The Cleveland Indians home park Progressive Field is one of the best ballparks in all of baseball. Opened in 1994 and reminiscent of Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the former Jacobs Field is a retro and fan-friendly park.
Jacobs Field replaced Cleveland Municipal Stadium, which had the dubious nickname "The Mistake by the Lake." The facility, located just south of Lake Erie, was known for the biting cold winds that would blow into the stadium in winter and, for that matter, during much of the spring and fall.
Because of its proximity to the lake during hot summer nights, its lights attracted swarms of midges and mayflies.
Progressive Field is located a little over a mile from Lake Erie, near where Cleveland Municipal Stadium stood. The Cleveland Browns stadium now stands where Municipal Stadium was located along Lake Erie.
If you attend batting practice, the gates open at 4:30 but you're limited to access to only the seats in right - centerfield. Plenty of balls are launched by hitters into the seats out there. Bring a glove, unless you like bruised fingers.
If you don't want to soak up some rays and watch batting practice, checkout Heritage Park, which is located in the outfield area by Gate C.
It's a must see - the walk-through area honors the Indians and Cleveland's long time baseball history 1869.
At 6pm the gates open to the rest of the ballpark. I asked several staff members for food recommendations. Milwaukee has brats, Dodger Stadium has Dodger dogs, and Philadelphia has cheesesteaks - so I wanted to sample what the former Jake was famous for.
But there seemed to be no consensus at Progressive Field - a hot dog perhaps, one usher responded. One staff member chased me down and suggested a concession stand called Cleats.
At Cleats, I had a cheeseburger and waffle fries. Most ballparks burgers are okay but the Cleats burger was great. I didn't try anything else. The temperature was in the mid 80's and humid, so food was not in my plans.
As I walked around taking photos, many of the ushers and staff members were friendly and helpful. They offered suggestions on where to go and what to see.
Fans are close to the field and the seats are directed towards the infield; there's plenty of leg room and space to move around.
You can see all the action on the field from concession stands except behind home plate on the field level. At least they don't have a black jacket like the new Yankee Stadium does.
Fans around me were disappointed by the lack of support by other Indian fans; they were all more concerned about the Browns and whether LeBron James would return to the Cavs.
It was great to see families with young children at a game without abusive language ignited by beer. The view of buildings in downtown Cleveland enhanced the atmosphere.
Raffles and trivia contests involving fans in between innings keep fans entertained. One young fan eagerly awaited the hot dog race at the end of the fifth inning featuring the ketchup, mustard and onion hot dogs.
Progressive Field is a ballpark located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. On April 4, 1994, the Indians played their first game at the new stadium. President Bill Clinton threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in 11 innings. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
View of the toothbrush-shaped light towers at Progressive Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A monument honoring Raymond Johnson Chapman who spent his entire career as a shortstop for Cleveland. Chapman was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by New York Yankees pitcher Carl Mays, and died 12 hours later in 1920. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
In Heritage Park, plaques honor some of the greatest players in baseball and Indians history like hometown hero Rocky Colavito and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Panoramic view of Progressive Field from the upper deck. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Heritage Park includes three distinct areas honoring the club's past - the Indians Hall of Fame, 38 memorable moments in club history and the Top 100 Indians Roster as selected during the 100th Anniversary Celebration in 2001. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
(Gordon Donovan)
View of Progressive Field from the Indians dugout. The tour of the ballpark will take you in the Indians dugout and on the field; but you have to stay off the Kentucky Bluegrass field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
New York Mets players Jeff Francoeur, Jason Bay and David Wright check out the field before taking some early batting practice at Progressive Field. While on the ballpark tour we encountered the players along with several others. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The New York Mets give congratulations after they defeated the Cleveland Indians, 8-4 at Progressive Field on June 16, 2010. The Mets went on to sweep the three game series. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Cheeseburger and waffle fries with a lemonade - the food of choice at Cleats in Progressive Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
The hot dog race at the end of the fifth inning can get rough as mustard and ketchup hot dogs seek the attention of the diva onion hot dog who won the race. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Located in the center field area of Progressive Field, adjacent to the Market Pavilion, Heritage Park is available to fans before and during games. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
A vendor sells peanuts and cracker jacks in the field level seats during a game between the Tribe and Mets at Progressive Field. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
View of the Progressive Field as the Mets take batting practice prior to the start of a game against the Tribe. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)
Ballpark: A - Great tour and baseball environment. Too bad they always sell off young talent and rebuild. Tour guide knew his team's history unlike other guides who were not as knowledgeable.
Fans & Atmosphere: A - Great ballpark, much like Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Plenty of places to go to after the game. Felt the pain of one fan next to me. As many Met fans as Tribe fans there. My seats were 9 rows from the Mets dugout, $47.00.
Food: B - Cheeseburger with lettuce and tomatoes, waffle fries, large lemonade for $10.25!
Mascot: B - Slider, what in hell is he? Entertained crowd and was great with kids? What in hell is he?
Staff: D - Team store and tour leader were very nice. Vendors and ushers were kind and friendly. Some security guards were just not nice at all.
Team Tradition: A - Very Good; Small market team can't compete with other teams in larger markets. Cleveland is one of the city's oldest baseball traditions, dating back to 1869.
Location: A -Downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Walked everywhere, even to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame. Plenty of bars and restaurants nearby for meals before and after the game.
Photos taken June 16, 2010 using a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.