Ballpark Orientations in the National LeaguE

National 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 a National 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." - Sportswriter Thomas Boswell in Baseball Digest (August 1979, Certain Ballparks Have Their Own Special Charm, Page 67)

N.L. Ballpark Orientations

A.L. Ballparks | N.L. Ballparks

  N  
W One Ballpark E
  S  
Arizona Diamondbacks
Chase Field
  N  
W E
  S  
Atlanta Braves
Truist Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field
  N  
W E
  S  
Cincinnati Reds
Great American Ball Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Colorado Rockies
Coors Field
  N  
W E
  S  
Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium
  N  
W E
  S  
Miami Marlins
Marlins Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park
  N  
W E
  S  
New York Mets
Citi Field
  N  
W E
  S  
Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
  N  
W E
  S  
Pittsburgh Pirates
PNC Park
  N  
W Petco Park E
  S  
San Diego Padres
Petco Park
  N  
W E
  S  
San Francisco Giants
Oracle Park
  N  
W E
  S  
St. Louis Cardinals
Busch Stadium
  N  
W E
  S  
Washington Nationals
Nationals Park
National 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 National League ten of the fifteen 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.