Minute Maid is GREAT, but could've been so much Better

You do realize that there is another reason why most fields face a certain direction.... And it has nothing to do with the skyline.

(Eh, I'll just help you out... http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/general/facts/diamonds/ Notice that no ballpark in baseball has their field oriented in the direction you desire).

Also, you conveniently leave out the Union Station aspect of the ballpark... The repurposing and converting to the main Astros offices was a big part of the project (and doesn't really fit any other sort of configuration.)

Lastly, were you there last Saturday? The entire stadium was bathed in sun. The roof rolls back completely behind the RF scoreboard. Not sure where else you want it to go... Rolling it further back would make no difference to the rest of the stadium.

 

Swap Toyota Center and MMP locations and you would have an awesome skyline view

 

The suns angle is the reason for the direction of the field. Cowboys stadium didn't follow these simple rules, sun sets in an end zone and blinds the players near the end of a late afternoon game.

 

Easy fix - install a large mirror that points towards the skyline buildings. That way, the fans can see the full skyline view in the mirror.

OR, between innings they could show a picture of the skyline on the scoreboard - again, so fans can easily see it.

 

Not the same land space.

Also, people don't realize just how difficult it was to get MMP built... It barely passed, and everything from the design to the location to the construction costs were all very fixed aspects (and even then, it's the best stadium Houston has... By far... And has aged pretty well considering its 16 years old).

 

Kool-Aid park would have been awesome. Oh yeah!

 

TDECU Stadium has the best view of an stadium in town.

 

The roof would have been closed. We're not sitting in the sun. **** that ****.
Like Nick said, the roof rolls over pass the big scoreboard already.

 

No. Read my post again and click on the link. There is not a single park with home plate facing west for a reason (the GD sun!!!). It's in the freakin MLB rule book. That is the only configuration that would have allowed a downtown view.

The only solution for that would be to build the park in an entirely different place. Again, read my other post that discusses how difficult it was to get a downtown ballpark actually approved. They did not have carte Blanche/unlimited space constraints/etc. there was also a possibility of actually having the old rail lines to union station functional and part of the design (eventually scrapped due to politics). The union station site was the key to why the ballpark was placed there.

I appreciate your interest/passion in this city... But don't be ignorant when it comes to basic facts.

 

Not really. I don't think you appreciate how massive the roof structure really is, and the support that is needed to keep it upright.

As it is, the support tracks do extend well past the stadium structure itself, in order to move the roof completely past the playing surface. It's actually 3 separate moving pieces that can all move independently of each other (but are obviously synced to move as a cohesive unit).

The only thing moving the roof back more would accomplish is that you don't see as much of the roof superstructure if you're sitting at home plate/3b side on the lower level... And even then, the amount of sky that is above the playing field and stadium directly would be the same.

Also, do you know why the roof is shaped (in an arc) the way it is? It's to simulate the path of a HR ball. They could have put a flat roof (like the one that sits in safeco and Marlins park), and that would have further been aesthetically unpleasing.

So, in many ways, the roof is a work of art... And a standing homage to the game of baseball itself. You're always complaining that Houston doesn't have nice things or doesn't appreciate history... Well I appreciate the fact that MMP is still the finest retractable roof stadium in baseball, and given the heat issues that are already starting to come upon us, I wouldn't have wanted any other sort of park built. (It's the one thing those losers from the north of 45 are envious of... Especially when they are playing day games in 100 degree weather in Arlington).

 

What on earth are you talking about "roll the roof past the back wall of RF"? There is no obstruction when the roof is fully retracted. The stadium isn't a transformer.

 

You must have a major inferiority complex.

Houston gets the requisite attention for a top 10 media market (albeit, its #10), which is largely based on surrounding area. Unfortunately, Houston is so big/spread out... there aren't a lot of populated neighboring communities that get lumped into the market. Basically, Houston just simply grows from within... and will slowly increase in size in that respect.... and that's entirely unique to all other top 10 media markets.

As it is, its expected to pass Chicago eventually for #3 metro. And the media size will stay stable as long as there is metro growth. They've had multiple ASG, NCAA final fours, and now multiple SB's in the last 10-12 years, all for a city that isn't really a tourist destination like San Diego, Miami, New Orleans, LA, or NY... that is damn good.

As far as the roof goes... like someone said above, its not a transformer. There are structural/physical limitations to where it goes. It rolls back as far as any other roof that's ever been constructed in any stadium.... and still allows for the grass to be maintained, and for sun to hit the entire field (unlike some other retractable roof stadiums).

 

Both of Houston stadiums suffered by being some of the first (if not the first) retractable roof stadiums. Technology (lessons learned) improved after the fact and the newer retractable roof stadiums have benefited.

 

Yes, and no.

NRG was exceeded by Glendale in terms of the ability to grow grass... but Cowboy Stadium spent too much time trying to pay homage to the old Texas stadium, and really doesn't feel that different when the roof is open (whereas NRG does allow enough sunlight to get half the stadium uncomfortable to where they never open the roof ever).

As it is, retractable roof stadiums for NFL teams really serve no purpose... they're never open.

In regards to baseball, there's been two retractable roof stadiums opened since MMP was built... Miller Park and Marlins park. Miller Park opened the very next year (2001), so there were no technological improvements made (even though they have a very unique roof setup).

Marlins park opened in 2012... 12 years after MMP... and having been there, I can say its inferior in almost every single aspect (including the look of the roof when open and closed). Everything, from its location to the tacky seating colors to the exterior appearance leaves a lot to be desired... and then you read about how they basically swindled the county into paying for it, and it may very well be the WORST of any new stadium ever built.

Every other retractable roof stadium (Chase, Skydome, Safeco) also show marked deficiencies when it comes to their setup. None of them are perfect. Hell, the D-backs want out of Chase unless they get it renovated.

MMP isn't perfect... but they did get it right.

 

What you failed to realize is the skyline has filled around MMP. More and More building have filled in the view.