Baseball is known as America’s favorite pastime, and there are many aspects of the game that make it so beloved and enjoyable. From the majestic stadiums to the quirky mascots, and from the mouthwatering food to the thrilling action, baseball has something for everyone.
To narrow the field and find the best baseball experiences, we asked an expert panel to nominate their top picks across each of five categories: Best Baseball Stadium Food, Best Minor League Ballpark, Best Minor League Baseball Mascot, Best MLB Stadium, and Best Spring Training Facility. Then, readers voted for their favorites to determine the winners — and the results are in.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Baseball Stadium Food: Citi Field in Queens, New York
Citi Field offers an array of winning food options — Photo courtesy of New York Mets
Mets fans are known to indulge in Citi Field’s signature food item, the Bases Loaded BBQ Burger from Shake Shack, a beloved New York City institution. In addition to this juicy and flavorful masterpiece, fans can choose from a variety of stadium food options that represent the city’s culinary identity.
From classic New York-style hot dogs and soft pretzels to local delicacies like pastrami sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and loaded nachos, the food options cater to a wide range of tastes.
Full list of winners: Best Baseball Stadium Food »
Best Minor League Ballpark: Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa
Fans at Modern Woodmen Park enjoy a unique ballpark experience — Photo courtesy of Quad Cities River Bandits
Home of the Quad Cities River Bandits, High-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, Modern Woodmen Park is accented by the Centennial Bridge over the Mississippi River behind right field. The venue also uniquely features a mini amusement park with rides, such as a giant Ferris wheel, a kids roller coaster, and the only double-decker carousel in the state. And there’s a cornfield in the stadium — it is Iowa, after all.
Full list of winners: Best Minor League Ballpark »
Best Minor League Baseball Mascot: Buster – Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Buster, mascot for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, wins bragging rights for 2024 — Photo courtesy of Jersey Shore BlueClaws
A baseball fan since he was an infant, Buster readily accepted the offer to become the Jersey Shore BlueClaws mascot in 2001. He looks forward to sharing his love and passion for the BlueClaws every time the team takes to the field at ShoreTown Ballpark.
Full list of winners: Best Minor League Baseball Mascot »
Best MLB Stadium: Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland
Readers love Oriole Park at Camden Yards, voting it Best MLB Stadium for 2024 — Photo courtesy of Maryland Stadium Authority
The Baltimore Orioles have been calling Oriole Park at Camden Yards home since 1992, while celebrities like Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and even Pope John Paul II have held events within the space. In addition to hosting baseball games, the venue is also renowned for its charming retro-classic design, with many later stadiums taking inspiration from the surrounding structure.
Full list of winners: Best MLB Stadium »
Best Spring Training Facility: Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida
Watch the Tampa Bay Rays train at winning Charlotte Sports Park — Photo courtesy of Charlotte County Community Services
Located in Port Charlotte, Florida, Charlotte Sports park welcomes the Tampa Bay Rays each year for spring training. The facility underwent a $27 million renovation in 2009, so Grapefruit League fans can enjoy a baseball boardwalk ringing the outfield, a tiki bar, a children’s play area, and seating for 7,500, including seating in two outfield berms. Come opening day, the stadium becomes the home of the Charlotte Stone Crabs.
Full list of winners: Best Spring Training Facility »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in our other Readers’ Choice Awards contests.
