Volcanoes Stadium

Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Northwest League

7/10

 Batting Practice just wrapping up prior to the Canadians/Volcanoes. That van is on I-5. It's that close.

 The seats in the back are all club seating.

The masses enjoy a decent night at a decent park.

I went here in July of 2008 for the final game of my 2nd Northwest League trip. We had driven by on the way out of town from a Eugene Emeralds game the previous year, with the park all lit up, having just finished a game as well. I noted at the time it was literally directly next to Interstate 5, which seemed a little interesting.

Well. Fast forward to the next year and we pulled in for a game between the Volcanoes and Vancouver Canadians. The Volcanoes were in the midst of a stretch of amazing seasons, which resulted in a period of around 4 years where they were at least tied for 1st place every day of the season. The Giants take their farmhands seriously, and it showed.

Anyhow, this is a pretty average ballpark located, as mentioned, right next to I-5, which honestly, imposes some pretty big limits on the experience right away. I-5 is busy and traffic goes by constantly throughout the game. In addition, there is a driving range style net, which is required to keep homeruns from ending up on the freeway, which they reasonably could without it, it's that close. The most mind boggling thing of all though is that while access was ok, getting out of the parking lot, back onto the highway, was quite time consuming, as there's only one overpass in the area. Most other off-ramp ballparks have a few, to divide up the traffic.

Besides my location rant, the ballpark is pretty decent. The configuration focuses pretty heavily on a club behind home plate, but still leaves plenty of good seats for the rest of us. The food here is above average, with lots of unique options. The team store featured clearance bobbleheads of team mascot, "Crater" who is a half-baseball/half dinosaur. For 7 dollars, I decided to get one. The park does have the smallest video screen I have ever seen. It was difficult to really watch, but it turned into a decent auxiliary scoreboard once the game started.

Overall, this is an average park, which has the plus of a good menu, but the big knock of being pretty much on the shoulder of an Interstate highway.

Update 2016: I have still not been back here, it'll be 9 years between visits this year, so it's at the top of my list in the northwest this season. I thought the team was continuing to draw acceptably, but attendance has dropped from 2,900 to 2,100, which in 2016, was the lowest in the NWL. I'm not entirely sure why this is, but with no obvious market trying to lure a team and the ballpark still being acceptable, I don't expect much controversy surrounding this team for at least 5 more seasons.

Linescore
2008-07-15
                                                 123   456   789   R H E
Vancouver Canadians(OAK)          510  000  101   8  8  0
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes(SF)        000  531  00x   9 11 2
Temp: 84F  Time: 3:13  Att:  2,628

Stockton Ballpark

Stockton Ports, California League

8/10

Parking was 5 dollars and was right outside the doors.

A relatively small crowd on free hat night waits for the Ports and Giants to start up.

Looking back at the home plate area during warm ups.

I made a much anticipated stop in Stockton after a getaway game earlier in the day in Fresno. Clouds had begun to roll in with some sporadic showers, but the rain held off to a short sprinkle or two until after the game. I arrived well before the first pitch and was rewarded with 5 dollar parking right in front of the entrance, a free hat and the last Caesar salad wrap in the building. The facility is very nice, with a wide concourse and some nice stone work. There is a "party deck" in the outfield, as well as some club sort of seating down the first base line. Food was reasonable, with nothing too memorable, I did find the aforementioned wrap stand hidden down the first base line, but it was almost sold out well before the game started.

It was a mid-week game in May on an overcast, moist day, which meant only so many people showed, but I could see the atmosphere here being good later in the summer. The fans were treated to a defensive contest as a 2 run homer in the 1st was met only by a solo homer in the 7th as the baby Giants eked out a 2-1 victory.

In the end, a nice ballpark, with decent, but not spectacular food options and the potential for a good atmosphere, I'd give it an 8 for the moment. I will totally come back here again given the chance.



Linescore
2016-05-04
                                     123   456    789    RHE
San Jose Giants(SJ)       200   000    000   230
Stockton Ports(OAK)      000   000    100   160
Temp: 64F  Time: 2:43  Att: 1,522

Marlins Park

Miami Marlins, National League

7/10

 I was running late, so I grabbed a photo of this sign on the way in.

 A Saturday afternoon matchup against the Blue Jays drew a decent crowd.

BP for the next afternoon's game.

Bonus pic: The "Home Run Sculpture" in Left Field.

It's not the Home Run Apple, but I found it super deflating when the Jays gave up a home run.

Firstly, there is a lengthy backstory surrounding the construction and financing of this stadium. In a nutshell, the Marlins played at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, for their first 18 years. That facility was apparently designed with Baseball in mind, but was hardly a permanent home for the Marlins. So ownership began a sustained effort to build a ballpark, which eventually led to MLB threatening that the Marlins would leave town if one wasn't built. That night, an agreement was reached for a new park to be constructed on the site of the Orange Bowl, which had recently been vacated by the Miami Hurricanes football team. The park got built, the Marlins paid just under 20% of the cost to build it, got their knuckles rapped for not spending enough of their luxury tax payments on payroll, now represent Miami instead of Florida, the mayor of Miami-Dade County was recalled over the issue and as of right now, the Marlins are drawing around 2,500 more per game than they did in Miami Gardens. Anyhow, the ballpark itself......


Going here was the crown Jewel of my Florida/Georgia/Alabama loop in 2012. The Jays were in town and I found a way to make it work. I drove down from Orlando for game 1 and arrived in the 2nd inning. This ballpark aimed to be uniquely designed, with architecture and décor that would be out of place anywhere but South Florida and appears to have succeeded. I've seen Marlins Park classified as both a Retractable Roof ballpark and the first "Modern" ballpark, both are correct, but only the latter reflects that the Marlins have a unique venue in MLB.

There were many plusses to Marlins Park. Firstly, it has a roof, which in the heat and especially the humidity of South Florida, is a near requirement. The park was brand new when I went and it was kept very clean. The food here is something else. There are a lot of different options including gluten free. I had first and currently only Pressed Cuban Sandwich here and it was pretty good. There's your usual ballpark fare as well as one item based on the visiting team. For the Blue Jays, they chose Poutine, which included a description for those unfamiliar. People in blue shirts seemed to be buying most of them. The park also makes an effort to cater to everyone with a more particular diet, including people who are going gluten-free. There is only one small concession in center field that has gluten free stuff, but it's the only one I've ever seen anywhere. The ballpark has numerous homages to the old Orange Bowl, including displays of big games and the orange bowl sign chopped up in pieces out front as street art.

But, there are some negatives. The area around the park is residential, so there's not really an after party atmosphere. People are offering their driveways and even their lawns as parking spots. I parked in one of the parking garages next door owned by the team. At the time of my visit, the roof either leaked, or had condensation issues, like most windows in South Florida. This meant that a steady stream of water dripped onto entire rows of the upper deck and I had to dodge some droplets to get to my seat. I'm not sure if the issue's been fixed. There is also a ballpark location of the "Clevelander" from Miami Beach behind left field, which I guess is supposed to overcome the lack of nightlife in the area. I just found it somewhat tacky, although it was full.

Overall, the City of Miami has a nice new park, which I'd rate as an 8/10. Once the kinks get worked out and the area around the ballpark inevitably changes, it would be rated higher.

Update 2016: I have not been back since 2012, evidently, I am not alone, as 2016 saw the Marlins finish 27th in MLB in attendance. With Atlanta getting a new park for 2017 and Texas as early as 2020, we will find out in a few years just how good this place is. Under the new scoring rubric, I can't help but knock the score down to a 7, as while the food was good, it wasn't worthy of a full point. 

Linescore
2012-06-23
                                   123   456   789   RHE
Toronto Blue Jays         010   000    006  780
Miami Marlins              000   000    100   151
Temp: 76F   Time: 2:49  Att:  24,448 

2012-06-24
                                     123   456   789    RHE
Toronto Blue Jays           000   000   000   080
Miami Marlins                 040  002   30x   980
Temp:  73F  Time: 2:29  Att: 27,888

San Manuel Stadium

Inland Empire 66ers, California League

8/10

The exterior is painted an appropriate colour of beige.

I enjoyed my food so much, I didn't do my picture walk until later than usual.

The 66ers in their baby blue home shirts go to bat against Lancaster, lined up the field.

I made the trip down to San Bernardino as part of my Cal League loop in 2016. I had taken in an early start in nearby Rancho Cucamonga, then driven to Yorba Linda and the under renovation Richard Nixon Presidential Library. I arrived well before the first pitch. The park is another early 90's design from Populous, which is why it's laid out almost exactly the same as Lancaster, Peoria and Hohokam Park. The exterior is painted a beige-yellow and comes across as somewhat southwestern. Overall, it's hardly a bad park, but it's hard not to consider it average, especially knowing of it's many cousins in the southwest.

I hit the concession shortly after arrival and opted for the Pulled Pork/Mac and Cheese nachos. At 10 dollars, I expected a slightly smaller than acceptable serving, but no. I ended up with a veritable boat of food, feeling very satisfied that I had gotten what I paid for. Needless to say, concessions here were solid, with the nachos factoring into my top 10 ballpark food items.

Atmosphere here was sedate, as you might expect on a midweek game in may, based on what the cluster of diehards in my section were calling the worst 66er team in memory. An elderly gentleman sitting in front of me claimed to have played for the USC Trojans in his day and piped up with a critique of the home side's strategy every few innings. About half the tickets sold for the game appeared to be redeemed. Still, with either the Dodgers or Angels in town pretty much every night, it's hard for the team to compete.

Overall, I enjoyed my stop here, food was fantastic, but with the park being a one of many in this design, plus the absence of any real crowd, it's hard to rate it too high. 8 it is.

Linescore
2016-05-04                             123    456    789   RHE
Lancaster Jethawks(HOU)       122    000    100   690
Inland Empire 66ers(LAA)        000    000    010   192
Temp: 68F  Time: 2:51  Att: 1,994

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