Great face change....
Written: Apr 06 '00
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Pros: Great views, superb field
Cons: Traffic, High prices
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| Volman's Full Review: Turner Field |
After attending many events at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, I was rather confused, even after seeing plans for the work, as to how they were going to transform this giant stadium, into a baseball field. Of course, after having to attend Braves games at the dismal Fulton County Stadium for many years, a little league field would have been a welcome change. I must admit, I did go into the situation a little skeptical. Ted Turner, who basically owns the city of Atlanta, was allowed to name the stadium after himself, while the popular choice among the citizens of Atlanta preferred naming it after Hank Aaron. This by itself turned me off somewhat before I even got into the stadium. However, none of this mattered once I finally got inside the impressive ballpark.
My first trip to Turner Field came in the summer of 1998. As with Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the parking at the new venue, which is on the exact same site, is horrific. Nightmarish traffic, which is nothing out of the ordinary for Atlanta, becomes ten times worse during games. And, unless you are from out of town and want to sit in your car for an hour looking at the skyline, I recommend that you take MARTA to the games. It cuts down on time getting to the game, and eliminates the price gouging that goes on among the downtown parking lots. The only drawback to MARTA is that the closest stop to the stadium is about a half mile away, so be prepared to do some hiking.
When I finally got to the stadium, I was quite impressed with the entire operation. The attendants at the gate were friendly, and after hearing all these horror stories about not being allowed to even bring in bottled water, I was worried that my high priced bag of boiled peanuts might get confiscated at the gate. However, not to worry, as they waved us on by without a second glance. Many times, people are stopped and checked for weapons, which is very reassuring considering the diverse crowd going into the stadium.
Once inside, I was very impressed with the stadium, and realized I had no need to be worried about the way the stadium was designed. Not only had they transformed the stadium, they had made it into one of the more pleasant looking stadiums that I had attended. We made our way to the overhang of the restaurant that lines the edge of the stadium, for our first view of the field. The field was breathtaking, meticulously manicured and of such a shimmering green it almost looked fake.
After this we made our way to the seats, which were right along the third base line. The seats and layout were done very well. A lot of times, the overhang over the third and first base lines make it hard to see the action, but Turner is done in such a way that these people get the advantage of the shade, while still being able to see the game. The seats were also spacious and comfortable, which was a definite bonus. Also, the scoreboard was in a very prominent location which made it readily visible at any time during the game, even with the sun setting in our eyes. Everything about the field was superb. It really looked as if a lot of time and energy had been taken in trying to make Turner look good for the fans, and it really showed.
There were many other interesting little quirks to the stadium, and most of them were very nice. While we didn't eat there, the restaurant overhanging the field lends a certain interesting charm to the ballpark. The food selection at Turner, while high priced, was very good. They even serve hot dogs made with buffalo meat, which I had never even heard of before. I would recommend trying one if you do happen to make a visit to Turner Field. They not only taste very good, but certainly make for an interesting meal. There are many other notables worth trying on the menu at Turner, but just make sure to bring plenty of cash. Another major advantage at Turner Field, if you happen to be buying tickets right before the game, is that the seats in the upper level start selling at $1 a piece in the hour before game time. I wouldn't recommend waiting this late, as most games are sold out by this time. However, you might get lucky, and getting to see a Braves game for a buck, certainly can't be beat.
Overall, Turner Field is excellently done, and one of the better baseball parks that I have visited. While it may not have the tradition and history of many older ballparks in the country, it certainly makes up for this with a beautiful field, great views, and an overall great atmosphere.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: What A Nightmare
Seat Location: Lower Level
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Epinions.com ID:
Volman
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Location: Straight from the Dec (Decatur/Atlanta), now in Knoxville, TN
Reviews written: 56
Trusted by: 50 members
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