Miami Marlins ballpark

[Danielh41]

I don't trust everything I see on Wikipedia, but I came across this article today: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Marlins_Stadium

The article states that the new Marlins Stadium is a done deal (and that the team would be renamed the Miami Marlins as part of the agreement), but I don't see anything about it on the Marlins' official website. I don't live in South Florida, so I hadn't come across this before. I checked ballparksofbaseball.com, and they have the same information. Those artist renderings of the exterior of the ballpark with the roof open and closed look pretty interesting, much more modern than the latest retro-parks. The article does say that the Marlins will be releasing more sketches this summer.

[marlins739]

No news is good news, or so I hope. The city of Miami and the county finalized an agreement with the team a few months ago to finance the stadium at the Orange Bowl site and have it open by 2011, just in time for the Marlins to not be kicked out of the Dolph. Demolition has started on the Orange Bowl already, but there's been nothing in the papers about it down here since the agreement was reached in February. The renderings on the page are from a long time ago. I don't know how old the ones halfway down the page are, but neither version is the final copy because they include the Orange Bowl, which will now be torn down. Until I see some shovels in the ground, I'm cautiously optimistic that this is really going to happen, and the 2011 Miami Marlins (the name change is part of the agreement) will finally have a home

[parlo]

No news is good news, or so I hope. The city of Miami and the county finalized an agreement with the team a few months ago to finance the stadium at the Orange Bowl site and have it open by 2011, just in time for the Marlins to not be kicked out of the Dolph. Demolition has started on the Orange Bowl already, but there's been nothing in the papers about it down here since the agreement was reached in February. The renderings on the page are from a long time ago. I don't know how old the ones halfway down the page are, but neither version is the final copy because they include the Orange Bowl, which will now be torn down. Until I see some shovels in the ground, I'm cautiously optimistic that this is really going to happen, and the 2011 Miami Marlins (the name change is part of the agreement) will finally have a homeDo any of you remember the old Miami Marlins Stadium ? I went to a spring training game there back in the 1980s. The Orioles vs Mets. It was in pretty rough shape and was torn down not long after, I think. But it looked like it was probably very unique in its better days.

[six4three]

Congratulations - you caught Wikipedia in a goof. The citation for "done deal" isn't as assured as the text itself. That marlins739 is "cautiously optimistic" leads one to believe that the deal ain't so "done" as all that.

marlins739, you seem to know what you're talking about. Care to help prune the article down to established, verifiable fact?

[Milwaukee T]

If you read the stories about the last games at the Orange Bowl; they often refer to new Miami Marlin Stadium that will break ground in 2008 and be completed in 2011. That is what sports folks say.

Now, let's just put a little reality check on this. Simply froma construction aspect; this could go sour real fast. That site has not been tested for anything since the new regulations went into affect post Dolphin stadium. One spot of funk under the surface and that constructions comes to a grinding hault. One endangered bird flutters in one night and the job is put back by months.

There are reasons that new stadiums are built before old ones come down. Reasons more than just using the old one. These old structures are much more likely to sitting atop something undesirable than the ground around them. You build the new one, then as you tear down the old you find the funk. Too late then. This a rare case where the old has to come down first to make room for the new. It may play out badly for the Marlins.

Has it been reported anywhere about Miami changing team colours once they switch names?

[six4three]

Don't think they're waiting until the name change - reports have been around for at least a year that they're going to emphasize the orange secondary color, and phasing out teal (don't know if that means phase it out completely).

[PeteU]

It's not a done done deal, but it is pretty much as done as it can be. I'd handicap the chances that the Marlins get to play in a new ballpark in 2011 at 95%.

All financing is in place and approved. All parties are in agreement. The Orange Bowl is coming down as we speak. Contracts still need to be handed out. There was an issue as to who would provide security for the ballpark--City of Miami or Miami-Dade County, but I believe a comprimise has been reached.

The only potential roadblock may be a lawsuit filed by former Philadelphia Eagles owner Norm Braman, who owns several car dealerships in South Florida and for whatever unexplained reason is gung-ho against the finance agreement to build the ballpark. But I don't see that suit really going anywhere--Braman comes off looking like an annoying interloper trying to undo something that's already been done.

There could plausibly be the construction delay Milwaukee T mentioned (archeological or environmental), but I sincerely doubt it--the ballpark is not being built on virgin, undeveloped land (thank God--that's the last thing we need in Florida!) but rather an urbanized site which has been used for sports purposes for decades. There might be some cleanup issues but I seriously don't think it would permanantly stop construction altogether. At most it may delay things a bit.

Bottom line is that barring some very unforseen circumstance, the new ballpark will get built and it will likely open in 2010.

As for a change in Marlins colors, it could happen, especially with the change to the Miami Marlins moniker. But I for one hope it does not. The teal scheme is a great one if you ask me. I'd like to see the Marlins return to the teal lettering on their uniforms they had prior to 2003--the black and silver is too boring and ubiquitous across baseball. Teal seats would be a neat effect in the new park.

[PeteU]

Don't think they're waiting until the name change - reports have been around for at least a year that they're going to emphasize the orange secondary color, and phasing out teal (don't know if that means phase it out completely).

I don't think orange has ever been a secondary color of the Marlins to this point--it has always been black, silver and teal. They have increasingly emphasized the black and silver (overemphasized in my book, if you ask me) and de-emphasized the teal (big mistake, but that's what happened).

Orange has been associated with the Marlins simply because they play in Dolphin Stadium and orange is a secondary color of the Dolphins. But that would be stupid for the Marlins to use orange---orange is an awful reminder of the orange seats at Dolphin Stadium, something that were way too empty during their tenure there and something Marlins fans don't want to be remembered by. I would stay away from orange as much as possible.

[aqib]

Do any of you remember the old Miami Marlins Stadium ? I went to a spring training game there back in the 1980s. The Orioles vs Mets. It was in pretty rough shape and was torn down not long after, I think. But it looked like it was probably very unique in its better days.

I thought it was called "Miami Stadium" that was the spring home of the Orioles, I went there twice. The last time was 87 when I was on the verge of moving to NYC and the Orioles were playing the Mets so I was rooting for the Mets since thats where I was going. The crowd was 80% Mets fans. I don't recall a minor league team being there full-time but I was 12 back then.

[six4three]

I don't think orange has ever been a secondary color of the Marlins to this point--it has always been black, silver and teal. They have increasingly emphasized the black and silver (overemphasized in my book, if you ask me) and de-emphasized the teal (big mistake, but that's what happened).

Orange has been associated with the Marlins simply because they play in Dolphin Stadium and orange is a secondary color of the Dolphins. But that would be stupid for the Marlins to use orange---orange is an awful reminder of the orange seats at Dolphin Stadium, something that were way too empty during their tenure there and something Marlins fans don't want to be remembered by. I would stay away from orange as much as possible.

As would I, but that's largely because of the Orioles and Giants, who use black and orange to such strong effect.

Nonetheless, that is apparently what the team intends to do. David Samson said so on his radio show on 790 The Ticket They have been emphasizing the orange in print materials and the website (and it is a secondary color, just one that used to never see action beyond the primary logo, like the Brewers' brick red).

Looking for verification, I found this article (http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080301&content_id=2398428&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla):

When the Marlins eventually move into their park, they will officially change to the Miami Marlins. At that time, they also will revise their uniforms.

"There will be a complete change," Loria said. "Nothing has been designed yet. It will be different. It will be fun. It will be something we can all grab on to and call our own."

Well gee, Jeff. Teal with black accents was pretty much all your own, but you guys abandoned a great uniform to look like everybody else....

[aqib]

Do any of you remember the old Miami Marlins Stadium ? I went to a spring training game there back in the 1980s. The Orioles vs Mets. It was in pretty rough shape and was torn down not long after, I think. But it looked like it was probably very unique in its better days.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Stadium

[Yoda]

Wow. What a dump

[bigtime39]

Orange has been a tertiary logo color for the Marlins for a while (any time they use a baseball in a logo, it has orange stitches, IIRC). If they were to drop any color from their scheme, I'd be in favor of dropping SILVER.
Teal, orange and black would be a unique and interesting set. I would hope that this time, they'd get front numbers on all jerseys. (Although, as always, I'm fearing the advent of yet another, custom, beveled-'cause-it's-easy-now number font.)

[PeteU]

Wow. What a dump

Actually, in its heyday Miami Stadium was a classic minor league and spring training ballpark. Far from a dump.

[six4three]

Yeah, most buildings are dumps after they stop being used. Nature reclaims her territory pretty quickly.

In the older photos, looks like a pretty interesting little ballpark.

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

When I first saw mention of a color scheme I was real skeptic because I hate how all these pro teams (of all sports) disregard tradition and history for something that sells a few more t-shirts today.

But then I clicked on: this article (http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080301&content_id=2398428&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla): and the color scheme on the right where it carries the news really worked! If hte Marlins went to a burnt orange with teal as their secondary color, it may really work!

an example that drives me nuts right now (and I know the colors exist in their past) is all the blue with the Phillies right now. When they had the blue as more of an accent color it was fine, but the hats right now are way overboard...or with the change to the Rays? I thought that the green was original and worked well... now their colors are just as boring as everyone else. Another example would be 2/3rds of the NBA who seem to change image and color schemes every third year.

[80SHOCK]

When I first saw mention of a color scheme I was real skeptic because I hate how all these pro teams (of all sports) disregard tradition and history for something that sells a few more t-shirts today.

But then I clicked on: and the color scheme on the right where it carries the news really worked! If hte Marlins went to a burnt orange with teal as their secondary color, it may really work!

an example that drives me nuts right now (and I know the colors exist in their past) is all the blue with the Phillies right now. When they had the blue as more of an accent color it was fine, but the hats right now are way overboard...or with the change to the Rays? I thought that the green was original and worked well... now their colors are just as boring as everyone else. Another example would be 2/3rds of the NBA who seem to change image and color schemes every third year.

Not a Rays fan but I liked the green better they had.
Don't know why they changed it to dark and light blue.

Good point too about the Phillies with all the blue seats.
Should be red. As red is their primary color.

[btown12]

Not a Rays fan but I liked the green better they had.
Don't know why they changed it to dark and light blue.

Good point too about the Phillies with all the blue seats.
Should be red. As red is their primary color.

I think (biased of course :)) that the blue seats look fine...the brick at CBP would not have gone as well with the red seats IMO and they would have had to change the whole color scheme of the park. Besides, there are plenty of teams whose seat colors do not match and color that the home team wears...at least they're not green! And as far as the blue hats, that's a design that the team used to wear in the late 40's-50's (as was previously stated) so it's not like they pulled it out of thin air. The only difference is the updated font. Plus it's only an alternate uniform brought about, as we all know, to help sell more merchandise.

Back to the Marlins, I am in favor of some orange accents on the uniform and in the stadium design, but agree that they should stick with teal and black. Maybe not the bright teal hats they had in 1993, haha, but definitely give it a more prominent role.

[Reds41]

http://i31.tinypic.com/1z4bjb4.png

[efin98]

Orange has been a tertiary logo color for the Marlins for a while (any time they use a baseball in a logo, it has orange stitches, IIRC). If they were to drop any color from their scheme, I'd be in favor of dropping SILVER.
Teal, orange and black would be a unique and interesting set. I would hope that this time, they'd get front numbers on all jerseys. (Although, as always, I'm fearing the advent of yet another, custom, beveled-'cause-it's-easy-now number font.)

Orange is one of the colors of Miami's flag so it would be a great addition to the team's logo/color scheme.

And you really can't have a team named the marlins without silver in the logo...it and black are two of the major colors of the namesake fish, even if it's a small addition it's needed.

[six4three]

http://i31.tinypic.com/1z4bjb4.png

Too busy. Waaay too busy. Dropshadow maybe, double outline not a fan, but both of them are too much.

And Los Angeles called - the Angels want their font back. :D

[Yoda]

Actually, in its heyday Miami Stadium was a classic minor league and spring training ballpark. Far from a dump.

I can't see how that'd ever be a nice place to sit and watch a game.

It looks like half an airplane hangar.

http://www.digitalballparks.com/International/Miami15.html

[marlins739]

Most of the Marlins' promotional materials for the past two years are heavy on the orange. Look on the website, the top bar with the "You Gotta Be Here" slogan only has the teal in the logo. It makes sense to emphasize the orange now, because the entire stadium is orange, but they really need to keep the teal because it's a unique color in the majors that will always be instantly recognizable as the Marlins. Especially for the wall behind home plate, everything inside the park needs to be teal too. The teal backstop makes the Dolph easy to spot on TV

[Chevy114]

Most of the Marlins' promotional materials for the past two years are heavy on the orange. Look on the website, the top bar with the "You Gotta Be Here" slogan only has the teal in the logo. It makes sense to emphasize the orange now, because the entire stadium is orange, but they really need to keep the teal because it's a unique color in the majors that will always be instantly recognizable as the Marlins. Especially for the wall behind home plate, everything inside the park needs to be teal too. The teal backstop makes the Dolph easy to spot on TV

Yeah I love those white jerseys with teal pin strips, so different than the normal reds and dark blues most teams seem have.

[PeteU]

I can't see how that'd ever be a nice place to sit and watch a game.

It looks like half an airplane hangar.

http://www.digitalballparks.com/International/Miami15.html

Those pictures were from the stadium's last days, after the Orioles had left and it was no longer being properly maintained. Of course it is going to look bad. It was torn down a couple years after those photos.

But during the 1950s, when the park was shining new, the stadium was a prime example of Miami's art deco architecture, and its distinctive curved roof stood out from other minor league ballparks.

[PeteU]

Most of the Marlins' promotional materials for the past two years are heavy on the orange. Look on the website, the top bar with the "You Gotta Be Here" slogan only has the teal in the logo. It makes sense to emphasize the orange now, because the entire stadium is orange, but they really need to keep the teal because it's a unique color in the majors that will always be instantly recognizable as the Marlins. Especially for the wall behind home plate, everything inside the park needs to be teal too. The teal backstop makes the Dolph easy to spot on TV

Marlins' teal should be as much of a part of the franchise as Dodgers' blue. Enough said.

[Danielh41]

I agree that the Marlins need to keep teal as their primary color. I was disappointed in their latest uniform change, making most of the lettering black rather than teal. I think they should go back to their original uniforms with the teal hats. Too many teams have black hats. Even the Blue Jays, with blue in their team name, have black hats now.

And while we are talking uniforms and colors, I'll air a pet peeve about my own team -- I hate those black vest alternate uniforms that the Rockies have been wearing a lot (too much). The black on black sleeveless thing just looks dumb, and there is a big lack of purple on those jerseys. Purple is what makes the Rockies distinictive, just like teal does for the Marlins.

But back to the new Miami ballpark, that shot of the exterior of the new stadium does show a lot of teal. I hope the Marlins stick with that design and make teal more prominent in the new ballpark and in their uniforms.

[six4three]

Course, while the team president is talking orange and black, the owner has a different story, as reported on the marlinsbaseball.com message board:

During BP, EvenLittler SoFlaFish and myself were sitting/leaning on the railings behind home plate. Just below us Jeffrey Loria was talking to two guests of his, who appeared to be a college professor of his from Yale and his wife (they were talking alumni "stuff"). I was listening to their conversation when it turned to "stadium talk." Loria was telling the couple that they're getting a new stadium and that originally he wanted [I couldn't get the name he said] to design the exterior of the park and have HOK do the interior, but that "things don't work that way and HOK is doing the whole park . . . plus, the County is paying for 2/3 of it and they are in control." Loria also told the couple, "Once a shovel hits the dirt, they're going to be starting the redesign of the team uniforms." The couple asked about color schemes or designs and Loria said, "I love red, white, and blue, but too many teams have those colors. I think we'll go with what sells and that is silver and black."

...the two least interesting colors in the Marlins' palette.

So who knows what they'll do?

[Chevy114]

Those pictures were from the stadium's last days, after the Orioles had left and it was no longer being properly maintained. Of course it is going to look bad. It was torn down a couple years after those photos.

But during the 1950s, when the park was shining new, the stadium was a prime example of Miami's art deco architecture, and its distinctive curved roof stood out from other minor league ballparks.

Yeah like tiger stadium looks like crap now, but just 10 years ago, it looked great!

Back to the jersey colors:
Does silver and black really sell that well? I think if you force a color scheme on a team the fans will buy, but the marlins have so many options I feel like fans can't settle on just one.

I wouldn't go as far to say teal should be everywhere, just in simple moderation. Like how when clemson uses touches of purple with their orange and white it looks good.

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

http://i31.tinypic.com/1z4bjb4.png

Like it! Did you make that or is that a prototype from the team?

[PeteU]

Course, while the team president is talking orange and black, the owner has a different story, as reported on the marlinsbaseball.com message board:

Loria also told the couple, "Once a shovel hits the dirt, they're going to be starting the redesign of the team uniforms." The couple asked about color schemes or designs and Loria said, "I love red, white, and blue, but too many teams have those colors. I think we'll go with what sells and that is silver and black."

...the two least interesting colors in the Marlins' palette.

So who knows what they'll do?

Red, white and blue? How on earth does that work for the Marlins? Jeez, if you wanted red, white and blue, Jeffrey, you could have always kept the Expos....

I agree that black and silver are the least interesting colors for the Marlins. Who are we, the Oakland Raiders?

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

I go back to my comment earlier about the pro basketball teams. They seem to change their image and colors every other year... and pple still buy the merchandise? In baseball it seems that owners thinks there are two options: Red, White and Blue or Black and Silver.... It's frusterating and boring.
Now, I couldn't imagine the Cubs not being Red, White and Blue (they've been my whole life) but if the Tigers ever dared tried to change that navy and orange......:eek:

(for the record, I also didn't like the Lions adding black to their color scheme but, aside from the alt. jerseys, the accent has grown on me)

I hope that they do make teal a permanant color theme on the park because that'll make it a tad harder for the team to follow trends and thus make their image and uniforms boring.

[Chevy114]

Some of my favorite jersey mistakes are the old school astros, original devil rays, brewers from the 80s, and padres from the 70s and 80s.

Yet the least obvioius mistakes are when teams have solid ideas for uniforms and go to bland ideas like the new diamond backs (pruple was a great main color for them), the new astros (I loved the dark blue and gold), and The new rays (Green set them apart and was so florida!).

[Reds41]

Too busy. Waaay too busy. Dropshadow maybe, double outline not a fan, but both of them are too much.

And Los Angeles called - the Angels want their font back. :D

:rofl:

Like it! Did you make that or is that a prototype from the team?

I was just trying to be over-the-top and outrageous when I did that.

I bet that design would have flown in the 1980s though. :eek:

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

I was just trying to be over-the-top and outrageous when I did that.

I bet that design would have flown in the 1980s though.

I guess I agree with Chevy114 and that's why I liked it... I want to see a team willing to stand out and embrace the feel of their community... those colors and that look you made screams Miami, while keeping the traditional teal color.....

[Reds41]

I guess I agree with Chevy114 and that's why I liked it... I want to see a team willing to stand out and embrace the feel of their community... those colors and that look you made screams Miami, while keeping the traditional teal color.....

I agree with you about it screaming Miami and wanting teams to stand out, but:

"I think we'll go with what sells and that is silver and black."

In other words, they can't sell it to the hip-hop crowd that New Era, and apparently MLB now, want to cater their sales towards.



Boy, am I gonna catch it for that statement.

[Chevy114]

I agree with you about it screaming Miami and wanting teams to stand out, but:

"I think we'll go with what sells and that is silver and black."

In other words, they can't sell it to the hip-hop crowd that New Era, and apparently MLB now, want to cater their sales towards.



Boy, am I gonna catch it for that statement.

Most hip hop people weird loud colors on a regular basis anyways. Plus you can still sell those stupid hats in every color like teams are starting to do so hip hop people can match everything. The marlins are wussing out if they don't stand by the cool color accent!

[whoisonit]

Most hip hop people weird loud colors on a regular basis anyways. Plus you can still sell those stupid hats in every color like teams are starting to do so hip hop people can match everything. The marlins are wussing out if they don't stand by the cool color accent!
Maybe some of you understand these things better than me. What is the deal with leaving the shiny MLB hologram sticker on the bill of caps ? Is this some type of hip-hop homage to Mini Pearl ?

[Chevy114]

Maybe some of you understand these things better than me. What is the deal with leaving the shiny MLB hologram sticker on the bill of caps ? Is this some type of hip-hop homage to Mini Pearl ?

I always thought it was to show off how new and clean your hat is. If you have a hat for a while the sticker will come off and the hat will show signs of being dirty. In the hip hop community you can't be dirty, just look at usher on mtv cribs, where he had 200 pairs of the same shoes, because he only wears each pair once.

[Lafferty Daniel]

Too busy. Waaay too busy. Dropshadow maybe, double outline not a fan, but both of them are too much.

And Los Angeles called - the Angels want their font back. :D

You mean Anaheim called...

:)

[six4three]

Nah, suburbs are suburbs, no matter their pretentions. :D

[PeteU]

You mean Anaheim called...

:)

Actually, to be real nit-picky, wouldn't Anaheim be like this?

http://storesense1.carrierzone.com/stores/h/HS12284/catalog/Sept152007%20006.jpg

That was always a goofy logo (although it brought them good luck in 2002). I'm glad they reverted to the Big A halo logo. Of course, they traded a goofy logo for a goofy name.

[Danielh41]

Actually, to be real nit-picky, wouldn't Anaheim be like this?

http://storesense1.carrierzone.com/stores/h/HS12284/catalog/Sept152007%20006.jpg

That was always a goofy logo (although it brought them good luck in 2002). I'm glad they reverted to the Big A halo logo. Of course, they traded a goofy logo for a goofy name.

As I recall, they had already adopted their current red Big A logo and uniforms when they won the Series in 2002. The name was the only thing that changed when they adopted the clunky Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim moniker...

[Reds41]

I did use the Angels font when doing that Marlins wordmark.

[btown12]

Just for fun I swapped around the colors on the Marlins logo...I still don't think that any of these look particularly good, definitely not as good as the straight teal/balck combo. I think the last one is my favorite of the bunch but it looks too much like the Dolphins. Enjoy!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/2455446650_f8d4c1932c_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2455446704_f4d5e9ae80_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2454617581_1ecb4d9791_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/2455446824_9b719798c5_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2455446874_3d586eeefe_o.jpg

[Milwaukee T]

Teal was a retread of a bad colour by every team for far too long. It should have never been used by most of the teams around the country. The Marlins was one of the very few places that colour could be good. Teal, Orange, and Silver. That's my vote.

Will a new stadium actually bring any one to a Marlin game though? It works for a year or two, but then what.

Orange has been in thier secondary logos since the start of the team.

And when has brick red been a colour of the Brewers?

[six4three]

Orange has been in thier secondary logos since the start of the team.

And when has brick red been a colour of the Brewers?

Since 2000:

http://www.frontrowking.com/images/MIL_1172.gif

[PeteU]

Will a new stadium actually bring any one to a Marlin game though? It works for a year or two, but then what.






If the Marlins ownership is smart, it will. First, as much as I hate indoor baseball, a retractable roof with air conditioning will help build single game sales in South Florida.

Second, a new stadium removes the cloud of doubt over the franchise that has been looming in many fan's heads the minute after Craig Counsel crossed home plate on Renteria's single in 1997 and Huzienga started planning dismantlement. With a baseball-only stadium all of their own and a long term lease that is worlds above the rip-off lease the Marlins are currently stuck with at Dolphin Stadium (owed to their former master, by the way), there is no excuse for Marlins ownership not to invest in the team. That means signing Hanley Ramirez to a long term deal, locking up key players like Uggla, Willingham, and Jacobs, and being a more active player in the free-agent game (and when they land free agents, signing them to more than just a one year deal). If that happens and Marlins ownership indicates an ability for fans to want to invest in following the team without the fear their favorite players will be gone in a year or two, the team will draw just fine.

I'm not saying this automatically means the Marlins will sellout 81 games a year, but you will notice a markable increase in attendance over what you see now, take my word for it.

[six4three]

I still don't understand the notion that keeping players around longer is more important to Miami baseball fans than, you know, winning championships.

That just doesn't speak to a good baseball market.

[Chevy114]

The one game I went to in the day sucked at dolphins stadium. It was hot then it rained and got humid. Also you could only see one scoreboard from my seat and the line sites weren't that great for baseball.

I bet if they had a closed roof during the one game I went to, it would have been more fun and taken less time since we wouldn't be waiting out the rain.

Also I think Pete is right, if the owners invest in a team instead or trying dismantel and repair everytime fans will come to see THEIR veterian players, not just some guy they bought from the rangers or pirates.

The only issue still in the back of my mind is that there is so much to do in Florida during the summer, that baseball isn't a huge party like it is in northern towns. Hopefully this will change that mindset!

[PeteU]

I still don't understand the notion that keeping players around longer is more important to Miami baseball fans than, you know, winning championships.

That just doesn't speak to a good baseball market.

Because, if you get into the excitement of watching a team with Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrerra, Dontrelle Willis, Pudge Rodriguez, Derrick Lee, Brad Penny, Mike Lowell, AJ Burnett, Carl Pavano (who may have failed as a Yank but was a hot commodity as a Fish), Alex Gonzalez, Luis Castillo, and Juan Pierre make it to a World Series and win a World Series, and then know that those players will be actively shopped the next year or the year after, it puts a hell of a damper on things.

There are two types of baseball fans. Core fans and casual fans. Most markets typically have anywhere between 5,000 to 15,000 "core" fans. (There are probably more in New York and Los Angeles, not because fans in NY or LA are any better than fans anywhere else, but simply because they are larger markets). The core fans buy season tickets, they stick with their team through thick and thin, they bleed the team colors, and they know their own team and other team's farm systems.

The rest are casual fans. They are less likely to buy season tickets and are more likely to only identify with the major league roster, because those are the only players they know and cheer for. So when a team sells off or trades away a lot of their players, especially players who played during a championship season, the casual fans are going to be very dissuaded. And the more it happens, the less excited the casual fans will be.

Now, the core fans will know when the Marlins traded Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to the Red Sox, they are getting Hanley Ramirez in return, a top prospect. Casual fans, on the other hand, at that point have no idea who the hell Hanley Ramirez is. They just are p'oed that Beckett and Lowell got traded away. And that hurts the team's draw at the gate because face it, in a full stadium only 10-20% of the fans you'll see are considered core fans. The rest are all casual fans, or even worse, fans of the opposing team.

Do you see what I'm getting at? Not just in Miami but in virtually any baseball market, championships don't mean as much to the casual if all the players are later traded away. It only serves to alienate. And the Marlins have been in the position where not just once, but twice they have had the opportunity to see a championship, only to see most of the players on that championship team traded away within a couple of years. Even if the team stinks in a given year, if a player comes to bat or goes to the mound that was on the championship team, there will be a brief moment of good memories of what that player represents even at a team's lower point.

[Chevy114]

Yeah but every other team has someone you can rely on to always b there. The Yankees have jeter, no matter who they give up or pick up, derek jeter will still be at shortstop every game until he retires. The Red Sox have big pappi and some people feel the same way about manny. Astros had bagwell and biggio. The list goes on.

The marlins don't have those familiar faces you can rely on and be proud of. You have to learn a new group of guys every 2 or 3 years and wonder if they can do it in miami, just like how some people can't make it in new york for some reason.

Not that the nfl is that much similar, but I know a lot people like the long term buccanners more than fresh faced rookies. They got more emotional when we gave up players like john lynch, warren sapp, and warrick dunn than when we gave up Brian Greesie, Thomas Jones, and Luke McCown.

[six4three]

A stable roster doesn't bring in casual fans. Winning does. Casual fans root for laundry, in Jerry Seinfeld's immortal phrase, not players. They don't develop relationships with any of the players, but with the franchise itself.

I'm sorry, I'm not buying it.

[Chevy114]

I still say tell every casual fan walking around in a derek jeter jersey that having a stable roster doesn't help.

[six4three]

I don't think casual fans are the ones buying $100 replica jerseys....

First time I've ever seen the claim that lack of player movement is behind the Yankees merchandising juggernaut. Guess they didn't need all those championships after all? ;)

[PeteU]

A stable roster doesn't bring in casual fans. Winning does. Casual fans root for laundry, in Jerry Seinfeld's immortal phrase, not players. They don't develop relationships with any of the players, but with the franchise itself.

I'm sorry, I'm not buying it.

But here's the rub. A team could be great through July, but that's no guarantee that the team will be in the playoffs in October. For the casual fan, you have to get the sense that the team is for real for it to have a major impact on attendance.

Case in point, I'll use my AL team, the Orioles. They are on top of the AL East right now. However, for most of their home games, attendance has been in the teens. Why are they not selling out every game right now? Because they've been conditioned by 10 years of losing seasons, that's why. The casual fans still don't get the feeling that the team is for real. Now I'll bet good money that if the Orioles are still at or near the top of the division in September, you'll be seeing 30,000-40,000 a game. But Orioles fans remember 2005. The team started out great and competitive. And they took a nose-dive halfway through the season and it was just another losing season for the O's.

A team that starts out winning but tanks during the stretch will not be remembered in the long run. That's why winning is not the end-all be-all here.

Now, what typically--typically--happens is when a team goes all the way, or at the least reaches the playoffs, you'll see a substantial bump in attendance for the next year.

But that's assuming most of the roster is still intact from the championship year, or that those players that remain are not already being actively shopped. When that happens, a lot of the fun of savoring in being defending champions is taken out.

Now, you'll notice there was a noticable bump in attendance for the Marlins between 2003 and 2004. It was muted, however, by the fact that Rodriguez and Lee were already gone, and trade rumors were actively swirling about Beckett, Lowell, Burnett and Pierre. Plus you factor in the idea that the new stadium situation still had not been resolved and there was always the threat of relocation in the back of many's minds. Despite winning the year before, things were in no ways stable in terms of the franchise, and many fans knew that their favorite players were either gone or were being shopped and would be gone soon.

Don't get me wrong. Winning is a factor in bringing in fans. However, it is not the only factor, and when it is counteracted by a percieved lack of stability, much of its effect is lost.

[six4three]

Case in point, I'll use my AL team, the Orioles. They are on top of the AL East right now. However, for most of their home games, attendance has been in the teens. Why are they not selling out every game right now? Because they've been conditioned by 10 years of losing seasons, that's why. The casual fans still don't get the feeling that the team is for real. Now I'll bet good money that if the Orioles are still at or near the top of the division in September, you'll be seeing 30,000-40,000 a game. But Orioles fans remember 2005. The team started out great and competitive. And they took a nose-dive halfway through the season and it was just another losing season for the O's.

I still think you're arguing both sides of the issue. You're mixing casual fans and die-hards. Casual fans won't necessarily remember what happened in seasons past.

In the case of Miami, even the post-Series bump only elevated them to the level of awful attendance. Winning the Series itself didn't help them in during the 2003 season. Sure, they got off to a sluggish start. But they finished 91 and 71, which means they won an awful lot of games in the second half of the season (especially considering a slow first month). And yet, nobody came to the ballpark. Nobody.

[PeteU]

I don't think casual fans are the ones buying $100 replica jerseys....

First time I've ever seen the claim that lack of player movement is behind the Yankees merchandising juggernaut. Guess they didn't need all those championships after all? ;)

Actually, he makes a good point. Maybe not as much so with the Yankees because they don't have names on their uniforms, but nothing is worse than buying a jersey of a favorite player only to see that player get traded a year later. Pretty soon, your symbol of team pride becomes a solemn reminder of a bygone era.

[six4three]

Except most Yankees jerseys sold in stores have names on the back.

[PeteU]

I still think you're arguing both sides of the issue. You're mixing casual fans and die-hards. Casual fans won't necessarily remember what happened in seasons past.

In the case of Miami, even the post-Series bump only elevated them to the level of awful attendance. Winning the Series itself didn't help them in during the 2003 season. Sure, they got off to a sluggish start. But they finished 91 and 71, which means they won an awful lot of games in the second half of the season (especially considering a slow first month). And yet, nobody came to the ballpark. Nobody.

Casual fans are not brain dead sheep who go to baseball games simply because they like the color of green grass. They watch the games on TV, they read the reports in the sports pages. They know the names of all the players on the major league roster. They were there at the ballpark for the good times--the playoffs, the victory parades. But for their own reasons, they just don't feel the need to take several hours out of their schedule to physically go to a game unless they feel as though it is a worthy investment. (I'm neither defending this nor decrying this, but this simply how it is with the casual fan.) And a team in a constant state of flux and uncertainty is going to be viewed as less of an worthwhile investment for the casual fan.

Also, I had the opportunity to watch a lot of games during the 2003 season because my school was right near Dolphin Stadium. And I can tell you for a fact that the regular season crowds at the end of the season were a lot larger than those at the beginning of the season. They were getting crowds in the upper 20s and in the 30s, which may not seem like a whole lot on the surface, but given that just the year before the Marlins just barely broke five figures in average attendance, it was a very welcome sight.

[PeteU]

Except most Yankees jerseys sold in stores have names on the back.

Okay then, including the Yankees....

[Chevy114]

I love those people who buy a jersery then their player gets traded or leaves and the fan gets made fun of from there on out every game he wears it at. Even worse when you buy a jersey and the guy leaves on bad terms and poeple boo you for wearing it.

Also I watch most of the rays games on tv, home and away, go to about 15 or 20 games a year, and know all the starters and give or take if they are doing good or bad. But Im not a guy who hold season tickets, knows the farm system from top to bottom, and can recite every stat on command. Nor am I the guy who says oh wow the teams in first I have to start going to games, I have to hurry up and buy all the merchandise, and start sticking up for my team when people bash them. So where do I fit?

[PeteU]

Also I watch most of the rays games on tv, home and away, go to about 15 or 20 games a year, and know all the starters and give or take if they are doing good or bad. But Im not a guy who hold season tickets, knows the farm system from top to bottom, and can recite every stat on command. Nor am I the guy who says oh wow the teams in first I have to start going to games, I have to hurry up and buy all the merchandise, and start sticking up for my team when people bash them. So where do I fit?

A fan is always limited by the amount of time and money he or she has. Some people are avid fans but may not have all the money or the time for season tickets. (Me, for example).

Still, it sounds like you could be classified as a core fan rather than a casual fan. I say season ticket holders as an example, but fans without season tickets but who do go to a large amount of games, win or lose, are just as much core fans as those with season tickets.

[Danielh41]

Actually, he makes a good point. Maybe not as much so with the Yankees because they don't have names on their uniforms, but nothing is worse than buying a jersey of a favorite player only to see that player get traded a year later. Pretty soon, your symbol of team pride becomes a solemn reminder of a bygone era.

That actually happened to me. I bought a Larry Walker jersey in 2004, and less than two months later, the Rockies traded him away. I've still worn the Walker jersey for the past four years, although I just bought a purple LaTroy Hawkins Rockies jersey. Yes, he is already gone from the team, but my last name is Hawkins...

And as far as the Rockies go, for the past ten years the perception of Rockies' management has been that they just care about the bottom line and not about winning. In fact, there was actually a website created called monfortsmustsell.com, trying to petition them to sell the team. Winning the NL pennant last season helped to dispel that perception, but it's not gone entirely. And the Rockies 11-17 start isn't helping attendance this year...

[Yankees2k6]

Too busy. Waaay too busy. Dropshadow maybe, double outline not a fan, but both of them are too much.

And Los Angeles called - the Angels want their font back. :D

Lol, forget the Angels, the Red Sox, and the Rangers are on the telephones calling:rofl:

[six4three]

Looks like them, but it's the official Angels font.

[marlins739]

It was impossible to buy anything but a Willis or Cabrera jersey for the last three years down here. Now there's a little more variety in the team stores, but they're still nearly all Ramirez, Uggla, and a few Jacobs, Willingham, and the occasional Hermida. When I see an Alfredo Amezaga jersey, I might pay up

[PeteU]

It was impossible to buy anything but a Willis or Cabrera jersey for the last three years down here. Now there's a little more variety in the team stores, but they're still nearly all Ramirez, Uggla, and a few Jacobs, Willingham, and the occasional Hermida. When I see an Alfredo Amezaga jersey, I might pay up

Fredo's been pretty good with the glove, at least. See some of his catches in center lately?

Of course, Uggla's catch a couple of days ago topped them all.

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

I'm always amazed in this day and age when you see someone wearing a jersey with any active player because of free agency. I've been wanting to get an away Cubs jersey for some time now... and have recently decided to go with "Santo" on the back and the number "10". My away Tigers jersey has Trammell on the back of it, despite being the current jersey.

I see too many people walking around Chicago with Prior jerseys and all it does is remind you of the last five frusterating years. My friends and I always like to talk about which active players you could get a jersey for and not care if they ever left... who are the team impact players..... The archtype right now (in Football) is if Favre decided to play one more year with another team. Every Packers fan in America could wear his number 4, and it'd be acceptable. Derek Jeter would be another example... it doesn't matter what ever happens, he'll always be a Yankee first.

[six4three]

I just can't bring myself to wear a current jersey with the name or number of a retired player. I'm a stickler for historical accuracy.

[Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!]

I just can't bring myself to wear a current jersey with the name or number of a retired player. I'm a stickler for historical accuracy.

Then you'd hate my Ty Cobb Batting Practive jersey :dance:rofl:



(it's blank on the back)

[YankeeFanUK]

i have 2 authentic home jerseys ( #`s 2 & 13 ) and 2 authentic road ( again # 2 & # 55 )...im good to go :)

[Milwaukee T]

That's not a team colour. It is simply a baseball.

http://www.frontrowking.com/images/MIL_1172.gif[/QUOTE]

The Marlins have used the orange as a colour throughout and in many ways.

http://www.sportslogos.net/images/logos/54/60/full/1025.gif
http://www.sportslogos.net/images/logos/54/60/full/1023.gif
http://www.sportslogos.net/images/logos/54/60/full/1024.gif
http://www.sportslogos.net/images/logos/54/60/full/2026.gif

[efin98]

That's not a team colour. It is simply a baseball.

The Marlins have used the orange as a colour throughout and in many ways.

Don't want to steal your thunder but Chris Cramer's site won't allow use of their images so they just come up as "forbidden!"...here's what I think you were getting at but expanded a bit...

Orange is a major color in their current alternate logo:
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=1025

Orange has been prominent in most of their special logos over the years including:

10th anniversary of the team logo(Orange border)
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=1023

Opening Day 2004 logo(Orange stripes)
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=2009

Jackie Robinson number retirement logo(Orange border and shadowing)
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=1024

10th anniversary of 1997 Worlds Series win logo(Orange lettering and scroll)
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=1gh9nhhb5ocviheyeijb

2003 World Series Champions logo(Orange baseball and scroll)
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=2026

1997 Word Series Champions logo(Orange border and baseball)
http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=29cf8sbwuvx31b1cyveg


Orange, Green, and White are the three colors that make up the flag of Miami and if they are planning on doing something similar to the Mets in taking the three colors of the New York City flag then they will adopt Orange, Green, and White alongside the current black and silver as their team colors.

You seriously can't have a marlin without black and silver, it's the freaking animal's natural colors!!!!!

[Milwaukee T]

I'm glad you were able to make the link to make my point. Thank you.

[efin98]

I'm glad you were able to make the link to make my point. Thank you.

Everyone makes that mistake at least once with that site ;)

Here's more proof for your point about them and orange since they are specifically going for the Miami connection, Miami Marlins minor league team logo of the past:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/images/8/8e/MiamiMarlins56.jpg

And a cap logo:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/images/7/70/MiamiMarlins55.jpg

Finally, the flag of the City of Miami:

[marlins739]

I doubt they would go for the green and orange color scheme, that's already exactly what the Hurricanes have. Those two logos didn't show up, efin98

[efin98]

I doubt they would go for the green and orange color scheme, that's already exactly what the Hurricanes have. Those two logos didn't show up, efin98

THey don't have to feature green promiantly, they can get by with green borders or outlines...

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Miami Marlins has a nice ring to it, much better than Florida Marlins. I always wondered why they chose Florida to begin with, and then kept it after the Devil Rays started operations in Tampa. And it does have some local history.

I believe this is a current school logo
http://www.mhsaa.mb.ca/images/logos/schools/a_miami.gif

1950's logo
http://www.logoserver.com/baseball/MiamiMarlins56a.GIF

'50's pin
http://www.vintagesportsshoppe.com/mar31.jpg

'50's uniform
http://www.distantreplays.com/distant/assets/product_images/MIA56R_thumb.jpg

1956 team photo
http://i15.tinypic.com/2wq51ki.jpg

Miami Stadium pics:
Miami Stadium (http://www.digitalballparks.com/International/Miami1.html)

[PeteU]

I doubt they would go for the green and orange color scheme, that's already exactly what the Hurricanes have. Those two logos didn't show up, efin98

I agree....anything green and orange would likely be criticized as being too derivitative of the Hurricanes, even if the green is minimized.

As I've always said, teal is fine.

[marlins739]

Sellout crowd on hand last night to watch the Marlins and Padres. Of course, it was also UM family night and a Super Saturday with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico playing after the game. But 37,000 people (last year's official baseball capacity was 36,331, but it changes every year and now it's about 38,000), I'll take it. It was a fun game to be at last night, even if we played like garbage. Best part was how full it looked, and even with the outfield upper deck empty, the whole lower bowl and foul upper deck was packed.

[nymdan]

This thing is moving closer to reality... the Marlins have picked builders...
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/571452.html

[aqib]

$515 million? What the heck are they spending $515 million on. Thats almost what CitiField is costing and its in NY, its bigger, and has more bells and whistles (emulating the Ebbetts Rotunda etc.). Doesn't that sound high for a stadium that small?

[Jim Vaz]

I love how a car dealership is one of road blocks to construction? Are you kidding me? lol

[placount]

$515 million? What the heck are they spending $515 million on. Thats almost what CitiField is costing and its in NY, its bigger, and has more bells and whistles (emulating the Ebbetts Rotunda etc.). Doesn't that sound high for a stadium that small?

well with the rapidly decreasing value of the dollar it doesnt really seem that out there.

[btown12]

I love how a car dealership is one of road blocks to construction? Are you kidding me? lol

Wow, and it's Norman Braman no less, former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles. I'm sure he won't last long, I would worry more about those upcoming County Commission votes.

[six4three]

1950's logo
http://www.logoserver.com/baseball/MiamiMarlins56a.GIF

'50's uniform
http://www.distantreplays.com/distant/assets/product_images/MIA56R_thumb.jpg


I really love that sleeve patch.

[six4three]

That's not a team colour. It is simply a baseball.


I never said that the Brewers used a lot of brick red, but it is an official team color (http://www.sportscolors.org/research/TeamColors/Baseball/MajorLeagueBaseball/images/MilwaukeeBrewers_FRC_9999_SOL.jpg).

[LetsGoMets687]

I never said that the Brewers used a lot of brick red, but it is an official team color (http://www.sportscolors.org/research/TeamColors/Baseball/MajorLeagueBaseball/images/MilwaukeeBrewers_FRC_9999_SOL.jpg).

I think it's stretching it when grey is listed as a "team color" just because the road unis are grey.

[PeteU]

Wow, and it's Norman Braman no less, former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles. I'm sure he won't last long, I would worry more about those upcoming County Commission votes.

The upcoming votes should be a formality, knock on wood. The big important votes on the agreement in principal were made several months ago.

Right now I say the Braman lawsuit is the biggest risk to the ballpark, and I think even that shouldn't be too difficult to overcome.

[six4three]

I think it's stretching it when grey is listed as a "team color" just because the road unis are grey.

Perhaps, but each team uses a distinct shade of gray (some overlap, some do not). So for his purposes, that's relevant.

Still, the Brewers also use their brick red as an accent color on merchandise. Not a lot of merchandise, I'll grant you, but they do use it.

[nymdan]

$515 million? What the heck are they spending $515 million on. Thats almost what CitiField is costing and its in NY, its bigger, and has more bells and whistles (emulating the Ebbetts Rotunda etc.). Doesn't that sound high for a stadium that small?
Retractable dome.

[BradC34]

I must be behind the times but I don't even remember seeing the proposed design. Anyone have the concept images?

[LetsGoMets687]

I must be behind the times but I don't even remember seeing the proposed design. Anyone have the concept images?

The design they're actually building hasn't been released yet. The only concepts out there are the old ones from 3 years ago.

[marlins739]

We should see some designs by the end of the summer. The ones floating around on the Internet were drawn up a long time ago before they decided to tear down the Orange Bowl. The park will definitely have a retractable roof though

[soxnut67]

Miami Marlins has a nice ring to it, much better than Florida Marlins. I always wondered why they chose Florida to begin with, and then kept it after the Devil Rays started operations in Tampa. And it does have some local history.

I believe this is a current school logo
http://www.mhsaa.mb.ca/images/logos/schools/a_miami.gif

1950's logo
http://www.logoserver.com/baseball/MiamiMarlins56a.GIF

'50's pin
http://www.vintagesportsshoppe.com/mar31.jpg

'50's uniform
http://www.distantreplays.com/distant/assets/product_images/MIA56R_thumb.jpg

1956 team photo
http://i15.tinypic.com/2wq51ki.jpg

Miami Stadium pics:
Miami Stadium (http://www.digitalballparks.com/International/Miami1.html)


I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I think Miami Marlins sounds dorky. When the first letter of the city/location is the same as the team name it sounds cartoonish to me.

I like Florida Marlins better than the Mammy Mamas.:noidea

[six4three]

I think you might be in the minority.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago Cubs
Philadelphia Phillies

Maybe it's a National League thing?

Los Angeles Angels (well, kinda).

I like them all. "Miami Marlins" works well for me.

[aqib]

I always thought "South Florida Marlins" was better, because they were never going to be the team for the whole state and I agree with and earlier comment that "Miami Marlins" sounds dorky.

[PeteU]

When the first letter of the city/location is the same as the team name it sounds cartoonish to me.


I'm not going to complain about the Marlins Mermaids, though:

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/fla/images/mermaids/y2006/ph_mermaids_581x373.jpg

Yes, I know. Cheerleaders at a baseball game are a true absurdity and a needless distraction from the game. But that doesn't make the scenery any less impressive....

[Lafferty Daniel]

I'm not going to complain about the Marlins Mermaids, though:

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/fla/images/mermaids/y2006/ph_mermaids_581x373.jpg

Yes, I know. Cheerleaders at a baseball game are a true absurdity and a needless distraction from the game. But that doesn't make the scenery any less impressive....

Every ballpark should have cheerleaders like that. Very nice. :thumbsup:

[Shadly]

I'm not going to complain about the Marlins Mermaids, though:

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/fla/images/mermaids/y2006/ph_mermaids_581x373.jpg

Yes, I know. Cheerleaders at a baseball game are a true absurdity and a needless distraction from the game. But that doesn't make the scenery any less impressive....

All these chicks are working on Ocean Drive after the game.

[Twins91871977]

Judge tosses most of Braman's lawsuit.
http://ballparkdigest.com/

[Shadly]

Is this still the current design for the Marlin's ballpark, or are they in the process of watering this down:

http://criticalmiami.com/images/855.jpg

[brewers96]

Looks good. found this on the Marlins website. --http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080505&content_id=2645294&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla

[LetsGoMets687]

Is this still the current design for the Marlin's ballpark, or are they in the process of watering this down:

http://criticalmiami.com/images/855.jpg

THey said they're starting from scratch and have not released the new version yet.

[Shadly]

THey said they're starting from scratch and have not released the new version yet.

Let me guess: Brick facade, green seats, archways, the whole shabang! I hope MLB realizes that the more stadiums they build with these design features, the less characteristic all of them are. Please Miami, home of art deco and colorful tropical architecture in this country, please do something original.

[Jim Vaz]

Is it a Florida thing because I always wondered why they have grass parking lots?
I know at Dolphins Stadium as well as the old Orange Bowl parking was situated as you would drive up in asphalt, but you park on grass.

Sort of odd I guess, maybe its because I'm from the northeast and it would be muck and mud half the year.

[Jim Vaz]

Let me guess: Brick facade, green seats, archways, the whole shabang! I hope MLB realizes that the more stadiums they build with these design features, the less characteristic all of them are. Please Miami, home of art deco and colorful tropical architecture in this country, please do something original.

The outside facade is going to be made from real Marlin skin. There is also talk that each seat will have a walker installed for senior fans as well as an inflatable rafts for those fans who plan on taking the trip back to Cuba. :rofl:

[LetsGoMets687]

Let me guess: Brick facade, green seats, archways, the whole shabang! I hope MLB realizes that the more stadiums they build with these design features, the less characteristic all of them are. Please Miami, home of art deco and colorful tropical architecture in this country, please do something original.

No, they already said it would be something modern, unusual and never before seen. Let's hope they really mean it!

[Yankees2k6]

Is this still the current design for the Marlin's ballpark, or are they in the process of watering this down:

http://criticalmiami.com/images/855.jpg

It looks like a futuristic spaceship, or something from Star Wars

[Shadly]

No, they already said it would be something modern, unusual and never before seen. Let's hope they really mean it!

Whoa! Like a multi colored brick facade with 2" x 7" bricks instead of the standard size?! That blows my mind!!

$10 imaginary internet bucks says they can't keep their hands off the brick.

[aqib]

Whoa! Like a multi colored brick facade with 2" x 7" bricks instead of the standard size?! That blows my mind!!

$10 imaginary internet bucks says they can't keep their hands off the brick.

I am thinking stucco

[marlins739]

I'm pretty confident they won't go with anything related to brick. Even though the designs that are floating around on the Internet aren't the final copy, I think the real one will be along the same lines as the black-and-white one posted above. They've said the new park will be a modern and innovative design with lots of glass. There's no heritage with red brick in this area.

The grass parking lot thing seems to work at the Dolph. I guess it helps with drainage, because even though it rains all the time, it's never a problem out in the parking lot. Drainage is something we're good at in South Florida.