Baseball Stadiums: 2013 Final Recap

With minor league baseball's regular season officially over, it is time to recap the baseball stadiums I visited this year.  In the spring, I visited three ballparks in California (LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga, Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, and Lake Elsinore Diamond in Lake Elsinore).  I was able to visit those stadiums because I attended the 2013 AAG Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.

Although I had been to many games at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Okla., I finally documented my experience with photographs and a write-up with a visit in May.  This summer I visited two new ballparks: Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark., and Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.  Those stadiums were the highest on my list to visit this year because I have moved from Oklahoma, and wanted to catch a game at those parks before I left the region.

I'm currently living in Alabama, so I'm planning to visit a few ballparks within a four-hour drive by the end of next summer.  I'm aiming to visit Mobile's Hank Aaron Stadium (home of the Mobile BayBears), Pensacola's Pensacola Bayfront Stadium (home of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos), and Birmingham's Regions Field (home of the Birmingham Barons).  I have attended games at Joe W. Davis Stadium (home of the Huntsville Stars), but have not documented my experience.  So that stadium is also on my list.

I'll also be attending the 2014 AAG Annual Meeting in Tampa, Fla., in April, and hope to visit a few Florida ballparks while I'm there.  Right now, I don't know what stadiums I may get to visit because I have not seen the 2014 schedules yet.

I've also made a change to my Google map, and removed college stadiums.  I decided to remove college ballparks because the data about the stadiums is inconsistent, and I felt that I should create a map featuring all the college sports venues where I have seen a contest.

Here my current baseball stadium tally:

• MLB = 20 (13 active)
• AAA = 9 (8 active)
• AA = 17 (13 active)
• High A = 2
• Low A = 3 (1 active)
• Short-Season A = 6 (5 active)
• Independent = 5 (4 active)
• Spring Training = 10 (9 active)

As of this post, I have seen professional baseball games (including Spring Training) in 27 states, the District of Columbia, and one province.  The only new state I added this year was California, as I have previously seen games in Arkansas (2012) and Missouri (2008).

Presidential Pathways: #42, Bill Clinton

Born: August 19, 1946, in Hope, Ark.
Died: Still living
Burial Place: Still living
Library & Museum: Little Rock, Ark. (Visited: May 2012)

Library & Museum

Main entrance.

A bridge to the 21st Century.

"State Gifts"

The gifts of smooth sax sounds.

Lance Armstrong's yellow jersey from the Tour de France and an Olympic torch from 1996.

Nesting dolls of world leaders: Bill Clinton, George Bush, Boris Yeltsin, Mikhail Gorbachev, Helmut Kohl, John Major, Margaret Thatcher, Francois Mitterand, and Saddam Hussein.

"1998"

"Presidential Limousine"

Baseball Stadiums: Hammons Field

Like my visit to Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark., I wanted to visit Hammons Field because of my impending move out of the region and I expect it would be difficult to make a trip back with the primary purpose of watching games at each stadium.  After packing up my apartment in Stillwater, Okla., I ventured toward Springfield in pursuit of my summertime goal.  Before arriving in Springfield, I explored some other sights in southwest Missouri like Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site, which allowed me to complete my trifecta of Truman presidential sights.  However, that's another story for another time.  I'm here to talk baseball, which was the real purpose of the trip.

Main entrance.

I don't know if there are lines waiting to enter the stadium each night, but I expect there were lines on the night I attended the game because the Springfield Cardinals celebrated Christmas in July and the exclusive giveaway item was a snow globe that contained a replica of the team's 2012 Texas League championship trophy.

Snow globe with replica 2012 Texas League championship trophy.

While Ben Hill's article on MiLB.com provided a lot of information about the stadium, he didn't sample the ballpark staples like hot dogs or sandwiches.  He highlighted the popcorn stand, the hot dog selection, and the Cardinals Creamery, but only ate popcorn and ice cream.  So I didn't have a concrete idea of what to eat, I toured the concession stands and decided to wait until after the first pitch before getting something to eat.

First pitch: Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Springfield Cardinals.

It was "Johnsonville Buck a Brat Night," which is something I'd normally indulge in very quickly.  However, I wanted to be more selective in my dinner choice.  I wanted to be sure that I experienced something unique to Hammons Field.  After walking around the concessions and debating it over, I decided to purchase my typical encased meat at The Doghouse.

The Doghouse featured a variety of encased meats, but not the night's featured "Buck a Brat."

I'm not sure why the team offers a Chicago Dog, as the Chicago Cubs are a major rival of the Springfield team's parent club - the St. Louis Cardinals.  I thought I might betray the home team if I ate a Chicago dog, so I opted for the Missouri Dog.

The Missouri Dog, which is a hot dog served with melted American cheese and topped with grilled sauerkraut.

I added ketchup and yellow mustard to the hot dog.  The hot dog was OK, but nothing special.  I didn't ask what made it unique enough to earn the moniker "Missouri Dog," but I can only presume that it's a staple of Missouri ballpark cuisine.  Perhaps the best part of my meal was a local craft brew: Paul's Pale Ale from Springfield Brewing Company.  The beer was a very good American pale ale, and a nice compliment to the sauerkraut on the Missouri Dog.

I saw something unexpected at the ballpark when I saw a concession stand that offered a funnel dog.  I did not inquire about why it was available, but I expect it was a specialty item on the menu because the Cardinals were hosting the Northwest Arkansas Naturals - the team that made the funnel dog famous.

I'm usually content with a hot dog and a beer, but my stomach needed more this night.  In hindsight I should've gotten the Texas League Dog, but instead I took advantage of the "Johnsonville Buck a Brat" promo and had a bratwurst with another regional craft brew.  For my second round, I had Urban Chestnut Brewing Company's Zwickel lager.  The beer was a delicious, and reminded me of the German lagers I home brewed with my dad.

Although I saw the popcorn stand and ice cream station, I wasn't in the mood for any desserts.  So I didn't get a mini helmet full of ice cream, and I didn't experiment with the popcorn flavors.  Instead, I turned my attention to the game and the promotions.

Cardinals second baseman Colin Walsh at the plate.

While the Cardinals featured a Christmas-related give away item, the on-field promotions did not show any hint of Christmas.  A great example is the Bob Ross Paint Off, which took place in the middle of the 4th inning.  I loved watching  "The Joy of Painting" on PBS, but I don't understand how it helped celebrate "Christmas in July."

The Bob Ross Paint Off.

There were a handful of Christmas songs played during the game, but there were no unique on-screen graphics, no Christmas-themed skits, and there was no appearance by Santa Claus or his eight tiny reindeer.  When my schedule changed and I knew I'd be attending the Christmas in July game, I was excited because I anticipated a game filled with Christmas-related promotions, prizes, and more.  Instead, I had an experience that lacked almost any hint of Christmas.

I did capture photos with the team's two mascots: Louie and Fetch.  I also made sure to vote for Louie in MiLB.com's Mascot Mania with a post on Twitter and through the web site.

Me with Louie.

Like many teams, the Cardinals have two mascots.  On Louie's first birthday, fans presented him with a puppy: Fetch!

Close-up of me with Fetch.

Since April I've become more conscious of taking a photo with the team mascot(s), so I'm happy I got photos with both Louie and Fetch.  On this trip, I noticed something else.  I noticed more fans filming or taking photos with their tablets.  Only a few days after seeing fans with heavy-duty technology in Springdale, I saw it again in Springfield.  I'm all for taking photos and documenting your experience, but I think it's a bit extreme to record video with your tablet or with a mini digital recorder.

Most likely a proud parent recording her child's accomplishments with the latest technology.

While planning my visit to Hammons Field, I looked over a handful of reviews besides Ben Hill's piece.  Many articles described the experience as a "mini major," which means that the stadium and the experience is similar to attending a major league game, but at a mini park.  In general, I'd have to agree with that critique.  The ballpark is beautiful and it feels like a major league stadium, but a few minor league twists like the on-field, between-innings promotions remind fans that this is not The Show.  Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo., may not be The Show, but the team shows visitors to this corner of Missouri a great time with a dash of local flavor.

Baseball Stadiums: Arvest Ballpark

At the beginning of the summer I set a goal of watching games at three minor league ballparks.  I recently moved out of my apartment in Stillwater, Okla., and incorporated two stadium visits into my trip.  On the way from Georgia to Oklahoma, I stopped in Northwest Arkansas to do some sightseeing and saw my first game at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark., home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

Like many stadiums built in suburbia, an expansive parking lot surrounds Arvest Ballpark.  The city built the stadium in hopes of spurring development in the area, but so far nothing has arisen near the intersection of South 56th Street and Watkins Avenue.  Across from the stadium there is a sign welcoming people to Springdale that says "Home of Tyson and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals."

Main entrance.

The stadium's location on the outskirts of town not far from I-540 means the backdrop for games isn't a towering city skyline or a set of scenic mountains.  With those limitations in place, the Naturals did a good job of providing a pleasing backdrop.  There is plenty of berm seating, especially on a Monday night, a good scoreboard, and the trees beyond incorporated into the batter's eye provide a break from an otherwise bland backdrop.

First pitch with an endorsement of the team's Twitter handle: @nwaNaturals.

There are two notable food items served at Arvest Ballpark.  The best known is the funnel dog, which was the Naturals' featured item in MiLB.com's Food Fight contest earlier in 2013.  The funnel dog is similar to a corn dog, but the the dog is deep fried in funnel cake batter instead of the traditional corn-based batter.  The funnel dog is also an item that MiLB.com writer Ben Hill ate and recommended following his visit to the ballpark.  I opted to eat the funnel dog with just the confectionery sugar as a complement.  In hindsight I should've tried finding an appropriate dipping sauce for the dog, but the dog seemed to have been grilled before it was deep fried in funnel cake batter which gave it a slightly smoky flavor.

Funnel Dog.

Where can you buy the funnel dog?  Only one place at Arvest Ballpark serves them up:

Home of the Funnel Dog.

The other recommended food item was the BBQ nachos, which I admittedly did not want to try because I've found that a handful of ballparks (Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn., AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tenn., Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.) in the Southeast carry them.  So while they might be delicious, they are not as unique as some are led to believe.  However, the funnel dog was not sufficient for dinner so I needed to get something more to eat.  Due to the recommendation, I opted for the BBQ nachos, and I was not disappointed.

BBQ Nachos, which features pulled pork, sweet BBQ sauce, nacho cheese, avocado sour cream, red and yellow bell peppers, and chives.

Although I had a difficult time finding a craft brew from Arkansas at the stadium, the Naturals have a concession stand that serves nothing but craft beers.  I opted to skip the craft brew selection and enjoyed a Shiner Bock with my nachos.

The Craft Beer Corner, home of Arvest Ballpark's craft brew choices.

Another unique feature of games at Arvest Ballpark is Ruby, a 13-year-old black Labrador Retriever.  According to Ben Hill's piece, she comes to the stadium with groundskeeper Monty Sowell.  If I hadn't read about her beforehand I would've been quite confused, and I still don't understand her role considering that she comes onto the field when the grounds crew manicures the infield.  Granted, it's a dog's life and she seems quite happy.

Ruby watching her human companion work on the infield dirt.

Although the stadium opened in 2008, the designers (Populous) and team did not create a retro stadium reminiscent of the jewel box ballparks (Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, and others).  Instead it's a very crisp, modern ballpark with all the necessary amenities fans expect at new minor league stadiums.  The sleek design of the stadium is clear when you view the grandstand from the outfield.

The visiting Arkansas Travelers taking the field.

Many minor league teams now feature multiple mascots, and I was able to capture a photo with both mascots for the Naturals: Strike the Sasquatch and Sinker the Lake Creature.

Me with Strike.

Sinker was the Naturals nominee for MiLB.com's Mascot Mania contest, which saw it's league round conclude on Aug. 1.  So I bagged two mascots, although I was unable to get them together in the same photo.

Me with Sinker the Lake Creature.

Arvest Ballpark lived up to expectations on a Monday night.  The crowd was sedate and the stadium location lacked any sort of ambiance or charm.  It was easy to reach the ballpark, but the lack of any restaurants or bars or any sort of local entertainment across the street from the stadium diminishes the fan experience.

However, the atmosphere inside the ballpark makes up for the surroundings.  The gift shop has a huge selection of items.  The concession stands offer the standard ballpark fare, but features a few unique items that separate Arvest Ballpark from other minor league stadiums.  One funnel dog may not be enough for dinner, but it's an excellent item that every fan should sample.  While I cannot say the BBQ nachos are totally unique, they are certainly delicious.  I could've eaten just the nachos for my meal and been quite full, so fans get their money's worth.

Ultimately, the visit to Arvest Ballpark was very good.  My stadium visit was complete: first pitch photo behind home plate,local encased meat on a bun, photo with mascot(s), and overly enthusiastic fan who needs a heavy duty camera.

Whether it's an iPhone or a heavy duty camera, this pair didn't miss a moment.

Presidential Pathways: #30, Calvin Coolidge

Born: July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vt. (Visited: June 2007)
Died: Jan. 5, 1933, in Northampton, Mass.
Burial Place: Plymouth Notch Cemetery in Plymouth Notch, Vt. (Visited: June 2007)

Birthplace

The Coolidge family operated the town's general store, and lived in a small cabin behind it.

Birthplace, which was part of the town's general store.

Burial Place

Plymouth Notch Cemetery, final resting place of several generations of the Coolidge family.

Headstone of the only president born on the Fourth of July.

Presidential Pathways: #32, Franklin D. Roosevelt

Born: Jan. 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, N.Y. (Visited: August 2008)
Died: April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs, Ga.
Burial Place: Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, N.Y. (Visited: August 2008)
Library & Museum: Hyde Park, N.Y. (Visited: August 2008)

Birthplace

The Springwood estate was the birthplace and lifelong home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Burial Place

Final resting place of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.

Library & Museum

Main entrance with bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Sculpture of Franklin and Eleanor outside main entrance.

"Oval Office"

"Automobile"

"Freedom Court"

Presidential Pathways: #41, George H.W. Bush

Born: June 12, 1924, in Milton, Mass.
Died: Still living
Burial Place: Still living
Library & Museum: College Station, Texas (Visited: September 2011)

Library & Museum

Main entrance.

"The Day the Wall Came Down: A Monument to Freedom" by Veryl Goodnight.

"Duty, Honor, Country" exhibit with restored 1944 TBM Avenger.

"The Congressman from Texas" exhibit features a 30-foot tall replica of the Capitol dome.

"Working for Peace" exhibit details Bush's role as ambassador to the United Nations.

"Journey to the Presidency."

"The President and Mrs. Bush Request" exhibit displays a gown and tuxedo from a state dinner.

"Camp David" exhibit features the Laurel Office.

"Age of Freedom" exhibit features a 12-foot tall section of the Berlin Wall.

Baseball Stadiums: ONEOK Field

When you attend games at a stadium on a regular basis, you don't think about taking photos and sharing your experiences.  For me, this is definitely applies to ONEOK Field in Tulsa.  I have a close friend who lives in the area, so I've seen at least one game at the stadium each season since the ballpark opened in 2010.  Additionally, I've been to the stadium to watch Bedlam baseball games on two occasions.  However, I've only taken photographs on one previous trip.  So I wanted to make sure that I took some photos during my next trip to attend a Tulsa Drillers game.

My most recent trip to ONEOK Field was over Memorial Day weekend.  The club's premium promotional item was a R.A. Dickey garden gnome (photo below).  As part of Walk to End Alzheimer's Night, the players wore purple jerseys (photo below) so I didn't get a picture of the team in its traditional home whites.

Oil Derrick entrance at intersection of North Elgin Avenue and East Archer Street.

The home team dugout sits along the first base line at ONEOK Field where fans sitting in the River Spirit Casino Party Platform or the Coors Light Refinery Deck have an excellent view of the action.

Wearing purple jerseys for Walk to End Alzheimer's Night, Drillers players sign autographs along the first base line.

ONEOK Field is in the Greenwood District of downtown Tulsa, which is undergoing gentrification.  The district abuts the Blue Dome District, which is home to several restaurants that spurred gentrification in downtown.  Greenwood is also near the Brady Arts District, which attracts concertgoers with Cain's Ballroom and the Brady Theater as its two main venues.

First pitch between Frisco RoughRiders and Tulsa Drillers.

Like most newer stadiums, ONEOK Field takes advantage of sponsorship opportunities.  While outfield signage is a staple of minor league stadiums, most facilities do not sign sponsorship deals with competing companies.  However, the abundance of casinos in Oklahoma leads to multiple gaming establishments sponsoring the Drillers.

The scoreboard in left field overlooking the Budweiser Terrace seats.

The cliché goes that a photograph is worth a million words.  I think that holds true for some of the other fans at the game, which led me to take this photograph.

Mullet masterpiece.

MiLB.com is currently running a food fight, which allows fans to vote for their favorite local delicacy.  There are four categories: gut busters, hogs 'n' dogs, local legends, and scrumptious sandwiches.  The Drillers entry is the Firecracker in hogs 'n' dogs.  Naturally, it was a no-brainer that I had to try one.

Two fans deciding which specialty hot dog to order.

The Firecracker is the Drillers' featured hot dog for MiLB.com's contest, but Franx serves four other specialty frankfurters.  I have not tried the other varieties, but ONEOK Field features locally-made Seigi's Sausages that I have eaten at previous games.  I have had both the chicken-jalapeno and the jalapeno-cheese varieties from Seigi's, which are both very tasty.

The Franx menu offers a variety of options.

The tradition continues with a picture of the encased meat with game action in the background.

The Firecracker Dog, which features shredded spicy chicken, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno sauce, and chipotle mayonnaise served on a pretzel bun.

From the third base line fans get an excellent view of downtown Tulsa.  The setting sun reflects off Tulsa City Hall, but the view is spectacular.

The Tulsa skyline with BOK Tower standing tall.

As I mentioned earlier, the premium giveaway item was an R.A. Dickey garden gnome.  Dickey pitched for the Drillers in 1999 when he was in the Texas Rangers system.  The club has changed its color scheme since that time, but Dickey sports the appropriate uniform.

R.A. Dickey garden gnome watching the ballgame.

Since I started working in athletics in 2001, I have watched baseball games with a keen eye for one event.  I have been hoping to capture a photograph of "Scoreboard Yahtzee!"  I don't know the statistical odds of witnessing Scoreboard Yahtzee!, but it's difficult to accomplish because teams must have players wearing 11 or 22 playing in the game.  This is the first time that I've witnessed Scoreboard Yahtzee! during a professional game.

Scoreboard Yahtzee!

It may be biased at this point for me to say that ONEOK Field is one of my favorite Minor League Baseball stadiums, but it's the truth.  The ballpark has some delicious food and a good beer selection while the club has built an amazing venue and provides top-notch entertainment.

I also enjoy the surrounding area as there are plenty of good local restaurants, some that have been featured on Food Network.  The stadium does not have a specified parking deck, instead fans must utilize street parking or one of the many lots nearby.  The stadium has a modern feel despite its downtown location, and creates a very welcoming atmosphere for fans.