For this installment of This Week in Baseball, I wanted to highlight a few fields that I thought were cool or unique around the country. For clarity, this is NOT me saying that this field is the better than another or any sort of ranking hierarchy; strictly just some really cool ballparks I wanted to point out. As I did my research, I came across countless fields at every level worth including that we will highlight in time, but I will start with these:

HS - Field Family Diamond at Finnie Park - The John Cooper School

Photo: The John Cooper School

Located in the Woodlands, this private school gem has a picturesque setting surrounded by the trees in the aptly named Houston suburb. Outfitted with an immaculate turf field, one of the main features of the facility is a state-of-the-art indoor hitting complex. Coached by former Chicago White Sox draftee Mike Williams, the Dragons compete in the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) South Division. 

JC - Roughrider Park - Yavapai College

Photo: Yavapai College

The three-time national champion Prescott, AZ powerhouse plays its games with views of Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte. The Roughriders have called this park home for more than 35 years. In its time, the stadium has undergone multiple upgrades including adding individual chairback seating, a covered hitting facility, and player clubhouse. The natural grass surface adds to the eye-popping views for this historical ballpark. 

Non-P5 - Brazell Field - Grand Canyon University

Photo: Grand Canyon University Athletics

The Phoenix area is known for some of the best baseball facilities in America and one of the most impressive is Brazil Field. Named after the program’s founder, Dr. Dave Brazil, the original field opened in 1962 and kept its surface when the stadium opened in 2018. Since the stadium’s launch, the Antelopes have eclipsed the 5,000-fan mark multiple times. One of the most up and coming programs in the country, the program can sell this facility including a turf practice field, batting cages, and the Tim Salmon Clubhouse that houses locker rooms, coaches’ offices, and a training room. 

P5 D1 - Husky Ballpark-University of Washington

Photo: University of Washington Athletics

One of the cooler settings in college baseball can be found in Seattle on the campus of the University of Washington. Opening in 2014, the field has views of Lake Washington that can rival any setting in college baseball. Along with one of the better indoor hitting facilities in America, the 9,000-sq. ft. Wayne Gittinger Team Building is a major player development draw for recruits. Housing the team’s locker room, offices, and training room, one of the cooler features is the Omaha room that serves as a meeting space for the team and a donor area to watch games. 

MLB - PNC Park-Pittsburgh, PA

Photo: MLB.com

With arguably the best backdrop in all of Major League Baseball, the home of the Pirates sits on the shore of the Allegheny overlooking downtown Pittsburgh. Since opening in 2001, the ballpark has earned its billing as one of the most fan-friendly venues across baseball. As one of Five Tool’s own Dustin McComas’s favorite teams, the Pirates hosted the 2006 All-Star Game as well as Wild Card games in 2013, 2014, and 2015. For a taste of Pittsburgh, the concessions feature a Pittsburgh staple, Primanti Brothers, another one of Dustin’s favorites. 

Drew Bishop