Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
From SoSH
| Location: | Arlington, Texas |
| Opened: | April 1, 1994 |
| Owner: | Arlington Sports Facilities Development Authority |
| Surface: | Bermuda Tifway 419 Grass |
| Architect: | David M. Schwarz Architectural Services (Washington, DC) HKS, Inc. (Dallas) |
| Current Capacity: | 49,178 |
| Build Cost: | $191 Million |
| Tenants: | Texas Rangers (1994 - Present) |
Contents |
Stadium History
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is fan- and player-friendly with modern amenities that Rangers fans hadn’t seen in more than 20 years of play in Arlington Stadium. Outside the park, visitors can wander up Nolan Ryan Expressway and stroll along the Rangers Walk of Fame, reading about each team in franchise history on the brick path beneath them.
The field itself is located 22 feet below street level in order to avoid summer winds, and the seats alongside either dugout are as close to the baselines as any in baseball. The $191-million stadium took 23 months to build and features modern innovations like an infield tarp that is mounted on hydraulic lifts and stored below ground level along the left-field line. On top of the offices in center field stands a wind screen (measuring 42 feet by 430 feet) that minimizes the impact of stiff breezes.
On May 7, 2004 the Rangers announced a deal with Ameriquest Mortgage Company to immediately rename their ballpark Ameriquest Field in Arlington. The 30-year agreement was reported to be for about $75 million. On March 17, 2007, the Rangers severed their ties with Ameriquest and renamed the park to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Trivia
- Formerly "The Ballpark in Arlington" (1994-2004) and "Ameriquest Field" (2004-2006).
- Granite and brick facade.
- Covered pavilion porch in right field features pillars similar to of those at Tiger Stadium.
- Outfield has many nooks and crannies reminiscent of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.
- Bullpens raised 5 feet above playing surface so fans can see who is warming up.
- A total of 122 suites: 44 on the lower level; 78 on the upper level.
- Construction began on April 2, 1992.
- Funding for the ballpark authorized by a January 19, 1991, referendum that approved a half-cent increase in the City of Arlington sales tax.
- Site of the 1995 All-Star Game.
Field Dimensions
| Left Field | Left Center | Center Field | Right Center | Right Field |
| 334' | 388' | 400' | 407' | 325' |
Wall Height
| Left Field | Center Field | Right Field |
| 14’ | 8’ | 8’ |
Ground Rules
In addition to adhering to the Universal Ground Rules, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington also employs the following ground rules:
DUGOUT AREAS
- Ball striking facing of dugout and rebounding onto playing field: Out of Play.
RAILINGS
- Ball striking any railing adjacent to field and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.
OUTFIELD AREA
- Fair ball lodging in fence padding or in manually operated scoreboard in left field fence: Two Bases.
External Links
- Update
