Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
AdventHealth Stadium 755 Braves Blvd Rome, GA 30161
Year Opened: 2003
Capacity: 5,105
Hail To The Emperors!
Rome, GA has been a member of the Atlanta Braves farm system since 2003, when the Macon Braves relocated to NW Georgia and a brand-new ballpark, then known as State Mutual Stadium. The team played at a low level of competition in the South Atlantic League. Over the years the then Rome Braves won two South Atlantic League titles (2003, 2016). They also brought home three half-season titles (2006, 2012, 2018). In 2021, the South Atlantic League and Macon moved up to the High A level of competition as a part of the massive realignment in the MiLB.
In the fall of 2023, the Rome Braves made a major decision…. to go back (actually… way, way back!) to the future, as they rebranded themselves as the Rome Emperors. Oh, they still are the High A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, but they now have separate ownership at the local level.
The city they represent got its name from ancient Rome, as both cities are built between seven hills with several rivers that run through them. The Emperor portion of the name denotes one who leads, not follows, and is all-powerful.
However, the team did not want a knockoff of the Little Caesar pizza character to serve as its mascot.
What would represent them the best? The answer was a penguin, an Emperor Penguin named Julius to be exact. Emperor penguins are the largest species of penguins as they rule their lands, and conquer whatever challenges they face.
This penguin wears a toga consisting of the regal colors of gold, red, white, and black…. the new uniform colors of the Rome ballclub. Finishing out the new look are the Roman columns that are on the front of the Rome baseball caps. The response to the changes has been, as you would suspect…. world-beating!
The Emperors’ temple is now known as AdventHealth Stadium, after a change in the sponsorship agreement in 2022. The ballpark seats 5,000, with additional room available for fans on the natural berms in the outfield. The field dimensions are LF 335’, CF 401’, and RF 330’.
Food & Beverage 4
The Emperors offer a wide variety of foods at their three concession stands along the concourse that runs underneath the stands. The Georgia Grill and the Empire Eatery have identical menus, with one stand servicing the third base side of the stadium and the other servicing the first base line. Their menus include an extra-large pizza slice ($8), nachos ($6), hot dogs ($5), hamburgers ($8), a Brutus burger, a platter ($21) sausages ($7), crackerjacks ($5), popcorn ($7), and boiled peanuts ($5).
The Los Pinguenos stand offers the “Julius Catch” platter with three cornbread-dusted catfish filets with malt vinegar fries and tartar sauce ($17). The stand also offers ballpark nachos ($8), extreme nachos ($11), regular nachos ($6), walking tacos ($9), taco salads ($9), and churro bites ($5).
Frozen Treats is a separate concession stand that sells dessert items. It offers Mason Jar Icees ($12), ice cream sundaes ($6), Oatly Ice Cream bars ($5), and candy ($4).
Beverages sold at AdventHealth Stadium include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($6 for 24 oz size), bottled water ($4), and Powerade Energy drinks ($6). Adult beverages include Miller and Coors brand beers ($7 for 16 oz size) or 16 oz craft beers ($8).
The ballpark offers special savings on specific food items during weekday games. Fans can enjoy $2 Tuesdays where popcorn, hot dogs, and drinks are each two bucks. Double Dog Wednesday allows fans to bring their dogs to the ballpark and get two hot dogs for the price of one. Thirsty Thursdays offers beers for $2 for a 12-ounce draft. On Sunday Fun Day children under 12 can eat for free at the ballpark. They are also allowed to run the bases following the Sunday games.
Atmosphere 4
The staff at AdventHeath Stadium work hard to ensure that fans at an Emperors game have a good time. They are not overly officious about enforcing where you sit if there are plenty of empty seats. The seating bowl is close to the action, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. There is some sort of game or entertainment on the field when there is a break in the action.
The Emperors’ Team store was enlarged and restocked with all new and rebranded merchandise in time for the 2024 season. It is located along the concourse behind home plate. The team store opens at 10 am on game days. Otherwise, it is open 10-6 Monday-Friday during the season.
Home Run Hill is a great place to spread out a blanket and watch the action on the field while seated on a grass slope. Fans are welcome to sit on the berms that hug both the first and third base lines.
Neighborhood 3
AdventHealth Stadium is located on Veterans Memorial Highway, which is the perimeter highway around downtown Rome. The only other business nearby is the Bella Roma restaurant which sells Italian food. It is adjacent to the stadium.
Downtown Rome is only three miles from the ballpark, and it is well worth the short drive before or after the Emperors’ game. The city is famous for its three rivers that made it a center for transportation as well as a textile center, due to the many mills located in the city during the 1800’s.
The city is also home to Berry College, which has the world’s largest college campus based on acreage. Rome also has several historical sites related to the Cherokee Indian Nation. The Trail of Tears began in the Rome area and ended in Oklahoma. There are numerous bars and restaurants in the downtown area.
Fans 4
Emperor fans are very proud of their hometown team. They are night shy about telling you about all the former Rome players who have gone on to “The Show” sixty miles down the highway at Truist Park. The new team name has also energized the fans, as it much more to the city of Rome in both a modern and ancient way (after all… When in Rome!)
There is a Kid’s Zone with games, inflatables, and a bounce house located near the right field foul pole.
In addition to the food and drink specials during the week, AdventHealth Stadium also has some non-food-related promotions for fans. T-Shirt Tuesdays provide fans with special Emperors T-shirts with various designs throughout the season. Fireworks Fridays include a colorful end to the work week with a bang. In addition, the Emperors will hold several Bobblehead nights featuring different players from both Emperors and the Atlanta Braves.
Access 3
All roads lead to Rome…. If you don’t mind traveling 30 miles off the interstate!
Directions from Atlanta: Take I-75 North to exit 190 (Rome-Canton) Turn left off exit and follow Highway 411/20 towards Rome for 22 miles. At the intersection of Highway 411 and Highway 1 (Veterans Memorial Highway) turn right. Follow Highway 1 for seven miles. The stadium will be on your right at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway and Riverside Parkway.
Directions from Chattanooga: Take I-75 South to Exit 312 (Calhoun). Turn right at the end of the exit onto Highway 52 West towards Rome for 20 miles. Once in Rome, turn right at Calvary Baptist Church (Veterans Memorial Highway /Highway 1. The stadium will be on your right in 1.5 miles at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway and Riverside Parkway.
Ballpark gates open one hour before the first pitch.
Return on Investment 4
Parking is $5 per car. There is also overnight parking available for RV’s in this lot for $30 a night. AdventHealth Stadium is a cashless facility. Tickets sold the day of the game will be $2 more.
Tickets are available at several different price points. Diamond-level seats (run from dugout to dugout behind home plate): $17 Tuesday/Thursday and $21 Friday-Sunday
Dugout seats (front row seats beyond dugout to foul pole): $14 Tuesdays/Thursdays and $21 Friday-Sunday
General Admission (seats above the concourse level): GA seats can also sit on the grass berms in the outfield Tuesdays/Thursdays $9 Friday- Sundays $12
Extras 2
Most of the current Atlanta Braves baseball team got their start at the Class A level of professional baseball with the team in Rome at AdventHealth Stadium. These players include Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Bryce Elders, Jeff Francoeur, Max Fried, Michael Harris, Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, Brian McCann, Charlie Morton, Austin Riley, Mike Soroka and Spencer Strider.
The new owners of the ballclub want to make AdventHealth Stadium more available to the community on a year-round basis as well as when the Emperors are on the road in-season. Amongst the events added to the stadium’s schedule are a sports collector trade show (April), a Night of Hope Concert (April), an Emperors Summer Camp (July), a Penguin Waddle 3km/5km/10km Run (July), a community Toga-Yoga event in August, a Rome-tober Beer Fest (October), Beer, Bags and BBQ (November) and Winter Wonderland (Thanksgiving – December 29). To learn more about any of these events, please call (706) 378-5120.
Final Thoughts
The Rome Emperors have pulled off a very successful rebranding of their franchise to the delight of their loyal fans. The red, gold, black, and white colors of the team are now found throughout the Classic City. As the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do…. Enjoy a night out at AdventHealth Park.