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Enron Field - Houston, Texas Watching Houston Astros baseball has never been better.
On March 30, 2000 the first baseball game was played at Enron Field. It could
not have been a better start, the Astros won 6-5 over the New York Yankees. Unfortunately for the Astros, this was not
a show of things to come. As of this writing the Astros are 19-32 and an even
worse 12-16 at home. It is a good thing Enron Field itself is a huge hit with the fans.
Street Level showing Union Station in upper right corner
and 315 foot Left Field wall.
Enron Field has an old fashioned look on first impression but
when you begin inspecting your surroundings a bit closer, you will find that this
is a state-of-the-art ballpark. Almost every amenity is available for the fan.
Included in almost 200 points of sale, there are 35 permanent concession stands
featuring Hot Dogs, Texas BBQ, Pizza, Nachos and all your favorites.
The most
interesting concession stand, located near section 107, is named All Aboard for
the Major Leagues. This unique concession features food from the visiting teams
home town. When the Cincinnati Reds were in town 4-way Chili over macaroni was
served, when Philadelphia was here - you guessed it - Cheese Steak sandwiches.
If you crave great food and baseball there is one more place in the stadium that you
should not miss, Ruggles at Enron Field. This popular Houston Restaurant joined
forces with the Astros early on and was given a prime location in the stands,
center field. Ruggles actually has two locations in the park, one on the
concourse close to section 156 which serves a buffet during the game and the
prime location shown in the photograph below. If you can get to the center field
entrance before game time and be one of the first fans inside, you can
actually get a seat at the bar for the game. If you are a bit late, you will
need to rent out the entire patio area for your special day. Call for
reservations next year, this year is sold out.
Ruggles Restaurant, lower three levels are for groups but the two
levels of bar seating is open to the public every game.
The giant scoreboard in right center field boasts a near picture perfect Diamond
Vision large screen video display that can be seen from most angles in the
ballpark. There is enough room on the scoreboard itself to show every statistic
imaginable, at the same time. However, if you expect to see this great feature, do not
sit in the lower section of right field, your vision is blocked by the seating
deck above you.
The two pieces of the mobile roof are shown above
the massive scoreboard. Notice the suites near the left side of the scoreboard
and the patio in front of the Coca-Cola sign.
The locomotive is a signature piece at Enron Field. It makes a
run along the tracks (Crawford Street) after every Astro homerun. The steam
locomotive has made it's run over 50 times so far this year. Unfortunately the
Astros are not showing any home field advantage in the homerun department (or
any other department for that matter), their opponents lead them by 1,
52-51. If you are a baseball fan you have most likely heard of the very short
left field fence, 315 feet. Left field has by far been the most productive area
for hitting the ball out. There have been a total of 48 homeruns combined,
almost 50 percent of the combined total. Notice the flagpole and grassy hill
inside the ballpark in center field.
Shot of left center field with locomotive on
tracks.
As shown in the photograph above
and in more detail below. The deck out in left center field is a primo location
to watch the game. You have to stand the entire time and get their early for a
spot. This deck area is at street level and puts you above the bullpen and just
a few feet from the center fielder. The old style gasoline pump records Astro
homeruns. The night this photograph was taken Tony Eusebio belted one right
through the opening above the fans heads almost striking the pump.
The best place to stand and watch the game. A
couple of homeruns have already been hit here. The Conoco gas pump records all
Astros homeruns hit at Enron Field.
Enron Field is really a fans paradise. Compared to the dome,
you are very, very close and feel like you are a part of the action. Remember to
be alert when you are sitting on either baseline. Many bats and tons of
baseballs come rocketing down the line. If you are coming to the game for a more
social time with your friends, sit in the outfield or in the upper deck just to
be safe; seriously.
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