Mapping the Path

Mathew Burns. #Travel stories for big trips. SITE: Regional minor league road trips & big international journeys. 2026: Southern Baseball, Northern Rockies

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

Here is the story @ABCWorldNews did last night on my ballpark and travel journey with my dad as a Father's Day segment. Surreal!

#WMWRoadTrip #20ballparks21days

https://t.co/Vjy8knF1BI

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

I’m at my first @MLS game with the @SJEarthquakes! My @RCQuakes hat (previous branding) fits the occasion perfectly. It’s even the right colors!

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

Following on from yesterday's post on collegiate summer leagues, I asked ChatGPT to rank independent professional leagues on a) talent level and b) adding ballpark quality, attendance, and overall fan experience. Same rankings for both this time.

Thoughts?

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

Current Status:

* Working on ~1,500 photos from the 2026 Southern Baseball Road Trip. Writing begins in November, launch in March
* Waiting on remaining schedules for a ~20-ballpark Northeast road trip in 2027
* Prepping offseason posts for 100+ ballparks visited from 2019-2025

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@djjoegeorge We went too early this year for collegiate summer leagues in the South, but I like to mix them in — especially to fill those gaping Monday holes in the schedule. 🙂 I’m looking at the Northeast for 2027, which could include teams from four collegiate summer leagues

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

Here's what ChatGPT tells me are the top collegiate summer leagues based on 1) talent and 2) adding attendance, ballpark quality, and overall fan experience.

[Matty Holem @CoachHolem]

No shot the @ProspectLeague is at the bottom of the charts. I have worked in several of these leagues over the years and it is definitely a tier 1 league. It’s as good if not better than the Northwoods.

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@wisedrjr @MLS @ATLUTD @patlarson1 I'm going to my first in San Jose on Wednesday!

[Isaac Rowlett @IsaacRowlett]

calm down — we’re professionals

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@LCCaptains Is there a Voodoo Doughnut shop nearby?

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@bryanthrower Hi Bryan! The rest of our trip went great. I actually didn't make it to any other live games this season, but got to see my Padres once again make the playoffs with a team just good enough to get past the first round but no further.

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

Nice! Wish they'd had these hats ready when we visited vs. just the "Hill City" script

[Minor League Baseball @MiLB]

@HCHowlers new caps are ELITE for Halloween 🎃

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@kelabration @whitesox @CleGuardians I wore my @KnightsBaseball hat to work in solidarity!

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@bensbiz It makes a lot of sense for this team and system. Not much disruption to the color scheme and mascot, retaining a clear connection to the @Cardinals. Very much like the @smokiesbaseball, which Studio Simon also worked on along the way.

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@jasonbohn9 Against any of the other NL teams, I'd be rooting for them. The Pads took 4 of 6 in the season series, including a sweep at home. Should be fun.

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

What a series! Like baseball Christmas for two nights!

[San Diego Padres @Padres]

WE’RE NLDS BOUND!!!

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@kelabration @wisedrjr I never buy a hat when we go to the MLB ballparks. It just doesn't feel right. I was sorely tempted by the maroon beauty the @Phillies wear with their powder- blues, but we were rained out that day. 😀

And there's zero chance I could bring myself to buy a @Dodgers hat.

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@kelabration I regretted not getting a hat when I saw the Honey Hunters there and picked up a decent knock-off years later.

That ballpark/community may be better suited for the Coastal Plain League

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

I would like to express my thorough satisfaction with tonight’s @Padres proceedings.

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@ballparknation Evocative!

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

@BallparkWitness @MiLB @stocktonports @Phillies Ooooh, I need to make a tracker like this

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

One joy of following @MiLB is watching prospects make it to the majors.

On my first baseball road trip in California in 2019, I watched Jesus Luzardo pitch three scoreless innings for the @stocktonports, and today he started Game 1 for the @Phillies

https://t.co/t92b73xhVQ

[Mapping the Path @MappingThePath]

Fun additional fact: That game also featured 6'7" left-hander A.J. Puk and 6'11" righty Sean Hjelle on the mound.