Inside the Ballparks: Dodger Stadium
Fast Facts:
- Opened on April 10, 1962
- Groundbreaking: September 17, 1959
- Building Cost: $23 million ($177 million in 2012 dollars)
- Capacity: 56,000
- 2011 Attendance: 2,935,139
- 2011 Attendance/Game: 36,236 (4th in NL)
- Check out our Los Angeles Ticket Deals!
Summary:
Situated in one of the most beautiful areas in Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium is one of the most breathtaking ballparks in Major League Baseball. Resting on what is known as Chavez Ravine, Dodger Stadium is the only ballpark situated amongst mountains, and as a result, it almost feels like the stadium of the heavens. The stadium is completely symmetrical holding 56,000 seats, making it the largest stadium by capacity in the game today.
The ballpark is a perfect fit for the Hollywood lifestyle of Los Angeles, California. The surrounding area might as well be the set of a Hollywood movie, with many palm trees, bushes, and flowerbeds that are maintained by a full gardening staff. The background of the stadium even has a play on the famous Hollywood sign with the words “Think Blue” written with the same type face and inscribed on the side of the mountain in Dodger blue. The Stadium receives a new paint job every year and is probably the cleanest stadium throughout the course of a game in the MLB.
Dodger Stadium got a facelift from 2006-2008. All of the seats were replaced and the seating color scheme was changed back to its original state using more pastel colors rather than a different color scheme per tier of seating. In addition, the baseline box seats concept was brought into the stadium adding more seats and more luxury for the Hollywood crowd. New concession partners were added as well as additional concession stands and bathrooms. The concession area as a whole received a huge boost with new state of the art equipment and more space for cooking and serving guests. The stadium also made a turn from Dodger Blue to green when it comes to the environment, implementing many measures to conserve energy and other resources.
There isn’t a bad seat in the house at Dodger Stadium, which is impressive for a ballpark of its size. Every seat offers a great view of the action, as the sightlines offered from the stadium are amazing. With Dodger Stadium being one of the seventeen Major League Baseball Stadiums I’ve personally attended, I can say that it does indeed offer a great view from every part of the stadium. I sat down the right field line on the foul side of the foul pole and it was probably the best view from that section of a stadium that I’ve ever seen. Walking up to even the highest tier of seating, there is still an excellent view of the game, and you do not get the feeling that you are watching the game from the moon. Of course the premium seats offer a great view as well.
One thing you will definitely get from a trip to Dodger Stadium is a Hollywood atmosphere. Many of the biggest stars will head out to Dodger games and you just never know who you might see walking around the ballpark. The environment resembles a Southern California feel; very relaxed. This is a place to kick back relax and watch a ballgame in style, and the Dodgers have provided the on field product for fans in LA for many years, going to nine World Series since the move from Brooklyn.
Dodger Stadium does offer its fair share of great eats. When talking about food and the Dodgers in the same sentence, you have to mention the famous Dodger Dog. The Dodger Dog is your typical ballpark hotdog just bigger and with a lot more fame. But it is a staple at Dodger Stadium and it’s a must have for any fan. Included in the stadium are recognizable dining spots like the California Pizza Kitchen, Panda Express and Gordon Biersch among the typical stadium food. Overall, Dodger Stadium is a can’t miss destination to watch a baseball game.
Stadium Tours:
Can’t make it to a game and still want to feel the Hollywood atmosphere of Dodger Stadium? The Dodgers offer tours of their ballpark throughout the season and off-season. For more information checkout: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la/ballpark/stadium_tours/index.jsp
Helpful Links:
Looking for more information on Dodger Stadium? Here are a few links to help make your experience at Dodger Stadium a great one.
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