Huntington Park – Columbus Clippers
- Paul Baker
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Paul Baker and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
Huntington Park 330 Huntington Park Lane Columbus, OH 43215
Year Opened: 2009
Capacity: 10,100
Clippers on the Hunt
The city of Columbus has been represented at the highest levels of the minor leagues almost continuously since 1902, first by the Senators (1902-1930) and Red Birds (1931-1955) of the American Association, then by the Jets (1955-1970) and Clippers (1977-present). For the majority of their existence the Clippers were affiliated with the New York Yankees, winning 7 Governors Cups during their partnership. Since 2009 they have been affiliated with the Cleveland Indians/Guardians, winning an additional 4 league titles during their partnership.
Huntington Park was built in 2009 to replace the aging and obsolete Cooper Stadium, which had been the home of Columbus baseball teams since 1931. The facility is part of the Arena district in the capital city of Ohio, adjacent to Nationwide Arena and Lower.com Field. The mixed-use development also contains several businesses, bars, restaurants, clubs and residential areas. It is located on the site of the former Ohio Penitentiary, which housed over 5,000 prisoners at its height before closing in 1984.
Food & Beverage 4
What you are going to remember most about the concessions experience at Huntington Park is not really the food itself, but the setup of the concession stands. These stands are unique in that the two main stands located near the seating bowl are located so that fans can still watch the ballgame while in line waiting to order food. It was considered a revolutionary design idea when the ballpark opened, but in reality doesn’t work out exactly as intended. Still, the concessions experience at Huntington Park is still a very positive one.
In addition to the two main stands near home plate, there are “end cap” stands at either end of the main building, another in the left field building, as well as several portable carts scattered throughout the rest of the ballpark.
The big stands contain standard ballpark fare, with hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders and assorted snacks sold at both stands. The presence of bratwurst and grilled cheese sandwiches kicks up the experience a notch. Fans can add chili to virtually any menu item for an extra $1.75. The Donato’s Dugout stand had a long line during Stadium Journey’s visit (definitely due to the $5 pizza special going on that day). The other end cap stand features paninis, wraps and salads, along with ice cream (talk about serving both ends of the nutritional spectrum).
Pepsi products are featured at Huntington Park. Fans looking for adult beverages will find a good selection of mixed drinks, wines and beers, from national brands to craft brews from local favorites such as Fat Head and Outerbelt Brewing. On a hot summer Ohio night, take a stroll into Mooler’s Cooler, a self-serve stand designed like a car wash and take a respite from the heat.
Atmosphere 3
At Columbus, a more subdued, old-school game day presentation is in effect. The Clippers’ staff does not beat you over the head with a lot of noise and distraction, but that’s not to say things are boring here at Huntington Park. It’s just not over the top.
There’s a video board out in right-center field that is put to good use with game information, statistics and graphics. A solid sound system plays music at the usual times, and the PA announcer goes about his duties in a professional, if somewhat subdued, manner.
Between inning shenanigans are kept to a minimum, with the highlight being the hot dog race in the seventh inning. Each hot dog (ketchup, mustard, relish and onion) have cultivated personalities and followings, and each have their own swag available in the team store.
Neighborhood 4
Huntington Park is part of the Arena District that includes the home of the Columbus Crew soccer team Lower.com Field and the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey club Nationwide Arena. The district offers mixed-used residential and retail space. There are almost two dozen different eateries and bars located within a few steps of the ballpark that are hopping before and after the game.
The R Bar is the official hockey watering hole that sits across a small pedestrian bridge offering 16 beers on tap and 32 bottles and cans. Goodwood Brewery and Restaurant and Whistle & Key are also in this area providing outdoor seating and plenty of people-watching. If with the kids, Boston’s Pizza and Ted’s Montana Grill are two nearby choices. The indoor and outdoor concert venue KEMBA Live! and A&R Music Bar are located next to the ballpark, which provides an ideal later-night atmosphere.
The boundaries of the neighborhood continue to evolve, as more live, work, and play developments are added. For more complete information, check out the Arena District website.
Fans 5
Over the past few years Columbus has landed among the leaders in all of the minor leagues in terms of attendance, averaging between 7,500-8,000 fans per game. This has placed them in the top three in the International League and the top five in all of Minor League Baseball.
Fans here in Columbus will look and feel very familiar to those who travel the various minor league ballparks across the continent. Columbus has been a minor league city for decades, so the average fan knows their stuff. The Clippers’ longstanding affiliation with the nearby Guardians ensures that the fans in the stands are familiar with the players on the field and supportive of the team’s success. You’ll be sure to see a good number of families, groups and Little League teams in the stands enjoying an affordable night of entertainment in Ohio’s capital city.
Access 4
Huntington Park is located in the Arena District of Columbus, easily accessible via Interstates 70, 17 and 670. While driving is the primary method for getting to the ballpark, Central Ohio Transit Authority’s 3 and 8 buses have a stop right along Neil Street. Fans driving to a Clippers game will find no shortage of parking lots within a short distance of Huntington Park.
Most fans will enter the ballpark via the centerfield gate, although there are additional entrances all around the facility. Here’s where Huntington Park’s design flaws become evident. By placing the main structure and concession stands smack dab in the center of the concourse, there are two small walkways rather than one large walkway. Fans lined up in concession queues and in standing room areas can make it difficult to pass in some areas. The desired effect of unobstructed views of the game even when in line doesn’t really come to pass.
A unique aspect of Huntington Park is that, even though the ballpark does not feature a 360-degree concourse, fans are able to leave the ballpark via a gate in the double-deck stands in right field, walk along Nationwide Boulevard (where they can continue watching the game from outside the park) and re-enter the ballpark in centerfield by scanning their ticket.
Return on Investment 5
Clippers tickets represent an very affordable entertainment option for local sports fans. Tickets can be found for as low as $9, with prices increasing all the way up to a maximum of $24 for loge seats right behind home plate. Plenty of seats are available for $10 or less, and the majority of seats in the ballpark can be purchased for under $20. Discounts are available for children and seniors, and there are ticket deals every day of the week. Check out $5 Fridays, Senior Sundays and more!
Parking is available in the many lots and garages throughout the Arena District for only $7. Concession prices are also very affordable, especially when comparing Huntington Park with its fellow stadiums at the AAA level.
Extras 4
Extra points are awarded for some of the unique design choices incorporated into the design of Huntington Park. The wrought-iron gates along West Nationwide Boulevard allow pedestrians to look into the ballpark from the street, and the right-field double-decker general admission drink rail seats are among the most coveted spots in the entire park. The left-field building offers rooftop seating.
The Clippers honor the history of baseball in Columbus throughout the ballpark. All the former ballparks in the city are displayed in the right field food court, old team banners hang on the concourse, and you can purchase Jets gear in the team store.
A statue of longtime owner Harold Cooper greets fans as they enter the ballpark, and fans will pass the Victory Bell as they move around the concourse.
The Speed of the Game displays throughout the concourse point out just how fast baseball can move at this level, show the minute difference between victory and defeat, and display some of the tools of the trade.
Final Thoughts
When you introduce a new design element into your ballpark and no one copies it, does that mean it’s a failure? Huntington Park has many elements that you won’t find anywhere else in the minor leagues, and while you may debate their effectiveness, there’s no denying that this is a quality minor league facility.
Comments