Bad Timing Takes Away From An Otherwise Wonderful Volume

books:

	• The Ballpark Book : A journey Through the Fields of Baseball Magic Ron Smith Sporting News, 2003 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 19 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Bad Timing Takes Away From An Otherwise Wonderful Volume

Part of the beauty of baseball is the ballpark. Picture a warm, sunny afternoon out on the diamond. That image brings to mind many wonderful things, and some of these memories are preserved in "The Ballpark Book". Divided into five sections- The Classics (traditional venues such as Fenway Park in Boston and Chicago's Wrigley Field), The Middle Ages (Anaheim Stadium and Jack Murphy Stadium are examples), The Turf Era (the time when "cookie cutter" parks such as Veterans Stadium were built), The New Wave (the return to retro-style parks such as Oriole Park at Camden Yards), and finally, Gone But Not Forgotten (which pays tribute to the fields which no longer exist for play). In this way, the book faithfully traces the evolution of the baseball stadium from simple fields jammed between busy city streets to the new spectacular complexes filled with modern amenities and everything else you can imagine. But this is much more than a history book. Each ballpark is featured in a two-page, full-color painting, upon which are printed various facts and descriptions of great moments happening at that particular field. The rest of the chapter is a tribute to the field and its corresponding team, along with a basic summary of important dates and milestones. The paintings are beautiful, and the casual fan can learn a lot of interesting things by reading through the chapters. However, for people like me who have studied the game thoroughly, the book may serve as more of a tribute and companion rather than a detailed reference volume. The biggest issue I had with "The Ballpark Book" is one which is the fault of the authors and publishers. Unfortunately, the book was first released right at a time when several new and beautiful stadiums were opening around the Major Leagues. None of these parks are included in the first edition, which I found disappointing. However, a revised edition has since been published, and this includes those newer parks that were skipped over the first time around as well as the ones that were included originally. So, if you are a casual fan and want to learn more about the fields you see on TV during games, this is a great choice. For a veteran fan who is a student of the game, this book will not teach you many new things, but it is still nice to look through. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with "The Ballpark Book", no matter what your level of interest is, especially if you purchase the second edition. This is clearly the best of the books of this genre that are available on the market.

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Wow!

The ballpark book for ballpark lovers. Includes all current and many older ballparks, including many from the past 30-40 years that have recently been replaced. Great pictures and stories taking you down memory lane time after time.

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VERY GLOSSY BUT COULD BE BETTER

THIS IS A FINE BOOK OF PAST AND PRESENT BALLPARKS. THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE EXCELLENT. IF PICTURES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE WHAT YOU WANT THEN THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK. IF YOU WANT A GOOD HARD CORE DESCRIPTION AND ATMOSPHERE OF THE DIFFERNT PARKS THEN YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. OVER ALL A GOOD BUY. BUT FOR A TRUE HISTORIAN OF BASEBALL STADIUMS THIS IS JUST AVERAGE.

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Return to your field of dreams

I spent four summers toiling under the unforgiving sun that dominated Arlington Stadium, watching the Texas Rangers and selling peanuts along the first base line. I have since returned to visit The Ballpark, the new, oldstyle park that now is home to the Rangers.....but I have a real soft spot for that old orange monstrosity. The Ballpark Book is a brief look into ballparks of the past (Classics such as Fenway and Wrigley), the domes, the "Middle Ages" (Jack Murphy and Anaheim) and the new "oldstyle" parks noew in vogue. This book describes each park, its personality, the highlights of archecticture, the quirks that allowed each home team an advantage (none who have seen the fog roll into the Stick in San Francisco will ever forget it)and the memorable personalities that inhabit those parks. Having visited over half of the parks and loved each and every one as an intergal park of the game (OK, some I have loved less) I found this book a real joy to read and a real trip down memory lane to pour over photographs and illustrations. This goes right next to my autographs, my orange buttons for surviving extra inning Giants games, and foul ball collection.....a real treat.

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where's Jarry Park?

For any ballpark junkie this is a fix you need. The photos are simply amazing esp. the panoramic shots. And who knew the "Hit Sign, Win Suit" sign at old Ebbets Field was at the bottom of the outfield fence? I always imagined it was up high.

The text is mostly filler but interesting and intriguing filler at that. You learn stuff like kids who caught HR balls that cleared the park at League Park (the Indians' previous home) and Shibe Park (Philly A's and Phillies former home park) could turn in the balls for a free pass to a game. How cool is that?

Would give it 5 stars but somehow in the "Gone, but Not Forgotten" section they forgot to put in the Expos' Parc du Jarry yet managed to fit in the Jays' Exhibition Park. Considering that ballpark had about ten times the character as the Ex, I have no idea why they left it out.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

"A nice package for young or old folks who still consider baseball our national pastime. This is a book for the real fans."--The Washington Times

In The Ballpark Book, The Sporting News takes readers on a sentimental journey through the past and present fields where major-league baseball is played. Fans learn the historical texture of each field, the very places where the game's greatest moments took place, and experience the ambience and feeling of each ballpark, old and new, as if they were sitting in the stands.

All of the nostalgic ballparks are here--from the Gone But Not Forgotten Era (Ebbets Field, Candlestick Park) to the New Wave Era (Camden Yards, Jacobs Field) and everything in between--49 past and present ballparks in all. Hundreds of full-color photos and illustrations make this an attractive addition to any baseball fan's collection.

New to this edition are recently opened parks including: San Francisco's Pac Bell Park Pittsburgh's PNC Park Detroit's Comerica Park Houston's Minute Maid Stadium Seattle's Safeco Field Milwaukee's Miller Park

From Miami to Seattle, from Boston to L.A., it's a trip around the country to where baseball is played!

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