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 Coors
Field
Denver, CO
Opening in 1995, Coors
Field became the first baseball only park built in the National
League since Dodger Stadium in 1962. For years the City of Denver
was the home of two professional sports franchises, the Denver
Broncos (NFL) and Denver Nuggets (NBA). By the 1980s the city had
grown considerably and wanted a Major League Baseball franchise. In
August 1985 the National League was permitted to expand by two
franchises. Interested cities had to have plans to construct a MLB
stadium before they would be considered for expansion. Cities vying
for a franchise other than Denver included Buffalo, Miami, Orlando,
Tampa and Washington DC. By 1989 the Denver Metropolitan Major
League Baseball Stadium District was formed by the state to get a
ballpark constructed. In August 1990 voters in a six county area
approved a one percent sales tax for funding. This came before the
city was awarded a franchise, but showed MLB that the city was
willing to build a ballpark. In June 1991 MLB awarded Denver and
Miami franchises. A site at 20th and Blake Streets was chosen and
construction on the ballpark began October 16, 1992.
Named the Colorado Rockies, the team
played at
Mile High Stadium during the 1993 and 1994 seasons while their
new ballpark, Coors Field was constructed in downtown
Denver. Original plans called for the ballpark to have a seating
capacity of 43,000. However after the team attracted three million
fans during their first season they announced in November 1993 that
they would enlarge Coors Field to seat 50,000 fans. Following Camden
Yards and other ballparks, Coors Field was constructed with brick
and steel. The first game played at Coors Field was on April 26,
1995 between the Rockies and the New York Mets.
With its hand laid brick and clock tower, fans
might think that they were entering a modern day Ebbets Field. Coors
Field combines the nostalgic feel of a 1920s urban ballpark with
21st century technology and conveniences. To prevent the ballpark
from being imposing on nearby neighborhood buildings, the field is
located 21 feet below street level. Its old fashioned brick facade
allows the ballpark to blend into downtown Denver. One of Coors
Field signature features is the clock, located at 20th and Blake
Street. This is a location for fans to
meet prior to the game. Inside, the main three tier grandstand
extends from the left field foul pole to homeplate, to the right
field foul pole, and around into right-center field. Marking one
mile above sea level is a row of purple seats that extend around the
entire upper deck of Coors Field. The "Rockpile," a 2,300 seat
bleacher section is located behind the centerfield backdrop and
offers a unique view of the playing field. The
main scoreboard is located beyond the left field bleachers, while a
14 foot high out of town scoreboard makes up part of the right field
wall. The bullpens are found behind the right field fence; along
with a tree/rock covered mountain scene that contains water
fountains. The Rockies relievers even plant a small garden near
their bullpen. Coors Field has a immense amount of amenities that
includes over 4,400 club seats, the Roundeus at the Sandlot Brewery,
Coors Fields' microbrewery located at the right field entrance;
Diamond Dry Good gift shop, the Rockies merchandise store,
 and the
Mountain Ranch Club that features fine dining on six tiers located
down the right field line. Many fans agree that Coors Field is one
of baseball's pristine ballparks. At an elevation of 5,200 feet
Coors Field instantly became a hitters paradise upon opening. The
thin air increases runs and homeruns by 50 percent. With its
dramatic views of the Rocky Mountains, Coors Field has become one of
the most popular ballparks in baseball. After the 2004 season new
main video/scoreboard was added and the green padding behind
homeplate was replaced with a brick facing.
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