A fun, fascinating exploration of the evolution of baseball's stadiums and gameday experiences

A baseball game at one ballpark is not the same at another. Players must learn to navigate the short porch of Yankee Stadium, the deep outfield of Coors Field, and the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field. Fans enjoy bat chandeliers in Seattle, fountains in Kansas City, and modern art in Miami. But how did we get here? How did we go from playing ball in public parks to futuristic stadiums with retractable roofs?

In The Ballpark: 25 Innovations That Shaped Today's Baseball Stadiums, ballpark guru Travis Parker Smith explores the evolution of baseball's stadiums and fan experience through 25 key developments. From the early days of open fields and wooden grandstands to today's slick stadiums and gourmet food options, Parker Smith takes readers through the ballpark's ever-changing architecture and gameday flair.

The desire for track and field in New York incidentally resulted in the first warning track. The Cincinnati Reds' near bankruptcy in the 1930s is the reason we have Sunday Night Baseball. The U.S. Military's wish for better recruits led to the creation of AstroTurf. The Ballpark brings it all together for a fun, quirky, and unique perspective of the beloved buildings that host America's pastime.