05/08/08

A beautiful park but.....

by pj888

You're not aloud to actually cheer for your team here. The park policies are ridiculous. They expect all fans to remain firmly seated for the duration of the contest, no matter if it's a critical point in the game when the crowd should be excited and encouraging their team. The cause is a subdued atmosphere which is a real bummer. I went to opening day in 2007 and predicted correctly that the loudest point in the game would take place during the simulated hydroplane race shown on the big screen, never mind Sexton's go-ahead homerun. By all means, this is a splendid park deserving of better from its managment and their policies. In the Kingdome, at least we were aloud to be good fans.

• Pros: great views (especially in the 100 level concessions, a gem of a park
• Cons: fans discouraged to cheer by zealous ushers, sell some plasma pregame to afford the concessions

04/03/07

What a way to experience a baseball game!

by sione

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I was sooo unhappy to see the Kingdome go... It was just an old classic icon of Seattle. I didn't want to see it leave and I didn't want any part of the replacement. I didn't go to Safeco for the first year or so after it was built, but brother... When I finally did walk in, I was in love! This stadium just has that great classic baseball stadium feel! It really seems true that there aren't bad seats in the house! The views are great, the retractable roof makes weather always tolerable (except for the cold, you're on your own on that part), and I really don't think the concessions are so ridiculously expensive. They aren't cheap, by any means, but who goes to a baseball game and expects them to be? I don't go to the movies and expect grocery prices for my food either. There's some really tasty eats inside from the garlic fries that have been mentioned, to some delicious pasta and foods I wouldn't necessarily expect at a ballpark.

All that said, it's true that parking can be an awful experience. I'll always come early and expect a walk. You can park close, but I'd rather not pay exorbitant prices for parking when I've got perfectly good legs (and can use the workout prior to the foods that I'm about to eat). Also, my dad had season tickets for years and I'd use his tickets sometimes that came with a parking pass for the attached garage. The ramp they added that shoots straight to the freeway is fantastic! Either pay up for parking or drive out aways. I typically park by the Sodo building (Sears) and just walk.

• Pros: It's a great experience! A must-see if you're visiting during the season!
• Cons: Parking takes a little work or a little "know-how"

03/20/07

Great MLB Experience!

by kingme28

Absolutely great place to watch a major league ballgame from early July on! As a native Californian evening games tend to be too cold for me early in the year. Friends that were out from Boston last year would trade Fenway for The Safe in a heartbeat. I've been to all the west coast MLB stadiums plus Coors, Kauffman stadium & BOB and I haven't been to one yet that has anything on Safeco Field! How else could the M's draw the 6th best attendance in baseball last year with a team that's finished dead last in the AL West for three consecutive years?

• Pros: The whole package
• Cons: Lou's not here anymore!

11/21/06

Nice Stadium

by kee22

Safeco is a very nice stadium. I didnt used to believe the statement that there isn't a bad seat in the house...but, it is true. You can see pretty well from anywhere. I especially like the retractable roof feature...it's great to be able to see the beautiful sky during the day, sunset, or at night...and it's nice that the roof can be closed so that you don't get rained upon...which happens a lot in Seattle.

• Pros: Great stadium, good seats
• Cons: parking is fun to find, but that's normal for any stadium

03/30/06

Safco Field, a must see!

by cribman2929

There is not a bad seat in the place! Parking is good, parking garage on the south side with walk way to the stadium. Other parking across the street or private ($2-$5.00) for the event. Concessions, good food from Oriental to BBQ. The best for us natives who know it rains here is the sliding roof. It will cover the stadium in about 5 minutes! Great seats from first to top level! Even the outfield seats are great!

• Pros: Views of field, Clean!, Concessions
• Cons: Can be cold

02/09/06

This open-air baseball stadium--home of the Mariners--will send your love of the game through the roof.

by Contributor

The Venue
Walk into Safeco and it's like you're walking into an old-fashioned baseball stadium. It starts with the metal sculptures--ballplayers striking classic poses--that adorn exterior fences. It continues with a red-brick facade. Once inside, however, you're in for a real treat: The park is intimate, sight lines are fabulous. Especially pleasing is being able to enter onto Level 1 and circle the field--without ever losing sight of the game.

The Experience
Baseball as it was meant to be played. Real grass. Real sky. The smells of hot dogs and popcorn wafting about. Sit behind home plate and you'll still feel close to the folks in the outfield bleacher seats. Sit along first base and you'll get a great view of downtown. Rain? Don't worry about it. The state-of-the-art roof is quickly closed (it takes about 15 minutes to fully cover the stadium).

07/13/05

Not a bad seat in the house!

by diosa211

Safeco Field had to be one of, if not, the best baseball stadium in the US. There really isn't a bad seat in the house. You feel as close to field on the 300 level as you would on the 100 level. Rainouts? No problem! The retractable roof lets you enjoy the game rain or shine. I recommend bringing your own food to the game (you are allowed to bring food, but not drinks into the stadium), as concessions can be pricey. Parking isn't so great either. Overall -- a great place to watch a game and soak up the atmosphere.

• Pros: No Bad Seats, Atmosphere, Retractable Roof
• Cons: Concession Prices, Parking

05/29/05

Overrated Generic 90's with poor views.

by bobearlw

"The Safe" (how apt is 90's Restoration Hardware version of what a ballpark should be with a gratuittous tin roof. It should have been on lot lot north of the Kingdome, not south of it. The Mariners wanted it way south to trap more concession money. Inconvenieint by design. Parking--Please! Instead of a lasting original statement like the Space Needle, we got another Hammering Man, instead of art, a franchise location. Instead of a great view of the skyline or the bay, we got the backside of a football stadium. The roof is just dumb.

• Pros: Downtown, Clean
• Cons: Too far south, Unoriginal

04/07/05

A little piece of heaven..

by seattlesweetheart

Safeco has become so much more than a venue to all of us diehard M's fans. It's home to some of the most amazing sunsets and summer nights, awesome food, and the best team and fans in the world. The feeling you get while taking it all in is this unbelievable high and there's no place I personally would rather be to watch baseball than Safeco Field, my home away from home.

• Pros: Fanbase, Food, Atmosphere

04/07/05

The bullpen!

by sequim88

Might have missed it but did not see a comment about the bullpen. Nowhere else that I know of can you get THAT close to the speeding pitches as they warm up. From every angle too! You can stand behind the catcher and watch the ball coming at you (from behind a sturdy chainlink fence of course).

Went to a game with my son when he graduated UW-Law and WOW what a place to watch baseball. In Mpls-St. Paul we're stuck with a dome almost as bad as the Kingdome was. My instant impression was "when can the Twins have a home like this?" I might even go see them then.

• Pros: Atmosphrere, Outdoors/covered, Views of field
• Cons: Parking, Wet stairs, Concession prices