Ranking the best in-game experiences for each MLB team

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29 : Freeze races during game one of the 2019 Major League Baseball London Series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees on June 29, 2019 at West Ham London Stadium in London, England. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 20: The Western Metal Supply Co. building in Petco Park during a game between the San Diego Padres and the Minnesota Twins on May 20, 2014 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. The Twins defeated the Padres 5-3. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

San Diego Padres: Park at the Park

It really is quite unfair that the good people of San Diego get to live in one of the finest cities in the country where the temperature rarely rises above 85 degrees or falls below 70 degrees. It’s even more unfair that their baseball team has one of the best stadiums in the country and the fans seem to take it for granted. Petco Park is definitely one of the crown jewels of Major League Baseball — a creative masterpiece that went even further than Camden Yards to incorporate the surrounding city into its design.

The use of the old Western Metal Supply building in left field is probably the most well-known feature of Petco Park. Instead of demolishing the old warehouse that backs up to their site, the team turned it into a brick cornerstone for the stadium. There are several restaurants inside the building as well as the team store. The Padres also attached balconies to the side of the building which offer a unique vantage point for watching the game.

As cool as the old Western Metal Supply building is, the best part of Petco is the Park at the Park in center field. Instead of a typical standing room only area that isn’t more than a glorified extension of the main concrete bowl, the Padres built a huge lawn behind the park. It is a great place for families to experience the stadium. You can bring your own food and a picnic blanket and spread out. A ticket for Park at the Park also allows you access to the rest of the park.

During games, Park at the Park is open only to ticket holders, but when the Padres aren’t playing, it functions as a typical neighborhood park. There’s also a concert venue, a mini baseball diamond, a Tony Gwynn statue and a big screen showing the game. The views to the field aren’t great, but you can see just enough to keep your kiddos interested.

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