Review from June 9, 2018​
Carolina Mudcats vs. Winston-Salem Dash
Five County Stadium... a Truly Unique Venue
By: Matthew Preslar

Five County Stadium is a truly unique venue. In our travels I haven’t seen anything else in which it really compares. While many of the new stadiums are the centerpiece of a city area, Five County Stadium appears to be an island. If you stumble out here, it’s to watch a game. There is no dining or other attraction that will bring you near this area. Raleigh is the nearest city roughly thirty minutes away. This makes a trip to Zebulon a little more challenging and inconvenient. If someone isn’t local to the area, they probably would not spend entertainment dollars with the MudCats. 

On the contrary, this country living and environment makes for a different entertainment experience. Looking around this stadium, there is nothing to distract you from the game going on. You’re not thinking about the walk after the game. You’re not thinking about what you might eat once you get out of the stadium. It’s you, the game, and Five County Stadium, nothing else matters.

FIVE COUNTY STADIUM
Zebulon, North Carolina

OUR RATING: 
36 / 50

HOME OF THE:
CAROLINA MUDCATS

MLB AFFILIATE:
MILWAUKEE BREWERS

BUILT: 1991
CAPACITY: 6,500
CLASS: Advanced-A
LEAGUE: Carolina League

TICKET VALUE  8/10

  • $11 tickets right behind home plate. No tickets below $9. GA bleachers and 2nd level seats same price. Children under 12 for $2 less. 
  • Excellent view from our seats of highly-rated prospect pitching
  • Large nets cover nearly ever seat in the park except small section at end of the baselines. Very safe seating.
  • About half the stadium is 2nd level tiered seating. Fantastic view from the top.
  • GA bleachers 

CONCESSIONS  7/10

  • Concessions were all "bait shops" with different names of same theme
  • Standard ballpark fare with reasonable lines
  • Souvenir beer and soft drink cups
  • Dippin' Dot helmets $8, significantly more expensive than other ballparks
  • Tickets slightly cheaper than other Carolina League stadiums, concession prices seemed to be inflated

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  3/5

  • "Video Game Night" was announced as a promotion for our game. 
  • Only reference to the theme was give-a-ways of gaming systems through a raffle. Raffle table not well marked. Theme night did not carry over into any between-inning activities or video game graphics. 
  • Only play-area for kids was a pitch speed simulator by the entrance
  • No lawn or open area for kids to run around
  • Very few between-inning activities or give-a-ways
  • "Muddy" Mascot (and Mini-Mudcat) great for crowd entertainment - but very ugly logo/mascot. SO ugly... it's almost cute.
  • "Muddy" autographs kids baseballs during one inning
  • Spin Wheel for Prizes for only $1
  • Kids run the bases after the game

ATMOSPHERE  7/10

  • ​Full-color program
  • Played "Wagon Wheel" between inning with karaoke lyrics and crowd sing-a-long on the video board. Most fan interaction of the night. Song mentions "Raleigh" which is the closest city to the MudCats
  • Bathrooms needed service as the game went along
  • Two video boards featuring score, pitch count, fan photos, etc. Great for keeping visitors engaged during the game.
  • Very relaxed environment. Easy to enjoy the game. Does not feel like it is in the same league as Winston-Salem Dash or other Carolina League teams
  • Designated smoking sections located right by the entrance.

CHARACTER  8/10

  • Stadium built quickly in 1991... had the look of an older, traditional ballpark
  • Classic seating, many covered areas, closed-in concourse.
  • Only able to walk along concourse in fair territory 
  • Extremely minimal reference to parent franchise: Milwaukee Brewers
  • No mention of previous MudCats to play in the major leagues
  • Many references to "fishing" theme around stadium
  • Team and locals seem very proud of their MudCats. We noticed many MudCats fans travel with their team to games at other ballparks (I.e. Buies Creek) wearing their MudCats hats/gear proudly!

PARKING  ​3/5

  • ​$5 gravel parking lot, very dusty in the dry summer
  • Parking lot close to the stadium 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