Staff Writer
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| Photo by Features Editor Matt Wotus. |
It’s finally baseball season again and what’s better than spending a summer day at the ballpark? Here is my list of the top five parks you should consider visiting:
1. Fenway Park
Some of the best things
in life are those that change little remaining basically the same for decades.
Fenway Park is an example of this as the Boston Red Sox have remained committed
to staying at this classic ballpark that they have called home since 1912. It
is the oldest major league ballpark in use and still retains the same feel and
characteristics as it did when it opened. Since 2003, there have been numerous
improvements and upgrades completed at the ballpark. The famous Green Monster
seats, 250 bar style seats, were added atop the Green Monster in left field
enabling fans to view Fenway Park in a distinct way they have never had before.
In 2004 the team added additional seats atop the roof in right field. Although
Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, it is one of
America's most beloved ballparks.
2. Wrigley Field
Nicknamed the “Friendly
Confines”, Wrigley Field is one of baseball's oldest ballparks where fans come
out to see the Cubs play whether they are winning or not. Unlike nearly every
team in Major League Baseball either having or wanting a new ballpark, the Cubs
continue to play at Wrigley Field with no desire to change. In 1984 when the
Cubs made the playoffs, MLB threatened that if the team made the postseason in
the future, games would be moved to a location that had lights. Finally on February
23, 1988, the Cubs decided to install lights at Wrigley Field. The first night
game scheduled for Wrigley Field was on August 8, 1988. However, rain cancelled
the game after four innings, postponing it to the next day. Even with lights,
Wrigley Field remains one of baseball's most old-fashioned parks. Wrigley Field
has basically remained advertisement free, with advertisements on nearby
buildings and a few in the ballpark. The neighborhood around Wrigley Field,
called Wrigleyville is filled with fans on game day. Ballhawks, as they are
called, wait on Waveland Avenue to catch homeruns during the game. Fans sit
atop buildings behind Wrigley Field and watch the game. Ivy still covers the
brick walls in the outfield, the scoreboard is still manually operated, and
bleacher bums still sit in the bleachers in the outfield.
3. Yankee Stadium
A new era in the
history of the New York Yankees began in 2009 when the team moved from the most
famous and historic stadium in the world to their new stadium across East 161st
Street. The name, Yankee Stadium, remains the same, and it appears that ghosts
of the old Yankee Stadium moved to the new one as the New York Yankees won
their 27th World Championship in 2009. On April 16, 2009, the New York Yankees
played their first game at the new Yankee Stadium against the Cleveland
Indians. The new Yankee Stadium seats approximately 52,000 fans. There are many amenities at the new stadium including luxury,
outdoor and party suites, club seats, a martini bar, steakhouse and picnic
areas. A Yankees Museum that displays memorabilia of great Yankee teams and
players from the past, along with a Hard Rock Cafe is located in the stadium.
In 2009, the Yankees were able to accomplish the same feat that the 1923
Yankees did when the original Yankee Stadium opened, by winning the World
Series.
4. Busch Stadium
A new chapter in
Cardinals history began in April 2006 when the team christened Busch Stadium.
For more than five decades fans have been attending games at different Busch
Stadiums as the Cardinals have moved into new ballparks. Throughout the late
1990s the Cardinals began lobbying for a new ballpark to replace old Busch
Stadium. On April 10, 2006 the St. Louis Cardinals made their debut at Busch
Stadium against the Milwaukee Brewers. As fans roam the large open concourses
and take their seat to watch the Cardinals, they have one of the best views
found in any ballpark. Beyond the outfield area is the skyline of downtown St.
Louis and the Gateway Arch. Fans will come to love Busch Stadium as it a
traditional ballpark that fits into the St. Louis landscape.
5. Dodger Stadium
Home of the Los Angeles
Dodgers for over a half century, Dodger Stadium remains one of the classic
ballparks in baseball. Dodger Stadium, just miles away from downtown Los
Angeles, is located in the valley of Chavez Ravine. The stadium is built into
the hillside with massive parking lots surrounding the Dodgers home. Upon
entering Dodger Stadium, fans encounter a massive stadium with stunning views.
Since it's opening, Dodger Stadium has remained one of the cleanest and nicest
ballparks in the country. In 1978, the Dodgers became the first team to draw
three million fans to the ballpark. Every off season, it is given a fresh coat
of paint. Stepping into Dodger Stadium today is almost like stepping into it as
if it were 1962 again. The atmosphere found at Dodger Stadium is hard to find
anywhere else in baseball and although it is more than 50 years old, Dodger
Stadium still ranks as one of MLB's top ballparks.
