Where is your favorite minor league park and why?
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OLD Cocoa Stadium. No longer in minor league use, but that is where I grew up to love the game. Great class A Astros memories there. Me, my dad, and usually about 150 other fans. Good times.
Bosse Field, Evansville IN
Current Home of the Evansville Otters
Nine Reasons:
1.) Oldest Minor League Park Still in use (I think)
2.) My dad called play-by-play there in the 1950s.
3.) I worked in the clubhouse there from age 13-16 and met, among others, (pre-power hitting) Reggie Jackson when he played for Birmingham in the Southern League.
5.) I played there in high school.
6.) Don Mattingly and the Benes Brothers played there in high school.
7.) Home field for "A League of their Own".
8.) I did a few play-by-play games (radio) there in the late 1970s.
9.) I once picked up Mark Fidrych hitchhiking (out front) after a game, when he was working his way down through the minors.
Current Home of the Evansville Otters
Nine Reasons:
1.) Oldest Minor League Park Still in use (I think)
2.) My dad called play-by-play there in the 1950s.
3.) I worked in the clubhouse there from age 13-16 and met, among others, (pre-power hitting) Reggie Jackson when he played for Birmingham in the Southern League.
5.) I played there in high school.
6.) Don Mattingly and the Benes Brothers played there in high school.
7.) Home field for "A League of their Own".
8.) I did a few play-by-play games (radio) there in the late 1970s.
9.) I once picked up Mark Fidrych hitchhiking (out front) after a game, when he was working his way down through the minors.
Well, the 'best' one I've been in is the Tuscon Sidewinders' park. 2nd 'best' is the Alubquerque Isotopes. Both are AAA.
My favorite though would be for our local team, the San Jose Giants (S. J. Municipal Stadium, Class A). Nothing special except for Turkey Mike's BBQ down LF line and the fact that it was my introduction to minor league baseball.
My favorite though would be for our local team, the San Jose Giants (S. J. Municipal Stadium, Class A). Nothing special except for Turkey Mike's BBQ down LF line and the fact that it was my introduction to minor league baseball.
Rosenblatt Stadium
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
quote:Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
Rosenblatt Stadium
Omaha, Nebraska
You're right! I've been there and IT is the best!
I did not realize that Rosenblatt serves as a home to a minor league team (not sure which one, Royals organization I think).
We met some locals one night at opening ceremonies (20+ that evening), attendance is very poor so which every minor league affiliate uses the stadium wants to build a new stadium somewhere else out that way, where it is more populated.
Rosenblatt would then be used to host other amateur bb venues besides the CWS. It is an older facility, yet the up keep is impeccable. The only thing I didn't like, the kentucky bluegrass they use in the field in 3" thick. That's tough, but I understand grown that high on purpose.
For those who do not realize it is built on a hill, a very nice setting for a baseball stadium, in a city surrounded by cornfields.
JBB,
By the way, will have to change the hot dog to omaha steak sandwich, much better choice.
We met some locals one night at opening ceremonies (20+ that evening), attendance is very poor so which every minor league affiliate uses the stadium wants to build a new stadium somewhere else out that way, where it is more populated.
Rosenblatt would then be used to host other amateur bb venues besides the CWS. It is an older facility, yet the up keep is impeccable. The only thing I didn't like, the kentucky bluegrass they use in the field in 3" thick. That's tough, but I understand grown that high on purpose.
For those who do not realize it is built on a hill, a very nice setting for a baseball stadium, in a city surrounded by cornfields.
JBB,
By the way, will have to change the hot dog to omaha steak sandwich, much better choice.
My favorite minor league parks have been the ones where I was able to watch someone playing that I am fortunate to call my son.
If we remove that criteria, there are some wonderful parks in the MWL. Oldsmobile Park in Lansing, Fifth Third in Grand Rapids, O'Brien Field in Peoria are all beauties.
Our son says that, by far, the Fifth Third Park in Dayton Ohio is not only a fan favorite(sold out every game to the tune of about 8,500) but the players also love the field.
While I haven't been to a game, I walked through the new river front park in Stockton, CA and it is terrific.
If we remove that criteria, there are some wonderful parks in the MWL. Oldsmobile Park in Lansing, Fifth Third in Grand Rapids, O'Brien Field in Peoria are all beauties.
Our son says that, by far, the Fifth Third Park in Dayton Ohio is not only a fan favorite(sold out every game to the tune of about 8,500) but the players also love the field.
While I haven't been to a game, I walked through the new river front park in Stockton, CA and it is terrific.
I'm with Haverdad.
Give me the oldie goldie's!
Ainsworth Stadium in Erie,PA.
Babe, Lou, Satchel etc. all played at this beautiful old wooden ball park!
The Erie Sailor's were the last team to play a full season there.
Anyone know if they tore it down...or is it still being used by HS's etc.?
Give me the oldie goldie's!
Ainsworth Stadium in Erie,PA.
Babe, Lou, Satchel etc. all played at this beautiful old wooden ball park!
The Erie Sailor's were the last team to play a full season there.
Anyone know if they tore it down...or is it still being used by HS's etc.?
Commerce Bank Park in Harrisburg, PA
Home of the best minor league franchise in baseball:AA Harriburg Senators(Expos)
Home of the best minor league franchise in baseball:AA Harriburg Senators(Expos)
Electronic shout out for Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC...Home of the AA Carolina Mudcats(Marlins, formerly Rockies, originally Pirates) It's a great stadium with lots of good seats and an awesome concourse area. Lots of memories there watching my kids grow up an seeing many great players including, Wakefield, Kendall, Pierre, Cabrerra, Willis and that's just a few of the home team not to mention the visitors. The Southern League is great baseball. My kids have chased down hundreds (not exagerating) of foul balls and have many autographs and pictures to last a lifetime. That's some of the reasons it's my favorite park..plus it's one of the few I've been to. And it's about 10 minutes from my house. Got free tickets through my wife's work for years until political correctness took over. Basically it's our park. Come and visit us sometime. On another note the worst thing about it is having to endure the adult autograph hounds which are the lowest of baseball fan lifeforms. Of course they are endemic to all minor league parks. Just my opinion.
Our ball club may be minor league but at least it's AA
"We like our beer flat as can be...we like our dogs with mustard and relish. We got a great pitcher what's his name...heck, we can't even spell it. We don't worry about the pennant much we just like to see the boys hit it deep...there's nothing like the view from the cheap seats ! (Alabama song I think)
Our ball club may be minor league but at least it's AA
"We like our beer flat as can be...we like our dogs with mustard and relish. We got a great pitcher what's his name...heck, we can't even spell it. We don't worry about the pennant much we just like to see the boys hit it deep...there's nothing like the view from the cheap seats ! (Alabama song I think)
Haverdad, I agree Bosse Field in Evansville. I also like Victory Field in Indy for a "new era" park. I think the visitors park in "League", League Stadium in Huntingburg Indiana is also a great old park, though it isn't a minor league park it does host high school games and a college summer league.
quote:Originally posted by indybunt:
I think the visitors park in "League", League Stadium in Huntingburg Indiana is also a great old park, though it isn't a minor league park it does host high school games and a college summer league.
Interesting story behind the stadium from the link I posted above: League Stadium
Wrigley Field. Why? Just seems fitting!
During college, HaverSon played in 6-8 east coast minor league parks and summer wooden bat leagues and one really stood out.
Although it may be the most dangerous US city, Rutgers-Camden's home field provides an exceptional view of the Philly skyline while the Ben Franklin Bridge sweeps across the Delaware River from the left field line:
Campbell's Field
Camden New Jersey
Camden Riversharks
Check the photo here, you'll get the idea:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell's_Field
Although it may be the most dangerous US city, Rutgers-Camden's home field provides an exceptional view of the Philly skyline while the Ben Franklin Bridge sweeps across the Delaware River from the left field line:
Campbell's Field
Camden New Jersey
Camden Riversharks
Check the photo here, you'll get the idea:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell's_Field
HD - The link doesn't work but it gets you close anyway.
We have a wonderful stadium here in Sacramento, Raley Field. BUT, I can't say it's going to rank as anyone's favorite. Its very nice, but more like a small version of a major league stadium. The new park in Stockton, CA is outstanding. Right field sits along a deep water shipping channel, so home runs are splash hits, just like at Pac Bell Park. Fifth Third Field is outstanding, lots of character and it sure has helped revive downtown Toledo. We enjoyed it a lot when we went there to watch a relative when he pitched for the Mudhens.
My favorite minor league park memory though, has to go to Damaschke Field in Oneonta, New York. We took our summer team there when they were 14, to play in a tournament. We had one game scheduled on Damascke. When you walk up, there is a bronze plaque that commemorates the field as the former A affiliate home of the New York Yankees, and mentions some of the Yankess Legends who played on Damascke. It was pretty awesome when your 14 year old gets to play on the same field. It's just a small wooden stadium, probably 80 years old, with a very nice field. With it's history, you can help but like the place.
My favorite minor league park memory though, has to go to Damaschke Field in Oneonta, New York. We took our summer team there when they were 14, to play in a tournament. We had one game scheduled on Damascke. When you walk up, there is a bronze plaque that commemorates the field as the former A affiliate home of the New York Yankees, and mentions some of the Yankess Legends who played on Damascke. It was pretty awesome when your 14 year old gets to play on the same field. It's just a small wooden stadium, probably 80 years old, with a very nice field. With it's history, you can help but like the place.
lets try this then......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell%27s_Field
Campbell's Field is a 6,425-seat baseball-only stadium in Camden, New Jersey that opened in 2001. It was built as the home of the Camden Riversharks baseball team, as well as to the college baseball team of the Camden campus of Rutgers University.
http://cbs3.com/weathercams/local_slideshow_327140344
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell%27s_Field
Campbell's Field is a 6,425-seat baseball-only stadium in Camden, New Jersey that opened in 2001. It was built as the home of the Camden Riversharks baseball team, as well as to the college baseball team of the Camden campus of Rutgers University.
http://cbs3.com/weathercams/local_slideshow_327140344
There is a nice minor league stadium in Frisco, Texas (a suburb of Dallas) which is the home of the Frisco RoughRiders. The park received an award last summer (or the summer before) for being named the best minor league ballpark. It is fairly new (3-4 yrs. old) and it has a swimming pool in the outfield. For a small fortune you can rent it for the evening and watch from the comfort of a cool pool rather than suffer the summer Texas heat. Here is a link to see the park and the pool....
http://www.ridersbaseball.com/team/news/index.html?article_id=620
http://www.ridersbaseball.com/team/news/index.html?article_id=620
Hammons Field in Springfield MO, very cozy park at the AA level. Very good time and a great "middle america" setting.
quote:I'm with Haverdad.
Give me the oldie goldie's!
Ainsworth Stadium in Erie,PA.
Babe, Lou, Satchel etc. all played at this beautiful old wooden ball park!
The Erie Sailor's were the last team to play a full season there.
Anyone know if they tore it down...or is it still being used by HS's etc.?
sox,
i think theres like 4 or 5 high schools in erie that use ainsworth as their home field. one of the teams is in my league so i get to go there once a year and play. they have big signs on the press box for the three players you mentioned.
Rome Braves Nw of Atlanta - single A. Great family park, no beer on Sunday. Single A is great because the young men are great but they still are learning.
quote:Originally posted by rdfrazier:
On another note the worst thing about it is having to endure the adult autograph hounds which are the lowest of baseball fan lifeforms. Of course they are endemic to all minor league parks. Just my opinion.
I liked Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona where the Phoenix Firebirds played before the D'Backs came about. I liked the grassy hill beyond the right field fence where a home run ball landed on my blanket. The kids loved the Phantom of the Ballpark who would go on the overhang above the broadcast booth and club level (I think) and drop foul balls that had collected there, down to the fans.
Scottsdale Stadium and said autograph seekers.
Minor League baseball may provide the best entertainment value out there and not just sports entertainment. I love minor league baseball and the atmosphere.
Some of my favorites but I have only been to a few.
1) Lake County Captains - single A Indians - located in an eastside Cleveland suburb about 5 or 10 minutes from my home.
2) Akron Aeros ball park. double A Indians - modeled after Jacobs Field.
3) Dayton Dragons - single A Reds - Another lovely facility in the midwest.
Some of my favorites but I have only been to a few.
1) Lake County Captains - single A Indians - located in an eastside Cleveland suburb about 5 or 10 minutes from my home.
2) Akron Aeros ball park. double A Indians - modeled after Jacobs Field.
3) Dayton Dragons - single A Reds - Another lovely facility in the midwest.
Trojan-Skipper,
I thought the roofline looked wrong. I checked the URL of your photo and it seems to be where the A's play (or used to back then) at Phoenix Municipal. I found a photo of SS that shows the overhang I remembered.
There was a lot of vermin waiting for Bond's autograph in Scottsdale similar to your picture, though.
I thought the roofline looked wrong. I checked the URL of your photo and it seems to be where the A's play (or used to back then) at Phoenix Municipal. I found a photo of SS that shows the overhang I remembered.
There was a lot of vermin waiting for Bond's autograph in Scottsdale similar to your picture, though.
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Minor League baseball may provide the best entertainment value out there and not just sports entertainment. I love minor league baseball and the atmosphere.
The crowds are smaller, parking and seating is close, and best of all, it's affordable to go to a minor league game. I try to visit a ballgame wherever I travel in season.
I also enjoyed the late evening view of the mountains beyond the outfield at the ballpark in Salt Lake City.
Commerce Bank Park
Home of the Harrisburg Senators
Home of the Harrisburg Senators