The new home of the Florida Marlins, slated to open in 2012, will feature a backstop with two aquariums clad with 
Lexan: bulletproof glass.
Boy, here's something you don't see every day: The new home of the Florida Marlins, slated to open in 2012, will feature a backstop with two aquariums clad with Lexan: bulletproof glass.
Twin Custom Saltwater Aquariums will flank both sides of home plate. These one-of-kind aquarium exhibits will provide baseball fans with a firsthand glimpse of the fish and coral reef ecosystems that are synonymous with South Florida.
"Our new ballpark will be the pride of Miami and will showcase many of our community's great attributes," said Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. "From the distinctive local ballpark cuisine and magnificent city views, to our unique home plate aquariums — nothing will better symbolize South Florida than our new ballpark. And as we quickly approach our 2012 opening, we look forward to unveiling new, exclusive features that will make our ballpark one of the greatest in the country."
Designed and built in Ft. Lauderdale by the world's leading custom aquarium manufacturer, Living Color Enterprises Inc., the aquariums have been designed to utilize the latest, cutting-edge technology and will incorporate unique features to ensure the safety and health of the many species of aquatic life that will inhabit them. The aquariums will be built on each side of home plate and will be been positioned to prevent any disruption to players on the field. The aquarium to the right of home plate (when looking from the pitcher's mound) measures 34 feet long, 36 inches high and holds over 600 gallons of seawater, while the aquarium to the left, will be 24 feet in length, holding 450 gallons of water.
Each aquarium will be constructed using a durable fiberglass structure; while crystal-clear acrylic panels 1.5 inches thick will be used for the viewing windows that run the entire length of the aquariums.
To safeguard the exhibits from unexpected impacts, Lexan — the material used in bulletproof windows — will be installed in front and in back of the acrylic panels to protect the aquarium from foul balls, errant pitches or any other unexpected contact.
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they're posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!