| When I originally stopped by Herschel Greer Stadium in 2001 to snap some photos, I really didn't think that Nashville needed a new ballpark. But six years later when I visited, it was obvious that the ballpark was deteriorating and that baseball could probably not last much longer in Nashville without a new ballpark. As of 2006, a new downtown ballpark appeared imminent, but in early 2007 the funding fell through. So the Sounds are stuck playing at Greer for a couple more years at least. One of the few 1970's ballparks left, it is a great example of how architects back then put no creativity into ballpark design. It is located a few miles south of the city in a very nondescript area. There is no view to speak of nothing that gives you a hint as to where you are. The seating bowl, split by a walkway to the concourse, extends from the right field line to the 3rd base bag. Most of the seats are fold down chairs, though there are a few sections of bleachers on the first base side. The box seats are cramped and uncomfortable as there is very little leg room. And the bleachers you sit in at your own risk. The floor boards appear to be rotting, so it is surprising that they haven't been condemned. Picnic areas are located in the left field corner and behind the right field fence. The partially covered concourse runs behind the seating bowl, out of view from the field. There are plenty of concession stands, though apparently all are not open every night. One nice touch is that the team has named all the stands after famous Sounds players like Don Mattingly, Rob Dibble, and Cecil Fielder. Concession options include brats, chicken sandwiches, and BBQ. The quality and prices are both about average. Another option for food is the restaurant/bar located high above home plate. The most noticeable and unique aspect of the park is the guitar shaped scoreboard in left field. Unfortunately, the team has started to neglect this as well as there are numerous lights burned out and one whole side of the scoreboard no longer works. For a AAA park, there is a bit more nonsense between innings than you'll find at other places. One interesting (and appropriate) game they played was the "dizzy guitar" race. The team also has a mascot, Ozzie, though he wasn't seen much after the first inning. Perhaps it was too hot for him the night I was there. There is also a play area for kids, though it is located in the parking lot on the third base side, so doesn't really feel like it's part of the park. Herschel Greer Stadium is definitely not a park going out of your way to see, especially now that the team seems to be neglecting it almost completely. Finally, after many proposals and negotiations, Nashville will finally be getting a new downtown ballpark in 2015 - it will be located on the same same site as Sulphur Dell.
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