Favorite Minor League Stadiums

[Sarah]

Someone started a post about their favorite major league stadiums so I am wondering what everyone's favorite minor league stadiums are. I have been to a few and my favorite by far is the one in the Quad Cities. It was recently renovated and has a spectaular view of the Mississippi River. I have been there twice and would go back in a second! I have tickets to the first Saints game at CHS Field next week so I am looking forward to checking out that one too. Another one of my favorites is Wade Stadium in Duluth- just a classic old brick ballpark and you get a great view of Lake Superior if you are in the upper seats. The only one I can think of that I didn't like was the one in Beloit, but it wasn't really a ballpark just more like a city park which I'm guessing is part of the reason the Twins aren't there any more.

[Vanimal46]

I'm about to check out Dell Diamond, home of the Round Rock Express (AAA affiliate for Rangers) tonight! I'll give a report on that stadium later on. My synopsis might be fueled by beer as a forewarning.

[Steven Buhr]

I've never been as big a fan of the Quad Cities ballpark as others are. I agree the view of the bridge is terrific, but otherwise, I don't see it as having anything over Cedar Rapids, Appleton and Kane County, for example (unless you just really are in to the ferris wheel thing).

 

I went to a game at AAA Louisville a few years ago and really liked that ballpark.

 

And, of course, since the FSL teams mostly play in their teams' spring training parks, a lot of those are really nice.

[blairpaul715]

Only minor league non independent team stadium I have been to is Cedar Rapids, I dont have much to compare it too, but I liked the venue and of course when I went (Apr 27, 2013) i got to see Buxton and the crew, so fun, and for the other team i got to see Corey Seager, on his birthday hit 2 HR's. If i remember right we won in extra innings ..............but for independent baseball, Newman Stadium in Fargo was nice venue, small but nice............and has anyone seen the new St Paul Saints stadium???? Will this be their first yr or yr 2????

[ashbury]

Has Cedar Rapids park been renovated? I was there maybe 25 years ago and I don't remember it as standing out, but things change.

 

Reno has a nice new ballpark, and though I don't like AAA ball (not one single person on the payroll wants to be there or believes he should be), the rest of the experience there is good.

 

Indianapolis also has a downtown park that I like.

 

Raley Field in Sacramento isn't so hot, either by location (away from downtown in a dumpy area) or by amenities. I just was there once, and never have made a reason to go back.

 

I concur that Quad Cities is worth at least one visit (3rd base side, night game) for the bridge as backdrop. However, beware during flood season, as the park sits about 3 inches above the river's natural level and a flooded baseball diamond is not a pretty thing. I seem to recall outfielders dealing with puddles.

 

The most run-down little ballpark I ever attended a professional game at was in Waterloo IA back when they still had a single-A team. Not surprising they lost their team, to Grand Rapids MI. However, I enjoyed the low-minors atmosphere there very much. The game makes much more difference to me than the facilities.

[biggentleben]

I've never been, though I've taken in some independent league games in Sioux Falls and St. Paul.

[Thrylos]

Hammond Stadium   

 

That said most of the Eastern League AA stadiums are real pits with the Reading and New Britain being two of the worst offenders.  Every single FSL stadium that hosts Spring Training is better than them (with Hammond Stadium being the best, of-course.)  The experience in a Miracle game is different than that in a Twins' ST, however (and much cheaper.)

 

I have been to a couple of PCL ballparks (I-Cubs and SLC Bees) and they are aging; I still prefer Hammond over them.  The Rochester ballpark is not that great.  My hometown park (Coca Cola Park) is my favorite IL ballpark (and the gem of the league; and I am not a homer), but I have not been to the Scranton-Wilkes Barre new ball park yet.  Now with the Hammond Stadium renovation, it has a wrap-around outfield area and bars in the OF like the Coca Cola Park, but misses the upper deck and the suites that CCP has.  Still, Hammond is my favorite.  Got to try some Southern League parks now, but still, usually AA parks cannot beat FSL Spring Training Parks.

 

 

[Squirrel]

Hammond Stadium   

 

I'd have to concur with this, although I haven't seen any other minor league stadiums, so I guess this would also be the worst, too. And everything in between.

 

But it is a nice stadium.

[Steven Buhr]

 

Has Cedar Rapids park been renovated? I was there maybe 25 years ago and I don't remember it as standing out, but things change.

 

Reno has a nice new ballpark, and though I don't like AAA ball (not one single person on the payroll wants to be there or believes he should be), the rest of the experience there is good.

 

Indianapolis also has a downtown park that I like.

 

Raley Field in Sacramento isn't so hot, either by location (away from downtown in a dumpy area) or by amenities. I just was there once, and never have made a reason to go back.

 

I concur that Quad Cities is worth at least one visit (3rd base side, night game) for the bridge as backdrop. However, beware during flood season, as the park sits about 3 inches above the river's natural level and a flooded baseball diamond is not a pretty thing. I seem to recall outfielders dealing with puddles.

 

The most run-down little ballpark I ever attended a professional game at was in Waterloo IA back when they still had a single-A team. Not surprising they lost their team, to Grand Rapids MI. However, I enjoyed the low-minors atmosphere there very much. The game makes much more difference to me than the facilities.

If you haven't been to a CR game in 25 years, you haven't been to their current stadium. The old ballpark was torn down and replaced with a new one that opened in 2002. It has had a few capital improvements over the years (such as a new, larger, video board a couple years ago), but hasn't had a significant remodel since it opened.

 

Since you mentioned the Waterloo ballpark, I'll just mention that they use that park now for their Northwoods League team. In fact, the "Bucks" were purchased during the offseason by the Kernels organization. My understanding is that stadium upkeep is one of the first orders of business for the new owners.

[Loosey]

I've only been to Hammond Stadium which I found to be very nice.  Also Jet Blue in Fort Myers, but I am not sure if any minor league teams play there and least any affiliated with any Major League teams.  Does anyone know?

 

So Hammond is the only real Minor League stadium I have been too but thought it was very nice especially with renovations.

 

I've been to Midway and am going to catch a game and CHS field later next month to see the St. Paul Saints.  But they are independent (For Now, fingers crossed something miraculous happens in next 5 years).  I also played in the Kenosha stadium the old Twins minor league team played at in the 80's.  That was a dump and I think my high stadium may have been nicer.

 

So, by default my favorite is Hammond!

[biggentleben]

 

I've only been to Hammond Stadium which I found to be very nice.  Also Jet Blue in Fort Myers, but I am not sure if any minor league teams play there and least any affiliated with any Major League teams.  Does anyone know?

 

So Hammond is the only real Minor League stadium I have been too but thought it was very nice especially with renovations.

 

I've been to Midway and am going to catch a game and CHS field later next month to see the St. Paul Saints.  But they are independent (For Now, fingers crossed something miraculous happens in next 5 years).  I also played in the Kenosha stadium the old Twins minor league team played at in the 80's.  That was a dump and I think my high stadium may have been nicer.

 

So, by default my favorite is Hammond!

 

That's a thing?!  I would almost wager that it's more lucrative for St. Paul to remain in their independent league. Most teams in indy ball have larger revenue streams to work with due to not having an affiliate to appease and league fees/dues are much, much lower. Dan Evans gave some great interviews a couple years ago on the indy vs. affiliated ball argument when he was the commish of the Northern League.

[Loosey]

 

That's a thing?!  I would almost wager that it's more lucrative for St. Paul to remain in their independent league. Most teams in indy ball have larger revenue streams to work with due to not having an affiliate to appease and league fees/dues are much, much lower. Dan Evans gave some great interviews a couple years ago on the indy vs. affiliated ball argument when he was the commish of the Northern League.

I think there was some talk a few years ago, but that seems to have died.  But from a fans perspective it would be great to have a Twins minor league affiliate in St. Paul. I think the Saints build would be good enough for AA team I thought I read a year or so ago.

[Loosey]

 

I think there was some talk a few years ago, but that seems to have died.  But from a fans perspective it would be great to have a Twins minor league affiliate in St. Paul. I think the Saints build would be good enough for AA team I thought I read a year or so ago.

Here is the story I saw last summer:

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/sports-business/2014/06/twins-st-paul-saints-minor-league-partnership.html?page=all

[Thrylos]

 

I've only been to Hammond Stadium which I found to be very nice.  Also Jet Blue in Fort Myers, but I am not sure if any minor league teams play there and least any affiliated with any Major League teams.  Does anyone know?

 

Jet Blue is an exclusive ST ballpark.  The Red Sox do not have a team in the FSL.  Their High A team (Salem Red Sox) is in the Carolina league.  The Red Sox own the Salem team, so it is unlikely that they will have a team play regular season games at Jet Blue

[Thrylos]

 

That's a thing?!  I would almost wager that it's more lucrative for St. Paul to remain in their independent league. Most teams in indy ball have larger revenue streams to work with due to not having an affiliate to appease and league fees/dues are much, much lower. Dan Evans gave some great interviews a couple years ago on the indy vs. affiliated ball argument when he was the commish of the Northern League.

 

I can see that for the Northern League, because there really is not much competition.  In the Northeast, International League (AAA) teams draw 3-4x as much as Atlantic & CanAm (Ind) League teams, mainly because of their density, positioning in bigger cities, and, generally, close to the motherships.

 

Here are the 2014 averages for IL.  For comparison's purposes, the Newark Bears used to average less than 2000 a season (CanAm) before they folded...

[Steven Buhr]

 

Jet Blue is an exclusive ST ballpark.  The Red Sox do not have a team in the FSL.  Their High A team (Salem Red Sox) is in the Carolina league.  The Red Sox own the Salem team, so it is unlikely that they will have a team play regular season games at Jet Blue

Pretty sure I recall reading that the ownership of the Miracle nixed a proposal to have the Red Sox high A affiliate play in Ft Myers years ago, exercising their territorial rights under MiLB rules. Can't imagine their stance would change at any point, since it would be really bad for business to allow another FSL team to play 5 miles from your ballpark.

[Sarah]

I went to CHS Field on Thursday for the first Saints game and it is beautiful. About 7,000 seats so very intimate, good picnic areas and views of the field from anywhere, nice berm in left field and drink rails too. The concessions left something to be desired but I know it's unfair comparing it to Target Field. The one thing is that if you're coming from the west (Minneapolis) it's a little hard to find a place to park. But I parked in the World Trade Center ramp by the Children's Museum and then you can either take the light rail two stops to the Union Depot or you can just walk- I walked since it was a beautiful night and it's about eight blocks. I will definitely be back and bring my niece and nephews.