Although I primarily focus on major league and minor league ballparks when I travel, there are times that I want to visit an independent league facility.
Often, my interest in visiting comes from checking out photos of a specific park and feeling intrigued enough to schedule it into my itinerary. One such park is Truist Point in High Point, NC, which I can confidently say is the most impressive indy ballpark I’ve seen so far. If your baseball travel plans take you to North Carolina, I wholeheartedly recommend that you schedule some time in High Point.
This is the 11th 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 is a series that 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 Truist Point, home of the High Point Rockers.
1. The HPU Vintage Seats
I never got the chance to visit Tiger Stadium, Shea Stadium, or Veterans Stadium. But thanks to Truist Point, I’ve been able to sit in authentic seats from each of these ballparks. Let me explain. My absolute favorite feature at Truist Point is the HPU Vintage Seats section, which you’ll find in right field. This section, sponsored by High Point University, features more than 20 seats from various past and present ballparks.
In addition to the three parks listed above, you’ll also find seats from the Metrodome, Candlestick Park, Wrigley Field, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Durham Athletic Park, and more. The seats stand out to anyone who walks past; they offer a fun, rainbow-like array of colors. Me being me, I made a point of sitting in each of the seats during my visit. (If anyone was watching, I must’ve made for an odd sight as I moved my way along the row.)
2. Blessing Park
It might seem a bit trite to call the next feature on this list a blessing, but it’s hard not to view Blessing Park as exactly that. This is a spacious area located just off the outfield concourse that offers a serene atmosphere for fans. While it’s technically a group area, it’s open to all fans when groups haven’t booked it. Blessing Park features well-manicured landscaping, numerous seating options, and a stylish brick and wrought iron design. It’s open to the community when the Rockers aren’t playing, and even features a splash pad for kids to enjoy. I know if I worked in an office nearby, I’d enjoy my lunch break in this space whenever I could.
3. The Center Field Gate Plaza
When I think of my favorite things about the various parks I’ve visited over the years, there are a handful of features that aren’t technically inside the parks. At Truist Point, my favorite exterior feature is undoubtedly the Center Field Gate Plaza. It features a stylish patterned brick design underfoot, vintage-looking lighting strung overhead, and some trees and shrubs that enhance the overall feel. Adjacent to the gate is the Stock + Grain Assembly Food Hall, a multilevel building that features nine restaurants and two bars.
There’s an outdoor eating space and even tailgating games directly outside of the building, which help to create a lively feel for fans as they wait for the gates to open. This is a space that feels as though the designers overlooked nothing. Even the hands on the clock above the gates are shaped like baseball bats. Trust me when I say that this plaza is major league in terms of its quality.
4. The Rocking Chairs
It would be a travesty of the highest order if Truist Point weren’t well-appointed with rocking chairs. Fortunately, that’s not something we have to worry about. While I’ve seen rocking chairs at many ballparks over the years, it’s fitting for fans to have the opportunity to rock while cheering on the Rockers. (After all, the team’s name honors this piece of furniture; High Point is known as the furniture capital of the world.) You can find rocking chairs in various areas of the park, including Blessing Park and the picnic area down the left field line. Their wood gives them a traditional look, but they also feature Rockers branding.
5. The Bridge in the Left Field Corner
I’m always on the lookout for uniquely endearing areas at ballparks. At Truist Point, one area that caught my eye was the small bridge in the left field corner. Its design is simple, but its purpose is important. This bridge connects the third base concourse with the outfield concourse, allowing you to make full laps around the field. It spans over a laneway that provides access to the field for the grounds crew’s vehicles. Like many areas around the ballpark, well-manicured landscaping is situated close to the bridge. Sure, there are features around the park that are more exciting, but this is one that I particularly love.
What are your favorite things about Truist Point?