Sports Illustrated did a survey of fans to determine the rankings of Major League ballparks. They had 10 categories and weighed each of them the same: Affordability, Food, Team Quality, History & Tradition, Ballpark Atmosphere, Fan Intelligence, Fan Hospitality, Promotions, Getting To The Game and finally Neighborhood.

Interesting... and since this is all about the "fan experience" at the ballpark, it's interesting to see where the parks ranked - and for what. A little unfair to the Washington Nationals as the survey was for RFK Stadium and not the new Nationals Park.

The survey was for your hometown park. Of the respondents, almost 15% were season ticket holders, and almost half went to at least 5 games a year. That means under 50% went to at least 5 games, so their fan experiences could have been based solely on one or two games... or even worse: what they've heard about the experience.

The Chicago ballparks? US Cellular Field - 8th, Wrigley Field 15th

Affordability
How would you rate the affordability of a trip to your hometown ballpark?
Best: Royals - Kauffman Stadium
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park
US Cellular Field: 18
Wrigley Field: 27
(also included was not a question but a ranking of where ticket prices at the park compare throughout the league. The average cost for a ticket according to "Team Marketing Report, 2008" is $25.43
Best: Diamondbacks - Chase Field - Avg Price $15.96 - Increase From 2007 15.7%
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park - Avg Price $48.80 - Increase From 2007 10.1%
US Cellular Field: 26 - Avg Price $30.28 - Increase From 2007 5.2%
Wrigley Field: 29 - Avg Price $42.49 - Increase From 2007 23.9%)

Food
How would you rate the food at the ballpark?
How would you rate the cost of food and beverages at the ballpark?
Best: Brewers - Miller Park
Worst: Mets - Shea Stadium
US Cellular Field: 2
Wrigley Field: 22
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the must-have food item offered at the ballpark and what makes it so good?")

Team Quality
How would you rate the quality of the product currently being put on the field by the hometown team?
Best: Tigers - Comerica Park
Worst: Pirates - PNC Park
US Cellular Field: 17
Wrigley Field: 12
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "Which player on your team is the most worth paying to watch?")

History & Tradition
How would you rate the sense of tradition and history at the ballpark?
Best: Red Sox - Fenway Park
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 15
Wrigley Field: 3

Ballpark Atmosphere
How would you rate the atmosphere at the game?
How would you rate the level of personal comfort when you are sitting in your seat?
Best: Mariners - Safeco Field
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 8
Wrigley Field: 6

Fan Intelligence
How would you rate the "baseball intelligence" of the home fans?
Best: Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 4
Wrigley Field: 8

Fan Hospitality
How would you rate the hospitality offered to fans of the opposing team?
Best: Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
Worst: Phillies - Citizens Bank Park
US Cellular Field: 23
Wrigley Field: 24
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the worst incident you've witnessed against an opposing fan or yourself?")

Promotions
How would you rate the quality of the promotions/giveaways offered by the home team?
Best: Brewers - Miller Park
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park
US Cellular Field: 4
Wrigley Field: 16
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the best promotion/giveaway your team has offered? What is the worst? What is a promotion you'd like to see?")

Getting To The Game
How would you rate the traffic to and from the ballpark?
How would you rate the parking availability/cost at the ballpark?
How would you rate the public transportation options to and from the ballpark?
Best: White Sox - US Cellular Field ???? !!!!
Worst: Dodgers - Dodger Stadium
US Cellular Field: 1
Wrigley Field: 23

Neighborhood
How would you rate the dining and drinking options within walking distance of the ballpark?
Best: Padres - Petco Park
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 23
Wrigley Field: 2

So, the overall rankings were:

1. Indians - Progressive Field
2. Brewers - Miller Park
3. Pirates - PNC Park
4. Tigers - Comerica Park
5. Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
6. Mariners - Safeco Field
7. Rockies - Coors Field
8. White Sox - US Cellular Field
9. Angels - Angel Stadium of Anaheim
10. Phillies - Citizens Bank Park
11. Padres - Petco Park
12. Royals - Kauffman Stadium
13. Reds - Great American Ballpark
14. Orioles - Oriole Park at Camden Yards
15. Cubs - Wrigley Field
16. Astros - Minute Maid Park
17. Giants - AT&T Park
18. Blue Jays - Rogers Centre
19. Braves - Turner Field
20. Yankees - Yankee Stadium
21. Red Sox - Fenway Park
22. Dodgers - Dodger Stadium
23. Athletics - McAfee Coliseum
24. Rays - Tropicana Field
25. Diamondbacks - Chase Field
26. Twins - Metrodome
27. Rangers - Rangers Park in Arlington
28. Mets - Shea Stadium
29. Nationals - RFK Stadium
30. Marlins - Dolphin Stadium