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Joe Faber Field /
St. Cloud River Bats
On Opening Night St. Cloud River Bats owner Joel Sutherland was all smiles as he walked through the concourse of his new ballpark, Joe Faber Field, proclaiming his team now played in the best ballpark in the Northwoods League. And well he should: the new home of the R-Bats doesn't disappoint. It's a far nicer facility than the former home of the team, Dick Putz Field. It's a place that the Bats have already made their own, and one where there's still a tremendous upside. Given the major birthing pains that proceeded the move to Faber, the end result is a very enjoyable place to watch a game.
Strictly speaking, Joe Faber Field isn't a new facility; it was built in 1998 to accommodate the baseball- and softball-happy citizens of St. Cloud as an adjunct to Dick Putz Field. After the team's well-documented problems in obtaining control of Putz Field and a new ballpark in nearby St. Joe, the compromise was to put the team in Faber and give it a million-dollar facelift. It works. Now fans will enter the ballpark via a true lobby in the grandstand, large enough for a good-sized concession operation and gift shop, and decorated with paintings from St. Cloud's ballpark past. From there fans can head to a grandstand featuring backed aluminum bleachers; two rows in front of a walking concourse and up to 14 rows in back. The grandstand also features a six-person luxury box, a press box and handicapped seating. A 800-fan section of metal bleachers -- the cheap seats, as it were -- is located down the right-field line.
The area down the left-field line represents something new for the River Bats, but something well-accepted in the Northwoods League: premium party areas. The Space Aliens suite seats up to 30 people, while the $19 Charter Sports Deck features all-you-can consume food, water and pop, with $1 beer available. The deck features three tiers with plenty of stools and tables. It was jammed on Opening Night, and if the River Bats do nothing else but convert some existing customers into those willing to pay $19 for all-you-can-eat burgers, it will be a resounding success.
The ballpark renovations aren't done: a new building behind first base will feature yet another premium seating area on the roof and bathroom facilities within.
The backdrop to the ballpark is simply great. One of the best things about Putz Field was presence of pine trees as a backdrop, something fitting for a Northwoods League team. The pine trees are still there at Faber Field; beyond is a municipal golf course (where golfers can easily be seen throughout the game) and open space within the local VA complex.
There are some things we'd like to see. There's no real batters' eye in center field; there's an ad at the bottom of the center-field fence but nothing above. Perhaps the most crucial things missing from this ballpark are the lack of any spaces where one can stand and chat while watching the game. True, they exist in the party and deck areas, but only if you're paying a premium; it seems a waste to not allow the folks with the cheap tickets a place to congregate as well.
Is Sutherland right when he says it's the best ballpark in the Northwoods League? The wimpy answer would be that every ballpark is a snowflake, unique and delicate. The correct answer, however, would be no -- but it's right up there. Though there's nothing special about the physical layout of Warner Park, there's an unmistakable energy in the stands during a Mallards game. La Crosse's Copeland Park is a beautiful facility as well. Wade Stadium and Carson Park both have major history behind them, though neither comes close to the comfort of Joe Faber Field. Faber Field may not be the best, but it's among the best -- and that's pretty good company. Still, Joe Faber Field represents a quantum leap above the R-Bats' former home. It's a comfortable place to take in a game, and we expect over time the R-Bats management will add more personal touches to the ballpark.
Concessions
Before/After the Game That basically leaves downtown St. Cloud as the place for libations, and a cluster of bars on St. Germain is your best bet. Baseball fans will want to head to the Rox Bar & Grill (506 St. Germain; roxtav.com), originally named for the old St. Cloud Rox of the original Northern League. Nearby both the Press Bar & Parlor (502 St. Germain St.; pressbar.com) and the Red Carpet Nightclub (11 Fifth Ave. S.; redcarpetnightclub.com) features live music on weekend. Across the way D.B. Searle's (18 5th Av. S; dbsearles.com) has decent food and live music nightly. If drinking with college students doesn't appeal to you, consider a visit to the Stearns History Museum (235 33rd Av. S.; 320/253-8424). There are some excellent exhibits on immigration, natural history, granite, and automobile legend Samuel Pandolfo. There's a small admission charge, but it's well worth it.
Head to the game a little early and browse around the Veterans Plaza located next to the ballpark. It's a tribute to all the veterans of foreign wars from Minnesota.
Where to Stay |
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