Jacobs Field-Home of the Cleavland Indians
My Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Opened on April 4, 1994
Capacity: 43,345
Dimensions
Left Field - 325 ft (99 m)
Left-Center - 370 ft (113 m)
Center Field - 405 ft (123.5 m)
Right-Center - 375 ft (114 m)
Right Field - 325 ft (99 m)
Ballpark firsts
Quote:
First Ceremonial First Pitch President Clinton to Sandy Alomar, Jr. April 4, 1994
First Hit Eric Anthony (Seattle Mariners), home run April 4, 1994
First Indians Hit Sandy Alomar, Jr., single to right field April 4, 1994
First Double Manny Ramirez April 4, 1994
First Triple Ken Griffey, Jr. (Seattle Mariners) April 7, 1994
First Home Run Eric Anthony (Seattle Mariners) April 4, 1994
First Indians Home Run Eddie Murray April 7, 1994
First Grand Slam Paul Sorrento May 9, 1995
First Winning Pitcher Eric Plunk April 4, 1994
First Save Hipólito Pichardo (Kansas City Royals) April 15, 1994
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The scoreboard in left field is the longest free standing scoreboard in the United States.
Quote:
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Starting on Opening Day of 2007, The Cleveland Indians are going to be opening Heritage Park, a site for The Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame, The 100 Indian Roster, and Memories of The Indians. It will be located behind the Center Field Wall, but with shrubs and bushes so it doesn't interfere with the "Batter's Eye View."
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My Experience:
In 2005, I attended a Tigers/Indians game at Jacobs Field. The stadium is pretty nice. The inside is nice and it is located right next to the Gund Arena home of the Cavs. The location is nice as well right in the middle of the city. Overall it isn't the best stadium it kind of looks like US Cellular but it is pretty good.
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Comerica Park-Home of the Detroit Tigers
Opened On April 11, 2000
Capacity: 41,070
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars-It is a nice stadium with plenty of things to do. The merry-go-round and ferris wheel are good for the kids.
First game
Quote:
The first game at Comerica Park was held on Tuesday, April 11, 2000 with 39,168 spectators attending, on a cold snowy afternoon. Grounds people had to clear snow off the field from the night before. The Tigers defeated the Seattle Mariners 5-2. The winning pitcher, like in the final game at Tiger Stadium was Brian Moehler.
Original plans called for an F-16 flyover from nearby Selfridge Air National Guard Base and a parachutist carrying the first pitch ball and the rosin bag. Unfortunately, the weather caused a scratch of both occurrences. Nonetheless, there was a passing of the flag to the flagpole in center in reverse order as there was to take it down from Tiger Stadium. Elden Auker, who had received the flag at Tiger Stadium and given it to Brad Ausmus, passed the flag along a line of players to the flagpole in center. The unfurled 150x300 American flag, is the largest in the nation, for the singing of the national anthem.
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Criticism
Quote:
Replacing a popular stadium, Comerica Park faced high expectations upon its opening, and many fans have criticized it. [2] Complaints about Comerica include its deep dimensions (partially rectified), an upper deck that sits significantly further from the action than in the old park, and a lack of cover for most seats, which can leave fans exposed to the elements. The park also faces south, which allows for a good view of the downtown skyline, but which also puts the setting sun in the faces of a large percentage of the crowd.
Some of the more traditional baseball fans have criticized the amount of non-baseball attractions at the park, notably the inclusion of a Ferris Wheel and Merry-go-round.
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Whenever a Tiger hits a home run a tiger in the outfield has his eyes lit up.
It is also located right next to Ford Field home of the Lions.
Dimensions
Left Field - 345 ft / 105 m
Left-Center - 370 ft / 113 m
Center Field - 420 ft / 128 m
Right-Center - 365 ft / 111 m
Right Field - 330 ft / 101 m
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U.S. Cellular Field-Home of the Chicago White Sox
My Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
AKA Little League Park
Opened April 18, 1991
Capacity
44,321 (1991)
45,936 (2001)
47,098 (2003)
40,615 (2004)
Dimensions
Left Field - 330 ft (100.5 m)
Left-Center - 375 ft (114 m)
Center Field - 400 ft (122 m)
Right-Center - 375 ft (114 m)
Right Field - 335 ft (102 m)
Backstop - 60 ft (18 m)
LOL
Formerly knows as Comiskey Park 2 many people are angry about the name change and think Comiskey Park was tradition.
The Coolest feature of US Cellular is the exploding scoreboard which goes off after every White Sox home run (not many)
Renovations
Quote:
Phase I (2001 season)
* Three rows of seats were added along the field between the dugouts and the foul poles.
* Bullpens were moved and replaced with additional bleachers.
* Distances to the outfield wall were changed, most noticeably down the foul lines, where the bullpens and the Bullpen Sports Bar are now located.
* Batter's eye in center field was redesigned.
* Restaurant was added in the outfield.
Phase II (2002 season)
* Old backstop with netted roof was replaced with a new "roofless" backstop which allows foul balls to drop into seats.
* Improvements were made to the main and club level concourses.
* Scoreboard and video boards were upgraded.
Phase III (2003 season)
* New center field video board and LED "ribbon" boards were added.
* Outfield/Upper Deck Concourse upgrades were made.
* Fan Deck in center field was added.
* Ballpark was painted and stained.
* A life size bronze statue of Charles Comiskey.
* Phase III renovations cost approximately $20 million.
Phase IV (2004 season)
* Upper Deck Seating Area - Eight rows and 6,600 seats were removed from the top of ballpark's upper deck.
* A flat roof, elevated 20 feet above the seating area, has replaced the old roof, covering all but eight rows of seating.
* Upper Deck Concourse was partially enclosed from the weather by a translucent wall.
* Fan Deck in center field upgraded to feature tiered seating and standing room.
* Lower Terrace balcony added to provide an additional party area and outdoor seating.
* A life sized bronze statue of Minnie Minoso.
* Phase IV renovations cost approximately $28 million.
Phase V (2005 season)
* 314-seat "Scout" seating area directly behind home plate added.
* FUNdamentals, an area for kids, was added above the left field concourse.
* Green seats replaced the old blue seats in the Club level, bleachers and some scattered areas around home plate.
* A life size bronze statue of Carlton Fisk.
Phase VI (2006 season)
* Green seats replaced the old blue seats in the entire Upper Deck and the Lower Deck between the dugouts.
* Enclosed, ground level restaurant was completed, providing a lounge and dining area for the Scout Seats.
* Life size bronze statues of Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio placed on center field concourse.
* New banners were hung down on the outfield Light towers. One for the 2005 World Series, one for the 1906 and 1917 World Series, one for all White Sox American League pennants, and one for all division championships.
* The flags for these titles, now on the banners, were replaced with flags of all the Sox logos in club history.
Phase VII (2007 season)
* Green seats replaced the old blue seats in the Lower Deck from the dugouts and the entire outfield seating area (including the left-center field bleachers which were previously renovated).
* A new premium seating/restaurant area located in the former press box behind home plate in the stadium's "club level".
* A new press box located on the first base side of the upper level of club level seating.
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My Experience:
In my opinion US Cellular is an okay ballpark. The only problem I have with it is so small. Players hit pop ups that get out because the walls are so far in. Overall not bad.
Credits:
http://www.derekmiller.us/baseball/uscellular.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Cellular_Field
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