Chase Field

Phoenix, AZ
Chase Field
Summer 2007
http://www.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Kind of ho-hum. There are many things to do in the Phoenix area, and it didn't seem as though baseball was at the top of the list for the locals.
Stay: In one of the 100's of resorts nearby. You'll drive about 20-30 minutes to get to the game, but you can't beat the amenities at the resorts or the cost. VERY affordable.
View: Best way to describe this place is cavernous, but the players were launching the homers out at BP with the roof closed.
Arrive: Park right across the street from Chase Field at a parking garage. The walk is incredibly short and the price is very cheap.

Concessions: The sausage was especially good here. They also gave vouchers for some free combo meals as we entered the stadium, which helped save money on concessions.

Not advertised: That place can get really loud with the roof closed. Our game only had 20,000 and it was LOUD!

Not in the box score: The players from the D'Backs were very friendly flipping many balls from BP to the seats for kids.

Final Box:
Arizona Diamondbacks 7, Florida Marlins 0
Attendance 20,154 Time 2:48

Anaheim Stadium

Anaheim, CA
Anaheim Stadium
Summer 2007
http://www.angels.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Very friendly and family oriented, after all, you're just a few blocks from Disneyland.
Stay: About a mile away at several of the hotel options. There are many to choose from.
View: One of the most unique stadiums that has rocks and shooting water beyond the center field fence.
Arrive: Take a shuttle or drive from your hotel. Parking was reasonable and one of the easiest in/outs I've ever experienced at any stadium.
Concessions: Best deal for families yet. They have "family meals" for about $16. You can easily feed a family of 4 and be "satisfied."
Not advertised: They often have opportunities before the game to apply for reality TV or game shows. Outside the stadium, they were taking applications for folks to be on Deal or No Deal.

Not in the box score: A great place to sit is just beyond the bullpen areas in left field. You can easily view both bullpens and watch pitchers for both teams warm-up before and during the game.
Final Box: Oakland Athletics 12, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6
Attendance 43,847 Time 3:24

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, CA

Dodger Stadium

Summer 2007

http://www.dodgers.mlb.com/

Game Day Atmosphere: Nostalgic, but very business like. Going to Dodger Stadium is like going back in time. The history of the Dodgers goes all the way back to when they were in Brooklyn, but LA certainly claims them as their own.
Stay: You're going to have to commute for this game. And, I wouldn't suggest staying anywhere close to the stadium as this isn't the best area of LA. Parking was very expensive and was not exactly organized as it almost seemed like a free for all entering the lots. So, you may have to be pushy making your way in.

View: Awesome view from the upper parking lot looking back on the city of Los Angeles. Take a moment and enjoy a great photo opp before the game. The view from the seats is fantastic of Chavez Ravine, where Dodger Stadium is located.

Arrive: Leave SUPER EARLY to allow for traffic congestion. LA is notorious for traffic at any time of day/hour. We were in bumper to bumper traffic on a Sunday morning!

Concessions: Dodger Dog! You MUST get one if you are at a Dodger game! It would be a "baseball sin" not to!

Not advertised: The upper deck is crowded, can get toasty on a "routine" afternoon, and you'll be with ruthless LA baseball fans up there. They'll curse the other team as well as their own. Also, the only way down to lower levels is to wait in long lines for 1 elevator. So, just plan on sticking it out up there. There's always ice cream and other goodies to keep the little ones entertained.

Not in the box score: This wasn't the most enjoyable experience from a family perspective. But, a true baseball fan/historian will certainly enjoy the experience of Dodger Stadium where so many post-season moments have occurred. Plus, seeing Billy Wagner strike out the side for the visiting NY Mets in the 10th was truly a treat. Even though it was only July, it truly felt like October.

Final Box:New York Mets 5, Los Angeles Dodgers 4 (10 innings)

Attendance 49,092 Time 3:32

Petco Park

San Diego, CA
Petco Park
Summer 2007
http://www.padres.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Super friendly. San Diego is one of the most friendly places I've ever visited. Reminds me of San Antonio in many ways. Make sure you bring a jacket for evening games in the summer, temps will drop to the 50's with some winds as well.
Stay: At one of the local hotels right downtown or near Seaport Village. You can walk to the gas lamp district (kind of like a very clean/friendly version of New Orleans' French Quarter). Plus, you can walk to Seaport Village and visit all the local restaurants, shops, and kiosks.
View: Retro, yet up to date. Downtown buildings in the backdrop with the old style red brick in left field.
Arrive: By trolley! What a great way to go to a game. You can buy an automated ticket right at any of the trolley stops. Very user friendly.
Concessions: You have to try a southwestern style hot dog with all the fixins. They load it up with salsa and all the condiments. Really gives it a unique flavor.
Not advertised: There are some nice tributes to the Navy on the right field concourse. They have interesting history plus some great models of ships, etc.
Not in the box score: It was Tony Gwynn weekend in San Diego to celebrate his upcoming enshrinement to the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Mr. Gwynn was there and unveiled a Wheaties box at home plate prior to the game. The fans all received retro visors from the 80's when Gwynn was a Padre.
Final Box:Philadelphia Phillies 7, San Diego Padres 3
Attendance 36,113 Time 3:33

New Busch Stadium

St. Louis, MO
New Busch Stadium

Summer 2006
http://www.cardinals.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Electric, best I've ever seen anywhere. The entire downtown area is buzzing for a normal regular season game.
Stay: Right downtown and walk a few blocks to the stadium. You'll enjoy the walk and the buzz as you draw closer to the ballpark.
View: Incredible with the arch in the outfield, plus downtown.
Arrive: Early to soak in the environment and make sure you wear RED! The entire crowd does and so should you!
Concessions: TONS of them and TONS of workers calling out "no waiting here." Grab the largest pretzel you'll find at any ballpark. Dogs are good and of course, you must grab a home brewed Budweiser.

Not advertised: TV's all along every concourse and some in bathrooms with radio play by play loud and clear so you don't miss any action taking the little ones to the potty.
Not in the box score: Cardinal fans are noted as the most baseball knowledgeable fans around. They also stay to the bitter end no matter the score.
Final Box:

Cincinnati Reds 9, St. Louis Cardinals 0
Attendance 43,857 Time 2:43

Jacobs Field

Cleveland, OH
Jacobs Field
Summer 2006
http://www.indians.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Very friendly. Lots of families around for a day game.
Parking: There is a great lot directly across the street from "The Jake." If you arrive early enough (or for a day game in which we did) your chances on this lot are very good. The price is cheap and the walk is short.
View: Beautiful view of downtown. The wind can whip around pretty good off the lake, so always pack a jacket or sweatshirt.
Concessions: Typical of any ballpark. Nothing really unique.
Not Advertised: One of the best areas at any ballpark is the KIDS area in right field. Not only do they provide a great place for toddlers to play, but they also have reasonably priced kids' meals. The portions are pretty generous as well.
Not in the box score: Highway system is very accessible and there are many user friendly signs along the way.
Final Box:

Oakland Athletics 4, Cleveland Indians 1
Attendance 21,099 Time 2:37

Great American Ballpark

Cincinnati, OH
Great American Ballpark
Summer 2006
http://www.reds.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Business like. The weather was chilly with drizzle, which may have had something to do with that.
Stay: Downtown, but be prepared to walk about 7-8 blocks, or about a mile and a half. That's really the closest you can get, but we did stay at the same hotel where the visiting Cubbies were lodging. We saw several Cubs in the elevator and getting in to cabs/cars/etc., which was fun.
View: Wonderful view beyond the outfield of the Ohio River separating Ohio from Kentucky.
Arrive: Stop by the nice team store they have out front. The Reds also had many street peddlers selling various souvenirs, so check those as well.
Concessions: Nothing spectacular, but it was all very good. Lots of table areas with umbrellas to eat, which was nice with the drizzle.
Not advertised: Great American Ballpark has a nice overhang from their roof to seek shelter when it rains. If you're sitting in the mid-upper sections you are in luck as not many of those seats are sold out on a routine basis.
Not in the box score: We witnessed Ken Griffey, Jr. hit career home run #547 and the fireworks shot out of the steam boat smoke stacks, which our kids loved! So, hope the home team hits a home run while you are there!
Final Box:
Chicago Cubs 4, Cincinnati Reds 2
Attendance 34,141 Time 2:50

Louisville Slugger Bat Factory & Museum

Louisville Slugger Bat Factory & Museum
Louisville, KY
Summer 2006
www.sluggermuseum.org
Home to the world's largest all wooden bat.

Follow the signs to the factory/museum from the highways. Parking is simple at metered parking right outside the building.

I would suggest purchasing a tour ticket as soon as you enter the museum and then visit the different exhibits prior to the tour. You can hold bats that belonged to Babe Ruth (42 oz is a HEAVY bat!), Ken Griffey, Jr., and Tony Gwynn, just to name a few.

In the meantime, take some BP in the batting cages, play ball with an over sized glove, and check the up to date divisional standings. You can also have a bat custom made while you are on the tour or have one delivered to your house.

The tour is with a group and a guide who is very knowledgeable about the process as well as baseball in general. The guides are all equipped to answer questions and offer interesting insight along with some history of baseball along the way. You watch a few short videos from time to time and see the work in progress as it is a working factory.

You may even see a MLB player/coach/manager there as they are frequent visitors to the factory placing their orders and often want a "hands on" look/feel as a player's individual bat must feel "just right."

Allow at least an hour, ideally an hour and a half to 2 hours for your visit. Don't forget the gift shop to pick up some nifty gift ideas for friends or family.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

Arlington, TX
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Summer 2006
http://www.rangers.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Although the temperatures in the late afternoon often hit the 100's, you can't beat the Texas hospitality.
Stay: Splurge and spend a night or more at the Arlington Wyndham hotel, which is less than a mile walk to the ballpark. You can't beat the HUGE pool which is perfect for families. A bonus is the teams often stay there along with the media covering the game. We have gone several times and seen tons of ballplayers there. On this trip, the White Sox players were there and we talked to Ozzie Guillen (manager), Rick Sutcliffe (announcer), and saw several players return to the hotel (Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye were Tyler's favorites to see).
View: Magnificent from the top concourse-view the new Dallas Cowboys stadium and surrounding areas, such as 6 Flags, etc.
Arrive: Early for BP. The players launch the homers out during BP and your chances are always good for catching a BP homer as many don't brave the heat to come that early.
Concessions: Everything is bigger in Texas! Texas sized portions of BBQ, sausage and nachos, just to name a few, certainly are tasty with a good brew.
Not advertised: Take a short walk before/after the game and visit the youth baseball field that is a replica of the Rangers' ballpark.
Not in the box score: There is a neat museum located in the center field area, plus some great activities for the kids located on the center field concourse. Kids can play whiffle ball before/during/after the game. They even have a home run hitting contest.
Final Box:Chicago White Sox 8, Texas Rangers 3
Attendance 29,182 Time 2:40