What I’ve learned from other ballparks

On a personal tour, Chrystal noticed just how much some owners care — or don’t

Last week I spent my time in three ballparks, as I attempt to see all 30. Two were very well-taken care of, and one has been left to rot. I carefully inspected each ballpark — everything from the variety of the food down to the structural integrity. One thing always sticks out when visiting a new ballpark — how much the owners care.

I’ll start with the San Francisco Giants, and Oracle Park.

Chrystal O’Keefe

With views of the Bay and an easy-to-reach location, Oracle Park seemed to fit the mold or perhaps even created the mold that ballparks adhere to. The park was clean and quickly handled the massive lines at the gate, even on a nice weekend and giveaway day. Oracle Park is also well known for having the iconic Coke bottle and baseball mitt slides and plenty of safe and fenced-in areas for young kids to play.

Another big highlight for me was the variety of food available. I can’t have any products with gluten and have to be very careful with any sort of cross-contamination, and sometimes that even means asking if fries are cooked in a separate fryer as opposed to something like breaded chicken tenders. There was one entirely gluten-free place, with ballpark favorites such as hot dogs, sausages, beer, and delicious pizza. It allowed me to feel like I wasn’t missing out on the traditional ballpark experience. Oracle Park also had plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans.

Now, I will NEVER say any billionaire is ethical, so don’t take this as any form of praise. Do I think Giants CEO Larry Baer is a good person? No, not really. But does Baer care about the fan experience and team? Yes, and it’s very clear when you take in a game at Oracle Park.

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During this week-long baseball-centric vacation, I made my way to T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Tucked in an unsuspecting part of town by the interstate, the ballpark sits nestled next to Lumen Field, home to Seattle’s NFL team, the Seahawks. Seattle is known for its vibrancy and eclectic style. Stepping into that park, especially in the evening, drove that description home. Both T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field came to life at night with bright colors — neon green for the Seahawks, and T-Mobile’s branded neon pink.

Chrystal O’Keefe

The game I attended was another giveaway night, this time for a T-Mobile Park exclusive Funko Pop of catcher Cal Raleigh. The collectible certainly drew a large crowd, but the lines seemed quick and most of the waiting area was shaded. The park itself was easy to get around. We opted for seats in the third tier, right behind home plate. As you can see from the picture above, the views were stunning.

Like Oracle Park, the food options were vast, and there was technically a place to grab a gluten-free option, but no one goes to a ballpark and orders a salad. One really neat thing that was offered was fountain machines around the concourse. For free refills, you just needed to purchase (or bring in) a cup. I saw people filling their 30 oz Stanley cups with soft drinks. I opted for a reasonably priced Mariners cup that was less than $10.

This, of the three ballparks I visited, was my favorite. It was beautiful and nicely constructed. While Mariners fans don’t necessarily love their ownership, it seems like John Stanton at least wants fans to enjoy themselves at games.

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Then, there was the main purpose of this trip and the first park we saw: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, home to the Oakland Athletics until the end of the season.

Chrystal O’Keefe

Hear me out — I get why fans find this place special. It has plenty of charm and history attached to it. Is it a baseball diamond set inside a former football field? Yes. Is it so small and jarring that it looks like a minor league park? Also yes. But the inside is full of A’s history, and fans who have committed to this team through the good and bad. I honestly really liked catching a game there.

Speaking of football, here is the front lot where fans often tailgate.

Chrystal O’Keefe

So many things were closed off, limiting food options. They did have bottled Vanilla Coke, which was wild, but that doesn’t save this place. I felt so disappointed by the A’s ownership and understand why they’re asking for John Fisher to sell the team and stay away from Las Vegas.

While leaving the park I noticed office chairs, ice cream freezers, and other items that were once inside sitting along the fence, again in the main parking lot. Fisher clearly doesn’t care about this team, ballpark, or fans. Leaving the Coliseum to rot is frustrating for everyone involved.

To stand with A’s fans, I ordered the infamous “Sell” shirt to wear to the game.

Chrystal O’Keefe

Unfortunately, the shirts aren’t well-received by the front office, so Stomper had to cover the word in the picture I got with him.

Chrystal O’Keefe

White Sox fans are familiar with terrible ownership, especially after their hottest offseason acquisition might be the campfire milkshake. Guaranteed Rate might not be in disrepair, but that doesn’t make Jerry Reinsdorf a saint. Just like Fisher in Oakland, Reinsdorf is still a persona non grata.

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