An example of a Sprinter van, for reference. mark.mitchell.brown, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bill “Bud” Sargent would approve of this escapade for the summer of 2025: Traveling across the country in our Sprinter van to see games in all 30 Major League Baseball parks in 100 days. Bud was a lifelong baseball fan and a diehard San Francisco Giants fan. His dying wish was for his cremated ashes to be put into a Jack Daniels bottle and tossed into McCovey Cove near Oracle Park.

We met Bud’s granddaughter, Anna Sargent, at a Giants game during this first week of the trip. “Then with every splash home run, we can say ‘grandpa’s got it,’ ” Anna said. “We’ve done the first two things but we haven’t thrown him in McCovey Cove yet.” More from Anna later.

The purpose of the trip is to assess each MLB ballpark for LoCo faithful, focusing on game atmosphere, ballpark cuisine and club hospitality. Helpful tips will also be provided regarding parking and rules for each park. Consider it an insider’s guide to each ballpark. Rankings for the areas of game atmosphere, ballpark cuisine and club hospitality will at first be either positive, neutral or negative. After all the parks are visited, these rankings will be converted to a score on a scale of 100, making 300 a perfect score.

Game atmosphere rankings will be based on things the club does to add some sizzle to the game-day experience and how much the fans are invested. Ballpark cuisine rankings will be based on quality and diversity of food that is offered. Club hospitality rankings will be based on how well the team’s treat us. Is a correspondent for LoCo brushed off as an insignificant small market ne’er-do-well or do the team’s recognize us as a legitimate source for information?

The first week of the trip started with a flourish – four baseball games in five days, starting in West Sacramento, then traveling to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Game #1: White Sox versus Athletics at Sutter Health Park, April 26

By Major League Baseball standards, Sutter Health Park is tiny with 12,000 seats and a 14,000 capacity if you count the grassy lawn area in right field. This AAA Park, home to the Sacramento River Cats, will double as home for the Athletics for at least the next three years while the A’s new stadium in Las Vegas is built.

Guest services rep John Cobb has high hopes for the Athletics stint in West Sacramento. “If we can prove to the baseball commissioner that we’re Major-League ready, we can get one of the two expansion teams that are planned for the future,” Cobb said. “If not this park, then one built near the rail yards.”

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manifred has said he would like to see the expansion process underway and the cities selected before his term as commissioner expires in January of 2029. Sacramento is listed as one of many candidates. It is expected that one expansion team will be from the eastern time zone and another from the mountain or western time zone.

Sutter Health Park has most of its seating on one level, with a second level for media and luxury suites. While it is an excellent AAA venue, the only realistic chance Sacramento has to bring in an expansion franchise would be to build a new park.

Game atmosphere: Neutral

The Athletics are under no illusion that Sutter Health Park is a Major League baseball stadium. So they pump up the volume on promotions and giveaways to help make up the difference. Athletics basketball jerseys were given away at this game. In three different innings, t-shirts were thrown and bazooka’ed into the crowd. Fireworks follow each Friday and Saturday game. Wet-nosed Wednesdays allow pet owners to bring their dogs to sit in the outfield lawn area. Between-inning action included plush baseballs tossed into the stands during the Broadcaster Ball Toss and a Big Head race featuring mascots of A’s Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers and Rickey Henderson.

The crowd enthusiasm at this game was dampened by a fast start by the White Sox who scored four runs in the first inning with a home run and three doubles, and a steady rain in the middle innings. There were lots of families in the outfield lawn area. And, while the listed prices for lawn tickets is $50, it’s easy to get them half off with various promotional offers. There is a kid’s play zone in the outfield with a wiffle ball field and a Tower Bridge replica.

Ballpark cuisine: Negative

There’s not a lot offered besides the typical ballpark fare of hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, sausages and chicken tenders. There was a Golden State Slider & Cider food truck that looked promising, offering generous proportions on a trio of sliders with a choice of pulled pork or brisket. Kevin and Keri Barber were our food tasters for the sliders. “The meat is okay but the slider itself is underwhelming,” Kevin Barber said. “They are lukewarm which is surprising since they prepared it while we waited for 10 minutes. The BBQ sauce is very sweet. Too sweet.” Guest services rep Cobb earlier recommended the Chicken Strips with garlic fries as the best food. It turns out he was right! Best line of the day came from a vendor wandering through the lawn area: “Churros. Beer. Free delivery.”

Club hospitality: Positive

A’s provided us with parking in the media area and visitor passes that got us into the stadium, but no actual seats.

Game details: White Sox win 10-3. Attendance 8,832. Time of game: 2:30.

Helpful tips: There are several parking lots adjacent to the stadium with costs ranging from $30 to $40. The team provides shuttle golf carts from the parking lots to the stadium. Only clear bags are allowed to bring into the stadium. Unopened soft-sided water bottles are allowed.

You don’t see that every day: Leather couches in the women’s restroom.

Game #2: Rangers versus Giants at Oracle Park, April 27

Oracle Park has gone through a few name transitions over the years, and when it opened as PacBell Park in 2000, it was a dream come true for many Giants fans. “I was waiting for Oracle to be built my entire life after suffering 40 years at the concrete circle that was Candlestick Park,” said Jeff Frediani, a lifelong Giants fan. “The views, the sight lines at Oracle are unbelievable. It was built for baseball. And you’re closer to the field than you ever were at Candlestick.”

Game atmosphere: Positive

Even though we arrived at the game 90 minutes before the first pitch, there was already a lot going on at Oracle. One reason was it was youth baseball/softball day and a lot of kids and their parents were already roaming the stands, especially the outfield area with the giant Coke bottle slides and the Mini Ballpark. It will be tough to beat this family-friendly area where kids have two choices for 360-degree slides – The Guzzler for kids at least 42” high and The Twist Off for kids at least 36” high. The Mini Ballpark is for kids under 36” high. There is also a replica of a cable car for pictures or for kids to play in. Something for kids of all sizes!

Adding to the commotion was a promotion by The Mercury News in the Fan Zone. The newspaper was giving away a choice of a Giants sweatshirt, blanket or cooler bag with every sign-up for 2-months of digital content for $15. There was a long line of takers.

Youth baseball/softball day was also celebrated in the bottom of the third when the Giants gave the public address microphone to one of the youth baseball kids who announced each batter for the Giants as they came to the plate. It’s this kind of personal touch that has endeared the Giants to its fans in the Bay Area and beyond.

“The Giants fans are among the best in baseball,” said Anna Sargent. “I may be biased because I grew up within 90 miles of Oracle, and I’ve always been within a 2-hour radius of the park as an adult. This is my team, my people.” While Anna has been hesitant to toss her grandpa’s bottle of ashes into McCovey Cove, she does have a next-step plan. “I’m going to surprise my dad on Father’s Day and put a brick with grandpa’s name using the Giants Anniversary brick program.” Fans can engrave a special message on a brick (priced at $399 or $649) along the scenic Bay Trail in China Basin Park, just steps from the ballpark.

This game was sold out and the Giants fans were raucous throughout, culminating with a crazy finish and an exhausted Heliot Ramos sprawled at home plate. (See details below under “You don’t see that every day.”)

Ballpark cuisine: Positive

Three words vault the Giants ballpark cuisine into the upper echelon: Crazy Crab’z Sandwich. It’s not cheap but it’s fantastic. “The Crazy Crab’z sandwich is 100 percent worth it,” said Sargent. “I don’t even look at the price. I get It every time I come to a game.” For those who do look at the price – it’s $25. Other notable offerings are a clam chowder sourdough bread bowl, crab Louie salad, Orlando’s Cha Cha Bowl (Jamaican jerk chicken with rice and beans), Rah-Rah Ramen, and the Ghirardelli Chocolate Hot Fudge Sundae. According to Frediani, while delicious, the problem with the Ghirardelli sundaes is there is a long line to wait to order it, then another long wait to get it.

Club hospitality: Positive

Giants provided tickets four rows from the field, halfway between third base and the left field fence. There is no parking at Oracle so parking was not provided.

Game details: Giants win 3-2. Attendance 40, 118 (sold out). Time of game: 2:37

Helpful tips: There are a couple of affordable parking options for Oracle. The one we chose was to park at the South San Francisco CalTrain station for $5.50. Tickets on the train are $3.75 each way with only a one-block walk to Oracle Park. Another option is to park for free at the Daly City BART Station and take BART to the game. This option will take long as it is about a mile walk to the game from the BART station. … Backpacks – even clear ones – are not allowed at the park.

You don’t see that every day: A walk-off little league home run. Heliot Ramos led off the bottom of the 9th inning with the score tied 2-2. He hit a dribbler toward third that the pitcher fielded, then tossed down the right field line. Ramos ran to second, then slowed down. Third-base coach Matt Williams was waving him to keep coming. After a quick glance over his shoulder, Ramos started running again toward third base. He dove safely into third and the ball ricocheted into left field. Ramos got up and stumbled toward home plate where his remaining available energy got him just to the point of collapsing on home plate for the game-winning run.

Game #3: Marlins versus Dodgers at Dodger Stadium

Dodger stadium is the third oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, behind Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. It opened in 1962 and, thanks to a great design, has held up well in the 63 years since. In 2021 the team created a Centerfield Plaza around the two outfield Pavilion seating areas. It includes almost two acres of food offerings, entertainment and kid areas, and retail locations. “The stadium has ambiance and beauty – an open view in centerfield of the greenery and the mountains,” said Richard Mathews, a lifelong Dodgers fan who has been going to games since 1963. “The Dodgers have a tradition of excellence in Los Angeles. I like what they stand for: a tradition of winning and they embrace diversity. They draw fans from across the spectrum of the city of Los Angeles.”

Game atmosphere: Positive

An hour before the game things were upbeat and high energy. It was Women’s Night and the team celebrated with a woman-led live band (Zoe Kilgren Band) performing in the Centerfield Plaza. The Dodgers kept the Women’s Night Theme going with national anthem performed by a female electric guitarist, and the first pitch thrown out by a woman. It was hard to find a fan that did not have on a Dodgers jersey or Dodger sweatshirt. Dodger fans have a reputation for leaving the game early to beat the freeway traffic but this game did not follow that pattern. Yes, some did leave in the 7th inning, but despite it being a blowout Dodger victory, the majority stayed until the last out. … The only game atmosphere criticism would be regarding the main scoreboard. Somebody tried to fit the entire Baseball Encyclopedia on one screen, making it difficult to even figure out where to look to see the score. … There are multiple play areas for the kids in both the outfield plaza and the upper reserved area. … The Dodgers comped more than 1,000 charter school students to the game. … There’s a lot of stairs to navigate between buying your Hot Chicken Mac-n-Cheese at field level and finding your seats in the Upper Reserved section.

Ballpark cuisine: Positive

The influx of star Japanese players to the Dodgers roster has had a side effect of bringing Japanese cuisine options to the Dodgers cuisine menu to satisfy the many Japanese fans that now come to the games. The star offering is Takoyaki – piping hot umami-filled octopus fritters with a variety of toppings. They are commonly referred to as Octopus Balls. Aaron Henkin said his wife tried the Octopus Balls earlier in the season when they had a giveaway promotion. She didn’t like it, but Aaron ordered them anyway because he questioned her palate. He was happy he did. “It’s really good,” he said. “The filling is good. Not too creamy. The texture of the breading is spongy and nice. The Bonito flakes add a tangy sweetness. It’s like a really moist hushpuppy. I would definitely get this again.” Two other fan favorites are the Hot Chicken Mac-n-Cheese and a Cheet-O-Lote. “The chicken on the Mac-n-Cheese is chicken breast with a hot, spicy breading, and it’s chopped into bite-size pieces,” said Ginger Gonzales, one of the stadium food workers. “It’s topped with cole slaw. The Cheet-O-Lote is a grilled street corn brushed with a cream mixture, then rolled in hot Cheeto dust.” Then it’s drizzled with Sriracha mayonnaise. Of course, the king of ballpark cuisine at Dodger Stadium is the Dodger dog. It’s offered throughout the stadium, while the specialty items are only sold on the field level in one location. But the Dodger dog is not much different from any hot dog sold in any other stadium. I asked longtime Dodger fan Richard Mathews after he took a couple of bites of his Dodger dog: “Is it as good as you remember it?” His reply: “It’s the same as I remember it. But it’s tradition.”

Club hospitality: Negative

The Dodgers supplied no tickets and no parking. When LoCo editor Hank Sims requested media parking from the Dodgers, the response was “Unfortunately, this is not something we can accommodate.” Well, they could accommodate but chose not to. Fortunately for us, Cal Poly Humboldt women’s assistant basketball coach Guillermo Blas Jr. came through with tickets in the Upper Reserved section, thanks to his sister who works with the Dodgers Foundation.

Game details: Dodgers win 15-2. Attendance: 46,502. Time of game: 2:48

Helpful tips: There is free alternative parking to the $35 to $60 that Dodger stadium charges. Take the Academy Road exit off the 110 freeway. Signs will point you toward the police academy. There is a long stretch of free street-side curb parking that ends right before the entrance to Dodger Stadium. Mostly RVs and Sprinter vans (which are charged double for parking at Dodger Stadium) use this option. It’s an extra 1000-feet of walking but the price is right. Another option is to park at Union Station downtown for $18 and take the free shuttle to the game. … Dodgers allow unopened plastic water bottles to be brought into the stadium. There is a clear-bag policy with the exception of purses. … There is no tailgating allowed in the parking lot.

You don’t see that every day: Each team used a position player instead of a pitcher to finish the game on the mound (Padres with Javier Sanoja, Dodgers with Kike Hernandez). The Dodgers were one of three teams to score 15 runs that day (Yankees and Rangers were the others). Each team’s left fielder was 9th in the batting order.

Game #4: Giants versus Padres at Petco Park

Petco Park opened in 2004 but it still seems new. The field level walkways shine. “I love watching games here,” said Michael Shoen. “The fans get pumped. It certainly helps that we’re winning, but the Padres are the only pro team left in San Diego so the fans get pumped.” Petco, like many ballparks built in the last 25 years, built a park that fits in so well with its downtown surroundings that it seems like it has always been there. There is a refreshing waterfall at the main entrance.

Game atmosphere: Positive

It was Bark at the Park Day where dog owners buy a special ticket to sit in the Gallagher Square section with their canine and participate in a pre-game dog walk along the outfield fence inside the stadium. What else would you expect from Petco? There are six Bark at the Park days in 2025 and they are all already sold out. We saw many show-worthy dogs in attendance and hundreds of dogs altogether. … Gallagher Square is a family-oriented area beyond the outfield fence where fans can still peak in the stadium through the open centerfield area. There is a fine grassy lawn area, its own concession area and a kids play area. … The Padres fans were very engaged in the action. This was the first game on our trip where there was a sizable number of fans from the opposing team (the Giants), but every time the Giants fans would start a “Let’s Go Giants” chant – it was quickly drowned out with a “Let’s Go Padres” chant. … The game-day atmosphere may have been best summed up by Padres rep Michael Weber: “Any day at the ballpark is better than a day anywhere else.” …The scoreboard features just the right amount of information, including an easy-to-find pitch count that switches over to pitch type and pitch speed after every pitch. … The park elevator has an elevator attendant in case you need help figuring out which of the two options to pick (and probably to keep the kids from turning it into a play area).

Ballpark Cuisine: Positive

The Padres are so proud of their ballpark cuisine that they hand out a Petco Park Food Guide to everyone in attendance. It lists every food offering and where you can find it in the stadium. Many of the food vendors are from area restaurants offering their specialty items. The top pick is Seaside Market Tri Tip Nachos. “You can’t go wrong with the Seaside Market Tri Tip Nachos,” said Craig Degraff. “They are super good. People will travel 25 miles to Cardiff just to get their tri tip.” The marinated burgundy pepper tri tip is laid on top of a bed of nachos covered in Diego Queso. Then it’s covered with BBQ sauce, sour cream and green onions. Another favorite is a Baja Lobster Roll by Pacific Grab & Go. It’s a long roll with lobster salad with an option of a hot link stuffed inside. “I had it the last time I was at a game,” said jose Batallia. “It was very good. But it needed a little something. So this time I’m trying it with the hot link. It’s expensive but it was worth me coming to get it again.” The lobster roll is $39 or $37 with the hot link. The Kona sliders on the fifth floor of the stadium are also very good with three options from which to choose: Bourbon Bacon Blue Sliders, Pretzel Beer Cheese Sliders or Social Sliders – all on Hawaiian rolls. Plus there are bacon-wrapped hot dogs, gyro bowls, acai bowls, boba tea, carnitas fries and Negihama sushi. Even the regular cheeseburgers are gourmet. Did I mention there are even mini donuts and a local craft beer section?

Team Hospitality: Positive

The Padres provided two field level tickets to the game and a parking pass in the tailgate parking lot.

Game details: Padres win 5-3. Attendance: 37,698. Time of Game: 2:34.

Helpful tips: Parking is from $35 to $45 in nearby parking lots. … Only extremely small purses are allowed into the park – no bigger than 5” by 7”. All other bags must be clear. … They do allow factory sealed bottled water and outside food as long as it is wrapped or bagged.

You don’t see that every day: In the bottom of the third inning, Elias Diaz led off with a line shot to left. A fan in the front row wearing a Giants t-shirt reached his glove over the fence but the ball caromed off his wrist. After a lengthy crew chief review, it was determined it wasn’t fan interference. From the crew chief: “The fan stuck his glove over the field of play. However, the ball struck him in the wrist which was beyond the field of play. It is a home run.”

Play along guessing game

Answer these five questions correctly and be eligible in August for a prize pack worth at least $19! Put your guess in the comments.

#1: How many games will the home team win?

1. Less than 15.
2. 15.
3. More than 15.

#2: Will we see at least one complete game during our 30 games?

1. Yes.
2. No.

#3: What will be the average attendance at the 30 games?

1. Under 29,000.
2. 29,000 to 31,000.
3. More than 31,000

#4: What will be the average length of each game?

1. Less than 2 hours and 35 minutes.
2. 2:35 to 2:40.
3. More than 2 hours and 40 minutes

#5: License plates: At what point in the trip will we complete the quest to see all 50 states and at least five Canadian provinces on vehicle license plates as we drive?

1. First 75 days.
2. Last 25 days.
3. It won’t happen.

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Tom Trepiak is the former sports information director at Humboldt State and a member of the Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics Hall of Fame.