In Triple-A baseball (International League and Pacific Coast League only), there are 12 stadiums that have a capacity of 11,000 or more. Among those in the top 10 are Harbor Park in Norfolk, Louisville Slugger Field and Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City.
Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa: 11,500
Home of the PCL’s Iowa Cubs, Principal Park has been around since 1992, undergoing major renovations in 2006, that included new seats, scoreboard, videoboard, a fountain in right field and a giant kids’ playland on the first base concourse.
Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia: 11,856
Home of the Norfolk Tides (International League) since 1993, it is considered by some as the best minor league stadium in Baseball. When the Montreal Expos were looking for a new home, there was a thought to expand the stadium to temporarily accommodate a major league team. The bid was rejected, and the Expos became the Washington Nationals.
Chukchansi Park in Fresno, California: 12,500
Formerly known as Grizzlies Stadium it’s been the home of the Fresno Grizzlies (PCL) since 2002. The name changed in 2006, when the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, affiliated with the Chukchansi tribe, announced it would be the premier corporate sponsor for Grizzlies Stadium, in a 15-year, US$16 million deal. It was designed by Populous, the firm responsible for many of today’s sports stadiums like Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Petco Park, Comerica Park and AT&T Park in San Francisco.
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 13,066
Although the park has seating for up to 13,066 fans, it currently utilizes a seating capacity of 9,000 for Dodgers games. It’s the home of the Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL) and the Big 12 Baseball Tournament (since 2005). It’s been named Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark, SBC Bricktown Ballpark, AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, RedHawks Field at Bricktown and Newcastle Field at Bricktown over the years.
Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky: 13,131
The stadium with the coolest name in baseball (IMO) is home to the Louisville Bats (International League) since 2000. It’s also a soccer stadium for USL team Louisville City FC. Spectators enter the stadium through the restored “train shed” building, which was formerly the Brinly-Hardy Co. warehouse.
Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico : 13,279
Home of the Albuquerque Isotopes (Pacific Coast League) since 2003, it replaced the old Albuquerque Sports Stadium, which was the second oldest in the league at the time.
Raley Field in Sacramento, California: 14,014
Home to the Sacramento River Cats (PCL) since 2000. It’s one of the few professional sports facilities in the nation built without a public sector contribution. Although constructed using bonds financed by the River City Stadium Financing Authority, bond payments are paid from ticket, concession, advertising, and other revenues, not taxes.
Victory Field in Indianapolis, Indiana: 14,230
Home of the Indianapolis Indians (International League) since 1996, it replaced Bush Field, which was also called Victory Field for 25 years during its 70 years of existence. The IHSAA uses Victory Field for its baseball State Final matches.
Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City, Utah: 15,411
Smith’s Ballpark is the biggest stadium in the Pacific Coast League, home to the Salt Lake Bees and also Utah Utes baseball games on occasion. It probably has one of the best views in all of baseball, with the Wasatch Mountains looming over the left and center field walls
Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, New York: 17,600
The biggest stadium in Triple-A baseball, Coca-Cola Field is the home of the Buffalo Bisons (International League). It’s had a lot of names in the past: Dunn Tire Park, North AmeriCare Park, Downtown Ballpark and Pilot Field. It’s been around since 1988, making it the oldest stadium in the top 10. It’s one of only six stadiums in the PCL and International League built before the 1990’s.