AMARILLO SOD POODLES
HODGETOWN
HODGETOWN opened in 2019 in downtown Amarillo — the Texas Panhandle city on the Llano Estacado, where the flat tableland breaks into the Canadian River canyon. The Sod Poodles name references the prairie dogs that burrow through the Panhandle grassland — 'sod poodle' being the regional nickname for the prairie dog.
Architecture & History
HODGETOWN opened in 2019 in downtown Amarillo, Texas, as the centerpiece of a broader redevelopment effort. The Sod Poodles' arrival brought affiliated baseball to the Texas Panhandle for the first time.
Named for the region's prairie dogs (colloquially "sod poodles"), the park features Western-themed design elements. HODGETOWN earned MiLB's Best New Ballpark honor in its inaugural season.
Amarillo sits along historic Route 66, and the ballpark has revitalized the city's downtown corridor. The wide-open Texas Panhandle sky creates dramatic sunsets visible from the third-base concourse.
Build specs
- ARCHITECT
- Populous
- CAPACITY
- 6,631
- OPENED
- 2019
- SURFACE
- Artificial Turf
- COST
- $45.5M
Statues & Exterior
EXTERIOR FEATURES
Route 66 Heritage
Main entrance
Design elements referencing historic Route 66, which passes through Amarillo and is central to the city's identity.
Panhandle Sunset Views
Third base concourse
The wide-open Texas Panhandle sky creates dramatic, colorful sunsets visible from the third-base side of the park.
Names & History
2019–present
HODGETOWN
Named for the Hodge family, longtime Amarillo business leaders. Officially styled in all caps.
The Food
Panhandle Beef Brisket
The Texas Panhandle is cattle country. Brisket sourced from Panhandle cattle, smoked over post oak, served with white bread and house-made pickles.
Panhandle Beef Brisket
Texas BBQ stand — main concourse
Texas Panhandle cattle country brisket smoked over post oak, served with white bread and house-made pickles.
Frito Pie
Frito Pie stands
Frito pie — Fritos corn chips topped with chili, cheddar, onions, and jalapenos, served in the Frito bag.
Big Texan Steak Bites
Big Texan stand
The Big Texan Steak Ranch — the Route 66 institution since 1960 — has bite-sized USDA beef cuts with chimichurri.
Texas Breakfast Taco
Taco stands
Scrambled eggs, potato, cheddar, and choice of meat in a flour tortilla. Available at weekend games.
Sod Poodle Dog
Hot dog stands
Standard hot dog with Texas yellow mustard and optional jalapeno relish.
The Beer
HODGETOWN has a Texas Panhandle craft presence anchored by Amarillo Brewing Company.
Amarillo Brewing Company Pale Ale
Amarillo Brewing Co. · Amarillo, TX
Amarillo Brewing is the most local craft option at HODGETOWN. Their Pale Ale and rotating IPA lineup reflect the Panhandle craft scene.
Shiner Bock
Spoetzl Brewery · Shiner, TX
Shiner Bock from Spoetzl Brewery — Texas craft since 1909 — is the most historically embedded Texas craft beer. Available throughout HODGETOWN.
Real Ale Brewing Firemans #4
Real Ale Brewing Co. · Blanco, TX
Real Ale from the Texas Hill Country brings their Fireman's #4 blonde ale — one of Texas's most widely distributed craft options.
Coors Light
Coors Brewing Co.
Volume beer throughout the Texas Panhandle.
Sun & Weather Guide
northeast — Amarillo TX · Llano Estacado · 3,676 ft elevation
Flat horizon in all directions — sky turns full orange
The Llano Estacado's unobstructed 360-degree horizon produces the most dramatic sunset skies of any Texas League park. Stay through the final out at evening games.
Panhandle heat — hot, dry, and windy
Amarillo summer is hot (95°F+) but dry. The persistent Panhandle wind can reach 25-35 mph in spring and fall — wear layers or secure your hat.
3,676 ft elevation — temperature drops fast at night
Amarillo's high elevation means rapid temperature drops after sunset. A warm afternoon game can become jacket weather by the 7th inning.
Panhandle wind — ball carries or dies depending on direction
The Panhandle wind significantly affects ball flight. A north wind kills fly balls; a south wind carries them. Check the direction at first pitch.
Insider Tips
The One Thing
Order the Panhandle brisket and find a seat with the western horizon in view. The Llano Estacado at sunset — no mountains, no hills, just the full arc of sky turning orange over the flattest landscape in Texas — is the Amarillo ballpark experience.
Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon is 15 miles southeast — drive out before the game. The canyon drops 800 feet into the Llano Estacado; the geology is exposed in the walls.
Frito Pie
Order the Frito pie in the bag. The Frito pie was invented in Texas. You are in Texas. This is the correct order.
Parking Reality
HODGETOWN has surface parking adjacent to the stadium in the downtown Amarillo grid. Amarillo is entirely car-oriented; parking is not a problem.
Best Value Seat
Third base lower grandstand — western horizon in full view for the sunset, and access to the brisket stand. Evening game only for the full Panhandle sky experience.
Pilgrim Stops Near Amarillo
Weird, wonderful, and worth the detour.
Cadillac Ranch
Ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in a Texas panhandle field since 1974. Bring spray paint — you are expected to leave a mark. Every car is repainted constantly. It looks different every single day.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
The second-largest canyon in the United States sits largely unknown in the Texas panhandle between Amarillo and Lubbock. 820 feet deep, 120 miles long. The light at sunset is otherworldly. Criminally undervisited.
Plan your pilgrimage
Every Park a Pilgrimage.
Plan a baseball road trip through Amarillo and beyond.
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