2022 Baseball Tour -- Coors Field

Since we have been to all the Major League Stadiums in the Midwest, it was time to branch out. There were only a handful of teams playing on Labor Day that we've not seen and most of them were not within reasonable driving distance. By default Denver is our destination of choice. We were headed to Coors Field.

Getting to Coors Field was an adventure I prefer not to repeat. I-25 was under construction and then shut down in both directions due to an accident. We followed the GPS and for the most part was okay until we got closer to Coors Field. We bought parking for Lot B but the ticket said to enter from Wazee and Park Streets which according to the map was Lot A. They do touch. We followed the signs for parking once we got closer and ended up in the right place. Lot B is a free for all... no one directing you way to park and no one really watching you cross streets or anything. 

The walk from Lot B to the stadium was a good 15-20 minutes in 95 degree heat. Yes there were shuttles but then we would be waiting for one. However, the only gate we could go in was the centerfield gate. There was no option to walk around the outside of the stadium in you just followed the walkway. You'd need to know where you were going to get to the front of the stadium. 

Getting into the stadium was a challenge because the Rockies use Ticketmaster and in order to forward his ticket to the hubby, I had to do it in my Ticketmaster account. The hubby had to accept it in his (non-existent) Ticketmaster account. Finally he was able to do this but still had trouble scanning once we got to the gate.

FINALLY we made it in to the stadium and got my passport stamped. Then we attempted to head up to our seats. Like usual we bought the cheap seats behind home plate. We found the ramp leading up to upper decks but the hubby's vertigo and fear of heights kicked in due to the more open ramp. We ended up watching the game, in the shade, from the right from corner standing room section. I may not have gotten to sit in the purple seats but it was too hot to be in the direct sun. 

Food was like everything else.. over priced and not very good. I got a brat. It was a foot long but supper skinny on a toasted bun which did not do it any justice. I just ate the brat. The hubby said his chicken tenders were fine. Ok course they had Coke products and I'm not a huge fan of Coke but wanted soda instead of water in the heat. I did refill my cup with water later after giving half my soda to the hubby. 

The game itself wasn't too bad. The Brewers ended up winning and we got to see Victor Caratini's go ahead homer to right really well. We thought it was going to be a long game since the Brewers were down 3-0 early but battled back and won. 

Coors Field does not rank high on our list of ball parks. We have no desire to go back. I'd go back to Atlanta before going back to Coors. I think between Ticketmaster and Parking it just ruined our day. The ballpark was plain. 

However don't let our experience keep you from checking it out when you are in the area. It is definitely worth checking out. I'd pay more for parking or take public transit. Enter from the main gate so you can see the front of the ballpark. Make your way to the upper deck so you can sit in the purple, mile high seats. Just enjoy the view of the Rockies and some baseball.

2022 Baseball Tour -- CHS Field

 Last year we were trying to figure out where to go for our Labor Day trip. The Brewers were out of town and no other team close was home. The hubby said to go farther out and we settled on Denver. However, Denver is too far to drive to in a day or two. The minor league schedules were not completely friendly as all the teams in Iowa and Nebraska were not home when I needed them to be but the St. Paul Saints were. That is how we ended up at CHS Field.

The hubby decided to work prior to us leaving for the game since it was a 7:10 start and we got a late start. We were able to get into the Twin Cities right around game time. As I plan these trips, I'm starting to learn what I need to scope out ahead of time.. parking, bridges, etc. The parking for CHS Field is in lots around the stadium. We parked in the Farmer's Market lot for $8. It was card only which was fine by me.

It was a few block walk to CHS field. On the way we passed some of the Peanut statues that are all around St. Paul. I want to get back and look for more. I'm also not sure what the pigs are all about.

We entered CHS Field through the center field gate so we never got a real good look of the front of the stadium. Based on where we parked this was the easiest option. Like Davenport, you must climb stairs to get into the actual stadium.

Once we were in the park, our first stop (after getting my passport stamped) was the City of Baseball Museum. This museum featured the history of St. Paul Baseball. The Saints used to play in an independent league until 2021 and the realignment of baseball brought them into MiLB. They became the AAA team for the Minnesota Twins. The museum was very interesting and full of a lot of old baseball memorabilia. It is definitely worth checking out while if you are even at CHS Field.

The Saints hosted the Omaha Storm Chasers. It really was not that exciting of a game. Omaha was down early and had to play catch up. 

Like Target Field, the foot print of CHS is really tight. There is not much foul area and the netting only goes to the end of the dugouts. Those foul balls get into the stands rather quickly down the lines. 

Our seats weren't too bad. There were a lot of people and dogs since it was Bark at the Park which we try to avoid but this time it was unavoidable. The crowd was a younger crowd and I wouldn't really say a baseball crowd. It was definitely a definite vibe going on in that stadium. Not sure if it was because of Bark in the Park, the Saints used to be independent, or a lot of young people live in St. Paul. The crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Most parks have a ball boy. CHS Field has a ball pig. Again I don't know why but they do. That alone is worth price of admission.

Overall, not really impressed by the stadium. It is not high on our list of stadiums to visit again. The cream soda, the ball pig, and the museum were my favorite parts. At least we can say we have been there and I have my stamp. 4 AAA Parks down, 26 more to go.