A
new quest, a new big list! This one began in the summer of 2003, as
I noticed I only had a few more years left in the
original goal to get to all the major league ballparks.
At the time, even with new
ballparks imminent in San Diego, Philadelphia, and
anywhere-but-Montreal, it looked like I would be done with all the major
league ballparks within three or four years. After finishing off
the original goal (and after only 15-ish years!), I was due to be done
with my quest. And what happens after that--after I finish a life
goal at age 36 or 37? Frankly, nothing but alcohol and despair.
(Kidding.)
But seriously, folks, what should come next? Go to them all
again? Well, if I'm in town, sure, or if new ones open, but
otherwise, why bother? The answer of "minor leagues"
is easy--too easy. There are hundreds of the suckers...that
would be completely unattainable. (Even
Charlie
O'Reilly
has missed a few, and he's the most hard-core guy out
there...he makes me look like a Sunday driver.) Ah, what to do, what
to do?
At some point, it
occurred to me: my quest would be to attend a minor league baseball game in all 50
states.
Why?
As I've gone to major
league ballparks, one of the things I've liked best is noting the
regional differences. The strip-mallization of the country isn't
as noticeable in ballparks as it is elsewhere. Sure, every MLB
ballpark has many of the same stupid promotions, blooper shots, and
even (among those built at similar times) architecture, but I've found
that each
stadium still has its own unique regional--and even local--feel.
Going to a game in all 50 states should tell me a little something
about each of the states. In fact, with uber-local promotions
and fewer people traveling from out of town to see a ballgame, I
predict I'll gain a little more of a feel for our country and baseball
than I have through my major league travels (which, of course, will
continue).
If I go to enough minor-league games for enough ballclubs'
affiliates, maybe I can get lucky and see somebody really famous
really early in his career.
I like baseball even at
this level. Plus, I can see a lot more passed balls, ways to
commit an error, taken fastballs for strike three, balks, and
otherwise bizarre moments the major leaguers won't give me. It's a good way to
challenge my scoring abilities.
I enjoy rooting for the
later draft picks even while knowing I'll have to keep my eye open for
the earlier ones.
I'm going to buy a
souvenir mini-bat for every minor league team I see. Eventually,
I'd like them all to be on my wall, possibly superimposed on a map of
the US. We'll see.
What makes for a
good minor league ballpark?
I am so glad you asked. Look here
for my criteria/scoring system and how those I've seen so far rate.
The Rules:
--The quest officially began on July 4,
2003.
--The states in which I had seen minor league baseball prior to
2003 (Colorado, Illinois, and Washington) must be revisited. It hardly
matters for Washington, where I live, which became the first state crossed
off the list anyway. Since the stadiums I'd seen minor league ball in
Colorado (Denver's Mile High Stadium)
and Illinois (Peoria's Pete Vonachen Stadium) have both been destroyed, I'll
have to head back to see another ballpark anyway.
--When available, I will see an affiliated
minor league team, to increase the chances I'll catch a rising star, a
diamond in the rough, the rose among thorns, and whatever other cliché I'm
looking for in the minor leagues. As of 2003, there are eight states
that do not have an affiliated minor league club: Alaska, Hawaii,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South
Dakota. In those states, I'll find independent or semi-pro ball to
watch (unless, of course, they get an affiliated team in the intervening
years). Update 2005: Mississippi, Missouri, and New
Hampshire have since gained affiliated teams.
--I will score each game, but will score them
in a different book from the major league book--they have to earn their
way to the major league book. To make it easier to find who has made
it to the majors later on, I will write the players' entire first and
last names rather than the first initial and last name that are customary in
my major league scorebooks.
--I will create a page for each ballpark,
describing what I saw there and attempt to rank the ballparks I have
attended.
Enjoy!
Minor League Ballparks In Order Visited (the
recommended order if you're planning on reading them all)--below
