Blog Archives
Finalizing My Full Year Quest To See A Game Everyday Live In 2015
The 30 MLB Park tour by travel or air is one of the most adrenaline filled chases one can endure. It is like the Amazing Race, meets Survivor, against Planes, Trains and Automobiles. But even if you just love to travel, nothing beats going to the park!
I wanted to watch the 1st 2 months off of the West Coast, but the schedule didn’t allow it.
I would have loved to chase down records (for land or air), but obligations to family, friends and also to this website had me thinking of the bigger picture, and I just couldn’t wear myself that thin…when the goal was originally a game a day all year at least
It has been a grueling journey to even plan this 179 day MLB Trip, but the end is in sight, and the baseball year is just 6 weeks away. You can view my pending journey here.
I have dealt with the Canadian $ plummeting to the lowest mark it has seen since I started ballpark chasing in 2005, but at least had the foresight to see it coming down in advance.
The cost of a venture like this changes on a daily basis with fuel prices, and also the rise of inflation. The best laid budgets can veer the wrong way on any given 24 hour stretch. Read the rest of this entry
Buying 2015 MLB Tickets For All 30 Clubs: Rating Packages, Partial Plans + Single Game Sale Dates
With Philadelphia not having the best team the last few years, I am giving them the nod for having the best ticket campaigning to drive sales in 2015. They had their schedule up early, offered a Christmas special, 3, 4 or 6 game fan select packages (that didn’t omit any games), and most of them included the season opener option – while supplies lasted. In addition to this, they had a business person’s special, the Phillie Phanatic birthday package, Mothers Day and Father’s day specials and 4 different options for 20 game plans. I am glad I am watching the most games here on my 179 day trip – than any other venue.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
One of the things that has made me quite upset over forecasting my big road trip is the waiting for single game tickets. I made a point back in December that baseball needs to look at this in great detail for all 30 MLB franchises.
Some of the clubs are doing a better job than the others, having said that, maybe Rob Manfred could help address some of these marketing drives.
There is no reason why fans have to wait so long for to buy game tickets for the upcoming campaign! Kudos to the teams like Seattle, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto, Philadelphia and the Giants for having several fan selection packages available in a timely fashion.
Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium have come down in ticket prices over the last 5 years. Routinely, the most expensive ballparks, even they have deals on certain games and times of the year. Boston even had a day where they waved their processing fee’s for a 24 hour stretch. Other teams should take heed on this brilliant idea.
The Red Sox had one of the best promotions I have seen this winter during a day in January this year. For their lower tier games in dynamic pricing, they offered a fee waiver on service charges for a 24 hour session. I ended up buying 9 tickets for $90. Outstanding value to see a park most people have near the tops of their stadium rankings! Read the rest of this entry
A Chase For A World Record Means Some Sacrifices To Full Year Schedule
With family leaving in New Jersey about a $5 public transit move away, I will be visiting CBP for another 30 games to help keep costs down for the whole year trip. In addition to this park being cool – it also has doubleheader chances with both New York teams and Baltimore?Washington. It is a good place to set up shop on the Eastern Seaboard. I will see 40 games at CBP this season.
What a rollercoaster of a month it has been. I may crumbled out of the gate before I even begin my year long baseball park journey. Of course I am kidding there.. But there have been several ups and downs.
The Good:
A great schedule for the most part. I have worked out several kinks, bought plenty of tickets already, made plans with countless other ballpark chasers. The ability to be able to do this trip is not lost on me. Bought several tickets when the dollar value was high.
I am seeing my favorite 2 teams almost a quarter of their games (Yankees and Nationals).
I will chase a world record down from June to July in some fashion.
Also purchasing partial season tickets for the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs, Phillies, Brewers and White Sox is awesome to have in the hopper. Read the rest of this entry
Interleague 2015 Master Schedule (300 Games) All Times Posted So Far
The National League will be looking to shake an 11 year game losing streak to the American League in 2015.
Among the new things that AL vs NL has to offer, is a return to all teams in action at some point in the season during the time.
Of course the Astros were back in the Senior Circuit then, so there was 16 teams vs just 14 for the Junior Circuit.
Mark it on your calendars – from Monday June 15 – June 18 all 30 teams will take part in a 2 game home and away series versus the same club. This is sure to be a treat for Interleague fans.
Citizens Bank Ball Park, PNC Park and Fenway Park are the only 3 stadiums to have their venues host AL vs NL as their home openers.
The MLB Reports will try to update the game times as they come in until the start of next campaign. Read the rest of this entry
Game Start Times + Opponents For All 30 MLB Home Park Openers – 2015
The view of the Roberto Clemente Bridge is worth the price of admission alone at PNC Park. The 2013 fans saw the Bucs make the playoffs for the 1st time in 21 years. There were almost 2.3 Million people that went through the turnstiles. In 2014, they exceed that – with the team having adrawn 2.45 Million people, were the 1st Wild Card Holder, before losing the game in Pittsburgh to the eventual World Series winning Giants. Most ballpark fans have this iconic venue in their top list of stadiums in the MLB.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter: Follow @mlbreports
The Season Opener is on Sunday Apr.05, 2015, and will see Wrigley start their 101st season at the venue, despite not having the bleachers renovated in time.
Within 9 days of the opener, all parks will be accounted for in the year. Game Start times will come in sporadically in the offseason with variance on when the clubs all post them.
Generally there is a massive spike on game 1 of any year at a ball park, so a big tip is to wait for game #2. A lot of the squads love to offer great value priced tickets as a way to stop the catastrophic plummet from the opener.
Whatever the case, if you know ways to acquire your way in to one of these parks for the inaugural game of the season, it is always a memorable experience! Read the rest of this entry
Potential World Record Of All 30 MLB Parks In 21 Or 22 Days – 2015 (Air + Ground Streak)
BallparkChasers.com is a website where some of the fans dedicated to going to baseball parks meet. There are many members who have completed all current 30 MLB Parks in their travels. Go to the site and join the movement.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
We covered the ground attack yesterday for an all 30 MLB Parks World Record Pursuit. Now it is time to turn our attention to the schedule that would challenge the record chase of all 30 MLB Parks (done in 2012 by yours truly) in 23 days.
The odds are stacked favorably against anyone ever eclipsing this record. Even with a perfect schedule, I am not sure I could accomplish the task.
In 2012, I knocked off 7 out of 10 Doubleheaders – and put forth the new mark. None of the 3 misses were my fault from planning. I had 3 plane delays ruin attempts, all had mechanical failures, and the worst one was the 2nd officer’s seat belt not coming down completely. Lost an Atlanta/St. Louis double for that.
Realistically had the flights worked out, I may have set a 30-21 streak. But I was lucky. I had only one game of 30 even reach extra innings. Also faced no weather challenges, despite it being opening month if the game.
In 2013 and 2014 I put out scenarios that could have challenged the record, but all would have ended up in flames with bad game times and even a rainout. Read the rest of this entry
Potential 30 MLB Parks In 25 Days World Record Attempt In 2015 (All By Ground)
Petco Park is a doable Doubleheader Attempt with Angel Stadium, and especially with start times of 12:40/7:05.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
As I said before yesterday, the schedule maker was very kind to those looking to pursue records for ballpark chasing this season. I was hoping to have the option. Now it is a possibility.
From June 15th to July 9th, there is s schedule that lends itself to 30 games in 25 days (all by ground). I can honestly see this kind of itinerary is rare, How much? Well it is the first docket like this in 7 years, since Josh Robbins nailed all 30 MLB Parks in 26 days.
The all ground record is impressive. Josh made 4 Doubleheaders (including 3 straight in a row to end his streak), to make a 30 – 26 record happen.
He traveled 15,000 Miles in 26 Days. This potential record streak would add 5,000 Miles to the bid. The doubleheaders listed are: Petco Park/Angel Stadium, Progressive Field/PNC Park, Us Cellular Field/Wrigley Field, Citi Field/Citizens Bank Park, and Great American Ballpark and Busch Stadium (the hardest of them all to complete, with 354 Miles between venue’s.
There is even a special 6 doubleheader attempt listed, although it is a tough negotiation, and would nor shave off a day off the chase, rather it would give a rest day. There are about 4 different 1000+ Mile journey’s between the parks. Read the rest of this entry
My New 2015 30 MLB Parks/183 Day Record Trip Is Revealed (226 Games)
The count is in, and it may increase a little – or decrease a little. It has taken me about a week’s worth of hours to formulate this game plan. I have had to revamp the itinerary several times for cost and time considerations.
I initially had wanted to spend the first few months on the West Coast, however the parks are too far from each other. Once I established that was a problem, it made life easier. Factor in some great scores on tickets for the Red Sox and Phillies, and I am looking at a ton of games on the Eastern Seaboard.
Highlighted in my April schedule are 12 Doubleheader Attempts. Yes I am crazy, but this a good way to put a lot of games up early while I am freshest.
ESPN has also placed its first 5 games for Sunday night contests and surprise…the Yankees are in 3 of the contests. I am attending 4 of these games as part of Doubleheader days. The only one not consisting of 2 games is the MLB Season Opener at Wrigley Field on Apr.5, 2015.
I have slated to see most teams at least 3 times at home (except for Tropicana Field which I will see 2x), and all teams at least once on the road. I will see Citizens Bank Park, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Miller Park, Safeco Field, US Cellular Field, Nats Park and Citi Field at least 10games or more.
There are 46 Doubleheaders in the 179 games played, with potentially more coming on the way. I could have a few taken away with my schedule projections as well. Right now the Royals, Padres, White Sox, Astros and Indians have not placed their start times yet (Shame on them, LOL). Read the rest of this entry
My 183 Day/30 MLB Park Trip Will Be About 229 Games.
Follow Chuck Booth On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I have been waiting for every last team to post their times, so I can mark my way through the entire calendar for game action for every single day next year,
Two-Thirds of the teams have complied, and I am seeing about 44 – 50 Doubleheader Attempts for the calendar season.
From the season opener at Wrigley Field, I will be there… I am attending about 17 – 20 games on the North Side Of Chicago, and many of them will couple a game at Miller Park right afterwards.
Since my brother lives in Philadelphia, and is the hub for doublheaders on the Eastern Seaboard, I will see the most games there out of any other park.
I contemplated basing out of Seattle, but it is just too far away from other parks. I will still see about 20 games there next season.
I plan on seeing the Nationals in about 12 different road parks..
Barring Any Setbacks Schedule Wise, I Will Be Attempting An All 30 MLB Parks/20 Days Trip In 2015
Follow Chuck Booth On Twitter Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I have been waiting as patiently as I can for the 2015 time starts for the upcoming MLB season. It all started coming together when Wrigley Field was announced as the 2015 campaign opener.
I knew where I was going to start my quest of attending a game for every day in the 2015 year.
A lot of teams have put forth their start times for most games already, and even the Mets, Yankees and A’s are smart enough to have single game ticket sales up before Christmas holidays for 2015.
Scouring the June and July itinerary of games (for another ballpark chaser’s potential 30 Games in 30 Days via a ground trip) I started to see some Doubleheaders arise in the time frame of June 10 – July 4th time frame.
This is nothing new to me, as I have been scouting out Doubleheader possibilities since 2007. What was starting to take form is a sweetheart list of potential opportunities of 2 games in one day.
Now not every club has specified their start times. Teams like the Royals, Indians, Marlins, Astros, Padres, Angels and White Sox have yet to publish any game times this far. But from the games that are put in at this point, it is looking like I will have a streak chase to trek down my own World Record of 30 parks in 23 days set in 2012.
I will have to wait until the end of January to finish the schedule, as I am in need of the ESPN Sunday night schedule of games for those months too, but it is looking in my favor to have about 10 doubleheader attempts in a 20 day span. Read the rest of this entry
Baseball Book Review: My Ballpark Summer: What Taking Myself Out To The Ballgame Taught Me – By Alicia Barnhart
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I don’t read many baseball books, heck, I have written more books in the last 6 years (3), than I have actually read (2). This book I finished awhile back and is subject of today’s Book Review.
The book is called “My Ball Park Summer: What Taking Myself Out To The Ballgame Taught Me.” It is authored by Alicia Barnhart. You can follow her brilliant blog at http://www.ballparksonabudget.com
I first met Alicia online earlier this year and was impressed at her knowledge of the baseball parks. After a few brief discussions, and following her on twitter Follow @alicia_barnhart , I realized she ventured to all 30 MLB Parks during the summer of 2012. Coincidentally, this is the same year I broke my own record for ‘attending all 30 MLB Parks” in 23 days.
Miss Barnhart is among a small percentage of ballpark chasers that have actually seen all 30 parks in one year, and she is the only woman that I have ever seen to do them all by herself in one baseball campaign.
Why I was drawn to buying her book, is that I wrote a book “The Fastest Thirty Ballgames” in chronicling my previous record trips (2008 and 2009) for 30 MLB Park tours in 2011.
Again, Alicia is part of a small percentage of people that have compiled a book based on her baseball journey to all of the baseball stadiums.
I purchased the E-Book format from Amazon (In the Kindle Reader). The cost was $3, which itself lends to her motto of “Ballparks On A Budget”, and I started to read about her baseball quest. It was such an intriguing read, I never finished reading it until I ran out of pages on my computer screen. Read the rest of this entry
4 MLB Post Season Games Slated For Friday, All 3 Hours Apart – Call In Sick!
The 1st game of tomorrow’s play will be held at beautiful Camden Yards..
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am also an NFL fan, and while I love baseball more than life itself, these type of days are rare indeed, where the sport will carry four separate times, in order for all 4 games to be seen.
Now, good luck on all games to be under 3 hours, but it is possible with some of the ace pitchers throwing.
Here is the lineup..
All times EST
Detroit @ Baltimore 12:07 PM (Camden Yards) Justin Verlander vs TBD
San Fran @ Washington 3:07 PM (Nationals Park) Jake Peavy vs Stephen Strasburg
St. Louis @ LA Dodgers 6:37 PM (Dodger Stadium) Adam Wainwright vs Clayton Kershaw
Kansas City @ LA Angles 9:37 (Angel Stadium) Yordano Ventura. vs Matt Shoemaker
Now I for one, am thinking that the LA traffic will be gridlock with over 100, 000 people clogging up the freeways in Los Angeles on a October Friday night. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Baseball Is A Great Value Live At The Park
Safeco Field is among the very top valued parks in the MLB. A pair of tickets can be had for $35 – $40 at the most, and there are an unbelievable amount of free parking spots within a mile of the venue. The pricing for the 2014 Post Season is decent as well for those with season ticket holder status. $40 for face valued tickets (LF Bleachers) during the LDS round. That goes to $85 during the ALCS – and only $120 per ticket for the World Series games. I can’t even buy a ‘Standing Room Only’ Ticket for my local NHL Hockey team. to see the worst team in the league for that much!
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Stop me if you heard this before…Baseball is dying.. Come on folks, the actual facts don’t suggest that at all. Sure if you are going back to the day when there were 3 networks on TV, and that is it.
I am going to let you in on a little secret here. Back in 2004, I was once a NHL hockey fan. Yeah, let the stereotype stand for living north of the border, but yeah I followed the sport religiously, even more than baseball for a period.
At that point in my life, I had been to about a hundred games live in Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, and had been to exactly 3 MLB games (1 at Skydome in 1989, and 2 at Olympic Stadium) in the mid 90’s.
Once I went to Safeco Field once in 2005, I was hooked and had the vibe to see all other 29 parks in rapid fashion.
My love for viewing baseball parks escalated from there into 4 world record chases – to become the fastest to see a full game live at all 30 MLB Stadiums.
A lot of my friends and family are often baffled why i don’t just watch hockey, and support the local hockey team. My interest dwindles every year, and especially now that I am more rabid about baseball than ever, doing this website daily. Read the rest of this entry
LA Dodgers Eliminated From Shutout Survivor – Leaving TEX/LAA + COL Left
Cliff Lee was downright filthy last in blanking the Dodgers. It was the 1st 0 runs game for the NL Los Angeles team, thus eliminating them from this competition. The only NL team left is the Colorado Rockies, who of course play in Coors Field as their home ballpark. The Phillies have received decent power from Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and now Ryan Howard has hit homers in back to back games, pacing the Philly to a 9 – 10 start, with Cole Hamels coming back.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Eliminated Last Night are the Dodgers.
After the games on Apr.20th, there are 27 teams taken out of this competition. The AL West still has 2 teams remaining in this and the NL has 1 All Divisions are eliminated except for those two.
Should be a great contest to see who can be the last team to score zero runs in a game. Read the rest of this entry
Washington Nationals Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Washington Nationals have had an escalating salary structure for the last few years. The truth is that their talent needs to be paid as time goes on.
In 2014, the Budget is looking to be around $130 MIL so far, after just being over $110 MIL.
The situation is more expensive next year, with 10 players under the Arbitration Eligible – highlighted by Stephen Strasburg for his 2nd year of it.
Among the others are: Craig Stammen, Danny Espinosa, Tyler Clippard, Doug Fister, Drew Storen, Ross Detwiler, Wilson Ramos, Jerry Blevins, Jose Lobaton and Ryan Mattheus. Read the rest of this entry
New York Mets State Of The Union: 2014 Preview
The Mets are destined for another catastrophic year in Flushing Meadows. The only saving grace may lie with the young players starting to flourish in 2014, and the 10 Year Stalwart David Wright continue to stake his claim as an ALL – Time Met. A bad Bullpen. shaky rotation dependent on health, and a Strikeout laden club, with HR power, but low OBP – fuels a fan to think ‘what the hell is the ownership doing? As tough a situation as it has been for the teams brass, Sandy Alderson and Moneyball’s Paul DePodesta’ have actually done spade work in rebuilding the Minor League System and big club with prospects. I am afraid 2014 will be another dull year at Citi Field.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
To fully describe the current state of the ‘Big Apple’ franchise we must go back to Sept of 2013.
New Team icon, and filthy dominant Right Handed Pitcher, Matt Harvey was looking to put up an awesome end to his 2013 campaign, and give the Mets fans full fledged hope for the following season.
Harvey underwent Tommy John Surgery just a few months later, which has both curbed expectations, but also excitement at the same time for the upcoming year.
Sandy Alderson pursued Curtis Granderson and landed him on a 4 YRs/$60 MIL deal, and also signed SP Bartolo Colon to a 2 YR Deal worth $20 MIL.
In a smaller move, he also inked Chris Young to a deal for one year. Read the rest of this entry
Confessions Of A BallPark Chaser: 2014 + The Real Price To See All 30 MLB Parks In A Month
The MLB Reports is going to step up our coverage of talking about the ballparks. We are part of the biggest fraternity of balllpark experts, all lending creative information to help out others. Stay tuned for future posts. But all you really have to do is to see all of our links of interest on the left hand side of our home page, to click on all of these aforementioned sites.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is nothing that revs my adrenaline more than knowing I am going to chase a ballpark this year.
In 2013, between running this website, and juggling my work, I only went to 2 games in MLB Parks.
Nicely I made the opener at Dodger Stadium, and then captured a late season game in Safeco.
After breaking my own World Record for witnessing 30 MLB Games (All Parks in 23 days – every pitch) in 2012, I was left with my worst total in a decade last year.
I wanted to change that in 2014. Unfortunately I wont be chasing any records this upcoming year, but I will potentially be going on a historic run in 2015.
I will get to that in a minute. This year I do plan on seeing 20 games at Safeco Field. It is important for me to see games live in person, so I forked out $750 yesterday to do just that.
I bought a 17 game flex plan for the Mariners, and it involves an array of games from April to September.
While it will trounce my records ever for a ballpark in one year, there are no plans for attending a game in any other ballpark on the road this season.
Now that we have talked about, let’s chat about my plans for 2015.
As Washington Fans Return To Baseball, Remember That OBP Equals Time Of Possession
With a brutal season of football just put recently behind them, many fans in the DC will look to baseball to stoke their fire in sports. The Nationals are still a favorite to win the NL East. With NFL fans hating the complexities of the MLB game, this blog gives a simile of a concept adaptation. It boggles my mind why more analysts do not try and use parallel’s between the two sports to attract more football fans to the MLB brand.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
When baseball fans huddle together and complain about the masses one of the biggest complaints about Washington DC’s sports fan base is that there are too many football fans.
That they view baseball through the football colored glasses of a short season and reactionary moves.
A player has a bad week or two to start the season and it is time to get rid of them, or a pitcher has a bad inning and it is time for the manager to come get them.
The type of responses to baseball that a baseball fan wouldn’t have.
Anthony Rendon’s Sac Fly
The Washington Nationals State Of The Union Part 1: Fall 2013 Through Spring 2014
The Nationals failed to meet expectations as the Preseason favorites to lock down the World Series in 2013. Heck, they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. Whether it was injury, or complacency, the talent of this team didn’t maximize their potential this year. However, the club did go 24 – 12 in their last 36 Games Played, and made a late charge at the 2nd Wild Card Spot in the Nationals League. Most of the nucleus is coming back for the 2014 year. Here are some priorities for the winter.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
1. Find a Manager
There are moves that can be made without a new manager in place, but this is the most important thing the Nationals have to do this off-season. Not having the leader of the team will make all the other moves more difficult.
Players want to know who they are playing for and the manager is going to have a lot of input into what free agents the Nationals go after for the bench and bullpen, which happen to be their two biggest needs personnel-wise.
It is also important to get the new manager in place early so that he has an entire off-season to communicate with the players already in the majors and to familiarize himself with the system and the minor leaguers that could help during the season.
For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.
Jordan Zimmermann Interview
Add Another Season Of Misery For The City Of Washington: 80 Years + 3 Franchises Have Disappointed
The Nationals are just the latest in a string of failures the city of Washington has seen. It has been 80 years since an MLB club from the District has seen World Series Baseball, and now they will have to wait another season. Despite being the Preseason favorite to make the Fall Classic, Washington has missed the playoffs outright in 2013.
By James O’Hara (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @nextyeardc
Follow the MLB Reports on Twitter Follow @mlbreports
On Oct. 1, 1971 in the last game played by the Washington Senators at RFK Stadium, fans began tearing apart the stadium and field to claim souvenirs. Much like the current Washington Nationals are tearing apart Washington, D.C.
A lot is made of the Chicago Cubs (not winning a World Series since 1909 – or playing in one since 1945) and Boston Red Sox decades long pursuit of World Series titles and the pressure from it – before knocking the monkey from their back in 2004.
But that cannot compare to the pressure of being in town without baseball for 33 years – and having not played in the World Series at all since the Joe Cronin led 1933 squad lost.
From 1971 – 2004, Thirty-three World Series champions were crowned without a team from Washington, D.C. even entering the fight.
It is almost fitting in a way that the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, as you are talking about 1 of 2 teams in the MLB currently, that have never played (other is Seattle) in a World Series before. The Expos/Nats club have now completed their 45th season in the Majors without showing up in the “Fall Classic”.
The Traveling Salesman Problem: 30 MLB Stadiums In Record Time
The 30 MLB Park Road Trip has been mastered by about 25 people who have accomplished the feat in under a month. We are going to keep giving the extreme ballpark chasers some more food for thought here.
By Josh Robbins (Special Guest Writer And Co – Creator for The Factor12 Rating Pitching Metric.)
The Factor 12 (F12) is an analytic measurement utilizing league average performance to compare the value of all MLB pitchers on 60ft6in.com.
My grandfather was a traveling salesman for most of his working life. Frequently, he recalls stories about selling his wares in exotic places such as Keokuk, Iowa, Hannibal, Missouri, and Cairo, Illinois.
However, the real Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) asks this question: “Given a list of cities and the distances between each pair of cities, what is the shortest possible route that visits each city exactly once and returns to the origin city?”
Applying this computation to all 30 MLB stadiums is more complex given the nature of the regular season schedule. A handful of metropolitan cities host two clubs enabling for travel to occur in the same city more than once.
Without using a complex algorithm or formula based system, google maps will be utilized to determine the shortest distances between each city/stadium to determine the most logical route.
Extreme ballpark chasers are often left to the mercy of the schedule eliminating a perfect directional path.
After optimizing the mileage breakdown between stadiums, this is the shortest possible DRIVING route discovered:
30 Ballparks in 30 Days Documentary
Breaking Down A Potential Suitor For My World Record Of 30 MLB Parks in 23 Days with a 30 – 21 bid
30 in 21 chance by Jake Beham
The schedule of Jake Beham, who is trying to chase down my World Record of Seeing all 30 MLB Parks (every pitch) in 23 calendar days or less. This schedule must have been done without knowing you have to witness all plays of the game to qualify. Jake is going to have a tough time dodging a miss on day 2 – where he will try to beat Labor Day Monday traffic from after the game – in order to make 1st pitch at CBP. He will never make it by car. The Yankees always play games that are 3 Hours or longer as well. Even Amtrak train is a longshot. I give him a 10% chance to make it on his 1st Doubleheader attempt.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @mlbreports
2 days later he flies to Chase Field – and has scheduled a Doubleheader with Angel Stadium For DH #2. I am assuming he is planning on taking a Southwest Airlines flight that arrives at John Wayne Arpt. The flight leaves Phoenix at 455 PM.
That is 4 hours and 15 minutes after 1st pitch. The flight that arrives in SNA at 605. If he makes the flight, he could make this. However it is about a 67% chance. Most NL games last about 2 hours and 35 minutes.
The airport is close enough to the park in PHX – as is SNA airport. Any extra innings though, and it is over.
On FRI, Sept.6th, he has scheduled a Wrigley Field and Kauffman Stadium doubleheader for DH #3. This one is impossible. The game starts at 120 PM local Chicago Time.
The closest flight I saw that leaves ORD or MDW in time for Kansas City, leaves at 441 PM. That is 3 hours and 21 minutes from 1st pitch at Wrigley Field.
The History Of Extreme Ballpark Chasing (1993 – 2013)
The days of not being able to visit all MLB parks in consecutive days ended in 1993, when the Rockies were introduced, and enhanced even more with the Arizona Diamondbacks entering the league in 1998. In the last 15 years, several people have tried to see all 30 MLB parks in under a month. Some successful, some broke some rules, and one guy even bought this website 6 months after he set the World Record for visiting all 30 MLB Parks in just 23 Calendar Days – completing 7 Doubleheaders.
Ballpark Chaser definition: Someone who is actively pursuing quests to view Baseball Parks.
Guys talked about in this Article: Completely Insane!
By Josh Robbins (Special Guest Writer And Co – Creator for The Factor12 Rating Pitching Metric.) Factor 12 (F12) is an analytic measurement utilizing league average performance to compare the value of all MLB pitchers on 60ft6in.com.
MLB Expansion Makes Ballpark Chasing Possible
Twenty years ago, the course of history changed for ballpark chasing. In 1993, the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins debuted in the National League, increasing the total number of MLB teams to twenty-eight.
The two new franchises created positions for fifty players and expanded the pursuits for ballpark chasers.
In prior years, the nearest connection between a west coast team and the mid-west was Anaheim Stadium to Royals Stadium, a 23-hour drive covering 1,619 miles.
As a result, it was impossible for fans to attend games in consecutive days at every MLB stadium during one concurrent driving trip. Consequently, the only method to complete the entire circuit was to combine land and air travel.
The new league structure dramatically altered the traveling landscape by adding Mile High Stadium in Denver, a 14-hour, 1,011-mile drive from Anaheim Stadium.
Reggie Deal’s- 30 Day. 30 Park Compilation (A Blind Fan Who visited all 30 MLB Parks in 30 Days last year)
September Callup Candidates For The Nationals: Washington With A Great 36 Game Sked To End 2013
At 62 – 64 with 36 games left, The Nationals will need a massive collapse from either the Pirates, Reds or Cardinals in order to qualify for the Post Season in 2013 being 10.5 Games behind the playoff bar. Despite the struggles, the club still has to go about the business of preparing a 40 Man Roster in September. Lets preview some of the news, injured players coming back, and recent performances of some of the guys in the Minor League System.
By Sean Hogan (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @seanhoganvt
September is just 10 days away. With 9 games in those 10 days, a lot of things can happen with the Nats. They can still go on a run and get back into the thick of things in the Wild Card race.
The reason for this is easy…. The Pirates, Cardinals and Reds are play each other a pile in the last 5 weeks of the year, so all the Nationals have to do is to take care of business, and they can be back in the conversation for the playoff game at least.
The Nats also have a ridiculously easy schedule coming from now until the end of the year in their final 36 games.
Coming up. 1 more @CHC, 3 @KC (they are struggling now), then a 6 game homestand versus the Marlins and Mets. They should go 7 – 3 here.
From there, they have a 10 game road trip with 3 @PHI, 3 @MIA and 4 @NYM. The team could go 7 – 3.
Followed by the road trip is a 10 game homestand: 3 VS PHI, 3 VS ATL (they may have clinched by then – or at least resting guys), and to vs the Marlins ends the stretch. The team could go 8 – 2.
The Nats end up playing their last 6 on the road versus the Cardinals and Diamondbacks in 3 game series each. If they win both series, it could be a 4 – 2 road trip.
You could see the club win 26 of their last 36 games – to have them equal 88 wins. The Pirates would need to win 15 games out of 36 in this scenario.
While it would still make it unlikely to be in the Wild Card Game, it could put some pressure on the 3 NL Central franchises.
The Cardinals would have to win 16 out of 36 games to stay ahead, and the Reds would need 17 wins out their last 35 games to stay head.
They could also go on a losing streak and drop out of the race just as easily. For the most part, the Nats’ September call-up candidates will be the same, but their eventual roles may differ.
The only player on the 40-man roster that I don’t think has a chance of making it to the Majors in September is Matt Purke, who has always struggled with injuries and is just starting to hack it in high A ball.
Jeff Kobernus – 1st Career HR
Exploring The Nationals Depth: Organizational State Of The Union
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsSunday, May. 26/2013
With Mike Morse only being signed through the 2013 season, and the brass feeling that the Nationals had a playoff Roster of players without him, they dealt one of their best deep ball threats from the last couple of years. From one injury after another, it is too bad the club didn’t still have this guy to help the depth. Morse has hit for a 3 Slash Line of .248/.311/.766 – with 10 HRs and 18 RBI with Seattle this campaign. The Nationals were not planning on resigning “Da Beast” past this season – and were able to replenish some pitching in the Minors by re – acquiring A.J. Cole. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt the 2013.
By Sean Hogan (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @seanhoganvt
I’ve recently complained that the Nationals’ lack of organizational depth is a major reason for their mediocre start to the season. Key contributors C Wilson Ramos (twice), 3B Ryan Zimmerman, RF Jayson Werth and RHP Ryan Mattheus have all gone on the disabled list while LHP Ross Detwiler and LF Bryce Harper have narrowly avoided their own stints. None of that is even to mention 2B Danny Espinosa, who is playing with a torn rotator cuff.
Kurt Suzuki has filled in admirably for the injured Ramos, but out of that bunch, that’s pretty much the only bright spot. Anthony Rendon and Chad Tracy struggled at 3B filling in for Zimmerman while Roger Bernadina and Tyler Moore have been downright awful in the corner OF spots. Super-sub Steve Lombardozzi has limped along to a -0.3 WAR, almost as bad as Espinosa’s -0.4.
Bryce Harper May Just Be That Strong!
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsThursday, Apr.11/2013
In the 1st 8 games of the season, Bryce Harper has hit for a 3 Slash Line of .394/.394/1.182 with 4 HRs and 6 RBI. The slugger has not Walked once yet this year, but that might just be that he his working into favorable counts – and mashing the ball once he receives his pitch. In the last 38 Games dating back to last year in September, Harper has hit .344 with 11 HRS, 20 RBI, 9 Doubles and 3 Triples. Harper also has scored 33 Runs in this time frame. This amounts to a Slugging Percentage of .676 and an OPS 1.070. We are talking about a historic season if these numbers can be maintained like his last quarter of a season played.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
The HR Harper hit in the 4th Inning of yesterdays game was a no doubter, but when I saw the ball make contact with the bat. I didn’t think it was going to go anywhere. Watch the replay. Watch it in slow motion. Harper got under that one.
Normally when a batter gets under a ball it may carry to the warning track but it is normally a harmless fly ball and not an upper deck no doubt HR that exits the ballpark faster than a speeding bullet or 106.1 MPH off the bat.
Harper’s big HR traveled an estimated 420 feet and is his furthest of the season. It is scary to watch the replay and keep seeing that he didn’t get all of it. The ball hit the sweet spot of the bat, but Harper was just a little under it, but this is how 40 HR seasons happen.
Bryce Harper 2012 Highlights:
Game 1 Recap Of The Nats Big Opening Day Win – A Glimpse Of Things To Come
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsTuesday, Apr.02/2013
Just as impressive as Harper 2 HRs yesterdayn- was Strasburg’s being unleashed on the world for a full season. His start featured an 80 pitch performance over 7 shutout IP. Strasburg didn’t even have his best command – falling behind 1-0 on 13 of the 23 batters he faced. He finished the day with only three Strikeouts, but no walks and giving up only 3 hits.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Seeing Stephen Strasburg picked to win the Cy Young should come as no surprise to anyone. He did finish 2012 tied with Gio Gonzalez for the best FIP in the majors at 2.82 – and led all starters with a staggering 11.13 K/9. There are arguments that can be made that when Stephen Strasburg is firing on all cylinders – he is the best pitcher in the NL and among the best on the planet.
The same argument cannot be made for Bryce Harper as an Outfielder. Based on stats last year, he finished seventh in the NL in fWAR and tied for eighth in wOBA with Jay Bruce and Garrett Jones.
No one is picking Jay Bruce or Garrett Jones for their MVP. In all of the NL Bryce Harper‘s .352 wOBA ranked sixteenth.
Bryce Harper 2 HR Performance On Opening Day – MLB Reports does not own anything from this video:
Remember When: An A To Z On How Far The Nats Have Come In Washington
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsThursday, Mar. 07/2013
Fromer #1 Nats pitcher Livan Hernandez leads the 2005-2012 version of the franchise in Wins and Innings Pitched. The 2005 team started out competing for the NL East with an 81-81 record before falling down the stetch. The next 5 years in wins went (71, 73, 59, 59 and 69) respectively. After 80 wins in 2011 – they set a franchise win mark in 2012 at 98 victories. They are one of the favorites to win the World Series in 2013. Only the Nationals and Mariners teams have never appeared in the World Series as an organization. Hernandez in his prime might be the #5 starter on the 2013 club.
By David Huzzard (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): Follow @davidhuzzard
Remember when Buster Olney went on Baseball Tonight and predicted the 2007 Nationals would just be historically bad, but they would be lucky if they could win 42 games. Or remember when columns like this one from Jeff Passan were the norm with catchy little puns like, “National Disaster.” At times it is hard to even remember the bi-gone days when Jason Simontacchi, Mike Bacsik, and Micah Bowie were key figures in the Nats rotation.
What makes it even harder to hold on to those memories of the bad Nats are columns like this about how the Nats could be historically good. In the terms of history five years is nothing. The build up of World War I started with the Bosnian Crisis in 1908 and didn’t officially start until Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914. The build up to historic events is a mention in a paragraph on the actual history itself. Those five years from 2007 until 2013 are throw away lines in the book that will be written if the Nats can manage to be historically good.
Wil Nieves used to have the Nationals Defining Moment…. Who?
Master Schedule For All 30 MLB Parks In Double Header Opportunities In 2013
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsUpdated Last on March.25/2013
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Over the course of 4 years of massive baseball travel, I have attempted 28 MLB Doubleheaders – and completed 22 of them. I Every year I take a look at the new MLB schedule and the 183 days worth of games. In the list (after the youtube clip I post), will feature every doable double-header scenario for a fan to view baseball games. Keep in mind that if you have never seen a MLB Park before – that rushing a day is not advised at all in these journeys.
The most common doubleheader is Wrigley Field or US Cellular Field – to be combined with Miller Park as part of a day-night doubleheader. The Yankees and Mets do play a few games on the same day together and are listed. The o.Co Coliseum in Oakland and AT & T Park also have a few doubleheader chances this season.
Other great doubleheader partners include both Dodger and Angel Stadium – combined with Petco Park if there is a matinée contest involved. Progressive Field and PNC Park also lends itself to easily connected doubleheaders if one has a day contest. Also watch out for Sunday Night ESPN games as part of programming as Eastern teams feature that 8:05 PM EST start time – which will lend it available to double up with a day matinée. The Phillies are compatible with both New York teams Via Amtrak Train option – and also with the Baltimore Orioles.
These doubleheaders mostly are located in different cities and some might even include a doable flight in the middle.
https://mlbreports.com/2012/03/02/field-of-dreams-site/
Field of Dreams Has To Be Part Of Your Trip Link Up Top and Video Down Below:
The Chicago Cubs Schedule In 2013: (The Wrigley Field Ticket Is Still The Best Pure Baseball Experience)
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsSaturday, January.26, 2013
Wrigley Field might just be the best place just to watch a baseball game (Fenway Park rivals it for entire ballpark experience). AT &T Park and PNC Park usually round out the top 4 Parks
By Richie Devotie (MLB Schedule Correspondent): Follow @MrBaseballMan and Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner) Follow @chuckbooth3024
I love Wrigley Field more than any other park just to watch a game.
Having been to all of the MLB Parks a minimum of 3 times (and most closer to 5 and above) – there is something so unique about this baseball cathedral that makes me think it is the 1920s still.
We have another video presentation from our Baseball Schedule Correspondent’ Richie Devotie down below that has all of the Cubs opponents in the upcoming season in 2013 – plus a recap of how the team fared in 2012.
After viewing it – plus read about one of the craziest, yet rewarding days of my ballpark chaser streaks.
The setup to this was that I was 13 days into my 1st World Record Attempt – at breaking the category of “The Fastest Person to view a full game at all 30 MLB Parks”.
I had already had to restart my streak attempt after some chaos that happened just a few days prior. This day in Chicago would be my 3rd straight day of trying to fit 2 games in on one day.
On the 1st day of the new streak, I nailed a doubleheader between Petco Park (day game) and Dodger Stadium (night game).
I then boarded an overnight flight to Detroit (at 1 AM- Arrival in Motown at 10:30 AM. I was poised to watch a day game at Comerica Park (1:05 PM) – before jettisoning 168 Miles to Cleveland right after for a 7:05 PM start at Progressive.
The Tigers looked to nail down a victory until Todd “the Hammer” Jones blew the save by letting the Twins tie it up in the ninth – to prolong the game into extra innings.
An hour later and the game finally ended but I couldn’t even try to head to Cleveland. So I made my way to Chicago/Milwaukee. I had a Wrigley Field/Miller Park doubleheader.
The next day after – I was to fly to Toronto to see the Yankees play. 2 days after that, I would see if I could hit on a Nationals Park/Shea Stadium Sunday day/night double-header.
It would be 4 doubleheader attempts in 5 days. I was only 1 for 2 so far.
Richie Devotie Presents His Power Point Cubs 2013 Schedule Breakdown
MLB Reports 
You must be logged in to post a comment.