ColumbusSports.com : Your place to stay informed and talk about the sports scene and sports teams in and around Columbus.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit the new Huntington Park this season, don’t miss out.   I have only made it to the park twice so far but I am trying to get out there at least a couple more times. If you are unaware, Huntington Park is the home field of the Cleveland Indians’ Triple-A affiliate team, the Columbus Clippers. The Clippers used to play in Cooper Stadium. This new park is vastly improved and located in a safer area. It makes a great addition to the rapidly growing and improving Arena District. It does not matter whether you are 5 or 65 years of age it is a fun, enjoyable place to take the whole family. Its very reasonably priced tickets make it even more enjoyable.

One thing that makes Huntington Park a great place to watch baseball is the team itself. At last and I mean at last, we can finally relate to our Triple-A team that is right here in Columbus! In the past, the affiliation has most recently been with the Washington Nationals, and before that, the New York Yankees.  Many people probably had little or no interest in the Clippers before this great fix. It was something that just had to happen.  Now we have a team that fans can really appreciate because their major league affiliation at least plays in our own state.  This has really made a big difference in the overall Huntington Park experience.

When you visit the park, there are many things to do in addition to watching the game. In the Kids Zone, the younger guest can throw his or her own pitches at the park.  It reminds me of when you go to a fair and try to guess how fast you can throw a pitch. There are also many photo opportunities where you can stick your head in a hole and look just like a Clipper player or their mascot. It is a great opportunity for Little League players to witness a major league organization. It is fun to see the kids with their gloves eagerly awaiting the rare chance to catch a foul ball. There is also a jumping gym for the kids to release some of that extra energy they might build up from sitting too long at the game. For the older guest like myself, there are also things to do.  I have tried to sit and watch an entire game without walking around but have been unsuccessful. There is so much to see. When you go upstairs to the second and third levels, there are paintings of players from years gone by; names like Don Mattingly, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera to name just a few of the most recent. If you get an urge to eat, there is Bob Evans, Roosters, Donatos and your standard ballpark food avaliable. At Roosters on the second level, you can watch the game from a patio setting; great seats! Many items of memorabilia are on display throughout the entire park. Also on display near the patios, are historical facts of the Columbus Clippers for all you trivia buffs.

If you need more proof of the park’s greatness, just refer to ballparks.com. They have named it the “Best Ballpark of 2009”. There is not a bad seat in the whole park. “This park is better than the Great American Ball Park”, Dave Wurtz, a New Albany resident said while attending a game this first season. You can just feel the positive energy in the park.   Everyone is praising this new park and its outstanding views. You definitely want to get some pictures to share with friends and family.

As you can see, visiting the new Huntington Park is a no-brainer.  The times shared there can be unforgettable. Its new location is outstanding and easy to locate.  If you have not been there yet, it is not too late, but don’t wait too long or you will have to wait until next spring. So Columbus, come one come all. Even though they no longer do it at the games I want to bring back a tradition I miss from the old Cooper Stadium; Columbus Clippers ring your bell, ring your bell!

Tags: cleveland indians, columbus clippers, huntington park