Baseball Parks Blog

My Big Trip Report

2008-07-16T17:53:00.006-04:00

I have recently returned from my big ballpark trip of the summer. Some comments on each of the parks I saw games in :

Bowen Field (Bluefield, WV) - classic Appy League park. One of the
most serene settings you'll find anywhere in the country. The only
problem is that they sell blowhorns, which kids and adults were
blowing the whole night. Very obnoxious.

Devault Memorial Stadium (Bristol, VA) - perhaps the worst
professional ballpark in the country. But has one of the best
baseball atmospheres - no sound effects, no mascot, no silly between
inning games. Just baseball.

Pioneer Park (Greeneville, TN) - very classy ballpark that seems out
of place in the Appy League. A more typical minor league experience,
but still an enjoyable place to catch a game.

Dickey-Stephens Park (Little Rock, AR) - great setting with lots of
little design quirks. Certainly a worthy replacement for one of my
favorites - Ray Winder Field.

Gabe Nesbitt Field (McKinney, TX) - very basic metal structure, but
does have all fold down seats. Because it's in Texas, the scenery is
boring. One of the smallest crowds I've ever seen at a pro game - it
was announced as 125.

Whataburger Field (Corpus Christi, TX) - follows the new ballpark
template, but has enough unique touches to make it stand out. They
did a good job incorporating the cotton theme. Bridge in the backdrop
is nice, but can't compare to the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden.

Veterans Field (Laredo, TX) - boring park, over-the-top atmosphere.
Non-stop sound effects and games - could we please watch the game ?
Apparently they don't want you to - maybe because the pitching is so
bad in the UBL.

Harlingen Field (Harlingen, TX) - a slightly more interesting park
than Laredo, but almost the identical atmosphere. I couldn't wait to
get out there with the bombardment of sound effects. And no scorecard to be found ...

Robinson Stadium (Texas City, TX) - wooden grandstand with all bench seating. Nice atmosphere as everyone there seemed to be into the game. There was no games or sound effects to distract the crowd.

Zephyr Field (New Orleans, LA) - typical AAA ballpark, which seems way too big when there are only 3,000 fans on hand. Suburban setting
makes for a lousy location.

Pelican Park (Pensacola, FL) - despite being a very basic collegiate
park, the Pelicans have done a nice job dressing this place up. It's
still not the most comfortable of parks to see a game in, but it was
better than I expected.

Regency Furniture Stadium (Waldorf, MD) - yes, there is no sense of
place (though not sure there would be any place in Waldorf). But it's
an intimate and comfortable ballpark. Love the manual scoreboard in
LF. The atmosphere is what you'd expect from a first year team - most of the fans didn't even realize a game was going on.

Photos and full reviews will be posted on my site over the next month
or so. One more trip for me this summer as I'll be spending a week in
California where I hope to see five new ballparks.

A New Ballpark Weekend

2008-05-11T12:12:00.006-04:00

Despite a cool and somewhat damp weekend in the northeast, I was able to get in games at two new ballparks. Here are my quick comments and a couple of photos. Full reviews and more photos will be posted on my site in the next week or so.

Nationals Park (Washington, DC) - obviously a big improvement over RFK Stadium. Despite hearing many complaints about the location, I kinda liked it. Yes, the area is under redevelopment, but when it is completed, the ballpark should fit in nicely with the surrounding community. The ballpark itself is similar to other new ones, though I found it a bit hard to navigate. There are three distinct concourse areas, but the maze of ramps, stairs, and escalators to access them all is not always intuitive. The views of the Capitol and the Anacosta River are good from certain seats, but not others. Overall a pleasant new ballpark, but one which the fans of DC have yet to embrace fully - though a poor Nationals team may be to blame for that.

Coca Cola Park (Allentown, PA) - this new ballpark for the AAA Phillies follows the standard minor league template, but is actually a bit smallish for AAA. The wraparound concourse with plenty of standing room space is a nice touch. Seats are all angled toward the infield, though all do not provide great sightlines. Concessions are well varied and prices very reasonable. As can be expected for a new ballpark, most of the fans didn't seem to care about the game. But with the Iron Pigs off to an horrendous start, who can blame them ? My only minor complaint was with the egress after the game - there was not one police officer in sight to help direct traffic. This made for a messy situation since almost all the fans had to cross the road which leads out of the park. Coca Cola Park is certainly a big improvement over Bicentennial Field, which probably 75% of the fans never knew hosted professional baseball.

Winter in Bridgeport

2008-05-07T18:57:00.002-04:00

Took in my first Atlantic League game of the season this past Saturday night in Bridgeport. While the calendar said May 3rd, it felt more like December 3rd with wind chills easily dropping into the 30's. I'm sure coffee and hot chocolate must have been the big sellers. Surprisingly, most fans stayed until the end, probably to catch the all important post-game fireworks. I'm sure this made my top 5 coldest games that I've been to.

The Bluefish are under new management in 2008, but it doesn't appear that much has changed. The most noticeable change is that one of their mascots, LI Sounder, is now a real person who doubles as the on field DJ. While he wasn't particularly entertaining or annoying, he looks like what you would expect a sea captain to look like. One cosmetic change to the ballpark - a new outfield fence has been installed.

I'm off to DC and Allentown this weekend, so stay tuned for updates to my site !

No Surprise - SCL On Verge of Folding

2008-03-27T10:16:00.004-04:00

With the announcement yesterday that the South Coast League's CEO, Jamie Toole, has resigned, it is almost a sure bet now that was has been obvious for months will become fact- the SCL is folding and will not operate in 2008. No official word has come down, but nobody seems too optimistic that the league has a chance to survive for another season.

Certainly the concept of an independent league in the southeast was a good idea on paper, but it never seemed like the management of the league could identify strong markets to go after. Instead they settled for small markets that would never be capable of drawing big crowds. Their inaugural season seemed to go well enough, but after the season many articles were written that surfaced details about debts not being paid to concessionaires, cities, players, and team personnel. This was the first tell-tale sign that the league was in trouble. There was also the announcement that the team would be adding a team in Jackson (MS) at Smith-Wills Stadium for the 2008 season. Shortly after that, they then announced that Charlotte County would be playing as a road team in '08 and that Jackson would not be playing in '08. Then after several GM firings and other personnel changes, the news came yesterday that Toole was stepping down. Clearly he was not able to procure the financial backing needed to continue operating the league.

So another indy league bites the dust. Maybe the Atlantic Coast League, scheduled to start in 2009, will have better luck.

Spring is Here !

2008-03-18T08:22:00.004-04:00

I was able to take in my first ballgames of 2008 this weekend with a trip to Florida. While spring training is still enjoyable as the weather is almost always great and the atmosphere is more relaxed, it has certainly changed for the worse over the past 12 years since my first visit. Players are not nearly as accessible or accommodating as they used to be and and even though gates are open 2-2.5 hours ahead of game time, fans are not able to see the home team take batting practice. In most cases, the home team players are only seen a few minutes before the first pitch. With more and more new facilities getting built, access to the players only gets more difficult. This is a shame as being able to see your favorites players up close used to be one of the great aspects of spring training.

Some comments on the ballparks I visited (updated photos and reviews to be posted soon) :

Chain O'Lakes Park (Winter Haven, FL) - a classic spring training venue that is most likely in its last season of hosting Grapefruit League baseball (the Indians are moving to Arizona). The covered grandstand and open air press box are what make this park unique. Unfortunately it really is not suitable for large crowds as the concourse areas are small and concession stands limited. This is certainly one of the more laid back atmospheres in Florida.

City of Palms Park (Fort Myers, FL) - the ballpark is still one of my favorites in Florida, but the atmosphere is not nearly as relaxed as it used to be. Each time I go, the fans are more and more crazy. With the fans being so passionate, it is little wonder that the players are so afraid to show their faces.

Progress Energy Park (St. Petersburg, FL) - another ballpark probably in its last season of hosting spring training baseball as the Rays are moving to a renovated Charlotte County Stadium in 2009. While it is an older ballpark, it doesn't have a lot of charm. There is lots of concrete and too much bleacher seating. Also, the concourse can become very cramped with large crowds. Still, the location right on the water cannot be beat. Fortunately the Rays are floating a proposal to build a new major league ballpark on the site of Progress Energy Field. Sounds like a good idea to me.

McKechnie Field (Bradenton, FL) - while lights have been installed for the 2008 season, not much else has changed since my last visit in 1996. Despite being rebuilt in the early 1990's, this ballpark actually has quite a bit of charm and among the four I visited this weekend, probably the most relaxed atmosphere. Also, a good variety of concessions can be found here. A simple ballpark that provides a link to what spring training baseball used to be like.

NYSL to NYC ???

2007-08-03T13:31:00.000-04:00

Apparently the saga of the New York State League is not over. While an official announcement or press release never came from the league, when play stopped after just two weeks, it was assumed that the league had folded. But hold on. Last week, a message was posted on the NYSL website that indicated that they would be back in 2008, this time playing in New York City. No word yet on what facilities they plan to use, but I think Fleming Field (former home of the Yonkers Hoot Owls) is probably available. Call me a skeptic, but I'll be surprised if we actually see this league again.

There Goes Another ...

2007-07-23T17:28:00.000-04:00

In my earlier blog posting about new independent leagues, I failed to mention the New York State League, which planned to have all four member teams playing at Munrane Field in Utica, NY. Well the league didn't last long. After just two weeks of play, the league has folded. This league seemed ill conceived from the start. Utica has never been a "hotbed" of professional sports, especially recently when the local economy has really been hurting. And it's not like other leagues have been clamoring to get into Utica recently. I'm really not sure what Jay Acton, who founded the league, was expecting. Even if they were losing money (apparently upwards of $10k per day), he should have had enough capital to get them through the 2 month season. If he didn't, then he never should have started the league.

Acton should have know better. Some 20 years ago (in 1987) he tried a similar experiment on Long Island with the Empire State League. That also failed after just one season. Did he think that was an idea ahead of its time ? Who knows, but this latest failed experiment has only accomplished one thing - to poison the Utica market even further. The citizens there have been through many failed pro franchises in the past, but this may be the last. Jay Acton can blame the people all he wants for not coming out, but ultimately he's responsible for the failure of the league. Shame on him.

Quick Comments on My Southern Swing

2007-06-10T19:51:00.001-04:00

Have returned from my first ballpark trip of the summer. Saw games in 9 different parks, 7 of them being new for me. Here are some quick comments on each. Full reviews and photos will be posted to ballparkreviews.com over the coming weeks, so keep checking back.

City Stadium (Lynchburg, VA) - I had visited the ballpark in 1999 before the extensive renovations. I was happy to see that the changes had not ruined the basic structure. There is still a large roof over most of the grandstand, yet the concourse has been widened and more comfortable seating installed. I wonder why new ballparks couldn't be built the same way.

Coastal Federal Field (Myrtle Beach, SC) - didn't expect much going in as the photos I'd seen made it look like Rome and Lexington, neither of which I liked. But this park is better than both of those. Lots of places to roam and some interesting features (i.e. The Beach). Despite almost no local flavor (since everyone is a tourist there), I enjoyed the atmosphere.

Jackie Robinson Ballpark (Daytona Beach, FL) - a real gem. I don't care for the big bleacher section which doesn't fit with the cozy grandstand, but overall I like this place a lot. Recent renovations have added a wide concourse (where a road used to be) and new seating under the grandstand. Great views of the water and a bridge just add to the beauty.

Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota, FL) - probably one of the worst minor league experiences I've witnessed. The ballpark is cold and sterile and nobody comes to the games. It makes for quite a depressing place to see a game.

Brighthouse Networks Field (Clearwater, FL) - I'm sure it's a great spring training venue, but as with most of the FSL parks, it is simply too big for the small crowds. It's location along busy Rt 19 is its only detriment.

Legends Field (Tampa, FL) - ditto my comments on Brighthouse. With such sparse crowds for FSL games, this place is quite depressing. Fortunately I have seen a spring training game here as well when the atmosphere is quite lively.

Joker Marchant Park (Lakeland, FL) - tucked away in central Florida, this park feels like what spring training is supposed to be like. And even for FSL games, it's not too bad. The crowds are sparse but lively and the team really seems to be trying to create an old-time atmosphere.

Lake Olmstead Stadium (Augusta, FL) - finally got back here after getting rained out in 1999. A bit too much self promotion from Cal Ripken (he now owns the team), but overall a nice experience. The ballpark is truly unique, the setting serene, and the atmosphere laid back.

First Horizon Park (Greensboro, NC) - a nice new ballpark tucked into the downtown, but the atmosphere is over the top and crowds trend toward the hip side (i.e. non-baseball fans). Good thing the normal on field DJ (Spaz) wasn't there, or the atmosphere would have even been worse.

The New Leagues

2007-04-18T16:23:00.000-04:00

There are a two new independent leagues which will be getting off the ground in '07 - the South Coast League and the Continental Baseball League. The SCL would seem to have a good base to start from as 5 of the 6 cities have hosted professional baseball and they have some quality facilities to play in. Also, they have been able to procure some recognizable managers with Wally Backman, Phil Plantier, and indy league legend Jackie Hernandez each taking the helm of a team. But how will attendance be ? They aren't in any big metropolitan areas and teams in Florida (i.e. the Florida State League) do not have a good track record for drawing fans. I think there is room for an independent league in the south, but whether the SCL has identified the right markets is an open question.

I'm a lot more skeptical about the CBL (especially since they aren't even recognized on OurSportsCentral). They only have three real teams (the fourth is a traveling team) and their facilities appear to be nothing better than high school fields. Two of the teams will be in the Dallas area, while the third will be in the Houston suburbs. Good markets no doubt, but with lousy facilities and no publicity, it's hard to imagine this league surviving too long. Perhaps they are trying to resurrect the early days of indy ball when leagues were thrown together based on where they could find fields, not whether they would be good markets.

Despite my skepticism, I'll be rooting for both leagues to succeed, as having more indy leagues is always a good thing.

A New Season Arrives

2007-04-09T16:57:00.000-04:00

While the weather in the northeast this past weekend was more suitable for football than baseball, I was able to take in my first game of the season. After the New Hampshire Fisher Cats get snowed out on Thursday and Friday, I wasn't so sure they would be able to play on Saturday. But the snow was removed and the field was dry by game time. It's the first time I've ever seen snow in the stands at a game I've been to. As a gesture to the fans who came out and braved the elements, the team offered free tickets to another game this year.

One of my complaints in the past of MerchantsAuto.com Stadium has been the lack of a scoreboard that displays the linescore. Fortunately the team has finally rectified this problem by erecting a manual scoreboard in the left field fence. Sitting along the first base line, I found that this was the only scoreboard I needed to look at. No other noticeable changes at the ballpark for '07. Parking is still an outrageous $10, but fortunately there is plenty of on street parking to be had.

As for the game, it featured more offense that I would have expected in 37 degree weather. The Fisher Cats defeated the Rock Cats, 7-6 in a game that featured four home runs, all hit over the short right field porch.

Hopefully next weekend will be a bit warmer ...

Pulaski Gets Screwed

2007-02-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

The Appalachian League announced today that the league would operate with only 9 teams in 2007, which means Pulaski has been left out in the cold. After spending $1.5 million over the past decade to renovate Calfee Park, the city of Pulaski is now left without a team for at least one summer. This does not seem right. Is MLB that poor that they couldn't foot the expense of fielding a co-op team for one year while the league tried to find a new affiliate for '08 ? I'm sure the cost of running an App League team for one year wouldn't exceed the cost of a major league pinch hitter. The way Pulaski has been treated by the Blue Jays and MLB is a real slap in the face. First the Blue Jays said they were cutting affiliates, but then recently announced that would be putting a team in Gulf Coast League. So clearly they lied to Pulaski and the Appy League - and for what ? Just to save a few dollars ? Hopefully this serves as a warning sign to other cities that are threatened by MLB to pour money into their ballparks. Without some assurances of a team staying long term, cities need to start saying no. The Appalachian League provides one of the purest experiences in minor league baseball, but this kind of treatment from MLB could changes things in the future. I certainly hope not, but anytime a small city like Pulaski gets screwed, it's not a good sign. Here's hoping a new affiliate can be found for Pulaski in '08.

A New Park for the P-Nats ?

2007-01-11T15:52:00.000-05:00

Might Potomac might actually be getting a new park ? After many years of talk, it appears now that it might be on the horizon for 2008. Usually I'm not a big advocate of new ballparks, but this is one place that sorely needs one. After attending a game at Pfitzner Stadium in 1999, it was evident that this is a miserable place to take in a game. It's amazing that fans came out at all, especially on hot nights like the one I experienced. I have never seen so much sweat as I did that July4th evening in Woodbridge. The DC suburbs deserve a decent minor league ballpark, so hopefully by 2008 they will finally have one.

The Other Side

2006-12-28T20:38:00.000-05:00

Interesting article in the Fort Wayne newspaper yesterday criticizing cities that always seem to give in to owners begging for a new ballpark. Fort Wayne is attempting to get a ballpark constructed that would the "centerpiece of a downtown revitalization project" costing $125 million. First off, does Fort Wayne really need a new ballpark ? Memorial Stadium opened in 1993, and while it may not be as glossy as other new parks built since, the fans don't seem to be staying away - '06 attendance was over 3500 per game. So why the new ballpark ? Simply because their current home doesn't have enough luxury boxes. This isn't the reason you'll hear from the owners, but it has to be their prime motivation. And if they can get a city (Fort Wayne or somewhere else) to build them a park for free, why wouldn't they take it ? I have no sentiment for Memorial Stadium, but it is tiring to see one city after another getting held hostage by teams who threaten to move if their current city doesn't build them a new ballpark. Let the citizens of the city decide, not the local politicians. But rarely do you see a city put a new ballpark up to a vote - because they know it would fail. It's nice to see for once that the local media is not taking the side of the city. Stay tuned as I'm sure there will be a lot more bickering in Fort Wayne over the next year or so.

Top 6 of '06

2006-12-21T09:29:00.000-05:00

With the year winding down, I thought I'd look back and list my 6 favorite ballpark visits of 2006. During the year, I saw games in about 40 different ballparks. These are the ones that stood out :

#6) Russell Diethrick Park (Jamestown, NY) - When I first visited this park in 1993, there were still many places like this left. But now with the old parks being replaced by glossy new ones, it is a treat to go to a game at an older ballpark like this. Like Auburn and Batavia in the NYPL, there is still a community feel to the atmosphere. While there are some of the usual promotions, the focus is still mostly on the game. The quirky, unpolished PA announcer just adds to the charm.

#5) Ray Winder Field (Little Rock, AR) - 2006 was the last year for the old girl. Its fate hasn't yet been decided, but hopefully it remain standing like two other classic ballparks in the south, Rickwood Field and Engel Stadium. The laid-back atmosphere of Ray Winder is hard to beat, and I can't imagine that it will be replicated at the new ballpark. Where else can you buy a box seat and sit anywhere you want ?

#4) Lindquist Field (Ogden, UT) - Located in the downtown and with mountains providing the backdrop, a setting for a ballpark doesn't get much better than this. If you're lucky enough to be there for a night game when the sun is setting, the glowing mountains provide a sight you won't soon forget.

#3) Medlar Field (State College, PA) - One of my favorites among ballparks that have opened within the last five years. Wide concourses, spacious seating areas, plentiful and tasty food options, and a great setting combine to make it a winner. Hopefully other cities will look at Medlar Field as an example when building a new ballpark. Probably the most comfortable ballparks I've ever been to.

#2) Rickwood Field (Birmingham, AL) - I finally got to the annual Rickwood Classic in '06. And what a treat it was. Despite a scorching day (approaching 100 degrees), the experience was wonderful. Except for the concession prices, it is like being in a time machine. Hopefully the Barons will continue this tradition for years to come. Every ballpark fan needs to come here once.

#1) Cobb Field (Billings, MT) - In terms of an authentic minor league baseball experience, Cobb Field provides the best there is. You won't find any goofy mascot or silly between inning promotions. Fans are here to watch baseball, drink beer, and eat ballpark food. The cool covered grandstand with its narrow tunnels is a true treasure. Unfortunately, 2007 will be the last year for Cobb Field as it will be torn down to make way for a new ballpark opening in '08. Get there while you still can - you will not be disappointed.

New Nashville Ballpark

2006-12-19T08:26:00.000-05:00

Renderings of the new Nashville Sounds ballpark were unveiled yesterday. It is set to replace Herschel Greer Stadium in 2008, but with the recent delays, it appears unlikely that it will be ready for the start of the '08 season. While I haven't yet seen a game at Herschel Greer, it is easy to see why the Sounds wanted a new ballpark. Its location in the suburbs is "out of sight, out of mind" and it completely lacks any of the amenities that are present at newer ballparks. From the renderings of the new ballpark, it appears that it will have a nice downtown location and will provide great views of the river and skyline. The one odd thing about it is that it appears that all the seating will be on one level, similar to Knight's Castle. Also, I don't see any grassy berms and it doesn't appear that there will be a full wraparound concourse. Perhaps the design hasn't been finalized yet or the drawings aren't accurate. Whatever the case, the new downtown ballpark should be a huge improvement.

A Couple Random Thoughts

2006-12-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know - I haven't made any posts here in a while. But a couple stories came up this week that I had to comment on. I'll try to make my entries a bit more frequent now.

First, why did Scranton-Wilkes Barre even feel the need to change their nickname from the Red Barons ? That name at least had some tradition and relevance. To change it to Yankees (in a time when nobody anymore is using the parent team's name) seems like a pure marketing scheme, and nothing else. Do you think if their new affiliate was the Devil Rays or Nationals that they would have used those names ? It almost seems like they are insulting the fans in the area by saying, "maybe you couldn't find us before when we were the Red Barons, but now that we're the Yankees, you will know about us." I'm sure the new affiliation will generate an attendance growth (at least initially), but wouldn't this have happened even if they had stuck with the Red Baron's name ?

Also this week, a land swap deal in Beloit that may have gotten the Snappers a ballpark to replace Pohlman Field fell through. But why do they even need a new ballpark in Beloit ? The Snappers are community owned and nonprofit. Now I do understand that Pohlman Field doesn't meet minor league facility standards, but this has been the case since 1991. What has changed recently that they all of a sudden they need a new park so badly ? Yes, Pohlman Field isn't a great ballpark, but it does have a great small town atmosphere that isn't found at too many parks these days. Here's hoping that even if Beloit can't get a new ballpark built that the Snappers won't be sold and moved.

First Pitches & Foul Balls

2006-07-19T10:40:00.000-04:00

Has the ceremonial first pitch completely lost its meaning at the minor league level ? After seeing 11 "first pitches" thrown at Somerset this past Saturday night, you really have to wonder. According to Wikipedia, the first pitch is "usually thrown by either a celebrity or a locally significant person." Is some random kid throwing out the first pitch on behalf of a corporate sponsor a "significant" person ? Not to take anything away from the kids (because I'm sure it's quite a thrill for them), but what's the point of having so many first pitches other than to get the sponsors' names out there one more time. I suppose this is just another example of corporate America taking over the world of minor league baseball.

Also, not to sound like a curmudgeon, but why does every kid in attendance now feel like it's their right to get a foul ball ? What exactly do kids so with the balls once they get them home ? My guess is that they just end up in their closet, never to be looked at again. When I was a kid (which wasn't that long ago), adults were never obligated to give foul balls to the closest kid. And players would rarely hand a ball to a kid. I'm all for kids getting foul balls, but just wish they had more appreciation for them and didn't assume it was their automatic right to go home with one.

Where am I ?

2006-07-06T16:54:00.000-04:00

Having just returned from my big ballpark road trip, I noticed a disturbing new trend among the affiliated minor league teams. As if may teams doing the same promotions and on-field games wasn't bad enough, now we have companies actually sponsoring the same exact on-field game at multiple ballparks. Hamburger Helper, BC Powder, and Advance Auto Parts must be in partnership with MiLB as they all sponsored the same games at several of the South Atlantic League and Southern Leagues games I attended. For Hamburger Helper, it's the "throw the meat in the frying pan" contest. For BC Powder, it's the "throw the ball thru the board" contest. And for Advance Auto Parts, it's the "wipeout inning" contest. This is one of the big problems I have with minor league baseball now - no teams try to differentiate themselves by doing unique contests or promotions. It used to be that each minor league team would try to bring some hometown flavor to the ballpark experience. But with big business taking over in 90% of the markets, going to a ballgame is becoming a more and more generic experience.

On my trip, I saw 15 games in 15 different ballparks. I have started posting some new photos and reviews and will continue to do so over the next month or so.

MerchantsAuto.com Stadium

2006-04-18T09:51:00.000-04:00

Went to my first ballgame of the 2006 season this past Saturday at the newly branded MerchantsAuto.com Stadium (not sure why the "dot com" is needed as it sure makes for an odd name). As it was in '05, the area surrounding the ballpark is still a construction zone. But the Hilton Garden Inn that has arisen behind the left field fence at least adds some character to the ballpark (some even may call it "Camdenesque"). Still, it's not a park that impresses me very much. It is serviceable, but there is little which distinguishes it from numerous other ballparks built in the past 10 years. Some have raved about the riverfront location, but to me this is overrated since there isn't one seat in the ballpark that actually has a view of the river. Only a small portion of the 3rd base concourse has a view. It's a shame that the architect couldn't take better advantage of what should have been a scenic location.

Despite being in only year 2 of the ballpark, the atmosphere already feels stale. There is little creativity behind the on field promotions and the soundtrack is in sore need of updating. On the plus side, the Fisher Cats have upgraded their concessions with the addition of some seafood plates as well as meatball sandwiches and chili. At least the variety is now better than most ballparks in the northeast.

As for the games (it was a scheduled doubleheader), they were about as contrasting as could be. The Rock Cats won the first game 14-5, which featured a combined 7 home runs. The second game was a pitcher's duel, with the Fisher Cats winning 1-0 on a walk-off home run by David Smith. With a very short right field, MerchantsAuto.com Stadium sure appears to be a hitter's ballpark.

Another One Bites The Dust

2006-01-13T19:44:00.000-05:00

With the announcement that the Elmira Pioneers of the Can-Am League would be folding up shop for the 2006 season, it was another sad day for fans of old ballparks and people who live in small towns. Each season more and more minor league teams migrate towards the big cities and metropolitan areas, while small towns like Elmira lose their team with little hope of ever seeing professional baseball again. I understand that the reasons are all financial, but to me this is still a disturbing trend. It seems awfully unfair that small towns, many of which have a deeper connection and greater appreciation of their team, can't enjoy the baseball experience just because they aren't able to pack 3,000-4,000 fans into their ballpark. For many of these towns, pro baseball offers one of the few entertainment options. In the big cities, while the crowds might be big, would they really miss the team if it weren't around ?

So Dunn Field will be without professional baseball for the first time in many years. Sure, the city has promised to try to get a collegiate league team. Big deal. That's simply not the same as having a professional team. But unfortunately, with the current trend in minor league baseball, small towns will only be able to host these type of teams. How long before the collegiate leagues start migrating towards the big cities as well ? Fortunately there are still a couple of minor league (the Appy League and Pioneer League) which seem content on holding on to a piece of the past by not selling out. Hopefully these leagues will never change.

The WBC

2005-12-29T09:32:00.000-05:00

Is there really a need for a World baseball tournament ? Aren't all the best players already playing in the Major Leagues ? And does it really matter to most which country has the best team ? Bud Selig has done an admirable job of promoting the WBC and trying to get people to buy into it, but I don't think it will be the success that he probably wants or is expecting. There are several reasons why the WBC won't fly :

1) It's happening during spring training while the players are just starting to get ready for the regular season. It is hard to imagine that any player will be trying too much harder than they do during a normal spring training game. I would be quite surprised if the intensity level is any higher than it has been in the recent All-Star games. After all, players realize that their loyalty should be towards their employer, not their country.
2) Some of the best players wonÂt be participating. If the most famous American player (ARod) and most famous Japanese player (Matsui) arenÂt playing, how serious can we really take the WBC ? Maybe Commissioner Bud will twist their arms and ultimately get these guys to play, but I doubt it. It is clear that some teams are frowning on letting their players participate. They are just looking out for their own well being, just as they should be. Can you imagine the outrage if a great player got hurt while playing in a meaningless exhibition ?
3) Are there any fans inside the United States that even care about the WBC ? Ok, there may be a few soccer fans that enjoy international competition, but the vast majority of people could care less about countries competing against one another. This is why the Olympics are largely ignored in the U.S. compared to in other countries.

Maybe I'll be wrong, but you won't catch me attending any games or watching any on TV (will they even be broadcast ?).

Why Not Champs ?

2005-11-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

It's official - the Vermont Expos have changed their name to the Vermont Lake Monsters. And frankly, I'm not a big fan of the name change. Apparently "Champs" was far and away the most popular name submitted by fans, so why didn't the team choose to go with this name ? It would have made perfect sense since Champ is the name usually associated with the infamous Lake Champlain monster. And Champ is the name of the hugely successful mascot who has been entertaining Vermont fans since 1994. Despite being the fan choice, general manager CJ Knudsen trumped it, claiming that the name wouldn't sound right if the team was doing lousy in August. Another reason floated is that the Champs sporting goods store objected. Both are lame excuses and completely ignored what the fans wanted. So why even have a "Name that Team" contest if you're just going to completely ignore the fans overwhelming selection ? Maybe they should have just stuck with the Expos moniker ...

Baseball Landing in Plymouth ?

2005-10-29T21:22:00.000-04:00

According to recent articles including this one from today, it appears that baseball may be coming to Plymouth, MA in time for the 2007 season. A new 5,500 seat ballpark is proposed as part of a complex that would include a sports dome and banquet facility. No word yet on what league they would play in, but speculation is that it would be the Can-Am League. With teams in nearby Brockton and Lynn, Plymouth would be a natural fit. Further details will be available on November 7th as a press conference is scheduled for that day. The proposed team even has a website up and running already.

Speaking of the Can-Am League, the alignment for next year is up in the air right now, but should be settled soon. Nashua apparently is trying to gain entrance, in which case they would drop out of the Atlantic League. With a full season team in nearby Manchester, Nashua would probably be better off playing in league with a shorter season. The CAL is also looking at Augusta, NJ as a possible location after the Cardinals flew off to State College. I'd like to see the league expand to 10 teams next year, but it's looking like that won't happen until '07 unless a road team is utilized again.

A New Landscape ?

2005-10-05T16:03:00.000-04:00

What is Mike Veeck up to now ? With the recent announcement of three teams leaving the Northern League (and now four with the Sioux City announcement yesterday), many are wondering what Veeck's plan are for this new league of his. This article reveals a few details which seem to indicate where Veeck (and Miles Wolff) believe that independent baseball should be headed. It seems to be a rather radical new vision, and frankly I'm not sure it's one that makes a whole lot of sense. The fundamental idea that Veeck is pushing towards is making indy baseball more national. There is talk of having interleague play among the several independent leagues as well as having a combined all-star game and "world series". But my question is, for what purpose ? Do casual fans (which make up the majority at minor league games) really care about who the opposing team is or where they're from ? Are more fans going to come out in Elmira if Sioux Falls is coming in for a series ? I would really doubt it. To make this "interleague" play possible, other leagues would have to cooperate by reworking their schedules. With no obvious benefit, why would leagues disrupt their schedules to play what would in essence be exhibition games ? Maybe I'm missing something or perhaps Veeck's plan hasn't been properly described yet, but to me this just seems like a publicity stunt by Veeck to get himself and the St. Paul Saints some attention, which they haven't gotten in several years. Perhaps Veeck is once again ahead of his time. Or perhaps his vision will never get off the drawing board. Whichever, it should be interesting to watch over the next few months and years.

Cathedrals of the Game

2005-10-03T10:43:00.000-04:00

For those who have HD television and get the INHD channel, there is a series on baseball parks that is currently airing called Cathedrals of the Game. Each half hour episode features a detailed tour of a current MLB park as well as a look back at the history of baseball in the respective city. A look at their website indicates that episodes have been made for 14 different parks as well as one about the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

The shows are produced in conjunction with MLB which allows for an "all-access" pass to the ballpark including a look inside the clubhouses and other areas that the average fan would never see. Unfortunately the host, Michelle Beadle, is basically just a pretty face and has a limited knowledge of baseball so can't get much out of the interviews she conducts with team personnel and players. Despite this, the shows are definitely worth watching, if for nothing else the stunning photography that comes across with high definition. And though the content is geared towards the casual fan, even the hardcore ballpark fans might learn a thing or two that they didn't already know. Catch the episodes while you can as it's doubtful they will be airing after October.

Need a Towel ?

2005-08-22T19:37:00.000-04:00

When it was first announced earlier this year that a NY Penn League team would be moving to State College, most people (including myself) assumed that the team moving would be one of the western New York franchises, most likely Jamestown. But rumors have been swirling the past couple months that the team headed for State College is the New Jersey Cardinals. While on paper this would seem surprising, the reason is apparently because of an unfavorable (expensive) lease. And during my most recent visit to Skylands Park this past weekend, it is easy to see that the team is desperate to increase revenues. Box seats are a whopping $12. Parking is $4. Programs are $4. Concessions are expensive, portions are rather small, and quality is subpar. But the biggest indicator to me was the unusual appearance of attendants in the bathrooms. After visiting over 200 parks, this is something I've never seen before. The attendant was there to hand out paper towels, but his purpose seemed more to collect tips as he had a jar with a prominent sign that read "Tips are greatly appreciated". Just ridiculous.

While it would be a shame if Augusta lost their NY Penn League team, I'm sure that one of the independent leagues (probably the Can-Am League) would scoop up this ballpark in a heartbeat. Being only 12 years old, Skylands Park is simply too nice to sit idle.

The Purest Experience

2005-08-04T15:49:00.000-04:00

I made my annual voyage to Cooperstown this past weekend, and as usual was able to take in a game at Damaschke Field in Oneonta. I'm glad to report that nothing has changed - the atmosphere is still pure baseball. No between inning games, no mascots, no beer, no bratty kids. They do use some music and sound effects, but even many of these are baseball related and don't detract from the experience. Oneonta is the closest thing to the minor league experience I remember as a kid growing up in the early 80's and attending games in Holyoke (MA) and Burlington (VT). Damaschke Field really is like a time machine. Hopefully it will remain for many more years as an example of what the minor leagues were before corporations and sponsorship took it over.

Speaking of time machines, did someone put Ryne Sandberg in one ? Or did he just forget when he played baseball. From listening to his Hall of Fame speech, you'd think he played 50 years ago. Apparently to get on the good side of all the HOFers, Sandberg felt it necessary to bash the current ballplayers as having no respect for the game, swinging for the fences too much, and for using steroids. Sorry to tell you Ryne, but you are part of the same generation that you are criticizing.

Walk Like A ... Blind Man

2005-07-25T10:23:00.000-04:00

It's not often that I'm amused at a baseball game. Because I've been to so many different parks and seen so many different promotions and mascot antics, there isn't much that surprises me any longer. But something happened in the Somerset-Newark game on Saturday night at Riverfront Stadium that genuinely made me laugh. And it actually was something that happened on the field with the game participants. In the 14th inning (the game would go 16), a Newark batter clearly swung and missed at a pitch in the dirt. But the umpire rules that the batter foul tipped it. This brought an argument from Somerset manager Sparky Lyle who proceeded to get ejected from the game. But Lyle, who apparently never leaves quietly, put on a great blind man routine as he was exiting the field. He grabbed a bat and walked the entire length of the dugout tapping it on the ground as a blind man does with his walking stick. This brought a roar of laughter from the remaining fans (of which there many since fireworks were to be shot off after the game). I found out later that this is something that Sparky does whenever he's ejected. Still, it was a treat for me as I had never seen anything like it. Was it inappropriate and a bit tasteless ? Probably. Is it showing up the umps ? Probably. But was it funny ? Yes, it absolutely was and I don't mind admitting that I got quite a chuckle out of it. And this is just another reason why you should never leave a game early.

As for the game, both teams were anemic offensively on this night, which led to 16 innings being played before it was settled. What's strange is that the teams bookended this game with an 11-10 battle on Friday and a 13-10 doozy on Sunday. Apparently Newark was out of pitchers on Sunday which led to Brent Bilingsley pitching a complete game with this line : 9IP, 12H, 10ER, 147 pitches thrown. Fortunately he got a win for his effort. It's not often you see a line like that.

Kiss Kam

2005-07-13T15:50:00.000-04:00

It seems that the big trend sweeping the nation at minor league (and some major league) ballparks is the Kiss Cam. If you have a video board, it is a requirement that you do this at some point around the 5th inning. To me, I never understood the fascination with wanting to be on the video board - it's not like 99% of the people in the park will know who you are. And I guess now it's not just good enough to be shown, you have to be shown doing something (in this case canoodling with your spouse or SO). And if this weren't annoying enough, now teams are trying to be funny by pointing the camera at two players on the opposing team, who either end up ignoring the camera or giving each other a small peck to the delight of the crowd. And for those teams without a video board, I'm sure they will be getting one soon, just so they can do Kiss Cam !

My Big Trip

2005-07-12T07:36:00.000-04:00

I have just returned yesterday from my big trip of the summer which took me through the upper midwest. Saw games in 12 new parks (and 15 overall) and had the best weather I've ever had on a trip. I'm sure glad I wasn't touring down south this year ...

Full reviews and photos will be coming soon to my website, but until then here are some quick comments on the new parks I saw games in :

Appalachian Power Park (Charleston, WV) - the downtown location is great and the structure a bit different, though it does need some covering (a canopy is supposedly in the works). I love the old building they have incorporated into the park.

Champion Window Field (Florence, KY) - a very typical FL park, similar to both Gateway and River City. The multi-colored seats are ugly, but they didn't bother me as much as the annoying Rascal fans. Obviously the team has some public perception issues to overcome as the fans are not coming out in droves.

Silver Cross Field (Joliet, IL) - the actual structure doesn't break any new ground, but I love the setting. It is nestled nicely into the downtown where it seems there is quite a bit or nightlife.

Hawkinson Ford Field (Crestwood, IL) - a funky little stadium, as many of the FL parks are. Being so close to Chicago I would expect them to be a better a draw. But now I know why - anyone that needs to drive south on Cicero Avenue to get there wouldn't bother fighting the traffic.

Pohlman Field (Beloit, WI)- a rather crappy stadium, but a great community feel. And how can you not love a park where the fans get more excited about "Roll Out The Barrel" than "YMCA" ?

Veterans Memorial Stadium (Cedar Rapids, IA) - while the park itself is fine (except the lack of a wraparound concourse), the numerous commercials and shout-outs from the PA announcer make for an annoying experience. It's almost as if they wanted to make the experience the exact opposite of the old Vet.

Lewis and Clark Park (Sioux City, IA) - a generic ballpark with a lousy setting. Probably the most unmemorable stop on my trip.

Sioux Falls Stadium (Sioux Falls, SD) - if you didn't know there was an old park, you'd think it was built brand new within the past decade. I love the elevated berms down the 3rd base line. Great eats and a lively atmosphere make this park a treat.

Newman Outdoor Field (Fargo, SD) - not the greatest of settings (college campuses usually aren't), but still an intimate park with a good atmosphere.

Fox Cities Stadium (Appleton, WI) - another uninspired setting for ballpark. While the park itself is fine (very similar to South Bend), the atmosphere was a bit over the top and fans seems more excited about getting free stuff rather than the game. Also, the brats were losuy which should NEVER be the case at a Wisconsin ballpark.

Community Field (Burlington, IA) - renovations over this past offseason have added a new building (for concessions, gift store,ticket office) and a large roof over the concourse and part of the grandstand. Like Beloit, it has a great community feel as everyone seems to know one another.

Oldsmobile Park (Lansing, MI) - unlike most downtown ballparks, this one doesn't feel intimate at all. Too much bench seating and the sightlines aren't the greatest. At least the concessions are top-notch.

Going Too Far

2005-06-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

It's understandable that minor league teams need to do promotions to draw fans in, but when these promotions change the fundamental nature of a baseball game, they have crossed the line and gone too far. And this is exactly what has happened with the new video game promotion announced by the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League. The team is offering two fans the chance to determine the outcome of the first two innings of a real game on July 16. That's right - they will play two innings on Xbox which will be shown on the video board at the ballpark. Then the actual teams will play the final 7 innings. Is this a serious promotion or just a publicity stunt that the team will back out of eventually ? So far it seems to be real. The league and both teams have apparently signed off on this silly gimmick. Shame on the Northern League and shame on any fans who come out to support this shameless promotion. Here's hoping someone wises up and calls off the promotion.

New Jersey : Home of the Brattiest Kids ?

2005-06-19T13:36:00.000-04:00

Is it just me or does New Jersey have the brattiest kids of anyplace in the country ? If last night's Somerset Patriots game was any example, the answer would have to be yes. I understand as well as anyone that minor league teams need to attract kids and cater to them. Relying on hardcore baseball fans (like myself) is not enough for a minor league team to survive. But if a team is going to invite a whole Little League to their ballpark, they had better take some responsibility for controlling the kids. Last night at Commerce Bank Ballpark, it seemed as if there were hundreds of kids running around without any supervision whatsoever. All they were doing were annoying the real fans and the ushers (who were useless in trying to control them). Please, if you're going to invite a whole league of players, ensure there are enough adults around to supervise them. The night was summed up quite well by a fan sitting behind me who said towards the end of the game, "I don't care if I never see another kid again."

A Pair of NY Stadiums

2005-06-17T18:50:00.000-04:00

Plans were announced for two new professional ballparks in New York this week. The first one which received all the press was that of the new Yankee Stadium. Despite the public not having to foot the bill, it doesn't seem like the reaction from fans was that positive. I suppose I can understand their love of the current Yankee Stadium, but they have to realize that it was rebuilt in the mid 1970's, so in no way resembles the original ballpark. Yes, the field is the same, but that's about it. To me, having only visited the current Yankee Stadium, I never got the same sense of aura or history upon entering it as I do going to places like Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. So I really didn't care one way or another if Yankee Stadium was replaced.

The other ballpark news out of New York this week (besides a new Mets ballpark), came from upstate in Sullivan County. A NYC developer has plans to build a 3,000 seat stadium in Monticello in which a Can-Am League team would be placed. This market has been tested before (a team played in Baxter Stadium for several years in the late 1990's), but the location seems to be better this time. And with a rapidly growing population in neighboring Orange County, the time might be right for a team to succeed in this market. Newburgh is probably a more viable market, but with an older stadium and a not so great reputation, it is understandable why perspective owners have stayed away.

A Walkoff Weekend

2005-06-14T13:17:00.000-04:00

The weather this past weekend was certainly not conducive to sitting outside and watching a ballgame, but despite this, I took in games in Nashua (NH) and Worcester (MA). And I'm glad I did as they both ended with walkoff wins for the home team.

I had not been to Holman Stadium in Nashua since 1998, the first year of the Atlantic League. While the team that plays there is the same, the park has undergone some changes. Prior to the 2002 season, new luxury boxes were built and all new seats were installed. While it will never be a great ballpark, there is nothing inherently wrong with it either. It may not be as glossy as the new Manchester park, but it is just as functional. Some may think the Pride are a lame duck team with the Fisher Cats so close by, but it didn't appear that way on Saturday night. It wasn't close to being a sellout, but the crowd was lively and into the game. Maybe the Atlantic League won't stick around in Nashua forever, but it's hard to imagine some team not playing there. As for the game, it had a great finish. Jonathan Nathans hit a three-run walk-off homer to end it in the 10th and send everyone home happy.

On Sunday, I went to the brand new Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field in Worcester. It still feels a bit unfinished, but that's to be expected when a team only has 2 months to get it built from the ground up. Hopefully by the end of the year it will feel a lot more polished. The game featured the Tornadoes hosting the New Jersey Jackals, who jumped out to a 7-2 lead after 7 innings. But for some reason, the Jackals manager decided to try to steal an inning and save his bullpen by using his worst pitcher. The move backfired as the Tornadoes scored 4 in the 8th, one in the 9th to tie it, and one in the 10th to win it.

Welcome !

2005-06-13T20:24:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Baseball Parks blog, a companion to my website, ballparkreviews.com. Here I will post comments on various parks I visit and address ballpark news and issues. I'll try to post here on at least a weekly basis. Hope you enjoy and please send me your feedback and/or comments.