How Many Baseball Stadiums Have Roofs?

A lot of people don’t know how many baseball stadiums have roofs. Here’s a blog post that tells you how many.

The History of Baseball Stadiums with Roofs

Baseball stadiums have been around for over 100 years, with the first one being built in Detroit in 1912. The idea of a roofed stadium came about in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the late 1990s that they became popular. Today, there are 14 Major League Baseball stadiums with roofs.

The First Baseball Stadium with a Roof- The Astrodome

In 1965, Houston’s Astrodome became the first stadium with a roof. The idea came from Astros’ owner Judge Roy Hofheinz who wanted to find a way to keep fans comfortable and dry during games played in the heat and humidity of a Houston summer. The Astrodome’s roof was made of Teflon-coated fiberglass and it was an instant hit with fans and players alike. It quickly became known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Since the Astrodome’s debut, several other baseball stadiums have followed suit and added roofs. In fact, all but four Major League Baseball teams now play in stadiums with roofs (the exception being the Oakland Athletics, the Seattle Mariners, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Chicago Cubs). The reasons for adding roofs vary from team to team, but the most common motivations are to protect fans and players from bad weather and to create a more controlled environment that can be used for other events when baseball isn’t being played.

The Evolution of Baseball Stadiums with Roofs

The first baseball stadium with a roof was the Polisseni Pavilion, built in 1941. It was designed by architect George Polisseni and featured a retractable canvas roof. The stadium was home to the Rochester Royals minor league baseball team.

In 1954, the Milwaukee County Stadium was built with a permanent metal roof. The roof was added to help keep snow off the field and to extend the playing season into late October and early November. The stadium was home to the Milwaukee Braves Major League Baseball (MLB) team from 1953 to 1965.

The first retractable-roof baseball stadium was built in Toronto, Canada, in 1989. The Rogers Centre (formerly known as the SkyDome) featured a motorized cable-supported fabric roof that could be opened or closed in about 20 minutes. The Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays MLB team.

As of 2019, there are 14 Major League Baseball stadiums with roofs, including 5 retractable-roof stadiums. Most of the stadiums with roofs were built after 1989, with 4 of them being built in the 2000s.

The Advantages of Baseball Stadiums with Roofs

Baseball stadiums with roofs have many advantages that appeal to both fans and players. For fans, roofs offer protection from inclement weather and the sun. They also block out noise, making the game more enjoyable. For players, roofs provide a consistent environment, which can be important when trying to hit a fastball or make a difficult catch.

Protection from the Elements

A roof offers incontestable advantages for a baseball stadium: It protects fans and players from the wind, rain, snow, and sun. It can also allow a retractable-roof stadium to be used for other events, such as concerts, that an open-air ballpark couldn’t otherwise accommodate.

There are currently 12 Major League Baseball stadiums with roofs: Minute Maid Park (Houston Astros), T-Mobile Park (Seattle Mariners), Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays), Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers), Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks), Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers), Oakland Coliseum (Oakland Athletics), OCBC Stadium (Singapore National Team), Rogers Centre/SkyDome (Toronto Blue Jays), Seoul landfill Dome (KBO’s Nexen Heroes), SunTrust Park (Atlanta Braves), and Tokyo Dome (Tokyo Yakult Swallows).

Of these 12 stadiums, seven have a retractable roof that can be opened or closed as needed: Minute Maid Park, T-Mobile Park, Tropicana Field, Miller Park, Chase Field, Globe Life Field, and Oakland Coliseum. The Rogers Centre is the only one with a fully retractable cover; the other six have partial roofs that open like panels on a garage door.

Improved Acoustics

Acoustics in a baseball stadium are improved when there is a roof because it blocks out ambient noise from the surrounding area. This can make it easier for fans to hear the game and cheer on their team. Additionally, it can make it easier for players to communicate with each other on the field.

Enhanced Fan Experience

Many baseball fans argue that having a roof over the stadium enhances the fan experience by providing protection from the elements and giving fans the option to watch the game in a temperature-controlled environment. In addition, some argue that a roof can add to the atmosphere of the game by blocking out distractions and amplifying noise.

The Disadvantages of Baseball Stadiums with Roofs

Baseball stadiums with roofs can be a great way to keep the weather off of the fans and the players. However, there can be some disadvantages to having a roof over your baseball stadium. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Increased Costs

The cost of building a stadium with a roof can be prohibitive, as was the case with the Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park, which cost an estimated $622 million to build. That’s about $200 million more than what it would have cost to build a similar park without a roof. In addition to the increased upfront costs, there are also ongoing costs associated with powering and cooling a stadium with a retractable roof.

Potential for Poor Air Quality

While baseball stadiums with roofs can provide fans with protection from inclement weather, the reality is that these structures can also trap air particles and lead to poor air quality. A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that attending just one indoor baseball game per season could increase a person’s risk of respiratory problems.

In addition to the potential for poor air quality, baseball stadiums with roofs can also be much hotter than their outdoor counterparts. This can lead to player fatigue and potentially reduce the quality of play on the field. It’s important to note that not all baseball stadiums with roofs are created equal – some have been designed with special ventilation systems that help to mitigate these issues.

Lack of Open-Air Feel

One of the primary disadvantages of a baseball stadium with a roof is the lack of an open-air feel that many fans crave. While it may be aesthetically pleasing to have a retractable roof that can be opened or closed as needed, it ultimately takes away from the game experience for some spectators. Additionally, when the roof is closed, it can trap heat and make the stadium incredibly uncomfortable for fans during hot summer months.

The Future of Baseball Stadiums with Roofs

As the game of baseball has progressed, so have the stadiums in which it is played. From the days of Fenway Park and Wrigley Field to the more modern stadiums like Yankee Stadium and Minute Maid Park, there have been many changes. One of the most recent changes has been the addition of roofs to stadiums.

The Return of the Astrodome

The Astrodome, once dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” could soon see new life as a hotel, convention center, or even an indoor water park, if a $105 million plan comes to fruition. The Astrodome was the first stadium to have a roof and air conditioning, making it a game-changer for both baseball and football. It was home to the Houston Astros from 1965 until 1999 and the Houston Oilers from 1968 until 1996. When the Oilers left for Tennessee, the Astrodome sat unused for years, despite being designated as a State Antiquities Landmark in 2014.

Now, there is new hope for the Astrodome. A group called the Astrodome Conservancy has been working to raise awareness and funds for its restoration. The group’s goal is to create a “multi-use destination” that will be a major asset to Houston and attract visitors from all over the world.

The return of the Astrodome would be a boon for baseball fans, as it would bring back one of the sport’s most iconic stadiums. It would also be a major victory for preservationists, who have long fought to save the Astrodome from demolition.

The Ballpark of the Future

As baseball continues to evolve, one of the biggest changes in recent years has been the addition of roofs to stadiums. This trend started with the construction of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida in the 1990s and has continued with the recent openings of Minute Maid Park in Houston and Miller Park in Milwaukee.

The addition of a roof provides many benefits to both fans and teams. For fans, it protects them from the elements and allows for a more comfortable experience. For teams, it can provide some protection from bad weather and can also help to regulate temperatures inside the stadium.

One of the most notable examples of this is Minute Maid Park, which has a retractable roof that can be opened or closed depending on the weather conditions. This allows for games to be played in all types of weather, including during rain delays.

The trend towards adding roofs to stadiums is likely to continue in the future as teams look for ways to improve the fan experience and ensure that games can be played regardless of the weather conditions.