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The Texas Rangers and Arlington announced a few weeks ago a plan to build a new retractable roof stadium near where the existing ballpark is right now. While I think a ballpark that will not be 110° in August is probably a good idea, I am also not 100% sold on the idea either. Here are some of my reasons for not being sold out on the idea.
1. Globe Life Park is not that old. I know that twenty-two may seem old to some of you out there (I am talking to you, millennials), but it’s not. Think about how long Wrigley Field or the Fenway Park have been there. Baseball is a game if tradition, and sometimes I think we loose some of that for the sake of the almighty dollar. I think Globe Life Park is a beautiful place to go and watch a baseball game, and I see no reason why it should die so young.
2. Traffic Problems. The Rangers and the Cowboys both have to park in the lots that are adjacent to the ballpark/stadium, and when construction starts it will remove a big portion of the parking. It is already difficult to get in and out of Rangers games, and it will be even more difficult for the years the park is being built, and then until they destroy Globe Life Park.
3. Heat Advantage. The Rangers are said to have the heat advantage, being that they play in the weather at home more than any other team. Sure, it is pretty hot in July and August in Arlington, but as a fan I never minded it so much it stopped me from going to games. I love sitting almost anywhere in the ballpark, eating a hot dog and watching a great Rangers ballgame. Baseball is supposed to be played outdoors, in my humble opinion.
4. Tradition/Memories. I admit, this one is more of a personal reason, but the Texas Rangers have been to the post season seven different times in their forty plus year as a franchise, and all of them have been in this ballpark. I remember a game where Gary Matthews Jr. climbed the wall to take a grand slam away from the Astros. I can remember being there during the post season runs in 2010 and 2011, and how electric it was in that building. I can remember crying after they beat the Yankees to get to their first World Series in 2010, and when the returned in 2011. I can remember watching greats like Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, Juan Gonzalez, Pudge Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre and more playing on that field.
Besides tradition, I also remember going to many games with my dad, who is no longer with us. My dad was a huge sports fan, and I owe him a lot. I would not be a writer if it wasn’t for him. So it will be hard to go and watch Rangers baseball in a building that my dad never got to see them play in. I also have gone with many friends and family over the years, and seen countless great plays and great fans in that ballpark.
Now I admit, change is inevitable, and I am not surprised in the least that this is going to happen, but I just wanted to share my thoughts on the subject for what it’s worth, which, admittedly, probably isn’t a lot. Thanks for reading.
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