Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
Lindquist Field 2330 Lincoln Ave Ogden, UT 84401
Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 8,262
Enraptured with Ogden
When it comes to great views in the world of Minor League baseball, few states can compete with Utah. Salt Lake City has Smith’s Ballpark and the Wasatch Mountains. But if you head north from the Beehive State’s capital up I-15, then you’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the small ballpark in Ogden, home of the Raptors. The team is the Rookie League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a relationship that dates back to 2003. The team has also had affiliate relationships with the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos, and St Louis Cardinals over the years.
Overall, the franchise dates back to 1994 in Ogden and has seen its fair share of future MLB stars begin their careers in northern Utah. The list of players includes Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy, Dee Gordon, Russell Martin, and Ben Sheets among others.
Lindquist Field has been the home of the Raptors since 1997. The ballpark is located in downtown Ogden, a town with a population of just over 80,000. Ogden is also home of Weber State University. Lindquist Field resides in the northern end of the Wasatch Mountain Range, and the nearby mountains, combined with the refurbished Ogden Utah Temple, which can be seen beyond center field, makes for a beautiful vista to augment the lovely ballpark.
Rookie Leagues like the Pioneer League are a great place to see a game in general. You will see more mistakes, but the hustle of these new professionals in undeniable. All of this combines for a very good ballpark experience if you make the journey to Ogden.
Food & Beverage 4
While you may not see any unique items at Lindquist Field, what you will find is a good variety and reasonable prices. The ballpark is small enough that it would be a good idea to walk foul pole to foul pole in the concourse that wraps beneath the stands. My recommendation though, once you’ve made your pass to find anything that may appeal to you, is to head up the stand behind the seats along the left field line. Here you’ll discover the Hardball Cafe, where they offer grilled treats including the Raptor Burger (a cheeseburger topped with a spicy Polish sausage for $7.50). Other options include foot long hot dogs ($5), bratwurst ($4.50), and chicken sandwich ($6) among other ballpark snacks.
Pepsi products are offered throughout Lindquist Field, with a large pop going for $4, and a medium for $3. Gatorade and bottled water are also on the menu.
Ogden is a surprisingly good beer town, and the available options at Lindquist Field fit in to that mold as well. Twelve ounce macros are $4, while 16 ounces of Coors and Miller products will cost you $5. If you want a microbrew option, then a 16 ounce pour will cost you $6, while a 20-ounce goes for $8. Doing the math, you’ll want to purchase the larger size of Coors Lite or Miller Lite, while the smaller microbrew option is the better way to go since the price per ounce is the same.
Atmosphere 4
The ballpark fits snugly into one city block so it feels fairly cozy once inside. That said, seats are quite comfortable and rather roomy around the ballpark. The green plastic chairs include cup holders at every seat. Further down the first base side there are also some metal bleachers, with picnic tables and plenty of standing room in left field and center field.
While you’ll see a few between inning promotions, the highlight of the entertainment outside of the baseball is certainly the grounds crew. They come dressed in drag as they drag the field. Get it?
Most important, Lindquist Field is a ballpark where you just want to sit back and enjoy the surroundings. Baseball and the mountains with a local beer and a bratwurst, and you can’t help but feel like life is good.
Neighborhood 4
Lindquist Field is located in downtown Ogden, and there are numerous places within walking distance. You can also find street parking pretty readily, so if you would prefer to explore by car, then that is an option as well.
Beer lovers will enjoy the selection at Slackwater Pizza & Pub. The laidback staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the pizzas are creative, and the beer selection is fantastic.
Continuing along the same theme, another establishment worth visiting is Roosters Brewing Company. They have their own beers on tap, an eclectic menu (including really good fish tacos), and a few TVs near the bar if you want to stay up to date on the sports action.
If you prefer the more traditional sports bar, then check out Brewskis. They have a good selection of beers on tap and plenty of TVs to see any game that may be going on.
Other attractions worth noting include Union Station (built in 1924), which contains several historical museums within. If the family is with you, then you may also want to check out the Treehouse Children’s Museum while in town.
Fans 4
With a season that stretches just over two months, the fans of the Ogden Raptors look forward to the short season at the ballpark. You’ll find a good mix of boisterous fans at Lindquist Field, many of whom seem to know each other. There’s a community feeling, and they are welcoming to visiting and neutral fans as well. The Raptors consistently lead the Pioneer League in attendance, with average crowds hovering around 3,500. Ogden has led the Pioneer League in attendance every year since 2000, drawing less than 100,000 fans in a season only once, when 99,812 fans passed through the gates in 2000.
Access 4
Parking is free with ample street parking around Lindquist Field. Check street signs to ensure you are in an acceptable spot, but you should have no trouble finding parking within a block or so of the ballpark.
Restrooms are reasonably clean and large enough to handle the crowds. I also appreciate that there are cup holders near the urinals. Like it or not, fans often bring their drinks into the restroom with them, and having a place to put a drink is helpful.
There is a small elevator near the home plate entrance which can take fans up to the upper concourse if needed.
Return on Investment 4
It’s hard to beat the price for the views and a ball game at Lindquist Field. Tickets range from $5 for general admission, up to $12 for reserved seats. Kids aged 4-11 pay only $5 or $4, and kids under age 3 are free. When you add in the free parking and very reasonable concessions, then you have an excellent value for your sport’s dollar.
Extras 3
The Wasatch Mountain Range in the distance is well worth an extra point and helps to make this stadium experience special.
The outfield wall is one of the most unusual in minor league baseball due to the small available footprint of the city block. There are odd heights to the wall, and plenty of nooks and crannies, which could result in triples or inside-the-park home runs at Lindquist Field.
Even though the current incarnation of baseball in Ogden has only been around since 1994, the city has plenty of baseball history to draw from. The Ogden Reds were the first affiliate in Northern Utah, and later the team became the Ogden Dodgers. This means that all-time greats have played in Ogden, including Frank Robinson, Steve Garvey, and Bill Buckner. Tommy Lasorda also managed the Ogden Dodgers from 1966-1968.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of minor league baseball is that there is so much to see, and it is a great way to get to know the United States. If you are planning a future MiLB road trip, be sure to keep Utah, and specifically a trip to Lindquist Field in Ogden on your potential agenda. You’ll be in for a real treat.
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