Baseball fans chasing the dream of visiting all 30 Major League ballparks just got thrown a curveball: Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. It’s now the Oakland Athletics’ temporary home until at least 2027, and suddenly, this minor league stadium has become a must-visit for diehards.
Some folks are into the novelty. Others? They see it as a downgrade for Major League Baseball, and the debate’s gotten pretty heated among the sport’s faithful.
The Road to Sutter Health Park
For travelers like Arthur Ebel, a lifelong Yankees guy, and Dan Verrico from Buffalo, adding Sutter Health Park isn’t exactly thrilling. It’s more about keeping their stadium streak alive than anything else.
Both men treat the stop as another milestone in their quest to see a game in every MLB venue. Even if this one’s a Triple-A park dressed up for big-league action, they’re not about to skip it.
Nostalgia and Comparisons
Verrico drew a parallel to the Toronto Blue Jays’ brief move to Buffalo during the pandemic. Back then, fans found some novelty in seeing major league games in a smaller spot.
Still, he felt the whole thing seemed “forced” and never really captured the vibe of a real home stadium. Plenty of visitors at Sutter Health Park today seem to agree.
Mixed Reactions From the Baseball Community
Some visitors, like Max Neuberger from New York, pointed out the park’s good sides. He liked the open-air design and the way you can actually see the field, but he missed the buzz of Oakland Coliseum’s wild crowds.
Without that roar, even a sunny afternoon can feel a bit flat.
The Harshest Critics
Others haven’t held back. Content creator Cameron Guzzo called the setup “embarrassing” for MLB. He talked about the empty seats and how the park’s size just doesn’t match the scale of the sport.
Sure, tickets are cheap and you can get closer to the players than in most big-league parks. But Guzzo said the whole vibe is “weird” and maybe even hurts the league’s image.
Struggles With Attendance
The numbers tell part of the story. The A’s keep pulling in some of their smallest crowds of the season in Sacramento, and that’s got people worried about fan interest right now.
Even those checking off their bucket-list can’t make up for the lack of local excitement. The difference in energy stands out—on the field and in the seats.
Why Fans Still Make the Trip
Still, hardcore baseball travelers keep rolling through Sacramento. For them, the lighter crowds come with perks:
- They can get closer to MLB players without shelling out for premium seats
- It’s a rare chance to watch top talent in a smaller, more relaxed setting
- And honestly, it’s a story worth telling—how often do you visit a “major league” game in a minor league park?
In some ways, it’s got that minor league charm. But with the stakes higher, purists can’t help but expect more from the big leagues.
Looking Ahead to Las Vegas
Plenty of Oakland’s remaining fans—and folks around the league—see the A’s move to Las Vegas as a shot at a fresh start. Maybe a shiny new stadium in an entertainment city will finally bring back the crowds.
But there’s some doubt out there. If the team’s deeper issues—like player development or ownership choices—don’t get fixed, will a new address really change anything?
A Franchise in Transition
Right now, Sutter Health Park sits as a strange little footnote in MLB history. It’s a spot for die-hard fans to check off their list, but honestly, the atmosphere just doesn’t hit the heights you’d expect for baseball’s main stage.
Some folks see it as a quirky detour, while others can’t help but call it an embarrassment. Either way, the park really just reflects the Athletics’ bumpy search for a real home and the foggy uncertainty hanging over their future.
Still, true baseball fans are going to show up, no matter what. They’re willing to swap those towering stadiums for a humble minor league field if that’s what it takes.
Here is the source article for this story: Fans visiting all 30 MLB parks forced to go to A’s minor league home
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