Welcome to part 2 of the Bucket List Series! This time I'm inspired by Spring Training and the upcoming MLB season, SO I decided to tell y'all my top 10 stadiums on my bucket list! If this is your first time reading my Bucket List Series you can click here to find part 1, My Bucket List of Sporting Events!
10. Marlin's Park - Miami Marlins - Marlin's Park makes #10 only because it is so obnoxious that I think all should see it. The big fish thing in the outfield.. what? I don't think it is the best stadium in the MLB and definitely not the best fan base, but it's a new stadium that just has a lot going on. I want to see it first hand. Plus you can probably get cheap tickets since they like never sell out.. 9. Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks - They have a swimming pool. Uh, yes please! You have to admit that is a unique feature for a baseball stadium. If I'm going to Arizona, I'm at least going to check out the price for a ticket in the pool area. Wouldn't you? 8. Nationals Park - Washington Nationals - I honestly don't have a specific, justifiable reason for Nationals Park being on my list.. I just think it's pretty! Plus I've always wanted to go to D.C., why not catch a game while I'm there?! 7. Yankee Stadium - New York Yankees - Well I really dropped the ball by not making it to the original Yankee Stadium before it closed, BUT the history and stories live on for me to enjoy! No matter how much you love or hate the Yankees, if you're a baseball fan, you probably have attending a Yankees game in New York on your list. 6. Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles - To be quite honest, I don't watch the American League all that much and Camden Yards wasn't an immediate ballpark that came to my mind. So why is it #6? Because any time I DO watch an Orioles game, or see pictures of Camden Yards it reminds me of how much I'd like to head to Baltimore and catch a game. I hear they serve crab cakes in the park too, which may or may not have made it move up a couple spots.. 5. AT&T Park - San Francisco Giants - I may not have liked it (still don't), but I grew up in the era of watching Barry Bonds hit homerun after homerun into McCovey Cove. It is, and will always be, an image that I associate with baseball. The stadium itself looks very nice with the brick wall in right field and being open to the Bay. I'm not a Giants fan, definitely not a Bonds fan, but AT&T park makes #5 on my bucket list of Stadiums. - Maybe I'll bring back the Hunter Pence signs if I get the chance to go! 4. Wrigley Field* - Chicago Cubs - Let me tell y'all a story - this past year I traveled with a group of students to Chicago on a networking trip. I decided (as the group leader) that we were going to a game at Wrigley. - I'd never been to Chicago in my 21 years of life and who knows when I'd be back right? - But before we left I had my mind made up that I would HATE Chicago. Let's be honest, if you are a St. Louis sports fan, Chicago sports fans aren't your favorite people (and yes, it goes both ways!). When you have your mind made up on something, it is REALLY hard to change it. BUT, I fell in love with Chicago and with Wrigley Field.
Wrigley remains on my bucket list because I can't wait to go back! I also got to experience it with friends, which was great, but I want to go with my family. Even though we are Cardinals fans I think that we would all enjoy Wrigley and it's a stadium I want to share with them, especially for a Cards vs Cubs game! Oh, and do a little day drinking.. :) 3. PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates - That. Bridge. You know the one. The Roberto Clemente Bridge outside of PNC Park. It makes the backdrop so incredibly beautiful! As a Cards fan I've watched plenty of baseball games on tv played at PNC and every time I say, "I want to watch a game in that stadium!" - As a bonus, David Freese would be there :)
Busch is special to this list because I've obviously been there before (just once or twice.. or way more than that..), but it is still a stadium I would choose over nearly all others any day of the week. I've watched playoff wins, heartbreak losses, and stayed until 2am due to a rain delay and every single time it's over I'm ready to go back again! So, it might not be a traditional bucket list item, but I'm leaving it here. Deal with it. ;P 1. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox - The history, the Green Monster, the accents. What else could you ask for?! Okay, there might be more that you could ask for, but Fenway is #1 on my bucket list of MLB Stadiums! I've always liked the Red Sox, probably because I really dislike the Yankees.. but historic stadiums are my favorite. Going to Wrigley this past year really made me realize how the new technology and designs look cool and are more functional, but you can't beat history and old ball parks. So, if I had an unlimited budget and a plane ticket to anywhere for a ball game, I would choose Boston. Bring all the Yankee haters, Sweet Caroline singers, and Big Papi worshipers on! Honorable Mentions: *Dodger Stadium - It is historic, but it is the Dodgers. I just can't. - Plus people don't show up until like the 3rd inning and leave in the 7th. I cannot respect a fan base or stadium that allows this to happen.. I don't care how bad traffic is. Watch the game! *Kauffman Stadium - I grew up going to this park fairly frequently.. when they were bad.. You couldn't beat $1 night AND fireworks on a Friday even if the product on the field wasn't something to brag about. However, Kauffman is a beautiful stadium and I do think everyone should visit it! The new renovations have made it even prettier! - S/O to whoever had the idea of the fountains! *SunTrust Park - The plans for it look beautiful! And I'd love to spend some time in Atlanta (soon!), so I'm keeping my eye on this one! What MLB Stadiums are on your bucket list?! Any that you think I'm crazy for including or not including?! Leave your feedback below!
If you liked this Bucket List Series post, check out the first post here!
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There will be new rule tested in some Minor League Baseball games this year. The Gulf Coast League and the Arizona League will be placing a runner on 2nd base to begin extra innings. In the article that Bleacher Report published (read it here), it seems it is heavily due to this being practiced in international competitions. The World Baseball Classic is currently playing with these rules in place. They do, however, mention that this could increase the pace of play, which is a hot topic in the baseball world these days. In response to all this, I have a few thoughts.. 1. Why is pace of play such a "problem" for everyone?! 2. Extra inning baseball is a gift, not a hindrance. 3. From past experience, this rule sucks. I realize this is just being tested at the MiLB level, but I have an issue with it in any level of baseball. Let's work backwards up this list.. Experience with this Rule..I played competitive softball for 12 years, obviously not at an MLB level, but I'm relating this subject to me anyways ;P -- If we were tied at the end of regulation we began extra innings with a runner on 2nd. Now, in softball, it was almost always followed by a bunt to get the runner to 3rd with one out and try and score her (and hopefully more) after the sacrifice. I, whole-heartedly, believe "small ball" will not be the approach taken in baseball with this rule. I don't like that, (more small ball please!!), but to each their own! This is not my main reason for disliking this rule though. As a pitcher, (yep, that was me), I hated this rule. It's already stressful because it is extra innings, but then you're gifted a runner in scoring position. Perfect. Wonderful. Awesome.. yeah those were never the thoughts running through my head! - Stress and pressure rise when a base runner gets on, and as they advance around the bases, for all positions on the field. Now, these guys are pros so they should know how to deal with this pressure and get the outs anyways, but on the flip side of this, they ARE professionals, why does the offense need to be gifted a runner on 2nd base. They get paid the big bucks, figure out a way to win the traditional way! From a selfish point of view, this messes with pitching stats and game plans. We all know pitchers who are lights out when no one is on base, but base runners can really get in their heads. I'm not making excuses for these guys, if they allow a base runner they need to deal with it, not let it bother them. However, if the runner is on second because of a new rule, not because they allowed him there, said pitcher may be more of a liability than a help to the team. This could cause coaches to completely take a pitcher out of consideration for extra innings. Again, it's the majors and they should get over this but Lester literally will not throw to a base and he's coming of a World Series win...the issue exists. Extra Innings are a Gift..I have literally never been at a ballgame and been upset because I had to stay for extra innings. Sure, if my team blew a lead I'd be upset, but I've never been upset because of the length of a game. I do not understand people who think this way. Some of the best playoff games in the last two or three years have been extra inning games. Cubs vs Indians this past year and Royals vs A's in 2014. Those are classics! Yep, I had to work or attend class early the next day, but I stayed up and I didn't want them to end. Extra inning baseball is a gift! Why would you want to shorten that?! Let it play out! - As a Cardinals fan, if the new rule had been adopted for Game 6 in 2011 I wouldn't have one of the best baseball moments of all time to look back on. I'm just not okay with that. If y'all need a refresher watch my favorite YouTube video literally ever here! "It's not fun to watch when you go through your whole pitching staff and wind up bringing an utility infielder in to pitch." - Joe Torre I beg to differ Mr. Torre. That is entertaining. I don't remember what season it was or even who all was on the teams, but I remember watching the Arizona Diamondbacks, when I was in elementary school, play one of the longest games I've ever seen. I remember this game because they were pulling players from all positions in to pitch. And the players loved it! They were all laughing and having a good time. Yeah it wasn't pretty baseball, but it was fun. I don't want every game to be like this by any means, but I don't think you need to rule out this completely. If it happens, it happens. Pace of Play "Problems"..Why do I feel like the only person in America who thinks that we should leave baseball alone? Baseball has been around for a LONG time, why is the pace of play suddenly this huge issue? Have you ever watched the last five minutes of a football game? Or a basketball game, specifically during March Madness? That's slow, and commercial infused.. Baseball is baseball, leave it be! You don't watch baseball to watch a fast-paced contact sport. If you are, then maybe you should research sports a little more. I just cannot agree that the pace of play is an issue that needs addressed. I just can't. If you disagree I'd love to hear your reasoning. If it ain't broke, don't fix it though and can anyone honestly provide proof that baseball is "broke"? Thoughts and opinions welcome! So, here's to hoping this test fails (like me taking a chemistry exam..) and we don't have to worry about it every being considered in the MLB.
Baseball has been played this way for years, why change it now? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the proposed rule and how you think testing in out in the Minor Leagues will go!
So, I've decided to do my own twist on the popular bucket list, sports edition! Throughout the series there will be different topics. For example this edition features Sporting Events. - What can I say, I was inspired by the Super Bowl ;) - Still brainstorming other topics, but I can tell you to be on the lookout for a few others: Sporting Venues Rivalry Games College Towns & More to come! For now, I hope y'all enjoy my bucket list of sporting events! Let's start with the obvious1. Super Bowl By now you all probably know that I prefer college football over the NFL, but every year for the past three or four years I've paid more and more attention to the NFL. The Super Bowl is just one of those unique events that, I think, most sports fans would agree is a dream event to attend. I guess the only down fall is that you miss Super Bowl commercials if you're actually in the stadium.. I think I could live with that though. 2. World Series Hello, if you don't know by now, I have an obsession with baseball and have been known to watch MLB playoff games during class, work, family dinners, or to skip stuff all together and watch the game instead.. Yeah, don't count on me being anywhere in October if my team is in the playoffs.. Anyways, the World Series, what a dream come true to be sitting in the stadium, game 7, bottom of the 9th, down a run, two outs. Sure you could see your team win or lose, but it would be LIVE! The environment inside a sporting venue cannot be topped by a family home, local bar, or following along on Twitter. To be in the seats for the World Series would just make the excitement of the MLB Playoffs that much sweeter. Side Note: If I could rewind time I'd spend all of my college tuition money on a ticket to Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. #Amazing #DavidFreeseIsStillMyHero 3. College Football Championship There are few things in this world I enjoy more than watching a college football game in a stadium. Add tailgating to that and it's REALLY hard for me to think of things that top it. - I've been a Mizzou fan through good and bad. Heck just the years I was a student at Mizzou were a roller coaster! 2012 = bad, 2013 & 2014 = SEC East Champs, 2015 = Painful, 2016 = Better? But still painful. With all things considered, I've been there to rush the field after beating A&M in 2013 and I've been there when we lost a heartbreaker to Georgia this year and an embarrassing loss to Middle Tennessee. Ya know what? I was right back at Faurot for the next home game either way! If that next game were a National Championship I can't even imagine the experience that would be! -- Now, I'm a realist and even though I have high hopes for my alma mater, I don't expect to be heading to the Natty to watch them in the next couple years. - As long as the National Championship I'm watching isn't Kansas vs Baylor or Tennessee vs Florida State, I'd still be ecstatic about being there! Now, the not so obvious.. (I think..)4. Summer Olympics Because they aren't a yearly occurrence, I think a lot of people want to attend the Olympics, but that's not my reason. The Olympics are so special because most of these athletes aren't going back to play one of the major American sports and most aren't coming back to million dollar yearly salaries. They've trained, sometimes, their entire lives for this one chance that may or may not ever happen again. Gymnasts are the ones that really stick out in my mind. One bad routine could ruin their Olympic hopes that they've trained 15+ years for. That's insane! - It's also telling to hear people like Keri Walsh-Jennings talk about her Olympic runs and what the Olympics mean to her. The passion and love for their sport is amazing. It's not just Team USA's stories that make me want to attend an Olympics, all countries have these stories and this passion. It would be really cool to see that live. 5. College GameDay Okay, okay y'all probably can tell how much I like College GameDay (and Sam Ponder), so it might not be that surprising.. but watch College GameDay and tell me that doesn't look like one of the most fun environments you've ever seen! I want to attend so bad! Unfortunately it never made it to Columbia, MO while I was here, but here's to hoping they'll make it to my graduate school during my two years with them! 6. ESPYs I used to think the ESPYs were just a night for elite athletes to continue to get praised (& hey I'm not dissing that because I praise athletes, no shame), so I didn't pay much attention to them. I could just watch SportsCenter every now and then and hear the same stuff right? Wrong. - There are athlete and team awards, yes, but the people they honor and award who have faced adversity and difficult times are what have drawn me to watch the ESPYs the last couple years. Sure it's a great place to see your favorite stars, but it would be really inspiring to see and hear the speeches after they honor people like Leah and Devon Stills, Stuart Scott, Craig Sager, and many more. 7. College World Series - Baseball We all know my love for baseball and when I remember it, I watch college baseball as much as I can. It's not the big names, but if you watch some of those names in college will be in the Big Leagues shortly (hey, hey Dansby Swanson!). Plus, it's another chance for that Cinderella to show up and win it all. What Coastal Carolina did last year was fun to watch! That left fielder became my favorite human for a couple days.. - I've heard Omaha is a great place to be during the CWS, so I'd like to experience it at least once! 8. College World Series - Softball As for softball, well I played softball for 12 years, it had, has, and will always have a special place in my heart. As much as I love baseball, I like watching college softball more. It's so fast paced, amazing defense, dominate pitching. Ah, I'm getting excited for the season to start just talking about it! The CWS has the best of the best and it seems like every May, every game played at the CWS is a good game. I watch as much as I can on tv, but I'd love to just head down to Ofor the week. Maybe some day! 9. Either Olympic Gymnastics Trials or College Gymnastics Championships Gymnasts are amazing, end of story. The athleticism and strength they have is unreal. I can just watch an entire meet and be in awe. Some may not agree, but I think watching a full day of championship gymnastics is something I want to do (at least) once in my life. 10. MLB All-Star Game.. & Home-Run Derby.. & Celebrity All-Star Game.. The MLB has a good thing going with the All-Star Game, and I pray it stays good with the, now non-existing, home field advantage rule. People actually get excited for All-Star Weekend, fans and players! The events are a great chance to see the best against the best and to see players take the game a little less seriously than they do during the regular season. I love watching the Homerun Derby and see all the players with their kids hanging out, it's a side of those guys you don't see a lot. Unfortunately I didn't make it to All-Star Festivities in St. Louis OR Kansas City so I guess I'll be traveling to a new part of the country to partake in these events! Is your bucket list of sporting events the same? What ones would you add?
Leave the comments below, I'd love to hear from y'all! |
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