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Newman Outdoor
Field / Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
If you're read some of the ballpark descriptions, you know that I sometimes relate a highly personal perspective. Confession: I proposed to my soon-to-be wife at Newman Outdoor Field on September 12, 1998. I suppose most women wouldn't consider Newman to be the most romantic setting in the world, but what the hell -- it ended up being a perfect moment. My son Sean (who was clued to the impending engagement beforehand) giggled as he handed the engagement ring to Courtney, and then he told me to kiss her. I did. After we finished off a spiff of champagne smuggled into the stadium, we settled down to watch the rest of the game, won by the RedHawks. So it's probably no surprise that Newman Outdoor Field is one of my favorite stadiums on the planet (although many would be surprised to find out that the Wade in Duluth is actually my favorite). At one time Newman was the nicest ballpark in the Northern League, a brick shrine to baseball, but recent spate of new ballparks in the league pushed Newman Outdoor from the of the list Still, Newman Outdoor is a great place to watch a game. It's a comfortable ballpark: The concession stands are all on a concourse level in the back of the grandstand, so you can head up for some food and still have a great view of the game. All the seats in the grandstand have arms and beverage holders, with 12 luxury boxes looming overhead. Between innings, Ole the trained Norwegian fetches baseballs for the umpires and comments on the action from his on-field rocking chair. Aside from St. Paul's Midway Stadium, Newman is the Northern League field most likely to be sold out, so if you're heading up for the weekend call ahead for tickets.
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History A Fargo-Moorhead franchise was a cornerstone of the Northern League when it reformed in 1933, continuing in the league through 1962, when it was moved to Bismarck-Mandan. The Fargo-Moorhead Twins were affiliated with Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and the Yankees in that period, winning three league championships and featuring players like Jim "Mudcat" Grant, Bob Feller (for one game) and hometown hero Roger Maris, then known as Roger Maras. The team's long-time home was Barnett Field in north Fargo, located on the current location of Fargo North High School.
Concessions For the most part, the concessions offer standard ballpark fare at two main stands. The $1.50 Coverdale Farms hot dogs are pretty decent; you can also buy a foot-long version, complete with chili and cheese, for $3.50. The shredded-pork sandwich is a bargain at $3.75. On a cold night, a bowl of beer-cheese soup or chili ($3) would hit the spot, and you know you're in North Dakota with macaroni salad ($2) on the menu. Other offerings at the two stands include popcorn, peanuts, candy, Cracker Jacks, peanuts and soft pretzels. Beer is sold at only one of the main stands. And you can't go to a game and not have a spicy pickled egg. Two dollars will get you the egg, pretzels and a pepper. Also on the concourse level are several freestanding concessionaires, selling fresh cotton candy, freshly baked cookies, Domino's pizza, beers of the world (on tap: Summit, Sam Adams, Heineken and Amstel Light), tacos and more. Down the left-field line is a hamburger stand and picnic area, and the Budweiser beer garden.
For
the Kids
Smoking
Parking
Where to Stay
Before the Game
After the Game On the high end: Martini culture finally reached Fargo, which means either a) martini culture has finally run its course, or b) Fargo is a lot hipper than most of us thought. It's probably a combination of the two. The local martini culture is lead by the Hotel Donaldson (101 Broadway; 701/478-1000; 888/478-8768), where the HoDo lounge features a variety of martinis and attractive barkeeps to serve them shaken, not stirred. The restaurant has won plaudits from critics and locals alike. By Fargo standards, it's very stylish. In the same vein is Monte's (220 Broadway), an upscale and small restaurant. The small bar features 35 custom martinis, and the food is highly acclaimed. If downscale is more your style, don't worry -- Fargo has a rich tradition of downscale. Jim Lauerman's is a downtown bar known for its pickled eggs and pretzels. Rooter's features incredibly cheap beer (a bottle of Coors goes for $1.90) and blackjack. Right in the middle of the road: Old Broadway (22 Broadway; 701/ 237-6161), where the restaurant side serves up great burgers and grilled entrees, with the bar side attracting a crowd seeking dancing and sports. Reopening later this summer: the Great Northern Brewery, located in a converted downtown train station. The brewery should open in June. On the Moorhead side of the river is the Red Bear Grill & Tavern (700 1st Av.; 218/287-0080), which seems to have escaped national notice but is extremely popular with locals. The Red Bear Grill is housed in a lovingly renovated WPA building that served many years as the home of the Moorhead American Legion; the area next to the building used to serve as a zoo of sorts that featured a popular attraction, Bruno the Bear. The zoo is long gone, but the remnants of the bear cage have been worked into the renovated building. More news about Newman Outdoor Stadium / Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks ----->
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