Jamie Gilchrist
The 2023 MLB season has been everything that most fans have been hoping for, and more.
This has manifested itself in a number of ways, not least in the incredible attendance numbers that have been generated. For example, in June’s three game series between the Reds and the Braves, it attracted a phenomenal attendance of 162,000.
Admittedly, some of this may have been due to the Elly De La Cruz effect. The 6’5” 21 year old became an instant sensation thanks to his power hitting and on-field charisma.
It also looked like a season in which four teams could end up with 100 wins to their name. We came close with the Dodgers, Braves and Orioles all making it over the line and the Rays falling just one short.
Of course, no season can really be judged until the conclusion of the World Series, but if this lives up to expectations it could well go down as one of the best seasons ever.
What we can count on, even now, is ranking five of the very best stadiums to watch all the action of MLB, and here they are.
Truist Park – Atlanta Braves
Let’s start with the home of one of the favorites in this season’s World Series odds. Truist Park has been where the Braves have played all their home games since 2017. Ever since it opened it has attracted praise from many quarters. It’s especially notable for the fact that, more than any other MLB stadium, it places fans close to the action.
With a capacity of 41,000 it’s a relatively small and intimate space but one that offers plenty of facilities for fans. The wi-fi system is even powerful enough to allow every one of those fans to post a selfie simultaneously. Plus every tier is fully air-conditioned – a real must for those hot and steamy Atlanta nights.
Wrigley Field – Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field is a ground that very much divides opinion. But for fans who love the heritage of the sport it’s an out-and-out winner. Any visit is like a trip back in time, but then it was originally built back in 1914. You may find yourself lacking some of the more modern facilities, but the charm and sense of history more than makes up for that. As you’d expect, it’s a ground that has its own particular idiosyncrasies which include an area where, when the Windy City is living up to its name, balls can fly and bounce in very unexpected directions.
Petco Park – San Diego Padres
They say it never rains in Southern California – and the beautiful climate certainly shows off Petco Park to its very best advantage. The 42,000 capacity stadium was built in 2004 and regularly does very well in surveys looking into family-friendly facilities. There are a whole host of food outlets as well as the Park In A Park are in the right-center field. For just $5 a ticket you can sit on the grass and enjoy the game, and there’s even a sandpit for the kids.
For an altogether more VIP experience, there are also a number of suites available for parties of various sizes – and all are very reasonably priced.
PNC Park – Pittsburgh Pirates
It has been said about PNC Park that it’s a great stadium but it’s just a shame about the team that play there. Although the Pirates didn’t quite finish at the bottom of the National League Central division this year, it was a close run thing with the Cardinals.
But fans can take solace in the fact that their stadium offers stunning views of the Pittsburgh skyline and the Allegheny River. It also boasts a great atmosphere on game days and another big plus is that the tickets are among the cheapest in the MLB.
Oracle Park – San Francisco Giants
Of all the stadiums in the MLB there’s one that regularly tops the polls for popularity amongst fans. It might not offer views of the city itself but its waterside location is stunning enough. There’s even an adjacent area of San Francisco Bay named McCovey Cove in honor of the Giants legend Willie McCovey.
Wherever you find yourself sitting there’s a great and uninterrupted view of the diamond. Plus it’s totally family-friendly with plenty of fun things to do including an 80-foot Coca Cola bottle with playground slides within it. It also lights up every time the Giants notch up a home run.
Plus there’s a great food offering, whether you’re in the mood for a poke bowl or some of the area’s famous seafood.
So there you have them. Five of the greatest baseball stadiums not just in the US but across the whole world. Put every one of them on your bucket list and you won’t be disappointed.
