MLB stadium fan survey results: How our readers rated baseball’s best parks (2024)

You love the roof, hate the food and don’t think it’s too much to ask for a clean bathroom.

Welcome to The Athletic’s first MLB stadium fan survey!

We had nearly 9,000 responses to our survey about the 29 big league ballparks on a variety of criteria, which readers rated on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good). We then tabulated the overall scores to determine the ranking. Note: We left Texas’ new Globe Life Field out because, well, no one has watched a single game there yet. Hey Rangers fans, we’ll get you next year. We promise.

Just for kicks, we added this question: If you could adopt any other park as your local stadium, which would you choose?

While the ballpark ratings were pretty tight in general, this one wasn’t: It was PNC Park in Pittsburgh by a landslide (1,682 votes), followed by Wrigley Field (924), Oriole Park at Camden Yards (921), Oracle Park (843) and Fenway Park (840). Because you’ll ask, the Rogers Centre in Toronto finished last with 13 votes.

The comments in the survey provided some fun and interesting insights — some of which are unprintable, but nonetheless humorous.

How did your home ballpark do?

Make no mistake, people are passionate about their home ballparks — even if they wish it was a pile of rubble.

“It’s a sh*thole, but it’s our sh*thole,” one reader responded.

So let’s shake off the haze of the holiday weekend and settle in for a fun tour around MLB and its different ballparks.

1. Oracle Park, San Franciso Giants: 4.79/5 (453 ballots)

Doesn’t this make sense on a visceral level? Don’t think about it — just imagine the best baseball park on Earth. Maybe the simplest explanation for how Oracle ended up wearing the belt: It wasn’t tops in any of our five categories. It’s just ultra-elite across the board. There are no real weak spots; only strengths. About 150 of its 453 ballots cited the view of the Bay as their favorite element, but the bench ran deep. More than 60 singled out McCovey Cove. Ten mentioned the glove sculpture. Ten more mentioned the co*ke bottle. People love the garlic fries, and the crab sandwiches, and the fact that you can take a lap around the concourse without missing a pitch.

Even the cons are pros: “The Ghirardelli stand. Nothing better than wearing your winter coat, still freezing in the upper deck, and eating a sundae.” Drawbacks: once you get past the cost, which is an entirely different discussion — they were hard to come by, aside from some pure, self-aware nit-picking. “Removal of pitchers mounds from foul territory was overdue … so next would be beer flowing from water fountains.”

One voter summed it up best: “The view from the upper deck behind home plate is the best view in baseball. The huge brick arcade is gorgeous, and you can hit a home run into the f*cking ocean.” — Sean Gentille

2. Petco Park, San Diego Padres: 4.71/5 (206 ballots)

The pride Padres fans have in their park is clear. Petco was tops in two categories: overall quality and stadium amenities. Voters love their park’s signature design element, the Western Supply Co. warehouse in left field. There’s also no better spot to gorge yourself. Petco’s food and beer selections — for quality and variety — received rave reviews, as they should. Fish tacos (and an insane amount of local options) combined what could be the best craft beer scene on the planet? That works. “Beer. It’s f*cking San Diego dude,” one voter said. “Team is cursed. Stadium is god-tier.” That leads us to the big complaint: the team. Maybe this is the year that changes, maybe not. The other issue? The absence of “some type of device to keep opposing team’s fans out.” It’s a great place to hang out, though. Who can blame them? — Sean Gentille

3. Target Field, Minnesota Twins: 4.64/5 (472 ballots)

The first thing I ever noticed about Target Field was that the handles on all exterior gates were in the shape of the state of Minnesota. Simple, yet cool. There’s plenty more unique touches to this downtown ballpark that opened 10 years ago. You get a sweet skyline view down the right-field line that’s stunning at sunset and a level of cozy where it feels as if you are right on top of the field. “Even if the Twins get rolled, I’m still having a good time,” a reader said. There’s limestone walls, statues that honor the history of the club, and the Minnie and Paul sign that is overlooking the ballpark. “It feels like a small, old-time stadium … but with updated amenities,” a reader noted. The negatives are few. Fans seem to want more local craft beer options, which shouldn’t be an issue considering how much quality local craft beer there is. The pitch of the upper deck is harrowing to many. But the consensus is that the Twins got it right with Target Field. “It looks and feels like a real baseball stadium … not an overly huge warehouse or one that’s super ritzy.” — Corey Brock

4. PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates: 4.61/5 (381 ballots)

How does a park that’s best-in-class on sight lines, within two-thousandths of a point of first place in aesthetics, and our “adopt-a-park” winner by a country mile, slip to fourth overall? A 3.7 atmosphere score, that’s how, which seems directly attributable to the Pirates’ backslide over the past few seasons. A little less than half of all voters, when asked for the thing they’d change about the park, said some version of “the team,” or the owner, Bob Nutting. A new front office and manager for 2020 will have to suffice. For the time being, though? Hoo baby, that view. “There’s something otherworldly about settling in at 7:05, watching the traffic on the rivers and bridges, and then seeing the city light up as night falls,” one voter said. Everyone loves the Clemente Bridge (yellow, in left field) and the Clemente Wall (21 feet high, in right field). The most specific, non-owner related gripe? The Pirates Charities sign, also in right. Ten people picked that nit. — Sean Gentille

5. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles: 4.56/5 (348 ballots)

The first of the “retro” ballparks, opening in 1992, Oriole Park is still very much considered a gem among fans, earning high marks for both its aesthetics (4.96) and the overall quality of the ballpark (4.88). There might be nothing in baseball like the B&O Warehouse, which sits out beyond right field. “The authenticity of the warehouse is something that no other ballpark can replicate,” a reader said. The same goes for Eutaw Street. Just make sure to get in line at Boog’s BBQ — named after the famed Oriole, Boog Powell — early. Those pit beef sandwiches go fast. The complaints begin and end with the product on the field. And for some odd reason, you can’t get a Baltimore beer classic — Natty Boh — here, our readers lamented. Readers still think they ruined the view by constructing the mammoth Hilton. “Tear down that silly hotel. Bring back the old skyline view.” But in general, most people feel catching a game at Oriole Park is a real treat. “What’s not to love? They built a stadium so spectacular that the rest of the league has spent the past 25-30 years trying to replicate it.” — Corey Brock

6. Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals: 4.53/5 (378 ballots)

St. Louis is an interesting case. The upshot, obviously, is positive: sixth place counts for something. Still, there’s a bit of disconnect between the comments and the score. Asked about their favorite part of the park, many voters said, essentially, “Nothing really. It’s fine,” while 113 mentioned the view of the Gateway Arch. The most standard complaints centered on a lack of personality or uniqueness. Maybe that’s the point, maybe it isn’t. “It’s a cliché and everyone else in baseball hates us for it,” one voter said, “but there’s something truly special about being a Cardinals fan at Busch Stadium on a summer evening.” People seem to like Ballpark Village and appreciate the design references to the Cardinals homes. There were a fair amount of complaints about beer selection, which, given the name, isn’t much of a surprise (though our Eno Sarris ranked Busch 17th overall and said it had improved in recent years.) — Sean Gentille

7. Coors Field, Colorado Rockies: 4.51/5 (193 ballots)

Here’s the last of our category champs. Coors won for location within its city, and, naturally, there were plenty of compliments to that end, especially for its integration into Denver’s LoDo neighborhood. “The baseball side of the Rockies organization is extremely frustrating, but the community and ballpark maintenance side of the Rockies is second to none,” one voter said. More than a third of the ballots singled out the views. A baseball game and a sunset over the Rocky Mountains. What’s not to love? One of the biggest complaints was that too many people are there only to “drink and socialize,” specifically on the Party Deck. Also, the consensus seems to be that the food and beer selections need an update. — Sean Gentille

8. Progressive Field, Cleveland: 4.40/5 (258 ballots)

“The Prog” gets high marks across the board. There isn’t much not to like here. City backdrop? Check. A massive video board? Got that, too. Standing-room only space? That’s been a hit here as well. The District in right field, with plenty of beer and food options, is the place to be. Grab an Eliot Ness amber ale from Great Lakes and settle in for the night. “It’s a cool way to get a taste of the city,” a fan said. While many ballparks have cut back on bleacher seats, this might be the most popular place for fans. That or the Home Run Porch in left field, where you can hear John Adams banging on his drums. Fans think the upper deck boxes in right field look like shipping containers or dumpsters (they’re not wrong). Parking can be a pain here, and there are nights in April and May when you really wish you had a retractable roof, but the consensus is the ballpark is a hit: “(It’s) clean, simple aesthetic feels like it could fit in any era, yet never feels generic.” — Corey Brock

9. T-Mobile Park, Seattle Mariners: 4.39/5 (284 ballots)

Hard to knock T-Mobile Park, which opened in 1999, for anything. It rated strong across the board, especially in overall quality (4.72). “It feels like baseball heaven,” a reader said. Good sight lines and even better suds, the home of the Mariners has one of the top craft beer selections in baseball. If you hurry, you can grab a spot in front of the bullpen area where you’re close enough to spit seeds on the mound and heckle the opposing pitcher. There’s a bunch of cool touches: The statue of Ken Griffey Jr. outside the home plate entrance and the statue of former radio broadcast legend, Dave Niehaus, out on the right-field concourse. If you get lucky, you’ll hear a train blow its whistle as it passes by the ballpark. On a warm evening, there might not be a better place to see a game. “The stunning view of the Seattle skyline on a summer night from the upper deck … it’s hard to beat,” one reader commented. — Corey Brock

10. Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs: 4.38/5 (517 ballots)

For all the changes the Friendly Confines have undergone over the past few years, its most appealing elements — by a lot — remain the ivy and the neighborhood. “It feels like a timeless ballpark,” one voter said, “because it IS a timeless ballpark.” There is an impressively wide range of complaints, though. The 3.7 amenity rating, given all those renovations, is surprising, until you account for the fact that the Ricketts family focused more on luxury areas. “They should have improved the bathroom situation when they put $500M into the stadium,” one voter said. And the obstructed views remain. Still, it’s a bit of a Catch-22. It’s Wrigley Field; how many changes are you willing to accept? “I have to credit the Cubs a lot, because the upgrades they made to the ballpark didn’t take away from just how perfect the atmosphere and charm of Wrigley is,” wrote a reader. Feelings for the bleacher crowd was positive overall, but this comment was funny: “The cup stacking and overall buffoonery kills me.” — Sean Gentille

11. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Phillies: 4.36/5 (333 ballots)

A classic case of a well-regarded park with a crucial flaw. Citizens Bank’s 3.70 location score drags it down. Big time. It’s a three-mile walk from Center City, Philadelphia’s heart, but it feels further. “It’s in a sea of parking lots. You cannot walk anywhere from the stadium, except a corporate vomit pile called XFinity Live,” one voter said. “It sucks.” No love for the sports complex? Alrighty then. Voters’ favorite element, far and away, is Ashburn Alley, the open-air concourse in center field. There’s also a lot of love for the sight lines, the skyline backdrop, and the historical references throughout the park. — Sean Gentille

12. Truist Park, Atlanta Braves: 4.32/5 (407 ballots)

There weren’t many favorite elements cited more frequently by a fanbase than The Battery. Now, is it nice that folks going to Braves games enjoy the entertainment/dining/retail complex adjacent to the ballpark? Sure. Is it ideal that it showed up on 1/3 of the ballots, and that it doesn’t actually have anything to do with the park itself? Maybe not. In any case, that’s a big part of Truist’s high amenity score, as are food options like the Chop House and premium spots like the Delta Club. The biggest complaints? The fact that it’s in Cobb County, inaccessible by train. “Move it to the city and have the Braves pay for the damn thing themselves,” one voter said. Just wait another 15 years or so. — Sean Gentille

13. Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros: 4.30/5 (169 ballots)

Two words: Shake Shack. Two more words: The train. “I love the train … which ties into the entrance being the old train station in Houston,” a reader said. Readers like the roof, which is very handy when the temperature soars past 100 — or when the rains besiege the ballpark. The general consensus is there’s not a bad seat in the house. “I love that the stadium is 20 years old but it still looks brand new,” a fan said. People still miss Tal’s Hill in center field, which was one of the most unique elements of the ballpark. There’s a sentiment the team doesn’t open the roof enough. “I want more games with the roof open, or have it open during games once the sun sets,” a reader said. — Corey Brock

14. Miller Park, Milwaukee Brewers: 4.26/5 (255 ballots)

Brewers fans love their roof. More than 100 voters said it was their favorite part of Miller Park, including in this review: “Bernie’s slide is fun, every Brewers fan would tell you that. But practically speaking the retractable roof is the biggest perk. It doesn’t get warm enough for true outside baseball until mid to late May in Wisconsin, yet the Brewers can play every game comfortably from Opening Day on with no cancellations, a huge advantage over most Midwest teams.” And hey, while we’re here, let’s just use that voter’s drawback selection, too, because it echoes a lot of people. “Because of Milwaukee’s strong tailgating culture, the stadium was kept outside of downtown so as to have huge parking lots for people to drink/tailgate before the games. Yet I would’ve moved it to downtown and created more of the mixed-use entertainment districts we have seen pop up all over the sports landscape.” — Sean Gentille

15. Citi Field, New York Mets: 4.17/5 (384 ballots)

Another instance of an NL East stadium getting fully kneecapped by its location. Citi Field’s 3.15 location score is the fifth-worst, mainly due to a lack of neighborhood bar/restaurant options. “An NYC stadium should not be surrounded by parking lots,” one voter said. The chop shops, specifically, seem like an issue for voters. Also — and this will shock you — there wasn’t much pro-Wilpons sentiment, and several people are looking for more emphasis on Mets history. There’s tons of love for the Shea Bridge and the food selection — “I’d go there just to eat,” one voter said — and the concourse vibe, in general. “Being able to walk around the park while watching the game,” one voter said. “At Shea we had to disappear into concrete tunnels.” — Sean Gentille

16. Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati Reds: 4.16/5 (404 ballots)

There weren’t a ton of complaints about GABP. There wasn’t many rave reviews, either — though people do enjoy the “Power Stacks” in center field. “Nothing distinctive to make it stand out — just a cookie-cutter neo-retro park,” one voter said. For every person who enjoys the view of the Ohio River, there seems to be someone who’d rather turn the park 180 degrees for a skyline shot. Folks are pleased with the beer selection, and a lot of that owes to, as one voter said, “the massive bar with the large number of taps in the left field concourse.” A couple random bits: GABP seems to be short on shade, and flagging attendance is an atmospheric issue. “More fans – more energy,” one voter said. “Most games are a snooze fest unless the Cardinals or Cubs are playing.” — Sean Gentille

17. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City Royals: 4.15/5 (307 ballots)

You would have thought they built Kauffman on the moon based on its location rating (3.03). Really, that might be the only thing dragging down the ballpark. Readers seem to love just about everything else. There’s a simple elegance to Kauffman that’s not lost on fans. “It’s a lack of pretense. The game is the focus,” a reader wrote. Tailgating is something of a sport here, made possible by the massive parking lots. “It’s design was ahead of its time. And it’s still great after almost 50 years.” Credit the Royals for adding the Craft & Draft area where fans can throw down local favorite Boulevard before and during games. Folks love the crown scoreboard, though it rates far behind the ballpark’s greatest element: the outfield fountains. There’s nothing else quite like it in baseball. “It’s more like a day at the park than a day at the ballpark.” The negatives, other than the distance from downtown? “The urinals need splashguards,” one reader notes. OK. And the lack of BBQ options given Kansas City’s reputation is stunning. Still, Kauffman Stadium checks off a lot more boxes than it doesn’t. — Corey Brock

18. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Dodgers: 4.11/5 (324 ballots)

It’s a shame to see a stone-cold classic ballpark’s rating crushed because of its location, but that’s what we have here. Also, virtually every possible element of parking a vehicle came up as a negative; the number of lots, the hassle of making it in and out, and the fact that Frank McCourt owns them. One voter framed the issue specifically as “getting to and from the stadium by land,” so … invest in a helicopter, maybe. Still, the sunsets over the San Gabriel Mountains and the Dodger Dogs count for a whole lot. As they should. “There is nothing in the world more aesthetically pleasing to me than watching the good guys in crisp white uniforms jogging across the neatly-cut green grass,” one voter said. The era-appropriate aesthetics — tri-color seat decks, hexagonal scoreboards — remain a drawing point. “It’s 60 years old but feels neither old or new,” said a voter. “It feels the same, in a good way.” — Sean Gentille

19. Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers: 4.03/5 (219 ballots)

People dig the ballpark’s downtown location (4.31 in our survey) and the view of the downtown skyline that sits beyond the outfield seats. “It has a very old-fashioned, classic look,” one reader noted. The open-air concourses provide a view of the field no matter where you’re standing. Tigers fans also love the nod to the team’s history — the sculptures that honor players such as Ty Cobb and Hank Greenberg. “It’s one of those things I can’t describe, but the sheer nostalgia washes over me every time I go to Comerica,” one reader said. There’s a carousel and a Ferris wheel here, and both are hits with kids. The deep dimensions make it hard to hit home runs at Comerica, which can cut down on scoring. “It (dimensions) hurts our chances of ever signing a home run hitter,” one respondent noted. The upper-deck seats, fans said, are too far away from the field. “I miss the closeness that you had to the field at Tiger Stadium,” a fan wrote. Finding a sliver of shade on a sunny afternoon can be a chore, and fans certainly bear the brunt of the heat. “The sun is a killer here,” one reader said. Another said: “The ballpark lacks character or anything that truly sets it apart.” — Corey Brock

20. Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees: 3.93/5 (372 ballots)

New Yankee Stadium still retains a lot of the charm and history of the old ballpark, and Monument Park is still revered by fans. “There’s no other ballpark that can give you that experience,” wrote a reader. But what you love most about the ballpark isn’t steeped in tradition at all. It’s the wide concourses! “Unlike the old stadium, you can actually leave your seat for the bathroom and get back before the next inning,” a reader said. (Generally) clean bathrooms, ample food options, and, with the short porch in right field, a chance to grab a home run ball, are all a plus. Getting here is a breeze with local transportation. For some, though, it’s just not, well, the old stadium, and that still pisses people off. “It’s missing the soul that the old stadium had,” a reader said.

There’s a distinct corporate feel here that rankles some people. “… I want it to feel more like a ballpark. Instead, the atmosphere is so corporate every night. It’s pretty much a Hard Rock Café. They try hard to steep things in tradition, but it’s so corporate.” While some feel the ballpark appears bland, and that it’s “priced out the middle class,” many fans still hold the stadium in high regard. “It’s still a living, breathing cathedral to baseball.” — Corey Brock

21. Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox: 3.90/5 (413 ballots)

I’ll be honest: I didn’t see Fenway Park coming in at No. 21 in our survey. It got hammered on amenities (3.32) and sightlines (2.91), which I suppose is fair considering the ballpark opened in 19-freaking-12. Yes, many of the seats are way too small and don’t truly face the field, but the consensus is that watching a game here is like living baseball history. “Walking into Fenway, is like a religious experience. This is the same place Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Yaz played,” one respondent said. Yes, there is a “blow it up and build a new one” sentiment among Red Sox fans, and many more want to stand and sing “Sweet Caroline,” but just can’t pry themselves from their tiny seats. That said, most fans seem to still appreciate the ballpark and see it for what it is: a national treasure. “Once you step out onto the stands and the field first catches your eye … there’s nothing not to love,” one reader said. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the ballpark’s most endearing features: The Green Monster (or Monstah, as many of you called it). It’s still cool. “It gives me chills every time.” — Corey Brock

22. Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago White Sox: 3.87/5 (332 ballots)

I’ll guarantee you this: It’s far easier to see the Sox play than the Cubs. And with their boatload of prospects on the way, it may even be more fun. Plus, “the food is 10 times better than Wrigley Field,” a reader said. Between eating and drinking, it’s any wonder fans actually sit to watch the game. Fans wish they could get a better view of the Chicago skyline, and certainly would like the ballpark to be less generic looking. “I would make the interior and exterior fit into the neighborhood a little better. Less cookie-cutter, more character,” a fan said. Getting to the ballpark can be a pain, and if you want fun bars and restaurants around the ballpark, you’ve come to the wrong place. But the White Sox have done their part to make the ballpark experience a good one – especially if you come on an empty stomach and in the middle of the week. Said one reader: “DOLLAR DOG WEDNESDAY.” — Corey Brock

23. Nationals Park, Washington Nationals: 3.80/5 (354 ballots)

The good news for Nationals Park? Nobody seems to hate it. The sight line score is solid and the outfield concourses are well-regarded. It’s easily accessible by Metro and the emergence of Navy Yard as a destination neighborhood appeals to a lot of people. “The neighborhood around it finally has a good collection of bars and restaurants,” one voter said, “even if they’re a little generic.” That last word, though, came up a lot with regards to the park. “Nothing is bad but nothing is great,” one said. “No defining feature or view. And it’s expensive even for a ballpark.” Another: “Nothing really is all that great but at least it is baseball.” The second biggest issue for voters is that views of the Capitol dome are essentially non-existent. Seems like folks would rather look at that than a parking garage. — Sean Gentille

24. Angel Stadium, Los Angeles Angels: 3.45/5 (141 ballots)

Constructed in 1966 in the shadow of Disneyland, Angel Stadium might fall a bit short of the theme park in terms of entertainment, but it certainly has a few things going for it. Like its “old-school” parking lot, which may actually appear the size of Disneyland. The stadium itself is visible from miles away thanks to the “Big A” in the parking lot, which is about as iconic as it comes for ballparks in the West. The park gets high marks for its “family-friendly” atmosphere. And the view isn’t bad at all. “The rock pile and view of the mountains behind the freeway are vintage SoCal,” one reader commented. However, there’s a sense that the entire ballpark needs a facelift. “… The stadium desperately needs modernization. It just feels outdated,” a reader wrote. Angel Stadium won’t blow you away with flashy amenities, though it doesn’t seem to bother fans too much. After all, they might have the very best ballpark perk in baseball: “We get to watch Mike Trout,” one reader bragged. — Corey Brock

25. Marlins Park, Miami Marlins: 3.40/5 (40 ballots)

No park had a lower atmosphere rating than Miami’s 2.17. Watching games in an empty stadium is, apparently, not fun, and no team draws fewer people than the Marlins. Their average attendance in 2019 was 10,016, lowest in MLB by nearly 5,000 fans. When the things people like the most about your eight-year-old park are air conditioning and “sparkly sidewalks,” something has probably gone wrong. The most common complaint: “The location for sure. Another thing to blame (former owner Jeffrey Loria) for.” At least one voter was looking on the bright side: “Being already used to (practice) social distancing in the ballpark.” Sentiments on the legendary center-field sculpture, removed by Derek Jeter in 2018, seem to be mixed. — Sean Gentille

26. Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks: 3.39/5 (131 ballots)

No NL park had a lower aesthetics rating than Arizona’s 2.74. “When it’s nice out and the roof is open it’s a totally different experience,” one voter wrote. “When the roof is closed it feels like an airport hangar.” Another: “I know they need the roof, but at times it feels like they are playing in a big warehouse. Because they are.” The fact that Chase seats about 48,500 people doesn’t seem to help. Knocking out 10,000 seats is an idea that came up a few times. Everyone seems to enjoy the center-field pool, and organist Bobby Freeman got a few shoutouts. No park was praised more for concession prices. “A beer for $4 and a hot dog for $1.50?!?! That is great and keeps me coming back,” one voter wrote. — Sean Gentille

27. Rogers Centre, Toronto Blue Jays: 2.87/5 (456 ballots)

The Rogers Centre rates 27th out of our 29 ballparks, and even if you factor in the conversion rate, it’s still not good. The surrounding area around the ballpark gets high marks for food and drink options, and also with how easy it is to get to games using local transportation. A view of the CN Tower when the roof is open is pretty cool as well. Once you get in the ballpark, well, the highlights are few. The retractable roof should not be a key feature of a ballpark. “It opens and closes!” one reader noted with excitement. The Flight Deck, a standing-room-only area beneath the main video board, gets high marks. Fans really tend to love these kinds of congregated spaces that are popping up. What do Jays fans want? Better food and beer options. The team has made improvements to the ballpark in recent years, but you will always be stuck with the feel of a generic ballpark with few unique features (unless you catch rock icon Geddy Lee of Rush sitting behind home plate. But it’s clear, today’s Tom Sawyer wants better digs). “Knock it down and start over — this isn’t a great place to watch a game in this day and age,” one fan said. — Corey Brock

28. Oakland Coliseum, Oakland Athletics: 2.86/5 (170 ballots)

This shouldn’t surprise you. The Coliseum got clobbered in our survey for its aesthetics (1.88). If you were designing a ballpark, it would not look like this. Still, there’s some, uh, charming aspects to be had here. First, the installation of food trucks as an alternative to concession stands has been a big win. You can take the BART here easily or tailgate. Ardent fans stick up for their A’s, and that’s cool as hell. “It’s a dump … but it’s home to a team that’s scrappy and magical,” a reader wrote. “Mount Davis” is an eyesore and if you can avoid the men’s restrooms, that’s probably a wise idea. The A’s need a new ballpark, you know, like yesterday. But for all of its warts — and let’s be honest, there are plenty of them — longtime fans seem to enjoy a game once they get in their seats. “The focus in the ballpark is on the game itself. The newer stadiums are more like amusem*nt parks,” a reader said. But one comment basically told you everything you need to know: “It’s a sh*thole, but it’s our sh*thole.” — Corey Brock

29. Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Rays: 2.65/5 (95 ballots)

The Trop finished dead last for many reasons. There’s this: its mark for aesthetics falls in the Blutarski range (1.95) — cavernous, empty, and despised is no way to go through life, son. This tells you about all you need to know about the ballpark: “I like the ability to get good seats on short notice.” The roof is a necessity here because of the heat and sheets of rain that can blanket St. Petersburg in the summer. Best amenity? “It’s the air conditioning,” one fan said. You can stay cool at the Trop with a craft beer, and it’s nice if you can get Cigar City offerings. Some fans who aren’t hung up on a lot of frills actually like watching games here. “If you like baseball, it’s a great place to watch a game. It’s not pretty, but it’s functional,” one reader noted. One of the primary sources of angst among fans is where the ballpark sits — in downtown St. Pete, not nearby Tampa. “We need a new ballpark. Bring it to Tampa, and give it a retractable roof,” one reader noted. Another said: “It just lacks soul. Demolish and start over.” — Corey Brock