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Ballparks: A Journey Through the Fields of the Past, Present, and Future
If you love baseball and the venerable stadiums its played in, you need this definitive history and guide to Major League ballparks of the past, present, and future.
With a tear-out checklist to mark ballparks you’ve visited and those on your bucket list, Ballparks takes you inside the intriguing histories of every park in the Major Leagues, with hundreds of photos , stories , and stats
No baseball fan’s collection is complete without this up-to-date tome.
With a tear-out checklist to mark ballparks you’ve visited and those on your bucket list, Ballparks takes you inside the intriguing histories of every park in the Major Leagues, with hundreds of photos , stories , and stats
No baseball fan’s collection is complete without this up-to-date tome.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 16, 2018
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78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 17, 2020
This an oversized book. What I call "Coffee table" books. For that, it works quite well, it has a bunch of beautiful pictures, and even has a checklist in the back if you want to go to every stadium in the country. This type of book will be undoubtedly often given as a gift or (as in my case) received as a gift. It will lie around many houses, and people will undoubtedly peruse through their favorite team's stadium or perhaps the ones that they have visited.
I doubt many will be bought with the intention to read every single word inside. However, I did just that, and would suggest it to others.
This is a history of every ballpark Major League ball has played in. It reads as an interesting rarely-told history of the game. Enders has really researched this topic, and it shows in in the variety of material he references. He does a great job of working in Negro League history, and features many photos from the 1920s through 1950s to help tell that story
He also features some of the most important non-Major League ballparks in the country (Cooperstown, Williamsburg, Durham, Omaha, El Paso, Memphis and Dyersville, Iowa's "Field of Dreams" to name some) as well as briefly covering some International destinations of major league baseball.
It is interesting to see the trends - from the early wooden parks of the early days of the game to the ballparks of the 19-teens like Forbes Field, Fenway and Wrigley; later transitioning to the two-sport football/baseball stadium trend of the 1970s and now the "throwback baseball only" renaissance that started with Camden Yards in 1992.
It is a fascinating history, and of course, the recent stories touch on the funding aspect- ugly in the case of Texas - and architectural/fashion - the unfortunate timing of "New Comiskey" built in 1991 before the trend set by firm HOK Sport, who has done some amazing things to revitalize the experience.
It's all there- the good, the bad, the ugly- the horrible Domes that came and went, the peculiarities of certain parks, the sights, sounds and fans that made "home field" unique. I guarantee you will learn something.
Also, even though I doubt it was designed to be read in one sitting, I was amazed that it never got repetitious. Enders worked hard at keeping it fresh- making it work if you did decide to straight through or if you did just skip to your favorite park.
This is a good suggestion for baseball fans, and really a novel approach to tell a different side of the history of the game.
I doubt many will be bought with the intention to read every single word inside. However, I did just that, and would suggest it to others.
This is a history of every ballpark Major League ball has played in. It reads as an interesting rarely-told history of the game. Enders has really researched this topic, and it shows in in the variety of material he references. He does a great job of working in Negro League history, and features many photos from the 1920s through 1950s to help tell that story
He also features some of the most important non-Major League ballparks in the country (Cooperstown, Williamsburg, Durham, Omaha, El Paso, Memphis and Dyersville, Iowa's "Field of Dreams" to name some) as well as briefly covering some International destinations of major league baseball.
It is interesting to see the trends - from the early wooden parks of the early days of the game to the ballparks of the 19-teens like Forbes Field, Fenway and Wrigley; later transitioning to the two-sport football/baseball stadium trend of the 1970s and now the "throwback baseball only" renaissance that started with Camden Yards in 1992.
It is a fascinating history, and of course, the recent stories touch on the funding aspect- ugly in the case of Texas - and architectural/fashion - the unfortunate timing of "New Comiskey" built in 1991 before the trend set by firm HOK Sport, who has done some amazing things to revitalize the experience.
It's all there- the good, the bad, the ugly- the horrible Domes that came and went, the peculiarities of certain parks, the sights, sounds and fans that made "home field" unique. I guarantee you will learn something.
Also, even though I doubt it was designed to be read in one sitting, I was amazed that it never got repetitious. Enders worked hard at keeping it fresh- making it work if you did decide to straight through or if you did just skip to your favorite park.
This is a good suggestion for baseball fans, and really a novel approach to tell a different side of the history of the game.
June 24, 2022
Can't imagine a more interesting , better researched book about baseball parks, and some of the players who played there , the colorful owners, the stories behind how the parks were built, history of the cities who had or have teams. Every team and city has some thing fascinating to learn. Also amusing to read of some of the worst parks to go along with the best ones from throughout the ages. Any true baseball fan will love this.
March 20, 2019
A book for all baseball fans. The author shows you pictures and stories all of the different ballparks from the 1800’s up today’s stadiums’. You are taken through every city and the different ballparks they had and the history behind each one. How the old ones were made of wood, the men who played on those fields. The ones were movies were filmed. Where also the Black league played, as well as Cooperstown and Williamsport. What I liked about this book was the memories for me. Having been too old Yankee Stadium, going to Angel Stadium in the ’70s 80’s 90’s and the 2000s and seeing the changes to that stadium as well as Dodger Stadium. Going to Cooperstown with my father when he was still alive and having a picture of him sitting on the bleachers of the ballpark not knowing I took his picture. Going to a game with him at old Yankee Stadium and him telling me he could remember when he was a kid how the smells of roasted peanuts, cut grass, cigars all made the game feel different for him. That for me was what this book brought back along with remembering taking my daughter and sitting there at old Yankee Stadium and Angel Stadium taking her to the ballpark and looking at her face when she saw everything for the first time. This book is like that smile of seeing that field and cut grass, and those men hitting the ball out of the park. A very good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
December 11, 2018
Ballparks
A Journey Through the Fields of the Past, Present, and Future
by Eric Enders
This book was a joy to read. It has history, photos, tidbits, sites to visit that are relevant to baseball but not stadiums, information about owners, players, teams and more. It is a treasure trove of information and well worth having. I hadn’t realized that early stadiums in the mid to late 1800’s were made of wood and often burned down. Also, wood requires more upkeep and many didn’t stay in place as long as if they had been made of concrete.
I loved the photos from the past with the way the team uniforms and players changed and evolved over time. The sites used for movies such as Field of Dreams and Bull Durham brought back memories. I hadn’t realized that there were college and little league world series or where they are held. I did know that some teams moved from one city to another but had not heard as much as was included in this book.
Spaulding balls and bats are commonly purchased and I bought them for my children never knowing that Spaulding was a baseball player and that he organized world tours for baseball players in 1888 and 1889. The photos of the teams in Cairo were priceless.
Nice little visit to the past this afternoon and I would like to than Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
A Journey Through the Fields of the Past, Present, and Future
by Eric Enders
This book was a joy to read. It has history, photos, tidbits, sites to visit that are relevant to baseball but not stadiums, information about owners, players, teams and more. It is a treasure trove of information and well worth having. I hadn’t realized that early stadiums in the mid to late 1800’s were made of wood and often burned down. Also, wood requires more upkeep and many didn’t stay in place as long as if they had been made of concrete.
I loved the photos from the past with the way the team uniforms and players changed and evolved over time. The sites used for movies such as Field of Dreams and Bull Durham brought back memories. I hadn’t realized that there were college and little league world series or where they are held. I did know that some teams moved from one city to another but had not heard as much as was included in this book.
Spaulding balls and bats are commonly purchased and I bought them for my children never knowing that Spaulding was a baseball player and that he organized world tours for baseball players in 1888 and 1889. The photos of the teams in Cairo were priceless.
Nice little visit to the past this afternoon and I would like to than Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
December 30, 2022
Very good read, and very well put together, but some sections seemed lacking.
The Philly, New York and Chicago chapters were excellent and very thorough, but a few other chapters seemed a little phoned-in.
Understandably, photographs of the ballparks which no longer exist will be in limited supply, but some chapters seemed lacking in photos of the current stadium. Some chapters talk about unique features of particular ballparks, but you don't always get to see those features. A few missed opportunities.
Still, it's a good read, and it looks great. A fine addition to your coffee table. Or it could serve as your coffee table, because it's roughly about the size of a coffee table.
The Philly, New York and Chicago chapters were excellent and very thorough, but a few other chapters seemed a little phoned-in.
Understandably, photographs of the ballparks which no longer exist will be in limited supply, but some chapters seemed lacking in photos of the current stadium. Some chapters talk about unique features of particular ballparks, but you don't always get to see those features. A few missed opportunities.
Still, it's a good read, and it looks great. A fine addition to your coffee table. Or it could serve as your coffee table, because it's roughly about the size of a coffee table.
March 1, 2021
A review of every major-league (and some minor-league) ballparks and stadiums in every major-league city, and some beyond. Featuring lots of photos, some never before seen, this is a must-read for every baseball fan.
May 19, 2023
10/10 coffee table type book
October 26, 2020
I've been reading this for a while and finally got to sit and finish it and found it quite enjoyable. Since I work as a tour guide at Oracle Park (home of the Giants) this book is right up my alley. Learning about some of the unique characteristics of the different ballparks and how they compare to Oracle will be a nice addition to my tours.
Best parts: a lot of great old and rare pictures of ballplayers, ballparks and ballpark-related souvenirs. Two, pictures and stories of the classic, old minor league parks that are now part of baseball and local history.
Not for everyone but if you've been lucky to visit different ballparks, you'll enjoy this one.
Best parts: a lot of great old and rare pictures of ballplayers, ballparks and ballpark-related souvenirs. Two, pictures and stories of the classic, old minor league parks that are now part of baseball and local history.
Not for everyone but if you've been lucky to visit different ballparks, you'll enjoy this one.
January 24, 2019
'Ballparks: A Journey Through the Fields of the Past, Present, and Future' by Eric Enders is a tour through the MLB ballparks in North America geographically and historically.
Starting with Philadelphia and going through Miami the book discusses the teams and mainly the stadiums that were and are still there. There are pictures of the stadiums, the players, other bits of history. Some chapters end in sidetrips to stadiums made famous by movies, or built for movies. There is a minor league field in the South that feels like an old school stadium. The new stadium retro craze is discussed along with the sometime shady political deals that get made.
As a casual baseball fan, but one who loves history, I loved this look at the past and present. Minor league teams and stadiums are under represented simply because it would add too much to the book, but I was pleased that so much of the Negro leagues and their stadiums were mentioned.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group-Chartwell Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Starting with Philadelphia and going through Miami the book discusses the teams and mainly the stadiums that were and are still there. There are pictures of the stadiums, the players, other bits of history. Some chapters end in sidetrips to stadiums made famous by movies, or built for movies. There is a minor league field in the South that feels like an old school stadium. The new stadium retro craze is discussed along with the sometime shady political deals that get made.
As a casual baseball fan, but one who loves history, I loved this look at the past and present. Minor league teams and stadiums are under represented simply because it would add too much to the book, but I was pleased that so much of the Negro leagues and their stadiums were mentioned.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group-Chartwell Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
November 21, 2020
A very beautiful book full of amazing photos and interesting facts that are very well researched. A must read if you love photographic books and if you LOVE Baseball. 5 stars
December 28, 2018
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
A fun and informative journey through all of the ballparks in history. There are photos, information, tidbits, and history for all levels of baseball fans. This is a must read for any baseball fan.
A fun and informative journey through all of the ballparks in history. There are photos, information, tidbits, and history for all levels of baseball fans. This is a must read for any baseball fan.
October 19, 2019
Fantastic history, great stories, brilliant photos and The Beatles get two mentions. It even comes with a checklist for all of us to use to try and visit every park. A brilliant book. Ideal for baseball fans.
April 16, 2020
So informative! For anyone who loves baseball (or is looking to impress a fan;) we learned things about our own stadium that we never even knew - Some diehards we are! If you were not interested in going to see a ball game in every single stadium possible, you will be now.
July 15, 2019
Great book, works have loved more pictures of the ballpark features discussed in the text
December 31, 2021
4.5 stars.
A couple typos and inaccuracies here and there, and it would have been cool to see some more stadium pictures for some cities, but this is a must-read for any baseball fan.
A couple typos and inaccuracies here and there, and it would have been cool to see some more stadium pictures for some cities, but this is a must-read for any baseball fan.
December 9, 2022
A must-read for any baseball fan!
August 11, 2022
If you love history, baseball, and stadiums. This book tells a lot about each MLB teams, and the cities they played or are playing. Even how the MLB started off and later expand the league out.
October 8, 2024
A great book for anyone who loves baseball and visiting ballparks. It will be continuously read.
December 10, 2018
Librarian: Okay so I wouldn't have bought this book for my last library. I would have wanted to, (I'm a sucker for all things baseball.) but I wouldn't have let myself. British schools are just not good places for circulating baseball books. If, however, I were a nonfiction librarian in the states I absolutely would order it. It's a great book for any fans of baseball.
Reader: I'm a sucker for baseball. And lately there have been so many great books about it being released. This is one of the best I've read so far. The information is fascinating and the pictures are great.
Reader: I'm a sucker for baseball. And lately there have been so many great books about it being released. This is one of the best I've read so far. The information is fascinating and the pictures are great.
December 17, 2018
What a great trip down memory lane!
This book contains a look at ballparks in the United States divided by towns and the ballparks located there.
The photos are fabulous. The information starts from a historical prospective and covers the ballparks and teams that played in each of them.
Being a Detroit Tigers fan, I had to jump to the Detroit section. I was thrilled when it began with “Michigan and Trumbull.” Those of us who have attended games at Tiger Stadium recognized the slang for the ballpark. Pictures of Tiger Stadium evoked sweet memories of the time spent there. It also covered the sad state Tiger Stadium that Mr. Illich allowed to occur so he could get a fancy, new stadium. The new Comerica Park was shown and honestly reviewed. It also covered the early black league that played in Mack Park. I loved it.
Baseball fans will enjoy seeing and remembering the ballparks.
I received an eBook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions or ratings of this book.
This book contains a look at ballparks in the United States divided by towns and the ballparks located there.
The photos are fabulous. The information starts from a historical prospective and covers the ballparks and teams that played in each of them.
Being a Detroit Tigers fan, I had to jump to the Detroit section. I was thrilled when it began with “Michigan and Trumbull.” Those of us who have attended games at Tiger Stadium recognized the slang for the ballpark. Pictures of Tiger Stadium evoked sweet memories of the time spent there. It also covered the sad state Tiger Stadium that Mr. Illich allowed to occur so he could get a fancy, new stadium. The new Comerica Park was shown and honestly reviewed. It also covered the early black league that played in Mack Park. I loved it.
Baseball fans will enjoy seeing and remembering the ballparks.
I received an eBook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions or ratings of this book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews