Dante Benedetti Diamond at Max Ulrich Field - San Francisco Dons
- Jeremy Pushkin
- 15 hours ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Jeremy Pushkin, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43
Dante Benedetti Diamond at Max Ulrich Field 2130 Fulton Street San Francisco, CA 94117
Year Opened: 1953 Capacity: 2,000
Where the Hilltop Meets the Diamond
Tucked into the hillside campus of the University of San Francisco, Benedetti Diamond is one of the more intimate college baseball settings you'll find anywhere. It is also the only Division I baseball venue in the city of San Francisco. The Dons compete in the West Coast Conference, and while USF isn't the first name that comes to mind when you think of college baseball, the novelty of catching a D1 game in the heart of San Francisco is enough to attract any stadium-chasing fan.
The diamond is named for legendary coach Dante Benedetti, who famously took a $1-per-year salary to keep the program alive. With the future of the program secured, the ballpark underwent a major $6 million renovation following the 2015 season, and on paper, the results sound impressive: the entire field was reoriented 90 degrees and lowered 18 inches into the hillside, creating a sunken bowl feel.
But despite the renovation dollars and the rich history, the in-person experience reveals a ballpark that still has significant shortcomings in comfort and sightlines. What you're really paying for here is the intimacy of small-time college ball, not a refined gameday experience.
Food & Beverage 2
The concessions at Benedetti Diamond are about as bare bones as you’ll find at any Division I stadium. A small stand down the first baseline serves hot dogs, popcorn, beer, soda, and water—and that’s essentially the menu. There are no specialty items, no local food partnerships, and no variety to speak of. The students staffing the stand were efficient, and lines were not an issue given the sparse crowd.
Beer is available, which is a welcome addition, though the selection is limited. Sodas are $6 bottles of Coca-Cola products, a fact learned at payment since prices aren't clearly posted. Credit cards are accepted. For a venue of this size, the concessions are enough to get you through nine innings, but are not worth planning your meals around. If you're coming to a game, eat elsewhere first—Haight Street is nearby and offers far better options than anything inside the gates.
Atmosphere 2
The 2015-2016 renovation gave Benedetti Diamond a clean, modern look, but the viewing experience doesn’t quite live up to it. The wrap-around spectator deck runs along both baselines and behind home plate, and the sunken field design does put you close to the action in theory. In practice, netting surrounds almost the entire playing field, and railings along the first row of the dugout seating noticeably obstruct sightlines.
Four permanently reserved tables behind the plate offer a premium perch (though they are functionally unavailable for the average fan), standard benches line the third base side, and grass berm seating along the foul lines rounds out the choices. Overall capacity is small, and there simply aren’t many good places to sit comfortably for a full game.
In-game entertainment is minimal. The scoreboard is no-frills, the PA system handles the essentials, and there’s nothing in the way of between-inning promotions or mascot appearances. This is stripped-down college baseball. If you’re the type of fan who needs constant stimulation between pitches, you’ll find the atmosphere lacking.
On the other hand, if you appreciate the simplicity of just watching a game without the noise, the small scale of this ballpark works in its favor. Grab one of the chairback seats if you can, and avoid the front row where railings cut into your view. San Francisco’s wind and fog are always a factor at this exposed hilltop location, so bring a layer regardless of the forecast.
Neighborhood 4
Where Benedetti Diamond underwhelms as a venue, its San Francisco location more than picks up the slack. USF’s campus sits in the Lone Mountain area, bordered by the Inner Richmond to the west and the Western Addition to the east. The immediate surroundings are residential and quiet, but excellent food and entertainment are a short bike ride or bus trip away.
For a quick pre-game bite, Arguello Market offers solid grab-and-go sandwiches just a short walk from campus. If a sports bar is more your speed, Kezar Pub is a popular local option across from Kezar Stadium, the 49ers’ original home. Sandy’s nearby serves an excellent New Orleans-style muffaletta and is worth seeking out.
Haight Street is a must-see destination for its hippie history, and Golden Gate Park is just blocks away, offering world-class attractions including the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Garden.
For lodging, motels along Lombard Street in the Marina district are within a few miles and offer a range of price points. The Hotel Kabuki in Japantown, about a mile away, is another possibility.
Fans 2
The crowd at Benedetti Diamond skews toward what you’d expect at a smaller WCC program: parents, family members, a handful of season ticket holders, and a scattering of students. It’s not a hostile environment by any means - people are there because they care about the team - but it’s not an electric atmosphere either.
Attendance is modest even for the 2,000-capacity ballpark. There is no trouble finding a seat, and the crowd never generated the kind of sustained noise that makes a college field feel alive. Fans were engaged and following the action, but the energy was polite rather than passionate. There are no notable traditions, organized chants, or student section theatrics. If you’re used to bigger baseball programs with elite atmospheres, temper your expectations here.
Access 3
Getting to Benedetti Diamond is straightforward, especially if you skip the car. The USF campus is well-served by Muni bus lines, and biking is arguably the best option—San Francisco’s bike infrastructure makes it easy to reach the Lone Mountain campus from most parts of the city, and bike parking is available near the field.
Rideshare drop-off on Golden Gate Avenue or Fulton Street puts you steps from the field. The nearest airport is San Francisco International (SFO), about 13 miles south via BART and Muni, with Oakland International (OAK) as a Bay Area alternative.
If you do drive, there are parking lots on campus. The Hayes-Healy Garage on Golden Gate Avenue is the closest option. Street parking in the surrounding residential area is an alternative, ve but can be hit-or-miss depending on the time and day.
A clear bag policy is in effect, though enforcement varies. Once inside, the concourse gets tight on the third base side due to the fans watching the game from behind the benches. Restrooms are basic but adequate for the crowd size, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
Return on Investment 3
Ticketing is refreshingly old-school: physical tickets are available at the box office, with general admission starting at $10 ($8 for seniors and children). A game at Benedetti Diamond is a low-cost outing by any measure—and especially by San Francisco standards. You’re getting live Division I baseball in one of the most expensive cities in the country for less than the price of a sandwich down the street.
A hot dog, a beer, and your ticket will run you somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 total, and if you bike or take transit, you’re avoiding parking costs entirely. The question is whether the experience itself delivers enough to justify even that investment. The answer is a qualified yes: you get what you pay for. The concessions are basic, the seating is limited, and the atmosphere is quiet, but you’re watching college baseball in a snug setting with a San Francisco backdrop. For the price, it’s a fair deal, just don’t expect it to blow your mind.
Extras 1
There aren’t many extras to report at Benedetti Diamond, but a few small touches earn a collective bonus point.
A plaque honoring Dante Benedetti and his remarkable legacy sits near the entrance and adds historical context to the naming of this ballpark. The hilltop campus setting provides pleasant views of the surrounding San Francisco neighborhood and USF’s architecture. And in an era where mobile-only ticketing has taken over college sports, the availability of physical tickets at the box office is a small but welcome throwback for fans who like a tangible souvenir.
Final Thoughts
Benedetti Diamond is a venue for the diehard fan looking for a cheap gameday and a new stadium to cross off. The gameday experience is hampered by obstructed sightlines, netting, limited seating, and minimal concessions. Where it earns its keep is in the price, the San Francisco neighborhood surrounding it, and the simple pleasure of watching baseball outdoors on a college campus. Go for the old school gameday experience, stay for the neighborhood.
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