Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43
Wilson Park 1007 Solano Ave
Vallejo, CA 94590
Year Opened: 1975 (an educated guess) Capacity: 900
Exploring Pecos League Baseball in Vallejo CA
The Vallejo Seaweed are a member of the independent Pecos League and play their baseball games at Wilson Park in Vallejo, CA (a little over 30 miles northeast of San Francisco).
Wilson Park is city-owned, and the Greater Vallejo Park, Recreation, & Open Space Foundation maintains the park. The park also has youth ballfields, a children’s play area with a jungle gym, and shaded picnic areas. You will frequently see dog walkers along its paths. The Babe Ruth League (youth baseball) also plays games at Wilson Park.
The Vallejo Seaweed played as the Santa Cruz Seaweed in 2021 and 2022. They moved to Vallejo in 2023 and are playing their second season at Wilson Park in 2024. The Vallejo Seaweed has not yet been in the postseason. They battled for a spot in the conference finals this 2024 season but didn’t quite make it.
Food & Beverage 2
One sad-looking concession stand sells basic stadium fare: hot dogs, nachos, chips, ice cream, and sunflower seeds ($2 - $5). Canned beer (Coors Light, Bud Light, Modelo, Michelob Ultra, and Heineken) sells for $5. Canned Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and bottled water costs $2. It’s enough for a snack.
Atmosphere 3
The stadium has three sections (14 rows each) of old dark blue wooden bleachers with two sets of handrails in the main seating area behind home plate. The venue has a welcome feature - some portable seatbacks for fans. The steps are very steep. Those uneasy on their feet should choose the first or second row. Additional sets of bleachers lay beyond each dugout. The grandstand is covered, though you will get some sun during the first few innings. A thick chain link fence surrounds the entire field.
A simple dot matrix scoreboard in left field displays the line score, balls, strikes, and outs. Trees adorn the outfield. The batter’s eye is trees.
The announcer calls the starting lineup nice and slow. Fans keeping score can complete their scorecards unrushed. Irritatingly, the music person plays tunes over the PA announcements, so those who keep score must strain hard to hear the names.
The home side is third base.
The Pecos League has two umpires. It has a ‘pass the hat’ for fans to drop in a few bucks after a player hits a home run. Players in this league get paid a pittance. All the funds from the ‘passing of the hat’ go to the player to help with expenses. One unique aspect of a Pecos League game is that the pitchers bat.
Remember to bring a sweatshirt or jacket as it can get chilly when the sun sets.
Neighborhood 3
The baseball park is two miles from the downtown area of Vallejo. You can enjoy a meal at Provisions (breakfast, lunch, and California beer - this restaurant closes at 4 pm except on Fridays when it stays open until 8 pm) or Bambinos Vallejo (Italian). A mile north of downtown, on the Napa River, enjoy The Sardine Can (seafood).
Try the Mare Island Brewing Co. – Ferry Taproom or the recently opened Vallejo Brewing Company (open for business Thurs – Sun) for local breweries.
The biggest tourist attraction in Vallejo is the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Visitors can experience the educational Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, right downtown. The San Francisco Bay Ferry (passengers only) stops in Vallejo. If you like ferry rides, this activity is something to check out. Vallejo is on the southern border of Napa Valley and Suisun Valley. Many vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms are within a 10-mile drive. I went to the Wooden Valley Winery, and it was delightful. The staff even enjoy talking baseball!!
There are no hotels near the ballpark. You’ll find plenty along I-80 over a mile away.
Other sports to see when in the area include the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics (until the end of 2024), and other Pecos League teams (the San Rafael Pacifics and the Martinez Sturgeon).
Fans 2
Attendance is small but mighty. About 35 – 40 fans (including dogs) attended the game of this review. The fans (human) heartily cheer on their team.
The crowd is fun. There’s a good rapport between the PA announcer and the regular fans. He calls on regular visitors by name to ring their bell.
Access 3
There is no need to get to a Seaweed game early, as the team operations are still in the process of setting up 30 minutes before the first pitch.
The closest commercial airport is San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK), about 35 miles south. Fans in the Bay Area can take the BART (red line) to El Cerrito Del Norte, catch the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Express bus to Curtola Park & Ride, and walk ½ mile to the park.
Upon entry, the team does not have a security check or bag rules. Coolers are not permitted.
The stadium has bathrooms. Bring some extra tissues, in case they’re out. I learned the hard way.
The steps are steep; the facility does not look that conducive to fans with physical impairments.
Return on Investment 3
Parking is free; entry is $10 for general admission (sit wherever you like). Concessions are an affordable $2 - $5. It is an inexpensive evening out.
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Extras 1
The Pecos League is the only league that does not use a designated hitter, following the 2019 National League rules with the pitcher hitting.
Final Thoughts
It’s mostly about the baseball game in Vallejo, not a lot of other bells and whistles. It’s an affordable night out to hear the crack of the bat and see the rise of dust as an infielder fields a ground ball or when a player slides into base. Veteran purist baseball fans should enjoy the experience at Wilson Park.
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