Opened: April 15, 1951
Capacity: 9,000
Affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies
FirstEnegy Stadium
I visited here for the first time in 2008 and I was not a fan of the place. It has grown on me since. Can’t exactly explain why but it has. It’s one of the oldest parks in use in pro baseball and it constantly gets ranked as one of the best. I find it to be an uncomfortable place to watch a game when the crowd is big but that is not always the case, though the team does draw very well usually being in the top 2 or 3 in the league in attendance.
How did I get there?
Up 222 to PA 12 get off at Centre Street heading south. Parking is free, a big plus in two medium sized lots with on street parking available as well. For a well attended game it would behoove you to arrive early to get a parking spot. It takes me about 50 minutes to get there it traffic is normal.
Ticket prices
At first glance they are in line at about $8-12 but there are ways to save and I do appreciate that. Purchasing in advance knocks $1 and buying in advance in the park knocks another $1 off. I can take in a game here for $6! That makes up for the comfort factor.
Finding my seat and amenities
This can be a bit confusing, especially if you get a general admission ticket as those sections vary from night to night depending on attendance. Usually it is the red seats down the outfield lines but it can sometimes include better seats as well and sometimes the red seats are broken up. The team has something posted outside and they make an announcement as well but for a first time visitor this can be extremely confusing. Food is also a bit cheaper than other places and you can also get an all-you-can-eat ticket for $15 extra. They have a food court that opens up two hours before first pitch, cheap (for in-stadium) beer, a kid’s play area and underneath the main grandstand somewhat of a museum of the team’s history. That is neat to look out. The team is most famous for the longest running affiliation in minor league baseball with the Phillies but they’ve also been with the Red Sox and Indians as well.
In game experience
The stadium itself was built as a memorial for local veterans and they honor a local veteran before each game. In many of the games that I have been to it has been a local veteran who had just passed away. That said, this is probably the most unique in-game entertainment spot. They used to have a local guy who does a dance that the kids love. He was allowed on field before the game but now he just goes around the stands. The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor (a guy on an ostrich) tosses out free hot dogs and people dress up in food costumes (kids in stadium fare and what I assume interns as vegetables) and race. They also have a miniature train that shoots t-shirts. They also have a pool out in right field.
Getting out
For a well attended game it can take awhile. Knowing this I usually leave in the 8th inning. When I attended the Morning Game a few years ago it took almost an hour before the lot cleared. I was in no hurry to get where I was going so I stayed to wait. Once on Centre Street it is easy to get back onto the expressway.
Wrap
I hated this place the first time I came here. I don’t anymore. Cheap entertainment for a night, seeing top tier prospects every game and it is less than an hour from my house. The Phillies have had some premium talent go through here in the past few years as the organization rebuilds and they’ve had some good teams here. Just haven’t gotten over the hump to win a title.