What's your favorite baseball stadium?

[linbinwriter]

I'm doing some research on major league baseball stadiums and the cities in which they thrive

Comments

[linbinwriter]

This would certainly be an interesting take. I feel as you do about sitting through little league baseball games. My son says, "Do you have to bring a book and look so bored." Yes. "Can't you cheer once in a while?" No. Just go play and have fun. What's the big deal. ARGH. And they never sell hot dogs or cracker jack.

[robinellen]

I really liked Wrigley Field in Chicago. It had that lazy-day feel that I associate with a mid-afternoon baseball game ;) Plus, it was warm and a nice breeze blew.

I do like Coors Field here in Denver okay. But it wasn't as...original? You've been to Coors Field (I know) -- what did you think?

[linbinwriter]

Wrigley Field is my favorite too, Robin. I did like Coors Field, too, more than I expected. I thought it had a nice feel for a newer park. I also liked that the seats were all angled towards the infield which made it feel more intimate. And you can't beat the view beyond the outfield--wow. Do you guys actually get used to that?

The funniest thing was outside in the front where people where wearing placards. I thought they were having a protest and I got all excited. The kids made fun of me b/c it was just people selling fresh roasted nuts and advertising on big body signs. That was certainly unique.

Anything else stand out to you?

[robinellen]

the view beyond the outfield--wow. Do you guys actually get used to that?

I guess we must...I didn't think of that at all ;) I've only been to the two stadiums -- Wrigley Field also stands out because I was in an strange (exciting) city--and I do get used to that view ;) There are many places around town where we have that view, so I'm guessing I didn't even notice. Shocking, isn't it?

"take me out to the ball-game..."

[bostonerin]

I'm a HUGE baseball fan, and Fenway Park is in my backyard (not literally, but, ya know). Built in 1912, the seats are cramped and small, there are obstructed views with seats behind poles, and the ground is sticky. Some of the right field box seats actually are angled AWAY from home plate! That said, the atmosphere is electric. I think it's one of the only parks in the US where you can still reach out and touch players if you're in the front row in right field. The Green Monster dominates the left field wall, and the new seats on top mean that a lot more home run balls can be caught there. It also boasts a manual scoreboard. Half way through the 8th inning the ballpark is filled with the sounds of "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond (with the crowd yelling 'oh! oh! oh!' as part of the chorus). My husband likes the hot dogs, but it's the sausages OUTSIDE the park that he never misses

Re: "take me out to the ball-game..."

[linbinwriter]

This is all great stuff. I'm glad you mentioned the sausages especially since we had the hot dogs inside the game (we were there last spring for our first game and loved it). Something you didn't mention that stood out to us was how the vendors throw the hot dogs from many rows away. They don't do that in NY, or any of the other stadiums we've been to.

Have you visited other ballparks where they've done stuff that you've thought, "oh, I've never seen that before, they don't do that at Fenway"? Or any other comparisons you can make between Fenway and other ballparks would be really helpful.

Re: "take me out to the ball-game..."

[christine444]

I know they sell clam chowder at Fenway games. And don't the fans call themselves chowderheads? :>)

[christine444]

Well, I used to like going to Dodger Stadium. Until they traded my favorite player in 1998, and started making changes to the ballpark (more ads on the walls, less organ music). Now I've lost interest.

But still, it has more personality than newer ballparks (I was at Anaheim Stadium in August, and while the waterfall over rocks in centerfield is nice, the park is just so boringly generic). Older parks have interesting nooks and crannies, and unexpected aspects.

The thing I liked most about D.S. was that it's up on a hilltop in Chavez Ravine, so you drive up and up, and there it is! There's a nice view of the L.A. skyline at night, and the mountains. Dodger Dogs are famous, but I was never that impressed with them. They're just long hot dogs to me. :>)

[linbinwriter]

Hmmm. I think I was there once (20 something yrs. ago) for a day game. Thanks for the description of the evening skyline, that's very helpful. I seem to remember that the vendors were selling fruit cuprs in the stands. This cracked us up since it seemed very "California healthy" and we had never seen such a thing. Does this sound familiar or do you remember them selling anything else that seems very specfic to California. Also, is there ANYTHING about Anaheim STadium (I've never been) that makes it distinctive or relates to its place, etc.?

Thanks for the help, Christine.

[christine444]

You're welcome. :>) I don't think you can see the skyline from inside the stadium (I've never sat at the very top); it's behind home plate. But you can see it from the parking lot. The lights on the skyscrapers are different colors, even purple

[linbinwriter]

Oh, so many good tidbits. Must google capuchin monkey.

[christine444]

Oh, and I usually didn't do anything on game day except go to the game. But there's a lot to do in Los Angeles, of course. :>) Downtown, I've been to the huge county library, Olvera Street, Exposition Park (museums and a rose garden next to the Coliseum), etc. There's also a park on the way up to the stadium, Elysian Park, that's usually busy with picnics and birthday parties.

Anaheim Stadium is on the same street as Disneyland, Los Alamitos racetrack, and the Honda Center (Ducks hockey games, concerts, etc.).

[linbinwriter]

Oooh, this is all good stuff, just what I'm looking for. Thanks again!