Summer Road Trip Day 3(b) - Manchester, NH
We raced, really raced, up Hwy 3 (listening to the Bisons game on a crystal clear KB 1520 signal from Buffalo the whole time) and arrived at Merchantsauto.com Stadium in the 5th inning. Of course, that game was sailing right along, when lots of base runners, pitching changes and a tied score would have suited us much better.
Merchantsauto.com opened just three years ago, and when we last visited Manchester (back in 2005 for the AHL All Star Game at Verizon Wireless Arena) this was just a big hole in the ground. Sandwiched in between I-293 and the downtown core, there is but one way in and one way out of the place and onto Granite Street.But the signature of the venue isn’t even a part of the stadium itself; a six story Hilton Garden Inn dominates the outfield, and the rooms there surely have a great view of the action. The pool area and patio was pretty crowded with fans watching the game on the field, but even though the hotel property literally abuts the outfield wall, they have nothing to do with the fisher Cats. “we really don’t have a good relationship with them” explained Media Assistant Tim Hough.
Part of the stadium includes the just opened the spacious Samuel Adams Bar and Grill out in left field. Plenty of HD televisions, a long mahogany bar, table and bar seating and a great view of the action. This is the hangout at the stadium, but actually, with the monster wide concourses, lots of concession stands, a small but nicely done Ted Williams Museum behind home plate, this is a pretty comfortable place to enjoy a game with plenty to see and do.
We saw no scoring in this one - it was 2-1 Manchester when we arrived, an even though Connecticut mounted a threat in the 7th and 8th, they could not push the tying run across. The game ended, and in the same night we celebrated yet another USRT accomplishment - all 12 Eastern League venues DONE!
This trip has blown by so fast, and one more adventure awaits - tomorrow we get up early and drive down to the Bronx for our farewell visit to old Yankee Stadium. We plan to park up at the northern end of the 4 line and take the train to the stadium.
Check out the outfield at the home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
JT Lancer Says:August 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Don’t want to imply anything, but you boys sure spend a lot of time together. Can you confirm or deny that there are any hot attractive women in Manchester?
Patrick Says:August 5th, 2008 at 8:35 am
@JTLancer… you are an unbelievable turd.
My boyhood best friend and I spent several summers back in the 90s traveling to stadiums together while in college and afterwards. Looking back now it was one of the best times of my life. Today we both have wives and children… are you implying that perhaps my bud and I are gay because we spent more than a few nights together on those trips, including in a tent at campsites with our butt cheeks propped against each others?
If the USRT guys spent their time in Manchester banging hot chicks, or banging each other (I’m willing to bet the answer is neither) then that’s really none of anyone’s concern. All I do know is how much I like reading this site, following along on stadium adventures that I wish I could be a part of, and all the great reporting.
You guys rock on USRT!!!