Just a short 6 hours from us but a ballpark we still hadn't visited. We were supposed to go as a family in 2022 (even had the tickets and pre-game batting practice tickets purchased) but had to cancel due to the kids' schedules. This year the Royals gave us a ticket deal for voting for the all-star game and it was Bo Jackson bobblehead giveaway night so we went. The stadium was great! So Many Food Options! We had the famous Brisket-Achos (which are served in a helmet too!) which lived up to the hype and were filling (we were so full). The scoreboard was stunning. It was clear and the usage was great in that it had multiple bits of information about the players and the game. Our seats ended up being amazing. We thought that the 200 level (like in other ballparks) meant a 2nd level but at Kauffman it really just means the back half of the lower mezzanine. For just a few bucks we had an amazing view of the field and went home with our bobbleheads.

Before heading over to Kauffman we made a point to stop at the Negro League Museum. It also lived up to the hype. The story told of the league, the segregation/discrimination, the players and even the divisions within itself were fascinating and make me want to learn more. It is another case where the more I learn I realize the less I know but I want to know more. There were so many artifacts and memorabilia and ending with life-sized statues of a full baseball team was such a great idea. I felt selfish and wanted everyone else to go home so I could just bask in these statues for hours. Hard to describe a feeling as complex as the love of the game and the yearning to know more/be there/etc. It's a highly recommended stop for all fans of baseball!!

Andrew McCutchen returned to the Pirates on a 1-year deal and since we had not made it to PNC yet we decided we had to go. The winning weekend coincided with my wife Jennifer's birthday. We were only going to go on Saturday (the day after) but because of the forecasted rain we bought tickets for Friday night. SO GLAD WE DID. We got a homerun from Cutch (who finished 3-for-5), a huge rally and a walk-off homerun from Carlos Santana. We also went home with bucket hats and Hawaiian shirts. Add on the amazing riverwalk with all of its statues and sights as well as the iconic view of the skyline and I really don't know how you can beat it!!

We were able to attend the first ever Jackson Rockabillys game. Singer LOLO (Lauren Pritchard from Jackson) sang the National Anthem. Patrick Larson was driven to home plate in a limo (with LOLO and the mayor of Jackson). (Also check out the address: "4 Fun Place" 🙂

As part of a SABR event (a joint gathering between the St Louis/Bob Broeg chapter and the Central Illinois chapter) we went to this museum for the first time. It was stunning how many unique artifacts are in this museum in such a small town in southern Illinois. I highly recommend to anyone to stop (or contact the museum to arrange a tour) because you will not be disappointed!

Nice ballpark within walking distance of several hotels. Everyone (especially our usher) was incredibly friendly. The food was good but there were no unique items on the menu. They did have souvenir popcorn buckets and multiple glasses. There were so many cool looking items in the gift shop it was difficult keeping to only a few. The stadium had a WIDE concourse with plenty of room to move around as well as the ability to walk all the way around (360 concourse). There were unique seating areas (the seats in the home run porch are worth it even if you don't get a home run ball). And don't forget the museum! It's inside the ballpark and it's FREE. There were several photo ops as well as historical tidbits about the players and stadiums that have been in the area.

We missed an opportunity to go to this park in 2022 (it was 100 degrees) and now I wish we would have gone. The park needs multiple visits! First, the outside looks like you are in New England at tudor-style apartments with a baseball statue in front. Once you walk through the gates and turn to the side you get to see a ballpark. There is a lazy river in the outfield (this feels more like a gimmick to me but go right ahead, to each his own). There were SO MANY different food options we could not try them all in a single visit!! Multiple drink options including a bar down the left field line and their own signature beer (which was very good!). Hannah tried the hot dog topped with mac-n-cheese among other things and we tried one of the specialty nachos. We will definitely come back again!!

Memphis Redbirds AAA Affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals. We were on our way to Texas to see our daughter and decided to stop over in Memphis to catch a game. BP Hoodie giveaway. Nice ballpark! Terrible parking! The pulled pork nachos were AMAZING!

Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association. Made our first visit here to see Game 2 of the Championship of the AA (against Fargo-Moorhead). Great stadium with great seats. So Much Fun! VERY nice stadium! Cannot wait to go back

This is a different field that has a walkway in front and behind the stairs/concession/bathroom area. It has an older stadium feel and is quite small (only 7 rows in the lower deck). There were quite a bit of in-game entertainment including some new games (they shot white castles off of the roof and a guy had to catch them) but wow the concessions were awful (the worst concessions we have ever had at a ballgame). Overall it still was a fun day and we will go back (we'll just eat before or tailgate).

MiLB at the Field of Dreams in 2022. First ever minor league game on the field constructed in the corn behind center field of the movie site. It featured the QuadCities River Bandits (playing as the Davenport Blue Sox) beating the Cedar Rapids Kernels (playing as the Bunnies) 7-2.

Our first Northwoods League game at the Historic Simmons Field. It was bobblehead day too! It was ridiculously cheap ($20 and we got a brat, cheese curds and a beer included). There was lots of entertainment and in-game fun. So many open stands and helpful workers (I swear more than a lot of affiliated games that we have attended). The venue is rather small ("intimate") with very little netting but we didn't mind.

Technically our 2nd trip to Impact Field and still not a Dogs game! We went on Sunday December 5th 2021 to the Christmas Amaze Festival Christmas lights that were set up on the field. We went the 2nd time July 12 for the American Association all-star game. A GREAT night with an exciting game at a wonderful venue!

Historic Robin Roberts stadium is the 3rd oldest stadium in use (behind Fenway and Wrigley) and has seen a LOT of baseball (and famous people including Joe Dimaggio and Satchel Paige) over the years. Went here for the first time with the Central Illinois chapter of SABR. There was a lot of construction and the neighborhood was run down but once inside it was a very nice experience. We got a tour and went in the dugout and on the field. Our seats were right behind home. The food was ok and the beer was good. Bonus was Dwyer Brown from Field of Dreams signing autographs and throwing out the first pitch.

Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League) Sunday afternoon game (dog day!). Nice stadium with convenient and free parking. The food was top notch and the Ben's pretzel was the best pretzel we've ever had. Definitely took us too long to get here but it won't be long before we go back.

This was quite an amazing park. From the parking lot it looked like a huge (block+) all-brick structure. When we went through the doors to get in line we discovered that there was an area inside the outer wall but 'outside' the ballpark where they could have pre-game groups and you could line up out of the elements. There was a special entrance for our section which was a great bonus because it was replica stadium (of the old 'cardinal stadium') giveaway day and we ended up first in line (2 different groups in front of us left the line). There was a statue of Pee Wee Reese outside of the entrance. The views were amazing (bridges, highways, etc) and the food was good. We even got to meet the locally-famous cookie lady who was honored with a bobblehead a few years ago.

This was a little slice of baseball heaven. For a VERY affordable price we got to sit in the club level (200s) and it included the stadium club. The seats were padded and covered with an overhang. The stadium club had amazing food and drink options and we had a waitress for the entire night. Everyone was so wonderful. I wore a '1st game' button they handed out and despite being a middle-aged man, everyone kept thanking me for coming to the ballpark. On top of everything parking was free and the weather was perfect. We are still talking about how we could do that every single day.

Nashville Sounds stadium was built on the site of the Sulphur Dell ballpark. There were several places that had historic markings (including home plate) from Sulphur Dell. The stadium was nice with full 360-walk-around option. Big guitar scoreboard and it was well utilized (the neck was the line score). Parking was convenient. Padded seats in the upper deck. Stadium club was included (food was good just nothing stood out).

This stadium had such an elegant feel especially for a college ballpark. Plenty of shade and covered walkways with a beautiful design. Very impressive. We had the bonus of it being the home opener for Greeneville and we got to witness the sudden-death extra half-inning that the Appalachian League is using this year (runner on first and if you score you win but if you don't you lose). It was fun and very exciting.

Tennessee Smokies stadium was beautiful with so many delicious food options. The drinks were good and everyone was so nice. Made this visit before they leave for a new stadium (in 2024?) but hard to believe because it was so nice. Bonus was a Cubs-Sox (affiliate) matchup.

Florence Y'alls (Frontier League) very nice stadium. Good food and drink. Very friendly people. We got to see a post-game concert as well. Bonus was the hotel just past the parking lot so we didn't have to drive anywhere after the game.

On our way back from Texas we stayed right on the Arkansas river-front (the hotel parking lot was behind the scoreboard) and attended an Arkansas Travelers vs Northwest Arkansas Naturals game. Nice stadium. Good food. Good beer. Great seats.

Opening night for the Railroaders vs Fargo-Moorehead Redhawks. This place was awesome. There's a train out front AND inside!! First time I can recall seeing a drone in use around the stadium (pregame we saw drones in two different places). We also got to meet Anna (the creator of this wonderful website and corresponding podcast) and then talk her ear off. There were postgame fireworks. A very fun night. Railroaders lost 7-1.

"New" Globe Life. We were shocked that they were building a new stadium because 'old' Globe Life was so nice and then when we walked in we were blown away. They definitely made a stunning ballpark. I honestly can't wait to go back (and seriously tried to figure out how to squeeze it in on this trip). Syndergaard was pitching for the Angels and didn't make it out of the first. Rangers won 7-4 (en route to a sweep that week).

Springfield Cardinals (AA) visit on our way to Dallas to visit Hannah. AMAZING nachos and very nice ballpark. We also got an extra inning Cardinals win.

Went to opening night at the new ballpark Aug 3 2021 (as well as the final night at Pohlman Field).

Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp - 07/17/2021 - Free (there are no tickets) and an open field that you had to use tokens to buy stuff. Very different and still fun

Dayton Dragons - June 13, 2021 - Hotel was across the street!

Went in 2020 and watched Star Wars IV on the big screen. As 'owners' we went twice in 2021 and got a picnic (a bobblehead) and it was Lego day - Sept 4 & 5, 2021

Indianapolis Indians - Superhero day and got a Hulk bobblehead - August 3, 2019 - Also walked into ComicCon without a ticket while looking for a bathroom

Burlington Bees - July 14 2019 - It was Baby Shark day (fortunately for us they didn't play it that much although a lot of kids were disappointed). At the time they were still affiliated (with the Angels) and we learned that very briefly in their history they were a White Sox affiliate and Darryl Boston won a league championship there.

Went and it was beautiful (looked just like in the Rookie) and then they stopped using it for baseball (it's still there but used for other events). It was incredibly hot the night that we went. The game didn't start until 8:00 (the only scheduled 8:00 game we have ever attended). Rangers beat White Sox 6-5 (Lance Lynn got the win for the Rangers) but we still got a Pudge Rodriguez bobblehead

Tulsa Drillers - June 20, 2019 - Caught a game on our way down to Texas for Globe Life - It was also bobblehead day

Lexington Legends - June 1, 2019 - Took the drive down from a very rainy Cincinnati (rain was headed north into Ohio so we went south into Kentucky). A fun day with great seats. Definitely an older ballpark but still had a lot of charm and good food and beer.

Quad-Cities River Bandits - 05/25/2019 - This is an outstanding ballpark that deserves all the accolades it receives. A ferris wheel in the outfield for the kids among other things. Good food. Good beer. Good parking. Great views.

Went with Owen during his trip to, and performance at, Disney World - 03/28/2019 AND it was opening day. Unfortunately defending Cy Young champ Blake Snell would get rocked and lose to the cheating Astros (Verlander pitched very well).

South Bend Cubs - July 15 2018 as a family. Went on Father's Day (June 19 2016) with Riley and saw Eloy Jimenez before he got traded (and got cooked in the sun) and had a catch in the field pre-game.

Made the trip before they tore it down - 06/11/2016 - They played the Cubs and it was Ferris Bueller night. Cubs won. It was hot but fun. Ball park was very nice and it just seemed crazy to us that they were tearing it down. The parking was bad (we ended up in a gravel lot after being turned away at several).

Clinton Lumberkings 06/20/2015 - Went here a couple times. There are some very good seats (we sat second row behind 3rd once and just to the side of home plate once). They also have a cool beer tapper that fills your glass from the bottom.

Detroit Tigers vs White Sox 07/30/2014. Final stop on our way back from Cooperstown. White Sox lose this game but win the series. Had a rain delay before the game started. Kid Rock and Jeff Daniels were both in attendance that night (although we didn't actually see either) with Kid Rock sitting in the crowd

Part of our road trip to the Hall of Fame. We were there just before they unveiled the Jim Thome statue (they had it covered with plywood). We enjoyed the ballpark and Cleveland (found good pizza, liked the Rock N Roll HOF, took pix at the Christmas Story house but were disappointed the 'free stamp' was being repaired) and look forward to going back. Mariners beat the Indians 5-2 with Trevor Bauer taking the loss

Baseball Hall of Fame 2014 Induction Weekend - Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, Joe Torre

Beloit Snappers - Started going in 2013 and attended the final game July 18, 2021 (where we got infield dirt)

Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome. Went several times when we were young(er) and brought the kids during the final season. 09/13/2009 was the final time that we went and the first for the kids (and Uncle Allen).

Actually made it there the first time 08/15/2003 (with Bob & Jeanette) and have returned many times

We're on a mission from God

Old and New

Old and New

Busch II and III

Joliet Slammers/Jackhammers

Normal Cornbelters and KCL (Kernels Collegiate League) - In 2021 Tiered Real Estate sponsored all pitching changes (when it's time for a change... in address... contact Tiered Real Estate)

Kane County Cougars - Saw Randy Johnson and got his bobblehead there among other things...

Peoria Chiefs