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Silver Cross Field
/Joliet JackHammers
| Year Opened | May 24, 2002 |
| Capacity | 6,915 |
| Dimensions | 330L 400C, 327R |
| Last Visit | 2004 |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs (Denver) |
| Cost | $27 million |
| Web Site | www.jackhammersbaseball.com |
| Online Broadcasts | Yes |
| Online Ticket Sales | No |
| Phone | 815/726-BALL (2255) |
| League | Northern League |
| Ticket Prices | Box Seats, $9; Reserved, $7; General Admission, $5 |
| Parking | There are a number of free parking lots adjacent to the ballpark on Jefferson west of the ballpark, including courthouse and Metra parking lots, as well as parking decks owned by Bank One and the city. In addition, all Joliet city meters are free on game days. All in all there are 3,000 city parking spots within a few blocks of the ballpark. |
| Address/Directions | One Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet. The address is a bit of a misnomer; it's on Jefferson Street on the east side of downtown Joliet. From I-80, take the Chicago Street/Rte. 53 exit (#132B) north to Washington; hang a right on Washington, and the ballpark will be on the right. From I-55: take the freeway to the I-80 interchange and head east on I-80, then following the above directions. |
| Rating |   |
I admit that I arrived in Joliet with a few preconceived notions of the city, fueled mostly by repeated viewings of The Blues Brothers as a youngster. I had envisioned a rough city with gangsters and convicts hanging around every street corner.
I was wrong.
Downtown Joliet is OK, and its biggest sin appears to be a general lack of nighttime activity, not waves of hoodlums lining up to beat up unsuspecting passersby. But the Joliet JackHammers are doing their best to break up the nighttime peacefulness in Joliet, and they've come a long way toward doing so with a great facility in Silver Cross Field.
Opening in 2002, Silver Cross Field is one of the nicer ballparks in the Northern League and in Illinois. Fitting nicely into its surroundings -- which includes a historic train station and a fortress-like high school -- Silver Cross Field is a great place to watch a baseball game.
Built in a slightly retro style (though not enough so that it's a distraction), the brick-and-steel facade of Silver Cross Field fits nicely within downtown Joliet. Most patrons will reach the ballpark from lots to the west, which means they will pass underneath a railroad overpass to reach the park. This setting somewhat lessens the impact of the park's multi-story entrance (which is shown in the photo at the top of this page; the steel-beam facade was designed to be reminiscent of the many bridges crossing the nearby Des Plaines River), which is a shame; the ballpark's architects could have done a better job in creating a more dramatic entrance to the ballpark, instead of creating one mostly obscured by railroad tracks.
Once inside the ballpark, there's a lot to catch the eye. The design is fairly conventional. The playing surface sits at ground level, while a second-floor open concourse contains concessions. A third level contains 14 suites and press facilities. There are grassy berms located down each line, while an outdoor concession building (new in 2004) features rooftop seating and a covered picnic area is designed for larger groups. A children's play area is located down the third-base line, while a covered picnic area is located down the first-base line.. A sidewalk runs through the concourse and behind the outfield fence, so you can walk the entire ring round the ballpark. While the gift shop is located on street level near the front entrance, a spiral staircase connects it to the concourse level.
None of this is really remarkable: almost every ballpark built in the last seven or eight years matches this general game plan. What makes Silver Cross Field notable is the attention to details.
For example, the aforementioned picnic area, which is covered. Most teams don't bother covering the picnic area, providing some shade to folks who are probably more interesting in socializing than intently watching the game. Next to the picnic area is an older building whose wall is basically built into the park, providing a nice integration between the ballpark and the surrounding neighborhood a la Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Next to the old building is a hot tub and party deck, which is nestled into the corner of the park. Watching a game from this deck feels more private than most ballpark hot tubs.
There are several new features to Silver Cross Field this season. The most important (at least to a true baseball fan) was the addition of a speed display next to the scoreboard. The team also added a rather new clever promotion on the right-field fence: the "Hang to Win" Velcro wall, where one lucky fans gets to don a Velcro suit and hang on a Velcro wall. If the fan lasts seven innings and catches a home-run ball (yes, they are supplied with a glove), they win a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Silver Cross Field is an impressive addition to downtown Joliet. Integrated fairly well into its surroundings, the ballpark is worth a visit if you're ever in the area.
Concessions
Concessions are located in the concourse (at
"Jacks Snacks Stands") and
in the left-field concession stand. There's a wide
variety of foods available at the ballpark,
including Kelly Eisenberg hot dogs ($2.25) and
jumbo dogs ($3.25), nachos ($3.75), soft drinks, hamburgers
($4), On the more interesting side
are grilled Italian sausages with onions and
peppers ($4), Joliet Jack Cheese burgers ($4.25) and Cemeno's Pizza
($4.25). Other freestanding carts feature Dippin' Dots ice cream and Cemeno's pizza.
For adults, the beer selection at most stands includes Bud, Bud Light, Michelob and Michelob Light ($4 large, $3 regular). The Guinness Irish Pub, which also contains a small seating area, features Guinness Stout, Heinekin, Labatt Blue, Amstel Light, Harp and Moosehead (all $4.75).
For
the Kids
A special play area with playground equipment
is located down the third-base line. In addition,
kids can burn off some energy walking around the
ballpark or playing catch outside the outfield
fences.
Parking
There is ample free parking in adjacent
parking lots and streets west of the ballpark.
Before/After the Game
Downtown Joliet may not be dangerous, but it's
not exactly booming with nightlife, either.
Next door to the ballpark is Down From the Tracks (50 E. Jefferson Street) located within the train station kitty-corner from the entrance to Silver Cross Field. I visited there before the game and was in heaven: pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon went for $2, with several other beers on tap as well. (Note to beer lovers: check out Pabst Blue Ribbon sometime. It's now cool in some circles as a cheap retro beer, but it tastes today as it did 25 years ago: cool and hoppy. the Pabst Brewing Company must be doing something right.) This sports bat attracts fervent White Sox fans, some of whom were glued to a Pale Sox broadcast during the running of the Belmont Stakes -- and they could not have cared less to see history in the making if Smarty Jones had won to capture the Triple Crown.
Those interested in gambling will want to head to the opposite end of downtown and visit Harrah's Joliet (151 N. Joliet Street), which features a large gaming floor, live entertainment and a luxury hotel. The Argosy Empress Casino Hotel is located two miles west of Larkin on Route 6.
There are also some other signs of revitalization in downtown Joliet, as new restaurants periodically pop up. You can find a fuller listing at the downtown Joliet Web site.
Where to Stay
The only hotel within walking distance of
Silver Cross Field is the aforementioned Harrah's
Joliet, which is about a third of a mile from the
ballpark.
Other hotels within five miles of the ballpark -- and thus requiring a drive -- are the Super 8 Joliet I-80, Red Roof Joliet, Holiday Inn Express Joliet, Microtel Inn, Fairfield Joliet South, and Hampton Inn Joliet. In addition, there are a raftload of additional hotels located within 10 miles of the ballpark. They are all virtually of the lower-end chain type.
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