Seth Wells | @Seth_Wells22
If you’re like myself, you could watch baseball on TV every night and love every second of it. Most, however, are not that same kind of fan. Many baseball fans will only watch the games (especially in the regular season) if they are actually at the ballpark. Why is that?
TV can offer HD quality as well as expert analysis from commentators during the game. On the contrary, often you might want to use binoculars while at the ballpark and you have to listen to the drunken fan behind you scream nonsense for nine innings. Watching the game on TV is also far more affordable (assuming you previously owned a cable package), and can be watched from the comfort of your own home. Those ballpark seats are cramped and tickets, food and gas can add up to be quite a bit of money. So again i ask, why do most fans prefer to go to the game?
The answer is simple. No TV broadcast can match the intensity of the ballpark’s atmosphere. With that being said, lets look at 6 keys to creating a great ballpark atmosphere and some examples of each key.
1. Location
No matter the sport, being in a big city seems to add an extra bit of flavor to the event. This is especially true in baseball. With most ballparks being completely outdoor, the city can be seen when you look past the outfield walls.
From my experience, the best example of great location would be PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the “Aztec gold” bridge just beyond the centerfield wall, the river that runs beneath it, and a great view of the Pittsburgh skyline, PNC Park gives baseball one of its most beautiful sights.
Another great example of this would be Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Ballpark Village can be seen in Left Center as well as the St. Louis skyline completed by the famous arch.
2. Restaurants/Bars around the Ballpark
When fans plan their day around a baseball game, a lunch/dinner out is nearly inevitable. With food prices being very expensive, fans want a fun sport-themed place to eat near the stadium either before or after and those of age may want a place to have a few beers. Restaurants/bars can add a lot to the atmosphere around a ballpark and give fans options before/after the game.
Take St. Louis for example, which has Ballpark Village outside left-center that provides live music, all kinds of food options and a fun, energetic sports bar scene. Other good examples include Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles and the streets around Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
3. Unique Characteristics of the Ballpark
Many parks have the same basic design, however it’s those park that don’t that we might remember the best. Some parks have unique characteristics that all baseball fans are familiar with and that add a different dimension to the game. Here are my top 5 unique characteristics in MLB parks today:
5. The Pool at Chase Field
Credit the Arizona Diamondbacks for this great idea. Not sure anything could make watching a baseball better than doing it while floating in a pool in right-center field.
4. The Hill + Flag at Minute Maid Park
Yes, you’re seeing that clearly. Minute Maid Park of the Houston Astros features a hill in center field and a flag pole that is also in the field of play. No other park has anything quite like it, and neither will the Astros soon as the organization has announced plans to move the center field wall in and remove the hill/flag pole. It was quirky while it lasted and definitely led to some interesting plays on long fly-balls to center.
3. Mccovey Cove at AT&T PArk
Barry Bonds might not be there anymore, and there may not be as many kayakers/boaters out there on game day, but the cove is still reached by some big-hitting lefties.
2. The Ivy at Wrigley Field
Those familiar with the game know that the words “Wrigley” and “Ivy” go hand in hand. The Ivy is unique and provides a great twist to one of the games most historical parks. Now the Chicago Cubs just need to win there.
1. The Green Monster at Fenway Park
Coined as “America’s most beloved ballpark”, Fenway provides the most character in the league. The Green Monster is just one, a large one at that, reason. Maybe the Cubs can win soon at Wrigley like the Red Sox have recently at Fenway.
4. History Within the Ballpark
When i walked into Fenway Park, one of the most memorable things from my experience there was realizing just how many all-time great players have played on that very field. There’s a different feel at some of the older stadiums that fans like myself love.
While old parks like Fenway and Wrigley may not be the most comfortable way to watch a game, there is no denying the historical presence those parks have in baseball. The history is the reason those parks are on every baseball fan’s bucket list.
5. THE FOOD
Ahh, my favorite topic- finally! While earlier in the article i wrote about the need to have good restaurants/bars outside of the park, it is inevitable that fans will get hungry during the game. Every park generally has a good hot-dog, but the best food options are often the food that is affiliated with the region.
The best example i have experienced with this would be at Kauffman Stadium of the Kansas City Royals, and Busch Stadium which i spoke of earlier. Many know that Missouri is known for its BBQ and these stadiums did not disappoint. Here is a picture of my incredible BBQ sandwich at Busch. It may be pricy, but they load you up! (Click on the image to see it clearly)
6. Tailgating Scene
Last but not least is one of the great sports traditions. Most associate tailgating strictly with Saturdays and Sundays for NFL and NCAA football games. Baseball however can have a great tailgating scene as well.
Not many stadiums have a tailgating scene comparable to the Royal’s Kauffman Stadium. With the stadium being miles outside downtown Kansas City and there being virtually nothing around it, there is ample room for the best tailgating scene in the MLB. Take a look at the area around the park below.
Seth Wells covers the MLB and Butler Men’s Basketball for BU:30.
srwells@butler.edu | @Seth_Wells22