Wade Stadium Duluth, MN
Stadium Minor League History:
"original"
Northern League 1946-1955
"new" Northern League
1993-present
Current Status: Home
of the Duluth-Superior Dukes of the Northern League (Independent)
What's Good: Like
ballparks in Clinton, Johnstown,
and Evansville, Wade Stadium appears to have
changed little physically since its construction decades ago, resulting
in a visually exciting structure that does not merely evoke history but
rather is steeped in it. Originally built as a WPA project in 1941,
the stadium consists mostly of a grandstand stretching from first to third
and covered by a large, sturdy roof that is supported by stout girders
and a latticework of trusses. Extending from the each side of the
grandstand is an enormous wall, which like the
exterior
of the park is comprised of old bricks that were removed from the streets
of downtown Duluth during a repaving project. These walls continue
in a straight line until they meet up with the outfield
wall, which is considerably shorter and made of concrete. Since
the brick walls parallel the foul lines there is quite a bit of room between
them and the field, which the team has put to good use on the third base
side by installing a beer garden and picnic area, while the corresponding
area on the first base side is a wide-open place for kids to run around,
try their hand at the speed pitch booth, snag a foul ball, or just engage
in a game of catch. The entire grandstand has only bench seating,
though the first several rows (the ostensible "box" seats) do have backs.
The place looks like it hasn't changed much at all since it first opened
its doors, and with just a little imagination fans can visualize what it
was like to see baseball in bygone days. Despite the stadium's age
and relatively cramped spaces, concession lines moved quickly during my
visit, and prices on the typical ballpark fare were reasonable. A
small souvenir store had a decent array of Dukes gear and trinkets, and
the restrooms looked like they'd been considerably revamped sinced the
ballpark's early days. Lastly, parking is free, the staff is friendly,
and there are no ushers checking tickets or chasing people around the park.
All in all, "the Wade" is a laid-back place to watch a game in an enjoyable
and authenticly historic environment.
What's Not So Good: As
great as this place is and as much as I liked it, there are still two glaring
design flaws worth mentioning. First, the entire grandstand is protected
-- not merely by netting, but by a relatively thick wire mesh. This,
though ensuring the relative safety of fans not inclined to actually pay
attention to the game, is an impediment to those who want to watch the
action on the field, as are the chain-link fences in front of the bleacher
sections. Secondly, though a colorful concourse
of moderate size runs under the stands, the only means of moving about
within the grandstand itself is a very narrow cross-aisle which is unfortunately
located in front of the first row of seats. This means that a steady
stream of foot traffic passes in front of the "box" seat holders (especially
on busy nights), rendering them less than ideal places to watch the game.
This Photo:
August 11, 2000 Duluth-Superior Dukes vs. Madison
Black Wolf
