I’ve been fortunate to visit Columbus for Triple-A baseball on three occasions, each of which is markedly different than the others.
In 2013, I checked out the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park for the first time, on the fifth day of a 13-day solo baseball trip. In 2018, I made a whirlwind, 24-hour visit to Columbus to take in the Triple-A Championship game, which pitted Durham against Memphis. And in July of 2024, I spent a weekend in Columbus with two friends and saw a pair of Clippers games at the ballpark.
Huntington Park impressed me during each visit, and while it might not get the recognition of some of its International League peers, it’s definitely a facility that you should check out.
This is the 13th edition of my “5 Things I Love” series, which looks at a short list of random things that I love about each ballpark I’ve visited. This series celebrates the sometimes subtle things that make ballpark experiences enjoyable and memorable, and hopefully encourages you to think about your favorite features at each park you visit.
Here are five things I love about Huntington Park, home of the Columbus Clippers.
1. The Visibility From Beyond Right Field
I’ve often written about my love of being able to see baseball fields before entering ballparks — something that can be frequently difficult at parks in the upper levels of the minor leagues. One of the things I love about Huntington Park is the visibility of the field from the sidewalk that runs along West Nationwide Boulevard. Numerous openings in the fence make it easy to see the field. This is a treat before the gates open, as it’s nice to grab a spot, hang out, and watch batting practice or simply enjoy the view. Some players will even toss baseballs over the fence to fans during BP. During games, it’s common to see passersby watching an inning or two — or maybe even the entire game — from these areas.
2. The AEP Power Pavilion
Of course, if you want to enjoy the best view of Huntington Park, you’ll want to get inside the ballpark. And for my money, the best view of the action is from the AEP Power Pavilion above left field. Sure, you’ll be a little far from the field, but your panoramic vantage point more than makes up for your lack of proximity. The top level of the three-level structure is open to all fans, and has seats that are open on a first-come, first-served basis. A large bleacher section is a popular hangout spot for families. The AEP Power Pavilion offers a tip of the cap to Wrigley Field, giving fans a vibe that is part Wrigley Rooftops, part Wrigley Bleachers. There’s even a concession stand, Dirty Frank’s, that offers an impressive selection of unique hot dogs and other fare. Long home runs occasionally smack off the brick wall of the pavilion, which only helps to add fun to the experience.
3. The City Skyline View
There are lots of great views from behind home plate around the International League. Charlotte undoubtedly earns the top spot, but the ballparks in Rochester, Norfolk, Durham, and Indianapolis also offer impressive vistas. The Columbus ballpark belongs on this list, too, thanks to its view of the city’s skyline. Buildings of different sizes and shapes, including the world headquarters of Nationwide and American Electric Power, LeVeque Tower, the seventh-tallest building in the state, and Nationwide Arena, home to the NHL’s Blue Jackets, give fans plenty to look at between pitches. The skyline is visible from many spots around the park, but your best place to sit is anywhere behind home plate.
4. The Huntington Park Sign
I don’t tend to give a lot of thought to a ballpark’s signage, but at Huntington Park, the facility’s main sign is impossible to ignore. Composed of enormous letters that sit atop the grandstand’s roof, the sign is omnipresent in many areas around the ballpark. It’s beautiful during the daytime, but it really stands out at night, when it emits a green glow. During my last visit, I attended a 5 p.m. game and was amused to see large shadows of the sign’s individual letters slowly appearing on the field as the sun slowly set. It was an unusual and neat visual effect, and one that added to my experience of the visit.
5. The Right Field Deck
While I’d immediately recommend the AEP Power Pavilion if a first-time fan were to ask me where to hang out at Huntington Park, the right field deck is another spot I’d have to mention. The top level of this area is reserved for groups, but other fans can enjoy a standing-room spot along the rail directly above the fence. Like the AEP Power Pavilion, this is a spot that fills up quickly after the gates open. If you want to watch the game from here, your best bet is to visit it soon after arriving, before it gets too crowded. While the right field fence isn’t among the very tallest fences in the minor leagues, it’s certainly higher than most. This gives you a unique vantage point, where you’ll stand over the right fielder. This is especially fun when balls are hit to the warning track.
What are your favorite things about Huntington Park?