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MEMPHIS REDBRIDS USRT VISIT: April, 2002
Set "smack dab" in the middle of downtown Memphis, Autozone Park races to the
front of the pack as the finest minor league baseball venue. This beautiful facility
opened for the 2000 season, and at a cost of $80 million, no expense was spared in
making this venue just a terrific place to see a game.
The stadium is an intimate sized 12,300 seat facility, with room for another 2000 on
an outfield berm. Three levels here - the main one has a concourse with a view of the
field throughout, and behind the outfield bleachers is a picnic area with colorful
canopies, and a thirteen story scoreboard with the largest video board in the minors.
The second level is a club level and the third a suite and press level. Both of these
concourses are enclosed, climate controlled, and carpeted, offering premium
concessions and lounge areas.
This ballpark just adds so much to the synergy of what a vibrant downtown setting
should be - the architecture and wide open main courtyard is appealing and inviting,
and just steps from the front door is the famous Peabody Hotel and the Peabody
Place entertainment center. Take a look beyond the outfield and you see new lofts,
condos and apartment buildings, with patios and decks overlooking the field. Two
blocks away is Beale Street. Hotels and shops are open everywhere.
Notable food item - The Rendezvous barbecue stand sells the pulled pork nachos.
Gotta try 'em!
Set "smack dab" in the middle of downtown Memphis, Autozone Park races to the
front of the pack as the finest minor league baseball venue. This beautiful facility
opened for the 2000 season, and at a cost of $80 million, no expense was spared in
making this venue just a terrific place to see a game.
The stadium is an intimate sized 12,300 seat facility, with room for another 2000 on
an outfield berm. Three levels here - the main one has a concourse with a view of the
field throughout, and behind the outfield bleachers is a picnic area with colorful
canopies, and a thirteen story scoreboard with the largest video board in the minors.
The second level is a club level and the third a suite and press level. Both of these
concourses are enclosed, climate controlled, and carpeted, offering premium
concessions and lounge areas.
This ballpark just adds so much to the synergy of what a vibrant downtown setting
should be - the architecture and wide open main courtyard is appealing and inviting,
and just steps from the front door is the famous Peabody Hotel and the Peabody
Place entertainment center. Take a look beyond the outfield and you see new lofts,
condos and apartment buildings, with patios and decks overlooking the field. Two
blocks away is Beale Street. Hotels and shops are open everywhere.
Notable food item - The Rendezvous barbecue stand sells the pulled pork nachos.
Gotta try 'em!
OKLAHOMA CITY REDHAWKS USRT Visit: April, 2006
The Bricktown Ballpark is an architectural jewel of a stadium situated right in the
middle of the historic Bricktown neighborhood of downtown Oklahoma CIty. And what
is Bricktown? Basically a several block neighborhood of old buildings rehabbed and
reused as offices, nightclubs and restaurants, with a canal snaking through the
neighborhood below street grade and offering paddleboat and water taxi rides.
Here is where the "retro ballpark" feel really works well... the old style wrought iron
gate and stone/brick facade matches the adjoining neighborhood, and the ballpark
itself has two levels of seating, including a club concourse and suite level on the
infield.
There are statues of Johnny Bench, Warren Spahn and Mickey Mantle located at the
three different entrances to the ballpark, and also a cool barbecue restaurant located
at the left field corner with outdoor patio seating and a great view of the action. The
signature song? "Oklahoma!" of course, and remember to sing along.
OKC has a great baseball history going back to the early 1900's, and this stadium
has already hosted a AAA All-Star Game and will also host the AAA World Series
championship game starting in 2006. Big XII college baseball also holds its annual
tournament here.
The Bricktown Ballpark is an architectural jewel of a stadium situated right in the
middle of the historic Bricktown neighborhood of downtown Oklahoma CIty. And what
is Bricktown? Basically a several block neighborhood of old buildings rehabbed and
reused as offices, nightclubs and restaurants, with a canal snaking through the
neighborhood below street grade and offering paddleboat and water taxi rides.
Here is where the "retro ballpark" feel really works well... the old style wrought iron
gate and stone/brick facade matches the adjoining neighborhood, and the ballpark
itself has two levels of seating, including a club concourse and suite level on the
infield.
There are statues of Johnny Bench, Warren Spahn and Mickey Mantle located at the
three different entrances to the ballpark, and also a cool barbecue restaurant located
at the left field corner with outdoor patio seating and a great view of the action. The
signature song? "Oklahoma!" of course, and remember to sing along.
OKC has a great baseball history going back to the early 1900's, and this stadium
has already hosted a AAA All-Star Game and will also host the AAA World Series
championship game starting in 2006. Big XII college baseball also holds its annual
tournament here.
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS USRT Visit: August, 2007
The home of the Round Rock Express, the Dell Diamond was actually constructed
as a AA venue, and in fact, Round Rock was a member of the Texas League for five
seasons, from 2000-2004.
In 2005, the ownership group relocated the Edmonton Trappers to Round Rock, and
just like that this suburb of Austin, Texas became a AAA city.
The Dell Diamond has just under 9000 fixed seats and capacity for an additional
3000 spectators on the outfield berm, which makes this a very small and intimate
venue for this level of baseball. The stadium has received numerous awards and
distinctions for its design and architecture, as well as its penchant for fan friendly
amenities.
Actual conference rooms along the first base side double as party suites on game
nights. A sport court in the outfield comes equipped with a full basketball court, and
another party deck comes equipped with pool and hot tub. Texas home cooking
comes a plenty here on the concession menu, with a "Texadelphia" stand in the
outfield offering plenty of the local cooking, including a Texas Cheese Steak
sandwich. And of course, Nolan Ryan's Barbecue. Owner has to have his own food
stand, no!?
The home of the Round Rock Express, the Dell Diamond was actually constructed
as a AA venue, and in fact, Round Rock was a member of the Texas League for five
seasons, from 2000-2004.
In 2005, the ownership group relocated the Edmonton Trappers to Round Rock, and
just like that this suburb of Austin, Texas became a AAA city.
The Dell Diamond has just under 9000 fixed seats and capacity for an additional
3000 spectators on the outfield berm, which makes this a very small and intimate
venue for this level of baseball. The stadium has received numerous awards and
distinctions for its design and architecture, as well as its penchant for fan friendly
amenities.
Actual conference rooms along the first base side double as party suites on game
nights. A sport court in the outfield comes equipped with a full basketball court, and
another party deck comes equipped with pool and hot tub. Texas home cooking
comes a plenty here on the concession menu, with a "Texadelphia" stand in the
outfield offering plenty of the local cooking, including a Texas Cheese Steak
sandwich. And of course, Nolan Ryan's Barbecue. Owner has to have his own food
stand, no!?
| Pacific Coast League |
AUTOZONE
PARK
Memphis,
Tennessee
AT&T
BRICKTOWN
BALLPARK
Oklahoma
City,
Oklahoma
DELL
DIAMOND
Round Rock,
Texas
RALEY FIELD
Sacramento,
California
ACES
BALLPARK
Reno,
Nevada
CHUKCHANSI
PARK
Fresno,
California
PARK
Memphis,
Tennessee
AT&T
BRICKTOWN
BALLPARK
Oklahoma
City,
Oklahoma
DELL
DIAMOND
Round Rock,
Texas
RALEY FIELD
Sacramento,
California
ACES
BALLPARK
Reno,
Nevada
CHUKCHANSI
PARK
Fresno,
California
SACRAMENTO RIVERCATS USRT Visit: June, 2011
Raley Field is the home of the Sacramento River Cats and is located just across the
river from the state capital skyline and downtown Sacramento.
The ballpark was opened in 2000, on the site of a collection of old warehouses,
railyards and industrial sites, many of which remain intact and in place even today.
Just recently work has begun on access road and exterior infrastructure
imporovements to improve the adjacent streetscape, but for the most part the area is
pretty dog eared and run down, despite the presence of a shimmering and stunning
architectural jewel that is this ballpark.
The view from the seating bowl is stunning. The iconic Tower Bridge shimmers off in
the distance, and the splendid downtown skyline is visible just across the river. The
ballpark is a sea of color, from mosaic tile artwork in the support beams, to massive
concession canopies to three dimensional art and sculptures in several parts of the
concourse. Food selection is also varied and abundant, including a full wine menu,
and cold lemonades and daiquiries to quench the thirst in these hot temps.
Visitors can enjoy the touristy Old Sacramento, a collection of tchotchke shops,
eateries and a Railroad Museum just a short walk from the ballpark.
Raley Field is the home of the Sacramento River Cats and is located just across the
river from the state capital skyline and downtown Sacramento.
The ballpark was opened in 2000, on the site of a collection of old warehouses,
railyards and industrial sites, many of which remain intact and in place even today.
Just recently work has begun on access road and exterior infrastructure
imporovements to improve the adjacent streetscape, but for the most part the area is
pretty dog eared and run down, despite the presence of a shimmering and stunning
architectural jewel that is this ballpark.
The view from the seating bowl is stunning. The iconic Tower Bridge shimmers off in
the distance, and the splendid downtown skyline is visible just across the river. The
ballpark is a sea of color, from mosaic tile artwork in the support beams, to massive
concession canopies to three dimensional art and sculptures in several parts of the
concourse. Food selection is also varied and abundant, including a full wine menu,
and cold lemonades and daiquiries to quench the thirst in these hot temps.
Visitors can enjoy the touristy Old Sacramento, a collection of tchotchke shops,
eateries and a Railroad Museum just a short walk from the ballpark.
FRESNO GRIZZLIES USRT Visit: June, 2011
Downtown Fresno has to be one of the most depressing cities in California. The
streets of downtown are clean and well groomed, but the buildings are empty, there
is no commerce, the neighborhoods are devoid of foot traffic and life.
And in the midst of all this sits Chukchansi Park, a spit shined and attractive HOK
designed ballpark which is nestled amidst a bus station, warehouses, a mostly
empty outdoor retail mall, and towering and ominous office buildings.
This is a two deck ballpark, but with only 12,500 seats, still retains its minor league
intimacy. The many varied concession stands sport murals of local history, and
down the third base side is a Fresno Sports Hall of Fame with plaques of local
notables.
Another great amenity is a grid of misters located throughout much of the main
concourse. From the ceiling they offer a fine cool spray which helps with the
oppressive heat and humidity that is a mainstay of this region. For those lucky
enough to make the purchase, there is a "pool suite" located behind centerfield, with
shaded lawn seating and yes, an in ground swimming pool.
Downtown Fresno has to be one of the most depressing cities in California. The
streets of downtown are clean and well groomed, but the buildings are empty, there
is no commerce, the neighborhoods are devoid of foot traffic and life.
And in the midst of all this sits Chukchansi Park, a spit shined and attractive HOK
designed ballpark which is nestled amidst a bus station, warehouses, a mostly
empty outdoor retail mall, and towering and ominous office buildings.
This is a two deck ballpark, but with only 12,500 seats, still retains its minor league
intimacy. The many varied concession stands sport murals of local history, and
down the third base side is a Fresno Sports Hall of Fame with plaques of local
notables.
Another great amenity is a grid of misters located throughout much of the main
concourse. From the ceiling they offer a fine cool spray which helps with the
oppressive heat and humidity that is a mainstay of this region. For those lucky
enough to make the purchase, there is a "pool suite" located behind centerfield, with
shaded lawn seating and yes, an in ground swimming pool.
RENO ACES USRT Visit: June, 2011
Baseball in Reno is kind of a new thing, and Aces Ballpark, just opened in 2009,
stands in stark contrast to the neighboring area of downtown Reno, which is a
collection of 60s and 70s era casinos and resorts a throwback to the old style
gambling in the State of Nevada.
The ballpark is new, retro and classic all at the same time, offering accents of red
brick and dark green facades and steel, with the seating bowl colored deep blue.
One of the signatures of this venue is down the left field side, where an area called
the Freight House District, an assemblage of four distinct eateries, are all connected
with a center courtyard and meeting area complete with a fire pit and additional
game areas.
Most notable item on the concession menu is the Triple Play Sandwich. This
massive gastronomical feast contains beef brisket, pulled pork, meatballs a special
sauce and way to big not to be shared.
The Reno Aces are one of the newest teams in the Pacific Coast League, having
relocated from here from Tucson, and even though this city does not have much of a
sports tradition, locals here are enjoying their newest entertainment option.
Baseball in Reno is kind of a new thing, and Aces Ballpark, just opened in 2009,
stands in stark contrast to the neighboring area of downtown Reno, which is a
collection of 60s and 70s era casinos and resorts a throwback to the old style
gambling in the State of Nevada.
The ballpark is new, retro and classic all at the same time, offering accents of red
brick and dark green facades and steel, with the seating bowl colored deep blue.
One of the signatures of this venue is down the left field side, where an area called
the Freight House District, an assemblage of four distinct eateries, are all connected
with a center courtyard and meeting area complete with a fire pit and additional
game areas.
Most notable item on the concession menu is the Triple Play Sandwich. This
massive gastronomical feast contains beef brisket, pulled pork, meatballs a special
sauce and way to big not to be shared.
The Reno Aces are one of the newest teams in the Pacific Coast League, having
relocated from here from Tucson, and even though this city does not have much of a
sports tradition, locals here are enjoying their newest entertainment option.
