June 27, 2024
Pelicans Ballpark (Capacity: 4,800)
Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Final Score: 5 – 0
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Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular beach resort areas in the country as millions flock here each year to enjoy sun, sand, golf and family time. I was one of those as five days were spent on vacation with the wife and kids. It’s a polarizing place as many love it, but others aren’t particularly fond of the busy-ness and the countless kitschy/stereotypical expensive touristy things. However there’s no denying that kids generally love it here and it is a super popular place for families. Myrtle is in the northeastern part of South Carolina, along the 60-mile Atlantic Ocean coastline known as the Grand Strand. The city may only be home to 35,000, but population swells during popular times of the year and the rest of the region is rapidly growing with people moving in year-round. Their lone professional team is the Pelicans, who started play in 1999 as members of the Carolina League (Single-A). They’ve won the league championship four times, with the last one coming in 2016. Their ballpark opened the same year that the team arrived and it temporarily sits without the usually lengthy corporate names that it’s had in the past. Expect plenty of Cubs related stuff (their affiliate), but there are local elements as well to the experience in what is a pretty decent ballpark.
Prestige Ranking: 3 out of 5
Location
Whatever your reason for coming to Myrtle, make it a point to dip your toes in the warm ocean water after walking along the beach. Down Ocean Ave, there’s a lot going on and no matter your age, there’s something out there to experience. This portion of downtown also includes the SkyWheel and it’s panoramic surrounding views. Other stuff that we did with the family included an amusement park, mini-golf and Alligator Adventure. We also checked out “Broadway at the Beach”, a series of buildings that goes around a man-made lake. The main attraction is Ripley’s Aquarium, but there’s other places and restaurants in this area that is geared towards pulling tourists away from the beaches. Broadway at the Beach is right across from Pelicans Ballpark and you could walk there if you wanted (though there’s no need as it is fronted by an entry drive and a ton of parking). Sitting about a mile inland from the water and downtown, the ballpark is close to everything, but secluded in it’s own little section off 21st Ave.
Location Ranking: 7.5 out of 10
Accessibility / Parking
There is highway access along the coast as US-17 connects Wilmington to the north and Charleston to the south. Going inland will probably be via US-501, also a highway, but a long way from I-95. In fact, that primary interstate is 65 miles from MB. Once in town, the community can experience traffic, so be mindful of busy periods. US-17 is commercialized as well and there are plenty of stop lights. Access to 21st Ave is easy and an elongated parking lot is found on the parcel of land behind the ballpark. If that gets full, the lots in Broadway at the Beach are only 5-7 minutes away by foot. Overall, plenty of staff are there to direct you into a spot. We didn’t run into any hiccups getting in or getting out.
Accessibility / Parking Ranking: 7.5 out of 8
Exterior
The primary entrance along the first base side has a muted beginning to the ballpark, though the ticket office has a decent (though oft-repeated) color scheme of brick and green walls. For architecture fans, walk down to where the parking lot is for media, players and those in suites. That is the home plate exterior that you’re used to seeing and it’s worth the trek as awaiting is a colorful hodgepodge on the rounded building.
Exterior Ranking: 7 out of 10
Concourse
While much of the concourse is behind the seating bowl and covered, there are some exposed areas, including those with field views. Back to the main concourse, it is large enough to support the crowds and there is a decent amount of color again, with brick and sea green being the bulk of it. Several TVs around help to keep tabs on the game. On the sides, the main concourse is a little disjointed as to reach the seating area, ramps/stairs are needed and things can jam up on the first base side. Once up here, the corners feature nice spots with open tables and concession stands, all connecting seamlessly with a middle walkway through the bowl. Left field is also walkable. Other features include a kids play area secluded away from the sun, though maybe filled with bugs with all the greenery around? There’s also a poor attempt at a replica Wrigley Field on the other side. Besides the red marquee, this brick area on concrete is only good for a few minutes of kids going around the basepath.
Concourse Ranking: 4 out of 5
Food
Not only are there lots of food options, but by all accounts the quality is pretty good too, better than many other stadiums. The most notable Cubs related nod is at the concession stand and that’s a good thing. The Clark & Addison Grille in the right-field corner has plenty of Chicago-related food items and they’re all done pretty well. That includes an Italian Beef Sandwich and a Deep Dish Pizza Burger. Hidden in this stand (not sure why it’s served here and not elsewhere) is a slice of South Carolina heaven. The Mordecai is a dish of 3 Chicken Bog Balls…a delicacy that is most popular to the Myrtle Beach that is a conglomeration of chicken, rice and sausage. It’s very good and filling. I was also happy to see several seafood items and this includes baskets (served with fries) featuring Shrimp, Clam or Oysters. Also, another Chicago related choice is found at Windy City Wieners. As for alcohol there is wine, seltzer, mixed drinks and beer. I didn’t see too much in the way of local beer, but it was there. Separately, the $25 beer bats were popular.
Food Ranking: 8 out of 8
Interior
Seating consists of a lower 100 section that goes around the infield and then a walkway separates the shorter 200 level, which has 9 sections (compared to 12 below). What most stood out to me was how low the seats were to the ground. When I sat in our 200 section seat, it was startling enough to elicit a “whoa” as the fold down part was way lower than expected. The row height and spacing was just ok in this area. The bookend to the 200 level are bleacher seats (boo) that have a helpful overhang to block the sun. This seemed like an afterthought given that there are support beams in the middle of these sections. Behind all the green seats at the top is a suite and press level. Picnic areas can be found in the corners of the stadium on par with the 100s and it was good to see a Beach Bar that looked the part. There’s also a set of outfield bleachers as well. In terms of aesthetics outside the stadium, the primary one is the large water tower that looms over first base. Why can’t they paint this like they do with the Carolina Mudcats? That would really elevate the overall look. Outside of that, the outfield surroundings are mainly trees with peaks of the tall Myrtle Beach hotels in the distance.
Interior Ranking: 7.5 out of 14
Scoreboard
In left-center is a scoreboard that certainly does not match up with an otherwise decent stadium. Surrounded by ads, the center video screen has plenty of panels malfunctioning, to the extent of not being able to fully make out the lineup card. The screen does not show replays, but it will show promotional videos. Below that is an old-school box score.
Scoreboard Ranking: 1.5 out of 4
Displays
There’s a lot of player focus, but not so much anything on the team. A requisite “Road to the Show” poster can be found in the concourse, along with a more unique display that includes the lineup for each Pelicans opening day. Inside the ballpark on the walls of the suite level are five retired numbers. Lastly, a plaque honors the former longtime mayor of Myrtle Beach, Robert Grissom who pushed for professional baseball in the area.
Displays Ranking: 2 out of 6
Cost
Free parking is a really good start, while tickets are just a bit above the league average as they come in at $14, $17 or $20. Concession prices are odd. How does an Oysters & Fries basket have the same price as a half-pound cheeseburger? ($13). The heartier stuff is fairly set and it’s good to have a plan what you want before arriving as there are plenty of decent choices.
Cost Ranking: 7 out of 8
Fan Support
Teams in touristy markets don’t often do well. Myrtle Beach is an exception as they draw good crowds both from locals and out-of-towners, with the home fans making up a rather dedicated base for their team. The Pelicans are part of a tightly clustered 4-team group within the Carolina League that are annually at the top of the attendance rankings. This Thursday crowd wasn’t quite indicative of that, but a near 50% capacity attendance isn’t terrible. Come playoff time, Myrtle Beach has fared well as their 4,123 average over the last six years is good for second in the league.
Fan Support Ranking: 5.5 out of 8
Atmosphere
There was a good pop when the Pelicans put runs on the board and the crowd seemed ready to cheer (Thirsty Thursday?). They also were yelling when simple fly balls were hit, so yeah, I guess it was more indicative of who was in the park. Otherwise, nothing too out of the ordinary.
Atmosphere Ranking: 8 out of 14
Other Stuff
Normally, I’d really frown upon all the Chicago Cubs stuff in the ballpark as I prefer professional teams to have their own identity, no matter the level. But, it does make more sense here as the Cubs are a national brand, while Myrtle Beach is a tourist destination that attracts people and (maybe Cubs fans) from all over the country…..The biggest fan favorite at the game was Slider, a Labrador Retriever that would fetch discarded bats after each inning……What a great logo the Pelicans have as it incorporates both South Carolina and Myrtle Beach elements beautifully…..I understand different states have different laws, but it is jarring to me that giant signs like this are needed:
Game
An earlier thunderstorm caused a 15-minute delay to what was otherwise a tidy affair. Myrtle Beach only gave up three hits as Jaxon Wiggins and Luis Rujano combined for a shutout. At the plate, Christopher Paciolla’s two-run double in the 6th inning broke a scoreless tie and the Pelicans went on to win 5-0.
Stadium and Arena Visits 
