Local ballpark misses media attention
Today's Wall Street Journal has an article about minor league professional baseball in America, focusing on the way local teams and communities have gone "upscale."
The articles mention two Texas ballparks and teams -- Corpus Christi and Frisco -- both of which are Double-A teams competing with our own local Midland Rockhounds. Corpus Christi and Frisco each have new stadiums. Frisco's facility, Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark, seats 8,800, 50% more than our local ballpark, which is now named Citibank Ballpark.
Unless, of course, you visit the Midland Chamber of Commerce website, where it continues to go by the name of First American Bank Ballpark.
Jon, I think your experience is fairly typical for fans in the cities with these newer stadiums. Midland's ballpark is just a few years old, seats over 5,000 with room for another 1,000 on the outfield berms, and it has a great picnic area and playground.
As I recall, it was named Double-A stadium of the year when it opened, but as with most such things, it's already being eclipsed by newer facilities in larger cities. But it's still a far cry from the old metal bleachers and manual scoreboards, and a great bargain compared to the big league prices.
Posted by: Eric at June 10, 2005 11:14 AMI have to admit that even though I was against the expense of the new stadium in Midland it is nice and a good addition to the city. We spend a fair amount of time out there and it's a good environment for an 11 y.o. and we feel fairly secure letting him roam to the outfield to shag balls with his friends.
And it is easy to get in and out of, especially compared to my ballpark experiences when I lived in Dallas.
Posted by: Wallace-Midland Texas at June 10, 2005 11:33 AMYeah, going to a baseball game here is about like going to the movies...whereas in Arlington or Houston it's more like planning for an extended vacation, and with about the same financial impact.
Posted by: Eric at June 10, 2005 12:33 PMGlad you like the FABB, I mean the CBB. We're kinda proud of it.
On a side note, minor league baseball is probably the best value for family entertainment in towns like Midland. We go fairly often, even though the wife doesn't necessarily like baseball. The atmosphere is enough to make it enjoyable.
Posted by: Engineer at June 12, 2005 09:34 PMYeah, I'm in the same camp as your wife. Watching baseball is not at the top of my list of things to do with my spare time, but the atmosphere at the ballpark seems to offset that.
It's also a pretty good place for a concert. We really enjoyed Dwight Yoakum's concert a couple of years back.
Posted by: Eric at June 12, 2005 09:45 PMAbout the publisher
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I went to a Rough Riders (Frisco) game the other night. It is a great ball park, well kept, pinic areas in the outfield. Had tickets behind homeplate first row on the first base side.
The only downside was being behind the screen, we were out of the target area for foul balls. I'd much rather make the trek to watch the RRs than down to Arlington to watch the big show. Lots of the companies in North Dallas/Plano area make the investment of club membership/season tickets as perks.
My company is planning a day at the ball park, but I can't go because I'll be on the family vacation.
Posted by: Jon at June 10, 2005 10:21 AM