Ballpark Essays – BaseballParks.com

Check out these articles on the state of today’s baseball facilities, including sneak peeks at upcoming parks, comparisons of World Series parks, and our ever-popular recap of the year in ballpark news. The list is in reverse chronological order, with the newest pieces at the top.

For the more recent entries, you can add your own comments at the end … and I certainly encourage you to do so! By the way, all articles and photo essays are by Webmaster Joe Mock unless otherwise noted — and all rights are reserved on both the text and photos.

Salt River Fields: made possible by tribal community

As Salt River Fields heads into its 14th spring training, it’s a good time to look at the Indian tribal community that made the best spring-training complex a reality.

The Ballpark Year In Pictures — 2023

The indy leagues continue to make news in the world of ballparks, plus two MLB teams will have a new place to play soon. Check out our annual look at The Ballpark Year in Pictures!

The best venues right now

When it came time for me to write my 100th article for USA TODAY Sports, my editor and I decided to do something really different: select the very best venue in each pro sport right now.

The Arizona Fall League: the 30-Year Overnight Sensation

We visited the Phoenix area to write about the 30-season history of MLB’s premier development league. It has come remarkably far!

A comparison of the two parks of the 2023 World Series

One of the parks in the 2023 Fall Classic has already hosted a World Series, yet its tenant hasn’t been to the postseason since before the park was built! The birth of the other venue coincides with the very beginning of the franchise. Check out our annual “tale of the tape.”

The Ballpark Year In Pictures — 2022

Following the wild ride of 2021, 2022 seemed like a calm year on the ballpark-news front. The only new parks were in the indy leagues, but two iconic parks celebrated milestone birthdays.

A comparison of the two parks of the 2022 World Series

Houston’s Minute Maid Park is hosting the World Series for the fifth time in the last six years. Citizens Bank Park in Philly is seeing its first Fall Classic action since 2009. Check out our comparison of the two parks.

Becoming the ballpark that forever changed baseball

When the City of Baltimore opened Oriole Park at Camden yards in April 1992, it ushered in a new era of ballpark design. Read our piece on how the park came to be, by the people who made it happen 30 years ago.

The Ballpark Year In Pictures — 2021

It was a very wild ride in the world of ballparks in 2021. Check out our annual look at the ballparks that made news, as seen through the lens of our well-traveled camera.

The “positively alien” Janet Marie Smith

You might not know her name, but you know her ballparks: Camden Yards; Turner Field, Petco Park; Ed Smith Stadium; JetBlue Park and, yes, even Fenway and Dodger Stadium (their renovations anyway). Meet Janet Marie Smith, whom Larry Lucchino calls “positively alien.”

Road-Weary Austin FC’s prize: Q2 Stadium

Now that I’m writing about venues in all sports for USA TODAY, I was given an exclusive tour of Austin, Texas’ new soccer facility, Q2 Stadium. Here’s what I thought of the stunning new home of Austin FC.

Remembering Dodgertown

MLB has taken over the operations of the spring-training complex once known as Dodgertown. Read about its heyday for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and how it’s being used now.

What to expect at 2021 Spring Training

COVID is changing the experience fans are having at Spring Training this year. We provide questions and answers so fans will know what to expect.

The Ballpark Year In Pictures — 2020

From now on, 2020 will be remembered as the Year of the Pandemic. All of the lockdowns definitely impacted the sport of baseball, greatly curtailing the number of parks where baseball occurred. Check out our look at ballparks that made news in 2020.

Academies raise Major League Citizens

The newest member of MLB’s network of Urban Youth Academies is in Kansas City. It is truly a gem — and is doing a lot of good for the boys and girls of inner city KC.

Tale of the tape on just one ballpark

Here’s our annual look at the ballparks in that year’s World Series … except, this year, there is only one. Blame it on the virus!

Here comes Bubble Baseball

The Year 2020 caused changes in every aspect of society, and the playoffs were no exception. We interviewed baseball officials about how certain ballparks are being used as “bubbles.”

Cornfield of Dreams

We were all prepared to go to Iowa to cover the MLB At Field Of Dreams Game when MLB canceled the event due over COVID-19 concerns. We’d already prepared an article previewing the event, so we’re presenting it here.

Rangers christen park sans fans

With the Coronavirus wrecking so many things in 2020, the only new ballpark that opened this year (out of the five scheduled to make their debut) was Globe Life Field, new home of the Rangers. Read about the eerie experience at its first game.

Questions abound about fans’ return

Fans have been barred from attending sporting events due to COVID-19. As the time nears for fans to return, we look at the issues facing sports venues.

The Legacy of Keli McGregor, baseball’s beloved exec

Keli McGregor, the president of the Colorado Rockies, died far too young at 48. On the tenth anniversary of his passing, we examined his incredible legacy, which notably includes his influence on Coors Field and Salt River Fields.

Collecting memories, play by play by Joe Mock and Erin Slinde

During the delayed start to the 2020 baseball season, fans became quite anxious to hear the familiar sounds of the ballpark. 89 year old John Miley has the answer: recordings of play by play going back a century.

Key dates of the 2020 exhibition schedule

As part of our contribution to USA TODAY’s Spring Training Preview, we scoured the Cactus and Grapefruit League schedules to come up with the most compelling games for each team.

The Ballpark Year in Pictures — 2019

It was our year-end review of the biggest stories involving ballparks. We said hello to new parks and goodbye to others, with the new park in Vegas winning our annual award.

A comparison of the two parks of the 2019 World Series

Check out our point-by-point comparison of Houston’s Minute Maid Park, hosting its third World Series, and Washington’s Nationals Park, hosting its first.

A sneak peek at Globe Life Field

Here’s what the Rangers’ new stadium looks like at the 80% completion mark

Remembering Globe Life Park

Based on research I conducted for a spread in USA TODAY Sports Weekly:

This article provides recollections by six men with strong ties to the ballpark
This is a chronological listing of the biggest events in the park’s history
This photo essay shows the events at the park’s final game

The new parks of 2019

We wrote an article for USA TODAY Sports Weekly that provided a summary of each of the six new pro parks that opened in 2019. It is reprinted here, with some photos added. At the end, we announce the winner of our 20th Annual Baseballparks.com Ballpark of the Year.

Brewers Haven expands both player and fan experience

The Milwaukee Brewers, City of Phoenix and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority invested over $60 million in new spring training facilities. See how the changes turned out.

Exclusive look at Sod Poodles’ palace

We were given an exclusive tour of the construction site that will be the home of the Amarillo Sod Poodles starting in April 2019.

A comparison of the two parks of the 2018 World Series

Two of the three oldest parks in the Majors are the host sites of the 2018 Fall Classic. Here’s our annual comparison of that year’s venues.

The new parks of 2018 … and which one is named our Ballpark of the Year

We look at the new pro and college ballparks that opened in 2018, and announce which one is the BaseballParks.com Ballpark of the Year

Preparing the home of the Braves

The Braves will have a new spring-training home — well, for one day in March of 2019 — and we were there to photograph the construction site.

Repairing Hiram Bithorn Stadium after Puerto Rico’s hurricanes

Hurricanes Irma and Maria dealt Puerto Rico massive blows. MLB was determined to bring San Juan’s ballpark back so the Twins and Indians could play two games there.

Spring Training’s most-liked ballpark

For years, I’ve written articles that have appeared in the USA TODAY Spring Training Preview. Since there were no new complexes for 2018, I wanted something different to write about. I asked data-mining firm ReviewTrackers to conduct research on online comments about the parks used for exhibition games. Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota was found to be the most-liked. I collected a lot more info on that park than would fit in the USA TODAY article, so I created a set of pages here to relay that additional content to our readers.
Part 1 Interview with Orioles Executive Vice President John Angelos
Part 2 Interview with urban-planner and baseball architect Janet Marie Smith
Part 3 Comments from Orioles manager Buck Showalter, architect David Schwarz and Hall of Famer Jim Palmer
Part 4 The text of the article I submitted to USA TODAY Sports Weekly

Arizona’s most-liked spring park? Surprise!

Here’s my article for the 2018 USA TODAY Spring Training Preview on the ten parks in Arizona.

A look ahead to the next wave of pro ballparks

Here is a roundup of the pro ballparks that will open in 2018, 2019, 2020 and beyond.

The Ballpark Year in Pictures — 2017

There was a lot of news involving ballparks — new, old and merely proposed — during 2017. Check out our annual round-up of the year’s biggest stories!

A comparison of the two parks of the 2017 World Series

Every autumn since 2003, BaseballParks.com has provided a comparison of the two ballparks in that year’s World Series. This go-round, it’s venerable Dodger Stadium and picturesque Minute Maid Park.

Behind the scenes at the MLB Little League Classic

I had the good fortune to get to cover the MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport for USA TODAY. Here I give you a behind-the-scenes look at the uplifting event

Globe Life Park on the day of Beltre’s 3,000th hit

A look around the home of the Rangers on July 30, 2017, the day Adrian Beltre had his 3,000th hit

Salt River Fields: the complex that revolutionized spring training

A shorter version of this article appeared in USA TODAY Sports Weekly. Here is the unabridged version, with even more reasons Salt River changed spring training forever.

The Ballpark Year in Pictures — 2016

There were hits (Fort Bragg, Columbia) and there were misses (Hartford), but it was a fascinating year in the ballpark world!

A comparison of the two parks of the 2016 World Series

Here’s our annual side-by-side comparison of the two parks in the 2016 Fall Classic. Interestingly, neither park has been the home of a World Series champion.

Sneak peek at SunTrust Park

Here’s our photo essay that gives you an inside look at Atlanta’s SunTrust Park, six months before its first game

Turning the page on Turner Field series

As part of my writing assignments for USA TODAY publications, I put together an article on the two-decade history of Turner Field. Here are the complete interviews I conducted when preparing that article, as well as the article itself, and our photo essay on the park’s final game.
Part 1 Interview with Braves exec John Schuerholz
Part 2 Discussion with longtime Braves fan T.W. Lord
Part 3 Chipper Jones’ thoughts on Turner Field
Part 4 The finished article for USA TODAY Sports Weekly
Proper send-off A look at the final game at Turner Field

The Fort Bragg Game series

Leading up to The Fort Bragg Game on July 3, 2016, we provided insight into the ballpark itself.
Part 1 COO of MLB Tony Petitti gives his thoughts
Part 2 Todd Barnes of Populous talks about the pop-up ballpark
Part 3 Fort Bragg’s Eric Hill talks about the ballpark’s lasting impact on America’s largest military base

The ballpark opening that wasn’t

Hartford’s Dunkin’ Donuts Park was supposed to open May 31 … but didn’t. Here’s our photo essay on what the almost-completed place looked like.

The Ballpark Year in Pictures — 2015

It was a big year in the world of ballparks, and we summarize the most important stories for you!

The Rooftops at Wrigley

I had a blast helping a 7th grader in Illinois with her project for a “history fair.” The topic was a fascinating one: the rooftop seats across the street from Wrigley Field. Read about our exchange.

Getting To All 30 by Rob Wilken

Known to his friends as Ballpark Rob, Rob Wilken flew over 50,000 miles in 2015 so he could visit all 30 MLB parks in a single season. Here is his story.

A comparison of the two parks of the 2015 World Series

Kauffman Stadium made its second straight appearance in the Fall Classic, and Citi Field made its first.

You’ve Seen HOW Many Ballparks? by Kurt Smith

How many different ballparks have you seen? I bet it’s not as many as globe-trotter Brian Moore! The intrepid ballpark-chronicler Kurt Smith chases Moore down to tell his story.

The Sad Demise of Wrigley’s Identity by Kurt Smith

The keen observer of all things ballpark visits Wrigley Field, and he’s not pleased with the renovations happening there.

The Ballpark Year in Pictures — 2014

Here’s our year-end summary of the biggest ballpark-related stories of 2014. A lot happened!!

A comparison of the two parks of the 2014 World Series

Our annual “tale of the tape” compares a park that hasn’t seen post-season baseball since 1985, and the other is hosting the Fall Classic for the third time in the past five years.

Big Leagues Going Deep at the Plate

This is the article I submitted to USA Today Sports Weekly about ballpark concessions. As always happens, they chopped some portions out to make it fit in print. This puts back those omitted sections … while letting you read this without having to buy a copy of Sports Weekly (although you really should subscribe to it!).

Wrigley at 100

A photo essay containing 30 shots of Wrigley Field on the day when the Cubs celebrated the ballpark’s 100th birthday.

Interview with George Will

I interviewed nationally known columnist, TV commentator and author George Will about his just-released book on Wrigley Field for an article in Sports Weekly. I could only use a few quotes from him in that article, but he had so many interesting things to say that I transcribed the conversation for your reading enjoyment.

The Ballpark Year in Pictures — 2013

Once again, we recap the biggest ballpark stories of the year.

A comparison of the two parks of the 2013 World Series

Our annual “tale of the tape” on the 2013 World Series’ two stadiums: Boston’s historic treasure Fenway Park and Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Kurt’s Five Most Underrated Ballparks by Kurt Smith

Talented ballpark writer Smith describes the five big-league parks he thinks are the most underrated. Do you agree? Provide a comment under the article.

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.

A comparison of the two parks of the 2012 World Series

Our annual “tale of the tape” on the ballparks of 2012’s World Series: San Francisco’s beauty by the Bay, AT&T Park, and Detroit’s lovely Comerica Park.

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.

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