Marlins Ballpark
Miami, FL
Summer 2012
http//www.marlins.mlb.com/
Game Day Atmosphere: Not much to write home about. However, this was the day following the Miami Heat winning the NBA championship, so Miami may still have been asleep because of too much partying. Miami traditionally does not draw many fans to begin with and coupled with an interleague game against the Toronto Blue Jays helped to keep the atmosphere subdued at best. I will add that seeing this ballpark in its inaugural season was pretty cool!
Stay: At any of the Marriott hotels in the "compound" near the Miami Airport. Lots of options with a few restaurants on the grounds.
View: Pretty cool stadium view in itself. One of Miami's claims to fame include their architecture with "Art-Deco." After touring the city of Miami, especially on South Beach, the Marlins did a great job incorporating this style in the new ball park as well with many vibrant colors and interesting shapes.
Arrive: Plenty of parking is available, but go ahead and reserve a "home plate garage" parking pass early so you can park just next to the stadium with covered parking and basically cross one street and walk right into the stadium.
Concessions: The food was rather expensive and not that great. There are some seafood options as well as Cuban. Don't waste your money on these. Just get the traditional ballpark food and go out to eat in one of the many Cuban places or seafood places all over the Miami area.
Not advertised: Bobblehead Museum! This is the largest collection of "bobbleheads" in the world. They include current and former MLB players as well as mascots, managers, and media personalities in the world of baseball.
Not in the box score: Marlins ballpark probably had the weakest racing of mascots I've ever seen. There were 4 people dressed up in some sort of costumes apparently trying to resemble sea creatures. They should probably just can that idea.
Final Box: Toronto Blue Jays 12 Miami Marlins 5
Attendance: 22,387 Time: 3:02