A Day in Sparkle City

2025 brought a little freshness to our semi-local baseball world. Relocated from Kinston, NC, the Down East Wood Ducks moved into the brand new Fifth Third Park, coyly renamed Hub City Spartanburgers. 

Spartanburg has not hosted affiliated professional baseball since their last team, a Phillies affiliate, left for Kannapolis in 1995. 30 years later, the “Sparkle City” looks more than ready to try again with the beautiful, new Fifth Third Park.

Logistics around the ballpark:

A parking deck is already complete in left field. Things such as this are sometimes a secondary thought, but if you build it, they will come. I was happy to see I could park in a shaded deck for a very reasonable price.

Fifth Third Park is built in downtown Spartanburg and is meant to help revitalize their downtown. Many establishments are open and thriving within blocks. Our pregame was a Mexican restaurant across the street. 

All the needs were met to help us be ready and excited for our Friday night game.

The Ballpark:

The park itself breaks out of the cookie cutter mold that has taken over the minor league baseball world, at least the more recently built parks we have visited. Unlike most new parks, there is not a 360 degree concourse that wraps around the stadium. Odd but unique. In my mind, this helped me focus on the game and not watch what was going on past the field.

There was so much signage around the park. There’s a blue “Hub City” on the main walking path. It’s great to stand with to take pictures. On the roof above suite level straight back of the plate is a LARGE red “Spartanburg”. There were other items and displays touching on local baseball history and other things relating to Spartanburg. These are great ways for the city to build an identity at and within the ballpark. 

There was also signage that indicated the affiliation with the Texas Rangers and their sister affiliates within that organization. Not only will the fans love their team, it helps them know the family tree to which they belong. Great touches for sure.

Burgers?

Somebody got really creative and hit the spot for marketing. Hub City is a reference to Spartanburg, SC being a convenient hub location off I-85 between Charlotte and Atlanta. I’m not sure if the residents actually call themselves "Spartanburgers", but hamburgers and baseball seem to go hand in hand. Hamburger and diner themed hats and shirts and jerseys and anything else. 

Burgers are located at a grab and go stand, but were on such demand I actually didn’t get one. I settled for an order of fries then went to the topping bar. All the cheeses and sauces and toppings you could imagine. 
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Also of note, the food areas of the concourse are very spacious. Your walkways will not be blocked as you try to find the food of your choice. Food also seemed to be located in categories. There was the burger stand, a Bojangles, and other stations that were very easy access. The food situation is very well thought out. 

This was a great place to visit and I would love to go back, especially if passing the area, and I look forward to seeing the development of their downtown in the coming years.