With a two-win lead in the 2012 World Series, San Francisco is looking pretty good right now. And I’m not just talking about the Giants baseball team or the beautiful AT&T Park stadium. Who wouldn’t want to live in the sunshine state of California, close to the mountains, wine country and great baseball?
It got me thinking, where else would a baseball fan be proud to call home and root for the home team? So I did a little digging and found these great homerun hometowns for homebuyers and baseball fans.
Richmond, Virginia 
Team to Watch: Ever see a flying squirrel? Check out Richmond where locals are nuts about their minor league baseball team – the Richmond Flying Squirrels. And guess what? They’re affiliated with the San Francisco Giants.
Do and See: The Squirrels lend a great family tradition in the area and plans are in the works to build a new stadium to add even more appeal to this enjoyable and affordable market which is located two hours from Washington, D.C., the beach and the mountains.
Buy: The average sale price of a home in Richmond is $206,522 and according to Napier Realtors ERA, home values are on the rise. Talk about a perfect pitch.
Chicago, Illinois
Teams to Watch: Create your own triple header by taking in the games of the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and the Milwaukee Brewers, which are located just 83 miles from Wrigley Field in neighboring Wisconsin.
Do and See: Locals like to watch the “South Siders” (Sox) and the “North Siders” (Cubs) battle it out in the Crosstown Classic and fans often travel to Miller Park to see the Cubs take on the Brewers. It’s an exciting place to live as Chicago offers a multitude of dining (think deep dish pizza), shopping (the Magnificent Mile), and sightseeing (the Skydeck Chicago.)
Buy: Homes are currently selling at an average sale price of $228,258 according to ERA Mi Casa Real Estate. Price, pennants, pizza and people make the Chicago area a grand slam.
Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado 
Teams to Watch: Cheer for the major league Colorado Rockies and the team’s minor league affiliate – the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in Colorado Springs.
Do and See: Located at the base of the Rockies, Denver offers spectacular views, mild weather and endless activities. Colorado Springs offers a wide array of outdoor activities and attractions such as Pike’s Peak, North America’s most visited mountain and Security Service Field, the highest professional ballpark in the US at 6,531 feet above sea level.
Buy: Home pricing is reasonable in Denver at an average of $290,368 according to ERA Herman Group Real Estate and in Colorado Springs, ERA Shields Real Estate reports an average home sale price of $208,481.
Ok, we pitched these perfect hometowns, now it’s your turn to step up to the plate. Run the bases of Richmond, Chicago, Denver and Colorado Springs for one home run of a road trip and possibly a new place to live.
