New on the site

After visiting LSU's incredible ballpark, I created a photo album of it over on our companion Facebook page ... We've updated the handy Ballpark Chart. It provides dates used, dimensions, architects and more for every MLB park since 1900 ... Our new search engine not only sorts through everything on our website, but our Twitter tweets and Facebook page as well.

Enter our brand-new contest!

Our brand-new trivia contest is all about the 100-year-old wonder in Boston, as all ten questions (plus a bonus question) are about Fenway Park. How much do you know about the oldest ballpark in the Big Leagues? The grand prize is a special commemorative edition of Memories and Dreams magazine devoted to (what else?) Fenway Park.

Joe on
the go

This past week, I attended games in New Orleans, at LSU (see my photo album of New Alex Box Stadium), at the brand-new park in Pensacola (be watching for our in-depth review) and then in Mobile. If you follow me on Twitter, then you saw photos from all of these parks. This week, I'll be at Cal State Bakersfield on Wednesday.

Our in-depth review of Marlins Park

If you haven't checked out our review of the Marlins' new retractable-roof stadium, you really need to, because there's no other ballpark like it. The review features quotes from the architect and a representative of the Marlins, as well as detailed analysis of the facility's surroundings, exterior, interior design and fan amenities.

Big League ballpark notes

One columnist thinks that Wrigley Field really does bring a curse to the Cubs. His solution? Demolish the place ... A familiar ballpark voice has been silenced. Carl Beane, the PA announcer at Fenway Park since 2003, died of a heart attack at age 59. In his honor, there were no PA announcements during the Red Sox game last Thursday ... The parcel of ground shown to the left is where the City of San Jose wants the A's new stadium to be built. Big problem: the State of California might lay claim to the land because of the date when SJ's redevelopment agency tried to sell it to the A's. This could be a deal-breaker ... There's little doubt the Rays need a new park. Could the need to build a larger port for cruise ships be the key to a new stadium? ... A New York Times writer praised the aesthetics of new Marlins Park. The Washington Post wonders if it has messed up the Marlins' hitters.