Best Ballparks in MLB

[Parker Hageman]

This week at the No Juice Podcast, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger provided his Top 5 Ballpark in Major League Baseball. 

 

What are you top ballparks in MLB? Any parks that are no longer in existence? 

 

[FattCrapps]

1:  AT&T Park

2: Target Field

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525,600:  O.Co Coliseum

525,601:  Metrodome

525,602:  Tropicana

[formerly33]

525,599: Rogers Centre

[Parker Hageman]

 

525,599: Rogers Centre

 

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

[formerly33]

 

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

Well, I guess I'm probably not really qualified to judge since I haven't either. It's probably okay seating-wise and all, but I just can't stand the way it looks, not to mention that I'm not the greatest fan of multi-purpose stadiums anyway.

[Hrbowski]

I really like Target Field. PNC and Fenway are probably next on my list.

[Vanimal46]

I'm not a well-traveled MLB Park mind... but these are the few I've been to.

 

#1 - AT&T Park - not even close.

#2 - Target Field

#3 - Wrigley Field (before the video scoreboard was installed in LF) 

#4 - Kauffman Stadium

#5 - Miller Park

 

 

[biggentleben]

We had a long thread on this over the summer. Having been to ten this summer, I put PNC Park definitely at #1. Target's in my top 5, but I also enjoy history quite a bit, and I've not been to Camden yet, and my brother assures me that will be a favorite for me, knowing what I like in a stadium.

[ashbury]

I love AT&T Park so I have to go with the consensus there.

 

Minute Maid Park in Houston is a dreary place to see a ballgame.

 

I need to get to PNC.

 

As for old ballparks: I got to attend two games at old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland shortly before they tore it down. First game was cheap seats in the lower deck, behind pillars - terrible experience. Second game we sprang for expensive seats, low down in the upper deck above the on-deck circle on the first base side - I will never have such good seats again, in a modern park, even if I'm in the front row. The old architecture taketh away, the old architecture giveth back.

[USAFChief]

My favorite is still Camden Yards.

 

I really like TF and AT&T.  

 

I enjoyed the experience of Wrigley and Fenway, but purely as ballparks, they leave much to be desired.  The history makes it worthwhile though, in a different way.  Old Yankee Stadium was pretty awesome too, for similar reasons.

 

I haven't been to Kaufman since the renovation, but I liked the pre-reno stadium a lot, so I can't wait to get back there.

 

Personally, I found Safeco massively overrated.  

[TheLeviathan]

You see places like Wrigley and Old Yankee for nostalgia.  As an actual game watching experience they are dreadful.

 

Really liked Kauffman and Petco.

[BobAzar]

1. Target Field (just a little biased)

2. Petco-I like that its built into the neighborhood

3. Fenway-history and the neighborhood feel

4. Wrigley (pre-2015 renovations)-kind of ****ty, but the history and Ivy make up for it

5. Comerica-cool design

6. Miller-good tailgating, and cool design

7. The Jake (progressive)-saw my first outdoor MLB game there, dont remember much else

8. Kauffman-other than the tailgating, nothing too special

9. Rangers ballpark in Arlington-middle of nowhere and too dman hot

10. Old Yankee-terrible place to actually watch the game, but the history was cool

11. Comiskey aka US Cellular-Sterile

12. RFK-not a baseball stadium

13. HHH Dome-self explanatory

 

Places I want to go:

1. AT&T

2. PNC

3. Safeco

4. Nationals

5. Camden yard

6. Marlins-just to see that abomination in CF. 

7. Chase-only because it used to be Bank One Ballpark or the BOB, and my name is Bob. 

 

[Parker Hageman]

2. Petco-I like that its built into the neighborhood

 

 

I'm surprised that stadium is not higher on people's lists. Personally have never been but those I have talked to that make a trip to San Diego always return with positive things to say. 

 

Personally, I found Safeco massively overrated.

 

 

 

Overrated in what way? I visited two summers ago and found the stadium (sight-lines, designs and atmosphere) and neighborhood thoroughly enjoyable. The only thing that I did not like was the looming roof. 

 

[Thrylos]

 

 

 

What are you top ballparks in MLB? Any parks that are no longer in existence? 

 

The Metrodome.  For obvious reasons.  If you cared about watching a baseball game, and not about drinks with pizza in them and 'entertainment', it was a great park and a great home field advantage...

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I'm surprised that stadium is not higher on people's lists. Personally have never been but those I have talked to that make a trip to San Diego always return with positive things to say. 

PETCO is lovely. It always surprises me it doesn't rank higher on peoples' lists. It's a great park in a great part of San Diego (just a few blocks from Gaslamp).

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

6. Miller-good tailgating, and cool design

Be sure to check out field level at Miller Park on an 80+ degree day or night. That'll change your opinion of the park. It's a glass-encased sweat house.

 

But on a normal day/night, eh, I guess it's okay. I don't care for retractable roof stadiums in general.

[biggentleben]

 

Be sure to check out field level at Miller Park on an 80+ degree day or night. That'll change your opinion of the park. It's a glass-encased sweat house.

 

But on a normal day/night, eh, I guess it's okay. I don't care for retractable roof stadiums in general.

 

Especially when they don't work. I got rained on throughout the game with the roof closed this summer.

 

The biggest positive I can say about Miller Park is that I love the homage to the Milwaukee Braves within the ballpark. That's about it.

[spinowner]

LEN III rated ballparks a few years back. I remember he had PNC 3rd, Target 2nd and Safeco 1st.

I have only been to seven current major league ballparks. I think Target Field is beautiful but I'd have designed it with a slightly lower right field wall. Wrigley is not the worst but it has to be the most overrated. I've not been to Miller Park but a former coworker told me it was like sitting in a giant coffee can.

[jimmer]

Camden Yards is still my favorite. Coors Field is great as is Target Field.  

[USAFChief]

I'm surprised that stadium is not higher on people's lists. Personally have never been but those I have talked to that make a trip to San Diego always return with positive things to say. 

 

 

 

 

 

Overrated in what way? I visited two summers ago and found the stadium (sight-lines, designs and atmosphere) and neighborhood thoroughly enjoyable. The only thing that I did not like was the looming roof.

 

I haven't yet been to a covered park that didnt feel like an airplane hanger. Safeco might be the best of the bunch, but it's still a hanger, even with the roof open.

[Parker Hageman]

The Metrodome.For obvious reasons.If you cared about watching a baseball game, and not about drinks with pizza in them and 'entertainment', it was a great park and a great home field advantage...

 

 

I mean, I loved the Metrodome for sentimental reasons but with the exception of a few sets of seats in the infield the viewing experience was horrendous. If you sat along the left field foul line, you were treated to seats facing center field. The rows were endlessly long so if you happened to be stuck in the middle during a busy game, you were climbing over everyone. If you sat "over the baggy", you would miss every play to right field. 

 

But I do understand your point about the distractions. Stadiums these days are designed as a money suck and the Metrodome was void of that.

 

Most of all, rest in peace the Rally Room.

 

[drjim]

 

Be sure to check out field level at Miller Park on an 80+ degree day or night. That'll change your opinion of the park. It's a glass-encased sweat house.

 

But on a normal day/night, eh, I guess it's okay. I don't care for retractable roof stadiums in general.

 

i agree on the hate for retractable roofs. Just leads to massive parks with no sight lines. Depressing to look out and see wall in the outfield. Twins absolutely made the right call in keeping Target Field open air.

[drjim]

I'll second the emotions on AT&T and PNC, great parks in great settings.

 

I'd rank them (that I've seen):

1. AT&T

2. PNC

3. Target Field

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4. Wrigley

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5. Great America

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6. Miller

7. Minute Maid

8. Rogers

9. Metrodome

 

Need to get to more parks.

[SwainZag]

 

I haven't yet been to a covered park that didnt feel like an airplane hanger. Safeco might be the best of the bunch, but it's still a hanger, even with the roof open.

 

I really enjoy Safeco.  I have been to 10-15 games there and sat everywhere from 3rd row behind the visiting dugout, the high RF bleachers with a view and the cheap bleachers in CF.  I just think the entire place has a great feel to it.  I do prefer Target Field though.  

[Turd Furgeson]

Of the ones I've visted: 

 

1. PNC

2. Target Field

3. Camden Yards

4. Fenway Park

 

[FattCrapps]

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

[DaveW]

1. target field

2. Camden

3. safeco

4. AT&T

5. Coors Field

 

 

 

Fenway and Wrigley are both DUMPS and should be bulldozed.

[jimmer]

 

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'd think they'd at least serve Busch and Busch Light :-)

[Steve Lein]

I see AT&T Park getting a lot of votes.

 

My impression when I was there:

 

Beautiful location and beautiful stadium.

 

BUT

 

1. Sightlines are not up to par with say, Target Field. In the club level where I sat, you're I'd venture 4 times further away from the field.

2. It is a pain in the ass to navigate, like a maze, and concourses are half the size of Target Field, AND WORST OF ALL...

3. Lack of open concourses to watch the game while navigating it.

 

Personally, I think this might be the most overrated stadium out there after seeing it myself. Some interesting features and the outfield walkway on the bay is certainly cool, but the interior design is lacking. There's no reason I should have to make so many right and left, and switchback turns around the concourses of a baseball field, all while not being able to see the actual field.

 

With that said, it's probably still about #5 on my own list of about 15 I've been too. There's a lot of bad MLB stadiums.

 

1. Coors Field

2. Target Field

3. Kauffman Stadium

4. Busch Stadium

5. AT&T Park

 

Next to see list:

 

Camden Yards

PNC Park

Petco

SafeCo

Comerica

 

[REPETE]

 

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

Only great thing about Busch Stadium is their behemoth gathering place next door, although that place was a disaster after the game (can't wear a baseball hat at some of the bars.  WE JUST CAME FROM THE BALLGAME!!!).

 

Love Kaufmann after all the remodeling.  

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

Coors Field is awesome, Sat in the last row of LF, and saw a HR travel 20' over my head.

In short, I think TF is still in the top 3, however, i keep having fears of late Oct baseball in 29 degrees & flurries.  Don't get me wrong, i'd LOVE to see late Oct baseball again, but I still remember the Marlins/Cleveland series, when they'd go from 85 to 30.