MLB Stadium Count and Rules

 With the White Sox game in Chicago, I have reached the 20 mark.  Only 10 to go and my goal is to finish the challenge by the end of the decade.  Here are the 10 that I have NOT seen:

National League:

Marlins, Gnats, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers 

American League:

Guards, Tigers, Twins, Angels, Athletics

The only ones that might require a special trip are Twins, Gnats and Phillies but I am hoping that by some miracle, I will be healthy enough to combine it with a race.  

Like the Visit All 50 States, there are debates as to what constitutes an official visit.  The most strict standard only counts a home game played by the team that plays there.  The most lenient actually counts walking past it from the outside.  Here's what I count and don't count:

Exhibition game played by other teams in the same sport- COUNTS.  

For example, the 2025 MLB All Star game will be in Atlanta this year.  If you attend that game, you can check off Truist Park and the Braves without seeing a Braves game. Also, a World Baseball Classic in Miami counts for the Marlins.  I don't expect much dispute over that.  

Though I have no plans to see all 32 NFL teams, I did see a college football game in the Carolina Panthers stadium in Charlotte.  I would count that too.  

This is probably a moot point now but what about multi-purpose stadiums?  Let's say that you saw a Steelers game at old Three Rivers in Pittsburgh.  Can you count the Pirates because they shared the same venue?  I say NO.  You never saw the baseball dimensions.  Every football field is 100 yards.  A ball hit 400 feet to dead center field may or may not be a home run.  I heard about a hockey game at Boston's Fenway Park.  No, you can't count the Red Sox for a hockey game.

Teams that move to a new stadium or a new city:

I saw several Atlanta Braves games at old Turner Field.  Yes, I did see the new park but it was not required to check off the Braves.  I heard that the Kansas City Royals may be getting a new stadium in 2028.  I've seen the old one so the new one is not required.  

Edit: Can you count a Montreat Expos game for the Gnats?  I am undecided but would lean towards no.  Although it is the same franchise, it has been totally rebranded.  The Oakland Coliseum counts for Las Vegas because the team will remain the Athletics.  If the re-located team became the Gamblers instead, I would have to re-think it.

Both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland A's are temporarily playing in minor league parks.  If you see an MLB game there, can you check off that team?  I say NO.  It's only a temporary home.  I did not see the Oakland Coliseum when I was in the Bay area last summer.  I will have to wait until they play in their permanent home in Las Vegas.  The plan is an overnight layover from Hawaii.  Also, a Dodger game in Japan doesn't count.  You have to see Dodger Stadium.  

Stadium Tours:

This is probably the most controversial.  It's debatable but I say YES, it counts.  You pay money specifically to the home team and in many cases, you have access to areas that are off limits on game day.  Not only can you sit in the stands, you can often access the press box, the dugout or even the field itself.  For the Mets, Red Sox, Cardinals and Mariners, I have yet to see a game but did do the tour and I count it.  

Concerts or other events:

A hard NO on concerts.  Same with any other non-baseball events.  I've done a few races with a stadium finish.  NO, I don't count that even though I did step foot inside and on the field.  Walking past a stadium in which case you only see the outside?  NO way!  That's the equivalent of an airport layover.