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Critique
of Safeco Field
written by kderouen@ci.belmont.ca.us, a visitor to BASEBALLPARKS.COM
Having limited experience in ballparks, except those on the West Coast,
I must say that when I flew up to Seattle from San Jose this past weekend
for two games at Safeco Field, I was simply in awe. I'm usually interested
in only the game (being familiar with only the Kingdome, Candlestick and
Oakland's Coliseum), but found myself wandering around the stadium, looking
at the sights, sounds and smells of a true baseball-only facility.
Having some experience playing PAC-10 baseball, I knew what I was experiencing
was truly ideal.
Part of my first experience at Safeco was obtaining first-row seats
directly behind home plate during a Yankees-versus-Mariner game as a VIP
of a local business on Friday, August 6th. I soon realized that I
was closer to home plate than the pitcher. Next time you see highlights
on SportsCenter or Baseball Tonight, look for the two entrances that lead
downstairs. Those entrances lead to a VIP lounge located directly
beneath the seats. Once in the VIP lounge you can prop your feet
up on leather couches or oak furniture and watch the game on TV while socializing
with friends in a living room setting. Approximately 100 feet north
of this lounge is a large circular bar with all local Microbrews on tap.
To the left of the bar area is a huge dining room and kitchen where a buffet
dinners are served for all VIP guests.
Once in my seat behind homeplate, I realized that seats were a lot more
roomy. The seats easily accommodated my large frame (6'-2") and the
cup holders were a nice touch. It was also nice to know that you
only had to crawl over 5-6 people to get to the aisle instead of the 20-30
people in the older ballparks. Waiters and waitresses wait
on your hand and foot and the food was prepaid (no tipping allowed).
I was so amazed by the difference between the Kingdome and Safeco, I almost
missed the brawl that occurred in the 8th inning. But being that
close, how could I not hear it? I received a number of call from
friends saying they saw me on highlights of ESPN.
On Sunday, I went back for more abuse from the Yankees. They swept
the M's in that four game series, but I ended up walking to the upper deck
to see all the sights. Being a clear day, I could see the Olympic
Mountains, the Cascade Mountains, downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier and the
Kingdome (soon to be the site of the new Seahawks Stadium). Walking
around the lower deck, I tried some of Dixie's BBQ. I even tried
"The Man" which is about the hottest BBQ sauce I've ever tasted.
It took two Hefeweisen's to minimize the burning to my tonsils. There
is also a large area in centerfield that reserved exclusively for people
wishing to hang out in the sun and gobble down some of their favorite Safeco
foods. Located directly above this area, in the second deck, is Seattle's
tribute to the Rockpile in Denver. Tickets only cost $5 but is well
worth the investment if you are looking to have a blast. I got the
impression that the M's want this area to mimic the behavior of Wrigley
Field's bleacher bums (although there is no way to replicate the ambiance).
However, it still has a rowdiness feel to it. And the beer man keeps
them loaded.
The bullpen in left is separated from the fans by only a thick mesh
cyclone fence. If you want to tell Roger Clemens he's a sell out
for leaving Boston, feel free. He can definitely hear you.
And the fence will keep him from nailing you with a fastball up and in.
Also, there is a bar located next to the bullpen. You can identify it on
TV by looking for the gap in the leftfield fence that is covered in wire.
That area is actually a viewing area inside the bar that allows beer swillers
a place to enjoy the game and a unique view of the game.
Seattle seemed to make every effort to put out a first class product...and
definitely succeeded. They also came up with creative names for the restaurants to give it some
more baseball feel...like Hit It Here Cafe, Intentional Wok (Chinese),
Caliente Corner (Mexican food); Frozen Rope (ice cream); Good Hops and
Power Alley (beer); Grand Salami Deli; The Grounds Crew (coffee); The Hall
of Flame (burgers); High Cheese Pizza Company; Holy Smokes BBQ (with "The
Man"); The Hot Stove (burgers); Short Stops (variety of food at portable
kiosks); and Sliders' (raw oysters, sushi bar).
Can't say enough about Safeco. However now being enlightened to
how baseball should be seen, I've got this new desire to tour the older
parks and the newer old-time parks just for the experience and the ambiance
of baseball. I think I've forgotten about the strike of '94 now...
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