The final destination for this summer's roadtrip was the most eagerly anticipated one: Dodger Stadium. In so many ways, it lived up to expectations - but in so many, very critical, other aspects, it was a tremendous letdown.

Chase Field isn't a bad ballpark, at all. It's conveniently located within the downtown entertainment zone, adjacent to the basketball arena; it's steps away from light rail; there are food and drink options in the area (as long as you plan to patronize them before the game, and not afterwards). It is clean and inviting, and very fan-friendly. I would, however, be stretching things if I tried to convince you it was a great ballpark.

Hundreds of words have already been written about the beauty of AT&T Park. The location, the layout, the design, the individual ballpark features. Well, here are some more words, tempered with a touch of reality. Yes, it is gorgeous; the exterior echoing ballparks of the past, and the interior seating bowl offering a graceful curve bordered [...]

It is with complete sincerity that I assert that PETCO Park is the most underrated ballpark in the country. On a trip to visit all the parks in California, this was not a place I was particularly excited about; the Padres were in town and it was a way to tick the park off the list. Now that I’ve been there, I can’t wait to go back. PETCO is the most laid-back downtown ballpark you will ever visit. You can walk there or take public transportation; it’s a stone’s throw from the ocean, but backed up by a rich entertainment district that’s an actual part of the city, and there are quite literally seats for every budget and every ballgame agenda. It will remind you of parts of other ballparks, but yet, it’s not like any other ballpark out there.