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Watt Powell Park (Charleston, WV)

Photo of Watt Powell Park

photo taken on June 30, 1995, Charleston Alley Cats vs. Augusta GreenJackets

Year Opened: 1949

Capacity: 5,400 (1999)

Team: Charleston Alley Cats

League: South Atlantic League (A)

LF: 340

CF: 406

RF: 330

The Good: Although the stadium here is situated on a busy street, it also faces a large tree-covered hill, providing a peaceful and beautiful setting while still being in the city. Near the base of the hill, just beyond the outfield fence is a railroad track, and freight trains often lumber by during the games. When I visited the ballpark I saw a guy sitting up there by the tracks, so I ducked out to investigate. Sure enough, a guy (probably in his 50s or so) was watching the game only a few feet away from a makeshift memorial (presumably to someone killed by a passing train), and when I went over to talk to him he reached down into the cooler he was sitting on, offered me a beer, and told me about the hundreds of games he's seen here over the years without paying a dime for the privilege. I spent an inning or two up there (it was a great view), and had a great time.

The Not So Good: Aesthetically, the worst part of the place is definitely the two new structures built behind the first and third base seating areas. Made of cinderblock with aluminum siding, they are ugly and don't fit in at all with the rest of the stadium. Also, the team has one of the lamest, crummiest-looking mascots I've ever seen.
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