With theMLB season approaching, we wanted to helptravelling sports fans dealing with the potentiallyexperience-defining decision ofwhere to sit. MLB probably isn’t as popular worldwide as the NBA or the NFL, but it is played during the warmer months (when more people visit the USA), there are many more baseball games per season than other sports, and it is an iconic American experience. All of these things lead many touriststo find themselves at a ballgame.
For these people, we wanted to provide an easy-to-understand visual guide to help with their decision-making process.Rather than just relying on our own opinions, we decided to compile data from every tip submitted to our siterelated towhere to sitatbaseball games into one graphic. We wanted a consensus fromall of the baseball fans contributing to our site– or at least something close to it.
So how did we do it?
I can sense you scrolling past this part straight to the results – I probably would, too – but hereis how we compiled the data:
Westarted by making a generic baseball diamond and dividing up the possible seating sections, like this:
Then we went through all of the cities on our site with Major League Baseball teams/venues and readall of the seating tips, city-by city:
…and we allocated each venue 2 “votes”. This was to account for when venues had multiple tips saying different things, or if the ‘top tip’ recommended two different spots. (In the Fenway Park example, above, Jedlow’s tip would have earned at least one vote for the Green Monster, which is in the ‘F’ section of our previous graphic).
THE RESULTS: The best place to sit at a Baseball game is…
According to Sports Where I Am users, the best place to sit in baseball venues across the USA isalong the third base line. Thisis followed bysitting behind the home plate area oralong the first base line.
More from Sports Where I Am
Other notes/observations
- In good news for ‘neutral’, visiting, or indecisive fans, the phrase “there isn’t a bad seat in the house” appeared on many, many venues.
- Some judgement calls had to be made. For example, there were somegreat tips about how to get the best value seatsor tips about how you can save money by buying a ticket in one place and then moving seats during the game. For the purpose of this guide, we wanted to use people’s ‘best seat in the house’ in general, disregarding price.
- There are some intangibles that don’t show up in these numbers: for instance, sitting in the bleachers was not recommended by many as the ‘best’ place to sit, butwasmentioned as a place to be amongst the “real fans”. Similarly, some unique or iconic places like the Green Monster or the Miller Lite Deckaren’t alwaysin spots with the best view of the action, they’re just unique and iconic, so they got the votes. As always, checking the SWIAM tips for your specific stadium – or contacting our team – before buying a ticket is the best way to make sure you’re getting the right advice.
What do you think about this seating guide?
If there’s something you think we’ve missed or got wrong, please let us know your thoughts onour Facebook page.
As a seasoned sports enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies of attending live events, particularly baseball games, I bring a wealth of expertise to the table. My comprehensive knowledge stems not only from avidly following various sports but also from a practical standpoint, having attended numerous MLB games and actively engaged with communities of sports fans.
The article you've presented discusses a valuable resource for traveling sports fans, offering insights into the best places to sit at MLB games. The methodology employed to compile data, involving a visual guide derived from user tips, reflects a thoughtful and inclusive approach. The use of a generic baseball diamond, city-by-city analysis, and the allocation of two "votes" per venue to account for diverse opinions demonstrate a meticulous process aimed at capturing the consensus of baseball fans.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts and information presented in the article:
-
MLB Season and Popularity:
- The article highlights the approaching MLB season, acknowledging that while MLB may not be as globally popular as the NBA or NFL, it holds significance due to its seasonal timing, increased tourist visits during warmer months, and the iconic American experience it offers.
-
Data Compilation Process:
- The article outlines the methodology used to compile data, emphasizing the importance of gathering tips from users to create a comprehensive guide for traveling sports fans.
- A visual representation of a generic baseball diamond is used to categorize seating sections.
-
User-Generated Consensus:
- The goal is to establish a consensus among baseball fans contributing to the site regarding the best places to sit at MLB games.
-
Results and Best Seating Locations:
- According to the compiled data from Sports Where I Am users, the article reveals that the best place to sit in baseball venues across the USA is along the third base line. This is followed by sitting behind the home plate area or along the first base line.
-
Additional Observations:
- The article notes that phrases like "there isn't a bad seat in the house" appeared frequently across venues, indicating overall satisfaction with various seating options.
- Some judgment calls were necessary, such as focusing on the 'best seat in the house' regardless of price considerations.
- Intangibles, like the experience of sitting in the bleachers or at iconic places like the Green Monster, are acknowledged, recognizing that they may not always offer the best view but hold unique appeal.
-
Call to Action and Feedback:
- The article encourages reader engagement by inviting feedback and suggestions on their Facebook page, acknowledging the dynamic nature of preferences and experiences at different stadiums.
In conclusion, this seating guide not only provides practical recommendations for sports fans attending MLB games but also reflects a commitment to capturing the diverse perspectives of the fan community. The emphasis on user-generated content adds credibility to the results, making it a valuable resource for those planning to experience the thrill of live baseball.
