Stadium Minor League History:
South Atlantic League 1995-present
Current Status:
Home of the Augusta Greenjackets of the South
Atlantic League (single-A)
What's Good: This is a great place to see a game for several reasons. First of all, it replaced dumpy little Heaton Stadium. Secondly, it's a very attractive, well-designed ballpark. So many new parks are ignorantly lauded as "old-fashioned" or having "an old-time feel," yet Lake Olmstead Stadium really does harken back to the historic ballparks. The grandstand is split into three parts -- two (with GA bench seating) behind first and third, and another section (with individual seat "reserved"seating) behind home. Ringing the infield in front of these three sections are the box seats. Each of the three sections has a full roof, complete with wonderfully old-fashioned girders to support it, resulting in a handful of slightly-obstructed views. Furthermore, just like in the old parks, the concessions, restrooms, souvenir store and everything else is neatly and efficiently tucked into the space beneath the grandstand. There's some nice architectural touches as well, like the metalwork at the back of the seating areas and the handsome brick facade.
What's Not So Good: Not very much at all. There's a little too much unpainted concrete for my tastes, and parking was a little tight, but supposedly there's going to be a new, larger parking lot soon (if it's not there already).
This Photo:
August 15, 1995 Augusta Greenjackets vs.
Hickory Crawdads