| Ballpark Digest |
|
Home Ballparks Links Search League Histories Bookshelf Forums The Directory Endangered Ballparks Ballparks of the Past Archives About Newsletter Contact "Ballparks should be happy places." -- Bill Veeck |
| Broadcasts |
| Virtually every MiLB team now streams broadcasts over the Internet, which makes it easy to follow your favorite team when you're on the road. In addition, you can catch MLB game broadcasts at MLB.com or via XM Radio. More on Internet radio and TV broadcasts here! |
| Your Ballpark Guide |
|
Riverfront Stadium /
Waterloo Bucks
| Year Built | 1946 |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Dimensions | 335L, 360LC, 390C, 360RC, 335R |
| Last Visit | August 2003 |
| Web Site | www.waterloobucks.com |
| Online Broadcasts | No |
| Online Ticket Sales | No |
| Phone | 319/232-0500 |
| League | Northwoods League |
| Ticket Prices | Box Seats, $7; Adult General Admission, $5; Children and Seniors, $4; Family Pass, $15 |
| Parking | A large parking lot adjoining the stadium provides ample free parking. |
| Directions | There are no city signs pointing out the way to the stadium, so you'll need to make it on your own. Basically, the stadium is northeast of downtown Waterloo, on the Cedar River. If you're coming in from218, take the downtown Mullen Avenue/1st Street exit and take 1st Street north (which is also marked as Hwy. 63 North) to Franklin Street (Hwy. 57), where you'll hang a right and proceed to Conger Street, where you'll hang a left and proceed toward the river, where you'll see the ballpark on your left. |
| Rating |   |
| Description |
 |
| The view from the left-field bleachers, in back of the bullpen. Note the picnic area down the right-field line: as an all-you-can eat offering, it's pretty popular. |
From the outside, Riverfront Stadium doesn't hold a lot of promise for the ballpark fan, as it looks like a simple little ballpark without a lot of character.
But once you step inside Riverfront Stadium and make your way past the concession stands and the backs of the grandstand, you'll find yourself presented with a little gem of a park. Yes, it doesn't completely meet affiliated-ball standards -- one reason why the Midwest League Waterloo Diamonds left town after the 1994 season -- but it's a pretty fine place to watch a ballgame, and one that fits in perfectly with the laid-back vibe of the college wood-bat Northwoods League.
Riverfront Stadium isn't the oldest ballpark in the Northwoods League -- that honor would fall to Duluth's Wade Stadium -- but it is perhaps the most historic ballpark in the league. Opening in 1946 (and known for most of its history as Municipal Stadium), Riverfront Stadium was a private endeavor that was donated to the city and is part of a Waterloo park area that includes softball fields and a skateboard park. The name is somewhat of a misnomer -- while it is indeed close to the river, it's actually a block away from any water, and the stadium parking lot sits between the ballpark and the river -- but it's still a very scenic location for a very scenic ballpark.
The history associated with Riverfront Stadium comes from its long association with affiliated baseball teams. Over the years Riverfront Stadium has hosted farm teams for the White Sox, Red Sox, Royals, Indians and Padres, Several leagues have set up shop in Waterloo, including the Three-I (Illinois-Indiana-Iowa) League (Waterloo Red Hawks, 1938-1939; Waterloo Hawks, 1940-1942 and 1947; Waterloo White Hawks, 1946, 1948-1956) and the Midwest League (Waterloo Hawks, 1958-1969; Waterloo Royals, 1970-1976; Waterloo Indians, 1977-1988; Waterloo Diamonds, 1989-1993). The Waterloo Bucks moved into Riverfront Stadium in 1995 and made a slew of improvements: a new scoreboard and 140 box seats were added, a picnic area was constructed down the first-base line, and the grandstand and the bleachers were remodeled. While there are some areas where Riverfront Stadium is showing its age -- rust is a big enemy of the metal grandstand -- overall the old ballpark is in pretty good shape overall.
 |
| The classic covered grandstand is a staple in stadiums built in the 1940s. It's not rare, actually, but it is a distinguishing feature for this ballpark. |
 |
| Attendance at Waterloo Bucks has risen every year the team has been in the Northwoods League and now outstrips attendance when the team hosted a Midwest League game. Note the full bleachers in the background: this picture was taken at the final home game of the season for the Bucks, the day after Fan Appreciation Night and a game where there was absolutely no promotions going on -- and still the Bucks drew almost 2,000 fans to the game. |
"Pro ball in Waterloo was a ruin, and the stadium a relic. The ballpark could get a new clubhouse, new bat racks, and even a phone from the bullpen to the dugout....and the ballpark would still be an anachronism. Waterloo Municipal Stadium belonged to a school of sports architecture that dated back to the first decade of the century. It was now at least two generations out of date. Although still functional, the stadium only was showing its age through missing seats, cracking concrete and rusting girders, but its amenities were woefully antiquated. All it could deliver was nostalgia, though not in the commercially negotiable form that would have been necessary for the franchise to remain economically competitive."
Well, Richard Panek, you were dead wrong: Riverfront Stadium is alive, well and thriving. All it took was a little TLC and some enthusiasm to turn the old lady into a young, cherished hipster.
| Concessions |
Because of its recent history as hosting an affiliated team, Riverfront Stadium does have plenty of amenities for fans -- i.e., lots of places to spend a few bucks at a game. The main grandstand features a huge concession area where traffic moves through quickly, as well as separate beer stand and a team-merchandise area. There's also another limited concession stand down the third-base line and another beer stand down the first-base line.
The concession offerings were pretty straightforward, but they were prepared well. The $2.50 hot dog was excellent: it was plump and warm, the bun was steamed, and both mustard and sauerkraut were available as condiments. Beer selection was limited to Lite, Bud and Bud Lite, while Pepsi products were available by the bottle. I had perhaps the most unusual cheeseburger of my life: instead of holding an actual slice of cheese, the cheeseburger featured nacho sauce. It was a guilty pleasure, to be sure.
| Where to Stay |
There are no hotels within walking distance of the ballpark. There are three areas in the region where you can look for a hotel room. Downtown Waterloo (where you'll find the Ramada Inn and the Quality Inn and Suites, among others), out near the Crossroads Ceter Mall on LaPorte Road (home to chains like the Fairfield Inn and the Super 8), and nearby Cedar Falls, home to smaller hotels like the Trails End Lodge and the University Inn as well as a larger Holiday Inn). I can't recommend one over the other, quite honestly.
| For the Kids |
The lack of a play area for kids is a definite weakness in Riverfront Stadium. There was an exceptionally large number of kids at the ballpark with gloves and balls, but they ended up playing ball in the aisles because there was no dedicated kids' area.
| Before the Game |
Waterloo is not exactly the most happening of cities; there's not much in downtown Waterloo, and the city is really a company town (the world headquarters of John Deere is located near downtown). You could tour the John Deere plant if you're really bored, but the recommendation here is to head over the nearby Cedar Falls in search of a good meal. Cedar Falls is a college town (home to the University of Northern Iowa), and its downtown has some notable restaurants, like Mulligan's and Montage.
| More Photos |
