Photos by Chris Green , Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Smith’s Ballpark 77 West 1300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Year Opened: 1994
Capacity: 14,511
The Bees Knees
The Salt Lake City Bees have a rich history in Utah, meaning taking in a game will feature history in the making for a storied franchise with major league heritage. The likes of Mike Trout have come through this facility en route to the big show, and tomorrow’s stars are on display at this beautiful facility.
Food & Beverage 3
Food items at Smith’s Ballpark aren’t varied, but they are quite affordable. Jumbo hot dogs run $4.75, while adding either cheese or chili adds a dollar to the price. Regular sized hot dogs are $3.75, with the addition of cheese or chili once again adding a dollar. A veggie tray costs $4.50, while nachos cost $5.50. Other items include pretzels, churros, popcorn, candy, peanuts, crackers, and chips, with prices from $2 to $6.
Drinks run the gamut from soda to coffee and energy drinks, ranging in price from $3.75 to $5.25.
Atmosphere 4
Smith’s Ballpark is a beautiful facility, with the main concourse looking like it has a modern industrial theme. The seats are comfortable, and fans can also wander the stadium at will, giving you the option to take in the game from either your seat or the outfield viewing mounds. The view in the outfield rivals the best in the majors, with beautiful mountains adorning the view for every fan at Smith’s Ballpark.
Neighborhood 4
Smith’s Ballpark itself is about a 10-minute drive south from downtown Salt Lake City, sans traffic. To the east are mountains, with plenty of hiking trails for nature seekers, and just blocks away are solid local eateries in the form of Lucky 13 and Piper Down (an Olde World Pub).
For hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn in Sandy, UT is just a short drive from the facility, as is Residence Inn by Marriott Salt Lake City Sandy. For visitors, taking in sights such as Temple Square and the Clark Planetarium are popular stops.
Fans 4
Fans at Salt Lake City Bees games range from the youngest fans and families to diehard loyalists who have been coming for years. Each of them can tell you what the team’s history has been, who the players on the field are now, and what they think the future holds. The fans are also incredibly polite, meaning this is a great atmosphere to bring the littlest fans.
Access 5
Getting to Smith’s Ballpark is easy, as it is located literally a few blocks away from the convergence of I-80 and I-15. Driving on the highway means you are bound to see the stadium lights at night, and even if you miss the exit, the next exits both north and south of the park aren’t far.
Parking on site is limited but easy to find, and several nearby lots are open for fan parking as well.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices are pretty low, meaning you won’t have to spend a lot for a day at Smith’s Ballpark, even if you have a large group. Concessions are also affordable, which means feeding the family at the ballpark is both easy and cost effective.
Extras 2
There is a kid’s train that drives around the walkway in the outfield above the viewing mounds, and there is also a sign behind home plate, that shows the names of former Salt Lake Bees players who have made it to the majors.
Final Thoughts
Taking a drive to see the Salt Lake Bees is well worth it for both local fans and baseball fans in general. Smith’s Ballpark is beautiful, the fans are great, and the overall costs mirror those that fans have come to expect at a minor league baseball stadium.