International Ballparks

[Shadly]

Are there any good pictures of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Dominican, etc. ballparks out there? Are they going through a similar retro ballpark revolution in some of these locations? Are there notable ballparks being built abroad? Discuss...

[PeteU]

This thread has some good ones:

http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77628

[Sean O]

Are there any good pictures of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Dominican, etc. ballparks out there? Are they going through a similar retro ballpark revolution in some of these locations? Are there notable ballparks being built abroad? Discuss...

Well, doing American Retro over there really wouldn't make all that much sense, but I guess the question is whether they build parks like they did in the early 20th century? Unless they wanted to make everything like Koshien, I'm not so sure there's enough of a legacy to create their own type of retro thing.

[heavesrock]

Hiroshima is building a very MLBish stadium next season.

[mrakbaseball]

Munhak Baseball Stadium, South Korea capacity 30,000

[mrakbaseball]

Munhak Baseball Stadium

[mrakbaseball]

Munhak Baseball Stadium

[stlfan]

Why, oh why can't they build canopy roofs like that here in the states?

[Pelt]

Why, oh why can't they build canopy roofs like that here in the states?

What? You don't like the ridiculous roofs that only cover the last 5 rows in the upper deck, making them pretty much pointless? :rofl:

[stlfan]

I haven't seen the virtual tour of Cisco Field yet, but the renderings look like they might attempt such a roof design. Is that true?

[PeteU]

I'm assuming Muhnak was built for the 1988 Olympics, no?

I don't know why, but I sort of like Muhnak from the looks of it. It gives off something of a simple, straight forward vibe, like Kauffman Stadium or Dodger Stadium.

[Sean O]

I'm assuming Muhnak was built for the 1988 Olympics, no?

I don't know why, but I sort of like Muhnak from the looks of it. It gives off something of a simple, straight forward vibe, like Kauffman Stadium or Dodger Stadium.

It appears to be a Richmond Diamond clone, no?

[flasah]

Similar
http://rbraves.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/Stadium/Diamond-Overhead.gif
http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48971&stc=1&d=1218058228

[Shadly]

http://i.cnn.net/money/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2007/04/01/8403857/ballpark.03.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/9937271.jpg

Good looking park. I think it would work well for any MLB franchise. No one would ever build one like it because it doesn't look enough like Ebbet's.

[mrakbaseball]

Munhak Baseball Stadium is located in Incheon, South Korea. Unfortunately not in Queens or the Bronx. It was built in 2001. It is home to the SK Wyverns.

[placount]

dont think this has been posted. its estadio la ceiba from venezuela.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/venezuela/san_felix_ceiba1.jpg

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/venezuela/san_felix_ceiba2.jpg

[mrakbaseball]

Munhak and Lackawanna look more alike than Munhak and Richmond. Munhak appears to be one of the best ballparks in all of Asia.

[stlfan]

dont think this has been posted. its estadio la ceiba from venezuela.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/venezuela/san_felix_ceiba1.jpg

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/south_america/venezuela/san_felix_ceiba2.jpg
If you extended the grandstands out more, you'd have a modern day Polo Grounds.

[mrakbaseball]

capacity 27k

[mrakbaseball]

opened 1990, modeled after Jack Murphy Stadium

[jimmyjimjimz]

what about the stadoum that's being used for the olympics. Anyone have a pic of that stadium?

[Chevy114]

opened 1990, modeled after Jack Murphy Stadium

Thats a sharp one!

[mrakbaseball]

Estadio Monterrey hosted a 3 game series in '96 between the Mets and Padres and also opening day '99 between the Rockies and Padres.

[NewEnglandAmazins]

Estadio Cibao in Santiago, Dominican Republic

[NewEnglandAmazins]

Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

[Anubis2051]

Ok, so heres a thought... How could the european stadiums hold up to baseball? could any of them theroreticaly hold a game if MLB decided to do the same thing that they have done in mexico and japan to try and spread the game overseas? does anyone have the ability to try and mock that up?

[BradC34]

I love the Korean stadium. Reminds me of a scaled up Olsen Field (Texas A&M).

Random fact: Hawaii University's stadium is an Olsen Field clone. They sent representatives to view Olsen Field before they built it.

[Bobby_Ayala]

..........

[Bobby_Ayala]

..........

[mrakbaseball]

Munhak (Korea) and Estadio Monterrey (Mexico) appear to be the top International ballparks. :twocents:

[tdinan]

Munhak (Korea) and Estadio Monterrey (Mexico) appear to be the top International ballparks. :twocents:

What about Koshien Stadium? Home of the Hanshin Tigers.

[natron20]

What about Koshien Stadium? Home of the Hanshin Tigers.

I got to watch a game at Koshien Stadium while I was in Japan as an exchange student. I watched a 19 year old Matsui play for the Tokyo Giants but in the end the Tigers won. Hit a walk off HR in the bottom of the 10th. The stadium and whole experience were awesome. I will have to see if I can upload my pictures.

Attending a game at Koshien Stadium was a great experience.

[natron20]

Behind home plate at Koshien Stadium

[natron20]

Matsui warming up near the fence. He was 19 or 20 years old IIRC.

[mrakbaseball]

What about Koshien Stadium? Home of the Hanshin Tigers.
Not a fan of the all-dirt infield, that just screams "Softball" to me. Not impressed with Japanese ballparks, a lot of them remind me of artificial turf versions of the old Arlington Stadium.

[natron20]

I've never done this before so I apologize if the images don't show up or if they do they are the wrong size. Also I'm sorry for the poor image quality. These pictures are 15 plus years old and my camera was a crappy little one which was the best I could afford at the time.

Matsui warming up.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin1.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin2.jpg

One of the things unique to the atmosphere of a game in Japan are the "cheerleaders" (I'm sure they have a different name but who knows). Note in this picture the guy blowing the trumpet. He would play a few notes and the crowd knew just what to do. Very cool.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin3.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin4.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin5.jpg

I loved the lighting tower design. Not sure why they were just very unusual and cool. Another thing of interest in this picture is the "cheerleader" to the right in this picture. Tom O'Malley played MLB baseball during the 80's for several teams such as the Giants, White Sox, Orioles, Rangers, Expos, and Mets but by 1994 he had moved onto Japan where he was a legend of sorts playing for Hanshin Tigers and other Japanese teams. Anyway, whenever an American came to bat the "cheerleaders" pulled out their American flags and chants of USA reigned down from the stadium.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin6.jpg

The 7th inning stretch of a Tigers game is interesting to say the least. The crowd all sings their "fight song" and then everyone releases balloons at the same time. As I was walking in I kept seeing vendors selling balloons and I had no idea what they were for. It was one of the wildest sights I've ever seen when they all went off across the stadium in unison.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin8.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin9.jpg

[natron20]

Not a fan of the all-dirt infield, that just screams "Softball" to me. Not impressed with Japanese ballparks, a lot of them remind me of artificial turf versions of the old Arlington Stadium.

You realize Koshien stadium has grass right? I will agree that a lot of their stadiums are generic but I would argue that Koshien stadium does not fall into that category. It is the Fenway/Wrigley Field of Japanese baseball. My pictures do not do the place justice.

The stadium is a jewel. Here are a couple of pictures of the exterior from wikipedia.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/799px-Hanshin_Koshien_Stadium_2007-.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/800px-Hanshin_Koshien_Stadium_2007-.jpg

[mrakbaseball]

You realize Koshien stadium has grass right? I will agree that a lot of their stadiums are generic but I would argue that Koshien stadium does not fall into that category. It is the Fenway/Wrigley Field of Japanese baseball. My pictures do not do the place justice.


Yes, but an all dirt infield.

[Bobby_Ayala]

The stadium is a jewel.

I've never done this before so I apologize if the images don't show up or if they do they are the wrong size. Also I'm sorry for the poor image quality. These pictures are 15 plus years old and my camera was a crappy little one which was the best I could afford at the time.



http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin4.jpg



I loved the lighting tower design. Not sure why they were just very unusual and cool. Another thing of interest in this picture is the "cheerleader" to the right in this picture. Tom O'Malley played MLB baseball during the 80's for several teams such as the Giants, White Sox, Orioles, Rangers, Expos, and Mets but by 1994 he had moved onto Japan where he was a legend of sorts playing for Hanshin Tigers and other Japanese teams. Anyway, whenever an American came to bat the "cheerleaders" pulled out their American flags and chants of USA reigned down from the stadium.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/natron20/hanshin6.jpg


Too much seating in the OF. They should have built an upper deck in foul territory instead.

[Anubis2051]

Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50178&stc=1&d=1219276964

Good looking ballpark. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is one of the front runners for the first round of the next WBC.

[nyce475]

I would love to see that ballpark with all the ivy in the US...people love the wall at wrigley...imagine that here!

[dumma00]

Parque del Seguro Social, México City. These pics were taken in the late 50's the stadium no longer exists. In fact, Mexico City doesn't have a real baseball park.

[jnakamura]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3844731751_48b2c11183_o.jpg

Chiba Marine Stadium

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chkalov/3844731751/in/pool-baseball_stadiums

[Anubis2051]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3844731751_48b2c11183_o.jpg

Chiba Marine Stadium

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chkalov/3844731751/in/pool-baseball_stadiums

Looks like miller without the roof.

[Chevy114]

Looks like miller without the roof.

I agree exactly!

[Bobby_Ayala]

Estadio Monterrey
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Estadiomty.jpg/800px-Estadiomty.jpg
I admire this symmetry :applaud: Interesting that the plastic seats are on top of the rows instead of attached at the back.

[DJ Starion]

Estadio Francisco Montaner - Ponce, PR (Home of the winter league Leones de Ponce)

Yes, when it's not being used for baseball it's transformed into a track and field stadium. The track is covered and lowered during baseball season.
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/16215550.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/19509870.jpg

[jnakamura]

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/16215550.jpg

Crap--that makes the Oakland Coliseum look intimate.

Possibly the worst set up in the history of the game.

[CruiznSD]

Estadio Monterrey
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Estadiomty.jpg/800px-Estadiomty.jpg
I admire this symmetry :applaud: Interesting that the plastic seats are on top of the rows instead of attached at the back.

FYI: This is where the Padres and Mets played the first ever regular season games outside of the US or Canada. I believe this picture may have even been taken during that series in 1996.

I remember reading about how the same people who built Jack Murphy Stadium built this stadium, and that is why there are so many similarities between the 2 stadiums. I don't know if that's true or not, but just something that I vaguely recall.

[Zoso]

Some pretty interesting little ballparks. Too bad you never see that kind of variance in America, not to beat a dead horse.

Like someone mentioned earlier, is there a good reason why the roofs are so small in American parks? And when they have any significant overhang, as in the Cell, you need massive I-beams to hold them up. We get it, that was the height of engineering in the 1920's, but how about a move forward here and there for pete's sake? Baseball is way too concerned with its own history.

[Bobby_Ayala]

FYI: This is where the Padres and Mets played the first ever regular season games outside of the US or Canada. I believe this picture may have even been taken during that series in 1996.

I remember reading about how the same people who built Jack Murphy Stadium built this stadium, and that is why there are so many similarities between the 2 stadiums. I don't know if that's true or not, but just something that I vaguely recall.I don't know about being built by the same people, but it no secret that ballpark was influenced by Jack Murphy.