MINOR LEAGUE

Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles, CA

After more than 45 years of existence, Dodger Stadium remains one of the best ballparks in the country. Originally located in Brooklyn, Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley began lobbying for a new stadium to be built for his club, even though Ebbets Field was still in excellent shape. After a deal could not be completed to build a stadium, the Dodgers along with the Giants moved to California after the 1957 season. With the move to Los Angeles from Brooklyn, a new stadium for the Dodgers was built. In September 1957, Los Angeles agreed to exchange 300 acres of land in Chavez Ravine to the Dodgers in return for the Dodgers’ commitment to build a 50,000-seat stadium. Construction began on September 17, 1959. While Dodger Stadium was being constructed the Dodgers played at the L.A. Coliseum. Dodger Stadium was suppose to been completed by 1961, but lawsuits and landslides pushed the opening ahead one year later. Opening day at Dodger Stadium was on April 10, 1962 when 52,564 fans packed the five level multicolored structure. The Los Angeles (Anaheim) Angels also began playing at Dodger Stadium in 1962, playing there until 1965. Dodger Stadium was designed to be expandable to seat 85,000 people. However, the Dodgers never expanded their home. Also in the original plans of the stadium was a picturesque fountain in center field in which vari-colored spotlights would have played on the cascading waters if a Dodger player had hit a homerun.

Dodger Stadium, just miles away from downtown Los Angeles, is located in the valley of Chavez Ravine. The stadium is built into the hillside with massive parking lots surrounding the Dodgers home. Upon entering Dodger Stadium, fans encounter a massive stadium with stunning views. Four of the five seating decks stretch from foul pole to foul pole at Dodger Stadium. The top upper deck stretches from the first base side to the third base side. A wavy top roof hangs over the back of the bleachers that are located behind both left and right field. Two scoreboards are above the bleachers. For more than three decades there were few changed at Dodger Stadium. However in recent years that has changed. After the 1999 season, new field level seats down the foul lines beyond the dugouts and a new expanded dugout section, known as the Dugout Club, with an adjacent club area were added. The luxury suites were also upgraded to provide the same amenities that ones in newer ballparks provide. After the 2002 season, the Dodger installed a new video board, DodgerVision replacing the previous one in left field. Also new out of town scoreboards are now incorporated as part of the outfield fence in left and right field. More improvements to Dodger Stadium occurred after the 2004 season. These included the dugouts being pushed forward allowing for several more rows of Dugout Club seats and additional seating down the foul lines. This project added roughly 1,500 seats to Dodger Stadium.

After the 2005 season, the Dodgers announced plans to replace all the seats at Dodger Stadium. The seating bowl returned to its original color that was at the stadium when it opened, yellow, light orange, turquoise, and sky blue. Additionally, box seating was added to the baseline area and the stadium bowl concrete was repaired, resurfaced and refinished. This $20 million renovation project also included the terrace picnic area that seats 500 people outside the Loge level seating entrance. In August 2007, the Dodgers announced the next phase of renovations to Dodger Stadium that widens the concourses and expands the number of concession areas and restrooms. Before the 2008 season, renovations were completed on the field level that included two new Baseline Box Clubs. Renovation work to the upper level concourses will begin in upcoming off-seasons. In April 2008 the Dodgers announced plans that will bring the most modern amenities to fans while preserving the tradition of Dodger Stadium and keep it the team's home for the next 50 years. To be completed by 2012, this project includes three main components: Dodger Way, Green Necklace and Top of the Park. Dodger Way will include a tree lined entrance leading to a landscaped garden plaza beyond centerfield where fans can gather. This area will connect to restaurants, shops and a Dodgers Experience Museum. Top of the Park will be an outdoor plaza behind the top grandstand that will offer 360 degree views of Los Angeles. The Green Necklace will connect Top of the Park and Dodger Way. It will transform acres of parking lots into a landscaped walkway to allow fans to walk around the exterior of Dodger Stadium while remaining inside the stadium gates. 

Since it has opened, Dodger Stadium has remained one of the cleanest and nicest ballparks in the country. In 1978, the Dodgers became the first team to draw three million fans to the ballpark. Every off season, it is given a fresh coat of paint. Stepping into Dodger Stadium today is almost like stepping into it as if it were 1962 again. The atmosphere found at Dodger Stadium is hard to beat anywhere else in baseball and although it is more than 45 years old, Dodger Stadium still ranks as one of MLB's top ballparks.

BALLPARK MERCHANDISE

Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium Poster
by Mike Smith
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed

Dodger Stadium Poster
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed

Dodger Stadium Medallion and Infield Dirt Coin
Limited to 5,000

Ballparks of Baseball's Dodge Stadium Pictures
Sizes Vary

DODGER STADIUM FACTS AND FIGURES

2009 DODGERS SCHEDULE

DODGER STADIUM PICTURES