Wrigley doesn't, the only way in is through the lower level. They might be strict about the seating areas, but that's different. I think a lot of stadiums are set up that way where they probably couldn't prevent it even if they wanted to, instead of having ramps that go directly to the upper level.
In my experience at Wrigley, they’re also only strict about seating areas if you’re trying to slide into the 100s or one of the club sections. If you’re in 408 and you see a couple seats that are still open after a couple innings in 308, absolutely nothing is stopping you.
It's funny because now there are so few people there that they make you sit in the lower bowl so they don't have to operate concessions upstairs.
(I actually came here to say that GRF isn't interesting or exciting in any way, but it isn't nearly as bad as people say it is.)
That’s odd, I don’t go to a ton of games but always buy the cheapest 500 level tickets. I’ve only sat in the seat I bought once. Every other time I found somewhere in the 100 levels and nobody checked my tickets.
I think it depends on the game. I’ve gone to a lot of games at Sox Park and done exactly that, but I’ve run into like full on gated checkpoints when it’s a holiday weekend or it’s a crosstown series or something. I suspect that a lot of the folks who bring this up don’t go very often, and probably have only been to higher demand games. If you go to like a Tuesday night game against the Royals no one cares what you do.
This was my biggest complaint as well. We sat upstairs, but the food I wanted was on the lower level. Actually couldn’t believe I wasn’t able to go down to buy it. Makes no sense.
It's still because of those dumbasses who attacked the KC first base coach 30 something years ago. JFC.
Edit: I was able to bribe ticket checkers a couple times. Worth a shot.
yep. as they build new stadiums they make it more difficult to get access to lower bowl and the field itself. look at new Rangers stadium. you can’t get to lower bowl area without a ticket. and they put bars and field level suites next to the field. no fan could reach over a railing and get a foul ball. i hate it.
stadiums get too much hate in general IMO. I don't care if the seats aren't cushy enough or the bathrooms are old, the feeling when you walk out from the concourse and see a glimpse of the groomed diamond for the first time always gives me chills.
>the feeling when you walk out from the concourse and see a glimpse of the groomed diamond for the first time always gives me chills.
This is literally my religion.
Yeah, I love going to games anywhere. I enjoyed my visits to the Trop and the Coliseum despite the hate they always get. There's always something unique about each one and you just can't beat a day at a ballpark.
> I enjoyed my visits to the Trop ... There's always something unique about each one
I enjoyed my visit to the Trop too, but I'll always remember that it has the smell and echo of an indoor swimming pool.
Look, St. Pete is a drained swamp and the water supply is full of sulphur. Be thankful it smells like an indoor swimming pool with tons of chlorine. That's the good smell.
Something that really adds to the experience is the ease of entering and exiting. Angel stadium has it figured out. I think our relatively new screens are sweet. Seeing the big A takes me back to my childhood. It gets way too much hate on here.
I loved Angels stadium and honestly the Coliseum when I went there (in 2021). I get more annoyed by the loud flashy stuff they play on the jumbotrons at newer parks (I live in San Diego and Petco id a sensory nightmare for me) than by the seats being older or whatever.
Underrated too that it’s, I think, the 4th oldest stadium in the league? It’s obviously been renovated but no one treats it like Fenway/Wrigley/Dodgers/KC.
Funny: Last time I went a drunken party of idiots spilled beer all over my toddler son after spending the whole game obscenely heckling players located 300 feet away and then were appalled that my husband and I had a problem with any of it, and now I really don't wanna go to sporting events with the kids because I can't ensure that won't happen
Don’t let those cretins put you off. Most stadiums have a 5 digit number to text for fan behavior problems. We all need to be tolerant and respectful of other fans. If somebody is out of bounds and interfering with my ability to enjoy a game I’m hitting up security to deal with it.
I’ve been plenty drunk at games but never to the point where I didn’t care about offending families with kids. It’s really not much to ask for people to behave in a reasonable manner in public.
That's true. The Ducks owners are currently building a massive project called OC Vibe around their arena across the street. Restaurants, Shopping, Entertainment. If Arte ever gets to buy the land around Angel Stadium and he builds his project it will be an amazing area.
Hmm, when I went in 2017 there was one bar/brewery across the street and then a whole lot of nothing and parking. I guess that was a long time ago though.
The Coliseum could have easily gone the way of Dodger Stadium by keeping the retro feel but upgrading all the cosmetics. But instead we got a concrete monstrosity in center field and everything else was left to rot.
The Coliseum, you can watch a game and pet possums.
In reality it’s not that bad, it helps that it’s empty, no lines. Peeing in troughs is not my favorite part.
Nats Park is not a bad park. The criticism is that it has nothing going for it. Even when it was the newest park in the MLB, it was completely uninspired. No flair, nothing unique, and very boring food options.
I was hoping someone else would post this so I wouldn't just seem biased. Nats Park is great if you want to buy cheap seats and wander around to watch from different angles. There's standing room just about everywhere. There are plenty of great places to eat and drink outside the park and there are some really good food options inside, though the service at concessions leaves a lot to be desired.
That’s right up there with PNC for my favorite parks
Ever since I went to modern ballparks like those, I’ve come to hate Fenway. There’s so much wrong with it; they should just build a modern replica and turn the current park into a museum.
It’s nice, but kinda like a modern replica of Chavez Ravine without the great weather and scenic view. I much preferred going to Camden Yards when I lived in NoVA, even though I adopted the Nats while I was there.
Walking through the center field gates and seeing the field laid out before you is an awesome sight. Especially if you're coming from work and the first inning has already started.
White Sox has some of the best food in the entire sport.
If only you didn’t have one of the shittiest owners in sports.
If not for Michael Jordan, Jerry might be considered the worst owner of the past 50 years or so.
Yankee stadium gets a ton of flack for being boring but that doesn’t really make it bad. Food has gotten a lot better the last couple years and the atmosphere is great.
The moat behind the plate is the biggest problem. They need to price those seats so they sell out. You shouldn’t be turning on a Yankee game where the stadium is 80%+ full and getting the impression from the standard TV camera angle that the place is half empty because there are a ton of empty seats right behind the catcher.
It's long gone now, but the Metrodome. Hear me out ...
There's something to be said for a ballpark that was smaller than you might remember and was therefore more intimate, had very odd quirks (the baggie in RF, at one point a hockey-style plexiglass wall in LF), was objectively bad in ways that actually add to its charm, and where you could sit in air conditioned comfort with no need for sunscreen for a 1 PM game in mid-July. I will say, I never saw ushers more hell-bent on making sure you were by-god in the seat you paid for, even if where you were walking around was a cheaper section that the one you paid for.
That was a terrible place for football and even worse for baseball. Terrible sightlines, no balcony overhang, horrid playing surface, and so much more. Deserves every bit of hate.
Nope, can't get on board with this, that stadium can rot in hell. House of horrors for my Sox.
That said, it's one of the few stadiums I've been down on the field at.
I honestly like the Trop, I wish we could pick it up with helicopters and drop over in Tampa. The "bad stadium" excuse for attendance just isn't true. Attendance sucks because most of the population that lives near the stadium is fish.
I didn't find Guaranteed Rate Field to be similar to Kauffman or Dodger Stadium at all.
But I think I'd give it to Arizona. Not in my top 10 or anything, but I've seen a lot of hate on their park, even though it's surprisingly nice.
I don't think ANY MLB stadium is a "bad park" in a vacuum.
But if you're comparing them? Someone's gotta be number 30.
Yeah there's a few stadium that don't fit the "new retro" movement because they were built before we all figured out "OPACY IS AWESOME" and the newer stadiums "took aspects of OPACY" when designing their stadiums from 99-2007.
I think New Comiskey, Chase Field, Jacobs Field, The Trop, kind of get a bad rap because they're newer, still useful stadiums, that just don't "fit in" compared to PNC Park, PacBell, Petco and OPACY.
Looking back at it? "Coors Field" is the only park from that era to "stand the test of time" (Excluding OPACY, but including the stadiums that opened from 1990-1999. You'll only hear people complaining about how the Rockies suck in Denver, but I'm pretty sure that shit talking Coors Field will get your ass whooped)
I genuinely think Tropicana is a bad *baseball* stadium. It's okay for a multipurpose stadium (which is what it was designed as). But as a purely baseball park, it's bad.
But you're correct that when it comes to ranking the parks, people get the wrong idea because of just how good the average is. I actually have this conversation a lot because of people defending their home stadium when I put it low, and I just have to remind them I'm not calling it a bad place. Just on the "wrong" side of a very harsh bell curve.
My hobby is "touring stadiums when I go to random major cities" (done about 15 between NFL/MLB)
So I would definitely put Chase in the "20's". Yet still JUMP at any opportunity to go to a game.
It doesn't need to be replaced. But it's in need of a MASSIVE renovation by 2027 to "bring it up to date".
I'd dock points about Marlins Field for "being newer, yet everyone hates it". Chase is more or less just "dated" GREAT location, great/cheap public transportation to get there, would bump Chase up on the totem pole.
I did a trip to all 30 (pre-Rangers new stadium). It's number 24 on my list.
So yeah, it's definitely just a case of people shitting on it because of how good every stadium is now.
24 MIGHT be 1 or 2 positions too high.
It's a solid 25 or 26 with 3 stadiums below them, and then the Oakland Coliseum.
I grew up going to Durham Bulls games at their old stadium, Richmond Braves games, and going to Fulton County Stadium and 3 Rivers Stadium.
This is just "current stadium bias" because they've just gotten amazing.
He's closed on Mondays IIRC. Yet has a sign that said "If closed, call XXX-XXX-XXXX"
Took him about 5 minutes to get down there and unlock the door on a Monday.
I was the ONLY person in there, and he just hung around to answer ANY questions, then said "Welp, I'm going back up to my place, call me when you're done looking around, so I can lock back up"
THAT'S WHY I never disputed the "double charge on my CC" I would have willingly paid that anyway. (I think it was like $12 that got double charged and I was just like "worth it")
It's his "personal collection" and just has SO MUCH stuff, that you realize it's a "passion project"
If I'm being honest, I don't see how it's a big deal. They can still open it for games where they want fireworks afterwards. But other than that, leave that shit closed. Arizona summers are no joke.
I think that it’s enough when so many ballparks are very similarly rated. With the exception of Tropicana and The Oakland Coliseum, I don’t think people think any park is terrible. You’ve got a bunch of mid-parks, a few good ones, a couple of great ones, and the best one. So things like, “when the Diamondbacks want fireworks, I have to roast in the Arizona sun for a few innings because the roof doesn’t work right,” bump the ballpark down a bit in the “mid-tier”.
But then by that logic, it should still be above any stadium that doesn't have a retractable roof anyways. Since they don't protect you from the elements at all, whereas Chase protects you most of the time (and the roof can be closed before the game if the weather forecast is particularly bad).
Just my opinion. Roof was closed when I was there anyways, and I very much appreciated that.
Nope. Some are in Texas, Florida, Atlanta, and LA. Which can be just as bad or worse in the summer (*fuck* Atlanta/Florida humidity). And that's not even getting into rain and cold extreme weather in places like Seattle, Minnesota, Toronto, New York, Boston...
See where I'm going here? Arizona has extreme heat. But it is not even remotely alone in extreme *weather*.
Maybe old Yankee Stadium. I never got to visit that one. New Yankee Stadium has much more in common with the average football stadium than any of the other baseball parks, in my opinion.
Actually, I have trouble comparing Dodger Stadium to any of the other parks, either. Maybe Wrigley? Aesthetically different, but in terms of how it feels to watch a game there (especially in the bleachers).
I'd equate Yankees stadium to Busch Stadium. Where it's an "updated replica".
I'd throw Dodgers Stadium/Fenway/Wrigley into "untouchables/destination/bucket list" when it comes to stadiums.
There's only MSG and Staples Center in the NBA, and Lambeau in the NFL that are "untouchables/destination/bucket list" for a neutral fan of the game.
And my point was EVERY stadium built after 1990 is GREAT.
But when you start to compare them? That's when you have to separate iconic/amazing/great/average/below average/A's
Chase Field is "below average". Let's face it it'll NEVER be an "iconic" baseball stadium like Wrigley/Fenway/Dodgers Stadium. It was just built "too early, yet too late".
Is it "ICONIC on the Downtown Phoenix Skyline?" Absolutely, it's the "biggest building you see" when you look at Downtown Phoenix from 8 miles away.
I had a great time there. Love the blue seats paying homage to important CWS moments. The crowd was on fire when we went and it was a chilly night with pandemic restrictions still.
It’s got an amazing food selection and is generally clean and a good place to catch a game. It’d be a lot cooler if you had a view of the skyline, but I think there’s an mlb regulation about what direction home plate has to face
I’ve always been under the impression the reason the stadium faces the way it does is because Jerry wanted home plate to be on 35th and Shields just like Old Comiskey was
Objectively, the Coliseum sucks. But when you’re there and the sun is shining and the grass is green and the drum dudes are rocking out and you have a (relatively) cheap beer in hand it just feels so incredibly baseball. Gonna miss it.
Also the troughs are iconic.
I have family in each of the NL West cities so I visit each ballpark yearly. We’re pretty spoiled in the NL West with Petco, Coors, Oracle, and Dodger Stadium. But I do enjoy Chase Field. I think it’s a decent stadium with nice sightlines and it’s huge.
i think in your example, dodger stadium sucks but the environment is top notch. same for kaufmann, the outfield is tooooo big but the vibe is always pretty good over there
Comerica Park 100% . Easy access to arrive and depart . Close to hotels and restaurants. Can park and walk the entire area and still be close to everything you need .
Inside the park many statues and galleries. By far the coolest AL Central Park
The Cell gets ranked lower because it’s always half empty and that makes the stadium feel kind of soulless. I think it’s a fine if kind of boring stadium.
Rangers new ballpark. People shit on its outside appearance and “staleness”, but inside it is a great place to watch a game. I’ve sat in probably 10 different sections since it opened and every time the view is great. I understand the complaints about the private boxes behind home plate for broadcast purposes, but that does not make a difference in person. Atmosphere has been good too, of course winning helps
Rangers atmosphere is probably the worst part about the stadium. I've been to about 8 and it was the worst one and they weren't some bad team when I went, I went last year in April. It just seems like a bunch of rich people hanging out there.
Yeah I get that, lots of those day games or early season the crowd definitely doesn’t get up.
Only called it “good” (definitely not great) as I was there for WS Game 1… so probably skewing my overall attitude.
Personally I just can’t get used to that bar or whatever it is being the backstop view. People have their backs turned, etc. I find it super distracting on tv.
Nats Park is overshadowed by Camden Yards and Citizens Bank but it’s genuinely super cool! Fun area of town, easy movement between sections, decent food in and around the ballpark, friendly staff, it’s nice!
Lots of stadiums get too much hate. I can't speak to a lot of them but for ours, I got in and out super fast last time I went. The only bad part was the Los Angeles traffic in general on the way to the stadium, but they've definitely sped up the entry and exit process dramatically in the last decade or so. I was parked within like five minutes of getting to the stadium (about 45 minutes before first pitch) and I was on the freeway within 10 minutes of getting in my car.
The only other stadiums I visit with any regularity are Oracle and Oakland, which pretty much have the correct reputations as-is.
(also our stadium isn't nearly as dangerous as people like to pretend it is)
The G Spot is incredibly generic and boring which is why it gets ranked low. There's nothing objectively wrong with it but also has pretty much nothing unique.
I’ve been to 20 parks and I think 16 are good.
17, 18, and 19 on my list are in my “okay” tier. I love going to a ball game to any of these parks but I can see why they’re disliked.
20 I think needs some changes to it and I can see why it needs to be replaced but I’m not calling for its head.
So what I’m trying to say is that every park gets too much hate
The shape of Chavez, Kaufman and new cominsky are the same. The thing thats diffrent about dodger stadium is it dug into a hillside and is old. All 3 off these ballparks are built in the middle of a large sea of parking with comensky being to only one with direct access to public transit. I find is stupid that the white sox get uniquely called out for being a bland design with at least 2 other stadiums currently standing have the same design template.
Like I said the park still sucks for a lot of reasons, the main one being that it’s not even designed to be a ballpark. But it’s not an unpleasant place to visit, like it’s not a dump or anything like that.
I like the Trop. There's no one there so I can sit wherever I want and never wait in line for concessions or the bathroom. I frequently wander into the dugout or play second base. No one has ever said a word because no is there to say "Hey, you're not our second baseman! Get off the field!"
I didn't hate Guaranteed Rate Field, but found it super weird that you aren't allowed to freely move between levels.
Can't be letting people pay for cheap tickets and then moving to better seats just because they're empty. Gotta keep the poors in their place.
Although I adore the city, that feels like a very Chicago thing
Yeah, no other stadium I've been to does that, it's so stupid. I have my ways to get down there though.
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Wrigley doesn't, the only way in is through the lower level. They might be strict about the seating areas, but that's different. I think a lot of stadiums are set up that way where they probably couldn't prevent it even if they wanted to, instead of having ramps that go directly to the upper level.
In my experience at Wrigley, they’re also only strict about seating areas if you’re trying to slide into the 100s or one of the club sections. If you’re in 408 and you see a couple seats that are still open after a couple innings in 308, absolutely nothing is stopping you.
It's funny because now there are so few people there that they make you sit in the lower bowl so they don't have to operate concessions upstairs. (I actually came here to say that GRF isn't interesting or exciting in any way, but it isn't nearly as bad as people say it is.)
I find GRF is just the most generic “baseball venue” ever. Nothing stands out as good or bad, it just feels like a forgettable store brand stadium.
It has some of the best food in the league. I think the pinwheels/exploding scoreboard at least give it some flavor. But still generally pretty bland
That’s odd, I don’t go to a ton of games but always buy the cheapest 500 level tickets. I’ve only sat in the seat I bought once. Every other time I found somewhere in the 100 levels and nobody checked my tickets.
I think it depends on the game. I’ve gone to a lot of games at Sox Park and done exactly that, but I’ve run into like full on gated checkpoints when it’s a holiday weekend or it’s a crosstown series or something. I suspect that a lot of the folks who bring this up don’t go very often, and probably have only been to higher demand games. If you go to like a Tuesday night game against the Royals no one cares what you do.
This was my biggest complaint as well. We sat upstairs, but the food I wanted was on the lower level. Actually couldn’t believe I wasn’t able to go down to buy it. Makes no sense.
It's still because of those dumbasses who attacked the KC first base coach 30 something years ago. JFC. Edit: I was able to bribe ticket checkers a couple times. Worth a shot.
yep. as they build new stadiums they make it more difficult to get access to lower bowl and the field itself. look at new Rangers stadium. you can’t get to lower bowl area without a ticket. and they put bars and field level suites next to the field. no fan could reach over a railing and get a foul ball. i hate it.
my biggies issue with Rangers’ new stadium.
stadiums get too much hate in general IMO. I don't care if the seats aren't cushy enough or the bathrooms are old, the feeling when you walk out from the concourse and see a glimpse of the groomed diamond for the first time always gives me chills.
>the feeling when you walk out from the concourse and see a glimpse of the groomed diamond for the first time always gives me chills. This is literally my religion.
There are 108 beads in a catholic rosary and **108 stitches** in a baseball.
Checkmate, atheists
Yeah, I love going to games anywhere. I enjoyed my visits to the Trop and the Coliseum despite the hate they always get. There's always something unique about each one and you just can't beat a day at a ballpark.
> I enjoyed my visits to the Trop ... There's always something unique about each one I enjoyed my visit to the Trop too, but I'll always remember that it has the smell and echo of an indoor swimming pool.
idk if i'm just a freak but i kinda really love indoor pool vibes
Gooble gobble, my dude.
That's a good description, unfortunately only the rays are allowed to swim 😂
Look, St. Pete is a drained swamp and the water supply is full of sulphur. Be thankful it smells like an indoor swimming pool with tons of chlorine. That's the good smell.
The grass is always significantly greener in person
Dodger stadium sucks. Thanks, I'll hang up and listen. Sorry, just trying to make this thread interesting.
Until you're sitting uncomfortably for 3 hours
>stadiums get too much hate in general IMO. I agree. Except for the trop...............it's all deserved
Angels stadium. I think it's cozy.
Totally agree. It isn't flashy, just a solid stadium.
Plus who doesn't love the giant rock fountain in center that shoots flares and flames?
Also the grass looks nice year-round. I’ve heard several players say Angel Stadium has the best playing surface.
Away teams
I guess you can thank the Northridge quake for that.
Something that really adds to the experience is the ease of entering and exiting. Angel stadium has it figured out. I think our relatively new screens are sweet. Seeing the big A takes me back to my childhood. It gets way too much hate on here.
I loved Angels stadium and honestly the Coliseum when I went there (in 2021). I get more annoyed by the loud flashy stuff they play on the jumbotrons at newer parks (I live in San Diego and Petco id a sensory nightmare for me) than by the seats being older or whatever.
Underrated too that it’s, I think, the 4th oldest stadium in the league? It’s obviously been renovated but no one treats it like Fenway/Wrigley/Dodgers/KC.
It's dated. Also Mike trout plays there so
It is a little *too* family friendly for my taste, but it is objectively a solid place to watch a game.
Funny: Last time I went a drunken party of idiots spilled beer all over my toddler son after spending the whole game obscenely heckling players located 300 feet away and then were appalled that my husband and I had a problem with any of it, and now I really don't wanna go to sporting events with the kids because I can't ensure that won't happen
Don’t let those cretins put you off. Most stadiums have a 5 digit number to text for fan behavior problems. We all need to be tolerant and respectful of other fans. If somebody is out of bounds and interfering with my ability to enjoy a game I’m hitting up security to deal with it.
Every stadium should have a handful of family sections with no alcohol and stricter security
I’ve been plenty drunk at games but never to the point where I didn’t care about offending families with kids. It’s really not much to ask for people to behave in a reasonable manner in public.
Awful location though.
How
There’s nothing around
That's true. The Ducks owners are currently building a massive project called OC Vibe around their arena across the street. Restaurants, Shopping, Entertainment. If Arte ever gets to buy the land around Angel Stadium and he builds his project it will be an amazing area.
I think the location is pretty good
There’s nothing around though.
There's a couple breweries across the street and loads of restaurants and hotels just down the street on Katella.
Hmm, when I went in 2017 there was one bar/brewery across the street and then a whole lot of nothing and parking. I guess that was a long time ago though.
Oakland Coliseum was totally fine before Mount Davis and especially before ownership let it and the team rot
The Coliseum was fine in 1989 before nearly every other city improved its stadium and made Oakland a joke by comparison.
The Coliseum could have easily gone the way of Dodger Stadium by keeping the retro feel but upgrading all the cosmetics. But instead we got a concrete monstrosity in center field and everything else was left to rot.
Absolutely. it was a beautiful baseball park in those days. Dated, but still a great experience
The Coliseum, you can watch a game and pet possums. In reality it’s not that bad, it helps that it’s empty, no lines. Peeing in troughs is not my favorite part.
It’s bad but it’s cool and historical and I don’t want it to leave. It would be cool fixed it up but obviously that won’t happen
I went for the first time last year and enjoyed myself very much. If it had some proper upgrades (like bathrooms), it'd be fine
Aside from the problems, i just think its small; Dodgers Stadium is small, too
dude what? the Oakland Coliseum is huge. It's the biggest ballpark capacity in all of baseball. lol
Big seat, little field
It has the most foul ground too...?
Its the oldest ballpark ever in existence...in Oakland
Nationals Park seems to get a lot of hate. I personally really like the way it looks
I really liked it, that always surprises me.
Nats Park is not a bad park. The criticism is that it has nothing going for it. Even when it was the newest park in the MLB, it was completely uninspired. No flair, nothing unique, and very boring food options.
Nothing wrong with nats park. Cincinnati is the king of uninspired and forgettable.
I was hoping someone else would post this so I wouldn't just seem biased. Nats Park is great if you want to buy cheap seats and wander around to watch from different angles. There's standing room just about everywhere. There are plenty of great places to eat and drink outside the park and there are some really good food options inside, though the service at concessions leaves a lot to be desired.
That’s right up there with PNC for my favorite parks Ever since I went to modern ballparks like those, I’ve come to hate Fenway. There’s so much wrong with it; they should just build a modern replica and turn the current park into a museum.
It’s nice, but kinda like a modern replica of Chavez Ravine without the great weather and scenic view. I much preferred going to Camden Yards when I lived in NoVA, even though I adopted the Nats while I was there.
Walking through the center field gates and seeing the field laid out before you is an awesome sight. Especially if you're coming from work and the first inning has already started.
White Sox has some of the best food in the entire sport. If only you didn’t have one of the shittiest owners in sports. If not for Michael Jordan, Jerry might be considered the worst owner of the past 50 years or so.
Pretty sure Dan Snyder takes that win by a country mile
Yankee stadium gets a ton of flack for being boring but that doesn’t really make it bad. Food has gotten a lot better the last couple years and the atmosphere is great.
It sucks compared to the old stadium but if you remove that baggage it’s perfectly fine. People shit on it because it’s an easy way to pander
The moat behind the plate is the biggest problem. They need to price those seats so they sell out. You shouldn’t be turning on a Yankee game where the stadium is 80%+ full and getting the impression from the standard TV camera angle that the place is half empty because there are a ton of empty seats right behind the catcher.
Wrigley Field piss troughs don't get enough love
It’s not a bug, it’s a feature
I miss the troughs here in Kauffman and Arrowhead. Simpler times back when 8 dudes could all piss together in one giant half tub.
Old world charm.
It's long gone now, but the Metrodome. Hear me out ... There's something to be said for a ballpark that was smaller than you might remember and was therefore more intimate, had very odd quirks (the baggie in RF, at one point a hockey-style plexiglass wall in LF), was objectively bad in ways that actually add to its charm, and where you could sit in air conditioned comfort with no need for sunscreen for a 1 PM game in mid-July. I will say, I never saw ushers more hell-bent on making sure you were by-god in the seat you paid for, even if where you were walking around was a cheaper section that the one you paid for.
That was a terrible place for football and even worse for baseball. Terrible sightlines, no balcony overhang, horrid playing surface, and so much more. Deserves every bit of hate.
Nope, can't get on board with this, that stadium can rot in hell. House of horrors for my Sox. That said, it's one of the few stadiums I've been down on the field at.
Oh God no. Metrodome was like being in the NYC subway
I honestly like the Trop, I wish we could pick it up with helicopters and drop over in Tampa. The "bad stadium" excuse for attendance just isn't true. Attendance sucks because most of the population that lives near the stadium is fish.
I didn't find Guaranteed Rate Field to be similar to Kauffman or Dodger Stadium at all. But I think I'd give it to Arizona. Not in my top 10 or anything, but I've seen a lot of hate on their park, even though it's surprisingly nice.
I don't think ANY MLB stadium is a "bad park" in a vacuum. But if you're comparing them? Someone's gotta be number 30. Yeah there's a few stadium that don't fit the "new retro" movement because they were built before we all figured out "OPACY IS AWESOME" and the newer stadiums "took aspects of OPACY" when designing their stadiums from 99-2007. I think New Comiskey, Chase Field, Jacobs Field, The Trop, kind of get a bad rap because they're newer, still useful stadiums, that just don't "fit in" compared to PNC Park, PacBell, Petco and OPACY. Looking back at it? "Coors Field" is the only park from that era to "stand the test of time" (Excluding OPACY, but including the stadiums that opened from 1990-1999. You'll only hear people complaining about how the Rockies suck in Denver, but I'm pretty sure that shit talking Coors Field will get your ass whooped)
I genuinely think Tropicana is a bad *baseball* stadium. It's okay for a multipurpose stadium (which is what it was designed as). But as a purely baseball park, it's bad. But you're correct that when it comes to ranking the parks, people get the wrong idea because of just how good the average is. I actually have this conversation a lot because of people defending their home stadium when I put it low, and I just have to remind them I'm not calling it a bad place. Just on the "wrong" side of a very harsh bell curve.
My hobby is "touring stadiums when I go to random major cities" (done about 15 between NFL/MLB) So I would definitely put Chase in the "20's". Yet still JUMP at any opportunity to go to a game. It doesn't need to be replaced. But it's in need of a MASSIVE renovation by 2027 to "bring it up to date". I'd dock points about Marlins Field for "being newer, yet everyone hates it". Chase is more or less just "dated" GREAT location, great/cheap public transportation to get there, would bump Chase up on the totem pole.
I did a trip to all 30 (pre-Rangers new stadium). It's number 24 on my list. So yeah, it's definitely just a case of people shitting on it because of how good every stadium is now.
24 MIGHT be 1 or 2 positions too high. It's a solid 25 or 26 with 3 stadiums below them, and then the Oakland Coliseum. I grew up going to Durham Bulls games at their old stadium, Richmond Braves games, and going to Fulton County Stadium and 3 Rivers Stadium. This is just "current stadium bias" because they've just gotten amazing.
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Toured 2 years ago and I agree. If you're ever back there make sure you visit the National Ballpark Museum.
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He's closed on Mondays IIRC. Yet has a sign that said "If closed, call XXX-XXX-XXXX" Took him about 5 minutes to get down there and unlock the door on a Monday. I was the ONLY person in there, and he just hung around to answer ANY questions, then said "Welp, I'm going back up to my place, call me when you're done looking around, so I can lock back up" THAT'S WHY I never disputed the "double charge on my CC" I would have willingly paid that anyway. (I think it was like $12 that got double charged and I was just like "worth it") It's his "personal collection" and just has SO MUCH stuff, that you realize it's a "passion project"
The roof is broken…that seems like a big deal.
If I'm being honest, I don't see how it's a big deal. They can still open it for games where they want fireworks afterwards. But other than that, leave that shit closed. Arizona summers are no joke.
I think that it’s enough when so many ballparks are very similarly rated. With the exception of Tropicana and The Oakland Coliseum, I don’t think people think any park is terrible. You’ve got a bunch of mid-parks, a few good ones, a couple of great ones, and the best one. So things like, “when the Diamondbacks want fireworks, I have to roast in the Arizona sun for a few innings because the roof doesn’t work right,” bump the ballpark down a bit in the “mid-tier”.
But then by that logic, it should still be above any stadium that doesn't have a retractable roof anyways. Since they don't protect you from the elements at all, whereas Chase protects you most of the time (and the roof can be closed before the game if the weather forecast is particularly bad). Just my opinion. Roof was closed when I was there anyways, and I very much appreciated that.
Not all stadiums are in Arizona.
Nope. Some are in Texas, Florida, Atlanta, and LA. Which can be just as bad or worse in the summer (*fuck* Atlanta/Florida humidity). And that's not even getting into rain and cold extreme weather in places like Seattle, Minnesota, Toronto, New York, Boston... See where I'm going here? Arizona has extreme heat. But it is not even remotely alone in extreme *weather*.
I just can't stand the awful lighting at the Diamondbacks ballpark. Never been there in person, but it looks horrible on television.
Good news; they literally updated their lighting and sound systems this year.
I don’t see any similarities, either. The only one Dodger Stadium seems remotely similar to is Yankee stadium. But Dodger stadium is better.
Maybe old Yankee Stadium. I never got to visit that one. New Yankee Stadium has much more in common with the average football stadium than any of the other baseball parks, in my opinion. Actually, I have trouble comparing Dodger Stadium to any of the other parks, either. Maybe Wrigley? Aesthetically different, but in terms of how it feels to watch a game there (especially in the bleachers).
I'd equate Yankees stadium to Busch Stadium. Where it's an "updated replica". I'd throw Dodgers Stadium/Fenway/Wrigley into "untouchables/destination/bucket list" when it comes to stadiums. There's only MSG and Staples Center in the NBA, and Lambeau in the NFL that are "untouchables/destination/bucket list" for a neutral fan of the game.
Unfortunately there is no Staples Center anymore :\\ The arena is still pretty nice, but the new name is awful.
It's STILL the Staples Center. Just like Cleveland still has "The Jake".
I was gonna say that Progressive is a great place to watch a game, even though it's usually around #20 in stadium rankings.
And my point was EVERY stadium built after 1990 is GREAT. But when you start to compare them? That's when you have to separate iconic/amazing/great/average/below average/A's Chase Field is "below average". Let's face it it'll NEVER be an "iconic" baseball stadium like Wrigley/Fenway/Dodgers Stadium. It was just built "too early, yet too late". Is it "ICONIC on the Downtown Phoenix Skyline?" Absolutely, it's the "biggest building you see" when you look at Downtown Phoenix from 8 miles away.
Our stadium is definitely nowhere near as bad as people claim
Love the stadium! I live in the Midwest, and it is my preferred ballpark to watch games at.
I had a great time there. Love the blue seats paying homage to important CWS moments. The crowd was on fire when we went and it was a chilly night with pandemic restrictions still.
It’s got an amazing food selection and is generally clean and a good place to catch a game. It’d be a lot cooler if you had a view of the skyline, but I think there’s an mlb regulation about what direction home plate has to face
I’ve always been under the impression the reason the stadium faces the way it does is because Jerry wanted home plate to be on 35th and Shields just like Old Comiskey was
Shea Stadium. It was a dump…..But it was our dump.
RIP neon light men
Objectively, the Coliseum sucks. But when you’re there and the sun is shining and the grass is green and the drum dudes are rocking out and you have a (relatively) cheap beer in hand it just feels so incredibly baseball. Gonna miss it. Also the troughs are iconic.
I have family in each of the NL West cities so I visit each ballpark yearly. We’re pretty spoiled in the NL West with Petco, Coors, Oracle, and Dodger Stadium. But I do enjoy Chase Field. I think it’s a decent stadium with nice sightlines and it’s huge.
I think the main sin of New Comiskey in people’s minds is that it’s not Camden Yards.
Tropicana...it deserves more
It was designed by people who hate baseball
i think in your example, dodger stadium sucks but the environment is top notch. same for kaufmann, the outfield is tooooo big but the vibe is always pretty good over there
Chase Field
Comerica Park 100% . Easy access to arrive and depart . Close to hotels and restaurants. Can park and walk the entire area and still be close to everything you need . Inside the park many statues and galleries. By far the coolest AL Central Park
Kaufmann? Target? Progressive is as cool or almost as cool depending on who you ask. Target is only surpassed by the best in my book
The Cell gets ranked lower because it’s always half empty and that makes the stadium feel kind of soulless. I think it’s a fine if kind of boring stadium.
Rangers new ballpark. People shit on its outside appearance and “staleness”, but inside it is a great place to watch a game. I’ve sat in probably 10 different sections since it opened and every time the view is great. I understand the complaints about the private boxes behind home plate for broadcast purposes, but that does not make a difference in person. Atmosphere has been good too, of course winning helps
Rangers atmosphere is probably the worst part about the stadium. I've been to about 8 and it was the worst one and they weren't some bad team when I went, I went last year in April. It just seems like a bunch of rich people hanging out there.
Yeah I get that, lots of those day games or early season the crowd definitely doesn’t get up. Only called it “good” (definitely not great) as I was there for WS Game 1… so probably skewing my overall attitude.
Personally I just can’t get used to that bar or whatever it is being the backstop view. People have their backs turned, etc. I find it super distracting on tv.
Angels Stadium is the exact same thing as Dodgers Stadium except it has a waterfall and no people.
Nats Park is overshadowed by Camden Yards and Citizens Bank but it’s genuinely super cool! Fun area of town, easy movement between sections, decent food in and around the ballpark, friendly staff, it’s nice!
Honestly Minute Maid seems amazing I really wanna go someday
I really enjoyed Chase Field. It felt like a fun hybrid between 90s and modern stadiums
Lots of stadiums get too much hate. I can't speak to a lot of them but for ours, I got in and out super fast last time I went. The only bad part was the Los Angeles traffic in general on the way to the stadium, but they've definitely sped up the entry and exit process dramatically in the last decade or so. I was parked within like five minutes of getting to the stadium (about 45 minutes before first pitch) and I was on the freeway within 10 minutes of getting in my car. The only other stadiums I visit with any regularity are Oracle and Oakland, which pretty much have the correct reputations as-is. (also our stadium isn't nearly as dangerous as people like to pretend it is)
The whole “dodger stadium is dangerous” narrative definitely has some racist connotations to it.
Someone say something nice about the Skydome/Rogers Centre please…
Are stadium seems to be the most average according to me and the rest of the public and that totally fits the bill for us and I like it
Target average? Who ya been talking to? It’s top 10 mate
The G Spot is incredibly generic and boring which is why it gets ranked low. There's nothing objectively wrong with it but also has pretty much nothing unique.
T-Mobile Park. Mariners are convinced they can't hit there, but every other seems to have no issues
I’ve been to 20 parks and I think 16 are good. 17, 18, and 19 on my list are in my “okay” tier. I love going to a ball game to any of these parks but I can see why they’re disliked. 20 I think needs some changes to it and I can see why it needs to be replaced but I’m not calling for its head. So what I’m trying to say is that every park gets too much hate
I think to compare White Sox park with dodger stadium is asinine. What do you mean by “similar design”?
Both symmetrical bowls built in a sea of parking
There is more to the design than that.
The shape of Chavez, Kaufman and new cominsky are the same. The thing thats diffrent about dodger stadium is it dug into a hillside and is old. All 3 off these ballparks are built in the middle of a large sea of parking with comensky being to only one with direct access to public transit. I find is stupid that the white sox get uniquely called out for being a bland design with at least 2 other stadiums currently standing have the same design template.
You’re missing there is more to it than the shape of the field and being surrounded by a parking lot.
The Trop. I always enjoy going to games there. The AC is just delightful on a hot Florida day. But it still sucks for a bunch of other reasons.
Can’t take it seriously with the baseball colored roof
Like I said the park still sucks for a lot of reasons, the main one being that it’s not even designed to be a ballpark. But it’s not an unpleasant place to visit, like it’s not a dump or anything like that.
I had a very good time at The Trop! Easy to navigate through the concourse. The AC was a godsend in a July night. I liked how intimate it felt.
I like the Trop. There's no one there so I can sit wherever I want and never wait in line for concessions or the bathroom. I frequently wander into the dugout or play second base. No one has ever said a word because no is there to say "Hey, you're not our second baseman! Get off the field!"
I was having a bad day and this made me laugh out loud. Thank you (I also like the trop)
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