Brewers officials were thrilled recently when SI.com ranked Miller Park fourth in its list of the top fan experiences in Major League Baseball.

Based on the "fan value index," which took into account things like average ticket price, cost of concessions, amenities, atmosphere and even team performance, Miller Park -- which was first in the 2005 survey -- finished behind only Angels Stadium, Coors Field and PNC Park.

"The fan experience is paramount in our business and it's gratifying to see that both fans and the SI.com writers rate Miller Park among the very best in baseball," said Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers vice president of business operations. "We understand that the key to maintaining this is to create a dynamic experience for fans in all of the areas that were rated, and we will continue to enhance the experience based on the feedback that we receive."

What about feedback from the media? Since fans always ask baseball writers?

"What's your favorite ballpark to visit?" we decided to compile our own rankings, based on personal preference, press working conditions, location of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs and other mundane and totally subjective factors.

They are listed in order, best to worst, but be advised that parks in the middle of the pack -- after the top nine and ahead of the bottom seven -- are virtually interchangeable and we reserve the right to alter these listings at any time based on what is served in the press room and how well the game goes on a given night.

Enjoy the list and feel free to use the Talkback feature to add your own:

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore -- It's 15 years old and it's still state-of-the-art. The park that ushered in the new wave of "retro" stadiums, this one fits in perfectly with the Inner Harbor. The press box is situated very low, the clubhouses are convenient and they serve crab cakes every night in the media dining room. Favorite memory: Watching venerable Brewers closer Doug Jones strike out the side on nine pitches. The Orioles looked like they were cartoon characters swinging at Bugs Bunny's changeup.

Wrigley Field, Chicago -- Day games, dozens of great bars (which stay open incredibly late), great restaurants, hotels and the shopping on Michigan Ave. make it a favorite for players and media alike. Since it's possible to commute to games here, it feels almost like a home game on the road. From a working media standpoint, this is one of the worst places in the majors. There is no elevator, so you have to hump your computer bag and reference books up a series of ramps to get to the cramped press box at the top of the ballpark. Once you get there, you can see the lake, the rooftops and thousands of drunks, whom you have to swim through to get to the clubhouse after the game. Favorite memory: After covering a long, drawn-out, extra-inning debacle for the second straight day, colleague Tom Haudricourt and I left our computer bags in manager Phil Garner's office, headed to the Cubby Bear and drank our way back toward the hotel.

Yankee Stadium, New York -- The neighborhood isn't the greatest, but history and energy inside "The House that Ruth Built" are enough to compensate for a lengthy subway ride and prehistoric press accommodations. There is no better place to watch baseball on a crisp October night. Favorite memory: Heading into the bleachers during the "Jeffrey Maier" game.

Miller Park, Milwaukee -- Ignoring the fact that it's barely 15 minutes from my house; Miller Park has a lot to recommend it. Visiting writers might not like the lack of a major Marriott, the less than exciting nightlife on weeknights and the scarcity of taxis, but they all love the press box / broadcast booths. Favorite memory: Watching monstrous homers during the 2002 All-Star Home Run Derby and then seeing the game end in a tie. Either that or covering the Randall Simon sausage assault.

Fenway Park, Boston -- As with the other older parks, the working conditions in the clubhouse and press box are horrendous. But, there is a buzz of excitement here that makes even regular-season games somehow seem special. The fact that there is so much to do in the city during the day is a huge advantage. You have to like the Legal Seafood clam chowder in the stands, too. Favorite memories: Watching Clemens vs. Pedro in the playoffs; Seeing David Ortiz's heroics in 2004; and, watching Brewers third baseman Jeff Cirillo get ejected by Richie Garcia. After taking a called third strike from Roger Clemens that seemed to be a foot off the plate, Cirillo pounded his bat on home plate like a man trying to ring the bell at a county fair.

AT&T Park, San Francisco -- The stadium is wedged into a corner of China Basin, so the working conditions are a bit cramped. But, the city itself makes up for that. The views from the press box -- particularly the broadcast booth -- are incredible. And, you get the added bonus of Barry Bonds' charming personality. Favorite memories: Covering the Brewers in the first exhibition game in the park; also, sitting in the auxiliary press box in left field during the 2002 World Series. I had to duck home run balls during batting practice, I watched a seemingly-bored Bonds turn around to gaze at us writers after almost every pitch of the game.

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles -- Another park that was ahead of its time (although numerous renovations have certainly helped keep it up to date) and is aging gracefully. The setting in Chavez Ravine is beautiful, the weather is almost always perfect and you can see celebrities all over the park. The Dodger Dogs are good (if a tad overrated), the parking lot attendants and ushers are always cheerful and the park is immaculately clean. Favorite memory: After the Dodgers beat the Brewers in a gruesome four-hour contest, legendary Vin Scully walked out of his booth and proclaimed "If I had to watch that every night, I'd have retired 20 years ago."

Jacobs Field, Cleveland -- When the Indians were rolling in the mid-1990s, tickets to the Jake were scarce. The team's success in the new park served as the model for other franchises, including the Brewers, Reds, Pirates and others. Its location downtown next to Gund Arena makes it convenient and helped revitalize the downtown area. Favorite memory: Standing on the field for batting practice as snow flurries fell on a frigid night during the 1997 World Series.

Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City -- At a time when other towns were constructing "flying saucers," the folks in Kansas City got it right by building a baseball-only facility. The exterior is unspectacular, but the main-level concourse, signature fountain and crown-topped scoreboard have stood the test of time. The press elevator leads to a lobby with doors to both clubhouses. The most convenient setup in baseball. The only real drawback is that it is located in the middle of nowhere, at the intersection of two freeways. Favorite memories: Watching Bob Uecker joke with the grandmotherly ladies who run the press dining room; closing a hotel bar with Mike Fetters and watching him nail down a save 12 hours later.

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4 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 22, 2006 at 6:36 a.m. (report)

Ed W. said: If you think Shea Stadium is a lousy place to watch a baseball game, you should have been there for a Jet's game in December. Not Green Bay type discomfort, but still plenty miserable.

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 17, 2006 at 9:23 p.m. (report)

Denise said: I think Citizens Bank Park in Philly should've made it closer to the top of the list. Very nice park, had a blast! And they were selling shirts in the parking lot that read, "Dallas sucks, T.O. swallows". How great is that?!?

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 17, 2006 at 7:55 a.m. (report)

ecips said: Yet another great topic. (Why doesn't the Journel-Sentinel run this kinda stuff.) PS: Love the Atlanta comments.

Posted by OMCreader on Sept. 16, 2006 at 4:11 p.m. (report)

denvergirl said: maybe you should check your directions...Denver Int'l Airport is actually EAST of Coors Field, not north. Ergo, you feel like you're driving to Kansas, not Wyoming. Oh, and it really does feel like driving to Kansas. And it sucks.