Touch All 30

Road Trip

  • 30 Days Until Ballpark #30

    30 Days Until Ballpark #30

    The countdown is officially on. In exactly 30 days, my epic stadium-hopping journey will reach its ultimate milestone. After years of travel, thousands of miles, and countless ballpark hot dogs, I am ready to complete my quest to visit all 30 Major League venues.

    And I’ve saved a truly special place for last: Truist Park in Atlanta.

    On Friday, July 3rd, Truist Park will officially become Ballpark #30 on my list. The Atlanta Braves will be hosting the New York Mets, and I couldn’t have picked a more meaningful matchup or stadium to cross the finish line.

    Coming Full Circle: From Minnesota to Atlanta

    If you’ve been following Touch All 30, you know my heart belongs to my hometown team, the Minnesota Twins. But long before I was waving a Homer Hanky in Minnesota, I was a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan.

    Back then, there was one player who stood above the rest for me: Dale Murphy. He was my absolute favorite player growing up, and his legendary MVP years are what cemented my early love for the game.

    Because of that, I’m celebrating my 30th stadium in the grandest way possible. On July 3rd, I will be participating in the Dale Murphy MVP Experience! I’ll be watching the game from a private luxury suite right alongside Murph himself, getting a VIP tour of the stadium’s Monument Garden, and hanging out with a true baseball icon. To go from a kid cheering him on from afar to sharing a suite with him as I complete my 30-ballpark journey is a total full-circle moment.

    The Road to Atlanta (And a Few Minor Pitstops)

    Of course, you can’t have a Touch All 30 road trip without stretching out the itinerary. My journey down south kicks off on Monday, June 29th, with a stop at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago to watch the Cubs take on the San Diego Padres.

    From there, I’ll be spending Tuesday and Wednesday breaking up the drive by checking out some incredible minor league parks in Memphis and Nashville (because you can never look at too many baseball diamonds, right?).

    A Crossroads for America 250

    Once the big milestone is checked off on July 3rd, my itinerary hits a fascinating fork in the road for Independence Day, and I’m looking at two completely different—but equally awesome—paths to finish the holiday weekend before heading back to Minnesota.

    Option A: The Reliving History Route

    If I stay in Atlanta for the game on Saturday, July 4th, I’ll be sitting in the stands for the 41st anniversary of the legendary “Rick Camp” game. For casual fans who might not remember, on July 4, 1985, the Braves and Mets played a wild, rain-delayed, 20-inning marathon that didn’t end until 3:55 AM—highlighted by a legendary 18th inning home run from relief pitcher Rick Camp.

    The Southeast’s larget fireworks show after the game is also a bonus to celebrate American 250.

    If I stay for this anniversary game, I’ll head home via Kansas City on Monday, July 6th to catch the Royals vs. Phillies at Kauffman Stadium.

    Option B: The Family Get Together Route

    The alternative is to skip the July 4th game and head up to Tennessee to visit my family for the holiday. Family time is tough to beat, and this route gives me a bonus ballpark on the way home: I’d stop at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Sunday, July 5th to watch the Reds host the Baltimore Orioles.

    Either way, it’s going to be an unforgettable week of baseball, nostalgia, and milestones.

    Are you heading out to any ballparks this summer? If you were in my shoes, would you stay for the historic July 4th anniversary game in Atlanta or take the road trip up to Cincy?

    Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as I document the final stretch to 30!

  • 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.