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Baseball Park Essays
Baseball fans always have a lot to say about their favorite game . . . and about their favorite fields . . . or their favorite characteristics of ballparks . . . or what they would like a park to look like! Check these out, and e-mail me if you'd like to add your own thoughts on these topics! All articles and photo essays are by Webmaster Joe Mock unless otherwise noted.
Remember the Alamodome
San Antonio's Alamodome had hosted Final Fours, the NFL, the NBA, major concerts and more -- but never baseball. That changed when Big League Weekend came to town in March, 2013.
Bye Bye to HoHoKam
Check out the 13 shots in this photo album of the Cubs' final home game at Mesa's HoHoKam Stadium.
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2012
Here's our pictorial review of what made news in 2012, including the parks where we had had to say goodbye.
Fenway At 100
We had special access to shoot photos of all elements of Fenway Park just so you could see how great the place looks as it celebrates its 100th birthday.
Picking a favorite ballpark by Kurt Smith
Noted ballpark author Smith relates the methodology he used to be able to provide a response when he's asked "What's your favorite ballpark?"
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2011
Here's our pictorial review of what made news in the ballpark world in 2011, including a couple of tragedies at parks
A comparison of the two parks of the 2011 World Series
Our annual "tale of the tape" on this year's Fall Classic ballparks: Rangers Ballpark In Arlington (for the second year in a row) and Busch Stadium
MLB got it wrong
I was in St. Louis to cover Game 6 of the World Series, and hours before the game, MLB postponed it ... even though the game could definitely have been played. This essay discusses why this was a mistake, and how ultimately it put the Cards in the position to win the Series
Ballpark Knowledge by Kurt Smith
Learn the story behind Kurt's decision to create Ballpark E-Guides, as he discovers that it makes a difference when you have a little ballpark knowledge
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2010
Here's our pictorial review of what made news in the ballpark world in 2010
A comparison of the two parks of the 2010 World Series
Our annual "tale of the tape" on the year's Fall Classic ballparks: Rangers Ballpark In Arlington and AT&T Park
Jay Miller Appreciation Night
A first-class organization honors a first-class exec as he moves up to the Major Leagues
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2009
Here's our annual look at ballpark scenes in the news
A comparison of the two parks of the 2009 World Series
A "tale of the tape" on new Yankee Stadium and Citizens Bank Park
An evening to remember
The Round Rock Express honored fallen hero Mike Coolbaugh
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2008
What made news in the world of ballparks in 2008? You'll find out here!
A comparison of the two parks of the 2008 World Series
A "tale of the tape" on Tropicana Field in St. Pete and Philly's Citizens Bank Park
How 20th century building trends shaped the modern ball field by Roger Weber
Roger, who penned an article for us a couple of years ago about the overuse of the "retro" look in new ballparks, has provided a well-researched look at how the design and size of parks over the last century affect today's new baseball palaces.
Largest crowd ever
We covered the game with the largest crowd ever to witness a baseball contest: 115,300. It happened at the Los Angeles Coliseum on March 29, 2008, as the Dodgers marked the 50th anniversary of their arrival in LA.
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2007
It's become an annual tradition! Here's what we thought were the biggest ballpark stories of the year, as told in pictures.
A comparison of the two parks of the 2007 World Series
A "tale of the tape" on Boston's Fenway Park and Colorado's Coors Field
Bricktown Showdown
We were there as the championship of Triple-A baseball was decided at Oklahoma City's AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Check out the photo essay, which features ten shots from the event.
History in Arlington
BASEBALLPARKS.COM was on hand as Sammy Sosa hit the 600th home run of his career, a feat only accomplished by four other players. Our photo essay shows what that evening at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington was like.
The 2007 College World Series
Technically, this essay isn't here in BASEBALLPARKS.COM, but it is located in our sister website, Collegeballparks.com. In this article you'll experience what it's like to attend the weeklong madness in Omaha every June -- plus you'll learn valuable tips to make your own visit to the CWS more enjoyable.
The 2007 Caribbean World Series
Nothing in the U.S. compares to the festive, colorful Serie Del Caribe
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2006
We wouldn't let you down! Here's the 2006 edition of our Ballpark Year in Pictures.
A comparison of the two parks of the 2006 World Series
A "tale of the tape" on Detroit's Comerica Park and St. Louis' new Busch Stadium
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2005
Another of our annual looks at the ballparks that made news.
Kauffman Stadium is the most family-friendly anywhere!
Missouri has cornered the market on friendly game-day staffs, with the Cardinals, the Royals and the Texas League's Springfield Cardinals leading the way. See why we think the Royals are the best of all.
Visiting Sacred Ground
Here's a thorough look at the new exhibit on ballparks at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. It's extremely impressive and entertaining!
Ballpark Identity Loss by Roger Weber
A thought-provoking article by a talented high-school senior. It examines whether all of the "retro" ballparks being built today are too much of a good thing.
The Ballpark Year in Pictures -- 2004
A trip through the ballpark highlights of 2004
Ballpark experience south-of-the border
Photos and a summary of my first pro-baseball game in Mexico
A comparison of the two parks of the 2004 World Series
A "tale of the tape" on Boston's Fenway Park and St. Louis' Busch Stadium
Thorough reviews of newly opened ballparks
See our new page with links to all of our in-depth ballpark reviews!
A comparison of the two parks of the 2003 World Series
A "tale of the tape" on New York's Yankee Stadium and Miami's Pro Player Stadium
Baseball's Tragic Stalemate
A summary of the ridiculous baseball conflict during the summer of 2002, with updates on the aftermath of the agreement
Enron No More
When the Astros removed any sign that their park was once named for Enron, how did it change the look of the stadium?
Consensus Ballpark Ratings by Ian Taggart
A fascinating look at how various entities rate the parks of the Major Leagues
Ballpark Oddities
Some of the strangest ballpark features you'll ever see
Ten "Must-See" Parks
BASEBALLPARKS.COM's famous list of parks that simply every fan must visit. Complete with a top ten, a second ten, an honorable mention, and lists from our visitors
Biggest Baseball Park Thrills
Your webmaster's biggest baseball moments
Baseball Park Trends by Kate Bongiovanni
An interesting article on the way modern-day parks are designed, by a talented journalism student
Commentary on the site for a new Phillies ballpark
The city of Philadelphia made a real mess of picking a site for the Phillies' new stadium. Here are my thoughts on the situation
Mr. Ballparks
I think he wins the award for seeing the most different parks
A Bad Day At The Ballpark
The story of the least fun I've ever had at a baseball game. The park was to blame.
A Seat with a View
The pro ballparks with the best views
Fields of Dreams
Ideas for new or remodeled baseball parks from our visitors
Individual approaches to ballpark-visiting
- Do you have rituals when visiting a ballpark?
- When do you "count" your visit to a ballpark?
- What factors do you use in "ranking" ballparks?
Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?
A remembrance of the Yankee Clipper, written on the day he died
