Stadium Elements
Throughout the site, I consistently mention that I consider the idea of a stadium to be an all encompassing concept to everything which constitutes the experience of the game. This definition is admittedly nebulous , so here are concrete example of elements of design for a stadium which are intentionally and consciously chosen. While these elements might not traditionally be considered a part of the physical stadium, they certainly affect the fan experience. Furthermore, the deliberate nature of these elements implies a level of design that goes into their creation.
Here are a few of the example of elements that make up the stadium as an entire baseball experience. Hopefully this helps give you an ideas of what is included in the concept of a stadium, and how these elements are intentionally proliferated.
Here are a few of the example of elements that make up the stadium as an entire baseball experience. Hopefully this helps give you an ideas of what is included in the concept of a stadium, and how these elements are intentionally proliferated.
The Field
The field is perhaps one of the most obvious elements of a stadiums design. While some of the field's specifications (such as distance between bases) is fully specified, many of the elements can be freely chosen by the team and owners. This choice allows some strategy and thought into how deep the field should be, what type of grass should be used, and how high the outfield walls should be at different parts of the stadium. When touring Petco Park, I was able to talk to the groundskeeper who informed me that even the choice of Petco's grass (a Bermuda hybrid) was consciously chosen for both its visual qualities, and the practicality and usability of its length.
The field itself also generally exhibits visual design patters of interwoven checkered patterns, straight lines of alternating color, or more intricate team specific designs. These designs add to the elegance of the field which so many spectators spend their time watching. There is a lot of detail and design that goes into generateing, maintaining, and producing these paterns, and they co
The field itself also generally exhibits visual design patters of interwoven checkered patterns, straight lines of alternating color, or more intricate team specific designs. These designs add to the elegance of the field which so many spectators spend their time watching. There is a lot of detail and design that goes into generateing, maintaining, and producing these paterns, and they co
The Seats
You spend a majority of the time at the game sitting in these flimsy colored plastic seats. While most stadium's seats are almost unbearably uncomfortable, many stadiums now are upgrading the seats to be more comfortable, or even include cup and food holders. This is a major area of potential innovation. The design for baseball stadium seats has remained largely unchanged over the past century of baseball stadiums.
Some of the progress in seat design has been helpful. For example, the historical stadiums (Wrigley and Fenway) have wood and metal seats which are simply torturous. These seats don't even include the conventional comforts of cup holders for your drink. Another important issue is leg room; newer stadiums have considerably more leg room than the older ones, which is a positive trend for stadium design. Leg room is an interesting example because of the stark differences in the magnitude of the change over time. While it is always awkward and uncomfortable when trying to navigate to the aisle from the middle of a row of seats, at newer stadiums people can simply turns their knees sideways for you to pass. At the older stadiums, it is absolutely necessary for you to stand up each time someone squeezes past, and even then you are cramped. This is one of those things that doesn't bother you until you experience first hand how annoying and unnecessary the problem is. I am glad that stadiums of present have chosen the less economical approach by not trying to cram as many people into a small space as possible.
Some of the progress in seat design has been helpful. For example, the historical stadiums (Wrigley and Fenway) have wood and metal seats which are simply torturous. These seats don't even include the conventional comforts of cup holders for your drink. Another important issue is leg room; newer stadiums have considerably more leg room than the older ones, which is a positive trend for stadium design. Leg room is an interesting example because of the stark differences in the magnitude of the change over time. While it is always awkward and uncomfortable when trying to navigate to the aisle from the middle of a row of seats, at newer stadiums people can simply turns their knees sideways for you to pass. At the older stadiums, it is absolutely necessary for you to stand up each time someone squeezes past, and even then you are cramped. This is one of those things that doesn't bother you until you experience first hand how annoying and unnecessary the problem is. I am glad that stadiums of present have chosen the less economical approach by not trying to cram as many people into a small space as possible.
Parking
Parking is a particularly important aspect of stadiums because it is always the first and last aspect of a stadium that the fan encounters. Alas, parking is often frustrating and ill designed. There is usually too little parking, the egress from the parking lot is not regulated, and the price can be ridiculously high. Some stadiums don't even offer an "official" parking lot - leaving fans in a free-for-all to rent space from surrounding entrepreneurs. Needless to say, parking has major room for improvement.
For these purposes, parking also includes public transport systems offered by the city to allow for parking offsite, or even to avoid using a car at all. If public transport to the stadium is available, we generally end up using it. Public transport offers flexibility an ease-of-use. Many times it is cheaper, more convenient, and even quicker than parking at or near the stadium. An additional benefit is that if the home team won, the subway ride home is bound to be full of excited and happy fans willing to talk about the game, their team, and their stadium. I think that in general stadiums should offer public transportation to the game because it is both efficient for keeping people off the congested roads, and an equally viable option of transportation.
For these purposes, parking also includes public transport systems offered by the city to allow for parking offsite, or even to avoid using a car at all. If public transport to the stadium is available, we generally end up using it. Public transport offers flexibility an ease-of-use. Many times it is cheaper, more convenient, and even quicker than parking at or near the stadium. An additional benefit is that if the home team won, the subway ride home is bound to be full of excited and happy fans willing to talk about the game, their team, and their stadium. I think that in general stadiums should offer public transportation to the game because it is both efficient for keeping people off the congested roads, and an equally viable option of transportation.
Hallways/Walkways
The hallways and walkways of a stadium are a particular pet peeve of mine. I dislike when the hallways are not wide enough, or designed well enough such that they are overcrowded and hard to navigate. There is nothing worse then a stadium where the lines from vendors and shops block the movement of the crowd, or when you have to wade throw droves of people simply to get back to your seat. It hurts the usability of the stadium. Hallways might exist on many levels of the stadium, and may -or may not - make a complete circle. I particularly like when these walkways are open so that you can see the field and not feel claustrophobic in a small cramped corridor.
In addition to not being wide enough, many stadium's walkways are just cracked concrete floors and walls. These walkways are the heart of the stadium, and spending even just some time on their design significantly elevates the elegance of the stadium, and can help make fans feel more welcome and at home.
In addition to not being wide enough, many stadium's walkways are just cracked concrete floors and walls. These walkways are the heart of the stadium, and spending even just some time on their design significantly elevates the elegance of the stadium, and can help make fans feel more welcome and at home.
Structure
The structure of the stadium is a particular interest of mine. Many of the structures are bland and uninteresting, but I think that the necessity of massive amount of steel can still allow for some architectural design. Petco Park is an excellent example of using the structure of the stadium to make an architectural point. The structure uses four large brick towers and a unique steel frame with strange and deliberate angles that make the design pop to the eye.
I believe that the structure of the stadium is one of the most overlooked and underdeveloped elements of a stadium, and many fans do not appreciate the elegance that a design can offer. Structures are often a fabulous way to convey a feeling, or theme for the stadium.
I believe that the structure of the stadium is one of the most overlooked and underdeveloped elements of a stadium, and many fans do not appreciate the elegance that a design can offer. Structures are often a fabulous way to convey a feeling, or theme for the stadium.
Food and Shopping
Let's face it - food is a part of the culture of baseball. From Los Angles to Boston, a stadium's food is a part of the area's culture and identity. Not to mention that baseball itself is ingrained with "peanuts and crackerjacks" as a part of the spectator's roles. A stadium's food is crucial to the experience of the fans - both in quality and number of choices. Nothing beats a cheesteak at a Phillies game of a Chicago hot dog.
Shops have also become a part of the baseball experience. Every stadium has a number of vendors or memorabilia shops where fans can but jerseys, hats, and t-shirts. Part of our stadium ritual is that I always buy a hat from the home team, so I regularly visit these team shops. I think that these are becoming a bigger part of the total baseball experience, and some stadiums are even beginning to offer other shopping opportunities. These shops offer something to do before the game, and a way to show fan spirit.
Shops have also become a part of the baseball experience. Every stadium has a number of vendors or memorabilia shops where fans can but jerseys, hats, and t-shirts. Part of our stadium ritual is that I always buy a hat from the home team, so I regularly visit these team shops. I think that these are becoming a bigger part of the total baseball experience, and some stadiums are even beginning to offer other shopping opportunities. These shops offer something to do before the game, and a way to show fan spirit.
Fan Interaction
Fan interaction can include everything from inning break giveaways, scoreboard games, and fan giveaways. These are typical activities which stadiums use to keep fans interested while the game is temporarily stopped. All of these have the effect that they help build a community, and keep the fans happy and entertained. Many stadiums have a "lucky fan" guess that game's attendance for a small prize, or have a fan answer trivia questions about a player. These types of things are lighthearted and help make the stadium experience an interactive one between the players, the team, and the fans.
My favorite of these activities are scoreboard games because they have such a low cost, and can really make a crowd laugh. Many stadiums have their own unique games, and they become a part of that stadium's fan culture.
My favorite of these activities are scoreboard games because they have such a low cost, and can really make a crowd laugh. Many stadiums have their own unique games, and they become a part of that stadium's fan culture.