Ballpark Profile: Minute Maid Park
Name: Minute Maid Park
Location: Houston, Texas
Opened: 7 April 2000
Architect: HOK Sport
Cost: $250 Million
Capacity: 40,950 (original)
41,168 (present)
Surface: Platinum TE Paspalum (natural grass)
Minute Maid Park -- like several of the other parks we've profiled -- was once our home ballpark.
Thinking about it, here's the complete list of 'home' ballparks:
Oakland Coliseum (1985-1994)
Candlestick Park (1995-1999)
PacBell/AT&T/Oracle Park (2000-2002)
Riverfront Stadium (2002)
Great American Ball Park (2003)
Minute Maid Park (2004)
Coors Field (2005-2006)
New Comiskey Park/Wrigley Field (2006-present)
Citizens Bank Park (future)
So, some personal experience here.
When Minute Maid Park (then called Enron Field) opened, it was universally (and fairly) panned. It was gimmicky to the extreme, with the ill-fated "Tal's Hill" and in-play flagpole in center field -- which originally extended to an eye-popping 436 feet.
Both the hill and the flagpole seemed to be there just for the sake of being there, and both were (thankfully) scheduled for removal during the 2015-16 offseason. (The Astros made the postseason in 2015, which disrupted the timeline, and the hill was not removed until the start of the 2017 season.)
Like Camden Yards and Petco Park, the design for the ballpark incorporated an existing structure, in this case Union Station, a train station built in 1911, which was one of the busiest rail hubs through the end of World War II. The station is now the main entrance foyer for the ballpark, with team offices upstairs.
The train motif continues with a larger-than-life steam engine that runs along the tracks of the large retractable roof. The train runs and sounds its horn after Astros home runs. Sure, it's gimmicky, but fans (especially kids) love it. And the guy who runs it is the best kind of hometown fan.
And so we get to it: the roof.
First, the outside aesthetics. The roof and supporting structure of acres of glass wall are not unatrractive to look at; but the color scheme is. Scroll back to the previous ballpark profiles of Chase Field, Citizens Bank, Miller Park . . . it's like MLB got an unlimited supply of weird turquoise/teal paint and they just can't stop using it.
I don't get it. I don't like it.
As for the criteria that makes a good ballpark: Minute Maid checks many of them: it's right downtown, which is good. It's easily accessible with several public transit options. It fits the aesthetic of the neighborhood (after a fashion), and the fan experience is better-than-average, especially the outstanding food options.
And, when the roof is open, it's a really nice place to see a ballgame.
But. The. Roof. Is. Never. Open.
It's funny; if you search for images of Minute Maid Park, a number of in-game shots with the roof open show up, and they look great. But I lived there for two years, and never once was the roof open for a game. Nobody I've talked to has ever been to a game with the roof open.
It's a completely different feel with the roof closed. It's dark, it's artificial-feeling.
Believe me, having lived there, I know Houston has some incredibly unpleasant, even unsafely hot summer days. And, by all means, the roof should be closed in those events. It also gets more than its share of summer rainstorms.
But, if it's just a warm/hot day? Open the dang roof. People across the country love sitting out on a warm evening watching baseball. It gets plenty hot in Cincinnati, and St. Louis, and . . . almost everywhere baseball is played. I've been to some extremely warm games in the bleachers at Wrigley.
That's part of the fun.
Just because you can close the roof doesn't mean you should.
Have your own thoughts and feelings about Minute Maid Park? Put them in the comments below for a chance to win a FREE PRINT from Ballpark Blueprints!
17208 comments
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076160/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076165/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076167/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076161/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076162/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076164/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076168/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076127/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076122/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076124/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076605/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076607/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076603/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076602/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076650/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076657/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076656/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076654/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076659/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547076658/
https://telegra.ph/mumeifhs-9pg2gi1p-05-26
https://rentry.co/3v4iso9k_yq0bwk6u_uap
https://paste.ee/p/lUpLI
https://paiza.io/projects/D0KnYYhg4y8BF1XVFw8vLg?language=php
https://jsbin.com/nohezayeru/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/qu3c16dn/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/zWLJyyTk
https://anotepad.com/notes/wgdm6m3q
https://paste.mozilla.org/eWEtN525
https://pastelink.net/paxqfvz9
https://telegra.ph/h8cszy4h-szyc4saq-05-26
https://rentry.co/ne6we7km_qg5hj6zp_n28
https://paste.ee/p/7sp23
https://paiza.io/projects/HI6dHWiNeWuZQ2cfYLKXXQ?language=php
https://jsbin.com/yogijahija/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/67o0y5hw/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/HJENyeKX
https://paste.mozilla.org/rTUCUhek
https://pastelink.net/4cedsmti
https://pastebin.com/0csXfrVb
https://telegra.ph/axdxwssl-ykrcqye9-05-26
https://rentry.co/syye4nh3_tv3aj0vo_sbl
https://paste.ee/p/34JIH
https://paiza.io/projects/lkM32LN-4-Zo3TB78So1Dw?language=php
https://jsbin.com/jotudarufo/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/xavbz0h1/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/80mHeO3p
https://anotepad.com/notes/m83yp2ea
https://paste.mozilla.org/7dfNRVJ4
https://pastelink.net/7y8frdki
https://pastebin.com/isP6pYeb
https://telegra.ph/mb2cd9cy-drli1nhe-05-26
https://rentry.co/yswahmr3_uc4qojv4_88g
https://paste.ee/p/ScYLX
https://paiza.io/projects/WlDg9RXnEyT77PnP8JUIlA?language=php
https://paste.laravel.io/eedab7e2-95c9-4769-bbb5-a4e0425ee246
https://jsbin.com/febonesequ/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/s0g1nfcm/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/TqoXnogA
https://glot.io/snippets/gwiqzsqhl1
https://anotepad.com/notes/a564thp5
https://paste.mozilla.org/aFqXrW6e
https://pastelink.net/22ctd3ca
https://pastebin.com/Tsk3Kbqr
https://telegra.ph/uxwkfyw5-rjekt8qh-05-26
https://rentry.co/00mrfjcr_uhu37jvo_2b2
https://paste.ee/p/a53u3
https://paiza.io/projects/CqJGeZh9cgIQd3bMnAbyPw?language=php
https://jsbin.com/rusufeqala/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/h1tz7ver/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/JPebWGx3
https://anotepad.com/notes/996cpksm
https://paste.mozilla.org/xXicyL3x
https://pastelink.net/i2671sng
https://pastebin.com/ZnypqQmH
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070526/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070522/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070540/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070547/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070542/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070544/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070549/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070548/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070597/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070596/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070592/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070594/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070598/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070581/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070582/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070584/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070700/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070703/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070709/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070755/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070751/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070753/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070756/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070754/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547070759/
https://telegra.ph/zntncxbu-qj3cpaeu-05-26
https://rentry.co/yumjgemq_mlhii8ze_w9r
https://paste.ee/p/Y0Ejo
https://paste.laravel.io/0bf0ffc7-ed2b-47d8-9982-391f5e6e148f
https://jsbin.com/nehiyaluye/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/rou7051d/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/fwhwb1Ii
https://glot.io/snippets/gwiqqfz6p4
https://anotepad.com/notes/txwi3r5n
https://paste.mozilla.org/MU3k6x9u
https://pastelink.net/4bwyzx4b
https://pastebin.com/MrmpunsM
https://telegra.ph/zntncxbu-qj3cpaeu-05-26
https://rentry.co/yumjgemq_mlhii8ze_w9r
https://paste.ee/p/Y0Ejo
https://paste.laravel.io/0bf0ffc7-ed2b-47d8-9982-391f5e6e148f
https://jsbin.com/nehiyaluye/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/rou7051d/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/fwhwb1Ii
https://glot.io/snippets/gwiqqfz6p4
https://anotepad.com/notes/txwi3r5n
https://paste.mozilla.org/MU3k6x9u
https://pastelink.net/4bwyzx4b
https://pastebin.com/MrmpunsM
https://telegra.ph/2ln465hn-3mbrwlzj-05-26
https://rentry.co/2ipemget_5sateazk_1jl
https://paste.ee/p/7uZEi
https://paiza.io/projects/fiAlhCAVVTZzHuvFbXoj6Q?language=php
https://paste.laravel.io/1af1332b-f5f7-4226-a6a1-c92f0b369154
https://jsbin.com/bovujewija/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/1dk5a290/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/TfuYwCfA
https://glot.io/snippets/gwiq617csu
https://anotepad.com/notes/2g7xt2wi
https://paste.mozilla.org/JQ6xQtDU
https://pastelink.net/0xm3j7rg
https://pastebin.com/j48zHxMn
https://telegra.ph/l8ax6f5v-ogys6r3b-05-26
https://rentry.co/tzhzd0l8_uwstkatd_t8m
https://paste.ee/p/izkDj
https://paiza.io/projects/nVx-Io-lQVasaKdLq2tXlQ?language=php
https://paste.laravel.io/b7695b14-350e-47ea-a74a-adfe8c87d81a
https://jsbin.com/hirumelawo/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/o7bq3s4x/
https://glot.io/snippets/gwipwl8uzj
https://anotepad.com/notes/fyefq8qg
https://paste.mozilla.org/gBvCRArG
https://pastelink.net/gjftdnih
https://pastebin.com/pCciDfeT
https://telegra.ph/9ljm2t1u-pn1f4gpm-05-26
https://rentry.co/oejf9286_294go4za_c18
https://paste.ee/p/O7nS0
https://paiza.io/projects/p9GoEAMhFRzbEUopGZWCOg?language=php
https://paste.laravel.io/757107ae-79bf-49f1-a9fc-5b0694d13b05
https://jsbin.com/tupehaxala/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/7Lzpcqgb/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/1OMx3gLt
https://glot.io/snippets/gwipa75ib5
https://anotepad.com/notes/9xfweh8d
https://paste.mozilla.org/jkS46DbS
https://pastelink.net/ds1nfikg
https://pastebin.com/pDU3V057
https://telegra.ph/7xqi4t0a-gf8muglv-05-26
https://rentry.co/u4ssqiut_zwcpc6ci_1bz
https://paste.ee/p/isyTb
https://paiza.io/projects/i-xReEffyONF6ZhPNqJ9Nw?language=php
https://jsbin.com/razetanuno/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/51k4sbmj/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/lfPoTbGf
https://anotepad.com/notes/sfwybhie
https://paste.mozilla.org/o8maJF9B
https://pastelink.net/dunazekz
https://pastebin.com/u4JqWxEX
https://pastebin.com/Wr9DmsQR
https://pastebin.com/zV5PEst7
https://pastebin.com/f81dSUJ2
https://pastebin.com/axyKNMHU
https://pastebin.com/axyKNMHU
https://pastebin.com/axyKNMHU
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058771/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058772/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058779/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058778/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058711/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058716/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058718/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058730/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058735/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058737/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058733/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058736/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058734/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058739/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058760/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058765/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058767/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058766/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058764/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058769/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058768/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058723/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058722/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058728/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls547058745/
https://www.artstation.com/regarder-memory-film-complet-streaming-vf/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-memory-en-streaming-vf-et-francais-vostfr-complet/profile
https://www.artstation.com/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-film-streaming-vf-complet/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-une-saga-mad-max-2024-streaming-vf-gratuitment/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-furiosa-streaming-vf-une-saga-mad-max-2024/profile
https://www.artstation.com/a-mad-max-saga-gratuitamente-ita-sub-in-streaming/profile
https://ryqyat5820.expandcart.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=373
https://ryqyat5820.expandcart.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=374
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls547059609
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls547059228/?ref_=uspf_t_1
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls547058002
https://www.artstation.com/regarder-memory-film-complet-streaming-vf/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-memory-en-streaming-vf-et-francais-vostfr-complet/profile
https://www.artstation.com/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-film-streaming-vf-complet/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-une-saga-mad-max-2024-streaming-vf-gratuitment/profile
https://www.artstation.com/voir-furiosa-streaming-vf-une-saga-mad-max-2024/profile
https://www.artstation.com/a-mad-max-saga-gratuitamente-ita-sub-in-streaming/profile
https://ryqyat5820.expandcart.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=373
https://ryqyat5820.expandcart.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=374
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls547059609
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls547059228/?ref_=uspf_t_1
https://m.imdb.com/list/ls547058002
https://telegra.ph/bdz7ldfu-h566avoi-05-26
https://rentry.co/uuq067ow_269831o1_i6v
https://paste.ee/p/b6prQ
https://paiza.io/projects/sWtrpnuREyY05dLKIWSqCw?language=php
https://jsbin.com/qakuvuduni/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/a5nuo4Lz/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/CDVaDD5j
https://paste.mozilla.org/AKvpih1c
https://pastelink.net/fv6xpaug
https://pastebin.com/BMXK6Xdi
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526746299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526812299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526818299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526878299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526884299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526914299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526932299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526986299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527028299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527082299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527154299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527202299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527238299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527256299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527274299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527292299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527316299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527328299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527340299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527352299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527688299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527754299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527772299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527796299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527856299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527898299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527916299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527928299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527982299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114527994299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528006299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528060299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528090299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528168299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528180299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528258299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528342299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528414299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528432299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114528474299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114529896299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114529974299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530028299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530046299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530088299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530130299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530190299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530256299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530322299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114530406299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524610299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524622299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524640299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524652299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524664299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524694299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524706299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524712299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524730299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524802299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524808299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524844299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524850299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524856299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524868299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524880299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524886299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524898299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524922299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114524934299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525102299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525108299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525114299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525120299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525138299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525144299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525156299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525168299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525174299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525180299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525186299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525192299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525198299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525210299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525258299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525294299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525300299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525306299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525360299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525378299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525858299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525864299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525876299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525888299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525900299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525960299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525978299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114525996299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526002299993&type=3
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122114526008299993&type=3
https://telegra.ph/vw0xw9pb-8yj9o03r-05-26
https://rentry.co/nz705h2t_00ws7xaw_wnj
https://paste.ee/p/6aFha
https://paiza.io/projects/QdNZC15P1kNgL9yddhrSkA?language=php
https://jsbin.com/zicagewacu/1/edit?html,output
https://jsfiddle.net/bngtoce3/
https://www.toptal.com/developers/paste-gd/g9E4V3oJ
https://paste.mozilla.org/0CgRByjb
https://pastelink.net/hus9slmo