Busch Stadium

St. Louis Cardinals (National League)

8/10

The exterior of the ballpark the afternoon after the game I went to, before I headed out.

The StL skyline as Cardinals/Brewers is about to start.

The stadium the next morning, taken from the top of the Gateway Arch.

I first went to Busch Stadium(the current one) in June 2015. I had broken up the long trip from Houston by driving to Texarkana the night before and stopped at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock before heading to St. Louis. This was a Monday night game, featuring a Cardinal team that would have the best record in baseball that season, against a Brewer team that would finish 32 wins behind them.

This Busch stadium, is a retro modern park built more or less in the heart of Downtown St. Louis. Light rail runs right beside the third base side of the stadium, this is how I got to the game from my hotel in the area of the Zoo. There is a good view of the skyline from the upper deck, including the Gateway Arch, as well as the old courthouse nearby. Right across the street from left field is "Cardinals Nation" a bar/restaurant type-place, which rakes in the money for the team before and after games. The only strange thing about this place is while the third level concourse has an unobstructed view of the field, the bottom one doesn't, with only a few pockets fit to stand and watch the game.

The big plus of this place for me, was the atmosphere. For a Monday night, usually the quietest of the week, against a lousier, but divisional opponent, there were an eyelash over 40,000 people here. It ended up being a 1-0 win for the Brewers, with the run coming in the top of the 1st and some tension in the bottom of the 9th, with a few video reviews. The fans were very much into the game, but not rabid, like in some other places. Cardinal fans enjoy a seemingly random reputation for being knowledgeable and well-behaved and I can't disagree after coming here. This place is up there with Wrigley and San Francisco in terms of atmosphere, at least according to me.

The slight knock, was the food. There didn't seem to be a whole lot you couldn't do anywhere else. I went to a Hardee's on the third base side of the upper deck and paid 17.50 for a burger, fries and drink, there's high-priced concessions, which are kind of the norm, and then there's this insanity. Only Toronto is worse, in my experience.

Overall, even gougy concessions can't take away from the increasingly rare pleasure of a big crowd, watching baseball for baseball's sake. Between that and the hotel(The Moonrise, on University Blvd.) I will be back in St.L at some point.

Update 2020: It's very hard to believe that it's been almost 5 years since I was here. I would love to update this place this year, but am not too sure about my summer schedule. St. Louis continues it's solid relationship with the Cardinals, finishing 2nd in attendance for 2019, averaging just under 43k a game. If you look up "Busch Stadium replacement" this place is it. Having only opened in 2006 and drawing good crowds, there's no talk of a new park and I wouldn't expect this to change for at least the next 10 years. A point for atmosphere and concession, with a minus for expensive food mean this place is a solid 8.


Linescore
2015-06-01
                          123     456    789    RHE
Milwaukee           100    000    000     160
St. Louis              000   000    000     081
Temp: 65F   Time: 3:05  Att: 40,689

Newman Outdoor Field

Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks, American Association

7/10

 

The exterior? Red bricks. The field is sponsored by "Newman Outdoor" a local billboard firm.

A late May evening saw a smaller crowd for the opening week of the season in Fargo.

This is a very good facility for this league, especially compared to some of the lesser ones.

I ended up coming into Fargo from rural Wisconsin, where I'd stopped after seeing a White Sox game the day before. I was winding down my 2017 trip and this was the last new park I was going to get to see. It's located in North Dakota's largest city, just across the state line from Minnesota. The park is nestled on the campus of North Dakota State University, which presented as more of an ag school than anything. The park is used for college baseball earlier in the spring.

The field is a redbrick facade with a wide, wraparound concrete concourse with a view of the field.It's not very remarkable, but for this level, its a more than adequate park. Food options were pretty tame, I went into the left field corner and ordered something a little better, but don't remember what it was. Maybe do the reviews a little more promptly? The game was a little one sided for the visitors as a recent NDSU grad threw 7 scoreless innings for Sioux City in his one and only pro start. The atmosphere was somewhat flat, as it was the first Tuesday night home game of the season and closer to 60 degrees than baseball weather.

This place is entitled to it's 7, but not much else. I'd for sure be willing to go back, but it's kind of an outpost for most people. For me, it's on the way south and east, so I'm sure I'll see it again soon enough.


Linescore
2017-05-30
                                                     123  456   789    R H E
Sioux City Explorers                       000  105  010  7 12 1
Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks            000   000  000  0 5  0
Time: 3:04 Temp: 63F Att: 2,051

PK Park

Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League)

8/10

No doubting who the landlord is here. Nice facade though.

A decent crowd takes in a Sunday evening contest versus cross-state rivals Hillsboro.

Overall, this is a decent little place.

My first visit to PK Park was on my 2014 summer loop. The Ems were taking on the 2nd year Hillsboro Hops in a Sunday evening match up. We arrived after a long drive from Sacramento and I was looking for a good game to move on from a disappointing night there. This was the first time I'd seen a team in 2 different parks, after seeing the Emeralds twice in Civic Stadium.

The Emeralds ended up moving in here after their old park started to show it's age. Fortunately for them, the University of Oregon brought it's Baseball program back up to the varsity level and built PK Park, in the parking lot of Autzen Stadium, where the football team plays. "The Autzen Zoo", where the ticket office for the Emeralds is located as well, dwarfs this relatively small ballpark.

PK Park has a relatively steep seating bowl, with some suites on top. The field has not the greatest backdrop, of the practice facility for the school's soccer teams and some tall trees. Concessions are slightly above average, featuring such random items as the Bison(Buffalo) corn dog. The atmosphere here was also slightly notable, as having been here 3 times, I can tell you Eugene is a baseball town.

Overall, this place is a sadly much needed upgrade to Civic Stadium that the Emeralds badly needed and all they had to do was switch landlords. I'm in no hurry to go back, but this place is worth at least 1 visit.

Update 2019: The Emeralds are now the Cubs affiliate in the NWL. They continue to draw decent crowds, averaging just over 3,400 a game. I can't find a reliable number for how the Ducks draw at their park, but for 2019, it was less than this. Eugene is not on the chopping block as part of the reorganization of MiLB and I'd be very surprised if this changed. This is the last park until the bay area, so it always has a decent chance of snagging me for a game on the way through.

Linescore
2014-08-17
                                          123   456   789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17  R H E
Hillsboro Hops(ARI)              100  330   000  0  0   0   0   0   0   0    2   9 17 1
Eugene Emeralds(SD)          500  200   000  0  0  0    0    0   0   0   0   7 16 3
Time: 5:28 Temp: 79F  Att: 2,543

Comiskey Park(II)

Chicago White Sox, American League

6/10

 

The crowds wait to file in for the afternoon start on the south side.

A Memorial day that I remember seeming hotter than it actually was saw a pretty good crowd take in an afternoon game against Boston.

From this angle, the park actually doesn't look bad.

I got into Chicago right around the start of a Memorial Day matchup with Boston. I'd driven into the early morning after a rain delay in Washington to make it to the outer suburbs of Cleveland, before driving into Wisconsin after this game. This ballpark, currently Guaranteed Rate Field, is located south of Downtown Chicago, near the overpass of I-94 and 35th street. It's built literally across the street from the site of the first Comiskey Park. The crowd here was a few thousand above average for the ChiSox in 2017, owing to Boston being in town and Memorial Day having some nicer weather.

This park was the last one built before Balitmore came along and changed everything. It was also built by Populous, the same architect as over two thirds of the current MLB stadiums, but they hadn't yet made their mold, so this place is missing a few things. The facade is NOT red bricks and only sort of resembles older ballparks. The upper deck has been chided for being a little too high and far from the field. The way the Sox ticket is that upper deck ticket holders cannot go onto the field level at all, so I didn't get to see any of that, but the upper deck didn't have a wrap around concourse, which meant there wasn't any way to see the game from there. I appreciate they've obviously got some kind of issue with people sitting where they haven't paid, but straight up banning the plebians to the upper deck seems harsh.

I ended up with a slice of pizza, which was not deep dish, like at Wrigley a few years before. This would have been ok, but walking on the enclosed concourse, a big gust of wind almost blew it right out of my hand. A helpful person manning some other kiosk yelled, in a Chicago accent, "Ya gotta protect ya slice!" Good to know. A lot of the upper deck concessions were closed and while I don't think any items weren't being sold, I do think the lower bowl had some other ones to choose from. This is another reason it would have been nice to go down there.

The atmosphere was not overly terrible, but still a little flat. The game was tight and the White Sox overachieved by beating the other Sox by just one run. It was only 76 degrees(apparently), but it felt closer to 90 and I think this sapped some enthusiasm.

Overall, the building itself and me being particularly annoyed that I didn't get onto the lower deck costs half a point and the same policy meaning food options were limited for half the stadium gets another half off. This place was the last one built before Camden Yards changed expectations for a ballpark and it shows, although the Sox have made lots of small improvments/adjustments over the last dozen or so seasons. There's no chatter I could find about replacing this place, so renovations would appear to be the way it's going. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here, but I-94 is a common route for trips east and south for me, so it could work out that this is the best choice. I'll be buying a lower level ticket for sure.


Linescore
2017-05-29
                       123  456  789  RHE
Boston             100  210 000 440
Chicago(AL)    003 000  20x 550
Time: 3:16  Temp: 76F  Att: 27,148

Phoenix Municipal Stadium

Arizona State Sun Devils (Pac-12)

8/10

 

The main entrance is on the 3rd base side, you need to go up a spiral walkway, across the street, then back down to get there from the parking lot.

2013 prior to my suspected "Last game at the Muni", I turned out to get one more.

A sparse crowd watches Arizona Fall League action in 2011.

I didn't make it to a game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, a.k.a. "The Muni" until 2011, my 2nd spring in Arizona. This stadium is a little different than the others in the Cactus League at the time, as it's history lends itself more to Phoenix baseball than Spring Training. This stadium hosted AAA baseball in Phoenix for 25 years as the Phoenix Giants, then Firebirds, called the Muni home. The Firebirds moved up Loop 101 to Scottsdale when Scottsdale Stadium opened in 1992. The San Francisco Giants held Spring Training here for one year in the 1960's, before the Oakland A's moved in in 1984. The A's had 20 years here before they too moved across town, to HoHoKam Stadium in Mesa, leaving the Muni open. Taking a page from their cross-state rivals in Tucson, the Arizona State Sun Devils decided to move their baseball team from an on campus stadium to the Muni.

At any rate, this is a very straightforward stadium. Stairs lead up to the main concourse, with box seats in front and loge behind. The backdrop is very much stereotypical Arizona, with red rocks and in the case of a 2011 fall league game, a large dust storm. The concessions here were not my favourite, right up until I wandered out to the barbeque stand in the left field corner. I don't remember exactly what I ended up with, but I do remember the burgers and chicken sandwiches coming out of there looking pretty good. The atmosphere here was slightly above average, as the lack of video board and really anything else going on outside of the game made it very enjoyable. The main reason the A's moved (back) to Mesa wasn't the stadium, but more the back fields, or namely the fact that they were about a mile from the main stadium via bus, across the street from the Phoenix Zoo. Now that the team has moved, everything is contained in one complex.

Overall, this was a somewhat unique Spring Training venue, with slightly above average concessions and atmosphere, which should serve the ASU Baseball program well for years to come.

Update 2019: The Sun Devils are enjoying things at the Muni, averaging 2,913 for 2019, which was 21st in the NCAA. I haven't been here in awhile, so I'm not aware of any serious upgrades. This park is highly unlikely to host professional baseball again. I'd go if I had the opportunity, but many other Phoenix area parks would be higher on my list.

Linescores

2011-03-25

                               123  456  789  R H E

Los Angeles(AL)       104  011  030  10 16 0

Oakland                   000  010  020  3 6  2

Time: 2:39  Temp: 70F  Att: 8,540

2011-10-04

                123  456  789   R H E

Mesa         005 120  000   8 7 1

Phoenix     210  602  01x  12 13 0

Time: 2:54  Temp: 91F  Att: 235

2013-03-27

                        123  456  789   R H E

Colorado           210  020  000   5  9  0

Oakland            010  320  00x  6 12 0

Time: 2:33  Temp: 87F  Att:4,795

2014-03-26

                                   123  456  789  RHE

Los Angeles(AL)           001  000  311  661

Oakland                       001  000  010  261

Time: 2:57  Temp: 75F  Att: 5,033

Nationals Park

Washington Nationals

8/10

The front entrance isn't much to look at, mostly because most fans don't come in this way, instead entering through the baselines and outfield.

An overcast day in D.C., which soon provided some showers.

From this angle, you can see the gates had just opened and a break in the upper decks, like in San Diego.

I pulled into DC in May 2017, after driving straight in after an afternoon game in Philadelphia, having started the day in Pittsburgh. I stayed here the night before the game, taking in a nice morning run past the Smithsonian, onto the national mall and pretty much to the Washington Monument before heading back to get ready for the game. This was a Sunday afternoon contest against visiting San Diego. The Nats were due to play another afternoon game the following day in San Francisco, owing to Memorial Day.

The park opened in 2008, after the Nationals played at RFK stadium for a few seasons after moving from Montreal. It was hardly an improvement, but this place is. It's modernly laid out, with a particularly noteworthy outfield concourse(the team store is out there). The park is in a older neighbourhood that according to the local I spoke with, used to be light industrial with body shops and the like. Now, a bunch of mid-rise condo towers dotted the outfield. Food was to MLB standard, but not much more. As first pitch approached, a light rain started, but only started to intensify, until(I'm sure doppler radar had something to do with it) the game was held up as a heavier rain started. I and most everyone else there, moved up to the concourse to wait it out and I ended up talking with a newfound Nationals fan who had really only started following baseball in his retirement. He had a million questions and I had nothing but time, but, I started to worry that this would be a rainout of a new MLB park and that even if the game did start, it would push my arrival time back, as afterwards, I was driving into Ohio, to be able to make an afternoon start the following day for the Chicago White Sox.

Once the game did get started after a delay of over an hour, the chatting continued as a pretty low scoring affair, which the Padres ended up taking by a run. The fans were into it and the quirky atmosphere I'd seen earlier in the year in Palm Beach showed itself again. This is MLB's youngest fanbase, with most of the people there having cheered for other teams earlier in their lives. The cheers of "Nats, Nats, Nats, Woo!" after a run are somewhat unusual, but also endearing. It was certainly something I could live with two years after the fact watching this team and their fans enjoy their first title in 2019. The atmosphere is a plus.

On the whole, this is a relatively new park with modern amenities in a neighbourhood it has given a shot in the arm. The unique atmosphere and the bucket of attractions in the U.S. capital make this a good park to visit. My only advice? If you're just coming here, leave the car at home, parking's a hassle and public transportation is plentiful, with the subway coming right to the park. I ended up coming back the next year for a hockey game and enjoyed that visit as well. I'll be back here soon.


Linescore
                    123   456    789   R H E
San Diego     210   020   000   5 14 0
Washington   110  010    000   3 8 1
Time: 3:19  Temp: 65F  Att: 30,243
Note: Start of game delayed 1:20 by rain.

Oakland Coliseum

Oakland Athletics, American League

8/10

The park has probably the plainest exterior in the Majors.

"Mount Davis" dominates center field before a 2015 game against Houston.

A crowd of just under 20,000 takes in a game in 2013 against Tampa Bay, both teams made the playoffs.

I first went to the Oakland Coliseum in 2013, on a two week trip of the western states as my only new Major League ballpark. The A's met the Tampa Bay Rays on a Friday night, two teams both leading their divisions. Attendance was an eyelash over 15,000. The A's won their division and still finished in the bottom 5 in attendance and the Giants were last in theirs and averaged 47 thousand. This is the situation in the Bay Area. We went back later in July 2015 for a mid week game against the Astros.

At any rate, the Coliseum, or the "O.Co Coliseum" after online clearance outlet, overstock.com, is another multipurpose stadium that continues to hang on. Apparently, it used to be not too bad for baseball, with a decent view of the surrounding hills. But the football Raiders, having moved to Los Angeles, agreed to move back, only if a massive stand was built in center field. "Mount Davis" lured the Raiders back to town(they are threatening relocation again, back to Los Angeles), but it really impacted the Coliseum as a baseball venue.

On the whole, the Coliseum is very old and this age shows with narrow concourses and basically no view of the field from the lower concourse. Access isn't too bad, although the rush hour traffic in and around Oakland before most evening games makes it difficult. The BART stops right outside though, so if you're already on either side of the bay, that could be better, I haven't tried it myself.

The concessions here were not too bad the first time and after doing some more exploring my 2nd time here, are some of the best anywhere. Items such as Sweet Potato pie and a gourmet noodle stand, along with some chains like Round Table pizza.  This is a place worth getting to early, to wander around a little.

The thing about the Coliseum, is that the atmosphere is incredible. Even though hardly anyone shows up. The people who go to an A's game genuinely want to go. There are not the people going to be seen like you might see in San Francisco(although the upper deck there is very passionate). My travel companion, had been to 5 MLB parks(thanks to me), when she pointed out that the atmosphere in Oakland was very raw compared to something a little more manufactured at one of the newer retro-modern parks. Case in point, it was dog night for the Houston game and about 150 pooches and their humans were in the stands of Mount Davis, far away from the rest of the crowd. During the national anthem, many of them could be heard howling along.

Stubhub tickets in the 8th row cost 40 dollars a person, plus free VIP parking. For affordability, this place is probably unrivaled. Also, there is a bona-fide supporters group, like something you'd see at a Japanese baseball game, or a Major League Soccer contest. They were very much into the game, and during my first visit here, had their angry hands going for Aussie closer Grant Balfour, who to put it mildly, had a bit of fiery personality.

This park is probably the worst for maintenance issues in the majors however, as raw sewage(i.e. poop) has backed up into the visitor's clubhouse at least once. Still, after some rumours of the Athletics moving for a 4th time, this time just down the highway to San Jose, or maybe Fremont, the A's signed on for 10 more years at the stadium, which will put them up to 2024.

At any rate, what the stadium lacks in amenities, it makes up in affordability, good concessions and a very authentic, baseball-first atmosphere. I give it an extra half point for food and atmosphere, which gives it an 8, which is pretty good for such an old venue.

Update 2019: This venue, at time of writing, is now the RingCentral Coliseum for the 2019 season after going three seasons without a sponsor. This place is as it was, the A's are a decent team of misfits, who draw poorly. The plan as of now is to build a new park in the Oakland area, possibly on the waterfront, possibly on this site, now that the Arena that's adjacent has been vacated by the Warriors. The Raiders are preparing to leave the area for Las Vegas, so the A's will soon be the only big league anything in town. The A's have recently publicly speculated about also going to Las Vegas, but this seems to be a negotiating tactic only for now. I'm rooting for them to make staying in Oakland work for them, but we will find out.

Linescores
2013-08-30
                    123  456  789  RHE
Tampa Bay    010  000  020  381
Oakland         000 030 01x   470
Time: 3:10  Temp: 68F  Att: 15,603

2015-08-06
                 123  456  789 10  RHE
Houston     100  000   030 1   591
Oakland      010 010  002  0  472
Time: 3:37  Temp: 66F  Att: 16,172