Atrium Health Ballpark – Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Gregory Koch
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43
Atrium Health Ballpark
1 Cannon Baller Way
Kannapolis, NC 28083
Year Opened: 2021
Capacity: 4,930
A New Stadium For Kannapolis
Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis, North Carolina is home to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the Carolina League affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Kannapolis franchise was known as the Intimidators from 2001 to 2019, in reference to Kannapolis native Dale Earnhardt's nickname. However, legal issues with Earnhardt's widow over the rights to the name forced the team to rebrand in 2021. At the same time, the franchise, now known as the Cannon Ballers, moved into their gorgeous new downtown stadium after spending the prior years at the aging Intimidators Stadium.
The Cannon Ballers nickname reflects Kannapolis's racing history, with the team logo depicting a stuntman with a mustache similar to Earnhardt's.
Food & Beverage 5
Kannapolis offers a wide range of concessions options that should satisfy any fan. You have all the classic options such as hot dogs, sausages, chicken tenders, and burgers, but also more unique options, not to mention unique versions of more traditional foods. The Carolina smash burger in left field is topped with American cheese, chili, and slaw. Carolina barbecue is available at several stands and mobile carts, and there is a smokehouse stand in centerfield. For those with a sweet tooth, you can get not only ice cream but funnel cakes and mini-donuts, each of which have many toppings to choose from. There is also a grab and go stand behind home plate that just sells drinks and basic snacks, but will involve less waiting time than the other stands - perfect for the fans who just want to grab something small and don't want to wait on line. You should be in and out in under a minute.
The Cannon Ballers also offer special items during certain games. Select Sundays are Southside Sundays, where they will serve Chicago-themed concessions such as Chicago dogs in reference to the team's affiliation with the Chicago White Sox. The night before we visited was Salute to Cheerwine Night, where the donut stand served Cheerwine glazed donuts.
Speaking of Cheerwine, it is a North Carolina-made cherry flavored soda,, and it is available at the concession stands along with more traditional soda offerings and bottled water. Alcohol is also available to those of age.
Prices at the concession stands are quite reasonable, and you can get additional value at the main stands by choosing a basket combo, which comes with fries and a drink at a discounted price.
Atmosphere 4
Atrium Health Ballpark contains a 360-degree concourse that surrounds the entire field. There is an open plaza in the right field corner with concessions and a team store. You should be able to see the field from most of the concourse, except when it goes behind the batter's eye in centerfield. There is a berm in left field where fans can bring blankets and sit (but cannot bring their own chairs) and some group areas with tables, but the other seats are typical chairbacks. No matter where you sit, you will have a great view of the action as this is a small, intimate stadium. There is a large scoreboard located in left-centerfield and the linescore will be displayed on the right field fence as well in a digital graphic that ironically resembles the manual scoreboard at Wrigley Field, the home of the White Sox' cross town rival, the Chicago Cubs.
The Cannon Ballers have a mascot named Boomer who resembles the stuntman in the team logo. He roams the stands and the concourse before and during games, interacting with fans. The team has many contests on the field and even some in the stands. One fan favorite involves the third base and first base sides attempting to pass giant oversized pizza boxes down to the emcee located behind home plate.
Neighborhood 4
Although Kannapolis is not the largest city, Atrium Health Ballpark is right in the heart of the social district. Old Armor Beer Company, Sabor Latin Street Grill, the Corner Crust Pizza, and many more places are all located within a few blocks of the stadium. If the Cannon Ballers strike out seven opposing batters during the game, fans can take their ticket to Corner Crust for $5 off a giant 28-inch pizza.
NASCAR fans may also want to check out the Dale Earnhardt tribute plaza at the corner of Cannon Baller Way and Main Street just east of the ballpark.
Fans 4
The Cannon Ballers draw about 3,000 fans a game, which is slightly above average for the Carolina League. The fans in attendance can get loud at times and are deeply familiar with the team. It is not uncommon to hear them commenting in great detail as to what is going on on the field, or even what the team did in a previous game and what the manager is doing right or wrong. This is a relatively small ballpark that is just the right size for the crowds the team draws.
Access 4
Kannapolis is easily accessible via several exits off I-85. There is a small $5 lot right next to the ballpark, but there is also ample free parking on the street and in municipal lots, much of it within a block of the ballpark, so we suggest parking in one of them instead. Not all of the lots are clearly signed. They are signed as municipal lots, but the signs do not always specifically say they are for gameday parking. Still, fans can park in any municipal lot. Some private lots are for customers of local businesses only, and signage clearly forbids event parking. There is a map on the city's website, though the situation is subject to change.
The Kannapolis train station is also located a couple blocks away and is served four times a day in each direction by the Piedmont, which runs from Charlotte to Raleigh. The Carolinian, which runs all the way from Charlotte to New York City via Washington, D.C, also serves the station once daily in each direction.
Once inside, the concourse is more than wide enough for the fans, and there are several large, clean sets of restrooms.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets start at just $15 for seats further up the foul line, and other than club seats, the most expensive tickets behind home plate are just $22.50. Concessions are quite affordable, especially if you buy a combo, and parking is free if you know where to go. There are also ticket packages for select home games that can enhance your value even more, so check the Cannon Ballers' website for more details.
Extras 5
Atrium Health Ballpark has not one but two team stores, a large one in the right field corner by the ticket office and a smaller one down the first base line closer to home plate.
A second star for the 360 degree concourse and the many vantage points and areas from which to watch the game.
There is a kids' play area in left field that earns a third star here.
The stadium is open to the public on non-gamedays, and kids can even play in the play area.
A fifth and final star for the plaques on the ground on the right field plaza honoring Kannapolis baseball history.
Final Thoughts
Atrium Health Ballpark is one of the finest new ballparks in Minor League Baseball. The experience at a Kannapolis Cannon Ballers game is top-notch and baseball fans in the Carolinas will definitely want to make the trip here to see a game.
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