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BY BARRY JACKSON
BJACKSON@MIAMIHERALD.COM
• Fans seldom have a voice in teams’ decisions. But in building their new ballpark, the Marlins have decided to use least seven fan suggestions.
The most significant? The decision to have a clear view of the city beyond the outfield seats, in left and left center. That will be one of the stadium’s most appealing features.
“In most ballparks, there are bleachers there,” Marlins president David Samson said. “People will be able to stare out and look at the skyline” through six transparent glass panels than can be opened (240 feet long, 60 feet high).
Among the other fan ideas being used: Installing a 39-by-21 Jumbotron in the west plaza outside the stadium, where fans can mingle. It will air the game live…. Having the first installed seat painted red (behind home plate) and the last one painted green (in the upper deck). All others will be blue….
Maintaining a little-league baseball field in the parking lot near the west plaza. The field will be used for parking on Marlins game days…. Adding Cuban coffee at concession stands and building a separate locker room for female umpires. (Incidentally, the stadium will feature Mexican and kosher food stands, plus sushi and paella, among traditional fare.)
Here’s the quirkiest fan idea used: The team buried a time capsule. “It’s a big box with stuff from the 1997 and 2003 World Series teams and 1993 first-year team, stuff from the Orange Bowl and the construction,” Samson said. “We put a DVD of the burial in there. We also put a DVD player in case there are no DVD players years from now.
“We thought, wouldn’t it be interesting if 50 years from now, when the building was taken down, people discovered some of the artifacts.” Until then, the capsule “will not be found. It’s under concrete.”
Most amusing fan idea? “Someone wanted to know if there’s any way to put the outfield wall on wheels so when certain players are up, you can move it,” Samson said. “I said [tongue-in-cheek], ‘I will check with MLB.’ When Albert Pujols is up, move it back 100 feet. Move it up 100 feet for Juan Pierre.”
• The Marlins will keep the dome closed for about 70 games next year. It will stay open on nights (likely in April) before it gets too hot… Look for the Marlins’ new ballpark to host a three-game series against the Red Sox next June and likely, a March exhibition against the Yankees…. (I’ll have an extensive look at the new ballpark in Monday’s business section – including the Marlins’ ambitious plans around the stadium and the challenges that are arising with parking.)
BJACKSON@MIAMIHERALD.COM
• Fans seldom have a voice in teams’ decisions. But in building their new ballpark, the Marlins have decided to use least seven fan suggestions.
The most significant? The decision to have a clear view of the city beyond the outfield seats, in left and left center. That will be one of the stadium’s most appealing features.
“In most ballparks, there are bleachers there,” Marlins president David Samson said. “People will be able to stare out and look at the skyline” through six transparent glass panels than can be opened (240 feet long, 60 feet high).
Among the other fan ideas being used: Installing a 39-by-21 Jumbotron in the west plaza outside the stadium, where fans can mingle. It will air the game live…. Having the first installed seat painted red (behind home plate) and the last one painted green (in the upper deck). All others will be blue….
Maintaining a little-league baseball field in the parking lot near the west plaza. The field will be used for parking on Marlins game days…. Adding Cuban coffee at concession stands and building a separate locker room for female umpires. (Incidentally, the stadium will feature Mexican and kosher food stands, plus sushi and paella, among traditional fare.)
Here’s the quirkiest fan idea used: The team buried a time capsule. “It’s a big box with stuff from the 1997 and 2003 World Series teams and 1993 first-year team, stuff from the Orange Bowl and the construction,” Samson said. “We put a DVD of the burial in there. We also put a DVD player in case there are no DVD players years from now.
“We thought, wouldn’t it be interesting if 50 years from now, when the building was taken down, people discovered some of the artifacts.” Until then, the capsule “will not be found. It’s under concrete.”
Most amusing fan idea? “Someone wanted to know if there’s any way to put the outfield wall on wheels so when certain players are up, you can move it,” Samson said. “I said [tongue-in-cheek], ‘I will check with MLB.’ When Albert Pujols is up, move it back 100 feet. Move it up 100 feet for Juan Pierre.”
• The Marlins will keep the dome closed for about 70 games next year. It will stay open on nights (likely in April) before it gets too hot… Look for the Marlins’ new ballpark to host a three-game series against the Red Sox next June and likely, a March exhibition against the Yankees…. (I’ll have an extensive look at the new ballpark in Monday’s business section – including the Marlins’ ambitious plans around the stadium and the challenges that are arising with parking.)
Love that the ballfield across the street is staying.