|
|
Following seven Grapefruit League Spring Training games we drove to Miami for the 2018 Miami opening game against the Chicago Cubs. The Miami Marlins play in Marlins Park which opened in 2012 and seats 37,642, the third smallest in capacity in MLB. The Marlins played the Cub and lost 8 -4. The box score Cubs R-8, H-9, E-2 Marlins R-4, H-8, E-2. The field lines are RF-335, RC-392, LF-407, LC-386, LF-344. The distance to the LF walkway-401, LC walkway-427. Steve Cishek, Cubs middle reliever and ex-Mariner got the win. Walking up to the park you don't necessarily realize that this is a baseball stadium. There is no name on the outside indicating what is inside. It does have a retractable roof, which was closed when we went in. The stadium is airconditioned when the roof is closed. Before the game it was opened, along with the hugh glass doors behind left field. After the national anthem a flight of F-16s from Homestead Air Reserve Base flew overhead. I took all of my pictures from the 300 level, it was too much work to go down. Excellent scoreboards throughout the park. Huge pitch speed at field level in left center field. They have two World Series Flags, not super impressive though. There is field level seating in left field. Billy the Marlin is the mascot. There is a hugh art deco display just to the left of center field. Attendance was 32,151, a huge number of enthusiatic Cubs fans throughout the ballpark. I had purchased street level parking in a Marlins parking lot. When we arrived we were told that the lot was full. Ultimately a place was found for us when a gentleman from iHeart Radio let us park by one of their shelters. Thanks IHeart Radio! |
|
