In his first game after getting called up to Double-A Bowie, L.J. Hoes ripped a double off the right-field wall. Fans cheered long and loud, apparently aware that Hoes is a product of nearby Mitchellville and St. John’s College High. When he hustled on a routine ground out and scored all the way from second base, eluding the catcher’s tag with a dramatic hook slide, fans showed appreciation and awareness rarely seen at a minor league ballpark.

Prince George’s County Stadium, built in 1994, leaves little doubt that the Baysox are an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Orange is the dominant theme. With private suites, a club level and green box seats, the park has the feel of Camden Yards.

Bowie aggressively markets to families with children. Diversions are eclectic and entertaining — inflatable sumo wrestling outfits one minute, “Funk Soul Brother,” the next. And while on the subject of the PA, the lilting voice of female announcer Adrienne Roberson might be the best aspect of a Bowie game. The second best — the pit beef sandwich from the Black Angus Grille station.

Best seat » When the picnic area off the left-field line is unoccupied, that’s your chance for a great view of the action, overlooking the field.

Frederick Keys

When a player from the Myrtle Beach Pelicans drove a pitch to left-center that bounced off the wall and back onto the field, he was awarded a home run, and Keys manager Orlando Gomez emerged from the dugout to argue. In the stands, however, there was barely a ripple of discontent or recognition among the 5,883 fans.

Most of them were engaged in conversation or dealing with kids in a noisy park that sounds like an elementary school at recess time. Even with public schools still in session and on a weeknight, Harry Grove Stadium was full of kids having a blast. The adults are having fun too in the most sociable atmosphere of the local minor league parks. More than any other local minor league park, a Keys game feels more like a community experience.

With a capacity of 5,400, 21-year-old Grove Stadium isn’t small, but it feels compact. The open-air concourse overlooking the field adds to the effect. Off the left-field line, is a grassy hill where kids frolic. Off the right-field line are a carousel and other amusements.

Best seat » Patio tables and chairs at the concourse are the best place to stretch out, watch people and take in the game.

Hagerstown Suns

Sitting out a lengthy rain delay, Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” was the perfect PA accompaniment to the throwback experience that is 80-year-old Memorial Stadium. With a covered grandstand, hand-operated scoreboard and outfield beer garden, the Nationals’ Single-A affiliate does baseball old school.

There’s minimal advertising, no piped-in sound effects, and no theme music for players as they step into the batter’s box. Even the name of the mascot, Woolie, was inspired by an oldies song. The only concession to the times is an overly cheerful announcer introducing fans to “your Hagerstown Suns.”

With slugging prodigy Bryce Harper playing for the Suns, the team has dubbed Memorial Stadium “Harpertown.” First-time fans making the trek up I-70 have discovered an experience much different from that at kid-friendly Frederick, Bowie or Potomac. Hagerstown draws lots of older fans, and many young adults out for a few beers, especially on Thursdays when they sell for $1.

Memorial Stadium has asymmetrical dimensions, a hump in left field and a rich history, chronicled on plaques in the concourse. Willie Mays’ first professional game, as a member of the Interstate League Trenton Giants, was here.

Best seat » The grandstand is right on top of the diamond. Sit low to converse with players, or high to view the Catoctin Mountains.

Potomac Nationals

When Potomac Nationals mascot Uncle Sam emerged Tuesday night at Pfitzner Stadium, 5-year-old Michael Standquist of Annandale scrambled to the top of the empty stands screaming repeatedly, “I don’t like him.” On an evening of light attendance, the ruckus qualified as the most entertaining part of a dull night in an uninspiring ballpark.

Pfitzner Stadium, built 27 years ago in a government sports complex, has none of the charm of the other three local stadiums and is the only one that charges to park ($5). With the exception of the field boxes, the seats are uncomfortable. Sight lines are often obscured by aluminum railings or chain-link fences. And early innings can be headache inducing as fans face the setting sun.

The best action often occurs between innings, where the P-Nats do their best to keep fans attention with innovative advertising, such as awarding the dirtiest vehicle in the lot a free car wash. Between pitches, a perfectly timed Foghorn Leghorn sound bite was laugh-out-loud funny.

Best seat » Field box seats are the highest priced ($14), but are too far down the lines. Instead, get a seat in the first row, above one of the dugouts ($12), where everything can be heard.

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