Margaret Engel | Bruce Adams
Compared with the costs of attending most professional sporting events, a family outing to the ballpark is still a (relatively) affordable recreation. Now that the stadium craze is over and a growing number of teams are once again playing outside and on real grass, the idea of taking a vacation to watch baseball is an increasingly attractive option. Fodor makes planning such a vacation easy. With chapters on some of America's best places to see the national pastime in action (both major and minor leagues), coupled with fun ideas for accommodations and activities, this guide is sure to be a hit with fans and families.
1 DO NOT BUY
This book is a callow attempt at stealing your valuable money. This book does not, in any way, provide scintillating information for the reader, nor does its information prove informative. If you want to lose your money, go right ahead and buy this book for your long hours sitting on the toilet. Otherwise, get a real baseball book; a vibrant one, one replete with color and information, thus fostering a sense of awe, completeness and congeniality.
2 Invaluable for the baseball nut
Pair this with Baseball America's Baseball Directory and you have a winning combination for planning your baseball vacation. This one even tells you what NOT to eat at the ballparks! This book needs to be expanded.
3 A Bible for Baseball Fans
The book is an absolute lifesaver. I have always planned to travel around America after I graduate from high school, and this book makes it possible. It has everything from directions to favorite foods at both the stadium and the surrounding area. Also, it provides reasonable and realistic ways to save money. A little money here and a little money there can really add up after a month of so on the road. Even if the book does not feature a place where you want to go, it will provide you with an address and phone number. Not only does this book have virtually every phone number you might ever need but it also has faxes, web sites, etc. Adams and Engel read my mind with this book. I don't have to plan hardly anything because they have accounted for everything.
4 A baseball traveler's bible!
We bought our copy of Ballpark Vacations less than a year ago, and it is already dog-eared and worn. We've used it for trips to Fenway Park and Camden Yards and are planning a trip to Wrigley this year. It has been invaluable in trip planning, and the tips and hints have made our trips more interesting than if we had simply booked a hotel room and bought game tickets. This has got to be the best reference you can get for major and minor league baseball travel!
5 Take it on your next trip!
This handy guide combines the best of the Fodor's approach to travel advice with some useful and fun information about major and minor league ballparks throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. The authors have supplied the usual data on motels and other accomodations, as well as restaurants, side trips, and other interesting family-oriented attractions. There are detailed maps and driving directions to help you on your way. The ballpark information is detailed and includes what you need to know about ticket prices, seating availability, food, and other "buyer beware" items to avoid. There is even a brief and informative history of each ballpark.
Although it is noted in the co-author's review, I would stress that not every major league ballpark is covered in this volume.
All in all, a great read. A nice reference work even if you're not hitting the road.
