Ron's View - Hickory, North Carolina

L.P. Frans Stadium is one of those new mold stadiums, opening in 1993. We went there as a part of our 1994 MLB strike contingency plan. The stadium is one of those with great sight lines, comfortable seating, and the usual wacky promotions. Being located in North Carolina, two obvious events occured...

1) It was "Andy Griffith Show" night at the ballpark, featuring a fairly decent impersonator of Barney Fife, and the appearance of Howard Morris, the show's sometimes producer and portrayer of the Ernest T. Bass character. They also had a replica of the Mayberry police cruiser.

2) The combination of the new ballpark, good weather, and the Mayberry promotion produced a sellout crowd, of which seemingly everyone, but Scott and I, chainsmoked throughout the game. With tobacco being such a vital part of the North Carolina economy, the accepted practice of no smoking in the seating area was nowhere to be found. Even though we were in the great outdoors, the stench and smell of burning cancer sticks hung heavily in the air - I've been in crowded bars where the smoke dissipated quicker! Needless to say, it affected my enjoyment of the game.

One other item of note - the Hickory area produces about 60% of all furniture made in the USA. Someday I'll get back there to peruse the wares of the furniture merchants. I've heard they make some good quality stuff.