Best ballpark? Right here(ballparks rated)

Chicago Tribune ^ | April 22, 2003 | Paul Sullivan

[anncoulteriscool]

I duly concede nothing can beat Fred McGriff's ongoing quest to be the first player to hit a home run in 42 major-league ballparks.

It takes plenty of talent and a keen sense of self-importance to try so hard to become the answer to a trivia question.

But I'm afraid McGriff inadvertently has overshadowed my own quest to be the first sportswriter to eat junk food in every major-league park, an anti-Atkins odyssey that came to a conclusion last weekend at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

[Non-Sequitur]

OK, fans, here's a trivia question for you. Everyone knows that Wrigley Field was the last park in baseball to get lights for night baseball. Which was second-to-last? And any park built with lights doesn't count.

[pnz1]

Candlestick?

[Billthedrill]

I actually enjoyed Candlestick but then I like down jackets on the 4th of July (no exaggeration) - it was so windy there that they had swinging wooden doors between the concession areas and the stands so the poor guys pouring the wine wouldn't freeze. The Murph wasn't bad on those beautiful San Diego days back when Winfield was patrolling right field.

None of those are classic parks, though, just funky and appropriate to their location, which is about as much as you can expect for a small squarish place in which you cram 40,000 sweaty, beer-drinking fans cheek to jowl. I will say that I love Safeco. Last Thursday I was sitting in a day game on a gorgeous afternoon and a large black cloud came over and dumped a shower on everyone...until the roof slowly and silently slid overhead. Very cool. I think that place has more varieties of beer than any other major league stadium, but dang it, at seven buckaroos a pop you can't afford to get drunk and obnoxious, which is probably why Yankee fans don't like the place... ;-)

[flying Elvis]

Ditto. I'm at Miss State U, one of the best places in the country to watch college baseball.

[CroftonFreeper]

Call me a fag.... I don't care ....

LOL

[pnz1]

A college game costs how much for admission? 5$ or so?

[CroftonFreeper]

The only thing world class in Philly is the cheesesteaks cause it sure aint the fans.

[Windcatcher]

Hehehehe. We sure are harsh sometimes. We boo our own players.

"It's a good thing they don't have the Tomahawk Chop in Philadelphia. They'd use real tomahawks."

- Tim McCarver

[Non-Sequitur]

Candlestick?

No, I'll freepmail the answer to you.

[CroftonFreeper]

Eagles fans are by far the most obnoxious fans in the NFL.

[Windcatcher]

Yup yup. I won't go to an Eagles game. When it got really bad, the city converted a storeroom under the stadium into a night court and put a judge there (Hon. Seamus McCaffrey). He's still on the job, but I think they moved the court across the street. Booing is one thing. If people want to act like animals, there are consequences.

[speedy]

I'm a lifelong Yankee fan and love The House That Ruth Built (hope you've taken the GREAT tour they give there) although the pre-mid 70s renovation park was truly a thing of beauty, far suuperior to what is there today. However, I have to say that the ear-destroying volume of the PA system there these days makes it a very unpleasant experience -- the constant commercials, contests, deafening music -- it seems like it is about Anything But Baseball. I do think the Dodger Stadium experience is as pleasant as anything in baseball. And much as I hate the Bosox, Fenway is a true gem. Not very comfortable, but in some seats you are practically in fair territory. Worst to me is the monstrosity in Minnesota. That's a joke, right?

[rdb3]

Best ballpark?

Jacobs Field!

And today was a good day...

[CroftonFreeper]

You got that right. I haven't been to Camden Yards in years. Pete Angelos has ruined that franchise. When I found out he donated 10k to the Clinton defense fund, that was the last straw. I am hoping Virginia gets a team.

[BlueOneGolf]

We've got a minor league team here in Louisville, KY. The Bats are a AAA team for the Reds. Come and watch a game at Louisville Slugger Field. I believe you'll find it one of the best minor league parks around.

http://www.minorleagueballparks.com/loui_ky.html

BTW, I know we're talking baseball here, but my ALL-TIME FAVORITE stadium is Williams-Brice Stadium in my old hometown of Columbia, SC. Even during losing seasons you cannot get a ticket to watch the University of south Carolina Gamecocks play football there because the place stays sold out. 85,000 screaming, diehard 'Cock fans can really get your blood pumping on a Saturday afternoon.

[Temple Owl]

ping

[Mears]

I agree,Fenway Park,a real ballpark with real history behind it.

[flying Elvis]

Yeah, and free if you are a student. No large crowds, no drunks, and some great baseball. And at MSU some of the finest cooking you'll ever eat. Each seating section has grills so the fans can cook during the game.

[BlueOneGolf]

http://www.minorleagueballparks.com/loui_ky.html