Review from June 12, 2019
Lexington Legends vs. Augusta Greenjackets
Our Stashtastic Experience
By: Matthew Preslar

As we started mapping our big summer trip for 2019, there were basically two routes we could take from NC on our way to Chicago: north to Ohio before moving west, or west from home before going North. We decided to stay loyal to the South Atlantic League and make our first stop a noon start time in Lexington, Kentucky.

We have seen the Lexington Legends on the road against South Atlantic League rivals Augusta GreenJackets and Asheville Tourists amongst other teams. We have never been fans of their BRIGHT green and blue uniforms or their mustache logo. However, something about them made us want to experience the Legends home park. 

Before entering the stadium we were impressed by Whitaker Bank Ballpark. If nothing else, they are committed to the color scheme, the mustache logos and mascot, and being a member of the SALLY League and Royals organization. They are proud to be who they are and you sense a lot of conviction, all things I respect. 

Once on the inside, all staff members we encountered were very nice, another example of the quality people associated with minor league baseball. The stadium had a level of flair indicative to what we expected from the team uniforms we had seen over the years. The entire setting reminded a little of the Nashville Sounds (First Tennessee Park) just scaled down reflecting the smaller city and three levels down of professional baseball). There’s a lot of flash and style to the park, but there was substance as well. At least to say we’ve seen it, we were impressed with Whitaker Bank Ballpark and the Lexington Legends. ​

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK
Lexington, Kentucky

OUR RATING: 
43 / 50

HOME OF THE:
LEXINGTON LEGENDS

MLB AFFILIATE:
KANSAS CITY ROYALS

BUILT: 2000
CAPACITY: 6,994
CLASS: SINGLE-A
LEAGUE: SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

TICKET VALUE 8/10

  • $6 tickets for bleachers or standing room patio (Birthday Party tent down 3rd base line was not booked during our game, so we bought bleacher tickets but enjoyed the game from the party tent right by the visitor bullpen)
  • Majority of ticketed seats NOT protected by nets— netting tapers to front of dugout leaving most Field Box seats exposed
  • $16-25 Club seats behind home plate— significantly pricier to sit in a safe seat protected from foul balls
  • 100 level and 200 level seats allow for great overhead view of ballpark

CONCESSIONS  9/10

  • Several themed concession stands (Dessert, Grill, County Fair, Gourmet)
  • Health score (99) posted in clear view on central concession stand wall
  • Several craft brew carts but some stands not operational during day game
  • Kentucky Ale Taproom - restaurant/bar located behind plate with some seating with view of game
  • Souvenir ice cream helmets
  • No souvenir cups (soda or beer)
  • No fountain drinks available, only bottled drinks
  • Prices for food on par with level of baseball ($5-6 for most entrees, $4-5 for most snacks)
  • Amazing buffalo chicken sandwich - very saucy! ($5.50)

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  3/5

  • Camp day / Noon game: Scheduled water activities for kids but was cancelled due to chilly weather.
  • Bungee Trampoline and inflatables in kids zone
  • Legends mascot walking around interacting with kids & fans
  • Safety netting around ballpark minimal. Nets taper to front of dugout leaving majority of seats exposed to foul balls. Very dangerous facility to bring family and young children.
  • First aid station well-labeled. Located near kids zone on 3rd base side of concourse.
  • Easy to catch foul balls and/or be tossed baseballs by visitor bullpen in grassy section on 3rd base side.
  • ​Grassy space / kid zone located near Birthday party tent. If private party booked there is not much free space for kids to run around and play.

ATMOSPHERE  8/10

  • Bright tie-dye staff shirts made employees easy to find throughout the parking lot and stadium
  • Long-time usher (Steve) wearing a KC Royals hat as tribute to parent club engaged us in conversation, shared history of Lexington ballpark and personal baseball experiences. Those are the people who help make a low-level minor league ballpark such an exciting and welcoming place to visit
  • Several party areas: bar-style patio down 1st base line and Birthday Party tent down 3rd base line. 
  • "Trash" from stadium stored under bleachers in view of fans who purchased a bleacher ticket walking through that area
  • Speakers with music engaging crowd easy to hear throughout the ballpark and down the lines to the party area & bleachers
  • Lots of local advertisements, especially on scoreboard
  • No program
  • Clean restrooms: women's bathroom extensively decorated with baseball countertop and vibrant pink & green stalls featuring Legends stash icon (however, the men's bathroom was plain)

CHARACTER  10/10

  • Very proud of their brand (bold blue & green colors used throughout stadium & mustache logo on all signage)
  • Whitaker Bank Ballpark logo placed all over: golf carts in parking lot, on trash cans, and painted on the field
  • Plenty of representation for South Atlantic League. SAL and team banners surrounding stadium welcoming all teams in the SALLY league to Lexington
  • Championships trophies for view in display case by team store, accompanied by Legends jersey
  • Directional arrows as tribute to other teams in the KC Royals organization
  • KC Royals banner in team store and usher wearing parent club hat
  • Wide selection of merchandise and styles of clothing available in team store

PARKING  5/5

  • $4 paved, well-lit lot large enough to accommodate a sold out game
  • Stadium located by strip mall with clear signage "no parking for game"
  • Very close lot right behind the stadium (entrance from main road)

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