Globe Life Park

Arlington, TX

Team: Texas Rangers	Opening Day: April 1, 1994
Capacity: 49,178	Dimensions: LF 334 CF 400 RF 325
Construction: Manhattan Construction (Tulsa)	Owner: Arlington Sports Facilities Development Authority
Architect: David M. Schwarz (Washington), HKS, Inc. (Dallas)	Cost: $191 million
Surface: Bermuda Tifway 419 grass	Public Financing: $135 million (71%), from a one-half cent sales tax increase in Arlington over 12 to 15 years
Private Financing: $56 million (29%), from the Rangers	AKA: The Ballpark in Arlington (1994-2004), Ameriquest Field (2004-07), Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (2008-13)

Memorable Moments:

2010, 2011 American League Pennant.
1995 All Star Game.
June 20, 2007: Sammy Sosa hits home run number 600.
May 11, 2003: Rafael Palmeiro hits home run number 500.
July 28, 1994: Kenny Rogers tosses a perfect game.

Some thoughts about history and fan comfort went into this park. The bleacher seats in right center are the same seats used in Arlington Stadium and are a nod to Tiger Stadium. The park is twenty two feel below street level to avoid hot summer winds. The outfield has man nooks and crannies, just like Ebbets Field and an English muffin. The tarp is stored below ground on a hydraulic lift. There is a baseball museum and large retail store inside the park. The bullpens are raised five feet above the playing field so you can see who is warming up.

This park is set in a pleasant setting surround by fields (not parking lots) and lakes. The concourses are huge, with lots of stands (poor selection though) and picnic tables to enjoy your purchases. The scoreboard was kind of small. The balconies on the boxes in center field reminded me of New Orleans style architecture. This was a very nice place to watch a game.

The Rangers retired numbers (and the year they were retired) are:

26 Johnny Oates (2005)
34 Nolan Ryan (1996)