Fifth Third Field would fit well within the Class AA Eastern League or even the Class AAA International League: the ballpark is highly comfortable, and the management of the Dayton Dragons throws a great ballgame. There’s little to dislike about the Midwest League’s flagship. And the fans of Dayton seem to agree: Dragons games are […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Champion Stadium / Atlanta Braves
The spring-training home of the Atlanta Braves, Champion Stadium (formerly known as Disney Field, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Cracker Jack Stadium and The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex) is architecturally one of the flashier venues for spring training.It’s also one of the largest: with 9,500 seats (80 percent between the first […]
Copeland Park / La Crosse Loggers
You know a ballpark is in the right location when there are three neighborhood bars within easy walking distance. It would be un-American not to put down a brew or a snort before a La Crosse Loggers game, so you can take your choice of Honest Paul’s L&M, the Sports Nut or the Krazy L. […]
Coors Field / Colorado Rockies
Spend some time in Denver’s LoDo District and you’ll soon realize how homogenous the area is: the former warehouse area surrounding the train station is on a human scale (most buildings are three or four stories high), with darker brickwork the dominant architectural element. So the challenge facing the designers of Coors Field, the home […]
Cooper Stadium / Columbus Clippers
One of the oldest ballparks in North America still in use in affiliated ball (it opened in 1932), Cooper has added a few modern amenities like rooftop suites, a picnic area and some between-inning activities. But the main gist of a visit here is to experience old-time baseball in an old-time setting with old-time values. […]
Comerica Park / Detroit Tigers
Comerica Park is never going to be as beloved or as celebrated as Tiger Stadium. It is a ballpark Donald Trump might like because there seems to be an endless font of ways for people to spend money. Owner Mike Ilitch looked at his club’s past and decided it had merit as a first course […]
Security Service Field / Colorado Springs Sky Sox
In a world of baseball marketing glitz and glitter, Security Service Field is something of a throwback. The home of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox might best be described as understated. If you are looking for sideshows and other distractions, you won’t find much to your liking here. If you’re seeking a comfortable place to […]
C.O. Brown Stadium / Battle Creek Bombers
There is a lot to be said about C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Mich., that can be both good and bad. Then again, after a visit to the ballpark, you may leave with a sense of romance or appreciation of a night with friends and family at the ballpark. FAST FACTS Year Opened: Originally […]
Doug Kingsmore Stadium / Clemson University Tigers
Before its thorough makeover and renaming in 2003, “Beautiful Tiger Field” described the home of the Clemson Tigers. Not surprising, and not an overstated moniker. While the ballpark and other athletic facilities are closely connected to the western edge of campus, the grandstand view features an appealing pastoral feel. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1970; $5 […]
Cheney Stadium / Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium began as a labor of love for a local businessman, Ben Cheney, who wanted a showcase for baseball in Tacoma. Today Cheney (pronounced chee-ney) Stadium is still a beloved part of the fabric of life in Tacoma, largely unchanged from the original designed laid out by Ben Cheney in the early 1960s. FAST […]
Veterans Memorial Stadium / Cedar Rapids Kernels
It would be easy to get a sense of dread as you approach Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League). The outside, a high brown-bricked area topped by aluminum in the upper echelons of the park, is rather unattractive and forbidden looking. It reminded us a bit […]
Campbell’s Field / Camden Riversharks
Sporting perhaps the most dramatic view from any ballpark, Campbell’s Field in downtown Camden is surely one of the most scenic ballparks in minor-league baseball. With the Ben Franklin Bridge outside of right field and the downtown Philadelphia skyline past the left-field corner, a Camden Riversharks or Rutgers University game at Campbell’s Field provides a […]
Busch Stadium / St. Louis Cardinals
We really wanted to like Busch Stadium. It is, without a doubt, an improvement over the previous Busch Stadium. But despite a solid location and some nice amenities, too much value engineering and too little charm make it a nice, but not great, ballpark. FACT FACTS Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 46,861 (includes suites and standing […]