By BRENDAN MEYERS
As an avid baseball fan, I tend to follow the game much more than the average fan. I have attended eight different MLB stadiums. I have enjoyed all eight, but some have been much more memorable than others. My goal is to someday visit all 30 stadiums, and I hope to check off a couple more this Summer.
The way I ranked these stadiums was based on a wide range of factors including stadium architecture, amenities, concessions, and other smaller factors that affected my overall experience.
Starting at the bottom of my list is Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. A lot of people really like this stadium, but I did not have a good experience when I went. The weather was freezing despite it being a summer night in June. While it is expensive, investing in a retractable roof or dome would help control the climate. I also got a ballpark hot dog and it was easily the worst one I’ve ever had at a sporting event. The stadium architecture was very nice and in a good location with the city skyline in the background.
At number seven, I have Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. They have some fun activities around the ballpark on the concourse, but the actual stadium is pretty basic. The ballpark is usually relatively empty, besides the Crosstown Classic between the Cubs and White Sox. The fireworks they have at the end of games are unique and fun, but recently they have not been winning much, so don’t bank on seeing them.
Next up is the Cincinnati Reds stadium, Great American Ballpark. The riverboat in center field is a pretty cool attraction, but I was disappointed to find out you have to be part of a group to go up on it. On the concourse, I got to hit in a wiffle ball home run derby on a mini field which was the best part of my experience. Everything else about my trip was pretty forgettable. I really enjoy how the ballpark dimensions are smaller and lead to a hitter-friendly ballpark.
Busch Stadium in St. Louis comes in at number five on my list. The Cardinals have my favorite backdrop in the entire league with the famous St. Louis Arch in the background. The weather was pretty nice, but there isn’t much to do around the ballpark. Similar to Great American Ballpark, the concessions were forgettable. It’s a good place to soak in a ball game, but other venues on this list offered better experiences for me.
Wrigley Field is fourth on my list. The home of the Chicago Cubs is the second oldest ballpark in the MLB and is a must-watch venue for any baseball fan. The ivy on the outfield walls and the signature center field scoreboard that is still hand-operated make it very unique compared to all the others I’ve been to. The biggest problem going to Cubs games is the traffic. There is no parking around the stadium and I have had to walk many blocks just to get in the stadium. The tickets are also very expensive no matter how good or bad the team is. I love going to Wrigley, but I liked going to a few other places more.
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia is next on my list. The home of the Philadelphia Phillies is one of my favorite layouts in all of baseball. The giant scoreboard in left field and the electronic scoreboard on the right field wall just made it look very neat. I also had a phenomenal pulled pork sandwich when I went, potentially my favorite food at any ballpark I’ve visited. The tickets are pricey and I found the fans in Philadelphia to be more rude than I expected.
American Family Field is the home of the Milwaukee Brewers and it is second on my list. The design of the retractable roof makes it visually appealing and great for inclement weather. The parking lot is huge and it’s such a close walk compared to just about every other park on this list. I love the giant scoreboard, and I love the slide Bernie the Brewer slides down even more. My biggest grievance is that they changed the name from Miller Park to American Family Field. The only thing I dislike about the actual stadium is the shadows during afternoon games can be annoying for both fans and players.
The number one MLB stadium I have attended is the home of the Atlanta Braves. Truist Park has just about everything I would want in a stadium and more. The weather is always gorgeous and even when I went at the beginning of April, it was a cool 65 degrees for a night game. The Atlanta Braves signature “Tomahawk Chop” is also a great tradition where the fans sing a Native American war chant with a mini lights show put on. I would be extremely intimidated if I had to come into pitch listening to 40,000 fans chanting.
Overall, I would say fans of baseball would enjoy all eight of these stadiums. Out of the 22 MLB stadiums I have not visited, I would say I’m most looking forward to seeing Fenway Park in Boston.
Featured image: MLB
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