We toured the city of Houston, TX today. This large city is the home of the Houston Astros and Blue Bell Ice Cream. We started our day with a tour of Minute Maid Park, which is where the Astros play.
This gigantic ballpark is definitely something special because very few franchises have a dome stadium. For those of you who don’t know, a dome is just a roof for a stadium. In this case, it comes in handy on hot summer days. Our tour guide said that if the outside temperature reaches above 85°, or if there is a possibility of rain, that stadium workers will close the roof. It takes approximately 13 minutes for the dome to completely open.
The main entrance to the ballpark was actually built on the site on union Station. The workers restored the columns that support the building, as well as all of the intricate ceiling work. The first floor houses the gift shop/team apparel store and the ticket booths, and both the second and third floors hold offices for stadium employees. It was here that we began our tour.
From Union Station, we entered the main concourse. This is where all the food vendors set up, as well as small team apparel stores. You can also access most of the seats from the concourse.
Our tour guide then took us to the club level seats, the upper deck, the owner’s executive suites, and the television broadcasting booth. Most of the suites were rented out, but the Astro’s owner has two party suites, which we entered. There were about 20 seats outside the room, which sits directly behind home plate. You had a good view of the field, and there is also access to many conveniences.
The broadcasting booth was not much different than in other ballparks. Our tour guide said that sometimes, before games, the sportscasters will be in the booth preparing for the game, and if they’re not very busy, they will sign autographs. However, I wouldn’t know an Astro’s broadcaster if I saw one, because I don’t make a habit of watching Astro’s baseball unless they’re playing my team.
After we finished in the booth, we went own through the Diamond Club (an exclusive club giving patrons access to a full-service restaurant), and out to the field-level seats. Because there was a day game stating at 1:05, some players were beginning to warm up. Also at field level is a marble table with two seats on each side. On the right ride of the table are the seats where the owner and his wife sit, and on the left side are the seats where George and Barbara Bush sit. When we went down to watch the players practice, Rachel sat in George Bush’s seat. How many 11 year olds can say that?
This gigantic ballpark is definitely something special because very few franchises have a dome stadium. For those of you who don’t know, a dome is just a roof for a stadium. In this case, it comes in handy on hot summer days. Our tour guide said that if the outside temperature reaches above 85°, or if there is a possibility of rain, that stadium workers will close the roof. It takes approximately 13 minutes for the dome to completely open.
The main entrance to the ballpark was actually built on the site on union Station. The workers restored the columns that support the building, as well as all of the intricate ceiling work. The first floor houses the gift shop/team apparel store and the ticket booths, and both the second and third floors hold offices for stadium employees. It was here that we began our tour.
From Union Station, we entered the main concourse. This is where all the food vendors set up, as well as small team apparel stores. You can also access most of the seats from the concourse.
Our tour guide then took us to the club level seats, the upper deck, the owner’s executive suites, and the television broadcasting booth. Most of the suites were rented out, but the Astro’s owner has two party suites, which we entered. There were about 20 seats outside the room, which sits directly behind home plate. You had a good view of the field, and there is also access to many conveniences.
The broadcasting booth was not much different than in other ballparks. Our tour guide said that sometimes, before games, the sportscasters will be in the booth preparing for the game, and if they’re not very busy, they will sign autographs. However, I wouldn’t know an Astro’s broadcaster if I saw one, because I don’t make a habit of watching Astro’s baseball unless they’re playing my team.
After we finished in the booth, we went own through the Diamond Club (an exclusive club giving patrons access to a full-service restaurant), and out to the field-level seats. Because there was a day game stating at 1:05, some players were beginning to warm up. Also at field level is a marble table with two seats on each side. On the right ride of the table are the seats where the owner and his wife sit, and on the left side are the seats where George and Barbara Bush sit. When we went down to watch the players practice, Rachel sat in George Bush’s seat. How many 11 year olds can say that?
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