A Night at the Ballpark

[Metro Jacksonville]

A Night at the Ballpark



Despite negative commentary by Ballparkwatch.com, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville is a great place for a night of minor league baseball.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/555

[vicupstate]

The writer did lousy research on saying the city had to force the team into the new stadium.  Nothing could be further from the truth. The team had sought a new stadium for many years, maybe a decade or more.

The writer also is off-base in expecting a more Floridian style.  I for one, am sick and tired of Jax trying to imitate Miami.  Some more unique would have been a plus, but not something more South Floridian. 

I have to agree with the writer that the stadium (and the entire sports complex) should have been more integrated with the rest of DT.  However, that is a situaiton that can be remedied in time, assuming some city leadership with vision eventually takes the helm.   Admittedly, that is a long shot.       

[downtownparks]

I agree with your Miami comment Vic. We are NOT south Florida, thank GOD!

Jacksonville is not a tropical climate, and we have the occasional slope/hill. Rather than Palm Trees, Scrub Brush, and vast flatness for as far as the eye can see. Jacksonville is actually pretty, and has a  seasonal change albeit mild, unlike our vapid friends to the south.

Furthermore, I like the ball park. I think they left plenty of open space to expand it if we ever make the AAA jump, and its a nice place to watch a game.

[thelakelander]

I don't care too much about the ballpark being a "McBallpark", but I do wish the Sport's District was more integrated into downtown or at least master planned, similar to Columbus' Arena District.  We could have created a fertile ground for the entertainment uses we now are trying to attract to Bay Street, if everything could have been coordinated together during the construction of the new sports facilities and adjoining garages.  Alltel, the arena and ballpark could have served as the three major anchors attracting visitors to the area, creating a market for sports bars, clubs and restaurants between them.  Its still not too late, but if done we would now have two competing districts a mile away from each other.

[alohameisha]

Wow I must be a loser b/c I thougth it was a pretty cool ballpark. I really enjoy the Devil Rays park but that is major league. Our park is affordable to go to, fun and nice to look at. Oh well thought he could have started off with the positives first most people won't even make it to the bottom of the article.

[copperfiend]

The Baseball Grounds is a top notch minor league facility. I do agree with Lakelander with his comments about the area it is in. I do wish there was more around the park. Perhaps with the Shipyards going up bringing in residents, we could see a Sneakers or something like it go in somewhere.

[Ocklawaha]

Mitchell Alonzo, Baseball GREAT from the Jacksonville Red Caps

Retro-fit the Retro-McPark with "BIRTHPLACE OF THE NEGRO LEAGUE". Add statues of the famous players and the old Negro League All-Stars, schedule an expo game of African American players (volunteers for Black Pride from the Majors and Minors). Have a Negro League gift shop and memory hall... Then stand back and watch not only the reviews change, but the crowds come from all across the land. I'm first in line, "Make mine a "Jacksonville Red Caps, Tee, in 3x please..."


Bernard Fernandez, Star player, Jacksonville Red Caps

Hero's folks, it's about hero's, we have them by the score and yet we'll wait for Columbus, Georgia or Palatka, Florida, to do something first... WHY?

Let's toss in the Skyway up Bay to Randolph, then up Randolph to Union/Arlington Expy, for a Sports District Station and a Expressway Inter-modal Station. We could knock this ball out of the park!

Ocklawaha

[Qmiller]

I read this on their website a while ago.  Yes, I agree with the South Florida thing, we're not South Florida.  I love our ballpark.  In time, once the Shipyards gets built, it will connect the complex to downtown. 

I wonder if the writer went before the brick auditorium and when they introduced brick to the Jax Stadium happend?  I think it ties in very nicely.

[Johnny]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see anything too negative about the review. He said it's a nice park, just that it's not got a great view or set on the river or ocean. It's connectivity is not great and that it's kind of a basic park with nothing making it unique. Well, thank you captain obvious.... I don't see what's so bad with that. He said otherwise it's a nice park. I agree w/ Ocklawaha, Jacksonille's so bad at taking pride in it's roots (Souther Rock HOF, Marine Museum, destroyed buildings, Negro league, etc...). That dead horse has been beaten enough though....

[fsujax]

I think we have a great ballpark and sports complex.  I do agree that there is a disconnect between it and Downtown.  Once the Shipyard project gets built, maybe that disconnect will not be as evident.  By the way the Suns play tonight.  Fireworks and Jaguar theme is set for tonight.  See ya'll at the Ballpark!

[JUSTDAVE]

I wish someone would have done more research than found one employee that was helpful. I work for the Suns it would be hard to imagine a group of employees more dedictated to making fans happy. I work alltell and the arena as well THERE  IS A LOT OF POSITIVES TO BE SAID FOR EVERYONE WORKS FOR THE SAME BOSS. I challenge anyone to find an employee at the suns who ever says "Thats not my job" and just leaves it at that.

[JUSTDAVE]

The naked plastic men that light up on poles at the arena NOW THATS JACKSONVILLE open your mouth and say "huh"

[Mrite]

I like the retro look of the ballpark. I think a ballpark, should look like a ballpark. Not a spaceship (like the domed parks), nor should there be a baseball diamond in the middle of a football field, like they have in Miami 

I also read the critique found on ballparkwatch.com awhile back. Didn't agree with it, but there were some nice pics 

[gatorback]

Beer night is so much fun.