TEAM ::: HICKORY CRAWDADS LOCATION
::: HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA MY FIRST VISIT ::: MAY 16, 2005 OPPONENT ::: LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS LEVEL ::: SOUTH ATLANTIC
LEAGUE (A)
RATINGS
BALLFIELD ::: C SCOREBOARD ::: B FOOD ::: C
FACILITIES ::: A TEAM WEB SITE
::: B MASCOT ::: C
MY TAKE ON THE PARK
SET DOWN ABOUT 1/4 MILE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY OVERLOOKING A SPACIOUS
PARKING LOT SITS L.P. FRANS STADIUM. FROM THE LOT, THIS PLACE LOOKS GREAT WITH THE BEAUTIFUL BRICK ENTRANCEWAY, ONCE
INSIDE, MORE BRICK AND AN AVERAGE COMFORTABLE PLACE TO SEE A GAME.
WHAT STANDS OUT HERE IS THE BRICK. FROM THE ENTRANCEWAY
TO THE PRESS BOX TO THE PILLARS HOLDING UP THE ROOF, THE PLACE WAS BUILT WITH RED BRICK.
THROUGH THE TURNSTILES ONTO THE CONCOURSE, YOU WALK DOWN
INTO THE SEATING AREA WHERE THERE ARE 3 SEATING CHOICES. THE VERY COMFORTABLE BOX SEATS WITH A CUP HOLDER, SIX
RESERVED SECTIONS BEHIND HOME PLATE WHICH ARE THE BUCKET SEATS, AND DOWN THE LINES ARE METAL BENCHES W/ BACKS. FOR
PARTIES, THERE IS A PORCH BEYOND THE DUGOUT ON THE FIRST BASE SIDE. THE CRAWDADS HAVE FIGURED THAT PEOPLE WILL BE
BUSY HAVING A GOOD TIME HERE AND MAY NOT BE 100% ON THE GAME, SO THEY ADDED A NET DOWN THE LINE PROTECTING THE FANS.
AFTER SEEING PEOPLE GET HIT WITH A LINE DRIVE IN THE
STANDS, I CAN SEE THIS COMING TO MORE BALLPARKS.
A TRIP TO HICKORY IS WORTH WHILE IF YOU ARE IN THE
AREA AND WANT TO SEE A GAME. OF THE NORTH CAROLINA PARKS I HAVE VISITED, HICKORY'S PLAYING FIELD WAS
THE MOST NEGLECTED BUT THE FANS ARE REALLY INTO THE GAME AND MAKE IT EXCITING SO THERE IS A LOT MORE ATMOSPHERE HERE
THAN SOME OF THE OTHERS.
THE FRILLS ARE LIMITED BUT THEY PROVIDE PLENTY OF $2 PARKING ALONG
WITH A FRIELDLY STAFF.
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