Photos Courtesy of Zach Beeson
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Mel Olson Stadium 1321 SW 102nd St Burien, WA 98146
Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 1,500
Not Your Average Baseball Game
A lot has changed at Mel Olston Stadium in West Seattle. The Fish Sticks began life in 2015 as the Highline Bears in the Pacific International League, a summer collegiate baseball league. After the 2021 season, team management decided to rebrand and consulted the folks and Brandiose in San Diego. However, instead of coming up with one identity, two new logos were created, the Fish Sticks and Seal Slingers.
The club asked social media and the community to vote on their favorite, and after months of promotions, over 5,000 votes globally, the Fish Sticks won with 50.47 percent of the total votes.
The club plays at Mel Olston Stadium, AKA The Fryer. It was built in 1940 and would be the center of the community’s entertainment. It was an all-wooden stadium that held 2,000 people but burnt down as a result of arson on May 22, 1977. That might have been the end of the stadium if not for a local activist named Mel Olson.
He lobbied the county to rebuild the stadium, and on April 2, 1979, a new 1,500 facility opened for business and would bear his name in 1985. However, the stadium needed improvements, and with the help of local groups and volunteers, organized a remodel of the field in 2008. They dedicated the park to long-time community leader and slain officer Steve Cox.
Besides the Fish Sticks, the stadium is also used by Seattle Prep High School, South West Little League, select baseball programs, and the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League.
Food & Beverage 4
The Fish Sticks have almost everything from hot dogs to fish stick po’boys. They sell fish sticks. You can get them by the pack of five or in a po'boy. There are many options at the concession stand, including ballpark staples to Pacific Northwest classics. Let’s look at what many consider some of the best options in summer collegiate baseball.
There are a few ways to order a hot dog. They can be topped with chili, shredded cheese, carmelized garlic onions, mac and cheese, and pulled pork. The Seattle Dog is a regional treat topped with cream cheese and caramelized onions.
The stadium offers nachos and garlic fries topped with pulled pork, nacho cheese, and chili. Mac and cheese and mac and pork bowls are available. Then there are the sammies: fish stick po’boys, pulled pork, grilled cheese, and a Kraken IPA fish sandwich.
The Ice Chest beer garden is in left field just past the concessions. You do need an armband for alcohol consumption which you can get at the front gate/ticket office. The ice chest juts out into foul territory up close to the action on the field.
The lines can get very long as there is only one concession that sells these items in left field, especially the night we went which was dollar beer night. There is another concession stand in right field that sells the ballpark basics from hot dogs, peanuts, and nachos.
Atmosphere 3
The Fish Sticks goal is to leave everyone with an impression they’ll remember. The small West Seattle stadium has been set up as a center of entertainment on game nights with in-game promotions, on-field gimmicks, lively music and PA announcements, a beer garden, and plenty of action on the diamond.
There is an on-field MC to get the crowd engaged. It makes for a vibrant atmosphere with engaged fans. It is an interesting setup for a stadium as the only seating directly behind home plate is the press box. The stadium features two covered grandstands that are separated by a press box.
The bleacher seats hover over the synthetic field turf, and many fans stand against the railings to get a better view of the game. Just down the left field line, fans in the Ice Chest beer garden enjoy beer and wine from local establishments in Seattle and the state.
Fin Crispy, Jr. is the giant fish stick mascot who patrols the grandstand, giving out hugs and high-fives to fans of all ages. His upbeat approach to entertainment can be assessed by the smiles on the kids' faces that chase him through the stadium. He is also on the field cheering on the crowd during certain portions of the game.
The team has a few traditions that include the “first toss”. The honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball. In keeping with the sea theme, when it came time for a t-shirt toss, the mascot and employees rode in a golf cart made to look like a fishing boat.
It also serves as a target for a ring toss game. Another unique between-inning event is the Fin Crispy, Jr. standing on the boat near the beer garden with a fishing net. Fans are to throw a large, plush material fish into the net.
Fans should bring something to wear since the weather can get a little cooler once the sun sets. The team does have an outdoor team shop located near the front entrance. The team offers an abundance of t-shirts, caps, and replica jerseys.
Neighborhood 2
Mel Olson Stadium is in the White Center neighborhood, 8 miles south of downtown. It is a quiet, residential area in the Burien area of Seattle. Not a whole lot going on. There is a community center next to the stadium with outdoor basketball courts and a multi-purpose field.
The neighborhood offers visitors lively and diverse restaurants within a few blocks of the stadium. Tomo (9811 16th Ave SW) serves eclectic Japanese-American fare, Que Chevere (9808 16th Ave SW) offers Colombian-style empanadas, the Crawfish House (9826 16th Ave SW) is known for its shrimp po’boys, and Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th Ave SW) has award-winning IPAs. Enjoy a cup at Dubsea Coffee (9910 Eighth Ave SW) while in the area.
The Fish Sticks also play alongside other Seattle teams during the summer. The Seattle Marines play games at T-Mobile Park, the Seattle Storm are at the Climate Pledge Arena, and the Seattle Cascades ultimate frisbee team play at Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center.
Fans 3
Fan support has been strong the past two seasons; gone are the days of a few hundred fans for a Bears game. They are pretty nice and welcoming, pack the stadium, and cheer at the right times. The team sold out 13 home dates during the 2024 season. The Seattle communities of West Seattle, White Center, Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, Sea-Tac, and Tukwila have embraced the ball club since the rebrand.
Access 4
The stadium isn't very far from I-5 and is easy to find via GPS. The stadium is small and does get crowded on busy nights. The team has set up large signage with arrows to direct patrons. It is advisable to arrive early to find parking in the lot or on the street. There is also a church across the street that also allows free parking.
Return on Investment 4
General admission tickets are $12 a game, and children under 3 are free. The parking is free, but the stadium lot is small and fills quickly. Additional street parking is available, and there are three nearby lots on 13th, 14th,15th Ave SW, and SW 102nd St.
The price of food ranges from $7 for a basic hot dog to $15 for filthy fries (garlic parmesan fries topped with pulled pork, queso, chili, barbecue sauce, salsa, jalapenos, and sour cream). The food, promotions, and merchandise are top-notch and provide fans with quite the atmosphere on a summer night in West Seattle.
However, tickets and concessions are a little on the high side for a summer collegiate team. But it is understandable because of the area of the world in which they play.
Extras 4
The Fish Sticks begin each game with the “first fish”. The honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball. The tradition honors the fish tossing at the Pike Place Market in Seattle.
Fans can pick up a souvenir 32-ounce mug for $15 and refill it for free for the entire season. It works for fans attending multiple games, but also great for sharing with a few children.
Fan Batter of the Night takes place during non-league games. One fan is selected to lead off for the Fish Sticks and will receive a contract for $70 (paid out $2 and the rest deferred until 2034).
Final Thoughts
It is a good time at the Fish Sticks with affordable family fun. Their rebrand from the Highline Bears has proven successful and fans show up.
תגובות