BLAIR COUNTY BALLPARK - ALTOONA CURVE
Altoona's new jewel is a great place to see a baseball game. Check out the classic
architecture and retro look of the building. Even though the ballpark is only a few
years old, this outfield configuration was added just recently. At ground level is a
picnic pavilion, and right above is the left field party deck, with Uncle Charlie's Grill
serving up burgers and sausages fresh off the fire. Along the outfield grassy knoll,
the words "Altoona Curve" spelled are out in the landscaping. Far above, at street
level, is the adjoining residential neighborhood, and yeah, cars are parked on front
lawns everywhere.
USRT VISIT - May, 2003
JERRY UHT PARK - ERIE SEAWOLVES
Jerry Uht Park opened in 1995 on the fringes of downtown Erie. Their first tenant was
a NY/Penn League team at the "A" level, but eventually they moved up to "AA", and
today the Seawolves play in the Eastern League as the Tiger's affiliate. Above is the
main entrance to the park, with its signature cupola and tower. Below is a view of the
seating area, the first level with an open concourse to the field, and a small upper
porch. Beyond the left field wall is the city's hockey arena, and the two facilities
currently share clubhouse and locker facilities.
USRT VISIT - May, 2003
CANAL PARK - AKRON AEROS
Akron's Canal Park is a real treat if you are making the road trip to see the Cleveland
Indians play, and a great setting for baseball. This ballpark opened in 1997 and is
located on South Main Street in the middle of downtown Akron. Immediately adjacent
to the venue is a pretty hopping entertainment district, with nightclubs and a Jillian's
sports bar and entertainment complex. The stadium has a one level seating area
with a capacity of a little over 9000 and that includes a small bleacher area in right
field. A second level on the infield houses 25 luxury suites and press facilities and
they are served by their own climate controlled concourse.
Two of the nice amenities here are a very elaborate team store located along the
right field line as well as Menche's Bros restaurant overlooking the field from beyond
the right field foul pole. The restaurant offers tiered seating with a great view of the
field, and a varied menu.
USRT VISIT: May, 2000
NYSEG STADIUM - BINGHAMTON METS
With a capacity of 6000 seats, this stadium's worst feature is its cramped and dark
concourse underneath the seating area. A rail yard can be found beyond the left field
wall, and trains go by from time to time so that adds to the ambience of the place.
The park is located in a neighborhood, and parking abounds both in stadium lots
and the surrounding streets. The team does not draw all that well so plenty of tickets
to be had.
USRT VISIT: July, 1999
YALE FIELD - NEW HAVEN RAVENS
A classic old ballpark located on the campus of Yale University, Historic Yale Field
saw its last double A game in 2003 as the Ravens relocated to Manchester, New
Hampshire for the 2004 season. A tight concourse can be found under the metal
floored seating bleachers, and a timeline exhibit celebrating the venue's baseball
history and its greatest players runs from third base to first base. An old hand
operated scoreboard doesn't work too well, and small dot matrix boards are about
the only contribution to modernity here. Interestingly, when new seats were installed
here they kept one row of the old wooden seats in the top row of the seating bowl.
Lastly, plan for a long wait in the concession lines here... service is absolutely brutal!
But all in all a great throwback to a bygone era.
USRT VISIT: August, 2003
FIRST ENERGY STADIUM - READING PHILLIES
Now the oldest stadium in the Eastern League, this beautiful venue has all of the
modern amenities, yet an old time mustiness, that makes it one of the elite minor
league venues. Being Reading, the railroad theme is abundant here, and, in fact, a
set of tracks bisects the parking lot behind home plate, and trains do tend to run
through there even on game days. Inside, party decks abound in left field and in right
field, with the right filed one sporting a two level swimming pool and fountain. The
first baseline concourse has the feel of a street festival, with many different
concession stands, games of chance and interactive displays.
USRT VISIT: July, 2004
PRINCE GEORGES STADIUM - BOWIE BAYSOX
You can find this stadium in one of the bedroom communities between Baltimore
and DC, but finding the ballpark itself can be a bit of a chore. Tucked behind a bunch
of strip shopping plazas and nestled next to a forest, Prince Georges Stadium is
pretty much your boiler plate type of minor league ballpark. Lots of billboard ads
along the outfield walls, a predominant number of bench seats throughout the
seating bowl, pretty nice concourse where one can view the game from anyplace in
the yard, and a children's play area and carousel down the right field line. A nicely
appointed restaurant with tiered tables overlooks home plate from the second level.
USRT VISIT: July, 2004
WATERFRONT PARK - TRENTON THUNDER
When Mercer County's new ballpark opened its doors in 1994, professional baseball
returned to Trenton for the first time since 1950. A beautiful canopied marquee
greets visitors at the main entrance behind home plate, and a grand staircase takes
you to the main concourse, which has a view of the field throughout. Beyond right
field is the Delaware River, but no nice docks or parkland there, just a lot of brush.
Plus a three tiered outfield wall with lots of ads obstructs this venue's best natural
attraction, a real design flaw.
USRT VISIT: May, 2005
COMMERCE BANK PARK - HARRISBURG SENATORS
Although this stadium opened in 1987, in today's day and age one could certainly call
this place "old school". With a little over 6000 seats, mostly metal bleachers on
risers, dot matrix scoreboard, and a mish mosh of concourses and stairwells
interspersed with concession kiosks, nonetheless the venue has its own quirky kind
of charm. It is located in the pastoral City Island Park, accessible via a bridge from
downtown across the Susquehanna River.
USRT VISIT: July, 2006
DODD STADIUM - CONNECTICUT DEFENDERS
The former "Norwich Navigators" rebranded their team and look back in 2006 to give
themselves a more regional footprint, but it hasn't helped at the turnstiles, Ballpark is
tucked way, way back in a huge office park, requiring a long drive through windy
streets to get here. Picnic decks and single concourse with nice views of the field
provide a multitude of good places to watch the action on the field. Porch suites line
the second level, with the pressbox down on the main concourse.
USRT VISIT: June 2008
NEW BRITAIN STADIUM - NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS
Great fan support, lots of energy, and a happy place to attend a baseball game. The
New Britain Rock Cats keep the fans entertained with great promotions, mascots,
music bumps including the Hartford Whalers old anthem "Brass Bonanza". Although
this stadium is a new one, opened in 1995, it has a real old time traditional feel to it,
with nicely decorated concourses, banners and flags all over.
USRT VISIT: June, 2008
Eastern League "To Do" List:
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Portland Sea Dogs
TEXAS LEAGUE (AA)
WHATABURGER FIELD - CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS
You'll be hard pressed to find a nicer setting for baseball than Corpus Christi's
Whataburger Field. A fairly new building (2005) just on outskirts of downtown, the
stadium has an amazing view of the channel and bay and signature Harbor Bridge.
The architecture incorporates the city's long and storied cotton industry, and even
replicates actual old cotton gins and warehouses in the outfield. Like its sister venue
in Round Rock, fan friendly amenities including rock climbing and a pool are all here.
But being so close to the border, everything is done here with a bit of a Mexican flair!
USRT VISIT: September, 2007
Altoona's new jewel is a great place to see a baseball game. Check out the classic
architecture and retro look of the building. Even though the ballpark is only a few
years old, this outfield configuration was added just recently. At ground level is a
picnic pavilion, and right above is the left field party deck, with Uncle Charlie's Grill
serving up burgers and sausages fresh off the fire. Along the outfield grassy knoll,
the words "Altoona Curve" spelled are out in the landscaping. Far above, at street
level, is the adjoining residential neighborhood, and yeah, cars are parked on front
lawns everywhere.
USRT VISIT - May, 2003
JERRY UHT PARK - ERIE SEAWOLVES
Jerry Uht Park opened in 1995 on the fringes of downtown Erie. Their first tenant was
a NY/Penn League team at the "A" level, but eventually they moved up to "AA", and
today the Seawolves play in the Eastern League as the Tiger's affiliate. Above is the
main entrance to the park, with its signature cupola and tower. Below is a view of the
seating area, the first level with an open concourse to the field, and a small upper
porch. Beyond the left field wall is the city's hockey arena, and the two facilities
currently share clubhouse and locker facilities.
USRT VISIT - May, 2003
CANAL PARK - AKRON AEROS
Akron's Canal Park is a real treat if you are making the road trip to see the Cleveland
Indians play, and a great setting for baseball. This ballpark opened in 1997 and is
located on South Main Street in the middle of downtown Akron. Immediately adjacent
to the venue is a pretty hopping entertainment district, with nightclubs and a Jillian's
sports bar and entertainment complex. The stadium has a one level seating area
with a capacity of a little over 9000 and that includes a small bleacher area in right
field. A second level on the infield houses 25 luxury suites and press facilities and
they are served by their own climate controlled concourse.
Two of the nice amenities here are a very elaborate team store located along the
right field line as well as Menche's Bros restaurant overlooking the field from beyond
the right field foul pole. The restaurant offers tiered seating with a great view of the
field, and a varied menu.
USRT VISIT: May, 2000
NYSEG STADIUM - BINGHAMTON METS
With a capacity of 6000 seats, this stadium's worst feature is its cramped and dark
concourse underneath the seating area. A rail yard can be found beyond the left field
wall, and trains go by from time to time so that adds to the ambience of the place.
The park is located in a neighborhood, and parking abounds both in stadium lots
and the surrounding streets. The team does not draw all that well so plenty of tickets
to be had.
USRT VISIT: July, 1999
YALE FIELD - NEW HAVEN RAVENS
A classic old ballpark located on the campus of Yale University, Historic Yale Field
saw its last double A game in 2003 as the Ravens relocated to Manchester, New
Hampshire for the 2004 season. A tight concourse can be found under the metal
floored seating bleachers, and a timeline exhibit celebrating the venue's baseball
history and its greatest players runs from third base to first base. An old hand
operated scoreboard doesn't work too well, and small dot matrix boards are about
the only contribution to modernity here. Interestingly, when new seats were installed
here they kept one row of the old wooden seats in the top row of the seating bowl.
Lastly, plan for a long wait in the concession lines here... service is absolutely brutal!
But all in all a great throwback to a bygone era.
USRT VISIT: August, 2003
FIRST ENERGY STADIUM - READING PHILLIES
Now the oldest stadium in the Eastern League, this beautiful venue has all of the
modern amenities, yet an old time mustiness, that makes it one of the elite minor
league venues. Being Reading, the railroad theme is abundant here, and, in fact, a
set of tracks bisects the parking lot behind home plate, and trains do tend to run
through there even on game days. Inside, party decks abound in left field and in right
field, with the right filed one sporting a two level swimming pool and fountain. The
first baseline concourse has the feel of a street festival, with many different
concession stands, games of chance and interactive displays.
USRT VISIT: July, 2004
PRINCE GEORGES STADIUM - BOWIE BAYSOX
You can find this stadium in one of the bedroom communities between Baltimore
and DC, but finding the ballpark itself can be a bit of a chore. Tucked behind a bunch
of strip shopping plazas and nestled next to a forest, Prince Georges Stadium is
pretty much your boiler plate type of minor league ballpark. Lots of billboard ads
along the outfield walls, a predominant number of bench seats throughout the
seating bowl, pretty nice concourse where one can view the game from anyplace in
the yard, and a children's play area and carousel down the right field line. A nicely
appointed restaurant with tiered tables overlooks home plate from the second level.
USRT VISIT: July, 2004
WATERFRONT PARK - TRENTON THUNDER
When Mercer County's new ballpark opened its doors in 1994, professional baseball
returned to Trenton for the first time since 1950. A beautiful canopied marquee
greets visitors at the main entrance behind home plate, and a grand staircase takes
you to the main concourse, which has a view of the field throughout. Beyond right
field is the Delaware River, but no nice docks or parkland there, just a lot of brush.
Plus a three tiered outfield wall with lots of ads obstructs this venue's best natural
attraction, a real design flaw.
USRT VISIT: May, 2005
COMMERCE BANK PARK - HARRISBURG SENATORS
Although this stadium opened in 1987, in today's day and age one could certainly call
this place "old school". With a little over 6000 seats, mostly metal bleachers on
risers, dot matrix scoreboard, and a mish mosh of concourses and stairwells
interspersed with concession kiosks, nonetheless the venue has its own quirky kind
of charm. It is located in the pastoral City Island Park, accessible via a bridge from
downtown across the Susquehanna River.
USRT VISIT: July, 2006
DODD STADIUM - CONNECTICUT DEFENDERS
The former "Norwich Navigators" rebranded their team and look back in 2006 to give
themselves a more regional footprint, but it hasn't helped at the turnstiles, Ballpark is
tucked way, way back in a huge office park, requiring a long drive through windy
streets to get here. Picnic decks and single concourse with nice views of the field
provide a multitude of good places to watch the action on the field. Porch suites line
the second level, with the pressbox down on the main concourse.
USRT VISIT: June 2008
NEW BRITAIN STADIUM - NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS
Great fan support, lots of energy, and a happy place to attend a baseball game. The
New Britain Rock Cats keep the fans entertained with great promotions, mascots,
music bumps including the Hartford Whalers old anthem "Brass Bonanza". Although
this stadium is a new one, opened in 1995, it has a real old time traditional feel to it,
with nicely decorated concourses, banners and flags all over.
USRT VISIT: June, 2008
Eastern League "To Do" List:
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Portland Sea Dogs
TEXAS LEAGUE (AA)
WHATABURGER FIELD - CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS
You'll be hard pressed to find a nicer setting for baseball than Corpus Christi's
Whataburger Field. A fairly new building (2005) just on outskirts of downtown, the
stadium has an amazing view of the channel and bay and signature Harbor Bridge.
The architecture incorporates the city's long and storied cotton industry, and even
replicates actual old cotton gins and warehouses in the outfield. Like its sister venue
in Round Rock, fan friendly amenities including rock climbing and a pool are all here.
But being so close to the border, everything is done here with a bit of a Mexican flair!
USRT VISIT: September, 2007
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Eastern League (and Texas League) |
BLAIR
COUNTY
BALLPARK
Altoona, PA
JERRY
UHT
PARK
Erie, PA
CANAL
PARK
Akron, OH
NYSEG
STADIUM
Binghamton, NY
YALE
FIELD
New Haven, CT
(team relocated after
'03 season)
FIRST ENERGY
STADIUM
Reading, PA
PRINCE
GEORGES
STADIUM
Bowie, MD
WATERFRONT
PARK
Trenton, NJ
COMMERCE
BANK PARK
Harrisburg, PA
DODD
STADIUM
Norwich, CT
NEW BRITAIN
STADIUM
New Britain, CT
WHATABURGER
FIELD
Corpus Christi,
TX
COUNTY
BALLPARK
Altoona, PA
JERRY
UHT
PARK
Erie, PA
CANAL
PARK
Akron, OH
NYSEG
STADIUM
Binghamton, NY
YALE
FIELD
New Haven, CT
(team relocated after
'03 season)
FIRST ENERGY
STADIUM
Reading, PA
PRINCE
GEORGES
STADIUM
Bowie, MD
WATERFRONT
PARK
Trenton, NJ
COMMERCE
BANK PARK
Harrisburg, PA
DODD
STADIUM
Norwich, CT
NEW BRITAIN
STADIUM
New Britain, CT
WHATABURGER
FIELD
Corpus Christi,
TX
