The worst seat in baseball remains the first seat in baseball. 

Fenway Park
Right-Field Grandstand 
Section 1, Row 1, Seat 1

“America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” played host to its first major-league game on April 20, 1912,  just five days after the Titanic sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Fenway Park serves as home to the Boston Red Sox, and dozens of other non-baseball events annually. Its early-20^th century design and voluminous history offers a siren’s lure for fans, tourists, authors and filmmakers. It is the oldest major-league sports venue in the United States still in regular use. 

It also offers the worst seat in baseball. Or the three worst seats in baseball for those keeping score. More on that below. 

And that’s just what we did in searching for the “Worst Seats In Baseball.” For the third year in a row, Bookies.com analyzed the seating arrangements of all 30 MLB venues and determined the worst seat in each ballpark using an algorithm weighed various metrics relevant to fan comfort and convenience. Here is our breakdown heading into the 2024 season.

If you end up with a ticket for Section 1, Row 1, Seat 1 in the right-field grandstand (image at the top of page via Boston Red Sox), you may wish you metaphorically joined Leonardo DiCaprio on the Titanic. 

There are no icebergs inside Fenway Park. But 29 green-clad support poles hold up its roof and run interference for ticket holders from the left-field corner to the right-field bullpen.  

Pole No. 1 occupies the “safe space” in front of the ballpark’s lowest numbered seat. That seat lies about 400 feet from home plate. A pole occupies the middle third of your field of vision and wipes out the entire infield – save for a sliver behind the shortstop – and right field. You need to turn your head about 110-degrees portside to see the centerfield scoreboard. 

It scored a 17 out of a possible 60 points on our ranking system. That's the worst in baseball. 

There are about 450 seats inside Fenway Park deemed “obstructed.” There are 11 seats at Fenway Park that offer complete blockage of both home plate and the pitcher’s mound, according to analysis by HeadSpin software. 

“A seat is considered obstructed if you are unable to view the batter or most of the batter’s box, the pitcher, or the entire field,” Red Sox Executive Vice President/Ticketing for Fenway Park & Concerts Ron Bumgarner told bookies.com. 

The Red Sox do not sell “obstructed view” seats unless the game is otherwise completely sold out. “They are rarely sold these days,” he added. No suprise given that Boston has finished last three of the past four seasons. 

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The 30 Worst Seats In Baseball - By Ballpark

Opening Day in North America is Thursday. Here are the worst seats in baseball at each MLB ballpark as scored on a 0-10 scale in each of the following six categories for the 2024 season:

• View obstruction from seat
• Distance from home plate
• Plate/seat angle
• Exposure to sun, rain and weather elements
• Proximity to concessions and restrooms
• Overall comfort

The best possible score is 60 out of 60, indicating a great seat. The lowest possible score is 0 out of 60, indicating a terrible seat. 

Ties were broken by price, with the lower-priced seat given more weight on our scale. As you can see in our table, the Red Sox seat is the worst in baseball, followed by the Cubs seat in Section 428, and so on. 

The best 'worst seat' in baseball belongs to PNC Park of the Pittsburgh Pirates. As well as scoring best here, the Pirates' PNC Park was also recently named the 'Best MLB Pregame Experience Ballpark' after we ranked all 30 venues by location, tailgating, family amenities and various other metrics. PNC Park is clearly doing something right.

The Worst Seats In MLB

Our data was culled from multiple sources, including all 30 MLB team websites, official 2D and 3D seating charts, stadium maps, TicketMaster, SeatGeek, aviewfrommyseat.com, sfgate.com and twincities.com. 

The prices listed are all in U.S. dollars for the first day each seat is available after Opening Day due to dynamic pricing. Some seats are not released unless there is an unexpected demand. 

Wrigley Field Has Plenty Of Charm, Poles

(Image via Chicago Cubs/map.3ddigitalvenue.com)

Wrigley Field has 49 poles that obstruct views for the Cubs Faithful. It is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors, opening in 1914. Wrigley Field did not turn on its lights for night baseball until 1988. But it does have an on-site sportsbook up and running, thanks to DraftKings. 

Wrigley’s seats are cramped and tight, much like the seats at Fenway. The Cubs have also done significant work in upgrading the amenities and concessions available for their fans. 

The worst seat in Wrigley Field according to our scoring system can found in Section 428, Row 1, Seat 2. It scores a 19 out of 60. This seat lies down the right-field line in the upper deck. Its pole offers an unparalleled obstruction of home plate, the pitcher’s mound and third base. It also faces forward toward the bleachers. 

The Rest Of The Worst - MLB Seats By Ranking

After Fenway Park (1912) and Wrigley Field (1914), the next oldest ballpark in baseball is Dodger Stadium, opened in 1962. Here are the remaining "Worst Seats In Baseball" listed by lowest score and team. Some seat images are the closest-available to the actual seat listed. 

Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field

Section 300, Row 32, Seat 1

Score: 20

(Image via Arizona Diamondbacks)

Tucked high above the right-field corner in the final row of the last section before the bleachers, this seat offers a stunning view – of the outfield and whatever is happening in the bullpen. A distant seat in a mausoleum of a stadium for a team that has won just one playoff series in the past 14 years. Sports betting in Arizona may now be legal, but wagering on the Diamondbacks is still not profitable.

RELATED: Ranking All NFL Stadiums By Pregame Experience

Colorado Rockies - Coors Field

Section 402, Row 32, Seat 20

Score: 20

(Image via Colorado Rockies/Virtual Venue)

This seat is in the last row of the famed “Rockpile” at Denver’s Coors Field. The aluminum bench seat rests nearly a mile above sea level and what seems like a mile from home plate, or 600 feet. And it’s 20 seats and 32 rows away from making a trip to the restroom before and after downing multiple Coors Lights. 

A sizable portion of centerfield is also cut off due to the high angle. The only chance you have of getting a ball here is if it is dropped from a helicopter. 

Toronto Blue Jays - Rogers Centre

Section 540, Row 11, Seat 23

Score: 21

(Image via Toronto Blue Jays/Virtual Venue)

The price is listed in U.S. dollars. It will cost you $23 Canadian. 

New York Yankees - Yankee Stadium

Section 238, Row 24, Seat 18

Score: 21

(Image via NY Yankees/Virtual Venue)

The Yankees were notorious for having more than 1,000 seats in the bleachers that had their views of left or right field, respectively, blocked by a large bar and pavilion in dead-center field. Those seats have been removed. But the fringe of the adjacent remaining sections poses a similar problem for Yankees followers and New York sports betting fans. 

Our “winner” lies in Section 238, which is the furthest section away from home plate in left-center. Not only are you on a steel bench bleacher seat, but your view of the outfield is also cut off both to the right (obstruction) and straight ahead (angle toward the field). Aaron Judge’s famed 496-foot home run in 2017 landed behind the 20^th row of Section 237. So even he hasn’t been able to reach this seat – yet.

Tampa Bay Rays - Tropicana Field

Section 129, Row G, Seat 1

Score: 22

(Image via MyQ105)

Four of the five AL East teams make our Top 10. The Rays plan to relocated to a new stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, build adjacent to the Trop starting for the 2028 season. 

Miami Marlins - loanDepot Park 

Section 134, Row 1, Seat 1

Score: 22

(Image via RateYourSeat)

Both MLB Stadiums in Florida do their best to keep you from the sunshine. This stadium as a sliding roof and is located on the site of the former Orange Bowl. 

RELATED: Ranking MLB Ballparks By Their Pregame Experience

Oakland A's - Oakland Coliseum 

Section 237, Row 15, Seat 27

Score: 22

(Image via Oakland A's)

The A's are moving to Las Vegas. Their 33,000-seat stadium will be located on a nine-acre parcel at the corner of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, where the Tropicana Hotel is now located. So we'll whet your appetite with this image from the team showing the future. 

Minnesota Twins - Target Field

Section S, Row 1, Seat 1

Score: 23

Target Field opened in 2010. Like all modern-day ballparks it is designed with fans in mind, from the overall design and ample concessions, to seating angled toward the plate all around the stadium. But this one slipped through the architectural cracks. 

This section is located on the third-base side directly adjacent to an abutment of the press box. The necessary railing down from the higher rows slices off a significant portion of the plate. This seat remains for sale in 2022. In row 14 of this section, the view of the pitcher's mound and home plate in Seat 1 and 2 is blocked by the press box. You have to look through two windows to see the batter. But those seats are not sold in the regular season. 

Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park

Section 306, Row 21, Seat 13

Score: 23

(Image via A View From My Seat) 

Citizens Bank Park opened 20 years ago, on April 4, 2004. It replaced Veterans Stadium, which had been the home of the team for 33 years. Its part of the Philly Sports Complex, which includes Lincoln Financial Field and the Wells Fargo Center. 

Detroit Tigers - Comerica Park

Section 345, Row 20, Seat 9

Score: 24

(Image Via MLive) 

The team played at Tiger Stadium from 1912 until Comerica Park opened in 2000. It was built during the same era and with the same retro feel as outdoor ballparks in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Denver. This seat offers a spectacular view ... of the city and those late June sunsets. 

St Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium

Section 371, Row 7, Seat 21

Score: 24

(Image via St. Louis Cardinals)

The new Busch Stadium opened in 2006, just in time for the Cardinals to become the first team since the 1912 Boston Red Sox to break in a new ballpark with a World Series title. The modern-retro-style stadium is a gem. It offers multiple top-grade amenities. And the beer is factory fresh. 

But there are some hidden Black Holes inside Busch Stadium, and this one is the worst. After 10 or 12 beers, the railings probably won't matter. 

Cleveland Guardians - Progressive Field

Section 420, Row E, Seat 6

Score: 25

(Image via A View From My Seat)

Once known as Jacobs Field, the then Cleveland Indians sold out 445 consecutive home games from 1995-2001. Now, this seat is off-limits for most home games, except for Opening Day and certain other teams that pack the park. This ballpark boasts the largest video board in MLB, checking in at 59 feet by 221 feet. 

New York Mets - Citi Field

Section 530, Row 17, Seat 13

Score: 25

(Image via A View From My Seat)

Citi Field turns 15 this year. It is the second-youngest ballpark in the Big Apple - by 72 hours. Citi Field opened played host to its first game on April 13, 2009. The new Yankee Stadium saw its opener three days later. 

Chicago White Sox - Guaranteed Rate Field

Section 530, Row 17, Seat 13

Score: 25

(Image via A View From My Seat)

What is now Guaranteed Rate Field replaced Comiskey Park in 1991. At the time, it was the first new MLB stadium to be built in the United States since the Royals opened the since-renovated Royals Stadium/Kauffman Stadium in 1973. The White Sox are currently in talks with the City of Chicago for a new venue. What else is new? 

Texas Rangers - Globe Life Field

Section 236, Row 22, Seat 15

Score: 25

(Image via A View From My Seat)

Globe Life Field is the newest ballpark in the majors. It opened on July 24, 2020, with no fans in attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ballpark played host to the NLCS and the World Series that year. Its occupants also won the World Series in 2023. 

San Diego Padres - Petco Park

Section 309, Row 9, Seat 24

Score: 26

(Image via A View From My Seat)

Petco Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024. Its first game was played on April 8, 2004. The Wester Metal Supply Co. brick structure in the left field is a historic landmark, originally built in 1909. The park was designed to accommodate it. 

Baltimore Orioles - Camden Yards 

Section 372, Row 25, Seat 12

Score: 26

(Image via A View From My Seat)

Opened in 1993, Camden Yards ushered in the era of retro ballparks. It was built for baseball and nestled in Downtown Baltimore. Nearly every stadium built in the past 30 years has followed its template. In general, really bad seats are hard to find in most of the newer ballparks. 

Milwaukee Brewers - American Family Field

Section 405, Row 24, Seat 11

Score: 26

(Image via Rate Your Seats)

The Brewers followed the Milwaukee Braves in playing at the old County Stadium. Their new home opened in 2001. 

Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ball Park 

Section 537, Row V, Seat 1

Score: 27

(Image via Rate Your Seats)

This stadium replaced the former Riverfront Stadium in 2003. While that stadium was home to the Bengals and Reds, this is another baseball-only ball parks to open in the past 31 years. It features twin “Power Stacks” to launch pyrotechnics that mimic the old smoke stacks seen on the riverboats in the Ohio River. It also boasts a BetMGM sportsbook. 

Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium

Section 439, Row H, Seat 1

Score: 27

(Image via Rate Your Seats)

This stadium bears little resemblance to the ballpark in which George Brett played back in the day. Much has changed since the park opened 51 years ago. A complete overhaul was done between 2007-09. 

San Francisco Giants - Oracle Park

Section 334, Row 11, Seat 11

Score: 27

(Image via A View From My Seat)

Giants fans enjoy the most unique view in baseball - that of San Francisco Bay. It gets windy and cold early and late in the season, so the weather issue rates highly here. 

LA Dodgers - Dodger Stadium

Section 48FD, Row A, Seat 14

Score: 28

(Image via LA Dodgers/Seats3D.com/MLB)

The most expensive seat on our list (it’s lowest list price is $99 depending on the Dodgers opponent) is in the lower right-field corner of Dodger Stadium. You are in a great spot to catch a home run – or foul ball. But the problem is you might not be able to see it. 

The seats face toward the outfield and the sun. When you turn toward the plate, the foul pole rests directly between your sight-line and home. Since you’re in the second row, you can’t lean in to avoid the foul pole like the person in front of you in Row AA.  

RELATED: Who Are The Most Wreck-Prone NASCAR Drivers?

Seattle Mariners - T Mobile Park

Section 190, Row 16, Seat 5

Score: 28

(Image via A View From My Seat)

The Mariners moved outdoors in 2000 after 35 seasons inside the old multi-purpose Kingdome. This baseball-only stadium sits adjacent to Lumen Field, the home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. If you're in the right place inside Lumen Field, you can see home plate inside T Mobile Park. 

Washington Nationals - Nationals Park

Section 143, Row V, Seat 1

Score: 29

(Image via Rate Your Seats)

The Nationals have played here since 2008. The team moved to the nation's capital from Montreal after the 2004 season and played three years at RFK Stadium. 

Houston Astros - Minute Maid Park

Section 104, Row 3, Seat 1

Score: 30

(Image via A View From My Seat)

The Astros began as a National League expansion team in 1965 and played 35 seasons in the futuristic Astrodome. At the time, it was the first fully-domed sports stadium in the world. Their new digs opened in 2000. Despite the terribly obstructed view here - the ballpark's other amenities helped this score. 

Atlanta Braves - Truist Park

Section 410, Row 21, Seat 1

Score: 31

(Image via A View From My Seat)

The second-youngest ballpark in the majors opened in 2017. There's nary a bad seat in the house. Since moving here, the Braves have won the World Series (2021) and reached the postseason six times. 

Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park

Section 201, Row K, Seat 13

Score: 32

(Image via A View From My Seat)

While the Pirates continue to struggle in the standings, their ballpark sets the MLB standard for fan comfort, seating views, and other amenities. 

‘America’s Most Beloved Ballpark’ 

The Red Sox copyrighted “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” when describing their home stadium. There is much to love about Fenway Park, both in terms of the past and present. Each seat has been either replaced or refurbished since 2012. Concessions and bathrooms are ample both inside the park and outdoors on Jersey Street, which is accessible on game days. 

Bumgarner has been with the Red Sox since 2003. 

"I love this quirky, unique, asymmetrical, beautiful, old ballpark and even more so love and appreciate the millions of wonderful memories this place has provided fans for over a century," Bumgarner told Bookies.com via email in 2022.

"Now, if only some brilliant architect could devise a way to remove the 26 structural poles holding up the second level."

Bumgarner has his picks for the “worst seats” at Fenway Park: 

Section 18, Row 2, Seat 5

(Image via Boston Red Sox)

The seat above is located between the home plate and the first base in the grandstand above the box seats. It rests behind a pole that completely obliterates the entire left side of the field, including second base, third base, home plate, and the pitcher’s mound. But the scoreboard in centerfield is visible. The good news for anyone in this seat is that Massachusetts betting apps have launched in the Bay State. So if you can't follow the action with your own eyes, you can keep up with the in-game numbers movements. 

Section 23, Row 2, Seat 17 

(Image via Boston Red Sox)

It lies just to the left of home plate. It offers a reverse symmetrical field view of its Section 18 counterpart, with only the third base and the left-field wall visible. The centerfield scoreboard is also covered. Both of these seats scored an 18 in our survey. You'd be better off at home, watching the game on TV and wagering on Massachusetts betting sites.

They edged out our winner because of their proximity to home plate, concessions, and restrooms. 

The Worst Seats Money Can’t Buy

Fenway Park is not the only venue that holds back seats that otherwise would contend for this list. 

As many MLB betting fans already know, Oakland Coliseum is widely considered the worst ballpark in baseball, at least west of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

On July 4, 2022, four fans attending the A’s-Blue Jays game in Oakland were struck by bullet fragments during a post-game fireworks show. 

Where are those steel poles when you need them? 

One of the worst seats in baseball could be located in Section 329, Row 17, Seat 30 (Image Above Via Zack Hample/YouTube) in the Oakland Coliseum. The seat rests directly next to a random wooden electric shed. The shed blocks the entire infield in from the pitcher’s mound to home. It lies deep down the left-field line and faces toward the outfield. A perspective much more suitable for football.

Several thousand seats high above Tropicana Field are also covered during the regular season. At Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, the seat in Section 558, Row 21, Seat 1 is not normally sold. It is both 400+ feet from the plate and has its view of the plate blocked by a pole. 

In Detroit, seats in Row F of Section 346 in Comerica Park present a view cut off by the presence of two bullpens. They are not available, except for Opening Day and any playoff games.. And several sections of Camden Yards (Orioles) and Progressive Field (Guardians), which would contain contenders here, are not offered to save for Opening Day and the postseason.