Picking up where I left off from Part 2 – Nolan Ryan Field, I set my GPS for the City of Corpus Christi to visit Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks. The roughly 45 mile trek from Kingsville to Corpus was another smooth and easy ride via Route 77 and Route 44 before connecting on Superhighway 37 east to the Port of Corpus Christi. True story, when I took the final road leading to the stadium, I passed a number of oil refineries and treatment facilities and military installations and thought for a second that I had taken the wrong road. Luckily, there was a sign, leaning a bit from someone possibly hitting it, on E Port Avenue that read “Whataburger Field” and an arrow pointing up, telling me I was in fact on the right road. When I pulled into the parking lot adjacent to the stadium, this was my view.

What you see is the New Harbor Bridge, a ten year construction project that literally finished up about 3 months ago (opened in June, 2025). The New Harbor Bridge connects travelers from the port side of Corpus via Route 281 across the Corpus Christi and Nueces Bays. It is a beautiful piece of modern construction and boasts massive cables supporting the bridge, much like the bridges near the TD Bank Garden in Boston, MA and the Newport Pell Bridge in Newport, RI. Wow, what a sight to see as I made my way over to photograph and hopefully tour Whataburger Field.

Before looking into a souvenir shop or staff office situation to enter and inquire about a stadium tour, I took a few moments to photograph and observe the outside of Whataburger Field. First off, the field is home to the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double A Affiliate of the Houston Astros. The Hooks have been playing at Whataburger Field now for about 20 years now. The area of the field is mostly dominated by commercial structures and businesses for manufacturing, oil, and military operations. Whataburger Field is a beautiful oasis in a mostly industrial looking area.

So, after taking a look around the perimeter of the field, I noticed some staffers come out of a first floor door. The door was open and I entered the lobby of the front offices of the Hooks. The receptionist greeted me warmly and I explained who I was and why I was there. She smiled and told me to hang on a moment to see if she could get someone to help me with a small tour. I was psyched to then meet Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, Mike Coffin, who had a short leash time wise but was friendly enough to take me on a small tour of the stadium. So psyched!!!

Mike was great. He was the perfect representative of the Hooks and showed me every place I need to check out on the concourse and around the perimeter of the stadium. Mike clued me on the historical aspects of the cotton industry and some of the remnant structures that were part of the Whataburger Field experience. I asked him about any POW/MIA or Seat of Honor seat and he directed me to this one.

Mike then escorted me around the park, through the outfield viewing areas, around the stadium, and back to the office area. Mike had a family commitment to get to but made the time for me and my passion for baseball fields. Along the way, I snapped a few photos of the stadium and took in the awe inspiring view of the New Harbor Bridge.

Whataburger Field had a new feel to it despite being nearly 20 years in operation. I loved the outfield seating areas, the deck style seating in Centerfield was really cool. And there was a tee ball, youth baseball field in the outfield area with bases and an another incredible view of the harbor and New Harbor Bridge. It was a scenic park, tons of great views of the field, the antique cotton machinery, and the harbor. With the sun shining brightly, my photography was exponentially enhanced by Mother Nature.

After wholeheartedly thanking Mike and the receptionist, I left the offices of the Corpus Christi Hooks and headed back to my rental car for one last look of the New Harbor Bridge and Whataburger Field. I had one more stop to go on my Friday Texas Baseball Road Trip and had absolutely no idea what I would find when I got there. Only thing I knew, was Refugio, Texas can lay claim as the birthplace of one of the greatest pitchers of all-time, MLB and Texas legend – Nolan Ryan. And for this, I had to experience Refugio for my own eyes.

It was a fantastic ride from Kingsville to Corpus Christi on Friday afternoon. The weather was perfect for a road trip. The traffic, non-existent. The ride and the scenery leading up to Whataburger Field, just so awe inspiring. The New Harbor Bridge, amazing. Mike and his staff at the Corpus Christi Hooks, so friendly and accommodating. Whataburger Field, so impressive from home plate to centerfield and back again. What a stunning baseball park with so much character and positive baseball vibes. Huge thanks to Mike Coffin and his staff for allowing this baseball enthusiast to take in the beauty and wonder of Hooks Baseball. Overall, it was a spectacular Corpus Christi baseball experience touring the outside and inside of Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks.