Ball Park History

A trip to a ballpark or stadium isn’t just about watching a game. It’s also a chance to experience some culture and explore a place full of fascinating sports history -- while, of course, having a great time.

Every stadium has unique qualities, but there are some that you simply must visit in your lifetime. Here are just some of the places that offer experiences that an Ultimate Sports Fan just can’t afford to miss.

 Get your fill of both food and history at Curly’s Pub at the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field. Named for Curly Lambeau, the team’s first head coach, the eatery boasts 138 televisions. But a meal at Curly’s won’t just leave you feeling like you’ve stumbled into an electronics haven; you’ll also get to test your team trivia. Curly’s servers are experts in Packers history, which they will happily share with you during visits to your table. Daily specials feature items from the team’s own menu, allowing guests to “eat like the Packers.” Lambeau Field also give fans opportunities to practice skills like the Packers without dressing in cumbersome padding or even breaking a sweat. Curly’s Game Zone offers more than 50 video games and other football-themed diversions to help you get even more pumped up for the game.

If you’re looking for more excitement, the Seattle Seahawks’ Qwest Field is the place to be. The team claims to have the most boisterous fans, who are collectively known at games at the “12th MAN.” Their enthusiasm has been credited for boosting the Seahawks’ performance, and also resulted in the NFL’s 1985 noise rule. Still, a flag is raised in honor of the 12th MAN at each home game to kick off the game with an outpouring of team spirit.

Baseball fans will also find no shortage of history or entertainment at their team’s ballpark.

The Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park, which opened in 1912, is the oldest ballpark in the country. Home of the late Babe Ruth, among countless other baseball greats, the park was rebuilt in 1934 after two fires damaged the original stands. The field’s “Green Monster” resulted a decade later when a wall formerly dedicated to advertising space was covered with paint. It’s not as scary as the name suggests, but it is awfully, well, green. While other upgrades have included concrete bleachers and skyview seats, other aspects, such as Fenway’s manually operated scoreboard, remain unchanged. Want to learn more? Reserve a ticket for a guided tour of this historic park.

Wrigley Field, the nation’s second oldest ballpark, opened just two years after Fenway and has been home to the Chicago Cubs since 1916. Its manual scoreboard has been used since 1937. Another trademark of Wrigley is its ivy-covered outfield wall, which disguises a brick wall during much of the season. The ivy was planted in 1937 by Bill Veeck, who worked as groundskeeper and in other capacities for the Cubs, of which his father was president. The bleachers were built the same year. For more information about Wrigley’s history, take a stadium tour, which will provide first-hand looks at the bleachers, dugouts, press box and other areas of the park.

Yankee Stadium is likely the park that works the hardest to preserve and honor its great history. Though a new stadium opened in 2009, its famous Monument Park continues to pay homage to former New York Yankees with a collection of plaques and features the retired numbers of its greatest players. It also includes monuments dedicated to Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth (There’s that name again ... what can we say? The guy got around). When the new stadium opened, Monument Park was relocated to its original position behind centerfield. Yankee Stadium also features the team’s past in the New York Yankees Museum, where fans can admire team memorabilia.

Of course, every stadium offers its own unforgettable moments, so if time allows, go ahead and visit them all. If you just can’t swing across the country to stop at each and every stadium and ballpark, start by choosing one or two of the aforementioned locations. Whether you see a Green Monster, dine on team cuisine or cheer along with the rowdiest crowd around, you’ll never forget the experience.