Review from June 19, 2019
Columbus Clippers vs. Rochester Red Wings
A Damp Day at Huntington Park
By: Matthew Preslar

This stop in Columbus, Ohio was the “cut off” stop on our way home from our Chicago trip. Huntington Park, home of the Clippers, had the special honor of hosting the AAA National Championship and All Star game in 2018. This was quite a feat as this double dip is rare. With this in mind I had high hopes for Columbus.

Huntington Park boasts a beautiful field. This was one of the most clean cut, crisp playing surfaces I remember seeing. The grounds crew obviously takes great pride in the presentation. The park features a very tall right field wall with fans able to sit more than half way up the wall overlooking the field from their bar style seats. I can’t place a feature quite like this at any other ball park we have visited.

Unfortunately for us, the game was suspended for rain in the 5th inning. We lost out on the city backdrop lit up at night time. We were looking forward to seeing how that view would compare to Charlotte, Indianapolis, etc.

All in all, Huntington Park is a solid facility. The playing field was upper echelon. However, thinking as a consumer of an entertainment product, I’m not sure I got the WOW factor I always hope for. Solid? yes. But nothing that will stand out in my memory as iconic.

HUNTINGTON PARK
Columbus, Ohio

OUR RATING: 
44 / 50

HOME OF THE:
COLUMBUS CLIPPERS

MLB AFFILIATE:
CLEVELAND INDIANS

BUILT: 2007
CAPACITY: 10,100
CLASS: TRIPLE-A
LEAGUE: INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

TICKET VALUE 9/10

  • $16 ticket for second row in home plate area - on par or better pricing than other AAA ballparks
  • ​$10 "standing room only" general admission tickets with access to standing bar counters along concourse, picnic tables, and additional bar seating throughout park as detailed here 

CONCESSIONS  11/10

  • Special $1 night on hotdogs, popcorn, cookies, small soda
  • $6.75 helmet ice cream
  • $7.25 souvenir soda & souvenir beer cups
  • Vegetarian options available
  • Many of the “permanent” stands featured specialty items
  • Ability to see the game while waiting in line at a few of the concession stands located in the middle of concourse​

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  3/5

  • Nursing area (trailer) along concourse. 
  • Coin rides for kids in concourse
  • Some berm seating
  • No true play zone area
  • Nets TAPERED to far end of dugout, a little less safe than ideal for a family
  • Louseal the mascot was very engaging

ATMOSPHERE  7/10

  • ​Usher wiped down wet chairs when we arrived
  • Clean but plain bathrooms
  • Some local high school/softball star players recognized on field pregame
  • Birthday parties in covered areas of park​
  • Limited conourse/walkway. Unable to walk full circle around stadium and enjoy from every viewpoint
  • Playing field not viewable while walking along concourse

CHARACTER  9/10

  • Merchandise and banners/signs/jerseys in team store recognizing every era of Columbus baseball. Team was even the Jets the night we attended
  • Brick throughout park and concourse with a nice city back drop in view
  • Large, brick, covered concourse (great for rain delays)​
  • Very large covered picnic area down right field line
  • Hosted the AAA All Star and National Championship game in 2018
  • Banners and murals of League Championship teams
  • Sunscreen stations
  • Large video board
  • No programs

PARKING  5/5

  • $5 in a paved lot right across from an entrance
  • ​Several other city parking lots within walking distance of ballpark

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