On June 15, 2024, my Dad and I took our baseball road-tripping to the next level, seeing games in 23 ballparks in 23 days across the Eastern Midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio). That includes all 14 Minor League teams in those five states, plus four independent professional teams, four collegiate summer league teams, and the Chicago Cubs — as well as sights, art, history, and more along the way!
1. Chicago Dogs
Dad and I kick off an epic road trip to see 23 ballparks in 23 days. We visit Impact Field in Rosemont, IL, to see the Chicago Dogs, who play in the independent American Association of Professional Baseball.
2. Schaumburg Boomers
We head to Wintrust Field to see the Schaumburg Boomers, an independent professional team playing in the Frontier League. We cap off a great Father’s Day with Chicago deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
3. Chicago Cubs
We start with a Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour, followed by Italian beef sandwiches at Portillo’s and a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago before our game with the Chicago Cubs at storied Wrigley Field.
4. Kane County Cougars
We visit the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and having an indulgent lunch at Eleven City Diner in Chicago before driving west to Geneva, IL, to see the independent Kane County Cougars.
5. Beloit Sky Carp
Dad and I travel to ABC Supply Stadium in Beloit, WI, home of the Beloit Sky Carp, the High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. We get a stadium tour, join the TV broadcast, and catch a win for the home team!
6. Indianapolis Indians
We drive to Indianapolis, see local monuments, and visit the Indiana State Museum. Then it’s off to Victory Field, dubbed "Best Minor League Ballpark in America” and home to the Indianapolis Indians.
7. South Bend Cubs
Dad and I travel to South Bend, Indiana, stopping at Notre Dame before lunch at The Lauber. We learn a bit of local lore at the Studebaker and History museums, then gear up for Game 7 with the South Bend Cubs.
8. West Michigan Whitecaps
We begin with a trip to the Ford Presidential Museum, then check out the Grand Rapids Public Museum before a Star Wars Night with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
9. Great Lakes Loons
Dad and I head up to Midland, Michigan, for a Sunday doubleheader at Dow Diamond with the Great Lakes Loons, the High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
10. Traverse City Pit Spitters
In Traverse City, Michigan, the “Cherry Capital of the World.” we tour cherry orchards and enjoy a cider tasting at Left Foot Charley before our game with the collegiate summer league Traverse City Pit Spitters.
11. Lansing Lugnuts
Dad and I have a hearty lunch at Meat BBQ, stop by the Michigan State Capitol, the Michigan History Museum, and the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum before our night game with the Lansing Lugnuts.
12. Toledo Mud Hens
Our plan for a day game at Fifth Third Field with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens is scuppered by weather. We get a look at the ballpark before we try Double Dogs at Tony Packo’s and visit the Toledo Museum of Art.
13. Fort Wayne TinCaps
A huge day in Fort Wayne! Johnny Appleseed, a downtown diner, art, nature, and a doubleheader with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, where we appear on the local news and get a tour of the broadcast center!
14. Columbus Clippers
Dad and I sail into Columbus, grabbing lunch at Ringside Café and stopping by the Ohio Statehouse and the Ohio History Center before our doubleheader with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.
15. Lake Erie Crushers
In Cleveland, we visit League Park, the Baseball Heritage Museum, Wolf Pack Chorus, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Our game is rained out, but we switch things up to see the Lake Erie Crushers.
16. Lake County Captains
We travel to Eastlake, Ohio, home of the Lake County Captains. We get a ballpark tour, throw out the first pitch, join the radio broadcast, and see a 20-run game. We finish at Chef Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ.
17. Akron RubberDucks
After a morning at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we head south through Cuyahoga Valley National Park to eat Extreme Foods and watch the Akron RubberDucks, the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.
18. Dayton Dragons
In Dayton, Ohio, we have lunch at the Trolley Stop, visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Then it’s off to Day Air Ballpark to see the Dayton Dragons, the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
19. Springfield Lucky Horseshoes
On to Springfield, Illinois! We see Lincoln’s Home and the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum before our game with the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes.
20. Peoria Chiefs
It's July 4th in Peoria, Illinois! We catch a parade and have lunch at Obed & Isaac’s before our game with the Peoria Chiefs,who are decked out in holiday jerseys in their tilt against the South Bend Cubs.
21. Madison Mallards
We return to Wisconsin for a day in Madison, taking in the Chazen Museum of Art and stopping by the state capitol before our game with the Madison Mallards, the leader in collegiate summer league attendance.
22. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
In Appleton, WI, we visit history and art museums, admire the Fox River, and see the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers get an exciting walk-off win.
23. Kenosha Kingfish
Dad and I finish our epic, 23-day, 23-ballpark road trip! We stop at the Bobblehead Hall of Fame in Milwaukee, then continue to Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where we see the Kenosha Kingfish host the Madison Mallards for a wildly wet final game.