August 18, 2013
Metro Bank Park (Capacity: 6,187)
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg Senators vs Portland Sea Dogs
Final Score: 1 – 2
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* Metro Bank Park has been renamed FNB Field
** The stadium was re-visited on April 21, 2024
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My 12th Eastern League ballpark visit came in Harrisburg and at the initial time of the review, it completed a trip to every stadium in the league. The capital city of the Keystone State is appropriately located in the middle and despite the small population (49,000), Harrisburg has a large downtown more reminiscent of a mid-sized city. Part of that make-up is the governmental section that includes the capitol. Harrisburg was home to a successful Eastern League team in the 1920s and 30s, though a flooded ballpark ended that run in 1936. After dabbling with a few teams the next couple decades, the league would not return to the city until 1987. Harrisburg honored the previous incarnation by using the Senators nickname and they promptly won the championship in their first season. They would go on to win four more league titles in the late 90s, all in consecutive years. In 2010 – 2011, the place was abuzz with Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg passing through town. Since then, it’s been awhile for this Washington Nationals affiliate to taste success as the last ten season have seen the team make the playoffs only once. Opened in the franchise’s first year, Metro Bank Park (formerly Riverside Stadium) has the distinction of being on an island. Extensive renovations between 2008 and 2010 essentially rebuilt the park and it went from one of the league’s ugliest to one with the most character.
Prestige Ranking: 3.5 out of 5
Location
Harrisburg sits along the wide Susquehanna River and in that river are occasional landforms of trees and rocks. Right across from downtown is an island known as City Island and this recreational spot attracts those going for a walk or run and it also draws families (perfect for the minor-league baseball crowd). Included on the Island along with the ballpark is a trolley, mini-golf and the “Pride of the Susquehanna”, a paddleboat that goes up and down the river. The place is a little run-down and more barren than it feels like it should be, but it is still enjoyable. Visitors can also walk from City Island to downtown via the historic pedestrian Walnut Street Bridge (locally known as Old Shakey). In the architecturally interesting city, checking out a free tour of the capitol is great and right next door is the State Museum of Pennsylvania. While the Island has no spots for food or drinks, there are plenty of choices a ten-minute walk across the bridge up 2nd Street.
Location Ranking: 7 out of 10
Accessibility / Parking
It seems that most of Pennsylvania’s major roads (I-76, I-81, I-83, US-322) all converge on the capital making for a simple drive. City Island has signs and getting there across the Market Street Bridge from downtown is easy. Two parking lots and a garage provide 2000 spaces, seems to be just enough. If not, garages are found on the other side of the river. Walking to the ballpark is more time consuming than a lot of other minor-league ballparks…and it is uphill from the Island lots. Squeezing cars back onto the small bridge can take time, but the Senators at least seem to have the exit procedures down to a science. Traffic elsewhere is minimal.
Accessibility / Parking Ranking: 6.5 out of 8
Exterior
While there is no grand introduction, the Senators have done what they could by building a left-field corner entrance. The back of the team store frames the left side, which includes the box office and windows displaying the team’s championships. A steel overhang above the entry steps and ramps feature a small sign at the front denoting Metro Bank Park as Home of the Harrisburg Senators. Meanwhile, behind home plate where a traditional entrance would be, fans walking in this area see the exposed open concourse and suite level.
Exterior Ranking: 5 out of 10
Concourse
After passing through the main turnstile, an open-air section includes picnic tables, a large team store building and a concession stand featuring “The Spot” (where I had a delicious Rendell Burger) before leading to the nice “Boardwalk”. With more picnic tables along the side, the walkway straight ahead leads to the seating bowl and then acts as the space splitting seating levels. Branching off to the left while near the main entrance, the boardwalk is 360 degrees as it goes all around the outfield. Along with being able to stand and see the game, there are bar-style chairs with counter-top seating. Both of the mentioned areas also include some remarkably close spots to each bullpen. Back behind the main stands of seating, there are two levels of concourse and a plaza behind the first base bleachers that has a lot of open space and includes a Kids Zone. The underneath concourse behind home plate is quite dark and mainly empty, while a level above is a more traditional spot that features the usual amenities. There is also a decent view of the river and downtown. The only thing preventing a perfect rating is the desolate and dreary space behind home plate at ground level.
Concourse Ranking: 4.5 out of 5
Food
Food features typical stadium items with some enhancements here and there. Arooga’s Wing Shack has been a mainstay at the park and their special sauce is pretty good when combined with wings. I’ve eaten at “The Spot” twice to mixed reviews as I’ve had a decent burger and a really sloppy cheesesteak dominated by chili sauce. Finally, there is a barbeque stand that includes Brisket and Sausage. Troegs is a popular craft beer and the nearby Hershey product has plenty of choices at the ballpark. Other local varieties include Englewood Brewing and Ever Grain Brewing.
Food Ranking: 5.5 out of 8
Interior
Walking into Metro Bank Park gave me the impression of an updated band-box stadium with the island being the restriction. The main grandstand behind home plate is split-level and steep which offers excellent sightlines. It is relatively small by today’s standards which may help generate some of that cozy feel. A roof covers much of the upper-half and immediately behind the top seats are suites and a press box. The first three sections behind home plate are reserved for club seating and set inwards a bit from the walkway is a lounge and indoor buffet. The comfortable and wide green seats are set on aluminum which is less preferable than concrete. Aside from the cheap bleachers on the first base side, the rest of the park features neat, small individual-seat sections along the field only 4-6 rows deep. Two of these can be found in the outfield (though the Ollie’s Furniture advertising in the left section is overboard). There is even a set of ‘dugout suites’ right next to the visiting dugout. Beyond the wall are just trees and it is a shame the park wasn’t turned around to face east towards the river and Harrisburg skyline. Comparing pictures from what the stadium previously looked like, changes made turned it into a brand new stadium. Thankfully it is nothing like the cookie-cutter parks of the 90s and this one certainly fit my liking as it is different in a good way.
Interior Ranking: 11.5 out of 14
Scoreboard
In right-field is a scoreboard that is highlighted by a video screen in center. When I re-visited 11 years later, this display certainly lost some luster as I was far less impressed the second go-round given what I have seen recently at this level of baseball. Additionally, the layout was very cluttered and the dated box score at the bottom wasn’t all that easy to read. The screen had a few replays and for in-between inning contests, the whole screen was used for video. Complimenting the main scoreboard are two long horizontal video screens in the outfield that include out-of-town scores and player stats.
Scoreboard Ranking: 2.5 out of 4
Displays
Spread out through the walkways are various little displays and touches that give the park some nice local flavor. I especially like the display of championships shown right at the entrance. Adding some uniqueness is the Bobblehead Hall of Fame, a neat way to honor past players. These bobbleheads are life-sized (a bit of a misnomer) and each year, a new player is inducted as they get one of these beauties in the concourse. On the above wall is an older “25th anniversary All-Time team). You’ll also find banners along the Boardwalk featuring plenty of former Senators turned Major Leaguers. A couple other things I really liked: the huge picture murals of historic teams and images at the entrances to each bathroom (I must have looked like a creep viewing it in front of each bathroom) and the list of all-time home runs hit into the left-field seats which included when and who hit it.
Displays Ranking: 4.5 out of 6
Cost
On the weekend, if you arrive early enough to City Island (which I did) parking is free! Otherwise it is $5 for the game, which is average for the minors. Garages across the river do cost a bit more. Tickets have gone up to $13 – $19 and that too is typical of an Eastern League game. Club seats at $38 are a good deal given that it includes food and indoor space. Some concession prices have come up a lot in 2024 with a Cheeseburger now $8.50 along with a local beer and it is off-putting that they do not include sales tax in their prices. Hot dogs at least were only $3.50 and there was a Kids Meal option for $6.50.
Cost Ranking: 7.5 out of 8
Fan Support
While there is a nice amount of families and season-ticket holders at the games, the team does not have the strongest fan base. Each Sunday that I’ve attended has featured a couple thousand on hand, though each time the weather was not the greatest. Occasionally, there will be a few sellouts and larger crowds during the course of the year. Harrisburg ranks in the lower half of the league attendance standings and playoff attendance in 2019 (averaged 3,000) was similar with league ranking.
Fan Support Ranking: 4.5 out of 8
Atmosphere
Kids make the most noise here and the scoreboard prompting of course is what really gets them going. There isn’t too much from the other fans except when a play dictates some cheering. The noise generated during those instances was pretty good thanks to the sound-inducing aluminum everywhere and the roofing that accentuates the decibels. Game production is laid back, something I appreciate, as you’ll hear plenty of organ and not much zany sound effects before each pitch. Occasionally hurting the atmosphere are the many fans that root for the visitors. Many locals are fans of the Phillies or Orioles and you’ll also find handfuls in the area that are staunch supporters of the Yankees or Pittsburgh.
Atmosphere Ranking: 6.5 out of 14
Other Stuff
Frequenting the ballpark in the warm weather are mayflies and these insects are so prominent that they are even incorporated into the team’s alternate logo. They are harmless, but can become quite plentiful and annoying on a summer night. Given that I’ve been here for games during the day, they were never a problem for me…..Flooding can be an issue on City Island and in September 2011, the Susquehanna had severe flooding, which inundated the ballpark. It forced the team to move their home playoff games…..In 1999, the Senators had one of the most incredible walk-off hits of all-time. In Game 5 of the deciding championship series, the team trailed Norwich 11-8 in the bottom of the 9th with two outs. Milton Bradley came to the plate with the bases loaded and on a full count he hit a Grand Slam to win the team’s fourth straight title in remarkable fashion……Special thanks to Nate DeFazio on the first visit.
Game
Most of the action took place in the fifth inning and it was Portland that took advantage of miscues. An error, bunt single and walk contributed to two runs, while in the bottom half, Harrisburg’s Carlos Rivero hit a home run. The Senators came close to tying it in the 9th, but left two runners stranded. Portland’s Keith Couch pitched a complete game gem only needing 96 pitches.
Stadium and Arena Visits 
