Fans of the Texas Rangers got an early look at the upcoming Globe Life Field over the weekend, helping to build anticipation for the ballpark’s opening in March.
Construction is winding down on Globe Life Field, the new retractable-roof home of the Rangers. While the first major event at the finished ballpark is not scheduled until March 14, fans were able to get a look at the facility during Saturday’s Comerica Peek at the Park event.
It seems that fans were left with a positive impression of the facility, with the retractable roof being perhaps the most anticipated feature of Globe Life Field. The franchise’s move to a retractable-roof ballpark will bring relief from the Texas heat that was never provided at its two previous Arlington homes–Arlington Stadium and Globe Life Park, both of which were open-air ballparks. For a few fans, the protection from the heat makes them comfortable with the idea of attending more day games than they have in past seasons. More from the Fort Worth-Star Telegram:
Like the Fullers, Chris Cohen of Fort Worth plans on attending more day games because of the roof. Afternoon starts weren’t conducive for his two oldest children, 4-year-old Quinn and 2-year-old Reid, and would be unbearable for 7-month-old Miles.
Cohen has already committed to the 20-game package because his family can beat the daytime heat thanks to the roof.
“The 20-game plan has seven day games, and now that it’s indoors we can actually go,” Cohen said, while herding Quinn and Reid. “It’s a game changer for us. The 20-game plan gets us Opening Day, and it has a day game every month, so we can bring them. It just makes a lot of sense, especially in July and August.”
The first exterior sign for Globe Life Field was installed last week, representing a major sign of progress as the ballpark’s opening approaches. A concert headlined by Chris Stapleton on March 14 will be the ballpark’s first major event. The Rangers are scheduled to play exhibition games at the ballpark against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 23 and Rangers minor leaguers on March 24, before facing the Los Angeles Angels in the regular-season home opener on March 31. HKS is the design architect on the project, with Manhattan Construction Company serving as construction manager.
Photo courtesy Texas Rangers.