARSENAL lettering nearby. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood is one that has been poor for a very long time, but is now somewhat up and coming. If you happen to have time in your schedule, consider stopping at Finsbury Park station (there’s a large fan shop there as well) and hop into the Twelve Pins Pub, offering some good drinks and company (you’ll find a bunch of Arsenal loyals there). Further down Blackstock Road, there are several Eastern-inspired eateries, with a special mention for Yildiz (163 Blackstock Road) which offers one of the best Turkish Kebabs you can find. Get a nice Turkish beer with it and you’re stuffed for the game. As you stroll down you’ll find the Gunners Pub, with wall to wall Arsenal paraphernalia and photos of former legends and squads. Expect prices in this area to be very reasonable (around £2,50 a pint). After some drinks, get to the stadium via Gillespie Road, approximately a short 10 minute walk. The best spot for home supporters would be the Bank of Friendship pub where on a nice day you can sit outside in the beer grade, chat with die-hard Gunner supporters, and maybe even spot a few former players. However, if you are an away supporter the Drayton Park is the ideal spot for you for a pint before the match. Fans 3 Arsenal fans are amongst the more loyal and numerous you can find. For example, the stadium now can hold 60,000 plus spectators and there’s still a waiting list of approximately 40,000 people for season tickets. The memberships are numerous and you will find banners from Arsenal fan clubs from Indonesia, Bulgaria, Korea, Japan and so on throughout the stadium. To the contrary, this makes a lot of fans in the stands, one time tourist visitors. Also, the prices for tickets force a lot of the original fans into bankruptcy, changing the supporters body significantly. The fans do travel all over the world with their team, and they know everything about their team and are very vivid and unanimous in their hate of cross town rival Spurs. Access 4 Access to the stadium is very good, as is basically the case for all London clubs. Tubes run every couple minutes to Arsenal Tube station (take the Piccadilly Line). And from there it’s only a short five minute walk to the stadium. On your way there, first take a peek into Avenell Road to check out old Highbury Stadium. As for other options, you can take the train to Finsbury Park Train Station or Highbury and Islington, offering less crowded exits and a 10 minute walk (Great Northern Rail). Tubes can take you to Holloway Road as well, at the other end of the stadium (also on the Piccadilly line. Reminder: this is exit only). Parking in London is not a viable option as a car is something you can (and should) go without easily. Return on Investment 2 Matchday tickets at Emirates Stadium are hard to come by. Expect to pay a premium through sites such as Viagogo or the official Arsenal ticket exchange. Still, if tickets are available (don’t count on it) then the cheapest seat is £27 for a categorie C game (against low ranked opponents). Most games are either category A or B, starting at a whopping £37 or £65 for the highest. The most expensive go for £97 a game. The return on investment, considering the atmosphere (not a lot of variety in their songs) and being part of a more touristy crowd than diehard supporters, this is not a venue you would love to go back, considering the large hole in your pocket after paying for tickets, not even considering the ridiculous prices for drinks and food in the concourse. Extras 4 Visit the former Highbury Ground, now turned into Highbury Square. You may not be able to get inside, but from the outside the look of the former football venue is awesome. The old East Stand is still intact from the outside, as it is listed as a Grade 2 building (making it impossible to tear down, luckily). Stadium tours are available on non-matchdays, with self-guided tours going from £25 (including Arsenal Museum access) and a legends guided tour costing you a nice £40. These last tours are given by former Arsenal Legends like. Lee Dixon or Perry Groves. Families (2 adults, 2 kids U16) can get a self-guided audio tour for £48 in total, which is a better price. Statues of Arsenal’s great players (Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp) are featured just outside the stadium, giving it a nice look and feel. The Arsenal Museum is also located next to the stadium, giving you some interesting insights in Arsenal’s history, its great players, the stadium and so on. It’s interactive and is included in the price for the tour. A nice feature is the old Arsenal clock that has been reinstalled, being moved from the original Highbury stadium. The original clock is located on the outside of Emirates Stadium and inside, you’ll find a newer, bigger version.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Villa Park Trinity Rd Birmingham, England B6 6HE United Kingdom Aston Villa FC website Villa Park website Year Opened: 1897 Capacity: 42,682 England’s Finest Villa Park is the home of English football club Aston Villa, one of the twelve founders of the English Premier League. Their stadium, Villa Park, was established in 1897 and was given the official name Aston Lower Grounds. The current capacity of this all-seater stadium is 42,682. The highest attendance ever at Villa Park was recorded on the 2nd of March 1946 in an FA Cup 6th round match against Derby County. That day, 76,588 spectators passed through the turnstiles. At that time, like most of the British grounds, Villa Park had large terraces and few seats. Since the late 1970’s the stadium was completely rebuilt and finalized more 20 years later. Each stand has their own design, the old brick facade of the former Holte End remained untouched during the rebuilding, and the impressive staircase and its old facade are unique features of the ground. Villa Park is definitely one of the more interesting grounds in the Premier League. The Holte End is by far the most impressive stand of the ground. This huge two tiered stand was opened in the 1994-1995 season and has a capacity of 13,472 seated supporters. The other stands of the ground are the North Stand, the Doug Ellis Stand and the Trinity Road Stand. The Trinity Road Stand was opened in 2001 and is the only three-tiered stand of the ground. The away supporters are located in a corner of the Doug Ellis Stand close to the North Stand. Just under 3,000 fans can be accommodated in this section. Some historical events have occurred at Villa Park. It hosted three matches during the World Cup in 1966. Villa Park also hosted four matches during the EURO 1996 Championships. The stadium hosted the last ever final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999, and all told has hosted 55 FA Cup semi-finals. Food & Beverage 4 There are plenty of stalls (outside) and counters (inside) the ground where you can obtain your food or drinks. Inside the grounds you pay for a really good cheeseburger £3.50, and all kinds of pies costs £3.30, while hot dogs are priced at £2.60. When you are really hungry you can buy a traditional fish & chips which is served with vinegar or mashed peas. There are wide screen televisions on the concourse broadcasting the match. So you won’t miss any of the action if you get up for a bite to eat. Atmosphere 5 For a groundhopper like me, Villa Park was on my bucket list for a long time. Villa Park is a true British traditional football ground where every stand is different, stands alone and has is its own character. The Holte End still has its original brick facade. No other British stadium can top the authenticity of the Aston Villa stadium, though the stadiums of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton come close. Neighborhood 3 Villa Park is located approximately 2.5 miles from the city centre towards the north part of the city of Birmingham. Villa Park is located close to Aston Park. In this part of the city you will find many cultural influences. You will find many multicultural shops. You will find loads of Pakistani and Indian restaurants, Jamaican hairdressers and all kinds of other small businesses. On the road towards the stadium (Witton Lane) is the Aston Hotel. This hotel dates back from the time the stadium was built, and the hotel has the same facade as the stadium making it one with its surrounding. Fans 4 The Aston Villa fans are very colourful people in many ways. When they go to match days most of them are dressed up in their claret and blue shirts. During the match they support their team for the full 100 percent. The noise which rolls down from the Holte End will give you goose bumps. Access 4 Overall the stadium is easily accessible for fans of most clubs in the country. It is situated close to the motorway (M6), Birmingham is situated in the Midlands in the heart of the country. On the M6 take exit 6 and follow the signs for the A38 and follow the signs to Villa Park. Parking can be a problem as the area around the stadium is designated as street parking for residents only. The Witton train station is within walking distance of the ground so fans would be advised to take public transport if possible to Villa Park. Return on Investment 5 A category scheme for ticket prices is in operation (A B & C), with the most popular games costing more to watch. The ticket prices for an A category match vary from £31 to £45 and for a C category match from £25 to £37. Very reasonable prices if you compare them with other Premier League clubs in the country and especially in London. So not only the ticket prices, but also the food prices are very affordable at Villa Park. Along with a great atmosphere inside the ground you will get good value for money. Extras 4 Aston Villa offers guided tours on Wednesdays, Fridays and some Sundays (not on matchdays). The cost for the tour is £12.95 for adults and £7.95 for under 16’s. The Villa Park tour is great, it’s a must for all football fans. Our tour lasted 2 hours and was really interesting. On the perimeter of the ground you will find the Villa Store where you can buy almost everything in claret and blue. Final Thoughts When you spend a weekend in Birmingham there is always something to do. If you stay just for the football, then try to combine your stay with some other matches. Besides Aston Villa there are two more League clubs playing in Birmingham, there are City and Wallsall. In the neighbouring cities of Wolverhampton, West Bromwich and Leicester you will find some League football teams as well.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park 270 Veterans Memorial Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Harrisonburg Turks website Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 1,200 Harrisonburg Baseball Is No Turkey With 11 teams nestled up and down Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley, the Valley Baseball League is one of the oldest collegiate summer wood-bat leagues in America. The Harrisonburg Turks have been playing in the Valley League since 1950 and play their home games at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park on the campus of James Madison University. Although baseball has been played here since the 1940s, the stadium was completely rebuilt and the new stadium opened in 2010. The stadium is also home to the JMU baseball team and is part of a shared complex that includes the Dukes’ softball stadium as well. The Turks’ nickname is short for “Turkeys” and alludes to the thriving poultry industry in the area. Food & Beverage 4 There is one concession stand located on the concourse which serves a decent range of options at affordable prices. Hamburgers are $4, cheeseburgers are $5, grilled chicken sandwiches are $6, chicken strips are three for $3.50, hot dogs are $3, fries are $3, pizza (cheese or pepperoni) is $2, nachos are $4, popcorn is $2, candy is $2, and freezie pops are 25 cents each. Soda (Pepsi products) are $3, Gatorade is $3, and bottled water is $2. Cash and credit cards are both accepted. Atmosphere 5 Unlikely most venues in the Valley League, Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is quite the modern facility. Walking through the gates will put you on a spacious concourse. The restrooms will be on your left and the concession stand on your right. You will then walk up a flight of steps to the top of the seating bowl and back down to your seat. There are some chairbacks behind home plate and bleachers with backs down the lines. All seats are general admission so arrive early to sit where you want. A scoreboard in the right-centerfield shows the linescore and other basic information. The Turks do a great job of promoting an exciting atmosphere here. In addition to the game on the field, fans can enjoy between innings contests ranging from a smoothie chugging race for a chance to win another free smoothie to a race where fans dress up as food, and whoever wins gets a free item they dressed up as from the concession stand. A couple of Valley League traditions are worth noting here. Your game ticket doubles as a raffle ticket for a chance to win various prizes throughout the game, so be sure to hold onto it. Additionally, fans are not permitted to keep foul balls but can return them to the concession stand for a free freezie pop. You will often see kids running down to the concourse every time a ball is hit out there. Neighborhood 5 Harrisonburg is a beautiful college town nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Although it is not large, there is a lot to do here. Macado’s is a regional restaurant chain with several locations in the Valley and surrounding area, including one right here in Harrisonburg. They are known for their burgers, wings, and delicious hot sandwiches, as well as their large collection of local sports memorabilia. Kline’s Dairy bar also has several Valley locations including two in Harrisonburg and is known for its ice cream, banana splits, and delicious milkshakes. The Magpie Diner on West Gay Street is open for breakfast and lunch and is a local favorite. Fans 5 The Turks consistently rank towards the top of the Valley League in attendance, and the stands at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park can get pretty full. The fans cheer on the Turks, and it can get very loud here at times when the Turks make big plays. The fans are also not afraid to get on the umpires’ case when they feel they have made a bad call, although it will never get so outrageous as to not be family-friendly. There are a wide range of fans in attendance, including young families with small children watching in wonderment of it all and older people who have been following the team since they played in the old version of the stadium, and possibly much longer. Many students studying at JMU over the summer will also make the short trip over to the ballpark to take in a game. Access 4 Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is located a few miles off Interstate 81 via exit 247B. After exiting onto Market Street, continue a short while before turning left onto Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Continue for about a mile and a half before the road ends at High Street. Continue through the light and you will be in the parking lot. You will need to navigate a roundabout in the middle of the parking lot to wind up in the lot nearest the stadium – other areas serve the Veterans Memorial itself or other parts of the park, although you can park there if the stadium lot fills up. Getting around the stadium once you get inside is easy enough, although it is a bit confusing to have to walk up and back down. Foul balls regularly fly onto the concourse so be careful while you are walking down there. Someone member will normally shout “Heads up!” when a ball is heading that way but be alert yourself anyway. Restrooms are located directly to the left of the entrance and are of a sufficient size for the crowd. When getting out of the stadium, you may have to wait at the traffic light for a few minutes as the timing of the cycle was not designed for such traffic patterns as occur postgame, but once you get out, you should not encounter any problems. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Turks games is only $5, while senior citizens will pay only $2, college students with ID will pay $3, and children 12 and under will pay $1. There are many opportunities to pay even less than that. Church youth groups with their pastor get in free on Sundays. Fans who dress up like a turkey get in free on Turkey Tuesday. College students get in for just $1 on Mondays. Select games even have free tickets available with a coupon in the local paper. Extras 3 There are free programs available at the entrance. A team store is located on the concourse next to the concession stand and sells Turks gear at great prices. Finally, there is a monument to veterans from Rockingham County located near the entrance to the stadium. Final Thoughts It is indisputable that Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is the most modern facility in the Valley League. While the older venues certainly have their charm in their own way, the Turks manage to create the same great atmosphere there is elsewhere in the league in a more modern stadium with all the amenities that comes with. This could easily be a minor league stadium if not for the fact that the capacity is far too small. This may very well be the best stadium in the Valley League, and that’s saying something since there are a lot of gorgeous venues here. On a warm summer’s night in Harrisonburg, a Turks game at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is well worth a visit.