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Ballpark Preview: Braves New Spring Training Complex, CoolToday Park And a Word on the Demise of Champion Stadium at Disney World   By: Cole Shoemaker 3/14/19   When the Braves christen CoolToday Park on March 24th before moving in full time for 2020, it will mark the end of what was supposed to be the most

In Defense of my Comerica Park Ranking: Why I Think the Park is Underrated By: Cole Shoemaker Published August 21, 2018 I felt compelled to write this addendum to my feature ranking and rating the MLB ballparks (part 1, part 2) because Detroit’s Comerica Park is the one park where my assessment significantly deviates from

In a long overdue effort to provide up-to-date content not specific to one ballpark review, I will be writing more blog style articles in 2018 consisting of news, features, rankings, comparisons, special profiles, and more.  I’ve realized long 10-15,000 word in-depth reviews simply aren’t optimal for dispensing, consuming, and sharing information in today’s social media

In a long overdue effort to provide up-to-date content not specific to one ballpark review, I will be writing more blog style articles in 2018 consisting of news, features, rankings, comparisons, special profiles, and more.  I’ve realized long 10-15,000 word in-depth reviews simply aren’t optimal for dispensing, consuming, and sharing information in today’s social media

In a long overdue effort to provide up-to-date content not specific to one ballpark review, I will be writing more blog style articles in 2018 consisting of news, features, rankings, comparisons, special profiles, and more.  I’ve realized long 10-15,000 word in-depth reviews simply aren’t optimal for dispensing, consuming, and sharing information in today’s social media

In a long overdue effort to provide up-to-date content not specific to one ballpark review, I will be writing more blog style articles in 2018 consisting of news, features, rankings, comparisons, special profiles, and more.  I’ve realized long 10-15,000 word in-depth reviews simply aren’t optimal for dispensing, consuming, and sharing information in today’s social media

By: Cole Shoemaker Note: Written in 2012.  Here is the updated version ranking and rating all spring training parks.   The ballparks in the Valley of the Cactus League are generally considered the gold standard of spring training, generations ahead of more intimate yet basic facilities in Florida, often lacking the 360-degree open concourses, outfield berms,

By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011 It was not the demand for charming architecture, fan friendly amenities, or intimately scaled seating that drove the ballpark building boom, but the need for revenue generating premium seating. For better or for worst, it is a fact that we would not have these ballparks if not for the

Examining the Criticism By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011 [Editor’s Note: Click here for a full analysis of all MLB ballpark exterior architecture] In recent years, it has become popular amongst ballpark aficionados, fans, and architectural critics to bash HOK (Populous) and some of the new retro ballparks, as the style has become more blasé.

By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011   One of the primary complaints regarding some of the new ballparks is the lack of cantilevering. Cantilevers are the long projecting beams underneath the upper decks that support the extension of the decks farther out, closer to the field, above the lower deck. Some decks today only have

A general review By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011   The so-called “retro movement” not only had architectural implications, but functional ones as well. It is important view these trends as an evolution, not a revolution started by one ballpark, specifically Camden Yards.   While Camden is seen as the starting point for the evolution

By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011 Despite the possibility of fielding outdoor baseball and growing real grass, traditionalists and ballpark critics alike have criticized some of the new retractable roof ballparks. Every modern retractable roof ballpark, except Safeco Field, has routinely landed at the bottom of the ballpark rankings. Safeco gets a pass because it

By: Cole Shoemaker Written 2010-2011 After witnessing the building boom of the 90s and 2000s, where owners and architects followed the retro aesthetic like sheep, why wouldn’t we have another building boom in the next 15 years, when another trend catches on? Most of these ballparks used Camden Yards as a template, breaking little new

By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011 Angling the seats down the lines with a combination of bowl geometry and reoriented seating is a priority in new modern ballparks. All seats should be pointed toward the infield.   Effectively angled seats in Petco Park Generally, there are two ways of doing this. Most of the new

By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011   When I look at the 20-plus new ballparks constructed since the opening of Camden Yards, I see three distinct strands. Each strand represents the general sentiments of ballpark architects at the time. From my analysis, when comparing each movement, I see the architectural merits gradually worsen. Of course,

By: Cole Shoemaker Written in 2011 In terms of interior design, one of the most common and overused buzzwords we hear from critics is “contrived” or “gimmicky”. As I’ve touched upon in multiple articles, some of the new retro ballparks added gimmicky features to superficially distinguish the design because of underlying similarity. It can apply