Photos by Bryndon Coughlin, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Providence Park 1844 SW Morrison Portland, OR 97205 Portland State Vikings website Providence Park website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 20,438 Vikings Among Timbers Providence Park is somewhat a familiar territory for the Vikings, but it can be hard to consider it their home field, as the program has yet to find a formula to fill the stands and provide a fun college game atmosphere to fans. The current stadium has other tenants; Providence Park was first used for Major League Soccer for the Portland Timbers on April 14, 2011 and has recently become home for Portland’s new NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) team, the Portland Thorns. Food & Beverage 4 Beer prices range from $5-$9. Popcorn, fries and candy are also available. The menu offers a choice of Zenners local hot dogs. Bacon Cheddar smoked sausage or the Timber Brat seem to be the fan favorites. The Timber Brat is wrapped in bacon and served on a pretzel dog bun with Widmer beer-braised onions. Local restaurants have their own stations open also. Portland City Grill and Qboba Mexican all seem to be the popular choices. Atmosphere 2 The stadium overall is laid out nicely. Unless you’re sitting fairly close you will most likely be covered from the occasional down pour provided by the beautiful Northwest. Be sure to check the details of your ticket as some seats have obstructed views. The fans that have attended a Timbers game at Providence Park might not see too much of a difference. The Vikings do try to cover the Timbers logos to try to make it more of a home feel for the crowd. Other than the Vikings logo, most of the same specialty restaurants are open and the fan shop for the Portland Timbers remains open during the game . About two thousand seats were added in 2012. This bringing capacity up to 20,438. Unfortunately, the program isn’t in the current direction to even fill the stadium at half capacity. The Vikings fans sit about 10 feet away from the field creating a fun atmosphere for the players and crowd. The next best seats are Row M located in the Key Bank Club section, you are able to sit a little above eye level and it makes for a great view to see how the plays are formed. There is a private section known as The Root Sports lounge which can be rented out for big parties. The lounge provides private seating on the same level as the players. The lounge also has a lot more food options and is available throughout the game. Neighborhood 5 Downtown Portland has all kinds of restaurants, bars and shopping centers. Stop by the world-reknown Voo-Doo Doughnuts and grab a maple bacon or Captain Crunch bar. Grab a slice from Pizzacato, the best pizza in Portland, hands down. The Cheerful Bullpen is the before and after spot for any Vikings home or away games. The Cheerful Bullpen is located within minutes of Providence Park. Portland is famously known for their food carts so don’t be shy, they can be the best place for a pre game meal. Pioneer Square located about 5 minutes from Providence Park is a hot spot for local and national shopping. I also suggest checking out the Nike Factory located across the corner from the historic Multnomah County Courthouse. Nike was established in Oregon so you won’t be disappointed by the store and its many interactive features for fans of all kinds. The boutique stores like Compound and Upper Playground can be great places to check out different kinds of art. Fans 2 The fans throughout Providence Park are pretty spread out and there doesn’t seem to be a place where diehard fans sit together. Chants and coordinated cheers are absent and makes you wonder if you are watching a college football game. There also didn’t seem to be a student section. Access 5 Out of all the stadiums I’ve been to, I have never seen such a big spot for bicycle parking. It seems like it’s the popular way to get to the area and not take a car. Portland’s bus and light rail (known as MAX) system is nicely integrated into stops at and near the stadium block. “Park and Rides” are littered throughout the City of Portland. With the option of the MAX, a fan is cutting costs on outrageous parking prices and gas used to and from the game. I wouldn’t suggest trying to park near the stadium as it is located in downtown near other venues that require street parking. Remember to double check the meter signs as these meters that are closer to the stadium run on different times and prices compared to others throughout the city. Return on Investment 2 The small crowd and quiet atmosphere Portland State games provide makes for an overall experience that doesn’t cut it compared to other Division I college facilities. Whether a fan is looking to gawk at a great arena or find a quick adrenaline rush on a loud college atmosphere, this is not the place to spend your money. Extras 1 The Disc Jockey for the Vikings is one of the better DJs I’ve heard. He plays music that is family friendly yet not boring and keeps your attention throughout the game.

Photo Courtesy of Stadiumconnection.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Rice–Totten Stadium 14000 Hwy 82 W Itta Bena, MS 38941 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils website Rice–Totten Stadium website Year Opened: 1958 Capacity: 10,000 The Legacy of Jerry Rice If you are looking for a passionate fan base and a fun environment to watch a football game, Rice-Totten Stadium is definitely a good place to start. Itta Bena, Mississippi is what you may expect from a small southern town, and in many ways it protects a gem in the Delta Devils. With Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones as their most well-known athletic alumni, the Delta Devils bring a proud football tradition to the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Rice-Totten Stadium seats approximately 10,000 fans, and provides a fun small school feel. Food & Beverage 2 There is nothing wrong with the food and beverage choices offered in the stadium. In many ways, it is what you would expect for a small Southwestern Athletic Conference school. You are not going to pay a lot, and in return the variety is not all that great. The few tailgates set up around campus do have some unique food choices, and the fans are definitely friendly. Atmosphere 3 With numerous alumni in the National Football League, the Delta Devils fan base has high expectations for their team. They are passionate and interested in the game. They are also very proud of their team, no matter how it happens to be doing that Saturday. Overall it is an enjoyable venue to watch a football game. It is small enough to give you that personal feel, while still being at a college environment. Neighborhood 3 Itta Bena is a nice small southern town. It is proud of being home to the Delta Devils, and openly shows its pride. But Itta Bena is probably not a place where you are going to go to spend a weekend, as there is little to see besides the University. Greenwood is just about ten miles east on US-82, and there you will find a few hotels and a few chain restaurants. But visits to Memphis, Tennessee (two hours to the north) or Jackson, Mississippi (one hour and forty five minutes to the south) both provide plenty of entertainment if needed. The trip is definitely going to show you what the Mississippi countryside has to offer from either direction. Fans 3 The fans know their football, as they have seen some of the best in college and professional history play at Rice-Totten Stadium. The passion is definitely evident when you arrive and continues until you leave the campus. While not as large as some Southwestern Athletic Conference schools, Mississippi Valley State can definitely hold its own when it comes to loyalty amongst its fan base. Access 2 Once on campus, finding parking is not difficult, nor is finding the stadium. The drive in is a bit of a drain, with few close places to stay. The best bets are either Memphis, TN or Jackson, MS if you are looking to spend time in a larger city, both which leave long drives in on game day. The drive is definitely worth the experience overall. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices run $20-$35 on game days, with a discount for buying them early. The food is affordable, and the fans are passionate. Plus any place that has hosted Jerry Rice has to be worth the trip. On this, the Delta Devils do not disappoint. Extras 1 The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils and Itta Bena, Mississippi provide a fun and worthwhile journey into the small town south. Any fan of college football, or of greats like Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones definitely need to make the trip to Itta Bena. The fans will welcome you with open arms, and at the end of the drive, you will be glad you went on the journey.

Photo Courtesy of OSU Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Goss Stadium at Coleman Field 430 SW Langton Pl Corvalis, OR 97331 Oregon State Beavers website Goss Stadium at Coleman Field website Year Opened: 1907 Capacity: 3,248 Oregon State Baseball at Goss Stadium The Oregon State Beavers baseball team has seen ample success over the last half-decade, producing incredible MLB talent headlined by all-star Jacoby Ellsbury. Goss Stadium at Coleman Field has been the home for OSU baseball since 1907, and has seen two national champion teams (2006 and 2007). The stadium seats 3,248 after renovations in 1999 and 2009. The most recent renovation increased seating capacity nearly double, from 2,000 to 3,248, allowing more fans to enjoy the festivities. Watching a game, you can see the passion for Beavers baseball by the fans. OSU fans, students, and alumni do love their baseball. Goss Stadium is located directly on campus, giving a complete college feel. Food & Beverage 3 You’ll find popcorn, hot dogs, soda, burgers, and the typical concession food. Atmosphere 5 What makes Goss Stadium unique? The atmosphere. There are few places that can match the excitement at a Beavers’ baseball game. Since 2012, Goss Stadium has hosted five super regionals, proof of the prowess of the OSU program. Despite the age of the stadium, recent renovations keep it as a fine venue to catch a game. Being on campus gives it an extra special feel. Like Beavers’ football and basketball games, it’s nearly impossible to find a fan not wearing bright orange or black. Neighborhood 4 This is where a little debate can take place. Some fans like having ballparks a little secluded, but I love the fact that Goss Stadium is directly on campus. Being right next to the basketball and football stadiums gives it a collegiate feel that can’t really be put into words. Being near campus, fans can find a plethora of spots to find some grub for pregame. Three popular stopping grounds less than a mile away include Nearly Normals Gonzo Cuisine (NNGC), McMenamins and Interzone. At NNGC, you can find an assortment of burritos and local food. McMenamins is a great spot to grab a beer or grab a burger. Interzone is a coffee shop for early risers or visitors making a long drive home after a late game. Fans 4 OSU fans are passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated. It’s near impossible to find a fan not wearing school colors. Despite rival fans at games, Beaver fans remain civil and respectful. Of course, like all stadiums, you’ll find a fair share of idiots arguing every ball and strike, but there were very few at the game I attended. Access 2 The problem with access to Goss Stadium is a two-part issue. The first is the inconvenient location of Corvallis. It’s difficult to make it there unless you already have your sights set on it. Most major cities in Oregon are located off of I-5, the major interstate on the west coast. Corvallis is 10 miles west of I-5, and inconvenient to get to. The other issue is the lack of parking around campus. It’s almost impossible to find somewhere free to park. It’s best to just pay the $5 and avoid searching for a long time. Return on Investment 4 Reserved tickets go for $20, with outfield/GA seats $10. I would suggest going with general admission seats. The view does not really differ, and if you’re going with multiple people, the price difference can add up. Either way, you will be getting your money’s worth. I suggest eating beforehand at local restaurants. Prices per item with respect to food size make it far more practical to find your meal elsewhere. Extras 2 Another nice feature is the video board in the outfield. It isn’t up to par with the football team’s scoreboard, but that should be obvious. And with the incredible talent consistently be pumped through this program, odds are good that you’ll see good baseball.

Photos by Bill Kitner Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Great Southern Bank Arena 685 S John Q. Hammons Pkwy. Springfield, MO 65897 Missouri State Bears website Great Southern Bank Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 11,000 More Than the Bear Necessities As you approach the arena from any side but the front, it is not a very impressive venue. From the front, it looks promising, but your jaw will not drop. Get inside and you find that appearances may be deceiving. By any measure this arena rocks. But first things first, JQH stands for John Q. Hammons, who is a businessman that made his fortune developing hotels and he is a Missouri State alumnus who has a passion for sports, specifically Missouri State. There is Hammons Field, a 32 million dollar field for Missouri State and the minor league Springfield Cardinals. It is probably one of the nicest college baseball fields being used right now. The old basketball arena was named for Hammons and the JQH Arena is on John Q. Hammons Parkway. There are a few other things in Springfield named Hammons. Heck, I ended up having such a good time at the game that I named the laptop that I was using at JQH Arena the JQH Laptop Computer. Note: The arena name changed from JQH Arena to Great Southern Bank Arena in April 2022, Food & Beverage 4 They have all the basics that you would expect at a basketball game plus real hand-scooped ice cream, Mexican food, pulled-pork BBQ, a gourmet hot dog stand and a gourmet burger stand. Prices are just a little high, but nothing like the crazy NBA prices. Here is something you can do for fun; buy a cup of ice cream for $4 and tell them to cram as much ice cream in it as possible. They piled mine up about seven inches high with cookies and cream ice cream and it was filling, not to mention delicious. The hot dogs are $4 that has a nice blend of spices with a very soft bread/bun. A Large popcorn is $4, barely warm, but salty with a slight hint of butter taste. The venerable nachos have good crisp chips and slightly spicy cheese. Pepsi products are sold and a 32 oz, soft drink is $4 Atmosphere 4 Fans enter into the concourse that circles the court between the upper and lower sections. It is wide and full of things to do. Concessions are sold on all sides of the concourse and there are plenty of flat-screen TV monitors so fans do not miss any action. There is a hall of fame and it does a nice job of telling the story Missouri State athletics. A quick fun fact that I learned from the hall of fame: Since Missouri State started playing basketball the program has only had 15 losing seasons. In the seating bowl where the action happens, there is seating that covers three sides, horseshoe style with a lower section and upper section that has angled side seats. The fourth side at the open end of the horseshoe is bleacher seating for students, which goes up 30 rows from the floor. The fans in both the lower and upper seating sections enter through portals from the concourse and either go down to their seats in the lower level or up to their seats in the upper sections on both sides. Both the lower and upper sections are sloped enough so that the last rows are not that far back from the court. There are corporate boxes on any of the three sides of the horseshoe situated between the upper and lower sections and they are comfortable. At the closed end of the horseshoe on the same level as the boxes are the Prime Overtime Club for high rollers, with seating that provides views of the court, plus food and drink. Rather than enclosing it in the glass, it was left open, giving the high rollers a real game experience when they are in the Prime Overtime Club. The scoreboard is a center-hung, four-sided board, with a clear, large video display, player stats, time, score, fouls, and TOL. There is also around message board under the main video boards and message display panels above. I attended the final game of the 2010-11 season which featured Wichita State trying to defeat Missouri State for the number one seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. This 11,000-seat arena which opened in 2008 set a new attendance record with 11,077 fans making noise from tip-off until 30 minutes after the Bears beat the Shockers to the delight of the home fans. When the game ended, confetti dropped from the ceiling and that rated high on my “cool meter.” Have you ever seen a “white out” where all the fans where white? Well, today it was a “maroon out” with almost all the fans wearing maroon as ESPN2 captured the action. It was impressive and I do not think that on this Saturday there was a better college atmosphere anywhere in the country. Part of the wonderful experience is due to the staff, from ticket takers to policemen to ushers to concession workers; they treat you like they are glad you are there. You will not find this at every venue. Neighborhood 4 This arena is right on campus and located near several restaurants and bars. All have an appropriate sports theme. Within sight of the arena is Harlow’s, and also Boomer’s. Both have plenty of TVs and reasonably priced food. About a half mile away was a charming little sports bar called Ebbets Field. It was at one point an old house that is now a sports bar with everything you would expect in a sports bar. It reminds me a little of “Bobby Plump’s Last Shot” in Indianapolis. If you are a college basketball fan and you do not know who Bobby Plump is, then you better do a quick Google so you do not embarrass yourself. There are plenty of other hangouts close by should you choose to investigate a little. Fans 4 The fans, and the students on their feet almost the whole game, as well as the pep band, combine to provide a great college experience. There were probably 2,500 students in attendance. There were over 11,000 fans, but MSU averages a little over 7,300 fans per game, so not every game is this rocking. There will be nights early in the season where there are only 5,600 fans in attendance, but the arena is so nice that you will always have a nice experience no matter how many fans are in the house. Access 3 There are several lots near the arena but I didn’t see any general parking close by. There was a parking garage about two blocks away with free parking and there was plenty of street parking starting about three blocks away. So you won’t have to pay anything to park unless you are dying to part with some money, but you will probably have to walk several blocks, and who couldn’t use a little exercise? Return on Investment 4 Tickets run $20, $15 and $10 each and there were tickets for sale outside the arena for less than face value. So you can get two people (paying face value for tickets) in for between $20-$40, then get a huge hot dog, large Pepsi and a large popcorn for $12 and it is a $32-$52 dollar day. Not a steal, but not a huge rip-off either. More importantly, well worth the overall price. Extras 5 This arena is one of the best arenas built in the last 30 years. It makes my top 10 college basketball arenas in the country. Any college hoops fan on an arena tour needs to include the JQH Arena. You will enjoy a true college hoops experience in a top venue and you will be watching great MVC basketball. You will get a great seat with a cup holder, the scoreboard will give you all the relevant information you need, the food you purchase will be good and after the game, you can walk to a sports bar to catch another game or two. The game experience at Missouri State has everything I look for. Final Thoughts JQH Arena is a true college hoops experience in a top venue with everything a fan could want for in a sporting arena. The game experience is something that is much more than the “bear” necessities.

Photos by Jason Karp, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Holt Arena 550 Memorial Dr Pocatello, ID 83209 Idaho State Bengals website Holt Arena website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 8,000 Basketball at Holt Arena While having attended an Idaho State University (ISU) football game and a rodeo in the Holt Arena, I fully expected this trip to Pocatello for an ISU men's basketball game to be equally as forgettable. However, this visit in Jan 2013, actually left me pleasantly surprised and I found myself questioning my past opinions of the arena. With only a very modest sized crowd, the Holt Arena was deafening and intimidating as the Bengals went on to beat Sacramento State 60-59. Opened in 1970, the Holt Arena is a half dome reminiscent of a large airplane hanger. Unassuming from the outside, the multipurpose arena offers several different seating arrangements that allow for different sports, concerts, and entertainment events. Logistically, hosting any event in the middle of a football stadium is crazy. The various courts and stages that are installed make up only a small fraction a football field square footage. Fortunately for Bengal basketball fans, ISU seems to have it down to a fine art. In order to not separate the crowd from the game and eliminate the home court advantage, the court is brought close to the permanent north bleachers and temporary bleachers surround the three sides of the court. Respectable for its size even with temporary bleachers, the arena boasts 8,000 seats during basketball games and a 12,000 (permanent) seating capacity for football games. Many of the dome's features are unavailable during the basketball game such as the video boards, or family friendly play place. Food & Beverage 1 Holt Arena offers just a very small number of food vendors, serving very limited and standard game time treats. During basketball games, the south side of the arena is closed, which further reduces the available options. The concession prices are surprisingly fair considering that there is no alcohol being sold to subsidize the prices. Atmosphere 2 The arena is adorned with trophies, plaques, and sports memorabilia from throughout the school's past, giving the facility a feeling of past sports legacy and special moments. However as the student body is virtually nonexistent, you're instantly struck with confusion wondering which is the home team. Luckily for this game, the hometown fans showed up in the second half. The heavy (ugly) insulated roof helped lend to the incredible noise that the small crowd produced. Neighborhood 3 Settled at the south end of Pocatello, Idaho State University is surrounded by older and well kept single-family homes, which slightly separates the school as the more active part of the town. Having learned from past experiences of trying to find original restaurants around the university, we talked to the other spectators and got two solid recommendations. Portneuff Brewery, a traditional polish brewery, and Butterburr's which is a family diner. As a winter storm was starting to settle in, we opted for Butterburr's, which was closer to our hotel. The large diner was filled to capacity, and the locals were really piling in. The soups are warm and homemade, and the pies hit the right spot. I will definitely be returning again for their Cheddar Broccoli soup. Fans 3 While I remain underwhelmed at the complete lack of a student section from ISU, I am extremely impressed with the amount of local hometown support the team seems to have. Families and local residents don the orange and black to support the Bengals. While the Bengals struggled to get things going during the first half, the fans didn't waiver. The second half was loud, intense, and actually kept my attention. Access 5 From the freeway, to parking, to the seats is less than 10 minutes. One unique feature that I noticed during this trip is Bengal tiger paw prints painted on the roads throughout town, all of which lead you to the Holt Arena. I have never waited in line at the box office, restrooms, or concessions. The small attendance reduces all congestion, and traffic flow before, during, and after the basketball game. Return on Investment 3 Even though the men's basketball games uses just a portion of Holt arena's potential, the $15 ticket I bought, allowed me to attend one of the best college games I have attended in quite some time. While I'm not a Bengals fan, I will absolutely be looking into attending again. Extras 0 Nothing that should be considered extra.

Photos by Eric Bynum and Kirsten Richards, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Jamsil Baseball Stadium Jamsil 1-dong, Songpa-gu Seoul, South Korea LG Twins website Jamsil Baseball Stadium website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 27,000 LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium Jamsil Baseball Stadium was completed in 1982 and hosted Olympic baseball games (it was only an exhibition sport) when Seoul hosted the games in 1988. It has housed two professional teams since its gates opened in the LG Twins and Doosan Bears. This is one of the greatest rivalries in sport in Korea since they share a city and a stadium. Both teams are owned by huge Korean corporations and have legions of devote fans. The stadium is one of the larger ones in Korea holding 27,000 people. It is a part of the Jamsil Sports Complex that sits next to Seoul Olympic Stadium. Food & Beverage 4 One of the reasons I like this stadium is the access to western food. Around the stadium grounds on the outside sit several western restaurants including Burger King and KFC. However, during the 2012 season there was a new addition in Smoothie King. This adds a lot for me as now you can have a nice cold smoothie on a hot summer night. In addition to the western food available, you can find the traditional Korean food that is available at any ballpark. Foods such as gimbap, mandu, ramyeon, deokbokki, and sausage on a stick are available. The Korean food is always a cheap choice and typically the food will be decent if not very good. The greatest part of Korean baseball is the ability to bring in any food that you prefer. There are no restaurants within a short walk from the stadium, so pack what you want before heading to the stadium. Or you can pick some chicken or other treats up from the vendors outside the stadium. Drinking is a big deal at baseball games in Korea. Korean beer is very cheap no matter where you buy it. You can pick up a single can for around $2-$3 and it is readily available everywhere inside and outside of the stadium. Other drinks will be available as well such as water, Gatorade, Pocari Sweat (a Japanese Gatorade type drink), and soda. These will all range from $1-$3 as well making your trip to the park a cheap affair. Atmosphere 5 Games in Korea always provide a great atmosphere since the fans are so great. If you want a different experience, get there early and grab a seat behind where one of the cheerleaders will be. That way you’ll be right in the thick of it all. Cheerleaders will be leading the fans on both sides of the game all night long. They love to cheer and they do it well with special chants for certain players. The scoreboards are nice in Korea typically and the one at Jamsil Stadium is no exception. It is located in center field and it is huge. It is large enough to show the lineups of both teams fully on the scoreboard so you always know who is coming up to bat. It also keeps track of stats such as pitch counts and the speed of each pitch. The only downside is if you sit in parts of the outfield it will be difficult to see. Seating at Jamsil Stadium is general admission for the outfield. There is reserved seating in the infield seats. If you purchase a ticket for the outfield, you will not be able to get to the infield seats. This might be a problem if you want to take photographs of the stadium from different angles. The seats in the infield are reserved and vary in price, but I have never had a problem roaming the entire infield area, except the VIP section. No one was ever there to check my ticket to see if I was in the right section, but your experience may vary. Neighborhood 3 Jamsil Baseball Stadium is part of a bigger sports complex. There isn’t much around except other sporting arenas. However, if you have the time, walk over to the Olympic Stadium to see where many of the events were held including the opening and closing ceremonies in 1988. It is across the parking lot from the baseball stadium. Luckily it is on the subway line making other parts of Seoul easily accessible. If you want to head out after the game for a drink, don’t worry about the ballpark’s neighborhood. Instead, head down the subway line just a few stops and get off at Gangnam (where you can really do it “Gangnam Style”). There you will find an endless line of restaurants, shops, and bars both Korean and western alike. Fans 5 Fans of LG and Doosan are second to none. Typically the fans of the visiting team will show up in force which can lead to a sort of cheer off between the two sides. You will never be at a loss for something to cheer for. Korean baseball fans are very passionate. They love to use their thundersticks (long balloon noise makers) and they love to cheer and chant to help their favorite team to victory. One of the better times you can have is when LG and Doosan play each other. They share the stadium and both teams have loyal fans. During these games the fans will be even more raucous and loud. It’s definitely something worth seeing. Access 4 The stadium is located on the Seoul subway line which makes it very accessible. The stadium is located on line 2 of the subway. Take it to Sports Complex Station and take exit number 5 and the stadium will be right in front of you. There are many city buses that stop around the stadium. You can use any of the following buses. Blue buses (301, 360, 361, 362, 363, or 730), green buses (11-3, 11-6, 917, 2225, 3217, 3218, 3411, 3412, 3422, 3414, 3417, 3415, or 3314), or the yellow 41 will all take you to or very close to the stadium. Access around the stadium isn’t as easy. As mentioned before, you cannot move to the infield section with a ticket for the outfield. So decide before purchasing where you would like to see the game from. Restrooms are plentiful and there is rarely a long line. Return on Investment 5 Korean baseball in general is a great investment. Ticket prices are very inexpensive ranging from about $7-$15 depending on if you want an outfield seat or infield seat. Prices run all the way up to about $50 for seats directly behind home plate. What makes it so affordable is not only the low ticket prices but the fact you can bring anything into the stadium from home. Add in the great fan interaction, the high level of baseball, and you are looking at a great return on your investment. It will be hard not to go away entertained in some form or fashion from a Korean baseball game. . Extras 2 There aren’t many extras here at Jamsil Stadium. It was built 30 years ago and doesn’t have a lot of the modern conveniences. There isn’t even a lot around the stadium except for a few statues and venues from the 1988 Olympics. Jamsil Baseball Stadium is there for baseball and not much else. People come to see the action on the field. Thankfully what happens on the field and in the stands is worth the trip. Final Thoughts Even though I am not a huge fan of either team, I really like Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Overall it’s nice to see a game here. Don’t concern yourself with attractions other than the game itself and you won’t come away disappointed. However, it was nice seeing the Olympic Stadium next door. It is not too often that most people, myself included, get to see a stadium where the Olympics was held. If you want nightlife, head down the subway line just a few stops and head to Gangnam. You can find all the nightlife you want here.

Photos by Marcus Traxler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.14 Erv Huether Field 1410 Jackrabbit Ave Brookings, SD 57006 South Dakota State Jackrabbits website Erv Huether Field website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 600 The New Erv For the South Dakota State baseball team, Erv Huether Field has not felt like home for the Jackrabbits since its construction in 2008. But that has changed with the addition of new seating for the state’s only Division I college baseball team. From 1957 to 2001, SDSU played at the old field of the same name but was never anything more than a ball field on the north side of campus with bleachers behind home plate. The school built over the field and SDSU spent six seasons at Brookings’ Bob Shelden Field, which is a fine municipal field but not up to the standards for a Division I team, so the school started raising funds for a new park in 2006. The new Erv now feels a little bit more like a ballpark with the addition to a grandstand behind home plate and a permanent press box atop of the structure for the start of this 2012 season. The stadium is named after SDSU’s baseball coach from 1950 to 1983 (despite a career record below .500) and now seats 600 with the grandstand. It beats the rickety bleachers that were temporary in place for the first four seasons back on campus in Brookings. The $200,000 leading gift for the new seating came from Dave Lane and his family, a former Jackrabbit shortstop in the mid-1980s, who still holds SDSU’s career stolen base record. That said, the Jacks baseball home is still largely unspectacular. Food & Beverage 2 There is no permanent concession stand and along those lines, there are no permanent bathrooms but rather a Coca-Cola trailer and a pair of porta-potties. The treat selection is weak as well, with only candy and bottles of soda to satisfy fans. I would think hot dogs could be in play here too but with SDSU averaging fewer than 250 fans per game, I can see why the selection is limited to keep potential overhead low. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere of college baseball is different from its football and basketball counterparts but the Jackrabbits’ don’t have much of an atmosphere around the field. The park is still largely unfinished, with crushed rock covering the ground around the seats. The PA system provides the only excitement off the field but I think SDSU wants a no-frills approach to the game, with no advertisements on the walls (although that aspect could change in the near future). With that in mind, every seat behind home plate is a good one and the middle section contains individual seats that you would find at bigger parks. SDSU hosts Minnesota every season for one game and the annual meeting usually brings the largest crowd of the year to The Erv. However, that’s not the norm with NAIA Mount Marty, Division II Sioux Falls and the other various Summit League opponents dotting the schedule annually. Kids, like at most other small ballparks, can chase down foul balls, but if they aren’t interested in the game, their entertainment is limited. There are people in the seats and music playing over the loud speaker but SDSU doesn’t have much for game day fun. Neighborhood 1 Erv Huether Field is located near SDSU’s football stadium, Coughlin-Alumni Stadium and not far from the Jacks’ softball diamond, which also opened in 2008. There is a gravel parking lot across the street from the field where you can park. While the field is still technically on-campus, it is far from the Student Union or any of the other academic buildings and residence halls, which in turn, affects the amount of students who show up for nine innings of Division I baseball. Fans 2 As mentioned above, SDSU has people to fill the seats and keep the grandstand from being embarrassingly empty. There are a few tried and true fans who regularly support the team but other fans’ turnout is sporadic. The Jackrabbits have been in the Summit League tournament final in each of the last three seasons but the Summit League’s cream of the crop, Oral Roberts, has created a baseball powerhouse and will attempt to go 15-for-15 for conference titles before they leave for the Southland Conference after the 2012 season. Access 2 SDSU is easy to reach from nearby Interstate 29 and the field is not hard to find either. I mentioned the bathrooms above and it doesn’t look good to have portable bathrooms for the season, but the Jackrabbits don’t play many home games to begin with, so the athletic department likely has to consider its return on investment to build permanent bathrooms. SDSU has averaged 14 home dates for the last three seasons and usually doesn’t play a home game until April, playing the first two months on the road with weather forcing the Jackrabbits south for at least part of winter. Return on Investment 4 It’s hard to argue with the return on investment for $5 to get in. SDSU has routinely been among the highest scoring teams in the Summit League and leading the conference in runs scored in 2010 and 2011. It is entertaining baseball and with the legitimate seats behind home plate, the ballpark has become comfortable to watch a game. Extras 1 One point for the well-kept grass playing surface, which has been regarded as one of the best in the Midwest. Final Thoughts Erv Huether Field will not rate very highly among other college baseball parks but it’s cheap entertainment and quality baseball. The atmosphere and amenities still have room for improvement, but the new seats have done the park wonders, making it a solid place to watch some baseball.

Photo Courtesy of Gophersports.com Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Siebert Field 516 15th Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 Minnesota Golden Gophers website Siebert Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 1,420 Golden Gopher Baseball at Siebert Field Tucked behind the football team's practice facility with a view of TCF Bank Stadium off in a distance from right field sits Siebert Field. The home of the Golden Gopher baseball team isn't the most salient athletic facility at the University of Minnesota, but it is definitely worth a visit. Reconstructed in 2012, Siebert features an artificial turf field, state-of-the-art scoreboard and plenty of seating including grassy hills to watch the game. It is a wonderful experience for baseball fans, perfect for an afternoon out with family or friends without the hectic crowds of a big-time football game. In short, Minnesota Gopher baseball may be the most overlooked sporting event in the Twin Cities. Food & Beverage 3 There is nothing too special about the food offered at Siebert Field. Soda, hot dogs and hamburgers are offered for around $5.00. There is only a single stand, but there is never a line so you can feel free to meander over there and grab some food whenever you feel hungry. The lack of offerings is hardly a problem, however, as most games are played at 3:00 pm, in between meals. There are also plenty of other places to grab lunch or dinner in nearby Dinkytown or downtown Minneapolis. Atmosphere 4 There is a lot of off-campus housing behind the field, which gives students the ability to get home in time to finish studying or socialize immediately after the game. And because the other athletic facilities are near by, athletes from various sports will drop by before or after practice to support their fellow Gophers. With the mix of students and families, there is a great age range in the fan base, making it comfortable for just about anyone to fit in among the crowd. The scoreboard at Siebert Field offers a couple of clean, interesting graphics in right field as well as videos of staff members interviewing players on the team. It is a clear scoreboard that can easily be seen anywhere in the park. All the action is up close and personal. It is a great way to introduce someone to the game because they are not forced to squint in order to differentiate between a slider and a curveball and you can catch the interactions between the players and coaches. Neighborhood 3 For college students, the neighborhood is great. Dinkytown has plenty of places that college students love to eat at: McDonalds, Jimmy John's, Cane's Chicken, as well as bars and house parties to attend after the game. Unfortunately, for people that have already graduated, you have to get back on the freeway again and head downtown to get away from the college scene. College students almost exclusively occupy the two closest bars, The Library and Blarney's, as well as many of the nearby restaurants. Although it is not located in a "college town" like Madison or Columbus, the U of M does a good job giving Dinkytown a "college feel." While it may be charming to some people, others may be turned off because you have to drive a ways to find somewhere to eat or drink after the game. If you want a more formal meal in Minneapolis, the Keys Cafe in the Foshay Tower is centrally located and offers a good meal. For Italian, go to Pizza Luce, which is universally known as the best pizza in town. It's also worth checking out plays at the Guthrie or Orpheum Theatres, a standup routine at the Acme Comedy Club, or to listen to some live music at the First Avenue Club. For a more lively bar scene, Sneaky Pete's is a can't miss. Brothers or Bar 508, located right next door, will be more appealing if you want to sit down and relax. There is plenty of lodging off of the 11th Street exit from Highway 94, with the Hilton being an economic option and the Marquette as probably the best value. Fans 4 There is nowhere to watch the game in the outfield, but fans pack the hills on either side of the diamond and the seats behind home plate. For the most part, people talk among themselves for most of the game, occasionally stopping to cheer on a specific player. This is not to say that they are not engaged. During pivotal plays in the game, people get loud or express disappointment depending on what happens, but it is certainly more subdued throughout the game than it is at a professional contest. Depending on what you are looking for, this can be positive or negative. A professional contest has more displays to keep fans vocal through all nine innings, but the collegiate game is a relaxing way to spend a lazy afternoon. Access 3 Getting to the athletic facilities, which are all pretty much located in the same area, is not difficult. The University of Minnesota is located right off of 35W, the main freeway that runs north to south, and the entire campus is well marked. Unfortunately, actually finding Siebert Field can be difficult. It is not recognized on Google Maps and has two addresses on many places online. The address I used was 516 15th Ave. SE and it brought me to the right location, but the field is tucked behind the practice facility. The best way to find it is to look for the foul pole, which isn't that hard to see, but can be passed over if you're not looking for it. The streets in Dinkytown occasionally run one way, so you'll have to take one route in and another one out, but the main streets run parallel to each other and it's not hard to find the freeway on your way out. You do have to park along a dirt road on the side of the stadium, however, and may want to park a ways away to avoid having your sunroof shattered by a foul ball. The walk isn't that difficult, and parking is free, but it can be difficult to find the first time around. Also of note: Do not park by the apartment buildings. This can be tempting, because there are often open spots on the weekends, but you will get towed. Return on Investment 5 As long as you don't eat at the game, it's a pretty cheap ordeal all around. Tickets are about $5, parking is free and games usually do not interfere with mealtime. (There is a Dugout Club for people that want to support the university, the largest package goes for $1000, the smallest is $8.00, and you get your own seating area and bar-be-cue.) In general, because prices are so low and the quality of baseball along with the experience is pretty good, going to a Gopher baseball game is quite a bargain. Extras 3 There are not a lot of bells and whistles to be found at Siebert Field, but three things stand out to me that make the experience unique. For starters, the scoreboard display is well done. The graphics are fun and unique, it provides vital stats on players and can be easily seen from all over the field. There are cameramen that film various members of the crowd, which creates an interesting dynamic in such an intimate atmosphere. Secondly, Goldie the Gopher runs around, interacting with children. And the kids absolutely go nuts. In fact, I overheard one profess his love for the furry forest critter. That, in and of itself, was worth going to the game for. Finally, there are places to view the game from the roof of the nearby apartments. No, it's not Wrigley, but it is still fun to see that people in the surrounding area are so engaged by the action on the field that they're willing to scramble up a set of stairs to see the game from a long distance. Final Thoughts It's a little out of the way, a little quiet at times and a little less crowded than the average sporting event, but that's the joy of Gopher baseball. You can go and just watch the game. There are few distractions, the cost is pretty cheap and the quality of the players is pretty high. It's a nice little getaway right in the middle of everything, which is probably what makes it so special.

Photos by Tyler Green, Stadium Journey & EKU Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Turkey Hughes Stadium 521 Lancaster Ave Richmond, KY 40475 Eastern Kentucky Colonels website Turkey Hughes Field website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 500 Turkey Hughes Field The Eastern Kentucky Colonels play their home baseball games at Turkey Hughes Field. The venue was named for Charles T. “Turkey” Hughes, who was quite a renaissance man in EKU athletics history. During his 43 years on the Richmond campus, he was the head coach of five sports, including baseball, and even helped form the Ohio Valley Conference in 1948. His name graces this 1960s venue due to these numerous contributions to Colonel athletics. The listed capacity of Turkey Hughes Field is 500 spectators. The stadium consists of three sections of bleachers, each with ten rows, meaning no fans are far from the action at home plate. If they choose, fans can also stand along the brick wall past the dugouts on either the first or third baseline. The playing surface has a unique character; it features a synthetic turf infield which allows EKU games to be played in a variety of weather scenarios. The outfield remains the traditional patterned grass and the pitcher’s mound is the expected dirt. This field and the brick wall backstop were the result of a $500,000 renovation in 2009 and more upgrades are planned for the future. Food & Beverage 3 A single food cart provides the food and beverage selections at Turkey Hughes Field. The limited selections are balanced out by the extremely reasonable prices. Hot items are guaranteed to be fresh, as a charcoal grill is used to prepare hamburgers and hot dogs right next to the cart. The hamburger, cheeseburger, and hot dog sell for $1.50, $2, and $1.50, respectively. As for drinks, water and soft drinks are $1, while Gatorade is $2. Other assorted selections are chips or candy for $1 and kettle corn for $3. For those fans still conscious of their burger toppings or previous meal, the food cart even sells 3 pieces of chewing gum for 25 cents. It may not be the biggest selection in sports, but it certainly is an affordable menu. Atmosphere 2 As with any baseball stadium, walk-up music accompanies each EKU batter on their trip up to the plate. The pre-game music and inter-inning sounds are almost entirely country music. Outside this music and sporadic cheering from the minimal crowd, there is not much in the way of atmosphere to be found at Turkey Hughes Stadium. Neighborhood 0 Turkey Hughes Field is situated in the middle of Eastern Kentucky University’s sports complex. It is flanked on one side by tennis courts and the basketball gym, McBrayer Arena, and on the other side by the football stadium, Roy Kidd Stadium. As found at most populous interstate exits, a variety of fast food is available on the 1.5-mile stretch between I-75 and Turkey Hughes Field. Choices include McDonald’s; Qdoba; Fazoli’s, a regional fast-food Italian chain; and Lee’s, a southern fried chicken joint. Visiting fans wanting to explore the Eastern Kentucky campus just have to take a short walk north of the venue to experience the central campus. Just north of campus on Main Street, or about a mile from Turkey Hughes Field, are several bars and grills. Jerzees, Madison Garden, and Paddy Wagon Irish Pub are all in this area and are known as gathering places. Fans 2 During my most recent visit in early 2013, a respectable number of EKU fans showed up for a Sunday afternoon conference game, mostly filling the bleachers behind the Colonel dugout near third base. The fan support is typical, with fans taking breaks from conversation to cheer and clap for the end of a defensive half-inning or base hits. Access 4 Turkey Hughes Field is located on the southern end of the Eastern Kentucky University campus. Visitors should take exit 87 off I-75 and travel east approximately 1.5 miles. Its proximity to the interstate as major as I-75 makes Hughes Field easily accessible from a variety of regional cities, especially Lexington, which is a brief 40 minutes to the north. Free parking is available immediately behind the venue in the EKU campus lots, which are off control during the times of baseball games, such as weekends and weekday evenings. Keep in mind that this is directly behind a baseball stadium; be sure to park as far from the stadium as you can, but in the same lot, as foul balls frequently land directly behind the venue. Since fans can congregate along the baseline walls, this area along the third base would be the best place for wheelchair seating. There are no restroom facilities at Turkey Hughes Field; fans needing this service should use the facilities in the adjacent McBrayer Arena. Return on Investment 4 There is no charge for admission to an EKU baseball game at Turkey Hughes Field. However, there is also not much atmosphere. For long-time Colonel fans or baseball lovers, an EKU game is an extremely affordable, accessible, and pleasant way to spend an afternoon or evening. For everyone else, Turkey Hughes Field may not be the most lively use of your time. An EKU baseball game here is simply what you make of it. If you love free baseball, catch a game at Turkey Hughes Field soon . Extras 1 One bonus point for the banner celebrating EKU’s 16 Ohio Valley Conference championships, which leads the OVC. The most recent of these was in 2012.

Photos by Joshua Guiher, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Medlar Field at Lubrano Park 701 Porter Rd University Park, PA 16802 Penn State Nittany Lions website Medlar Field at Lubrano Park website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 5,406 Nittany Lion Baseball Penn State baseball is the oldest varsity sport at the University, dating back to 1875. In fact, the school nickname came from a player on the team. Harrison Mason declared the local 'Nittany Lion' more ferocious than a tiger during a game against Princeton in 1904. The story soon spread around campus and the Nittany Lion was adopted as the Penn State mascot. Longevity is great, but what is a game like at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, home of the Penn State baseball team that is traditionally mediocre? Food & Beverage 1 Penn State baseball plays in a stadium on campus, but it is shared with a local minor league team, the State College Spikes. The Spikes are known for their high prices, especially when compared to other area teams such as the Altoona Curve and Williamsport Crosscutters. This includes the stadium concession stand prices, which are not lowered for the Penn State games. In addition, the amount of fans at the Penn State game is usually so small that only one concession stand will be open. No all-you-can-eat seats, no wings, no cheesesteak stand, no cupcakes and no creamery ice cream to name a few of the missing options. You basically can get cracker jacks ($3.50), a hot dog ($3.50), a cheeseburger ($4.50), a soda ($3.50/$5.50), or a Gatorade ($4). Beer is not offered during Penn State games, although it is sold in the stadium by the Spikes. Atmosphere 1 There was no atmosphere. Less than 300 people at a game spread out in a 6,000 seat stadium will do that. Couple it with horrible in-game events and you get a stale environment. There was a mismanaged dizzy-bat game that had one contestant start well before the other, narrated over a microphone no one could hear. If that is the school's plan to build an atmosphere, they are always going to have attendance issues. The extra netting that stops foul balls from reaching the stands is also a major deterrent to the atmosphere. Kids want to catch foul balls. Instead, the nets run all the way down the lines to first and third base preventing balls from reaching the stands unless they roll off of the press box roof. Also, the kids' game area and the inflatable bounce toys used during the Spikes game were not in use for Penn State baseball. It was like the school purposefully wanted to keep kids away from the park. There was a baseball card giveaway, but no one was at the stand. The stacks of cards were just sitting on the customer service desk, but no employees were at the desk. Neighborhood 5 State College is one of the best college towns in America. The town is separated from the school by College Avenue, making it easy to walk along the town and find exactly what you are looking for. For a meal, try The Fraser Street Deli, where all of the sandwiches and salads are named after Penn State personalities. You can even get the Harrison Mason or Nittany Lion sandwiches. For dessert, since the cupcake stand is closed at Medlar Field, try *ndulge cupcakes, which is right around the corner from The Fraser Street Deli. They offer a huge selection of tasty cupcakes and also serve gelato. If you want a beer, try Cafe 210, the best bar in town, plus they are one of the few with good outdoor seating. Fans 1 As I mentioned in the atmosphere section, there were no fans. I counted a little less than 300, and over 50 of them were part of a local little league group. No chants, no cheers, no emotion. My seat might as well have been located in a soundproof booth. Access 5 Access was great with free parking, a beautiful new stadium, wide gates, even wider concourses, huge chair back seats and no one around you. It is hard to imagine that no one shows up to such a beautiful park. Well, hard to imagine until you realize how bad the atmosphere is. Return on Investment 4 I was able to attend both a Lady Lion softball game and the baseball game for the same $5 ticket. Softball had a doubleheader so I was actually able to watch the first game, walk over to the baseball park and watch the game there, then go back and watch the last two innings of the second softball game all for $5, a great value. If the baseball game atmosphere was as good as the softball game, I would have given it a five star rating. Extras 1 On the night of my visit, the Nittany Lion did make a guest appearance for a few innings before leaving. Unfortunately he didn't really interact with the fans; he just sat with two females who seemed to know him outside of work. Final Thoughts When you have a college baseball team that hasn't been to the College World Series since the early 1970's, you need to create an amazing atmosphere to attract fans. Instead, Penn State does everything possible to drive away fans, especially kids, which are the heart of any good baseball atmosphere. Until the atmosphere is corrected, the team will always struggle with fan support, even if they start winning.

Photos by Rick Gillespie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Eccles Coliseum 99 S 1100 West Cedar City, UT 84720 Southern Utah Thunderbirds website Eccles Coliseum website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 8,500 Mountains, Thunder, and Football At an elevation of 5,600 feet and nestled in the heart of Utah’s Color Country, you would be hard-pressed to find a football stadium with a more picturesque setting than Eccles Coliseum on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. The facility has been home to Thunderbird football since 1967. The 8,500 seat stadium was renovated in 1997 and has since undergone several upgrades, the most recent coming in 2012 when the grass field was replaced with Hellas Matrix turf. Located on the extreme western edge of the campus and adjacent to Interstate 15, the Grecian-themed stadium is also home to SUU’s track & field teams and includes the Harris Center, the practice facility for the school’s nationally ranked gymnastics team. The stadium is also used for many community events, the largest of which is the opening ceremonies for the Utah Summer Games. It also plays host to the Special Olympics and many high school track & field meets. The Olympic Torch passed through the stadium on its way to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics. A large memorial to the event sits at the south end of the stadium. 2002 Winter Olympics Memorial, Photo by Rick Gillespie, Stadium Journey The Thunderbirds have enjoyed relative success over the years, but have been much more successful since head coach Ed Lamb joined the program in 2008. They won the Great West Conference championship in 2010 and have done well against conference teams since joining the Big Sky Conference in 2012. They earned their first FCS playoff berth in 2013, losing in the first round. If you want to see the Thunderbirds win at home your odds are decent as SUU has gone 18-11 on its home field since 2008 (through 2013). With a student body of around 7,000 and situated in a city of 25,000 people, the size of the stadium is proportionate to its audience. It’s a good place to catch some good college football action and what it lacks in size and variety, it makes up for in affordability. Food & Beverage 3 The offerings at the concessions stands are average. They offer the standard fare you would expect – hot dogs, hamburgers, etc., but also offer things like Polish sausages, pulled pork sandwiches, and barbequed chicken legs. Everything is priced between $3.75-$4.75. They also have popcorn and nachos for about $3. They serve Coke products from the fountain and have bottled water and hot chocolate available (this came in handy as the game I attended took place during a snow storm). They offer a drink called “Thor’s Nectar,” named after the team’s mascot Thor, which is essentially a mixture of sprite and fruit punch. As this is a highly conservative area, there is no alcohol allowed or served in the stadium. Attendees may not bring outside food or drink into the venue. There is a concession stand just inside the northwest entrance that is built in as part of the stadium. There are also concession booths near the two southern entrances that are each basically a pair of 10′ x 10′ portable canopies. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere is one of the best I’ve been to for several reasons. At the beginning of the football season the weather in most places is unbearably hot, but with late summer temperatures in the mid 80’s the first half of the season in Cedar City is optimal outdoor weather. Add the scenic red mountains that sit to the east and the view of the historic and beautiful campus in the foreground, and finding a nicer place to watch a game is hard to do. Late-season games can be subject to inclement weather as snow typically begins to fall between the end of October and the middle of November. There are no covered seats within the general admission area. The two south entrances are wheelchair accessible while the west and north entrances require the climbing of stairs. Handicapped seating is available around the main concourse of the stadium as well as in section E (the furthest north section on the west side of the field.) The home side of the field is divided into two sections. The top half has chair back seating while the bottom half consists of metal bleachers. The south end of the home side has cement bleachers that extend beyond the end of the grandstands to the south end zone. The student section is located in the middle section of the lower bleachers and is usually the most crowded part of the stadium. The visitors side is made up of eight rows of bleachers with handicapped seating at the top which is accessible from the main concourse. Because of the smaller size of the venue, fans can get a good view of the field from any seat. A large scoreboard behind the north end zone provides game coverage as well as replays so you can see the action no matter where you are. There are suites available but the prices and availability are not listed on the SUU website or at the ticket window. There is usually a pep band at each game except during bad weather. They assume the usual responsibilities but do not perform a halftime show. That privilege falls upon the SUU Waukeenyans, a troop of dancing girls who perform various routines. Halftime activities include eating contests and fan spotlights where the PR staff single out a pair of fans and put them on the scoreboard before giving them a prize. There are also cheerleaders at each game performing stunts and shooting T-shirts into the crowd. When I attended in late November the cold weather seemed to hamper their ability to get the crowd going. The Thunderbirds’ mascot Thor is also present but doesn’t do much and is rarely visible. The public address announcer is upbeat and does a good job of helping to give the crowd something to cheer about. Neighborhood 3 The stadium sits two block from the area of town known as “Hamburger Alley,” a busy street with many fast food chain restaurants. There is an IHOP and a Denny’s within walking distance, but if you want to eat at a nice restaurant you’re going to have to drive. A couple of miles to the south is the Providence Center where many chain eateries (Applebee’s, Chili’s, etc.) draw large crowds on weekends. About a mile to the east is historic Main Street which boasts several more dining options, many of which are unique to Cedar City. Should you choose to walk, the neighborhoods are clean and safe and will show you the small-town charm that exists here. When you’re not at the game there’s plenty to see and do in Cedar City and the surrounding areas. This is a huge performing arts community that has several theatres and festivals including the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Neil Simon Festival. If you enjoy Shakespeare or other types of plays, you won’t have a problem finding something to do after the game. If the bar is more your style, sadly your options are limited. Most of the chain restaurants have bars in them but there are only two “bars” in Cedar City. Mike’s Tavern is a small bar not far from campus. It’s pretty low-key and not too crowded so it’s easy to stop in for a drink or grab a burger. If you’re looking for more of a party, Toadz is just a few blocks away. It’s a popular weekend hot spot that features a sports bar and a restaurant offering everything from burgers to chicken to fish tacos. Fans 4 The fans here are loyal, but not overbearing so visitors will always feel welcome. They are fairly knowledgeable of the rules of the game and will not hesitate to call out the refs if they disagree. As long as the team is doing well they stay pretty animated. Thunderbird Fans, Photo by Rick Gillespie, Stadium Journey Access 5 The stadium is easily accessible from Interstate 15 and is about two miles from the Cedar City Airport. There are parking lots on the east, west, and south sides of the venue and parking is free. The east and south lots enter onto the visitors side of the field. Restrooms are handicap accessible and are located near the southwest entrance and are kept nice and clean. There is no security check at the gate, but there are law enforcement personnel both on the field and throughout the concourse so attendees should feel safe. The games are broadcast on SUU’s radio station KSUU 91.1 FM. If you have online capabilities you can keep track of live game statistics at www.suu.statbroadcast.com. Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $7 – $18 which makes going to a game pretty affordable. To be honest, the $7 seats have just as good a view of the field as the $18 seats and are much closer to the action. The only difference is the $18 seats have backs and armrests. Groups of 15 or more can get a group discount. Overall I would say the price of admission and food is worth the experience, but I would have a hard time paying much more. Extras 4 Gameday programs are available. Being a member of the local media I got mine for free, but with the quality of the publication and value added with discount coupons to local businesses I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one. Booths near the two south entrances also sell SUU apparel. The prices are what you would expect from a college retailer. Locals may want to consider signing their children up in the Thunderbird Kids Club. The cost is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child. This will allow them to attend all home games for half price. I’ll add something here that may pertain to the neighborhood but encompasses a larger area. Cedar City is located within a few hours of five national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Great Basin. If you’ve got a day or two to spend in the area these parks are a great way to spend your time. For just $25 you can get into all the parks for up to seven days and enjoy the natural beauty for which Utah is famous.

Photos by Brian Jones, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Theodore A. Wright Stadium 3219 College St Savannah, GA 31404 Savannah State Tigers website Ted Wright Stadium website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 8,500 The Wright Place For The Tigers Ted A. Wright Stadium has been the home of the Savannah State Tigers since 1967. However, Savannah State made major renovations in 2010-2011, which included improved locker rooms, ticket booths, concession areas and new FieldTurf. While the team has struggled to find wins over the years, Ted Wright Stadium is not a bad place to watch a college football game. It’s not a big stadium, and it looks more like it would be home to a big high school football team in Georgia. However, because of the fan support, which includes a lively student section and loyal alumni, the stadium is a fun place to take in football game in South Georgia. Food & Beverage 3 Because there are only two concession stands in the entire stadium, there isn’t a wide variety of food to choose from. That said, the food is not expensive, and that is never a bad thing. The most you will spend for an item is $5, which is the wings catered by Bojangles’. The stands also include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and candy, all ranging from $2-$4. Another good thing about the concession stands is the wait is never too long, as there are numerous people working in each stand. Atmosphere 2 Ted Wright Stadium looks like a field for a large high school football team in Georgia. One reason is that there is a track circled around the stadium, which has been around since the stadium was originally built. The other reason is the scoreboard, which does not have a screen to watch any replays or the game itself. When you add the two concession stands, the stadium just doesn’t have that Division I college football feel that it should. Neighborhood 4 Savannah State is located near the center of Savannah, so there is always something to do. With the city of Savannah featuring some of the best restaurants in the country, you will never go hungry. Elizabeth on 37th is a highly recommended place, as well as Sweet Spice. Since Savannah is located off the coast, the beach is another option for visitors. South Beach has been a fan favorite for years because it’s clean and peaceful. If the beach is not for you, there are various museums to visit, as well as churches that have been around since almost the beginning of time. If you go to Savannah, go to River Street. There are numerous shops, bars and restaurants to keep patrons occupied all day. Fans 4 I have to give the fans credit. For as much as the team has struggled in recent years, they are as lively of a crowd as you will find, especially the students. They wear the school colors with pride, they get to the game on time and they even start their own chants. In fact, they even start to do the wave, which is unusual, because the bleachers don’t circle around the stadium. The home bleachers are located on one side, and the away bleachers are located on the opposite side. The one thing that stands out is the endless amounts of tents set up in front of the stadium for tailgating. As many games I’ve been to, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s clear the fans love their team and will support them no matter what. Access 3 Parking at Ted Wright Stadium is accessible. as it only costs $10 to park on campus. Because the stadium is located near the end of the campus, there are buses to take fans to and from the stadium. Because the stadium is not like a normal college stadium, access from one side of the stadium to the other is not hard. With the stadium not being very big, getting to and from your seat is a breeze, and the concourse is not a maze like other college stadiums. Savannah State is located in one of the bigger cities in Georgia. If you want to drive or fly to watch a game, that is not an issue, since the university is located minutes from the airport, as well as Interstate 16. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for a game won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For a single-game ticket, it will cost around $20-$30, which is not bad, considering the team has not been a hot commodity in several years. The best place to sit is where the students sit, which is right near the middle of the home bleachers. They know how to have a good time, regardless of how the team is playing. Extras 3 Right near the home bleachers is a place where fans can get Savannah State gear. When I was there, fans were stocking up on the shirts and hats, and they were also getting free stuff like water bottles and seat cushions. The marching band is also a fun sight, as they keep it lively all game long. They played songs that ranged from TLC’s “Waterfalls” to Jay-Z “Holy Grail” on the day I visited. WHCJ is the radio station that broadcasts all the games for Savannah State. If fans want to listen to the game while they are in the stands, they have that option. Final Thoughts Ted Wright Stadium isn’t the best college stadium in Georgia, but it’s not a bad stadium either. From the loyal fans to the entertaining band, there is never a dull moment. If the team was in a better position in terms of success, the stadium would be a tremendous place for a game. Regardless, if you are in the Savannah area and want to take in some football on a Saturday afternoon, Ted Wright Stadium is a solid place to do just that.

Photos by Taiyuan Banks-Tillman, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Golden Lions Stadium 1200 University Dr Pine Bluff, AR 71601 Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions website Golden Lions Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 16,000 Football is Golden In 2000, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff opened their new 16,000-seat stadium known as Golden Lion Stadium. The team is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and took home the conference football championship in 2012. This may not be major destination for college football fans, but if you do make the trip to central Arkansas, you can expect to find a welcoming atmosphere, filled with southern hospitality. Food & Beverage 2 There are plenty of concession stands, but like many stadiums, there never seems to be enough at halftime. If you’re thinking about getting something to eat in the stadium, consider sneaking out to the concourse a little before halftime to avoid the lines. Better yet, eat before you go, or save your appetite for later. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere is always very welcoming. You really feel the southern hospitality. The school is doing a lot of things to enhance the campus, and if you have the time, it is worthwhile to walk around the campus a bit before the game. UAPB has a very strong alumni presence, and the school takes pride in making sure that new students are afforded opportunities to succeed. In the stadium, the view is amazing no matter where you sit. Most of the seating is bleachers, but there are also stadium seats available if you would like a more comfortable spit to watch the game. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is located near Lake Pine Bluff. For the most part, tailgating may be your best option for food before the game, although you can get fantastic BBQ turkey legs for just $5 from Markie D’s, or other street vendors around the stadium. About a mile and a half to the southeast of the stadium you can find the Tastesetter Eatery, and Colonial Steakhouse. The Tastesetter offers casual dining including a selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Colonial Steakhouse is the spot for carnivores, and they have an outstanding prime rib. Fans 3 The Golden Lion fans are welcoming to outsiders, and there is usually a good turnout for games. Access 3 Moving around the stadium is relatively easy. It can get a little congested at halftime as fans head for the concession or restroom, but overall, this is a very accessible facility. Return on Investment 2 Tickets are fairly expensive for this level of football. Bleacher seats go for $25 per game, while chairback seats go for $40. It isn’t a completely outrageous price, but feels just a little high for the overall experience. Extras 2 One extra point for UAPB being the home of defensive great L.C. Greenwood. One final extra point for the friendliness of fans and staff at UAPB.

Photo courtesy of NCA&T Aggies Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 World War Memorial Stadium 510 Yanceyville St Greensboro, NC 27405 North Carolina A&T Aggies website World War Memorial Stadium website Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 7,500 Faded Glory Baseball fans in North Carolina's Triad region have come to know and love NewBridge Bank Park, the home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Florida Marlins' affiliate in the class-A South Atlantic League. The Grasshoppers are routinely at or near the top of the circuit in attendance, as the relatively-new downtown park continues to be a success. The true hub of baseball history in the Gate City, though, is just over a mile away, at the intersection of Lindsay and Yanceyville Streets. World War Memorial Stadium served as the host for Greensboro baseball for nearly 75 years, before the Bats relocated and became the Grasshoppers. Opened and dedicated in 1926, the ballpark serves to honor residents of Guilford County who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I. Plaques with the names of those who fell are just outside the entrance to the stadium. Astute fans may also notice the stadium's star turn as the origin of a road trip in the movie Bull Durham. World War Memorial Stadium is the oldest athletic facility still in operation in the Tar Heel State, and it is, unfortunately, really showing its age. The park is owned by the city's sports commission and rented to North Carolina A&T and Greensboro College, and it has, of late, somewhat fallen into a state of disrepair. A section of seating on the third base side now sits behind a fence, rumored to soon be demolished. Many of the girders around the park now sport a primary hue of rust, with peeling paint and overgrowth of vegetation common sights in many areas. Despite the obvious signs of age and neglect, this stadium still tells the story of the last 80-plus years of baseball in Greensboro, for all who are willing to listen. Food & Beverage 3 There is a rather solid selection of foods at an Aggie baseball game. Hot dogs ($2), pizza ($3), nachos ($3.50) and cheeseburgers ($3.50) highlight the "entree" choices. Pork chops were also being sold on the day I attended, with a grill being manned in the breezeway between the entry gate and the concession stand. This gave the feeling of being at a cookout with friends or family. Snacks include cheese crackers ($.50), candy ($1.25), chips ($.75), peanuts ($3), pickles ($1), popcorn ($1.50), sunflower seeds ($1), gum ($.05) and ice cream ($1.50). Candy bars, Skittles (three different flavors) and Air Heads are among the candy choices. Drinks are Pepsi products, with bottled soda and Gatorade available for $2. Water, coffee and hot chocolate are $1 each. Atmosphere 3 Though signs of decay are evident in many parts of the stadium, the playing surface shows none of these problems. The field is beautifully maintained, with bright green grass. This is one of the clear highlights of the facility, along with the covered seating behind the plate. This is great for shielding out the North Carolina elements. World War Memorial Stadium presents a truly comfortable environment in which to watch a game, at the very least. There is no concern whatsoever with leg room in any part of the seating bowl, as there is almost enough room between your seat and the seat in front of you to insert another row of seats. This is a tremendous feature for tall spectators like myself, allowing the luxury to stretch out and enjoy a game. Many of the seats in the lower portion of the seating bowl are fold-out stadium seats, with backless bleacher seating toward the top of the bowl. There is not likely to be a situation in which you cannot get a fold-out seat, but be sure to bring a wet cloth or two to clean the traditional North Carolina spring pollen off your seat before you sit down. There are a number of speakers hanging from the top of the backstop, but they are not in use for North Carolina A&T games. Two portable speakers are mounted on stands outside the press box, and they can be loud enough to drown out conversation. The musical selection between innings is lively and diverse, though there are quite a few sound effects played between pitches, much like at Grasshoppers games. The lack of quiet does help offer a feeling that the game is moving along at a swift pace, though, which is nice. The scoreboard is located in right-center field, and offers very little in terms of visual interest. The scoreboard is a basic structure with red numbers on a black background, flanked by "GUEST" and "HOME" and the game's line score. The number of the player at bat, a ball/strike/out count and a hit or error indicator compose the top row of the board. The red lights of the board can be a bit tough to read for afternoon games, but the public address announcer does a great job of recapping each half-inning's activity and current game score. Neighborhood 1 North Carolina A&T's campus is a short distance away from the stadium, and this already-beautiful campus is looking to expand. Unfortunately, this is the only real area of note to hang out before or after a game. Planned ballpark districts were not really a "thing" in the mid-1920s, as one might imagine. The ballpark is part of the historic Aycock neighborhood, but is largely residential, save for a farmers market across the street. Interestingly enough, most of the dining and entertainment options are in the vicinity of the downtown ballpark that replaced World War Memorial Stadium. These choices will likely require a car, though, as walking to the downtown area is not all that feasible, due to both distance and the condition of some of the areas between the park and downtown. Triad favorite Natty Greene's is a choice of the locals, and for those who like local beers, this is a great place to give one a try. Undercurrent and Fincastle's are two other choices that seem to resonate with fans at Grasshoppers games, though even a few choices in the vicinity of an A&T game would be preferable. Fans 3 Your chances of encountering a sellout crowd at an Aggie game are virtually nonexistent, but this does not mean that you will encounter a sleepy group of fans. Though small in numbers, those in attendance certainly love their Aggies. The crowd certainly sounds larger than it is, and some heckling (playful in nature, not personal) does occasionally take place. Some hearty fans had even made the long trip from Tallahassee-based Florida A&M on the day I took in a game. If you go to a North Carolina A&T game, expect to see a lot of blue and gold, along with "The Lock" (the interlocking "AT" logo). There was a contest during the game I attended that awarded a prize to the first fan to bring an A&T logo item to the press box, and a number of fans ran toward the press box almost as soon as the announcement was complete. Access 4 The stadium is in a reasonably advantageous position for travelers in and around Greensboro. The park is within minutes of US HIghways 29, 70 and 220, along with Interstates 40 and 85. Two parking lots directly surround the stadium, with a small surface lot directly outside the entrance and a blacktop lot beyond the right field fence. The parking is completely free, and the walk from either lot is rather short. As with many ballparks from this era, the main concourse is under the seating bowl. This makes the concourse area somewhat narrow and dark. The city also keeps a group of replacement seat pieces on the concourse, which serves to further clutter the area. The restrooms are rather old, as one would expect, but there are plenty of available stalls (I counted ten in the male restroom) and quasi-modern upgrades. You should never experience a line while waiting to use the restroom. Return on Investment 5 Free is an impossible price to beat, and admission to Aggie games will not cost you a dime. I was somewhat thrown by the presence of an unmanned ticket booth, only to be told -- by a very nice gentleman, I should add -- that admission was free. It is wise to have some cash with you just in case, especially considering the low concession prices. With the admission and parking charge -- or lack thereof -- you can see a game, park your car and get a hot dog and drink for $4. This is as good a value as you will find anywhere in college sports. Extras 2 A small program-like "document" is available at the concession stand. This document contains a team photo, rosters for both teams and a score sheet. This may not be a full program, but it certainly provides a good amount of information. The people of North Carolina A&T also deserve extra notice. Every stadium worker and fan with whom I came into contact was supremely nice, going out of their way to make those in attendance feel welcome. Customer service is the easiest thing to get right when hosting events, and A&T certainly does just that. Final Thoughts A trip to War Memorial Stadium is both enlightening and heartbreaking. If you are a fan of historic venues, this is an absolute must-see facility. The simple thought of all of the events that have taken place inside the stadium is enough to bring out the nostalgic side in anyone. At the same time, the knowledge of this venue's history makes the current state of the facility that much more upsetting. The stadium's run-down appearance is by no means the fault of those at North Carolina A&T -- it is important that this be stressed -- but it deserves a much better fate than that which has happened to it. There are talks in the city now about how to renovate the stadium as part of a larger revitalization project, and the hope is that this eventually comes to fruition. A few coats of paint and some care could easily restore this beauty to her former majesty.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Bob Warn Field 931 N 1st St Terre Haute, IN 47807 Indiana State Sycamores website Bob Warn Field website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 1,000 A Fine Facility for the Wabash Valley Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium debuted in 1978 but was renovated and transformed in 2009 into a more luxurious facility. The home stadium for the Indiana State University baseball team has never looked better and with a capacity of 1,000 seats, it is a much larger venue that has also attracted the Terre Haute Rex of the Prospect League during the summer months. The field gets its name from longtime ISU baseball coach Bob Warn who piloted the program from 1976-2004 and led the Sycamores to their only College World Series appearance in 1986. On campus, Warn is a legend and he now has a stadium with his name and will leave a lasting legacy to future ballplayers. From the outside, the field looks especially elegant with a beautiful salmon stucco finish. Still, on the inside, it is the familiar aluminum bleacher seating resembling what the ballpark had during its first 30 years of service. Do not get me wrong, Terre Haute has a great baseball tradition that almost vanished during the summer of 1956, and with renovations to the stadium, Indiana State has created a very impressive ballpark for the college and the city to use. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession area near the main entrance of the stadium. There are few choices and prices are from moderate to high. For example, the super nachos are $6. The area is behind the seating concourse and one would need to step away from the game for a few moments to get something to eat or drink. Atmosphere 3 The Sycamores attract a nice crowd to their home games. You do not have your standard friends and family of the players on the field. The local supporters are proud of their new facility and seem to enjoy watching from comfortable views from the grandstand. Neighborhood 2 The stadium is north of campus and is adjacent to a cemetery. Before renovations, the tombstones were highly visible from behind the outfield walls. The stadium does sit on 3rd Street, the main artery of town, where you will find a collection of local proprietors and national restaurant chains. The stadium is located about three miles north of I-70, where many of these options are located, but downtown Terre Haute is close and has the potential of becoming a burgeoning hot spot in town. J Gumbo’s is my destination for cheap eats and creative thinking; try the Black and bleu dip with nachos, bumblebee stew, Cajun nachos, Jean Lafitte po’boy, and creole ratatouille. Across the street is the Coffee Grounds, which used to be my old hangout during my first year as an undergrad at college. A good cup of coffee is also expected with conversation. Fans 3 The Sycamores attract their fair share of the casual and dedicated fan base. Many in attendance are friends and families of the ballplayers. However, they are students of the game and are focused on the diamond. If you are interested in great baseball conversations with a few hundred fans, this is the place to be during the warm or cool spring nights in Indiana. Access 4 Bob Warn Field is located two and a half miles north of I-70. The best way to get there is to exit onto 3rd Street from the interstate and continue north. You will pass the campus to your right and once you cross over the bridge, the stadium is on your left. The parking is free and close to the entrance of the stadium. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to games are $10 and are not a bad price to watch college baseball. There are discounts for both students and military service men and women. Extras 1 Bob Warn Field is a fine facility to watch college baseball in the spring, or collegiate wood baseball during the summer in Terre Haute. It is a much-needed upgrade from the original structure that once stood at the same location.

Photo Courtesy of Northwestern State University Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Prather Coliseum 399 Caspari St. Natchitoches, LA 71497 Northwestern State Demons website Prather Coliseum website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 3,400 Demons Dunking in the Prather For a school that has only been in the NCAA tournament three times in its history– including the most recent appearance in the 2013 season – the fans know how to make some noise. With the conference title on the line, an opportunity for the team’s head coach to become the all-time leader in career collegiate wins in Louisiana, and in celebration of its centennial season, the Demons of Northwestern State rocked the Prather Coliseum with their fans there to witness. Eventually, all that was cheered for was awarded with the teams’ win and eventual Southland Conference Tournament title victory. The Prather Coliseum max capacity is 3,400, but for basketball games only about two-thirds of the coliseum is used for seating space. There is baseline seating at each end of the court and on one back end of the coliseum are smaller practice courts. The Prather looks like a hanger on the outside, and it hosted rodeos at one time. The Demons celebrated their centennial season for basketball in the 2012-2013 season. The first recorded games on campus took place 100 years ago in 1912. NSU was then known as Louisiana State Normal School and it’s believed basketball games were played outside, but there is no definitive documentation. Food & Beverage 3 The Prather has all of your basic food items covered at its lone concession stand. There is only one concession stand available though, so you can at times expect to stand in line if you hit the stand at the wrong time. The concession stand offers hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, candy, and popcorn. For drink options they have 20 oz. Coca-Cola products and water all for a reasonable $3. Overall there is not the best of selections, but the prices are more than fair so there is very little room to complain here. Atmosphere 4 The Demons have done a good job of providing a great atmosphere for college basketball. Interestingly enough, they place the student section behind the west basket, which is the one the visiting team uses in the second half. It’s a great placement for the students. The Prather is filled with Demon memorabilia and remnants of teams and players of the past. You can see the banners of the former Demon teams that have been conference champions hanging from the rafters. I was pleasantly surprised for a school this small to have such a great college basketball atmosphere. Neighborhood 3 Natchitoches is a smaller city, but its downtown area is about a mile north of the campus and has a nice historic district. In the downtown, there is a red-brick road and there are a few bars that peer over the river. There are a few different options for places to eat or hang out, and there are always the fast-food chains as well. Fans 3 I’ll start with the student section which was a bit of a disappointment. The students showed up, but with silent chants and looking bored most of the game. As for the other fans in attendance, most were either older alumni or faculty but they kept the game alive. They were proud of their school and openly supported it by applauding when needed and joining in with the cheerleaders’ chants. Access 2 The access to the Prather is one of the hardest I’ve ever experienced at the college basketball level. I don’t know if my directions were bad, but my route to the coliseum was confusing. When I got to the campus I had to drive all the way through it to the athletic side and when I got there I wasn’t sure if I was at the right place. Let’s just say the Prather’s outer appearance doesn’t look like it’s still an occupied building – very antiquated. However, there is an open parking lot across from the arena and parking is free. The parking isn’t bad at all and the walk to the coliseum isn’t far. When you get in though, it’s an old laid back coliseum with a straightforward entrance; ticket scanned in lobby, walk into coliseum. The bathrooms were clean and I never noticed a line, even during halftime intermission. Return on Investment 4 Tickets range from $10 for adults to $9 for kids aged 3-15 for double-header games. All kids under the age of 2 are admitted free into the games. With food prices more than manageable and tickets prices as low as this, a trip to the Prather makes for a fun trip out in a historic city. The Demons are doing a great job of not only providing a great atmosphere for college basketball, but making it affordable for the whole family to go. Extras 3 One point automatically goes to free parking. In today’s economic world this is always a plus. Another point goes to the Demons’ success at 100 years and recognizing its players from the past. Head coach Mike McConathy gets an extra point for becoming the winningest coach in Louisiana. Final Thoughts You can’t help but root for the Demons, despite their devilish theme. Even if the Prather used to host rodeos or was a hanger, it goes down as one of my favorite places to visit for basketball.

Photos by Paul Derrick, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Montagne Center 4400 MLK Blvd Beaumont, TX 77710 Lamar Cardinals website Montagne Center website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 10,080 Cardinals Got Pep Located near the southeast coast of Texas you will find the city of Beaumont, which is well known for its place in the Texas Oil business. If you are ever in Beaumont look past the seaport and other huge business headquarters and take a look at a hidden gem, the Montagne Center, which is the home court of the Lamar Cardinals. Built in 1984 the Montagne Center seats just over 10,000 people for games. I’m not saying you’re going to see 10,000 people at a game but it is capable of seating that many people. Food & Beverage 2 There is absolutely nothing special to choose from on the food menu, but it is still a respectable selection considering the size of the venue. On the menu you have a choice of a hot dog, hot dog with cheese, hot dog with chili or hot dog with chili and cheese, not a lot of variety but all nicely priced. The snack stand also carries nachos, popcorn, candy, pickles and pretzels, also reasonably priced. The only variety items I found were a sausage link and boudain which is a pork rice dressing stuffed into a pork casing, very popular in the south. I found the boudain to be quite disappointing but was happy at the size for only $4.75. Your drink selections are limited to Pepsi products and are available for $3 for a small and $4 for a large. Overall I would eat before or after the game, but if you’re looking for a snack, something here should do it. Atmosphere 3 The overall atmosphere of the arena is not the best but not the worst I have seen. The arena concourse is nice and has plenty of photos and plaques to commemorate Cardinal players, new and old. Once I walked into the actual arena I was pleasantly surprised by the seating and size of the arena. One of the things that quickly caught my attention though was the pep band. I am going on record as saying the Cardinals have one of the best pep bands I have ever heard. Playing everything from great classics to new age hits, they kept the few fans there bobbing their heads and tapping their feet all night long. Big props to the music department and Lamar on this one. Neighborhood 2 Luckily Beaumont is only an hour and a half east of Houston because in my numerous trips to the city I have found fairly little to do. They do have the South Texas State Fair every year which is the 2nd largest fair in the state of Texas. The fair features a livestock show, commercial exhibition and a carnival. The Beaumont Jazz & Blues Fest is held every year in downtown Beaumont, for all the Jazz and Blues fans. As for great eating I will only recommend one place and that is Sugas Deep South Cuisine & Jazz Bar, absolutely great food and well worth the price. Fans 2 The 2,000 – 3,000 fans that were in attendance were mediocre at best but did know when to cheer on the Cardinals the most. The arena may be a tad too large for a team at this level right now. As the noise made by the fans is hardly heard at all at times due to the size of the arena. The fans do what they are supposed to do but nothing that will blow you away. Access 4 Access to and from the stadium is about as easy and good as it gets. Located just off I-10 you will have no problem spotting the Montagne Center. Parking is free and is in abundance, which is always a plus for me. It also makes for easy entrance and exit to and from the arena. The concourses are very wide which means you should have no trouble making your way around the arena. Bathrooms are plentiful. Return on Investment 3 With tickets ranging from $6-$12, and a meal costing you on average only about $7-$8, Lamar is making a trip to the arena worth the cost. The Southland conference may not be known for hailing any power house hoop squads, but they are growing. I think any basketball fan that enjoys watching some good college hoops will find this well worth the $20 investment. Extras 2 There are not a whole lot of great extras provided at Montagne. One thing I will say is a definite extra point goes to the pep band which in my eyes is one of the best in the land. Another extra point goes out to the beauty of the Montagne Center, by just looking at it you would have no idea it was pushing thirty years old. Final Thoughts The Lamar Cardinals definitely provide entertainment for the money. If you’re in or around Beaumont, it is definitely worth the money to catch the Cardinals in action at Montagne.

Photo Courtesy of Lamar Cardinals Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Vincent-Beck Stadium Jim Gilligan Way Beaumont, TX 77705 Lamar Cardinals website Vincent-Beck Stadium website Year Opened: 1969 Capacity: 3,500 The Showcase of Southeast Texas: Vincent-Beck Stadium Where Texas and Louisiana meet at the Gulf Coast, you’ll find the oil-town city of Beaumont and the pride of Southeast Texas, Lamar University. Nicknamed the Golden Triangle, the area is known for high school football talent, but Cardinal baseball has built a reputation as a perennial Southland Conference front runner and is no stranger to NCAA Regionals with 13 appearances since 1976. The Cardinals call on-campus Vincent-Beck Stadium home and have since 1969. The ballpark boasts a seating capacity of 3,500. Food & Beverage 2 Vincent-Beck Stadium has your average baseball concession fare offerings. You can grab a hot dog with chili or cheese ($4.50), nachos ($4.75), or a BBQ sandwich ($4.50) as major items. The price is definitely high for the quality as the hot dogs and nachos are nothing special and the BBQ sandwich tastes like someone mixed Sloppy Joe mix with pre-packaged brisket (I was hoping for a little more from a BBQ labeled dish in Texas). Snack items include peanuts ($3), pretzels ($2.75), popcorn ($3), a pickle ($1.50), and assorted candy ($2). Drink options are Coca-Cola products ranging from $3-$4. Concessions are cash only. Being in an area with a unique blend of Cajun, BBQ, and Mexican cuisines, it would be nice to have a unique item like street tacos, jambalaya, or some authentic Texas BBQ. That’s probably asking for a little much from a mid-major program, but the Cardinals certainly have a fan base that could support an expanded concession menu. The stand does not accept credit cards so make sure to take some cash out prior to arriving to the stadium. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at Vincent-Beck is what you’d expect at a classic small college baseball park. The stadium has undoubtedly enjoyed serving as home to a Lamar Cardinal baseball team which is regularly in the mix for a regional berth. The combination of strong teams and a dedicated fan base adds to the overall atmosphere. The ballpark is one of the largest for Southland Conference baseball and the sheer capacity of the facility is impressive. Chair back seats are available in the section immediately behind home plate and the remaining facility has bleacher style seating. At both ends of the stadium sits a unique strip of bleachers which are designed to allow for fans to plop down a fold-out styled chair and enjoy the game from their personal choice of seating. Just beyond the right field fence is the Lamar scoreboard with includes a small video board with replay capability. Lamar does a great job with honoring the past with large murals listing major accomplishments and another with pictures of Cardinals which have gone pro. There’s also plenty of picnic benches in the concourse which allow you to enjoy your concessions items without having to bring them to the stands. Though the ballpark is clearly one of the better in the Southland Conference, there are many enhancements which could be made to improve the environment. For one, the artificial turf infield just doesn’t sit well. Southeast Texas is a fertile region so the need for an artificial surface just really isn’t there. NCAA baseball seems to be leaning towards a trend of artificial surfaces, but you either need to go all in or stay out. The point where the artificial infield and the grass outfield meets is rather unsightly. Another sore spot is the outdated green painted wood which can be seen throughout the stadium. The press box is covered with it and the fence lines past the dugouts are made from it as well. Though it would take a little money, bricking in these areas would greatly enhance the atmosphere. There’s also a rather interesting trailer office just inside the gate. Though this obviously provides needed office space, it’s a trailer and no attempt is made to blend it in or fancy it up. Something that can’t be fixed is the huge electricity tower which dominates the right field skyline. Neighborhood 3 Beaumont, Texas is the home of Lamar University and the Lamar Cardinal baseball team. Vincent-Beck Stadium is located on the campus of Lamar University which is just south of downtown Beaumont. The locals will tell you that you can only experience the area by going a little off the map. In other words, don’t judge this book by its cover. Some great examples of this are the Big Thicket National Preserve and Neches River Adventures. If you’re into outdoor activities, this area will offer a great time with plenty of space for hunting, boating, fishing, backpacking, and wildlife viewing. A couple of nice attraction areas in-town are the McFaddin-Ward House and Gladys City Boomtown. If you don’t do your research before heading to Beaumont, you’ll be sorely disappointed in the mainstream restaurant options. The areas directly around the university and off the surrounding interstates don’t offer much quality. However, if you’re reading this review, you won’t have to worry about that. A great place for seafood in the Beaumont area is Larry’s French Market. Located about 20 minutes south of the Lamar campus, Larry’s is a Cajun inspired market/restaurant in the Groves area. Be sure to stop in and taste their BBQ crabs. Madison’s on Dowlen and Sugas Deep South Cuisine and Jazz Bar are both good dinner and nightlife options. Try the shrimp embrochette at Madison’s. No doubt the best lodging option in the area is the MCM Elegante Hotel. Fans 3 Vincent-Beck Stadium is one of the largest baseball stadiums in the Southland Conference and Lamar fans do a pretty decent job of showing up here to support their Cardinal baseball team. Attendance has waned a bit over the last few years with attendance figures averaging between 600 and 1,000, but that’s still pretty strong for the level of play. The fans in attendance are fairly knowledgeable about the game and supportive of their team. It’s fun to see fans stand and clap along to a Texas favorite “Deep in the Heart of Texas” during the seventh inning stretch. Access 3 Beaumont isn’t the easiest place to get to. The closest major airport is about 1.5 hours west of Beaumont in Houston, so if you’re flying in, expect to put in a decent drive to get the park. Granted, most of the visitors to Vincent-Beck are likely fans of fellow conference teams so driving in is the more likely mode of transportation. Beaumont is conveniently located off I-10. This strip of interstate is really hit or miss when it comes to seriously bogged down traffic. The greater Beaumont area is pretty well populated, but there doesn’t seem to be an intuitive reason for why they have traffic issues similar to a metropolis city. If you catch it at a good time though, the entry into town and down to the Lamar campus could be a breeze. Free parking is available beyond the outfield fence of the stadium. Ticket lines are usually very short and you’ll walk right in with no problems after that. The concourses are very spacious and the seating area aisles will give you enough room to move around. Access to the restrooms shouldn’t be a problem, but they could use an upgrade. Return on Investment 4 Individual tickets range from $5 (bleacher) to $7 (chair back). That’s an exceptional price for high quality Southland Conference baseball. Add to that free parking and the deal gets sweeter. The concession options and high prices that go along with it bring the ROI down a bit. If you’re a big fan of the aesthetics and landscape environment of the ballpark and surrounding area, this will no doubt be a bit of a negative with the massive power tower out in right field and a facility that is in need of a face lift. However, it’s hard to say $5 is a bad deal for top of the line college baseball action. Extras 3 Every great live sports experience is highlighted by certain ‘extra’ features which are unique compared to other venues or make the overall experience memorable. For Lamar baseball at Vincent-Beck Stadium, be sure to consider the following during your stadium experience: Be sure to take the trek south to the Groves to try Larry’s BBQ crabs. Lamar has a pretty strong baseball history. Expect a pretty entertaining game with quality opponents from the Southland Conference. You can also catch the occasional home game against larger programs like the University of Houston and Rice, who don’t mind making the 1.5 hour road trip east. If you are looking for a fairly inexpensive college baseball experience, this is a great option. If you avoid the concessions and apparel, you’re looking at $5 per person since parking is free. That’s a great deal.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Caesar Uyesaka Stadium 600 Stadium Rd Isla Vista, CA 93117 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos website Caesar Uyesaka Stadium website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 1,000 UCSB Baseball While baseball is often synonymous with beautiful spring and summer days, few venues can compete with the weather and surrounding natural settings of Caesar Uyesaka Stadium in Santa Barbara. With the city being located on an east to west strip of the coast, it has a rather comfortable Mediterranean climate. Being one of the few campuses located on the Pacific Ocean, the ballpark is exposed to cool ocean breezes and stunning views of the Santa Ynez Mountains beyond the outfield wall. When the stadium opened in 1964, it was originally known as Campus Stadium. A UCSB booster named Caesar Uyesaka had larger visions for the program and ultimately led the charge for major renovations. The stadium would later be renamed for his efforts in 1994. Many outside fans visiting Santa Barbara often inquire about the team's nickname, one of the most unique in college sports. The UCSB website states that the Gaucho, or "Argentine cowboy," dates back to 1936 when it was inspired by the 1927 film known as The Gaucho. Fans have embraced this nickname, often swinging boleadoras in the air, tossing tortilla onto the playing surface, and wearing sarapes or sun hats. Food & Beverage 2 When facing home plate, fans will find a single concession area on the left side of the grandstand. The items offered here include the Gaucho hot dog ($4), Gaucho nachos ($4), soft pretzel ($3.50), peanuts in shell ($3.50), cracker jacks ($3), sunflower seeds ($3), cotton candy ($3), chex mix ($3), honey roasted peanuts ($3), candy ($2), and finally potato chips ($1). The beverage options include Monster Energy ($4), Powerade ($3), apple juice ($3), iced tea ($3), lemonade ($3), soda ($3), and Dasani water ($3). Single dessert option for those warmer Santa Barbara days is frozen lemonade for $4. Atmosphere 4 It's difficult to imagine a setting much better for baseball than the one at UCSB baseball games. On most days, fans are treated to clear blue skies, the cool ocean breeze, and spectacular views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. I love the seating structure as it really gives a great vantage point to see all of the plays develop and standing in the lower concourse is an interesting novelty; as fans can envision his or her self as the batter with the pitcher straight ahead at eye-level. While the "Thunderdome" (home of the UCSB basketball team) has a more raucous crowd and atmosphere, Casear Uyesaka Stadium is certainly a more reserved, relaxed atmosphere. While some may want a little more engagement from the crowd, there will be no complaints from me as I watch the baseball unfold below in front of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Neighborhood 4 The UCSB campus is probably one of the most unique in all of America. On one side, it faces the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport/Santa Ynez Mountains and on the other side the Pacific Ocean. Visitors to campus can walk around the UCSB Lagoon and admire the many varieties of bird life taking refuge here. From the campus beach, or even the nearby Goleta Beach County Park, visitors can spot the Channel Islands of California. While the campus itself is located west of downtown Santa Barbara, a short ten minute drive will allow visitors to take in the delights of the "American Riviera." Popular attractions include Mission Santa Barbara, downtown red tile walking tour, Stern's Wharf, Museum of Natural History, and Lotusland. Should a visitor not have time to visit the downtown attractions, there are still plenty of options in terms of bars and restaurants in the nearby town of Isla Vista. Some of the more popular options include the Beachside Bar-Cafe, Silvergreens Restaurant, Woodstock's Pizza, McMaster's Steak and Hoagie, or the Elephant Bar Restaurant. Whether fans are on State Street in downtown or Embarcadero Del Mar, they are sure to find a variety of food and shopping options. Fans 3 The stadium is a smaller venue in terms of the Southern California college baseball venues, so the fans do seem a bit more muted than others I've experienced. There is a rather notorious portion fan base known as the "Hammerheads." These fans got their nickname years ago after wearing cardboard concession carriers on their heads. The sideways orientation made them resemble the head of a hammerhead shark and while the look is less practiced today, the lore is still there. The fans are engaged throughout the game, cheering for their team at the appropriate times. Many of them are also active in participation of the UCSB trivia conducted between innings. Access 3 The UCSB campus is difficult to miss along Route 101, or the Coastal Highway 1, as it is seated by the freeway, the airport, and the ocean. The parking is a bit confusing as there is a single meter among a large parking lot outside of the stadium. It's easy to miss the sign stating that fans need a permit to park and it seems that the cost varies from day to day. It seems that parking is actually higher on weekdays with the influx of students, but the fee on the Saturday that I was there was merely $3. The restroom options are limited to three portable toilets down the first base side. Due to the small size of the crowd, accessing them is never a difficulty, but you would like to see a more permanent option for a Division I program. Return on Investment 4 Fans of the Gauchos can see their team play for just $7 per ticket and just $4 for youth/senior tickets. There are a variety of package deals that provide incentive to buy more, including season tickets for just $75. The season tickets are a great option because fans get 27 games and a $25 credit towards UCSB merchandise. There is also a great program for fans with younger children known as the "GKids." A small fee gets the children a tshirt, coloring book, and free admission to most sporting events. Reasonable ticket prices, reasonable concessions, and reasonable parking provides great reason for fans to visit the UCSB campus and take in a baseball game. Extras 4 The first of the extras is evident upon entering the ballpark. To your left upon entering the stadium, fans will find a large baseball with a Gauchos logo on it and a plaque beneath. The plaque reads "An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men. Gino Filippin was a great man who through love, honor, friendship, generosity, and hard work helped to shape UCSB's athletic heritage." Next is the large imagery of Gaucho players of the past all displayed all over the grandstand. Michael Young, Skip Schumaker, and Ryan Spilborghs are just a few of the past players from UCSB that are shown in contrasting blue colors. I would also be remiss to not simply mention the design and location of the stadium. As I've probably stated too many times in this review, the stadium is a five minute walk from the Pacific Ocean and the seating stares directly at the towering Santa Ynez Mountains. In regards to the stadium design, when fans first enter the grandstand, they are below the bleachers standing at field level. After climbing a set of steps, the seating area is situated higher than the dugouts, with fans looking down upon the field. Lastly in terms of extras, is the concourse that resembles a botanical garden as fans walk the paths. Here fans can admire the ferns, palm trees, red flowers, lavender plants, and birds of paradise as they walk to their seats. If fans need to step away from the action for a moment, this is certainly the perfect spot. Final Thoughts What is possibly most exciting is that the program is hoping to upgrade Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. As fans enter the stadium, they will notice a sign showing the "Campaign for Gaucho Park." The program is attempting to raise $1.8 m to add a plaza, more landscaping, Gino's corner (tribute to Gino Filippin), Big Leaguers Lane (paying tribute to Gauchos in the majors), Hammerhead wall, field upgrade, and adding lights to allow for night games. All of these additions would certainly be a huge plus for Gauchos' baseball (and the summer baseball team known as the Santa Barbara Foresters) fans and players at the stadium. Even without the renovations, I still consider the UCSB campus one of the prime spots to catch a college baseball game in Southern California.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Halifax Metro Centre 1800 Argyle St Halifax, NS B3J 3N8 Halifax Mooseheads website Scotiabank Centre website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 10,595 Moose Country Pioneers Driving on the Trans-Canada Highway through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the last thing one would want to see is a moose-head. That all changes once you reach Halifax. The QMJHL has long been focused on the province of Quebec. In 1993, Moosehead Breweries Limited convinced the league that expansion into the Canadian Maritimes was a good idea. Among great concern and skepticism, the league awarded an expansion team to Halifax and the brewery. The 1994 season saw the birth of the Halifax Mooseheads, and hockey in Canada's East got a much needed shot in the arm. The Mooseheads ironically were named after, and originally owned by a Saint John, New Brunswick brewery, which remains Canada's oldest independent brewery. Eventually, the Mooseheads were sold to former Minnesota North Star and Montreal Canadien legend Bobby Smith, who still owns the team today. Halifax is the biggest city in the Canadian maritimes, and therefore is the cultural centre of the East. Even though Halifax is not an overly large city, events at the Metro Centre have that big event feel to them. Moose Country is front and centre in the Halifax sporting scene. The Metro Centre, which is owned by the City of Halifax, and managed by Trade Centre Limited, offers a big event feel to it, and attracts the largest indoor events in the area. Food & Beverage 4 You can find all all of the usual suspects at the Metro Centre when it comes to concessions. Hot Dogs, popcorn, soda, burgers and nachos are all available. Prices are pretty decent. In what is a bit of a curious situation, but kind of understandable, Moosehead beer is not available here. Local brewer Alexander Keith is quite popular and available here. I understand why the local beer is here and not Moosehead, however there is something sacrilegious about goin4g to a Mooseheads game and not being able to get a Moosehead beer. A bump in the food scoring goes to the Citadel Fries stand. FRESH fries and poutine are available at this stand, and they are fantastic!! You may also want to check out the candy stands and get a large cupcake. Atmosphere 5 As I mentioned previously, being the cultural centre of the Maritimes gives the Metro Centre a big event feel to it. That begins with the exterior. Around the outside of the building, there are large banners for players of both the Mooseheads and the Halifax Rainmen of the NBL-Canada, much like you would find at a Major League Baseball stadium. Once inside you will find the large atrium. On the day of this review, they had a Q&A; session with an executive of the visiting PEI Rocket. The carpeted area features some concession stands and a large area for congregating. On the floor immediately below the atrium, you will find the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, which honours many local sports icons. Once inside the seating bowl, you will immediately notice the very large seating capacity. It is much larger than the vast majority of arenas in the QMJHL. There is a ton of railing space for standing room, which is a staple in junior hockey. The long sides of the arena have a second level, behind a 360 degree walkway around the entire arena. The sight-lines are good from just about anywhere. If you are in the second level, the view of the scoreboard will be obstructed by the hanging suites. However, the Mooseheads do a great job of making up for this. There are small scoreboards on the back of the suites, and there are 7 projectors that show the videoboard images on the back of the suites. This is actually better than seeing the centre-ice videoboard. In the rafters you will see Mooseheads banners for various division and conference championships, as well as 3 retired numbers. The Mooseheads have honoured the numbers of Alex Tanguay (18), Jody Shelley (25), and Jean-Sebastian Giguere (47). They also have a banner for broadcaster Pat Connolly who retired after 16 seasons with the Mooseheads. The Mooseheads also have a series of banners on display for the "Fans 15." The Fans 15 are the 15 most popular Mooseheads of all time, as voted by the Halifax fans. Neighborhood 4 The Metro Centre is located right in downtown Halifax. Right across the road from the Metro Centre is The Citadel. This Halifax landmark, is a historic fort, which was a key strategic point throughout Canadian History. It is well worth the tour, although possibly earlier in the season when the weather may be nicer. There are also a ton of eating establishments downtown, so finding a spot will only be difficult if you have trouble choosing. Being on the East Coast, you should most definitely look for some seafood. The Five Fishermen is a great choice, among numerous others. If you are a bit out of the centre, you may want to check out The Armview, which is a great pub and restaurant! Fans 4 The Mooseheads have been a solid attendance draw in the QMJHL. For the last few years they have been the second best draw of all franchises. Moose Country features plastic horns throughout the game, and has a bit of a feel like a soccer game. They are very loud for a home goal, and insanely silent for an opposing goal. They are also intelligent and very friendly. Access 3 Located in downtown Halifax makes access a bit of an issue. Downtown is in an extremely hilly territory. Parking is found throughout the downtown, and many of the locals scramble for street parking. Not being a fan of street parking, I did find parking at the local pool for a $5 donation to the local minor sports authority. Getting in and out and around becomes more difficult because of the hills. Inside, the washroom facilities are adequate, and traveling throughout the arena is not too difficult. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for adults are between $14-$16, with discounts for seniors, students and children. Parking can be found on the street if you are really cheap, or in a surface lot for a small fee. Concession prices are also pretty good. This all adds up to a great evening of entertainment without dropping the kids' college fund. The fast pace of the QMJHL and the opportunity to see some future stars makes the return on investment very high. Extras 5 An extra point for the Mooseheads wearing jerseys of a local minor hockey team, the Cole Harbour Wings. This was a great salute to local minor hockey. Cole Harbour is a northern suburb of Halifax, and Mooseheads centre Nathan MacKinnon is a product of the Cole Harbour minor hockey system. Two extra points for the link to CIS basketball. The Metro Centre annually plays host to the AUAA (Atlantic Conference) Basketball tournament, and numerous times has played host to the CIS National Championships. Halifax features Dalhousie University and St. Mary's University that play in the CIS. The Metro Centre features numerous banners honouring Atlantic Canadian universities that have won basketball titles. An extra point for that big event feel that you get in Halifax, even though it is a relatively small city. An extra point for the pioneer nature of the Mooseheads, bringing major junior hockey to Atlantic Canada. Final Thoughts In Moose Country you will find a great experience and a must-see team if you are interested in junior hockey. The beautiful city of Halifax makes for a great vacation destination, and there are tons of things to do and see. Hopefully, the only Mooseheads you see are in the Metro Centre!

Photo courtesy of CSU Bakersfield Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Hardt Field Roadrunner Dr Bakersfield, CA 93311 Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners website Hardt Field website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 900 Putting the Field in Bakersfield On the Stadium Journey website, fans can learn about programs with rich college baseball history, such as the USC Trojans and Cal State Fullerton Titans. Conversely of course, there are programs that are just opening the cover to the book of their history. The CSU Bakersfield program is an excellent example of building from the ground up. It started back in 2006 when after significant Division II success; the program began the transition to Division I. The goal was to begin play at the top level during the 2009 collegiate baseball season. Playing in a more significant Division required a more significant facility. In August of 2008, construction of the Roadrunner Baseball Complex would begin. The venue would be named Hardt Field, named after Tom and Barbara Hardt, who gave a generous $1 million of general contracting work to build the facility - the field would open on February 20, 2009 as team would begin play as an Independent, unaffiliated with any conference. The school was far from finished with the field. A new $120,000 scoreboard was purchased and in operation by February of 2012. A $560,000 installation of lights was ready by mid-March, allowing the team to play night games. The field today has 25 cypress trees making up the batter's eye in center field, an infield mixture of sand, silt, and clay (similar to what is used at Petco Park and Angel Stadium), a grass berm on both the first and third base sides, and several sets of temporary seating. The most exciting recent announcement was that after initially being turned down as an all-sports member of the WAC, the conference agreed to allow CSU Bakersfield in as a baseball-only member. In Feb, 2012, the Bakersfield Californian reported that the program is aiming to raise another $2 million to add the finishing touches to the venue. First will be to add permanent seating for roughly 1,200 fans, a press box for coverage of the growing program, and two suites that can generate future income for the program. Secondly would be a $600,000 cost to add field turf, as the program is spending $80,000 annually on maintenance, creating more sustainability for the program to grow. Lastly, while the facility is already new, adding on a videoboard to modernize the facility and potentially allow it to host NCAA regional games. The Roadrunners are hoping to implement these changes prior to the start of the 2013 season. The Roadrunners baseball program competes with Bakersfield basketball, D-League Bakersfield Jam, as well as minor league baseball (Bakersfield Blaze) and hockey (Bakersfield Condors). Food & Beverage 2 With temporary stands being the only option, there was not a lot of variety in the concessions. The options included the 10" Runner dog ($4), sandwiches ($4), nachos ($3), snacks ($3), and chips ($2). Unfortunately I'm unable to further elaborate on the sandwiches and snacks as they were hidden from view due to the wind. The beverages included soda, water, or Gatorade all for a price of $3. There was an additional temporary stand that specialized in coffees, smoothies, and other sorts of beverages commonly found in coffee shops. Atmosphere 3 There was certainly an atmosphere of hope at Hardt Field; seemingly that "we've come this far and we're going to continue to bring relevancy to this program." The resiliency was shown in the fans with most of them sticking it out through miserable weather to see the sport they clearly love. As with many baseball games at the college level, there was a calmer atmosphere with most fans sitting back and enjoying the game. They did play some music between innings and had some friendly competitions or opportunities to win which brought about some conversation and excitement within the games. Neighborhood 3 When fans look around the exterior of the field, they may not notice a lot outside of the ever growing CSU Bakersfield campus. Seemingly just a stone's throw away however is the Marketplace Shopping Center. The center has an Edwards Stadium 14 Cinema, Applebee's, Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse, and all sorts of shopping. If the area in the shopping center is a bit overcrowded, fans can drive in either direction and find many other varieties such as the Elephant Bar, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, Que Pasa Mexican, or Miyoshi Japanese Restaurant. Out of town visitors may want to take a drive towards downtown to check out the Buck Owens Crystal Palace, Kern County Museum, Mill Creek Park, or any of the other attractions Bakersfield offers. Fans 3 It is challenging to assess the fan base of the young program on a single evening's pass at it. There were certainly fans sporting the royal blue and gold, but with the temperature well below average most fans were bundled up in blankets. While there was not a strong showing, I would give all fans a perfect score just for sticking it out and cheering for their team during all nine innings during the cold, windy, and rainy evening. The fans did show their appreciation upon a big play, and there was one impressive heckler in the front row, but its tough to assess their night to night performance with such weather anomalies. Access 3 The new ballpark is not far from the 99 freeways, which connects to California's popular Interstate 5. Being one of the newer ballparks, it may not register in all GPS devices, so I would advise fans to find directions beforehand. The towering lights above the field give a visible cue to fans that pull onto campus where the field is located. While there are many lots that might look tempting to park in, the baseball lot is attached to the field and offers free parking on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two portable toilets on site for the fan's use, one with handicapped capabilities. This obviously is not the lap of luxury, but appears to get the job done with the current crowd size until further renovations are made. Return on Investment 3 The program definitely has a long way to go to make the experience at Hardt Field one of the better sports options in Bakersfield. The good news, however, is it is priced appropriately for its current phase of completion. The chair back seats behind home plate cost just $10 per contest while the bleacher/berm general admission areas are just $8 ($5 for youth). The general admission seemed to be the more popular option for this evening contest. There was also a season seat option for $185. The low priced tickets paired with free parking make it a nice little start to an evening out in Bakersfield. With a movie theater, shopping, and restaurants within walking distance, it's a reasonable add-in to any night out. Extras 1 Unfortunately with Hardt Field just being constructed and the program's recent soiree with Division I, few items of historical significance or uniqueness have been added. I did enjoy the large banners behind each dugout, one reading "Gold Plated" and the other "Field of Gold." This may be one of the few venues that fans could get hit by not only a foul ball, but also a tumbleweed. I noticed many of them sprawling around the concourse. Final Thoughts It's difficult to pass judgement on an experience that has grown so aggressively in the past five years. The area surrounding the field certainly shows that Hardt Field is very new and it will take some time to build up the aesthesis and create a following. With the move to the WAC conference, the Roadrunners should be able to develop some rivalries and ultimately increase the attention to the baseball program.

Photos by Jason Bartel, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Peoria Sports Complex 16101 N. 83rd Ave Peoria, AZ 85382 San Diego Padres Spring Training website Peoria Sports Complex website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 11,000 Spring Padres The San Diego Padres have been holding Spring Training at Peoria Sports Complex for over 20 years now. They have shared the facility with the Seattle Mariners every February and March since the complex was built in 1994. It was the very first complex to be shared by two Major League teams. That is now the norm in the cactus league, with only a few clubs having their facilities. Both the Padres and Mariners are leased to stay in Peoria through 2034. The Padres use the complex for year-round conditioning and rehab for all of the organization’s players, both major and minor leaguers. The AZL Padres, the San Diego rookie league affiliate, play home games at Peoria Sports Complex in the summer. The Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League use it in October and November. The stadium seats 11,000 for baseball. The facility has 12 full-sized baseball practice fields for the Padres and Mariners to utilize throughout the year and is also used to host various local baseball tournaments. Concerts and trade shows are held on the grounds during the year as well. Food & Beverage 5 There is certainly no shortage of food options at Peoria. Even the regular concession stands have a huge variety of food at them. Tents are set up along the outfield walkway as well as some spots in the infield where there are even more food options. Down the right field line, there is the “Redhook Brewery All You Can Eat Deck,” where anyone can upgrade their tickets to be in the all-you-can-eat section. It can be a really good value for those who come to the game starving, and it also offers shade on those hot Arizona afternoons. Down the left field line is a pavilion that you can rent out for private parties. It’s a huge spot with a lot of shade located just above the left-field bullpen. In the left-center field is a bar area, where you can get some Four Peaks and other brews. It also has a few tables set up under a tent as another place to escape the sun. Other options in the outfield include a taco booth that has all kinds of tacos, and a fry bread stand in right-center field. Behind the batter’s eye, you can also find a general concession stand. There are also small concession tents and beer tents and carts throughout the rest of the concourse. No matter where you are, there is always food and drink nearby. Even the club seating and suites have their snack bars up on the second level behind home plate. Above the third base seating area is Point Loma Landing. This has a full bar, plus other food options to go with it. This is another great place to eat lunch since there are a ton of tables set up in the area, and there’s also a bar-style seating area facing the field at the top of the main seating area. The Power Alley Food Court along the third baseline has the most variety per square foot in the stadium. Here you’ll find barbeque, teriyaki, fried foods and desserts, chicken strips, and a few other things as well. It’s set up like a carnival, and there are even some seats in the shade right next to the area as well. There is also a concession stand located at the end of the bleachers down both baselines that only serve drinks and peanuts and sunflower seeds. That’s nice for people who are just looking to grab something to drink and not have to wait in line for other people to order full meals. Peoria Sports Complex is a Pepsi facility. They’ve also got a ton of beer options, including local Arizona beers, San Diego beers, and Seattle beers. You can bring your water in, as long as it’s still sealed. The parking stub you get tells you exactly what you can and cannot bring into the stadium. Atmosphere 4 Spring Training games are always so relaxed, just a bunch of people taking in America’s pastime. And Peoria may be the best in the cactus league to just sit and relax. With the Padres and Mariners having similar colors, it makes it easy for Peoria to make the stadium feel like home for both teams. The Padres offices are the main backdrop when looking out past right field, as they are located just beyond the walkway in right field. The Mariners offices are tucked away behind the stadium on the first base side. Far off in the distance are some mountains, adding to the overall vibe. The infield bleachers face out to the northeast, so if you’re looking for shade during a day game, you will want to sit somewhere down the first baseline, probably in the upper section. The main gate to enter is right behind home plate, right where the parking lot and ticket office are located. You can’t get out to the seating area from right behind home plate because it has the main concession stand and restrooms right there. Except for the bleacher areas, the seats themselves are comfortable, and all have cup holders. Farther down the outfield lines are metal bleachers instead of the typical seats found in the rest of the main seating area. The seating area doesn’t get too close to the field, giving the fielders tons of foul territory to make a play. When sitting out in the outfield lawn area, you can sit right up against the fence. There are suites and club-level seating available if that’s what you’re looking for. The Padres dugout and bullpen are both on the first base/right field side, while the visiting team uses the Mariners dugout and bullpen on the third base line. The scoreboard is out in left field. It has a video board with player names and stats, as well as the baseball basics. The video board is nice for those spring training games where a whole bunch of guys are in the game that you’ve never heard of before. Neighborhood 5 Peoria Sports Complex is just one part of the newly branded “Peoria Eighty Three” area. Pretty much anything you could ever ask for is in the P83 district. From a wide variety of restaurants, to shopping, to live theater, it’s all there. I would say Salty Senorita is the place most out-of-towners should visit. It has some of the best Mexican cuisine you’ll find, as well as great Happy Hour specials on margaritas and other Mexican drinks that coincide with the baseball games. The reality is you won’t go wrong no matter where you go to grab a bite to eat and some drinks in P83. Whatever you’re in the mood for, it’s within walking distance of the ballpark. As far as entertainment goes, you have a live theater at Arizona Broadway Theater. There’s also a movie theater right across the street from the stadium. And then you’ve even got an ice skating rink with Polar Ice Peoria and a roller skating rink with Rollerplex Roller Skating Rink. And last but not least, you can stay at a wide variety of hotels in the area, meaning you never really have to drive to get anywhere. Every major hotel chain has a property somewhere within a mile or two of the stadium. Fans 3 I would say most fans that go to spring training know a lot about baseball and are going to an exhibition baseball game just for fun and to see some of the game’s best up close and personal. Padre fans seem relaxed but knowledgeable in general as well, and that translates well to Peoria. It’s just a fun, relaxed baseball atmosphere. Access 5 Peoria Sports Complex is just east of the Loop 101 Agua Fria Fwy in between the Thunderbird and Bell exits. The parking lot entrances are on 83rd Ave., which runs right next to Loop 101. Parking costs $5, and the parking lots are all connected to the stadium. There is also some parking out beyond the outfield if you are coming from the east on surface streets. From 75th Ave., you take Paradise Ln., which is just south of Bell. When you enter from behind home plate, you have to walk down either line a little bit to find a tunnel to the seating area. There is the outer concourse, which will take you to all the concession areas, or you can walk along the inner concourse, which goes through the middle of the seating area. The right field path has a bridge that goes over the batting cage storage area and team bus parking area. It’s really easy to get anywhere you want in the stadium. The concession lines stay pretty short for the most part, and nothing clogs up either walkway. Everything is very accessible. Getting into the stadium is nice and smooth, and moving around the stadium is the same way. Return on Investment 4 Peoria is one of the more affordable of the various cactus league parks. All tickets that are in the main seating area with normal chairs cost at least $20, but you can get general admission tickets for less than $10. If you come on a day where there aren’t too many people, it is pretty easy to move to a better seat. Parking costs $5, which isn’t too bad, and then the food prices are relatively cheap. Most of the traditional ballpark items are fairly reasonable, anywhere from $4-$8, and then the more unique foods are somewhere from $7-$9. I think spring training games are always a better value to attend than regular season games because it allows you to see some of your favorite players up close for a lot less than it would cost to go to a regular season game. Extras 4 Getting the chance to watch the Padres practice before the game is a good plus. If you’re going to do this, you should probably park in the outfield parking lots by the Salty Senorita, as that’s where their fields are. Then you can get into the stadium for the game through the outfield gates. The P83 neighborhood deserves an extra. It’s an area with some of the most diverse entertainment and dining options you’ll find, and it’s all easily walkable from the stadium. Not a ton of places in the cactus league can say that. For visiting fans, there’s an area down the right field line where you can line up and try and get player autographs as they come off the bus. You can also get Padres’ autographs here, or you can try and get them along the first baseline. One last extra for the additional Seattle and San Diego theming found throughout the park. You’ll notice the concession stands behind home plate have names based on the two cities. Throughout the park, craft beers from those cities are sold as well as ones that are made in Arizona. Making fans of the Mariners and Padres feel at home is certainly a plus. Final Thoughts Overall, going to Peoria for the day to take in some spring training is just a great experience.

Photos by Justin Sutton, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Robert Braddy Field John R Lynch St & Poindexter Ave Jackson, MS 39217 Jackson State Tigers website Robert Braddy Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 800 The Background on Braddy Home to one of the hotter programs in SWAC baseball, Robert Braddy Field offers baseball fans a cheap ticket to catch college baseball in central Mississippi. While the ballpark, named after the former Jackson State athletic director, does not have the thrills that nearby Trustmark Park or the stadiums of the big three in Mississippi have, fans going to Jackson State can still have a quality experience for a fair price when taking in Tiger baseball in the 800 person capacity complex built in 2006. Food & Beverage 2 With signs in the area that concessions and restrooms are available in other places, Jackson State baseball might offer more than what appears in their match-up against Florida A&M. What is there for that game is mainly candy and sodas for sale, and not much else. With the lack of fans in the stands, having a full menu would make little sense in regards to the bottom line of the budget. With outside food and beverages not being allowed in the ballpark (or at least that is what the sign says), fans do not have many options at the game. However, many fans do tailgate behind the outfield wall. Atmosphere 3 The seats at Robert Braddy Field provide a great view of the game, especially those behind home plate, which have many fellow student athletes in attendance. In addition, many parents make it out to the games, so there is an interested crowd. The only downside to the seats is that they are all bleacher seats. While chair backs would be nice, the seats have good sight lines, and fans can bring in some of their own chairs to watch the game, as well. For kids at the game, they can run down foul balls and get close to the bullpens, and they do have plenty of room to run around during the game. However, if the younger fans are looking for lots of entertainment between innings, they are out of luck. Neighborhood 2 There is not much of a way to sugarcoat this. Jackson State is not located in the greatest part of Jackson. However, with the talks of a new domed stadium in the works and the continued work to revitalize the downtown area of the city, this circumstance may change. There is one restaurant within walking distance of the ballpark, The Penguin. A restaurant that was quite popular a half-century ago has worked to make a return to the Jackson night scene. With a kitchen open until 10 pm and a bar open much later, fans can dine before or after the game. The only drawback might be the price, as much of the menu comes in over $15 per entree, but it looks as though some patrons are more than fine with the price given the food and atmosphere. Editor’s Note: It appears Penguins has closed since this review was written. When Stadium Journey makes a revisit, we’ll update this section with other choices. Fans 2 The fans in attendance at the game did their best to enhance the atmosphere, but for the most part, there were many empty spots in the bleachers on a great evening to watch baseball. With the Tigers having recently clinched a share of the SWAC Eastern division crown and having the most wins in conference play when I visited, the lack of fans came as a bit of a surprise. Access 3 Getting to Robert Braddy Field is not much of a challenge for fans traveling to the game. The stadium is about five minutes off of Interstate 20 on the University exit. Parking is located within a two-to-five minute walk of the baseball field. If fans want to tailgate behind the outfield wall, they can park along John R. Lynch Street, and the raised walls beyond the outfield fence protect their cars. The big knock on getting to the stadium is that there are not many signs to help someone unacquainted to Jackson State find their way around. Also, fans have to leave the complex to use the restroom, walking a few minutes to the tennis complex. Return on Investment 5 With tickets only priced at five dollars a person, no one can complain about the cost of attending a game.The Tigers have produced many players drafted in the MLB draft, some of whom were first-rounders.The fellow foes of the Tigers in SWAC play also bring quality local talent and MLB talent to Jackson State. . Extras 2 Robert Braddy Field has quality sight lines, and beyond right field, the skyline of downtown Jackson makes for a great view. The field, which is maintained by the coaching staff, looks great, as does most of the campus, which has been revitalized over the past few years.

Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Schoonover Stadium 1508 Campus Center Dr Kent, OH 44242 Kent State Golden Flashes website Schoonover Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 500 Consistent Excellence In 2005, Kent State University opened a new facility for its baseball program. Officially named Olga A. Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium, the venue is modest with a capacity of only 500. What the ballpark lacks in glitz, it more than makes up for in history. Schoonover Stadium was built on the site of the previous home of the Golden Flashes, Gene Michael Field. But it’s more than just the location where you’ll feel the history, you’ll also see it on display on the outfield walls. There is no doubt that Kent State has been the most successful baseball program in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Golden Flashes won eight MAC Tournament titles from 2001-2012. In that 2012 season, Kent State also made a rare appearance in the College World Series in Omaha. 21 players have gone on to play in the Major Leagues including Gene Michael, Thurman Munson, Steve Stone, and Dustin Hermanson. When you see a game at Schoonover Stadium, you can be sure that you’ll see a future Major Leaguer and some of the best players that the MAC has to offer. Food & Beverage 2 There’s one small concession stand near the entrance toward the third base side of Schoonover Stadium. Here you’ll find hot dogs ($3), burgers ($5), chicken sandwiches ($4), and Italian sausage ($5). Pepsi products are available in 20-ounce plastic bottles for $3. If it is a cold spring evening, you can also pick up either coffee or hot chocolate ($2). The quality is a little less than average, and the prices are probably just a tad on the high side. Atmosphere 3 The seating at Schoonover Stadium can be found in the grandstand behind home plate, with mostly metal bleachers, but also a few rows of blue plastic chair back seats. It’s a fairly comfortable view, although if you’re in the bleachers you may either want to bring your chair back or head for the top row where you can lean up against the fence. The numerous displays of Kent State’s success on the field add to the overall atmosphere as well. Besides the years noted for MAC championships and Regional appearances, you’ll also find the #15, in honor of Thurman Munson, who starred at Kent State and the New York Yankees, and died way too young in a plane crash at nearby Akron-Canton Airport in 1979. You’ll see the number 30 down the left field line and the number 14 down the right field line, both with the name Schoonover. These are meant to highlight the fact that the Kent State baseball program has won 30 or more games in 14 consecutive games (through the 2013 season). Neighborhood 4 Schoonover Stadium is located about two miles from downtown Kent, Ohio. There is nothing within walking distance of the ballpark, so you’ll need to have a car with you. The best place for a pre or post-game meal and/or drink is the Water Street Tavern, which also offers the adjoining Cajun Dave’s. I love this spot primarily because Cajun Dave’s offers a fantastic menu with a lot of barbeque and southern influences. I especially like the shrimp and grits. As for the Water Street Tavern, they have a good beer menu, and plenty of TVs to stay up on the day’s sporting events. Zephyr Pub is probably better suited to the football crowd when the weather is a bit nicer. They have a wonderful outdoor beer garden, but also a pool table in case you’re looking to shoot some sticks. If your inner beer snob is calling, then Ray’s Place should be your destination. They have the best beer selection in Kent and recently have won acclaim for their MoFo burger recommended by Chef Michael Simon. If you’re in the area for a weekend series, consider staying at one of the hotels south of the stadium, near I-76. I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, and it is certainly suitable for baseball fans on the road watching their favorite team. Fans 3 You’ll find the usual mix of friends and family that make their way to a baseball game in the Midwest, but the spectators at Schoonover Stadium also display a little more hardball knowledge and passion than most similar venues in the region. This is not a social event, it’s a chance to root the Golden Flashes on to victory. Stand along the left field line and you’ll find a particularly high level of baseball conversation amongst the ardent viewers leaning against the fence. Access 4 The parking situation is a little unusual when you go to see a game at Schoonover Stadium. There is a small lot immediately outside the gate, but it fills up quickly, so if you want to park nearby, then be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the first pitch. If that lot happens to be full, then there is a nearby larger parking lot. They discourage fans from walking along the road to the stadium, so there is a free shuttle bus that runs continuously between the two parking lots. If you can’t stand to wait, then you could of course walk (although the parking attendants will do their best to persuade you not to). In any case, parking is free. If you’re feeling sneaky, you can walk through the orange fencing that separates the baseball and softball fields and access the venue for free. I’m sure the attendants will certainly flag you down, and it’s not worth being dishonest to save yourself $5, but that’s your call. Restrooms are adequate on-site, and sure beat the port-a-potty options you’ll find at many Midwest parks. Return on Investment 3 Unlike many MAC ballparks, there is a charge to attend a game at Schoonover Stadium. It will cost you $5 for an adult ticket, and $3 for a ticket for anyone aged 60+ or between the ages of 4-14. Children under the age of 4 are free to enter. The ticket window only accepts cash, so come prepared. When you add in the concession prices and free parking, Schoonover Stadium offers an average return on investment. Extras 3 One extra point for the consistent excellence that the Kent State baseball program has shown since the turn of the century. Another extra point for the efficient bus shuttle that runs between the two parking lots. One final extra point to the subtle tribute to Thurman Munson, one of those great players that you can’t help but wonder, “what if?” Final Thoughts If you like college baseball, then you’ll enjoy a trip to Schoonover Stadium. The history of this fantastic mid-major program is on full display, so sit back and enjoy a high level of baseball.

Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Ralph McKinzie Field 1425 W Lincoln Hwy Dekalb, IL 60115 Northern Illinois Huskies website Ralph McKinzie Field website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 1,500 Home of the Huskies Ralph McKinzie is a legend in Dekalb, Illinois. He was a star athlete in football, basketball, and baseball at Northern Illinois University. He coached the NIU basketball team from 1940-1948, and also the baseball team in 1945 and from 1949-1956. His most significant coaching seasons came in 1950 and 1951 when he led the Huskies baseball squad to Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. Historically, Ralph McKinzie is probably best known as future U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s football coach at Eureka College. In 1993, Northern Illinois dedicated its baseball field to McKinzie, three years after his death at age 96. It is a simple structure, with 15 rows of metal bleachers behind home plate. Cedar trees are visible past the outfield wall, and Huskie Stadium rises past the left field foul pole. It’s a simple, straightforward game day presentation, enjoyable for those fans who enjoy the simplicity of the pastoral game. The history of Northern Illinois baseball dates back to 1901. In that time, they made only two appearances in the NCAA Tournament (1972 and 1996). The team has competed in the Mid-American Conference since 1974, although they took a hiatus from 1982-1990 when the program was disbanded, and rejoined the MAC in 1998. Food & Beverage 2 There is one single concession cart offering some basics to get you through a Huskies game. The selection includes cheeseburgers ($4), hot dogs ($3), pretzels ($3), nachos ($3.50), and popcorn ($3). Snacks include candy ($2), potato chips ($1), and peanuts ($1). The drink selection consists of cans of Pepsi products ($1), bottled water ($2.50), Gatorade ($3), and hot chocolate ($2). While there is nothing to get excited about, there’s enough to get you and your stomach through the ball game, and the prices are reasonable for the most part. Atmosphere 3 In this day and age of turf fields beginning to be seen more and more in college baseball, it’s nice to watch a game on a field that is just dirt and grass. Most fans sit behind home plate on the metal bleachers, but some stand down the lines along the green picket fence which extends to the outfield. It’s a short home run down the left field line, but overall the playing field is fairly spacious with plenty of room in foul territory. From left to right the outfield dimensions are 314-370-400-370-323. The NIU staff does a good job with the sound effects after a strike out, a walk, the foul ball into the parking lot, etc. I’m not sure if the 2014 team is just an eclectic bunch, but they have some of the strangest selections of walk-up music for the home batters. The selections during my most recent visit included the Oompa Loompa song, the Spice Girls with “Wannabe,” and Abba’s Dancing Queen.” Northern Illinois occupies the first base dugout, but fans of both teams seem mixed within the small stands. The scoreboard is found in the left-center field and displays the basic line score, balls, strikes, outs, hits, runs, and errors, as well as the number of the at-bat player. If you like to keep score, or just learn a bit more about the participants, there are scorecards found in a plastic box right behind home plate in the stands. The scorecard is a simple four-page publication with information about the Huskies team, along with an insert for the visiting team’s line-up, as well as a box score for the most recently played NIU game. Neighborhood 2 There isn’t much in the immediate neighborhood to add to the experience. During the football season, the tailgating helps to improve the experience, but with baseball there is really none of that. There are a few restaurants that are a short drive, or even walkable, along Lincoln Highway. My recommendation is Fatty’s. They have good burgers and sandwiches, along with 110 beers available. If you would rather have Mexican, then try Eduardo’s, which has been in operation in the area for over 30 years. Fans 2 Most of the fans at an NIU baseball game show only mild interest. There is a collection of friends, family, and students who watch the action in a fairly laid-back way. It’s a friendly place to just sit back and watch baseball. Access 3 Parking is free along Stadium Avenue, just behind the cedar trees would be a good place. Some fans choose to park their cars behind the seating area, but that’s a good way to catch a souvenir in the worst possible way (in your windshield). If you have trouble finding the field, just look for the football stadium. There are no restrooms available at McKinzie Field, so plan accordingly. There are a couple of Port-a-potties on the grounds if necessary. Return on Investment 4 There’s no admission to attend an NIU baseball game. Parking is free. Concessions are reasonably priced. Overall, there is nothing to complain about when it comes to getting your money’s worth. If you’re in the area and need to get your baseball fixed, then this is an affordable experience. Extras 2 One extra point for the trivia games offered to fans. It’s nice that a small program like this, charging no admission, still has a couple of giveaways during the contest. One additional extra point for the bizarre choice of walk-up songs for the home team. It wouldn’t be my choice if I was batting, but the strange selection certainly adds to the entertainment value. Final Thoughts There may not be any bells or whistles to entice fans to make the trip to Dekalb to see Northern Illinois baseball, but once you arrive, you’ll find a laid-back atmosphere and a pleasant place to enjoy MAC baseball action.

Photo Courtesy of Stanford University Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Klein Field at Sunken Diamond 151 Sam McDonald Mall Stanford, CA 94305 Stanford Cardinal website Klein Field at Sunken Diamond website Year Opened: 1931 Capacity: 4,000 Baseball On The Farm The Stanford Cardinal have won 116 National championships, 102 of which are of the NCAA variety, second most all-time (UCLA). Of those 102, 41 represent women’s sports, the most all-time. It’s clear that the Cardinal athletic program is prolific and the baseball team is just one piece of it. Winning back-to-back championships in 1987 and 1988, Stanford baseball is one of the elite programs in the country. They have won 20 conference championships (most recently in 2004), have had 29 NCAA Tournament appearances (most recently in 2011), and 16 College World Series appearances (most recently in 2008). In recent years the football program has experienced greater success with back-to-back BCS bowl game appearances. In 2011 they beat Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium and in 2012 they lost to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Combine that with a NIT basketball championship in 2012 at Madison Square Garden by the Stanford men’s basketball team and a Final Four appearance at the Pepsi Center by the women’s team, and the Stanford baseball squad is experiencing raised expectations. The Cardinal baseball team have been playing at the Sunken Diamond adjacent from Stanford Stadium since 1931 and at a capacity of just 4,000, it provides a much more intimate atmosphere than its 50,000 seat counterpart. There is one level of seating that stretches around the backstop from first base to third base. Two sections of grass seating are located near the foul pole on both sides of the field where fans sprawl on picnic blankets and kids have the opportunity to run around a bit. The remodel in 2001 brought new seating, a three-tier press box, and new dugouts to Sunken Diamond. Food & Beverage 3 There are 6 main food items at the Sunken Diamond; the grilled colossal dog, cheeseburger, hamburger, grilled chicken sandwich and garden burger (all $6) and the cardinal dog ($5). The various sides include nachos ($5), french fries ($5), peanuts ($4), and licorice rope ($2). No alcoholic beverages are served at Klein Field however soda, frozen lemonade, hot chocolate and coffee were all available. The latter two items were particularly popular on this breezy, chilly night at Stanford. Atmosphere 5 The Sunken Diamond consistently ranks as one of the most beautiful venues in college baseball. This is due in part to the trees that hug the outer rim of the venue and the mountains in the background that make this a nearly perfect place to take in a baseball game. Keep in mind that the stadium is located at one of the most picturesque universities in the nation and be sure to check out the architecture viewable from inside and outside of the ballpark. There is a friendly vibe in the air at a Stanford baseball game. While there certainly is a family-friendly atmosphere at the Sunken Diamond, it certainly doesn’t lack a competitive nature. The game I went to pitted two top-end programs against each other as Stanford welcomed the Texas Longhorns to California. There were a good amount of Texas supporters as the game but they only enhanced the atmosphere. There was not a bit of mean-spirited nature in Stanford that night, yet the place was jacked the entire time, a great experience. Keeping with the theme of aesthetics, the Stanford baseball team satisfied with their classic uniform designs. One can picture the same uniforms being worn in 1931, complete with the high hosiery. On a silly note, you can almost assuredly bet for clear skies and pleasant whether at Stanford as they are neighbors to Redwood City, “Climate Best by Government Test.” Neighborhood 4 The university covers a lot of land and two zip codes and is separated from downtown Palo Alto by the El Camino Real. The downtown area is an affluent area with beautiful, safe streets. There is a bunch of shopping, bars and restaurants that are sure to meet anyone’s fancy. Right on the other side of El Camino Real is the Town and Country shopping center which includes a couple cafes, restaurants, a bookstore and a Trader Joe’s. Emerson Street and University Avenue is where most of the restaurants and hangouts are along. Wine bars and upscale dining dominate the scene in downtown Palo Alto with Vin Vino Wine, The Wine Room, Vino Locale, and Gravity Bar all serving the wine connoisseur. Other bars include Gordon Biersch, Scotty’s, The Old Pro, and Antonio’s Nut House. My choice would be Rudy’s Pub (corner of Alma and University) for a beer before the game, perhaps on my way from the Caltrain Station, which is right across the street. Dinner options in Palo Alto include: Pampas for steak, Tamarine for Vietnamese, Darbar for Indian, Garden Fresh for vegan, and Cafe Pro Bono for Italian. Most appealing may be the natural beauty you find yourself in. Seeing as most of the games are held during the day, a walk through campus may be the perfect way to start your college baseball game day. Fans 5 After going to a USF baseball game I didn’t have the highest expectations of the college baseball fan experience. However, Stanford fans really came out strong. The Sunken Diamond was packed. Granted, it was a Friday evening prior to the professional baseball teams nearby got going but I was still impressed. Families, students, and seniors were all engaged throughout and they were immediately rewarded with a lead-off homerun in the bottom of the first inning by the Cardinal. It was a very positive atmosphere and the fans had as much to do with that as anything. There was playful ribbing with the opposing fans as well as passionate support of their own squad. Though there was a lot of visiting amongst fans and wandering of kids, I never got the sense that the fans weren’t paying attention to what was going on on the field. Access 4 Stanford sits between two major freeways (101 and 280) and along the thoroughfare El Camino Real. This provides easy routes into and out of the university with ease unless it is rush hour. Palo Alto as with much of the vehicle-heavy peninsula is troubled by severe traffic after work hours. Your problem is solved if you take Caltrain which runs from San Francisco to San Jose. A ride from San Francisco to Palo Alto will run you $6.50. You can hop on the free Stanford shuttle from the train station if the 15 minute walking is daunting. Unlike during games at Maples Pavilion or Stanford Stadium, parking at the Sunken Diamond is free on game days. There may however be a fee if the game is played during normal school hours like there is at other parking lots on campus. For the game against Texas, the main lot filled out quickly so I was forced to park in a gravel lot adjacent from the main lot, a five minute walk. There is an upper and lower walkway that helps alleviate some foot traffic. The upper walkway allows access to the seats while the lower heads to the snack bar and restrooms. There is however only one set of restrooms, but they didn’t back up very bad and were quite clean. Return on Investment 4 Stanford baseball tickets are quite affordable as adult general admission tickets start at $7 and children start at $4. The most expensive ticket is $21 and that includes rivals such as California or UCLA. With parking being free, the most expensive part of the experience will undoubtedly be food. Though not overly expensive, it does seem a bit high in comparison to the ticket price. Even still, a hot dog, a ticket and parking will only run you $12. Can’t beat that. Extras 3 Though Klein Field at Sunken Diamond is a beautiful place to catch a game, it doesn’t provide an over-the-top “extras” though that’s fine for me. The Cardinal do display their two NCAA championship flags down in the right field corner near the entrance and the restrooms and there are plaques in the entryway. Also in the entryway is a plaque dedicated to Bud Klein by his family. Outside the entrance are three monuments representing Stanford world record holders, National Champions and Olympians. These monuments form a crescent shape and display the person being honored, the sport, and the year of accomplishment. The last bit of “extras” is the Stanford campus. Walk it; you likely won’t be able to see it all in one day. Final Thoughts Though the Bay Area has two professional baseball teams in the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants as well as the minor league San Jose Giants, the Stanford Cardinal provide an atmosphere on par, albeit smaller, than any of the above. It is my favorite of the three main venues on the Stanford campus.