Sam Lynn Ballpark is best known for the fact it was built facing west, so that the sun sets directly in center field, creating a hazard for the batters. The team erected a 120 foot high wall in center and planted large trees behind the entire outfield fence. In the past, games were halted when […]
Tag Archives | california
Evans Diamond / Cal Golden Bears
Evans Diamond opened in 1933 and is named after Clint Evans, baseball coach from 1930 to 1954. In 2006 the park was enhanced with the addition of the Carl J. Van Heuit Training Facility, which houses weight and training equipment. Also added were the Jeff Kent batting cages and the Stuart Gordon indoor and outdoor […]
Petco Park / San Diego Padres
Petco Park is large scale in a number of ways. Padres sluggers are not especially enamored with the ballpark’s dimensions, especially when they glance at the extreme power allies. While straightaway center is a reachable 396 feet, the power allies extend to 402 in left and a whopping 411 in right. These are especially challenging […]
Raley Field / Sacramento River Cats
Raley Field isn’t really a downtown ballpark, being 15 minutes away and across the river from downtown Sacramento. It’s definitely not a suburban ballpark, located in a disused warehouse/industrial area. Let’s just say it’s an urban ballpark and leave it at that — besides proclaiming Raley Field a great ballpark. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 2000 […]
Banner Island Ballpark / Stockton Ports
Banner Island Ballpark is the centerpiece of Stockton’s urban revitalization, a lovely waterfront ballpark that serves well as home to Single-A baseball. The ballpark design is basic: a single level of seating with a concourse wrapping the entire ballpark. Though the effect comes off a little sparse — the 4,200 fixed seats are between the […]
Chukchansi Park / Fresno Grizzlies
Chukchansi Park is a very attractive ballpark, and an excellent place to watch baseball. The park itself is a light sand color, with dark-green steel decking and seats. The lower deck extends from the foul pole in left and wraps around the foul pole in right. The best feature is the second deck, which starts […]
Angel Stadium / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
There was a lot made about the Disneyfication of Angel Stadium in 1998, when then-Angels owner Disney Corp. hired Populous and cutting-edge architect Robert A.M. Stern to remodel the aging facility. Though hailed as a success — the former mixed-use facility was finally reconfigured to a baseball-only venue — one thing is crystal-clear now that […]