Oaks Land Spot in Baseball's Top 101 Places
Historic Recreation Park Among 10 Minor League Parks
With phase two of the $11.6MM renovation set to begin this month, it's only fitting that the historic Recreation Park received a spot in Josh Pahigian's 101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out. One of only ten minor league ballparks mentioned among the 101 can't miss locations, Recreation Park was recognized for its unconventional construction, extreme intimacy and new fan dugout. Looking much the way it did in 1967, although not for much longer, Pahigan highlights three standout features of the ballpark. Visalia's original baseball home boasts the first grandstand ever constructed completely out of dirt and then covered with sheet rock. The soil to build the original berm actually came from the trench dug for U.S. Highway 198. As it turns out, the smallest minor league yard in the country may actually have had the best seating all along.
"Amazingly, the first row of the grandstand is less than 20 feet from home plate, and offers fans a chance to call balls and strikes unlike any other they'll ever have, unless of course they enroll at the Jim Evans' Umpiring School in Florida."
In addition, Pahigian's book did not overlook some of the newer features of Recreation Park. As part of the first phase of renovations that was completed before the 2007 season, Visalia added the only dugout just for fans in all of professional baseball. Completely dug-in to the ground, just like the real player dugouts, fans get the rare opportunity to watch the game from the perspective of the player. Perhaps the most intimate and up-close fan experience in baseball, the dugout brings spectators less than 30 feet from the third baseman.
All in all, the list of 101 recognizes ten minor league ballparks, five major league parks (current and former) and a host of other national baseball landmarks. The Field of Dreams, Little League World Series complex, Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Monument Park and Wrigleyville are just a few of the selections at the top of the list.
The beautiful hard cover book can be purchased at Recreation Park for $24.95. For more information please call the Oaks Front Office at 559-625-0480 or email [email protected].
"Amazingly, the first row of the grandstand is less than 20 feet from home plate, and offers fans a chance to call balls and strikes unlike any other they'll ever have, unless of course they enroll at the Jim Evans' Umpiring School in Florida."
In addition, Pahigian's book did not overlook some of the newer features of Recreation Park. As part of the first phase of renovations that was completed before the 2007 season, Visalia added the only dugout just for fans in all of professional baseball. Completely dug-in to the ground, just like the real player dugouts, fans get the rare opportunity to watch the game from the perspective of the player. Perhaps the most intimate and up-close fan experience in baseball, the dugout brings spectators less than 30 feet from the third baseman.
All in all, the list of 101 recognizes ten minor league ballparks, five major league parks (current and former) and a host of other national baseball landmarks. The Field of Dreams, Little League World Series complex, Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Monument Park and Wrigleyville are just a few of the selections at the top of the list.
The beautiful hard cover book can be purchased at Recreation Park for $24.95. For more information please call the Oaks Front Office at 559-625-0480 or email [email protected].