Touch All 30

Tony Gillen

  • Ballpark #29

    Ballpark #29

    Marlins vs. Cardinals

    The Marlins home park marks the final Major League ballpark before I visit Ballpark #30 in Atlanta. It is the park of which I decided that Atlanta would be my 30th only because I didn’t want it to be Miami. And still, Ballpark #29 still warrants some celebration, even it is not as big of a celebration as #30 will be.

    Miami is also one of the two key pillars that makes the Big Florida Trip worth planning. This Monday night game highlights Day 4 of the Big Florida Trip. I was hoping we would get to see an opened roof, but Day 4 is the only day of the trip to get rain (and a downpour of it) so, in that sense, it’s a blessing that loanDepot has a roof.

    Pregame Tour

    One of the minor ways I celebrated Ballpark #29 was to take the pregame tour. As far as ballpark tours go, I really enjoyed all the guides were able to share with our group include the naunces of loanDepot Park and the history of the Marlins franchise.

    Seat Selection

    loanDepot Park from behind home plate

    Section 12 Row 12 (Behind home plate)

    Overall, it’s rare to get a ticket for seat behind home plate for $30. At the Marlins’ home park, it probably happens often.

    Although loanDepot Park has a capacity of over 37,000, this Monday night matchup only had just over 8,000 fans. For most Marlins home page, the upper deck remains closed. Still, the ballpark does not give a sense of emptiness. (It definitely does not make you feel it is full.)

    Considering the price I paid with the location of my seat, I definitely felt the value of my baseball experience at my 29th Major League ballpark.

    My friend, Rachel, a Miami local and Ballpark Pass-Port STAMPeder, would join me for the game. Although I am traveling the Big Florida trip solo, I look forward to meeting up with people along the way because of the journey to thirty.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    The Machete

    The Machete

    For this first visit at loanDepot Park, I had to try the ballpark’s signature food item.

    The Machete is a two-foot long quesadilla with beef barria, mozzarella and Oxaca cheese, pepper sauce, salsa verde, and cilantro. Thankfully, they cut it up in threes because I could only finish two of those pieces. (I left the third piece for Rachel.)

    Game Highlights

    This matchup between the Marlins and Cardinals would stay close for most of the game.

    Pitcher, Max Meyer, would throw 8 strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

    In the bottom of the sixth inning, in the Marlins would score two runs to take the lead 4-2.

    Designated hitter, Liam Hicks, would go 2-for-4 with two singles and two RBI.

    The Marlins would beat the Cardinals 5-3 to take the first game of the series.

  • Big Florida Baseball Road Trip

    Big Florida Baseball Road Trip

    The state of Florida is home to LoanDepot Park in Miami, Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, one Triple-A ballpark in Jacksonville, one Double-A ballpark in Pensacola, and nine Single-A ballparks hosting the ten Florida League teams.

    Many of the Single-A ballparks also serve as spring training homes for Major League clubs.

    There are many opportunities to visit LoanDepot Park and Tropicana Field on consecutive days in a single trip. However, with the 11 Minor League ballparks in the state with close distances from each other, there are plenty of options to build out a multi-game, multi-day road trips for as short or as long as you would like.

    Trip Details

    For the 2026 season, my road trip will take place in April. I’m hoping an extra season run through the Sunshine State will provide for me comfortable weather for the trip. In addition to both MLB clubs and Florida’s only Triple-A club, the trip will see action from all ten Florida League Single-A clubs across five Single-A ballparks.

    From starting in Jacksonville, driving down the Space Coast, and traveling up along the Gulf Coast, about 13 hours and 700 miles of driving can make for a fun trip throughout Florida.

    Friday, April 17 – Jacksonville

    The trip starts with a flight into JAX and a visit to VyStar Ballpark for the Triple-A matchup between the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Charlotte Knights. This Friday night matchup will close with a fireworks show.

    Saturday, April 18 – Daytona

    Jackie Robinson Ballpark is the oldest active ballpark in the Minor Leagues. Named in honor of Jackie Robinson, who spent some of his Minor League time in Daytona Beach, the ballpark hosts the Daytona Tortugas who will play the St. Lucie Mets.

    USA Today has recognized Jackie Robinson Balllpark as The Best Single-A Ballpark in America.

    Sunday, April 19 – West Palm Beach

    Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is the only Minor League ballpark that serves as the home park for two clubs, and both clubs will play each other on this game. The West Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads play a Sunday afternoon game

    Monday, April 20 – Miami

    LoanDepot Park will mark ballpark #29 on my journey. I have not yet decided home much of my day will be in Miami and whether I will take the ballpark tour.

    Tuesday, April 21 – Fort Myers

    Hammond Stadium, home to the Fort Myers Might Mussels who play the Dunedin Blue Jays, is also the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins.

    Wednesday, April 22 – Lakeland

    Publix Field at Joker Merchant Stadium is the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers and home to the Lakeland Flying Tigers who will take on the Tampa Tarpons.

    Thursday, April 23 – Clearwater

    BayCare Ballpark is the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies and home to the Clearwater Threshers who will take on the Bradenton Marauders.

    Friday, April 24 – Tampa Bay

    Tropicana Field, after a year off because of damage from Hurricane Milton, will once again host Major League baseball. My last visit to Tropicana was in 2002 so I am looking forward to a return after 24 years for Tampa Bay Rays baseball. The bonus is that I will cheering on my Minnesota Twins.

  • College Baseball Tripleheader at U.S. Bank Stadium

    College Baseball Tripleheader at U.S. Bank Stadium

    The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers play their early season home games indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium. (The Gophers play on campus at Siebert Field starting the last week of March.)

    About each year, the University of Minnesota hosts the Cambria College Classic, a round-robin invitational that sees the Gophers and five other college baseball teams play three games over the weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium.

    For the price of one ticket, you can watch only one of the three games or watch all three and come and go between games to try out a local restaurant.

    This particular day in the 2026 version of the tournament saw the University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels vs. the Southern Illinois University (SIU) Salukis in Game 1, the Northwestern University Wildcats vs. the University of Nebraska – Omaha Mavericks in Game 2, and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits in Game 3.

    In Minnesota, where below freezing temps and frequently snowfalls can extend into early spring, indoor games at U.S. Bank Stadium provide a good option for early season baseball.

  • 2025 Year in Review

    2025 Year in Review

    It’s long past but it’s time for a review of my personal ballpark travels for the past year. 2025 included visits to:

    • 11 Major League ballparks
    • 5 Minor League ballparks
    • 1 Collegiate Summer League ballpark
    • 1 NASCAR race track

    Opening Day in Detroit

    This early season trip to Detroit actually happened because my son wanted to watch a live football game in the spring and the Michigan Panthers of the UFL were scheduled to play on the same day as the Tigers’ home opener.

    Seattle Day Trip

    This trip to the Pacific Northwest happened before I wanted to see if I could pull off flying from Minneapolis to Seattle for Mariners vs. Blue Jays and back in the same day.

    Milwaukee Card Show and Game

    I drove to meet up with my friend, Tim from Madison (who previously lived in Baltimore), to go to the Wisconsin Sports Card Show in downtown Milwaukee and then to watch my hometown Minnesota Twins play at American Family Field.

    Big Texas Trip

    For the fourth year, I’d taken the annual week-long trip to visit consecutive ballparks. In 2025, I flew into New Mexico to meet with my friend, Ernie from Albuquerque (previously from Minneapolis), to begin the road trip through New Mexico and Texas.

    To keep the consecutive game streak essence of the annual trips, I include a mix of minor league ballparks along with the Major League parks.

    The Big Texas trip went: Tuesday for the Midland Rockhounds, Wednesday for the Round Rock Express, Thursday for the Astros, Friday for the Rangers, Saturday for the Amarillo SodPoodles, and closed on Sunday for the Albuquerque Isotopes.

    Twins/Saints Doubleheader

    Each year, there are a few opportunities to watch both the Twins at Target Field and the St. Paul Saints at CHS Field on the same day.

    I did this for the first time for Twins vs. Cubs for the afternoon game and then the Saints vs. Iowa Cubs for the night game.

    Bristol Trip

    The trip to Bristol actually started the Tuesday night before.

    The plan was always to arrive in Tennessee on Thursday but the chance to watch Shohei Ohtani pitch on Wednesday led to a convenient detour to Cincinnati.

    During the same week, the Appalachian League (previously a rookie-class minor league and now a collegiate wood bat league) closed out their season with the Appalachian League Championship Game in Johnson City.

    Closing out the weekend was the MLB Speedway Classic for the Reds vs. Braves, the first MLB game played at the Bristol Motor Speedway and first ever MLB game in Tennessee. Due to heavy rains on Saturday, the game would stretch into Sunday.

    Upper Midwest Trip

    Ian from Canada, who I met during my 2024 East Coast trip, returned to the U.S. for his own ballpark road trip. I took the Amtrak train to meet up with Ian in Chicago to kick off a four-day stretch.

    End of Season in the Bay Area

    A work trip to the Bay Area brought me the opportunity to revisit one ballpark and add on a new ballpark. Friday night, I flew in late to the San Francisco airport and stayed in Millbrae. Saturday, I took the CalTrain to San Francisco for a day game at Oracle Park. Sunday, I took the two-hour Amtrak ride to Sacramento to watch the A’s in their temporary home at Sutter Health Park.

  • Closing the Season in West Sacramento

    Closing the Season in West Sacramento

    Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals

    Its the second consecutive game to close out the regular season and now a slightly longer trip to watch the A’s than it was the last time I was in San Francisco and saw the club in Oakland.

    Since I had already visited Oakland Coliseum, I had no previous intention of watching the A’s in West Sacramento for my journey for thirty. However, the work trip to the Bay Area and a short Amtrak ride made the visit to Sutter Health Park a possibility.

    Amtrak

    When the Athletics played in Oakland, it was only a BART train to get there from San Francisco. Now, it’s only an Amtrak ride. San Francisco will still be the most convenient airport in which to fly, then a BART train to Oakland, and then a two-hour ride to Sacramento. It’s pretty convenient if you do not have a car or do not plan to drive.

    Seat Selection

    Sacramento field view

    Section 113 Row 14 (Behind home plate)

    When you go to ballpark with a capacity of just over 14,000, seating become scarce. At the same time, the A’s aren’t exactly in demand. Hence, lower level seats behind home plate feel like a huge value.

    As far as watching the game, the smaller size of a minor league ballpark offers a more intimate feel and a more engaging fan experience.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Footlong Hot Dog

    I had to go with the tradition choice and it definitely did not disappoint. This particular one was from the Golden Spike Chophouse stand: mustard, sauerkraut, pepper, and (yes I add) ketchup.

    To be honest, I put this as one of the better ballpark hot dogs. Definitely, it is far superior to hot dog I had in Oakland two years before.

    Game Highlights

    The coolest thing about the final game of the regular season is that all 15 games start at the same time regardless of time zone (3:05 PM Eastern Time/12:05 PM Pacific Time).

    Prior to the game, the Athletics announced that next season the team will begin wearing ‘Sacramento’ alternate jerseys.

    The Royals beat the A’s in the final game 9-2 but I did get to watch phenom Nick Kurtz hit his 36th home run of his rookie season.

  • Back in the Bay

    Back in the Bay

    San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies

    A work trip to the Bay Area has brought me the opportunity to see a couple of games before the end of the regular season. This visit to Oracle Park is the first of two consecutive Major League games to close out the regular season.

    Today’s game is my second game lifetime at Oracle Park. This will also be my fourth different ballpark watching the Colorado Rockies.

    Hotel and Transportation

    When I visit the San Francisco area, my preferred hotel location has been along the San Francisco side of the bay and then taking the CalTrain. The San Francisco station is short walk from Oracle Park, so the CalTrain is very convenient to getting to and from the game without the hassle of traffic or parking.

    Seat Selection

    Section LB104 Row 20 (First base side)

    Moreso than most clubs, in my opinion, the San Francisco Giants offer regular promos to get seats at a discount. In this case, it was a two-for-one sale with no fees that would put the cost of the two tickets lower than I would have paid for one ticket.

    I never found someone to take the second ticket.

    However, turns out I was not alone. Next to me is Dave, a longtime Giants fan who also did the two-for-one sale and came solo. His second was supposed to be his wife.

    Most of the time, I am a solo traveler to the ballparks. Sometimes though, you get the opportunity to meet someone new, a fan of the home team or someone who is also trying to visit all 30 Major League ballparks. And baseball opens up the opportunity to chat about the game, or about your teams, or about life overall. I won’t ever meet Dave again but moments like these make the ballpark chase so much more enjoyable.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Lumpia and Filipino Lemonade

    Oracle Park has one of the broadest selections of food for any Major League ballpark and any choice you make will always be a good choice.

    However, I keep going back to the Lumpia and Filipino Lemonade. Only Oracle Park serves the lumpia eggrolls so that alone makes it a uniquely Oracle Park food choice. Plus, the lumpia is really good.

    When I go back to Oracle Park for a third time, maybe I try something different or I go back to something I love.

    Game Highlights

    The greatest highlight of the game is that I got to see Justin Verlander pitch, perhaps, for the last time. There is speculation on whether Verlander will return for a 21st season either with the Giants or another team but I would look at that as a ‘wait and see’.

    If today’s game were Verlander’s final start of his career, then, at least, he would have ended it on a good note. Verlander pitched six innings allowing only five hits, one walk, two runs, and throwing seven strikeouts to earn his fourth win of the season and the 266th of his career.

    The win was boosted with a three-run home run from Casey Schmitt in the 2nd inning. Rafael Devers doubled in the 8th inning to drive in the fourth run.

    The Giants beat the Rockies 4-3.

  • Sunday Funday

    Sunday Funday

    Minnesota Twins vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

    My home ballpark is the final stop of the four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada. For me, Target Field is a regular site. For Ian, this is his first visit. With both the Twins and Diamondbacks well out of contention, the WNBA playoffs completing next door at Target Field, and the Vikings playing later on Sunday night at US Bank Stadium, we have a sparse crowd but plenty of opportunity to explore the ballpark.

    Seat Selection

    Target Field upper level view

    Section 210 Row 3

    The good thing about near empty games at Target Field is that, for the most part, you can sit wherever you want. The seats we purchased were on the 200 Level on the third base side but that side is right in the sun. So we moved to the first base side to stay in the shade.

    For afternoon games at Target Field, look to the first base side for your shaded seats. Third base side will start in the sun but shade will begin to creep down from the upper rows throughout the game.

    Game Highlights

    Unfortunately, as a Twins fan, there hasn’t been much to highlight since the trade deadline that resulted in half of the team going to playoff contenders. For this game in particular, the Twins had the early lead until the Diamondbacks pulled off a strong fourth inning with a three-run home run from James McCann. The Diamondbacks beat the Twins 6-4.

  • NL Central Showdown

    NL Central Showdown

    Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

    The divisional showdown at American Family Field is the third of a four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada and my second game in 2025 at a ballpark that is not Target Field.

    Local Shuttles

    In my previous visits to American Family Field, I have always opted to park in the huge lots surrounding the ballpark and parking in the lots add another $25+ to the cost of the game. Today, we decided to visit a local restaurant for dinner and take the complimentary shuttle to the game. A big plus is that we don’t have to deal with traffic. Because we had dinner at the restaurant, you will not see a “Ballpark Food of Choice” section in this journey post.

    Every baseball fan should experience a Friday afternoon game at Wrigley Field. Part of what makes the experience unique is that the Cubs are the only team that regularly hosts a Friday game at 1:20 p.m. Friday afternoon games are a regular tradition and games sell out regularly for these games.

    Bob Uecker Statue

    Sitting with Bob Uecker

    One of the standard rite (and probably the most important rite for any baseball fan) is to visit the Bob Uecker statue found at the very top of Section 422.

    Seat Selection

    Section 418 Row 11

    Our relentless search for value seating for the Brewers game led us to the upper level between home and first base. The view itself is decent but having the roof open provides comfort on a fall evening game.

    Game Highlights

    Because this was Game 3 of a four-game trip and we needed to make sure we would be well awake for Sunday afternoon game in Minneapolis, we left the game after the 8th inning when the Brewers were trailing the Cardinals 4-6. While we were on the shuttle back to the restaurant, the 9th inning end with the Cardinals scoring one and the Brewers scoring three to start extra innings 7-7. After leaving the restaurant and on the way to Minneapolis, the Brewers walked off the 10th inning with a 9-8 win.

  • Friday 1:20

    Friday 1:20

    Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays

    The Friday game at Wrigley Field is the second of a four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada and the second of two games watching the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

    This game is my 4th different ballpark watching the Rays in 2025. I am not purposely following the Rays but, sometimes, that’s just how the odds work.

    Every baseball fan should experience a Friday afternoon game at Wrigley Field. Part of what makes the experience unique is that the Cubs are the only team that regularly hosts a Friday game at 1:20 p.m. Friday afternoon games are a regular tradition and games sell out regularly for these games.

    Seat Selection

    Wrigley Field view from section 420R

    Section 420R Row 4

    One of the challenges of finding low-priced value seats at Wrigley Field is finding a seat that does not have a pillar in your view. You are safe with any seat in the 100 and 300 Sections, as well as the Outfield Bleachers. In the 200 and 400 Sections, there is always a chance of having an obstructed view. Fortunately, we are obstruction free. We are also shaded the whole game so we got that bit of comfort.

    Ballpark Features

    Wrigley Field is the second oldest active Major League ballpark (with Fenway Park in Boston being the oldest). The features of the ballpark offer a mix of historical tribute and modern amenities.

    Marquee

    Wrigley Field marquee

    One of Wrigley’s most notable features is the red marquee that adorns the outside of the southwest corner of the ballpark. For many fans, it’s an opportune place for a selfie.

    World Series Trophy

    Standing with the 2016 World Series trophy

    In the lower level concourse, the Cubs have a space where fans can take a picture with the 2016 World Series trophy. The World Series trophy has become one of my regular scavenger hunt items when I visit ballparks.

    Gallagher Way

    Gallagher Way is a gathering space outside the west side of Wrigley Field where people can hang out before entering the ballpark. Gallagher Way also hosts a number of statues of Cubs legends, including Hall of Fame second baseman, Ryne Sandberg, who had passed away in July.

    Game Highlights

    On Friday games in 2025, the Cubs take the field in their alternate blue jerseys.

    Unlike the White Sox, who are well out of playoff contention, the Cubs are very much in the playoff hunt and they showed it in their 6-4 win over the Rays. Christopher Morel, current Ray and former Cub, enjoyed his return to Wrigley Field with a 3-run home run to start the game. However, the Cubs would come back with Ian Happ, the Cubs’ top performer, hitting 3-for-4 with a home run, double, and 2 RBI.

    Postgame Bonus

    One of the cool things about ballpark chasing is meeting some really cool people along the way. And one of those cool people is Erika, who works for the Cubs, and who I met when the Cubs visited Target Field in July. I told Erika I would be at Wrigley and she hooked me up with an awesome perk: getting my picture on the field.

  • Thursday in the Windy City

    Thursday in the Windy City

    Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays

    A stop at Rate Field (aka New Comiskey) is the first of a four-day four-ballpark stretch with Ian from Canada and the first of two games watching the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

    This game is my 3rd different ballpark watching the Rays in 2025.

    As I had shared in previous journey posts, Ian from Canada is another ballpark chaser I had met during my East Coast Trip in 2024. Turned out we were going to much of the same games: Boston, New York, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington on the same dates so we met up. I had also met up with Ian later in 2024 when I made the trip to Toronto.

    Ian’s 2025 journey was going to take him through the Upper Midwest. Considering that he was eventually going to hit Target Field and Chicago is an easy Amtrak train ride for me, I decided to join him for the Chicago-Chicago-Milwaukee-Minnesota segment of his trip.

    Seat Selection

    Rate Field seat from left field

    Section 159 Row 5 (Left field)

    One of the main areas than Ian and I have in common when it comes to our baseball journeys are our tendencies to find cheap tickets. Considering this was a Thursday afternoon game in September and the White Sox were well out of playoff contention, decent seats would be easy to find.

    These seats feel close to the game but in the hot sun, even for September, you may want to take the occasional break and find shade.

    Ballpark Features

    Rate Field has a number of features that honor the game, the club’s history, and enhance the ballpark experience.

    Chicago Skyline

    Go to the top level of the ballpark at the right field corner and you will see the ‘Chicago’ script and the skyline in the background for a picturesque view of the Windy City.

    Da’ Pope

    Rate Field added a tribute to their most famous fans, Pope Leo XIV. After Pope Leo had been elected as the first U.S.-born pontiff in May, the White Sox added a mural in his honor on one of the pillar on the lower level just behind home plate.

    Comiskey Park Home Plate

    Across 35th Street, the northern side of the current ballpark, you can find home plate for the old ballpark. It is one of the ways the White Sox honor the history of Chicago baseball.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Out of all of the Major League ballparks I have visited, the selection of food at Rate Field is, by far, the most underrated. In my previous visit, I had the Italian beef sandwich and nachos. In this visit, I had the barbecue pulled pork sandwich. I also could not leave Rate Field without trying their most recent sensation.

    Campfire Milkshake

    Rate Field debuted the Campfire Milkshake in 2024. They followed up this year with the Birthday Cake Milkshake. For me, one shake at a time and I had to go with the chocolate shake topped with marshmallows, graham cracker crust, whipped creams, and a chocolate bar with fudge on the rim of the cup. Definitely get the shake if you have the chance.

    Game Highlights

    As noted, the White Sox are well out of playoff contention. However, the Tampa Bay Rays still had a chance. However, those hopes faded in a 5-1 loss to the White Sox.