Manatí Athenians at Estadio Municipal Pedro Román Meléndez Revised in December 2005

Steve and Gail Ohnsman visited the ballpark on 13-Dec-05 and submitted the following report and photographs:

Fans, the mascot, the field, and the scoreboard.

Meléndez Stadium has by far the best food of the three ballparks we visited, and the prices are reasonable. The grass field is in adequate shape except in the left-field area. A net from roof to the ground, runs from 1st to 3rd base. The 100% plastic seats are comfortable.

Security seemed good. You can park for free in small lots with decent lighting. There is a police presence in the stadium, and police direct traffic on the way out. The bathrooms and seating area are very clean.

Manatí is normally a 30-minute drive from San Juan, but there was a horrendous traffic accident. It involved returning traffic but the rubberneckers in our direction slowed things down to a crawl. Our trip to Manatí took nearly 2 hours.

Manatí native Carlos Beltran (below right) arrived with a small entourage in the 2nd inning and stayed for the whole game. He was very friendly, signing autographs and talking with the fans. He appeared very comfortable, as he probably has known many of these folks all his life. He is starting a foundation to improve playing fields for Manatí youth.

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