Last Saturday was a work day for me (ABF Freight) in Dallas. So, after work, I took the short drive north from the Dallas Terminal to Frisco, Texas to check out the Frisco RoughRiders baseball experience. I found parking in front of what looked like a condominium complex with a baseball statue out front, on the corner of RoughRiders Trail and Diamond Drive. I was pretty sure I was in the right place and it took a few minutes of exploring to fully confirm I was at Riders Field, home of the Frisco RoughRiders.

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double A (AA) Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Riders Field is situated in and around a major shopping center, condominium style housing, hotels, bars, a small community park, just to name a few points of interest. And from the front, looks nothing like any baseball stadium I have ever visited. A baseball field in disguise, I thought to myself. As I walked towards the front gate area, I noticed a large bronze statue of a pitcher and thus began my RoughRiders baseball experience. Crossing the street, peering in through the closed front gate area, I was pleasantly surprised to see all the cool baseball things a minor league park tends to offer. Local trends, authenticity, community involvement, fun times. But before I get to these things that I love about minor league baseball parks, check out this cool pitching statue and its inscription…

Entitled “The Pitch,” the statue’s inscription asks the following:

• What does this art make you feel?
  • Answer – Pitchers are awesome.
• Why do you think the artist made the muscles so angular?
  • Answer – You use your body’s entire musculature to throw a pitch.
• Was it a strike?
  • Yes, right down the heart of the plate!

So what is a Rough Rider? Depending on the website you pull up, a rough rider could be a frequent rider of horses. Or, a person who can “break in” or ride unbroken horses (whatever that is). Or, the most likely definition is a member of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, led by Theodore Roosevelt, and one that fought during the Spanish-American War. This Teddy Roosevelt reference can be seen in the cartoon Rough Riders player swinging a baseball bat at the ticket offices and on signs splattered all over the park’s perimeter walls.

From the front gate entrance, which was understandably closed and locked up due to it being the team’s off season, I moseyed on down the left side of Riders Field via a sidewalk to the outfield section of the park. From there, I transformed my brain from “outpost” to baseball field. Through the metal gates, I could see Riders Field in all its glory, sun shining on the field, and in full view. See, I knew I was in the right place!!!

Riders Field did have an “outpost” type feel to it. The dirt areas reminded me of a state fairgrounds more than a baseball field and it gave it that authentic Frisco look. From this sidewalk area in and around center to left field, I could see the playing field just fine. And another thing I could see in plain sight – a swimming pool.

A lazy river swimming pool and bar area in right field of Riders Field – how awesome is this. Check out an awesome baseball game, have some fun refreshments, chill out with friends and family, cool off on a hot Texas afternoon – sign me up. Via the Frisco RoughRiders MILB page, here is the Lazy River in action:

As I made my way past the Lazy River section of Riders Field, I turned the corner and headed back to the front gate entrance. Along the way, I peeked in through the metal gates to check out what I could from the limited views available. It was a clean area, the sidewalks, streets, and surrounding buildings were all in very presentable shape. Folks were jogging, walking their dogs, meeting up with friends, very friendly area. Plus it was nearly 70 degrees out and it was nice to just walk around and let the sun hit my face. Very soothing.

It was such a cool trip around Riders Field, home of the Frisco RoughRiders. The baseball stadium and park, from the parking lot, looks more like a condo or museum or office building. But, as you approach the main gate area, you begin to feel the RoughRider feel with cartoons of Teddy Roosevelt belting a hit and signs like “Riders Outpost.” The dirt perimeter of the concession area gives the field a real authentic cowboy/rough rider feel. As you walk around to the outfield perimeter of the park on Texas Rangers Drive, you can see the baseball field in full view. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the wicked cool Lazy River area in right field. Overall, it was an incredible Frisco baseball experience at Riders Field, home of the Frisco RoughRiders.