The Weirdest Stadium in Sports

A person who doesn't follow baseball and travels to Tampa, Florida will very likely ask; “What’s that lopsided white building over there?” That my friend, is Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. It is the weirdest stadium in Major League Baseball. If you’re interested in going, or just want to know what it’s like inside, here’s a look based on my visit there.

We all know how hot it can get in Florida, and the importance of air conditioning. That was the first thing I noticed. It was quite nice at first, as my family had spent the day at Disney World before making the drive over. However, by the time we took our seats in section 330, it began to feel quite cold. 

If you plan on attending batting practice, be sure that you have good eyesight. It is very easy to lose a ball against the white roof. Even a visiting player did it that night. Rays ushers stand in each section with a loud whistle to warn fans of balls coming their direction. I’m sure they each visit the optometrist during Spring Training. Because the dome lacks crowd noise, the roof is perhaps the best home field advantage the Rays have.

Ballpark food is pretty generic around the league. Tropicana Field is not only unique for being the lone true dome left in the Majors, but also because they stray from the typical stadium menu. It houses two sit down restaurants, a cheesesteak cart, and a gluten free stand. Don’t miss out on the Cuban sandwich either. In fact it was one of the best I’ve ever had. I recommend taking that route.

Attendance at Tropicana Field is among the lowest in Major League Baseball every season. This makes for a strange experience. It is weird to see on television, but even weirder in person. By the eighth inning, I could clap and hear it bounce around the dome.

Something the park lacks is an overall “baseball vibe.” Once you walk by the team store on the first level, it begins to feel more like an office building with a big, green circle and some dirt in the middle of it. It was definitely the least thrill I’ve ever felt in a stadium. I give Tropicana Field a four out of ten rating, based on my experience. 

If you are ever local, or are an out of town Rays fan, go see a game if you get the chance. I wouldn't recommend planning a whole trip there to see your team on the road. 

The Worst Baseball Promotions Ever

Baseball promotions make for a fun day at the park. Who doesn’t love going to the game and getting a free t-shirt or seeing your team where themed jerseys? Some teams have had some pretty bad promotions. Let’s take a look at the five worst baseball promotions ever.

5. Nobody Night- Charleston RiverDogs

Most, if not all baseball promotions feature some sort of giveaway or contest in order to draw fans to the game. This was the exact opposite. In 2002, the RiverDogs executives thought it would be interesting to have a game with an official attendance of zero. Thus, they locked the gates to the stadium keeping fans out until the fifth inning, when the game was official. This included season ticket holders, fans who purchased single game tickets in advance, and people purchasing tickets on game day. The team made baseball history by becoming the only team in the Minor or Major Leagues to record an attendance zero. They remained the only team to do so until the Baltimore Orioles closed a game to the public in April of 2015 due to riots in the city.  

4. Toilet Seat Night- Hudson Valley Renegades

The NYPL has had some pretty classic promotions in their existence. This one should be put on the shelf and never be taken down. Just like Wheezy from Toy Story 2. The Renegades gave out toilet seat-shaped stadium cushions to 3,000 fans. I guess a square one with the team logo on it wasn’t adequate.

3. Car Freshener and Inflatable Guitar Giveaway- Florida Marlins 

One would think a team with attendance troubles would put a bit more effort and excitement into a promotion. Not the Marlins. In 2008, the team gave away air fresheners for your car and inflatable guitars…in the same night. That combination is like mixing staples and milk, they are so far apart from each other by all standards. Not to mention boring. Also, why go to a Marlins game to get these things when Dollar Tree has both?

2. Anti-Doping Night- Vero Beach Devil Rays

What better way to celebrate the 2008 Beijing Games than Olympic Night? However, to ensure safe and fair competition, the Devil Rays held anti-doping night two days before Olympic Night. Perhaps this was an effort to steer youth away from steroids, as they were rampant at the time in the Majors. A bad idea with good intentions. There was a giveaway this night— the first 200 fans received free urine sample cups.

1. Disco Demolition Night- Chicago White Sox

A night that will be remembered forever in baseball history. The White Sox charged .98 cents for a single admission double header to fans that brought a disco record. The vinyls would be destroyed between games via an explosion set off by Chicago disc jockey Steve Dahl. The promotion was a success, as the attendance at Comiskey Park was over double the goal of 20,000 fans. The explosion was also carried out successfully. However the events that followed were less than pleasing to baseball fans. Thousands of people stormed the field, causing the postponement of Game 2. The crowd woulds stay on the field until riot police dispersed them. Thirty-nine arrests were made. The game would be forfeited the next day by order of AL President, Lee MacPhail. 

Hopefully, teams are smarter than this when they make their promo schedules.

Photo Credits: bensbiz.mlblogs.com,www.outernetweb.com