Baseball and Travel
Many Red Sox fans will travel further than Boston to watch their team play, whether it be New York, Baltimore, or even L.A. This of course has to do with the fact that there are Red Sox fans living all around the world, and I imagine many of them are watching the opening day game right now whether it’s at a bar, in their home, or at Fenway (if they’re wicked lucky). But going to see a local team play whether it’s major league or minor league can be a fun way to add to your travel experience.
ABC news made a list in honor of opening day of their favorite ballparks, but in no particular order. The list includes PNC Park, Pittsburgh; Wrigley Field, Chicago; AT&T Park, San Francisco; Citi Field, New York; Safeco Field, Seattle; Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore; and Fenway Park, Boston (obviously!). Honorable mention went to Yankee Stadium, New York, just going to show that the Yankee’s do indeed suck (ok, I’m biased).
GoNOMAD has also provided a review of parks, but for minor league teams, since in general the price is better and provides a more intimate experience. That way, if you’re just passing through a city, you don’t necessarily have to book tickets way in advance or have loads of cash to get tickets off a scalper. Although writer Beth D’Addono sticks to her local parks in New Jersey (and one in Philly) she also recommends reading Fodor’s Baseball Vacations by Bruce Adams and Margaret Engel if you’re planning trips elsewhere.
D’Addono writes:
“When was the last time you felt warm and fuzzy about baseball at a major league ballpark? Between high ticket prices, overpriced hot dogs and too many players who act like spoiled, misbehaved brats, it’s easy to be disenchanted with the big money big leagues.
Which is why minor league ball is such a pleasure. Family friendly, affordable and blessed with the true heart of the sport, the smaller ball clubs provide a slice of Americana that you just can’t buy for $20 a ticket.
The good news for baseball lovers is that there are new fan-friendly stadiums sprouting up all over the country. You can catch a game in smaller towns like Macon, Lynchburg and Hagerstown, or take in the minor league action in big cities like Nashville, Kansas City and Detroit.
If you love baseball you can easily incorporate a minor league game into a pleasure or business trip – but you don’t have to go too far from home to have a memorable minor league experiences.”
So whether you want to pay the big bucks to see the Red Sox play at Fenway or save your pennies and watch minor league, there’s nothing quite like spending a warm spring day sitting in the stands singing “Take me out to the ball game”
