Criswell Automotive Field
Gaithersburg, MD
Review by Gary
The header on the Gaithersburg Giants website welcomes visitors with the sentence, “Sweat Makes the Green Grass Grow.” At first, this sounds like a noble cheer, but then one wonders what the health of the grass has to do with the effort of the team. Regardless, these Giants are members of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (CRCBL), having perspired at Criswell Automotive Field in this Maryland suburb since 2013.
Located 25 miles to the northwest of Washington DC, Criswell Field is situated in Kelley Park alongside an artificial turf soccer pitch and a smaller baseball field, the latter of which can be seen beyond the outfield fence among a large grove of mature trees. The ballpark is nestled in a sea of neighborhood homes not far from the intersection of I-270 and I-370.
Many spectators driving to a Gaithersburg Giants game can park at the adjacent elementary school or at the Kelley Park lot, but may have to contend with soccer fans and players trying to get to their own game, thus limiting parking availability.
Highlighted by an incredibly tall backstop fence held up by seven tree-trunk like monolithic poles, the Giants ballfield offers numerous viewing angles. Fans can pay the nominal admission to sit on their choice of four aluminum bleachers protected by the somewhat thick-linked black fence or on the grassy hill that runs up beyond two gravel driveways along the third base line. Home plate is set back close to the fence and the bleachers are right up to the action behind it.
Both field level dugouts are covered and fenced in with the same black metal that surrounds the ballpark. A concession stand with press box above it is set back from home plate with room for fans to bring seats or stand up close to the backstop fence. Picnic benches are provided on the raised concrete slab in front of the building so guests can enjoy their ballpark food while still being able to see the sudoriferous Giants do battle in the June and July heat.
Seeing a Giants game at Criswell Automotive Field looks like a pleasing respite from the hubbub of battling DC traffic to see the major leaguers play. One may even get to watch the grass grow while the Giants exude nourishing perspiration.
2024
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