If you’re planning a minor league baseball trip to North Carolina, you’ll likely have at least a couple of ballparks in your sights.
You might be eager to visit Truist Field in Charlotte because of its view of the city skyline, or Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham because of the history of the franchise.
But you shouldn’t sleep on First National Bank Field in Greensboro. This ballpark, home to the Grasshoppers of the High-A South Atlantic League, has a lot to offer.
This is the sixth edition of my “Five Things I Love” series, which looks at five random things that I absolutely 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 First National Bank Field, home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers:
1. The Hotel
It’s no secret that hotels adjacent to ballparks are one of my very favorite things about baseball travel, and it’s impossible to list the things I love about First National Bank Field without discussing the hotel that sits beyond the right field corner. That hotel, the Hyatt Place Greensboro / Downtown, has a number of field-facing rooms and even has a second-story pool deck that offers a beautiful view of the ballpark. You’ll enjoy relaxing in your room and keeping an eye on the park prior to the gates opening. You can even watch batting practice and infield drills — two things that typically wrap up before the park’s gates open to fans. And a nighttime swim after the game, while you watch the park settle into quiet, can be a perfect way to wrap up your day of baseball in Greensboro.
2. The Bellemeade Gate
The gates at most ballparks don’t excite me; I’m just happy to get through them and into the park. The Bellemeade Gate at First National Bank Field, however, is one that made me pause to enjoy its design. This gate is made up of three separate metal gates that have a baseball bat design running through them. When I first saw the gate, I thought it was a unique and stylish design — initially not realizing that the design depicted a baseball bat. Upon quickly making this discovering, I remember thinking “whoa” as I stood there and appreciated the level of detail. I’ve since learned that this gate is the creation of a local sculptor, and I hope that you’ll to take a moment to check it out during your visit.
3. The Right Field Corner
Whenever I visit a ballpark for the first time and walk through it, I always find at least one area that resonates with me and beckons me to return numerous times throughout the game. At First National Bank Field, that area is the right field corner. You reach this space by walking along a zig-zag ramp, which opens up into a spacious area that holds tables and chairs. You’ve got a good view of the right fielder, an excellent vantage point to observe the visitors bullpen and a decent chance of snagging a long foul ball. During each of my visits, this area was empty at various times, giving it the feel of a private space — even though it’s open to all fans.
4. The Left Field Picnic Area
First National Bank Field has a number of party areas, but my favorite is the two-level space in left field. Filled with picnic tables and umbrellas, this space (technically, the “Sunbrella Shade Zone”) offers plenty of shade for those who seek refuge from the North Carolina sun. While you won’t be able to access this area when a group has booked it, it’s open to all fans during games that groups aren’t using it. I always love when teams open up group picnic areas to all fans, rather than keeping them roped off. You’ll enjoy a great view of the game — and maybe even snag a home run — by spending time in the left field picnic area.
5. The Ticket Office
The ticket office at First National Bank Field is one of the nicest looking I’ve encountered in my travels. It’s understated and has a retro feel, which is an asset in an era in which many ballparks’ ticket offices have bold designs. It’s easy to feel that if you were attending a baseball game 50 or 75 years ago, you’d begin your visit by approaching a ticket office that looked like this one. Situated at the corner of N. Edgeworth and Bellemeade streets, this part of the park is worth checking out even if you buy your tickets online in advance.
What are your favorite things about First National Bank Field?