| It's major league baseball season again! And | | | | modern and traditional baseball parks. It was |
| whether we are baseball fans or not, | | | | made with hand-made brick and is |
| experiencing the thrill of a live baseball | | | | asymmetrical. Should snow hit the field, an |
| game, coupled with the architecture of a | | | | underground heating system melts the snow. |
| particular stadium, you are bound to be in | | | | Five inches of water can be drained per hour |
| for a great time. | | | | from the natural grass. |
| | | | |
| So just what makes a great baseball park? I | | | | Ballpark at Arlington, opened in 1994, and |
| would argue that it would be the trend of | | | | home of the Texas Rangers, also uses a mix of |
| modern culture and technology, coupled with | | | | state-of-the-art architecture with its brick |
| the atmosphere of early 20th century baseball | | | | and granite faade, asymmetrical playing |
| parks. One needs to look no further than | | | | field, and even a home-run porch in right |
| Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which opened in | | | | field. The playing field is also natural |
| 1992, and is the home of the Baltimore | | | | grass with the outfield dimensions |
| Orioles. This stadium is unique in that it | | | | asymmetrical. Fans in the lower seats feel |
| blends right into the downtown culture of | | | | like they are part of the action, as the |
| Baltimore, while still similar in design to | | | | proximity of the fans to the playing field is |
| many traditional baseball stadiums of the | | | | one of closet of all baseball parks. |
| early 1900s. For example, Oriole Park at | | | | |
| Camden Yards gets the modern feel of stadiums | | | | Location and view is also critical for |
| with its sunroof over the upper deck, arched | | | | baseball parks. Dodgers stadium, home of the |
| brick faade, and steel trusses. But to keep | | | | Los Angeles Dodgers, offers an awe-inspiring |
| with such great early 20th Century stadiums | | | | view of downtown Los Angeles to the south, |
| as Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Yankee | | | | hills to the north and east, not to mention |
| Stadium, Oriole Park uses natural grass turf | | | | the San Gabriel Mountains as well. Likewise, |
| and an asymmetrical playing field. | | | | seating at Safeco Stadium, home of the |
| | | | Seattle Mariners, provides fans with a |
| Coors Field, opened in 1995, and home of the | | | | magnificent view of downtown Seattle. |
| Colorado Rockies is also unique in blending | | | | |