Posted October 3, 200321 yr Pro Player Stadium in championship shape for Game 3 By Sarah Talalay Staff Writer Posted October 3 2003 Pro Player Stadium is being primped and polished for the playoffs. The grounds crew has spent much of this week dodging the rain so it could resod portions of the field; rebuild the pitcher's mounds on the field and in the bullpens; paint the Division Series and Marlins' 10th Anniversary Season logos on the field; and put up festive bunting. Merchandise stands should be brimming with National League Wild Card and Division Series merchandise from hats to T-shirts and concession stands will be ready to serve tens of thousands of hot dogs and chicken tenders. And when fans begin arriving for Division Series Game 3 against the San Francisco Giants this afternoon, a work force of 2,800 to 3,000 will take their tickets, usher them to their seats and sell them snacks and soda from every available stadium concession stand. That's up from the 1,500 to 2,000 who staff regular-season games, which drew an average of 16,290 fans this season, and had several shuttered concession stands, particularly in the underused outfield areas. The biggest Marlins crowd outside of a World Series game is expected today. Because of demand, the team has been selling seats in the outfield upper deck that last seated baseball fans in October 1997. "We're expecting 60,000 to 65,000 a game," said Eric Knowles, the stadium's senior director of guest services. "That's a football game. We're used to it. We'll definitely be prepared." But Knowles reminded fans not to delay their arrival at the stadium. "They need to get here early. They can't expect to come to the game an hour before and get a choice parking spot," Knowles said. All stadium parking lots -- enough for 25,500 cars -- will open. For today's and Saturday afternoon's Division Series games, parking gates will open three hours before game time with stadium gates opening two hours before the first pitch. Fans will receive white Marlins rally towels and listen to bands playing around the stadium, said Sean Flynn, Marlins vice president of marketing. And when the games are over, the Marlins will pick up the tab for the 50-cent northbound turnpike tolls leaving the stadium to help alleviate traffic bottlenecks. While the Dolphins always pay tolls for home games, remember when the Marlins used to do it regularly, when crowds of at least 35,000 weren't such a rare occurrence? Stadium President M. Bruce Schulze said the stadium recommends paying tolls when crowds exceed 30,000, but it's up to the team to make the decision. In 1997, then-Marlins owner H. Wayne Huizenga paid for the tolls at 39 Marlins games; the current ownership hasn't paid at all this year. The turnpike authority will bill the Marlins for the tolls, which are estimated at $1,500 to $3,000 a game based on about a quarter of the attendance passing through the toll booths. Knowles repeated his warning about arriving early. "I can't emphasize enough that coming an hour before game time will impede your entering the building," he said. The stadium does not have any postseason game conflicts with the Dolphins, who play just one home game this month, on Oct. 19. However, if the Marlins advance in the postseason, the removal of the baseball diamond will be delayed. With the San Diego Padres scheduled to move into a new ballpark next spring, Pro Player Stadium and Oakland's Network Associates Coliseum are the only stadiums in the country with real grass that share both pro football and baseball.
October 3, 200321 yr aaww the towels are white?? just crushed my dreams. oh well i have my teal shirt.
October 3, 200321 yr Classy moves by management: White towels for everyone, paying the tolls, decorating the stadium and making it all purdy. Can't wait to see what Berman, Gwinn, and Sutcliffe say abbut it.
October 3, 200321 yr Gates open three hours before the first pitch according to WSVN. I just heard the gates for the lot open at 1:00, the stadium gates at 2:00.
October 3, 200321 yr Park and Ride is open for Saturday. See MDT Park & Ride Thread for details. Convenient for Anyone in Dade county and anyone who uses Tri-Rail.
October 3, 200321 yr you all think shortly after 2 is early enough? i really want to avoid the traffic getting there
October 3, 200321 yr Miami has bad traffic, so if the game is at 4 PM, and you usually get there 30 minutes before, you better leave 2 hours ahead to give you time for accidents and delays.
October 3, 200321 yr I'm in Broward and I'm rdy to go! :hat My buddy is picking me off at 1:00PM and the plan is to be there 2 hours in advance and tail gate there Leaving work early as well! :cheers It sucks to be a MARLINS FAN :jump
October 3, 200321 yr I was planning on closing my office at 1:00. But everyone is too excited, so we're closing now. Everyone have fun!
October 3, 200321 yr I was planning on closing my office at 1:00. But everyone is too excited, so we're closing now. Everyone have fun! that's the spirit. Today is a Holiday
October 3, 200321 yr Congratulations to the Florida Marlins franchise and their fans. I always knew this organization was primed for something special and I truly do hope that the fans continue to come out and support their team in this playoff run. They truly are an exciting team to watch and a team that is good for baseball.
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