Stadium Report Cards: American Airlines Arena

Our friend Nick, who has done places like Marlins Ballpark, and Citi Field went to a Heat game and hooked us up with a report card.

Team: Miami Heat
Location: Miami, FL
League: National Basketball Association(Eastern COnference)
Built: 1999
Capacity: 19,600
My event: Regular Season Game vs Atlanta Hawks

1. Outdoor Design

The arena was beautifully designed. I like the feature on the roof, although you can not see it, of the American Airlines plane with the lights. Miami chose a great location for the arena right along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami. You have a tremendous view of the Miami skyline. What really impressed me was the media mesh on the window of the main entrance. It covers up 12 window panes so it's big and it's beautiful and also very clear quality. The palm trees also gave it that Miani feel. 9/10 

2. Indoor Design

The concourses were nice and easy to navigate. The team store was not that big but that wasn't a big deal to me. The lower bowl is what stuck out to me. The red and orange color scheme that creates a flame was very impressive. Not a bad view pretty much anywhere you sit since it is a small arena. Still nicely done.  9/10

3. Prices

Normal prices for a sporting event. My friends and I got our tickets from stubhub for $30 otherwise they would have been $48. Food prices were typical as well. Souveniers from the team shop were lower than usual which was nice. Overall average prices.  7/10

4. Food

The Triple A provides a variety of food and drink options. From your typical pizza, burgers and hot dogs to choices of latin food. Nice variety although I didn't get to try it all.   8/10

5. Staff

Staff was a hit or miss. Some were enthusiastic and nice but others just seemed like they did not want to be there. They opened the doors a little later than normal, arguing with each other over who was going to stand next to whom so that got annoying. The concession attendants were nice and helpful as was one of the ladies doing the surveys whom was very nice to me. As I was leaving though one staff member was rude to me. I wanted to take a picture of the bay at night and she was nasty about it. Put a small damper on my night.   6/10

6. Cleanliness

Really clean arena and well kept. No complaints whatsoever.  8/10

7. Parking

Parking wasn't too bad. Typical prices but very accomidating. The only down side was leaving due to heavy traffic it was hard to get out but it is afterall Downtown Miami. No major complaints.  7/10

8. Atmosphere

This was the element I was anticipating the most and man did Heat fans deliver. Even on a Monday night in December the fans turned out and I don't hold it against them for being a little late to the game, for the arena did not really fill till midway through the first quarter, due again to traffic but the fans still came out and boy were they loud. They let the Hawks have it and supported their team. A LeBron alley-oop sent the crowd into a frenzy. The crowd was also very encouraged to make noise and have fun. The Heat fans did not dissapoint. 10/10

9. Playing Surface

The court design was nice. No issues with the court.  8/10

10. Scoreboard
                               
A unique design to the scoreboard. It featured 4 big screens in a circle and 8 small screens above the big ones. In the center was a design that looked at first like an octopus but after a closer look was a sun with heat waves coming off of it that featured the lighting of the heat colors.  8/10

So overall that's a 80. I believe it, the Atmosphere should be nice, and the architecture is top notch.

Stadium Report Card: Carter-Finley Stadium

I drove about 11 hours total with my dad to see my #3 team in the country lose to his college.

Team: NC State Wolfpack Football
Location: Raleigh, NC
League: Atlantic Coast Conference
Built: 1965(renovated in 2003)
Capacity: 57,583
My event: Regular Season Game vs Florida State

1. Outdoor Design

The school has a large architecture school, so it totally makes sense that it looks state of the art. This was the south side along the sidelines, this is where the pressboxes and everything were. This side and the east side were fairly new, but the north side we sat in you could tell was from the 60s. Still really nice. 7/10  

2. Indoor Design

It was different than what I'm used to which is a HUGE bowl, but the way it was layed out was nice. You could see everything going on at the stadium, and it had nice views to the outside of the stadium. 8/10

3. Prices

Our ticket was 65, which was sold to us by a guy who couldn't make the game at 8. Through FSU, I would've gotten the same deal and sat in the FSU section. The tickets seemed a little high, but the food prices were pretty cheap 5/10

4. Food

Fine Carolina barbecue, and then a selection of stadium food. Also a shout out to the stadium for giving you a cup with ice with your bottle of drink.  6/10

5. Staff

They were orderly and nice, even if I was wearing a FSU shirt! Everyone there was super cool.  8/10

6. Cleanliness

I thought it was actually really clean too. No complaints, seemed just right. 7/10

7. Parking

The stadium splits it's parking lot with the PNC Center, where the Hurricanes/basketball team plays their home games. That was a pretty big development. On top of that, there is a close business park where you can tailgate for about 10 bucks, but my dad and I got there early and parked for free along the road. No traffic on the way out either! 9/10

8. Atmosphere

One thing I can say is that they did leave only down 16-0. About 1/5th of the stadium emptied out, because the fan base is particularly pessimistic. But as soon as they started completing passes and wearing down the D, the fans came alive and it was cool to see. 7/10

9. Playing Surface

No problems with footing that I can remember, Thompson slipped a few times while running, but I think that was his fault. It was pretty clean and treated well. 8/10

10. Scoreboard
                               
The scoreboard was just a small little thing on the West side of the field, but it got the job done. As far as presentation, the PA announcer wasn't great, and the sound was meh. 6/10

Carter Finley gets a 71. Not a bad score at all. I honestly truly liked the stadium, despite the outcome. It was a really fun trip to take, and everyone was so nice. It might be because I wasn't an asshole about my team like some people can be, but I would recommend this stadium if you're ever close on a Saturday.

Stadium Report Card: Doak Campbell Stadium

Team: Florida State Seminoles Footbal
Location: Tallahasseee, FL
League: Atlantic Coast Conference
Built: 1950(renovated a bunch)
Capacity: 82,300
My event: Regular Season Game vs Murray State

1. Outdoor Design

The stadium is massive. The entire outside is made with brick, with different sections on each endzone where the Athletic Department, movie department and financial aid all are. But as far as sports looks, it's a classic old intimidating stadium  9/10

2. Indoor Design

The inside is massive. Normally when you go inside a stadium, it seems more cozy and smaller than you would thing. The Doak is gigantic. A huge bowl with tall press boxes. The student section is in the north, with the band in the south. 8/10

3. Prices

Students get in free, but to bring a guest is 40 bucks. Then, for bigger games like Clemson coming up, it's more. I gave this a 5, just because I know it's worse in other places, but it's premier college football. 5/10

4. Food

Typical stadium food. They had stuff set up, like ChickFilA, but nothing crazy. 6/10

5. Staff

The staff is good! they get you in as fast as they can, and are pretty lenient. There's no regulation where students can sit, but they keep a watchful eye.  7/10

6. Cleanliness

Very clean. The only things I see are left from people during the game. 7/10

7. Parking

They have a few big lots and parking garages near the stadium, but really, more people end up going than the available spots. I walk to the stadium, which is about a mile, but parking is generally bad up here to begin with. 6/10

8. Atmosphere

I've been to all sorts of games. But I can honestly say the college football atmosphere here is the best ever. Nothing is like looking around, and seeing 80,000 people do the tomahawk chop. The constant yelling, and Chief Osceola planting the flaming spear in the ground make this the best. 10/10

9. Playing Surface

It is always well kept! Even when the horse goes, people are there to pick up. The field art is great too. 8/10

10. Scoreboard

Just a small scoreboard that gets the job done on the north endzone. Not bad. 7/10

So that's a 73! The parking and prices brought it down the most, but I love going here. I'm gonna go to the Wake game tomorrow. Then in a few weeks, my dad and I are going to Raleigh when FSU plays NC State. 

Stadium Report Cards: Marlins Ballpark

It's been far too long since we've had one of these.

Team: Miami Marlins
Location: Miami, Fl
League: Major League Baseball(NL East)
Built: 2012
Capacity: 37,442
My event: Regular Season Game: Tampa Bay Rays

1. Outdoor Design

I was amazed the first time I saw the park and it wasn’t just how big it was, we were still on I-95 when we could see it, but also how beautiful it looks. The exterior is mostly glass going all around with the retractable roof but it is still beautiful looking. The team store located by the box office could have been a little bigger but it was still nice and included memorabilia from the first game. 8/10

2. Indoor Design

It was very nice inside. The concourses were spacy and even included the bobble head museum which was cool to see. There is not a bad seat in the stadium even if you are in the outfield. Then of course the infamous home run centerpiece was cool to see in person, very colorful. From our seats we could also see the Clevelander in left field by the Marlins bullpen. From what we saw it has everything the actual Clevelander has including dancers and a pool. 8/10

3. Prices

Prices were no major issue. Our seats were on the first base line in the upper level for only $20 each. The view was great. Typical ballpark food prices so it wasn’t too bad. 7/10

4. Food

There were a variety of choices from burgers, pizza and even a small section called “Taste of Miami” which is a unique concept of Miami based cuisine. I didn’t get to try it but a friend of mine felt he overpaid for such a small amount of food. 6/10

5. Staff

Staff was very friendly and talkative. I wanted to get a picture of the aquarium tanks behind home plate and the staff there allowed me to do so. I couldn’t get too close but still that was very kind of them. 8/10

6. Cleanliness

Being a new park I did not expect cleanliness to be a problem. 9/10

7. Parking

Parking was expensive if you parked in the ballpark lots. We parked in a lady’s yard for only $10 and we were right across the street from the park. 7/10

8. Atmosphere

The atmosphere was not very good. 60% full and half of the fans were Rays fans. I can’t be too harsh for this particular night was the same night the Miami Heat played the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the East Finals so most of Miami was at that game or outside American Airlines Arena. Those who were there did cheer their team on though so I give them credit 6/10

9. Playing Surface

 

The grounds crew did a good job keeping the surface of the infield neat. Nothing majorly special otherwise. You can see some of it in this picture of the home run sculpture 8/10

10. Scoreboard

Nice scoreboard but kept malfunctioning. It was off for a good four innings before power was restored. Nice and clear when it was working. 7/10

So overall that is a 74, knocked down by atmosphere. I still want to go to a game there, and it will be one of the best in the majors for a long time.

Stadium Report Card: Charlotte Sports Park

It's been far too long since we've had one of these.

Team: Charlotte StoneCrabs(Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training)
Location: Port Charlotte
League: Florida State League(Grapefruit League
Built: 1987(Renovated 2009)
Capacity: 7,000
My event: Spring Training Game, vs Boston Red Sox

1. Outdoor Design

I thought it was pretty bland. Along the stands, it just had an overhang with the cement look. But to be honest, it looked pretty good. I didn't know till just now that they renovated the park, and not rebuilt. Worth noting. 6/10

2. Indoor Design

The inside was pretty nice. It was simple in the stands, then a nice press box building behind the plate. The outfield had a deck running the entire length of the outfield, and there were berms in the left field corner. They had a party deck thing overlooking right field, too. 8/10

3. Prices
Pretty average, I thought. Spring training tickets were 22 dollars, but that was sitting in the actual stands. The food prices were cheaper than at the Trop, so that was nice. 7/10

4. Food
I had my favorite meal the Rays do, the chicken finger basket. They had kettle corn, pizza by the slice, tropical smoothies, and root beer floats. 8/10

5. Staff
I didn't have any problems with them! The guys behind the counter at concessions were helpful, and the lady who i bought my StoneCrabs cap from was nice 7/10

6. Cleanliness
Really clean! It was a new park, and they wanted it to look nice. 8/10

7. Parking
The only parking lot was packed when we got there. My sister, and I walked a mile down the road to get there. There was so much traffic, and only one exit to a main road. 4/10

8. Atmosphere
Sure, it was very Pro-RedSox, but what are you gonna do? They sold out the park, and it was a good atmosphere 8/10

9. Playing Surface

 

The field crew kept the infield really really nice. I did notice that the pattern from the infield didn't go to the outfield, and it didn't really even have a pattern. 7/10

10. Scoreboard

 

The scoreboard wasn't anything special. It was basically the same as the one in Dunedin. The only actual video board was one that showed player stats in right center. 4/10

67, which sounds about right. It surprised me to be honest. I didn't know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised. Sure it could be improved upon, but it was a great place to watch a game.

Stadium Report Card: Everbank Field

Our friend Nick went to the Jags-Titans game and did a report card for Everbank Field for y'all.

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Location: Jacksonville, FL
League: National Football League(AFC South)
Built: 1997
Capacity: 76, 867
My event: Regular Season Game, vs Tennessee Titans

1. Outdoor Design

The exterior has a nice façade made of glass and features a statue of a jaguar named “Touchdown” sitting in front of it. The Everbank Field logo is on the top of the façade as well as plastered around the top of the stadium. Nothing else really stuck out though.
6/10

2. Indoor Design

The interior looks really good especially with the Bud Light Party Zone added to it when the stadium hosted the superbowl. You can tell you are at a Jaguars game with the look and feel of the interior. Teal blue seats, the “Pride of the Jaguars” Ring of Honor featuring Jaguar great Tony Bosselli honored in it. There are lots of activities for people of all ages. Just wish the field walls had a unique design to them instead of black with the helmet logo.
7/10

3. Prices
Very inexpensive for an NFL game. The Jaguars have probably one of the least expensive ticket prices. $75 a ticket for section 100 seats, in my mind that’s real good. Food prices were average for a sporting event. 7/10

4. Food
They had your typical stadium food of burgers, chicken, nachos, and hot dogs but they also had a Sonny’s stand and different variations of everything. I had a big plate of chicken tenders and fries, the chicken was spicy and it was good, I only wish I could have tried all of the food.
8/10

5. Staff
The staff was very friendly. They talked to you and helped you if needed. At the end of the game someone stole my souvenir cup and when we found a stand that had the cup my dad was willing to buy it but the manager just gave it to me for free. Great service.
9/10

6. Cleanliness
For a stadium almost 15 years old it was very neat and well kept.
8/10

7. Parking
the only downside to the day. My dad went with me and he needs handicap parking. The handicap section was at a baseball field across the street from Everbank and we still had to walk to the gates. If I didn’t have to pay $25 to walk the same distance we would have walked from the $10 garages I might not have been as mad.
2/10

8. Atmosphere
I’ve heard people say that Jaguar fans don’t care about the team. WRONG!!! The crowd was very into it the whole game. They love this team and support them. Every first down you can hear the famous Jaguar home game chant “MOVE THOSE CHAINS, MOVE THOSE CHAINS, MOVE THOSE CHAINS, MOVE EM!!!!!! The 9/11 tributes also made this a very emotional experience. The pre-game and half time ceremonies were very touching. In the end the crowd was loud and having fun, especially when the Jags won a nail biter..
9/10

9. Playing Surface

It was good. Nothing special but no complaints about it.
7/10

10. Scoreboard
There are two identical scoreboards, one on each end of the field. Both were good quality, full of ads, and solid. 7/10

Overall I give Everbank Field a 76 of 100.

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: LP Field

Team: Tennessee Titans
Location: Nashville, TN
League: National Football League(AFC)
Built: 1999
Capacity: 69,143
My event: Pre Season Game, vs Minnesota Vikings

1. Outdoor Design

Pretty football like. Basic stadium with areas in the endzones. It reminds me a LOT of Raymond James. Big Red lights overhung over everything.
6/10

2. Indoor Design

We showed up real early, as you can see. Big Bowls and upperdecks, and large areas on the end zone areas. The concourses were pretty dull. Lots of cement, and old NFL designs. That bugged me, hahaha.
7/10

3. Prices
Preseason games are generally cheap. The cheapest were about 5 dollars, and the upperdeck was around 30. We scalped 30 dollar tickets, but sat at the lower bowl.
7/10

4. Food
Just guess what they had. THE REG.
5/10

5. Staff
The people working the rows were nice and talkative, and they didn't check me for tickets. My dad also had pictures for his birthday with cheerleaders who were pretty nice, so that counts!
7/10

6. Cleanliness
I really didn't have a problem with it. Well kept for sure.
7/10

7. Parking
This was great. They had areas around the stadium, obviously. But there is a pedestrian bridge going from downtown Nashville to LP field. That is probably the source of 2/3rds of the people who was at the game. 20 dollars, and we parked for a downtown parking spot for the whole day.
7/10

8. Atmosphere
These people missed football. Typical NFL crowd wanting to have fun. The whole town was in light blue and navy. Also, the wave went around at least 15 times. I thought it was great.
8/10

9. Playing Surface

I thought it was nice, clean, and well maintained. Too bad there wasn't any logos or anything. But it was the first week, so I guess that's normal.
8/10

10. Scoreboard

2 huge boards on each endzone, though the presentation was kind of crappy.
7/10

69, which was about right. It wasn't that mind blowing, but it was a nice one never-the-less.

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!

Stadium Report Cards: Sun Life Stadium

Team: Sun Life Stadium
Location: Miami, FL
League: Major League Baseball(NL East)
Built: 1987
Capacity: 38,560(Baseball)
My event: Regular Season Game, vs New York Mets

1. Outdoor Design

I was somewhat surprised, they have a modern glass outside, with a south Florida beach vibe. From the outside, it really looks nice.
7/10

2. Indoor Design

When I walked in, I really was surprised. It seemed pretty cozy. But it wasn't AMAZING. The wall in left was pretty awkward, especially with the seats that you can't even go in. The seats also were more football orientated, and not angled.
5/10

3. Prices
I got a cheap ticket in the fish tank, which is the right field seats. The prices for drinks and food were high though.
6/10

4. Food
They had basic Ballpark food, and had a nice Latino menu.
6/10

5. Staff
I didn't have that much of a run in with them. The lady who I bought a drink from, lets just say, English wasn't her first language. However, the venders walking around were very cool. I liked that.
7/10

6. Cleanliness
One thing I noticed when walking to my seat was that the floors were pretty dirty. You think all the rain would wash it...
3/10

7. Parking
There was a lot of parking all around. We did get there early, but we parked close to the stadium, which is always good.
8/10

8. Atmosphere
This team has the worst attendance in the MLB. They closed off the upper deck for the rest of the season. On top of that, most people there were Mets fans. They did have a Cuban band playing that caused dancing.
3/10

9. Playing Surface
It was pretty good, i thought. Nothing bad. It was just kind of quirky, and there was parts that had, like, tarp or carpets in fair territory.
7/10

10. Scoreboard

There was two huge awesome video screens that had different information on each, on both ends of the stadium.
9/10

61, which really is a good score for this stadium. Their new stadium should be MUCH better.