We have been to two ballgames so far. The first was Thursday, March 3rd, Boston Red Sox vs Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium (now known as Century Link Sports Complex - too many words!) This was a night game, the Twins home opener. This was our first view of the upgrades recently done at this very nice stadium. The walkway was extended to all around the field with about 4 new bars, much additional rail seating, other concessions added, updated old restrooms plus many new ones, a new Team Store, and more food choices. It is a lovely ball park, now more in keeping with the fabulous new spring training parks in Arizona. Twins lost the game 6-5, but the good thing was we got to see all of the probable starters including Dozier, Plouffe, Mauer, Suzuki, Sano, and others during the first two innings. In addition, we are seeing every left handed pitcher in the Twins farm system and some non-roster players as well. The Twins are, apparently, in need of a left-handed reliever and are hoping to find the right guy in their farm system.
Hammond Stadium views.
Yesterday we drove up to Bradenton, a 90 minute drive from Ft Myers, to McKechnie Field to see the Twins play the Pittsburgh Pirates. This stadium has long been one of our favorites and still gets our award for best update to an old stadium. It, too, has a 360 degree walkway with rail seating, bars in the outfield, and all the stuff baseball fans like in a spring training stadium
Here is what Wikipedia says about McKechnie Field:
McKechnie's nostalgic design appeals to many baseball traditionalists and ballpark enthusiasts, and some consider the facility to be Florida's version of Fenway Park. It's built in a Florida Spanish Mission style, with white stucco on the main grandstand and covered bleachers over the reserved seating section. The Pirates and the City of Bradenton celebrated their 40th anniversary together during the 2008 spring training season, which included an agreement between the city and the Pirates to continue their partnership through 2037.
The field is currently the oldest stadium used for spring training as well as the second-oldest in the Florida State League (behind Jackie Robinson Ballpark, built in 1914). It is also the third oldest stadium currently used by a major league team after Fenway Park, built in 1912, and Wrigley Field in 1914.[3]
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So Gary and I are not alone in liking this charming stadium. Plus the people who run the ballpark and the fans are super nice!!
These photos don't do this ballpark justice. You have to be there to appreciate it!
The Twins and the Pirates played to a 2-2 tie. They ended the game at the end of the ninth inning, not playing to a decision.
Adjacent to the ballpark is this charming facility, now home to the Bradenton City Public Works Dept. It was formerly used during World War II for recruiting, training and mustering troops by the Army, as was the whole baseball field when baseball was shut down during the war.
