NewBridge Bank Park

Main entrance to what was then First Horizon Park, Jul-2005.

The seating bowl, as viewed from in front of the bar along the third-base line.

The downtown-area park faces northeast.

Chronological Tour: Stop 292

• Location: Edgeworth and Bellemeade streets, Greensboro, N.C. (map it using Google Maps)
• Opened: 2005 as First Horizon Park
• Additional names: NewBridge Bank Park (2008), First National Bank Field (2017)
• Home team: Greensboro Grasshoppers, South Atlantic League (2005-present)
• Capacity: 6,000 (seating)

Rating: 4 baseballs

The result is the quite attractive and comfortable First National Bank Field (the ballpark’s third name, as the result of bank buyouts). Right field borders on Eugene Street, which bisects the downtown area just two blocks south of here. This makes the park convenient to both locals and travelers, as it sits just a mile and a half north of Interstate 40 and Business Loop 85 (the old I-85 before a recent bypass was completed).

The fountain by the Eugene Street entrance.

Inside, there is a single seating bowl, with no cross aisle. Unlike many new parks, one cannot walk around the entire field on the concourse here; the end of the third-base line features an outdoor Grandstand Bar covered by a tent-like structure, while the first-base concourse ends in a children’s play area.

The staff were friendly for the most part, although my attempt to get a different angle on the Eugene Street fountain was thwarted by a ticket taker who sternly advised, “Re-entry requires a new ticket.” No matter. While I was disappointed to see War Memorial’s days as a professional park come to a close, I was impressed by its replacement.

In the last few seasons, a bank building (for the naming sponsor) has been erected down the right-field line, restricting the view of the entry plaza.