MARLINS STADIUM

Pro Player Stadium (also called Joe Robbie Stadium) opened in 1987 and was the first stadium built primarily for football, and later used for baseball. The stadium has been home to the Miami Dolphins since 1987 and to the Florida Marlins since 1993. Financing for Pro Player Stadium was based largely upon the licensing of executive suites and club seats on a 10-year basis. Executive suites range in price from $30,000-$90,000 per year. Club seats cost between $800-$1,800 per year on a 10-year license. In 1991, Major League Baseball awarded South Florida a baseball franchise. In order to accommodate baseball several changes were made at Pro Player Stadium. Retractable seating on the north side of the stadium was added, a baseball press box in the southwest corner of the facility was constructed, dugouts were built, and a hydraulic disappearing pitcher's mound was installed. On April 5, 1993, the Florida Marlins played their first game at the stadium. Pro Player Stadium is one of the most colorful stadiums inside with a total of 75,000 orange and teal seats. The outfield seats in the upper deck are covered with blue tarps to lessen the effect of having empty seats during the baseball season. Being built mainly for football, the outfield fence has many quirks and crannies in it. An out of town scoreboard makes up the left field fence, and two other JumboTron display screens are located in the upper deck. On Saturday nights, fans can be entertained by Latin music and Latin cuisine prior to the game. After Sunday home games, the Marlins allow children to run the bases. Overall, Pro Player Stadium is a nice place to watch a ballgame except when it rains. Because of its massive size and location, the Marlins would like to have a new ballpark built in downtown Miami. Huizenga sold the Marlins to John Henry in 1998. Since then, Henry has been seeking public financing to help pay for a new retractable roof ballpark for the Marlins. Both he and MLB say the new ballpark is essential if the Marlins are to remain in Florida. Unpredictable weather in the Miami area is believed to discourage attendance at Pro Player Stadium. The Pro Player Stadium has parking for 14,970 cars, 254 buses and a helipad. All second-deck outfield seats are covered by canvas and are not used for baseball. The Outfield wall has many nooks and crannies that make for interesting bounces and tough angles for outfielders. The Left-field wall is called the "Teal Monster." Local sportscasters call the stadium "The Pro." Many sports fans call it "Pro Robbie" in homage to its former name. Pro Player, a division of the Fruit of the Loom clothing company, bought the naming rights in 1996. Although Fruit of the Loom Inc. has since gone bankrupt and no longer produces any 'Pro Player' merchandise, the stadium name remains. The architect who designed Pro Player stadium were HOK Sport and the surface played on is Tifway 419 Bermuda grass.