Lifetime of baseball memories comes full circle at Fenway Park

Heartland Energy board member fulfills goal of visiting every Major League ballpark during recent trip to APPA National Conference

Baseball is more than a sport. It’s an American institution, woven into the country’s history since the first professional game was played in 1869.

Every ballpark has a personality of its own. Some are defined by breathtaking skylines, others by historic brick walls or neighborhood streets.

For many fans, attending a game is about much more than nine innings – it’s about experiencing America’s pastime and creating memories that last a lifetime.

For Heartland Energy Board Member Jeff Heinemeyer, creating those memories turned into a years-long quest to visit every Major League Baseball stadium. 

This summer, that journey came full circle at historic Fenway Park in Boston. While attending the American Public Power Association’s National Conference on behalf of Heartland Energy, he had the opportunity to check the final ballpark off his list.

A lifelong love of the game

Heinemeyer’s love of baseball began early.

His first Major League Baseball game remains his most unforgettable. 

At just 14 years old, he attended Game 7 of the 1965 World Series at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. With standing room only tickets, he watched legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax throw a complete-game, three-hit shutout on only two days’ rest to defeat the Minnesota Twins.

“That was kind of a legendary game that Koufax pitched that entire game on just two days’ rest,” Heinemeyer said. “That is a special memory.”

Something bigger

Although he continued attending Twins games over the years, his goal of visiting every Major League ballpark didn’t begin until 1992.

That year, he took his two children, Dani and Ross, to a game in Baltimore at Camden Yards. 

“I just remember thinking, ‘This is a lot of fun,’” he said. “Camden Yards is just a neat stadium.”

From that point on, he tried to visit a different ballpark every year. Life occasionally interrupted those plans, but the goal never changed.

With 30 stadiums across the United States and one in Toronto, completing the goal would take decades.

Favorite memories

Heinemeyer met his wife, Jane, in 2006, and together they’ve visited 21 Major League ballparks. 

While each stadium has its own story, his favorite memories are less about the destinations and more about sharing the experiences with family. 

His first trip to Baltimore with Dani and Ross, where this endeavor kicked off, still ranks at the top of the list. Both Jane and Ross joined him at historic Fenway Park to

check the final ballpark off his list, ranking that visit a close second.

Another unforgettable experience came two years ago when he and Jane met Ross in Cooperstown, NY for Joe Mauer’s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. As lifelong Minnesota Twins fans, sharing the celebration of one of the franchise’s greatest players made the experience especially meaningful.

Every ballpark is unique

When asked to name his favorite stadium, Heinemeyer admits it’s difficult to choose. Every ballpark has something unique to offer. But when it comes to sheer beauty, PNC Park in Pittsburgh stands above the rest. 

Situated along the Allegheny River, the ballpark offers sweeping views of downtown Pittsburgh and its iconic bridges beyond the outfield. 

“The game started at 7:00 in the daylight and ended in the dark,” he said. “The bridges were lit up and it was really neat. Just a pretty stadium.” 

Jane and Dani attended that game with him.

For baseball history, however, nothing compares to Wrigley Field and Fenway Park – the two oldest active Major League ballparks. 

“Fenway is cool because of where it is situated. You could walk right by and not even realize it was there,” Heinemeyer said. “Wrigley is tucked into a neighborhood. Those fields have such a history. They’re really just about baseball.”

He also treasures his visit to the original Yankees stadium before it closed in 2008.

“You get off the subway and you’re in the middle of all these apartments. There are people hanging clothes outside. That was a cool place.”

The journey isn’t over

Now that Heinemeyer has visited every stadium, he has no intention of hanging up his ball cap.

“It’s been a fun ride to do this,” he said.

Several franchises have built new ballparks since he first visited, giving him another list to work on.

“Since I’ve been there, both Atlanta and the Yankees have new stadiums,” he said. “And the Athletics are moving to Las Vegas, so I’ll have to visit that one when it’s done.”

More importantly, he’ll continue making memories with his wife and family.

With Ross living in Connecticut, they’ve attended several New York Mets games together. Dani’s home in San Diego has led to plenty of trips to see the Padres. 

And of course, he will always find time to visit Target Field to cheer on the Twins.