Fenway. Wrigley. Ebbets Field. These are the real fields of dreams. Sporting News senior editor Ron Smith pays tribute to 46 current and former major league ballparks in The Ballpark Book. Smith divides the parks into "Classics" (Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Yankee Stadium), the "Middle Ages" (including Anaheim Stadium, Oakland Coliseum, and Jack Murphy Stadium), the "Turf Era" (such as Riverfront Stadium, Three Rivers Stadium, and Busch Stadium), the "Dome Era" (the Metrodome, Olympic Stadium, and the SkyDome), and the "New Wave Era" (including Camden Yards, Coors Field, and New Comiskey Park). The "Gone, but Not Forgotten" fields are described in reverent, nostalgic tones--suitable for Tiger Stadium and the Polo Grounds, though few will miss the Kingdome and the Stick. Each park is profiled in detail, with great photographs of historic moments. Smith points out unique features, such as the swimming pool in the outfield at Bank One Ballpark, or the single red seat, high up in the outfield bleachers, marking the spot where Ted Williams hit the longest homer in Fenway history (502 feet).

Schoolboy Rowe once said, "Ballparks are individuals to me, not just so much stone, concrete, and steel." The Ballpark Book will help you get to know some of these fine individuals. --M. Stein

From Library Journal
Smith (Baseball!s 100 Greatest Players) and Belford present stadiums past, present, and futuristic. They portray colorfully the history, dimensions, stars, and major events of parks from Old Fenway and Yankee Stadium to Pheonix!s new Bank One and Atlanta!s new Turner Field. They also pay tribute to Braves Field, Ebbets Field, and other vanished venues. While three brand-new parks in San Francisco, Detroit, and Houston are omitted, this illustrated work eclipses Philip J. Lowry!s Green Cathedrals and Lawrence S. Ritter!s Lost Ballparks (both LJ 2/1/92). Informative and enjoyable, this evocative book is a hit for reference and popular collections."Morey Berger, St. Joseph!s Hosp. Lib., Tucson, AZ Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In The Ballpark Book, The Sporting News takes readers on a sentimental journey through the past and present fields where major-league baseball is played. Fans learn the historical texture of each field, the very places where the game's greatest moments took place, and experience the ambience and feeling of each ballpark, old and new, as if they were sitting in the stands.

All of the nostalgic ballparks are here—from the Gone But Not Forgotten Era (Ebbets Field, Candlestick Park) to the New Wave Era (Camden Yards, Jacobs Field) and everything in between—49 past and present ballparks in all. Hundreds of full-color photos and illustrations make this an attractive addition to any baseball fan's collection.

New to this edition are recently opened parks including: San Francisco's Pac Bell Park Pittsburgh's PNC Park Detroit's Comerica Park Houston's Minute Maid Stadium Seattle's Safeco Field Milwaukee's Miller Park