The Quest

My quest to see every MLB team is getting more difficult now that most of the remaining teams are on the other side of the country which requires long-distance travel over either an extended period of time (which isn't very realistic given work demands) or multiple trips over several years (which will be expensive). Although the idea of a road trip sounds great, I think the reality will be the multiple trip scenario.
It might be splitting hairs, but with all the construction of new ballparks that has occurred over the last couple of decades, I realize that I'll need to keep two lists, one for number of MLB ballparks and another for MLB teams. I used to focus on hitting all ballparks but now I've shifted to a focus on seeing each MLB team in its home ballpark.
Also, a question for the scorekeepers: does it count if you get into the ballpark, walk around, buy food and souvenirs, attend batting practice, etc but the game is rained out?

Anyways, as of the end of the 2012 season, I'm at 25 MLB ballparks and 22 MLB teams:

1. Fenway Park
2. Yankee Stadium (old)
3. Shea Stadium
4. Citi Field
5. Citizens Bank Park
6. Memorial Stadium
7. Oriole Park (Camden Yards)
8. Nationals Park
9. Turner Field
10. Joe Robbie Stadium/Pro Player Stadium/Dolphins Stadium
11. Tropicana Field
12. PNC Park
13. Progressive Field
14. Comerica Park
15. Wrigley Field
16. US Cellular Field
17. County Stadium
18. Miller Park
19. Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome
20. Busch Stadium (new)
21. Great America Ball Park
22. PETCO Park
23. Angel Stadium
24. Oakland Coliseum
25. Rogers Centre

I've been taking my son, now 10, to games since he was about 1 or 2 years old. I think we made the drive from Ft Lauderdale to Tropicana Field in Tampa for his first game when the Yankees were in town. He's been to 22 ballparks now himself, although he probably won't remember several of those as he gets older. That's okay though since I won't mind going back to some of those ballparks.

As a born and raised Yankee fan from NY, I still haven't been to the new Yankee Stadium but hopefully will check that one this coming season.
I'll need to make the 6-hour drive back to Cleveland because I can't justify checking off the Indians and Progressive Field since their game against the White Sox was rained out (that was part of a baseball weekend I did with my son during the 2011 season when we took in a Pirates vs. Cardinals game at PNC Park on Fri night, Indians vs. White Sox at Progressive Field on Sat night and Reds vs. Braves at Great America Ball Park on Sun night, the ESPN game...the only time all season I could arrange a weekend like that within driving distance from DC, it turned out to be a great time with my son).

This past season was a good one for the quest, as my son and I took in a Yankees vs Red Sox game at Fenway, opening day at PETCO Park, Pujols' first hit in the AL at Angel Stadium (although he was promptly thrown out at the plate a batter or two later), delivering the game ball at Comerica Park, an absolutely atrocious performance by Ricky Romero and a drubbing of the Blue Jays by the Athletics at the Rogers Centre and a chance to cheer one last time for Chipper Jones while watching Johan Santana melt down at Citi Field (probably my favorite ballpark of all I've been to so far, although that might be heretical coming from a Yankee fan, it really is a nice ballpark).

I'm looking forward to coming closer to the magic 30 this season!

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Comment by Jim Wood (46 MLB) on January 20, 2013 at 8:39am: I buy scorecards and keep score at every game I attend whether it's the first visit or not. I started this practice about 11 years ago so I don't have scorecards from all of my first games, but over the years I've been lucky enough to keep score at almost all 30 current MLB ballparks.

I like doing this because it's an inexpensive souvenir and it becomes a documented history of the game I've attended. PS- I do like the ice cream helmet idea!

Comment by Steve on January 20, 2013 at 7:02am: Thanks to everyone who read my blog and posted comments.
Bill, that was the game alright. It sure would have been nice to have been able to stick around like you did but the game in Cincy the next night was a good one, Brandon Phillips walk-off home run in bottom of 9th to beat the Braves. From what the weather reports were saying, I was really afraid that game would get rained out as well, which would have put a major damper on that weekend.
Mark, I skimmed through your comment too quickly but when I re-read it, I understood and believe you are absolutely right. When push comes to shove, I'm a fan of this great game of baseball, so I tend to stick to the category that goes to see the game and enjoy the ballpark experience. But like you say, can you go wrong either way?

On another note, as far as souvenirs, I've settled on those mini batting helmets that come with ice cream (some ballparks make it pretty tough, with them available at only one concession stand in the entire place). I'm curious about what others like to buy to commemorate ballpark experiences.

Comment by Bill Pritchard (29) on January 18, 2013 at 8:46pm: PS - The July 24th 2011 Indians game against the White Sox? I was there, too. Miserable night, and I'm glad I was able to stay for the Sunday afternoon game. I would have otherwise had an angry eight-hour drive back home. (Drove from NJ to check The Prog off my list, almost considering hitting GAB Saturday night too.)

Comment by Mark (53) on January 16, 2013 at 8:17pm: There seems to be two conventions here. Those that go to see the game and enjoy the ballpark experience and those that go to see the ballpark and enjoy the game experience. Either way, what a great way to spend a life. As Humphrey Bogart said "a hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz". Happy chasing!

Comment by michael schwartz (71) on January 14, 2013 at 12:28pm: If you want to say you saw a game, then hang around until the game is official. If you want to say you visited the park, then setting foot inside the gate is sufficient. Just sayin'. Ultimately, you answer only to yourself.

Comment by Bob D (MLB 30/48 total 442) on January 14, 2013 at 9:47am: I agree with your instint to get back to Cleveland. I don't count them until 4 1/2 or 5 innings are complete. For MLB I have an excel spreadsheet of all games results of my games. no game no result goes on the list. Minors and colleges do not go on the list also until offical game. when I can I rearrange my trip to fit it in. Otherwise it waits until my next visit. In 2003 I got rained out of Kigstion Mets. I did not make it back there until 2011. Also in 2011, I got rained out of a University of Nebraska game the day before I was going to go see the Omaha Storm Chasers. The next day, the times were staggered enough that I saw complete games of both so they both were able to be aded to my list.

Comment by Jim Wood (46 MLB) on January 14, 2013 at 6:58am: I agree with Meg- if you've experienced the ballpark in Gameday conditions it should count. Fortunately I haven't had this happen (yet). Good luck moving forward!

Comment by meg minard (30/44/205) on January 13, 2013 at 8:24pm: It does count. "Also, a question for the scorekeepers: does it count if you get into the ballpark, walk around, buy food and souvenirs, attend batting practice, etc but the game is rained out?"

Back in 1997, I attended a game at the old Busch Stadium and did all that you mentioned and sat in the rain for two hours before they finally called the game. I count it as a visit.

I finally will be headed back to St. Louis for a Cards/Rockies game this season to see the new Busch Stadium. Hopefully, the skies won't cry that weekend,

Comment by jvolks (19) on January 13, 2013 at 6:00pm: I was also at Citi Field for that Santana meltdown. It is interesting that you say that you like Citi Field the best. I'm a die hard Mets fan, and while the field and park are great, the boredom of the surrounding neighborhood aggrevates me. Not that its bad, but we're really hoping that that area undergoes a transformation in the next couple of years.