Arlington Ballpark, Arlington, Minnesota: Home to the Arlington A's. Arlington Ballpark is home to the Arlington A's of the River Valley League, an amateur or "town ball" league in Minnesota. This is an excellent place to watch a game, and a popular place as they had a nice crowd even midweek.

Usually when I take photos at ballparks, I try to get an image that features both the field and the grandstand. At Arlington, this is a bit difficult because of fencing and screens. If I had a 15' ladder, there would be no problem here, but alas... This panorama photo at least gives and idea of both.

Mini Met, Jordan Minnesota: The Mini-Met baseball park in Jordan Minnesota. This was taken on a recent visit to Mini-Met during the "Coors Light Classic." The teams pictured here are the Jordan Brewers and the St. Michael Saints (Jordan won this game 9-8). This is a beautiful ballpark with an impressive old time grandstand. According to the city website, "Hometown baseball at “The Mini-Met” was ranked #5 of Travel Ten Ultimate Baseball Experiences, by Jim Caple, senior writer and columnist for ESPN.com. Home field to the 1986, 1994, 2004 Class “B” State Champion Jordan Brewers, the Central Region Champion Jordan American Legion Post No. 3 baseball squad, the Jordan Alers, the Jordan Millers, and Jordan High School Hubmen amateur baseball."

John Burch Park, Cannon Falls Minnesota. Home to the Cannon Falls Bears: John Burch Park is a classic town ball venue located in Cannon Falls, MN. For 2 whole dollars you can watch a ballgame in a classic park--you can't beat that. The picture features a game between the Northfield Knights and the Cannon Falls Bears. The Knights won handily in a high scoring affair, but even with the number of runs, the game only lasted two hours and change. The park sits in an odd spot next to the Cannon River--the classic grandstand sits well above the field of play, and so does much of the first base line, while the left field fence borders the river. If you look closely, there are not many people sitting in the grandstand on this Wednesday evening in July, but plenty are enjoying the game from the concrete seats along the first base line. The color of the sky is compliments of forest fires in Canada. Thank you Canada. Photo taken July 1st, 2015.

Chanhassen Redbird / Storm Stadium. Home to the Chanhassen Redbirds. Panorama of 6 images taken in July 2016 at Chanhassen Redbird / Storm Stadium, in a game between the Chanhassen Redbirds and the Victoria Vics. The Redbirds are in the River Valley League -- an amateur or town ball league in Minnesota. The stadium was built in 2010 (I believe, but the design includes a classic grandstand).

First National Bank of River Falls Field, River Falls Wisconsin. Home to the River Falls Fighting Fish: Taken during the Wisconsin Baseball Association (WBA) playoffs in River Falls, WI, on August 15, 2014. Prescott ended the Fish's season with a 3-2 score. As an aside, the fish play in an excellent ballpark built this year (poetically named "First National Bank of River Falls Field"). While the park officially seats just under 400 people, the crowd at this game most likely numbered 1200-1500. The ballpark is excellent--great sight-lines all around, and quality dripping from the grandstand. Except for seating capacity, this is more of a single - A park than something one would usually find in town ball.

Athletic Park, Chaska Minnesota. Home to the Chaska Cubs. Athletic Park is known as one of the best amateur ballparks in Minnesota, and there is good reason. The classic yet well maintained grandstand, the manicured playing surface, or even the tree-lined border makes this a great venue for baseball. There is also a sense of history here--from old jerseys to plaques to a sign detailing the number of times the park has been flooded by the Minnesota River. Athletic Park was built in 1950. This picture was taken in July, 2015, in a game between the Chaska Cubs and the Victoria Vics.

Oakey Park, Osceola, Wisconsin. Home to the Osceola Braves. Oakey Park in Osceola is home to the Osceola Braves, a Wisconsin amateur (or town ball) baseball team. Oakey Park is a nice little park with a wood grandstand. On the evening of this photo, there were perhaps 300-400 in attendance (July 16, 2016) in a game against the St. Paul Capitals. The Braves were no match for the Capitals as they lost in 7 innings, 16-0. The Braves play in the River Valley League of Wisconsin.

The park is popular, but it is difficult to take photos here. Behind the plate the grandstand is covered in chicken wire, and galvanized fencing protects the fans all around the park.

Memorial Field, Dundas, Minnesota. Home to the Dundas Dukes. View behind home plate at Memorial Field in Dundas Minnesota. The Dundas Dukes are a Town ball team (Minnesota Amateur Baseball) in the Classic Cannon Valley League. Memorial Field is a nice little park, and has had a bit of rehab done to it over the last few years. On this night, I believe they were playing the Minneapolis Millers. Photo Taken in August, 2016.

Hawk Field, Hamburg, MN. Home to the Hamburg Hawks. Photo taken during the 2017 Class C Minnesota Amateur Baseball Tournament. One of the host ballparks was Hawk Field in Hamburg. While Hawk field is routinely ranked as one of the best amateur ballparks in Minnesota, it is just one of 4 excellent parks within 15 miles (the others include the Arlington Ballpark, Irish Yard at Green Isle, and Willkommen Field in Young America. Driving in the area on a Summer evening, most likely you'll see two or three sets of light standards glowing as you head south or north along highway 25. Each ballpark is different, and each provides a unique experience.