Welcome to Indianapolis’ Victory Subject, the place the view out of your seat is nearly as distinctive because the Indians’ mother or father membership in Pittsburgh. Sit on the outfield garden to see Minor League Baseball’s second-oldest franchise take the sphere that followers affectionally name “The Vic.”

Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 2005)
Established: 1902
League: Worldwide League
Ballpark: Victory Subject (opened 1996)
Championships: 1902, 1908, 1917, 1928, 1949, 1956, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994 (American Affiliation); 1963 and 2000 (Worldwide League)
Notable Alumni: Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Oneil Cruz, Mitch Keller

The Indianapolis Indians had been based in 1902, and as such are the second-oldest group in all of Minor League Baseball (behind solely the Rochester Pink Wings, who’ve operated in each season since 1899). In its historical past, Indianapolis has performed in six leagues for 9 Main League associates. The present affiliation with the Pirates started in 2005, some 50+ years after its earlier Pittsburgh affiliation (1948-’51) got here to an finish.

Victory Subject is the fifth ballpark the Indians have known as residence, following East Washington Park (1902-04), West Washington Park (1905-31) and Owen J. Bush Stadium (1931-1996). Bush Stadium was referred to as Victory Subject from 1942-67, a reputation that originated as a response to america’ involvement in World Conflict II. The park the group performs in right this moment is due to this fact the “new” Victory Subject, with its moniker triumphant versus hopeful.

Since opening its doorways in 1996, Victory Subject has been no stranger to acclaim, successful accolades from varied nationwide publications. The American Institute of Architects deemed the ballpark to be among the many most “architecturally important” buildings accomplished within the metropolis’s historical past since World Conflict II. With one of the vital distinctive views in baseball, it’s not laborious to see why.

Victory Subject

Ballpark Location (by way of Google maps)
Indianapolis Roster
Indianapolis Schedule

Much like the mother or father membership’s residence of PNC Park in Pittsburgh, probably the most defining function of Victory Subject is the skyline, with probably the most notable singular component being the J.W. Marriott situated past left discipline. Fairly merely, there are only a few Minor League ballparks throughout the nation that may boast a view that includes such city grandeur.

Victory Subject options an outfield garden that spans all the outfield as a substitute of conventional bleachers. In line with the Indianapolis Star, longtime Indy basic supervisor Randy Lewandowski needed to persuade town that having an outfield garden was a good suggestion. Now, almost three a long time after the actual fact, followers – and canine throughout Bark on the Park nights — can fill the realm to the brim. Together with the stadium’s 12,230 everlasting seats, the outfield garden can match about 2,000 extra followers.

The Components Monetary Membership, which options arguably the perfect view in the home of Victory Subject’s backdrop, opened in 2021 and is obtainable for as much as 200 friends. Close to the Components Monetary Membership is a timeline that dates from 1931 to the current day. The timeline highlights the Indians’ previous ballparks in addition to championships, gamers and milestones from the previous. 

The Middle Subject Plaza homes leisure choices akin to Pace Pitch and Water Gun Enjoyable. Victory Subject additionally options the Demar sensory wall for many who require it, offering a method to alleviate stress or calm people.

Following each win, the Max Schumacher Victory Bell, a 990-pound, 37-inch-wide bell product of copper and tin, is rung by native celebrities, season-ticket holders and friends. The bell is called after former group president and chairman of the board Max Schumacher, who has spent greater than six a long time with the group.

Concessions

There’s completely no scarcity of meals and beverage choices at Victory Subject.

Craving typical stadium grub akin to Cracker Jacks, popcorn and sizzling canine? Hit up VF Traditional Eats. Hyperlinks and Drinks additionally options choices such because the all-beef premium canine and the half-pound footlong canine. 

Craving burgers? There’s The Vary, Burger Kitchen or Tenders, Love and Rooster.

Acquired a candy tooth? There’s Rowdie’s Ice Cream or Dippin’ Dots. 

And, sure, there are many grownup beverage choices, together with the Hornitos Cocktail Cart, the Beer Bat Cart and Yuengling Touchdown, in addition to the aforementioned meals institutions. 

An essential be aware: All concessions at Victory Subject are cashless.

Mascot

Rowdie the bear has been the Indianapolis Indians’ mascot since 1993, when the franchise was a mere 90 years previous. His claims to fame, which haven’t been verified by truth checkers, embody placing the “bear” in bear hug and modeling for the primary gummy bear mould. Truth checkers can, nevertheless, confirm he’s Victory Subject’s hottest particular person, mobbed by his adoring followers at each flip.

Native Points of interest

Since Victory Subject is situated in downtown Indianapolis, there’s a big selection of points of interest surrounding the ballpark. 

Lucas Oil Stadium, the house of the Indianapolis Colts, is simply two blocks away. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the house of the Indiana Pacers, is only one mile away. The Indiana College Natatorium and Michael A. Carroll Monitor & Soccer Stadium are within the neighborhood as nicely.

Whereas Indianapolis is residence to baseball, basketball and soccer, town’s points of interest solely start with sports activities. Proper throughout the road from the ballpark is the TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park, and proper throughout the White River is the Indianapolis Zoo.

The town additionally includes a plethora of museums, such because the NCAA Corridor of Champions; the Indiana State Museum and Historic Websites; the Eiteljorg Museum; the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library; the Eugene and Marilyn Click on Indiana Historical past Middle; Rhythm! Discovery Middle and the Indianapolis Museum of Up to date Artwork.

Meals and Drink

There are many close by eating choices within the neighborhood of Victory Subject, one other advantage of its downtown location. Connor’s Kitchen and Bar, Loughmiller’s Pub and Eatery and the Yard Home are among the many close by informal choices. Larger rollers may wish to go for the legendary St. Elmo Steak Home, whereas these with no different choices will certainly select Dick’s Final Resort.

Transferring Alongside

The state of Indiana can be residence to the Fort Wayne TinCaps and South Bend Cubs. Fort Wayne is about 125 miles away, whereas South Bend is about 150 miles away. The Dayton Dragons are about 120 miles away, and for many who wish to preserve touring east on I-70, try the Columbus Clippers. The Clippers, like Indianapolis, are members of the Triple-A Worldwide League.

The Street to Pittsburgh

All of Pittsburgh’s Minor League associates occupy the Jap Time Zone, however the associates are pretty spaced out. The closest Pirates Minor League affiliate to Indianapolis is Altoona, which is about an hour-and-a-half east of Pittsburgh. 

Single-A: Bradenton Marauders
Excessive-A: Greensboro Grasshoppers
Double-A: Altoona Curve
Triple-A: Indianapolis Indians