Best Ballpark in Baseball

[Mariano_Rivera]

Yankees Stadium. Then again I`ve only been to the Yankees ballpark and the Orioles.

[DirtBall]

My own biased opinion is Citizen's Bank Park

[Williamsburg2599]

My own biased opinion is Citizen's Bank Park
My own biased opinion it's Fenway Park.
http://www.sportsteams.com/acbnet/stores/1/images/Posters/fenwaypark.jpg

[brewcrew4]

My favorite ballpark is Miller Park, but of course thats because im from Milwaukee. Miller Park is great but Busch Stadium i think would have to be the best.

[Williamsburg2599]

My favorite ballpark is Miller Park, but of course thats because im from Milwaukee. Miller Park is great but Busch Stadium i think would have to be the best.
The new one or the one that has gone up to Ballpark heaven?

[brewcrew4]

I was actually talking about new Busch Stadium as the best ballpark but old Busch was even better.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I really like AT&T Park. I like how it's downtown, and it sits right on the water.

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/nl/sbc707.jpg

[Elvis]

I can't decide between the Metrodome or Tropicana.

[Disgruntaledmarinerfan]

There are two ballbarks that stand out in my mind as the best in baseball.
Safeco Field and Jacobs Field. These two ballparks don't get nearly the respect which they deserve.

[riverfrontier]

They got respect when they opened, but when every new park these days has as much disparity as Coke and Pepsi, it's hard to get excited about cola. Some people still like a good sasparilla. I'm curious as to what makes them stand out so much above the other places in your eyes.

[DevilRays1969]

My vote goes to PNC Park.

[tommydee2000]

Best Current - Wrigley Field
Best of the New - AT&T Park San Francisco
Best Ever - Yankee Stadium 1923-1973

[TheJourneyman]

I can't decide between the Metrodome or Tropicana.

Texan here so I have to go with the Astrodome.

[hellborn]

I'd say Wrigley, but some of the new parks are challenging it.
There are SO many parks I haven't been to yet, though. Hard for me to give a qualified opinion.
Had a chance to check out Miller a few years ago, but my bro-in-law insisted on taking us to the state fair instead. Nothing like seeing a carny pretending to be a snake man instead of a ballgame...

[TigersFanB406]

I have to say Comerica Park as it is the only one I've been to.

[Rookie1914]

I was actually talking about new Busch Stadium as the best ballpark but old Busch was even better.

So, can I have my tax dollars back?

Missouri resident [Cubs fan] :waving

[Seattle1]

After some deliberation, I think I will have to go with Safeco Field in Seattle on this one.

[jgangstahippie]

Yankee Stadium and Camden Yards

[thekid9]

What are reasons for 'best'? Comfort? City view? Easy to get to and leave? tailgaiting? prices?

I've been to 12 ballparks. Fenway is, of course, my favorite. But it would only be comfortable if I were as big as a Smurf, rich and lived in an apt. in downtown Boston.

Sitting in a hotel room in Toronto and having one of the room's walls as a window to see the Red Sox is something every sport's fan must experience. It's pricey but worth it.

Comfort? Miller Park in Wis. has great seats, good prices and cheap beer.

Atmospere? San Diego's old ballpark Qualcomm was the tailgate atmospere of your dreams. Warm, train right to ballpark, hot women growing on trees.

U.S. Cellular is very nice. Chicago is a America's best big city, hands down, no matter what side of it you're on. Great prices and a good looking ballpark. Getting to and from? Not so much...

Anaheim's rock sculpture in centerfield made me want to drive back to the irport.

But the best kept secret in sports is Comerica in the big D. Cheap tickets and a ballpark that's nice to look at. One doesn't need to tailgate when the surrounding blocks are filled with sweet bars offering drinks and food at reasonable prices. Detroit Beer Company tops my list as "Best Bat" near a ballpark. Come on, it's brewed there. $2 pints anyone? Ever heard of Casinos that need your business? D has them, with slots and tables that pay. Yes, we all know that Detroit is struggling with crime and whatever else but I won't let that effect my decision that Comerica is the best ballpark in America.

[Old Sweater]

New

AT&T Park. Liked them better when they were just named once when they opened and keep the same name.

Old

Fenway

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

New

AT&T Park. Liked them better when they were just named once when they opened and keep the same name.


Nice pick!

Must be annoying to be a Giants fan. I hate the name "Rodgers Centre", and it's the only time that it's ever been changed. I can imagine that people just call it "the place where the Giants play" because they can't remember the name of the damn place.

[paul5150]

Camden Yards.

[jsmets92]

Citizen's Bank Park

[Cubsfan97]

I like many, I like Wrigley, cause is the way baseball used to be played in its golden years. Its just really beauiful and fun to be at. The bleachers have to give it an edge over Fenway. Fenway would be a close 2nd, then Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, and AT&T Park (wasnt it Pac Bell park?)

[Seattle1]

1. Safeco Field
2. PNC Park
3. Fenway Park
4. Wrigley Field
5. AT&T Park

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

I have to say Comerica Park as it is the only one I've been to.
Anyone is crazy for saying that comerica toliet bowl park is the best in baseball. its about the worst along with shea stadium.

[W_Marone]

Texan here so I have to go with the Astrodome.


Hmm....Kingdome anyone? :D or the Thunderdome? Aka Tropicana, but that has already been stated. But seriously, hmmm..this is tough, I've always like the one in San Fransisco, Pac Bel, or is it AT&T now? Yeah....that stadium is sweet.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Because of the glitch... BUMP!

[JordanDL3891]

Yankee Stadium is in a class all of its own :laugh


I guess you can also put Fenway and Wrigley in that class to. Outside of it, I like these parks, but never went to a game there:


BoB (chase field)
CBP
Astros Park
Seattle's park
Baltimore's Park
Giants Park
Rockies Park

[The Kid]

I like Fenway Park, Shea Stadium, and Camden Yards. Citifield is going to be great, too.

[riverfrontier]

Like the children of every nation, every ballpark is special. Some parks become icons. Some become ambassadors of the game. Some become civil servants, nondescript and essential in a single sentence of assessment. And some never make it off the drawing board. They're still sacred though, as is every single sketch, blueprint, and backyard ballfield which has ever been created. Stem cell scientists and biblical doctrinaires both enjoy the ballpark as an evening away from the television, but I've seen them cat-calling and baiting one another in bleacher sections around the country. Each faction has compressed its ideology into 'right field/left field' simplicity, and these days, as the twain shall never meet, it's all about the posturing. One faction is looking for the answers, and one already knows them, but they have a unified question. Shouldn't 'comerica toliet bowl park' be capitalized?

[wu-tang clan]

In The Past I Would Have To Say Shibe Park But Now Its Pnc Park By Far By The Way What Does Pnc Stand For I Say Its Poland-norway Communications Park But My Friend Says Its Public Nation Commerce Park Any Help Would Be Great Because I Bet $50 On This So Its Really Really Important Thank You. :) :) :)

[Seattle1]

By The Way What Does Pnc Stand For I Say Its Poland-norway Communications Park But My Friend Says Its Public Nation Commerce Park Any Help Would Be Great Because I Bet $50 On This So Its Really Really Important Thank You. :) :) :)

It stands for Pittsburgh National Corporation, lol. Wu-Tang Clan makes some of the most humorous posts in Baseball Fever dot com! :laugh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNC_Bank

[Paulmcall]

I've heard the new park in Pitsburgh is great. I hope to see for myself soon.

[Williamsburg2599]

I like Fenway Park, Shea Stadium, and Camden Yards. Citifield is going to be great, too.
Cisco is going to better, IMO:http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/oak/ballpark/new/index.jsp

100 years from now people are going to see Cisco as a classic.(If it isin't underwater:hp)

[sfgiants29]

Cisco is going to better, IMO:http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/oak/ballpark/new/index.jsp

100 years from now people are going to see Cisco as a classic.(If it isin't underwater:hp)

As much as I dislike the A's, I will admit Cisco looks beautiful

[bigtime39]

Much as I love Camden Yards (my home park), it's not always best to be first on a new design trend. (The only thing worse is to be last on an old one, ala the Cell!) There are some things about the Yards I'd change in a heartbeat, but that's for another time. I'd have to say the smartest design would be Safeco: a roof was absolutely necessary in Seattle (as it will be in Miami) and they handled it well.

[cadam]

1. PNC
2. SF (whatever corporate name it goes by now)
3. Fenway

However, I have not seen Jake, New Busch, Safeco or Petco (along w/ other, but those seem to also be prominantly mentioned).

[CPatt44]

1. Fenway
2. Wrigley
3.Yankee Stadium
4. Ted Turner Field
5. Miller Park

[RuthMayBond]

In The Past I Would Have To Say Shibe Park But Now Its Pnc Park By Far By The Way What Does Pnc Stand For I Say Its Poland-norway Communications Park But My Friend Says Its Public Nation Commerce Park Any Help Would Be Great Because I Bet $50 On This So Its Really Really Important Thank You. :) :) :)You're both wrong, it's
Pirates
Not
Competitive :laugh

[Bishop2100]

Yeah, so I'm a "homer", but I absolutely love going to Dodger Stadium. It's a beautiful old park with great sight lines and no obstructions. Even the nosebleed seats behind home plate are great seats. Plenty of parking, Dodger Dogs, Vin Scully in the booth, DodgerVision and the 76 gas station out behind left field...just classic.

After that, Minute Maid Park in Houston is also a beautiful stadium. Large, comfortable, with plenty of things for old and new fans alike. And the BOB (Chase Field) in Arizona was also great. Something odd about watching a Dodgers-D'backs game in a 72-degree stadium, then walking out into 102-degree dry heat. :D And Angels Stadium in Orange County is also a good-looking park, with a very fan-friendly atmosphere, lots of parking and great sight lines.

I've been to Qualcomm in San Diego, which was okay except that we were sitting on seats on metal bleacher stands that had been thrown in between football games (and this was behind home plate). Comerica in Detroit is a beautiful new park, but parking there is a three-alarm nightmare.

Wow...never realized how many stadiums I've been to. :crazy

[Edgartohof]

Well, like it should be expected, most here are choosing their home teams park.

And I am going to follow suit and say Safeco Field

I have sat in every section of that park (except the boxes - one day...), and there ain't a bad seat there (except for a short while in the upper deck when the sun is going down, it can get into your eyes - but other than that).

[Disgruntaledmarinerfan]

I will refrain from doing what everyone seems to be doing(picking home team field) and try to answer this question as unbaised and objectivly as possible.
of the 9 M.L. ballparks I have been to there are couple or few ballparks that stick out in my mind as a special ballpark. Wrigley Field, Jacobs Field and Great American Ballpark. All these ballparks have a a couple of things in common, Atmosphere, and aesteticts. when you step in to a ballpark like one of these, you know that your at a ballgame from way it looks and feels. these ball parks are not dominated by any fancy, and elaborate architechual facade or Dominated by large and obnoxious distracting JumboTron vidoe screens or thing like that... rather these ballparks are about the game, not the stadium, you see so many newer Ballparks constructed these day that seem architual atraction than a place to play baseball. these are my reasons that the Afore mentioned ballpark are prime examples of what a good ballpark should be.

[Danielh41]

I'm only going to rank the ballparks that I've actually been to...

1. Coors Field
2. Kauffman Stadium
3. Yankee Stadium (I wish I could have seen it before the renovation)
4. Minute Maid Park
5. Ballpark in Arlington
6. Chase Field
7. Shea Stadium
8. Candlestick Park (now closed)
9. Arlington Stadium (now gone)
10. Astrodome (now closed for baseball)
11. Mile High Stadium (now gone)

[skobabe8]

I will refrain from doing what everyone seems to be doing(picking home team field) and try to answer this question as unbaised and objectivly as possible.
of the 9 M.L. ballparks I have been to there are couple or few ballparks that stick out in my mind as a special ballpark. Wrigley Field, Jacobs Field and Great American Ballpark. All these ballparks have a a couple of things in common, Atmosphere, and aesteticts. when you step in to a ballpark like one of these, you know that your at a ballgame from way it looks and feels. these ball parks are not dominated by any fancy, and elaborate architechual facade or Dominated by large and obnoxious distracting JumboTron vidoe screens or thing like that... rather these ballparks are about the game, not the stadium, you see so many newer Ballparks constructed these day that seem architual atraction than a place to play baseball. these are my reasons that the Afore mentioned ballpark are prime examples of what a good ballpark should be.

I must wholeheartedly disagree with you saying that a game at Wrigley is "all about the game." The general sentiment here in Chicago, as well as my personal experiences, is that it is the complete opposite. Its more about just being at Wrigley Field and drinking some beers. The game is often an afterthought.

My personal favorite is in a category all its own in my opinion: Coors Field.

[Great One]

I would lean towards PNC Park slightly above Camden Yards as the best ballpark.

[P1NSTR1PES]

gotta be busch, fenway or yankee stadium.

[Brandon1537]

At and t park

[Boston Red Sox]

definitely fenway park its a brilliant ballpark with a brilliant support

[nymdan]

I'd have to say Fenway.

[The Kid]

Has to be Fenway. Easily.

[alpineinc]

Been to 9 MLB parks, including Wrigley, Camden (not Fenway, though) - PNC's for me.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/164627019_ae448596ce_o.jpg

[NewEnglandAmazins]

I'll only rate the parks that I've been to:

New: AT&T Park
Old: Fenway Park

[Williamsburg2599]

I also will only rank the parks I've been to:
1.Fenway Park

;) I have a feeling that won't change no matter how many parks I go to.

[Seattle1]

I really like AT&T Park. I like how it's downtown, and it sits right on the water.

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/nl/sbc707.jpg

This is a great ballpark. The only problem I forsee is that as sea level rises in response to global warming & the melting of the ice caps, it appears that the playing surface is eventually going to be below sea level. Might take 20 years or it might take 100 years. I think the playing surface is only 5-10 feet above sea level. Not to be a gloomy Gus.

[Ohplayer]

I have been to both Cincinnati ball yards as well as PNC Park and I also took a tour of Fenway. I would have to go with Fenway simply due to the nostalgia involved. Even though Boston is a terrible place to have to get around in.

[hellborn]

I have been to both Cincinnati ball yards as well as PNC Park and I also took a tour of Fenway. I would have to go with Fenway simply due to the nostalgia involved. Even though Boston is a terrible place to have to get around in.

Even when you get to know the area a little, getting to/from Fenway is STILL horrible.
You'd think there would be a big sign saying "THIS WAY TO FENWAY" when you get off Storrow or the Mass Pike, but, NOPE...

[Sean O]

Even when you get to know the area a little, getting to/from Fenway is STILL horrible.
You'd think there would be a big sign saying "THIS WAY TO FENWAY" when you get off Storrow or the Mass Pike, but, NOPE...

You'd have to be mad to actually park near Fenway when there's a game. I park at the Museum of Science and hop on the green line to Kenmore before the game, and walk back to the Prudential to catch the direct E afterwards.

Your best bet, by far, is parking at the Prudential Center ($15 with ticket stub), and walking about 10-15 mins either through the Fens or through kenmore. And taking Memorial Drive to Mass. Ave gets you right onto Boylston, making it a hell of a lot easier.

So, Coming from the north, 93 -> Sullivan Sq. -> Memorial Drive -> Mass Ave -> Boylston is really easy, and (relatively) traffic free. And yes, I realize this is too much information for anyone's use, but oh well.

[Matt1901]

This is a great ballpark. The only problem I forsee is that as sea level rises in response to global warming & the melting of the ice caps, it appears that the playing surface is eventually going to be below sea level. Might take 20 years or it might take 100 years. I think the playing surface is only 5-10 feet above sea level. Not to be a gloomy Gus.Okay, thanks for the input Al Gore.

[Williamsburg2599]

Okay, thanks for the input Al Gore.

Let's not go there.

[grandslamsingle]

I've only been to 5.

1. Fenway Park
2. Safeco Field
3. Camden Yards
4. Yankee Stadium
5. Shea Stadium

Shea's my home park, so I think I'm making an honest assessment.

Parks I admire from afar (and would like to admire from a-near one day) -- in no particular order:

AT&T
Dodger Stadium
Coors Field
Petco
Wrigley
PNC

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

This is a great ballpark. The only problem I forsee is that as sea level rises in response to global warming & the melting of the ice caps, it appears that the playing surface is eventually going to be below sea level. Might take 20 years or it might take 100 years. I think the playing surface is only 5-10 feet above sea level. Not to be a gloomy Gus.Thing is, I bet that if sea levels rose 20 feet, other parks would be under water too. Yankee Stadium and Shea maybe? Skydome? Whatever... I don't really think it's the world's biggest problem if/when the icecaps melt.

[PeteU]

Tell me about it. I live in Florida, so my whole state will be underwater.:eek:

[metfan13]

Used to be Yankee Stadium, before they ruined it.

As a Mets fan I can honestly say I'm looking forward to Citifield. bye bye Shea.

Haven't been to too many parks so I'll add ones I've seen on TV too.

1. Fenway
1A. Wrigley (because they didn't ruin these two parks like the Yanks did)
2. Pittsburgh
3. SF

[hellborn]

You'd have to be mad to actually park near Fenway when there's a game. I park at the Museum of Science and hop on the green line to Kenmore before the game, and walk back to the Prudential to catch the direct E afterwards.

Your best bet, by far, is parking at the Prudential Center ($15 with ticket stub), and walking about 10-15 mins either through the Fens or through kenmore. And taking Memorial Drive to Mass. Ave gets you right onto Boylston, making it a hell of a lot easier.

So, Coming from the north, 93 -> Sullivan Sq. -> Memorial Drive -> Mass Ave -> Boylston is really easy, and (relatively) traffic free. And yes, I realize this is too much information for anyone's use, but oh well.

I usually park at Alewife and go red/green lines, but there are times when I just have to park near Fenway. Met a buddy from out of town there once and he had to have a place to put his luggage, as he was just off the plane...we made a single wrong turn leaving the game and got 1.5 hours of hell as a result.
I've never tried taking Memorial in, just Storrow...I'll try it next time. Storrow actually worked OK for me last time I drove in since I had been that way several times and knew the turns, but parking was still horrendous. A friend of mine recommended parking illegally at MIT once and showed me a really slick way to get there off 93...I did manage to grab a spot, but only because somebody was pulling out just as I drove by them. Others have told me to park on Memorial itself if school is out.
Are you a MOS member? The parking rates there always seem usurious to me when I take my daughter there. It's one of her favorite places in the world, though.

[Sean O]

(Anyone not from Boston, or interested in attending a game at Fenway, skip this post)


Are you a MOS member? The parking rates there always seem usurious to me when I take my daughter there. It's one of her favorite places in the world, though.

Up until a few months ago I worked there, and with some finagling (ahem) I can park there for very little. Compared to the rest of Boston, the rates are actually pretty good, especially if you're a member. As a basic member, parking after 5PM is $5.50, and free if you're a premier member. So, $5.50 + $4 for the MBTA roundtrip to Fenway is $10, not bad at all. Then, just take the green line E train from Science Park to Copley since it's usually empty, then jam yourself on a B, C or D to get to Kenmore for 2 stops.

Memorial is my preferred choice because the traffic is usually far less than just across the river (Storrow is a nightmare, night and day), and the view is superb. Plus, since Prudential is about 2 blocks away from Mass Ave, it's far less crazy Boston traffic than any other way into the city.

Here's my best tip for anyone who doesn't mind a bit of T riding and walking, but only for weekend games. The Cambridgeside Galleria right across from the MoS has $4 parking up to 8 or 10 hours (can't remember which) on Sat, Sun and Holidays. This is just about 5 mins. further to walk than the MoS to Science Park (or Lechmere for that matter) So, $8 roundtrip, $12 for a pair. What's not to love about that, compared to $80 at the game? Plus, jump right onto memorial to Sullivan Square, and you're on 93 without even bothering with the upper deck or the Leverett Connector.

If you do it right, transport to Fenway doesn't detract from the experience.

[Lafferty Daniel]

My favorite ballpark is Dodger Stadium. I love sitting right behind homeplate on the top deck for about $8. The mountain views are very nice on a clear day and there is usually a nice ocean breeze coming in from the west.

http://static.flickr.com/48/183891468_e93aec1e5f.jpg

My girlfriend and I also "move up" to the lower levels almost every game because most of the older people that check tickets don't notice or don't care. We pay about $8 to get in and end up sitting in $50 seats by the 5th inning.

I have fond memories of going to Dodger Stadium with my dad and grandpa when I was younger. We'd visit the relatives in SoCal every other year and I used to think it was so cool that they had palm trees in the park.

Now the ballpark is just a quick drive on the 10 freeway from West LA. I'm a Twins fan at heart but love Dodger Stadium.

[placount]

i like dodger stadium too, i think that when they built that soccer stadium out there in la they should have put a roof on it like the one dodger stadium has in the outfield.

[Lafferty Daniel]

The outfield canopy always reminded me of those paper Japanese fans.

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/images/fan_forum/1990_seats_large.jpg

[Days Of Earl]

My own biased opinion is Citizen's Bank Park

even though I'm partial toward OPACY, I too have to agree that Citizens Bank Park is very nice...went last season for a game against the Red Sox, it was awesome....

and then theres always Yankee Stadium as well, imho nothing compares as far as history to that place....in a way sad to see it go...

PNC in Pittsburgh is nice as well.

[vdubya]

Wherever the Twins are playing! Even down in Florida where Johan Santana showed bunt and then tripled today.

My boy and I have tix to see them in Yankee stadium next week. We HAD to get there before they tear that one down.
Vdub

[Go Cardinals]

New Busch Stadium......... it's amazing!

[RuthMayBond]

New Busch Stadium......... it's amazing!It BETTER be, considering standing room can cost EIGHTEEN bucks :rant: :crazy

[PJ-34]

I really like AT&T Park. I like how it's downtown, and it sits right on the water.

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/nl/sbc707.jpg


I'm gonna have agree with you on this one. I jsut love the way it sits right next to the water.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I have been to only two MLB stadiums: Angel Stadium and Dodger Stadium.

Of those two, Angel Stadium is the best by far.

But the best ballpark overall is Fenway Park (Wrigley Field close at second). But I can only tell from pictures I have seen.

[Seattle1]

I'm gonna have agree with you on this one. I jsut love the way it sits right next to the water.

PNC Park is just like that too, only it sits along the Allegheny River (probably several hundred feet above sea level). Remember all the people in kayaks last year during the Home Run Derby, lol.

[Sean O]

New Busch Stadium......... it's amazing!

What's amazing about it, exactly? What makes it far and away better than every other HOK retro stadium?

[placount]

What's amazing about it, exactly? What makes it far and away better than every other HOK retro stadium?

i agree with sean here, this one gabp and whatever the one in philly is called all seem much too similar to me. i dont however think all the hok parks are the same, but those three, definately seem it to me.

[scottybr7]

I'm going to have to go with Wrigley. I've been to about 15 stadiums over the past few years. I'm yet to have been to a place with such history that comes alive when a game is going on. The atmosphere in Wrigleyville is amazing before, during, and continues well after a game (especially if they win). Walking into Wrigley allow you to feel like your experiencing baseball in the early 1900s.