How We Go Columbia: Carolina Stadium

The place I most enjoy visiting in Columbia sits atop a hill along the Congaree River.

An oasis from daily life, Carolina Stadium, 431 Williams St., is a magnificent ballpark that helps me clear my mind and enjoy my favorite sport.

Most every seat provides a good view of the field and there is a concourse that gives fans a route to walk entirely around the diamond. You can stand at any spot on this concourse and take in our national past time. My favorite view is looking out at the diamond, with Columbia’s skyline rising beyond the outfield.

The park, with a capacity of more than 8,200, also has some high dollar seats that University of South Carolina Gamecock donors enjoy. Sometimes I’ve been lucky enough to visit this area, a kind of upper deck, where I’ve gobbled chicken wings and watched a little ball.

And in this scenic ball park, Gamecock baseball has been pretty good. Until Carolina slumped this past season, USC’s teams have been among the nation’s best. The Gamecocks won the national title in 2010 and 2011, then finished second in 2012.

I’ll concede that I wasn’t crazy about USC’s decision to abandon historic Sarge Frye Field closer to campus for Carolina Stadium, which opened in 2009. Named for its longtime groundskeeper, the Sarge was more intimate, relaxed and felt like home.

But I have to say that I’ve warmed to Carolina Stadium.

I’d recommend a visit to a Carolina baseball game for anyone visiting or moving to Columbia. Not only is it a relaxing place, but for $10 to $12, it’s a wonderful spot to meet people and visit with old friends – all while watching a great sport.

Sammy Fretwell is a baseball fan, who also likes rock and roll music, time on the beach, cold beer and 1960s TV Westerns. A South Carolina native, he was born in Florence and grew up in Anderson County.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 6:01 PM with the headline "How We Go Columbia: Carolina Stadium."