The Woodbury Athletic Association has long been the governing body for youth athletics in the area. The WAA runs baseball, softball, soccer, football, wrestling and basketball teams for both boys and girls from its headquarters at Royals Stadium on the campus of Woodbury High School.
In spring 2015, the St. Paul Saints (co-owned by Bill Murray) opened a brand-new stadium, CHS Field, in Lowertown St. Paul, and it's hands-down one of the nicest minor league stadiums in the country. While it's primarily for the use of the Saints during their home games, they'll share space with local Hamline University's baseball team as well. It will also serve as host to a variety of other community festivals and events, including the St. Paul Winter Carnival.
CHS Field Parking
Visitors can park on the street where there are meters, and there are various parking lots and ramps within easy walking distance of the stadium. Note that downtown St. Paul can be confusing to drive through, so if you're new to this area, allow plenty of time for your first visit to navigate the one-way streets and find parking.
Hotels Near CHS Field
The Crowne Plaza is the nearest hotel to CHS Field and is only a few blocks away. There's also an Embassy Suites downtown St. Paul, although it's a bit more of a hike to the field. Hands down the nicest hotel in the vicinity is the St. Paul Hotel, a grand old hotel from the early 20th century.
Seating at CHS Field
The new stadium has been designed for optimum viewing from almost any vantage point, but if you're willing to spend a bit more, the Club Seats have both indoor and outdoor seats and are aligned behind home base. But if you're looking for inexpensive, family-fun seating, the "bank" area is a good choice, with a large expanse of grassy hill where you can bring a blanket and food for a picnic. The Saints opted to add more handicapped seats than required for ADA compliance, and those seats are available in all price points.
Food at CHS Field
There are concession stands with the usual stadium food, although some of it is locally sourced. Note that there are several restaurants within easy walking distance to the stadium, so those who want to have a higher-quality meal could seek those out.
Parking Alternatives at CHS Field
Metro Transit has several public bus lines that run near the stadium as well as the light rail that connects to Minneapolis and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.
What to Bring to CHS Field
This is an open-air stadium, so plan accordingly. The baseball season in Minnesota could require anything from cold-weather jackets and gloves to plenty of sunblock and water bottles. If you plan on visiting the bank area (see Seating, above), bring a blanket to sit on (chairs are not allowed).
Insider Tip for CHS Field
At evening games, keep an eye out for local artists exhibiting and selling their artworks. Lowertown St. Paul is a popular art-crawl area, and the Saints are partnering with the art community to give them more exposure.
Author's bio: Amy C. Rea is the author of Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: an Explorer's Guide, and Backroads & Byways of Minnesota.