INTIMIDATORS STADIUM
Kannapolis, North Carolina

OUR RATING: 
38 / 50

HOME OF THE:
KANNAPOLIS INTIMIDATORS

MLB AFFILIATE:
CHICAGO WHITE SOX

BUILT: 1995
CAPACITY: 4,700
CLASS: Single-A
LEAGUE: South Atlantic

Review from April 5, 2018
Kannapolis Intimidators vs. Lakewood Blueclaws
Opening Day at Kannapolis
By: Matthew Preslar

As events turned out, my scheduled game to umpire on Thursday night was cancelled. I took that sign as an opportunity to enjoy MiLB Opening Day 2018. Given the short notice, the adventure had to be close to home. The closest choice was a 45 minute drive to the Kannapolis Intimidators, South Atlantic League (A) affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

​Being so close to home, I have probably been to 30 or more Kannapolis games over the years, many with my parents when I was much younger. For people more used to the small town life, Kannapolis is the local choice for you. This is a place where you feel safe letting your 8 and 10 year old children run around and have a good time if they can’t sit still. There’s a lot of good in that.

On to current day. While this stadium has served its purpose, it is beginning to fall behind many of its league mates and other minor league choices in state. The Intimidators close rivals in Greensboro have a relatively new stadium. The Columbia Fireflies are in their 3rd year (see our review for Spirit Communication Park), and the Augusta GreenJackets open SRP Park next week. As of now, Kannapolis plans to open a new stadium in town in 2020. I can’t wait to see it and hope the business does well for a great small town, a great piece of America.

For the game itself, it was great to be at the park to smell the food, to see the green grass, and to see the young men in uniform starting the season. It was a well played game with both teams hitting home runs. Going into the bottom of the ninth, the game was tied. The crowd was getting restless for the fireworks. Lucky for the fans in attendance, the home team obliged. It was a great game, great to be at the park, and the fireworks were a great way to end the night.

TICKET VALUE  10/10

  • $8 Adult General Admission, $7 Children, Free Under 4
  • Special Opening Weekend Promotion: Kids in Free!
  • Great view from all seats in the park; Nets not obtrusive

CONCESSIONS  6/10

  • Thirsty Thursday special nights: $3 craft, $2 domestic
  • Lines were extremely long for beer and general concessions. Stadium crew not prepared to start season; prevented us from even buying a soft drink or snack
  • Two basic concession stands for food, no other specialized stands
  • Prices advertised on menu banners at stands looked reasonable for selection

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  5/5

  • Free Kids playground PLUS multiple inflatable areas
  • Between-inning contests kept everyone engaged
  • Mascot Tim E. Gator walking around the stadium throughout game
  • ​Special needs children area new this year "Cam's clubhouse"; box overlooking first base line designated to be a safe, sensory-friendly place to watch the game
  • Free popcorn given out at stadium entrance
  • Opening night fireworks - Other promos scheduled throughout the season
  • Above and beyond for families and kids to enjoy a night out

ATMOSPHERE  6/10

  • ​Life size model car #3 of "The Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt
  • Great small town feel
  • Local businesses represented during between-inning games and on drink cups
  • Local YMCA kids allowed on field with players pregame
  • Covered picnic areas for shelter in summer and for group events
  • No programs to help us learn the new roster and be engaged with the 2018 Intimidators
  • Old stadium, new one to open in 2020. Unfortunately there appears to be no investment in current stadium. Several bathrooms were out of order and noticed some old signage for 2017 events.
  • Stadium only about 1/3 capacity, not very impressive for opening day.

CHARACTER  6/10

  • Team wore alternate red jerseys, not the typical home white with black pin stripes reminiscent of the White Sox home club 
  • Wall in team store with all former Intimidators to make the Major Leagues, NOT JUST WHITE SOX. Really no other White Sox references
  • Stadium conveniently located just off Interstate 85
  • No interesting scenery around the stadium

PARKING  5/5

  • ​$3 parking
  • Paved lot, well lit and close to entrance

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