Photos by James Hilchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Duane Banks Fields 960 Stadium Dr Iowa City, IA 52242 Iowa Hawkeyes website Duane Banks Fields website Year Opened: 1974 Capacity: 3,000 Hawkeyes on the Diamond Duane Banks Field, originally the Iowa baseball field, opened in 1974 when Duane Banks was the manager. The Hawkeyes went on to tie for the Big Ten Conference that season with an 11-4 conference record. Banks was a legendary coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team, taking over in 1970 and remaining head coach until the end of the 1997 season. Banks compiled an 810-575-4 record in his tenure at Iowa and led the Hawkeyes to their only College World Series appearance in 1972. In 2001, the Iowa baseball field was renamed Duane Banks Field. Hawkeye baseball alums include Jim Sundberg, Mike Boddicker, and Wes Obermueller. Upgrades have been made to the stadium over the years including stadium chair back seats behind home plate in order to entice season ticket holders. Wooden bleachers were replaced with metal bleachers on either side of the stadium seats and fencing and drainage were also improved. Lights were installed in 2002, and paid for by a donation by former Hawkeye and major league pitcher, Cal Eldred. More recently, a new video board was installed over the left field wall. The next phase will include more stadium seating and a new press box. Food & Beverage 3 Currently, only credit cards are accepted. Duane Banks Field just covers the basics. Hot dogs, brats, and walking tacos along with nachos, popcorn, pretzels, candy, and ice cream are available and range from about $3-$6. Coke products are the soda of choice, with bottles being $4. A relatively new addition to the menu is beer, which can be had for $7. With some quality restaurants in the area, you’re better off just having a snack and something to drink and taking in the good eats around town before or after the game. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark is aesthetically pleasing. The field is well manicured and trees line your view beyond the outfield wall. Stadium seating is below the press box but is largely for season ticket holders. Until the planned upgrades are made, bleacher seating makes up the rest of the ballpark. There are no bad views anywhere in the ballpark. During the game, Herky the Hawk makes the rounds entertaining fans and getting them involved in the game, while cheerleaders entertain the crowd between innings. The Hawkeyes have hit on the right balance of in-game entertainment without overdoing it. Neighborhood 4 Duane Banks Field is located amongst the other sports stadiums on the University of Iowa campus and, frankly, there is nothing to see. However, there is plenty to do and see in Iowa City, all within a few miles of the sports stadiums. If you are looking for somewhere to have a drink before or after the game, the Vine Tavern and Eatery and the Wig and Pen Pizza Pub are directly across Second Street. Wig and Pen offers up some great pizza (go with the thin crust) and the fried pickles are highly recommended. For those that like the outdoors, there are plenty of parks as the Iowa River runs through Iowa City. The scenery is gorgeous and while plenty of people are out enjoying the weather, the parks don’t seem overcrowded. Less than two miles east are a couple places definitely worth seeing. The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History and the Old Capitol Museum are downtown. The Old Capitol Museum, built in 1840, was where Iowa made the transition to statehood. The old building is well worth seeing and the architecture is tremendous. The Natural History Museum is great for kids. Both have free admission and are well worth a look. Directly across the street from the Old Capitol Museum is The Airliner Bar. The Airliner has a tremendous atmosphere, plenty of televisions for sports of all kinds, and daily food and drink specials. Airliner has been around for 70+ years, so it’s no surprise to always find it busy. There are plenty of hotels in the area, with the Hampton Inn being the recommended choice. Fans 3 An overwhelming majority of fans wear something black or gold (University of Iowa colors) at the games. If you don’t wear those colors, you will certainly stand out in the crowd. The fans are pleasant to any fans of the visiting team. Herky gets the crowd going early and the fans are engaged throughout, which adds to the college baseball atmosphere. There is usually a good mixture of both students and other fans in attendance. Access 3 The field is located a couple miles off I-80. Parking is free and there is plenty of it when there aren’t other bigger sporting events going on concurrently. Duane Banks Field is easy to get in and around. The walkways at the bottom of the seating bowl are wide and there are no problems maneuvering around the seating bowl. Restrooms are an issue. They are located on the third base side, are not overly large, and could use some upgrades. They are handicap accessible. Much like the concessions, you may be standing in line for a while, but they have added some portable toilets to help a bit. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children. Parking is free. While concessions are a little on the high side, you can still take in a game for a very reasonable price and see some quality college baseball. Extras 2 Herky’s Locker Room has a stand behind home plate. Here, you can buy Iowa Hawkeye shirts, hats, and other Hawkeye merchandise. Kind of a fun promotion, each time a visiting player strikes out, t-shirts are thrown into the crowd. Final Thoughts When one thinks of Hawkeye sports, baseball may not be the first sport that comes to mind. The Hawkeyes are building a successful program and Banks Field and a fun town with a lot of different options makes for a quality experience in Iowa City.

Most people don’t think of Hawai’i (we are using the native Hawai’ian spelling in this review) when they talk about baseball. However, baseball in the Islands has a longer history with the sport than the mainland U.S. It was brought to this Pacific outpost by one of baseball’s pioneers, Andrew Cartwright, who moved to the Hawai’ian Islands (then known as the Sandwich Islands) in 1849. He laid out the first dimensions of a baseball field in Honolulu. The field is still in existence in a local residential neighborhood. His gravesite is located nearby and can usually be found covered by baseball caps and baseballs left by fans who have made the pilgrimage to the area. Baseball in Hawai’i by Jim Vitti explores the rich history of baseball in the Hawai’ian Islands. It traces the beginnings of the sport in 1849 up through the present. Along the way, he talks about the famous teams, ballparks, and notable figures that have played a significant role in the growth of the sport in the area. The first recorded baseball game in Hawai’i took place in 1866 and featured teams known as the “Natives” and the “Foreigners”. King Kalakaua (Hawai’i was a kingdom until it was annexed by the U.S. IN 1898) attended a game in 1875, and the first inter-island game between a Big Island team and a team from Maui took place in 1883. The first teams in the Islands were based on the different plantations that played in the aptly named Plantation League. A second league was known as the Hawai’i Baseball League. There was also an AJA League. This was made up of Americans of Japanese ancestry. (As a side note: Hawai’i has such a diverse population that it has never had segregated teams, beating mainland U.S. teams by more than one hundred years.) The mainland U.S. baseball community took note of baseball in Hawai’i in the 1920’s. Many ballplayers barnstormed through different areas of the country to earn extra money in the offseason. Among these early visitors were A.G. Spalding, John McGraw, and Casey Stengel. Babe Ruth began regularly visiting the Islands in 1933. He frequently did hitting exhibitions on Waikiki Beach and often went surfing afterward with Duke Kahanamoku. He also traveled to Kilauea and hit baseballs into the Volcano’s crater. Lou Gehrig began visiting in 1934. The first native islander to play in the major leagues was Prince Oana with the Phillies in 1934. World War II brought an end to these barnstorming tours but ironically strengthened the links between the mainland and the Hawai’ian Islands. Many baseball stars were stationed in Hawai’i during the war at one of its many military bases. Players included such well-known figures as Joe DiMaggio and Peewee Reese. There was a great deal of competition between the branches of the services to have these “ringers” play on their team for intra-service competitions. The celebrity ballplayers often put on fundraising exhibition games with proceeds going to pay for war bonds. One of these events brought in $500,000… a staggering amount in those days. After the conclusion of the war, the floodgates of players visiting the Islands grew. Players including Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Whitey Ford, Duke Snider, Mickey Mantle, and Billy Martin often visited the Islands in the offseason. Former enemies became friends, as teams from Japan started to visit the islands for exhibition games. A staggering number of MLB players are native Hawai’ians or played for the Hawai’i Islanders minor league team in the Pacific Coast League. This list includes such well-known names as Benny Agbayani, Bo Belinsky, Rafael Belliard, Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonds, Clete Boyer, Joe Charboneau, Pat Corales, Ron Darling, Dave Dravecky, Sid Fernandez, Charlie Hough, Mike Lum, Jerry Manuel, Hank Oana, Joe Pepitone, Lenn Sakata, Bobby Valentine, Johnnie Williams, and Wally Yonamine. The Hawai’i Islanders were the first affiliated team from Hawai’i with major league baseball. They were originally the AA affiliate with Kansas City Athletics and played in the Pacific Coast League. The Islanders would have later affiliations with the California Angles, the Washington Senators, the Chicago White Sox, the San Diego Padres, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Islanders were in minor league baseball from 1961- 1987. They returned for a brief period from 1993-1997. The Islanders were led by future MLB managers Bob Lemon, Doug Rader, Roy Hartsfield, Bobby Valentine, Tom Trebelhorn, and Chuck Tanner. The team also featured some well-known announcers over the years, including Harry Kalas, Al Michaels, Les Kieter, and Mel Proctor. Many future MLB players spent at least some time with the Islanders. They include Ichiro Suzuki, Jason Giambi, Aaron Boone, Buster Posey, and Todd Helton. Hawaii also has intra-island leagues. They feature teams with names such as the Sting Rays, Beach Boys, Cane Fires, Man-O-Wars, and the Whalers. College baseball has also been remarkably successful on the Islands. The University of Hawaii has had a baseball program since 1917. In 1923 the University of California was the first team from the mainland to send a team to compete against the locals. Many other teams have followed, especially teams from cold weather climates that come for an early season series in the warmth of Hawai’i. The University of Hawai’i has been highly successful in NCAA baseball. In a 30-year span, the team has been to postseason competition eleven times. It won the NCAA baseball title in 1979 and finished as the runner-up for the title in 1980. The program has sent 127 players on to professional baseball. The most famous ballparks associated with baseball in Hawai’i are Honolulu Stadium and Aloha Stadium. Honolulu Stadium opened in 1926 and was known as the “Termite Palace”, as it was completely built out of wood. It hosted every level of baseball competition until 1976. It seated a little over 20,000 fans at its largest capacity after several renovations. Its long existence is a miracle, as termites are a major pest in the warm Hawai’ian climate. The all-steel Aloha Stadium has served as its replacement since 1976. It is better suited as a football stadium, as it has a capacity of more than 50,000. It is better known for hosting the Hula Bowl and the NFL Pro Bowl. Even Aloha Stadium is now under a massive renovation. The University of Hawai’i also features the Les Murakami Baseball Stadium, with a capacity of 4,312. In addition to college baseball games, it also hosts the Hawai’i Winter Baseball League games. The stadium is also famous for its terrific views of Diamond Head.                                                   So, what explains the success of baseball in the Hawai’ian Islands? Two possible explanations are the long history of the sport in the Islands and the area’s climate that allows the games to go on year-round. Another explanation could be the Islands’ position midway between the U. S. and Japan… two countries where the sport is considered the national sport. We feel a key to the success of baseball in the Hawai’ian Islands is the strength of the youth baseball programs in the state. Teams from the Islands have been the Junior Little League World Champions four times (1984, 2000, 2001, and 2007). Little League teams from Hawai’i have won two Little League World Series (2005, 2008) and come in second twice (1988, 2010). At the Pony League level of competition, Hawai’ian teams have come home with four world titles (1969,1980, 1979, and 1989). Finally, the Hawai’i representative won the American Legion baseball national title in 1980. Baseball in Hawai’i provides a detailed history of the sport that goes back to the days when Hawai’i was still a kingdom and baseball was in its infancy on the mainland. Readers will be surprised at the role the Hawai’ian Islands have played in baseball on the world stage. We recommend Baseball in Hawai’i to any serious student of the game.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Hunter Wright Stadium 800 Granby Rd Kingsport, TN 37660 Kingsport Axmen website Hunter Wright Stadium website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 2,500 Along the Appalachian League Trail: Kingsport Kingsport, Tennessee has a long history with minor league baseball, as the city has had some sort of affiliation with major league baseball since 1921. Teams associated with the town include the Dodgers, Orioles, Braves, Pirates, and most recently the New York Mets. Amongst the major leaguers who got their start in Kingsport are Al Cowens, Steve Bedrosian, Dale Murphy, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, and David Wright. The Mets have had the longest tenure of the team with Kingsport, as it has been a Mets affiliate since 1980. Since 1995, the Mets have called Hunter Wright Stadium their home field. The 2,500-seat facility has seen the Mets win one league title and two division titles since it was built. Food & Beverage 4 The main concession stand is in a sheltered area under the grandstand behind home plate. It offers a wide selection of baseball favorites, including hot dogs, burgers, tacos ($6.50), BBQ sandwiches ($5), nachos, peanuts, chips, mozzarella sticks, popcorn, pretzels, and pizza ($3.50). Beverages include Pepsi brand sodas, lemonade, Gatorade, bottled water, tea, and beer. A very popular food cart comes to every game and dispenses more than 30 flavors of shaved ice. Atmosphere 4 Hunter Wright Stadium shares the typical design feature of having premium bucket-style seats in the area of home plate with bleacher seating down each base line.No matter where you sit, you will have an excellent view of the action, as the seating is very close to the field. Unlike many Appalachian League stadiums, there is no roof covering the grandstand to protect fans from the elements. However, there is a large party pavilion atop the hill along the first baseline that can provide shelter from the weather if it has not been rented out for a private party. Neighborhood 4 Kingsport is a city of 52,000 residents located just two miles from the Tennessee/Virginia state border. It is the largest city in the Tri-Cities area. As a result, it offers a wide variety of attractions, dining options, and lodging possibilities. Hunter Wright Stadium is in a residential neighborhood, but it is within walking distance of one of the main thoroughfares in Kingsport, West Stone Road. The mountains surrounding the town serve as the inspiration for two of the main attractions in the area. The Mountain Music Museum and the Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium are both worth checking out before or after a game. Two restaurants we recommend are the Model City Tap House and Braeden’s BBQ. Almost every hotel brand is located at the exit 1 interchange of I-26, but two that provide excellent value and quick access to Hunter Wright Stadium are the Comfort Suites and the Holiday Inn Express. Fans 5 The K-Mets have one of the most established fan bases in the Appalachian League thanks to their nearly 40-year relationship with the city. In addition to the locals, a surprising number of fans travel down from the Big Apple for some summer league action. They are not afraid to cheer loudly or share their opinions of a call with the umpire, but it is all in a family-friendly way. The attendance at Hunter Wright Stadium is nearly always a sellout, with many fans lining the hillside along the first base line. The team store at the stadium is one of the most well-stocked in the league, as every fan seems to have at least one article of clothing featuring the Mets’ orange and blue color scheme. Working hard to keep the fans fired up during the game and entertained during the lulls are Slider, the Mets canine mascot, and the Fun Crew. Access 3 Both Kingsport and Hunter Wright Stadium are easily reached via I-26. The most direct route is to take I-26 to exit #1 (Stone Road/Highway 11) in Tennessee. Go west on Highway 11W for two miles and turn right at Granby Road. Hunter Wright Stadium will be on your left. Parking is free adjacent to the stadium, but the Mets fans arrive early and the lot fills quickly. Get there less than 30 minutes before a game and you will be parking on the grass along the side of Granby Road. The plaza just inside the gate of the stadium is large and spacious. If you sit along the first base side of the field, you should have no problem reaching your seat. To reach seats behind home plate or along the third base line, you must pass through a narrow breezeway with concession stands lining both walls. This area remains a serious bottleneck throughout the game. Return on Investment 3 A visit to Hunter Wright Stadium will not do much damage to your wallet. Tickets are priced are $8 for a reserved seat, $6 for a general admission seat, and for children 12 and under, seniors, and active military get in for $5. The concession prices are very reasonable, and parking is free. The rates are typically under $100 at area hotels. Parking is free at the ballpark. Extras 4 K-Met players sign autographs before each ballgame. The picnic pavilion on the first base side of the stadium offers a great vantage point to watch the game and be protected from the harsh sun of a Tennessee summer. The K-Mets have a stunning display showing the vast number of team members who have gone on to play at Shea Stadium/Citi Field. Season ticket holders are recognized on a banner at the entrance to the stadium. Final Thoughts The Mets and the city of Kingsport are the longest-tenured arrangements in the Appalachian League. This has been mutually beneficial as it is obvious that both the team and the city have worked together to make Hunter Wright Stadium one of the showcase facilities in the league. Each off-season the stadium is evaluated for what can be done to improve the fan experience and the changes are implemented. This is rewarded by the most loyal fan following in the league, multiple sellouts, and a definite desire to return for future games.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Central Recreation Centre 519 Drury Lane Burlington, ON L7R 2X3 Burlington Blaze website Central Recreation Centre website Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 1,300 Blaze in the Oven The City of Burlington sits on the shores of Lake Ontario between Hamilton and Oakville. It is Toronto Rock country with the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre, and Oakville Buzz to the east in Oakville, and the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League to the west in Hamilton. However, lacrosse fans should not sleep on Burlington as they have a strong connection to the sport. The city with a population of 187,000 has been home to the Burlington Chiefs since 1976. In 2023, amid the move away from Indigenous-based names, Burlington Minor Lacrosse changed their team names, Junior A included, to the Burlington Blaze. Home for the Blaze is the Central Recreation Centre, commonly referred to as Central Arena. Built in 1968, Central Arena is nicknamed The Oven, which seems to be an apt home for a team referred to as the Blaze. Alumni for the Blaze and Chiefs include Andrew Kew, Brent Noseworthy, Ryan Smith, and Ed Comeau. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions for Blaze games are amongst the most simple. A temporary table located in the lobby sells chips, soda, water, Gatorade, chocolate bars, and freezies. Concession prices are very affordable, but the limited selection will push fans to eat elsewhere. Atmosphere 2 Central Arena is part of a larger community centre in Burlington. The Central Recreation Centre building is a simple combination of light stucco and siding on the exterior. A colourful mural at the southwest corner of the building is the exterior highlight. Fans can enter the building at the main entrance on the west or the back end on the east side. The east side has a small merchandise tent for fans. The main entrance leads fans into a small lobby with temporary tables for concessions and ticket sales. The feeling that the building is designed more for recreation as opposed to spectators becomes evident. The main arena is available to fans after traversing a set of stairs. In the hallway, just before entering the main arena, there are many mainly empty trophy cases, one of which showcases some Burlington Minor Lacrosse items under the old Chiefs name and logo. Inside the main arena, fans are met with a very plain area with no markings or banners to let fans know that this is the home of the Blaze. The polished concrete floor runs from west to east with ten rows of step benches on the south side. An enclosed operations/press box is at the top of the south side, dividing the seating area. The simple hockey-style scoreboard is found on the west wall. Inside the arena two other major items become evident. The first is that the moniker “The Oven” is apt as there is no air-conditioning and the arena is very hot in the summer months. The second is that some diagonal structural I-beams can obstruct the view of the floor from the seating area. The gameday production is the most simple there is. No music is played before the game or during down periods. It could be possible that this was due to technical difficulties as during the game that was reviewed the national anthem was unable to be played. However, after Blaze goals, a goal song was provided by a fan holding a large portable speaker. The PA system is very poor and it is difficult to understand announcements that are made. Neighbourhood 3 Central Arena is located in the Central Park area of Burlington. There are several other recreation facilities in the immediate Central Park area including the curling club, lawn bowling, tennis club, library, baseball diamonds, and theatre. The practice facility for the famous Burlington Teen Tour Band is in this area also. Other than the park facilities, it is a fairly residential area with little in the way of pre and post-game culinary facilities. Fans should consider heading south towards Lakeshore Road to find bars and restaurants. Some options worth considering are The Carriage House, The North Coal Kitchen & Bar, Joe Dog’s, La Creme de la Creme, and Pepperwood Bistro Brewery. There is not much in the way of other sports options in Burlington and fans would probably need to head southwest to Hamilton for those options. For other entertainment options fans should consider checking out the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Drury Lane Theatrical Productions, and Spencer Smith Park. Fans wishing to stay in Burlington should consider the Waterfront Hotel or The Pearle Hotel. Fans 3 Assessing fans in the OJLL is difficult as attendance figures are not published. Also, the game that was reviewed was one of the OJLL Finals series. That being said, it appears that the Burlington Blaze has a decent following. Many fans were standing on the floor and even climbing the boards on Blaze goals. The fans in attendance make plenty of noise and are supportive of the Blaze. There were many fans in attendance supporting the visiting team as well for the game that was attended. Access 3 Central Arena is located in the Central Park area of Burlington, east of the Queen Elizabeth Way south of Highway 403, and north of Lakeshore Road. Fans coming to Burlington from out of town will be required to drive a bit through the city, however, the travel is not difficult. There is plenty of parking in the area at no cost, however, it is a busy area with many other recreation facilities where parking will also be utilized. Fans who wish to take public transit to The Oven have several options on Drury Lane, New Street, and Central Park. Fans should consult the Burlington Transit website for fares, maps, and schedules. Traversing the arena can be difficult as there are plenty of stairs throughout the arena. As mentioned above, there are plenty of obstructed views due to the diagonal structural beams and railings. Also, there is no air conditioning in the arena and it is hot in the summer months. Return on Investment 4 OJLL lacrosse offers tremendous value for a small investment. Tickets for the Burlington Blaze go for $12, parking is free, and concessions are very affordable. The product on the floor is top-notch and very fast and exciting. If the Blaze offered a little more when it comes to the atmosphere, then the ROI would be a perfect score. Extras 2 An extra mark for the Blaze earning the 2023 Iroquois Cup as OJLL champions. An extra mark for the strength of lacrosse in the area with the Toronto Rock located in Hamilton and the Oakville Buzz just up the highway in Oakville. OJLL teams are also found in nearby Kitchener-Waterloo , Toronto, and Six Nations. Final Thoughts The Burlington Blaze have a strong lacrosse tradition and has helped produce some strong professional lacrosse players. Their home, Central Recreation Centre, also known as The Oven is a hot spot, but is not fulfilling its potential as a solid lacrosse facility. It will be interesting to see if the Blaze can work with the city and make The Oven a far more hospitable home for the OJLL. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube , Twitter , Threads , and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Kroger Field 1540 University Dr Lexington, KY 40506 Kentucky Wildcats website Kroger Field website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 61,000 My New Kentucky Home Kroger Field (formerly Commonwealth Stadium) has served as the home of Kentucky Wildcat football since 1973. The 61,000-seat facility is the newest stadium in the SEC, as judged by date of original construction. However, the University has been very proactive in keeping the stadium state-of-the-art, and recently completed a multi-year renovation costing nearly $120 million. This has dramatically improved the fan experience at a Wildcats game and has caused many locals to refer to the facility as the “New Commonwealth Stadium”. The changes are both cosmetic and functional. The exterior of the stadium has been recovered with a limestone surface native to Kentucky. Once inside, fans will notice much wider concourses and renovated concession and restroom facilities. Seating comfort has been greatly enhanced with the addition of bench back seating on the lower levels and 2,000 new club-level seats. One major aspect of the renovation will have an impact on Kentucky football for years to come. Typically, Kentucky’s recruiting classes have been ranked in the 20s and 30s by Scout.com. The Kentucky program hopes to greatly improve this rating with the brand-new, multipurpose recruiting area in Kroger Field. This facility is a club-like facility above the end zone to entertain high school prospects and their families. It includes state-of-the-art technical facilities and will have graphics celebrating Kentucky’s football history. The facility also includes a patio to watch the game outside, and it will be located adjacent to the student section so recruits can get a feel for the college experience. Food & Beverage 3 In addition to the brick-and-mortar changes made to the stadium and the concession areas, the vendors at Kroger Field have added a number of Kentucky-centric items to the menu. These items include bourbon ice cream, Hot Brown nachos, chicken and waffle cones, beef and cheddar croissants and Twisted Tators. A sampling of food prices at the concession stands includes: barbecue pork sandwich ($9), Cat Tail (bratwurst on a maple glazed long john $5), chicken sandwich ($9.50), nachos ($4), popcorn ($8), and eight-inch Papa John’s pizza ($7.50). Drinks include large sodas ($5), Powerade ($4.50), and sweet or unsweet tea ($5). There is never a charge for water at Kentucky games. Atmosphere 4 While longtime season ticket holders and those who have attended Wildcat games frequently have seen these renovations occur gradually, someone who has been away from the program for a few years will feel like they are in a brand-new facility. In addition to the seating improvements, the field has been redone, a new press box has been erected and 20 more luxury suites have been added to the existing 40. The appearance of the stadium has also been enhanced to feature the UK brand more prominently. Instead of a bland functional silver bowl, there is now a blending of Kentucky’s dark blue color scheme into the stadium design, which fires up the Wildcat faithful even more. The previous video boards and message ribbons are still in place, but have been reconfigured to make them much more fan friendly to read. Neighborhood 4 The University of Kentucky is unique in the SEC (the other exception being Vanderbilt), in that it is not located in a strictly “college town.” Lexington has a population of more than 300,000 residents, and is the second-largest town in the state of Kentucky. It still maintains a small-town feel, but has the restaurants, attractions and nightlife found in bigger cities. The UK campus is located just south of the downtown area. Lexington and the Bluegrass Region surrounding it are known as the Horse Capital of the World for good reason. The city is surrounded by horse farms, and is home to two area horse racing tracks. Both Keeneland (thoroughbred racing) and the Red Mile (harness racing) offer racing schedules during October, so you can add a visit to the track to your sports agenda while in town for a game. One other equine-related attraction that is a “must-see” is the Kentucky Horse Park, located just east of the downtown area. Another claim to fame for Lexington is its leadership as the Birthplace of Bourbon. There are numerous distilleries offering tours (and samples) in the Distillery District. Numerous craft distilleries have also opened their doors recently, including the Barrel House and the Town Branch Distilleries. For those preferring a different adult beverage, take the Brewgrass Trail to craft beer locations, such as Blue Stallion, Country Boy and Ethereal Brewing. There are numerous restaurants of note within a short distance of Kroger Field. These include Crank and Boom, Sawyers and Joe Bologna’s Deli. The closest and most reasonably lodging near UK includes the Holiday Inn Express Downtown, the Hilton Lexington Downtown and the University Inn. Fans 3 Wildcat fans tend to gravitate to two main areas before a game. These are the Wildcat Walk and the Coca-Cola Fan Zone. The Wildcat Walk occurs approximately two hours before kickoff, and takes place between Nutter Field House and the brand-new Kentucky football training facility. The Fan Zone opens three hours before kickoff, and includes musical entertainment, a pep rally, visits with the cheerleaders and the Wildcat mascot, and autograph sessions with greats from Kentucky’s past. One new addition to the fan experience inside Kroger Field are several graphics walls featuring scenes associated with the university and its athletic teams. These will provide an excellent backdrop for fans wanting to get a photo of their family or for selfies. In this way, the stadium will play an active role in promoting the UK brand through social media. One of the goals of the renovation was to make the Wildcat football fans as fervent as their basketball brethren. This is a difficult challenge, as Kentucky has been a basketball school from the days of Adolph Rupp up to the current John Calipari era. Kentucky football averages around 56,000 fans at a game, but often times the crowd tends to thin out early if the game is out of reach on one side or the other. It is hoped that by providing a greatly enhanced fan experience, Kentucky fans will be tempted to give the “other” major sport on campus a closer look. Access 4 On football weekends the population of Lexington swells by more than 60,000 people. The main routes into town are via the Bluegrass Parkway, Broadway St and I-75. While the traffic is heavy once you are on city streets, the university has a well-conceived traffic control plan. Up-to-the-minute information is available at 1700 AM. As is true at most major college stadiums, the parking areas nearest the stadium are reserved for season ticket holders and major donors. For persons with single-game tickets, there are a number of parking options to choose from. Free, on-campus parking is available at lots #2 (near the WT Young Library), #3 (the Kentucky Clinic) or #6 (at the corner of Virginia and Press Avenues). There are also shuttles available from downtown Lexington from the Shops@ Civic Center (430 West Vine) and the Lextran Transit Center (150 East Vine) The shuttles cost $5 roundtrip from downtown or $2 from the on-campus locations. The on-campus locations are within walking distance of Kroger Field and allow you to see much of the beautiful UK campus. Once you reach the stadium, you will find it very easy to navigate. The recent renovations have greatly improved the gate entry process and the traffic flow on the concourses. Return on Investment 3 The Wildcats use a tiered system for single-game ticket prices The prices range from $45 for a non-conference opponent to $60 for games involving an SEC opponent. Parking is free in on-campus lots 2, 3 and 6. The concessions are very reasonably priced, and Lexington-area restaurants and hotels offer a wide range of price points to meet any budget. There are a number of excellent attractions located nearby for pre or post-game entertainment. A trip to Bluegrass Country and a Kentucky Wildcat game adds up to a wonderful fall weekend at reasonable prices. Extras 3 In this age, it is rare for anything to be provided free of charge. The University of Kentucky is to be commended for providing free game programs, free parking (in lots #2, 3 and 6) and free water at any concession stand in Kroger Field. These little touches make a big difference in providing an enjoyable fan experience. The Bluegrass Region offers a wide variety of horse-related activities, including race tracks, museums and tours of horse farms. While in Lexington, a visit to Rupp Arena is required for any basketball fan. It ranks right up with Duke and Kansas in the hierarchy of NCAA college basketball shrines.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Memorial Stadium 5600 Glenwood St Boise, ID 83714 Boise Hawks website Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1989 Capacity: 4,500 Hawks Nesting In Boise Baseball returned to Boise in 1987 after eight years without baseball. Currently the Hawks are the Short Season A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies and play in the Northwest League. Prior to moving to Boise, the team was the Tri-Cities Triplets, who played in Richland, Washington. The Hawks have also been affiliated with the Angels and the Cubs. Boise’s previous minor league teams played in both the Northwest League and the Pioneer League. Boise is a large enough city that seems like it should play in a higher league than short season A ball. Memorial Stadium opened in 1989 and is adjacent to the Western Idaho Fairgrounds on the banks of the Boise River. Food & Beverage 4 The food options are a pretty consistent slate of offerings, although not always exciting. The food prices are very similar to most minor league baseball stadiums. They are very fair and offer many choices. Most entrees are $4 and up and won’t break your wallet. Atmosphere 2 The field faces northeast and the stadium has three separate grandstands around the field. The stands behind the plate and on the third base side have seat backs while the ones on the first base side have bleachers. The design is antiquated and is not how modern stadiums are designed. As with many stadiums nowadays, there is a net around the entire seating area. The team offers most of the traditional minor league giveaways and antics, but the game still ends up being the main focus. The team tries to keep the entertainment happening in between innings so as to not distract from the game. Neighborhood 2 There is nothing much in the immediate area of the stadium. There is not a whole lot to see or do within walking distance except for the fairgrounds. There are many food and dining options within a short driving distance. Downtown Boise offers a thriving environment with many options. There are lots of restaurants and bars for pretty much anyone to enjoy. If you enjoy beer there are many local breweries to try out. Recommendations include 10 Barrell Brewing and Bittercreek Alehouse. Fans 4 There are some hardcore fans with seats around the home plate area. They will be loud and into all aspects of the game. The fans are pretty traditional minor league fans for this area. Some are very knowledgeable about the game, while others are there as part of a family or a group and may be less interested in the actual game. Access 3 Parking is free and the stadium is relatively easy to get to. It is not near downtown Boise and is not near a major highway. Return on Investment 4 The free parking, good variety of food options and the cheap tickets make it a worthwhile visit. Be on the lookout for ticket promotions and other events that can make your game experience better. The team is active in the community, and there are many ways to attend the game. Extras 2 There is a nice kids play area down the first base side. Although they are not hawks, another bird of prey, a couple of osprey, choose to nest on one of the outfield light posts. This is not a planned activity but actual wild birds that chose the stadium as their nesting spot. The team has helped with fixing the nest up between years and to keep them from nesting on the actual stadium structure. Final Thoughts Boise’s Memorial Stadium has seen better days and is far removed from how modern minor league stadiums are normally expected to be designed, but it is still a good place to watch a game. The team is expected to move to a stadium in downtown Boise in a couple of years, depending on various approvals.

Photos by Eric Hasman and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Wintrust Field 1999 Springinsguth Rd Schaumburg, IL 60193 Map It Schaumburg Boomers website Wintrust Field website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 7,365 Boomers Baseball in Schaumburg Wintrust Field opened in 1999 as Alexian Field as the home of the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League. In 2011, the Flyers folded due to financial difficulties (evicted for back taxes) and the Schaumburg Boomers began playing in the 2012 season. The Schaumburg Boomers are a member of the independent Frontier League (a partner league of MLB). The team is named after the ‘booming’ sound of the local prairie chicken during the male mating season. The colors are black and orange, along with an ornithologically detailed logo of the prairie chicken. I would have named the team the Prairie Chickens. According to the team’s official website, Wintrust Field has a capacity of 7,365 with 16 luxury suites, 200 outfield bleacher seats, and an additional 900 fans can be accommodated in the lawn area along both foul lines. The Schaumburg Club, located on the first base side of the suite level, features restaurant-style seating complete with a full bar and glass-enclosed view of the game. It is also available for private parties and banquets year-round. Before the 2024 season, the Boomers renovated the Schaumburg Club and Suites with new enhanced food service areas, aesthetic updates, and a new video system perfect for meetings and non-baseball events.  Salvi Sports Enterprises owns the Schaumburg Boomers, as well as the Gary Southshore RailCats (American Association) and the North Shore Navigators (Futures Collegiate Baseball League). The Boomers have won four (4) Frontier League championships in 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2021. Food & Beverage 3 Overall, the food is quite good. Two main concession areas on the concourse offer a variety of options. They include jumbo hot dogs ($5), grilled brats ($6), cheeseburgers ($8), veggie burgers ($8), pizza slices ($6), and chicken tender baskets. The Boomers have “Specialty food” items such as the Big Chicago , a foot long Chicago Style hot dog, a Bases Loaded Burger , burger patties with pulled pork and crispy onion strings ($20), and my favorite, the Spud Bucket , a souvenir helmet filled with fries and topped with pulled pork nacho cheese and bacon ($23).  Of course, there are the Chicago classics of the Italian beef sandwich ($10) and the Italian sandwich ($6). Popcorn comes in a bag ($4), bucket ($8), or souvenir helmet (12). Peanuts, Cracker Jack, Sour Patch Kids, or M&M’s are $5. The best food choice might be Ben’s Soft Pretzel or jumbo cinnamon sugar pretzel ($7) and $2 more for a cheese dipping cup. This will be the best soft pretzel you have ever had – they are heaven in a wrapper. For your sweet tooth, The Creamery, a local ice cream shop, provides ice cream. They have cones and ice cream sandwiches from $6 to $10. In addition, there is cheesecake on a stick ($9) and chocolate-covered bananas ($5). A regular-sized Pepsi-brand soda is $5 and a larger souvenir soda is $7. Gatorades are $6. There is a decent selection of craft beer at the Goose Island kiosk, where four taps are available at $8 a pint . Picnic tables and chairs are available for fans to enjoy three varieties of the local brew for the same price. Premium beers are $9. More varieties at the concession stands include Church Street, Kona. However, you can enjoy a true Chicago classic, Old Style in a tallboy can at $8. In addition, they have spiked iced teas, Nutrl Vodka Seltzers, and canned mixed drinks ($10). Atmosphere 2 The ballpark is like any other park built during its time; there is nothing too special about it, but it is a good place to see a game. The organization recently painted the park to reflect the Boomer's colors of orange and black. The best thing about the seating area is that each seat has a cup holder. There are two grass berms along the foul line from just past the dugout to near the outfield wall. However, the bad thing about the park is you can’t walk around it; one can only walk from foul pole to foul pole. New to the ballpark this year (2024) is the outdoor suites and added drink rails. Four new concourse-level platforms are behind home plate at the back of sections J, I, G, & F. The spaces in G & I feature new outdoor suites right behind home plate for groups of up to 35. Left Field Grass Berm, Photo by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey The Left Field Party Deck received a major overhaul with new seating areas, food service areas, and a canopy structure to help provide shade on day games.  Fans can rent this area out for private parties of up to 80 ($25 each includes hot dogs, BBQ pulled pork, brats, pasta salad, ice cream sandwiches, and soda or water, domestic draft beer is available for $2). When there are no parties, anyone can sit there since there are some tables with umbrellas. It is a nice place to view the game, but concessions are not in the area. The stadium has plenty of handicapped seating areas, and the Boomers provide steel folding chairs. Overhead suites cover a lot of the seating, which is nice if it rains, or you want some shade. The Boomers installed a new video scoreboard in 2023 which has the usual features like a video screen that shows up-to-the-minute current players’ stats. The ballpark has the same dimensions (353 feet down the right field line and 355 feet down the left field line) and “wells” in left and right fields like those at Wrigley Field. It was originally billed as a “mini-Wrigley Field.” The newly renovated Kids Zone, behind the party deck, features seven (7) new and fun inflatables for kids of all ages. The Kids Zone is free for fans in attendance. If you are with the kids, you might miss the game since the area will entertain them. There is a speed pitch there by the third base entrance. Between-innings promotions are the usual minor league stuff like t-shirt tosses and fan contests. My favorite is a race that pits three contestants, picked from the crowd, dressed as Repellent, Sunscreen, or Shaving Cream canisters. They race from the right field foul pole to near home plate. The Boomers have been utilizing their new video board between innings with a Kiss Cam, Smile Cam, etc. The gift shop is located on the bottom floor of the stadium at the main entrance. It is kind of small but there is a decent variety of shirts and hats.  Coop the Boomer, the mascot makes several appearances on the field, and he usually walks the concourse too . Neighborhood 3 Residential housing, parking lots, and a Metra train station surround the park. The Schaumburg Regional Airport is nearby, so during a game, you will regularly see small planes and helicopters going over the stadium. The Woodfield Mall, with adjoining big box stores and a bunch of chain restaurants such as Texas de Brazil, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Giordano’s Pizza, and Bulldog Ale House, is about 15 minutes from the ballpark. Three recommended restaurants close to the park are Pilot Pete’s, which is an aeronautical-themed bar and restaurant, Sammy’s Mexican Restaurant, and Rookies Sports Bar & Grill. All are approximately five minutes from the park. The food quality at all the establishments is good and reasonably priced. Fans 3 Since the Salvi group has taken over, the Boomers average a little over 4,000 a game and have been at or near the top for attendance in the Frontier League. On Saturdays, they draw about 4,000 to 7,000 due to fireworks after the game. As with every Frontier League crowd, a few fans are really into the team and game. These fans are usually wearing Boomers jerseys/shirts. Other fans are there just to socialize with family and friends. Access 5 Overall, the access to the stadium is excellent since the park is located off the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway (I-390). It should be noted that the parking is free, but on crowded days (usually Saturdays), it will take a while to get out of the lot. Also, there is a Metra train station one block from the stadium. There are no restrictions on bags, but every bag carried into Wintrust Field is subject to inspection. Return on Investment 3 Reserve seats will cost $16, lawn seats are $12, and expect to pay $1 more on game day at the gate. A screen is in front of the seats in sections E-K (dugout to dugout) to protect fans from foul balls. These are some of the highest prices I have seen in the league. However, the product the Boomers put on the field is worth it. Extras 4 The Boomers are named for an endangered bird that is native to Illinois known as the Great Prairie Chicken. They can be found in greater abundance in the Dakotas, but at one time were prevalent in this area and nicknamed “boomers” because of the loud noise and dance they make during mating season.   Coop the Boomer, the team’s mascot, is out amongst the fans and on the field quite a bit and is popular with the kids. Finally, an extra point for the field since Roger Bossard, the “Sodfather”, the long-time groundskeeper of the Chicago White Sox, installed a new playing surface in October 2011. The ballpark earns a point for free parking. Final Thoughts The Schaumburg Boomers experience is noticeably better than the Schaumburg Flyers experience from many years ago. It seems the Boomers are keeping up their winning ways and are always upgrading the fan experience. Wintrust Field is worth checking out during any ballpark tours of the Chicagoland area.

Photos by Stefano Romagnoli , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Stadio Domenico Francioni Piazzale Prampolini, 4 Latina, Lazio 04100 Italy US Latina Calcio website Stadio Domenico Francioni website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 8,000 Football Under the Watchtower Latina is a city founded in 1932, under the name of Littoria, and near the city centre is Stadio Domenico Francioni. The facility hosts the home matches of the Unione Sportiva Latina Calcio, a club founded in 1945, and one that plays, for the 2013–14 season, in Serie B, the second level of the Italian football. The construction of the stadium began in 1932, and ended a little over two years later in 1935, when it was inaugurated. The structure was heavily bombed during the Second World War, and was restored in 1955. In the summer of 2013, the facility was the subject of restyling to meet the needs that the new league demanded. The total capacity is now 8,000 seats (1,500 for the visiting team’s fans). On August 31, 2013, Latina hosted their first game in Series B, where they drew Avellino 1-1. The first Serie B victory came on September 28 of that year when Latina bested Brescia 2-0. Since 1996, the facility is named Domenico Francioni, former president of the “black and blue”. The list of champions who played at least once on the pitch of Francioni includes Diego Armando Maradona, Alessandro Altobelli, Paolo Maldini, and Roberto Baggio. In the past, the facility also hosted events not related to football, such as the concert by British rock band Deep Purple on July 11, 2006, as part of their world tour, “Rapture of the Deep in the World”. Note: all exchange rates are as of the time of this posting, October 2013. Food & Beverage 3 Each section has a food court. We tried one in the Tribuna Centrale. For a hot dog and a Coke (served in paper cups), we spent €6 ($8.10). At the food court, you can buy different types of sandwiches, ice cream, coffee, water, and soft drinks. Atmosphere 3 It is easy to identify Stadio Domenico Francioni. Behind the Tribuna Centrale stands a tall tower in the shape of a mushroom, and is visible from most of the city. Also walking along Via Duca del Mare in the direction of Piazzale Prampolini, you can recognize the monumental entrance to the stadium with its six columns, the inscription “Campo Sportivo D. Francioni,” and flags both with the colors of Italy (green, white, and red) and of Unione Sportiva Latina Calcio (black and blue). The stadium consists of curved seating sections on both ends, and by one set of covered grandstands (Tribuna Centrale and Tribuna Laterale) and one area of bleachers (Distinti Gradinata) along the pitch. On the south side of the stadium (Curva Ospiti) is a metal bleacher section reserved for supporters of the visiting team. Everywhere, black and blue colors dominate, and in the bleachers, some white seats form the words “U.S. Latina”. The view is good from every section of the stadium. The seats closest to the field of play are those in the grandstands. Neighborhood 3 Stadio Domenico Francioni is located near the centre of Latina. Around the facility, there are cafés (where the fans can be found at the end of the match), pizzerias, ice cream shops, and many other vendors. Fans 3 The most fervent fans of Latina Calcio follow the game from the Curva Nord. During the match, they serenade players with songs, along with waving both scarves and black and blue flags. The most important rivalry the team has is with Frosinone Calcio (“Derby del Basso Lazio”). Access 3 It is quite easy to get to Stadio Domenico Francioni coming from Rome (the distance is about 70 km). The distance from the railway station of Latina Scalo is about 10 km. At the train station, there are public bus service links to the city centre as well as taxi service. Return on Investment 4 The ticket prices to watch a single match during the 2013-14 Serie B season are: – Tribuna Laterale A or B: from €12.50 to €25 ($17 to $33.90) – Tribuna Centrale Nord or Sud: from €15 to €30 ($20.30 to $40.65) – Tribuna Centrale VIP: €80 ($108.40) – Curva Norda and Curva Ospiti: from €6 to €12 ($8.10 to $16.25) – Distinti Gradinata A, B, or C: from €9 to €18 ($12.20 to $24.40) There are reductions for children from 5 to 14 years old, and for seniors over 65 years. Extras 1 Latina, one of the youngest cities in Italy, was founded in June 1932, under the name of Littoria. In 1946, the city changed its name to Latina. In the city boundaries, there is part of the Circeo National Park, one of the oldest natural protected areas in Italy.

Photos by Bart Wilhelm, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Athletic Park 324 E Wausau Ave Wausau, WI 54403 Wisconsin Woodchucks website Athletic Park website Year Opened: 1936 Capacity: 7,000 A Jewel of the Northwoods League Originally built in 1936, Athletic Park in Wausau, Wisconsin has been housing competitive baseball for over 80 years. Minor league teams such as the Wausau Lumberjacks, Timberjacks, Mets, and the Timbers called Athletic Park home from 1936 to 1990. After the 1990 season, the minor league affiliate moved to Geneva, IL, and, in 1994, the Wisconsin Woodchucks were formed as a charter member of the summer collegiate Northwoods League. Twenty-seven years later, the park has been renovated section by section and is one of the jewels of the league. Food & Beverage 5 Athletic Park offers a very good selection of food and beverages. There are two main concession stands, one behind the first base dugout and a larger one down the left field line. The dugout stand has pizza slices, soft pretzels, popcorn, and peanuts for $3. They also have vanilla and chocolate soft serve and several frozen treats. A great selection of various craft beers for $5-$6 is for sale. Down the left field line is a bigger concession stand with several entrée options. The standard hot dog is $3, bratwurst is $4, hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches both run $5. Several “ballpark favorites” really stand out. They have mac n cheese with bacon for $4 or pulled pork for $5. Regular nachos with cheese and jalapenos are $3.50 or you can upgrade to bbq pulled pork nachos with coleslaw for $7.50. I dove into their Irish nachos. Instead of tortillas, it’s seasoned waffle fries topped with bacon, cheddar cheese sauce, onions, jalapenos, and sour cream. Definitely worth a try! Other favorites are chili cheese waffle fries and white cheddar cheese curds, $6-$7. A wide selection of craft beers is available for $5-$6. Miller Lite and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy are their standards and there are about ten other crafts from various breweries. White Claw cans are $4 and 5-Tool Ale, a Northwoods League exclusive pale ale, is available for $4.50 for a pint-sized can, the cheapest I’ve seen it anywhere in the league. Bottled water and bottled Pepsi products are $2.75-$3.50. Atmosphere 4 Athletic Park was originally built in 1936, but the entire ballpark has been rebuilt in the last decade. It feels like a newer ballpark, mainly because it is. General admission tickets for metal bleachers are $9. These are located down the third baseline. They are attached to the rest of the stands and not just a “temporary section” of seats. Box seats behind home plate are $10. New in 2021 is the Dugout Seats above the first base dugouts for $12. The seats are all raised about 10 feet above the playing field. There is an elevator available for wheelchairs or people who have difficulty with the stairs. There are various on field games and contests in between innings. Unfortunately, my game was rained out in the 5th inning so I didn’t get to see the whole array of their contests. The scoreboard is above the right field wall and is quite basic. It displays the score, runs, hits, errors, outs, and the player’s number. There is no video board in the stadium. There were only a few hundred people the night I attended, but a lot of that can be attributed to it being a Monday game with rain in the forecast. I’m told that there is usually a solid fan base that shows up. Neighborhood 2 The park is in a residential neighborhood. There’s really nothing of note in the immediate area. The only food options within a walking distance are a Subway and Biggby Coffee and Thrive Foodery, an American food restaurant about a block away. Downtown Wausau and its River District is a mile or so south of the stadium. There’s a large selection of bars and restaurants downtown. The Wisconsin River is also nearby which provides nice scenery for walking. Many standard hotel chains are within a few miles of the stadium. The Motel 6 ran me less than $50 for the night and is only a few minutes drive away. Fans 3 I wish there had been more fans on the night that I attended. I loved the ballpark, but it felt a little empty. I’m sure it was just a bad night because of the weather. The fans who were there seemed to be really into the game. I talked to a few people who said they love coming out to the games. Access 3 While Wausau isn’t near any interstates, State Highway 29 and US 51 are nearby and both are divided highways. The ballpark is about two miles off the junction of those highways. The actual address is 2401 N 3rd Street. There is no actual parking lot, but a half block beyond the center field fence is a large grassy lot that many people use for parking. There is also street parking available with no meters. There is one main entrance to the park behind home plate. Return on Investment 3 $9 for a minimum ticket is starting to be a good price for a baseball game. The food selection is very good and the beer prices are very reasonable. This quickly became one of my favorite parks in the league. Extras 3 One point goes to the renovation job done to the park in recent years. The current owner bought the team about a decade ago and he put his own money into updating the stadium section by section. It looks great. One point goes to the incredibly friendly staff. Several people noticed that I was wearing a shirt from a rival team in the league (my home park in Traverse City) and they stopped to talk to me about their park and mine. People seemed to go out of their way to talk to me. One point goes to the elevated seating. I like the raised view and being slightly above the field. It’s a different experience from most ballparks. Final Thoughts Athletic Field quickly became one of my favorite parks in the Northwoods League. There might not be any feature that absolutely stands out, but the park just had “it” for me. It’s definitely a ballpark that I’m looking forward to visiting again.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Clarence T. Ching Athletics Complex 1105 Lower Campus Rd Honolulu, HI 96822 Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors website Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 15,000 Ohana Means Football Family A decade and a half removed from their magical undefeated 2007 regular season, Hawaii Football often goes unnoticed on the national stage during the weekly college football landscape. Falling into the same trap as a traveling sports fan would be an incredible mistake. Perhaps no other game day experience captures the true feeling of family, the connection to the local culture, and the enthusiasm that college sports can create than that you’ll experience at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Located on the campus of the University of Hawaii Manoa, this growing facility has quickly morphed from a track-and-field facility to a respectable football facility in short order. Food & Beverage 5 If you’re looking for a local flavor instead of stadium basics, Hawaii football is going to be your promised land. A myriad of local vendors and food trucks pack into the east end zone and offer nearly every type of food possible. Local grilled meats, snow cones, grilled seafood, fresh fruit and veggies, Asian fusion, sushi, and so much more are available for fans to choose from on game day. Beer and drink concessions are also located around the stadium, ranging from $9 to $12 for a beer; even snack and soda vending machines are available outside of the Ewa end zone entrances. If you leave this stadium hungry, that is simply a problem of your creation. Atmosphere 5 There is so much more to the game day experience at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex than meets the eye. An expanded seating capacity for 2023 has grown the seating here to accommodate 15,000 fans, an increase that will only grow as time progresses with the school’s continued investment in the facility. In a perfect mix of old and new, the former video scoreboard from the team’s former home, Aloha Stadium, has been relocated to the stadium, paying homage to the Rainbow Warriors’ past. Additionally, new green-backed seating along the sidelines adds to the green color palate seen in the team’s aesthetic. While pre-game tailgating is not allowed at the nearby parking lots and garages, the Hawaii athletics department has an impressively solid alternative. Hours before the game starts, the team opens up access to nearby Les Murakami Stadium (the Warriors’ baseball stadium), complete with open concessions stands, a team store, kids bounce houses, and various sponsor activations. Live music from local artists is performed on a stage set up on the baseball field for fans to enjoy until the football stadium gates open up. For Hawaii, cultural traditions run deep within the game day experience. Did you feel a light rain on your face while walking into the stadium? That is a good omen! Hawaii fans welcome the periodic light mist that wafts off the nearby Koolau Mountain range as a sacred good omen that washes away bad luck and cleans the air. When the team runs onto the field, they’re led by tribal drummers and torch-carrying warriors chanting to lead the players to glory. At various locations around the field, sacred ti leaf leis have been placed to bless the field, players, and fans for the coming season. These leis are not to be touched out of respect for what they represent. You also will hear the “Chee hoo!” yell over the PA system whenever the ‘Bows get a first down, a yell that is called back by the fans. Finally, at the start of the game, both the National Anthem and the Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī are performed on the field, honoring Hawaii’s heritage, in addition to its history as a US territory. Neighborhood 4 The stadium itself is located on the University of Hawaii campus, located just north of the popular Waikiki Beach area of Honolulu. Just a few miles from campus are the world-famous sandy beaches that have attracted visitors for hundreds of years. You’re also not far from local restaurants, as well as chain favorites and hotels. To the east is Diamond Head State Monument, a popular hiking site, and beyond that are iconic shorelines of rocky cliffs. Fans 5 The fans pack into Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex for each Hawaii home game, and with them, they bring a fervor and loyalty for their ‘Bows that many would believe was reserved for teams in much larger conferences on the mainland. Hawaii fans are hardcore, knowing all the players as well as the team’s long history. On game day, many can be seen holding gathered ti leaves, sometimes waving or shaking them in the air. This is meant to ward off evil spirits and enemies. If you wish to join them, local flower shops often sell ti leaves, as taking them off of plants not at your own house is frowned upon in Hawaiian culture. Many fans have been coming to games since they were kids, and now bring their kids. And speaking of which, Hawaii games are the perfect family affair – fans of all ages can be spotted in the stadium. The student section located in the Diamond Head end zone is also alive with loud cheering fans all game long. And don’t let the small capacity for its crowd fool you; this stadium gets loud during big-time plays. Access 3 The parking at Hawaii football games is arguably the biggest struggle for game day experiences. The nearby Kalele Road Garage and UH Guest Parking Garage offer the best and closest options. Entry off nearby Dole Street or Kalele Road makes for easy in-and-out access. Both of these are located right off of the H1 Highway, making for easy driving if you’re staying nearby, or farther away. Once at the stadium, fans can easily access the entire perimeter of the stadium via walkways and pathways both around and under the grandstands. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start at $20 for end zone seats and go up to $95 for 50-yard line seats. Coupling this with several free parking lots in the area, as well as the affordability of various food options, makes this a stellar value for the price paid. You also get some of the best views in all of college football. Hawaii’s iconic sunsets show off when the sun drops below the iconic dome of the Stan Sheriff Center . Off to the east, the stunning peak of Diamond Head rises in the distance above the palm trees swaying in the breeze. To the north, stark mountains filled with tropical misty forests serve as a verdant backdrop. Extras 3 The stadium features stunning views from practically every seat, including views of the video screens. Two different screens are in place, including the recently installed scoreboard from Aloha Stadium. The facility is also close to the rest of Hawaii’s sports facilities, including the baseball , softball, tennis, and basketball stadiums. Finally, thanks to the frequent mist that falls from the nearby mountain ranges, rainbows frequently appear over the stadium during games, a fitting sight for the home of the Rainbow Warriors. Final Thoughts Though nearly every stadium in the FBS division of college football features a larger capacity for its home crowds, this is by far one of the best stadium experiences in the NCAA. Perhaps no stadium features 360-degree views that are all stunning in their way. The fan base is among the most loyal in sports, showing their ability to cheer on their athletes regardless of record or score on the field. The concessions showcase the best local cuisine available. Without a doubt, no team is as connected and active in respecting the traditions of the local culture as Hawaii football. This is the biggest Ohana you don’t realize you’re a member of until you arrive through the gates.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Target Center 600 North 1st Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Minnesota Timberwolves website Target Center website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 19,356 Targeting Success The Target Center has served as the home court for the Minnesota Timberwolves since it opened in 1990. It is in the Warehouse or Northloop District of downtown Minneapolis. The arena holds 18,500 in its basketball configuration. One of its most unique features is its “green” roof, which is covered in native Minnesota prairie plants, and captures water and melting snow that would otherwise wind up in the nearby Mississippi River. The Target Center has undergone frequent renovations in recent years, with a major two-year upgrade in 2016-2017. This renovation included a new HD video board and a completely new glass atrium lobby that really opened the facility to the street. The arena is also unique in that it has two entry levels, with one at street level and a second that attaches to the Minneapolis Skyway System. The renovations also brought a great deal of light into both the lobby area and the concourses, brightening up what was a very enclosed structure. Numerous picture windows are now in place to provide stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. Like most professional sports arenas, championship banners are hung from the rafters. Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, these primarily celebrate the four WNBA titles won by the Minnesota Lynx. Food & Beverage 3 The Target Center has put together a rather eclectic group of concession stands rather than feature multiple generic stands. Many of these are owned by local vendors featuring farm to table selections. There is a heavy emphasis on foods rooted in the Upper Midwest. The Nord Haus features brats ($8) and pretzels ($8). The Old Lake Lodge carries fish tacos ($15), along with Walleye sandwiches ($15). The Loon Café is especially known for its chicken Chili ($12), while Mac Time features Mac Original ($9), Smokehouse BBQ Ma ($12) and Buffalo Chicken Mac for $12. Arena standards include hot dogs ($7), popcorn ($6), candy ($6) and fries ($6). Beverages include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($6), bottled water ($5), domestic beers ($10) and a wide variety of craft beers at $12. The Warehouse Row District right outside of the Target Arena has a wide variety of restaurants and bars to choose from for a before or after game meal. You might want to reserve your purchases at the Target Center to beverages and snacks. Atmosphere 3 The Timberwolves came into the NBA as an expansion team in 1989 and moved into the Target Center in their second year of existence. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. They have gone to the playoffs frequently, only to lose in the first round. The exception to this frustrating situation was in 2004, when they made it to the Western Division Finals, only to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers. The team’s attendance picked up during the years Kevin Garnett played with the team but has dropped off in recent years. The renovation of Target Arena is designed with a Northwoods theme. The exterior is painted a dark brown, which is suggestive of a cabin by a frozen lake. The interior utilizes a great deal of wood finishes along with a great deal of brick, which is in keeping with the many warehouse buildings surrounding it. The seating bowl provides excellent sight lines, with no bad seats in the house. It really does not appear to have as high a seating capacity as it does. The seats are very comfortable and have beverage holders. The arena can raise or lower the floors depending on the needs of the game. The court features the Timberwolves logo prominently at mid court, with the color scheme of the team used on the sidelines and in the paint under the basket. Neighborhood 4 The Target Center is in the Warehouse Business District or the Northloop neighborhood, Minneapolis’ downtown sports and entertainment district. The arena is linked to its next door neighbor, Target Field , by the Target Plaza. The Warehouse District is filled with trendy shops and restaurants, including the Cityworks Eatery and Pour House (with more than 90 craft beers on tap) and the Capital Grille. There are several hotels within the district that are an easy walk via the street or the skyway system to the arena. These include the Embassy Suites and the Hampton Inn and Suites. Just a few blocks from the Target Center is Nicollet Avenue, the city’s shopping mecca. It has a limited access road, allowing only cabs and busses to use it, making it very pedestrian friendly for shoppers. Nicollet is also home to the iconic statue of Mary Tyler Moore throwing her tam in the area as shown in the opening sequence of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” The statue can be found at the corner of Nicollet and Seventh Street. Fans 3 The Timberwolves are a young and inexperienced team, and their record shows it. Quite honestly the team has experienced attendance problems ever since Kevin Garnett retired. The fans who do attend tend to be older and remember the glory days of the franchise back in the early 2000’s. The Timberwolves also are up against the Minnesota Wild in a state that proclaims itself the State of Hockey and a resurgent Minnesota Vikings football team that plays its games in a state-of-the-art stadium just a few blocks south of the Target Center. It is not unusual to have the Target Center half-full when there is a competing game. Access 4 Getting to the Target Center is very easy, whether by car, on foot through the city’s skyway system or the Metro System’s Light Rail System. There are more than 12,000 parking spaces within a five-block radius of the arena. The closest of these are the ABC Ramps which connect directly to the Target Center via skyways. The special event parking rate in these lots is $15. The Spot Hero App can help you locate spaces and pre-reserve a space at other lots in the area at a very discounted rate. The Target Center is also easy to reach via the Metro Light Rail System. The Warehouse District Station is just a block from the arena. The light rail system is quite extensive, as it links to the Mall of America to the south and to St. Paul and the Excel Energy Center to the east. A 24-hour fare on the Metro costs $6.50 for unlimited rides. The Minneapolis Skyway System is another way to connect to the Target Center. It is the largest contiguous system of enclosed second level bridges in the world at 9.5 miles. This connectivity allows you to avoid the Twin Cities brutal winters while walking in a heated, dry environment. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices at the Target Center are typically available in the $20 range and up. These prices escalate quickly when the Lakers, the Celtics or the Warriors are the opposing team. Parking near the arena averages $15 or more, but you can save a great deal by using the Spot Hero App and prepay for your parking space. Depending on where you are staying, either the Metro Light Rail System or taking the skyway system from your downtown hotel can save you even more money. Extras 5 One extra must go to the Target Center for its green roof and water conservation efforts. Thirty-five members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have performed at the Target Center The Target Center also serves as the home court of the four-time WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx. The arena has been used for a variety of major sports events, including the US and World Figure Skating Championships, Davis Cup tennis, the 1994 NBA All Star Game and the 2004 NBA Western Division Finals. A statue of George Mikan, the original “Mr. Basketball” in the NBA is in the lobby of the Target Center. Mikan played for the Minneapolis Lakers, the Twin City’s first NBA franchise, before it moved to Los Angeles. Final Thoughts The recent renovations at the Target Center have vastly improved the fan experience for the Timberwolves faithful. New gathering areas, opening the building to more outside light and the improved electronic package in the seating bowl area are major improvements. The key for improving the attendance at the Target Center is putting a winning product on the court.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 M&T Bank Arena 305 Sherman Ave. Hamden, CT 06518 Quinnipiac Bobcats men’s hockey website M&T Bank Arena website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 3,386 Back at the Top of the Polls Editors Note: The venue name changed from People's United Center to M&T Bank Arena in April, 2022. The People’s United Center is a multi-use facility consisting of two full-sized playing surfaces for Quinnipiac’s winter sports teams. The two venues ( a basketball court and hockey rink) share a common lobby and concession area. The facility is located on Quinnipiac’s York Hill campus and is the centerpiece of an expansion project on that campus. Completed in 2007 for $52 million, it was designed to be a drawing point for potential student-athletes. Building the facility involved moving 615,000 tons of earth and rock, all of which remained on campus to construct roads for the development of the 250-acre York Hill campus, located less than a mile from the school’s main Mount Carmel campus. The hockey rink is formally named the Frank Perrotti Jr. Rink. Perrotti was a New Haven resident, local entrepreneur, and devoted Quinnipiac hockey fan. He is described by the university as “a neighbor, friend, and benefactor of Quinnipiac.” Hockey began as a varsity sport at Quinnipiac in 1975 as a Division Two squad called the Braves. The Bobcats moved up to Division One in 1998 as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The team rechristened the Bobcats in 2003, and now plays in the ECAC. The Bobcats have qualified for the NCAA Tournament seven times, reaching the championship game in both 2013 and 2016. Six Quinnipiac alumni have played in the National Hockey League. Food & Beverage 3 There is a single concession stand in the lobby of People’s United Center. It serves a limited menu, with turkey wraps, hot dogs, chicken fingers, French fries, and nachos the highlights. Assorted snacks, ice cream novelties, and candy are sold here. While the menu isn’t the most extensive you’ll come across, most items are priced at five dollars or less. If you’re looking for a quick snack and want to avoid the lines in the lobby, there are a pair of vending machines on the concourse. Pepsi products are featured at People’s United Center. Fans looking for an adult beverage can head on over to the basketball court, where the “Bobcat Den” serves up a variety of beer and wine to be enjoyed before games or during intermissions. Spots in the Bobcat Den must be reserved in advance . Free snacks are served along with the cash bar here. For a fancier dining experience at a Bobcat game, purchase a ticket to the University Club, which features a private dining room, full-service bar, and dedicated seating section high above the ice. Atmosphere 4 With a packed house every night, you would expect a lively atmosphere at People’s United Center. You wouldn’t be disappointed. While it’s not the loudest arena you’ll ever visit, game-day plenty is going on during a Bobcats game to keep you entertained. There’s a crisp video scoreboard at center ice that is put to good use with hype videos, game stats, contests, and more. The student section, anchored by the pep band and Ice Cats, comes prepared with a repertoire of chants and routines designed to distract the opposition. Boomer the Bobcat roams the stands interacting with fans throughout the game. There’s a souvenir stand set up in one corner of the arena for fans needing some Bobcat gear. Neighborhood 3 While Hamden is a lovely community, once named one of America’s “best small cities” by CNN Money, it is hardly a destination location. Surrounding the campus are several strip malls, which give visiting fans some options for pre- and postgame dining. Many visiting fans will opt to head into New Haven, which has a well-deserved reputation as a foodie hotspot. Right across the street from Quinnipiac’s Mt. Carmel campus is Sleeping Giant State Park, a popular destination for hiking and other outdoor activities. If visiting the area before the weather turns, the many trails here are worth exploring before a game. Whitney Avenue dissects the two Quinnipiac campuses. There are plenty of eateries here if you wish to stay local. Eli’s on Whitney is a Bobcat's sponsor and a popular choice of locals. If you continue south on Whitney Ave. for a few miles you will find yourself in downtown New Haven on the campus of the Bobcats’ chief hockey rival, Yale University. Visiting fans will find plenty of lodging and dining options in this area, including Louis’ Lunch, the birthplace of the hamburger, as well as Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s, the originators of New Haven-style apizza. Fans 5 Quinnipiac annually fills the People’s United Center to over 95 percent of capacity, averaging around 3,100 fans per game. Hockey is absolutely the number one sport at Quinnipiac, drawing rabid hockey fans from all over greater New Haven. Compare Quinnipiac’s attendance to local rival Yale, who averages about one thousand fans less per game despite being only a few miles away. The student section, located at the far end of the arena, is packed with fans every night. As the Bobcats have returned to the top of the national rankings, the student body has seemed to have gotten their groove back, as they add a lot of energy and noise to the Perrotti Arena. Notable in the student section is four students who dress as Teletubbies and take up residence in the front row. It would appear the costumes are passed down over the years, as the Tubbies have been in attendance every time this writer has visited Quinnipiac. Access 5 Quinnipiac is located in the New Haven suburb of Hamden. This town of just over 60,000 residents is located just to the north of New Haven. Quinnipiac University is located in the northern, Mount Carmel section of town, which has a rural feel to it. The university is split into two campuses about a mile from each other on opposite sides of Whitney Avenue. The newer, York Hill campus contains the People’s United Center, the Rocky Top Student Center, and several dorms. Most of the school’s facilities, including the Quinnipiac Baseball Field , are located on the older Mount Carmel campus. The university is easily reached via Interstate 91, which runs a few miles east of campus. Visiting fans will take exit 10 off I-91 to the Mt. Carmel Connector (Route 40). Travel a mile north on Whitney Avenue to Sherman Avenue, and the entrance to the York Hill campus will be on your right. Fans will enter the arena into the shared main lobby, which contains the concession stand and some restrooms. The hockey arena will be located on your right, with the basketball court on your left. There is a single concourse that circles the entire rink at the top of the seating bowl. The rink is visible from all spots on the concourse, and there is plenty of standing room on this level. Fans will walk down to their seats, which are all blue plastic folding stadium seats. The restrooms are located in three corners of the venue. Lines do form at the concession stand and restrooms during intermission, so plan your trips appropriately. Likewise, with only one road in and out of the venue, don’t be in a rush to leave. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Bobcat hockey games are priced at twenty dollars per game for all seats. Tickets for seniors are discounted to fifteen dollars, and youth tickets to twelve dollars. Certain games are designated as “premium” games, with ticket prices increased by five dollars. Parking is free in the lots adjacent to the People’s United Center. Concessions are inexpensive, with most items priced under five dollars. Extras 3 Several banners hang at the far end of the Perrotti Rink honoring championship teams, tournament appearances, 100-point scorers, and Frozen Four appearances for both the men’s and women’s teams. One banner commemorates coach Rand Pecknold’s 500th career victory. An extra point is awarded for the presence of the Ice Cats, the Quinnipiac cheerleading squad at Bobcat hockey games. In addition to leading cheers from their perch above the student section, the squad takes part in pregame festivities on the ice. This squad does it all. Outside the entrance to the facility is a statue of a Bobcat, the school’s mascot. When the school decided to change its name from the politically incorrect Braves to the Bobcats, students developed the legend of the Bobcat, which guards the Quinnipiac campus. At the same time, the sleeping giant does his thing over at the state park. The legend can be read on a plaque next to the statue. Final Thoughts One of the best sports stories of the last decade was the ascension of tiny Quinnipiac University to the top of the college hockey world. After a couple of down years, the Bobcats are back at the top of the polls and People’s United Center is filled with rabid Connecticut hockey fans. This hidden gem of an arena is a must-see for anyone who enjoys college pucks. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Winchester Fieldhouse 399 Thompson St. Winchester, IN 47394 Winchester Community Falcons website Winchester Fieldhouse website Year Opened: 1951 Capacity: 2,300 Winchester Fieldhouse a Generation of Basketball The Winchester Fieldhouse has been part of the community since its construction during the 1951-1952 school year. When it opened, it had a seating capacity of 3,000 and was the home of the sectional tournament for 23 years and various county tournaments. It is the home of the Winchester Community High School basketball program. The boys' and girls' teams have had years of success, winning 15 and 19 sectional tournament titles, respectively. The girls made it to back-to-back state championship games in 2018 and 2019, while the boys made it to three state championships in 2002, 2007, and 2008. The boys and girls programs have 19 and 21 Randolph County Championship titles, respectively, as well. The fieldhouse is now over 70 years old but is still a venerable part of town. In recent years it received LED lighting and a new floor surface. However, the original wiring, bathrooms, plumbing, and locker rooms are from the original construction. Most notable is the steam boiler heater that was installed in 1972; when the gym gets too hot, windows at the top of the bleachers have to be open, even in the dead of winter. It has been said that once the boiler system outlives its usefulness, parts will be almost impossible to find and a new system would have to be installed. This could lead to a massive renovation of the building or a new one at the high school. It would be hard to imagine the Golden Falcons playing anywhere else but at their historic home. Food & Beverage 4 There is a large area for concessions that feature two wide windows for quick and easy expediting during games. The menu options are similar to those found at other gyms throughout the state and include hot dogs, popcorn, candy, and nachos. However, there are additional items that make it difficult to choose what to eat. The local Chicago Pizza locations offer pepperoni, cheese, and sausage slices for $2. The concession stand also sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, nachos, and soft pretzels. Chili can serve on the nachos and hot dogs for an additional charge. The pork hot dogs are bigger than most gyms and are served in a steamed bun. If you have a sweet tooth, cotton candy, and caramel corn are additional options. Pepsi products are the drinks of choice in the building. Atmosphere 4 The historic gym is dripping with nostalgia from the signage and paneling on the walls, the multiple banners, and the original wooden bleachers in the upper section. The end lines are a few inches away from the padded walls, making it somewhat hazardous to dive for a ball underneath the basket. The team rushes onto the court while the school fight song is sung by the cheerleaders. Fans stand up to sing and clap along. When the starters are introduced a few minutes later, the gym darkens for a light show while the Alan Parsons Project “Sirius”, AKA Chicago Bulls introduction theme, is played over the sound system. The cheer block and band wave their flashlights on their phones during the intro. At half-time, anyone with a dollar comes down to take a shot at the basket for a chance to win a 2-liter bottle of soda pop. It is called Pop Shot and features mostly kids coming down to take a shot at the basket. Also, during half-time, the cheerleaders are introduced by name to the crowd. At half-time, anyone with a dollar is asked to come down to take a shot at the basket for a chance to win a 2-liter bottle of soda pop. This is called Pop Shot and features quite a bit of contestants, mostly kids, coming down to take a shot at the basket. Also during half-time, the cheerleaders are introduced by name to the crowd. Neighborhood 2 Winchester is a town of close to 5,000 people in Randolph County. The fieldhouse is near the town square that offers a small movie theater and Chicago pizzeria. The two businesses are connected, offering flat TV screens. Roots by Tree Hills is a farm-to-table restaurant that specializes in stone-baked pizzas and subs, along with pulled pork and chicken. They are served in specialty sauces that include Alabama White, Peach Pepper, and Candy Apple BBQ sauces. A few more places include Mrs. Coe’s Noodles for homemade noodle dishes, Mrs. Wick’s Restaurant for homemade pies, and A&B Cafe for late-night pub food and drinks. The Haines Hallmark Gift Shop & Soda Fountain is an old-fashioned drug store that serves up sodas, milkshakes, and ice cream floats at the counter. It has been a tradition in town since 1954. It should be noted that many of these restaurants close early, except for the A&B Café. Fans 4 The Falcon fans are supportive of both the girls' and boys' basketball teams; many have been attending games for decades. They clap along to the school song, let the referees know of plays they don't agree with, and focus on the game during the entire time. Many arrive early with seat cushions before the end of the JV game to grab a parking space in the adjacent lot. Access 3 Winchester is accessible via state and county roads from many parts of the state. The gym features three outer concourses to move around and staircases to the upper seating bowl. The concession area is massive and offers quick trips back to your seat with your food and drink. Return on Investment 4 The Winchester Fieldhouse is worth the trip. Ticket prices for adults are $5, and concession prices range from $2 for a slice of pizza, soda pop, or a hot dog to $3 for nachos and burgers. The gym is dripping in history, the crowd is friendly, and some nice traditions take place during the game. However, many of the local restaurants and attractions are open before the game, so plan accordingly. Extras 3 The Fieldhouse earns a point for the Pop Shot contest during half-time. A second point is awarded for the ambiance that includes old signage, banners in the rafters, and the smell of the building. The last point is for the food that is slightly above the norm at many high school gyms across the state of Indiana or even nearby Ohio. Final Thoughts The Winchester Fieldhouse is regarded as one of Indiana’s best smaller high school gyms. It is worth a visit and reminds us all that small-town basketball is alive and well. The building's history, tradition, fan involvement, and atmosphere make it a nice little trip during the basketball season. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Drew Cieszynski, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Les Murakami Stadium 1337 Lower Campus Rd Honolulu, HI 96822 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors website Les Murakami Stadium website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 4,312 Les Gives Hawaii More One of the more popular collegiate baseball programs today resides at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, calling Les Murakami Stadium its home. Initially known as Rainbow Stadium after head coach Les Murakami led the efforts for the new stadium, it had to be built quickly as it would sit on the same grounds as the previous home, the University of Hawaii Stadium. It was constructed in roughly nine months at an initial cost of $11.2 million and opened in February of 1984. The University would soon get a return on the stadium with greater attendance, as the capacity increased from 2,500 at the old stadium to over 4,000 at the new. With all of green in the Hawaii landscape, it's no surprise that the initial surface was natural grass. Appropriately enough, the base paths were a mix of sand and crushed lava rock. Unfortunately, initial plans did not work out as hoped and an additional $1 million in costs were added (bringing total cost to $12.2 million) for a roof over the seating area and switching the playing surface to Astro Turf. Renovations have since occurred (speakers, roofing, scoreboard), but most welcomed by the players was the switch from Astro Turf to Domo Turf in 2008. The new turf is polyethylene 'grass' blades with rubber infill granules, which has significantly reduced player injuries. The batter's box and pitching mound are the only areas of the field that appear to have real dirt. It was around this same time that the seats were changed from the unappealing red, orange, and blue colors to green in an effort to improve the aesthetics of the stadium to align with the school's colors of green. Today, Les Murakami Stadium sits with a capacity of 4,312 and has three WAC titles to its name. Of the total seats, over 85% of them are covered to protect fans from the Manoa Mist' that frequently makes appearances. In 2001, the University renamed the stadium after the man who led the baseball program for 31 years, changing the name to Les Murakami Stadium. Some fans even affectionately call it 'the house that Les built' for the man that was not only the school's first Division I coach, but also led Hawaii to the College World Series in 1980. Food & Beverage 3 While the food and beverage options are not as extensive as they are at the Stan Sheriff Center, the value is still one of the best in collegiate sports. Fans can get a whole meal for the same cost as a single box of chocolate covered pineapples at the nearby Dole plantation. Larger items included sub sandwiches ($5), Eisenberg All Beef Hot Dogs ($2.50), Warrior dog ($4.75, add $1 for chili), chili frank plate ($5), cheese nachos ($2.50 or add chili for 50 cents), pizza slice ($3.75), chili bowl ($2.25), or saimin, a Hawaiian noodle soup ($2.25). The two "combo" options included the teriyaki burger with fries ($4.25) and chicken strips with fries ($3.75). Smaller side items included the churro or pretzel ($2), french fries ($2.25), Enjoy-brand snacks ($2.50), assorted candy ($1), Italian ice ($4), popcorn ($1.75), and peanuts ($2.50). A popular snack item is the roasted macadamia nuts. Fans could receive a small bag of these or chocolate covered raisins, pecans, or almonds for $4 or two for $7. The beverage options included bottled water ($2.75), Pepsi products (20 oz for $2 or 32 oz for $2.50), coffee ($1.75), hot tea or cocoa ($1.25), bottled soda ($2.75), Gatorade ($3), Sobe Life Water ($2.75), lemonade ($3.50), and Rockstar energy drink ($3.50). Finally, in what I would deem the best value in all of sports was the price of beer at the ballpark. The value price of beer translated to many fans lining up for a purchase throughout the game (yet, surprisingly all remained well-behaved). The mass Domestic drafts were offered in either a 16 oz for $5 or a 32 oz for $7. The more premium names such as Heineken and Gordon Biersch had a 16 oz option for $6 and 32 oz for $8. The non-alcoholic O'Douls was also on hand for a mere $2.50 and those interested in wine could have a glass for $5. Atmosphere 5 In all of my college and minor league baseball visits, Les Murakami Stadium hands down provided the best atmosphere. Interestingly enough, there were few promotions between innings. The aura seems to create itself with the quality team on the field. As is the case with all Hawai'i events, it starts off with not only the National Anthem, but also the playing of Hawai'i Pono'ī, which is the former national anthem of the state from when it was a territory. Certainly, there were a few levers pulled to get the fans engaged including a "casual" t-shirt toss, but everyone seemed to be most interested in the live play. Fans were reacting to every at-bat and as I walked the concourse I often mistook a routine ground out for a home run by the boisterous applause in the seating areas. There's a nice ambiance to the stadium, with the tall trees outlining the outfield wall, the school's green colors on all seats, and a nice Under Armour sign next to the dugout with the Hawai'i logo that reads, "Protect This House." The organ was used heavily and the crowd would clap along at any opportunity. I have never witnessed a crowd that was so into the action without being cued in any specific way. These fans love their baseball team and it certainly created a both fun and entertaining atmosphere. Neighborhood 3 Outsiders who visit Honolulu may be amazed by how close the campus is to a robust downtown area and Waikiki Beach. I would argue that few campuses nationwide offer such a diverse number of restaurants in the general vicinity of campus. Many of the nearby establishments offer sushi, fast food, Indian, Korean, Hawaiian BBQ, Thai, and even Vietnamese. The baseball and basketball venues sit on campus, as opposed to Aloha Stadium (home of the Hawaii Warriors football team). Stan Sheriff is still in the vicinity of Pearl Harbor (and USS Arizona Memorial), the Diamond Head Crater, and the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Two establishments that I tried after the game due to cues from local television commercials included Mac 24/7 and Zippy's. Mac 24/7 is a bar/restaurant that really made its claim to fame with its Man vs Food exposure. The Mac Daddy Pancake Challenge offers 5 different options of three 14" pancakes that need to be eaten in 90 minutes. If you complete, you will be awarded as a "Mac Daddy," get your meal free of charge and get a photo on the Wall of Fame. Zippy's is a well-known casual fast food chain on the islands of Oahu and Maui. This 24 hour establishment does not limit itself to any one cuisine type, offering a mix of American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Hawaiian. While chili is their claim to fame, they also take pride in their locally grown meats, coming from ranches on the islands of Hawaii. Fans 5 It is difficult to challenge the devotion of the Hawaii fans. Despite living in what many describe as paradise with numerous entertainment options, over 2.5 million fans have attended Hawaii baseball games since 1984. The team has led the NCAA in attendance on two occasions. The first was in 1986 when the stadium averaged 2,599 fans and again in 1992 where they experienced their best year of 4,433. Not to dwell on the past, as recently as 2011, the team was 17th in attendance across all of Division I baseball with 3,320 fans per game. While it seemed to take them a bit to arrive, the stands were mostly full by the end of the third inning. The fans here did not rely on the PA system to get them involved as they seemed to be hanging on every play. Noticeable groans were present after a Hawaii player struck out or hit a foul ball. When the Hawaii players made a great offensive or defensive play, the crowd would show its appreciation in such a way that it could probably be heard on the shores of Waikiki Beach. The fans also took every opportunity to distract the opposing players. When the visiting team reached first base, several fans sitting on that side began to jeer the base runner. When the opposing pitcher began to struggle, the PA system played Queen's "We Will Rock You," and the fans went nuts in an attempt to further shake the pitcher. Even though there is not permanent seating in the outfield, even the opposing center fielder faced some jeers as fans set up temporary seats on a hill beyond the outfield face, allowing them to peer into the action. Access 3 Fans driving on the H1 freeway can spot the lights of Les Murakami Stadium and it is just a few turns off of the exit. Like any metropolitan area, there can be quite a bit of traffic congestion, and fans should be advised to allow plenty of time to get to the stadium. Parking required a permit that ran at a cost of $6 daily, which is on par with most mainland collegiate and minor league programs. The restrooms were small, but they did manage to cram quite a few stations inside and the crowds came and went rather quickly. Despite a large attendance on this evening, I did not notice any backups at any of the restrooms despite the 32 ounce beers. The concourse was spacious, and the steps were not at all challenging to get to the second level. The scoreboard would probably be improved, and it appeared that the video board was not in operation on this evening. Return on Investment 5 Having participated in many of the attractions on the island of Oahu, I cannot suggest a better value than Rainbow baseball. Ticket prices at $9 for lower level seating at an upper echelon Division I program still stuns me. The upper level still provides great, unobstructed views at $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students. I would consider these prices to be a great value at any Division I school, let alone one with a great stadium and tremendous atmosphere. Parking is a reasonable $6 and I consider the concessions to provide the best value pricing that I have ever witnessed at a college event. Pairing these together provides my most convincing Return on Investment score to date. I would challenge anyone to come forward with a better entertainment value (for all ages) on any of the islands of Hawaii. Extras 3 The first thing that caught my attention in making the simple climb to the upper concourse was the spectacular view of the tip of Diamond Head Crater just before sunset. Fans can hike the Diamond Crater free of charge and if they make it to the top, they can look down at the University of Hawaii campus. Embracing the program's history, fans can spot the retired numbers of Derek Tatsuno (16) and Les Murakami (11) in the left field corner. On the lowest level, fans will find framed photos of recent 2010 and 2011 WAC Championship teams. There are also display cases filled with historic items from years past. The Bud Light Bullpen is found in right field and is a popular spot for large groups that want to check out a Rainbows game. Les Murakami Stadium has also been the home of the minor league Hawai'i Islanders in 1986, the Hawai'i Winter Baseball League, and the Hawai'i Island Movers summer baseball club has called the facility home for more than two decades. Final Thoughts In all of my reviews for Stadium Journey, Les Murakami Stadium was easily my most pleasant surprise. Not only were the aesthesis of the stadium beyond expectations, the fan support puts this venue over the top. Oahu is a popular vacation spot for many sports fans, and the sun does occasionally go down, so do yourself a favor and spend a few hours with one of the best programs in college baseball.

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 HODGETOWN 701 South Buchanan Street Amarillo, TX 79101 Amarillo Sod Poodles website HODGETOWN website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity : 6,631 A Sodding Good Time The city of Amarillo lost its minor league baseball team back in 1982, when the Gold Sox moved to Beaumont, Texas. That franchise later became the Wichita Wranglers and is now the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, but in the meantime, Amarillo had to make do with independent and college wood-bat teams. Until 2019 that is, when the San Antonio Missions moved here as part of a rearrangement orchestrated by the Elmore Sports group. San Antonio now has a AAA team; Colorado Springs has a club in the Rookie Pioneer League, while the poor fans of Helena, MT no longer have minor league baseball. The new team had to have a new name, and they did a great job in finding something appealing and unique, choosing Sod Poodles, after the prairie dogs that can be found around the area. The marketing has been perfectly handled and Sod Poodles merchandise was flying off the shelves before the team even took the field. But what matters to us is the stadium experience. The Sod Poodles built a new venue in downtown Amarillo and named it HODGETOWN, after Jerry Hodge, the 26th mayor of the city, who was instrumental in bringing the team to the city. According to the team’s website, 'TOWN’, defined in the Prairie Dog culture as ‘multiple colonies forming one large community,’ reflects the concept of the ballpark being a gathering place for everyone in the Panhandle to enjoy professional baseball and other events as one large community.” It is a unique moniker in the minor leagues, lacking any sort of Field, Ballpark, or Stadium in the name, and also missing any corporate affiliation, which is always appreciated. So how does attending the game rate? For a ballpark nearing the end of its first season, very well indeed. Food & Beverage 4 There are four main concession stands, each with a different name (Feed & Seed, Panhandle Pizza, and the Route 66 Grill, with Barnyard being closed on the day I attended). Each had the same main menu, with hot dogs at $4.25, a jumbo dog for $6, and nachos for $6. A Frito Pie is the local specialty and costs $5.50, while snacks such as pretzels ($3.75), peanuts ($4.50), and Cracker Jack ($4.50) are available. Panhandle Pizza offers regular and pepperoni pizza ($9), chicken wings ($10), chicken tenders and fries ($9.50), and funnel cake fries ($6.50). Route 66 Grill serves black Angus bacon cheeseburgers ($12), German bratwursts ($6), chicken Philly cheesesteaks ($10.50), and Texas foot-long coney dogs ($6). The Barnyard offers two special items: Super Soddies Nachos is a mound of tortilla chips with toppings ($9) and the Piggly Wiggly covered with pulled pork and cheese ($9). Feed & Seed has more regional treats: corn in a cup ($7) and pulled pork sliders ($10). Each also has a few specialty items, for example at Feed & Seed, you could get a massive Dessert Mound for $9.50. The Sugar Cone with Rocky Road is well-satisfied for $3.75. There is a great variety of beer available, with a small draft going for $6.50, a large for $9, and a premium for $10. Pepsi products are the choice for those not imbibing, with a small soda at $4.50 and a large at $6. Overall, there is a good variety, but it can be hard to find as each concession has the same basic menu up front. Also, prices are quite high for AA balls. Atmosphere 5 Start with the incredible façade at the main entrance, which could have been designed back in the 1920s. This is a highlight of the venue and all visitors will doubtless start here with a few pictures. Take the time to walk down Buchanan Street to fully appreciate all the Midwest Art Deco touches, such as the ticket signs at the main box office. The ticket office incorporates the classic Midwest Art Deco look of the neighborhood, Photo Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Inside, a single seating bowl contains grey plastic seats that are quite a bit lighter than the usual Kelly green seats that decorate most ballparks. There are drink rails behind some sections, including one right behind home plate that is ideal if you like a bit of space, or to have somewhere to rest your scorebook. The entire concourse is open so you can watch the game while standing in line for food or drinks. As you make your way around the spacious concourse, you will notice several different areas that cater to groups. Picnic areas in both corners are most obvious, but there is a suite level as well, with a lounge right behind home plate. Only those with suite tickets can get into the lounge, and those are generally not available to the public as they are held by season ticket holders, but if you ask nicely, you might get a chance to take a picture. Other group areas are generally reserved, but there are table areas behind the left field fence that are first come, first serve. There is also a full-service bar behind the left field fence dubbed Bar 352, as that is how many feet it is from home plate. The large scoreboard is next to the bar and is quite nice, with a line score, batting lineup, and player stats, as well as replays. The berm is behind the right field fence and is limited to those with lawn tickets. In other words, an SRO ticket does not allow access to the lawn, though I can’t imagine they can police this very efficiently, nor do I imagine that fans without a lawn ticket would prefer to sit there than in their seat. A large kids' area is located well away from the concourse, which should make it safe from stray foul balls. The third base side is shaded during afternoon games, which can make a big difference when the temperature is nearing triple digits. There is no doubt that all new ballparks have the advantage of picking the best elements of their predecessors, and the folks who built HODGETOWN did their research and put together a park that has something for everyone. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located right downtown, but there isn’t a lot in the immediate vicinity. The Amarillo Civic Center Complex is directly north, the Embassy Suites with its 1887 Social House is across the street from this, and a Performing Arts Center is just north of this. There is a nightlife area a few blocks west, but as I attended on a Sunday afternoon, nothing here was open so I did not get a chance to explore. If you are looking to tour, the Cadillac Ranch (an art installation with 10 Cadillacs buried in the sand) is a few miles west of downtown; remember to bring your spray paint to add your decorations. Also, the second largest canyon in the country, Palo Duro, is south of the city and worth a trip if you are staying more than a day. If you are looking for a challenge, the Big Texan Steak Ranch east of the city offers a 72-oz steak (plus a salad, roll, shrimp cocktail, and baked potato) that is free if eaten within an hour. If not, you will be out $72. Fans 5 The locals have taken to their new team with abandon and the game I attended was the 23rd consecutive sellout. It was good to hear fans talk knowledgeably about players acquired in recent trades and about the state of the Padres farm system in general. Fans were polite and well behaved throughout the stadium and everyone had a great time from what I could tell. Access 5 Located on Buchanan Street just north of I-40, you should have no problem getting there or finding a free parking spot on the street within a few blocks, at least for night and weekend games, when street parking is free. There are team-operated lots for $5 but if you arrive early, you shouldn’t have to bother with them. There is no problem moving around the concourse, and there don’t appear to be long lines at the concession stands or restrooms during the game. HODGETOWN Entrance, Photo by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey. Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $18 for the best seats down to $6 for SRO or lawn seats. It can be tough to find more than a pair of seats on game day as season ticket holders have bought up most of the supply, but you might get lucky. For me, though, an SRO ticket and a spot on the drink rail are good enough to start, and eventually you can find a seat down the lines once things settle down. Parking is free, but food can be a bit pricey here, and that is why this section loses a point. Extras 4 For a new ballpark, there is a lot here that is worth checking out. The design of the ballpark alone stands out among other minor-league facilities. It blends in well with the existing buildings in town and features a main entrance that is well-designed and will soon be an iconic symbol of Amarillo. RUCKUS is possibly the most energetic mascot I have ever seen in the minors, particularly impressive given the heat and the heavy costume. There was a stadium replica giveaway for the game I attended, one of many Sunday afternoon freebies during the season, which merits an extra point. Another point for the brilliant marketing campaign that took place before the team had thrown a pitch. The Sod Poodles name was ridiculed by many when it was first announced, but that did not stop the team from selling merchandise to every state in the country, and from making their team a destination in the Texas Panhandle. Final Thoughts HODGETOWN is a great new ballpark that seems to have something for everyone. The main entrance is one of the most alluring in all of the minors and the unique stadium name shows creativity and a desire to be different. Of course, there is no history or “Road to the Show” display yet, but I am sure that will be added as the seasons pass. I think the Sod Poodles will be a mainstay in the area for years to come and all minor league aficionados should schedule a visit at their earliest convenience.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 RE/MAX Field 10233 96 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5K 0A5 Canada Edmonton Riverhawks website RE/MAX Field website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 9,200 Hawks of Edmonton RE/MAX Field, formerly Edmonton Ballpark, and Telus Field, opened in 1995 as home to the AAA Edmonton Trappers of the Pacific Coast League. Since 2005 it has been home to various teams in various leagues. John Ducey Park was its predecessor at this location from 1933 to 1995 and was home to the Edmonton Cubs, Edmonton Dodgers, Edmonton Drakes, Edmonton Navy Cardinals, Edmonton Eskimos, and the Trappers Five-time Stanley Cup winner Randy Gregg is head of the ownership group for the Riverhawks. The Riverhawks played their first game in 2022 as part of the West Coast League, a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league. Food & Beverage 3 The RE/MAX Field menu is pretty standard fare, with all your typical ballpark options at typical prices. The concessions also offer a selection of domestic beer as well as many specialty beer choices. Atmosphere 4 The seats in the main portion of the stadium go from first base to third and are nice ones for fans. Further down on both sides are metal bleachers which are available for general stadium seating. Beyond the outfield walls is a fairly interesting industrial area, as well as a very beautiful bridge. Both areas offer a great view from the stands. You can also see the Alberta Legislature building from various parts of the ballpark. The infield is artificial turf, while the outfield is natural grass. This gives the field itself an unusual look that you won’t find in a lot of places. We attended a combination fireworks and “play catch on the field after the game” night. This was a bit of a mess as kids were running and playing just a few feet away from staff setting up fireworks on the same field. Then after the fireworks were done, kids were jumping over the spent fireworks equipment. We would suggest they add some roping or something in the future as we were shocked the whole time, expecting disaster to happen any second. They did push the crowd during the actual fireworks past the foul lines, but we might suggest keeping things a bit more separate. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located just to the south of downtown Edmonton and near the Alberta Legislature area. The area around the stadium itself is primarily residential though and doesn’t offer much to do before or after the game. Although pleasant enough the rating is impacted by the poor access to the stadium on days with high attendance. Fans 4 The team draws fairly well and if fireworks or other promotion nights are involved, you can expect a large crowd. The fans in attendance seem to be a knowledgeable lot, although the general admission bleacher sections are often filled with kids who may be less involved in the game action. Access 1 Although located right near the heart of Edmonton, RE/MAX Field is hard to get to on game days if there is any amount of substantial attendance. There is not a lot of parking in traditional lots at the stadium. There should be enough parking spaces, but you may end up packed into a grass lot across from the stadium. The streets leading up to the area will be jammed with traffic. We thought we would miss the start of the game although we left plenty of time to get to the stadium. We would recommend taking 105 Street NW north and turning east on 96th Avenue NW as a backway into the grass lots. 10427 96 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 0A7, Canada is a good address to put into your GPS, but remember to come from the west. Another recommendation is to use public transportation, or even if a bit of a walk, find parking downtown. It will be an uphill walk back after the game, so be aware. The concourse also has a few pinch points around the concourse. It is hard to believe this concourse was a AAA ballpark as it is far too small for any large crowd. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are $19.99 for adults, $14.99 for students and seniors, and $9.99 for kids 17 and under. You can also upgrade to Balcony seats for $24.99. There are also premium areas available from $24.99 and up. Parking is $10. The prices are fairly high but not outrageously so. Extras 3 The Alberta Legislature and Parliament are close by and provide a cool view from certain areas of the stadium. If you have time, you should stop by and check out their free hourly tours. There is a mascot and the usual games and items found at many minor league stadiums. There is a nice souvenir stand located in the crowded concourse. Final Thoughts RE/MAX Field is a nice place to watch baseball even with the poor access to the stadium.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Lowell Park 10 Lowell Ave Cotuit, MA 02635 Cotuit Kettleers website Lowell Park website Year Opened: 1947 Capacity: 2,000 Have A Hit!   The small village of Cotuit contains what is arguably one of the most picturesque baseball diamonds in the nation. Located in the town of Barnstable, Lowell Park is named after Elizabeth Lowell, the daughter of George Jones, one of the co-founders of the New York Times. Mrs. Lowell donated the land that the ball field and adjoining nature reserve are located on. The Kettleers are the most successful team in Cape League history, having won the league championship 15 times in the “Modern Era” of the Cape Cod League, which began in 1963. Cotuit has won 17 championships overall.   You may be wondering what exactly a “Kettleer” is. Although the details can be a bit murky, it is a term that goes back to colonial times. The most popularly accepted story is that the earliest settlers from England were unable to sufficiently farm or hunt for themselves and ended up trading frequently with the local Native tribes. Most frequently, the trades consisted of crops (usually corn) for kettles. Other stories tell of the colonists purchasing the land that became Cotuit from the natives for two kettles and a hoe. Thus, the term “Kettleers” refers to the locals of Cotuit.   Food & Beverage 3   The Lowell Park snack bar, operated by Cotuit Fresh Market, is behind the third base grandstand. The menu consists of standard ballpark fare, with hot dogs, hamburgers, and sausage sandwiches available. Also on the menu are numerous snack items, including peanuts, popcorn, and nachos, as well as candy and ice cream treats.   Thirsty visitors to Lowell Park can choose from various Coca-Cola products. As is the case at all Cape Cod ballparks, alcoholic beverages are not sold here.  Fans who have not visited Cotuit in a while may bemoan the downsizing of the menu and the deletion of many local items.   Even with the solid selection of food sold at Lowell Park, visitors are free to bring their food and drink to a Kettleers game. Just no alcohol in your coolers, please.   Atmosphere 4   The game day atmosphere at Lowell Park is a baseball purist’s dream. There is very little extra activity going on here to distract one from the action on the field. The loud music and over-the-top PA announcements that are present elsewhere are not to be found here. Batters do not stride to the plate with any walk-up music blaring over the speakers, nor is there music between most innings. PA announcements are limited to upcoming batters, lineup changes, and some advertisements for local sponsors.   Lowell Park is located in a former nature reserve and has been compared to Field of Dreams in Iowa, as it seems to have been similarly carved out of its natural environment. Recent grants from the Yawkey Foundation have allowed the club to purchase the land around the ballfield to prevent any development around the park as well as to make improvements in the facility. New to Lowell Park is a large grandstand on the first base side of the field, a new scoreboard with video capability, a nature trail, and landscaping in the area beyond the outfield fence. The open spaces around the field provide lots of room for younger fans to chase down foul balls and for the many four-legged fans in attendance to run around.   Cape League teams are run as non-profit organizations which rely on donations from fans and corporations to fund their operations. During every game, the Cotuit Kettle is passed around for fans to drop donations into. In addition, a nightly 50/50 raffle offers numerous prizes for fans to win.   Neighborhood 3   Cotuit is a quintessential Cape Cod village surrounded on three sides by water. Called “Little Harvard” back in the day due to its popularity among Harvard professors who would spend their summer vacations there, Cotuit has an area of only five square miles.   Lowell Park is located just blocks from Cotuit Bay and Main Street. Visiting fans will find some fantastic golf courses and picturesque beaches near the ballpark. Main Street runs near Lowell Park and contains several quaint shops and excellent places to eat. Locals swear that the lobster roll at the nearby Kettle-Ho Tavern is the best on Cape Cod, which is high praise indeed.   More dining and shopping options can be found at Nearby Mashpee Commons, located at the junction of Routes 28 and 151. After the game, get some of the best ice cream on Cape Cod, at Polar Cave, a kitschy neighborhood ice cream parlor featuring dozens of flavors and loaded with Coca-Cola memorabilia.   Fans 4   Crowds at Kettleer games are similar to those at the other Cape League games, with a mix of locals and tourists present. If you are looking to avoid the larger crowds, try and attend a game in June before tourist season picks up steam. Cotuit generally draws around 1,000 fans per game, good for the middle of the pack in the Cape League. Fans who come to games on the Cape are, for the most part, very knowledgeable about the game of baseball, and are really into the game being played, despite the laid-back atmosphere at the park. You'll be sure to know your neighbors very well after nine innings of baseball. Lowell Park feels more like a neighborhood gathering than a baseball game.   Access 4   Cotuit is located on the southern coast of Cape Cod, about halfway between Falmouth and Hyannis. Lowell Park is located a little over a mile off Route 28, which runs parallel to the coastline. There is no public transportation serving the area, so driving is the best way to reach Lowell Park.   Parking is available in a small lot adjacent to the ballpark (beware of foul balls if parking here), on the streets around Lowell Park (just watch the signs, as some areas are restricted), and in a nearby elementary school parking lot.   Once inside Lowell Park, seating consists mainly of two newly constructed grandstands on either baseline. Both grandstands are handicapped accessible. Fans wishing to bring their lawn chairs will find ample room in a grove down the left field line. Picnic tables and benches here provide shaded seating and room to roam. Fans can walk around the field and watch the action from any number of vantage points.   Permanent structures behind the third base grandstand house the concession stand and restrooms.   Return on Investment 5   As is the case with all Cape League games, there is no charge for admission to games at Lowell Park. Donations are happily accepted in return for a roster sheet. Parking is also free, either in the small lot adjacent to the field, on some local streets, or in a nearby elementary school parking lot.   Food prices are reasonable, and fans can bring their food to the game if they choose. It is entirely possible to attend a game featuring some of the best collegiate baseball players in the country without spending a single red cent.   Extras 4   Some of the finest collegiate talents in the country spend their summers on the Cape. The league boasts that over 370 Cape League alumni play in the Major Leagues annually. Over 1,600 Cape League alums have played in the Majors. Whenever you take in a game at Lowell Park, you’ll be seeing numerous future big leaguers in action.   Surrounding the plaza behind home plate is a building that houses the press box, team store, and scout's seating. Circling this area are plaques atop several posts honoring the 17 Kettleer championship teams. Identified on these plaques are the coach, MVP, and Outstanding Pitcher for each team. Cape Cod Hall of Fame inductees are honored on the wall of the concession stand. Visiting fans will find some familiar names listed here.   The recent facility improvements which added to the Kettleer experience without affecting the natural environment of Lowell Field earn another extra point.   Final Thoughts   Lowell Park is a jewel among summer league parks.  In addition to Cotuit's picturesque location, Cape League lineups are loaded with future Major League players. This combination makes a visit to Cape Cod a must for any baseball fan. Just remember to put a few dollars in the kettle when it’s passed around, and “Have a Hit!”   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Michelo Ultra Arena 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 Las Vegas Aces website Michelob Ultra Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 12,000 Todo dentro Los Ases de Las Vegas de la WNBA juegan sus juegos en casa en el Mandalay Bay Events Center de Las Vegas, NV. El equipo tiene historia fuera de Las Vegas jugando en Salt Lake City, UT y San Antonio, TX antes de mudarse a Las Vegas en 2018. El Mandalay Bay Events Center es un lugar excepcional para observar a un equipo de la WNBA. Ofrece muchos asientos cerca a precios asequibles y una fantástica experiencia de día de juego para los juegos de Ases. Organizó el Juego de Estrellas WNBA 2019 y alberga otras formas de entretenimiento durante todo el año. Alimentos y Bebidas 3 Los precios de alimentos y bebidas en el Centro de eventos me parecen un poco altos. Para las bebidas, una botella de agua cuesta $ 5. Los cócteles varían de $ 15 a $ 22, una copa de vino cuesta $ 12, la cerveza cuesta $ 10 – $ 14 con un tall boy a $ 15. No sé qué es esto (en cuanto a bebidas), pero un ‘tarro de masón’ tiene un precio de $ 24. Los carros y las concesiones a lo largo del concurso ofrecen tacos para caminar ($ 8.50), Aces Dogs con papas fritas ($ 9.50 – $ 10), Real Pit BBQ (carne de cerdo, carne de res, pavo a $ 10.50) y filete de queso ($ 13). Los conos de Sno, Dippin ‘Dots, Five Spot Coffee, Dole Soft Serve y mini-donuts también adornan el vestíbulo. El recuento de calorías de los artículos se proporciona en los principales puestos de venta. Aunque el vestíbulo es amplio, las líneas de concesión son largas. Ambiente 5 Los asientos tienen forma de U alrededor de la cancha. Una sección VIP de piso y el DJ están en el extremo abierto. Dos niveles de asientos están en su lugar; el nivel superior sube a la fila K. Hay disponibles pasamanos. No hay pasarela entre los niveles, sube a los 200 asientos de nivel o baja a los 100 asientos de nivel. Muy fácil. Los asientos en la arena son acolchados pero bastante estrechos con muy poco espacio para las piernas y están placenteramente cerca de la acción en la cancha. El marcador de video cuelga en la cancha central y tiene el tamaño perfecto para la arena. Proporciona el juego, las repeticiones, las estadísticas individuales de los jugadores, el tiempo restante en cuartos, faltas y casi cualquier cosa para aquellos que llevan la cuenta. La temperatura en la arena es cómoda y para aquellos que tienen frío, solo se necesita una camisa de manga larga. Las leyes de Nevada todavía permiten fumar cigarrillos en los casinos, incluido el Mandalay Bay Casino (pero no en la arena), por lo que los fanáticos pueden atragantarse atravesando el casino antes de llegar al evento de baloncesto. Barrio 4 El vecindario más cercano es el casino con sus más de 5 restaurantes (algunos de los cuales parecen ‘presumidos’ si no eres parte del grupo o asociación que tiene un evento allí) y el centro comercial justo al lado con su propia variedad de alimentos y bebidas. opciones que incluyen Slice of Vegas, Fat Tuesday y Hussong’s Cantina (mexicana). No recomiendo Libertine Social, ya que parecen los más reacios a aceptar a un visitante informal para tomar una copa. Los restaurantes del casino son agradables pero son caros. En su lugar, visite el Slice of Vegas en el centro comercial. Tienen excelente cerveza y pizza decente. Ofrecen una rebanada de pastel de queso gratis (del tipo que doblas y no comes con un tenedor y un cuchillo, como debería ser) cuando se muestra tu boleto de Ases. Y tienen ofertas de comida y bebida todos los fines de semana. Al lado de Mandalay Bay se encuentra el Luxor Casino and Resort y luego está Excalibur con el Tropicana al otro lado de la calle. Todos estos casinos tienen habitaciones si pasan una o dos noches. El Mandalay Bay tiene el Acuario Shark Reef, el Luxor tiene el Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Excalibur tiene un teatro de cena medieval y el Tropicana tiene un club de comedia. Por lo tanto, hay mucho que hacer a poca distancia, además de apostar en un casino lleno de humo. Para ver otros deportes en el área durante la temporada de la WNBA, echa un vistazo al nuevo Las Vegas Ballpark (inaugurado en 2019), Las Vegas Lights (USL), y dependiendo de qué tan lejos lleguen los Ases en la temporada posterior, ser capaz de ver un juego de pretemporada de Vegas Golden Knights (NHL). Ventiladores 5 Una buena mezcla de fanáticos asiste a los juegos de ases: familias, parejas, niños y grupos. Los fanáticos gritan “Noche” durante el lugar apropiado en el Himno Nacional. Me dijeron que esto se hace en todos los lugares deportivos de Las Vegas desde que el hockey Golden Knights se instaló en Las Vegas. Los fanáticos hacen un buen trabajo gritando a los árbitros por faltas injustificadas y se aferran a cada regate, pase y tiro, y rugen de emoción cuando los Ases hacen una canasta o un buen juego. En la primera temporada de los Ases en 2018, una asistencia promedio de aproximadamente 5,300 fanáticos entró por las puertas. A pesar de que el Centro de eventos tiene 12,000, un gran bloque de asientos (detrás de un objetivo completo) no se usa para los juegos de Ases, lo que hace que la arena se sienta abarrotada. Acceso 4 Llegar al Mandalay Bay Events Center es relativamente fácil. Está justo a la salida de la I-15. El estacionamiento oeste parece ser el más cercano al Centro de Eventos. El monorraíl MGM Grand Station de Las Vegas está a una milla a pie. El aeropuerto internacional McCarran está a 2 millas y media del lugar. Muchos hoteles ofrecen servicios de transporte hacia y desde el Mandalay Bay Resort, así que aproveche aquellos que no se hospedan en el centro. Las puertas no se abren a las 6 p.m. (como me dijo el agente de boletos) pero se abren a las 6:30 p.m. a través de grandes cantidades de seguridad, aunque no fue desagradable. Solo espere una larga cola si llega temprano. La explanada puede estar un poco congestionada, especialmente alrededor de las concesiones de alimentos y al medio tiempo. Los baños son adecuados y se mantienen excepcionalmente limpios durante todo el juego. Retorno de la inversión 3 Los precios de las entradas cuestan $ 24 (cancha central, segundo nivel, fila alta) con filas más bajas que cuestan $ 42. El asiento final es un poco más bajo. Agregue una tarifa de servicio grande de $ 5 incluso si se compra en la taquilla a esos precios. Consulte su calendario para cualquier regalo durante la temporada. Tome el monorriel u obtenga un servicio de transporte desde su hotel para reducir las tarifas de estacionamiento. Los precios de concesión son altos para un recinto deportivo. Sin embargo, vale la pena asistir a un juego de ases y gastar sus dólares en entretenimiento deportivo. Extras 2 Los ujieres en la arena son extremadamente amables y serviciales. En el Mandalay Bay Casino se muestran pancartas y letreros en columnas y otras áreas. ¡Recuerda ir a Slice of Vegas antes o después del juego! Pensamientos finales Cuando asista a un juego de Las Vegas Aces, verá el esfuerzo que contribuyen todos los involucrados: los jugadores, el personal, la seguridad, los entrenadores y, sobre todo, los fanáticos. Desafortunadamente, WNBA no está recibiendo el reconocimiento que debería y eso es una pena. Es un gran deporte para ver sin las travesuras de la NBA. ** Special thanks to Jim Minard and Raul Perez for translation assistance. **

Photos by Lloyd Brown and Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Michelob Ultra Arena 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 Las Vegas Aces website Michelob Ultra Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 12,000 All In The Michelob ULTRA Arena is a 12,000-seat sports and entertainment venue at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It opened as the Mandalay Bay Events Center in 1999, before changing its name as a part of a naming rights agreement in 2021. Since 2018 the arena has served as the home of the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA. The Aces were previously the San Antonio Stars before moving to Nevada. The Aces play in the Western Conference of the WNBA. The team has been a regular in the playoffs since moving to Las Vegas, including two trips to the WNBA Finals. The Aces won the 2022 WNBA title in a four-game sweep over the Connecticut Sun. The arena also hosted the 2019 and 2023 WNBA All-Star Game. The Aces are one of two WNBA teams that play in an arena attached to a casino. The other team is the Connecticut Sun, who play at the Mohegan Sun Arena . Food & Beverage 3 It is nearly impossible to starve or lose weight in Las Vegas, as food is ever-present, and in large servings. Even before you get to the arena itself, you’ll be passing some very tempting restaurants. However, this is a review of the arena’s food options… so here is what you can expect. There is nothing unique about the food and beverage options at the Michelob Ultra Arena. It offers the typical arena foods including hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, BBQ, and dessert items like snow cones, soft serve ice cream, and mini donuts. Beverages start at $14, and they serve Budweiser products. All concessions at Michelob Ultra Arena are done through either permanent stands or roving carts along the concourse. We suggest getting something from Slice of Vegas either before or after an Aces game. They offer an extensive menu of pizzas at very reasonable prices. It is in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place. Atmosphere 4 This is Las Vegas, so you are sure to be entertained at an Aces game. The team introductions are quite a spectacle, and that’s just the beginning of the show. Entertainment during breaks in the action is provided by the High Rollers Dance Team and the antics of Bucket$, the team’s desert jackrabbit mascot. Fans shout out the word “Night” during the National Anthem. This has become a Las Vegas tradition at all sports activities in the city since the arrival of the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. Even though the capacity of the Michelob ULTRA Arena is listed at 12,000, it feels much more intimate than that. Most of the seating is at the lower level, providing you with an up-close view of the action. The electronics package at the arena is top of the line, as the sound system and the lighting are frequently used for concerts and other types of shows. Neighborhood 5 The Mandalay Resort and Casino is located at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. It is located just 2.5 miles from the city’s McCarran International Airport. The immediate neighborhood of the Michelob ULTRA Arena is the Mandalay Resort and Casino itself. There is plenty to do in the Resort, including shopping at the Shops at Mandalay Place, or having a bite to eat at restaurants including Slice of Vegas, Border Grill, and Wahlburgers. Attractions at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino include The Michael Jackson ONE show by Cirque du Soleil and the Shark Reef Aquarium. Of course, the Las Vegas Strip also awaits just outside of the Mandalay’s doors. It offers world-class entertainment, unique attractions, and great restaurants. If you are a sports fan, you can choose to attend a Raiders football game, a Golden Knights hockey game, or an Aviators baseball game. Of course, in Las Vegas, you can bet on the games as well (legally!). Fans 4 The fan base in Las Vegas is unusual in that most of the locals are involved in the hospitality industry and are actively working to serve you during your visit. However, the Aces seem to be very popular after work or weekend breaks for the locals from their work in the industry. We saw lots of families and groups of young people enjoying a night off with the Aces. Other than some high rollers seated on the floor or at midcourt, the locals form a majority of the crowds at the basketball games. You may want to people-watch the seats on the court, as NFL GOAT Tom Brady is one of the part owners of the Aces! The Aces draw an average attendance of 5,607. Even though that seems only half full in a 12,000-seat venue, it is important to realize that only a portion of the seats in the facility is used for Aces games. Access 3 We advise against renting a car in Las Vegas unless you plan to visit some outlying areas such as the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon. In addition to the wait and expense of getting a rental car, there’s the expense of parking at each stop and the hassle of Las Vegas traffic. Free shuttles are available at most hotels, and options including the Las Vegas people mover and Uber also exist. Upon arrival at Mandalay Resort and Casino, head inside and go right at Lupo and continue past KUMI and Stripsteak. Follow the walkway past Starbucks and take the first right down the hallway leading to the Michelob ULTRA Arena entrance. The arena has only an exterior entrance from a parking area and the entrance that takes you through the casino. Doors to the Michelob ULTRA Arena open only 30 minutes before tipoff, instead of the customary one hour. This results in some backup at the gates before the game. The concourse serves both levels of arena seating and can also become congested. The concession stands to get overwhelming at halftime, so try to get your food and beverages during other breaks in the action. Return on Investment 3 Tickets on the lower level of the Michelob ULTRA Arena carry a high roller price tag of $100 for seats at midcourt. Celebrity wannabes can also purchase a table for $238 a person or $500/$1,000 for courtside seats across from/next to the team bench. Seats in the 200 level are $10. Be aware that only certain sections of the 200 level are available for the Aces game. Parking is available at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for $30. However, most people do not need a car during their stay in Las Vegas, as most hotels along the Strip provide free shuttles in between the Strip attractions. Extras 5 The Michelob ULTA Arena has also played host to numerous WWE events and UFC fights throughout the year. The Las Vegas Desert Dogs lacrosse team also plays their home schedule at the arena. They play in the National Lacrosse League. The owners of the Aces are Mark Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL, and Tom Brady, formerly the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots of the NFL. Aces coach Becky Hammon was the first female coach in the NBA. She previously served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs. Among the non-sports events that have been held at the Michelob ULTRA Arena are the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants and concerts featuring Journey, Ozzy Osborne, Luciano Pavarotti, and the Latin Grammy Awards. Final Thoughts We’re betting you are going to have a great time at a Las Vegas Aces game at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. Terrific basketball, Vegas-style entertainment during the breaks, and easy access to food, drink, and gambling add up to a very entertaining evening!

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Harbor Park 150 Park Ave Norfolk, VA 23510 Norfolk Tides website Harbor Park website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 12,059 Ride the Tide to the Ballpark Located on the Elizabeth River in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia, Harbor Park is the home of the Norfolk Tides of the International League. The Tides were a long-running Mets affiliate between 1969 and 2006, but have been the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles since 2007. Originally known as the Tidewater Tides in the broader region, the team changed its name to the Norfolk Tides to honor its home city when the new ballpark opened in 1993. Harbor Park takes its name from Hampton Roads, the natural harbor that divides the region of the same name in two and is located just minutes from the stadium. Fans can see ships of all sizes going up and down the Elizabeth River beyond the outfield fence, from small craft to large ships. Food & Beverage 5 Harbor Park has a strong variety of concessions sold throughout the concourse. In addition to the usual items such as hot dogs, burgers, and chicken nuggets, fans can enjoy pizza slices from local vendor Ynot Pizza, as well as tacos, quesadillas, cheesesteaks, and more. Although soft pretzels are a ubiquitous concession item seen at most baseball stadiums across the country, the ones at Harbor Park are unique in that they are grilled rather than warmed in the usual manner. Fans can enjoy these pretzels topped with salt or cinnamon sugar. Alcohol is also available to those of age, while fans can also enjoy soda and bottled water. Atmosphere 3 Most of the seats at Harbor Park are located below the concourse, although there are a few seats above it further down the lines in addition to the luxury suites closer to home plate. Although the third base seats will be in the sun during the game and can get very hot during the summer, they also offer the best view of the Elizabeth River. Unfortunately, the view has been obstructed somewhat by a large new scoreboard the team constructed in right-centerfield, but it is still one of the best views of any baseball stadium in the nation. The team has the usual between-inning contests on the field, although they do not distract from the game itself. They have two mascots, Rip Tide and Triton, who roam the stands throughout the game interacting with fans. As a nod to Norfolk's nautical location and proximity to several naval bases (and the occasional naval ship passing beyond the outfield fence during the game), a submarine dive horn plays after Tides home runs. Neighborhood 4 Harbor Park is located less than a mile from Downtown Norfolk, where you will find many options to eat, drink, and stay. From bars to steakhouses to Italian eateries to local favorite Ynot Pizza (which also sells its food at the stadium), there is something for everyone here. There are also numerous hotels ranging from the Hilton to more budget options. The Virginia Beach Oceanfront is about 20 to 30 minutes away, although the exact travel time will depend on traffic. Fans 4 The Norfolk Tides draw good attendance to their games, especially on weekends. Firework nights are typically sellout with over 12,000 fans in a standing-room-only crowd. Sundays also draw large crowds, which isn't always the case in minor league baseball, while weekdays will of course draw less. The fans in attendance can be passionate when the Tides have big plays or home runs, but at other times they are more subdued. Of course, it is similar to most minor league parks in this respect. Access 3 Although Harbor Park is located just off I-264, driving here can still be challenging. The highway can have miles-long backups with beach traffic, especially if coming from the other side of the harbor, in which case you will need to cross the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to get here. There are several large lots near the stadium where fans can park for $6. You may have to park far away if you do not get here early, but you should have a space somewhere. If coming from this side of the harbor, there are some public transit options, although driving access is far easier from this side than the other side. The Tide, that is to say, Norfolk's light rail system, not the baseball team who plays here, has a stop right outside the stadium. A ferry is also available from Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River, although that does not start running until one hour before the game, the same time gates open, so this may be inconvenient for some fans who want to get here early. Depending on which entrance you use, you will either need to walk up a ramp or some stairs to get to the concourse, though in the case of the latter, an elevator is available for those who require it. Restrooms are available on both sides of the concourse, including a family restroom down the third base line. Like most of minor league baseball, the Tides have a clear bag policy. While this is frustrating, it is to be expected at this point. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are available for between $15 and $16 depending on where you sit. Given the small difference, we suggest paying the extra dollar for lower-level seats rather than sitting above the concourse way down the lines. Unfortunately, the team sells tickets through Ticketmaster, so expect to pay fees that bring this rating down. Parking is $6, which is a bit high but not outrageous given the park's location. Concessions are about average as well. Although there are minor league parks that offer better value, a trip to Harbor Park certainly won't break the bank. Extras 3 One star for the gorgeous view of the Elizabeth River and passing ships beyond the right field fence. A second star for the team store located behind home plate on the concourse. A third and final star for the Tidewater Baseball Hall of Fame just inside the home plate gate, before you go up the stairs to the concourse. Final Thoughts Although traffic can be a nightmare in the summer to get to Harbor Park, once you deal with beach traffic and make it in, you will find that it has all been worth it. A Norfolk Tides game is a family-friendly and affordable way to spend a summer afternoon or evening in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

A few years ago, I wrote an article on this site about a ballpark in Thetford Mines, Quebec , that was once part of Autostade in Montreal. It was quite a discovery for me since I thought the former home of the Montreal Alouettes was demolished right around the time of my birth, but little did I know that parts of it were still in play a few kilometers to the north in the mining town. As with many things, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to dig deeper into the stadium’s origins. I soon realized that it was never really intended to be a professional sports stadium, but just happened to become one based on what was happening in the city at the time. During its ten years of usage, and loathing, by almost everyone who took in a game at the stadium, it was home to pro sports clubs: Canadian Football League, North American Soccer League, Continental Football League. and when the National League expanded to Montreal, the ill-conceived home of the Montreal Expos. The Allouettes had hoped to have a stadium built in Ville D'Anjou by the 1965 CFL season At the time, Montreal did not have a proper football stadium. McGill Stadium was built in 1915 and is not the same venue today. Delorimier Stadium was in a residential area and was unable to be expanded. In 1963, the Als announced they would build a new 40,000-seat stadium in time for the 1965 CFL season. The stadium would be located in Ville d'Anjou, offer parking space for 10,000 cars, a practice field outside its exterior, and feature a three-tier press box. It could be expanded to 60,000 and completed in three phases that would end with a $5,000 domed roof. Unfortunately, the plans fell through soon after the announcement. However, a new stadium for Expo 67 was in the planning stages. Construction began on January 28, 1966, and the major selling point was that it would be portable if it ever had to be relocated to another part of town. The 25,000-seat venue cost $3.2 million and was built at the Point St. Charles Waterfront in Montreal. It was built expressly for Expo 67 and used during the six months of Expo 67 for military events, circuses, horse shows, and international soccer. Autostade Managing Director Dave Dauphinee was optimistic about the stadium's future after the Expo's events in a statement in the Montreal Gazette after its completion. “It’s an idea setting for an all-round sports centre. It has unlimited possible parking facilities in the area, including ample spaces under the Bonaventure thruway. The field itself is an excellent one. The stadium complex has every conceivable ultra-modern facility to handle big crowds.” Autostade opened for business with a Montreal Beavers loss to former Als head coach Perry Moss's Orlando Panthers The Montreal Beavers of the Continental Football League were its first main tenants. The minor league operation had been based in Ft. Wayne the season before but relocated for the 1966 season. The Beavers inaugurated Autostade with a crowd of 10, 800 in a 49-27 defeat to the Orlando Predators. However, there were ominous signs of things to come in that first game. Kick-off was delayed by 20 minutes after the main fuse blew three hours before the game and knocked out the lights in the stadium. Fans complained that they had trouble finding their cars after the game in the unpaved, unlighted, and unmarked lots surrounding the venue. The rest of the season crowds between 4,000 to 11,000 were the norm for Beavers games. Even with respectable crowds at the stadium, it was still at best one-third full. The wind whipped fans from the nearby St. Lawrence River, a harbinger of things to come with style and comfort. The Beavers were forced out of the stadium for Expo 67 and relocated to a 10,000-seat stadium in the suburb of Verdun before quietly folding after its second season. The Beavers did leave a legacy and one that is most likely ignored by football historians; they were the first pro football team to utilize the slingshot field goalpost. The revolutionary field goal posts were different from the standard H-shape posts of the time, and in just a few short years, a majority of football stadiums adopted the single-post field goal. It was invented in Montreal by Joe Rottman, a retired magazine distributor, and part-time inventor. He came up with the concept of what newspapers called at the time a “tuning-fork design” during lunch with Alouettes head coach Jim Trimble and Jack Rabinovich, the originator of skateboards in Canada. Rottman was so upset that he couldn’t get a word in between the two men about skateboarding that he held up his fork, bent it, and asked them if they ever heard of a one-legged goalpost. The slingshot-stye goal post made its debut at Autostade, and by the following year it was in every NFL stadium in the United States He then began work on his concept and displayed it at Autostade. A set of posts cost $2,200 and were custom-made, and Rottman and Trimble both saw the potential of 38,000 colleges and high schools in the United States and 3,000 schools in Canada adopting their invention. Autostade also featured Xenon lamp lights, the first of its kind, in North America. A few newspaper reporters added that the lighting was so natural that it was almost daylight. However, those lights would be looked upon a lot differently a few years later when meager crowds braved the cold and chilly nights for football and soccer games. The first CFL game played at the stadium with the tuning-fork field goalpost took place on November 19, 1966, between the Ottawa Rough Riders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals. Renovations on the North Side stands, and the construction of the Civic Centre (now known as TD Place Arena) prevented the game from being played at the Riders home at Lansdowne Park. The field had to be adjusted from the American version to the Canadian version. The sidelines left about 7 feet between the grass turf and the hard-surface track. The players and field crew were pushed back on the track along with placing down coconut matting next to the turf boundaries to help guard against injuries. The first CFL game at Autostade was a playoff game between the Rough Riders and Tiger-Cats in 1966. An estimated 14,000 fans made the trip to Montreal with rail service departing the Canadian capital at 8:45 am and returning at 6 pm; a crowd of 20,000 plus witnessed the game creating a Grey Cup vibe a week before the big game in Vancouver. The Riders mauled the Cats 42-16 to win the aggregate series 72-17. The crowd control was described as disgraceful and inexcusable during the playoff game. It was reported that fans flocked to the field in the second half, and spectators who remained in the stands threw bottles from the stands delaying the game several times. All balls kicked into the end zone were gobbled up as souvenirs by fans wrestling with one another for the ultimate prize. A few more engaged in fisticuffs with players with reports of shoving, arguing, and running onto the field during the final quarter of play, chasing loose balls, and attempting to climb the goalpost. There was one report of Hamilton’s Angelo Mosca knocking a fan onto the ground with his helmet after being punched on his chin by an unruly customer. Ottawa GM Red O’Quinn said Montreal police refused to enter the stadium to police the games. The next year Expo 67 opened and attracted millions of people from all over the world. The world exhibition commemorated the country’s centennial birthday with hundreds of exhibits on display, Autostade became the venue to host a myriad of events from international soccer to horse shows. Six countries took part in a round-robin soccer tournament from May 31 to June 11 that was sanctioned by FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association featuring the Soviet Union, England, Czechoslovakia, Italy, West Germany, and Canada. The national teams were split into divisions of three in a double-elimination format that capped off with England defeating West Germany in the final in front of 20,653 people. A total of 652,344 people took in a variety of events that included a two-night track and field meet, a three-day lacrosse tournament, the Ringling Brothers circus, the Canadian Armed Forces tattoo, the Maurice Chevalier’s Flying Colors show, the Gendarmerie Francaise, the Wild Horse Spectacular, and the Great Western Rodeo. When the National League expanded to Montreal in May of 1968, it was Autostade that was slated to become the temporary home of the baseball club. The initial plan was to increase the capacity to 35,000 and cover it with a roof for $3 million. The dimensions would be 330 feet to the left and right field and 410 to centerfield. Being that the stands were removable, the conversion of the football field to a baseball stadium would seem very logical at the time until a permanent dome stadium would be ready in 1971. “The only thing that worries me right now is giving people a good ballpark. Fans will have to rough it at Autostade before the other park is ready, but this is a good baseball town.” This could have been the baseball dimensions for the Montreal Expos inaugural season in 1969. That changed when NL president Warren Giles visited the stadium in July of 1968 and deemed it unsuitable for baseball. The cost of the roof now ballooned to $7 million. That prompted a four-hour meeting between the mayor, sponsors, city officials, and baseball executives to upgrade Jarry Park from a 3,000-seat venue used for local baseball leagues to a 33,000-seat venue that would now be the home for the baseball club in 1969. The switch in venues ended Autostade’s brief run as a major league venue. A similar position would take place six years later when there was a chance that it would have to substitute as the main stadium for the upcoming Summer Games due to a province-wide strike of 1,200 ironworkers that began in November 1974. The strike forced the shutdown of the $380 million Olympic Stadium; if it was not completed on time, sections of Autostade would be relocated near its site which would include a second deck to increase the capacity to 55,000. The strike ended in May 1975, and construction resumed on Olympic Stadium. After the Expo had concluded, the Montreal Alouettes moved from Molson Stadium downtown to the new facility in 1968. Management thought that the lack of parking space at McGill was to blame for the sparse crowds. The club also relocated ticket offices, executive offices, and practice facilities to the two-year-old stadium. However, it soon became clear that the new venue had its red flags. Workers did not have much time to prepare the field for the game; the goalposts were inverted by the groundskeeper, who was from Europe and unfamiliar with gridiron football. Assistant Coach Ralph Goldston quipped: “As if we didn’t have enough trouble kicking field goals last year.” Als head coach Kay Dalton felt that they would fill the stadium once the team began winning, adding that “in Montreal, it’s what’s up on the scoreboard that counts, you’ve got to win faster here.” However, there were other concerns about the new stadium that would put a black cloud over it for the rest of its existence. The local newspaper columnists and reporters described it as being “a dark, dismal concrete cavern” and “damp and dark.” The conditions of the dormitories and tunnels resulted in one player walking out over the conditions at the stadium. Dalton thought the lighting hurt his players finding the ball on passes. Autostade featured large gaps between each seating section The practice field was much worse with potholes littering the grounds that caused injuries to two of the Larks star wide receivers. “You could shoot ducks off it any day you care, too,” added Dalton. There was also the mighty wind of the St. Lawrence River that would snap up balls in the air and send them into the water. A crowd of 27,214 took in a game against the Toronto Argonauts that was the largest in club history. However, the Alouettes would average 18,000 per game during the 1968 season; the following season, average attendance fell to 12,169. It was becoming evident that Autostade was a highly unfavorable facility for football at a time when the team compiled a 5-19-4 record over two seasons at Autostade. The crowd was much better during the 1969 Grey Cup between Ottawa and Saskatchewan. A total of 400 police officers marched around the playing surface with three-foot-long billies and wearing hard hats for crowd control. The influx of police officers was due to concerns about ongoing FLQ separatist terrorist bombing activities in Quebec and to secure the protection of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who was in attendance. The 33,172 fans taking in the game went off without notice. It was the largest crowd for a sporting event in Montreal history at the time. The championship game netted over $400,000 in ticket sales money, the first Grey Cup to reach this mark. Attendance did improve to 24,191 during the Larks 1970 Grey Cup-winning season, but quickly tumbled the following season, prompting an announcement that the club was moving back to McGill University for the 1972 season, citing that the “windswept waterfront stadium had been disappointing in terms of attendance, season ticket sales, and sightlines.” Attendance for the first four years at Autostade was much lower than expected. The move back to the smaller Molson Stadium (20,000) would be offset by adding seating to the track around the field and bumping up ticket prices. The belief was that fans would pay more for better seating to watch a CFL game. The stadium could also be expanded to 26,000 if needed. During this time, Als’ owner Sam Berger purchased a club for the North American Soccer League in hopes of bringing in additional revenue. The Montreal Olympique operated at Autostade for the 1971 season to disappointing crowds before relocating to the smaller University of Montreal Stadium the next season. The team would cease operations after three years after being unable to secure a suitable venue in town. The Allouettes return to McGill in 1972 proved to be a disaster for Berger and his wallet Berger was paying for rent, taxes, and maintenance at the “architectural monstrosity” and then had to rent out another football field. Berger had gambled that he would have complete control of the stadium and reap money from other events from concerts to sporting events. A three-year deal was set to play at the McGill with the hopes of Olympic Stadium being ready for the 1975 season that Berger believed would set up a trial run for the 1976 Summer Olympics. The plan backfired, average attendance fell to a meager 14,224 fans per game at McGill, resulting in the club returning to Autostade the following season. The Als would win the Grey Cup in 1974 and lose a heartbreaker 9-8 the next year in the championship game on a missed field goal in the closing seconds. By 1975, construction had begun on the new Olympic Stadium, and all eyes were focused on when it would be ready for football. The difference between the two venues was night and day and helped usher in a few years of record crowds, not just for the team but for the league. Berger couldn’t wait to get out of the Autostade that he switched dates with the Ottawa Rough Riders to ensure a meeting would take place at Olympic Stadium, a crowd of 50,000 would be on hand for that contest. Berger might have thought he was dreaming when he looked at the packed stands in the ultra-modern stadium. The last game held at Autostade was a 28-0, trouncing of the Argos in front of 20,444 spectators on September 5, 1976. Three weeks later, the Larks beat the Riders 23-2 at Olympic Stadium in front of 68,505 people, a record crowd for the league at the time. The top four crowds in CFL history took place at Olympic Stadium during its first four seasons and would culminate with 69,093 for a game on September 6, 1977, against Toronto. The 1977 Grey Cup established a still-standing record of 68,318. Montreal was in love with its football team again and finally had its modern stadium A record crowd enjoys a Thetford Blue Sox game on Canada Day in 2015. The old stands don't look much different. Autostade would quietly be dismantled from the Montreal landscape with its parts transferred to other cities in the province. A total of five sections would be relocated to Thedford and repurposed as a baseball stadium, and four more sections moved to the city of Hull, now Gatineau, for a planned baseball stadium at Mont-Bleu High School. However, it appears that the latter never occurred. Former Als and NFL Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy reflected on the difficulty of selling tickets to football games during his time with the club (1973-1977) in his autobiography Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be? "The stands were low and far removed from the playing field. Traffic around the stadium, where several freeways met and tangled, was heavy and chaotic. The parking lots were ill-lighted, unmarked, and filled with deep, jagged potholes. The walkways were damp and slippery. Autostade sat in a soot-covered field, devoid of landscaping or vegetation, with no structures on any side to deflect the icy, knifing winds that attacked during Quebec's early arriving winters. Try selling tickets to that show!" It can be concluded that it was never meant to be a permanent fixture of professional sports, but more of a temporary home at a time when a lot was happening in Montreal: Expo 67, Major League expansion, the re-emergence of the Alouettes, and even the 1976 Olympic Games all laid claim to the funky, mod stadium nobody liked. Autostade was indeed an accidental football stadium. ---- Follow Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Reed Green Coliseum 112 M. K. Turk Circle Hattiesburg, MS 39406 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles website Reed Green Coliseum website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 8,095 The Eagle's Nest at the Yurt In the Hub City of Hattiesburg lies the University of Southern Mississippi. The men’s basketball team here has experienced some success on the hardwood since their first season in 1912-13, including appearing in the NAIA National Tournament four times in the 1950s, as well as appearing in three NCAA Tournaments (1990, 1991, and 2012). In 2022 a new era began for Southern Miss athletics as they joined the Sun Belt Conference, after competing in Conference USA for 27 seasons, winning one C-USA Championship. In their first year in the Sun Belt the Golden Eagles would take the conference by storm, winning the Sun Belt Conference regular season title, but the Golden Eagles would experience their most success as members of the Metro Conference from 1982-1995, with their biggest feat winning the 1987 NIT Championship. Since 1965 the Golden Eagles have competed on campus at Reed Green Coliseum. The building is named after long-time Southern Miss Athletic Director and three-sport coach Reed Green, but the arena is known by Golden Eagle faithful as ‘The Yurt’. It is small, yet all the seats are close to the action, and there is not a bad view from anywhere in the building.   Food & Beverage   3 The Yurt has two permanent concessions stands, both located on the same side at the north entrance. The aptly named Eagles Bites stand features reasonable prices but a small menu – hamburgers or sausage dogs ($7), hot dogs, nachos, or boiled peanuts ($5), and candy ($3) are your options. You can also order a hot dog, hamburger, or sausage combo that comes with a Southern Miss souvenir cup for $10. For beverages, Coca-Cola is the official provider with 22 oz drinks costing $5, or you can get the souvenir cup for $7. If you purchase the souvenir cup you will get $1 refills throughout the game. Reed Green Coliseum also has a side stand located off in a corridor on the east side of the building, called Black and Gold, which sells pulled pork or brisket sandwiches for $5, popcorn for $3, and a few other items. Alcohol is available at all three stands here, with 16 oz domestic cans selling for $5 (Miller, Coors, and Michelob Ultra) while premium cans are $7. Southern Miss also partners with the local Southern Prohibition Brewery which serves their signature Gold Rush beer – this beer is available for $8 and features a black and gold can with the Southern Miss logo, and when shown under the light you can see a hologram of the M. M. Roberts Stadium , home of Southern Miss football.      Atmosphere   3 Yurt is Turkish for "tent-like cover”, and as it turns out the first thing you notice upon entering Reed Green Coliseum from the outside is its large tin dome-shaped roof. In addition, they recently re-did the lighting system so the roof of the building stands out instantly, explaining the nickname. The coliseum goes by several other nicknames as well, such as Green House and NITChampsburg, honoring the 1987 NIT Champions. Upon entering the arena you’ll see that all the seats are built below ground level – all 8,095 seats are located on one level, so there is not a bad view from anywhere in the building. You enter along the concourse and walk down to your seat; the main entrance is on the north side of Reed Green Coliseum, but you can enter the building from wherever, as there are doors on all sides of the building with ushers present. The arena has one wraparound concourse with views of the court from everywhere you walk except for the concessions area. The seating bowl features about 25 rows of seats; over half the seats are wooden bench seating, while the black and gold chairback seats are located on the north side of the facility in five black and gold alternating sections. The Golden Eagles have only made three NCAA Tournament appearances, not winning any of those tournaments, but you wouldn’t be able to tell it here. Just walking around Reed Green Coliseum you can tell the Athletic Department takes great pride in the history of the men’s and women’s basketball programs. Along the concourse is a trophy case with trophies dating back to the Metro Conference days, and both the men’s and women’s teams have banners that wrap all around the ceiling of the building – the main banner that stands out is the 1987 NIT Champions banner on the south side of the arena. The Yurt also recently installed two video boards in the end courts and they take advantage of this by frequently playing videos and replays on the video boards. The court faces east and west with the student section located on the west end court.   The court is also illuminated well, with the state of Mississippi painted at center court and the Golden Eagles logo located where Hattiesburg is in relation to the rest of the state.   Neighborhood   3 Hattiesburg (aka The Burg) is a decent-sized city of about 50,000 people, so it has everything you could want in a city, but still retains that college town feel. The Burg has a wide selection of bars and restaurants, but unlike most college towns they are not located near each other – instead they are spread out throughout the city. A cool little spot nearby to check out is the Long Leaf Trace; what was once a railroad is now a paved trail that runs right through campus. It is possible to get on the Trace and ride a bike into the city. A couple of places within walking distance to campus from the Trace are places like Patio 44, Brewsky's, and 4th Street Bar – if you are looking for vintage Southern Miss memorabilia then 4th Street Bar is your place. Another popular spot on the Trace about a half mile away from campus is Colludium Brewing Company, Hattiesburg's newest brewery. Colludium has a nice outdoor patio overlooking the Trace, and makes for a great spot to have a beer before the game. Closer to downtown you'll find popular spots like Keg & Barrel, The Porter, Hattiesburger, Fairley Wings, and Nostalgia. As a southern city, Hattiesburg has its fair share of restaurants centered on the local fare; popular spots include Crescent City Grill, Brass Hat, Midtown, Chesterfields, Ed's Burger Joint, Stricks, and Murky Waters BBQ. There is also plenty to for all ages – for families there's the Hattiesburg Zoo and Serenghetti Springs Water Park. Downtown also features the popular Pocket Museum, Mississippi's tiniest museum; located in an alleyway downtown, the popular museum has a different theme each month (we can't tell you where the alley is because part of the charm of the Pocket Museum is being able to find it). For shopping there are plenty of chain stores as well as Turtle Creek Mall, while another popular spot is the Lucky Rabbit – located downtown, Lucky Rabbit is a two-story vintage thrift store with tons of antiques and local Southern Miss memorabilia. Or if you are into the outdoors, in addition to Long Leaf Trace there is Paul B. Johnson State Park, just south of Hattiesburg and an excellent spot for camping. In addition, another popular pastime is rafting down the Okatoma River that runs right through Hattiesburg, all the way to the Coast.    Fans   4 It is a new era for Southern Miss basketball since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2022 – the once lowly basketball program has experienced a great turnaround over the past two years. In their first year in the conference the Golden Eagles unexpectedly won the Sun Belt Conference regular season, and there's been a certain buzz in the air in Hattiesburg about Southern Miss hoops ever since; fans are now returning to the Yurt for the first time in years. The Golden Eagles are averaging 4,000 fans per home game this season, compared to 3,700 fans per game last year, including the largest crowd in Southern Miss basketball history ever, with over 8,000 fans attending the game. Reed Green Coliseum has also turned into a tough place to play for visiting teams; last year Southern Miss team went undefeated at home with a record of 15-0. When school is in session games here have a big turnout from the students as well, although during Christmas break games there are not a lot of students. The band also doesn't attend certain games when school isn't going on either, but when the students show up it can be a pretty loud and intimidating place to play. The Golden Eagles also do a good job keeping fans engaged, with many contests and giveaways during timeouts and during halftime. The staff also has a lot of promotions on the court where they give away gift cards, as well as have free throw contests, three-point contests, and a putting game where you can sign up to win prizes. Seymour, the Golden Eagle mascot, is there in full force as well, interacting with fans and kids. The school president Joe Paul is a constant presence at games too, and can often be found mingling with students or walking up and down the aisles shaking fans’ hands. When Dr. Paul walks out the fans scream his name and cheer, something I've never seen a fanbase do for a school president.   Access   4 You will not miss the campus when coming into town, as the campus is located right on the corner of Highway 49 and Hardy Street, the two main roads through the city. Interstate 55 runs to Hardy Street on the west side of town, so you could use that exit as well, but traffic might be backed up on Hardy Street. Reed Green Coliseum is on the back side of campus at the 4th Street entrance. There is plenty of parking right next to the venue, but this is reserved for season ticket holders and people who have chairback seat tickets. However, there are two free lots you can park and walk to the venue from – the Pride Field lot on the other side of the volleyball facility has plenty of parking, and Thad Cochran Center closer to the football stadium  has plenty of free parking as well. The Union also has a large metered parking lot right across from Pride Field. Once inside the building there is plenty of room to move around, and you can leave the venue and come back again, as the no re-entry rule is not enforced.   Return on Investment   3 Tickets for a Golden Eagles basketball game can be found for $11 in the wooden seat section, or $22 in the black and gold chairback seats. The atmosphere is laid back here for most games, though, so it is possible to move around and sit wherever you want. I would consider a trip to the Green House a great experience and one I recommend – it is a very cozy and intimate place to play without a bad view anywhere, so wherever you sit you are going to get great views of the court.   Extras   4 Southern Miss has had five players play in the NBA or ABA, including two players from the 1987 NIT Championship team (journeyman Joe Courtney and 1987 first-round pick Randolph Keys, who had a six-year NBA career). ABA champion and 2-time ABA all-star Wendell Ladner had a prominent career at Southern Miss in the late 1960s as well, but perhaps the program's best player was Clarence Weatherspoon, who played here from 1988-1992 and would follow it up with a 14-year career in the NBA – Weatherspoon and Ladner have banners hanging from the rafters at Reed Green Coliseum. Another extra for the area outside the Coliseum being named NITChampsburg Field. There is also a small gathering area, intramural fields, and a few disc golf baskets located near this area, which is located on the west side of the coliseum. Reed Green Coliseum is also the largest indoor multi-purpose venue in Hattiesburg, so has played host to some top acts such as Willie Nelson, Heart, Jimmy Buffett, the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, Billy Joel, the Doobie Brothers, and WWE, all of whom have visited The Yurt over the years. The Southern Miss campus is also a nice campus to walk around before the game – giant oaks surround the beautiful Greek column buildings on campus. Some of my favorite sights on campus include the All-American Rose Garden and the giant eagle sculpture at the front entrance, or just walking or riding down the Long Leaf Trace. Lastly, the Hub at the center of campus is where Jimmy Buffett could be seen playing his guitar in between classes, as a student here in the late 1960s.   Final Thoughts The Southern Miss basketball program may not be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about college basketball in the State of Mississippi – with a program that has only made three NCAA Tournament appearances, the Golden Eagles are often a forgotten program, and sometimes take a back seat to the Southern Miss baseball program in terms of fan support, even in Hattiesburg. However, with its ample access, laid back atmosphere, great views, and cheap ticket prices, coming to a Southern Miss basketball game makes for a great experience; the program is on the rise and the best it's been in over 20 years. I highly recommend coming here to any basketball fan in Mississippi – after all, the Golden Eagles do have an NIT Championship on their resume, and that’s something its counterparts up the road in Starkville  and Oxford  have yet to accomplish. Southern Mississippi to the top!

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 University Stadium 1111 University Boulevard SE Albuquerque, NM 87131 New Mexico Lobos website University Stadium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 39,224 This Way to Albuquerque! Editors Note: The venue name changed from DreamStyle Stadium to University Stadium in Sept 2020. Home of the New Mexico Lobos football team, DreamStyle Stadium opened in 1960, has a capacity of just over 39,000, and sits not quite a mile above sea level (a mere 5,100 feet). The previous stadium, Zimmerman, held only 16,000, and was demolished to make way for the expanding UNM campus. Attendance at DreamStyle Stadium has been on the upswing for the past decade, and Lobos football has boasted average attendance over 30,000 in each of the past four years. See a brief tour of the stadium here: Food & Beverage 5 DreamStyle Stadium’s concessions offer everything you could ask for and then some, including stadium basics, local fare, and even traditional fair food, such as fried Twinkies. So where to begin? The main stands on the east and west sides offer basics, such as burgers (three varieties, all served with chips), hot dogs, corn dogs, and brats, but you can find additional items on the plaza along the north side, including pizza, pulled pork, boneless and traditional wings, turkey legs, sausage sandwiches (with or without pulled pork), chicken tenders, and even Navajo tacos. These items range in price from $5 all the way to $12 for the largest items. However, if you are more into snacks and desserts, you will find traditional items such as nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, and glazed nuts, as well as more exotic fare such as ribbon fries, fry bread, fried Twinkies, fried Oreos, fried ice cream, dessert nachos, caramel apples, root beer floats, and even roasted corn-on-the-cob. These items will cost between $4 and $7. Drink options are not as numerous, but provide a good selection. Note that like many college venues, no alcohol is sold on-site. However, you will find coffee, hot cocoa, and cappuccino, as well as Pepsi products, Gatorade, bottled water, and fresh-squeezed lemonade (about $4 to $7 per item). Atmosphere 3 DreamStyle Stadium has a modern feel, with premium seating on the south side, and regular seating on the north, east, and west. All of the seats are metal bleachers except the premium seating, which are plastic bucket-style seats. The mountains provide a nice backdrop, and the scoreboard above the north end zone is large enough to be seen by all fans. The east side has some nice landscaping on each end, including a stepped garden complete with local vegetation. The experience at DreamStyle Stadium includes the normal amenities, such as fireworks and the cheer squad running around with flags after home team scores, as well as two mascots (male and female). The band also does some unique formations, such as forming the letters U-N-M. There are ramps all the way around the stadium, so you can take in the game from multiple vantage points. You will also see flags from all of the Mountain West schools above the east grandstand. Neighborhood 3 There are several good restaurants near DreamStyle Stadium, as well as some local attractions nearby (mostly of the outdoorsy type). Traditional fare in the area is, of course, Mexican, and there are plenty of these restaurants near the stadium, such as El Modelo or Pasion Latin Fusion. However, if you are looking for something less traditional, you might try Kellys Brew Pub on Central Ave. Kellys is located in a converted body shop, and features house brews and a large menu. The number one attraction in Albuquerque is the Sandia Peak Tramway, which takes you across canyons and other beautiful terrain, providing fantastic views of the local landscape. The Tram is generally open daily from 9 am to 8 pm, but is closed occasionally in the fall for maintenance, so be sure to check the schedule. Fans 3 Fans at New Mexico are loud and involved, and wear team colors, but won’t always fill the stadium, depending on how their team is doing, or if the weather is too cold or too windy. In recent years average attendance has been over 30,000, but the crowd tends to get smaller late in the year as the weather gets colder. And if the Lobos do not have a winning record, the attendance also tends to drop. You will hear a lot of howling during the game (recorded wolf songs played through the loudspeakers) – for example, before the game, or after big plays, or during opposing third downs. You will also hear the crowd, who stay loud throughout the game, and cheer (or boo) at the appropriate times. Access 4 Depending on where you are coming from, Albuquerque could be a long drive up a lonely road, but DreamStyle Stadium is very easy to find. The stadium is right off I-25, and there is plenty of parking right off the freeway, for about $10 per car. There are entrances all around the stadium, and the east, west, and south sides are all connected by a long pathway/ramp that goes all the way around, so no matter where you park, it should be easy to get to your seat. The concourse is easy to move around, and most of it faces the field, so you can easily see the game while you walk to and from your seat. There are plenty of bathrooms, which are all very spacious, and there are plenty of concession stands, so the lines are not too long. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Lobos game is a great value for the money – concessions are reasonable, depending on what items you purchase, and parking is fair. Ticket prices are also very reasonable – tickets for adults start at only $16 ($11 for fans aged 2-18), and do not vary by opponent, like at many football venues. Tickets cost $5 more on game day, however, so be sure to purchase in advance. Extras 3 The mountains provide a nice backdrop, and the stadium is very well laid out and easy to move around. There is also a lot of school color, and the presence of the state flag and Mountain West Conference flags add to the effect. Final Thoughts This is a great stadium to visit if you are in the area. Be sure to check out the Tramway while you are in town to truly experience the mountain scenery.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 The Mini Met Rice St S Jordan, MN 55352 Jordan Brewers website The Mini Met website Year Opened: 1935 Capacity: 1,000 The Mini Met Stands Tall in Minnesota The Mini Met in Jordan, Minnesota is considered one of the finest town ball ballparks in the state and one of the most unusual-looking baseball facilities in the country. The home of the Jordan Brewers (Class C) team of the River Valley League has been a fixture in the city since 1935. The ballpark’s configuration fits in tightly within the surrounding area. Interestingly, it was not originally meant to be a ballpark but evolved quite comfortably between a creek, a row of trees, train tracks, and a rocky cliff. There is even a steeple from St. John the Baptist church that pokes out from the brushes of trees beyond the outfield walls. The old wooden grandstand was initially designed for the Scott County Fairgrounds for musical acts and livestock reviews as a WPA project. The fair was held after the baseball season but both the carnival rides and food trucks were set up on the field causing damage to the soil. Thankfully, the fair was moved away from the grounds in 1973. The Mini Met has seen quite a few changes in its history, including enlarging the field and the relocation of the home plate from the left field corner to the right field corner after WWII, the addition of lights in 1955, and the inclusion of a manual scoreboard in the 1980s. Most recently, the wooden grandstand was deemed by city officials as structurally unfit, and over $83,000 was approved to repair the rotting structure. New wood supports were added and a fresh coat of “Met Green” paint was applied. The repairs ensured that high school, amateur, and American Legion baseball would continue to be played under its historic conditions. Speaking of its name, the term was coined by a visiting sportswriter in 1969 who compared the stadium to the Minnesota Twins Metropolitan Stadium nicknamed “The Met.” At the time the facility was known as Fairgrounds Park, but the new name stuck and the ballpark has been known as The Mini Met ever since. Coincidentally, the last game at the original Met was played in 1981. Food & Beverage 3 The concession prices average between $1 and $3. The hot dogs, candy, peanuts, chips, popcorn, and Klondike bars all sell for one buck. Pepsi products are served by the can and are also a dollar. Gatorade and sunflower seeds cost $1.50, while nachos are the most expensive food item at only $2.50. Mike’s Hard Lemonade is $3 and beer is $2.50. You certainly cannot complain about the concession prices at The Mini Met. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at The Mini Met is pleasurably satisfying to the baseball senses, steeped in the tradition of fans and volunteers who have made it their home for almost 83 years. Many definite traits of the stadium make the town ballpark a true original. The 6 o’clock train honks its horn as it nears town and then chugs its way into view behind the outfield wall, pretty soon it appears to hover over the left field fence before disappearing down the track. It does not disrupt the play of the game and is a delightful treat for all visitors in attendance The manual scoreboard is another beautiful touch that has been a privilege to operate by many each summer. Volunteers take their turns perched up behind the right field wall to keep score of the game the old-fashioned way: tiles are moved around, innings posted, and hopefully more zeros on the board for the visitors. The area is a tight squeeze and a one-person job. The old grandstand boasting the color of “Met Green” has been restored to past glory and encompasses the third baseline; however, it seems rather a baron as most fans enjoy the game from the grassy knoll seating adjacent to the structure. It might be more comfortable on the grass, but there is plenty of legroom underneath the wooden roof and pillars of the grandstand. Many say that the stadium has one of the best diamonds in the state. The grass is cut each day and the mound is resurfaced after every game by volunteers who take pride in having one of the best-manicured lawns in baseball. Neighborhood 4 Historic downtown Jordan features buildings dating back to the 19th century. There are a few restaurants and bars within walking distance of the ballpark that are worth visiting. The Feed Mill Restaurant offers po’boys, salads, and barbecue options. The appetizers include fried gator bites and deep-fried banana pepper slices. Carasim Coffee Shop sells old-fashioned soda fountains, coffee, espressos, Italian sodas, and small sandwiches. Clancy’s Bar and Grill offers the robin nests appetizers (cheddar nuggets, mozzarella sticks, mini tacos, and onion rings) and potato and broccoli cheddar pepper poppers. Roets Brewery is the lone microbrewery in the small town serving stouts, pilsners, fruit beers, and pale ales A few miles south of Jordan is Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store which sells various old-time candies, regional delights, and over 100 brands of bottled root beer. If you are a root beer aficionado, then you have found nirvana. There is also a wide assortment of candies from around the world, homemade whoopie pies, and various other items that would make a dentist smile. Sand Creek Adventures is also close and home to a 1,700-foot zip line ride that hovers 100 feet high above the water, while there is a two-rope course down below for more outdoor fun. Fans 3 The majority of fans enjoy the game from the grassy knoll section of the stadium, while a few can be found underneath the wooden structure. The crowd is relaxed enjoying the game with friends and even a few dogs on leashes. It also doesn’t cost an extra buck or two to bring your pooch to the game. The majority of the fans enjoy a Brewers game from the comforts of their lawn chairs or blankets. Access 4 The city of Jordan is located 35 miles southwest of Minneapolis and accessible off of M-169 and the various other interstate and state roads that connect the Twin Cities. There are directions to the ballpark once you get into town and the stadium has one bathroom for men and women located at the stadium’s entrance. Return on Investment 3 The ticket prices are $3 and collected by volunteers as you approach the parking lot by car. The price of concession items ranges from $1-$3. It is an extremely affordable way to enjoy a baseball game in a unique setting that is pleasing to the baseball senses. Extras 3 One star for the hand-operated scoreboard in right field. Another star for the 6 o’clock train that runs in the back of the outfield and appears to hover over the ballpark. A final star for the many volunteers who put in hours of hard work manicuring the field, operating the scoreboard, working the concessions, and greeting customers at the main entrance. Final Thoughts The Mini Met is considered one of Minnesota’s premier amateur town ballparks and rightfully so; its history, design, and aesthetics create a charm that is both nostalgic and uncanny. Its nearby location to the Twin Cities also makes it an easy 30-minute drive and a must for any ballpark hunter or stadium traveler. A great way to spend a lazy summer evening is at the Mini Met. ______ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter  and his YouTube channe l. Email at marc.viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Barclays Center 620 Atlantic Ave New York, NY 11217 Brooklyn Nets website Barclays Center website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 17,732 Brooklyn’s in the House Barclays Center is still New York’s newest venue in the Big 5 Sports (including MLS) as it finishes its eighth season as the home of the Brooklyn Nets. Initially reviled by many fans, and later suffering through five seasons as an inappropriate hockey venue for the New York Islanders, the arena has seen its share of problems. But for the most part, the growing pains have stopped and Barclays Center has become a pretty good place to watch hoops. The addition of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will make it even better in 2020-21, assuming we have a season. Still, there are some outstanding issues but they can be mitigated if you know what to do, which you should after reading this review. The 17,732-seat entertainment facility christening took place November 1, 2012, against the Knicks in what was billed as the first game of a new crosstown rivalry. It marked the first time since the Brooklyn Dodgers left for Los Angeles after the 1957 season that the borough was home to a major professional sports team. It also returned the Nets franchise back to New York for the first time since the franchise left for New Jersey after the 1976-77 season. Given its incredibly accessible location on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn on top of nine subway lines and the Long Island Railroad, Barclays Center should be a good rival to Madison Square Garden as a premier New York entertainment venue. In the end, however, it doesn’t quite measure up. Food & Beverage 4 Barclays Center is committed to its Brooklyn location, and all concession stands have a special item from the Brooklyn Taste collection. Paisanos Burger has a Butcher Burger for $12, a Double Burger for $19, and a Beyond Burger for $17. Parm Famous Italian offers a Chicken Parm Hero for $16, the same price as a Meatball Marinara (3 meatballs made from a blend of veal, pork, and beef with marinara sauce), while an Italian Combo sandwich is $17. Brooklyn Taqueria has tacos for $15 or a taco salad for $17. Brooklyn Bangers and Dogs has a Beef Brisket Brat for $12, while a Spicy Asian Sausage is 50 cents more. A traditional all-beef hot dog is a ridiculous $10.50, but if you want another, it is only an additional $9. Nathan’s is the other hot dog concession, with their regular dog going for $9 ($15 for two), while a footlong is $12 and a bacon cheddar version $11. Fuku’s Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich is very popular despite its $15 price tag (add $4 for a side of fries), you can also get fingers and fries for $15. Coal Oven Pizza has 10-inch Margherita pies for $14, while an extra buck nets you some pepperoni on top. East Wind Snack Shop is somewhat misnamed as it offers wonton nachos for $10, and a variety of dumplings from $12-$14. Coca-Cola provides the soft drinks with a regular soda at $8 and a souvenir cup at $13. Various beers and other alcoholic beverages, including those featuring premium liquor, can be found around the concourse with prices generally around $14-$15. The main problem here, as with most sports venues in New York City, is price. It is tough to find a good value, which is why this category loses a point. I’d like to see a special of the game that allows regular attendees to try some of these items without blowing their paycheck for the week. There is also no designated driver program to allow fans to enjoy a free soda or popcorn. Atmosphere 4 Barclays Center has embraced a black and grey color scheme, which works well with the Nets, who use those as their primary colors. They have also embraced their Brooklyn home, and much of the game day presentation is used to strengthen the bond between the borough and the team. Fans call out “Brooklyn, Brooklyn” during breaks in the action, and local stars are featured in the Nets version of Celebrity Row. The promotions and entertainment are typical for an NBA venue and generally keep the fans occupied during breaks in the action. One problem with the arena is that lighting in some spots is quite weak, leading to the derisive nickname “Darklays Center” being used by local wags. The upper rows of the upper deck are where this is most pronounced, so if you want to read the free program that is given out, try to sit in the first few rows here or choose a lower bowl seat. Neighborhood 4 Located at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush, the arena is right in the heart of Brooklyn. There are so many bars and restaurants within five minutes that it is impossible to list them all here. I will say that the area along 5th Avenue is slightly less busy than that around Atlantic Terminal, with several pubs such as McMahon’s, The Montrose, and Alchemy. Uncle Barry’s is my go-to spot with a good happy hour that is perfectly suited to 7:30-weekday starts, though food is not available. No worries, though, you can grab a slice at Artichoke’s Basille Pizza across the street and bring it over to enjoy with your beer. Another advantage of pregaming here is that you are close to the Dean Street Entrance, which usually allows for quicker entry to the venue. Prospect Park is a few blocks south of the venue and worth a visit if you have the afternoon, with the Brooklyn Museum and Botanical Garden found near the northeast corner of the park. Both St. Francis Brooklyn and LIU Brooklyn are within walking distance and sometimes you can see a college sporting event at either the Generoso Pope Athletic Complex or Steinberg Wellness Center before heading over to the Nets. Unfortunately, the area is still somewhat unsafe, with a murder being committed across the street in the early evening in September 2017, and an earlier incident that year seeing a man randomly firing into passers-by in broad daylight. As always in NYC, be aware of your surroundings. Fans 3 The fans have started to show up more as the Nets have climbed the standings, sending prices for one of their 2019 playoff games into triple digits. Having attended several games over the years, I find the fans here to be a mixed bag of true fans, frat boy idiots, and (ugh) corporate types. There are a few tourists, but not as many as plague Madison Square Garden for the Knicks. Generally, crowds are into the game and cheer at the right times, but need to be more fully present at all games to see an uptick in this category. Access 3 Reaching Barclays Center is easy from Manhattan with several subway lines passing through the Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center station, which is also the terminus for some Long Island Rail Road trains. But the ease ends once you approach the main entrance. A series of offenses forces fans past a security official who confirms that each fan has a ticket, and then you line up at security, which is possibly the worst in professional sports. Bags are thoroughly searched for contraband such as water or snacks, leading to long waits. A no bags line would be a good addition. Avoid the main entrance if you can and use the Dean Street entrance to save ten minutes, or get there very early before the latecomers start to clog things up. At no point should you consider driving to the Barclays Center, as traffic can be tough and parking expensive. Inside, the lower concourse is wide enough, but the upper concourse can get very crowded before and after the game, as well as at halftime. Similarly, queues are seen at most concession stands and restrooms during the break, so take care of your business before the game or sneak out during the action to save a bit of time. It is also difficult to enter the lower bowl for pictures, as ushers believe that everybody is trying to scam the system. The venue has received a lot of criticism over the years for their treatment of fans, and although things have improved in that regard lately, full access of the seating bowl before the game is generally not permitted. After the game, there will be a crowd at the top of the stairs returning to the subway as fans are funnelled to the staircase, but it moves quickly enough and most trains are not that crowded once you get on the platform. Return on Investment 4 The Nets have very dynamic pricing, charging a lot for top teams and relatively little for less popular opponents. The secondary market is often the best place to look for a last-minute ticket, where deals can be found. The Nets are an entertaining team these days and are fun to watch, especially when compared to their crosstown rivals. When their two new stars begin to play next season however, look for tickets to go up significantly. Extras 4 The Oculus above the main entrance with its LCD screen is quite impressive and unique in stadium design. Look for it if you are approaching LaGuardia Airport over Brooklyn. The Ebbets Field flagpole at the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush is a testament to Brooklyn’s past. The series of photos around the concourse commemorating the Black Fives is worth your time. The large mural dubbed Diary of Brooklyn by painter Jose Paris is missed by most fans but can be seen at the Dean Street entrance, another reason to use this. There is a Bed Stuy jersey on the concourse celebrating one of the many neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Final Thoughts With the Islanders disaster finally behind it, Barclays Center can return to being a basketball venue. Although not perfect in any of our Fanfare categories, it does work well in most, and I believe that management is striving to improve the game day experience. To summarize for first-time visitors, you should avoid the long security lines (use the Dean Street entrance), the dark seats (avoid the last few rows in the upper deck), and expensive food (eat beforehand or grab a pretzel). If the Nets continue to improve and management changes just a few things to upgrade the fan experience for the average attendee, Barclays Center has the potential to be a much better NBA destination than MSG and the horrid Knicks for years to come.

Photos by Robbie Raskin, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Coca-Cola Coliseum 45 Manitoba Dr Toronto, ON M6K 3C3 Canada Toronto Marlies website Coca-Cola Coliseum website Year Opened: 1921 Capacity: 7,851 After a century, the Coliseum has never looked better The economics of hockey mean that all too few historic arenas remain active, with clubs of all levels moving into modern new homes and old ‘barns’ left to the past. Unlike outdoor stadiums, indoor arenas often can’t be expanded and professional clubs tend to simply build new ones when they’re ready. Thank heaven the Toronto Marlies took a different approach. The Marlies have a storied history stretching back to the late-1800s, when the Toronto Marlborough Athletic Club was formed, with the patronage of the Dukes of Marlborough, an English noble family. Fascinatingly, the hockey club won the Stanley Cup in 1902, back when that iconic trophy was awarded to the champions of the Ontario Hockey Association. By 1927, legendary Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe purchased the team, recognising the need to develop young players ‘in house.’ Over the years, the team moved through different leagues, locations, and names, finally ending up in St. John’s, Newfoundland. In 2005, the Leafs brought the club back home to Toronto (though the Leafs’ relationship with St. John’s has continued at the ECHL level). Upon their return, the team regained the original identity bestowed upon them by the Dukes of Marlborough, but under the shortened ‘Marlies’ moniker (likely to avoid association with the Marlboro cigarette brand). As a development team owned by the immensely wealthy Maple Leafs, when the Marlies needed a new home they chose to resurrect a classic arena, applying a world class renovation to the historic Coliseum of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. When opened in 1921, the Coliseum was the largest building of its type in the world, primarily used for equestrian events and athletics. By the 1960s, renovations had covered up historic facades and the iconic copper-domed towers at the ends of the arena with grey siding. In the 1990’s this unfortunate modern facelift was removed as the arena was incorporated into a modern convention and events venue. Finally, in 2002, the arena was rebuilt top-to-bottom to restore its classic design, increase capacity, and incorporate the hockey rink. Matching the long history of the hockey team, the arena combines charm with the best of modern luxuries,. Now celebrating the beginning of its second century, the Coliseum has grown into one of the finest small arenas in the world. Food & Beverage 5 In many ways, the Coliseum is a miniature version of the Leafs’ Scotiabank Arena nearby, and one of the clearest examples of this is through AHL-leading concessions. The staples of pizza, sausage, Tim Hortons, and sweets are present, with a pizza slice going for $5.50. The more unique items are where Coca-Cola Coliseum excels, including freshly shaved corned beef at The Deli as well as gourmet burgers at St. Patties (paying homage to the Toronto St. Pats, forebears of the Maple Leafs). A very popular choice is poutine from Smoke’s, with long lineups during intermissions. If you’d rather spend the intermission with a cold one, there is a Molson Canadian ‘Hockey House’ pub, cheekily named Lord Stanley’s Mug. Here, standup tables and TVs, along with murals of frozen ponds provide a nice respite from the bustling concourse. In terms of drink pricing, ‘medium’ Molson Canadian pours go for $10, with a full pint for $14. The slightly elevated option, pub staple Rickards, is fifty cents more. Caesars go for $9.75 and Strongbow cider for $10.25. Vodka coolers, wine, and mixed drinks vary from $8.50 to $15. Non-alcoholic drinks are, of course, from Coca-Cola. All told, concessions aren’t particularly cheap, but they are absolutely top-notch in quality and choice. Atmosphere 5 Here is where, more than anywhere else, Coca-Cola Coliseum leaves an impression. At 100 years old, the arena oozes history, and the architectural details have been restored with obvious care. At the same time, fans can enjoy a slick, modern feel that beats most other AHL arenas. Approaching from the outside, the most visible element of the Coliseum is its twin, copper-topped cupola towers and gorgeous brown brick. Fans enter from a modern plaza at the south end of the rink, through a monumental doorway and into a wide concourse ringed with old photos, primarily of the Maple Leafs. The concourse makes a U-shape, but is supplemented by full rings above and in the middle of the seating bowl. Throughout, there are TVs showing the broadcast, with the commentary piped in so fans won’t miss a thing if they leave their seats. Inside the bowl, attractive seats in blue and silver are surmounted by a top-notch video scoreboard – the former NHL scoreboard used by the Maple Leafs. The crisp displays are used to excellent effect with classy and professional presentation, and no gimmickry or gratuitous advertising. At the north end of the bowl, dark curtains are the backdrop to three banners, including the 2018 Calder Cup championship won by the Marlies. The one drawback is that these curtains cover an historic arched window which, though beautiful, caused glare issues on the ice. The showstopper for the Marlies is a ring of names atop the seating bowl showing every Marlborough who has ‘graduated’ to the Maple Leafs, organised through the years. There are plenty of Hall of Famers on that ring, and its worth coming early to take in the history. One result of the arena’s history is the unique walk Marlies’ players take from their bench to change room. It involves a segment of the concourse being briefly roped off so the players can pass across it, to the delight of young fans who reach out for a first bump from the players. Also for young fans, Marlies Alley is a family-friendly area off the concourse with interactive games, open before puckdrop. Finally, Duke the Dog (named in homage to the Dukes of Marlborough), is extremely active and is a common sight in the community as well as on matchdays. It should be noted that there are no home games for two weeks each November. During this stretch, the arena reverts to its historic role as a riding ring for the Royal Winter Fair. And fascinatingly, the arena also closes to hockey for a week in January; the rink is flooded and becomes an artificial lake for the Toronto Boat Show. This is a sight that must be seen to be believed! Neighbourhood 4 Coca-Cola Coliseum is located on the Exhibition Grounds, immediately to the west of Toronto’s downtown neighbourhoods. The immediate vicinity is mostly large buildings for special events during the Canadian National Exhibition, Royal Winter Fair, and other events. For sporting fans, BMO Field is just across the street, home to Toronto FC and the CFL’s Argonauts . Aside from this venue, much of the area is closed off for construction, as a revitalisation campaign has taken over the Ex and the neighbouring Ontario Place theme park. Still, there are fantastic neighbourhoods within easy walking distance. Immediately north, Liberty Village is known for its pubs, frequented by soccer, football, and rugby (Wolfpack and Arrows) fans. To the east is the Harbourfront; glorious in warm weather though it can be windswept during most of the hockey season. During the depths of winter, brave the cold and skate on one of the many artificial rinks along the lake, or better yet on the lake itself. If you’re walking along the Harbourfront, be sure to pass under the grandiose Princes’ Gates to enter the Exhibition Grounds. Fans 4 In the years before Covid, the Marlies drew in the top quartile of the AHL, and the fans have begun to come back as restrictions ease in Ontario. Though the Marlies have been successful at the gate, you can’t help but feel there is room for improvement. Despite infamously grotesque ticket prices, the Leafs have sold out virtually every match they’ve played since World War Two. And though the Marlies are often overshadowed in the media by their big brothers, the affordability of tickets here mean they should also be selling out nightly. That’s not to say they don’t have strong support. A largely young audience, with plenty of hockey teams and school groups, means the volume of the arena is often deafening. You tend not to hear creative insults hurled at opponents, witty chants, or knowledgeable opinions from this crowd, but do get a solid wall of noise from the energetic children who come with their parents, teammates, or classmates. This noise is marshalled by Duke the Dog into ‘Let’s go Marlies’ chants that ring out constantly. Supplementing this crowd are two supporters groups created by the most dedicated fans; Duke’s Dog Pound in section 116, and the Marlies Army in 114. Access 5 Getting to Coca-Cola Coliseum by public transportation is the best option, given the central location, and it could not be easier from anywhere in the region. The Coliseum is located directly adjacent to Exhibition Station, a major interchange between regional trains and local services. There are two good options for travellers coming from the central Union Station; either a ten-minute tram ride or a very quick express train. Firstly, the 509 Harbourfront streetcar runs constantly between Union and Exhibition, with the arena being the last stop. This is a popular choice, as your ride is free when transferring from the subway or local buses. The other option is a quick one-stop ride on the GO Train’s Lakeshore West line. Frequent departures leave Union, and the line reaches as far as Niagara Falls, making it a good option for American visitors looking to ditch their cars before entering the crowded city streets. Check www.triplinx.ca for route planning within the Greater Toronto Area. A note, though, Exhibition Station is about to undergo a massive, multi-year expansion. As with seemingly everything in Toronto, it will be incredible when complete but first it will be a mess of construction. If you choose to drive, there is limited onsite parking. Pricing is generally $16, but fluctuates based on demand. Within the arena, washrooms are amply provided and the concourses are wide. However, there can be some crowds in front of concession stands during intermissions. Return on Investment 4 It’s hard to believe you can see a Toronto hockey team with a maple leaf on their chests at a price tag below three digits. But the Marlies are happy to oblige with tickets often available from $15-$20 for end seats. Platinum seats can go for upwards of $50, which still represents great value. The Marlies are frequently competitive, having won the Calder Cup in 2018. Coupled with the possibility of cheap public transportation options and relatively reasonable food and drink, a Marlies game makes for a great experience that won’t break the bank, in a city where that’s far from expected. Extras 4 An extra point for the world class reuse of such an historic arena, infused with history but thoroughly modern in amenities. An extra point for the tremendous effort the Marlies put into engaging young fans and families, who make up the majority of the crowd on most days. An extra point for the resurrection of the Marlies name and crest, with the iconic ‘maple leaf and crown’ carrying great significance in Canadian history. An extra point is deserved for the recent successes of the Marlies, coming off conference championships and the recent Calder Cup win, and the many top-billed Leafs prospects currently playing at the Coliseum. Final Thoughts Though its history as a hockey arena is relatively short, Coca-Cola Coliseum has grown into that role in style. Now into its second century, the historic venue is one of the best and most modern small arenas in the world – it just happens to be a century old at the same time. The Marlies provide attractive hockey that is accessible, compared with the virtual impossibility of seeing the deified Maple Leafs play nearby. The Coliseum is a must for stadium enthusiasts, history buffs, and indeed hockey fans, and is poised to continue that role for the next century and beyond.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Coolray Field 2500 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Gwinnett Stripers website Coolray Field website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 10,427 Keeping’ It Reel When the Braves  moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, it also marked the birth of a long partnership with the city of Richmond, Virginia, as the Braves AAA affiliate would take root in the commonwealth’s capital city for 43 seasons. After spending four decades in Richmond, the AAA Braves played their final season at "The Diamond", where they had been for 23 years. With an aging stadium and little hope for the upgrades needed for a minor league baseball team, the AAA Braves relocated to Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, Georgia, a suburb less than an hour from downtown Atlanta, in 2009. The new ballpark in Gwinnett was billed as a mixed-use development, to include apartments, shopping, and dining. However, the development took longer than expected to materialize – Coolray Field stood alone in an open field for its first five years, while plans to build around it were still being finalized. Apartment complexes now surround the stadium, and changed the feel of the ballpark as they were completed; the first apartment building was finished in 2015, with a second completed in 2021. Since their move to suburban Atlanta, Gwinnett has made three postseason appearances, winning two International League-South Division titles and reaching the finals in 2016.   Food & Beverage   5 Coolray Field offers fans a wide range of dining options, from traditional concessions to regional specialties, as well as what seems like endless beverage choices. One standout is "All the Fixins" which specializes in Southern cuisine, offering catfish baskets with hush puppies, hot honey pork chop sandwiches, Nashville Hot Chicken, grilled pimento cheese sandwiches, and footlong hot dogs topped with bacon jam. If the offerings at All the Fixins don't pique your interest, The Boathouse restaurant on the first base concourse provides an alternative, also with an impressive menu. It doubles as more of a sit-down restaurant and craft brewhouse, and the menu is more pub fare, with cheese curds and fried pickles, along with sides such as mashed potato bowls and potato wedges. Entrees range from smoked wings and tacos to brisket nachos and specialty sandwiches. The Boathouse also pours up to ten beers from Pontoon Brewing Company and another six from Wild Heaven, both local to the Atlanta area. Additionally, basic domestics are also available. The libations also extend beyond beer, with a selection of wines, hard Italian sodas, and pre-mixed cocktails on tap as well. But wait, there’s more! Throughout the concourse, several carts offer a variety of specialty items. Smokie’s Sausage Shack not only serves Polish and Italian sausage, but also offers brisket and BBQ sandwiches, and just as expected, Steakadelphia has a selection of cheesesteaks, while Cantina Comida Hispana offers a range of Latin American-inspired choices. Lastly, to satisfy a sweet tooth head to Sweet for their sundaes, floats, funnel cake fries, and of course the ever-popular Dippin’ Dots.   Atmosphere   3 Originally named after their parent club , the team went by the name Gwinnett Braves for its first twelve seasons, before being rebranded as the Gwinnett Stripers in 2021. While the change faced significant pushback locally, it ultimately made sense to establish Gwinnett as a national brand. Additionally, it allowed for more of a theme to be integrated into the stadium and game presentation. In its first five seasons, Coolray Field sat alone in little more than an open, roadside field. Today, surrounded by two apartment buildings nearly encircling the stadium, the ballpark has a cozier feel. Beyond the stadium confines, local restaurant franchise Three Dollar Cafe overlooks the field from a distant vantage point. Like many minor league baseball teams, the Stripers host numerous promotional nights but primarily focus on appreciating local groups rather than having extravagant themes. Unlike some teams the Stripers don't have quirky promotions like "Mystery Egg Roll Night" or "Tribute to the Brannock Device” – instead they tend to stick to more traditional themes. However, each game still offers some form of promotion or discounted concession to boost weekday attendance, and in-game promotions are the standard scoreboard shuffle, variations of the dance cam, mascot races, and “Double Dare” inspired contests. When looking at seating options, the berm referred to as “The Bank” does offer space to spread out and for kids to run and play. The issue with this area though is the kids are lightly supervised by adults, which can be rather distracting if you are simply looking to enjoy the game from the grassy outfield hill. The best bet here is probably any of the grandstand seats down the first base side of the field since they offer the most shade.   Neighborhood   4 The Stripers play in Lawrenceville, a northeastern suburb of Atlanta, approximately 30 miles from downtown ATL. Coolray Field is just off one of Gwinnett County’s busier traffic arteries, Buford Drive – the area has experienced remarkable growth since the opening of Coolray Field. There used to be just a road between Buford and Lawrenceville, but now Buford Drive is lined with several restaurants, stores, and hotels, and the area is anchored by the massive Mall of Georgia. The area around the ballpark is probably not a destination by itself, but for those arriving early or staying late, attractions such as Top Golf and Andretti’s Karting and Gaming, located just off the exit for Coolray Field, might be of interest.   Fans   3 Gwinnett has typically seen routinely low attendance figures over the years. After the AAA affiliation was transferred from Richmond to suburban Atlanta, Gwinnett's inaugural season saw an average attendance of just under 6,000 fans, which was in the middle third of AAA teams in attendance. However, since then attendance has steadily declined and now ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 fans per game over the last six seasons. Much of the Stripers fan base consists of families and youth groups from Gwinnett, Hall, and Barrow counties. Some discussions around attendance troubles focus on the Stripers proximity to their parent club, just 34 miles around Atlanta’s north end to Truist Park . Although this may be a contributing factor, other AAA teams like St. Paul  and Worcester  rank in the top 10 of AAA attendance, despite being within 50 miles of their Major League affiliates. While the accessibility of the Braves  might play a role, factors such as a lack of immediate attractions at the stadium, as well as lingering animosity from the public's lack of input in the stadium funding process, seem to contribute to the less-than-stellar attendance numbers. On a positive note, attendance has begun to increase since reaching a franchise low of under 3,000 per game during the 2022 season.   Access   3 Navigating the metro Atlanta area can be quite challenging, especially during weekday games. I-85, the primary route through the northeast suburbs, often sees heavy congestion when leaving Atlanta. For the less populous communities north of Lawrenceville, however, southbound traffic on I-85 doesn’t face the same volume of traffic as you see heading toward the city during this time of day. Buford Drive leads to each of Coolray Field’s access points, which can be a bit tricky for first-time or infrequent visitors – the only entrance with any sort of signage is for VIP parking. Instinct would make one think the entrance next to that is the most accessible, and while that entrance does eventually lead to another parking lot, a lack of noticeable directions leaves drivers guessing whether to turn left or right. The actual most direct entry point is the third entrance, but much like the previous one, it is not well labeled and can easily be missed, leaving drivers to have to make a U-turn to try it all over again. With the parking lot running the length of the first base side of the stadium, it doesn’t seem like only two entrances for general seating would be enough, but fans move quickly through the gates. Once in the stadium, the concourse fully encircles the field and is wide enough to keep congestion to a minimum. Buford Drive is a divided highway so after the game, crossing back toward the interstate can be challenging. If you choose the wrong exit, a U-turn is needed to head back toward the freeway. Your best bet is to stay in the left lane of traffic, but exiting via Ballpark Lane, which runs in front of the main gates, tends to be a quick and easy exit point.   Return on Investment   3 Seating on the berm starts at just over $11 once Ticketmaster fees are factored in. As ticket prices increase, so do the service charges which are applied to each ticket.  On weekends, ticket prices increase, with the same ticket costing $17. Unfortunately, the secondary market does not offer much relief, as prices are comparable to those at the ticket office. Parking runs $10, so even a single visitor is already spending over $20 before entering the ballpark, and due to the lack of facilities in the surrounding area, there are no independent parking lots to offer a lower price. Concession prices are consistent with what you would expect at a sports stadium.   Extras   4 The left field wall displays the retired numbers of three Atlanta Braves players: Hank Aaron’s # 44, brother Tommy Aaron’s # 25, and Phil Niekro’s # 35. Jackie Robinson’s # 42, which is retired across baseball, is also displayed. Balconies of the apartments beyond the stadium, stretching from left to left-center field, are marked with distances to home plate. Those along the left field line, just under 400 feet away, are well within play, while the farthest markers measure over 460 feet. The Stripers mascot Chopper is an active participant in mid-inning contests and makes his way around the stadium stopping for endless photo requests. In recent years, a lot has been made of "robo-umps" potentially taking over calling balls and strikes, due to perceived inconsistencies in umpire strike zones. Opponents argue this takes the human element out of the game; proponents advocate for increased consistency and accuracy. In AAA baseball, a balance seems to have been struck with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System – this system preserves the traditional role of the umpire while allowing for questionable calls to be reviewed by batters, pitchers, and catchers. The outcome of the challenge is then displayed on the stadium scoreboard and upheld or reversed accordingly.   Final Thoughts For the Braves , having their AAA franchise located so close provides some operational advantages when it comes to roster management, but may be a barrier when it comes to attracting fans. The location does seem a bit isolated when considering the dynamics of Atlanta’s northeast suburbs. Attendance woes do not seem to be due to anything specific the staff in Gwinnett could or should be doing differently – the club is more a victim of planning circumstances that weren’t considered or planned for when deciding to build a stadium here. Promotional nights could be a bit more creative, but it takes the right organization and fanbase to pull off “ Exploding Whales ” or host a successful “ Toilet Paper Night ”. What Gwinnett does offer, though, is a decent minor-league baseball experience that is entertaining, while keeping the game on the field as the focus of the experience.

Photos by Eric Hasman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Duly Health and Care Field 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr Joliet, IL 60432 Map It Joliet Slammers website Duly Health and Care Field website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 6,016 A Name to Call Home in Joliet The Joliet Slammers are members of the Frontier League and play at Duly Health and Care Field, formerly, DuPage Medical, Joliet Route 66 Field, Slammers Field and Silver Cross Field. The stadium was built for the Joliet Jackhammers which played in the former Northern League from 2002 to 2010.  In 2010 the Jackhammers changed their name to the Slammers and joined the Frontier League. The name refers to the famous prisons of Joliet and Will County (Joliet Correctional Center and Stateville Correctional Center) as well as a common baseball term for a grand slam. The team even has a logo of a jailbird donning prison stripes as its mascot. In 2018 the Slammers replaced the natural grass with field turf.  The field dimensions are 348 feet to left field, 400 feet to center field and 327 feet to right field. During the offseason, majority ownership of the team was acquired by Mike Veeck (son of former White Sox and Cleveland Indian owner) and Bill Murray (movie star/comedian). On most nights you can see Night Train Veeck, Mike’s son at the ballpark. Food & Beverage 5 The food stands have names based upon Joliet and baseball: Crossroads Grill and Steel City Grill. There is the usual ballpark fare of nachos ($7), hot dogs ($5.50), hamburgers ($9), chicken strips ($9) and pizza slices ($9.50). There are tacos from a local restaurant which is a few blocks from the ballpark (Sunshine Mexican Cafe) which are excellent ($4 each though on Saturdays they are $2). However, there are other options like the “porkando which is mac and cheese, brisket or pulled pork ($16), brisket ($12), pulled pork or pork tenderloin ($10). Cole slaw, mac & cheese and key lime pie are available as sides for $5, $4 and $7 respectively. There is also a giant soft pretzel with beer cheese ($15). I recommend any of the above. For your sweet tooth ice cream is provided by a local ice cream shop, the Creamery. They have cones and ice cream sandwiches from $6 to $10. In addition, there is cheesecake on a stick and chocolate covered bananas. New this year (2024) is a cookie stand (local cookie shop Crumbl) which has big gourmet cookies for $6. These cookies are excellent. The barbecue pork nachos are highly recommended and tasty. The lines at the food concessions move fairly quickly.  The condiment selection here is the basic: ketchup, mustard, onions, and relish and sadly they are in packets. One thing nice is that when you buy a souvenir cup of soda for $9, refills are $3. There are many varieties of tap beer: Budweiser, Corona, Shock top, Michelob Ultra, Coors and Sam Adams. A 20-ounce draft beer is $7 (domestic) or $9 (premium), 16-ounce cans are $7, and 24-ounce beer cans are $8.  The stadium has a a main bar behind home plate that provides excellent views from behind the backstop and a friendly wait staff. The area is home to at least 12 different canned craft beers (Slammers Lager, Field of Dream Honey Vienna Lager) and some tap craft beer from a local brewery. In addition, there are Moonshine based cocktails for $9 (these are excellent) and wine for $8. Atmosphere 4 Entering the ballpark, fans must walk up a flight of stairs (there is an elevator too in the main entrance) to get to the concourse which overlooks the field. The stadium has two levels: the main concourse and a level of skyboxes above. The stadium features a 360-degree concourse that links to a very large play area behind center field. The main seating area runs from first to third base and there are approximately 20 rows of seating. In addition, there are two lawn areas down the right and left field lines. There are no permanent outfield seats, but there is a chair rail along the left field wall.  There is a concession building, which is not open this 2024 season, in the left field with rooftop seating that is open to everyone on most games but occasionally will be rented out for parties. The rooftop area is a great place to watch the game for a while. Lastly, in right field, there is a standing area complete with a rail for beverages and/or food. The Slammers have two mascots Spike (a dog) and J.L. Bird (a crow in a prison outfit). Both are found throughout the stadium and on the field during the game. J.L. Bird was even featured on ESPN during his first season with the club. The team store cleverly called the “Clink,” is large, but lacks a healthy selection of team products (shirts, hats, etc).   The between inning entertainment is the usual minor league stuff: throwing t-shirts, high low, and a few kid races.   The Slammers brought back a cool a sculpture of construction guys sitting on an I-beam eating and watching the game over a third base concession stand. Recently, the Slammers instituted a “Metra train” race. It is three cutouts of different colored trains and people run from the scoreboard to the a point in right field to determine the winner. Neighborhood 4 The ballpark is located in downtown Joliet. Several businesses are located to the north and west of the park, along with a high school to the east of the park. Some residential housing is to the south of the park. There are a lot of small independent restaurants and bars within the vicinity, The Blue Taco is an excellent place with really good food. Also, the Chicago Street Pub has the best Reuben and juicy burgers. The Shoebox is piled with BBQ ham, American cheese, tomato and red onion on a Milano bun. If you want a higher end restaurant, go to Cut 158 for steaks. Beer lovers should head to Richardson’s Sports Bar which is about 1 block from the park. After the game, if you want, there is good Live music at The Forge, which is a few blocks from the ballpark. Right outside the right field side of the park, there was a gay bar Maneuvers (it is closed now but according to neighbors it should be opening again), but I have my doubts since it has been vacant for a while now. In addition, Harrah’s Casino and the historic Rialto Theater are within a couple of blocks of downtown. The Rialto books mid-level acts, plays, and various musicals during the season. In addition, the Forge, another bar / music venue, is located a few blocks from the stadium. The Forge does book some nationally known bands. Other things to do in the area are the Joliet Area Historical Museum (for the history of the city and region) and Route 66. The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Rt. 66 (open 2022) located at 9 E. Cass is about a mile from the park and offers a history of musicians and bands with ties to Illinois. For you record buffs there is Audiophile Records which has albums and more. Lastly, about 3 miles from the park at 1125 Collins St, Joliet, is the world-famous Old Joliet Prison (featured in the Blues Brothers movie). It was built in 1858, and offers tours. Fans 3 The fans in attendance are very friendly. The Slammers attendance is usually anywhere between 1,800 to 2,500 per game. The mix of fans is the same as any other ballpark, lots of families, people who are really into baseball and people who just like to hang out and catch up. Access 5 The park is located in downtown Joliet. It is not hard to get to since it is about one mile north of I-80. There are many ways to get to the ballpark. The Joliet Transportation Center, serving two Metra lines, is right outside the stadium. There are also bus lines near the stadium. There is plenty of parking surrounding the stadium and it is free. We do not recommend parking on the adjoining street on the south side of the stadium because there are many foul balls hit into car windows. Bags and purses are allowed into the stadium but may be subject to search. Return on Investment 5 The price of a regular ticket ranges $9 for lawn seats to $15 for reserved seating (tickets are $2 more on game day at the gate). On Tuesdays, the tickets are cheaper. The suites can be rented for $23 to $30 per person (food and soda are extra). Extras 4 There is a firehouse across the street in left field which has 560’ painted on it. Yes, if a home run hits the firehouse, it would have traveled 560’. Also, there is a small field for physically challenged people. Occasionally, I have seen kids using the field. There is a guy who dresses in a tuxedo who entertains the crowd by juggling and interacting with the fans at most games.  In addition, he comes around with a garbage bag and picks up garbage with a pair of tongs. And in the last row of Section 110, there is a Joliet Slammers superfan/historian, Craig, who is known by the name of “Mr. Downtown Joliet.”  If you need to know something about downtown Joliet, this is the man to go to. Final Thoughts Duly Health and Care Field has a surprisingly lot of pros to make it one of the best ballparks in the Chicagoland area. It offers a wraparound concourse, creative food options, cheap prices, a healthy selection of craft beers, and an active surrounding neighborhood to make it well worth your while to visit.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Skylands Stadium 94 Championship Pl Augusta, NJ 07822 Sussex County Miners website Skylands Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 4,200 Mining Success at Skylands Stadium In Augusta, New Jersey, in the extreme northwestern corner of the state, you will find Skylands Stadium, home of the Sussex County Miners baseball team. Until 2006, Skylands Stadium was home to the New Jersey Cardinals of the New York-Penn League. The Cardinals relocated to Pennsylvania and became the State College Spikes , but baseball would return the next year with the Sussex County Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League. The Skyhawks folded after the 2010 season, but baseball would once again return in 2015 with the Sussex County Miners, again joining the Can-Am League. After the 2019 season, the Can-Am League merged with the Frontier League under the latter's name. This would have been effective for the 2020 season, but it was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Miners instead began play in the Frontier League in 2021. Food & Beverage 5 There are several concession stands scattered throughout Skylands Stadium, offering many options, some classic, some unique. You will of course, find all the usual options at these stands such as chicken tenders, burgers, and hot dogs (the latter also coming in a deep-fried variety), but there are some other options as well such as a pickle on a stick and honey waffle fries. Be warned that the overhead signs above the window only show some of the options, there are additional boards at the back of the stand with more to choose from. Double S Smokehouse maintains a restaurant in the stadium that is open year-round, as well as a stand down the right field line. Here, you will find freshly made barbecue options such as a brisket sandwich, St. Louis ribs, pulled pork, and mac and cheese, with an assortment of homemade sauces to choose from. Alcohol is sold at several stands for those of age, but Double S has unique cocktails and mixed drinks as well. Most notable is their In a Pickle, which contains vodka, pickle juice, lime, and simple syrup. For those with a sweet tooth, Yuengling Ice Cream has a stand that offers the usual flavors, in your choice of cone, cup, or helmet, as well as one or two unique flavors per game. When Stadium Journey visited late in the season, they had a pumpkin pie flavor which was pumpkin ice cream with pieces of pie crust, but the exact selections may vary by game. In addition to the usual bottled water and other soft drinks, some of the stands sell hot drinks such as various coffee varieties and hot apple cider. Atmosphere 4 The architectural style at Skylands Stadium is mostly rural and rustic with a splash of Jersey Shore thrown in. The red-painted wood panels on the facade call to mind the many barns in the area, and the team store known as "The Company Store" has a rustic wooden exterior. Bright lights flashing "Open" welcome you to the Double S Smokehouse stand, and the Yuengling stand looks like an ice cream shop you could walk in on the Jersey Shore boardwalk, but other than that, the architecture is quite fitting for this rural part of New Jersey. An on-field emcee and superfans scattered throughout the crowd get the fans hyped up, and there are various promotions throughout the evening, such as a t-shirt toss set to the music of Zombie Nation Music, and sound effects are played during breaks in the action, even between pitches, which can get annoying at times. A buff miner mascot named Herbie roams the stands interacting with fans. The seating bowl itself consists of a middle ring that you will enter from the concourse, with seats above and below. If your section includes a double letter (for instance FF), you will be seated above the concourse. If it includes a single letter (such as D), you will be seated below the concourse. The park is small enough that all seats have a great view of the action. Neighborhood 3 Sussex County is far removed from the rest of New Jersey, both culturally and geographically, and the area surrounding the stadium is mostly farmland. You will pass by many farms and maybe even some cows as you come into town, with some of those farms selling ice cream made right there. Other options include Yetter's Diner just down the street from the stadium, and, if you are unable to grab any inside, you can always go to the Double S Smokehouse restaurant at the stadium. Fans 3 Sussex County ranks towards the bottom of the Frontier League in attendance with about 1,600 fans a game, but those who do show up, are passionate, vocal, and into what is happening on the field. Some of them to go every single home game, with a few even going to the away games. They will participate in the chants, get on the umpire's case after a bad call, and generally be unafraid to make their feelings known. They are there to support their hometown team, and despite the relatively small crowds, it can get loud here. Access 3 Skylands Stadium is located in rural Sussex County in northwest New Jersey. The ballpark is located near the Sussex County Fairgrounds, near the intersection of routes 206 and 15. The nearest interstate, I-80, is about half an hour’s drive from here. It is the only interstate highway to enter Sussex County, and only at the extreme southern end. I-84 passes just north of the county near the tri-point between New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, but never enters New Jersey at all. You can take Exit 1 in New York just before the state line and follow the signs for New Jersey. This is still about a half-hour's drive. No matter how you get here, at least the last few miles will be on rural country roads. Only part of the parking lot is paved, with the remainder being gravel. Be careful if parking there. The restrooms in the stadium are small and can occasionally have lines, with the facilities being old and not in the best condition. Return on Investment 3 Lower-level tickets at Skylands Stadium are priced at $20, and upper-level tickets are $17. This is on the high level for tickets, although the free parking is nice. Concessions are on the high end, although the food is high-quality adding to the value. Overall, the value of a Sussex County Miners game is about average. Extras 3 Look for the many statues and art installations in and around the stadium. A globe statue is located outside the entrance and is lit up at night as fans leave the ballpark. A jack-o-lantern wearing sunglasses is located in the stadium to promote the Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Experience in the ballpark every October, and there is a statue of a baseball glove as well. A second star for the stadium architecture - a rustic, rural style with a flash of Jersey Shore. The team store is also worthy of an extra, both for its merchandise and its design like a rustic wooden building. Final Thoughts Skylands Stadium may be far away from everywhere everyone thinks of when they think of New Jersey, but it is still a great place to watch a baseball game. Between the unique and fitting architectural style and all the on-field and off-field ways the team promotes the fan experience, a Sussex County Miners game is a great way to spend a summer evening.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Woerner Field at Time Warner Cable Stadium 1780 S Edwin C Moses Blvd Dayton, OH 45417 Dayton Flyers website Woerner Field at Time Warner Cable Stadium website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 2,000 Just the Right Size for Dayton Baseball The University of Dayton baseball team debuted at Woerner Field at DP&L Stadium in 2004 but it was not until the next season that the ballpark was completed. The Flyers dedicated the $4 million facility on May 7, 2005, and finished the year with an impressive 18-4 record in the conference. When the stadium opened it was known as Time Warner Cable Stadium until May 6, 2011, when it changed names to Woerner Field after alumni Larry Woerner and his wife. Worner pitched for the Flyers for four years before graduating in 1976 with a degree in mathematics, summa cum laude. The Flyers participated in the Atlantic 10 conference and they have been playing baseball at the university since 1902. They have captured two conference championships and made one appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2012. Food & Beverage 2 The ballpark has a small concession stand underneath the grandstand that has a limited selection of items that includes hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn. The stand offers Pepsi products and prices range between $2 to $3 each. The items are expected based on the size and the number of people who attend Flyers baseball games but if you are hungry, eat before the game. Atmosphere 3 The ballpark has a laid-back atmosphere due to its size and the number of people who are in the facility. It has all the essentials and includes a press box, covered chairback seating behind the home plate, concessions, and restrooms. Many lines up against the fence before the game down the right-field line to talk to players and remain there throughout the entire game. Dayton was wearing bright monochrome red jerseys for today’s game and perhaps attracted a little more attention for visitors wanting to see this blast from the past uniform. The grandstand is also a comfortable spot to watch the game and offers fans theater-style seating behind protective netting. The small press box is directly behind the seats and a scoreboard is situated behind the left-center field wall. It is a basic and simple ballpark but more than adequate for college baseball in this part of the country. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is just across the parking lot from the UD Arena and football stadium. the arena is located about two miles from downtown Dayton. There has been a serious amount of major investments in this century that have resulted in residential, commercial, and transportation developments that have brought people back to the city. Seven million people visit the high-tech friendly downtown annually. There are a collection of breweries that include Warped Wing, Lock 27, and Toxic Brew which all offer their own vibe and craft beer. The Dayton Beer Company is an ideal spot with over 36 different beers on tap that includes their own made on-site and a pizzeria on the first floor. Many of the places charge by the 4 and 8 ounces for more options of sampling award-winning beer. Most of the nightlife is concentrated near the Brown Street District, Oregon District, or near Fifth Third Field (Webster Station). A few choices to enjoy a meal are The Pine Club (steaks), The Winds (farm to table), Jay’s Restaurant (seafood), Corner Kitchen (burgers), and El Meson (a vast array of American cuisine south of the border). The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, America’s Packard Museum, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, and the National Aviation Hall of Fame are all popular tourist attractions. The Oregon District has a nice balance of retail, bars, live music, restaurants, and several breweries. The architecture of the residential buildings dates back to the 19th century and is ideal for photos. Fans 2 A small gathering of fans was in attendance for the Flyers game that included mostly friends and family. This is a common theme at similar baseball stadiums in the area and what you would at others in colder climates in the late winter and early months. The fans who are at the game will provide some insight into the players on the field since they know them quite well. Access 4 The ballpark is directly off of I-75 and is visible from the interstate one needs to put the GPS away as soon as they approach the exit. There is plenty of free parking around the stadium and the entrance is located down the right-field foul line. One can easily get around during the game. Return on Investment 2 The cost to attend baseball games is free and this also includes parking in the massive lot adjacent to the field. Concession prices are inexpensive but not varied and you cannot drink a beer at the game. However, attending a game here is strictly for the die-hards or that one guy who wants to attend every NCAA college baseball stadium. Extras 2 Dayton earns a point for the bright red monochrome jerseys. Players talked with fans before the game and indicated that these were their favorites. The ballpark earns a second point for being near other facilities in town that include the basketball arena, football stadium, and softball field. Final Thoughts Unless you are a fan of college baseball, connected somehow with the university, or know some playing for the team, you probably do not want to take in a game at the ballpark. It is free to attend and concession prices are inexpensive but there is not an incentive to attract the same type of customer who attends Dayton Dragons games a few miles away downtown. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com