On The Road: Kauffman Stadium

George Brett, or at least a reasonable reproduction of him, stands watch over Kauffman Stadium. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

On the drive from St. Louis to Kansas City in Missouri, there’s this little place called the Wheel Inn. It’s a diner-ish restaurant with Coca-Cola memorabilia on the walls, a friendly wait staff and a world famous Guberburger. What’s a Guberburger, you ask? Why it’s a hamburger with melted peanut butter of course, and my buddy Brother Mat had to try one this past June 21when he joined the girlfriend and I on our venture to the home of the Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium. After the Guberburger, The K was playing for second place on the list of memorable moments on that day. But it held up well.

Kauffman Stadium opened in 1973 and is currently undergoing major renovations. There was much work going on when we visited this summer, but you get an idea of where the renovation is going, so I’ll be able to note some of the flaws that will be corrected.

Horsehoe seating. Old hat to Mets fans. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

But first let’s talk about the basics. The K takes the template of the cookie-cutter parks like the Vet and Three Rivers and adds to it. It also builds on the Shea Stadium model as well, as it provides horseshoe seating with an open outfield. You get some of the problems with these parks carrying over to The K. Sightlines are poor in the back of the lower tier, where the upper deck overhangs too far, blocking the path of fly balls. Seats are not realigned to face home plate. And the upper deck is cavernous.

These are all issues that likely just come with the age of the ballpark and the way stadiums were constructed back then. They will likely remain after the renovation, but there are other issues that will be taken care of. But first let’s talk about a few things the circa 2008 ballpark got right.

Water. Lots of water. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

Like how The K puts its own spin on the traditional ballpark template with the addition of the fountains in the outfield. Think Bellagio fountains on a somewhat smaller scale. The Royals Web site actually claims the “322-foot-wide water spectacular . . . is the largest privately funded fountain in the world.” I haven’t checked into ownership of big fountains throughout the world, but I suppose that’s possible. Either way, the fountains are a great addition to the ballpark experience. They dance between innings, they dance during home runs, they dance when Joakim Soria jogs in from the dugout to the sounds of Guns N’ Roses. Most importantly — like the Citizens Bank Liberty Bell, Great American Riverboat and of course the Shea Home Run Apple — the fountains are a city-specific feature that immediately identifies the ballpark to the television viewer and gives the visitor something they feel they must experience.

Hey look, that is local boy David DeJesus. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

Also phase one of the renovation included the installation of a giant — and I mean giant — video screen in center. It’s like they dropped an Imax screen in the outfield. This not only offers crystal-clear videos, but has a somewhat dizzying amount of info when the game is in play. Defensive alignments, batting orders and all the stats a fantasy player could want are just some of the elements on this screen. It wasn’t completed when we were there, but the screen now sports a giant Royals crown, making the giant screen another iconic aspect of the ballpark.

The K is also one of several ballparks that has been dabbling in “All You Can Eat” seats. For the first time, we gave these a try and I have to say it lived up to expectations. There is a dedicated food stand that allows you take two items with you each time, anything from hot dogs to nachos to popcorn to bottles of water to fountain soda. The fake cheese has its own dispenser and that’s all you can eat too. Though from my perspective, there’s definitely only so much fake cheese one can handle in a day. But if you wanted to take your soda cup and go fill it up with fake cheese, you could. Can’t say you don’t have options.

Kauffman also sported something I had never seen in other ballparks, where the extended the visiting dugout and made that a special suite for fans. So you literally were watching the game from the dugout. Neat idea. I’m sure it’s popular.

I did not just push down too far on the R key when typing the name Slugerrr. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

The Royals haven’t given fans that much to cheer about on the field in recent years, so they load up on the fan experiences. Of course they have their own mascot Slugerrr and no that’s not a typo. They also have hot dog races between ketchup, mustard and relish. And I will refrain from the obvious, but corny “catch up” joke in regards to the race. And they have their own singalong. Don’t worry Red Sox fans, it’s not another team doing “Sweet Caroline.” It’s Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” Yes, there’s a lot of swaying.

It’s also worth noting that the fan base and clientele at Kauffman Stadium was easily the most family-oriented of any of the ballparks on this summer’s road trip (Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park and St. Louis’ Busch Stadium.) Kids everywhere. So there’s no doubt the mascot and condiment races help when that’s your target demo.

Even Royals Hall of Famers deserve a little more than this. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

But like I said, there were some things that I thought Kauffman got wrong that will almost assuredly be corrected when The K reopens its gates this spring. First of all the concourses are ridiculously narrow, but there were construction walls around the second level with additional floor space being installed. That will help. They also do a great job of remembering the legacy of Negro League great Buck O’Neil by giving his box seat to a local community leader each game, but if you want to find the Negro League tribute you have to wander into a staircase alcove. Also, the Royals Hall of Fame display is a glorified window display that pales in comparison to the holiday ones at Saks Fifth Avenue. But both of these issues should be resolved when the new K.C. Hall of Fame opens in left field this year — along with some new outfield seating.

Kauffman Stadium -- where fountains spray, fireworks crackle and children dance on screen. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

And that’s really the message here about Kauffman Stadium. It has some wear-and-tear and some issues that won’t be resolved by even an elaborate renovation. But it has a lot of things that can be — and undoubtedly will be — done better when it reopens this spring. I like any franchise that stays on top of what needs to be done for the fan experience and it seems the Royals have their finger on that pulse. I would love to go back someday and see what they’ve done with the place, post-construction.

But perhaps the best thing I can say is even without the renovations being completed this past summer, I enjoyed my time at The K.

For more photos from my trip to Kauffman Stadium, click here.

On The Road: Busch Stadium

The St. Louis Archway. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

St. Louis will always be known for its Arch and its brewery — even if it Anheuser-Busch is now owned by some company called InBev.

But it’s also fairly well-regarded as a good baseball town. And a good baseball town needs a good ballpark. I can’t speak for the old Busch Stadium, because I was never there. But I was at the new Busch Stadium back on June 19 for an interleague matchup with in-state rivals, the Kansas City Royals.

And I will tell you this much, they have a great ballpark now.

The world will get a good look at this three-year old facility next summer when it hosts its first All-Star Game, but we can take a look inside today with this ballpark review.

One of the things that strikes you about Busch Stadium is the incredible view of the park you get as you drive along Broadway in downtown St. Louis. The Arch and the Mississippi River is to your left and then out a slew of high rises emerges this gorgeous ballpark with an impressive brick exterior on your right.

Great view. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

It must be what New York City tourists feel like when they drive downtown on Seventh Ave and suddenly spot Madison Square Garden for the first time. It just feels slightly out-of-place but also really cool to have right in the middle of the city. And as a bonus, you can see into Busch Stadium.

As for bells and whistles, Busch has a few, including a family pavillion with batting cages and other kid activities that also offer a view of the field. But more than anything Busch is a baseball stadium first and foremost. There are no swinging liberty bells or firing steamboat stacks. And I like those city-specific details in Philadelphia and Cincinnati. But I also appreciate St. Louis’ approach to presenting a first-class baseball game in a first-class baseball facility above all else.

There are great sightlines throughout Busch with all the modern amenitites — seats tilted to home plate, a roomy lower bowl and, of course, cupholders. It’s a big stadium which will never be described as quaint. But there’s not a bad seat in the house.

Nice view of the Arch too. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

And even though there is no apple rising from a magic hat or any other easily identifiable features, the scoreboards beyond the outfield walls do add some nice personality to the ballpark.  Not to mention the fact that you get a clear view of the Arch from inside the stadium. But then again, you get a clear view of the Arch from anywhere in St. Louis. It’s like the ultimate directional landmark. “Oh you want to go to the brewery? Well, you go to the Arch and make a right.” “Oh you want to go to the casino? Well, you go to the Arch and make a left.” “Oh you want to go to Alaska? Well, you go the Arch and make a U-turn.” (And you thought I was going to make a Sarah Palin joke…)

The Cardinals lost that day to the cross-state Royals, so that makes it a little hard to judge the fan experience. But they seemed knowledgeable of the game and fairly laid back. In fact, there was a little bit of a Wrigley vibe to Busch… minus the hundred years of angst. A lot of groups of friends congregating at ballpark to watch a game and catch a few brews.

The home of $9 beer. (Photo by Steve Feitl.

Which actually segueways nicely to my other complaint about Busch. The price of beer. Not just the price of beer, but the price of everything in general. It was easily the most-expensive ticket I purchased out of my three-game swing through Cincinnati, St. Louis and Kansas City this past June. But the food was expensive and nothing unique enough to warrant the price. And while the team shop was spacious and quite nice, things were expensive there too. But it was the $9 beers that bothered me most. You take the free Anheuser-Busch brewery tour and you get two free glasses of beer. You go to a ballgame at a stadium named for the same company and pay an arm and a leg. Just not cool.

But that is a nitpick and when the two cashcows in the Bronx and Flushing open this coming spring, $9 beer might seem like a bargain.

The past is not forgotten. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

One thing that also cannot be ignored is the respect the Cardinals show for their past. The new stadium was built where part of it actually stands on ground where the old stadium once stood. This fact does not go ignored. The Cardinals have been smart enough to put plaques in key locations noting that the Old Busch once stood in this spot and then paint lines in the cement to show you where the outfield wall was, as well as other landmarks. It’s a really nice touch.

Also, as is the case with most new ballparks, the Cardinals have large bronze monuments outside the gates remembering the greats of the past. None is bigger than Stan the Man himself.

The reality is Busch Stadium is a really great ballpark. And it’s only due to get better. The land on the other side of the street where the rest of the old Busch Stadium sat was still just a dusty hole in the ground in June. But there are plans to move the team’s hall of fame there as part of a ballpark village. I’ve read reports that claim at least a portion of this will be operational once it’s time for the Mid-Summer Classic. That will be a nice plus to the ballgame experience, though there are several bars and even a nice park within walking distance of the ballpark.

Fredbird, the goofy looking red bird. (Photo by Steve Feitl.)

All in all, the Cardinals aren’t my favorite team in the world. I think most Mets fans would agree. So if there was even an opportunity to bash the Cards’ park, I would take it. But every time I thought I had something to complain about (other than the prices), the Cards came through.

Case in point, the public address announcer declared that Fredbird, the team’s mascot, would be in a certain location at a certain point. Wanting to grab a photo for the blog (the lengths I go to for you people…) we left our seats down the left-field line and wandered over to where the mascot was supposed to be. Only he wasn’t. After several less-than-patient moments in the summer heat we were about to head back to our seats – forever cursing the name of the Cardinals for their cruel ruse – when who should emerge from a staircase? None other than that big, goofy looking bird.

Crisis averted and another one in the “Win” column for Busch Stadium – an easy Top 5 ballpark nomination.

For more photos from my trip to Busch Stadium, check out this photo gallery.

On The Road: Tropicana Field

A lot has happened in the last 30 days or so. The Mets have gone through two — count ‘em — two divisional emergencies, one of which is far from resolved as I write this. The NFL season got under way and both local teams have underachieved their way to 0-2 starts. The NBA lost its marquee rookie. NHL camps are in session. Randy Couture pulled off another 42-year-old UFC miracle. World Wrestling Entertainment suspended 10 wrestlers for the same reason the NFL suspended Rodney Harrison. The U.S. Open pulled in record crowds and record congestion in Flushing. Rick Ankiel went from heartwarming story to suspected cheater. Floyd Landis went from Tour de France champion to all-around loser. And O.J. Simpson managed to get himself incarcerated again. Some month.

With so much going on, it’s somewhat understandable that something might fall through the cracks. But still it’s kind of ridiculous that I haven’t gotten around to writing up my ballpark review for a stadium I visited a month ago tomorrow. So it’s time to get to work.

Back on Aug. 22, I was down in St. Petersburg, Fla., for my first-ever visit to the home of visiting fans everywhere, Tropicana Field. I would call it the home of the Devil Rays but that would be a blatant lie. For every one Devil Rays fan I encountered, I could turn around and see 10 Red Sox fans. Certainly, the Red Sox travel better than most franchises, but you know your team doesn’t have a large fan base when there’s only one merchandise store and it sells Yankees and Red Sox gear. The hostile takeover of the stadium would be a continual theme throughout the evening and Big Papi would get tremendous ovations and Kevin Youkilis would get the requisite “Yooooouuuuuk” with every at-bat. At least parents of young D-Ray fans could lie to their kids and tell the impressionable youngster that they were booing the visiting first baseman. It’s like the reverse “Bruuuuce” phenomenom from Springsteen concerts.

But for what the Devil Rays don’t have in a loyal fan base or a respectable playing field (more on that later), they more than make up for it with a tremendous atmosphere. As you can see from the photo above, you are in beautiful central Florida with palm trees as far as the eye can see and lots of water just a stone’s throw away. That immediately puts you in a better mood than the 7 Train. And that’s not a knock on the 7, it’s just reality. While you’re outside the stadium, you’re entertained by a Jimmy Buffett one-man cover band, not to mention signage explaining the lush vegetation surrounding the dome. You’d think that was strange when you see it, but honestly, your head is still rolling over the concept of free parking at the stadium. After that, nothing is going to surprise you.

But once you walk in the doors of the stadium, you come as close to a pleasant surprise as your going to get. First is the grand rotunda, designed with Ebbets Field as a guide. It give you the feel of a ballpark, which is something lacking throughout the rest of the stadium. But it works here. The inner corridors are full of interactive gameshows, free giveaways and Guitar Hero contest. Each corridor has a different theme, such as the carnival theme seen in the photo above. There they have set up a midway of nine different carnival games that you play for a flat fee (that goes to a local charity) and they track your score as you go play through all nine games and then give you a prize coinciding with your total score. For a former Six Flags Games & Attractions employee like myself this was heaven. It also was a great way to spend 10 minutes before the game. But there are plenty of other options for wasting time at Tropicana. How about a fake living room with couches and numerous televisions and video game systems from throughout the years. Yes, you can play RBI Baseball on the NES at a Devil Rays game. (See the photo to the left.) This is simply brilliant.

They even have the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame, which is free admission for ticket-holders. Lots of Williams memorabilia and other historical artifacts. In case you’re wondering, no you didn’t miss Williams’ stint with the Devil Rays. But the museum doesn’t focus just on Williams, also including displays dedicated to Mays, Mantle and DiMaggio. As for the Hitters Hall of Fame, I’m not sure what to make of it since Mariano Rivera was a recent inductee. I must be missing something with the criteria. But it’s yet another thing to entertain you during your stay at Tropicana and I commend the Devil Rays for packing this place with enticing activities…

… Which is good because you really don’t want to spend too long in the actual playing field. As far as domes go, this is not an overwhelming one by any means. They promoted the Astrodome as a “wonder”, and when you were there, it felt epic. Tropicana Field is too small to feel epic. It actually feels more like a fieldhouse… right down to the obviously fake turf. And I never realized this from watching Devil Rays games on TV, but I’m pretty sure the warning track isn’t made of dirt, but rather brown carpet. Classy.

It just doesn’t feel like a Major League Baseball game is taking place as the first batter strides to the plate. Perhaps it’s the empty house, the disorienting white roof, the shiny carpet or just the fact the fans that are there are rooting for the visitors, but it just seems off. I wouldn’t say it feels minor-league, but definitely not major-league either. Somewhere in between. How about a non-spring training, exhibition major-league game? That’s the closest I can come to putting my finger on the atmosphere.

But the Devil Rays organization works hard to combat these flaws. Even in the actual stadium, they have lots of distractions readily available. Where else can you pet a ray while enjoying a full view of the field from center? In Tropicana, it’s just another free offering. The 35-foot, 10,000 gallon Rays Touch Tank features rays actually caught in the Tampa Bay area available for petting and feeding. And to add to the fun, if a player hits a home run into the tank, the Rays donate $5,000 to charity. Those rays must be thrilled to know they are essentially charitable targets.

Aside from the Touch Tank, they’ve got numerous in-game giveaways, an odd-looking mascot named Raymond, and a fun singalong to Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins,” which works so well you’d swear he wrote it for the D-Rays. Perhaps the best part of the in-game entertainment was the little fun the Rays had with the slew of Boston fans in attendance. Before the game they filmed Boston fans answering quiz questions such as “What band sang ‘More Than A Feeling’?” Of course they only showed the fans that couldn’t figure it out, even when told the band’s name started with “B” and ended with “N.” It’s good to have a sense of humor.

And I think that’s what I took away from my Tropicana Field experience. I think management understands the hand that they’ve been dealt — a troubled team with a non-existent fan base — and has done everything in its power to make the fan experience as positive as possible. And thus I find myself giving the Trop a much better review than I ever anticipated. You can’t sugarcoat the stadium’s limitations, but you also have to work really hard to not have a good time at the ballpark.

Unless of course you were a Red Sox fan. Despite their overwhelming home-field advantage and Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound, the Sox came up short, 2-1, on that night. And, as is the case with each win, Tropicana Field’s dome was illuminated in orange. Wonder why?

At Home: Shea Stadium

Apologies for the delay in this entry. It was due to technical problems. I technically forgot to load the photos onto my laptop.

But with the problem aside we can now focus all our attention on that delightful little stadium in Flushing Meadows. The house that Mr. Met built. Shea Stadium.

Now Shea is on it’s last legs, as everyone is well aware. Citi Field is rising in the background, signage for the new park is everywhere and the announcers can’t go one broadcast without talking about it. You wouldn’t blame the old stadium if it was feeling a little unloved.

And to be honest, Shea is a little unloved. It had a bad reputation to begin with. It’s commonly known throughout baseball as one of the worst stadiums in the league, whether you talk to fans or players. How many times have you heard a former Met dismiss a problem with another stadium by saying, “Hey, I played at Shea. This doesn’t bother me.” And now, with an already damaged reputation, it’s got a construction site adding to its already unflattering scenic vista. Tough times for old Shea.

And the reputation is not without warrant. Shea is a big place where your seat will not necessarily be anywhere near the field. That’s not entirely unexpected, considering it opened in 1964 as both the home of the Mets and the football Jets (no, not the Winnipeg Jets). In that regard, Shea shares a lot of the same features as the multipurpose cookie-cutter stadiums that would follow like Veterans in Philly, Three Rivers in Pittsburgh and Riverfront in Cincinnati. Comparatively, Shea has a bit more personality than those parks and does it without that horrendous AstroTurf. Of course, those teams also had the good sense to close those joints down.

Another victim of the stadium being over the hill is its sightlines. There are about five or six rows of seats in the back of both the loge and the mezzanine where you will have a terrible, terrible view of the field. We’re not talking obstructive columns like at Wrigley, but you’re not going to see any flyballs either. If you’re going to have bad seats, you’re better off climbing the Himilayas that is the upper deck. You might have a panic attack from your fear of heights, but at least you’ll see all the field. And as the picture at the right shows, I’d be remiss if I did mention that the seats themselves are showing signs of wear and tear too. There’s not a lot of elbow room there and the seats open and close with all the fluidity of the Tin Man, pre-Dorothy.

So yes, there are a lot of flaws with Shea Stadium. But there are some things to praise as well. Like I said earlier, Shea does have a bit more personality than its successors of the 1970s. I always liked the open air outfield, even if the view isn’t much. And the big scoreboard in right is not only iconic, it serves as a heck of a target for the big boppers. Just ask Adam Dunn from this past weekend’s series. And you can’t go wrong with the Big Apple. It’s fun, it’s memorable and it’s specific to the city. But, of course, all good ideas get driven into the ground and that’s the only possible explanation of this season’s addition of the…

Dunkin’ Donuts cup. Just terrible. The Apple can come over the Citi Field, the Cup should stay at Shea.

But this is an isolated misstep by Mets management, who have done a good job dealing with the hand they’ve been dealt. You cannot build a new stadium in a day or even a year, so the Mets have done some little things in recent years to improve the Shea experience. Fresh coats of paint, expanded Clubhouse Shops and new video screens are small touches that won’t win any stadium a five diamond award, but will make a fan’s day moderately more enjoyable.

And unless the Mets are just getting stomped on, you should have a good time at Shea. Management keeps the games moving with a slew of giveaways, contests, text polls, T-shirt launches and singalongs. Of course not all singalongs are created equally. “Meet The Mets” — classic. “Sweet Caroline” — not so much. I’m not even talking about the fact that Fenway did it first, but rather the fact that the only part of this Neil Diamond song that anyone wants to sing is the chorus. It’s pointless to play the whole verse in between choruses. No one knows the words and no one cares to.

I was really amused last Friday by the Diamond Vision video that accompanied the “Everybody Clap Your Hands” song as they synched up the animated SNY commercial where Gary Cohen and Ron Darling smack off Keith Hernandez’s mustache to match the clapping. (See a picture of it on the right.) Again, the little touches that help distract you from the state of the stadium.

Of course, the best thing Shea has going for it these days — aside from the Mets of course — is the “Jo-se Jo-se Jo-se Jo-se… JO-SE JO-SE” chant. It’s simply the best chant in sports today.

The bottom line is I’d have no credibility if I came on here and tried to sell you on Shea as a “great ballpark.” Hell, I probably can’t even sell “good ballpark.” But this is the only home ballfield I’ve ever known and my earliest and greatest baseball memories are set at Shea. And without a doubt, there are aspects of the place that I will miss in a couple years.

I doubt the new place will rock like the upper deck of Shea did last October in the NLCS. I doubt the new place will have all those massive exit ramps that are always good for an out-of-context “Yankees S*ck” chant. And I doubt the new place will ever play “Who Let The Dogs Out?”

Maybe that last one’s not such a bad thing.

On The Road: Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia fans were cursed for years with the worst stadium in the history of stadiums — the atrocity known at Veterans Stadium. I know there are Philly fans that have warm memories of the joint and those of you who never were dragged to the structure think I’m overstating it. You’re also the people that think Crystal Pepsi wasn’t as bad as people say it was. I brought a six-pack home the day it arrived at the Princeton Meadows Foodtown where I worked. It was that bad. And so was the Vet.

So when the Vet came crashing down and Citizens Bank Park rose on an adjacent lot, it had the easiest job in the history of stadiums. Be better than the Vet. Did it do the trick? Join me on a brief tour of the ballpark from my most recent visit during the first part of the day-night doubleheader this past Friday and find out.

OK, enough suspense. They have this scoreboard. That’s enough to beat the Vet. Seriously, Citizens Bank is a really nice place to watch the game. It’s got personality with a large unique scoreboard in left, some shrubbery and a little bit of Aaron Rowand’s jaw in center, some bi-level bullpens and a big lighted Liberty Bell in right. The bell rings every time the Phils hit a home run and since this is a bandbox, you can’t count on it imitating church bells on Sunday.

One of the things I really like about Citizens Bank, especially when compared to some of the other parks I visited on my recent road trip, is you are able to roam fairly freely. There are wide concourses throughout the lower deck and and along the second tier there are counters at the back of nearly every section where you can stand and eat your food while enjoying an unobstructed view of the game. The picture you see on the right was taken from the third-base stands while enjoying a hot dog and a lemonade.

Did I mention the food? There are a ton of food options scattered throughout the park, including two sit-down restaurants and a bar. But the highlight is Ashburn Alley beyond the outfield stands. Along with the brick fascade, this is the feature that most brings to mind Camden Yards. Being that this is Philadelphia, multiple cheese steak options await. Tony Luke’s is the highlight, but ultimately, you’re not going to go wrong with any Philadelphia cheese steak. I still go “whiz without.”

That’s not to say there aren’t problems with Citizens Bank. (C’mon, I’m a Mets fan. You had to know I wasn’t going to be all nice when it came to the Phillies’ stadium.) I’ll never understand why they situated the stadium so half the fans are blocked of a view of the Philadelphia skyline by the left-field scoreboard. But when you think about how many home runs fly out of there, I guess you have your answer. Still, aesthetically speaking, it hurts to have an obstructed skyline when your closeups are of an empty parking, a freeway and a middle-of-the-road hotel. Also, the upper deck has never jived with the look of the rest of the ballpark for me. Throughout the place you’ve got beautiful brick fascade, but when you look at the upper deck you see the blue seats, white cement and bronze roof. Maybe different colored seats would help. Maybe the white cement will eventually get dirty enough where it will just blend. But for right now, it just doesn’t gel. And that’s a mistake that isn’t repeated in Camden Yards or PNC Park.

But ultimately, those are relatively small nitpicks and Commerce Bank Park is an otherwise wonderful ballpark experience. Well except for the Phanatic, of course. Through my travels, I’ve determined that the annoyance level of the mascot is directly tied the width of his rear end. Think about. Mr. Met: fairly svelte; fairly unobtrusive. Phanatic: huge a$s; huge annoyance. Try to disprove my theory. It’s bulletproof.

But again, I’m just taking shots at my Philadelphia friends and I’m gonna stop because they have a really fantastic stadium to boast about. Too bad the team… (NO! I’m not going there. I’m going to be nice.) The truth is Citizens Bank Park isn’t just a great park in comparison to the Vet. It’s a great park period.

Even if it is the worst major-league park in Pennsylvania. (Sorry, I tried.)

On The Road: Jacobs Field

The streets of Cleveland were a little quieter when I rolled into town last Friday.

Just hours earlier, the city’s beloved Cavaliers had gone down without much of a fight to the big, bad Spurs in the NBA Finals. One more disappointment for a city that’s beginning to feel a bit snakebitten. The Buckeyes make the BCS Championship Game, only to get blown out by the Gators. Ohio State then outlasts 62 other teams in March, only to lose in the NCAA Championship Game to Florida. Now the Cavaliers make a surprising run through the Eastern Conference just to get swept in the Finals.

Well brace yourself Cleveland, I’m about to pile on.

Because on my recent baseball roadtrip, there was one stadium I was sure I was going to like. It turned out to be the one I liked the least.

Yes, I’m talking about Jacobs Field, home of the Cleveland Indians. Since its opening in 1994, I’ve heard nothing but good things about The Jake. In multiple trips to Cleveland, I’ve admired the stadium from the exterior but never had the chance to go inside. Until Friday. I fear that expectations perhaps were raised a bit too high. It’s kind of like how I’ve never seen “Forrest Gump” (much to the shock and dismay of my waitress at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp in Chicago who was about to go into some rehearsed monologue about the restaurant’s tie-in to the movie until I brought her world crashing down.) After years of people telling me how great the movie is, I know it will be a letdown. Only now, 13 years after its release, would I have a chance to enjoy the film. But then again, it’s been 13 years for Jacobs and we see how well that worked.

My complaint about Jacobs is not that it does anything poorly. On the contrary, it is an entirely acceptable modern ballpark. Unfortunately for the Cleveland stadium, everything it does is done a little bit better elsewhere. Take that large scoreboard for example. Sure it’s big, but it lacks the style of the exploding one at U.S. Cellular. Or how about the view of the Cleveland skyline? It’s nice, but pales in comparison to the one in Pittsburgh. Hell, even the Heritage Park they’ve built in center field is nice, but is just a series of plaques while the other parks boast lifesize bronze statues and interactive displays. And for some reason, they built a wall blocking the view of the field so you can’t even watch the game at the same time you’re in the park.

Now I wouldn’t try to claim that The Jake isn’t a nice place to watch a game. Every seat is angled towards home plate and I didn’t see an obstructed view in the place. Also, they’ve made an incredible effort to get every seat as close to the field as possible. But in the process they needed multiple tiers which tower over the field. It’s an intimate and intimidating place all at once. I’m sure you get used to it, but after coming from Chicago and Pittsburgh, it was jarring. But again, if I was a fan of the Indians, I’m sure I would have zero complaints about visiting The Jake several times a year.

And they go the extra mile to get you out to the park as well. It seems like every weekend all summer features fireworks on Friday, giveaways on Saturday and kids days on Sunday. Last weekend, was a Beach Party weekend so the little concourse between The Jake and The Q (home of the Cavs) was filled with beach-related games and activities, as well as a Jimmy Buffett cover band. It helped pass the time before the game, which was nice considering most gates didn’t open until an hour before first pitch — another strange decision by Cleveland management.

The fans were great, keeping the place packed even after the Indians blew the lead and the game in the top of the ninth. They supported their team until the final out. Either that or they were just staying for the postgame fireworks.

Regardless, the Jacobs experience was a lot like the last episode of “The Sopranos.” Perfectly acceptable when you think it through, but still a bit of a letdown.

Sorry Cleveland. You still have the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame.

On The Road: PNC Park

As you enter Pittsburgh’s PNC Park you can’t help but notice the insignia on the ticket-takers shirt that proclaims the waterfront property as the best ballpark in America. By this time you already have walked across the Allegheny River on the Roberto Clemente Bridge, passed through a baseball-themed street fair complete with one of those inflatable moon bounces and had your choice of several restaurants built into the side of the stadium. Impressive yes, but still — the home of the Pirates is the best in the country? Let’s just say I was skeptical.

Thursday was my first visit to the baseball-only facility that opened in 2001 in the Steel City. It’s predecessor, the multi-use Three Rivers Stadium, was one of those cookie-cutter faceless monstrosities — like Philly’s Veterans Stadium — that were so popular for a time. Thankfully, the Camden Yards model became the standard in the early 90s and we’ve been reaping the benefits ever since. It’s become trendy to believe that a stadium can revitalize a downtown, though evidence often disproves the theory. It’s not a concern for the Pirates who have created their own mini-downtown with the restaurants and the street festival all available before you even step foot in the stadium. Not that civilization is far away. Just a short walk across the bridge brings you Pittsburgh’s theatre district, not to mention $5 parking.

Walking through the gates in left field, you’re greeted by Legacy Square, a permanent exhibit honoring the greats of the Negro League and players from the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. There are lifesize bronze statues throughout the open-air corridor, though unfortunately they aren’t the household names you would find in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. There’s no Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle or Joe DiMaggio here. Thankfully, the solution to that problem is just inches away as each statue is accompanied by a multimedia kiosk that features stats and short films covering that player’s career. A classy and unparalleled addition to the stadium.

Once you’ve spent a few minutes in Legacy Square, you can move over to right field where you can take a stroll down the riverwalk with a few food options right on the waterfront. When you’re done there, you can finally make your way to your seat, all of which are tilted toward home plate for an optimal view of the field. But every seat also has an optimal view of what’s out beyond the outfield walls — the river, the bridge and the Pittsburgh skyline. It’s actually beautiful.

The Pirates should also send a check to Johnny Depp every month because the team has fully embraced the whole “Pirates are cool” trend that has come about as a result of the Disney films starring Depp. There’s music from the movies and the theme park ride that inspired it. There’s a video of an elaborate CGI sea battle that saw the pirates win, of course. And treasure chests, canons and other pirate paraphenelia are used liberally throughout the game. It makes for a fun atmosphere. Even the non-pirate-related stuff makes for a good time. The player introduction videos are the most elaborate I’ve ever seen, ranging from Etch-A-Sketch self-portraits to players breaking out of their own action-figure packaging. And when it came time to let the fans choose a song to hear, they added a clip of “Godzilla vs. Mothra” as an option. I shouldn’t have to tell you what won.

If I had any complaints they would be two-fold. First, the Pirates are simply the third team in this city, behind the Steelers and the Penguins. The fanbase is clearly disenchanted with the floundering franchise and it hurts the otherwise fantastic atmosphere. For their interleague matchup with the Texas Rangers — a 6-0 loss — on Thursday, they announced an attendance of slightly 17,000, which was umm…. generous. And that leads me to my second complaint. During the game, I left my third-row, third-base line, field-level seat and started exploring. Numerous times I was told I could not stand, walk or sit where I was, including in the last row behind home plate where there wasn’t a person within 10 rows of me. The bottom line is when you’re having trouble getting your stadium more than half-full, you should use a little discretion when it comes to harrassing the people that decided to show up.

But those are only two small nitpicks against the laundry list of positives that I’ve already presented. All of that brings me back to my original question. Could the home of the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates actually be the best ballpark in America?

In my opinion, Camden Yards — the gorgeous brick-laden ballpark in the heart of the Baltimore harbor district– has held that title for years.

It no longer does.

Congratulations Pittsburgh. You built a better ballpark. Unfortunately you still can build a better team.

On The Road: Wrigley Field

It’s time for Stop Two on this baseball-themed road trip and while both of the first two stadiums were in Chicago, they really couldn’t be more different.

When writing about U.S. Cellular a few days ago, I mentioned how every new ballpark seems to be trying to recapture the charm of old-time baseball. Well that charm has never left the stadium at the corner of Clark and Addison in Chicago.

Wrigley Field, the home of those lovable losing Chicago Cubs, remains an experience unlike any other in Major League Baseball after 94 years.

Upon arrival in Wrigleyville, it’s impossible not to notice the impact of the Cubbies on the area. There’s a Cubs cap on the Taco Bell sign, makeshift merchandise stands propped up for blocks and every inch of available asphalt set aside for parking. For several blocks, Clark is lined with contemporary food and drink establishments of every genre. Sports bars, pubs, clubs and even a dueling piano bar. (For the record, I recommend Goose Island Brewery.) It’s like a baseball version of Beale Street. And in the center of it all is the ballpark.

All the ancillary stuff is just that. Even the game takes a backseat here. The field is the true star of the show. Everything about it just screams of happier times, which is kind of a strange setting for such a tortured franchise. There’s the manual scoreboard. The lack of any significant corporate signage. The strolling Cubs Quintet. And, of course, the bricks and ivy. It’s not traditional beauty by any means, but for a baseball fan, it’s like fine art.

Now as with anything this old, the painting isn’t all roses. Wrigley lacks a lot of the modern amenities we’ve grown to expect at the ballgame. First of all, the seats are crowded; shoulder-to-shoulder if you don’t shift accordingly. Secondly, the sightlines can be quite bad. You’re talking major obstructed views in some seats. The photo to the right is taken from the last row of the lower tier behind home plate. You can see the part of the field not obscured by that pillar, but don’t plan on tracking any flyballs. But all of that is to be expected of a ballpark of this vintage.

As for the game itself, well you can’t talk about a game at Wrigley as just a game. The in-game traditions are just as important as the ivy and the bricks. The opposing home run balls still get thrown back. Fans still swamp the surrounding rooftops to be part of the action. A surprise guest still leads the crowd in “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch. Chicago sports talk radio seems to be campaigning to end that last tradition, as apparently there’s been a deluge of American Idol-ish pseudo-celebs leading the cheers lately. I can’t speak to that. Ernie Banks led our song. And it was great.

As was the overall experience. The Cubs defeated the Seattle Mariners in the game I attended Wednesday evening and the crowd roared its approval as Ryan Dempster locked down the save. Cubs fans have a reputation for being fairly miserable (and I saw enough variations of Cub fan T-shirts involving the White Sox and the word “suck” to get a good idea where that reputation comes from), but the victory really seemed almost like a bonus. I know “Cheers” was set in Boston, but this really seemed like a place where everybody knows your name (except for those cross-country road-trippers of course). And because of that, for eight innings, everyone around me seemed happy to just be among friends in a wonderful setting.

I was too. I can’t believe I waited this long to go to what is essentially a living, breathing baseball museum. Now I can’t wait to go back.

On The Road: U.S. Cellular Field

I promised some ballpark reviews from my current roadtrip so it’s about time I delivered. The first stop on this little journey was this past Sunday here in Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field — the home of the Chicago White Sox. With U.S. Cellular opening back in 1991, just before Camden Yards in 1992, I wondered if the Comiskey Park replacement would have the same charm that was mastered in Baltimore and imitated extensively since. While I wouldn’t put it in the same class as Camden Yards, I was still pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere at U.S. Cellular.

The exploding scoreboard is a nice touch, though daytime fireworks are essentially just really loud explosions. But it doesn’t end there. There’s their own little version of monument park in center field with lifesize statues of former White Sox greats like Charles Comiskey and Carlton Fisk. There is a great little sports bar next to the visitor’s bullpen where you can grab bar food and a brew while watching the game from field level just beyond the outfield wall. Speaking of food, all the food stands have distinctive names associated with old Chisox teams and baseball terminology. I think my favorite was a coffee shop named “Grounds Keeper.” There’s also a kid’s area elevated above the left-field stands, but I can’t tell you about it because I wasn’t allowed up there since I don’t have a kid. That’s a trade I’m very willing to make.

All the seats seem to be shifted slightly to provide an easy view of the field. I didn’t see an obstructed seat in the 40,000-seat house. The vendors are everywhere, eliminating the need for you to leave your seat for the entire nine innings… unless of course you’ drink all the beer they offer over the first seven. They have a strange little green mascot named Southpaw that I really can’t place. He could’ve been a dog. He could’ve been a furry aligator. The White Sox Web site doesn’t even try to classify their own mascot. The 2005 World Series trophy is on display in the stadium’s spacious main concourse. In fact, the White Sox are not afraid to celebrate the past. Not only could you still purchase the 05 WS Champions hats, you could get all sorts of All-Star Game paraphenalia… from the game they hosted in 2003.

As for the in-game experience, I found the White Sox fans to be pretty amazingly supportive considering the team’s current woes. This is a team that had lost five straight going into Sunday’s game against the Astros, but they still drew a good 35,000 fans for the afternoon contest. You could tell the losing was wearing on the fans, however. As a 6-1 lead became precariously unsure as relievers walked Astro after Astro, you could feel the air come out of the stadium. That was until the sound of POD’s “Boom” came over the sound system signalling the entrance of hefty closer Bobby Jenks. The fans erupted and treated him like the savior he would prove to be.

The White Sox won 6-3 and the stadium emptied to the sounds of “Sweet Home Chicago,” ending an enjoyable afternoon on the south side.