Best Ballparks in MLB

[Steve Lein]

 

I thought Busch Stadium looked cool from the outside.  Inside it's just kinda meh (the arch in the background is certainly unique)

 

I searched far and wide for a decent beer...there aren't a whole lot of options:

 

Budweiser

Bud Light

Budwesier Select

 

Barf

 

You didn't look hard enough. Was there this year and had:

 

1. Several from Urban Chestnut Brewing (A local brewery that we also checked out later)

2. Schlafly

3. Boulevard

4. New Belgium

 

Definitely not up to par with the craft selection of Target Field, but it's there.

[Steve Lein]

 

 

AT&T has fantastic views, but unlike TF, when you're in the concourse, you feel like you're in an airport. 

 

Yes. THIS.

[ashbury]

I guess I don't spend enough time in the concourses when I'm at a game.

[FattCrapps]

 

You didn't look hard enough. Was there this year and had:

 

1. Several from Urban Chestnut Brewing (A local brewery that we also checked out later)

2. Schlafly

3. Boulevard

4. New Belgium

 

Definitely not up to par with the craft selection of Target Field, but it's there.

Weird.  I was even in the redbird club (supposedly more, better options for concessions) but couldn't find a thing.  I asked workers for help but they were clueless.  I was hoping to find some 4 Hands.  Oh well, glad I had my flask.

 

The food options were a travesty as well.   

 

Kauffman is about a thousand times better than Busch.  Same goes for their respective cities.

[Steve Lein]

 

I guess I don't spend enough time in the concourses when I'm at a game.

 

If you really want to experience the entirety of a stadium, you have to explore it! Stadiums aren't all about the game-watching, that's why they build new ones. (that's my opinion, anyway)

 

Of course you'll probably have a good time no matter the stadium if your goal is to sit in one spot for 2 and a half hours and not miss a minute of the greatest game in the world!

 

But in a place like Target Field, you can experience almost all of the stadiums atmosphere all while still not missing a minute of the game if you want to. That's what separates the good from the bad for me. Neighborhood atmosphere is a big one too, that's why I rank Coors #1 on my own list. Love LoDo.

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

I especially try to avoid concourses at Minnesota facilities.  We appear, as a breed, to be fundamentally incapable of understanding that the middle of the concourse is for walking and not for phone checking, gabbing with someone, or general standing around.

 

It's something of a sport at Target Field maneuvering around all the yahoos clogging the concourse.

[twinsnorth49]

I haven't been to the Rogers Centre. What makes this one so bad?

Rogers isn't so bad on a nice day with the roof open. Looking up at the people in their hotel rooms is a little funky, not having dirt basepaths, less than desirable concessions and it being a bit of a concrete monolith are kind of off putting.....come to think of it, it's a bit of a hole.

 

 

It is across the street from the Steam Whistle brewery and tap room though, so it gets a passing grade.

[Riverbrian]

OK... My List... Only stadiums I've been to and Only stadiums that still exist. I've also been to the Metrodome... Old Yankee... Comiskey and Tiger Stadium... The Metrodome would be the worst by far... Although I did like getting blown out the door after the game and I kinda miss that.  

 

1. AT&T -- Great Location... Great Look... Unique Features and the sight lines were incredible in my opinion. Sat up in RF and I could see if the pitch was a curve or not. I really don't understand how that was possible but it was clear as day. No Stadium comes close in my opinion.

 

2. Fenway -- The Stadium just got me... everything about it. The neighborhood around it is fantastic. The Wall is impressive and it just hangs over everything is a good way. The Shape of it is unique and there is an energy about the place... A Baseball Energy. Never thought I'd like an older stadium but this one is wonderful. 

 

3. PNC Park -- Pittsburgh just surprised me in total. The City is one of the most beautiful cities I've seen. I was thinking... industrial and grimy and dirty. It's a beautiful city with the Hills and Bridges. The Park fits the city like a glove. It's like an architect looked at the City and space and designed exactly what it should be.

 

4. Camden Yards -- It's a baseball stadium built for baseball... Great Sight Lines and the area behind RF is the perfect place to enter. Perhaps no other stadium makes you feel like you are at baseball game like Camden Yards does. The main downside is that Baltimore sucks and Parking is a long long walk and that walk is through Baltimore and Baltimore sucks.  

 

5. Kaufman -- It's a fairly old stadium compared to most but still surprisingly modern looking. It doesn't feel old and the fountains are just a great touch.On hot days the Fountain can mist enough to cool you down a little. Behind RF is a nice place to hang. I was charmed by it. 

 

6. Target Field -- It's great... I really don't have a problem with it at all. It's just above average and that's all. The View of the Skyline and that big dog on the Target Center is confined to that little peep hole in RF. It's beautiful but not in comparison to others. 

 

7. Citi Field -- I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised... It's a beautiful stadium and the constant stream of Airplanes flying over was an added bonus. Queens is kind of fun... At least the part I was in was. I didn't see the Eddie Murphy part I guess. 

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Below this line is the next level and they don't match up with the top 7.

 

8. Miller Park -- This one I rank a little higher than others because it's an impressive looking facility from the outside. As you drive to it on the interstate it's an incredible sight. Miller Park and Kaufman are two of the best stadiums to drive toward and view. Inside it is... as mentioned a sweat box... it really holds the heat but the stadium itself has enough gimmicks and unique features to be interesting. 

 

9. Ball Park at Arlington -- Lacks a decent Neighborhood surrounding the stadium. It is surrounded by Parking Lots and Fields. Inside it's just OK... Although the CF area is somewhat decent. Good View of the bullpens and activity in them is a plus but Bullpen View isn't high on my list. 

 

10. Progressive Field -- Nothing Special... Nothing Terrible. The Grounds Crew does a nice job with the Grounds. They have a stunning patch of green. Otherwise it's just average. 

 

11. Wrigley Field -- I was mostly just happy to be there to say that I've been there. But... If I had to rank it... It just doesn't score that high. I'm not a fan of watching games around poles. Ivy on the walls doesn't impress me and I didn't know who sang take me out to the ball game. 

 

12. SafeCo -- I was not impressed... I don't understand the high rankings at all. It isn't what I call an overly beautiful park and the atmosphere was just kinda lacking and that train whistle. It's LOUD and It made me spill my drink. The stadium just kinda ended up bugging me. I did enjoy Seattle though. 

 

13. Rogers Centre -- It is the worst by far...The Sun seems to bounce off of everything. The Walls look plastic... The Grass Looks Plastic. If you sit in the upper deck... the players look like ants. I think they learned how to make better stadiums after this one was built. 

 

 

[biggentleben]

One thing I've noticed, and I'm guilty of this as well, is that we are all often ranking a stadium based on one viewing. I have seen Miller Park multiple times, but if my only visit was being rained on by a closed roof stadium, it'd definitely be my last place stadium. As it is, I have it in my bottom half, but I would say that certain stadiums get a bum rap if you happen to catch a bad game or a bad matchup or a bad weather night or whatever.

[drjim]

 

3. PNC Park -- Pittsburgh just surprised me in total. The City is one of the most beautiful cities I've seen. I was thinking... industrial and grimy and dirty. It's a beautiful city with the Hills and Bridges. The Park fits the city like a glove. It's like an architect looked at the City and space and designed exactly what it should be.

 

I second this thought, Pittsburgh is a great and beautiful city. I had no idea until I got there.

[TheLeviathan]

I like all this Pittsburgh positivity.  I've wanted to go to PNC for awhile but I always imagined Pitt was in the same vein as Cleveland.  It's encouraging to hear otherwise.