Pelicans in Top 100 Stadium Experiences for Fourth Straight Season
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (JANUARY 8, 2015) - On Thursday, Stadium Journey released its Top 100 Stadium Experiences of 2014, and TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark, the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, ranked 32nd in all of sports, fourth in MiLB, and tops in the Carolina League. Since the publication began ranking the ballparks back in 2011, the Pelicans have been in the top 100, in fact the top 50, in each of the four years.
"We take a tremendous amount of pride when our fan experience is recognized nationally," said Andy Milovich, Pelicans Vice President and General Manager. "It is a testament to our incredible fans who make our experience at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark energetic and fun. Our fantastic staff and ownership help activate the community's excitement each and every night throughout the season, and we would not be recognized without their dedication and hard work."
Once a year, Stadium Journey ranks each ballpark within its own league, across Minor League Baseball, and up against the stadium experiences in all of sports. The ranking list is based primarily on the score of their correspondents, known as their FANFARE rating. This is a compilation score consisting of marks for 1) the ballpark's food & beverage options, 2) the overall atmosphere, 3) the neighborhood around the park, 4) the fans, 5) the access, 6) the overall return on investment, and 7) one category for any extras or special features. They also use the ratings of the site's readers, known as the "crowd score" as the primary tiebreaker.
The Pelicans received four or five stars in every category, with five stars being the highest mark possible. The team earned five stars for Food & Beverage, Neighborhood, Access, and Extras for an overall FANFARE score of 4.6.
Stadium Journey has been ranking stadiums and ballparks since 2011, and the Pelicans have received high marks every year. In September, the publication released its Ranking of the Ballparks in the Carolina League, and the Pelicans came in first for the fourth straight year. TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark also checked in in the top five in all of Minor League Baseball in each of the four seasons when the same publication released its most recent MiLB Ballpark Rankings this past October.
The review of the TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark opens with, "the Pelicans have done an amazing job of catering to both local die-hards and casual tourists. With the massive variety of food options and many entertainment options, TicketReturn.Com Field is easily a premier minor league venue."
The review concludes with, "as anyone who has been there can tell you, Myrtle Beach is a great spot for a vacation, and adding a night out at the ballpark is a no-brainer."
Over the four years since its initial Top 100 Ranking, the correspondents at Stadium Journey have visited over 2,050 different venues.
The Pelicans return to TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in 2015, as they look to defend their Southern Division Championship Title. The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.