MARINERS STADIUM

Safeco Field is one of Baseball's premier ballparks and is located in the SoDo district of Seattle at the Intersection of 1st Avenue South and South Atlantic Street. Seattle's new ballpark for the Seattle Mariners was built to look like the great ballparks of years gone by. It is open-air and has real grass. It also features a retractable roof that covers the ballpark, but does not enclose it. The roof keeps fans, 47% of whom come from outside the immediate Puget Sound area, protected from the wind and rain. 46,621 fans are able to enjoy a ballgame from seats that are closer to the field and offer great sightlines. A team store, picnic area, kids play area, on-site restaurant and a baseball museum are just a few of the fan amenities that make the ballpark a unique experience. There is also more variety in concessions and many more bathrooms! A two-level modern press box is located behind home plate. The Washington State Major League Baseball Public Facilities District (PFD) is the public body responsible for actual construction of the ballpark. Seattle-based NBBJ is chosen by the PFD Board as architect. The PFD worked with the Mariners on design and construction and has oversight of the ballpark now that it is built. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held March 8, 1997 and the ballpark opened on July 15, 1999. Safeco Corporation bought the naming to the ballpark for $1.8 million per year for 20 years on 4th of June 1998, thus giving its name Safeco Field. A capacity crowd packed Safeco Field on opening day, July 15, 1999. Three levels of seating extend from the left field foul pole to home plate around to the right field foul pole and into right-centerfield. Bleacher seats and a message/scoreboard are located above the bullpens in left field. More bleachers seats are located above the hitters backdrop in centerfield. Above the bleachers is the main video board. When open the roof sits above and behind the right field seats. The structure covers nearly 9 acres, weighs 22 million pounds, and contains enough steel to build a skyscraper 55 stories tall. The three movable panels glide on 128 steel wheels powered by 96 ten horsepower electric motors. A push of a button closes or opens the roof in an average of 10-20 minutes. Safeco Field offers a number of exciting areas for fans. The Bullpen Market, located behind left field, features interactive games and activities for fans, as well as the Fan Walk personalized bricks, local food vendors, an open pit barbecue, and one of the best views of the game from behind the centerfield fence. Lookout Landing, at the end of the left field line on the Upper Deck, provides incredible views both inside and outside the ballpark. Safeco Field, also known as "The Safe." The stadium seats approximately 47,000, and was the host for the 2001 Major League Baseball All Star Game, the 2001 and 2002 Seattle Bowl, and Wrestle Mania XIX in 2003. Safeco Field has become a pitchers park and the team has had success in winning many games.