San Jose Municipal Stadium

Exterior of San Jose Municipal Stadium, Aug-2004.

There is only one row of shaded seating in the ballpark.

The area is a combination of parkland, athletic fields, and industrial areas.

• Location: Senter & Alma streets, San Jose, Calif.
• Opened: 1942
• Home team: San Jose Owls (1942), Red Sox (1947-55), JoSox (1956-57), Pirates (1958), Bees (1962-76, 1983-87), Missions (1979-81), Expos (1982), Giants (1988-present), California League
• Capacity: 4,200

Rating: 1 baseball

I found San Jose’s park woefully inadequate, though. It was very cramped, especially given the big crowd. It also lacks a roof. I have had the misfortune of seeing two day games here, and the aluminum and metal seats that comprise most of the park are brutal in daytime conditions. Only the top row of the first-base grandstand has any shade at all.

In addition, and this isn’t the park’s fault, it’s not easy to find it. There aren’t sufficient signs off the freeways or in midtown to lead one here. On my 1994 visit, I got lost in the vicinity of the San Jose Arena, which is several miles away.

There is a nice picnic area down the left-field line, and the grill there serves some unusual selections. I am told that the place has great atmosphere for night games. So why do they bother playing any day games?