The first road trip of the year took me to Wisconsin to see a Northwoods League game in La Crosse (vs Battle Creek).  The game was a lot of fun and the presentation was fantastic.  Here’s a recap of my experience:

June 3, 2009

Battle Creek Bombers vs La Crosse Loggers

Copeland Park (The Lumber Yard)

La Crosse, WI

I ordered a ticket for the game online on the Loggers website (www.LaCrosseLoggers.com).  The experience couldn’t have been easier.  The Loggers use a company called Glitnir Ticketing to handle their online ticket orders.  The site features a map of the stadium which makes it incredibly easy to see exactly what seat you are choosing.  I chose a box seat just two rows behind the visitors dugout on the first base side (more on that in a minute).  I paid an extra $1.50 for the privledge of ordering online, but it was worth it.

I got to Copeland Park about an hour before game time and the place was already jumping.  The attached video will give you a good idea of what was going on.  After filming the video, I got a brat and a soda, and made my way to my seat.  Although I had a very good seat, the sun setting over the Mississippi River (which runs right next to the ballpark) made it difficult to see for the first few innings.  If you make your way to La Crosse to see the Loggers, I would suggest sitting behind home plate or on the third base side of the field.

The stadium itself was built in 2003 specifically for the Loggers.  Although the ballpark is nice, it has more of an impermanent feel than many of the other ballparks I’ve visited.  There’s no stone or brick that would give the place more of a permanent feel.  Instead, the stadium is surrounded by a chainlink fence.  There’s nothing wrong with this.  I’m just trying to give an indication of how Copeland Park doesn’t feel as substantial as some other ballparks.

Parking at Copeland Park isn’t the best.  There is a parking lot that can accommodate about 25-50% of the fans (my guess) and the rest park around the neighborhood in on-street parking.  Having said that, I actually parked in the street right next to the ballpark.

My seat, despite the glare from the sun, was roomy and comfortable.  At Copeland Park, the box seats are the plastic-type with a back.  General admission seats are metal with no back.

Copeland Park offers the usual array of ballpark food (i.e. hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, nachos, peanuts, beer and soda).  The food is good and it’s reasonably priced.  I had a brat and a soda.  I thought about getting some Dipping Dots (ice cream), but decided against it.

The between innings entertainment is par for the course.  I don’t mean that as a criticism.  There’s only so much you can do.  I will say that the Loggers do a good job with the entertainment, but chances are you won’t see anything at Copeland Park that you haven’t seen elsewhere.

The Loggers have a fantastic selection of merchandise.  I bought a long-sleeved warm-up jersey ($35, but worth it because I was freezing by about the 5th inning) and a logo baseball ($3.00).  For some reason, the Loggers do not have all of their merchandise available online.  I’m not sure of the reason for this, but I’m afraid they’re missing an opportunity because they have a large selection of very nice merchandise.

Dan Kapanke, the owner of the Loggers, and Chris Goodell, the GM, do an outstanding job of hosting fans to the ballpark.  All of the staff members are very friendly and well-trained.  Seeing a game at Copeland easily equals attending a minor league game and far exceeds the experience you’ll have at many collegiate league games.

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