Top 10 - Major League Ballparks

It's time for another Top 10 list - my 10 favorite MLB ballparks. Once again, I haven't visited every MLB; in fact I haven't quite hit half of them, so I reserve the right to edit this list as I visit new ones in the future. With that said, here are my top ten current MLB stadiums:

10. Petco Park - San Diego, CA - Petco Park is the home of the San Diego Padres. It opened in 2004, and seats 40,162. Its most unique feature is the outfield - which is made to feel as if you are outside of the stadium. In left field, the park is adjacent to the Western Metal Supply Company, a 100-year old building that was scheduled for demolition, but incorporated into the design for the park. It was renovated and includes a team store, a restaurant, private suites, and rooftop seating. In right-center field is the "Park at the Park" - a grassy hill where fans can lay out a blanket and sit on the grass to watch the game while their kids play on the playground. It also has a statue honoring Tony Gwynn - the all-time greatest Padre.

9. Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA - Dodger Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It opened in 1962, and seats 56,000 - the largest capacity of any MLB ballpark. Its most unique feature is the wavy roof atop the twin set of outfield pavilions. Also of note is the THINK BLUE sign (reminiscent of the HOLLYWOOD sign) erected on the hills outside the stadium.

Dodger Stadium

8. Chase Field (AKA - Bank One Ballpark) - Phoenix, AZ - Chase Field is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. It opened in 1998, and seats 48,519. Its most unique feature is the swimming pool sitting in the right field stands. Guests can reserve the pool for parties during the game. It was also the first stadium built with a retractable roof.

7. Angel Stadium of Anaheim (AKA - The Big A) - Anaheim, CA - Angel Stadium  is the home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It opened in 1964, and seats 43,250. Its most unique feature is the Disneyesque rock pile waterfall in the outfield. Fireworks explode from the rock pile after every Angel home run and victory. Also, the parking lot hosts a "Big A" which stand 230 feet tall and is topped by a halo which it lit after every Angel victory (whether at home or on the road) to let fans driving along the freeway know the good news.

6. Kauffman Stadium (AKA Royals Stadium) - Kansas City, MO - Kauffman Stadium is the home of the Kansas City Royals. It opened in 1973, and seats 37,903. Its most unique feature is the waterfall display (known as the Water Spectacular) behind the right field fence. The 322 foot display is the largest privately funded fountain in the world. The fountains are on display in between innings as well as before and after games.

5. Coors Field - Denver, CO - Coors Field is the home of the Colorado Rockies. It opened in 1995, and seats 50,398. Its most unique feature is the Rocky Mountain style landscaping beyond center field - including a waterfall, pine trees, and fountains that shoot in the air when the Rockies hit a home run. Also, Row 20 in the upper deck is purple (instead of forest green) to mark the mile high elevation level.

Coors Field

4. Wrigley Field - Chicago, IL - Wrigley field is the home of the Chicago Cubs. It opened in 1914, and seats 41,160. Its most unique feature is the ivy-covered walls in the outfield. A chain-link fence (known as the "Basket") runs along the top of the wall, jutting out at an angle to keep fans from falling onto the field. Also of note are the neighboring rooftops, where enterprising owners have erected seats which they sell to fans.

3. Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore, MD - Camden Yards is the home of the Baltimore Orioles. It opened in 1992, and seats 48,876. Its most unique feature is the B&O Warehouse that runs along the right field pavilion. During Cal Ripken's chase of Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak, large numbers posted on the warehouse wall kept track of each game played, dropping a new digit after the fifth inning of each game. Also of note are the bronze statues of six Oriole greats whose numbers have been retired by the club.

Camden Yards

2. AT&T Park - San Francisco, CA - AT&T Park is home to the San Francisco Giants. It opened in 2000 and seats 41,915. Located in the South Beach section of San Francisco, its most unique feature is McCovey Cove. Set right on the ocean front, with a tiny right field section, home runs hit to right field often leave the stadium and land in the Cove - named after superstar Giant Willie McCovey. Kayakers will often park their kayaks in the Cove during baseball games and chase down these prized souvenirs. Most seats in the park offer a beautiful view of the ocean beyond the park.

AT&T Park

1. Fenway Park - Boston, MA - Fenway Park is the home of the Boston Red Sox. It opened in 1912, and seats 37,673. Its most unique feature is the large, 37 foot tall, green left field wall (known as the Green Monster) and its hand-operated scoreboard.