Marlins Stadium thread

[dave8721]

Stadium aerial with the Gables and the Grove in the background:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/southbound228/7072790875/
image hosted on flickr

[Endeavor305]

Originally Posted by BornInTheGrove

I'd ask for some Holy Mackerel... but at 8.5%... i doubt they would want people already hammered before the end of the 1st

Le Fin de Munde is 9% I believe. It appropriately translates to "End of the World".

[Endeavor305]

Nice photo Dave.

[Endeavor305]

Speaking of emails from Marlins, earlier in the week I wrote a very short email to David Samson. I basically wanted to express that as a season ticket holder I continue to support the Marlins. It was literally a couple lines only. I got a reply yesterday stating that the comments are appreciated. It was probably just a generic copy and paste reply, but the mofo replied at least. Why am I even talking about this? Yea I think I've had a little too much to drink.

[Endeavor305]

image hosted on flickr

Marlins Park Panorama (04-14-2012) by thehoorse24, on Flickr

[spellbound]

Looking forward to being there Tuesday. Mostly work this trip but that will be fun.

[Hia-leah JDM]

What is that'? The second home game? There shouldn't be that much empty seats.

[Endeavor305]

Originally Posted by Hia-leah JDM

What is that'? The second home game? There shouldn't be that much empty seats.

I thought the crowd was great although I don't know what the official attendance was. I think one of the things that will make the attendance look decievingly less is that many fans, particularly from the upper deck, are watching the game from the concourse. Especially in left field by the Budweiser bar. Not just there though. I have walked around the stadium a few times and the wall or railing is full with people watching the games from there. Along the right field wall is a bar with high tables and full of people. People are also standing against the railings at the top of the sections near the infield. Besides that alot of people are hanging out eating or drinking at the bars.

[Comfortably Numb]

Wow, it's stunning! They were building it when I left Miami, so I never got to see the end result.

How has it impacted traffic in the area though? I'd imagine that 836 is a bit of a mess. It was always tricky coming home from work on nights when the Heat were playing.

[Endeavor305]

Originally Posted by Comfortably Numb

Wow, it's stunning! They were building it when I left Miami, so I never got to see the end result.

Yes the ballpark is great.

Originally Posted by Comfortably Numb

How has it impacted traffic in the area though? I'd imagine that 836 is a bit of a mess. It was always tricky coming home from work on nights when the Heat were playing.

The traffic... not so great. It is a mess. Especially at the exit ramps (17th and 27th avenue).

[dave8721]

Originally Posted by Hia-leah JDM

What is that'? The second home game? There shouldn't be that much empty seats.

You can also tell by the scoreboard that its the 1st inning. Miamians can't get anywhere on time, much less a place that not very easy to get to.

[ftlauddude]

SFRTA TO OPERATE SPECIAL TRI-RAIL SERVICE FOR MARLINS HOME NIGHT GAMES



The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) will run special Tri-Rail trains to serve Marlins weekday and weekend home night games, beginning with "Opening Day" on April 4th. A special northbound train will depart Metrorail Transfer Station approximately 1 hour following the conclusion of games, and a special southbound train will depart the Mangonia Park Station at 5:00 pm to facilitate getting to Saturday night games. The special trains are being funded by the Miami Marlins as part of a demonstration project.

"We know that based on numerous calls to our customer service representatives, there is a large contingent of Marlins fans who live in Broward and Palm Beach counties who would like to attend the games but are seeking an alternative to the high cost of driving and the scarcity of parking at the stadium. We hope that by providing this additional service, they will be able to enjoy going to the game and rooting for the home team in person," said SFRTA Executive Director Joseph Giulietti.

Regular Tri-Rail fares will apply, with zoned fares during the week and flat fares of $5 on the weekends. EASY Card-holders pay a transfer fee of $1 to board Metrorail, plus a 50-cent transfer to the Express Shuttle provided by Miami-Dade Transit to and from the Marlins Park via the Metrorail Culmer Station. For the return trip, the bus fare is $2 and a 50-cent transfer to Metrorail. Passengers who do not possess an EASY Card can purchase a 1-Day Pass for the Metrorail and Express Bus connections for $5.

Tri-Rail's customer service call center hours will be extended on the nights of weekend games until after the special train departs Tri-Rail's Metrorail Transfer Station. Ticket agent hours will also be extended at that station on home game nights.

For more information call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245.)

http://www.tri-rail.com/bulletins.htm#list38

[krnboy1009]

Nice to see the Marlins encouraging patrons to take public transit.

[rmc523]

Originally Posted by Hia-leah JDM

What is that'? The second home game? There shouldn't be that much empty seats.

Endeavor is right - that's also one of the things I noticed at Sunday's game when I was there - there were seats open around the ballpark (attendance 34,232), but I noticed a lot of people just watching from the concourse at the top of the sections.

Originally Posted by Endeavor305

I thought the crowd was great although I don't know what the official attendance was.

It would've been the 3rd home game on Saturday - attendance was 31,659.

[JOrtiz]

Yep, ALOT of people are just watching the game from the concourse area, which is actually really cool, but makes for some empty seats. But it is inexcusable that there was an ENTIRE section by third base that was completely empty on Saturday night. It's obvious they are probably reserved for something, but what the hell, put some people in those seats!

[Hia-leah JDM]

I completely forgot Showtime has been filming behind the scenes this whole time. They surely picked the right organization to document this year.

[CF221]

[sobchbud]

Went to see the game last night 4/17/12 Marlins over the Cubs 5-2 in 8 1/2 innings. The stadium is indeed stunning! estimate 20,000 - 25,000 attendance.
I predicted the Ramirez home run, so I told my buddy to start shooting the video I posted on YouTube link below.

http://youtu.be/mOQNE7tox7E

[spellbound]

We were both there, my friend! Thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to the ballpark. It's gorgeous.

I didn't have any traffic issues at all. There was a bit of mess leaving but that was because an accident had closed off the 12th Avenue bridge. Getting there (admittedly early because I wanted to roam the facility) was a snap. Of course, I took all surface streets rather than the "newbie" routes. Knew the drill from many years of going to the OB!

Had a perfectly respectable Cuban sandwich from Latin America grill, although at $16.50 for that and a diet Pepsi not exactly a bargain! But ballparks are like airports. You're hostage and they extort you.

Agreed with your attendance estimate. The "announced" crowd is clearly tickets distributed rather than actual numbers. Have to say if there was one big disappointment it was that. Gorgeous night, the Marlins ace on the mound, and an opponent that draws plenty of their own fans. Much smaller crowd than I had hoped to see, especially with the ballpark still being brand new.

Hopefully those numbers improve, but I couldn't say they will with any genuine certainty or confidence. Either way, regardless of the valid criticisms of the financing, etc. I hope more folks will take in a game. It really is a super facility.

[spellbound]

Oh, and I'll post a few (lousy) pics I took when I get back to Philly in a few days!