Ever since Camden Yards opened up in Baltimore for the Orioles in 1992, modernized stadiums have taken the baseball world by storm. Before the construction of the wonderful Oriole Park, stadiums have been plain and simple, but beautiful because of their simplicity; after all, baseball is America’s past time, so it is modeled on the basics of the country. Now though new stadiums are popping up everywhere with multiple different venues inside of the parks, such as, fancy restaurants/clubs/bars overlooking the field, kids playgrounds, super fan stores that sell team appeal, high class food courts, etc. The building of these modernized stadiums begun on the east/east-coast, but now has started to arise seen on the west coast. However, the old version of stadiums being simple has not lost their popularity; for example, Dodger Stadium, which hasn’t changed much since it’s opening in 1962. The old fashioned stadiums still have the “it” factor and can compete with new stadiums. On the west coast in the NL West division, there are three of the top 10 stadiums in the majors, in Dodger Stadium (Dodgers), Petco Park (Padres), and AT&T Park (Giants). Each of these stadiums has received tons of praise, but which one is the best stadium?
Dodger Stadium has been a constant in the majors for 52 seasons now, with its simple, but elegant style. Because it is one of the old fashioned, original, stadiums, the shape (outline) of the field with the stands around it, is a perfect diamond. It sits in Chaves Ravine, on the outskirts of downtown LA, which is usually the type of area old fashioned parks are usually built in.
The stadium holds a full capacity of 56,000 with the stands wrapped around the field, and the outfield seats perfectly facing diagonal to the pitching mound, with the bullpens on either side. Then off the field, the venues inside the stadium are very simple. There are no little corners or different directions around the stadium to get to other food courts, they are all lined up in a U-shape. The only modernized-type of venue is the Dodgers Club, which is a bar/restaurant overlooking the field.
Petco Park is right in the heart of the city of San Diego, next to the biggest convention center in the country and just off of the water’s edge. It is one of the newest and best modernized parks in the game today, as it is only 10 years old.
The seats are all shaped around the field with different cuts and corners. There is a mini beach area in the outfield stands with the bullpens hidden on the sides. Then throughout the stadium there are multiple food stands and lounges/restaurants. They are all in different areas throughout the stadium in nooks and crannies. For example, there are a series of 4 concessions in one area that then opens up to a restaurant. There is also a memorabilia area.
AT&T Park is so fantastically built that the Pirates decided to model their new stadium (PNC Park) after it. The almost 15-year-old stadium has been called the best in all the land by numerous MLB insiders. The main entrance to AT&T is truly magnificent, with who other than Willie Mays in front of it.
The beautiful, yet unique, venue has a full capacity at 41915 due to a whole bunch of other extra entertainment. The outfield is where it is at, as there is a playground underneath the iconic Coca-Cola structure, then as one walks along behind centerfield to right field, it will be noticed that there are few seats, but that is because the stadium is built right on the water. No matter how short of power a home-run to right-field has, it will most certainly go over the wall (no more than 20 yards wide with very few seats) into the water (McCovey Cove named after the Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey).
The concessions stands are good, not great, as there are many good choices, but the quality is not as good as either Petco or Dodger Stadium. The configuration of them are just a grade of a B-, as they are all over the place, and the lack of nice clubs/bars is a concern too. However, with the dynamics of the outfield entertainment, the flash back in time to bullpens on the outside of the dugout, the great statues of Orlando Cepeda (Baby Bull) and Willie Mays, and the unique shapes of the field that makes triples more common than other parks, makes AT&T a total must visit.
Overall, despite Petco Park being smaller than others, it’s phenomenal facilities and concessions along with the goosebumps one gets from the simplicity of the field makes it #1, at least among these three stadiums. A- grade.
Coming in second is AT&T, because of the concessions not living up to the expectations. But, due to the unique iconic structure of the stadium and location on the water, the Giants Stadium receives a grade of a B+. If the franchise can upgrade the location and layout of their concessions to be more like Petco, than an A grade is what it is looking at.
Unique is not in the vocabulary of Dodger Stadium; as it was built in the late 1950’s. If a perfectly shaped, well groomed stadium, that spells out America’s Past Time, is what one is looking for, than go no farther than Chavez Ravine. The concessions stands are named after the Dodgers as well as the stadium; that is how it went in the early years of stadium building for baseball. When one sits in the stands to watch the game, goosebumps are an understatement, as a true baseball fan can feel the history the stadium has, for example, Kirk Gibson‘s famous WS homer. Dodger Stadium receives a grade of a B+, as it is a little plain for the current era.
Please feel free to give your opinion in the comment box, as I would love to hear what you have to say.
