Minor league baseball returned to Hartford, Connecticut Thursday night after a 64 season absence. After a year's delay, several lawsuits and cost overruns, Dunkin Donuts Park hosted the Hartford Yard Goats first home game. Judging by the sellout crowd and aisles full of smiles, the night was a success -- even with the home team losing 7-2.
This is a night I didn't want to miss. Having been a baseball fan for 56 years, I have been to dozens of ballparks, spanning the major leagues, the minors, and spring training. But I'd never been on hand for the first game in a freshly minted venue. There's nothing newer than this kind of new. It was a kick to share this -- something unique, that can't quite be duplicated.
Formerly based a dozen miles away in New Britain, this franchise has
undergone an "extreme makeover," moving from a humble ballpark in a
quiet suburban setting to a scaled down version of a major
league stadium -- a mini-PNC or Camden Yards.
My first thought was that it was almost too posh to be a minor league facility. On the other hand, fans have been trained to expect nicer amenities. Restaurant clubs, children's play areas, special seating areas... they've become the norm in new venues. Look carefully, there seem to be as many fans in suites than seats.
Below, part of the family fun zone for kids who need something else to do during a game. But wait: isn't the game the attraction? If the game wants to bond with its next generation of fans, shouldn't the game, the action, the stars, and its tradition be the selling point? Or must it be framed as it as Six Flags Over the Diamond?
The players enjoy the upgrades as well. Look at that dugout -- this is not the one Tom Hanks, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna used in A League of Our Own.
Speedster Max White, a Rockies 2nd round draft pick a few years ago, has serious base-stealing ability. (Below:) a nice mix of history and marketing. Numbers of baseball icons Roberto Clemente are honored atop the center field fence, just below a Budweiser party deck. And the largest timer clock I've yet seen charts the time between pitches and half-innings.
Time to trot out the wide-angle lens. Looking across the field from the concourse behind the 1st base line.
Zooming in on the action -- one of the joys of most minor league and spring training parks is the closeness to the game. Not a lot of foul territory here.
While the kids have their fun zone, grown ups who need an alternative to hot dogs and cold drinks in the box seats have this option that ranks with those you'll find at Citi Field, PNC Park or Progressive Field
Here's a look at left-center field with the familiar symbol of one of many Hartford-based insurance companies, the Travelers umbrella.
Remember what looked to be antlers in the first photo? Eyeing the action from atop the right field stands: the stag, the symbol of the Hartford Insurance Company.
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