Total Baseball (1994 Edition)/Total_Baseball_1994_Edition_Creative_Multimedia_1994.iso/dp/0001/00014.txt

Text File | 1994-02-24 | 93KB | 1,596 lines

$Unique_ID{BAS00014}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Ballparks:  Part 1}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Lowry, Philip J.}
$Subject{Ballpark Ballparks park parks playing field fields stadium stadiums
grandstand grandstands ANAHEIM ATLANTA-FULTON COUNTY ORIOLE PARK CAMDEN
YARDS FENWAY NEW COMISKEY WRIGLEY RIVERFRONT CLEVELAND ARLINGTON MILE HIGH
TIGER ASTRODOME ROYALS DODGER JOE ROBBIE COUNTY HUBERT HUMPHREY METRODOME
STADE OLYMPIQUE YANKEE SHEA OAKLAND-ALAMEDA COUNTY VETERANS THREE RIVERS BUSCH
SAN DIEGO JACK MURPHY CANDLESTICK KINGDOME SKYDOME}
$Log{
1928 Crowd at World Series (Yankee Stadium)*0001501.scf
1932 Cleveland Stadium*0001701.scf
Wrigley Field (1940s)*0003401.scf}

Total Baseball:  The History


Ballparks:  Part 1

Philip J. Lowry


     What follows are the vital statistics of each of current twenty-eight
major league baseball stadiums and a selection of the storied parks of the
past. My book, Green Cathedrals, from which much of this section is taken,
encompasses
the whole of major league history, from 1871 to the present, including the
extraordinary variety of early playing sites, from cricket grounds and polo
fields to agricultural fairgrounds and cow pastures. That book also covers
Negro League ballparks in a depth beyond the scope possible here, including
the vast array of barnstorming sites, even for official league games, that was
characteristic of impoverished ballclubs looking to maximize their gate
receipts in any way possible. All the same, despite the space constraints
imposed upon this entry, the primary Negro League parks will be covered, as
well as classic shrines such as Ebbets Field, Griffith Stadium, Forbes Field,
and many others.
     The focus here is on ballpark geometry and the oddities in play that
resulted from the unique configuration of the park. Dimensional changes are
catalogued and dated, particularly in outfield fence distances and heights.
This subject is crucial to an understanding of the statistical history of
baseball, whether or not one is a devotee of the park-adjusted figures on
display in this volume. The following leagues are covered by this study. The
accompanying abbreviations may be employed for the twentieth century's
principal leagues:

     NL    National League, 1876-
     AL    American League, 1901-
     FL    Federal League, 1914-1915
     NNL   Negro National League, 1920-1931, 1933-1948
     ECL   Eastern Colored League, 1923-1928
     NAL   Negro American League, 1929, 1937-1950
     NSL   Negro Southern League, 1932
     NEWL  Negro East-West League, 1932

     Before 1900, most parks were small wooden grandstands hastily constructed
around recreation fields that often were not even enclosed by outfield fences.
Beginning with the erection of Shibe Park and Forbes Field in 1909, however,
concrete-and-steel ballparks became the rule. These palaces signaled the
growing prominence of baseball and constituted to my mind the best in ballpark
design; the term I have applied to this type of park is "Major League
Classic." Beginning in the 1950s, multipurpose stadiums were developed.
"Multipurpose" means, for this essay, that a stadium was used for both
football and baseball, a marriage not made in heaven. "New Major League
Classic" reflects the return to asymmetrical, baseball-only parks--in
Baltimore, Cleveland, Texas, and Denver.
     Diagrams are by Kevin Spleid.

Using the Outlines

     "Style" defines the structural design of the park.
     "A.K.A." (Also Known As) lists alternate names and nicknames used for
the ballpark.
     "Occupant" lists teams using the park in chronological order. Inclusive
dates of play within the league follow.
     "Event" contains neutral site  and All-Star Games.
     "Location" lists the surrounding streets. When possible, fields and
bases are associated with the streets. Geographical directions, (N) for
North, (S) for South, (E) for East, and (W) for West, are provided when
available.
     Because all older stadiums had grass "surfaces," information concerning
carpet or grass is included only for modern ballparks.
     Under "Dimensions" the distance is given in feet from home plate to the
fences, and to the backstop. Dates, in parentheses, denote the first month
and/or year when the boundaries stood at the stated distance.
     "Fences" lists the heights of the outfield fences in feet. Dates denote
the first time the fences stood at the stated height.
     "Former Use" describes how the site was utilized before stadium
construction. Similarly, "Current Use" chronicles the development of the site
after a ballpark was demolished or abandoned.
     "Phenomena" is a more general category for historical data. Included
here will be special features of the park's physical plant, important changes
over the years, and events of note throughout the years of operation.


ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

ANAHEIM STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    Big A 1966, Bigger A 1980
  OCCUPANT     AL Angels April 19, 1966 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1967, 1989
  LOCATION     Left Field (N) Katella Avenue; 3rd Base (W) 2000 State College
               Boulevard, then Interstate 5; 1st Base (S) Orangewood Freeway,
               then Santa Ana River; Center Field (NE) Amtrak Railroad
               Station
   SURFACE     Bluegrass
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 333; Bullpens: 362; Power Alleys: 375 (1966), 369
               (1973), 374 (1974), 370 (1989); Deep Alleys: 386; Center
               Field: 406 (1966), 402 (1973), 404 (1974); Backstop: 55
               (1966), 60.5 (1973)
    FENCES     Majority of the Fence: 10 (wire 1966), 7.86 (wire 1973), 7.86
               (padded 1981); Corners Between Foul Poles and Bullpens: 4.75
               (steel 1966); Left-center Between 386 and 404 Marks: 7.5
               (padded 1981); Padded Posts at the Left Sides of Both Left and
               Right Field; Bullpen Gates: 9 (padded 1981); Bullpen Gates:
               9.95 (wire 1966)
FORMER USE     Four farms--Camille Allec's 39 acres of orange and eucalyptus
               trees, Roland Reynolds' 70 acres of alfalfa, John Knutgen's 20
               acres of corn, Bill Ross and George Lenney's 19 acres of corn
 PHENOMENA     -  Power hitter's park, the ball carries well.
               -  Huge 230-foot-high letter "A" stood behind the fence in left
                  as a scoreboard support until 1980, then it was moved to the
                  parking lot. The letter has a gold halo at its top.
               -  Sections 69 and 70 in center covered by green-canvas
                  batters' background.
               -  Two thin black TV cables run in fair territory on the
                  warning track from the left field corner bullpen gate to the
                  foul pole, and then along the wall in foul territory about
                  50 feet toward third base, then into the stands.
               -  Outfield enclosed and tripledecked in 1980.
               -  6 doors on ivy-covered wall in deep left-center behind
                  outfield fence labeled:  "warning track," "skin material,"
                  "screen clay mounds," "raw clay," "sand," "equipment."


ATLANTA, GEORGIA

ATLANTA-FULTON COUNTY STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    Atlanta Stadium 1965-74, Launching Pad
  OCCUPANT     NL Braves April 12, 1966 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1972
  LOCATION     Left Field (NE) Pullman Street and Interstate 20; 3rd Base (NW)
               Washington Street and Interstate 75/85 and Georgia Avenue; 1st
               Base (SW) 521 Capitol Avenue; Right Field (SE) Fulton Street
   SURFACE     Prescription Artificial Turf
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 325 (1966), 330 (1967); Power Alleys: 385 (1966),
               375 (1969), 385 (1974); Center Field: 402 (1966), 400 (1969),
               402 (1973); Backstop: 59.92 (1973); Foul Territory: Large
               (1966), Medium (1977)
    FENCES     6 (wire 1966), 10 (4 plexiglass above 6 wire 1983), 10
               (plexiglass 1985)

 PHENOMENA     -  Three statues outside the stadium honor Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron,
                  and Phil Niekro.
               -  Used by 1965 Triple A IL Crackers.
               -  Big Victor, a large totem-pole-styled figure, stood in the
                  stadium in 1966. The huge head tilted and the eyes rolled
                  whenever a Brave hit a home run.
               -  With an altitude of more than 1,000 feet above sea level, it
                  was--until Colorado entered the major leagues--the highest
                  park in the majors, which results in many homers and the
                  nickname "the Launching Pad."
               -  Chief Noc-A-Homa's Wigwam replaced Big Victor in 1967. From
                  1967 to 1971 the teepee stood on a 20-foot-square platform
                  behind the left field fence. In 1972 the teepee was moved
                  to right field. From 1973 to 1977 it returned to left
                  field. From 1978 to August 1982 the teepee was moved to
                  left-center, occupying 235 seats between aisles 128 and 130,
                  rows 18-30. From August to early September, 1982, it was
                  removed in anticipation of additional revenue in the
                  playoffs, "causing" a disastrous tailspin for the
                  first-place Braves. Its replacement coincided with the
                  Braves' comeback to win the division crown in 1982. The
                  teepee's removal on August 11, 1983, saw another losing
                  streak which could not be overcome by its return on
                  September 16. It stands today, a permanent outfield
                  installation.
               -  22-foot outfield wall never in play.
               -  80-year-old calliope organ installed 1971.


BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

ORIOLE PARK AT CAMDEN YARDS

     STYLE     New Major League Classic
     A.K.A.    Camden Yards
  OCCUPANT     AL Orioles April 6, 1992 to date
  EVENT        All Star Game 1993
  LOCATION     (N) Camden Street; (W) Russell Street; (E) Howard Street; (S)
               Martin Luther King Boulevard
   SURFACE     Maryland Bluegrass ("Prescription Athletic Turf")
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 333; Left Center: 410; Center Field: 400; Right
               Center: 373; Right Field: 318; Backstop: 57
    FENCES     25 in right, 7 elsewhere
FORMER USE     Le Comte de Rochambeau, French general, camped his troops here
               on the way to Yorktown in 1781; former station of Baltimore &
               Ohio Railroad
 PHENOMENA     -  Camden Yards complex includes the Baltimore & Ohio
                  Warehouse, longest building on the East Coast (1,016 feet
                  long but only 51 feet wide). Houses Orioles offices as well
                  as a cafeteria, sports bar, and the exclusive Camden Club.
                  Banks of lights are mounted on roof.
               -  Each aisle seat in the park features an 1890s Orioles logo.
               -  Unique doubledecked bullpens in left-center field.
               -  Hearing-impaired persons may hook into "hearing assistance
                  channels" at their seats.
               -  Playing field is 16 feet below street level.
               -  Located only two blocks from Babe Ruth's birthplace; Babe's
                  father operated Ruth's Cafe at 406 Conway Street, the site
                  of which is now located in center field.
               -  Site of unique three league triple header on June 6, 1992.
                  Fans could take in a morning game at Hagerstown, Md., an
                  afternoon contest at Frederick, Md., and end up under the
                  lights at Camden Yards.
               -  Built by Maryland Stadium Authority at an approximate cost
                  of $105 million.
               -  Faced with brick to present a traditional appearance.
               -  Football stadium will be built adjacent to Camden Yards if
                  an NFL team can be secured.
               -  Warehouse is 432 feet from home plate.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

FENWAY PARK

     STYLE     Major League Classic
  OCCUPANT     AL Red Sox April 20,1912 to date
     EVENT     NL Braves vs. New York April 19, May 30, 1913; August 1 and 8,
               September 7 to 29, 1914; 1914 World Series; April 14 to July
               26, 1915; All Star Game 1946, 1961
  LOCATION     Left Field (N) Lansdowne Street, Boston & Albany Railroad
               tracks, and Mass. Turnpike/Interstate 90; 3rd Base (W)
               Brookline Avenue and 24 Jersey Street, renamed 24 Yawkey Way in
               1976, also bowling alley building attached to park; 1st Base
               (S) Van Ness Street (built after park was done); Right Field
               (E) Ipswich Street and Fenway Garage building
   SURFACE     Bluegrass
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 324 (1921), 320.5 (1926), 320 (1930), 318 (1931),
               320 (1933), 312 (1934), 315 (1936); Left-Center: 379 (1934);
               Deep Left-Center at Flagpole: 388 (1934); Flagpole Removed
               from Field of Play, in 1970; Center Field: 488 (1922), 468
               (1930), 388.67 (1934), 389.67 (1954); Deepest Corner, Just
               Right of Center: 550 (1922), 593 (1931), 420 (1934);
               Right-Center, Just Right of Deepest Corner Where the Bullpen
               Begins: 380 (1938), 383 (1955); Right of Right Center: 405
               (1939), 382 (1940), 381 (1942), 380 (1943); Right Field: 313.5
               (1921), 358.5 (1926), 358 (1930), 325 (1931) 358 (1933), 334
               (1934), 332 (1936), 322 (1938), 332 (1939), 304 (1940), 302
               (1942); Back-stop: 68 (1912), 60 (1934); Foul Territory: Very
               small, smallest in the majors
    FENCES     Left Field: 25 (wood 1912), 37.17 (tin over wood over concrete
               lower section 1934), 37.17 (hard plastic 1976); Left Field Wall
               to Center Bleacher Wall Behind Flagpole: 18 sloping to 17
               (concrete 1934), (padding 1976) crash pad added from 18 inches
               to 6 feet on left and center field walls (1976); Center Field
               to Bullpen Fence: 8.75 (wood 1940); Right-Center Bullpen
               Fence: 5.25 (wood 1940); Right Field Wall and Railing:
               Bullpen 3.42 sloping to 5.37 at foul pole (steel 1940); Right
               Field Belly: the low railing and wall curve out sharply from
               the 302 marker at the right field foul pole into deep right
               field--many a right fielder has run toward the foul line and
               watched helplessly as a 310-foot pop fly falls over the
               railing for a home run.
 PHENOMENA     -  Seats made of oak.
               -  1976 electronic scoreboard significantly altered the wind
                  currents.
               -  43 private 28-seat rooftop boxes added 1984.
               -  Duffy's Cliff was a 10-foot-high mound which formed an
                  incline in front of the left field wall from 1912 to 1933,
                  extending from the left field foul pole to the flag pole in
                  center--named after Red Sox left fielder Duffy Lewis, who
                  was the acknowledged master of defensive play on the cliff.
                  It was greatly reduced but not completely eliminated in
                  1934.
               -  The Green Monster Wall in left completely dominates the
                  field of play--now all green, it used to be covered with
                  advertisements.
               -  Ladder starts near upper-left corner of scoreboard, 13 feet
                  above ground, and rises to top of the Green Monster to allow
                  groundskeeper to remove batting practice home run balls from
                  the netting above the Wall.
               -  Scoreboard numbers--runs and hits: 16 inches by 16 inches, 3
                  pounds; errors, innings, pitcher's numbers: 12 inches by 16
                  inches, 2 pounds.
               -  Bleachers in foul territory down the left field line burned
                  down in 1926. The charred remains were removed, increasing
                  the size of foul territory there.
               -  No ball has ever been hit over the right field roof.
               -  Balls that hit uprights above the Wall, and should have been
                  homers, were declared in play by the umpires.
               -  Wooden bleachers stood down the left field line in foul
                  territory in the 1910s and 1920s, but burned down on May 8,
                  1926, and were not replaced. Wooden bleachers were
                  completed in center and right-center by the 1912 World
                  Series.
               -  Infield grass was transplanted from Huntington Avenue
                  Baseball Grounds to Fenway in 1912.
               -  During the winter of 1933-34, all the wooden grandstands
                  were replaced with concrete and steel. A big fire on
                  January 5, 1934, destroyed much of what had already been
                  built, but all was finished for the 1934 season opener on
                  April 17.
               -  In 1936, a 23-foot seven-inch net was placed atop the wall
                  in left to protect windows on Landsdowne Street.
               -  Wind usually helps the batters. New pressbox built in late
                  1980s above home plate causes wind swirl which pushes foul
                  balls back into fair territory. This is the park with the
                  tiniest foul territory in the majors.
               -  When tin covered the two-by-fours on the Wall, balls hitting
                  the tin over two-by-fours had a live bounce, but balls
                  hitting between the two-by-fours were dead and just dropped
                  straight down.
               -  In 1940, in an effort to help Ted Williams hit home runs,
                  the Red Sox added the right field bullpens, called
                  Williamsburg, which reduced the distance to the Fence by 23
                  feet.
               -  In 1947 all advertisements were removed from the left field
                  wall, which was painted green.
               -  Tom A. Yawkey's and his wife Jean R. Yawkey's initials, TAY
                  and JRY, appear in Morse code in two vertical stripes on the
                  scoreboard in left. The 1946 roof boxes were replaced in
                  1982.
               -  The screen behind home plate, designed to protect fans and
                  allow foul balls to roll back down onto the field of play,
                  was the first of its kind in the majors.
               -  Left field scoreboard installed on the Wall in 1934, moved
                  20 feet to the right in 1976.
               -  The low concrete base of the left and center field walls was
                  padded after the 1975 World Series, during which Fred Lynn
                  crashed into the concrete wall in center.
               -  The left field foul line was measured by Art Keefe and
                  George Sullivan, authors of The Picture History of the
                  Boston Red Sox, in October 1975 as 309 feet 5 inches. On
                  October 19, 1975, the Boston Globe used aerial photography
                  and measured it at 304.779 feet. Osborn Engineering Co.
                  blueprints document the distance at 308 feet.
               -  Fenway--"where you can sit for hours and feel a security
                  that does not exist anywhere else in the world."


CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

NEW COMISKEY PARK

     STYLE     Superstructure with natural surface
     A.K.A.    Comiskey II
  OCCUPANT     AL White Sox April 18, 1991 to date
  LOCATION     333 West 35th Street (South); Dan Ryan Expressway (East);
               Shields Ave. (West)
   SURFACE     Natural Grass (Bluegrass)
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 347; Left Center: 383; Center Field 400; Right
               Center: 383; Right Field: 347; Backstop: 60
    FENCES     8
FORMER USE     Approximately 80 privately owned residential buildings
 PHENOMENA     -  Contains eighty-four luxury skyboxes on two levels, renting
                  for $55,000 to $90,000 annually.
               -  Unlike the Picnic Area at old Comiskey Park, entry to the
                  new Picnic Area's buffet costs $20 over the ticket price.
               -  Echoing the nickname of Charles Comiskey, food court
                  contains a shop called Old Roman Pizza.
               -  Management boasts "Ratio of washroom fixtures to fan
                  capacity, one of the best in baseball" but fans complain of
                  long washroom lines.
               -  During construction was visible from former Comiskey Park,
                  to which it was adjacent.
               -  Large scoreboard in center field replicates one designed by
                  Bill Veeck at former Comiskey Park.
               -  Infield dirt transported here from old park.
               -  Built at a cost of $134.9 million; paid for in large part by
                  a new hotel tax.
               -  Park's exterior is of precast colored concrete and features
                  arched windows reminiscent of former park.
               -  Seats in front row of the upper deck are farther from home
                  plate than those in last row at old Comiskey.


WRIGLEY FIELD

     STYLE     Major League Classic
     A.K.A.    North Side Ball Park, 1914; Weeghman Park, 1914-15; Cubs'
               Park, 1916-26; Whales Park, 1915; Eddie Dorr's House
  OCCUPANT     FL Whales April 23, 1914 to October 3, 1915; NL Cubs April 20,
               1916 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1947, 1962, 1990
  LOCATION     Left Field (N) West Waveland Avenue; 3rd Base (W) Seminary
               Avenue; Home Plate (SW) North Clark Street; 1st Base (S) 1060
               West Addison Street; Right Field (E) North Sheffield Avenue
   SURFACE     Grass, mixture of Merion Bluegrass and clover
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 345 (April 1914), 310 (May 1914), 327 (June 1914),
               343 (1921), 325 (1923), 348 (1926), 364 (1928), 355 (1938);
               Left-Center Deepest: 357 (1938); Power Alleys: 364 (1914),
               368 (1938); Center Field: 440 (1914), 447 (1923), 436 (1928),
               400 (1938); Right-Center Deepest: 363 (1938); Right Field:
               356 (April 1914), 345 (June 1914), 321 (1915), 298 (1921), 399
               (1922), 318 (1923), 321 (1928), 353 (1938); Backstop: 62.42
               (1930), 60.5 (1957), 62.42 (1982); Foul Territory: Very small
    FENCES     Left Field Corner: 15.92 (11.33 brick with Boston and
               Bittersweet Ivy, below 4.59 plywood), 3 wire basket in front
               1985 (does not change height of fence); Transition Between Left
               Field Corner and Bleachers: 12.5 (screen and yellow railing on
               top of brick wall); Left-Center to Right-Center: 8 (screen
               1914), 11.33 (brick with ivy 1938); in front is wire basket
               (May 1970); Left Field Scoreboard: 40 (wood July 9 to
               September 3, 1937); Center Field Screen: 1933 (8 wire above
               11.33 brick June 18, 1963 to October 1964); Right Center
               Triangle: 17.5 in front of catwalk steps sloping down to 15.5
               (screen 1928, plywood 1979, removed 1985); Right Field Corner:
               15.5 (11.33 brick with ivy, below 4.17 plywood), wire basket in
               front (1985)
 PHENOMENA     -  IBM Home Run Distance calculation appears on center field
                  scoreboard after a home run.
               -  The only remaining Federal League ballpark.
               -  Beautiful ivy vines on the outfield wall.
               -  After the game, a blue flag with a white W flying from the
                  center field flag pole signifies a Cub win, a white flag
                  with a blue L a Cub loss.
               -  Sea breeze off the lake favors pitchers.
               -  452 seats added July 1985 to catwalks near foul pole, in
                  Fair territory.
               -  The center field 400 sign is slightly right of straight-away
                  center.
               -  The only park where it's more difficult to hit a homer down
                  the foul line than to hit one 50 or so feet out in fair
                  territory because the bleachers protrude into the outfield.
               -  In 1923, the foul lines were shifted slightly amidst park
                  renovations.
               -  During the 1930s Bobby Dorr, the groundskeeper, lived in a 6
                  room apartment at the ballpark, adjacent to the left field
                  corner gate; the apartment is still there.
               -  Eight-foot-high batter's background wire fence, 64 feet
                  wide, stood on top of the center field wall from June 18,
                  1963 through the end of the 1964 season. Called the
                  Whitlow fence because Cub Athletic Director Robert Whitlow
                  put it up. The screen prevented 10 homers, 4 by Cubs and 6
                  by visitors, 1 each by 500+ homer hitters Ernie Banks and
                  Willie McCovey.
               -  Current green Astroturf cover on center field seats used for
                  batters' background and debuted on May 18, 1967.
               -  In the winter of 1926-27, the left field bleachers were
                  removed, the grandstand was doubledecked, and the playing
                  area was lowered several feet.
               -  For World Series in 1929, 1932, and 1935, extra bleachers
                  were built on the street on Waveland and Sheffield.
               -  The park was located so it would be easy for fans to get
                  there on the Milwaukee Road train.
               -  The 27-foot-high, 75-foot-wide scoreboard was built in 1937
                  by Bill Veeck. Its top is 85 feet above the field. The 10
                  foot diameter clock was added in 1941.
               -  In 1937, the bleacher stairstep was created to allow potted
                  plants and eight huge Chinese elm trees to grow,
                  complementing the ivy. The trees eventually died.
               -  Ivy planted on the outfield walls in 1937 by Bill Veeck.
                  Originally 350 Japanese bittersweet plants and 200 Boston
                  ivy plants.
               -  During the 1937 season, new outfield bleachers were built,
                  and the six gates in the brick wall were emplaced. They
                  were red, repainted blue in 1981.
               -  The bleachers were expanded to their present state in the
                  1940s; famous Bleacher Bums formed here in 1966 by 10
                  bleacher fans.
               -  Lights were inside the park in the early 1940s ready to be
                  installed, but Mr. Wrigley donated them to the war effort
                  instead on December 8, 1941, thus allowing Wrigley Field to
                  remain dark at night until 1988.
               -  The right field wall was remodeled in 1950-51.
               -  On April 14, 1976, Met Dave "King Kong" Kingman hit a homer
                  550 feet over Waveland and against a frame house 3 doors
                  down on the east side of Kenmore Avenue. If the ball had
                  carried 3 feet higher, it would have crashed through a
                  window and smashed a TV screen on which Ms. Naomi Martinez
                  was watching Mr. Kingman round the bases.
               -  Park is affected by wind conditions more than any other
                  major league park, with the possible exception of
                  Candlestick.
               -  More home runs than normal are caused by high altitude of
                  over 600 feet above sea level, and by the heat involved in
                  playing so many daylight games.
               -  Water fountain moved to the Cub Hall of Fame under the first
                  base stands, near the Friendly Confines cafe.
               -  Arched dormers on the roof.
               -  Outfield wall distances before 1981 were marked on plywood
                  markers screwed into the brick. Since then they have been
                  painted directly on the brick.
               -  Foul pole screens have distances marked on plywood
                  vertically "355" and "353."
               -  The most distant current outfield measurement sign is at
                  Wrigley Field. On the roof of a house across Sheffield
                  Avenue in right-center, the sign says "495."
               -  Winds blowing toward the lake take homers with them.


CINCINNATI, OHIO

RIVERFRONT STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
  OCCUPANT     NL Reds June 30, 1970 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1970
  LOCATION     Left Field (E) Riverfront Coliseum, Central Bridge and
               Broadway; 3rd Base (N) 201 East Second Street, renamed Pete
               Rose Way on September 10, 1985; 1st Base (W) Interstate 71
               Suspension Bridge Approach Ramp; Right Field (S) Mehring Way,
               railroad tracks, and Ohio River
   SURFACE     Astroturf--hard, balls bounce high off it
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 330; Power Alleys: 375; Center Field 404;
               Backstop: 51; Foul Territory: Small
    FENCES     12 (wood, 1970); 8 (wood, 1984)
 PHENOMENA     -  First to paint metric distances on outfield walls: 100.58
                  down the lines, 114.30 to the alleys, 123.13 to center.
               -  Uses Crosley Field's home plate.
               -  Parking garage beneath stadium.
               -  4,192 circle in left center commemorates Pete Rose's 4,192nd
                  hit here on 9/10/85 vs. the Padres.
               -  Reds and Pirates played slowest game ever here 8/30/78--80.6
                  minutes per inning, called off after 3 1/2 innings and 3 1/2
                  hours of rain delays at 12:47 A.M.
               -  Winds help righthanded hitters.


CLEVELAND, OHIO

NEW CLEVELAND INDIANS BASEBALL PARK

     STYLE     New Major League Classic
  OCCUPANT     Cleveland Indians, April 1994 to present
       AKA     Gateway
  LOCATION     Left Field (SW): Ontario Avenue; First Base (SE) Carnegie
               Avenue; Right Field (NE) East 9th Street
   SURFACE     Natural Grass
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 325; Left Center: 368; Center Field: 410;
               Right Center: 375; Right Field: 325; Foul Territory: Small.
    FENCES     Left Field: 19; Center and Right Field: 8
 PHENOMENA     -  Original plan was for a $100 million downtown domed stadium
                  but local voters rejected an increase in property taxes to
                  fund the proposal.
               -  Base of exterior facade consists of Atlantic green granite;
                  remainder is Kasota stone, limestone, and buff-colored
                  brick.
               -  Picnic Plaza will be located beyond Center Field fence.
               -  Executive Offices located in separate building in back of
                  left field stands.
               -  Adjacent to new home of NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, The Arena
                  at Gateway.
               -  Club-level-seating tickets go for $28 each.
               -  Scoreboard located in left field.
               -  Indians bullpen in deep right center field; visitors in
                  right field corner; each with 3 pitching mounds.
               -  Bullpens elevated 4'6" above playing field.
               -  Funded by a 15-year "luxury tax" on alcohol and cigarette
                  sales passed in a May 1990 referendum.
               -  Part of $362 million dollar Gateway project to revitalize
                  downtown Cleveland.
               -  Features "Kidsland" near the family seating area.
               -  First property for site acquired in December 1985; entire
                  site acquired by Spring 1988.
               -  Home plate from Cleveland Stadium transplanted at end of
                  1993 season.
               -  Projected cost of $161 million.


DALLAS, TEXAS

THE BALLPARK AT ARLINGTON

     STYLE     New Major League Classic
  OCCUPANT     Texas Rangers, April 1994 to present
  LOCATION     Northwest corner of Stadium Drive and Randol Road
   SURFACE     Natural Grass
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 332; Left Center: 388; Center Field: 400;
               Right Center: 403; Right Field: 325; Foul Territory: Small.
    FENCES     Left Field: 14; Center and Right Field: 8
 PHENOMENA     -  Granite and brick facade.
               -  Projected cost of $165 million.
               -  Funding authorized by a January 19, 1991 referendum which
                  approved a one-half cent increase in the City of Arlington
                  sales tax.
               -  Covered pavilion in right field features pillars.
               -  Playing field is 22 feet below street level.
               -  Bullpens raised five feet above playing surface so fans
                  can see who is warming up.
               -  A total of 122 suites: 44 on the lower level; 78 on the
                  upper level.
               -  Construction began April 2, 1992.
               -  Part of a complex that will include two manmade lakes and a
                  Riverwalk area featuring shops and restaurants.
               -  Five levels: lower deck, lower suites, club deck, upper
                  suites and upper deck.
               -  Picnic area in front of four-story office building in center
                  field.
               -  Will be site of the 1995 All-Star Game.


DENVER, COLORADO

MILE HIGH STADIUM

     STYLE     Expanded Minor League
     A.K.A.    Bears Stadium 1948-1967
  OCCUPANT     Colorado Rockies, April 9, 1993 to present
  LOCATION     Interstate 25, Routes 88 and 287, and Routes 70, 287 and 40;
               Left Field Clay Street; 3rd Base West 20th Street; 1st Base
               Elliot Street
   SURFACE     Natural Grass ("Prescription Athletic Turf")
    FENCES     10 (padded)
DIMENSIONS     Left field: 335; Left Center: 375; Center Field: 423; Right
               Center: 400; Right Field: 370
 PHENOMENA     -  Temporary home of Colorado Rockies until 1995 completion of
                  43,800-seat Coors Field (LF: 347; LC: 390; CF: 424; RC:
                  375; RF: 350).
               -  Home of American Association and Pacific Coast League's
                  Denver Bears/Zephyrs, 1948-1992.
               -  Also home of NFUs Denver Broncos; former home of United
                  States Football League's Denver Gold.
               -  Ownership assumed by City and County of Denver in 1968.
               -  Near McNichols Sports Arena, home of NBA Nuggets.
               -  Capacity: 19,000 (1960), 43,103 (1985), 75,123 (1985).
               -  Features 130 luxury suites.
               -  Entire east stands (built in 1977; capacity 21,000) are
                  movable to accommodate both football and baseball;
                  conversion time to football is ten hours; back to baseball,
                  twelve hours.
               -  Playing field is heated electrically to prevent surface
                  freezing and to allow year-round growth.
               -  First "fully distributed sound system" in any major US
                  stadium--delivers "near stereo quality sound."
               -  Largest NL regular season crowd ever--80,227--against
                  Expos on April 9, 1993.
               -  Rockies drew largest ever season attendance of 4,483,350
                  in 1993.


DETROIT, MICHIGAN

TIGER STADIUM

     STYLE     Major League Classic
     A.K.A.    Navin Field 1912 to 1937, Briggs Stadium 1938 to 1960
  OCCUPANT     AL Tigers April 20, 1912 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1941, 1951, 1971
  LOCATION     Left Field (NW) Cherry Street, later Kaline Drive, and
               Interstate 75; 3rd Base (SW) National Avenue, later Cochrane
               Avenue; 1st Base (SE) Michigan Avenue; Right Field (NE) 2121
               Trumbull Avenue, same site as Bennett Park but turned around 90
               degrees, in the Corktown neighborhood
   SURFACE     Bluegrass
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 345 (1921), 340.58 (1926), 339 (1930), 367 (1931),
               339 (1934), 340 (1938), 342 (1939), 340 (1942); Left Center:
               365 (1942); Center Field: 467 (1927), 455 (1930), 464 (1931),
               459 (1936), 450 (1937), 440 (1938), 450 (1939), 420 (1942), 440
               (1944); Right Center: 370 (1942), 375 (1982); Right Field:
               370 (1921), 370.91 (1926), 372 (1930), 367 (1931), 325 (1936),
               315 (1939), 325 (1942), 302 (1954), 325 (1955); Backstop:
               54.35 (1954), 66 (1955); Foul Territory: Small
    FENCES     All Fences: 5 concrete topped by screen; Left Field 20 (1935),
               30 (1937), 10 (1938), 12 (1940), 15 (1946), 12 (1953), 14
               (1954), 12 (1955), 11 (1958), 9 (1962); Center Field: 9
               (1940), 15 (1946), 11 (1950), 9 (1953), 14 (1954), 9 (1955);
               Right of Flag Pole: 7 (1946); Right Field: 8 (1940), 30
               (1944), 10 (1945), 20 (1950), 8 (1953), 9 (1958), 30 (1961), 9
               (1962); Flag Pole: 125 in play (5 feet in front of fence in
               center field, just left of dead center)
 PHENOMENA     -  First named for Frank Navin, a Tiger president. Right field
                  second deck overhangs the lower deck by 10 feet. Screen in
                  right in 1944 and in 1961 required balls to be hit into the
                  second deck to be home runs.
               -  Only doubledecked bleachers in the majors-upper deck from
                  left-center to center, lower deck from center to
                  right-center.
               -  125-foot-high flag pole in play in deep center, just to the
                  left of the 440 mark--highest outfield obstacle ever in play
                  in baseball history. The scoreboard now on the left field
                  fence was originally placed at the 440 mark in dead center
                  in 1961 but was moved when Norm Cash, Al Kaline, and Charlie
                  Maxwell complained that it hindered the batters' view of the
                  pitch.
               -  There is a string of spotlights mounted under the overhang
                  to illuminate the right field warning track which is
                  shadowed from the normal light standards.
               -  Cobb's Lake--area in front of plate which was always soaked
                  with water by the groundskeepers to slow down Ty Cobb's
                  bunts.
               -  When slugging teams came to visit, manager Ty Cobb had the
                  groundskeepers put in temporary bleachers in the outfield,
                  so that long drives would be just ground-rule doubles.
               -  Sign above entrance to visitors' clubhouse: "Visitors'
                  Clubhouse--No Visitors Allowed."
               -  Doubledecked in winter of 1923-24 from first to third base.
               -  Capacity increased in winter of 1935-36 by doubledecking the
                  right field stands, and in the winter of 1937-38 by
                  doubledecking both the left field stands and the center
                  field bleachers.
               -  In the 1930s and 1940s, there was a 315 marker on the second
                  deck in right field.
               -  In 1942 and 1943, the center field distance was only 420.
                  The notches just left and right of dead center were closer
                  than 420, at 405.
               -  Next-to-last classic old ballyard to put in lights, in 1948.
               -  Saved in 1974 when owner John Fetzer told the Pontiac
                  Silverdome committee, "This franchise belongs to the inner
                  city of Detroit; I'm just the caretaker." Now that mantle
                  of caretaker has been forfeited to the Tiger Stadium Fan
                  Club and the Cochrane Plan, an architectural plan to
                  preserve the ballpark.
               -  First homer at Navin Field, on May 5, 1912, came on a fluke
                  bounce which hopped through the side door of the left-center
                  scoreboard.
               -  Home plate and batters' boxes oriented towards right-center
                  rather than straight out to the mound. This tends to give
                  righthanded pitchers more outside corner strike calls and
                  can disorient visiting batters.


HOUSTON, TEXAS

ASTRODOME

     STYLE     Dome
     A.K.A.    Harris County Domed Stadium 1965, Eighth Wonder of the World
               1960s
  OCCUPANT     NL Astros April 12, 1965 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1968, 1986
  LOCATION     Center Field (E) Fannin Street; 3rd Base (N) Old Spanish Trail;
               Home Plate (W) Kirby Drive; 1st Base (S) South Loop
               Freeway/Interstate 610; Above: Domed roof of 4796 Lucite
               panels and steel girders
   SURFACE     Infield: Grass (1965) Tifway 419 Bermuda grass specially
               selected for indoor play--died; Astroturf, fast (April 1966 to
               date); Outfield: Grass (April 12, 1965 to July 19, 1966)--died
               too; Astroturf, fast (July 19, 1966 to date)
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 340 (1965), 330 (1972), 340 (1977), 330 (1985),
               325 (1992), 330 (1993); Power Alleys: 375 (1965), 390 (1966),
               378 (1972), 390 (1977), 378 (1985), 375 (1992), 380 (1993);
               Center Field: 406 (1965), 400 (1972), 406 (1977), 400 (1985);
               Apex of Dome: 208; Backstop: 60.5 (1965), 67 (1990), 52 (1993)
    FENCES     Left and Right Field: 16 (9 concrete below 3 wire, 2 concrete,
               and 2 wire plus railing, 1965), 12 (concrete, 1969), 10
               (concrete, 1977); Center Field 12 (concrete, 1965), 10
               (concrete, 1977), 10 (padded 1990)
 PHENOMENA     -  The second major league covered stadium, the first being the
                  field under the Queensboro 59th Street Bridge in New York
                  City used by the New York Cubans.
               -  Maximum height of the dome is 208 feet, just beyond second
                  base.
               -  The roof had 4,796 clear panes of glass originally, but they
                  caused a glare which prevented fielders from seeing the
                  ball, thus two of the eight roof sections were painted
                  white. This killed the grass and unfortunately introduced
                  the world to Astroturf.
               -  Excepting Yankee Stadium's Death Valley, the most distant
                  power alleys in the majors at 390 feet, until changed in
                  1985.
               -  Too much yellow, orange, and red.
               -  Hard to see through the screen from behind the plate.
               -  Site of 1992 Republican convention.
               -  In its inaugural season of 1965, the Astrodome was the scene
                  of a unique groundskeeping argument. The New York Mets
                  claimed that the groundskeepers were roofkeeping as well by
                  manipulating the air conditioning system so that the air
                  currents helped Astro long balls and hindered visitors' long
                  balls.
               -  The first game on a carpet was versus the Dodgers on April
                  8, 1966.
               -  Shoeshine stands behind home plate in lower deck.
               -  On April 28, 1965, Met announcer Lindsey Nelson broadcast a
                  game from a gondola suspended from the apex of the dome.
               -  On June 10, 1974, Phillie Mike Schmidt hit the public
                  address speaker 117 feet up and 329 feet from home--what
                  would have been a 500-plus-foot homer ended up as a single
                  as the ball dropped in center field.
               -  On June 15, 1976, a game was rained out because of flooding
                  in the streets.
               -  The old location of Colt Stadium (now rebuilt in Torreon,
                  Mexico) is just northwest of the Astrodome; Astrohall and
                  Astroarena are just south of the Astrodome.


KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

ROYALS STADIUM

     STYLE     Traditional Baseball Only
     A.K.A.    Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, Royals Stadium 1973 to 1993
  OCCUPANT     AL Royals April 10, 1973 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1973
  LOCATION     Center Field (N) Spectacular Drive, then Interstate 70; 3rd
               Base (W) Lancer Lane, then Dutton Brookfield Drive; Home Plate
               (S) Royal Way, then Chiefs Way, Arrowhead Stadium, Raytown
               Road, and CRI&P Railroad tracks; 1st Base (E) Red Coat Drive,
               then Blue Ridge Cut-Off; Stadium Drive encircles the park
   SURFACE     Astroturf--very fast (1973-1994); Grass 1995
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 330; Power Alleys: 385; Center Field: 410;
               Backstop: 60; Foul Territory: Small
    FENCES     12 (canvas)
 PHENOMENA     -  Waterfalls and fountains run for 322 feet on the embankment
                  overlooking right-center.
               -  Best visibility for hitters in the majors.
               -  Homers few here because alleys are deep and the fence cuts
                  away sharply from the 330 foul poles.
               -  Kenny Pippin, in his frogman suit, cleans the pond
                  periodically in right-center.
               -  Royals 1985 World Series cup and other trophies are on
                  display through the sixth inning of each game at Section
                  107.
               -  Upper deck fans near foul poles are in relative darkness.
               -  Best groundskeeper in baseball has the ironic job o
                  maintaining an ugly plastic carpet. He keeps busy
                  maintaining the Runway and the Baja, the grassy running area
                  and the 125-tree forest beyond the left-center fence.


LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

DODGER STADIUM

     STYLE     Traditional Baseball Only
     A.K.A.    Chavez Ravine during AL use 1962 to 1965 by Angels, Taj
               O'Malley, O'Malley's Golden Gulch
  OCCUPANT     NL Dodgers April 10, 1962 to date; AL Angels April 17, 1962 to
               September 22, 1965
     EVENT     All Star Game 1980
  LOCATION     Left Field (NW) Glendale Boulevard; 3rd Base (SW) Sunset
               Boulevard; Home Plate (S) 1000 Elysian Park Avenue; 1st Base
               (SE)Pasadena Freeway; Right Field (NE) Los Angeles Police
               Academy, Elysian Park, and Golden State Freeway/Interstate;
               Stadium Way encircles the park; in Chavez Ravine, on a hill
               overlooking downtown Los Angeles
   SURFACE     Santa Ana Bermuda grass
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 330; Power Alleys: 380 (1962), 370 (1969), 385
               (1983); Center Field: 410 (1962), 400 (1969); Backstop: 65
               (1962), 68.19 (1963), 75 (1969); Foul Territory: Large
    FENCES     Left-Center to Right-Center: 10 (wood 1962), 8 (1973); Foul
               Poles to Bullpens in Left and Right Field Corners: 3.75 (steel
               1962), 3.83 (1969); The Dip: (where low corner steel wall and
               screen bullpen fence meet) 3.42 (1962), 3.5 (1969)
FORMER USE     Used by squatters and goats.
 PHENOMENA     -  A classic pitcher's park.
               -  Cleanest ballpark, bar none.
               -  Designed by architect Emil Praeger to be expandable to
                  85,000 seats.
               -  Painted every offseason.
               -  Infield dirt and outfield warning track made of 70 percent
                  crushed red building brick and 30 percent mountain clay and
                  calcium chlorate. Palm trees beyond the fence down the foul
                  lines.
               -  See-through windows in bullpen fence installed in 1974.
               -  Although the center field 400 sign came down in 1980, the
                  distance is still 400 to center; the two 395 signs are left
                  and right of dead center.
               -  No drinking-water fountains when first built. Original
                  design had a huge fountain in center field, like that in
                  right-center at Royals Stadium.
               -  When foul poles were installed in 1962, discovered that they
                  were positioned completely foul. Special dispensation was
                  received from National League so they were recognized as
                  fair, but the next year plate was moved so that poles are
                  now actually fair.


MIAMI, FLORIDA

JOE ROBBIE STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    JRS
  OCCUPANT     Florida Marlins April 5, 1993 to present
  LOCATION     2269 N.W. 199th Street
   SURFACE     Natural Grass ("Bermuda 419")
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 335; Power Alleys: 380; Center Field: 410;
               Right Field: 345; Backstop: 58
    FENCES     Left Center scoreboard: 33; everywhere else 8
 PHENOMENA     -  Opening Day for football: August 16, 1987 (Bears vs.
                  Dolphins).
               -  First baseball game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Baltimore
                  Orioles on March 11, 1988.
               -  Retrofitted for baseball at a cost of $10 million.
               -  All the second-deck outfield seats are covered by canvas
                  and are not used.


MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

COUNTY STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
  OCCUPANT     NL Braves April 14, 1953 to September 22, 1965; AL White Sox
               for nine 1968 games and eleven in 1969; games from May 15, 1968
               to September 26, 1969; AL Brewers April 7, 1970 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1955,1975
  LOCATION     Left Field (E) Menominee River and South 44th Street, later
               US-41 Stadium Freeway; 3rd Base (N) Story Parkway and
               Interstate 94; 1st Base (W) General Mitchell Boulevard; Right
               Field (S) West National Avenue and the National Soldiers Home
   SURFACE     Bluegrass
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 320 (1953), 315 (1975); Power Alleys: 355 (1953),
               362 (1962); Deep Alleys: 397 (1953), 392 (1955); Center Field
               404 (1953), 410 (1954), 402 (1955); Right Field: 320 (1953),
               315.37 (1954); Backstop: 60
    FENCES     Left Field: 4 (1953), 8 (1955), 8.33 (1959), 10 (1985); Center
               Field: 4 (1953), 8 (1955), 8.33 (1959), 10  (1985); Right
               Field: 4 (1953), 10 (1955)
FORMER USE     Story Quarry
 PHENOMENA     -  Surveyor's mark on right field foul pole: "315.37."
               -  Before the park was expanded from 1953 to 1973, hospital
                  patients at the National Soldiers Home V.A. Hospital sat
                  outside their rooms on Mockingbird Hill overlooking right
                  field and watched the game for free.
               -  Perini's Woods, spruce and fir trees behind center field
                  fence, planted in 1954, replaced by bleachers in 1961.
               -  Braves Reservation, a picnic area down the left field line,
                  was inaugurated in 1961.
               -  Bernie Brewer slides into a huge beer stein in right-center
                  whenever a Brewer hits a homer.
               -  Only homer ever hit over left field roof was hit by Jose
                  Canseco.
               -  Scene of Midwest League minor league game on August 27, 1966
                  between Fox Cities and Wisconsin Rapids.
               -  Braves hosted both the Reds and the Cards on September 24,
                  1954. The first game was the finish of a game two days
                  earlier whose conclusion on a disputed double play was
                  successfully protested by the Reds. The Reds tied the game
                  after the protested game's resumption, but the Braves won
                  4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, and then beat the Cards 4-2.


MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY METRODOME

     STYLE     Dome
     A.K.A.    Minnedome, Bounce Dome, Hump Dome, Homer Dome, Hubie Dome,
               Sweat Box (before June 28, 1983, when air conditioning
               arrived), Domed Stadium, Thunderdome
  OCCUPANT     AL Twins April 6, 1982 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1985
  LOCATION     Left Field (SW) Fourth Street South; 3rd Base (NW) 501 Chicago
               Avenue South; 1st Base (NE) Sixth Street South; Right Field
               (SE) Tenth Avenue South; Above: Domed roof
   SURFACE     SporTurf (1982 to 1986--liveliest bounce ever), Astroturf (1987
               to date)
DIMENSIONS     Apex of Dome: 186; Left Field: 344 (1982), 343 (1983);
               Left-Center: 385; Center Field: 407 (1982), 408 (1983); Right
               Center: 367; Right Field: 327; Backstop: 60; Foul Territory:
               Small
    FENCES     Left Field: 7 (canvas 1982), 13 (6 plexiglass above 7 canvas
               1983); Center Field: 7 (canvas 1982); Right Field: 7 (canvas
               1982), 13 (canvas 1983), 23 (canvas 1983)
 PHENOMENA     -  A power hitter's park.
               -  Right field wall called Hefty Bag.
               -  Almost an exact duplicate of the domed stadiums in Seattle,
                  Pontiac, and Vancouver. All four were built by the same
                  engineering firm.
               -  Game on April 26, 1986 delayed as violent rainstorm knocked
                  out the lights and had the scoreboard and roof swaying.
               -  The white air-supported fabric Teflon roof makes it
                  difficult to see the ball when hit high in the air.
               -  Playoffs and World Series of 1987 set new decibel records
                  for sound in tile Thunderdome.
               -  Sections 107 to 113 are football seats which in baseball
                  season are tilted up and back to create a 40-foot wall
                  behind the right field fence.
               -  The roof collapsed on April 14, 1983 from the weight of
                  heavy snow.
               -  Twin batter Randy Bush hit a ball off the roof in 1983. The
                  ball was caught foul for an out by Blue Jays catcher Buck
                  Martinez. Rob Deer hot two such fly-ball outs to shortstop
                  on consecutive at bats on May 30, 1992.
               -  On May 4, 1984, in the top of the fourth inning, A's batter
                  Dave Kingman hit a ball through the roof. It should have
                  been a homer, but Kingman got only a double.
               -  Balls bounced very high off the carpet used from 1982 to
                  1986.
               -  More home runs tend to be hit when the air conditioning is
                  turned off.
               -  Curvature of wall behind plate causes wild pitches and
                  passed balls to bounce directly toward first base.


MONTREAL, QUEBEC

STADE OLYMPIQUE

     STYLE     Summer Olympics Stadium/Dome
     A.K.A.    Olympic Stadium, Big O, Big Owe
  OCCUPANT     NL Expos April 15, 1977 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1982
  LOCATION     Left Field (NW) rue Sherbrooke; 3rd Base (SW) boulevard Pie-1X;
               1st Base (SE) 4549, avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin; Right Field
               (NE) boulevard Viau
   SURFACE     Astroturf
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 325 (1977), 330 (1981), 325 (1983); Power Alleys:
               375; Center Field: 404 (1977), 405 (1979), 404 (1980), 400
               (1981), 404 (1983); Apex of Dome: 180; Backstop: 62 (1977), 65
               (1983), 53 (1989); Foul Territory: Large
    FENCES     12 (wood 1977), 12 (foam 1989)
 PHENOMENA     -  Labatt's Noise-Meter high above right field is baseball's
                  answer to the NBA Sacramento Kings' Arco Arena Noise-Meter.
               -  Roof improves offense by keeping out extreme cold.
               -  Built for 1976 Olympics.
               -  Plaque inside and statue of Jackie Robinson at main
                  entrance. Robinson starred at the Delorimer Downs for the
                  IL Montreal Royals in 1946. Huge 623-foot-high umbrella
                  tower in center field from section 766 in left-center to
                  section 767 in right-center stood half finished from 1976 to
                  1987. Became a covered-dome stadium in 1989. The
                  retractable dome is silver on top, and orange on the bottom,
                  with 26 white cones which link the roof to the tower. It
                  consists of 60,696 square feet of Kevlar, weighing 50 tons.
                  Retractable roof not actually retractable until 1988 due to
                  generator problems.
               -  Parts of the concrete upper section of the stadium
                  fell down in 1991, forcing the Expos to reschedule
                  their September home games for the road.


NEW YORK, NEW YORK

YANKEE STADIUM

     STYLE     Major League Classic
     A.K.A.    House That Ruth Built
  OCCUPANT     AL Yankees April 18, 1923 to September 30, 1973; NEWL Black
               Yankees 1932; NNL Black Yankees 1946 to 1948; Negro League
               World Series 3rd game, 1942; 1st game 1947; AL Yankees April
               15, 1976 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1939, 1960, 1977
  LOCATION     Left Field (NE) East 161st Street; 3rd Base (NW) Doughly
               Street, later Ruppert Place; Home Plate (W) Major Degan
               Expressway/Interstate 87 and Harlem River; 1st Base (SW) East
               157th Street; Right Field (SE) River Avenue and IRT elevated
               tracks; In the southwest Bronx
   SURFACE     Grass--Merion Bluegrass
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 280.58 (1923), 301 (1928), 312 (1976), 318 (1988);
               Left Side of Bullpen Gate in Short Left-Center: 395 (1923),
               402 (1928), 387 (1976), 379 (1985); Right Side of Bullpen Gate:
               415 (1937); Deepest Left-Center: 500 (1923), 490 (1924), 457
               (1937), 430 (1976), 411 (1985), 399 (1988); Left Side of Center
               Field Screen: 466 (1937); Center Field: 487 (1923), 461
               (1937), 463 (1967), 417 (1976), 410 (1985), 408 (1988); Deepest
               Right Center: 429 (1923), 407 (1937), 385 (1976); Left Side of
               Bullpen Gate in Short Right Center: 350 (1923), 367 (1937),
               353 (1976); Right Side of Bullpen Gate: 344 (1937); Right
               Field 294.75 (1923), 295 (1930), 296 (1939), 310 (1976), 314
               (1988); Backstop: 82 (1942), 80 (1953), 84 (1976); Foul
               Territory: Large for the catcher behind home plate, but small
               for fielders down the foul lines
    FENCES     Left Field-Foul Line: 3.92 (3 wire above .92 concrete 1923), 8
               (canvas 1976); Left Center-Left of Visitors' Bullpen: 3.58 (3
               wire above .58 concrete); Right of Visitors' Bullpen: 7.83 (3
               wire above 4.83 concrete), 7 (canvas 1976); Center Field-Left
               Screen When Up for Hitters' Background 20 (1953), 22.25 (1959),
               22.42 (1954); Screen When Down: 13.83,7 (canvas 1976); Right
               Center-Right of Screen: 14.5 (3 wire above 11.5 concrete
               1923); Left of Home Bullpen: 7.83 (3 wire above 4.83 concrete
               1923); Right of Home Bullpen: 3.58 (3 wire above .58 concrete
               1923), 8 (canvas 1976), 9 (canvas 1979); Right Field-Foul Lute:
               3.75 (3 wire above .75 concrete 1923), 10 (canvas 1976)
  PHENOMENA    -  Left-center field monuments and plaques: Yankee Stadium (I)
                  Monuments in fair territory, Lou Gehrig on the left, Miller
                  Huggins in the middle, Babe Ruth on the right; Yankee
                  Stadium (II) Monuments beyond the fence; same as Yankee
                  Stadium I. Plaques beyond the fence, Ed Barrow, Jacob
                  Ruppert, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Casey Stengel, Joe
                  McCarthy, Pope Paul VI, Thurman Munson, Pope John Paul II,
                  Billy Martin.
               -  A ball hitting the foul pole in the 1930s was in play, not a
                  homer.
               -  "Death Valley" in left-center.
               -  Green curtain in center sometimes raised and lowered like a
                  window shade to force visiting batters to face a background
                  of white-shirted bleacher fans but allow Yankee hitters to
                  face a dark green background. Removed in World Series to
                  sell more seats.
               -  Bleachers in right-center often called Ruthville and
                  Gehrigville.
               -  Warning track red cinders; later on, red brick dust.
               -  Extra grass kept near monuments in center, in play.
               -  Underneath second base in Yankee Stadium (I), there was a
                  15-foot-deep brick-lined vault with electrical, telephone,
                  and telegraphic connections for boxing events.
               -  As originally constructed, from May 5, 1922, to April 18,
                  1923, three concrete decks extended from behind home plate
                  to each corner, with a single deck in left-center, and
                  wooden bleachers around the rest of the outfield.
               -  In the winter of 1927-28, second and third decks were added
                  to left-center, and several rows of box seats were removed
                  in left, extending the foul pole from 281 to 301.
               -  During the 1936 season, the winter of 1936-37, and
                  continuing through the 1937 season, the wooden bleachers
                  were replaced with concrete ones. During the 1937 season,
                  second and third decks were added in right-center. The
                  bleacher changes shortened straightaway center from 490 to
                  461 and reduced seating capacity from the 80,000s to the
                  70,000s.
               -  As the outfield bench seats were gradually replaced with
                  chair seats, in the 1930s and 1940s, the seating capacity
                  gradually dropped from over 70,000 to about 67,000.
               -  Bloody Angle--between bleachers and RF foul line in 1923
                  season was very asymmetric and caused crazy bounces.
                  Eliminating this in 1924 caused the plate to be moved 13
                  feet, and the deepest left center corner to change from 500
                  to 490.
               -  Auxiliary scoreboards were built in the late 1940s, which
                  covered up the 367 right-center sign and the 415 left-center
                  sign.
               -  Minor modifications were made in the winter of 1966-67.
                  During this work, a new 463 sign and a 433 sign appeared in
                  the power alleys, and the exterior was painted blue and
                  white.
               -  During 1974-75 renovation, iron third deck distinctive
                  facade was removed, and a portion was placed in the
                  bleachers.


SHEA STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    William A. Shea Municipal Stadium
  OCCUPANT     NL Mets April 17, 1964 to date; AL Yankees, April 6, 1974 to
               September 28, 1975
     EVENT     All Star Game 1964
  LOCATION     Centerfield (E) 126th Street; 3rd Base (N) Whitestone
               Expressway/Interstate 678, and Flushing Bay; Home Plate
               (W) Grand Central Parkway; 1st Base (S) Roosevelt Avenue;
               In Queens, near Flushing Meadow Park, site of 1939 and 1964
               World's Fairs, just southeast of La Guardia Airport
   SURFACE     Bluegrass
DIMENSIONS     Foul Line: 330 (marked 1964), 341 (actual 1964), 341 (1965),
               338 (1979); Power Alleys: 371; Center Field 410; Backstop:
               80 (1964); Foul Territory: Very large
    FENCES     Foul Lines: 16.33 (4 wire and railing above 12.33 brick 1964),
               12.33 (brick 1965), 8 (wood 1979); Power Alleys: 8 (wood);
               Center Field Small section 8.75 (wood), most 8 (wood)
 PHENOMENA     -  Designed to be expandable to 90,000 seats.
               -  Noisiest outdoor ballpark; frequent La Guardia Airport air
                  tragic noise overhead.
               -  Named for attorney William Shea, who obtained the Mets
                  franchise for New York by organizing the Continental League.
               -  Right-center scoreboard is largest in majors, 86 feet high
                  with Bulova clock on top, about 25 feet behind the outfield
                  fence, and 175 feet long.
               -  Practice facilities under the right field stands.
               -  Behind fence in center just to the right of the 410 mark, is
                  a Mets Magic Top Hat. When a Met hits a homer, a red Big
                  Apple rises out of the black top hat, which actually looks
                  more like a big kettle.
               -  Foul lines from 1965 to 1978 had an orange home run line
                  painted at the top of the 12-foot, 4-inch brick wall. Above
                  this was a 4-foot wire screen and railing. A ball was a
                  homer if it hit above the line. Like a similar ground rule
                  at Crosley Field in center field, this caused many
                  controversies, so in 1979 an inner 8-foot wooden fence was
                  installed.
               -  Worst visibility for hitters in the majors.
               -  Churchlike spire beyond center field fence formerly graced
                  by "Serval Zippers" sign.
               -  Outfield fences also marked as 358 and 396. From 1973 to
                  1979, there were also distance markers, outside the field of
                  play, on the rear bullpen walls at 428, base of left-center
                  light tower at 442, bottom edge of right-center scoreboard
                  at 405 on right field end and 420 on center field end.
               -  1964 Mets Banner Day--"Mongolia Loves The Mets" (in
                  Mongolian) banner carried by the author; other banners
                  included "E=mc2" (or Errors = Mets times customers squared),
                  "Eamus Metropoli" (Let's go Mets in Latin).
               -  Christened April 16, 1964 with Dodger Holy Water from the
                  Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn and Giant Holy Water from the
                  Harlem River at the exact location where it passed the old
                  Polo Grounds.


OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

OAKLAND-ALAMEDA COUNTY COLISEUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    Oakland Coliseum Complex, Oakland Mausoleum
  OCCUPANT     AL Athletics April 17, 1968 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1987
  LOCATION     Center Field (NE) San Leandro Street and Southern Pacific
               Railroad tracks; 3rd Base (NW) 66th Avenue; Home Plate (SW)
               Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Nimitz Freeway, and San
               Leandro Bay; 1st Base (SE) Hegenberger Drive
   SURFACE     Bluegrass
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 330; Power Alleys: 378 (1968), 375 (1969), 372
               (1981); Center Field: 410 (1968), 400 (1969), 396 (1981), 397
               (1982), 400 (1990); Back-stop: 90 (1968), 60 (1969); Foul
               Territory: Huge, largest in the majors
    FENCES     8 (plywood 1968), 10 (canvas over plywood and plexiglass 1981),
               8 (1986)
 PHENOMENA     -  Surrounded by beautiful green ivy slope.
               -  Backstop is a notch cut in stands.
               -  Possible to watch game for free from concourse behind the
                  field seats by peering between wooden slats on cyclone
                  fence.
               -  Steel shell of pitcher's mound was exposed on Opening Day
                  April 17, 1968 and had to keep being covered between
                  innings.
               -  Right field scoreboard installed June 1968.
               -  Finley Fun Board put in for 1969 season--24 feet high and
                  126 feet long.
               -  Named the Mausoleum in the 1970s when the scoreboard didn't
                  work, the entire stadium was gray concrete in color, and the
                  A's were terrible.
               -  Huge foul territory area reduces batting average by roughly
                  5 to 7 points, making this the best pitcher's park in the
                  AL.
               -  Fun picnic atmosphere is the very best in the majors of all
                  new concrete circular ugly ashtray stadia.
               -  Best food in baseball.
               -  Winds favor lefthanded batters.
               -  Next door to Jewel Box, home of the NBA Golden State
                  Warriors.
               -  Scoreboard shows upcoming home stands, with A's annihilating
                  the opposition.
               -  Fans sitting at the foul poles can catch home run fair balls
                  by reaching in front of the foul pole screens.
               -  Hand-operated scoreboard showing major league line scores
                  installed in 1986.


PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

VETERANS STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    Vet
  OCCUPANT     April 10, 1971 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1976
  LOCATION     Left Field (NE) Packer Street and Interstate 76; 3rd Base (NW)
               Broad Street and Philadelphia Naval hospital; 1st Base (SW)
               Pattison Avenue, Spectrum, and JFK Stadium; Right Field (SE)
               Tenth Street
   SURFACE     Astroturf--fast, but slower since 1977
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 330; Power Alleys: 371; Center Field: 408;
               Backstop: 60; Foul Territory: Large
    FENCES     6 (wood April 1972); 8 (wood June 1971); 12 (6 plexiglass
               above 6 wood 1972)
 PHENOMENA     -  The park's rounded rectangular shape is called an octorad by
                  the architects.
               -  Connie Mack Stadium's home plate was transplanted here.
               -  Plastic tarp covered unfinished right field wall in April
                  1971.
               -  "Liberty Bell" used to hang from center field roof in fourth
                  level--hit only by Greg Luzinski on May 16, 1972.
               -  First ball dropped from a helicopter on April 10, 1971.
               -  Smallest hot dogs and loudest boos in baseball.
               -  Statues of Connie Mack and a sliding runner outside the
                  park.


PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

THREE RIVERS STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    House That Clemente Built
  OCCUPANT     NL Pirates July 16, 1970 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1974
  LOCATION     Left Field (E) Interstate 279 Fort Duquesne Bridge approach
               ramp; 3rd Base (N) Reedsdale Street; 1st Base (W) Allegheny
               Avenue, Ohio River, and the original point where the
               Monongahela River joins the Allegheny River to form the Ohio
               River; Right Field (S) North Shore Avenue, Roberto Clemente
               Memorial Park, Allegheny River; Stadium Circle encircles the
               park
   SURFACE     Carpet--Tartanturf 1970 to 1982; Astroturf 1983 to date
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 340 (1970), 335 (1975); Power Alleys: 385 (1970),
               375 (1975); Center Field 410 (1970), 400 (1975); Backstop: 60;
               Foul Territory: Large
    FENCES     10 (wood)
 PHENOMENA     -  On a site that was an island during the French and Indian
                  Wars. It had been an Indian burial ground, a fact
                  discovered when the Big Flood of 1763 uncovered many
                  graves. Named Kilbuck Island after a friendly Delaware
                  Indian chief. Back channels filled with silt, and it was
                  no longer an island in 1852.
               -  Numbers painted on seats in right field upper deck where
                  Willie Stargell's homers landed.
               -  Without the inner fence, the outfield would be 342 down the
                  lines and 434 to center.
               -  The Honus Wagner statue, which used to stand outside of
                  Forbes Field, now stands outside of Three Rivers Stadium.
               -  An 8- by 12-foot area of the 406 marker section of the
                  Forbes Field brick wall, 12 Romanesque window frames, and
                  the Babe Ruth plaque showing where his 714th home run landed
                  are in the Allegheny Club at Three Rivers.
               -  Original design by Erik Sirko was for a "Stadium Over the
                  Monongahela," with stadium above two parking lot levels, all
                  sitting above the Monongahela River with plenty of room for
                  boats to pass beneath on the river.


ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

BUSCH STADIUM (II)

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    Civic Center Stadium 1966, Busch Memorial Stadium 1966 to 1983
  OCCUPANT     NL Cardinals May 12, 1966 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1966
  LOCATION     Left Field (E) Broadway, Interstate 70, Gateway Arch and
               Mississippi River; 3rd Base (N) Walnut Street; 1st Base (W)
               Seventh Street and 300 Stadium Plaza; Right Field (S) Spruce
               Street; Stadium Plaza surrounds the park
   SURFACE     Grass 1966 to 1969. Carpet--very fast--1970 to date. From
               1970 to 1976, the entire field was carpeted except for the part
               of the infield that is normally dirt on a grass field. In
               1977, this was carpeted except for the sliding pits. This is
               one of only two instances where there was a full dirt infield,
               with an otherwise fully carpeted field, the other being
               Candlestick in 1971.
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 330; Power Alleys: 386 (1966), 376 (1973), 386
               (1977), 383 (July 1983), 375 (1992); Center Field 414 (1966),
               410 (1971), 414 (1972), 404 (1973), 414 (1977), 402 (1992);
               Backstop: 64 (Vin Scully's unofficial measurement during 1985
               World Series showed this to be 50 rather than 64); Foul
               Territory: Large
    FENCES     Left and Right Fields: 10.5 (padded concrete), 8 (padded
               canvas 1992); Center Field 10.5 (padded concrete 1966), 8 (wood
               1973), 10.5 (padded concrete 1977), 8 (padded canvas 1992)
 PHENOMENA     -  A line drive park because of the deep alleys and deep center
                  field and the quick turf.
               -  Open arches surround the field just below the roof.
               -  From 1966 to 1982 right field scoreboard lights showed a
                  cardinal in flight when a Cardinal hit a home run; same show
                  was put on each time Lou Brock set a new base-stealing
                  record.
               -  Home plate transplanted from old Busch Stadium at opener on
                  May 12, 1966.
               -  Next to the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River; you can
                  see the Arch from the top deck in right field.
               -  Statue of "Stan the Man" Musial outside the stadium was
                  unveiled in 1968.
               -  Small sections of bleachers in the outfield.
               -  Chicken wire basket (A la Wrigley Field in Chicago),
                  installed in front of left-center and right-center bleacher
                  sections in July 1983, is 2 feet high and reduces distance
                  to fence by 3 feet (386 to 383 in power alleys). It does
                  not raise the height of the 10 1/2 foot wall. No basket in
                  center field bleacher section since it is used only for
                  football.
               -  At league direction, the site designated for any Cubs
                  playoffs or World Series home games from 1986 until 1988,
                  when Wrigley Field got lights.
               -  Most fans at the stadium seem to be wearing Cardinal red.
               -  Seventh inning brings the Clydesdale horses to the
                  scoreboard.
               -  Only ballpark where the seventh-inning stretch does not
                  bring on "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Instead, here they
                  play the "King of Beers" theme song on the organ.


SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO JACK MURPHY STADIUM

     STYLE     Multipurpose
     A.K.A.    San Diego Stadium 1969 to 1980, Jack Murphy Stadium thereafter
  OCCUPANT     NL Padres April 8, 1969 to date
     EVENT     All Star Games 1978, 1992
  LOCATION     Left Field (N) 9449 Friars Road; 3rd Base (W) Stadium Way and a
               quarry; 1st Base (S) San Diego River, Camino del Rio North, and
               Interstate 8; Right Field (E) Interstate 15
   SURFACE     Santa Ana Bermuda grass
DIMENSIONS     Foul Lines: 330 (1969), fence 327 (1982), foul poles 329
               (1982); Power Alleys: 375 (1969), 370 (1982); Center Field:
               420 (1969), 410 (1973), 420 (1978), 405 (1982); Backstop: 80
               (1969), 75 (1982)
    FENCES     Left and Right Fields: 17.5 (concrete 1969), 9 (line painted
               on concrete 1973), 18 (concrete 1974), 8.5 (canvas 1982);
               Center field 17.5 (concrete 1969), 10 (wood 1973), 18 (concrete
               1978), 8.5 (canvas 1982), one section in right center 9 (canvas
               1982)
FORMER USE     San Diego River ran through the area, which was then a marshy
               swampland.
 PHENOMENA     -  Named for sports editor who campaigned to bring major league
                  baseball to San Diego.
               -  Noticeable lack of Spanish-speaking fans and Spanish
                  language advertisements in the only major league ballpark on
                  the Mexican border.
               -  The stadium is circular but open in right.
               -  Foul poles sit two feet behind the fence, and one foot in
                  front of the wall.
               -  The right-center scoreboard sits directly behind the right
                  center seats, and is so hot that fans there feel the heat on
                  their backs.
               -  Only park where bullpen dirt area touches the foul lines.
               -  Only park where a foul ball can be caught out of sight of
                  all umpires and most players. Location is in either bullpen
                  near the foul poles.
               -  After 1981 season, the plate was moved 5 feet back toward
                  the backstop.
               -  Expanded during 1983 football season by adding seat in right
                  and right-center.
               -  Ivy put on center field fence in 1980.
               -  20-foot-wide black batter's eye section on both center field
                  wall and fence July-October 1982.


SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

CANDLESTICK PARK

     STYLE     Multipurpose
  OCCUPANT     NL Giants April 12, 1960 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1961, 1984
  LOCATION     Left Field (NW) Giants Drive; 3rd Base (SW) Jamestown Avenue
               and Bay View Hill; 1st Base (SE) Jamestown Avenue, Candlestick
               Point and San Francisco; Right Field (NE) Hunters Point
               Expressway and San Francisco Bay; Candlestick Point, with its
               rock outcroppings, was leveled to fill in the water for the
               parking lots.
   SURFACE     Grass (1960), Carpet (1971), Bluegrass (1979)
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 330 (1960), 335 (1968); Left-Center: 397 (1960),
               365 (1961), 365 (1982); Center Field: 420 (1960), 410 (1961),
               400 (1982); Right-Center: 397 (1960), 365 (1961), 365 (1982);
               Right Field: 330 (1965), 335 (1968), 330 (1991), 328 (1993);
               Backstop: 73 (1960), 70 (1961), 55 (1975), 65 (1982), 66
               (1985); Foul Territory: Very large
    FENCES     10 (wire 1960); 8 (wire 1972); 12 (6 canvas below 6 plexiglass
               1975); 9 (6 canvas below 3 plexiglass 1982); 9 (wire 1984), 9.5
               (fence posts 1984); 8 (canvas 1993)
 PHENOMENA     -  Named for jagged rocks and trees which rise from the
                  tidelands like giant candlesticks.
               -  Bay View hill overlooks the park from behind 3rd base.
               -  Many fans arrived by boat in 1960s.
               -  Only hot-water-heated open-air stadium in the majors
               -  Before the bleachers were enclosed, so many fans would
                  stream out of the bleachers in right-center when Mays and
                  McCovey batted and crowd up against the flimsy cyclone
                  fence, that a white line was painted on the asphalt 20 feet
                  behind the fence. Fans had to stand behind this line.
               -  Fifty-nine posts every 20 feet or so on the outfield fence
                  can cause strange bounces--their tips extend 6 inches above
                  the 9 foot wire fence.
               -  Wind, wind, and more wind!  Before the stadium was enclosed,
                  wind blew in from left-center and out toward right-center.
                  Now that it is enclosed, the wind is a swirling monster,
                  just as strong as before.
               -  Six Giants retired numbers on white baseballs on the right
                  field fence.
               -  Maury's Lake--the basepath between first and second was
                  drenched before the game to make it more difficult for
                  Dodger Maury Wills to steal second.
               -  Umps protested location of foul poles completely in fair
                  territory in third inning of opening game on April 12, 1960.
               -  Stu Miller was blown off the mound by the wind in the 1961
                  All-Star Game.
               -  The stadium was enlarged and fully enclosed in the winter of
                  1971-72 to house the 49ers.
               -  Architect John Bolles' boomerang-shaped concrete shell
                  baffle behind the upper tier's last row of seats was
                  intended to protect the park from wind; it didn't work.
               -  In the winter of 1978-79, the Giants ripped up their carpet
                  and replaced it with grass.
               -  Coldest park in the majors, resulting in less home runs.
               -  Croix de Candlestick pin awarded to fans at conclusion of
                  night extra-inning games.


SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

KINGDOME

     STYLE     Dome
     A.K.A.    King County Stadium, The Tomb (1980s), Puget Puke (1980s)
  OCCUPANT     AL Mariners April 6, 1977 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1979
  LOCATION     Left Field (N) 201 South King Street; 3rd Base (W) 589
               Occidental Avenue South; 1st Base (S) South Royal Brougham Way;
               Right Field (E) Fourth Avenue South and Burlington Northern
               Railroad tracks; Above: Domed roof
DIMENSIONS     Left Field: 315 (1977), 316 (marked 1978), 314 (actual 1978),
               324 (1990), 331 (1991); Left Center: 375 (1977), 365 (1978),
               357 (1981), 362 (1990), 376 (1991); Deep Left-Center: 385
               (1990), 389 (1991); Center Field 405 (1977), 410 (1978),
               405 (1981), 410 (1986), 405 (1991); Deep Right Center:
               375 (1990), 380 (1991); Right Center 375 (1977), 365 (1978),
               357 (1981), 352 (1990); Right Field 315 (1977), 316 (1978),
               314 (1990), 312 (1991); Speakers in Left (3), Left Center, and
               Center: 110 (1977), 133.5 (1981); 11 other speakers 130;
               Backstop: 63; Apex of Dome: 250; Foul Territory: Large
    FENCES     Left Field 11.5 (wood 1977), 17.5 (6 plexiglass over wood
               1988), 11.5 (wood 1990); Center Field 11.5 (wood 1977); Right
               Field 11.5 (wood 1977), 23.25 (wood 1982), 11.5 (wood 1988)
 PHENOMENA     -  Large American flag flies above the concrete dome.
               -  23-foot Mini-Green Monster in right and right-center is
                  called the Walla Walla.
               -  Carpet is rolled out by the Rhinoceros machine, and smoothed
                  by the Grasshopper machine after it has been zipped
                  together.
               -  Baby-changing areas in aisles 111, 113, 201, 203.
               -  Domed roof looks from below like it's made of thousands of
                  bricks.
               -  Sick's Stadium home plate on display in Royal Brougham
                  trophy case.
               -  In the winter of 1980-81, the three speakers above left,
                  left-center, and center were raised from 102 to 133.5 feet
                  to reduce the chance of their being hit again.
               -  Two foul balls have gone up but never come down: August 4,
                  1979--Ruppert Jones of Mariners hit a foul ball that stuck
                  in the speaker above the first base dugout, thus disproving
                  the old adage of physics that what goes up must come down.
                  On May 20, 1983, Brewer Ricky Nelson did the same. By some
                  arcane logic, both fly balls were ruled strikes.
               -  Four foul balls have bounced off speakers and been caught
                  for outs: August 3, 1979, caught by A's pitcher Matt
                  Keough; September 3, 1979, caught by Mariners' first
                  baseman; May 19, 1980, caught by Mariners' first baseman;
                  April 25, 1985, caught by Mariners' pitcher Mark Langston.
               -  Other foul balls have bounced off the Seattle Supersonics
                  basketball speakers above first base and the basketball
                  scoreboard above and behind home plate, without being
                  caught.
               -  One fair ball bounced off a roof support wire and remained
                  in play on April 11, 1985--a ball hit by Dave Kingman of A's
                  was caught for an out in deep left: it would have been a
                  home run. One fair ball has struck the right field
                  speaker--Ken Phelps of the Mariners hit a tape-measure homer
                  on August 13, 1987--the ball landed foul.
               -  Seven fair balls have bounced off speakers and remained in
                  play.
               -  Called the Tomb by visiting sportswriters because it's
                  sickeningly gray concrete and quiet.
               -  Roofs hanging red, white, and blue streamers can tangle up
                  an infield fly and deflect it from the pitcher's mound to
                  behind second base.
               -  U.S.S. Mariner--a huge yellow sailing ship behind the
                  center-field fence which fires a cannon after every Mariner
                  homer.
               -  42 air-conditioning units, 16 in fair territory, 26 in foul
                  territory, 8 ducts in each unit. These blow air in toward
                  the field which means fewer home runs in what would normally
                  be a "Homer Dome" because of the short 357 foot power
                  alleys.
               -  Outfield distances marked on fences in both feet and fathoms
                  1977-80 (1 fathom = 6 feet).
               -  Third deck highest at third base and in right field. AL
                  East and AL West standings posted on right field third deck
                  facade.
               -  Plate moved 10 feet toward first base dugout in 1990 in a
                  change that altered outfield distances.
               -  New classic "in-play" 123-feet by 11 1/2-foot scoreboard
                  placed on right field wall in 1990 in dramatic facelift.
               -  Scene of Funny Nose-Eye Glasses night.


TORONTO, ONTARIO

SKYDOME

     STYLE     Retractable Dome
  OCCUPANT     AL Blue Jays June 5, 1989 to date
     EVENT     All Star Game 1991; World Series 1992
  LOCATION     Center Field (N) Front Street West; 3rd Base (W) Spadina
               Avenue; Home Plate (S) Gardiner Expressway; 1st Base (E) John
               Street and CN Tower, the world's largest free-standing
               structure
   SURFACE     Astroturf
DIMENSIONS     Left Field 328; Left Center: 375; Center Field: 400; Right
               Center: 375; Right Field: 328
    FENCES     10
FORMER USE     Water Supply pumping station where second base is now
 PHENOMENA     -  400-foot sign in center is actually right of dead center.
               -  31 stories high (Astrodome is just 18).
               -  SkyDome's $17 million Jumbotron scoreboard is the world's
                  biggest video display board (115 by 33 feet).
               -  Hotel inside SkyDome has 348 rooms, 70 with a view of (and
                  by) the stadium.
               -  SkyDome Fitness Club boasts the world's largest indoor
                  running track (2.2 lap per mile circuit) at the top of the
                  stadium.
               -  First park to draw over 4 million fans in a season.
               -  SkyDome's retractable four-panel, 11,000-ton roof takes
                  twenty minutes to open or close; uses $500 in electricity
                  in doing so.
               -  When roof is opened 91 percent of all seats are exposed to
                  sky.
               -  Overruns ballooned costs from an estimated $202 million to
                  $495 million.
               -  Facilities include a Hard Rock Cafe and the 650-seat Windows
                  on SkyDome restaurant.
               -  Site of first World Series games played outside United
                  States.
               -  Also home to the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football
                  League.
               -  Contains 161 private skyboxes on the 300 and 400 level,
                  ranging in price from $150,000 to $225,000 yearly.