Today I’m chasing Big League Dreams in California! About an hour outside of San Francisco is the town of Manteca where you can swing for the fences at mini-sized professional fields.
Big League Dreams is a sports complex located in several cities across the United States, including here in Manteca, California. The complex offers a blend of sports, recreation, and entertainment for families, amateur sports teams, and corporate events.
With its facilities and replicas of famous baseball stadiums, Big League Dreams is a fun atmosphere for baseball and softball fans.
Big League Dreams in California Facilities
Big League Dreams is known for its replicas of major league baseball stadiums. The stadiums are designed to the miniaturized specifications of their major league counterparts and are complete with many of the features of a real stadium, including lights, scoreboards, and sound systems. The “stadiums” are all turf fields.
I think of all the replicas on-site here at Big League Dreams in California, the best execution is the mini Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
The rock feature is well done and looks just like the real thing. Someone did a really good job!
The other parks feel a little more “mailed-in” or basic, as the kids on the field might say.
Don’t all of today’s kids dream of playing at the Polo Grounds?
Where’s my favorite baseball park in all of baseball, PNC Park? These west coast kids don’t know anything about it.
Moving on to the Chicago Cubs’ home park Wrigley Field.
While the scoreboard isn’t too bad, the fading on the crowd and the ivy break the illusion.
The Red Sox home park, Fenway Park really only has the green monster as a defining feature – this one may be the most poorly executed of all.
I have a feeling the owner of Big League Dreams might be a Yankees fan as I found Yankee Stadium to compare well to the original park.
The famous white facade is built out (not just printed or painted on a flat panel) and that makes a big difference to the overall feel of the replica.
Although when you’re playing in a high-stakes softball tournament, I’m not sure you really care about any of those things. Just focus on playing the game the right way and practicing “good fundies” as Keith Hernandez would say.
About Big League Dreams in California
In addition to the baseball stadiums, Big League Dreams also offers a range of other sports facilities, including batting cages, basketball courts, soccer fields, and volleyball courts. The complex is equipped with everything you need to host a tournament, including a full-service snack bar, restrooms, and ample parking.
If you’re looking to visit Big League Dreams, check the calendar on their website for a list of upcoming tournaments.
Comments (1)
I enjoyed viewing this. Especially like the Yankee Stadium field!