Stadium Review: Marlins Park

[SportsChick]

Nope, it's in the hood

[Brian Fein]

there are hotels near by, but you'd still have to take a taxi or something to get there.  There is a place called Barlington Hotel, according to Google Maps, that is walking distance.  I wouldn't recommend staying there, though.

[TonyB0D]

The uniforms are great, but the ugly green color of the walls is HIDEOUS...makes my eyes bleed.  PUKE!!!

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

OK, here is our full review, complete with pictures.  All the thumbnails get bigger when you click on them:

http://www.stadiumroadtrip.com/?page_id=227

(Note, the site is still a work in progress, most other stadiums are still missing content.)

Hey B, I liked the pictures of the Marlins new home. I checked out some of the others on the site too and this is an awesome idea. I look forward to seeing your updates as you continue your journey.

[Dave Gray]

What's up with the single home game and then hitting the road?  I'm not exactly Mr. Baseball, but I don't remember ever seeing that before.

[Thundergod]

^^^ I was wondering the exact same thing. Head scratcher.

[Brian Fein]

It was for TV, period.  They wanted to do a "look at our new stadium" showcase for national audience on ESPN.  It was the only game that night.  I was also surprised that there weren't 2 more games with the Cardinals right after it.

If not for the new stadium, they would have opened Thursday in Cincinnati.

[Dave Gray]

Hey Brian,

So, why are you regretting your season ticket decision?  Expand on that?  Is it because you think the team isn't good, you can't afford it, too many games, etc?

[Brian Fein]

None of the above.  I love the Marlins.  I've been a fans when they were last place and losing every game.  It has nothing to do with thinking they are good.

I've had season ticket packages in the past as well.  It worked out well.  I really like going to Marlins' games.  That's why I got the tickets in the first place.

My regret stems almost entirely from the nightmare of getting to and from the stadium.  Maybe I'm not use to - or prepared for - the hassle.  I am going to a game at the end of the month, and will re-evaluate the situation when the entire country isn't focused on that game. 

The new stadium is amazing but, as expected, it is a raving hassle to get to and from.  And I admit my attitude is mostly soured by the situation where the "shuttle" the Marlins promised to be running to the off-site parking dropped me off in some random other location nowhere near where I was parked.  At 11:30 at night, I had to walk a mile through the hood all decked out in a bright orange Marlins jersey.  If I ever screamed "hi, come rob me," that was it.

So, I'm going to try to buy a parking pass for the next game and park in one of the garages.  Maybe it'll be better.  For the Sunday game, we got there in 40 minutes, took a 5 minute bus ride and it was a breeze, but we got there 2 hours before the game and got the last parking spot in the lot.  I can't see myself being able to do that on weeknight games.

I'm sure people in other cities are reading this and saying "its just as bad here, quit your whining" but we're just not used to it and our infrastructure isn't set up for it.  If I could get on the Metrorail somewhere nearby and get off within half a mile of the stadium, I'd do it.  But as it is, I have to drive an hour to get to the nearest Metrorail station, and hope the game ends in time to get back to my car before the trains stop running.

It has nothing to do with the team, and everything to do with the crap-a-riffic location of the stadium.

[Dave Gray]

^ Word.

Here's hoping they figure it out and things die down a bit to where you can enjoy it.

Also, having done this for both the HEAT and Dolphins, if you go regularly, you figure out your route, your parking situation, etc.  ...experienced fans will learn the ins and outs of getting in and out a little quickly.

Remember with the Dolphins?  Haitian lot + Rooms 2 Go. 
HEAT are the same.  I know my lot.  I know my way in and out.  I know when I need to leave.  It's easy now.

[Brian Fein]

^^ I've been to Heat games as well.  I am fine with that.  The parking lots around the stadium are walking distance to the arena.  Of course you can do this at the Marlins game too but it'll cost you upwards of $30 per game and its isn't a parking lot, its Alberto's front yard.  And they will sometimes block you in with other cars.

The parking lots for the Marlins are over a mile or 2 away.  A good 30-40 minute walk.  They are running shuttles to them, and that's fine, but at least bring me back to the place where I parked after the game.

Parking AT the stadium is the way to go.  Traffic is a bit of a hassle but if you're patient its no worse than getting out of a Dolphins game or any other.