• Features and Dimensions of the New Marlins Ballpark

  • We’ve been looking closely at the renderings and here are our observations:

    This is not a retro ballpark. It retains many of the swooping round design cues that can be found in both the American Airlines Arena and in the old renderings of the ballpark that included the Orange Bowl.

    Outfield Glass Wall

    Dimensions are somewhat similar to Dolphin Stadium: 335 down the right field line, 392 in the gap, 416 leading to 420 in a Bermuda Triangle like layout in center, 384 in the left-field gap and 340 down the left-field line. Speaking of the Bermuda Triangle, the outfield walls curve rather than bend and the Triangle looks more like a sea shell then a triangle. Also, the outfield has a pool/beach area and a large animatronic marlin that will jump when the Marlins hit a home run. All the currently available renderings obscure that part of the ballpark which may also include a new version of the Teal Monster.

    Right and center field have glass walls leading to green park areas and hopefully views of downtown Miami.

    Outfield Glass Wall

    The roof both slides (like in Seattle) and accordions (like Houston). That means that the area outside the ballpark along the first base line will be partially covered when the roof is open. One side of this area is bound by a stretched spiral walkway which appears to have a large video screen for people outside the ballpark.

    Outfield Glass Wall

    Conceptually, the ballpark has 3 seating tiers but even within tiers there are some breaks. The upper deck features several sections that are pushed back a bit to create standing room space. Also, the first group of rows along the first and third base lines seem to be separated from the rows above them. We’ve seen this in other ballparks where the premium seats are offset from the rest.

    Outfield Glass Wall

    Large HD like scoreboards are located in the right field and left field gaps.

    Outfield Glass Wall

    There are several green areas around the ballpark and every external walkway is lined with trees. Some of the flat green areas appear to be recreation areas for the community to use during the off season (one even has a diamond and dugouts that) that can be converted to parking during the season.

    Outfield Glass Wall

    The site features four 4-story parking decks and several smaller surface lots.

    Outfield Glass Wall

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    • Michael Gunner
    • RETWEETED
      17 years ago

    • Being a resident of South Florida for 8 wonderful years, I am glad to see this baby finally getting off the drawing board and onto the actual ground. Will be a huge asset to team…..but, am a LIFE-LONG, DIE-HARD ST LOUIS CARDINAL fan and too bad such a great thing has to be wasted on Baseball’s MOST BANDWAGON, fickle fans. (Same classification as useless Univ of Miami BANDWAGON fans)

      Hotty Toddy from Seattle….GO REBS GO….&, of course, Cardinals, too!

    • bruce hamby
    • RETWEETED
      17 years ago

    • Too easy on fly ball pitchers. Too tuff on homerun hitters. Same old, same old. What else is new?

    • EDWIN BURGOS
    • RETWEETED
      17 years ago

    • IS NICE I WISH I GO THERE ONE TIME…

  • Marlins, County Reach Deal; Vote Scheduled for February 13th

  • The Florida Marlins have reached agreement with Miami-Dade County on 5 contracts (read them here) which were necessary to close the deal for the new ballpark. The agreements will face final approval by both the County and the City of Miami on February 13, 2009. Among the concessions made by the Marlins:

    – If Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria sells the team in the seven years after the agreement has been reached, the county would almost double its share of any profits.

    – The ball club’s $2.3 million a year in rent will go up by 2 percent each year.

    – Extra costs due to scheduling or problems between the contractor and subcontractors will now be paid by the Marlins.

    And, we get the first official renderings here and here.

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  • Same Story, Different Day

  • Surprise! The final votes on the Marlins ballpark deal have been delayed until next month.

    Today’s excuse?

    The holidays, coupled with Tuesday’s presidential inauguration — which will be attended by several elected officials — combined to push back the final votes that could bring the team its long-elusive permanent home in South Florida.

    Clearly the Fish know that this will take forever which is why they pushed groundbreaking to May or June.

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  • Latest Ballpark D-Day: January 22, 2009

  • The Marlins are finalizing five agreements with the City and Country and expect all 5 to come up for final vote on January 22.

    Five documents still must be agreed upon by commissioners from the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County. The vote is expected on Jan. 22. If all goes according to script, that could be the day the team’s retractable-roof park will become official.

    What are these documents?

    The five documents that commissioners will address are: City/parking agreement; operating agreement; construction/administration agreement; non-relocation agreement; and the assurance agreement, where all parties are bound by all agreements.

    We also learned that ground breaking is scheduled for sometime between May 15 and June 15th.

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  • If You Build a Stadium Website, It Will Come

  • There’s an addition to the Marlins family and it’s not a new catcher or outfielder, it’s a website for the new ballpark: http://www.marlinsnewballpark.com/.

    First, there are a couple of design elements that standout. The website is orange and black (kind of like the colors of Fish@Bat) and the favicon is the Marlins “M” (again, kind of like our favicon). We know that the team is changing to Miami and we also know that there will be new uniforms so this is possibly a first step.

    Also, The Marlins are also trying to generate some viral buzz, asking fans to show their support by printing banners and submitting photos. Amazingly enough, though, they insist that you print the banners professionally so I’m guessing this won’t go too far. Regardless, we look forward to seeing this site grow, especially when those design renderings are finally available.

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  • Judge Ends Braman Case

  • The Judge has ruled against all counts in Braman lawsuit. He is likely to appeal. More details to follow.

    Update: Story here.

    Auto dealer Norman Braman has lost all counts of his lawsuit challenging public funding for a new Florida Marlins stadium.

    Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeri Beth Cohen released her final written order on Friday, denying Braman’s request to declare the stadium’s funding plan unconstitutional.

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  • BREAKING: Supreme Court Ruling Likely to Favor Marlins

  • Great news form the Florida Supreme Court:

    In a ruling issued on Thursday, high court members announced that they were reversing a ruling they made last year which required voter approval of redevelopment bond sales backed by property taxes.

    This decision is a huge victory for the Fish because the last issue in the Braman lawsuit focused on the need for voter approval and Judge Jeri Beth Cohen was awaiting this decision before ruling on the final count. Despite her wishes, the Judge will be forced to reject Braman’s last claim and allow the Marlins to proceed with building the ballpark. Braman is likely to appeal, but he’s already lost all 7 counts of thi baseless case even though he had a Judge who was favorable to his cause.

    If all goes well, the Marlins can break ground in the next 60 days and there is a good chance the ballpark will open by 2011.

    Update: I forgot to mention that, of course, there are still some votes that need to happen so it’s not a done deal, but bottom line is that the big legal hurdle should be behind us for now.

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  • BREAKING: Judge Sides With Marlins on Ballpark Purpose

  • An encouraging development:

    Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Jeri Beth Cohen ruled Tuesday that building a ballpark for the Florida Marlins serves a public purpose — a significant victory for the team and local government in their quest to bring a new stadium to South Florida.

    This was one of two issues left in this wasteful lawsuit. Now, the Judge is withholding ruling on the final issue until the Florida Supreme Court reviews the issue of diverting funds from their original purpose.

    Update: Greg Cote gets it right.

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