Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Wisconsin Brewing Company Park 1011 Blue Ribbon Cir N, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Lake Country Dockhounds website Wisconsin Brewing Company Park website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 3,641 Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay The owners of the franchise that became the Lake Country Dockhounds had a long journey to bring their team to reality, but their efforts were rewarded with the American Association’s newest team, which began play in 2022 in the Milwaukee suburb of Oconomowoc. These western suburbs have long been a target for expansion for both professional and summer collegiate baseball. The original proposal was to build a ballpark for a summer collegiate team in nearby Waukesha, but they were unable to secure funding. Other proposals pitched complexes in the towns of Summit and Pewaukee. Finally, the neighboring town of Oconomowoc approved funding for a ballpark in 2020. At some point the plan pivoted from placing a team in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League to the independent professional American Association. The ballpark is the first piece of a larger entertainment complex dubbed Lake Country Live! It will include a multi-use indoor sports facility housing NX Level Sports Performance and Spiderz Batting Gloves. The facility will have batting cages, a weightlifting area and a fully equipped commercial kitchen serving lake country craft food. The site will host other community events, corporate gatherings, outdoor concerts and charitable events. Other sports teams from the area, including soccer, rugby, and lacrosse teams will also have access to the field. Food & Beverage 4 The majority of concessions are sold out of the main concession stand, located in a cramped concourse underneath the first base stands. This stand has the appearance of ticket booths rather than a food service area due to the small windows where orders are taken and food is delivered. Only a small monitor displaying the menu items provides any proof that the concession stand is here. A decent variety of food is sold from this stand, with items such as cheese curds, walking tacos, prime beef sandwiches, bratwursts and buffalo chicken sandwiches available in addition to typical ballpark fare. Stands at the end of the concourse provide additional points of sale and alleviates some of the congestion at the main stand. Pepsi products are featured at Wisconsin Brewing Co. Park. While the planned Wisconsin Brewing ballpark brewery is not yet operational, there are several local brews available in addition to the usual national brands. Lake Louie Brewery and yes, Wisconsin Brewing Company have their beers featured at the concession stands and also at the giant bar that greets fans right as they enter the ballpark. Atmosphere 3 While the Dockhounds staff are working out the kinks in their operations during their inaugural season, there are already several pieces in place that will be familiar to veteran minor league ballpark travelers. There are several games and other shenanigans taking place throughout the game to keep the younger and more casual fans entertained. The Dockhounds employ an on-field emcee who comes complete with a bucket hat and a repertoire of dad jokes. All the typical minor league between-inning games are played here, including the bubble joust, dance contests and t-shirt tosses. The team’s mascot, Louis B. Sluggin’, roams the ballpark posing for pictures, interacting with fans and helping with promotional duties. Music plays between innings and sound effects punctuate big plays. There is a crystal-clear scoreboard in right field that is put to good use with game information, sponsor ads and videos. It’s not an over-the-top gameday presentation here, which fits right in with this smaller facility in this summer vacation area. Neighborhood 3 When completed, Wisconsin Brewing Company Park will be the centerpiece of a complex containing several athletic facilities that will be a community focal point. As of right now, those other pieces are not in place, so consider this grade a bit of an incomplete. At the present time, fans looking for attractions around the ballpark will need to hop in their car. With the Lake Country area of Wisconsin already a popular summer destination, there is no shortage of places to stay or eat in Oconomowoc and beyond. A Staybridge Suites and a Hilton Garden Inn are both located close to the ballpark. As you would expect, plenty of outdoor options exist on the numerous lakes in the area. A Dockhounds game would be a nice centerpiece of a weekend or week-long stay in the area. If more baseball is on the itinerary, American Family Field , home of the Brewers, is less than a half-hour drive away in Milwaukee. Franklin Field , home of the Dockhounds’ American Association rival the Milwaukee Milkmen, is also only a half an hour from Oconomowoc. The Northwoods League has several teams located within an hour’s drive from Wisconsin Brewing Company Park. Fans 3 Nearing the end of their inaugural season in the American Association, the Dockhounds are sitting in 8th place in the 12-team league in terms of attendance, averaging about 1,700 fans per game. This places them well below the league average of 2,500, but a bit above their AA neighbors in Franklin, the Milwaukee Milkmen. As is the case in most minor league ballparks, you’ll see a lot of families in attendance at Wisconsin Brewing Co. Park, as the team markets itself as family friendly, affordable entertainment. The team is still new and the fans are still getting used to the new faces, so the atmosphere is pretty laid back. There are definitely some regulars here, but is it too early to call them diehards? Access 3 Much has been made of the ballpark’s unusual design, but fans may question the ballpark flow before they even enter the parking lot into Wisconsin Brewing Co. Park. The ballpark is right off Interstate 94, with a distance of only a half mile from the off-ramp to the front door of the facility. However, instead of going right into the parking lot, fans are routed the long way around an empty field and into the ballpark via the back route, which triples the distance from the highway to the parking lot. This writer asked a staff person why this long route was chosen, and they referenced an accident and difficulty managing traffic on opening day, so the decision was made to re-route everyone so that all traffic enters the facility from the same direction. The ballpark itself has an unusual setup. The entrance is right behind home plate, but there is no traditional baseball seating here. This open area is filled with a giant bar and several small tables on both the ground and upper levels. Since the facility was designed to be multi-purpose, this set-up makes sense, as corner seats are not so desirable for lacrosse or football, but for baseball, it removes prime seating from the ballpark. Concession stands are located underneath the cramped first base grandstand. In another strange design choice, a single line leads to several small windows, giving the stand the appearance of ticket booths rather than a food service area. This set up really closes in the concessions and the concourse, making the area appear quite narrow and dimly lit. There is also water dripping down from overhead structures in some unfortunate spots (right where the queue for concessions is located). Additional stands are located at either end of the grandstand, with a bar on the open patios down either side of the ballpark. Seating consists of several sections of individual folding stadium seats along both sides of the field. As mentioned before, there is no traditional seating behind home plate. There is a small berm down the left field line, with some party areas down the right field line. A small section behind the right field fence contains Adirondack chairs. Behind the party deck on the right field side of the ballpark are some inflatables and a basketball court, which was a popular spot for adolescent fans throughout the game. An interesting facet of the design of this ballpark is the fact that there are no railings along the front of the seating area. The wide walkway in front of the seating sections just ends with a net that wraps around the seating bowl. This walkway pushes the seats further from the field, but creates a very accessible facility. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Dockhounds games start at $8 for standing room in the berm area (called “Bret’s Backyard) along the left field line. Seats in the grandstand are sold for $14. Parking in the lot adjacent to the ballpark costs five dollars. Concessions are a bit on the high side for this level of baseball, but not outrageously so. If you’re headed to Wisconsin Brewing Company Park with a group of people, there are certainly many ways to get more bang for your buck. Tables seating groups of four (the ones behind home plate) are sold at $80 per table. You can add food and beverage (one sandwich, one snack item and two drinks per person) to the package for an additional $70. Purchasing a quad dock will give you ten tickets on the right field party deck but will set you back $200. You can purchase two drinks for everyone in your party for an additional $50. Club seats provide all you can eat food and two drinks for $50 along with a dedicated area atop the seating bowl. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the unique design of Wisconsin Brewing Company Park. While there are certainly some unusual design choices here, you can appreciate the effort made to produce a facility that works for baseball, football and lacrosse. The field features artificial turf throughout to extend its usefulness throughout the year. The Dockhounds report that there were 2700 submissions in their name the team contest. The name was chosen to honor the many local pups who hang out at the local docks and on local boats. The team’s mascot, Louie B. Sluggin, wears the jersey number five to represent the five O’s in Oconomowoc. He wears a hat complete with bobbers, which was one of the other finalists for the name of the team. Final Thoughts The developers of Wisconsin Brewing Company Park made many bold choices when they designed this multi-purpose park. Unfortunately, the result was a bland facility that features a less than ideal setup for all the sports it was designed to host. Once the kinks are worked out in this brand-new facility for this brand-new team, this will be a fine addition to the American Association roster of ballparks. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Five County Stadium 1501 NC Hwy 39 Zebulon, NC 27597 Carolina Mudcats website Five County Stadium website Year Opened: 1991 Capacity: 6,500 Five Counties of Baseball The Carolina Mudcats arrived in Zebulon, North Carolina from Columbus, Georgia in 1991 as a Minor League Baseball team in the Double-A Southern League. Named in reference to the famous catfish of the Carolinas, the team played its home games at Five County Stadium in the suburb east of Raleigh. After the 2011 season, the original Mudcats relocated to Pensacola, Florida to become the Pensacola Blue Wahoos but a new Mudcats franchise, in the Carolina League, arrived in Zebulon from Kinston, North Carolina. The Mudcats continued to play in the Carolina League until the 2020 contraction and realignment throughout Minor League Baseball, when they joined the Low-A East League, a partial successor to the Carolina and South Atlantic Leagues. The Mudcats have been an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers since 2017, and despite being located nowhere near Milwaukee, have made an effort in recent years to promote that affiliation with the parent club, even playing occasional games in their alternate identity, the Micro Brews. Food & Beverage 4 Five County Stadium has many of your typical concession items, including hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the other things you would expect to get at a ballpark. North Carolina barbecue is also available, a chance to sample a local specialty. For those with a sweet tooth, ice cream is available, including in a Mudcats helmet. Beer and soft drinks are of course available as well. Prices are a bit high but not too unreasonable here. Although the Mudcats don’t have a real specialty item beyond the ubiquitous barbecue, there is enough food here to satisfy anyone. Atmosphere 3 Walking into Five County Stadium will put you on a concourse, most of which offers a view of the field. From there, a few rows of seats are situated below you, but most fans will have to walk up steps to the second level of seating. Sections 101-106 below the concourse are the only seats in the shade during day games, and the rest of the stadium can get extremely hot on a summer afternoon. Buy your tickets accordingly. There is a large videoboard in left-centerfield as well as a smaller board in right-center which just shows the line score and some graphics. All seats offer an excellent view of the field, the only downside of many of them is the heat. The Mudcats do a good job during the game with between inning contests, t-shirt tosses, and the like. It manages to keep people engaged without distracting from the game itself, which is an important balance to strike. The Mudcats’ mascot is a catfish named Muddy, who will appear on the field and concourse before and during the game. Neighborhood 1 The area around Five County Stadium is not built up at all, and there is almost nothing in the immediate vicinity of the stadium. If you head a bit down Route 97, you will find a couple options such as The Lick, a popular sports bar, and a couple of chain places, but there really isn’t much here. There was an ad in the stadium encouraging fans to move into a soon-to-be-built development near the stadium and “Be Muddy’s Neighbor” so hopefully this encourages some businesses to come to the area as well. For now, you’re just about out of luck unless you want to drive half an hour to Raleigh. The Mudcats needed to build their stadium out here to avoid encroaching on the Durham Bulls’ territorial rights, but it really is in the middle of nowhere. Fans 3 The Mudcats get your typical minor league crowd consisting of a mix of long-time fans, groups, and young families, and they will stay somewhat engaged throughout the game. While you won’t find the large, passionate crowds you will see at many other minor league venues in the Carolinas, Mudcats fans are no slouches and they do draw decently. However, given its rather remote location and the large number of other minor league ballparks in the area, it is hard for the Mudcats to draw too much here. Access 4 Five County Stadium is located just off U.S. Route 264, at the intersection of North Carolina Route 39 and U.S. Route 264 Alternate. There are two very large gravel lots at the stadium which are more than sufficient for the crowds attending. Parking is $5, and only cash is accepted so come prepared. The large size of the parking lot does mean you may have to walk a bit to get to the stadium gates, particularly if you arrive close to game time and the lot has begun to fill up. Once you’re in the stadium, it’s easy enough to get around. The concourse is more than wide enough for the crowds and offers a good view of the field while you’re waiting for concessions or just trying to hang out in the shade due to the intense heat. Restrooms are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd as well. Being so far from everything else in the area does take this rating down a notch, but once you get close to the stadium, the rest of it is easy. Return on Investment 3 Tickets start at $10 for seats far down the foul lines and the most expensive seats, in Sections 101-106 (the lower shade sections) are only $14. There is a $5 charge for parking, but that’s a typical price for minor league stadiums in this part of the country. Concession prices are higher than average but not outrageous. While a Mudcats game can be a good value for the family, there are multiple other minor league parks in this area that offer a better value than Five County Stadium. If this were the only game in town, it would be well worth it, but unless you live right in Zebulon, your money would likely be better spent at another minor league park nearby. Extras 2 There is a team store located on the concourse which sells Mudcats gear, including for their alternate Micro Brews identity in Brewers’ colors. Free programs are available and handed out when you come in. Final Thoughts It seems like in North Carolina, there is a baseball stadium just about everywhere you look. Between all the minor league ones and parks at the summer collegiate level in the Appalachian and Coastal Plain leagues, there are many options for the baseball fan to choose from. Compared to many of those stadiums, Five County Stadium disappoints. Although it isn’t a terrible stadium by any means, it’s nowhere near as good as many other stadiums in the area, including in nearby Durham. For fans who find themselves already in Zebulon, a visit to Five County Stadium is well worth it. However, for fans who are trying to visit multiple baseball stadiums in North Carolina and have limited time, there are better options available.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 John Moxie Memorial Stadium Circle Dr Staunton, VA 24401 Staunton Braves website Year Opened: 1900 Capacity: Unknown Home of the Braves The Valley Baseball League is a collegiate summer wood bat baseball league consisting of 11 teams up and down Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. One of these teams is the Staunton Braves, who play at John Moxie Memorial Stadium. Located within Gypsy Hill Park, baseball has been played on this site since at least 1900. The Staunton Braves were a charter member of the Valley League in 1923, and other than a few years when the league shut down due to World War II and COVID-19, they have played here ever since. Food & Beverage 5 There is one concession stand located behind the press box which serves an extensive variety of food. Hot dogs, chili dogs, corn dogs, burgers, sausage, chicken tenders, and pizza are all available to eat. Snacks include gummy bears, assorted candy, sunflower seeds, hot pretzels, cracker jack, cookies, peanuts, chips, and pickles. Drinks include soda, water, and Red Bull. Unusual for a Valley League venue, beer is available in a beer garden down the left field line. Make sure to pick up a wristband first if you are going to drink alcohol. Other than beer, nothing is more than a few dollars, making the food a great value here. If you buy a burger or ice cream, you will need to pick it up at another tent across the concourse. While this may not seem like the most efficient system, it actually keeps the line moving as people can move off while their food is being made and the people behind them can order. As a result, the concession lines typically do not get as long here as elsewhere in the Valley League, and they move faster. Atmosphere 5 A trip to a Staunton Braves game at John Moxie Stadium is like taking a step back in time. Baseball has been played on this spot since at least the start of the 20th century, and you can just sense the history in this place by walking in. The layout is nothing fancy – a few sets of bleachers and a very basic scoreboard in the outfield, but it dates back to a time when ballparks were simpler than today. The outfield fence is covered in advertising boards other than a bright blue batter’s eye in center field. In addition to the bleachers, fans often set up lawn chairs throughout the stadium, including in front of the bleachers and at the edge of the concourse above a hill. Speaking of the concourse, it doubles as a service road for deliveries to the stadium and may be the only concourse in the country with speed bumps. If you arrive early enough, you may see the Domino’s Pizza car driving on it to drop off pizzas to the concession stand, but for the most part it is closed to traffic during the game. The concourse curves around a hill behind the press box, so it is located at the bottom of the stands on the first base side but at the top of the stands on the third base side. The sun sets in center field during the game, so it is right in the eyes of fans, as well as the catcher, batter, and home plate umpire, for the first inning or two before it goes behind the trees. A couple Valley League traditions are worth noting here. Your game ticket doubles as your raffle ticket for a chance to win various prizes from sponsors throughout the game. Additionally, fans are not permitted to keep foul balls but can turn them into the concession stand for a free soda. The exact prize for turning in a ball may vary from game to game – when we visited, one fan mentioned that earlier in the week, fans received a soda and a hot dog for turning in the ball, and he was very disappointed that they were not giving away hot dogs that night. The Braves do a great job of keeping fans engaged, with various between-innings contests and giveaways. When the team scores a run, they play the Tomahawk Chop and the crowd claps and chops along. Neighborhood 3 Like many Valley League towns, Staunton is a small city nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Downtown Staunton is just a short drive away from the stadium and includes several options such as Queen City Brewing, and restaurants ranging from classic southern eateries to taco restaurants and even a pupuseria. There are a couple of unique museums in Staunton, the Jumbo Antique Fire Engine Museum and the Camera Heritage Museum. If you are interested in the history of fire engines or photography, it will be well worth visiting. Although Staunton doesn’t have all the glitz and glamor of a major city or even a suburb, it does have that small town charm you see in most of the Valley League. Fans 5 Staunton ranks near the top of the Valley League in attendance, and fans flock to John Moxie Memorial Stadium every night to watch the Braves play. As is typical of the Valley League, a significant portion of the town comes out to watch the games, everyone from young families with small children to older people who have been following the Braves for decades. The fans are active, especially when the Tomahawk Chop plays following a Braves run. Some of them have been known to heckle the players and umpires at times as well, but nothing too unfriendly and certainly not profane. Access 3 John Moxie Stadium is located a few miles off I-81, although you will have to do a bit of driving on local roads to get there. Some of the intersections near the ballpark can be quite confusing if it is your first time driving them, so allow extra time in case you get lost. Once you get to the stadium, parking is available in a large lot down the first baseline next to the adjacent football stadium. From there, you will enter through the first base gate and walk up the concourse (literally “up” as it is on a hill) to the bleachers and your seat. Restrooms are available in a building down the first baseline between the baseball stadium and the adjacent football field. The women’s restroom is on the baseball side and the men’s restroom is on the football side. They are small but a sufficient size for the crowds. Return on Investment 5 Free tickets are available to Braves games at local businesses who sponsor the game. Check the Braves website for specifics. If you are unable to make it during business hours, or don’t feel like spending money on gas and going on a scavenger hunt to get your ticket, they are available for just $5 at the gate, with discounts available for children and seniors. Concessions are affordable as well and parking is free, making a Braves game a great value for the whole family to go out to a ballgame. Extras 3 There is a team store called the Wig Wam behind the press box. Free roster sheets are available at the entrance and more extensive programs are available for just $4. There are two comfy lounge chairs located behind home plate. Fans can sign up for a drawing before the game and a lucky winner and one of their guests will get to sit in the best seats in the stadium, if not the whole Valley League. Final Thoughts What John Moxie Memorial Stadium lacks in flashiness it makes up for in charm. Baseball has been played at this site for over a century, and the Braves will be celebrating their centennial season next year (2023). Although Moxie Stadium doesn’t have the amenities of modern stadiums, and it certainly would never be mistaken for one, it is a gorgeous, historic stadium to watch a game on a summer’s night at a great price.

Photos by Google Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Bloomfield Road Seasiders Way Blackpool , England FY1 6JJ Blackpool FC website Bloomfield Road website Year Opened: 1899 Capacity: 16,616 Welcome to the Seaside Blackpool FC is currently a member of the EFL Championship and plays at Bloomfield Road. The club first used the grounds in 1900 and has called it home every year since the 1901-1902 season. The team was founded in 1887 and previously played at Raikes Hall Garden and the Athletic Grounds. Bloomfield Road has changed dramatically since football was first played in 1899. Back then, it was nothing else but a grandstand with a playing field. However, fans came out in droves and had to be pushed back by linesmen and officials. All four of its stands have been rebuilt with the latest renovations taking place with the Jimmy Armfield South Stands in 2010, which resulted in a capacity of 16,616. Blackpool is England’s main beach resort, and the club is nicknamed “The Seasiders”, although they are also called the “The Tangerines” based on the orange colour of their kit stripe, first worn in 1923. The club won the 2020-21 Football League One Play-Off championship and was promoted to the Championship. They have spent time in the top four leagues in England, with one season in the Premier League in 2010-211. They are the first ever club to gain promotion from every division within the Football League via the play-off system. Food & Beverage 3 The usual assortment of concession items is available at Bloomfield Road once you walk through the gates. The typical fare includes pies (meat and potatoes, cheese and onion, and Cornish pasty), rollover hot dogs, and something new, a chicken biryani meal. The biryani has been inspired by other grounds in the league and adds a tasty option at the game. Snacks and confectionery include Walker Crisps varieties, chocolate, and sweets. The non-alcoholic drinks include Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7Up Free, and Tango Free. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and Bovril are ideal for cold, wet, or foggy games during the season. The alcoholic beverages include Heineken at selected kiosks, John Smith’s, Strongbow, Fosters, and Strongbow Dark Fruits. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at match days is very impressive, with crowds of around 11,000 dissenting upon Bloomfield Road hours before the game. The streets are packed, fans decked out in tangerine color kits are mulling about, and local pubs are packed with home and away supporters. It is ideal to arrive early to soak in the atmosphere of this coastal town. There are four main grandstands at the grounds: Armfield South Stand, Matthews West Stand, East Stand, and Mortensen North Stand (The Kop). The Matthews Stands contains the players' tunnel, the East Stand houses away fans, and The Kop is home to the family section and club shop. The seating is steep but close to the action on the pitch. It is slightly uncomfortable, but many fans cheer on the home side doing battle down below. There are also five hospitality lounges at the stadium: Heineken Lounge, Moretti Lounge, Club 1953, and Club Matthews. The Club 1953 is for home fans only and is more relaxed than the others that are located on the halfway line. There are also executive boxes with padded seating, balcony views, and a full-course meal. The club does feature a mascot named Bloomfield Bear, who is available for photos and hugs with the smaller fans. The team’s official team shop offers a wide selection of merchandise before, during, and after the game. Programmes are available at the grounds and sell for £3 Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood surrounding the stadium is a mix of residential and commercial units. There are options to grab something to eat or drink before the match, which includes local and national brands. There is also a selection of tourist attractions that should make a visit worth your trip. The Old Bridge House is a 5-minute walk from the stadium. It is a nice gathering place with food, drink, and large-screen TVs. The Velvet Coaster is on the coast and close to the South Train Station. The Bridge is where you will find Blackpool fans decked out in tangerine. Away supporters will find solace at The Manchester, The Castle, Bloomfield Brewhouse, and The Bridge. Pleasure Beach is an amusement park with thrilling rides and one large roller coaster. The Blackpool Tower offers stunning views from its observation deck overlooking the city and the coastline. SeaLife Blackpool has 50 displays and 1,000 aquatic seals. Sandcastle Water park offers 18 slides in an 84-degree tropical climate for the family. There are also three giant piers located at the beaches. The Blackpool FC Stadium Hotel is located on the grounds and fluctuates in pricing on gameday, but an ideal lodging place for your football experience in town. Other lodging options near the stadium include The Rimini, Travelodge, and Bloomfield Brewhouse. Fans 3 The average attendance for home matches is well over 11,000. The fan experience is similar to other football clubs in the league, and the passion can be felt when “The Tangerines” are marching toward promotion. Away supporters sit in the South Stands, and there are plenty of chants, songs, and other forms of revelry at a game. Access 3 Mass transportation is the best option to attend the match. The Blackpool South station is one mile from the stadium and runs hourly. The Blackpool North Station runs more frequently and is a 25-minute walk from the stadium. Bus routes include services from numerous lines from the town center bus station and offer 10-15 minute walks to the grounds. Parking is limited at the stadium, but there are a few lots near the stadium. The Lonsdale Road Car Park and the Bloomfield Road Car Park are two options. They require a pre-payment of £13 and arrival should take place well before the start of the game. Bloomfield Road is a cashless stadium, except for the team shop. The venue accepts paper and tickets from your phone at all of the gates. Once inside the stadium, the concourse becomes crowded during half-time, but it's easy to move around since the stands are rarely filled for games. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket depends on what stand you want to watch the game. An adult ticket starts at £25 in the Southwest Family Stand and increases to £45 in the West Stand. If you are with the kids, the ticket prices in the family stand are £5-£10, with kids under 5 years of age admitted for free. Programmes are sold for £3, the car lots cost £13, and concession stand prices are reasonable. Extras 3 Blackpool earns a point for one of the better programmes in the league. The return of Bloomfield Bear is a bonus for the kids before the match. Stadium tours are available that last 1-2 hours and cost Programmes are sold for £10. Final Thoughts Attending a Blackpool match is a fun experience in a great location in England for Championship football. It is an ideal destination if you are with the family, but great if you are ground-hopping alone or with a few friends. Bloomfield Road has plenty to see, along with the rest of Blackpool.

Photos by Gregory Koch Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 So Sweet a Cat Field 107 Larchwood Ave West Long Branch, NJ 07764 Monmouth Hawks website So Sweet a Cat Field website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 500 (estimated) So Sweet a Field Hockey Stadium Located just a mile from the Atlantic Ocean and 50 miles from New York City, Monmouth University is right in the heart of New Jersey. The Monmouth field hockey team plays its home games on campus at So Sweet a Cat Field. The stadium is named after an animal belonging to Jane Freed, whose large donation helped fund the stadium, but it is not the kind of animal you would expect. It is not a reference to how good Freed's pet kitty was, but the name of one of her racehorses. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or beverage for sale at So Sweet a Cat Field, but fans are free to bring their own. Atmosphere 2 So Sweet a Cat Field is pretty basic, even by college field hockey standards. Two small sets of bleachers are located along one sideline, straight ahead as you come in. Many fans of the visiting team will sit in the near set, as it is across from their bench. Monmouth fans will sit on the other set for the same reason. The bleachers are very close to the field and low to the ground - the bottom row will have your feet on the grass. There is not much going on here besides the game itself. The PA announcer will announce the lineups before the game, and the goalscorers, but that is about it. Neighborhood 4 Located just a mile from the Jersey Shore, there is plenty to do in the vicinity of Monmouth University's campus. Although it is in a residential neighborhood, the beaches of Long Branch are just a five-minute drive away. While these won't be helpful later in the season when the temperature of air and ocean is chilly, it is extremely popular early in the season, over Labor Day Weekend before it cools off. Long Branch and West Long Branch offer numerous restaurants, serving everything from tacos to pizza to Portuguese. While it is more lively when the weather is warm, it can be nice to experience the area without the crowds later in the fall. Fans 2 Monmouth field hockey may draw a hundred fans a game, but about half of them will typically be fans of the other team. It is almost exclusively friends and family of the players, though an occasional Monmouth student may show up. Even compared to other college field hockey programs across the country, this is low attendance. Access 3 Monmouth University is about 15 minutes off the Garden State Parkway via Exit 105 or a 90-minute train ride from New York City. If you do choose to drive, parking is available in a lot right next to the stadium for free. It shouldn't fill up, but if it does, other lots are available nearby. You will need to walk along the grass to get to the bleachers, but beyond that, getting around isn't a problem. Restrooms are located in a shed in the far left corner of the field, near the American flag. They are not signed until you get over there, but people will direct you if you ask. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Monmouth field hockey games is free, as is parking. You won't pay anything for concessions because there aren't any. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Extras 0 There are no real extras here. Final Thoughts A Monmouth field hockey game is a pretty basic experience, even compared to other college field hockey venues. While the stadium may have the best name of any venue in the sport, the experience here is not as impressive. Still, if you are a fan of the sport and are in the area, you may want to head down to So Sweet a Cat Field to check it out.

Photos by Meg Miinard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 MIT Narrabundah Ballpark Kyeema St Narrabundah, ACT 2604 Canberra Cavalry website MIT Narrabunah Ballpark website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 2,000 Canberra Cavalry Baseball The Cavalry were formed in 2010 as part of the re-birth of the Australian Baseball League for the 2010/11 season. After being largely ignored by previous iterations, the ACT Baseball Association ran a public campaign to ensure the national capital would be included in the new ABL. Despite being the smallest market by far, the Cavs have done an impressive job in building a club capable of on-field success, culminating in both an ABL and Asia Series championship in 2012/13, and drawing strong local community support. The Fort at MIT Ballpark (also known as Narrabundah Ballpark) subsequently received a $2m investment to support the Cavalry’s entry to the ABL, and the ACT government had previously committed close to $5m for a substantial redevelopment to improve the fan experience. Current capacity is listed as 2,250. The ballpark complex includes three fields, which are well used by local community competitions in addition to the ABL. Food & Beverage 4 While The Fort is a small venue, there are a variety of offerings befitting a much larger park. Most popular are the Collectable Helmet Deals; vegetable nachos ($17), waffle fires ($15.50), onion rings ($15.50), and beef nachos ($16.50) – all of which you can add a soft drink to for an additional $5. There are also the usual hot chips, hot dogs, pies, and burgers. Adults can enjoy a drink with beers around $7, spirits $9.50, and wine $6.50. Also popular are slushies – either with or without alcohol. There is now an ATM within the park, so if you haven’t got cash with you you’re still covered. Atmosphere 3 The laid-back and relaxed atmosphere here is immediately noticeable, but don’t let that fool you; the Cavs do an outstanding job of engaging fans and keeping the crowd entertained. There’s a variety of seating areas, giving a spacious feel, yet a seemingly contradictory intimate atmosphere. The main grandstand is behind home plate, but the concourse runs between it and the field. It is quite small, but fully undercover with reserved seating only. Directly behind home plate is a special members-only section. Most of the rest of the park is general admission, including bleachers on the first plate line and the third base line. There’s also plenty of standing room which allows you to get right up close to the action. Additionally, there’s two areas that include catering and drinks; the bunker box and the party deck – perfect if you’re in a group and planning a big night out. The park itself is quite scenic, adding to the relaxed and serene feel. Expect numerous promotions and skits in between innings, along with a singalong to Sweet Caroline, and regular appearances from the mascot, Sarge. Neighborhood 3 The Fort is a suburban ballpark, meaning there is little on offer in the immediate vicinity. However, there are two affordable hotels within walking distance; the Best Western Plus Garden City (55 Jerrabomberra Ave, Narrabundah), and Ibis Styles Canberra (203 Goyder Ave, Narrabundah). There are a small number of shops close by and in neighboring suburbs, as well as a public golf course and the Canberra Greyhound Racing Club (although greyhound racing in the ACT is scheduled to be phased out from April 2018). The only restaurant nearby is Knuckles, at the Harmonie German Club (49 Jerrabomberra Ave, Narrabundah). Outside of this you’re better off heading north towards Barton and the Canberra CBD – a few places worth considering in that area are Canberra Casino (21 Binarra St, Canberra), Mooseheads (105 London Circuit, Canberra), King O’Malley’s (131 City Walk, Canberra), and Honkytonks (17 Garema Place, Canberra). Canberra is Australia’s capital city, and as such is a veritable goldmine of interesting tourist attractions. We’ve chosen to mention only three here, which should give you a good starting point for your trip. Parliament House (Parliament Drive, Canberra) is open every day of the year excluding Christmas Day. However, if you’re hoping to sit in on Question Time, be aware that parliament only sits around 60 days a year, and is normally in recess during the ABL season. Despite this, it is still worth your time. In addition, around ten minutes away by car is the Australian War Memorial (Trealor Crescent, Campbell); a museum and archive which chronicles and commemorates those Australians who have served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice – this is an absolute must. Lastly is the National Science and Technology Centre (King Edward Terrace, Parkes). Commonly known as Questacon, the Centre is a large, family friendly, interactive facility designed to inspire and foster interest in science. Canberra is also home to several other professional sporting teams including Canberra United (W-League) and the Canberra Capitals (WNBL), both of whom are based north of the city. Check their schedules for any potential double header opportunities. Fans 5 The Cavalry are one of the best attended teams in the league, behind only Perth . Many of the fans we spoke to are semi-regulars, attending numerous games per season. Everyone is friendly and chatty, and happy to engage in friendly banter. Canberra has a friendly rivalry with the Sydney Blue Sox , with the two competing for the Hume Highway Cup. Crowds at The Fort are consistently over 1,000, which for this park is perfect. Access 2 Canberra is a planned city, and consequently is relatively well spread. The easiest method of travel to a Cavalry game is by car, with plenty of parking just off Goyder St. While there are public busses that pass near the park, they cease early in the evening. A taxi or Uber from the city would take around 15 minutes. If you’re close by, walking is fine. Once inside, the venue is spacious and roomy, and the bathrooms are small but adequate. Return on Investment 4 Value for money exceeds expectations – adult entry is between $18 and $25 if pre-purchased online, with a small increase if you’re buying at the gate, and a general admission family pass is outstanding value at only $44. In addition, food and beverages are priced fairly, and contribute to making a Cavs game affordable, and a great return on investment. Extras 2 The team at the Cavalry make it easy to enjoy your visit to the ballpark. The fans and staff are obviously enjoying being a part of baseball in Canberra. Also, the promotions are entertaining, and there is a team store on site. Final Thoughts The Cavalry do an outstanding job here at The Fort at MIT Ballpark. The atmosphere is friendly, with an emphasis on entertainment and value for money; a visit to The Fort is well worth the effort.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Ross-Ade Stadium 850 Beering Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907 Purdue Boilermakers website Ross-Ade Stadium website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 62,500 Boiler Up! at Ross-Ade Stadium Ross-Ade Stadium was dedicated on November 22, 1924, and named in honor of Purdue alumni George Ade and David E. Ross, two principal benefactors. At the time of its construction, the stadium had a capacity of 13,500. Today, the stadium holds 57,236 people. The first addition was made in 1930 when 5,000 seats were added to the north end zone. A permanent grandstand on the west side was built before the 1949 season, increasing the seating capacity to 51,295. A series of more renovations saw the capacity reach its apex of 62,500 by 1969. However, capacity decreased in 2014 when 6,100 seats were removed from the endzone in 2014. During the 2017 season, lighting was installed so that games could be played at night for the first time. The stadium features a horse-shoe design with an open-air end zone, including food trucks, a massive patio with bench stool seating, and beverage kiosks. In addition to the grandstand, there is a giant student section. The Boilermakers began its football program in 1887 and played games at Stuart Field in 1892 until Ross-Ade’s completion. The program has captured 12 conference championships and 1 national title in 1931. There have been 294 players selected in the NFL Draft, 4 members of the NFL Hall of Fame, and 3 Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks (Len Dawson, Bob Griese, and Drew Brees). Food & Beverage 4 Ross-Ade has a wide selection of food and beverage that includes hot dogs, burgers, Domino’s Pizza, soft pretzels, pork tenderloin sandwiches, nachos, and chicken tenders. Sweet treats include elephant ears, ice cream, and Kona Ice. Popcorn is enjoyed from a plastic oak and barrel bucks, a nod to the annual football trophy against rival Indiana University. Multiple concession stands and kiosks feature Budweiser products. Fans can also enjoy local craft beer from People’s Brewing Company called Boiler Gold. Pepsi products are sold at the stadium. In the endzone, the Famous Frank’s food truck offers an array of distinct hot dogs with toppings, including fries, mozzarella sticks, cheesesteak, and jalapeño poppers. One example is the Fat Frank which features mozzarella sticks, steak, cheese whiz, and french fries. Atmosphere 4 The campus comes alive on game day, with tailgating beginning in various lots and residential lawns hours before kickoff. There are many who won’t attend the game but enjoy food and drink with a few hundred friends. Homeowners stand outside with paper signs advertising parking fees. Students and alumni dress up and begin drinking early in the school tradition “Breakfast Club”. Fans are dressed in old gold and black, including many in overalls. The smell of food off the grill and sounds of music from the parking lot adds to the excitement of game day in West Lafayette. Once inside, fans grab their seats and enjoy the sights of the marching band that includes the “World’s Largest Drum”, the Boilermaker Special locomotive, and creates various formations that includes the official fight song “Hail Purdue”. Before kickoff, fans grab their keys and shake them and shout “IU Sucks” after the band plays the “Horse and Hail Fire” song. There is not a bad seat in the house; bleacher-seating puts fans on top of each other and a giant video board stands in the open end zone. There is additional seating in this area that includes a large patio with food and drink options. Neighborhood 4 The Chauncey Village neighborhood features quite a bit of funky little shops and restaurants, plus some great nightlife destinations. Von’s Shops offers an impressive array of new and used books, clothing, and other items in an eclectic building and storefront. Next door is Von’s Dough Shack, where customers choose their type of calzone and enjoy it fresh from the oven. If you are not the creative type, there are 34 varieties to choose from off the menu. Across the street is the famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant, where one can enjoy a peanut butter burger or homemade root beer inside its small, cozy, and narrow booths. The small building features narrow countertops and bar stools. If you are a craft beer fan, People’s Brewing Company is located 3 miles north of the campus and is one of the better places for local beer in the state. Brokerage Brewing Company offers a full menu, highlighted by kahlua pork nachos and sandwiches. Lafayette Brewing Company is the other craft beer option in town, with $2 off of pints on Wednesday nights. Fans 4 To say that Boilermaker fans are passionate would be an understatement. The town comes alive on football Saturdays that include massive tailgating before and during the game. Inside the stadium, the passion continues with near-capacity crowds, and the Ross-Ade Brigade student section is among the best at the conference. Expect to hear a lot of “Boiler Up!” chants during the game. Access 3 It is advisable to arrive at least a couple of hours before kickoff, perhaps even 3 hours earlier. Game day traffic is not hard to navigate, but it can become cumbersome. There are plenty of lots that offer parking for $20 to $30 a car, including homeowner lawns a few blocks away from the stadium. Free parking is available but requires a walk of about a mile. The local police make sure that signage leads motorists to and from the stadium but arrive early to find a spot and perhaps walk around the numerous tailgating lots before the game. However, it is advisable to wait some time after the game to drive out of the stadium. Once inside the stadium, the concourse gets dense before the game and during half-time. Moving around in your seats requires long walks up the aisles for certain seats and bleacher-style seating. It is not different from other college football venues of its era and is somewhat expected for die-hard and casual fans. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket is as low as $25 – $35 for low to high-demand games and as high as $75 – $90 for games against Big 10 foes. The cost of parking is $20 a few blocks away from the stadium and free if you want to walk a mile on foot. The atmosphere, numerous traditions, and the frenzied crowd are more than enough to provide a traditional college football experience. Extras 3 The Purdue football experience earns extra points for school traditions that feature the jingling of keys, shouting out “IU Sucks!”, and pre-game Breakfast Club. A second point is awarded to the “World Largest Drum” that is on display, along with the Boilermaker Special locomotive in the endzone during the game. A final point is for the town to create a wonderful game day atmosphere on Saturdays. Final Thoughts Ross-Ade Stadium is a basic horse-shoe-shaped venue, but it does what it needs to do on game days. The fan support is strong and additional renovations are planned to update the century-old stadium. Still, there is a lot to enjoy at the game unless you are a fan of the opposing team. The Purdue football experience is among the best in the area and more than “sneaky good”.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Gateway Center Arena at College Park 2330 Convention Center Concourse College Park, GA 30337 College Park SkyHawks website Gateway Center Arena at College Park website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 5,000 More Than Just An Airport Serving as the permanent home of the G League College Park Skyhawks and the WNBA's Atlanta Dream , Gateway Center Arena is a part of the Georgia International Convention Center. This 5,000-seat arena is part of a redevelopment in the airport city of College Park. Since 2019, Gateway Center Arena has proudly served its local community.   Food & Beverage 4 Being the smaller venue that it is, there is not an abundant number of concession stands. And while only three concession stands were being operated on the concourse, they offered a wide variety of distinctive options. They offer the stadium fundamentals like hot dogs, burgers, pretzels, pizza, soda, and popcorn that you would expect from every stadium. But they also present items that are not traditionally in smaller arenas, like chicken wings cooked to order, Jambalaya, Catfish, Buffalo Shrimp, and Impossible Sliders. The lemon pepper wings tasted fresh and came with six wings and waffle fries, but all this and a 32oz drink cost $20 which seems steep. In terms of alcohol, both import and domestic beers are on the menu alongside mixed drinks and wine.   Atmosphere 3 Gateway Center Arena would be considered an appropriate venue for this level of basketball. The arena’s concourse and seating wraps 3/4th the way around the court, with the concourse lying above the seating bowl. Restrooms are found in the corners, and a small team store is right in front of the entrance to the stadium. Like the team store, the two main concession stands sit next to the entrance. Kiosks for drinks, popcorn, pizza, and oddly enough a make-up station are along the concourse above the sideline. A standing room is available on the concourse with tabletop railings above the seating bowl.   My favorite part of the arena would be the ticketing strategy the Skyhawks implement for their games. Rows “AA”, “CT” (tables next to the floor), “BB”, “A”, and “B” are all reserved seating and are considered “VIP” tickets. These are usually used for season ticket holders. The rest of the arena, row C-M, is general admission seating. That means you can sit in whatever section you want, whether that be the corner, behind the basket, or center court. This is a strategy I wish more lower-level teams would implement. There are two video boards, one in each opposite corner that show scores, stats, and video promotions.   Gateway Center Arena Corner View, Photo by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 2 There is not much in terms of a neighborhood for before or after the game. The arena is a part of the Georgia International Convention Center Property, which is a pretty large development adjacent to Hartsfield International Airport. Being next to the Airport there are plenty of hotels to choose from in the area, and some chain restaurants to accompany the airport travelers. The neighborhood does not have a walkable district, as the area is pretty car-heavy due to the airport. If you are traveling to Atlanta and would like to attend a game, I would advise you to stay in the Buckhead area, as it is a short drive from I-85, and this is a popular neighborhood within the city for food, bars, shopping, and entertainment. Fans 3 The Skyhawks are still a relatively new franchise in the Atlanta area. Founded in 2019, the Skyhawks have entered a crowded basketball market with Atlanta having the NBA’s Hawks, and two division one programs in Georgia Tech and Georgia State. Therefore, the Skyhawks have marketed themselves as southside’s team, and due to that most of the fans in attendance are local families that reside in the immediate area. The fans are welcoming and laid back, they cheer when given a reason on the court, and they are very knowledgeable about their team. Skyhawks appear to sit in the middle of the pack in terms of G League attendance. They all wish to see the players on the court make it too, or make it back to the big stage, being State Farm Arena, a brief MARTA ride away. They are not the most passionate fans in the world, but they are happy to have a team and are very welcoming to anyone visiting. Access 3 There are many ways to get to Gateway Center Arena. If driving in from out of town, or in the Atlanta perimeter, Exit-2 of I-285 will spit you out on Camp Creek Parkway, which is the road that the complex is on. I-85 is also an option as Exit-72 will also put you on Camp Creek Parkway east of the arena. No matter which direction you plan on traveling to, give yourself plenty of time to get to the arena, as with Atlanta in general, but especially next to the airport, traffic can be horrendous. The arena has parking right in front of the main entrance, and the concourse is as easy to navigate as it comes.   Return on Investment 3 In terms of the value of a ticket, general admission tickets are the way to go. At just $15 you can sit in any section you want if it is above row “C”. It is $10 to park, which seems more than reasonable for onsite parking. However, the food prices seem high. The pizza kiosk is $10, hotdogs are $5, burgers are $11, BBQ burger is $12, catfish is $18, honey wings are $18, and cheese nachos are $14. In terms of drinks, sodas are $5, domestic beers are a reasonable $7 with craft and imports being $8, dingle mixed drinks are $12, and doubles are $20. Some of these prices seem slightly steep, but nothing completely unreasonable for a stadium.   Extras 3 We love general admission being the entire bowl, which allows fans not to spend extra to gain the view they desire to obtain. There is also a VIP section situated on the opposite baseline for season ticket members.    Final Thoughts The Skyhawks have made a home in College Park. It seems as if they have created their fanbase, even in this crowded basketball market. Gateway Center Arena provides a casual, comfortable, and intimate setting for visitors to experience high-level basketball.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Alumni Field 77 Arch Street Keene, NH 03431 Keene Swamp Bats website Alumni Field website Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 4,100 Keen on Keene The Keene Swamp Bats have competed in the New England Collegiate Baseball League since 1998. Over their two decades in the circuit they have become one of the flagship franchises in the league, annually ranking among the top four teams in attendance. The Swamp Bats have qualified for the playoffs 17 times, winning the Fay Vincent Cup as league champions four times, second only to the Newport Gulls . Seventeen Swamp Bat alumni have reached the Major Leagues. The Swamp Bats play their home games at Alumni Field on the campus of Keene High School. In addition to hosting the Swamp Bats, the athletic fields adjacent to Alumni Field host several of Keene High School’s varsity teams. The defining feature of Alumni Field is its covered wooden grandstand, which was built in 1948. Food & Beverage 4 Jerry’s Hard Ball Café is located behind home plate, and puts out an impressive variety of food for a stand at this level of baseball. All the standard ballpark fare can be found here, including hot dogs, burgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, pizza and grilled chicken sandwiches. Sandwiches are served plain, or various toppings can be added for a charge. Fans looking for healthier options will be pleased to find garden salads on the menu, either with or without grilled chicken, as well as veggie burgers. The Swamp Bats also offer healthy meals for kids in the form of their “batter box.” These souvenir bags are filled with a pizza slice, peanut butter and jelly sandwich or salad, along with carrot sticks, water, and fruit. Kids get to keep the bag and refill it at later games at a reduced price. Fans not so concerned about healthy options can choose from a large variety of candy, snacks and ice cream. Popcorn can be purchased in a souvenir Swamp Bats megaphone. Root beer floats are another popular item on hot New Hampshire nights. Coca-Cola products are featured at Alumni Field. Alcohol is not sold at Swamp Bat games. Atmosphere 4 Everything in Keene starts with the setting. Norman Rockwell couldn’t have dreamed up a setting that says “New England” more accurately than this. Surrounded by pine and maple trees, with a barn just beyond the right field fence, Alumni Field boasts a most picturesque setting. Of course, the giant wooden grandstand that runs the length of the first base line from home plate past first base sets the tone in this bucolic setting. Usually the game day experience at a summer college baseball game in these parts is rather laid back and reserved, fitting in perfectly with the New England setting. Keene breaks from this template with a whole lot of activity throughout the game, including between inning contests for the kids and raffles and giveaways for the adults. While the shenanigans going on at Alumni Field don’t approach the level of distraction present at a typical minor league game, it helps keep the younger fans in attendance involved. Neighborhood 2 Alumni Field is located amongst the athletic fields of Keene High School in rural Keene, NH, a city of just over 20,000 citizens. There isn’t much to do in the immediate vicinity of Alumni Field, but just a couple of miles away downtown Keene features several restaurants, shops, and the campus of Keene State College. Keene is a popular destination in the fall, both for the magnificent foliage in the area and to witness the Keene Pumpkin Festival, which set a world record in 2017 with 30,851 lit jack-o-lanterns on display. Fans 4 Keene has ranked in the top four of the NECBL in attendance in every season of their existence. The Swamp Bats average in the neighborhood of 1,500 fans per game, and these fans are some of the most dedicated you will see. Fans will come to Alumni Field hours before game time to stake out their favorite spots, and many regulars have been sitting in these spots for years. It’s not unusual to see several generations of a family taking in the action from all corners of Alumni Field. During the game, these fans do not just sit quietly to watch the game. Many fans bring their own noisemakers (cowbells seem to be the preferred item in Keene), and cheer not only the home team, but outstanding efforts from the visitors as well. Sportsmanship is very much alive at this level of baseball. Access 3 Keene isn’t somewhere you stumble upon accidentally. Keene is located in southwestern New Hampshire, about a 90 minute drive from Manchester. The area is not served by any interstates, with the closest one being I-91, which runs north-south across the state line in Vermont about a half hour away. Several state routes converge in Keene, but they are all of the two-lane, winding variety. Most visitors to Keene will arrive via the Franklin Pierce Highway, otherwise known as Route 9. If you are heading to a Swamp Bats game, you are most definitely driving there. Once arriving at Alumni Field, you will find ample parking either the parking lot directly behind the ballpark, or in a nearby lot by the high school. Just be careful not to park too close to the field, as home runs leave Alumni Field with great regularity, threatening the windshields of cars parked too close. The Swamp Bats provide shuttles from the lots to the field’s entrance, a nice extra for those fans who need a lift. You will need to walk all the way around the baseball field to enter into the concourse, located behind home plate. After passing by the snack bar, rest rooms, and souvenir tables, you will see a large, covered grandstand along the first base line. This grandstand makes up the majority of the permanent seating here, although there are two small sets of bleachers behind home plate, and another large set of aluminum bleachers along the third base line. Many fans choose to sit along the edge of the field in their lawn chairs or blankets. Some fans are known to arrive hours before game time to stake out prime locations. It’s not unusual to see lawn chairs lined up all the way down both foul lines. There is plenty of spare room to roam at Alumni Field, and the youngsters that attend the game make the most of it, playing their own games of catch in the grass or chasing foul balls around. Combine this action with the game at hand, the sights of the mountains in the background, the smells of the grill, and you have an ideal setting for a ball game. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to see the Swamp Bats at Alumni Field cost five dollars. Seniors are admitted for three dollars, and children 10 and under are admitted free of charge. The Swamp Bats offer a family pass, which admits two adults and all their children for ten dollars. Parking is available at no cost in the lot directly behind the ball field. This lot tends to fill up quickly, but there is another lot within a short walking distance adjacent to the high school. This lot connects to Alumni Field via a paved path. Factor in inexpensive food prices, and you have the makings of an affordable night out for the whole family. Extras 4 The Swamp Bats keep fans engaged with an enriched schedule of promotions and giveaways not often seen in the summer leagues. In addition to the usual 50/50 raffle, the Swamp Bats run contests between most innings. The team gives away a roster sheet to all attendees, and several nights feature additional giveaways as well. An extra point is awarded for the shuttles to and from the parking lots. After the game, the Swamp Bats open a gate in the outfield fence, letting fans walk across the field into the parking lot instead of taking the long way around the field. If you like home runs, you’ll love Alumni Field. With the center field fence only 352 feet from home plate, the long ball is virtually guaranteed. A final extra point is awarded for the setting at Alumni Field. From the classic 1948 wooden grandstand to the barns just beyond the right field fence to the views of the mountains in the distance, it’s hard to find a more picturesque setting anywhere. Final Thoughts It’s readily apparent once you step foot into Alumni Field why it’s one of the marquee venues in the New England Collegiate League. Take an unforgettable setting, add in great fan support, enthusiastic staff and tons of extra features and you have all the elements of a fantastic place to catch a ballgame. The baseball taking place on the field is top notch, as well. 149 NECBL alumni have reached the Major Leagues, including 34 so far in the 2018 season. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Yokohama Stadium Yokohama Koen Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0022 Japan Yokohama BayStars website Yokohama Stadium website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 30,000 Baseball in the City by the Bay (Stars) Yokohama is famous for being the port where Matthew Perry (the admiral, not the actor) landed in 1854 in what turned out to be a successful attempt to open Japan to the world. A century and a half later, the most important American export continues to thrive here, as the Yokohama BayStars do battle in the Central League, one of two circuits that comprise Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Before delving into the local stadium, a bit of background on Japanese baseball is warranted. There are some similarities to the structure of the American game such as having two leagues (6 teams in each, Pacific with the DH, Central without), interleague play, and three playoff rounds. But there are just as many differences: tie games are called after 12 innings, there is no minor league development system (each team has just one junior squad), and teams have at least one day off per week. In comparing fans, you might find the most obvious contrasts. In Japan, fans segregate themselves, with the home team fans sitting on the first base side of the stadium while the visitors sit on the third base side. Each team has its own vocal cheering section, called “oendan,” which occupies the unreserved outfield seating area, singing songs and cheering loudly while their team bats. Each player has his own cheer tune and you have to learn them to fit in. Most fans bring some sort of noise maker and even a boring game will be loud from the first pitch to the last. There are countless other differences that are best left to be discovered when you pay a visit to a Japanese ballpark. And a good place to start would be none other than Yokohama Stadium. Food & Beverage 4 Perhaps the best thing about Japanese ballyards is that you can bring your own food and drink in. Even alcohol is allowed, as long as you empty the can into a cup upon entering. As such, when rating the food at a stadium, the outside offerings must be considered along with the concession stands inside. Yokohama Stadium has more than enough variety, particularly with an excellent selection of food items outside the stadium. A must-try is the Kachi Hosshey (Winning Star), a baked good shaped like a star with lemon icing that was very tasty. This was just one of many items in the Hometown Festival area, a large collection of food and souvenir stands on the north side of the ballpark, which is only set up during weekend and holiday games. Among the many options inside the stadium is Mikan Kori, which is shaved ice topped with mandarin oranges – very refreshing on a humid afternoon. For those with less adventurous taste buds, there’s a McDonalds in the first base concourse and a KFC along the third base side. A good place to grab a bite while sitting down is the Victory Court restaurant inside the stadium. Located on the second level of the concourse behind home plate, this is a cafeteria style eatery where you grab a tray and place your order before carrying it to your seat. Menu items include recipes that are recommended by the players (I tried a beef bowl designed by pitcher Daisuke Miura which was rather unappetizing, hence the penalty point here) as well as your standard stadium fare such as hot dogs (known as the “Bay Dog” here).One clever promotion here is the Harper soda, a combination of I.W.Harper whiskey and soda water.Yokohama currently has Brett Harper on their squad and when he hits a homer, the Harper soda is half price for the rest of the game. If you are in your seat, you may notice vendors walking by with large boxes. These are bento, which come with a variety of small snacks (sushi, chicken nuggets, vegetables are just a few examples) and rice. There are nine different types being paraded around the park, plus a few more available at the concession stands. These can act as complete meals and are reasonably priced. If you want to try something truly offbeat, there is the unagi sushi bento which is steamed eel smothered in a special sauce – a real Japanese delicacy. Finally, Yokohama is famous as the site of Japan’s largest Chinatown, and you can pick up some prepackaged shumai and other Chinese delights that are quite tasty and make for perfect pre-game snacks. In other words, when you come to Yokohama, come hungry. Atmosphere 3 The team doesn’t draw very well. On the absolutely perfect Saturday afternoon I visited, there were only 17,502 in the 30,000-seat stadium. Due to ticket prices being quite high for the good seats, most people sit well down the lines, and with the majority of fans rooting for the home team, the first base side is crowded while the third base seats are relatively empty. I always find this disconcerting, and it adversely affects the atmosphere of the stadium in my opinion. It’s not just Yokohama that suffers from this, but on the day I was there, I really didn’t get a feeling that I was at a pro game. That’s not to say all is bad. There are nice views of the Landmark Tower, an iconic Yokohama building, beyond the left field fence and the staff here are helpful and friendly. If they could squeeze another few thousand people in here, it would greatly improve the overall experience. Neighborhood 5 Yokohama is one of Japan’s best cities and has far more tourist attractions than Tokyo. Chief among them is Chinatown, which is just 400 meters from the stadium. Motomachi, where foreigners first settled, is close by and well worth a look. A few minutes more and you reach Yokohama Port, which includes the Akarenga, or Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Originally a customs house, it is a long, red brick building that houses a shopping mall, restaurants, and event facilities. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, try Yamashita Koen, a narrow park that borders the water and can be quite refreshing on a hot day. All of these attractions are within a mile of the ballpark and close to each other, so if you are taking in a night game, be sure to spend the afternoon here. Closer to the stadium, there is Certe, a Japanese-style shopping mall. It’s easily reached by a pedestrian bridge just outside the north exit of Kannai station and has two spots inside you might want to visit. The first is the BayStars’ team shop, which is on the second floor and hard to miss as you enter the mall from the pedestrian bridge. Team shops here have far more variety than you will find back in the United States, and are great places for souvenirs, and not just of the baseball variety. For example, you can buy chopsticks that are made out of broken bats. The second place that might be worth visiting is Yankees, a sports cafe located on the 6th floor of the building. Don’t be fooled by the name, the friendly owners are unabashed BayStars’ supporters and have a large TV for the live games, with recordings of past games (only Yokohama victories naturally) when the team isn’t playing. The food offerings should appeal to the western palate and there’s plenty of selection, as well as drinks for post-game parties. Just a couple of blocks away from the stadium is BayStars Dori, a small street that contains a commemorative display honoring the team’s 1998 Nippon Series title, the only one in the franchise’s more than 30 years in Yokohama. There are hand prints from each player on team (Bobby Rose and Kazuhiro Sasaki are two names you might recognize) and an etching showing the squad throwing their manager in the air in the traditional Japanese celebration. Fans still flock here before the game to remember the good times. I’ll stop here, but could go on much longer. If you are coming to Japan, make sure to spend at least a full day in Yokohama, one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. Fans 3 Despite having the worst team in the Central League (CL), the fans here enjoy themselves. I went to a Saturday afternoon game and was amazed at how many families were there. I wish there were more of them though. The low attendance was disappointing and the cheering section wasn’t that impressive. To their credit, they handed out the cheer songs for each player so you can participate with even rudimentary Japanese. It may have been the surprisingly hot weather or the fact that their team was shutout, but the fans were pretty quiet except for one promotion, a dance contest. After the 5th inning, the camera scans the crowd and the more outgoing fans dance up a storm, trying to win audience approval and tickets to a future game. This was the most energetic I’d seen them and gets them a bonus point. Access 4 In Japan, fans don’t drive to baseball games, they take trains, so parking is not an issue. Yokohama Stadium has the best access of any stadium in the Kanto area, being just three minutes from Kannai station on the Negishi line. The Yokohama Subway also has a Kannai station just 5 minutes away, while the Minato Mirai line’s Nihon Odori station is just 3 minutes north. There are three ticket windows and each sells tickets for a specific area. If you want to sit on the first base side, use the box office next to gate 2, while visiting fans would use the one by gate 6 to get seats on the third base side. Those who prefer the noisier outfield must use the ticket window between gates 7 and 8. Just behind here is a quiet tree-covered park where you can relax before entering the ballpark, as well as the Hometown Festival mentioned previously. Make sure to enter the gate printed on your ticket. Within the stadium, moving from one seating area to another is not allowed and tickets are checked upon entering the seating bowl, so you will be limited in your wanderings. In particular, you cannot move from the outfield seats to the infield or vice versa. This is common in Japanese stadiums though and doesn’t affect the rating. There are excellent wheelchair seating locations just a few rows from the field but still behind the protective netting. As an aside, Japanese ballparks generally use far too much netting, but Yokohama gets it right, with a full net behind the plate and then a triangle of netting to the dugouts that protects those down low but allows fans in the higher seats a clear view. You can re-enter the stadium should you need to leave by getting a stamp on your hand. On the concourse near home plate, there’s a small kids park for toddlers and their parents who can’t sit through 3 hours of baseball. I saw several families relaxing here and it’s a smart idea that should be taken up elsewhere. At each end of the concourse there is a small raised area reached by a staircase that offers benches in front of TVs. Many people escape the elements and watch a few innings here. The main problem with access is the cramped concourse, particularly on the first base side with all the home fans. Restrooms are also limited and there are lines for the men’s, so a point is docked for these two minor annoyances. Return on Investment 3 There is only one seating bowl here with nine seating options that are mostly described by letters. SS seats are the best, following by S, FA (field level A), FB, A and B; the other three options are unreserved infield and outfield seats and well as two sections of reserved seats in the outfield. The structure of the stadium is unique, with the field level seats being quite flat and facing second base rather than home plate, but the other seats in the infield rise very steeply and offer great views of the field and beyond. Tickets here can be expensive, going as high as 6,500 yen ($80) for the SS seats, which are the dark blue box seats that come complete with drink holders. These seats provide an excellent visual contrast from the old and uncomfortable orange chairs that make up the rest of the seating bowl, but they are a bit much for a Japanese baseball game. The remaining seats range from 5,500 yen for the field level seats between home plate and the bases down to 1,800 yen for the unreserved outfield seats. The best value in my mind are the 3,500 yen B seats, which are the upper level between home and the bases. On a hot day, a breeze blows through that doesn’t reach the lower parts of the bowl but keeps you refreshed if you are sitting up high. The field is artificial turf, except for the areas around home plate and the bases, which are dirt. The infield area is colored brown but the underlying material is the same, so there are no funny bounces. The scoreboard is rather old and has a simple video screen along with the linescore and lineups. There are ads on fences that line the top of the seating bowl as well as on the fence, although this is typical in Japanese parks. Extras 5 This is where Yokohama Stadium and the BayStars really excel. There are so many interesting features that you need to show up well before the game to explore the area. First Yokohama is the only team in the country that doesn’t use a corporate name in their moniker. Other teams are known primarily by their owners, such as the Yomiuri Giants, who are run by a large newspaper conglomerate. Despite trying to change this perception by adding regional names (Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters or Tokyo Yakult Swallows), the business name usually dominates. Yokohama manages to avoid this trap and seem to have a more loyal, local following because of it. Outside gate 3 is YY Park, a small area where the mascots and cheer girls congregate before the game. The dance team instructs fans on cheering and then puts on a 15-minute show to get fans ready. When season ticket holders enter the stadium, they can try their luck on the Hero Photo lottery. A small bingo-like device dispenses a ball and if a special colored ball emerges, you are allowed to take a photo with the game hero afterwards. This only happens if Yokohama wins, so I wasn’t able to see it. Another unique extra is the lights, which are shaped like the letter Y, standing for Yokohama of course. I thought this was a brilliant touch. The scoreboard has a cool app called Sta-Pri, which is short for Stadium Print, as in a photograph. If you are captured on the scoreboard, you are asked to pose and a picture is taken. You can pick up this picture later to keep as an excellent souvenir. There are many other little touches that really make being a fan here special. The BayStars know how to create a fun environment for all types of fans and I hope that they can convince more locals to enjoy the unique experience of BayStars baseball. Final Thoughts This is the first review for a Japanese stadium and it can be difficult to communicate just how different the overall experience is here. I’d like to compare these venues to each other rather than to their counterparts in North America. Certainly most Japanese ballparks are lacking when compared to the newfangled stadiums that dot the MLB landscape, but when looking within Japan, there is no doubt that Yokohama Stadium is an excellent place to get acquainted with the game that arrived on these shores so long ago.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon 218 Avenue Murdoch Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 1E6, Canada Rouyn-Noranda Huskies website Arena Iamgold du Centre Dave Keon website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 3,500 Les Cors des Huskies (avec Dave-Keon) The horns, oh the horns! They may not be the horns of justice or the horns of victory. They may only be made of plastic and cardboard, but the horns are a staple of Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon. Home for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, Aréna Iamgold was built in 1951 and formerly named after the favorite son of the area and former Toronto Maple Leafs legend, Dave Keon. The building is as old school as they come and totally fits the Northern Québec area. However, if there is one thing that the hockey experience in this mining town of 41,000 should be known for, it is the horns the fans play throughout the game. The Huskies originally began their existence all the way back in 1933 as the legendary Montreal Junior Canadiens. In 1982 the team moved to Verdun as the Verdun Juniors before moving again to Saint-Hyacinthe in 1989 to become the Laser. The final move for this franchise was in 1996 when they moved north to become the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The team is currently owned by 16 local shareholders and decisions are made through a Board of Directors structure. The area is known for copper mining as they claim to be the Copper Capital of Canada, and hockey players Dave Keon and Jacques Laperriere. When naming rights were purchased by the Iamgold Corporation, a Toronto-based, international gold producer, the arena was renamed Aréna Iamgold but the entire building retained the moniker of the legendary Leaf. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions at Aréna Iamgold are a bit of an adventure. Although there is a decent variety of items that you would expect at a hockey arena of this calibre, there is a distinct lack of modern amenities. Concessions require cash purchases and a clear price list or menu is replaced with piecemeal hand printed and computer printed sheets of paper. Combine this with a distinctly French culture and those already intimidated by the language, will probably steer clear of concessions all together. The north side of the arena has the major concession area, entitled “restaurant.” Poutine remains probably the most popular selection. Soft drink options feature Pepsi products as well as other items. What is of significant surprise is the variety of alcoholic items available. Although the beer selection is of typical nature including Molson Canadian, Molson Export and Coors Light, other alcoholic options are plentiful. Practically a full bar is available including rum, vodka and cognac. What bumps up the food score higher than expected is the absolutely terrific pricing in Rouyn-Noranda. Fans that venture into the concessions will not be upset by high prices. Atmosphere 4 Aréna Iamgold is a classic, Northern Québec, hockey barn, plain and simple. The exterior of the building evokes thoughts of the fifties when it was originally built. The exterior is covered in brown brick with the exception of the top part of the north side of the building which is clearly a renovation and covered in various colours of brown siding. Both the north and south ends of the arena received additions to build up capacity and slightly modernize the arena. Upon entering the arena, fans are greeted by a very small entryway which houses the ticketing windows. A step in past the ticketing area opens to the lower concourse, a decent meeting area for the pre-game which includes a small bar where fans can purchase drinks. There are a couple of interesting displays to keep the interest of fans while waiting for the doors to open one hour before the puck drops. One of which explains the connection between hockey and the area of Rouyn-Noranda. Once the doors open, fans are required to ascend the staircase to where tickets are scanned and fans are welcomed into the arena proper. Inside, the arena oozes charisma and history. All around the main concourses, which are behind the seating, are photos of NHL players from the area or who played for the Huskies. Other photos include Huskies team photos as well as team photos from the area that go all the way back to the fifties. Above the ice are three banners honouring former Huskies. Mike Ribeiro and Jérôme Tremblay have their numbers retired and former coach André Tourigny has a banner honoring his ten years in Rouyn-Noranda. On the opposite side of the video board are the seven banners honouring the Huskies for their successes in the QMJHL, culminating in their 2016 season where they took home the President’s Cup, Jean Rougeau Trophy and were finalists in the Memorial Cup. The perfect accent for the arena hangs at the south end at the top of the arena. It is the Dave Keon number 14 banner directly from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The seating area is quite small with seven rows of spacious, plastic stadium seats, on the east and west sides. The north and south ends have more seating as a result of additions in 2011. The roof is white painted hardwood and is arched as opposed to peaked. However, some of the seating is curious and requires some expertise to manoeuvre. There are box seats which hang above the east and west seating ends which obstruct the views of the scoreboard from at least the top row of seating. Also, there are seats right under the diagonal I-beams, which could cause some serious headaches for fans who tend to jump out of their seats. The perfect centre ice photo will be from the west side of the arena. The game day experience in Rouyn-Noranda is fairly simple. Game day lineup sheets are free and hockey cards are often handed out at the door. The music is about what you would expect from a junior game and the PA system is remarkably clear. Upon a Huskies goal, an original Huskies goal song is played. The fans also participate in their own post-goal rituals with their horns. The mascot, Lappy, heads around the arena, greeting fans and making noise by banging two empty plastic jugs together. Neighbourhood 3 Centre Dave-Keon is located just off the path of downtown Rouyn-Noranda. There is a small retail area around the arena and there are a couple of options for pre or post game food and drink. Chez Morasse offers a massive variety of the Québec staple, poutine, but only accepts cash as payment. Other options would be better found in downtown, including Pizzé. Rouyn-Noranda is an outdoor, winter enthusiast playground. Popular activities in the winter include ice fishing, snowshoeing and skiing. It is also very common to see snowmobiles around town and even in the downtown. The theatre may be a consideration while in the area. Cabaret de la Derniere Chance could be considered. For fans staying in the area, the best idea is to head downtown for accommodations. The Best Western Albert Hotel is a good option. Fans 4 The Huskies draw slightly below average for the QMJHL. In the 2018, 2017 and 2016 seasons the Huskies have averaged 2,015, 2,228 and 2,161 fans per game respectively. This has ranked the Huskies between 13th and 15th in the league. Attendance in Rouyn-Noranda is pretty steady and ebbs and flows as any average team would. What bumps the score to the next level for the Huskies is how the fans that are in the stands act. Fans are loud and proud. Home goals get a massive pop and away goals are met with silence. After scoring and the goal announcement, fans take to the horns. One fan leads and others follow with a whole prepped routine for goals. It is something that is definitely unique to Rouyn-Noranda. Access 3 Aréna Iamgold is located east of the main highways 101 and 117. Getting in by car, fans will have to manoeuvre through the streets of Rouyn-Noranda, although that should not be a big issue. Getting out of the area can be a bit challenging after the game, but it is not that big a deal. Parking can be found around the area in local lots or on the streets and is free on Sundays. Fans who desire public transit can check the Ville Rouyn-Noranda website for fares, maps and schedules. The ticketing windows are in the entryway at the north side of the building. There is a self-service, automated machine for printing will call tickets directly across from the ticket window. Getting around the arena can be extremely challenging. Concourses are very narrow and crowded. Washrooms are also pretty small. Return on Investment 4 QMJHL hockey continues to offer great value for the dollar. Huskies tickets go for $18.75 per game with no other discounts. Parking is often free and concession prices are excellent. The product on the ice is excellent. The Q usually plays with smaller players, is faster and has higher scoring. Overall, the return is excellent. The only drop in return is a result of the challenges of getting around the arena and finding a good seat. Also, for fans who do not like the shrillness of the horns, it will be a long game. Extras 4 Extra marks for clinging to Northern Québec hockey history at all levels as well as their favorite son, Dave Keon. An extra mark for the creativity of the fans and their horn sequence. An extra mark for the Huskies’ heated rivalry with the Val-d’Or Foreurs. Just 100 km apart, those are the best games to go to and the house is always packed and loud. Final Thoughts Touring through the QMJHL will bring a diverse group of arena experiences. Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon is definitely an older venue that has its quirks. That being said, it is a great experience and totally worth checking out. Maybe even “Les cors des Huskies” will play often for a home win. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Prince George's Community College Baseball Field Prince Pl Largo, MD 20774 D. C. Grays website PGCC Baseball Field website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 500 The Other District Team Founded in 2005, the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League features six teams in the Washington, D.C. metro area. One member, the DC Grays, is the second of two summer league teams by that name. The first Grays team played in the Clark Griffith League from 2006 to 2009 when the league folded, although they only played in the District for one of those years. After an absence in 2010, the second and current version of the Grays was founded in 2011 and joined the Ripken League for the next season in 2012. The Grays played their first two seasons at Hoy Field on the campus of Gallaudet University before moving to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy in Southeast D.C. in 2014. In 2024, the Grays moved out of the District entirely. Now, they play at the baseball field at Prince George's Community College (PGCC for short) in Largo, Maryland. The turf field at PGCC opened in 2019 and is a simpler home than the Youth Academy. The Grays nickname pays homage to the old Homestead Grays, a Negro League team that used to play in the District. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at a Grays game are sold out of a food truck that is parked up the left field line, near the foul pole. Most of the truck's selections are Mexican food such as tacos, quesadillas, and burritos, but a steak sandwich and a veggie burger are also available. Most meals come with fries. Bottled water and soda are available, including Jarritos, a popular Mexican soda known for its wide range of flavors. A meal and drink will cost about $15, which is reasonable for a food truck and cheaper than what you'd pay at most professional stadiums, but is on the high end for this league. Food is made to order so it may take a while to be ready, but you shouldn't spend much time in line waiting to order and you can see the field from the truck. They will also give you an estimate for how long your food will be, so many fans choose to leave and come back. Atmosphere 2 Although the baseball field at Prince George's Community College only opened in 2019, it certainly doesn't feel that way. There are several sets of rusty bleachers with no steps in the middle to climb up or down. A few new-looking tables are located up the left field line and are a popular area to sit at. These are first come, first serve, so arrive early if you want one. All seats are located behind a thick fence which makes it difficult to see the action, and some are partially obstructed by the dugout or its fence as well. This makes the sightlines not ideal. A Grays game is a pretty basic experience. You will get to see a game, and that is about it. You will be able to hear a lot of the conversations on the field, which baseball purists will certainly enjoy, but if you're looking for the excitement of a professional baseball game, you will not find it here. The PA announcer can be difficult to hear at times, especially as you get further up the lines. There are no lights at the PGCC Baseball Field, so Grays games typically start at 5 PM so they can be completed before darkness falls. Neighborhood 3 This year, the Grays moved out of the District of Columbia to Largo, Maryland, a suburb of DC in Prince George's County. This is a typical suburb, with several shopping centers located a short distance away from the PGCC campus. There are many eating options to choose from here, but most of them are chain restaurants. Local pizza chains Ledo's Pizza, known for its square pies, and Pizza Boli's, are close by and are quite popular. The amusement park Six Flags America is about a ten-minute drive away for fans looking to make a whole day out of their experience in Largo. Fans 2 The Grays only draw a few dozen fans to a typical game. These are typically locals, and many have a connection to the PGCC community. The crowd is not very active either, though they do occasionally get lively. It seems most locals are unaware of this team's existence. The fact that they moved out of the District to Largo was only announced shortly before the season, which perhaps has impacted attendance. Access 2 The PGCC campus is located a short drive off the Capital Beltway (I-495). If coming to a weekday game, be aware that traffic around 5 PM will be horrible, so we recommend arriving early to avoid this. It should be less bad on the weekends, but still give yourself extra time. There is a small paved parking lot past the outfield fence, but when this fills up, fans will have to drive through a gate at the end of the lot and onto a gravel road that runs beyond the outfield fence. They will then park along the grass to their right. However, there is no signage indicating to do this, so fans are often unaware of where to park. This gate is also where fans will enter the stadium on foot after parking in the lot. There is a gate in right field that is closer to the seating area, but it is locked. However, there is no indication of this until you get there. Restrooms are available just inside the locked gate in right field and are sufficient for the small crowds the Grays draw. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all Grays home games is free. While most clubs in the Cal Ripken League charge a small price for tickets, free is even better. Prices at the food truck are reasonable as well, making a Grays game an excellent value. Extras 1 The picnic tables down the left field line make for a unique place to watch a baseball game, especially while eating something from the food truck. Mexican food is not known for being neat, but being able to eat it at the tables helps. Final Thoughts Moving out of the District has hurt the fan experience at a D.C. Grays game, at least for now, and it is a pretty simple experience here at Prince George's Community College. Baseball purists will certainly enjoy it, and it's hard to argue with free baseball on a warm summer evening. One hopes that with more time in their new stadium, the team will have the opportunity to improve things here.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Canada Life Centre 300 Portage Ave Winnipeg, MB R3C 5S4 Canada Winnipeg Jets website Canada Life Centre website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 15,294 Loud Crowd Powers the Jets Canada Life Centre opened in 2004, with the Jets franchise returning to the city in 2011. It currently serves as the home to both the NHL Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. It is the smallest arena in the NHL, with a seating capacity of 15,294. Food & Beverage 3 The Canada Life Centre offers a wide variety of food options, with something available to please any palate. For your standard arena fare, you can head to Jumbo Jet Dog (Jumbo Jet Dog $11, Perogies $10), Aviator’s Grill (Chicken Fingers $11.75, Nachos and Cheese $$9.50, Taco Salad in a Bag $11, Fries w/Poutine $6). Pizza Pizza offers pies with several different toppings by the slice at $7.25 or a family-sized pizza for $40. Fans looking for healthy choices have Freshii, which offers wraps for $10.75, bowls for $9.75, and salads for $11.75. There are some upscale offerings to be found at Carvery and Melts, Gourmet Burger, or High Steaks. Alcoholic beverages are available at most concession stands, but for wider selections in brews, head over to Hops and Shots for domestic beers at $11.25, liquor for $17, and wine for $10.75. The Budweiser Red Light Bar offers seated service behind the south end of the rink. As you would expect anywhere in Canada, Tim Hortons is onsite with their great coffee ($2.75) and delicious Timbits ($5.25 for 20). Atmosphere 3 One of the first things you are aware of upon entering the arena seating bowl is how intimate it is. Having the smallest seating capacity in the league could work against you, but I soon learned that the size of the facility makes it notably louder than some of the much larger NHL rinks I have been to. The Canada Life Centre scoreboard really is impressive, both in size and uniqueness. The Jet logo (a fighter jet) is extended out from the scoreboard before the game and when it is lifted from the ice. It recedes back into the middle of the board during actual game action. Smoke from its jet engines emits from its base after a Winnipeg goal. The concourses are wide enough to handle the crowds, but there are not as many gates as you would find at most arenas, which leads to some temporary crowding. The building is on an extremely small footprint as it does not have a large entrance plaza. All four sides of the building are surrounded by basic sidewalks. Neighborhood 4 Winnipeg is the capital city of the province of Manitoba, which means it has a wide range of museums, galleries, and sports activities to check out. It is an easy city to get around in, with an excellent public transportation system. The Canada Life Centre is in the downtown area of Winnipeg. One of the most popular things to do near the arena is a visit to The Forks and the Forks National Historic Site located along the Assiniboine River. The Forks offers shopping, restaurants, a food and beer hall, ice skating, and other events throughout the year. The Manitoba Legislative Building is also located close by, with all kinds of exhibits about the history of the province. Adjacent to the Downtown District is the Exchange District National Historic Site. This 20 block district features Canada’s most extensive collection of turn-of-the- 20th– century buildings. Today this area is filled with street-level boutiques, antique shops, breweries, restaurants, and galleries. The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame is also located in the Exchange District. Winnipeg is also home to the Royal Canadian Mint. Sure, they produce the loonie here, but they also produce the hard currency for more than 70 countries outside of Canada. The tour includes the production process, holding a $600,000 gold bar, and checking out Olympic medals that were produced at the Mint. Sorry, no free samples! Like most Canadian cities, Winnipeg has a wide-scale system of elevated skywalks connecting buildings throughout the downtown area. The Canada Life Centre is part of this skywalk system, with a direct connection to the CityPlace Mall. Fans 5 Winnipeg has lost an NHL franchise once before, and the Jets fans are not about to let that happen again! They are engaged and very loud. After visiting almost every NHL team I would have to give this Jets crew an A-plus for their creative, and numerous chants and taunts of the visiting teams. They aren’t a mean bunch, and it is all in good fun. Another surprise during the pregame ceremonies comes during the ritual singing of “O Canada,” the Canadian National anthem. When the words “true north” appear in the anthem, the place explodes in a shouting of TRUE NORTH! Winnipeg citizens apparently consider themselves to be the “True North” of Canada. This is also seen as a salute to the True North ownership group for bringing NHL hockey back to Winnipeg. Access 3 Getting to the Canada Life Centre is very easy, either by car or by public transportation. There are more than 7,000 parking spaces within a five-minute walk of the arena. Winnipeg Transit has more than 20 routes servicing the Canada Life Centre. The venue is on Portage Avenue, one of the main traffic arteries in downtown Winnipeg. It is located on the block between Donald Street and Hargrove Street. Coming from the west: Trans-Canada Highway One East becomes Portage Avenue as it enters the city of Winnipeg. Stay on Portage until you reach the 300 block. There are numerous parking facilities within a block or two of the Canada Life Centre. Coming from the north: Take Main Street (Route 52 South) into the downtown area of Winnipeg. Turn right at Portage and go four blocks to the arena. From the south/US border: Take Highway 75 North, as it will become Route 42 North. Route 42 North will become Donald Street as you enter the downtown area. Continue across the Donald Street Bridge. Turn left at Portage Avenue and go one block west to the Canada Life Center. There are only three main entry points for the Canada Life Centre. Arena doors open one hour prior to puck drop. This allows you plenty of time to check out the concession offerings, the team store, and several exhibits about the team’s history. The sections are well marked out by very sharp signage featuring the team’s jet fighter logo. Return on Investment 3 The Jets games are the biggest game in town during the winter months and the ticket prices reflect this popularity. Games often sell out, as the Canada Life Centre has the lowest seating capacity in the NHL. Seats in the 100 and 200 levels of the seating bowl go for $108CDN – $149CDN. Seats at the 300-level average $51CDN – $86CDN. The average cost for parking in lots surrounding the arena on game nights is $15CDN. Lots closest to the Canada Life Centre include Portage Place, City Place, and the Millennium Library. Concession prices are very reasonable, but some individual stands have higher prices relating to the type of food they offer. Extras 4 The Canada Life Centre is located on Treaty One lands, the original territories of several indigenous nations. These nations are recognized prior to the national anthem in a spirit of reconciliation. The team has no championship banners, but several jerseys honoring retired players hang from the rafters. They include Bobby Hull, Lars-Eric Sjoberg, Ab McDonald, Ulf Nilsson, Dale Hawerchuk, Randy Carlyle, and Thomas Steen. The Eaton Company played a large role in the development of Winnipeg. There is a historical display covering this relationship with the city in its early days. It features a statue of Mr. Eaton himself, watching the customers as they pass by. The Eaton Company eventually went bankrupt, and the Canadian Life Centre now stands on the site of the former department store’s downtown Winnipeg location. The Canada Life Centre served as the host facility for the 2006 AHL All-Star Classic. The Manitoba Moose are members of the AHL and play their home games in the same facility as the Jets. Final Thoughts Winnipeg has been given a second chance with an NHL franchise and there is no chance of the fans allowing the team to move elsewhere again. They fill the Canada Life Centre for every game, cheering loudly for the local boys while organizing chants to disrupt the visiting team’s concentration. The whole town turns out in their blue-best when the Jets are in town. Winnipeg is one of the more isolated of the NHL outposts, but it is well worth a visit as you check the rinks and arenas in the central portion of Canada.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Sadlon Arena 555 Bayview Dr Barrie, ON L4N 8Y2 Barrie Colts website Sadlon Arena website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 4,195 Colts Country In 1995, the Ontario Hockey League expanded to Barrie, Ontario. It was the perfect location for the league to bridge the geographic gap between the Greater Toronto Area and the Northern Ontario teams in Sudbury and North Bay. Barrie has a terrific history in the OHL and Major Junior Hockey with a number of championships including the 1951 and 1953 Memorial Cups. The Flyers would operate in Barrie from 1945 to 1960 and eventually become the Sudbury Wolves after a stop in Niagara Falls. With the expansion effort, Barrie would require a new arena. The Barrie Molson Centre was built in just 13 months and opened in time for the Colts to play the majority of their inaugural season in their permanent home. In 2019, the City of Barrie, owner and operator of the arena, announced a new naming rights agreement with Paul Sadlon Motors, making the home of the Colts to be officially known as Sadlon Arena. The ownership of the Colts, Howie Campbell and Jim Payetta took control of the team in 2006. During the Colts’ tenure in the OHL, they have been relatively successful, but have had difficulty making it to the next level of success. The Colts have made an appearance in the Memorial Cup only once, in 2000. The inaugural Colts were led by OHL legend Bert Templeton. Mark Scheifele and Brian Little headline the NHL prospects who have come through Barrie. Most recently, Barrie was rocked by the death of Hall of Fame player and Colts Head Coach, Dale Hawerchuck. Food & Beverage 3 The concession options at Sadlon Arena are fairly limited. The two main concession stands at the east and west ends of the arena off the typical arena options. Hot dogs, sausage, poutine, fries, nachos and cold options are available. Topper’s Pizza provides a variety of pizza varieties, including a Colt Feature. Pepsi products are the featured soft drink and Budweiser and Michelob Ultra are among the tall boy beer options. The Bailey’s stand combines Madison County Coffee options with the option of a Bailey’s shot and some State Fair Mini Donuts is the most unique option available. There are plenty of vending machines for fans who wish to grab a quick soda without staying in long lines. Atmosphere 3 Sadlon Arena offers a solid junior hockey experience that is not uncommon in many other markets. From the exterior, Sadlon Arena has a bit of a barn-like appearance with a rounded, elongated roof, which can be seen from Highway 400. Oriented from west to east, the most eye-catching feature of the arena is the Horsepower Sports Bar, which offers a unique brick facade to the front of the building with awnings. Although the west side of the building, on Bayview Drive, appears to be the front, there is no real main entrance or atrium. Entrances empty immediately into the concourse. Concourses at Sadlon Arena are decorated with as much Barrie Colts history as possible. Entrances to the seating bowl feature murals, complete with statistics and highlights, of former Colt players including Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little, Kyle Clifford and Alex Pietrangelo among others. Fans should make sure to look for the Dale Hawerchuck mural for the winningest coach in franchise history. Banners hanging from the ceiling also emphasize former Colts in their NHL garb. The Captain’s Wall shows all those honoured enough to wear the ‘C’ on their jersey and the championship wall shows Barrie teams that have participated in the Memorial Cup, J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals to crown the OHL Champions and Bobby Orr Trophy winners as Eastern Conference Champions. Entering the seating bowl, fans will find a single level seating bowl with an east-west orientation and suites at both the top of the seating and at ice level. The west side of the arena has the Horsepower Sports Bar, which has some tables that view out onto the ice as a ticketed seating option. The press box is small and along the north side, the side fans should be on for the perfect picture of the centre ice logo. Above centre ice, the videoboard is newly updated and clear with a ribbon under the four-sided screen. Along the centre the Colts hang their banners for division and conference championships. The 2000 OHL Championship banner is far too incognito given its relative importance. The Colts also have a number of “Leaderboard” banners along the north and south sides to give fans some statistical history for the team including season goals and points and goaltender wins to go with career leaderboards for those categories among others. Finally, hanging in the east end is the retired number 18 banner for Bryan Little, the all time leading scorer for the Colts. The gameday atmosphere is about what one would expect from an OHL game. The presentation is fairly traditional with the expected playlist and announcements and promotions. The Timbits minor hockey game takes place during the second intermission, giving local kids the opportunity to skate on the same ice as their local heroes. The Colts mascot, Charlie Horse, takes part in the pregame ceremonies and interacts with fans around the arena. Neighbourhood 4 Sadlon Arena is located in South Barrie near Highway 400, at Mapleview and Bayview. Mapleview has plenty of shopping and eating options and is quite a busy area. Fans looking for something to eat before or after the game will not have to look far. There are plenty of chain restaurants in the immediate area including Lone Star, Milestones, Panera and The Keg. Expanding the search to the opposite side of Highway 400 will provide another whole set of options. Some original options include the Spoon & Fork, the Simmering Kettle and The Burger’s Priest. However, making a reservation at the Horsepower Bar & Grill may be the best selection to round out the day. Right in the Sadlon Arena, it provides the full Barrie Colts experience. If in Barrie during the summer months, fans may want to head to Minesing to see the Barrie Baycats of the Intercounty Baseball League, or the Barrie Lakeshores of Major Series Lacrosse. Otherwise, Barrie is very much an outdoor city. Barrie is on the doorstep of Ontario’s Cottage Country. Barrie, itself, is on the banks of Lake Simcoe. In the winter months there are plenty of ski resorts around including Snow Valley, Horseshoe Valley and Mount St. Louis Moonstone. Just south of Barrie, in Innisfil, fans could head to Georgian Downs during the racing season. Fans who require a place to stay close to Sadlon Arena may choose the Holiday Inn, Fairfield Inn or the Comfort Inn, all which are within a two minute drive from the arena. Fans 4 Assessing fans during the COVID pandemic is a little problematic. Traditionally, the attendance for the Barrie Colts has been very strong. With the capacity of Sadlon Arena at just over 4,000 fans, the Colts have routinely attracted more than 4,000 fans per game. In the game that was reviewed, there were less than 3,000 fans in attendance, however, it is fair to say that this aberration is due, in part, to the pandemic. Even before the pandemic, Barrie fans are notoriously quiet. Fans are knowledgeable and do not talk too much during the play. However, when there is a goal or a big hit, Colts fans can get plenty loud. Access 3 Getting to Sadlon Arena is not difficult at all. Clearly visible from Highway 400, Sadlon Arena is found at the corner of Bayview and Mapleview, south of the waterfront. Highway 400 is the main north-south arterial road in Ontario connecting Northern and Southern Ontario, and runs right through Barrie. Getting in and out of Sadlon Arena is not difficult, even though Mapleview is a major road in a major retail area. Traffic flows smoothly. Parking is free in the large surrounding parking lot. Spots closest to Horsepower Bar and Grill are reserved for season ticket holders. For fans who wish to take public transit to the game, there are Barrie Transit stops along both Bayview and Mapleview. Fans should see the Barrie Transit website for fares, maps and schedules. Getting around Sadlon Arena can be a bit of a challenge. There is not much in the way of an atrium or main entry and the concourses are fairly narrow. During pandemic times, when attendance is depleted, this is not an issue, but it can be very crowded for a capacity crowd. Some of the seats are also difficult to find. The ice level seats at the south side of the arena are in sections 128 and 129, below the suites. It takes a keen eye, or finding an usher or security to find the entries to these sections. To go with the narrow concourses are the extremely small washrooms. Choosing the right time to head to the washroom may be key to enjoying the game to the max. Return on Investment 4 The Ontario Hockey League continues to provide great value for the dollar. Tickets will go for between $23.50 and $25. Restaurant seats are $26 each, but a full table must be purchased. The product on the ice is solid, giving fans the opportunity to see the next generation of NHL players. Parking is free and concession prices are about average compared to the rest of the league. The end result is a great evening of entertainment for a price that is far more affordable than anything that can be found to the south in Toronto. Extras 3 An extra mark for the honouring of Dale Hawerchuck. The Hall of Famer and winningest coach in Colts history died in August of 2020 after a battle with cancer. His number 10 was painted behind the nets at the Sadlon Arena. The December 16, 2021 game against the Sudbury Wolves was to be in honour Dale Hawerchuck and raise a permanent banner to the rafters, however, the game was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Dale Hawerchuck Way now leads into Sadlon Arena from Bayview Drive. An extra mark for the speed at which the original Barrie Molson Centre was built. A mere 13 months from breaking ground until the doors opened had the Colts playing only a handful of OHL games in a substandard arena. An extra mark for rivalry games against other northern teams including the Owen Sound Attack, North Bay Battalion and Sudbury Wolves. Final Thoughts When heading toward Cottage Country, or heading for a ski weekend in Ontario, taking in the Barrie Colts at Sadlon Arena is a great plan that will not disappoint. The Colts provide a solid OHL experience which hockey fans will, no doubt, appreciate. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Peter Miles, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena 2 Akaki Tsereteli Ave Tbilisi 0112, Georgia FC Dinamo Tbilisi website Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 54,549 Visiting a Boyhood Dream There was a time when Dinamo Tbilisi were a real European powerhouse. State sponsored by the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs, they had some magical players that formed the backbone of the Soviet national team. The likes of Aleksandre Chivadze, David Kipiani, Vitaly Dareselia, Tengiz Sulakveledze, and Ramaz Shengelia won many Soviet caps between them. Four of them would win Soviet Union Footballer of the year award between 1977 and 1981. Their zenith in European competition was their 1981 Cup Winners Final win over East German side Carl Zeiss Jena. From the formation of the Soviet Top League in 1936 to the breakup of the Union in 1991, Dinamo were one of only three clubs never to be relegated from the top flight, the others being Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Kiev. Dinamo Tbilisi’s undoubted star player in those early years was Boris Paichadze who scored over 100 goals for them and was voted Georgia’s greatest player of the 20th century. Dinamo’s home stadium is named after him and his statue stands outside the entrance gates. Since their 70’s heyday, Dinamo continue to produce wonderfully talented players who progress to a bigger stage like Temuri Ketsbaia (Newcastle United), Shota Arvaladze (Rangers), Kaka Kaladze (AC Milan), Georgi Kinkladze (Manchester City), and Levan Kobiashvili who enjoyed an extensive career in the Bundesliga with Freiburg, Schalke, and Hertha and is the only Georgian player to date to win 100 international caps. Originally Dinamo played at the old Central Stadium which could only accommodate 35,000, so with the club’s golden era of the 1970’s a bigger venue was needed. The Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Dinamo Stadium, built on the same site, was opened in 1976 and designed by architect Gia Kurdiani. It could hold 75,000 people and contemporary reports suggest an attendance of 110,000 watched Dinamo’s epic win over Liverpool in 1979. In 1995 the stadium was renamed in honour of Georgia’s greatest player Boris Paichadze and an international match against Germany that year also reputedly saw 110,000 gather. In 2006, the stadium was turned into an all-seater arena-style stadium with a drastically reduced capacity of 54,549. Food & Beverage 1 The kiosks offer chips (3 Georgian Lei, approximately $1.20), nuts (2 GEL), popcorn (2 GEL), Coca-Cola (2 GEL), water (1 GEL), Burn energy drink (3 GEL), and Cappy orange juice (3 GEL). Kiosks may not always be open, depending on the game, so plan ahead and make sure you have eaten before the match. Atmosphere 3 The stadium is visually stunning with blue and white seats all around and the club “D” badge picked out on the opposite side of the main stand. The entrance is easy to access and has a statue of Boris Paichadze at the gates. There is a PA announcer and music is blared out before the game. There is a scoreboard that shows the team line ups at the start of the game, then displays the score interspersed with adverts. Neighborhood 5 Tbilisi is separated into old and new town and both are walking friendly and easy to navigate. Taxis are cheap and plentiful around the stadium. There are many choices for restaurants offering western dishes as well as hearty traditional fare. Tbilisi is a buzzing and vibrant modern city with an obvious tourist market. The stadium is very central to great nightlife, restaurants, and attractions. There are plenty of choices with the recommended hotel being the closest to the stadium. There are more options over the river in Mtkvari where Hotel Iliania, Radisson Blu, and City Partner Hotel Primavera are good value options. Fans 3 The small band of Tbilisi ultras are entertaining and passionate. The fans housed in the main stand are subdued by comparison. The Georgian League is not well attended in general and this powerhouse club only averages between 1,000 and 1,500 spectators for a league game. All supporters are housed in the main stand except for the small band of around 50 Dinamo ultras in the far corner who bang drums, light a flare or two, and display banners supporting the disputed territory of Abkhazia. During my most recent visit, about fifteen minutes into the game the police scurried towards one end of the stadium, and suddenly around 50 fans from opponents FC Samtredia arrive. Sadly a handful of them choose to display an “M13 Ultras” banner with a prominent swastika. Disappointingly there was also no attempt to remove it. Access 4 There are few more centrally located stadiums in Europe, and it couldn’t be easier to reach. As the crowds are low for league matches there is no restriction from moving around within your section. The stadium is centrally located and also within easy walking from the city center and central rail station, which is less than half a mile away. You can catch a bus if you don’t feel like walking and the numbers 11, 15, 20, 21, 27, 33, 46, 84, and 86 all serve the stadium. The nearest bus stop is on Akaki Tsereteli Avenue. If you are not located in the city center, then there is a metro system. The two nearest stops to the stadium are Station Square 1 on the Akhmeteli–Varketili Line (Red line) or Station Square 2 which is on the Saburtalo Line (Green line). Tbilisi International airport is around 10 miles southwest of the center and is a modern facility with many international airlines arriving there. There is only street parking available around the stadium. Probably the best option for arriving by car is to park at the central station and walk from there. There are ticket kiosks to the side of the main entrance and the tickets are very cheap indeed costing 2 GEL (80 cents). There is a cursory bag check at the entrance but it is very low key. There is a lengthy list of items that are not permitted in the stadium on Dinamo’s website, including flags and flares, but in reality these are present in the stadium. You can sit anywhere in your ticketed section for league games as there are so many seats to choose from. Everything is clean and modern and as the Georgian National stadium it’s also UEFA compliant for disabled spectators. Return on Investment 5 It has been a bit of a boyhood dream to visit this stadium such was the awe the name of Dinamo Tbilisi was held in when I was young. To walk to this legendary stadium and enter it for so little money is a real treat. Tickets for the main stand are 2 GER (80 cents), which represents an extremely good value. The VIP seat tickets were 5 GER. Extras 4 The club have an English media manager and have adopted a few things used to promote the club. They issue a modest, but glossy and attractive programme for 1 GEL (40 cents) and also have an English language Twitter feed. Final Thoughts The Dinamo Arena is a legendary venue, steeped in history, but also very modern. You will certainly enjoy a visit to this stadium and great city should you choose to make the trip.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Ball Arena 1000 Chopper Circle Denver, CO 80204 Colorado Avalanche website Ball Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 18,130 Ball Arena Is The Home Of Champions Ball Arena, formerly the Pepsi Center, has seen its basketball and hockey teams win championships over the last two years.  Most recently the Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship over the Miami Heat in June of 2023.  In June of 2022, the Colorado Avalanche won their third Stanley Cup in six games over the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Both the Avalanche, who play in the NHL's Central Division and the Nuggets are contenders once again. Ball Arena has been the home for winter professional sports in the Denver area since 1999. It serves the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.  The arena features 95 suites and 1,900 club seats. Empower Field at Mile High (home of the Broncos) is just a 15-minute walk across the parking lots. The building, which hosts over 250 events a year, is owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment was started in 1999 by businessman Stan Kroenke to be the parent company of his sports holdings. Kroenke also owns the Nuggets and So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles. A facelift has been planned for the arena and also the surrounding neighborhoods. Among the changes planned are new premium seating tiers, including “enhanced general seating” and a more expensive ledge seat in the first row of the upper bowl. The goal is to turn the area into green spaces with better infrastructure and upgraded housing and tourism venues. The ambitious project could take 25 years to complete. The Avalanche began their existence as the Quebec Nordiques, one of the few teams to make the move from the WHL to the NHL. After the 1995 season, the team was sold to a new ownership group and relocated to Denver, where the team was renamed the Avalanche. The newly relocated team got off to a rousing start, as it won the Stanley Cup in its first season in its new home. The Avalanche have won three Stanley Cups, three Conference Championships, and nine Division Championships. Before the 2013 - 14 season, the octagonal scoreboard that was in use since the arena's opening was replaced with a new four-sided rectangular scoreboard. The two center faces measure 27 by 48 feet long, while the two end faces measure 21 by 25 feet wide. The Avs honor their elite players from the past with banners hanging from the ceiling. The names include Ray Bourque, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Adam Foote, and Milan Hejduk. Bourque, Roy, Sakic, and Forsberg are also members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. In addition, the Avalanche have banners hung for each of their division, conference, and Stanley Cup seasons.  Food & Beverage 3 Food and Beverage was one of the more disappointing aspects of Ball.  The choices seemed fairly generic and there was not enough local Denver fare.  In the upper bowl, lines were often long for food and bathrooms and there did not seem to be enough carts.  The width of the concourses hindered some of the opportunities for better options. Ball Arena is heavy on alcohol but lacking in food choices.  Premium cocktails are $17 for a single and $22.50 for a double. Lemonade is $6.50 and water is $5.50.  The southwest wrap is $14 and a garden salad is $12.50 and a basic dog is $6.50. Atmosphere 4 The main entrance to the stadium is off 9th Street and there are two more entrances off 11th Street (one is only for access to the Lexus Club).  The gates open only one hour before events. Ball does employ the latest technology as nothing has to be removed from pockets as fans rapidly pass through the detectors. Once inside the main entrance, there is a small lobby area with a team store to the left and escalators straight ahead which lead up to the lower seating area. The Arena was lively for the pregame warmup with the only complaint being the music was a bit too loud.  The noise level was not as onerous in the upper bowl.  The Avalanche have an organ but during the game, it is rarely utilized. The Avalanche does not employ many special effects or music to ignite the crowd.  A nice touch was the fan's use of their cellphone flashlights to illuminate the arena just before the teams hit the ice for each period. Neighborhood 3 There is nothing wrong with the neighborhood but not without a plethora of things to do nearby as the arena is surrounded by parking lots.  The Larimer Square area (on the National Register of Historic Places) is a 12-minute walk and probably the best spot to pregame with some bars and restaurants.  Union Station, with Amtrak and trains arriving from Denver Airport, is about a 15-minute walk and also offers restaurants and hotel options.  The light rail E and W lines depart from there and are just two stops away. Fans 4 The supportive crowd is enhanced by the mascot, Bernie (St. Bernard), and he is assisted by the Skyline Drumline from behind the goal the Avalanche defend twice and lead the "Let Go Avs" chants. The Avalanche sell out Ball every night.  Average attendance is 18,098 up a tick from 17,991 last season. The official Avalanche team store is Altitude Athletics with one location right at the main entrance.  The main store, Chopper Circle on the South side, is open Monday-Saturday 12-5 pm. There are five locations in total inside the building. Access 4 Parking is not an issue with 10 lots surrounding the stadium.  Parking prices range from $25-$35. Access by car is doable. From the North - Take I-25 South, exit Speer Boulevard; proceed South and turn right on Chopper Circle From the South - Take I-25 North, exit Auraria Parkway, Ball Arena will be on the left-hand side of Auraria Parkway. The Ball Arena (Elitch Gardens stop) is served by the E & W light rail lines. The MallRide provides a free shuttle service on the 16th Street Mall. The Mall extends approximately two miles and accesses both northbound and southbound light rail service at Union Station and the 16th Street Mall. Due to the ongoing reconstruction of the 16th Street Mall, MallRide vehicles are currently operating on 15th and 17th Streets. Denver is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. Ball Arena has bike racks immediately outside of the arena. Fans wishing to rent a bike will find a B-Station located a block south of the arena. Rideshare drop-off and pick-up are available along Auraria Parkway between 9th and 11th Street only. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices run the gamut from $39 for the last few rows in the upper bowl behind the goals to $209 at the center ice lower bowl before fees for a weeknight game. In 2022, the Avalanche ($390.74) was on the better end of the Fan Cost Index as only 10 teams were less expensive. Fan Cost Index comprises the price based on four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking, two game programs, and two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.   In the upper bowl, one negative is the view of center ice on both sides from the sections between the blue lines is obstructed by a glass partition and railing that hinders rows 6 and 7. Extras 3 There are some interesting pieces of art inside the Ball Arena.  There are several statues and 3-D visuals on the west concourse. The Grand Atrium is home to a large aerial sculpture depicting hockey and basketball players. The team also has some of the most impressive graphic projections on the ice during the pregame introductions. The rafters are an impressive sight with 3 Stanley Cup Banners, 3 for Conference Championships, 3 for earning the President’s Trophy, and 12 for Division Championships.  A Kids Zone behind section 375 offers youngsters the opportunity to test their skills on one of many hockey and basketball simulators. Final Thoughts Ball Arena is a great place to visit while in Denver to take in a hockey game.  The fans are enthusiastic and the team is usually at the top of the standings.  With the proper upgrades, the building can be more fan-friendly but the trade-off will be an increase in prices. ---- Follow Greg Venuto’s stadium journeys on   Twitter  @VenutoGreg and Facebook .

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Stony Brook Field 384 Underpass Rd Brewster, MA 02631 Brewster Whitecaps website Stony Brook Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 4,000 Whitecaps on the Cape The Brewster Whitecaps are one of two expansion teams that joined the Cape Cod Baseball League in 1988. They originally played their home games at a field located at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. There was one problem with this field-it was located in neighboring Harwich, not Brewster. The solution-build a field within town limits. The town of Brewster chose a site adjacent to the Stony Brook Elementary School, one of two elementary schools in the town, which serves students from kindergarten through second grade. The Whitecaps have won two championships during their time in the Cape League (2000, 2017). Famous Whitecaps alumni to play in the major leagues include Sean Casey, Chase Utley, Ryan Braun and Aaron Judge. Food & Beverage 3 Nauset Dining Services operates a concession stand at the top of the hill overlooking Stony Brook Field. For a small stand, there is a good variety of food available. In addition to the standard hot dogs and hamburgers, ballpark staples such as sausage and pepper sandwiches, pizza slices and nachos are sold. Items that you may not expect at a small stand, including veggie burgers and corn dogs, dot the menu. An impressive amount of candy, ice cream treats and gourmet popcorn round out the offerings. Thirsty Whitecap fans can select from cans of Coca-Cola products or bottles of Dunkin’ Donuts Iced Coffee. Alcohol is not sold at Stony Brook Field. For something different, try “The Closer,” a grilled donut stuffed with French vanilla ice cream and rolled in chocolate sprinkles. Atmosphere 3 The Cape league is well known for its old-timey, traditional game day experience. Even by Cape League standards, a game in Brewster is decidedly laid back. As is the case at all Cape Cod League ballparks, there is little going on at a Whitecaps game to distract from the action on the field. Much of the noise and distraction present at most minor league ballparks just isn’t found here. The PA is limited to upcoming batters, pitching changes and sponsor announcements. The Cape Cod League is a baseball purists’ dream. Stony Brook Field has a playground behind it, which makes perfect sense considering this is an elementary school. It gives kids who may be getting bored with the game somewhere to blow off steam. As with most Cape League games, a large part of the younger crowd spends their time chasing foul balls. If one lands near you, watch out for the oncoming horde. Neighborhood 3 Stony Brook Field is located next to the elementary school that shares its name. Within a mile is Route 6A, also known as Main Street. Along this road are several excellent clam shacks mixed in among some bed and breakfasts, antique shops and art galleries. Brewster is a small town with a population of under 10,000 year round residents known for its beaches, golf resorts and spas. During the summer the town’s population swells to about 20,000. The first water-powered grist and wool mill in the country was built here (on Stony Brook) in the late 17th century. Brewster is a laid back, quiet place to be, even in the summer. Fans 3 Brewster usually ranks in the middle of the pack among Cape Cod League games in terms of attendance, averaging in the range of 1,100 fans per game. Crowds are much smaller in June than during the peak tourist months of July and August, so if you are looking to avoid the large crowds, come early in the season. Fans at Whitecaps games mirror those elsewhere in the league with a mix of locals, families, and tourists. Fans who come to the games generally have some sort of connection with the team, as house parents, boosters, or volunteers, so they are very knowledgeable and passionate about the action taking place on the field. It makes for a very enjoyable atmosphere. Access 4 Stony Brook Field is located adjacent to the elementary school that shares its name. The school is close to route 6A, the main drag in Brewster. If coming to Brewster from off the Cape, you will follow route 6 to route 137, and follow to Underpass Road (or “Underpants Road,” as the Stony Brook students call it). The CERTA flex bus route travels up route 137, but it is a long walk to the ballpark. Driving is the preferred and most effective method for getting to Stony Brook Field. There is ample parking at Stony Brook School. Even though some spots are a decent walk away, the helpful Whitecaps staff will shuttle you from your car to the field. Stony Brook Field has a variety of seating areas. There are several sets of metal bleachers located on either baseline. If you are sitting in the infield, be prepared to look through fencing or netting. Beyond the dugouts are more bleachers down the left field line, as well as an area with benches and picnic tables down the right field line. The best thing about these seats is that the fencing does not extend all the way down the foul lines. If you choose to sit further down either foul line, you can sit right on the edge of the playing field and enjoy a totally unobstructed view. Many fans choose to bring their own lawn chairs to the games and sit on the hills located on either baseline. These seats offer a great view of the action, and some much-needed shade on a hot summer day. There are bathrooms located in the elementary school located atop the hill on the first base side. Return on Investment 5 As is the case with all Cape Cod League ballparks, there is no charge for admission at a Whitecaps game. The team asks for a “suggested donation” of three dollars in exchange for a program and roster. Parking is also free. Fans are able to bring in their own refreshments, making it possible to watch the highest level of collegiate baseball in the country without spending a single cent. If you choose to purchase food at the game, the prices are very affordable. Extras 2 The Brewster Whitecaps do not offer a whole lot of bells and whistles in their game day presentation. As is the case throughout the Cape League, the game is the focus here. The free program is a plus, as is the extensive 50/50 raffle which offers many prizes from sponsors in addition to the opportunity to take home half the money raised. Visiting Whitecaps alumni and families who travel to the Cape are recognized throughout the game, a nice touch that adds to the small-town, family atmosphere here at Brewster. Final Thoughts The Cape Cod League is considered by many to be the top collegiate summer league in the country. 307 Cape League alumni played in the major leagues in 2017, meaning one out of every six players in the bigs today played in this league. While the ballparks may not compare to the newer facilities that dot the landscape today, the atmosphere on the Cape is a wonderful experience reminiscent of the way things used to be. All the teams on the Cape are located within an hour of each other, making the Cape a ballpark chaser’s nirvana. Add into the mix that historic Fenway Park is located less than a 90 minutes drive from the most easterly team, and the potential is there for an epic road trip. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Forges Field 83 Jordan Rd Plymouth, MA 02360 Forges Field website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 500 Pilgrim Baseball The Plymouth Pilgrims, the newest members of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, play their home games at Forges Field, a town-owned complex containing 5 baseball fields, 2 softball fields, 3 soccer fields, a football field, and a golf course. The land that Forges Field is located on was once owned by the Jordan family, founders of Jordan Marsh department stores. The Pilgrims were founded in 2013 by former Newport Gulls owner Dave Dittmann. ‎ Food & Beverage 2 If you aren’t careful, you may miss most of the concessions available at Forges Field. Located near the entrance to Forges Field are two small tables selling Domino’s Pizzas and assorted snacks and drinks. But with a little searching, bigger and better things can be had. There is a concessions stand at Forges Field located a short walk from the baseball field, down by the football field. This stand is open for all Pilgrims games. Available here is a greater variety of food, including all your ballpark staples, including hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and assorted snacks. Coca-Cola products are sold here. For those looking to save a few dollars, combo meals are offered. Veteran fans simply bring their own items into Forges Field, saving themselves a few dollars in the process. Either way, you aren’t going to spend a ton of money on concessions at a Pilgrims game. Atmosphere 3 This is the area in which the Pilgrims shine brightest. Despite the small size of the ballpark, the staff here try to put on a show worthy of any minor league team. Gobbles the turkey roams the park, interacting with the fans and leading a trail of kids wherever he goes. There are between inning contests for the kids and a PA announcer orchestrating the whole affair. He may seem to be trying a bit too hard to be clever, but he helps to create an atmosphere that is pretty unique in the laid-back New England Collegiate Baseball League. Another area in which the Pilgrims excel is their connection with the community. The Pilgrims have a long list of sponsors who tie in with the promotional schedule and sponsor individual games. Depending on when you visit Forges Field, you may be on the receiving end of some unique and fabulous items. Promotions for 2014 include free cranberries, chocolate, hats, ice cream, golf balls, and even lobster rolls. Discounted concessions are available on selected nights, as are free movies and popcorn after some games. The atmosphere at Forges Field is one of the livelier in the NECBL. Neighborhood 2 I’ll be perfectly honest with you here. If you are visiting Forges Field, you aren’t interested in staying anywhere near there before or after the game. There just isn’t anything in the area. You are going downtown where the action is. Now, in a small town like Plymouth, “action” is a relative term, but there are many attractions in the area, especially for history buffs. Forges Field is located on the edge of the Myles Standish State Forest, the largest publicly owned recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts. Spread out over 26 square miles, the forest is filled with campgrounds, bike paths, and nature trails. It does not, however, have restaurants or hotels. For those, head to the historic center of Plymouth, where you will find plenty of museums, places to eat, hotels, and historic places of interest. Fans 2 Plymouth ranks in the middle of the pack in terms of attendance in the NECBL, averaging between 400-500 fans per game. The people who come to Pilgrim games are similar to what you will find in most of the summer collegiate games in the area. They are passionate about their team, and many have a connection with the team through volunteer efforts, hosting players, or sponsorships. There is a strong family presence, as you would expect with a summer league team. There is a lot of open space for kids to roam here at Forges Field, with several sports fields adjacent to the main ball field. There is also a playground located behind the field filled with youngsters and relieved parents. Many of the kids present spend their time chasing foul balls through the woods that surround the field. Access 2 You are not going to stumble across Forges Field accidentally. Despite being relatively close to Route 3, there are no exits close to the ballpark. Fans travelling to see the Pilgrims play will have to wind their way through several miles of winding rural roads to get to the sprawling recreational complex. There is plenty of parking near Forges Field, and the area around the field is landscaped beautifully with paved paths to access all areas of the ballpark. The field itself is not built up, and is pretty much what you would expect from a community ball field. There is no press box here, and the Pilgrims set up several portable folding tables from which they sell concessions, souvenirs, and tickets. The team and town have teamed up to make many improvements for fans since the Pilgrims landed here. Several new wooden bleachers have sprung up around the infield, giant new dugouts have been built (unfortunately, these dugouts block some prime viewing spots), and new netting has been installed along both baselines down past the infield. For fans wishing to bring their own lawn chairs, there is room to spread out along the outfield lines, past the grandstands and picnic tables. Rest rooms are available in the same building as the concessions are located, a short walk from the baseball field. Return on Investment 4 Admission to a Pilgrims game is very affordable at $2, and parking is free in the lots adjacent to the field. Concessions are affordable as well, making a night out at Forges Field a very affordable alternative to other options in the area. Veteran fans will bring their own coolers with refreshments to further decrease the cost of attending a Pilgrims game. Extras 2 Despite the abundance of activity going on at a Pilgrims game, it’s a very laid-back atmosphere at Forges Field. Extra points are earned for the plethora of giveaways throughout the season. The NECBL and other college leagues in the area present their games in an “old-school” manner, keeping the focus on the game instead of the extraneous activity found at so many minor league parks today. Final Thoughts While the facility at Forges Field is little more than a glorified community diamond, the Plymouth Pilgrims staff work hard to make the game day experience an enjoyable one for the fans. The Pilgrims come closer to providing a minor league atmosphere than most summer college teams, but they still straddle the line between that carnival-like atmosphere and old-school baseball successfully. The facility may be one that attracts only the locals and the most dedicated of ballpark chasers, but any fan will enjoy their time at Forges Field. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Reckling Park 1968 University Blvd Houston, TX 77005 Rice Owls website Reckling Park website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 7,000 Rice Owls – Reckling Park One of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country, Rice University has a long history of fostering educators, Nobel laureates, and Pulitzer Prize winners. The school also has a long history of success in athletics, as well, including on the baseball diamond. The Rice Owls fielded their first baseball team in 1913, and beginning in 1914 they were members of the fabled Southwest Conference until its collapse in 1996. Since 2006 – until this next season when they will level up to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) – Rice has been a member of Conference USA. In the latter half of the 20th century up until the middle of the 21st, the Owls have seen a tremendous amount of success on the field. Led by such former big leaguers as current head coach Lance Berkman , Jose Cruz, Jr. , and Norm Charlton , the Owls have won 18 regular season conference championships (the most recent happening in 2015), made the NCAA Tournament a whopping 23 times, and in 2003 they completely climbed the metaphorical mountain and were crowned National Champions. Since 2000, Rice has done its winning from within the friendly confines of Reckling Park. Tucked inside the campus of Rice University and within eyesight of the skyline of the Texas Medical Center, Reckling Park is quite frankly a gorgeous spot to see a ballgame. Food & Beverage 3 When it comes to food and beverages, Reckling Park does enough to scratch your ballpark itch by playing the proverbial hits. There are two main spots in the park to get your grub and drink on. The main concessions area is located on the concourse behind home plate, and offers the usual suspect lineup of ballpark favorites – you can get hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, candy, popcorn, soft pretzels, sunflower seeds, canned beer, bottled water, sports drinks, and fountain sodas. Nothing flashy, nothing spectacular, but solid. The second spot is a little more upscale, as down the first base line is The Roost. A de facto beer garden, this stand offers up the same food and drinks as the other stands, but in a covered patio area. The ballpark also has a Kona Ice shaved ice truck parked inside that is quite popular with fans, which makes for a nice treat during the hot, humid days of early spring in H-Town. Atmosphere 4 I will say right off the bat (no pun intended) that I’m a sucker for stadiums with a nice, clean brick façade. To me that just screams old school elegance, and harkens back to the golden age of sports. For baseball, a sport steeped in nostalgia and history, facilities like Reckling Park add to the gravitas of what is happening on the field. Once through the main gates as you take the short steps up from the main concourse to the seating area, the field opens up and you are transported into what makes baseball special. The open skies, the green grass (field turf, to be fair), and young fans crowding the fence line looking for autographs and/or foul balls; Reckling Park has all of it. In addition to the overall aesthetic, the park has a few nice features to add to the atmosphere; there’s the Roost area as well as some berm seating for fans in left and left-center field. The Owls prominently display their championship wins – naturally including the 2003 National Championship – on signage in the outfield. Also, on the main concourse is the Rice team store, for those looking to get their team/school gear. Neighborhood 5 As mentioned, Reckling Park is right in the middle of the lush and beautiful Rice campus. The tree-lined walkways leading to the ballpark are populated with public art, and crisscross the campus and its stately academic buildings. Within eyesight is historic Rice Stadium , and within walking distance is Tudor Fieldhouse . With baseball and basketball overlapping seasons, you have a good chance of double-dipping sports at Rice. That’s also totally doable if you’re interested in checking out a Houston Astros or Houston Rockets game while you’re in Space City. Speaking of Space City, the reason the city has earned this moniker is something everyone should visit at least once when heading to Houston – Space Center Houston is the hub for space exploration in the United States. Home to NASA, Space Center is a fantastic site to take in before or after catching an Owls game. Consistently rated as the top tourist destination in the city, Space Center has something for everyone. When you’re looking for food and lodging options, Rice Village, the area around the university, has plenty to offer you. Restaurants such as Miller’s Café – specializing in burgers, sandwiches, and salads – and Poke in the Bowl – which offers, of course, poke bowls – are just a couple of options that are a short drive from the ballpark. For lodging options abound, including most of the recognizable chains; within a five-minute drive from Reckling Park are Westin Houston Medical Center and Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center . Fans 2 For a program that has found as much success as the Rice Owls, it is quite unfortunate to see how sparsely attended their games regularly are. Since 2014 the Owls have drawn just under 3,000 fans per game; this is just about half the capacity for the ballpark. Baseball inherently needs a crowd to keep the energy up for a game. Most fans in the stands are decked out in their Rice purple, however, there are also quite a few sporting Astros gear. It will be interesting to see how the attendance is impacted when Rice moves to the AAC next season. Access 3 Rice University, like many of the other sporting facilities in H-Town, is quite convenient to get to. The campus is located between Interstate 69 and State Highway 90, and there is plenty of signage telling you how to get to the school – once you enter Rice Village you can’t miss the athletics compound. Once you get on site, parking is plentiful; I’d recommend parking near the football stadium and strolling through the campus if time permits. Parking there will cost you $10, which is a nice bargain. If you choose not to drive, ridesharing options are a good option, as is Houston’s public transportation service . As always, I like to offer the advice to visitors to Houston to be wary of the city’s notorious traffic. You will be stuck in it, that’s just a fact, so, plan accordingly when heading to the game. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets for Owls games start at $10 for general admission ($15 for premium matchups). The Owls regularly play host to some of the biggest and best baseball programs in the state, including the ones from Austin and College Station . You can also expect the competition to ramp up even further next season with the move to thee AAC. Given that, the low cost for parking, plus some of the most affordable concessions I’ve seen, and you are getting a really great bargain at Reckling Park, especially when you also consider the great ballpark itself. Extras 3 Baseball doesn’t normally lend itself to Extras, outside of a few things. However, Reckling Park isn’t without some special offerings to make the in-game entertainment that much more special. The main one that is offered up is a play area for kids just outside the third baseline – this area is full of inflatable bounce houses that are sure to entertain really young fans. One small feature that I truly enjoyed seeing, and it is such a small detail, are the boards behind home plate that have the day’s handwritten lineups for each team, as well as the current conference standings. Again, it is such a small detail, but it reminded me of simpler time in baseball history. Final Thoughts This was my first visit to Reckling Park, but I can pretty much guarantee it won’t be my last. The park, if I haven’t made it clear yet, is really beautiful. I can only hope more fans will start coming once the move to the new conference takes place. I can only imagine what it would be like to see it filled. Regardless, if you’re a baseball fan or just a sports fan looking for something fun to do, catch an Owls game at Rice when you can. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 PayPal Park 1123 Coleman Avenue San Jose, CA 95110 Map It San Jose Earthquakes website PayPal Park website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 18,000 Vamos San Jose PayPal Park es el campo de casa de los San Jose Earthquakes de la MLS. El lugar específico para el fútbol se inauguró en 2015 como Avaya Stadium y cambió su nombre al comienzo de la temporada 2021 a su nuevo patrocinador, PayPal. La ciudad ha sido el sitio del fútbol desde 1974 con equipos en varias ligas. Los Earthquakes comenzaron en 1996 como uno de los miembros originales de Major League Soccer. El equipo ha ganado dos títulos de la Copa MLS (2001, 2003) y dos Supporters’ Shields (2005, 2012). El personal y los aficionados hacen que valga la pena presenciar un partido, ya que todos son amables y serviciales, y parecen complacidos de que hayas visitado su equipo y su estadio. Uno de los mejores partidos para asistir es cuando Los Ángeles FC viene a la ciudad, ya que generalmente hay una buena contingencia de visitantes del equipo visitante que hace que el estadio retumbe. Food & Beverage / Bebida y Alimenticia 5 PayPal Park ofrece una impresionante variedad de opciones de alimentos y bebidas. Un gran lugar para encontrar estas sabrosas y únicas opciones de comida es en el perímetro del área de césped de dos acres, llamada epi-center fan zone. Se sienta detrás del marcador masivo. Aproximadamente de doce camiones de comida locales se alinean en el perímetro y ofrecen una amplia variedad de platos: sándwiches calientes de pollo, barbacoa coreana, barbacoa ahumada a fuego lento, sabrosos tacos, teriyaki y sushi, hamburguesas y papas fritas, brochetas y otras delicias mediterráneas, y más. Los camiones varían en cada partido, así que examínelos todos antes de tomar una decisión. El estadio tiene puestos de comida tradicionales debajo de los asientos que ofrecen todos los favoritos del estadio y algo más. Pretzels, maní, papas fritas, Cracker Jack, hot dogs, hamburguesas y similares están a la venta. Las opciones únicas incluyen un asador que ofrece sándwiches frescos de cerdo o pavo, un puesto de pizza con pizzas especiales y churwaffles (waffles de pan de maíz dulces y salados). Los productos RC Cola y 7-Up son los refrescos a la venta. Las opciones de cerveza nacional incluyen Bud, Bud Light y Coors. Las cervezas importadas y artesanales incluyen Stella Artois, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Tornada, y 805. También se sirven licores fuertes y vino. Un puesto de margaritas especiales se encuentra en el borde de la zona de fanáticos del epicentro. Muchos puestos de comida venden más variedades de cerveza enlatada y agua mineral. Otros dos bares que vale la pena mencionar son el acertadamente llamado Scoreboard Bar, que mide más de 310 pies, lo que lo convierte en el bar exterior más grande de América del Norte. El Skyy Lounge está en el nivel superior a la izquierda al salir del elevador. Los fanáticos pueden disfrutar de una bebida viendo el partido sentados en taburetes frente a una barra de bebidas en esta área. Mi recomendación es probar la BBQ coreana y/o los churwaffles. Atmosphere / Atmósfera 4 La estructura tiene forma de U. Un enorme marcador de video está en la parte superior de la U. Detrás del marcador hay un área de césped popular (zona de fanáticos del epicentro) donde se alinean los camiones de comida locales, se realizan espectáculos y juegan los niños. Los camiones de comida emiten olores increíbles. Este es el lugar para estar antes del partido para actividades y para observar a la gente. Las sillas azules claras, azules oscuras y grises (los colores del Earthquakes) se extienden por el área de descanso. Bastante interesante es que el patrón contiene el mensaje codificado en binario “GO EQ.” !Estamos en Silicon Valley! Un fan mucho más inteligente que yo descubrió el código y ganó un viaje a la final de la Copa del Mundo de 2018. Los asientos están ligeramente acolchados, tienen portovasos y hay un espacio decente para las piernas entre las filas. Los fanáticos suben un tramo de escaleras para llegar al área de asientos y luego a sus asientos. Las secciones de asientos tienen de 28 a 30 filas de asientos. El estadio tiene un ascensor para llevar a los fanáticos a la cima y bajar caminando. La repisa/pasarela superior es estrecha y abierta. Esto asusta a los fans con acrofobia. PayPal Park Top Level Ledge, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey La capacidad es la más baja de la MLS con 18,000 sillas, lo que ofrece a los fanáticos una experiencia íntima el día del juego y otorga a cada asiento una buena vista del partido. Las suites están en el nivel inferior más cercano al terreno de juego. Es difícil entender al maestro de ceremonias y lo que está diciendo. No estoy muy seguro de si es el sistema de sonido, si es demasiado alto o si está hablando una mezcla de español e inglés. Los vendedores de comida suben a los puestos vendiendo churros, algodón de azúcar, palomitas de maíz y otros bocadillos. Asegúrese de verificar el clima antes de dirigirse al partido. El viento a veces puede hacer que sea un poco frío. Neighborhood / Barrio 4 El lugar está justo al lado del aeropuerto de San José. Hay algo, pero no mucho, que hacer a poca distancia. El centro de San José, que tiene un montón de actividades, está a solo 2 ½ – 3 millas al sureste. Un hotel Element (marca Marriott) está justo al otro lado de la calle. Un centro comercial está al otro lado del estadio y ofrece The Smoking Pig (barbacoa y cerveza), In-N-Out (hamburguesas de comida rápida), Chipotle (comida rápida mexicana) y Starbucks. Otras opciones recomendadas más lejos son BJ’s Brewery, Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life y The Farmer’s Union (gastropub). Floodcraft Brewery (en Whole Foods Marketplace) y Uproar Brewery son buenos lugares para comprar cerveza artesanal. Varias otras cervecerías también están cerca. Abundan las atracciones turísticas para el visitante o el aficionado local. Algunos puntos de interés en San José incluyen el Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, el Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose State University, Winchester Mystery House, y el Tech Museum of Innovation . Otros deportes que puede visitar durante la temporada de fútbol son los San Jose Sharks (NHL), San Jose Barracuda (AHL), San Jose Giants (MiLB) o cualquiera de los deportes de los Spartans de la Universidad de San José. El estadio Stephen Schott , sede del equipo de béisbol de los Broncos de Santa Clara, está al otro lado de las vías del tren, justo detrás de PayPal Park, al igual que sus estadios de baloncesto y sóftbol. Fans / Fanáticos 3 Aunque parece que los asientos están vacíos, muchos fanáticos permanecen en el área del césped. Asistieron un promedio de 13.300 aficionados por partido en la temporada 2022. Todavía no hemos vuelto a las cifras previas a la pandemia. Los Earthquakes tienen dos grupos de aficionados; cada grupo se sienta detrás de cada poste de la portería. Los San Jose Ultras han apoyado ruidosamente y con orgullo al equipo desde 2003. La Seismic Union, formada en 2021, es el grupo de seguidores que ocupa el lado norte del estadio. Los grupos ondean banderas, golpean tambores, cantan canciones y se ponen de pie y animan al equipo durante los 90 minutos. Por la distancia al aeropuerto y la seguridad de los vuelos que llegan y salen, no se permite la pirotecnia. Todos los fanáticos y el personal son extremadamente amables y acogedores. Es bastante fácil entablar una conversación y charlar sobre el equipo y el estadio. Access / Acceso 4 Llegar a PayPal Park es muy fácil en automóvil, avión o autobús. Está junto a la Interestatal 880 y Coleman Ave. Hay estacionamiento disponible en el lado noroeste del estadio. Haga clic aquí para obtener direcciones e instrucciones de estacionamiento. El servicio de transporte gratuito LuxBus está disponible desde y hacia los partidos, recogiendo y dejando en el centro de Market Street y St John (cerca de San Pedro Square). Si viene desde el aeropuerto, tome el autobús 60 de VTA (sur hacia Winchester) hasta Coleman y Earthquakes Way. Es gratis desde el aeropuerto; cuesta $ 2.50 para Volver y se requiere el cambio exacto. Los estacionamientos abren tres horas antes del partido. La taquilla abre dos horas antes y las puertas abren una hora y media antes del partido. Pasar por seguridad es rápido y fácil. Un elemento menor, pero desearía que tuvieran bancos o un lugar para sentarse mientras esperan que se abran las puertas. Se permiten bolsas transparentes del tamaño de un estadio (14” x 6” x 14”). Una linea para Clear Secure está en la entrada principal. Una vez que atraviese la puerta principal, la entrada se abre y la zona de diversión del epicentro está a su izquierda. El vestíbulo de la planta baja es bastante amplio y es donde se encuentran los baños. A excepción del Skyy Lounge, ni las concesiones ni los baños están en el segundo nivel. Return on Investment / Retorno de la inversion 3 Las entradas para seguidores cuestan alrededor de $27. Los precios de los boletos suben a $ 147 más o menos para los asientos del club de campo. El estacionamiento cuesta $ 25 y más. Me parece alto, pero es California y es Silicon Valley. Mi asiento estaba en la esquina superior por $37. Es una sede de la MLS más pequeña, por lo que cada asiento tiene una vista decente. Obtener boletos de grupo (10+) o boletos de temporada reducirá el precio. Los precios de la comida, la cerveza y los refrescos son comparables con otros lugares de las grandes ligas en el Área de la Bahía. La experiencia del día del juego es agradable; los fanáticos y el personal son geniales para conversar. Es una buena inversión para su entretenimiento deportivo. Extras 4 Vale la pena mencionar algunos otros elementos. Ver aviones despegar y aterrizar desde su asiento es único. Para la temporada 2022, la organización de los Earthquakes brindó una oferta Beer and Cheer a los poseedores de boletos de temporada con todos los beneficios. Esta oferta permitió a esos fanáticos una cerveza, refresco o agua gratis en el Scoreboard Bar o en el Skyy Lounge en cada juego. El club planea extender la sección de Ultras hasta el nivel del campo para las próximas temporadas. Es bueno ver a los Earthquakes mostrar aprecio por su apasionado apoyo. Vale la pena mencionar nuevamente el patrón del asiento. Incluye tres tonos diferentes de azul/gris, así como algunos asientos rojos para rendir homenaje a la historia de la NASL del club en los años 70 y 80. Y el patrón que contiene el mensaje codificado en binario “GO EQ” es una característica única. Finalmente, un “tambor de herencia” se encuentra en el borde de la zona de fanáticos del epicentro. En el momento de su construcción en 2019, era el tambor más grande del deporte profesional. El club lo utilizó durante la temporada 2019. PayPal Park Heritage Drum, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Presenciar un partido en PayPal Park es ciertamente único. El color del patrón de los asientos, la zona de fanáticos del epicentro y los camiones de comida, el personal excepcional, el fácil acceso y el ambiente íntimo ayudan a que asistir a un partido aquí sea una velada agradable. Muchas gracias a Jim Minard por su ayuda con la traducción.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 PayPal Park 1123 Coleman Avenue San Jose, CA 95110 Map It San Jose Earthquakes website PayPal Park website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 18,000 Vamos San Jose PayPal Park is the home ground of the MLS San Jose Earthquakes. The soccer-specific venue was known as Avaya Stadium when it opened in 2015. It has gone by its current name (PayPal Park) since the start of the 2021 season. The city has hosted soccer since 1974 with teams in various leagues. The Earthquakes started in 1996 as one of the original members of Major League Soccer. The team has won two MLS Cup titles (2001, 2003) and two Supporters’ Shields (2005, 2012). The staff and fans make witnessing a match incredibly worthwhile as they are all friendly and helpful and seem pleased you have visited their team and stadium. One of the better matches to attend is when Los Angeles FC comes to town as there is usually a good contingency of away team visitors which makes the stadium rumble. Food & Beverage 5 PayPal Park offers an impressive variety of food and drink choices. A great place to find these savory and unique food choices is on the perimeter of the two-acre grassy area, called the Epi-Center Fan Zone. It sits behind the massive scoreboard. Twelve or so local food trucks line the perimeter offering a wide range of cuisine: Hot chicken sandwiches, Korean BBQ, slow smoked BBQ, tasty tacos, teriyaki and sushi, burgers and fries, kabobs and other Mediterranean goodies, and more. The trucks vary each match so peruse them all before making a choice. The stadium has traditional concession stands under the seats offering all your stadium favorites and then some. Pretzels, peanuts, chips, Cracker Jack, hot dogs, burgers, and the like are all for sale. Unique choices include a carvery offering fresh sliced pork or turkey sandwiches, a pizza stand with specialty pizzas, and churwaffles (sweet and savory cornbread waffles). RC Cola and 7-Up products are the soft drinks for sale. Domestic beer choices include Bud, Bud Light, and Coors. Imported and craft beers include Stella Artois, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Tornada, and 805. Hard liquor and wine are also served. A specialty margarita stand sits on the edge of the Epi-Center Fan Zone. Plenty of concession stands sell more varieties of canned beer and hard seltzer. Two other bars worth noting are the aptly named Scoreboard Bar which is over 310 feet, making it the largest exterior bar in North America. The Skyy Lounge is on the upper level to the left as you exit the elevator. Fans can enjoy a beverage watching the match sitting on stools in front of a drink rail in this area. My recommendation is to try the Korean BBQ and/or the churwaffles. Atmosphere 4 The structure is U-shaped. An enormous video scoreboard is at the top of the U. Behind the scoreboard is a popular grass area (Epi-Center Fan Zone) where local food trucks line up, entertainment is performed, and kids play. The food trucks emit amazing smells. This is the place to be before the match for activities and people-watching. Light blue, dark blue, and grey chairs (the Earthquake’s colors) span the seating area. Interestingly, the color pattern contains the binary-coded message “GO EQ.” It IS in Silicon Valley. A fan way smarter than me figured out the code and won a trip to the 2018 World Cup Final. The seats are slightly cushioned, have cup holders, and have decent legroom between the rows. Fans walk up a flight of stairs to get to the seating area and then up to their seats. The seating sections have 28 – 30 rows of seats. The stadium has one elevator to take fans to the top so they can walk down to the higher level rows. The very top ledge/walkway is narrow and open. This is scary for fans with acrophobia. PayPal Park Top Level Ledge, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey The seating capacity is the lowest in MLS at 18,000, offering fans an intimate game day experience and granting every seat a good view of the match. Suites are on the lower level closest to the pitch. It’s hard to understand the emcee and what he’s saying. I’m not quite sure if it’s the sound system, if it’s too loud, or if he’s speaking a mix of Spanish and English. Food vendors climb the stands selling churros, cotton candy, popcorn, and other snacks. Be sure to check the weather before heading to the match. The wind can sometimes make it a bit chilly. Neighborhood 4 The venue is right next to the San Jose Airport. There’s some but not a whole lot to do within walking distance. Downtown San Jose, which has a ton of activities, is only 2 ½ – 3 miles southeast. An Element Hotel (Marriott brand) is right across the street. A shopping center is on the other side of the stadium and offers The Smoking Pig (BBQ and beer), In-N-Out (fast food burgers), Chipotle (fast food Mexican), and Starbucks. Other recommended choices further away are BJ’s Brewery, Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life, and The Farmer’s Union (gastropub). Floodcraft Brewery (in a Whole Foods Marketplace) and Uproar Brewery are good spots for craft beer. Several other breweries are also nearby. Plenty of tourist attractions abound for the visiting or local fan. Some points of interest in San Jose include the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose State University, Winchester Mystery House, and the Tech Museum of Innovation . Other sports you may be able to visit during soccer season are the San Jose Sharks (NHL), San Jose Barracuda (AHL), San Jose Giants (MiLB), or any one of the San Jose University Spartans sports. Stephen Schott Stadium , home of the Santa Clara Broncos baseball, is on the other side of the train tracks just behind PayPal Park as are their basketball and softball stadiums. Fans 3 Though it appears the seating is empty, many fans remain on the lawn area. An average of 13,300 fans per game attended in the 2022 season. Attendance is not quite back to the pre-pandemic numbers yet. The Earthquakes have two supporters’ groups; each group sits behind each goal post. The San Jose Ultras have loudly and proudly supported the team since 2003. The Seismic Union, formed in 2021, is the supporters’ group that occupies the north side of the stadium. The groups wave flags, bang drums, sing songs, stand up and cheer on the team for the entire 90 minutes. Because of the distance to the airport and the safety of the arriving and departing flights, pyrotechnics are not allowed. All fans and staff are extremely friendly and welcoming. It’s quite easy to strike up a conversation and chat about the team and the stadium. Access 4 Getting to PayPal Park is very easy via car, plane, or bus. It is off Interstate 880 and Coleman Ave. Parking is available on the northwest side of the stadium. Click here for directions and parking instructions. Free LuxBus shuttles are available to and from the matches, picking up and dropping off at downtown Market Street and St John (near San Pedro Square). If coming from the airport, take VTA bus 60 (south towards Winchester) to Coleman and Earthquakes Way. It’s free from the airport, costs $2.50 to get back, and exact change is required. The parking lots open three hours before the match. The box office opens two hours before and the gates open one and a half hours before the match. Getting through security is quick and easy. A minor item, but I wish they had benches or a place to sit while waiting for the gates to open. Clear stadium-sized (14” x 6” x 14”) bags are allowed. A Clear security line is at the main entrance. Once through the main gate, the entrance opens up and the Epi-Center Fan Zone is to your left. The downstairs concourse is plenty wide and is where the restrooms reside. Except for the Skyy Lounge, neither concessions nor restrooms are on the second level. Return on Investment 3 Supporter’s tickets are around $27. The ticket prices go up to $147 or so for field club seats. Parking is $25 and up. It seems high to me, but it is California, and it is Silicon Valley. My seat was in the upper corner for $37. It is a smaller MLS venue, so every seat has a decent view. Getting group tickets (10+) or season tickets will reduce the price. The food, beer, and soda prices are comparable with other major league venues in the Bay Area. The game day experience is an enjoyable one; the fans and staff are great to chat with. It is a good investment for your sports entertainment. Extras 4 A few other items are worth noting. Watching planes actually taking off and landing from your seat is unique. For the 2022 season, the Earthquakes organization provided a Beer and Cheer offer to full-benefit supporters season ticket holders. This offer allowed those fans a free beer, soda, or water at the Scoreboard Bar or the Skyy Lounge each game. The club plans on extending the Ultras section down to the field level for future seasons. It’s nice to see the Earthquakes show appreciation for their passionate support. The seat pattern is worth mentioning again. It includes three different shades of blue/gray as well as a smattering of red seats to pay homage to the club’s 70s and 80s NASL history. And, the pattern containing the binary-coded message “GO EQ” is a one-of-a-kind feature. Finally, a “Heritage Drum” sits on the edge of the Epi-Center Fan Zone. At the time of its construction in 2019, it was the largest drum in professional sports. The club used it during the 2019 season. PayPal Park Heritage Drum, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Witnessing a match at PayPal Park is certainly unique. The seat pattern coloring, the Epi-Center Fan Zone and food trucks, the exceptional staff, easy access, and the intimate setting all help make attending a match here an enjoyable evening out.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Clem Spillane Field 54 Marion Rd Wareham, MA 02571 Wareham Gatemen website Clem Spillane Field website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 1,200 Gatemen of the Cape   The Wareham Gatemen play in the Cape Cod Baseball League, the premier summer wood-bat collegiate baseball league in the country. Originally known as the Wareham Town Team, the Gatemen joined the circuit in 1963.   The Gatemen play at Clem Spillane Field, adjacent to the Wareham Middle and High Schools. Clement S. Spillane was a teacher and coach at Wareham High from 1947-1960. In the 13 years that Spillane served as coach of the school’s baseball, basketball and football teams, he never had a losing record. In fact, during the 1955-56 school year all three squads went undefeated during their regular seasons. Spillane is inducted in the Massachusetts Coaches Hall of Fame in all three sports.   Wareham is known as “the Gateway to Cape Cod” due to its location on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal. Thus, the baseball team adopted the nickname “Gatemen.”   The Gatemen have won eight championships during their time in the league, most recently in 2018. Notable alumni include Lance Berkman, George Springer, Chuck Knoblauch, Kyle Schwarber, Ben Sheets, Nick Swisher, Mo Vaughn and Barry Zito.   Food & Beverage 3   Spillane Field has two concession stands, one in left field adjacent to the football bleachers, and one on the ground floor of the press box building behind home plate.   Hot items are sold at the left field stand, including hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders and sausage sandwiches. French fries, nachos and snacks are also sold here. The home plate stand sells popcorn, ice cream treats and slush puppies.   Cans of Coca Cola products are sold here. Alcohol is not allowed at Spillane Field. Fans can bring their own food and drink to enjoy at Gatemen games.   Atmosphere 3   The atmosphere at Spillane Field is typical of most Cape League ballparks. Going to a Cape League game is a bit like stepping back in time. Absent is much of the noise and distraction present at so many ballparks today. The game on the field is the focus here. Music is only played between innings, and PA announcements during the game are limited to lineup details and the occasional sponsor announcement. The tiny new scoreboard in right field appears to have some video capability but only shows basic game information.   Wareham fans are knowledgeable about the game, and respectful to all the athletes on the field. It’s a laid-back place to take in a game, and a baseball purist’s dream. Part of the fun at a Cape League game is watching the antics of the children in the crowd, who compete to chase down foul balls all over the ballpark.   Neighborhood 3   There is little in the immediate vicinity of Spillane Field to attract the visiting fan. Downtown Wareham is located a short drive from the ballpark along Route 6, and features several excellent restaurants and attractions for visiting fans. Families coming to the area may want to check out Water Wizz, best known as the site of the water park scene in the Adam Sandler movie “Grown Ups.”   Fans looking for an authentic Cape Cod experience while not actually on Cape Cod can head over to Onset Beach or Buzzards Bay. Many excellent seafood restaurants are located in these areas. Visitors wanting to mix in some history with their baseball can check out the old Whaling town of New Bedford, located twenty minutes to the east, or Plymouth, located a half hour to the north.   Fans 2   Wareham generally ranks down near the bottom of the Cape League attendance listings, averaging between 900-1,000 fans per game. This may be due to the team’s location off-Cape, which makes it more difficult to get to for the many tourists who descend on Cape Cod every summer. For those of us on the mainland, the opposite is true.   As is the case at every Cape League ballpark, the fans in attendance are a mix of locals, tourists and those with a connection to the team, either as host families or volunteers. Crowds here are laid back, but extremely knowledgeable about the game and players on the field. Respect is given to players on both teams, with good plays applauded no matter who makes them.   Access 3   Spillane Field is located on Route 6, a short drive from either Interstate 195 or Route 25. As the only Cape League franchise located off-Cape, it’s easy to get to from the mainland, and visitors coming during the heavier tourist times won’t have to deal with the legendary traffic in the area.   Visiting fans can park in the lot adjacent to Town Hall or along Viking Drive. Depending on where you park, you’ll enter the field in deep left field or behind home plate. Unlike most parks in the Cape League, there’s not a lot of open green space at Spillane Field. The ballpark is located just a few feet from the adjacent school.   Wareham’s seating is made up almost entirely of bleachers. There is some room behind home plate and underneath the raised bleachers where fans can set up their own chairs. The bleachers on both the first and third base sides of the field are wooden, and unfortunately in need of some TLC. The old boards have a lot of give to them in spots, and don’t feel like the safest place to sit. The football bleachers beyond the left field fence are made of aluminum and located some distance from home plate, but are still preferred by many fans. Nets and fences obscure views from all seats in the infield.   Restrooms inside Wareham Middle School are available to fans. There are also a pair of Port-a-Johns right next to the third base stands. They really should be moved to a spot further from the bleachers, or at least to a downwind location.   Return on Investment 5   As is the case with all teams in the Cape League, Gatemen games are free to the public. The team will accept donations from fans in exchange for a roster sheet. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ballpark. Concessions are reasonably priced, making a night at a Gatemen game a most affordable entertainment option for southeastern Massachusetts sports fans.   Extras 3                                                                                                 A good variety of Gatemen and Cape League merchandise is available at the merchandise stand behind home plate.   The Cape League boasts that over 370 Cape alumni play in the Major Leagues every year, with over 1,600 players making the majors all-time. That means that one out of every six Major League players spent a summer on the Cape. Needless to say, some of the best amateur ball being played anywhere in the world can be found in the small parks on Cape Cod. With all ten ballparks located within an hour's drive of each other, it's a baseball fan's dream come true.   The team runs a 50/50 raffle during each game, proceeds of which help fund the team’s operation. In addition to half of the cash collected, fans can win a variety of prizes, including cruises to Martha’s Vineyard, harbor tours and gift cards to local establishments.   Final Thoughts   Spillane Field is rarely mentioned among the elite of Cape Cod’s ballparks. Perhaps it is due to the ballpark’s location on the mainland, or maybe because of the field’s rickety, splinter-filled bleachers or its gravel infield. But Spillane Field has its own charm, and you won’t find better summer college ball being played anywhere.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Joe Aillet Stadium 1450 W Alabama Ave Ruston, LA 71270 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs website Joe Aillet Stadium website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 28,019 The Bulldogs and Dawgzilla Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana opened in 1968, replacing Tech Stadium, which had been home to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team since their inception in 1901. Joe Aillet Stadium was part of Louisiana Tech’s new athletics complex, which now includes a baseball stadium, softball field, and soccer field across the street, as well as the track and field right next to the football stadium. The football stadium was originally named Louisiana Tech Stadium, but was renamed in 1972 after former head coach and athletic director Joe Aillet. The Lousiana Tech Bulldogs currently complete in Conference USA, and provide a great atmosphere for football, drawing lots of fans and providing a high level of energy during games. Joe Aillet Stadium includes the Davison Athletics Complex, Charles Wyly Athletic Center, and Dawgzilla, the 25 foot by 45 foot high def LED video board in the north end zone. Food & Beverage 4 Joe Aillet Stadium’s concessions offer plenty of options to fit most tastes – perhaps not everything you could want, but plenty of choices to meet your needs while attending a game here. Main dish options include hot dogs, Cajun sausage, nachos, pulled pork, burgers, pizza and chicken wings from Johnny’s Pizza House (a local favorite), Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches, sandwiches from McAllister’s Deli, and tacos from The Truppy Taco food truck. These items range from $4 up to $8, with the best deal being the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich for $4 – a bargain given this is barely more than they charge normally. Besides the above, you can also find snack and dessert items such as popcorn, peanuts, chips, pickles, kettle corn, packaged candy, Dippin’ Dots, shaved ice, cookies, and Rice Krispies treats for $2 to $7. You can also find bottled water, soda in bottles and from the fountain, and several flavors of iced tea and lemonade for $3 to $7; I did not see any alcohol for sale inside the facility. Atmosphere 4 Joe Aillet Stadium provides a great atmosphere for football, drawing large crowds wearing blue, with a little red sprinkled in (both colors are technically acceptable, but blue is much more prevalent) – you may even get gently hassled by Bulldog fans inside the local Walmart, if you try to choose the less dominant color. From the outside the facility may look a little dated, but once you walk in the bold, blue end zones, the colorful signage, the antics of La Tech’s Band of Pride, and the sound of 28,000-plus screaming fans will bring a smile to any football fan’s heart. Joe Aillet Stadium has grandstands with metal bench seating along both sidelines, with additional seating for donors and other VIPs at the top of the Davison Athletics Complex behind the south end zone. The north end zone is reserved wholly for La Tech’s video board, which is named “Dawgzilla”. The venue gets pretty full on gameday, and the fans bring a lot of energy, so this stadium is definitely worth a visit despite not being in one of the Power Five Conferences. Dawgzilla, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey One of the best aspects of attending a game here is that, for night games, the staff puts on a pretty spectacular fireworks show at halftime, which is nice because that means you don’t have to stay late to watch it – check out the video below for a sneak peek: Neighborhood 3 Joe Aillet Stadium is located on Louisiana Tech’s campus, so there isn’t much in the immediate vicinity except campus buildings and other athletics facilities, such as La Tech’s basketball arena, soccer field, baseball diamond, and track. There are a couple of fast food places within a few blocks, but if you are looking for something more interesting, there are a number of local places about 10-12 blocks east along Alabama Ave, such as Nana’s Soulfood, RAW Restaurant (sushi and sashimi), and Sundown Tavern, which features craft beer and live bands. There are also some more traditional eateries, such as Applebee’s, on 1-20 at exit 85 (either exit 84 or exit 85 would be your choice to get to Joe Aillet). If you plan to be in town for the day or for the weekend, in the same area as Nana’s Soulfood are a couple of museums, the Louisiana Military Museum and the Lincoln Parish Museum. Neither is very big, and both have limited hours (the Louisiana Military Museum is only open from 10-4 Tuesday thru Saturday, and the Lincoln Parish Museum is only open from 10-4 Tuesday thru Friday), but both are worth a look if you have some time. The Eddie G. Robinson Museum in nearby Grambling is also worth a look, as it celebrates the career of one of college football’s most successful coaches. The closest hotel to Joe Aillet Stadium is the Super 8 on Tech Drive, but exit 85 has several others, including a Fairfield Inn and Suites, a Courtyard by Marriot, and a Hampton Inn. Fans 4 La Tech fans are solid – though the stadium can’t hold that many, most of the seats are full, and fans here bring a lot of noise and energy. As mentioned previously, most of the fans wear blue, and many of them stay in their seats until the end, even if their team isn’t performing particularly well that day. The student section here at Joe Aillet is particularly worthy of note – you can find them on the east side seated next to the Band of Pride, who are easy to spot thanks to the lettering over their tuba bells spelling out L-O-U-I-S-I-A-N-A T-E-C-H. In the student section, you will of course find a few diehards with their chests painted in support of the Bulldogs, but also a couple of students waving homemade flags, along with my personal favorite, the whole section waving their cell phones back and forth during night games, in tribute to classic rock bands of old. Band of Pride, Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Access 4 Getting to Joe Aillet Stadium is pretty easy, thanks in part of the small capacity and general lack of traffic in Ruston. Located only about half a mile off the freeway, there is plenty of parking next to the stadium or across the street for $10 if you get there early; if not, you should be able to park for free about 5-6 or 6 blocks away, either on neighborhood streets or at the cemetery on Colvin Street. Note that will call is located on the west side, so if you don’t have your tickets with you, you may want to park on that side; otherwise you will have to walk all the way around. Once you get inside Joe Aillet Stadium, there is plenty of room to walk around beneath the grandstands, and there are plenty of restrooms and concessions stands, so lines shouldn’t ever be too long. Also, there is a walking path on each side between the upper and lower levels of the grandstand, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting to your seat, or getting out for a snack during the game. There is also a ramp at the end of each grandstand for those who need it. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets to games at Joe Aillet Stadium start at $25, which is pretty reasonable for this caliber of football, and there are plenty of concessions options for fans on a budget. In addition, $10 (or free) parking is also very reasonable, so all in all, seeing a game here represents a great value for football fans of any stripe. Extras 3 The halftime fireworks are a big plus, and the fans deserve mention for their strong support of the team. The vivid colors on both the field and in the concourse also add to the pageantry that is college football today. Final Thoughts If you live in or near northern Louisiana, you actually have your choice of 3 different college football stadiums along the I-20 corridor between Shreveport and Ruston – the Independence Bowl, Malone Stadium (home of the ULM Warhawks), and Joe Aillet Stadium. For my money, the latter is the best of the bunch, so if you are in the area, take a trip down to Ruston to see the Bulldogs in action, and be sure to wear blue. Go, Dawgs!

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Iroquois Lacrosse Arena 3201 2nd Line Hagersville, ON N0A 1H0 Six Nation Arrows website Iroquois Lacrosse Arena website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 2,300 The Heart of Lacrosse South of Brantford, through the farmland of Southern Ontario, lives one of many hearts of lacrosse.  Six Nations Indian Reserve No. 40, more commonly known as Six Nations contains the town of Ohsweken and is just north of Hagersville.  At the southern corner stands an inconspicuous, warehouse-looking building that houses the hopes and dreams of countless Indigenous children.  The Iroquois Lacrosse Arena was built in 2004 by lacrosse legends Curt Styres and Delby Powless and is a lacrosse-only facility, one of the only ones built in Canada specifically for lacrosse. Several lacrosse teams call Iroquois Lacrosse Arena home and possibly the most popular is the Six Nations Arrows of the Junior A, Ontario Junior Lacrosse League.  The Arrows have been around since 1974 and began as a Junior C team.  Originally known as the Six Nations Braves, the Arrows moniker would be adopted in 1979.  Six Nations would step up to Junior B status after their first season and would remain there until 1989, culminating in the 1987 Tier II Championship.  In 1990 the Arrows would make the final step to Junior A and go on to enjoy tremendous success.  The Arrows would bring home the Iroquois Cup as Ontario Champions nine times.  The Arrows would bring home the ultimate prize, the Minto Cup as National Champions in 1992, 2007, 2014, 2015, and 2017.  The list players who have gone from the Arrows to the National Lacrosse League is a who’s who of lacrosse royalty including Cody Jamieson, Doug Jamieson, Craig Point, Shawn Evans, Cam Bomberry, Johnny Powless, Delby Powless, Randy Staats, Leo Stouros, Brett Bucktooth and Warren Hill.  Food & Beverage 3 The concession experience at a Six Nations Arrows game is better than one would expect.  Several vending machines can be found around the arena, mostly selling drinks.  However, adjacent to the arena is Bowcasters, which offers several arena offerings.  One part concession stand and one part convenience store, Bowcasters is a cash-only facility that has many different offerings.  Hot dogs, poutine, fries, sausage, burger sandwiches, fruit, mac salad, and wraps are all available. A variety of soft drink options are also available as well as ice cream.  Prices are surprisingly good.  A bottle of water, for example, is only $1. Atmosphere 5 The exterior of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is nothing special.  Looking more like a warehouse than a sports facility with its drab siding, the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena shares space with Bowcasters, Arrow Express offices, ILA Sports, and Leroy Jamieson Fitness Centre. Fans enter the building on the east side and are welcomed by temporary tables and booths for ticket sales, a 50/50 draw, programs, and a bit of merchandise.  From there, the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is a treasure hunter’s dream.  There are trophy cases and displays for the Arrows, including championship team pictures.  There are also displays for the Senior A, Six Nations Chiefs  of Major Series Lacrosse, the Junior B Six Nations Rebels, and teams that Curt Styres has owned including the Hamilton and Toronto Nationals formerly of Major League Lacrosse, the Rochester Knighthawks and Styres’ current team, the Halifax Thunderbirds of NLL.  Even better, there are displays and profiles for lacrosse pioneers and a history of lacrosse and the Mann (Sr.) and Minto Cups.  Entering the seating bowl, fans will find that the floor runs from west to east with seats around three sides of the turf floor.  Orange arena seats are found at the south and east sides and orange benches are on the west side.  Purple trim is also found throughout the seating area, completing the color scheme of the traditional Haudenosaunee, formerly the Iroquois, flag.  The north side of the arena is littered with championship banners from multiple levels, fourteen of which belong to the Arrows.  Simple scoreboards are found at both east and west ends, the east flanked by the Canadian and Haudenosaunee flags. The gameday production at an Arrows game is fairly simple.  During warmups, there isn’t much in the way of music.  Before the game begins, a traditional Indigenous dance is performed with a song and drum.  No national anthems are otherwise played.  Unlike a NLL game, there is no music during the play.  There are some “Indigenous” sound effects during the game. Neighbourhood 2 Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is located approximately 10 km south of the town of Ohsweken, and north of the town of Hagersville, in a rural area at the southern tip of the reservation.  Fans will not be walking to any sort of attraction.  The Burger Barn, which was featured on the Canadian show “You Gotta Eat Here” is probably THE spot to go.  Other options include Dixieland Grill and Big Pete’s Steakhouse.  For fans looking for other sports options, lacrosse is on the menu at the ILA all the time.  The Six Nations Chiefs  of Major Series Lacrosse and the Junior B, Six Nations Rebels also share the ILA.  During the winter months, hockey can be found in nearby Brantford ( Brantford Bulldogs ), Caledonia and Hagersville.  The Friday nights at the Ohsweken Speedway are popular during the summer months also.  For fans looking for a more authentic Haudenosaunee experience, investigating Six Nations Tourism  is the best idea.  Heading to Brantford for lodging is going to be the best idea for fans wishing to stay near the arena. Fans 4 It is difficult to assess fans for Six Nations Arrows as OJLL attendance figures are not published.  It is clear, however, that the Six Nations Arrows are a draw and possibly the biggest draw out of all of the Six Nations teams that call the ILA home.  The game that was reviewed was well attended, with probably around 1,000 people in attendance.  Also, consider that the game reviewed was a holiday and the opening game of the season.  Six Nations fans are pretty quiet and not really over the top, typical for Ontario.  What puts Six Nations fans a notch above are the kids.  There are plenty of kids in attendance at an Arrows game, most of them with sticks, helmets, and gloves.  Between periods and after warm-ups, kids flood the floor with their equipment and proceed to play, whether it is one one-on-one exercise, passing or just throwing the ball against the boards.   Access 4 Getting to Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is not difficult. The Reservation is located southeast of Brantford and southwest of Hamilton.   The major routes include Highway 24 to the west and Highway 6 to the east, however, it is mainly farmland in between these cities, and a two-lane highway is the best to expect for the majority of the travel.  ILA is in a rural area, basically at the junction of Cayuga Road and 2nd Line.  There is definitely no public transit in the area.  There is plenty of free parking on site.  Getting around ILA is not difficult at all and the washroom facilities are adequate.  However, a really large crowd would make getting around more challenging and crowded.  It may be important to note that cellular service is spotty in this area, depending on the carrier, and there is no public wifi in the facility.  Also, a Six Nations Arrows game is a predominantly cash experience. Return on Investment 5 There is tremendous value in OJLL lacrosse experiences and the Six Nations Arrows are no different.  Tickets are $10 and there are discounts for students and seniors.  The concession prices are much better than expected and parking is free.  The action on the floor is among the best box lacrosse that can be found outside of the NLL and it is in a place dedicated entirely to lacrosse.  In junior lacrosse, it doesn’t get much better than this. Extras 4 An extra mark for the pipeline for pro lacrosse that the Six Nations Arrows are.  The alumni list is massive and The Lax Mag  ranked the Six Nations Arrows as the fourth-best provider of NLL talent. An extra mark for the community hub that the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is.  The facility is very busy with various teams, minor lacrosse, and other community events. An extra mark for the authentic Indigenous experience provided by the Six Nations Arrows. An extra mark for the lacrosse focus at the ILA. Final Thoughts With regards to Junior A lacrosse in Ontario, it does not get much better than the Six Nations Arrows experience.  The Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is one of the few facilities that was built specifically for lacrosse and has a total lacrosse focus.  Taking in an Arrows game offers great value for the dollar and is an experience not to be missed. ---- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads  and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 University of Windsor Stadium 2555 College Avenue Windsor, ON N9B 2Z5 Windsor Lancers football website University of Windsor Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 2,000 Lancer Life In the shadows of the Ambassador Bridge which links the cities of Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario sits the University of Windsor. Formerly a Roman Catholic private university, the name of the institute was changed from Assumption University to the University of Windsor in 1967 to take advantage of the opportunity for public funding. With the new moniker came a new dedication to athletics and the Windsor Lancers were born. Formerly known as the Purple Raiders, the Windsor athletics program would take a huge step forward in 1968 with the fielding of the Windsor Lancers football team under Canadian University star and CFL alum, Gino Fracas. Fracas is credited with building the program with his more than twenty years of service and helped bring success to Windsor with their CCIFC Championship in 1968. The Lancers would eventually join the OUA and enjoy their only Yates Cup as conference champions in 1975. Windsor has also produced three Hec Crichton winners as the top player in all of Canada. Andrew Parici, Scott Mallender and Daryl Stephenson were successful in bringing the prestigious award to the Blue and Gold. The current home for the Lancers is Alumni Field at University of Windsor Stadium. Built in 2005, the stadium is the perfect home for Lancer football. At a capacity of 2,000 fans in the grandstand, with room for more on the berms, Alumni Field also services other Lancer athletic programs including soccer and track and field. Food & Beverage 3 The concession situation at University of Windsor Stadium is not too bad. There is a BBQ on site with burgers, sausages and other items. Soft drinks and pizza are also available at another stand. The north end zone features the Lancer Garden. Fans who are of age are able to purchase and consume beer in this area which is fenced off from the rest of the stadium. Fans are unable to bring alcoholic beverages into the stands. Atmosphere 3 Compared to many other OUA football facilities, University of Windsor Stadium is a solid venue and would definitely be considered permanent. The large concrete structure is similar to Varsity Stadium at the University of Toronto. Located with the rest of the athletic facilities on campus and the Human Kinetics building, University of Windsor Stadium is well maintained and nicely landscaped. Surrounded by a mix of chain link and wrought iron fencing, Alumni Field is situated from south to north, with the grandstand on the east side and berm seating on the west side. The Ambassador Bridge towers over the university campus in the north and the traffic coming from the bridge on Huron Church Road can be seen from the seating area. Being a fully functional track and field facility also makes University of Windsor Stadium very spacious. The grandstand is far from the action as eight lanes of track are between the grandstand and the field. The simple scoreboard at the south end is functional but not spectacular. The grandstand is quite long as it stretches the entire field, but only nine rows of bleacher seats makes the stadium still feel cozy. Upon entering the stadium area from the north, fans are greeted with some inflatables for the younger fans, a band playing some game day tunes and a performer on stilts welcoming patrons to the Lancers. When the game starts, the Lancers enter the field through a large white inflatable and are aided by Winston, the Lancers mascot. A few strange items accompany the Lancer experience. The strange first down sound, which lacks description, is blasted over the subpar PA system, is not appealing to fans. The team is also flanked upon entry by a smoke-blowing golf cart. Definitely unique, but not really adding to the atmosphere. Neighbourhood 3 University of Windsor Stadium is segregated among the University’s athletic facilities and not very close to pubs or restaurants. Probably the only venue within walking distance is the McDonald’s on Huron Church Road, which can be seen from the Alumni Field grandstand. However, heading toward the riverfront will give fans the opportunity to find some decent spots on both Wyandotte St and University Ave. The Barrel House, Dominion House and Rock Bottom Bar & Grill are all good options. There are a few other spots where fans can find other sports options. The St. Denis Centre can be found right behind University of Windsor Stadium and inside, the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse is where the very successful Lancer basketball teams play. A short drive to the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Centre will find the home for Windsor Lancer hockey. The WFCU Centre is the home for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and is also a short drive from campus. If none of these options are satisfying, fans may consider hopping the border where all of the sports options of Detroit, Michigan are close. Other entertainment options in Windsor include the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association and Caesar’s Windsor. For fans who need a place to stay in Windsor, the Holiday Inn and Best Western are pretty close to campus and good options. Fans 3 The Windsor Lancers have traditionally been a team that either just makes the playoffs or just misses the playoffs in the OUA. As a result, the Lancers often struggle at the gate. The Lancers usually draw between 1,500 and 2,500 fans per game, but have not ranked higher than 6th place as compared to other OUA teams. The fans in attendance can often be considered die-hard and are typical of most Southern Ontario fans. Access 4 Getting to Alumni Field is not overly difficult. The stadium is adjacent to Highway 3, or Huron Church Road, the main street that leads to the Ambassador Bridge. Fairly recent renovation of Highway 401 have brought the main highway even closer to the river, meaning traveling Highway 3, which has plenty of traffic lights, has been reduced. There is some parking available on campus on the opposite side of College Ave and behind the St. Denis Centre. Parking will cost fans a little bit, but should be less than $10 for the game. Public transit is a little bit of a walk from the stadium. There are buses that run on Wyandotte, Felix, Tecumseh and Campbell. Fans interested in public transit should check out the Transit Windsor website for maps, fares and schedules. Tickets for the Lancers can be purchased at the tent outside of the stadium. There is plenty of space to walk around and elevators are available to get to the top of the grandstand. The washroom facilities are more than adequate for the crowd on hand. Return on Investment 4 Going to an OUA football game offers great value for the sporting dollar. Tickets will run between $10 and $15, which is cheaper than some other programs. General admission tickets go for $12. Concession prices are not terrible, but parking will cost a couple of bucks. On the field, the Lancers can be an exciting experience, but can be prone to a mismatch if squaring off against the wrong opponent. However, OUA football is an excellent way to spend a sunny fall afternoon. Extras 2 An extra mark for the three Hec Crighton Award winners to have played for the Lancers. An extra mark for legendary Lancers coach Gino Fracas, who would build the program from scratch. His influence on USports football was such that the award for the top volunteer assistant coach is named after the legendary Windsor coach. Final Thoughts Catching some Windsor Lancer football at Alumni Field at University of Windsor Stadium is a great way to spend a fall afternoon. Fans have a great opportunity to pair some Windsor football with other sporting events in Windsor or Detroit to make for a fantastic doubleheader or weekend. Checking out the Lancer Life is a good idea and offers great value for the money. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Calfee Park 700 South Washington Ave Pulaski, VA 24301 Pulaski River Turtles website Calfee Park website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 2,500 Along the Appalachian League Trail: Pulaski Located in Southwest Virginia, the Pulaski River Turtles are an Appalachian League baseball team that plays their home games at Calfee Park. The stadium opened in 1935 and was built by the WPA following the Great Depression. It was extensively renovated in 2015. Until 2020, the Appalachian League was an affiliated minor league at the Rookie-Advanced level, and was many players' first professional stop. The Pulaski club was affiliated with many major league teams over the years, most recently the Yankees from 2015 to 2020. After the 2020 season, Major League Baseball eliminated the Rookie Advanced level and the Appy League became a summer collegiate league for rising freshmen and sophomores affiliated with USA Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline. Although the quality of play has gone down, the experience has stayed similar or perhaps even gotten more enjoyable as teams adopt their own identity rather than use that of the parent club they are many miles away from. Food & Beverage 4 Most of the concessions at Calfee Park are served at a food court area down the first base line by the entry gate there. At the main stand, you will find an extensive menu including chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, and a barbecue sandwich (which in these parts invariably means pork), plus hot dogs, chili dogs, and pita pizza. Healthier options include a club wrap (with ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and bacon) and assorted salads. Many of the meal options also come with fries or chips. Soda (Pepsi products), bottled water, Gatorade, slushies, and chocolate milk from local vendor Duchess Dairy are also available. For fans of age, "adult refreshments" (i.e. beer) can be purchased too. Other stands sell different items. One stand in the food court area sells ice cream and another sells hot candied nuts and lemonade. A stand down the third base line has cheesesteak. You will certainly not go hungry at Calfee Park as there is plenty to eat here. Atmosphere 4 Most seats at Calfee Park are chairbacks, although there are some general admission bleachers down the left field line. All seats are behind netting except part of the bleachers, although it is not intrusive. There are some club seats behind home plate which include in-seat waiter service, and reserved seats on either side, but the remainder of the seating is general admission. The lower and upper sections to the right of the club area (as you face the field) are reserved, as is the lower one to the left. Oddly enough, the lower sections down the first base line have a worse view than general admission seats, as the suites to the right of them are raised higher, inexplicably blocking the view of a significant portion of right field. Do not waste your money sitting here, although if you do, you should have no problem sitting in the general admission area instead. Many of the lower sections below the concourse are marked as reserved but no longer are. The seating down the third base line is partially covered, which is nice on a hot day, while the seating down the first base line is not. There are may on-field contests between innings, some of which involve the mascots. When not participating in contests, Slider, a river turtle, and Calf-E, a cow (named after the stadium) can be seen roving the stands and interacting with fans. They also appear in short vignettes on the videoboard. That same board, in left centerfield, shows player stats as well as the pitch speed to two decimals (which seems impossibly precise) while a smaller scoreboard in right-centerfield just shows the linescore. Neighborhood 2 Calfee Park is located in a residential area of Pulaski with several houses overlooking the field. Supposedly David Justice hit a home run to one of the houses in right field when he played minor league ball here, although this may just be a legend. In any case, there is not much to do in the immediate vicinity, so you will have to drive to the Main Street area to do anything else. Even along Main Street, there is not much going on and many local businesses have closed since the pandemic. Compadres Mexican and The Dawg House (which serves hot dogs) are some local restaurants fans might enjoy. Fans 3 The River Turtles average about 1,300 fans a game, which puts them towards the middle of the Appalachian League. The crowd is a mix of young families, longtime fans who have seen many affiliated teams come and go over the years, and everyone in between. Kids can be seen lining up along the wall by the left field bleachers or hanging out near the visitor's bullpen by the left field gate hoping to get their hands on a ball, but are generally good about not getting in the way of other fans. The crowd can get loud at times, but is generally not too involved. That is about what you'd expect for this level. The fans are just here to enjoy baseball on a warm summer's night, and there's nothing wrong with that. Access 3 Pulaski is located off I-81 in the southwest part of Virginia via exit 94. You will then drive through residential neighborhoods, up and down hills, for a few miles, and perhaps wonder if your GPS has gotten you lost. It hasn't, this is just where the stadium is. There are several lots surrounding the stadium, both behind home plate and in left field, and gates in each location. The one near home plate will put you closer to the concession stands and most of the seating area. You will have to do some walking, including stairs or ramps, to get there from the left field gate but it is nothing too difficult. Restrooms are available near both entrances and are of a sufficient size for the crowd. The concourse is pretty narrow in some places but is generally not an issue due to the crowd size. Return on Investment 5 Club seats behind home plate are $15, and as mentioned above, include in seat wait service. Availability for these seats for single game seats is very low. Reserved seats in sections 1 and 3 are $11 above the concourse or $12 below. As mentioned, some of the lower rows of Section 1 are obstructed by the club, so we don't recommend you sit here. General admission seats are $5 and will get you in anywhere except sections 1 and 3 plus club and suite areas, although some sections are still marked reserved. Seniors can buy general admission tickets for just $1, although this must be done at the box office on gameday. Concessions are affordable and parking is free Overall, a Pulaski River Turtles game is an excellent value. Extras 2 Look for the team store on the concourse selling River Turtles merchandise. A second star for all the history at Calfee Park. Baseball has been played here since 1935, and many great players have made Pulaski their first professional stop on their trip to the majors. Notably alumni include David Justice, Mike Stanton, Mark Wohlers, and most recently, Anthony Volpe, who played here in 2019 during Pulaski's final season of affiliated ball. Final Thoughts On a summer night in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, a Pulaski River Turtles game is definitely an experience worth checking out. Although the team is no longer playing affiliated ball, they have managed to form their own identity, and baseball fans in the area should definitely head down to Calfee Park for a game.

Photos by Joseph Oakes, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Virginia Credit Union Stadium 42 Jackie Robinson Way Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Fredericksburg Nationals website Virginia Credit Union Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 5,000 NATional Pastime After years of playing in the decrepit Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA, the Potomac Nationals were set to move 30 miles south to Fredericksburg and become the Fredericksburg Nationals in 2020. Since the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, the move to the new ballpark was delayed by a year. The sparkling new Fredericksburg Nationals Ballpark officially opened for minor league baseball on May 11, 2021, with a 7-5 loss to the Delmarva Shorebirds in front of a crowd of 2,065, since Virginia was still under COVID capacity restrictions. The FredNats began their inaugural season in Fredericksburg with 15 straight losses, and the first win at the new ballpark did not come until a 2-1 win over the Salem Red Sox on May 21, 2021. The ballpark has since been renamed Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The FredNats have only been in Fredericksburg four years, but are already a staple in the community. The team draws well and the ballpark hosts many events throughout the year. Food & Beverage 4 Virginia Credit Union Stadium offers a wide variety of food options. While the food quality at many ballparks seems to have waned in recent years, Fredericksburg is an exception to this. Caroline Street Grill has two locations in the ballpark and serves up traditional ballpark favorites such as Chicken Tenders, Cheeseburger, Hot Dogs, Chili Cheese Nachos, Ballpark Nachos, Jumbo Pretzels, Cracker Jacks, Popcorn, etc. They even offer a plant-based Veggie Burger. Burg’s Bazaar offers taco options including street tacos, Helmet Nachos (in a FredNats Helmet), and a taco bowl. On Tuesdays, the ballpark offers $2 tacos. Other stands scattered around the ballpark include Chick-fil-A and Freddie’s Frozen Custard. There is also a large area in right field that has a liquor bar, popcorn, and Dippin’ Dots. There are two grab-n-go areas through the park, where fans can purchase bottled drinks and snacks self-serve, and use self-checkout to pay. The ballpark serves Pepsi products. There are several local brew options including the team’s own Sluggin’ Gus named for George Washington’s father and the team mascot. Prices tend to be a little high but are on par with what you would expect at most ballparks. Also, we noticed on our visit and also heard from fans that concession lines are extremely long and slow. Therefore, we suggest the grab-n-go areas. Atmosphere 5 Virginia Credit Union Stadium is designed similarly to many minor league ballparks these days, with the concourse above the single-seating bowl. Except for the areas behind home plate, there is a 360-degree concourse all around the ballpark. This is because the club level is directly on the concourse level, not above as in most ballparks. Therefore, to get from the first base to the third base side (or vice-versa), you have to walk completely around the backside of the club. There is no view of the action and it feels like you are completely leaving the ballpark. Other than that, the concourse gives you a great view of the action all around the ballpark. All seats in the ballpark are chairback and run just beyond the dugout on each side. In both the right and left field corners are terrace boxes with tables and bar stools. There are several group areas in the outfield including a scoreboard suite with a manual scoreboard operated by the fans, a field suite next to the home bullpen in left field, and several bullpen party decks adjacent to the visiting bullpen in right field. On the backside of the batter’s eye in center field is a large mural showing the “History of Baseball in Fredericksburg”. There is a large kid’s play area on artificial turf beyond the right-field foul pole. There are two ribbon boards – one above the bullpen in left field and one on the suite level overhang – and one large video board in right field. The playing surface at Virginia Credit Union Stadium is a state-of-the-art synthetic grass from Shaw Sports Turf similar to what is used by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. It is the first minor league ball to use such a surface. This allows the FredNats to host several events such as concerts and youth sports without the extra cost of maintaining a natural grass surface. The team store is just adjacent to the main gate on the first base concourse. Neighborhood 4 Virginia Credit Union Stadium is located just off of I-95 in an area known as Celebrate Virginia. It consists of several stores and restaurants Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Cracker Barrell, Chick-fil-A, Carrabba’s, Outback Steakhouse, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, etc. Immediately surrounding the ballpark is a Wegmans Grocery Store, a Hilton Garden Inn, and the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center. The Ballpark is located at the end of Carl D. Silver Parkway, which can create a few traffic issues as there is only one way in and out. While the address is 42 Jackie Robinson Way, this is a new road so it may not show up on your GPS. Instead, point your GPS to the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center. Parking is available here or at the lots surrounding the ballpark for $6. While there are many restaurants and shops within a couple of miles, there is not much within walking distance, except for the Wegmans. Fans 5 In the first three years at their new ballpark, the fans have shown up in full force. One can expect a nearly full crowd for most games, especially on the weekends. Crowds average around 3,000+ during the week and 4,000-5,000 on the weekend. The fans are involved, cheer frequently, and are into the game. Being so close to their parent team in DC, there are many fans in Washington Nationals gear at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Access 3 With only one way to and from the ballpark, plan a little extra time when going to a game. Interstate 95 is generally a parking lot from Fredericksburg to Washington, D.C., so if you are traveling via I-95, plan accordingly. Gate entry and security are pretty relaxed. Of course, you can save time by purchasing tickets ahead of time. With the size of the crowds, this is not a bad idea anyway to ensure yourself a seat. Once inside the ballpark access is a breeze on the 360-degree concourse, except the hiccup behind the club level. Return on Investment 3 This is one of the few areas where Virginia Credit Union Stadium received low marks. Ticket prices range from $15 to $22 in the seats, and are $10 for standing room only. While this is a new state-of-the-art ballpark, this is a little steep for Low-A ball. Prices like this may wear off as the newness of the ballpark fades, especially if the team stays Low-A. As previously mentioned parking is $6 in the lots surrounding the ballpark. If you are looking to cut costs, be sure to attend on Tuesdays when most tickets are $2 tickets. There are also $2 tacos on Tuesdays. Extras 4 The new ballpark receives several extra points for the following: - 360-degree concourse - Several group areas including the scoreboard suite, bullpen party decks, terrace boxes, etc. - The large kids' play area in right field - Several standing areas along the concourse with food and drink rails Final Thoughts After enduring several years of playing in a “dump” in Woodbridge, the FredNats organization now has a beautiful, brand-new ballpark it can call its own and be proud of. A night out at the new Virginia Credit Union Ballpark will be a great experience for many years to come.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Eldredge Park 78 Eldredge Park Way Orleans, MA 02653 Orleans Firebirds website Eldredge Park website Year Opened : 1913 Capacity : 4,000 Filling the Hill for Over a Century Eldredge Park, in Orleans, MA, is the oldest ballpark in the Cape Cod League, and one of the oldest continuously used ballparks in the country. Featured in pictorials in Sports Illustrated and Baseball in America, it was named the best summer collegiate ballpark in the nation by Baseball America in 2004. Eldredge Park has been described as a “Norman Rockwell painting come to life”. The land for the park was donated to the town of Orleans by baseball enthusiast Louis Winslow "Win" Eldredge, “in consideration of [his] affection for and interest in the young people of Orleans and [his] desire to provide a playground for them.” The park quickly became a popular community gathering place. Thanks to the nearby transatlantic telegraph cable station, fans at Eldredge were among the first Americans to receive the news that Charles Lindbergh had touched down safely in Paris. Constructed in 1913, Eldredge Park is a most uniquely designed ballpark. There is virtually no permanent seating anywhere at the facility. Most of the seating here is located on a large, terraced hill, known as “The Hill at Eldredge Park”, which runs the length of the first base side of the field. Fans coming to watch the Firebirds play are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs and pick out their favorite spots from which to watch the action. For much of their existence, Orleans’ team was known as the Cardinals. In 2009, several Cape League teams decided to cease sharing names with a Major League squads, and their name was changed to Firebirds. The team has won 4 Cape League championships in the Modern Era, which began in 1963, and is the only league franchise to boast two baseball Hall of Famers (Carlton Fisk and Frank Thomas) among their alumni. In 2022 42 Firebirds alumni played in the Major Leagues. Food & Beverage 3 Nauset Food Services operates a concession stand at Eldredge Park. The "Fire Pit" is located in the parking lot atop the right field berm. The menu here covers all the basics, including burgers, hot dogs and sausage and pepper sandwiches. Veggie burgers, nachos and pizza slices are also sold here. A good variety of snacks, featuring chips, candy, peanuts, popcorn, pretzels and ice cream novelties are also available. Fans looking for something a little extra can top their hot dog or burger with cheese, peppers and onion for an extra dollar. Coca Cola products are sold at the Fire Pit. Alcoholic beverages are not sold at Eldredge Park. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at a Firebirds game is very similar to what you will find in other Cape Cod League venues. The bells and whistles present in so many minor league ballparks today are nowhere to be found on the Cape. PA announcements are limited to upcoming batters, lineup changes, and sponsors advertisements. Children have room to play and chase foul balls. Families and locals mix, enjoying a laid-back night at the ballpark. It’s a baseball purist’s dream. Neighborhood 4 Orleans is a small town located on the “inner elbow” of Cape Cod. It has a population of just over 6,000 year-round residents, and swells to several times that size during the summer months. Eldredge Park is located next to Nauset Regional Middle School, about a mile from downtown Orleans. Fans looking to explore what Orleans has to offer should head north on Route 28 South (you read that right, don’t try and understand, it’s a Massachusetts thing) to where routes 28, 6, and 6A come together. There you will find numerous fine seafood restaurants and tourist attractions. If you wish to avoid the large summer crowds, come to the area early in the season in June before schools let out. Everything will be open, and the crowds will not have arrived yet. The area boasts several excellent beaches and seasonal tourist attractions. Many beautiful homes dating back to colonial times are present along the waterfront. The destination town of Provincetown is located a half hour to the north through the Cape Cod National Seashore. Fans 4 Orleans consistently ranks at or near the top of the Cape League’s attendance rankings, averaging about 1,500 fans per game. They have a dedicated fan base with some interesting traditions. Since virtually all of Eldredge Park’s seating is general admission lawn seating, fans are allowed to come to the ballpark early, in some cases VERY early, to leave their blankets or chairs on the ground and reserve their spots in advance. The fans then return at game time to the spot they chose hours earlier. One complaint that is heard at times is that some fans will reserve their spot early in the day, only to not show up until the game is well underway, thus depriving other deserving fans of a prime location. During the season’s prime dates in July and August, these spots can become very valuable indeed. Seeing Eldredge Park’s terraced hills filled with locals and tourists alike enjoying a game under the stars is a fantastic sight and gives Orleans a well-deserved reputation as one of the top ballparks in the league. Access 4 Eldredge Park is very easy to get to, located about a mile off of route 6. Simply take the exit for Route 6A, follow it to Eldredge Park Way, and the ballpark will be on your left. Adjacent to the ballpark is a skate park, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a playground. There is ample parking beyond the right field fence, and plenty of room for fans to spread out their lawn chairs and blankets. As mentioned earlier, most of the seating is in the form of lawn seating. The team has placed a new set of bleachers near home plate, and another new set of bleachers beyond the right field fence. While the many children attending the game scale the terraced berm like mountain goats, fans with an unsteady gait should be careful, as there are no paved paths anywhere at Eldredge Park. The field is located very close to Route 28, necessitating large nets to be placed around the infield to protect passing cars. The screens at Eldredge Park extend from home plate 180 feet down each baseline. They are an inconvenience to fans, to be sure, but they are a necessity here. The placement of the field so close to the road also means that there isn’t a whole lot of room for fans to sit on the third base line. The great majority of fans will choose seats on the roomier first base line. Fans wishing to not look through the nets will have to sit far down the baselines. With the presence of a busy road (Route 28) so close to the field, children who are chasing foul balls must be reminded to not chase the balls into the street, which the Firebirds do throughout the game. In addition, there are several signs present reminding fans of this important safety rule. Return on Investment 5 As is the case at all Cape League games, there is no charge for admission at Eldredge Park. The team welcomes donations from fans, and in return you will receive a yearbook and roster sheet. Parking is also free, and regular attendees at Firebirds games will bring their own cooler with drinks and snacks. It is entirely possible to see a game being played by several future major leaguers without paying a cent. For those fans purchasing food at the Fire Pit, concessions are reasonably priced. Extras 3 A recent addition to Eldredge Park is “The Catch,” a statue located on the top of the hill near home plate, which depicts a young fan stretching to catch one of the numerous foul balls that land in the area. The original configuration of Eldredge Park located home plate in what is today its left-field corner. After generations of batters struggled to hit against the visual backdrop of a setting sun, the orientation was changed in the mid-1960s. The newly reconfigured park opened for the 1967 CCBL all-star game. The hill was terraced in the mid-1980s, giving the park its current look. Final Thoughts Baseball has been played at Eldredge Park since 1913. As a member of the Firebirds' staff put it, "we have three things going for us in Orleans. We have the best beaches on the Cape, we have the hill, and we have the history." While many towns on the Cape will debate the merits of their own beaches against those in Orleans, there is no disputing the unique nature of the terraced hill at Eldredge Park. Being a part of a late summer crowd in Orleans alongside virtually the entire town is indeed a special experience. In the 2022 major league season 362 Cape Cod League alumni suited up in the major leagues. That's almost one out of every six players to play in the majors. Needless to say, some of the best amateur ball being played anywhere can be found in the small parks on Cape Cod. With all ten ballparks located within an hour's drive of each other, it's a baseball fan's dream come true. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Veterans Field 702 Main St Chatham, MA 02633 Chatham Anglers website Veterans Field website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 8,500 The Right Angle Veteran’s Field is located near the center of Chatham, a town at the “elbow” of Cape Cod. Teams representing the town of Chatham have played at the site of Veteran’s Field since the inception of the Cape Cod League in 1923. Chatham’s squad was known as the A’s from the beginning of the ‘Modern Era” of the Cape League in 1963 to 2009, when several teams decided to stop sharing names with Major League squads. The team was rebranded as the Anglers. This allows for the team to continue to be informally called “The A’s,” while invoking a most appropriate nautical theme. The A’s/Anglers have won five titles in the Cape League’s “Modern Era”, most recently in 1998. Food & Beverage 3 The Snack Shack serves as Veteran’s Field’s snack bar. Located directly behind the first base dugout, standard ballpark fare can be found here. Hot dogs, burgers and pizza slices are the main attractions. Fans wanting their hot dog with a little more oomph can upgrade to Coach Schiffner’s famous Chili Dog. There’s a decent variety of snacks available here, including popcorn served in a souvenir Anglers cup, Cracker Jacks, assorted candy, Cape Cod Chips (of course) and Angler’s cookies baked with the Chatham logo on the top. There is also a selection of ice cream novelties sold here. Cans of Coca-Cola products are sold here, as well as Powerade and Vitamin Water. Since it can get very chilly here in Chatham at night, fans can purchase coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Chatham doesn’t feature the most extensive menu around, and their prices are a bit on the high side when compared to other Cape League ballparks. On the plus side, they grill their dogs and burgers to order. Fans looking for a bargain can wait until near the end of the game, when “dollar dogs” are announced. But be warned, quantities are limited, so be ready! Atmosphere 3 As is the case at all the Cape Cod League venues, teams in this league present their games in an “old-school” manner. Absent are silly between inning promotions and ear-shattering music played in between innings. Fans looking for elaborate game-day productions will undoubtedly be disappointed with this simple approach, but baseball purists will enjoy every last second of it. PA announcements are limited to lineup changes (with the occasional sponsor shout out), and a simple scoreboard in left field displays basic game information. There is a lot of room to roam at Veteran’s Field, both in the large berm that stretches from the right field foul pole to deep centerfield as well as the open grassy area on the first base side of the facility. There is a large playground located in this area, where kids can release some pent-up energy while their parents can still watch the ballgame. Neighborhood 4 Veteran’s Field is located just west of Chatham Center, a quaint neighborhood full of shops, cafés, and antique stores. Fans interested in doing touristy things without the commercialism that has crept into some of the other Cape Cod destinations should check out Chatham. Remember, a town this small and this popular is bound to get crowded, so if you are wishing to avoid the largest crowds and resulting traffic, visit the area in June, before schools let out for the summer and the tourists arrive en masse. Veteran’s Field is located within walking distance of several popular eating establishments and lodging choices. In fact, many fans choose to simply walk to an Anglers’ game, find a bite to eat, and enjoy the area. Downtown Chatham is a great place for people watching and enjoying the small town vibe. The Chatham Railroad Museum is located just beyond the right field berm. After the game just walk across the parking lot and stop in at the Red Nun, a popular restaurant located right next to Veterans Field. Fans 4 Chatham annually ranks among the top 3 or 4 teams in the Cape Cod League in terms of attendance. Crowds at Veteran’s Field are similar to those elsewhere on the Cape, meaning that there is a strong presence from the locals, who often have a connection with the team as a booster, house parent, or volunteer. If not connected with the team officially, many of the fans present have been coming to see the Anglers play for years. Mixed in with the locals are tourists visiting the area and spending a relaxing night out at the ballpark. As one of the most complete “ballparks” in the Cape League, it’s a popular destination for ballpark travelers. A popular diversion during many Anglers games is the nightly discussion about when the fog is going to roll in. A night at Veterans Field without fog is a rare one, indeed. Chatham’s location on the elbow of Cape Cod makes it an ideal location for fog once the sun goes down. For those wondering, the fog usually rolls in around the fifth or sixth inning. Access 4 The town of Chatham is located at the elbow of Cape Cod, making it the furthest team to visit for any fans visiting from off-Cape (that’s anyone not living on Cape Cod, for those of us who don’t speak Cape-ese). Despite this, it’s relatively easy to find Veteran’s Field. It is located right on Route 28, which follows the entire southern coastline of the Cape. Veteran’s Field itself is located in a natural bowl, with hills surrounding the playing surface. Fans who have not been to Chatham in some time will notice some wonderful changes to the facility. The whole seating area has been cleared, landscaped, and new, more accessible (read: less steep) bleachers have been installed. There is plenty of room at both the top and the bottom of the bleachers for fans bringing their own lawn chairs. There is plenty of standing room atop the grandstand area. Also located behind home plate is the press box and souvenir stands. Running down both baselines are more bleachers. Unfortunately, there are screens surrounding the field to protect neighboring houses from errant foul balls. Fans wanting an unobstructed view of the action will need to sit on the furthest grandstand down the lines, or beyond. Many fans at Chatham choose to sit on the large berm in the outfield. There is enough room out here for several thousand fans on a busy night, or for kids to run around when it is less crowded. You will find many fans sitting on top of the berm along the Doyle Street sidewalk or even in their vehicles, listening to the game on their radios. Parking is available in a pair of small public lots adjacent to the ballpark or on the surrounding streets. There is a building behind the first base hill, which contains restrooms. Be warned that not all areas surrounding Veterans Field are well lit. Return on Investment 5 As is the case at all Cape Cod League ballparks, there is no charge to attend a Chatham Anglers game. The team will accept your donation, which they use to fund their operating costs. In return for your donation, the team will return the favor by giving you a program. Parking is free in either of the two lots next to the field, or on any of the neighborhood streets. Just pay attention to the signs to make sure you are not in a restricted zone. Many fans bring their own coolers stocked with items to enjoy during the game, making a night out at the Anglers totally free. Extras 3 Displayed on the façade of the old-timey press box are four retired numbers for persons who were instrumental in the long history of Chatham baseball (John Schiffner, Ed Haird, Matt Fincher and Eddie Lyons). Also be sure to check out the display of every Chatham A/Angler to play in the big leagues. It’s an enormous list with plenty of familiar names. A small plaque dedicated to former Chatham player Thurman Munson can also be found on the press box. Final Thoughts In a league full of unique parks, Chatham offers an experience that may top them all. It has a real vintage charm, and the view from the top of the outfield berm simply can’t be beat. Even though Chatham is the most remote team in the league when coming from off-Cape, all ten teams are located within an hour of each other. In 2022 a total of 377 Cape League alumni played in the major leagues. That’s about one of every six players to suit up in the Majors. When taking in a Cape League game, it’s likely that you will be watching a bunch of future first round picks or all-stars in the making - for free! Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Wildcat Stadium 145 Main St Durham, NH 03824 New Hampshire Wildcats football website Wildcat Stadium website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 11,015 130+ Years in Durham The New Hampshire Wildcats have fielded a football team since 1893, and currently play at the FCS level in the Coastal Athletic Association. The Wildcats play their home football games at Wildcat Stadium, an on-campus facility which includes a running track around the field – the venue is also used by the school’s lacrosse and track and field teams. The stadium holds 11,015 fans and was opened in 1936. This is the third football venue used by the Wildcats during their history.   Food & Beverage   5 The main concession stand (603 Eatery) at Wildcat Stadium has a large selection of choices, including hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, steak and cheese subs, pulled pork, chicken tenders, pizza, mac ‘n cheese, and chili as main dishes, plus snacks such as fries, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, cookies, candy, and brownies. The prices are reasonable, as the most expensive main dish item is only around $9, which is pretty good nowadays as sports stadium prices go. Drinks include soda, PowerAde, bottled water, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and seven choices of beer and hard seltzer ($7 and up) – on the home side, alcohol is only sold at separate “quick stands”, which also sell popcorn, hot dogs, and pretzels, so if you are looking for a little shorter line for food, you can grab something to eat at one of those quick stands instead of at the main stand.   Atmosphere   4 Wildcat Stadium is a great venue, especially for the FCS level – what you may notice as you first walk in is all the different sections of seating. The home side has a subtle press box, faced with brick and bracketed by peaked roofs on each end, so it blends into the stands. The student section is below the press box, on the left side if you are facing it, easily visible due to the UNH banners being waved by the students in the front row. There are also field-level suites behind one end zone (white tents), as well as the Bud Light Beer Deck next to the visiting stands – the beer deck has white Christmas strung over blue tailgating tents, so would be a great place to visit (standing room only) if you need to get out of the sun. You can also watch from the small hill in front of the videoboard. The field itself is surrounded by a dark blue and grey track, and the medium-blue UNH end zones really pop against the green of the field and the surrounding trees.  There is a large videoboard behind one end zone (the ticket booth/will call is underneath it) – a single videoboard works fine here, as there isn’t any real seating behind that end zone (although a few people do watch from the grassy area on that end). The Wildcats have a great mascot, and of course cheerleaders, both of whom mostly hang out in front of the student section. But what really sets Wildcat Stadium apart is the pre-game festivities – the cheerleaders lead the team onto the field, which is pretty typical, but the honor guard sports a 13-star flag representing New Hampshire’s status as one of the 13 original colonies. The band also spells out “USA” as the National Anthem is played, and “UNH” prior to that, which is always fun to snap a photo of. The aforementioned honor guard also fires off a vintage cannon every time the Wildcats score.   Neighborhood   3 Wildcat Stadium is surrounded by several of the school’s other athletic facilities, but there are a bunch of restaurants starting about a mile away along Main Street toward the east-southeast, including Hop + Grind for burgers or The Spot for health food, plus a couple of pizza places.  There are several hotels in that area as well. In terms of attractions, there are a lot of parks and other nature areas for those who want to take a hike or otherwise enjoy the local scenery – New Hampshire has a lot of natural beauty and a lot of greenery for visitors to enjoy. There is also a children’s museum and the Woodman Museum about six miles away, the latter being a collection of four historic houses showcasing local history. And if you want to visit the coast, the beaches of New Hampshire and Maine are less than half an hour away.   Fans   3 Wildcat Stadium has a pretty loud student section, and the stands are pretty full on the home side – certain games can easily sell out. The visiting side may appear mostly empty during some games, depending on the opponent, although you will see plenty of fans in the aforementioned Bud Light Beer Deck, some of whom likely walked over from the home side, as you are allowed to walk all the way around the field at Wildcat Stadium. There is also a pretty solid tailgating scene before the game, mostly in the large parking lot behind the videoboard, but also some tailgating in the lots behind the visitor stands.   Access   3 There is a lot of traffic around the stadium even if you arrive several hours before the game, and there doesn’t appear to be any cash parking nearby – all the lots I saw were reserved and/or had to be pre-purchased. I did see some fans walking from further away, so there is parking around, but just not close. Once you get into the stadium, however, moving around is pretty easy – there are bathrooms and concessions on the home side, although no bathrooms I saw on the visiting side. There is of course the aforementioned beer deck on the visiting side, and you are welcome to walk around the stadium as you please during the game.   Return on Investment   4 Tickets to UNH football games at Wildcat Stadium start at $31 using the UNH athletics website – this a is reasonable price for FCS football, and lets you attend a game here for between $50 and $60, per person, including parking and typical food and drinks. I consider this a good return on investment for the modern stadium, as well as the amenities and festivities you will see here.   Extras   3 The Bud Light Beer Deck is a nice feature, and is something you may not often see at a college football game. The multiple different seating options are also a plus, in case you want to watch the game from a few different vantage points – even though there is a track around the field itself, it stills feels like you can get really close to the action at Wildcat Stadium.   Final Thoughts There aren’t many great football experiences in this particular part of the country, unless you want to drive down to Massachusetts and see Boston College or the New England Patriots . But if you are looking for a pleasant day or evening in a scenic country setting, you can’t do worse than taking in a Wildcats football game in Durham, NH. The stadium is great, and you will have a wonderful time. Go C-A-T-S!