Legends Field - Lexington Legends

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

Legends Field 207 Legends Ln Lexington, KY 40505

Lexington Legends website

Legends Field website

Year Opened: 2001

Capacity: 6,994

A Legendary Return in Lexington

What a strange few years it has been for the Lexington Legends. First, baseball is wiped out due to COVID-19, then the team loses its affiliation, next, new ownership comes in and rebrands the team, and then the original owner returns to the Legends name. Hopefully, there will be no more changes in town.

Legends Field, formerly known as Wild Health Field and Whitaker Bank Park, opened in 2001 as Applebee's Park and returned professional baseball to Lexington for the first time since 1954. At the time of its construction, the city was the largest market without a baseball team. Fans quickly embraced the franchise, purchasing 1,950 season tickets within hours of going on sale and establishing a new South Atlantic League record.

The 6,994-seat stadium was built in an era that saw 77 minor league ballparks built within ten years. Construction of the facility cost $13.5 million and was part of a $23 million complex privately financed by a group of 23 local investors, led by principal owner Brad Redmond. In 2016, the ballpark went through $500,000 in renovations, resulting in a wider entry plaza, expansion of the official team store, renamed Stache Shoppe, and the addition of the Bullpen Patio.

Today, the team operates in the MLB Partnered Atlantic League after being dropped by Major League Baseball in December 2020. The Legends then rebranded as the Counter Clocks for the 2023 season, which included major renovations to the ballpark. This has ushered in a new era of baseball in Lexington.

The ballpark is a cozy, modest facility that has a much older feel to it than its age. Its location is in a very unassuming part of town, but only a few miles from the nearest interstate or downtown corridors. Then again, there is something wonderfully simple about driving down a small road and having a baseball stadium appear on the horizon.

Food & Beverage 3

The concourse has a fun horse racing theme that ties in nicely with Kentucky’s heritage. You’ll find stands like Jockey Nachos, the First Turn Grill for hot dogs, and the Exacta Grill serving up burgers and soft pretzels. It’s a clever touch that gives the ballpark a little extra character.

That said, not everything is up and running. Several stands along the first base side are closed off with curtains, which makes the concourse feel a bit empty. On the plus side, Pepsi products are poured throughout the stadium, and there’s no shortage of beers and hard seltzers to go with your food. If you’re looking for something sweet, a few kiosks near the main entrance offer ice cream and shaved ice—perfect on a hot summer day.

Atmosphere 3

Nearby horse racing tracks heavily influence the ballpark's design; elements of the sport include steeples and two murals on the exterior of the building. In total, there are eight steeples throughout the ballpark.

The ballpark itself features a steep seating bowl with excellent sight lines and a middle concourse providing access to all sections, including the Pepsi Party Deck in right field, bleacher seats in left field, and the rather impressive Athena Kids play area behind the left field corner.

The 2,000-square-foot Bullpen Patio down the first base line was created for anyone to enjoy the game. The patio replaced a small grassy berm and follows a path of similar “hang out” space at both major and minor league parks. The area is standing-room only and features beer and cocktail service.

The Lexington Brewing & Distilling Taproom sits directly behind home plate, offering drafts of their beer and bourbon along with a full-service menu and waiting staff. The area also provides a partially covered outside patio to enjoy the game.

The Lexington Legends have a cheer squad that gets the crowd going in between innings. Mighty Lex, the team's official mascot, makes his way around the stadium. During the 7th inning stretch, the crowd is encouraged to sing “My Old Kentucky Home” to add a local flare to proceedings.

Neighborhood 3

The ballpark is in a rather odd part of town, in an era when ballparks were built in downtown lots or off an entrance ramp of a major freeway, the ballpark was constructed adjacent to a small strip mall, 1.5 miles from the I-64 and I-75 interchanges. The best option is to take a drive downtown or to a few other areas around Lexington where one can find great restaurants, breweries, and distilleries.

The city is home to two horse racing tracks: Keeneland (thoroughbred) and Red Mile (harness), which offer racing throughout the calendar year. Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park that offers attractions and is a great place for kids and racing aficionados.

The Historic Pepper Distillery District has become a popular spot in town. Photo by Marc Viquez

The area is in the heart of the Bourbon Trail. Nearby distilleries include Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, and Lexington Brewing & Distilling (located in town and also features a brewery). Castle & Key is the newest distillery that took residence in the old limestone castle built in 1887. Tours and prices will vary, and all include a sample of bourbon on picturesque grounds.

A personal favorite place to visit is the Historic Pepper Distillery District, a 25-acre entertainment complex that is less than 4 miles away from the stadium. Originally built in 1869 to produce bourbon, it is home to the James E. Pepper Distillery, Ethereal Brewing, Barrel House Distilling, The Elkhorn Tavern, Crank & Boom Ice Cream, and Wise Bird Cider Co. It is quite a popular place to visit in town.

There is also the chance that your visit may coincide with a Kentucky Wildcats basketball game at Rupp Arena or a Kentucky Wildcats baseball game at Kentucky Proud Park. When you include your visit with horse racing, bourbon tours, great restaurants, and other sports, you have enough to do on a very long weekend.

Fans 3

There is a faithful group of fans that attends Legends games, and the average is a tad over 2,000 per game on the season. The ones who are at the game do their best to cheer on the home team and provide plenty of enthusiasm on the night.

Access 4

There are 1,200 parking spaces, plus 3,000 more within a 10-minute walk from the stadium. The middle concourse provides easy access to all points, and concession stands are brightly lit. The small nature of the ballpark can create a nice tour of the facility if one is interested in taking photos or enjoying the game from different vantage points.

Return on Investment 4

Ticket prices for Legends games start at $10 for box seats, $12 for field box, $15 for home plate premium, and $25 for the Diamond Club behind home plate. A dollar surcharge is added if bought the day of the game. The parking lot charges $5 and $7 for the premium lot.

On Tuesday nights, tickets are $2, and that also includes hot dogs, popcorn, and Pepsi cans for the same price. Friday and Saturday nights feature fireworks, Waggy Wednesdays let fans bring their favorite canine to the game and BOGO hot dogs, and Thirsty Thursdays feature $2 domestic and $3 craft beers. Sundays offer free tickets to Kid Club members and players' autographs.

Extras 3

One star for the mural of Trinity Gay down the first base side of the exterior of the ballpark. The daughter of U.S. track star Tyson Gay was killed in a crossfire shooting at a restaurant in 2016; she was just 15 years old. The 30-foot mural was designed by Dani Green and includes the words “Pass the Baton.”

Another star for the Lexington Brewing & Distilling Taproom, a great spot to enjoy the game from either inside the bar or on the patio in the back of home plate on the middle concourse. This is one of the best views in the stadium and right in the middle of all the action.

A third and final star is for bringing back the Legend name, complete with an updated logo that features a personified baseball in a 19th-century era uniform.

Final Thoughts

Legends Field was built in an era where minor league ballparks opened up across the country in record numbers. The ball club has placed itself among the copious sporting and entertainment options for over 20 years and is growing in Lexington. A ballpark that features seats close to the diamond, cheap tickets, and cheaper eats is what minor league baseball used to be and what it should still be for the average fan.

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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunterand his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com