Appalachian Power Park

In the year since my last review game experiences at The App have gotten better, for the most part. The beer selection is still mostly crappy American macros but the Craft Kiosk usually has local — or relatively local– beer on tap. That’s a plus.
Food-​wise, the pizza has now switched from whatever it used to be (probably Gino’s) to Husson’s and while I’m not a fan my friends seem to like this change, so another plus.
Which brings us to the PA system: somehow, it’s gotten worse. The announcer has decided to add“character” to his player introductions, e. g «Now batting, number twenty two, Ro-​BERT-​to DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-​AZZZZZ» And every player has his theme music. This is not a good thing.
I’m now talking to the players: Look, kid, I know you’re trying, but you’re 18 years old and batting .222 in the lowest A-​ball there is. You do NOT get to have «Enter Sandman» played when you step to the plate. Sorry, but NO.
HOWEVER, there’s now some occasional old-​school organ music, often with a modern twist. Last Monday the organist played the title music to Game of Thrones during an inning break. That’s almost enough to redeem the system.
So, slightly better food and beer, worse PA in general, but cool organ music. I’m adding a star.
For now.

Nice minor league stadium. Parking was easy and reasonable for $ 3. Not a bad seat in the place. Kids enjoyed the small play area behind centerfield. $ 5 per kids to bounce the whole game. The food selection was typical for minors– nothing fancy.

I have to say that it was actually hard for me to rate this ballpark. It kind of reminds me of Consol Energy Park (minus all the aluminum seats) in Washington, PA. It’s got an open seating bowl that’s only about 15 rows deep and has a wonderful concourse that wraps around the entire ballpark. Indeed there’s not a bad seat in the house and we had a terrific view from our seats in Section 110.
So why only a 3 star rating? Well it’s as Robert A says, the PA system here is w-​a-​y overused. There’s nary a moment of silence between pitches and it makes it difficult to simply relax and enjoy the game with a hotdog and a pop the way I do. It’s virtually impossible to have a conversation with the person sitting next to you.
Which is a shame because this ballpark has the potential to be a great venue. As I mentioned, the sight lines are great. The scenery is wonderful too, particularly the old restored warehouse housing the ticket office, clubhouses, and batting cages. The food is typical ballpark fare but it’s reasonably priced – try the Coal Car Café on the first base side. And ticket prices – you can’t beat ‘em at less than $ 10.00 per box seat.
So yes, Appalachian Power Park is worth checking out if you’re a baseball fan and you’re in the area. Just be prepared for a LOT of extraneous noise!

Great place to catch a game. The up close nature of the park really adds to the atmosphere. Feels like a miniature major league stadium. Staff is friendly and the toast man is hilarious. Be sure to sit near home plate.

I have to say, for as few people there were at this ball park, it was one of the loudest minor league baseball games I have ever been to. Mostly because of a couple rowdy people behind home plate (think WV stereotype) — one of which was throwing «toast» to fellow spectators throughout the game. I have no idea where or how he was making his toast (I should have investigated), but you could smell burnt toast the whole game. The stadium was nothing great — seemed a little old and dirty. We had great seats on the home plate side of the first base dugout, but the sight lines were not great due to a metal post and some thick netting. On the plus side: $ 1 beer night!

Fair prices, clean family fun, and America’s favorite pass time all warped up into one.

GO POWER!!!

Even though it’s in downtown Charleston, it’s still a nice little spot.
Good atmosphere and hardly any trouble getting to and leaving the park.
I typically park at the WV Workforce parking lot for $ 3.00 which is better than hunting a free spot and hoofin’ it.
I typically go when free tickets are offered, so I can’t say how good of a value it is with a paid ticket. But the food is relatively typical in price/​taste for a baseball game.
Overall, a very good place to take the kids (unless it’s on Dollar Draft nights!)