ROCKIES STADIUM

Coors Field is home to the Colorado Rockies, a Major League Baseball team in the National League (NL). Coors Field was the first new stadium in the National League since Montreal’s Stade Olympique opened in 1977. It was the NL's first new park built exclusively for baseball since Dodger Stadium in 1962. Coors Field is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the stadium prior to its completion in 1995. Architects originally designed the park to seat 43,800. However, after fans set dozens of attendance records at Mile High Stadium between 1993-1994, Rockies ownership paid to increase inaugural Opening Day capacity to 50,200. The first game played at Coors Field was on April 26, 1995 was between the Rockies and the New York Mets. Its old fashioned brick facade allows the ballpark to blend into downtown Denver. One of Coors Field signature features is the clock, located at 20th and Blake Street. This is a spot for fans to meet prior to the game. Inside, the main three tier grandstand extends from the left field foul pole to homeplate, to the right field foul pole, and around into right-center field. Marking one mile above sea level is a row of purple seats that wrap around the entire upper deck of Coors Field. The "Rockpile," a 2,300 seat bleacher section, is located behind the centerfield backdrop. The main scoreboard is located beyond the left field bleachers, while a 14 foot high out of town scoreboard makes up part of the right field wall. The bullpens are found behind the right field fence; along with a tree/rock covered mountain scene that contains water fountains. The Rockies relievers even plant a small garden near their bullpen. Coors Field has a immense amount of amenities which include; over 4,400 club seats; the Roundeus at the Sandlot Brewery, Coors Fields' microbrewery located at the right field entrance; Diamond Dry Good gift shop, the Rockies merchandise store; and the Mountain Ranch Club which features fine dining on six tiers located down the right field line. The stadium is best known for its reputation as a homer-friendly park. Though the fences are actually more distant than in most other stadiums, the high altitude - the playing field is just barely short of a mile above sea level - means that air resistance to hit baseballs is cut by as much as 10%. The high altitude also lessens the ability of pitchers to throw effective breaking balls. This, combined with the open spaces in the outfield due to the far fences, the low height of the fences and the small size of foul territory have combined to produce a stadium as problematic for pitchers as any in the major leagues. Coors Field combines the nostalgic feel of a 1920's urban ballpark with 21st century technology and conveniences. It is constructed with hand-laid brick and has an old-fashioned clock tower atop its main entrance. It is asymmetrical, with the deepest part of the park (424 feet) in right-center field, and balls that hit the big out-of-town scoreboard in right field are in play. The two bullpens sit side-by-side next to the scoreboard in right-center and are elevated. The natural grass field can drain 5 inches of water per hour, and there is a heating system under the field that melts snow the moment it hits the ground. Concession stands in the concourse are laid out so that a fan can walk 360 degrees around the stadium and never lose sight of the field.