{"id":8922,"date":"2015-07-29T10:00:35","date_gmt":"2015-07-29T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=8922"},"modified":"2015-07-29T09:29:06","modified_gmt":"2015-07-29T13:29:06","slug":"summer-of-baseball-somerset-experience-gives-good-vibes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=8922","title":{"rendered":"Summer of Baseball: Somerset experience gives good vibes"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The

The Somerset Patriots on a nice spring evening.<\/p><\/div>\n

I have known about the Atlantic League for a while. If you are a baseball fan, you likely have as well. After all, the league isn\u2019t afraid to do things slightly differently to make it a fan-friendly environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the Baseball Pass-Port Program added an Atlantic League book this year, I quickly grabbed it and knew I wanted to hit several this season. Somerset was the first of four planned trips (so far three \u2026 and hopefully the fourth a few days after this has published) and it was a good introduction to the Atlantic League.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stadiums have the same sort of feel to them, but there are definite differences, which makes it a solid all-around experience. Somerset was also a decent down-and-back trip (give-or-take three hours each way), so it was nice in that regard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Playing

Playing ball at TD Bank Ballpark!<\/p><\/div>\n

TD Bank Ballpark, built in 1999, has held its name since the 2009 season. With a seating capacity of a bit more than 6,000 it\u2019s an intimate setting for a park. You are close to the action, which is always nice. As many stadiums are now, it\u2019s an open concourse, so when you get up to grab a bite or drink, you can see the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sight lines are good as it didn\u2019t appear there were many places where you\u2019d miss any of the action.<\/span><\/p>\n

The one thing about this place \u2013 they lined up early! We got there a bit earlier than planned and parked. It was a warmer day, so we chilled in the car with the AC. A little before the gates opened, we decided to wander up and see why there was such a long line. Maybe we had missed a giveaway? Nope. People were just lined up getting ready to get into the stadium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, the atmosphere was pretty decent. People seemed into the game, which is a good thing. The players seemed engaging before the game started, which is always a good thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a pretty good team store here and the food selections are solid. As with many places, I try and have something more \u201clocal\u201d and I ended up trying a steak sandwich with bacon and ranch, which turned out to be a pretty good choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The seats in the stadium were fold down and a tad wider, so there was plenty of room.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was easy to get out of the park after the game, which was nice. Overall, I enjoyed checking out a game at TD Bank Ballpark and could see myself going again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Park Notes: \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

TD Bank Ballpark<\/strong>
\nBridgewater, NJ<\/em>
\nHome of the Somerset Patriots (Independent \u2013 Atlantic League)
\nVisited on: May 9, 2015
\nOpponent: Bridgeport Bluefish<\/p>\n

Ratings (out of 10)<\/p>\n