Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
Radford Baseball Stadium 101 University Dr Radford, VA 24142
Year Opened: 1962 Capacity: 56,000
Upscale Baseball in Rural Virginia
Radford Baseball Stadium in Radford, VA is home to the Radford Highlanders of the Big South Conference. The venue opened in 1986 as Radford Baseball Field, but the name was changed in 2011 after the stadium was almost completely rebuilt during renovations beginning in 2008. The stadium is also used for baseball camps as well as high school baseball tournaments.
Food & Beverage 2
The stadium has a single mobile concession stand, which they move around to different sporting events at Radford. Hot dogs are $3, or $3.50 if you add chili, and nachos are $4 for basic and $5 loaded with onions, chili, and jalapenos.
Popcorn and peanuts are $3.50, sunflower seeds are $2, and chips and candy are $1.75 – chip options include Ruffles, Bugles, and Chex Mix, while “candy” options include powdered donuts, cookies, Honey Buns, Starburst, M&M’s, Skittles, and Snickers. Drink options include PowerAde for $3.50, Coke products in cans for $2, and bottled water for $2.50. Coffee is also available. Note that the concessions are cash only, and no outside food or drinks are allowed.
Atmosphere 3
While small, Radford Baseball Stadium is a decent venue that feels modern, thanks to a brand-new press box and PA system, and bucket-style seats in all areas. The sightlines are good, and you can get really close to the action thanks to the size. The field is built alongside a small rise, and many fans sit or stand there to get a better view of the outfield – admission to Radford baseball games is free, so this is a preference, not a money-saving move (undoubtedly if admission wasn’t free the administration would find a way to prevent fans from watching from there). The field is also adjacent to New River if you are in the mood to take in some nature, and there is a baseball practice field next door that is a hit with the kids.
Neighborhood 3
Radford Baseball Stadium is part of the Radford Athletics Complex, which includes the baseball field, softball field, basketball arena, golf course, tennis courts, soccer field, and track & field venue. There are a number of restaurants nearby, many of which offer fast food, but there are also a few small local eateries, and several pizza parlors (it is a college town after all).
Probably the best option for before or after the game is BT’s on Tyler Avenue, a happening restaurant near campus that offers cheap beer, daily food specials, multiple TVs, and drink specials between 5 and 9 pm. A little on the loud side, BT’s provides a great atmosphere, and offers your typical bar & grill type fare, including burgers and wings, but also serves up some unique items such as the Porky Potato, a deep-fried spud piled with barbecued pork.
Or, if you are looking for something truly unique, stop by Highlander Pizza for a Pizza Cone; Highlander Pizza is a local chain named after Radford’s mascot, and their unique menu item is exactly what its name implies – an ice cream cone made of pizza dough stuffed with cheese, sauce, and pizza toppings.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of sightseeing in the town of Radford, but there are a couple of parks and the Glencoe museum, which is your typical small-town museum showcasing the history of the local area. A potentially more interesting option, if you are willing to drive about an hour east, is the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, which is well worth a visit.
Located on Overlord Circle, the Memorial was dedicated in 2001 by then-President Bush and is made up of numerous sculptures across three plazas representing the planning, invasion, and victory. Viewing the Memorial will cost $10 per person, which is tax-deductible.
Fans 3
At a typical game, the stadium is probably half or two-thirds full, and the fans are really into the game, cheering on their team and booing the umpire’s bad calls. There are lots of Radford red to be seen, although there are also a number of visiting fans, which makes sense as several of Radford’s Big South foes are located only a few hours away – Liberty University being the closest. The venue is far too small to offer any type of team store, so fans will need to bring their own Highlander hats, jackets, and t-shirts.
Access 4
Right off of I-81, Radford University is easy to get to. There are plenty of signs pointing the way, and lots of logos touting the university once you get to campus, so you know you are in the right place. As mentioned earlier, the baseball field is part of the Athletics Complex, so there is plenty of parking because the complex was designed to support much larger venues like the Dedmon Center (home of Radford basketball), which has a capacity of over 5 times that of the baseball stadium, and is located right next door.
Parking is free, and the bathrooms are easy to get to since RBS is so small – there are two for women and one for men, and while they aren’t very big, they are more than sufficient to accommodate 700 fans (and usually less).
Check out the video below to see more of the complex:
Return on Investment 4
Admission is free to Radford baseball games, as is parking. Concession prices are reasonable given the options, in fact, the same items here are much cheaper than they would be at a larger facility elsewhere (most likely because RBS doesn’t cost a lot to run, so additional revenue is not needed). The seats are comfortable and the atmosphere is decent, so a visit to this venue is well worth the cost.
Extras 2
One point for the many different vantage points – the rise that runs alongside the third baseline allows for some pretty unique views of the game. Looking down from above provides a unique perspective that you can’t get at most parks, and also lets you get some great shots if you bring a camera (or your Smartphone).
Another point for the practice field next to the park – bringing kids can be a hassle for parents since children don’t always have the longest attention spans, so having an activity they can engage in while you cheer on your team is a godsend.
Final Thoughts
Radford Baseball Stadium is a better stadium than you would expect from a small school in a small town – modernized due to recent renovations, it features great views of the game as well as beautiful natural scenery, and is well worth a visit if you are in the area. The experience is practically free since there is no cost for tickets or parking, so this is the perfect option for an outing with family or friends.
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