Ballpark Roadtrip:Oakland Coliseum

The Athletics' first game was played on April 17, 1968. The team has won four World Series championships in Oakland while their cross-bay rivals have yet to win a championship.

The stadium complex cost $25.5 million to build and rests on 120 acres of land. In 2006, the Athletics covered the entire third deck with a tarp, reducing capacity to 34,077 - the smallest capacity in the majors.

The Coliseum features an underground design where the playing surface is actually below ground level (21 feet below sea level). Consequently fans entering the stadium find themselves walking on to the main concourse of the stadium at the top of the first level of seats.

The seats in the Oakland Coliseum were cramped and empty in right field corner for today's game. It was formerly known as Network Associates Coliseum (1998-2004) and McAfee Coliseum (2004-2008) before its original name was restored in 2008.

The Coliseum was not well maintained for most of the late 1970s. Its condition was most noticeable during baseball season, when crowds for A's games were frequently counted in the hundreds. During this time, it was popularly known as "the Oakland Mausoleum."

The corridors of the Oakland Coliseum are cramped and patrons are at risk of having trays carrying food and beverages spilled all over themselves or others.

Every ballpark has their zany fans. This fan played an untuned banjo wearing a propeller hat and an A's shirt that may not have been washed since the A's last won the World Series in 1989.

The bleachers in left field and empty upper luxury boxes for Raiders football.

In its baseball configuration, the Coliseum has far and away the most foul territory of any major league ballpark. Thus, many balls that would reach the seats in other ballparks are caught for outs at the Coliseum.

Retired numbers of Rollie Fingers and Catfish Hunter are seen on the tarp covers of the upper level. On May 8, 1968, Catfish Hunter pitched the ninth perfect game in Major League history at the Coliseum.

Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka fires a pitch in the second inning against the A's.

A's centerfielder Rajai Davis examines his bat while at the plate facing Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. Davis homered to score the A's only run.

The seats are tight and do not descend downward like newer ballparks. I could not see home plate until I moved to an aisle seat.

Two hot dogs and a soda for $14.25 are hard to enjoy in the cramped, outdated seats.

The A's mascot Stomper Ele Phant has been entertaining fans at the Oakland Coliseum since Opening Night in 1997.

A's starting pitcher Ben Sheets has started 20 games this season after missing the entire 2009 season.

The ancient facilities at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Older parks I have visited like Fenway and Wrigley facilities have been renovated to modern standards.

Red Sox pitchers Clay Buchholz and Manny Delcarmen stroll towards the dugout from the bullpen in between innings.

One of the two scoreboards on one of the upper levels at the Coliseum. This is not the latest in the state-of-the-art scoreboards.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis displays his unique batting stance against Ben Sheets.

Red Sox baserunner Kevin Youkilis leans off first base as A's first baseman Daric Barton covers.

A view of the playing field from the entrance leading to the seats behind home plate.

The luxury boxes in centerfield are high above the field. Ideal for football but not for baseball.

The back of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum near the passageway overpass leading to BART. The Coliseum has all the charm of a 1960's concrete doughnut or Folsom.

Ballpark - D, No tour and bad baseball environment. The upper level was closed off for baseball. Smallest seating capacity in baseball. Fans & Atmosphere - It's a football stadium where baseball is being played. Red Sox fans seemed to outnumber A's fans. The bay area belongs to the Giants. Some hard core fans.
Food - Two Coliseum Hot Dogs and soda for $14.25 dollars! No debit cards, just cash. No signature food.
Mascot - Stomper, cute elephant who is fan friendly. Staff - Security guards, ticket window and usher were unfriendly. Ladies in clubhouse shops were kind and helpful.
Team Tradition - They need a new ballpark badly and to honor history more from the days in Kansas City and Philadelphia...They have won 4 world championships in Oakland.
Location - Oakland, across the bay from where the Giants play in their world-class ballpark - but without a championship to date.

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