The Best, Worst and Weirdest Minor League Stadiums
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 มิ.ย. 2023
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Minor League Parks are very important to many cities and their economies. Without Baseball, some towns would have nothing. But some stadiums are definitely better than others. Here are the best, worst and weirdest in all of Minor League Baseball.
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Were is Springfield Cardinals Stadium
I’ve been to Dunkin Donuts park a handful of times and they have seats under the outfield stands where you can sit right next to the home team bullpen. They even have a section where they have real life baby goats for petting. They have a whole pavilion for Bears BBQ which is not like Texas bbq but it’s tasty enough. They do have skewers of donut holes and chicken tender balls (not actual). Famous TH-camr and Netflix star Daym Drops has his own stand with candied bacon. Not to even mention field level seats in the back stop.
Do you have 5 points for men's thongs? I like to wear mine backwards so I look like a grape smuggler! Lol one love, btw how well do u think the Texas Rangers will do? Will they make the WS?!
That's Lakemont Park in Altoona PA. Leap The Dips is even older, originally opening up in 1909. It's one of a handful Side Friction Coasters still in operation. Figured I'd throw that in as well
Five points, you are dead wrong about Bull Durham. It actually portrays The Durham Bulls as they were at the time. They were a part of The Carolina League which is A-ball. It became a AAA team when given to the expansion Tampa Bay Rays. Also They are actually a AAA team in the film as Tim Robins character is moved to the Major Leagues at the end of the film.
Truist Field for the Charlotte Knights very deserving of the best list. It has arguably the best view in minor league baseball and one of highest attendance teams in all the minors
Agreed. I’d also throw the Kannapolis Ballers stadium in the mix as well (once it’s completed)
Consistently rated as the best ballpark in the minors, unbelievable he skipped it
@@JKShep3 the Cannonballers field is complete. It's a fantastic single A park
@@sethlynch89 I think he’s talking about the apartments being built right outside the stadium, the stadium itself is done but there’s still construction being done around it
No kidding - that CLT was not mentioned is nuts! The city view from the stands is spectacular.
The snorting bull in Durham is actually currently in its FOURTH iteration! The original sign from the movie hung in the DBAP concourse but is now in storage. The second sign built was sturdier than the one from the movie, but the second sign was damaged due to violent winds in 2007, during which the forelegs and head were ripped off. The sign was fixed, but they knew they had to replace it.
The Durham Bulls was named after a tobacco brand. John Green (no the Crash Course one is not a time traveler sadly lol), who owned the JR Green Company, gained success when soldiers from both sides of the Civil War visited by word of mouth. After the Civil War, John sought to create a new tobacco brand, and he was influenced by the advertisement campaign of a mustard company from Durham in the UK. The British company used a bullhead on its mustard labels, so Green copied the appealing packaging and placed a bull image on his tobacco packaging. John faced lawsuits over it, but in the end, he successfully secured the bull as his advertisement, and Durham, NC became the tobacco capital of the US.
You forgot the cool LuckStrike water tower and the old-tobacco trade building across the street. Plus Benits place is like 10 min away where the north and south both agreed to stop fighting in the civil war.
No way you didn’t include Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana for one of the best ballparks.
What about Four Winds Field?
@@MTC_Papa I like four winds ngl lol
@@MTC_Papa that too, between victory field, parkview, four winds, Indiana has some beautiful minor league fields
Agreed
I was just about to comment this
In all the years you’ve talked about minor league stadiums, I’m still shocked you’ve never mentioned the Fort Wayne tincaps. Parkview field is consistently rated as one of the best stadiums in our state of indiana
My hometown❤
Yessir Go Tincaps!
agreed, having been to both many times I feel that the argument could be made that Parkview field is nicer than Victory Field, however both are fantastic stadiums.
It was on the list!!!’
@@FivePointsVidsnot trying to argue, but where at what time if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve rewatched three times and don’t see it lol
Gotta give a shoutout to my Fort Wayne Tincaps' Parkview Field. 3 time winner of Ballpark Digest's best Class-A ballparks award. It opened in 2009 in downtown, and it was a huge upgrade over the previous stadium on the north side of town. I worked concessions there for 3 seasons and it was a joy to come to
As a Fort Wayne native, I was honestly hoping that Parkview field was on here.
As a central PA native I will always love the Senators stadium, it offers good parking, a mini golf course, and a solid local favorites for food.
Dem bugs tho…
whenever i hear central PA, i can’t help by say…. WE ARE
Dont forget the train
I was absolutely shocked to not see The Double-A Reading Fightin' Phils' First Energy Stadium on this list ... it's constantly rated as a top-5 ballpark in the country.
First energy stadium is absolute garbage aside from the stands. Maninly the concourse is bad. probably the poorest built concourse I've ever been in. very crammed.
Modern Woodman Park (formerly John O'Donnell Stadium) in Davenport Iowa deserves consideration as one of the best AND weirdest Minor League ball parks. It is located on the Mississippi river next to Centennial Bridge. It has a Ferris wheel outside the left field wall and a unique system of flood protection so the Quad City River Bandits of the High-A Midwest League can continue playing even when the river is out of its banks.
Huntington Park in Columbus is just in one of the greatest urban areas in all of America. The Arena District and The Short North are magical places. Entertaining, beautiful and full of life.
Now do English football stadiums next. From the Premier League to the EFL League 2 there are some...good and bad pitches.
I remember footage of Southampton's old ground, The Dell. What a weird tiny stadium that was. The camera had to point straight down to shoot any action on the near sideline.
It really is. It won best new stadium over the Yankees' new one, if I recall.
I’m dying that my hometown team is the first on the list for the worst ballparks🤣🤣
Lansing Lugnuts fan here. I can confirm the plumbing does in fact work at Jackson Field. My biggest gripe is there isn't very much parking close by due to those one-way streets on either side of the stadium. There are a couple of parking garages within walking distance and a small lot next to the stadium, but that lot is generally limited to handicap parking. Otherwise, it's a great place to take in a game!
go nuts go nuts go nuts go nuts
Lugnuts Lugnuts Lugnuts Lugnuts
Go Nuts!
Lugnuts!
I'm a Loons fan but been to my fair share of games at Jackson Field (normally whenever MSU plays there or when the Loons are in town) and yeah the biggest complain I always have is the parking but besides that it's a nice place although I'm gonna be bias and say Dow Diamond is better
Love Jackson Field to death, my only complaint is that lot feels way too small if the Nuts were good
I just went to a game at Nat Bailey Stadium earlier tonight and I can promise it is not nearly as bad as its Google rendering makes it look. The old grandstand shows its age, but still offers some great sight lines. And the new stands down the 3rd base line and left field are modern and comfortable. Plus the actual playing surface is kept in immaculate condition. In person, it's comparable to major league parks.
No you don't understand it's *old* so therefore it must be bad 🙄
Nat Baily is showing its age in the main grandstands, but the new stands and features make it a fun (and only) place to see MiLB action in Canada.
The stadium's setting, nestled between a large urban park, an urban residential neighborhood, and a commercial Street with plenty of restaurants and pubs, makes it really feel a part of the neighborhood. On game days, especially weekend games, you'll see all sorts of people around the nearby commercial area sporting Canadians or Jays merch. Plus the sushi mascot races are always hilarious.
Coming from Toronto, and now living in Vancouver, Nat Bailey is a better place to watch a game. than Rogers Stadium.... Go C's!!! ... as they have clinched a playoff birth.
So happy to see my Altoona Curve here. The Roller Coaster in right is about as iconic as it gets for minor league ball. Fun story: I almost fell out of the Skyliner when I was a kid. The only safety on it is a lap bar and I slipped through it on downhill drop. My dad grabbed me and pulled me back down.
I was stunned when Nat Bailey made it onto the list of "worst stadiums". I'm from Vancouver, and saw many games there. It's a great ball park to watch a game, and set in a beautiful part of Vancouver. It's actually holding up quite well despite it's age. The only downsides, it's difficult to get to if you are coming from one of the suburbs, there's virtually no public transportation to the park, and it's brutal trying to get out of the parking lot after the game.
The fact that it's in a residential neighborhood probably doesn't help. (Seeing as I grew up in that part of Vancouver) Either way it feels like they sell out every game though.
It might not be a great stadium but I still love the Nat.
his belief is old = bad since several of the stadiums he called worst are beloved for their uniqueness and charm and locations
Appreciate the love to the Altoona Curve. One of only a few minor league I have seen, thanks mainly to Lakemont Park being a common destination for my family as a kid. Have rode the Skyliner many times, (they repainted the train to say "Go Curve" on the side many years ago) and that coaster bucks but gives a great wooden roller coaster feel for me. And the stadium looks great, especially when my mian comp was the terrible now destroyed Hagerstown Suns stadium.
Loved curve games as a kid, especially staying for fireworks after a day at Lakemont
Mirabito is actually a really nice place to catch a game, trains are cool going past left field during the game, good food, cool area in right field
I'm surprised that you didn't include Sahlen Field in downtown Buffalo, home of the triple A Bisons. It's a beautiful park right in downtown with skyline views. The biggest park in minor league ball, holding up to 16k fans and with an upper deck. It was also the first retro-classic ballpark built. Buffalo lost an MLB bid in the 90s and the stadium was conceived so if it did happen more seats could be added
Going to a game there for first time in September. Any advice on where to sit?
Thank you for putting SRP Park in the Best category! I've been going to GreenJackets games since around the time they opened their previous home, Lake Olmstead Stadium. SRP is just such a more inviting venue: great views of downtown Augusta, the terrace in right field, and a large variety of concessions! It is so fun to attend games-especially since I can easily walk the 1/2 mile from my house to the gate!
Kinda shocked Sahlen Field here in Buffalo didn’t make it in the best category. It’s definitely not the newest ball park, but it was built in the late 80’s as a hope to get a expansion MLB team in Buffalo. When that fell through, they got the Triple-A Bisons. Back in the 90’s when it had the full upper deck, it’s capacity was over 20,000. Also has a pretty nifty backdrop, with the 90 right behind the stadium. My dad told me a story that once Jose Canseco’s brother hit an absolute bomb that landed on it! Also can’t forget about the Jays playing at the field during Covid, making Sahlen Field have the most MLB games for a non MLB field.
Still loved the video!!! Baseball fields/stadiums are the best in sports, so much history and uniqueness. And they usually look pretty darn good
my cousins kids played ball there for tournaments at Sahlen Field. I am heading there in September can't wait I miss AAA baseball it left Edmonton when Nolan Ryan purchased team and moved it to Round Rock. The ballpark in Edmonton is 420ft to center it is a tough park to hit a homerun in. My buddy was ballboy for Bisons when Collins was manager must have been late 80s early 90s
it’s too new for him to hate and too old to be love
Feel like Huntington Park in Columbus deserves a spot here. Fantastic stadium with quirky dimensions, not a bad seat in the house, *massive* jumbotron, and best of all, an outfield wall in right-center that is a fence that separates the field and the sidewalk on the other side of the stadium, giving free views of the inside of the stadium, some of which are even covered
ya i love huntington park, was disappointed to not find it on there
Unfortunately the hill is no longer there at Isotopes Park. I was just there in May and it was replaced with a tall fence to keep the dimensions the same.
Yeah MLB told them they had to get rid of it.
You should do a video about the Jacksonville Jaguars new stadium renovation when you have the time
I’m surprised you didn’t include First Horizon Park, home of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. The stadium itself has a capacity of 10,000 and has a very unique guitar-shaped scoreboard in right-center field along with an assortment of amenities all over the ballpark from bars to cornhole areas and even having mini golf course.
They definitely upgraded from Greer Stadium with that new park. it's pretty nice.
I've been to First Horizon Park several times. Great place to catch a game. It also has a great view of downtown Nashville and The Third Baseline bar where you watch the game from the balcony.
I came here to comment this, I don't even really like baseball that much but I do enjoy going to games there
He included Greer Stadium as one the worst ballparks in a video a couple years ago.......even though Nashville had torn it down by the time the video released.
As a lifelong Nashvillian I couldn't agree more! 👍
Baseball+Stadiums+FivePoint=😍😍😍😍😍😍
I've gone to a game or two in Altoona most years since the ballpark was opened. I've found myself being mesmerized by the roller coaster, and missing a pitch or two as a result.
PNG field is amazing
Also that's the oldest roller coaster in the world.
@@HiteOutdoorsNot the Skyline, you are thinking of the Leap the Dips. Both are at the park next door, but the big one in right field is not the oldest.
Leidos fail at Ripken stadium is an amazing place to catch a game. Place holds so many memories, from playing on the fields beside it, actually escorting the pitcher out to the mound and standing with him through the national anthem, and participating in the between innings entertainment. Amazing place and went back for a visit just this past Thursday June 15th. Iron Birds will forever be a favorite.
Altoona Curve fan here I am so happy that my small town ballpark was in a Fivepoint vids video. Absolutely insane and the carts on the roller coaster say “go curve” on the sides. Very cool
As someone whose been to a bunch of games in Toledo I was glad to see it included! It's also crazy to see how much the area around the ballpark has changed too.
I love Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, NC. It's simple, buts it's nice, has a beautiful view, and when the trains go by it adds a specific feel to what the city is. At least for me, it's my favorite Single-A stadium.
It's an absolute gem.
One thing to know about the College World Series, and Rosenblatt (the former Storm Chasers ballpark), Werner Field, and Charles Schwab Field (home of the College World Series) is that Rosenblatt Stadium was too big, for the Storm Chasers.
Schwab Field is nice, but I miss Rosenblatt. That place held the magic and history of the CWS. The new park does the job, but will never have the same feeling for me. It just feels like a nice, but generic MLB stadium.
I really love TD Bank Ballpark (home of the Somerset Patriots) and its hometown feel. Really cool to be there when the stadium is packed and everyone is shouting the accompanying "PATRIOTS" to the "SOMERSET" scream being played over the PA. The stadium itself is great too with a party deck, picnic area, lots of boxes and more. Beautiful ballpark and wish it got to be on the best list!
Was waiting for the Flying Squirrels and the Diamond to show up on this list 😂
Just a heads up Five -- you have SRP Park listed in the title card as North Augusta, SC, but then state that the park itself is in Augusta, GA. This confuses a lot of people around here too, because the name of the club is the Augusta GreenJackets (the name comes from the Masters), and because before they moved to SRP they were located in Georgia, but the park is indeed located on the SC side of the river. And yeah, it's a terrific place to come and watch a game. If you're ever in town, you, Tree, and the rest of the gang have a spot to stay! :)
Great video!
Also Augusta is not pronounced like that lol. It's pronounced Agusta
First time I was there I was shit face drunk lmaooo but I enjoyed the stadium nonetheless with the small holes in my memory from that night and the braves world series trophy was there so I have with it sober and drunk af. Def makes for a cool story ig lol
Been to both Everett and Vancouver. Both give you an old time feel. Vancouver especially. Brings you back to the old time feel and the crowd makes it even better.
Durham Athletic Park, where Bull Durham was filmed, is still standing and hosts events and games. I have friends that play in a sandlot league that have used it in the last year.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, or DBAP (pronounced Dee-bap) is the stadium featured in this video and is a great place to watch a game.
Great video!
McCormick Field is amazing its 99 years old, the wall in right field actually has an extension that makes it taller than the green monster, the dimensions are less than 297 ft to right field only 320 to right center, only 373 dead center, but left field dimensions are fairly normal with a 15 ft wall, it was the field that Crash Davis broke the minor league home run record in Bull Durham, Babe Ruth almost died there, they came up with the term Thirsty Thursday, there are bleachers at the football field above that you can watch the games for free, also when it was a racetrack Dale Earnhardt's dad crashed into the dugout, and probably more I'm forgetting. If you are ever in the Asheville area I cannot recommend going to a game enough. Yes it's kind of barebones and outdated but it's a nice throwback to how baseball used to be. Thank you for covering the field in the video.
actually the memorial field bleachers were torn down a couple weeks ago because of structural issues, and the staff facilities are terrible lmao. luckily, we have 38 million in renos to play with that we secured
@@jhck yeah I'm super disappointed they tore down the bleachers. I'm looking forward to renovations I just hope they don't change too much.
sadly the hill in center at isotopes park got removed this past offseason 💔 but still one of the best minor league parks i’ve ever been to
Fun facts about Isotopes Park (made your list, thanks!) here in Albuquerque where I work and live: 1. The 'Topes used to be called the Dukes (after a Spanish nobleman, the Duke of Alburquerque, after whom the city was named -- and no, that extra "r" is not a typo), but they were renamed Isotopes because of the local Los Alamos National Labs/atomic bomb research connection and (of course) the easy Simpsons' spinoffs. A lot of locals didn't really endorse the name change, because the Duke kind of symbolized pride in the 505, and his cartoon likeness that used to be the team's symbol is still popular (search "Dukes logo"). 2. The grass looks kind of ratty from the air because we never get any rain; it's really hard to grow a lush lawn here in the desert. 3. The view from the third base side (where I always sit) is spectacular, as the setting sun behind you lights up the Sandia Mountains with pink light, and if you attend during a full moon you get to see it rise over the range. Great place to watch a ballgame!
I’m from Las Cruces, still haven’t made it up to an Isotopes game but I have family that goes all the time that never come back disappointed! Looking forward to making it up there some time soon!
@@awhite_3609 funny you should mention that now - I went to my first game of this season last night! Usually I don’t wait so long, but I just couldn’t see sitting there for 3 hours when it was over 100 degrees. You could also consider going to El Paso to see the Chihuahuas; it’s a shorter drive for you. That’s who the ‘Topes played last night.
Kinda annoying he didn’t mention the view of the Sandias from the stands along with one of the weirder/cooler features of the old Sports Stadium: the lava rocks beyond the outfield fence.
3:39 I'm so glad you got to shoutout the WORLD FAMOUS Toledo Mud Hens and Fifth Third Field. its so nice to call this place home.
Nat Bailey Stadium is actually alright now. It may be old, but they did a lot of work to it recently.
I was honestly expecting it to be on the best list not the worst lol
It may be old but it is a great atmosphere to watch a game, especially if you spring for seats near home plate.
What about Sahlen Field in Buffalo (AAA Toronto)? Awesome downtown location, huge Jumbotron, remarkably comfortable and well maintained. Was considered major league ready when it opened in the late 80s.
I think Greensboro Grasshoppers in the High-A league have a really nice stadium with a nice backdrop right in downtown.
Indeed. One of my local teams.
I’ve actually been there! Its a winner!
I worked at Momentum Bank ballpark while in High School (it was citibank back then) and we always used to joke about how the bullpens made the dimensions weird. Midland loves their minor league baseball team, and the stadium is also used when the two local high schools play against each other.
The ballpark here in Frisco, TX is phenomenal. Better than most MLB stadiums I have visited. Sat in the pool during a game a few years ago it was awesome. I'm shocked its not on the list it has been rating a top ball park regularly and it has a really unique design.
I caught a game there about 15 years ago when Hunter Pence and Jose Altuve were still in the minor leagues playing for Corpus Christi. Very nice ballpark.
@@michaelstein7510 Good fans too. Frisco really loves the Roughriders. Even after they moved from AAA to AA they didn't lose anything from it.
Still love going to FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading to see the Phils double A squad. Yeah it’s old but it’s still a great place to catch a ballgame. I think they’re supposed to be doing some renovations soon too. Also it has a pool so there’s that.
Its called baseball town for a reason
Always loved going to their games the pool was always a fun way to take in the game.
Publix Field @ Joker Marchant Stadium here in Lakeland Florida is consistently in the top MiLB Stadiums. Beautiful site.
Great video!!
I've been to the ballpark in Altoona. Sat at one of the Rail King seats, which looks like a seat at a bar, only your view is a baseball game instead of a bartender. A player for the Curve once hit the rollercoaster with a massive homer... don't remember who it was, though.
Glad to see my local ballpark on this list (Lansing Lugnuts), they did a remodel of the dimensions when they built those lofts a year or 2 before the pandemic. It wasn't always accessible to walk around the entire outfield
agreed from a fellow lugnut fan
@@lugnutfan13 So many of us around these comments. Love to see it
*plandemic
The Harrisburg Senators ballpark gets hammered with Mayflies at almost every evening game. It's crazy!
Dude, the DBAP is such a great place to watch a baseball game. Good view, good concessions, great atmosphere… so much fun
Most of Bull Durham was filmed at Grayson Stadium, a still standing ball park built in 1926 in Savannah, GA. The Savannah Indians, White Sox, Red Legs, Pirates, Braves, Cardinals, and Sand Gnats called Grayson their home at one point or another. Currently the Savannah Bananas call it home.
I grew up with FNB park, I always loved going to games and being in the upper deck where the suite rooms for sponsored events. Was surprised it didn’t make it to the best ballparks but then I remembered: it’s prone to flooding.. a lot
Go there all the time, it floods but maybe once every few years, in the late fall. It has gone down hill since 2020
Nice to get a shoutout to Canal Park! Went there twice with my father when he still lived in Ohio, once when they were the Aeros and once after they changed their name to Rubberducks. We lost the first one pretty bad but the second was a thriller with a ninth inning comeback and the vibes were impressively high.
Minor league baseball's definitely not many people's first choice for a sport but it's a great way to just enjoy life for a day.
Man I love baseball stadiums. Just the best stadiums in all of sports. Thanks for showing us some beauties man. Keep up the good work! Well I'm going back to watch the Stanley cup final.
Another good vid, Baldy. I was wondering if you were going to have th efield the St. Paul Saints played on in one of your categories, and you didn't disappoint.
Being from Vancouver, Nat Bailey really doesn’t deserve to be on the worst list. It’s definitely overdue for some love, but if you tore it down we’d probably riot worse than 2011. It’s a great ballpark, and the atmosphere is amazing, although it needs way more seats.
Growing up in Edmonton, I used to love going to Trappers games; a now defunct AAA team. The stadium is most commonly known as Telus Field. It was not the biggest, but it looked great down in the river valley near the North Saskatchewan River. Great views of downtown, too. Witnesses some great players there. Johan Santana, Justin Morneau, Jason Giambi, Tim Salmon, Eric Chavez, David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, and Miguel Tejada are some of the notable Trappers alumni.
Bro remax field is amazing expecially if you know the best spots happy to go watch the riverhawks now adays
Now home to the Riverhawks! Went to Edmonton last July for a wedding, caught a Riverhawks game while I was there, it was pretty fun!
You could definitely tell that it was once a much more high profile stadium than a summer collegiate stadium
I raise you a defunct AAA rival, the Sidewinders. Had to look up the field and that had to be a great view in person. Glad (based on replies) its getting use. Wish the ballpark here got better use but hey, at least it was the site of Randy Johnsons bird strike
9:17 Excuse you, the rail yard is the best feature of that ball park.
In all seriousness, it just makes me excited for the new ballpark being planned and built for the Chattanooga Lookouts. The new park will be right off the TN River with views of Lookout Mountain and subsequently, Moccasin Bend. All part of an effort to redevelop that former industrial side of town.
Here’s a fun one: PK Park where the Eugene Emeralds play. It’s actually the university of Oregon’s ballpark but they rent it out from them. They’re suppose to build their own stadium soon but can’t get the land and funding together.
What makes it interesting though is being a college park it’s very batter-friendly… and the entire field is made of turf, not natural grass and dirt. It also only has a capacity of about 4,500
Charlotte Knights fan here. I absolutely love our ballpark here in downtown Charlotte. Been going to it since it was first built and it gives an absolutely gorgeous view of the cityscape, especially from the Home Plate Club. Certainly a huge improvement from the old Knights ballpark near the NC/SC border.
*Uptown
But, seriously...It's nicer than all those trash apartments in Nowheresville towns mentioned in this video.
Segra Stadium, home of the Fayettenam Woodpeckers, is also a gem of a minor league park...
@@gumpotronic Yes, it is indeed Uptown. I still can't stop calling it Downtown. Been used to calling it that my whole life. I still wanna experience the other ballparks in my state, but right now, I'm pretty happy staying in Charlotte to watch the Knights.
The left field fence at Innovative Field is shaped like that in order to accommodate the bull pen. They couldn't push it any further back due to the road. There used to be a covered group party area next to the bullpen which they sometimes used as a stage for bands to play during the post game fireworks. They recently converted it into a bar area and added some reserved seating with tables.
I never knew that. Do you think that the stadium hosted soccer early on played a factor as well to squeeze both baseball and soccer playing surfaces within the walls?
Southwest University Park in El Paso needs mentioning! They did a great job making it feel like Petco Park, the chihuahuas parent team stadium, while still being really unique. Mock warehouse buildings in the outfield, strange fence heights, a grass seating area, a home run porch overhanging left field, super modern, always an amazing vibe, and wonderful downtown placement. Watching games at SU Park is ALWAYS a blast, definitely worth a mention
My personal favorite is the ballpark for the Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders (Yankees Triple A). Not only is it nestled in a valley with a nice outfield background but it also has a trolley repair shop attached to it which I think is really unique.
Downtown Oklahoma?
There are multiple towns lol
Poor OKC
Loved seeing the St. Paul Saints keeping it weird on your list! They also have a free baseball museum on site, a pig that wears costumes in between innings, and an ice cream bar called the Dairy Area. Gonna make it out there again this season hopefully!
Dope vid! Played at most of these parks and it brought back some great memories
Glad you enjoyed!
Pained to see Nat Bailey on the worst list because I've been there and enjoyed it, but you've got a point about how old it is and how cramped the concourse is. It's also a bit out of the way from the train line (the Vancouver Marathon start line is nearby, and you've got to walk almost a mile from either train station to get there). And it's smack dab in the middle of a big residential neighborhood, so no nearby amenities, and you have to try your luck with street parking.
Yeah, great atmosphere but it is kinda out of the way and pretty old. But, still a very cool atmosphere, kinda the same vibe as Wrigley before the renovations; an old, kinda uncomfortable stadium with great fans and atmosphere
I'm a little surprised you didn't include the Saint Paul Saints' CHS Field in either of best or weirdest! It opened in 2015 as the biggest and most ambitious and amenity-packed stadium independent baseball has ever seen, then suddenly found itself as the smallest stadium in AAA by a mile. It's a picture-perfect beautiful stadium with no bad seat in the house, and it has a bunch of wacky places to watch from including a lawn area for picnic-style seating and a pirate ship. It also is home to the "Saint Paul: City of Baseball" museum, which is a genuinely fascinating three-room exhibit on a little-known history that makes my little lifetime Saint Paul resident heart swell with pride. Obviously I'm biased, but it's easily one of the most memorable stadiums I've ever been to!
Love CHS too! My family loves to hit a couple of games there a year. Beautiful field and surrounding area!
he did though
The Sacramento River Cats' Sutter Health Park is pretty great too. Great view of downtown Sac and the Tower Bridge, and the outfield is surrounded by a large grass terrace with tons of shade trees. It's super unique
Cool video!! Any plans on doing a part 2 of this type of video soon? I’d definitely like to see my semi-professional baseball team called Traverse City Pit Spitters home field Turtle Creek Stadium to be featured in one of your videos.
The Pit Spitters are a summer collegiate team (amateurs). The players would lose their college eligibility if they were semi-pro. I went to a Beach Bums (former pro team) game once in my travels and it is a nice stadium.
We really need a full video just on the history of the Diamond. No matter how hard Richmond, MLB, and locals try- the ballpark just won't die.
The only minor league team I've seen IRL was the Island Empire 66ers (also back when they were known the Stampede). I might miss out of The Salt Lake Bees once they moved to a more Southern area in Utah.
I had an office view of inside 5/3 in Toledo as it was being built and for years after. What an incredible feat of revival it started of downtown Toledo.
NO WAY!!!! I never thought i would hear FivePoints talk about my local team!!! I go to green jackets games all the time!!!
I've been to a game at Victory Field. It was raining off and on, and we decided to book it early. We had so many bars and breweries to choose from, all within walking distance. It's a victory indeed.
Minor league park, Major League fun.
Dayton Dragons are a viable alternative to the Reds.
"Where you gonna go?" Said Castellini
DAYTON, OH
FOH BOB
I've mentioned it before, but Victory Field (Indianapolis, IN) was something of a trendsetter. It was one of the first, possibly _the_ first, minor-league ballpark built near the city in decades, essentially reversing a trend of minor league ballparks moving their operations out to the suburbs.
The park featured as the backdrop for Peoples Natural Gas Field (Altoona, PA) is called Lakemont Park, and while its Skyliner coaster is very visible from the baseball field, there's another smaller coaster in the park which is better known and more historically significant--the world's oldest operating roller coaster, a side-friction coaster known as Leap the Dips.
i thought buffalo did it before indy
Nice video, been to the DBAP plenty of times and it was always a good experience
Hadlock Field is an incredible park, especially for a 30 year old stadium. The faux Monster was built in 2003 when they became a Red Sox affiliate after spending their first 8 seasons as a Marlins affiliate (hence the "Sea Dogs" and the original colors being white and aqua), because Maine is 100% Red Sox territory (except for me, the Cubs fan) and wanted to bring some Fenway flavor to the park. And yes, I've seen my fair share of slices shank off the Expo.
The Expo building is far older than Hadlock and is home to the Celtics' G League affiliate.
@@Kevin_C_Leonard_63 Been to a few Red Claws games as well :)
My Isotopes!!
As near lifelong resident of Midland, I been hundreds games at the ballpark ever since it opened. When it opened the bullpen walls used to higher turning homeruns into doubles. They lowered to the current level. Also there used to be wifflebat field on the center field concourse. It got turned into a splash pad.
Been to several games in Midland. The exposed bullpen makes for a lot of entertainment. Whether you like to watch the coaching/player dialogue aspect or just listen to little kids heckle the visitors for baseballs. It’s always a fun time. They did finally add a canopy out there too for some shade.
Technically not minor-league, but the Staten Island FerryHawks(former Yankees) has the NYC skyline in the background and it’s really cool. Might be the coolest park in the country
Dunkin Park is beautiful, and those early April games in the cold aren't so bad with Dunkin Hot Chocolate served inside lol
Grew up in Lansing and I absolutely love the Lugnuts and their field! Old Oldsmobile Park was an amazing place to catch a game.
One you should look at is Modern Woodman Park in Davenport Iowa. The stadium consists of a Ferris Wheel, Mini roller coaster, many other rides. The stadium is also built right on the river with the iowa-Illinois bridge hanging over the right side of the stadium. Really a great ballpark to watch a game at.
That stadium in Lawrenceville reminds me a bit of some of the old early 20th century fields like Shibe Park with the rectangular framing of the buildings around the actual field. Nice layout!
Coolray is pretty awesome. Been there a few times, and glad the Braves moved their AAA to Georgia from Virginia.
Didn't expect to see my hometown stadium on the list... I was half tuned out and didn't even recognize it on screen until the mention of Griffey's first pro home run. That stadium's biggest claim to fame came from a Mariners prospect before the Mariners affiliates moved in. Back then it was the Everett Giants, and a few years later they just switched cities and parks with the Bellingham Mariners... who are now the Everett Aquasox. I got to run the bases during a game once when I was 16 or 17.
I think part of the reason it isn't closed down is because the attached football field serves a local high school.
Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi Texas deserves a lot of praise. It's so beautiful
One cool thing about Victory Field in Indianapolis is that outfield “seating” is lawn seating. Bring a blanket, etc, and let the kids burn energy while you watch baseball. Brilliant touch.
Need a part two for this video for sure 🤝
As someone who grew up in Akron, I'm pretty happy to see Canal Park on the best list, albeit a little surprised. It never seemed all that special to me, although I guess that's because I grew up going to Jacobs Field. I imagine part of the reason they made it so good is because Cleveland is only a forty minute drive away. It has to be worth going to a game in Akron because it's not that hard to make the trek up for an MLB game instead.
Been to plenty of Harrisburg Senators games on City Island in my life. It’s a solid park. The renovations they did of it like 15 years ago made it really solid
This and your weird high school fields are my favorite series you do
Klinger would be so happy about the Mud Hen's stadium.
Altoona mentioned! That's Lakemont Park behind the outfield, it's home to the world's OLDEST ACTIVE ROLLER COASTER! It's called Leap the Dips, and it was built 2 years before the Titanic, it's a wooden side friction coaster, it's drops do not go beyond 40 degrees in angle less the individual cars pop out of the track or the air time would get to passengers. It's not always open due to maintenance but it's one of those credits every coaster fan wants!
Him saying “no shot” mentioning JFK and Abraham Lincoln had me dead
Funko Field was NOT where Ken Griffey Jr. hit his first home run. He hit 14 of them with the Bellingham Mariners in 1987, who played their games at Joe Martin Stadium in Bellingham, about an hour north of Everett and near the Canadian border.
Riverfront Stadium in Wichita and Haymarket Park in Lincoln are 2 of the best ive ever been to. Not sure if they could make the list. But for sure could be good to make the next round of minor leauge parks. Especially Haymarket for their amazing grounds crew.
Look at FNB Field’s foul dimensions before they renovated the stadium 15 years back. They had box seats that stuck well out into foul territory… like they just saw normal foul territory and figured “let’s just stick some sections on the field in foul territory”. Made it interesting dodging/catching foul balls lined towards the boxes