Column: Aaron Worm, Behind the Mic

Summertime means baseball.

To me that is how I spend my summers — watching baseball live, listening to it on the radio or watching it on the tube. We have so many different options in southern Minnesota to get our baseball fix: Knights, Legion, VFW, Twins, Honkers, Moondogs and many more.

Every summer for as long as I can remember I have traveled somewhere to catch a Major League Baseball game out of state. It used to be to see professional outdoor baseball. Thanks to Target Field, that trip has become shorter.

I have been lucky enough to get to all the MLB parks here in the Midwest, so if you are looking to travel this summer or sometime in the future, here are some quick thoughts on each ballpark with a rating of 1-5 (5 being a must visit).

Milwaukee (2) — If you love tailgating and the smell of brats and hot dogs, you can’t beat the pregame and postgame atmosphere. As for the park, I am convinced that the Twins decided against a retractable roof stadium after seeing Miller Park. When open, it still seems like you’re inside.

Kansas City (5) — My favorite ballpark to visit is Kaufmann Stadium. Just like Milwaukee, tailgating is king in K.C. The park has its own personality with the waterfalls in the outfield and one of the biggest high definition screens in the world as a scoreboard (105 feet by 85 feet). It is very family friendly with a carousel, playground and mini golf for the kids.

Chicago (Wrigley 4, U.S Cellular 3) — If you want to experience baseball history, you cannot beat Wrigley. No bells and whistles here, just a classic ballpark with rich tradition. Where else can you catch a home-run ball, and watch the game and not even be in the ballpark? As for the home of the White Sox, not much for atmosphere before the game, but once you get inside the ballpark it’s a pretty above-par place to watch baseball. And for Twins fans it’s a good place to watch a game since Minnesota has dominated the White Sox lately, including Franciso Liriano’s no-hitter earlier this year at the Cell (Twins are in Chicago this Thursday through Sunday).

Detroit (3) — Big, big ballpark. In recent years they moved the fences in closer, and fans in the outfield are now farther away from the action.

Cleveland (4) — I like Cleveland more for its location then anything. Just like Target Field, it’s located downtown right next to the Quicken Loans Arena (home of the NBA’s Cavaliers). It’s a relatively short walk to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from Progressive Field, and once inside, not too many bad seats in this house.

St. Louis (4) — Another ballpark in downtown with attractions within walking distance, including the Gateway Arch. If you like the color red, that is all you will see at Busch Stadium. Cardinal fans are loud and follow every pitch.

So wherever you catch a game yet this summer whether it’s little league — a town team or big league — baseball is an American summertime tradition. It is and always will be America’s pastime (sorry football).

KATE Radio Sports Director Aaron Worm’s column usually appears each Monday in the Tribune. He can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekdays on The Breeze.