LandShark Stadium didn't finish last?

by craig on Jul 9, 2009 9:50 AM EDT in News and Rumors

I want a recount.

The Sporting News ranked the Major League Baseball Parks and LandShark Stadium finished 28th.

28. Land Shark Stadium, Miami (OPENED: 1987; 1993 for baseball. SEATS: 36,331): A stadium by any other name—Joe Robbie? Pro Player? Dolphin?—still deserves a tarp over the empty seats.

First off, I have no idea whether it is LandShark or Land Shark and frankly I don't care. It is still JRS to me.

But that aside.

The Marlins home park finished ahead of the Metrodome and Tropicana Field.

I've been to the Metrodome, and yeah it isn't great and kinda ugly, and was definitely built on the cheap. The seat rows are unbelievable long to the point that going to the concession stand is too much of pain. And ordering from a vendor means about a hundred people will have to pass your hot dog down to you. However, the sight-lines weren't bad, by any means, and it was one the loudest most enthusiastic places I have ever seen a game. I'm not buying we finished ahead of them.

As for Tropicana, I don't know - never been there. But the tales I hear from Marlins fans who make the trip up state for interleague play is that it isn't all that bad. We are talking Florida here and how many home rain delays have they experienced this season. or any other season for that matter.....let me help you with the math -- Zero.

That alone makes it better. Not to mention you can pet those poor, unfortunate sting rays in the tank that Luis Gonzalez hit the home run into.

As I said to begin this, I want a recount.

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I have been to the metrodome and believe me, at least for baseball (not always true for football) any outdoor stadium beats any indoor one

by brooksbollinger9 on Jul 9, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

I Still Call It Joe Robbie

I think you’ll like this shirt Craig:

http://www.nomas-nyc.com/product_joerobbie.html

by dave6834 on Jul 9, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

I love Land Shark Stadium, Craig!

Or maybe I just love the Marlins. But seriously. Rain and neck pain aside, I think it’s a decent place to watch baseball. Granted, the only other stadiums I have been to are Riverfront, RFK and Great American, but still. I remember being annoyed the last time I was at the GAB because it wasn’t a football stadium. :) Especially since their measly screen cannot begin to compare to our two giant Jumbotrons, and I had to twist around to see it (from seats a few rows up from the visitor’s dugout, mind you). OK, the GAB is a fantastic place to watch baseball, but I’m just sayin’. I’m cool with LSS. Bad sight lines notwithstanding.

Hook, Line Drive, & Sinker
GameFish Tweets

by GameFish on Jul 9, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

yeah, JRS isn't so bad.

It’s a nice enough place. However, I’ve never spent considerable time at other stadiums, so maybe it’s a case of not knowing what you don’t have.

I did attend one game at Camden Yards a few years ago, which was an awesome experience. And I got an Eddie Murray bobblehead! How’s that for good timing?

by Fishcrazy on Jul 9, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Have to agree with everybody so far

1) The Trop isn’t terrible, it’s just inside. It’s dark and echo-y. Baseball was meant for the open air. One of my fears with the new stadium is that people will decide it’s too hot and that roof will happen more often than not. The mere fact that it’s a dome puts it below JRS in my book.

2) Yeah, JRS.

3) It wasn’t always so bad here. I’ve been to some of the new ballparks and they are head and shoulders above JRS, but I always enjoyed the games here. As the Loria years have progressed I think the experience has gotten worse. Still, I think blaming the stadium for a lack of fans is misguided.

by brickell on Jul 9, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

Stadiums

I’ve been to many different stadiums around the country. While Land Shark/Pro Player/Dolphin Stadium/JRS isn’t a terrible place to watch a game (from most sections), it just isn’t a baseball stadium.

I have never been to the Metrodome, but I have been to the Trop. The sightlines at the Trop are good for baseball, just everything else about it is kind of depressing. It isn’t just that it is indoors…I have been to Arizona and Milwaukee with the roof closed and aside from the fact that you are very comfortable with the AC and no chance of rain, you don’t have the same enclosed feeling you have in a fixed dome.

by fauowls44 on Jul 12, 2009 7:08 AM EDT reply actions