LECOM Park

Pittsburgh Pirates, Spring Training
Bradenton Marauders, Florida State League

9/10

The sidewalk was just a little too tight to get a decent shot of the entrance.

This is as good as I did behind home plate. I cropped a guy out, you can still see the top of his head.

Looking in at the grandstand.

Bonus Shot: This could be the best one I have, but it doesn't fit my facade/home/outfield template.

I went to LECOM Park on the last game day of my 2017 Florida trip, after a night game at Port Charlotte and before another one at Fort Myers. This is a pretty old field, having existed as McKechnie Field for numerous years and several other names since initial construction in 1923. The Pirates have been here since 1969, though it's been renovated several times since then. New renovations were completed prior to my visit in 2017. The park shows it's age and is a group of three grandstands set up behind home plate and each dugout.

The atmosphere is more oriented on baseball for sure, as there are flashier parks even in the Tampa area, let alone on the Gulf Coast. People were into the game, but not too into it.  The weather was clear and hot. The park's renovations mean it now has a wrap around concourse, which consists of a boardwalk which I thought looked pretty good.. There are numerous concessions on the first base side, and in center field, they do sell Gator Bites, which I would have had if I'd found them before I had my fish sandwich(which was very good as well).

It's a tough call, but I'd give this place a point for food and the park layout, plus a half point for atmosphere. I'd go back here again in a second, and likely will.

Linescore
2017-03-10
                     123   456   789  RHE
Tampa Bay    001  000   000  142
Pittsburgh      100  000   003  450
Time: N/A  Temp: N/A  Att: 5,804

Tuscon Electric Park

Vacant

8/10

10,000 plus for the last D-Back home game at TEP.

This park was an excellent venue for spring training games.

This place was jammed.

I went to my one and likely only game at then Tucson Electric Park in 2010, during Spring Training. The Arizona Diamondbacks played their last game as a full-time tenant here against the Milwaukee Brewers. I dragged my stepfather out here, as he wanted to take me to the Pima County Air Museum and I shoehorned him into going to the game as well. I had to agree to leave early, but a deal was struck.

We arrived early enough, but got stuck in a large line to park, had to buy tickets(military buy 1, get one free, yay!) and got inside in the 2nd inning. Stayed for 5 innings, then left at the end of 7, to beat the crowd.

I thought from a baseball standpoint, the park was well laid out, concessions were good and not very expensive, but we only had some light fare(Ice Cream Sandwiches and perhaps some Beer). It's a relatively straightforward layout with a wraparound concourse, a decent view of some nearby mountains and a 2nd level with some shaded seating.

This stadium is a somewhat cautionary tale. The spring tenants left for Phoenix when that trend continued. The Sidewinders suffered from low attendance, because of Tucson's 100+ degree summers. The AAA Padres were clearly a temporary resident and struggled to draw over 2,500 in their three seasons here. Now, it hosts 4th tier soccer(sometimes) and two or three Cactus league games a season. This was strictly a location issue, as the park itself is new and at the time of its being yanked, was still better than at least 2 of the stadiums in the Phoenix area.

 Overall, this is still a relatively nice park, with the location being the main reason that someone isn't training here. The capacity crowd was a strain on everything, but it was still an enjoyable place to catch a game. Hopefully someone will move back in here soon, but with the Arizona summer being what it is, Spring Training is the only thing that seemed to work.


Update 2018:  I still have not been back here, but since my last review, another tenant has come and gone. The Pecos League put the Tucson Saguaros here and while the team played well, baseball in the summer heat of Tucson just didn't sell to anyone and with sparse crowds, the expense of playing here just wasn't justified. They will move to a city park with a capacity of around 1,000 for this year. The team only played here Thursday-Saturday, with Sunday home games in nearby Bisbee, although this year, Sundays will be in Winslow, 4.5 hours away.  The park is known as Kino Veteran's Stadium again, after the sponsorship deal with Tucson Electric expired.

Pima County, who own the facility, made a push at the end of 2017 to have the Milwaukee Brewers relocate their Spring Training here from Maryvale, after a possible new park in Gilbert, on the east end of Phoenix, fell through. This doesn't appear to have gotten any traction, as the Brewers are reportedly now negotiating a long term lease to stay in Maryvale, which I'm glad to hear about.

I would give this place a point for facility, if only barely, so it remains an 8.

Linescore:
                      123    456    789   RHE
Milwaukee       000    000    100   1XX
Arizona           104    100     21x  9XX

Temp: N/A  Time:  N/A   Att: 10,009 

Ballpark of the Palm Beaches

Houston Astros, Washington Nationals (Spring Training)

8/10 

The weather in Florida was borderline stupendous the entire time I was there.

There isn't an easily photographed entrance around here. Any further back and the posts would have obstructed everything.

Looking in on my walkaround.

I came here in 2017, the year it had opened. Both the Astros and Nationals had moved here,out of older parks in Kissimmee and Viera. The park was brand new, built midway between the Florida Turnpike and I-95 about 100km north of downtown Miami. It's obviously a pretty nice, new, clean park. In terms of it's extravagance, I'd rate it somewhere above parks like Goodyear or Surprise, but below other new parks like Sloan Park or JetBlue. Come to think of it, it compares nicely to Camelback Ranch. Anyhow, parking is in a field off to the one side, I cannot remember if it cost anything. There are a few fountains on the paths to the park surrounded by ponds, marked with signs warning of alligators.

There's not really an entrance to speak of, just some signage over a gate along the third base side. The concourse and aisles are roomy and the concourse is wrap around, which is practically a requirement these days. The food menu was pretty average, with some favourites from D.C.(I think), but nothing memorable. I saw Ichiro live for probably the final time and Bryce Harper silence the "overrated" chant from one guy(and only one guy) by promptly hitting a homerun.

On the whole, I'd give this place an extra point for the facility, although maybe a half for the Nationals' fans bringing some of their quirkier cheers. I'd go back here for sure. 


Linescore
                       123     456    789   RHE
Miami               000    020    000   270
Washington      000     001   100    230
Time: 2:33 Temp: N/A Att: 4,004

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