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"Ballparks should be happy places." -- Bill Veeck

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Recent Visits


Al Lang Field, Tampa Bay Rays
St. Pete's Al Lang Field has been in the news a lot lately, but for the wrong reasons: the Tampa Bay Rays will train there one last time in 2008 before shifting spring operations to Charlotte County in 2009, and the old ballpark is slated to be torn down to make way for a new waterfront home of the Rays. Now, Al Lang Field isn't the same venue it was in the 1940s and 1950s when it was a landmark in spring training, but it's still a great place to catch a spring-training game. We hope the Rays catch the spirit of the original Al Lang in their designs for a new ballpark, For the rest of us, a trip to Al Lang Field will be a mandatory event in Spring Training 2008.


Trustmark Park, Mississippi Braves
There's nothing wrong with Trustmark Park, the home of the Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League). The wraparound concourse, luxury boxes, big scoreboard and varied concessions are all standard issue for a new minor-league ballpark these days. So why aren't we more excited about the two-year-old ballpark? Because there's nothing unique about it: except for a few Southern menu items at the concessions, there's nothing to link the ballpark to its surroundings. At a Mississippi Braves game, you could be watching a game anywhere -- and going local is one of the great joys of the minor leagues. Dustin Mattison reports.


Alliance Bank Stadium, Syracuse Chiefs
The biggest news at Alliance Bank Stadium, the home of the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League): the current artificial turf will be replaced by real grass. That's good news for Syracuse baseball fans in terms of aesthetics, as well as players who need to field on an old, sometimes unpredictable surface. Otherwise, Alliance Bank Stadium is a perfectly serviceable ballpark: the Chiefs front office does things the old-fashioned way (i.e., not much in terms of between-innings shenanigans), but the ballpark is a comfortable place to watch a game, and the food is pretty good. Steve Kapsinow reports.

Features

2008 Ballparks
Billings
Lehigh Valley
Madison, Wis.
  (renovations)
Springdale, Ark.
Southern Maryland
Washington, D.C.

2009 Ballparks
Charlotte County, Fla.
Columbus, Ohio
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Glendale, Az.
Goodyear, Az.
Kansas City
 
(renovations)
LSU
New York Mets
New York Yankees

Pensacola, Fla.
University of South
  Carolina
Winston-Salem

2010 Ballparks
Minnesota Twins

2012 Ballparks
Oakland Athletics

Ballparks of the Past
Colt Stadium
Crosley Field
Durham Athletic
  
Park
Ebbets Field
Griffith Stadium
Huntington Avenue
  
Grounds
Jack Russell
Jarry Park
L.A. Coliseum
Metropolitan
 
Stadium

Muehlebach Field
Municipal Stadium
 
(Kansas City)

Sicks' Stadium
Tinker Field
War Memorial
 
(Greensboro)

Photo Galleries
Piedmont League

Book Excerpts
The Last Good Season

2007 Attendance
  By average
  By team
  Affiliated - average
  Affiliated - league
  Affiliated - total
  Indy - average
  Indy - total

  MLB - total
  MLB - average

2006 Attendance
  By average
  By team
  Affiliated - average
  Affiliated - league
  Affiliated - total
  Indy - average
  Indy - total

2005 Attendance
  By average
  By team

2004 Attendance
  By average
  By team
  Indy by team
  Indy by league
  Combined overall

2003 Attendance
  MLB attendance
  By league
  League overview
  By average
  By team
  Indy by team
  Indy by league
  Combined overall

2002 Attendance
  By league
  By average
  By team
  Indy by team
  Indy by league
  Combined overall

The Fine Print
Obligatory legal information: This site is copyright 1998-2007 Kevin Reichard/August Publications. All rights reserved. My wife is a lawyer, so she will come and chop off your hand in a legal fashion if you rip off this site in any form. All logos are the property of their respective owners.
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!
Archives
2007
Nov. 12-18
Nov. 5-11
Oct. 29-Nov. 4
Oct. 22-28
Oct. 15-21
Oct. 8-14
Oct. 1-7
Sept. 24-30
Sept. 17-23
Sept. 10-16
Sept. 2-8
Aug. 26-Sept. 1
Aug. 19-25
Aug. 12-18
Aug. 5-11
July 29-Aug. 4
July 22-28
July 15-21
July 8-14
July 1-7
June 24-30
June 17-23
June 10-19
June 3-9
May 27-June 2
May 20-26
May 13-19
May 6-12
April 30-May 5
April 23-29
April 16-22
April 9-15
April 2-8
March 26-April 1
March 19-25
March 12-18
March 5-11
Feb. 26-March 4
Feb. 19-25
Feb. 12-18
Feb. 5-11
Jan. 29-Feb. 4
Jan. 22-28
Jan. 15-21
Jan. 8-14
Jan. 1-7

2006
2005
2004
2003
2002

Safeco Field / Seattle Mariners
 
Year Opened 1999
Capacity 47,116
Architects NBBJ
Dimensions 331L, 405C, 326R
Playing Surface Grass
Last Visit 2005
Web Site www.seattlemariners.com
Online Broadcasts Yes
Online Ticket Sales Yes
Phone 206/346-4000
Ticket Prices (2006) Terrace Club Infield, $60; Lower Box, $55; Terrace Club Outfield, $45; Hit it Here Cafe, $43 (includes $18 food voucher); Field, $38; View Box, $25; Lower Outfield Reserved, $25; View Reserved, $18; Left-Field Bleachers, $14; Center-Field Bleachers, $7.
League American League
Parking Plentiful and expensive, including ramps directly adjoining Safeco Field.
Address/Directions 1250 First Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134. Safeco Field is close to the intersection of I-5 and I-90 on the south side of Seattle's downtown area. Getting there is ridiculously easy. If you're on the outskirts of town, follow the freeway signs to downtown Seattle; from there you'll find a plentitude of signs for Safeco Field.
Written by: Kevin Reichard
Rating

No doubt about it: Safeco Field is the best ballpark when it comes to pampering fans. It is both traditional and modern, retro and corporate, intimate and sprawling, cacophonous and soothing. The attention to detail is truly amazing, both for those planted in their seats watching the game, and those who want a little diversion while wandering around the spacious ballpark surroundings.

Of course, the more cynical among us would expect Safeco Field to be nothing less than truly spectacular, given its price tag: when it was completed in 1999 for $517 million, it was the most expensive single-use stadium in North America. Was it worth the money? For those of us outside Seattle, it sure was.

For me, the most amazing thing about Safeco Field is that it uniquely woven into the fabric of Seattle. Safeco Field may have a retractable roof, but it's really not a retractable roof in the same way that Miller Field or the BOB have retractable roofs. In those stadiums, when the roof is closed, you are enclosed in a climate-controlled environment -- you are now watching a game in an indoor stadium. This isn't the way the retractable roof works at Safeco Field: the roof covers the playing field, but it does not create a closed environment. Even when the roof is closed there are plenty of openings where you can view the rest of Seattle, so you never get the sense that you're watching a game in an indoor stadium -- you're merely watching a game where a giant roof is protecting the players from the rain. And you're never cut off from the great outdoors.

This is important in an area like Seattle, where connecting with the environment is a way of life. Depending on where you sit, you'll have views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, downtown Seattle, or the Space Needle as a backdrop. You're always reminded that you're in Seattle -- giving it a sense of place that precious few other ballparks have. (The ones that do are mainly in the minor leagues -- which probably accounts for why the minor leagues inspire such passion among fans.)

There are really two ways to approach Safeco Field: as a ballpark and as a giant food court. Both approaches are valid. If you can spring for the expensive seats, do so -- while most of the grandstand seats are situated quite a distance from the playing field, they offer a panoramic view of the entire stadium and greater Seattle. You'll appreciate the manual scoreboard, the giant Tully's sign, and the backdrop.

Even if you score a good seat, you'll want to explore the rest of the ballpark. Check out the Bullpen Market, located in center field. The market includes several concession areas, most populated by Seattle-area merchants; these include Bubba's Burritos (where the vegetarian burritos are mandatory for the vegetarians), Bullpen Asian Bentos (your source for noodle bowls or stir fry), and Bullpen BBQ (run by the Porter's folks, out of Tacoma). From the nearby Bullpen Pub you'll have a view of both bullpens as well as the workings behind the manual scoreboard; sit down and sample the Ivar's Fish and Chips.

Oh, and one more thing: dress for the elements. Seattle has a fickle environment, and it can quickly turn chilly any time of the year once nighttime arrives. Since the roof merely covers the stadium and does not enclose it, Safeco Field should really be viewed as an outdoor park, and even if the roof is closed, you'll get chilly on a chilly night. 

Concessions
Sushi!

OK, so Safeco Field isn't the only stadium in the bigs selling sushi (Dodger Stadium has been doing so for years). But there's an amazing diversity of food options at Safeco Field, and you may end up spending much of your time at the ballpark wandering between the various food offerings. The highlights are many among the 62 food stands and 26 food kiosks.

Besides the Bullpen BBQ, Porter's also manages several other BBQ stands around the concourse. Porter's is a family-owned institution in Tacoma and the locals speak highly of its BBQ, but I was not impressed.

Ivar's Original Acres of Clams is another Seattle-area institution, serving seafood and clam chowder in a large, sprawling restaurant on the waterfront. It's worth a visit in and of itself, but at the ballpark you should visit the Ivar's concession stand near section 117. Besides the aforementioned clam chowder, Ivar's serves salmon, seafood, and the Ivar's Dog.

Other concession highlights in Dippin' Dots, the Grounds Crew espresso stands, pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven, the International District (where you can find sushi and stir-fry delights), various Tully's Coffee stands, and the Good Hops Beer stands, featuring a variety of local and regional microbrews.

Interestingly enough, it's hard to find a good hot dog at Safeco Field. The Mariner Dog is OK; it tastes like your average hot dog, but it comes in a bun as big as the Ritz. (Yes, there is such a thing as too much bread, and the Mariner Dog violates the hot-dog/bun ratio.) Given the plethora of good foodstuffs at Safeco Field, the lack of a good hot dog is mystifying.

For the Kids
The Children's Hospital Playfield is in the center-field concourse area. Conceivably a family could spend the entire time out there: besides the actual playgound, the Playfield features its own concession area (Moose's Munchies) and its own clubhouse store. Don't feel like you'll miss any action if you allow the kids to burn off some energy on the playground, as there are a string of televisions showing the game.

Before/After the Game
Since there's a wealth of dining options and diversions at the ballpark itself, you'll want to head for Safeco Field as early as they allow you in -- which, in the case of the center-field areas, is two hours before the game.

I'd also recommend dropping by the Pyramid Alehouse, where all the Pyramid microbrews are on tap. It's kitty-corner from Safeco Field and can be quite the zoo on game days, but the beers are worth braving the crowd.

Close by Safeco Field is the Filson Store, where you can shop for rugged and reliable outerwear. In the West, Filson's has a loyal following for its outerwear, and the company store is worth the visit.

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Big News of the Week

Here are the biggest ballpark stories of the last seven days.

Dodgers say they'll keep split squad in Vero Beach next spring

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Miller Park may get upgrades

Reds likely to remain in Florida for training

Appeal filed in Charlotte land-swap case

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In memoriam: Matt Minker

New name for Grasshoppers home: NewBridge Bank Park

Ballpark Visits

Current (by team)
Albuquerque Isotopes
Alexandria Beetles
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona State Sun Devils
Arkansas Travelers
Asheboro Copperheads
Asheville Tourists
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Billings Mustangs
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Greenville Drive
Helena Brewers
Houston Astros
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of Anaheim
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Pawtucket Red Sox
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Sacramento River Cats
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Seattle Mariners
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Southwest Michigan
   Devil Rays

Spartanburg Crickets
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Swing of the Quad
  
Cities
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Traverse City Beach
  
Bums
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Vero Beach Dodgers
Washington Nationals
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Winston-Salem
  
Warthogs

Wisconsin Timber
  
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Wofford Terriers

Current (by ballpark)
Alexian Field
Alliance Bank Stadium
Angel Stadium
Athletic Park
AT&T Park
AutoZone Park
Ballpark at Harbor Yard
Banner Island Ballpark
Baseball Grounds of
  
Jacksonville
Bright House
  
Networks Field
Burlington Athletic

   Stadium
Busch Stadium
C.O. Brown Stadium
Campbell's Field
CanWest Global Park
Carson Park
Cashman Field
Centene Stadium
Chase Field
Cheney Stadium
Chukchansi Park
Citizens Bank Park
Clark-LeClair Stadium
Comerica Park
Cooper Stadium
Coors Field
Copeland Park
Cracker Jack Stadium
Damaschke Field
Dell Diamond
Dickey-Stephens Park
Doak Field at Dail Park
Dodger Stadium
Dolphins Stadium
Duncan Park Stadium
Durham Bulls
  
Athletic Park
Ed Smith Stadium
Elfstrom Stadium
Ernie Shore Field
Fenway Park
Fieldcrest Cannon
  
Stadium
Fifth Third Field
   (Dayton)
Fifth Third Field
   (Toledo)
Finch Field
Fox Cities Stadium
Franklin Rogers Park
Fraser Field
GCS Ballpark
Great American Ball Park
Greer Stadium
Hammond Stadium
Harley Park
Holman Stadium
Isotopes Park
Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Jacobs Field
Joannes Stadium
Joe Faber Field
John O'Donnell
  
Stadium
Joker Marchant
  
Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Keyspan Park
Kindrick Field
Knights Stadium
Knology Park
Knute Nelson
  
Memorial Field
Lawrence-Dumont
  
Stadium
League Stadium
Legends Field
Lewis and Clark Park
Louisville Slugger Field
Mayo Field
McAfee Coliseum
McCormick Field
McCoy Stadium
McCrary Park
Melaleuca Field Memorial Stadium
Metrodome
Midway Stadium
Miller Park
Mills Field
Minute Maid Park
Nat Bailey Stadium
New Britain Stadium
Newman Outdoor
  
Stadium
O'Brien Field
Oldsmobile Park
Oriole Park at
  
Camden Yards
Packard Stadium
Petco Park
PGE Park
PNC Park
Pohlman Field
Principal Park
Raley Field
Rangers Ballpark in
  
Arlington
Riverfront Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium
Rogers Centre
Rosenblatt Stadium
Russell C. King Field

SBC Park
Shea Stadium
Siebert Field
Silver Cross Field
Sioux Falls Stadium
Space Coast Stadium
T.R. Hughes Ballpark
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Trustmark Park
Tucson Electric Park
Turner Field
U.S. Cellular Field
Veterans Memorial
  
Stadium
Victory Field
Wade Stadium
Warner Park
West End Field
Wrigley Field

Wuerfel Park
Yale Field
Yankee Stadium

Spring Training
Ballparks
Al Lang Field
Bright House
  
Networks Field
Champion Stadium
Ed Smith Stadium
Hammond Stadium
HoHoKam Park
Holman Stadium
Joker Marchant
  
Stadium
Knology Park
Legends Field
Roger Dean Stadium
Scottsdale Stadium
Space Coast Stadium
Tucson Electric Park

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Arizona State Sun Devils
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    University
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Wolfpack
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Bison
St. Scholastica Saints
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USC Upstate Trojans

Wofford Terriers

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Archives
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(War Memorial)
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(County Stadium)
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