BK's Big Baseball Page

Ballpark #20- Pro Player Stadium, Miami, FL

2012-06-06T22:07:00.001-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1993 (for baseball)
Team: Florida Marlins
1st Visit: 8/19/05
Last Visit: 8/19/05
# Games: 1
Food: 5/10
Stadium: 3/10
Important Games Seen: none

The last of the multi-purpose stadiums ended in Miami in 2011, and that's a very good thing. The two good things for me are personal in nature: I got to see the Dodgers, and Staci surprised me with the trip to Miami for my birthday. Pro Player Stadium (also known as Joe Robbie, Landshark, SunLife, etc) was built for football and it shows. Stuck on the outskirts of Miami, this concrete behemoth had bad sitelines, horrible video board, and no fans. Pro Player did have 2 positives that I've never seen at any other MLB ballpark: cheerleaders and free parking lots. Both were a shock to the system, but neither gives the Marlins' former digs enough to get excited about. Glad to have seen it, and glad to see it gone.

We had a great view from our seats

Lots of fans disguised as empty seats

Billy the Marlin

Ballpark #19- Fenway Park, Boston, MA

2012-05-22T21:55:00.000-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1912

Team: Boston Red Sox

1st Visit: 8/14/05
Last Visit: 7/10/10

# Games: 3

Food: 7/10
Stadium: 10/10
Important Games Seen:
Futures at Fenway featuring the P-Nats (7/10/10)

My strangest history with a ballpark is Fenway. I have been to 3 games there, driven over 8 hours each way twice to go there, yet I have never seen a full game at Fenway. And somehow it is one of the best ballpark experiences I have had. How's that, you say? Well, when I drove up in 2005 to pick up Staci and see a game, it started raining in the 4th inning- and never stopped. I sat in the bleachers for over an hour in the pouring rain, just waiting, praying it would stop. No such luck.

So the return trip 5 years later was to be a unique experience. The minor league team I worked for, the Potomac Nationals, was playing a minor league game at Fenway as part of a double-header dubbed "Futures at Fenway." First game was to be the Jamestown Jammers vs the Lowell Spinners, and 2nd game would be our P-Nats against the Salem Red Sox. We were going to get the full treatment, behind the scenes tour, a private suite with all you can eat food and drinks, and a chance to go on the field of baseball's oldest Major League park. Our whole front office was psyched, and we had the added benifit of Addie's 1st big league road trip.

So, what happened? The tour was fantastic, standing on top of the Green Monster, walking the field, and seeing parts of the stadium most don't get to see. The suite was awesome, great view with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the game. The game? Well, around the 6th inning of the 1st game, the rains came...and hard. We waited it out for a couple hours, having the suite to stay dry in, but eventually the game was cancelled. As upset as I should I have beeen, getting rained out again, it was hard not to enjoy such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While I would have already forgotten the score of the game had they played, I will never forget the time we had with good friends and family.

Now for the park- it's an amazing place. Intimate and true to its 100-year old history, Fenway feels like it's the 1950's, but in a good way. Many old-timers have told me that Fenway is the closest thing to Ebbets Field still around, which endeared me from the start. My only complaint is the seats are also much like the 1950's- small for a smaller generation. If I ever go back and don't bring the rain, I won't be sitting in the bleachers like I did in '05. The food is above average too, A Fenway Frank is probably top 5 in baseball. A must-see for even the non-baseball fan- or the non-Red Sox fan like Staci (she loved it too).

Damn rain..

P-Nats Posse

We're on the board

View from the top of the Green Monster

Staci Addie & I on the field

Addie B hanging in the Red Sox Suite

Ballpark #18- Coastal Federal Field, Myrtle Beach, SC

2012-05-17T14:58:00.000-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1999
Teams Seen: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Braves) 1999-present
1st Visit: 7/16/05
Most Recent Visit: 8/18/07
# Games: 2
Food: 6/10
Team Store: 8/10
Stadium: 7/10
Future/Rehabbing Stars Seen: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus

It's kind of strange that in the 10 years that Myrtle Beach was our main vacation spot, I only got to two games. Why is that? The scheduling gods were against me, beacuse no matter what week we went to MB, the Pelicans were out of town on all but two of those occasions. Which is a shame, beacuse Coastal Federal (Now BB&T Coastal) is the nicest park in the Carolina League.

Despite being at Myrtle Beach, it's really nowhere near the beach. Located about 3 miles from the main strip, The Pelicans' park is in an area known as Broadway at the Beach, where there is plenty of dining, drinking and shopping within walking distance. Very few minor league parks are in such a happening area as Myrtle Beach.

Built in 1999, Coastal Federal quickly became a favorite of tourists. Being a Braves affiliate and having the likes of Rafael Furcal and Elvis Andrus come through didn't hurt either. One of the unique things about this stadium was that they were one of the first teams to use a "bat-dog" on a regular basis. For 10 years, Dinger would bring balls to the umpire, collect bats off the field, and numerous other tricks. Saldy, Dinger passed away in 2008, but Deuce has now taken over the duties and keeps the quirky tradition alive.

As for the stadium itself- a finely structured stadium, especially for the high-A level. Plenty of open space, a nice kids' area, and an incredible team store that carries a better variety than most. If you are in Myrtle Beach, take time from the golf courses, dance clubs, and beach to check this beauty out.

Dinger the Bat-Dog. RIP

Ballpark #17- PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

2012-05-09T21:12:00.000-04:00

Stadium Opened: 2001
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
1st Visit: 7/5/05
Last Visit: 9/28/09
# Games: 2
Food: 8/10
Stadium: 9/10
Important Games Seen:
Andy LaRoche 6 RBI game (9/28/09)

As recently as 1994 Pittsburgh was in danger of losing the Pirates beacuse of ballpark concerns with the dilapidated Three Rivers Stadium. It was nothing short of a miracle when PNC Park was built in 2001, and became part of the short list of the great ballparks. It's a shame the Pirates have stunk for 20 years, beacuse their jewel of a ballpark sits half-empty most nights.

When we first attended a game there in 2005, it was a rainy night, which made the small crowd even smaller. It was good for us, as we had run of the place and got to enjoy the game from multiple views. My favorite part of PNC is the view in the outfield. Beyond the fences lies the famed three rivers, and the walkable bridge past left field gives you an even better shot of the whole place.

The food is above average, with local flavor Primanti Brothers sandwiches available at certain stands. And of course, pierogies. The pierogies aren't just to eat, as the popular Pierogi Race is a big hit as well. The video board is standard for today's parks. The biggest complaint I have about the park is getting there. While not as congested as places like DC or New York, getting around Pittsburgh is cumbersome and full of one-way streets. Hardly a reason not to go, but something to be aware of.

Overall PNC Park is a great place to see a game, hopefully the Pirates can start to field a competitive team and bring the fans back.

The bridge to the city

The river beyond the outfield

Dodgers visit Pittsburgh

Pierogi Race

Staci & I 2005

Ballpark #16- Jacobs Field, Cleveland, OH

2012-05-02T22:50:00.000-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1994
Team: Cleveland Indians
1st Visit: 7/4/05
Last Visit: 9/25/09
# Games: 2
Food: 8/10
Stadium: 9/10
Important Games Seen:
Justin Verlander's 2nd-ever MLB start (7/4/05), The 1st of Staci's & my July 4th game tradition (7/4/05)

Cleveland Rocks! That is my feeling about Jacobs Field, 7 years after our 1st visit there. So many little things can lead to a favorable impression of a place, and it's all about your personal experience. It was the 1st stop on Staci's and my 1st real baseball road trip, and it was the place that I realised how/when I was going to ask Staci to marry me (4th if July in a ballpark). The game we saw was Justin Verlander's 2nd start in the bigs, and you can see that he was going to be special. We even got a first pitch from Hall of Famer Bob Feller.

Then there was the ballpark itself- I loved it from the second I saw it. I love the outer facacde, the visiblity lines from anywhere in the park, the fantastic scoreboard. It also has a great little Hall of Fame called Heritage Park, where they celebrate over 100 years of Cleveland baseball. The Jake, as it's still affectionately called, even with the new corporate-name-that-shall-not-be-mentioned, is fan-friendly and maintains its beauty 18 years after its opening. Even outside the stadium is bustling, with bars and restaurants to go to before or after the game.

Jacobs Field remains in my top 5 MLB stadiums to this day, and I was happy to go back and see it in 2009. There may not be much else to bring you to Cleveland, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Jacobs Field will always be enough reason for me.

Bob Feller statue outside the stadium

The awesome double-video board

Skyline

Staci & I 2005

One of the plaques in Heritage Park

Ballpark #15- Shea Stadium, New York, NY

2011-10-06T18:17:00.001-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1964
Team: New York Mets
1st Visit: 4/24/05
Last Visit: 5/31/08
# Games: 2
Food: 5/10
Stadium: 3/10

It's hard to overstate how awful Shea Stadium was. I often wondered why, when I was a kid, my grandfather ran bus trips to the other 2 close-by MLB stadiums (Phils and Yankees), but never to the Mets' home. In 2005, I finally found out why. Shea Stadium was a non-descript concrete multi-use stadium, like many parks of the 1970's, but somehow it was worse than the others I saw in Philly and DC.

The saving grace, of course, was going to New York City. Our first trip was a spur-of-the-moment trip after a wedding in New Jersey. It can also be considered Staci's and my first baseball road trip- and the seeds of what would become a big part of our travel and relationship. But that's where the good feelings end- there was zero personality, and if you weren't lucky enough to sit in the expensive seats, you were probably going to have some of your view obstructed. We sat in the lower level and couldn't see any of left field. The scoreboard was severely outdated. The food was okay, but certainly not worth the price. I can say that the parking, while expensive, was close by the stadium, which is not always the case in the inner city ballparks.

The horror finally ended in 2009 when the Mets moved into Citi Field, a state of the art facility built right next door to Shea (more on that later). The irony was that Citi Field was built to resemble and honor the Brooklyn Dodgers' Ebbets Field. If the Dodgers had stayed in New York, there would have been no Mets, and Brooklyn would have moved to Queens, and into..Shea Stadium.

View from the 9 Train

Even from the outside..not so much

Citi Field being built beyond the Shea outfield walls

Staci & I watching the Dodgers-Mets in '08

Ballpark #14- RFK Stadium, Washington, DC

2011-09-18T14:32:00.001-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1962
Team: Washington Nationals
1st Visit: 4/14/05
Last Visit: 9/23/07
# Games: 49
Food: 5/10
Stadium: 6/10
Important Games Seen:
Washington Nationals' 1st-ever home game (4/14/05), Jimmy Rollins' 36-game hitting streak (10/2/05), got engaged to Staci (7/4/06), last-ever game at RFK (9/23/07)

When I first visited RFK Stadium in 2004, it was not for baseball- it was, for all things, soccer. How did that happen? Well, I wanted to see an old-school ballpark that had little hope of ever seeing a baseball game played in it again. But 3 weeks later, MLB announced the Montreal Expos would be moving to DC. Despite the excitement of that, I could have not have realized how very special this concrete behemoth would become over the next three years.

2005 was a magical season for the new Nationals- at least the first half was. And we were there for alot of it- Mari, Ian, Staci and I became partial season ticket holders. The Nats were much better than anyone expected, and the crowds were bigger than anyone could have hoped for. Chad Cordero was the biggest star, the "Chief" as he was known, the closer who would come in to great applause. And we loved every second from our perch in the right-field seats.

There were major issues with RFK however- there was a major lack of amenities, lines for food were always ridiculous, and for the first season, the team store was a tiny trailer outside the park. The video board was tiny, and searching for a ball-strike count was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Basically, it was often like watching a game in 1971, except it was 2005. But for a place that hadn't hosted baseball in 34 years, and hadn't hosted any major sport in 10 years (the Redskins left in '96), the Nats did the best with what they had to work with.

As great as 2005 was to watch, 2006 was even more special for us personally, as Staci & I got engaged there on the 4th of July. And while the Nats weren't as good, they had the one-year wonder of Alfonso Soriano. Of all the games I've been to, few players were more embraced and exciting than Soriano. Staci's man Ryan Zimmerman had his break-out season in 2006 as well, and we got to see two incredible walk-off home runs by him- one against the Yankees on Father's Day, and the other on July 4th- at the game we got engaged. And of course, Hall-of-Famer Frank Robinson was the manager for 2005-06.

But with all the great memories, RFK was a short-term solution and we said goodbye for good in 2007. Nationals Park is a state-of-the-art stadium and is a new favorite, but it will be hard to replicate the 3 magical years at RFK Stadium.

Dodgers-Nats- 2006

Opening Night at RFK- 2005

Staci & I- Nats Finale 2005

Nats Attendance 2005- they'd kill for this now

Staci & her folks- 2006

The mural at the new park- the walk-off from our engagement!

Our RFK Buddies Mari & Ian- Nats Finale 2006

Frank Robinson says goodbye- 2006

Staci and her Screech bobblehead

Screech helps me with the proposal- 7/4/2006

Staci, Ian & Sharon- final RFK game 2007

Colleen, Hillary & I- 8/2007

Staci & I- Last RFK game

The Popular Racing Presidents

Ballpark #13- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

2011-09-08T17:34:00.000-04:00

Stadium Opened: 2004
Team: Philadelphia Phillies
1st Visit: 4/4/05
Last Visit: 6/15/11
# Games: 12
Food: 8/10
Stadium: 7/10
Important Games Seen:
Washington Nationals' 1st-ever game (4/4/05), 1st one-hitter seen- Tim Redding (4/2/08), 1st Dodgers playoff game seen (2008 NLCS), 1st game with Dad (5/12/09)

I've had alot of great moments at Citizens Bank Park (see above), and it is a great ballpark, my complaints are with the Phillies' abuse of a fan base that has become stronger with the success of the team in the last 5 years. The Phillies, circa 2004-06, were much like the Nats or Pirates are today- an up-and-coming but still-struggling team that had a beautiful new ballpark. There were plenty of fans out at games, but nothing like it is today after 4 (soon to be 5) consecutive playoff appearances. I decided 2 days before Opening Day 2005 that I was going to drive up from DC to see the brand-new Nationals. I went online and purchased a good seat with no problem. Now every game is sold out by May, which is great. Where's the problem? That the Phils have seen fit to triple their ticket prices in 5 years. Success has driven this greed, but when the inevitable down-cycle happens in a few years, will they lower their prices? Of course not. I only hope that Washington and Pittsburgh don't do the same and screw the true fans.

Now to concentrate on the good things- Citizens Bank Park is an excellent place to see a game. This is one of the first parks to lean and face all seats in such a way as to make you feel close to the action, even from the nosebleeds. I have sat in most areas of this park and can say I really don't have a favorite- a true sign that they have accomplished that goal. The food is fantastic, the only problem is innings-long lines if you want Tony Lukes or Chickie & Pete's. Their regular food is much less of a wait and above-average, taste wise. And any place that offers Turkey Hill in a bottle is a friend of mine.

What about the notorious fans? Overblown...mostly. I typically see more drunk people at a Phillies game as compared to other places, but most of the fans are just passionate and knowledgeable. I've worn my Dodgers gear to every LA-Philly matchup and only encountered a problem when we went to the 2008 NLCS. We were barely out of the car when we were met with curses and slurs. We were even told that we should say we were from LA instead of PA because we'd have less trouble. Really ridiculous behavior, but 1 out 12 games isn't bad I suppose.

The best game was, of course, finally having a chance to go to a game with my Dad. All of his kids took him to see his Dodgers for the 1st time in 2009 and he seemed to have a great time. It ranks with Addie's 1st game as one of the 2 most special games of my life.

Our view from a suite! 2008

Opening Day 2005

1st pitch in Nationals' history- 4/4/05

Overlooking the parking lot where the old Vet stood

Guys' Day Out- 2007

The Kenney Boys at Dad's 1st Dodgers game- 5/12/09

Staci & I at the 2008 NLCS- Dodgers v. Phillies

2008 NLCS

Kenneys Everywhere! 2009

Addie's 1st Dodgers-Phils game- 2011

Opening Ceremonies for Game 1- 2008 NLCS

Ballpark #12- Pfitzner Stadium, Woodbridge, VA

2011-08-24T21:35:00.001-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1984
Teams Seen: Potomac Cannons (Reds) 2004; Nationals (Nationals) 2005-present
1st Visit: 4/8/04
Most Recent Visit: 9/4/11
# Games: 215
Food: 4/10
Team Store: 4/10
Stadium: 6/10
Future/Rehabbing Stars Seen: Pudge Rodriguez, Drew Storen, John Lannan, Jordan Zimmermann, Dmitri Young, Ian Desmond, Danny Espinoza

This may be the toughest review I have to write. How do you separate a place that has meant so much to you emotionally, but also happens to be one of the worst stadiums in baseball? I don't know, but I am going to try..

Both my gameday and professional baseball career started with Potomac. I spent the 2004 season as a cook/ beer guy for the Potomac Cannons, and 3 years later my front office career commenced with the Potomac Nationals. Those first days of 2007 were the most exhilarating of my working life. I had 3 wonderful, exhausting, exciting years (2007, 09, 10) as Assistant Director of Food Service, Director of Merchandise and Group Sales Executive with the Nationals. Great friends were met in that time, and I got to be a part of the inner workings of baseball. I even got to be a part of a championship season in 2010 and have the ring to prove it. Now that I got that out of the way...

The stadium is horrible. Plain and simple, the Pfitz, as it is commonly referred, is a concrete slab with mostly bleacher seats and no cover from the rain or sun. Until recently, it had a field that would not drain, causing rainouts to happen 12 hours after the last drop fell from the sky. The food stands are antiquated with no variety to speak of. There has been talk for 15 years of a new stadium, to no avail.

Now, does all that mean you will not have a good time seeing the Potomac Nationals? Not at all- in fact, quite the opposite. Speaking from personal experience, working in a run-down place like Pfitzner means you have to work that much harder to give fans a great experience. And this is where the P-Nats shine. And with the Washington Nationals 30 miles away, Potomac gets a ton of rehab assignments and rising stars. In my 3 years there, I saw no less than 3 dozen current and future Major Leaguers.

So if you're in the DC area, go catch a game at the Pfitz. Just don't expect much in the way of comfort or amenities.

A great view from Center Field- 7/4/09

Addie spent alot of her 1st summer visiting Daddy at the Pfitz

Staci and I at her beer stand

The '09 P-Nat Posse

2010 Champs!!!

Meeting Pudge Rodriguez

P-Nat Night at Nats Park

Ballpark #11- Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

2011-08-17T21:55:00.003-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1992
Team: Baltimore Orioles
1st Visit: 4/6/04
Last Visit: 6/30/10
# Games: 5
Food: 8/10
Stadium: 9/10
Important Games Seen:
Staci's & my 1st game together (9/11/04), Opening Day '04 against Red Sox, best catch I've ever seen (Coco Crisp- 6/30/10)

Camden Yards should be know as the stadium that saved baseball stadiums- every stadium for the 3 decades from 1963-1991(after Dodger Stadium, before Camden Yards) was cookie-cutter, bland, concrete, and/or domed. Camden should also be given credit for creating traveling baseball freaks like me. As much as I love seeing all these cities and parks, it is hard to envision a road trip just to see Riverfront, Three Rivers, Memorial Stadium, etc. They all looked and felt the same. Camden Yards changed all that.

Known as a retro-park, Camden was the first modern park to incorporate a large plaza (with high-end restaurants and food stands, almost separate from the ballpark). Eutaw Street is a great place to find Boog's BBQ and to see the warehouse that is a big part of the view here (and can be remembered for "2131" hanging on the windows during Cal Ripken's streak). Babe Ruth's birthplace is right around the corner as well.

The inside of the stadium is fantastic as well. A sea of dark-green seats awaits you (a part of the new trend that Camden can take credit for as well- what WAS up with all the multi-colored seating in cookie-cutters?), and there really isn't a bad seat in the place. A new video board installed in 2006 has only made the view better.

The other food here besides Boog's is very good- Crabcakes are a local staple, an above-average sandwich shop is out on Eutaw, plus all the normal ballpark food.

Camden is worth seeing, a top-10 MLB stadium for me. It will always hold a little special place for me since it was mine and Staci's first game together back in 2004.

Staci & I at our 1st game together- 9/11/04

Babe's Dream- Babe Ruth Statue

Schilling pitches Opening Day 2004 against the O's

The Knepleys and Kenneys at an '08 game

View from Left Field

P-Nat Posse Road Trip- June 2010

Addie's 1st Camden Yards game- June 2010

Ballpark #10- Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, FL

2011-08-09T00:19:00.001-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1953
Teams Seen: Los Angeles Dodgers (Spring Training)
1st Visit: 3/9/03
Most Recent Visit: 3/4/07
# Games: 3
Food: 8/10
Team Store: 8/10
Stadium: 10/10

When it comes to Major League stadiums, one could make the argument for any number of places as "the best." Old, new, retro, location, etc, all play some sort of role in determining your favorite. Well, in spring training parks, there was virtually no argument for over 50 years- Holman Stadium in Vero Beach was the standard-bearer in every way possible.

What made Vero so special? Atmosphere is putting it lightly. From the beginning in 1953, players were as accessible as anywhere on the planet. This continued into its last days in 2008, when millionaire players and fences, closed batting-practice, and general ambivalence had overtaken MLB parks. Dodger players had to walk a dirt path to their locker room, literally walking next to fans as they did so. I had conversations with players and coaches in both visits there. Even opposing players were more open- minutes after arriving at a 2007 game, Staci had her picture taken with her favorite player Ryan Zimmerman.

Another great thing was the food- Dodger Dogs imported straight from LA, a wide variety of stands for all tastes, another rarity in spring-training complexes. A huge souvenir stand awaited you as you walk into the stadium, giving East-Coasters a chance to load up on Dodger gear.

And then there was the game itself- as you can see from the photos below, there were no dugouts, so the players were right there for you to hear every word and watch every move.

There's talk of another team filling the space the Dodgers left in '08, but it will never be the same. I look forward to seeing the Dodgers in their new Arizona spring training home someday,but nothing will ever be good old Dodgertown.

When Staci met Ryan- 3/2007

Players just hang out during the game- 3/2003

Me at Holman Stadium entrance

Players exiting the same way the fans do

There's always a Dodger legend close by- this time it's Maury Wills

Staci & I- 3/2007

Ballpark #9- Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, FL

2011-07-18T21:38:00.000-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1998
Teams Seen: St. Louis Cardinals (Spring Training); Florida Marlins (Spring Training)
1st Visit: 3/7/03
Most Recent Visit: 3/8/03
# Games: 2
Food: N/A
Team Store: 6/10
Stadium: 7/10

My first foray into spring training was an exciting one- I drove down from Atlanta to hang out with Mari & Ian in Miami and catch a game. I ended up seeing three games- one in Vero Beach (more on that next time) and two at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. There is something different about Spring Training- more laid-back, players are more accessible (AJ Burnett signed my ticket), closer to the action for less money.

And Roger Dean fits those criteria- and it's also unique in that it has two MLB teams sharing the stadium- the Florida Marlins and the St Louis Cardinals. This is becoming more commonplace in the Cactus League in Arizona, but is still a rarity in Florida. So what does this mean? It's great if you're a fan- there is a game every day, because if one team is on the road, the other team is playing at home.

Roger Dean is a nice complex- relatively new (1998), a wide open concourse greets you when you walk in the gate. Scoreboards tend to be small on this level (after Spring Training many Florida stadiums become homes for low-A baseball). The team store was a nice size, bigger than most minor league stores, in order to carry more Major League items for the traveling baseball fan.

One of the big thrills in Spring Training is seeing alot of the younger prospects playing, especially in early March. Unfortunately not too much to report for the Marlins and Cards that year.

My only complaint about the stadium comes after having seen Spring Training in 4 parks- nothing distinguishes it from any other Florida park (except Vero). Not to say that's a horrible thing- they tend to be cleaner, friendlier and more reasonably priced than your average game, but the cookie-cutter-ness of it bothers me a bit. Small thing to complain about when you're enjoying an 80 degree day 1000 miles from snow.

Ballpark #8- Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

2011-07-11T21:38:00.001-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1962
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
1st Visit: 4/1/02
Last Visit: 9/16/07
# Games: 6
Food: 8/10
Stadium: 10/10
Important Games Seen:
My 1st home Dodgers game, my 1st Opening Day

So few things in life live up to lofty expectations- you build things up in your mind and are sure to be disappointed. My 1st visit to Dodger Stadium was a major exception to the rule. It took me 29 years to get there, and it was the first time I had seen one of my favorite teams in their home stadium. It was a dream come true, and one of the top 3 highlights of my sports fan-dom.

My first visit to LA was for Opening Day 2002. I spent 6 days there and went to 5 games. While the Dodgers stunk up the joint, going 2-3, I had a blast. I purposely sat in different areas of the stadium for each game, and came to discover that there is not a bad seat in the place. And for the 2nd-oldest National League ballpark (only Wrigley is older), Dodger Stadium is surprisingly as modern as the newest parks. I went back in 2007 as part of our honeymoon, and it was still a treat.

The food is above average, with the world-famous Dodger Dogs leading the way. One suggestion- get the grilled as opposed to the steamed. Though I haven't tried it, the all-you-can-eat section comes highly recommended as one of the better buffets in the game.

Dodger fans get a bad rap for being late and leaving early, but I would put them up with Chicago and St Louis as the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans in the majors. It's harder to find than you would think- so many place, you'll see too many fans not aware of rules, strike zones, or the name of the 5th guy coming out of the bullpen. That's not the case in LA.

If you only see 5 ballparks in your life, Dodger Stadium should be one of them. A good time in every way.

Meeting Dodger great Don Newcombe

Staci & I on our honeymoon- 9/2007

Staci thinking Blue

Walking up to Dodger Stadium for the 1st time- Opening Day 2002

Under the lights in 2002

View from the top

Ballpark #7- Tropicana Field, Tampa, FL

2011-07-06T21:05:00.000-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1998
Team: Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays
1st Visit: 5/27/01
Last Visit: 5/27/01
# Games: 1
Food: N/A
Stadium: 3/10
Important Games Seen:
My 1st domed stadium

When people ask me what my favorite stadiums are, it is difficult for me to say- beauty, sentimentality, amenities, etc, all play a role and make me change my mind on a regular basis. There is no such difficulty when asked about my least favorite MLB park- it is the home of the D-Rays, Tropicana Field.

What is so bad? It's not location- based right on the Atlantic Ocean, it is in one of the most picturesque areas of Tampa. But the moment you walk in, it is like standing inside a tuna can. It is drab with no personality. Which is strange, because when Tropicana was built in the early 90s, it was used as the jewel to attract unhappy teams. The Thunderdome, as it was known (even the name was awesome!), almost had the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants moving to the Sunshine State. So what happened? Tampa's stadium got surpassed by the retro-stadium trend and looked 25 years old when they finally got their team (the expansion Devil Rays in '98).

My only trip to Tampa was back in 2001. My roommate Mel and I decided to take a road trip for Memorial Day down to Tampa. I was happy to go to my 4th MLB park, until I actually got there. I look forward to going back when their new ballpark opens in the next couple years- but not before then.

Ballpark #6- Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

2011-06-30T18:42:00.001-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1997
Team: Atlanta Braves
1st Visit: 10/19/99
Last Visit: 8/29/10
# Games: 23
Food: 7/10
Stadium: 8/10
Important Games Seen:
1999 NLCS Game 6, 2000 All-Star Game, my 1st interleague game (6/2/00), 1st anniversary of 9/11 vs. the Mets (2002), longest game (16 innings- 5/7/02)

Turner Field was my first home ballpark, and it only took until my third day of living in Atlanta for it to become so. The Braves were in the middle of their record-setting 14 consecutive division titles in 1999 and were playing the Mets in Game 6 on the Monday after I arrived. My roommates and I headed downtown and saw the series-clinching win by the Braves. Thus began a great 4-year run at the beautiful Turner Field. One of the big draws of living in a big city was being able to head to a Major League game anytime I wanted, and I took advantage of it as much as possible.

My only experience with Major League ballparks at the time was Philadelphia (concrete multi-purpose) and New York (historic but old and lacking many amenities). What a shock to the system to walk into a 2-year old park with every bell & whistle imaginable, including a huge video board, a large cafe with bands and big-screen TVs, and concourses where you could watch the game while you grab a beer. It didn't hurt that as you walked into the park you were walking through reminders of the '96 Olympics (Turner Field was 1st used for that before being turned over to the Braves in '97).

The crowds, while not often sold-out, were loud and supportive, still in the midst of the mind-numbing "Tomahawk Chop." And you had a 60% chance of seeing a future Hall-of Fame pitcher (Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz) on any given night. The prices were right too. In a time when successful teams price regular fans out of games (hello, Phils & Yanks!), the Braves had many great seats under $15, even $5 day-of-game seats.

The food was eclectic and plentiful. My favorite stand was "Taste of the Majors," a a stand that featured food and beer from the opposing team's home town (for example, when they played the Phillies, the featured items would be cheese steaks and Rolling Rock Beer). Sadly, when I returned in 2010, the stand was gone. But the food was still better than the average ballpark. The Chophouse is the view-of-the-park restaurant common in MLB parks these days. It is a nice place to watch the game, but you have to be there very early to get a good table.

The team store is nice but lacks the space needed for a modern ballpark. The variety is solid, carrying most of the variations the Braves have worn through the years.

My best memories were of 2 particular games:
-the 2000 All Star game, which remains my only All Star Game. It was an amazing climax to a great 5 days, which included the All Star FunFest (which I volunteered at) and the Home Run Derby. The game was solid, despite many All Stars missing the game because of injury (including Mike Piazza and Mark McGwire);
-the 1st anniversary of 9/11, which featured the Mets versus the Braves. Many members of the FDNY and NYPD were in attendance, presented the colors and threw out the 1st pitches. The game was simultaneously the most somber and most patriotic game I have ever been to.

As you can see, I have very little negative to say about Turner Field. Returning there, much like Nationals Park, will always be nostalgic and enjoyable.

For more pics of Turner Field and comparison of differences from 2000 and 2010, click here.

2000 All Star pre-game festivities

Turner Field Press Box

Coke Bottle Home Run Fireworks

Addie And Staci see my old home for the first time

Dodgers and Braves battle it out in April 2000

Dodgers pre-game in front of the Braves' pennants- August 2001

The infamous John Rocker (3rd from right) after his 2000 suspension

1st Pitch of the 2000 All Star Game

Ballpark #5- Bowman Field, Williamsport, PA

2011-06-26T17:08:00.002-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1926
Teams Seen: Williamsport Cubs (Cubs) 1994-98; Crosscutters (Pirates 99-2006) (Phillies 2007-present)
1st Visit: 7/18/98
Most Recent Visit: 8/20/11
# Games: 6
Food: 6/10
Team Store: 4/10
Stadium: 8/10
Future/Rehabbing Stars Seen: Eric Hinske, Will Ohman

As you will come to see in my reviews, I am a sucker for historic well-kept ballparks. And Bowman Field in Williamsport is one of the best in that regard. That said, Bowman is a sign of how much minor league baseball has changed in the last 20 years. After seeing the scope of places like Trenton, Reading, Portland, etc, it is hard to believe this cozy little place was Class AA as late as 1991. Short-season A New York-Penn is a perfect fit for Bowman.

My first visit here in 1998 had the Cubs in town, with the likes of Eric Hinske and Kerry Wood passing through town. The following year they became a Pirates affiliate and became the Crosscutters; now with the more popular PA team, the Phillies, as their affiliate, the 'Port couldn't be happier.

The stadium has made alot of improvements over the 13 years I've been going there, adding an expanded food court and beer stand near the entrance. The seats are, sadly, mostly unchanged in that time, with uncomfortable bleachers in most of the park. Even the box seats are tight and packed together. Most of the seating is covered, which is a plus. The good part is that you are right on top of the action. The scoreboard has been vastly improved, adding a small video screen on top of the line score.

The team store is small-ish, but probably the right size for a short-season. Selection is limited as well. The food is fairly consistent with most place, but the beer selection is very solid, with plenty of choices and decent prices.

Overall, I like our annual trip to see the Cutters- a nice place to see a game in the hills of Central PA.

The entrance to Bowman

Becca & Staci enjoying the Adult Section

BK Squared showing off our Terror at Bowman cups

Ballpark #4- Dunn Field, Elmira, NY

2011-06-21T22:11:00.002-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1938
Teams Seen: Elmira Pioneers (Marlins) 1993-95
1st Visit: 7/4/95
Most Recent Visit: 7/4/95
# Games: 1
Food: N/A
Team Store: 3/10
Stadium: 7/10
Future/Rehabbing Stars Seen: None

My one and only visit to see an Elmira game was back in 1995. At the time, the Pioneers were part of the New York-Penn League. The history of Dunn Field goes back to 1938, and for better or worse, the stadium hasn't changed much since then. The walk underneath the concourse is charming, and many of the seats date back decades. So why did the NYPL pull out of Elmira in 1996? It's hard to say, other than the Pioneers were losing loads of money or not drawing fans. Which is a shame, as it boasts a bigger population than many of the current NYPL teams.

Luckily, there are still summer collegiate teams that play here. We drove up in 2010 to look through the stadium and I was happy to see that it hadn't much changed and was well-maintained by a small dedicated staff. Let's hope Dunn Field has many years left for baseball as it approaches its 75th year.

Ballpark #3- Lackawanna County Stadium, Moosic, PA

2011-06-15T21:02:00.005-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1989
Teams Seen: Scranton/Wilkes Barre Red Barons (Phillies) 1989-2006; Yankees (Yankees) 2007-present
1st Visit: 6/18/91
Most Recent Visit: 6/3/11
# Games: 5
Food: 8/10
Team Store: 4/10
Stadium: 6/10
Future/Rehabbing Stars Seen: Mike Lieberthal, Jorge Posada, Andy Ashby

It's amazing that I lived 10 miles from this stadium for 11 years and barely ever went. The reason is two-fold: 1) At the time, I was working nights 6 days a week; and 2) I really didn't care for Minor League baseball (shocking, considering my life path since that time). Either way, it's a shame, because it's a pretty good place to see a game. And it was my 1st Minor League game.

Before the Red Barons came to town in '89, baseball was hard to come by in eastern PA. There was Reading and Williamsport and that was it. Scranton was rightfully excited, as it hadn't had baseball in 40 years. In the 17 years that SWB was a Phillies affiliate, big names like Mike Lieberthal, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, and many more came through town. In 2007, the Red Barons became a Yankees affiliate (ugh), and changed their name to...the Yankees (double ugh).

The biggest problem with the stadium is a lack of personality. It was modeled after the Phillies' Veterans Stadium, which made sense in 1989 but quickly got bypassed by other AAA teams. The scoreboard is virtually unchanged from the mid-90s, with no video to speak of. And the team store is embarrassing, a small closet with lack of variety.

The good things: the view is awesome- built on the side of a mountain, the trees lining the outfield are a great sight. and the brick facade is excellent. The parking is free, a rarity on the AAA level. And the food is actually region-related, with famous "Old Forge" pizza and Yuengling on tap.

Alot of changes are coming to what is now known as PNC Field. Major renovations are due over the next couple years. Overall, it's a place I enjoy heading back to see. Just as long as you don't expect too much from the place.

Ballpark #2- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

2011-06-13T17:25:00.004-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1923
Team: New York Yankees
1st Visit: 8/11/80
Last Visit: 7/22/08
# Games: 10
Food: 5/10
Stadium: 7/10
Important Games Seen:
Tom Seaver's 300th Win (8/4/85), Last game with Papa (6/5/94)

As much as I hate the Yankees, I respect the hell out of Yankee Stadium. It was a great place to see a game, and the history oozed out of every corner. The other of my grandfather's yearly bus trips, he always made the trip around a special day- we were there for Phil Rizzuto Day, Billy Martin Day, Bobby Murcer Day. But the one he didn't plan was the biggest historical moment I've seen- Tom Seaver of the White Sox winning his 300th game on 8/4/85. Mary, Jimmy, Staci and I closed out the stadium in its last season (2008) by sitting in the vicinity of the seats Papa always got.

Staci & I- 1st Yankee Stadium trip together- 2006

Papa's old seats

View from the press box- 2008

Mary & I close out 30 years at the stadium

Ballpark #1- Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia PA

2011-06-10T10:55:00.008-04:00

Stadium Opened: 1971
Team: Philadelphia Phillies
1st Visit: 6/10/79
Last Visit: 7/19/92
# Games: 11
Food: N/A
Stadium: 5/10
Important Games Seen:
1st game (6/10/79), 1st Dodgers game (5/11/82), Met Steve Garvey (5/27/84)

You never forget your first. The Vet was a concrete, typical '70s stadium. But too many great memories will keep this place a favorite of mine forever. The excitement of my 1st game (read more about that here ), my 1st Dodgers game, meeting Steve Garvey, and of course the famous bus rides with my family.

BK's Big Baseball Page Reboot

2011-06-10T10:12:00.004-04:00

If you were a regular reader of my posts, you noticed that I have been conspicuously absent for many months. The truth is that the blog reached a crossroads- I had originally started it to talk about baseball and it became less about that with each passing day. So what to do?

Then it hit me yesterday- why wasn't I writing about all the ballparks I had been to? To give everyone an idea about the teams, states, little towns, & big cities that this journey has brought me to?

So that's what I intend to do- take you through all 78 (and counting) places that I have seen a professional baseball game, chronologically by my 1st visit. To give you an idea of ambiance, concessions, the team, and of course the ballpark itself. To take you to places that are no longer in use or have even been demolished. To give you a unique perspective on my (and now our) adventures.

My goal for awhile has been to every MLB and Minor League park. And now more than a third of the way there, it's a good time to share the uniqueness of over 250 professional ballparks.

So let's start with #1, which happens to have occurred 32 years ago today..Enjoy!

Turner Field- Then & Now

2010-08-31T20:29:00.007-04:00

It had been 7 years since I had seen a game in my old hometown ball park, Turner Field in Atlanta. While most of the park looks the same, the upgrade in video board and other electronics is phenomenal. Check out the 2000 and 2010 differences.

2000 Right Field View:

2010 Right Field View:

2000 Video Board:

2010 Video Board:

2000 Left Field View:

2010 Left Field View:

Many new bright lights, including side score and outfield walls, which really adds to a great place.

The Kid

2010-06-03T15:11:00.003-04:00

Ken Griffey Jr, the greatest and purest power hitter of our generation, retired yesterday. Griffey retires with 630 home runs, 5th behind 3 legends (Aaron, Ruth, Mays) and 1 cheater (B***y B***s). Of all the players who invaded the 500 homer club the last 20 years, only he and Frank Thomas are considered clean from steroids. And his his acrobatic plays in center were a daily highlight. But his more lasting legacy will be saving baseball in Seattle. In the early '90's, the Mariners had never had a winning season, let alone a playoff appearance, and there was alot of talk of them moving to Tampa or Washington DC. Griffey led the charge in 1995 to an AL West title and a ALDS victory over the Yankees, and soon talk began on a new stadium in Seattle.

Griffey looked like the soon-to-be all time home run king as late as 2001-02, but injuries slowed him considerably. Still, I am glad to say I saw him play and saw one of his home runs with Cincinnati. And I would consider him a top-10 all time hitter. And one final note- how old am I that a legend of 23 years played his entire career in my adult lifetime? Sigh..

"24" Clock Ticks Down to Zero

2010-05-24T15:08:00.003-04:00

On the heels of last night's phenomenal finale of "Lost," I have to say goodbye to my other favorite drama of the last 20 years in "24." While this is not as melancholy for me as "Lost," it is still sad to see a great show end after 9 years. I am proud to say I was with this show from Minute One, and turned dozens of friends and associates into "24" fans. The premise was risky back in 2001- every episode played in real time, and by season's end would equal one 24-hour day. At its best, "24" was the best adrenaline rush on TV- Seasons 1, 2 and 5 being my favorite 3 years. While it has lost some its luster, it has rebounded from the debacle of Season 6 and a 20-month hiatus because of the writers' strike. Jack Bauer is one the best and most complicated characters in the history of television. Here's to 2 more great hours of TV, and me not being too tired after our game tonight to sit down and watch it!

Thank You "Lost"

2010-05-23T18:48:00.003-04:00

It's sometimes hard to believe "Lost" is just a TV show. As I prepare for the retrospective and series finale tonight, I have a bevy of emotions. I'm excited, sad, intrigued, and...well, lost. This is most likely the most emotional farewell for me since "Moonlighting" 20 years ago. Hard to believe Staci & I weren't watching on its first night back in September of 2004. I wanted to, but my schedule as a Chili's bartender (wow, was that like, 10 jobs ago??) was mostly nights, so I wasn't watching much. But in the summer of 2005, we started watching the re-airing of Season 1..and were forever hooked. Through 6 seasons of mysteries, romance, life, death, time-travel, and allusions to dozens of books, spiritualities, and movies, we get our answers tonight. But what if we don't? What if they pull a "Sopranos" and leave it up to us? (Which I personally loved but millions screamed about) I'm actually okay with that- if some things are left for us to decide, mull over and discuss for the next 30 years. Regardless of how it ends, thank you "Lost" for 6 wonderful seasons and for being a show that made you think in an era of reality garbage. You will be missed.