Florida Marlins close upper deck to Sun Life Stadium

The Florida Marlins have decided to close the upper deck to the stadium and no it has nothing to do it the tragedy that happened in Texas. This is the Marlins, it has to do with money.

Marlins fans can forget about nosebleeds the rest of the season. The club is closing the upper deck to spectators at Sun Life Stadium.

Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello said team officials decided it made little sense to staff the upper deck with ushers and security personnel for a section that attracted so few fans.

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As a result, Loyello said, season-ticket holders with upper-deck seats will be "upgraded" at no additional cost to infield box seats, ones much closer to the field, for the 31 remaining home games.

 

And the team will no longer sell upper-deck seats to the public on Fridays and Saturdays. The upper deck was closed the other five days of the week.

Can't say I blame them. I have never sat in the upper deck for a game and by looking at the broadcasts almost no one has either. 

It does appear the Marlins, besides saving money, are going for a more aesthetic view for the television cameras.

"To get more people in the lower bowl makes for a better atmosphere," Loyello said. "It looks better and it’s better ambience."

Whatever. The sight-lines from the upper deck within the bases are probably better in the upper deck than the ones in the bullpen box and beyond. I have no problem with the team saving money on not staffing the upper deck, but don't tell me it is a better atmosphere. The last time I sat along the baselines near the bullpen the crowd filled in and I couldn't see a thing. Well, except the back of my neighbor's head and I don't call that a better atmosphere.

I guess the bottom line is that the park sucks, and there is nothing that can be done about it. So in the meantime, everyone sits together. No big deal.