Ballpark Roadtrip: Turner Field

The exterior of Turner Field is just a tomahawk chop away from downtown Atlanta. Turner Field was originally built as Centennial Olympic Stadium and was completed in 1996 to serve as the centerpiece of that year's Summer Olympics. After the Games, the stadium was converted into a baseball park to serve as the new home of the Braves. The team moved there in 1997.

Across from the main gate is a large parking area. "Atlanta Fulton County Stadium" is written on the wall, referencing where the Braves first home was. Here you'll find the fence and wall display that commemorates the spot where Hank Aaron's 715th home run landed on April 8, 1974.

Outside Turner Field are statues honoring many Braves all-time greats. Here is a statue of "The Georgia Peach," Ty Cobb, Born in Narrows Ga., Cobb is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time.

In the Scouts Alley, fans can test their hitting skills at "Outta the Park" and their throwing skills at "Power Pitcher," "In Control" and "Throwin' Heat."

The entrance of the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame inside Scouts Alley.

The Braves Museum & Hall of Fame is one best in all of baseball. It showcases artifacts and photos from the team's beginnings in Boston in 1871 and their days in Milwaukee from (1953-65) to the present. The display case in the center contains the Atlanta Braves only World Series trophy from 1995.

One of the awesome displays in the railroad car showing how players traveled from city to city on road trips. This side-by-side photo shows the sleeping area for players with a photo and the jersey of Braves Hall of Famer Warren Spahn.

The Atlanta Braves logo is seen on the sides of seats on the field level. Maintenance at Turner Field is not kept up as many seats were rusted and concrete was chipping with peeling paint.

If you can afford a luxury box, here is the view from exterior seating. There's plenty of foul territory for players to track down pop ups.

A view of Turner Field from the Atlanta Braves bullpen. The tour was about 50 minutes long and was not of one better tours I have been on.

If you are lucky enough to sit in the press box, here is the spot designated for the official scorer with the microphone to report calls to the scoreboard attendant and the radio-television broadcast.

The view of Turner Field from the Skip Caray Broadcast Booth. It's named in honor of the late broadcaster who did Braves games from 1976 until the time of his death in 2008.

The Chop House restaurant, in the main entry plaza, overlooks center field.

For the kids just past the main gates in center field is the Cartoon Network: Tooner Field. There are plenty of activities for children at Turner Field.

Fans are limited to just the outfield seats while the Braves take batting practice. Gates open up two and half hours before the start of the game. The gates for access to all levels of Turner Field open two hours before game time.

The concourse is wide and offers a wide variety of food. Fans are able to see the action on the field while grabbing refreshments and food.

On a hot and humid day. I opted for a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich and a bottle of water for $8.75. The sandwich was good (I went back for another). During the rain delay, I had ice cream from an old fashioned tub that was yummy - much better than the plastic tasting ice cream I get at some ballparks.

The concourse has Braves displays like this time line of the team's history while in Atlanta and Fulton County Stadium.

The retired numbers of former Braves greats are displayed on the Coca-Cola Sky Field. The Sky Field is a 22,000-square-foot fan attraction that sits atop the outfield roof at Turner Field and features a giant Coca-Cola Bottle, a pavilion with picnic tables and a base path for kids to run.

The Tomahawk Team entertains fans before the game and during the 7th inning stretch dance on the dugouts to John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" while throwing shirts to fans.

"Homer the Brave", the Braves mascot who drives around the field before the game on ATV. The team stopped using their Native American-themed mascot, Chief Noc-A-Homa, in 1986.

Lightning strikes nearby as a storm passes through the Atlanta area. The game was delayed for nearly an hour as staff cleared fans from the field level because of the dangerous storm.

As fans were moved to safety, many viewed the passing thunder and lightning storm that was soon followed by heavy rains and a hail storm.

It's time to play ball: the New York Mets' Jose Reyes chats with Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann at home plate just before the game got under way after a rain delay.

Atlanta Braves star and future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones kicks up his leg as he awaits a pitch from Mets starter Dillion Gee. Jones named one of his sons Shea after Shea Stadium because of Chipper's great success in the former stadium.

Many Met fans were on hand to cheer on the Mets, including this fan in support Mets shortstop Jose Reyes who may end up elsewhere due to the team's financial woes. Some said that Met fans outnumbered Braves fans in the Atlanta ballpark.

Jason Heyward winds his bat as stands at the plate to face Dillion Gee. Known as 'J-Hey' by fans, Heyward will be the face of Braves organization after Chipper Jones retires.

The tarp covers the field during another rain delay. Downtown Atlanta is the background just beyond the Delta sign in left field.

Following an hour-plus long rain delay, Cristhian Martinez replaced Braves starter Tim Hudson and surrendered a run in two-plus innings of work. The Mets went on to win 4-0.

The New York Mets celebrate on the field after they defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-0 as rain begins to fall once again in a game that featured two hour-long delays and ended at 12:20 in the morning.

Turner Field in Atlanta — Gordon Donovan/CBS

Ballpark - B - Seats are rusting, paint peeling from chipping concrete on field level. The tour was not of the better ones I've been on, tour guide made baseball even more boring. Plenty of stuff for kids to do, great views of the field.
Fans & Atmosphere - B - Fans are more interested in country music concert this weekend than the current game. People walked in late and took off at the first sign of rain. Many fans act like they have won 12 World Series instead of just one title in Atlanta. Wake up! Bush league atmosphere by attacking opposing teams' history with an obnoxious video introduction. Just play baseball!
Food - B - Had a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich and bottled water for $8.75 dollars! Sandwich was great, during rain delay had real ice cream for $5.00.
Mascot - D - Homer the Brave. Baseball headed like Mr. Met who meets the Phillie Phanatic, but not as funny.
Staff - B - Friendly security staff when I wore plain clothes with no allegiance to any team. Next day I wore a Mets hat, shirt and was treated not as well. The Braves in between innings entertainment, "The Tomahawk Team" are the most attraction in baseball.
Team Tradition - A - Oldest running franchise in existence from the teams start as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871. Team honors past very well The Tomahawk Chop is more annoying in person. Proud of success since 1991 to present.
Location - A - Just a tomahawk chop from downtown Atlanta.