Ranking the Minor League Ballparks of the Los Angeles Dodgers

Recently, Dodger Stadium has developed a reputation for its well-publicized violence that has occurred outside of the stadium, moving it to the bottom of many rankings of the Major League stadiums, including #28 by Stadium Journey Magazine. However, the Dodgers have many minor league affiliates with fantastic ballparks. Here's our ranking of their four top affiliates:

1. Dow Diamond - Home of the Great Lakes Loons

   

   Sometimes you arrive at a ballpark, and you just know that you are someplace that you are going to fall in love with. Turning on to Main Street in Midland, Michigan on a sunny spring or summer evening, and you’ll see people sitting outside having a burger and a beer at one of the local eateries. Continue down Main Street and around the bend and you’ll see Dow Diamond, one of the jewels of the minor league baseball world.

2. Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter - Home of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

   

   Ranked as the 7th best ballpark in minor league baseball by Stadium Journey Magazine in 2011, the Epicenter is a great alternative for Dodgers fans.

   The stadium was opened in 1992 at a cost of around $20 million and has enjoyed a prosperous run ever since. Since its debut, the venue has snagged the record for single season attendance among the California League, has been purchased by an investment group that includes former Royal-great George Brett, and has had a renovation in 2008.

3. Isotopes Park - Home of the Albuquerque Isotopes

   

   It may not be "Duff Stadium" -- the mythical venue of the minor league team in the television show, "The Simpsons," but the real-life Isotopes Park is just as entertaining. When minor league baseball returned to Albuquerque in 2003, the team chose a name with national appeal, borrowing the nickname from a 2001 episode of "The Simpsons," in which the owners of the hometown Springfield Isotopes threaten to move their team to Albuquerque.

4. AT&T Field - Home of the Chattanooga Lookouts

   

   The Lookouts, or the "Looks" as the team is sometimes called, date back to 1885 which makes the Chattanooga Lookouts one of the oldest minor league baseball teams in the south. Their new home at AT&T Field was constructed in 1999 to replace historic Engel Stadium which had served as the home field for the Lookouts since 1930. Located right on the bank of the Tennessee River, AT&T Stadium is a beautiful part of the revitalized downtown area known as the Waterfront Area. This area includes a plethora of restaurants, museums, night spots, and one of the nicest Aquariums in the nation.

5. Lindquist Field - Home of the Ogden Raptors

   

   You wouldn't expect a place like Ogden, Utah to be rich in baseball history. Until, that is, you explore the names of those who have played or coached here over time: Frank Robinson, Tommy Lasorda, Prince Fielder, Chad Billingsley, Russell Martin, Ben Sheets, J.J. Hardy, and scores of others.