My Magic Ballpark Ranking Formula

Before posting my overall ballpark rankings and reviews on individual ballparks, I want to explain how I arrive at my numerical evaluation of each ballpark. Far from being a sabermetrician, I do sometimes like to make up convoluted formulas to try to quantify subjective data. All ballparks are judged against each other in the 13 following categories:

  1. EXTERIOR: the look of the ballpark’s facade
  2. INTERIOR: the look of the ballpark inside, particularly as it looks in the seating bowl area
  3. HISTORY: how each team celebrates championships, hall of famers, retired numbers, etc.
  4. CONCOURSE (AESTHETICS): the look of concession areas
  5. NEIGHBORHOOD: considers the safety of the surrounding area and if there other things to do before and after the game
  6. ATMOSPHERE: how exciting is it to watch a game in the ballpark
  7. CONCOURSE (NAVIGATION): how easy can you find your way around and how much room do you have to do so
  8. FOOD: the quality and variety of the food offerings
  9. GETTING THERE: the parking availability, how close are hotels for walking, is there mass transit
  10. VIEW: from inside the ballpark, what can you see looking out
  11. MERCHANDISE: critique of the souvenir shops
  12. FANS: how polite, welcoming, behaved is the fanbase
  13. VALUE: the yearly fan cost index for the ballpark as measured by Team Marketing Report

Depending on how many ballparks I have seen to that point, the most possible points available for each category changes. For instance, I’ve seen 10 of the 30 MLB ballparks, so the most possible points to be earned in a category currently is 10 for 1st place, 9 for 2nd place, etc.

Beyond that, the points earned in the categories of exterior, interior, history, and concourse (aesthetics) are worth triple. These points are worth more to put more emphasis on the physical being of a ballpark.

Points earned in the categories of neighborhood, atmosphere, concourse (navigation), food, and getting there are weighed double. These are categories that enhance a ballpark, but aren’t as important as the physical structure of the ballpark.

Finally, the points accrued in view, merchandise, fans, and value aren’t weighted. While these categories are important in judging a ballpark, if you’re trying to visit all 30, you’ll go regardless of the value for instance.

In the event 2 ballparks have the same amount of points, the total points earned from exterior, interior, history, and concourse (aesthetics) serves as the tiebreaker.

A sample application of the formula for Oriole Park at Camden Yards would be:
(7×3)+(5×3)+(7×3)+(3×3)+(8×2)+(5×2)+(9×2)+(3×2)+(7×2)+4+3+1+8 = 146 points

Stay tuned for my current ballpark rankings!

Play Ball!

Step right up and enter through the turnstiles of the web’s newest blog on the ballparks of baseball!

In April 2010, my wife and I started the journey of visiting every ballpark in Major League Baseball. In the planning of each of our trips, I’ve turned to the internet and travel guides to gather ballpark information. Some of the resources found have been spectacular, some ok, and some have been frustratingly awful. My hope is to provide a resource that gives a baseball fan information that is enjoyable and helps enhance their ballpark experience.

Much of this info will be subjective: What I find important in a trip to the ballpark may not be what you find important in a trip to a ballpark. My #3 ranked ballpark may be your #1. Nonetheless, if you’re an experienced Ballpark Chaser or haven’t even considered traveling to any place but your home ballpark, hopefully some of my info and opinions pique your ballpark interest.

Beyond sharing my overall ballpark rankings and critiques, from time to time I will probably post critiques on other ballpark resources available, my beloved Orioles, and the design of team logos and uniforms.

I hope you enjoy!

-Will