Parkview Field honored again as one of nation’s best
Fort Wayne stadium is nationally renowned
Staff Report | The News-Sentinel
FORT WAYNE – Parkview Field was recently named as the top Minor League Baseball experience for the second straight season by Stadium Journey magazine.
The publication reviewed 1,225 sports venues in compiling its “Top 101 Stadium Experiences for 2012” and Parkview Field ranked as the 14th best experience. It also rated as the top experience in Minor League Baseball in 2011, when the magazine reviewed 754 stadiums.
“The thing about Parkview field is that it combines all of the elements that we recognize as making a stadium experience great,” Stadium Journey President and co-founder Paul Swaney said in a release. “The food and beverage is better than you’ll find most places and (the concessions options are) related to the overall theme. When I go to Parkview Field, apple turnovers are something that I seek out. Having a downtown location is an important factor as well. The variety of seating selections is important, too. Fans can go back again and again and have different experiences each time depending on where they want to sit.”
Swaney visited Parkview Field this past summer the survey utilized its FANFARE scale for ranking the stadiums on its website and in creating this list. The scale takes into account the food & beverage at the stadium, overall atmosphere, the neighborhood in which it resides, the fans, access outside and inside the stadium, return on investment, and allows for room for “bonus points” for unique features.
“This award is a testament to our great community and fans who continue to make Parkview Field an enjoyable place to be,” Fort Wayne TinCaps president Mike Nutter. “We’re honored to be ranked among the best venues in all of professional sports, including another Indiana landmark like (No. 1 in overall experience) Lucas Oil Stadium.”
Swaney encouraged fans from near and far to take in the ambience of Parkview Field this coming baseball season.
“Parkview Field is a great example of a ballpark you need to see,” Swaney said. “If you love baseball, or if you just love life, then get this on your to do list ASAP.”
The TinCaps open their fifth season of Midwest League baseball at Parkview Field on April 11 against the Lake County Captains at 7:05 p.m. with fireworks to follow the game.
