Each year people make resolutions, typically to better themselves and their lives. Self-improvement goals are great, but I prefer to make resolutions related to traveling. Specifically, I make ballpark travel resolutions, as I continue my quest to see more places by visiting baseball stadiums. Without further ado, here are my 2021 ballpark travel resolutions. Resolution #1: In 2021, I resolve to see all five @NPB teams in Greater Tokyo (@Chiba_Lotte, @lions_official, @swallowspr, @TokyoGiants, and @ydb_yokohama) play at home. #PlayBall #NewYearsResolutions #GoTokyo #StevenExploresTokyo — Steven Ericson (@StevenOnTheMove) January 1, 2021 In 2019 and 2020, I resolved to see all of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams in Greater Tokyo. So far,…
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Reviewing my 2020 ballpark travel resolutions
As the final week of this no good, rotten year comes to a close, it is time to review my 2020 ballpark travel resolutions. It is easy to surmise that I did not uphold my ballpark resolutions this year. However, just because this past year has been dramatically different from any other in my life does not mean I am going to skip out on reviewing my resolutions. Without further ado, let’s review my 2020 ballpark travel resolutions. Resolution #1: In 2020, I resolve to see all five @NPB teams in Greater Tokyo (@Chiba_Lotte, @lions_official, @swallowspr, @TokyoGiants, and @ydb_yokohama) play at home. #PlayBall #NewYearsResolutions #GoTokyo #StevenExploresTokyo — Steven Ericson (@StevenOnTheMove)…
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Revealing my 2020 ballpark resolutions
The new year means time to make resolutions to better yourself. For a lot of people that means a vow to lose weight, quit smoking, or some other self-improvement objective. Those are all admirable goals, but I prefer to focus on traveling in the new year. Specifically, I like to set goals to visit new ballparks. Without further ado, here are my 2020 ballpark resolutions. Resolution #1: In 2020, I resolve to see all five @NPB teams in Greater Tokyo (@Chiba_Lotte, @lions_official, @swallowspr, @TokyoGiants, and @ydb_yokohama) play at home. #PlayBall #NewYearsResolutions #GoTokyo #StevenExploresTokyo — Steven Ericson (@StevenOnTheMove) January 1, 2020 I made this resolution last year as well (read last…
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Reviewing my 2019 ballpark resolutions
For several years now I have made New Year’s resolutions to visit ballparks in the coming year. Most of my goals are to visit new Minor League Baseball stadiums, but my resolutions are not exclusive to MiLB parks. Each year I review my resolutions and assess how successful I was in fulfilling them. So, here’s how I did with my 2019 ballpark travel resolutions. Resolution #1: In 2019, I resolve to see all three @TravelOregon #MiLB teams (@EugeneEmeralds, @HillsboroHops, & @SKVolcanoes) play at home. #PlayBall #NewYearsResolutions — Steven Ericson (@StevenOnTheMove) January 1, 2019 Last year my wife Katie started a program for an additional certification related to her job. Part…
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My night with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows – August 24, 2019
The Tokyo Yakult Swallows play in one of the oldest professional baseball stadiums in Japan. Although Meiji Jingu Stadium lacks many of the modern amenities fans expect from a ballpark, fans regularly pack the park. The ballpark is part of Meiji Jingu Gaien, which is a large athletics complex with a futsal court, an indoor skating rink, tennis courts, and more. Arriving at the ballpark As with many ballparks in Japan, Meiji Jingu Stadium has multiple public transit stations nearby. Sendagaya and Shinanomachi stations, which are both on the Chūō-Sōbu Line, are the two closest train stations to the ballpark. It is a 13-minute walk (about 0.6 miles/1 kilometer) from…
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My night with the Seattle Mariners – August 6, 2019
In the days of corporate naming rights, ballpark names come and go. Whether you still call the Seattle Mariners home ballpark Safeco Field or whether you’ve adapted to calling it T-Mobile Park, the team has played its home games at the same stadium since 1999. Areas of the ballpark have been remodeled or renovated since its opening, but overall the park has remained the same. Arriving at the ballpark There are multiple parking garages and privately-operated parking lots near T-Mobile Park. Prices at the garages and lots vary typically depending on proximity to the ballpark. Sound Transit’s Central Link light rail line offers service via the Stadium Station, which is…
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My night with the Tacoma Rainiers – August 3, 2019
The Tacoma Rainiers play in a ballpark that was originally built in 100 days prior to the 1960 season. Fifty years later Cheney Stadium underwent a major renovation and stands as a South Sound staple. The ballpark also affords fans the opportunity to see the highest mountain in Washington state, Mount Rainier. Arriving at the ballpark Cheney Stadium is approximately six miles from downtown Tacoma. It is close to the I-5 and Washington State Route 16 interchange, which makes it easy to access from several nearby cities. Parking in an adjoining lot to the stadium costs $5. Pierce Transit Route #2 runs from downtown to 19th Street and South Stevens…
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My night with the Everett AquaSox – August 2, 2019
The Everett AquaSox play in the oldest ballpark in the Northwest League. However, Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium has undergone several renovations and looks good for a facility that opened in 1949. A naming-rights deal between the Everett School District and local toy maker Funko signed before the 2019 has brought new life to the park, too. Arriving at the ballpark Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium is less than a mile from downtown Everett. The ballpark is also under a mile from an interchange with I-5. So, it is incredibly easy to reach the stadium from anywhere in the area. Limited parking near the team’s front office at…
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My night with the Eugene Emeralds – July 25, 2019
College baseball teams and short-season Minor League clubs sharing a ballpark have become commonplace over the last decade. The University of Oregon Ducks and Eugene Emeralds are one of the first partnerships between a collegiate team and a Minor League club. The university built PK Park for a reborn Ducks baseball program, but the Emeralds have made their mark on the ballpark, too. Arriving at the ballpark PK Park is northeast of Autzen Stadium, home of the University of Oregon football team. The park is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Eugene. The parking lot is off Leo Harris Parkway. Parking costs $5 per vehicle, but pre-paid parking is available…
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My night with the Hillsboro Hops – July 23, 2019
The Hillsboro Hops came into existence in 2013, and quickly connected the franchise to Portland’s craft brewing industry. The team’s name honors Portland as one of America’s craft beer epicenters. For the uninitiated, hops are a plant used to brew beer. More specifically, hops are a flower that provide aroma and bitterness to beer. For people who love baseball and craft beer Hillsboro may be the hoppiest place on earth. Arriving at the ballpark Ron Tonkin Field, home of the Hillsboro Hops, is located on the western edge of metropolitan Portland. It is approximately 15 miles from downtown, which takes 25 to 40 minutes by car depending on traffic. The…
