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Touring America's Ball Parks
Touring America's Ball ParksTouring America's Ball Parks
True sports fans know that a trip to a ballpark or stadium isn’t just about watching a game. It may take you back to a time in your life and provide you with tremendous nostalgic moments. Where you there for playoff game that your team one with 4th quarter drive? Perhaps you recall when your father took you to the ball park for the first time. There so much more to experience than just watching the game. It’s also a chance to experience some culture and explore a place full of fascinating sports history -- while, of course, having a great time.
Every stadium has unique and distinguishing qualities, but there are some that the Ultimate Sports Fan simply must visit in your lifetime. To start us off, here are just some of the places that offer experiences that a true sports fan just can’t afford to miss.
Get your fill of both food and history at Curly’s Pub at the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field. Named for Curly Lambeau, the team’s first head coach, the eatery boasts a staggering 138 televisions. But a meal at Curly’s won’t just leave you feeling like you’ve stumbled into an electronics haven; you’ll also get to test your team trivia. Curly’s servers are legit experts in Packers history, which they will happily share with you during visits to your table. Daily specials feature items from the team’s own menu, allowing guests to “eat like the Packers.” For some extra fun, Lambeau Field also gives fans opportunities to practice skills like the Packers, without dressing in cumbersome padding or even breaking a sweat. Curly’s Game Zone offers over 50 video games and other football-themed diversions to help you get even more pumped up for the game.
If you prefer a loud and exciting experience, the Seattle Seahawks’ Qwest Field is a must. The team claims to have the most boisterous fans, who are collectively known at games at the “12th MAN.” Many teams can make this claim, however only one can be credited, or blamed for the infamous NFL’s 1985 noise rule. Still, a flag is raised in honor of the 12th MAN at each home game to kick off the game with an outpouring of team spirit.
Don’t feel left out if baseball is more your sport, because baseball fans will also find no shortage of history or entertainment at their team’s ballpark.
The Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park, which opened in 1912, is the oldest ballpark in the country. Home of the late Babe Ruth, among countless other baseball greats, the park was rebuilt in 1934 after two fires damaged the original stands. The field’s well-known “Green Monster” resulted a decade later when a huge wall, formerly dedicated to advertising space was covered with paint. No need to shield the eyes of the youngsters, “The Green Monster” isn’t as scary as the name suggests, but it is awfully, well…green. While other upgrades have included concrete bleachers and skyview seats, other aspects, such as Fenway’s manually operated scoreboard, remain unchanged. Want to learn more? Reserve a ticket for a guided tour of this historic park.
Wrigley Field, the nation’s second oldest ballpark, opened just two years after Fenway and has been home to the Chicago Cubs since 1916. Its manual scoreboard has been used since 1937. Another trademark of Wrigley is its ivy-covered outfield wall, which disguises a relatively boring brick wall during much of the season. The ivy was planted in 1937 by Bill Veeck, who worked as groundskeeper and in other capacities for the Cubs, of which his father was president. The outfield bleachers were built the same year. For more information about Wrigley’s history, take a stadium tour, which will provide first-hand looks at the bleachers, dugouts, press box and other areas of the north-side Chicago park.
It’s difficult to have a discussion about baseball stadium history and culture without mentioning Yankee Stadium. The Yankees probably work the hardest to preserve and honor its great history. Though a new stadium opened in 2009, its famous Monument Park continues to pay homage to some of the most famous former New York Yankees, with a collection of plaques and features the retired numbers of its greatest players. It also includes monuments dedicated to Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth (There’s that name again ... what can we say? The guy got around). When the new stadium opened, Monument Park was relocated to its original position behind centerfield. Yankee Stadium also features the team’s past in the New York Yankees Museum, where fans can admire team memorabilia.
It goes without saying, every stadium offers its own unforgettable moments, so if timeyou’re your wallet allows, go ahead and visit them all. If you don’t think you can make it across the country to stop at each and every major stadium and ballpark, we’d suggest starting by choosing one or two of the aforementioned locations. Whether you see a Green Monster, dine on team cuisine or cheer along with the rowdiest crowd around, you’re not likely to ever forget the experience.
Every stadium has unique and distinguishing qualities, but there are some that the Ultimate Sports Fan simply must visit in your lifetime. To start us off, here are just some of the places that offer experiences that a true sports fan just can’t afford to miss.
Get your fill of both food and history at Curly’s Pub at the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field. Named for Curly Lambeau, the team’s first head coach, the eatery boasts a staggering 138 televisions. But a meal at Curly’s won’t just leave you feeling like you’ve stumbled into an electronics haven; you’ll also get to test your team trivia. Curly’s servers are legit experts in Packers history, which they will happily share with you during visits to your table. Daily specials feature items from the team’s own menu, allowing guests to “eat like the Packers.” For some extra fun, Lambeau Field also gives fans opportunities to practice skills like the Packers, without dressing in cumbersome padding or even breaking a sweat. Curly’s Game Zone offers over 50 video games and other football-themed diversions to help you get even more pumped up for the game.If you prefer a loud and exciting experience, the Seattle Seahawks’ Qwest Field is a must. The team claims to have the most boisterous fans, who are collectively known at games at the “12th MAN.” Many teams can make this claim, however only one can be credited, or blamed for the infamous NFL’s 1985 noise rule. Still, a flag is raised in honor of the 12th MAN at each home game to kick off the game with an outpouring of team spirit.Don’t feel left out if baseball is more your sport, because baseball fans will also find no shortage of history or entertainment at their team’s ballpark.
The Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park, which opened in 1912, is the oldest ballpark in the country. Home of the late Babe Ruth, among countless other baseball greats, the park was rebuilt in 1934 after two fires damaged the original stands. The field’s well-known “Green Monster” resulted a decade later when a huge wall, formerly dedicated to advertising space was covered with paint. No need to shield the eyes of the youngsters, “The Green Monster” isn’t as scary as the name suggests, but it is awfully, well…green. While other upgrades have included concrete bleachers and skyview seats, other aspects, such as Fenway’s manually operated scoreboard, remain unchanged. Want to learn more? Reserve a ticket for a guided tour of this historic park.Wrigley Field, the nation’s second oldest ballpark, opened just two years after Fenway and has been home to the Chicago Cubs since 1916. Its manual scoreboard has been used since 1937. Another trademark of Wrigley is its ivy-covered outfield wall, which disguises a relatively boring brick wall during much of the season. The ivy was planted in 1937 by Bill Veeck, who worked as groundskeeper and in other capacities for the Cubs, of which his father was president. The outfield bleachers were built the same year. For more information about Wrigley’s history, take a stadium tour, which will provide first-hand looks at the bleachers, dugouts, press box and other areas of the north-side Chicago park.It’s difficult to have a discussion about baseball stadium history and culture without mentioning Yankee Stadium. The Yankees probably work the hardest to preserve and honor its great history. Though a new stadium opened in 2009, its famous Monument Park continues to pay homage to some of the most famous former New York Yankees, with a collection of plaques and features the retired numbers of its greatest players. It also includes monuments dedicated to Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth (There’s that name again ... what can we say? The guy got around). When the new stadium opened, Monument Park was relocated to its original position behind centerfield. Yankee Stadium also features the team’s past in the New York Yankees Museum, where fans can admire team memorabilia.It goes without saying, every stadium offers its own unforgettable moments, so if timeyou’re your wallet allows, go ahead and visit them all. If you don’t think you can make it across the country to stop at each and every major stadium and ballpark, we’d suggest starting by choosing one or two of the aforementioned locations. Whether you see a Green Monster, dine on team cuisine or cheer along with the rowdiest crowd around, you’re not likely to ever forget the experience.
