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Louisville, Kentucky is a town with a long and storied baseball history. So it is fitting
that here, in the corporate headquarters of Hillerich and Bradsby, manufacturer of the
famed Louisville Slugger bat, a beautiful ballpark would be erected to properly
showcase the game of baseball.
Slugger Field opened in 2000, and was built on a site in the northeast corner of
downtown, which was nothing more than junkyards and vacant lots. The long
abandoned train shed abutting the site was gutted and restored, and now serves as
the entrance pavilion to the ballpark. Amenities here include a restaurant and
brewpub, along with huge expanses of open space, ticket lobbies and areas for future
retail expansion.
This is a two level ballpark, with the second level reserved for club seating and about
30 suites. An interesting twist to the club concourse is there is a separate hallway
connecting to the suites, and the club concourse wraps around the outside of that
hallway, with a nice bar area located behind the home plate area and a balcony view to
the lobby below.
The main concourse sports a view of the field throughout, and one can walk around
the entire outfield. In the right field bleacher area is a tiered picnic area with three
levels of table seating and overlooking the field. There is also a grassy knoll in the left
field power alley. At the right field foul pole is a children's play area - you can't miss it,
since the colorful purple carousel is easy to see from anywhere in the yard.
From most of the seating bowl you can enjoy the view of the Ohio River beyond the
outfield fence and the bridges that take you across into Indiana. But the best view is
from right field, where the impressive Louisville skyline and its floodlit skyscrapers can
be seen at a distance.
Notable food items - The brats and sausage stands are scattered throughout the park,
with that great smell of sizzling sausages and peppers and onions everywhere! But
the best food item at Slugger Field can be found in left center field - that is where you
can enjoy the barbecued pork chop sandwich. Add a baked potato and roasted corn on
the cob and you have a great combo!
Cool things to see in Louisville - Churchill Downs is home to the famous Kentucky
Derby, and onsite is a terrific museum aptly called the "Kentucky Derby Museum". Also
- check out the Louisville Slugger bat factory in downtown Louisville, a required
pilgrimage if you are a baseball fan!
USRT VISIT: April, 2002
ANDREW'S RATING: 4 stars PETER'S RATING: 2 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 3 stars
that here, in the corporate headquarters of Hillerich and Bradsby, manufacturer of the
famed Louisville Slugger bat, a beautiful ballpark would be erected to properly
showcase the game of baseball.
Slugger Field opened in 2000, and was built on a site in the northeast corner of
downtown, which was nothing more than junkyards and vacant lots. The long
abandoned train shed abutting the site was gutted and restored, and now serves as
the entrance pavilion to the ballpark. Amenities here include a restaurant and
brewpub, along with huge expanses of open space, ticket lobbies and areas for future
retail expansion.
This is a two level ballpark, with the second level reserved for club seating and about
30 suites. An interesting twist to the club concourse is there is a separate hallway
connecting to the suites, and the club concourse wraps around the outside of that
hallway, with a nice bar area located behind the home plate area and a balcony view to
the lobby below.
The main concourse sports a view of the field throughout, and one can walk around
the entire outfield. In the right field bleacher area is a tiered picnic area with three
levels of table seating and overlooking the field. There is also a grassy knoll in the left
field power alley. At the right field foul pole is a children's play area - you can't miss it,
since the colorful purple carousel is easy to see from anywhere in the yard.
From most of the seating bowl you can enjoy the view of the Ohio River beyond the
outfield fence and the bridges that take you across into Indiana. But the best view is
from right field, where the impressive Louisville skyline and its floodlit skyscrapers can
be seen at a distance.
Notable food items - The brats and sausage stands are scattered throughout the park,
with that great smell of sizzling sausages and peppers and onions everywhere! But
the best food item at Slugger Field can be found in left center field - that is where you
can enjoy the barbecued pork chop sandwich. Add a baked potato and roasted corn on
the cob and you have a great combo!
Cool things to see in Louisville - Churchill Downs is home to the famous Kentucky
Derby, and onsite is a terrific museum aptly called the "Kentucky Derby Museum". Also
- check out the Louisville Slugger bat factory in downtown Louisville, a required
pilgrimage if you are a baseball fan!
USRT VISIT: April, 2002
ANDREW'S RATING: 4 stars PETER'S RATING: 2 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 3 stars
Opened in April of 2002, Fifth Third Field replaces Ned Skeldon Stadium as the new
home of the Toledo Mud Hens. And if you have ever been to the "Ned", then you know
that a new home for the 'Hens was a long time coming.
The park is set in downtown's "Warehouse District", a collection of turn of the century
buildings which remain, for the most part, vacant... gutted and awaiting restoration.
Hopes are high here that the ballpark will serve as a catalyst for a rebirth of this stately
neighborhood. Most of downtown Toledo is clean and bright, and abuts a beautiful
waterfront along the Maumee River.
The ballpark seats about 10,000 people, and is built in two decks - the main level has
a concourse, bright and wide, overlooking the field. The upper deck serves as a club
level, with access to the suite concourse and an enclosed and carpeted lounge area.
No kelly green seats here! All seats are medium blue, and patrons can walk around
the entire outfield, where there are several large picnic areas. A unique feature here is
that the entire outfield perimeter is surrounded by a wrought iron fence which is open
to the street, so passersby can get a peek at the action on the field. In the right field
corner the Mud Hens kept and preserved several warehouse buildings and
incorporated them into the design of the ballpark... a right field porch style deck called
"The Roost" was added to the building, and high above the top is a cool marquee of
the Mud Hens and Fifth Third Field logos which rotates. Nice touch!
What impressed us the most about this venue is that Toledo does not try to mimic a
major league ballpark. This is not "Camden Yards", and does not pretend to be - it is
simply an intimate minor league ballpark, complete with ads along the entire outfield
walls, "knot hole gang" viewing from the streets, a nice scoreboard but not overly
opulent, and all in all just a nice nice place to enjoy our Pastime.
Notable food item - The grilled rib-eye steak sandwich is absolutely awesome!
The coolest thing about this team - Jamie Farr, AKA Cpl Max Klinger of MASH is a
Toledo icon, and he put this franchise on the map when he wore Mud Hens jerseys on
the show. Jamie is a regular visitor to the ballpark, so maybe you will see him here!
Cool things near the ballpark - man oh man this city is trying! Some nice hotel pubs
and restaurants, but across the bridge over the Maumee River is a nice park with
some great restaurants and a boardwalk with a great view of the Toledo skyline.
FIRST USRT VISIT: June, 2002
ANDREW'S RATING: 5 stars PETER'S RATING: 5 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 5 stars
home of the Toledo Mud Hens. And if you have ever been to the "Ned", then you know
that a new home for the 'Hens was a long time coming.
The park is set in downtown's "Warehouse District", a collection of turn of the century
buildings which remain, for the most part, vacant... gutted and awaiting restoration.
Hopes are high here that the ballpark will serve as a catalyst for a rebirth of this stately
neighborhood. Most of downtown Toledo is clean and bright, and abuts a beautiful
waterfront along the Maumee River.
The ballpark seats about 10,000 people, and is built in two decks - the main level has
a concourse, bright and wide, overlooking the field. The upper deck serves as a club
level, with access to the suite concourse and an enclosed and carpeted lounge area.
No kelly green seats here! All seats are medium blue, and patrons can walk around
the entire outfield, where there are several large picnic areas. A unique feature here is
that the entire outfield perimeter is surrounded by a wrought iron fence which is open
to the street, so passersby can get a peek at the action on the field. In the right field
corner the Mud Hens kept and preserved several warehouse buildings and
incorporated them into the design of the ballpark... a right field porch style deck called
"The Roost" was added to the building, and high above the top is a cool marquee of
the Mud Hens and Fifth Third Field logos which rotates. Nice touch!
What impressed us the most about this venue is that Toledo does not try to mimic a
major league ballpark. This is not "Camden Yards", and does not pretend to be - it is
simply an intimate minor league ballpark, complete with ads along the entire outfield
walls, "knot hole gang" viewing from the streets, a nice scoreboard but not overly
opulent, and all in all just a nice nice place to enjoy our Pastime.
Notable food item - The grilled rib-eye steak sandwich is absolutely awesome!
The coolest thing about this team - Jamie Farr, AKA Cpl Max Klinger of MASH is a
Toledo icon, and he put this franchise on the map when he wore Mud Hens jerseys on
the show. Jamie is a regular visitor to the ballpark, so maybe you will see him here!
Cool things near the ballpark - man oh man this city is trying! Some nice hotel pubs
and restaurants, but across the bridge over the Maumee River is a nice park with
some great restaurants and a boardwalk with a great view of the Toledo skyline.
FIRST USRT VISIT: June, 2002
ANDREW'S RATING: 5 stars PETER'S RATING: 5 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 5 stars
Victory Field is the new home of the Indianapolis Indians... well not that new, since it
opened in 1996, but this venue still shines like a place that opened yesterday. The
stadium is located on the western fringe of downtown Indianapolis. In fact, the entire
downtown core, the Wholesale District, and all of this marvelous city's attractions are
all within walking distance.
The center field entrance to the ballpark bears striking murals of the greatest players
to wear the Indianapolis uniform... sure, sure, anyone can hang placards of players
such as Ken Griffey and Randy Johnson, but only one minor league venue can salute
the one and only RAZOR SHINES! This icon of the Indians played here for 9 seasons,
and is still remembered as a fan favorite.
The stadium holds almost 15,500 seats. One concourse, serving upper and lower
decks, and a separate suite level and press level above. No brew pubs, club
restaurants or huge jumbotron video boards. In fact, the scoreboard here is simply
multi colored dot matrix. So what is it about this place that is so special and different?
In fact, Victory Field won applause from such media outlets as The Sporting News and
Sports Illustrated, who named this venue "the best minor league ballpark".
We come up with two answers - first the panoramic view of downtown Indianapolis
which beckons from the entire seating area, and here you can enjoy a vista of the
dynamic growth which has taken hold over this city. It truly is a gorgeous view. Second,
the lawn seating area, which stretches from foul pole to foul pole. Here you can walk
the entire circumference of the venue, and the outfield areas are laid out like a park,
with a wide path and nice landscaping, an indian teepee at centerfield, concessions
and children's play areas, and plenty of room for picnickers. The Indians have a liberal
policy regarding picnic gear, and we saw many fans on the lawn with their coolers,
blankets, and having a wonderful time watching the game.
FIRST USRT VISIT: August, 2002
ANDREW'S RATING: 4 stars PETER'S RATING: 4 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 4 stars
opened in 1996, but this venue still shines like a place that opened yesterday. The
stadium is located on the western fringe of downtown Indianapolis. In fact, the entire
downtown core, the Wholesale District, and all of this marvelous city's attractions are
all within walking distance.
The center field entrance to the ballpark bears striking murals of the greatest players
to wear the Indianapolis uniform... sure, sure, anyone can hang placards of players
such as Ken Griffey and Randy Johnson, but only one minor league venue can salute
the one and only RAZOR SHINES! This icon of the Indians played here for 9 seasons,
and is still remembered as a fan favorite.
The stadium holds almost 15,500 seats. One concourse, serving upper and lower
decks, and a separate suite level and press level above. No brew pubs, club
restaurants or huge jumbotron video boards. In fact, the scoreboard here is simply
multi colored dot matrix. So what is it about this place that is so special and different?
In fact, Victory Field won applause from such media outlets as The Sporting News and
Sports Illustrated, who named this venue "the best minor league ballpark".
We come up with two answers - first the panoramic view of downtown Indianapolis
which beckons from the entire seating area, and here you can enjoy a vista of the
dynamic growth which has taken hold over this city. It truly is a gorgeous view. Second,
the lawn seating area, which stretches from foul pole to foul pole. Here you can walk
the entire circumference of the venue, and the outfield areas are laid out like a park,
with a wide path and nice landscaping, an indian teepee at centerfield, concessions
and children's play areas, and plenty of room for picnickers. The Indians have a liberal
policy regarding picnic gear, and we saw many fans on the lawn with their coolers,
blankets, and having a wonderful time watching the game.
FIRST USRT VISIT: August, 2002
ANDREW'S RATING: 4 stars PETER'S RATING: 4 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 4 stars
Baseball in Columbus goes way back through the last century, but the Clippers began
play in 1977, in conjunction with the renovation of their old stadium which was initially
named Franklin County Stadium. Interestingly enough, other than the first couple years
of their existence, they have been the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees, and they
really trump up that relationship with extensive banners, displays and memorabilia
with names of Yankees greats who once played here.
The stadium is located just a few miles southwest of downtown Columbus, and the
city's skyline is easily visible off in the distance beyond centerfield. Access from the
interstate is simple and parking is abundant. In the stadium is a single concourse and
seating deck, and lots of posts holding up a metal roof. High above is a press/suite
level as well as a restaurant called the "Captains Club" offering a casual dining menu
and a nice view of the game. We are also told the field used to be astroturf, although
that was torn out a number of years ago. Overall kind of a classic old venue with nice
atmosphere but little of the bells and whistles of the newer places. Well maybe a few
bells read on...
Cool in-game entertainment... Fan bring in cow bells, yes cow bells, and ring them
whenever the Clippers hit a home run. They also do a routine during an inning break to
the song "Clippers ring your bell" Don't have a bell? No problem they sell them at the
team store.
Notable food item... the quintessential ballpark dreck. That's it.
Best part of the ballpark... a nice little park beyond the right field, sort of a mini
"monument park" with displays of baseball greats who played here, all in a very
pastoral tree lined setting.
FIRST USRT VISIT: May, 2001
ANDREW'S RATING: 2 stars PETER'S RATING: 2 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 2 stars
play in 1977, in conjunction with the renovation of their old stadium which was initially
named Franklin County Stadium. Interestingly enough, other than the first couple years
of their existence, they have been the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees, and they
really trump up that relationship with extensive banners, displays and memorabilia
with names of Yankees greats who once played here.
The stadium is located just a few miles southwest of downtown Columbus, and the
city's skyline is easily visible off in the distance beyond centerfield. Access from the
interstate is simple and parking is abundant. In the stadium is a single concourse and
seating deck, and lots of posts holding up a metal roof. High above is a press/suite
level as well as a restaurant called the "Captains Club" offering a casual dining menu
and a nice view of the game. We are also told the field used to be astroturf, although
that was torn out a number of years ago. Overall kind of a classic old venue with nice
atmosphere but little of the bells and whistles of the newer places. Well maybe a few
bells read on...
Cool in-game entertainment... Fan bring in cow bells, yes cow bells, and ring them
whenever the Clippers hit a home run. They also do a routine during an inning break to
the song "Clippers ring your bell" Don't have a bell? No problem they sell them at the
team store.
Notable food item... the quintessential ballpark dreck. That's it.
Best part of the ballpark... a nice little park beyond the right field, sort of a mini
"monument park" with displays of baseball greats who played here, all in a very
pastoral tree lined setting.
FIRST USRT VISIT: May, 2001
ANDREW'S RATING: 2 stars PETER'S RATING: 2 stars
COMPOSITE RATING: 2 stars
| West Division |
LOUISVILLE
SLUGGER
FIELD
Louisville,
Kentucky
SLUGGER
FIELD
Louisville,
Kentucky
FIFTH
THIRD
FIELD
Toledo,
Ohio
THIRD
FIELD
Toledo,
Ohio
VICTORY
FIELD
Indianapolis,
Indiana
FIELD
Indianapolis,
Indiana
COOPER
STADIUM
Columbus,
Ohio
STADIUM
Columbus,
Ohio
| International League |