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The newest of the ballparks that I have seen in 2001 belongs to the team that brought you the quirky, cool, consumer friendly logo before team logo and nicknames became en vogue. Yes, the Chattanooga Lookouts have replaced their former home, the aging relic Engel Stadium, with the aesthetically pleasing, and corporate sponsored, BellSouth Park (renamed AT&T Field in 2007).
Built in time for the 2000 season, and following the tide of new ballpark construction that has swept the nation, Chattanooga's new baseball showpiece is a sight to behold. It also, according to the team's souvenir program, is responsible for the rejuvenation of "the spirit of baseball lost in historic Engel Stadium." I do have fond memories of Engel Stadium, which was built in 1930 and still stands a few miles south of the Lookouts' new home. I saw my first minor league game ever in Chattanooga in 1997, and three of the four minor league games that I had seen in my life prior to this year were at Engel Stadium. The last of those games was on August 10, 1999 when I caught my first baseball during a game, a home run hit into left field by Brady Clark, now of the Brewers. Despite good memories of Engel Stadium, BellSouth Park is a major upgrade, especially in the all-important areas of location, location, and location. Following the lead of some big league cities, Chattanooga's new $10 million dollar stadium is a part of the revitalization of the downtown area. The predecessor to BellSouth Park was located in an older neighborhood a few miles outside of downtown. Now, the ballpark sits atop "Hawk Hill," offering a beautiful bird's eye view of the Scenic City. From its perch atop the hill, BellSouth Park offers a glimpse of the mountains past the left field fence, while overlooking the Tennessee River and Tennessee Aquarium beyond and below right field. The stadium itself is uniquely designed so that virtually all of the seats are on the first base side, with the seats stretching into right field. Although I really like the design, one bad aspect about the seating is that they jut down the right field line, obstructing your view of balls hit down the line if you sit past the first base dugout. The nostalgic look can be found as brick walls surround the field, a la Wrigley Field. One of the ideas retained from the Engel Stadium days is the Chattanooga cho-cho train located behind the right field wall, which appears when a Lookout player homers. The most unique aspect of the Engel Stadium experience was the hill in center field, since copied at Houston's Minute Maid Park. Now the only hill you will find is the one that leads you up to the stadium, and Chattanooga's playing field has your typical outfield configurations. The night I was in town coincided with the appearance of the Famous San Diego Chicken. It was the first time I had ever seen the antics of the world-renowned mascot, who still had a long line awaiting his autograph after the game was over. I also discovered that Pete Rose Jr., on the team in '97, was still playing baseball for the Lookouts in 2001. Although Pete Jr.'s career is on the downside, there is no doubt that interest in baseball in Chattanooga has been buoyed by the new ballpark. As more and more teams strive to sell the entertainment value and family atmosphere of a night out at the stadium, fans are becoming accustomed to, and will demand, playing facilities such as BellSouth Park. And that is a good thing, because this venue is a great place to watch a ballgame.
ParkingDiscounted to $2 at nearby downtown parking garages on game night.
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