Ranking the Minor League Ballparks of the Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles have the 2nd best ballpark experience in Oriole Park at Camden Yards according to the most recent issue of Stadium Journey Magazine. They also have the most geographically convenient relationship with their minor league affiliates. Four of the minor league ballparks are withing 110 miles of Baltimore, and their AAA affiliate is only 239 miles away in Norfolk, Virginia. With the MLB team in first place, this is a great time to be an Orioles fan, and experience all of the organization's ballparks.

1. Ripken Stadium - Home of the Aberdeen IronBirds

   

   How great is it that the best minor league experience in the Orioles organization is Ripken Stadium? That just feels right. Ripken Stadium is located about 35 miles northeast of Baltimore in the town of Aberdeen, Maryland. Described as a baby version of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, it is home to the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds.

2. Prince George's Stadium - Home of the Bowie Baysox

   

   One of the great things about minor league baseball is how hard they go out of their way to entertain you. The Baysox are no exception. You will have a blast here, especially if you bring kids. Bowie people love their Baysox. The names change, players come and go, but they are behind their team.

3. Arthur W. Perdue Stadium - Home of the Delmarva Shorebirds

   

   Baseball has a long and storied history on the Eastern Shore of the Delmarva. Small towns in Delaware, Eastern Maryland and Eastern Virginia played in minor leagues during the early part of the 20th century similar to today's Single-A level. But the professional play took a long hiatus until 1996, when the Delmarva Shorebirds were born in Salisbury, MD. Arthur W. Perdue Stadium became their home and fans have "flocked" to this ballpark ever since. The stadium is a fine place to watch a game, but it also includes a hall of fame worthy of arriving early to check out.

4. Harbor Park - Home of the Norfolk Tides

   

   Norfolk, the epicenter of the United States' 36th-largest metropolitan area, has tried a few hare-brained schemes to woo professional franchises over the years. City representatives pitched the "Hampton Roads Rhinos" to the NHL as an expansion team in 1997, courted the Hornets when they left Charlotte in 2002, and offered to expand Harbor Park to accommodate the Montreal Expos in 2004. But for better or worse, the Triple-A Norfolk Tides have remained the biggest game in town since they showed up back in 1969.

5. Harry Grove Stadium - Home of the Frederick Keys

   

   Everything, from food to tickets is well priced. You can see baseball in a decent park with decent ballpark food at a decent price. Overall though there isn't a good return on your investment, only because there is nothing special or exciting about this venue.