Clippers' new home, big hit for Columbus
by Marc Viquez
Published on August 17, 2009 under International League (IL1)
Columbus Clippers
There were many great reviews that I read about the Columbus Clipper's new downtown ballpark and after visiting Huntington Park I agree with just about everything that was written. However, instead of telling you what I think about the team's new spacious confines, I will hand it over to the fans of the Clippers who have had a few more opportunities that I visiting the ballpark this season.
The Clippers are in their inaugural year after spending thirty-two seasons at Cooper Stadium, which was built in 1932. "The Coop" was the first minor league ballpark to feature suites and some have credited the facility with rethinking the minor ballpark experience. The team now plays in a downtown stadium in the Arena District: in proximity of bars, clubs, restaurants and retail outlets. Perhaps, creating a new way we think about visiting a day, or night, at the ballpark.
Connie Tracey, originally from Toledo, Ohio, was shopping for souvenirs at the Clippers Cargo leftfield souvenir store and remembers when her home town baseball team, the Toledo Mud Hens , made their move to a new ballpark, 5/3 Field, in 2001.
"I love it, it's the best thing ever for Columbus," Tracey said. "You can sit and watch the game, you can come and socialize and there are a lot of different venues that you can wander around, eat, drink and meet up with friends to watch the game."
There was a lot of socializing among the patrons at today's afternoon contest. A near capacity crowd enjoyed the warm weather, in spite of thunderstorms throughout the area. The ballpark features an almost wrap around concourse that hosts numerous eating and drinking stands. Tim Wolf has been regularly visiting Clippers' game since 1992 and was watching the game near the leftfield entrance.
"It's very intimate and very nice," Wolf said." You can't compare it to Copper Stadium, because its own entity. It's got everything to offer, there's not a bad seat or standing area view. It's going to last forever as far as the people who want to come back, but they are going to; if I had the money I would buy season tickets."
There were many other casual fans in attendance; a group from AEG was sitting in the grass seating area in centerfield and for Jody Cannon it was her first game of the season, due to the unavailability of group tickets.
"This is my first time here," Cannon added. "It's very open, you are close to the field, you can see what's going on and everybody is having a great time. I love the general seating; it's a cheap way to get in and see the rest of the park at the same time. This [ballpark] seems more comfortable and people are more into the game than at the other ballpark."
Paul Herzog was watching his young daughter play in the centerfield fountain area, but would rather be watching the game itself. His little girl had other ideas as she played in the centerfield fountain, trying to catch a few water sprays during the 4th inning.
"We come down here all the time with her and she loves it," Herzog said. "I love how open it is, we pay general admission and just come in and hang out. I'm huge baseball fan, but she likes playing in the water. We have been here about fifteen to twenty times this year and we would not be here as much if the team was still playing in The Coop. We have been living here for six years and never been to Cooper Stadium once and The Coop was closer to our house."
The Clippers are in their first year of their Player Development Contract (PDC) with Cleveland Indians and that was a noticeable trend throughout the stadium. Fans were decked out in Indians' caps and there were numerous merchandise options with either Chief Wahoo or the Indian's script "I" logo. The Clippers had been affiliated since 1977 by the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees or the Washington Nationals when they were at Cooper Stadium.
Mark Supino was a fan of the old Cooper Stadium an attended the club's auctioning off of memorabilia this past offseason. Supino waited in line in the cold weather to grab keepsakes from the team's former home; however, he concurred that it was time for something new: not only the Clippers, but for the city of Columbus.
"Cooper Stadium had its time and its place, but this is really great," Supino said. "Columbus is the 15th largest city in the United States and it deserves this stadium. You have casual and serious fans in here; it's really an incredible environment. I don't come to enough games. "
I do not think I could have said it any better.
International League Stories from August 17, 2009
- Indianapolis falls short to Louisville, 7-6 - Indianapolis Indians
- Knights Ride Out the Tide - Charlotte Knights
- Yanks hammer Bulls, 9-3 - Durham Bulls
- Homers lead Bats to 7-6 victory over Indians - Louisville Bats
- Clippers' new home, big hit for Columbus - OSC Original by Marc Viquez
- McCutchen Named IL Pitcher of the Week - Indianapolis Indians
- Bisons Game Notes August 17th - Buffalo Bisons
- G-Braves Playoff Dates Announced - Gwinnett Stripers
- Bisons Announce 2010 Schedule - Buffalo Bisons
- Lehigh Valley's Taylor and Indianapolis' McCutchen Named IL Players of the Week - IL1
- Mets Select Contract of INF Andy Green - Buffalo Bisons
- G-Braves and GMC Step up to the Plate for Kids - Gwinnett Stripers
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.
