So, I finally made it out to Pt. Loma’s Carroll B. Land Stadium, and it lived up to its name of “America’s Most Scenic Ballpark.” The games that day weren’t real competitive so I took the time to draw up a list of ballparks I’ve visited over the years.
Feel free to leave your own in the comments, or maybe you have a good anectode or two about a place you’ve been.
Major Leagues
- Anaheim – can’t remember what the team or the stadium are called now, but I got Rod Carew’s autograph after a game here c. 1979
- Detroit – visited old Tigers Stadium back in 1984
- Oakland – ugh
- Toronto – Rogers Centre
- Los Angeles – the old stomping grounds
- San Diego – Qualcomm (my first ever game, c. 1977) and Petco, of course
- San Francisco – Candlestick Park
Minor Leagues
- Old Orchard Beach, ME (ballparkreviews.com) – Jay Buhner was a hot prospect for the visiting Columbus Clippers; I think Orestes Destrade was on that team as well
- Lake Elsinore – probably my favorite ballpark in baseball; the 2001 team is not one I’ll soon forget
- Rancho Cucamonga – The Epicenter, another Cal League beauty
- San Bernardino – Arrowhead Credit Union Park
- Adelanto – Maverick Baseball Stadium
- Lancaster – The Hangar (jethawks.com)
- Bakersfield – the oddly configured Sam Lynn Ballpark
- Modesto – John Thurman Field
- Visalia – Recreation Park
- Stockton – old (small-parks.com) and new (attheyard.com)
- Sacramento – Raley Field
- San Antonio – Nelson Wolfe Stadium
- [Update Jan 26, 2006, 8:04 a.m.] Las Vegas – Cashman Field
College
- SDSU – Tony Gwynn Stadium
- USD – John Cunningham Stadium
- Fresno State – Beiden Field (actually was here to see the Fresno Grizzlies before they moved to their new park)
- Long Beach State
- PLNU – Carroll B. Land Stadium
I’ve also been to many of the spring training facilities in Yuma, AZ, and the Phoenix area.
So, where have you been?
Hey Charles, thanks for saying hey. Great story about the game in KC. I’m sure that having a 3-yo in tow helped your cause!
You are quite welcome Geoff. And I’m sure it did. But, I like to think of her as my sporting good luck charm as well. After all, it just so happened to be the only game out the series that they actually won. Mastercard couldn’t make a better priceless comercial, unless it would have been against the Yankees.
Qualcomm/The Murph
Petco
The Big A
Dodger Stadium
Safco
The BOB/Chase Field
Arlington**
Old Busch Stadium
Wrigley
New Comisky
Fenway Park
Yankee Stadium
Joe Robbie
RFK
Jacobs Field
Tiger Stadium
Citizens Bank Park
Minute Maid/Enron
I think that is all of them, but I lost count…I do have a hat from every Major League Field I have been to.
Every Spring training field in Yuma and Phoenix…and way to many minor league fields to count…
**My favorite ballpark!
Impressive list Coronado Mike! I envy you. Want to catch up to your league on seeing ballgames in various parks (18 MLB). I should get to 16 total MLB stadiums next season, if all goes right.
Chris from entry #42, I would imagine the list’s intent was ballparks that you’ve attended for ballgames, so Pac Bell Park on a tour shouldn’t really count…
Have a feeling Coronado Mike that if you attend a ballgame at AT&T Park in San Fran, that it’ll take over as your favorite. it’s pretty special with the amenties, ambiance, & scenic view.
Majors
SafeCo
Jack Murphy
King Dome
Dodger Stadium
The Original Big “A”
Minors
Civic Stadium, Eugene Oregon
Volcanoes Stadium, Salem Keizer Oregon
Avista Stadium, Spokane Washington
PGE Park, Portland Oregon
Late to this party, but worth a post.
1. Petco – probably my favorite of all. Love going to a downtown park.
2. The Murph – unforgettable when 55,000 had it rocking.
3. Dodger Stadium – hard to beat it and a Dodger dog on a warm summer evening (well, except for the traffic).
4. Angel Stadium – saw the Padres’ first ever interleague game, in June 1997. Also went when it was the “Big Aâ€.
5. Pac Bell / SBC / AT&T Park (SF) – great food and setting. An old employer had a box, and we used it a lot. Saw Bonds hit #680.
6. Oakland Coliseum – great atmosphere, felt like a college football game
7. Shea Stadium – saw Piazza hit a walkoff against Trevor in May 1999. The stadium is a dump.
8. Yankee Stadium – many times, most notably the first time Clemens pitched against the Sox & Pedro in 2000. As a facility, it’s the most overrated park in the bigs.
9. Fenway Park – sat on the first base roof and got to see a lightning storm blow in off the Atlantic. Spectacular.
10. Turner Field, Braves – only been once, but will be going more often.
11. The capper….Olympic Stadium in Montreal, for a real live game with about 7,000 people in the stands. What a hole.
Never been to a minor league game, or college, or to spring training…
Can add Kaufmann Stadium to my list now. Which makes #14 on my list. Nice 35 year old stadium with cool fountains in sync of color & direction. Will go for the new Busch Stadium in 2009 for #15.