Why You Should Visit America's Ballparks

I love baseball and I like to make lists, to here's a list-based look at why you should visit as many of America's ballparks as you can.

THE TOP FIVE BALLPARKS I'VE VISITED

5 - Canal Park in Akron, Ohio. This is the home of the Akron Aeros, the Class AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team moved from Canton in 1997, and attendance has been strong for all 10 seasons of Aeros baseball. The seats are all close to the field, and the food is reasonably prices. The park has a restaurant called Menches Brothers, which claims to have invented the hamburger. The Infield Outfitters gift shop is compact, but it has a good selection of merchandise.

The minor-league ballpark near your town may not be as new or as nice as Canal Park, but you should visit it at least once. There is nothing like actually attending a pro ballgame, as opposed to watching baseball on TV. Minor-league baseball is affordable for most families, and nobody ever caught a foul ball through their TV.

4. Oriole Park at Camden Yards. I always heard that Oriole Park was the best in the country. I've always been partial to Jacobs Field, home of my beloved Cleveland Indians. When my buddies and I went to Baltimore to see an Orioles game, I decided to keep an open mind.

It was a fine ballpark, but it didn't measure up to Jacobs Field in my opinion. It didn't have a lot of warmth and character to it. I did like the barbecue walkway next to the stadium. Don't get me wrong - it's a great park, but it's not the best.

3 - Wrigley Field. I was very blessed to go to college in suburban Chicago, where I was just two "L" train rides away from the home of the Cubs. I managed to dig myself out from under my homework long enough to check out a few games.

Several factors make Wrigley Field a great place to spend the afternoon. These include the park's rich history, the fans watching from apartment buildings, the ivy-covered brick walls and the home runs to left field that land on Waveland Avenue. Best of all, you can feel the love the fans have for their Cubbies. You don't get that in every ballpark.

2. Jacobs Field. I would love to put the home of the Tribe in the top spot, but I have to be honest. I was very privileged to have partial season tickets for the first four years at the Indians new park (1994-97). Someday, I will tell my grandkids about the 1995 and 1997 World Series. The Indians lost them both, of course. Still, I did see the Tribe beat the Marlins in Game 4, which was the coldest World Series game ever (20 degrees).

Jacobs Field is great because it has a variety of sightlines. There are two decks down the third base line and three down the first baseline. The scoreboard was the largest of its kind when it was built. Also, you have a great view of the Cleveland skyline.

1. PNC Park. I was totally blown away by the new Pittsburgh Pirates ballpark when my brother took me to a game in 2004. It's like an even newer version of Jacobs Field with an even better view of the skyline. What put PNC over the top is the river over the right field fence. You can see boats floating down the river during the game! Now that I've seen the Indians in the World Series, my new dream would be to attend all seven games of an Indians-Pirates series.

In case I didn't mention your favorite ballpark, don't get angry. I haven't seen them all. Here is one more list - of the top five ballparks I would like to see.

5. Bank One Ballpark - I want go see the Arizona Diamondbacks park to soak up some rays and sit in the park's hot tub while watching the game.

4. Pac Bell Park - In San Francisco. I want to see a home runs splash into McCovey Cove - even if Barry Bonds is the one who hits it.

3. Dodger Stadium - I would have taken my bride here on our honeymoon in 2002 if the team were in town. Instead we got to see the Angels at Edison Field as they began their unlikely ascension to the World title. My brother has been here, and he says I have to try a Dodger Dog!

2. Yankee Stadium - Even though I'm no fan of the Yankees, I would love to see the house that Ruth built. The Yankees have 26 World championships, and they do a great job of paying tribute to the legends who won those titles.

1. Fenway Park. If I had the time and money, I would take my dad to Fenway, since he's a big Boston Red Sox fan. This park and its history are a counterpoint to Yankee Stadium, since usually the Red Sox end up falling short. That's why it's so sweet that the Sox finally won it all in 2004. The Green Monster is still the most famous fence in baseball.

Now that you have these lists, let the debating begin!