Today we visited two sports complexes, Texas Motor Speedway (where Carl Edwards won in 2005), and Arlington Park (home of the Texas Rangers). We toured both stadiums today, the first of which was Arlington Park.
The park was opened in April of 1994. Its seats hold over 49,000 fans and holds some special pieces. The home run porch (located in right-center field) was built to look like the old Arlington Stadium. The hitter’s eye is fashioned after Camden Yards (the Baltimore Oriole’s park), and the outside brickwork is a semi-replica of the current Yankee Stadium (not the 2009 stadium being built). Also, both foul poles were brought over from Arlington Stadium. All of these come together to give the ballpark a look all its own.
We were able to walk along the main concourse, and from here we went to see the luxury suites and the press box. We then went down beneath the field where both clubhouses are, as well as the batting cages. The players use these to practice their swing or warm up before pinch-hitting. Mirrors are positioned so that the players can watch themselves swing, or they can watch previous swings during a game on the monitors outside the cages.
Our tour guide took us down to the home team dugout. I like when you get to sit on the dugout bench, because who knows, you might be sitting where your favorite player sits during games. My favorite player, Jarred Saltalamacchia (back-up catcher who has the longest name in MLB history) normally sits toward the middle of the dugout, so I had a pretty good chance.
Once the tour was finished, we went in the Rangers’ team store. One of the unique things about this shop was that they have merchandise from when they play different teams. The Braves played the Rangers earlier this year and they have some pins and baseballs with the vintage “a” on them. Very cool stuff!
Texas Motor Speedway is about 35 minutes away from the ballpark and this was our next stop. A 1.5 mile track owned by Bruton Smith & Speedway Motorsports Incorporated (SMI) this is the 3rd largest sporting event facility in the United States. I really enjoyed this track because my favorite driver (Carl Edwards - #99, Office Depot Ford) has won here three times, twice in 2005 and in the spring race earlier this year.
We got to see one of the luxury suites, victory lane, both garage buildings, as well as the dirt track that is located behind the backstretch. TMS also has an infield road course which they can expand by opening up the inner walls. Overall, the track is pretty neat, and hopefully they can add Carl Edwards to their Wall of Champions again this fall.
The park was opened in April of 1994. Its seats hold over 49,000 fans and holds some special pieces. The home run porch (located in right-center field) was built to look like the old Arlington Stadium. The hitter’s eye is fashioned after Camden Yards (the Baltimore Oriole’s park), and the outside brickwork is a semi-replica of the current Yankee Stadium (not the 2009 stadium being built). Also, both foul poles were brought over from Arlington Stadium. All of these come together to give the ballpark a look all its own.
We were able to walk along the main concourse, and from here we went to see the luxury suites and the press box. We then went down beneath the field where both clubhouses are, as well as the batting cages. The players use these to practice their swing or warm up before pinch-hitting. Mirrors are positioned so that the players can watch themselves swing, or they can watch previous swings during a game on the monitors outside the cages.
Our tour guide took us down to the home team dugout. I like when you get to sit on the dugout bench, because who knows, you might be sitting where your favorite player sits during games. My favorite player, Jarred Saltalamacchia (back-up catcher who has the longest name in MLB history) normally sits toward the middle of the dugout, so I had a pretty good chance.
Once the tour was finished, we went in the Rangers’ team store. One of the unique things about this shop was that they have merchandise from when they play different teams. The Braves played the Rangers earlier this year and they have some pins and baseballs with the vintage “a” on them. Very cool stuff!
Texas Motor Speedway is about 35 minutes away from the ballpark and this was our next stop. A 1.5 mile track owned by Bruton Smith & Speedway Motorsports Incorporated (SMI) this is the 3rd largest sporting event facility in the United States. I really enjoyed this track because my favorite driver (Carl Edwards - #99, Office Depot Ford) has won here three times, twice in 2005 and in the spring race earlier this year.
We got to see one of the luxury suites, victory lane, both garage buildings, as well as the dirt track that is located behind the backstretch. TMS also has an infield road course which they can expand by opening up the inner walls. Overall, the track is pretty neat, and hopefully they can add Carl Edwards to their Wall of Champions again this fall.
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