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 Jared Goodman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Jerry Richardson Stadium 8701 Phillips Rd Charlotte, NC 28223 Charlotte 49ers website Jerry Richardson Stadium website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 15,314 Sitting on a Gold Mine The University of North Carolina at Charlotte didn’t have a football program until 2008. That’s when the Board of Trustees commissioned a new team for the school, along with a brand-new $45 million stadium. This venue would soon be named for local benefactor and former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. The Charlotte 49ers, who began play in the fall of 2013, joined the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2015 after a two-year stint in FCS. Charlotte now competes in Conference USA, and it’s quickly become clear that their 15,314-seat facility is one of the best in the conference. Food & Beverage 4 Richardson Stadium offers dishes from two of the region’s most popular chicken chains: Bojangles’ and Chick-fil-A. The prices at both of these booths are pretty fair, though slightly inflated. For example, a box of Bojangles’ chicken supremes is $8. Among some of the more traditional items are hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, grilled chicken, corn dogs, pretzels, and peanuts. But the highlight of the dining experience at the stadium is undoubtedly the barbecue sandwich. This is Carolina, after all, so be sure to grab one for $6 during your visit. Fair foods such as funnel cakes and cotton candy are also available. Coca-Cola is the beverage served throughout and is priced at $3. Or, you can buy a souvenir cup for $5 and get free refills all day long. Bottled water is $3.50. Domino’s Pizza is also offered, along with stadium staple Dippin’ Dots. Atmosphere 3 The color green is extremely prevalent on the UNC-Charlotte campus, from the trees of late summer to the seats at Jerry Richardson Stadium and beyond. On football Saturdays, a few thousand folks show up to the field decked in their 49er green best. After each Charlotte score, green fireworks are set off from the field house behind the southeast end zone. This definitely contributes to the “flare” of The Mine. The 49ers’ mascot, Norm the Niner, also makes regular appearances both in the stands and on the field. The intimacy of Jerry Richardson Stadium really adds to its small town feel, despite being located near the 16th largest city in the country. The venue’s horseshoe shape provides an excellent view of the surrounding buildings on campus, creating a sort of homey and academic atmosphere. This, however, isn’t a permanent feature, as the stadium is designed in such a way that the seating bowl can be expanded and decks added as the program grows. Neighborhood 4 The Niners home field is located on the west side of campus, near the other athletic facilities at the university. If you want to explore anything in the general vicinity, it’s generally just a short walk away. It’s an even shorter drive to the nearby restaurants and shops, which mostly include chain retailers on Tryon Street, University City Boulevard and JW Clay Boulevard. The region’s only IKEA store is just a few miles from campus and offers a full restaurant and snack bar in addition to the furniture goods on display. But perhaps the best perk of Richardson Stadium’s location on-campus is its proximity to the LYNX Light Rail system, which provides speedy service to Uptown Charlotte, the hip NoDa neighborhood, and the revitalized South End. All three offer a variety of dining and nightlife options just a 20-minute train ride from campus. The nearest stop, JW Clay Station, offers a 5-level parking deck for those wishing to drive, but is also easily accessible on foot via footpaths. From the stadium’s main gate, it’s a short 10-minute walk to the light rail platform. Fans 3 The Charlotte 49ers are not an elite football team by any measure, and often find themselves in the middle of the Conference USA rankings. This doesn’t give fans much to cheer about on game days, but the program is still in its youth. Pre-game, you’ll see lots of gold, black, and green outside the stadium in an impressive tailgating display. The smell of food wafts through the air just outside the main gate, surely stemming from one of the many tents set up nearby. Cornhole is a popular activity, as well as general mingling and socializing. It’s almost as if pre-gaming is just as important to the fans as the football game itself. While the crowd sticks with the team through thick and thin, they’re not usually loud or vivacious in any way. But you can be sure, whether the weather is good or whether the weather is bad, true Niners fans will cheer on their guys on the gridiron each and every Saturday. Access 3 Due to limited parking on campus, finding a spot to leave your car can be very tricky. Gameday permits are available for purchase in advance of the game, and are valid at the Union Deck, West Deck, North Deck, CRI Deck, Lot 11A/21 and Lot 25. There’s also a dedicated football shuttle, operated by Niner Transit, that has stops at the many different parking areas on campus. This bus service will take you directly to the main gate of Richardson Stadium if you choose to park in one of these lots. A word to the wise: do your parking research well in advance. If not, you could be stuck handing over $20 cash to park at the Cone Deck. UNCC is served, as mentioned earlier, by the LYNX Light Rail Blue Line, which has a stop at JW Clay Boulevard and is just a 10-minute walk away. The parking garage at this station is your best option for gameday parking, as it is both free and secure. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car and is serviced by most of the major North American airlines. Interstates 85, 485, and 77 are close to campus as well, providing access to Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Virginia in the north and Columbia, Greenville and Atlanta in the south. Return on Investment 3 Single-game ticket prices vary depending on the opponent and how far in advance you purchase your tickets. General admission seats are generally between $10-$25 and are located behind the northwest goalpost. If you’d like to sit on the sideline, expect to fork over between $20-$40 per ticket. Parking prices vary anywhere from $0 to $20, but it all depends on what lot you choose to use. Concessions are reasonably priced, but a full meal adds up fast. All totaled, you could be looking at $20 or more, per person. The Niners do have one interesting option that could save you some dough. The “Extra Point Package”, which includes four tickets, four meal vouchers and free parking, is occasionally available for $65. That’s a bargain when you add everything up. Without this package, a family of four could be looking at spending more than $200 on a single Niners game. Extras 2 Although it doesn’t have much to do with the stadium itself, the 49ers football team has earned an extra point for reaching the Bahamas Bowl in 2019. Despite losing their first-ever bowl game, their appearance in Nassau could mean that the program is trending upwards. This could result in a better gameday atmosphere, more fans, and an overall better experience in Charlotte down the road. While current attendance figures don’t demand a large venue, Richardson Stadium was built with the capability to be expanded up to a total capacity of about 40,000. A larger facility would be nice to see at some point in the future. Final Thoughts The ACC has dominated North Carolina in both basketball and football for a very long time. UNC-Charlotte is aiming to compete with this legendary powerhouse by putting both their school and Conference USA on the national map. With an infant football program and a modern stadium behind them, a gold mine of opportunities awaits the 49ers.

Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Oestrike Stadium 2051 N Huron River Dr Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Eastern Michigan Eagles website Oestrike Stadium website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 2,500 Strike Out to Oestrike Stadium For more than 40 years, the Eastern Michigan Eagles have played their home baseball games at Oestrike Stadium. Like many collegiate venues, the stadium was named for a former coach, Ron Oestrike, who led the team from 1965-1987. The facility has undergone a series of renovations dating back to 2000 when lights were installed thanks to a donation from the William G. Clark Family. The Eagles won their inaugural night game against local rival Michigan on a walk-off home run by Nick Soliz. In 2007, the infield was replaced by Pro Grass , a synthetic surface that cuts down on the maintenance cost for the university, but also takes away from part of the splendor of baseball, most notably when someone silently slides into a base. In 2012, the stadium is getting a new brick exterior, which should add to the overall aesthetics of Oestrike Stadium. The stadium could also use a new scoreboard and some upgrades to the outfield wall. There were no dimensions posted on the wall, and nothing to brand the stadium in Eastern Michigan style. I have seen pictures in the past where they have hung banners for former greats like Bob Welch and Chris Hoiles, so that would be a good touch to bring back. All and all, this is a pleasant little facility to see a game, with a covered grandstand, and a team that is typically in competition for a Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship. Food & Beverage 2 There is a lone concession cart on the first base side of Oestrike Stadium. Here you can find some basics to keep you sustained during the game. They have brats ($3), hot dogs ($2), popcorn ($2), candy ($1), and chips ($1). The popcorn was actually better than expected, and the brat was as well. For cold early season contests you can grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate ($1 each). Bottles of Pepsi products, Gatorade, and water are on hand as well ($2). Atmosphere 3 I started off a little disappointed with my visit as I arrived about 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time of 5pm, only to find out that the game had been pushed back an hour. I checked the team’s website that afternoon, so some better work by the EMU athletic department would have saved me an hour of sitting around unnecessarily, especially since I rushed through an early dinner in order to be at the game on time. Hopefully this is a rare occurrence and not the norm. All of the seating at Oestrike Stadium is metal bleachers, which are under a covered grand stand. It reminded me of a newer version of the classic Bosse Field in Evansville, Indiana. There were also several fans standing along the right field line against the fence, a good view if you prefer to be on your feet. Screens completely cover the seating area, so I found myself among the standing fans down the line for much of the game. It’s an odd field with the synthetic surface on the infield, and real outfield grass juxtaposed. The pitching mound is also real dirt, but the home plate area is not. It is funny to see the batters dig in at the plate out of habit, but to no avail. The team has had success at times, with nine MAC Championships (most recently in 2008) and four MAC tournament championships. The sound system is decent, and there is an interesting quirk as the radio play-by-play announcer apparently doesn’t fit inside the press box, so you can hear much of his call during the game action, something I rather enjoyed. Neighborhood 3 Depot Town, located just a couple of miles away, is definitely the place to go for something to eat before or after a game. I have two favorites that I highly recommend. First is Sidetrack Bar & Grill, which has 26 beers on tap, including many local options. They also have very good burgers and sandwiches, salads, and your typical pub food. This is the more kid-friendly option of my two recommendations. My second recommendation is just across the street, Aubree’s. They have an outstanding selection of draft beers, including several local options. They have plenty of activities to keep you entertained including a pool table and trivia game. The food is decent, but nothing special. I tried their pizza as well, it has a buttery crust and a comforting greasy quality. Fans 2 There weren’t many people in attendance (maybe 100 people or so), and with the exception of one local and supportive fan sitting behind the home team dugout, they tended to be pretty quiet. In fact, the opposing fans outnumbered the home fans in attendance by my estimation. You’ll hear an eagle screech when the team scores, which is a rather irritating sound, but it seemed to be popular with those in attendance. Access 3 Parking is free, and can be found just across the street in the same lot used for football games at Rynearson Stadium. Restrooms unfortunately are in the form of two outhouse port-a-potties found behind home plate – not very appealing at all. I ended up not buying a bottle of water, just so I could avoid that experience. Return on Investment 4 There was no admission charge, and no charge for parking. It is very hard to argue with that. Concessions, while far from spectacular, were reasonably priced. You could easily bring a family of four to a game and pay under $20 even with a snack and drink for everyone. Extras 2 One extra point goes to what seems to be a tradition for the EMU Eagles baseball team. As the head coach (Jay Alexander) meets with the umpires and opposing coach to exchange lineups, the team assembles, almost as if they are going to take a team picture. When the coach is through, he runs over to the team and jumps into a collective chest bump. It was a lot of fun to see, and the Eagles do it on the road as well, as I had the opportunity to see them several times during the 2012 season. I’ll give another extra point to the efforts by the donors, alumni, and university to improve this facility. There are still more renovations to be done, but it is nice to see them invest in the baseball program. I am looking forward to making return visits to see Oestrike Stadium continue to evolve. Final Thoughts The experience of attending an Eastern Michigan University Eagles baseball game at Oestrike Stadium is unlikely to be something that will be particularly memorable, but fans of college baseball should make the stop when they can to this convenient and improving little ballpark.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Neyland Stadium Phillip Fulmer Way Knoxville, TN 37996 Tennessee Volunteers website Neyland Stadium website Year Opened: 1921 Capacity: 101,915 Saturdays on Rocky Top There are only three college football stadiums in the country accessible by water – the largest and most recognized is situated on the shore of the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tennessee. Neyland Stadium has been home to the Tennessee Volunteers since 1921; with a current seating capacity of 101,915, this stadium is the 6th-largest in the country and 3rd in the Southeastern Conference. Neyland Stadium has been home to six National Champions, with the Vols having a 77.5% overall home winning percentage. Neyland Stadium is named in honor of Robert Neyland, a Volunteers coach from 1926-1952. Neyland arrived in Knoxville as an Army captain in the university’s ROTC department, and started as a part-time football coach. He ended his career at Tennessee as a legendary head coach and full Brigadier General. There is a statue of him located just inside the main gate of the facility. The stadium has undergone 17 renovations, the most recent before the 2022 season including new lower-west club and upper-north social deck spaces, bringing Neyland to its current seating capacity. Other upgrades included the restoration of the historic V-O-L-S letters along the top of the facility’s south end (2022), a second videoboard on the upper-north deck (2022), and bronze statues honoring four of Tennessee’s Black football trailblazers (2021). Other changes also eventually enclosed what once was a horseshoe-shaped stadium, elevated the bleachers, and added premium seating opportunities in the venue’s 120 suites.   Food & Beverage   3 The concessions inside Neyland Stadium are basic sports venue food. However, this is all you really need when it comes to watching football with over 100,000 fans. There are basics such as hot dogs (Hebrew National), hamburgers, pretzels, popcorn, Papa John’s pizza, and Coca-Cola brand products throughout the stadium. Calhoun’s BBQ Shack also offers its basic menu, but adds the local flavor of pulled pork sandwiches and pulled pork nachos. Neyland Stadium started alcohol sales in 2019, which has been an ongoing debate over the last 5 years. The current beer list consists of Budweiser and Coors products, Dos Equis, Michelob Light, Miller Lite, Yuengling, and Sweetwater Hazy IPA. The concession prices here are in line with other SEC stadiums.   Atmosphere   5 There aren’t many college football stadiums that carry a game day atmosphere like Neyland, illustrated by the constant sell outs, the traditions of Tennessee football, and the 100K fans in orange that migrate to Neyland no matter the opponent. Neyland Stadium is one of the few stadiums that can be accessed by water. The Tennessee River offers a unique opportunity for pre-game gatherings – the “Vol Navy” consists of more than 200 boats that dock on the Tennessee River along Volunteer landing during pre-game, a practice commonly referred to as sailgating (the University of Tennessee, along with the University of Washington and Baylor University , are the three college football stadiums where sailgating is a pre-game ritual). The atmosphere on game day starts long before the gates open at Neyland Stadium – fans can start their day by visiting Volunteer Village, which is free to all fans regardless of whether they have a game ticket. Volunteer Village offers live music, food trucks, and other activities. The Volunteer Village Fan Fest opens 3 1/2 hours before kickoff, but make sure you don’t miss the other pre-game activities, such as the Vol Walk, and the football team walk over to Neyland Stadium, which occurs two hours and fifteen minutes before kickoff. The Pride of the Southland Band also marches down Volunteer Boulevard 90 minutes before kickoff. Once all these activities are completed, walking into Neyland Stadium would be next on the agenda. When walking into Neyland Stadium, you can feel the energy and magic with the orange and white checkerboard design in both end zones. The retired numbers of past greats are easy to see on the ribbon scoreboard and the bright 4 letters on each side of the south end zone scoreboard that simply say V-O-L-S. All of college football has exciting team entries, but Tennessee has one of the most iconic – the team enters through a T-formation created by the Pride of the Southland Band, while 100K fans sing “Rocky Top,” a song that any visitor fan will be singing on the way home. The Southeastern Conference generally has great football game day atmospheres, but it is hard to compete with a game in Knoxville.   Neighborhood   4 Neyland Stadium is on The University of Tennessee’s campus, nestled between the downtown area of Knoxville and the Tennessee River. The location provides easy walking distance access to most of Knoxville’s attractions, dining, and lodging. World’s Fair Park, the former site of the 1982 World’s Fair is where you can visit Sunsphere Tower; the observation deck there is an interesting way to spend some time. There is also the Knoxville Museum of Art and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, both within walking distance of Neyland Stadium. A popular spot for dining is Calhoun’s on the River, located just up Neyland Drive by the Gay Street Bridge – this popular Tennessee BBQ spot fills up quickly on game day. For upscale dining, there is also Ruth’s Chris Steak House, a little past Calhoun’s towards downtown. Speaking of downtown, you can also find Downtown Grill and Brewery close by, for a variety chose of food and a full list of local craft beers. In addition, there are numerous options for lodging, being in a downtown area, depending on availability. There is the Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown, Hilton Knoxville, or the Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville, all close enough to Neyland Stadium that you can walk to the venue. However, finding vacancies could be a problem as they are all booked well in advance.   Fans   5 Tennessee has sold out 75,000 of their season tickets allotment with 15,000 on the waiting list. The average attendance in 2023 was over 101,000, which fills Neyland Stadium. Volunteer fans not only show up to Neyland Stadium but they are also heard – the fans are loud throughout the game. Neyland Stadium is a sea of orange with attire that can only represent the University of Tennessee, and the constant playing of “Rocky Top” by the Pride of the Southland Band only seems to make the decibel level go higher. Tennessee fans are fun, and energetic, and show Southern hospitality throughout the game, yet their presence is a large part of the high winning percentage in Knoxville, giving visiting opponents an environment that is not in their favor.   Access   3 The population of Knoxville is around 190,000, so with more than 100,000 fans descending on Knoxville on game day, things can be very crowded as far as access. The closest airport is Knoxville Airport about 10 miles away, but prices during football weekend can be high and seats limited. Nashville is a 2 1/2-hour drive away but could be an easier place to fly into for fans traveling by air. As with most major college football stadiums, the parking lots immediately surrounding the stadium are reserved for major donors and season ticket holders; the best parking option is to use the downtown parking areas. On game day the city of Knoxville and the area Transit Authority provide off-site parking with shuttle service to the stadium. Taxis, Uber, and shared riding is also available. The best way to figure out how to get to Neyland stadium when coming to Knoxville is to go to the Tennessee game day parking website , as things can change from season to season. The best advice is to get to the stadium early, so you can avoid the large crowd that is around Neyland Stadium. Once inside the facility, however, things aren’t exactly easy to migrate around, due to the crowd size. The earlier you can get inside the stadium, the easier time you will have to find your seat and other items. UT operates with a clear bag policy, and stadium security regulations limit fans to one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person.   Return on Investment   4 The ticket prices at Neyland Stadium are similar to other large college football schools. Ticket prices are separated into non-conference and conference games; non-conference games can range between $40 and $75, while the prices increase for SEC games, running between $75 and $120 per ticket, and the bigger the visiting team the higher the price. The Georgia  and Alabama games are high-demand games with prices being in a high-level tier on the secondary market, coming in at the expected premium prices. The cost of parking is decent, ranging between $15 and $40 depending on the location. Lodging will be your biggest expense, as hotels in Knoxville are all booked and very expensive on game weekends. One suggestion is to search for one of the many hotels in the Gatlinburg area, which will be much cheaper and are not located too far from Knoxville. Overall, the cost of seeing a Tennessee football game in Knoxville is worth the price, however.   Extras   4 The experience of seeing 100,000 people as an ocean of orange singing Rocky Top in unison is something very few stadiums can match. The City of Knoxville and the Tennessee River provide a unique location for Neyland Stadium, and the venue is also home to twenty-four former players enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, with the numbers of Johnny Majors (# 45), Reggie White (# 92), Peyton Manning (# 16), and Doug Atkins (# 91) retired on Neyland Stadium’s ribbon board.   Final Thoughts Neyland Stadium has everything that any college football fan loves – the atmosphere, the large fan base, and the traditions. The facility is known as one of the most easily recognized college stadiums, due to its orange checkerboard end zones. There are very few college stadiums that can match Neyland Stadium – this is a stadium that I strongly believe should be on any sports fan list to visit in their sports journey.

Photo By Lance Sutehall, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Dunn-Oliver Acadome 1595 Robert C. Hatch Dr Montgomery, AL 36104 Alabama State Hornets website Dunn-Oliver Acadome website Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 7,400 The Hornets’ Nest The city of Montgomery is home to the campus of Alabama State University, one of the oldest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the nation. Alabama State’s athletics are known as the Hornets and they play in Division One’s Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The venue is named for Charles Johnson “C.J.” Dunn and James Oliver, two of the Hornets’ most prominent coaches. The Hornets have called the venue home since 1992. Alabama State has made four NCAA Tournaments at the Division One level, last making the big dance in 2011. Food & Beverage 2 The concession stands have a limited menu that includes nachos ($9), hot dogs ($4), popcorn ($4), candy ($2), chips ($2), and Coca-Cola brand bottled beverages ($4). Alcohol is not sold at the Acadome. Atmosphere 4 When entering the Dunn-Oliver Acadome you first see trophy cases showing off the athletic successes of the Hornets sports programs over the years. Once you walk into the seating bowl you might imagine that you are walking into a hornet's nest. The ceiling looks like a honeycomb of a bee hive and the three-point arcs also have the pattern on the floor.  There is a lot of black and gold throughout the arena with the seats alternating between those colors, the out-of-bounds area of the court is black, the free-throw lane is gold, and the banners that are displayed on the walls are also gold. There is a hornet at center court of the playing floor. You know instantly it’s the home of the Alabama State Hornets basketball program. The walls have banners showing postseason successes and the numbers of retired players. There is a modern scoreboard on one end of the arena. Alabama State’s cheerleaders, dance team, and band do an amazing job of keeping the energy up during a game. Stinger, the Alabama State mascot, walks around the arena keeping families entertained. Neighborhood 3 The campus of Alabama State University is located in Montgomery which is the capital of Alabama. The capitol building is located less than two miles north of the university. Other landmarks worth checking out in Montgomery include the Rosa Parks Museum, the Freedom Rides Museum, the Civil Rights Memorial, and the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum.  Dining options include Wintzell’s Oyster House, Dreamland BBQ, and Bibb Street Pizza Company. Chain hotels such as Embassy Suites, SpringHill Suites, and Hampton Inn are located in downtown Montgomery. Fans 3 Alabama State fans are passionate about the Hornet's athletic teams and are appreciative of the athlete's efforts. Helped by the atmosphere created by the band, cheerleaders, dance team, and Stinger, the fans are engaged throughout the game. Access 4 Coming from I-65, turn onto I-85 and get off exit 1 onto Arba Street. Turn right on S Decatur Street and make a left on Carter Hill Road. The Acadome will be on your left and is hard to miss.  From I-85 westbound, get off at exit 1 and turn left onto S Union Street. Make a left on Carter Hill Road and look for the Acadome. Parking is free and there is plenty of room to walk around once inside the building. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are only $10 for a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader. Even if you drop $10 on concessions you will only spend $20 for a day of SWACtion as well as hear performances from an amazing marching band.  Extras 2 There are plenty of museums around Montgomery to visit if you have some time to check them out. The venue hosted high school basketball regionals for several years but stopped hosting a few years ago. Final Thoughts You will not go wrong with spending a day at the Acadome as you will get to see competitive Division One basketball with an amazing band and not break the bank while doing so.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Hammons Field 955 East Trafficway Springfield, MO 65802 Map It Springfield Cardinals website Hammons Field website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 10,486 Baby Cardinals Attending a baseball game at Hammons Field is a baseball purist’s dream and an altogether fantastic day or evening out. Hammons Field, in Springfield MO, is the home of the Springfield Cardinals, an AA affiliate of MLB’s St Louis Cardinals . Hammons Field opened on April 2, 2004, and cost $32 million. John Q Hammons, a wealthy hotel developer and builder from Springfield MO, financed the stadium construction. The first year saw only the local college play ball at the park as no pro ball club had committed to playing there when it was built. The Springfield Cardinals of the Texas League began playing there the very next season. Prior to 2005, the team was the El Paso Diablos. The owners of the Diablos sold the franchise to the Cardinals who relocated them to Springfield. The Springfield Cardinals won the Texas League Championship in 2012 and are looking to repeat that in future seasons. The Missouri State University Bears baseball team uses the field in the spring. Hammons Field hosts other events for the Southwestern Missouri community, such as Trick or Treat on Halloween. It is an intimate, comfortable venue that exudes Cardinals baseball and is one well worth visiting. Food & Beverage 4 The ballpark sells plenty of drinks, food, and snacks at higher prices than expected for an AA ballpark in Missouri. However, plenty of food promotions are offered throughout the season. Keep those in mind when visiting. First, adult beverages are $3 off for the first 30 minutes after the gates open. That said, even with the discount, a 16 oz specialty craft beer is still $7. Tuesdays are $2 brats and hot dogs. Thursday home games are ‘Thirsty Thursdays’ with $3 off drink specials for fans 21 and older all game long. Kids get a free ice cream before Sunday home games. Burgers and chicken tenders are sold at the Home Plate Concessions while there’s a Domino’s Pizza and a Chick-fil-A down the third base concourse. Cardinals Cantina sells Mexican fare with gourmet nachos and burrito bowls (with fajita chicken, pulled pork, and white queso options) and a variety of toppings. They cost between $11.65 – $15.49. Other traditional snacks like popcorn, soft pretzels, chips, and peanuts are available for purchase. Cardinals Creamery has nine different flavors of ice cream (a souvenir helmet is $6.49). Other snacks at that stand are funnel cakes ($7) and cotton candy ($5.25). Bottled water is $4.99 and soda (Coca-Cola brands) are $6.25 and $7.49. KPub and the 1st Base Bar offer adult beverages such as wine, mixed drinks, and craft brews. Adults can purchase bottled and canned beer at most concession stands as well as Grab and Go Stations. Atmosphere 5 The venue emanates baseball and all staff members make you feel welcome and glad you are visiting their stadium. The concourse runs on top of the seating area; fans walk down to their seats. Twenty-two rows of green stadium seats with cupholders and handrails make up the seating area. Plenty of handicapped and wheelchair seating runs along the top of the concourse. Suites line the second level of the stadium behind home and on the first base side. The Redbird Roost (second level third base side) features premium seats and all-you-can-eat food and soda. The outer first base side has the Champions Club seats with an upgraded all-you-can-eat menu and four adult beverages included in the price. The ballpark has an immaculately, green field. When the big Cardinals go to the playoffs, the grounds crew from Springfield goes to St. Louis to assist with the maintenance of Busch Stadium. Something a bit different, the batter’s eye is a set of trees sponsored by Coca-Cola. Hammons Field Batters Eye, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Thankfully, the game day operation does not include music and noise between each and every pitch; instead, just between batters and innings. Contests and other forms of non-baseball entertainment include activities like wacky races and t-shirt tosses. A grassy berm (general admission) is down the third baseline and kids can run around in that area (depending on attendance). The scoreboard is in left-center field and clearly shows the batter’s stats, the line-up, the line score, the pitcher’s name, and some unobtrusive advertisements The team has plenty of promotions and giveaways throughout the season: t-shirts, jerseys, replica rings, Friday night fireworks, bobbleheads, and more. Check their schedule or follow them on social media to see the current season’s exciting offerings. Neighborhood 4 Hammons Field is in Springfield, MO, the southwestern part of the state. Several bars, restaurants, and hotels are within ½ to one mile of the stadium with more a little further away. It’s a safe neighborhood to visit and the town has plenty to offer a visiting baseball fan or tourist. For starters, visit the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (though it is 10 miles from the ballpark), an interactive museum of teams and individuals influential to sports in Missouri. The Bass Pro Shop in town (three miles from the ballpark) is the largest and has enough to be considered a museum with aquariums, waterfalls, a firing range, outdoor gear showrooms, and the archery hall of fame. Route 66 museums, artifacts, and shops dot the area for those who enjoy nostalgia from the 40s and 50s. For places to eat, visit Ebbets Field Sports Bar (three blocks away) or Rama Thai Café. Dugout Bar & Grill is a block away (a small neighborhood bar). Downtown Springfield is a mile away. There you’ll find Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes, Big Whiskey’s, or Civil Kitchen. Local breweries include Springfield Brewing Company (which serves food) and Mother’s Brewing Company. If spending the night, the University Plaza Hotel is 1/3 mile from the ballpark. A Best Western Inn is a mile away and a Tru by Hilton borders downtown. Plenty of other chain hotels are three to four miles away off the Interstate 44 exit. Fans 5 The baseball spirit, passion, knowledge, and courtesy always shown by St Louis Cardinals fans are displayed just as equally by its AA team fans and staff. Fans wear lots of red… red caps shirts and jerseys honoring both the Springfield and St Louis Cardinals. You’ll hear many discussing the players and which ones will make it up to the bigs. The team has averaged 4,800 – 5,000 or so fans per game the last five-plus years. Access 4 Getting to Hammons Field is not too difficult. It is three miles south of Interstate 44. The closest airport is Springfield-Branson National Airport about eight miles from the park. Springfield has a bus service that looks like it has a stop .2 miles from the park. Check CU Transit to see if that option works for your visit. Parking lots surround the park and range from $5 – $20. Twenty dollars is way too high for AA baseball. The team does not own the parking around the stadium and does not have control of the prices. Fans can park for free a few blocks away (.3 miles) at OTC (Ozarks Technical Community College) and Price Cutter. Free street parking is available a few blocks south on Walnut St. The main entranceway is striking. It’s a large plaza with plenty of room for fans to meet. The brickwork and towers are picturesque. The interior has a covered, wide concourse lined with concessions and kiosks. It is open and fans can watch the play of game while walking on the concourse. Clean, serviceable restrooms are down both baseline concourses. The Cardinals have a clear bag policy where bags must be standard stadium-sized (12” x 6” x 12”) clear bags. Return on Investment 4 Attending a game at Hammons Field is well worth your sports dollar budget. Tickets run $9 (General Admission) to $18 (Diamond Boxes – sections behind home plate). The Redbird Roost tickets are $30 (includes all-you-can-eat). Parking can be expensive; use the free lots a few blocks away. Food and drink prices are a tad high for the Texas League. Attend on a $2 Tuesday or Thirsty Thursday to save a few bucks. Take advantage of the different promotions offered throughout the season. Extras 4 A nice team store along the concourse sells all kinds of Springfield and St. Louis Cardinals gear. Be sure to pick up a lineup and game notes in the team store. It also comes with a pre-printed scoresheet. It’s the little things that are noticeable. For example, the bar stands on both the first base and third base concourse leave beer cans unopened, and wrap hot dogs and brats in foil so fans can easily carry them in their bags without spilling. And, the staff striking up conversations and providing information on the park makes one feel welcome. Final Thoughts When transferring my notes for this review, I ran across this sentence I had written while at the game in Springfield, “This is the most wonderful place on earth right now. I feel like I’m in heaven.” It radiates baseball here. It’s about the game; a baseball purist dream. At close to twenty years old, Hammons Field and the Springfield Cardinals continue to be a perfect place for baseball enthusiasts and other fans to spend their evenings.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 BlueBet Stadium Mulgoa Rd Penrith, NSW 2750 Australia Penrith Panthers website BlueBet Stadium website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 22,500 Penrith Panthers at BlueBet The Penrith Panthers were admitted to what is now known as the National Rugby League in 1967 however didn’t experience real success until the late 1980s and early 1990s. The club won its maiden premiership in 1991. Penrith won their second title in 2003. After experiencing some lean years more recently, the club is once again challenging for premiership success in the early 2020s. The Panthers represent a working-class area located on the western edge of the Sydney metropolitan area at the foot of the Blue Mountains. BlueBet Stadium opened the same year Penrith entered the competition and currently has a capacity of 22,500. The stadium is owned by Penrith City Council, with the Panthers being the sole major tenant. A smattering of high-level soccer and international rugby league matches have also been held here. Food & Beverage 3 Most visitors will enter the stadium via the western entrances. The forecourt immediately beyond the turnstiles is the best place to purchase your refreshments. There’s a reasonable selection of food items which cater to most tastes. The West Bar is also close by, however, expect to spend some time in the queue to purchase your drinks. Food outlets around the stadium offer the standard fare: burgers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, hot chips, and soft drinks. Expect to pay between $10-$15 for a decent feed and a further $5 for a drink. Other vendors within the forecourt offer wares such as pizza and “toasties.” The bar offers several types of beer: Iron Jack, Toohey’s New, Hahn Super Dry, and Hahn Premium Light. Prices are around $8, with a $1 discount for members. Premixed spirits and wine are also available. Atmosphere 4 The grandstands are reserved seating, but much of the ground-level seating is designated as general admission. Be aware that the northern hill is largely a family area, which means no alcohol. This is enforced by security. Ushers guard the reserved seating areas. The southern hill has minimal elevation so large numbers of fans stand in this area. Plenty of families bring chairs and blankets which is a good idea. The eastern stand receives the afternoon sun. The branding and signage around the ground leave you in doubt that this is Penrith territory. The façade of the western stand features banners of the current team. The top of the eastern stand is adorned with the names of club legends such as Craig Gower and Greg Alexander. Neighborhood 3 Penrith is a major centre of Western Sydney, with the local area being one of the most populous in the state. The Penrith Panthers Leagues Club is one of the largest registered clubs in NSW. It is the closest and most attractive option for entertainment close to the stadium. There are numerous food options including burgers, pizza, seafood, steak, noodles, and more. Other activities that might be of interest are a driving range where you hit a lake and a cable wakeboarding water park. In the same area across the road are an indoor skydiving centre and several chain restaurants including McDonald’s and Outback Steakhouse. Pubs close by including the Australian Arms, one of the oldest pubs in the district. There’s also plenty of pubs closer to the CBD and a Westfield Shopping Centre. Some sporting and recreation facilities are nearby. The Nepean River is one of the major geographical features of the area, along with Penrith Lake which includes both the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Penrith Whitewater Stadium, both venues built for the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. The Penrith Emus Shute Shield rugby club plays at Nepean Rugby Park and the Penrith Paceway next door has harness racing on Thursday nights. The world heritage-listed Blue Mountains are also easily accessible from Penrith, by either rail or road. The Mountains effectively mark the western edge of the Sydney metropolitan area and form part of the Great Dividing Range, which extends almost the length of the continent from north to south. Many of the historic towns are worth visiting including Leura, Wentworth Falls, and the major towns of Katoomba and Lithgow. The natural beauty of the area is well worth a visit, including “The Three Sisters” rock formation and Jenolan Caves. There’s plenty of opportunities for bushwalking and outdoor adventuring but be sure to prepare properly and take appropriate precautions. In summary, there’s plenty to do in the local area but in Western Sydney cars are king – so be prepared to drive anywhere outside of the precinct across Mulgoa Rd. Forming part of the Panthers precinct just across the road, the Mercure Penrith is the obvious choice for accommodation and a short walk from the stadium. Fans 4 Penrith is a working-class area. The locals are proud of their town and their football team. Crowds have once again increased as the Panthers have begun to experience more success on the field. The COVID impacted the 2020 season aside, average attendance in recent years is around 14,000 which is certainly enough to create an exciting and dynamic atmosphere. The Panthers have healthy rivalries with other western Sydney teams, with the biggest arguably being the Parramatta Eels. Access 3 While the stadium is accessible by public transport, the majority of fans drive. Expect some congestion around local roads as game time nears. Visitors traveling from other areas of Sydney will arrive via the Mulgoa Rd exit from the M4 Western Motorway. There is limited free parking within the Panthers complex, but this can fill quite quickly. There are also relatively cheap paid parking options at the Paceway on the northern side of the stadium (Ransley St) and the cricket club on the southern side (Station St) which will run you about $5. The nearest railway station is 10 mins walk from the stadium. There is a box office just outside the entry but it’s just as easy to buy online and either print them at home or have the link sent to your phone. Fans tend to mill about outside the entrance waiting for friends or family. There’s a bag check at the entrance, but overall, there are no difficulties or hassles when entering. The concourse is quite easy to navigate, although it’s a little congested at the southern end. Generally, there are no issues with moving around the various areas should you like to move around during the game. The bathrooms are a bit old but serviceable. Return on Investment 4 Adult tickets range from $35 general admission through to $60 for the most expensive “Diamond” reserved seats. Children from the age of 2 require a ticket regardless of where they sit. Family passes that admit 4 people are a reasonable value when compared to single tickets. Food and beverage prices are reasonable compared to other NRL venues and cheap parking is welcomed. Extras 2 Penrith has capitalised on their name with a “Pink Panther” theme and wears pink jerseys for the annual Women in League round. Final Thoughts The Panthers are once again one of the hottest tickets in town with a team to rival any other club in the NRL. Penrith is also a gateway to exploring the beautiful Blue Mountains and beyond, and thus should be a destination for all visitors to this part of the world.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Gulfstream Park 901 S Federal Hwy Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 Gulfstream Park website Year Opened: 1939 Miami’s Other Track Hialeah Park in Miami is probably the most well-known live horse racing venue in the state of Florida, but not far away is another track, Gulfstream Park, which offers many more racing days on the calendar – Gulfstream Park offers live racing from July to October and again from December to May, while Hialeah only has live racing from November to February. Food & Beverage 4 Gulfstream Park offers a wide range of concessions for folks at the races, but unexpectedly most of them come from the same main stands. If you stand in front of the concessions stands for a minute or two you will see the board flip between three different menus – chicken wings, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and wraps, followed by pizza, subs, and calzones, and finally stir fry bowls with an Asian flare. This is for the stands inside the clubhouse (lower level), with prices ranging from $5 to $15 for main dishes, but if you walk outside you can find more basic stands that just have hot dogs, pizza, and small snacks for $3 to $6. If you sit up on the club level (which requires a pricier ticket) you can enjoy buffet-style food and a full bar. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at Gulfstream Park is nice – the scenery is great with the lake in the middle the palm trees, and a few high-rises in the background, and there are multiple seating areas you can choose from, most of which are under cover if not indoors – some of the ones outside have fans blowing to help keep you cool, although it is so hot here they don’t help much. There are of course plenty of betting machines, mostly self-service, and there is also a large simulcast viewing room inside, with dozens of screens on the wall if you want to take in races at other tracks, and plenty of individual seats at tables in front of them so you can keep notes. Neighborhood 4 There is very little entertainment within walking distance of Gulfstream Park, other than the attached casino, given the enormous footprint the track and its accompanying parking lots take up, but there are plenty of great restaurants within a short drive. Being in Miami Cuban food is a great option, and you will see plenty of those eateries in the area, as well as numerous great seafood places. There is also a wonderful Mexican restaurant closer to the airport (about 20 minutes from the track) called Chevys Fresh Mex, which is worth a look if are headed that way. In addition to the restaurants there are plenty of hotels in the area, most of them closer to the beach, and if you are looking for something to do before or after the races, Miami also has several professional sports teams, including the Miami Dolphins , the Miami Marlins , and the Miami Heat , as well as the University of Miami Hurricanes which share a stadium with the Dolphins . Since Gulfstream Park offers racing throughout most of the year, you should be able to double up with one or more of these other teams if desired. Fans 2 Gulfstream Park doesn’t have many racegoers in attendance, possibly because the races begin around noon or 1 p.m. instead of at night – but with ten or so races on the card, you may see a bump in attendance as the sun starts to go down. Access 4 The big knock for Miami horse racing is simply the traffic – it takes a very long time to get to Gulfstream Park, but once you get on-site you can park very easily right next to the racetrack. The parking lot itself seems a little run down with a few potholes in places, but it is largely empty, so there is plenty of room. Once inside there is even more room to roam around, with plenty of seating in any of the various sections. Return on Investment 3 There is no cost for admission at Gulfstream Park, and you can buy a basic program for only $1 (the more detailed program runs $5). However, there is nothing here that is too out of the ordinary – just a basic racetrack in a pretty setting. Extras 2 You can get pretty close to the horses here, though depending on the length of each race (they vary across the card), the starting gate might be on the other side of the track. There is also an inner track as well as an outer track, making races on the inner track a little harder to follow – but they have several giant videoboards around, so you can watch the action that way if you can’t quite make out the leaders with the naked eye.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 TQL Stadium 1501 Central Pkwy Cincinnati, OH 45214 FC Cincinnati website TQL Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 26,000 TQL In Cincinnati Football Club Cincinnati (FC Cincinnati) has been in existence since 2015. At that time, they played at the USL’s Champions level of competition. They played their home matches at Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati. The team was an immediate success, as the population of Queen City has a large ethnically diverse population, and soccer was their game of choice. By 2019, they had applied for membership at the MLS level. This application was approved, with the requirement that a soccer-specific stadium be built for the team in the first few years of membership in the MLS. The team immediately went to work on getting a venue built. After much discussion of several sites and some trading of property with the local school system work got underway on building a new stadium in the neighborhoods just northwest of downtown Cincinnati. There were still some delays, as the team changed architects, choosing Populous as their new designer. Finally, the $250 million stadium opened in 2021 as West End Stadium. It offers a soccer-specific stadium with a capacity of 25,513. A majority of those seats are chairback seats with cupholders. The stadium includes 59 suites, a 3,100-person standing area for the supporter groups, and 4,500 premium or club seats. The stadium seats feature the team’s kit colors of blue with the accent color of orange. One side of the pitch features the winged lion crest of the team in bright orange on the seating area, while the opposite side of seats spells out “FCC.” Just before their first season in the new venue, Total Quality Logistics (TQL), signed on as the naming rights holder for the stadium. TQL is a freight brokerage and third-party logistics firm. Food & Beverage 4 TQL Stadium has an extensive set of food and beverage items available for FC Cincinnati fans. There are 14 concession stands, 20 portable carts, and three bars to serve the appetites and thirst of the crowds. There are enough vendors spread throughout the stadium that you should not experience any long lines. The lineup of food vendors at the matches includes LaRosa’s Pizza, Rhine Roost, Gomez Tacos, AJ’S Philly Cheesesteaks, Frisch’s, Smokehaus, Queen City Eats, Buffalo Wings and Rings, and Skyline Chili. There are also three grab-and-go-style convenience outlets in the stadium. Alcoholic drinks are available at the Heineken Supporter’s Bar, the Coors Light Bar, or the Rhinegeist Bar. Atmosphere 5 TQL offers an excellent electronics package. The exterior of the stadium features ribbed steel girders with LED lighting attached so that the outside skin can feature multiple colors and spell out a variety of messages. Inside the facility are two massive scoreboards at each end of the pitch. They are the widest videoboards in the MLS, as they measure 150 feet each. There are also ribbon boards fronting the front decks on either side of the pitch. The stadium also offers an up close and personal view of the action on the pitch. Most seats are within 15 feet of the pitch, with no seats more than 130 feet from the pitch. This is accomplished by having a 34-degree to the stands. One of the most appreciated aspects of the design of the TQL Stadium is the canopy that covers the entire seating bowl. This allows the fans to stay dry and protected from the rain and snow that can occur during the early spring games. It also provides shade and protection from the sun during the summer portion of the schedule. Neighborhood 5 TQL Stadium sits on Central Parkway, which is the dividing line between the West End and the Over the Rhine neighborhoods. Cincinnati is unique in that it has a large residential population mixed with businesses and shops. The Over the Rhine neighborhood has the reputation of being the largest entertainment district in the city, as it is filled with restaurants, museums, bars, and theatres. Many of the buildings in this area are on the National Register of Historic Places. The West End is more residential. The ownership of FC Cincinnati had to make many concessions in the size of the stadium, as well as scale back the exterior lighting planned for the stadium in response to the demands of the neighborhood associations that border the venue. The Pitch Cincy is a soccer-themed bar located across the street from TQL Stadium. It offers food trucks, a rooftop patio, and a video wall to televise multiple soccer games from around the world. Also close by is the Cincinnati Music Hall, which offers a wide range of musical concerts throughout the year. Fans 5 The roads on the east side of TQL Stadium are closed to traffic three hours before the matches start so that the team can set the pregame entertainment zone. This area includes food and drink vendors, numerous soccer-related skills contests, team merchandise tables, and plenty of music. The East Fan Plaza opens two hours before the match and closes 30 minutes before the start. One of the most impressive aspects of the pregame celebration period is the Supporters March. The March begins with each supporter group setting out from their home neighborhoods. They all meet up at Washington Park, which is a few blocks from the stadium. They then march as one unified group into the stadium. The capos and drummers from each group work very hard at coordinating this pregame tradition. Each supporter group has the responsibility of designing its tifo, or banner, before each match. For the most part, the supporter groups are based on geography or heritage. These include Auxilia One (FC Cincinnati fans in the New York City area), Die Innenstadt (inner city residents of Cincinnati), Norden (northern suburbs of Cincinnati), and Hanger 937 (residents of Dayton, Ohio that support FC Cincinnati). Other groups include Briogaid (Irish/Celtic fans), the Queen City Mafia (American football fans that like soccer), and the Knights of the Bailey (made up of the capos and drummers that coordinate the chants and songs during the matches with all the groups mentioned above). FC Cincinnati has a local and regional network of 19 Pub Partners for each match. The drinking establishments agree to have their TVs and big screens tuned to the FCC match during both home and away matches. This allows the team to build their brand in communities outside of Queen City, while the pubs get more business from the promotion the team gives them. Access 4 Getting to an FC Cincinnati game may be the most difficult part of the game-day experience. This is because the stadium is in the middle of a downtown area in a midsize city. The streets around the stadium are narrow, as they typically serve a residential population. There are several parking lots scattered around TQL Stadium. There are 2,000 parking spots within two blocks of the stadium. The remaining lots are not managed by the team. This means the parking fees can vary dramatically. Many people who live close to the stadium prefer to just bike to the matches. TQL offers free bike racks outside of the stadium for these fans. The most cost-effective and stress-free way to get to TQL on gamedays is to take the Cincinnati Bell Connector Streetcar. This streetcar circulates throughout the city regularly. There is a streetcar stop at Washington Park, which is a four-minute walk from the stadium. Best of all, this service is free! There are six entry gates at TQL Stadium. They open 90 minutes before the match start. Once inside, the stadium concourses are 30 feet wide and are very easy to navigate. The aisles are well-marked and easy to follow. The legroom is better than average, and all seats have cupholders. A majority of the seats in the stadium feature chairback seating. Accessibility for people with disabilities is a priority at the stadium. Entry gates offer a separate lane for people with disabilities so they will not have to stand for long lengths of time. Once inside, every restroom has wider stalls for those who have impairments. The team also has assistive listening devices or noise-deadening headphones for people who have sensory issues. The ribbon boards that front the upper-level seating offer close-captioned messaging throughout the matches. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for FC Cincinnati games come at several price points. The most expensive seat for an individual match is $59 for a seat on the upper level at Midfield. Other levels include $44 for upper-level seats on the sides, $35 for lower level in the corners, $32 for lower levels seats at one end of the pitch, and $25 for upper-level seats at one end of the pitch. Not surprisingly, the Supporter Group standing seats at the other end of the pitch on the lower level are the cheapest at $19. We found the food and beverage prices were quite reasonable. Parking lot prices varied in our research. The Bell Connector streetcar can’t be beat as far as price as it is free. It also offers a convenient drop-off/pick-up location just a four-minute walk from the stadium. Extras 3 FC Cincinnati has one of the largest team stores in the MLS. It measures 9,000 square feet and offers two levels of shopping. At 59 suites, TQL Stadium qualifies as having the most suites of any MLS stadium that does not host an NFL team. In addition to MLS matches, TQL Stadium has hosted CONCACAF Third Round and Gold Quarterfinal Matches. Final Thoughts FC Cincinnati has one of the most fervent fan bases in the MLS. TQL Stadium rewards that loyalty with a venue that is a terrific place for fans to enjoy the Beautiful Game.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Roy Kidd Stadium Roy and Sue Kidd Way Richmond, KY 40475 Eastern Kentucky Colonels website Roy Kidd Stadium website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 20,000 Roy Kidd Stadium is in a League of its Own Roy Kidd Stadium on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, maybe one of the most unusual-looking football stadiums in college football. The home of the Colonels football program is a nine-story structure that seats 20,000 plus and is separated into upper and lower seating that suspends fans over the field of action. Built-in 1969 and originally named Hanger Field, the stadium features a few nods to its late 1960s roots: gunpowder gray seats, plenty of sharp right angles, and interior signage that looks like it is straight from an abandoned shopping mall. There are also plenty of ramps that lead fans from its entrance to the top levels of the structure. It is a facility that includes racquetball and basketball courts, a gymnasium, and classroom space for 2,000 students. A few updates have been made to the stadium that includes synthetic turf, a new Daktronics LED video display board, and a custom audio system. Grass seating is available on the eastern portion of the end zone, along with bleacher seating for visiting fans. The football program has produced a record of 225-58-1 and two national championships (1979 and 1982) since its inception. Food & Beverage 3 There are three main concession stands inside the structure near the entrance of the stadium that offer a standard array of menu items, including hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, pizza, cheeseburgers, and nachos. The stadium also serves up giant smoked turkey legs, fried chicken sandwiches, and walking tacos to add to the mix of food items. During the cold months, cups of hot cocoa and coffee hit the spot. The stadium offers cans of beer on the newly renovated visitors’ side for $5. The options include Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Coors Light, and Rolling Rock. This is the only section of the stadium where fans can both purchase and drink alcoholic beverages. Local Apollo Pizza sets up a food truck just outside the main entrance in this section for more variety. Atmosphere 3 Roy Kidd Stadium offers a unique, architecturally designed structure that stands out along the main street of the campus. The look and feel are of its time in 1969. The stadium features a system of ramps that leads fans from the small ticket windows to the main concourse, this system of ramps also leads fans to the upper-level seating section (closed off during our visit) and to the lawn section of the stadium. The main concourse is fully enclosed from the upper-level section of seats and provides a somewhat sterile atmosphere with signage that looks as if it dates from the stadium’s first season of operation. There are large wall photographs of Roy Kidd himself, who won 314 games at the school from 1964 to 2002; he also has a statue near the lawn seats behind the north end zone. There is a small merchandise stand and an information booth. Outside in the seating area is a collection of fans who add much life to the building; the steep seating area puts fans almost above the playing field and atop the gridiron action. Due to the upper-level seating being closed off, the majority of fans create a lively atmosphere in the lower seats of the stadium. An LED video display is situated in the south end zone of the stadium. Expansion in 2017 on the east side of the stadium added over 3,000 new bleachers and a concourse that features modern concessions and bathroom facilities. Also, a new pedestrian-only walkway was constructed from the hill beyond the north end zone that leads onto the concourse level. This area of seating provides a great view of the main grandstand structure and design; here, fans can see the signage that honors the 1979 and 1982 National Champion plaques and is close to the action of the play on the field. Neighborhood 2 Roy Kidd Stadium is right on campus and adjacent to the basketball arena, McBrayer Arena. It is an easy walk for students and alumni to enjoy football at their school. As for the downtown, that is a different story. There is not too much action. Just north of campus on Main Street, or about a mile from McBrayer Arena, are several bars and grills. Jerzees, Madison Garden, and Paddy Wagon Irish Pub are all in this area and are known as gathering places. Fans 3 The fans are a devoted bunch who will brave the cold weather to watch the Colonels play a football game. Much of the noise generated is from these fans, who are a devoted bunch. It is hard to spot an individual who is not wearing maroon at the game. Access 3 There is a large parking lot that serves the football field and other sports venues that is a short walk to Roy Kidd Stadium. The stadium features a unique series of ramps–a product of its time–and no elevators. This could be a hindrance to fans who have trouble walking, but the staff provides golf carts that lead them to their seats. The bathrooms include separate entrances and exits. Return on Investment 3 EKU ticket prices are $13 for general admission, $18 for lawn reserve, and $8 for youth (ages 4-12). No parking fee is charged for games, and concession prices are rather affordable. A tall can of beer is $5, a pretty fair price at a college football game. Extras 3 The stadium design is of great curiosity; the design and feel of the structure can be somewhat cumbersome, but it is still fascinating to view signage, doorways, and ramps that date back to the stadium’s original season 50 years ago. The updated visitor side bleacher area creates a modern touch for football games at Roy Kidd Stadium. The concession stand that serves beer is close to the seats, and the views of the main grandstand add to the vibe. There is a large lawn seating area that is ideal for warmer days at the beginning of the season. The name of the stadium itself is named in honor of former head coach and College Football Hall of Famer Roy Kidd, who coached the Colonels from 1964-2002, producing a record of 314-124-8 record and 16 Ohio Valley Conference titles. Kidd led the team to four straight national championship games between 1978 and 1982, winning twice in 1979 and 1982. In 39 seasons, his teams only suffered two losing campaigns. A career that is deserving to be adorned in a football stadium, perhaps we could use a little more on all levels of sports. Final Thoughts This is an interesting facility that should continue to suffice the needs of football enthusiasts on the campus of Eastern Kentucky for years to come. If you’re in the area, consider a visit to Roy Kidd Stadium.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Cox Pavilion 4505 S. Maryland Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89119 UNLV Rebels Women's Basketball website Cox Pavilion website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 2,500 Home of the Runnin' Rebels The Cox Pavilion is the home of women’s basketball and volleyball at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Opened in 2001, it allowed the women’s programs to move from the too-spacious Thomas & Mack Center into a space more suitable to the teams. A few games a year of women’s basketball are still played at the Thomas & Mack Center. Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion are co-located with each other and share box offices and parts of a concourse. A temporary wall is set up to separate the two venues in the concourse area and is obviously moved around as needed. They are located on the north end of the main UNLV campus. UNLV was established in 1957. It is located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, in what is technically unincorporated Clark County. The university has strong science, business management, and law programs. The William Harrah College of Hotel Administration is annually ranked among the top hospitality programs in the United States due to the university's proximity to the Las Vegas Strip. When the university was known as Nevada Southern University they had adopted the "Rebel" athletics moniker and utilized a mascot dressed in a southern Confederate uniform named Beauregard. The Confederate symbolism is gone but the “Rebel” mascot still roams the sidelines of most sports events. Famous UNLV graduates include Cecil Fielder, Randall Cunningham, Jimmy Kimmel, Suge Knight, and Guy Fieri. Food & Beverage 3 There is one simple food stand as part of the Cox Pavilion setup. The Cox Cafe is moderately priced with "Rebel Dogs" going for $4, pretzels $3, nachos $3, and popcorn for $3. The Kids Meal at $9 is a nice option that includes the hot dog, snack, and small soda. Sodas are $3 and $4, with bottled water also $3. This is Vegas, so you should probably eat before or after a game at Cox Pavilion. But if you need to grab something quickly, the choices are not overwhelming but fairly priced enough. Atmosphere 2 Unfortunately, the crowds for most women's basketball programs are not very large. UNLV is no exception here with a moderate size crowd filling in the basic two-grandstand setup here. The UNLV Pep Band provides some atmosphere at the games and the Rebel mascot can usually be seen as well. The venue can get pretty noisy, even with small crowds so watching a game here is still a good time. Neighborhood 5 Well, you are in Las Vegas, so the neighborhood is pretty good. The arena is not walkable from the strip, although if staying at the Hard Rock Casino a walk is possible. That would be the ideal choice if coming here especially to watch a UNLV game. The Las Vegas Strip is world famous with a bevy of food and entertainment options available. Mid-strip is always a solid choice. If you have a car it is always good to wander off the strip. That is where one of the best buffets in town is located. Head to the M Resort far south on Las Vegas Boulevard for their Studio B Buffet, which includes unlimited beer and wine. I also always recommend staying and playing in downtown Las Vegas. The prices are cheaper and the gambling is better. It is a bit grimier, but the area has a true life of its own. The D Hotel is a nice lodging choice there. Make sure to stop into Pizza Rock, Triple Seven Brewpub, and American Coney Island for great food. If just in a drinking mood, make sure to check out Oak and Ivy (in the very cool Downtown Container Park) and the iconic Atomic Liquors. There are also numerous bars in the Fremont East neighborhood, so that pretty much everyone can find a spot they will enjoy. Fans 3 There are just not enough fans for women's college basketball. That is unfortunate as the action and sportsmanship are amazing to witness. The UNLV fans who are at the game do a great job of making noise and celebrating their team. The game I attended was between semesters so there should be more students in attendance when school is in session. Access 4 Access to the venue is pretty good. Located right around the Paradise Road and Tropicana Road intersection the venue has plenty of free parking available. Las Vegas can get very crowded so plan ahead, especially if you need to cross parts of the Strip or North Paradise Road, near the Las Vegas Convention Center, when a large conference is in town. The I-15 interstate is not far away down Tropicana Road. Return on Investment 4 Tickets can be had for a fairly cheap price of $8. For the great entertainment value, as well as coming with free parking the return on investment is solid. . Extras 3 One of the NBA Summer Leagues often uses the Cox Pavilion. There are signs on the wall noting this. It is nice to see games at an arena where so many future and upcoming basketball stars have played at. I enjoyed seeing the volleyball and women's basketball teams having banners showing all of the current teams. That is a nice touch that makes you feel like rooting for the home team. The best extra is that you are in Las Vegas. Only minutes away is a large amount of entertainment, food, and gambling options that make this sports venue a unique sports choice. Final Thoughts The intimate atmosphere of this simple gym is an excellent choice while in Las Vegas when you want to witness some pure sports entertainment.

Photo Courtesy of Harry Potter Wordl Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Hogwarts, Scotland Gryffindor Lions website Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch website Year Opened: unknown Capacity: 10,000 Quidditch Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry started over 1,000 years ago. The exact time frame of the construction of the Quidditch Pitch and stands are unknown. Quidditch is a dangerous, yet popular, game played by witches and wizards all over the world. It is played on special flying broomsticks, uses three types of balls (one scarlet quaffle, two black bludgers, and one golden snitch) with seven players on each team. The pitch is used by all four teams of the school: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Teams fervently compete against one another to win the Inter-House Quidditch Cup every school year. The venue’s darkest moment, and indeed one of the darkest moments in Wizarding history, came not during a quidditch match but when it hosted the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament in 1995. The pitch was converted into a giant hedge maze with the championship trophy in the middle. Unbeknownst to the participants, the trophy had been converted into a Portkey, which set off the death of Cedric Diggory, the return of Lord Voldemort, and the beginning of the Second Wizarding War. Food & Beverage 5 A feast of unique choices are available for consumption at Quidditch Pitch. Golden plates and goblets are filled with roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup. Anything your taste buds desire. Pumpkin juice or butterbeer for drinks! We don’t recommend the Polyjuice as you’ll end up leaving the match as someone (or something) other than you arrived. Goblets of eggnog or firewhiskey in the cooler weather are great suggestions to warm fans up. And for the sweet tooth there are Bertie Bott’s Every Flavored Beans, peppermint humbugs, chocolate frogs, cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties, fizzing whizbees, and plenty more. The extraordinary and unique characteristic of the refreshments at Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch is the portions automatically refill. Atmosphere 4 The oval-shaped pitch is immaculately green and three 50-foot-high hoops emerge in each end of the field. The stadium’s seats rise extremely high on either side of the pitch so fans can watch the flying broomsticks’ soaring action. A high row and a center-pitch location provide the best view. Remember to bring binoculars or omnioculars, aka magic binoculars, as fans can be a distance from watching the match, the two black bludgers and scarlet quaffle. In an unusual twist for a live venue, spectators can hear the commentator call the match. The quality of commentators varies significantly, from the passionate, biased Lee Jordan to the excellent Professor McGonagall to the quixotic Luna Lovegood. And that last one is putting it nicely. Mascots or between-action entertainment is not needed, as thankfully, it is all about the fast-paced match being played. The atmosphere is especially high-charged when Gryffindor and Slytherin face off against each other. Neighborhood 2 The closest town to Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch is Hogsmeade, an enchanted town filled with shops and places to eat. Derish and Banges sells magical instruments and Honeydukes is a popular sweet shop for students which offers succulent-looking sweets, wizarding candy, and the owners make their own fudge. Zonko’s, a joke shop, is always an adventure, even for magical folk. The Three Broomsticks is a lively pub in town. Stadium Journey recommends not going to the Hog’s Head for a pint as it is quite filthy and the clientele are of a particular sort you’d be advised to avoid. When in town, be sure to visit the Shrieking Shack, a historic haunted building. Also, a visit to the post office to see the owls (300+) might be worth a stop, if that’s you’re thing. On a sunny spring day, the grounds around the pitch are perfect for playing wizard chess, Exploding Snap, a casual game of Gobstones or practicing dueling pre or post match. However, stay away from the perilous Whomping Willow on campus. Hotels, motels and BnB’s are not near the pitch nor the school. If taking the Hogwarts Express train to the school, the Leaky Cauldron (a wizard pub offering food, drinks and rooms to rent) is a few stops on the tube from Kings Cross station. Though many lodging places closer to Kings Cross are nicer, those are in the Muggle world; not the Sorcerers’ one, therefore not quite as interesting. Although not close at all to Hogwarts, other Quidditch teams to visit if in United Kingdom are the Chudley Cannons, Wimborne Wasps, Puddlemere United, Holyhead Harpies (all down south in England or Wales) or an even more exciting international team such as the Irish National Quidditch team is a short flight over the Irish Sea. One can always head to Easter Road in Edinburgh, home of the Hibernian FC, and watch a football match; different sport but closer to Hogwarts (at least in the same country). Fans 5 For security reasons, attendance is limited to Hogwarts personnel including students, professors, house-elves, and mischievous ghosts. Dementors are not permitted. Students turn out in great numbers to fill the stands. They sit with their respective houses and get thoroughly involved, waving flags, brandishing banners, and shooting off magical Filibuster fireworks. Tumultuous applause is awarded after amazing blocks and superb flying. The pitch has been the site of a number of fan incidents over the years, including a professor who was secretly Voldemort in disguise attempting to curse a player off his broomstick and a group of Slytherins disguising themselves as dementors to disrupt a match. Access 2 Getting to Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch can be tough as it is hours by train (Hogwarts Express) from Kings Cross station. The tricky part about this method is you need to know how to get to platform nine and three-quarters. Due to protective enchantments, Hogwarts is not accessible via Apparating, Portkey, or Floo Powder, although some of these may have been lifted with the end of the Wizarding War and final defeat of Voldemort. Restrooms are located in the school castle. For the ladies, we recommend not using the one on the second floor just above the Great Hall as you may run into Moaning Myrtle who sometimes floods the floor. If getting lost in the school castle (the spiral staircases randomly move), check the Marauder’s Map. The clear bag policy is not in affect and fans do not need to walk through metal detectors nor be wanded (Muggle wand!) when entering the stadium. Muggle technology is less than useful in this magical environment. Return on Investment 5 Admission and concessions are free to all Hogwarts personnel. The excitement of watching a quidditch match is nothing less than exhilarating, bewitching and thrilling. Extras 4 A merchandise shop is located not far from the entrance and offers scarves (no half and half scarves are for sale – real fans don’t like them). Other items offered are Filibuster fireworks, sparkling roaring pinwheels, rosettes, moving player figurines, team robes and hats in various sizes (all four house garments are for sale), quidditch gear, and much more. Prices range from five sickles to ten galleons (though a few trinkets are priced at 19 – 29 knuts). Watching a match in a historical, magical venue and school is always something worth writing home about. Having refreshments automatically refill is certainly worth an extra mention. Always refreshing at a sports venue, spectators can actually hear the commentator call the match. Final Thoughts Only scorcerers are able to witness a quidditch match at Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch, much to the despair of us other sports fans. If you are in Scotland, are a sports fan, and are a witch or wizard, put visiting Hogwarts for a quidditch match on your bucket list! ** A special thanks to Gregory Koch who helped with wording of the historical references and tried his best to keep me on track with actual book facts (he didn’t always succeed). Thanks Gregory! Additionally, thanks to J.K Rowling for creating such an entertaining read beginning more than 25 years ago.**

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Progressive Auto Sales Arena 1455 London Road Sarnia, ON N7T 7N2 Sarnia Sting website Progressive Auto Sales Arena website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 5,500 Sarnia is Buzzing with the Sting The Progressive Auto Sales Arena is home to the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. It has a seating capacity of 5,500 and sits on the campus of Lambton College. The building debuted in 1998, four seasons after the Sting arrived, and features 43 luxury suites, two full-size NHL rinks, and a full-service restaurant. In 2017, the arena received a new scoreboard, renovated the suites, added team colors and murals on the concourse walls, a new dressing room for players, and, in 2023, new dasher boards and a Kahlenberg goal horn. The franchise began operations in 1969 as the Cornwall Royals in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team captured the Memorial Cup in 1972, 1980, and 1981. The following year, the club transferred to the Ontario Hockey League and, in 1992, relocated to Newmarket, Ontario. The Royals would spend two seasons before being sold and moved to Sarnia. The renamed Sting played at the Sarnia Arena, now known as the Pat Stapleton Arena, while plans were drawn for a modern facility that would open in October 1998. Food & Beverage 4 The arena offers an array of food and drink options during the hockey game. There are several Stammer’s Stations located in the corner of the concourse offering a bulk of items from pizza slices, hot dogs, burgers, nachos, chicken tenders, boneless chicken bites, crispy chicken tenders, fries, and poutine. Many of these items can be upgraded for a few dollars more as a combo with fries and a drink (Pepsi products). The alcohol selection includes domestic and premium tall cans of Coors/Miller Lite, Coors Original, Molson Canadian, Molson OV, and Sting Light Lager. Other options include hard root beer, seltzer, and wine. The Rink Side Restaurant has its menu and drink options included with an additional price of a ticket. The team offers a carving station of sliced roast beef, grilled onions, and horseradish sauce on a soft bun. Atmosphere 4 The Progressive Auto Sales Arena is primarily made for hockey, and it is evident by the open concourse design, the sunken ice rink, standing-room-only railings, and details on the walls that showcase the Sting colors of black and yellow from former players, concession stands, and aesthetics. It is cramped due to the single concourse that wraps around the entirety of the building but features a team store stocked with jerseys, shirts, stuffed animals, hats, and other paraphernalia. The Rink Side Restaurant is separate from the seating bowl, offering fans views of the arena with a full-service bar, and various banners are on display honoring past players and individuals who have made their mark on hockey that are from Sarnia. Buzz and Honey are the official mascots of the team. They can be seen throughout the game, providing hugs and photo opportunities with fans. There is also a corner bar area that offers fans a little nook to enjoy a beer while talking with others during intermission. There is also the goal horn that is deafening after a Sting goal. Neighborhood 3 The arena is on the campus of Lambton College and within walking distance of the Lambton Mall and other retail stores and restaurants. Don’t be surprised to see fans in Sting game shopping at Walmart or Canadian Tire stores after the game. Several national chains include burger joints Harvey’s and Swiss Chalet Chicken. However, there are a few casual restaurants: Lonzo’s Kitchen, Crabby Joe’s, Twisted Arm, Chuck’s Roadhouse, and Stoke’s Inland Grill. Downtown Sarnia is about a 10-minute drive from the arena. The Pat Stapleton Arena still houses Junior B hockey, while Imperial City Brewhouse and Refined Fool Brewing Company are worth checking out. Fans 4 The main concourse is cramped and gets dense during intermission. It is full of fans dressed in Sting gear, young fans blowing horns and ringing cowbells, and other fans enjoying a bite to eat or drink. It has been a down year for the club in the standings, but the crowd is still “buzzing” during home games. Access 3 The arena is easily accessible from 402 and 40 on the east side of town. The arena is nestled into the campus buildings, with plenty of parking in lots surrounding it. Once inside, the main concourse is small and gets packed during the first and second intermissions of the game, leading to long lines or weaving in and out of traffic to get back to your seats. Return on Investment 4 There are three-tier ticket pricing: $16 for the Energy Zone behind the goalie, $24 for regular seats, and $28 for club seats. Parking is free for the game, and concession prices range from $4 for a medium pop, $5.50 for a hot dog, and $9.75 for a domestic can of beer. The meal deals include fries and pop and sell between $12 to $15. Extras 3 The Sting earns a point for the aesthetics around the building that tie it to the team. Murals, team colors, banners, and bee-themed areas let fans know they are at the home of the Sarnia Sting. The Sting retired Steven Stamkos’s number 91. Stamkos went on to star for the Tampa Bay Lightning after his junior playing days and led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. The team also honors local player Shawn Burr and former NHL referee and current analyst Kerry Fraser. The Platinum Club offers a diverse menu, great views of the two rinks, and a party area for the kids. There is a full-service bar. Final Thoughts Progressive Auto Sales Arena is a quaint, hockey-friendly building that offers what many want out of a night of junior hockey. It is not flashy, offers vast concourses, or some of the bells and whistles an hour away in London and Windsor, but it does not have to. It is a cozy place to watch hockey with a few thousand rabid fans. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Little Caesars Arena 2465 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 Detroit Pistons website Little Caesars Arena website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 20,491 It’s Still Deee-Troit Bas-ket-ball The public address announcer for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA takes great pleasure when the Pistons get possession of the ball after it goes out of bounds. The sweet sounds of John Mason’s “Dee-troit Bas-ketIball” is as iconic in the Motor City as the Bad Boys themselves. However, since the seventies the Pistons were the victim of a bitter ownership feud between Pistons owner Bill Davidson and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Illitch. When the Red Wings moved out of Olympia Arena, the Pistons protested what they viewed as poor conditions at Cobo Arena and moved out of Detroit proper to Pontiac to play in the ridiculously massive Pontiac Silverdome. In 1988 the Pistons would leave Pontiac for a more appropriate venue in Auburn Hills at The Palace of Auburn Hills . The Palace was a terrific venue for the Pistons and they would see their greatest franchise moments there including their three NBA Championships and over 300 consecutive sellouts. With the Pistons changing ownership to Tom Gores after the death of Bill Davidson, and the Red Wings building a new arena, the opportunity presented itself to move back downtown after four decades away. Mike Illitch was always a proponent of bringing businesses back downtown and he always put his money where his mouth was. Little Caesars Arena is the new home for both the Red Wings and the Pistons and is just on the other side of the Fisher Freeway from close neighbors Ford Field, Comerica Park and the Fox Theater. John Mason has joined the Pistons and his iconic call can still be heard throughout basketball games. It may be a bit of an unfamiliar locale, but it is still Detroit Basketball. Food & Beverage 4 In any new arena, or arena that has a significant renovation, concessions seems to be front and center, and Little Caesars arena is no different. Upon entering the arena it is not hard to find an LCA staff member that is willing to show the different concession options on the arena map that they carry with them. Little Caesars Arena offers a few larger concession areas as opposed to many small stands. The Classics concession has all of those arena options that fans would expect including hot dogs ($4.75), popcorn ($4.50), pretzels, brats and nachos. Other concession areas fans may consider include the Coop, which features a variety of chicken options, Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit, Mike’s Pizza Bar, Mac & Cheese and of course Little Caesars Pizza ($6.75). One of the most popular spots is the District Market, which offers a variety of different stands in an urban market type of setting. There are a variety of craft beer selections available at Little Caesars Arena. The traditional, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as Blue Light can be found but Bell’s and Goose Island products are also easily found as well as Founders’ All Day IPA. Beer is found from $9.00 to $11.50. Other cocktails and daiquiris can be found throughout also. Soft drinks feature Coca-Cola products ($6/$7.25) and bottled water and hot beverages are also available. One of the great parts of the Little Caesars Arena concession scene is that there are great concession options on the upper level as well as the lower level, which is not necessarily commonplace. Atmosphere 5 Little Caesars Arena attempts to meld a modern arena with something from a different era. The exterior of the Little Caesars Arena attempts to bring you back to old Olympia Arena in Detroit, which the Pistons and Red Wings shared. A healthy mix of glass and brick, the exterior of Little Caesars Arena is very attractive. The west side of the arena features the Chevrolet Plaza which has a huge video screen and is a terrific meeting spot between the arena and parking garage. There are also a number of restaurants around the arena, one of which, curiously, features a large outdoor patio which would not be used during either hockey or basketball seasons. The exterior is filled with LED screens which change content based on the event being held. For Pistons games, the exterior looks much more like the home of the Pistons than for other events. On the inside of Little Caesars Arena, there is a distinct clash of styles. The exterior is an old school Detroit warehouse feel, similar to Ford Field. The use of brick and very high open ceilings along with large windows to allow natural light in gives the arena a whole different feel. The details are significant with large pictures of key athletes and displays of historic memorabilia, right down to the manhole covers that honor specific Pistons or Red Wings athletes. The feel of walking through a promenade or outdoor mall is strong when walking through the concourses. The interior is far different, with a significantly modern feel. Around the seating bowl, the use of lighting is very strong, blue or red for the exterior of the seating bowl. The upper concourses retain a view of the lower concourses giving the arena an open and airy feel. Inside the seating bowl, fans are immediately greeted with the massive, crystal clear video board and the sheer volume of banners hanging from the rafters. Piston greats Chauncey Billups, Chuck Daly, Ben Wallace, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Vinnie Johnson, Bob Lanier, Dave Bing, Richard Hamilton, Bill Laimbeer, Bill Davidson and Jack McCloskey are all honored and have banners hanging with the 1989, 1990 and 2004 NBA Championship banners. The arena floor is in a north-south orientation and that perfect picture of the court will come from the east side of the court. The seats in Little Caesars Arena are large and padded with red leather. The Pistons put together a solid show as part of their game day experience. The Pistons do a phenomenal job of using their new LED light technology as part of the show, not the least of which is creating an LED colored ceiling which changes for different events. The Pistons Entertainment Team helps entertain the crowd with the Pistons Dancers performing at breaks and welcoming fans as they enter the arena. The Pistons Drumline plays as part of the pregame intros welcoming the teams and the mascot Hooper makes his way around the arena and flies the Pistons flag at the beginning of the game. Upon exiting the arena at the end of the evening or afternoon, the Pistons Drumline plays in the concourse to hopefully send off the Pistons faithful back to their transportation happy. Pistons PA announcer John Mason is now a local legend with his call, especially his “Deee-Troit Bas-ket-ball” when the Pistons get the ball on a side out. Neighborhood 4 Little Caesars Arena is located north of the Fisher Freeway, I-75, in an area of Detroit that is still undergoing some significant gentrification. Both Comerica Park and Ford Field are on the other side of the highway, well within walking distance, in an area that has been better developed over a significant period of time. The whole area is now being referred to as District Detroit. Technically, the arena is at the south end of the Midtown neighborhood. There are a number of options for fans for both pre and post game fare. Some options include the restaurants that are in Little Caesars Arena as well as Harry’s, Detroit One Coney Island, the Detroit Beer Co, Cheli’s Chili Bar and the infamous Hockeytown Cafe. Little Caesars Arena is located near the Greektown neighborhood, which features the Greektown Casino. Other entertainment options nearby include the Fox Theatre, the Fillmore Detroit and the Detroit Opera House. Other sporting options nearby include the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, which share Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Tigers of MLB who play at Comerica Park and the Detroit Lions of the NFL who play at Ford Field. All are in walking distance. Traditionally, Ford Field hosts the Quick Lane Bowl on December 26th and features NCAA football teams from the Big Ten, ACC and or MAC. The closest NCAA basketball venue is Calihan Hall, which is the home of the Detroit Mercy Titans of the Horizon League. Fans who require accommodations near Little Caesars Arena may want to consider The Inn at 97 Winder, the Hilton Garden Inn or the Greektown Hotel. Fans 3 At one point in time, Detroit Pistons fans were the cream of the crop. Recording over three hundred consecutive sell-outs across the eighties and nineties, The Palace was rocking and a rough place to play as an opponent. Tough economic times throughout Michigan and Detroit would take its toll on the Pistons and attendance began to fall off from the regular 22,000 fans to around 15,000. Unfortunately with the move to Little Caesars Arena the attendance figures have not really improved. Considering that at the time of this review, the Pistons were greatly improved from the previous season, holding down a top four playoff spot and playing in a brand new building, this is definitely a disappointment. Curiously, attendance for Red Wings games are as strong as ever. Access 3 Little Caesars Arena is located immediately north of I-75, the Fisher Freeway, between Highway 10 and I-375. It is immediately north of Downtown Detroit proper, in Midtown. The Fisher Freeway is a sunken highway with a few streets that cross over the highway. The downtown part of Detroit, south of the highway, can get very congested also, especially if there are events at the theatres, Comerica Park or Ford Field. All of this adds to a very congested drive to the arena from the south. There is parking on both sides of the highway, but it can be very pricy. Although, parking is not too difficult to find, there are ads all over the arena to pre-book and pre-pay for parking. There is a lack of private lots outside of the large garages and during a busy day it is very conceivable that fans who have not planned appropriately will have difficulty finding parking. Parking is expensive and will range from $25 to $40 and above. For fans who require public transit, there are buses that travel Woodward Ave as well as light rail, the QLine. Fans can check the QLine and Detroit Department of Transportation websites for fares, maps and schedules. There is also a shuttle bus that heads to the arena from the Greektown Casino. Ticketing windows are best found in the Chevrolet Plaza, which offers a great deal of space. Security and entry into major sports stadiums and arenas is in a constant state of flux. When heading to an event at Little Caesars Arena, it is highly recommended that fans consult the Detroit Pistons and Little Caesars Arena websites to find out the most current security procedures. The concourses in Little Caesars Arena are fairly wide and getting around the arena is not too difficult. The washrooms are adequate for the arena size. Return on Investment 3 As far as compared to other major sports, the NBA remains one of the better bargains. Tickets can be found on the primary market for as little as $14 and can go up to $275. As with other teams and leagues, ticket prices will fluctuate for various dates and visiting teams. For example, the cheapest ticket available for the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors when they come to Little Caesars Arena is $75. Both concession and parking prices are on the expensive side. Fans will find the experience at the Pistons enjoyable, and for the most part feel that they received their monies worth. However, rapidly rising costs across all sports is becoming a significant impediment and should not be discounted when questioning the lower than expected attendance numbers. Extras 4 An extra mark for PA announcer John Mason and his iconic “Deee-Troit Bas-ket-ball” call. An extra mark for the Pistons working with the city and the Detroit Red Wings to bring the Pistons back downtown and contribute to the reinvigoration of downtown Detroit. An extra mark for the use of LED lighting, which Little Caesars Arena uses to perfection. An extra mark for Piston promotions. The game which was reviewed was Star Wars Night and a great time for kids young and old. Final Thoughts Although The Palace of Auburn Hills was a solid home for the Detroit Pistons, the lure of a brand new arena in a new era of Detroit ownership cooperation was too much for the Pistons to pass up. Overall the move to Little Caesars Arena is a positive one for the Pistons and will be a great home for the team for years to come. For those who long for the Palace, fear not, there is much the same at LCA and it is still Deee-troit Bas-ket-ball!

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 GoMart Ballpark 601 Morris St Charleston, WV 25301 Charleston Dirty Birds GoMart Ballpark website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 4,500 A Toast to the Dirty Birds   Professional baseball has been played in the city of Charleston since 1910. Numerous franchises in numerous leagues called West Virginia’s capital home before the Charleston Wheelers arrived in town in 1987. Originally a co-op team with a roster made up of players from several franchises, The Wheelers won a South Atlantic League championship in 1990.   The team was rebranded as the Charleston Alley Cats in 1995, but was unable to find a consistent MLB affiliate or even consistent ownership, as the team was sold numerous times. With the construction of Appalachian Power Park in 2005 the team was rebranded as the West Virginia Power. But still, stability eluded the franchise, as the team was dropped from affiliated baseball with the Great Minor League Baseball Reorganization of 2020.   A new ownership group led by Andy Shea, who was also the owner of the Lexington Legends, purchased the team in February 2021. Both teams joined the independent Atlantic League for the 2021 season. In September 2021 the team was rebranded as the Charleston Dirty Birds, a reference to the canary in a coal mine. During their first three seasons in the Atlantic League, the Dirty Birds have qualified for the playoffs once.   Food & Beverage 3    Concession stands are located on either side of the ballpark. The menu here doesn’t stray too far from standard ballpark fare. Fans can get a little taste of West Virginia by purchasing a pepperoni roll, a favorite local snack. On the plus side, prices are very reasonable throughout the facility.   Pepsi products are featured at GoMart Ballpark. For fans who enjoy an adult beverage during the game, local craft beers from Stone Brewing are featured alongside the national brands.   Atmosphere 4   The Dirty Birds put on a typical minor league baseball show, with not a lot going on throughout the game to distract one’s attention from the action on the field. There’s a scoreboard in left-center field that is put to good use with graphics, photos and videos, the sound system is decent, with the typical music and PA adding to the atmosphere. The team’s mascot, a giant canary, roams the concourse interacting with fans.   There’s a kids zone behind home plate where younger fans in attendance can let off some steam, a mini golf course located down the left field line where fans can get in a quick nine holes, and some art work throughout ballpark by local artists that gives the ballpark a little flavor. The first base concourse is meant to evoke memories of Eutaw Street in Baltimore. It’s a nice, small facility in a nice, small town.   This all sounds pretty average so far, so why the above-average score? Three words: The Toast Man. Local politician Rod Blackstone has been taking up residence behind home plate at Charleston professional baseball games since 1992, dating back to the days of the Charleston Wheelers and Watt Powell Park. Blackstone leads the cheers in the sections behind home plate, punctuating visiting team strikeouts by yelling “You Are Toast!” and throwing pieces of toast in the air. How integral to the team is the Toast Man? When GoMart Ballpark was built in 2005, they made sure to include a power outlet and room for Blackstone’s table and toaster.   Neighborhood 2   GoMart Stadium is located in the East End of Charleston, West Virginia’s downtown. The CAMC General Hospital is behind the first base side of the facility and the state capitol building is about two miles away. Despite the ballpark’s downtown location, there’s not a ton of dining or lodging options right near the ballpark. Charleston is a small city of about 50,000 residents, so getting around the area isn’t too difficult if you’re staying in the area.   Capitol Street (ironically located in the opposite direction from the capitol building from the ballpark) is a historic dining and shopping area of the city. It’s located less than a mile from GoMart Ballpark. The Greater Charleston area offers many outdoor activities for fans visiting during baseball season.   Fans 4   The Dirty Birds have ranked in the middle of the Atlantic League attendance rankings since their arrival in the circuit, averaging about 2,500 fans per game in 2023 and 2024. The crowd is pretty typical of most minor league crowds around the country, with a mix of diehard fans, casual fans enjoying an affordable night out, with families and groups scattered throughout the ballpark.   As mentioned before, sitting behind home plate with the Toast Man and the rest of the Dirty Birds’ superfans will give a visiting fan a totally different perspective of the Charleston game day experience. Their presence lifts this score above the average.   Access 5   Interstates 64 and 77 meet and combine in Charleston and run a short distance from GoMart Ballpark. Exit 100 drops visitors off about three blocks from the park, while the onramp to the interstate runs right along the third base side of the facility. Parking is located in a pair of lots right across the street to the ballpark’s entrance. Fans using public transportation can take the 11 or 14 bus to the stop at the corner of Morris and Smith Streets.   The box office and main entrance to GoMart Ballpark are located in the right field corner of the ballpark on Morris Street. After a quick security check, fans will enter a concourse meant to evoke images of Eutaw Street at Camden Yards. The team store and concession stands are built into the buildings that run along this concourse.   The 360-degree concourse that runs along the top of the seating bowl allows for views of the field from most points. Lines to the concession stands and restrooms are not usually an issue here. Seating consists of individual plastic chairs with cupholders. Sections furthest down the foul lines consist of metal bleachers with backs. There are picnic tables and areas for fans to mingle scattered throughout the ballpark. Fans who wish to roam around the facility will find plenty of standing room areas.   Return on Investment 5   Tickets to Dirty Birds games are very affordable, priced at $8 for general admission seats, $10 for box seats and $11 for premium seats in the sections behind home plate. Weekday games are discounted by one dollar. Purchasing your tickets on the day of the game increases the cost by two dollars.   Parking in the lots across the street from the entrance to the ballpark costs $5. With reasonable concessions prices, an evening at GoMart Ballpark is a most affordable entertainment option for central West Virginia sports fans.   Be aware that GoMart Ballpark is a cashless facility. Fans can convert cash into a card at the box office, team store, or fan assistance table.   Extras 2   The Michael C. Paterno Wall of Fame is located on the back side of the press box, honoring some of the more notable players from the area or those who passed through town during their careers. Among the notable names to be found here are Dave Parker, Kent Tekulve, Tommy John and Trevor Hoffman. Of course, the Toast Man is immortalized here as well.   Nods to Charleston’s baseball history can be found all over GoMart Ballpark, from the former team logos painted on the back of the press box to the Charleston Charlies gear sold in the team store.     Final Thoughts   GoMart Ballpark may not be the type of ballpark that makes anyone’s “Best Of” list. But it does many things well. It’s inexpensive, cozy and thanks to The Toast Man and the cast of regulars in Section 107, incredibly entertaining. This ballpark suits the Atlantic League, the city of Charleston and its baseball fans perfectly.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 UFCU Stadium 1100 Aquarena Springs Dr San Marcos, TX 78666 Texas State Bobcats website UFCU Stadium website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 28,000 Texas State Bobcats – UFCU Stadium Excitement has reached levels that haven't been seen in San Marcos, Texas, in over a generation – the Texas State Bobcats are experiencing a level of prominence they have not experienced to date as members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). After a historic 2023-24 season, in which they won a program-high eight wins, as well as won their first bowl game, the Bobcats are riding a wave that fans hope can carry them to even greater postseason glory. After their fantastic campaign last season, investments in the stadium were begun during the 2024 season, including a new multi-year naming rights agreement  and expanding the stadium with a new end zone complex , slated to be completed by 2025. The Bobcats have called their current stadium home since 1981; it was in these early seasons that the team experienced its greatest levels of success, including taking home two Division II national championships (in 1981 and 1982) under Hall of Fame head coach Jim Wacker. The Bobcats are now looking to duplicate some measure of this success with head coach G. J. Kinne – read on to learn what’s got Texas State fans excited in San Marcos.   Food & Beverage   3 The food and beverage options at UFCU Stadium are what I would classify as “fine” – there are plenty of stands where you can get your traditional game day fare (e.g. hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, peanuts, etc.). The alcohol policy at the stadium changed in 2016 to allow the sale of it during games; now you can buy beer (including some from Texas breweries like Karbach, Ziegenbock, and St. Arnold’s) at multiple kiosks and carts throughout the main concourse. In terms of other foods to look out for, you can find a barbecue stand, a Chick-fil-A stand, a Pizza Hut stand, and an empanadas cart. There is also a stand selling fresh-squeezed lemonade and carnival fare such as funnel cake, kettle corn, cotton candy, and candy apples.   Atmosphere   4 The atmosphere at the last game I attended at UFCU Stadium was, quite frankly, electric. For transparency’s sake, this was a rivalry game, with a lot at stake, and the contest was being broadcast nationally on one of the 4-letter network channels. The game had one of the largest crowds in the history of the stadium, and that made the atmosphere even better. For the window-dressing part of this section, UFCU Stadium has several team stores inside for fans to purchase team merchandise. The exterior of the luxury boxes on the home side of the field is also adorned with markers commemorating the team’s successes (i.e. their conference and national championships). The pregame festivities included the performance of the band (more on them in the Extras section), as well as having the school president and his wife, clad in matching Texas State embroidered leather jackets and cowboy hats), lead the team out onto the field while riding a motorcycle – only in college football, only in Texas.   Neighborhood   3 San Marcos is pretty much the picture-perfect realization of a Texas college town. Halfway between San Antonio and Austin, it has grown considerably over the years in terms of population, but it still retains a lot of what made it arguably the Lone Star State’s best college burg. The Bobcats are the only game in town, and the interest in the school shows – especially among the student body in the last few years, as the football team’s fortunes have risen. UFCU Stadium sits right on campus amidst Texas State’s athletics complex ( Bobcat Ballpark  and Strahan Coliseum  are within walking distance), so if you plan your visit right you might be able to catch another Texas State game, depending on the time of the year. In terms of things to do, the absolute main draw to the area is the beautiful San Marcos River . It is a hotbed of swimming, kayaking, tubing (especially tubing), and fishing in the state, as people flock from all around to get a taste of the river when the weather is right. Up until October, visitors to San Marcos looking to take in a game at UFCU Stadium will also be able to get their sample of river life before the temperatures head south. Since this is a college town, most of the dining options near the stadium are going to cater to the student body. However, a couple of highlights to be on the lookout for include Spud Ranch  (gussied-up baked potatoes for the win) and Lucy’s Tacos  (you can’t go wrong with Tex-Mex in this part of the world). There aren’t any lodging destinations (aside from vacation rentals) near the stadium, but there are quite a few within a 10-minute drive of the venue, including Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin & San Marcos  and Motel 6 San Marcos .   Fans   3 While it has not always been the case, especially in recent years, the fans are showing out right now for the Texas State Bobcats. The most recent game I attended – again, a rivalry game, but still – was a virtual sellout. Fans were decked out in their maroon and gold in and around the stadium hours  before the game. They were also exceptionally loud from my vantage point, which added to their home field advantage. However, the one caveat I will put out is that this is virtually uncharted territory for Bobcat fans; things were bleak in terms of fan interest in the not-too-distant past. Keeping this interest in the program, if things should slow down on the field, will be a test they’ll need to take at some point down the road.   Access   3 San Marcos is roughly smackdab in between San Antonio and Austin along Interstate 35 and its endless, ongoing construction projects. The campus is about 35 minutes from downtown Austin and about 45 minutes from the Alamo City’s downtown – if you’re flying in from somewhere, Austin Bergstrom International Airport is 41 minutes away. There isn’t much in the way of public transportation in San Marcos; there are limited bus routes and shuttle buses on campus if you choose not to drive. The only other option is, of course, a rideshare service. Once you get to the stadium, however, parking is plentiful in five full lots open to the public, as well as at numerous businesses nearby that offer their lots for a fee.   Return on Investment   4 Single-game tickets for Bobcats games at UFCU Stadium start at $20 per person, with pre-purchased parking passes starting at $15. Concession prices are also relatively low for FBS/DI football. For the attention that the team is getting these days, this is looking like quite the bargain – I wouldn’t expect these costs to stay this way for much longer if the Bobcats continue this upward trajectory.   Extras   4 Texas State offers up a lot of the pageantry that is unique to college football, and that goes a long way toward making gamedays so special. The festivities start right out of the proverbial gate with the Bobcat Marching Band , aka the “Pride of the Hill Country” – the band performs the school fight song while marching across the field before the game. They also spell out “CATS” and “STATE” as they play “Deep in the Heart of Texas” to the delight of the fans in the stands. The Texas State Cheer  team and their costumed mascot, Boko , also perform throughout the game. In addition, one of the main draws at games is the famous Texas State Strutters . This team, known for their distinctive uniforms, has performed in parades and functions all over the world. The Strutters are a highlight, so plan your halftime trips accordingly.   Final Thoughts I’ve been to quite a few games at the former Bobcat Stadium over the years. However, what Texas State has going on right now at UFCU Stadium is unlike anything I’ve experienced in the past. There is an energy and excitement around athletics – especially the football team – that hasn’t been seen here before. College football fans will find a lot to enjoy about the stadium and the program right now. I think visitors will also find San Marcos a nice place to spend a day. While I wouldn’t put them down as bucket list worthy, the Texas State Bobcats and UFCU Stadium are still worthy of a trip if you have the time. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on X @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Brown Stadium 400 Elmgrove Ave Providence, RI 02906 Brown Bears football website Brown Stadium website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 20,000 Brown Bears Den Football has been played at Brown University since 1878. In the early years of the program, football games were played at Adelaide Park in the Elmwood neighborhood of Providence or on a makeshift field on campus. The squad eventually moved to Andrews Field, a combination football/baseball/track stadium across the street from present-day Brown Stadium. The Bears played there from 1899 to 1925. Brown Stadium is located on Elmgrove Avenue on Providence’s East Side about ¾ of a mile from the school’s other athletic facilities and over a mile from campus. The stadium was financed entirely through subscriptions and built to be expandable to a capacity of 32,000. The planned construction of a larger grandstand on the north side of the facility never occurred, and Brown Stadium’s capacity has remained at 20,000. For the 2021 season a new FieldTurf surface was installed and named for Richard I. Gouse, class of 1968, the field’s primary donor. The Bears have won or shared four Ivy League championships over their long history, most recently in 2008. Perhaps their most noteworthy team played in 1926, when the “Iron Men”, a team that consisted of eleven players who played both ways for two entire games, finished with a 9-0-1 record. In 1914 Brown played in the Rose Bowl, losing to Washington 14-0. Five persons affiliated with Brown football have been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, including John Heisman. Food and Beverage 4 There have been many changes in the concession offerings at Brown Stadium. In addition to the usual stadium fare sold in the stands underneath the concrete grandstand, there are a variety of food trucks ringing Brown Stadium. It’s a welcome improvement from the basic fare offered here for years. Behind the north grandstand fans will find a lineup of food trucks. Among the offerings here are gourmet empanadas, gyros and falafels, chili dogs and Brazilian food. Additional food trucks located in other parts of the stadium sell coffee and hot beverages as well as frozen lemonade. It’s an eclectic mix with something for everyone. Coca-Cola products are featured at Brown Stadium. Fans looking for an adult beverage can check out the Narragansett Beer Garden in the northeast corner of the stadium, where assorted brews from the local favorite are available. Atmosphere 3 Let’s face it. Brown Stadium is way, way bigger than the Brown Bears need it to be. With a capacity of 20,000 and an average attendance of 4,000, There’s usually a ton of empty space that just swallows up any noise or excitement generated by a crowd here. But when you hit it right, a game at Brown Stadium can be a lot of fun. During Stadium Journey’s most recent visit a crowd of 10,000 fans took in a game against Harvard on a beautiful fall afternoon. There was a buzz in the stands not normally seen here. The student body showed up in force and was loud throughout the first half, despite many of them arriving late and leaving early. Unfortunately, this experience is the exception and not the rule at Brown. Brown, like all the other Ivy League schools, try their best to be wacky and irreverent, but their efforts generally fall flat. All the familiar pieces are here, including a pep band that performs throughout the game, a cheerleading squad and a (sometimes) active student section. With rivalries that go back over a century, there’s a fun give-and-take between fans from the opposing sides. During play stoppages field goal contests, t-shirt tosses and even chocolate tosses keep the energy going. Neighborhood 5 Brown Stadium is located over a mile away from the main university campus in the affluent East Side neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. The East Side is known for its old-school charm away from the bustle of the downtown area. While there aren’t any restaurants directly adjacent to Brown Stadium, there are several spots nearby worth a look. The East Side is known for its quaint spots and bohemian vibe, and you won’t be disappointed as you explore the area. Hope Street, Thayer Street, Wayland Square and Wickenden Street all boast excellent shops and eateries not far from Brown Stadium. Of course, downtown Providence, known as one of the top mid-sized cities in the country for foodies, is only two miles away at the bottom of College Hill. If looking for sporting options while visiting Providence, you have several options. Brown’s other sports facilities, including Meehan Auditorium , Pizzitola Sports Center and Murray Field are located about ¾ of a mile away near the main campus. The Amica Mutual Pavilion is located downtown, serving as home to the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins and Providence College basketball . Fans 2 There can be a great deal of fluctuation in attendance from game to game depending on who is in town, but over the years the average yearly attendance at Brown football games settles in at about 4,000 fans per game. You can imagine that in a facility the size of Brown Stadium that a smaller crowd can get swallowed up by the size of the place. Likewise, there’s not a significant turnout by the student body for Brown football games. Even when there is a big turnout, as there was during Stadium Journey’s 2022 visit, many of the students arrived late and left early. Most of the fans in attendance are locals who have been coming to the East Side for years. With the Ivy League’s compact footprint, it’s not unusual to see a good turnout from the visiting side. Access 4 Brown Stadium is located in Providence’s East Side neighborhood, about ¾ of a mile from the university’s other athletic facilities and about a mile from campus. Getting to the stadium requires navigating the crooked streets of the East Side no matter from which direction you are coming. The most straightforward way to get to Brown Stadium is to take the Gano Street exit (Exit 3) off of Interstate 195. Detailed directions can be found here . Traffic can slow down on these side streets, but it’s generally pretty simple for fans to navigate the area. For fans utilizing public transportation, RIPTA’s number 40 bus stops right at the stadium on Elmgrove Avenue. There’s a decent sized parking lot adjacent to Brown Stadium where fans are allowed to tailgate, but many fans will forego the $25 price tag and find free parking on the neighborhood streets surrounding the stadium. Spots can usually be found within a few blocks of the facility. Strangely enough, the main entrance at Brown Stadium is not located in the giant grandstand, but on the opposite (visiting) side of the stadium. The majority of the seating at Brown Stadium is contained in the large trapezoid-shaped concrete grandstand on the southwest side of the facility. At its apex there are 72 rows of aluminum bleachers, so there is plenty of room to spread out. Additional seating is located on the northeast side of the field, where a smaller structure consists of more aluminum bleachers. A paved walkway connects the Elmgrove Street entrance with seating areas on both sides of the field. Rest rooms are located underneath both grandstands. They are decidedly small and dated (you don’t see the old-school troughs in many places anymore), but are large enough to handle a typical Brown football crowd. Likewise, lines form at the concession stands at halftime, but are generally not an issue. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Brown football games are reasonably priced, with all seats priced at $15 for adults and $10 for youth and seniors. Ticket prices are the same whether purchasing reserved seats or general admission. Waiting until game day to buy your tickets will increase the price by five dollars. For visiting fans who wish to tailgate before the game, Lot 88 is located next to the main entrance on Elmgrove Ave. Parking in this lot will cost you $25. For those balking at that price, there is ample free parking on the streets surrounding the stadium. Since Brown doesn’t usually attract huge crowds for football, you should be able to find a spot a short walk from the game. All fans are given a free program upon entrance to Brown Stadium. Concessions are reasonably priced, making Brown an affordable entertainment option for Rhode Island sports fans. Extras 2 Brown Stadium’s unique seating area earns an extra point. You would be hard pressed to find another seating bowl like this trapezoidal structure. Consisting of a lung-splitting 72 rows at its apex (and nary an elevator in sight), this concrete behemoth contains the university seal, several ornate “B” logos and a pair of bear heads on its façade. Brown displays their long and illustrious history throughout Brown Stadium. Banners honoring championship teams, record setting accomplishments and noteworthy players are hung throughout the facility. Final Thoughts Brown Stadium is quickly approaching its 100th season of use. Despite its long history, Brown Stadium just doesn’t seem to get the love that some of the Ivy League’s other facilities get. Perhaps it’s due to Brown’s lack of consistent success on the gridiron, but Brown football seems to be little more than an afterthought, even in Providence. Still, college football fans could do a lot worse than taking in a game in a laid-back atmosphere on a gorgeous fall afternoon in Rhode Island’s capital city. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Regency Furniture Stadium 11765 Saint Linus Dr Waldorf, MD 20602 Southern Maryland Blue Crabs website Regency Furniture Stadium website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 4,200 Welcome To Crustacean Nation Regency Furniture Stadium is the home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League. The Atlantic League is an independent league that is not affiliated with a Major League team. The stadium first opened in May, 2008 when the Blue Crabs knocked off the Lancaster Barnstormers 3-2. It is an aesthetically pleasing ballpark designed with sloping red roofs, similar to Churchill Downs, which pays homage to Southern Maryland’s tobacco barns. Food & Beverage 4 The Blue Crabs offer a wide variety of concession offerings at the “Taste of Maryland” concession stands, of which there are two. These offer chicken tenders, pizza, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs. As the team name indicates, Maryland is famous for its crabs, so there is a Crab Pretzel. Side dishes include souvenir helmet fries, cheese fries, and regular French fries, as well as, nachos, popcorn, cracker jacks, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Bottles of Pepsi products and bottled water are offered, including juice boxes for kids. Alcoholic options include domestic and craft beers, and seltzers. Atmosphere 4 Regency Furniture Stadium follows the design of many ballparks its size with a concourse above a single seating bowl. Behind home plate, however, there are two levels of suites (one upper and lower), which block the concourse view of the action. Restrooms and concessions are located on the concourse behind the seating bowl. Down the lines, past the bases, seats are angled toward home plate, which greatly aids the viewing experience! There is a large open grassy seating area in right field and a party deck with tents above the wall in left field. The concourse goes all the way around the ballpark, but the outfield concourse and grass hill areas could use some upkeep. There is a manual scoreboard in left field, which is always a nice touch to see, and a large video board in right field. Large sponsor signs dot the outfield all the way around the park. There are also two scoreboards on either side of the suites on the overhang behind the plate, which keeps folks in the outfield from having to turn around. Just above sections 1 and 2 in right field is a kid’s play area. However, the team charges $7 per child (cash only) to enter. This seems outrageous since most ballpark’s do not charge to enter the play area. Above sections 24 and 25 in left field is the Legends Club restaurant, which can be rented out. There is also a small pool with bumper boats in left-center field, but they could use an upgrade. Neighborhood 2 Regency Furniture Stadium has a Waldorf, MD address, but is located equidistant between Waldorf and La Plata, about 15 miles north of the Virginia-Maryland state line. There is not much in the immediate vicinity, except for a neighborhood on one side and St Charles High School on the other. La Plata has the closest hotels (Holiday Inn Express, Best Western) and restaurants including Texas Roadhouse, Dunkin, Dairy Queen, Chick-fil-A, and Texas Ribs & BBQ, just to name a few. Waldorf is larger and much busier due to its proximity to DC, and also has many hotel and restaurant options. Southern Maryland is a fairly rural and beautiful part of the state. If you are willing to drive an hour or so south, there are many lighthouses, state parks, and water access areas. Fans 3 Blue Crabs attendance is typical of many minor league ballparks. The stadium fills up pretty well on the weekends, and fans are into the game. While many fans are families and groups enjoy a night out, we noticed several groups of season ticket holders who wore team gear and were knowledgeable of the teams and players. Access 4 Regency Furniture Stadium is located less than 35 miles from downtown Washington DC, between La Plata and Waldorf, MD. Despite being so close to the nation’s capital, this is a fairly rural area and access is pretty easy. The stadium itself sits adjacent to St. Charles High School, a few miles off of US 301. Once you are at the stadium, parking is free and security into the ballpark is pretty much non-existent. The staff are extremely friendly and welcome you. Once inside, the concourse is easy to navigate and you have access all around the ballpark. Due to the suites being on the concourse level, field action is blocked from the concourse behind the plate. However, from anywhere else, the concourse offers a great view of the action. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets are $15 each, and all tickets in 2021 are general admission, allowing fans to sit wherever they want. Tickets for active-duty military, veterans, seniors (65+), and children under 12 are $11, while tickets for healthcare workers and first responders are $5. Throw in free parking and reasonable concessions, and you have an affordable night at the ballpark. Extras 3 One extra point for family restrooms and a mother’s nursing room for those with small children. One extra point for the friendly staff around the ballpark. The kid’s play area should only get ½ point due to the team charging $7 cash per child to enter. Final Thoughts The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are within the footprint of both the Washington National and the Baltimore Orioles. If you don’t feel like fighting big city traffic and forking out a lot of money, the Blue Crabs are just the spot for you!

Photos by Gail, Dan, and Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Estadio de Roberto Walker Clemente 65 Avenida Infanteria Carolina, Puerto Rico 00985 Gigantes de Carolina website Year Opened / Año abierto:   2000 Capacity / Capacidad: 12,500 Estadio Clemente La frase tan utilizada “El béisbol es vida” sigue siendo cierta en Puerto Rico. El Estadio de Roberto Walker Clemente lleva el nombre del nativo de Carolina, Roberto Clemente, quien se hizo famoso entre todos los fanáticos del béisbol como un gran jugador y, más aún, un gran humanitario. A finales de la temporada de 1972, se convirtió en el undécimo jugador de la MLB en registrar 3.000 hits. Lamentablemente, el 31 de diciembre de 1972, insistió en volar a Nicaragua para asegurarse de que los suministros en el avión fueran entregados adecuadamente a los sobrevivientes del terremoto de Nicaragua. El avión, muy cargado, despegó de San Juan, falló un motor y se estrelló frente a la costa al intentar regresar al aeropuerto. El Estadio Clemente fue construido en el año 2000 y está ubicado a 18 millas al este de San Juan y 11 millas al este de SJU (Aeropuerto de San Juan). Las áreas residenciales y comerciales rodean el parque, aunque está ubica do próximo  a la autopista 3. Cuenta con un hermoso exterior con una enorme estatua de Clemente en la entrada y un amplio estacionamiento. Clemente Stadium Entrance, Photo by Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey   El huracán María causó grandes daños a Puerto Rico en 2017. FEMA financió $18,400,000 para reparar y renovar el estadio. El Estadio de Roberto Walker Clemente ha sido un sitio de partidos de la MLB y, si los fanáticos puertorriqueños se salen con la suya, este se convertirá en el hogar de un equipo de expansión en el futuro. Es un estadio de usos múltiples, y sede de los G igantes de Carolina. Food & Beverage / Bebida y Alimenticia 3 El estadio ofrece comida tradicional puertorriqueña “criolla”, que incluye múltiples versiones de pollo frito con papas fritas ($12), hot dogs cubiertos con palitos de papa en un combo ($8) y palomitas de maíz ($5). Los productos de Coca-Cola y la  agua embotellada cuestan $3. Miller Lite es (lamentablemente) la única cerveza que se ofrece: una por $4 y tres por $9. Las bebidas con licor comienzan en $10; los dobles cuestan $13. Durante la serie de campeonato, las colas eran largas y requerían paciencia. Los camareros deambulan por el estadio para vender bebidas alcohólicas pero no comida. En general, los precios son muy altos para muchos nativos. Atmosphere / Atmósfera 4 Primero: ¡el ruido! Los partidos de playoffs con un estadio lleno de fanáticos con silbatos, bam bams, bocinas y cencerros crean MUCHO ruido. Si te sientas en el nivel inferior, la configuración del micrófono del locutor PA debe estar configurada al MÁXIMO y, junto con la música grabada, el volumen literalmente duele los oídos. Nuestra solución fue trasladarnos al piso superior, donde la vida era más tranquila; sin embargo, allí no hay baños ni puestos de comida; un ascensor en el lado de la tercera base ayuda a evitar subir las escaleras. El estadio tiene asientos de plástico en todas partes, sin portavasos. Es tiempo de reemplazar los asientos ya que la pintura se ha desgastado de los brazos metálicos.   Las vistas del atardecer en el jardín derecho son magníficas. El marcador muestra información útil sobre los jugadores durante todo el partido. Lo inusu al es que el estadio está orientado al sur. Roberto Clement Stadium Sunset, Photo by Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Neighborhood / Barrio 3 El Estadio Clemente fue construido en un área abierta al este del Río Grande de Loiza, con edificios comerciales más cercanos y luego áreas residenciales a un cuarto de milla de distancia. Disfrutamos de una cena en Taco Riendo (Mexicano) al sur del estadio, junto con Sorriso Pizzeria , que ofrece pizzas creativas y un bar de servicio completo. Los hoteles/alojamiento son muy limitados alrededor del estadio; la mejor opción son los hoteles cerca del aeropuerto de San Juan. Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales está a unos 50 minutos en auto, así que si estás en la isla, visítalo también para ver más "El béisbol es vida." Fans / Aficionados 5 ¡En Puert o Rico abundan los fanáticos apasionados y conocedores del béisbol! Durante la serie de campeonato de liga, la experiencia sube un nivel más. La tradición local es "cuanto más ruido, lo mejor." ¡Incluso las bocinas de aire que funcionan con baterías son disfrutadas y respetadas! Varios fanáticos comen en el estacionamiento antes de los partidos. Access / Acceso 3 Conducir hasta el área del estadio es bastante fácil, ya que hay dos autopistas principales justo al sur. Entrar al estacionamiento ($4) puede ser un poco arduo: dos o tres carriles. Los mapas muestran una línea de autobús con una parada aproximadamente a ¾ de milla al oeste del estadio. El aeropuerto de San Juan (11 millas) es el aeropuerto más cercano. Cuando hay mucha gente, los pasillos suelen estar abarrotados. La taquilla se encuentra en la planta baja, justo a la derecha de las escaleras. Un pequeño remolque cercano ofrece souvenirs, gorras y camisetas. Los baños son aceptables. Los Gigantes de Carolina no tienen programas a la venta. Return on Investment / Retorno de la Inversión 4 Puerto Rico tiene una larga historia de honrar a las personas mayores que pueden comprar boletos a mitad de precio, ¡incluso para la serie de campeonato! Recomendamos las entradas generales como mejor valor. Los precios de los alimentos son elevados, según los estándares Puertorriqueños.   . Extras 4 Puerto Rico tiene una larga historia de honrar a las personas mayores que pueden comprar boletos a mitad de precio, ¡incluso para la serie de campeonato! Recomendamos las entradas generales como mejor valor. Los precios de los alimentos son elevados, según los estándares Puertorriqueños. Final Thoughts / Pensamientos finales El Estadio Clemente es de lejos el más atractivo de todos los estadios de béisb ol puertorriqueños. Después de descubrimos que los asientos del piso superior eran mejores para mis oídos, disfrutamos de los cuatro partidos de la serie de campeonato. Los fans son geniales. ¡Definitivamente vale la pe na una visita! Muchas gracias a Jim Minard por su ayuda con la traducción.

Photos by Gail, Dan, and Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Estadio de Roberto Walker Clemente 65 Avenida Infanteria Carolina, Puerto Rico 00985 Gigantes de Carolina website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 12,500 Clemente Stadium The oft-used phrase “Baseball is Life” continues to be true in Puerto Rico.  Estadio de Roberto Walker Clemente is named after Carolina’s native, Roberto Clemente , who beca me famous to all baseball fans as a great player, and even more so, a great humanitarian.  Late in the 1972 season, he became the 11th MLB player to record 3,000 hits.  Sadly, on December 31, 1972, he insisted on flying to Nicaragua to ensure supplies on the plane were properly delivered to the Nicaraguan earthquake survivors.   The heavily loaded plane took off from San Juan, one engine failed, and it crashed off the coast attempting to return to the airport.   The Clemente Stadium was built in 2000 and is l ocated 18 miles east of San Juan and 11 miles east of SJU (San Juan Airport).  Residential and commercial areas surround the park, though it is located off Highway 3.  It features a beautiful exterior with a huge Clemente statue at the entrance  and a large parking lot. Clemente Stadium Entrance, Photo by Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey   Hurricane Maria caused extensive damage to Puerto Rico in 2017 .   FEMA funded $18,400,000 to repair and renovate the stadium.   Estadio de Roberto Walker Clemente has hosted MLB games, an d if the Puerto Rican fans have their way, this will become the home to an expansion team in the future.  It is a multi-purpose stadium, home to the Gigantes de Carolina. Food & Beverage 3 The stadium featu res traditional “Criollo” native Puerto Rican food, including multiple versions of fried chicken with French fries ($12), hot dogs topped with potato sticks in a combo ($8), and popcorn ($5).  Coke products and bottled water go for $3.  Miller Lite is (sadly) the only beer offered – one for $4 and three for $9.  Drinks with liquor start at $10; doubles cost $13.  During the championship series, lines were long and required patience.  Wait staff wander the stadium to sell alcoholic beverages but not food.  Overall, the prices are very high for many natives. Atmosphere 4 First – the noise!  Playoff games with a stadium full of fans with whistles, bam bams, horns, and cowbells create a LOT of nois e.  If  you sit in the lower level, the setting for the PA announcer’s microphone must be set at MAXIMUM, and along with the recorded music, the volume hurts one’s ears.  Our solution was to move to the upper deck where life was more peaceful – however, there are no bathrooms nor concession stands there; an elevator on the third base side helps avoid treks on the stairs.  The stadium has plastic stadium seats throughout – no cup holders.  It is time to replace the seats as the paint has worn off the metal arms.   The sunset views in the right field are magnificent.  The scoreboard displays useful information about the players throughout the game.  An unusual factor is that the stadium faces south. Roberto Clement Stadium Sunset, Photo by Steve Ohnsman, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 3 Clemente Stadium was constructed in an open area east of the Rio Grande de Loiza, with commercial buildings closest and then residential areas a quarter mile away.  We enjoyed dinner at Taco Riendo ( Mexican) south of the stadium, along with Sorriso Pizzeria ,  which offers creative pizzas and a full-service bar.  Hotels/lodging are very limited around the stadium – the best bet is hotels near the San Juan airport.   Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales is about a 50 min drive, so if you’re on the island, visit that one too for some more “Baseball is Life.” Fans 5 Passionate, knowledgeable baseball fans abound in Puerto Rico!  During the league championship series, the experience goes up yet another level.  Local tradition is “the more noise, the better.”  Even battery-powered air horns are enjoyed and respected!  Several fan s tailgate in the parking lot before the games. Access 3 Driving to the ballpark area is quite easy, with two major highways just south.  Entering the parking lot ($4) can be a bit arduous – two or three lanes.  Maps show a bus line with a stop about ¾ of a mile west of the stadium.  San Juan Airport (11 miles) is the nearest airport.  With large crowds, the aisles are often crowded.  The ticket booth is located on the ground level, just to the right of the stairs.  A small trailer nearby offers souvenirs, hats, and shirts.  Restrooms are acceptable.  The Gigantes de Carolina do not have programs for sale. Return on Investment 4 Puerto Rico has a long history of honoring seniors who can buy tickets at half-price, even for the championship series!  I recommend general admission tickets as a better value.  Food prices are on the high side, based on Puerto Rican standards.  . Extras 4 The exterior of the stadium and sunset views offer “photo ops” along with the Clemente statue.  Plenty of parking is available.  Native/criollo food is good.  The scoreboard offers a good level of information.  Fan enthusiasm/knowledge is a plus; the noise volume is a negative. Final Thoughts Clemente Stadium is far and away the most attractive of all the Puerto Rican baseball stadiums.  Once we figured out that the upper deck seats were better for my ears, We enjoyed all four championship series games.  The fans are great.  It's definitely worth a visit.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Mirmow Field 1 Rowe St SE Orangeburg, SC 29115 Claflin Panthers website Mirmow Field website Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 3,000 The Historic Charm of Mirmow Field The Claflin University baseball team plays its home games at Historic Mirmow Field. It’s an old-fashioned baseball stadium that was constructed in 1948 to house the popularity of the game in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It was said, at the time, that baseball was so popular that “the fans even liked the umpire.” Mirmow would be home to the semi-pro Orangeburg Braves, American Legion Post 4, and high school baseball. It was also the spring training home of the Binghamton Triplets of the Eastern League during its first few years. There have been a handful of young players who wound up in the major leagues that honed their skills here: Herm Winningham, Mookie Wilson, Nate Snell, Bill Spiers, and the late Mark Sharpeson–where a plaque is dedicated in his memory near the entrance. It would be home to minor league baseball for only two years–a quarter of a century after its construction. The Orangeburg Cardinals–managed by Jimmy Piersall and featuring future WWE legend Randy “Macho Man Savage” Poffo—operated as a co-op team in the Western Carolinas League in 1973 before the Dodgers took over operations the following year. The stadium was showing wear and tear even when the minor leagues were in town, but it received a major upgrade when the motion picture Major League: Back to the Minors was filmed for spring training scenes in 1996. A new roof, a fresh coat of paint, and plenty of lush palmetto trees were planted near the entrance to give the historic venue a much-needed update. The Panthers took the field at Mirmow when the HCBU resurrected the sport in 1986 and is one of only a handful of programs that plays in an actual ballpark in its conference. Its location is about a mile and a half from campus and is used as a recruitment tool for student-athletes who want to play in a baseball stadium. There have been renovations to Mirmor Field since our visit. the details are in this link that celebrated the ballpark's 75th anniversary in 2023. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession stand in the form of a wooden shelter on the first base side of the stadium, offering a small selection of items that include hot dogs, popcorn, soda pop, and nachos. The standout here might be the fried bologna sandwich for a mere three bucks. It makes for a nice change of pace while watching the game from the stands. If you are looking for a cold beer at the game, you are out of luck; alcohol is not permitted inside the facility. Atmosphere 3 They don’t build ballparks like Mirmow anymore, and it’s a relic of its time when semi-pro and professional baseball flourished in almost every nook and cranny of this nation. It covers all the bases of its era with a wooden grandstand, main entrance lobby, and wooden bleacher seating. There is a small press box on the top of the roof that looks as if it can squeeze in four people at the most. There are a few oddities with the playing field in that its absence of a warning track in the outfield while this may not be a concern for the patron in their seat, it can be for a running outfield attempting to catch a ball near the think, cinder block wall-there is also no padding. There is a two-foot fence down the first and third baselines separating the playing field from the seating area. A few of the seats feature back support, but few wood seats have warped through almost 80 years of service. The twisted, mangled seat adds a bizarre character to the old place, and a typical crowd falls anywhere around 100 people per game for Panthers games. In other words, there are plenty of more areas to grab a seat and watch a game. The mood here for games is to sit back and relax; most fans in the seats are friends or family members, and you can hear the chatter from each dugout. Depending on the time of the day, you might get to see the passing train behind the outfield walls pass by for a bonus. Neighborhood 3 Orangeburg is located about halfway between Columbia and Charleston and offers a small, quaint downtown setting. There is a multitude of chain restaurants near the interstate exit, but the city offers a few local establishments. If you are looking for a local spin on barbecue, stop by Duke’s for pulled pork and fried chicken. The Original House of Pizza offers its style of pizzas, plus salads and chicken wings. Biddie’s Banquet is known for its fried chicken, and Mama’s Kountry Kooking offers down-home style cuisine at affordable pricing, There are a few areas to visit in town including Edisto Memorial Gardens, I.P. Stanback Museum, and Planetarium, and a short drive away is Santee State Park. Orangeburg is about 40 miles away from Columbia and 75 miles from the always-popular Charleston. Fans 2 Attendance for Claflin games is in the hundreds, but with this being the case, it is still a rare treat to watch college ball at this level inside an actual baseball stadium; many of the Panther’s opponents play on small college fields. Average crowds for games are around the low 100 mark but can reach 300 for certain games late in the season. One should expect a very laid-back contest with a college faithful rooting on the home team, not much different from many other smaller college programs. Access 4 Mirmow Field is located 6 miles south of the Orangeburg exit of I-20. The ballpark offers plenty of free parking in the lot that surrounds it. There is one main entrance into the field and plenty of seating underneath the roof of the grandstand. Some seats should be avoided, and one has the opportunity to pick the seat that fits them the best. Return on Investment 3 There are no admission fees for baseball games, and concession prices are around $2 to $3. Making a stop for the Claflin University game might be for the most ardent ballpark traveler, but these types of facilities are a rare breed and, regardless of their condition, should be appreciated for their historic charm. Extras 3 Palmetto trees surround the ballpark, adding a flavorful South Carolina charm to its exterior. Another star for the train that passes by a few yards in the back of the outfield wall, to the discerning eye, it looks as if it hovers slightly. A third and final star is for the ballpark still to be used for baseball (Claflin, American Legion Post 4, and Orangeburg High School). Final Thoughts Mirmow Field might be for the divine ballpark traveler or the history buff who enjoys older buildings. It is a fun place to explore and watch a game, even if its based days are behind when fans would fill up every seat. There could be a bit more done to improve the warped bleachers, and one could imagine what a summer collegiate league could do to promote the stadium. Collegiate and legion ball still prosper, and one can get a good 9-innings for most of the year if they desire. We should be thankful that a place like Mirmow Field is still in existence. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 L. Dale Mitchell Park 401 W Imhoff Norman, OK 73072 Oklahoma Sooners website L. Dale Mitchell Park website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 3,180 There's Only One Oklahoma Baseball L. Dale Mitchell Park is located on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. The park has been home to the University of Oklahoma baseball program for over 25 years, having opened on February 27, 1982 with a seating capacity of 3,180. The ballpark was named in honor of former Oklahoma letterman Dale Mitchell, who is the Sooners’ career and single-season batting title holder. The playing surface is field turf and a pitcher’s park, with spacious outfield dimensions of 335 feet down both lines and 411 feet to straight away center. The largest crowd ever at L. Dale Mitchell Park was 4,544 on May 4,1995 against the arch-rival Texas Longhorns. The Oklahoma baseball program has won 23 conference titles and has 36 NCAA Tournament appearances, with L. Dale Mitchell Park hosting the NCAA Regionals in 2006 and 2009. The Sooners have hosted a regional in Oklahoma City on three occasions, and last hosted one in 2004 at Bricktown Ballpark. The program has appeared in 10 College World Series, and won National Championships in 1951 and 1994. Food & Beverage 3 L. Dale Mitchell Park’s concessions are about as basic as you can get for a college venue. There are two permanent concessions stands on the main concourse, one on each baseline called “Ballpark Favorites.” These stands serve exactly what their namesake suggests – stadium favorites such as hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, nachos, popcorn, and pretzels; these items range from $4.50 to $7. The Sooner nachos and chicken tender basket are the highest priced items on the food menu, costing $9 – the Sooner nachos include chili, cheese, and sour cream. There is also a cash only mobile stand, located on the first base side, that offers hamburgers, cheeseburgers, funnel cake, corn dogs, French fries, frozen lemonade, and shaved ice. The ballpark serves Coca-Cola products, including Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite, and water. The price for soda is $6 for the souvenir cup, $4.25 for the regular size, and $5 for a 20-oz. bottle. Bottled water costs $4.50 for the same 20-oz. bottle. Atmosphere 3 The typical college baseball atmosphere is present at L.Dale Mitchell Park, with most of the games held on weekends, affording the opportunity for families and children to spend some quality time at the ballpark. The press box and suites are located behind home plate, and free programs are given out upon entry into the park. There are baseball posters and schedules on the main concourse behind home plate, along with the lineup card for both teams. The home team dugout is located on the third base side of the field. During the game, there are contests between innings, plenty of music, including the singing of “Oklahoma” in the top of the fifth, and the traditional seventh inning stretch song, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” During select games, members of the Oklahoma Pom Squad are present and participate in activities. Neighborhood 3 The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in the city of Norman, Oklahoma. The city of Norman is 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, and has a population of 120,284, listing Norman as the 3rd largest city in the state behind Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The OU campus has a student population close to 31,000. L. Dale Mitchell Park is located on the south side of campus between the Lloyd Noble Center and Traditions Square Apartments. The neighborhood around the ballpark is more residential, with the fast food chain Sonic being the closest restaurant, but there is also a Rudy’s BBQ down the road. The location is secluded; to get to anything with larger crowds you need to go to the other side of campus, to the popular Campus Corner area. The Campus Corner area is on the opposite side of campus from the ballpark, to the north off W. Boyd Street. This area has numerous restaurants, including Oklahoma’s well-known Hideaway Pizza. Volare is another pizza choice that fans seem to enjoy, and The Porch, The Library Bar and Grill, O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grill, and Seven47 are great drinking holes with food. In addition, Pepe Delgados is a great choice for fans that are looking for Tex-Mex. The Mont is also a good recommendation, located just off E Boyd Street on Classen Blvd; here you can enjoy a brunch on their patio. Also, just north of the Campus Corner area is Main Street in downtown Norman, where I would suggest The Garage for people looking for a great lunch burger. The Oklahoma City area has so much to offer to visitors that a lot of people are surprised when they visit. Bricktown is a great spot for the traveling baseball fan; this neighborhood is home to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark , home of the Oklahoma City Dodgers (Pacific Coast League team for the LA Dodgers ). Oklahoma City will probably be on most tourist lists, but Norman, Oklahoma has a few tourist attractions of its own. The first stop is The University of Oklahoma campus – the campus, besides being a beautiful campus to walk around during baseball season, is home to a couple of nice museums, including the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. These two museums will surely make it a wonderful educational trip. However, a visit to the University of Oklahoma wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the school’s football program. Heisman Park is located outside Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and is a great photo op for fans. In terms of lodging, the Riverwind Casino is about 4.5 miles from L. Dale Mitchell Park, and might be the closest lodging. However, there are plenty of places to stay near campus, including Hampton Inn-Norman and Fairfield Inn & Suites, which are both just down Ed Noble Parkway from W. Main Street near Interstate 35. Fans 3 The Sooner faithful are a strong fan base, so no matter what sporting event you are attending the fans are supportive. Fans of all ages show up with their Crimson and Cream, from young girls in their OU cheerleading outfits to adults decked out in their OU novelties from head to toe. The fans cheer and jeer at the appropriate times during games, participate in the singing of the National Anthem, “Oklahoma,” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,“ and have a good time overall. Access 4 Access to L. Dale Mitchell Park is relatively easy. This is partly due to the ballpark being located on the southernmost part of campus, away from the main artery streets of Norman. It is a short drive from Interstate-35 to the campus, and there are plenty of ways to get to the ballpark. The easiest route to L. Dale Mitchell Park is to take exit 108A/B from Interstate 35 onto Route 9, then take a left onto W. Imhoff Road at the third traffic light. From here, L. Dale Mitchell Park will be on your left, across from the Lloyd Noble Center (OU’s basketball arena); there is free parking during baseball games in the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot. The main entrance at L. Dale Mitchell Park has 2 entry gates – one behind home plate and one next to the ticket office. The gates and ticket office open 1.5 hours prior to the first pitch. If ADA seating is needed, please call the OU ticket office at (800) 456-4668. L. Dale Mitchell Park’s main concourse is above the seating levels; the venue has two levels of seating with a walking concourse between the levels. The lower level seating features chair backs, while the upper level is equipped with benches. The biggest feature of the ballpark’s infrastructure is that the park is built into a grass berm. The seating is built around the infield, however, the rest of the grass berm seen beyond the seating area is very well utilized, as fans can bring blankets or chairs and sit along the top of the berm. L. Dale Mitchell Park is easy to navigate because the walkway and seating rows are spacious enough to move around. Due to the ballpark having been built into a grass hill, the slope is the only potential negative when moving around the park, and having to climb stairs to get to the main concourse can be a challenge for people with physical limitations. Return on Investment 3 The University of Oklahoma’s baseball ticket prices compare well with their Big 12 counterparts – ticket prices for reserve box seats are $15, while adult general admission costs $10. There is also a $2 discount for youth (5-18) and senior citizens, while children under 5 are admitted free of charge. Parking is free across the street at the Lloyd Noble Center , and the concessions aren’t professional sports inflated prices, so you can expect reasonable affordability for the food and drinks. The overall return on investment is above average for a day at L.Dale Mitchell Park. . Extras 3 Free parking, along with the ability to watch the game for free from beyond the outfield fence offers an old-time nostalgia like the knothole gang generation. Also, the banners of past players in the concourse connecting the present with the past is a nice mainstay, keeping OU tradition alive while the school continues to usher in new generations of players and fans. In addition, there is a friendly atmosphere here, spending the day at a ballpark watching a game without all the major league amenities. Final Thoughts L. Dale Mitchell Park is a tremendous place to spend an afternoon watching competitive college baseball. The Sooner game day staff does a wonderful job providing a safe yet fun-filled day for Sooner fans at the ballpark. If you are in the Norman area, There’s Only One Oklahoma Baseball, so a quick stop to watch Sooners baseball is well worth your time.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Physical Education Complex 2500 W. North Ave Baltimore, MD 21216 Coppin State Eagles website Physical Education Complex website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 4,100 The Eagles of North Avenue Coppin State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in Baltimore, MD. The school is a publically-funded State of Maryland university. It was founded in 1900 and was eventually named in honor of Fanny Jackson Coppin, an African-American woman who was a pioneer in teacher education. Famous alumni include NomaD and former NBA player Larry Stewart. The Coppin State Eagles compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The MEAC is a collegiate athletic conference whose full members are HBCUs in the Southeastern and the Mid-Atlantic United States. The Eagles were the 1976 NAIA National Champions before joining the NCAA. In 1997, the Coppin State Men’s Basketball team defeated the University of South Carolina in the opening round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship becoming just the third #15 seed to defeat a #2 seed. In the 2007–08 season, Coppin State became the first team in NCAA College Basketball history to reach the NCAA Tournament with 20 losses. The boring-ly named Physical Education Complex was built in 2009 and became home to the Coppin State University basketball team in the 2009–2010 season. The arena replaced the Coppin Center. Food & Beverage 2 There are concession stands on either side of the stadium. Chicken and hot dogs are the two main selections, in case you’re looking for something filling. Snacks include nachos, popcorn, chips, and pretzels. Concession stands are cash only. The offerings are basic but good. Atmosphere 3 The very open and spacious concourse circles around the seats. All the seats are blue and yellow and provide a nice look and atmosphere. There is a four-sided scoreboard hanging above the center court with a video screen on one end of the arena. The Coppin cheer and dance squad will also help the atmosphere. There may also be the Coppin Pep Band to help out the atmosphere. Neighborhood 2 The neighborhood right near the university can be pretty rough. It is a good idea to be extremely aware of your surroundings in this part of the city. Mondawmin Mall is located across the street from the arena itself. An early development of the influential Rouse Company, the mall was one of the earliest enclosed malls in the country. You may also recognize it from scenes in the film Species II. Unfortunately, the mall area was in the heart of both the 1968 and 2015 riots in Baltimore. That is not mentioned to scare you but make you aware that one needs to be careful. Baltimore is a great metropolitan city, with many fun and exciting places to spend time both before and after a game. Relatively close to the stadium is the Mt. Washington neighborhood that straddles I-83 South (known as the Jones Falls Expressway, or the JFX, by locals). The Mt. Washington Tavern (5700 Newbury Street) is an excellent restaurant with both fine food and bar food type menu. The place is large, and there always seems to be room for more. Towson is another good option for visitors. There are many shops, restaurants, and attractions in this area. Also check out the Hampden neighborhood, with its variety of quirky shops and restaurants. Fans 4 The fans are good and knowledgeable. Depending on the opponent, the crowd sound and participation level can differ. The team tends to start with a bad non-conference record because they play so many games at bigger teams for the paycheck. It unfairly starts them in a hole by the time the MEAC season begins. Access 2 The university is located a bit away from the closest major highway in the area, the Jones Falls Expressway, known locally as the JFX. The best option for visitors is to head towards the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, located not far away. From the north take the JFX South to Exit 6 (North Avenue). Turn right and go to 2500 West North Avenue. From the west take I-70 East to I-695 South and follow to Exit 15 (Rt 40 East). From Rt 40, turn right onto Hilton Parkway – Hilton Parkway eventually turns into Hilton St. Turn right on North Avenue and follow to the 2500 West Block. Return on Investment 5 Tickets are nicely priced and parking is low or free depending on the game. Tickets go on sale at the ticket window, located in the Physical Education Complex, approximately one hour before tipoff. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, $5 for high school students with a valid student ID, and $5 for non-Coppin State students with a valid ID. Prices and access may be different for Homecoming and Morgan State games. Coppin State students are admitted free of charge with a valid student ID for all games including Homecoming. This is a fair value for a nice level and quality of basketball. Extras 4 There are historical displays around the venue celebrating the history of the men’s and women’s teams at Coppin. Pay special attention to the ones mentioning long-time coach “Fang” Mitchell, who was quite a character around the area. There are some nice banners above the court, especially the NAIA championship banner. The side of the arena offers a nice window view of the nearby road and offers a good amount of light into the arena. HBCU schools always offer a great atmosphere from the cheer and dance squads. Final Thoughts The Coppin State University’s Physical Education Complex is one of my favorite arenas to watch a basketball design. It is a well-designed arena that offers a great deal of basketball atmosphere.

Photos by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Grossinger Motors Arena 101 S Madison St Bloomington, IL 61701 Map It Bloomington Bison website Grossinger Motors Arena website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 6,000 ECHL Bloomington Bison Grossinger Motors Arena (formerly  U.S. Cellular Coliseum and simply the Coliseum) is an arena in downtown Bloomington, Illinois. It is on the southwest corner of Madison Street (US-51) and Front Street. The arena opened to the public on April 1, 2006. Its seating capacity is approximately 6,000 for hockey and indoor football games and 7,000+ for concerts. The arena has 800 club seats, 24 luxury suites, and a two-party suite. Grossinger Motors Arena has been the home venue for several hockey, indoor football, and basketball teams. Home hockey teams included Bloomington Prairie Thunder (UHL/IHL/CHL affiliations from 2006-2011), Bloomington Blaze (CHL from 2011-2013), Bloomington Thunder (SPHL from 2013-2014), and the Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL from 2014 – 2019).   Home football teams were Bloomington Extreme (UIF/IFL from 2006 - 2012) and Bloomington Edge (CIFL/XLIFL/CIF/IFL affiliations from 2012-2018).   Home basketball teams were Central Illinois Drive (MPBA 2011-2012 ) and Bloomington Flex (MBPA from 2012-2015).   Grossinger Motors Arena currently hosts the Illinois State Redbird Hockey Club and the new ECHL hockey team, the Bloomington Bison. Food & Beverage 3 The food selection is pretty good here. They have the classics: chicken strips ($8), bratwurst ($7), hot dogs ($6) and pizza ($6). There are hamburgers (a ½ pound for $15 and “Bloomington Meats Burger" $10), BBQ Sandwich ($10), BBQ nachos ($10), Smoked wings ($12), and Mac & Cheese ($6). For vegans/vegetarians, they sell “Beyond Chicken Strips" ($8). The arena carries Pepsi products. Bottled soda or Gatorade is $4. A large fountain soda is $6, and a small fountain soda is $4. Bottle water is $4. They also have kids' juice boxes for $2. There is a sweets stand that has sundaes ($10), root beer floats ($9), Dippin’ Dots / soft serve ice cream, soft pretzels/nachos ($6), churro bites ($5), brownies ($4), candy ($3), potato chips ($3) and cookies ($2). Popcorn is $6 for a large. Note on select days; the popcorn is free . There are full bar service stands that have mixed drinks ($10 to $12) . D omestic Budweiser and Miller/Coors products sell for $8 for a can (16 oz.). Blue Moon and Modelo cost $10. There are a couple of craft beers here, Bison Blonde Ale and Keg Grove Holey Jeans, that cost $11. They do not have any wine in the arena (strange), but they do have High Noon hard seltzers for $8. The lines can get long, and the concourses are narrow, so it gets crowded. I suggest that you wait until the game starts before you get in line. Atmosphere 2 The Bloomington Bison does not offer much time out or between-period events. Of course, there is a t-shirt throw. The lobby is kind of cramped. The box office area has about five windows, and you can get paper tickets there. The arena has one level of seating on three (3) sides of the ice (like a horseshoe) and suite seating up above that requires a separate entrance. The suites provide a very nice view of the arena. The video board is located on the open end of the arena and shows the usual stuff: scores, some stats, and the game. There is no overhanging scoreboard. Abe, a bison, is the official mascot of the team and is only available for photos/autographs as he makes his way to a seating area to do a promotion.  There are a couple of concession tables offering a good selection collection of team gear that includes hats, t-shirts, and both home and away jerseys. And it would not be a hockey game without the obligatory chuck-a-puck. Neighborhood 2 The Grossinger Motors Arena is about 2 miles from Illinois State University and about 1 mile from Illinois Wesleyan University. In addition, the arena is in downtown Bloomington, which is the County Hub. The Courthouse and other municipal building areas are within blocks of the arena.  Approximately two blocks away, there is the McLean County Museum of History. The museum has different theme rooms such as farming, Abraham Lincoln, jobs in Central Illinois, and even a little kids' area to play as if they were on a farm. There is residential housing a couple of blocks to the west of the arena.  There are not many bars/restaurants within a ½ mile of the arena. However, one place is Anju Above (Asian Fusion), which is an upbeat tapas joint with farm-to-table pizza, sushi, Korean pork buns & more.   My favorite place to go is a few miles from the arena, the Pub II, a college bar and restaurant which is known for its famous fried cheeseballs. This is a burger/sandwich place. The burgers/patty melts are very good, as is the pork tenderloin sandwich. There are plenty of TVs here showing sporting events. Approximately 9 miles away is the Corn Crib , home of the Prospect Baseball Leagues’ Normal CornBelters. Fans 2 The average crowd for this new team is around 2,000 to 3,000 per game. The people going to Bison games are mostly families. However, this could be different on “309” nights, which have cheaper beer and some food items. For a new ECHL team, the Bison have a lot of good promotions throughout the season. On the evening of this review, the crowd seemed to be there for a night out; they weren’t into the game. However, being the first hockey game there in years could be the reason. Access 4 It is easy to get to the arena. It is about 8 miles off the intersection of Interstate 55 and Business 51.  In addition, it can be accessed off Interstate 74 and Business 51. Lastly, it is a few miles from S Business 51 and Route 39. There is plenty of parking at the arena. The arena-sponsored lots cost $20. However, if you get there early enough, you should be able to find street parking for nothing. I didn’t notice any public transportation in the area, but there is Uber/lift availability. Like almost every arena/stadium these days, guests will be allowed to carry in one (1) clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag that does not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” or one (1) one-gallon clear plastic bag. In addition to a clear plastic bag each guest will be allowed to carry in one (1) small clutch that does not exceed 4.5” x 6.5”. Diaper bags (with a child three and under) and bags carrying medically necessary items will be allowed after a visual inspection inside the bag is completed by security.  Guests who have bags larger than this size will be asked to return them to their vehicle or discard them. T here are plenty of staff members who can be found to answer any questions that may be on your mind . Return on Investment 3 Three price points for tickets for Bison games are a bit pricey at $20 - $32. In addition, there are “all-inclusive" seats for $75. The Bison do have a “family pack” option, too (4 tickets, $10 in merchandise, and an autographed puck for $79).  However, due to the size of the arena, I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house.  Of course, you can rent suites too. They have Party Suites and an Ice Level Party Deck. The Ice Deck is set up at ice level, with high-top table seating & stools that come with an All You Can Eat buffet along with an All You Can Drink menu. Extras 2 The team offers varied promotional nights and provides a sense of welcoming to all the fans who attend games. The team has a great logo and team colors, and you can get paper tickets. Final Thoughts This is the first year for the ECHL club (2024-25). Other hockey teams have failed here. I hope this one can make it because the arena is a nice place to see a game, and you could be seeing the stars of tomorrow.  Being an ECHL team, some players and coaches may graduate to the AHL and NHL.  The prices of concession stands are reasonable, there is a good selection of team merchandise, and they have a great logo.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Alumni Stadium 26 Lang Way Guelph, ON N1G 2M7 Guelph Gryhons football website Alumni Stadium website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 8,500 Gryphon Pride In 1964 an amalgamation between the Ontario Agricultural College, Ontario Veterinary College and MacDonald Institute formed the University of Guelph.   The modern post-secondary institution welcomes over 29,000 enrolled students and sits in Guelph, Ontario, between Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo.  The OAC fielded its first football team in 1950 as the Aggies and would eventually become the Guelph Gryphons.  Typically a contending program, the Gryphons have brought home the Yates Cup as OUA conference champions four times (1984, 1992, 1996 and 2015) and the Vanier Cup as USports National Champions in 1984. Home for the Gryphons is Alumni Stadium.  Opened in 1970, and able to accommodate 8,500 fans, Alumni Stadium has seen a number of changes over the years to make it one of the best football facilities for USports in the country.  The latest renovation included a football pavilion with the largest donation coming from former coach Stu Lang, giving the Gryphons a new wrinkle for recruiting.  The University of Guelph does as much as possible with Alumni Stadium, and it is definitely a point of Gryphon Pride. Food & Beverage 3 Alumni Stadium does not offer a distinct concession stand within the facility.  However, the University of Guelph does create a unique “tailgate party” atmosphere on the opposite side of Lang Way during games.  A number of food trucks are in the square for fans to purchase food.  It is accessible during the game as well.  For the game that was reviewed, a Domino’s Pizza food truck and Mexican cuisine food truck were in attendance.  There are also trucks run by UofG food services.  They offer hot dogs, chips, soda, ice cream, chocolate, soft serve ice cream, freezies, pretzels and mini donuts.  Fans in the tented business/accessible seating are able to purchase alcohol. Atmosphere 4 The University of Guelph had done just about everything possible to make Alumni Stadium as good as it could possibly be.  The main grandstand was built in 1970, but has been well maintained with a full on black paint job with a massive Gryphons logo and other red and yellow accents.  It is not massive as compared to the huge stadiums in the NCAA, however it does have a presence.  The field is oriented from north to south and the grandstand is on the west side.  Lang Way is west on the other side of the grandstand and is closed off for the tailgate party, which is accessible after passing security and ticket scanning at the north side of the grounds.  One spot of note outside the stadium is Champions Corner.  Located at the northwest end, outside of the grandstand, Champions Corner features an embedded plaque for each championship the Gryphons have brought home, across the entire athletic department.  A feature such as this is unique to Guelph and not found at other universities in Canada.  On gameday, large inflated sock people welcome fans to the game from Champions Corner.  A small play field towards the south provides some pregame activities for fans to enjoy.  Also a photo op at the “Proud To Be A Gryphon” sign will complete the experience.  One of the player entrances into the stadium is labeled “Gryphon Door” sure to make Harry Potter fans happy.  A temporary table selling Gryphons swag is a spot to stop as well as having a seat at the massive Gryphons branded Muskoka Chair should be done before entering the stadium. Inside the field, the attention to detail remains with the grandstand well maintained with 33 rows of aluminum benches across five sections.  The field is surrounded by a full running track, pushing fans a little further from the action on the field than is ideal, however, it is not a big deal.  The east side of the field has berm seating, which should be open for the biggest games of the season.  The Gryphons also actively honour former players with honoured numbers on the east fence, visible from the grandstand.  Players with honoured jerseys include Sam Benincasa, Mark Brown, Parri Cici, Steve McKee, Mike Hudson, Gerry Organ, Mike Shoemaker, Kyle Walters, Jeremy Oxley, Nick Fitzgibbon and Mike O’Shea.  Although many schools honour past players in their athletic hall of fame, it is truly unique to view such honours from the grandstand.  Gameday also features a number of flags in the northeast corner for Gryphons who have won major awards.  The northeast corner also features Celebration Corner, with a large bell.  It looks like this is a new development and not part of the gameday production for the game that was reviewed. The gameday production at a Gryphons game is not overly unique.  The Gryphons mascot, Gryph, can be found roaming the crowd and interacting with fans and cheerleaders.  The cheer team does help rile up the crowd and cheers from the sidelines.  On Gryphon touchdowns, a student will run a lap of the track with a flag in tow, finishing off with 10 pushups which are counted down by the crowd and PA announcer. Neighbourhood 3 Alumni Stadium is located on the campus of the University of Guelph, south of downtown.  The immediate area is surrounded by campus buildings, residences and athletic facilities.  There are Tim Hortons and Starbucks locations on campus, but for fans wishing to find something with more substance, they will have to travel either north or south.  Some options that are not that far include Guelph BBQ, The Fat Duck, Bardo Guelph, Boathouse Tea Room or Royal Electric Bar. There are other sporting options to be found in Guelph.  The Gryphons field a full complement of teams including hockey  and basketball , which are on campus, just south of Alumni Stadium.  During the summertime the Guelph Royals  of IBL take the field.  However, probably the biggest draw is the Guelph Storm  of the OHL, who play downtown at the Sleeman Centre.  Other tourist options in Guelph included the Guelph Civic Museum, University of Guelph Arboretum, River Run Centre and the birth home of “In Flanders Fields” author, John McCrae.  Across the road from Alumni Stadium is Cutten Fields golf course.  For fans wishing to stay near the university, the Delta is a good option. Fans 3 Attendance for Gryphons football is very elastic, usually with anywhere from 1,000 to 8,000 fans.  Some factors include weather, and number of students on campus.  The homecoming game routinely sells out, however a game in late August, like the one that was reviewed, will have limited support due to the students not yet being on campus.  A Thanksgiving weekend game is also going to attract a limited number of fans.  The fans in attendance are supportive and can get loud at appropriate times.   Access 4 Alumni Stadium is located at the north end of the campus of the University of Guelph, surrounded by Lang Way, Ring Road and College Avenue.  Campus is south of Highway 7 and east of Highway 6 and it is not too difficult to get to, however, travelers will have to drive a bit through the city.  Parking can be found across College Ave, east of the stadium on Ring Road, or south of the stadium near the hockey arena.  Parking should be free on gameday.  For fans who wish to take public transit, there are Guelph Transit bus stops on College Ave and Gordon Street.  Fans should consult the Guelph Transit  website for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the stadium is not too difficult, however the stairs in the grandstand and accessing the washrooms underneath may not be easy for those with mobility issues. Return on Investment 4 Gryphons football tickets go for $20.  University of Guelph students are free, staff are $5 and youth are $10.  VIP tickets run for $25.  Tickets will be $5 more expensive when purchased at the stadium on gameday.  Concession prices are decent and parking should be free.  The Gryphons put together one of the best gameday atmospheres for university football in Canada and catching a game will have fans leaving with a sense they got their money’s worth. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Gryphon Door. An extra mark for raising the facility bar in USports football. An extra mark for Alumni Stadium being the home for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats  of the CFL for one season while Tim Hortons Field was being built. Final Thoughts The Guelph Gryphons football program and their home at Alumni Stadium show that a USports football program can take a step to the next level and provide an atmosphere worthy of the school.  Whether student, alumni, fan or visitor, taking in a game at Alumni Stadium will definitely leave fans with a sense of Gryphon Pride. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Gregory Kock, and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 FirstEnergy Stadium 1900 Centre Ave Reading, PA 19605 Reading Fightin Phils website FirstEnergy Stadium website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity : 10,000 The Carnival at Baseballtown Reading is just different.  Baseball in Reading, Pennsylvania dates back to 1858 with the Reading Athletic Club playing other local teams.  The organization of baseball in 1874 saw the birth of the Reading Actives.  Baseball continued in Reading over the years as the monikers changed.  In 1933, Reading joined the Eastern League as the Reading Red Sox, which was short-lived.  In 1952 Reading returned to the Eastern League as the Reading Indians, which was significant in the minor league careers of such stars as Rocky Colavito and Roger Maris.  The current iteration of Reading baseball launched in 1967 as they began an affiliation with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Reading Phillies have been a cornerstone Double-A franchise ever since.  They officially became known as the Fightin Phils in 2012. Home for the Fightins, as they are sometimes locally known, is the historic and unique FirstEnergy Stadium.  Opened in 1951 as Reading Municipal Memorial Stadium and dedicated to military personnel who died while serving, FirstEnergy Stadium provides one of the most unique experiences in Minor League Baseball.  It is referred to as “America’s Classic Ballpark” borrows from the Detroit Red Wings and refers to itself as “Baseballtown.”  The mix is truly unique with the experience having three distinct parts: one part baseball; one part museum; and one part carnival. Food & Beverage 5 The culinary experience at FirstEnergy Stadium is the cornerstone of the carnival atmosphere at the game.  The Diamond Credit Union Plaza, informally the Boardwalk, opens before the seating area at FirstEnergy Stadium and the plaza offers carnival food for fans to enjoy before the game begins.  Big Straw Milkshakes with their cookie sandwiches, ice cream, and funnel cakes Plaza Favourites with their varieties of chicken and hot dogs and mac and cheese, and Grand Slam Grill with their burgers, and hot dogs offer fans a top-notch culinary listing before fans are even able to get to their seats.  Yuengling products, Suburban Brewing, and Miller Lite headline the beer options.  Hard slushies and seltzers are also available. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice.  Once the concourse opens, there are another set of concession options including Manny’s Fries and The Lil’ O’s Pizza.  Overall, there is not much a fan could be wanting for at FirstEnergy Stadium. Atmosphere 5 FirstEnergy Stadium offers one of the most unique atmospheres in baseball.  The exterior of the park is smart with brown brick, blue accents, and embedded concrete “Reading Phillies” name.    Right away, it is apparent that the stadium is hiding its true age.  Although classic, the exterior does not look like a seventy-plus-year-old facility.  A nod back to the original Reading Municipal Memorial Stadium is in the giant military dog tag sculpture in front of the stadium, dedicated to the veterans of the community.  When getting closer to the ballpark, fans will find that the Fightins waste almost no space and celebrate their history perhaps more than any other team.  It begins with the bricks on the main exterior plaza behind the home plate.  Fans will find marble bricks in the ground for each year of the Reading Baseball Hall of Fame and the retired numbers of Ryne Sandberg, Mike Schmidt, Robin Roberts, Scott Rolen, and Jim Bunning. The gates to the Plaza on the first base side open earlier than the rest of the stadium.  The Diamond Credit Union Plaza creates that carnival atmosphere with some concession stands, an open plaza with picnic tables, and a stage for live, pregame music.  Pregame activities such as mini golf, inflatable slide, speed pitch, mascot photos, and autographs are great options for some pregame fun.  The plaza is protected by overhead netting making it viable for use during the game also.  The plaza also has huge murals of former Reading greats and a full accounting of the Baseballtown Hall of Fame.  Two murals of the group stand out.  First the large picture of Max Patkin, the “Clown Prince of Baseball” gives the area an old-time feel.  Secondly, a large mural in honor of Taylor Swift from nearby Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, depicts the megastar’s long and significant relationship with the Phils and FirstEnergy Stadium.  Once the concourses open, fans are again taken back in time as there is practically no space on the walls.  A trip through Reading baseball history removes the claustrophobic nature of the concourses.  Murals and trophy cases could keep a treasure hunter occupied for the duration of the game.  Special attention is given to those Phillies who came through Reading on their way to winning the 2008 World Series. The main grandstand runs between first and third bases with some overhead coverage.  Fixed plastic and metal seats are not the most comfortable and fans are reminded of the age of the facility.   Disjointed stands on both the third base and first base sides help bring the capacity up.  New to the park is the Redner’s Event Center, which offers a variety of group seating options and houses events during and after the baseball season.  On the facade, along with some local, static ads, are the five retired numbers for the Phils.  An underused train motif can be found in right centerfield with a smoking train sign with flashing lights that fire up on Fightin home runs.  Right field also features a very popular Pool Pavilion, perfect for hot days. The gameday atmosphere at Reading is quintessential Minor League Baseball with activities and promotions happening at a near-constant pace.  The Phils feature a full band of mascots and the ingame host is constantly busy.  To sum up the atmosphere, the Phils do everything within their power to make fans forget that the ballpark is not the greatest structure when fans are sitting in their seats, a significant task that the team does to perfection. Neighborhood 2 FirstEnergy Stadium is located at the north end of Reading.  It is not the greatest neighborhood and taking the car somewhere is probably going to be necessary.  There are several spots available for pre or post-game fare.  These include Mike’s Tavern, B2 Bistro Bar, and The Farmhouse Kitchen.  Reading is perfectly located to facilitate a baseball road trip being pretty much equidistant from Allentown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia.  Other sporting options in Reading include the ECHL’s Reading Royals .  Other tourist options include the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum and Reading Public Museum.  The SureStay and Red Roof Inns are available for fans who wish to stay near the ballpark. Fans 5 The Fightins enjoy solid fan support.  In the 2023 season, the Fightin Phils welcomed an average of over 5,900 fans per game.  This ranks as a respectable 21st in Minor League Baseball and 4th in the Eastern League and Double-A.  The fans in attendance of the game that was reviewed were into the game and supportive of the Phils.   Access 4 FirstEnergy Stadium is located at the north end of the City of Reading.  It is just south of Highway 12 and west of Highway 61, or Centre Street.  Getting to FirstEnergy Stadium is not too difficult and there are parking lots to the west of the stadium, some of which are free.  For fans who wish to take public transit to the game, some buses travel both Centre Street and 5th St.  Fans should consult the Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority  for fares, schedules, and maps.  Getting around FirstEnergy Stadium can be a bit of a challenge as would be expected for a stadium built in the fifties.  Concourses can be crowded and this stadium would be a challenge for anyone with mobility issues. Return on Investment 5 There is tremendous value in a Reading Fightin Phils game.  Box seats run $18 apiece while General Admission tickets, which are for the left field or right field grandstands, are only $12 each.  Parking can be free with a little luck but reserved parking is only $9.  Concession prices are about what one would expect for a Minor League Baseball game. The gameday atmosphere in Reading is amongst the best in MiLB and it is truly a unique experience.  Overall this equates to an experience that is affordable and perfect for the entire family. Extras 4 An extra mark for the fresh and unique approach to baseball that the Fightins take making FirstEnergy Stadium unlike anything else in MiLB. An extra mark for the long history of baseball in Reading. An extra mark for the brilliance of opening the Plaza early before games for fans to congregate and enjoy, and truly taking that unique experience to the next level. An extra mark for the massive and thorough Baseballtown Hall of Fame Final Thoughts Baseball fans who feel that they have experienced it all and have not been to see the Reading Fightin Phils are fooling themselves.  The atmosphere at FirstEnergy Stadium is truly unique and a trip to see the Fightins will not disappoint.  One part museum, one part ballpark, and one part carnival.  Does it get better than this? Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Steve Bloom, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Wild Things Park 1 Washington Federal Way Washington, PA 15301 Washington Wild Things website Wild Things Park website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 3,200 Major League Fun at Minor League Prices Wild Things Park is the home of the Washington Wild Things of the Independent Frontier League. The franchise played in Canton, Ohio from 1997-2001 as the Crocodiles prior to being purchased and moved to Southwestern PA and was renamed to its current moniker. Wild Things Park is a modern 3,200 seat facility located on a hill above Washington Crowne Centre right off Interstate 70 in Washington, PA and offers fans a very reasonably priced day out in a park with every seat close to the action. The facility features a synthetic turf field right that was installed before the 2010 season, visual photos of menu items, grassy areas, and easy access throughout the concourse. The ballpark once housed a hot tub in the left field corner, but that is no longer a feature of the experience. The city of Washington’s population is near 14,000, but is only a 30 minutes away from Pittsburgh and Wheeling, West Virginia. Located adjacent to I-70 and near the Washington Crown Center shopping mall, the colorful ballpark offers various food options, between inning promotions, and even cookies and milk. Food & Beverage 4 Wild Things Park offers a high quality concessions experience with a wide variety of traditional ballpark fare such as nachos, burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and ice cream. There are a wide variety of Pepsi products along with foreign, domestic and craft beers. The quantity and quality of the items make for a pleasant dining experience. Lines move rapidly with very friendly service. Every concession stand in the park accepts credit cards. Atmosphere 4 The Coal Tipple Bar is in the left field corner with a large assortment of beverages as well as tables to sit at and enjoy the game. There is a picnic area along the right field line as well where groups can enjoy the game together without losing any of the intimacy of the park. Behind the stands along the third base line is a playground as well as bouncey houses for the children that need a break from the game. The ProGrass Synthetic Turf field is easily maintained and in immaculate condition. The video board in right field is large and easy to see from any location in the park. The digital scoreboard in center field is just as large and easy to see as well. Wild Thing, a hairy beast-type creature, is the mascot. Wild Thing is quite active interacting with the fans throughout the ball park. No matter where you sit in Wild Things Park, you have a good view of the action. The seating bowl wraps around the field from the outfield corners into home plate. Box seats are $15, the higher up in the seating bowl Reserved seats are $12 and the General Admission seats are $8. The top several rows of the seating bowl near the press box and five private boxes are covered. The team has fun contests in between innings for the fans, all of which get enthusiastic responses especially when Wild Thing is taking part. Additionally, the music played between innings and during player walk ups is very unobtrusive to the fan experience. The atmosphere at this Frontier League park is a lot of fun. The size of the facility is conducive to player-fan interactions through the course of the game. After the game, the entire team goes into the right field concourse to sign autographs as fans leave the park. Neighborhood 3 Wild Things Park is located just up the hill from a typical suburban shopping center in southwestern Pennsylvania. Within a quarter mile of Wild Things Park are numerous well-known hotel and restaurant chains such as Comfort Inn and Red Roof Inn as well as McDonalds and Wendys. Within five miles of the park you can find any type of restaurant, such as Applebee's or Olive Garden. In case of a rain out a movie theater is within walking distance of the ballpark. Within 15 minutes of the park along Interstate 79 you can find the Meadows Race Track and Casino as well as premium shopping deals at Tanger Outlets. For history buffs, there is the Trolley Museum right by the Meadows and Tanger Outlets. Fans 3 The Washington Wild Things fans are a passionate group looking for a fun and more economical time compared to seeing the nearby Pirates at PNC Park . The Wild Things rank in the middle of the Frontier League attendance, averaging around 2,000 fans per game. Even small crowds at Wild Things Park can seem bigger based upon the rowdiness of the fans. Access 4 Wild Things Park is quite accessible as it is just a hop, skip and a ju,mp off Interstate 70. There is no public transportation to the field, so driving is a must to the ballpark. The closest airport to Wild Things Park is 45 minutes away in Pittsburgh. Parking is $5 per car in a large lot behind the outfield with ample handicapped spaces. The majority of the fans enter through the convenient right field entrance. There is another entrance behind home plate, but it is seldom used. The concourse is underneath the seating bowl and does not have a view of the playing surface. The restrooms are all large and extremely clean with no lines. Return on Investment 4 The ticket prices are average in price for any lower level professional baseball and provide a wide variety of amenities throughout the facility. As is the case with other teams, depending on how many games a fan wants to attend, investing in a season ticket package can save several dollars per ticket per game. The team has no programs to distribute to fans. Extras 3 There is a small team store behind right field with a variety of team merchandise to purchase. Throughout the concourse you will find tributes to former players who have made it to the Show as well as Frontier League Hall of Famers. The team employees from the ticket takers, ushers and concession workers are all very friendly and engaged with the fans. The Wild Things do not broadcast the games on radio, however Kyle Dawson does play by play on the team’s video broadcasts on the team website. The background for Wild Things Park is not exciting compared to some other parks I have attended, but provides quite a scenic view of tree covered hills common to Pennsylvania.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Toyota Field 500 Trash Panda Way Madison, AL 35758 Rocket City Trash Pandas website Toyota Field website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 7,500 Toyota Field – Rocket City Trash Pandas Professional baseball had a few brief incarnations in the Huntsville, Alabama area during the first half of the 20th century, but none lasted more than two seasons. It was not until 1985 that affiliated baseball found a stable home in Huntsville with the arrival of the Huntsville Stars at Joe W. Davis Stadium. The Stars served as the Double-A affiliate of both the Oakland Athletics (1985-1998) and then the Milwaukee Brewers (1999-2014). Names such as Jose Canseco, Nelson Cruz, Jason Giambi, Mark McGwire, Tim Hudson, Ryan Braun, and Prince Fielder would move through Rocket City before establishing themselves as some of the top players in Major League Baseball during their careers. Huntsville would go without professional baseball following the 2014 season when the Stars would move to Biloxi  and become the Shuckers, but the sport returned to the area in 2020 when the Mobile Bay Bears relocated to the Huntsville suburb of Madison as the Rocket City Trash Pandas. However, the debut of the Trash Pandas would be delayed until 2021 due to the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season. Nevertheless, once the Trash Pandas took the field their popularity soared, much like a rocket from the nearby U.S. Space and Rocket Center.   Food & Beverage   5 Rocket City gives fans numerous options that rival those in major league parks. Toyota Field has three traditional concession stands which each serve a common base menu, but each also hasitsr own unique concession items – the “Dumpster Dive” stand features Rocket City Hot Fries, while “Gravity Grille” has ballpark cheesesteak fries and “All Stars” serves up wings and pizza. A fourth concession stand, “Sweet Space”, specializes in sweet treats, primarily ice cream. Complementing an already strong base menu, concessions here also regularly rotate specialized menu items throughout the season. In addition to the traditional concessions, there are also three carts located around the concourse. The most impressive of these is Lucile’s at Bullpen Bar and Grill, which serves a variety of BBQ, smoking their meat on site. Toyota Field offers a full menu of alcoholic beverages. Options include canned wine from Archer Roose, seltzers from High Noon and Truly, and Surfside hard peach and iced teas. In addition, along with typical national brands, local Huntsville brewers Yellowhammer Brewing and Straight to Ale are featured – fans can enjoy Yellowhammer’s Belgian-white and red lager, Straight to Ale’s Monkeynaut IPA, and Birmingham-based Good People Brewing’s Muchacho.  Self-service, automatic tap stations are available on each side of the stadium. If those options are not enough, Toyota Field also has three separate bar areas, the most prominent being the Inline Electric Rock Porch situated just beyond the right field wall, which overlooks the field and appears to ever so slightly overhang the right field fence. Toyota Field boasts one of the most complete and creative concession menus in the minor leagues, offering a diverse selection that caters to all tastes, from main meals and snacks to beverages.   Atmosphere   4 Toyota Field has a bit of a minimalist feel to its design; there is no grand entry plaza fans walk into nor state-of-the-art features, but the ballpark makes the game experience as enjoyable as any other minor league stadium. The configuration of the outfield wall has typical distances down each of the lines and to center field, but everything between those points is anything but typical – the wall has several areas that angle back rather sharply or go from 8’ immediately up to 10’. Fans are kept entertained throughout the game with on-field activities and scoreboard games. Sound drops and in-game ad reads are frequent, almost to the point of being a bit too much. Team mascot “Sprocket” is part of the pregame introductions, and also makes another appearance to take photos with fans following the 7th inning stretch. Also entertaining the crowd is the astronaut race as four cartoonish astronauts, Buzz (Aldrin), Neil (Armstrong), Mae (Jemison), and Sally (Ride) race from the left field corner to just beyond home plate. There are several seating options throughout Toyota Field; the grassy berm down the right field line is popular with families. The back three rows of the seating bowl behind home plate and in the sections down each line feature high-top bar seating, while standing room drink rails are limited to just behind home plate, as the concourse level suites are situated where drink rails along each side of the field typically would be. However, the limited drink rails on the concourse are made up for by the bullpens each having their own, giving fans places to stand and interact with players during the game.   Neighborhood   3 Toyota Field is the centerpiece of the Town Madison development in the rapidly growing Huntsville suburb – the area around the stadium already features a variety of regional and national restaurants, hotels, apartment buildings, and housing, with much more in progress. As Town Madison continues to develop, it will offer even more to visitors. The main attraction in the area is the U. S. Space and Rocket Center, less than 10 minutes from Toyota Field up I-565, roughly 10 miles from downtown Huntsville. Early-season games might be paired with a visit to Propst Arena to catch the Huntsville Havoc  of the Southern Professional Hockey League. As construction continues, the area surrounding the stadium will become an even more attractive destination, offering visitors a wide range of amenities just steps from the stadium.   Fans   4 The Trash Pandas do a good job drawing fans out to their games, consistently finishing in the top 10 for AA attendance and leading the Southern League. Typical attendance numbers exceed 5,000 fans on any given night, with weekend games often attracting 6,000 fans and occasionally surpassing 7,000. Fans are actively engaged, responding enthusiastically to stadium audio prompts and call-and-response sound clips. This involvement early in the game helps in creating an environment where fans get loud in response to big plays later in the game.   Access   4 Toyota Field is relatively easy to get to as interstate bypass I-565 runs just beyond the third base side of the field. The ballpark is also roughly a 12-mile trip from the I-65 junction that runs between Nashville and Birmingham. If attending a weekday game, use GPS for the current best route to take. Madison Boulevard often backs up a great deal leading up to the first pitch, so it might make more sense to drive past the stadium on I-565 West, and then get back on the interstate in the opposite direction, as Toyota Field has its exit for those heading eastbound. There are two primary entrances into Toyota Field: one up the right field line, the Pepsi Gate, and another well beyond center field. Lines at both entrances move quickly, even on stadium giveaway nights. The concourse is divided into an upper and lower level – the upper level, accessible from the Pepsi gate, runs along the top of the seating bowl from foul pole to foul pole. Stairs and an elevator in the left field corner provide access to the outfield plaza, while stairs and a long ramp in the right field corner complete the circuit around the field. The concourse is fairly wide, allowing groups of fans to pass through with little to no interference from concession lines. After the game, despite there being just two main routes out of the parking lot, traffic flows well to get fans home; exiting via Town Madison Boulevard leads directly back onto I-565.   Return on Investment   4 Trash Panda tickets are quite affordable, with berm seating down the right field line available for just $8, and seats behind home plate starting under $18. To save on parking purchase it online for $6.75, which is a $3.25 discount from the drive-up rate of $10 – these prices include service fees. Concession prices are slightly high but consistent with what might be expected for stadium food and drinks. Given the reasonable rates for tickets and parking, the higher concession prices at Toyota Field are not much of a disappointment.   Extras   4 Almost immediately upon passing through the right field gates, fans are greeted by the familiar thwack of bat to ball. The concourse also has an open view of the batting tunnels, allowing fans to watch players take some pre-game cuts while making last-minute game preparations. Rocket City pays homage to Huntsville's baseball history with the concession stand down the left field line, "All Stars", named in honor of the Huntsville Stars. The stand also uses the retro Stars logo as part of its signage. Baseball is known for its "unwritten rules" – the parts of the game not in the rule book, but that players are supposed to understand and play by. What is not talked about much are the “unwritten rules” for fans; one of the most overlooked of these rules is not moving through the aisles during play. To prevent this, at Toyota Field, the ushers at the top of each section ask spectators to wait until between at-bats to take their seats. An extensive play area makes up most of the outfield plaza beyond the center field wall; multiple inflatables and games are spread out around this area, providing kids with many options if watching the game is not at the top of their list.   Final Thoughts When a city loses a baseball team, it often leaves a void in the community that can be difficult to fill, but the return of baseball to the Huntsville, Alabama area has been a resounding success so far. What has been created at Toyota Field and in the surrounding Town Madison development creates a minor league baseball experience that builds on the local support from the community, and gives visitors all they need to make a trip to see the Trash Pandas as convenient, affordable, and enjoyable as possible.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Haymarket Park 403 Line Drive Cr Lincoln, NE 68508 Lincoln Saltdogs website Haymarket Park website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 8,500 Home of the Saltdogs Haymarket Park is home to the Lincoln Saltdogs of the independent American Association and the University of Nebraska baseball team. Named for its location in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket District, the ballpark and adjacent softball field cost just under $30 million to build in 2001. The Saltdogs began play when the Madison Black Wolf were sold and moved to Nebraska following the 2001 season. After spending five seasons in the Northern League, the Saltdogs, along with three other teams, started the American Association in 2005. The Saltdogs have won one league championship, in 2009. The name Saltdogs is a nod to the history of the city of Lincoln. The city was founded on a salt flat back in the mid-1800s. Food & Beverage 4 Haymarket Park offers a good selection of concessions for hungry Saltdog fans. All your basic ballpark fare can be found here, plus some extra items worth checking out. Concession stands on either side of the diamond offer local favorites from Fairbury hot dogs and Valentino’s pizza. Variety is achieved through the offering of items including bratwurst, BBQ pork sandwiches and brisket sandwiches. A separate building behind home plate houses The Wind Up, where specialty nachos are sold, and the Craft Corner, featuring an extensive listing of both craft and national beers. Pepsi products are featured at Haymarket Park. Fans looking for an adult beverage can choose from national brands including Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Budweiser, Bud Light and Leinenkugel. Craft beers from local breweries Zipline Brewing, Empyrean Brewing, Kinkaider Brewing, Backswing Brewing Company and many more are sold throughout Haymarket Park. Atmosphere 3 Veteran fans of minor league baseball will find a lot that is familiar at a Lincoln Saltdogs game. All the elements of a typical game day presentation can be found here, from the fuzzy mascot to a new video scoreboard to between inning games for the kids and a full promotional schedule. Younger fans in attendance will certainly be drawn to the playground in deep right field or the play area in deep left field that features inflatables. Parents can charge their phones at the charging station while the kids release some energy. The large berm in left field is a popular place for kids to run around during the game, and the home run porch in right field is covered with an awning, providing relief from the hot summer sun and a place to enjoy a cool drink. Neighborhood 5 Haymarket Park gets its name from the nearby Haymarket District. Originally an open-air market and town gathering place, it is located just a few blocks from the ballpark. Visiting fans will find plenty of places to eat, lodging options and things to do there. More information on the shops, restaurants and activities present in the Haymarket District can be found here . Sports fans may be more interested in exploring Memorial Stadium, home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, which is visible beyond the center field fence. Pinnacle Bank Arena , home of the Cornhuskers basketball team, is visible beyond the right field fence. Downtown Lincoln and the University of Nebraska campus are within walking distance of the ballpark. Fans 4 The Saltdogs annually average around 3,400 fans per game at Haymarket Park, which places them in the top half of teams in the American Association. Crowds at Haymarket Park are fairly typical of other independent ballparks across the country. A mix of families, locals and diehard fans fill the stands. The team markets to families and groups, meaning that not everyone is fully into the action on the field, but they are hardly distracting, and people watching is always part of the fun at a minor league ballpark, anyway. Access 4 Haymarket Park is easy to find, located near I-180 and the University of Nebraska campus. Walking bridges connect the ballpark to the campus and downtown areas. The ballpark features a 360 degree concourse with an open design, making the field visible from all points. There are two levels of seating, featuring individual stadium seating. Large berms lining the outfield double the ballpark’s seating capacity. Restrooms are clean and more than sufficient for a typical Saltdog crowd. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Saltdogs games vary in price from nine dollars for berm tickets to $19 for club seats behind home plate. The majority of seats at Haymarket Park range from $10-$15. Children under 12 years old and senior citizens receive a dollar off all tickets. Parking is free in the lots adjacent to the ballpark. Concession specials are offered on certain nights, making a visit to see the Saltdogs an affordable entertainment option for Lincoln sports fans. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the view beyond the outfield fence. Memorial Stadium, Pinnacle Bank Arena and the Nebraska State Capitol building are visible from the seating bowl. The Capitol building, with its 400 foot tower (the second tallest capitol building in the country), can be seen from over 20 miles away. A second point is awarded for the integration of activities for the whole family, from the play areas and berm spaces for younger fans, the active mascot, Homer the dog, and the wide selection of craft beer for adult fans. There is something for everyone at Haymarket Park. Final Thoughts Haymarket Park is a nice facility located close to downtown Lincoln and the University of Nebraska. Sports fans visiting the area should be sure to check out nearby Memorial Stadium. Baseball fans will enjoy the mix of the ballpark’s small town feel and modern amenities. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photo Courtesy of City of Melbourne/Australian Open Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Melbourne Park Batman Ave Melbourne, Australia 3000 Australian Open website Melbourne Park website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 80,735 Grand Slam Down Under Tennis's Australian Open is nicknamed 'The Happy Slam' by the players and for most visitors who come as tourists from abroad. Nothing brings a smile to your face more than going from being stuck indoors in a freezing winter climate to kicking back in the warm sunshine while downing a local brew and watching two world class players slug it out below you. The venue is Melbourne Park, which not only sports 22 tennis courts, but also features nearby lawns and is adjacent to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Yarra Park. It is right next to the Yarra River, where one of the tournament's former champions, Jim Courier, once dove in after his title run. While taking causal walks to the tennis site on the river side, you can see rowers from the various clubs practicing, little kids running down sandy pathways headed to a children's museum, joggers and cyclists on their daily workout, and people of all sorts sitting on benches and napping in the mild weather. The Australian Open is the most accessible of the four tennis Grand Slams from three perspectives: it's the closest to any of the city's central business districts so it is in walking distance of numerous good hotels, restaurants and bars; it isn't impossible to get a good, reasonably priced ticket to a secondary stadium and also take in few matches on outer courts without being totally squeezed out; and the people who work there aren't on occasion stuck up (which can be a problem in Paris or London for the French Open and Wimbledon) or rude (as in the case of some New Yorkers at the US Open ). Like most Australians, people who work at the facility are genuinely nice and helpful. Even though it can get hot, the weather is usually very good and because Australians are so diligent about protecting their skin from burning due to the hole in the ozone layer above their continent, there is enough shade, weather and free sunscreen available. The center court, Rod Laver Arena, seats 15,000, and has a retractable roof. The second stadium, Hisense Arena, also has a retractable roof and seats 10,000. The third stadium, Margaret Court Arena, (which will also soon have a roof) seats 5,000, while Show Courts 2 and 3 seat 3,000 apiece. The other side courts range in number of seats, but if you don't try and enter a five-set classic too late, it�s quite possible to get on all of them. Perhaps most importantly, the sightlines on all the major courts are excellent so don't be concerned about obstructed views. Food & Beverage 3 The site has a broad selection of eating and drinking options, and the famous Aussie love of beer is in evidence all over the grounds. A number of food outlets are located in Laver Arena itself, as well as near the grassy garden square inside the south entrance. Prices are reasonable for a sporting event, with items ranging from about AU $5-$15. The typical stand offers burgers, chicken and hot dogs for at or under $10, while drinks, coffee, cookies and snacks are about $5. For typical Aussie fare, try a meat pie, also about $5. If you're hungry for a proper meal but don't want to pay too much, hidden away in the northeast corner of Rod Laver Arena is a booth offering Thai food -- it's a good choice, with chicken and rice for $15. There's also full dining available at a restaurant just off the side of the arena with main courses and pizzas for $20-$35. Atmosphere 4 The Australian Open is the most relaxed of the Grand Slams, with a friendly, holiday atmosphere and spectators out to have a good time. The two main stadiums are large but not oversized, and the third stadium, Margaret Court Arena, has a cozy feel. Multicultural Melbourne draws out lots of support for players from many nations, including particularly enthusiastic supporters for Chile, the Balkan countries and Poland. Costumed fans are also common around the grounds, and there's usually a crowd of people sunbathing and watching tennis in front of the big screens. It's hard not to join in the locals' enthusiasm for both the tennis and having a good time. Neighborhood 5 The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam where you can walk right into the heart of an attractive and fun city within 10 minutes. There are a variety of restaurants with every type of cuisine available. There are laid back cafes and coffee houses, swank bistros and rocking clubs and bars. There are hotels of all types from 1 star to 5 stars, but the cheaper ones tend to be further away from the tennis site, although everything is connected to public transport. There are museums, art galleries, theaters and there always seems to be festivals and community events going on. And of course there is plenty of shopping, from high-end boutiques and department stores, to small local shops, to the gigantic outdoor market - Queen Victoria. Fans 4 There is plenty of energy at the tournament, as fans come there expecting to eat, drink, be merry and cheer their lungs out. There is a pretty large international population of fans, which make it more enjoyable as you can travel court to court and hear Swedes, Serbians, Chinese and other nationalities cheering on their players or singing in their language in support of their national heroes. The Aussies do that plenty as well, and even have longstanding fan clubs (such as the famous "The Fanatics") who paint their faces, buy blocks of tickets and chant enthusiastically all match long. On occasion, certain groups of fans have become too unruly (some Serbian and Croatians who immigrated to Australia formed local fans clubs and have yet to put aside their age old hostilities and have actually battled on site), but security has tightened to the point where it's become extremely rare for any conflict to reach a tipping point. Access 5 Australia is far away from most parts of the world but once you're there the Australian Open is fairly easy to reach. There is one international airport at Melbourne, which is about a half an hour drive from the city. Flights from abroad are pricey, but flights inside the country are fairly inexpensive. The tournament grounds are close to town, about a 15-minute walk and 5-minute tram ride or taxi from the central Flinders Street Station, as well as the smaller Jolimont and Richmond stops. A free tram operates from the central business district to Melbourne Park, running until an hour after play ends. There are separate stops for Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, which are at opposite ends of the grounds. Parking is available at two lots, but space is limited. Taxis stop at the south entrances, and there are drop-off points at this location for cars as well. In the grounds, line-ups for food and facilities are common, but tend to move quickly. Return on Investment 4 If you are looking for a super cheap ticket to watch pro tennis, the sport's four Grand Slams are not the place to go. There are plenty of events around the world where you can get a ticket for $20 and under: in fact, at the WTA Championships in Istanbul (the women's tour season ending event) you can buy a courtside seat for some nights for as little as $35. But the tennis majors do not have a price that far down in the major arenas, so courtside seats at Laver Arena can cost as much as $700 and that's face value without service charges. But here are affordable options if you don't want to attend the semifinals or finals and are willing to go during the first 8 days of the tournament. Single session tickets start from $80 (US) and ground passes from $32 (US). There are also package deals available which makes every ticket cheaper. Ground passes get fans access to Margaret Court Arena, as well as the Show Courts 2 and 3 and the back courts. There's also a good deal on a Family Grounds pass for about $100, which covers four people (at least 2 kids). At Rod Laver Arena, the cheapest single session ticket starts at $80 US for the first two days for the day or night session, jumps to $95 for Wednesday and Thursday, go up to $125 on Friday, and then to $150 from Saturday to the Monday of the second week. The middle weekend is by far the busiest time, so buy your tickets early. Pricing for Hisense Arena is the same for the first eight days of the tournament at $80 for the cheapest seats, which is a darn good price considering that many of the game's best players compete there and because there tend to be more competitive matches than they have on Laver the first five days, as Laver emphasizes the game's top 6 players or so, who often win in blowouts until the second week. There are family packages for four (at least 2 kids) at Hisense for around $190 US, a very good deal considering it gives you the option of big show court matches and everything else outside of Laver. Once the quarterfinals begin on the second Tuesday prepare to break the bank for Laver tickets, which start at $145 for the cheap seats and keep getting higher until the end of the event, when a bleacher seat for the women's final goes for $290 and the men's final goes for $420. None of the quoted prices include ticket agency charges. If you are thinking of going, realize this: after the first six days of the tournament, it's slim picking for singles matches on the outer courts so unless you love doubles and mixed doubles, don't buy a grounds pass after Saturday. Grand Slam tennis is not for the light of wallet, but if you can manage to get to the Australian Open during the first five days of the tournament before the crowds descend on Saturday and buy a grounds pass, take public transport, only have one meal, a snack and say a beer, then it's possible to leave there having spent around $75, not exactly like going to a Thursday afternoon baseball game between two bad teams where you might be able to get in and out for $40. But the Australian Open is not a run in the mill event: it's like attending a playoff game in any sport, so expect to come up with playoff seats money. If you want to attend the final, expect to come up with Super Bowl and World Cup final money. Extras 4 There is shopping and places to sit and relax on the grounds, and plenty to see nearby. Fans can gather in the Garden Square to watch the Rod Laver Arena action on a big screen, or head over to the new viewing bridge that is situated above the practice courts to watch their favorite players sweat. Live bands play daily, and there are kids courts as well. Final Thoughts If you get to the tournament early enough during the day time in the first week and are willing to stay until all the day time matches are complete, it's possible to watch 12 hours straight of high-level tennis from the world's best. For hardcore tennis fans, that's worth every penny, even if you buy an arena ticket, a T-shirt, eat two meals and shell out $200. That's still less than $20 per hour for entertainment, which can be less than you spend at a bar on a Saturday night. But if you buy a second week night session ticket for you and your partner for around $300, decide to dine at one of the onsite restaurants and drop another $100, buy two sweatshirts for $150, have a few cocktails for another $50 and unfortunately get treated to two garbage matches, the $600 won't seem worth it. However, if you dare to buy a ticket to the men's final and get treated to a historic match like the Novak Djokovic versus Rafael Nadal five-hour plus final in 2012, then you remember that match for the rest of your life and be able to fondly tell your grandchildren about it. Then, laying out $600 or so won't seem like a steep price. There is nothing like a Grand Slam environment whether you are a tennis lover, a marginal fan or a newcomer. Step inside the grounds and you will immediately feel the energy. The Aussies love their tennis, so if you live in Australia the experience is akin to attending a test match in cricket between Australia and top rival England. If you are from outside Australia, you'll remember your experience as fondly as you will your visit to the Great Barrier Reef.