Summer and baseball are almost synonymous in the United States. Once Memorial Day rolls around and the temperature starts climbing past 95 degrees, you know it’s time to hit the yard and watch America’s pastime.
For as long as I’ve been alive, summer has meant baseball. Whether it’s going to games at the old Ballpark in Arlington with my family or staying up late on the couch watching the Rangers play a West Coast team, the game has always been a constant in my life.
This summer will be no different. And yet, in a way, it will be.
From now until Labor Day, my goal is to go to as many baseball games and visit as many ballparks as I can. I want to pack this summer full of baseball. The plan includes road trips, a couple of flights, and stops at some familiar places that hold a special place in my heart. It’s shaping up to be a grand adventure.
Along the way, I want to bring you all along for the ride. After each stop, I’ll be writing something to capture the experience. What that looks like exactly, I’m not sure yet. But you can count on something hitting your inbox not long after each visit.
So, where am I headed this summer? I’m glad you asked! As of now, I’ve got six ballparks locked in, with four others still up in the air. The journey starts today, with a quick hour-long drive down to Cleburne, Texas, to see the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball take on the Kane County Cougars at La Moderna Field. Expect my thoughts on that visit later today or tomorrow.
Next up, I’ll stick around the DFW Metroplex. That means a Texas Rangers game at Globe Life Field and a trip north to Frisco to catch the RoughRiders.
Then it’s off to the Bay Area for a double dose of California baseball: the San Francisco Giants and the nomadic Athletics, who are currently playing in Sacramento. (And yes, I know Sacramento technically isn’t in the Bay Area. No need to email me anything nasty.)
Finally, over Labor Day weekend, I’ll wrap things up in Kansas City with stops to see both the Royals and the Monarchs, who are also members of the American Association.
As for the rest? There are four more ballparks I’d love to get to this summer, but I’m not sure if time will allow it. On the wishlist: the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Oklahoma City Comets, Tulsa Drillers, and Round Rock Express. I’m hoping to check at least a couple of those off before the summer ends.
I can’t wait to kick off this journey through America’s pastime over the next few months. I’ve been looking forward to hitting the road, soaking in the atmosphere at each ballpark, and enjoying some unforgettable afternoons and evenings in my favorite place on earth: the ballpark. I hope you’ll follow along as I visit places I’ve never been before, and revisit a few I’ve been to more than a hundred times. It should be a ton of fun.
Others may want to tag along for some of the regional games