Touch All 30

2026 Road Trip to Ballpark 30

  • Prelude to #30

    Prelude to #30

    The drive down from Nashville marked Day 4 of this Road Trip to 30. I broke up the trip with a three-hour stop in Chattanooga to stretch my legs and soak in the scenery before finally pulling into the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. I actually could have skipped the Chattanooga detour and arrived in Atlanta early enough to catch the 7:15 PM ET first pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, I intentionally took my time because I am strictly saving my Ballpark #30 entry for July 3rd.

    Saving #30 for the 3rd

    I want my official milestone moment to be the Dale Murphy MVP Experience during the game against the New York Mets, where I’ll get to celebrate in a private suite alongside my childhood hero. Because of my extended road trip pacing, I didn’t arrive at the hotel early enough to watch the whole game, but I still couldn’t resist walking over to The Battery to soak up the atmosphere.

    2021 World Series Championship ring at Truist Park

    Exploring The Battery

    Even without crossing the turnstiles, the energy outside Truist Park was phenomenal. I took my time exploring the perimeter, wandering past the massive 2021 World Series Champions ring sculpture, walking under the glowing neon Atlanta Braves sign arching over the plaza, and checking out the imposing brick facade of the 3rd Base Gate. Catching a glimpse of the giant baseball graphic on the back of the stadium scoreboard under the twilight sky made the entire milestone feel incredibly real.

    Truist Park watching the Cardinals on TV

    Instead of heading inside, I found a spot in the lively gathering area right outside the Chop House Gate. They have a fantastic setup with a massive screen where fans can lounge on the turf and watch the live broadcast. Sitting there on the grass, watching the end of the Cardinals matchup with fellow fans while listening to the muffled roar of the crowd from inside the gates, was the ultimate tease.

    Truist Park 3rd Base Gate

    The stage is set, the ballpark is right in front of me, and tomorrow, we finally touch ’em all.

  • Nashville – First Horizon Park

    Nashville – First Horizon Park

    Nashville Sounds (Brewers Triple-A) vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins Triple-A)

    Day 3 of the Road Trip to 30 brought me to Tennessee’s capital on a sweltering 90-plus degree day.

    This stop marks my 9th MiLB park visit this season, bringing my overall minor league total to 20-of-119. Most importantly, with this visit to Nashville, I have now seen all four Tennessee minor league teams in their home parks.

    Ballpark Features

    Guitar-shaped scoreboard at First Horizon Park in Nashville

    Without a doubt, the best-known feature of the ballpark is the giant guitar-shaped scoreboard. It towers over the outfield and serves as the perfect visual reminder that you’re watching baseball right in the heart of Music City.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    The Band Box Dog served at First Horizon Park in Nashville

    The Band Box Dog

    If you are looking for something to eat during a game at the Nashville park, I highly recommend making your way out to right field to check out The Band Box. My ballpark food of choice for the evening was the Band Box Dog. This signature item takes a classic Nathan’s hot dog and tops it with onions, pimento cheese, and potato chips. It was an absolute winner.

    Next Stop

    My next stop is Atlanta! I will be heading to The Battery and Truist Park, which will officially mark Ballpark #30 on my list. This final destination is the ultimate milestone, completing my epic journey to visit all thirty Major League ballparks!

  • Memphis – AutoZone Park

    Memphis – AutoZone Park

    Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals Triple-A) vs. Charlotte Knights (White Sox Triple-A)

    The second pitstop on the road trip down to Atlanta brought me to AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis. AutoZone Park marks the third Tennessee minor league ballpark I’ve had the chance to visit on my travels.

    Seat Selection

    AutoZone Park game view

    I grabbed the $9.01 ticket (for the Memphis area code) for the night, which worked out perfectly. The ballpark concourse and seating layout made it easy to wander around, giving me plenty of opportunities to move around and catch different views of the game throughout the evening.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    World Famous BBQ Nachos at AutoZone Park

    World Famous BBQ Nachos

    You can’t head to a ballgame in Memphis and pass up the barbecue. The World Famous BBQ Nachos feature a bed of chips topped with pulled pork, melted cheese, sweet barbecue sauce, and a kick of jalapeños. It was the clear standout menu item of the night.

    Next Stop

    With AutoZone Park in the books, it’s time to head east on I-40 to Nashville for the final minor league pitstop of this leg. Catching a game at First Horizon Park will round out the Tennessee ballpark warmups before making the stretch run down to Atlanta for the ultimate milestone: crossing the finish line at Truist Park for Ballpark #30!

  • A Walk Off to Kick Off the Road Trip to 30

    A Walk Off to Kick Off the Road Trip to 30

    Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres

    The road trip to my 30th Major League ballpark has officially begun! My journey down south kicked off with a stop at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago to watch the Cubs take on the San Diego Padres.

    • 3rd visit to Wrigley Field
    • 3rd different Cubs’ matchup
    • 3rd different ballpark watching the Padres

    I drove down from Minneapolis and parked at Linden, which made for a smooth train ride to the stadium. One of the best parts of this journey is the people I see along the way, and I was thrilled to meet up with Erika before the game, who currently works for the Cubs and whom I had previously met in Minnesota.

    Walking Wrigleyville

    Wrigley Field Budweiser bleachers entrance

    I arrived at the Addison stop about 3:30 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. Monday night game, and Wrigleyville was already filled with Cubs and Padres fans buzzing with excitement for the matchup. Before heading inside, I took a walk around the stadium’s historic exterior to soak in the atmosphere.

    I couldn’t miss the iconic Wrigley Field marquee, which perfectly set the stage by displaying “SHO TIME 7:05 P.M.”

    It was incredible to see the statues honoring Cubs legends, including Harry Caray at the Budweiser Bleachers entrance, Ryne Sandberg, and Ron Santo.

    Wrigley Field Ryne Sandberg statue
    Wrigley Field Ron Santo statue

    Seat Selection

    Wrigley Field view from section 222

    Section 222 Row 7

    Once inside the Friendly Confines, I made my way to my spot for the evening. This was a fun milestone for me, as it was my first time getting a ticket on the lower level! Anyone who has been to Wrigley Field knows that the historic architecture can sometimes make sightlines tricky, so I was absolutely thrilled to have a seat completely free from any pillar obstructions, giving me a perfect, clear view of the field.

    Ballpark Food of Choice

    Italian beef and sausage

    You can’t catch a game in Chicago without indulging in the local staples. For this visit, I went with the Italian Beef and Sausage Sandwich. It was exactly the kind of hearty meal you need to fuel a massive baseball road trip, and I washed it down perfectly with a soda in a commemorative Cubs souvenir cup.

    Game Highlights

    Padres vs. Cubs starting lineups

    Right before the first pitch, I checked out the starting lineups on the Wintrust video board. The matchup did not disappoint, ending in a dramatic 3-2 win for the Cubs.

    • Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga had a fantastic outing, pitching into the seventh inning and successfully keeping the Padres in the ballpark.
    • In the fifth, Seiya Suzuki hit a clutch sacrifice fly to deep center field, allowing Dansby Swanson to hustle home and tie the game at 2-2.
    • The magic happened in the bottom of the ninth when Suzuki hit a deep fly ball off the ivy-covered wall for a walk-off single against Padres closer Mason Miller.

    With Wrigley Field in the books, I’ll be breaking up the rest of the drive by checking out some incredible minor league parks in Memphis and Nashville on Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • 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!