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

Safeco Field

Seattle Mariners, American League

10/10

Seattle's finest keep an eye on the crowd leaving out the left field gate after a game against the Jays in 2010.

            

Finally got a decent, centered shot facing out here in 2015.

The shot with the roof closed is also centered now.

Me and Safeco Field go back a long way. This was my third Major League park, after the then-Skydome and Kingdome. I remember watching the first ever game here against the Padres in 1999 on a summer road trip, on television. Before long, we were down here, seeing amongst other teams, the Blue Jays, Royals, Devil Rays, Red Sox and Blue Jays again. Each time was for two games, for a total of 10, making it my most attended park at any level. So I know this one best of all. It is one of my absolute favourites, no doubt about it.

But where to even start? Firstly, Safeco is a retro-modern park and it does quite well. The main entrance is apparently inspired by Ebbets Field, but I mostly used the outfield entrances, which are adorned with banners of the biggest names on the team and feature some decent art installations of key moments in club history. The upper concourse features banners dedicated to many different baseballers, many who never played for the Mariners, including some Negro Leaguers and a few NPB players.

Some of the other quirks of Safeco include a hand-operated scoreboard in Left Field, the standings of all three divisions of the AL via flags in left field and the retractable roof, which comes in handy the first few months of the season, although it doesn't help with the temperature. The park is located in the "SoDo" or SOuth of the DOme district, as Safeco was built next door to the Kingdome, with the team moving over in the middle of the 1999 season. Qwest Field was built on the Kingdome site. The area is dotted with pubs and is only a few blocks from Pioneer Square.

The atmosphere in Seattle is in the top tier of the MLB parks I've been to to date. Mariner fans love their team and while there aren't as many of them coming out in recent years, they loyally supported sub-par teams for a long time before finally deciding to stay away(except when King Felix is pitching). Still, Mariner fans seem on the whole to be quite knowledgeable and while they cheer, they keep it clean and games with lots of opposing fans(the bigger clubs and the Blue Jays draw here) they are more of the "thanks for coming" type as opposed to something more sinister.

So many visits here means I know the food quite well. Besides standard ballpark fare, the Mariners have incorporated numerous local options into the menu. Firstly, Kidd Valley hamburgers make a nice gourmet burger and a great milkshake. Secondly, Ivar's seafood(deep-fried seafood, but still..) is another local treat. Thirdly, there is the "Red Hook". Red Hook make a few different kinds of beer now but "A Red Hook" gets you a nice India Pale Ale. Lastly, I almost forgot to mention the Garlic Fries. They could easily be the most popular thing in the park. By the late innings, you will smell garlic.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy this park every time I go and if you are a serious ballparking type, you need to budget a few games here. If you're in town and looking for a good night out, head over if you can.

Update 2016: I have now seen 11 games here and will be upping that to 14 next month when I swing through for a three game set versus the Blue Jays. There are some interesting food choices in the center field concourse that I only remember being new, not much about them. I will head out there for sure when I go back.

Linescores

2000-07-27
                      123   456  789  R H E
Toronto              100  000 501  7 16 0
Seattle             000  020  000  2 7  1
Temp: 75F   Time: 3:26  Att: 40,398



2000-07-28          
                       123   456  789  RHE
Toronto              004  000  000  461
Seattle              021  300  10x  790
Temp: 70F  Time: 3:11   Att: 37,126

2003-08-26
                       123    456  789    R H E
Tampa Bay       300    000  000   3 7 0     
Seattle             000     040  50x  9 12 0
Temp: 72F   Time: 2:58  Att: 43,287

2003-08-27
                       123    456  789    R H E
Tampa Bay        021  020  021   8 11 2
Seattle               000   030  010   4 5  1
Temp: 73F   Time: 2:58   Att:  42,442

2004-08-26
                        123  456   789   R  H E
Kansas City        400  002   100   7 11 0
Seattle              100  001  001   3  8  3
Temp: 70F   Time:  3:08  Att:  30,962

2004-08-27
                       123  456    789   R  H  E
Kansas City       001  030  010   5  9  0
Seattle             000  031  03x  7 14 1
Temp: 66F  Time: 2:30  Att: 35,690


2007-06-25
               123   456  789  R H  E
Boston      002  000 002  4  8  1
Seattle       010  050 30x  9 10 1
Temp: 65F  Time: 3:21   Att: 33,830
        
2007-06-26
                 123   456  789  R  H  E
Boston     101  022  010  7 14 1
Seattle      310  022  00x  8 12 1
Temp: 73F  Time: 3:25  Att: 35,045

2010-05-19


               123   456   789  R H E
Toronto     001  200  000    3 6 1
Seattle     000  000  200   2  10 1
Temp: 57F  Time: 2:36 Att: 19,208

2010-05-20
               123   456  789  RHE
Toronto     000  020  100  350
Seattle     001  000  003  480
Temp: 52F  Time: 2:35  Att: 20,452

2015-07-26
               123   456  789  10 R H E
Toronto      130  000 100   0  5 9 1
Seattle      102  000 200   1  6 13 1
Temp:66F  Time: 3:05  Att: 35,159

Everett Memorial Stadium

Everett AquaSox, Northwest League

9/10

A wonderful August evening sees the AquaSox battle Eugene.

A relatively modest crowd for the relatively modest park.

How can you not like a hand-operated scoreboard that says"Hit the sign, win a suit" ?

                                

The relatively benign exterior prior to a game in 2014.

I went to Everett Memorial Stadium in 2009, on the first night of my trip to Dodger Stadium. It was more or less just a throw in that fit the schedule that I wanted, but it turned into a little more than that. The game was a late August match featuring the Eugene Emeralds(As of 2014, I've seen this team play 5 times, it's always them!) taking on Everett's entry in the Northwest League, which in 2014, will be marking their 30th season.

The stadium is a pretty straightforward entry owned by the local school board, of all people. There is a large parking lot in the area around the stadium, which is free, if you show up early enough(The Old Yakima Special). The ballpark exterior is relatively plain and the seating area is aluminum and stadium seats, although I thought it looked substantially better than it's counterpart in Yakima. I was around 10 rows back and was right on top of the action. There is a hand-operated scoreboard in the right field alley and a video board in center, just off to the left side. The video board looks substantially better than it's counterpart in Salem and is clearly visible. I didn't sample any food here.

The only thing I didn't like was the mascot, Webley, an anthropomorphic tree frog, who insisted on repeatedly sticking his finger into my ear. Really. What does one do when someone in a tree frog costume keeps pushing the envelope? I ignored him until he went away. Still, I wonder if I wasn't justified in a once in a lifetime act of mascot abuse.

Overall, Everett might just be my favourite NWL park. It's a relatively simple, but clean and modern park, that looks newer than it actually is. It doesn't have much old-style charm, but I don't feel it should, given it was built in the 1980s. The fans seem to love it to, as only league stalwarts Spokane and Vancouver, plus brand-new Hillsboro draw better. I would absolutely consider heading back if I was in the Seattle area without the Mariners in town and would take it over a return visit to Tacoma in a heartbeat. One to put on your list.

Update 2016: Since I typed this back in early 2014, I've been here two more times to see the Frogs play Vancouver and have a pretty good read on it. The park is still a favourite of mine, even if it does feature a great deal of aluminum. The atmosphere is strictly baseball first, considering the saturated baseball market around here. My most recent night was the same day as a Mariner home game, so attendance was limited to locals. I like the food here and would give it a half point, but it's not quite enough to get the 10/10. Still, besides Vancouver, this is my favourite NWL park, I'd go here anytime.


Linescores 

2009-08-25
                                              123   456   789  R H E
Eugene Emeralds(SD)              001   021  000  4 9 0
Everett AquaSox(SEA)             000  101   100  3 12 0
Temp: 67F  Time: 2:18  Att: 1,850  
                                           

2014-08-18
                                                123  456   789  RHE
Vancouver Canadians(TOR)         000   220   020  671
Everett AquaSox(SEA)                010  031   30x   851
Temp: 81F  Time: 2:31   Att: 1,284

2015-07-27
                                                123  456   789  R H E
Vancouver Canadians(TOR)         000   000  000  0 4 0
Everett AquaSox(SEA)                401   010  00x  6 10 0
Temp:69F   Time: 2:10  Att: 1,625

Peoria Sports Complex

San Deigo Padres, Seattle Mariners, Spring Training

8/10

A crowd takes in the Padres and Mariners in 2010.

The grounds crew prepares for AFL action in October 2011.

The Padres and Mariners head towards a nice sunset in 2013.

Peoria was the 2nd Cactus League park I went to in 2010, watching a night game between the Mariners and Padres, with San Diego as home team. I went back in 2011 for another night game, this time with the Arizona Fall League, where an Indians prospect named Jesus Aguilar hit two homeruns that went so far, I had my head on a swivel walking to the car, just in case they hadn't come down yet. I went in 2012 for a Cactus League game where a Mariner squad of largely AA players with Kevin Milwood pitching showed the Padres that the gap between AA and the Majors isn't so big, winning handily. In 2013, I finally saw this place during the day, as the Royals and Mariners squared off.

My opinon of Peoria changed drastically from after my first visit, where I found it underwhelming, to my other three, where I loved it. I'd have to say that besides Maryvale Ballpark, Peoria is the most underrated in the Cactus League.

The park itself a relatively unassuming complex located in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria, northwest of downtown. The ballpark is accessible via Loop 101, but be ready for traffic prior to game time. Showing up overly early here isn't a bad idea, especially if you aren't familiar with the park, or the area. The main stadium is located between the Mariner and Padre training areas and is a subdued Tan, concrete park, with little in the way of an exterior façade. Food is around average at around average prices. I've been here 4 times and cannot remember one unique offering from either team. Prices are below average for the area.

The main concourse out of view of the field, but a wide walkway between the lower and upper seating sections acts as another concourse as well, although there aren't any kiosks or anything blocking it. My big plusses for Peoria are sightlines and an atmosphere that is less like a carnival and more about baseball. The Mariners and Padres organizations, to their credit, seem to think this is a plus to and recently extended their leases in Peoria until 2034, which means that fans of both the M's and the Fighting Friars have 20 more springs to look forward to. The Mariners bring several vendors and the like down from Seattle, to add to the local experience. This is a conversation from 2010:

A longtime Mariner Vendor, on the long gone Kingdome:
Fan: Do you miss the dome?
Vendor sits down.
“People ask me:do you miss the dome? I tell them: Only in April.”

Now that I've seen them all, I realize how special Peoria is. It was the first park in Arizona to house two teams well, which became a model for others to follow. It also isn't well attended compared to some of it's counterparts. It isn't going to blow you away, but my suggestion is to cut away from the herd and catch a game here, especially at night. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Update 2016: I have now been here a total of 6 times, for four spring training games and two fall league. When I last went back for a Fall League game in 2015, the park was being renovated, the front entrance had an actual sign (really!) and the concessions that weren't open had new signage giving them Seattle and San Diego themed names. The left field corner was closed as it appeared that new suites were going in in that area. Both teams are committed here for the long term, so it's not surprising that the almost 25 year old park was up for some renos. Under the new rating system, I'd still keep an 8, giving half points for atmosphere and facility, but I will make a stop here for sure the next March I go to Phoenix, as the renovations could make this score higher.

 Linescores
2010-03-24
                        123    456   789   R H E
Seattle              000    100    000  1  4  3
San Diego         000     000   20x  2 10 1
Temp: 66F  Time: 2:34  Att: 7,173

2011-10-06
                                   123   456  789    R  H  E
Phoenix Desert Dogs     010  122  013   10  11  1
Peoria Javelinas            000   011  200    4   7   0
Temp: 65F  Time: 2:49  Att: 269

2012-03-31
                         123   456   789   R H E
San Diego           000  010   000   1 5  2
Seattle               002  002   11x   6  12  0
Temp: 90F  Time: 2:27  Att: 5,773

2013-03-26
                      123   456   789   R  H   E
Kansas City     001   060  022  11 18  0
Seattle             003  100  200    6  11  0
Temp: 81F  Time: 2:58  Att: 6,098

2014-03-26
                          123    456    789   R H E
Chicago Cubs      001   000    013   5 11 3
San Diego           012   000   200    5  6  2
Temp: 85F  Time: 3:16  Att: 5,407

2015-11-19
                                123   456   789  RHE
Surprise Saguaros      001  003   030   791
Peoria Javelinas         300  100   000   492
Temp: 74F   Time: 2:46  Att: 603 

Cheney Stadium

Tacoma Rainiers, Pacific Coast League

7/10

       2013: The façade is totally redone. From the outside, it doesn't even look like the same place.

                                      

2007: The relatively more modest exterior of Cheney.

                                    

2007: The outfield wall is wooden, with large ads, the scoreboard is a simple electronic line score with a message board. They moved this thing out to right field.

 2013: The outfield wall is completely transformed.  There is an LED messageboard over the power alley, plus a full colour video screen.

                                       

2013: This is the biggest change by far.The two story plus building featuring the "Suites and Clubs" as per the exterior signage.

  2007: While not the greatest shot, this gives a bit of an impression as to the way the grandstand used to be laid out.

I have been looking forward to writing this one. I have been to Cheney Stadium twice, once in 2007  and a second time in 2013, after the park had undergone extensive renovations.

I went to Cheney Stadium for a midweek game against the Portland Beavers in 2007, after seeing the Mariners play the Red Sox the previous two nights. I went again in 2013, making it my first stop after a visit to my hometown of Victoria and saw the Rainiers play the Salt Lake Bees.

In 2007, I wasn't doing ballparking trips or anything quite like it, so I wasn't "reviewing" it per se. The stadium appeared to be a largely average minor league ballpark and reminded me a bit of Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver, as that's about all I had to compare it to. The atmosphere was low key, as the Mariners were at home to the Yankees that night as well. The main quirk was Rhubarb the Reindeer(get it?) the mascot, who apparently had a background in ballet, and challenged an "umpire" to a dance off. Cheney Stadium in 2007 simply came across as a decent place to watch some pretty high level baseball for not much money and that was fine with me.

In 2013, I returned, eager to see what the renovations had turned Cheney into. It is a much different place. Firstly, the park's grandstand is larger, with a building of suites at the back that was two stories tall. Secondly, and this is a big plus for me, the concessions were of Major League quality, with me enjoying a bread bowl of Ivar's clam chowder.(Ivar's is outstanding fast seafood, track one down if you're in Seattle).

On the whole, while the park likely did need renovations and the lease will keep the Rainiers in the park until 2041, I found the post-renovations atmosphere to be a little more obnoxious. The team is clearly gravitating towards the trend of having AAA teams in wealthier suburbs, as opposed to mid-sized cities and with all the amenities that weren't there before are definitely targeting suburban families with disposable income, as opposed to putting on a good baseball product and hoping for a good crowd. Fans have apparently let out a collective yawn, as the team's attendance is virtually unchanged from before, 2nd last in the PCL, ahead of only the temporary Tucson franchise. Still, the renovations headed off any talk of a move, as opposed to letting things drag out. I gave the park a 7 in 2007 saying it was average and would also give it a 7 in 2013, with the plus of great concessions cancelling out the negative of a somewhat obnoxious atmosphere.

Update: I disagreed with my own review until the end. 7/10 is still applicable. There have been only a few minor changes here. Firstly, the Rainiers finally abandoned the Mariner colour scheme and have reverted to red and white, which is more consistent with the old Seattle Rainier uniform. Secondly, the team has made modest (like a few hundred) gains in attendance. Probably won't be back here anytime soon, unless I have no other option.

Linescores 
2007-06-27
                                        123   456   789    R H E
Portland Beavers(SD)         007   000   000    7 12 1
Tacoma Rainiers(SEA)       000   200   001    3  7  1
Temp: 72F  Time: 2:37  Att: 4,144



2013-08-28
                                        123     456    789  10  11 12  13  R H E
Salt Lake Bees(LAA)         002     030    100   0   0   0    2    8 12 1
Tacoma Rainiers(SEA)       004    101    000    0   0   0    0    6 13 2
Temp: 77F  Time: 5:07  Att: 6,218