The Salem Avalanche, a Single A affiliate of Houston, plays in Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. Outside the main entrance to the stadium is a memorial to the military forces. The stadium was dedicated in May 1996 and seats 5,503. The stadium is located in a sports field complex along with a football stadium and several other baseball/softball fields. We feel this is the best Single A stadium we have seen up to this time on our tour. All seating areas have seats that appear to be wider than what we have sat in previously. There is a two step rise between seats in the reserved areas and a three step rise between seats in the upper general admission area. The two main concession stands open on three sides which we have not seen before. Concession stand food prices are very competitive. The souvenir shop is named the Igloo Souvenir Store and is located in a building behind the stands. The only negative items are that there are not cup-holders on the seats and there is no covered seating area for sun or rain protection. The Avalanche was playing the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Initially we had been told that this was to be a doubleheader, but because of minor league rules they could not play doubleheader games on three consecutive game days. If they had done this they would have had to play 42 innings in three days. Instead they played 41. The Avalanche, fresh from winning three of four in two doubleheaders over the weekend, stretched this game to 13 innings before a bases-loaded infield single gave them a 5-4 win. The game took 3 hours and 37 minutes. The box score was Blue Rocks R-4, H-8, E-1 and Avalanche R-5, H-11, E-3. The field lines are RF & LF-325' and CF-401'. Attendance at this game was 2,114 in the stadium that holds 6,300. The Mason's Cove Yankees little league team took the field with the Avalanche players for the National Anthem. These little leaguers are 6-8 years old. Mugsy, the dog, is the mascot. This year he has been joined by Bagwell, a real dog. One of the between inning activities is "Musical Toilets". Two of the weekly promotions occur on Tuesday with 2 for 1 deal on box & reserve seat tickets and Thursday with 12oz beverages for $.75. Jim would like to thank Tim for giving him the Minor League Baseball annual poster. 2009 affiliated with Boston Red Sox and change name to Salem Red Sox with new logo. Stadium in 2014 or before changed to Lewis Gale Field.
Attractions
In nearby Bedford
The National D-Day Memorial honors the Allied forces that participated in the invasion of Normandy during World War II. The town of Bedford had the highest per capita loss of life on D-Day than any single community in the United States.. Tickets are available at the Bedford Area Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Rd.