Review from June 14, 2018
Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs. Carolina Mudcats
2018 Ballpark of the Year... ?
By: Matthew Preslar

In a complete shocker, we appear to have a new front runner in our 2018 Park of the Year competition. We went to Myrtle Beach with little expectation other than making a stop to see another ballpark after spending a day at the beach. We came away with our minds blown!

It started in the morning before the game. We pulled into the stadium parking lot to get an early look in the team store, and we were not alone. Several other people were waiting for doors to open at 10am to purchase Pelicans merchandise. There were many Pelicans options as well as many Cubs options. We love when an affiliate pays homage to their parent club. Being a part of such a nationally known commodity (Chicago Cubs) is something the Pelicans should want to advertise anyway - and they did!

Right before gates opened, a huge thunderstorm tore through the Myrtle Beach area. We were concerned we may lose out on our game, and our Thirsty Thursday with the Pelicans. Still not sure if the game would go on, we drove to the stadium, parked in the FREE PAVED LOT, and made our way toward the entrance.

Right away, you could feel this place had a special vibe. If there ever was a location that fits a “Margaritaville” mindset, we may have found it. Everybody seemed so polite and chill. I can understand. Combine the ballpark with a crowd who's primarily on vacation, PLUS a thunderstorm that cooled off the hot afternoon... there may have been no better place to be that night than TicketReturn.com Field in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

The game was delayed because of the tremendous rain, but nobody cared. That just gave us all more time to be social and partake in the evening. Taking it all in, there was a lot of signage displaying former Pelicans to play in the major leagues. Going back to their Braves affiliation, there were names like Freddie Freeman, Martin Prado, and Jason Heyward. 

The game itself was really irrelevant. This night was about the party. From our pregame, to the great food we enjoyed during the game (nachos, chicken tenders, hot dog, pizza, soft serve ice cream), this was the perfect place to come and relax. It’s not everywhere you can go and see a Shark and a Pelican mascot sitting in the seats. The post game had children running the bases and a great fireworks show. 

There wasn’t anything this night left to be desired. And the whole evening was some of the most economical entertainment a family could enjoy at the beach. (Free parking, reasonable priced food & drinks, unlimited kids activities, etc.) As our ratings reflect, we do not have any negative points about our night with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Discovering this gem in Myrtle Beach was a true surprise, we really hope we can sneak in another outing at TicketReturn.com Field this summer!

TICKETRETURN.COM FIELD AT PELICANS BALLPARK
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

HOME OF THE:
MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS

MLB AFFILIATE:
CHICAGO CUBS

BUILT: 1999
CAPACITY: 6,599
LEAGUE: LOW-A EAST

RELATED POSTS

OUR RATING: 
54 / 50

TICKET VALUE  11/10

  • $13 advance field box seats - on par with other venues in the league
  • Outfield seats as low as $9ea
  • Excellent views of the ballpark from every angle
  • Standing room area / Group Picnic section / Party Beach Area
  • ​Free face painting and balloon animals, free playground, plus $5 wristband for inflatables - best value for family entertainment in town!

CONCESSIONS  10/10

  • Wide variety of choices, even healthy options (turkey burger)
  • Many specialty items and carts
  • Nachos included salsa, cheese and chili; BUFFALO chicken tenders
  • CHECK ID stations as you enter the gate
  • Thirsty Thursday: $1 12oz drafts for 2 hr after gates opened
  • Lines reasonable at concessions and drink stands
  • Picnic tables in various locations around park for seating in concourse while you dine

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  6/5

  • Kids activities / contests between innings
  • Free, fenced-in playground area for kids
  • $5 all-you-can-play wristband for inflatables, ball toss, etc. scattered throughout the park & along the concourse
  • Pelican and Shark Mascot
  • Family bathroom and clearly marked First Aid section
  • ​Kids run the bases every night
  • Great fireworks show after the game

ATMOSPHERE  10/10

  • ​EVERYTHING branded Pelicans / Myrtle Beach in vibrant blue and yellow - no way to forget where you are!
  • Employees and Crowd upbeat and excited to be there. A very happening place.
  • Restrooms had Pelicans branding on the toilet paper dispensers and flyers on stalls / walls promoting upcoming events and featured deals
  • Ushers walking along section with garbage bags In middle of game to collect trash and keep ballpark clean

CHARACTER  11/10

  • Team store sold hats for EVERY CUB AFFILIATE as well as extensive selection of Pelicans hats, clothings, and accessories
  • Store opened 10am with people waiting to get in the doors - early times allow fans to purchase gear and come to game later dressed for the night
  • Special "20 year" patch on team hat
  • ​Significant signage throughout stadium featuring former Pelicans in the Major Leagues
  • Home colors (blue and yellow) suited for the beach area
  • Signage replicating well-known images from Wrigley Field
  • ​Harry Caray famous face drawing displayed on wall by stadium announcer/ press box
  • Ballpark situated across the street from the famous Broadway at the Beach
  • ​Sandy beach area down first base line for groups/party

PARKING  6/5

  • ​FREE parking in a paved lot, with attendants directing traffic
  • Less than 1/4mi walk to gate

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