Plumeri Park
Williamsburg, VA
Review by Gary
Thomas Jefferson probably never played baseball for his alma mater, The College of William and Mary, but he may have enjoyed donning his best waistcoat and tricorn hat to see a match at their Williamsburg, Viriginia ballpark. Plumeri Park opened in 1999 and seats 1,000 green-and-gold-clad Tribe fans. This baseball-only facility is used mainly by William & Mary, members of the Coastal Athletic Association, but is also host to many high school events annually.
Parking is free and all fans pay for their tickets at one small ticket booth before passing a lone security person as they enter on the right field side of the park. The entire seating area is contained around the infield part of the facility. Except for a 20-yard long area down the right field line or a private party area beyond the stored batting practice cage on the third base side, spectators must climb or take an elevator up to a concourse 10’ above the playing field.
Once on the concourse, fans have the option to sit on General Admission bench aluminum seating or spend a few extra shillings for a 1990’s-era molded plastic seat. The top two rows of the GA seating do have backs to them and are first-come, first-served. Those wishing to stand and watch the action can do so at the top of the grandstand on either side of the press box. Plumeri Park’s concession stand is found under the center of the grandstand, right next to the only restrooms and across from the elevator shaft, making navigating from either side of the stands and around the condiment paddock with a plate of hot nachos rather cumbersome.
Both bullpens pinch in at the corners by the poles in foul territory while the dugouts are far from the baselines, the benches being seemingly closer to the nearby Yorktown Battlefield. Tall, lush trees line the view beyond the outfield fence with an adjacent W&M soccer field snugged up next to the left field fence. Not having found any souvenir stand, the ballpark announcer would later invite fans to “log on to the Tribe website to shop for great team gifts and souvenirs,” an opportunity lost for the many youngsters in attendance to instantly get that colonial foam finger or W&M watch fob.
Those street urchins hoping to chase down a foul ball launched into the stands or behind the grandstand to keep as a souvenir are strongly encouraged to return the ball in exchange for a free soft drink. Hopefully, a night’s stay at the town’s ye olde gaol for those not willing to barter will not be enforced. Despite these small shortcomings, attending a game at Plumeri Park will assuredly meet with one’s approbations.
2025
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