2016’s Best Baseball Cities

Top-Image-Best & Worst Cities for Baseball Fans

Baseball is a sport that requires a lot of patience. In this slow-paced ballgame, hits and home runs are less frequent than strikes and misses. You’d think few Americans would call themselves true baseball fans, but you’d be wrong. Baseball is the second most followed sport in the U.S., with more than 52 million adults tuning in.

And they’re willing to pay top dollar to see their favorite teams win. A seat at Wrigley Field for Games 3, 4 and 5 of the 2016 World Series, for instance, costs $7,200 — not to mention how many hundreds of millions of dollars will be wagered again on the sport by the betting market this year.

As the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians face off in the 2016 World Series on Oct. 25, WalletHub crunched the numbers to determine the best cities for baseball fans. We compared 361 of the largest U.S. cities, each with at least one professional or college baseball team — grouped by division — based on 25 key indicators of baseball-fan friendliness. They range from "performance level of team(s)" to "average ticket price for a game" to "stadium accessibility." Scroll down for the winners, expert sports commentary and a full description of how we ranked the cities. For fun and interesting facts about the Cubs and Indians matchup, check out WalletHub's 112th World Series By The Numbers infographic.

1 Main Findings 2 Ask the Experts

3 Methodology

Main Findings

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Overall Rank	City	Total Score	‘MLB’ Rank	‘MiLB’ Rank	‘NCAA’ Rank
1	New York, NY	58.07	2	5	3
2	St. Louis, MO	53.34	1	158	172
3	Los Angeles, CA	52.81	3	158	1
4	Atlanta, GA	46.46	4	143	36
5	Boston, MA	46.43	5	158	25
6	Arlington, TX	43.38	7	158	105
7	Cincinnati, OH	43.03	9	158	28
8	San Francisco, CA	42.54	6	158	159
9	Pittsburgh, PA	41.02	8	158	217
10	Chicago, IL	39.51	11	158	64
11	Detroit, MI	39.48	10	158	255
12	Oakland, CA	38.17	12	158	255
13	Kansas City, MO	37.51	13	158	255
14	Cleveland, OH	36.82	14	158	255
15	Minneapolis, MN	36.78	15	158	123
16	St. Petersburg, FL	35.68	16	158	255
17	Baltimore, MD	35.32	17	158	38
18	Milwaukee, WI	34.21	18	158	32
19	Seattle, WA	32.32	19	158	31
20	Philadelphia, PA	31.39	21	158	23
21	Washington, DC	30.54	20	115	182
22	San Diego, CA	28.97	24	158	87
23	Houston, TX	28.85	26	158	6
24	Denver, CO	28.28	22	158	255
25	Phoenix, AZ	28.25	23	158	255
26	Miami, FL	26.85	25	158	211
27	Nashville, TN	19.38	27	120	7
28	Buffalo, NY	18.60	27	69	15
29	Clemson, SC	18.31	27	158	2
30	Richmond, VA	18.29	27	54	21
31	Greensboro, NC	18.12	27	67	20
32	Birmingham, AL	18.06	27	26	37
33	San Antonio, TX	17.85	27	16	71
34	South Bend, IN	17.81	27	19	62
35	Dayton, OH	17.68	27	105	19
36	Charleston, SC	17.46	27	87	26
37	Louisville, KY	16.98	27	146	14
38	State College, PA	16.77	27	13	106
39	Johnson City, TN	16.39	27	20	108
40	Austin, TX	16.29	27	158	4
41	Mobile, AL	16.02	27	127	44
42	Cullowhee, NC	15.93	27	158	5
43	Tulsa, OK	15.93	27	85	76
44	Lexington, KY	15.63	27	140	48
45	Fort Myers, FL	15.56	27	60	99
46	Albuquerque, NM	15.18	27	147	55
47	Corpus Christi, TX	15.15	27	118	84
48	Durham, NC	14.94	27	10	149
49	Asheville, NC	14.91	27	33	130
50	Champaign, IL	14.81	27	158	8
51	Annapolis, MD	14.74	27	158	9
52	Bowling Green, KY	14.67	27	98	110
53	Springfield, MO	14.62	27	114	102
54	Fullerton, CA	14.58	27	158	10
55	Spokane, WA	14.55	27	6	193
56	Columbus, OH	14.51	27	21	145
57	Charlotte, NC	14.36	27	131	92
58	Binghamton, NY	14.36	27	133	86
59	Hanover, NH	14.32	27	158	11
60	Zebulon, NC	14.30	27	1	255
61	Little Rock, AR	14.27	27	53	137
62	Baton Rouge, LA	14.16	27	158	12
63	Eugene, OR	14.08	27	96	113
64	Jacksonville, FL	14.03	27	145	88
65	Indianapolis, IN	13.98	27	4	223
66	Knoxville, TN	13.83	27	79	135
67	Las Vegas, NV	13.81	27	91	133
68	Fairfield, CT	13.61	27	158	16
69	Coral Gables, FL	13.50	27	158	17
70	Pullman, WA	13.45	27	158	18
71	Stockton, CA	13.22	27	34	175
72	Memphis, TN	13.16	27	155	90
73	Radford, VA	13.01	27	158	22
74	Reno, NV	12.84	27	149	128
75	Muncie, IN	12.70	27	158	24
76	Norfolk, VA	12.67	27	89	154
77	Lynchburg, VA	12.61	27	55	177
78	Cape Girardeau, MO	12.58	27	158	27
79	Starkville, MS	12.53	27	158	13
80	Charlottesville, VA	12.38	27	158	29
81	Columbia, MO	12.34	27	158	30
82	Daytona Beach, FL	12.33	27	30	219
83	Cambridge, MA	12.21	27	158	33
84	Jacksonville, AL	12.21	27	158	34
85	Smithfield, RI	12.18	27	158	35
86	Tampa, FL	11.90	27	76	195
87	Elon, NC	11.85	27	158	39
88	Stillwater, OK	11.83	27	158	40
89	Columbia, SC	11.76	27	151	138
90	Valparaiso, IN	11.75	27	158	41
91	Kalamazoo, MI	11.74	27	158	42
92	Norman, OK	11.73	27	158	43
93	Bluefield, WV	11.69	27	2	255
94	New Britain, CT	11.68	27	158	45
95	Kent, OH	11.66	27	158	46
96	Farmville, VA	11.65	27	158	47
97	Orem, UT	11.60	27	47	228
98	Ithaca, NY	11.59	27	158	49
99	Rochester, NY	11.53	27	3	255
100	Kennesaw, GA	11.53	27	158	51
101	Winston-Salem, NC	11.52	27	94	170
102	Trenton, NJ	11.51	27	74	215
103	Boca Raton, FL	11.46	27	158	52
103	Hempstead, NY	11.46	27	158	53
105	Mount Pleasant, MI	11.42	27	158	54
106	Princeton, NJ	11.37	27	158	56
107	Murfreesboro, TN	11.36	27	158	57
108	Morehead, KY	11.32	27	158	58
109	Terre Haute, IN	11.32	27	158	60
110	Charleston, IL	11.23	27	158	63
111	Billings, MT	11.18	27	7	255
112	Clarksville, TN	11.17	27	158	65
113	Tucson, AZ	11.17	27	158	66
114	Williamsburg, VA	11.15	27	158	67
115	Elizabethton, TN	11.13	27	8	255
116	Conway, SC	11.10	27	158	68
117	Huntsville, TX	11.09	27	158	69
118	DeKalb, IL	11.08	27	158	70
119	Greenville, SC	11.04	27	99	218
120	Great Falls, MT	10.98	27	9	255
121	Rochester, MI	10.96	27	158	73
122	San Luis Obispo, CA	10.95	27	158	74
123	Hammond, LA	10.94	27	158	75
124	Iowa City, IA	10.83	27	158	77
125	San Jose, CA	10.80	27	31	252
126	Gainesville, FL	10.78	27	158	78
127	Huntington, WV	10.73	27	158	79
128	Athens, OH	10.71	27	158	80
129	Huntsville, AL	10.70	27	158	81
130	Lafayette, LA	10.65	27	158	82
131	Provo, UT	10.63	27	158	83
132	Fort Wayne, IN	10.63	27	90	241
133	Bakersfield, CA	10.60	27	138	201
134	Beaumont, TX	10.56	27	158	85
135	Salem, VA	10.51	27	11	255
136	Toledo, OH	10.48	27	101	238
137	Greenville, NC	10.45	27	158	89
138	Davenport, IA	10.45	27	12	255
139	Troy, AL	10.42	27	158	91
140	Peoria, IL	10.39	27	139	209
141	Auburn, NY	10.37	27	14	255
142	Oxford, MS	10.36	27	158	50
143	Pulaski, VA	10.36	27	15	255
144	Winooski, VT	10.28	27	17	255
145	Martin, TN	10.24	27	158	93
146	Troy, NY	10.22	27	18	255
147	Statesboro, GA	10.21	27	158	94
148	Harrisonburg, VA	10.20	27	158	95
149	Orlando, FL	10.18	27	158	96
150	West Lafayette, IN	10.17	27	158	97
151	Montgomery, AL	10.15	27	153	188
152	Tempe, AZ	10.15	27	158	59
153	Corvallis, OR	10.14	27	158	61
154	Wilmington, NC	10.12	27	158	98
155	Prairie View, TX	9.99	27	158	100
156	Jonesboro, AR	9.97	27	158	101
157	Kingsport, TN	9.92	27	22	255
158	Rock Hill, SC	9.91	27	158	104
159	Stanford, CA	9.88	27	158	72
160	Metairie, LA	9.75	27	23	255
161	Salt Lake City, UT	9.75	27	136	239
162	Moraga, CA	9.72	27	158	107
163	Papillion, NE	9.70	27	24	255
164	Boise, ID	9.67	27	25	255
165	Lubbock, TX	9.65	27	158	109
166	Cedar Rapids, IA	9.63	27	27	255
166	Norwich, CT	9.63	27	28	255
168	Ogden, UT	9.52	27	29	255
169	Natchitoches, LA	9.52	27	158	114
170	Monroe, LA	9.46	27	158	115
171	Fresno, CA	9.41	27	154	192
172	Boone, NC	9.35	27	158	118
173	Colorado Springs, CO	9.32	27	137	247
174	Danville, VA	9.23	27	32	255
175	Omaha, NE	9.18	27	158	119
176	Carbondale, IL	9.16	27	158	120
177	New Orleans, LA	9.11	27	158	121
178	Keizer, OR	9.08	27	35	255
179	Princeton, WV	9.06	27	36	255
180	Thibodaux, LA	9.05	27	158	122
181	Lake Charles, LA	9.02	27	158	124
182	Idaho Falls, ID	9.02	27	37	255
183	Myrtle Beach, SC	8.96	27	38	255
184	Portland, ME	8.96	27	39	255
185	Harrisburg, PA	8.95	27	40	255
186	Appleton, WI	8.92	27	41	255
187	Wichita, KS	8.91	27	158	125
187	Helena, MT	8.91	27	42	255
189	Akron, OH	8.91	27	43	255
190	Nacogdoches, TX	8.89	27	158	126
191	Ann Arbor, MI	8.89	27	158	103
192	Batavia, NY	8.89	27	45	255
193	Long Beach, CA	8.88	27	158	127
194	Greeneville, TN	8.87	27	46	255
195	Aberdeen, MD	8.79	27	48	255
196	Frederick, MD	8.79	27	49	255
197	Bristol, VA	8.76	27	50	255
198	Round Rock, TX	8.76	27	51	255
199	Athens, GA	8.75	27	158	129
200	Modesto, CA	8.74	27	52	255
201	Portland, OR	8.65	27	158	131
202	Syracuse, NY	8.64	27	55	255
203	Hickory, NC	8.63	27	57	255
204	Eastlake, OH	8.63	27	58	255
205	Buies Creek, NC	8.62	27	158	111
206	Tallahassee, FL	8.59	27	158	112
207	Missoula, MT	8.53	27	59	255
208	Everett, WA	8.49	27	61	255
209	San Marcos, TX	8.48	27	158	134
210	Altoona, PA	8.47	27	63	255
211	Midland, TX	8.44	27	65	255
212	Lowell, MA	8.43	27	66	255
213	Edinburg, TX	8.43	27	158	136
214	Malibu, CA	8.42	27	158	116
215	Orono, ME	8.41	27	158	117
216	Hillsboro, OR	8.41	27	68	255
217	Wilmington, DE	8.39	27	70	255
218	Pawtucket, RI	8.36	27	71	255
219	Williamsport, PA	8.35	27	72	255
220	Burlington, IA	8.32	27	73	255
221	Pensacola, FL	8.28	27	75	255
222	Niles, OH	8.21	27	77	255
223	Edwardsville, IL	8.16	27	158	139
224	Burlington, NC	8.15	27	78	255
225	Pasco, WA	8.15	27	80	255
226	Rome, GA	8.13	27	81	255
227	Lincoln, NE	8.13	27	158	140
228	Scranton, PA	8.12	27	82	255
229	Adelanto, CA	8.12	27	83	255
230	Lancaster, CA	8.12	27	84	255
231	Chattanooga, TN	8.11	27	86	255
232	Pearl, MS	8.05	27	88	255
233	Tuscaloosa, AL	8.03	27	158	142
234	Lakewood, NJ	7.94	27	92	255
235	Lansing, MI	7.94	27	93	255
236	Augusta, GA	7.91	27	95	255
237	Des Moines, IA	7.89	27	97	255
238	Jackson, TN	7.81	27	100	255
239	West Sacramento, CA	7.81	27	44	255
240	Fayetteville, AR	7.79	27	158	147
241	Salisbury, MD	7.79	27	102	255
242	Port Charlotte, FL	7.77	27	103	255
243	Auburn, AL	7.75	27	158	148
244	Clinton, IA	7.73	27	104	255
245	Chapel Hill, NC	7.68	27	158	132
246	Beloit, WI	7.67	27	106	255
247	Lake Elsinore, CA	7.64	27	107	255
248	Evansville, IN	7.62	27	158	155
249	Grand Junction, CO	7.61	27	109	255
250	Clearwater, FL	7.60	27	110	255
251	Lakeland, FL	7.60	27	111	255
252	Springdale, AR	7.58	27	112	255
253	Dunedin, FL	7.53	27	113	255
254	Fort Worth, TX	7.50	27	158	158
255	Erie, PA	7.47	27	116	255
256	Kannapolis, NC	7.46	27	117	255
257	Geneva, IL	7.45	27	62	255
258	Hartford, CT	7.42	27	157	235
258	Fishkill, NY	7.42	27	64	255
260	Visalia, CA	7.41	27	119	255
261	Charleston, WV	7.38	27	121	255
262	West Palm Beach, FL	7.35	27	122	255
263	Manchester, NH	7.33	27	123	255
264	Oklahoma City, OK	7.27	27	125	255
265	Morgantown, WV	7.27	27	158	141
266	Honolulu, HI	7.26	27	158	165
267	Melbourne, FL	7.26	27	126	255
268	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	7.21	27	128	255
269	Bradenton, FL	7.21	27	129	255
270	Midland, MI	7.21	27	130	255
271	Bloomington, IN	7.19	27	158	143
272	Berkeley, CA	7.16	27	158	144
273	Allentown, PA	7.14	27	132	255
274	Santa Clara, CA	7.10	27	158	171
275	Hattiesburg, MS	6.99	27	158	146
276	San Bernardino, CA	6.98	27	134	255
277	Conway, AR	6.98	27	158	173
278	Tacoma, WA	6.97	27	135	255
279	South Orange Villageship, NJ	6.91	27	158	150
280	Manhattan, KS	6.89	27	158	151
281	College Park, MD	6.86	27	158	152
282	West Point, NY	6.86	27	158	153
283	College Station, TX	6.82	27	158	156
284	Bowie, MD	6.74	27	141	255
284	East Lansing, MI	6.74	27	158	157
286	Biloxi, MS	6.72	27	142	255
287	Grand Rapids, MI	6.71	27	108	255
288	Cookeville, TN	6.62	27	158	160
289	Macon, GA	6.61	27	158	161
290	Newark, DE	6.60	27	158	162
291	Santa Barbara, CA	6.56	27	158	163
292	Spartanburg, SC	6.52	27	158	164
293	Stony Brook, NY	6.51	27	158	166
294	Raleigh, NC	6.48	27	158	167
295	Storrs, CT	6.45	27	158	168
296	Reading, PA	6.40	27	124	255
297	Lexington, VA	6.21	27	158	174
298	Normal, IL	6.21	27	158	176
299	Kingston, RI	6.14	27	158	178
300	Dallas, TX	6.12	27	158	179
301	Ruston, LA	6.10	27	158	180
302	Brookings, SD	6.09	27	158	181
303	Bowling Green, OH	6.04	27	158	183
304	Irvine, CA	6.00	27	158	184
305	West Long Branch, NJ	5.98	27	158	169
306	Davidson, NC	5.98	27	158	185
307	Boiling Springs, NC	5.97	27	158	186
308	Allegany, NY	5.96	27	158	187
309	Lewisburg, PA	5.94	27	158	189
310	Dover, DE	5.89	27	158	190
311	Sacramento, CA	5.82	27	158	191
312	El Paso, TX	5.80	27	144	255
313	Blacksburg, VA	5.76	27	158	194
314	Albany, NY	5.72	27	158	196
315	Jackson, MS	5.72	27	158	197
316	Frisco, TX	5.67	27	148	255
317	New Brunswick, NJ	5.64	27	158	198
318	Port St. Lucie, FL	5.64	27	150	255
319	High Point, NC	5.63	27	158	199
320	Lawrence, KS	5.61	27	158	200
321	Princess Anne, MD	5.45	27	158	202
322	Fargo, ND	5.39	27	158	204
323	Hagerstown, MD	5.38	27	152	255
324	Richmond, KY	5.38	27	158	205
325	DeLand, FL	5.36	27	158	206
326	Ypsilanti, MI	5.36	27	158	207
327	Emmitsburg, MD	5.34	27	158	208
328	Fairfax, VA	5.32	27	158	210
329	Worcester, MA	5.31	27	158	212
330	Waco, TX	5.28	27	158	213
331	Fayette, MS	5.26	27	158	214
332	Greeley, CO	5.25	27	158	216
333	Lewiston, NY	5.08	27	158	203
334	Oxford, OH	5.08	27	158	220
335	Clinton, SC	5.07	27	158	221
336	Pine Bluff, AR	5.07	27	158	222
337	Savannah, GA	4.89	27	158	225
338	Davis, CA	4.87	27	158	226
339	Grand Forks, ND	4.87	27	158	227
340	Grambling, LA	4.83	27	158	229
341	Bethlehem, PA	4.81	27	158	230
342	Towson, MD	4.74	27	158	231
343	Newark, NJ	4.73	27	158	232
344	Riverside, CA	4.72	27	158	233
345	New Haven, CT	4.70	27	158	234
346	Hamden, CT	4.60	27	158	224
347	Poughkeepsie, NY	4.60	27	158	236
348	Amherst, MA	4.58	27	158	237
349	Itta Bena, MS	4.52	27	158	240
350	Murray, KY	4.41	27	158	242
351	Las Cruces, NM	4.39	27	158	243
352	Evanston, IL	4.36	27	158	244
353	Hackensack, NJ	4.22	27	158	245
354	Macomb, IL	4.21	27	158	246
355	Youngstown, OH	4.04	27	158	248
356	Jupiter, FL	3.99	27	156	255
357	Easton, PA	3.79	27	158	249
358	Old Westbury, NY	3.54	27	158	251
359	New Rochelle, NY	3.53	27	158	250
360	Providence, RI	3.35	27	158	253
361	Jersey City, NJ	3.18	27	158	254

Artwork-2016 Best & Worst Cities for Baseball Fans-v3

Ask the Experts

As baseball grows in popularity in the U.S. and abroad, so will the challenges for those in the industry. We therefore asked a panel of sports experts to weigh in on those issues and share advice on enjoying the ballgame as well as their predictions on which teams will triumph in the World Series. Click on the panelists’ profiles below to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

What are the biggest issues facing MLB today? Where do the rise of regional sports networks and the emphasis being placed on modern stadiums rank?
What about gambling and fantasy sports? Is MLB embracing legalized gambling, at the very least in the form of daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel?
What is your take on the time-based contract structure used by MLB, as well as the various other spending constraints imposed by the league?
Who are your picks to win the World Series, MVP and Cy Young Awards?
What is the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget?
In evaluating the best cities for baseball fans, what are the top five indicators?

< >

Robert Jarvis Professor of Law at Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law
Bruce Bukiet Associate Dean of the College of Science and Liberal Arts and Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at New Jersey Institute of Technology
Amber Roessner Associate Professor in the University of Tennessee's School of Journalism & Electronic Media
C. Paul Rogers III Professor of Law and Former Dean of the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University
Chris Lamb Professor of Journalism in the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis
Jeff Barto Lecturer and Kidnetics Director at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Joseph L. Price Genevieve S. Connick Professor of Religious Studies and Co-Director of the Institute for Baseball Studies at Whittier College

Robert Jarvis

Professor of Law at Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law

What are the biggest issues facing MLB today? Where do the rise of regional sports networks and the emphasis being placed on modern stadiums rank?

The primary issue is the inability to attract Gen Y and Gen Z members (the reason baseball is in danger of becoming a minor sport). Secondary issues (all will be topics during this winter’s CBA negotiations): salary cap; drug testing; expansion (domestic and international); future of designated hitter rule in NL; length of season/size of rosters; concussions. RSN and modern stadiums are “local” issues that won’t figure into CBA negotiations (although it’s nearly impossible today to be a successful MLB team unless you have both because of the money they generate).

What about gambling and fantasy sports? Is MLB embracing legalized gambling, at the very least in the form of daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel?

Yes to all forms (legalized gambling eventually will be baseball’s single most important source of revenue, eclipsing TV, which is about to go into a steep decline because of baseball’s aging demographics/inability to attract young fans).

What is your take on the time-based contract structure used by MLB, as well as the various other spending constraints imposed by the league?

Service time is rarely an issue (Kris Bryant was an exception, and he’ll make it up on future contracts; players will raise it in the upcoming CBA negotiations but only as a bargaining chip). Spending constraints are largely a chimera — teams spend or don’t spend depending on how committed they are to winning and whether they think a better (i.e., more expensive) team will improve their bottom line (by drawing more fans and generating higher fees from advertisers). See the Yankees; Marlins; Rays; and Pirates (among others).

Who are your picks to win the World Series, MVP and Cy Young Awards?

Cubs (likely in seven — Indians are tough); Ortiz (sentimental pick — probably should go to Betts) (AL)/Bryant (NL); Porcello (AL)/Scherzer (NL).

What is the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget?

Stay home, watch it on a big screen TV, and have a beer with friends. Otherwise, look for a Groupon for a late season game in a city whose team is out of contention; buy bleacher seats and plan to move to better seats around the 4th inning; eat before the game (to avoid getting gouged by ballpark prices); take no more than $10 with you (so you won’t be tempted to buy souvenirs, which you can find cheaper on-line); and use public transportation to get to the game (to avoid outrageous parking charges). If money is really tight, go to a stadium where you can watch the action for free by standing in a strategic spot (“knothole” views exist in such cities as Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and St. Louis). Another option is to go to a minor league game. Ticket prices are incredibly cheap and some minor leagues (such as the Arizona and Florida rookie leagues) don’t charge at all.

In evaluating the best cities for baseball fans, what are the top five indicators?

An owner committed to winning (example: Mike Ilitch - Tigers); a general manager who thinks outside the box (Theo Epstein - Cubs); a manager willing to ignore conventional wisdom (Joe Maddon - Cubs); a great scouting department (St. Louis Cardinals); and a first-class stadium (AT & T Park in San Francisco). Most perfect confluence of all five factors? The 1927 Yankees (owner Jacob Ruppert—in Hall of Fame/GM Ed Barrow—in HOF/manager Miller Huggins—in HOF/head scout Paul Krichell—all observers agree he would be in HOF if scouts were eligible/Yankee Stadium (1927 was its fifth season; at the time of its opening in 1923, Yankee Stadium was considered revolutionary in design and was the first MLB ballpark to be called a “stadium”)).

Bruce Bukiet

Associate Dean of the College of Science and Liberal Arts and Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at New Jersey Institute of Technology

Who are your picks to win the World Series, MVP and Cy Young Awards?

Whether the Cubs or Dodgers won, the National League team had about a 2-1 advantage, despite the fact that the American League gets home field advantage. The Dodgers had a 67.4% chance to win the series while the Cubs have a 67.1% chance (really indistinguishable). This is pretty overwhelming as for the NL and AL Championship Series the model gave the Dodgers a 52% chance of winning in the NL and the Indians had a 46% chance (at the start of their series vs. the Toronto Blue Jays).

Full results are:

	Games	4	5	6	7	Total
Team
Dodgers		0.084	0.194	0.250	0.146	0.674
Indians		0.031	0.070	0.079	0.146	0.326
Team
Cubs		0.105	0.221	0.214	0.130	0.671
Indians		0.031	0.056	0.092	0.150	0.329

Updates of the probabilities throughout the World Series using new info about expected pitchers can be found here.

Amber Roessner

Associate Professor in the University of Tennessee's School of Journalism & Electronic Media

What are the biggest issues facing MLB today? Where do the rise of regional sports networks and the emphasis being placed on modern stadiums rank?

The biggest issues facing the MLB today is a) the lack of minorities in leadership positions, b) the abysmal pay for average minor league players, c) the continued ban on women in the Big Leagues. Also on the list, for this sports historian, would be the emphasis being placed on modern stadiums. Case in point: Atlanta — The city of Atlanta imploded Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in August 1997, and the Braves moved into Turner Field, the retro-fitted stadium erected for the 1996 Olympic Games. When I attended the grand opening on April 4, 1997, Turner Field was considered to be a state-of-the art, modern cathedral to the national pastime. Less than twenty years later, the Atlanta Braves made the controversial decision to abandon the stadium in favor of SunTrust Park, which promises to offer ticket holders “the perfect marriage of classic ballpark feel, modern amenities and southern hospitality, creating a fan experience unlike any other. An intimate setting of 41,000 seats will be designed to maximize sightlines, making every seat feel like the ‘best in the house.’” The controversial decision will cost the Braves some of its fan base, but it also is detrimental to the long-term viability of MLB.

Who are your picks to win the World Series, MVP and Cy Young Awards?

World Series (The Chicago Cubs), MVP (Kris Bryant, Cubs) and Cy Young (Max Scherzer, Nationals).

Billy goats be damned. The Cubs have long ago paid the price of evicting William Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, and his beloved pal Murphy, and by all accounts, deserve a victory in the World Series after a century-long drought.

What is the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget?

If budgets are tight, I am a big fan of watching minor league baseball. I often take in Tennessee Smokies or Asheville Tourists games with my husband and our little boy, Joseph. They have a family-friendly atmosphere that can fill those Field of Dreams cravings. I've also always been a fan of catching a game during spring training. If you do decide to take in a game at your home ballpark or a destination field, check out ticket sites like StubHub or even scalpers for last-minute deals, and by all means, don't pay inflated prices for a dog and a beer or a Coke at the stadium; eat a nice lunch or dinner at home or nearby the park.

In evaluating the best cities for baseball fans, what are the top five indicators?

Loyal fans. The best cities for baseball have a loyal fan base, plain and simple. Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit… they all have loyal fans that remain true despite World Series droughts. These towns shut down on opening day or even in the middle of July for afternoon games. These fans made baseball the national pastime, and they make certain pins on the map destinations for baseball aficionados.
Breath-taking venues. The best cities for baseball play in breath-taking venues. Whether a relic of baseball’s past such as Chicago’s Wrigley Field or a modern cathedral to the national pastime such as San Francisco’s AT&T Park, the breath-taking venues share a few qualities in common — there’s not a bad seat in the house; they are amazing architectural feats; they incorporate an appreciation for baseball’s past with modern amenities.
Celebration of the past. Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York, St. Louis, etc. The best cities for baseball do more than appreciate their legacy; they celebrate their past.
Easy to navigate. The best cities for baseball are easy to navigate. Chicago, New York, Seattle. The best cities for baseball have seamless urban transportation systems. That’s supposedly why the Braves are moving from downtown Atlanta to Cobb County, right?
Sports media personalities. The best cities for baseball are home to a legacy sports media personality. It’s hard to imagine that baseball franchise owners were once leery of sportscasters and sportswriters for fear that they might undermine their bottom line. The inverse happened. Sportswriters and sportscasters helped make baseball a sensation. In the nineteenth century, sportswriters such as Henry Chadwick, the “father of baseball,” and Ella Black, the nation’s first female baseball correspondent, became master promoters of the sport in places such as Brooklyn and Pittsburgh, and in the twentieth century, sportscasters such as Harry Caray, Vin Scully, Red Barber and others became synonymous with teams such as the Cubs, the Dodgers, their respective cities, and even the national pastime itself.

C. Paul Rogers III

Professor of Law and Former Dean of the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University

What are the biggest issues facing MLB today? Where do the rise of regional sports networks and the emphasis being placed on modern stadiums rank?

I think the biggest issue is a declining fan base due to the fact that a smaller percentage of millennials are baseball fans. Part of the reason for that I believe is that fewer kids grow up playing baseball, probably due to the popularity of other participation sports such as soccer, lacrosse, and the fact that today’s youth are generally outdoors less because of computers, video games, etc. Baseball just doesn’t dominate the way it did with older generations. Not sure I see regional sports networks as a particular problem. Modern stadiums are a mixed bag since most require significant public funding although they provide modern fans with a much better game experience. The Rangers proposal to build an indoor facility for a billion or so is pretty classic example of the issue. The current stadium is great and only 20+ years old, but it is really too hot to enjoy day baseball in July and August down here. Sometimes it’s too hot to enjoy evening baseball. The club needs greater attendance to pay escalating salaries and attract top free agents. Guess the City of Arlington will decide on election day if it’s worth it to their economy.

What about gambling and fantasy sports? Is MLB embracing legalized gambling, at the very least in the form of daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel?

I think it is and that it should distance itself as far as possible from those sites, just as the NCAA is doing. I believe that with baseball’s history, it should steer clear and in fact consider legal action to enjoin use of MLB logos on those sites.

What is your take on the time-based contract structure used by MLB, as well as the various other spending constraints imposed by the league?

I assume that by spending constraints you mean the luxury tax. I think the system is now tailored to reward performance and is pretty fair. I’m sure the owners would love to get rid of arbitration because it tends to escalate salaries before free agency. But arbitration helps level the bargaining power prior to free agency and a team always has the ability to negotiate away the arbitration years through guaranteed contracts, such as the Rays did with Longoria several years ago. I also don’t mind the luxury tax since it at least exacts a price to pay for teams like the Yankees who try to buy their way to the post season each year rather than develop their own prospects. It helps restore some balance between the small and large market teams.

Who are your picks to win the World Series, MVP and Cy Young Awards?

The Indians are on a roll but have had several off days which could break their momentum. The Cubs have dominated all year and I think their starting pitching may be the difference. But should be a great series between two of the original 16 franchises, neither of whom has won in most people’s lifetimes. Cy Young – probably Jon Lester and Rick Porcello – 22-4 is hard to ignore. MVPs – Kris Bryant over Arenado in NL. In AL, how about David Ortiz – wouldn’t that be a story – MVP in his last year.

What is the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget?

Most teams have family packages which can even include a hot dog and a drink. It’s still the cheapest major league sport in which to take a family of four. Also, sometimes clubs have special discounted tickets for mid-week day games. And one can find great deals sometimes on the secondary market on the morning of the game.

In evaluating the best cities for baseball fans, what are the top five indicators?

It depends on whether by fan you mean locals or out of towners. I really like cities with downtown stadiums that one can walk to from a downtown hotel, such as Minneapolis, San Diego, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. For locals, access to public transportation is important since it avoids paying expensive ballpark parking fees or having to walk nine miles to get to one’s seat. I also think it is great when a team has a team museum on or close to the premises to celebrate its history. The Reds museum is the best I’ve seen but I haven’t been to all the parks yet. I think it is great when the ballpark has local flavor (food, ambience), such as in Miami.

But I’m not a very severe critic – I’ve liked all the ballparks I’ve been to in recent years, from Fenway and Wrigley to AT&T in San Francisco. Love Dodger stadium even though it is difficult to get to, at least for an out of towner. I haven’t been to Tampa Bay however, and missed the Kingdome. I did really dislike the cookie cutter artificial turf stadiums of the 70’s like Riverfront, Veteran’s Stadium, and Three Rivers. To me that was a low ebb in baseball, accentuated by the polyester uniforms of the time.

Chris Lamb

Professor of Journalism in the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis

What are the biggest issues facing MLB today? Where do the rise of regional sports networks and the emphasis being placed on modern stadiums rank?

When I ask my students every semester what their favorite sport, only a few in every class, at most, say, "baseball." Baseball's problem is the same at the Republican Party's problem. Their supporters are white guys in their mid-50s and older. In other words, their fans are dying off faster than they're being replaced. Not a winning formula for future success.

What about gambling and fantasy sports? Is MLB embracing legalized gambling, at the very least in the form of daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel?

Yes. And they will regret embracing gambling just like they regret embracing steroids.

What is the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget?

Go to AAA games.

In evaluating the best cities for baseball fans, what are the top five indicators?

Do the fans come to the games even when they team is playing poorly? (Chicago/Wrigley win here);
Can the fans hold their alcohol? (Chicago/Wrigley lose here);
Does the team recognize their respective histories? (Obviously, the Yankees score high here but the Reds have one of the best team museums in sports);
Do the fans recognize good plays by the opposition? (St. Louis Cardinals);
Do the fans stay for the whole game? (LA Dodgers finish last here).

Jeff Barto

Lecturer and Kidnetics Director at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

What are the biggest issues facing MLB today?

Baseball is losing generations of younger fans. During the season, most can only attend night games on the weekend so more day games might help. The postseason could also try one World Series day game beyond the few scheduled in the first round of the playoffs. If the revenue loss is too great, then perhaps a compromise of earlier starting times could be tried.

The season also runs too late into October, sometimes bleeding into November. One thing to try might be scheduling five day-night doubleheaders on weekends per team each season. With separate admissions, this change would keep the revenue stream relatively stable and provide five more day games on the weekend. These doubleheaders would be on the schedule rather than as makeups. This move would provide five more open dates to allow the post season to end in October. In a pinch, those extra days can be used for rainouts. Each open date not needed for a rainout will provide extra days off for the players.

Another way to attract young fans might be if MLB supports the DraftKings and FanDuel fantasy websites. They get the younger fans engaged even when their favorite team(s) is not doing well. They learn all the names of the players on the major league roster and often study the farm system of each club. It also enhances attendance at minor league parks as fans act out their own general manager fantasy.

Soccer competes against baseball because it is more cost effective. But I have a thought that many might consider to be very controversial. I think youth baseball loses a lot of children to soccer. If you can run and jab at the ball then you can run up and down the field in soccer and essentially “hide” at the youth-league level. In little league baseball, everything you do is recorded, hits, errors, walks, strikeouts, average, etc. It wears on many kids and their self-esteem. In soccer, no one counts anything beyond goals scored so most kids go home happier, without striking out four times or watching the ball go through their legs for a three-run homer. Soccer seems to be safer for a lot of kid’s confidence. Better baseball coaching at the youth level may improve their skills and encourage kids to persist in the game rather than moving on to something else.

Major league baseball needs to enforce the rules, they have to speed up the game, and install some new ones. The three plus hours it takes to play is boring to younger fans. With television revenue so important, the time between innings has expanded and there is not much to do about that. But once the game starts, umpires can control more things. First they could start calling a “ball” beyond 20 seconds per pitch. It is being tried in the minors with some success. Batters should also have to keep one foot in the batter’s box between pitches and not be granted time automatically by the umpires. Here is another out-of-the-box idea. Before Ken Harrelson in 1967, it was not popular to wear batting gloves. George Brett refused to wear them. The bat twists a bit within the grip at impact, which absorbs some of the force imparted to the ball. If baseball made batting gloves illegal it would save time from the players who step out and adjust both gloves after every pitch, even when they did not swing. Once you remove this mental crutch, players would eventually get used to it and stop being “human rain delays.”

What about gambling and fantasy sports? Is MLB embracing legalized gambling, at the very least in the form of daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel?

Well, hockey and football are already exploring franchise possibilities in Las Vegas. Baseball is not doing the same, but with major sports embedded in our culture it would not seem out of place to have baseball condone the two main fantasy sites. These sites do seem to attract the younger fans and it might also spark greater interest among them in the long run. Society seems to allow gambling selectively. Casinos and horseracing are accepted while betting on sports creates other problems. It often comes down to control of the system. If MLB can be assured that these fantasy sites can run independent of player and team influence, then the growth of the game may increase.

What is your take on the time-based contract structure used by MLB, as well as the various other spending constraints imposed by the league?

The MLBPA is the strongest union in sports. They set the bar for other unions under Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr. Teams have six years to hold onto a player before free agency. During this window they have many options to piece together a competitive roster. Veterans become expensive and often cost more than their production in later contracts. Such vets can set back a small market team for years. To prevent this drain, it requires astute scouting and drafting so teams can build and rely on their own farm system. Clubs like Oakland did well for a time relying on analytics, and Pittsburgh showed a recent blueprint to sustain competitive balance by depending on their own assets. Larger markets have more fans and revenue, but they often do a poor job relative to a shrewd organization from a smaller market, i.e., the Royals in 2015.

I always liked the comment made by an owner early in the 1980s that complained that to compete for free agents, he had to match or exceed what his dumbest competitor offers. That is an owner’s choice but not the wisest. Putting in a salary cap, like the other sports, seems to be a way of saving the owners from themselves. Meanwhile, the current payroll tax is often ineffective when the big markets really want to spend. Perhaps they might explore realigning divisions according to market size to guarantee at least one small market to compete in the playoffs each year.

What is the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget?

I often ask people, “Where do the announcers sit at a ballgame?” The obvious answer is up high behind home plate. That’s where I like to sit. The view is excellent. You can view the overall scheme of the game. You don’t need to count the whiskers on the player’s faces to be immersed in the game. Those cheaper seats up become a win-win for the fan: better view at a lower price.

Eat before the game; even if it is a restaurant nearby it would still be cheaper than the ballpark fare. A ballpark holds the fans as a captive audience, just like the airport, so the prices are not constrained by competition. Some parks let you bring in peanuts and water sold across from the park, as long as they are sealed. Others allow you to take in a 12x12 cooler packed with food, so there is little reason to pay their high prices. Park a few blocks further away and it may be $10-20 cheaper, and you get more exercise.

Many parks provide a free scorecard so I would buy a $10 dollar yearbook that doubles as a bio-sketch of the players and as a souvenir that is actually worth keeping. Pictures are free and also make better souvenirs than the dreck they peddle at the souvenir shops. If you must have that jersey of a favorite player, then get one at a local shop or online. Either way, you can wear it to the game at a fraction of what it costs to secure at the game. That’s where they get you with those “impulse” sales.

In evaluating the best cities for baseball fans, what are the top five indicators?

Safe location of the ballpark and a downtown location that is within walking distance from public transportation. Pittsburgh has a wonderful trek for fans to cross the Roberto Clemente Bridge and enter the centerfield gate shadowed by Clemente’s statue.
Ease of getting in and out of the parking areas. And good public transportation for those who don’t want to park.
A competitive team. (Good farm system, creative GM, use a blend of scouting and saber-metrics).
A newer park with modern amenities, scoreboards, music and between inning promotions. I am old school and could watch without the bells and whistles of today’s game. But I also know that today’s fan often goes for more than just the game, so they look to be entertained beyond baseball. Give the fans something they couldn’t get sitting at home.
A carnival-like atmosphere in the streets surrounding the ballpark. Parks like Wrigley and Fenway have pubs, souvenir shops, restaurants, and music humming before and after each game. It becomes a destination for fans to spend the whole day and/or evening.

Joseph L. Price

Genevieve S. Connick Professor of Religious Studies and Co-Director of the Institute for Baseball Studies at Whittier College

What are the biggest issues facing MLB today? Where do the rise of regional sports networks and the emphasis being placed on modern stadiums rank?

An aging fan base has been a recognized problem for years. Several initiatives have begun to address the challenge, including an increase in the number of promotional give-aways that appeal to youth and millennials, louder music at ballparks, attempts to speed up the game, etc. Even so, I think that the most alluring prospect for baseball with younger viewers is the incredible number of young, enthusiastic MLB stars who display a sheer joy in playing the game. Increasing opportunities for young fans to encounter and identify with younger stars who are interested in their respective communities will most effectively address the problem of aging fandom.

Regional sports networks, with savvy announcers who embed their play-by-play descriptions in baseball and community culture (rather than a rehearsal of statistics) are likely to increase fan viewership and appreciation. Years ago, the Cubs expanded their following during lean years simply because of their availability on WGN and their appeal to afternoon audiences as a kind of soap-opera alternative.

A different challenge that will confront MLB is the increasing attempt of many organizations to make the ballpark experience more about auxiliary entertainments than about focusing on the drama of baseball itself, the beauty and ugliness of its plays.

Slow plays like intentional walks are simply minor irritations, like a scratch or a hit funny bone. Intentional walks, which do not actually consume much game time, are not the cause of a lethargic pace or length of a game, which are often created by too much time spent on ads between half-innings.

What about gambling and fantasy sports? Is MLB embracing legalized gambling, at the very least in the form of daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel?

Fantasy sports certainly lure marginal fans into following players’ statistics more carefully. But I’m not aware of data that indicate that fantasy sports increase fan attendance and attention, especially since most fandom is associated with following a team rather than simply computing statistics of a compilation of players from multiple teams.

I think that Willie Mays, who was restricted from MLB appearances while he served as a paid host at a casino, probably shakes his head at the way that MLB has now crawled into bed with betting.

Who are your picks to win the World Series, MVP and Cy Young Awards?

Before the season began, the local chapter of the SABR had members submit predictions for playoff pairings and World Series contestants. I predicted Cleveland and Chicago meeting in the World Series (!) with Cleveland winning (although I’m rooting for the Cubs). MVP: Kris Bryant and Mookie Betts; Cy Young: Rick Porcello and Jon Lester.

What is the best way to enjoy a baseball game on a budget?

Listening to Vin Scully on a friend’s TV. Scully provided more than players’ statistical profiles and recent accomplishments, more than lively descriptions of plays; he provided what anthropologists call a thick description, with background and context creatively narrated, with lively descriptions that made plays so vivid that it was often more enjoyable to hear him provide play-by-play than to watch a game on TV, or even at the ballpark. When Scully provided radio simulcasts, it was not uncommon to see fans at the ballpark with earbuds providing access to Scully’s descriptions. He completed a fan’s attendance at a game.

Buying cheap seats for minor league games and avoiding purchasing overpriced concessions and souvenirs.

In evaluating the best cities for baseball fans, what are the top five indicators?

Engaging ballpark experiences: easy and affordable access to games, and good ballpark ambiance that makes family attendance attractive.
Winning teams (consider the increase in attendance and attention to the Blue Jays in the last two years, Kansas City last year, Cleveland and Chicago this year).
Great baseball reporting — not simply the play-by-play announcers, but also the creativity of sportswriters and reporters who bring games back to life with their reflections and projections.
Charismatic players — Altuve in Houston, Sanchez (NYY) and DeGrom (NYM) in New York, Fernandez (RIP) in Miami, Trout in LA, Harper in Washington, Lindor in Cleveland, Betts in Boston (to succeed Big Papi)…

Methodology

In order to determine the best cities for professional and college baseball fans, WalletHub’s analysts compared 361 of the most populated U.S. cities based on 25 key metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for baseball fans. For our sample, we chose cities with at least one college baseball, Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball team.

We then grouped the cities by division and assigned weights to each divisional category according to its popularity. Finally, we calculated overall scores for each city based on the weighted average across all metrics and used the results to construct our ranking.

MLB – Total Points = 70

Number of Teams: Full Weight (~9.33 Points)
Performance Level of Team(s): Full Weight (~9.33 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the number of wins by the total number of games played.
Number of Championships Wins: Full Weight (~9.33 Points)
Number of Division Championship Wins: Half Weight (~4.67 Points)
Franchise Value: Half Weight (~4.67 Points)
Note: This metric measures the team(s) estimated value in millions of dollars.
Average Season Ticket Price for a Game: Full Weight (~9.33 Points)
Fan Engagement: Full Weight (~9.33 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of Twitter followers and Facebook “Likes” per capita.
Stadium Capacity: Half Weight (~4.67 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing stadium capacity by the city population.
Attendance: Half Weight (~4.67 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing average home-fan attendance by arena capacity.
Popularity Index: Half Weight (~4.67 Points)

MiLB – Total Points = 10

Number of Teams: Full Weight (~1.54 Points)
Performance Level of Team(s): Full Weight (~1.54 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the number of wins by the total number of games played.
Number of Championship Wins: Full Weight (~1.54 Points)
Number of Regular Season Championship Wins: Half Weight (~0.77 Points)
Minimum Season Ticket Price for a Game: Full Weight (~1.54 Points)
Fan Engagement: Full Weight (~1.54 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of Twitter followers and Facebook “Likes” per capita.
Stadium Capacity: Half Weight (~0.77 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing stadium capacity by the city population.
Attendance: Half Weight (~0.77 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing average home-fan attendance by arena capacity.

NCAA Baseball – Total Points = 20

Number of Teams: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
Performance Level of Team(s): Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the number of wins by the total number of games played.
Number of Championship Wins: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
Number of Regular Season Championship Wins: Half Weight (~1.67 Points)
Minimum Season Ticket Price for a Game: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
Fan Engagement: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of Twitter followers and Facebook “Likes” per capita.
Stadium Capacity: Half Weight (~0.77 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing stadium capacity by the city population.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Team Marketing Report, ESPN, MLB, Minor League Baseball, The Harris Poll, The National Collegiate Athletic Association and each team’s website.

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