The Cleburne Railroaders, a team of the independent American Association League, play at The Depot at Cleburne Station, which opened in May 2017 and was built in 10 months. This is the newest stadium that I visited on this trip. It has a capacity of 3,200. The Railroaders were playing the Salina Stockade and were shut-out 7-0. The box score was Stockade R-7, H-11, E-0 and Railroaders R-0, H-3, E-1. The Salina, KS Stockade is a traveling team this year and does not have a home stadium. The field lines are RF-320', RC-370', CF-400', LC-372', and LF-335'. The field is synthetic turf, except the pitcher's mound. The outfield is colored two colors, so it looks like real grass that has been cut. This is the first time I have seen this. This is a multi-use field with soccer markings. It was built with bond money. There is a grass berm down both baselines and bleachers for the baseball season only in right field. There are 6 suites, one upper large club suite on the 3rd base side for a group or individuals and an upper party deck on the 1st base side for a group or individuals. There is a full screen video board. The bullpens are in right center field. The foul poles have sponsoring information on them. The mascot is Spike. Don Broyles who is standing in front of the caboose is the stadium ambassador. I spoke with Bill Adams, Assistant GM, who introduced me to Mr. Broyles. A pair of Mr. Broyles baseball cleats are in the museum. Mr. Broyles introduced me to Cleburne mayor, Scott Cain. Mr. Cain showed me the excellent museum telling about the Railroaders. The Railroaders started in 1906 in Cleburne, but after only one year and a championship the team moved to Houston, ultimately becoming the Colt 45s and then today's Houston Astros. I would like to thank Scott for the autographed copy of his book Cleaburn Baseball--A Railroader History. Scott's plan for next year is to add two Pullman cars between the engine and caboose down the 1st baseline for groups. For a between inning activity a fan gets to try to hit the broad side of a barn. They get three swings at a baseball on a T to hit the side of a barn that is towed in to center field. A common T-shirt seen as the stadium has written on it "A Small Town With BIG GAME". I enjoyed my evening at The Depot.
Attraction
Layland Museum of History--The museum interprets home and family life in north-central Texas from the prehistoric period through 1970. Exhibits highlight Native Americans, early settlement and 20th-century home life. Free.