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With a metropolitan population of over 565,000 (and growing), Fort Wayne is a city whose architecture seems to belong in a smaller town. As a result, it is not surprising to discover Memorial Stadium, built in 1993 and current home to the Padres' Class A Midwest League affiliate, is a comfortable place to watch a game. However, outside of a very short right-field fence, there is nothing very unusual about the ballpark.
FAST FACTS
Year Opened: 1993
Capacity: 6,516
Owner: Allen County Coliseum Authority
Architect: Richard Moake, MoakePark
Dimensions: 330L, 400C, 330R
Original Cost: $6 million
Playing Surface: Grass
Address: 1616 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Written by: Dave Wright
Photos by: Jim Robins
Memorial Stadium was the home of the Fort Wayne Wizards from 1993 through 2008. The team, now called the Fort Wayne Tincaps, moved to a new downtown ballpark for the 2009 season. In the meantime, Memorial Stadium was torn down.
With a metropolitan population of over 565,000 (and growing), Fort Wayne is a city whose architecture seems to belong in a smaller town. As a result, it is not surprising to discover Memorial Stadium, built in 1993 and current home to the Padres' Class A Midwest League affiliate, is a comfortable place to watch a game. However, outside of a very short right-field fence, there is nothing very unusual about the ballpark.
Not every ballpark can have a Green Monster, ivy-colored outfield walls or a nifty downtown skyline as a background to serve as a lure for fans. Some places need to rely on their wits, good service and a smiling face to make the trip worthwhile. Memorial Stadium is one of those places.
Mike Nutter, the energetic general manager of the Wizards, seems to understand this. From a small but efficient merchandise shop just inside the main door to an usher who actually retrieved a foul ball and handed it to a kid, one gets killed with little kindnesses. No one thing stands out alone but add it all up and you walk away with the feeling people were actually glad you came to visit -- deficiencies in the ballpark not withstanding.
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