Fluor Field - Greenville Drive
- James Clotfelter
- a few seconds ago
- 6 min read
Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Fluor Field at the West End 945 S Main St Greenville, SC 29601
Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 5,000
High A Ball In Green Vegas
Baseball has been played in Greenville since the late 1800s. With over one hundred years of baseball in the city, the sport has become a central part of the town's culture. Through the years, a variety of minor league teams have called Greenville home, including, but not limited to, the Greenville Braves (1984–2004).
The current resident, the Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate of the Red Sox, has called Fluor Field home since its gates opened in 2006. Paying homage to their major league affiliate, Fluor Field shares many of the same dimensional characteristics as Fenway Park. The Drive front office has made a continued investment in the stadium since its inauguration, maintaining the standard of one of the best High-A experiences in the country.
Food & Beverage 4
Fluor Field offers a wide variety of food and beverage options throughout the stadium. Along the concourse, you will find all the stadium basics, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, chicken tenders, popcorn, soda, candy, etc., and then some at the traditional concession windows. In addition to the basics, there are also windows and grab-and-go options that house chicken wings, soft-serve ice cream, energy drinks, and BBQ sandwiches, all of which are reasonably priced. The soft serve served in a mini helmet has become a baseball classic and appears to be a hit with the Greenville Drive faithful.
The beer selection adds to the already strong food and beverage variety. You can find an array of basic domestics, as well as craft beer from New Realm Brewing, including, but not limited to, the Greenville Drive house lager, "Rallyville." There is also a decent selection of seltzers, ciders, and Cutwaters for non-beer fans.
Atmosphere 4
If I could describe the atmosphere of Fluor Field in one word, that word would be "clean." From the concourse to the bathrooms, the game presentation, the ticket office, and the team store, everything is clean, and it is exactly what you want from a High-A baseball experience.
Starting at the ticket office, if you choose not to purchase tickets online before you arrive, you still have the option to purchase a physical ticket. It is a pleasant aspect of the gameday experience that seems to be fading away nowadays, so props to the Greenville Drive and their staff for keeping it alive. Adjacent to the ticket office is the primary team store. It is the typical size for a team at this level, offering a variety of '47 Brand hats, T-shirts, jerseys, sweaters, and other trinkets that often inhabit team stores.
The concourse does not wrap around the entirety of the stadium; rather, it stretches from foul pole to foul pole. The left field foul pole holds a general admission grass berm, and behind the berm is a caged playground for children. The right field foul pole houses the 500 Club, where the majority of the specialty food can be found, along with picnic benches and high-top tables. As the concourse wraps around to the other side, there are plenty of concession windows, mini team stores, and a drink kiosk. The field of play is also viewable from the concourse.
There is traditional blue stadium seating below the concourse, and the sun does set on the third-base side, which is an important bit of information on sweltering Southern summer days, nights, and everything in between. Premium seating and other hospitality areas can be found on the second deck, and these areas are inaccessible to patrons with a standard ticket. There is also seating atop the replica Green Monster, as well as a specialty rooftop bar and hospitality areas above that. All of this adds to the quirky minor league baseball atmosphere. The field itself pays homage to its major league counterpart, Fenway Park, by modeling some of its unique dimensions after landmarks such as the Green Monster and Pesky's Pole. The atmosphere is topped off with a seamless game presentation featuring fun between-inning activations, clear announcements, audible music without being overbearing, and a well-rounded modern video board.
Neighborhood 4
The Historic West End is one of Greenville's most popular districts, offering a wide array of activities, food, drink, and culture. Adjacent to downtown, the West End offers a slightly calmer atmosphere than the busier, but still attractive, downtown area. Modern apartment buildings, shops, bars, and restaurants surround Fluor Field, adding to the Fenway-esque vibe as the stadium is nestled into the surrounding buildings.
There are plenty of establishments to pop into before the game for a quick drink or a bite to eat. Places such as Gather GVL, Lefty's West End, Mercado Cantina, and many more are merely steps away from the stadium. Personally, I enjoy New Realm Brewing, which is right across the street from the outfield, for a quick drink before the game. Their beautiful taproom offers a spacious two-story interior with ambient lighting and an expansive outdoor patio with a stage for live music.
There is a Homewood Suites across the street from the stadium, but due to the proximity to downtown Greenville, there is no shortage of lodging options. This is true for both hotels and Airbnbs alike. Falls Park on the Reedy is one of Greenville's most popular attractions, and it is less than a mile from the stadium. The park offers a cascading river, scenic views of the city, and plenty of walking paths. While the West End is quaint, downtown is also certainly worth a visit and has more to offer in terms of shopping, restaurants, and bars. It is a little louder and more hectic, but still very clean and walkable. Downtown is also home to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Fans 4
We were in attendance for a Thursday night tilt. Weeknight minor league baseball games can be very hit or miss in terms of attendance, but the Drive faithful had a strong showing. This seems to be the norm, as they average just under 5,000 fans per game—nothing for a High-A team to be ashamed of.
The fans themselves are reserved and welcoming. It is largely locals greeting one another and staff members alike, which is one of the more special aspects of minor league baseball—something that often gets lost at major league games. While the Red Sox are the major league affiliate, Greenville is certainly still Braves Country, as Braves hats, jerseys, and shirts can be found throughout the crowd.
Access 3
There are no direct Fluor Field parking lots adjacent to the stadium; instead, the Drive directs fans to general Greenville parking lots and decks around the city. The Drive offers detailed parking information on its website, including a map displaying all lots, decks, and trolley service routes, as some parking decks are downtown and require a bit of a stroll.
There is one free lot at 706 Pendleton Street that is well worth using if you arrive early enough, as some parking options can run as high as $20. This lot is only about a 15-minute walk from the stadium. Traffic coming into the city can be hit or miss, so it is worth giving yourself a little extra buffer time upon arrival, but it should not be anything too extreme. The stadium itself is simple to navigate, as it consists of one concourse that wraps above the seating bowl; it can, however, get a little tight when busy.
Return on Investment 4
Minor league baseball should be affordable, and the Drive delivers exactly that. At $9 for general admission and $13 for a reserved seat, combined with the free parking option, you are already looking at one of the more affordable experiences in affiliated baseball.
The low cost does not stop there. Basic stadium fare—hot dogs, pizza, boiled peanuts, soda, and more—will only run you between $2 and $6. Specialty items, like the meatball sub that I can and will vouch for, cost around $11. Beer ranges from about $5 for a domestic to $7 for a craft option, and on Thursdays, prices drop even further with $4 Rallyville Lager and $3 Kona Big Wave specials.
All things considered, one of the better MiLB experiences is also one of the most affordable. There is no arguing the bang for your buck at Fluor Field.
Extras 3
The aforementioned unique ballpark dimensions and left field seating areas are a lot of fun, and they definitely earn a point for still offering physical tickets.
Last but certainly not least, the team store offers a '47 Brand hat that does not feature the team logo; instead, it displays a shield of Fluor Field itself, which is much appreciated.
Final Thoughts
This stadium experience certainly lives up to the hype and is a must-see for any baseball fan in the area.
