L.P. FRANS STADIUM
Hickory, North Carolina

OUR RATING: 
39 / 50

HOME OF THE:
HICKORY CRAWDADS

MLB AFFILIATE:
TEXAS RANGERS

BUILT: 1993
CAPACITY: 5,062
CLASS: Single-A
LEAGUE: South Atlantic

Review from August 9, 2017
Hickory Crawdads vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers
L. P. Frans Stadium is what it is. My opinion of this experience is that it was merely a stop on the road. Except for the local fan, Hickory is a place that would only attract the hardcore Baseball fans such as myself that want to see all the stadiums or highly rated prospects. I do proudly often wear my Hickory hat. I love the red, and I love how obnoxious the entire Crawdad logo is. I think L. P. Frans stadium could be more profitable if the food prices were a little lower. I decided relevant to the prices, my better value was eating a small snack at the park and my major meal after leaving the game. Again, glad to see the park and a long standing team, but not a destination to return.

TICKET VALUE  9/10

  • $8 gets you nearly any seat in the house — Our actual paid seat was a few rows back just offset the back of the right hand batter. We we so close to the action, we could hear the umpire calling balls and strikes
  • High nets extend very far down lines. Great for safety, bad for view.

CONCESSIONS  6/10

  • $7 Souvenir Soda Cup commemorating 25 years of Hickory Crawdads baseball, with prominent Crawdads players pictured on cup. Most notably Magglio Ordonez
  • Food seemed overpriced for location, so we settled on a snack and ate after the game
  • $4 Popcorn Box

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  4/5

  • Inflatables for kids on concourse above third base line
  • Signs directing kids to grassy hill play area and a good place to catch balls
  • ​No mascot running around during game, even with many young kids present for a noon ballgame

ATMOSPHERE  7/10

  • No major signage leading you to the stadium from the main highway, on an obscure side road... not sure if we were getting lost
  • Stadium was built in a location where it JUST missed some beautiful mountain views looking out towards the outfield. Better view in the parking lot than in the stadium.
  • Clever restroom signage for "Crawdudes" and "Crawdettes"
  • We caught a T-shirt during between-inning contest. Shirt advertised local business and Crawdads logo. 
  • Row of seats at box level meant for scouts and team video/stat personnel. It gave a different feel to have radar guns and cameras nearby.

CHARACTER  8/10

  • L. P. Frans Stadium looks the part of any older park in a small town 
  • Stadium has nice walkable concourse that features team store, a few food options, bathrooms, and several booths for local vendors to advertise services
  • Signage listing former Crawdads that made the major leagues, most recent notable is Joey Calleo
  • Unique traditional home Red and Black hat featuring big white Crawdad and H logo; however, this may not be a big purchase for the average consumer.
  • Teams wore throwback powder blue uniform as part of the 25th year campaign, I came to game expecting to see the traditional Red

PARKING  5/5

  • Paved lots, very close to entrance
  • Small lots reflected size of the crowd
  • Cheap parking, only $2-3

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