Comerica Park

Detroit Tigers, American League

8/10

The outdoor facade is the usual redbrick, but it does have these unique stone tiger statues all around the ballpark.

The park showcases the Detroit skyline, making a somewhat gritty city look cosmopolitan

Neighbouring Ford Field is literally right across the street. The Red Wings play nearby as well, now in a new arena they share with the Pistons.

We stopped in Detroit for a September Sunday-nighter featuring a Tiger team that would win the division and the San Francisco Giants, who would go on to take the World Series later that fall. It was originally scheduled to be an afternoon game, but was chosen for the Sunday night feature about a week before. We had an lazy drive in from suburban Cleveland after going to the game there the night before.

The park is in the middle of downtown Detroit, which to say the least, is bare of much else. There are a lot of renovations/construction going on. It is a bit of a rough area, illustrated by the fact that the NHL teams are now explicitly forbidden from walking from their hotel to the Joe Louis Arena, nearby. There's not much to do in the area before the game, besides a nearby casino, there is a large store selling Detroit team merch, and "Cheli's Chili" a pub specializing in chili owned by former Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios(try the Mozza Sticks!).

Comerica is a stereotypical retro-modern park with not too much to distinguish it from others. The notable traits are the gap in the upper deck on the first base side, statues of Tiger legends in center field and the "Tiger Den" seating at the back of the lower level, which features small tables next to the seats. We headed up to the top deck, which has an amazing view of downtown Detroit, which one would be forgiven thinking isn't a real thing.

Concessions are relatively straightforward, being owned by the same family that owns the Red Wings and Little Caesar's Pizza, it wasn't too surprising to see that particular brand of pizza featured.

The atmosphere was not all that bad as well, there was a lot of alcohol consumed by others and a good discussion with our neighbours regarding the tendency for drunks to bump into the railing, spilling a few drops on their way back up. A young couple sitting a few rows in front took no less than 20 selfies and after showing after the game had been going for awhile, left after less than 4 innings. Still, most people were very into the game, which saw amongst other things, a homerun by Miguel Cabrera.

Overall, while I never saw a game at Tiger Stadium, this is a pretty serviceable ballpark, which has a few quirks of it's own. I wouldn't be against going back, but wouldn't go out of my way either.

Update 2017: Not much has changed here to my knowledge. The Red Wings open a new arena this year, with the Pistons moving downtown as well, which may be a bit more of a shot in the arm for the city, particularly downtown. I bumped the rating down to an 8, giving half points for Facility, Atmosphere and Food. It's a nice place to take in a game, I'd put it somewhere in the middle third of MLB.

Linescore
2014-09-07
                           123   456   789  RHE
San Francisco      000    010   000  1 6 0
Detroit                 003   000   30x  6 12 0
Time:  3:43  Temp: 73F   Att: 27,523

Charlotte Sports Park

Tampa Bay Rays, Spring Training
Charlotte Stone Crabs, Florida State League

7/10

The relatively simple entrance to the park.

A Colombian conference at the mound.

Looking in on the refurbished stadium bowl.

I crossed Florida after a day game at Port St. Lucie, to take in a night game at Port Charlotte, featuring the Tampa Bay Rays and Colombian national team. I got hung up in the exodus from that first game of the day and traffic was somewhat unhelpful, so I arrived around the second inning or so. The evening's contest saw a pre-tournament game for the Colombian entry in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and thanks to some Rays pitchers being loaned over and a ninth inning rally, they ended up coming back and beating the Rays.

This was originally the site for Spring Training for the Texas Rangers, from 1987-2002, prior to that team pulling up stakes and heading west to Surprise Stadium. After this, the team hosted one season of the Independent South Coast League in 2007, before renovations lured the Rays to set up Spring Training and a Florida State League team here in 2009.

The park is a pretty average place, which shows it's age only in its design. It's clean and well maintined. Zaxby's chicken sandwiches appear to be the menu item of choice, because they were sold out by the time I showed up. I remember the food here being markedly average. The only thing that stands out here is the atmosphere. The Rays are the Rays, so despite being the 2nd closest MLB team to their hometown for Spring Training, they don't draw so well. But, with ticket prices substantially lower than anywhere else in Florida, actual people show up for these games, which makes the atmosphere pretty authentic. When I went on my walk to get pictures of the stands from the outfield, a woman asked the Rays' bullpen coach a question, calling him by his first name and received a prompt "Yes, ma'am.", then an answer. Bullpen coach Stan Boroski explained how the Colombian team only wanted to use bullpen pitchers in the game and the Rays had agreed to put in some of theirs once everyone in that Colombian bullpen had had a turn. I'm not sure if at some of the bigger parks, this conversation would have happened so easily.

In summary, I'm more than happy that a place like this could lose it's team, do some renos and get an MLB team back in town, but it's nothing overly impressive. I'd maybe give a half point for atmosphere, but it really doesn't matter, as everything else is average. 7/10.



Linescore
2017-03-08
                         123   456   789   R H E
Colombia            001  100  016   9 10 1
Tampa Bay          140  020  000  7 8 3
Temp: N/A  Time: N/A  Att: N/A

Wrigley Field

Chicago Cubs, National League

10/10

 Pre game photo number 1 prior to Cubs/Cardinals

 Here's #2.

During game 2 versus the Pirates, this post completely obstructed the pitcher's mound from my seat.

I had the good fortune(and judgement) to go to Wrigley Field for 2 games in 2012, on a Friday Afternoon against the Cardinals and the following Tuesday night against the Pirates, as part of a loop out of Chicago. I did not, however, have the good judgement to download the ton of photos I took before flying home, and when I returned home, my camera wasn't in my suitcase. Did it get swiped at the hotel? Out of my bag? Did I forget it somewhere? The questions haunt me still.... The good news, is unlike any other park from that trip, I did get some cellphone photos, so there's something here.

Anyway, Wrigley Field is simply put, amazing. I haven't been to Fenway Park yet, but it is likely the only one that compares to this. It is a veritable baseball time machine. Walking into the narrow concourse with numerous concession stands dotting the aisles is a real experience. Prior to 2015 at least, the Cubs had managed to keep Wrigley true to it's heritage, minimizing billboards and video screens. The atmosphere is second to none. Red shirts dotted the stands as numerous Cardinal fans from Chicago, St. Louis and all points between turned out for one of the great rivalry matchups in baseball. This happened to a lesser extent with the Pirates. The stadium and atmosphere were a big plus. The only possible knock is the presence of posts. My ticket for the Pittsburgh game was a bit of a let down after a post literally obstructed the pitcher's mound(see my photo).

Whether it was Cub fans living and dying with the Cubs/Cardinals or giving a sarcastic cheer after a recent Cub callup from Iowa (finally) broke up A.J. Burnett's no-hit bid in the 8th inning, it is an atmosphere like few others. San Francisco, St. Louis and Los Angeles(either one) are good comparisons.

And the food.....during the 2nd game especially, I stuffed my face. I cant even remember, but the highlight for me was the Chicago style deep dish pizza. It was like Pizza and cornbread? shortcake? had a love child right there on Addison, try it. Everything I ate here was great.

The only other sort of knock is the lack of parking, which shows the park's age. I took public transit the 2nd game and while it's busy, I do recommend it. The Cubs are still limited to so many night games a year, to avoid the ire of locals, so most games end around the evening rush hour. Still, I was able to get to Gary, in nearby Indiana, for a night game in time for first pitch.

I absolutely LOVE Wrigley. I love it. There's simply no comparison and if you have the opportunity, even if you don't like baseball(does that describe anyone here?) you need to go.

Update 2017:  Looking up the box scores from this game, AJ Burnett did record a 1 hitter in my second game here, which is the closest to a no-hitter I've come. Wrigley did undergo a pretty significant renovation, with ownership having to vaguely threaten to move the team into the suburbs to get it done. While a relatively small LCD screen had been added in 2012, when I went, a much larger one was added during these renos in left center field. Still, the ballpark's character appears to have been respected. I would like to go back soon, for some actual pictures and to see the renos, but wasn't willing to give up new parks on my latest trip through Chicago. This park stays at a 10, with the facility, food and atmosphere well above par. A must see.

Linescores
2012-07-27
                        123  456  789  R  H  E
St. Louis           141  110  100  9  10  1
Chicago(NL)      303  000  000  6  10 1
Temp:77F  Time: 3:03  Att: 40,778

2012-07-31
                         123   456  789  RHE
Pittsburgh           400  000   100  580
Chicago(NL)        000  000   000  013
Temp:75F  Time: 2:50  Att: 33,158

First Data Field

New York Mets (Spring Training)
St. Lucie Mets, Florida State League

7/10

The crowd files in for Red Sox/Mets.

Allen Craig ended up capping this at bat with a home run.

Most of the crowd was still here nearing the 7th inning stretch.

I took in a Grapefruit League game in Port St. Lucie as part of my FL trip in 2017, after having done Dunedin the day before. I arrived relatively early, after having stayed a few hours away from the ballpark. I got to the right exit on I-95 at around 1215 and then hit a wall of traffic, around a mile and change from where I actually parked. Ingress was slow, but nothing compared to what came later.

This park is also a little older, opening in 1988, but it doesn't show it's age as much as Dunedin. Seating is a little cramped. With the opponent being Boston and the pitching match up featuring Porcello v. Syndergaard, it was always going to be a game where good seats were above market value. I was lucky to get a seat in the upper corner of the grandstand on the third base side. For lunch, I grabbed an order of pulled pork nachos, where I was surprised with the amount of food I ended up with, similar to San Bernardino. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The ballpark has the usual features, a party/BBQ deck down the left field line and a separate concession for the berm. I ended up having to leave early for Port Charlotte, but it was no use, I spent nearly an hour trying to get out of the parking lot and the game wasn't even over. The team has got to figure out something regarding ingress and egress being so bad.

Overall, this is a pretty serviceable park, which is nice to see, given it's age and it's location on the Atlantic coast of Florida, which seems to be less and less popular. I'd say the park is a half point off because of its poor parking situation, good, but still average atmosphere and a half point for food, which totals up to a 7. I'd come back here before some of the others for certain.

Linescore

2017-03-08
                           123   456  789  R H E
Boston                 000   400   201  7  11 1
New York(NL)        100   313  00x  8  13 1
Temp: 78F  Time: 3:09 Att: 6,538

Progressive Field

Cleveland Indians, Amercian League

8/10

 Progressive has a welcoming, well-styled entrance.

 Another downtown park with a low profile allowing for a good view of the skyline? Sure!

You can make out the enclosed, angled suites in left field on the right of this shot.

We rolled into Cleveland in the middle of a Saturday Afternoon as part of a Great Lakes loop that saw 

us come down from Toronto that morning. The weather in Toronto had featured a torrential downpour
so it was greatly appreciated to have a clear evening that felt more like late summer than early fall. The Indians were in the midst of a Wild Card run, sending the eventual Cy Young winner for the AL, Corey Kluber, to the mound. 

The park is in the middle of downtown Cleveland, almost right next to the NBA Cavaliers’ home court.
 If Balitmore’s Camden Yards was a groundbreaker in terms of ballpark design, Progressive Field,
 or as it was known when it opened, Jacobs Field, reinforced that the trend would continue.
 Walking in, it is hard to believe that this park was 19 years old when I visited it. 

The park has a relatively common three decked layout. The high wall in left centre is the most 
unique feature as far as the field dimensions are concerned. The enclosed suites on the left field side, 
presumably to fight Cleveland’s cooler springs are also an interesting design. The large, open 
concourse in left field, evokes the similar one on the right field side in Baltimore. 
The Cleveland skyline is clearly visible, although Tower Plaza, arguably the most famous building
 in the city was not, at least not without leaning forward. 

A neat quirk was how in the program, all concession items anywhere in the park were listed, 
along with what concession stands sold them. No more walking around looking for Corn Dogs for you. 

A weird quirk was how the outer sections of the upper deck were closed. I can understand not wanting to open 5 sections, that will just need to be cleaned which there are 
unsold seats from better vantage points, but it served to make the park look emptier than it was.
There were still 30 thousand in attendance, who weren’t disappointed, as the Indians eked out a win.

On the whole, I liked this park. It’s downtown, which is always a plus and the fact that it was
slightly ahead of it’s time to begin with means it is aging nicely. Recommended.

Update 2017: Haven't been back here to date. There were apparently only 17 thousand and change in attendance, which is surprising, given the fact it was September and Cleveland was still in it. Under the new ratings, the park still earns a plus, with the somewhat flat atmosphere not actually affecting the score. Cleveland doesn't seem to draw well until basically the playoffs, finishing 28th in average attendance for the 2016 regular season, ahead of only pariahs, Tampa Bay and Oakland. With such a good team, it's amazing it's not in the top half.

Linescore
2014-09-07
                       123   456   789  RHE
Chicago(AL)  001   000   000   151
Cleveland        000  100   20x   391
Temp: 69F  Time: 2:46  Att: 17,367   

Florida Auto Exchange Stadium

Toronto Blue Jays, Spring Training
Dunedin Blue Jays, Florida State League

6/10

The main entrance to the park is pretty nondescript.

The best view from behind home plate I could get without blocking someone.

A decent crowd hangs around to watch the Blue Jays get polished off by the national team.

I finally finally made it to Dunedin after many years of ballparking for a spring training match up in 2017. The game saw the Jays taking on the Canadian entry for that year's WBC. The Jays were missing a few regulars to other WBC camps and a few to injury, so it was a Quadruple-A roster to start. J.A. Happ was shelled right out of the gate as the Canadian nationals went on to win their only game of the 5 pre-tournament and round robin games they played, with little struggle.

The park itself is quite old, opening in 1990, although it somehow looks older than that. It's a facility that is definitely lacking in many areas, the least of which is the cramped team store, in an outbuilding off the concourse, seats that are benches, with not much room between people or in the aisle and a general lack of parking in the area. I ended up parking about 3 blocks away on the lawn of a bar for about 10 dollars(free drink ticket included!). The concourse is a little narrow, but is mostly kept clear.

Concession, on the other hand, is also lacking in options, but at the very least, prices are comparatively low. Atmosphere was tough to judge with the non-MLB opponent for this one, but I'd say it's slightly above average, but not deserving of special recognition. Overall, I'd take off a full point for facility, which would leave this as a 6. It looks more like a bigger, dated, minor league park, as opposed to most of the other Spring Training ones. It's way too big for the High-A team it hosts in the Florida State League, which usually averages just under 800 fans per game.

But, the Blue Jays themselves are well aware of the park's shortcomings and are working on it. More of concern to the team is that the minor league complex and training fields are a 15 minute drive away. A 5 minute drive was enough to have the Oakland side desert Phoenix Municipal for Mesa. This was a big bone of contention for the Jays, but it appears they're willing to live with it, as a tentative deal will see this stadium and the training complex both heavily renovated, even if they remain a fair distance apart.

I will likely give this one a pass until renovations are completed and try to see the Blue Jays in Clearwater or Tampa.

Linescore
2017-03-07
                         123  456   789   R H E
Canada             122  000   011   7 13 0
Toronto             000  000  100   1  2  2
Temp: N/A  Time: N/A Att: N/A

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers, National League

9/10

Large photos of Dodger players line the outside of the Stadium in 2009.

The view from the upper deck pre-game vs. Arizona in 2009.

Packed house on a hot summer night versus San Diego in 2013.

I have been to Dodger Stadium twice. I went in 2009 to watch LA play the Diamondbacks and again in 2013 where they played San Diego on a Saturday Night. I found the first visit quite a bit better, but it was mostly not the ballpark's fault. Anyhow...

In '09 I was already in the LA area having been to Anaheim twice and Rancho Cucamonga the night before. I ended up going up Pacific Coast Highway and exploring Malibu, before checking out Will Rogers State Park before driving to the ballpark and arriving pretty early. I didn't know the aggravation I'd saved myself at the time. I was in the upper deck and remember a real cultural mosaic in our section. People from all different backgrounds just sat and watched baseball.The game was close, with a few lead changes, I enjoyed a Dodger Dog and it ended up going 10 innings. Ronnie Belliard(was it Ronnie Belliard?) hit a homer in his first at bat as a Dodger, Manny Ramirez hit a home run and utterly mangled a routine fly ball to left.  ESPN quipped after the game that it "looked like the ball was chasing Manny and he was trying to get away from it."  The game itself went into an extra inning before the Diamondbacks pulled out a win. After the game ended, I was caught up in the legendary Dodger Stadium traffic and funneled onto the Long Beach Freeway. Pre-GPS, I had no idea where to go and ended up in East Los Angeles, doing a U-turn via Olympic Blvd, before heading north and out of town.

In 2013, I came down from the North Bay area, having seen the A's the night before. My scenic detour along the Pacific Coast Highway and Monterey really hosed me and I got into the area 20 minutes before the first pitch. I promptly ended up stuck in traffic trying to exit the 110 Freeway. Then, out of nowhere, I decided to hit the detour button. I ended up getting into Chavez Ravine by driving past the LA Fire Academy and after stop for food and souvenirs, got to my seat in the bottom of the 2nd. It was a Saturday night game against San Diego in the midst of a pennant race, so it was crowded. I ended up with an obstructed view seat at the back of the 1st level, next to a very angry Japanese tourist, clutching his Japanese language guide to the MLB rosters. It was very hot and my Dodger yearbook ended up going for a walk, although I ended up getting a free jersey and a t-shirt for my stepfather, who lived in the LA area for a few years as a kid after his family emigrated from Northern Ireland. When he passed away that winter, the Jersey was buried with him. He and his very English father ended up watching Sandy Koufax pitch at the LA Coliseum......anyway.

On the whole, I really like Dodger Stadium. The only negative in my mind, is the location. Traffic, is horrendous. You need to be here a minimum of 90 minutes before the game starts to actually get parked and to your seat before first pitch. The park is basically built into a big hole. There is nothing around here but parking lots. Public transportation is just not a thing in this part of Los Angeles.

On the plus side. It's Dodger Stadium. It is the mecca that the Dodgers moved to the west coast to build. Sight lines are not bad, concessions are still above average, but the big thing is atmosphere. In the 2nd game, it was intense the people watching were in a borderline frenzy. They would not have looked out of place in the Roman Colosseum.

I gave this park a 10/10 the first go through, but after my experience at game #2, I had to take it down to a 9. Still a fantastic ballpark.

Update 2017: I have not been back here since my two visits, by coincidence, four years apart to the day. Rating it again based on my past memories, I'd give it a plus for both the facility and atmosphere, with the concessions being somewhere between average and a half point, so it stays at 9. Maybe in a few more years, I'll try and head back.

Linescores
2009-08-31
                                123   456  789  10  R H E
Arizona                    020  000    010 2  5  10  1
Los Angeles(NL)     010  002   000  0  3 5  1
Temp: 88F  Time: 3:02  Att: 45,211

2013-08-31
                               123   456  789 R H E
San Diego              000   100  000  1 10 1
Los Angeles(NL)  000    000  11x  2 13 0
Temp: 85F  Time: 2:53  Att: 53,121

Hammond Stadium

Minnesota Twins (Spring Training)
Fort Myers Miracle, Florida State League

No Rating

The park has a short, palm tree lined boulevard walking up to the main entrance.

A good crowd waits between innings of Cardinals/Twins.

A quick shot back at the press box.

I ended up having quite the day on my scheduled visit to Hammond Stadium. I had flown into Miami the night before, to find that my suitcase had hung back in Houston. I ended up waiting around until nearly 11 before the airline called, to let me know my case had hit town. After a quick run to MIA, I headed out for the drive across Alligator Alley to Fort Myers, knowing full well I would be very, very, late. After a grassfire in the area of I-75 slowed things down a bit, I arrived after the parking attendants had left and snagged a spot for free. A short usher conference determined I was still allowed in and I set an all time lateness record, walking in in the bottom of the 6th inning. By the time I arrived at my seat, the top of the 7th awaited me. A relatively large crowd greeted me, as the Cardinals( who always seem to have a following) were the opposition for the day.

My visit here was so rushed(I might have been inside for an hour) that I can't offer a whole ton of insight. It looks like a decent place, the concession appeared ok, but not great and the atmosphere was not bad, especially since as I mentioned, the Cardinals seem to drag a few fans from park to park with them. A tight  1-0 game into the bottom of the 9th saw the Redbirds get the first two outs, before the wheels fell off and the Cardinals threw away the game winning ground out twice in a row. The Twins won it in the 10th, which arriving so late, I was pretty excited was actually played.

Overall, looks like a decent place, but just way too rushed to really get to know it. I only have a few Grapefruit League parks left to do, this one is top of the list for a 2nd trip.

Linescore
2017-03-06
                       123    456   789 10 RHE
St. Louis           001   000    000  0  173
Minnesota         000  000    001  1  290
Temp: 76F   Time: 3:18  Att: 8,615

Smith's Ballpark

Salt Lake Bees, Pacific Coast League

8/10

 The crowed queues outside for a Monday night game versus El Paso.

Pre-game festivities well underway for the Bees/Chihuahuas

 The scenery of this ballpark is tough to beat.

After we left our seats to wander. About 60% of the crowd stayed until the end.

We rolled through here in the summer of 2014, having seen a game in Great Falls the previous afternoon and headed for a baseball-free evening in Las Vegas the next night. I had Salt Lake in mind for awhile, I'd heard nothing bad about it and the scenery was supposed to be amongst the best anywhere.

It was a Monday night match up seeing the hometown Bees lined up against the El Paso Chihuahuas. Monday is without question, the hardest sell for attendance, and like a lot of other clubs, Salt Lake go for the family crowd, which they got plenty of. We sat upper deck, first base side and the adult to child ratio was pretty low. I remember the concessions as nothing spectacular, but on second thought, there were a lot of unique choices. Atmosphere was alright, I vaguely remember some on field promotions/contests and the fans weren't terribly into the game, but did recognize good plays. We ended up sitting next to a guy in a Nashville Sounds jersey, who as it turned out, was on a similar trip, only with no Major League games....since 1994's strike. Some people have even better memories than me I suppose.

The best thing about Smith's Ballpark is actually the park itself, which is rare. The location is one plus. While there isn't anything too memorable right next to the park, there is a lot between the park and downtown. Light rail stops right next the ballpark and parking appeared to be easy enough. We walked about half an hour from downtown to the game after driving a good distance that day and besides the fact that it's around 35 Celsius in Utah in the summer, it wasn't bad at all.  I would gladly go to another game here and would recommend it.

Update 2017: We went back here again in 2015 for what ended up being a 7 inning game as part of a single admission doubleheader against Las Vegas. The ballpark is great, but this time, the atmosphere began to drag things down a little. It's par for the course that most people are quite casual about going to a game in this day and age, but the crowd at this game bordered on oblivious. A woman walked into our row and proceeded to stand there for about 40 minutes, talking to a friend she had run into. It had been kind of an inkling before but it seemed to cement that this is clearly a place to hang around first for some.

I really like this park, the food is average, but the atmosphere is non-existent, people don't care about the game at all. It's not bad enough to take off a point, but I did consider it. Salt Lake is an area I swing through usually at least once a year, but I'd prefer giving Ogden another look before coming back here.

Linescores
2014-08-11
                                           123  456  789  R H E
El Paso Chihuahuas (SD)       002   010  202  7 9 1
Salt Lake Bees (LAA)            322   001  00X   8 10 1
Temp: 94F  Time: 3:02  Att: 10,817  


2015-08-08
                                           123  456  7  RHE
Las Vegas 51s (NYM)           112   000  0  490
Salt Lake Bees (LAA)            001  000 0  140
Temp: 77F  Time: 2:32  Att: 11,176

Shaw Park

Winnipeg Goldeyes, American Association

9/10

The park has a decent looking facade from across the street.

This place looks about 7-10 years newer than it actually is.

The backdrop is pleasant, but nothing spectacular.

I swung through Winnipeg after a game in St. Paul the night before. Unlike in St. Paul, I had plenty of time to drive and made it across the border and into the area around 90 minutes before the game started. I was into the park around 45 minutes before the first pitch, which came with large clouds overhead and a risk of thundershowers. I had a good amount of time to fully look around. The food options here could be the best I've seen anywhere. The "Hu's on First Asian Bistro" has been replaced with an Indian restaurant, which has a few other locations than besides the ballpark. There's also a pizza chain, plus another local chain, Salisbury House, which I was almost into, but I went to the Indian cart for some great Butter Chicken instead.

It's hard to believe this park was opened in 1999, as it looks and feels like something from the mid 2000s, if not later. A pretty wide open concourse goes from roughly foul pole to foul pole, with a good view of the field all the way. There is an upper deck, featuring suites with both a few rows of seating and an enclosed back area, which on a cooler, damp night like this, would have been a plus. It's amazingly well designed. I parked a block and a half away, I think for under 10 dollars.

The Goldeyes were in the midst of a late season charge for a wildcard berth, with Fargo-Moorhead, having also had a good year, but missing the playoffs, in town for a Saturday nighter. The visitors stormed out to a 4 run first and a 6-0 lead, but the Goldeyes persevered and went up 8-6, before spotty showers at some points during the game, turned into a total and utter monsoon in the middle of 8. After about 20 minutes, it wasn't so much about when the game would continue, as the field was clearly unplayable, but how would we all get to the car?

The atmosphere, while interested in the pennant, wasn't much more than that. It was a slightly cool night with storms in the forecast, so some likely stayed home. I'd been wanting to get this one in for a long while and was not dissapointed, as the food and park are a cut above, only the atmosphere keeps this from a 10 and even that's not by much.

Linescore
                                                  123   456   789 RHE
Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks          400  200  00X  692
Winnipeg Goldeyes                       000  033  2XX 881
Temp: 27C  Time: 3:06  Att: 5,289
From Boxscore: Game delayed 29 minutes by rain. Game called after field deemed unplayable.

Kindrick Legion Field

Helena Brewers, Pioneer League

8/10

A better picture of the exterior from 2015, still painted sheet metal.

A lighter moment as the sprinklers suddenly turn on during the game in 2015 gave as good a chance as any to get a picture from behind home.

There are a few more stands down the first base line, but this is what there is behind home plate. A very basic stand.

I stuck the lens through the mesh during a break in play in 2010 and got this picture, which is still one of my favourites from anywhere.

 I went here in 2010 as part of a 3 park Pioneer League loop with my stepbrother. This is an old park, originally dating from the 1930's. It is a VERY simple wooden grandstand. It's located off of US 12, just north of downtown. It was a bit difficult to find, as it's not actually next to the street, but down a hard to see side street, which leads to a gravel lot. We parked for free about two blocks east.

The stadium has no real concourse to speak of, but a fenced in area behind the grandstand. Concessions offered a good variety, but especially of ice cream, which can be a requirement in Montana. The stadium was renovated by adding bright orange stadium seats which were removed from the Oakland Coliseum, when "Mount Davis" was built there. My cup holder still had an Oakland A's logo stuck to it.

If the stadium itself is less of an old gem and more aging, the atmosphere is incredible. Helena are last in attendance for the Pioneer League, but draw a little under a thousand a game in a city only about 30,000 total. There are not many casual fans passing through here, but with front row seats going for 9(N-I-N-E) Dollars, you end up with real fans instead. We moved into the front row, where our seats were, around the 6th inning and ran into a grizzled fellow who misunderstood what was going on and informed us that he would let us use some of his ticket stubs "if anyone gives you any shit" (pronounced sheeit). Nice fellow.

In summary, this park looks hideous from the outside, amazing once you're inside and is a 1930's era wooden bandbox. Food's slightly above par and the atmoshphere is way above, which is why I give it an 8/10. I am going to attempt to head back here again, possibly even this year.

Update 2017: I got back here for a second game in 2015 to watch them play Missoula as the first night of my summer loop. It was a bit on an anticipated game, with the season winding down and Osprey Pitcher Bo Takahashi having a steller season. The Brewers handed him his first loss however, in front of an unusually large crowd for here. In reevaluating this place, there's a lot to consider. Is the facility old? Yes. But is it bad enough to dock a point? No, it isn't.....barely. The food here is actually really good though, with a ton of local microbrews and food items are lacking in selection, but also very cheap. It's a plus. The atmosphere is good for such a small crowd, but nothing remarkable. This one stays at an 8, but was slightly more enjoyable than last time.

The Brewers managed to break 1,000 in terms of average attendance for the first time in many years. The city only has about 25,000 people, with 75 thousand in the area, although many of them are at least an hour from town and not well off. There has been zero talk of a new park here, as attendance and the local economy just don't justify it. However, rumours of a potential move for the AAA franchise in Colorado Springs for the 2019 season have led to speculation that the H-Brewers could be a good candidate to move, as both teams are owned by the same conglomerate. The ballpark and market there would be a massive upgrade, but it would also mean just another small town losing their team. I'd be just fine if that didn't happen, but will keep this place in mind for the next two seasons, just in case.

Linescores
2010-07-20
                                     123    456   789    R H E
Orem Owlz(LAA)             001   020   011   5 7 1
Helena Brewers(MIL)       100    800   20X   11 13 1
Temp: 82F  Time: 2:57  Att: 1,287

2015-08-27
                                        123    456   789   R H E
Missoula Osprey(ARI)        200   100   000    3 7 0
Helena Brewers(MIL)          042  100    00X   7 12 0
Temp: 86F   Time: 2:27  Att: 1,869

CHS Field

St. Paul Saints, American Association

9/10

My exterior shot is somewhat blurry, as I arrived late.

A large crowd takes in a Friday nighter.

By this point, the ball pig had been sent to the showers early, for poor behaviour.

I swung into St. Paul nearly an hour late for first pitch. I'd made a long, long trip from just over the border in Saskatchewan and after a delay just waiting for the cars ahead at the border itself, I knew I'd be late very early in the day. I was held up further when a Saints rooter named Greg needed help push starting his motorbike. After a few tries, Greg was off and running. This was part of a quick back to back, featuring games in St. Paul and Winnipeg on a Friday and Saturday night. The St. Paul Saints, of the American Association, were fighting for a division title with Winnipeg, headed into the final week of the season.

The Saints had left their first home to move into this, a brand new ballpark in downtown St. Paul. Attendance ended up sitting at just over 8,000, which was even more impressive that considering a short drive away, the Minnesota Twins(who were well out of contention) were playing the White Sox.

There were a lot of things I liked here. Firstly, the park itself is located downtown and is not only new, but actually well designed. A large concourse with a very high ceiling reminded me somewhat of Salt River. The section numbers were listed on the ceiling as well. A wraparound concourse saw more than a few people watching the game from the outfield. Parking wasn't the best, but I eventually found decent street parking two blocks away for not much money. Still, I found this place to be just amazing for Independent level baseball. I don't know how the facility could be any better.

But, even with that, the best part here is for sure the atmosphere. The Saints, when they were in the infant Northern League, adopted a strategy of making the atmosphere as quirky as possible and while the new park isn't anything like their old one, they've kept a lot of the quirks, including a somewhat unorthodox pair of PA announcers at a table in the front row and a live Pig bringing balls out to the umpire between innings. Sadly, the pig had a meltdown before I got a picture and was as far as I knew, sent home early. The PA announcing was comparable to a Top 40 station's morning show. It took some getting used to, but after awhile, I felt it added to the experience, as more regular spectators seemed to enjoy it.

I did have some cheese curds here and while they weren't bad, they weren't terribly special either.

Overall, showing up late(....again) took away from this place, but not enough to keep me from really enjoying it. I'd really like to get a return visit in again this year. 9/10.

Linescore

2016-09-02 
                          123    456  789   R H E
Lincoln Saltdogs    001  010  300  5 12  0
St. Paul Saints       001 001  000   2 6 1 
Temp: 72F  Time: 3:07 Att: 8,339 

Kingdome

Demolished

6/10

The good news is that I do have, buried somewhere, photos from inside the Kingdome. The bad news, is that I have little clue as to where they are. Such is the problem of printed photos.

This stadium was supposed to be built in time for the Seattle Pilots' first season. However, the Kansas City expansion team was eager to get into the league ASAP, to replace the Athletics franchise that had moved to Oakland, so Seattle's entry into the league was moved up, before the "King County Domed Stadium" could even be financed. So the Pilots played 1 season at the aging Sick's Stadium, before moving to Milwaukee. Still, it would not be long before 1977 saw the Mariners start up at the Kingdome.

We came here for the first time in 1996 to watch the Mariners and the Yankees under the dome. I was looking forward to watching former Blue Jay Jimmy Key, who then promptly left the game in the first inning after being hit with a comebacker. We saw the Mariners play the Red Sox the next year and that was it. I have only my 12 year old memory to go on, so here it is.

The area around where the dome was isn't a whole lot different than it is now. Some bars/pubs and Pioneer Square was close by. Seattle was a bit of a grittier city then, as the Microsoft boom hadn't come into full swing yet.

The dome itself was very dark. The wall in right field "Walla Walla" was about double height compared to the rest of the stadium. Ken Griffey Jr. can attest to the fact that this was a hitter's park to the extreme. I remember very little about coming here, other than the fact that the concourses would get very busy after games. Still, this was my 2nd MLB park ever and my last new one for about 6 years.

The Mariners were in a vulnerable spot again in the mid-90s, playing in an aging Kingdome, before Edgar Martinez's game winning hit in the division series against the Yankees all but guaranteed the construction of Safeco Field. The site of the former dome is now occupied by CenturyLink Field, home of the NFL Seahawks and MLS Sounders.

Update 2017: This place is still gone, but I did manage to locate the one linescore from here, the game against the Yankees where I remember Key being the starter. I don't remember the Boston games clearly, but I do remember them being at least the season after. They were likely in 1997, but maybe 1998 as well. I'll have to find a ticket stub or something to figure it out for sure.  

Linescores
1996-08-26
                            123  456  789   RHE
New York(AL)         000  000  100  150
Seattle                   000  100  010  290
Time: 2:59  Temp: 68F Att: 32,857

Prince George Citizen Field

Vacant

No Rating

The exterior of Citizen Field just prior to game time

Between innings of Thurston Co. v. Japan

The seating area empty between games.

It was August of 2016 and I had a minor issue. I had progressed well into the season and besides my California trip in May, I had nothing new. Days off from work were all but nonexistent, as vacation was snapped up by everyone but me during that same Cal trip. I was not too sure what to do, when in my random surfings, I noticed that the Pecos League's Roswell Invaders were in the "World Baseball Challenge". My interest piqued, I found that the tournament was in Prince George, BC, about 8 hours away and also included a team from Japan. I picked dates and drove out the morning of the doubleheader I chose to do, arriving just at the first game featuring a rep team from a summer league in Washington and a rep team of Japanese senior amateur players.

It was a clear, hot day, with the Japanese pulling out to an early lead thanks to some fundamental Japanese baseball, and the Evergreen staters, playing with something like a total roster of 11, battling in the late innings to pull back within a few runs, before running out of time. The second game saw the aforementioned Invaders take on a senior league team from Kamloops, the Sun Devils,who held it close, before Roswell showed off some fundamental Pecos League baseball by proceeding to knock every hanging breaking pitch they saw over the fence. Quickly, the game ended via Mercy rule(or "Slaughter Rule" in Japan, maybe a little more accurate).

As for this ballpark, it is Amateur to the core. It's a smaller, raised grandstand, with no fixed seating at all. A temporary structure built from scaffolding had some folding plastic chairs, but that's it. The atmosphere was very laid back, with only around 250 people present. What sounded like a disused train horn was sounded for every home run. The concession was super cheap, with a daily special for the tournament, the big event at this park. Usually, this place sees higher levels of junior and senior baseball, although it's unclear how popular any of that is.

Overall, if I had to rate this park, it'd likely get a 5, if it was lucky, as the facility is alright, but the lack of actual seats is a major flaw. The atmosphere is flat, but not bad, and the concession, while great for a park of this ilk, gets only a half point. Fortunately, this place doesn't get a rating, as while I saw a pro team, I didn't see a pro game. I doubt I'll run out to PG anytime soon.