Photo of a baseball game at Modern Woodmen Ballpark in Davenport, Iowa. 

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. 

 

Photo of a West Virginia Power game at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, West Virginia.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of the playing field at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio. Home of the Akron Rubberducks.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of the playing field at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. Home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of a Durham Bulls game at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of the playing field at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio. Home of the Toledo Mud Hens.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of the playing field at Huntington Park. Home of the Columbus Clippers.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of Autozone Park in Memphis, Tennessee. Home of the Memphis Redbirds.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of Richmond County Bank Ballpark in Staten Island, New York.

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.

 

 

 

Photo of Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky. Home of the Louisville Bats.

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, 

 

 

 

 

Photo of the playing field at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, North Carolina. Home of the Charlotte Knights.

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*

Photo of the playing field at Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City, Utah. Home of the Salt Lake Bees.

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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