THE Ballpark Bucket List Resource

August 30, 2017

These are my ballpark rankings. This list is dynamic and will change as I visit more parks. The criteria I used for these parks are the following:

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• Design of the ballpark – how is the park designed? How is it unique from other parks

• The experience in the park – what is the atmosphere like before, during and after the game

• The surrounding area/neighborhood – is this a place that I can spend some time before and after the game? Are there good food and drink options? A team meseum/hall of fame attached?

• Onsite amenities – Are there a wide range of food drink options? Can you get food and drink in a timely manner? Are there ample restrooms?

• Historical Significance – What historical events have happened at this park?

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So here's my list 

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1. Fenway Park - Been there several times and it just can’t be beat. I love the quirks of the park (Green Monster, right field line). It has expanded over the years but it still maintains an intimacy. The surrounding area is fantastic with plenty of food and drinking options

2. Wrigley Field - A close second to Fenway. The surrounding neighborhood is superior to Fenway however the the park inside feels a bit larger. The Ivy on the outfield fence is one of my favorites. The Wrigleyville neighborhood is the best ballpark neighborhood anywhere. It is an exciting place to visit even if there isn’t a game there.

3. AT&T Park - Giants. In my opinion it’s the best of the new parks. Fantastic setting looking out into McCovey cove. Very good food options. The neighborhood is good, probably even better since my last visit in 2005.

4. PNC Park - Pirates. I love the view! Looks right into downtown Pittsburgh and the Clemente bridge. Very nice park. You can walk from downtown Pittsburgh over the bridge or just hang out in the neighborhood close to the park, there are plenty of food and drink options.

5. Target Field - Twins. I was very surprised at this park. Real good location; right downtown and adjacent to the Target Center (Timberwolves). Field has some nice quirks like the building in left field that is almost in play and there are decent views of the city from the ballpark.

6. Busch Stadium - Cardinals. Nice ballpark, pretty straightforward with some nice touches like a view of the arch from the stadium. Good neighborhood surrounding the ballpark and perhaps the best fans in all of baseball makes this a great experience.

7. Camden Yards - Orioles. The first retro ballpark still hold up over time. They get lots of credit for having the vision to make the ballpark retro. I like the warehouse building in right field to give it some character. The ballpark itself is solid but not spectacular.  

8. Miller Park - Brewers. The roof! The first retractable roof on my list. It’s a very nice ballpark, plenty of good food and drink options. It feels pretty big and there is little surrounding the stadium.

9. Marlins Park - Impressive structure and very Miami. Non-traditional in every way but for some reason it works in Miami. I like the windows in left field where you can see the city. This could be a lot higher if there was some enthusiasm from the fans. It just feels like a cavernous place since there is almost never anyone there. Also, the surrounding area is the worst of any ballpark I’ve ever been to. There is not one food or drink establishment within ¼ mile.

10. Comerica Park - Tigers. Solid outdoor park, nothing remarkable to me. Nice views of the city. The surrounding neighborhood is decent. It’s probably improved since I was there in 2014

11. Nationals Park - Another nice, newish stadium. Nothing that really stood out for me, the surrounding area wasn’t much back in 2013 when I went, but I have a feeling that has improved since then. Open views into the neighborhood, but there it’s just a bunch of condos and office buildings.

12. Global life Park (Rangers) - Large park with a hodgpodge of architectural styles. Not a bad place but lacking a certain personality. The surrounding area when I went was not much to do, nor sure about now that the Cowboys stadium has opened

13. Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays) - Nothing remarkable about the park, not too big so the seating is actually ok, but there are quirks like the catwalk to deal with. The only positive is that it is indoors and the surrounding area is not a bad place to hang around.