Bowling Green Ballpark: Nice Touch
by Marc Viquez
Published on July 23, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods
I have a friend from college who was into classic muscle cars that he would work on all weekend long. I was never car guy, but my friend was continuously adding a few touches on his 1969 Charger or 1970 Mustang. Whenever he would finish working on his car, I would say: "nice touch". Well, it was fitting that in the town of Bowling Green, Ky., where the Chevrolet Corvette is manufactured that I would walk around their brand new ballpark and say: "nice touch".
"The fans have been positively awestruck," said Hot Rods' GM Brad Taylor. "[They] thought it would be a fancy American Legion wooden seat stadium, but after they came to the game we now have Hot Rod supporters."
The nice touches around the ballpark begin with an all brick exterior, giving it a classic look and feel from the outside. The facility is also fitted between two main streets, just like ballparks from the early 20th century. However, once you enter inside it is a modern 21st century ballpark that has all the comforts and a few more "nice touches".
The rightfield wall is slightly curved to correspond with the outside street. This may not be noticeable for fans sitting behind home plate, but it is a point of conversation for fans in the standing room only section behind to the wall.
"It's a very nice place," said John Howery of Columbus, Ky. "I was impressed, but not surprised. I am very pleased and it is a good size for the market"
The second nice touch is the leftfield foul pole that is not exactly on top of the wall, but positioned roughly ten feet inside the visitor's bullpen. Adjacent to the bullpen stands a 6 by 68 foot LED display board that serves as a message board, scoreboard or advertising space. There are very few minor league ballparks with this type of technology, but I am almost positive they will be included in future stadiums either under construction or in the planning stages.
Another nice touch is the stadium club, located directly above home plate. The press box and radio booth usually occupies this territory, but has been moved down the third base line. The 266-seat club level seating includes a full service interior bar, wait service and a different menu from downstairs.
"I love the openness in the concourse area," said season ticket holder Randy Brown. "They worked really hard to get it done and I though it would be incomplete; fans have been really receptive."
The ballpark holds 4,559 patrons, but there are areas for standing room only tickets on the concourse and behind the arched rightfield wall, guaranteeing a ticket to every ballgame.
Bowling Green Ballpark has many nice touches, but there are a few more additions in store by the end of the season. The stadium's main entrance, official team store and ticket offices are currently under construction, the centerfield grass berm and team offices are nearing completion and the staff and player parking lot is getting a fresh coat of cement and should be completed by the next home stand.
Not only will baseball be played here, as the ballpark has been the site for Boy Scouts sleepovers, seminars, baseball camps, little league banquets and even the orchestra.
"We are still educating the market and after each game we have a new set of fans leaving, stating that they have to come back," added Taylor.
There are many nice touches at Bowling Green Ballpark and for a franchise that is playing in its fourth city this century: this should be their last stop for quite some time. The Hot Rods will transfer from the South Atlantic League and into the Midwest League next season, providing many years of baseball and other usage for the Bowling Green and the surrounding counties.
I am sure they may add a few more nice touches here and there.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 23, 2009
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- Late Runs Sting Jackets in 3-2 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Beer & Wine Tasting Festival Postponed Until Saturday at 3 P.M. - Hagerstown Suns
- Bowling Green Ballpark: Nice Touch - OSC Original by Marc Viquez
- Rulon Promoted to Tampa; RiverDogs Add an Infielder and Pitcher - Charleston RiverDogs
- Charleston's Arbiso Shuts Down Hoppers In Opener - Greensboro Grasshoppers
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
