Goin'6 Field of Dreams: Midwest Ballpark Barnstorm

Starting each spring and lasting the entire summer, the crack of the bat and the shout of the peanut vendor bring joy to the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. With close to 300 minor and major league ball clubs scattered throughout the country, most folks don't have to travel too far to catch a game. But outside of a pilgrimage to Cooperstown for Hall of Fame weekend, a multi-day, multi-city ballpark tour is about the truest expression of love a baseball fan can muster.

While some folks like to focus purely on the big league ballparks, there's much to be said for mixing in some minor league parks along the way. You'll find intimate settings, affordable tickets, colorful mascots and inspired concession stand cuisine.

Now, you could literally plan a trip for any region of the country. But for our purposes, we're starting with what is arguably the game's greatest living shrine, Wrigley Field, and taking you on a ballpark barnstorming loop that covers parts of seven Midwest states. As we go, we'll point out some things to see and do, and some Motel 6 locations for you to pencil into your lodging lineup.

Illinois

Despite the on-field futility of a Cubs franchise famous for having gone an entire century without claiming a World Series title, the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field just may be the greatest sight in all of Chicago and all of baseball.

The field dates back to 1914, so it lacks amenities found in more modern big league venues. But in terms of sheer atmosphere, nothing can top it. Here, the bleacher seats considered low rent in other parks are the coveted domain of the famous Bleacher Bums. Rooftop seats on the buildings that line Waveland Avenue and a hand-turned scoreboard further add to the unique character of this baseball paradise. The entertainment starts long before first pitch as the bars and restaurants of the surrounding blocks come alive each game day, so be sure to get there early. Given Wrigley's immense popularity, tickets won't come cheap. But if you only have budget for one place to splurge, this is certainly it.

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Indiana

Heading east out of Chicago, our Barnstorm loop briefly passes through northern Indiana before crossing into Michigan. Now, you won't find a single Big League team in the state, but you will find some of the finest minor league action anywhere.

If you could use a real bargain on the heels of your Wrigley or Comiskey splurge, then make your first stop a visit to the Diamondbacks' Class A Midwest League affiliate, the South Bend Silver Hawks. Like most minor league clubs, they've always got some highly creative promotion brewing, like $1 bleacher seat Mondays or $3 box seats. Whatever day of the week, the Silver Hawks are bound to stretch your entertainment dollar about as far as it can go.

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Michigan

If you decide to follow the loop up into Michigan, you won't be sorry, thanks to a trio of Midwest League ball clubs and one of the most storied American League franchises of all time.

The West Michigan Whitecaps are the pride of Grand Rapids, and have the added distinction of serving as the single-A squad of the popular in-state Detroit Tigers. This Big League affiliation is, however, far from the only source of fan enthusiasm. Ballpark food plays a major role in Whitecap culture, with gut-busting promotions like "All you can eat Tuesdays" and menu items like the recently added "Declaration of Indigestion".

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Ohio

The next stop on our ballpark odyssey takes you to the baseball-rich environs of Ohio.

Heading south out of Detroit, you quickly reach Toledo, where you'll find the Tigers' triple-A affiliate and one of the best team names in all of baseball � the Toledo Mud Hens. While professional baseball has been played here on and off since the 1880's, the organization has recently made headlines with its epic ballpark desert, a fifteen scoop ice cream sundae served in a full-size replica helmet. The $25 price tag may seem a bit steep until you stop to consider that it feeds up to eight fans.

Read MoreContinuing along the contours of Lake Erie brings you to Cleveland, another American League Central town with a stadium that's counted among the sport's modern classics. Despite a naming rights deal that makes this ballpark's official name Progressive Field, Indians' fans everywhere know it affectionately as "The Jake" (short for Jacobs Field). Built in 1994, The Jake's retro modern design earned it immediate accolades from the game's purists and helped usher in a golden era of Indians' prosperity. Flush with cash, a competitive roster and a sparkling facility, the Tribe parlayed its new-found advantages into a consecutive game sellout streak that stretched out over seven years. These days, seats are a little bit easier to come by, so don't hesitate to make it part of your trip.

If you can't catch the Indians at the Jake, you can scout their future talent a mere half hour away at an Akron Aeros game. This double-A Cleveland affiliate plays in the Eastern League and faithfully adheres to the minor league mantra of providing great value for their fans' buck. Dollar draft beers on Thirsty Thursdays and Saturday $7 tickets along with a wide selection of $1 food items are the kinds of promotions you can expect to enjoy.

As our loop reaches its eastern extreme, you may have to fight the urge to cross state lines and take in a game at Pittsburgh's stunning, yet sparsely attended, PNC Park. For simplicity's sake, we'll assume you stay the course and head the two hours southwest to the home of the Columbus Clippers. This long-time triple A affiliate of the Yankees is now filling that same position for the in-state Cleveland Indians, and the team boasts its own award-winning stadium, the recently unveiled Huntington Park.

A little over an hour's drive west out of Columbus, you'll enter the home turf of the insanely popular Dayton Dragons. How insane? Well, try naming another minor league team working on a 10-year consecutive home sellout streak. Crazy as it sounds, a burning desire to catch the Dragons at Fifth Third Field could put you in the unique position of having to scalp tickets to a Class A Midwest League game. Being affiliated with the nearby Cincinnati Reds helps explain some of this fan fervor, while the Dragons organization gets credit for award-winning promotional ideas. However you look at it, there's something big going on in Dayton that you may not want to miss.

The final stop on our epic Ohio leg of the barnstorm takes you to the National League city of Cincinnati, the site of America's first professional baseball team, the Red Stockings, now known as the Cincinnati Reds. Recent seasons haven't been too kind to the Reds standings-wise, but in the mid 70's the vaunted "Big Red Machine" ruled baseball with a lineup bursting with Hall of Fame talent. The modern-day Reds play in Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003 and features a distinctive gap between home plate and third base that allows a glimpse into the field from downtown buildings. Ticket availability and a state-of-the-art facility make this an attractive option for catching a Big League game. Hide

Kentucky

Before our Baseball Barnstorm works its way back west through the aforementioned return-leg stops in Indiana and Illinois, the loop quickly dips a toe into the fine state of Kentucky. Here, on the banks of the Ohio River, you'll find the wonderfully named Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats. The Bats are currently the Cincinnati Reds' Triple-A affiliate, and have established themselves as the International League's perennial attendance champs. The critics appear to agree with the fans' assessment that baseball in Louisville is a pleasure worthy of partaking. USA Today recently named Slugger Field one of its 10 great places for a baseball pilgrimage. Who are we to argue?

With apologies to the Bowling Green Hot Rods and Lexington Legends, we've got to get this Barnstorm back to its Midwestern roots, so for now we'll have to leave these other fine Kentucky minor league teams in the on deck circle.

Iowa

After stops at the triple-A cities of Indianapolis and Peoria, you may be ready for a return to the intimate confines of Midwest League Class A ball. If that's the case, then a visit to 3,200-seat Community Stadium for a Burlington Bees game will do the trick. An affiliate of Kansas City, the Bees give their fans the "Royal" treatment with an assortment of promotions throughout the season. In addition to frequent Fireworks nights, fans can enjoy inspired theme games like Hawaiian Luau, Christmas Eve in July and Jimmy Buffett Night. Sounds like fun to us.

A little over an hour to the north, the Midwest League's Quad Cities River Bandits take the field in timeless Modern Woodmen Park – a gem on the banks of the Mississippi River. It dates all the way back to 1931, making this one of the oldest fields still in use today. After some recent renovations, the park currently includes a right-field hot tub deck, a Polynesian-themed Tiki village, and a miniature Iowa corn field out in left field that the team uses to make dramatic pre-game introductions like a scene from the movie "Field of Dreams." Another one of USA Today's "10 great places for a baseball pilgrimage", Modern Woodmen Park is a handsome home for this St. Louis Cardinals Class-A affiliate.

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Wisconsin

What began six states ago and looped us around a good chunk of the Midwest, now brings us to our final stop on the tour, Wisconsin.

The state is home to two Class A teams competing in the Midwest League. The Beloit Snappers are an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and are conveniently located about an hour and fifteen minutes southwest of Milwaukee right on the path from Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa. Last we checked, if you've got $22 and you order your ticket in advance, the Snappers will let you snap up all the food you can eat on their Hog Heaven Deck... antacids not included.

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