Sutter Health Park - Athletics
- Sean MacDonald
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Sutter Health Park 400 Ballpark Dr West Sacramento, CA 95691
Year Opened: 2000
Capacity: 14,014
The Athletics Temporary Home in Sacramento
The saga of the Oakland Athletics under owner John Fisher has reached its nadir as the team is playing out of a minor league park in Sacramento for three seasons while their new ballpark in Las Vegas is being constructed. It's embarrassing for Fisher, and MLB should be ashamed for letting it happen. Unfortunately, the Oakland Coliseum proved to be only a temporary solution, as the allure of Las Vegas ultimately drew the team away from the Bay Area.
Still, baseball politics are not in the scope of stadium reviews, and we want to have every stadium covered, so we made a trip to California's capital city to see how the no-name Athletics (their team isn't even using Sacramento) are faring at Sutter Health Park.
Food & Beverage 4
There are several large fixed concession stands at the back of the concourse with a wide variety of choices. Most intriguing was Coop and Kennel Pub, where a Pastrami Fry will set you back $16, while a Pastrami Dog is $14. The Golden Spike Chophouse has more traditional offerings, such as Chicken Tenders & Fries ($15), Cheeseburger & Fries ($16), and a Crispy Fried Chicken Sub ($13).
Oso's Mexican Cantina has you covered if you prefer a bit of a kick, with loaded nachos going for $18, a walking taco for $15, a $13 burrito, and a Fiesta Salad for $15. Pizza and Pints is your spot, with a Grandma cheese slice at $12 - another buck will get you pepperoni on top of that.
They also have garlic knots with marinara sauce for $14. Bridges Grille has paintings of the Golden Gate Bridge and nearby Tower Bridge (over which fans coming from downtown will walk), and its specialty items are Loaded Mac 'n' Cheese ($15) and a Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog ($15).
All fixed stands offer the same standard fare, including hot dogs ($7, a jumbo is $13 while a veggie version is $9), jumbo soft pretzels ($7, $10 with cheese), popcorn ($9), and Cracker Jack ($7). There are also several portable stands, including Ciders and Sliders, that offer pulled pork or brisket sliders for $16.
The Sweet Spot offers desserts, including milkshakes and a root beer float option, for $9, the same price as soft serve ice cream in a helmet. Pepsi products are available, with a souvenir cup priced at $9 and refills costing $3 — a worthwhile deal if you're attending multiple games. A regular fountain soda costs $7, and bottled beverages are available for $6.
Beer is widely available starting at $15 for American lager, while the premium pour will set you back an extra couple of dollars. There is a beer garden in the left field corner that is open to the public, and you can enjoy your brews there in the shade before the game.
Atmosphere 3
It is a minor league ballpark and a good one, but it doesn't meet the standards of an MLB stadium. After walking over the iconic bright yellow bridge, you enter via the Right Field Gate (above), with no waiting as there are so few fans (the team has yet to sell out at the time of this writing, averaging about 9,800). Upon entering, you will find yourself next to the lawn, which is in the sun for the early part of the game. About the third inning during night games, the sun will have disappeared behind a large advertisement atop the roof.
As you stroll through the open concourse, you’ll notice poles adorned with artwork created by children when the stadium first opened in 2000. Today, many of those young artists likely have children of their own, making it a special experience to return and share their early creations with the next generation.
The seating bowl is typical for AAA parks, with 30 rows of sunbeaten green seats in each section. Around home plate, there are only a few seats in each row, but as you move up and towards the outfield, the rows get longer. The seating capacity is 10,624, with room for 3,390 more on the lawn and standing. The team has yet to sell out and is averaging 9,781, about 71 fans less than Tampa in their minor league stadium.
A rarity at a major league ballpark: the starting lineup written in marker. Retired numbers can be found along the concourse past third base, near the beer garden, while a banner celebrating the ball club's nine World Series titles is on a wall behind the outfield fence.
Broadcasters throw plush baseballs to the crowd behind home plate during the 7th-inning stretch, which certainly gets people on their feet.
It should be noted that the A’s renovated the park to meet MLB standards, adding new baseball-themed lights and a clubhouse behind the left field wall (it's fun to watch an ejected manager trundle out there), as well as an impressive scoreboard.
Neighborhood 4
Sutter Health Park is located in West Sacramento, just across the river from Old Sacramento, a cool little tourist area with several bars and eateries. My recommendation is Fanny Ann's Saloon, where you get 20 percent off food and drink if you show your game ticket. Their kitchen closes at 10 pm, so this is better for pregaming if attending a night game. The staff and regulars are very friendly if you can get a seat at the bar.
If you are looking for something afterwards, Honey and the Trapcat has a kitchen open until 2 a.m. as well as a good beer selection. If you prefer chain restaurants, you will appreciate the weekday happy hour (half-priced appetizers and discounts on beer) at Yard House, part of the Downtown Commons (DoCo) area just a couple of minutes away. If you're looking for something filling that won't break the bank, try Bistro Bravado's breakfast burrito, a meal and a half for just $10. There are dozens of other choices throughout downtown, so there should be something for everyone.
In terms of attractions, the State Capitol is the most obvious; see if you can find the painting of Arnie, who once governed here. The California State Capitol Museum is on site. Meanwhile, in Old Sacramento, you will find the California State Railroad Museum, while the Museum of Science and Curiosity is a few minutes north. Art aficionados will enjoy the Crocker Art Museum just south of Old Sacramento.
If you are flying in, you do not need a car here as the bus to and from the airport is quick. I generally recommend staying downtown as there is enough to see and do, and you can walk to the stadium. The Holiday Inn Downtown is one option, while the Embassy Suites is right at the foot of the Tower Bridge. There is also a light rail system that will take you to the suburbs, such as Rancho Cordova, though not too many tourists will need to use it.
One thing to note is that homelessness has become quite a problem in Sacramento, and you will see it on every block as you make your way around downtown.
Fans 3
The team is averaging about 70 percent of capacity, with many of them seeing the visiting team. It makes sense, as why would you invest time as a resident if the team is going to leave in a couple of years? There's already minor league ball for a lot less. Still, the fans who attend are cheering for the Athletics and are friendly to visiting fans, which is all you can ask for.
Access 4
The stadium sits right alongside I-5. If you're driving, it's best to take the downtown exit and park in one of the garages at DoCo or Old Sacramento, then walk across the Tower Bridge to the stadium. While there is parking available near the stadium, rates are as high as $80, which is pretty outrageous. If you're staying downtown, walking is the way to go, and it seems like about half the fans choose that option.
Inside, the concourse does get crowded at times, but there are no issues with concession lines or restrooms.
Return on Investment 2
Tickets start at $25 for lawn "seats", but you have to sign up for a text service, and every morning, these seats are released via a link sent by SMS to your phone. The remaining normal seats are also sold at a significant discount via this link, so this is worth doing.
The regular ticket prices are absurd ($60 for lawn seats, $150+ for those in the infield), and you should be able to find better and cheaper options on the secondary market. For example, I found a seat four rows behind the visiting dugout for just $34, something that would cost much more at every other ballpark.
There is a small club with seats on the second level above first base. Known as the Solon Club after the minor league teams that played here for most of the 20th century, a regular ticket is $220, making it the biggest rip-off in baseball, as the seats are in the sun for the first few innings, and the food offerings are limited to hot dogs, brats, links, iceberg lettuce wedges, and fresh fruit.
Beer and wine are free, but you'd have to have 15 of them to get your money's worth. If attending multiple games and you are able to get in here for $30 on the secondary market, it is worth the experience, but not for much more.
Extras 2
The club area can be reached by two staircases, with the one near third base featuring a small exhibit on the region’s baseball history. The display highlights the legacy of the Sacramento Solons — a name carried by several minor league teams over the past century. If you ask politely, you should be allowed to have a look; there is also a bobblehead collection on the top shelf.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Sutter Health Park is ideal for AAA ball, but far too small to host a major league team. Still, that does give you a chance to see the big club in cozy conditions for far less than at a major league stadium (assuming you luck out on the secondary market), so there is some upside, as long as you were not a fan of the Oakland Athletics.
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