Tomorrow afternoon, weather permitting, I will catch my first game at Richmond, VA’s Virginia Commonwealth University. The VCU Rams play at a baseball stadium called “The Diamond,” and coincidentally are playing another team of Rams, The University of Rhode Island Rams to be exact. I missed the URI “Rhody” Rams when they played William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA) earlier in the 2025 NCAA season, so I am super psyched and eager to attend the game tomorrow. It’s Rams vs Rams and I am totally rooted for the Rams.

With tomorrow’s game, I will cross off another beautiful baseball stadium off my list of “haven’t been to that one yet” ballparks. So, I got to thinking about this “I ain’t been there” list and thought tonight’s A to Z Challenge would be a good exercise. I have been so lucky to have traveled to nearly 90% of the United States, plus Puerto Rico and Jamaica in my lifetime. There are definitely some places that I am very eager to visit and so without further interruption, here is my list of places I ain’t been to…yet:

A – Alaska – my Dad has gone there several times on fishing trips and just raved about the incredible landscape and natural wonders

B – Bahamas – watching James Bond movies where he takes on the bad guys in Nassau, Bahamas I have always wanted to visit that island

C – Chattanooga, TN – speaking of my Dad, that is where he was born and lived the first few years of his life, while my grandfather was serving in the US Army

D – Dyersville, IA – Field of Dreams was filmed there, so I must go there. It is imperative I speak to Shoeless Joe Jackson and James Earl Jones in that cornfield!

E – Eiffel Tower, France – I am not so gaga about going to France, I just think the Eiffel Tower is incredible and it would be so awesome to see it in person. Then, fly right back to the States.

F – Fredericksburg, VA – RI’s Alex Clemmey is a minor league top prospect with the Washington Nationals, whose A affiliate is located in Fredericksburg, VA. Would love to see him pitch live this summer.

G – Greenville, SC – I want to make a clean sweep of all the Red Sox minor league affiliate sites. Been to Pawtucket, New Britain, Trenton, Worcester, Portland, and have a bunch more on my list, including the Single A Greenville Drive.

H – Havana, Cuba – years ago I did some writing for a wonderful photographer named Cindy Wilson, who went to Cuba often tours of amateur photographers. I’d love to see baseball being played there in the city of Havana’s famous baseball park – Estadio Latinoamericano.

I – Ireland – my mother’s family are descendants from Ireland. Supposedly, I was named after my mother’s favorite cousin – Noel Patrick. I have read books, seen movies, and would love to be a part of the Irish experience someday.

J – Jersey Shore, NJ – all the movies, all the TV shows, it must be a fun place to visit.

K – Kansas City, MO – one main reason, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. I have heard that the tour is just phenomenal and the pictures and stories are just incredible. This is a must do for me.

L – Louisville, KY – to mainly check out the Louisville Slugger factory. And probably some horse stuff for Rachel.

M – Macon, GA – The Allman Brothers are one of my favorite bands. Their roots and museum reside in Macon in a place called “The Big House.” That Macon tour would also include a stop over to see the Macon Bacon baseball club.

N – Nashville, TN – sticking with the music and baseball theme here. Nashville has been a place where undiscovered musicians become stars. I hope my musician son Spencer ends up there someday. And they are home to the Nashville Sounds baseball club, so there’s that.

O – Ohio’s Famous Hall of Fames – The Rock and Roll & National Football League’s Halls of Fame are both in Ohio – Cleveland and Canton, respectively. Both are must sees for me.

P – Pirates Game featuring Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh, PA. Skenes is on his way to elite stardom. If I could see a Skenes game, it would be a story to tell the next generation and the next ones after that.

Q – Hey, have you ever been to Quitman, Texas? No, neither have I!

R – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – I mean from the videos, movies, TV Shows, and spectacular coverage during the Olympics, Rio looks like a carnival of fun to be had.

S – Salem, VA – To see, you guessed it, The Salem Red Sox. The Salem Red Sox are the High A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

T – Terre Haute, IN – home of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. I would love to just do a tour of the university and see all the cool buildings, athletic complexes, and be immersed in all this Irish.

U – The USA Baseball Complex, Cary, NC – a few years ago, Rachel and I drove by Cary but didn’t stop. I could see fields from the highway, but that’s about as close as I got. Want to get in there, take photos, and see a game or two.

V – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Vancouver has been on my radar since I was a kid. It looks like an amazing city, similar to a US city like NY or Boston.

W – Wyoming – I can count maybe 8 US states that I haven’t been to and Wyoming is on the list. Just never made it up that way for work or baseball or travel in general.

X – forget X, let’s cut it out of the alphabet!

Y – Yosemite National Park, California – isn’t Yosemite every family’s favorite vacation destination? I’d love to check it out.

Z – Zebulon, NC – have to finish the list on a baseball note. Zebulon has a baseball team and yes, I will be visiting them this summer, weather permitting.

Whether it was work related or when I drove cross country or just my love of travel – I have been so blessed to have been to a ton of great places. However, my “I ain’t been there, yet” list is also pretty impressive and will get me thinking about how I can get to these awesome spots. To experience a beautiful river stream in Alaska like my Dad or hear a band in Nashville thinking of my kids or check out some horse sh&t in Louisville – every spot would be super special to me. How about you? Where are some places you haven’t been to yet that are on your travel list? Let me know. For now and tomorrow, Let’s Go Rams!!!