ABC Supply Stadium
Beloit, WI
Review by Mike
ABC Supply Stadium is the home of the Beloit Sky Carp of the Midwest League, a High-A minor league. Located just a foul ball away from the Illinois state line, this sparkling new ballpark replaced aging Pohlman Field in 2021. While the older ballpark may have had a classic look and feel, ABC is an upgrade in every possible way.
The downtown location and ample parking provide ease of access for Beloitians while the stadium itself is open, clean and comfortable. A single-level grand stand sweeps from baseline to baseline, with a large, tiered picnic area along the right field foul line. A grassy berm and family picnic area down the left-field line allows plenty of room for restless kids to run about and chase foul balls while parents get a field-level view right down the line.
The centerfield entrance provides access to the parking lot, but interestingly, the stadium does not feature a 360-degree concourse. Patrons entering through the outfield gate are ushered around the left-field foul pole to the main grandstand. The building behind the concourse has a different look than most modern minor league ballparks. It does not hover over the concourse, but rather sits behind it, presenting a solid vertical face to the field.
Concessions are housed at concourse level of the main building, with suites above featuring small balconies. A large hospitality area occupies the 2nd level space behind home plate. There is open space on the 1st base side, upper level, complete with a roof, but this space is simply covered in tar paper and not used as an upper party deck, a seemingly wasted opportunity, but perhaps there are future plans for this area.
The playing surface is field turf, which is becoming more and more common, but it does look really nice, complete with “mowing stripes” to enhance the illusion of real grass. The Sky Carp, who were once the Snappers, have built a first-class minor league facility to continue the great tradition of Class A baseball in Beloit. My thanks to the friendly office staff who allowed me in for a wander during an off day.
--
2023
228
--
