Opened: April 11, 1940
Capacity: 4,281
Affiliated with the Cleveland Indians
Calvin Falwell Field
I’ve been here twice, first in 2012 and again in 2017. Both times the local team played the Salem Red Sox. This is a bit of a local rivalry as Salem is pretty close by. The Hillcats seem to change affiliation every two years and it is hard to keep track. They were a long time Pirates affiliate and then they went to the Reds and then the Braves and the Indians and I think the Rockies were in there as well. The stadium had a huge renovation done to it in the early 2010s or else the team would have to move. I am sure had Calvin Falwell (Jerry’s cousin) been alive he would have been sad to see that happen. I heard someone say he just wanted a place to watch baseball and didn’t care about profits.
How did I get there?
Lynchburg can be a confusing city to drive in. The first time I came here I came in on US 460 and took Fort Avenue to the park. In 2017 I came in from the south and just stayed on Business 460. Parking was free in 2012 and I was there really early in 2017 so I don’t know if there was a charge to park or not.
Ticket prices
Cheap, got in for $2 in 2012 and $6 in 2017. The team wants to put butts in seats and took the unheard of step of reducing ticket prices for 2017. Considering they finished toward the bottom of the Carolina League in attendance one has to wonder how long the team will remain. That game had lousy weather so that probably kept people away.
Finding my seat and amenities
There are a lot of general admission seats here. There is also not a lot of variety here as far as food goes. There is a small play area for kids down the first base line. A bar is located behind home plate in 2017, don’t know if it opened for the game.
In game experience
Nothing really stands out. I don’t remember anything from 2012 and in 2017 there was a long rain delay and I had a 5 1/2 hour drive home so I didn’t wind up staying for much of the game.
Getting out
It may be harder to get in than out. Business 29 is an expressway and runs right by the stadium with an on-ramp just beyond the parking lot.
Wrap
I can’t say I see a need to head back here anytime soon. In 2017 I was actually hoping the game would be in Salem since I had never been there but that was not to be. This is a nicer park than some other Class A stadiums are but they do not draw well at all.