JOHN TRAUB NEVER WANTS to forget what it’s like to be a fan—ever. In 21 seasons as Albuquerque Isotopes general manager, Traub has ventured to every part of Rio Grande Credit Union Field to better understand the fan experience. “Minor league baseball is about fun,” he says, “and the promotions, the food, the music, and Orbit.” And few things are more fun than watching baseball’s future stars on a summer evening—cold beverage and hot dog in hand—from the grassy incline just beyond the right field fence.
“Watching a game from the berm here is a really cool experience,” says Traub, who got his start as an intern with the California Angels in 1988. “It’s kind of a combination of going to the beach and going to a drive-in movie.”
Opened in 2003, the tiered lawn stretches from the foul pole to the batter’s eye landscaping in center field. The $10 tickets can only be purchased at the gates on game days Tuesday through Sunday, making it perfect for a spontaneous date night or carefree hang with friends. Families love it too. “The most important thing we’ve done is keep the ticket prices affordable,” says Traub. The team has also improved the nearby Fun Zone, which includes a playground for young children, a carousel, inflatable jump houses and slides, and the gravity-drop Topes Tower ride. Opened last season, the nearby Craft Corner makes it easy to grab a local brew without missing a minute of the action. “It’s the best berm in all of professional baseball,” says Traub.
Read more: Get your tickets for one of these great promotional nights.