We are back from Texas where we hit the Astros and Rangers ballparks. Sixteen years into our quest to hit all 30 MLB stadiums and we have only two parks to go (Miami and Tampa).

So rather than just give you our reviews, we figured we’d provide a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into our Official Stadium Rankings.

Here are the evolving categories that Jack and I evaluate at great length.

Category 1: Ballpark Design

Is the stadium unique and interesting? How does it feel to walk around it? Are you awestruck? Excited? How well does the stadium celebrate the team?

Here’s a shot of Daiken Park (Houston)

It’s tremendous. It’s got big gorgeous windows and a train that runs across the outfield when the team hits a home run. And check this out:

That’s the area behind left field. Look at the colors and the big images of the players. Just perfect. 

Stadium views also play a role in judging ballpark design. Houston and Dallas are both domed stadiums, so not much there, but some stadiums excel in this category.

Category 2: Baseball-Watching Experience

OK, check this out. Here is a shot from our seats at Globe Life Park (Rangers).

Gorgeous stadium. However…

I can’t see right field!

A lot of stadiums are great places to check out, but are not great for watching the actual game. The scoreboard itself features heavily into judging this category as well. 

Category 3: Food

I know this is a big thing for people, and it is for us too, but when it comes to ballparks and food, here are a few facts:

1. Most ballpark food is mediocre at best. That hot dog isn’t great because it’s a great hot dog. That hot dog is great because you’re eating it at a ballgame.
2. ALL ballpark food is overpriced. Get over it.

For our rankings, food is a big factor when it taps into local stuff. Cleveland has a whole section of local bratwursts and sausages. Cincinnati has Skyline Chili. That’s where ballpark food is at its best. A “Dodger Dog” or “Yankee Dog” is the same as store-brand franks in your local grocery store. 

So if a stadium has creative, local food – awesome. But most parks just have food with logos on it.

Category 4: Getting In and Out

Not a major factor, but it matters. Taking the subway to a Yanks game is one of my favorite parts of the game. Whereas driving to Truist Park in Atlanta traffic makes me want to set myself on fire.

Category 5: the Crowd

This is the big one.

If you go out to dinner with a group of fun people, it doesn’t matter how good the restaurant is – you’re gonna have a great time. Same goes for baseball. If the crowd is great, that is everything.

Check out this photo again:

EVERYONE is decked out in Rangers gear, yelling and cheering like crazy. The whole crowd yells “STAR” during the National Anthem. (who brought stripes and bright STARs…oh say does that STAR spangled banner yet wave). There was a family next to us with a baby – I’m talking 4 months at the most – and they bought that kid a Rangers jersey, a Rangers hat, a little Rangers bat, a stuffed Rangers toy. Hell yes! These are people I want to watch a game with.

SO…with all that said – here are the Official NuckolBall reviews for the Texas stadiums.

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Daiken Field (Houston Astros)

Ballpark Design: B+ (no views)

Baseball Watching Experience: A 

Food: B (Check out the Saint Arnold beer garden)

Getting There: B+ (located right downtown)

Crowd: A-

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Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)

Ballpark Design: B- (cool stadium, hard to get around, no view at all)

Baseball Watching Experience: C

Food: B-

Getting There: C- (it is built in an area far from the city, so they gouge you on parking because they have a monopoly)

Crowd: A

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AND we now present…

OFFICIAL NUCKOLBALL STADIUM RANKINGS

Legendary Tier: Wrigley Field, Fenway Park

A Tier: PNC Park, AT&T Park, T-Mobile Park, Great American Ballpark, Citizens Bank Park, Petco Park

B Tier: Camden Yards, Yankee Stadium, Comerica Park, Kauffman Stadium, Guaranteed Rate Field, American Family Field, Angels Stadium, Daikin Field

C Tier: Rogers Centre, Citi Field, Progressive Field, Coors Field, Busch Stadium, Target Field

D Tier: Dodgers Stadium, Nationals Park, Chase Field, Truist Park, Globe Life Field

F Tier: O. Co Coliseum

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Best Ballpark Design: Petco Park

Best Baseball Watching Experience: PNC Park

Best Food: AT&T Park

Best Crowd: Rogers Center

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And of course – with these baseball trips, it’s always the things that happen around the ballgames that contain the real magic. Best of all, Shani came with us to show us her Houston.

TWO PARKS TO GO! Come July…the quest will be complete.