Minor League Baseball

[CC97]

Never been to a real minor league game

[WJMorris3]

If Minor League is not taken to mean "affiliated clubs", I'd nominate Campbell's Field in Camden. Awesome ballpark with a great view of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

[Bleujayone]

I try to see all the minor league parks in New England. Here's what I've been to and what I felt about each place.

LaLacheur Park- Lowell, MA- Current home of the Lowell Spinners Red Sox's (A). Built by the same firm that made Camdem Yards, there really isn't a bad seat in the house. It's very comfortable and has a nice veiw of the city. My only complaint is that there's no way to retrieve home run balls as the outfield faces a void of pinetrees. Makes up for that with a nice veiw of the bridge over the Merrimack River. Spinners games have been one of the hottest baseball tickets in New England in recent years.

Holman Stadium- Nashua, NH- Current home of the Nashua Pride Can-Am(Ind). Just north of Lowell, MA Holman has a really nice old brick exterrior. It has an ye olde tyme ballpark feel to it except that it really is an old park. It's one of my favorite minor league parks. It has had renovation in the last few years and has moved over to the more local and cheaper priced Can-Am League. It offers an alternative to Lowell Spinners games when they're hard to find.

*NOTE: Team officials announced both home exhibition games on May 19th and May 22nd will be free of charge to fans. Free chance to see the stadium for yourself.

Centenial Field Burlington, VT- Current home to the Vermont Lake Monsters (Expos). Wasington Nats' (A) The team is the darling of Champlain Valley. Too bad the same cannot be said for UVM's stadium. I like the location just fine, and there's always an abundance of fans, I just think that the stadium could be better for what they're getting. It always has the feel of a county fair and it never seems to improve the quality year-to-year. The "front row" is 60 feet away from home plate, the dugouts even farther, and I think this stadium has the record for the most foul territory on a baseball field.

Wahconah Park- Pittsfield, MA- Former home to the Pittsfield Mets, Berkshire Balck Bears, and current home to the Pittsfield Dukes. The stadium is a living dinosaur. It has wooden stands, birds living up in the roof, and "Sunset Timeouts" because at the time it was built, night games were unheard of so they built it facing west. The sunsets can blind pitches so they wait 1/2 hour in the middle of the game for the sun to fully set. It's old, dumpy, and yet very charming. You can almost picture what it must have been like for ballplayers way back when.

The Ballpark at Old Orchard Beach, ME- Former home of the Maine Guides. This stadium isn't really that old (1984), but it was built in an area that is infested with black flies and greenheads, next to impossible to drive through in the summer due to tourist traffic. After 5 years it didn't even have a team to host either. When baseball did return to the area, it went to Portland as it was a larger city, better facilites, and better transit systems. The stadium is all but deserted. The town talks about fixing it up, but nothing short of a multi-million dollar renovation will ever bring baseball back to it.

Hadlock Field- Portland, ME- Current home to the Portland Sea Dogs Red Sox's (AA). Ever since becoming a Red Sox farm team, they have made efforts to turn the stadium into a "little Fenway Park". Sometime's cute, other times forced. They have constructed their version of the Green Monster right outfield wall complete with Citgo sign dubbed the "Maine Monster". They also have a lighthouse in centerfield. There doesn't seem to be a square inch on this place that doesn't have advetising all over it. I know baseball is a business and minor league teams need this to operate, but it does seem to have gone a bit overboard.

John Winkin Sports Complex aka "The Wink" - Bangor, ME- Former home to the Bangor Lumberjacks (Ind), Artificial turf, aluminum benches, and a cheap feel to it. The 'Jacks were better off playing at Mahaney Diamond at the UMaine facilities instead. It's no wonder this team packed up and left because after one game I didn't want to come back either.

Fitton Field- Worcester, MA- Current home of the Worcester Tornados Can-Am (Ind). The actual ballfield is over 100 years old. The stands have only recently been put up. The field currently belongs to Holy Cross University, It has a high school feel to it, and the I-290 highway is quite literally 10 paces away from left field. It's not a bad playing field but the stands feel crammed in between the highway, the campus, and the ever expanding downtown. Just as well, the team is currently working on a stadium of their own.

Fraser Field Lynn, MA- Current home of the North Shore Spirit Can-Am (Ind). Fraser was built in the 1930's. It had a really neat quality in the grandstand that almost looked psuedo-future with it's dome-line arches. It fell into disrepair for years despite still being used. It has been redone recently and I think it looks really good. It has an suburban background as it's smack-dab in the middle of a neighborhood.

Campanelli Stadium- Brockton, MA Current home to the Brockton Rox Can-Am (Ind). Just south of Boston, this brand new stadium is one of the nicer new minor league ballparks. It has a working-class feel to it that helps reflects the city itself. It gets regular large crowds, and has an atmosphere that many newer parks only hope to recreate.

Merchantsauto.com Stadium- Manchester, NH Current home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats- Blue Jays' (AA). Owned by the same company that owns the Lowell Spinners. Their stadium is also brand new, but it lacks personality. There's nothing here that makes it stand out from other stadiums other than it's modern. It's big, bright, and open though so it makes baseball easy to watch. Frieght train tracks are just outside of the outfield so a train coming by isn't unheard of.

[KevinMcD]

I finally went to see a game in Buffalo at Dunn Tire Park and I love that park.

I go there 10-15 times a year and it is great except the view, all you see is a highway onramp. If they were able to twist the stadium 180 degrees you would see a great view off downtown Buffalo.

[buckeyes1]

The only minor league stadium I've ever been to is Classic Park home of the Lake County Captains who are the Class A - South Atlantic League (SAL) affliates of the Cleveland Indians. It was built 3 years ago, it's nothing spectacular but it is a nicley looking ballpark, I enjoy games there.

They're actually having the 2006 Class A-South Atlantic League All-Star game in this stadium this July.

[HatCityEnforcer]

Hub, it sounds like you're in the New England area...if so, you HAVE to make it to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. AAA baseball at its finest, IMO. Box seats are $9, there really isn't a bad seat in the house, concessions are reasonably priced, people who work there are very friendly, and there are a couple of prospects there as we speak (Craig Hansen and Jon Lester). IMO, you cannot get a better value for your money.

Other minor league ballparks that I've been to are Harbor Park (Norfolk, VA), New Britain's old Beehive Field and Hadlock Field (Portland, ME). I liked Harbor Park ALOT, Beehive Field SUCKED, and Hadlock Field was nice, but I was not impressed with the area around the Field.

I'll agree about Beehive...the place was a DUMP to say the least...but, compared to where the Sox AA team played when they were down the road in Bristol, Beehive is light years ahead of it.

However, New Britain Stadium (which is right next door to Beehive)...that's pretty nice...

Let's see...the ones I've been to....(*--not in use anymore)

-*Beehive Field, New Britain, CT (New Britain Red Sox (AA))

-*Muzzy Field, Bristol, CT (Bristol Red Sox (AA))

-New Britain Stadium, New Britain, CT (New Britain Rock Cats (AA))

-*Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, CT (Waterbury Reds/Angels/Indians (AA), Waterbury Spirit (IND))

-Yale Field, New Haven, CT (New Haven Ravens (AA), New Haven County Cutters (IND))

-Ballpark at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, CT (Bridgeport Bluefish (IND))

-Dutchess County Stadium, Beacon, NY (Hudson Valley Renegades (A))

-*East Field, Glens Falls, NY (Glens Falls White Sox/Tigers (AA), Adirondack Lumberjacks (IND))

-Mercer County Stadium, Trenton, NJ (Trenton Thunder (AA))

-CityIsland Stadium, Harrisburg, PA (Harrisburg Senators (AA))

-Reading Municipal Stadium, Reading, PA (Reading Phillies (AA))

-Lackawanna County Stadium, Scranton, PA (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (AAA))

Out of these, my faves are CityIsland, Lackawanna, the Ballpark @ Harbor Yard, & Yale Field.

[IronChefShark]

I hear the ballpark in Topeka is pretty nice.

*runs*

[illinirox1]

Gotta go with Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, Florida, home of the Single A affiliate of the Phillies, the Clearwater Threshers.

Agreed. I don't know if it's the nicest one out there but "Bright House" is the nicest Minor League park I've ever been to. Canal Park in Akron isn't bad either. I'm hitting Toledo's new park sometime this summer.

Fifth Third Field in Toledo is beautiful. I have seen more games there than at Comerica Park and Tiger Stadium, and it's about the same distance to drive. It's right downtown, and "the Roost" is a fun place to sit and watch a game.

[winters in buffalo]

the new D.A.P.(Durham Athletic Park) is pretty nice. wish i could find some photos of it.

Yeah, DBAP is pretty nice. Intimate little park. They draw well there, too.

I was in the Capitol Broadcasting suite last week. First class for a minor league park.

I always like Dunn Tire Park (or whatever it's called these days) back home in Buffalo. It's big for a minor league park. It was at the forefront of the whole new stadium craze... sort of the Camden Yards of AAA ball.

The only other minor league park I've been to is Five County Stadium. Not bad for a AA park.

I haven't been to Five County since they expanded it several years ago.

The DBAP is great though... particularly the luxury suites. I take my org's board there once a year and rent a suite - not terribly expensive considering, and you always have a good time.

The Bulls are a great organization, too. I'm working with them on a ticket promotion to benefit Prevent Child Abuse NC, and have to say that they've been awesome to work with.

[winters in buffalo]

Hey! Where'd the OF bleachers go?????

[FiddySicks]

Raley Field is nice (and walking distance from home) but AutoZone Park in Memphis is nicer.

Agreed. It's great that Memphis and Sacramento always battle it out for the minor league attendance crown. I had never seen Sacramento's stadium until now, very nice, but like you said, not as nice as AutoZone. Then again, no one has ever spent $80 million (private, NOT public dollars) on a minor league stadium, so it had better be nice!

The first minor league park i ever visited was Autozone Park. I gotta say, it is absolutely beautiful. Just amazing for a minor league park. I still personally like Raley Field better, but im biased. Autozone is a pretty close second in my mind.

BTW im going to a Rivercats game at Raley Field this Friday. First one of the year!!!!

[therebelas]

You're biased for the same reason I'm biased toward AutoZone.

My only qualm with AutoZone is I wish they had turned it so you get a view of the skyline facing out versus the YMCA and Echelon Apts.

[FiddySicks]

You're biased for the same reason I'm biased toward AutoZone.

My only qualm with AutoZone is I wish they had turned it so you get a view of the skyline facing out versus the YMCA and Echelon Apts.

Well, the best part of it facing the apts is that my Cousin has one of those places and he gets to watch Birds games for free all the time. I cant wait to go to his place this summer and watch some games from his window.

[therebelas]

You're biased for the same reason I'm biased toward AutoZone. 

My only qualm with AutoZone is I wish they had turned it so you get a view of the skyline facing out versus the YMCA and Echelon Apts.

Well, the best part of it facing the apts is that my Cousin has one of those places and he gets to watch Birds games for free all the time. I cant wait to go to his place this summer and watch some games from his window.

My best friend/college roommate lives there as well and has a balcony that affords a pretty good view. He said the novelty has definitely worn off after 4 years there and now he hates the fireworks and all that.

[KevinMcD]

Hey! Where'd the OF bleachers go?????

I think before the 2004 season they tore them down and put in this cheesy tiny hill in Right center field and the Heron's Landing thing where people can rent out a level for a party or somethig like that.

[T-man3]

The best minor league stadium ever, Ripken Stadium.

[ROCHitman]

Never been to a real minor league game

Well get your ars down here.

We could do the famous Thruway Three Step; Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse

That AutoZone park looks phenomenal!!

I've got to get their for a game soon.

[Seadragon76]

Well, I haven't been to a Minor League game yet, but I am near Rosenblatt in Omaha and near Principal Park (AKA Sec Taylor Stadium) in Des Moines.

Oh, and bucfan: Have fun watching Omaha smack your RiverKittens around tomorrow night.

[otherwilds]

I enjoyed Louisville Slugger park home of thte Bats, down by the river good sight lines. Looking forward to Nashville's new park in '08. It is going down by the Cumberland river downtown accross the river from the Coliseum.

[oz615]

Looking forward to Nashville's new park in '08.  It is going down by the Cumberland river downtown accross the river from the Coliseum.

Dude you beat me too it.

but yeah,i can't wait the sooner the better,because they deserve it and besides Greer has seen better days as far as a AAA compliant park is concerned crappy light cramped locker rooms,outdated scoreboard,etc.But i hope it something similar or even better that AutoZone park and (not a preference) serves Pepsi and the new park.