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Bluefield Orioles - User Comments Add your own

Bowen Field -- 2006-06-07

I worked with the Princeton Devil Rays in the summer of 2005 so i made it to nearby Bluefield for about 5 or 6 games. I really liked this park. It had the old time feel and nice seating under the roof. I remember the screen doesnt reach as high up as it should and if you set near the top of the grandstand screamin' foul balls can go right over the top of the screen and into your lap. I was at the game when Princeton beat Bluefield to win the Mercer Cup (the championship between the two rivals). The outfield was extremely shallow, i think 365 to center but you could see where a new wall was being built farther out. The best thing about this park is the tremendous view of the tree lined hill side. Got a give away Orioles bat one night also. I nice place to stop for small town baseball. Bluefield has been affiliated with the Orioles forever, a distinction that they are rightfully proud about.

G Man

Bowen Field -- 2004-11-02

I enjoyed reading the other comments. I am pleased to report that the park had a major lighting upgrade this year and that the outfield walls are being moved back before next season. Bowen Field is best known for the best hitting background in all of baseball (a densely wooded hillside) and hot dogs said to have been praised by Bob Feller as among the best he had sampled when he was doing promotional tours some years back. Having grown up in Bowen Field it is still a thrill to watch a game there and hear the older fans talk about the home runs hit by Boog Powell.

Tom Walk

I played here -- 2002-05-20

I played for a small college in Tennessee, and each year we played against Bluefield College. They play on the same field as the Bluefield Orioles. I was never that great of a player in college, but I really had fun playing on a field that Cal Ripken once stepped on. My very humble claim-to-fame.

Jody Jackson

We loved Bluefield -- 2001-09-07

Our game in Bluefield was rained out, but we still got the experience of the city the one-hour wait in the parking lot waiting to see if the game would be called. Bluefield is an incredibly friendly town. Before the game, we ate at a steak-buffet house, and everone chatted with us. The, waiting to see if the game would be called, we went to Wal-mart, and a lot of people from the restaurant recognized us and chatted with us there. And we saw some of them in the ballpark parking lot! These are the cheapest tickets in baseball---no seats for over $3, and a nice free parking lot that seems to be partly in Virginia, and even the ball park might be. Nothing like small town (17,000) baseball.

Jim Turner

A Step Back In Time -- 2001-07-06

Bowen Field is a great "old-school" ballpark. The covered stands are pretty cozy and it's easy to imagine it being 1951 instead of 2001. There are plenty of promotions, but you aren't subjected to the painfully loud promotions and music that predominate many newer ballparks. It's also a great park if you like to see homers. Only 365 to center, but there's a triple wall that the ball must clear. The only drawbacks are that stands could use a fresh coat of paint and the nearby parking is susceptible to foul balls if you park closest to the field. All in all, a great night of minor league baseball with $3 admission and good, cheap food!!

Old School Fan

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