MiLB Ballpark News

Sorry! I've been busy with college, but I'll post some stuff while I'm in the laundry room for all of you.

Today, the Charlotte Knights broke ground on their new stadium set to open in 2014. The team has been trying to move into Charlotte for a while now, but they only recently got a deal and started digging today. The team has been playing in the close by Fort Mill, SC in Knights Stadium since 1990. The stadium was originally built with a large area behind the outfield to maybe bring a major league team to the area. no such thing has happened, so they pulled the trigger and built a new AAA ball park. Now they just need to rebrand!

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 On a similar note, the Birmingham Barons will play in their new downtown stadium starting next year. The team has been playing in Hoover, Alabama(Just south of B-Ham) since 1987, but the Barons themselves have played in Birmingham since 1885. The new stadium will have the skyline behind the 3rd base line, and will be a good stadium in the Southern League.

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What's funny is that both teams are moving downtown, and affiliates to the White Sox.

Stadium Report Cards: Louisville Slugger Field

Team: Louisville Bats
Location: Louisville, KY
League: International League(West)
Built: 2000
Capacity: 13,131
My event: Regular Season Game, vs Indianapolis Indians

1. Outdoor Design

By now, you should know I like bricks. This was really cool. The area like this was a huge hall, and actually had a wedding set up there. The ticket windows and stuff were inside that. So it was like this was a separate building entirely, but I loved this.
8/10

2. Indoor Design

Also cool. A bug lower deck, overhang seats, with box seats above that. The outfield(scroll down) was nicely put together. It just was a cozy ballpark.
8/10

3. Prices
For a AAA park, it was pretty good. The ones online say 10 for where we thought. I thought it was higher, but it was okay. The 59fifties were 32, when they're normally cheaper at minor league parks.
7/10

4. Food
You know already. They did have local made ice cream that was really good. So better than average!
6/10

5. Staff
They did have some ticket Nazis, but they were nice about it. I found my seat, and the old man who showed me to my seat actually wiped it down. I thought it was nice of him. The store people were pretty cool too, even thought I didn't buy anything.
8/10

6. Cleanliness
It was solid. Some parts were iffy, but overall good.
7/10

7. Parking
A lot of people parked for free right behind the left field wall, on the street. but there wasn't much of other parking that I saw.
7/10

8. Atmosphere
I liked it! The team was about 8 back, but the crowd was into the game. They had their guys who's limit is AAA ball, and they all loved their team. Also the one guy who is obnoxious and tries to start every cheer. He was there.
8/10

9. Playing Surface

Kentucky Bluegrass. Get it?
8/10

10. Scoreboard

There was a video board, and a scoreboard. You can see both above, but no complaints, but the video board was shotty at points.
7/10

74! I love AAA parks. Theyre just a nice atmosphere with local flair, and no huge names. That's the last one from my trip, and for the first time, the home team was undefeated. A perfect 4-0, and 7-2 on all my trips.

Stadium Report Cards: Bowling Green Ballpark

Team: Bowling Green Hot Rods
Location: Bowling Green, KY
League: Midwest League(Eastern)
Built: 2009
Capacity: 4,500
My event: Regular Season Game, vs South Bend Silver Hawks

1. Outdoor Design

A lot was happening, and i wasn't impressed. A lot was brick, and then there was metal. it looked thrown together, and not all that attractive. The overhead view might show what I'm talking about.
5/10

2. Indoor Design

It was pretty nice. Simple. It somewhat falls into a cookie cutter MiLB park, like Greensboro, and Clearwater. But the outfield was nice to look at. It had a wide range of things happening, and I thought right field being inverted was pretty cool.
7/10

3. Prices
To sit in the seats for a game is 10 dollars. The berm in the corner is just 5. The reserved seats seemed kind of much for a regular season minor league game. The drinks were cheap though, so not all bad.
6/10

4. Food
The menu was basic, but they had car puns! There was a bar called the garage on the 3rd base side, so there was some variety.
7/10

5. Staff
The staff was pretty cool. The ticket window man wasn't that amazing, but other than that they were pretty cool. They knew what they were answering when I asked them questions. Good job.
8/10

6. Cleanliness
A new ballpark, and it was very tidy!
8/10

7. Parking
There was a large lot behind right, where the grey building is in the first picture. That was paid parking, but we found some open spots a block away, and even behind the left field wall there was a large open area.
8/10

8. Atmosphere
For a Sunday game, it was bleak. I don't know what it was, it just wasn't impressive. Looking at pictures, the team sells out their games, which is great to see. But what I saw wasn't one of those games. There's nothing to do in Bowling Green, so you think some people would show.
6/10

9. Playing Surface

I thought it was good! Real good. Not sure if you can see through the screen, but I applaud the grounds crew.
9/10

10. Scoreboard

A large board, with a box score. That's all you need in a scoreboard. There was ads all over, and it was solid as a whole.
7/10

71. I think I might be jaded, but that seems about right for a minor league stadium.

Stadium Report Cards: AT&T FIeld

Team: AT&T Field
Location: Chattanooga, TN
League: Southern League(AA)
Built: 1999
Capacity: 6,340
My event: Regular Season Game, vs Birmingham Barons

1. Outdoor Design

The outside of the stadium was pretty meh. It had just a few lights, brick, and looked pretty simple with metal plating.
4/10

2. Indoor Design

The inside did it justice. The first post was the great outfield covered in ads, and had mountains overlooking the field. The seats were simple seats, over metal floors, like bleachers.
7/10

3. Prices
The tickets were super cheap, my dad had a senior discount, and it ended up being 2 dollars. The store was a little bit more expensive but getting in was real easy.
8/10

4. Food
Really basic baseball food, obviously.
5/10

5. Staff
I mean, they were pretty cool. Just the one guy I saw the most yelled at kids. The medical staff acted fast. A kit was hit in the eye with a foul ball line drive, and they got there fast.
7/10

6. Cleanliness
Really nice and well kept.
7/10

7. Parking
There was a few parking garages downtown, and one lot next to the stadium. But other than that, it was okay. The stadium is at the top of a hill, so there's no room for large parking. We actually walked to the stadium, but I took notes.
5/10

8. Atmosphere

The best one of my trip. Friday night, kids give away, and Chattanooga was rocking. The whole place was electric the whole game, which was great to see.
9/10

9. Playing Surface
I thought it was nice, clean, and well maintained.
8/10

10. Scoreboard

It was good! Had the basic info that you needed. But, the sound quality was loud and pretty bad. i add it to this category, because it was worth noting.
7/10

67. That seems about right. I didn't have high hopes, but I really liked things about this park. Chattanooga was a really cool city, too. I recommend it!

My Road Trip!

Here are pictures of stadiums that I took on my trip, I will do some posts about it soon. I didnt take a picture of Bridgestone Arena, and Rupp Arena.

UT-Chattanooga Football


Chattanooga Lookouts


Tennessee Titans


Vanderbilt Football


Western Kentucky Football


Bowling Green Hot Rods


Louisville Football


Churchill Downs


KFC Yum! Center


Louisville Slugger Stadium


Kentucky Football


Tennessee Football

New Road Trip plans!

http://stadiaarcadia.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-post.html

So the 2011 one wasn't official, apparently. My dad and I were going to go to just those three, but we made some changes. We WERE going to see the Nashville Sounds between Chattanooga and Bowling Green.

WELL, the Tennessee Titans POSSIBLY would be hosting the Minnesota Vikings that weekend. My sister is also playing softball in South Carolina the next weekend, so that opens up several days for more games. My dad talked about the Tennessee Smokies, and Asheville Tourists.

That would be 6 games for sure. I want to maybe see some in South Carolina depending on where they play. I'm thinking Augusta Green Jackets.

Stadium Report Cards: Five County Stadium

Team: Carolina Mudcats
Location: Zebulon, NC
League: Southern League(North)
Built: 1991, renovated 2000
Capacity: 6,500
My event: Regular season game, vs Chattanooga Lookouts

1. Outdoor Design
From what I saw, there wasn't much of one. It was just kinda normal.
6/10

2. Indoor Design

I've never seen this, and there's a good view of it. The upperdeck is tall, and is directly above the lower deck. The lower deck was about 6 rows, and then broke into the concourse. I thought that was really neat. The outfield wall was pretty cool too.
8/10

3. Prices
The cheap general admission tickets were just 5 dollars, but the food prices were pretty high for what the quality was.
6/10

4. Food
So, I HAD to get a catfish sandwich there. The thing is, it was small and kinda meh.
4/5

5. Staff
The guy doing the peanuts was pretty cool I guess just interacting with the crowd. But nothing else stood out to me.
6/10

6. Cleanliness
It was clean from everything I saw. So theres a plus.
8/10

7. Parking
Parking wasn't free but it was a pretty big lot that was easy to get in and out of.
8/10

8. AtmosphereI thought that it was pretty dull, AND THEN

A fight broke out. After that, it was actually really into it. It helped that they were winning.
7/10

9. Playing Surface.
As you can see, nice pattern and pretty well done. But the infield was kinda chalky near the grass.
6/10

10. Scoreboard

I thought it was pretty cool. there was ads all over, and big.
7/10

I went inside in like 2006, just to go to the gift shop to get some swag. Then it looked really awesome. Now that I've been to it, idk I thought it'd be better. 65/100, but still thought it'd be around a 74.

Stadium Report Cards: Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Team: Durham Bulls
Location: Durham, NC
League: International League(South)
Built: 1995
Capacity: 10,000
My event: Regular season game, vs Indianapolis Indians

1. Outdoor Design

Just a simple brick layout, then had places like above.
7/10

2. Indoor Design

Beautiful. 2 modern office buildings located in the outfield really brought it together. But there was still other things. The "blue monster" is a tall wall in left field, then a playground, lawn seating, and a bar just made it epic.
9/10

3. Prices
It was alright. Simple seats under 10 dollars, and a discount that day for students.
8/10

4. Food
Ballpark food, ballpark food everywhere.
6/10

5. Staff
They were pretty nice. They let us roam without any objections. One offered to take My dad, and I's picture.
8/10

6. Cleanliness
It was really clean, I thought. There were trashcans, and recycling cans at every section opening.
7/10

7. Parking
We parked in a parking building behind the left field building, but if we didn't leave in the 8th getting off the third floor would be terrible.
6/10

8. AtmosphereIt really was great, I thought it was better than the Rays. The thing is, there wasn't any announcer or fun noises that got me into the whole thing. It could've been a 5!
8/10

9. Playing Surface.
See below for the surface, it was nice.
9/10

10. Scoreboard

It's there in the middle of the "blue monster" It's pretty basic, nothing special though.
6/10

I gave Durham Bulls Athletic Park a healthy 74. It was deffinatly the best park I visited on the trip. I wasn't expecting much, just because I've never been inside before. But it really was nice. I'd go if you're up there and like baseball.

Stadium Report Cards: NewBridge Bank Park

I just got back today, and here is just one of the couple posts to share!


Team: Greensboro Grasshoppers
Location: Greensboro, NC
League: South Atlantic League(Northern)
Built: 2005
Capacity: 7,499
My event: Regular season game, vs Hickory Crawdads

1. Outdoor Design

A simple brick layout all the way around, but nothing crazy.
6/10

2. Indoor Design

It was kind of simple, and a lot like the park in Clearwater. There was a bar in the left field corner, and also a berm. A playground was located in right field. Also the view was nice.
7/10

3. Prices
Pretty basic, cheap to get in for certain seats. The night we went, hot dogs and drinks were just a dollar. That happens every Monday
8/10

4. Food
Simple ballpark food, nothing crazy.
6/10

5. Staff
Staff was pretty cool and nice. The guy that ran the games defiantly got the crowd into it.
6/10

6. Cleanliness
No complaints, pretty clean as a whole.
7/10

7. Parking
The parking was really close. There were entrances and exits right there. It was easy to get out once the Grasshoppers lost.
8/10

8. Atmosphere
The guy that did the little games with the crowd got everyone into the game. It was a lot of fun to go to and watch the games.
7/10

9. Playing Surface.
Real nice checker pattern, and the infield was sweet.
7/10

10. Scoreboard

I thought it was clean and good for a minor league park. It was pretty funny cause they'd try to get into the other player's head's. When a Cradads player's name was Jared, BAM Jared from Subway would be their picture. They also got a player named west(Adam West), and the last name Prince(Prince, obviously.
8/10

70/100 is a good score. Right in the middle. I have a few more posts to make!

Stadium Report Cards: Dunedin Stadium

Team: Dunedin Blue Jays
Location: Dunedin, FL
League: Florida State League(North)
Built: 1990
Capacity: 5,510
My event: Regular season game, vs Ft. Myers Miracle

1. Outdoor Design
Above shows it all, it's just kind of an older minor league park all the way around.
5/10

2. Indoor Design

Pretty much the same from the inside. Just kind of basic, but thats all you really need. The building you see is a hotel for players, and that I thought was cool
5/10

3. Prices
Not bad really, 6 dollars can let you sit anywhere your heart desired.
7/10

4. Food
The food here is really good, it I think. They have a long list of food with lots of variety.
8/10

5. Staff
The staff was pretty cool too. They were nice when we talked, and one of my buddies got asked to do a contest. Shout out to Astrobull from the boards, who I met there. He works in the press box.
8/10

6. Cleanliness
Fairly clean, not like SUPERSUPER clean, but not dirty.
6/10

7. Parking
There was a smaller lot right infront of the stadium, where I parked. Not far away, and free.
7/10

8. Atmosphere


As you can see from the pictures, not a lot of people show up to regular games. They host spring training games, where it is filled, but that only lasts a month.
4/10

9. Playing Surface.
I actually think the surface is really good. It seems well maintained.
8/10

10. Scoreboard

Again, really basic. It showed the box score, and stats. Nothing special though.
3/10

61 out of 100 is the score, and happens to be one of the lowest. I think the thing is that with Clearwater having a team close by, with fancy logos, and a newer stadium, that draws most fans in the area. If they rebranded with a non MLB name, and maybe did something to the stadium the score would defiantly improve.

Stadium Report Cards: Brighthouse Field

Team: Clearwater Threshers
Location: Clearwater, FL
League: Florida State League(North)
Built: 2004
Capacity: 8,500
My event: Regular season game, vs Charlotte Stone Crabs

1. Outdoor Design
Seen above, there is a classy look about the stadium. All the buildings are a cool sandy colour. But thats really it, and pretty basic.
7/10

2. Indoor Design

Pretty neat for a minor league park. They have a hill behind left and right fields, with a bullpen snuggled in between the bar and the hill.
7/10

3. Prices
4 dollars can get you a hill ticket, which you can sit in the stands. BAM easy.
9/10

4. Food

Normal ballpark food, but with an added branch of locals restaurants. Philly Cheese steaks here are seriously the best.
9/10

5. Staff
Really nice to the fans, and will talk to you in a nice way.
8/10

6. Cleanliness
Clean.
7/10

7. Parking
Parking down the sides with foul lines. One is a big lot shared with a plaza. The other is a few grassy lots. Thought parking could cost more than tickets.
7/10

8. Atmosphere
Pretty good atmosphere on a good night. The Rays' farm team was in town last game, and the fans cheered for local hero Rocco Baldelli when he batted. Mini games going on in between innings, and kids running on the hill. Though, for most games, it's pretty meh.
7/10

9. Playing Surface.
The field is always well maintained with patterns. I love it.
8/10

10. Scoreboard

Just pretty basic for a minor league park.
6/10

75 out of 100. It really is a nice place to see a ballgame, despite what I say. It may be me being jaded from a bunch of games.

Stadium Report Cards: Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium

Team: Montgomery Biscuits
Location: Montgomery, AL
League: Southern League(AA)
Built: 2004
Capacity: 7,000
My event: Regular season game, vs Mississippi Braves

1. Outdoor Design

This was really cool. Driving up, I had no clue where the stadium was. Fact is, the stadium is built from an old train station! I thought that was so cool. A train track runs along the outside of the stadium behind left field.
8/10

2. Indoor Design

How cool is that? Right field, there is an indent where a flag pole is. I random quirk to the field that makes it hard. Along the seat area, there wasn't much. Just seats, and stores. There was a playground in the left field corner.
9/10

3. Prices
Average prices for a minor league park.
6/10

4. Food
Yummy ballpark food, with chicken sandwiches, with biscuits! How fitting!
8/10

5. Staff
Really nice staff. Talked to a worker in the team store about the Rays(I was in Rays gear). No one stopped us moving around, and the people who got the fans into the game, with the little games were a lot of fun.
9/10

6. Cleanliness
From what I remember, there wasn't any problems with the trash.
6/10

7. Parking
There wasn't any lot for the stadium. You'd just park on the curbs in the area around the stadium. We parked about a quarter mile away. But it makes sense, because the stadium is near a river, downtown.
7/10

8. Atmosphere
Friday night, which was firework night, was pretty wild. There was a section in the outfield for the hunters convention in Montgomery that weekend. Lots of college kids were there too.
8/10

9. Playing Surface.
It was actually really good. A nice simple pattern on the outfield, and the infield was ideal.
8/10

10. Scoreboard

Pretty cool. The more biscuits the better. But pretty average talking about the minor league parks I've been to.
7/10

A final of 76/100. Out of 2, that's the best yet!