Worst parks you've seen a game in

[tulsacubfan]

I am new to the forum, and wanted to share my times at Arlington Staduim. Go early in the year or late in the season or the sun would cook you. I went to a game in early 80's against the White Sox, 7th inning was at 93 degrees, game started at close to 100 degrees at 7:30 pm.
Buddy Bell hit a grand slam to win the game, was one of my favorite memories about that old park.
Built as a minor leauge park for the Dallas/Ft.Worth Spurs became the home of the expansison Rangers. Small and cozy what a great place to watch a game. The dot races are a big fan delight.

I love the new Ballpark at Arlington (or whatever they call it now!). One of my favorite - right after Wrigley (obviously) and PacBell.

[64Cards]

Personally, I loathe domed stadiums. I don't even like watching a dome game on tv. Never seen a bb game at one, however I have sat through quite a few football games at TWA/ED football dome here in St. Louis. Nothing more depressing than tailgating on a beautiful autumn afternoon [best weather time in midwest] and then going to sit in a gigantic dark warehouse.

I guess I can understand having retractables, but why do they close the roofs why the weather is good? In 2001 the Cards were playing the DBacks in the division playoffs in Phoenix, weather was mid-80's [no humidity] roof was closed because Johnson & Schilling like it that way. Same thing last year in the LCS in Houston. Weather was fine, but heard that FOX sports didn't like the shadows from afternoon sun, so roof was closed. Pulled the same crap when they had the Super Bowl in Houston 2 years ago.

[tonypug]

Personally, I loathe domed stadiums. I don't even like watching a dome game on tv. Never seen a bb game at one, however I have sat through quite a few football games at TWA/ED football dome here in St. Louis. Nothing more depressing than tailgating on a beautiful autumn afternoon [best weather time in midwest] and then going to sit in a gigantic dark warehouse.

I guess I can understand having retractables, but why do they close the roofs why the weather is good? In 2001 the Cards were playing the DBacks in the division playoffs in Phoenix, weather was mid-80's [no humidity] roof was closed because Johnson & Schilling like it that way. Same thing last year in the LCS in Houston. Weather was fine, but heard that FOX sports didn't like the shadows from afternoon sun, so roof was closed. Pulled the same crap when they had the Super Bowl in Houston 2 years ago.

I agree, stadiums with retractable domes should be required to keep the field open, unless it is raining. Otherwise the home team can use the dome to give themselves a further advantage.

[Chisox73]

I agree, stadiums with retractable domes should be required to keep the field open, unless it is raining. Otherwise the home team can use the dome to give themselves a further advantage.

I can see here someone like Johnson and Schilling when they played in Arizona for example would have some say about whether or not the roof should be open.

But,IMO,someone like FOX should have no say whatsoever about whether the roof should be open or closed.That should be up to the home team and home team only.

[moviegeekjan]

In 2001 the Cards were playing the DBacks in the division playoffs in Phoenix, weather was mid-80's [no humidity] roof was closed because Johnson & Schilling like it that way. .

Actually, if talking about 2001 neither Johnson nor Schilling were consulted on whether they wanted the roof open or closed. That issue came up AFTER the World Series win just before the 2002 season, and the media blew that up in Schilling's face when he had told the team president that his preference was to have the roof closed (Johnson said he had no preference). Rich Dozier (team President) eventually stated that HE was the one to make the call, so Schilling was NOT responsible for whether the roof was open or closed.

Other issues at stake. If it's a day game, it's more than likely that the roof will be closed even in mid 80's weather because:

1. Fans sitting in the lower levels on the first base side complained of being "cooked" in the steady sunlight

2. Certain start times in the mid afternoon may be OK initially, but the shadows created as the sun shifts cause havoc with the fielders and batters

[PadreHomer]

Go to a charger game and recheck the concourse at Qualcomm, its tiny. The concourse is specifically the section right behind the seats. If you mean the large open area right inside the gates, then yeah that was nice.

Overall to me, you can't beat the city skyline and park view at Petco, even when the stadum was open you had a great view of the 15 freeway and Padre Gardens apartments, allied gardens and del cerro were distant in the background. When they enclosed it I was completely done with that place.

[64Cards]

I thought people moved to Phoenix because of all the sunshine. To complain about being in the sun when it's 85 with 10% humidity is idiotic. Just break out the sunscreen. As far as dealing with the shadows, that's something that has been going on in ballparks since the game began. Like dealing with the wind or bad turf, it's part of the game.

[tonypug]

Baseball and football were meant to be played outdoors. The atmosphere is toatally different when baseball is played indoors. It just isn't as enyoyable for me.

[64Cards]

Amen to that!

[Bluesteve32]

I thought people moved to Phoenix because of all the sunshine. To complain about being in the sun when it's 85 with 10% humidity is idiotic. Just break out the sunscreen. As far as dealing with the shadows, that's something that has been going on in ballparks since the game began. Like dealing with the wind or bad turf, it's part of the game.

I guess you have never been in desert sun in the summer. Quite burtal, a lot like the humidity along the mighty Mississippi.

[64Cards]

St. Louis, especially Busch Stadium in the 3B seats, can get as hot and miserable as few places on earth during July & August. We would be thrilled to have 90 temps with virtually no humidity.

But hey, we have a great franchise like the Cards to watch. So go pluck down another 6 bucks for a cold Bud, get some ice from a vendor and rub a wet golf towel in it, slap it on your forehead and enjoy the game. Have fun bitching about the heat with the other true fans,

"It's not the heat, it's the humidity!"

Harry Caray used to strip down to nothing but his boxer shorts and a cold Bud in the broadcast booth during hot afternoons in St. Louis. I guess WGN-TV discouraged that in Chicago.

[tonypug]

In July and August the heat is brutal in New York, St. Louis, Cincy, Chicago and other cities. Thats part of the game. It's cold in alot of cities during football season. Opera is done indoors, baseball and football is meant to be outdoors.

[moviegeekjan]

I thought people moved to Phoenix because of all the sunshine. To complain about being in the sun when it's 85 with 10% humidity is idiotic. Just break out the sunscreen. As far as dealing with the shadows, that's something that has been going on in ballparks since the game began. Like dealing with the wind or bad turf, it's part of the game.

Until you've seen the glare and the shadows created by the BOB's structure, you can NOT judge adequately.

I've lived in both Phoenix and in the St. Louis area so understand in my bones the difference between the dry heat and the humid (I prefer the dry), but if you've got a few thousand people passing out from sitting in the direct Phoenix sun for 3 hours at a stretch and... as president of the club, are responsible for the health and welfare of the patrons... you'd opt to close the roof on many of those sunny afternoon games too. Most of us regulars in Phoenix prefer the open air on those nice days (and make the same comments about breaking out the sunscreen), but we can understand where the organization is coming from.

[skeletor]

Comerica

Replaced beloved Tiger stadium in 2000..Not a great place
for baseball..although some fans will swear by it..What I hate
about it..looks like a place for yuppies, and companies, to
mingle in with die hard fans..huge power alleys..the ball doesn't
fly outta the park...some seats are very far away..and the
cheezy food courts, and Tiger ferris wheel and merry-go-round..
Heck, this is a ball park..not six flags over Detroit..

Yet, the old gal, ( TIGER STADIUM ) is still standing, awaiting a date
with the wrecking ball...and that blows chunks...

[buckthis]

The Oakland Coliseum was real bad for a long time. Then it got worse when Mt. Davis was erected for additional football seats. Before it was cold and had no soul. Now it's cavernous and noisy. The constant noise there is just stupid.