JOE O'BRIEN FIELD
Elizabethton, Tennessee

OUR RATING: 
37 / 50

HOME OF THE:
ELIZABETHTON TWINS

MLB AFFILIATE:
MINNESOTA TWINS

BUILT: 1974
CAPACITY: 2,000
CLASS: ROOKIE
LEAGUE: APPALACHIAN

Review from July 9, 2018
Elizabethton Twins vs. Danville Braves
A Trip Back In Time
By: Matthew Preslar

With our criteria being based on our perceived value of purchase, Joe O’Brien Field and the Elizabethton Twins exceeded our expectations. The on-field product was Rookie Ball and it looked like it. Not much about the players astounded me from a talent level. However, the overall value of the presentation did surprise me.

​As we write about and grade these parks, our foundation is evaluating the return of investment for an outing at these venues. Our GA ticket price for a bleacher seat was only $5. We shared a $3 Nacho and each had a $2 bottled soft drink. With free parking, our cost (other than my usual home team cap) came to $17. I really can’t speak to the day-to-day cost of living in a small Tennessee town, but I’m sure it’s hard to beat that price for 3-4 hours of entertainment. This proves my point that baseball is the best value in entertainment. I hope the people of Elizabethton can keep supporting the Twins and they maintain the relationship with the parent club for many years to come.

TICKET VALUE  10/10

  • $5 GA Bleachers / $4 Kids Tickets
  • $7 Reserved Seating behind plate
  • Season ticket plans with price breakdown to only $3/game
  • Every seat close to the field with a varying view of mountain back drop

CONCESSIONS  8/10

  • $3 nacho with cheese and chili
  • $2 bottled soda; no special cups
  • $4-5 sandwiches (chicken, bbq, hamburger)
  • $4 Fried Bologna sandwich advertised - glimpse into the local fare
  • One Italian Ice stand, but no other specialty carts or unique items

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  3/5

  • Public park and playground out back entrance, accessible during game
  • Small crowd, many kids got foul balls
  • ​Great hometown environment where children could roam
  • No mascot or designated kids zone

ATMOSPHERE  6/10

  • ​Decent restroom by entrance
  • Programs available but had to be purchased for $3
  • Background music not engaging
  • Air horn when team scores and when the Twins won the game​
  • Paved covered sections under press box for seniors/handicap- must bring own chair
  • ​Many regulars also sitting on top row of bleachers in their own camp chairs
  • ​Stadium attendance about half-capacity
  • Kids running around grabbing snacks and back to family on bleachers - very relaxed and safe environment
  • Local softball team on field with players before game and participating in between-inning activities

CHARACTER  6/10

  • Basic traditional small ballpark
  • No grandstand
  • Basic digital scoreboard, no video board
  • Team store was very small room with a walk-up window, minimal selection 
  • Posters for E-Twins to play in MLB
  • Signage declaring the Elizabethton/Minnesota Twins relationship since 1974
  • League championships displayed on scoreboard on outfield wall
  • Small public park and river behind back gate
  • Glimpse of scenic mountains in the background

PARKING  4/5

  • ​Unpaved, but free
  • ​Short walk 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