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

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

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

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Loeb Stadium 1915 Scott St. Lafayette, IN 47904 Lafayette Aviators website Loeb Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 2,600 Lafayette's Loeb Stadium is That Ballpark From 1940 to 2019, the original Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Indiana, was the home for baseball. It served as home to the Lafayette-Jefferson High School baseball program, the Colt World Series, various minor league baseball teams, and, since 2016, the Lafayette Aviators of the Prospect League. That changed when construction began on August 27, 2019, on a new ballpark scheduled to open for the 2021 high school baseball season. The $22 million renovation plan would include a press box, multiple concession stands, and bathrooms, stadium seats, a terrace level with hospitality suites, and new turf. The grandstand was rotated 180 degrees from its original position, and its main entrance is now at the corner of Main and Waters Street. The new ballpark also houses a video scoreboard, a beer garden, and a wraparound concourse. Construction took 19 months, including a three-week shutdown for the pandemic, in April 2020. On March 31, 2020, the first event took place when the Lafayette-Jefferson Bronchos debuted at the ballpark. The construction was paid for using an economic development income tax, rather than property tax. Its development hopes to serve as a gateway for visitors to the downtown corridor about three miles north of the stadium. The high school team will be the primary tenant during the springtime and will host tournaments, summer collegiate ball, and hopefully a soccer club. Food & Beverage 4 The ballpark features two main concession stands offering a full menu of ballpark staples including hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, pizza, corn dogs, fries, and soft drinks. Fan favorites include chicken tender baskets and nachos served in collectible batting helmets, along with locally-made Glover's Ice Cream. Lafayette-Jefferson High School volunteers staff the concession stands, creating a community connection as the school's baseball team also calls the stadium home during the spring season. There are a couple of local proprietors on the third base side of the concourse. Nanny Boos giant kettle cooker can be found popping up caramel, original, and jalapeño bags of popcorn. Just next door is Little Miss Cupcakes, which sells fresh-baked cookies, cupcakes, and crispy rice treats. They have a cookie with Cracker Jack and Peanuts. The stadium sells draft beer, including Mich Ultra, Modelo, Bud Lite, Mango Cart Wheat Ale, and Stella. The beer garden is at the end of the first-base side of the stadium and offers beer from local Teays River Brewing. They have great options like Trama Llama Ding Dong and 6th Street Cerveza. Atmosphere 4 A packed house welcomed the Aviators to their new digs, with the local Lafayette-Jefferson High School band playing outside the stadium as part of the pre-game festivities. Once through the gates, staff members welcomed you and plenty of local businesspeople with tables hawking their services. Before the game, the crowd watched the mayor throwing out the first pitch, three skydivers landing onto the field amid reddish smoke, and the team mascot Ace arriving by a makeshift landplane. The audience was ready for summer collegiate baseball in its fancy, modern baseball facility. The design of the stadium, similar to other ballparks, bears a striking resemblance to the nearby Kokomo Municipal Stadium. However, with only a 2,600 capacity, compared to Kokomo’s 4,000, Loeb feels just about ideal for summer collegiate baseball. American Structurepoint was the architect behind both buildings, and there were a few notes of inspiration taken for their latest project in Lafayette. According to its website, the design incorporates architectural precast concrete colonnades, traditional brick facades, and exposed structural steel, drawing inspiration from the stadium's original 1940s-era Art Deco architecture. The colors of sandstone, dark brown, and brick provide an eye-popping aesthetic and break away from the ballpark colors of brick red and forest green. Fans can also enjoy a walk around the entire concourse, which includes a well-balanced lawn seating area behind the left-field wall and a beautiful view of the Tropicanoe Cove water slide. However, as you make your way to the right-field side, the playing field is cut off by a narrow walkway and tall screen to protect from fly balls crashing into the nearby Columbia Park offices and parking lot. The Aviators official team store is located near the entrance, offering an array of merchandise: replica jerseys, team caps, mini baseball bats, and both men's and women's T-shirts. There is also All-Star Game merchandise. Neighborhood 3 Loeb Stadium is adjacent to the Tropicanoe Cove Waterpark and Columbian Park Zoo. It is also about three and a half miles away from the campus of Purdue University. The zoo features close to 200 animals, and admission is free, but donations are encouraged. The rest of the park offers walking and biking trails, playgrounds for the children, shelters, and picnic areas. Within the visibility of the outfield walls are two popular spots before or after the game: Arni’s Pizza and Original Frozen Custard. The custard stand has been a tradition since 1932, featuring custard, milkshakes, hot dogs, tenderloin sandwiches, phosphates, and Coca-Cola drinks flavored with marshmallows and Tiger Blood (coconut and cherry) syrups. It’s the perfect place for a pre-game meal and a post-game dessert. If you would like to venture around the town of Lafayette, a few suggestions would be Ripple & Company, Black Sparrow, and East End Grille. Triple XXX Family Restaurant is a popular destination among locals and tourists and has been on Food Network. Their homemade root beer is worth a glass or two when in town for the game. Fans 4 It was a large crowd on hand for the game; others were there for a night out with friends and family, while others were there for a baseball game. The club has been around for over a decade and cemented itself within the community. The team averages above the league average. Access 4 The stadium is easy to navigate, with ample space to move between different areas. If you still want to stay clear of a large audience, most, if not all, were without masks; grab a spot in the lawn section. There are also a couple of methods off I-65 to the ballpark, about 5 miles from each exit. A free parking lot is a couple of blocks south of the ballpark, and there is plenty of street parking in the surrounding residential neighborhood. The traffic runs smoothly, but arrive early for a close spot. Return on Investment 4 Single-game tickets start at $11.50 for General Admission. The parking is free, the beer is between $7 and $8 merchandise runs reasonably inexpensive. If you are there with the family, it's $44 for 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 soft drinks or waters for Sunday games. Fans can park in the frozen custard lot across the street for a premium. When you add this all up, it’s quite a budget-friendly night of baseball. Extras 3 Loeb Stadium earns a point for its view of the water slide behind the left-field lawn seating, adding a sweet aesthetic to the game. The second point is for the custard stand, roughly the same distance from a throw from second to first base, which is a must either before or after the game. The final point concerns the ballpark's colors and comfort, ensuring it is appropriately sized and maintains a welcoming, familiar atmosphere similar to other beloved ballparks. Final Thoughts Loeb Stadium might be one of the better summer collegiate ballparks in the league, if not in the country. Its size, comfort, design, and aesthetics are what future ballparks should be modeled after. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

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

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

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

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

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

“Major League Baseball made its 1969 debut on the South Side Wednesday, but the star attraction was neither the host White Sox... It was, instead, a diamond-shaped patch of pool-table green Sox Astroturf- “infield of the future.” ​It was a dubious year for the Chicago White Sox, who finished last season with a 67-95 record and attracted a minuscule 7,493 fans per game. It was their first losing season in 17 years. The team owners, John and Arthur Allyn Jr., predicted that the Sox would draw little more to the ballpark and projected a loss of $438,800 in 1969. ​Ownership launched a $500,000 “high-pressure campaign” to bring fans back to the nearly 60-year-old Comiskey Park; it wasn’t going to be with the players on the team, but with innovations and additions that hoped to spruce up the old place. White Sox Park got a makeover from the inside and out. The greatest change was the addition of $100,000 worth of green synthetic grass infield called Sox Sod, which was the second stadium in the major leagues to use it. This innovation was designed to reduce bad bounces and hops, provide a firm footing, and require lower maintenance than grass. The green hue was hoped to make the stadium look vibrant on color TV sets. "We will be able to use the field just 15 minutes after a heavy downpour, and this means it could save us two or more rainouts a season", said Arthur Allyn. The infield turf was a shade greener than the natural grass outfield. The turf was going to be different from the Astrodome's. The Sox Sod had a base of 13 inches of gravel, 5 inches of asphalt, topped by an absorbing rubberized cushion of three-quarters of an arc, to which the synthetic grass is bonded. ​Sox manager Al Lopez thought that hitting would be different this year, and a line drive would come off much quicker. Shortstop Luis Aparicio said the carpet would cause some ground balls to get to the infielders faster than normal. ​“It will be tougher to bunt a runner from first to second, but it should be easier to get the ball past the pitcher to move a man from second to third.” The future Hall of Famer added that he could see the ball well, but had some trouble with the ball coming off the green and onto the basepaths. Third baseman Bill Melton said the ball would get to him much faster. Sandy Alomar, Sr., added that the turf had truer bounce because, unlike the Astrodome, their sod was permanent.” Even Baltimore Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson praised the new turf, saying that club officials had to do something to give the Sox more hitting. The team mustered only a .228 batting average, which was below the league average from the previous season. Chicago Daily News columnist Dave Nightingale wrote almost an entire article about the “phony fuzz” and added that the ball speed would be greater, bunted balls would roll like marbles to the fielder, and tricky hops would be a thing of the past on the new carpet. ​“While we are not committed to putting ‘Soxsod’ in our outfield next year, we are definitely considering it,” Arthur Allyn said. “However, we do want to see how the infield works this year before we make any decisions.” Tommy John winds up against the Red Sox on the infield turf. ​Allyn predicted that the turf would be added to the outfield within a few years, but that there was just too much money involved in doing it at the moment. It would have cost the White Sox an additional $300,000. ​Also new were bright blue uniforms, similar in hue to those of the Los Angeles Dodgers or, dare I say, the Chicago Cubs up north at Wrigley Field. The home sets were a complete overhaul, featuring a solid white jersey with blue piping, the iconic Old English Sox design, and white stirrups with blue striping. The pinstripes disappeared, and the caps no longer featured the interlocking block “SOX” logo. For the first time in team history, the Old-English SOX emblem was on the cap and matched the design on the shirt. There was no other color besides royal blue. ​Interestingly, the new uniforms were supposed to have an additional color according to the Chicago Sun-Times article on February 11, 1969. Stu Holcomb, the Sox new PR Director, was planning on having traditional patriotic colors. ​“They will be tailored in red, white, and blue, perhaps even topped with an Uncle Sam Sailor cap. A pointer, little white beard may also be allowed.” ​Holcomb also ditched the powder blue shades of the road jerseys of the past 5 years in favor of traditional grays, just as expansion franchises in Seattle and Montreal were introducing their own powder blue road uniforms. The drab gray uniforms featured the same Chicago script wordmark, but in white against a gray jersey. ​The Sox also introduced royal blue satin jackets with the SOX logo on the chest. Team officials wore Ivy League jackets featuring the Arthur Allyn crest, a design of 50 stars and 13 stripes on a royal blue field. However, there was more at Comiskey Park, including fences brought in to help hitters. A vinyl-coated fence, colored hunter green, was installed in the outfield, moving the right field wall 20 feet and the center field wall 15 feet. Ed Holstein, director of park operations, deemed the walls “the safest on the market.” A makeshift fence also houses the Sox bullpen. ​Other changes included a Pitch-O-Meter clock to count down the 20 seconds the pitcher has to deliver a pitch when a runner is on base, or an automatic ball would be called. The hope was to hear fans count down from the stands. Wait, a minute, is this 1969 or 2025? ​A Dugout Lounge was created for all ticket holders, offering dinner and cocktails. About 11,000 seats were switched from reserved to general admission on both the upper and lower decks. A group of 15 young women in mini-skirts, called the “Soxettes,” was introduced to help make fans feel welcome at the games. They were dressed up in red, white, and blue outfits to greet fans. The miniskirt-clad ladies also handed out schedules and matchbooks and were involved in the community with school visits and TV appearances. Newspaper articles of the time took notice of their presence at the old ballpark. ​Management spent $100,000 on improvements to the lighting in the parking lots and alleys to make “White Sox Park the brightest area in Chicago and make customers feel that they can walk out to their cars and have nothing to be afraid of.” The team’s motto was “White Sox Park is the Light, Bright and Right One.” Sox manager Don Gutteridge argues with the ump in a bright blue satin jacket. ​Opening day under sunny conditions, but only 11,000 fans were in attendance. After 35 games, the Sox knocked in 132 runs, compared to 92 from a year ago, but were hitting a meager .237, nine points lower than a year ago. In 20 home games, the Sox attracted 165,903 fans - down 39,712 from the same time a year ago. Meanwhile, the Cubs attracted 272,955 fans in 19 games. ​Just as today, there was a stigma that the neighborhood surrounding White Sox Park was unsafe for families. However, GM Ed Short said. The statistics show that the neighborhoods around Wrigley Field and Chicago Stadium had a higher crime rate. Third baseman Pete Ward lived four blocks away and walked to and from the ballpark. "I've lived all over Chicago, and this is the best place yet." ​The changes were seen as gimmicks to a few fans, especially John Battistella of Westchester, Illinois, who wrote a letter to the Chicago Daily News. ​“So what do Arthur Allyn, Stu Holcomb, and Ed Short come up with? Shorter fences, different uniforms for players and concessionaires, but the same patsy hitters. One highlight came on July 20 with the announcement of the Apollo moon landing. The White Sox marked the moment by firing fireworks from the exploding scoreboard, a small band played several songs, and the 16,000 fans in attendance joined together in a prayer for the astronauts’ safe return to Earth. The Sox finished the season with a 68-94 record, 29 games behind the Minnesota Twins in the American League Western Division. Attendance was 589,546 for the season, averaging about 7,278. There were 11 games played in Milwaukee that drew 391,335, about 50 percent of the Sox total attendance for the year. Arthur Allyn was asked if he regretted the decision to spend lavishly (which he reported was closer to $600,000 on improvements). He said not in the least and that he plans on spending even more in the next year and a half on advertising, promotions, facility rebuilding, and providing the public with the sort of team it deserves. “When you’re winning, everything takes care of itself.” The 1969 ballpark improvements and public campaign did not result in winning ways for the White Sox, and attendance did not increase. The year brought many changes designed to make coming to the ballpark fun again. It was worth a ride on the “magic green carpet,” but winning is what the Sox faithful really wanted. And still desire. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

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

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

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

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

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Road America N7390 WI-67 Elkhart Lake, WI 53073 IMSA website Road America website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 150,000 Six Hours in Wisconsin Road America is often regarded as one of the greatest race tracks in the world, let alone the US. While the track’s annual schedule features IndyCar, Trans Am, and others, IMSA now features this race as a 6-hour endurance showcase. The product on track offers stellar racing over four days. Racing in a beautiful setting that proves to be both fan-friendly and easy to navigate, this summer event is a must-see on the IMSA schedule. Couple that with a revival for IMSA’s fanbase in recent years, and you’ll quickly see why this is such a popular weekend. Food & Beverage 5 There are a lot of places to eat at Road America, and the ones that exist are an absolute treat for the palate. Road America is led by The Gearbox, a hillside stand and bar that features some of the best views on the property, as well as the best food around. Being in Wisconsin, you can get the best cheese and sausage foods here, as well as a brilliantly tasty breakfast food called eggers ($10). Johnsonville is heavily featured, as it is literally the next town over, and their brats ($9 to $13) are a fan favorite. Sargento cheese curds ($7) are also a popular item, as are the burgers ($9 to $12.50), gearbox melt ($11), and TKA sandwich ($15). Beer is of course plentiful, and a Spotted Cow is a must-have in Wisconsin. You can also find tons of other options, including broasted chicken outside Turn 3, tacos at Turn 7, and a tiki bar out at the beach by the kink and carousel corners. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere around Road America during race weekend is very family-friendly and relaxed. The best in the sport are taking part in some of the most exciting racing around, and despite the tension of the competition, everyone – including the teams and drivers – is in a relaxed and fun-loving mood. There is just something about the beauty of the countryside and the forests around the premises that puts everyone in a go-race-and-enjoy-every-minute-of-it state of mind. This year, however, took things to a new level. IMSA moved its annual 6-hour endurance race format from Indianapolis to Road America, making this one of the five showcase endurance weekends on the annual schedule. This change has been something fans of Road America have been begging for over the past decade. In addition, the quality of the on-track action here is enough to make any fan excited to see what happens around the next corner. The excitement fills the air every time a car takes to the track, be it for practice, qualifying, or for a race. Road America also features some of the cleanest racetrack bathrooms anywhere. Add to that the incredible track store and the free fan shuttle that can take you around the various viewing areas, and you have a solid basis for calling this one of the best tracks around. Last season the track also debuted a new viewing area at the top of the hillside outside Canada Corner called the Road America North Pole, and the old walkover bridge along the front stretch was rebuilt as well – it is now large enough to drive a golf cart over. Additionally, IMSA weekend here features a fan fest on Thursday night in Elkhart Lake, featuring racecars on display, driver autograph sessions, giveaways, and driver bartending competitions. Neighborhood 4 The area around Road America is exactly what you would expect to find in rural Wisconsin – rolling hills, farmland, forests, and small towns. The town of Elkhart Lake is quaint and small, but is seething with racing history and lore. Famed racing announcer David Hobbs calls this small town home, and the fans here are all die-hards who watch everything that happens on the track. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Road America, there are a wide variety of small bed-and-breakfasts to pick from in and around Elkhart Lake, as well as some cabins that can make you feel like you’re roughing it…sort of. In addition, the town of Sheboygan is only 20 to 30 minutes away by car, providing fans a chance to stay in a hotel chain of their choice – Holiday Inn, La Quinta, etc. are all located in Sheboygan. If you’re looking for something to eat, Sheboygan has a wide variety of restaurants, from Applebee’s to McDonald’s. But by far the most must-see eatery near Road America is Stop-Inn Tavern at Siebkens Resort in Elkhart Lake, a local bar that all of racing royalty has passed through at some time or another. And, for those looking for something to see and do, Kettle Moraine State Forest is not far from the track, providing some great hiking options. In addition, the Kohler factory is in nearby Sheboygan, and Road America’s location is just a 30-minute drive from the Great Lakes. Fans 5 Fans at Road America are much like those in the rest of the Midwest – die-hard and series-knowledgeable. They’re also absurdly kind and sweet, willing to help in any way possible when you need assistance with anything. They also pack the camping areas around the speedway, making for one brilliant block party. Additionally, the fan attendance this year was the highest yet, thanks in part to the addition of the 6-hour race format that fans have been clamoring to see for many years, showcasing IMSA’s increase in attendance across the board at all their tracks. Access 4 Getting to Road America isn’t as difficult as getting to some sports facilities. That said, it is off the beaten path – at least a 10-minute drive from the nearest highway, Road America requires you to drive down some single-lane roads through the hilly countryside. Once you’re at Road America, you may discover there are several other entrances to the track you didn’t even know about, which can be frustrating if you had to wait in line for hours; check the map of the venue before you go in order to identify these alternate gates and entrances. The biggest plus at Road America is that the main entrance had a complete makeover in 2016, adding more entrance booths for faster processing of fans and campers. Parking is plentiful, and preferred parking is available for $35. Return on Investment 5 Road America is one of the best tracks at which you can watch a race. The facility is huge, but you are given plenty of options to watch the race from, without having to move from place to place. Watching from the right location can give you up to six corners of the track to see all at once, and you also get access to the grandstands all around the track, as well as access to the paddock, with your admission ticket to most races. Single day tickets for Thursday ($45), Friday ($55), Saturday ($90), and Sunday ($95) are all available, while a full weekend pass ($195) is a steal. Add-ons include golf cart rentals ($445 to $705), go-kart passes ($75 to $275), and camping ($95 to $370); on-track parade laps ($65) are also available. Extras 5 You can take a trip to Elkhart Lake just a few miles away, following the original track layouts through historic markers along the roadside. Before it had its current layout, Road America was once a true street course, running through Elkhart Lake itself and over the hills on the various roadways in the area. Back at the track, where once a zip line ended now stands a high vantage point for fans to watch the action at the track from, inside the final turn. The former zip line landing platform is now a giant viewing zone, and while you may have to climb a lot of stairs to get there, the view is well worth it. Additionally, if you have ever wanted to try your hand at racing, you can sign up for racing school at the track. If you can’t peel your eyes away from your mobile device, you can also engage with the race on social media, and see your photos and tweets on the various big screens around Road America by using specific hashtags and handles on Twitter and Instagram. The track also features several selfie stands around the property, for fans to get photos of themselves at various iconic trackside locations. However, if treetop views and social media aren’t your thing, you can also take a wandering hike through the forest on several pathways that meander through the mountains above Kettle Bottoms and Canada Corner – these trails lead from the top of the peak to the bottom of a newly-cleared pathway along the infamous straightaway. Finally, several autograph sessions happen during the weekend in the fan zone, offering fans a chance to see some of their favorite drivers. Final Thoughts If you want to see racing history and meet modern-day sports stars, take a trip to Road America – you will not be disappointed in what you find. In addition, if you want to go a step above that, go camping on the property during race weekend; the fans are nice, the action is top quality, and the weather is almost always beautiful. It’s hard to find a better place to see racing in North America than Road America, and with the atmosphere during IMSA weekend, it’s hard to pass up this perfect event.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Chase Center 1 Warriors Way San Francisco, CA 94158 Golden State Valkyries website Chase Center website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 18,064 A Golden WNBA Destination The home of basketball in San Francisco has a new tenant. In their early years of existence, the Golden State Valkyries have become an instant local favorite, featuring one of the loudest and most impressive home-court experiences in the league. Chase Center provides the perfect location for this team to flourish in the Bay Area. A new, modern facility in a re-born neighborhood close to numerous forms of public transit makes for all the classic ingredients needed to foster success. A mirror to the WNBA on everything that it has gotten right in the past decade, this may soon be known as one of the best fan experiences in all of Bay Area sports. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions at Chase Center truly do offer nearly everything one could hope for at a sporting event. The variety is astounding and while the prices may be higher than other establishments, the quality is solid. Chorizo-spiced cauliflower nachos ($19), locally caught albacore tuna poke bowls ($28), and purple potato pesto with smoked bacon pizza slices ($14.99) are just a small sampling of the highlights to be found around the arena on game days. Ice cream ($11), salads ($13.99), chicken tenders ($18.99), and more standard fare are also available. Drinks include the basics of water ($7.25) and sodas ($8.25-$10.25) all the way to premium beer ($19-$21.50) and wine ($17.50-$28.99). Premium cocktails are also available at various locations ($17.99-$31.50). Atmosphere 5 The experience on game day for the Valkyries cannot be understated. The atmosphere is electric. From the pre-game experience around the arena before tip-off to the player intros with the fire and laser lights inside, Golden State has done a great job of making this a memorable fan experience. The arena has also done a stellar job of making the overall look of the facility match that of the team, an especially difficult task when the other tenants (the NBA’s Golden State Warriors) have competing team colors. All around the concourse, various photo ops are present, as well as small and large pop-up merch locations. The arena also pays homage to its own history with an entire section dedicated to event posters of concerts and performances that have been hosted here, giving fans a nice look at the history of Chase Center. Neighborhood 4 San Francisco has seen a revitalization of various neighborhoods in recent years. Located in the Mission Bay neighborhood, Chase Center is a part of Thrive City, an 11-acre mixed-use development with retail and restaurants galore. Local establishments have filled in the area outside the main entrance of the arena and its surrounding district, making for a great place to kick off your game-day experience or to enjoy a post-game bite to eat. Furthermore, hotels and lodging are plentiful nearby. Just blocks away, fans can find a Hyatt Place and LUMA Hotel San Francisco. Various options also exist for public transport to the arena as well as parking. The property adjacent to the facility offers great views of San Francisco Bay and easy access to walking trails (San Francisco Bay Trail) and green spaces (Bayfront Park and Agua Vista Park). Fans 5 There isn’t much that can be said beyond giving the fans here a top-tier rating. Golden State fans have very quickly adopted this team into their sporting identity in San Francisco. One would almost easily excuse them for the opposite due to the very full sports scene here in the Bay Area. However, the fervor with which fans have shown up and shown love for the Valkyries is beyond impressive. Crowd noise that rivals that of the NBA’s best arenas, sellout games, jerseys and team merch in nearly every seat, and a sports-knowledgeable fanbase are part of the DNA here at Chase Center game days for the WNBA. Access 5 There is a lot to love about how easy it is to get to games at Chase Center. First, parking is plentiful. Parking under the arena is available, as well as at various lots around the property just blocks away. Also a block or two away is the Pier 48 Ferry dock, offering ferry service to Oakland or Main St. Alameda for just $11.25 each way for adults and $8.50 for seniors 65+ or kids 5-17 years old (kids under 5 are free). Chase Center event tickets also include all-day Muni fares on the bus and metro lines. The Mission Bay Shuttle also offers free rides that connect Mission Bay to BART and the Salesforce Transit Center on several routes until 8 p.m. on weekdays. BART and Caltrain also are options for fans on game days. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Valkyries games start at $70 for the uppermost rows of the arena, venturing all the way to $170 for lower-bowl seats. More premium options can rise into the $400 range. This is on the higher end for a game in the WNBA in some markets. That said, the league is experiencing a major boom in interest, and one could easily argue this reflects appropriate pricing for the demand in the Bay Area. Additionally, the quality of the game-day experience more than fits the bill for the price paid. This is absolutely one of the best sports experiences in the WNBA, if not the Bay Area itself. It is easy to see why nearly every game is a complete sellout. Extras 4 The team has several photo spots set up inside the venue for fans. The facility also includes a live DJ during the game to go with the in-arena host and hype crew. Fans can also look forward to the players throwing giveaways into the stands during post-game celebrations after a win. Finally, the arena features an entire section dedicated to event posters of concerts and performances that have been hosted here, giving fans a nice look at the history of Chase Center. Final Thoughts Game day at Chase Center for the Golden State Valkyries easily stands up to any sporting experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, and may very well be one of the best in the WNBA. The fans here are incredible. The vibes are unmatched. The team has been wholly embraced and will now be a fixture for years to come. Without a doubt, this is a must-see experience in the Bay Area’s sports scene.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 3233 Concession Road 10 Bowmanville, ON L1C 3K6 Canada Canadian Tire Motorsports Park website Year Opened: 1961 Capacity: 100,000 Canadian Sportscar Pride Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (also known as Mosport) is one of the best-known race courses in Canada, and indeed around the world. The fast, sweeping turns at the facility were created for Formula One’s golden days of speed, and the facility hosted the Canadian Grand Prix multiple times throughout the 1960s and 70s. The 2.459-mile circuit is a beacon for the North American racing fan, and features some of the best camping around, while also providing some incredible on-track action. The annual summer visit from IMSA provides a great weekend of sportscar racing for fans in the True North. Food & Beverage 4 The food options at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park are pretty standard, including burgers, fries, and chicken. There are also various food trucks on site throughout the weekend, and local vendors featuring fresh grilled burgers, kabobs, and BBQ. Drinks are also varied, featuring soda and energy drinks, as well as the best in Canadian beer. The best part about the food here is that the booths and vendors are located all around the facility, as opposed to being in just one centralized area. As some portions of the track are a bit of a walk from others, this helps fans who care to venture to the farthest edges, but don’t want to have to walk a mile back to the paddock for a snack. Food trucks that serve everything from wings to burgers can be found. Atmosphere 5 Fans at Mosport are among the best in racing, as they camp out from the opening of the gates on Day 1 all the way through the final checkered flag of the weekend – the hillsides at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park are filled with campers and tents as far as the eye can see. The track itself is nestled in the countryside an hour east of Toronto proper, meaning you don’t feel the hustle and bustle of city life, but instead can enjoy comfortable relaxation in and among the forests of Ontario. But for a race fan, the energy is not lost here either, meaning you get the best of both worlds. The explosion of IMSA’s attendance in recent years has also led to an increase in fans at the event, as nearly every open space is used for parking on Sunday. A flyover for the main WeatherTech Series race features vintage Canadian warbirds, and fan zone activations are plentiful for fans. Neighborhood 3 Outside the main gates, you’re greeted with beautiful green rolling hills with sprawling farmland all around. However, this also means there isn’t really much around Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and the nearest towns are a good 20 to 30-minute drive from the venue; Oshawa and Bowmanville are the closest towns where you can find food, shopping, and lodging. The good news is that both of those areas are rapidly expanding, with homes now only a few miles away from the circuit, where once there was only farmland. Favorite food stops include the Crooked Uncle in Oshawa and Chanterelle Bistro in Bowmanville. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clarington-Bowmanville and Best Western Plus Bowmanville are your two closest hotels. For viewing the sights, Clarington Family Outdoor Adventure Park and Ehrenwort Hiking Trail at Camp 30 are the most popular outdoor activities for visitors. Fans 5 Fans at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park are the best Canada has to offer – not only do you get to experience some motorsport-knowledgeable fans, but you also get to see them at their rowdiest (or at least the Canadian equivalent) during race weekend. They know how to party and know where the best places to watch from are, and best of all, they really are as polite and welcoming as you would expect. Most fans here also come to the track throughout the year to see all the different races – whether they’re looking to catch IMSA or the NASCAR Canada Series, you will see them pack into the circuit. Access 3 Getting to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is a bit of a drag, as the main highways aren’t anywhere near the track. However, thanks to the continuing construction eastward of toll highway 407 finally having reached the track, you can now get right to the track without having to take too many country roads. The track itself is off Highway 20, aka Boundary Road, which you can get to from the east via Regional Road 115, or from the west via Regional Road 57. Once at the track, parking is plentiful, as is camping. Plus, a ticket will get you into the facility and also includes free parking. Return on Investment 4 The cost of admission at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is very much worth it when you consider you are getting a top-notch racing experience at the track. You also get to take in some quality racing at one of the most popular tracks in North America, which has been steeped in history for years. And while getting to the track may be a bit of a drive, as it is an hour east of Toronto without traffic, the escape of going to a race in the beautiful Canadian countryside is definitely worth the trek. Extras 5 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park recently remodeled its main office building, which now includes several suites and hospitality areas. In addition, fans are able to get up close to the teams, as entrance into the paddock is included with your ticket. Victory Lane is located right in the middle of the paddock, meaning fans can celebrate with the winners after each race. Also, most fans take to the track during race weekends at night, walking the circuit and enjoying the evening on the track itself, something not many other tracks allow you to experience. But arguably one of the funniest inside jokes is the back and forth between camp sides in the Turn 3 area; here fans display signs saying “Outfield sucks” or “Infield sucks”, pointing to the other side in a friendly Canadian battle of fandom. Final Thoughts If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, watch some quality motor racing at a historic track that offers the beauty of the Canadian countryside, and has plenty of options for viewing the action itself, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is the best option for you. The fans are great, the camping is top notch, and the racing is fast.

Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. “The scoreboard is perhaps the best thing that we have ever done here,” former Nashville Sounds co-owner Walter Nipper said in 1993. ​ The guitar-shaped videoboard at First Tennessee Park in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of minor league baseball’s most iconic features and easily the focal point of the home of the Nashville Sounds Triple-A baseball team. ​ Sounds original owner, Larry Schmittou, came up with the concept after paying off the 15-year loan at the stadium; he figured the stadium needed something to stay ahead of the curve at the time, when it was still among the elite in the minor leagues. He submitted his idea to Fair-Play Scoreboards on a guitar-shaped scoreboard that would be the first of its kind. His original idea had the musical instrument standing upright, but Schmittou then turned it on its side. It could now keep score, welcome groups, announce birthdays and anniversaries, and provide information. The scoreboard’s neck displayed the line score. ​ “It was more popular than I ever dreamed,” Schmittou told The Tennessean in April 2013. “I wasn’t looking for it to become a historical monument; I was just wanting to get information to our fans using a design that would make a sort of a signature for us being the Music City.” The original guitar-shape scoreboard at Greer Stadium, ​File Photo. The $500,000 scoreboard was hauled into town by eight truckloads and put together piece by piece in the time of the home opener against the Iowa Cubs on April 8, 1993. It stood 53 feet tall and stretched 115 feet wide. An ad in The Tennessean invited people to come out to watch the new scoreboard “light up the sky with fireworks.” It quickly became one of the most popular scoreboards in all of minor league baseball. The stadium’s distinctive feature was hard to miss while attending games. ​ It grabbed my attention as a young teenager visiting Greer for the first time the following season. On a side note, the old scoreboard would be used to display out-of-town scores before being covered up for additional advertising space. It did need some upgrading, which could be tedious before the current ownership, a third-party vendor, was in charge of changing the copious number of light bulbs, which was rather costly. That changed during the $2.25 million upgrades to the ballpark in 2009 that resulted in a new paint job and the Sounds staff changing the lights- a combination of both 30- and 40-watt incandescent bulbs. ​ Roughly 5-10 bulbs would need to be replaced before each home stand, costing a few hundred dollars each season. However, the paint job, retouched before each season, took a little longer for staff members to complete. ​ When the Sounds announced that they were finally moving from Greer for the 2015 season, it was already past its due date as a minor league ballpark; it was hoped that the scoreboard would move to the new venue. ​ “Our wishful thinking is that we will figure out a way to take it down and move it to the new ballpark when the time comes,” said former Sounds GM Brad Tammen in The Tennessean in July of 2013. “It could be a stadium marquee or something else. But we wanted to be part of the new park.” ​Photo by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey The old scoreboard did not move with the club for a list of reasons. It was a 22-year-old structure that was rusting away, had no video capabilities, and was falling apart. It would have to be taken apart and put back together again, making it a rather difficult and costly project. ​ When First Horizon Park, then known as First Tennessee Park, debuted, so did a new, state-of-the-art guitar-shaped scoreboard. In June of 2014, TS Sports Panasonic constructed the new scoreboard that would be the largest in minor league baseball. Instead of changing light bulbs, a crew of 15 people operates it by capturing videos, keeping statistics, operating effects, and managing the audio. ​ The $2 million video board stretched 142 feet wide, stood 55 feet high, and was 12.5 feet above the concourse adjacent to The Band Box in the right-center field. It displays 860 32-inch television screens and engages fans through social media and display advertisements. It can even revert to the former scoreboard for Throwback Thursday games. ​Photo Courtesy of Studio Delger Today, the former guitar-shaped scoreboard has found new life and is the centerpiece of the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. It was purchased for $54,815 at an auction by Chicago real estate developer AJ Capital Partners in 2019. The piece of Nashville history is located in The Outfield, an area of repurposed shipping containers with art, and serves as an outdoor area for live music, movies, exhibits, food festivals, and yoga. There are also a couple of old shipping containers painted to look like giant amplifiers. ​ Both scoreboards will remain in town for the foreseeable future, and what started as a unique way to add identity to a stadium turned into one of the minor leagues' and one of Nashville’s most treasured symbols. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races 750 Hollywood Drive Charles Town, WV 25414 Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races website Year Opened: 1933 Hollywood, West Virginia Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, West Virginia is probably what a lot of people think about when considering what a low-grade gaming establishment might look like. While the Hollywood Casino next door is very well appointed, the race track itself is far from the glitz and glamour of the Kentucky Derby. The amenities here are on the other end of the spectrum from Churchill Downs; there are no box seats, no fancy hats, and no restaurant to watch the races from while you dine. Instead you will only find a single concession stand with a handful of items, smoking indoors, and tables and chairs which have seen better days. Food & Beverage 2 There is only a single concession stand inside the clubhouse, on the lower level, which offers items such as hot dogs and pretzels for $5 or $6 each. There is also a bar in the middle of the floor. Atmosphere 2 The upstairs level has stadium seating with tables and TVs, but only a couple of betting machines, and they only take vouchers (no cash). The upper level does give you a slightly better view of the track, but if you are there to take a flyer on the ponies, having only a couple of machines makes it hard, especially when they don’t take cash. The downstairs level has myriad tables with chairs around them, but is littered with discarded betting slips (although they do have custodians who walk around to try and clean up some of the mess). Smoking is also allowed indoors, which is a bit of an inconvenience. On the plus side there are plenty of betting machines, as well as a couple of cashiers who can take money in person or cash you out. The race track itself boasts a single dirt track. Neighborhood 3 Charles Town is not a large city, with a small downtown area not far from the casino and track. There are some restaurants around, but the most popular attraction here is of course the casino, though Harpers Ferry is not far away – Harpers Ferry is a well-known historic park, and includes a Civil War museum and John Brown’s Fort, known for being a base of operations for an 1859 abolitionist raid. The Potomac and Shenandoah rivers also meet in Harpers Ferry, so you can see great views of Maryland and Virginia from the town. Fans 2 Charles Town Races has live horse racing year round, either Wednesday through Saturday or Thursday through Saturday depending on the time of the year. Post time is generally around 7 pm. There are not a ton of visitors to this track, but it will likely still feel pretty crowded on the average night, with most of the tables inside and out with people seated at them. As I mentioned above most of the attendees appear to be diehard gambler types, not really families out for a night of fun, although you will see a few children here and there. Access 3 Charles Town is a little off the beaten path, at least a half an hour from any major highways. When you get to the track itself, your best option is to park in the surface lot just inside the main entrance, and walk over to the track from there. There are two garages further in, but I wouldn’t recommend them as that means you will have to walk all the way through the casino, a bit of a winding path to get to the race track. You will be able to get to the track much faster if you park in the surface lot. Once you get inside, there is plenty of room on the upper level (as mentioned earlier the lower level feels a bit crowded, as does the apron – the area next to the track itself). On the plus side you can get really close to the action, standing right next to the track as the horses are loaded and as they race by. Return on Investment 2 If you just want to check this particular track off your bucket list, or if it happens to be the closest horse racing track to you, it may be worth a visit. However, I would not recommend it if you have other options nearby; there are many other tracks offering live horse racing which are much nicer. There is no cost to get in, no cost to park, and the food is very cheap, so the only thing you have to spend money on is a program ($3) and any wagers you might like to make. Even so you can find much nicer digs for the money. Extras 2 There are some nice views from the track of the surrounding property, and the casino itself is very well appointed. There are also TVs inside the clubhouse so you can watch the racing safe from the elements, as well as watch races happening at other tracks. Like almost all live racing facilities, you can also bet on races at the other tracks, as well.

Photo Courtesy of the Grand Forks Spitfires The first season of the Grand Forks Spitfires wasn’t about just fielding a competitive softball team. It was about introducing the city to something it had never quite experienced before: summer collegiate softball. As the first independent standalone team in Northwoods League Softball, the Spitfires entered their inaugural campaign to a skeptical community spurned by previous summer collegiate ball clubs in the past. The team’s name honors the historic Spitfire World War II fighter aircraft, the local Air Force Base, and the UND Aerospace program. It beat out other finalists like the Flying Aces, Spudnikes, Sweet Beets, Voodoo, and Wingnuts. The Northwoods League Softball is composed of six teams in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. All but the Spiritfires operate in conjunction with a Northwoods League baseball team. However, it helped that the city had its own softball stadium. The University of North Dakota’s Albrecht Field opened its state-of-the-art softball-only venue in 2024. It has grandstand capacity for 500, a turf field, LED lighting, and a video scoreboard. The fancy digs gave the Spitfires a chance to fill a summer entertainment gap while tapping into the growing popularity of women’s sports. “We're the first ones to really start a softball team truly by ourselves”, said Roberto Lemus, Spitfires GM. “We chose Grand Forks because it's a market that, one, is big enough to do what we're trying to do, and the University of North Dakota as well; they just built a fantastic facility in Albrecht Field.” Photo Courtesy of the Grand Forks Spitfires His goal is to give fans a genuine softball experience while creating the energy and antics that are common in minor league baseball. There are between-inning activities, promotions, and all-you-can-eat food and waitstaff, and plenty of other events happening around the game. One of those promotional events is called “Home Run for Roots”. When a Spitfires player hits a home run, a tree is planted somewhere in the community. Fans nominate a public space or their own yard, along with hosting a tree-planting party. A softball game also takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to play due to the 7-inning time frame, about 30 minutes less than their baseball counterparts. The seven-inning format also offered a natural advantage for families, especially those with young children with short attention spans. Lemus enjoyed the shorter game times. “[It provides] fans and families to come out to the ballpark, have a good time, stay out for most of the game without having to sacrifice the kids' bedtime, or different things out there as well.” Opening night drew a crowd of 900 people, many of whom only a few months earlier were somewhat confused about what type of team was playing in town. Lemus fielded a few interesting questions from sponsors and season ticket holders. “I remember the first couple of times that I was out here trying to start selling sponsorships and ticket sales and all those different things, and I would tell people, I was like, we're a women's softball team. The first question I would get is like, " Oh, okay, so are you a youth baseball team, or a youth softball team, or a Little League softball team.” By the end of the 40-game season in late July, the Spitfires witnessed an average of 650-700 fans per game during the last couple of weeks, with coverage from the Grand Forks Herald and local TV and radio stations. There was even a partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and community partners. One thing that might have gone unnoticed by the fans was that the club only carried 19 players, including a pitching staff of four women, for the entire season. In comparison, a baseball team in the league could carry around 60 players. Photo Courtesy of the Grand Forks Spitfires Lemus is preparing for year two of the team and, with a true off-season beginning, renewing season-ticket and multi-game-plan memberships, with public ticket sales scheduled to follow. Theme nights, sponsorships, player recruitment and coaching plans are already being developed. “It's a growing league, and there are so many positives to it, while at the same time, it's all about the fun,” Lemus added. “I love what the Savannah Bananas are doing and all their antics, but we still stay true to the game. So, you can still enjoy being a true baseball or true softball fan while also enjoying all the in-game antics and all the fun in between.” The NWL is hoping to expand its softball league with potential markets outside of North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. However, Grand Forks might have been the ideal test market for a ball club. If it’s the new summer pastime, the Spitfires will be part of that tradition for the foreseeable future. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Estadio BBVA Av. Pablo Livas 2011 Colonia La Pastora 67140 Guadalupe Nuevo León, Mexico Map It! Club de Fútbol Monterrey website Estadio BBVA website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 53,529 Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, México “She’s a beaut, Clark!” That classic line from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation echoed through my head as I made my way towards Estadio BBVA under a hot Mexican sun for a 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Match between the Netherlands and Morocco. Generically rebranded as “Monterrey Stadium/Estadio Monterrey” for the world’s biggest sporting event, this modern stunner set in the shadow of Cerro de la Silla frequently appears on lists of “World’s Best Stadiums” … and for good reason. Food & Beverage 3 Having attended for a World Cup match - instead of seeing Estadio BBVA’s usual tenants, Club de Fútbol Monterrey (nicknamed Los Rayados) - this is the first of several sections that will have an asterisk. FIFA orchestrated a full stadium takeover for its showpiece event (as evident by the name change), and that included concession options. The concourse offerings were adapted for an international palate, generally not straying too far from the hot dog, popcorn, and basic pizza options now found the world over. However, there were a few nods to the local, meat-centric food culture, as my buddy found a bag of chicharrones (deep-fried pork belly). Let’s just say he wishes he hadn’t finished the entire serving. Beverage prices appeared to be inflated by FIFA, matching the high ticket costs. A bottle of still water ran 80 MXN (around $4) but doubled in price if you wanted the luxury of carbonation (sodas included). Beers were in the 300 MXN/$15 range, which would be unheard of for matches in the local league. One thing that remained uniquely Mexican was the constant stream of concessionaires waltzing their way through the stands. Most anything available on the concourse could be had at your seat. And unlike a typical U.S. stadium, where alcohol sales are cut off at a certain point, a beer could still be purchased at the start of penalty kicks, after 120 minutes of fútbol. Atmosphere 4 The design of Estadio BBVA is intentional, with a dramatic dip in the roof and several rows in the south end zone. The reason is to afford visitors a perfect view of the emerald green Cerro de la Silla (“Saddle Hill”), which reaches a dramatic peak of 5,970 feet about a mile and a half beyond the stadium. The fútbol gods shone upon me as I entered from the north, randomly chose a tunnel towards the stands, and was bestowed with the perfectly-framed, jaw-dropping vantage point you see in the top photo. Beyond this signature landmark, Estadio BBVA impresses in other areas. It’s much more polished and well-maintained than your typical Latin American stadium, owing to Monterrey’s status as Mexico’s most prosperous city. It’s also one of the country’s hottest, making the expansive roof canopy especially welcome. Rows are steep, and prepare to be out of breath if hiking to your seats near the top of the venue. The stadium feels bigger than its 53,000+ seats, but sightlines are great throughout, with no obstructed views or quirky angles. That's the beauty of a modern oval. Neighborhood 3 Estadio BBVA is not technically in Monterrey, but rather about six miles slightly southeast of the city center in the suburb of Guadalupe. Most fans will approach from the north, where the local neighborhood is separated from the stadium by Río La Silla. Parallel to the riverbed is Avenida Las Torres, with restaurants, bars, stores, and street vendors increasing in number as you walk east. Another pre and post game gathering spot lies just south of the Exposición metro stop, in an expansive fairgrounds complex. Expect the smells of livestock stalls to hit you in the face, but further south towards the stadium are taco and souvenir vendors, as well as several open-air music venues where Norteño bands were keeping the party going well into the evening. Back in Monterrey proper, tourists tend to congregate in the Barrio Antiguo, its compact historic quarter with colorful colonial architecture and greatest concentration of nightlife. Fans 4 You would never know this was a neutral-site match, judging by the fervor of the primarily Mexican crowd. They mainly sided with Morocco, on account of the Netherlands’ controversial win over Mexico in the 2014 World Cup, coincidentally played 12 years ago to the day. The traveling Moroccan contingent was mostly clustered behind one goal, with Dutch supporters scattered throughout. Estadio BBVA Match Action, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Mexican fútbol fans are simultaneously passionate and fickle. When the action slowed in the first half, with numerous back-passes, the crowd hissed and whistled their displeasure. On the flipside, when the action reached a fever pitch in the second half and extra time, with numerous scoring chances, they were on the edge of their seats, with “ooooh”s and “aaaah”s aplenty. Access 3 This is another area where the World Cup does not represent the typical experience at a Rayados league match. Several access points were closed, including along the aforementioned Avenida Las Torres. That said, regardless of competition, most fans will enter from the north, with many taking the metro line to Estación Exposición and walking 15 minutes due south. At approximately 35 cents per ride, the price can’t be beat, but on busy matchdays you may need to wait for a train back to the center, and it will be packed. Uber is prevalent in Monterrey, as is the local equivalent, DiDi. In numerous trips to Mexico, I’ve found DiDi cheaper but Uber more reliable, as DiDi drivers are more likely to cancel the ride after accepting it. For those bold enough to drive in urban Mexican traffic, there are lots to the east and south of Estadio BBVA, with Estacionamiento 4 the largest. Once inside the premises, wayfinding is rather straightforward; just note the entrance gate and access corridor on your ticket. The concourse circles the top of the 100 level, and for those in the 200s, there are escalators. The team shop is along the south side of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Rayados home matches will vary quite a bit depending on the opponent, seat location, and whether it's a regular-season, cup competition, or playoff match. Expect to pay as little as 300 MXN pesos (approx. $15) for an upper-level seat, to 700-1,200 MXN for something in the corner of the lower levels, all the way up to 2,500 MXN for primo seats to an in-demand match, like the heated local rivalry vs. Tigres UANL. You may also find VIP packages that include a premium seat location with included food and drinks. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster, and unlike the U.S., where you can buy tickets as soon as a team’s schedule is announced, they are generally available about 3-4 weeks in advance. Extras 4 Northern Mexico is cowboy country, and meat is consumed in mass quantities. Try carne seca, which is a dry, thin beef jerky, and do not miss a visit to El Rey de Cabrito on the edge of Barrio Antiguo. Here, baby goat is the specialty, meant to be eaten communally in the restaurant’s ostentatious, chandelier- and mirror-clad dining rooms. El Rey de Cabrito, Photo by Ben Alkaly, Stadium Journey Owing to its location in a deep valley surrounded by mountains, Monterrey is a hiker’s paradise. You can climb (or drive to) Cerro de Silla, which is part of Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. Other scenic destinations within easy reach of the city are Chipinque Ecological Park and La Huasteca Ecological Park. The Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Mexicano (Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame) is on the western edge of Parque Fundidora, while the local team Sultanes de Monterrey – whose logo is very Yankees-esque – play in Walmart Park. Completed in 2020, Torres Obispado is the tallest skyscraper in Latin America at 1,002 ft. Final Thoughts Estadio BBVA is one of those bucket-list venues you'll be proud to check off, and Monterrey is an incredible city with attractions well beyond fútbol. Ignore the negative headlines and spend a few days exploring northern Mexico - you'll find top tier soccer, unforgettable food, and genuine hospitality. I can all but guarantee your trip will be less calamitous than any of Clark Griswold's vacations.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk and Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Lake Elsinore Diamond 500 Diamond Dr Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 Map It! Lake Elsinore Storm website The Diamond website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 6,066 A Storm By The Lake Prior to the Lake Elsinore Storm becoming the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres in 2001, the California Angels were the parent organization from 1981 to 2000, taking up residence in Palm Springs until the opening of The Diamond in 1994. Now in its 33rd season, The Diamond still attracts fans throughout the Riverside and Inland Empire region. One of The Diamond’s biggest draws is the surrounding views beyond the outfield walls of the Temescal Mountains and its surrounding hills. Food & Beverage 4 You will find some ample options here starting with your usual ballpark fare of hot dogs, jumbo dogs, smash burgers, chicken tenders, nachos, and personal cheese or pepperoni pizza. Mexican options are your standard tacos and burritos with meat choices of chicken, steak, or pork. Agua frescas and micheladas are some of the Mexican beverages available. Coke products, Coors products, and other domestic brews such as 805 and Golden Road are available for thirsty fans. Specialty Frappuccino drinks including horchata, chocolate-banana, and toasted marshmallow are also available for those cool summer nights. Cold Stone Creamery is the ice cream provider with several options including Oreo Overload and Strawberry Blonde. Other sweet treats include chocolate chip cookies, frozen chocolate bananas, and funnel fries. Atmosphere 4 There’s a fun atmosphere to be found at The Diamond. Children can be seen playing in the designated play area along the right field side, shagging foul flies on the grass berm to rolling down the berm. Most seats are in a rather uniform seating bowl, with spacious seats and plenty of legroom. Thunder is the large green mutt of a mascot. He is a member of the “Canis Thunderus” family and has no problem getting the Storm fans on their feet. Though he’s there to entertain the home fans, that lovable mutt is also very welcoming to fans of the visiting team as well. Meet Thunder. The Lake Elsinore Storm’s lovable mutt of a mascot. Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Neighborhood 4 One of the nicest things about the neighborhood around The Diamond is the natural scenery, ranging from the Elsinore Mountains to Lake Elsinore, the largest natural lake in Southern California, located just a few minutes from The Diamond for the water sports enthusiasts.. If you’re looking for a bite around the yard, the longtime SoCal favorite In-N-Out is nearby. One of the more highly recommended restaurants here is Jack’s BBQ Shack, located about 3 miles from The Diamond. Located along the lake, Jack’s BBQ Shack serves up some tasty ribs in a very casual setting with very reasonable prices. Fans 3 With the recent success of the parent club in San Diego, it’s easy to see why you will see a mix of apparel being worn in the stands of both the Storm and the Padres. As the Single-A affiliate of the Padres over the last 20-plus years, the Storm and the Padres have established a loyal fan following throughout Riverside County and beyond. Access 3 Lake Elsinore is centrally located between San Diego and Los Angeles. The Diamond can be accessed either via the 15 freeway or Route 74. Though The Diamond is not far from the 15 freeway, depending on where you will be driving from, you may want to allow yourself extra time to arrive. Southern California traffic, especially if coming from Los Angeles, is unpredictable. Upon entering The Diamond from the parking lot, fans walk through a tree-lined walkway toward the grand entrance behind home plate. Greeting the fans as they enter The Diamond is a brick tower, giving The Diamond a signature touch. As you approach the home plate entrance, you will notice a monument paying tribute to those who have served. Paying tribute to those who served, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Once inside the stadium, fans walk through a very spacious concourse, perhaps the widest of all the Single-A yards in Southern California. The concourse is so wide that should you attend a day game and choose to seek refuge from the summer heat, you could spend an inning or two strolling the concourse, which provides plenty of shade and shelter from the sweltering heat without losing view of the on-field action or impeding pedestrian flow. Return on Investment 4 With prices ranging from $8 to as much as $20 for four-top table seating, a day out at The Diamond is a very affordable day in the park. High Top seating, located behind home plate, offers bar stool-type seating along with a countertop to place your food and drinks as well. Should you want to take home a souvenir, the team store located just behind the first base side of the concourse offers a pretty vast selection. Apparel with the team’s iconic logo consistently ranks among the top sellers throughout all of minor league baseball. Lake Elsinore gameday hats, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Extras 4 As you enter the Diamond, in the concourse above the team store on the first base side is a list of former Angels and Padres prospects who passed through Lake Elsinore on their way to The Show. The list provides players' names from 1994-2014. Some of the future MLB prospects who passed through Lake Elsinore, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey If you look out toward right field, you will see that the outfield wall is 36 feet high. Yup, the exact height of the Green Monster in Fenway Park, paying homage to the original, adorned with advertisements aplenty. On the right field side of The Diamond is a children’s playground just outside the physical concourse. In addition, a huge grass berm is there for budget-conscious fans who prefer to view the game there atop your favorite beach towel or picnic blanket. Should you plan to view your game here, you may want to beware of kids not only rolling down the hill in every direction, but you must also be aware of the young ones running about that berm snagging foul balls. Lastly, we can’t forget the gorgeous views of the Temescal Mountains and the surrounding hills. Final Thoughts In its 33 seasons of operation, The Diamond has been the home to numerous future Angels, Padres, and other big leaguers. The organization proudly embraces its partnership with the big-league Friars, as evidenced by some of its apparel paying homage to the parent club.

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Sport utcai stadion 1087 Budapest, Sport Utca Hungary Map It! BKV Előre SC website Sport utcai stadion website Year Opened: 1929 Capacity: 2,500 Historic Hungarian Ground Seeks Curious Visitors For stadium enthusiasts, when you hear of a sporting Mecca, off the beaten track, nearing the end of its natural life, curiosity stirs. Welcome to the Sport utcai stadion in Budapest, Hungary; aka BKV Előre SC Stadion, a ground that time forgot. If your sporting cathedrals of choice are the ultra-modern, padded seats, with artisan cuisine, two such super structures are within reach. The 60,000 capacity national ‘Puskas’ Stadium is 1000 yards to the north, and the sleek Hidegkuti Nondor Stadium, home of top flight MTK Budapest, is just across the road. The BKV Előre SC Stadion is like an ageing Budapest trolley-bus with peeling paintwork, sweating in the summer heat, between two brand new, air conditioned, energy efficient trams just launched for ultimate customer pleasure. The stadium, home of third division BKV Előre SC, can be found to the north east of this magical European capital city. Head up Sport Street and marvel at the century old grandstand that you came all this way to see. Food & Beverage 1 Very little sustenance seems available once inside the ground. However if you persevere, you will be rewarded. The inner facade of the vintage grandstand has a number of doors, largely without signage. One will be locked, the next a gents' toilet, and so on. Choose another, and an unlit corridor takes you down some stairs, back to the early 20th Century. Turn right, and you are in the inner sanctum, more stairs, old boardrooms, finally a bar appears, quiet as a library. The dimly lit bar has a fridge with soft drinks and confectionary. The barman, slow and steady, serves local beers, a large Dreher Gold costing around 800FT. Old stadium and team pictures are on the walls; you can imagine the room full of smoke populated by men in hats. If you are lucky, there are some filled rolls on the counter, hopefully not as old as the bar itself. The Bar at Sport utcai stadion, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey On your way back outside, any open door provides a glimpse into the past, if not carry your beer outside and begin to climb the steps at either end of the stand. Atmosphere 5 Work started on the ground a century ago, the first match was in 1929. Renovations followed at various points. Today it is all about the main grandstand. From the outside, it could be an old wharf building or even soviet style offices. Look closer, and broken windows and sealed doors suggest no one is maintaining this monster structure. However, there is also a hint of life, signage, a lick of paint and once through the entrance, the concrete brutality comes to life. A perfect symmetry, the centre piece has diagonal steps to a VIP guest area, with around 200 new blue and yellow plastic seats on either side. Further up, the cavernous main wooden stand climbs higher and higher with row after row of long wooden bench seats. The large roof on the main grandstand ensures even a paltry crowd of 300 souls can be well heard. Post war crowds numbered up to 20,000 and the club website laments; “When will visiting players again feel in hell? Not even knowing where to kick the ball due to the best acoustics in the entire country!” The views from the English-inspired grandstand are excellent, the high elevation ensures you can see the match and the tactics play out. You can also see a sunset to die for if the timings are right and views towards the Buda side of the Danube. Opposite you can see the Puskas Arena in the distance, look through the broken windows at the back in the stand and peer into the modern home of MTK Budapest. Old, long, wooden benches at Sports utcai stadion, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey The other three sides of the Sports utcai are currently inaccessible. A large terrace used to curve around the north end in days gone by. Now both ends are flat, empty and desolate. Opposite the grandstand there is no fence or stand at all, instead a jarringly new 4G pitch runs adjacent. There is a small electronic scoreboard, next to the goal, at the entrance end. Facilities-wise, that’s it. Neighborhood 5 The immediate locality is dominated by a 6-lane ring road, so it offers little for tourists. There is a bar opposite the Stadion tram shop called Netovább Söröző. Call in here for a beer and some simple snacks. You can also stroll up to the Puskas Arena, Hungary’s largest stadium and book a tour. Back into the centre of Budapest, the possibilities are endless. A stroll from Erzsébet híd (Elisabeth Bridge) along the Danube River, to the chain bridge is magical. Views of the citidel, castle, and fisherman’s bastion, and traffic re-routed in summer for pop up bars and music. For food, head to Gozsdu Udvar, a covered street adorned with fairy lights, bars, restaurants, karaoke and street music. Fans 3 Attendances are not always easy to find, but in the 25/26 season BKV drew an average of just 150. For the Nemzeti Bajnoksag 3 Delkeleti round 4 match v ESMTK in August 2026, around 180 were present with a handful of away fans in attendance. Those ESMTK fans brought the noise on the day with singing, drums, and large flags in support of their team. Trophies for BKV Előre SC have been hard to obtain. Three division two titles and three division three titles are the highlights. A cup run in the Magyar Cupa in 1933/34 saw Elõre beaten in the final. Access 3 The nearest tram stop is called Hidegkuti Nondor Stadion, found on the yellow line 1. From the centre of Budapest, take the M2 metro to Puskas Ferenc then 2 stops south on the tram. Alight from the tram and you will see the home of MTK Budapest in front of you. To the right of this footprint stadium is Sport street (Utca) and the entrance is on your right. Once inside, you will need to use a number of steps to climb up into the grandstand. Observing from ground level is allowed, but with a high fence, the view isn’t great. Sports utcai stadion steps, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 5 Entry is free, much like many lower league matches in Hungary. With no merchandise available and very simple refreshments, the ROI is simply unbeatable. Extras 0 This is no frills old-fashioned football viewing at its best, no extras, just a vintage grandstand, two goals and 22 players. Final Thoughts This gem of a football ground is a step back in time. A time perhaps when Hungarian football flourished, with the ‘Mighty Magyars’ of the 1950’s consistently beating the world’s best. Whilst there are no hints the ground is closing soon, the likelihood is it won’t be in its current form in another 100 years. The club and the ground have fallen on tough times, book your visit soon!

Gary Noll, born Deaf in a New Jersey Deaf household, is a huge New Jersey/New York Sports fan who received the 2019 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award, the 2024 New Jersey State Governor’s Volunteerism Award (as a “Community Pillar”) and a 2024 Russ Berrie Unsung Hero Award. He proposes and raises awareness of Deaf and ASL (American Sign Language) sports events. Gary is an advocate of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion, including promoting captioning and ASL communication technology during NJ/NY metropolitan sporting events. Gary Noll at Big East Championship, MSG Gary has already discussed sports venues in New Jersey and New York with Stadium Journey and is excited to share the latest news about future Deaf or ASL awareness events. Please stay tuned for game announcements! The sports teams will be posting notices about the events online. 1. Madison Square Garden (MSG), New York City Unfortunately, there won’t be a New York Knicks American Sign Language (ASL) group event this season or in 2027. We hope we see it happen sometime in the future. This is because the team is limiting ticket availability, ticket costs have increased, and the NY Knicks have restructured their staff since winning the NBA championship in June 2026. We’re now focusing on hosting what could be their first-ever NY Rangers ASL group event in 2027 and beyond (keep your fingers crossed). Gary has already asked to include Deaf ASL anthem performers during some future NY Knicks and NY Rangers games. 2. Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York Yankee Stadium Closed Captioning, Photo by Gary Noll The NY Yankees baseball team is planning to host its fourth annual Deaf Awareness Event in 2026, but they’ve decided to hold it next year. Please keep an eye out for it. They’ve already reached out to schools and others, but they’re not ready to make a commitment at this time due to their new leadership. The New York Yankees still have plans for Deaf Awareness Events in the future. 3. Citi Field, Queens, New York Partnering with Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf, the New York Mets hosted a dedicated Deaf Awareness event in May 2026, held during their home game against the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets are considering hosting either a Deaf Awareness Day or a special Deaf group event by partnering with one of the best Deaf schools in NYC and Long Island for future seasons. This 2026 season, you’ll notice the Mets already have an ASL anthem performer for some or most of their games, which is a thoughtful way to promote inclusivity. 4. US Open Tennis, Queens, New York Closed Captioning at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Photo by Gary Noll The US Open Tennis at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (August 23 to September 13, 2026) will feature Deaf ASL anthem performers for the opening night and the men’s and women’s championship matches, which will be broadcast on TV again for the third consecutive year. 5. Met Life Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey We haven’t had a chance to chat with the NY Jets and NY Giants about an ASL group event yet. We’d love for them to consider having a Deaf ASL anthem performer during one of their games! If FIFA decides to award NJ/NY the 2031 FIFA World Cup women’s soccer matches, we’d be thrilled to have a Deaf ASL performance. You can read more about this idea in this article. 6. UBS Arena, Belmont Park, New York Deaf Awareness Night at NY Islanders, Photo by Gary Noll After having a successful Deaf Awareness Night in 2023, the NY Islanders have not yet duplicated that event. The team is still considering whether to host another Deaf Awareness Night or a first-time ASL night in future seasons. If this happens, we expect to have live ASL interpreters broadcasting on the Jumbotron. 7. Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey Prudential Center ASL on Videoboard, Photo by Gary Noll The New Jersey Devils hockey team is planning to host its 8th annual ASL night this 2026 - 2027 season on Oct 20, 2026. They’re hoping to feature a Deaf ASL anthem performer and a group performance. To help ASL fans, there will be ASL interpreters throughout the stadium, and they’ll use them to include trivia and other activities on the Jumbotron. Plus, they’ll continue to offer NJ Devils ASL T-shirts for those who buy tickets to the ASL event. 8. Sports Illustrated Arena, (formerly Red Bull Arena), Harrison, New Jersey There’s been talk about a Gotham FC, pro women’s soccer (NWSL) Deaf Awareness Event at the Sports Illustrated Arena, but it hasn’t happened yet. We haven’t discussed hosting a Red Bulls (MLS) pro men’s soccer ASL event there, but we should think about it in the future. 9. Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York We’ve already pitched the idea of hosting the first-ever WNBA New York Liberty and NBA Brooklyn Nets ASL nights at the Barclays Center to the BSE Global team (the ownership company). They’re still not ready for an ASL event yet, but we’re not giving up! We’ll keep trying every year. 10. Etihad Park, Queens, New York It would be great to have live captioning at the new Etihad Park, which will be the home of NYCFC’s men’s soccer team in Major League Soccer (MLS) and will welcome Gotham FC women’s soccer in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) starting in 2028. We’re also hoping to have a Deaf ASL anthem performer during the first soccer match! 11. Office of the Big East Conference, NCAA, New York City They plan to feature ASL anthem performances at both the men’s and women’s basketball championship games at Madison Square Garden in New York City and Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, marking the fourth consecutive season of this tradition. They’re also aiming to broadcast it on TV for the first time next March 2027.

Photos Courtesy of Brian Williams, Dune Coast Quillbacks Next summer, a new ballpark will open for baseball travelers along Lake Michigan, bringing summer collegiate baseball to a new community. ​ The Dune Coast Quillbacks of the Northwoods League will take the field in 2027, bringing summer collegiate baseball to Michiana. The expansion team will play at Bison Field in New Buffalo, Michigan, a high school venue that is now being upgraded with more than $750,000 in capital improvements. ​ Private contributions and a $150,000 Michigan Department of Economic Development grant were secured after half the amount was raised through local crowdfunding. All upgrades will come at no cost to taxpayers. ​ The Quills founders are Tom Rowland and Brian Williams, who wanted to bring something to connect the communities of northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan during the summer months. The ballpark will continue to be used by the New Buffalo High School baseball team and for other events in the off-season. ​ There are 150,000 people within a 15-mile radius of the ballpark, and the Quills hope to attract fans from as far north as Benton Harbor, Michigan, and as far east as Valparaiso, Indiana. The Dunes Coast name reflects the shared identity of the shoreline, not favoring any one city or community in the neighboring states. ​ “The area has seen an explosion of full-time residents in the past five years and is a tourist-friendly area,” Williams said. “We want them to have something to do after a day at the beach during the evenings.” ​ Bison Field will include a 600-seat grandstand, baseline bleachers, a press box, a social area, and special LED lighting to reduce glare to nearby homes. It has already been fitted with new dugouts and a backstop, along with artificial turf, sod, and a warning track that features crushed rock. ​ “We went with Pivot artificial turf by Geo Services,” said Williams. “The Pivot turf will play more like natural grass than the rubber infield turf where the ball bounces higher. It’s also safer for players because cleats won’t stick.” The stadium will have a unique outfield wall configuration because of the track around the adjacent football field. There is a curved 16-foot-high wall where the track is in right-center field. This will present a little creativity in the seating sections at the stadium. ​ There will be a party patio along the first baseline that will feature high-top tables and chairs. Picnic tables will be set up in right and left center field. The picnic tables idea was inspired by a visit to the home of the Portland Pickles, Walker Stadium. “We can fit up to six people at each table and are looking at painting them,” added Williams. “It will be a casual group environment.” The Quills will have similar-style picnic tables like at Walker Field in Portland, Oregon. Photo by Brian Williams However, the most interesting seating section is the terrace grass berm behind the right field wall, dubbed Warren’s Dune. It is named after the team’s mascot and nearby Warren Dune State Park. Fans will be allowed to bring in their own lawn chairs, and tickets will cost $5. Williams sees it as a way for families to enjoy a ballgame for around $20. ​ Game day promotions will include family-friendly entertainment, locally sourced concession items, live music, and an inviting small-town atmosphere to create a vibe for a tourist area known for its beaches, dunes, vineyards, and walkable towns. ​ “We’re slowly putting together something special in New Buffalo. It will be a celebration of the region and local businesses, from food trucks to local breweries and wineries.” ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Daniel S. Frawley Stadium 801 Shipyard Dr Wilmington, DE 19801 Wilmington Blue Rocks website Daniel S. Frawley Stadium website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 6,404 Blue Celery in the First State Minor League Baseball returned to the largest city in the First State in 1993 when the Peninsula Pilots were relocated to a brand new ballpark in Wilmington, Delaware. The team was named the Blue Rocks after the blue granite found along Brandywine Creek. The Blue Rocks initially began in the Carolina League as the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Blue Rocks would be affiliated with the Royals until 2004 and from 2007 to 2020 until the reorganization of Minor League Baseball. In 2021 Wilmington was moved to the South Atlantic League and affiliated with the Washington Nationals. Successful on the field, the Blue Rocks claimed five Carolina League titles. The home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks is Judy Johnson Field @ Daniel S. Frawley Stadium. Opened in 1993 to coincide with the new team, the stadium is named after the Mayor of Wilmington from 1985 to 1993 Daniel Frawley, who was integral in getting Minor League Baseball back in Wilmington. The field is named after Judy Johnson, a Negro League star and Hall of Famer who lived in Delaware for almost 75 years. One curiosity of the Blue Rocks experience is the fans' fascination with Mr. Celery, a stalk of celery mascot who emerges to celebrate each Blue Rocks run to the tune of “Song 2” by Blur. Food & Beverage 3 The culinary experience at Frawley Stadium is decent. The main concession stands offer popcorn, Cracker Jack, peanuts, pretzels, hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, and fries. A couple of other note spots include Grotto’s Pizza and the first base side Chickie’s and Pete’s stand. A Philadelphia staple, Chickie’s and Pete’s offers cheesesteaks and their famous Crabfries. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice at Frawley Stadium. The beer selection in Wilmington is decent and includes Coors Light, Miller Light, Heineken, and Yuengling. Local brewery Wilmington Brew Works also offers a team-branded beer, Woo-Hoo Brew complete with the image of Mr. Celery on the can. Atmosphere 4 Frawley Stadium has an attractive exterior and looks more modern than its 30-year age. Brown brick with light accents and blue trim make for a smart-looking color scheme. The main entrance behind home plate is up a set of stairs and directly above the ticket window, which would be directly behind home plate. Blue Rocks markings are tastefully added to the exterior and a photo of the 2019 Carolina League Champions highlights many photos in recessed arches on the exterior. A bronze statue of Judy Johnson with a dedication plaque is a perfect meeting place for fans before the game. Also of note, two dedication plaques for pitcher Vic Willis and umpire Bill McGowan, both born in Wilmington and members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, sit in the flower beds outside the main plaza. Inside the park, the main concourse is covered yet open. Unfortunately, Frawley Stadium does not offer a 360-degree path around the park. The seating bowl is a split level with an exterior walkway. There are several different seating options. There is bar seating by the Chickie’s and Pete’s along the first base side and the Picnic Pavilion is in leftfield. The seating bowl does not offer much in the way of shade. Views of the Wilmington skyline and I-95 can be had from the main grandstand. The suite level to either side of the pressbox and behind the main seating bowl is full of blue highlights and has large baseballs and pennants as recognition for the championship teams and the retired numbers of Mike Sweeney, Johnny Damon and Robin Roberts along with Jackie Robinson. A display list of Blue Rocks players who have played in MLB is of note in the concourse. The game day experience in Wilmington is what one would expect in Minor League Baseball. There are plenty of on-field promotions between innings and promo items thrown into the crowd at times. Rocky Bluewinkle, the Wilmington mascot, interacts with the crowd and participates in the pregame activities. The most unique feature of a Blue Rocks gameday is the presence of Mr. Celery. A secondary mascot for the team has taken on a bit of a life of its own in popularity. The main appearance of Mr. Celery comes after a Blue Rocks run when he comes out of a gate behind the plate and celebrates Blur’s “Song 2.” Neighborhood 4 Frawley Stadium is located in the Riverfront neighborhood of Wilmington between I-95 and the Christina River. There are a few options for pre or post-game food and drink within walking distance of the ballpark. Some options include Iron Hill Brewery, Big Fish Grill, and Del Pez. Immediately southeast of Frawley Stadium is the Chase Center on Riverfront, which is the city’s event center. Further away, and across the Christina River, is the similarly named Chase Fieldhouse, home of the Delaware Blue Coats, an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA G-League. From the exterior of Frawley Stadium, fans can enter the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. Donations are accepted and there are several terrific displays, including an excellent Judy Johnson display which tells his story in his own words. Other tourist options include Nemours Estate and Hagley Museum. For fans wishing to stay near the ballpark, the Westin Wilmington and Hyatt are just steps away. Fans 3 In the 2023 season, the Wilmington Blue Rocks averaged over 2,500 fans per game. This ranks 87th in the 120-team MiLB. The Blue Rocks are also 8th in the South Atlantic League out of 12 teams. There is plenty of room for improvement here. At the game being reviewed, fans in attendance were very quiet and reserved. Interest in the game seemed waning. Access 5 Frawley Stadium is located in the Riverfront neighborhood of Wilmington, east of I-95 and west of the Christina River. The park is encased by Shipyard Dr., Matt Minker Way, Judy Johnson Dr., and Frawley Dr., nice nods to some of the important figures in Wilmington Blue Rocks history. Getting to the ballpark is very easy with I-95 located very close. There is plenty of parking on site both north and south of the ballpark and the majority of it is free. For fans wishing to take public transit, some buses stop on Judy Johnson Drive. Fans should check out the Delaware Transit Corporation website for fares, maps and schedules. The Amtrack station is also about a mile away. Getting around the ballpark is easy and the washrooms are adequate for the facility. Return on Investment 4 Blue Rocks tickets start at $13 for General Admission and go up to $15 for a box seat and $18 for field-level box seats. Parking is free and concession prices are what one would expect. The gameday experience in Wilmington is solid and fans will have a good time. In the end, the value of a Blue Rocks game is strong. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame and the excellent Judy Johnson display. An extra mark for the seemingly organic popularity of Mr. Celery, who has permeated much of the Blue Rocks promotion. An extra mark for the success the Blue Rocks have enjoyed on the field with five league titles, including four in their first eight years. Final Thoughts With an excellent acknowledgment of Delaware baseball and sports history, the Wilmington Blue Rocks have put together a good presentation of Minor League Baseball. Judy Johnson Field @ Daniel S. Frawley Stadium is a solid home for the team and offers plenty for fans. The popularity of the Mr. Celery character is curious and seems pretty organic. It is just something that needs to be seen in person to fully understand. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 TVA Credit Union Ballpark 111 Legion St Johnson City, TN 37601 Johnson City Doughboys website TVA Credit Union Ballpark website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 3,800 Having Fun with the Doughboys When Major League Baseball reorganized and contracted the minor leagues following the 2019 season, Johnson City, Tennessee, lost its short-season affiliate. The Johnson City Cardinals, a long-standing member of the Appalachian League, were one of the teams eliminated in the reorganization. Professional baseball has been part of Johnson City’s identity since 1911, with teams affiliated over the years with the Yankees and Phillies. But it was the city’s long-standing relationship with the St. Louis Cardinals that left the deepest mark – for 61 seasons, Johnson City served as a Cardinals affiliate, becoming a key stepping stone for future big leaguers like Vince Coleman, Ron Guidry, LaMarr Hoyt, Yadier Molina, and Terry Pendleton on their path to the majors. Baseball in Johnson City has been played at the same site since 1937, when the city built a wooden grandstand at Keystone Park and nicknamed it Cardinal Park when the team became affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938. In 1950, a new steel structure replaced the wooden grandstand. It carried the Cardinal Park name until the Phillies placed a farm team in town in 1957. It reverted to Cardinal Park with the return of the Redbirds affiliate in 1975, later renamed Howard Johnson Field at Cardinal Park in honor of the director of Johnson City’s Park and Recreation Department in 1977. Eventually, after the naming rights were sold, it became TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Johnson City was one of 30 cities to lose its MLB affiliation after the 2020 reorganization, but the baseball void did not last long. The Appalachian League reemerged in 2021 as a collegiate summer league, with teams rebranding to better reflect their communities. Johnson City’s long-running Cardinals identity gave way to the Doughboys, a name inspired by the nearby World War I infantry statue in Veterans Plaza. Food & Beverage 4 Two separate concession stands feature slightly different menus, but together offer a well-rounded mix of traditional ballpark fare and locally inspired options. Fans will find staples like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza, and nachos with cheese sauce, alongside heartier choices like cheeseburgers and boneless wing baskets with fries. Regional choices are available as well, with items like the Bojangles Cajun Filet Sandwich and Southern Craft BBQ Nachos. A few specialty offerings go beyond typical ballpark fare, including the Junkyard Dog (topped with chili, cheese, fries, and mustard), Firecracker Fries (drizzled with buffalo sauce and ranch), and funnel cake fries for a sweet finish. Snack options include pretzels with cheese, chips, peanuts, and candy. Beverage choices are straightforward: bottled water, Coke products, Powerade, and local favorite Dr. Enuf, a citrusy Mountain Dew-like soda. In addition to standard domestic and imported beers, the ballpark also offers a selection of local craft brews – options from Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City Brewing Company, Iron Forge, and Tennessee Hills include lagers, tart ales, and hefeweizens. For non-beer drinkers, hard seltzers and ciders like Truly and Angry Orchard are available as well. Atmosphere 3 TVA Credit Union Ballpark is a charming throwback to small-town baseball. The covered grandstand, overhead fans, and towering outfield walls lined with local advertisements evoke a classic, nostalgic feel. A modern scoreboard also sits in left center field, though it’s mostly used for basic player information and the game’s line score. The Doughboys lean into their military-themed branding with touches as Reveille played during big moments, adding energy to key parts of the game. In-game promotions are lighthearted and engaging, nothing groundbreaking, but also a welcome break from the tired gimmicks seen at some lower levels of baseball. The relaxed pace of summer collegiate ball contributes to a festive, easygoing atmosphere. The stadium includes several social spaces: a VIP bar down the left-field line, yard games and high-top tables along the right-field line, and a long drink rail beside the grandstand. These areas are popular and tend to stay crowded throughout the game. One downside of this historic stadium is that more attention was paid to functionality than convenience. For example, several roof support beams create rather significant obstructions when viewing the field. Neighborhood 4 Johnson City is a stealthy, hip town with a vibrant arts scene, several breweries, and restaurants in its downtown area, just over a mile from TVA Credit Union Ballpark. King Commons Park is a popular gathering area where adults can grab a pint, while kids play on the nearby playground or explore the stream that runs through the green space. W. State of Franklin Road is home to several renovated historic buildings, now housing popular stops like Burger & Barrel, Yee-Haw Brewing, and White Duck Taco, which backs up to scenic Founders Park. The downtown area has no less than a half-dozen breweries in the few city blocks that make up the area. The city has also done a wonderful job moving into the 21st century. While keeping its 19th-century charm. Fans 4 Johnson City is a passionate sports town, with strong support for ETSU athletics and deep roots in baseball. Before the minor league contraction, the city consistently ranked among the top draws in the Appalachian League, and that energy has not faded. Since joining the collegiate summer circuit, the Doughboys have led the league in attendance, averaging over 3,500 fans per game, more than 1,000 ahead of the next closest team. The fans are not just enthusiastic; they understand the game. Fans cheer for savvy base running, situational hitting, and productive outs. Others are a bit more festive in their support, leaning into the Doughboys’ military identity – some even show up in replica World War I infantry helmets. Access 4 TVA Credit Union Ballpark is easily accessible, located less than a mile off I-26, the main connector between Asheville, North Carolina, and Kingsport, Tennessee. The interstate also links up with I-81 about 15 miles north, making the stadium a convenient stop for travelers coming from eastern Tennessee or many of the eastern states. Parking is plentiful and located just beyond the first base side of the ballpark. VIP ticket holders can use a dedicated entrance off Legion Street, providing a more direct path into the stadium. Once inside, a wide walkway runs along the first baseline and narrows slightly as it approaches third. A low field-level concourse also wraps in front of the grandstand, stretching from first to third and offering fans a close view of the action as they walk around. Return on Investment 5 With general admission tickets starting at $8, reserved seating at $10, and free parking, Doughboys games deliver excellent bang for your buck. Concession prices are in line with similar stadiums, and the overall experience, from the lively atmosphere to the quality of play, makes attending a game feel like money well spent. Extras 3 A variety of inflatables are set up behind the grandstand, directly behind home plate, giving younger fans a chance to burn off some energy if they get restless during the game. Among the biggest stars at the ballpark is Rocky, the Doughboys beloved bat dog – the black lab draws some of the loudest cheers of the night as he dashes from the dugout to retrieve bats, then sprints back, all to the roaring approval of the fans. The team’s mascot, Private, also adds to the fun, roaming the stands throughout the game, interacting with fans, and posing for photos with anyone who asks. Final Thoughts Small-town baseball fosters a sense of connection and civic pride that is hard to replicate in larger markets. In Johnson City, that bond was built over decades, watching future big leaguers take their first professional steps, and rooting for the hometown team as if it were their own. That pride did not vanish when affiliated baseball left. Though the Appalachian League now focuses on college-level talent instead of rising pros, the passion in the stands has not faded. Even though professional baseball is no longer played in Johnson City, the excitement of the game and the surrounding atmosphere have not disappeared. While the reorganization of minor league baseball may have been a bit of a step back in the developmental chain of baseball, it has not dampened the spirit of the baseball community in Johnson City, Tennessee. Johnson City may no longer be a stop on the road to the majors, but its love of baseball is as strong as ever.

A mountain backdrop at Hermon Brothers Stadium in Palmer, Alaska. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Nothing says "summer" in North America more than taking in a ballgame in a small-town ballpark. In recent years, summer wood-bat leagues are exploding all across the continent, to the point where it's hard to even keep up with all the new leagues and teams sprouting up all in towns and cities everywhere. For many towns, summer ball has allowed their local ballpark to stay in use after being abandoned by affiliated baseball. In others, new ballparks have been built to accommodate the new team. Summer ball offers baseball fans an affordable entertainment option throughout the summer months and gives college players a place to showcase and develop their skills for pro scouts. Stadium Journey has visited 196 Summer Collegiate teams across 32 leagues. Our correspondents were able to visit 36 ballparks this summer, a mix of new to us parks and revisits to previously reviewed parks. Listed below, in alphabetical order, are some of our highest-rated and favorite ballparks. To see the full review, simply click on the stadium/team link. Hope you enjoy it! Crutcher Scott Field - Abilene Flying Bison - Texas League Terry McCutcheon - Crutcher Scott Field at Bullock Brothers Park is an excellent place to spend a summer evening watching talented players continue their development, while enjoying one of baseball's most relaxed settings. Growden Field - Alaska Goldpanners/Midnight Sun Game Paul Baker - A game that started as a bar bet has become a Bucket List item for thousands of baseball fans around the world. Fairbanks may be far off the beaten path, but for one night (and morning) it’s the center of the baseball universe. Mulcahy Stadium - Anchorage Bucs & Glacier Pilots - Alaska League Paul Baker - Mulcahy Stadium is a quaint old ballpark located in a wonderful destination city. The back story of the Glacier Pilots and Bucs, who cannot exist in their shared ballpark, makes for a unique visiting experience. Throw in the fact that the Alaska League continues to be one of the premier summer college circuits in the nation, and you have found yourself a fantastic Stadium Journey. Shirley Povich Field - Bethesda Big Train - Cal Ripken Sr. League Gregory Koch - The Big Train have certainly succeeded in creating a top-notch community baseball experience in Bethesda. On a warm summer night (or the occasional 10 AM Sunday game), baseball fans in Montgomery County will certainly want to make the trip to Shirley Povich Field. It is baseball fun for seasoned fans, young families, and everyone in between. Bowen Field - Bluefield Ridge Runners - Appalachian League Lloyd Brown - Bowen Field is one of the treasures of minor league baseball. Though it does not have many of the bells and whistles of more modern stadiums, it more than makes up for it in small-town friendliness, a beautiful natural setting, and a community and their ball team putting their best efforts to ensure you have an enjoyable night at the ballpark. Veteran's Field - Chatham Anglers - Cape Cod League Paul Baker - In a league full of unique parks and postcard-perfect towns, Chatham offers an experience that may top them all. NelsonCorp Field - Clinton Lumberkings - Prospect League James Hilchen - FieldCorp Field takes fans back in time to when baseball was about taking in the experience of what was happening on the field, rooting for your players and against the opposing team. For a true baseball fan, this is a fabulous venue. Lowell Park - Cotuit Kettleers - Cape Cod League Paul Baker - 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!” Danville Stadium - Danville Dans - Prospect League Marc Viquez - At one time, Danville Stadium was slated for the wrecking ball and left to rot after the Milwaukee Brewers relocated their Single-A team after the 1982 season. Aren’t we somewhat better off having baseball played at Danville Stadium and other buildings of its kind? It is good to know that there are still old-school parks left to watch baseball at these days. American Legion Field - Danville Otterbots - Appalachian League Gregory Koch - An Otterbots game is an enjoyable way to spend a warm summer night watching a baseball game. With an intimate stadium and a crazy mascot, it's affordable fun for the whole family. League Stadium - Dubois County Bombers - Ohio Valley League Marc Viquez - A wonderful and charming little stadium in southern Indiana that is somewhat of a drive for some in the state, but perhaps a drive that is well worth it since there is not quite another ballpark like it in the Hoosier State. Dunn Field - Elmira Pioneers - Perfect Game League Marc Viquez - The charm of Dunn Field would be enough to attract any ballpark traveler to Elmira. The amply-sized stadium has the look and feel of many great minor league ballparks that are no longer around. It is clean, spacious, and ideal for a relaxing day of baseball viewing. Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park - Harrisonburg Turks - Valley League Gregory Koch - It is indisputable that Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park is the most modern facility in the Valley League. While the older venues certainly have their charm in their own way, the Turks manage to create the same great atmosphere there is elsewhere in the league in a more modern stadium with all the amenities that come with. Capital Credit Union Park - Green Bay Rockers - Northwoods League Marc Viquez - Capital Credit Union Park is by far one of the most curious places to watch a baseball game during the summer months. Its design and features best suit a soccer match, but it’s full of popular areas and affordable food and concessions items that make it a nice destination for fans in the area. TVA Credit Union Ballpark - Johnson City Doughboys - Appalachian League David Welsh - Even though professional baseball is no longer played in Johnson City, the excitement of the game and the surrounding atmosphere have not disappeared. While the reorganization of minor league baseball may have been a bit of a step back in the developmental chain of baseball, it has not dampened the spirit of the baseball community in Johnson City, Tennessee. Johnson City may no longer be a stop on the road to the majors, but its love of baseball is as strong as ever. Sargent's Stadium at the Point - Johnstown Mill Rats - Prospect League Marc Viquez - Sargent’s Stadium at the Point is a nod to grand old ballparks of the past. The historic presence can be felt throughout the building, but modern additions provide comfort to the fans. Joe Becker Stadium - Joplin Outlaws - MINK League Photo Courtesy of Karen Staffileno Alex Mailes - Joe Becker Stadium offers the feeling of small-town baseball at a high level for an affordable price. There are plenty of promotions and games for fans to keep things exciting, and Joplin has plenty to offer if you find yourself bored after the game. Alumni Field - Keene Swamp Bats - New England League Paul Baker - It’s readily apparent once you set foot in Alumni Field why it’s one of the marquee venues in the New England Collegiate League. Take an unforgettable setting, add in great fan support, enthusiastic staff, and tons of extra features, and you have all the elements of a fantastic place to catch a ballgame. Simmons Field - Kenosha Kingfish - Northwoods League Eric Hasman - The Kenosha Kingfish have brought life back into the old ballpark. The recent renovations greatly improve the ballpark. According to some fans, there are more renovations planned for the upcoming off-season. This ballpark is a place one should visit. There is history and fun all over the park. Hunter Wright Stadium - Kingsport Axemen - Appalachian League Lloyd Brown - 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. Kapco Park - Lakeshore Chinooks - Northwoods League Marc Viquez - Kapco Park offers great concessions and an atmosphere that reminds me why I enjoy traveling around the country and visiting ballparks. The wait was worth it, a fine ballpark experience. Luther Williams Field - Macon Bacon - Coastal Plain League Lloyd Brown - Just as bacon has seen a renaissance as a food item, the Macon Bacon has brought about a renaissance for baseball in the Middle Georgia area. This Bacon recipe of baseball in a historic structure… seasoned with a few modern elements to meet the taste of today’s fans… is high in fun and low in cost. The Bacon Nation is sure to come back for a second helping. Edward A. LeLacheur Park - Lowell Spinners - Futures League Paul Baker - Creating a summer college team to replace a beloved professional baseball team does not always go as planned. But if the 2026 Futures League season is any indication, the Future is indeed bright in Lowell. No need to put a positive spin on it. Warner Park - Madison Mallards - Northwoods League Marc Viquez - The Madison Mallards might be the O.G.'s of packing in exciting crowds in summer collegiate baseball. Before the Savannah Bananas brought record numbers to their ballpark, the Mallards were among the leaders in baseball in average attendance numbers at Warner Park. Athletic Park - Medicine Hat Mavericks - Western Canadian League Jim Flannery - The Mavericks have been a consistent contender in the WMBL for most of their franchise history. Coming out to see a game in a lovely, relaxing environment, with friendly people is a great way to spend a summer evening in “The Hat.” Holman Stadium - Nashua Silver Knights - Futures League Paul Baker - Holman Stadium is a quaint ballpark that has likely seen the end of its days as a professional facility. With Northeast Delta Dental Stadium located 20 minutes to the north and LaLacheur Park located 20 minutes to the south, there are just not enough fans for the affiliated ball in the area. Rebel Park - New Market Rebels - Valley League Gregory Koch - For baseball fans in Virginia, the Valley Baseball League is a hidden gem, and the New Market Rebels are no exception. Those in New Market certainly know about the team and passionately follow it, but a trip to Rebel Park is well worth it for those who don’t live here as well. Cardines Field - Newport Gulls - New England League Paul Baker - They certainly don’t build them like Cardines Field anymore. This historic ballpark, filled with features not seen anywhere else, is a relic from another time. Cardines Field is frequently mentioned as one of the top places in the country to watch summer wood-bat baseball. Seaman Stadium - Okotoks Dawgs - Western Canadian League Richard Smith -Seaman Stadium is a wonderful ballpark, especially for the collegiate summer league level. There are likely to be affiliated minor teams that would be jealous of this fine facility. First Responder Field - Olney Cropdusters - Cal Ripken Sr. League Gregory Koch - The Olney Cropdusters have come a long way with their stadium since it opened in 2022. Even back then, they had an outstanding experience, but with all the renovations and improvements to the ballpark, this is truly a top-notch summer collegiate baseball venue. Eldredge Park - Orleans Firebirds - Cape Cod League Paul Baker - Baseball has been played at Eldredge Park since 1913. As a member of the Firebirds' staff put it, "We have three things going for us in Orleans. We have the best beaches on the Cape, we have the history, and we have the hill." War Memorial Stadium - Peninsula Pilots - Coastal Plain League Gregory Koch - There is no doubt that War Memorial Stadium is an old ballpark. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of more modern facilities in the CPL and elsewhere in the area, the energy at Peninsula Pilots games is top-notch. Sinsheimer Stadium - San Luis Obispo Blues - California League Meg Minard - San Luis Obispo is a small but vibrant, entertaining town to visit and well worth a stop for any traveler. Attending a game at Sinsheimer Stadium provides an excellent baseball experience in a community that supports it well. John Moxie Memorial Stadium - Staunton Braves - Valley League Gregory Koch - What John Moxie Memorial Stadium lacks in flashiness, it makes up for in charm. Baseball has been played at this site for over a century. Although Moxie Stadium doesn’t have the amenities of modern stadiums, and it certainly would never be mistaken for one, it is a gorgeous, historic stadium to watch a game on a summer’s night at a great price. Trenton Thunder Ballpark - Trenton Thunder - MLB Draft League Marc Viquez - It seems like only yesterday that the team arrived and spearheaded a movement toward ballpark construction in the state. However, the ballpark still stands out as a beauty and provides a highly enjoyable baseball experience. Shepherd Stadium - Tri-City Chili Peppers - Coastal Plain League Gregory Koch - Although Shepherd Stadium is almost 75 years old, you wouldn’t know it from attending a Chili Peppers game here. The stadium has all the amenities and excitement of a newer stadium. Centennial Field - Vermont Lake Monsters - Futures League Paul Baker - Centennial Field, while an older facility, offers many modern amenities and enough comforts to keep today’s fan happy. With a decidedly small-town feel, this ballpark belongs on any baseball fan’s must-see list. Oregon Trail Park Stadium - Western Nebraska Pioneers - Independence League Meg Minard - It is so, so comfortable here. The seats are wide, there’s plenty of legroom, the fans are energized, and the Pioneers staff is ready to assist, if needed. It’s still more about the game than the extra stuff, but there’s enough of that to keep non-purists entertained. Historic Bowman Field - Williamsport Crosscutters - MLB Draft League Gregory Koch - Baseball has been played at Bowman Field for almost 100 years, and you can feel a part of the history when stepping in here. However, this very much feels like a modern ballpark as well, not an old decrepit one that is falling apart. Yakima County Stadium - Yakima County Pippins - West Coast League Richard Smith - The Yakima Valley Pippins and Yakima County Stadium is a perfect spot to watch a summer collegiate league team. The stadium is past its prime for minor-league baseball. but is perfect for this level of ball.

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FAN FARE Score: 2.86 The Ballpark 7 Ballpark Way Old Orchard Beach, Maine 04064 GNCBL website The Ballpark website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 6,000 The Party of the Summer Time has a way of making something that one time seemed so grandiose become mortal. When it first opened in 1984, The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach, Maine was called, “the prettiest ballpark in creation” by Sports Illustrated, who likened the stadium to a hunting lodge due to the pine used throughout the facility. Fast forward to the present day, and it might be hard to link any of those adjectives to The Ballpark. The years that followed were unkind to The Ballpark. After nearly falling victim to decay, arson, and a planned demolition, the stadium was ultimately saved by Old Orchard Beach residents through a grassroots effort to bring baseball back to the facility. In 2010, American Legion teams and youth tournaments began using the field intermittently. A year later, The Ballpark welcomed its first summer collegiate baseball team, the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (2011–13). The independent Old Orchard Beach Surge of the Empire Professional Baseball League followed from 2015–18. The stadium also became a stop for the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL), whose teams rotated among ballparks throughout southern Maine while playing their schedules. That format changed in 2024 following the sale of the league, when teams were assigned designated home fields. The Ballpark became home to the Old Orchard Beach Bugs, a role that lasted just two summers. In 2026, The Ballpark took on a new role as the home base for the entire GNCBL and branded it "Beach Ball." Although the league's teams carried the names of neighboring communities, including the Saco Bay Blues, South Portland Puffins, and York County Yonders, only the Old Orchard Beach Bugs represent the town in which they actually play. Food and Beverage 3 The Ballpark is one of just a handful of GNCBL fields that operates a concession stand and is the only venue in the league that sells alcohol. The food selection is fairly typical for ballpark concessions with pretzels, hot dogs, pizza slices, and popcorn chicken, along with a wide selection of snacks. The Ballpark also offers Maine’s signature Red Snapper, a hot dog served in a bright red casing. Soft drinks from the Pepsi family of beverages and Gatorade are also available. For those looking for an adult beverage, The Ballpark is the only GNCBL venue that serves alcohol. Beer and seltzer options include Bud Light, Modelo, Michelob Ultra, and Goose Island IPA, along with Twisted Tea and High Noon seltzers. Atmosphere 2 For better or worse, much of the original stadium remains largely as it was in the mid-1980s. There is a concrete structure topped with modest boxes that more closely resemble warming huts than what we would consider suites today. Baseball at The Ballpark has the feel of what might be expected from the lower levels of summer collegiate baseball. There is an effort to keep fans entertained between innings, but that is about the extent of the entertainment beyond the game itself. The league has touted its single-location Beach Ball concept as an opportunity to “build a lively atmosphere that goes beyond the game itself,” with a more entertainment-driven experience focused on community engagement and a stronger connection between fans and players. The game experience is certainly interactive, but the lack of fans in the stands leaves the overall atmosphere feeling somewhat underwhelming. That, however, is not due to a lack of effort from league staff. If choosing between a weekday night game and a weekend afternoon game, the latter may be the better option. A swampy area beyond left field provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are typically at their worst around sunset. Dealing with the heat and lack of shade is more manageable than enduring a constant barrage of nature’s bloodsuckers. Even those who played at The Ballpark 40 years ago are quick to bring up the mosquitoes when Old Orchard Beach is mentioned. The seating at The Ballpark consists of rather uncomfortable half-back seats that rest squarely in the small of the back for a typical-sized adult. Many of the seats are also hiding cracks beneath strips of duct tape, adding another reminder that this is a stadium that has seen better days. Neighborhood 4 Old Orchard Beach is every bit the vacation beach town. Though the immediate area is mostly local municipal buildings and high school facilities, the excitement of the beach and pier are just over a mile away. OOB, as it is referred to by locals, is a popular summer destination for both Americans and Quebecois, as evident by the numerous Canadian and Quebec provincial flags that fly around town. The Ballpark is just 1.5 miles from the iconic Old Orchard Beach pier that dates back to 1898, and includes a Coney Island-esque amusement park, Palace Playland. OOB, and southern Maine for that matter, is every bit the summer tourist destination, so be prepared to pay premium prices for rather modest accommodations. For those looking to enjoy the outdoors without the touristy-ness of the area, Biddeford/Saco Country Club and Dunegrass Golf Club definitely could be options, or you can just take a walk through the trails of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Old Orchard Beach is more than just the draw of the beachfront. Fans 2 With one centralized location for games, there is not a scenario where one stadium has a fanbase whose community just gets behind them and is so much more supportive than others. Of all the teams in GNCBL in recent years, Old Orchard has seen more fan support than most of the other teams in the league, but typical attendance only ranges from 75-100 fans. The Beach Bugs staff has been active in the community promoting the team with nearby businesses to draw out the vacationers and locals, but to this point, that has not seemed to carry over into fan turnout. Access 4 With its beachside location, the town is not right on a main interstate or US highway; it is just under 4 miles off US 1, which runs parallel with I-95 up the southern Maine coast. Old Orchard Beach is also serviced by Amtrak’s Downeaster rail that runs between Boston and Brunswick. Though the stop is beachfront, it is just a 1.5-mile walk from the beach to The Ballpark via pedestrian-friendly streets. A single gravel parking lot sits outside the main gates and ticket tent, which is just a short walk from the grandstand. There are several stairways that lead to the field concourse, which divides the upper and lower levels of seating. A ramp down the first base side of the stadium is available to assist those who might not be able to navigate the stairs. Return on Investment 3 In years past, admission to The Ballpark was just $5, but in 2026, that price has more than doubled to $10.55 for a single game. The league schedules two games per day, but for some reason, only the later game is open to the public. At $10.55, the price would make more sense if admission included both games, but for a single game it feels a bit more than would be expected. Concessions are reasonably priced and in line with what would be expected at little league concession stands, making food and drinks a more affordable part of the overall experience. Extras 2 An in-game host helps keep fans engaged with mid-inning trivia questions and on-field contests. Those old enough to remember the Triple-A days at The Ballpark will likely recognize several of the original structures that remain. These include the locker rooms, front office, maintenance facilities, and the stadium speaker tower in center field. Final Thoughts Baseball at The Ballpark may not be an especially impressive experience for first-time visitors, but those who understand the history of baseball in the area can appreciate the fact that the game is still being played in Old Orchard Beach. The fact that baseball is still played at The Ballpark is nothing short of remarkable. The stadium has endured foreclosure, abandonment, and arson, yet through it all, it has emerged on the other side – perhaps a bit worse for wear, but still standing. The Ballpark holds a special place in Maine baseball history. For those who grew up attending games here, it was the next best thing to Fenway Park for those who couldn't make the trip to Boston. Much of the credit belongs to the town of Old Orchard Beach and its residents, who have shown decades of dedication simply to ensure that The Ballpark remains in use today.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 La Moderna Field 1906 Brazzell Road Cleburne, TX 76033 Cleburne Railroaders website La Moderna Field website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 1,750 Next Stop: Cleburne's La Moderna Field La Moderna Field, formerly known as The Depot at Cleburne Station, is a multi-use facility for the city of Cleburne, Texas. The facility opened on May 18, 2017, at a cost of $20.7 million. The opening of the 1,750 fixed-seat ballpark brought professional baseball back to Cleburne after a 95-year absence. Cleburne, Texas, was an important hub for the Santa Fe Railway when trains would bring in cattle to push north along the Chisholm Trail to Kansas in the late 1800s. The history of professional baseball here dates to 1906 when the original Railroaders joined the Texas League. The 1906 Cleburne team won the Texas League Championship with the talent of nine Major Leaguers, including Hall of Famer Tris Speaker. The team left town after that season, but Cleburne would return in 1911 to win another championship, this time in the Texas-Oklahoma League. The city would then lose the team again for 10 years before a brief return as the Cleburne Generals, before losing the franchise for a third time in 1922. Cleburne professional baseball stayed dormant until the current Railroaders began play in 2017. La Moderna Field is a synthetic field with a dirt pitcher’s mound. The field size is asymmetrical, with left field being 335ft, while right field is shorter at 320ft. The power alleys are 383ft (left-center) and 375ft (right-center), with center field at 400ft. The home team occupies the third base dugout, and both teams’ bullpens are in right-center hidden behind the kids’ zone. La Moderna Field has held various college baseball tournaments over the years. Food & Beverage 4 The Depot has two main concession stands, one serving each side of the baselines. The concessions are a surprise for the size of the ballpark – there is plenty of ballpark fare, including peanuts, popcorn, and pretzels, to candy, nachos, and hot dogs, all under $7. The higher end food choices of Angus burgers, chicken sandwiches, and brisket sandwiches are each a few dollars more. A special mini boom stick hot dog (foot long) inspired by the Texas Rangers boom stick is the highest price on the food menu here at $15. Dr Pepper products are the featured soft drink – fountain drinks are $5, bottled water is $4, and sports drinks are $5. In addition, there are plenty of adult beverages at the reasonable cost of $7 for Coors Light, Bud Light, Shiner Bock, Michelob Ultra, and many more. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere can change on any given night as the crowds are a little larger on the weekend than during the week. All games start in the evening, as the Texas summer can be brutal on fans. The fans are decent and supportive of the Railroaders as the players become part of the community. The Railroaders are on target to provide a great atmosphere for fans. The ballpark is set to entertain young fans with the team’s mascot, Spike, or even younger fans with shorter attention spans via a kid’s play area located in right field. The Railroaders staff keeps the crowd engaged in between innings with various entertainment. Every game can give you a different perception of the atmosphere, but if you want to have a fun night while only spending a small amount of money, then a game at La Moderna Field is a wonderful place to spend an evening, seeing baseball at its purest. Neighborhood 2 La Moderna Field is located on the northern outskirts of the city, at the intersection of US 67 and Chisholm Trail Parkway. Cleburne is a city with a population of around 30,000; the city is named in honor of Patrick Cleburne, a Confederate general. Cleburne is approximately a 1-hour drive from DFW International Airport, 30 miles south of Fort Worth (45-minute drive), or 75 miles north of Waco. Cleburne’s downtown area features several chain restaurants on W Henderson Street. The best food option in Cleburne is sampling the local flavors, so Tex-Mex at La Cima Mexican Cuisine or a small-town American diner such as Heroes Cafe would be good choices. The lodging near the ballpark includes basic hotel chains such as Holiday Inn & Suites-Cleburne or La Quinta Inn. However, for a more unique recommendation, check out Liberty Hotel in the center of Cleburne. Attractions around Cleburne center on outdoor activities at the 498-acre Cleburne State Park or the 1,550-acre Lake Pat Cleburne. Or, on days when the Texas heat is not safe, the Layland Museum shows off the area’s historical relics with early Texana, comprehensive Indian artifacts dating from pre-Columbian cultures, fossils, and genealogy records. Fans 3 Cleburne baseball fans have embraced having professionals back in Cleburne, as the team is beginning its 9th season (missing 2020 due to Covid-19). The team averaged around 1,669 fans per game last season, ranking in the lower tier of the league, but with the smallest ballpark in the league, this does rank higher if you use the percentage capacity filled. Although the crowd at La Moderna Field may not be on par with larger ballparks’ attendance, the fans here are very vocal and engaged throughout the game. The fans at La Moderna Field are also very community-oriented, with the locals being either diehard baseball fans or families enjoying the summer at the ballpark. Local fans have waited almost a century for baseball to return to Cleburne, and the strong pride of having baseball return, coupled with an already proud connection to the past, has given professional baseball a solid foundation with a bright future to continue in Cleburne. Access 3 Cleburne is about an hour’s drive from DFW International Airport, towards the Fort Worth side of the metroplex, using Interstate 35W south from the DFW area. La Moderna Field is located off US Highway 67 at the Nolan River Road exit, or the south end of Chisholm Trail Parkway, 27 miles from Fort Worth, Texas. A large parking lot surrounds the ballpark, as Cleburne Station has yet to be fully constructed to its potential. Fans can enter the ballpark through the main gate behind home plate. This entrance is the center of the ballpark and contains a historic chief engine train, pre-game entertainment, and box offices. There is a second entrance for season ticket holders along the baseline. Just inside the main entrance are the pro shop and the Cleburne Baseball Museum. The other entrance is a small entrance that connects the parking lot to the first base side of the concourse. The concourse is located above the seating bowl and houses the concessions and restrooms for the ballpark. The seating bowl at La Moderna Field has safety netting that stretches from the right field general seating berm to the third base seating berm. The ballpark does have a party view patio and suites overlooking the lower bowl of seats and the concourse, and there is also a picnic patio along the right field line that has more trains. There is also a kid’s zone located beyond the right field fence that can be seen from the general seating areas, but the kid’s zone’s premier attraction is a Dallas Mavericks logo basketball court. The team’s bullpens are located beyond the kids’ zone. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for Cleburne Railroaders games range in price from $16-$19 for reserved seats around home plate. There is plenty of parking surrounding the ballpark; the cost is $5. The concessions are reasonably priced for a sports venue, making the overall ROI on a Railroaders game on par with what would be expected, but there are also plenty of ways to get discounted tickets to provide a more affordable night out for the family, for example, the Family Pack with four game tickets and four meal vouchers, or the Date Night offer of 2 tickets and 2 meal vouchers. Military members can get tickets for a 50% discount, along with 25% off concessions. Extras 4 The Railroaders name connects not only Cleburne’s baseball past but also the history of this small Texas city, and the ballpark theme and future development at Cleburne Station is a great concept in continuing Cleburne’s history. Also, the Cleburne Baseball Museum located next to the ticket office at the main entrance is a great place to read about Cleburne baseball’s past teams. The Railroaders gift shop has a variety of Railroaders items, including a real nice selection of team jerseys. The ballpark itself is small, but is a perfect fit for Cleburne, and will give local baseball fans the enjoyment of watching the game for years to come. Final Thoughts La Moderna Field is the headstone of future development around Cleburne, and has the potential to keep professional baseball in Cleburne for many years to come. While Cleburne, Texas may not be a tourist hot spot, what it does have is an immaculate ballpark for any baseball fan. Any sports traveler in the Dallas-Fort Worth area should make a road trip to Cleburne and get aboard the Railroaders train at La Moderna Field.