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Dolphin Stadium itinerary by Wise Guides

The Marlins play in a football stadium in a remote spot in north Miami, and the orange seats badly outnumber the actual fans at most games. Makes a pilgrimage sound enticing, doesn't it? ... Well, it should, or at least it shouldn't scare you away. Tickets are easy to come by, there are no lines for beer or food or bathrooms, and the Marlins often feature good young talent. Start your visit in the parking lots surrounding the stadium and join the small but dedicated group of fans who tailgate before games. Fire up the grill and play some catch (plenty of room), but don't forget the tent or tarp to shade you from the Florida sun. ... Once inside the stadium, soak up some of its rich and storied history. Seriously. This place has hosted Super Bowls, Orange Bowls, the 2009 BCS national title, and the Dolphins. Notice the Dolphins Ring of Honor that circles the upper deck façade with names of football greats. ... The Marlins, don't forget, have some history here, too, having captured two World Series championships in their brief existence. A giant rectangular banner in left-field commemorates the 1997 and 2003 titles. ... Also hard to miss are the Marlins Mermaids, the first rally team in baseball, who dance on the dugouts between innings. They are sort of like the Lakers Girls but dressed in teal and black. Good luck ignoring them. ... When hunger and thirst set in, bypass the ballpark staples and Budweiser, and seek out the Cuban sandwich at The Carvery stands. Wash it down with one of their mojitos for the full Cuban experience. ... There may not be much surrounding the stadium itself, but this is Miami, so the post-game options are unlimited. There are beaches and water sports galore, and top-notch shopping and dining, so no one will be bored. ... World-famous South Beach is about 20 minutes away with its trendy restaurants and clubs, and is worth a visit just for the people-watching. ... For a classic Cuban joint, detour to Versailles in Miami; it's open late. ... About 15 minutes north of the stadium in Hollywood you'll find the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where there are a generous assortment of clubs and bars to choose from, and of course the casino to donate your money to.

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Florida Marlins - User Comments Add your own

Well, It's Tolerable. -- 2007-06-25

I went to see the Marlins in 2004 and in 2006. In 2004 I went to a day game and it was as hot as h---. In 2006 a big storm came up, so we had to run to the truck and leave. People criticize the Devil Rays' domed stadium, but they must understand that Florida weather is not kind to open-air stadiums most of the time. An unusual feature of Dolphins Stadium is that one drives on the pavement and parks on the grass. What other stadium has grass parking slots? Dolphins Stadium is in the middle of a residential area, so the only pre/post-game activities are to stop at the corner gas station and get a candybar or fill the automobile up with gas. The stadium is good for parking, watching, and leaving. Now, this stadium is in excellent condition; it's clean and nice-looking. However, it is strange to watch baseball wedged into a football field. They did do a good job with what they had to work with, however. I rated Dolphins Stadium a C. While it's not some place a baseball fan has just got to see, It's an okay place to catch a game. What I mean is if I lived out there, I'd be there. But, I live in Louisiana. Go Zephyrs!

Ronald Theriot

the stadium is to far -- 2006-09-05

im a big marlins fan.....i think they should move to downtown miami because is better transpertation and many people dont haveto travel 45 min away or longer just to watch a baseball game

albert

stadium is too big -- 2004-12-25

Only good thing is you can pay 6 bucks and sit wherever you want because nobody goes to the games. Stadium is in the middle of nowhere, so there is no public transportation. If you sit in the back rows of the upper deck, you feel as though you are a mile away from the action.

Marlins should move somewhere where they would be appreciated. A dome would not equal more fans because in April and May when it is gorgeous out, they barely draw 20,000 on a 75 degree beautiful night.

South Florida does not deserve baseball. They cannot even sell out Miami Dolphin home playoff games in what is perceived to be a 'football town.'

Michael Sloane

New Stadium -- 2004-03-29

I am a Florida Marlins Fan and a season ticket holder with my father. When the Marlins announced that they may be moving to Miami, me and my father said, We are not going down to Miami for a baseball season, maybe one or two games, but not a whole season. Take a look at NBA's Miami Heat. They moved to American Airlines Arena way down on Biscayne Blvd. Their season ticket holders have declined since that move. If the Marlins move down to Miami or further south, there fan base will deteriorate. I live in North Broward just south of the Palm Beach/Broward County Line. Think about putting a stadium in Central Broward.

Tim Johanson

WE NEED A NEW BALLPARK FOR THE MARLINS! -- 2003-10-17

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A NEW STADIUM IS THAT PRO PLAYER IS JUST TO FAR AWAY FROM MIAMI. MIAMI-DADE PAYED FOR A STADIUM TO BE BUILT THAT IS PRACTICLY IN ANOTHER COUNTY IT IS HARD FOR THE CITICENS OF DADE COUNTY TO ACSSES THIS STADIMU. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A STADIUM IN THE CITY OF MIAMI. THE METS HAVE A STADIUM IN NEW YORK. ANOTHER THING THAT HAS BOTHERED ME IS THAT THE MIAMI HEAT GOT A NEW STADIUM AND THEY NEVER WON A N.B.A. CHAMPIONSHIP. THE MARLINS ARE THE WORLD CHAMPS OF 1997 AND ARE GOING A SECOND TIME IN 2003! IN THIER SHORT HISTORY (1993-PRESENT). THE HEAT HAVE HAD TWO STADIUMS BUILT AND THE MARLINS NONE 0 EVEN NOW THE TEAM MUST RENT PRO PLAYER TO PLATY THIER GAMES AND GET THIS THE DO NOT EVEN GET THE $10 PARKING.

AL

truly remarkable -- 2002-06-20

That this particular building has been incorporated into the list of stadia hosting major league baseball is quite remarkable.

The team, as presently constituted, in more interesting than 9000 per game would indicate; however, the entire concept of baseball in that park in south florida is flawed, and is generally indicative of how the recent baseball intelligentsia have manufactured venues that are completely unsuitable given the potential for 'cash flow'. Amazingly, the state of florida wins the award for facility least major league IN BOTH LAEGUES, Tropicana Field winning the AL prize. The concept of downsizing, rampant in all other parts of the American commercial landscape, needs to take both the franchise AND the 'baseball park' know as pro player with it.

flaco jimenez

-- 2002-06-06

Best seating available at ticketmaster

Raymond & Vincenza riker

New Ballpark needed -- 2002-05-09

I was able to get a seat 20 rows behind home plate 1hr. before gametime . Other than that I was very unimpressed with Joe Robbie. The consessions were unimpressive & expensive. There were two rain delays. There is no getting over the fact that this is a football stadium.

Jeff

Need a New Stadium -- 2001-10-29

The only strong positive this stadium has going for it is that the parking lot is the easiest to enter/ exist of the Stadiums I've been to (@12.)

However, many negatives: 1) Square stadium obviously built for football, sight lines are off. 2) Stadium to big, even if the Marlins drew more than 5,000 a game. 3) Baseball stadiums should have ramps/ concessions inside the stadium (under the stands), not outside. 4) Outfield fence height (w/ scoreboard) is contrived (though the A's still get the current award)

When I went there the first year there were many types of food--last year most of the concession booths were closed and the food selection was poor.

Big problem as to where to build a new stadium--I'd like to see it in downtown Miami but already those in North Broward complain that ProPlayerRobbie is already to far South.

Jay K

Pro Player Stadium is just fine -- 2001-10-05

Sure, it's not Camden Yards, but it's far better than some stadiums and overall a pretty good place to watch a major league game. For $3 you can sit up top of home plate and have a good view. The stuff about the park being inadequate is crap spread by the owner to try and blackmail South Florida into building a new stadium. The park was built for multi-use...and it works well. There's no easy HRs here. The field is good and well kept and access is easy.

Kenneth Schoenberg

general info about marlins game -- 2001-09-07

The stadium is conveniently located near the turnpike. Getting in and out was no problem because the crowd was not large. We parked near the exit to make leaving easier. It's not a far walk to the entrances from there.

As for the stadium they could definitely use a new one. I like to get at least one autograph on a logo ball at each park (i've been to all but Colorado & Arizona)access to the players before the game is difficult because of the configuration and there were a lot of people by the dugouts and they were real pushy. I didn't even try because of that.

The game was okay and the fans around us seemed knowledgeable. It was Tony Gwynn night so that was nice.

chuck faris

Vastly underrated -- 2001-08-24

The House that Joe Robbie built is vastly underrated as a baseball facility. While it has its drawbacks (e.g., the fact that the seats down the foul lines are not slanted towards home plate), it has many more positive features. The stadium is adjacent to the Florida Turnpike, and it is near 2 other major expressways. Its parking lots and access roads are designed to handle football crowds of 70,000, so it can easily handle a baseball crowd of 30-35,000. Its upper deck is much closer to the playing field than the upper decks of the various "retro" parks that have become so popular. One can buy an excellent mezzanine seat for only $9 ($3 for kids). One can also bring in snacks and bottled water. While the Jumbotron and the between-innings diversions are occasionally distracting, the park has a family-friendly atmosphere. Marlins games offer excellent family entertainment for a great price.

Pat Toomey

Joe Robbie Review -- 2001-07-09

Joe Robbie/Pro Player stadium is an oddly converted football stadium, but don't let that fool you, it's a great place to watch a game (football or baseball). There really aren't any bad seats in the house except for sections 131 and 134. Tickets aren't too expensive. $15 will get you into the lower level seating - you can always walk over to the expensive seats when the ushers aren't looking (which they rarely are - stadium security is pretty lax except when the Mets or Stankees are in town). $4 will get you nosebleed seats on the 2nd level (dubbed "The Fish Tank") but you can always walk down to better seats.

The parking is where they get you ($10 to park at the Stadium and mass transit to anyplace in Miami, outside of downtown, is a pain in the butt). If you're going by yourself and don't feel like spending $25.00+ to see a baseball game, I definitely recommend getting the $4 "Fish Tank" seats and then moving to a better seat (who knows, you could sneak into the lower level when they're not looking) and thus keeping your costs to > $20.00 (not including food). Even if you can't move to the first level, the second level still has a good view of the action.

Concessions are expensive like every place else, so make sure to eat prior to going to the ballpark. They don't allow you to bring food or drink into the stadium (anything that's not a purse will be searched). Also, you can't bring an umbrella into the stadium, either. Part of the reason why the Marlins don't get many people at their games is that it always rains during the summer in S. Florida (during a normal summer). The stadium makes matters worse by banning umbrellas. Usually, it's overcast in the afternoon, but if it rains in the afternoon (and the sky is no darker than lightly overcast around 5:00 p.m.), chances are it will not rain that night. If it's overcast and it doesn't rain that afternoon (or it's still heavily overcast or raining at 5:00 p.m.), then I'd stay home that night.

The Marlins need to move into a domed stadium, badly (I don't believe in this retractable roof BS where taxpayers ususally foot the bill for a $400+ million stadium that only shows baseball games - John Henry could easily afford to build the Marlins a domed stadium out of his own pocket and the stadium could host other events) to avoid the constant S. Florida summer weather problems.

Joe Robbie Game Watcher

This place screams, "I'm a football stadium!" -- 2001-06-04

The asymetrical fences and the huge crowds for their World Series was nice, but the fact remains that this place is is shaped like a 75,000 seat football stadium, which it IS! The Marlins need a 40,000 seat retractable roof ballpark BAD!

David Bryant

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