I was really hoping for a good experience at Chattanooga, but unfortunately, I felt a little disappointed. Heading there was actually a little tricky. When you get off of Highway 27 and it is right there in your face. I was thinking, "Great! I can get a spot to park close to the park and I'm in!" Not the case. Much like the MLB ballparks, Chattanooga is located in the downtown area and there were only a few regular parking spaces but also a parking deck. So after trying to find what I was looking for 15 minutes, I went in the parking deck. Then the next thing came and that was to get to the park itself. I climed what felt like endless flights of stairs since the stadium is built on a hill. And even when we got in, we still had to climb a set of stairs to get to our seats. Very rough.

We got to our seats which was behind home plate and they were fine, but due to the seating at Chattanooga, there were no cup holders or any space in the front row. Also noted was because of how the right field foul line seats were angled in so much it actually blocked off a bit of right field from home plate. And the game itself was fine, but there just seemed like something was missing from the park, giving it an authentic Minor League feel.

Prices were actally very good but the selection was limited in both the food category and the souvenir seciton (mostly shirts and ballcaps). The burger and fries they had there was good, but the pizza was not unlike what you would find from your local grocery store in the freezer (i.e. those $1 frozen pizzas). The scoreboard at the park was small and there weren't any cameras on the field beside the one behind home plate. I was saddened on that, especially since the Class A Savannah and Rome were able to have at least 3-4 cameras inside the park.

I did like the push to have the Chattanooga fans try to rally behind the prospects and the Dodgers franchise (Dodgertown, Tennessee was what they were gunning for, but I am not sure if they will do well since it is Braves country). The fans, though quiet, stuck around to watch the final out of the game and I liked that (though some were heckling their own players which made no sense).

Overall I would have to say I was very disappointed by the park. It wasn't BAD, but nothing really good on it. It just seemed like they wasted a golden opportunity to have a great minor league ballpark like they had with Engel Stadium (from what I have been told).

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE BALLPARK:
1. Prices were cheap throughout
2. The whole place was very clean (save for the bathroom where paper towels were all over the floor

WHAT DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE BALLPARK:
1. Poor location-wasn't in a bad area of town for sure but just set on a hill and I wasn't keen on that
2. Variety of food/souvenirs
3. The park just lacked a true minor league charm that I have experienced at Rome, Savannah, and even Gwinnett

But overall, this park is still better than Gwinnett.

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Replies to This Discussion

I visited this park back in 2000 (when it was first open). I commented on the parking dilema, as well.

At the time I went, there was an escalator that brought one up all those steps. Guess they've replaced that with steps.

Did you notice the visiting team's clubhouse door was in the right/center outfield wall? That seemed odd to me but I have seen it in a few more minor leagues stadiums I've visited.

They must have changed their souvenir shop. I commented on it being big but no postcards. When visiting a stadium, I just mainly go in just to get hat pins and check for postcards.
They do have an escalator and we took it down, but even getting to your seats meant climbing on steps.

It had a souvenir shop but all I really saw was caps and shirts. Least they had my pennant. Always collect pennants and a shirt whereever I go.

Though it is no longer a Reds affiliate, A LOT of vibes of being the Reds still remain. Looie is still red and the pennant I received is red & black and not blue.

Next year I'm hoping for Huntsville and Greenville. Those parks are interesting on opposite ends.
Tim,

you are correct about Huntsville and Greenville being polar opposites.

Wow, Huntsville MUST be seen to be believed. A total disaster. Get there in 2011 though as that team is as good as gone. Huntsville wont budge on a new stadium and there are several southern cities that are inquiring about moving the Stars.
I read the Brewers reluctantly agreed to a new two-year deal with the Stars. They were trying anywhere and everywhere to get out.

However, the people who ruin-I mean run the Stars guaranteed baseball will be played in Huntsville in 2011.

I read Panama City is a place for relocation. I am also guessing Macon, GA might be involved and possibly Pensacola.

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