Rob Reviews: Fifth-Third Field, Toledo, OH

Here’s a ballpark review 23 years in the making: Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio – home of the Toledo Mudhens!

This past Sunday, Veronica and I traveled down to Toledo to attend a Toledo Mudhens game. Between her schedule, my schedule with kid 2, and the fact that minor league teams do six game series, as opposed to lead two, three, or four game series that the major league affiliates play, it is took us a while to make it to this park. I’ve been here a few times before myself over the years so I will try to put together an accurate review.

It’s important to know that, first and foremost, FTF was built to replace Ned Skelton Stadium – a former horse riding racing track that was converted to a Minor League Baseball stadium. I attended one game at Ned skilled in the late 1990s. The polite ways to describe that skill and stadium would be to call it rustic or Spartan. As it was my first minor-league baseball game, it gave me the impression that things in MILB was cheap, rundown and “bargain basement” style. Because of the inadequate drainage system at NSS, it was not unheard of for an assist to have games canceled due to inclement weather… from the previous day. .

Exterior

Fifth-Third Field is situated in Toledo’s historic warehouse district. Like many major league and Minor League parks of its ilk, the plan was to use Fifth-Third Field as a means of jumpstarting redevelopment and an older part of the city’s downtown.

Twenty-plus years later, Toledo’s plan succeeded. Several restaurants and sports bars surround the make up the “Hensville@ area. In addition, the Seagate center, home to Toledo’s minor league hockey team the Walleye, sits across the seat from the ballpark; thus making Hensville a year-round sports destination in the city.

Interior

The one term I keep coming back to over and over again to describe FTF is “cute“. Someone who has grown up in and made Major League Baseball his hobby, I’m used to stadiums ranging from 35 to 55,000 seating capacity. FTS official seating capacity is listed just over 10,000. There is truly not a bad seat in the house.

And the handful of times I’ve been to FTF over the years, I have yet to make my way to the upper deck. However, the vast – and I would almost say overwhelming majority – of seats are situated in the lower deck.

As great as the seating is, tickets are even more affordable. Veronica and I said maybe $20 back in the lower level, and page is $15 for each of our tickets. $15 won’t even get you standing room at Comerica Park! prices for concessions are every bit as competitive at FTF as they are at it’s Major league counterpart.

The Roost

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention “The Roost” a perch in right field that seasons just under 300 fans. The roost is nestled between tow building that comprises FTF’s right field. In fact, The Roost was once name the best seating in Minor League Baseball the taller building in the right side of the photo included the team main souvenir shop as well as a premium restaurant, often used for private events.

FINAL TAKE: Highest recommendation! The intimacy of this ballpark alone, was enough to make me fall in love with it. The incredible bargain on ticket prices it’s just icing on the proverbial cake! yeah someone has the Detroit Tigers AAA affiliate, roughly houses the head starting lineup for the game our players who has spent a decent amount of time playing for the Tigers this season. So in many respects, it felt as if I was watching a Tigers game.

Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like, 👍 comment and subscribe to my blog below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media as well! Check out my most recent posts as well as some earlier, related (and perhaps, not-so-related) posts:

The article “Rob Reviews: Fifth-Third Field, Toledo, OH” first appeared in Rebuilding Rob.

Designed with WordPress