“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

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By Bobby Ross Jr.

Hey baseball fans, how cool would this be?

Sports on Earth senior writer Will Leitch has devised the “ultimate baseball trip.”

https://twitter.com/williamfleitch/status/575367701763350528

Leitch writes:

Every fan dreams of this. We look at Spring Training now, and we know the season is coming. It would only be appropriate that once baseball truly begins again, we celebrate with the ultimate indulgent celebrations. Imagine it: 30 stadiums in (roughly) 30 days. What a way to live! People would write novels about you.

Sounds terrific, but I must take issue with one point: I’d write my own novel.

Continue reading “Best month of baseball ever: hit all 30 MLB ballparks in roughly 30 days”

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

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By Bobby Ross Jr.

I won’t bury the lede or attempt to keep you in suspense.

This is a no-brainer really: The legendary Wrigley Field — home of the Chicago Cubs — ranks No. 1 on my bucket list of a dozen major-league ballparks I’ve yet to experience.

The 101-year-old Wrigley — known for its ivy-covered outfield walls — was built in 1914 and ranks as MLB’s second-oldest ballpark after Boston’s Fenway Park.

In 2006, my family and I actually visited the outside of Wrigley and posed for a photo under the famous red sign. But the Cubs were out of town, and we did not get to see an actual game.

My full bucket list:

Continue reading “Which ballpark is No. 1 on my bucket list? Hint: It has ivy-covered outfield walls”

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

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By Bobby Ross Jr.

I’m a simple man when it comes to ballpark hot dogs.

I like my all-beef footlong on a bun with just a little squirt of ketchup, preferably Heinz.

Tulsa, Okla., resident Tom Lohr — who dubs his website “Blog About A Dog” — has a much more discriminating taste.

Last year, Lohr traveled to all 30 major-league stadiums and judged the franks based on bun, taste, toppings, price, portability and “it factor.”

Continue reading “Fenway Frank? Dodger Dog? Rangers Boomstick? In search of MLB’s best hot dog …”

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

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Note from Bobby: I know you’ll enjoy this exceptional guest post from my son Brady, a 2014 preaching ministry graduate of Oklahoma Christian University and a lifelong fan of the Texas Rangers. 

By Brady Ross

Most baseball fans vividly remember their first major-league game. For many baseball fans, it was the day they fell in love with the game. They can still recall the first time they saw the freshly cut green grass, and the first time they heard the crack of a bat or the pop of a glove resound throughout the entire stadium. They may not remember the final score, but they can certainly remember who was playing.

I can’t.

I can’t remember my first game. I can’t remember who was playing. I can’t remember the first time I sat in the sun for three hours, yelling my favorite player’s name, singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch while I ate a hog dog for which I paid a few dollars too much.

However, I don’t resent this. In fact, I consider myself fortunate. Because for me, baseball was always a part of life.

I attended my first major-league game before my first birthday. I’ve heard the story repeatedly over the years: I didn’t make it through the national anthem before the tears started. I spent the rest of that day in the hospitality room at The Ballpark in Arlington, which had opened earlier that year. While I was there, Nolan Ryan happened to walk through the room. It was my first encounter with baseball greatness, and I only wish I could remember it!

Continue reading “‘In reality, baseball is a silly game’ — why one super-fan loves it anyway”

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

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By Bobby Ross Jr.

The best ballpark in America? I reveal it below.

Twelve major-league stadiums remain on my bucket list, including the legendary Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

But I’ve been blessed to experience games at 18 current MLB ballparks.

Last week, I shared my “bench players.” And now, here are my “starting nine” (my favorite ballparks from No. 9 to No. 1):

Continue reading “America’s best ballparks: Ranking the top stadiums in the major leagues (part 2)”

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

• • •

By Bobby Ross Jr.

Twelve major-league stadiums remain on my bucket list, including the legendary Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

But I’ve been blessed to experience games at the remaining 18 MLB ballparks, and I’m going to rank them from bottom to top. (Below my rankings, I’ll share “top five” lists from other fans who responded to a query I made on Twitter.)

This week, I present my “bench players” (my favorite ballparks from No. 18 through No. 10):

Continue reading “America’s best ballparks: Ranking the top stadiums in the major leagues (part 1)”

“Take me out to the ball game” is my blog on major-league ballparks and the wonders of witnessing America’s favorite pastime up close.

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By Bobby Ross Jr.

Easton Moore, now 18, was just 2 years old when his father, Bobby Moore, started taking him to major-league baseball games.

They first saw their hometown Texas Rangers at what is now Globe Life Park in Arlington in 1998. Later, when Bobby Moore had to make a business trip to Houston, he introduced his son to the Astrodome — home of the Astros from 1965 to 1999.

Thus was born a tradition — and a home run of an idea.

Continue reading “A father and son enjoy baseball, make memories in 29 major-league cities”