The Batter’s Eye bar has become a hit with fans.

Come early, stay late at the Jake
By Zachary Dzurick
happenings
Published June 22, 2005

For those of us of a certain age that have grown up in Cleveland, vivid and special memories remain of the Old Lady on the Lake — Municipal Stadium.

At the last minute you knew you could show up and get a great seat. You got a hotdog with Stadium mustard and maybe some peanuts. If you were an adult, you got a cold beer and then you watched some losing baseball. But it never mattered, it was about being at the game in the crowd banging wooden seats together hoping for a rally.

The "kids" only remember a brand new park where every seat was taken and winning baseball. They don't remember having to sit behind a pole and if you didn't like hot dogs well you were out of luck. Success has spoiled us.

The Indians's slow start combined with poor weather has put a real crimp in attendance so far this season, the second worst in the American League. But with the weather warming up so has the Tribe. It is time to jump back on the bandwagon.

The front office and the concession people are doing their part as well. While (for the time being) you may be able to just show up and get a ticket just before the first pitch, the Indians want you to show up as early as possible so you can experience everything Jacobs Field has to offer.

Last week, for the first time since the park opened for night games, fans were allowed to enter Gate B starting at 4:30 p.m. to watch their hometown heroes take batting practice.

"It gives fans a chance to experience something they have not been able to do since Jacobs Field opened in 1994," Indians Communications and Creative Services Manager Curtis Danburg said. "You can watch batting practice, where the players are in a relaxed environment. They are more likely to toss a ball or interact with the fans. It is something kids will always remember."

Fans are allowed right against the centerfield wall where they can watch the Indians warm up before a game. Last week, before a game against the Rockies, there seemed to be a lot of father/child bonding going on. Rich Skalduni brought his son Jacob and his son's friend Michael Pascal to check out the new opportunity.

"I am here because the boys wanted to be here," Skalduni said. "Our chances to get a ball or much better during batting practice."

Jeff Kwasniewski brought his entire family including his nine-year old son Sam.

"Sam is an aspiring young ball player," Kwasniewski said. "It is great that he can get so close and see how scruffy and dirty the ball players are. He can see they are regular guys."

Amherst's Dennis Hudkey was surprised how close the fans were allowed to get to the field.

"Batting practice is the best time to really relax and watch the players," Hudkey said. "I wish they would do it every game, it beats standing outside the fence looking in. I am amazed how close they let us get, I thought it would be far away."

Roland Scott shows off some ribs. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Also open during batting practice and the entire game is the Destination Location in Center Field, which features the brand new Batter's Eye Bar and the International Market with a view. Instead of finding a restaurant downtown before a game, you come in early, watch some BP, leisurely relax in the outfield and have your pick from the Asian, Mexican, Italian, European or BBQ markets. Of course, you could always stick with a hot dog with stadium mustard.

Jason Beudert, SportsService manager, which is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies which runs the Jacob Field concessions said they wanted raise their level of concessions to enhance an already great day at a major league ball park.

"Baseball is a natural destination spot," Beudert said. "What we are looking to create is the number one destination spot in the city of Cleveland. What that means to us is fun, great food, great atmosphere, great drinks and a fantastic variety to go with an awesome ballpark and an awesome team."

The Market features restaurant quality food. There is no cutting corners and if you can't find something that you want to eat then you should check with a doctor. Here is a list of just some of the items available: sushi, Asian Chicken Salad, Gourmet burritos, Nachos Grande (that are the size of your arm), Gourmet pizza, meatball sandwiches, Chef's Italian entrée of the day, Brats, pierogies, gyros and ribs so succulent that they fall off the bone. There are also regional desserts.

Beudert said quality and variety is key.

"We have a saying here that general concessions are anything but general," Beudert said. "We try to put the best food out there at the best value and best quality."

However, the area needed something special to really make it stand out. The Batter's Eye Bar has done that. Ever since Opening Day, the bar has become the place to gather for fans.

"The Batter's Eye bar is really the focal point of the whole ball park," Beudert said. "You can see it from every angle of our fantastic ballpark. It has sort of become the epicenter of some of our greatest seats. You just watch when the gates open and you see some fans run to this front line seats that overlook the ballpark. You almost feel that you are part of the field which is great."

At the Rockies game last week, bartenders Michael Mrazik, Lorraine Morana, Cory Zukoski, Dawn McFarland and Shannon Stenger seemed to draw almost as much attention as the players on the field. The Indians have basically taken your favorite sports bar and plunked it in center field. Besides being a full service bar, it features several ballpark specialties including the Triple Play, which layers a patriotic splash of red, white and blue in the form of frozen Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada and Blue Hawaiian. Another must for the older folks is the Squeeze Play, which features Vodka, Midori, sour mix and half a lemon. There is also an extensive Wine list and specialty coffee drinks.

"People love this place," Morana said. "Sometimes they don't even go to their seats."

Stenger summed up the appeal of the bar and the surrounding tables and chairs that showcase a spectacular view of the field.

"Where else in this park can you pay $6 and get this view," Stenger said.

Apparently it isn't just the budget conscious that are ignoring their seats to hang out at the Batter's Eye.

"I had one guy last night that said he would never go to his seats again and he had season tickets behind home plate," McFarland said.

The Indians have now won 12 out of their last14 games. This city is a sleeping giant when it comes to winning baseball. Do yourself a favor and buy tickets soon. Not only come to enjoy a great game with a team ready to battle for a playoff spot but arrive early and enjoy batting practice as well as great food with the best ambiance in the state of Ohio.

"We are on a fantastic streak and it is a great atmosphere to sit out here and have a frozen drink or a cold beer and watch your favorite player hit some balls around," Beudert said. "I have visited a lot of ball parks and our company does the lion share of the ball parks and without a doubt we have the best outfield in baseball. Thanks to the Batter's Eye bar, the best food, the best variety and the best fans in the world."

Bay Village resident George Kervey could not agree more.

"This is a great idea," Kervey said. "It is a lot of fun to be out here at batting practice and socializing. It is a great environment."