Visiting all 30 Major League Baseball home ballparks requires meticulous planning, according to British Airways long-haul pilot James Rowlands, who completed a 22-year stadium-visiting journey at Tropicana Field during a 1-0 Tampa Bay Rays win. Rowlands achieved the milestone at age 53 after starting his quest at Yankee Stadium in 2004, relying on a career of transatlantic flights to squeeze in games across the United States.
How a Airline Pilot Visited Every MLB Stadium
According to Rowlands, fitting 30 ballpark visits around a 29-year commercial aviation career involved scheduling challenges and flight delays. Working as a long-haul pilot meant he could request trips to specific U.S. cities, but those requests didn’t always align with baseball schedules. Because his job regularly required him to pilot late-night return flights across the Atlantic Ocean, he was often restricted to attending afternoon games. Despite missed connections and tight turnarounds, he methodically checked off venues one by one over two decades, visiting 12 different stadiums between 2004 and 2011.
Did you know? James Rowlands has also visited every home stadium of the 92 teams in the English Football League and Premier League, matching his baseball ground-hopping feat.
Stadium Favorites and Souvenir Tracking
Among the historic and modern venues he visited, Boston’s Fenway Park stands out as his favorite due to its more than 110 years of history, while Wrigley Field in Chicago is a park he has visited seven or eight times. To document his travels, Rowlands collects a jersey and a physical ticket from every venue. According to Rowlands, those physical stubs return to his house to be pinned onto a board featuring a USA map, where string connects each ticket to the respective stadium city.
What Remains on the Itinerary
While Rowlands has crossed off all 30 current Major League Baseball homes—concluding with the Rays’ stadium after checking off Arizona’s Chase Field less than two months prior—the shifting landscape of professional sports means his tracking board will soon need an update. Among active venues, the only park he is currently missing is Sutter Park, the A’s home in West Sacramento. According to Rowlands, once the franchise completes its move to Las Vegas, visiting that new ballpark will become an immediate travel priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did it take James Rowlands to visit all MLB ballparks?
According to Rowlands, his stadium-visiting journey spanned 22 years, beginning at Yankee Stadium in 2004 and concluding at Tropicana Field. He completed the feat at age 53.
Which ballpark is his favorite?
Boston’s Fenway Park is his favorite venue, thanks to its more than 110 years of history.
What is his next stadium destination?
Having visited all 30 current MLB home ballparks, Rowlands plans to visit the Athletics’ future ballpark in Las Vegas once it opens.
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