Over the last three summers I've traveled over 15,000 miles and been to more than 20 states for my job at CBS Sports. Traveling that much can take its toll especially if I have driven from tournament to tournament every week. But one great thing about driving across the U.S. in the summer is the chance to stop and take in a Major League Baseball game. Over my 23 years, I've been to 15 ballparks stretching from coast to coast and before I die I would love take in a game from each of the remaining 15 parks in America. So, out of those 15 ballparks I've decided to rank them in order from best to worst based on several categories: stadium, atmosphere and accessibility.
Just a Place to Watch Baseball
15) RFK Stadium
The reason that RFK is last on my list is because it was a baseball field in a football stadium. There were two sections: lower deck and upper deck. We bought tickets at the gate for $20 which was a complete rip off for the product inside. There was no chance to catch a home-run during batting practice because the entire outfield at it shortest point was 330 down the lines but the stands were 100 feet above the field. We got to see a good game between the Nationals and the Cubs, but overall it wasn't much.
14) Shea Stadium
I liked Shea for its history and rowdy fans but that was about it. We went to see the Rangers play the Mets last summer which was a lot of fun because it's always nice to cheer you home team on in another park.The stadium itself is in downtown Queens which is not the most fan friendly place in the world especially if you're an opposing fan. Our tickets were a little pricey but we had excellent seats in the club level behind home plate. We got there for batting practice and found out that we weren't allowed in the outfield sections without a ticket; leaving us with little chance of grabbing a ball. The stadium was pretty "cookie-cutter", meaning there were not a lot of imaginative perks on the field or throughout the park.
13)Angels Stadium of Anaheim
We visited this park in the summer of 2006 and to be honest I was really disappointed. As you walk up to the stadium there are several gigantic structures of players or a batting helmet,etc but that was the most entertaining part of the park. The batting practice accessibility was nothing special and the view from behind home plate is pretty average. The outfield is split between stands in left, huge rocks in left center, a green concert structure in center for the batters eye and a 30 foot digital scoreboard in right. We sat in the upper deck behind home plate and were kind of bored by the atmosphere.
12) Progressive Field( Jacob's Field)
I had always heard how cool the "The Jake" was because it was the first ballpark built with the modern technology of the 90's,etc. The overall experience was a lot of fun but Progressive Field itself was overrated. The view from behind home-plate was a little like that of the Angels park. A digital scoreboard wall was in left with a another giant scoreboard behind the left field stands. From center to right it was basically just an eight foot high wall to the foul pole. The best part of the view is downtown Cleveland set directly behind the stadium. The game we went to lasted 13 innings against the Tigers. The best part of the night was the general rowdiness of the crowd. Overall this was a good experience but the stadium wasn't as good as advertised.
11) Tiger Stadium
I don't remember much about going to Tiger Stadium except that it was my first Major league game I'd ever seen in person. We went to see the Tigers vs. Rangers in 1993 during Nolan Ryan's last season in the big leagues. It wasn't much to look at but it had so much history inside of it that I have to put it ahead of some of the newer parks. Cecil Fielder hit a bomb to help the Tigers beat the Rangers that day but the new experience of a big league game was enough to keep me and my brother happy.
The 21st Century Park
10) Minute Maid Park
I've been to watch the Astros several times since this stadium was built and every time I've really enjoyed it. The stadium is one of the most up to date there is with the retractable roof and the unique hill in dead centerfield 421 feet from home plate. The view from behind home-plate is a one that really catches your eye with the short porch in left field and other creative outlets around the field itself. This a great batting practice park because the short fences around the field. The only knock on this experience is that every time I've gone it seems like the crowd is asleep which kind of kills the atmosphere. Overall this is a great park to visit because it offers an environment for the whole family.
9) Comerica Park
I've been here twice since it's been built and both times I've walked away happy. The first thing you notice when you walk up to the park is an enormous statue of a tiger. As you walk around the park you will notice that there are several large statues of players such as Ty Cobb and Al Kaline which makes you aware of the Tigers' rich history. During batting practice the players are very accessible and the if you bring your glove you have a great chance to catch a ball.
8) Camden Yards
I visited Camden a couple of weeks ago for the first time and it was everything I expected. It had beautiful scenery, an old timey feel to it and the fans were very knowledgeable of the game. We went to see the Orioles play the Red Sox and had great seats a few rows behind home plate. The only negative was the rain delay that forced us to leave in the 5th inning with the O's down 9-1. As we got back to our hotel, we watched the end of the game but we were sick because the O's came back and won 11-10. There's not much wrong with Camden Yards.
7) PNC Park
The home of the Pittsburgh Pirates was surprisingly very impressive all around. Like Comerica, PNC has several statues around the park of old players such as Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente. We walked up and got $8 tickets against the Yankees which is unheard of anywhere else. The ballpark itself is beautiful. The view from home plate is dominated by the skyline of downtown Pittsburgh.
Historical Parks
6) Dodger Stadium
This was a great experience as were the visits to the rest of the stadiums on this list because of the history of the park. The stadium itself is nothing to brag about, but the L.A. atmosphere makes this a great baseball experience. We got to see the Dodgers play the Giants back in 2006 as Barry Bonds was chasing Hank Aaron's home-run record. We sat in the left field bleachers and watched Bonds hit his 720th homer. We also watched an inspiring fireworks show at the end of the game.
5) Yankee Stadium
I know the thousands of you that will read this may think I'm ranking Yankee Stadium too low because I don't like them. Well, you're right(sort of). There's not another team in sports that I hate more than the New York Yankees but to be fair I just wasn't that impressed with the park. I visited the stadium in 2001 during a series with the Indians who then had Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez. We watched Roger Clemens pitch a gem which was really cool to see. The stadium itself was in the Bronx which is not a neighborhood you want to be caught in at night. The history of the park was the best part because you could just feel the ghosts of Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig and so many others that had played here. Overall, it wasn't much to look at but it was nice to be a part of a history.
4)Pac Bell Park- Home of the Giants
This is my favorite recently built park for so many reasons. My family and I traveled to SF in 2004 which was cool because Barry Bonds was the best player in baseball. Pac Bell is 50 feet the Pacific Ocean which makes the home-runs hit to right field accessible to people boating in McCovey's Cove. The view from behind the plate is breath-taking because of the array of colors that are covering the structures and the view of the bay from the field. The thing that is so cool about this park is that there are so many things to do besides just sit and watch baseball. There's a small theme park and a view from right field that looks out into the bay. Not to mention 30 or so lucky fans can find a spot to watch the game through a gate from the outside of the park at field level for free. We saw the 2004 Red Sox play the Giants that day which was really cool. This is definitely a must if you're a baseball fan.
3) Wrigley Field
The home of the Cubs has the best sports atmosphere in the country. Many times at stadiums across America you will see random fans that are wearing other teams' jerseys or gear just because they're at a baseball game... not here. Everyone is wearing Cubs stuff. The experience outside the stadium is crazy because all the way around the park people are selling Cubs' merchandise, selling tickets, chasing after batting practice homers or making their way in and out of the numerous bars they have around Wrigley. When we entered for the first time it felt as though we had walked into the 1940's. Another great thing about Wrigley is that most of the fans are very knowledgeable about the game which makes it that much more fun. We saw the Cubbies win 6-2 against the Marlins and listened to Greg Maddux sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th Inning stretch. As far as baseball atmosphere goes it just doesn't get any better...
2) Fenway Park
Ever since I was about 11 years old my family has been traveling down to Florida every year to go watch the Red Sox spring training in Fort Meyers, FL. So I've always enjoyed rooting for the the Red Sox(except when they're playing the Rangers) even before the had their magical 2004 World Series run. We visited Fenway in the same week as we went to Yankee Stadium which was cool because we got a lot of baseball history in a short time span. Fenway is like Wrigley Field in that there is so rich in baseball history that you can't help but take in this one-of -kind ballpark. If you can get there early for batting practice there are several extremely accessible spots to catch a ball or even get an autograph. Down the right field line next to the foul pole the wall is a mere four feet high which makes it prime territory for ball interaction. The stadium itself is the oldest in the majors which makes it look like you're in the 1960's.
The view from behind home plate is one that any baseball fan would never forget. Fenway has so many nooks and crannies from "Pesky's Pole" down the right field line to the gap in right center that is 420 feet from home or the famous "Green Monster" in left field that stands 37 feet high. We saw the Indians play the Red Sox that night as we sat in deep right a few row up from the bullpen. The best thing about the experience was to be a part of the surrounding fans' passion for their team. One minute the Red Sox would take the lead and you would think they were World Series bound but the next inning they would commit an error followed immediately by a string of "boos' from their faithful. This passion is what makes going to a game in Boston an absolute must if you're a sports fan.
The Best of the Best
1) The Ballpark in Arlington
Yes, I know most of you will disagree with this but I don't care. How could I not rank the stadium that I've seen over 300 games in over the last 14 years at the top of the list? The Ballpark is not just a place to watch baseball; it's an enjoyable experience for everyone no matter who you're rooting for. When you walk into the park you are immediately welcomed by the Rangers' staff with a smile and a "Welcome to The Ballpark." Showing up a couple hours early for batting practice can be very beneficial. The best place to catch a ball is in dead centerfield standing next to the 100 feet of green grass that serves as a prime place for homers. My brother and I have caught over 400 batting practice baseballs over the years on that hill which is pretty cool. Just behind centerfield is a huge playground for kids that makes for a great break during the game for kids.
The view from behind home-plate is reminiscent of old Tiger stadium in right field with a huge home-run porch. In left field there was originally a manual scoreboard that is now a huge digital scoreboard. Not to mention that my family's season tickets in right centerfield just above the 407 sign are the best seats in the house. We're five feet from the bullpen catcher and on the first row of the our section a few feet from the wall which makes it possible to catch a homer and have a conversation with the players from our seats. The atmosphere of The Ballpark embodies our great state of Texas. Filled with museums, low prices and the most entertaining baseball in the big leagues, The Ballpark in Arlington is the best value in the majors.
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