Fans provide more favorite ballpark views
This story was excerpted from the Ben's Biz Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
This story was excerpted from the Ben's Biz Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
We recently heard from fans with their answers to the following question: What’s your favorite seat or view that you’ve had at a Minor League park? The response to this query was so overwhelmingly enthusiastic that it’s time for the sequel, which, as we all know, is always better than the original.
The above picture showcases my favorite vantage point from the 2022 season: The press box at the MiLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa. But enough from me. Now it’s time to hear from email respondents:
"We are very partial to our local Triple-A stadium: Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C., home of the Charlotte Knights." -- Mary Rivkin
"The inaugural game at Peoria’s O'Brien Field (now Dozer Park) on May 24, 2002. I had grown up watching the Chiefs and I still remember how strange it seemed to be watching a baseball game (and the Chiefs) in downtown Peoria. ... I can still picture where I was sitting for that game (and still have the ticket stub to prove it)." -- Josh Ebberts
"Sitting in a swivel chair on top of the Green Monster at the Greenville Drive’s Fluor Field. Such a unique place to watch a game and a perfect fit for their affiliation with the Red Sox." -- Alex Ward (2014 Hickory Crawdads Designated Eater)
"The Clearwater Threshers (where I have season tickets) used to have two Barcaloungers behind home plate that were given to lucky fans in seat upgrade drawings at each game. The ballpark, currently called Baycare Ballpark, also hosts the annual American Athletic Conference college tournament. One year at the tournament, after numerous weather delays, the last game of the day started at 1 in the morning. With only a few fans still in attendance, the Barcaloungers were empty so I helped myself to one. It seemed only a few minutes later, an usher woke me up and told me it was time to go home. I had slept through the entire game." -- Jeff Haven
"Surely you have to include the view from the historic grandstands at [Daytona Beach’s] Jackie Robinson Ballpark!" – Bob Fregolle, Daytona Tortugas co-owner
"My favorite view is from the lawn seats (there actually aren't seats to sit in, so bring a blanket to sit in the grass) in right field at Day Air Ballpark, home of the High-A Dayton Dragons. ... Look for smoke coming from the dragon out in left-center field after a Dragons home run." -- Rob Brock
"Des Moines with state capitol in center." – Mike Bodkin, referring to Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs.
Note from Ben: Due to the recent addition of a batter’s eye, the capitol building is now only visible from the 10th row of seating and above.
"We will always appreciate the views from the very top row of section 214 [at Richmond’s The Diamond, home of the Flying Squirrels]. It offers shade, a cool breeze, shelter from rain, foul balls aplenty off of lefty bats, extra space to stretch out and an amazing panoramic view of downtown Richmond." -- Eric Murto
"My favorite vantage point is one that I occupied quite often [at Isotopes Park] during the years I lived in Albuquerque. It is the single seat in the front row of a triangular section just before the left-field foul line meets the home run fence. At one game, a little bird became the only living thing ever to sit between me (in that seat) and the field." -- Bruce Hawkins
My friend @count.Basie.the.bulldog says any seat at ONEOK Field is great! Of course, it’s better on the nights when the dogs can go cheer on the Tulsa Drillers." – Marcus Messimore
In last week’s newsletter, the view of the Wasatch Mountains from Salt Lake City’s Smith’s Field was highlighted. But that’s not the only Utah ballpark enlivened by Wasatchian splendor, however, as the Ogden Raptors’ home of Lindquist Field is similarly spectacular. (The Raptors play in the Pioneer League, a formerly affiliated circuit that is now independent.)
Reader Rob Hammock sent along the following picture, taken during a visit to see the Raptors in the summer of 2021.
To peruse more ballpark views, cherished seats and the combination thereof, check out this corresponding Twitter thread. And be sure to subscribe to the Ben's Biz Beat newsletter.
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.