Synovus Park – Columbus Clingstones

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57

Synovus Park 100 4th Street Columbus, GA 31901

Columbus Clingstones website Synovus Park website

Year Opened: 1926 Capacity: 5,500

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Everything’s Peachy

As the 2024 Minor League Baseball season came to a close, it marked the end of a 19-year run of minor league baseball in Pearl, Mississippi. While it was the end of baseball in one Southern city, it marked a rebirth in another.

Columbus, Georgia has a long baseball history dating back to 1885 with the Columbus Stars. Over the years, various ballparks in the city have hosted Major League spring training, beginning with the Cincinnati Reds in 1866, followed by the Cardinals, Pirates, and Braves.

Columbus opened Golden Park in 1926 and within a decade, affiliated Minor League Baseball would arrive with the Columbus Red Birds in 1936, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Saint Louis Cardinals. In all, throughout its minor league history Columbus has hosted nine different affiliations, the last being the Columbus Catfish in 2008, the Advanced A club of the Tampa Bay Rays, before the franchise moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky and became the Hot Rods. In addition, Golden Park has not only hosted baseball over the years, but it was also home to softball during the 1996 summer Olympics.

Golden Park, just off the banks of the Chattahoochee River that makes up the border between Georgia and Alabama, underwent $50 million in renovations in preparation for the return of minor league baseball, taking on the name Synovus Park as it welcomed baseball back to the Fountain City.

Food & Beverage   4

Concessions here keep things simple but creative, with regional flair adding southern character to the menu. Most options are served via self-checkout markets, but there are a good number of mobile carts along the stadium’s outer wall.

Menu staples include burgers (with a vegetarian option), chicken tenders or sandwiches, à la carte nachos, grilled sausage, brisket, burnt ends, and flatbread pizza. Converted shipping containers offer local specialties, like the Fountain City Burger (topped with pimento cheese, bacon, red onion jam, and crispy onions) and Columbus Grilled Street Corn (coated with mayo, queso fresco, Tajín, cilantro, and lime). In addition, regional restaurant The Flying Biscuit provides its own take on burgers, sausage dogs, and nachos.

For dessert, Whit’s Frozen Custard down the first base line offers the Clingstones’ signature Peach Cobbler, while another cart under the grandstand serves boiled peanuts, a true Southern delicacy. Funnel cakes with peach compote and caramel drizzle are also available.

Adult beverages are plentiful; in addition to standard domestic beers, the Right Field Roost features two Clingstones-branded beers: Rowdy Peach IPA from SweetWater on tap and Clingstone Kölsch in cans from Columbus Cannon Brewpub. Hard teas, seltzers, pre-mixed cocktails, and frozen drinks round out the beverage selection.

Columbus goes beyond typical ballpark fare, offering distinctly Southern flavors that will not be found in other parts of the country.

Atmosphere   3

Synovus Park blends the charm of a historic stadium with modern amenities. The original design of the grandstand and roof remain largely untouched, preserving its nostalgic appeal. New additions include suites above the third base line, as well as the Aflac Club atop the first base seating.

Fixed seating stretches from dugout to dugout, with the central portion covered by the stadium’s classic roof. Standing room here is limited, largely in part to children gathering along the ramps in hopes of snagging loose balls.

The team leans into its Clingstones identity with fun touches, like playing “Peaches” by The Presidents of the United States of America as the team takes the field. Mid-inning entertainment is standard, such as scoreboard games and fan contests, but tends to feel somewhat repetitive from game to game.

Neighborhood   4

Synovus Park is part of a larger sports complex that includes the Columbus Civic Center, home to the Columbus River Dragons, an ice hockey team, as well as arena football’s Columbus Lions. The complex also boasts the AJ McClung football stadium and the South Commons Softball Complex, the latter which has recently hosted the NAIA College Softball World Series. The scenic Chattahoochee Riverwalk runs along the back of the complex and connects to downtown Columbus, about a mile away.

Most visitors to Columbus flock to Broadway, just a block from the Riverwalk, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and hotels. Highly rated dining options include Frank’s Alley (New York-style hot dogs), Angry Wings & Things (Korean), and Bodega 1205 (Latin cuisine).

Coffee shops and other eateries provide options for a range of tastes, while local breweries like Scofflaw Brewing, Cannon Brewpub, and Chattabrewchee also offer food menus.

Fans   3

Baseball’s return to Columbus was met with much excitement. While the Double-A average sits around 4,000 fans per game, the Clingstones have averaged just under 5,000 in their inaugural season.

Fans are invested in the ups and downs of the game, but do seem to need a bit of prompting to get loud at key moments.

Access   3

Columbus is located in west-central Georgia near the Alabama state line. Though not adjacent to any major metro areas, I-185 provides direct access from LaGrange and Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning).

There is one primary entry into the parking lot which is located beyond the right field wall and shared with the surrounding sports complex. While this lot is large, designated parking for the stadium is relatively close, requiring only a short walk.

There is just one entry point into Synovus Park for general ticket holders, located in the right field corner of the stadium. On a typical night this does not create much of a problem, but during games with popular giveaways there can be a bit of congestion.

The stadium has a lower, exterior concourse where most of the concessions are located, as well as a field-level concourse that runs from just beyond the end of each dugout. Ramps access this walkway at each end, which are also accessible from ramps coming from the exterior concourse; note these ramps are rather steep.

Return on Investment   4

Tickets start at $15, which seems to be the industry average for most get-in-the-door prices for Double A baseball. Parking runs just $5, however, which is relatively low for teams who charge for parking.

Concessions here do appear to be a touch on the high side, but nothing out of line with what would be expected from similar stadiums.

Extras   4

Just past the entrance, fans are greeted by three archways that are a trademark of Golden Park – the back side facing of these arches tells the history of both baseball in Columbus, as well as in Golden Park.

The Clingstone and Columbus signage, along with classic a Coca-Cola ad on the brick walls outside the stadium, do a fantastic job of enhancing the venue’s historic character.

The Clingstones’ mascot, Fuzzy, is on hand to greet fans, take photos, and add to the excitement as patrons enter the stadium.

Finally, just outside the stadium’s confines, behind home plate, is the children’s play area, including several inflatables for young Clingstone fans to enjoy while parents relax in the Adirondack chairs.

Final Thoughts

Renovating a historic stadium comes with the risk of it losing its original charm, but Synovus Park succeeds in both honoring its past and offering a comfortable, modern fan experience. While not flashy, its authenticity, character, and thoughtful updates create a great atmosphere for minor league baseball.