MN guy who loves baseball. I really enjoy visiting ballparks, as every visit brings smiles & memories of this great game. Gopher FB season tickets since 1997.
My thanks to my statewide ⚾️💎 consultants who keep me posted on ballparks,news,info, and tidbits to keep me educated. I do this entirely on a volunteer basis and am not tied to any MBA directive or program. Yes, I do travel to as many MBA ballparks as I can and walk them.🚶♂️👀
#1
. Delano. The Athletics play in the North Star League & Region 12C. Municipal Baseball Park est. 1896 has a covered grandstand 👀,pressbox+,separate media pressbox💣,signage 👏,accessible,concessions 🍔🥗🍻+,seating/viewing/standing options🎯,sightlines👊,TLC++,ivy 💰 (1/?)
#56
. Windom. The Pirates play in the First Nite League & Region 13C. Island Park has many park & recreation amenities + a pirate ship! Light towers, covered grandstand, nice playing surfaces, park entrance, CF FB seating, signage, netting, nice scoreboard. It's a super setting.
In review, the 2023 Top 50 MBA ballparks:
50: Lonsdale/Loretto/Luverne
49: Cologne
48: Anoka
47: Plato
46: St. Patrick
45: Rochester Mayo
44: St. Anthony
43: Morris
42: Farming
41: Perham
40: Waterville
39: Sartell
38: Spicer
37: Granite Falls
36: Maple Lake
(1/3)
#7
Waconia cont. pa🎤,restrooms🚻 ,standing options,landscaping,kneewall,accessible,cleanliness,displays,setting,not status quo,National Field of the Year 21,Tink Larson FOY 20,FOX 9 Town Ball Tour 21,MBA State Tourney host 21/22/23. What a fantastic ballpark. Gotta love it. ⚾️
#13
Belle Plaine cont. Annual Tigertown Classic,cages,bullpens,easy🚶♂️around,gazebo & shelters,lights,signage,standing options,restrooms,many nearby p&r amenities, original city plat=oldest MBA ballpark in MN,FOX 9 Town Ball Tour 20,MBA State Tourney host 66/81/92/04/14/24.👊⚾️
Truly, I now have people who are bent out of shape where " their" MBA ballpark was or wasn't ranked. I do have people now who avoid me and/or don't have the time of day for me. It's best to move on and drop this ballpark ranking thing today. Life is too short. I will miss it.
#52
. St. Martin. The Martin's play in the Stearns County League & Region 15C. Ray Weber Field has a covered grandstand, lights, scoreboard, batters eye, cages, bullpens, nice playing surfaces & dugouts, pressbox, concessions, TLC & decking. A beauty on the prairie. Nicely done!👏
#13
. Belle Plaine. The Tigers play in the River Valley League & Region 6C. Tiger Park est. 1885 has a covered grandstand w/new mural👀,pressbox,netting,TLC,
OF ivy👏,dugouts,play surfaces🚀,CF in-play flag poles+🇺🇸,scoreboard,concessions,decking,entry 💣,landscaping & 💐,(1/2).
#23
. Litchfield. The Blues play in the North Star League & Region 12C. Optimist Park est. 1993 has a new cov grandstand👀,pressbox,netting,dugouts,bullpens,cages,scoreboard,batters👁,TLC+,play surf👏,signage,kneewall,🌳,lawn💺,Tink Larson FOY 07,FOX TBT 23,MBA State host 16 & 23.
2023 MBA Top 💯 Ballparks 100-51:
100. Deer Creek/Montgomery/Upsala
99. Dawson
98. St. Joseph
97. Stark
96. Prior Lake
95. Burnsville
94. Detroit Lakes
93. New York Mills
92. Hanska
91. Essig
90. Coon Rapids
89. St. Michael
88. Carlos
87. Roseau
86. Fergus Falls
#69
. Greenwald. The Cubs play in the Stearns County League & Region 15C. Cubs Field has a covered grandstand, TLC, signage, scoreboard, concessions, nice dugouts & playing surfaces, and a grain elevator CF background. Lots to like here. A gem. Recent Region 15C tourney host.
#42
. Farming. The Flames play in the Stearns County League & Region 15C. Schleper Bros. Field has a covered grandstand, decking, lights, scoreboard, 👍playing surfaces, pressbox, TLC, dugouts, signage, batters eye, cages, easy🚶♂️around & 🍔. Est. 1946. LF line cemetery 👀. Lovely
#43
. Morris. The Eagles play in the Land O' Ducks League & Region 9C. Chizek Field has an open accessible metal grandstand, 👍pressbox, new cages, kneewall, netting, lights, scoreboard, signage, paved parking, dugouts, decking, easy move around, 🍔 & TLC. 2023 Region 9C host.👍
#40
. Waterville. The Indians play in the 13-60 League & Region 6C. William J. Grose Park has a cov. grandstand, TLC, nice playing surfaces, light towers, scoreboard, cages, pressbox, signage,👌 ambiance, shelter, 🌳, kneewall, 1st base line vista👀, 2022 FOX 9 Townball Tour.👏
#20
. Paynesville. The Pirates play in the County Line League & Region 4C. The ballpark has a cov grandstand/press👀,stand options👀,displays/flags👏,indoor cages👌,netting,concess/RR,TLC,lite towers,brick facade🚀,sightlines, scoreboard,signage,access,kneewall,18 Tink,22 FOX 9 TT
In honor of the 100th MBA State Tourney in 2023, the 2019 MBA Top 100 Ballpark ranking list will be updated beginning on May 28-Sept 4 (100 days). There will be no ties! The deck will be shuffled with new adds/changes. There will be movement across the board. Criteria coming up.
#8
. Dundas cont. setting👀,ambiance 🎯,bullpens,cleanliness,homeplate entry area👌,much to like here,FOX 9 Town Ball Tour 18,MBA State Tourney host 03 & 22. ⚾️+
#12
. Marshall. The A's play in the Corn Belt League & Region 4C. Legion Field has an open metal grandstand w/pressbox,ivy OF fences👀+,scoreboard🔥,playing surfaces🎯,dugouts👊,TLC👏,lights,accessible,cleanliness,concessions🍿,OF 🌳 💣,setting,nearby p&r amenities 🏊♂️🛝,(1/2)
#7
. Waconia. The Lakers play in the Crow River Valley League & Region 7C. Lions Field has a covered grandstand👏,pressbox💣,lights,scoreboard,wooden OF fence,bullpens,cages👊,TLC+👀,sightlines,decking,concessions🍿,playing surfaces🎯+,easy🚶♂️around,drainage,dugouts👍,netting (1/2)
#22
. Avon. The Lakers play in the Victory League & Region 8C. Blattner Field has a cov grandstand,new decking,pressbox,👏👏play surfaces,👌dugouts,signage,netting,💣cages & bullpens,lites, kneewall,scoreboard,easy 🚶♂️around,Tink Larson FOY 17,MBA State host 27,freq Reg 8C host😃👊
My Greeley grandparents, William & Hilma, are buried along with my aunt Ruby & uncle Glen in the Dassel cemetery. Yes, that is the cemetery beyond the scoreboard. Did I make a cemetery visit during the 💯th Annual MBA State Tourney? Absolutely.
#46
. St. Patrick. The Irish play in the DRS League & Section 1B. Bonin Field has 👏 playing surfaces, TLC, lights, ambiance/setting, shade, knee wall/netting, signage, scoreboard, 🌲 OF background, lawnchairs & blankets, sightlines, PA, future upgrades, 2021 FOX 9 Town Ball Tour
#34
. Minnewaska. The Starbuck Stars play in the County Line League & Region 4C. Marthaler Field has a 😍covered grandstand w/pressbox, netting, dugouts, plaza, parking, cages, scoreboard, signage, TLC, lights, concessions, 👏playing surfaces, 20 Region 4C host. A 💎on the prairie
#29
. Arlington. The A's play in the River Valley League & Region 6C. Arlington Baseball Park has a cov. grandstand, pressbox,👀light towers, scoreboard,signage,dugouts,netting,kneewall,OF🌳,👌play surfaces,TLC,cages, clubhouse,Tink Larson FOY 92,FOX 9 TBT,MBA State 76,83,94,09👏.
As Joe Kreger shared on this venue recently, it's only one person's opinion. Very true. Why do this? To honor & recognize our tremendous💣 inventory of MBA ballparks and the high quality of community volunteers who care for our great game of ⚾️. My hats off to all of you! 🎆
#60
. Elrosa. The Saints play in the Stearns County League & Region 15C. Saints Field has a covered grandstand, signage, padded kneewall, netting, lights, new scoreboard, nice playing surfaces, TLC, cages, pressbox, OF 🌲, Battle for the Keg, annual Elite 8 & 2022 15C tourney host
#97
. Stark. The Longhorns play in the Tomahawk East League and Region 2C. Traditionally, this ballparks outfield is surrounded by "Field of Dreams" 🌽.
In review, here are the Top 💯 MBA ballpark rankings 50-24.
#23
tomorrow:
50: Lonsdale,Loretto,Luverne
49. Cologne
48. Anoka
47. Plato
46. St. Patrick
45. Rochester Mayo
44. St. Anthony
43. Morris
42. Farming
41. Perham
40. Waterville
39. Sartell
38. Spicer
37. Granite Falls
#71
. Wabasso. The Jaxx play in the Corn Belt League & Region 4C. City Field opened in 2018. Scoreboard, lights, signage, kneewall, netting, accessible grandstand, nice playing surfaces, TLC. Impressive. Next to the water tower.
#10
. Green Isle. The Irish play in the Crow River Valley League & Region 7C. Irish Yard has a covered grandstand,pressbox,netting,decking👀,concessions 🍿,storage👊,viewing options👏,easy 🚶♂️around,lights,TLC+,cages,scoreboard🔥,ambiance,bullpens,playing surfaces💣,shelter (1/2)
#21
. Hamburg. The Hawks play in the Crow River Valley League & Region 7C. Hawk Field est.1948 has a cov grandstand👀,pressbox,play surfaces 👏,TLC,cages,dugouts, scoreboard,concess,parking,batters👁,netting,signage,bullpens,lights,23 Reg 7C host,83/88/98/07/17/21 MBA State host💣
#4
. New Ulm. The Brewers play in the Tomahawk East League & Region 2C. Johnson Park est. 1939 WPA Project has a new metal covered grandstand 👏,pressbox,netting,dugouts,signage💣,lights,playing surfaces🔥,concessions 🍔🌭🍺,TLC+,scoreboard, cages, bullpens,accessible,plaza, (1/3)
#16
. Milroy Irish Yard cont.
Camden Yard seats,concessions,restrooms,lawn chairs,easy🚶♂️around,setting, est. 2011,a beauty on the prairie,arguably Minnesota's Field of Dreams💣 🎆 Go the distance.
The 2023 updated MBA Top 💯 ballpark rankings will be starting today and daily thru Labor Day Monday. Although I promised no ties, there is a three-way tie for
#100
. No other ties the rest of the way. Have a great day!
#66
. Glencoe. The Brewers play in the Crow River League & Region 7C. Vollmer Field @ Oak Leaf Park has a covered grandstand, easy walk-around, lights, scoreboard, cages, OF 🌲 trees & 👍 nearby park amenities. MBA State host 1987, 1996, 2011. FOX 9 Town Ball Tour host 2019.
#15
. Bird Island. The Bullfrogs play in the Corn Belt League & Region 4C. Lions Memorial Park has an accessible covered grandstand,pressbox,netting,signage,dugouts👌,TLC+,playing surfaces 💣,scoreboard,light towers,unique raised walkway/concessions/plaza👊,easy walk around (1/2)
#17
. Red Wing. The Aces play in the Classic Cannon Valley League & Region 5C. Athletic Field has a covered grandstand👀,pressbox,top entry 🚀,netting,setting,ambiance👌,lights,signage👏,scoreboard,bullpens,TLC,sightlines,playing surfaces💣 ,storage,concessions,cages,dugouts (1/2)
#11
. Miesville. The Mudhens play in the Classic Cannon Valley League & Section 1B. Jack Ruhr Stadium est. 1961 has a covered grandstand,pressbox👀,bleachers,scoreboard 🔥,dugouts🎯,cages,bullpens,lights,ambiance,signage👊,kneewall,netting,play surfaces👏,TLC,setting,parking (1/2)
#63
. Regal. The Eagles play in the County Line League & Region 4C. Eagles Field has a covered grandstand, pressbox, TLC, batters eye, scoreboard, excellent playing surfaces, concessions, and a vintage fan bus! Have a safe 4th, filled with 🎆, ⚾️, apple 🥧, and 🚗.
In review, here are the MBA Top 💯 100-65 thru July 2:
100: Upsala, Montgomery, Deer Creek
99: Dawson
98: St. Joseph
97: Stark
96: Prior Lake
95: Burnsville
94: Detroit Lakes
93: New York Mills
92: Hanska
91: Essig
90: Coon Rapids
89: St. Michael
88: Carlos
87: Roseau
#55
. Madison. The Mallards play in the Land O' Ducks League & Region 9C. Memorial Field has a nice playing surface, 👍 scoreboard, new lights, signage, pressbox, dugout upgrades, decking, concessions & unique seating/viewing options. Amazing recovery from the May 2022 storm. TLC.
#57
. Brownton. The Bruins play in the Crow River Valley League & Region 7C. Barney Tadsen Field has a covered grandstand. Tink Larson FOY 1999. MBA State Tourney host 1964, 1971, 1980, 1987, 1996, 2011, 2016 & 2025. 2023 Knock Out Cancer Day games. I attended 1971 state tourney.
#50
. Lonsdale. The Aces play in the DRS League & Region 3C. Trenda Memorial Park has a covered grandstand, shade, signage, lights, dugouts, concessions,👍 playing surfaces, cages, bullpens, scoreboard, TLC, accessible, P & R amenities & pressbox. FOX 9 Town Ball Tour Wednesday.
#59
. Austin. The Greyhounds play in the Twin Rivers League & Region 5C. Marcusen Park est. 1948 & hosted the 1952 MBA state tourney. Grandstand, batters eye, light towers, scoreboard, pressbox, dugouts, cages, nice playing surfaces & signage. 2017 new LED lights, sound & storage
#8
. Dundas. The Dukes play in the Classic Cannon Valley League & Section 1B. Memorial Park has a covered grandstand,pressbox💣,netting,concessions👏,landscaping,easy🚶♂️around,LF OF💺,OF🌳,PA🎤,seating options,scoreboard,signage,playing surfaces🔥,storage👊,lights,kneewall (1/2)
#47
. Plato. The Blue Jays play in the Crow River Valley League & Region 7C. Blue Jay Stadium has a covered grandstand, pressbox, concessions, cages, bullpens, scoreboard, lights, signage, nice playing surfaces, 👏 dugouts, 👍TLC, netting, kneewall, FOX 9 Town Ball Tour 2022.
#2
. Dassel. The DC Saints play in the North Star League & Region 12C. Saints Field est. 1901 has a covered grandstand w/clock👀, pressbox,netting,signage, scoreboard👊,light towers,
playing surfaces🔥🔥,decking👏,kneewall,TLC💣,setting,ambiance,concessions🌭🍺,cleanliness,(1/3)
#26
. New Prague. The Orioles play in the DRS League & Region 3C. Memorial Park⚾️Stadium has a cov grandstand,👏 pressbox & dugouts,👀play surfaces,TLC,kneewall,signage,scoreboard,lites,cages,decking,batters👁,concess,easy move around,nearby p&r amenities,MBA State host 18 & 26.👍
#16
. Milroy Irish. The Irish play in the Gopher League & Region 13C. Irish Yard has a covered grandstand,pressbox,batters👁,LF scoreboard👀,RF message board👏,OF wooden fencing,lights,bullpens,cages decking,dugouts,playing surfaces👊,netting,sightlines👋,TLC🚀,signage (1/2)
#28
. Gaylord. The Islanders play in the River Valley League & Region 6C. Walsh Field has a covered 👌grandstand,pressbox,🍿,lights,netting,dugouts, scoreboard,TLC+👀,signage,accessible,setting,cages,👏playing surfaces,2023 FOX 9 Townball Tour,nearby park&rec amenities,bullpens.
#79
. Sauk Rapids. The Cyclones play in the Sauk Valley League & Region 11C. Bob Cross Field has a newer covered grandstand, lights, and nice dugouts. Playing surfaces are excellent. Played high school & legion ball here back in the day. Super upgrades.
#99
. Dawson. The Drakes play in the Land O' Ducks-Teal League and Region 9C. They were one of the hosts for the 2022 Region 9C tourney. A new scoreboard was recently installed. Light towers were put in place in 1958. Nelson Field and its surrounding amenities are
very nice.
#44
. St. Anthony. The Hogs play in the Skyline League & Section 7B. Palm Field has a covered grandstand, nice playing surfaces, lights, pressbox, scoreboard, TLC, cages, RF seats, dugouts, concessions, easy move around, trees, nice athletic complex, 2011 Tink Larson FOY. 👏👍
#18
. Waseca. The Braves play in the 13-60 League & Region 6C. Tink Larson Community Field has a beauty of a grandstand👀 with a top entry. Pressbox 👏,concessions👊,clubhouse & storage👋, playing surfaces🚀 ,TLC++,light towers,scoreboard, brick,dugouts,setting,FOX 9 TBT 19 (1/2).
#3
. Jordan. The Brewers play in the River Valley League & Region 6C. The Mini-Met est. 1935 has a wooden covered grandstand👏,netting,kneewall,dugouts👌,TLC++,playing surfaces💣,decking👀,lawn💺 & grassy knoll 😃,manual scoreboard🎯,
wooden OF fencing,signs,landscaping,(1/3).⚾️
#36
. Maple Lake. The Lakers play in the North Star League & Region 12C. Irish Stadium has a cov. grandstand, light towers, scoreboard, OF🌳, signage, ambiance, TLC, pressbox, concessions,👏playing surfaces. MBA State host 84,97,13,19. 20 FOX 9 Townball Tour. 15 Tink Larson FOY.👍
#38
. Spicer. The NL-S Twins play in the County Line League & Region 4C. GL Ball 💎 has two👀 grandstands, pressbox, concessions, easy walk around, lights, SB, 👏 playing surfaces, signage, TLC, 🌳 shade+landscaping, 👍sightlines, cages/bullpens, 10 MBA State & 22 Region 4C host.
#33
. Willmar. The Rails play in the Corn Belt League & Region 4C. Baker Field has a 👏covered grandstand w/pressbox, 👌dugouts, bullpens, cages, 🔥scoreboard, nice playing surfaces, 👌decking, lights, 2010 MBA state host, 👀seating & viewing options, signage, parking, accessible.
T-minus 10 days as the updated MBA Top 💯 Townball Ballpark rankings begin on 5/28 thru Labor Day Monday. 100 straight days with no ties. 32 criteria points are used; 10 points max/criteria. I will share these 32 b/f 5/28. Any changes since we last did this in 2019? Absolutely!
#24
. Fairfax. The Cardinals play in the Tomahawk East League & Region 2C. Memorial Park est. 1946 has a wood cov grandstand, pressbox,scoreboard, lights,TLC,museum👀, play surface👏,dugouts,bullpens,cages,nearby p&r amenities,Dana Kiecker St,96 Tink Larson FOY,00 MBA State host😀
#84
. Watertown. The Red Devils play in the Crow River-North League & Region 7C. Highland Park has a nice grandstand & shelter set-up. 1948 light towers. 2022 FOX 9 Town Ball Tour host. Nice neighborhood setting entry. Played HS ⚾️ here.
#41
. Perham. The Pirates play in the Hi-10 League & Region 14C. Tuffy's Stadium @ Al Krueger Field has a 👍covered grandstand, brick kneewall/netting, light towers, pressbox, concessions, 2023 Tink Larson FOY, 1995 MBA State Tourney host,👏
playing surfaces, signage & scoreboard.
#61
. Milroy. The Yankees play in the Corn Belt League & Region 4C. Yankee Field had a nice wooden covered grandstand, pressbox, excellent kneewall, batters eye, scoreboard, lights, cages, nice playing surfaces, signage, netting, decking, and TLC. MBA State Tourney host 2020.
#6
. Chaska. The Cubs play in the River Valley League & Section 3B. Athletic Park has a covered grandstand 🎯,light towers👌,scoreboard👏,setting 💣,ambiance 🚀,entry,signage,displays🔥,concessions🍿🍔,TLC+,Chaska brick kneewall👀,netting,cages,bullpens,dugouts😃,pressbox (1/2)
#48
. Anoka. The Bucs play in the Metro Minny League & Section 4B. Castle Field has a very nice covered grandstand & entrance/plaza, parking, lights, dugouts, lights, pressbox, netting, kneewall, signage, bullpens, cages, scoreboard, concess/RR & batters eye. Playing surfaces 👍.
2023 MBA Ballpark Top 💯 By League cont.
First Nite: 2
Twin Rivers: 2
Eastern Minny: 2
13-60: 2
Northwest Border: 1
Skyline: 1
Red River: 1
Arrow Head West: 1
Congrats 👏 to all of the 2023 teams & leagues.
In my wife's hometown of Clinton this morning for Memorial Day services. And yes, I stopped at their ballpark. The ballpark will receive a new partial covered grandstand in the next month.
#27
. Hutchinson. The Huskies play in the North Star League & Region 12C. Vet Memorial Field has a cov grandstand,signage, lights,scoreboard,TLC, flags,pressbox,netting,cages,kneewall👀,play surfaces & dugouts👏. MBA State host 94,05,11,16,25.04 Tink Larson FOY.Upgrades happening?
#19
. Springfield. The Tigers play in the Tomahawk East League & Region 2C. Riverside Park has a covered grandstand,pressbox,nice sightlines,dugouts👀,bullpens,cages,scoreboard,concessions,plaza👏,brick💣,signage,light towers,TLC🚀,netting,easy move around,many nearby p&r-1of2-
#35
. Hinckley. The Knights play in the Eastern Minny League & Region 1C. Brennan Field has a covered wooden grandstand, pressbox, netting, dugouts👀, TLC, decking, signage, scoreboard, bullpens, cage, light towers, RF green monster, OF🌳, kneewall, ambiance, frequent Reg 1C host
#78
. Urbank. The Bombers play in the Resorters League & Region 16C. Wendelin Koep Sr. Stadium has had recent year renovations/upgrades. Lights & lots of TLC. Nice playing surfaces. Batters eye. 2020 MN Senior Men's Amateur BB Association State Tourney host. Nice work.
#32
. Sleepy Eye. The Indians play in the Tomahawk East League & Region 2C. Sleepy Eye Baseball Park has a cov. grandstand, separate pressbox/concess, light towers, scoreboard, 👀signage & banners, TLC, batters eye, netting, dugouts,👌playing surfaces, new Babe Ruth plaque👏 1922.
#75
. Howard Lake. The Orphans play in the North Star League & Region 12C. Memorial Park has amphitheater/bowl seating, light towers & lake makes for great ambiance. Shade=lawn chairs. Signage galore. 3rd site MBA state tourney. Fox 9 Town Ball Tour 2019. Played HS FB & ⚾️ here.
#25
. Cannon Falls. The Bears play in the Classic Cannon Valley League & Region 5C.John Burch Park has a cov grand,pressbox, sitelines,setting/ ambiance👀,scoreboard, signage,RF line tiered seating/limestone wall 👏,netting,shade, concess,23 Reg 5C host,18 FOX 9,MBA State 85,91,28
#30
. Faribault. The Lakers play in the DRS League & Region 3C. Bell Field est. 1948 has a 👌covered grandstand, pressbox, netting, light towers, signage, scoreboard,👍 surfaces, parking, 👀entrance, kneewall, dugouts, accessible, TLC, 21 FOX 9 TBT. MBA State host 51, 78, 22.👏🍿
#50
. Loretto. The Larks play in the North Star League & Region 12C. Arnold Klaers Field has an open elevated grandstand, TLC, 👏 playing surfaces, signage, lights, scoreboard, shade, dugouts, setting & cages. Bring your lawn chairs & blankets👍. 2023 Region 12C tourney host.
#67
. Elko. The Express play in the DRS League & Section 1B. Fredrickson Field was built in 1963. Covered grandstand, concession/shelter facility, a ton of TLC, dugouts, lights, scoreboard, cages, unique entrance area, and nice playing surfaces. Lovely.