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Campbell's Field /
Camden Riversharks
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
| Year Opened | 2001 |
| Capacity | 6,425 |
| Architect | Clarke Caton Hintz |
| Dimensions | 325L, 405C, 325R |
| Playing Surface | Grass |
| Last Visit | 2005 |
| Web Site | riversharks.com |
| Online Broadcasts | Yes |
| Online Ticket Sales | Yes |
| Phone | 866-SHARKS9 (866-742-7579) |
| Ticket Prices (2006) | Field Box, $10; Upper Box, $8 |
| League | Atlantic League |
| Parking | Patrolled lots next to the ballpark offer $3 parking; limited street parking available as well. |
| Address/Directions | 401 N. Delaware Av., Camden. Basically, you'll want to make your way to downtown Camden. If you're coming from Philadelphia, head over on the Ben Franklin Bridge from downtown Philly. When you pass the toll booths, turn right onto the first city street, 6th Street (if you miss the first, turn right onto the second street, Broadway). Either way, make the second right onto Cooper Street. Follow Cooper Street to Campbell's Field. |
| Written by: | Kevin Reichard |
| Rating |  |
Sporting perhaps the most dramatic view from any ballpark, Campbell's Field in downtown Camden is surely one of the most scenic ballparks in minor-league baseball. With the Ben Franklin Bridge outside of right field and the downtown Philadelphia skyline past the left-field corner, a Camden Riversharks or Rutgers University game at Campbell's Field provides a great family experience.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
It is not an especially complicated ballpark, it is a well-designed ballpark. We arrived earlier to a Riversharks game before the doors opened, but it was no big deal passing the time: there are comfortable benches outside the front entrance, and the brickwork presents a nice face to the ballpark.
A main entrance takes you up to the concourse level; from there you descend down to two levels of seating or above to suites There's an Utz Fun Zone down the right-field line, complete with a climbing wall, plaground, picnic tables and other attractions geared for the younger set. A carousel and other youth attractions are located down the left-field line.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
The reason to be here, obviously, is the scenery. The Ben Franklin Bridge (shown above) connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey; you're close enough to see cars on the top of the bridge and a light-rail line beneath. The downtown Philadelphia skyline isn't exactly the most dramatic urban landscape, but you get a good view of it just the same. Plus, if the wind is right you can get a whiff of the Delaware River, though we're not quite sure if that's a plus or a minus.
The seating is comfortable, with wider-than-normal seats and cupholders throughout. There are no bleachers at Campbell's Field: everything in the grandstand is theater-style seating, while there are picnic tables in a group area down the left-field line.
The concessions are located on the concourse level. While you can find your ballpark staples at Campbell's Field, there are other concession stands worth checking out. Beers from the Flying Fish Brewing Company are on tap in a special pub area. Two barbecue stands offer pulled-pork sandwiches as well.
When it opened, Campbell's Field was rightly hailed as a great, pioneering ballpark: it took some courage to build a ballpark in downtown Camden, and even though the renaissance of the ballpark area hasn't yet materialized, Campbell's Field is an important component to the ballpark world.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
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