Baseball is America’s pastime, but not every city is built to keep the magic alive for 162 games a year. Some cities feel like bad fits for an MLB franchise, whether it’s the lack of energy, a weird sports culture, or insufficient fans to care.
Sure, some of these places tried to make it work or dream about getting a team someday. But if we’re being honest, there are some spots where professional baseball is better left as a summer thought rather than a permanent reality.
15. Portland, Oregon
Portland loves soccer and embraces its NBA team, but baseball would probably be greeted with a half-hearted shrug. Between the constant drizzle and a thin market, it doesn’t scream “America’s pastime.”
14. Las Vegas, Nevada
Everyone loves visiting Vegas, but that doesn’t mean people want to sit through a three-hour baseball game when the blackjack tables call. The city thrives on quick thrills, not the slow burn of a seventh-inning stretch.
13. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is all about festivals, food, and football, and baseball would feel like an awkward guest at the party. A mid-July game would probably play second fiddle to whatever music festival is happening down the street.
12. Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City has a beautiful setting and a solid sports fan base, but an MLB team would probably get lost behind college football and the NBA. Good luck convincing free agents to sign up for a 9 p.m. curfew.
11. Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is growing fast and loves football, but baseball energy isn’t natural there. They already have a beautiful minor league setup, and honestly, that feels right.
10. Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is a fantastic sports town, but it feels a little too gritty and hockey-obsessed for the slow pace of summer baseball. A few fill-in games during 2020 were cute, but nobody’s begging for an encore.
9. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville knows how to throw a party, but a midweek game against the Royals might not exactly pull people off Broadway. Music City is too busy living fast to sit still for a long baseball season.
8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City loves a good sports moment, but baseball doesn’t fit the vibe of a town that leans football-heavy. Minor league ball works perfectly because it’s low-stress and fun, not a full-blown commitment.
7. Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville barely knows what to do with its NFL team, so adding baseball would be like giving a second dog to someone who already forgets to feed the first one. The humidity alone would scare away half the fans by June.
6. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is a proud sports city, but it’s comfortably locked into Spurs basketball and rodeo life. Baseball would be a noisy neighbor nobody asked for.
5. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is legendary for baseball bats, but ironically, it was not built for Major League Baseball. It’s a college sports town at heart; anything beyond that feels a little forced.
4. Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford has tried to punch above its weight, but big-league baseball would be a stretch. It’s stuck awkwardly between Boston and New York, and it’s already picked a side.
3. Albuquerque, New Mexico
The sunsets are gorgeous, but baseball would be a tough sell in the desert heat. It’s an excellent place for a minor league team to thrive, not for 81 home games at major league prices.
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2. Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is polished and growing fast, but it feels way too tech-driven and college-focused for the daily grind of MLB baseball. Plus, how many cities in North Carolina need to pretend they’re ready for the big leagues?
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1. Orlando, Florida
Orlando is made for tourists, not for diehard sports fans who show up on a random Tuesday night. Even Disney magic can’t fix the reality that no one wants to sweat through nine innings in mid-July to watch a sub—500 team.
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