All Stadiums (By Age)
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is an historic and classic stadium in the baseball world. While the ugly green outfield walls and cracked concrete floor pale in comparison to the beautiful new Retro ball parks, Fenway still wins the hearts of many baseball fans. This stadium was opened in 1912, and is the oldest stadium still in operation. You can almost feel the history.
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is another classic baseball stadium full of rich history. The stadium has famous ivy outfield walls, and many of the houses and buildings nearby have bootlegged seats and stadium built on top to view the game. The stadium hearkens back to an older and simple time in baseball, and is home to the Chicago Cubs, who have not won a World Series in over 110 years. Supposedly the team, and the stadium, are cursed. In 1945 a man with a goat tried was turned away from viewing the game. Before leaving, he supposedly put a curse on the team that they would never win a world series again. This folklore has been absorbed by the Cubs fans, who have many times brought goats into the stadium to atone for their indiscretions in years prior. You couldn't make this stuff up.
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is the 3rd oldest in baseball, and represent the huge gap between baseball stadium eras. Dodger stadium represents the early modern era for baseball stadium design, and has a large capacity. The stadium isn't anything special. The structure is built into a hill, with the stadium largely surrounded by grass. While the stadium is very old (relatively) the amenities and facilities seem to have been fairly well maintained and refreshed. In fact, I was surprised to hear that it was as old as it is.
Angel Stadium
Angel Stadium was one of the first ballparks that we visited, and although it is old and rundown, the stadium has heart. Outside the stadium there is a giant A and a large parking lot. This is another modern "concrete doughnut" stadium with large seating capacity, and a attention to usability. To be honest, the stadium isn't beautiful and could certainly use renovation or being rebuilt.
O.co Coliseum
The O.co Coliseum is a mixed football/baseball stadium made in a hyper modern design. The stadium is mostly concrete, and has a very dull structure and aesthetic. Additionally, the concrete is litterly cracking. I was able to get a small chuck of the concrete from behind our seats. In 1989, there was an earthquake that actually interrupted the World Series being played at the time. I am not sure if the cracks are from that earthquake, or if it is just an old and poorly maintained facility. While the former makes for a better story, it is more likely to be the latter. This is a stadium that needs (desperately) to be rebuilt.
Kauffman Stadium
This was an interesting baseball stadium because it had a feeling unlike other stadium I have been too. The stadium itself is outside of Kansas City in a field. While there is plenty of parking, it was horrific to leave because there was a single lane for the exit (someone needs to read my keys to baseball stadium design). The stadium is small, and it feels very personal and like a tight night community - I haven't had this experience elsewhere. While I don't want to demean the team or the stadium, it felt almost like a less serious venue, like for AAA leagues just because it was more personal and less corporate feeling. The stadium itself was fine - nothing special, but unique and interesting in its own way.
Rogers Centre
Not Visited - Planned 2014
While I have not visited this stadium, I can say a few things about what I know about it. The stadium does feature a retractable roof and artificial grass. Being located in Toronto Canada, this stadium is also the only stadium outside of the USA. While this website is called "Baseball Stadiums of America", we are going to consider "America" in the continental sense. I look forward to visiting and seeing the stadium,
While I have not visited this stadium, I can say a few things about what I know about it. The stadium does feature a retractable roof and artificial grass. Being located in Toronto Canada, this stadium is also the only stadium outside of the USA. While this website is called "Baseball Stadiums of America", we are going to consider "America" in the continental sense. I look forward to visiting and seeing the stadium,
Tropicanna Field
Ahh, Tropicana Field - my least favorite in the MLB. I pick apart the reasons this stadium is the worst in my Hall of Fame section, so I will try to stay impartial for this review. The stadium is a large, permanently covered, dome that almost looks like a gas storage tank from the outside. Inside it looks like a large warehouse with a field plopped in the middle. The field is made with artificial grass, and is comparatively small. This stadium was built and designed quickly in order to get a MLB team to Tampa Bay before the city had a team. The rush to build the stadium shows in its aesthetic. On top of its poor design, the team itself hasn't done very well, leading to many embarrassingly empty games. One the plus side, to draw fans to the game, the owner decided not to charge for parking, which is always nice. This stadium needs to be rebuilt, badly.
U.s. Cellular
US Cellular field is a nice standard baseball stadium. It has all of the amenities expected of a stadium, but nothing to set it out from the crowd. To be fair, I don't remember much from the stadium, and my notes from the time seem to also be sparse. The stadium was average; it didn't do too much to impress me, and it also didn't do too much to disappoint me. While it wasn't particularly memorable, I don't think that it is a bad stadium, but it could use some more interactivity and uniqueness to help make a clear distinction in the minds of fans.
Camden Yards
Camden Yards is my favorite ballpark of them all. Camden features a beautiful brick and steel motif. I am particular fond of the brick and steel design of stadiums because I believe that it represent the transition that baseball has gone through, and is continuously experiencing, as the new becomes old and the old becomes new. Camden was the first ballpark in the Retro stadium era, and clearly differentiates itself from other stadiums. There are attractions and shops in the outfield area, and plenty of areas for family to eat. There are also plenty of fan activities to keep you busy. I love this stadium, and I think that it represents everything that is wonderful about baseball.
Ranger's Ballpark in Arlington
Ranger's park is wonderful stadium built right between Dallas and Ft. Worth right along side the brand new Dallas Cowboys stadium. The outside features a red brick fortress like style with large towers surrounding the edge of the stadium. On the inside the stadium is wonderfully modern and does a very good job of keeping fans involved in the game.
Progressive Field
Not Visited - Planned 2014
This ballpark is on the docket for being visited in 2014. Can't wait to see the ball parks of the Midwest (and one in Canada).
This ballpark is on the docket for being visited in 2014. Can't wait to see the ball parks of the Midwest (and one in Canada).
Coors Field
Coors Field is another one of my favorite ballparks. While on the surface it is pretty average looking in terms of structure, the entire experience was heavily centered around fan interactivity and building community. It was great. Plenty of things to do, and lots of great food. I also thought the stadium did a good job of integrating the Colorado lifestyle into the feel of the stadium experience.
Turner Field
Not Visited
This stadium is relatively new, and I have heard great things about it. The reason we haven't visited it yet is because it is so isolated. Look at the stadium map - there isn't much near it, and certainly not within easy driving distance. I am not sure if this has come up elsewhere, but if you look at the pattern of how we visit stadiums, it is usually by clusters in one general geographic area. I guess the south just doesn't have that many stadiums.
This stadium is relatively new, and I have heard great things about it. The reason we haven't visited it yet is because it is so isolated. Look at the stadium map - there isn't much near it, and certainly not within easy driving distance. I am not sure if this has come up elsewhere, but if you look at the pattern of how we visit stadiums, it is usually by clusters in one general geographic area. I guess the south just doesn't have that many stadiums.
Chase Field
Chase field was the first stadium that we visited that started the wonderful baseball stadium adventure. This stadium is extremely large in its volume. The structure is essentially a giant rectangular square stadium with a roof that can move off to the side. The ceiling is very tall, and you feel like this is a field for giants. The outfield has giant open windows that show posters and banners of stars on the team, and the whole stadium has a green steel aesthetic that I really enjoyed. The stadium also has a lot of games and activities for fans, and even has a picnic area where you can sit and eat your food while watching the game. This stadium is very modern and unique, which is why it got use interested in our adventure from the start.
Safeco Field
Safeco field is a great stadium with a modern feel. The stadium itself has a large retractable roof - a necessity in Seattle. The stadium also offered a large selection of different foods, and was particularly good in interactivity.
AT&T Park
AT&T park is right by the San Fransisco bay, which gives it wonderful views and interesting uniqueness. Often times fans in kayaks will wait in the water behind the outfield to catch potential home run balls. Behind the outfield seating was a large fan activity and food center which was a great place to hang out. I really liked this stadium and it had a nice community and a wonderful view.
Comercia Park
Not Visited - Planned 2014
This is on the docket for being visited in 2014. Can't wait to see how the stadium scores.
This is on the docket for being visited in 2014. Can't wait to see how the stadium scores.
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid park has a large square like structure, reminiscent of Chase Field. In the outfield is a full scale train that moves across the track above the outfield wall each time the home team scores a home run. The stadium feels very big and has a good amount of fan activities. A solid baseball stadium and experience.
Miller Park
Miller park has an interesting and unique half circle ceiling with a retractable roof. In the outfield is a slide for kids that goes down a few stories. I was too old at the time (not at heart) to use the slide, but it looks like a bunch of fun.The stadium had lots of things for kids to do, and also things for adult fans. I thought that this was a solid ballpark with a great and unique structure.
PNC Park
PNC park was wonderful and way different than expected. Perhaps it was just my bias, but I expected Pittsburgh itself to be run down and dirty, but it and the stadium were very clean and modern. PNC park has a wonderful view of downtown and of the river that runs through right behind right field. The park had restaurants to watch the game from and plenty of food and activities. It was a truly wonderful park. I just wish it wasn't so damn cold.
Great American Ballpark
Not Visited - Planned 2014
"Great American Ballpark?" I will be the judge of that. We will probably be going sometime this summer (2014), and I look forward to visiting this stadium.
"Great American Ballpark?" I will be the judge of that. We will probably be going sometime this summer (2014), and I look forward to visiting this stadium.
Citizens Bank Park
This stadium is right out side of Downtown Philly, and has a wonderful view of the downtown. The structure uses a brick motif and is very clean and well designed. The stadium offered many new and different types of food, which made it particularly interesting.
Petco Park
I love Petco. I am a San Diego local, but this stadium really is quite nice. Perhaps many of use down't realize what a great stadium we have in relation to other parts of the country. In uniqueness of structure, Petco wins - hands down. The whole building has wild and unpredictable corners and edges, yet the walkways the the facilities are all easily usable and well accessed. One criticism is that the right field only has only level with a small hallway to get to center field, which creates a bottle neck. Also, parking downtown is a mess, but hey. I actually got the chance to tour Petco and see all of it's ins and outs. It is a wonderful stadium.
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is another one of my favorite ballparks. They certainly win in regards to the "best outfield framing" category. Building the stadium with the arch in the background is an example of a simple, yet wonderful design that sets the stadium apart and makes it integrate with its surroundings. The structure of the stadium itself was interesting, and there were a good amount of activities. A good stadium experience overall.
Nationals Park
Not Visited
The Nationals didn't even exist when we started this trip. The "Montreal Expos" were still a Canadian team. Wow - Baseball has changed a lot in 10 years. We will be visiting this park after we have completed the original set of parks.
The Nationals didn't even exist when we started this trip. The "Montreal Expos" were still a Canadian team. Wow - Baseball has changed a lot in 10 years. We will be visiting this park after we have completed the original set of parks.
Citi Field
Citi Field is another standard and not entirely unique baseball stadium. The amenities and the design were fairly standard without anything of particular interest. The exterior structure is bland and the interior is very standard and modern. This stadium essentially scored a B- but I don't think it did anything wrong, it just wasn't very special.
Yankee Stadium
Not Visited
We have visited old Yankee stadium, but we have not been able to visit the new one yet. I am eager to see what has changed and to see how the new stadium scores.
We have visited old Yankee stadium, but we have not been able to visit the new one yet. I am eager to see what has changed and to see how the new stadium scores.
Target Field
Target field is home to the Minnesota Twins, and like all other things I saw in Minnesota, the stadium is well designed, clean in its architecture, and very usable. The stadium offers all the necessary amenities, and it is just a very well run facility. This stadium didn't really set itself apart in any particular way, but it did do everything expected very well. Also, it was very hot at the game, so more shade would be nice.
Marlin's Park
Not Visited
We had previously visited Dolphin Stadium (what a mess) before the new stadium was built. We look forward to visiting the newest ballpark in the league.
We had previously visited Dolphin Stadium (what a mess) before the new stadium was built. We look forward to visiting the newest ballpark in the league.
All images by Wikimedia