Players and Umpires Speak Out About Their Favorite Ballparks

By: Amanda Lippert of www.baseballstadiumreviews.com

My website, www.baseballstadiumreviews.com is all about my opinions of professional ballparks.  I thought it would be interesting to hear from the players themselves to get their opinion on their favorite ballparks.  I was able to ask a few Minor League players and umpires for their opinions.

According to pitcher Dan Berlind, who has played with both affiliated and independent league teams, the best ballpark he ever played in was Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He said the “stadium was amazing and the crowd was electric”.  Berlind felt that Fifth Third Field in Dayton, OH had the best clubhouse.

Dan Berlind, pitching for Sussex

Robby Alcombrack, who was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and has played with the Lake County Captains, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and Traverse City Beach Bums, has 2 favorite parks. Alcombrack was torn between, Lakewood’s First Energy Park and Wuerfel Park, home of the Traverse City Beach Bums’ ballpark.

First Energy Park - Lakewood, NJ

Zach Rosenbaum was in agreement with Alcombrack in that Wuerfel Park in Traverse City, MI ranks high on his list of favorite ballparks. As Rosenbaum described it, the ballpark "looks like a row of townhouses surrounding the field- very cool!" He also felt the clubhouse was spacious, "it's important to have room to move around in", Rosenbaum commented. Rosenbaum is also a big fan of GCS Ballpark, home of the Gateway Grizzlies, because of the friendly fans and nice surroundings. Rosenbaum also mentioned Rent One Park, home of the Southern Illinois Miners. "Southern Illinois had a major league feel to it with a huge video screen and bullpens in the outfield" said Rosenbaum.

Patrick Trettel of the Lincoln Salt Dogs’ favorite ballpark is Haymarket Park in Lincoln, NE.  “The stadium is awesome and there is a great view of Husker Stadium and downtown Lincoln”. Trettel also felt the Wichita Wingnuts had nice facilities, as well.

Nick Giarraputo’s favorite ballparks are Richmond County Bank Ballpark in Staten Island, NY, MCU Park(formerly KeySpan Park) in Brooklyn, NY, and Fluor Field in Greenville, SC.  Giarraputo loves the ballpark in Staten Island because of the view of Manhattan. "Seeing Manhattan across the water in right field while "God Bless America" was playing, is something I'll never forget" stated Giarraputo. Giarraputo felt that MCU Park in Brooklyn has a "great atmosphere, great fans, a great clubhouse, and a great location on Coney Island".  Greenville was “amazing” too, according to Giarraputo.  He had one of the best series’ of his career there, so he admits that may have influenced his opinion.

Nick Giarraputo batting for Sussex

Richmond County Bank Ballpark - Staten Island, NY

David Housel, who has played for several independent league teams, felt that TD Bank Ballpark in Somerset, NJ has the best playing surface. He felt the field was perfect to play on and that the grounds crew maintained it very well. Like Giarraputo, Housel feels the park with the best atmosphere is MCU Park in Brooklyn, NY. He felt it had a "big league" feel to it. Housel mentioned that Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, PA has the best clubhouse. According to Housel, "it is big and clean".

TD Bank Ballpark - Somerset, NJ

Cephas Howard, pitcher for the Wichita Wingnuts’, favorite ballpark is The Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.  The facilities there are “amazing”, according to Howard

The Steel Yard - Gary, IN

Tim Battle, who spent many years playing for affiliated teams and now is currently a member of Maui Na Koa Ikaika, is partial to  PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Battle mentioned that the clubhouse in PNC Field was top-notch. He also is a fan of how close the fans are to the field, even in the upper deck. He felt the fans were right on top of the action.

PNC Field - Moosic, PA

Will Hassett, former Sussex Skyhawks pitcher enjoyed playing at Stade Municipal in Quebec. He felt the "ambiance of the park was amazing". "The place literally shook anytime something positive happened for the hometeam", stated Hassett. The clubhouse at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, MA was one of Hassett's favorites. Hassett stated that "there was plenty of room, a card table, TV, and good sound system" at Campanelli Stadium. Another clubhouse Hassett felt was worth mentioning was in Skylands Park, former home of the Sussex Skyhawks. The "clubhouse was nice, huge lockers, sanitary bathrooms, and a small weight area" according to Hassett.

Skylands Park - Augusta, NJ

The players aren’t the only ones who have favorites when it comes to ballparks, the umpires do as well.

Umpire Tracy Roles likes the energy at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, MN.  He said it is “a wild and crazy place where excitement is always present”. 

Midway Stadium - St. Paul, MN

Umpire Shaun Lampe feels that the ballpark with the best atmosphere is Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver, B.C.  The stadium “always has a good crowd, they are loud and into the game, and rarely do on field promotions because they don’t need to.”   As far as clubhouse facilities go, Lampe feels the locker room in Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, MD, which was recently renovated wins top honors. He said it was "clean, spacious, had big lockers, and a great TV". Lampe also gave BaseballStadiumReviews.Com some insight into the atmosphere at a few ballparks. He mentioned that in certain parks, there seems to be one particular fan that keeps the umpires on their toes. Lampe mentioned at Coastal Federal Field in Myrtle Beach that a fan, donning a shirt that reads "I'm blind, I'm deaf, I want to be an umpire" provides some constant "cheers" for the umpires. Lampe mentioned that the umpires aren't the only ones getting heckled sometimes. At Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, West Virginia, a fan known as "Toast Man" spends most of the game heckling the players. Lampe seemed to take it all in stride and realize that the fans add to the unique atmosphere of a ballpark.

Coastal Federal Field - Myrtle Beach, SC

Chase Edmondson, umpire in the Can. Am. League, feels the best atmosphere is at Le Stade of the Quebec Capitales.  According to Edmondson, "they draw the most fans and by far are the most passionate". As far as clubhouse/locker room facilities go, Edmondson ranked Brockton's Campanelli Stadium at the top. "While it's not the biggest, it has nice couches, lockers, and showers", said Edmondson.

Campanelli Stadium - Brockton, MA

Overall, based on the information I received from both players and umpires, the atmosphere, playing surface, and size/cleanliness of the clubhouse are important factors in a ballpark.

Special thanks to the above players and umpires for taking time out of their busy schedules to provide BaseballStadiumReviews.Com with some interesting information about professional ballparks. I appreciate it very much and wish you all the best.