Go green at Modesto's 'nutty' ballpark

MODESTO, Calif. -- At first glance John Thurman Field, the home of the Class A Advanced Modesto Nuts, may look like your typical Minor League ballpark, and in many ways it is.

Aluminum bleachers stretch halfway down the right- and left-field lines, eventually giving way to standing room along the fences for fans eager to get closer to the players and action.

The concourse is on the ground level, offering the regular slew of ballpark refreshments for the weary fan. And the outfield wall sits isolated in the distance with no seating beyond, cutting down on the chances of snagging an errant home run ball.

But it's this old-school flavor, coupled with major renovations in 1997, that helps Modesto's ballpark blend the old with the new for a unique baseball experience.

Nestled on the outskirts of Modesto, Calif., a city not-so-well known for being the world's leading producer of walnuts, John Thurman Field sits adjacent to a community golf course, which provides a lush, green backdrop to its two surrounding parking lots.

Upon entering the stadium, fans are greeted by greenery, which is everywhere along the concourse. Flowers and trees break up the bleachers in the background, making you wonder if you're at a ballpark at all.

Thankfully the smell of hot dogs and other ballpark favorites paint a pretty clear picture. Food and drink is located along the concourse under the bleachers, along with a California League rarity -- an elevator.

While the elevator takes you to the top of the bleachers behind home plate -- and behind the press box -- it's still something different for a Class A Advanced ballpark.

If you're looking for more than an elevator ride before taking your seat for a ballgame, the Nuts' team store is also near the stadium's entrance. With a unique name like the Nuts, passing on team gear is tough, especially the Al the Almond plush toy.

But why settle for a novelty? One of the perks of taking in a game at John Thurman is that the team has not one but two mascots. Al the Almond can be seen wandering the stands along with fellow foam buddy, Wally the Walnut. It's tough to find a better photo opportunity in the Cal League.

The best seats in the house are behind home plate -- avoid the third-base line seats unless you want the sun in your eyes -- where fans can truly get a sense of how deep the outfield wall is by glancing at the new giant video screen along the left-field wall, which is a new addition for this season.

The video screen and scoreboard give John Thurman a big-league feel, and it helps with the inning-by-inning promotions going on during the breaks.

Fans looking for a bit of excitement off the field can take the kids down to a play area along the right-field line, past the bleachers. Also in the area is the bullpen, where fans can get up close and personal with relievers and closers to talk baseball, especially during breaks in the game.

Along the third-base line is a patio area to sit and enjoy the game, which also offers a break from the sun. Both standing-room areas past the bleachers are ideal for shagging foul balls.

So, if you're looking for a great place to go nutty on a summer afternoon or evening, unless you're allergic there's no reason to avoid John Thurman Field.