Submitted By:
Travis Wunsch
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark:
Easily THEE most beautiful park in all the game right now, and one of
the top 5 in history. Walking into the park feels like walking into a
real life history book. Just thinking of the significant events that
took place within this stadium will bring chills to any true fan. The
B&O Warehouse certainly adds to the enclosed feel of the park and is
hard to imagine a Camden Yards without it there (the original design had
bring the warehouse being torn down). With the recent upgrades to the
stadium such as the brick back stop, the new audio system, and the new
HD video, side, and ribbon boards, the ball park feels like a modern
park, while still holding onto that historic feeling. Even down to the
lighting banks on top of the stadium, 4 long banks with lots of lights
on them gives the stadium a unique feature that even college football
stadiums have tried to imitate (Minnesota University's new stadium).
From one Stadium Opps guy to another, beautiful ballpark and alot to be
proud of.
Cons of the ballpark:
Ticket
prices can be a little on the high end for down the lines or behind the
plate, but are a great value for families in the upper deck and in my
opinion offer the best view of the field (Where are most pictures of the
park taken? The upper decks).
Additional Comments:
Bottom
line, this ballpark is one of the most beautiful things you will ever
see in your life. It will take your breath away when you walk in and see
the Prestine field, the beautiful skyline, and the warehouse. Not a bad
seat in the house. And the most loyal fans in baseball. Even this
franchise has not had a winning season since 1997, this was the team
that in the 70's and even into the 80's was the most feared franchise in
the land. This was the team that took it to the Red Sox and Yanks year
in and year out. No band wagon fans here. Great fans, and Beautiful Ball
Park. Any Die Hard baseball fan needs to put Oriole Park at Camden Yards
on their places to go before the end list!!
Submitted By: Michael B.
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Incorporates the ballpark with the
surrounding area better than any stadium I have visited. Great food
in and out of the park--fill up on snacks from the vendors outside
to keep your spending down. Staff is very friendly, as are the fans
(was surrounded by locals who get to 10-12 games a year, and who
were thrilled we made the game a part of our trip--really wanted us
to leave with a good impression). Sight lines seem to be great from
all vantages, though the locals said there were some
obstructed/limited views in the corners. "Classic" game
presentation, from the scoreboard/displays to the P.A. Reasonable
parking prices. Babe Ruth Museum is a must!
Cons of the ballpark: An Orioles game is an expensive ticket!
For a new park, concourses seemed awfully congested. Sat along right
field line, which took out any natural view of B&O Warehouse &
downtown--not the park's fault, just poor seat choice on my part.
Game was vs. Red Sox, and I was shocked to find O's fans
outnumbered. As a Rangers fan I'm used to this at home, but didn't
expect it in what I had perceived as a "baseball town".
Additional Comments: We made a "day trip" to Baltimore while
in D.C., and it is definitely the way to go. Leave yourself time
either before or after to spend time at the Inner Harbor, then work
your way up to Eutaw St. an hour or so before the first pitch. My
wife isn't much for the game, but she loves "the scene"--this was
her favorite ballpark trip because it involved so much more than the
game itself.
Submitted By: Frankie P.
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: I just saw a game
at Camden Yards, and I must say that it is awesome. I think I would
rate it just a little ahead of my beloved, hometown PNC Park. It is
hard to put my finger on just exactly why, but I think that there is
something about the classy design and the way that it blends with
it's location that makes it feel historic even though it's only a
little over a decade old. The most striking feature though of this
ballpark is definitely the B & O warehouse. I find it insane to
think that they were originally going to tear it down when they
first designed the park.
Cons of the ballpark: There was really
only one thing that concerned me, and that was that I saw a lot of
cranes and construction just outside the park in the outfield view.
I have a bad feeling that they are going to build some high rise
buildings there, that could potentially ruin the view.
Additional Comments: Camden Yards is a
must on any ballpark pilgrimage list. It was the first of it's kind
and yet is still the best, although I think a legitimate argument
could be made for PNC Park and AT&T Park (or whatever the Giants
park is called this week). Although I have been to only a few
different parks in person, and have had to rely on tv, to make an
opinion on the rest. I think that the three parks I've mentioned
make the best possible use of their locations.
Submitted By: Greg
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: There is a great
deal of parking...The stadium lots aren't the most expensive that
I've been to, but unless you have a permit, you will end up parking
on lots over at Ravens Stadium and walk a long way. There are
plenty of garages within a couple of blocks for $8-10. There are
lots of great bars across from the ballpark and the ballpark is also
a short walk from the Inner Harbor with great places to eat and hang
out, it's a pretty safe, well-lit walk. The atmosphere around the
park is great. Very friendly vendors selling "cheaper on the
outside" food. The field is pristine, and seats are very close to
the field. The new brick wall behind the plate adds some flair.
Cons of the ballpark: Camden Yards
needs to make a few improvements to keep up with the newer parks.
The current video board is a great size, but the quality is
lacking. More LED/high def boards would be welcomed, particularly
the out-of-town board in right field.
As a season ticket holder, they play the same music every game and
"entertain" the fans with the same thing on the big screen. Add
some variety!
Additional Comments: Camden Yards is a
great place...I love it. When NY, BOS, or PHI are in town, O's fans
are out numbered.
Submitted By: Drew
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Even in its 14th
season, Camden Yards still reigns as one of the best ballparks in
the country. When you take into account all the things that should
make a ballpark experience great, Camden Yards does them all: I'm
talking location here. I don't care how nice a stadium is, if the
surrounding location is bad or just dull, it really hurts the
experience. And fortunately, Camden Yards is the stadium to beat in
terms of location. From the Warehouse, to the perfect view of
downtown, to the bars 60 steps behind the LF foul pole, to the inner
harbor and the short walking distance to the best of Baltimore's
night life, Camden Yards simply can't be beat. There's nothing quite
like grabbing a brew at Pickles Pub with other fans before the game,
grabbing a hot dog from one of the many friendly (and cheap) vendors
outside the stadium, and then hitting the town after the final out.
Summer time can't get much better than that.
Cons of the ballpark: Camden Yards is
starting to show its age in certain areas. This can mainly be blamed
on the horrible ownership, who I'm sure is to blame for the lack of
upgrades. The one thing done right is the brick wall behind
homeplate, as small of a change as that is, it really made the park
look better (especially on TV) and it stands out. The scoreboards
need to be upgraded, the hi-def/LCD boards seen in newer parks are
nowhere to be found here, and the main video board is horrible in
quality, especially during day games where the glare of the sun
makes it very difficult to see. Also, the ushers are known to shut
fans up. I have been to many games, most notably games vs. the
Yanks, where O's fans are outnumbered. These days, O's fans don't
have much to cheer for, so at one game in particular a fan was on
his feet in the bottom of the ninth with the go-ahead run at the
plate and 2 outs. What's sadder: that he was told by an usher to sit
down and be quiet, or that no one else was cheering so he stood out?
That incident was sad on so many levels.
Additional Comments: Great place to see
a game. Ownership could fix all the flaws mentioned: upgrades, by
shelling out a few duckets, and attendance/atmosphere by actually
trying to put a winner on the field. Too bad a great place like
Camden Yards is so dead these days because of one selfish man.
Submitted By: Ronald Theriot
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: It was beautiful
(I've been there twice; 2003 and 2005). The ballpark tour is
excellent. It's clean. It's fun to walk around in. If you know
what you're doing (and I do), you can park for free next to the
parking lot on the SE side. I did this both times. The area of the
city (which improved in just two years) is an interesting place to
kill some hours. The sightlines, seating, concessions, etc. are all
top-notch.
Cons of the ballpark: If this park has
faults, I'm not aware of any. The tickets could be cheaper.
Additional Comments: All in all this
place is a MUST see! All baseball fans need to go there.
Submitted By: Anthony Lorenzo
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Camden Yards is the nicest ballpark.
Since it was the first "new" ballpark it gets the credit for all the
copycats. There are no bad seats at Camden Yards. You can see the
city of Baltimore from the food stands. Wonderful atmosphere and
loyal fans. The most aesthetically pleasing ballpark in the country.
Cons of the ballpark: The neighborhood of the Inner Harbor is
not great, so be careful.
Additional Comments: If you check out Camden Yards, be sure
to visit the Babe Ruth Museum, it is a baseball historians dream.
The Museum has a Cal Ripken Jr. and Baltimore Colts room. Very
nostalgic place to visit. I touched Babe Ruth's bat that he used at
St. Mary's.
Submitted By: Eric Geiple
Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark:
1. Easily one of the most beautiful ballparks out there. Walking
down to it from Eutaw Street you can see the back of the scoreboard,
stands, warehouse and it really pumps you up! Even if you're walking
in the midst of 30,000 Yankee fans.
2.Most of the seats I've sat in have been great (most.. see cons)
3.I've caught several balls in BP!! Always a plus.
4.The warehouse and the view of downtown Baltimore is stunning no
matter how many times you go to a game.
5.The scoreboard is entertaining.. I especially like the "Old Bay
Crab Shuffle" - it definitely beats the dump trucks out at Coors.
6. Lots of bathrooms and places to get food.
7. I noticed someone mention crabcakes.. at $10 a pop its expensive
but sooo worth it. But an upper reserve seat and save your money for
the crab!
8. The Oriole Bird!!
Cons of the ballpark: As much as I love
Oriole Park I have noticed the cons start to rise over the past few
years.
1. I'd try to avoid any seat on the lower deck down the 1st or 3rd
baseline. They aren't angled too much so you're constantly looking
over and people get in the way.
2. Quite understandably the fans are DOWN AND OUT for the COUNT.
It's only gonna get worse with Toronto becoming a powerhouse this
off season. There were games this year that the stands looked
emptier than I have ever seen.
3. Ticket prices : RIDICULOUS. I live down the street from PNC Park
now so maybe I'm spoiled.. but the seats are just way too much for a
team that sells more tickets to Red Sox/Yankee fans. They blame the
Nationals for taking away fans, but at $30 a pop for seats on the
lines.. no wonder the park looks empty on TV. Everyone is in the
UPPER DECK/Bleachers.
4. Parking. Coming from the North you have to take i-83 into
downtown. This means you drive through a majority of the city which
is usually gridlocked... and that's just taking Lombard to Eutaw!
I-83 can get backed up for miles before that light.
Additional Comments: If you check out Camden Yards, be sure
to visit the Babe Ruth Museum, it is a baseball historians dream.
The Museum has a Cal Ripken Jr. and Baltimore Colts room. Very
nostalgic place to visit. I touched Babe Ruth's bat that he used at
St. Mary's.
Submitted By: Walker Carlson
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark : Where to start?
I think Eutaw street is awesome with all the restaurants along the
side of the B&O Warehouse. And no, I haven't forgotten the bronze
baseballs in the street. Second of all, If you go inside the
warehouse, there's all sorts of stuff in there. It's a beautiful,
classy ballpark that ended the age of the cookie cutters. The
parking prices are good, nice ushers (though many), good food
(especially the crab cakes), good fans, good views of the city, and
good seats. I think that explains it all
Cons of the ballpark: Their evil
owner. Yeah, Yeah, the Nats are taking your money by taking your
fans, right? WRONG!!!!! The O's only took in 19,000 on a weekend
when the Nats were OUT of town. Here's the real problem Petey, the
fans are SICK of you!!!!
Additional Comments: I've got none.
Submitted By: Ben Widerman
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Great views from
all locations I have had seats. Fantastic view of Baltimore skyline
and the big red brick warehouse. Good food, beverage selection,
great concourse. Pretty good parking as well.
Cons of the ballpark: Fans are pretty
quiet, the park is often empty against bad teams, the product on the
field is pretty bad.
Additional Comments: At a end of year
game when the birds were already pretty far out of contention, I was
handed free tickets from someone at the gate who was unable to sell
them!
Submitted By: A. Lopez Jr. Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark : This place is baseball heaven I dont
know where to begin. 1.It looks great inside and out. 2.There is
plenty of freeways nearby so you can get to one of them easily.
3.The fans still come out and make noise even though their team has
fallen on hard times. 4.Their sound effects are plentiful and keep
fans in the game. 5.Camden Yards also has a screen that shows you
previous pitch speed and what pitch was thrown and I haven't seen
that in any other park. 6.Parking prices were very good, I parked
next to the park in Lot A and paid 6 bucks. 7.I love the Warehouse,
It gives Oriole Park its own identity and it has a sports bar,
cafeteria, and a gift shop inside of it. 8.They have Bronze
baseballs imprinted in the cement of the Eutaw Street walkway to
commemorate home runs hit in the ballpark. 9.I liked the Oriole
weathervanes atop the scoreboard. 10.I sat in the club
seats(sec.208) and the food is ordered on a waiters touchpad and
brought out to you!
Cons of the ballpark: The only drawback is I wanted to try
some Maryland Crab Cake but it cost too much..Theres alot of
ushers/security around but they don't harass you like some other
parks.
Additional Comments: Day or night this is
the best ballpark yet..I rank it number 1 over PNC Park cause this
place looks better at night. I could write down more Pros but I
figure 10 of them is enough. If you go,hang out on Eutaw street
inside the park and soak up the atmosphere.
Submitted By: John Munion Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Closeness to playing field, Not as
steep as other ballparks even new ones, Atmosphere the Warehouse and
the walkway between the park and warehouse, all bleacher seats have
backs, major freeways along side of park.
Cons of the ballpark: Upper deck along foul poles bad angle,
same in some seats along lower deck near pole.
Additional Comments : To me
it beats Jacobs field hands down, Jacobs field to steep in upper
deck and bleacher seats. A twenty dollar bleacher with no back?
Forget nostalgia.
Submitted By: Josh L. Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark:
Great Seats (I was above home plate, 10 rows from the top),
EXCELLENT looking at night. The warehouse just adds so much to that
ballpark, no other place like it. The nearby Inner Harbor/ESPN Zone
was a nice thing to have as well, that occupied me for a few hours!
Great food, Eutaw Street was fun (especially the bronze baseballs),
nothing bad to say.
Cons of the ballpark: Honestly, I didn't find any. Additional Comments
: Best ballpark in baseball, in
my opinion. If you haven't been here already, make sure you come to
Baltimore and watch the O's play!
Submitted By: JUTrojan Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark:
Beautiful Park!!!! The best baseball atmosphere I have been in. The
Warehouse is an awesome sight and the atmosphere outside the park on
gameday's great. You can walk around the stadium and enjoy
festivities put on by the Orioles or grab some brews at one of the
bars across the street. A very fan-friendly park. The outfield seats
next to the bullpen are awesome and give you an opportunity to look
into both pens at the same time, and even allow you to interact with
the pitchers during the game.
Cons of the ballpark: None. I loved it!!
Additional Comments:
We drove from South Alabama to
watch a series at Camden Yards and had absolutely no problems or
regrets. The fans were great, even for a sub-par Baltimore team. The
atmosphere was great and the park is Beautiful!
Submitted By: Ben Stephenson Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: It's such a classic looking ballpark
(even though it's not classic). The exposed beams and structure
makes it look really classy. The B&O Warehouse in right makes it
seem like your attending a game from the past as if you were in
Forbs Field or Baker Bowl. Everything is very clean. And the best
part of all is that it's so open and so spread out. It makes it seem
like the blue sky is touching the top light fixtures. A great view
in almost any seat. The ushers are very friendly old men that will
wipe your seat for you on request. A great view of the downtown
skyline past the centerfield score board. A great selection of food.
In the American League this truly is the FRIENDLY CONFINES.
Cons of the ballpark: Not enough bathrooms. The hallways get
too congested. Some seats are in the corners of the ballpark and it
makes it seem like your sitting outside of the park. They always
have these annoying bands play before and after the games outside of
the park.
Additional Comments:
Overall this is defiantly on my
TOP 5 most favorite ballparks. It has a great downtown neighborhood
next to it. and all I can say is that it's all very pleasurable!
