500 Ballparks: From Wooden Seats to Retro Classics

Everything there is to know about the greatest baseball stadiums in America.

500 Ballparks is dedicated to diamond shrines that have seen the best of the game, from the earliest days of the sport through to today. It is organized into two sections. First is an A-Z illustrated directory of 380 major ballparks, including those that have seen Major League action. Detailed text, captioned photographs, including archival, and a facts box provide a comprehensive overview of the park and its role in American baseball history.

The second section is a listing with brief descriptions of 123 minor-league parks, including those used by the Negro Leagues, the Federal League, the Triple-A Minor League, the International League and the Pacific Coast League. It also includes the Grapefruit League and Cactus League ballparks, and a range of unusual parks in the United States and Canada.

The engaging narrative covers the fields’ history and architectural evolution, the clubs that have played there, what the future holds for the ballpark, and little-known stories and events. For example, the waterfront location of San Francisco’s old Candlestick Park was so exposed to the elements that a box holder sued the stadium owners because his box was too cold -- and won. Burns Park, home to the Detroit Tigers, was both loved and maligned for its location. Fans filled the seats, thanks to the nearby saloons, but the ALA did not like the brawling and boozing that resulted, and insisted the team move -- after which attendance plummeted.

Although each ballpark has its foibles and hidden secrets, the fans are the heart of any live sport. 500 Ballparks does not forget this. Each club’s fans are examined and judged on their unique customs and loyalty.

This handsome book is an essential choice for all sports collections, especially where a major or minor league team is active. It is also an excellent, authoritative and up to date research resource.

Eric John Pastore is a graduate of Pace University in New York City. He makes his living as a musician and technician in film and television. His work can be seen in such movies as Spiderman 3 and The Bourne Ultimatum. Eric was the president of the Piedmont League in North Carolina and is now operations manager for the Southwestern League of Professional Baseball in New York, where he and his wife reside.