Ballpark Orientations in the American LeaguE

American League Baseball Ballpark Diagrams by Aerial Orientation

Major League Baseball clearly states in rule 1.04 "THE PLAYING FIELD: It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitchers plate to second base shall run East Northeast." The location of the owner's boxes, prevailing wind directions, and a multitude of other reasons have caused rule 1.04 to be ignored by Major League baseball teams. Baseball Almanac is pleased to present an American League ballpark orientation chart designed to illustrate the actual layouts.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"Several rules of stadium building should be carved on every owner's forehead. Old, if properly refurbished, is always better than new. Smaller is better than bigger. Open is better than closed. Near beats far. Silent visual effects are better than loud ones. Eye pollution hurts attendance. Inside should look as good as outside. Dome stadiums are criminal." - Thomas Boswell in Boston Red Sox and the Meaning of Life (Mark Rucker, MVP Books, 05/03/2009, Page 355)

A.L. Ballpark Orientations

A.L. Ballparks | N.L. Ballparks

  N  
W E
  S  
Baltimore Orioles
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  N  
W E
  S  
Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Chicago White Sox
Guaranteed Rate Field
  N  
W E
  S  
Cleveland Indians
Progressive Field
  N  
W E
  S  
Detroit Tigers
Comerica Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Houston Astros
Minute Maid Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Kansas City Royals
Kauffman Stadium
  N  
W E
  S  
Los Angeles Angels
Angel Stadium
  N  
W E
  S  
Minnesota Twins
Target Field
  N  
W E
  S  
New York Yankees
Yankee Stadium
  N  
W E
  S  
Oakland Athletics
Oakland Coliseum
  N  
W E
  S  
Seattle Mariners
T-Mobile Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Tampa Bay Rays
Tropicana Field
  N  
W E
  S  
Texas Rangers
Globe Life Park in Arlington
  N  
W E
  S  
Toronto Blue Jays
Rogers Centre
American League Ballpark Orientations
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baseball almanac fast facts

Did you know that there is no rule requirement in regards to home team dugouts? Jonathan Light in The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball (1997) wrote, "It (the location) is sometimes based on the whim of the owner, in part depending upon where the owner's executive suite is and whether the dugout can be seen from that vantage point." Some are on the first base side, and others are on the third base side, and in the American League eight of the fourteen teams have them on the first base side.

The sun itself actually plays a role in rule 1.04 as modern ballparks are "supposed" to be designed & built so that the sun sets behind third base and shines on right field — where fly balls are less frequent due to the larger number of right handed hitters.

The sun, the owner, the dugout, the wind, the physical position of the site where the ballpark is built, and other factors are all taken into account in ballpark construction. Share what you know about your favorite ballpark on Baseball Fever.