Opened: April 6, 2001
Capacity: 8,000
Affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies
FirstEnergy Park
With the Camden Riversharks folding a space opened up on the yearly circuit so Lakewood is the obvious pick. I had been eying a visit here for several years but it just never worked out until 2016. The Blue Claws lead the South Atlantic League in attendance every year and you can see why. This is a big park for this level.
How did I get there?
I come in from I-195 in Trenton and down US 6 to Lakewood and then use local streets to get to the park. Parking is $5. I get food across the street at the Qwik Fill and Icarus Brewing Company has opened up right down the street for a before game beer.
Ticket prices
You can get a general admission ticket for $10 but you have to stand or go to the outfield. $12 can get you a seat and it seems like just about every seat is in this price range.
Finding my seat and amenities
Seats are easy to find. Besides the usual stadium fare they also have a number of local places that sell their wares so you can probably find what you want to eat here. This is New Jersey so the hoagie and the pork roll are king here.
In game experience
Usual entertainment but with more of a beach theme.
Getting out
This can be a bit of experience. There are two exits from the lot. One takes you back into town and the other takes you south. The first time I headed south and just simply turned around. The second time I figured it out and went out the other exit.
Wrap
I like it here. It’s a bit of a hike but for a once a year visit it is not bad. This past year I went and visited some battlefields of the Revolution at Princeton and Monmouth before coming here. New Jersey is also somewhat untapped territory for me as far as breweries go and there are a number of them opening in New Jersey.