Coors Field is gorgeous from the exterior - the red brick matches the rest of lower downtown
Last week the Rockies turned in a series of surprise pitching performances on the road against their division rivals in both L.A. and S.F., completely baffling the baseball world. It started with a 2-0 shutout and a 3-1 stifling against the Dodgers, then a 3-0 shutout against Lincecum and the Giants.
But just when the extremely naïve, optimistic, and desperately positive sides of our baseball-loving selves might’ve been reactivated for the first time since early May we were brought back down into our collective pit of despair. The Rox quickly gave up 18 runs in two games against the Giants and their rather underwhelming offense.
Well, just in time to head home to Coors Field where Rockies pitching this year has been absolutely horrendous. As you might’ve guessed by now, Colorado leads the majors in several dubious categories:
* Most home losses (37)
* Highest BA against (.310)
* Highest ERA (6.14) and WHIP (1.63)
* Most Hits (666), Runs (391), Earned Runs (361), and Home runs (92) surrendered
But as much as the front-office would like to blame the home ballpark for their misery and failure, nobody’s buying it. Ironically, people are still buying tickets to be at the beautiful ballpark in LoDo despite being exposed to the actual playing of another baseball game. And although our previous poll here at BSB revealed a strong number of people refusing to go to another game this season, the Rockies remain in the top-half of the majors in total home attendance. I wouldn’t be surprised if people continue to cram into Coors Field for the rest of the season with no intention of watching any baseball at all.
Simply put, Coors Field is a magical place. First of all, the Denver weather during a baseball season is spectacular. It’s always sunny in Denver (not Philadelphia, as the tv show would have you believe). Even during a spontaneous snowfall, or after one of those Venusian lightning storms with brief monsoon rains, we’ve got storybook sunshine all the time.
And how about those views. Nothing beats the panoramic of the mountains from the third deck down the right field line. The ballpark itself is an architectural delight, providing unique perspectives of the diamond from every seat in the house, yet also interesting enough to wander around the place if the game gets out of hand.
It’s the first ballpark to have a microbrewery inside the stadium (only fair, considering the naming rights were basically given away to that crappy local macro-brewer), and it’s the only place where you can get Rocky Mountain oysters.
Which ballpark has a better view?
But I don’t need to tell this to all of you. It’s most of those other writers in the country of baseball that don’t seem to appreciate the magic. Case in point: ESPN’s Battle of the Ballparks.
In case you missed it, ESPN did a bracket-style battle a while ago between the 30 MLB ballparks based on a set of criteria devised by Jim Caple.
Out of the 30 MLB ballparks in the bracket, Coors Field got an 11-seed. Not even in the top 10!? Just like the CU Buffs in 2011, Coors Field got snubbed here. Of course we Rox fans are biased, but even an unbiased fan who’s been to the ballpark in Denver will tell you it easily makes the top 10.
If we go along with Caple’s criteria for what makes a good ballyard, it’s hard to imagine ten other stadiums out-ranking our own.
- Location – LoDo and NoDo ballpark neighborhoods are as vibrant as any in the country, with tons of bars, eateries, music venues, and street vendors. Very down-to-earth, upbeat, and friendly atmosphere.
- Architecture – the second in the series of throwback ballparks built with burnt red brick and industrial green beams, plenty of light and air and space inside with access to almost every part of the park in uncongested thoroughfares. The bullpen shrubbery and centerfield forest fountain complement Colorado’s natural beauty quite nicely. As does the dark colored clay of the infield and warning track next to the vibrantly green outfield lawn.
- History – The ballpark absolutely revitalized the city, especially the neighborhoods of LoDo and North Downtown.
- Seating – no obstructed view seats to be found, club level not imposingly large, lots of bleacher space in LF and Rockpile, angled seating, cup holders and leg room, and the purple row for those who wanna get a mile high.
- Price – Rockpile bleachers as cheap as $4, third deck seats under $20 with incredible scenic views, King Soopers ticket deals for $14 get you within 30 rows of the field down either line.
- Concessions – decent selection of craft beers for a tolerable price, a microbrew inside the stadium, gluten-free foods, big salads, Rockies dogs, bbq sandwiches, and the only park serving Rocky Mountain oysters.
- Scoreboards – not bad, but not the dominant feature. This is a good thing.
- Transportation – accessible by foot (profoundly cool pedestrian bridge going over I-25), by bicycle (several easy routes snake their way to the ballpark), by RTD (free mall ride bus, the #38, etc.), and if you absolutely have to — by car (preferably hybrid or electric).
- Roofs – don’t need one; it’s sunny all the time, we boast some breathtaking mountain views, fantastic cloud formations, Venusian lightning storms, and scintillating sunsets.
- Grass – turf would be unimaginable, even in Colorado’s dry climate. And anybody can tell you: nothing beats Colorado grass
Seems like the Denver ball yard passes Caple’s test with flying colors. Alas, our ballpark ended up losing to sixth seeded Wrigley Field in the second round. Tough bracket; at least we beat out the new Yankee Stadium.
And although football season is looming large and the Rockies are losing big, expect to see a sturdy number of fans enjoying another fabulous fall in the pitcher-unfriendly confines of Coors Field.
Just don’t expect them to be back next season.
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10 comments
Jeremy
August 14, 2012 at 10:34 AM (UTC -6)
Battle of the Ballparks was just another popularity contest, so don’t feel too slighted.
Colorado residents are out enjoying the outdoors rather than voting on stupid polls, and Wrigley, like Fenway, gets its popularity from the history and nostalgia but are notoriously crappy stadiums as far as amenities and personal space and from what I read many teams hate their facilities because of how dilapidated they are.
Joel
August 14, 2012 at 12:08 PM (UTC -6)
Yeah Milwaukee’s Miller Park won. I’ve been to the park and it is nice, but it was more of push by Packer fans to vote for the baseball stadium.
Kevin
August 14, 2012 at 4:37 PM (UTC -6)
ESPN has become a caricature of itself. Caple has probably been to every ballpark, yet is content to throw criteria at the wall and let fans ‘vote’ on the best park? How many fans have been to as many as four different ball parks in their lives? I’ve been to 14 current parks (17 including past parks) and would still do a terrible job comparing them on those criteria.
Kevin K. does a nice job evaulating Coors Field. Caple should have done this himself for all of the parks and then ranked them (though, this has been done before).
Bucket
August 14, 2012 at 5:21 PM (UTC -6)
Here’s a stat for you…I live in Wyoming and I’ve been to two ballgames this summer. The Rockies won both of them. One was Aug 2nd when they won their lonely game on a 9 game homestand, all the while Tracy’s complaining on how hard it is on the team to have a 9 game homestand? What…are you kidding me? Barack would be proud of that excuse…it ain’t our fault that we’re getting killed…it was the long homestand!? We should have been on the road where we do sooo much better.
That being said the correlation says there’s a 100% chance that the Rockies will win when I attend, so…management should buy me a season ticket and make sure I am in the stands for each game. Right? Only in my dreams. Stats are used to rationalize whatever the beholder is trying to justify. Period. One can spot talent and Rosario doesn’t have much, if any, other than being able to hit the ball a long way occasionally…but…that’s more than any other catcher we’ve had this season. Colvin and Rutledge are players. They might not be able to keep up the “stats” but they can play. Helton shouldn’t be in the HOF…love the guy but he ain’t that good.
Clean house…from top to bottom including crappy base coaches and get some new blood that can instill a new sense that somebody really cares about winning and will do what it takes to acquire the talent and coaching necessary to bring a winner to Colorado!
CodenameDuchess
August 15, 2012 at 12:38 AM (UTC -6)
Rosario doesn’t have talent? Are you drunk? The guy is a 70 on the power scale and is only 23. Give him 600 ABs and he’ll hit 40 HRs. He leads NL rookies in HRs and he’s a part time player! He also has a bazooka attached to his right shoulder and runs like a guy 20-30 lbs lighter. The kid is a subpar reciever and needs to work on hitting off speed pitches and his plate discipline, that’s it. Saying he’s not very talented is asinine. Not everybody is Mike Trout, most players aren’t fully formed until 27-30.
Rico Rodriquez
August 16, 2012 at 5:45 PM (UTC -6)
You’re a complete moron in every regard. Please stop posting, and stay in Wyoming while you’re at it. I don’t need people like you in Colorado.
moses
August 14, 2012 at 10:46 PM (UTC -6)
So Atlanta, arguably the best run organization, goes to 6 man rotation. Rockies, the worst, go 4. Colorado is so upside down
TroyF
August 15, 2012 at 9:46 AM (UTC -6)
I’ve been to 11 current parks. (and a couple of defunct parks)
My favorite is PAC Bell, but the weather there is brutal.
Least favorite is Tampa. The thing is a joke.
Been to Fenway twice. Amazing history pushes it close to the top of the heap, the actual watching of the baseball game is not great. Brutal sight lines, seats that face away from home plate. Still an incredible experience.
Just for reference, I’ve been to:
Colorado (duh)
Seattle
Texas
Oakland
SF
SD
LAA
LAD
TB
Boston
Atlanta
For history, Boston. SF and Colorado tie for the beauty of the ballpark. Colorado would rank in my top 3 based on what I’ve been to. I find it hard to believe it would be bumped out of the top ten by the time I was done.
Travis Lay
August 15, 2012 at 10:14 AM (UTC -6)
I have been to like 22 or 23 MLB parks and I have ranked them with detail a few times in blog format, but off of the top of my head it goes like this (ones I have been to)
1. Wrigley
2. Old Yankee (for the history…Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, etc…they all played there!)
3. Coors
4. PetCo
5. Camden
6. Kauffman (especially after the remodel)
Those are the ones that stick out as favorites. The ones I hated:
1. Metrodome
2. RFK
3. Chavez Ravine (I got stuck in the bleachers and didn’t get the view, would probably change if/when I go back….plus the fans out there are unruly)
4. Oakland
I have also been to Busch (2 and 3), Shea, Comerica, Turner, AT&T, The Big A, Indians, Ballpark at Arlington and one or three more that I can’t think of for some reason…
Kevin
August 15, 2012 at 3:26 PM (UTC -6)
I’ve been to:
Coors (and Mile High), Petco, Oakland, Angels, Dodgers, Safeco, Tropicana, Camden Yards, Comerica, Progressive, Great American (and old Riverfront), US Cellular, Wrigley, Miller, and the Metrodome.
Least favorite – tie between US Cellular (White Sox) – felt very institutional and unfriendly – and Dodger Stadium – seats felt a mile away from behind home plate and the parking situation is a joke (one road).
Favorite – With all due respect to my hometown Coors, Miller Park has been my favorite so far. Of all those places, it’s the only park that allowed tailgating and nobody beats Wisconsin in that department. Plus, they had cheese curds IN the stadium.