Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium 3900 Broadway Everett, WA 98201
Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 3,682
Fun at Funko
The Everett AquaSox are the High-A minor league affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The club had its genesis as a Giants farm team but became the AquaSox in 1995 when they joined up with the Mariners. They currently compete in the Northwest League. Everett Memorial Stadium opened in 1947, with the ballpark renamed Funko Field in 2019 following a naming rights deal with the well-known local pop culture collectable company headquartered in the city. The stadium is owned by the Everett School District and has a capacity of 3,682. In recent years there has been talk of a new ballpark in Everett, however funding and plans have not yet been confirmed.
Everett is located 25 miles north of Seattle in Snohomish County. The city is also home to the Silvertips junior hockey team who play out of Angel of the Winds Arena, which is also likely to host the rumored Arena Football League franchise should it eventuate. Everett has a long history as a centre of aviation. While Boeing moved their corporate HQ from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago in 2018, they maintain a strong presence in the Seattle metro area. The Boeing Everett Factory, the largest building in the world by volume, is located at Paine Field which currently produces the 777 and 737 commercial airliners.
Food & Beverage 3
The concessions can be found on the concourse behind home plate. There’s a good selection of ballpark staples and specialty items including hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, chowder bowls, pizza, ice cream, and snacks. Expect queues during well-attended games, but otherwise the food is reasonably priced and of good quality. We enjoyed the pulled pork during our visit. There’s a solid selection of alcoholic beverages covering both mass-produced domestic and local craft breweries.
Atmosphere 4
The ballpark is in a largely residential area, but the view from the ballpark is of mountain ranges to the east. Several renovations over recent decades have updated both the playing surface and spectator facilities. There’s a charming manual scoreboard beyond right field, and a video board reportedly amongst the newest in the league in center field. The atmosphere is fun and family friendly, with a very active game-day host always willing to liven things up in between innings. The main grandstand offers reserved seating behind home plate and along the first and third baselines. There are also general admission areas further down the baselines and a grassed home run porch in right field. Kids will love the play zone behind first. The team mascot is known as Webby.
Neighborhood 3
The ballpark is about a mile from downtown Everett. The neighborhood immediately adjacent to the stadium is largely residential. There are some chain restaurants nearby. Closer to downtown check out Scuttlebutt Brewing Co while recommendations further afield include Anthony’s HomePort, Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub, Middleton Brewing, The Irishmen, and Blazing Onion Burgers.
While, sadly, Boeing no longer conducts factory tours, aviation enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy the Future of Flight Aviation Center. Paine Field also features a Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum. Hours are limited to be sure to check before you visit. Families should also consider the Imagine Children’s Museum which has a large range of interactive exhibits relevant to the local area along with some great play areas.
Hotels close by include Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, Travelodge, and Best Western. Of course, Seattle is easily within reach by car and offers a huge range of accommodation, restaurants, and tourist attractions – and of course the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
Fans 3
The AquaSox are a solid draw, with average crowds estimated by various sources as around 2,000. The locals support their team well and have a great time doing so. There’s lots of families in attendance.
Access 4
Funko Field is easily accessible by car. The I-5 is less than a mile from the ballpark. Take exit 192 toward Broadway. The South Parking lot is free of charge, but if you miss out there, there is additional parking for a small fee at the office lot (3802 Broadway). Try the King Country Metro if you prefer public transit. However, if you are visiting Seattle, it’s quite a lengthy and time-consuming trip north. The nearest Amtrak station is about 1 mile away downtown. Moving around the ballpark is as you would expect for a small stadium. Bathrooms are satisfactory.
Return on Investment 5
With single game general admission tickets starting at $10 and Diamond Club at $22, the AquaSox represent an excellent value. There are great promotions throughout the season, and with reasonably priced food and beverage, and cheap parking, there’s no reason not to attend Funko Field if the opportunity arises.
Extras 4
The AquaSox have a fun range of merch, players are happy to sign autographs after the game, and there’s a plaque beyond left field marking the spot where Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr’s first professional home run landed on June 17th, 1987.
Final Thoughts
Fun and affordable, entertaining baseball. Visitors to the Pacific Northwest should definitely add this ballpark to their travel itinerary.
Comments