As I was about to turn off my laptop yesterday, I received an interesting email from a gentleman by the name of Paul Swaney. Mr. Swaney and a partner of his have created a cool website called Stadium Journey where they give the reader a tour of the various stadiums which house professional (NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL) teams. Each stadium is given a rating based on things like atmosphere, access, neighborhood surrounding the stadium, etc. Basically it's a place where a person unfamiliar with a particular locale can do some legwork before attending a ballgame.
That's where we come in. Paul initially asked me if I wanted to contribute my .02 cents to the project. I counter-proposed that I could make a post on our blog and let everyone put down their opinions on MMP. They have a good start, but our input could definitely put their Astros page over the top. Basically he's asked us to add tidbits that will optimize the total game viewing experience of anyone who goes to Minute Maid Park.
So, please, take a look at what they have already, and if there's anything that you would like to add, comment on it (add your name and I'm sure Paul will cite you), and be a part of this up and coming website. Anything from underrated seats to watch a game, lesser known restaurants/bars within walking distance of the park, best places to park (cheap garages), access to restrooms, tasty ballpark treats, etc. Whatever it is that you like (or hell, don't like) about the park, let Paul know. I'll send him a link from this post at the end of the day so that he can use the info that we give him. Have at it, folks.
0 recs | 17 comments
I love MMP itself
I think it’s a very well-designed ballpark with good layout, architecture, and lots of character in the field itself.
I may be alone in this, but I also like the choice to adopt Union Station and incorporate it into the character of the park. MMP doesn’t have much history yet, obviously, and I found it very classy that they preserved some of the historic nature of the site in the park’s design.
And the design also gives some of the feel of an outdoor park even when the roof is closed. (So much the better when it’s a nice day and they open the roof.) This is something that the Astrodome really lacked. In fact, the Astrodome, while I loved it, never felt half as baseball as MMP does.
OremLK - October 29, 2009
Meanwhille
In the history of uninspiring responses…come on people. You’ve got to have an opinion—share it.
I’ll do this later, but not from my phone.
Stephen Higdon - October 29, 2009 via mobile
I’m not sure this is going to be all that inspiring for you, but here’s a blog dedicated to letting you know one vital piece of MMP-related information: whether the roof is going to be open or closed.
Also, if I recall correctly, the fajitas at Rosa’s Taqueria were a bargain once upon a time, but it’s been a long while since I’ve had enough money to both go to a game and eat something there.
AstroAndy - October 29, 2009
Also, MMP is home of the World’s Largest Sliding-Glass Door (50,000 sq. ft.) in left field. It’s supposed to be hurricane proof, but just to be safe, they make Hunter play on the opposite side of the outfield.
AstroAndy - October 29, 2009
Took me a second.
Ha!
OremLK - October 29, 2009
Oh, BTW, here’s where we’ve discussed this sort of thing before:
2008
2007
AstroAndy - October 29, 2009
As far as food goes...
when I attended many games from 2005-2006, the food was good, but the selection was not. Now they have what has been called by many the greatest ballpark restaurant in the big leagues. (The Five-Seven Grill). Also, as about every Astros fan knows, the atmosphere can be really electric when the roof is closed. Also, what is more fun than the Minute Maid Squeeze Play?
hunterpencefan - October 29, 2009
I like the environment at MMP; it is an exceptionally well laid out facility and there are few if any bad sight lines (in contrast to some of the newest and most expensive ballparks like Yankee Stadium). MMP is one of the first post-Camden Yards ballparks, and it shows the influence. I have been to Camden Yards and enjoyed it, but I consider MMP to be at least equally enjoyable for the fan (and certainly more so, if rain develops). I like all of the unique oddities, including Tal’s HIll, the Crawford Boxes, and the use of Union Station and the train in the ballpark configuration. All of those unique quirks was intended to bring back memories of the quirks which existed in older ballparks earlier in the 20th century. I read lots of complaints about the features from other teams’ fan blogs. I’ve never understood that; it must be like the fans in other cities who didn’t like the Astrodome when it first opened, because it was “different.”
clack - October 29, 2009
Said it much better than I did.
OremLK - October 29, 2009
Hopefully one of these days I'll get out there to see it
My wife and I’s anniversary is on March 31, so we’re on the look out for a good opening, in the next few years, to spend one in Houston and catch an Astro game or two.
I’ve been to the old Yankee staduim and I prefer the aesthetic look of the old one compared to the new one. I don’t really care for all the advertising that they’ve plastered in the outfield along with the big screen it just makes it look clutter and small.
Timothy De Block - October 29, 2009
Gimmicky Stuff A Bit Much
I’m with you on the gimmicky stuff. There’s a bit too much of it going on.
I could do without the “Chick-Fil-A Fowl Pole” type stuff, if you know what I mean.
pel - October 30, 2009
MMP
I like it. Compared to the Astrodome, it’s hard to find an actually bad seat in the house. The concessions will cost you an arm and a leg, but it’s all pretty quality. The new hot dog specialty area—brilliant.
It’s a pleasant place to walk through, which you can’t say for every place. It’s a got a great atmosphere, and the interesting lines of seats/park dimensions allow for a lot different experiences at the ball park.
Stephen Higdon - October 29, 2009
The Juice Box
While MM is a home away from home it is not my favorite stadium. It is a little kiche with the toy train and all but I love some of the quarks in the playing field. It is great to view a game from many of the seats in the house. It feels intimate to the field from most seats, but you cannot see the Jumbotron from the outfield or bullpen seats, so unless you are close enough to the field its hard to know what is going on. The convertible roof is incredible and should be replicated in some fashion on every stadium. The batters eye should be redesigned, because it looks like an afterthought. The stadium puts on one of the best fireworks display (no exaggeration, it may be short, but it packs a punch) every Friday night, so even if the Astros get shutout you get to see something explode.
CDub79 - October 30, 2009
Long time reader, first time poster here. Be gentle with me.
I’ve wasted way too many dollars at Minute Maid through the years so I thought I could add afew thoughts that may help these guys out.
The neighborhood around MMP is improving but its not quite the best in the MLB. The area across the 59 expressway is a little bit more rundown and occasionally features a few homeless people you can run across. Its more of an ambiance issue than a safety issue as Ive never heard of a single incident. The buildings on the ballpark side of 59, like the New Hope center seem so similar to the ballpark on the exterior you almost start to believe they are part of the park itself. The design seems really well thought out and put together, especially with the downtown improvements to the areas surrounding MMP.
Parking has its share of expensive and cheap lots. Minute Maid has a limited amount of on-site parking near the home plate entrance by parking tag only. The lots are generally for season ticket holders, but you have been able to purchase parking passes online through Astros.com in the past. Pay parking can be found on private lots around the stadium The best price/distance ratio is probably going to be found on the ballpark side of the freeway, a block or two down. Parking fees are relative to the opponent in my experience. The exact same lot may be $5 on Thursday for the Pirates game and $15 on Friday for the Cardinals. My personal recommended spot is right off Congress and Hamilton, and directly next to the New Hope Center. It is a small lot that can be somewhat pricey but it has one big perk. The street behind it (Congress) gets closed off which makes for an extremely easy and enjoyable get out from the actual lot. Wander around Minute Maid until they kick you out, stop by the store for afew minutes, or just mingle outside the park for about 30 minutes before you take off and it should be a smooth, minimal traffic exit for you.
The sitelines are great at MMP in just about any spot. Ive sat everywhere except the rich people seats down in front (Shoutout to Drayton, hook me up for research purposes). Like any ballpark, there will be afew seats that doesnt give you a full view of the action. Seats in the Crawford Boxes will keep you from looking directly into the left field corner. Some of the Field Level seats down the foul lines obstruct corner views, or the jut-out in the left where the scoreboard meets the visiting bullpen. These are to be expected until they make a stadium of glass. As been mentioned, sitting in right field almost completely kills your ability to see the scoreboard, unless youve got a neck made of Stretch Armstrong material. Best value seats are the Terrace Deck, the ring of seats just below the upper deck. As long as youre not shoved back near the foul poles, you will get a great view of the action, scoreboard, and the Houston skyline. My personal section preference is 419. Upper Deck level, looking straight down at home plate. From the angle, you get a great view of the pitch crossing the plate and earn your right to boo when the ump calls it outside.
Hope this helps.
GatorTD - October 30, 2009
welcome aboard
and nice first post!
Evan Hochschild - October 30, 2009
I love MMP...
Except for two things. The first is the god-awful Fowl Pole. Its an embarrassment to baseball to have that hideous display up. I know our entire field is gimmicky (it’s almost like a kid created it on playstation, but I still love it), but the Fowl Pole is an abomination. Secondly, I think the Astros have adopted way too much of the Union Station. We are the ASTROS, short for ASTRONAUTS, and our entire stadium and colors are based of trains. It doesn’t make sense
CVEEEE - October 30, 2009
I agree with you about the Fowl Pole.
clack - October 30, 2009
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