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Lowell Spinners - User Comments Add your own

Kids Are Out of Control -- 2007-01-11

I have seen the Spinners on many occasions. Sadly the games were ruined by out of control children running around, screaming not even paying attention to the game. Apparently the owners feel that the lack luster performance of the Spinners isn't enough to attract people to the ball park. During one game, a violent thunder and lightning storm broke out and the "ushers" ran for cover from the rain leaving masses of people with no direction to exit. Everyone was trying to leave the way they came in at the front gate. It was a miracle that no one got killed!!! They need to raise the ticket prices so that parents will think differently about using the ballpark as a baby sitting service and actual baseball fans can enjoy the games without all the stupidity and silliness. I will not be attending any games this year at Lowell. You will find me in Nashua, Manchester and Lynn...at these avenues I can actually watch the game. If you do go to Lowell, bring some ear plugs as the perpetually screaming kids will give you a headache.

Carl

Never Again! -- 2005-06-27

We gave this place more chances than it probably deserved. Those of you who say that it is "fun for the kids"...I wonder if you actually care about baseball, or are just looking for a fun place for kiddie entertainment.

I have been to other ballparks where they do both, and successfully. But LeLacheur Park, sadly, doesn't do it well. Children are allowed to run wild in the stands, using the seats and railings as their personal jungle gyms. This includes the seats that we are sitting in, and railings that I want to hold onto when going up and doen the stairs. Parents are nowhere in sight, and ushers will do nothing to correct these issues. WHY IS THIS ALLOWED? Why can we not sit here and watch a game without being kicked in the head by some free-range brat?

It's a shame...this is a very nice ballpark, but they seem to care more about the Canaligator (mascot) than they do about the actual game. Hey, I love the mascots and all, but this organization seems to care more about kiddie entertainment then they do about baseball.

A team that does it right is the Brockton Rox, of the independent CanAm League. They make it so that EVERYONE can have fun...not just the kids. The fans there actually care about the game, and the kids are much better behaved. They don't put up with all of this running around, free-range stuff there, that they do in Lowell.

I will never go to a Lowell Spinners game again.

Christine

Lowell #1 -- 2005-05-25

After 122 baseball games in 41 different stadiums we rate Lowell the #1 ballpark for 2004.

Based on our experiences in 2004 The basic rules we have are fairly simple.

Keep ticket prices low Ample free parking Charge a fair price for food. Keep quality high. Keep it fun. Promotions don¡¦t have to be expensive Have a place where the kids can have fun A good staff is priceless Listen to/respect the fans Keep the stadium and bathrooms clean

Our ¡§Best¡¨ List

Best Stadium Lowell Best Hot Dog Reading Best Food Value Reading Best On Field MC I.M. Fun at Frederick Most Fun Promotion tie between the Kids Pillowfighting at Jamestown and Pooper Scooper race at NJ Best Mascot Sherman the Shorebird Friendliest Stadium Lowell Best for Kids Reading Best Food Item BBQ Nachos at Memphis

Lowell Spinners New York Penn League ¡§R¡¨ Overall Rating: A+

Stadium: A

Red Brick makes up most of the stadium. It is very classy look and fits in well with the surrounding buildings. In essence the design and construction of the stadium allows for a link from the past to the present.

In his book, ¡§Baseball Vacation,¡¨ Bruce Adams mentions that fans should sit on the first base line. I think he misses the point. The view on the third base line is of the Aiken Street Bridge and the view on the otehr side of the old brick industrial buildings is better.

The gift store is good sized and they have another one inside the stadium on the third base line, don¡¦t worry they both sell the same items. I liked the game used bats autographed by the players. They have caps form other minor league and major league teams. Prices are very good and I got an Ogden Raptors cap since they didn¡¦t have one there when we visited.

We pick up a bumper sticker for the scorebook, a pin for Karen¡¦s hat, a team set (from last year), two hats (one for the usher at Frederick), Karen¡¦s mini-bat (a blue color she doesn¡¦t have any like) and 2 t-shirts. I talk to the lady behind the counter. Her name is Janet and she has been working here six years. Friendly and engaging she loves her job and would like to keep working here. She also loves the organization and has nothing but praise for it. We put the stuff back in the car and wait in a bench outside the gate.

A radio station is playing music outside the main gate and we just chill. The rain clouds are history and we sit under a wonderful dark blue sky etched by white clouds. It looks to be a gorgeous night for a game. Windy and a little cool but not bad. A cold front is supposed to work its way through the region but we should be ok.

They open the gates and we make our way in. I spot one fan with a red 1971 Nats hat. I tell him that he has a great hat but he does not recognize my 1918 Nats hat. I stop at the information both located next to the main stairway.

When fans enter the stadium they need to walk up to the main concourse then down to their seats. The concession stands and bathrooms are located up on the concourse. A press box and luxury boxes are behind the main seating bowl. Many fans enjoy the view from the concourse. You can see friends getting reacquainted or making new ones enjoying the action. Baseball is a sport that readily lends itself to conversation.

Most seats are box seats that offer ample room and cup holders. Section sizes are small so you won¡¦t be trapped in the middle of one.

There are several concession stands located around the concourse. Lines seem to move quickly thanks to the hard working staff. The staff here REALLY is friendly and dedicated.

The Kids Area is down past he seats on the third base line. A steady flow of people can be seen coming and going from the area. They have a lot of activities that will keep the family amused and entertained.

Atmosphere: A++

The management really gets it here. The staff is accommodating and on field antics fun. Prices are very affordable. You can bring your family and have a great time without having to worry about the credit card bill at the end of the month. I asked several families if they had parks nearby and both said no. We don¡¦t know the area well enough but it might be a good idea to replicate what Harrisburg has down around their stadium.

Fans stomp their feet to generate noise.

Vendors are constantly working the crowd so you don¡¦t have to leave your seat. The bathrooms are and stay clean. I even went back and checked in the 8th inning.

Promotions

Having a staff member take digital pictures during the game and posting the pictures to the web site after the game might be a nice promotion. Then you could have a lucky fan of the game winner.

Why not spotlight staff members before the game on the video board.

T Shirt toss (Several) Riverside Glass Trivia contest (based on program) We are told that they will do lucky numbers on some nights Joust Sumo Dizzy Bat Bristles Cleans the plate Grand Slam Inning Dirty car (but what lot?) Movie Trivia keep tickets or see what is in the box Kids toss for cash

Value: A-

Parking is $4

Tickets

Sellouts are the norm here. Fans are encouraged to check the web site for ticket availability. We would encourage you to come here (you can find a way) and experience why Karen and I love minor league baseball.

Premium Box $7.50 Box $6.50 Reserve $4.50 Standing Room $3.50

Food

Beer $3.50 Ice Cream Large $3.50 Sundae cup $2.00 Ice Cream Small $2.75 Salad $5.00 Pizza Personal $5.00 Beer 20 oz $4.00 Burger $3.00 Pretzel $2.50 Popcorn $2.50 Hot Dog $1.50 Italian Sausage $3.50 Btld Water $2.00 Jumbo Dog** $2.75 Cracker Jacks $2.50 Cotton Candy* $2.50 Nachos $3.00

* The Blue color is better ¡V Karen disagrees and says it¡¦s all the same ¡V sugar! ** Hot Dog rates a 7 on Karen¡¦s tough scale ¡V what makes it special is the New England hot dog roll (first time had one on a jumbo dog ¡V usually just have them for the small dogs) and spicy brown mustard available. Would be even better if onions were available ƒº

Odds and Ends

The players are young and for many this is their first taste of professional baseball. We enjoy this level of baseball. The players are approachable and easy to talk too. The field offers a challenge to some hitters at 337 ft down the third base line and 400 to deep center but a treat to lefties with only 302 feet down the line.

I remember from an earlier visit that parking was a challenge. I commend the team for having parking information on their web site, thanks for making it easy for the rest of us although it was a little tough to get to the park due to the road construction but that is not the Spinners fault and they are to be commended for talking about this on their web site as well.

The program is a large paper one that only costs a $1. They might want to consider offering just a stat sheet for say .50. The stadium diagram lists where the sun sets a nice feature.

Another thing that would be nice is souvenir cups for the large sodas.

We stop at the information desk and ask the young staff member, Shannon, if we can see the General Manager.

Shannon is a delight and we talk to her while waiting for the General Manager. She has been here four years and has nothing but praise for the organization. I am surprised at the loyalty we will find here. The staff loves this place.

Karen brings up another point. Shannon didn¡¦t ask why she just sent for the General Manager. That impressed me too. Just help out the customer, do what is asked.

Staff members all wear nametags and Shannon uses her lettering expertise to put a co-workers name on her shirt. One staff member tells us they wear the names so fans can ask for them by name.

The nickname celebrates the towns industrial past. The first minor league team in Lowell started play in played in 1887, in the New England League. The team was called the Browns, they finished in first place. Their manager Bill McGunnigle had 328 wins and a lifetime winning percentage of .570. He was one of the great early managers. One player on that team (also with Salem that year) would go on to a Hall of Fame career, his name Hugh Duffy and he batted .470.

Karen and Kevin Flynn

Lowell Spinners -- 2002-07-10

Great place to take the family...kids have a great time at this park.

JoeG

LeLacheur Park and Spinners -- 2002-07-02

Only one thing,very interesting....LeLacheur Park and Spinners games has been selling out 90 games in a row, the owner for the Spinners are adding new seats soon. Grady

Grady

Great Park to Visit -- 2002-01-08

LeLacheur Park is a great new ballpark, where the seats are great, and the prices very inexpensive. Lots of parking in the area, and even if you have to pay, it is only a few dollars. The baseball is Short Season A Ball, so don't expect Barry Bonds here, but the games are a lot of fun in a cozy, modern park, with great sightlines and amenities. Worth the trip...

Rick

The Sun -- 2001-09-21

The newish park in Lowell is great, but if you sit on the right field side toward the outfield, bring a hat and sunglasses. In mid-July the sun sets directly behind home plate, from the point of view of the last few sections in right.

Andrew Mattison

Great Baseball for the cheap folk -- 2001-08-16

This is a great ballpark to catch a game. Every seat is close to the action, and it's like a mini Camden Yards. Also it is a very cheap ticket. If you take your family of 4, pay the $3 to park, buy hotdogs, programs, and beverages, you end up spending around $20. Great take.

Billy

Great Place for a Ballgame! -- 2001-07-29

LeLacheur Park is a great place to watch a ballpark. Every seat is great and the tickets are cheap ($3.50-$6.50). There is plenty of parking around and it is a beautiful ballpark.

Jay Leahy

LaLacheur Park -- 2001-05-21

Great park, great atmosphere. A little trick to get to if you don't know the Lowell area. However there are many parking spots within walking distance of the ballpark.

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