This is my hometown ballpark!

[joefromchicago]

Originally Posted by ra7c7er

Anyone else think this guy is a bit to good at his job. Even minor league vendors do it better.

Hmmm, I thought it was just a fan who really, REALLY liked churros.

[drksd4848]

I'll tell ya, I live near the Rockland Boulders/Provident Bank Ballpark. Despite the nefarious circumstances that led to construction of the ballpark, it is SUCH a nice experience to watch a game there. Pro baseball at 1/3 the price. They did an excellent job with it. I even got to see that stiff Jose Canseco.

The sad part; The indy ownership philosophy is, it doesn't matter what the names are of the players. It's just about the experience - and they do that very well. But, it's criminal what they pay those kids. Below minimum wage.

[Fyrestorm3]

Good ol' McCoy Stadium. The grass berm in left is general admission, and is just incredibly fun to watch a game from.

...Except now they're talking about moving the PawSox to Providence. I'd be so disappointed.

[Padreman]

Originally Posted by Fyrestorm3

Good ol' McCoy Stadium. The grass berm in left is general admission, and is just incredibly fun to watch a game from.

...Except now they're talking about moving the PawSox to Providence. I'd be so disappointed.

That's a good-looking park

[OakDragon]

Originally Posted by OakDragon

Funny you should mention it. I just went to my first couple of games of my local semipro team, the Humboldt Crabs, a few days ago. Here are a few pics from around the 'net. (Much better than I could take.)

General admission is $9 ($11 if you buy online), though they have discounts for seniors and kids. The way the field is usually set up, seating capacity is apparently a little over 1000 people, all in bleachers along the base lines. The dugouts are a little farther down the baselines relatively speaking than at ML parks. Past the dugouts, there are lawn areas that are apparently open for additional attendees at some games.

The local freeway borders the park, just outside the left field to center field wall. Home runs landing on the freeway are apparently not uncommon. Deepest part of the yard is in left center, 394 ft.

I saw my first two freeway home runs tonight. Unfortunately, they were both hit by Seattle Studs' 1B Mark Rockey. Fortunately, he was kind enough to make up for it by dropping a popup to give the Crabs a come-from-behind 7-6 win in the bottom of the 10th. Good times!

[BBGiovanni]

Originally Posted by OakDragon

I was stunned how different a Crabs game was from a Giants game. I've long ago gotten tired of going to a game at AT&T Park. I get bored there somehow.

The semipro experience seemed like much more of a party atmosphere. Being much closer to the field made me feel much more connected, I guess. I can't wait to go back to another one.

Sorry to dredge up this thread... no I'm not! Rather than hijack another one I wanted to say how much fun we had last summer when we went up to a Crabs game. Unbelievable!

Edit: The Crabgrass band is the best thing in baseball in ever. Every team should have it's own non-marching band!

I actually live in SF, and I PREFER San Jose Giants games! So much fun. And in a sad truth... it takes me less time to drive home from SJ Muni than it does to catch the train outside AT&T and get back to my house IN SF. I selfishly wish they would let the A's move to SJ in hopes that the Cal League franchise would end up in the East Bay somehow. I'd wear that ballpark out!

[Omni]

Hometown ballparks. Hhhmmm....my town's got three:

http://www.charliesballparks.com/st/...t-Bowman-6.jpg

First one is Bowman Field. Courtesy charliesballparks.com

Second photo is an aerial shot of both Volunteer and Lamade Stadiums, together with four other fields (one is hidden behind a bunch of trees way out yonder,) and a soccer field way; also way out yonder.

http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/o...acility1sm.jpg

Courtesy of littleleague.org.

ETA: Lamade Stadium is the best. Yes, it's a little league stadium. But it provides excellent scenery, no matter from what direction you are looking. Sitting in the stands, you get to look at the large hills beyond the outfield fence, and further, up the side of the mountain. From the hills, you get to look down upon the field, and beyond into the valley and the next mountain/hill in the distance. Absolutely gorgeous. Fall time is an excellent time for photo ops of the empty stadium and grounds. Together with the nearly 10,000 seat stadium (less in recent years, due to the installation of more box seats,) another 20,000 - 30,000 can sit around on the two hills beyond the outfield fence. A unique experience, IMO.

ETA2: Little League World Series starts next week. Check it out. If only to at least take a gander at the stadiums. Some of the shots by ESPN, especially at dusk, with a beautiful late August sunset, is ridiculously delicious. But nothing beats actually being there. Love it.

[Honorable_Pawn]

Love the one in the middle.

[Honorable_Pawn]

ya know...the one showing her phone to her buddy.

[Tram2Whitaker]

Originally Posted by r0nster

Been to Traverse City many times. Havent been there since I moved to Florida in late 2003. Based on your pictures of the crowd size I would say you had more fans in the stadium than 10 stadiums in Florida league. Yes not much of an exaggeration. Teams in Florida count themselves lucky if they get 200 people in the stands. Tampa is the one team on average that can crack 2,000 a game. I think 3 can crack 1,000 but the rest are fighting for fans. However if you go to the Midwest league at least half of the teams can crack 6,000 to 7,000 a game. Down here they make excuses for the lack of fan interests. Rarely do they promote the team or do anything fun at the games like they do at Grand Rapids or even Lansing. Been to both but West Michigan White Caps takes the top honors as the best all round fun.

Yeah, I get what you're saying. The first picture is from $1 Wednesday at McKechnie 2011. At the same time, Lansing and Grand Rapids just aren't the same anymore; picture 2 is Cooley Stadium (Oldsmobile Park) on a Friday night.