Modern Woodmen Ballpark - Davenport, Iowa
Image Credit: Joel Dinda (CC BY 2.0)
The dynamic of what makes a great Minor League ballpark is a little different from what makes a great Major League ballpark. Minor League ballparks typically don't come with all of the bells and whistles that the Major League venues have. If you ask most people, history is what makes a ballpark - Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox) and Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs) are two of the most iconic stadiums in Major League Baseball. They're also the two oldest.
With a smaller demand, smaller payroll and smaller talent pool in smaller cities, the Minor Leagues do the best with the resources they do have. We've compiled a list of the ten best Minor League ballparks in America.
Image Credit: Corey Seeman (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
10. Appalachian Power Park
Team: West Virginia Power (Single A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates)
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Opened: 2005
Capacity: 4500
Features: The Power Alley Grille, a few Suites down the 1st base line, nostalgic scenery beyond the outfield, just minutes from the state's Capital.
Image Credit: Rdikeman - Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
9. Canal Park
Team: Akron Rubberducks (Double A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians)
Location: Akron, Ohio
Opened: 1997
Capacity: 9097
Features: Scenic view of downtown Akron, The Game Grill, luxury boxes that circle the infield, the Diamond Boardwalk which leads to Canal Park, adjacent to the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame.
Image Credit: Badbadb-Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
8. Newbridge Bank Park
Team: Greensboro Grasshoppers (Single A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins)
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Opened: 2005
Capacity: 7449
Features: Scenic view of downtown Greensboro, lawn area seating in the outfield known as Natty's Hill, party deck and suites on the 2nd level, an organist plays between innings.
Image Credit: Chris Short (CC BY-SA 2.0)
7. Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Team: Durham Bulls (Triple-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays)
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Opened: 1995
Capacity:10,000
Features: Scenic view of downtown Durham, picnic area in right field, "The 42 Bar", left field has a smaller replica of Fenway Park's "Green Monster", retired numbers of Joe Morgan and Chipper Jones.
Image Credit: Counselman Collection (CC BY-SA 2.0)
6. Fifth Third Field
Team: Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers)
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Opened: 2002
Capacity: 10,025
Features: Scenic view of downtown Toledo, "Who's Up Sculpture" in left field (pays tribute to Toledo's first pennant), "The roost" seating area in right field (party area), various statues outside of the stadium, free game programs for fans.
Image Credit: Marada - Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
5. Huntington Park
Team: Columbus Clippers (Triple-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians)
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 10,100
Features: Scenic view of downtown Columbus, Roosters on the Roof (restaurant and bleacher area overlooking the field), Hall of Fame Bar and Grill in left field, ballpark is adjacent to the Arena District, "Hamburger Balcony" in right field, also features the City Barbecue picnic deck.
Image Credit: Lindsey Turner (CC BY 2.0)
4. Autozone Park
Team: Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals)
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Opened: 2000
Capacity: 14,320
Features: Scenic View of downtown Memphis, table seating in right field (Delta Dental Picnic Pavilion), lawn seating in left field (sponsored by TruGreen), the Redbirds Roost Third Base Bar, largest jumbotron in Minor League Baseball, ballpark is located within close proximity of Beale Street.
Image Credit: Doug Kerr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
3. Richmond County Bank Ballpark
Team: Staten Island Yankees (Single A Affiliate of the New York Yankees)
Location: Staten Island, New York
Opened: 2001
Capacity: 7.171
Features: Scenic view of downtown New York City, located right on the New York Harbor, easy to access via the Staten Island Ferry.
Image Credit: Louisville Images (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
2. Louisville Slugger Field
Team: Louisville Bats (Triple-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds)
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Opened: 2000
Capacity: 13,131
Features: Scenic view of downtown Louisville from the outfield seating, former trophies and team history on display near main entrance, "Against the Grain Smokehouse and Brewery" located in right field, statue of Pee Wee Reese outside main entrance, live music on Thursdays, lawn seating in left field, children's carousel and play area in right field,
Image Credit: Charlie Cowins (CC BY 2.0)
1. BB&T Ballpark
Team: Charlotte Knights (Triple-A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox)
Location: BB&T Ballpark
Opened: 2014
Capacity: 10,000
Features: Scenic views of downtown Charlotte, kid's play area in center field, a beer garden, picnic area in left field, 2 story home run porch in right field, has the widest jumbotron in Minor League Baseball, close proximity to the EpiCentre Entertainment District.
*Honorable Mention*
Image Credit: Catherine Soehner (CC BY 2.0)
Smith's Ballpark
Team: Salt Lake Bees (Triple-A Affiliate of the Anaheim Angels)
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Opened: 1994
Capacity: 15,411
Features: Scenic views of Mt. Olympus and the Wasatch Mountains, lawn seating and picnic tables in the outfield, a "Walk of Fame" in the outfield (Mike Trout, Torii Hunter), a children's play area in the outfield with a small passenger train called "The Bumble Express", close proximity to Salt Lake City's light rail system.
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