The Complete Guide to Big League Ballparks

There is no better place than a ballpark on a warm summer evening, with a cool breeze coming in from left field and the smell of grilled hot dogs wafting through the grandstand. That experience has been played out every summer for over 100 years, and baseball is an integral part of the American lifestyle, with tens of millions of fans attending games every year. On a daily basis, nothing captures the attention of the sporting public like baseball. And the gathering places for those baseball fans inspire their own adulation. Indeed, it s hard to imagine the New York Yankees without Yankee Stadium, the Chicago Cubs without Wrigley Field, or the Boston Red Sox without Fenway Park. These shrines to baseball inspire and awe us. Memories for generations for people -- some hardcore baseball fans, many not -- are created at ballparks. When we think back to that first ballpark visit 30 years ago, we don t remember who was playing third base or who struck out the most; we remember being at the ballgame with our parents or grandparents, happily munching on a hot dog and being overjoyed at being part of the crowd. On a daily basis, ballparks across the nation serve as our new national town squares, our gathering spots, and our third places. In 1954 Jacques Barzun famously wrote, "Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball," and that s never been truer than today. This book covers ballparks in all their glory. Every ballpark is different; while a bad night at the ballpark is always better than almost any alternative, the fact remains that some ballparks are better than others. Our goal is to provide you not only with a description of the ballpark and how to get there, but also a sense of what makes each ballpark unique and why you should visit. We also tell you about other baseball-related attractions in each major-league area (including notable minor-league and college facilities), along with tips on where to stay for the best ballpark access.