Houston Astros

#23 - August  16th, 2015. Downtown Houston is chaotic. Known fact that I learned about Houston is that there is no property zoning, this can mean, for example, that you can put a single family home directly across the street from Minute Maid park...The park was in a moderately nice part of downtown (which ain't saying much), walking up to the stadium you almost just think it's a warehouse or something. Buzz around the ball park? Mostly just drifters...Honestly you kinda just want to get inside as quickly as possible. Once inside you have smaller concourse all the way around which was kind of off putting at first, but it actually kind of works for them. The roof was thankfully closed, as I get the impression it is most games, but the windows allowed in a lot of natural light, more than any other indoor park I've been to. Outfield has the columns below the train which was a nice standing room only locale. They had a non-field facing bar in dead center called the Five-Seven for Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. 

We sat first row in dead center. We wanted to get a view of Tal's Hill as they're ripping it out next year for a renovation. It was cool, but far less of a 'thing' than I expected. I thought it would be more of a staple in the Astros culture or something. T-Shirts, highlight reels, etc. But know one really cared at all, so I guess I don't either...Stros played the Tigers, lost in 11 innings. Collin McHugh v Justin Verlander, much of a pitchers duel throughout. The place was pretty full as it was a Saturday night and they were doing the 10 year anniversary of the 05 team that made the World Series. So Bags, Biggio, Oswalt, Berkman, and that whole crew were in the house. Even as full as it was the fans didn't seem super into the game, which is odd as they were in first place at the time, but they all seemed quite happy to have the Astros and something to do in Houston like go to an indoor baseball game. Overall there is nothing great nor terrible about this park. It's a nice quaint little park. Built in 2000, I think they made a lot of the right design choices that make it a very acceptable ballpark 15 years later...Grade: B

Texas Rangers

#22 - Tonight, August 14th 2015, was Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers @ Globe Life Park in Arlington and it was STAR WARS night!!! Trudii is 7 months pregnant at this point so we visited the bathrooms a lot! This is the unborn child's 5th stadium to date.

Stadium is set up in an area of town that they share with the Cowboys. Lots of space, lots of parking. Area is kind of a convention complex that is custom built for the venues. Nothing by way of game day experience all around the stadium. No bars/restaurants, no tailgating, nothing; but I get the impression that this is the way of Texas so I will not hate...It was actually kind of pretty as they just turned the surrounding areas into kind of a giant park. The stadium was built in 94 and they appear to be trying to pay homage to parks of yesteryear. Large columns and switch back-esk ramps line the exterior of the concourse, which was closed all the way around (save a section of center). The one thing that struck me was how tall the ceilings were in the concourse.

We had great seats four rows up on the cusp of right field. Only One jumbotron in the place that was on top of the upper deck in right that I had to do a pretty significant neck crane to see. Columns line center field and I actually learned that it's a business park that lives in between, they have no access to the stadium at all. Weird. A couple of commons in center with sight lines to the game, they overlooked the elevated bullpens, and there was a restaurant out there as well. 

Beer selection was pretty weak, couple of local brews but ultimately dominated by Budweiser. Food was 'interesting' they had several 'Texas' sized items like dogs and nachos that were enormous...also saw wings, which was unusual. I opted for the turkey leg, which was pretty fantastic actually....Fans were super engaged and cared throughout the game and the Rangers won 5-2. The stadium had charm for sure, but due to the time it was built and the amenities (or lack there of) it has it's really subpar compared to other stadiums today. I'd say it's closest peer would be Turner field, but they have a more intimate atmosphere that plays better in the baseball going experience. Grade C

San Diego Padres

#21 - Long wanted to see this park, did so on 4/15/15 (Tax Day!!!) with Trudii on the SoCal pt 2 trip. Fathers played the Diamond backs, Brandon Morrow v Chase Anderson. Kind of a slow game that ended with Justin Upton breaking a 2-2 tie in 8th with a solo HR to left center. Got to see Craig Kimbrell's 'act' again, he didn't disappoint and shut the D'backs down in the 9th. It was also Jackie Robinson day, which is extremely annoying for a visiting fan that doesn't know the team that well...Pulled up to this stadium featuring $20 parking.... NO tailgate scene, but tons of bars and restaurants surrounding. We didn't check anything out pre-game as we were hurting for time. Stadium is tightly built into downtown, surrounding buildings were very close by (one hotel connected by outdoor skyway). First thing we encountered when entering the gates was the 'park at the park', which featured a statue of Tony Gwynn. Probably one of the coolest features of a park I've experienced. A grassy hill in  left center that was place for folks to catch the game for $5. Later found out that the 'park' was open to the public during non-game times. Park led down to a GA bleacher section that ended in a sand box/beach right at center field fences. Stadium had 'mostly' open concourse (closed in certain spots). Had a craft beer corridor, taco bar, very cool ivy hanging throughout the concourse; tons of character throughout the stadium. Concourse also had a salute to the Navy which featured a smaller scale version of the USS Midway (I think). Inside, we sat row 1, 3B side right at the cusp of left field (fantastic seats). Stadium was tight, which was surprising given its stats as a pitchers park. 360ish in left, 400ish in center, 320ish in right. Padres just put in a new jumbotron in left which is enormous. Can't leave out Western Metal Supply in left. Awesome! We got to go up, sometimes it's reserved for private parties, but this night was open. Super good views of the stadium as well as the skyline. Only negatives I could think of are beer cost ($11.75 coors, $13 premiums) and no common areas outside of WMS, If I had the choice for my home ballpark to be any that I've been to to date, it'd be Petco. A+

Anaheim Angels

#20 - Attended a game here with Trudii on 4/12/15. Sunday afternoon game. Angels v Royals. CJ Wilson v Yordano Ventura. Ventura dealt early. Upper 90s fastballs, I think he hit 100 on the gun once. Royals won a lopsided 9-2 game. Pujols hit a bomb becoming him 18th on the all time HR list and there was a bench clearing moment when Yordano talked some trash to Mike Trout when scoring the Angels 2nd run. I was very surprised to learn that the stadium was the 4th oldest in baseball. Positioned out on the freeway, surrounded by parking lots on all sides there wasn't much going on (couple of tailgaters, but not a scene). Cool entrances which they clearly put some money into recently with some over sized bats and hats on the pavilion. Once inside the stadium it had a closed concourse that was pretty tight, but not bad considering it's 1966 bones. LOTS of concessions, pretty much all open space was consumed by a food or beer vendors. Not the least of which was Panda Express (TWO locations!). Coors light cost me $11.75, Corona's going for $13 Ouch!!! They had some patios and outdoor access from the concourse which I thought was nice. From inside the stadium, we sat 5th row 1B side trending toward right field. Seats faced dead center field. Had to do a major neck crane to view home plate, but the leg room was significant. Great batters eye, with the rock feature and waterfall, but pretty much no common areas that faced the fields. Other thing that stood out was that there were NO on foot beer vendors, that was a first. My head is kind of at a C- on this one. Nothing was horrible, but it wasn't average. It was plain and simple below average. Seems better because the team is sexy, but it's not a good stadium.