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PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

AutoZone Park shines in Memphis

by Marc Viquez
April 6, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds


Wow, what a ballpark.

That was the thought that ran through my head as I walked throughout AutoZone Park in Memphis. It almost feels as if you are somewhere between a minor league stadium and a major league stadium. However, there are lots of great touches that give it a feel all to its own.

The Memphis Redbirds started operations back in 1998, and played at Tim McCarver Stadium before they christened AutoZone Park in 2000. When comparing the two baseball venues, there are really no comparisons; AutoZone Park is just an amazing place to enjoy a game with the family.

AutoZone ParkThe majority of the ballpark's $80.5-million construction cost was handled through private funds, leaving just $8-million to come from taxpayer dollars. This was created through the Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation.

Jerry Hendrickson, who was with his family from Indianapolis and knows about great ballparks, said that he enjoyed the little touches here in Memphis.

"It is comparable to Victory Field in Indianapolis, but the live band before the game, the food, and multiple children activities make it a much different experience"

Another gentleman, Pete Williams, who was with his father and children in the children's area in the left field corner, elaborated a little bit more at being at the ballpark.

AutoZone Park"We spend a lot of time here, there is not a bad seat in the whole place. It is a great experience for any person of any age. When you are here, you feel like you are somewhere else, besides Memphis."

The designers of AutoZone Park created a peculiar building in downtown Memphis. They were able to incorporate the 14,000-seat stadium into the cozy surroundings of the area. Off in the outfield distance are the YMCA, Wonder Bread factory, the YMCA, and downtown apartments. You can even see the FedEx Forum off to the distance from the 2nd level of the ballpark.

You can feel as if you are anywhere in downtown, USA, but the focus on urban renewal and the location to Beale Street, Gibson Guitar Factory, trolley stops, and Peabody Place shopping center would have even given Andy Kaufman a reason to enjoy a trip down to Memphis.

"I love the location here in downtown," said Howard Smith of Forest City, Ark., "It is very family orientated, great place for the kids, great music and a great way to spend a spring day."

The children's playzone had a carnival like setting with eleven rides and attractions that could gain the interest of even the skeptical baseball fan. Most of the rides cost you a dollar token, but they were plenty in line for their turn at bat or to ride a miniature free fall ride.

AutoZone ParkWhen it came to ballpark fare there was your share of ballpark norms, but I have to say the barbeque nachos were something that other ballparks should envy. Local restaurant, Rendezvous, makes this a Memphis original. However, I did not notice a BBQ pit inside the park, but you could pick up some pulled pork or grilled sausage from the stands on the plush open concourse.

There were a bit of oddities in the ballpark, such as the giant grass hill that adorned the back of the leftfield wall. In comparisons, to Indianapolis's Victory Field grass berm, this seems more like a mountain then a hill and even gaining entrance was a bit of an obstacle. However, there were a few who braved the brisk cold weather that hit the Midsouth this week.

Another part that was unusual was that all of the seating in the second and third tier was luxury box and club seating. I have seen this in other ballparks, but having all of the seating left to one level was unusual for an AAA ballpark. However, there were still plenty of great sits to go around downstairs for the average fan.

In the end of my visit I was very impressed with what I saw at AutoZone Park. There are many cities in country that build ballparks in hopes of urban renewal and it succeeds quite well here in Memphis. When comparing other AAA level stadiums you have to easily place AutoZone Park on top of that list. It is something to experience whether you are a fan of baseball, a person looking for a great time to spend with their family, or just someone in town for a game.

Check out the Memphis Redbirds Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from April 6, 2007


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.

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