I don’t think there is any greater feeling than walking into a baseball stadium, making your way around the concourse, and then leaving the concourse to find your seats. Whether it’s going from the covered concourse and into the warm sunlight of a day game, or the bright lights of a night game, it’s such a magical experience, never gets old, and always gives me the feeling that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
From that point on though, your game experience will be greatly influenced by your seats, and how “good” they are. And like most things, what’s good or the “best” will depend on the person, stadium, budget, and other circumstances. For instance, are you an autograph chaser? Do you hope to catch a foul ball? Do you want the best view of the entire field? There is a lot to consider!
So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
What are the best seats at a baseball game?
The best overall seats at a baseball game will be those located behind home plate. From behind home plate, fans are close to the action, can see the entire field, and can even hear what’s taking place on field. Seats located behind the dugout are also popular, as are those down the lines and close to the field. Bleacher seats can also provide a great time out at the ballpark depending on personal preference.
And for sake of conversation, we are talking about major league baseball games. In fact, seating is one of the biggest differences when it comes to major league vs. minor league baseball, with minor league baseball stadiums (and major league Spring Training) offering a much more intimate experience.
Behind Home Plate
Great for:
- Views of the pitcher, pitches, and strike zone
- Views of the batter and trajectory of balls put in play
- Views of defensive positioning and reactions
- Listening to on-field chatter and discussions
- Catching foul balls if in an uncovered seating area
When it comes to the best overall experience at a baseball game, most fans prefer to be as close as possible. Most of the game will be focused right in front of you, pitch after pitch. You’ll see the looping curveball, and that running fastball rising and exploding. Then, when the ball is put into play, you have the best view to see not only the direction the ball is going but also the trajectory.
While some might compare the seats behind home plate to courtside seats at a basketball game, there are some similarities. Behind home plate, you’ll be close enough to hear chatter, chirping, and discussions, which is always fun and a different side of the sport most people aren’t able to ever experience from the comfort of home.
(And while you probably won’t have your drink and popcorn spilled by a player at a baseball game, a foul ball headed directly back at you can cause a jump scare where many drinks and snacks have gone flying!)
All of this said, there are going to be a couple of different experiences from behind home plate, even. On one hand, most stadiums have a “diamond club” area which might be a covered seated area at field level. From here, fans are literally at eye level with the players and are able to take in everything just as the batter, catcher, and umpire are seeing it.
On the other hand, some stadiums offer more of a traditional seating area behind home plate where you’re going to be slightly elevated from the field of play, and looking down on things to an extent (some stadiums offer both experiences).
Either way, if you’re behind home plate, even multiple rows up, you’re going to have some great seats. Of course, those at field level and directly behind the action are going to cost quite a bit more, but you can still obtain a great view and experience up a few rows, and even on the second deck but still behind home plate.
Behind the Dugouts
Great for:
- Seeking player autographs
- Listening to on-field chatter and discussions
- Catching balls tossed into the stands
- Catching foul balls
- Cheering and getting into the game
If you can’t make it behind home plate, never fear—an entertaining experience awaits behind a team dugout, and maybe even more enjoyable depending on personal goals.
Again, when it comes to the best seats at a baseball game, it’s all about unique perspective. Every seat is going to offer something different. It’s just a matter of how much that unique perspective aligns with your circumstances.
So, behind the dugout fans can expect to hear a lot of on-field noise, and maybe even more so as players congregate in and around it. But even more than behind home plate, how about some souvenirs? Either in the form of foul balls (heads up!) or players tossing their own gear into the stands, behind the dugout seats can offer a ton. That’s right—players regularly toss balls into the stands, and sometimes even batting gloves, and other things.
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If you’re an autograph chaser, dugout seats can provide a lucrative experience. Not only are you close to the players and the field, but you get to stake your claim. Meaning, before a baseball game begins, fans rush down to the dugout area, sometimes without regard to who has tickets to the area. If they are lucky enough to get past the ushers, you should be able to still take back over your ticketed seat area, which takes off a lot of stress of the autograph experience.
Last, let’s not forget a key action as a fan–cheering! While a seat behind home plate might be more of a casual social experience, dugout-area seats are often filled by passionate fans who like to get loud while cheering for their team and against the opposing club.
Lower Level Down the Lines
- Views of the trajectory of balls put in play
- Catching foul balls
- Catching balls tossed into the crowd
As we make our way down the lines, there are some really great seats located in the lower levels of most stadiums. This is a wider range of seats, so stick with me as we cover a few different areas.
One, if you’re close to the field, say the first row down the lines, you have a great chance of catching popped foul balls, or even those on the ground that you can reach over and grab (just make sure it is in fact a foul ball!). You might even get up close and personal with a player running over to make a play, with some often reaching over to grab a ball heading your way (get out of the way!).
Another note on grabbing a baseball—when players jog over to make a play, they’ll often toss the ball into the stands when it’s a third out or a foul ball that didn’t result in an out. The ball person might also be close by, and they are known to toss balls into the stands as well!
Bleachers
Great for:
- Joining a community of fans
- Cheering almost non-stop all game
- Catching home run balls
So, remember when I said “best” really depends on the person and what they’re hoping to get out of their baseball gameday experience? Well, this might be the best example of that.
For some, they wouldn’t be caught dead in the bleachers. Meaning, they just don’t find them enjoyable, and would pretty much sit anywhere else to take in the game. Others, though, live for the bleachers, and wouldn’t think of watching a game from any other vantage point.
It’s for that reason that the bleacher seats are really for those who want their fandom to be a part of a larger community. They want to go to games, see their friends, and cheer loudly (and maybe even nonstop) for their team.
Have you ever seen the bleachers at an Oakland Athletics game (one of our favorite California MLB teams)? The team has really poor attendance, yet the bleachers always show up, are loud, have signs, and everything you’d want out of your bleacher fans.
Aside from bleacher regulars, these seats get really popular when there is a homerun chase or potential record-breaking moment on the horizon. Why? Well, Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball sold for $1.5 million if that tells you anything!
In the end, if you’re at a baseball game, you’re at a baseball game—it should be an awesome time no matter where you sit. But, if you want a uniquely different experience, you can’t beat sitting behind home plate.
