Continuing on, now getting to the main changes.  I got an SRO ticket to the "Estrella Jalisco Party Pass" - this gives you access to the right field zone and the center field thing.  They'll give you a wrist band if you want so you don't have to pull out your ticket every time (the RF zone they didn't check tickets, the CF area they did).  It was actually a nice wrist band - a fabric one with a little plastic tab with the logo on it.

 

General views of the park:

 

 

 

 

The RF sightline was actually pretty good - part of it is not under the second deck, and that's where I started out - it was nice not having something above you, especially with the roof open.  They did include monitors showing the game on the second tier just above the RF SRO area, which was a nice touch

 

 

Here's a view from the CF zone.  Also to note - the "second level" of it is just that tier right above the "Proud Partners" area - so it's like 5 steps down from the other row, not really anything special.  The area above that is open to everyone, and below that is a sizable area for groups that also has two tiers to it:

 

 

Here's the expanded Budweiser Bar:

 

 

And the uppermost tier (open to everyone) of the AutoNation Alley.  They put a bar with a few alcoholic drink options:

 

 

The view of the SRO ticket area - as you can see it's only a few steps below the "regular" concourse

 

 

The batters eye.  I thought the real bushes on the lower part looked better than the fake ivy, but it looks good overall

 

 

Lastly, the left field auxiliary video board is now completely useless.  They cycle through a few random statistics of the pitcher (like ERA with 2 outs or something like that), and shows nothing else that the main video board shows (the main board too now shows a fraction of the info it used to).

 

 

A few final thoughts:

 

-Interestingly, they did not put any speakers in the CF zone, and it's oddly quiet out there.  You can obviously still hear the PA announcer from across the park, but no direct sound near you, which is odd.  Conversely, in the other area, it was a tad loud.

 

-The band was near the bullpen right near the RF zone - they weren't annoyingly loud where I was, but they put them in the front row, they stand the whole time and I'd hate to have to sit behind/near them the whole game.

 

-I got tired of standing after a while, I went and sat in the home run porch for a while for something different.  I could've sat in front of the RF zone, but didn't.

 

-I saw Chip Bowers on the concourse at the end of the game - I should've gone and talked to him, but didn't.

 

---

 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask, I'll be happy to answer, I'm sure there are things I'm not thinking of right now.

 

 

Continuing on, now getting to the main changes.  I got an SRO ticket to the "Estrella Jalisco Party Pass" - this gives you access to the right field zone and the center field thing.  They'll give you a wrist band if you want so you don't have to pull out your ticket every time (the RF zone they didn't check tickets, the CF area they did).  It was actually a nice wrist band - a fabric one with a little plastic tab with the logo on it.

 

General views of the park:

 

 

 

 

The RF sightline was actually pretty good - part of it is not under the second deck, and that's where I started out - it was nice not having something above you, especially with the roof open.  They did include monitors showing the game on the second tier just above the RF SRO area, which was a nice touch

 

 

Here's a view from the CF zone.  Also to note - the "second level" of it is just that tier right above the "Proud Partners" area - so it's like 5 steps down from the other row, not really anything special.  The area above that is open to everyone, and below that is a sizable area for groups that also has two tiers to it:

 

 

Here's the expanded Budweiser Bar:

 

 

And the uppermost tier (open to everyone) of the AutoNation Alley.  They put a bar with a few alcoholic drink options:

 

 

The view of the SRO ticket area - as you can see it's only a few steps below the "regular" concourse

 

 

The batters eye.  I thought the real bushes on the lower part looked better than the fake ivy, but it looks good overall

 

 

Lastly, the left field auxiliary video board is now completely useless.  They cycle through a few random statistics of the pitcher (like ERA with 2 outs or something like that), and shows nothing else that the main video board shows (the main board too now shows a fraction of the info it used to).

 

 

A few final thoughts:

 

-Interestingly, they did not put any speakers in the CF zone, and it's oddly quiet out there.  You can obviously still hear the PA announcer from across the park, but no direct sound near you, which is odd.  Conversely, in the other area, it was a tad loud.

 

-The band was near the bullpen right near the RF zone - they weren't annoyingly loud where I was, but they put them in the front row, they stand the whole time and I'd hate to have to sit behind/near them the whole game.

 

-I got tired of standing after a while, I went and sat in the home run porch for a while for something different.  I could've sat in front of the RF zone, but didn't.

 

-I saw Chip Bowers on the concourse at the end of the game - I should've gone and talked to him, but didn't.

 

---

 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask, I'll be happy to answer, I'm sure there are things I'm not thinking of right now.

 

Greatest Stalker ever!!!! Awesome post bro, good work!

 

 

Greatest Stalker ever!!!! Awesome post bro, good work!

 

Haha, I try!

 

 

@rmc523 farming double likes by making it two posts. Clever!

 

Thanks for sharing, awesome stuff.

 

 

@rmc523 farming double likes by making it two posts. Clever!

 

Thanks for sharing, awesome stuff.

 

Shhhhhhh, that's my specialty! 

 

 

@rmc523 farming double likes by making it two posts. Clever!

 

Thanks for sharing, awesome stuff.

 

Vote up on the first one and vote him down on the second because too many Phillies bangwagoners in his pictures

 

 

@rmc523 farming double likes by making it two posts. Clever!

 

Thanks for sharing, awesome stuff.

 

You caught on!

 

Haha.  Nah, a while back I think I had a post with a lot of pictures, and I think it told me I had too many in a single post, so I just divided it up this time.

 

Anybody have any questions?

 

 

Oh, I did forget to mention - the taste of Miami area is still blocked off as if it never existed (though I did always feel it was odd how it was like off in a corner hidden away)

 

 

Got there early yesterday and walked the concourse twice... loving how great everything looks.

 

A couple of observations...

 

The expanded netting, wow, didn't realize it is now basically from foul pole to foul pole, only ending where the corner outfield walls get super high. I'm all for it because of the safety factor but it sure is jarring when you first notice it as it looks like the field is enclosed in a cage. Unless you're in outfield seats no matter where you're sitting you will be looking through the net. You get used to it of course. 

 

The grounds crew uses Miami blue shirts and they looked better on the field than the Marlins in their black jerseys lol. I wasn't sitting far and I couldn't see any player names and could only sometimes make out the numbers. To hell with those black jerseys. The team store has several modifications that look way better, the womens shirt jerseys have light blue numbers and white names, huge difference. And several black shirts and jackets had the black logos with the white outlines, massive upgrades there. They also had most of those custom caps with more blue.

 

$25 for parking is ridiculous. $20 should be the limit which is high but an ATM gives you cash in 20's so there's something more satisfying when you only have to use one 20 to pay for something. Anything more than that you're looking to just piss people off. I just paid $10 of course for where I parked and I felt like I won the lotto because I saved more than I paid which is crazy in itself. 

 

3o5 menu is definitely smaller stuff and it can be nice if you really just want a small hot dog and a small pretzel but there is a point where it's just an illusion. Like my kid and I both like pretzels, I usually buy one and split it with him... I went to get a pretzel and they're 3 dollars but smaller so I bought 2... I still spent the same as I did last year on a pretzel. 

 

Bubble waffle ice cream sundae is amazing! 

 

I eyed down Kelly Saco and she smiled at me... she bubbles my waffle... be jealous guys. 

 

That outfield huge logo above the CF Zone is so beautiful with the windows open at night, I didn't realize until yesterday that it actually lights up but I'm not its lit at all times...

 

[ATTACH]2903._xfImport[/ATTACH][ATTACH]2904._xfImport[/ATTACH]

 

I like the Pachanga band because they know what they're doing and they are the sound that the ballpark needs. They should just make them permanent and do away with allowing random fans to bring instruments since it's either a clash of bands or the random fans don't know how to play right anyways. The concept of Comunidad 305 is solid but I think they'd be best limiting it to their own hired music. Maybe even expand it to two bands if they wanna grow it? 

 

And I know we don't always play as good as we did last night but the crowd had a blast and the atmosphere was great. A great ballpark with a fun and competitive team will make a difference down here, you don't need to be a super Marlins fan to go to a game like last night and just have a fun time and get that desire to go back. Just convince people that they have a chance to see a fun ballgame any day that they go and you'll start changing the perception. Reminding them that it's in a beautiful ballpark with affordable pricing options available will only help.

 

@Piazza31 asked about this and I didn't look thoroughly but it looked like the Stanton HR markers on the floor have been replaced with blank plates. Here's the one I found...

 

[ATTACH]2902._xfImport[/ATTACH]

 

@Piazza31 asked about this and I didn't look thoroughly but it looked like the Stanton HR markers on the floor have been replaced with blank plates. Here's the one I found...

 

That's unfortunate, but I get it.

 

 

If they were gonna put blank plates why not just fill the gaps with concrete so it matches the rest of the floor? Leaving the blank plate reminds people what was there. Better to erase the memory completely than to leave a reminder of it behind. 

 

 

If they were gonna put blank plates why not just fill the gaps with concrete so it matches the rest of the floor? Leaving the blank plate reminds people what was there. Better to erase the memory completely than to leave a reminder of it behind. 

 

Maybe that'll be part of the next renovation phase this coming off-season? IDK.

 

 

Maybe that'll be part of the next renovation phase this coming off-season? IDK.

 

Sounds pricey.

 

 

Got there early yesterday and walked the concourse twice... loving how great everything looks.

 

A couple of observations...

 

The expanded netting, wow, didn't realize it is now basically from foul pole to foul pole, only ending where the corner outfield walls get super high. I'm all for it because of the safety factor but it sure is jarring when you first notice it as it looks like the field is enclosed in a cage. Unless you're in outfield seats no matter where you're sitting you will be looking through the net. You get used to it of course. 

 

The grounds crew uses Miami blue shirts and they looked better on the field than the Marlins in their black jerseys lol. I wasn't sitting far and I couldn't see any player names and could only sometimes make out the numbers. To hell with those black jerseys. The team store has several modifications that look way better, the womens shirt jerseys have light blue numbers and white names, huge difference. And several black shirts and jackets had the black logos with the white outlines, massive upgrades there. They also had most of those custom caps with more blue.

 

$25 for parking is ridiculous. $20 should be the limit which is high but an ATM gives you cash in 20's so there's something more satisfying when you only have to use one 20 to pay for something. Anything more than that you're looking to just piss people off. I just paid $10 of course for where I parked and I felt like I won the lotto because I saved more than I paid which is crazy in itself. 

 

3o5 menu is definitely smaller stuff and it can be nice if you really just want a small hot dog and a small pretzel but there is a point where it's just an illusion. Like my kid and I both like pretzels, I usually buy one and split it with him... I went to get a pretzel and they're 3 dollars but smaller so I bought 2... I still spent the same as I did last year on a pretzel. 

 

Bubble waffle ice cream sundae is amazing! 

 

I eyed down Kelly Saco and she smiled at me... she bubbles my waffle... be jealous guys. 

 

That outfield huge logo above the CF Zone is so beautiful with the windows open at night, I didn't realize until yesterday that it actually lights up but I'm not its lit at all times...

 

[ATTACH]2903[/ATTACH][ATTACH]2904[/ATTACH]

 

I like the Pachanga band because they know what they're doing and they are the sound that the ballpark needs. They should just make them permanent and do away with allowing random fans to bring instruments since it's either a clash of bands or the random fans don't know how to play right anyways. The concept of Comunidad 305 is solid but I think they'd be best limiting it to their own hired music. Maybe even expand it to two bands if they wanna grow it? 

 

And I know we don't always play as good as we did last night but the crowd had a blast and the atmosphere was great. A great ballpark with a fun and competitive team will make a difference down here, you don't need to be a super Marlins fan to go to a game like last night and just have a fun time and get that desire to go back. Just convince people that they have a chance to see a fun ballgame any day that they go and you'll start changing the perception. Reminding them that it's in a beautiful ballpark with affordable pricing options available will only help.

 

@Piazza31 asked about this and I didn't look thoroughly but it looked like the Stanton HR markers on the floor have been replaced with blank plates. Here's the one I found...

 

[ATTACH]2902[/ATTACH]

 

Yeah, the black on black on black tops need to be changed.

 

They're charging $25 for parking now?  I thought it was $20.  That's ridiculous.  No way I'm paying $25 when I can park a block away "no blocky" for $10.

 

I didn't get anything on the 3o5 menu, but I too did notice they seemed like smaller sized items.  Guess that's what they're counting on.

 

I had no idea the logo in CF lit up.  Seems like the only time you'd have it lit up would be when the lights are off?

 

As long as the game is fun/entertaining, it can be a great place to go and have a good time.  When it's complete domination by the other team, and we don't have a chance, it's not that fun to be there.

 

I don't understand why they'd even bother to put a plate there and not just cover it up?

 

 

They're charging $25 for parking now?  I thought it was $20.  That's ridiculous.  No way I'm paying $25 when I can park a block away "no blocky" for $10.

 

It was $25 if you pay there, $20 if you pre pay online. Knowing I can save $10-$15 that I can then use on food means I'll pretty much never part in the garage. 

 

 

It was $25 if you pay there, $20 if you pre pay online. Knowing I can save $10-$15 that I can then use on food means I'll pretty much never part in the garage. 

 

So an extra $5 because you don't pay in advance?   This doesn't include fees they have online, so it's likely a push.

 

Agreed - until parking equals that $10 of that lot down the street, I'm not parking in the garage either.  Like you said, I'd much rather put that toward concessions than parking.  There's no incentive to use the garage - I get a block closer and have to deal with traffic getting out of the garage (Not that there's much of it now) for $15 more?  No thanks.

 

 

So an extra $5 because you don't pay in advance?   This doesn't include fees they have online, so it's likely a push.

 

Agreed - until parking equals that $10 of that lot down the street, I'm not parking in the garage either.  Like you said, I'd much rather put that toward concessions than parking.  There's no incentive to use the garage - I get a block closer and have to deal with traffic getting out of the garage (Not that there's much of it now) for $15 more?  No thanks.

 

I mean if it was $15 in the garage and $10 at the lot that would be more reasonable. 

 

Eh, in their defense I'd say the extra $5 is a discount for those who prepay as opposed to a push against those who don't.

 

 

I mean if it was $15 in the garage and $10 at the lot that would be more reasonable. 

 

Eh, in their defense I'd say the extra $5 is a discount for those who prepay as opposed to a push against those who don't.

 

No I get that.  I meant push as in about even because that $20 online is before they include their 'service fee' BS that's usually like $3-4 itself.  So you wind up only saving a dollar or two by getting a parking pass online in advance.

 

 

No I get that.  I meant push as in about even because that $20 online is before they include their 'service fee' BS that's usually like $3-4 itself.  So you wind up only saving a dollar or two by getting a parking pass online in advance.

 

Is there a service fee for the parking too? Haven't bought it online in a while so I wasn't sure.

 

 

Is there a service fee for the parking too? Haven't bought it online in a while so I wasn't sure.

 

I think so.  I could be wrong, though.  It's been a long time since I've gotten one online too.  But I'd be surprised if there wasn't one.

 

 

I think so.  I could be wrong, though.  It's been a long time since I've gotten one online too.  But I'd be surprised if there wasn't one.

 

How much is it to park in the actual ivy?

 

 

How much is it to park in the actual ivy?

 

I make my way in for free.  The extra fences have made it more difficult, but I still manage.

 

 

I make my way in for free.  The extra fences have made it more difficult, but I still manage.

 

You know they can see these posts right? They'll just make it tougher, you should keep quiet on it.

 

 

You know they can see these posts right? They'll just make it tougher, you should keep quiet on it.

 

Wait, aren't you Jeter!?

 

I mean........*says loudly*  THE FENCES MAKE IT VERY TOUGH TO GET IN.  I CAN'T GET IN TO THE IVY!

 

 

Wait who am I kidding anyway. No way they spend more money on fencing, there are only so many going out of business sales available