Review from June 15 & 16, 2018​
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Greenville Drive
Classic. Southern. Charleston.
By: Matthew Preslar

"The Joe" had a few interesting features. There was an old style type grandstand. It had a metal roof that actually angled downward back into the main seating area. Foul balls would bounce on the roof and fall back into the main seating area, or roll the other way into the blind concourse. You had to keep your head up.

​The marshy back drop off the right field line and the partial view of a waterway looking toward the outfield exemplified the feeling of Charleston. The main entrance with wrought iron fence and ivy had a classic southern charm and look to it. 

Other than that, I think the franchise should better promote their affiliation with the Yankees, the most known franchise in Major League Baseball. This stadium was on my 2018 wish list. It was good to check it off, but nothing about the ballpark makes me think I need to go back again.

JOSEPH P. RILEY JR. PARK
Charleston, South Carolina

HOME OF THE:
CHARLESTON RIVERDOGS

MLB AFFILIATE:
TAMPA BAY RAYS

BUILT: 1997
CAPACITY: 6,000
LEAGUE: LOW-A EAST

RELATED POSTS

OUR RATING: 
40 / 50

TICKET VALUE 6/10

  • $8 GA ticket at far ends of lines, $10 upper level bleachers
  • $18 Field View Box seat
  • Ticket prices several dollars more than than par for other South Atlantic League venues (i.e. exact seats in Greensboro $7 less; similar seats in Advanced A Winston Salem $4 less)
  • Limited nettings; nets taper over dugout and no coverage down the lines
  • Lightning storm very close to stadium during our 1st game Friday night. We expected the game to be stopped for weather (with hopes of a double header the next day), but team dangerously played through. We had left early for safety, so essentially lost out on 2/3 of a game. Did not seem smart of the organization to play through the storm.

CONCESSIONS  9/10

  • Many southern options including specialty hotdogs, BBQ sandwiches - including some vegan selections
  • Typical ballpark snacks: chips, popcorn, ice cream, etc
  • A few seafood options featured to go along with Charleston being by the water
  • Kid themed stations with ice cream and grilled cheese combo meals
  • Normal stadium beverage choices, even a coffee stand
  • Souvenir soda cup $4.50 with $3 refills
  • Check ID booth by the entrance
  • Short waits in lines
  • Certain sections included wait staff taking orders at seat with limited menu, so you don't have to leave your seat all game

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  5/5

  • On-field activities between most half-innings
  • $15 unlimited play at bounce house, speed pitch, slide
  • Specialized kid food options
  • Theme nights very child friendly
  • Turf "Berm" down first base line for kids to run around

ATMOSPHERE  7/10

  • Sunscreen dispensers along concourse and in restrooms, a great feature for the heat in the south, but they were all empty
  • Full-color game program with team rosters
  • Stadium ushers easy to find wearing tropical floral shirts
  • Smoking section by the marsh in covered section of concourse, not far from the kid zone - had to walk right through it to get to restrooms or concessions
  • Bug spray for sale at team store - very appropriate for the location near water and in summertime
  • Team store included many items for dogs, including a Riverdogs jersey
  • Small, crowded team store - but worth a stop in for their team hat with commemorative "25 year" patch (see photos)
  • Theme nights (Friday: Disney - played Disney songs between innings and princess character walking around stadium all evening / Saturday: World Cup Night - gave away decent quality "Riley Club" soccer jersey to first 1,000 fans)
  • Many New York transplants appeared to be at the game supporting SALLY League Yankee affiliate
  • No air conditioning or fan in bathrooms. Got so hot while using restroom, it felt refreshing to walk back into the 90 degree open air.

CHARACTER  9/10

  • Not much direct mention of Yankees affiliation
  • Pictures and signage on concourse walls featuring former players in MLB & Charleston and SAL Hall of Famers
  • Marshlands visible from the stadium concourse enhancing RiverDog name
  • The Citadel is in view over the marsh and shares use of the facility
  • Palmettos in the backdrop of the field, setting the tone for the southern/coastal South Carolina
  • Mostly open concourse where foul balls would bounce / fly during the game... HEADS UP!!!!
  • Team wore red jerseys on Friday for military appreciation, a classy gesture. Fans could also receive $1 off ticket price at the gate that day for wearing red
  • Lower level sections had real seats; upper level section is bleachers
  • Picnic tables above upper section for small groups; tented picnic area down 1st base line for large groups

PARKING  4/5

  • Several paved lots around the stadium, all lots a short walk to stadium entrance
  • $5 parking at lots across street and same price further away

TICKET VALUE
(10 points)

• Ticket Prices
​• View from Seat

​CONCESSIONS
​(10 points)

• Variety, Quality & Price of Food
• Variety of Drinks / Souvenir Cups
• Length of Lines at Concession Stands

​FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
​(5 points)

• Play Areas
• In-Between Inning Activities & Contests
• ​Mascot
• Family Bathrooms

​ATMOSPHERE
​(10 points)

• Local Experience
• Sound-Effects & Music
• Programs
• ​Restrooms

​CHARACTER
​(10 points)

• Home Team Uniforms & Colors
• Architecture of Stadium
• History of Stadium
​• Tributes to MLB Affiliate / Local Players
• Location of Stadium & Surrounding Scenery

​PARKING
(5 points)

• Price for Parking
• ​Size, Quality & Location of Lot