Take Me Out to the Ballgame

[Fully Tilted]

What ballparks have you visited? Any favorites? Stories?

I've been to:

Fenway (obviously)
Yankee Stadium
Camden Yards
Jacobs Field
Wrigley Field

Fenway is of course my favorite by default. After that I have to go with Jacobs field. Huge ballpark with lots of cool places to walk around and see the game from different angles. I spent most of the game in the standing room area out in CF and it was like a big party.

At Camden I met Antonio Freeman's father and got to ask him about his playing days and beating NE in the SB. His father showed me his HS picture that he had in his wallet and told me what his nickname was from those days and it was hilarious and for the life of me, I can't remember it.

Anybody else ever been to any of these parks or elsewhere? Any plans to see any new ones this season?

[JD10367]

Umm... I went to Fenway once, as a little kid. Had crap seats way up under the deck, could barely see the field, and spent more of the game watching a raging house fire in the neighborhood.

Aside from that, the only place I've been is Pawtucket (which I plan to go to a few times this summer... great little ballpark, and cheap as hell).

[Mikiemo83]

fenway, camden, shea, Oakland, Old San Fran, Trop in tampa and three river 30years ago in pitt are all that I can remember

[Patriots4ever]

Fenway
Yankee Zoo
Turner Field (Atlanta)
The Trop (St. Petersburg)
Olympic Stadium (Montreal)

Coming soon and hopefully this season
Camden Yards

Turner Field was pretty cool. The beer guy kept calling me "Boston." Hey Boston, ya want another one (as he's pouring one into the plastic cup)? He only checked my ID one time, the first time I ordered from him, and he kept coming down to where I was sitting (right next to the Red Sox dugout - 3B) every 20 minutes hooking me and my wife up with a nice cold Budweiser on an excruciating hot day! :D

Yankee Zoo was a good experience (pre WS win). We weren't sitting near any douche bags, just MFY fans that enjoyed the game and liked to discuss baseball rather than curse BS and whatnot. We got there early, me, the wife, and my in-laws and got to tour Monument Park. I tried ordering a beer from one of the vendors and he says, "this is Yankee beer only, Red Sox beer is out in right field (kidding of course)." This vendor was located in LF, pretty funny.

I hated everything about the Trop from it being a dome, being a dome, and the fact that it's a dome. Did I mention that I don't like domes? Well, if someone hits a pop-up, you don't see the ball, because the stupid roof is white and they got all of those damned cat walks and speakers that are not even that high! Remy isn't kidding around on the broadcasts. I saw Ortiz hit a speaker in batting practice, and I couldn't really make out what he said, but it certainly wasn't complimentary. He did hit a HR in that game though. The only good thing about that day was the fact that the wife and I were on the honey moon in Disney, and it was only a 1.5 hour drive away. It just so happened that we and the Sox were in the area.

Before the game, we got there super early, and we were at this bar. There's only 1 bar walking distance to the stadium. WTF is up with that? Anyways, we sit down having some chix fingers or whatever, and this dude and his wife are wearing authentic red Bronson Arroyo jerseys. BTW, Bronson was the SP for that game. Anyways, I say to him, I have never seen an authentic Arroyo jersey, where the **** did you get that? "He's my cousin, and we live in Bradenton." I felt like an asshole! I did tell him though that we liked Bronson and all that good stuff, but still, it came out the wrong way. I wish I'd never said that.

[Mikiemo83]

Fenway
Yankee Zoo
Turner Field (Atlanta)
The Trop (St. Petersburg)
Olympic Stadium (Montreal)

Coming soon and hopefully this season
Camden Yards

Camden is in august or September this year and my brother is trying to get me to make the trip with him and his family, luckily my wife love Baseball and I am thinking about it

another one you might try is Toronto -after this year a passport might be needed to make the trip, kids, as of right now, a birth certificate is ok -

[PatsDVD]

My wife and I stayed a night at the hotel at Toronto's Skydome for a Sox game.

Toronto is a great city with lots to do. The hotel is nothing to rave about, but watching the game from a hotel room over right field was a unique experience.

We watched batting practice, took the elevator to the indoor pool and went swimming, came up to the room by game time - ordered steaks thru room services and watched the game from the room. Later, we made sure we closed the curtains were closed.

[Mikiemo83]

My wife and I stayed a night at the hotel at Toronto's Skydome for a Sox game..... Later, we made sure we closed the curtains were closed.someone told me you have to sign a "no open curtain nookie" agreement, so I wondered - why not put one way glass in?

[PatsDVD]

someone told me you have to sign a "no open curtain nookie" agreement, so I wondered - why not put one way glass in?

:) No one asked us to sign a "no nookie" agreement We were there in 1998, so that may have been before the famous incident.

At the time, the windows were sliders so you could open them all the way if you wanted. I would think watching behind one-way glass would drown out the sounds of the game.

I didn't have that much trouble keeping my clothes on until the game was over, but I supposed everyone's different.

[oldskool138]

I've been to Fenway, Skydome (I'm not calling it Roger's Centre...ever), Pawtucket, and U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox).

Toronto was the most fun. My friends and I left on a Thursday and went to the Fri. and Sat games and drove back Sun. The Jays fans were nice and polite. They talked a little smack but that's to be expected. They all got a chuckle when one of their backup outfielders whiffed on what should have been an easy catch and I yelled out "Catalanado would have had it!". Plus, we got to meet some crazy Sox fans from the Buffalo area.

I went to the Cell to catch a White Sox/Royals game (I was in Chicago visiting friends). It was interesting to go to a new park. It has way more capacity than Fenway but it's constructed in such a way that it has a small park atmosphere. I was fun talking to the ChiSox fans (they had just won the WS). It turns out there's a HUGE intra-city rivalry between the Sox and Cubs. I used to laugh when they have "natural rival" AL/NL weekend. It really is a big deal in other markets.

I plan on going to Pawtucket a couple of times this year (a lot of the young talent should be going through there). McCoy is a great AAA ball park. If you haven't been, make it a point to go! It's cheap and a lot of fun!

[fightingdoxies]

We used to go to Fenway on summer vacation, most of the games saw were at three rivers when we lived in pittsburgh and one or two games in philadelphia.

[#1Patsfan_chica]

I've only been to Fenway but one of these days I want to go to Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium.

[Mikiemo83]

I've only been to Fenway but one of these days I want to go to Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium.
A friends sister and 2 of her friends went to Wrigley and stepped onto a seat and got her foot stuck (she is a large woman). After about a half hour they had to cut the seat to get her now swollen foot out - she at least got to keep the seat and finds no humor in the hard time we give her for it

[#1Patsfan_chica]

A friends sister and 2 of her friends went to Wrigley and stepped onto a seat and got her foot stuck (she is a large woman). After about a half hour they had to cut the seat to get her now swollen foot out - she at least got to keep the seat and finds no humor in the hard time we give her for it

Not the best moment for her but at least she got to keep the seat.

[southcarolina]

Ive been to 4 RedSox games one in Fenway, and three at Turner Field.


I also went to one game at Fulton County Stadium where the Braves played the Dodgers.

[oldskool138]

Ive been to 4 RedSox games one in Fenway, and three at Turner Field.


I also went to one game at Fulton County Stadium where the Braves played the Dodgers.

I saw the gold metal game between Cuba and Japan at Fulton County back in 1996! The Olympics were very cool...except for the bombing.

I got to see Ray Charles play "Georgia On My Mind"...Awesome!

[southcarolina]

I saw the gold metal game between Cuba and Japan at Fulton County back in 1996!



Cool!

We went to see the Brave play the Dodgers on a summer afternoon in like 1988 or 1989 or 1990. It was seriously 425 degrees in the right field bleachers. And pedro Guererro was playing RF for the Dodgers and we all spent the whole game chanting PEEEEEEE-Drooooooo.....just like they used to do for Daryl Strawberry.

[oldskool138]

Cool!

We went to see the Brave play the Dodgers on a summer afternoon in like 1988 or 1989 or 1990. It was seriously 425 degrees in the right field bleachers. And pedro Guererro was playing RF for the Dodgers and we all spent the whole game chanting PEEEEEEE-Drooooooo.....just like they used to do for Daryl Strawberry.

Yup...the chant originated by the Sox bleacher bums during the '86 WS.

[Boomer]

BUMP!

Fenway (~200+ games)

The Vet (Philly)

[dunaja]

I've been to Arlington Stadium, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and Minute Maid Park.

Minute Maid is a fantastic, family-friendly, affordable place to watch a ballgame. On the other side of the coin, don't waste your time going to see a Rangers team that has never done anything right in their 38 year history. They just removed their beautiful manual out of town scoreboard in left (sound familiar?) and replaced it with an ugly-ass electronic monstrosity that buzzes so loudly that when sitting in left you can't hear the crack of the bat or have a conversation with the guy sitting next to you.

[nomars_girl]

fenway
camden
Philly old
Yankee old
Montreal
Toronto
Tropicana
cincy
Denver
Dodger
Atlanta
White sox
Cubs
petco

Hope to add pittsburgh and philly this year. I'm in philly now. Thought about trying to get a ticket tonight, but i was too tired.

[sprocketboy]

Fenway
Skydome
Petco (Padres)
Candlestick (Giants, have not been to PacBell-AT&T-Whatever yet)
Oakland Coliseum (Both Pre-and-Post Mount Davis)
Chase Field (D'Backs)

I toured the stadium in Montreal, but never saw a game there.

[nomars_girl]

Can anyone beat my 14 mlb parks?

[Joolz]

Can anyone beat my 14 mlb parks?

Doubtful. That's impressive. Congrats! 1558

[Mikiemo83]

the 94 strike/lock-out killed a bunch for me. I still Went on the road trip but had no ball games to go see so I visited Zoo's - sad isn't it

[sprocketboy]

Can anyone beat my 14 mlb parks?

I'd have to throw in Minor League, Spring Training, and Az Fall League games to even come close to 14 professional level (Class A or better) parks, let alone Major League parks.

I noticed that you've seen the Doyers (Chavez Ravine?) and Padres (Petco) at home, but haven't been to a game at the Big A in Anaheim?

[nomars_girl]

I'd have to throw in Minor League, Spring Training, and Az Fall League games to even come close to 14 professional level (Class A or better) parks, let alone Major League parks.

I noticed that you've seen the Doyers (Chavez Ravine?) and Padres (Petco) at home, but haven't been to a game at the Big A in Anaheim?

most of my ballpark visits have coincided with business trips. I was in Anaheim, but the Angels were on the road. They were actually playing the Sox at Fenway. Dodgers were at home so I went there instead. Petco was a different trip years later. I was only in San Diego two days. I was glad the Padres were home.

[sprocketboy]

most of my ballpark visits have coincided with business trips. I was in Anaheim, but the Angels were on the road. They were actually playing the Sox at Fenway. Dodgers were at home so I went there instead. Petco was a different trip years later. I was only in San Diego two days. I was glad the Padres were home.

Petco is a beautiful park. Last time I went there I saw Peavy pitch against Clemens (with the Astros).

The food totally sucked, though. I think someone's brother-in-law got all the concession contracts.

[3 Point Stan]

fenway
camden
Philly old
Yankee old
Montreal
Toronto
Tropicana
cincy
Denver
Dodger
Atlanta
White sox
Cubs
petco


And what is your opinion on keeping Fenway after being to some of these newer parks?

[nomars_girl]

And what is your opinion on keeping Fenway after being to some of these newer parks?

I think my favorite is Camden yards. It has the feel of an older park with the amenities off a new one. Ownership has done a lot to improve Fenway, but there is only so much more you can do. I love the history, but it really needs to be replaced. And i will cry like a baby when that happens.

[Boomer]

And what is your opinion on keeping Fenway after being to some of these newer parks?


Excellent question. Inquiring minds want to know!

[3 Point Stan]

I think my favorite is Camden yards. It has the feel of an older park with the amenities off a new one. Ownership has done a lot to improve Fenway, but there is only so much more you can do. I love the history, but it really needs to be replaced. And i will cry like a baby when that happens.
I agree. I was a Sox and Pats season ticket holder at the same time.

I gotta say, the cup holder at Gillette grows on you :)

[nomars_girl]

I agree. I was a Sox and Pats season ticket holder at the same time.

I gotta say, the cup holder at Gillette grows on you :)

For me, it's all about the sight lines. There are a lot of really bad seats at Fenway. The newer parks were planned better. It feels like views off the field were an afterthought at Fenway. And cup holders are nice.

[Bases Loaded]

Going to Philly for the 3 game set this weekend, anyone got tips on cheesesteaks and nightlife? :dance:

[3 Point Stan]

Going to Philly for the 3 game set this weekend, anyone got tips on cheesesteaks and nightlife? :dance:
It's like a mini-New York, you know.

Try the "culture."

[sprocketboy]

Can anyone beat my 14 mlb parks?

The Blue Jays radio play-by-play guy just said something like "in most parks in the major leagues, it's the right fielder who has to deal with sun."

I'm trying to visualize what he means by that. At the Oakland Coliseum, the line from pitchers mound to home plate is West-Southwest, so in a late afternoon game, the shadow will creep in from behind home plate on the first base / right field side, but the sun will typically be in the left fielder's face at that time of day.

Do you remember enough of your experiences in those 14 parks to tell me where the sun was? Or were most of your games played at night?

Here's a picture of the Oakland Coliseum from Google Maps' Satellite view. As many times as I've been to that park, I didn't know they had painted their retired numbers into the seating sections like that.

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<small></small> (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=coliseum&ie=UTF8&sll=37.751376,-122.199377&sspn=0.002939,0.008969&split=1&rq=1&ev=zo&radius=0.29&hq=coliseum&hnear=&ll=37.751376,-122.199377&spn=0.002939,0.008969&t=h&source=embed)<small>View Larger Map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=oakland+raiders+stadium&mrt=all&sll=37.75166,-122.200477&sspn=0.002939,0.008969&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Oakland+Raiders+Stadium,+Oakland,+Alameda,+C alifornia+94621&t=h&ll=37.751635,-122.200509&spn=0.002036,0.003433&z=18)</small>
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