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Frederick Keys - User Comments Add your own

Best Minor League Game in Town -- 2008-07-28

I've been to four minor league stadiums around the Baltimore/DC area and I found this one to be the best. The best seats are amazingly close to the field. The seats seem relatively new and comfortable. Parking is free and there are plenty of fast food options right before you turn down the street on which the stadium is on. It is double A baseball, so you get to see top-notch prospects. The footlong hot dog I had was tasty, and I'm not even a hot dog fan. The stadium itself was older but nice and had a mini-lighthouse down the right field line. The staff-fan interactions were low-key but nice. If I was in the area again, this would definitely be the place I'd choose to see minor league baseball.

TheBrooklynMet

Carolina League Baseball in Maryland -- 2008-07-17

I went to the game last night, and it was an enjoyable experience. However, if you go, know that the only real attraction is the game. This is a classic example of minor league baseball. The experience is completely stripped down: the stadium is an old one with only a carosel as an attraction seperate from the game itself and even the scoreboards are extremely old. It is very much like the WS Warthogs stadium with a bit less character: clearly Carolina League Baseball The one real positive to the stadium, other than the extremely relaxed atmosphere, is that the seats seem to be very new, wide, and comfortable. While the best seats are nice they might seem a bit pricey at $11, but this is compensated by the fact that parking is free. The food was basically normal minor league stuff, though there was a pulled pork sandwich (I had dinner in the town before going to the park, so I didn't eat anything there). They do have the traditional fan friendly between inning entertainment like contests for the kids and t-shirt throws, as well as a mascot, but these two were low key (no pun intended). I enjoyed the game, but it was a beautiful night, and I liked just watching the game.

TheBrooklynMet

Role model? -- 2007-07-14

I really am appalled at the Keys' coach's behavior at the game Friday, July 13. Not bad enough he yelled in the face of the umpire, he threw his hat to home plate, walked off the field (thank God), and left the gate open (kids could have easily wandered out. What a lousy example for kids. Not sure I'll return this season or not. My main reason for going to entertainment for my 3 year old grandson. My daughter had to explain to him why the coach's behavior was so wrong. This is minor league baseball and it looked me to like attendance was poor. Maybe the coach's behavior is a good reason people aren't coming. These coaches have a captive audience - young kids with sky high dreams of playing baseball. This coach needs to think about his actions. And teachers wonder why students behave badly in school. Check the role models. DISGUSTING!

Anna Marie

Comparing the local teams -- 2007-06-15

I'm stunned by the comments here to date. If we go to a minor league game, it is the Keys that we choose. This is after trying the Potomac Nationals, Bowie BaySox, and the Keys. Why? The Potomac Nationals have a stadium that rivals high school baseball, complete with the trashy aluminum benches and with a chain link fence blocking the view of many of the seats. This is my nearest team (I live in Fairfax County), and I have no desire to return to that stadium at all. The BaySox have a nice stadium and great location, but . . . well . . . yaaaaaawwwwwwwnnnnnn. Attending a BaySox game makes me feel like I'm surrounded by folks who are saying, "We were too cheap/lazy/tired to go see the Orioles, so we're stuck here." Frederick is different. The Keys are the home team. The local fans are fanatics through and through. There is enthusiasm. There is excitement. There is an adoration and concern for the home team. That's what makes seeing a baseball team worthwhile. I'll keep driving to Frederick.

Dave

Field conditions -- 2006-08-15

The field conditions at Harry Grove stadium are awful. The worst I've seen above American Legion/high school baseball. Huge patches of dead grass, not just in the "high traffic" areas but all over. It's really a shame what this ballpark has become.

Matt Young

-- 2003-09-20

Overall Rating: B+

Stadium B-

The stadium is getting old. Hopefully some work can be done to improve the facilities. COMCAST/the City should make it a priority to rehab Harry Grove. A new gift store would be a big plus but the dugouts, clubhouses and offices need some major work.

Atmosphere A-

What makes it work here in the shadow of the Catoctin Mountains is the dedication of the staff. Jeff or “I am Fun” is a joy to watch. He works hard and is the best on field guy we have seen. Whether the stadium is packed or just a couple hundred fans are in the seats he is a delight to watch. If only COMCAST could get all of their mascots to be more active. Try to copy what they do at Reading or Wilmington, it would make a big difference. Also professional people like Kelly who works very hard with the groups and other activities and Richard a great usher who will bring more people back to a game then a cheap ticket promotion ever will are examples of the top notch people that work here. We really enjoy and appreciate their hard work.

Now if Karen can ever get her pictures:)

Value B+

Ticket prices like the food are higher then it should be. Prices range from $11 to $9 with General Admission seats $8. Into the season COMCAST to increase the gate started mailing out discounted/free coupons for various neighborhoods. The problem here is that you need to get the people to come back. I think you do this by getting them in the door and making it fun. That means a good value at a fair price. If it costs $80 for a family of four they won’t go to too many games. If they have a choice of a movie or a game what do you think they will do?

Odds and Ends

Several people I work with have made positive remarks about their experience at Frederick. They go for the reading nights with their kids. While for some this may be the only time they go to a game the positive experience stays with them. This is the Maryland minor league park we steer people to.

Karen and Kevin Flynn

Harry Grove Stadium, An Overview -- 2002-08-21

In August of 2002, we made a trek to Maryland for most of their baseball teams. We left Hagerstown and went to Frederick. Frederick has something for everybody - a historic district, a baseball team, plenty of pubs (it reminds me a little of the close-nit feeling of Cooperstown). There was construction going on outside the stadium and if you are coming from the south, New Design Rd. wasn't connected when we tried to use it. But turn left at the first road past the stadium and it takes you right to the parking lot. Plenty of parking, with more lots available if you follow the road. Built in the early '90s, Harry Grove has the field below street level so unless you've got luxury boxes, you're walking down. All the concessions are in the open (or under the luxury boxes). The clubhouses are in the same structure as the food stands, so the players have to walk down steps to get to the field (plenty of time for autographs). Don't plan on signing Take Me Out to the Ball Game in the 7th, bring your ring of keys and shake them. The outfield wall is not one piece, but three pieces with a gap between so most home run balls exit the stadium even with a 15 - 20 foot high wall. (On a side note, on Aug. 7, a no-hitter was thrown against Frederick. That was the day after my visit).

Mike

O K A Y -- 2001-07-26

Grove Stadium is nice and new, which most people seem to prefer to dirty and old.

The fans seem quite in tune with the players as it is an Orioles affiliate.

One finds oneself in the city of Frederick, MD, upon exiting the park, with nice restaurants etc. Reasonable and o k a y.

Flaco Jimenez

Great time -- 2001-07-11

Going to a Fredrick Keys game is great. Parking is free, seats are cheap, kids in uniform are free, great seats. Food, beer etc. isn't much cheaper than major leagues, but one can have a great time cheap. I think it's much better than major leagues. The players aren't millionaires, they're young guys that would like ot be millionaires.

Bruce Spratling

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