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Travel & Experiences

Great American ballparks

By Christopher Smith, Special to The Los Angeles Times Camden Yards, Baltimore Why you gotta go: Like no other modern stadium, this throwback palace of brick and steel captures the feel of the game’s early years. Game plan: Pregame, visit the nearby Babe Ruth Museum. Mid-game, spend half an inning in the standing-room viewing deck that overlooks right field. Catbird seats: With great sightlines, every section is good. 7th-inning stretch: For a beef brisket sandwich—plus an autograph—visit Boog Powell, Oriole-player-turned-pit master, at his barbecue stand behind center field. Standout stat: Flipped upright, the hulking brick railroad warehouse that looms behind right and center fields would be almost the same height as the Eiffel Tower. Don't miss: The Eutaw Street walkway behind center field, with its food stands, shops and Orioles wall of fame.

By Christopher Smith,
Special to The Los Angeles Times

Camden Yards, Baltimore

Why you gotta go: Like no other modern stadium, this throwback palace of brick and steel captures the feel of the game’s early years.

Game plan: Pregame, visit the nearby Babe Ruth Museum. Mid-game, spend half an inning in the standing-room viewing deck that overlooks right field.

Catbird seats: With great sightlines, every section is good.

7th-inning stretch: For a beef brisket sandwich—plus an autograph—visit Boog Powell, Oriole-player-turned-pit master, at his barbecue stand behind center field.

Standout stat: Flipped upright, the hulking brick railroad warehouse that looms behind right and center fields would be almost the same height as the Eiffel Tower.

Don’t miss: The Eutaw Street walkway behind center field, with its food stands, shops and Orioles wall of fame.  (Greg Fiume / Getty Images)

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Great American ballparks

Fenway Park, Boston

Why you gotta go: The game’s oldest park is also its quirkiest; fences at odd angles ensure the ball takes crazy bounces.

Game plan: Before entering the stadium, make for nearby Lansdowne Street, where vendors grill sweet Italian sausages.

Catbird seats: Seats on top of the fabled “Green Monster” left-field wall are highly prized.

7th-inning stretch: Unfathomably, fans sing along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” in the middle of the 8th inning.

Standout stat: In 96 years, no home run has cleared the right-field grandstand roof.

Don’t miss: Kibitzing with your neighbors—knowledgeable Red Sox fans debate each at-bat.  (Elsa / Getty Images)

Great American ballparks

Nationals Park, Washington, DC

Why you gotta go: Baseball’s shiny new citadel is a tech showcase with flat-screens on each pillar, a 4,800-square-foot hi-def scoreboard and a Sony PlayStation pavilion.

Game plan: Watch the Presidents Race with oversize mascots: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt (Teddy).

Catbird seats: Adjacent to the press box, section 409 offers a great view of the diamond and the U.S. Capitol.

7th-inning stretch: Head to Ben’s Chili Bowl on the third-base side for an “all the way” half-smoke grilled, split hot dog smothered in chili, mustard and onions.

Standout stat: Costing more than $611 million (in public funds), it’s baseball’s most expensive stadium to date.

Don’t miss: A cold Peroni on tap at the open-air Red Loft Bar overlooking center field.  (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

Great American ballparks

AT&T Park, San Francisco

Why you gotta go: Stellar views, sensational food and a laid-back environment.

Game plan: As you walk the park, look for the 14 marked spots that celebrate the feats of controversial ex-Giant home-run champion Barry Bonds.

Catbird seats: Sections 321-323 offer panoramic vistas of the diamond and San Francisco Bay beyond right field.

7th-inning stretch: Follow your nose to the Gilroy garlic fries stands and indulge in a supergarlicky, Parmesan-flecked treat.

Standout stat: At this writing, 61 home runs have cleared the right-field wall and splashed into McCovey Cove.

Don’t miss: The cable car behind center field. You can have your picture taken in it, with the game in the background.  (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

Great American ballparks

Yankee Stadium, New York

Why you gotta go: After 85 years, only 34 regular-season games are left before they tear down the House That Ruth Built.

Game plan: Arrive early and tour Monument Park, the shrine behind left center field with plaques and retired numbers honoring Yankee greats.

Catbird seats: Tickets are scarce; look online for the (relatively) affordable upper view- level sections.

7th-inning stretch: Avoid the park’s dull, pricey food and pick up a bite at one of the delis or ethnic stands next to the stadium—you can carry it inside.

Standout stat: 150-million-plus fans have seen games here since 1923, the highest stadium total in all of baseball.

Don’t miss: Roving vendors with their over-the-top outer-borough accents.  (Mike Liu / Shutterstock.com)

Great American ballparks

Wrigley Field, Chicago

Why you gotta go: An abundance of character and history in baseball’s most intimate setting.

Game plan: Parking is limited and expensive, so join the throng on the “El” to the Addison Station stop.

Catbird seats: The pricey rows next to the foul-territory bullpens are great for eavesdropping on players.

7th-inning stretch: The low-tech scoreboard—operated by hand—is a nostalgic nod to the past.

Standout stat: Last World Series title—1908.

Don’t miss: Histrionic Cubs fans. For people-watching, you can’t beat ’em.  (Kuni Takahashi / Chicago Tribune)

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