We celebrate the opening of spring training with ESPN Baseball Tonight's Tim Kurkjian. Tim reflects on his first ballpark experience and discusses some of the his favorite parks across the big leagues. Also- what's up with the poor ice conditions in the NHL? The Ultimate Hockey Show's Liam Maguire points to new arena surfaces not being able to handle multiple events. Liam reminisces the days when hockey was played in stadiums built to sustain the ice. And we tour newly-renovated Assembly Hall with Indiana Hoosiers beat reporter Terry Hutchens. Terry looks at the politics of renovating the iconic arena as opposed to a complete demolition and rebuild.  

Stadiums USA Radio

Talking ballparks with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian

Oracle Arena in Oakland is rocking as the Golden St. Warriors cut another path to the NBA Finals. Bay Area Sports Guy Steve Berman checks in to talk about the league's oldest facility and the team's eventual move to Mission Bay in San Francisco. Speaking of NBA arenas, which offers the best overall fan experience? Paul Swaney of Stadium Journey rates the top venues and says the arena staff at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland are second to none. And- let's go to the bleachers at old Comiskey Park with longtime White Sox organist Nancy Faust. Nancy spins tales of Bill Veeck and Harry Carey and discusses how she established herself as one of baseball's most famous musicians.

Ranking the arenas of the NBA

He's covered Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals & NCAA Championships. Award-winning broadcaster Dick Enberg reflects on his favorite stadiums and ballparks. Dick discusses the 'Game of the Century', when the University of Houston and UCLA put college basketball on the map in the Astrodome. Also- the 1960's marked a change in the country's social and political fabric. It also marked a change in the stadium experience. Author John Florio's new book examines how America headed to the suburbs along with big league ballparks. And- business is booming in Minor League Baseball. We head down to the farm with Dave Heller, majority owner and operator of four affiliated minor league clubs. 

Dick Enberg's stadium stories (Oh my!)

Veteran Houston broadcaster Greg Lucas has seen it all, from vintage parks like the Astrodome and Arlington Stadium, to new generation venues like Minute Maid Park and Globe Life Park. The former voice of the Astros, Rangers, Rockets and Spurs takes us on a guided tour of his favorite sports venues. Also- Milwaukee will forever be associated with beer.  There was a time when County Stadium allowed fans to bring their own beer to the ballpark.  Writer and documentary filmmaker Bill Povletich looks back on the glory days of the Milwaukee Braves. And- a conversation with Ted Giannoulas, famously known as the San Diego Chicken..

Milwaukee Beer; Revisiting The Astrodome; The Famous Chicken Lives!

Will the Falcons new nest be open for business come kickoff time? Atlanta sports historian Jim Weathersby checks in with an update on completion of the complex stadium roof system. Jim also details his first trip to the Braves' SunTrust Park. Also- a conversation with the man with the best seat at Green Bay's Lambeau Field- radio play-by-play broadcaster Wayne Larrivee. Wayne details changes to the iconic venue and how the lower bowl of the stadium is unchanged going back to the Lombardi years. Plus- the man whose booming, baritone voice ignited Chicago Bulls fans during their championship run. Public address announcer Ray Clay details his premature exit from the Bulls over disagreement of how he would announce a visiting Michael Jordan as a member of the Washington Wizards. 

Wayne Larrivee talks Lambeau Field

The bobble head doll remains king of the ballpark promotion. We touch base with Phil Sklar of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum who previews the hot bobble head figures given away at ballpark turnstiles. Also- the landscape has changed for NBA radio play-by-play announcers. Former Miami Heat broadcaster David Halberstam says today's announcers have been moved from court side to the upper rafters of some arenas. Halberstam traces it to the almighty dollar. And- former Detroit Tigers bat boy Dennis Clotworthy has the compelling story of sharing Tiger great Al Kaline's final moments at Tiger Stadium.   

Bobbleheads, NBA announcers & Al Kaline's last at-bat

St. Petersburg officials have made a pitch to keep baseball's Rays in their current location. Tampa Bay reporter Noah Pransky says development opportunities for the team near a new ballpark is the real attraction. Also- what were the politics behind the development of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles?  Jerald Podair's new book examines Walter O'Malley's ballpark vision and how it helped create a modern Los Angeles. And- we continue our conversation with author Josh Pahigian, whose new book explores the hidden adventures in visiting major and minor league ballparks across America.  

The birth of Dodger Stadium

Reviews are coming in on the Braves new SunTrust Park. Yankees beat writer Randy Miller checks in to discuss covering the first big league game in Cobb County. Plus- we continue our conversation with two-time NBA Champion Craig Hodges. Hodges reflects on the legacy of former Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause and takes us into the locker room with Michael Jordan and the club that won it's first of seven titles. And- exploding scoreboards, mile high seats, racing sausages - we chat with Josh Pahigian whose new book The Amazing Baseball Adventure explores the hidden ballpark treasures across America.  

SunTrust Park debut & inside the Bulls championship locker room

It's a done deal- the Raiders are Vegas bound, leaving the Bay area a one-team NFL town. Bay Area Sports Guy Steve Berman looks at ramifications for the 49ers and previews lame-duck seasons ahead at the Oakland Coliseum. Also- he won championships with Michael Jordan at iconic Chicago Stadium- 10-year NBA veteran Craig Hodges discusses why his career was cut short due to social activism. Plus- what's in a sports logo? Plenty, as we break down team logos in the NBA with SB Nations Charlotte Wilder. And Stadiums USA's Mark Madorin looks at preparations for the Final Four at University Phoenix Stadium and examines the financial angle of the Raiders exit from the Bay area.

Two-time NBA champion Craig Hodges talks social activism

Baseball will forever be linked to promotions- bat giveaways, Ladies' Day, bobble heads - all to entice fans to the ballpark. Most have been a success. Others, not so much. This Great Game's Eric Gouldsberry chronicles baseball's ten worst promotional ideas. Also- what major sports facility hosts the most games each year? With the Lakers, Clippers, Kings and Sparks, the Staples Center in Los Angeles tops the list. Operations Director Armen Dembekjian details transitions between hockey, basketball and concert events. Plus, tracing the strange one-year saga of the Seattle Pilots.  

The busiest arena in American sports

The latest on the Coyotes' search for a new home has NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman challenging the Arizona Legislature to fund a new arena. SB Nation's Brendan Porter checks in and says the tactic isn't working. Also- we look at MLB ballparks through the eyes of longtime Baseball Hall of Fame executive Brad Horn. Horn looks at television's influence on the way new ballparks are being built. Plus- grab your tuba, and strike up the band- we march onto the field at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin with former Badger band member Darren Ellefson.  

Hall of Fame ballparks & joining the band at Camp Randall Stadium

The battle for the almighty entertainment dollar is heating up. How do professional and college sports teams engage their fan base? Nathalie Davis just headed up a conference in Atlanta that examined the changing marketing landscape in sports. Plus- a special trip back to Camden Yards with broadcaster Mel Proctor. Mel waxes eloquence as he details the night Cal Ripken, Jr. broke baseball's consecutive games streak. Also- a look at a documentary that details the origins of Rupp Arena and how civic-minded locals in Lexington are credited with launching construction of the iconic college basketball mecca.

A magical night at Camden Yards

Another renovation project is planned for Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, the home of the Bulldogs. Dawg Nation writer Bill King breaks it all down and says some fans want to see the project lead to shorter lines at concessions and restrooms. Also- we take a tour of the iconic arenas, past and present, in the Big Ten Conference. Former University of Illinois Sports Information Director Mike Pearson spins tales of Jud Heathcote, Steve Alford and Scott Skiles, among others. And, a trip back to the iconic Polo Grounds with author Stew Thornley. We examine how the unique ballpark configuration contributed to Willie Mays' amazing catch off the bat of Vic Wertz in the 1954 World Series.  

Big Ten arena stories & revisiting the Polo Grounds

The city of Detroit continues to mourn the passing of Red Wings and Tigers owner Mike Ilitch. We examine the Motor City icon with Detroit News writer Kurt Mensching, who looks at Ilitch's role in building Comerica Park and Little Caesar's Arena. Also- Philadelphia's Connie Mack Stadium lives on, in a patch of grass planted on property where the iconic ballpark was located. Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Frank Fitzpatrick looks back on the final game at the stadium and how Philly faithful ravaged the park to grab souvenirs. Plus, groundskeepers across baseball are preparing diamonds for the 2017 season. We catch up with Memphis Redbirds field chief Ben Young who talks grass seed and creating diamond art from the seat of a lawn mower. 

Mike Ilitch legacy & a wild goodbye to Connie Mack Stadium

From Market Square Arena to Conseco Fieldhouse and now Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Rick Fuson has seen it all. The Indiana Pacers Sports and Entertainment President discusses the day-to-day grind of event management and how the Pacers have developed a true home-court advantage in downtown Indy. Also- how much did the city of Houston pocket in hosting Super Bowl LI? Not as much as you think, according to Holy Cross sports economist Victor Matheson. Victor looks at the exorbitant demands the NFL places on host cities and how Commissioner Roger Goodell is the one holding the cash at the end of the day.  And- how does the Hartford Islanders sound? SB Nation reporter Dan Saraceni says, "don't believe it." Dan looks at the teams' issues at Brooklyn's Barclays Center and how the venue is struggling to maintain adequate ice conditions.  

NFL sells the Super Bowl myth to host cities

Join former NBA play-by-play broadcaster Bill Hazen for in-depth conversation with news makers who discuss their connections to the most storied structures and stadiums in all of sports. Bill talks with athletes, coaches, broadcasters, stadium personnel and architects. We peek behind the curtain of Fenway Park, The Rose Bowl, Lambeau Field, and all of the iconic stadiums, ballparks and arenas on the sports landscape. Here's your ticket to the action!