Community Field

The enhanced entryway (and unenhanced parking lot) at Community Field, Aug-2015.

The configuration of the main grandstand lends a homey feel.

The view from directly in front of the press box.

Chronological Tour: Stop 203

• Location: Mount Pleasant Avenue east of Route 61, Burlington, Iowa (map it using Google Maps)
• Opened: 1947 (renovated 2005)
• Home team: Burlington Indians, Central Association (1947-49); Burlington Flints (1952-53), Three-I League; Burlington Bees, Three-I League (1954-61), Midwest League (1962-81, 1993-2019); Burlington Rangers (1982-85), Expos (1986-87), Braves (1988-90), Astros (1991-92), Midwest League
• Capacity: 3,500

Rating: 3 baseballs

The seating area behind the plate now features an overhang that helps keep at least some patrons dry. It also shields some of the concession areas. Most of the park is exposed, however, and the fans don’t seem to mind. This is a nice, pleasant place to watch a ball game.

Unlike many other Minor League teams and parks, the Bees are community-owned. A non-profit organization, Burlington Baseball Association, owns the franchise, and an associated group, Friends of Community Field, accepts donations for maintenance of the ballpark. This kept Burlington represented in the minors for all but three years between the end of the second World War and the restructuring of the Minor Leagues for the 2021 season. With that restructuring, the Bees joined the Prospect League, a college summer league.