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T.R. Hughes
Ballpark / River City Rascals
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
| Year Opened | 1999 |
| Capacity | 5,191 |
| Architect | HOK Sport |
| Dimensions | 320L, 382C, 299R |
| Playing Surface | Grass |
| Last Visit | 2007 |
| Web Site | rivercityrascals.com |
| Online Broadcasts | No |
| Online Ticket Sales | Yes |
| Phone | 636/240-2287 |
| Ticket Prices (2007) | Luxury Box, $11, Field Box $10, Infield Reserve $8, and General Admission $5. |
| League | Frontier League |
| Parking | Free |
| Address/Directions | Located off I-70 East/West at T.R. Hughes Blvd. exit. Proced north for one mile. The ballpark will be on the right-hand side at the corner of Tom Ginnever Avenue. |
| Text and Photos by: | Marc Viquez |
| Rating |   |
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
The "suites" are
actually shaded tables in a tent down the
left-field line.
T.R. Hughes Ballpark, home of the River City Rascals (independent, Frontier League), is a curious little ballpark in the sprawling suburbs 35-miles northwest of St. Louis. The park was built in 1999, and for the next few years the team led the league in attendance. However, after new ballparks were built across the Frontier League map, the Rascals fell from the top, but there is still a lot of energy left at the ballpark.
The design is similar
to facilities that were both built for the
Gateway Grizzlies.
The concourse is open with about 12 rows of seats
down each aisle, there's grass seating down the
right field area, and various concession spots are
located in right field.
There are some nice touches that make coming to
T.R. Hughes a little different than your average
ballpark. The first touch is the St, Charles
County Amateur Hall of Fame, which is located down
the right-field line and easily accessible from
inside the ballpark. The small museum has a few
curiosities and is free to all visitors.
Another interesting point: the impressive playground area in back of the left-field concourse. There are slides, swings and basketball courts for use for the young ones. Also, close by is a huge strip of space with bleacher seating.
The final unique touch: players entered and exited the game through center field, like they did back in the days.
T.R. Hughes also has a lot of things you find at other ballparks. These include a hot-tub party deck, a beer garden in the right field corner, an a picnic garden in left field. The right-field wall itself is a huge wall of ads, but the manual scoreboard is a nice touch.
(click on the image
for a larger photo)
There's a great view
of the action from the right-field hot tub.
The team led the Frontier League in attendance
during its first four years from 1999-2002 and was
in the top two the next two seasons. In fact, the
club set a franchise best with 185,333 spectators
in 2004. However, attendance took a nosedive the
next few seasons, but a huge crowd was on hand the
night of our visit -- in fact, it took forever to
get through the hordes of fans in the concession
area.
The Rascals deploy three mascots to entertain the fans during the game; Rascal, Ruffy and Muffy. They say three’s a crowd, but the trio was all over the place providing fun for the little fans in attendance. The souvenir shop was impressive with a large array of Rascals’ merchandise on hand, and very crowded as well.
T.R. Hughes Ballpark makes a nice visit if you are in the St. Louis area. The St. Charles community does a nice job of attracting people, and the sprawling area is developing year by year. It can make an enjoyable evening at the ballpark.
After the game
Main Street in nearby St. Charles is a must
see destination for anyone in the area. You can
tour the first state capital of Missouri, enjoy a
beer at the Trailhead Brewpub, walk along the
Missouri River, and learn a little about the Lewis
and Clark Expedition. The cobblestone streets of
downtown are filled with small shops, bars, and
restaurants in buildings that date from the early
19th century.
You can also visit the Katy Trail State Park and for a unique walking experience drive a 20-minutes west and visit the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Originally built in 1929 and used for motorists to cross the Mississippi River on Route 66, the bridge is now used for pedestrian traffic. You will find vintage signs, memorabilia, and some nice views up above the river.
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