Review from June 29, 2019​
Fayetteville Woodpeckers vs. Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Get On Your Level
By: Matthew Preslar

Being from just outside of Charlotte, NC, we are privileged to be close to several levels of minor league baseball. Our most local team is the AAA Charlotte Knights. We live near other AAA stadiums, teams in the low A South Atlantic League, and several teams in the Advanced A ball Carolina League. Point being is that we are well aware of the typical differences between the respective levels.

In AAA baseball, most of the players have or will have some experience in the Major Leagues and the superstar prospects will play most of a season or more at the AAA level. Still in Advanced A ball, only a fraction of the players will reach the pinnacle. AAA stadiums seat a minimum of 10,000 while A ball stadiums must seat only 4,000. AAA baseball is played in more major cities, a few like Charlotte may host NBA or NFL franchises. AAA cities have more dining and attractions nearby. One could plan an entire vacation in the area. AAA stadiums have the iconic views... and all those are things you pay for. 

As always, I’m very thankful for a top tier franchise like the Astros investing in our state. Segra Stadium is a nice ballpark and we have had memorable adventures in Fayetteville. However, I fear for the Woodpeckers as a business over an extended period. Ticket pricing is too comparable to AAA markets. Never mind they are well above Carolina League rivals such as Winston-Salem Dash, Carolina Mudcats, and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. 

Perhaps, Fayetteville locals will pay the premium as they have been without affiliated minor league baseball for over 15 years, but will they long term? After attending Inaugural Opening Day in April and a game in late June I think I have seen enough of the offerings in Fayetteville. In the 2.5 hours it takes me to drive to Fayetteville, there are 10+ options in that same radius that offer my family and me more for the money: a calmer environment, rich tradition, cheaper tickets/parking, established prospects, or some combination of those. 

I hope the organization learns to get on their level, literally. The Woodpeckers need to get more on par with franchises in their league. They aren’t offering a AAA product and the sooner they realize that the better they CAN be.

SEGRA STADIUM
Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOME OF THE:
FAYETTEVILLE WOODPECKERS

MLB AFFILIATE:
HOUSTON ASTROS

BUILT: 2019
CAPACITY: 4,786
MiLB LEVEL: LOW-A

RELATED POSTS

OUR RATING: 
37 / 50

TICKET VALUE  7/10

  • Prices vary on day of the week (Fri/Sat, Thurs/Sun, Mon-Wed)
  • Friday and Saturday GA $12, other in state Carolina League affiliates are $7-8 WS, CAR
  • Same price as GA in Charlotte, AAA level
  • Best level seats on Fri/Sat are $17, similar seats in the Carolina League are $13–14
  • Senior/Children/Military discounts available
  • GA prices are more sort of like a bar cover charge for the full bar in right field, Healy’s... not everybody comes to baseball games to be a drunk
  • Plenty of SEATS in GA, not just standing room only
  • Unique rocking chair seats behind outfield (not GA, requires ticket)
  • Prices are high but you are paying for a brand new facility run and owned by the Astros organization... can’t argue with their recent success

CONCESSIONS  10/10

  • Souvenir soda and beer cups - comparable prices to other parks
  • Helmet ice cream
  • HELMET nachos that sit as a bowl, cool to have at home
  • Tons of specialty stands (nachos, mexican, ice creams, etc)
  • First place we saw beer bats with discounted refills
  • Food prices on par with other levels ($4-5 snacks, $7-8 meals)
  • All the other standard park food... with big emphasis on the bar areas, it’s a party​

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  3/5

  • Large, fenced-in children turf play area in left field corner, opposite corner of the outfield bar
  • Plenty of open space and picnic tables near the kids zone
  • GA pricing, counting parking is nearly $60 before you even get in the gate... $15-$20 above other Carolina League affiliates... plus additional cost of any food/souvenirs 
  • Too expensive for average family to attend on a regular basis (children/seniors ticket $1 less)
  • Bunker the mascot is very interactive and very unique, named after General Bunker
  • General ballpark amenities seemed geared towards the 21 year old soldiers and young adults, not a family
  • Average music and between-inning activities
  • Berm seating near bullpens

ATMOSPHERE  8/10

  • ​Very patriotic: we were asked to take part in holding the large flag in the outfield during National Anthem during Opening Day in April & social media features several games where military parachutes onto the field. Great partnership with local military base, Fort Bragg
  • Mostly consistent in branding, logos, colors... military vibe, even seats are a gun metal gray, metal accents across the park, military/USA themes. Only inconsistency was woods/trees on souvenir cups and plaid blanket in team store. Seemed like someone couldn’t agree on the theme and those items were out of place.
  • Party area in right field corner with full bar, specialty drinks, outdoor games like corn hole and & giant Jenga, lounge seating, high-top tables, turf grass. Person could attend a game with friends and never watch the ballgame.
  • Hard to explain, but there is something about the stadium/area that leaves me feeling a little on edge. One concern: could one of the many intoxicated guys in their early 20’s be a highly trained soldier who had no regard to my or my family’s safety???
  • No program

CHARACTER  8/10

  • Walkway leading to stadium marked off with construction tape. You are walking in an active construction zone. Not a great vibe to start your game day.
  • Exterior of ballpark once at gate is excellent - vibrant colors, Beautiful brick and stone, Painted sign outside gate “Victory means a little more here” as tribute to local military
  • Gun metal gray seating, gray accents in bathrooms consistent with theme
  • View from outfield disappointing with construction of parking deck ongoing
  • Not much mention of Astros franchise around stadium...per team office personnel, they want to focus more on military connection vs. Astros connection
  • One set of alternate uniforms is reminiscent of Astros horizontal striped throwbacks
  • Late June game we attended was Astros night, featuring a Jose Altuve bobble head giveaway
  • Huge team store with street entrance and hours pre-game and non game days
  • Red and black uniforms with “pecked” logos. BP hat is a woodpecker head intertwined with NC state cutout and a star where Fayetteville is located

PARKING  1/5

  • Parking deck by stadium not completed as of very late June, two plus months into the season
  • Parking is forced into the assorted lots along the area of downtown near the stadium. On opening day some lots were as much as $20, one gravel lot behind a downtown restaurant was $10 and did not include a parking ticket for our dash - worried we may get towed... and it was nearly a half mile walk to the stadium gate
  • As comparison on pricing: Charlotte AAA paved covered deck only $5 / Columbus AAA gravel lot across street from gate only $5
  • Stadium parking deck needs to finish to alleviate congestion and private owners grossly overcharging for parking in their lots

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