Memorial Stadium

8/10

Boise Hawks, Northwest League

A much better picture of the exterior in 2015.

Final preperations for Hawks/Hops, in September 2015.

You get a decent look at the park from the 3rd base side.

I went to Memorial stadium on my 2nd Northwest League trip in 2008, between games in Pasco and Salem, to watch the Hawks battle the Tri-City Dust Devils. It isn't overly horrible, but I'd have to say it's probably the worst of the 8 parks in the Northwest League.

Firstly, the park is barely within the city limits of Boise, located about 10 minutes northwest of Downtown. It's located at the local fairgrounds, so there isn't much to do in the immediate area. The park, opened in 1989, is a testament to all that went badly in 1980s ballpark design. The park has basically no façade at all, with some concrete and chain link fencing, with only some signage to indicate what it even is.

The layout is divided into three separate stands, which as of my visit in 2008, are all named after Dodge cars. Concessions were not memorable for any reason, either way. There is a large child's play area down the right field line, which meant that a small child was hit by a line drive when I was there. There was likely a better spot to put all this.

But, the atmosphere was not bad. The crowd was very much into the game. One of the on field contests involved three fans in potato themed costumes(Fries, a perogy and something else) racing from 1st to 3rd base. During the race, one of the contestants shoved the perogy into the unsuspecting Tri-City shortstop, knocking him over. His counterpart at second base then doubled over laughing.

The park has it's issues, but it's not like people in the Cubs organization, or in Boise, don't know about these shortcomings, as the Hawks made a proposal in 2012 to build a new, 25 million dollar ballpark/soccer stadium in downtown Boise. Renovating Memorial Stadium was also being considered as a less acceptable option.  This was the last mention of the debate I could find, so it's safe to say that the new ballpark is not happening anytime soon, if at all. In my opinion, the Hawks are the most vulnerable of the 8 franchises in the NWL and could be up for a move in a few years, should a more suitable market be found. The current setup is good on atmosphere but is clearly a rung below the current standard for most minor league ballparks. Still, Boise is a good market for baseball and hopefully it won't come down to the Hawks leaving town.

Update 2016: I ended up back here in September 2015, on the way back from points south, as part of a dedicated effort to redo some older reviews. It was 7 years between visits, so I was unsure how things had gone. The Hawks, as a result of numerous affiliations switching in the NWL, were now a Colorado farm team. It was a late season game against the Hillsboro Hops, featuring Dansby Swanson, who had just been picked first overall by the Diamondbacks that summer, after starring at Vanderbilt. He went 3 for 5. The game wasn't much to take in, as a few 5 run innings for Hillsboro and Boise getting more errors than hits made the final a decisive 12-0.

But the ballpark had changed in a few ways. Firstly, the sponsored sections were gone. I sat in the main stand, behind home plate and was shocked to find out that the first 10 rows or so were full service. Ushers would run out and get you food so you didn't have to get up, and would happily come scoop your trash when you were done. For 12 dollars, that is craziness. For 2016, these seats had been jacked up to 35 dollars each. The crowd, largely wasted on a lopsided game, was somewhat into it and until the 2nd 5 run inning, held out home for their Hawks to turn things around.

The food is also miles ahead of where it once was, with a new stand on the third base side offering Fish Tacos, and one of the more unusual offerings I've seen, Rocky Mountain Oysters. The main concessions I can't really speak to, because Fish Tacos were an immediate deal.

Overall, much improved atmosphere and concession bring this place up to an 8, which is about as good as I think it could be. Nothing new regarding new ballpark construction as far as I know. With Yakima losing its team, Boise is probably the most vulnerable of the 8 NWL markets and if something better pops up, the old park combined with Boise being the league's eastern outpost could mean it's number will be called. Hopefully that does not happen.

Linescore
2008-07-14
                                               123  456   789   R H E
Tri-City Dust Devils(COL)    004  001  000   5 10 1
Boise Hawks(CHC)                011  300 12x   8  13 1
Temp: 94F Time: 2:51   Att: 2,300

2015-09-03 
                                    123   456   789   R H E
Hillsboro Hops(ARI)    105  100  050  12 16 0
Boise Hawks(COL)       000  000  000  0  3  4
Temp: 68F Time: 2:44 Att: 2,359

John Thurman Field

Modesto Nuts, California League

7/10

The home plate fence backs onto a golf course, so one must enter on the sides. This was the 3rd base side, will call is on the other side. This is as fancy an entrance as you'll find.

A clear may evening sees the local nine against Lake Elsinore.

A sparse crowd of hangers on rode it out until the late innings.

This was my first of 6 new Cal League parks in a week in May 2016. I literally landed at SFO, grabbed my rental and went to go fight with Bay Area rush hour to make it to Modesto in time for first pitch. Didn't work. I arrived in the 4th inning and my pictures all appear a little blurry, as does my memory regarding this place, but I will try.

This park is a little older than most of it's counterparts in the cal league, consisting of three separate stands with a bit of a gap between each one, the closest design I can think of is Boise , which funnily enough, is my next update. Seats are newer fold down stadium seats in front of the aisle, harder plastic bucket seats in the stand behind home plate and good old aluminum bleachers down the line. I'd take a point off for the facility itself, as it's a bit behind the curve, without any of the rustic charm that has helped some older parks survive. At least it's still named after a person. It's substantially older than I would have guessed, opened 1955 and renovated in 1997, I would have put it as a 1980's design.

The food helps get this place back up to an average rating. Prices were low, quality was above average. I sadly do not remember what I had, but I do remember enjoying it.

Atmosphere was pretty par for the course, there's really nothing here that jumps out at you as unique, but also nothing that ruins your night either.

Overall, between a short game(2:18) and me being a little late, I only got to see so much here, I'd be tempted to go back to try and fill in the gaps. 7/10 for now.


Linescore
2016-05-03
                                            123    456   789   RHE
Lake Elsinore Storm(SD)       000   000   000    023
Modesto Nuts(COL)               100  200   00x    360
Temp: 81F Time: 2:18 Att: 2,833

Maryvale Baseball Park

10/10

Milwaukee Brewers,Cactus League

The main sign for the entrance is quite high above the main gate.

 The last home game of 2014 saw the Brewers, Reds and no Sausages.

I was furious.....

The crowd enjoys a nice spring afternoon as the Brew Crew battle the Padres in 2010.

Bonus photo: The victorious Hot Dog and admirable Chorizo after another great Sausage Race.

This might be an unusual pick, but Maryvale is far and away my favourite Cactus League ballpark and I'll tell you why.

The ballpark is one of the older ones in Arizona, built in 1997, which makes it an elderly 17 years old at the time of my writing this. But enough sarcasm. It's actually located within the City of Phoenix's Maryvale neighbourhood. I didn't really notice until my third visit that the area is somewhat run down, which speaks to how it's still quite safe to go to a game here. Parking is no problem in the stadium lots, unless you're quite late(in which case there's lots of options in the area, just don't park at the mall, as they tow) or they're playing the Cubs.

The park is laid out much like your average AAA park, with a concourse behind the seating, as well as an outfield berm. The berm doesn't go all the way around, so there's a gap in center field. There isn't much shade here, which is probably its biggest drawback. Sitting in the back two or three rows of the three sections closest to home plate will do the trick though.

Plus one of Maryvale is the atmosphere. Brewer fans are very loyal to their small market team and very welcoming to anyone who's cheering for the other side, or just around. They will drop in on your conversations, but in a good way. The Racing Sausages will make an appearance during the game, unless, as I found out in 2014, it's too late in the month. "The Beer Barrel Polka" will make an appearance regardless and most fans will sing and some will even dance. The atmosphere is relaxed, and very Cactus league, as opposed to being more of a minor league game. On field promotions do not happen, there is no "in game host" and the music is pretty vanilla. It's all about the game here, the way it ought to be.

The other reason I like this park is the food. Options are limited at the actual concessions, but there are two big plusses, the sausages(they sell all 5 kinds in the race) and the number of food carts thrown onto the concourse behind home plate. You can get a lot of variety in this part of the park.

You do not have to fight much of a crowd here unless they're playing the Cubs. Tickets are reasonable and with Municipal Stadium now off the loop, it's the most centrally located Cactus League stadium. You don't have to be anything resembling a Brewer fan to thoroughly enjoy this place and I highly recommend it.

Update 2016: I am now up to six games here and can't say a bad thing about it. Cheap but enjoyable option for cactus leaguing. I usually get a game in here every year I'm down.

Linescores


2010-03-26
                     123 456  789   RHE
San Diego     303  001 011  9 14 0
Milwaukee    020  000 200  4 7 1

Temp: 71F Time: 3:02 Att: 4,407

2012-03-27
                       123  456   789  R H E
Kansas City     013 001  220  9 12 0
Milwaukee      000 010  231  7  13 1
Temp:78F  Time: 2:47 Att: 2,652

2012-03-28
                     123   456   789  R H E
Arizona         100   000  000  1 5   1
Milwaukee    000   160  000  7 14 0
Temp: 81F  Time: 2:20  Att: 4,543

2013-03-22
                           123   456   789  R H E
Chicago Cubs     000    010  003 4 11 0
Milwaukee          000   000  100  1 7 1
Temp: 80F  Time: 2:47   Att: 8,806 

2014-04-04

                        123   456   789   R H E
Cincinatti         001   012   301  8 14 0
Milwaukee       100   000   010  2 6  2
Temp: 66F  Time: 2:59  Att: 4,016


2015-03-26
                      123  456  789  R  H  E
Seattle            001  000  000  1  4  1
Milwaukee     400  320  24x  15 22 1
Temp: N/A  Time: 3:01   Att:  3,302