On Saturday I went to the new Marlins ballpark. What a great experience! The fan fest was wonderful. It was great to be in the lower bowl of the new ballpark rather than being crammed into the old clubhouse at the football stadium.
It was a beautiful day and the roof was open – until it got to hot – and then the Miami Marlins magic was used and the roof was partially closed to offer the fans cool shade. HALELUJA! The new home run feature? I LOVE IT – pure Miami – Hot and FLASHEY!
A huge shout out to the marlins brass for completing the assignment – although we did find a few nuts and bolts wind beneath our seats! Claude Delome, David Sampson, Spencer Linden, Shaun Flood, Billy the Marlin and the rest of the team should be absolutely thrilled with the way the new ballpark turned out.
From a baseball perspective you couldn’t ask for anything more. The stadium is full of sections that will become a lot like “self contained baseball fan clubs” for all the season ticket holders that will sit there. The stadium’s natural energy will energize the entire fan base. The sightlines are amazing. The seats are comfortable. And the food venues were clean and staffed with lots of smiling faces ready to please.
I must mention my favorite part of the ballpark – the breezeway in left field in which it was the most comfortable place in the ballpark to stand and has amazing views of the City and ball field.
I think it will be a pitcher’s park. With the window open in left field and the prevailing winds in Miami blowing from the east (left field) on a regular basis it seems as though the wind will be blowing in on most nights. Of course, Giancarlo Stanton will not have to worry about which way the wind is blowing.
I’m already a big fan of Heath Bell who ran around the stadium slapping high five before he went to answer fans questions. However, my favorite moment was when I gave Billy the Marlin a big hug!
From a business standpoint it’s obvious the Marlins are going to sell the stadium out. There were very few placards showing open season ticket availabilities in the lower bowl. I am sure will become a place to be seen. The first test will be opening night at the ballpark while the Heat is playing the Oklahoma City Thunder. The driving will be a nightmare but spirits will be high!
I very much doubt whether Miami has ever seen a sports might like that night will be.
As the original Marlin’s season ticket holder it was my great pleasure to ask the first question at the first fan fest at the new ballpark. All I really wanted to know was who was going to throw out the first pitch with the obvious answer being that it should be me!
For all the baseball fans out there it’s time to make your plan to come to Miami and see major league baseball’s newest jewel. And that WILD Home Run feature!
The report I gave my wife upon returning was so glowing that she is going to the Yankees pre-opening game and Opening Day against the Cardinals – UNBELIVABLE!
Congratulations once again to the Miami Marlins.
Let’s play ball!
