Swanson Stadium - Florida Gulf Coast University
History
Located in Fort Myers, FL, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) leans into the coastal vibe with palm trees making up the majority of the trees in the outfield. Opened in 2004, Swanson Stadium has been the home of FGCU Baseball for the majority of the program's history and has seen the Eagles to 8 ASUN Championships and 3 NCAA Regional berths.
Atmosphere
With all general admission chairback seats, FGCU also bring a much-appreciated shade to the majority of the stands. One of the things that makes Swanson Stadium different than others is the location of the press box - it's directly behind home, with the stands built on top of it. This leads to a nice birds eye view regardless of how low in the stands you're sitting, meaning everyone gets a good view. There was a solid fan showing, and they stay loud and engaged, giving the Eagles a home field advantage.
Concessions
There is a small concession stand, but it seems like most folks brought in their own food - including from a few local restaurant and fast food places. I'd recommend doing so, as the concession stand was limited and seems to only open during certain series.
Access
Not far from I-75, Fort Myers is about 2 hours south of Tampa. There are plenty of hotels in the area, and if you're in town for an early season game, there are plenty of MLB Spring Training stadiums within an hour or so from the park. There are also tons of hotel options for any out of towners that may be coming in. You also have the added bonus of free parking, which makes an already inexpensive ticket even more affordable.
Final Thoughts
Swanson Stadium does a great job of meeting the moment - when you're soaking in the Florida sun, you want to feel like you're in Florida. With the palm trees in the outfield and the shade over the stands, you get to while not also feel like you're dying a slow, sweaty death. Bring in some snacks and you've got a fun day at the ballpark on your hands.
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