Calvin Falwell Field,Lynchburg,VA
Calvin Falwell Field in Lynchburg,VA is the home of the Lynchburg Hillcats. Appropriately,the field is set on a hill,with a view down to some of the surrounding manufacturing. The stadium and adjacent football field stand on the former Lynchburg fairgounds. It’s basically the same park as constructed in 1939 as part of the Works Progress Administration. The old City Stadium received upgrades in 1978 and 1982,but received a major facelift from 2002-2004 that modernized the park,and give it its new name. Cal Falwell is the “king of Baseball”in Lynchburg,and is responsible for helping this small town retain a team for more than 70 years.
The Carolina League team has been affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1995,and has seen 5 postseason appearances and 2 Carolina League titles in those 15 years. Recently,Lynchburg and Pittsburgh signed an additional agreement to keep the affiliation going through 2010.
It’s a classic A-Ball setup,no seats beyond the bases,witha little covered space behind th eplate –even a couple of skyboxes –and classic local advertising on the OF wall. On our last visit to Lynchburg,we actually tailgated in the parking lot,which brought the GM out to meet with us,and let us borrow a screwdriver to finish our grill setup. It’s not often you get a group to a Carolina League game who wants to tailgate,so we were a bit of a curiosity.
Lynchburg at bat
Lynchburg is a great place to see the game… Nice sightlines,and cheap front row seats right along the baselines are readily available. There really isn’t a bad seat in the house. Concessions are pedestrian –no one food item stands out,really. But that’s OK. If you’re a Lynchburg local,the ballpark could be a regular hangout spot. Small cover charge,reasonably priced drinks,a wide open concourse where you’re sure to meet some people you either want to know,or already know. Just for an added benefit,there’s a ballgame going on just beyond those seats…enjoy!
